randomDS

Chapter 1: Welcome To California

S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier

BGM: Marvel: Ultimate Alliance OST - Menu

High above the shimmering skyline of New York City, the S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier cut through the clouds like a steel leviathan. Its massive engines hummed low, the kind of sound that could be felt more than heard. Inside, agents hurried through gleaming corridors lined with glass panels and digital interfaces, all moving with purpose.

Among them, one figure looked distinctly out of place—and he knew it.

Spider-Man walked down the metallic hallway, his mask pulled up halfway so he could mutter to himself, his boots echoing lightly against the deck.

"Okay, Peter… Nick Fury calls, says he wants to 'discuss something important.' Totally fine. Definitely not intimidating. Maybe it's a new suit. Maybe it's another lecture about 'discipline' or 'protocol.' Or maybe," he whispered dramatically, "he finally realized how amazing I really am."

A few passing agents gave him curious glances, which he pretended not to notice.

He stopped at a door marked MISSION CONTROL – AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY, and the doors slid open with a hydraulic hiss.

There, standing in front of a panoramic window overlooking the city below, was Nick Fury himself—hands clasped behind his back, trench coat hanging like a shadow.

"Nice view," Peter said as he stepped inside.

Without turning around, Fury said evenly, "You're late."

Peter froze mid-step. "Wow, I didn't even say anything sarcastic yet. You really do have a sixth sense."

Fury finally turned to face him, his one good eye cool and unreadable.

"Parker."

"Fury."

Then, Peter gave an exaggerated salute. "Reporting for duty, sir! Webs polished, quips ready for action."

Fury sighed, the kind of sigh that sounded like it had been building up for a long time. "You never make this easy."

"Not part of my brand." Peter grinned behind the mask. "So, what's the big secret meeting about? Because this is usually my pizza time. And you know how sacred pizza time is."

Fury didn't even blink. "I want to talk to you about joining the Avengers."

Peter's head tilted. His eyes widened behind the lenses. "Wait. Wait-wait-wait. Like officially joining? With ID cards and everything? You're serious?"

"As a heart attack," Fury replied.

Peter rubbed his hands together, his grin stretching wider. "Finally! Took you long enough to see my brilliance. I mean, I already bring the style, the brains, the—"

"Hold it." Fury raised a gloved hand.

Peter froze. "…there's a catch, isn't there?"

"There's always a catch." Fury turned back toward the glass. "Before you join, you've got to prove you can handle leadership—responsibility on a larger scale. A mission."

Peter slouched slightly. "Of course. Nothing ever comes easy. What's next, you want me to babysit Deadpool?"

Fury's lips twitched—not quite a smile, but close. "You're going to California."

Peter blinked. "California? What's over there? Surfboards? Heatstroke? Oh—wait, don't tell me. You're sending me to the West Coast Avengers, right?"

"Wrong," Fury replied dryly.

Peter squinted. "Okay, so… not the West Coast Avengers. Then who—"

"You'll be helping another team," Fury interrupted. "A team that needs guidance. You'll be leading them."

"Leading?" Peter echoed, tilting his head. "You do remember I'm the guy who talks to himself while fighting giant robots, right? Leadership isn't exactly in my—"

Fury turned back toward him, his tone sharp but not unkind. "You're being sent to California to lead a group of ex-criminals who want to turn their lives around."

Peter's jaw dropped. "…I'm sorry, could you repeat that? I think I heard 'lead a group of ex-criminals' and my brain immediately rebooted."

"That's right." Fury's voice was steady, almost amused by Peter's disbelief. "They're under the supervision of the Superhero Dispatch Network, or SDN. We've been working with them for some time now. They've got potential, but no direction. The team's called the Z-Team—and they need someone to steer them straight."

Peter stared at Fury for a moment, his mask lenses narrowing. "They're named the Z-Team? What happened to A through Y?"

Fury ignored the comment. "I'm not asking you to babysit them. I'm asking you to lead them. You've got experience, instincts, and more potential than you give yourself credit for."

Peter went quiet at that, his humor fading for once. "You really think I'm leadership material?"

"I know you are," Fury said simply. "You've been Spider-Man long enough to understand what responsibility really means. You've saved this city more times than most people know. But now it's time to see if you can make others better—not just save them."

Peter exhaled slowly, folding his arms. "And if I go, that means Miles is on his own for a while."

Fury nodded. "He'll be fine. You've trained him well. Besides, it'll be good for him—and for you. He gets to prove himself as New York's Spider-Man. You get to see what you're capable of when you're not swinging solo."

Peter looked down, thinking. He could already imagine Miles swinging through the city alone, probably nervous at first… but he'd figure it out. He always did.

After a long pause, Peter looked back up at Fury. "You make a good pitch, Fury."

"I'm not selling anything," Fury said. "I'm giving you an opportunity."

Peter chuckled quietly. "Same difference."

He extended his hand. "All right, Director. I'm in."

Fury clasped his hand firmly, giving a curt nod. "Good. I'll let SDN know you're coming. Pack your suit—California awaits."

Peter grinned behind his mask. "Sunshine, palm trees, and a team of ex-criminals who probably hate my jokes. What could possibly go wrong?"

Fury gave him a dry look. "Everything, Parker. Absolutely everything."

As Peter turned to leave, the hum of the Helicarrier filled the silence again—but beneath it, there was something else. A spark of anticipation.

Because for the first time in a long time, Spider-Man wasn't just being called to save the day.

He was being called to lead it.

A Few Days Later…

Peter's Apartment

BGM: Thutmose - Memories 

Peter's apartment was a whirlwind of activity. Suitcases were open on the couch and floor, clothes were folded (and some not so folded), and the faint hum of conversation filled the small space. It was the kind of scene that felt both chaotic and comforting—friends and family gathered to help the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man prepare for his next big leap.

MJ was the first to break the quiet bustle. She crossed her arms, leaning against the counter with her trademark smirk. "You know, Tiger, I'm actually jealous. California? Sunshine, beaches, celebrity sightings—meanwhile, I'll be stuck here freezing my butt off in November."

