Spider-Man. The House Of Venom

It had taken just over a week for the riots to start.

The clean-up took less time. With the Iron Legion and every hero who lived helping, it was a quick and relatively painless process.

Having heard the news, people were angry and sad, and that needed to be vented. Normal people took to the streets and grieved together. The nation, the world, pulled together and made sure no one was forgotten.

A world mourned together.

But as the clean-up continued and the lives lost were calculated, a simple question sparked a fire.

“Why did this happen?”

All it took was one child, rescued too late and lifted out of the rubble by an Iron Legion Drone to spark an outcry. When one became two, and then more and more, news spread of people who could have been rescued. Lives that were lost, not because of the fighting, but because the heroes were too busy. The image, of a child held in the arms of a drone, became an icon that became a movement.

While JJ had calmed, after the Sentinel scandal, he hadn't lost his edge. He may not have pushed Humanity First's rhetoric anymore, but that did not mean his hatred was blunted.

“We saw what happens when powered individuals become complacent. Hydra sprang up within the government. Modok sprang up within the private sector, and then the Sentinel program, designed to keep us safe from any of these freaks, turned on us as well. Let's face it, ladies and gentlemen. Those with power are playing us. 

We heard that Charles Xavier, the leader of the Augments, that he could literally change our minds. So who’s to say he didn’t? Aliens walked up to us and we let them in. Why? Why did we unlock the door and let the invaders in? Especially ones who promised us the stars and then left us to suffer.

It sounds like the Augments were afraid of us. Afraid that the ordinary American citizen would realise they were being duped. So they showed us what happens when that line is crossed. Maybe there were no aliens. Maybe those green and blue monsters were just more Augments. Firing space lasers at us from their moon base.

We all suffered a great tragedy. Not just us, but supposedly them as well. We all saw the damage to our great nation, but no one was allowed near their paradise. We are told that Genosha is gone, but have no proof. We were told Wakanda survived the attack, but we have no proof. Neither nation will allow humanitarian efforts to enter their borders. And neither will give a justifiable explanation as to why.

Will we ever find the truth? I hope so. But with mind-controlling mutants, and shapeshifting monsters lurking behind closed doors. I doubt we will.”

It became a Pulitzer prize-winning piece, and it captured the mood of the nation perfectly.

It started small. Small compared to protest. A motion was tabled by a small town Senator, as most of the larger population centres had been destroyed. It called for the X-scanner to be expanded, and every citizen to be tested. Not to make sure they weren't an Augment. No, to make sure they were human.

It would start with the government, and called Coulson's Law. It was a huge embarrassment that the head of Shield had turned out to be an Alien.

It didn’t stop there. Calls for every government official to be checked were called for. And with that came calls for laxer gun laws. Gun lobbyists were calling for rocket launchers to be made legal. Home security meant being able to stop a Hulk or even worse a spaceship.

“You have powers. Why didn’t you save us?” Was the rallying cry, but it soon turned to, “if you can’t save us, why should you have powers? Why should you be in power?” And then violence started.

In an attempt to placate the masses a new act was proposed. The Powered Individual Control and Containment Act was born. It was supposed to be championed by Charles, but he had died. It was supposed to be done in cooperation with the Augment community, but there wasn't one. With the destruction of Genosha, the community had fragmented. Ororo was doing her best, but without Selene, Erik, or Charles, she was fighting a losing battle.

Even the Sentinel program was being revised and revisited. And there was no one to stop it. President Ellis had been impeached. It was his administration who accepted Asgardian law and the Xandarians.

It was a giant mess, and the powered community waited with bated breath to see just how much would be blamed on them.

A week had passed since the war ended, and Peter was invited back into Shield headquarters. With Coulson outed as an alien they had called back an old familiar face. Nick Fury sat at the Directors desk.

“Yeah yeah,” Fury said waving a hand, “it's temporary, but this won't be.” He motioned to the newly installed black device sitting on his desk.

Peter rolled his eyes, stuck a finger in, watched as the light turned yellow and then shrugged. “I’m not one hundred per cent human, so that's what you’ll get.”

“Yeah I know, but as long as it doesn't go red I don't care.” Fury said and he opened a drawer and slid a folder over to Peter. Red meant non-human. Yellow meant Augment or Powered, and Green was one hundred percent pure human. Nobody ever showed up as green.

“It’s not pretty, but right now it's all you get.” 

Peter leaned forward and opened the folder. He read and frowned. “Yeah,” he huffed, “I expected that.”

Every manufacturing company in the US was being drafted under a military provision. It allowed the government to repurpose any and all manufacturing in times of need. AIM was at the top of the list. Agents would be dispatched to 'confiscate' all Gwen's formula and the methods to make it. The government made it legal for them to take everything, and if Peter or AIM objected, it was a jail sentence.

“This one, you didn't get from me.” He slid out another red folder with a stamp on it, “For the President Of The United States Only”

Peter raised an eyebrow as he flicked to the first page, “You have to be kidding?” but Fury shook his head.

“You knew you weren't getting to keep it, so why all the drama. I mean, you can, if you want. But expect a lot of agents to arrest everyone you ever cared about.“

Peter huffed. It was his giant spaceship, he stole it fair and square. He snorted, “Yeah Yeah, I know. Can’t I at least joyride in it for a little bit?”

Fury laughed but then his face fell. “No. We’re getting enough grief over powered individuals in positions of authority. And, while they know they can’t exactly make you.” 

