Chapter 1: Making Plans
Summary:
After a successful mission, The Young Avengers decide to do something more grounded.
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
The Young Avengers, sans Peter, who was absent, were all together in a room at the YA base. Sam Wilson and Carol Danvers were congratulating them on taking down AIM.
“Congratulations, kids”, began Sam. “Thanks to you, we were able to stop AIM.”
“Well, you did good kids”, said Carol.
Suddenly, Peter came rushing in. He took a seat next to Kate.
“Sorry I’m late, guys”, he said out of breath.
“The important thing is that you’re here, Spider-Man”, said Sam.
“Hey Peter Parker, you got something for me?”, playfully asked Carol. Peter perked his head in her direction.
“What?”, asked Peter surprised.
“From the battle against Thanos”, clarified Carol. “Don’t you remember Peter Parker?”
“Yes, I do, but I thought you didn’t”, said Peter. Before Carol could say anything, Kamala interrupted her.
“You never mentioned you knew Spider-Man, Carol”, said the short girl. Carol grinned at her.
“You never asked”, said Carol smirking.
Ten minutes later, Carol and Sam had left the meeting room, and the Young Avengers were engaged in conversation.
“So, what do we work on now?”, asked Kamala.
“What about something street-level?”, proposed Cassie. “There are all types of criminals out there.”
“Well, that’s a great idea”, said Kate. “To do the things the original Avengers didn’t have the time for.”
“Other than Peter, who has any vigilante experience?”, asked Kamala. Everyone just looked at each other.
“I do”, said Cassie rising her hand. Everyone looked at her. “I do, okay? I’ve fought criminals before, kicked their asses.”
“Except for, you know, his”, said Eli irritated.
“You lost to him as well, Eli!”, shouted Cassie. Eli got up from his seat, approaching Cassie. Peter and Kate got between them.
“We need to calm down, okay?”, said Kate looking at Eli, letting it clear that he better not try anything.
“Fine”, said Eli sitting down.
“Don’t listen to him, Cassie”, said Peter. “He’s a jerk.”
“What was that, Parker?”, asked Eli, having heard that.
“I think you heard me, Eli”, said Peter. The symbiote seems to be influencing him. Eli got off his seat to approach Peter before Kate stopped him.
“Seat, now”, growled Kate. Eli reluctantly obeyed.
“So, what do any of you propose we do?”, asked Kamala.
“What about taking down a mob boss?”, asked America. She knows how this universe works and about criminals.
“Okay, deal with a mob boss”, said Kate as she wrote that down on a note, which she stuck on a board. “Now, we have several options”, she said, pointing at several pictures of known mob bosses, Kingpin included. Kate looked at his photo with hate.
“We can’t do anything against Wilson Fisk”, said Peter. “He is mayor now. Unfortunately.” He saw a photo of another mob boss. “What about Don Fortunato?”
“It’s official, we’re taking Don Fortunato down”, said Kate.
“Are we really doing this?”, asked Eli having some doubts. “Why not leave this to the police?”
“They’ll want evidence”, said Kate. “And we’re going to get it to them.”
Peter was entering the FEAST building, there were Christmas decorations around the place. There was also a photo dedicated to May.
In memory of May Parker.
(1964 – 2024)
Peter suddenly felt guilt creeping within him. He didn’t know how long he stared at her photo before he heard someone arriving behind him.
“She was quite a pillar in this community”, said someone standing next to Peter. Peter turned to face the owner of the voice, an Asian man in a black suit with white shirt and a well-done hairstyle.
“She sure was, Mr. Li”, said Peter.
“Peter, if you need to talk with someone, I’m here”, said Martin Li. “Don’t doubt, okay?”
“Sure thing, Mr. Li”, said Peter.
Black Cat was currently acquiring some stuff for her equipment. She knows someone who can get stuff, whether legal or illegal.
She was getting some electrical disks and electric parts for her whip.
“This is all?”, asked the seller.
“For now”, said Black Cat. She paid for her stuff. “Thank you, Alex.”
“You’re welcome, Cat”, said Alex.
“You know, you’re the only non-arrogant genius I’ve met so far”, said Black Cat. Alex looked at her questioningly. “Most of the geniuses I’ve heard of are all arrogant assholes.”
“I see”, said Alex. Black Cat left with her gear.
“Not only is there one, but two Spider menaces!”, said J Jonah Jameson on a screen. Ben was in a hotdog establishment, sitting nearby hearing that bombastic man. It’s like he didn’t have a life.
Ben was done eating when he decided it was time to leave. But on the way out, he bumped into someone.
“Sorry”, said the person.
“It’s okay”, said Ben helping the woman remain standing. He left as soon as she was okay.
MJ arrived outside of the building she was hired to steal from. There were several guards outside of the building. She decided to enter through the window she saw open.
MJ took her grappling-hook gun out and shot at the high beam she saw. She was quickly pulled upwards and entered through the window.
There was little illumination, which meant several places to hide. That gives her an advantage.
Some guards arrived where MJ was hiding. As soon as they separated, MJ picked the first one off, leaving him unconscious and hiding him in a dark spot behind some boxes.
MJ left that room and ended up in a big area with boxes that could be used for cover. She quickly hid when she heard some guards coming. As soon as they left, she came out of hiding. She saw some beams on the ceiling and shot her grappling-hook gut at one of them, being pulled up.
MJ walked over the beams, and she arrived at another room, full of guards. From what she saw, they weren’t armed, which made this job easier. While she was walking over the beams, something dropped into the ground, which caught the guards’ attention.
“Hey over there!”, shouted one of the guards.
“So much for stealth”, said MJ admonishing herself. She dropped to ground level and threw an electric disk at the guards, electrocuting some of them, but there were still several others. MJ took her whip out, striking the guards as they came. One of them managed to tackle her, but MJ threw a flurry of kicks at him, leaving him disoriented. MJ kicked him in the head, leaving him unconscious.
MJ fought the rest of the guards with her whip until they were all on the ground unconscious, some of them groaning in pain. She went to the room where the safety box was located. And soon found it.
“Alright, tell me your secrets”, said MJ to herself as she was cracking the safety box. She managed to get it open and pulled the documents she was supposed to steal out.
“Well, that’s that”, she said as she was leaving. A guard was trying to get to his feet, but MJ put an electric disk in his hand, which electrocuted him, leaving him unconscious.
MJ arrived at Alex’s shop to leave the documents with him. He handed her an envelope which contained her payment.
“You never disappoint, Cat”, said Alex. “I can see why Knight trusts you.”
“Sure thing”, said MJ. Alex gave her a piece of paper that had an address written on it.
“Someone wants to meet you”, said Alex. MJ just left.
Peter was swinging out into the city looking for crimes to foil. He quickly came across two men chasing a young woman carrying what looked like grocery bags.
“Hey, have your parents never teach you to treat the ladies?”, asked Peter in a playful tone, which sounded like a growl.
The men didn’t bother replying, they just went to attack Peter. However, Peter easily handled them. After a few moments, the men were on the ground, either unconscious or groaning in pain. He looked at the young woman.
She was wearing a tan-colored long coat that didn’t fully cover her legs that were exposed to the weather, her feet clad in black flats, and a red scarf was fully around her neck. Physically she was blonde and blue-eyed. And about 5’ 4” tall.
“Are you okay?”, asked Peter.
“Yes”, said the young woman. “Thank you, Spider-Man.”
“You should get out of here”, said Peter. The woman took his advice and soon left. She managed to keep her groceries.
Peter looked at the unconscious men. He soon heard the sound of sirens and decided to leave. The sound was too strong for him.
Next morning
Peter woke up on a public bench which he had no memory of getting to. He stretched his arms upward before giving out a smile that rather than friendly looked menacing.
He was wearing a black long-sleeved shirt, black pants and black and white converses. How did he got to that bench, Peter didn’t know, but that was the best sleep he had had in quite some time.
Peter got off that bench and walked away.
After some time he arrived at the Young Avengers base where he saw the rest of the team gathered talking with one another.
“Look who decided to grace us with his presence”, said Eli in a tight tone. Peter decided to ignore him.
“Peter is everything alright?”, asked Kamala.
“Sure Kamala, everything’s okay”, assured Peter.
“Okay”, said Kamala, though she wasn’t really convinced.
“Something weird is going on with Peter”, said Cassie.
“Really?”, asked Kate. “Like what exactly?”
“I don’t know”, said Cassie. “But there’s something different with him, something, I don’t know, sinister.”
“It must be something to do with his new suit”, suggested Kamala.
“His suit, really?”, asked Eli in disbelief.
“Ever since he got that black suit, he’s been acting differently”, added America. “It’s like it made him a different person.”
“Enough about Peter for now”, said Eli. “We need to focus on this Fortunato guy.”
“You’re right”, said Kate. “So, what do we know about him?”
“He’s the leader of the Maggia Family”, said Cassie.
“And that he’s quite influential”, added Kamala. “And he’s planning a party tonight.”
Peter went out to look for criminals to beat when someone arrived near him. He recognized the red and blue suit of his brother Ben.
“Hey, Spider-Man”, said Ben.
“Hey, Scarlet Spider”, said Peter. The two of them stood there in silence until Ben spoke again.
“So, has everything been okay with you?”, asked Ben sounding concerned.
“Yes”, said Peter sounding on edge. “I mean, why wouldn’t it be?”
“From what I’ve heard, you’ve been rough on criminals”, said Ben as calm as possible. “Rougher than usual.”
“Well, you know Ben, I’m tough on crime”, said Peter with an edgy voice.
“I get it, I really do Peter”, said Ben placatingly. “But you don’t need to overdo it.”
“I appreciate the concern, but I’m okay, and I gotta go”, said Peter before swinging away. Ben looked at Peter go before swinging in the opposite direction.
Nighttime
“Are we really doing this?”, asked Eli as he adjusted the bow tie in his tuxedo. Eli, dressed in a striking black tuxedo, could hardly believe what he was about to do. The mission was risky, and the stakes were high, but the team was resolute. They had a plan, and they were going to stick to it. He took a deep breath, trying to calm his nerves.
Kate, in her all-black suit, felt the weight of leadership on her shoulders. She adjusted her tie, trying to push away the doubts creeping into her mind. She had to stay focused; they all did. With one last look at her team, she gave a firm nod, signaling it was time to move.
“Yes Eli, we are doing this”, said Kate as she adjusted the tie on her all-black suit. Hopefully she wouldn’t run into the boss without knowing who he is. “Do you want Don Fortunato to still be free to do as he pleases with everyone else’s lives?”
“We’re no undercover cops either, Kate”, reminded Eli.
“The actual cops will want evidence”, said Cassie wearing a fancy dress. Sure, this isn’t the first time she wears a dress. At least he won’t be there to ruin this for her. Cassie, looking elegant in her fancy dress, couldn’t help but feel a mix of excitement and anxiety. This wasn't her first time playing dress-up for a mission, but something about tonight felt different. With Peter's whereabouts still unknown, the team had to be extra cautious.
“And where is Parker?”, asked Eli.
