Death Is A-Movin Upon My Soul
It goes like this: a magician and a genius and a spider and a nerd go into a room together. Two are unresponsive, one is definitely hiding something, and the other is starting to doubt his decision making.
It goes like this: a young girl tells the genius that she loves him and knows he’ll bring back the spider safely and by the way, she knows that the genius is Santa Claus so not to take a long time because she was hoping to get that science set they saw at the mall that one time.
It goes like this: a scared girl tells the nerd that she kind of has gotten used to having him around and doesn’t know what he got his loser self into but to come back quickly so she can kill him properly.
It goes like this: a spy thoughtfully plays with her bracelet, a colonel thinks about a class ring, and a bodyguard remembers a grave.
It goes like this: the magician closes the door and waves his hands and gives instructions. The genius lays down. The magic swirls. And the nerd begins to wake up.
“Remember, Stark. If things start to feel unstable, leave. The magic is unpredictable. Don’t risk getting caught in there too.” The absolutely vague directions miffed Tony, who felt like the answers Strange kept giving him were missing some key element.
“Very helpful. I really appreciate all the detailed instructions you’ve given me thus far.” Wannabe Gandalf rolled his eyes, but Tony wasn’t paying attention. He looked over at Ben, who was still (creepily) staring straight ahead. “So, I’m going into his head and convincing him to wake up?”
“It’s not really his head. It’s another realm. Your bodies are here, but your consciousnesses are somewhere else. You should be able to find Ned easily, who will walk you through taking over the bond. He’ll be able to wake up as soon as it’s transferred. Then you find Ben, and bring him back.”
Tony frowned, “I don’t understand how Ned had been able to walk and talk while holding the bond and also donating his life force. And he acted like he didn’t know who Benjamin was. That doesn’t make sense.”
Strange avoided Tony’s eyes while shrugging. “That is a very strange thing, but again, we don’t know much about this spell.” He clapped and said “Let’s get started, then.”
Tony decided not to press, and instead closed his eyes. Dr. “It’s the Mystic Arts, Not Magic” muttered words Tony couldn’t make out. A few seconds later, he felt as if he had been doused in a bucket of icy water. He started to shiver uncontrollably, goosebumps covering his arms and legs. Then, he felt a slight burning in the middle of his chest. The sensation grew and Tony began sweating. A wave of nausea crashed over him and he groaned as he worked hard on not throwing up.
He was just about to open his eyes to let Strange know it wasn’t working until the bed underneath him shifted. He fell hard onto something that felt like gravel. Opening his eyes, h found himself on the ground. It looked like he sitting on an undeveloped road—one of those dusty backroads leading to a farm or cabin. The dust was a rusty orange, and matched the sky. The air was warm and sticky and Tony could hear a whirring in the distance that sounded like a plane or a lawnmower. He got up, dusted off his jeans, and adjusted his glasses.
“I was hoping you’d come.”
Tony jumped, startled. He turned around and saw Ned standing next to him, lips quirked up in a half smile, eyes searching for something. Whatever it was, he must have found it because he then gave him a full smile and stuck out his hand. “Welcome, Mr. Stark!”
Tony shook his hand and nodded, “Thank you, Ted.”
Ned let out a huge laugh. “I’ve missed that. C’mon, I have a lot to tell you and I don’t have much time before I need to go.”
They walked down the road for a minute or so, Ned’s head turning back and forth as if he were looking for someone. “I’m glad you decided to do this, Mr. Stark. I was getting nervous.”
“Sure thing, Ned-a-rino. But could you tell me what this is, exactly? Harry Houdini wasn’t exactly clear.”
Ned pursed his lips, and Tony could almost see the gears turning in his head. “The Guardian Tree is an old ritual, passed down in my family. When the Spider-Man fight at Liberty Island was taking place about a year ago, I called my lola to ask her how to do it.”
“But why? Did you even know Spider-Man?”
He cocked his head and looked at Tony. Tony felt like he was being measured and weighed by the boy. “Do you know who you are here to save?”
“Yes. Spider-Man.”
“Right. But do you know who Spider-Man is?”
“Benjamin Fitzpatrick.” Tony was confused at his urgent tone.
Ned huffed and frowned. “I’m going to kill that sorcerer.”
“Feeling’s mutual, kid, but I don’t understand.”
Ned shook his head, “Mr. Stark, have you met me before? Before today?”
Tony faltered. “No. Michelle talked about you a lot, but we hadn’t met before.”
Ned sighed, “What if I told you I’ve been at your house many times? You even let me mess around with Friday’s coding.”
Tony scoffed. “I’d ask what you were on. I don’t let people touch my AI.”
“You let me.”
“That’s impossible. I’d remember that.” Tony sounded frustrated to his own ears. He felt unsettled by this line of questioning and didn’t want to understand what it had to do with Benjamin.
“Is it though? You’ve seen aliens and magic and other worlds. What exactly do you think is impossible here?”
“But I’d remember that. You can’t just take people’s memories away. Not that many. Not that invasively.”
Ned quirked an eyebrow. “You’ve seen mind control and are literally in another realm right now. Mr. Stark, I think you know what happened. I think you’ve known it for a while. I think you’ve been avoiding it because you’re scared.”
Tony shook his head. He stumbled and Ned reached out to steady him. “I…I…what does this have to do with Benjamin?”
“C’mon Mr. Stark. I know you’re smarter than that. What do you think it has to do with Benjamin? You’ve been asking questions for days now. You have theories. You’re avoiding them.”
