Hope
Peter reached the dock thanks to the VITAE boat that had brought him back, before heading back to finish what he started.
He stayed still for a moment, letting his head drop, knowing what was probably coming his way. Even so, he didn't want to leave. He wanted to stay until the end.
He looked toward the ferry, which was still approaching, held together by Tony's small thrusters, while Tony himself seemed to be arguing with the agencies. Even from far away it was obvious they were fighting over the criminals… and the weapons.
Though it all ended pretty quickly.
The Class A VITAE agents destroyed the weapons right in front of everyone, not giving them time to argue. That sparked clear fury in the other departments, but they couldn't do anything.
The DODC looked like it would cause more problems, especially since their secret base, where they hid illegal tech, had been destroyed. But from what Peter managed to hear while spying with Karen's help, Owen would handle that.
The arrested criminals were handed over to the FBI, and just like that… it was over.
Though not completely.
There were still two criminals who had escaped, but with the information he had gotten, it was only a matter of time before they were caught.
Tony, who had finished arguing with the federals, didn't take off the Iron Man suit at any point. That made Peter think maybe he wasn't even there in person, like he usually did when controlling the armor remotely.
But then…
For a moment, Iron Man seemed to look straight at him.
Like he knew he was being watched.
Peter didn't move.
When Tony finished and started to leave, he flew straight toward him.
Peter already knew what was coming.
The scolding.
And even then, he didn't move.
He stayed sitting on the roof of the tallest nearby building, waiting for him.
"Thirty million dollars," Tony said the moment he got close, floating in front of him. "That's the value of the suit you hacked… to do exactly the one thing I told you not to do. I told you. Act like a normal teenager. Enjoy your youth and let the adults handle adult things."
"Are the people okay?" Peter asked.
"No. Because of you," Tony replied, annoyed.
Peter turned sharply.
"Not thanks to me?" he said, clearly upset. "Really, not thanks to me? I tried to warn them.I told the agents too, but nobody seemed to listen. You were more interested in enjoying your vacation while those weapons were out on the streets… and you're telling me not thanks to me."
His tone rose.
It was the first time he spoke to him like that.
"Yeah, for you we're just kids who haven't learned anything. You feel like a babysitter because you got stuck in charge of us instead of someone else. But since you've been in charge, we've only seen you once… and that was to say goodbye at the school. If you really cared about us, neither Kamala nor I would be here," Peter said, furious.
At that moment, Tony's armor opened.
And he stepped out.
It was actually him.
Peter was caught off guard and took a step back, losing part of that confidence he had.
"I did listen to you," Tony said, his tone serious. "I always do. With you… and with the brat. Who do you think was the one who told the VITAE agents to stay alert to your calls? Even when Kamala called about every strange thing she found. None of your warnings were ignored. Agents were sent."
Peter didn't say anything.
"I'm the one who recruited both of you. From the start I'm responsible for you being in VITAE, as junior agents or whatever. Owen thought I was crazy for taking in two kids with no experience… and even then he made time out of nowhere to train you. To prove I wasn't wrong."
Tony stepped forward.
"And in the meantime, I worked nonstop to give you that chance. And when I finally earned some vacation… because I earned it… I just wanted to rest a little before starting what's coming next. Something bigger, more expensive, and that's going to take all my time… so that you, Kamala, you… and everyone else, have a place."
Peter lowered his gaze… unable to hold his eyes.
"I told you to act like a fourteen-year-old… and enjoy your youth. Because it's still not your time."
"I'm fifteen…," Peter muttered.
"No. You don't talk here. The adult talks here," Tony replied, cutting him off. "Do you know what would've happened if someone died? It would be your fault. And if you died? Then it would be my fault. Do you know what happens when a young hero causes deaths? Do you know what happened to the ones who caused the treaty problem?"
Peter didn't answer.
"All of this you're seeing… Owen and I are cleaning it up for you. Even with his bones practically dust, he's still working. Right now he's probably dealing with the DODC. And you think this is a game?"
