Marvel : Web Of Evolution-Chapter 52: Corporate Moves

Peter slipped through his window. It had been a long night, with the fight, business at the Web-quarters and patrol duties.

As he entered his bedroom, there was a figure lying under the sheets. Felicia's gentle breathing and peaceful expression told him she was fast asleep. A hint of a smile played on his lips as he gazed at her.

The suit quietly shifted, getting rid of his uniform and he slid under the sheets, Felicia stirred, her eyes slowly opened.

"You're late, tiger," she whispered, her voice tired with sleep.

Peter chuckled, enjoying the feeling of happiness covering him. "Had some work to wrap up, and then I had to finish the patrol."

Felicia's gaze softened, and she reached out to brush a strand of hair from his forehead. Peter's heart swelled with affection as he leaned into her touch.

He pulled her into a gentle kiss, and Felicia's lips curved upward, her eyes sparkling with amusement. As they deepened the kiss, Peter felt his exhaustion melt away, replaced by a sense of warmth and connection.

Felicia's giggles filled the air, and Peter's heart skipped a beat as he realized how much he loved this moment, this feeling, and this woman.

He turned her around. It was always a wonder, seeing those generous cheeks work their magic with jiggle physics. And that addictive smell slowly filling his nose.

Warm. Moist. What's more refreshing than muff diving at the end of a rough day?

***

The press conference was always a circus, just like Tony Stark preferred it.

He stepped out of the limo into the bright sun, paparazzi flashes already going wild. The black door swung open and Tony Stark came out, casual and cocky, shades on. Happy Hogan stood by the door, handing him a wrapped burger, all the while seeming like a grumpy security guard who'd seen it all.

"Breakfast of champions," Tony said, unwrapping the burger and taking a dramatic bite.

"You're two hours late for breakfast," Happy muttered.

Tony chewed with a smirk. "Then it's brunch of champions."

Right behind him, Obadiah Stane marched up in a suit, eyes already scanning the crowd. "Tony, this press conference.."

Tony raised a hand, cutting him off. "Relax, Obi. I've got this under control." He pointed ahead toward Peter Parker, standing off to the side, who was already in his innocent fanboy act, nervously tugging at the sleeves of his perfectly tailored suit that looked like he belonged on a high school debate team. "There's my ace."

Tony waved him over.

Peter jogged up, visibly unsure of how to exist in Tony Stark's personal space. "Uh, hey, Mr. Stark."

"You clean up nice, kid." Tony gave him a pat on the back that nearly knocked the wind out of him.

Obadiah's brows knit together. "And who exactly is this?"

Tony flashed that trademark grin. "Meet Peter Parker. Our new partner. The guy who bought a lot of our shares recently."

Peter stuck out a hand. "Nice to meet you, sir."

Obadiah hesitated a second too long before shaking it. "Parker... from the ReGen serum deal?"

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"Guilty as charged," Peter said with an awkward smile.

Pepper Potts appeared by their side like clockwork, calm and efficient with a tablet clutched against her chest. "Welcome aboard, Peter," she said with a polite nod.

Tony spun on his heel. "Let's go, people. Showtime."

The press conference wasn't in a fancy hall, raw and simple, just like Tony asked. No chairs. Just a sea of reporters crowding on the tiled floor, elbows jabbing for space, cameras wobbling due to lack of support.

Tony didn't bother with a podium. He sat in front of podium, casually like he was at a beach party.

Peter followed, sitting awkwardly to his left. When his opening speech lost all its attention to Tony, Obadiah took a place to Tony's right, arms crossed and jaw tight.

"Alright, folks," Tony called out, adjusting his sunglasses. "Let's make this quick. I'm missing a very important golf game."

Laughter rippled through the crowd, but the reporters were hungry.

A woman near the front shouted, "Mr. Stark, who's the young man? Your intern? Protégé? Illegitimate son?"

Tony raised a brow. "Illegitimate? No, not my style." He motioned to Peter. "This is Peter Parker, our new business partner. Genius. Teenage CEO material. Still working on his learner's permit."

Cameras flashed. Peter tried to smile, but it came out more like a grimace. He gave a small, embarrassed wave.

