The man behind the mask.
After a decade and some, There were Spider-Man murals everywhere, honoring the hero that bought half of the universe back. They even held a day just for Spider-Man. Spider-Day. It wasn't the best but it counts. On those days, there would be parades and dozens, if not millions, flowers and gifts dropped at the statue in Queens. But no one knew the man within the mask. No one knew that Spider-Man emerged as a boy in a onesie.
That's why Natasha stood at the podium, with Tony Stark with Aunt May. News reporters and photographers stood up in respect of their heroes.
"I come to you today, not as an Avenger... But as a person. As a mother," Natasha starts, "On this very day, we lost Spider-Man, who gave his life for the trillions of lives lost. But this isn't about Spider-Man." Natasha smiles, holding her Spider bracelet that was worn out.
May holds her hand.
"This is about the man behind the mask."
Now, this is where everyone stands up, prepared to report on the identity that J.Jonah Jameson once wanted to find out.
"This is about my son, Peter Parker," Natasha continues, "He started his crime-fighting at the age of fourteen and was done being a crime-fighter for quite some time until Captain America urged him to aid their cause in bringing half of you back. I'm happy to share with you... the life of Peter Parker before he passed away."
And so Natasha gave highlights of her son's life. In the crowd was Benjamin Parker and Morgan Stark. Morgan who is twenty and Benjamin who is sixteen. They watched as Natasha recounted anything about Peter and his crime-fighting days and when she was done, Tony took her place and talked about mentoring the boy when he was young and even referred to him as his first kid. His first chance as parenthood.
May took the stage and spoke about Peter the most. She spent most of her time with him. She talked about how Peter and his poor excuses for needing multiple bookbags every time he lost one and how Peter would always help May with the grief of losing Uncle Ben which made Peter become the man he was while he was living.
Everyone took notes on what the three adults said and once they were done, they asked questions. But no one answered as they had begun to cry. A decade or so passed but the wound didn't fully close yet. It was close, but not close enough.
Meanwhile, MJ was in her office as the news conference took air. She watched with a sad glimmer in her eyes as the heroes she knows were giving witness accounts of the man she once had a crush on. She clicks her pen and her phone rings. She picks up, "Michelle speaking."
"MICHELLE!" Ned excitedly yells through the phone, "Did you see the... news?"
"Totally did, Ned. How do you feel about it?"
"I feel bittersweet. They gave Peter recognition, but I wouldn't know if Peter had wanted this."
"We'll never know what he wants, Ned. All we know from Peter is that he wished for all families to come back together and be happy. He didn't say anything about his identity. But, it's nice to see that the man behind the mask is finally getting something that he deserves." MJ finishes with a smile.
"I guess so. Dinner at eight?"
"Dinner at eight." Michelle confirms.
"Wait, will you bring Peter with you?"
"Of course, I have no one to babysit him. Maybe, I'll call Miles."
"Miles is cool, invite him."
"He's not my kid."
"But I'm sure his parents will be down to let the boy eat with us."
"He's at another school, Ned. I'm not sure that I'd be on his emergency contact list."
"Just bring the kid. Besides, I feel like he's hiding something."
"Don't you think we all know that? He's just as obvious as our Peter. I figured it out because Peter always leaves whenever Spider-Man comes. We never seen both of them in the same room. Plus, you're a terrible liar."
"That isn't cool."
"Lie better."
Ned blows a raspberry, "Just come to dinner. Me and Betty are going to deliver some news."
"Good news I hope."
"Very good."
While all of that, Flash was in the military, with a certain symbiote.
In space, things were different. Nebula is apart of the Guardians and ever since those years, she and the Guardians found Gamora who is just now warming up to them after successfully finding her.
She was silent most of the time, enjoying Star-Lord's music while they were floating in space. Nebula looks at her arm, which her old best friend, Peter had made. He made several upgrades to her and Nebula would never forget about him. He sacrificed everything he had when he couldn't have.
