[The moment Spider-Man emerges from backstage into the main event area, he finds himself immediately surrounded by a swarm of reporters and journalists who have been waiting for exactly this opportunity. Cameras flash, microphones are thrust toward his face, and questions begin flying from all directions in a cacophony of professional ambition and public curiosity.]
[The overwhelming nature of the media attention forces Spider-Man to raise his hands in a gesture of surrender, his voice slightly strained as he tries to maintain some semblance of order.]
["Okay! Okay! Everyone please calm down! Let's try to do this properly - ask your questions one at a time!"]
[He points to a serious-looking male reporter in the front row, hoping to establish some control over the chaotic situation.]
[The reporter immediately launches into what is clearly one of the most pressing questions on everyone's mind: "Spider-Man, with the apparent disbanding of the Avengers, are you now considered the leader of what remains of Earth's superhero team?"]
[Spider-Man's response comes out as a slightly panicked stammer, his inexperience with leadership roles painfully evident.]
["Ah... NO! Definitely not! I'm absolutely not the leader of anything!"]
[He quickly points to another reporter - a professional-looking woman with a determined expression - hoping to move away from questions about leadership and responsibility.]
["Ma'am, what's your question?"]
[Her inquiry cuts straight to one of the public's greatest fears and concerns: "What exactly will you do if and when alien forces return to invade Earth again? What's your plan for protecting the planet?"]
[Spider-Man's face, visible through his mask's expressive eye lenses, shows complete bewilderment. These are exactly the kinds of massive, world-saving questions that he feels utterly unprepared to handle.]
["Does... does anyone have any questions specifically about the community outreach work we're doing here today?"]
[A persistent reporter from the local Queens media immediately seizes the opportunity.]
["I'm Sean Windforth from the Queens Forum! Spider-Man, what does it feel like to inherit Tony Stark's mantle as the new technological hero and potential leader of the superhero community? How are you handling the enormous expectations that come with filling Iron Man's shoes?"]
["The entire world is watching to see how you'll live up to this incredibly important position!"]
[The weight of these questions and expectations seems to physically affect Spider-Man. He stands frozen for a moment, his head turning slightly as if he's having trouble processing the words being spoken to him. The noise of the crowd, the flashing cameras, and the pressure of everyone's expectations create a sensory overload that threatens to overwhelm him completely.]
[Finally, his survival instincts kick in, and he manages to stammer out an exit strategy.]
["I... I really have to go now! Thank you so much for coming out to support this important cause!"]
[Before anyone can react or ask follow-up questions, Spider-Man activates his web-shooters and launches himself vertically into the air, swinging away from the community center with desperate efficiency.]
[The camera follows his trajectory as he web-swings across the Queens skyline, finally landing on a distant rooftop where he can escape the crushing weight of public attention. Once safely alone, he drops to one knee, pulls off his mask, and takes several deep breaths as he tries to calm his racing heart and overwhelmed mind.]
[The isolation of the rooftop provides a stark contrast to the chaos he just escaped. Here, with only the sounds of distant traffic and the wind, he can finally process what just happened and how unprepared he feels for the role everyone expects him to fill.]
[After several minutes of attempting to center himself, his phone begins ringing again. He pulls it from his suit's pocket and sees the now-familiar "Unknown Caller" display. Without hesitation, he declines the call and returns the phone to his pocket.]
[As he sits in contemplative silence, his eyes are drawn to a piece of street art on a nearby building - a detailed graffiti mural of Iron Man in his classic red and gold armor. The artwork captures Tony Stark's confident pose and heroic presence, serving as a painful reminder of the legacy Spider-Man feels incapable of continuing.]
[Spider-Man stares at the mural for a long time, the weight of comparison and expectation visible in his posture and the set of his shoulders.]
Back in their current timeline, Tony Stark watched his future successor's struggle with a mixture of concern and understanding. His expression grew more troubled as he analyzed what he was seeing.
"He's completely unprepared for this level of responsibility and public attention. The kid doesn't know how to handle press conferences, leadership questions, or the weight of everyone's expectations. It seems like my death came far too suddenly, without any proper preparation or transition period."
Steve Rogers nodded thoughtfully, his strategic mind working through the implications.
"Based on what we're seeing, it's clear that Peter was among those who disappeared during 'The Blip.' Five years passed where he couldn't grow, learn, or develop the skills needed for this role. He's essentially still a teenager trying to fill the shoes of one of the world's most experienced heroes."
Bruce Banner added his own analysis with scientific precision.
