24 Issue 24: Avenger's Initiative Part VI

After waking up from his forced-nap, Power-Man saw Peter hovering over him before he held his hand out and lifted Luke off the ground.

"In the future, learn to protect your head. The outside of your body may be strong, but there are ways around that. Your homework will be working on defensive martial arts."

Luke nodded rubbing the back of his head and said, "I didn't think I could be knocked out like that."

When Power-Man stood back in line with everyone else, Peter pointed to Iron Fist and said, "You're up next!"

Danny walked forward and bowed, Peter returned the favor when Danny jumped at him and began kicking and punching with every style he knew.

Peter dodged effortlessly when suddenly, Danny's fist started glowing gold. Peter responded by charging up his own Chi and meeting Danny's fist with his own fist.

The room shook and as the two forces of Chi exploded while sending a shockwave of force outward.

Danny shot back while Peter appeared to be the clear winner of the battle since he barely moved at all.

"Chi has many uses but if you only use it for reinforcement than you are wasting its potential, Peter explained as he walked over to Danny and held his hand healing the wounds that he inflicted on him.

"Chi, Ki, or Qi, whatever you want to call it, is the bio-electric energy that surrounds and radiates from every living being. Some people have been able to train themselves to enhance their minds and bodies. It can also be used to heal themselves and others. I heard that Immortals have special techniques that defy common sense. Do you not know of any?" Peter questioned as he helped Danny back up.

Iron Fist shook his head with a disappointed expression before saying, "Well, I have heard my masters speak of things that I could do with my Chi, however, I did not complete my training before returning. I can't..."

"What? Be inventive or creative? Did the pioneer of your art have a teacher? It's your Chi, experiment and figure it out! Your training will consist of making your own techniques and controlling your Chi in various manners. Start with trying to understand just what Chi is!" Peter scolded the young hero.

Danny frowned, realizing what Peter was getting at as he turned his thoughts inward and began to meditate.

Peter began writing down a series of training exercises that consisted of mundane actions such as heating food, target practice, and lighting candles. He then turned to Angel and handed over the paper before saying, "Although combat is important, you should train by repeated use of your power. Start with control."

Lastly, Peter faced Jessica and said, "I think sparing with Luke would be the best choice for you to get a handle on your powers. Once you discover the limits of your body, you can move on to flight training using the facilities at Shield."

"You all need to better familiarize yourself with the powers you have. Make a game out of it. If you can substitute an everyday action with it, then do so. I don't care if it for cooking breakfast or exercising until you drop. Just because you have powers doesn't mean you've reached the peak of your strength and understanding.

Peter looked over them once more and said, "After personally sparing with us, you'll spend 1 hour in the danger room. When you finish, you are to report to Agent Romanov for learning the craftwork of espionage."

The Spider-Heroes spent the entire hour beating up and instructing the Trainees on how to fight with each other. More than once, Peter and MJ had to interfere with Luke and Jessica's fight because they were destroying the training equipment.

When they finished their hour of torture, they were stopped and were led to S.H.I.E.L.D's danger room. Peter set up the most basic level 1 setting. A group of floating metallic orbs came out and started swarming the group, they could shoot small lasers that could imitate the force of a superhuman punch and had a predictive algorithm installed in it that would adjust to their fighting styles and overcome them.

Peter then sat back with MJ and watched as the future heroes begin training in the Danger Room.

"Okay! When fighting villains you have to refrain damaging the city as much as possible, I won't blame you if you can't help it, but if there was something you could have done to avoid it, then you better expect a lecture. The city pays for your mistakes as well, I know it sounds like a hassle, but you're not the ones paying for the damages, the city's taxpayers are." MJ announced as she pointed to the holographic city produced by S.H.I.E.L.D's top of the line technology.

Before they knew it, the group was swamped in droids that went on the assault.

The Spider-Heroes then proceeded to watch their terrible teamwork and buildings that were constantly destroyed by either their attacks or being attack.

"The danger room training will focus on your actual combat training, and teamwork is the goal of this exercise. From now on each of you is required to make a combination attack or create team strategies to take down your opponents. Remember these targets are supposed to represent real people if you can capture and subdue them without damaging them, extra points will be awarded."

