"So what do we do?" Peter asked Naruto. He sat on the edge of his bed with the laptop still open on the desk.
The video from Phil Coulson had ended several minutes earlier, yet the words kept repeating in his mind.
The invitation to join a new team felt both exciting and dangerous at the same time. Peter looked at the orange fox for guidance because he trusted the great Naruto's advice.
"Of course we should go. I even know that guy," Naruto said. The kitsune sat up straight on the pillow and waved one tiny paw as if the answer was obvious.
His tails swayed behind him with clear excitement.
"You know this Phil Coulson?" Peter asked. Surprise filled his voice. He had never expected the fox to recognize the man in the black suit.
"Yup, Kakashi sensei used to work with him while he was in S.H.I.E.L.D. He is a pretty good guy. He used to give me a few belly rubs whenever I let him see me," Naruto said.
"And do you know this director Nick Fury?" Peter asked next. Peter wanted to know everything Naruto could tell him before he decided to walk into an unknown meeting.
"Yes. He is the one eyed guy. He looks very scary. I never have even seen him smile. He was Kakashi sensei's boss before the Avengers were formed," Naruto said.
"Wait, Kakashi Hatake of the Sharingan, the Copy Ninja, the son of the White Fang, the one who battled a god and Earth's Mightiest hero was a member of S.H.I.E.L.D.?" Peter asked in awe.
The thought that the legendary leader of the Avengers had once worked inside a secret government agency left Peter staring at Naruto with wide eyes. It felt like learning that a comic book character had a completely different secret life.
"Yes but boss left after the Avengers were formed," Naruto said.
"Then it means it should not be a bad organisation. But why are they forming another group like the Avengers? I think there is something fishy going on," Peter mumbled.
"I think so. You should go but I would hide myself and if there is something wrong, I could warn Kakashi sensei about it. I would finally get to be useful to him," Naruto said while wagging his tails at the prospect of helping Kakashi.
The fox's entire body seemed to vibrate with eagerness. He had always wanted to prove his worth to the man who summoned him, and this meeting offered a perfect chance. Naruto planned to stay invisible and ready to send a message at the first sign of danger.
Peter smiled at the fox's enthusiasm but then a frown formed on his face. "I am doing homework today with MJ and Ned. I cannot go."
He had promised his two best friends that they would study together that evening. Breaking the promise felt wrong, yet the meeting with Coulson pulled at him strongly.
"Make some excuse duh. What do you like about MJ anyways? She is not even that pretty," Naruto said in an annoyed tone.
"Hey! That is not very nice to say," Peter said in a lecturing tone. He felt a flash of protectiveness toward MJ. She was smart and sharp and important to him, and he did not like hearing her criticized even by a talking fox.
Naruto though ignored him. "You should try what you humans call a redhead. Kakashi sensei himself sticks with a redhead woman and compared to your MJ, she might be a goddess." The fox spoke with complete confidence.
He clearly remembered Natasha Romanoff from the times he had seen her with Kakashi, and he ranked her far above any high school girl in his personal opinion.
Peter who had seen the Black Widow of the Avengers could not help but agree with Naruto. She really was a goddess and MJ was... He stopped the thought before it finished.
He shook his head hard. "It does not matter. Do not say such things about MJ." He refused to let the comparison take root. MJ deserved better than that kind of talk, and he would not allow Naruto to push the idea any further.
"I will make some excuse. Let us get ready to go then," Peter finally said. He decided the meeting was too important to miss.
A quick message to Ned and MJ about a sudden family matter would have to be enough for tonight.
---
Come midnight, Peter was already at the address which was a large abandoned warehouse.
Peter kept to the shadows as he approached, with Naruto invisible and perched lightly on his shoulder. The young hero took a slow breath before he stepped inside.
As he walked inside, he saw another few people in there. The large open space held several figures standing under the weak light of a few hanging bulbs.
"Oh look what do we have here, they managed to even get Spider-Man," a brunette woman said. She studied Peter from head to toe with a sharp gaze that missed nothing.
She walked up to him without hesitation. "Do you really wear that costume every time?" The question sounded both curious and a little mocking.
There were other people too in the warehouse. Peter could feel their presence even before they spoke.
Peter coughed to clear his throat. "Umm... hello... I am Spider-Man. Nice to meet you all." He tried to sound confident, but the sudden attention made his voice crack just a little. He raised one hand in an awkward wave.
The woman eyed him for another moment and then said, "I am Jessica Jones."
She offered no further details, as if the name alone should be enough.
A black man with broad shoulders and calm eyes stepped forward next. "Luke Cage," he said in a deep and steady voice. He gave Peter a short nod of greeting.
Someone wearing a golden mask covering his face like Kakashi said, "Iron Fist."
Another man he had encountered in his run at Hell's Kitchen said, "Daredevil." The man in the red suit gave a small tilt of his head. Peter recognized the presence from earlier nights when their paths had crossed while fighting crime in the same streets.
"Welcome," a voice called from above, and Peter saw Phil Coulson on the upper floor of the warehouse with a few more people standing with him.
The agent looked exactly as he had in the video, neat black suit and polite expression. Several other figures stood slightly behind him.
-----Author Notes---------
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