"The psychological impact must be enormous. He disappeared as Spider-Man, the Friendly neighborhood hero and returned to find himself expected to be Iron Man's replacement. That's not a gradual transition - that's a complete role transformation with no preparation time."
Natasha observed with the insight of someone who understood the burden of expectations.
"The poor kid inherited Tony's legacy without any of the context, training, or gradual development that would normally prepare someone for that level of responsibility. No wonder he feels overwhelmed by everything."
The assembled Avengers, who had gathered for their first team meeting in several months, continued discussing the implications of what they were witnessing.
James Rhodes turned to Tony with a practical suggestion.
"Do you think we should start training Peter more intensively now, while we still have time? Give him the skills and confidence he'll need for whatever's coming?"
Tony's response was immediate and decisive.
"Absolutely. That's an excellent idea, Rhodey."
The team's collective understanding was clear: Earth would inevitably face another cosmic-level threat, whether from Thanos or other alien forces drawn by the Infinity Stones. Tony's apparent death in that future conflict meant they needed to prepare Peter now for responsibilities he wasn't ready to handle.
[The scene transitions to Peter's bedroom, where his phone sits on his desk, ringing insistently. Peter, who is in the middle of packing his suitcase for the European school trip, glances at the phone, sees the familiar "Unknown Caller" display, and pointedly ignores it, returning his attention to his luggage.]
[His packing method reveals his teenage approach to organization - he reaches under his bed and pulls out a pair of socks, holds them up to his nose to perform a quick smell test, nods with satisfaction when they pass inspection, and tosses them into his suitcase alongside other hastily gathered items.]
[After what appears to be considerable effort and multiple trips around his room gathering various necessities, Peter finally manages to collect everything he believes he'll need for the trip. He stands back, surveys his packed suitcase with a sense of accomplishment, and lets out a satisfied sigh.]
["Okay! I think that's everything I need!"]
[His gaze then shifts to his bedroom closet, where his red and blue Spider-Man suit hangs prominently. He stares at it for a long moment, clearly debating whether to pack it along with his regular clothes.]
[At that exact moment, Aunt May appears in his doorway and, without any warning, tosses a banana in his direction with the casual assumption that his spider-sense will allow him to catch it effortlessly.]
["Are you hungry, sweetheart?"]
[Instead of demonstrating his superhuman reflexes, Peter is completely caught off guard. The banana hits him directly in the face with a soft thud, causing him to stumble backward slightly.]
[Aunt May immediately covers her mouth in shock and embarrassment.]
["Oh my goodness! I'm so sorry! I just assumed you would sense it coming and catch it with your 'Peter-tingle!'"]
[Peter's response carries the weary tone of someone who has had this conversation many times before.]
["May, please, for the love of all that's holy, stop calling it the 'Peter-tingle!' It's not called that!"]
[Aunt May's expression shifts to one of concern as she notices Peter's overall demeanor and energy level.]
["What's wrong with you today? You can dodge bullets moving at hundreds of miles per hour, but you can't catch a banana that I tossed gently in your direction?"]
[Peter's answer reveals the emotional and mental exhaustion he's been carrying.]
["It's not about reflexes, May. I just really, desperately need this vacation. I need to take a complete break from everything superhero-related and just be a normal teenager for a few days."]
[Understanding immediately floods Aunt May's expression, and she moves forward to wrap Peter in one of her characteristic nurturing hugs.]
["Oh sweetheart, you absolutely deserve that break! It's not just a good idea - it's absolutely necessary for your wellbeing!"]
[After their embrace, Aunt May prepares to leave Peter to finish his packing. However, just before she exits the room, she turns back with what she clearly believes is helpful advice.]
["Oh, one more thing! Make sure you pack your Spider-Man suit, just in case of emergencies! You never know what might happen, and I just have this feeling..."]
[Peter's eyes close in exasperation, and his voice takes on a pleading quality.]
["May, please don't say you're having a 'feeling' about this trip! Please don't jinx my vacation!"]
[After Aunt May leaves, Peter turns to look at his Spider-Man suit hanging in the closet. After a moment of consideration, he firmly closes the closet door.]
["Absolutely not!"]
[His attention then shifts to his Iron Spider suit, which is currently connected to a charging station and glowing softly with arc reactor energy. Peter points at it with dramatic emphasis.]
["No! No way! I am not taking either suit! This is supposed to be a normal school trip, and I'm going to keep it that way!"]
Back in the current timeline, Natasha Romanoff had arrived at the Parker apartment to escort Peter, Harley, and Ned to their scheduled meeting with Nick Fury. She couldn't help but comment on what they'd just witnessed on the Sky Curtain.