"Oh, and if a building or a piece of property is destroyed, points will be deducted," MJ added.

"We're being graded?" Luke asked as he dodges the lasers being shot at him.

"Yep. The winner will be selected as Hero Candidates at the end of every month. Those that pass, get to go out on patrol with us. If all goes well, and you guys perform as efficient Heroes, you can consider yourself a graduate," MJ said grinning under her mask.

Everyone's eyes shined in anticipation. While they tried their hardest not to break the materials and hit the shut-off switch on the drones, they were daydreaming about the day they could fight alongside the Spider-Heroes, which ended up costing them some points.

Peter and MJ let this continue for over an hour before taking them to Agent Romanov's classes, the group sat down and began learning spying skills from the master.

Later that day when they went home, Peter went over the files Fury had gotten him on Jessica and her family's accident. He looked through their history and it turned out Jessica's mother had worked for the head researcher for a project at Norman Osborn's company for a while. 

What she was working on was unknown, but it had apparently taken up most of her time as she had logged in over 14 hours of work almost every day. Peter knew Osborn had something to do with their accident, but he didn't exactly have proof, and he also doubted that Osborn would be stupid enough to leave behind evidence.

"It's also a possibility that it could have been a competitor of Osborn or someone who hated them enough to target his workers. Oh what's this, she turned in her letter of resignation for the project she was working on, something made her quit 3 years of research, what did she make?" Peter mumbled as he put away Fury's files.

Peter knew he would have to head to Oscorp sooner or later, but for now, he was busy training the future defenders.

When he went to bed that night, Peter started preparing the schedule for the S.H.I.E.L.D trainees.

For the next few weeks, Peter and MJ continued to train them in a harsh manner while balancing their superhero lives and schoolwork.

Jessica showed the most progress in her powers, and Power-Man had been a great help to her because could take her attacks without taking damage.

Having someone she could go all out really made it so she could find her limits easier.

Her flying training, on the other hand, wasn't going so well. In the training room which consisted of a few giant fans that mimicked high altitude flight, she performed great. On the other hand, when they used the hologram of a city for her to fly over, she could look down at how high she was she began to get airsick, making everyone else laugh at her a bit as she emptied the contents of her stomach.

"Stop laughing!" Jessica growled.

"Sorry, but whoever heard of someone with the power of flight getting airsick?!!!" Power-Man countered.

"Hey! Cut the chatter and get back in the air!" MJ shouted at Jessica.

Her face turned pale before she asked, "Can, can I take a breather first?"

"Nope! If you want to get over your air sickness, then you have to grow accustomed to that feeling. Giving you time to rest would defeat that purpose," MJ informed Jessica as she threw her back into the human flight simulator.

As Power-Man laughed, Peter grabbed his shoulder and dragged him towards the sparing ring before saying, "Come on big guy, we have to work on your CQC."

Iron Fist managed to make some headway in his Chi control by healing small wounded animals. He also managed to spread the Dragon Chi from his hands to his forearms and up to his knees for his legs.

After a few more weeks of training, Peter woke up one morning and saw the calendar, and smiled before saying, "Today's MJ's 17th Birthday, what should I get her?" Peter thought of the fact his birthday was next week as well, "In the original lore, MJ's birthday was a week and a day after the 616-Peter Parker. I guess it's switched around in my world. To think it's already been about a year since I became Spider-Man. I wonder when the Invasion will begin."

"Graaa?!" The Bamf tilted its head with a confused expression.

"No, it's true, I really came from another universe altogether. I was reincarnated into this one," Peter explained.

"Graha," The Bamf said as he nodded his head in understanding.

Peter walked downstairs and had breakfast with May and Ben. After getting his plate, he plucked a pancake off the table, and stealthy sent out his Symbiote to give the Bamf its share.

They had wheat-cakes again, Peter's favorite and the Bamf's as well.

Since it was the weekend, Peter thought of heading to Reed to get her a present that he'd been saving up for.

After a full month and a half of training and raking in the dough from his inventions, Peter had made it through his 3rd Paycheck from his patents, making him roughly 10.8 Million dollars.

