Spider-Man: Take Me Home (Book 4: Sequel to Spider-Man Homesick)

Chapter 5: Loss and Doubt

3 Weeks Later

Annie watched everybody practicing on the lawn, training to fight. The Avengers, The Guardians of the Galaxy, and the X-Men were all preparing for it. Annie, however had nothing left to learn at this point. She sat there in her golden suit unsurely. Charles rolled over to her.

"This is all seems so repetitive. Then again every battle is different." Annie sighed and Charles nodded.

"So what I'm hearing is that you don't wanna do this job anymore." Charles said and Annie let out a sigh.

"I mean, I'll fight this battle. But is it bad that I wanna retire and just live my damn life out after this?" Annie asked and Charles shook his head.

"No. However, I do know that your father tried to escape it. He went all over the world running from it, and yet it still found him. Annie, being a good fighter, and being powerful are not the qualities that create a hero. It's the overwhelming responsibility thrusted upon them, and their ability to either accept it, or deny it. Those who deny it tend to live a life of guilt and pain because they have to deal with the fact that they knew they could help and yet they didn't. Those who accept it slowly but surely learn to rise above those moments when they desire to give up. You've always risen above your fellow heroes. So, my talk is a bit pointless. But maybe after this is over, you can become a true Avenger or X-Men. We only go where we are absolutely needed. I think that's a change you could use in your life." Charles explained.

"Or I can just leave both groups behind to do their own thing, and start a group of my own." Annie replied. "I mean I graduate in a few days. I turned 18, 2 days ago. My mom is great and all, but without my Dad, there's nothing holding me here. My Dad seemed to always need to know if I was ok. My Mom was a lot more relaxed about things. Somethings gotta change because I really don't wanna go back to New York and  no offense, but I feel like after this battle I'll be tired of being here."

"You'll do amazing no matter what you choose Annie. You really are brilliant beyond your years." Charles agreed and Annie nodded as she slightly smiled. "And I know that wherever your father is, he's looking down at you proudly." Annie got up and she looked around and then she looked back to Charles and then walked away from everybody. Annie was going through the gardens when she heard a gush of wind go past her and she looked to her side and saw Tommy.

"What?" Annie sighed.

"You know, my brother's worried sick about you." Tommy replied.

"Well tell your brother to come and talk to me about it. You and I don't talk for a reason Tommy. As long as you blame me for your Mom's incarceration, you and I will never be ok." Annie said this and Tommy rolled his eyes.

"Well, at least my Mom wouldn't be panicking about this guy. She'd take him down in a second." Tommy snapped and Annie grabbed him and pushed him up against a bush.

"Well at least your Mom would have been a damn adult while being targeted constantly. Then again I'm sure she would just kill them to make things easy." Annie snapped but before she could do anything else he sped away and then out of nowhere Annie was flipped into the lake. Annie swam to the edge of the lake and saw Tommy waiting for her.

"You may be powerful but I'm fast. Let me know when you want a rematch." Tommy said and Annie teleported and kicked Tommy so hard that he pretty much annihilated one of the hedges and was flung out in front of multiple Avengers including Billy. Annie cringed and she saw Tommy get up.

"What are you doing?" Billy asked Tommy.

"UH.....I tripped." Tommy lied and Billy rolled his eyes.

"ANNIE?!" Billy shouted and Annie trudged over to them, soaking wet with multiple pieces of sludge on her and Billy looked back to Tommy.

"Really? You pushed her into the lake?" Billy asked. "What are you, six?"