“I don’t know”, said Kate. She looked at Cassie and Kamala, both nodding no.
“Maybe he’ll meet us there”, assured Kamala. She was wearing her Ms. Marvel suit since she was on lookout. She didn’t trust herself on undercover work.
“And where is America?”, asked Cassie.
“She said something about training at Kamar-Taj”, said Kate. “So, are we ready?”
“Yes”, said Cassie.
“Yes”, said Kamala.
“Yes”, said Eli, though reluctantly.
“Then, let’s do this”, said Kate.
MJ arrived at the address in the note Alex gave her. It was an abandoned building in a really bad neighborhood.
Some armed goons were pointing guns at her. MJ raised her hands in surrender. The goons frisked her for guns before removing her whip.
“The boss wants to see you”, said one of the goons. MJ followed them to a room that looked dilapidated.
“Black Cat”, said a voice hidden in the shadows. “I’ve been hoping we could meet.”
MJ watched as the person hidden in the shadows stood in the light. She easily recognized the big bald man wearing a grey suit with a white button shirt holding a cane.
“Black Cat”, said the man. MJ looked at him before courtly greeting him.
“Mayor Fisk.”
Notes:
Peter sleeping in a public bench is a reference to Marvel's Spider-Man 2.
Chapter 2: Executing a Plan
Summary:
The Young Avengers begin their surveillance on Don Fortunato.
Notes:
Warnings:
Chapter contains depictions of humiliation and dehumanization.
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
“So, what does the mayor of New York want with a known criminal?”, asked MJ. Sure, she had worked for mob bosses before, but never for the mayor, who used to be a mob boss.
“As you know, I’m usually tough on crime”, said Wilson Fisk as he got close to Black Cat.
“Yes, tough on crime”, repeated MJ, cringing over Fisk being close to her.
“But you know, even I need outside help from time to time”, said Fisk.
“What’s the point of this?”, asked MJ, trying to get to the point.
“I need you to gather evidence of Don Vincente Fortunato’s crimes”, said Fisk.
“And what do I get in exchange?”, asked MJ.
“You won’t be spending time in prison”, said Fisk. Apparently, he’s threatening her.
“You don’t even know who I am”, said MJ as if having a trump card. She began to walk away.
“Don’t think yourself lucky Michelle”, said Fisk behind her. MJ stopped walking and turned to face him. “Yes, I know your name: Michelle Jones, right?”
MJ didn’t let fear show on her face. She remained stony. Even as he continued talking.
“Midtown High graduate, MIT graduate”, said Fisk listing facts about her. “Now my question is, how did a smart young lady like yourself became a vigilante?”
“Okay, fine, I’ll do your dirty work”, said MJ. “But after this, I’m not working with you again.”
“Fair enough”, said Fisk.
MJ walked away, approached the goon who took her whip, extending her hand for him to hand it back. The goon did.
“And why am I the one wearing a dress?”, asked Cassie looking at Kate as she and Eli were getting in the backseat of a limo.
“Because I look too sporty to wear a dress, Cass”, answered Kate as she drove the limo. Yes, she got her driver’s license. Eli held the door open to let Cassie in first, climbing in once she did.
“And you think I’m not sporty, Kate?”, asked Cassie from the backseat.
“And what sport did you ever do Cassie?”, asked Kate.
“I played soccer in school”, said Cassie.
“Okay, that’s enough”, said Eli trying to placate both girls. “We need to focus on the mission at hand.”
“Fine”, said Cassie and Kate in unison. Kate drove the limo.
Peter landed on top of a lamppost in front of Don Fortunato’s mansion. He was still in his black gooey suit. Maybe he should have changed to a tuxedo before arriving.
Then, the suit started molding itself around Peter. Soon enough, it had turned into a tuxedo.
“Didn’t know it could do that”, said Peter surprised at this suit’s capabilities. He dropped down from the lamppost he was on top of and landed on ground level. He walked towards Don Fortunato’s mansion.
Kate arrived at the front of Don Fortunato’s mansion, with Cassie and Eli in tow. She stopped the limo in front of the mansion.
Eli opened the door, got out and extended his hand for Cassie to take, which she did. Kate drove off as soon as they were off.
“Once we’re in, what then?”, wondered Cassie.
“Who knows?”, said Eli. He and Cassie entered Don Fortunato’s mansion. And they were quite impressed with how fancy the place looked. It also had Christmas decorations.
“Well, it looks like the guy lives well”, said Cassie. Hopefully, this time she won’t run into a tall, green-eyed redhead problem.
Then, suddenly, everyone got into pairs and started dancing.
“Want to dance?”, asked Eli. Cassie accepted and soon enough, they were dancing as well.
Peter entered the mansion as soon as the music stopped, and everyone stopped dancing. Soon enough, a middle-aged man showed up to address his guests. A man Peter knew well enough.
Don Fortunato.
“Welcome everyone”, said Don Fortunato. “Hopefully everyone is having a good time.”
Everyone clapped and said ‘yes’.
“Well then, let the party continue”, said Don Fortunato to the people. He then left along with some bodyguards.
The party resumed and the music started playing again. Peter saw Cassie and Eli dancing with one another. Then, that’s when he saw her arriving.
MJ.
She arrived at the party wearing a fancy grey dress, black high heels, and a black domino mask similar to her Black Cat one.
This is usually the part where a beautiful woman enters a fancy event in a fancy dress, and all eyes are on her. But instead, barely anyone acknowledged MJ’s arrival. The few men who looked at her quickly turned away, resuming their activities.
Peter approached her and extended his hand to her. “Care to dance with me, Em?”
“Sure thing, Peter”, said MJ taking his hand. She let herself be led to the dance ground by Peter, and soon enough, they were dancing to slow music.
“So, what is it that brings you here, Em?”, asked Peter.
“You know, business”, said MJ.
Eli left Cassie to go and see if he could get evidence against Don Fortunato. He stood just outside his office listening in.
“Is everything ready?”, asked the voice he recognized as Don Fortunato’s.
“Yes sir, everything’s ready”, said another voice.
“The mayor better keep his end of the bargain”, said Don Fortunato. Eli gasped in surprise. “Someone out there?”
Eli took that as a sign to leave.
The two bodyguards opened the door and saw no one there. “Everything clear, sir.”
Eli was walking through the halls of Don Fortunato’s mansion when he ended up in what appeared to be a kitchen. There was a blonde maid, around 5’ 4”, washing dishes. But there was something odd about this maid. Unlike the other maids he had seen, this one had an outfit with a much shorter skirt that showed her legs rather nicely.
Something seem to be around her neck which was hidden by her hair. She turned around and saw Eli standing there. Her blue eyes went wide.
“You shouldn’t be here”, she said giving a breath of worry. She also looked jittery, avoiding eye contact.
Eli noticed that she was wearing what looked like a dog ears tiara and a collar. And she’s also quite pretty. And that her outfit seems rather skimpy for maid work. Other than the skirt being too short, her chest area was exposed as well. And she looked rather embarrassed wearing that outfit.
Although the maid's uniform seemed intended to be alluring—her skirt cut provocatively short, with a neckline that exposed more than was comfortable or appropriate for someone working in a household—what struck Eli most was the vulnerability she projected. The outfit, which included a pair of playful dog ears and a collar, felt less like a garment of her choosing and more like something imposed upon her. The entire ensemble left little to the imagination, drawing attention in a way that made Eli uneasy, compounding his concern for her well-being.
“I’m – I’m sorry, I got lost, that’s all”, Eli stammered, trying not to stare at the maid’s revealing outfit.
The maid looked around nervously, as if expecting someone to enter any moment. “You need to leave now. If they see you here, it will be trouble for both of us.”
Eli nodded, feeling the urgency in her voice. He turned to go, but curiosity got the better of him. “Why are you dressed like that?”
The maid blushed deeply, her hand unconsciously moving to the collar around her neck. She also pulled down on her skirt as if trying to cover herself more. “It’s… it’s complicated. Just go, please.”
Before Eli could question her further, he heard footsteps approaching. Without another word, he slipped out of the kitchen and hurried down the hallway, his mind racing with questions. Who was the maid, and why was she dressed so provocatively?
As he tried to make sense of it all, Eli realized he needed to get back to the party before anyone noticed his absence. He had to act normal, blend in, and find out more about what was happening in Don Fortunato’s mansion.
Eli rushed down the halls of the mansion, his mind still grappling with the image of the maid and the strange encounter. He needed to get back to the party, where he could blend in and avoid any unwanted attention. The mansion was vast, with opulent rooms that seemed to stretch endlessly. He finally found his way back to the grand hall where the party was taking place.
The guests were immersed in their conversations, laughter echoing through the room. Eli spotted Cassie and Kate near the dance floor, and he hurried over to them.
“Hey, there you are!”, Cassie greeted him with a smile. “Where did you disappear to?”
“Just exploring a bit,” Eli replied, trying to sound casual. He glanced around the room, noticing Peter dancing with a strikingly tall woman.
“Who’s the tall stunner Parker’s dancing with?”, he asked, crossing his arms.
“That would be Michelle Jones”, said Kate, her expression thoughtful. “Black Cat.”
Eli looked at her, confused. “And what’s Black Cat doing here?”
“That’s what we’re wondering ourselves”, said Cassie, her eyes narrowing as she watched the dance pair.
Eli's mind raced with the earlier encounter, and he couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to this mansion than met the eye. He decided to keep his observations to himself for now, not wanting to raise unnecessary alarm among his friends. As he stood there, trying to make sense of everything, the music played on, and the party continued in full swing.
"What brings you here, MJ?" Peter asked while dancing with her. They swayed gracefully to the rhythm, their feet moving in perfect harmony with the music. The way they spun around each other, with Peter leading MJ into elegant twirls and dips, showcased their seamless connection on the dance floor. "You're not casing the joint, are you?"
"You know, Peter, I have other skills," said MJ as they danced. "I also help those in need."
Peter and MJ swayed gently to the rhythm of the music, their feet moving in perfect harmony. MJ's hand rested lightly on Peter's shoulder, while his hand held hers firmly but tenderly. They twirled gracefully across the floor, lost in each other's eyes, with the soft light casting a warm glow over them.
“I think we had this conversation before, Em”, said Peter. “I’ll tell you there are other ways to help people, and you’ll tell me to say at least one.”
“You’re right, we had this conversation before”, agreed MJ. “And I’ve been hired to find dirt on the Don.”
“Maybe we could work together”, proposed Peter. MJ looked at him oddly.
“Me, working with The Young Avengers?”, asked MJ in disbelief. “And then what, I’ll share a cell with Don Fortunato as soon as the job is done?”
“That won’t happen, Em”, said Peter.
“How can you guarantee that?”, asked MJ. Peter just looked at the sides nervously. “You can’t, can you?”
“I can talk with Mr. Wilson, make a deal with him”, proposed Peter.
“Mr. Wilson?”, asked MJ. “As in Captain America Mr. Wilson? That Mr. Wilson?”
“Yes”, said Peter.
“You know, Peter, this is a mistake”, said MJ before pulling away from him and walking away.
