The Infinite Child

Sacrifice.

A soul for a soul.

The price to pay for power. Only a very few have completed the ceremony. Only a very few have gotten their hands on pure infinite power.  Most retire, unable to part with their loved ones. It was always quiet until the blood dripped on the concrete ground. The blood stained the stone and everything it touched.

“I ignored my destiny once, I can not do that again. Even for you.” Greif ran through the titans veins. Despite it all, the madman still felt love.

“I’m sorry little one.”

Sometimes love isn’t enough. The blood still is spilled despite the pain. It was a large price that was never paid easily. It never was easy. It never got better. It never changed. Always the same love sacrifice to wield the power it held.

“Did you do it?”

“Yes...”

“What did it cost?”

“Everything.”

Even when the sun rise over the ghostly farming planet, the titan never forgot what he lost. With his life mission over, the titan had nothing left but the retirement alone on the abandoned planet. He mourned long after the snap. The dozens of souls lost in the realm of stones cried begging to return. They haunted the titan at night along with the screams of his loved ones.

Even the monsters had a soul.

“Whatever it takes.”

The noble sacrifice for the dozens of innocent. The tears of the willing cried and the cries of the broken echoed. Blood dripped once again. Dripped until the ground was painted red. The weight of past sins lifted, the once assassin could rest easy knowing her life was going to a better cause.

Being dragged around again, the stone was used once again. By the snap from a science accident, the dozens of lost souls return safely. At the cost of an arm the universe was balanced. No more screaming souls. No more tears to shed.

“And I am Iron Man.”

The greatest sacrifice of them all. The guilty sells his soul to insure the safety of his loved ones. No blood spill, no self sacrificial need. Just a man willing to sell his soul for the survival of his loved ones. It was a worthy sacrifice.
The others laid broken and shattered across the ground. Their power fading by the second. One stands out. A stone glowing the brightest of orange, slowly but surely was fading. It watched the scene laid before it.  The guilty’s loved ones gather, shedding their tears. A boy with the purest of hearts now broken by the sight of his father dying. Though not connected by blood, they were connected by soul. The stone recognized the boy’s bright soul. It was one of the many trapped within the soul stone.

“We won...Mister Stark...We won...You did it sir...You did it...I’m sorry Tony. ”

The boy’s heart mourned, begging for an answer. Having experienced so much loss and afraid to lose another, the child still managed to comfort the dying. The dying desperately wished for the tears of the child to go away. He didn’t want his son to cry for him. He didn’t want the crushing guilt to weigh the boy down.

A worthy father,

A worthy child.

The stone made a choice. With its power growing weaker, the stone reached out to the boy. Touching his soul.

The boy, Peter Parker it learned, heard his calls. Slowly turning his head towards the glowing stone. A moment of confusion passes over the kid’s teary eyes before one of understanding.

“Peter?”

The stone rose from the ashes, calling out. Peter Parker listened, letting the stone into his soul and heart. The stone fell into the boy’s hand, making it’s choice. The others gasped, watching the child take the soul into his hand. Power flushed through him, the stone sewing itself inside, flowing through his veins. Infinite knowledge pouring into his brain, nearly destroying it in the process.

The stones were no longer alone.

“Step aside,” The ston-Peter ordered. Everyone backed away, wide eyed. They all watched, fearful for the child’s life as the boy fell onto his knees beside the fallen hero. Stark’s eyes followed weakly, barely able to turn his head.

Peter, with his eyes glowing a bright orange, placed his hand on the hero’s cheek and let universe handle the rest.

“Oh my god...Tony?” Pepper called out, eyes overflowing with tears.

The hero blinked.

Pain was no longer a feeling he felt. No more agonizing fire coursing through his veins. All he felt was the rocks sitting underneath him poking him uncomfortably. The man found the strength to look down. His arm healed, not even a mark left.
“Pepper..” Tony sat up, eyes blown wide. His wife cried tears of happiness. “Peter!” The kid was glowing when he last saw him. His eyes turned to his side to see the kid sitting down next to him, his eyes shut.

Tony scrambled to his knees, kneeling down by the kid. His heart pounded as he looked over Peter, scanning for any injuries. He feared the worse. He couldn’t lose the kid again. He couldn’t survive that again.

“Come on kid, wake up!” Everyone watched, their eyes saying it all. He refused to give up, and started to shake the kid hoping it would wake him. To everyone’s disbelief the kid’s eyes flew open, taking a deep inhale.

Tony was filled with relief to see the kids big puppy brown eyes again.

“‘R’ th’ wheatcakes d’ne?” Was the first thing that came out of Peter’s mouth in a daze. The hero’s couldn’t help but laugh.

“Surprised you aren’t dead.”

“I’m Iron Man, you can’t kill me,” Tony fired back playfully. Strange kept a straight face but the billionaire could see past the fake facade and see the man was relieved. He always knew the wizard cared.

“How’s Peter?” Tony asked. The wizard seemed to tense at the question, hesitating to spill the truth.

“Well the Soul Stone took a lot in him. He’ll be fine in a few days with lost of rest and fluids.”

“But?”

“What makes you think there's a but?” Tony raised a brow, unimpressed. Strange sighed. “The stone it did something to Peter.” The playful air turned cold. The once calm aurora Tony gave turned into a worrisome one.

“At first I didn’t understand how the kid was able to wield the stone barehanded without turning into burnt toast. He should be dead.” Strange was blunt and quick, one thing Tony actually liked about the guy. Even if it hurt like hell. “The stone is what gave him the power to save you and that same power is still coursing through his body.”

“What the hell does that mean?! Is he okay?”

“From what I gather, I have reason to believe the stone bonded to him. It merged with him, which in turn saved you and the stone from total destruction.”

“He’s gonna be okay right?” Strange didn’t answer. Which meant one thing typically. The wizard didn’t know. Tony felt sick. This wasn’t supposed to be how things played out. The stones should be gone and Peter should be with his aunt safe and sound.

“If it makes you feel any better, your ward is awake in the next room asking for you. He doesn’t remember any of it.” Tony nodded, inpatient for their official reunion when neither of them are fighting for their life or dying. “Thank you, for everything Strange.”

“You’re very welcome.”

“I hate you.”

“I know.” Tony left the room holding back a smirk.

“Mister Stark!” The boy ran into his arms, smiling with relief to see his mentor.  

“Hey kiddo,” Tony whispered, holding his kid close.

“We won! The purple grape nut is gone!” Peter exclaimed. Tony nodded, smiling. He was glad to hear his kids voice. God five years without it was far too long.

“I must’ve past out halfway cause last I remember you snapped your fingers!” Peter pulled back, with a sheepish look on his face.

“I’m glad you’re okay Mister Stark.”

“Me too short-stack.” Tony exhaled a shaky breath. “Look who’s talking old man!” If anybody told him four years ago that he’d get to hear the kid’s sassy remarks again he probably would’ve slapped them. He laughed, completely taken away by Peter’s voice.

Maybe, just maybe, things will finally be okay.