บท 12: A Cold War
On Sakura's way to do her usual Spider-Woman job, she stopped by the old Avengers HQ or what is now left of the building. Clean up crews are still removing the rubble and cleaning up the mess that Thanos had made during his invasion on Earth. She pulled out her cellphone and sent Peter a text to meet her there. Close to less than twenty minutes had passed by Peter wearing his suit webbed his way to her.
"Sakura, are you alright!"
"Yeah, I'm okay. Why are you freaking out?"
"You told me to come by as quickly as possible. I thought something had happened to you!"
"No, I wanted to show you something," Sakura said, lifting photo paper from her back left pocket. She handed him a photo of a black and white photo depicting a white blob in the center of the photo.
"Sakura I don't understand..."
"I forgot to mention after Tony's funeral I met someone. I can't tell you who it is, but I met someone. Turns out that someone is capable of baby-making."
"What? What are you saying?
"I am pregnant."
"Another one, oh, wow. Are you sure it's not mine?" Peter smirked and handed her the photo.
"No, that would be physically impossible," Sakura laughed.
"I am happy for you, but is that why you pushed me away?"
"No, I really wanted to be alone for awhile, but Thor was worried about me. He sent him to support me.
"Where is this guy now?"
"I'm not sure. All I know is he won't be searching for me any time soon."
Peter smiled, "Oh, I see... I wish Tony was here. Took me a long time to realize everything he had done for me was to protect me. Now he's gone."
"I'm sorry, Peter. Let's keep this a secret for now."
"Right. Do you want to come over for dinner?"
"No, it's okay. I need a break from city life right now."
"Is that why you are here? This place feels so dead, and frighteningly quiet."
"Yeah, exactly. Are you ever going to tell May about Nari?"
"Can we do this later... I need to mentally prepare myself for a few days... Maybe a week..."
"Do whatever you want." Sakura giggled.
Peter took off to leave her to her thoughts. She sat down on a pile of rubble gazing upon the destruction of what was Avengers Headquarters holding the picture of her unborn child in her hand. Sakura swirled up a ghostly haze. Smoke became a photograph of Loki in Asgard from the first party they attended together. In green and gold they leaned on each other. This is the happiest they had ever been. Family drama at its minimum. This is the same night she discovered she could be a Queen. She sat there and cried for hours.
"Loki if you can hear me wherever you are. I want you to know that we are safe. Nari is growing up so fast, but I'm not sure if he will die at a hundred years old or five thousand years, but I wish him a great future despite you not being here to protect us anymore. I found an Eternal, and we fell in love. He and I are having a baby. Another child who may live to be five thousand or more years old maybe. I wish you were here to see us now. I know you're alive somewhere out there in another universe. Please be safe."
A few days later in Parker's bedroom, a little surprise was set up for his return. Ned strung up battery-powered lights around the walls. The room is small enough to be a walk in closet. Peter has a small bed and a small desk covered in robotic junk.
Sakura crawled in through the window. Quietly closing the window, and gently put her feet down on the hardwood floors one toe at a time. Sakura turned around to see a large dark boy with Asian features sitting on his bed detangling lights. He widened his eyes at the sight of her dropping the lights. Sakura pulled out her daggers.
"You're that girl from the Europe. Why are you here?" Ned asked, panicking.
"I was planning on asking you the same question?" Sakura questioned.
Peter walked in on his phone and closed the door behind him. Not even noticing what's conspiring in his room he stuffed his phone back in his pocket, dropping his bag on the floor. The Lego built Death Star fell on the floor. Pieces are scattered everywhere. Peter finally lifted his head and widened his eyes. Seeing his space friend holding a dagger up to his childhood friend. He wasn't expecting this to happen.
"Hold on! Ned is my friend, it's okay." Peter said.
"Who is she? And how come she has spider-powers too?"
"It's such a long story I don't even know how to explain it, but she is kind of not from Earth."
"What? Are you an alien?" Ned questioned.
"He's only going to keep asking more bizarre questions." Peter said, "Ned remember the girlfriend I was talking to you about with the kid?"
"That's her? Sweet, okay I'm all for this."
"My name is Sakura Astoria, and as I told Peter a number of times we're not dating. He and I are just friends."
