15Hi I have now a little more motivation to write this fic than my first one. Maybe this is that way, because I have here a better picture what I want (or know how) to do than in my first.
Also Thank you for 60 Follower. 60 I can't believe it. Really your support is greatly appreciated.
Slade01: Thank you for the recommendation. I will take this as Armor only a bit different, more costumed to Peters personality.
I do not own Marvel or The Rising of the Shield Hero
Chapter 5: When a spider and a princess go shopping
What is the best way to describe agony? What are true torments? Peter had to go through a lot in the course of his life.
Torture, falling from heights of hundreds of meters, being hit by Hulk-like opponents, gunshot wounds, buildings falling on him...and the list goes on. But nothing ever seemed more torturous to him than...going shopping with a woman.
Yeah, but what's so bad about that? Well, everything. 'I wanted ONE thing. We got here when it was still noon. Now the sun is setting. Since the whole "new beginning" with her, she's like a changed person. That...must be her true character. Why do the hot ones always have to have such an obsession with shopping? I mean, even Alex had that. Why? I just don't get it'
"Peter, can we maybe buy a Dragon? Please please?" malty begged her hero, with a puppy dog look in her eyes.
The addressed one just sighed. This was the 18th time she had asked this question in the last two hours. "I thought we already talked about this. We don't have time to take care of a dragon baby. And it probably costs too much to buy one. Besides, do you even know where to buy one?"
"Um...nooo? But I think if we ask papa, he'll definitely-" "No, we're not going to ask him for help."
"Stubborn, I know you don't like him but-"
"HE doesn't like ME. That doesn't mean I like him, but I don't want him dead, that speaks for itself. But he wants me dead so..." sighing again, Peter looks around. Malty has no retort.
The most important men in their lives can't stand each other. This is going to be a fun wedding.
While Malty is already planning her future, Peter feels a stabbing headache. To be fair, the amount of sleep he's had in the last week can be counted on one hand.
'Since I got here, I've hardly slept a wink. The first night I had this weird black out where my body went into self-adjustment. The second, I had some fun. I just hope I get some sleep tonight-what the hell?'
Suddenly Peter notices something. Malty has already left during Peter's inner monologue to examine the next stand and its goods.
But Peter...he saw something. No, he saw SOMEONE. Someone he knew. From his world. This someone was...
"S-Stark? Is that you?" with a shocked expression he looks at him.
There he is, leaning against the wall of a house. Dressed in a chic suit with sunglasses, without a single scratch on his face. And his typical 'I'm-better-than-you' look.
"Hey Pete, how are you? Nice girlfriend you picked up."
"How are you even alive? I saw Thanos crush your face. That was the day before yesterday. I was the one your blood splattered on. And how can you be here?" But while Peter was still talking like that, one thing struck him. No one else seemed to see Tony.
Normally people would look at him with strange looks when you look at his style of dress...but they don't see him that is he-
"Figured it out Petepie? I'm only in your head, only YOU see me" with a dirty grin the multi billionaire chuckled at Peter.
Peter looks around, making sure no one can hear him, then says in a low voice, "Why do I see you? Why you of all people?"
Tony straightens up theatrical, walks a few steps and speaks, "Okay first of all, THAT'S hurtful. Secondly...I haven't the faintest idea. I feel alive, but then again, I could just be your PTSD. You know, because you're alive. And everyone else is dead."
"What are you trying to tell me, that I feel guilty now because I'm alive? Trust me, I'd rather be dead than be here talking to a dead person." The man from Queens looks at the dead man without emotion and calculatingly.
Chuckling, the invincible hero runs a half-circle around him. "You've really changed. It seems like just yesterday you wanted to be part of the Avengers. And now look at you; One of the most dangerous people in our world and one of the 'Legendary' heroes of this...primitive world."
Before the spider could say anything back, he was interrupted by the pretty but defeated voice of the first princess. "Peter, can we go back? I haven't found a stall where dragon eggs are sold."
She looked like she was about to cry. 'Did she want the dragon that badly?'
"What are you looking so down about? Is a dragon really that important to you?" the spider asks his companion in a soft voice.
"I...yes. I've been dreaming about having a baby dragon for ages, but my mother...she... I think she hates me because she even forbade my father to give me one." The red-haired beauty looked sad and silent.