Peter chuckled, zipping up one of his suitcases. "Don't worry, MJ. I'll send plenty of pictures so no one feels left out. Maybe even a selfie or two with the Hollywood sign. You know, just to rub it in."

"Very considerate of you," MJ said dryly, though her grin didn't fade.

From across the room, Aunt May adjusted her glasses and gave Peter that familiar, motherly look—the one that could pierce through even his strongest layer of sarcasm. "Just… be careful while you're out there, Peter. I've heard things can get crazy in California."

Peter looked up from his luggage and smiled warmly. "Come on, Aunt May. It can't be any crazier than New York. We've got aliens, wizards, and guys who turn themselves into lizards for fun."

Harry patted him on the back, laughing. "Yeah, except this time you're leading a bunch of ex-criminals. So hey, Cali could be worse."

That earned a round of laughter from the room. Even Peter cracked up, shaking his head.

"You guys really know how to boost a guy's confidence," he said, still smiling.

Gwen leaned against the doorframe, arms folded, her tone teasing but gentle. "Just make sure you come back in one piece, okay? I don't want to have to catch a flight just to drag your butt home."

Peter turned to her, grinning beneath the warmth in his eyes. "Don't worry, Gwen. I'll come back alive and well. Promise."

But as his gaze drifted toward Miles, the mood shifted slightly. Miles stood near the window, his hands shoved in his hoodie pockets, looking thoughtful—maybe even nervous. Peter caught on right away.

"Hey," he said, stepping closer. "You good, Miles?"

Miles nodded, but it was slow and half-hearted. "Yeah, I'm good. Just… you know. Mentally preparing to be New York's only Spider-Man for a while."

Peter smiled faintly. He remembered what that felt like—the weight of the city, the responsibility, the loneliness that sometimes came with it.

He put a hand on Miles' shoulder. "You've got this, Miles. I believe in you. You've learned everything I can teach you—and honestly, you're more than ready for this next step."

Miles' lips curved into a small, grateful smile. "Thanks, man. Means a lot."

Peter nodded. "Keep the city safe for me, okay?"

"You got it," Miles replied.

Soon, the apartment was back to its flurry of packing and chatter. Peter hefted his luggage effortlessly—his spider-strength making light work of the multiple suitcases.

"Well," he said, looking around the room, "I guess this is it. Time for me to—"

"Oh no you don't," Aunt May interrupted, crossing her arms with a mock sternness. "You're not going anywhere until I get my hug."

Peter laughed softly, setting his bags down. "How could I forget?"

He stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her. For a few moments, everything else fell away.

"I love you, Aunt May," he said quietly.

"I love you too, dear," she replied, holding him tightly before letting go.

Peter turned to the rest of the group—MJ, Harry, Gwen, and Miles—and smirked. "All right, you guys. Bring it in."

They all laughed, and the five of them shared a group hug—warm, slightly awkward, but perfect in its own way. When they broke apart, Peter's grin softened into something more sincere. "Don't do anything I wouldn't do."

"Which is… what, exactly?" Gwen teased.

Peter shrugged. "Good question."

He grabbed his bags again and started toward the door when Miles suddenly called out, "Yo, Peter!"

Peter turned. "Yeah?"

"I sent you a West Coast playlist," Miles said with a grin. "Something to vibe to while you're in Cali. You know, keep the energy right."

Peter chuckled. "You're the best, Miles. I'll check it out."

He opened the door and stepped into the hallway—only to hear a voice that made his shoulders tense in mild dread.

"Parker!"

Mr. Ditkovich stood at the end of the hallway, arms folded, his daughter Ursula standing beside him with a friendly wave.

"Uh… hey, Mr. Ditkovich! Ursula! How's it going?"

"Hi, Peter," Ursula said kindly.

But before Peter could respond further, Ditkovich took a step closer, his tone suddenly intense. "Will you still be able to pay rent while you are… gone?"

Peter sighed, but couldn't help the amused smile tugging at his face. "Yes, Mr. Ditkovich. I'll still pay my rent."

Ditkovich's stern expression cracked into a pleased grin. "You are a good man, Parker!"

Before Peter could react, the landlord suddenly pulled him into a bear hug.

"Whoa—uh—okay," Peter stammered, juggling his suitcases while awkwardly patting the man on the back.

Ursula covered her mouth, hiding a laugh.

After a moment, the hug ended, and Peter gave them both a friendly nod before heading down the stairs.

Ditkovich watched him go, his expression softening. "I am going to miss that boy," he said quietly.

JFK International Airport

BGM: Star Wars - Binary Sunset by John Williams

Hours later, at the airport, Peter stood in line, his suitcases checked in, his mind still catching up to everything that had happened. Before long, he was seated on the plane, window seat, mask tucked safely away in his carry-on.

As the engines roared and the plane began to ascend, Peter glanced out the window. New York's skyline grew smaller and smaller, until it was just a glimmer beneath the clouds.

It felt strange—leaving the city that had been his entire world. But at the same time, he felt… ready. Nervous, yes, but ready.

He leaned back in his seat, exhaled deeply, closed his eyes, and let his thoughts overtake him as the plane angled west.

Los Angeles

The golden sunlight of Los Angeles poured through the airport windows as the plane doors opened. After hours of flying, Peter finally stepped off, stretching his legs and rolling his neck with a quiet groan. The energy of the city hit him instantly—bright, busy, warm. A far cry from New York's hard-edged hum.

He followed the crowd through the terminal, shuffling toward baggage claim. Rolling announcements echoed overhead, and the smell of coffee and sunscreen lingered in the air. When the conveyer belt whirred to life, Peter spotted his suitcases and hauled them up effortlessly—one in each hand, like they were filled with feathers.

As he stepped outside, the California breeze hit him—softer, saltier, and somehow more relaxed. He took a deep breath, eyes squinting at the sunlight. "Well," he muttered to himself, "this definitely isn't Queens."

Now came the fun part: finding a cab. And if there was one thing Peter thought he knew how to do, it was get a cab.

He stepped off the curb, waved his hand, and called out, "Taxi! Hey—yeah, right here!" Then he whistled, loud and sharp, just like he used to in Manhattan.

