y was once more rubbing his head, watching the video of two super-powered brutes slugging it out, this time though it was Harlem. Hulk and the now named Abomination had decided to have a fistfight in a crowded area while General Ross and the military watched and recorded.
If anyone thought Norman Osborn had a hard-on for the super-soldier serum they never met Ross, the man must dream about the damn stuff, Fury thought as he watched over and over the two "men'' smash and destroy anything that came into the path.
Even Banner's blood proved to be toxic. The cleanup crew he'd sent picked up Samuel Sterns falling foul of its irradiated nature. It had taken them a further week to find Sterns. The man's head was massively mutated and before they'd managed to get a bead on his powers, he'd convinced a man to kill himself and another to let him go.
He was now calling himself The Leader, and after a heated exchange, Natasha had been close to putting a bullet in the man's extended skull when Fury stopped her. Now he and Blonskey sat in cryostasis in the Freezer. A high-security prison they had started to build once Spider-man, Venom, and the rest appeared.
Sterns had a lab full of mutated gamma creatures and Blonksy had gone off mission, choosing to become a creature to fight rather than capture Banner. Fury knew with the noise Ross was making, that he'd pull some Washington bullshit and grab them both. Alexander Pierce, the director of the Shield International division, was pushing for Shield, and the international community, to start sharing information about the enhanced around the world.
Fury was brought out of his thoughts by a knock at the door. "Yeah, come" and walked one of his favourite agents. She'd been recruited when they had an 'incident' a long time ago, and she'd saved their asses from an invasion, laughingly enough, of not so little green men.
The woman, tall, muscular, even under the uniform. Since he'd seen her last she'd cut her hair, the normally long blonde locks now shorter, in a pixie cut. "Carol? You're back on Earth?" Fury was surprised. Carol was supposed to be out touring the galaxy, only coming back in an emergency and he hadn't used the pager he gave her.
She scowled and nodded, "Yup, gotta problem. Two Asgardians are on Earth and the Nova Corp and few others are looking for them. I'm back just in case it turns bad."
"Turns bad how?"
Carol sighed, "So, they kinda committed genocide, and while normally we don't touch the Asgardians this time, the Prince of Asgard destroyed a planet, one with life, so-" Carol stopped and stared at Fury's desk, "is that? No, who's that?" and she jabbed a finger down on the file Fury was just reading.
Fury shook his head, "another headache, a super-powered asshole called Venom." and before he could stop her Carol grabbed the file, flipped to where Peter's address was, dropped the file and flew out the window.
"Well, that might work too." If Carol went and just attacked Peter for whatever was in the file, at least he'd have an answer. Peter had been hesitant to come clean about the full extent of his powers, and if the others were enhanced. It was all still mainly guesswork and Fury was looking for an excuse to drag him in and stick them all under the microscope.
Carol flew at high speeds through the airspace of New York, if she was right this could stop a war raging on Earth as the allied forces of the galaxy tried to arrest Thor for his actions. The Klyntar were thought to be gone, and while some celebrated some lamented. Noone had the right to destroy another species, no matter what their crimes were, and landing on the roof of the warehouse, Carol weighed her options. Through the roof hatch or through the front door. No, she would try diplomacy first, and only if the boy's mind had been destroyed would she resort to less civil methods.
Carol landed at the gate and pushed the buzzer, eventually it sounded and a young man's voice, "Hello?"
"uh, I'm here for Parker, Peter Parker, I'm from," shit, thought Carol, am I from Shield? "uh, a friend sent me, a," crap, I didn't think of an excuse, and as she sighed. "I'm an alien and I want to know about yours," and the gate clicked as the buzzer released the lock.
As she approached the warehouse, the door slowly opened and a rather handsome man stood there, his picture had not done him justice.
"So, explain or leave," his face however was not an amused one. Stupid stupid, Carol thought to herself. She should have prepared better.
"Your species was wiped out, and I'm here to make sure someone doesn't finish the job. Can I please come in? No fighting, I promise."
The young man sighed and opened the door, waving her in.
"Wow, nice place," Carol said. She'd mostly been in spaceships or rough camps as she toured various planets. Sure it lacked the technology she was used to but she could see it was a home, not a place to live.