"Yeah, of course. I'm Ned. Ned Leeds. So what planet are you from?"
"I am the Queen of a planet that was once known as Asgard, but our home was destroyed. I met Peter and the Avengers after, and I've been with them ever since."
"That is so cool!" Ned freaked, "I mean not cool that your planet was destroyed, but it's cool that you are here standing in front of me. Real life royalty."
"I wanted to introduce you two later, but I had forgotten Ned wanted to come over. I'm sorry Sakura."
"No, it's okay. I'll leave." Sakura storing her daggers away.
"No, don't leave."
"It's okay. You spent so much time with me after the war, and now you need to spend some time with your friends again. Return back to your normal life. I'll be fine. I have to work this night shift anyway. I'll come back tonight."
"Sakura..."
She pulled the window open and crawled outside feeling the high cold winds under her suit. Peter pulled his head out and reached for her, but he wasn't quick enough. Sakura strolled around the city above ground. She watched the bar across the street. Drunks leaving in cabs. Women flirting and screaming in the doorways. Lone walkers on sidewalks all unaware of Sakura's presence. She spotted a young teenage woman a block away panicking.
"You look like you need help," Sakura said to herself as she hurried over to her.
"I can't find it! Where the fuck did I leave it?" The girl said, screaming.
In her new suit, Sakura scanned the area for any out of the ordinary items laying on the dirt piles. Nearby the lady next to a dumpster a white cell phone in a pretty pink sparkly phone case was spotted.
"Ma'am is that what you are looking for?" Sakura asked, pointing to the phone.
"Oh thank you so much! I was walking my dog and this guy with a gigantic Great Dane came around the corner and his dog attacked my baby pooch. I didn't realize my phone was gone until I brought him home." The girl said as she picked up her phone looking through the messages and calls.
"No problem at all. I'm glad you found it." Sakura said, smiling.
"Eww! What the hell are you supposed to be?" The girl said as she finally looked up at her.
"I'm SpiderGirl, Spider Queen, Black Widow Spider, We haven't put a good name on it yet...I'll be on my way now..."
"Wait like Spider-Man... Do you know him?"
"Yes, I do."
"Mmhmm."
"Bye now," Sakura said awkwardly, smiling as climbed over the building to reach the rooftops.
Nearby she helped drunks slide in taxi cabs, and busted drug dealers until morning. She sat down watching the light rise over Peter's building. All in a good nights work. Nothing out of the ordinary. Until she noticed a tall middle aged man waving to her from the bottom of the building. It's Doctor Stephen Strange waving with a handsome smile across his face.
"What are you doing here? What about the Sanctum?" Sakura questioned.
"The Sanctum is safe. I wanted to come check to make sure you're alright. Can you come down from there? My neck is starting to hurt." Doctor Strange laughed.
Sakura crawled down and jumped off the building like a cat, "I am okay now, thanks to you. I have to work on some more cases."
"You've been working all night. I assure you the Police are fine doing their job without you..."
"Why are you really here?"
"I have to be honest with you. I think we should work together as a team from now on. I'd like to spend more time with you is what I'm trying to say. I understand you've been working with Peter, but you were born for more than spanx and webs. Come over here, we can sit down."
In front of them rests a public park holding a collection of bronze statues, and rows of flower beds. Doctor Strange pointed out a bench made from black steel bars and a flower design. The two sat together close enough to touch hips. Sakura rested her head on his shoulder, exhausted from bouncing around all day every day. She casted a spell to change back to casual clothing. Black jeans and a pearl white blouse. Thin black belt keeping her pants above her waist. She's wearing her beautiful long black hair down to flow in the wind.
"Are you asking me out?"
"I won't beat around the bush. When I first met you on that battlefield I spent my time observing you, and I couldn't keep my eyes off you. I hadn't felt this way for a long time."
"I really like you too. I'm thankful Peter didn't catch us kissing on the couch."
"How are you and Parker?"
"He wants to throw away his life to be with me. I'm not his girlfriend, but he insisted we're together. I spent my five years trying to bring him back because I thought I loved him too. I have no idea what I am going to do with him. Why do you ask? Did Peter tell you?"
"Tell me what?"
"Nothing, nothing at all."
"You and I are way past lying to one another, so tell me. Are you okay?"
"I don't want to hurt your feelings."