Unfortunately, this wasn't Manhattan.

Cars zipped by. A couple of drivers ignored him completely. One guy rolled down his window just to yell something in Spanish about "getting a rideshare app."

Peter sighed. "Okay, note to self: West Coast cab drivers are less responsive than New York pigeons."

BGM: California Love

Just when he was about to give up, a yellow cab screeched to a stop beside him. Music blared from the speakers—something upbeat and old-school. Peter grinned, opened the door, and climbed inside.

The driver, cheerful and energetic, turned slightly in his seat. "Where to, my friend?"

Peter adjusted his bags. "Torrance Branch of SDN, please."

There was a beat. Then Peter froze.

Wait. That voice… it sounded familiar.

He blinked, tilted his head, and said slowly, "...Wait. Stan?"

The driver turned, smiling warmly beneath his signature sunglasses. "Well, if it isn't my favorite web-head! How ya doing, kid?"

Peter's jaw dropped, then broke into a huge grin. "Holy crap! What are you doing in L.A.?"

Stan chuckled. "I could ask you the same thing! But hey, I'm here to enjoy the sunshine—maybe spot a hero or two while I'm at it."

Peter laughed, shaking his head in disbelief. "That's classic. Still keeping busy, huh?"

Stan winked. "You know me, true believer. Retirement's for the dull ones."

With that, the cab peeled out into the street. Peter glanced out the window as they drove—palm trees lined the wide boulevards, the sky was an impossible shade of blue, and the endless sprawl of Los Angeles seemed to stretch forever.

"So," Stan said as he weaved between cars, "SDN, huh? Big opportunity."

"Yeah," Peter replied with a small smile. "Nick Fury's sending me on a 'prove-yourself' mission. Guess I'm supposed to lead a team of ex-criminals who wanna turn things around."

Stan nodded thoughtfully. "Sounds like you've got your hands full, kid. But hey—great power, great responsibility, right?"

Peter chuckled softly. "Wouldn't be me if I forgot it."

Before long, the cab turned into a more suburban district—quieter, dotted with low buildings and a clear view of the distant ocean. The car rolled to a stop in front of a modern facility with the sign: SUPERHERO DISPATCH NETWORK – TORRANCE BRANCH.

"Well, here we are," Stan said.

Peter climbed out and grabbed his suitcases. "Thanks, Stan. Seriously. You're a lifesaver."

Stan waved it off. "All in a day's work! Here, take this." He handed Peter a small business card. 'STAN'S RIDES – EXCELSIOR TRANSPORTATION'

"If you ever need a lift, call me. First ride's on the house. Second one's… slightly less on the house."

Peter laughed, slipping the card into his jacket pocket. "Deal."

Stan grinned, gave a thumbs-up, and shouted, "EXCELSIOR!" before hitting the gas and peeling out into traffic.

Peter watched the cab disappear into the distance, still smiling. "Man, I love that guy."

Then he turned to face the SDN building, exhaling as he steadied himself. "All right, Parker. Showtime."

SDN Lobby

BGM: Dispatch - Lana Works In The Mail Room

The lobby was sleek and bright, buzzing with quiet energy. A receptionist sat behind a front desk, typing rapidly. Peter approached, offering a friendly wave.

"Hi there. Peter Parker. I'm here for, uh… an interview? Actually, I guess it's more of an orientation?"

The woman smiled politely, clicking through her computer. "Ah, yes—Mr. Parker. One moment, please."

After a short pause, she nodded. "Someone will be right with you."

"Thanks," Peter said, sitting down on a nearby couch, adjusting his luggage at his feet. He took a slow breath, tapping his fingers against his knee. "All right, Pete. Deep breaths. Don't trip over your words. Or your own feet."

Footsteps approached.

"Peter Parker?"

He looked up—and his eyes widened slightly. A striking young woman with a confident smile and long blonde hair stood before him, hand extended.

"Hi. I'm Blonde Blazer," she said brightly. "Nice to meet you."

Peter quickly stood, shaking her hand. "Nice to meet you too. Love the name, by the way—sounds like it came with its own comic series."

She grinned. "It almost did."

"Really?"

"No."

Peter blinked, then laughed awkwardly. "Right. Good one."

"Come on," she said, gesturing for him to follow. "I'll show you around."

As they walked through the corridors, Blonde Blazer glanced at him. "So, you just got in?"

"Yeah, literally just landed," Peter said. "Had a really friendly cab driver, though—kind of made the trip."

"That's good to hear," she replied with a smile. "Welcome to the Torrance Branch. We're not the most high-profile branch in the network—that honor goes to Downtown L.A.—but we've got great people. And that makes all the difference."

Peter nodded, watching agents and support staff working behind rows of monitors. "Looks impressive to me."

"Some of our heroes work in dispatch," Blonde Blazer explained, "others stay in the field. But your team's… a bit of a special case."

Peter raised a brow. "Fury mentioned that I'd be working with ex-criminals. You know, as a sort of... team therapy leader-slash-babysitter."

She laughed lightly. "That's one way to put it. The Z-Team's a handful, but they've got heart. They just need the right push—and you're the guy for that."

Peter smirked. "I'll try to live up to the sales pitch."

They reached a cluttered desk where a man was eating a Twinkie while typing one-handed. Blonde Blazer gestured toward him. "Peter, this is Robert Robertson—your dispatcher."

Robert turned in his chair, Twinkie still in hand. "Hey there."

Peter smiled and offered a handshake. "Nice to meet you, Robert."

Robert looked at the hand, then shrugged and shook it. "Same to you, Spider-Man. Hope you survive the week."

Before Peter could respond, another voice piped up. "Hey! Don't I get an introduction too?"

Blonde Blazer chuckled. "Peter, this is Chase. The only reason he looks old is because of his powers."

Chase wagged a finger. "Exactly. It's energy aging. Totally different."

Peter laughed, shaking his hand. "Regardless, it's nice to meet you, sir."

"'Sir' makes me feel older," Chase muttered, but smiled anyway.

"Now," Blonde Blazer said, "let's introduce you to the team."

