It's been like, what, three months? I'd do the whole jazz of apologizing for taking so long to publish, well, anything, but at this point it just boils down to the simple fact that my life cannot handle a writing schedule right now. So please, bear with me. I will never leave a published story unfinished. It's just going to take me some time to finish

With that out of the way, please enjoy this short story! You could say it's barely a nibble of the feast that is to come. - Darthkvzn

Disclaimer to end all disclaimers: I own nothing but the actual story!

The first time I ran into S.H.I.E.L.D., I could not believe my bad luck. It was about four and a half months after I got my powers, and half a year from the formation of the Avengers, Earth's Mightiest Heroes Who Don't Exactly Go And Help Other Supers.

I may or may not have still been a bit miffed from doing the Lizard thing all by myself, with a bit of Stacy family help, so there.

There I was, innocently swinging around Midtown late at night, wondering what I should get Gwen for Valentine's this year, when some kind of large aircraft began hovering behind me. It had no lights on, no visible markings, and was making very little noise for such a big plane-helicopter thingy. It was obviously following me, so I decided to make contact on my own terms - by going splat on their windshield.

Like the brits (probably) say, I do fancy myself a cheeky bastard.

What I got as a result was a one-eyed glare back from the man in the cockpit, and an arrow of all things pointed at my darling face by a blond dude with purple shades from behind said pirate - er, man.

I held my hands up in surrender, and the aircraft suddenly lurched backward, setting down on the roof of some random building with a heavy thud. I immediately leapt backwards, keeping my hands behind my back, but my fingers tensed and ready for some web slinging action. From the back of the aircraft the two men came out, One-Eyed Goatee exuding a calm attitude, and Blond Errol Flynn tense, much like the bowstring with the arrow he still pointed at me.

-"Whoa there, Merida! We're all friends here, right? Strangers that might be friends...somewhat...eventually, maybe?" -I stuttered, trying to get a feel for their intentions.

The man with the eyepatch snorted, lifting his eyebrow. Non-Beautiful Legolas wasn't amused. "Right, tough crowd. I'm your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man!" -I pointed a thumb at my chest, then continued. "Got a name, fellas? Or am I going to have to fill in the blanks with more nicknames?" -I asked. Eyepatch guy turned to Mr. Bow & Arrow, and gestured for him to lower his weapon. I released a breath I hadn't known I was holding, but my relief was cut short by the cold, calculating look I got from the guy in the trench coat. I idly wondered how he managed to do that with a single remaining eye, before shaking myself out of my hyperactive train wreck of a thought process.

-"You sound younger than I expected." -the man said. I crossed my arms, annoyed. "Well, excuse me for not living up to your expectations, I suppose."

The man held up his chin, moving his arms behind him. "Oh, I wouldn't worry about my expectations, young man. In fact, I'd say you've taken the bar I set for you, beat up a few assholes with it, and tossed it aside like it was a toothpick. I'd even go so far as to say you're in the big leagues now, kid." -he said, and I thanked my lucky charms (stars?) that my enhanced vision let me see the outraged expression on Bullseye's face, the whole 10 milliseconds it lasted. I rubbed my chin, feigning deep thought.

-"Gee, that sounds important. I don't think Purple Arrow over there is alright with that statement though. Besides, I don't even know your names, or where you came from, or where you got that sweet VTOL of yours." -I said, pointing out the large aircraft. Trench coat guy rolled his eye, turning to the Marksman. "I really hope I'm not going to have to do this every time we meet a potential new guy." -he said, then turned back to face me. "I'm Nick Fury, Director of S.H.I.E.L.D., and this is Agent Barton, otherwise known as Hawkeye. We're here because we want to talk to you about the Avengers Initiative."

You could've heard a pin drop a mile away. I could've heard it all the way down on Malibu, but then again, I'm special. Special enough, apparently, to join the Avengers. I didn't know much about S.H.I.E.L.D. other than the fact that they'd been heavily involved with clean-up after the alien invasion, but I did know the Avengers. Like I said, I was a little angry that they hadn't come when Dr. Connors was slithering about. It was my responsibility, for sure, and I meant it when I said as much to Gwen, but thinking back on it, even if I hadn't needed the help (which I could've), Captain Stacy certainly would've. Back before my powers, when the Avengers first formed, I couldn't help but fall in love with the idea of them. Heroes with everyday lives, yet gifted with extraordinary powers that they used to help the innocent and weak (like me, mostly). George Stacy had not been a weak man by any stretch of the imagination, but he was hopelessly outmatched.

Maybe I was blaming the Avengers for my own shortcomings, but I wasn't yet at the stage where I could overcome philosophical challenges like that yet. Hell, I was only 17; my thoughts were probably only centered around Gwen at that time. In any given case, I shook my head; not ten seconds had passed.

-"I'm really sort of sorry, Mr. Fury, but I think I'm going to have to decline. I have something resembling a life outside of my righteous vigilantism, and I'd like to keep it. Besides, I have somewhat of a grudge against your team." -I said, as politely as possible, muttering "No offense." at the actual Avenger in the roof, who rolled his eyes in return. Fury actually smirked.

-"You and half the population of New York. Saving the city doesn't seem to count as much as the billions in property damage." -he said, conversationally. I frowned. "See, that's another thing. I saved the city, too, and didn't wreck half of Midtown in the process. You know what was wrecked though? Captain Stacy's family, when they found out he died being my only help. He's dead so you didn't have to grow scales, and where were you? Where were the Avengers, huh? Why are you trying to recruit someone like me, anyway? The Captain was ten times the man I'll ever be!" -I argued hotly. Fury stiffened, glaring at me.

-"Yeah? Well you're ten times stronger than any normal man can ever be!" -he shouted back.

In my defense, that was exactly the wrong thing to say. Dude must not have been used to handle emotional people in their late teens, because I swear I saw red right then and there. I didn't even think about it, I just shot, almost impossibly fast. Hawkeye first, Director Make-Me-Furious last. I stuck them to the fuselage of their ship, so tightly that they'd probably need someone to come and cut them loose. I walked up to them, fuming.

-"That's just what it is, isn't it. You just need my strength and abilities. You don't care about the people you've recruited, do you? As far as I can tell, they're just means to an end. And noble as that end maybe, I'll have no part in your damned Initiative." -I stated, then cut open a slit for their noses and mouths. I turned around, gathering some speed for jumping, when I heard the Director shout at me.

-"We'll be in touch, Mr. Parker."

Despite the cold feeling in my gut, I forced myself not to acknowledge the man, even knowing that that would not be the last I saw of him.

Just a prelude, really. This a small lead-in to a big ol' universe of Marvel related stories I've got for you. Stay tuned! And if you know me from my other, incomplete, fics, don't you worry. I'm back in action and ready to write. See you soon! - Darthkvzn