[Third Person POV]
Inside the base, the atmosphere was one of constant motion. People moved back and forth with urgency, voices overlapping as orders were given and equipment was shuffled into place. The medical ward, usually quiet and sterile, had become the busiest sector of the base. The sharp scent of disinfectant lingered in the air, mixing with the faint metallic tang of machinery, while rows of medical beds lined the room, waiting to receive the injured.
Felicia, MJ, and Gwen carefully carried the unconscious individuals they had retrieved, gently lowering them onto the available beds. Beside them, Aria's eyes glowed faintly as she used her telekinesis, guiding the Leader's limp body through the air and settling him into a bed without so much as a touch.
Moments later, a swarm of spider-bots whirred into the ward, their forms flying in as they dispersed throughout the space. They hovered over the patients, scanning them with beams of soft blue light. The precision of their sensors was remarkable—able to analyze cellular structures, injuries, and vitals without needing to pierce skin or draw blood. One by one, the bots projected their findings into the air, forming shimmering manipulative holograms that displayed comprehensive breakdowns of each patient's condition. Numbers, graphs, and 3D models floated around the beds, surrounding the wounded in a halo of data.
Aria stationed herself near the Leader's bedside, her gaze sharp and attentive, while Gwen lingered beside Jennifer Walters, leaving Betty and her father to Bruce.
Slowly, the tension in the room shifted when the Hulk's massive form began to diminish. Muscles receded, his skin lightened, and within seconds, the green giant had transformed back into Bruce Banner. His unstable molecule suit, crafted to adapt to his shifting form, shrank neatly around him.
"Bruce…" Peter's voice was quiet, hesitant. He reached a hand out toward him, his mask retreating as his suit dissolved seamlessly into his body.
But Bruce raised a hand in silent refusal, shaking his head before Peter could speak further. His expression was heavy with unspoken words. Turning away, Bruce walked toward Betty's bedside, where one of the holograms hovered in place, ignoring Peter completely. He reached out, fingers swiping through the glowing screen, scrolling line by line as he read the medical data. Occasionally, his eyes flicked toward Betty and his expression hardened.
Peter, at a loss, dragged his hand over his forehead before pressing it against his face, rubbing roughly as frustration weighed down on him. Harry rested a firm, steady hand on his best friend's back, giving him a wordless gesture of support. His lips were pressed tightly, his sympathy clear.
Breaking the silence, MJ straightened up and glanced around the busy ward. "Since all of you are going to be wrapped up in this, and this really isn't my strong suit, I'm thinking about heading out to patrol the city. We've been tied up all day, and someone needs to keep an eye out there. Anyone care to join me?"
Felicia immediately perked up, her grin mischievous as she stretched her arms behind her head. "I'll go. A late-night swing sounds like exactly what I need—fun and honestly kind of therapeutic."
Lizzy groaned, "Not me. I've missed curfew so many times already, I'm going to get grounded if I keep this up. Besides, I'm still exhausted after everything we've done today. My body's demanding a break."
Harry chuckled lightly, rotating his shoulders before stretching his arms over his head. "I'll drop you off before I join the others on patrol then."
But before Lizzy could respond, Peter suddenly spoke up, his voice carrying an awkward edge. "Actually… I was kind of hoping to get your second opinion about something, Harry."
Harry raised an eyebrow, curiosity sparking as he glanced between Lizzy and Peter. Lizzy caught the look and rolled her eyes playfully. Leaning over, she gave Harry a quick peck on the lips. "Babes, relax. I think I've proven more than once that I can take care of myself and managed to get home safely"
Harry scratched his cheek sheepishly, giving a little laugh. "Fair point. See you tomorrow, then."
As MJ and Felicia opened a swirling portal onto a nearby rooftop, both leaned over to give Peter a quick farewell kiss before stepping through. With a casual wave, the three women disappeared into the night, leaving the medical ward behind them.
Harry turned back toward Peter, his brow furrowed in curiosity. "Alright, you've got my attention. What is it?"
"Follow me," Peter said simply, his tone low and serious.
He led Harry down the corridor to his personal lab. The moment they entered, Peter tapped his fingers rhythmically against the sleek surface of a workstation. In response, the lab lit up, and dozens of holographic screens came to life around them. Files, blueprints, and project outlines appeared in midair, the sheer scope of Peter's work almost overwhelming.
Harry's sharp eyes darted across the projections, instantly recognizing designs and ideas. One file displayed schematics of futuristic cars and vehicles—clear transport prototypes. Another contained a miniature arc reactor, its glowing core rotating slowly. There was even a model of a towering skyscraper, and next to it, the orbiting blueprint of a satellite. One particular symbol caught Harry's attention: the unmistakable spider emblem, but with lightning bolts branching from each leg.
