Chapter Text
North Magnetic Pole, June 20, 13:48 UTC
Wally West screamed in agony as the energy from the MFD struck him. Pain lanced through his entire body, but he forced himself to keep running even as another bolt of lightning struck his body. It was funny, he mused. His life as a superhero had begun when he was struck by lightning, and now it looked like it was going to end the same way.
Distantly, he heard the voice of his mentor Barry Allen - aka The Flash. "Bart, we have to slow down more! Try to siphon off some of the energy attacking Wally!" Another bolt hit him, and the pain that lanced through his body felt like a white-hot supernova. His head felt lighter, his limbs numb...and was he...fading? But as always, he deflected the crisis that he was going through with a joke.
"It's no good Barry. Oh man, Artemis is so going to kill me for this! And don't even get me started on Mom and Dad!"
"Kid..."
"Just tell them, OK?"
White spots appeared in the corner of Wally's eyes, soon taking over his entire vision. He closed his eyes. It was a good run... he thought as he began to fade away, faintly hearing Barry's scream of anguish.
"KID!!!!"
Earth-8096.
Peter Parker had been through a lot during his time as the Amazing Spider-Man. He'd fought symbiotic aliens and green goblins. He'd worked with the Avengers - first with Captain America, then with his own team of Avengers. And now he'd helped save the world from a gigantic purple people eater! Life was good.
Well...not all good, the web-slinger thought, a bitter edge creeping into his thoughts. Sure Spider-Man's life was hunky-dory (even J. Jonah Jameson seemed to be writing fewer anti-Spidey editorials these days) but his personal life, not so much. The Galactus battle had happened right around finals, meaning that he barely passed. And there was the more serious matter of his best friend Harry Osborn bearing an unbelievable hatred of Spider-Man...and also dating the girl of his dreams Gwen Stacy.
On some level, Peter felt for Harry. His father Norman was revealed to be the Green Goblin and perished in a ferocious battle with Spider-Man - he needed time to grieve. On the other hand, a small part of himself wished that he had told Gwen how he felt at the graveyard that day. But it was too little, too late.
Story of my life, huh? Peter thought. He looked down, smiling slightly behind his red and blue mask as he saw the Avengers being cheered on. It was nice to be a part of that, even if it was for a little while.
Then his eyes widened as a white flash of light, followed by a blur of red and yellow, plowed through them!
On The Ground.
The Black Panther quickly leaped out of the way, grabbing Hawkeye and Captain America. Thor and Ms. Marvel took to the air, alongside the Wasp. "What the hell was that?!" Hawkeye shouted.
Picking himself up, Iron Man leveled his repulsors at the figure...and froze.
It was a kid.
A kid in a tattered red and yellow costume, broken goggles, and a lightning bolt emblazoned on his chest. He looked up. "So...this is what heaven looks like," he muttered. "All that's missing is...Artemis..."
Captain America's brow furrowed. "Artemis?"
Then the boy fell forward...and the sound of a THWIP was heard. A thin webline had stopped the boy from falling to the ground, and Spider-Man descended, gently lowering him to a level position.
"Spider-Man," Captain America said, placing a hand on the web-slinger's shoulder. "Glad you stuck around, son."
"Thanks Cap. He just...he just looks like he needed help."
And behind the mask, Peter Parker thought, If I can't figure out my own life...I can at least help this guy.
TO BE CONTINUED...
Next Chapter: 'The Fifth Stage'
Having landed on another world, Wally struggles to get used to his newfound surroundings - and the heroes who inhabit it. Luckily he has a guide in Peter Parker, but the two will be put to the test when the Scorpion emerges...and he's seeking Spider-Man's head!