“Wait, MJ”, said Peter following her, but MJ got lost in a sea of people. By the time the people cleared. MJ was gone. Peter just sighed sadly.
“Poor Peter”, said Cassie as she watched the scene in front of her, Kate and Eli. They soon saw Don Fortunato returning to the party, mingling with some guests.
“Yes, poor him”, said Eli, though he was being sarcastic. He then saw Fortunato whispering something to one of his bodyguards.
“Did you find anything Eli?”, asked Kate. Eli looked at her. “I mean, regarding Don Fortunato.”
“Apparently, he’s working on something with the mayor”, said Eli. “I managed to overhear a snippet of a conversation between him and his bodyguards.”
“So, Don Fortunato and Fisk”, said Kate, not surprised at all.
“Guys, you have incoming”, said Kamala in the earpieces they were each wearing.
“Copy”, said Cassie. They decided to leave. The crowd of people helping them sneak out, without being seen by the bodyguards.
Three bodyguards arrived where they were standing, but Cassie, Kate and Eli managed to leave.
Cassie, Kate and Eli arrived at a surveillance van parked a block away from Don Fortunato’s mansion. Eli let Cassie and Kate in before entering himself. He undid his bow tie and took a seat.
Kamala was looking at some cameras but found nothing out of the ordinary. “He’s just like any other rich guy, I tell you”, she said.
“Sitting on mountains of blood money”, said Kate with a bitter tone. She knows from experience what it’s like having your fortune built on blood money.
“The only way to be able to stop him is by having someone inside”, said Cassie.
That gave Eli an idea.
The blonde maid was heading to the shack at the back end of Don Fortunato’s property. She was lucky she was allowed at least some place to sleep rather than being forced to sleep in a bathroom or some other disgusting place.
After she opened the door to her shack to enter, someone grabbed her from behind. There was a hand covering her mouth and she was pushed into her shack.
“Plss dn’t hrt me”, she said in a muffled voice.
“I’m not going to hurt you”, said a voice behind her. She calmed a bit when she recognized the voice. She turned around and saw the guy from the kitchen. Only he was now dressed in a blue Captain America-esque outfit with white and red outlines and black boots.
“You’re the kitchen guy”, said the young maid surprised.
“Yes, I’m Patriot”, said Eli. The maid looked at him unimpressed.
“And you’re some sort of superhero?”, she asked still unimpressed.
“Actually, yes I am”, said Eli. “And I want to help you.”
“Really?”, asked the maid. “Why do you think I need help? That I’m some damsel in distress?”
“Well, I’m sorry for thinking that”, said Eli, feigning understanding. “But if you want to spend the rest of your life as a maid in a skimpy outfit with a dog ears tiara and collar, it’s your choice”, he said pointing at said outfit. He made to leave, or rather, pretended to, before she stopped him.
“Wait”, she said. Eli turned around to look at her. “What’s your plan?”
“My teammates and I are planning to take Don Fortunato down”, said Eli.
“Your teammates?”, asked the maid crossing her arms unimpressed.
“You know, The Young Avengers”, said Eli, giving her an awkward smile. She still looked at him unimpressed.
“You know, as a little girl, I dreamed that the Avengers would come and save me”, she said in a bitter tone. “But then I realized a long time ago that people in ridiculous outfits only care about glory instead of saving people.”
“May I prove to you that unlike the original Avengers, we care about the little guy as well?”, asked Eli, as if pleading with her. Her features were still hard until they softened a little.
“What are you guys planning?”, she asked.
“Well, we don’t really know”, admitted Eli. She nodded her head in disappointment. “But we’re planning something, alright?”
“Let me get changed, I can’t bear see myself wearing this thing”, she said referring to her maid outfit. She went to what Eli deduced was the bathroom. Eli noticed a tan colored coat and a red scarf in a closet. A few minutes later, she came out wearing a PJ set that at least covered her more than her maid outfit. But she still had the dog collar on her neck, but the dog ears tiara was gone.
“If you hate this job, why don’t you just leave?”, asked Eli. She gave an annoyed huff.
“Jeez, why in all this time I didn’t think of that?”, she asked sarcastically.
“No need to get smart with me, alright?”, said Eli.
“I did once, okay”, she said. Then she turned her back to Eli while she was unbuttoning her top, showing him her shoulders, which had scars on them. “I thought I escaped him, that I was free. Then two of his men found me, brought me back here.”
“And what happened next?”, asked Eli, dreading the answer. His brow furrowed and his voice wavered slightly, revealing his growing anxiety. He felt a knot tightening in his stomach as he awaited the response, worried about the possible consequences.
“Don Fortunato whipped me”, she said, sadly sighing. Eli felt his heart going to this poor girl. She buttoned up her top again before turning to face Eli, briefly putting her hand on her collar. “He forced me to wear this collar around my neck ever since along with the ears.”
Eli was sure he could make out a beeping light on it. “And you can’t take it off?”
“It has a magnetic lock. And Don Fortunato has the key”, she said. The only times she’s allowed out of the mansion are when she’s sent to do errands. Even then, she’s still under surveillance.
“And what about the maid outfit that looks more in place in a sexy Halloween party than as maid work?”, asked Eli. He couldn’t help but ask about that.
“And have you ever been to a sexy Halloween party?”, she asked.
“No”, replied Eli. She looked at him unimpressed. “Okay, just once at a friend’s house when I was still in high school.”
“Sure, back in high school”, she said. “And he makes me wear that thing. Either to humiliate me or to make me feel like I belong to him.”
Eli saw a little bone with ‘Property of V. Fortunato’ written on it on her collar. It’s probably a combination of both.
“We will stop him, I promise”, said Eli.
“Just don’t make promises you can’t keep”, she said, sounding frustrated and tired. “I long since stopped believing in superheroes.”
Her words showed deep disappointment and disillusionment, indicating that previous experiences had made her skeptical of promises that seemed too good to be true.
“You’ll believe again. I can assure you”, said Eli. “Do you have a name? I don’t believe I introduced myself either. My name’s Eli.”
“Eliza”, said the young maid.
“You will believe in heroes again Eliza, I’ll make sure of that”, said Eli before leaving.
Eli felt a mix of determination and hope as he spoke those words. His heart swelled with the desire to prove himself and bring back Eliza's faith in goodness. He was resolute, believing that his actions could make a difference and renew her belief in heroes. There was a hint of sadness in his eyes, knowing the journey ahead wouldn't be easy, but his resolve was unwavering.
Eliza just looked at Eli leaving. She stood there for a while before going to sleep. Tomorrow is going to be a heavy day.
Notes:
The symbiote molding itself into a tuxedo is a reference to Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, where it did the same thing.
Don Fortunato, usually one-eyed, is depicted as still having two eyes. He might lose one eye later on in the story.
Chapter 3: Feelings of Anger
Summary:
Peter blows up at Fury, and MJ spies on Don Fortunato.
Notes:
Warnings: Chapter contains:
Depictions of female (and teen) violence.
Brief use of strong language.
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
As soon as she ran away from Peter, MJ went into one of the many restrooms in Don Fortunato’s mansion, the one where she hid a bag with her Black Cat outfit. As soon as she found it, she peeled off her dress, having a nude spandex underneath it and changed into her Black Cat outfit before putting her dress in the bag. She put her black boots on and her heels in the bag before putting her white wig and cat ears tiara on her head and her domino mask over her eyes.
As soon as she was dressed, MJ went out through a window. She shot her grappling-hook gun at the ceiling over a balcony and was pulled up. She was at the balcony outside Don Fortunato’s office where she had left a small recording device near a window before entering the party. MJ played the recording.
“Is everything ready?”, asked Don Fortunato. MJ thought this was easy.
“Yes sir, everything’s ready”, said another voice.
“The mayor better keep his end of the bargain”, said Don Fortunato. There was a gasp, as if someone was surprised. “Someone out there?”
Somebody needs to learn to be stealthy, MJ supposed.
“Everything clear, sir”, said a bodyguard. There was a sound of a door closing.
“So, when’s the meet sir?”, asked a bodyguard.
“Tomorrow, New Wave Pier”, said Don Fortunato. “The mayor better be there.”
MJ stopped the device and broke into Don Fortunato’s office, looking for evidence. She went to a desk she saw and inspected it. MJ just saw a note for the time of the meetup with Fisk and Fortunato.
MJ decided she had enough info and left. MJ went for her bag with her dress inside the restroom she left it in, sneaking through the window and grabbing it before sneaking back out.
While making her way out of there, MJ saw a black young man dressed in an all-blue Captain America-like outfit pushing a young woman inside a shack. MJ got closer to the shack to listen in and possibly assess the situation.
“Plss dn’t hrt me”, MJ heard the woman say.
“I’m not going to hurt you”, MJ heard the man reassuring. She heard enough to know the guy wasn’t going to hurt an innocent woman and decided to leave.
MJ departed the scene without hesitation. She understood that deviating from the primary mission to pursue a secondary objective was a risk she could not afford to take. Plus, it’s not like it’s her problem.
Eli quickly got back to the YA base hoping no one noticed his absence. But as soon as he got through the door after using his ID to get in, he was quickly accosted by Kate.
“Can you tell where you took off to?”, asked Kate in an annoyed tone.
“Went out for a walk”, said Eli. He saw Kate looking him up and down in annoyance. He didn’t want her or the rest of the team knowing his side project, namely helping Eliza escape from Don Fortunato. At least not yet.
“In your Patriot suit?”, she asked. “Do you want to bring attention to yourself?”
“And what exactly are you to me?”, asked Eli equally annoyed now. “My girlfriend, my wife? Because last I checked you’re neither of those things to me.”
“Just don’t do anything to bring attention to the rest of the team, okay?”, asked Kate before leaving. Eli just stood there bewildered.
Next day
“Thank you for the donations, Ms. Potts”, said Martin Li as he and Pepper Potts were conversing in his office in FEAST.
“It’s my pleasure Mr. Li”, said Pepper. “It’s the least I can do to help.”
“And I appreciate the gesture”, said Li. “I appreciate the help you and Mr. Hogan give.”
“It’s been a pleasure Mr. Li”, said Pepper before getting off her chair and preparing to leave. “I will not take more of your time, I know you’re a busy person, I’m also a busy person myself.”
“I understand”, said Mr. Li accompanying Pepper to the door. Pepper and Mr. Li shook hands before she left.
As Pepper was walking out to her limo, someone crashed into her.
“Ooh, I’m sorry, I wasn’t looking where I was going”, said someone. Pepper looked at the voice owner and saw a young man with brown curly hair.
“It’s okay”, said Pepper. Then she did a double take. “Have we met before?”
“No, I don’t think so, Ms. Potts”, said Peter. He didn’t want Pepper or her daughter to be put in danger just because they were unfortunate enough to know him.
“It’s just, you looked, kind of familiar”, said Pepper, as if a memory was escaping her.
“Maybe I just have a very common face”, offered Peter as a response.
“Probably”, said Pepper before leaving. Peter just walked off in the opposite direction.
Peter was helping to lift some boxes when suddenly someone called his attention. Someone Peter easily recognized.
Happy.
