"These guys aren't SHIELD." Peter said.

Peter and I had taken a little longer getting home than planned. Bloody street gangs. At home we had found ten unconscious people in SHIELD uniforms. MJ stayed locked in her room. Aunt May stood by the "SHIELD agents", broom at the ready.

There had been power dampeners all over the place, but Peter and I had destroyed all of them except one. That one, he had simply deactivated and told me to leave it alone.

"Whoever they be," I growled, "They are gonna hurt when they wake up."

Just then, the woman who Aunt May called "Stacey" began to stir. She opened her eyes and started. She saw Peter, who had his mask on. Then she looked at me. I was Fade. Then she saw Aunt May and she absolutely shuddered with fear.

"I won't tell you anything." she said through her teeth.

Just then, one of her comrades had woken as well. When Aunt May stepped forward, he quickly put his hands up.

"Stacey here can be stupid if she wants, but I'll talk."

******

"Fake SHIELD agents." I growled, and slammed my fist into a thug.

Spiderman just shrugged, and engaged another member of a large street gang who called themselves The Big Thugs. Lame name.

"And remember the guys who picked up Doc Ock?" I continued, "They were regular police. Heavily armed, but still coppers. The people who picked up Rhino and Electro were dressed like SHIELD agents. Which means, of course, that we actually gave those guys to the Kingpin."

We finished the last of The Big Thugs. Spiderman and I stopped to rest a little.

"Wilson Fisk hates me." he said. "He'd do anything to get at me. SHIELD knows to leave me well enough alone. I may be on the lower end of the superhero spectrum, power-wise, but I have brains, and I know SHIELD inside and out. I could give them hell before they finally arrested me."

"So while Aunt May thought she was defending us from the big bad government lackeys, she was actually frustrating the Kingpin's plans."

"With wheat cookies."

We both laughed.

"So that be what we know. What don't we know?"

"We don't know how we're going to get payback... yet."

I chuckled. "We could start by sending Fat Man some wheat cookies."

“I should explain meself now.” I said. (Continued from here.)

“That would be cool.” replied Peter. He was a touch excited, and very curious.

Peter had brought home a copy of the Bugle that night, in which the cover story criticized the government, and more importantly, the Registration Act. After all, to a journalist, if SHEILD isn't enforcing the Act properly, then the problem must be with the Registration Act itself. I no see the logic, but then, the media and I be two different animals.

That night, we had a celebration. After all, it was our first victory against the government's injustice. Aside from freeing Gohan, that is. After having pizza and talking ourselves stupid (those over twenty-one were aided by wine), Aunt May and MJ went to their rooms, and turned off the light as they went.

Peter and I sat in the dark kitchen, still seated at the table. He had been about to turn in as well, before I stopped him.

“When we fought the squid guy...”

“Doctor Octopus.”

“Right, well anyway, when I was wrestling with him, I kind of made a wish... or something. I admit, Peter, I was scared... scared as a wee lad fighting the town bully. For some reason, I wanted him to feel as scared as I was.

“Then we connected. I no be knowing how it happened. We just... connected. The whole time I fought him, I could feel his pride, his arrogance, and confidence. As scared as I was, I hated that. But when we connected, I had control over what he felt. I made him feel the fear I had. Then I made him feel more.”

“And I know the result.” replied Peter. “It was freaking weird seeing one of my strongest enemies cry for his mommy. Kinda satisfying as well, though.”

“I wonder if he still be crying.”

“Not any more. I have a few contacts. One told me that he recovered... though it took a while. Another told me that they destroyed his arms for good. Ummm...”

“Ummm, what?” I asked. Peter was feeling a mixture of curiosity, and mild fear. Not good.

“I was just wondering if you ever used this... newfound gift. You know, after fighting Ock?”

So that was it. “You be asking, 'have you decided to control anyone else's emotions?' No. I didna' want to find out if I could make the changes permanent. Besides, it just seems wrong.”

“It does present ethical questions. But then, so do Professor Xavier's mind altering powers. Just don't use it on us, unless we give you permission.”

“Why would you give me permission?”

“Well, you can control emotions right? You can exaggerate someones fear, sadness, worry, pain, anxiety, etc. But then there's also the 'pleasant' emotions, right? So you can use that ability as a weapon, but it's good for more than that too.”

“It makes sense, but I think, as a weapon, it should only be used as me last resort. As for those other things... we'll see.”