"Oh boy," Peter muttered under his breath. "I can already feel my sanity slipping away."

Blonde Blazer grinned. "You'll be fine."

Moments Later…

BGM: Dispatch - Twinks

They entered a large meeting room. Seated around the table were eight distinct figures: Invisigal, Sonar, Malevola, Prism, Punch Up, Golem, Flambae, and Coupé.

Blonde Blazer introduced each of them by name before turning to the group. "Everyone, this is Spider-Man, also known as Peter Parker. He's your new field leader."

A few eyebrows rose.

Then Prism suddenly shot up from her seat, eyes sparkling. "No way! The Spider-Man?!" She squealed, ran over, and hugged him before snapping a selfie with a wide grin.

Peter froze mid-hug, smiling awkwardly. "Uh… wow. Hi. Big fan, huh?"

"Biggest!" Prism gushed.

"Prism," Blonde Blazer warned, "please don't post that picture to your 1.3 million followers. We need to keep his identity a secret."

"Aww, fine," Prism groaned, sinking back into her seat.

Invisigal leaned back in her chair, smirking. "You know, you don't really look like Spider-Man under the mask."

Peter quirked a brow. "Is that your way of calling me ugly?"

Invisigal gave him a slow once-over. "Not ugly. Just... unexpectedly normal."

Sonar chuckled. "I sense some hormones rising."

Malevola laughed. "That's one way to put it."

Punch Up groaned, "Are we done here? I'm starving."

Golem rumbled in agreement. "Lunch sounds good."

Coupé, with a sharp glare, crossed her arms. "I could kill him where he stands."

Peter's eyes widened. "Okay, noted."

Flambae burst out laughing. "Chill, Coupé! Don't scare the great Spider-Man back to New York!"

Blonde Blazer sighed. "Nobody's killing anybody."

Then, perfectly on cue, Robert poked his head through the doorway. "Hey, just checking—anyone dead yet?"

"Not yet," Blonde Blazer muttered.

Peter cleared his throat, holding up a hand. "Okay, listen up, everyone. I've never led a team before, and I'm not here to boss anyone around. All I ask is that you give me a chance to prove myself—and I promise, I won't steer you wrong. At least… not intentionally."

Despite his light tone, there was something solid behind his words—something sincere.

The room went quiet.

Then Invisigal broke the silence. "That was… kind of hot."

Peter blinked. "Robert, is she always like this?"

Robert shrugged. "Yep. She pretty much said the exact same thing to me on my first day."

Peter groaned softly.

Blonde Blazer clapped her hands once. "All right, that's enough chaos for now. Go grab lunch, everyone."

The Z-Team practically stampeded out the door.

As the noise faded, Peter exhaled. "Wow. Yeah. I definitely have my hands full."

Robert smirked. "Now you know how I feel."

Blonde Blazer sighed but smiled. "Let's just say your first mission's going to be… interesting."

Robert raised a hand. "I'm gonna go make sure they don't destroy the cafeteria." He headed out, leaving Peter and Blonde Blazer alone.

Peter rubbed the back of his neck. "So… I don't exactly have a place to stay yet."

Blonde Blazer smirked and patted his shoulder. "Don't worry. SDN's got you covered."

Peter sighed in relief. "Good to know. Because I was about five minutes away from calling my cab driver again."

She laughed softly. "Welcome to the Torrance Branch, Spider-Man."

Peter smiled, glancing toward the window where the California sun gleamed bright and blinding.

"Thanks," he said quietly. "Feels like this might be the start of something... interesting."

Sometime Later…

Peter followed Blonde Blazer through the warm afternoon streets of Torrance, his luggage rolling behind him. The sun gleamed against the sidewalks, and palm trees lined the streets like a postcard he'd seen a thousand times but never thought he'd live in. The walk from SDN's Torrance Branch to his new apartment wasn't long, maybe five minutes, but in that short time Peter found himself quietly taking it all in—the hum of distant traffic, the faint ocean breeze, and the laughter of people passing by. California really was a different world compared to the constant noise and chaos of New York.

"Here we are," Blonde Blazer said, stopping in front of a clean, modern-looking building. It wasn't extravagant, but it was neat and well-kept—an improvement over Peter's creaky old place back home. She handed him a key attached to a small silver SDN tag and smiled. "Your new headquarters away from headquarters."

Peter grinned and took the key. "Guess I get the honors." He unlocked the door and pushed it open, revealing his new apartment.

Inside, the space was modest but comfortable—a living room with a couch, a small TV stand, a kitchenette tucked into one corner, and a single bedroom down the hall. The afternoon sunlight poured in through the window, illuminating everything in a warm glow. Peter stepped inside and turned a slow circle, taking it all in.

"Well," he said, "it's about the size of my old apartment back in New York."

Blonde Blazer folded her arms, smirking playfully. "Is that a compliment or a complaint?"

Peter chuckled. "A compliment. I was half-expecting a broom closet, to be honest. This is… really nice. Especially since SDN's footing the bill."

She smiled, pleased. "Good. We try to take care of our heroes."

Peter's expression softened, sincerity replacing his joking tone. "Thanks, really. For all your help. I don't think I've said that enough today."

"You're welcome," she said warmly. "Just part of the job."

A comfortable silence lingered between them for a moment. Then Blonde Blazer glanced at her phone, noticing the time. "I'll let you get settled in. Your first official day's tomorrow, and trust me, you're going to want your rest."

Peter nodded. "Oh, don't worry—I plan on sleeping like a log tonight. First day jitters and all that."

She chuckled lightly and started toward the door. "You'll be fine, Parker."

Just before she could leave, Peter called out, "Hey, uh—Blonde Blazer?"

She turned, curious. "Yeah?"

He rubbed the back of his neck, that familiar nervous grin creeping onto his face. "You've done a lot for me already, and I kinda feel like I should repay you somehow. So… how about dinner? My treat."

For a second, her smile faltered. Her eyes widened just slightly—not out of offense, but surprise. There was an awkward beat of silence before she spoke, her voice softer. "Peter… I really appreciate that, but—" she hesitated, then offered an apologetic half-smile, "—I'm sorry. I have a boyfriend."

