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Chapter Text

 

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 A New Path

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Stephen Strange saw fourteen million possibilities in which Thanos could win and out of those possibilities he only saw one where Tony Stark dies but that bothers him because being the Master of the Mystic Arts he was thought to keep an open mind to any kind of possibilities because every single minute could be considered as a life changer.

He meditated.

The Time Stone shone and showed him another possibility that he missed, a path that was woven by Peter Benjamin Parker only in this alternate universe, Peter is called Penelope Beatrice Parker who donned the alias of Spider-man at the age of thirteen, a year earlier than Peter Parker, a late-bloomer that made it easier for her to be mistaken for a man. Penelope has an eidetic memory, diagnosed with mild ADHD that lead her to focus on the subjects that challenge her thinking capacities like Mathematics, Physics, Calculus, Biology, Chemistry, and Astronomy.

Her parents took notice that Penelope also seems to have an abundance of energy and when she was walking as a toddler, her attention would be captured by ballet dancers. Thus at the age of three, she was considered the exceptional youngest student that Madame Faustine Beaumont has ever taught. Despite the prodigy like behavior, Penelope was timid and often picked on for being to pick up things faster than kids her age. Ridiculed for being smart and kind, Penelope kept most of her sassy behavior to herself as she feared to be noticed by her tormentors. 

Stephen frowned at that, this girl has so much potential and they would bring her down because they were jealous at the countless things she could do...

Fast-forwarding to six-year-old, Penelope's parents were murdered and that is when the first part of the web started to weave.

Blood. Pain...

'It hurts... Mommy... Daddy...' The little girl whimpered as her body slumped to the side, her neck was bruised and a clear sign of a hand that tried to strangle her and a deep cut on her left arm. The people who came to hurt them left so abruptly that they forgot to kill her. Penelope Parker felt everything in her life started to fall apart the moment she saw the broken and mangled remains of her Father... And her violated Mother was enough that she screamed so loud that the Norns lost themselves in brief flashes of what is to come.

"The cast-off Prince will run and find himself lost but will find his way into the arms of his redemption and with his redemption shall be our salvation from the Mad Titan."

 

Frigga sat up abruptly with the vision that the Norns had sent her, to prepare for the worse and to prepare herself. "What has the Norns sent you, Wife?" Odin asked with his eye glistening in worry that made the Asgardian Queen sigh. "War, a war where our sons would be in the middle of it. We must prepare because this war will not affect only us but the entire universe, Thor must be disciplined and Loki must be told before all is lost." She said calmly but her voice had a tinge of worry for her sons, nevermind herself or her husband.

"Loki? Why must we tell him?" Odin asked stiffly while Frigga turned to him with a serious look. "Because if we don't, we may lose not only our son to a madman but we'll also lose the upcoming war. Nevermind the armies, without their leaders, they will die." Odin wanted to argue for the sake that he was protecting Loki from himself and the hurtful truth but knowing that the Norns themselves sent a clear vision, not their usual vague messages, and the fact that they didn't even visit the Norns, they did it themselves and sent Frigga the vision.

"If it will be for the good then I shall tell Loki."

How can I say this without breaking
How can I say this without taking over
How can I put it down into words
When it's almost too much for my soul alone...

- Hurts Like Hell by Fleurie

 

 

Two pristine white caskets with gold detailing were closed due to how grotesquely disfigured they were, a man and woman laid to rest while a little girl sat at the front pew holding a beaten and battered teddy bear with a stained lab coat that is identified as dried blood. Her normal bright amber eyes were dulled and her hair laid limply to the side, the light brown color was dulled. It wasn't the same after Penelope's parents died, she is the sole witness of the murder of her parents that it felt there was a neverending line of people that said their condolences on such a heinous crime.

Her father was brutally beaten to death while her mother was raped and her neck snapped effortlessly while she got an almost crushed windpipe, a large gash on her right side which was sure to scar, a scar that left her a permanent reminder of what she lost.

She was young, yes but unlike the other kids her age, she wasn't stupid nor was oblivious of what happened despite what the child Psychologist is trying to do...