“Hey, I remember you”, said Happy. Peter was beginning to worry.
“You do?”, asked Peter trying to remain calm.
“Yes”, said Happy. “You were there at May’s grave. Claimed you met her through Spider-Man.”
“Yes, that was me”, said Peter with a relieved silent sigh. Suddenly, a little girl arrived to call Happy’s attention.
“Uncle Happy, mommy’s waiting for you”, said the girl Peter recognized as Mr. Stark’s daughter, Morgan.
“I’m going, I was just catching up with someone”, said Happy before turning to face the boy, only to find him gone.
“There’s no one there”, said Morgan. Happy just grabbed her hand and led her away from there.
“Let’s go to your mommy”, said Happy before he and Morgan walked away from there.
The Young Avengers were currently at a meeting with Sam Wilson, Carol Danvers and Nick Fury. They were being debriefed on a mission that was required with urgency. Whatever it was, hopefully it wouldn’t interfere with their other mission.
Peter in particular wasn’t really paying any attention to them. He decided to yawn loudly, with Sam, Carol and Fury looking at him, Fury being particularly annoyed.
“Are we boring you, Spider-Man?”, asked Fury in an annoyed tone.
“As a matter of fact, yes”, said Peter bluntly.
Peter's directness was met with a range of reactions. Sam raised an eyebrow, Carol smirked slightly, and Fury's frown deepened.
"Well, maybe you should start paying attention. This mission is critical", Fury retorted, his voice edged with frustration.
Peter shrugged nonchalantly but leaned forward slightly, pretending to show more interest. The symbiote, however, subtly influenced his demeanor, amplifying his indifference and arrogance. The briefing continued with Carol outlining the details, emphasizing the urgency and the potential risks involved. She spoke with authority, her words sharp and clear, but Peter's mind wandered off again.
Across the room, Cassie nudged Peter gently. "Come on, at least try to look interested," she whispered. Peter grinned at her, but his gaze drifted to the window, where he could see the city lights twinkling in the distance. His thoughts were far away, entangled in the web of his own worries and responsibilities, exacerbated by the symbiote's dark influence.
As the meeting drew to a close, Fury fixed Peter with a stern gaze. "I need everyone to be fully committed. No distractions," he warned. Peter nodded absentmindedly, hoping that his indifference wouldn't cost him later.
Meanwhile, as the Young Avengers began to disperse, Peter felt the weight of his duties settling on his shoulders. He knew that his role as Spider-Man came with immense responsibility, but sometimes the burden seemed too heavy to bear alone. The symbiote's presence made him feel more isolated and frustrated.
Peter was seated on the bench in the locker room, noticing that the symbiote's influence seemed to increase over time. His thoughts were becoming increasingly negative.
He eventually heard the locker room door opening and someone entering.
“Just the person I was looking for”, said a voice. Peter looked up and saw Nick Fury standing there, the familiar eye patch was the first thing Peter recognized. “Care to explain your attitude?”
“As a matter of fact, yes I do”, said Peter standing up. “You might not remember it, but the alien you had posing as you screwed up by trusting the wrong guy, and I ended up paying for it.”
Fury sighed; he might have an idea of what Parker is talking about. He sent Talos to cover for him while he was in space. He didn’t bother checking on what happened in Prague with Mysterio and Spider-Man.
“Parker – “, began Fury before Peter stopped him.
"To you, that's SPIDER-MAN!!" shouted Peter, his voice echoing with anger. The symbiote's tendrils writhed around him, and his mask extended, emitting a terrifying shrill scream. Fury stood his ground, his expression stoic but eyes betraying a hint of fear. Realizing the intensity of his outburst, Peter's face fell, and he quickly bolted from the locker room, the symbiote's dark influence in full control.
Carol quickly entered the locker room. “What was that?”, she wondered, her eyes scanning the room for any sign of Peter. Fury stood there, his expression a mix of shock and concern as he processed Peter's intense outburst and sudden departure.
“Something’s wrong with Spider-Man”, said Fury slightly shocked.
Don Fortunato’s mansion
Eliza was diligently sweeping the floor when she abruptly became aware of someone's presence drawing near. Turning her attention, she realized it was Don Fortunato.
“Eliza, I’ll be out”, said Don Fortunato. “By the time I’m back, you better be done with your chores.”
“Yes sir”, said Eliza meekly, tightly gripping the broom she was using. Sure, she was trying to remain stoic, but she was internally trembling.
“Good girl”, said Don Fortunato before leaving. Eliza just stood there cringing. She hated being called a ‘good girl’ by him.
Eliza resumed sweeping, thinking back to the circumstances that led her to her current predicament. Namely, her parents deaths because as it turned out, her dad owed money to Don Fortunato. And he decided to keep her as payment after having her parents killed. Her 11th birthday should have been a day of joy for her, instead, it was marred with tragedy.
And she thought she could escape him. Boy, was she wrong.
2023
15-year-old Eliza was being dragged by two men. She didn’t know where they were taking her since she had what she assumed was a pillowcase over her head.
“Look who we found sir”, said one of the men. They suddenly took the pillowcase off her head, and Eliza gulped, her eyes widening in fear, realizing she was back at Don Fortunato’s.
And he looked mad.
“Leave us”, he commanded to the two bodyguards. They left the room, closing the door behind them. Don Fortunato focused his attention on Eliza.
“Why, Eliza, why?”, asked Don Fortunato. “After all I’ve done for you, I took you in, gave you a roof and this is how you repay me?”
“I –“, began Eliza before Don Fortunato stopped her.
“Shut up! Ungrateful bitch!”, shouted Fortunato. He went to his desk and Eliza saw he grabbed a short whip. “Kneel.”
When Eliza didn’t quickly obeyed, Don Fortunato got angry. “I said, kneel!”
Eliza quickly obeyed, dropping to her knees in a kneeling position. She was shaking from the fear, and she didn’t want to risk further enraging the Don.
She winced as the cold marble floor pressed against her knees; her gaze fixed on the polished shoes of Don Fortunato before he got behind her. The whip lashed through the air, cracking sharply, yet it did not touch her, making Eliza cringe in fear. His message was clear—fear and submission were his tools of control.
Then, Eliza felt it, the first strike of the whip, making her yelp in pain. Then another, then another. He kept going at it until he was satisfied that Eliza was left a crying mess in the floor. Eliza was sure those strikes were bleeding, as she felt something wet on her back. She looked into the eyes of her abuser, who was slightly angry.
“Are you still angry with me?”, Eliza dared ask, her voice adopting a meek tone. She still had some tears running down her cheeks.
“Not anymore”, was Don Fortunato’s answer. He went to a drawer and pulled something out of it. Eliza’s eyes widened when she saw what it was.
A dog collar!
“I didn’t want to use this”, said Don Fortunato as he was approaching Eliza, dog collar in hand. “But you forced my hand.”
Eliza tried to back away, but her injuries prevented her from doing so.
“Don’t make it worse, girl”, said Don Fortunato. In a few seconds, he had fastened the collar around her neck. Eliza was now essentially a dog. She heard the sound of a magnetic lock locking.
“Don’t try to take it off”, said Don Fortunato. “It has a magnetic lock, and a tracking device, so you don’t pull another running away stunt. If you do, I’ll know, and next time, the punishment will be worse.”
Eliza couldn’t believe it. She was now trapped with no way out.
“Bark for me, will you?”, asked Don Fortunato. Eliza’s eyes went wide in disbelief. When Eliza didn’t obey, Don Fortunato tightened his grip on his whip as a warning. “I said, bark, girl.”
"Woof" , said Eliza, still on all fours and cringing in shame. Her face burned with embarrassment, and she felt utterly humiliated by the situation she found herself in. She wished for the ground to open up and swallow her, hoping desperately to escape the feeling of ridicule that engulfed her.
"Again", said Don Fortunato as he smirked. "And louder."
"Woof!", Eliza exclaimed, shocked at being treated like a dog. She felt a mix of embarrassment and indignation, her cheeks flushing red as she processed the unexpected humiliation.
“Good girl”, said Don Fortunato approaching Eliza, still on the floor, and caressed her head, causing her to cringe and a shiver of revulsion run down her spine. “Now, go to the nurse’s office to get your wounds treated. And a new uniform will be expecting you.”
"Yes sir," Eliza said in a meek voice, crawling on all fours before standing up with difficulty. With unsteady steps and a slight limp, she left the Don's office and went to the nurse's office.
Eliza was in the kitchen washing the dishes in her usual uniform, her maid outfit with the short skirt and the dog ears tiara. The dog collar ever present around her neck, a reminder of her never-ending life as a prisoner. These are the items imposed on her after her failed escape attempt, before that, she used to wear a regular maid outfit.
Sure, there was a time when she was free, that was before her parents died at the hands of the same man currently holding her prisoner.
Eliza scrubbed the dishes diligently, her hands moving mechanically, as if by rote. The clinking of the plates served as a monotonous soundtrack to her bleak existence. She looked out the window, the world beyond her reach, a mere figment of what could have been. The mansion was opulent, a stark juxtaposition to the dark shadow it cast over her life.
Her thoughts wandered back to the days before her captivity, when laughter filled her home, and the warmth of her parents' love enveloped her. Those days were now a distant dream, shattered by the ruthless ambitions of Don Fortunato. The dog collar around her neck chafed her skin, a physical reminder of the invisible chains that bound her.
Eliza's heart ached when she thought of the life she could have led, a life now suffocated by the walls of this prison. She knew that escape was a mere fantasy, yet her spirit clung to the hope of freedom, however slim.
With a heavy sigh, she finished the last dish and dried her hands. The collar shifted slightly, a constant reminder of her subjugation. She glanced around the kitchen one last time before retreating to her quarters, the echoes of her past resonating in the stillness of the night.
Peter was swinging through the city, trying to clear his head. The suit seems to be changing him, and maybe not for the best. Perhaps he should take Dr. Cho’s advice of removing the suit off him.
One month ago
“Peter”, began Dr. Helen Cho. “From the studies taken from the sample of your suit, it’s symbiotic in nature,” she continued, her voice tinged with concern. “It appears to have originated from an extraterrestrial source and exhibits properties that are both fascinating and alarming. The symbiote binds with its host, enhancing physical abilities but also influencing behavior and emotions. These changes can be unpredictable and potentially dangerous.”
Peter listened intently, the weight of her words settling heavily on him. The suit had made him stronger, faster, but it had also brought an edge to his personality that he couldn't deny. He had felt the darkness creeping in, the anger bubbling just beneath the surface. Dr. Cho's analysis confirmed his fears.
“The symbiote is not just a suit, Peter,” she emphasized, “it's a living organism that thrives on its host's adrenaline and emotions. It can amplify aggressive tendencies, making it difficult to control. If you continue to wear it, it might become impossible to separate your actions from its influence.”
“So, I’m wearing an alien?”, asked Peter.
Dr. Cho nodded, her expression grave. "Yes, Peter. And as fascinating as it is, the potential risks are too great to ignore. You need to find a way to separate yourself from the symbiote before it takes over completely."
