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[made_up_names]

[ Hey look, it's another teenager! A totally and completely normal teenager that has managed to scrounge up some clothes that aren't just whatever the hell he was wearing under his suit. Looks like a hoodie and some kind of shirt that looks like it might be nerdy? He tried for a nerdy aesthetic, anyway, which is hard when he doesn't even know what nerd culture looks like here. He's seated outside in Nova City somewhere, trying to figure out what to do next.

Anyway. He. Waves awkwardly? ]

Hey, um. I'd ask if people really just introduce themselves online like this without making it like "Welcome to My Star Wars Vlog And/Or Podcast" but I went back and looked at a bunch of posts and I guess that's exactly what it is? Which is cool. But weird? I'm weirded out.

[ Focus, Peter. Maybe breathe a little. He looks incredibly awkward, which is still only 50% of the Awkward Peter Parker Experience. ]

Anyway, I'm Peter Parker! I just got here like. A couple hours ago? And I have one really super important question.

[ Pause. Try not to look too excited. Look incredibly excited. ]

Did I see something about Pokémon? Like, actual physical Pokémon? Is that real or is this some super convincing AR thing? Because I'm down with both but if it's the first kind I am literally going to explode.

Comments

[made_up_names]

[ Beck is, as always, a convincing actor. And he has help from an unlikely source - Peter sure did wake up in a pod next to a person who really and truly is from an alternate universe, and who has helped him be convinced that the multiverse is a thing, period. Also the Pokémon thing, that's convincing too.

But Peter's been burned once. There's no way he's taking Beck at his word ever, ever again. ]

Bullshit. You hit me with a train.

[mysteryhero]

[Beck manages to successfully turn a reflexively smug smirk into a pure look of confusion in seconds. He shakes his head.]

What do you mean? Train?

Wait-- did something happen after I disappeared? Did one of the other monsters attack you?

Did you hit your head?

[A kindly look and tilt of his head. In a way, after Peter's experiences, it may seem to be a tiny bit mocking.]

[made_up_names]

[ It sure looks mocking to him. Mocking and downright infuriating. Jury's still out on whether he can be convinced after everything Beck has done - 50/50 chance right now - but he sure isn't anywhere near there yet. ]

Yeah, I hit my head. Also broke most of my ribs and shattered my leg, which was just great. Totally makes me want to trust you right now.

[mysteryhero]

I don't see why you're blaming me, Peter.

[Complete with a gesture indicating himself, all innocent wide eyes. A little much? Maybe. But he has to try. It's not as if he hates the kid. Some things just had to be done to preserve what he had been striving to achieve.]

[made_up_names]

And what, you're surprised I'm skeptical? The hell are you actually claiming to be, anyway? Some alternate-alternate universe version where you're not an asshole?

[mysteryhero]

Maybe that's it!

We met... and then some paths diverged and terrible things happened to you. But I don't know anything about that. I've been here.

[made_up_names]

Our paths diverged, huh. And this version of you really definitely is from a different universe this time.

[ He doesn't believe Beck. But he has to admit that this kind of scenario is possible given everything that's going on here. Gwen herself is the strongest argument in Beck's defense, as ironic as that may be. So - the hell does he do now? Is there a way to test it? He wishes he had ...

Wait. Actually, that might work. EDITH doesn't connect to anything here, but he still has the glasses. He'd been too paranoid after Beck's revelation not to carry her around with him everywhere he goes. So he decides to casually rummage around in his backpack, pulling out a familiar glasses case. And keeping an eye on Beck's reaction. ]

[mysteryhero]

Of course. What would I have to gain by lying to you now?

[He is about to say more but then Peter pulls out the very thing that caused a lot of the trouble. But he maintains his calm and keeps a cool head.]

The glasses... I remember they really didn't suit you. You still have them? I suppose they would be an important keepsake for you.

[made_up_names]

[ Not the reaction he was looking for. He'd thought that maybe even Beck would twitch to see Peter still holding onto them. So he's still super unsure if he's acting or not, and he's tired, and ... if the world could let up for one second, that would be super great! He was excited about Pokémon and everything. ]

When exactly did you last see me?

[mysteryhero]

Why, in the bar and we were having congratulatory drinks and a conversation. You gave me those to try on... then you wanted me to keep her.

[He gives a fond smile which doesn't quite meet his eyes. They seem a little harder and even maybe a little tense. He's barely keeping it together just now. It's an effort. After all, he can't just snatch the glasses from Peter across the video network's screen.]

You remember, right? I was so proud of you... Such a good kid.

[made_up_names]

[ There's the slightest, faintest flicker of hope in Peter's eyes. Hearing Beck say he's proud of Peter, even knowing everything that had come after ... He can't help but have a visceral reaction to that. Damn Tony Stark for dying on him and leaving him vulnerable to - to this.

He opens his mouth to say something. But this time, he does catch that glint of tension in Beck's eyes. It's just strained enough to turn that hope into betrayal, again. ]

Stop. Just - stop. EDITH doesn't work here, I already checked. And you thoroughly ruined my life back home. There's zero reason for you to lie to me any more.

[mysteryhero]

[Well, that certainly put a spanner in the works. But should he even believe it? He'd have to get his hands on those glasses some time to check.]

Peter, please.

[Should he go on with this facade? He could slip up at any time, through anger or just neglect to remember his own story correctly. Would it be better to come clean now and try to mend fences or continue to play this game? Hmm, maybe a little more testing of the waters of Peter's sense of what was and wasn't the truth.]

I can see you've been through some things. Maybe I just don't understand...