MJ's clothing material and brand name had taken off, so she had plenty of money of her own. Buying something for her seemed kind of impractical and pointless. It would be much better to give her something he made by hand, something money couldn't buy.

After learning from Reed and his new mentors at school, Peter had decided he was ready to make the unstable particle for MJ's Symbiote to absorb. He even made her some new web-shooters.

The Spinnerets on the device were altered so that they could form far more complex structures and switch between the different webbings much quicker.

The most personal thing he made came from out of his magnetic training.

Thanks to him nabbing a tooth from good old Magneto, Peter managed to copy his X-Gene and gained his power.

However, the ability had proven much harder to use than the other elemental forms he could access. When he did he use them, he became the living embodiment of lightning and fire, making his understanding of the ability quite good, but Magneto didn't have anything like electromagnetism mode. Peter had to sense the wavelengths with his imagination and mental power. Not to mention that since Peter just started out on this path, his control was rather lacking.

However, with enough practice, Peter had managed to learn how to control metals pretty easily. He fashioned a necklace out of a piece of gold he bought and added a spiderweb design to the surface of the metal before putting a heart pendant with a single small ruby adorned on top of it.

He also learned what changes were made when his suit absorbed the unstable molecules. Other than gaining an additional boost to heat and cold, it could produce new chemicals to feed the Symbiote its main source of sustenance, so chocolate binging was no longer a necessity.

After putting the presents away, Peter left and quickly arrived at the Baxter Building. With Reed's help, they make a batch of unstable molecules for MJ.

Peter made sure to invite Angel and Johnny to MJ's birthday party as well. He also invited Liz, Harry, and Jessica. They all agreed to meet up at Central Park to have a picnic slash birthday party.

While they drove over, Peter made sure to give her the special super-hero birthday presents early.

After receiving the new web-shooters, MJ jumped into his arms and kissed him before saying, "Thank you! I love them, Tiger!"

MJ smiled while using her Symbiote to store them while never taking her eyes off the last wrapped present in Peter's gift bag.

"What's that one?" MJ asked with a mischievous smile on her face.

"The present I'm handing out at your party," Peter answered as he gave her a peck on the cheek.

"Can't I just get a peek!?" MJ pouted.

Peter gave her a kiss on this lips this time before saying, "Sure, at the park with everyone else."

After a few minutes, the taxi-driver arrived at the park. Paying the fee, the couple took off and ran off to meet everyone waiting for them.

Aunt May, Uncle Ben, MJ's parents, their best friends, and even Luke Cage showed up as well.

"Sorry, MJ. I know I didn't ask, but he was my ride," Jessica said as she rubbed the back of her head.

MJ smiled and leaned in and whispered, "You brought your boyfriend? Well, I don't mind, introduce us!"

"He's not my boyfriend!" Jessica whispered back with a red face.

"Heya! I'm Peter! So your Jessica's boyfriend?" Peter introduced himself as he snagged and shook Luke's hand.

"Wait, we're not..." Both Luke and Jessica shouted at the same time, they then looked at one another and blushed before turning their heads away from each other.

"I'm Luke. I'm her ride to and from this party. I don't mean to intrude, I can leave and wait in the car," Luke said with a stern and strong tone.

Peter and MJ laughed and held out her hand before saying, "No, it's cool with me. Any friend of Jessica is a friend of mine. I'm Marry Jane, Marry Jane Watson, but you can call me MJ!"

"So you're the birthday girl, congrats!" Luke said as he shook her hand as well.

Peter? Are you going to introduce us to your friends? Wait a minute, is that Jessica?" Aunt May questioned in surprise.

"Aunty May!" Jessica hugged Peter's aunt with an elated expression.

"Aunt May, you remember Bell, right?" MJ giggled as May stroked the girl's hair.

"How could I forget, she was your best friend. I'm so glad she's doing better." Aunt May replied as she pulled Jessica back a bit.

Luke then held out his hand and said, "Hello, mam, I don't mean to intrude, but my name is Luke."

"Nonsense, there's plenty to eat, we have a tuna casserole, hamburgers, hotdogs, lasagna, home fried chicken, coleslaw, and my special baked macaroni." Aunt May declared as she took Jessica and Luke by the wrist and led them over to the large picnic blanket.