“No!”, said Peter backing away from Dr. Cho. “I need it. If it makes me a better Spider-Man, then so be it.”
“Peter, you’re not –“ that’s Peter heard from Dr. Cho before running off. No one is going to separate him and Venom.
As he swung through the city that night, Peter's mind was a whirlwind of thoughts. The city's lights blurred below him, reflecting the turmoil within. The suit's grip on him seemed tighter than ever, and the line between friend and foe was becoming increasingly fragile.
Despite Dr. Cho's warning, Peter refused to part with the symbiote. He believed it made him a better Spider-Man and was determined to keep it, no matter the cost. Had he had it before, maybe May would still be alive today. Maybe he could have killed the Green Goblin at Happy’s apartment complex. Maybe none of that mess would have happened.
Eli hung around the meeting room long after everyone had left. He didn’t know why he remained behind. Then, he noticed something on the desk. He went to look at it and saw a picture that had a blue-eyed blonde woman, and a light brown-haired man with light brown eyes, both of them looking middle-aged. In front of them was a young blue eyed blonde little girl with a ‘happy birthday’ crown on her head and a toothy smile on her face.
The thing about the little girl was that it reminded Eli of someone else. Eliza. The beautiful maid girl he encountered at Don Fortunato’s mansion. But he doubted this girl in the photo was Eliza.
Eli turned the picture around and saw it had an inscription on it.
For Eliza on her 11th birthday.
From Mommy and Daddy,
We love you sweetheart.
9/24/19
Terrence and Larissa Wharton.
“I was looking for this”, said someone grabbing the picture from Eli’s hands. He looked up and saw Fury standing there.
“Who are those people in the picture?”, asked Eli.
“They were SHIELD agents, that’s all I can tell you”, answered Fury.
“Were?”, asked Eli.
“They were found murdered in their home”, said Fury. “Under mysterious circumstances at that.”
“And the little girl?”, asked Eli.
“She went missing”, said Fury. He took a look at the picture. “She was never found. She is believed to be dead as well.”
That’s all Fury said before leaving. Eli just stood there, processing what Fury just said. Is it a coincidence, or is Eliza the missing girl? She looks the right age; she should be nineteen now.
Eli just left that room as well.
Nighttime
Meanwhile, MJ, known to the criminal underworld as Black Cat, was perched high above New Wave Pier. She had spent the last few days tracking Don Fortunato's movements, knowing that he was planning something big. The night was calm, the water beneath the pier reflecting the moonlight as MJ adjusted the lens of her camera. She knew that capturing this meeting was crucial.
Her patience was rewarded when she saw Don Fortunato's limousine pull up, closely followed by Mayor Fisk's vehicle. The two men stepped out and exchanged a brief handshake before moving towards one of the secluded warehouses. MJ snapped pictures of their clandestine meeting; each click of the camera potentially bringing her one step closer to dismantling Fortunato's operations.
MJ's senses were on high alert, yet she hadn't detected the silent approach of Bushwacker. He had been waiting for this moment, hired by Fortunato to eliminate any threats. As MJ focused her camera, she felt a sudden sting on her neck. Her hand instinctively reached for the spot, finding a tranquilizer dart embedded in her skin. The world around her began to blur, and she knew she had seconds before losing consciousness.
Bushwacker stepped out of the shadows, watching as MJ slumped to the ground. He pulled out his phone and sent a quick message to Fortunato: "Target neutralized." The tranquilizer worked fast, and MJ's vision darkened, her last thought being the determination that she would not let this setback stop her.
MJ's unconscious body was swiftly carried away, ensuring no trace was left behind. She would awake in an unknown location, her mission compromised but her resolve untouched. The struggle against Don Fortunato was far from over, and Black Cat's fight for justice would continue.
Notes:
Peter wondering if he’s wearing an alien is yet another reference to Marvel’s Spider-Man 2.
And Eli asking Kate if she’s his girlfriend or wife is a reference to their relationship in the comics.
Chapter 4: Captured
Summary:
MJ gets captured. But manages to escape.
Chapter Text
The dimly lit room was cold, and MJ's wrists ached from the tight restraints. Don Fortunato stood before her, his gaze sharp and menacing. Behind him was Bushwacker, his enforcer. Who wears shades in the dark?
“Is that flesh growing over your weapon arm?”, asked MJ quipping. The man with the cannon arm just glared at her. Then, Don Fortunato roughly put his hand on MJ’s chin to make her look at him.
"You thought you could infiltrate my operations, did you?", he hissed. "Who sent you? Who are you working for?"
MJ remained silent, her mind racing for a plan. She had once heard that Fortunato enjoyed the sound of his own voice, and she intended to use that to her advantage. She met his gaze with defiance, refusing to give him the satisfaction of fear.
"I'll break you", Fortunato snarled, pacing around her. "You will tell me everything."
MJ's eyes flicked to the door, calculating the distance. If she could create a distraction, she might have a chance. As Fortunato continued his tirade, MJ suddenly slumped forward, feigning unconsciousness.
"Useless", Fortunato muttered, turning his back on her. At that moment, MJ sprang into action. Using her gymnastic prowess, and her gloves claws, she cut the ropes tying her, twisted her wrists free and leaped towards Fortunato. She landed a swift kick to his knee, sending him sprawling. Before he could call for help, MJ grabbed a nearby chair and smashed the window.
She broke through the glass to exit, moving into the darkness outside. The night air was cold against her face, but she continued running across the garden. She was aware that Fortunato's men would likely follow shortly. Before dropping from the ledge, MJ fired her grappling hook gun, its hook stabbing into the ground, letting its cable slow her descent and land her safely on the shadowy grass below. MJ saw Bushwacker looking at her from the window, pointing his arm weapon at her before lowering it and walking away.
MJ knew this was far from over, but she had managed to turn the tide once more. She disappeared into the night, her mind already focusing on the next steps to bring down Don Fortunato. The challenges were daunting, but MJ was determined to see it through.
Ben swung through the city, his keen eyes scanning for any signs of trouble. He had heard whispers of a deal going down in the old warehouse district, and he was determined to put a stop to it. As he landed on a rooftop, he spotted a group of men gathered below, their conversation hushed and tense.
Without a moment's hesitation, Ben leaped into action. He descended upon them like a red shadow, his movements quick and precise. The criminals barely had time to react before they found themselves incapacitated; their weapons useless against his superior skills.
"Tell your boss the Scarlet Spider sends his regards," Ben growled, securing the last of them with webbing. He knew this was just a small victory, but every step counted in their fight against the darkness that threatened the city.
Next day
Kate was dreading this day, but she knew she had to face her problems, that she had to confront her past. The one unlocked thanks to Arthur.
Right now, she was heading to the office of her therapist, who received her upon entering the office.
“Oh, you must be Kate?”, said the therapist, who was a light brunette woman who looked almost middle aged, but still attractive. “Come on in, take a sit.”
“Thank you”, said Kate as she took a seat.
“So, Kate, what is it that brings you here?”, asked the therapist.
“Well, the thing is this”, began Kate. She didn’t want to give full details. “When I was fifteen, I was walking through Central Park after coming from a friend’s party. Them, a man came out of nowhere and dragged me to the back of a public restroom building.”
“And what happened afterwards?”, asked the therapist.
“I kneed him in the groin, hard enough to be able to break out of his hold and run away”, said Kate, shaken at reliving such moment. “Then, I went home and took a bath to scrub the dirtiness off me.”
“Did something trigger this memory, Kate?”, asked the therapist as she wrote on her notebook.
“Let’s just say, someone forced me to confront this memory”, said Kate. Technically, Arthur did forced her to confront that memory, albeit by accident.
The therapist nodded sympathetically; her pen poised above the notebook. "It's good that you're confronting this now, even if the circumstances were not ideal. Have you discussed this with anyone else?"
Kate shook her head. "No, I haven't. I think I've been trying to forget it ever since it happened. But this person... he unknowingly brought it all back."
The therapist leaned forward slightly; her eyes warm with understanding. "Sometimes, the past has a way of resurfacing when we least expect it, especially if we've tried to bury it deep. It's like a shadow that follows us, waiting for the right moment to emerge."
Kate took a deep breath, feeling a mixture of relief and anxiety. "I want to put this behind me, but I'm not sure how."
"That's why I'm here," the therapist said gently. "We'll work through this together. It's a process, but you're not alone in this journey."
Kate felt a glimmer of hope. Maybe, just maybe, she could finally find peace. She knew it wouldn't be easy, but facing her past was the first step toward healing.
“Thank you, Dr. Glenn”, said Kate as she and Dr. Heather Glenn shook hands.
“Any time, Kate”, said Dr. Glenn.
As Kate left the Dr. Glenn’s office, she felt the weight of her memories lighten just a bit. She was ready to take the next steps, whatever they might be.
Kate arrived at the YA base, and Kamala quickly approached her.
“So, did your therapy session went well?”, asked Kamala.
“It went well”, said Kate. She didn’t want to get into details.
“Fury is expecting us in the meeting room”, said Kamala. She and Kate headed there.
Don Fortunato’s mansion
Eliza was currently washing dishes in the kitchen when a guard came up to her, handing her a note. Eliza dried her hands before grabbing the note, and saw it was a groceries list.
“The boss needs you to go shopping”, was all the guard said before walking off.
Eliza went to her shack to get some things, mainly her tan-colored coat and her red scarf, making sure its fully covering her neck. She didn’t want anyone wondering why she’s wearing a dog collar. This is also another way for Don Fortunato to humiliate her.
But then again, he’s also monitoring her, making sure she doesn’t try to run away through the tracking device in her dog collar.
Eliza grabbed her bag and stepped out into the chilly evening air; her scarf tightly wrapped around her neck. The supermarket wasn’t far, but every step felt like a parade of humiliation as she passed people who barely spared her a glance, unaware of the silent battle she endured daily. The weight of the collar pressed against her dignity, a constant reminder of Fortunato’s control.
The streets were quiet as she reached the store, her mind momentarily distracted by the colorful shelves. She focused on the list, moving swiftly to gather the items, though her hands trembled slightly each time she crossed a name off. She felt as though Fortunato’s eyes were on her, even here. Was it the collar? Was it him? She couldn’t tell anymore.
As she paid for the groceries, her thoughts drifted toward escape—not for the first time. But the idea always seemed futile. The collar was a leash that stretched beyond physical boundaries. It held her back both literally and figuratively, tethering her spirit to his oppressive whims.
On her way back to Don Fortunato’s mansion, Eliza adjusted her scarf against the biting wind, her mind cycling through the same oppressive thoughts. Each step toward the mansion felt like a retreat into a cage she could neither escape nor endure. The weight of the groceries in her bag seemed trivial compared to the heavier burden of her circumstance, a constant ache she carried within her.
The mansion loomed ahead like a dark sentinel, its towering façade both majestic and suffocating, a grim reflection of Fortunato’s dominion. As she approached the gates, the guards barely glanced at her, their apathy cutting deeper than any disdain. Eliza entered the mansion’s grounds, her pulse quickening as the familiar walls closed around her.