“But I can’t…it can’t…I mean, I would know.” He was pleading. For what, he wasn’t sure. Dream Pepper’s words floated back to him. And Tony, you can’t keep burying it because we have two children who are counting on you. He pointed at Ned accusingly. “You met Ben today. You introduced yourself. You acted like you didn’t know him.”
Ned spoke patiently, as if he were explaining to a child. And boy did that rub Tony the wrong way. “That’s because the part of me that actually remembers has been in here trying to keep his idiot-self alive. When I leave here, my memories will come back. I’ll try to get everyone else to understand. But, Mr. Stark, when I let go of the bond and give it to you, I need you to understand why it’s important you hang on until you get him out. You don’t remember it, but you love him. Please remember this. Because he’s not going to want to come back with you. And he has to. He has to, Mr. Stark. We’re better because of him. He is the best of us. And if you let go, if you come back without him, you will never forgive yourself when you get your memories back. And this spell will work hard to get you to leave. I’ve stretched it as far as it can go and it’s fighting back. It’s going to be hard. But you are his best hope. Our best hope.” Ned had tears in his eyes. “Stay with the bond until you find him. When you do, get him to come back home with you.”
“How?” Tony was confused and had a million questions.
“I…I don’t know. But if anyone can do it, it’s you.” Ned looked up as a figure made its way towards them. He looked at Tony. “I’m going to give it to you now. You need to find Peter and bring him home.”
Peter.
Another memory of Morgan’s words a few days ago came to Tony: His name is Peter and he’s in trouble and we HAVE to do something. Mom told me. It’s real. It’s not just a dream. She told me.
The figure was getting closer and as it did, Tony blinked in surprise. He hadn’t expected this.
A young boy, around the age of 4, walked up to them. His hair was a mess of curly brown locks and his dark brown eyes were trusting and bright. He smiled and Tony could see a bottom tooth missing. Ned bent down. “Hey, Pete. I want you to meet a friend of mine.”
The kid looked up, bouncing on his heels. “Okay, Mr. Ned!” His small voice echoed and he looked curiously at Tony.
“This is Tony. He’s going to be walking with you today. I’ve got to go now, but he’ll be a good friend.”
Peter looked skeptical. He tugged on Tony’s shirt. Tony bent down. “Do you give piggy back rides?”
Tony looked at Ned confused. He nodded at him. “Sure, bud. Hop on.” Peter smiled widely, and climbed on to Tony’s back. Tony turned to ask Ned a question, but he was gone. “Okay then. I guess it’s just us now. Um…to be honest kid, I’m not really sure what to do here.”
“Just walk, Mr. Tony! That’s what Mr. Ned does. Mommy and Daddy are coming home today. They went on a plane. Have you been on a plane? I told Mommy to bring me back a puppy dog but Uncle Ben said that they don’t let puppy dogs on planes.”
Tony smiled despite himself. He was about to answer when a bright flash went off in the near distance. There was a loud crunching sound and a fire ball exploded. Tony could feel the heat hit his face. Peter climbed off of Tony’s back before he could stop him and ran towards the explosion. Tony’s heart lurched.
“Peter!!” He was yelling but the four-year-old didn’t turn around. Tony caught up to him easily and was about to bend down to tell him off for running away, when he stopped. Peter was looking up at Tony, his eyes wide.
They had come upon the scene of a plane crash. The air smelled like burning fuel and rubber and he could hear the fire crackling above them. A bunch of twisted metal rose out of the ground and Tony quickly gathered Peter into his arms. Tony stepped forward carefully. He felt something drip onto his shirt. He looked up and saw one of the plane’s engines towering over them. Oil and blood dripped onto their heads, and mixed into Peter’s hair. Peter let out a low whine and buried his face in Tony’s shoulder. In front of them were two bodies, still strapped into the now broken seats of the airplane.
A woman with long brown hair was covered in blood. She had a stuffed Dalmatian in her arms. A man with a kind face and broken glasses was still holding her hand. Peter struggled to get out of Tony’s arms.
“Mommy! Daddy! Wake up. Wake up. Please. My friend Tony is here.” He was crying. Tony held him tightly, whispering empty promises in his ear. The air was hot and the boy pushed against Tony harder. “PUT ME DOWN!” He screamed and pounded against his chest and Tony almost dropped him. “PUT ME DOWN!” Tony held tighter, until the boy’s cries got softer. He hiccuped a few times.
“C’mon, kid. Let’s go find somewhere to sit and get some water.” The child shook his head. “I don’t want to leave, Mommy and Daddy. I want to stay.”
Tony was thinking about what to say when another kid appeared in the distance. He began walking towards them. Tony could tell he was older—his curls were still untamed, but he was wearing glasses and was a little bit taller. He may have been seven or eight. As he walked up to them, he gave the smaller Peter a sad look. But when he locked eyes with Tony, his face lit up. The four-year-old reached his arms out to the other kid who picked him up. He wiped his tears.
“Quit crying, Pete. Uncle Ben said we have to be strong. Bad things happen sometimes, but the Parkers keep moving on. Plus, do you know who that is?
The four-year-old shook his head. The older boy looked up, “That’s Tony Stark. He’s Iron Man. He’s the coolest superhero in the entire world and he’s a genius.” The amount of worship in the kid’s eyes startled Tony. Both kids looked at Tony. “Mr. Stark, my Uncle Ben got us tickets to your Expo today.” He grabbed Tony’s hand. “Let’s go, before we’re late. I can’t wait to see your suit. Did you know I have my own armor, just like yours?” He pulled out an Iron Man mask from the backpack he was wearing and put it on. “Look! Now we’re twins! Let’s go!” Tony walked forward, holding both boys’ hands, mind racing a mile a minute.