"What are you talking about?"
Sakura pulled out the picture and handing it over to him, "I wanted to tell you, but I have weird conflicting feelings."
"You're pregnant, and not that far along I see from the ultrasound. I can safely say you should stop moving in about four months or so and start getting used to living comfortably on a chair for the rest of your pregnancy too. Is the baby's Peter's?" Doctor Strange asked.
"No, I met someone in Norway, and he made me happy, but he said he had to leave for a long time. I don't know if he will come back. So once again I tried to move on, but now I don't know what to do. I'm sorry." Sakura cried.
"Don't blame yourself. Grief comes in many shapes and sizes."
"I married a prince from Asgard who died. I almost fell in love with a high school kid in New York. I slept with a man who's a superhero from space. Now I am here dating a doctor wizard on Earth. What's wrong with me? What if Loki comes back? He will kill me."
"You don't have to love me back."
"I want to love you back. How about you and I spend time together with Nari. I can take a few days off. It will be fun."
"No guarantees I won't have sex with you."
"I'm pregnant, I shouldn't."
"You can still have sex while you're pregnant."
"Stop." Sakura giggled, slapping him on his lap, "Wave your hands around and make a portal for me, will you? Peter should be getting out of school soon and I want to spend some time with him before he starts his night fighting crime.
Doctor Strange laughed, opening a portal to Peter's school. She kissed him on the cheek and jumped right in waving goodbye. She passed by an ice cream truck standing by the school, and a few men stood by the gate reporting news. A black van pulled up behind her. Before she was able to turn her head, men in black covered her head in a brown bed sheet. She struggled to attempt to scream to attract attention to herself. The news reporter's camera men turned to videotape the quick kidnapping. Another man pushed a white cloth over her mouth to silence her. Within moments she was quickly knocked out before the police could arrive on the scene and driven away. The ice cream driver had called the police as he had witnessed what happened. Sakura fell asleep for a long time before she finally woke up inside the facility. Her blurry eyes only noticed two moving figures and expensive equipment flashing all around her. Tied down to a bed like a psych ward patient.
"According to her records, she disappeared when she was only a baby and reappeared recently as an Avenger. She has the power to heal herself and if we can find out how she's able to do it this will help soldiers in our country." An army soldier said.
"Sir, her medical records state she is pregnant, and currently has a son at the age of five, "The old man said, squinting at the computer, "I highly recommend we take the child instead. Once the Avengers realize she's missing they won't stop to take her back."
"Fine. Run some more tests then drop her somewhere. Now that Stark is dead the Avengers have been hiring. Who knows who they have on their team now..."
"Sir, the test subject is awake?"
"What did you do to me?" Sakura questioned as she tried to untie herself from the bed. "Knock her out before she damages the facility, Now!"
Heat dissolved the leather binding her arms and legs, but the medication was too strong. A car horn awoke her in an alleyway. A little black cat started from the other side watching her carefully. She smiled at the cat licking his lips. Looking down at herself, her long sleeves were ripped short, and her pants were torn. A cotton ball was taped to her arm and her legs wouldn't move. Sakura cried completely exposed to the world like a caged animal.
"I guess it's just you and me kitty." Sakura said as she smiled, reaching out to him, "I'll be joining you here for a few days and then you can snack on me, but not one minute sooner."
"Peter, I found her!" Doctor Strange shouted from the sidewalks.
"Strange!" Sakura said as she laughed.
"Sakura I was worried sick about you!" Peter said, jumping down from the sky removing his mask, "What happened to you? Do you know who kidnapped you?"
"I don't... but Nari is in danger. They found out he has alien DNA. These people won't stop at anything to find immortality."
"We have to go back to the Sanctum, you need to heal before we can start concerning ourselves. He's in good hands I doubt anyone can kidnap him." Doctor Strange said.
"That's just it, they are not regular humans. They are warriors bred for war." Sakura replied.
"Are you saying the Military kidnapped you, and now want to take you're son?" Peter asked.
"We have to go to the Sanctum, Sakura." Doctor Strange pulled up a portal and carried her through, "Now, where is Nari?"
"He should be in New Asgard," Sakura said. She struggled to walk up the stairs healing her wounds in a green aura. Every movement her head ached and felt heavier each step. She had to somehow make it to bed without collapsing on the floor. Wong stepped out of a portal to watch her create a blood trail on his floor.
