In a cozy and inviting home nestled in the heart of Queens, 15-year-old Peter Parker sat in his kitchens breakfast nook, adjusting his round glasses with a hint of absent-mindedness. The early morning sun streamed through the window, casting a warm glow on the room, filled with the faint smell of freshly brewed coffee.
As he cradled a bowl of cereal, his attention was suddenly captured by the lively chatter of the morning news anchor. He sat up straighter, forgetting the spoonful of flakes in his hand as a striking red and white figure flashed across the screen, sparking a rush of excitement and curiosity within him.
"No way, it's Atomic!" Peter said excitedly, gaining the attention of his aunt, May Parker. She turned to the small television set in the kitchen and watched as a reporter interviewed several New Yorkers.
"Hello, I'm Christine Everhart with WHiH World News. I'm in New York this morning to share several interviews I've conducted with those whom the new elusive hero, Atomic, has saved." Christine, a young and attractive woman with blonde hair, said to the viewers.
The image changed to show two young men standing in a street corner.
"We were out in the city bar hopping when all of a sudden, these four thugs cornered us. They were really scary looking and wanted our money and shoes." One of the young men, Carlos, said. "Right before they were about to jump us, Atomic swooped down and made these giant glowing hands and smacked them away!"
Jeff, the second young man, nodded. "Yeah! It was so awesome! Atomic even said he liked my shoes! Like, what?! How awesome is that!"
The image changed again to show a middle-aged woman with sunglasses, Lucy. In her hands was a small white dog.
"So there I was, walking my precious little darling here out of Prospect Park, when this idiot driving a Chamero almost ran us over! I was so terrified for my little princess! But right before that imbecile hit us, Atomic landed between us and lifted the Chamero into the air! Like, can you believe that?!"
Once more, the image changed to a balding man wearing blue overalls, Marco. He stood in front of a brand new glistening mechanic shop.
"Okay, so I was coming back to my shop, Little Marcos off Greenwich Avenue, after my lunch break. But when I arrived, I found it on fire! My entire livelihood was burning right before my eyes, and I was devastated!" Marco sniffed dramatically before continuing. "It was then that Atomic landed from the sky. He literally doused the flames! But he didn't stop there; he did this wave gesture, and my burnt shop was restored to its original condition, just as it was when I opened it fifteen years ago. Let me tell you, at first, I didn't like the guy. But after that? He's alright in my book."
A series of engaging interviews unfolded, each offering a glimpse into the diverse experiences surrounding Atomic. The atmosphere buzzed with anticipation as each new clip was revealed, showcasing unique individuals eager to share their personal stories and encounters with Atomic. Their passionate and insightful voices painted a vivid picture of the impact Atomic had on their lives.
Peter, wholly engrossed in the unfolding stories, wore an expression of boundless excitement as he absentmindedly stirred his cereal, now a mushy mess in his bowl. Initially, he was elated to discover that his hero, Iron Man, was none other than Tony Stark, one of the intellectual giants he deeply admired. But just as he was savoring that revelation, the emergence of Atomic swept onto the scene, captivating the public's imagination less than a month after Iron Man's debut.
"Peter? What are you still doing here, sport? You're going to miss the bus. Not to mention that field trip you were so excited for," Benjamin Parker said as he stepped into the kitchen.
"Oh, man! You're right! Sorry, Aunt May, I have to go!" Peter exclaimed as he left his bowl of mushy cereal and grabbed his backpack, rushing out of the house. "See you later!"
"Have a nice day!" May called out, but Peter was already out the door. "That boy..."
"He reminds me of Richard more and more each day," Ben said as he took a seat at the table. May walked over and placed a cup of freshly brewed coffee down in front of him. "Hm... which reminds me. I wonder how that boy is doing."
"Who are you talking about, Sweetheart?" May asked as she sat down.
"Oh, nothing. Just someone I met at a park a while back."
As Peter ran alongside his departing bus, he was unaware of the events that would unfold that day—events that would change the course of his life forever.