"Thanks," Peter said, but shook his head, "now, sit and explain." His reply was brusk and he had to be honest, Alien was not exactly what he expected when he found out the origins of the symbiotes.
"Uh, coffee?" Carol asked and Peter shook his head and produced a clean cup and poured her a cup, nudging over sugar and creamer.
"This isn't a social call. If you know what I am then you know that I'm not going to sit back and let someone take things from me." shit, Carol thought, I really should have read the file before flying off. The Klyntar was violent and prone to acts of aggression when bonded, this one was no different than the other reports.
"No, that's not why I'm here. Look, your home planet was destroyed, the Asgardians took it out and now two of them are here. I'll stay to make sure they don't finish the job and make sure you're safe." Carol explained, but Peter shook his head.
"I don't need a bodyguard, thanks, but uh, what planet? I'm human," Peter explained, so far this had not been productive. "so, why not start at the beginning miss uh?"
"oh, Danvers, Carol Danvers. Sorry, I uh, kinda rushed over." Carol took a breath. "So, your species is Klyntar, originally made as a weapon they freed themselves and set up a homeworld. From there they bonded with, and then stole the technology of other races, waging war on the galaxy. The Asgardians wiped them out and drove them back home, destroying any means to escape off-world until the two princes of Asgard destroyed the planet, wiping out the species."
Shit, take a breath lady, Peter thought, "uh, okay, but I'm not a Klynter or whatever, I'm not bonded with anything, how would that work anyway, if they were all killed?"
"One escaped, the last one and now that's you, so by the authority of the Nova Corps, and by galactic law, I am declaring you an endangered species with full protection and rights." Carol stood and placed her hands on her hips, letting her powers leak out, the glow covering her body and making her hair flicker and dance in the invisible wind.
"uh yeah, no." Peter stood. "Intergalactic space law? Does that even apply on Earth? I mean, I just found out aliens exist, and now I'm expected to follow their laws too? not happening." Peter let Venom flow out, thicking the plates over his body, he towered over Carol now, his muscles bulged with power and his maw split as he grinned at her.
oh shit, Carol thought, that's different.
"Doesn't matter, powers or not, the Asgardians are strong, Strong enough to take out whatever that is," and she motioned to his new form.
Venom shrugged, "we disagree"
"Fine, I'll agree if, and that's a big if, you can go against me. I'm pretty high up on the power scale, and I'm pretty sure I can take both Thor and Loki, so let's dance, or is that package just for show?"
Peter looked down and his symbskin retracted, "uh, what?"
"The muscles thing. The whole package deal with your suit and powers?" Carol looked confused, "Is that not a saying anymore, it's been a while since I was on Earth," and Peter shook his head.
"Oh, it's a saying all right," and as he grew back into Venom, "it just means you were checking out my dick," and he leapt for her.
Carol and Venom rolled along the ground together as Peter grabbed her in a bear hug, squeezing her tightly. Carol was still reeling that she'd said that, and was momentarily stunned as he headbutted her. Unfazed she floated them both up into the rafters.
"You won't win," she stretched her arms and pushed Venoms arms apart. "I'm empowered by a force you can't even comprehend," and once they were far enough apart she pushed Venom back and flew away from him. "I'm too strong," and as Venom landed on a girder, he leapt again and then at her, trying to connect with a punch. Carol sighed and grabbed him, wrapping her arms around him and squeezed him as he had done to her.
Venom now knew he had bitten off more than he could chew as she crushed him to her, nice boobs though, he thought as the air was crushed from his lungs.
Carol lifted them both up, flying up to the ceiling. "You aren't strong enough to defeat Thor, Venom. You've barely lasted a minute against me and I'm not even trying," and as Venom tried to headbutt her again, she took the blow full on and then smirked at him as it did nothing to her.
"Just, please, stop." Carol thought about just letting go but changed her mind, she wanted to protect him, not smash him.
She lowered them to the ground and letting him go pushed him away from her. "Peter, stop, you can't win and I'm not an enemy." Venom paced back and forth in front of her.
Fuck, Venom thought to himself, she was way stronger than anything he'd fought before and she was right, her heart rate, breathing was steady. She hadn't sweated or was warmer from exertion, and he let the symbskin slip back and turn back into clothes. Sitting dejected he huffed as he grabbed a coffee.