Crossing the threshold into the kitchen, she was greeted by the faint aroma of old wood and simmering stew, though neither offered comfort. The guard from earlier leaned against a counter, his posture relaxed yet somehow intimidating. Eliza resisted the urge to let her eyes linger on him. She couldn’t afford to show weakness—not here.
As she began unloading the groceries, her movements were methodical yet hurried, her focus fixed on completing the task. But her mind refused to stay in the moment, drifting instead to fleeting dreams of freedom. The thought of tearing off the collar and walking away was intoxicating, even if it was nothing more than a fantasy born of desperation. She shook her head, forcing herself to concentrate. Thinking of escape only made the chains around her feel tighter.
But as Eliza finished, her gaze momentarily flickered toward the far corner of the kitchen where she imagined a life outside these walls—a life devoid of collars and commands. The image faded as swiftly as it came, replaced by the grim reality of her situation. She turned to leave, her shoulders heavy, and made her way back to her shack in silence.
“Congratulations kids, the remains of AIM experiments are now repossessed by SHIELD”, said Fury. He, Danvers and Wilson were congratulating the Young Avengers on another successful mission.
“Thank you, Mr. Fury”, said Kamala excitedly.
“Well, we’ll leave you now, kids”, said Carol as she, Fury and Sam left.
“So, how far are we on our case against Don Fortunato?”, asked Kate.
“Well, other than he’s planning something with Mayor Fisk, nothing”, said Kamala. Then she looked at Eli. “What did you overheard, Eli?”
“Not much”, admitted Eli. “I almost got caught listening in, had to leave quickly.”
“So, we went undercover to that party at his mansion for nothing?”, asked Cassie in disbelief. Then she looked at Eli as well. “You didn’t discover anything else, did you?”
“No, sorry”, said Eli. He didn’t like lying to the team, but he couldn’t risk exposing Eliza to any danger. Not yet at least.
“Well, I’ll be leaving”, said Peter as he got off his chair and started walking towards the door.
“Where are you going?”, asked America.
“Fight crime”, was Peter’s answer before leaving.
“Anyone else concerned about Peter?”, asked America.
“It was creepy how he fought with those tendrils”, said Kate. “It’s like that suit is turning him into someone else.”
“True”, said Cassie.
Peter was out swinging in the city. He had already foiled two crimes and was preparing to go to his apartment when he saw MJ. She was sitting on the ledge of a building, wearing her Black Cat suit. Peter approached her, sitting next to her.
“Hi, Em”, said Peter as he sat next to her.
“Peter”, said MJ in a neutral voice. When she didn’t say anything, Peter talked.
“I’m sorry, Em”, he said. MJ seemed to tense, knowing what he meant. “I know I should have told you everything. But, seeing that band aid in your forehead –“
“You know”, began MJ with a tight voice. “I’m old enough to make my own decisions. I don’t need you dictating what I can or can’t handle.”
Peter’s jaw clenched, frustration flickering across his face. “I wasn’t dictating, Em. I was just—worried. Maybe a little too much, okay? But you scared me.”
MJ looked away, her tone sharpening. “I’m not breakable, Peter. You can’t keep me in the dark and expect me to just go along with it.”
He let out a rough sigh, running a gloved hand through his hair. “Yeah, well, I can’t lose you either.”
They glared at each other for a tense heartbeat, the city’s noise floating distantly below. The anger between them melted into something rawer, truer. MJ’s eyes softened, and Peter’s breath caught as their faces drifted closer, the night air electric.
Without a word, Peter leaned in, and MJ met him halfway. Their lips collided in a fierce, desperate kiss, all their hurt and longing crackling between them. The city faded away, if only for a moment, as they found comfort in each other’s arms.
“Your place or mine?”, asked MJ in a teasing manner. Then she remembered… “My place’s far away.”
“Mine’s nearby”, offered Peter. “Do you forgive me?”
“It’s a beginning”, said MJ. “And, lead the way.”
Peter and MJ went swinging, Peter holding MJ in his arms as they swing away.
Eliza was walking towards her shack after a long day of shores and being degraded. When she opened the door, she had to suppress a gasp as she saw Eli sitting on one of her chairs, as if he owned the place.
“What are you doing here?”, asked Eliza.
“Terrence and Larissa Wharton”, that’s all Eli said before getting off the chair. “Do either of those names ring any bells to you?”
“Where did you hear those names?", asked Eliza with a hint of fear.
“Fury”, said Eli. Eliza’s eyes went wide.
“You’re not angry at me, are you?”, asked Eliza with a hint of worry.
“What? No”, said Eli trying to placate her. “I meant, Nick Fury.”
“Okay, Nick Fury”, said Eliza. “That’s the weirdest name I’ve ever heard.”
“So, Terrence and Larissa Wharton?”, asked Eli.
Eliza sighed. “They’re my parents”, she said. “Or rather, were. They’re dead.”
“Under mysterious circumstances, right?”, asked Eli.
“Fortunato had his goons kill them”, said Eliza.
2019
“Happy birthday, sweetie”, a blonde woman with blue eyes told a blonde little girl with blue eyes.
“Thank you, mommy!”, said 11-year-old Eliza with an exited voice. She was wearing a ‘Happy Birthday’ crown on her head.
Suddenly, she was lifted by her daddy. “We love you, sweetie, you know that, right?”
“I love you too, daddy”, said Eliza. Her dad put a camera on a thingy to make it stand and he and her mommy sat together, with Eliza in front of them and the camera took a picture of them. The photo came from under the camera and her daddy grabbed it. Daddy wrote something on the back of the picture, but Eliza couldn’t tell what it was.
But the moment of joy was cut short by the sound of shattering glass. Terrence and Larissa exchanged a glance of sheer terror before Terrence swiftly moved to shield his family.
"Eliza, go hide in the closet. Now!", he whispered urgently.
"But Daddy—", Eliza began to protest, her blue eyes wide with fear.
"Now, Eliza!", Mommy’s voice was both stern and desperate.
Eliza ran to the closet in the hallway, hiding behind coats and shoes, trembling as she tried to calm her racing heart. She could hear the muffled sounds of a struggle, followed by the unmistakable sound of gunshots.
Her world went silent.
The closet door swung open, revealing a man with a sneer on his face. "Found you," he said, dragging her out. Eliza's screams filled the air, but no one was left to save her. “Look whom I found sir.”
Eliza was brought before a terrifying man. “What’s your name, sweetheart?”
“Eliza”, she said. She was scared. Where were her mommy and daddy? “Where’s my mommy and daddy?”
“They’re gone little one”, said the man. “Your daddy owed me money, you know?”
Eliza's life had changed drastically since that fateful night. She now found herself in the grand and intimidating mansion of Don Fortunato, where every corner seemed to hold a shadow of power and fear. The once carefree days of her childhood were replaced by a rigid routine of chores and servitude.
Each morning, Eliza woke before dawn to begin her duties. She learned quickly that any mistake could result in swift punishment. The older maids, hardened by years of service, showed her the ropes with a mixture of pity and indifference. They knew all too well the price of disobedience.
Her tasks were many and varied, from polishing the ornate furniture that filled the mansion to tending to the expansive gardens that surrounded it. The work was relentless, and her small hands often ached by the end of the day. Yet, it was the only life she knew now.
Don Fortunato was a figure of terror in her eyes; a man whose word was law. She seldom saw him, but when she did, she made sure to keep her head down and her eyes averted. His presence was a constant reminder of the night her family had been torn apart.
Despite the fear and loneliness, Eliza found small comforts in the brief moments of solitude she could steal away. In the quiet of the night, she would sit by the window of her small room, gazing at the stars and whispering her fears and hopes to the vast sky. She clung to the memory of her parents, drawing strength from their love.
As days turned to weeks, and weeks to months, Eliza learned to navigate the treacherous waters of her new life. She became adept at reading the moods of those around her, knowing when to speak and when to remain silent. Her resilience grew, and with it, a quiet determination to survive, no matter the cost.
Eliza's new life as a maid was one of hardship and endurance, but within her burned a flicker of hope that one day, she might find a way to escape the grasp of Don Fortunato and reclaim a life of her own.
“And that’s how I ended up here”, said Eliza as she finished her story. Eli was sitting in one of the chairs listening attentively.
“I’m sorry you went through all that”, said Eli in sympathy. “And does Fortunato ever tell you anything about his activities?”
“If you think he tells me anything about his crimes, no he doesn’t”, said Eliza. “If you were expecting someone inside, I’m sorry but that can’t be me.”
“It’s okay, Eliza”, said Eli getting off the chair. “We will find another way to stop him.”
“No, you guys won’t”, said Eliza cynically. “Just, don’t come back here to risk yourself. I’ve already got used to it. I’ll never escape. I’ll probably die being a prisoner.”
“No, you won’t”, said Eli with determination. “I said I’ll get you out of here, and I’ll do that. If not for you, then, for your parents at least.”
Eli sighed. “I want to help you, but only if you want to be helped.”
Eli walked towards the door to leave. Eliza just stood there watching him leave. It wasn’t until she was sure Eli was gone that she broke down sobbing, making herself into a ball, hugging her knees.
Chapter 5: Bringing the Don Down
Summary:
The plan to take Don Fortunato down begins.
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Later that night, the moon cast a gentle glow through the window of Peter's apartment. MJ lay next to him, her heart racing from the whirlwind of emotions and the intimacy they had shared for the first time. She listened to the soft rhythm of his breathing, savoring the fleeting moments of peace. But as the hours wore on, the reality of their precarious situation began to weigh heavily on her.
Careful not to wake him, MJ slipped out of bed and quickly dressed in her Black Cat suit, her movements nearly silent in the dim light. She glanced back at Peter, his peaceful expression tugging at her heart. She knew they couldn't afford distractions, not with the dangers they faced.
With one last, lingering look, MJ crept out of the apartment through the window, closing it gently behind her as she got into the emergency ladder. The city outside was alive with its usual nighttime symphony, a stark contrast to the quiet intimacy she had just left behind. She disappeared into the shadows, her thoughts already shifting to the challenges that lay ahead.
The next few days passed in a blur for Eliza. She found solace in the small tasks that occupied her mind, but the weight of her conversation with Eli lingered. Each night, as she lay in her small, cold shack, the echoes of their exchange haunted her thoughts. She had almost lost hope completely, yet Eli's determined words had ignited a faint spark within her.
One evening, as she was cleaning the grand hallway, Eliza overheard a conversation that made her heart stop. Don Fortunato was speaking in hushed tones to one of his trusted associates. She couldn't make out the details, but the tone was urgent, and the few words she caught hinted at a major operation. Eliza knew she had to get this information to Eli, but the risk was immense. Her life was already hanging by a thread, and any misstep could be fatal.
The next morning, Eliza managed to slip a note into the pocket of one of the delivery men who brought supplies to the estate. It was addressed to Eli, containing the snippets of information she had overheard. Her hands trembled as she handed it over, praying that it would reach him and be of some use.
Days later, as Eliza went about her duties, she noticed a small, folded piece of paper tucked under her pillow. Her heart raced as she opened it, revealing a brief message from Eli. "Hang in there. We're coming for you." Those few words filled her with a renewed sense of hope and determination.