[Cautious; hopeful. The words encouraged Peter to unburden himself more. Let him think they could still talk like they used to.]

[made_up_names]

[ What a mess. He doesn't know what he believes any more. Some part of him wonders if this whole damn thing is a hologram. (But on the other hand, Papyrus exists.) ]

Of course I've been through some things. You put me through hell! Trying to destroy London, trying to kill all my friends, all of it! And the worst part is that you totally could have done some good if you'd really wanted to. I'd have let you!

[ That bridge is thoroughly burned now, thanks a lot. ]

[mysteryhero]

You'd have let me?

[There's a twitch now, a sterner set of his jaw. But just for a moment. He lets out a sigh, shaking his head.]

I came to your Earth to save it, and this is the thanks I get?

[made_up_names]

[ He winces despite himself. Despite knowing that this is all probably bullshit. The more he goes back and forth between belief and doubt, the more his head hurts. ]

The you that's evil, which is probably the you I'm talking to right now, but -

[ He just puts his head in his hands for a moment. ]

Prove it, okay? Prove to me you're actually from a different world and not just a reject Iron Man villain.

[mysteryhero]

[Oh, now he doesn't like that comparison but, deep breath... Calm, calm...]

Now how do you propose that I prove it?

We can't get off world or travel through any other dimensions from here.

[made_up_names]

No, but you can meet me in person and show me your powers.

[ And if Beck has holograms then this could go wrong super fast but. He thinks Gwen might be willing to help him out. ]

[mysteryhero]

[What can he do? Refuse and immediately he'd be called out. At least in person he might have more chances.]

Alright then. Fine.

Where are you, kid?

[made_up_names]

[ He moves the camera around, showing a street sign in Nova City. ]

Here. I'll hang out right here until you show up.

[mysteryhero]

[He nods. Nova City. Perfect. It's a place he'd been planning on exploring more, with all it's high tech and futuristic equipment. He'd come in here with his suit - partially functioning but nowhere near to the extent he wanted or had previously shown to the world. He needed to find a lab - and maybe a new team. But then, maybe he could figure out the rest himself this time. Apart from the weapons tech the rest were superfluous and unnecessary at this time and place. What he had right now? Maybe it would be enough to convince Peter Parker... The only thing that concerns him for the show is the lack of damage without any drones.]

Good. I will be there soon.

[made_up_names]

[ This is probably a bad idea. But what other option does he have? Beck can fake just about anything he wants on video. Reality is something different. If Peter's senses are functioning properly. If Beck doesn't try something unexpected. ]

Cool. See you later.

[ And with that he's gonna just turn off the feed. ]

[Action!]

[mysteryhero]

[Making his way to Nova City, Beck went over and over the possibilities in his head. The pros and cons of working with Spider-Man and trying to recapture the partnership they'd briefly had. He had to admit there may be more pros yet part of him was irritated at Peter potentially taking the status he wanted, of the greatest superhero in the world. The fact they'd listen to a teenager over him... Peter had potential and skill and he had to not underestimate him for being a kid - he had the naivete of youth but he was still clever. And super-powered. Unlike Beck, who only had his mind and his tech. But then so did Tony Stark and look all he had done, for better or for worse. Just thinking about Tony soured Beck's mood but he shook it off as he spied Peter in the distance. Right. Show time. Peter wanted to see his 'real' powers, then he'd do his best - under these reduced circumstances. You didn't work with tech for Stark Industries without picking up a few things and Beck had certainly taken advantage of it. His suit had been augmented and did have some properties he'd adapted for his own needs. So he arrived gliding in, bowl-like helmet disguising his face but making him instantly recognizable. He couldn't do proper flying but Peter couldn't dispute that he was above the ground. Not nearly as flashy or impressive as usual but to some it might seem like magic.]

Peter...

[As he landed and approached, the helmet retreated much like an Iron Man suit, - or merely an illusion - and he held out a welcoming hand. Just like old times.]

I'm here and glad to see you ... intact and well.

[made_up_names]

[ As promised, Peter is here. Leaning up against a building, looking down at the comm that had been in a pod. There's a lot to absorb today - a hell of a lot. If Gwen weren't here helping him out, he's honestly not sure what he'd do. Especially with freaking Mysterio here ...

He looks up as soon as Beck gets close enough to be seen. Watching him keenly, trying to keep his spider senses on edge so that he can see through whatever illusion Mysterio's got cooked up. If it's an illusion. And if Beck is what he says he is ... god, he can't even let himself hope for that. It's going to hurt too much if he's wrong.

So he doesn't take Beck's hand. He does take a few steps away from the wall, just kind of watching him. Despite everything Beck threw at him, he's in incredibly good shape. The only indication of everything that's happened over the last few weeks is a slight limp in his right leg, where even his healing factor couldn't completely undo the damage done by a speeding train. ]

Are you? Are you really?

[mysteryhero]

[He can't fault Peter for not taking the offered hand. Caution was a smart move here - for both of them. He lets his hand drop to his side but he affects a genuinely sympathetic air and a softer tone.]

I like you, Peter.

[Even when I'm trying to kill you.]

You're an admirable kid, always doing the right thing.

Now what can I do to ease your mind?

[made_up_names]

[ Peter shoves his hands into his pocket, still looking Beck up and down. What does he want to see? What would prove it? The gliding is ... unsettling already. He's pretty sure Beck shouldn't be able to do that period. But he'd seen a lot when he'd been in the thick of one of Beck's holograms. Even the gliding could be faked if none of what he's looking at is real. ]

You've got powers right? Magic, lasers, whatever.