"Just like that? You trust a sixteen-year-old to redesign your life-support system?"
"I trust the sixteen-year-old who already saved my life once. Yeah." Tony met his eyes. "You're not normal, Parker. You think differently. See solutions others miss. I need that. The world needs that."
Peter felt the weight of responsibility settling on his shoulders. This was it. The moment where he became part of something bigger. Where he helped create Iron Man.
"Okay," Peter said. "Show me everything. The reactor. The armor. The weapons systems. I'll help you make it better."
Tony's grin returned. "Now we're talking. JARVIS, give Parker full access. Level One clearance."
"Acknowledged, sir," a smooth British voice responded from everywhere and nowhere. "Welcome to the team, Mr. Parker."
Peter's eyes widened. "You already have a personal AI?"
"Early version. Still working out the kinks. But yeah. AI assistant. Makes things easier." Tony gestured to a workstation. "Park yourself. Let's get started. We've got an armor to perfect."
Peter sat down. Pulled up the holographic controls. His fingers moved through the interface naturally. His enhanced Mind processed the data faster than the screens could display it.
"Jesus," Tony muttered. "You're fast. Like, unnaturally fast with data processing."
"I practice a lot," Peter deflected.
"Right. Practice." Tony didn't sound convinced. "Well, whatever. Fast is good. We've got a lot to cover."
They worked for the next three hours. Peter made suggestions. Tony implemented them. Back and forth. Peer to peer. Two brilliant minds working in perfect sync.
Peter redesigned the power distribution system. Improved efficiency by 34%. Redesigned the flight stabilizers. Added redundancy to critical systems. Enhanced the weapons targeting.
Every change made the suit better. Stronger. More capable.
"You're a goddamn genius," Tony said at one point. "I mean, I knew you were smart. But this. This is next level."
"You're not bad yourself," Peter replied with a slight smile.
"Flattery will get you everywhere. Keep going."
They worked through lunch. JARVIS ordered food. They ate while reviewing schematics. Neither wanted to stop.
At 2:47 PM, Peter checked his phone. He had messages from MJ and Gwen. Reminders about the 3 PM training session.
"I have to go," Peter said reluctantly.
"Already? We're just getting started."
"I have something important. Can't miss it."
Tony studied him. "Something more important than building Iron Man?"
"Something equally important. Personal. I promised people I'd be there."
"Fair enough." Tony saved their progress. "But this isn't done. I need you back here. Soon. We've got a lot more work to do."
"I'll come back. Tomorrow maybe. After school."
"Deal." Tony walked him to the elevator. "Thanks, kid. Seriously. You've helped more than you know."
"You would have figured it out eventually."
"Maybe. But you made it faster. Better. That matters." Tony put a hand on Peter's shoulder. "You're going to do something important, Parker. I don't know what yet. But I can tell. You've got that look. Like you're planning something big."
'If only you knew,' Peter thought.
"Just trying to help where I can," Peter said aloud.
"Keep doing that. World needs more people like you."
The elevator arrived. Peter stepped in. The doors started to close.
"Hey Parker," Tony called out. "Whatever you're involved in. Whatever secret thing you're doing. Be careful. The world's dangerous. Especially for people who want to make a difference."
Peter met his eyes. "I will. You too."
The doors closed. The elevator descended. Peter checked his phone. 2:51 PM. He had nine minutes to reach the warehouse in Queens.
'Time to test my speed properly,' Peter thought.
He exited Stark Tower. Found an alley. Looked around. No cameras. No witnesses.
Then he ran. Full speed. His enhanced body pushed to its limits.
The world became a blur. Buildings rushed past. His spider-sense guided him. Warned him of obstacles before he reached them. His enhanced reflexes let him dodge and weave through traffic without slowing.
He covered the distance from Manhattan to Queens in four minutes. Arrived at the warehouse at 2:58 PM.
'Faster than any car could do it,' Peter realized. 'I'm already approaching speedster levels just from the basic spider enhancement.'
He entered the warehouse through a side door. The space was large. Empty. Perfect for training.
MJ and Gwen were already there. Both looking nervous. Both clearly struggling with their new abilities.
"You made it," MJ said with relief.
"Told you I would." Peter closed the door. Engaged the locks. Activated the privacy measures he'd installed. "Okay. Let's begin your training. Time to learn what you can really do."
The first training session of the Spider-Family was about to begin.
And nothing would ever be the same.
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