Shit, Carol thought, male ego in need of first aid, but nope, not a babysitter. "Look, on Earth, sure, you're a big badass but in the great beyond, sorry but no. The Klyntar were a threat in groups but on their own, they enhance, not grant huge cosmic powers. You won't win, not every fight." She didn't have time to coddle a crying manchild.
Peter was deep in thought though. She was right and as the Goblin armour was too trashed to use, he needed the protection. "Nah, I just missed feeling your boobs squished up against me," and he smirked. If he couldn't win fairly, then he would fight dirty.
Carol snorted. "Military. You think I've never had some asshole make comments about my boobs? Dream on Parker if you think that'll phase me," and she grinned at him as she drank her coffee. He was a cheeky little shit though, good tactics, powerful. Just not at her or the Asgardians level.
"So, this place yours? And can I snag one while I'm here?" but surprisingly, Peter shook his head.
"Sorry, no room at the inn," he was reluctant to add another housemate, especially a super-powered one. There was also the problem of his pheromone. Carol was cute, muscular, and powerful. He had taken a few liberties while they fought and with his arms around her got a good feeling for her physique. Ticking every single box on Peters 'hot or not table', the blood was already flowing, just somewhere he was trying to stop it from flowing too. Having her around was a temptation he knew he would have problems resisting. Damn, she's amazing though, he thought trying not to stare.
Peters phone dinged as he got a text message through the official Shield app.
Carol Danvers, full Agent of Shield, and now your boss. Kiss her ass, wash her feet, give the woman any damn thing she wants – Fury
A set of orders and a contract was sent and as Peter read it his face fell. As a provisional agent, Fury had placed him under the command of Carol, and he really had to do whatever she wanted. He'd be paid of course but he shook his head and sighed. "so, that one's mine and that one's Livs. MJ lives there, and Gwen and Felicia live there. So, uh, I guess you can take mine and I'll move," and Carol shook her head, four women lived here, never a good thing and she wondered exactly what she's signed up for.
Across New York, Fury laughed as he sent Parker that text, killing two birds with one stone, a pain in his ass was now under surveillance and a superpower was now locatable anytime he wanted. It had been a good day today.
Gwen raised an eyebrow at the new woman as she came home from spending the day with Felicia. As long as she was quiet and didn't interrupt she could hang out in the office with Felicia, they had even taken the risk and had sex a few times there. After the stress of the past few days, partially her own fault and mainly Liv's they had taken that route today, and while Liv and Felicia picked up an order of food, she had headed back to the warehouse to see if Peter was okay.
She was used to Peter seemingly picking up strays but the women's attire left a lot to be desired, it was a slick military uniform, red, gold and dark blue. Non-standard for Shield though, so just who was this woman?
"So?" Gwen asked as she sat down in her chair, "another?" and she nodded to Carol.
"Uh, this is Gwen," and motioning between them, "Carol, my new boss, and bodyguard," Peter handed her a cup.
"Booty guard huh? So is she guarding it out here, or in the bedroom too?" and she winked at Peter, who sighed and shook his head.
"Um, what? Really?" Carol was annoyed, what the hell was wrong with this woman?
"Calm down blondie bear, it's not like Petes a bad catch you know, plus, if you're a bit open, Fel and I are willing to add another." Gwen shrugged and sipped her coffee, much better than the horrible stuff the crooks drank.
"What that actual fuck is your problem?" Carol had enough, what the hell kind of group lived here?
"What's up her butt, Pete? You didn't say before you," and she made a circle with two fingers, sliding two from her other hand through them whistling.
Carol began to glow, "you've got five seconds to explain that shit before I start cracking heads."
"Holy shit Pete, she glows. That's not fair, how come we don't glow?"
Peter had stepped between the pair, "No, Gwen wait. She uh not a host, not like us."
Carol stared at Peter, "Us?"
"Oh uh, yeah, um. There are four of us, not just me, and uh, I guess I'm not the alien you're looking for, or at least not anymore. No wait, five, yeah, forgot Flash, so yeah."
"What the hell?" Carol yelled as Gwen yelled, "Alien?" at the same time.
"Right, storytime." And Peter began to explain to Carol what was going on with the housemates, as well as letting her explain to Gwen about the origin of the symbiotes.