******

The next day I was watching TV. I flipped to the news channel, and the reporter was saying:

“Downtown in Frank's Jewelry the notorious criminals Electro and Rhino are holding twelve people hostage. This latest incident, which started approximately ten minutes ago, is making many people wonder whether arresting superheroes was such a great idea.”

“The hell it was.” said Peter coming up behind me. The report continued.

“Here's Dan Goodman, live on the scene.”

“Thanks, Linda. Here we see Frank's Jewelry under siege by the NYPD. Electro and Rhino are commonly known as thieves, but they don't seem to be after money this time. They haven't made any demands, and as SHIELD has not yet arrived, we don't know what they're waiting for. It's puzzling, because, frankly, they could plow right through the police force here.”

I turned off the TV.

“They be waiting for you, no?” I asked Peter.

“For both of us. They wouldn't be together otherwise.”

******

Soon after, we arrived at Frank's Jewelry. We took the direct approach to the situation. In other words, we walked in the front door.

“Hi Rhino and Electro.” we said in unison.

Rhino replied, “If you thought you were gonna surprise us with your friend, Spidey, think again. We read the papers, and we're ready for both of ya.”

Spiderman sounded surprised, “Wait, you read? Wow. But you know, that whole 'we read the papers' speech makes you sound stupid anyway... oh never mind.”

Electro butted in, “You all sound stupid. I'm gonna fry you like salmon.”

“That sounded smart.” I said. “Why don't we just get to the fighting? Here, Rhino, think 'fast'.”

Fighting was the easy part. Rhino charged, and I dodged. Rhino went through the wall and out to the side street. Spidey dodged Electro's blasts, swung around behind him and slammed him through the hole in the wall, and onto the street as well. The twelve hostages ran out the back.

Outside, Rhino charged me again. I ran up a wall and jumped down behind him after he slammed into it. Spidey had swung around a bit, but then stood on the street just long enough to toss another one-liner.

Electro took advantage, just like we expected. He launched a vicious electrical strike, but I had already picked up a very dizzy Rhino and thrown him in the way. He went out cold.

I've learned to tell when someone is going to strike. There's a very small emotional build-up right before the strike, but it's enough for me. I felt that build-up in Electro, and threw myself up, dodging the blast.

Before he could strike again, Spiderman hurtled into him feet first. Two more bad guys down. Spiderman wrapped them both in a mass of webs. We dragged them to the main avenue where SHEILD was just arriving.

“Here's an early Christmas present.” yelled Spiderman, and we took to the buildings.

Down below, the SHEILD agents looked grim. Their chief barked an order, and they put the two villains in portable prison cells with power dampeners around.

Continued from here.


In the morning, I found Aunt May and MJ in the kitchen. Peter was on the couch, in the living room. I sat across from him, cleared my throat, and began.

“I heard ya and yer wife last night.”

I didn't need to look up and see Peter's red face. His embarrassment was so strong that I nearly was embarrassed meself. Peter cleared his throat.

“Well, ahh... we'll try not to be so loud and...”

I laughed, “NO no... I dinna' mean that. I meant what you were talking about before that.”

“Oh.”

“Listen, I know, by both what ya said, and what ya felt, that ya be sincere. Me father would approve, I think.” I smiled sheepishly. “Actually, to be completely honest, I was hoping ya would make an offer like that...”

Peter got up and went to the kitchen. A few minutes later, I followed. I sat at the table and Aunt May placed a small plate of cookies in front of me. She put her hand on me shoulder and said, “Welcome to the family.”

******

“Considering the area, I think we should bring our uniforms.”

Peter replied, “Never leave home without 'em. Guys like us get around faster on foot, so we'll change on the way and take to the skyscrapers. Only MJ and Aunt May use the car.”

I keep forgetting that I be a meta now. While I already was a part of the Parker family as far as the Parkers were concerned, we needed to make it legal before the authorities came looking into it.

We left the apartment, and changed in an alley. For fifteen minutes, Spiderman swung through the air, and I followed close behind on the walls. I went a little slower than I might have if I hadn't been trying to leave the windows intact. As we neared our destination, Peter swung into an alley to change. I followed, tripping over meself while trying to slow down. I no be a professional yet.

From there we turned the corner and stood in front of our destination. The building was tall, with more floors than I had ever bothered to count. There were no cement or bricks to be seen on the outside, just shining glass. Large bronze sculpted letters formed the word “Carson”.

Peter let out a low whistle. “Only the best of lawyers for the famous boxer, huh?”

“No reason not to have it. Actually, me father and David Carson were friends in college. They were studying law together when me father had his break in boxing.”