Penelope knew her parents are gone, they were never coming back and no force on Earth could give them back to her. It was the sore and hurtful truth that a six-year-old would conclude, people told her that everything is going to be okay but they weren't her, they don't know how she's feeling inside or her thoughts. "Penny, honey?" Her Uncle Ben was in front of her, she was blank and he was afraid for her...

This was something that a child should never experience.

"I know you heard this a million times now but I just want to say... Everything is gonna get better if we all try, I'm not saying you forget everything but I'm just saying..."

"That we should try and be happy?" She offered to say with a broken smile while holding back his sob, Ben hugged his niece. 

She didn't cry while her parents were being lowered six feet underground, she held her Aunt May and Uncle Ben's hand.

They cried for them, they cried for her.

But she didn't.

She had to be strong.

Chapter Text

Chapter Two: Weave the Webs

 

"All for one, and one for all.

 

 

 

Death was such a morbid topic to talk about to a child.

Penelope was getting tired of the countless that talks she was getting from the adults, she maybe six but she isn't slow, she doesn't need a constant reminder. "Hey honey, Harry and MJ are here." Aunt May said while the young brunette nodded and seeing her friends, she got engulfed in a hug. "We came here as soon as we heard about Mary and Richard..."

"Come on, Pen." Harry tugged her to the other room where MJ followed. "Hey..." "They're gone, forever."

"Well, aren't you too morbid, Miss Sunshine-" "Harry!" MJ roughly elbowed her fellow six-year-old while the brunette managed to muster up a sad smile. "What this idiot means to say is, Aunt Mary and Uncle Richard may be gone but we're still here for you, Pen." The curly-haired child said. "I know, Three Musketeers and all."She replied and they just ended up sitting on the floor talking about things that only three kid geniuses would know. "Hey Pen, I'm glad that you're alive... I still have my best friend." Harry said while Penelope gave both her friends a side hug. "Yeah, I don't think MJ would allow me to die without ripping the Reaper off." The said girl muttered a 'damn right' before the three of them dissolved into laughter.

The door closed with a quiet click.

"Harry and MJ seem to have a good effect on Penelope," May said a bit of a rueful smile on her face. "How long has Penelope been unresponsive?" Norman Osborn asked,  contrary to belief just because he was a bastard most of the time doesn't mean he's always been one, Penelope and MJ have always been like daughters to him and they treated Harry like he was their brother, there was no shady dealings and his son has friends who like him for him and not his money or title. He can deal with his son's slight distance from him but Penelope and MJ know that there is so much more, they're smart like that.

He appreciates the wisdom those two displayed at a young age.

"Dr. Vans said that Penelope developed a type of defensive structure in her mind, she compartmentalized her memories. Penelope is shielding her mind from what happened and Dr. Vans wants to know what kind of trigger whether word or images would tear down the defense."Ben said with a frowned afterward. "Why would the Doctor trigger Penelope? Isn't this a good thing that she developed a defense?" Micheal Jones asked while Norman scoffed. "You're looking at this at a one-sided perspective, Jones. Imagine if Penelope went to school and her peers began to question her? Push her and one of them triggers her defenses or a teacher, perhaps a stranger on the street? We don't even know what would it do to her." He said with a disapproving tone and the uncanny truth gave the adults an unsettling feeling.

"The Doc wants Penelope on meds until then," Ben added grimly while May sighed. "No, you don't know what it would do to Penelope's cognitive capability." Patricia Jones said, being a school counselor gave her a slight insight into the lives of some of her students and how adding medication isn't viable unless completely necessary. "I agree with Patricia, Ben... Mary, It's been a hard couple of weeks for you both and for Penelope. She, MJ and Harry could stay at the Villa?"Norman offered while the Parker couple looked at each other contemplating the offer.

