"You know me. Did he tell you?"
Gwen frowned slightly.
"No. Besides being Oscorp's Security Director, I am also an Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.," Natasha said with a charming smile. "Miss Stacy, would you like to know more about S.H.I.E.L.D.?"
"S.H.I.E.L.D.?"
"Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division. Founded after WWII to fight Hydra. Captain America, Steve Rogers, was our first asset."
"Captain America?" Gwen's eyes lit up. He was a legend.
"Yes. You saw the news. We found him in the ice. He's alive."
Natasha steered the conversation skillfully. She knew Steve Rogers was an icon. Compared to Vincent Hall, Gwen Stacy—Ghost Spider—was a pure-hearted neighborhood hero.
Natasha sighed internally. Environment mattered. Vincent grew up in Hell's Kitchen; Gwen grew up in a stable home.
Natasha had investigated the Vatican Incident. Conclusion: The Church struck first, and Vincent retaliated with absolute force. He was a prickly hedgehog—touch him, and you bleed.
"Frozen for 70 years and still alive? Amazing," Gwen marveled.
"Aren't you afraid I'll tell Vincent you're an agent?"
"He knows," Natasha replied. "I joined Oscorp because he helped me capture the Lizard."
"What?" Gwen was shocked. "He helped you catch Dr. Connors?"
"Oh? He really keeps you in the dark, doesn't he?" Natasha felt a perverse satisfaction. Even the "main girlfriend" knew nothing.
She decided not to mention she had slept with him. That would be cruel. But letting Gwen know she was being deceived? fair game.
"The Ice Demon?" Gwen whispered, her mood plummeting.
Natasha nodded.
"He lied to me," Gwen said fiercely.
"You didn't know?"
"I... I knew he wrote that trashy novel."
"Fifty Shades of Grey?" Natasha suppressed a smile. She actually liked it.
"He told you?"
"No. S.H.I.E.L.D. investigates everyone. We were shocked a teenager wrote... that."
"Join us, Gwen," Natasha urged softly. "You can help guide him. His power is too great. Only you can restrain the demon."
Gwen hesitated. "Let me think about it."
She was happy before. Now, knowing Vincent was the Ice Demon... she felt betrayed. And worried.
New York. That Night.
Vincent picked up the Stacys from the airport.
He sensed Gwen's mood but said nothing. He could read her mind, but he chose not to.
Later that night, Gwen climbed through his window.
Vincent was watching the news. Magneto had moved the Golden Gate Bridge.
"You owe me an explanation," Gwen stood in front of the TV, crossing her arms.
Vincent's heart skipped a beat. Did she find out about the harem?
Calm down. Read her mind.
Ah. Natasha. You little fox. Trying to poach my girlfriend.
"What explanation?"
"You never told me you were the Ice Demon."
"Did I mention the time I saved people and someone kicked me in the face?" Vincent smirked.
"That was to save my dad!" Gwen argued.
"Your dad shot at me. Did I fight back? I stood there and took it."
Gwen paused. That was true.
"You froze Hell's Kitchen. The Triads. Kingpin's men."
"Human traffickers. Organ harvesters. Murderers. I froze them so they couldn't hurt anyone else. Are they worth your pity?"
Gwen faltered. "But the Vatican? That was... the Vatican!"
"Do you believe in God?"
"Not really."
"The Crusaders tried to behead me. They called me a demon. They attacked first. I just sent them to meet their God."
Vincent's voice was cold. Gwen shivered.
"And the Carrier Strike Group? If I hadn't been with you that night, the military would have kidnapped you to force me into a trap."
"They kidnapped Jessica Jones. They strapped a nuke to her. I walked into the trap. I survived. I froze the fleet to send a message: Leave me alone."
"I did it to survive. To protect us."
Gwen was silent. The scale of his world was terrifying.
"Gwen, you are lucky. You can hide. But mutants? Kids are being hunted. Power is a sin if you're not the government."
"I don't want you involved because my world is dark."
"If you get angry... will you destroy the world?" Gwen asked quietly.
"Why would I?" Vincent laughed. "Earth is a speck. Odin exists. The Phoenix exists. I'm just trying to survive."
"If I get the chance, I'll take you to space. Show you the universe."
"Promise me one thing," Gwen said, sitting next to him. "Never hurt innocent people."
"Deal."
Gwen relaxed. She leaned into him.
"Hey, get your hand off my..."
"I missed you."
"No. I promised Mom I wouldn't stay over."
Vincent wrapped her in a water dragon.
"Too late. Let me show you a new trick. Hydro-Kinesis: Water Moon Reflection."
"Can powers be used for... that?"
"Power isn't just for killing."
Gwen tried to resist, but she melted.
S.H.I.E.L.D. HQ.
"Spider-Beast Peter and Green Goblin Harry... Tier 2 Genes?" Fury was livid. "We are outgunned."
"Oscorp's tech is exceeding ours," Hill noted.
"We need to stop the Monster Army," Fury said. "Find Connors. Kill him if you have to. He cannot join Hydra."
"Natasha is going to Siberia to find her old team—and Connors," Hill reported.
"Good. Barton, go get Banner. I'll talk to Stark and Cap. The Avengers must assemble."
"Also... Maria. You applied for Oscorp?"
"Yes. Security Director. Replacing Natasha."
"Get the Super Soldier Serum sample," Fury ordered.
"Understood."
Hill left. She knew the risks. Beware the Demon's temptation.
Oscorp Tower. Next Day.
Vincent walked in. Everyone looked at him with awe. The real boss.
He checked the news.
Magneto captured. "Cured." Imprisoned.
Jean Grey dead.
Professor X vaporized.
Or so they think.
"The New Mutant Era has begun," Vincent mused. "Jean is sealed, not dead. Charles transferred his consciousness."
Raven walked in. "Gwen is back?"
"Yes."
"Sandi and Inez reported to Security. Good assets."
"Natasha resigned," Raven added. "S.H.I.E.L.D. sent a replacement. Maria Hill."
"Hill?" Vincent grinned. "Rare guest. What does she want?"
"She wants the Super Soldier Serum."
"If she wants an injection, fine. If she wants a sample to take away... that's a negotiation."
Vincent signed some papers, then left.
He drove to Westchester County.
Xavier's School.
He stood before a tombstone.
Jean Grey.
"The Phoenix Force cannot be destroyed."
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