We walked into the lobby, and headed straight for the desk. When I gave me name to the secretary she said, “Oh please, go right on up. Mister Carson said to let you in as soon as you came.”

Mister Carson's office was located on the top floor, naturally. Sunlight poured in from the tall windows directly behind Mr. Carson's desk. Carson himself, a fellow Irishman in his late thirties, was sitting at his desk looking over some papers.

“Come in, lad, come in.” he said without looking up.

“It be good to see ya again, Mister Carson.”

This time, he did look up. “None of that, now, lad. You are yer own man now, so call me David, like yer father did.”

He looked at Peter and added, “And who be yer friend?”

Peter shook David's hand. “I'm Peter Parker,” he answered for me, “I'm a photographer for the Bugle.”

We explained the situation as best we could without mentioning the part about our powers, etc. It's not that I do no trust in me father's friend, but the less people who know, the better.

David Carson's emotions ranged from surprise to utter confoundment. He asked to speak with me alone.

“I'll be blunt with ya, lad. I like the look of this Parker man, and I don't think he be a man to go after yer money. What I don't understand is why you wouldna' want to stay with me. I'd be glad to have ya. I no have a family of me own.”

I felt his sadness, and what seemed like a little bit of remorse. “It's like I told ya,” I said, “he saved me life and now he feels responsible for me too. It no be that I don't like ya, David. Ya always were a good friend to me father and me. Maybe one day I'll be able to explain it to ya, but for now Peter Parker is me guardian. We came here to ask you to help us draw up the papers before the authorities decide to stick their noses into me situation.”

He sighed. “Aye, we know how messy that gets.”

We called Peter back in, and in a few minutes David had the papers drawn up. The three of us signed them, as well as David's secretary, who signed as a witness. As we were about to leave, I felt excitement from David.

“Parker,” he said emphatically, ”are ya the same peter Parker who takes pictures of Spiderman?”

“The same.”

“Here's something ya might want to tell yer web-slinging friend then. Don't tell anyone I told ya this, because I wasn't supposed to hear of it meself.

I have a friend high up who tells me that during all this civil war mess, the government has managed to lose custody of some of Spiderman's old friends, such as the Green Goblin, Rhino, Electro, Sandman, Scorpion, Mysterio, Doc Ock...”

Peter's face remained calm, but I felt his anger growing quickly. “I'll be sure to tell him.”

******

On our way back, peter was cursing like a madman. Finally, he calmed down, and said to me, “Can you believe this? They go around arresting heroes. People who give everything to save the world from insane freaks. People who protect the world from itself. Then they go and release some of the main reasons they created the damned Registration Act.”

“It be obvious that they want to keep that quiet.” I replied, “Don't you get it? It be our duty to stop these old enemies of yours, but if we can make it known that the government didn't do their job by the people while they were arresting heroes, the public will tell SHIELD to shove the Registration Act up someone's rear!”

By this time, we were back in street clothes, almost home. Peter smiled. “Just shove it up, SHIELD. Just shove it up.”

Gohan be free. That be good news. Now I just have to talk to him about meself and his daughter. Oh joy. Right now, I be at Goku's home. It didn't take me long to find out he was Gohan's father, and Pan's grandfather. After freeing Gohan, we all came here to rest, and take care of any injuries.

I walked with Pan down the hallway, neither of us said anything. We reached the kitchen, where Gohan and Goku were eating like they hadn't in a wekk... for the fifth time that day. Pan squeezed me hand and whispered, "He'll like you, don't worry."

Spiderman says they always say that.

I walked in, and said, "So, how you be doing?"

"Pretty good." he replied. "So you're Angus? The guy my daughter keeps raving about? Good job with the Black Widow, by the way."

At this, Goku grabbed several more bowls of food, and left us alone.

"Thanks, but she no be very fast. And when I turn all black like that, me skin be tough, so the stingers that hit did no hurt much."

"Speaking of which, what are you?"

"We no be sure. Spiderman and Bulma did experiments. All we be knowing so far is that I be three times stronger and faster than Spiderman. I can run on walls, and I can feel other peoples emotions."

At that, I could feel a very strong feeling of surprise from Gohan. I continued, "So you say Pan has talked about me?"

He smiled and shook his head, "Incessantly. You're all she ever talks about now. She also told me about the night you watched the movie." He seemed nervous.

It was my turn to smile. "Me father thought "The Talk" were a bedtime story. I know me limits."

His nervousness left, "That's what I wanted to hear. I guess you really can read other's emotions."

For a moment we were silent. Then Gohan spoke again. "So what do you call yourself when you turn black?"

