Resurrection

Chapter -12

Strange had just come back from London sanctum sensing a mystic power looming. It was some ancient alien race passing through. So when they had left the place, Strange returned back truly exhausted. The day as in itself was not tiring but the past couple of days were making him wish for a long sleep uninterrupted which he knew was near impossible.

Thor was sitting and reading some book. Eh. He didn’t think that the blond had it in him. He just didn’t look like a scholar guy. More of a hit and kill guy. But he certainly looked happy on his brother’s return.

Thor on the other hand was pondering upon his brother. Loki was always soft spoken and protective when it came to his things. He had more than in many occasions been the victim of his brother’s wrath. But he never had found him develop a sort of …kinship with someone like this.

When Peter was hurt Loki would turn to a Goddess. While it in itself was not a surprising sight, it was the look- the look that he used to give when he wanted to truly have someone his own. Perhaps like Sigyn?

He didn’t know really what Loki’s intention were.  Even more strange was the friendship (if you could call it that) between Tony and Loki. He knew that if the circumstances were different they would have had been together. His mother would have definitely approved it.

Thor was so deep in thoughts that it startled him when he heard the Old Norse whisper. It sounded like Loki and he summoned his storm breaker preparing to leave the sanctum.

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Strange was preparing a tea for himself when he heard a whisper. It was barely audible and it was some language he wasn’t familiar with.

He was going to ask to Thor when he saw the thunder god summoning his weapon.

“Thor?”

“I think my brother and spiderling are in danger, we must aid them. Hurry up”.

Strange wasted no time as he envisioned stark tower and he was brought to the lab clearly unused now by anyone.

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Tony was panting as he was holding the boy like a rag doll. But suddenly he felt himself trapped. He thought it was Loki ready to fight him but saw it was a metal armour.

Hulk buster was forming around him and he was being clamped down. He tried to fight but it was too strong so he decided to use fire. But just when he was ready to fire the blasphemy away, he heard the voice.

“Boss is that you?”

“Friday?” Tony asked in disbelief.

“I am sensing an anomaly here. The facial recognitions do not match but the vitals and acrobatic skills are definitely you. It seems like you have found a breakthrough for de-aging.” Friday replied with a sense of happiness.

Tony wanted to laugh –“It’s me baby girl, your daddy”.

“Welcome Boss, I have missed you” Friday spoke. As If on cue he heard Dum-E’s whirring sound.

It was only then he realised what he had done. The kid. Peter. What he had done. His mind was racing as he tried to deactivate the suit. But as soon as he stepped out he felt a punch in his face, a green seidr binding him and almost lifted off from the ground by thunder god.

He had no time to think how Thor, Loki and Strange had united together. He was knocked out cold.

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When he came back to senses, he was back at the sanctum.

Strange was sitting opposite to him, his expression pinched. Tony wanted to cry, he wanted to know how his Peter was. He knew that he wouldn’t be forgiven. What if something had happened to him? What if he lost him again?

“Peter?” tony choked out unable to hide the tears welling in his eyes.

“No… no you don’t get to ask!” Strange started pacing feeling restless.

“That boy…he was the only one who believed in you. I saw him struggling with your loss. I saw him wasting his life, he went to places to get you back. He was ready to die for you. And what did you do? You hurt him… you made him feel worthless. And now you tried to kill him. You don’t get to ask.”

“I … I” what was he supposed to say to that. The kid had been like his shadows from the day he had been resurrected. The boy went to extreme lengths to make sure he was alright. And the look. Oh his doe eyes…it was full of admiration. And he had hurt him, accused him and didn’t even pay heed to what he was saying. He deserved this. He knew that Peter will never look at him the same.

“I know I hurt the kid but I don’t know. I don’t know what came over me. I just don’t understand why the kid clings to me anyway…” he mumbled helpless.

“You don’t know why he is hanging around you?” Strange asked almost to himself. He could only laugh. Poor boy.

“If you don’t know why he had brought you back, why even though you didn’t spare a second glance to him was trying to be with you…. then it’s better that you don’t see him. I won’t let you hurt him again. The only reason why you are still here is because you are danger to everyone”. The sorcerer said with disgust.

Tony could only look down as he asked the dreadful question-“Strange, is he…?” God, he hoped the kid was okay.

“Is he alive? Yes he is. Is he okay? No he is not, his neck was almost crushed, his ribs are bruised, hand broken from the fall and his head was hit but thankfully there were no internal damage. He might need to undergo surgery if Loki can’t help him. If he didn’t have the enhanced strength, he would very well be dead now.”

“Maybe you could live with the guilt of leaving him dead. I can’t. I couldn’t protect him now but I won’t let an incident like this happen again”. Strange said no longer caring about the man’s crumpled face.

Tony had never felt more alone in his life.