"Uhh, look at that hottie, Parker you really outdid yourself with a woman like that. Too bad, you don't trust her."
The hero tries not to be confused by the talk of his "dead" teammate and talks to Malty, "Come on let's go back to our rooms, I'll see if I can find something tomorrow."
"Smart, you give her gifts to make sure she stays loyal to you. Although it would be a lot easier if she were your slave. After all, it's impossible for a slave to betray his master," the multi-billionaire continues without a care, pretending not to notice that Peter is ignoring him.
In the meantime, the princess looks at her beau and asks with hopeful eyes, "Really? You would do that for me? Even though you didn't want to?"
"Don't worry, I promise I'll get you a dragon or something like that, besides, we'll need something to carry all the luggage eventually hmm?
"Thankyouthankyouthankyou" with little tears in her eyes, the adventurer throws herself into the arms of her benefactor.
Shortly after, they made their way to their sleeping place, while Tony kept talking in Peter's ear.
(scene change) Peter's room 1 hour later
"Why are you badgering me hard?"
"I'm not barking at you kid, I'm trying to help you. You're the shield here and it seems you can't use a weapon. Well, I think we can find a way to overcome this little rule," Tony walks around the room like a curious cat, examining everything.
"Besides, even IF we can't find a way for you to use a weapon, you don't need one. You didn't use one then , back when you started and you have a shield. We know how dangerous one of those things can be."
"Okay, first of all, you're not a Hallucination, are you? I've been through way more shit, survived way more massacres than to just go crazy now. If I had to guess, I'd say you're some kind of illusion of Lady Death."
Tired but ready for a confrontation, Peter looks at his old friend with red eyes, ready to fight even if he knows he wouldn't last 2 minutes against Misstress Death.
"However I feel something...alive, yes you feel like the Tony of my world. How? How is that possible? You are Death" in a resigned voice Peter allows for the first time in a long time to see his sadness, in the form of wet eyes. "you are all dead"
The 'ghost' sits Tony down on a chair across from Peter and looks him in the eye, smiling and comforting, "It's not your fault kid, you're not responsible for our deaths."
Before he could protest, the genius continued, "Don't interrupt me, I'm talking. Despite your time as an assassin, mercenary and vigilante, deep inside you is the child of that time who wanted to give people hope.
You are so eager to appear strong for everyone that you forget that you are only human. In the last days you have lost everything, everything you love you have seen die. But you are not broken.
You haven't slept a wink, you've strategized with me and the others, you've worked with Hank, Richards and me in the lab to develop equipment and other scientific solutions, and you haven't given yourself a moment's rest, even though we've asked you to."
With a sigh, the dead man stands up, walks to the window and looks out into the night. "I am part of a gift, at least that's what Lady Death meant. And I'm here to support you. That's all I can do for you. For all it's worth...I'm sorry my friend. I'm sorry we left you alone."
"Oh shut up you arrogant piece of shit" in a brittle voice the antihero tries to cover his sadness, even his broken self.
"I know it sounds a bit hypocritical of me but...get some sleep. Give yourself sleep and the chance to grieve." With a wink he suddenly disappears.
"What the heck? Does he disappear just like that...wait, does that mean I have to put up with that son of a bitch more often now?" with those words and fearing the headache to come, he lay down to sleep.
(Scene Change) 2 hours later
'I hate you Stark'
Since the conversation with Tony, any fatigue seems to have eluded him, the scientist's brain currently working in hyper drive mode.
He tossed and turned, trying to at least fall asleep, but every time he closed his eyes a new idea or an old memory came to him.
After another ten minutes, he straightened up and muttered softly, "There's no point in doing that, I'd rather stretch my legs a bit.
After getting dressed, he slipped out of the inn and walked down the dark alley.
When he suddenly tilted his head towards a noise he heard.
"Who are you? And why are you following me?" the hero spoke in a cold and commanding voice without turning around.
A sardonic giggle was heard as a small man with a hat, glasses and a mustache stepped out of the shadows.
'H mph, he looks a bit like a villain. Somehow touching, even in this universe there is something that reminds of home.' Although the little man doesn't look like much, the Assassin is on his guard, he knows that looks can be deceiving.
The man then spoke with a deep but slimy voice, "I mean you no harm no on the contrary, I want to help you dear held".
Snorting derisively for a moment, the spider-based hero replied, "How?"