That night, as she lay in bed, she couldn't help but dream of a future beyond the walls of her prison. Little did she know, the wheels of change had already been set in motion, and the battle to bring down the Don was about to begin in earnest.
Eli had received Eliza’s message. Now, he just needed to communicate it to the rest of the team. But how would he do that without putting Eliza at risk, he didn’t know.
He went to the living room, where he encountered Kate, who was tinkering with a screen. “Oh, I’ve been expecting you Eli”, she said.
“Have you?”, asked Eli playing it cool.
“Yes, as a matter of fact”, said Kate. She then played a video on the screen.
Of Eli entering someone’s shack in the back of Don Fortunato’s property. A few moments later, a blonde maid entered the shack.
“So, who’s the cute maid?”, asked Kate. Then she looked at the maid’s outfit. “And why does she dress like a skank?”
Eli was struggling to keep his anger at bay. Sure, Kate can talk smack about him, but he wasn’t going to tolerate disrespect towards Eliza.
“Her name’s Eliza”, said Eli in a barely tight voice. “And the reason she’s dressed that way is because among everything we know of Fortunato, he’s also a creep.”
“And why didn’t you tell us this, Eli?”, asked Kate. “We’re a team. We don’t keep these kind of things a secret, Eli.”
“I couldn’t risk putting her in danger”, said Eli. “She risked her life to get us some info on Fortunato. He’s planning something tonight.”
“Then, let’s tell the whole team”, said Kate as she and Eli went to gather the rest of the team.
MJ, in her Black Cat outfit, was already scouring the warehouse where Fortunato was making clandestine deals who appeared to be a German man. He thought the mayor would protect him. She got her camera ready to photograph Fortunato with the man he was making deals with. MJ got several shots before an explosion occurred.
Men were starting to look for the source when suddenly, a shield hit one of the men and arrows were flying, hitting several men. MJ managed to see as Bushwacker shot the man Fortunato was making deals with before getting Fortunato out of there, leaving the rest of his men to fend off the Young Avengers.
“Damn kid heroes”, said MJ annoyed at the interruption. Here she was, getting incriminating evidence, and the Young Avengers came and ruined it.
A man arrived at the room where MJ was, and she quickly pulled her whip out, hitting him in the face, making him fall unconscious. Another man arrived, but MJ made quick work of him, performing an Hurricanrana on him, leaving him unconscious as well.
MJ left that room, but quickly found 3 more men, all pointing automatic weapons at her. But before they could fire, they were all sent flying by an invisible force.
Or rather, a tiny force as a girl in a purple and black suit with a grey helmet quickly materialized. A girl MJ knew of.
“Hey, I know you!”, said the girl excitedly. “You’re Black Cat!”
“And I know you too, Stature”, said MJ deadpanning. She knew who Stature was, Ant-Man’s daughter. Great, a nepo baby hero.
An arrow flew off next to MJ, hitting another man. And soon enough, Hawkeye, the new one, was there as well. Another nepo baby hero.
“Looks like I’m just in time”, said Kate as she joined Black Cat and Cassie. Men were surrounding the three young women from all sides as they got into fighting poses, Kate with her bow in hand, Black Cat with her whip and Cassie just lifting her fists.
Eli was fighting some guards, with his fists and with his shield. America and Kamala were fighting more men nearby. Parker had taken off, chasing Fortunato and Bushwacker.
“This is fun!”, shouted Kamala as she punched several men with her Noor powers. Some men shot at her, but Kamala quickly made a shield, then threw Noor particles at them, knocking them down.
America was also fighting some men, punching them with her super strength, leaving them unconscious. Soon enough, the men were all unconscious.
“Where are Kate and Cassie?”, asked Eli as he and the girls gathered after fighting.
“I dunno”, said Kamala. Then she looked at America.
“I don’t know either”, said America.
MJ, along with Hawkeye and Stature, was fighting some men, hitting them with her whip or kicking them. Behind her, Hawkeye shot several men with her arrows.
Cassie was shrinking and punching more men. She knocked three men out.
“Yay!”, she shouted excitedly. MJ rolled her eyes at Stature’s antics.
“Less celebrating and more fighting!”, shouted MJ, getting Stature to focus.
“Oh, sorry”, said Cassie slightly embarrassed.
Kate shot an arrow at one man, then said arrow shot tiny needles, knocking out several men around it. “Just like in Christmas, three years ago.”
The three young women were fighting in good synchrony, it wasn’t perfect, but it was something. MJ couldn’t believe she was fighting along two Young Avengers. She threw an electric disk at one man before sending a flurry of kicks at another.
Kate kept shooting arrows while Cassie was shrinking and attacking men. Black Cat was hitting them with her whip and throwing electric tiny disks at them, until all men were on the ground unconscious.
“Maybe we should team up more often, Black Cat”, said Cassie.
“No, I don’t think so, Stature”, said MJ looking at her, weirded out. Of course she’s never teaming up with heroes again. This was a one-time thing.
Suddenly, a star-shaped portal opened and out came America along with Kamala and Eli. The portal closed behind them once they were on the other side.
“There you are Cassie, Kate”, said America. Then she looked at Black Cat. “Hey, Black Cat.”
“America”, said MJ.
“We need to stop Fortunato”, said Eli as America opened another portal. Cassie and Kate walked towards them and looked at Black Cat.
“You coming?”, asked Kate at Black Cat.
“No, I’m needed elsewhere”, said MJ.
“Fair enough”, said Hawkeye as she and the Young Avengers disappeared behind the star-shaped portal. MJ just stood there for a few seconds before looking for incriminating evidence against Don Fortunato.
Don Vincente Fortunato was in his office back in his mansion, with Bushwacker and some of his bodyguards. He was fuming from the deal having gone wrong.
“What I want to know is”, began Fortunato in a tight voice. “…how did a bunch of vigilante kids playing superheroes knew of that meet?”
The meet was supposed to be secure and discreet. Mayor Fisk had guaranteed that.
“We will find out, boss”, assured Bushwacker.
Fortunato looked through the cameras feedback, remote in hand. After looking through the feedback he found a video he was looking for.
“Bring her here”, that’s all Fortunato said.
Eliza
Eliza was washing the last of the dishes, the pile of clean dishes growing as the dirty dishes disappeared. She finished her chores in the kitchen and was about to move to brooming when a guard came to her.
“The boss wants to see you in his office”, was all the guard said. What would Don Fortunato want with her? Maybe he just wants to humiliate her further.
Eliza followed the guard as they were heading to Don Fortunato’s office. The guard gestured at her to enter, which she did. The guard went elsewhere, leaving Eliza alone with Don Fortunato. Well, not really, as there was also his personal gunman, Bushwacker. Eliza seldom saw him, the man with the machine gun arm. She made sure to avert her eyes away from him.
“You asked for me, sir?”, asked Eliza, trying to sound casual, even though her body language was threatening to betray her. She could hear Bushwacker shifting behind her.
“I did, as a matter of fact, girl”, said Don Fortunato. He then spin the computer screen that was in front of him towards Eliza. Then he played a video on it. A video of Eli dressed as Patriot grabbing her from behind and pushing her towards her shack. “So what I want to know is, why did a Young Avenger broke into my property and went into your sleeping quarters? What did you tell him?”
When Eliza said nothing, Don Fortunato pulled a handgun out. So, this is it. If she is to die, so be it. Better die free than live like a slave.
“I told him about the meet you were planning”, said Eliza with defiance. She saw as Fortunato aimed the gun at her.
“I see”, that’s all Fortunato said before shooting her in the left shoulder. But instead of a bullet hole there was a dart in it. Eliza was beginning to fade as the effects of the tranquilizer were making effect. She slumped into the ground as the world turned black.
Don Fortunato
As soon as he tranquilized Eliza, Don Fortunato called two of his bodyguards. They came into his office a few moments later.
“How may we help you sir?”, asked of the bodyguards.
“Take her to the basement”, said Don Fortunato, referring to Eliza, who was unconscious in the ground. The guards picked Eliza up, one by the legs, the other by the arms and took her out. Fortunato addressed Bushwacker.
“Make sure the perimeter –“, that’s all Don Fortunato managed to say before a sound of breaking glass was heard in the library area. “Go check that.”
Bushwacker did as he was told.
Don Vincente Fortunato was in his office back in his mansion, with Bushwacker and some of his bodyguards. He was fuming from the deal having gone wrong.
“What I want to know”, began Fortunato in a tight voice. “…is, how did a bunch of vigilante kids playing superheroes knew of that meet?”
The meet was supposed to be secure and discreet. Mayor Fisk had guaranteed that.
“We will find out, boss”, assured Bushwacker.
Fortunato looked through the cameras feedback, remote in hand. After looking through the feedback he found a video he was looking for.
“Bring her here”, that’s all Fortunato said.
Eliza
Eliza was washing the last of the dishes, the pile of clean dishes growing as the dirty dishes disappeared. She finished her chores in the kitchen and was about to move to brooming when a guard came to her.
“The boss wants to see you in his office”, was all the guard said. What would Don Fortunato want with her? Maybe he just wants to humiliate her further.
Eliza followed the guard as they were heading to Don Fortunato’s office. The guard gestured at her to enter, which she did. The guard went elsewhere, leaving Eliza alone with Don Fortunato. Well, not really, as there was also his personal gunman, Bushwacker. Eliza seldom saw him, the man with the machine gun arm. She made sure to avert her eyes away from him.
“You asked for me, sir?”, asked Eliza, trying to sound casual, even though her body language was threatening to betray her. She could hear Bushwacker shifting behind her.
“I did, as a matter of fact, girl”, said Don Fortunato. He then spin the computer screen that was in front of him towards Eliza. Then he played a video on it. A video of Eli dressed as Patriot grabbing her from behind and pushing her towards her shack. “So what I want to know is, why did a Young Avenger broke into my property and went into your sleeping quarters? What did you tell him?”
When Eliza said nothing, Don Fortunato pulled a handgun out. So, this is it. If she is to die, so be it. Better die free than live a slave.
“I told him about the meet you were planning”, said Eliza with defiance. She saw as Fortunato aimed the gun at her.
“I see”, that’s all Fortunato said before shooting her in the left shoulder. But instead of a bullet hole there was a dart in it. Eliza was beginning to fade as the effects of the tranquilizer were making effect. She slumped into the ground as the world turned black.
Don Fortunato
As soon as he tranquilized Eliza, Don Fortunato called two of his bodyguards. They came into his office a few moments later.
“How may we help you sir?”, asked of the bodyguards.
“Take her to the basement”, said Don Fortunato, referring to Eliza, who was unconscious in the ground. The guards picked Eliza up, one by the legs, the other by the arms and took her out. Fortunato addressed Bushwacker.
“Make sure the perimeter –“, that’s all Don Fortunato managed to say before a sound of breaking glass was heard in the library area. “Go check that.”
Bushwacker did as he was told.
Peter jumped through the window, landing in what looked like a library in Don Fortunato’s mansion. He was currently looking for Fortunato when some of his men arrived at the library.