When Luke smelled the food, he smiled and said, "I think I'm in love with you, mam."

May waved her hand and bashfully said, "Oh, you silly boy."

Before everyone ate, for those that didn't know each other, they were introduced. When they heard that reason Peter was friends with one of the fantastic four, he turned to Peter and said, "So you guys are loaded?"

Peter and MJ laughed and nodded their heads.

"Yeah, but I have already have plans for what I'm going to spend the majority of my cash on, and I can easily make more…so money doesn't really mean much to me. It's just another tool made by man," Peter said as he chowed down.

"I hear that. It's nice to see you have a good head on your shoulders, money can turn a man into some awful things," Luke said before taking a bite of everything on his plate.

Tears formed at his eyes while he placed his plate down and covered his face.

"Is everything alright?" May questioned.

"It's perfect, mam. Reminds me of my ma's cooking! It's delicious!" Luke commented before quickly devouring everything on his plate and asked for seconds.

After dinner, the sun started to set on the horizon. MJ blew out the candles on her cake and made a wish.

"What you wish for?" Peter asked.

MJ gave him a kiss on the cheek and said, "That's a secret. I'll tell you when it comes true."

Peter smiled and with a fake pout, he said, "Tease."

MJ giggled before everyone suddenly brought out her presents and made her smile ear to ear.

Johnny got her an advanced wrist CPU that would basically take the place of her cell phone. "I heard you like tech, so I had Reed and Sue help me whip this up."

"I'm surprised you managed to put your focus into anything other than a car-related activity," Peter said with eyes like a dead fish.

"Shut it, Dweeb!" Johnny fired back.

MJ smiled and thanked Johnny by saying, "It's okay, Johnny. Lots of people underestimate your intelligence."

Peter started laughing louder as Johnny said with a red face, "MJ, that's not a compliment."

Angel gave her a new dress that she thought was cute. It was a red shoulder strap one-piece dress that was actually made from MJ's material.

Jessica gave her an old camera that they used to use for their old club and some of their Jr. High pictures. MJ thanked Jessica and gave her a hug.

Aunt May gave her some perfume that she liked and Uncle Ben gave her a jean jacket.

Her parents bought her a car and said that she could only take it out once she gets her permit. Johnny blew up in an excited rant and started promising her that he would give it one hell of a tune-up.

"Sorry, I didn't bring one, but I promise to for the next one," Luke said after quickly swallowing his mouthful of cake.

"Are you sure you're not after my Aunt's cooking?" Peter joked.

"What can I say? The woman knows her way around the kitchen. She's already tamed my stomach," Luke said before he laughed.

Peter laughed with him and handed over his present.

MJ opened it at took out the golden ruby necklace. Holding onto it, she showed an amazed expression before she smiled and said, "It's beautiful Peter, I love it."

Peter smiled as she handed it to him to put on.

Placing it around her neck, MJ held onto it with a blushed face.

Johnny looked at the present, nodded his head, and gave a thumb's up to Peter, who in return swayed his head side to side and sighed when he saw all the stares coming his way.

The group went home after celebrating till the sun started to set. Peter and MJ held hands, as they decided to take the long way home.

Unfortunately, their romantic evening was cut short by a random mugging.

MJ sighed and looked at Peter before she said, "This asshole just had to go and ruin my day."

With a quick suit up the two stopped the muggers and went out on patrol for the rest of the night.

As they stared over their city from the highest building in the area, Peter held his arm around her shoulder as they sat with their feet hanging over the ledge and said, "After we graduate, I think we should look for a place to live. We both have money, but I don't want anything too big."

MJ smiled and said, "I know, what's with those people that live in giant houses, too much work, you'd have to hire cleaners, and it would feel lonely when no one is home."

Peter and MJ continued to talk about their future, and after a while, they decided to head home.

The next day, they took out the first Super-Hero that they trained to see if they could handle a simple patrol.

Iron Fist and Luke had managed to score well enough to take them on a mission.

Since it was their choice, Peter and MJ decided to test them. When he notified Fury, he assigned them a light-mission. They were to infiltrate an underground weapon smuggling ring and take them out without making a mess.