Fury handed him another folder. Peter clenched his jaw as he read, “You know this makes me angry, and you won't like me when I'm angry.”

Fury waved a hand, “it's all bullshit anyway. I doubt the US could muster enough troops to go anywhere right now, let alone Wakanda.” He leant forwards and placed both elbows on the desk, clasping his hand together, “it’s to make you angry and stupid. Just give up the damn ships, You can't crew them anyway.”

Peter snorted, “and you can’t get to them, or fly them. Do you have anyone who can read Kree?”

“Flash is still on the books as a Shield agent, and Carol is still military. So yeah. Just, please. Let this one go.” Fury asked him, “We have enough issues without this as well.”

Peter huffed out a breath, “fine. But touch Shuri and I will flatten,” but Fury raised a hand

“Do not finish that sentence. Things are bad enough that someone who is maybe listening in will report you. You might find that cushy life of yours is under very close scrutiny. Not now, just leave it.”

Peter stretched out with his senses and found at least four recording devices. “Fine. I’ll just be grumpy then.” He had no intention of letting it go. There was no way in hell he was handing over the Kree ships to the US.

“That might change.” Fury hit the intercom on his desk, “yeah, bring her in.”

After a few moments, A heavily armoured Shield agent, wearing one of Tony’s Iron Warden suits, brought in a Skrull. Her hands were bound but Peter recognised her as the woman that had been masquerading as Thor.

Once the Shield agent left, Soren wriggled her hands and the cuffs fell off, and she sat down on a chair next to Peter.

“I get the theatrics but really Nicholas?” Soren said and lifted a cup, sniffed it and poured herself coffee from the filter machine.

“You know my office is still bugged right,” Fury said, scowling.

Soren smiled as she sipped her drink, “Who do you think put them there?” and as a small frown crossed her face, “it was Talos’s office.”

Fury sighed and rubbed his face, “sorry. He was a good man. But that's not why you are here. The other problem.”

Soren nodded, “Mr Parker. Peter. I am sorry for the deception,” but Peter lifted a hand and stopped her.

“Nope, I get it. I met the more physically altered Augments, so no. I totally get it, but I’m also getting better at reading alien thoughts, so, tell me the bad news.”

Soren sighed. “Veranke, my daughter and the leader of the Skrulls, was on board the cruiser they destroyed.”

Peter raised an eyebrow and looked over at Fury, “I am sorry to hear that, but I get the feeling there is a but. She was pretending to be Loki?”

Soren nodded, “Loki is on Asgard, acting as Queen Freya. Thor is missing, and most of Asgard's forces on Earth are Skrulls.”

Peter frowned, “It was a coup?” Soren nodded. “So, why tell us? We aren’t going to help, and we aren’t going to tell anyone.”

“Because Loki and Veranke were in a relationship and Loki has gone missing.”

Peter furrowed his brow, “again, why is that our problem? Just get Thor to take over, or whoever else there is.”

Soren sighed, “Our coup only worked as Carol took out the Bifrost.” Peter and Fury both looked confused, she continued. “The Asgard version of the portal device. When it was destroyed it, the Guardians, along with Carol, were sent hurtling through space. Thor was caught in that explosion as well. We actually have no idea where he is.” She took a drink. “There are no ruling Asgardians. We already deposed Odin and Freya.”

“So?” Peter asked, his patience had finally run out with Soren. “I get you’re grieving, but so are a lot of people, my wife included. I get you screwed up, but right now, we’ve already been dealing with that. This mess is your fault, so please, tell me why I should care? Tell me how this is anything to do with us or the Earth.”

Soren looked down at her cup guiltily, “Oh you didn't?” he asked angrily.

“Odin and Freya are on Earth.” She looked right at Peter, “and we can’t find them.”

Peter rubbed his forehead, “and you want me to help? Because you know I can find alien minds?”

Soren only nodded.

Peter smiled though, “good. Here.” He handed her an envelope of his own. “My terms.”

Soren frowned and even Fury peered over the desk to see what was in the file.

“Is this real?” she asked. She rubbed her chin with one hand while flicking through the contents with another.

“You realise how restrictive this is, and what you’ll be doing?” Peter asked her and she nodded.

“My people have been refugees for centuries Mr Parker, and this is more than any of us could imagine.” She stood and extended a hand. “I already know, I was bonded to one of you. We accept. I can have everyone with you in a few days.”

“Great, They know,” Peter clasped his other hand onto hers and she laughed, “Then see you later.”

Soren looked over at Fury, “I am sorry, but I won’t go back into custody. My people need me, and what is the saying, ah, yes, we have been made an offer we cannot refuse.”

Fury frowned as the sling portal sparked into life. He reached for his gun but found his hand was trapped under Peters. “Sorry, the government can’t be trusted with this.” His eyes flicked to the hidden camera.

“We won’t let you get away with this,” Fury said as Peter webbed his hand to the desk.

Sorry, we need to make it look good for the suits. They’ll be safe.

Peter stood and ushered Soren through the portal. “My wife will be taking care of them, and as a newly christened citizen of Wakanda, AIM is moving its HQ to Wakanda. Sorry Nick, but we won’t be letting the government dictate terms to us again.”

Fury growled, but smirked and nodded. “You know they’ll be pissed. And they might even send Ross after you.”

“Rule Four of the PICCA, Nick. Powered cannot operate on the sovereign territory of another country without express permission. So go ahead, we’ll just depower him and anyone else you send,” Peter stated. “Or you know, use one of the giant spaceships in orbit that belong to me, and made a really nice wedding gift.”