Peter ignored most of them, swiping past until he stopped on a file marked with an image of handcuffs. But before he could elaborate, Harry stepped forward, holding up his hand.
"Woah, woah, woah. Back up a bit. Can you pull those up again?" he said quickly, his eyes gained a spark of fascination.
Peter blinked, confused, but obeyed, flicking his wrist to bring the file back into focus.
Harry smirked, unable to hide his intrigue. "Are you seriously planning on making the Speed Force?"
Sure enough, written at the top of the file, clear as day, were the words: Speed Force.
Peter sighed heavily, dragging his hand down his face before massaging his forehead. "I was going to finish it, but then I stopped halfway and gave up."
Harry blinked, his brow arching. "What? Why? Was it seriously that tough?"
Peter shook his head slowly, frustration mixed with unease written on his face. "No… that wasn't it. The problem was—I realized halfway through that I could actually do it if I tried. And that scared me. So I stopped."
Harry leaned back slightly, eyes widening. "Huh?! The heck do you mean it scared you?!" His disbelief echoed in his voice.
Running both hand through his eyebrow, Peter let out another groan. He reached for the holographic file and tossed it onto the worktable, where it expanded in a wash of glowing projections. His expression darkened. "This might take a while to explain… but do you know who the Living Tribunal is?"
Harry frowned in thought, his head tilting. "Kinda? I'm pretty sure I came across something in the Ancient One's library. It's… some kind of cosmic judge, right? A multiversal entity?"
Peter nodded gravely. "Exactly. The Living Tribunal operates on a multiversal scale. Its sole purpose is to maintain balance—preventing mystical or cosmic forces from tipping too far in one direction."
"Ah…" Harry muttered, scratching his chin thoughtfully. "So what you're saying is… if you actually made the Speed Force, it could upset that balance. Which means Mister Multiversal Judge would show up personally, and if he doesn't like what he sees… poof." He clapped his hands together. "Bye-bye us."
"Pretty much." Peter shrugged helplessly, his voice carrying a weight that went beyond sarcasm. "I'd rather not get the Tribunal's attention if I can help it. Not to mention, if I did create it, there's no way I'd be the only one with access. The Speed Force would probably span the universe, maybe even the multiverse. Anyone with even the faintest connection to speed-based powers could tap into it. That's… a nightmare waiting to happen."
Harry tapped his fingers against his arm, eyes narrowing as he thought. Then his lips curved into a sly smirk. "So why not build a counterweight? Get Gwen's help. Something like… the Non-Speed Force, or the Still Force, or—" he snapped his fingers dramatically "—the Force of Absolute Zero. Sounds cool, doesn't it?"
Peter blinked, staring at him with wide eyes. "...What?"
Harry leaned forward, getting into it now. "Think about it. If creating the Speed Force tips the balance, then creating its opposite restores it. Equal and opposite reaction. Boom—cosmic balance preserved. And Gwen? She's the perfect candidate. You run hot, fast, and kinetic—she slows things down, freezes them, literally brings everything to a crawl. You two are natural polar opposites. Who better to embody a counter-force?"
Peter just stood there, stunned, his mouth parting slightly. "Woah…" he muttered at last, blinking as though the idea had cracked something open in his mind.
Harry looked smug, arms folded, clearly pleased with himself.
Peter put a hand over his chin, pacing slightly. "That could… actually work. Creating the counter would be easier than the Speed Force itself. I'd just need to reverse the equation, invert the principles…" His words started to tumble faster, his voice blurring until Harry suddenly squinted at him.
"Uh, Pete? You're… uh… doing the thing again."
"What thing?"
"Talking like someone pressed fast forward."
Peter stopped abruptly, realizing his speech had accelerated into a high-pitched, rapid-fire mess. He clamped his mouth shut.
He slumped back against the table, groaning. "Ugh. It's still a tough call. Even if your idea makes sense, I'd need to be really careful. This isn't something I can just rush into. I'll need to weigh the risks… give it serious thought before I go through with anything."
Harry smirked but gave a shrug. "Fair enough. Heavy stuff. But hey, at least you've got options now."
Peter gave him a faint smile before waving a hand, and the glowing Speed Force file collapsed back into the archive. "Yeah, but that wasn't what I wanted your opinion on anyway."
Harry blinked. "Oh, right. Sorry, I kinda got carried away there." He rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly, chuckling.
Peter swiped again, pulling open a different file. A new hologram unfolded above the table, revealing a sleek, metallic design. Collars—intricate bands with glowing nodes embedded around their frames.
"Anyways…" Peter said, his tone serious now, "what I really wanted your opinion on—" he turned the projection so Harry could see clearly "—is about power dampening collars."
************************************************
+5 advance Chapters on: patreon.com/Shadow_D_Monarch3