Another reporter blurted, "Wait! Is this the kid behind the ReGen serum along?"

Tony leaned into the mic. "The one and only."

The reporters buzzed. Before anyone could pester Peter with more questions, Tony dropped the real headline.

"And while I've got you all here," Tony continued, voice turning serious, "effective immediately, Stark Industries is shutting down its weapons manufacturing division."

Silence. Then absolute chaos.

Shouts, hands flying in the air, reporters practically standing now, all shouting at once.

"What does this mean for national defense?"

"Is this about your time in Afghanistan?"

"Is this permanent?"

Obadiah clenched his fists and whispered out the side of his mouth, "Tony! what the hell are you doing?"

Tony shrugged, cool as ever. "Changing the world."

Security started showing the media the way out as Tony gave one last salute.

Peter leaned over, eyes wide. "That was... incredible."

Tony smirked. "Stick around, kid. We're just getting started."

Obadiah, voice sharp but hushed, added, "Optimistic... for someone who still needs a hall pass."

Tony gave him a warning glance. "Hey, kid's got more guts than half this boardroom."

Obadiah shook his head, forcing a smile. "Your father would've handled this differently."

Tony's smirk faltered, just for a second. "I know. And I'll make it right."

***

The ride back was quieter, but Tony couldn't help himself.

"You know," Tony said, leaning across the backseat toward Peter, "I did a little homework. No juvenile records, honor student, queen of the science fair every year. Lives with a sweet aunt who makes killer wheatcakes."

Peter chuckled. "She does. We're a small team."

Tony nodded. "Good. I like small teams. More personal."

Peter hesitated, then said, "To be honest, I was actually thinking of selling all my shares back and starting my own thing... Parker Enterprises."

Tony nearly choked on his smoothie. "You're kidding. Skipping right to the 'buying my own tower' phase?"

Peter grinned. "Might as well. College tuition's basically a start-up fund at this point."

Tony laughed hard. "I like you, kid."

As they stepped out into the sleek, glass-lined private floors of Stark Tower. Somehow, Pepper was already waiting for them, tablet in hand.

Such a hard worker.

"Welcome back," she said, not missing a beat. "Mr. Parker."

"Pepper," Tony said, gesturing between them, "Let me introduce him again. This is Parker Enterprises."

Peter raised a hand sheepishly. "In progress."

Just then, James Rhodes strolled in, eyebrow cocked. "Tony, are you corrupting minors again?"

Tony grinned. "He's not a minor, Rhodey. And he's a business partner."

Rhodey smirked and extended a hand to Peter. "Colonel James Rhodes. Air Force."

"Uh! Peter Parker. High school... student."

Rhodey's smirk widened. "Right."

Tony clapped his hands. "Alright, serious faces. The kid has been telling me that something is wrong with Stane. I've got a gut feeling too, about him. Something's off."

Pepper crossed her arms. "You're thinking he's hiding something?"

"Since when is Obi not hiding something?" Tony said. "I just need to know if he's moving behind my back."

Pepper nodded. "I'll check his system. His office still runs off the old Stark encryption."

Tony grinned. "That's why you're my favorite."

Rhodey raised a hand. "Hey."

Tony ignored him. "Pepper, grab what you can. Emails, files, hidden folders labeled 'Definitely Not Evil Plans.'"

Peter aced his fanboy role. "You think he'll have one just labeled that?"

"You'd be surprised," Tony said, dead serious. "Villains love bad folder names."

Pepper smirked. "I'll handle it."

Peter pointed toward the gleaming red and gold armor resting in the corner. "Uh... can I touch that?"

Tony turned, arms crossed. "You're like a kid in a candy store."

Peter was already inching toward the Mark III suit, hand reaching out.

["Scan complete. Arc Reactor efficiency at 94%. Materials: Gold-Titanium Alloy. Recommend acquiring similar alloys."]

"Celeste, stop drooling." Peter whispered

Pepper and Rhodey watched Peter geek out while Tony leaned in, whispering to Pepper.

"Keep him close," Tony said quietly. "I think he's gonna be big."

Peter, completely oblivious, was now face-to-face with the armor, eyes wide, like a kid who met Santa for the first time.