"Did that teenage boy just smell his socks to determine if they were clean enough to pack? May, you really need to have a conversation with Peter about basic hygiene habits!"
Aunt May nodded with a mixture of embarrassment and determination.
"You're absolutely right, Nat. It's concerning that the Sky Curtain just broadcasted Peter's questionable laundry habits to the entire multiverse. We definitely need to work on his personal care standards."
The current MCU timeline's Peter Parker buried his face in his hands with the despair that only comes from having one's most embarrassing habits exposed to friends, family, and cosmic entities.
"I can't believe that just happened. I'm never going to live this down. Everyone at school is going to know about the sock-smelling thing."
Harley and Ned immediately rushed to comfort their mortified friend, though their efforts were somewhat undermined by their own attempts to suppress laughter.
Fortunately, the resilience and short attention spans typical of teenagers meant that their focus quickly shifted when Ned changed the subject to their upcoming visit to the mysterious S.W.O.R.D. facility.
[The scene transitions to an airplane cabin, where Peter sits in a window seat, gazing out at the clouds below with the first genuine smile he's shown since the charity event. The change of scenery and distance from his responsibilities has already begun to lift his spirits.]
[Ned, occupying the seat beside him, pats Peter's shoulder with infectious enthusiasm.]
["This is going to be absolutely amazing! I can't believe we're actually going to Europe!"]
[The camera pans across the airplane cabin, revealing that it's filled with students from Midtown High School, all chattering excitedly about their upcoming educational adventure. The energy is infectious, and even Peter seems to be catching some of their enthusiasm.]
[Mr. Harrington, the teacher responsible for supervising the trip, turns to consult with his supposed co-chaperone about logistics.]
["So, do you want to handle supervision duties for the first half of the flight, or would you prefer to take the second half? I'm flexible either way."]
[His colleague's response immediately destroys any illusion of shared responsibility.]
["Actually, I'm planning to be completely unconscious for the entire flight! I took sleeping pills about twenty minutes ago, and I'm scheduled to be on duty immediately after we land, so I need to sleep now!"]
[Mr. Harrington's face shows a mixture of panic and resignation as he realizes he'll be managing an entire group of excited teenagers by himself.]
["Wait, what?! You can't just leave me alone with all these kids for an eight-hour international flight!"]
[From across the aisle, Flash Thompson decides this is the perfect moment to demonstrate his characteristic lack of empathy and social awareness.]
["Hey there, Parker! This big metal thing is called an airplane! It's kind of like those city buses you probably ride everywhere, except instead of driving through the poor neighborhoods where you live, it flies way up above them!"]
[MJ, who happens to be walking past Flash's seat at that exact moment, immediately jumps to Peter's defense with her characteristic sharp wit.]
["Excuse me, flight attendant? This passenger claims to be an adult, but he was actually 'blipped' away five years ago, which means he's technically still only sixteen years old! I don't think he should be served alcohol!"]
[The flight attendant, taking MJ's complaint seriously, immediately moves to remove the alcoholic beverage from Flash's tray.]
["Thank you for bringing this to my attention! I'll take care of this right away!"]
[Brad Davis, who has been observing this entire exchange from his position behind MJ, can't help but laugh at Flash's predicament.]
[Flash becomes increasingly agitated as he watches his drink being confiscated.]
["She's completely lying! I don't even know who this girl is! I've never seen her before in my life!"]
[He jumps up from his seat to chase after the flight attendant, desperately trying to prove his age and reclaim his confiscated beverage.]
[MJ turns back toward Peter with a satisfied smile that shows she thoroughly enjoyed putting Flash in his place.]
[Brad approaches their area with an expression of amused admiration.]
["That was very MJ-like, wasn't it? Classic Michelle Jones problem-solving!"]
[Peter's smile immediately becomes strained and uncomfortable as he processes Brad's familiarity with MJ and his casual use of her name.]
["Did you... did you know that Brad was going to be on this trip too?"]
[Ned observes Brad as he helpfully assists MJ with storing her carry-on luggage in the overhead compartment, his expression thoughtful and slightly troubled.]
["It's really weird, you know? Yesterday - well, five years ago from his perspective - Brad was just this scrawny kid who cried all the time and had constant nosebleeds."]
["Then in what felt like the blink of an eye to us, when we came back from being 'blipped,' he had suddenly transformed into this tall, handsome, confident guy that all the girls seem to find incredibly attractive!"]
[Peter watches this interaction with growing unease, already sensing that his carefully planned romantic European adventure may be facing some unexpected complications.]
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