"Right now I'm going to locate where Nari is, so tell Sakura she does not have to panic. Most likely they won't do anything to kill him today or anytime soon." Doctor Strange said.
"I should stay here and keep her safe." Peter said, "Thank you, Doctor Strange."
"Strange! We do not deal with humanoid threats. Let the Avengers handle this."
"The Avenger's are gone, Wong." Strange said, rolling his eyes, "Fine. Kid go find Nari. Don't fight anyone. Do you understand?"
"Okay. I'll let her know."
Peter followed Sakura to her room and watched her heal these bloody wounds carefully. A magic aura covered her wounds slowly closing them back up. The process exhausted her, leaving her to feel drowsy and frustrated. She turned her head to see Peter sitting by her bedside, "You know I have his name as Nari Lokison. Where we come from we don't really have the need for last names, but we do use them. It's the first name of the man who helped make the child."
"That's really weird."
"I agree."
Both of them smiled and laughed together before Sakura had finally dozed off to sleep. Peter brushed her hair with his fingers kissing her gently on the forehead. Doctor Strange approached them nodding to Peter as he walked away from Sakura.
"You didn't tell her..."
"I thought about telling her. I'm afraid she would have gone after these people on her own. The way she is now she probably shouldn't even be moving this much."
"Go. I'll take care of her."
Peter smiled walking out through the front door. His new metal suit spread across his body when he had left for a while. The Mystic Arts users stayed behind to watch over her while she slept. He sat down on the chair beside her bed tucking her under the covers. He pulled her hair back and made sure she was comfortable when she woke up and stroked her cheek.
"Strange this is not a good idea. No matter her feelings for you she will always be heavily attached to these other men. Someday when one of you dies again she will move on."
"Thanks for the support, Wong. You don't think I know that. She and I are not secret lovers, she's my friend."
"Friends? Give me a break." Wong said as Peter returned.
"Is Nari alive?" Doctor Strange asked quietly, standing up from the chair.
"I've tracked him down and he's alive, but the two of us will have to save him," Peter replied.
"Okay, let's go save Loki's son. Saying this makes me feel very uncomfortable," Doctor Strange sighed.
"Well, what are we waiting for?"
"Wong, don't let her leave." Doctor Strange asked as he left.
"Whatever you say, Strange." Wong Said.
Sakura woke up the next morning. She could hear the pitter-patter of the raindrops hitting the windows above her head. Dark gray clouds passed by, and no sign of the boys. Her wounds were almost fully healed. Wong walked in holding a tray with a tea set on top. He laid the set by her bedside watching her carefully.
"Good, you're awake! You must be exhausted."
"Where is Peter, and Strange?" Sakura said, painfully lifting herself up.
"Right now you need to rest."
"Are they okay? You have to tell me!" Sakura panicked.
"They have not returned from Nari's rescue mission. I'm sorry. You have to stay here, you'll be safe. Stay in bed." Wong said as he walked out.
"You thought!" Sakura said as she laughed.
On a chair by her bed laid her bag containing her spider suit. She snatched her bag and changed back to her hero suit leaving the bag behind as she crawled up the walls to reach the light. Sakura smashed her ceiling window and escaped before any Iron man bots showed up.
"Karen track down Peter for me, please. Give me his current location."
"Peter Parker is one point three miles away In a secure facility."
"Is Doctor Strange with him?"
"Yes. Currently, Nari is in the basement. Doctor Strange and Peter are on the third floor."
"I'm on my way," Sakura said as she swung herself over to the building.
Using her heat tracker Karen showed her exact locations. Sakura kept herself low to carefully take her chances by looking inside the room. Army uniformed men are inside watching them carefully despite their lack of movement due to drugs. Both boys are propped up and tied as if they were roped to a pole. Bruises and dried cuts covered their faces, and sweat poured down from their bodies.
"Strange is disoriented," Karen said as she scanned the room.
"Is Peter okay? Tell me he's okay."
"Peter is asleep. Drugged. Other than that he appears to be okay."
"I have to figure out how to help them. In the meantime release the spider drone to locate the best way I can save my son without being caught."