••o••o••o••
Wyatt and a small group of fellow New Yorkers gathered outside a bustling electronics store, their eyes glued to one of the large television screens prominently displayed in the glass window.
The screen flickered with vibrant colors, broadcasting a live news feed from the Senate Armed Services Committee in Washington, DC.
The central focus of the Committee's discussion was the potential acquisition of Tony Stark's Iron Man armor by the US Government.
"...Because I'm your nuclear deterrent. It's working. We're safe. America is secure. You want my property? You can't have it. But I did you a big favor," Tony Stark said and rose to his feet. His hands were raised, and he held out peace signs for the large crowd of government officials around him. "I've successfully privatized world peace."
At his declaration, everyone in the room stood and gave Tony a standing ovation. "What more do you want? For now! I tried to play ball with these ass clowns." Tony said and turned to motion to the Committee members.
"[beep] you, Mr Stark. [beep] you, buddy. We're adjourned. We're adjourned for today." Senator Sterns said with barely hidden anger. His profanity ended up being bleeped by the television broadcast." You've been a delight."
"Man, Tony Stark is such a boss." One of the onlookers said with wide eyes.
"I don't know... If he doesn't even listen to the government, who does he answer to?" Another more cautious onlooker said.
"Man, fuck the government!"
With a roll of his eyes, Wyatt walked away from the heated argument. He didn't care to hear two people argue their points.
Still, it's good that things are still following the events from the MCU. It shouldn't be too long before the attack on the Stark Expo happens. Gotta keep an eye on that. Wyatt thought as he reached an intersection. He and several others waited for the light to allow them to cross. "Now then, what should I wear to that party Kitty invited me to?"
Yesterday, Wyatt received an unexpected call from Kitty, who excitedly informed him that she and several other students from Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters were organizing a party at the mansion.
Wyatt couldn't help but find it a bit peculiar that Charles Xavier was allowing such a social event to take place. After all, the mansion was not just a school; it was a sanctuary for young mutants, and wild parties were far from the norm.
Despite his initial reservations, Wyatt couldn't help but be excited about it. It had been months of relentless work and dedication to his responsibilities as Atomic. The weight of it all had begun to take a toll on him, and he realized he was in dire need of a break.
The thought of reveling with the few friends he had, letting loose, and enjoying some much-needed fun was exactly what he needed. So, he set aside his concerns and looked forward to a night of laughter, dancing, and perhaps even a little mischief at the mansion.
Which reminds me, I need to bring Logan a thank-you gift. If it weren't for him, I'd resemble a crumbled soda can. Wyatt thought with a chuckle.
Without warning, a squad of police cars, their sirens blaring and lights flashing like urgent beacons, rushed past Wyatt's right, racing after a speeding vehicle that wove dangerously through the streets.
The high-pitched wail of the sirens pierced the air, drawing the attention of curious onlookers who paused mid-conversation, their eyes widening in surprise. They gathered on the sidewalks, a mix of bewilderment and excitement on their faces, as the high-speed chase unfolded before them, engines roaring and tires screeching.
"It never stops," Wyatt muttered and jogged into an alleyway.
After making sure there weren't any people or cameras in sight, Wyatt's suit shimmered over him.
Now in costume, Atomic shot up into the sky and flew after the speeding vehicles.
As he flew over the city streets below, the people underneath looked up to see him fly past them with a stream of red light trailing behind him.
"Look! It's Atomic!"
"Holy shit!"
"Marry me!"
Atomic tuned out the chaos around him, deliberately ignoring the cacophony of screams and shouts that pierced the air. His eyes remained locked on his target: an elusive vehicle weaving through the early morning traffic. The car maneuvered deftly, swerving past startled commuters and avoiding the increasing number of police cars that trailed behind it like a pack of hungry wolves.
Inside the speeding vehicle, Flint Marko and Alexander O'Hirn exchanged gleeful glances, their laughter ringing out amidst the tension. Their eyes gleamed with excitement as they eyed the bags of cash piled high on the back seats, each bag bulging with ill-gotten gains.
The thrill of their successful heist intertwined with the adrenaline of the chase, fueling their bravado as they reveled in their audacious escape.