"Well, it has come to my attention that your party member has betrayed you. And no matter if you tried to use it now, you could always stab them in the back."
As the man spoke, he slowly walked up to Peter and looked him in the face. Despite the considerable height difference, the man did not seem to be afraid, which caused Peter a small respect. After all, he did not make the nicest impression with his size, stature and his overall threatening appearance, especially at night.
"So, you can offer me something better? And what I'm wondering is, how do you know who I am?"
The mysterious stranger looked at him, Peter's face reflected in the glasses of the stranger, who only chuckled and continued.
"It is not difficult to recognize the hero of the shield. And is that interest in my offer?"
The out lander looked at him and said, "What if it is?"
"Ah, men like them are my favorite. Then follow me" Chuckling, the Man walked leisurely in one direction.
'I don't feel any danger coming from him, hmm I think I can follow him'.
After a short walk they came out of the alley to a big circus like tent. Moreover, with his superhuman senses, the hero perceived a number of things that a normal person might never have noticed.
The first was the extreme stench, as if many animals and/or people had not showered for days and lived together in a small space.
The second was the many sounds; heartbeats, breathing sounds, panting, whimpering, coughing and crying.
And the third..., 'I've only felt such fear and hopelessness when I've broken up a human trafficking ring with Logan and Alex. (Sigh) He's a slave trader, what else could I expect in this rotten kingdom, of all things legal...'
As the two entered the tent, the hero noticed that the tent appeared larger from the inside than it actually was from the outside. Hmm probably Traumatizeime magic, interesting something I definitely need to research...'
"And dear hero, have you guessed what I am yet? (Chuckle) Exactly I am a slave trader. With a slave you will never have the problem of lack of trust."
This made the mercenary step back a bit, "And how is that possible? By some kind of blood contract or loyalty seal? I don't know of any that would be strong enough to prevent any evil intentions."
Beloukas, the slave trader, looked at him with his typical fanged grin and answered the question, "Ahh an intelligent young man. But no, it is neither a contract nor a seal, it is a curse. One which prevents the slave from even having bad thoughts about his master."
"Interesting. Presumably it must then be adjusted according to the strength of an individual, or ?" "Right hihihi"
'Why do I feel like I should get a slave? It completely goes against my morals but...es legal anyway. Besides...I can't abolish slavery in the kingdom overnight. I can work towards it, though. And if I have a slave, at least I know that at least one poor soul will be helped.
What did Aunt May always say? You help one person, you help them all.'
"Show me your offer," briefly and without further ado, the hero addressed the slave trader, 'What have I become that I'm thinking about buying a slave?'
The twilit man with a cylindrical hat and glasses chuckled and replied, "I knew it. You have everything it takes to be a most wonderful patron."
The two then went deeper into the tent, where Peter noticed that not all of them were people.
"Can I assume that monsters and these so-called demi-humans I read about are also sold here?"
"Technically, most of the "monsters" here are nothing more than demi-humans. And the ones that look more like animals are so-called beastmen. But I'm sure we could find you a monster if you so desire."
After a moment's thought, he said no. After all, the spider thought that a creature with intelligence would be easier to tame than a monster. At least the monsters he could afford, he has not so much money thanks to the shopping this afternoon.
While Beloukas explained to him the difference between humans, demi-humans, beastmen and monsters. And the different functions that the respective slaves have, Peter suddenly heard a weak cough.
A child's cough. The only child Peter knows was in the tent.
He ran to the cage from which he heard the coughing. He pushed aside a tarp and saw a child. A young girl with animal ears and a tail. But what made Peter's heart break was the dead look in her eyes.
Yes...in the past he would have torn off the head of the slave trader. But now he felt more apathetic, as if a good part of his feelings were...dead.
"Hey dealer, I want these"
Beloukas then reacted in astonishment, "Are you sure? The young thing is sick and will surely die soon".
"Then I'm sure you can sell them to me cheap, can't you? I also want to buy something from you. I'm not as new to the business as you might think."
He just giggled again and replied with a twinkle in his eyes "Oh I believe you and I'll start a wonderful business relationship. What else are you looking for?"
"A dragon, preferably young to train it better"
This was Chapter 5 I hope I didn't rush it.
Also for all who don't know yet: After a few Reviews I changed the last Chapter. Thank you all.