Once they had finished, Carol slumped back in her chair. "I can't believe you have four women," and she shook her head. Earth had changed since she'd left, changed a lot. It didn't bother her, while some alien cultures adhered to strict monogamy it was not a universal truth. Some species had three genders, some were just one, or used a non-gendered method of reproduction. Carol was lost in her thoughts about how one man could even satisfy four different women when Gwen brought her back to reality.
"So, you think someone will try to kill Pete?" Gwen was huddled over her cup, a serious look on her face. If the Asgardians were as big a threat as Carol said, then not just Pete but all five of them were in danger.
"Who wants to kill Pete?" Liv and Felicia walked into the warehouse, ladened with shopping bags and fast-food containers. "Pete, another blonde?'' Felicia laughed, "Gwen's mine, you can't have her," she winked at the newcomer.
"Seriously? Do you all just screw all day?'' Carol was flabbergasted, it seemed even some of the more open species would be sat here red-faced listening to this group.
"Not all day, some of us work, but let's be frank here. If you're going to piss and moan about something, and you pick that, then leave. Just don't bother. Pete, text Fury and tell him the same. Our lives aren't for you to judge you stuck up bitch, so shut the fuck up or leave, your choice."
While it was Gwen that spoke. Felicia put down all the bags she was carrying and stood over Carol.
"Hey, Woah Woah, calm down Felicia, and you too Carol. Gwen's right, this is our home, our lives, there's enough hate and shit in the world without bringing it in here." Pete tried to diffuse the situation, he hadn't even told them she would be living here for the foreseeable future.
"Shit, that's not what I meant, damn. I mean, four women, four fucking women, and you're all okay with that? Shit.'' Carol couldn't get a date on a good day, and here was some kid with four smart, funny, and stupidly attractive girlfriends. Even one of them was older, so it couldn't be put down to stupid infatuation. Carol shook her head.
"Jealous?" Liv asked, "it's fine dear, Peter has attributes we all find appealing, but he is right though. We are happy and your presence is a disruption. Even if there is a threat to dear Peter, I'm sure the four of us can deal with it, right?" and the other nodded.
"They are right you know. Sure, you're strong and glowy but we're not pushovers. You think you could take the five of us? I bet even you get tired." Peter put another cup in front of her.
Carol shook her head, this had all gone wrong, she was supposed to be helping him, not fighting and pissing off his girlfriends. She took the cup.
"No, Thor and Loki are on a different scale," Carol shook her head, " I'm not," she took a breath, "I've not been on Earth for years, 10 at least so this. I was just shocked is all I mean, four women, god damn boy. Is that your power?"
"I think you broke her dear, why don't you get a room ready for her while we have a girl talk okay," Liv rubbed a hand on Peter's shoulder and at 'girl talk' he bolted into his place, knowing exactly what five women together could mean.
"First, Olivia Octavious, and yes, I'm a host as well as being enhanced. Everyone is here and we all and I mean ALL love him, so, you have five minutes."
Carol once more explained while the four looked on with various levels of concern etched on their faces.
"Well, that's a lot to take in, but Gwen was right you know, Peter might have been exposed to a symbiote, but he isn't a host, we've already checked his cells. We are, but he isn't. His symbiote is with another man, but we suspect that Shield knows that yes?"
Carol had to shrug, "I kinda flew off before my briefing finished," she admitted and Gwen laughed,
"Oh, I'm sure Fury loved that. Flash Thompson, you might want to check up on that."
"Fine, so I screwed up but that doesn't change Thor and Loki being on Earth. That doesn't change that Peter, you four, and Flash are in danger if Thor is here to finish the job."
Liv sighed, "You're quite right dear, take my place and I'll talk to Peter. Gwen, Felicia, we may need to make some plans for defending this place," and looking around. "Get the goblin armour and we'll see if we can fix it up and get Peter to assimilate it, that should boost his power considerably, and Ms Danvers. Please try to be more understanding with Peter. He's a fragile boy. He might be a little difficult sometimes but he's lost so much. Having said that, feel free to indulge, it's been what 10 years you said. Peter was happy to give me a good seeing to, your pretty cute and I'm sure he won't take much to get into bed."
Carol hid behind her cup and pulled her legs up. Oh shiiiit, she thought to herself, wondering if she could get Fury to transfer her, or if Mars had a habitat yet.