"On it. I've located one elevator in the facility leading straight down. He's in an unsupervised room sleeping soundly. He might have been drugged."
"Well, they didn't call me Queen of Asgard for nothing," Sakura said as she lowered herself to the ground.
Her invisibility sorcery kicked in once she landed on the ground. A young woman scanned herself in the building giving Sakura the perfect opportunity to follow her through to the elevators. She stole the woman's Identification card and out of sight hidden away in the elevator to the basement floor. Two men after her walked inside reaching for the buttons to press on higher levels.
"This elevator is going down! Did you press the basement level? Seriously, I hate it when you mess with the buttons." The scrawny man complained.
"I swear it wasn't me. If we were going up I wouldn't have touched the basement floor." The man replied.
"Yeah right..."
Once the doors closed a light above the doors counted down to the letter 'B'. She crawled around them out of sight in the dark where nobody was around. A single business meeting taking place nearby the baby's room comparing our internal anatomy to civilians such as themselves. Disgusted she crawled away silently opening her child's room. Nari is in a deep slumber in warm blankets. Metal spider legs from her suit sprung out and held her son between her shoulder blades. Stealthily Sakura entered through the windows of the third-floor bathroom in order to reach Peter and Tony in the other room. Doors were opened wide as three men walked inside looking for some answers about these superheroes.
"What can you tell us about who we captured for you today." The army leader said as he laughed.
"Nothing, sir. I am sorry. This man used to be a Doctor, and we can't seem to locate what's giving him the ability to elevate his cloak off the ground, or how he uses magic. So chemically he is of no use to us. The Spider boy has a higher level of radiation than an average human. That's all we can figure out, but I think there's more we just need some more time. The floating cape is tied down."
"You think?" The man complained as he slapped him around, "Go collect me information on that kid, cut it open if you have too. He's not human. As for these two, get rid of them."
"No, don't do that!" Doctor Strange said out of breath.
Peter started to open his eyes, "Don't hurt him. You can poke and remove every part of me you want but don't touch him!"
"Well you see Spidey-boy we thought you were his father, but it turns out your not. He's a half-human half monstrous creature. So no, I'll cut him up in front of you while I make you watch. Hey, uh, old man, do you have those eye surgery tools to hold his eyes open?"
"Sure do." The old man giggled.
"You fucking piece of shi-"
"Woah there! Aren't you a little young to be swearing like a sailor!" The army man laughed. Hw hit him across the face three times.
"Leave him alone he's just a kid." Doctor Strange complained.
"A kid with a dirty mouth."
Full of rage Sakura kicked them down watching all three of them land hard. Using Loki's daggers she stabbed the sidemen by their legs, attaching them to the floor to make them immobile. The giant soldier struck her causing her to fly up against the wall. Sakura formed an illusion trick pretending to still be lying down where he had thrown her. He continued to bad mouth her as he approached the illusion of her as Sakura released Strange and Peter. A faded green line scanned the room revealing Sakura was no longer there. All three soldiers turned to face the three attempting to escape; however one of the ropes tied around Parker wasn't releasing.
"Strange! I can't untie him, and he's so out of it right now." Sakura said as she pulled out another dagger to cut the leather ropes.
"Screw the experiment, I'll kill all of you!" The army soldier screamed while swinging an army knife.
"Yeah, I don't think so." Doctor Strange rescues his cloak.
"I wanted to save him for you so that when you woke up we'd be there," Parker said painfully.
"It's okay. I'm not mad at you, I'm grateful. Thank you for trying." Sakura replied.
Doctor Strange hovered in front of them creating portals to kick the soldiers out off. Stranded in the desert the portal closed on the soldiers to somehow find their own way back. No one is left to fight them.
"I'm more than happy to help the two of you at any time, but this type of work is not my specialty. Let's hurry up and leave. Portals behind you."
"Right. I've got to heal you, Peter." Sakura said as she finally released him.
"I'm okay," Parker said as he collapsed.
"No you're not. I have to heal both of you." Sakura aggressively replied as she started her treatment.
She picked up Peter under his arms and carried him through the portal followed by Doctor Strange who carefully watched to make sure she didn't accidentally kill him. A green aura covered all three of them healing all of their injuries as she silently sang a song to help quicken the process. Strange nearly collapsed from listening to her after everyone safely jumped through.
