31) Certain Issues

"Ok, Spider-man let's just go over the basics like your powers, age, and how long you've been a hero for?" asked Capt America.

"I Have the normal superhuman abilities, I have abnormal flexibility and I can shoot webs from my wrist that are 10X stronger than steel. I also have something called a spider sense that allows me to sense danger and for me, it feels like time slows down allowing me to react," replied Peter.

"That seems useful" interjected Hawkeye.

"I'm fourteen and..." Peter started to speak before being cut off.

"Wait did you say 14?" Capt America questioned. 

"I'm sixttteeeennnn..." Peter continued.

"Tony What the hell are you thinking?" yelled Capt America.

"I don't see an issue here personally" replied Stark.

"Don't see an issue? He's 14 for god's sake and you want him to face superpowered terrorists and alien invasions?" said Capt.

"Capt is right, he's too young for this life Tony," added Black Widow.

"Sometimes you have to teach them young so they can become even better" replied Stark causing Capt and Black Widow to sigh.

"You can't even pick someone correctly Stark. I asked you for one simple thing and you couldn't even do that" said Capt.

"How do you know he isn't fit? You know nothing about the kid and you're not even giving him a chance to prove himself" Stark responded.

"Because he's 14! That's reason enough to tell me he isn't ready." retorted Capt.

"Hawkeye over here trained his little apprentice since she was 12. I don't see the big deal, if the kid has talent let him in" replied Stark.

"I trained her to prepare her for this, I didn't just throw her in and wish her luck until she was at least prepared for this and waited till she was 18," responded Hawkeye.

"You made her fight a gang at 13 Clint" Stark said.

"How did you.." Hawkeye started to speak.

"Of course I knew, so if anything you should be on my side. Listen guys I've seen this kid at work and he kicks major ass at least let him try to show off his talent" continued Stark.

"I agree with Tony," said Hawkeye with a sigh.

"What? we seriously can't let this go through" replied Black Widow infuriated.

Peter slightly raised his hand "So... does this mean I can still participate." he asked.

"Later kid, the grown-ups are speaking" replied Stark. Peter lowered his hand and continued to watch them fight. 

"Stark we let you get away with so much due to how much you bring to this team, but this is over the line. First of all, it's a crime" said Capt.

"I've already cleared this through the higher-ups, it's fine" replied Stark.

"How the fuck did you manage that?" questioned Capt.

"I gave them an anti-mind control chip, it wasn't much" answered Stark.

"Wait, you've developed that? Since when?" yelled Capt getting angrier.

"A few months now" replied Stark.

"That seems highly useful, when were we going to get them?" asked Capt.

"Eventually, I already have mine," said Stark.

"We're getting off topic" mentioned Hawkeye.

"We can't let a kid go through with this," said Black Widow.

"Stark, why don't you show us why you're so defensive for this kid? It might make things easier" asked Hawkeye.

"Ok, with your permission of course Capt," asked Stark.

"Fine, show us" replied Capt.

Stark walked forward and made a large holographic screen appear and played the video of Peter fighting Supercharger on the screen. 

"He does have some move" muttered Black Widow.

Capt America didn't speak and continued to look at the footage. Stark then showed clips of Peter fighting Delilah in the back alleys with a smug grin on his face. 

"Ok, he has talent and a lot of potential Stark but not enough for us to oversee the fact he's a child," said Capt.

"Capt after everything I've provided for our team, hell I bought this building for you, I think you can let me have this" replied Stark.

"That's not fair we try to pay when we can" responded Capt.

"Steve, I pay most of your wages. You're paying me with my own money" replied Stark. 

"Fine, that's true but I still can't allow this" replied Stark. 

"Fuck it, I say give him a try," said Black Widow. 

"Natasha, you can't be serious?" said Capt.

"The videos show how good this kid is already, I think we let him have a shot. There's no guarantee he wins anyway and this can be a learning experience for him" she retorted. 

Capt placed his hand on his forehead and thought about it for a while. "Fine, he can at least try," he replied finally giving in. 

"That's the spirit," said Stark sitting back in his chair.

"I can't believe this is happening" mumbled Capt.

"Sooooo... Do I continue?" questioned Peter. 

"Sure" answered Capt leaning back in his chair.

"I've been a hero for over a month now" continued Peter. 

"You have to be kidding?" said Capt. "I'm sorry, Why did you decide to become a hero" he added. 

"Well, I started being a hero on a whim just because I wanted to be cool and because of that I indirectly ended up getting my uncle killed. He took care of me since I was a kid with my Aunt May since my parents died in a tragic accident so he was basically my father. I watched him die in front of me, and I could do nothing but watch. One of the last things he told me was 'With great power comes great responsibility'. I want to honor him by using the gift I've been given to save others instead of using them for my selfish reasons with which I started to become a hero. I may not have a grand reason but my Uncle meant the world to me, so for me, he is as grand as a reason than any other." monologue Peter. 

"That was wonderful kid" replied Capt.

"Sorry for your loss" added Hawkeye.

"That'll all we needed to know and we'll talk to you after we've interviewed everyone else to tell you your first task," said Capt. 

"Thank you" replied Peter as he got up from his seat and Brian showed him towards the elevator. "I think that went well," said Peter to himself.