The only one to be left out of the conversation was MJ. She had left for her last shift and was busy dealing with her own drama. MJ was already in a bad mood. She had come home last night from her second last shift to find everyone either crying or shouting.
Peter had done something dumb, as had Liv, and Felicia was upset and so was Gwen. MJ was tired, hungry, and only had one shift left. The only reason she hadn't just packed her job in the second she got the movie was so she didn't leave the rest of the staff short and overworked. She yelled at them, dumped all her chores onto Liv, took all her night privileges, and then went to bed. In the morning Peter had proven he wasn't as hurt as everyone thought and with a huge smile on her face, MJ had headed to work.
Now she watched as the strangest couple were arguing in the diner, and of course, they were sat at one of her tables.
"Of course I don't have money, why would I have Midgard currency brother?" Loki had a hand on her forehead, as Thor finished another plate of steak and eggs.
"Well, you've got that glowy magic thing, can't you just make some?" Thor said, as he licked the plate and belched.
Loki sighed but her attention was taken by the strange moving picture device hanging from the wall.
"Brother look," she pointed. The screen had Venom fighting Spider-man and Agent Webb, and even Thor recognised the Klyntars powers when he saw them.
"Good good," Thor said laughing. "See, they're not dead," and he clapped a hand on Loki's back. "Now, let's find them and pursue father and the snot monsters to forgive us, then we can go home and you can I dunno, get a manicure or something." Loki shook her head, if it was going to be that easy then father wouldn't have sent them here.
"Your hammer?" Loki asked, as she spied the money being exchanged and under the booth made some appear, draining what little magic she had left. This was the last of it, whatever Odin had done had left them both mortal and vulnerable, even if Thor still acted like he was a Prince.
"Yes yes, the hammer too," Thor said, laughing and threw his cup down to the floor, "Serving Wench, another!" he yelled.
Oh fuck this guy, MJ thought as she spied the huge blonde beefcake of a man, his girlfriend looked pained as he smashed his coffee cup on the floor. "Hey asshole you'll pay for that,'' MJ yelled as she stormed over to their table. It was her last shift at the diner, the movie meant taking time off and with it being three months the boss said no, but with her royalty checks from the advert starting to come in and a nice payment from the movie, she was going to quit anyway, she just didn't need this shit on her last day.
"Sorry sorry," the raven-haired beauty said, lifting her hands in surrender, "Uh here," and handing over the money she had MJ felt it beneath her fingers. It wasn't quite right, it was money, she could see that but it felt wrong to her. "Hey Carl, got the pen?" and he nodded and threw over a small handheld wand, flicking the switch she shone it over the notes and right enough, they failed to glow under its light. "Hey, call the cops, it's fake,'' MJ shouted. Thankfully the diner had a no interference policy, cops were called but if these two were long gone then that was their problem.
"Brother, I think we should leave, I think she saw through my illusion," Loki leant in a whispered in Thor's ear,
"nonsense sister, no one can see through that right? Especially not some. Oh hello," Thor said, grinning as he saw MJ. "I'm a god you know," and he raised an eyebrow at her and giving her his best smile.
MJ just rolled her eyes, "creep," and while Muse and her considered smashing a tray over his head she thought better of it, if the police arrived she didn't want a scene.
Loki reached out a hand and took MJ's arm, "I'm sorry for my. Brother?" she paused, it was her turn to realise something was off. "Thor," Loki motioned her head to MJ, "it's her, the, you know, thing."
"Really? Her?" Thor peered at her, "Nah, don't see it."
Loki rolled her eyes at him. "Miss, there's been a misunderstanding, please, if we can explain," and Loki pulled her down, even if her magic was sealed she was still stronger than a mortal. "We know who and what you are, we won't hurt you but we need to talk, somewhere more private," and MJ paled. Her phone was in the break room and there was no way she could expose her identity here. Losing her job would be the least of her problems.
"Carl, cancel the cops, just some foreign tourists trying to pay with weird money. Cover me while I go to the bank and get it fixed yeah?" and the line chef nodded. They weren't busy and it was quiet enough that she could take her break. Quickly grabbing her phone MJ looked anxious as she led the pair to a side alley.
Tapping on it. "Pete, help" was all she sent.