"Can I live here?" he asked, half-joking.

Tony chuckled. "I'll think about it, kid."

Pepper gave Peter a warm smile. "Welcome to the circus."

Rhodey grinned. "You're gonna fit right in."

Peter beamed. "Best day ever."

Tony winked. "Told you."

***

The smell of takeout filled Luke Cage's apartment. Everyone sat around the small living room, crowded onto mismatched couches and chairs. A pizza box lay open on the coffee table, already half empty.

Colleen Wing, holding up a glass of soda like it was champagne, grinned as she told the story. "So Spidey kicks our asses all over the harbour and says, 'I am your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man, but you can call me the Dragon Warrior.'"

Danny Rand, sitting in the corner with a slice of pizza halfway to his mouth, groaned and covered his face. "He humiliated me... in front of thugs and kidnapped kids."

Everyone burst out laughing. Luke almost dropped his beer, and Jessica Jones snorted so hard she spilled some of hers.

" Then he asked an assistant of some sorts and called in the cops."

Jessica smirked. "Wait. He has an assistant now?"

Luke leaned back in his chair, arms crossed. "He's got money. That suit? Looks like it costs more than a month's rent."

Misty Knight, swirling her whiskey like she was at a tasting event, added, "I'm telling you, Wade's insane, but parties with him are legendary."

Colleen grinned mischievously. "Uh..huh. Mention him again and we'll start shipping you two."

Misty's face turned red instantly. "Shut up!" she snapped, nearly choking on her drink.

Danny pointed at her. "Nope, too late. Mistypool is a thing now."

Jessica raised a brow. "Is that better or worse than Power Fist?" she asked, elbowing Luke, who just shook his head.

Misty sighed. "I regret ever meeting you people."

Luke chuckled. "Welcome to the club."

***

A dimly lit gym corner, Steve Rogers was pounding away at a punching bag. With a heavy punch, the bag snapped off its chain and flew across the room, smashing into a wall.

Nick Fury, standing calmly nearby with his usual eye patch and leather trench coat, shook his head. "Cap."

Steve turned around, wiping sweat from his brow. "Fury."

Fury handed him a manila folder. "Your boy went down."

Steve exhaled heavily, taking and flipping the folder open. Photos of a young masked hero filled the pages, mixed with reports. The red and black suit was unmistakable.

Fury continued. "Knocked out. By Spider-Man. He tried something funny later, our agents took him out for good."

Steve's jaw tensed, staring at the photos. "I've heard a lot of good things about this Spider-Man."

Fury smirked. "Funny. That's why I'm here."

Steve glanced up. "You want me to meet him."

"That," Fury said, tapping the file, "and maybe offer him a spot."

Steve narrowed his eyes. "Is this about that team you mentioned?" Steve closed the file with a soft thud. The name Avengers Initiative was now visible on the file.

"Let's set it up."

Fury nodded. "I'll make the call."

***

Deep underground, past steel doors and endless halls, in a cold and sterile secret lab lined with glass tanks filled with twisting symbiotes of different colors, stood Nathaniel Essex, better known as Mr.Sinister.

His Victorian style coat, sharp collar, and pale complexion made him look like he stepped out of a gothic novel. His glowing red eyes scanned the tanks.

Clone guards lined the walls like statues, silent and still.

A nervous guard, helmet tucked under his arm, approached cautiously. "Sir... Kingpin has failed."

Sinister turned his head slowly, eyes narrowing. "Failed."

The guard nodded, clearly sweating. "Spider-Man... disrupted the operation, again."

Sinister's lips curled into a snarl. Without warning, he raised a hand and unleashed a beam of red energy. The guard vaporized instantly, leaving behind a puff of smoke and a pile of ash.

Sinister's voice was cold and sharp. "Bring me Stryfe."

The remaining guards didn't hesitate. They snapped to attention and hurried out of the lab, boots echoing on the metallic floor.

Sinister turned back to the symbiotes, watching them writhe against the glass.

"They will all pay," he whispered to himself. "Spider-Man... the X-men... especially that bald cripple."

He let out a soft chuckle, eyes glowing brighter.

TO BE CONTINUED...

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