“Give it up, Spider-Man!”, shouted one of the men.
Soon enough, all men pulled handguns out, shooting at Peter. However, Peter quickly dodged and attacked them with tendrils from his suit. More men kept coming and Peter fought them, kicking, punching and attacking with symbiote tendrils. All men were on the floor unconscious.
“Spider-Man”, said a voice behind Peter. He turned around to see a man with a machine gun mounted where his right arm should be.
“Bushwacker”, said Peter.
The rest of the Young Avengers arrived at the front of Don Fortunato’s mansion through one of America’s star portals. Fortunato’s bodyguards started shooting at them, but Kate quickly shot an explosive arrow, sending them flying, though still alive.
Eli ran towards the mansion, shield slamming men as they came. He threw his shield at two remaining men, hitting them both in the head, leaving them unconscious before his shield returned to him.
Another man appeared, handgun in hand, aiming at Eli. Before he could shoot, an arrow lodged in his forehead, knocking him out with electric discharges.
“You shouldn’t run off like that Eli”, said Kate as she approached Eli. Another man attacked Eli, but he fought him off with a Hurricanrana, leaving him unconscious. Kate looked at him surprised.
“Where did you learn that?”, asked Kate.
“My grandpa’s girlfriend taught me”, said Eli.
They were outside a double door room. They entered it and saw it was an office. There was a desk with a computer monitor facing the opposite side it should.
Kate saw a briefcase full of money on top of the desk. Maybe the money Fortunato was going to use to buy weapons.
“If Fury were here, he’d probably say something like “This is drug money””,[1] said Eli as he saw the briefcase, with Kate chuckling at that. Then, he decided to check the desk in case the key to Eliza’s collar was in it. He didn’t find it but found a short whip.
“Looking for this?”, said someone on the door. Eli looked up and saw Fortunato standing there, a key dangling from a necklace chain in his hand before he put it on his neck. Then, he aimed a handgun at both Kate and Eli. “You know, you and the rest of your vigilante group cost me a deal.”
“Boo hoo you”, said Kate sarcastically. This only irritated Fortunato even more.
“Where is she?”, asked Eli. Fortunato looked at him confused before his confusion cleared.
“You mean Eliza, don’t you?”, asked Fortunato. He then raised his gun, as if getting ready to shoot Eli and Kate.
Bushwacker shot at Peter with an explosive, who quickly dodged before shooting a black spider web at Bushwacker, who dodged as well. The two exchanged punches and kicks before Bushwacker managed to land a hit on Peter.
Bushwacker shot grenade after grenade at Peter, who quickly dodged them, sending books and pieces of paper flying all around.
Peter launched a symbiote ball at Bushwacker, hitting him square in the chest. Peter approached Bushwacker, who was lying on the ground in pain. Then, he grabbed Bushwacker’s weapon arm and started pulling hard.
“What are you doing?!”, asked Bushwacker.
“I’m disarming you”,[2] was Peter’s answer. He kept pulling on Bushwacker’s arm, until he tore it off him. Peter aim Bushwacker’s own arm at him. But before he could shoot, a web wrapped itself around the arm, yanking it and making Peter miss his shot, destroying some of the wall in the library.
Fortunato's finger tightened on the trigger, his eyes glinting with malice. Eli and Kate exchanged a tense glance, silently coordinating their next move. Suddenly, Kate lunged for the desk, knocking over a lamp and creating a blinding flash of light.
Eli took advantage of the distraction, hurling his shield toward Fortunato. The shield struck the gun from Fortunato’s grasp, sending it skittering across the polished floor. Fortunato cursed, clutching at his necklace, desperate to keep hold of the key.
“Where do you think you’re going?”, asked Kate, grabbing Fortunato before he could make a run for it. She pushed him to his knees and Eli approached him, whip in hand, grabbing the key hanging around his neck.
“I’ll be keeping this”, said Eli as he put the key in one of his pockets.
“So, do you think I’m going to beg you, kids?”, asked Fortunato. “I’m not begging a couple of criminals.”
“That’s rich coming from you”, said Kate. Fortunato was the biggest criminal here, and now he dared call them criminals. As if.
“Fisk outlawed your kind”, said Fortunato. “What you’re doing is illegal. You’re criminals.”
“Where’s Eliza?”, asked Eli, whip in hand.
“Like I’ll tell you”, said Fortunato defiantly.
“Wrong answer”, said Eli before striking him with his whip. “Is this the same whip you used on her?”
“I had to discipline her”, said Fortunato. “Had to put her in her place.”
“Then let’s see if you like it”, said Eli as he resumed hitting Fortunato with the whip, hitting him in the back to give him the same scars he gave Eliza.
“That’s enough”, said Kate, stopping Eli.
“Is it?”, asked Eli. They both saw Fortunato in the floor, groaning in pain.
“She is in the basement”, said Don Fortunato.
“Let’s go get her”, said Kate. She and Eli were preparing to leave when Fortunato decided to gloat.
“She was mine to collect”, said Don Fortunato. He took Eliza in when she had no one. He gave her a roof, and now these kids think they can come for her.
“You murdered her parents, then kidnapped her”, said Eli. Then, he raised the whip, as if getting ready to strike at Fortunato again.
“This is for the Whartons”, said Eli as he hit Fortunato in the face with the whip.
Peter’s attention was now on his brother Ben, who decided to show up. Ben had yanked Bushwacker’s arm off his grip, making him miss his shot. And now, Peter was mad. So mad he punched Bushwacker into unconsciousness.
Ben glared at Peter, his fists clenched and jaw tight, clearly ready for a confrontation. The tension between the brothers was palpable, their shared history simmering beneath the surface as they faced off in the chaos. For a moment, neither spoke, letting the charged silence speak volumes about their complicated relationship.
“I need to take that suit off you, Spidey”, said Ben.
“I see”, said Peter, his voice now sounding menacing. “You want it for yourself?”
Both brothers started fighting one another. Peter took a step forward, his body tense and eyes narrowed.
"You never understood what this suit means, Ben. It's not just power—it's a responsibility", said Peter. Ben's face twisted with frustration, but beneath his anger, a hint of regret flickered in his eyes. The brothers stood poised for conflict, both unwilling to back down, their emotions as volatile as the battle raging around them.
Peter shot a web at Ben, who quickly dodged it. The two brothers continued fighting, until a grandfather clock fell from a higher floor, its noise being too much for Peter. Symbiote tendrils shown around Peter, who was recoiling in pain.
Deciding that the noise was too much for him, Peter ran off.
“Spidey”, shouted Ben as he watched Peter leave. He saw Bushwacker coming to. He webbed him to a wall before chasing Peter.
The two bodyguards in charge of taking Eliza to the basement were watching over her still unconscious body. Then, one of the guards approached her, a leering look on his face.
“The boss said no touching the girl”, said the other guard.
“The boss is not here”, said the first guard. The second guard agreed with him, but before they could do anything, an invisible force punched them both in the head, leaving them unconscious.
Cassie had grown back to size. Behing her, America and Kamala arrived through one of America’s star portals, approaching Cassie. They saw the blonde maid unconscious over the table.
“Who’s this girl?”, asked Kamala.
“I don’t know”, admitted Cassie. Then she saw her attire, which was inappropriate for her profession. “But I don’t think this uniform looks standard.”
“Something’s seriously wrong here”, said America, looking at her collar. Kamala and Cassie gasped in horror upon seeing it.
Eli had hit Fortunato in the face to probably avenge the deaths of Eliza’s parents that’s for sure. But he didn’t intend to gauge Fortunato’s eye out. He was currently in the floor groaning in pain, holding his hand over where his right eye had been, now being in the floor a few feet away from him.
“What did you do Eli?”, asked Kate horrified. Eli also looked horrified with himself.
“I- I- I didn’t mean to”, stammered Eli. The whip fell off his grip, his hands were shaking but he was beginning to calm down.
“You’ll pay for this, Eli”, said Don Fortunato.
Soon, there were sounds of sirens. Eli grabbed Fortunato by the back of his blazer before dragging him out of his office as he and Kate were heading towards the mansion’s main entrance. A police officer approached them, handcuffing Fortunato and leading him into a patrol.
“You can’t do this to me”, said Fortunato. “The mayor protects me.”
“The mayor ordered your arrest after evidence of you making illegal deals came to his office”, said the police officer. He approached the officer in the driver’s seat. “Take him to the hospital.” The patrol drove off and the officer remaining looked at Kate and Eli. “Now, what happened to his eye?”
“I did it, officer”, said Eli, raising his hands in front of him, as if expecting to be cuffed. However, the officer just looked at him.
“Let’s just say that was an accident”, said the officer. “Plus, I don’t want to deal with the paperwork of having put an Avenger in cuffs.” With that, the officer walked off.
“Can you guys give us a hand?”, Eli and Kate heard someone behind them. They turned around to see Kamala, Cassie and America carrying an unconscious girl, the former two by the legs and the latter by the arms. Eli quickly lifted Eliza in his arm before taking her into an ambulance.
“So, that’s her?”, asked Kate. Sure, she saw the maid in the tiny outfit in video, but it’s a whole different thing seeing her in person. Behind her, Bushwacker, now with one arm was taken into custody, being but inside a police van.
“Yes, that’s her”, said Eli. “That’s Eliza Wharton, daughter of two SHIELD agents who were murdered.”
“Where’s Peter?”, asked America behind them.
“I don’t know”, said Cassie.
“Me neither”, said Kamala.
America received a text message from Ben; he was in an industrial park fighting Peter.
“We need to go”, said America as she made a star portal towards the location. All Young Avengers went into the portal.
Notes:
First time using characters' POV's since Black Cat. If only for a brief moment.
[1] Reference to Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.
[2] Reference to The Punisher (2005 video game).
EvvDann9 on Chapter 1 Thu 07 Aug 2025 10:44PM UTC
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Words_by_her on Chapter 1 Sat 09 Aug 2025 11:07PM UTC
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emelia (Guest) on Chapter 1 Tue 12 Aug 2025 12:37PM UTC
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DarkAngel92 on Chapter 1 Tue 12 Aug 2025 04:35PM UTC
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emelia (Guest) on Chapter 1 Wed 13 Aug 2025 08:52AM UTC
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DarkAngel92 on Chapter 1 Wed 13 Aug 2025 07:17PM UTC
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emelia (Guest) on Chapter 1 Mon 18 Aug 2025 12:25PM UTC
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DarkAngel92 on Chapter 1 Mon 18 Aug 2025 08:39PM UTC
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Skynai on Chapter 3 Tue 12 Aug 2025 01:03AM UTC
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Skynai on Chapter 3 Tue 12 Aug 2025 01:04AM UTC
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carolynblogs020 on Chapter 4 Fri 22 Aug 2025 06:30PM UTC
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DarkAngel92 on Chapter 4 Fri 22 Aug 2025 06:47PM UTC
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carolynblogs020 on Chapter 4 Sat 23 Aug 2025 05:43PM UTC
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Skynai on Chapter 5 Fri 12 Sep 2025 10:39AM UTC
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