Peter froze mid-smile. "Oh. Oh! Right! Of course you do," he said, rubbing his neck even harder now. "Sorry, I didn't—uh—yeah, didn't mean to make it weird."

She shook her head quickly. "You didn't. Really. It's totally fine. You didn't know."

"Still," he muttered sheepishly. "Guess I should stick to thanking people with words instead of… dinner invitations."

That earned a small laugh from her, genuine and kind. "You're fine, Peter. I'll see you tomorrow, alright?"

"Yeah," he said, smiling despite himself. "See you then."

She waved and stepped out, the door closing softly behind her.

Peter stood there for a moment, eyes on the door, before letting out a long sigh. "Smooth, Parker," he muttered, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Real smooth."

He dropped his bags, glanced around the apartment again, and exhaled. "Welcome to California, Spider-Man."

A Moment Later…

Outside, in the hallway, Blonde Blazer leaned back against the wall, closing her eyes for a moment. The faint hum of the building filled the silence, but her mind was elsewhere—not on Peter's awkward invitation, but on the flicker of guilt that came with it.

BUZZ!

She reached into her pocket when her phone buzzed, pulling it out to see a text lighting up the screen.

Phenomaman: I cannot wait for our date in Tokyo tonight!

Her thumb hovered over the screen. After a pause, she typed a reply.

Blonde Blazer: Can't wait either.

She stared at the message for several seconds before hitting send. As the text delivered, she sighed quietly—not from annoyance, but something heavier. She slipped her phone back into her pocket, pinched the bridge of her nose, and whispered under her breath, "Get it together, Mandy."

After a moment, she straightened herself, exhaled slowly, and began walking toward the exit, the distant California traffic echoing outside the building.

And with that, she left—her boots clicking against the floor until the sound faded away, leaving behind only the soft hum of the hallway and the faint sound of Peter unpacking inside his new home.

Chapter 2: Trust the Process

Tokyo

BGM: Tomoko Aran - Midnight Pretenders

Phenomaman soared through the glowing Tokyo night, the wind cutting across his suit as he carried Blonde Blazer in his arms. The neon lights below shimmered across his cape, and the entire city seemed to stop and look up. Tokyo loved its heroes, especially ones as showy as Phenomaman.

"Ah, behold, Blonde Blazer!" he declared proudly as he descended toward the street, his booming, regal voice commanding attention even above the city noise. "The Land of the Rising Sun greets us with open arms once again!"

When they landed on the marble walkway outside a high-end sushi restaurant, cameras immediately began flashing from every direction. Paparazzi, reporters, and excited fans crowded the sidewalks. Some shouted Phenomaman's name; others yelled "Blonde Blazer!" as phones lifted into the air like a sea of lights.

Phenomaman basked in it. "Aha! Do you hear that, my love? The symphony of adoration! Truly, the people of this planet have the finest taste!" He waved broadly, beaming as he signed an autograph mid-step.

Blonde Blazer, shielding her eyes with a hand, muttered under her breath, "Yeah, I can definitely hear it…" Her voice was calm, but there was a hint of exasperation there. She wasn't new to the spotlight—far from it—but tonight, she simply wasn't in the mood.

Once they finally stepped through the restaurant doors, the noise outside vanished like someone flipped a switch. The quiet interior was almost eerie. Blonde Blazer looked around and raised an eyebrow—every table was empty. Not a single other customer in sight.

"Uh… where is everybody?" she asked, crossing her arms.

Phenomaman, proud as ever, lifted his chin. "Worry not, Blonde Blazer! We are the honored guests this eve. The owner insisted upon our exclusive presence, in exchange for our noble endorsement of his fine cuisine. It is but a small token of gratitude for our service!"

She blinked, unimpressed. "So… we get the whole restaurant to ourselves just because we're heroes."

"Indeed!" he replied, his tone so grand that it echoed faintly. "A fitting gesture, if I do say so myself."

She didn't respond, but her faint sigh said everything she felt about the arrangement.

Moments later, a line of waiters arrived, their hands full with elaborately arranged sushi platters and a variety of expensive-looking drinks. They placed everything before the two heroes with polite bows.

Phenomaman nodded graciously. "Thank you, my friends! That will be all."

As the waiters left, he immediately dove in, grabbing his chopsticks and devouring one of the rolls with the enthusiasm of a hero celebrating victory. "Phenomenal!" he exclaimed between bites.

Across the table, Blonde Blazer hadn't touched her food. She sat quietly, staring down at the arrangement as her thoughts wandered. The silence lingered, heavy enough that even Phenomaman eventually noticed the lack of clinking chopsticks from her side.

He paused mid-bite, turning toward her. "Is something wrong, Blonde Blazer?"

She drew in a quiet breath, then exhaled, still not looking up. "Where do you see us in five years?"

The question made him blink, genuinely caught off guard. "In five years?" he repeated, then chuckled heartily. "Why, our future is clear as the morning sun! I shall continue to devote my every waking hour to the protection of the weak, and you, Blonde Blazer, shall remain ever at my side!"

Blonde Blazer just nodded slowly, her gaze distant. He smiled proudly at his answer, completely missing the uncertainty behind her silence.

After a long pause, she asked again—her voice softer this time. "Do you ever… think about settling down? Y'know, living a more normal life someday?"

Phenomaman waved a hand dismissively, already reaching for another plate. "Ha! A life without valor, without glory? Never! The world will always need us. And besides, what could be more normal than heroism itself?"

Her lips parted slightly, as if to say something more, but she stopped herself. She looked at him for a moment, watching as he resumed eating happily. Then, with quiet resolve, she asked her final question.

"Who do you see when you look at me?" she said softly. "Blonde Blazer… or Mandy?"

He turned his head, chewing thoughtfully for a moment. "Why, Blonde Blazer, of course!" he said proudly, completely missing the weight of the question. "Why ever would I see you as anyone else?"

Her eyes lowered. "...Yeah," she whispered. "Why would you?"

He went back to eating, blissfully unaware that his words hit deeper than he knew. Blonde Blazer, or in this case, Mandy, sat there in silence, staring down at the food that had lost its flavor before she ever took a bite.