If Nebula thought highly of Peter in the past, imagine how she thinks of him now.
Peter isn't constantly on her mind but when she feels sad, she digs deep in her memory to get one of the many which included the young Spider.
Her favorite was when she was introduced to Benjamin. He looked ecstatic and was excitedly requesting for Nebula to hold the newborn. Nebula kindly rejected but she ended up holding the baby and found love for the newborn. It was her favorite because it was the happiest she had ever seen Peter.
Nothing can top that. But today was one those days when she felt gloomy and decided to watch one of those memories. Rocket opens her door and raises an eyebrow, "You miss him?" He asks.
Nebula nods.
"If it makes you feel better, I think he'll be remembered throughout the galaxy. I saw some monuments in planets dedicated to him."
He walks and sits next to Nebula and as tradition, they hold hands.
"To not hold anything in memory of a man who sacrificed everything for the universe should be considered foolish." Nebula says.
Rocket nods, "But they're not foolish. At least not on most of the planets we've been on."
Nebula looks at her arm again. Memories of Peter gently asking to touch her arm or asking if she liked grape jam surface and for once, Nebula tears up. It may have been years, but every once in awhile, she just thinks about her fallen friend and how little time they've spent together.
It hurts. Nebula thinks to herself.
Rocket rubs her hand. This was just one of the many times they've been soft towards each other. Guess the grief bought them closer.
"Can we visit Earth soon?" Nebula asked, "I want to visit him."
"I'll see with the rest of the guardians." He murmurs and leaves her to be alone.
Nebula grabs the music player that Peter gifted her. It had his favorite songs on there and some of hers. She listens to one of Peter's favorites and stays on her cot, listening to the gentle melody with heartbreaking lyrics.
I love you. Nebula says that to the ghost of Peter, just like the song.
Everyone honored Spider-Man. Everyone mourned him.
But everyone celebrated him.
Everyone mourned Peter Parker.
But eventually, everyone honored and celebrated him too.
Miles Morales is just figuring out his Spider-powers. He didn't know what to do. The old Spider-Man died mostly a decade ago, and he sees videos sure, but he can't replicate that.
So, why was he at Tony Stark's door?
He knocks on the door and he gets a feminine voice yell, "WHO IS IT?!"
"It's uh... It's important!"
"NO AUTOGRAPHS! DAD IS SLEEPING!"
"PLEASE OPEN THE DOOR!" And Miles turns to see his classmate, Morgan.
Morgan who is in her Thor pj's looks at Miles with a shocked expression, "What are you doing here?"
Miles was nervous. How was he supposed to explain that a spider bit him and he has spider abilities? How was he supposed to explain that he didn't want them? He couldn't live up to the Spider-Man that once was alive when Miles was a toddler. No one can live up to a small hero becoming a legend as he bought back half of the people.
"I... I uh. I need your help... Well, not yours... But..."
"Morgana, what are you do- Is that the Miles kid?" Tony Stark walks into frame as he examines Miles.
"Dad-"
"Will you treat my daughter nicely?"
"Well, uh-"
"Will you buy her anything? And I mean anything?"
"Mr. Stark, sir-"
"Do you like her!-"
"I GOT BIT BY A RADIOACTIVE SPIDER!" Miles shouts and breathes as the tension his body was holding went over the rails.
"You got bit by what?"
"A... I got bit by a spider..."
Tony's face falls as he moves both Morgan and himself for Miles to enter, "Morgan, call Auntie Nat and Benjamin," He orders, "We have stuff to do."
"Even after a decade, Spider-Man's legacy and recently Peter's legacy will live on. And it is thanks to you, that it's so strong and will leave a mark on the world," Natasha looks at the cameras and with a smile, she goes, "Peter Parker will always be My Dear Melancholy. And nothing will ever change that. Thank you for listening to this and we hope you have a good day."
END.
END?