Silence.
"Every decision we make has consequences. Good or bad. And from the moment I was put in charge of you… your problems are my problems," he added, his tone lower… but heavy.
Peter clenched his fists.
"Yeah… I'm sorry, Mr. Stark… it's just I didn't know what else to do. I just… wanted to be like you… to be useful," he said at last, head lowered.
Tony looked at him for a second.
"And we expect you to be better than us."
"You're being too hard on the kid, Tony," a voice said suddenly, cutting in.
Both Tony and Peter turned.
Tony let out a faint sigh when he recognized the person walking over. Covered in bandages everywhere, he walked across the rooftop like he was out for a stroll, completely ignoring the shattered bones he had.
"Told you… problems for me," Tony muttered, letting out another sigh as he watched him approach. "Owen, I thought Wanda wasn't letting you go anywhere with those injuries," he added with a slight mocking smile.
"Well… I knew something like this could happen sooner or later, so I asked her to take care of something a bit annoying on the magic side," Owen replied calmly, his gaze moving from Tony to Peter… and then to the ferry in the distance.
Like he could see everything that had happened.
Peter, seeing him, seemed to tense up even more than he had with Tony. His face went pale and he swallowed. His eyes dropped to Owen's hands, where blood could be seen.
"S-sir… instructor Owen… you're bleeding," he said nervously.
Owen looked at his hands for a moment.
"Oh… this blood isn't mine," he replied, completely calm.
Tony's mouth opened slightly when he heard that.
"Hey, Owen… don't tell me you—"
"Oh, yes. The problem with the DODC ended pretty quickly. Those idiots who stopped our agents during a mission to secure dangerous objects were marked as traitors. I still have my military rank… so I acted accordingly. I'm pretty sure they won't bother us anymore," Owen said calmly. "And before you ask… I didn't kill anyone."
Tony let out a tired sigh.
"So I have to handle what's left, right?" he said, already knowing the answer.
"Yes. And I'm sorry, but your vacation is over. Leave the kids to me… it'll be good for me to get out a bit after being locked up because of Wanda," Owen replied with a smile that, for Tony, was anything but reassuring.
"Yeah, yeah… whatever. They'll listen to you more than me anyway," Tony muttered, shaking his head as he returned to his armor.
Not even his own company gave him as much work as VITAE did.
Before leaving, Tony gave Peter one last look.
Then he left.
And now Peter was standing in front of Owen.
He didn't know if he should feel more relieved… or more nervous.
Owen looked at him in silence for a few seconds.
Long enough for Peter's nerves to climb with every passing moment.
"Follow me," he finally said, turning around and walking to the edge of the building… before taking a step and simply dropping off.
Peter didn't hesitate.
He ran and jumped after him.
By the time he reached the ground, using his webs to slow the fall, Owen was already walking along the sidewalk like nothing had happened.
Peter ran to catch up.
"Tony's words can be harsh, but it's his way of caring," Owen said calmly as they walked. "Remember, he's not the type to show his emotions much… especially because of his relationship with his father. He never really learned how to be a father figure."
They stopped in front of a military vehicle with the VITAE symbol.
Owen climbed into the back without a word.
Peter followed, noticing the driver was none other than Richard Grant, the same leader of the Class A agents.
"Did you finish the job?" Owen asked.
"Yes. With what we found, we can assume most of the Chitauri objects were destroyed. At most there might be some from Ultron left, but that's Stark Tech's problem. Our last mission for VITAE is complete," Richard replied, before giving Peter a small nod.
"Good job, Peter," Owen said with a slight smile. "Except for the part where you split a ferry in half. That… you should avoid in the future."
Peter's eyes widened, a bit excited.
"Does that mean I'll be able to go on missions as a real Class S agent?"
"No," Owen answered without hesitation, breaking that illusion. "Sorry, Peter. You already know VITAE is going to disappear. There won't be missions for anyone anymore."