Los Angeles

Peter's Apartment

BGM: Jet - Hold On

Morning sunlight flooded through the blinds of Peter's LA apartment, and his alarm clock buzzed.

BUZZ!

"Ugh…" Peter groaned, his hand fumbling until he finally shut it off. He blinked a few times, rubbed his eyes, and sat up. "Okay," he muttered, stretching with a small yawn. "Brand new day. New team. New chaos. Let's do this."

He threw on his Spider-Man suit, then stood in front of the bathroom mirror. For a second, he just looked at his reflection—the familiar red and blue. The mask he's worn through grief, triumph, and everything between. He took a deep breath, then smiled faintly as he pulled out his phone and began playing a song from the West Coast playlist Miles sent him.

BGM Change: Destiny Rogers - West Like ft. Kalan.FrFr

"Alright, LA… show me what you got."

Opening the window, he crawled out, pulled it shut behind him, and launched himself into the morning sky.

For the first time ever, Spider-Man swung across the Los Angeles skyline. The people below—tourists, joggers, office workers—stopped and stared, many pulling out their phones.

"Hey, that's Spider-Man!" someone shouted.

Another yelled, "What's he doing in LA?!"

Peter waved mid-swing, calling out cheerfully, "Hello, pedestrians!"

Laughter and cheers followed him through the air as he made his way toward the SDN Torrance Branch, the California sun glinting off his suit.

SDN

BGM: Dispatch - Mode Selector 

Inside the SDN building, Peter did something that felt completely foreign to him: he took the elevator.

Standing awkwardly in the corner, he glanced at the mirrored walls. A few SDN employees stood beside him, whispering quietly to each other. 

One of them—a short man with coffee in hand—finally asked, "So, uh… does that suit ever get uncomfortable?"

Peter turned to him and shrugged. "It can get kinda itchy. And, uh, it rides up in the crotch a little bit too."

The man blinked. "Oh."

The rest of the ride was painfully quiet until the doors opened, allowing everyone to exit. 

Peter wandered into the cafeteria next, realizing he hadn't eaten anything yet. He scanned the breakfast bar—pancakes, eggs, coffee—but before he could grab a tray, he suddenly felt a sharp smack on his butt.

SMACK!

He jumped, spinning around. "Hey! What the—?!"

No one there.

Then, deciding to become visible—Invisigal appeared, laughing so hard she could barely breathe.

"Oh, very funny," Peter said dryly, yet he was slightly amused. "Pretty sure that's an HR violation."

She crossed her arms with a grin. "Relax, Web-Head. You'll live."

Then, casually, she pulled out an inhaler, took a puff, and tucked it away again.

Peter blinked. "Huh. Wasn't expecting that."

"What?" she said defensively. "You look like you've never seen an asthmatic person before."

He raised his hands. "No, no! It's not that. I just… gotta make sure you're okay out there. Field leader's responsibility and all."

That caught her off guard. Her expression softened—but only for a moment. She rolled her eyes and turned away. "I can take care of myself, Parker."

Before he could say anything else, she walked off.

Peter exhaled, shaking his head, but from behind him, a hand patted his shoulder. 

Robert, coffee in hand, smirked. "Visi's definitely… complicated."

Peter chuckled. "Yeah, I've noticed. But I guess that goes for the whole team, huh?"

Robert took a sip, then looked toward the cafeteria doors where the rest of the Z-Team were starting to gather. "You're right, but they've got potential. Our job's to make them see it."

Peter looked at him, nodded slowly, and smiled. "Then let's make it happen."

SDN Locker Room

BGM: Dispatch - Shift

The locker room of the SDN Torrance Branch buzzed with noise and energy—half chatter, half the clanking of armor and zippers. The Z-Team was scattered around, each member doing their own thing: Punch Up was busy throwing air punches; Flambae was admiring himself in the mirror; and Golem was… just chilling.

Sonar broke the semi-chaotic peace by saying loudly, "Can we talk about the political and economic state of the world?"

A wave of collective groans filled the room.

"Don't start this again, man," Prism said, rolling her eyes.

"I'm merely asking a question," Sonar replied in his usual overly articulate tone.

"Yeah, and nobody cares about your 'thought-provoking' questions," Flambae fired back, flames flickering faintly around his hands.

"I care," Malevola said suddenly, raising a finger like she was in a classroom. The others turned to her, surprised, before she added dryly, "…sometimes."

Punch Up groaned. "You people are exhausting. Where's Spider-Man? He's supposed to be here by now."

"If he's smart, he ran away," Coupé said flatly, looking at one of her knives.

Invisigal smirked as she leaned back on a bench. "Alright, bets. How long till the new guy breaks?"

Golem rumbled, "I'll give him a week."

Malevola smirked. "I'll give him eleven minutes."

"Wow," came a familiar voice from the doorway. "I'm hurt that you guys think so little of me."

All heads turned to see Peter—still fully suited up as Spider-Man—walking in with his usual easy confidence.

Prism grinned brightly, pointing at him. "There goes my boo, y'all!"

Peter sighed but chuckled. "Let's try to stay focused, yeah?"

Flambae crossed his arms. "About time you showed up."

"Hey, I had to use the bathroom," Peter defended himself. "You ever try getting out of one of these suits? It's like solving a Rubik's cube with your elbows."

The team laughed—well, most of them. Invisigal was grinning a little too mischievously. 

Peter pointed right at her. "No. Whatever you're thinking, don't."

"I didn't even say anything!" she said in mock innocence, raising her hands.

"Exactly," Punch Up said. "That's a first."

Before it could spiral into full-on chaos, Robert's voice crackled through their comms. "Alright, Z-Team, I've got your first call of the day."

Golem sighed. "Hit us, boss." 

Robert replied dryly, "Someone needs help getting their cat out of a tree. A few blocks from HQ."

A long silence filled the room.

"You've gotta be kidding me," Sonar said finally, sighing.

Peter laughed. "You'd be surprised how often this kind of thing happens back home." 

Robert continued, "I'm not kidding. And hey, this could be good practice."