"We still have to look over the house... Mary and Richard left everything to Penelope but she wouldn't be able to access it until she's eighteen years old-" 

Noman knew what they were hinting at and remained impassive. "What are you able to get from the lawyer?" He asked while Mary handed over the paper to Norman, Richard and Mary trusted Norman even if the older Osborn gave a shifty vibe, he seems to genuinely care about Penelope's well-being and it was a risk that both the Parkers took. "Enough for Penelope's daily needs and education but what about you two?" Ben rubbed his forehead. "We'll manage Norman-" "Being able to manage is different from exhaustion and starvation, Ben. You know how Penelope is, she won't stand for it."Micheal looked pointedly at the man.

They knew that Ben had a stubborn streak that they had to break or she and May would suffer. "We do need more capable hands at OsCorp, Ben. In the Mechanical area, you could be apprenticed." Norman offered while Ben tried to be thankful and turn down the offer but May put her foot down. "Ben, whether we like it or not we will need this in the future. I'm not saying that Penelope is a hassle but Penelope is a very talented girl and it would be an insult to Richard and Mary that we stop all of the lessons she took because we couldn't afford it."She said politely but her tone was firm with her stubborn husband.

"Does Penelope need all those lessons?"He asked her while Patricia coughed to gain their attention. "To answer your question, Ben. Yes, Penelope needs a type of grounding or normality in all of these but maybe we should ask Penelope on what lessons she wants to stop, right, sweetie?" The adults looked at the door where three kids were unsuccessful at their spying. "I- uh- I mean... I could stop them so it doesn't bother anyone." The adults gave Ben a pointed look where he looked sheepishly and sighed. "Mighty Pen, it isn't about affording it that bothers me, it's about how it's going to affect you. I mean, kids your age usually play outside with other kids and go to school. Do you really want to go to ... Advanced classes, dance lessons, and martial art lessons?" He asked while the little girl bit her bottom lip.

"Dad added those Advance lessons for me so I could challenge myself because he saw that the curriculum was too slow and would only deteriorate my brain cells." Norman chuckled at that because he knew about the conversation. "Besides, I take those lessons with Harry and MJ so it doesn't bother me if I don't make other friends, they won't understand me and they'll end up bullying me for being too smart." She added softly and again, Ben could feel the hard stare of everyone. "But making new friends could be nice, maybe you'll meet someone as smart as you?"He said optimistically while she shrugged. "And if not?" For a kid, Penelope is a bit of a pessimist.

"Language lessons?" 

"Harry and I have a competition on who can say communicate in different languages." Norman looked at his son who shrugged. "We were bored and MJ is taking the score."He said and the curly-haired girl pulled out a little notebook."Penelope is in the lead with one language, she currently has four which is English, Spanish, French and Italian while Harry has three, English, Spanish and Russian." She told the adults blankly. "And what about you?" Her mom asked with a twitch of her lips. "I could barely understand the English language, I'm not like these idiots who went ahead and learned another language without fully knowing their own native tongue." Her sassy remarked earned her Dad's groan while her Mom tried to give her sassy six-year-old a reprimanding look but failed.

"Dance lessons?"

"Mom wanted me to realize my excess energy and to make me flexible so that when I take my Self-Defense lessons." She replied with a said with a sad tone. "Uncle Ben, this is New York, there's always a crook nearby hiding in the dark." Harry pointed out while the two girls nodded. "She and MJ share the same instructor," Micheal added while the girls shared a smile. "Yeah, Maria Hill is a badass-" "Language, young lady." Patricia reprimanded her daughter.

"Yes, Mom."

Dear Journal,

 

My name is Penelope Beatrice Parker, daughter of Richard and Mary Parker, niece of Ben and May Parker. I am currently six years old and I lost my parents and I'm currently wirting in the journal that my godfather gave me because it's theraputhic for a six year old that witnessed her parents' gruesome murder. I don't know what else to say besides that I wish they would just stop treating me that I'll break. I just want this to be over, it hurts and I don't want to remember it anymore.