Peter fell silent.
"So soon…?" he murmured. "Then in the new agency…"
Owen smiled faintly.
"You know, Peter… when you arrived at VITAE, I doubted it. Two kids in adult problems. But I still accepted you, because I knew you needed someone to teach you how to control your power. So you wouldn't be a danger to others… or to yourselves."
He paused briefly.
"But I also saw something else. Future. Do you know why Tony is upset?"
"No…," Peter replied quietly.
"He's not upset because you put others in danger. He's upset because you put your life in danger," Owen said directly. "His words may be harsh… but it's because we trust you. The future of the new agency is you. You, Kamala… all of you."
Peter listened in silence.
"One day you're going to carry all of this. You're going to lead. And when that moment comes… there won't be room for mistakes like this," Owen continued. "But mistakes are inevitable. I made many… too many. People died because of me. And I have to live with that."
The atmosphere grew heavier.
"But you're still too young to carry that. That's why it's early. That's why you shouldn't be in the field yet," he added, glancing at him. "Even so… I gave you the chance. And let's say… you half made it."
Peter lifted his gaze.
"It wasn't bad… but you're still far from being ready."
Peter opened his mouth slightly, but couldn't find words to answer.
"I think… it's a lot of responsibility," was all he managed to say.
"And it is," Owen replied calmly. "Our power is already a huge responsibility… and you don't even fully understand it yet. Every move we make has repercussions in the world. And the stronger you are… that doesn't get better."
He paused briefly.
"That's the contradiction of all this. Tony expects a lot from you… but at the same time he wants you to stay kids. And we want that too. Because right now… you should be enjoying your youth. Later on… you might not be able to," Owen said, looking him straight in the eyes. "Can you understand that?"
Peter nodded slowly.
"Good. Then put your suit away for a while. Enjoy your school life. Don't neglect your studies. And when the time comes to join the new hero association… I'll call you. Until then… rest. Can you promise me that?" Owen asked.
Peter hesitated for a second, clearly torn.
"And what about the mechanical crow…? The criminal who escaped," he asked.
Owen looked at him in silence for a moment, as if evaluating something.
"If I may speak," Richard said suddenly from the front seat, looking through the rearview mirror.
Owen nodded without issue.
"How about you let the kid finish his mission? But this time I'll be there making sure nothing goes wrong. After all… he did most of the work. It wouldn't be fair for someone else to take the credit," he added, looking at Peter.
Owen nodded slightly.
"You'll need a babysitter anyway, won't you?" he said calmly.
"I didn't say that," Richard replied, frowning.
Owen ignored him completely.
"Alright. Richard, you handle the kids. Your job is done… and it seems Kamala has grown quite fond of you."
"Hey—" Richard tried to say, but Owen just kept talking.
"Peter. You can use your suit for this last job. Your mission is to finish what you started… but this time without destroying anything. Richard will be in charge. Understood?" Owen said with a slight smile.
"Uh… yeah, sure," Peter replied.
"By the way… you should probably keep a closer eye on Kamala. She's smarter than you think," Owen added with a smile.
Before Richard could respond, Owen opened the door slightly and, with a flash of red energy, disappeared. The door shut on its own instantly.
"Son of—" Richard muttered, watching him leave just like that, before looking at Peter with an expression that clearly said he regretted speaking.
"So we're going on a mission with Ricky," a childish voice suddenly said from behind Peter.
Peter flinched and turned around.
Kamala was there.
Hidden in the back seats.
Even Richard was surprised to see her.
"And how long have you been there?" Peter asked.
"Well… I heard you leave early, so I went to the dock on my own. But Owen found me," she replied with a cheeky smile. "So… what's our mission?"
Peter looked at her, completely surprised.
He hadn't noticed her at all.
And honestly… he was glad she hadn't made it to the ferry.
Richard looked at Kamala, then at Peter… and let out a long sigh, like he already knew exactly how this was going to end.