Peter nodded. "When it comes to being a hero, it's the simple things that matter most." 

Malevola squinted. "What book did you get that from?"

"No book," Peter said, tapping his head. "Just pure brain power."

Coupé groaned. "If we're wasting our time on cats now, I'm out." 

"You're not," Robert said. "Orders are orders. Handle this, or you're off the team."

That did it. A synchronized groan echoed through the locker room.

"Fine," Invisigal muttered. "Let's go save Mr. Whiskers."

But before they could head out, Peter clapped his hands together. "How about we make it fun? Last one to the tree buys pizza tonight."

That got everyone's attention. Prism grinned. "Oh, now it's serious." 

Robert chuckled through the comms. "Didn't think that'd work."

Invisigal replied, half-serious, "You mention pizza, everything's life or death now."

A Few Blocks Away…

The scene was almost cartoonish.

A tall oak tree, a terrified cat perched at the top, and a small girl below holding a "Help Mr. Snuffles!" sign she'd drawn herself in crayon.

Spider-Man and the Z-Team arrived—all except Golem, who lumbered onto the scene a solid thirty seconds late.

Flambae smirked, "Looks like pizza's on you, Golem."

"Shut up," Golem grumbled.

Peter crouched beside the little girl, smiling warmly. "Don't worry, kiddo. We'll get your cat down in no time."

"Thank you, Spider-Man!" she said, clapping her hands.

From his seat back at SDN, Robert muttered to himself with amusement, "Oh, this is gonna be good."

BGM: Benny Hill Theme Song

Flambae stepped forward, flames crackling around him. "I got this."

Peter immediately pointed. "No fire. We're saving a cat, not making barbecue."

Flambae sighed dramatically, extinguishing his flames. "Fine." He floated up toward the cat, reaching out carefully. "Here, kitty, kitty. I'm not going to burn you—AH!"

SMACK!

The cat smacked him square across the face, sending him plummeting straight into the ground with a loud thud.

Everyone stared, wide-eyed.

The little girl winced. "Oh, I forgot to say… Mr. Snuffles has superpowers."

Robert burst out laughing through the comms. "Now that's priceless."

Then, Sonar and Coupé both spread their wings. 

"I'll handle it," Sonar said.

"Not without me," Coupé replied, and the two shot into the air…

CRASH!

Only to immediately crash into each other mid-flight and tumble down like two broken kites.

Peter blinked. "What… what am I looking at right now?"

Before he could process it, Invisigal and Punch Up started climbing the tree from opposite sides. 

"Watch where you're going!" Invisigal snapped.

"You're the one that should watch where you're going!" Punch Up shot back.

Their argument cost them their balance—both slipped. Punch Up hit the dirt, but before Invisigal could do the same, Peter swung up, caught her mid-fall, and set her down safely.

"Gotchya," he said with a grin.

Invisigal blinked, cheeks faintly pink before she groaned. "You're way too proud of yourself."

Punch Up groaned from the ground. "Nice. Guess I wasn't worth saving, huh?"

Peter sighed. "It all happened so fast."

"Yeah, sure," Punch Up muttered.

Peter turned to Golem. "You wanna give it a shot, big guy?"

Golem shook his head. "Pretty sure I'd just break the tree."

Finally, Prism decided to take charge. She created glowing steps of light and climbed them gracefully toward the cat. "Alright, Mr. Snuffles, eyes on the prism lady…"

The cat cautiously moved toward her—until the branch gave out under its paw. The cat fell—but before Peter could shoot a web, Malevola extended her arms and caught it effortlessly.

"I got him," she said with a sly smirk, gently setting the cat down. The little girl ran over, hugging both the cat and Malevola.

"Thank you!" exclaimed the little girl, and she would proceed to hug everyone else. The rest of the team awkwardly stood, unsure how to handle heartfelt affection until the little girl finally left with her cat.

BGM: Dr. Dre - Xxplosive Instrumental

Robert's voice came in, teasing. "Well, that was adorable."

Invisigal groaned. "Yeah, if you ignore the part where half the team face-planted."

Robert chuckled dryly. "Honestly, the bar was low. I'm just glad you didn't kill the cat."

Peter laughed softly. "See? Feels kinda good, right? Doing something simple but making someone's day."

Golem nodded. "Yeah, weirdly enough… it does. And I didn't even move."

Sonar shrugged. "Guess it's… nice."

Peter smiled. "Not every mission ends with applause. But doing the right thing—that's what matters."

The team took it in, even if some were pretending not to.

Then Malevola smirked. "Pretty sure I deserve an extra slice of pizza for the save."

Prism scoffed. "Please. If it weren't for me, that cat wouldn't have even moved."

"Oh, so you're welcome?" Malevola replied.

Before it devolved again, Robert interrupted, chuckling. "Alright, you pizza philosophers—save the argument for dinner. Another call just came in. Let's roll out."

Invisigal raised a brow. "Was that a Transformers reference?"

"I can neither confirm nor deny," Robert said.

Peter grinned under his mask. "Alright, Z-Team. Let's get back to work."

SDN

Hours Later…

BGM: Kingdom Hearts II - Lazy Afternoons

After a long day of juggling chaotic, overly complicated, and sometimes downright bizarre distress calls, Peter and the Z-Team finally wrapped up their shift. The sun outside the SDN Torrance Branch had dipped low, casting amber hues across the metallic windows as the heroes filed back into HQ, all equally ready to call it a day.

As everyone began to drift off to their own corners of the building—some to unwind, others to train, or just stare blankly into the void—Peter made his way toward the Dispatch floor. The hum of quiet chatter and the rhythmic clacking of keyboards greeted him as he entered. There, near the end of the room, he spotted Robert removing his headset, rubbing the back of his neck after what must've been a dozen straight hours of listening to chaos unfold through an earpiece.

Peter approached—but before he could even greet him, his attention was stolen by the sight of a small, cute dog lying at Robert's feet.

"Oh my God, who's this little guy?" Peter grinned, immediately crouching down to scratch behind the pup's ears. The dog wagged his tail enthusiastically, leaning into Peter's hand.