"What was that?" Doctor Strange said closing the portal.
"Whenever Sakura sings depending on the song she sends out this signal for a healing spell. This one just so happened to knock away every ache and pain in our bodies to total relaxation. You and I are going to feel a little tired." Peter said unable to stand up.
"Sorry I was only trying to help."
"No, it's perfectly fine. We should probably check on Nari." Peter smiled.
"He's right here," Sakura replied pulling him out from her back and placing the boy in her own arms to cradle him. He's peacefully lying in a lump of fuzzy colorful blankets. Nari opened his eyes and smiled seeing his mother for the first time in weeks."
"Hey cinnamon bun!" Sakura said, reaching her arms out to him to give him a kiss, "I've been working on his communication skills for some time now. I am so glad you are safe. Thank you, guys."
"Of course, you are more than welcome to come by and start training in the mystic arts. I am always here for you, Sakura."
"Thank you, Strange."
Each day became weeks and Sakura was training to become the most powerful Avenger on Earth. She practiced her Asgardian spells while swinging New York streets with Peter Parker and his friendly helping hands. Most of the time Sakura spent her time training with Doctor Strange until summer finally ended.
September was right around the corner. The mornings have become frigid. Peter swung by the Sanctum one afternoon and snatched Sakura and Nari for a small picnic in the park. Sitting on a nice blanket eating sandwiches and ice-cream viewing the beautiful ocean. Nari is smearing strawberry ice-cream all over his tiny cheeks.
"Nari you're getting it all over your face." Sakura giggled.
"I can't believe five years passed by when we dusted away. I missed five years of his life, and now he needs to start school soon."
"What about you?" Sakura asked.
"My friends and I want to go to MIT in Boston. This is a huge opportunity for us. Tony would have me in this school with just a quick phone call, but I'm on my own now. I can't use his help to get me in one of the best technical colleges."
"I believe you can."
"I appreciate that," Peter smiled, "Do you want to come and stay at my place tonight? I know it's a bad idea, but every day I love him more than the day before. And soon you are going to need all the help you can get."
"You have to tell your Aunt. If you don't talk to her first she will no longer trust you anymore."
"I know. Come down anyway and when I tell her I want you to walk in and show her."
"Okay. You don't have to worry about our unborn one. I have a protective spell on him Frigga placed on me. Whenever I am pregnant my belly is protected. I can't wait." Sakura asked as she pulled out a little photograph from her back pocket.
The two swung from building to apartments heading to his house with little Nari covered in her metal Spider legs on her back. They both landed on a nearby light pole and cheered about the amazing ride they just had together. He even taught her how to ride on top of subway trains and trollies. Her skills are improving daily.
A building in front of them showed a live new news broadcast of the recent attack on London. The broadcaster revealed he had discovered some hard evidence of what occurred on that day. Peter turned his head to face Sakura who also seemed concerned about this strange urgent broadcast.
"We come to you now with revelations about last week's attack in London. An anonymous source provided this video. It shows Quentin Beck, aka Mysterio, moments before his death. A warning, you may find this video disturbing."
A video displayed for the world to see of Quentin laying on the floor of the bridge battered by the Drones. His face is covered in blood and his costume is torn. Peter is nowhere to be found within the video at this time, but Beck does appear to be in distress holding his camera to his face.
"I managed to send the Elemental back, but I don't think I'm gonna make it off this bridge alive. Spider-Man attacked me for some reason. He has an army of drones, Stark technology. He's saying he's gonna be the new Iron Man. No one else."
"Are you sure you want to commence the drone attack? There will be significant casualties.
Peter's lower half appeared in the video, "Do it, execute them all."
The video cut off back to the man sitting down by a desk holding his paperwork. He looks to be in a good mood knowing he discovered the biggest news he could possibly imagine, "There you have it, folks. Conclusive proof that Spider-Man was responsible for the brutal murder of Mysterio an interdimensional warrior who gave his life to protect our planet and who will, no doubt, go down in history, as the greatest superhero of all time. But that's not all folks. Here's the real blockbuster. Brace yourselves, you might want to sit down."
Back to a new video clip Beck recorded his face once again, "Spider-Man's real name is Peter Parker."
Peter covered his face with his hands, "What the fuck?"
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