"Since I no be knowing what I be, I think I'll name me alter-ego later. I was thinking, though, I want to be serious about this superhero business. Do I need a costume?"

"Well, the t-shirt and jeans are okay, but you should definitely think about something classier. Just don't ask Spiderman for advice in that department."

We laughed, though I think Gohan's costume was worse.

"Well I turn all black," I responded, "and I be wanting to stay with that theme. But I no be wanting anything skintight.

"I know a guy who might be able to help." said Gohan with a sly smile.

Spiderman and Bulma have run a few more tests on me, but gave up. I think heard Bulma mention the word "magic" but I canna' be sure. After the first superhero fight in me life, I be glad for the rest I be getting now. Well, when Pan ever lets me rest.

I had to find out just why I got into the fight, so I went to see Spiderman, I mean Peter. He introduced me to his other self when I met his wife and aunt.

"Peter," I began, hesitating, "no one ever told me what the whole thing with Gaia was about."

"Who's Gaia? She's an X-man right? What "whole thing"?

No luck there. Next, I be trying Vegeta.

******

I found him in his training room.

"Vegeta, who was Gaia? And why were we fighting demons? And why is it that Peter no remember anything about it?"

He stopped training and looked at me. "And you do remember? That's odd."

"What be your meaning?"

He explained everything he knew about Gaia, and then said, "Charles Xavier is the world's greatest telepath. He thought it would be better if the world did not remember what she did."

He spoke in a tone that told me he didn't agree with Xavier's feelings.

"How come you and I remember?" I asked.

"As for me, it could be because I'm a Saiyan, I don't know. As for you, I'm entirely clueless. You may be protected by what you are as well."

I stepped back from him. I was puzzled, and I knew he was too. But for some reason, I felt even more puzzled when I was near him.

"That be bringing me to another question." I said. "What's a Saiyan?"

******

I no beleive this. I be in a house full of aliens! If that weren't enough, a girl who be one-third alien be following me everywhere I go. It's funny, she be cute enough, but I no feel to much when I no be with her. But when I look at her, I be getting feelings of... adoration?

I walked into the kitchen, and as usual, Pan was behind me. Bulma Mary Jane, and Aunt May were all sitting around a small table, making small talk. There eyes shifted to us for a wee bit, and I had to struggle to keep the smile off me face. Why would I be feeling amusement?

Later that day, I talked to Bulma about this.

"Let's try an experiment, Angus." she said.

She sat me in an empty room, facing away from the door. "I'll be right back."

In a few minutes, she was back.

"Don't look behind you," she said quickly, as I had started to turn. "I have someone with me, do you know who it is?"

"No."

"Good."

I heard her whisper something, and whoever was with her moved closer behind me.

"What were you feeling just a moment ago?" asked Bulma?

"I was puzzled."

"Good, what are you feeling now?"

"Curiosity. I no be knowin' why though."

There was more whispering.

"How about now?"

"L.. l...", I stammered.

"Love?" finished Bulma.

"No, pure lust."

I looked around, completely puzzled. Both Bulma and Mary Jane were shrieking with laughter.

"That was, like, so cool. I..." said Mary Jane.

"Allow me to explain, Angus. " interrupted Bulma. "When you told me of all the strange feelings you were having when you were with different people, I thought you might be an empath, and I think I just proved it."

"Empath?"

"You're able to feel what other people feel."

"Wow."

"I want to try it again." said Mary Jane.

Bulma went over to her and whispered. Mary Jane came over to me, and touched me arm. Anger. I'd never felt so angry since me father died. My veins began to turn black, but I stopped myself, and pulled back. Bulma's mouth dropped. Mary Jane went white.

"A.. are you, like, okay?" she asked.

"I be alright now. What made you so mad that I felt it that much?"

She gulped. "Kitty Pryde."

I decided not to ask. Bulma came over to me, "I think that's enough for now."

******

That night, there was nothing to do. I was just about to go to bed early, when Pan came out of nowhere.

"You wanna watch a movie?"

The entertainment system here at Capsule Corp be amazing. We watched "The Saint", with Val Kilmer. I always thought the romance scenes in movies were a little boring, but this time, I liked them. I dinna' realise what was happening till, in the middle of an action sequence, I felt the same kind of lust that I'd felt in Bulma's experiment earlier.

I looked at Pan, and realised that she'd been on the other end of the couch before, but now she was right beside me. She looked straight at me, then leaned in closer. Before I knew it, we were kissing.

At one point, I thought I saw Peter pass by, but it must have been a shadow.