Robert turned in his chair, his usual composed face softening with a small smile. "That would be Beef," he said warmly. "Figured I'd bring him along today. I always feel bad leaving him at home while I'm here for twelve hours."

Peter gasped dramatically. "Robert, I'm afraid you've made a mistake. You have to bring him every day now. He's already cut my stress in half just by existing."

From the desk next to Robert's, Chase leaned back in his chair and raised a finger. "Told him the same thing, Peter. Beef's emotional support for all of us."

The three men shared a laugh, Beef barking once as if to agree.

But before they could continue, a familiar, confident voice called out behind them.

"Glad to see morale's high," Blonde Blazer said as she approached, her tone light but with that unmistakable authority. She bent down for a quick pat on Beef's head before straightening and looking between Peter and Robert. "You two—come with me to my office, please."

Peter raised an eyebrow, feigning worry. "We're not in trouble, are we? Because if this is about me accidentally breaking that drone on the last call, I'd like to plead the fifth."

Blonde Blazer chuckled softly and shook her head. "Relax, Peter. You're not in trouble."

Peter let out an exaggerated sigh of relief. "Oh good, because I was ready to blame Robert."

Robert smirked and stood, adjusting his jacket. "You'd be surprised how often I get blamed for things I didn't do." He then turned to Chase, nodding toward Beef. "Keep an eye on him for me, yeah?"

Chase saluted with a grin. "Wouldn't dream of doing anything else."

Moments Later…

Robert and Peter followed Blonde Blazer through the halls and into her office. It was spacious, neat, and filled with the faint scent of coffee and lavender. As the door closed behind them, Blonde Blazer gestured to the two seats opposite her desk.

"So," she began, clasping her hands together, "Peter—how was your first day?"

Peter let out a long breath before responding. "Honestly? Being the field leader for the Z-Team is already one of my toughest gigs. I'd describe today as…" he thought for a second, then smirked, "a 'mission failed successfully' situation."

That earned a laugh from both Blonde Blazer and Robert.

"I'm stealing that," Robert said, giving Peter a nudge.

"Go ahead," Peter replied, grinning. "Just remember to pay me royalties in the form of coffee."

After the laughter faded, Blonde Blazer leaned back slightly, her expression softening. "Anyone on the team stand out to you today?"

Peter paused. "That's… a hard one. For better or worse, everyone stood out in their own chaotic way. It's kind of impressive, actually."

Blonde Blazer nodded knowingly. "That's the Z-Team for you."

Then, turning to Robert, she asked, "And how was it working with our newest recruit?"

Robert chuckled. "Compared to everyone else? Working with Peter's a breath of fresh air. Calm, capable, and only slightly sarcastic."

Blonde Blazer smiled at that. "I hope it stays that way."

Robert raised a brow. "What do you mean?"

"I just mean," she said carefully, "that when the Z-Team eventually faces a dangerous mission, I hope there won't be a power struggle between the two of you. Leadership clashes can happen without warning."

Peter blinked, then waved the notion off. "Nah, we're good. I think we've already got a good balance."

Robert nodded in agreement. "We might give different orders here and there, but it's all in the name of getting the job done. No ego, no power struggle."

Blonde Blazer looked at them both, her expression unreadable for a moment. "I hope you're right."

But as she said that, her eyes grew distant—her mind drifting back to Tokyo. The memory of her date with Phenomaman tugged faintly at her heart, and the smile she wore slowly faded. Peter noticed first, his head tilting slightly.

"Hey, uh… are you okay?" he asked gently.

"I'm fine," she replied quickly. Too quickly.

Robert crossed his arms. "That's a lie."

She sighed, closing her eyes briefly before opening them again. "Really, it's nothing you two need to worry about."

"You're the boss," Robert said, his tone softening, "so yeah, we are going to worry about you. And besides… you're a friend."

Her expression softened at that.

Peter raised a hand slightly, grinning. "I was gonna say the same thing, but I don't know if I've reached 'friend status' yet."

That earned a chuckle from both Robert and Blonde Blazer.

Robert shrugged. "You're better company than most of the people I've been friends with."

Blonde Blazer nodded. "I'll second that."

Peter grinned. "I'll take it."

The warmth in the room lasted only a moment before Blonde Blazer's expression fell again. Her fingers tapped lightly on her desk as she hesitated, clearly debating something. Finally, she spoke up.

"I don't know what to do… about my relationship," she admitted, her voice quieter now.

Peter and Robert exchanged a quick look.

Robert leaned forward slightly. "Then I'll start with an easy question. Are you happy?"

The silence that followed was heavy. Blonde Blazer stared at her desk for several seconds before inhaling deeply and answering softly, "No. I'm not."

Peter rubbed the back of his neck, thoughtful. "Look… I'm definitely not some love doctor or anything," he said with a small, sympathetic smile, "but if you're truly unhappy, maybe it's time to make a change. You can't pour from an empty cup, right?"

Blonde Blazer looked at him, and though her eyes were tired, there was a flicker of clarity there. She nodded, forming a faint smile. "You're right. Thank you, both of you."

"Anytime," Robert said simply.

With that, the meeting came to a natural end. Peter and Robert rose from their seats and left the office, leaving Blonde Blazer alone in the quiet. For a long moment, she just sat there, staring at her phone. Her thumb hovered above the screen before she finally began typing:

"We need to talk."

After a long pause, she hit send.

Meanwhile, down the hall, Peter and Robert were walking side by side—until two invisible arms suddenly hooked around their shoulders. Both men tensed up instinctively.

Then Invisigal appeared between them, wearing her signature mischievous smirk. "Well, well, well. Didn't know you two moonlighted as love doctors."

Peter and Robert's eyes widened.

"Wait," Robert said, narrowing his eyes. "You listened to that conversation?"

Invisigal gave an exaggerated shrug, winking. "Maybe I did. Maybe I only heard the end. The world may never know."

Peter chuckled, shaking his head. "You're nothing but trouble."

"Exactly," she said proudly, flashing a grin as the trio continued down the hallway together—Robert muttering under his breath, Peter smiling despite himself, and Invisigal looking far too pleased with herself.