"Hah! Talk about a score!" Alexander laughed as Flint turned the corner with a drift. Almost hitting a jogger, were it not for a glowing hand pulling the jogger back.
"Hey, did you see that?" Flint asked as he looked at his rearview mirror, only to see nothing but the chasing police cars.
"What are you talking about? I don't see nothin'." Alexander said and turned to look back.
With their attention fixated on the commotion behind them, they were oblivious to the woman maneuvering a stroller across the street. It wasn't until the horrifying realization struck that they sensed the danger, and all they could do was scream in unison with the terrified mother.
Flint slammed his foot down on the brake, but the tires screeched in protest, unable to overcome the speed he was gaining. Time seemed to stretch as the inevitable collision loomed closer, a heart-stopping moment suspended in dread.
In an instant, a shimmering barrier of vibrant energy enveloped the woman and her child, casting an ethereal glow around them as Atomic descended gracefully from above.
With a precise and commanding wave of his hands, Flint and Alexander's vehicle shifted. It transformed into smoke, sending plumes of dust spiraling into the air and propelling the two criminals forward at breakneck speeds.
As they hurtled through the air, Atomic's deft movements culminated in a dazzling flick of his wrist. Suddenly, a massive, glowing catcher's mitt materialized, stretching out like an unyielding shield, ready to intercept them. It snared both criminals mid-air, their startled expressions frozen in disbelief as they were caught as if they were baseballs.
"You okay?" Atomic asked the woman behind him.
She nodded silently and quickly moved to check on her baby. "Oh, thank god. Thank you!"
Atomic nodded firmly, his focus unwavering as he gently assisted the woman in getting away from the chaotic street. Her face was pale, eyes wide with disbelief, and her limbs seemed to move sluggishly as if her mind was struggling to process what had just happened.
"Keep an eye on them," Atomic instructed one of the bystanders, a young man who quickly nodded in response, his expression serious at Atomic's command.
Around them, a crowd had begun to form, captivated by the scene unfolding before them. Several individuals were extending their phones, capturing the moment in pictures and videos, their murmurs of disbelief punctuating the air.
In the back, Flint and Alexander tried to escape with their bags of money but were quickly foiled as their money transformed into large snakes made of steel chains. They wrapped themselves around their bodies and, with a jerk, brought them down to the ground.
"Hey! That was our score!" Alexander yelled but was quickly silenced as the very air around him and Flint grew exponentially heavy. It pressed them into the ground, causing them to struggle to take a breath.
"You two... do you know what you almost did? You almost killed an innocent woman and her child. And for what? Money?" Atomic said lowly, causing both Alexander and Flint to sweat. "What were you thinking?"
"T-that... was an accident. We didn't mean to..." Flint struggled to say.
Atomic remained silent and lifted the pressure from them. He turned to the police, who had finally arrived. "Freeze!" One of the officers yelled, his gun raised. "On the ground. Now!"
"Hey! Don't you know who he is?!" Shouted a young woman from the crowd. Her short, scruffy black bob cut framed her face, accented by vibrant violet streaks in her bangs.
With determined brown eyes, she pointed toward the figure standing defiantly before the officers. "That's Atomic! He just saved that woman from danger and did your job for you! So how about you put down your guns and show some respect?!"
The tension in the air shifted as her voice resonated with conviction, stirring the onlookers around her. One by one, more pedestrians joined in, echoing her support for Atomic. Their collective voices grew louder, transforming the once-quiet scene into a cacophony of solidarity.
The officers exchanged nervous glances, their expressions shifting from authority to uncertainty as they realized the strength of public sentiment rallying around this unexpected hero.
Atomic looked around at the support he was receiving and smiled lightly behind his visor. With a small wave, the steel chains around Alexander and Flint transformed into handcuffs.
"They're all yours," Atomic said to the police and began to hover in the air. He turned to the short-haired girl, 17-year-old Chihaya "Go Go" Tomago, and nodded at her before flying away.
Go Go watched Atomic fly away with a grin. "So cool."