51: Aggreement

"There is still another matter to discuss."

His inner peace is brought to a halt as he turns his attention to the Tribunal, wondering what else there could possibly be to discuss.

Whether he sees this or not, he doesn't show, he merely continues, "The Phoenix Force is in need of a host after young Hope. One that can better manage the power."

***

(Present)

"Why do I have a bad feeling that you volunteered?" Strange asks rhetorically.

"Because you know me well enough to know that I am that dumb," Peter quips.

Silence for a few seconds before Strange, Richards, Stark, and Rogers all start ranting.

"Are you seriously out of your mind?!"

"Didn't we just fight the X-Men for this very reason?!"

"How is it possible for someone to make this many stupid decisions?!"

"How could you possibly think this was a good idea?!"

Meanwhile, the youngest of the gathered group just sits there with a patient look as he waits for an opening to explain. He was expecting this of course. After everything that's happened, why would they think it's a good idea for the Phoenix to be around?

Though he is kind of annoyed at how they just straight up ignored his situation with his uncle.

"Can I say something now?" Peter says gaining their attention, "I know you all are against this and I know you would have been when I made the suggestion, but I wouldn't have made it if there were better options."

Steve, being the most level-headed one in the group, asks Peter, "What are you talking about?"

Peter stands and begins to pace as he recalls what was told to him, "Okay, so the Phoenix Force right now isn't the big threat it was not too long ago. After Hope and Wanda used it to restore the mutants, it died. But being what it is, means it will come back. And when it does it will look for another host."

While three of the four Illuminati members don't fully understand, Strange figures where he's going, "You volunteered because you don't want some other poor soul to carry that burden."

Peter raises his hands defensively, "Hey after everything Hope went through and after this whole war with the X-Men, I figured this would be the least worse option."

Reed Richards rubs his head to alleviate the migraine he has, "Okay, but what makes you think you could handle the power better than anyone else."

Peter lifts two fingers up, "Two reasons. First I'm all about power and responsibility. It's my whole schtick. You all know that," they nod in agreement, "And two, I have the capability to manage it."

"Coem again?" Reed asks in surprise.

Peter rubs the back of his neck while he explains, "Well remember me mentioning the two big heads Order and Chaos at the trial," they nod, "I also mentioned that I essentially have access to chaos energy."

"Which is the same power Wanda uses," Tony says in revelation.

Peter nods in happy to see he got it, "Exactly! See I can now use that power to keep it in check."

While they can see how this plan has some merits, they are obviously still very concerned.

Cap decides to voice his concern, "Will that be enough?"

"Well, that and something else."

Captain America asks, "What else?"

At this point, Peter gets an uncomfortable expression on his face as he shuffles in place.

He looks to the resident magic user and asks, "Can you and I get a cone of silence or something?"

Strange raises an eyebrow at his request, "Why?"

He points to the three men he's not speaking to and says, "These three don't need to know and the only reason I'm telling you is because you are the only one who could help me."

"How?"

"Cone of silence," the good doctor seems reluctant, so Peter gives him a pleading look, "Please."

Strange rolls his eyes as he sighs exhaustively and walks to the younger man. He waves his hands around before he casts a spell to give the two of them privacy in the room. The rest of the men merely watch on and wait as the two go into the conversation in the cone of silence.

The younger man seems to be still hesitant to tell Strange something. The Sorcerer Supreme says something with a look of annoyance, which makes the young hero slump. Peter says something and Stephen gets a look of confusion.

Peter says something else then Stephen's expression morphs into bewilderment. Strange says something and Peter nods with an embarrassed look. They do this two more times.

Strange just looks at Peter in bewilderment before he rubs his face in exasperation. He waves his hands and the cone of silence disappears.

Tony looks at them both with amusement, "Well that was entertaining. It was like watching a Charlie Chaplin film."

Steve gives Tony a look before he focuses on the two in question, "Is there anything we need to know?"

Doctor Strange shifts his gaze to Peter then back at Cap and says, "No," he turns around and waves his hands to create a portal, "I'll be in touch."

The man steps through the portal and closes it behind him. The resurrected hero looks to the remaining members, who are all looking at him for an explanation.

He gives them an embarrassed look, "Look if I thought you guys needed to know, I'd tell you. But since you don't, I won't."

"What happened to the trust?" Tony asks jokingly with a hint of genuine hurt.

Peter raises his hands and says, "It's not about trust, it's more about…" he struggles to find the right word, but comes up short and sighs, "Look, just trust me on this. You don't need to know."