 

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"What do you mean, I'm going?" The young Osborn heir asked almost in a rude tone borderline anger at his Father. "You're my heir, Harry and as much as I want you to be with Penelope and MJ, I can't leave you here alone."Harry felt himself boil. "You have nor problem leaving me before, why now?" Norman felt those stabs and barely let any emotion show. "Whoever is after Richard and Mary are still out there... Penelope's survival is out of pure luck and I have reasons to believe that whatever Richard and Mary had... The people who murdered them are looking for it."Norman sighed while Harry narrowed his eyes.

For a six-year-old, Harry has a potent glare but it would take years for Norman to be shaken. "You and Uncle Richard were working on something, Penny said that Uncle Richard and you were working on a project, is it because of that? You know it and we're targeted." Norman didn't flinch but gave a tiny nod to his son, unlike Richard, he was giving the facts ahead of time so his son could be prepared. "We split the project so that in situations like this happened, we prepared safeguards and hours before the Parkers were murdered, Richard sent me the signal to initiate the purge process from the servers." Harry's eyes widened at the words and he shook with anger.

"They knew they were getting murdered that night, you knew that were going to get murdered that night! Why didn't you call the police, why didn't they just leave?!"Norman slammed his hands on his desk and Harry saw the cold fury of his Father's eyes. "You think I didn't tell them to hide? Do you think all those times that I invited them here to stay the night was just for politeness? No, Harry. You've barely scratched the surface of the truth and this truth will shake you to the core."He was trying to calm down but it didn't do him any good.

He lost his best friends, he lost the two people who entrusted him with a lot of secrets.

"What happens to Penelope?"Harry asked while Norman looked away. 

"We have a week before we leave, Harry. I suggest you tell your goodbyes to Penelope and MJ.

One Week Later

There's a time that I remember, when I did not know no pain
When I believed in forever, and everything would stay the same
Now my heart feel like December when somebody say your name
'Cause I can't reach out to call you, but I know I will one day, yeah

- Memories by Maroon 5

The news of Harry leaving was devastating to everyone, especially for the girls. The Parkers and Jones along with the girls were at a private airstrip to say their goodbyes to the Osborn son and Father. It was bittersweet because after everything the trio will be separated but the girls as much as they want to throw a tantrum, cry or anything... They didn't because they knew there is something going on, something that is beyond the capability of a six-year-old to know because they don't understand the basics.

Norman hated the feeling of desolation but this had to be done for safety and security but one day they'll return.

"Do you really have to go?" May asked Norman as they looked at the kids hugging each other. "Richard left me with something important that I have to finish and I intend to honor him and his wife by finishing it."He replied and tried to tear his eyes off the scene with the three kids. "This is going to be hard for the three of them," Patricia said while her husband gave her a side hug. "Knowing those three, they would bend all things in Heaven and Earth just to contact each other."Ben chuckled while Norman let a smile slip on his face.

In the week that was given before their departure, the girls stayed at the Osborn Manor where the trio was barely separated and from the sounds of tools tinkering and chatter that didn't cease even if he told them to go to sleep, no, those three were curled up on the bed with various tools scattered them and Harry's laptop open with various codes and programs running.

Project: Legacy

The title was catchy.

Norman noted that whatever they were working on is something those three would take to the grave because when he tried to access it, the program was self-aware that it detected that he wasn't one of its creators which was impressive for three six-year-olds. It's a good thing he never treated them like kids but people with intellectual capability. If only Penelope and MJ's parents and guardian understood that they may be kids but their brains aren't. Treating them like they're just ordinary kids is insulting them.

"Mr. Osborn, we're ready to take off." The pilot told him and he nodded. "We'll follow soon." The pilot gave a curt nod. 

"Harry." The three kids looked at each other mirroring the expressions of dread. "Promise us that you'll contact us every day, Blondie." MJ threatened her blonde friend but the threat was barely even a threat because it was ruined with a quiver. "Stay safe, Harry and please, don't do anything stupid," Penelope said while Harry choked on his cry.

"Of course I won't do anything stupid without you three, I need alibis and accomplices."

When the Osborns boarded the private jet they felt like a world was torn but it was a necessary evil.

"Can we go back?"

"Someday..."