Save Our Souls (Mantis x Peter Parker Sequel)

When We First Met: Bonus Chapter!

A/N

Want to see how it all began?? Then read this exclusive chapter of how they first met!(optional)

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4 Years ago

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Mantis: *taking to Peter* I don't lay eggs.

Peter: Oh. I'm so sorry if I offended you in any way. I-it was just that I watched a lot of alien movies, a-and you looked really scary at first so—

Mantis: It's fine! I forgive you. And you're not really wrong about the egg thing.

Peter: Wait, what?!

Mantis: Do you want me to?

Peter: Huh??

Mantis: Lay eggs. I mean, I do need a living host to implant my embryos so if you wanted to see I would've chosen you as my carrier and—

Peter: No no no! *waves his hands frantically* That's ok ... *feels braver and decides to approach her*

Mantis: I'm Mantis! *shakes his hand*

Peter: I'm Peter, nice to meet you *holds out his hand*

Mantis: *stares at his hand curiously* Are you related to Quill??

Peter: ... No, why??

Mantis: Because his first name's Peter, and you're named Peter too.

Peter: I'm pretty sure that's just a coincidence *shrugs*

Mantis: Ok ... *waits for him to retract his outstretched hand* What are you doing to your hand??

Peter: It's a handshake. Here, let me show you *takes her hand in his other and joins it with his outstretched one* You have to slap your hand against mine, then you follow it with a thump clasp, a palm slide and a fist-bump *guides her hand through the whole process* Got it?

Mantis: Wait, what?? *forgot all that he told her*

Peter: ... You know what, I'll just teach you again later.

Mantis: ... You think I'm dumb.

Peter: What?! No I don't—wait, how do you know?? *notices her antennas glowing and realises he's still holding her hand* Whoa! How are they doing that??

Mantis: *removes her hand from Peter's and her antennas dim out* They have something to do with my empathetic powers.

Peter: What do they do?? *points to her antennas*

Mantis: *moves to sit down beside him* When I touch someone, I can read their feelings ... Their emotions. I can also influence others to feel what I want them to feel for a short while.

Peter: That's so cool!

Mantis: Do you want me to show you??

Peter: Yes please!

Mantis: May I?? *reaches for his hand once more*

Peter: Sure *lets her take it and watches her antennas light up once more*

Mantis: You are excited to be an official Avenger, but you are also anxious to get Tony's approval *moves deeper into his emotions* You also feel so much joy in you! And something else ... Something that you don't want to reveal.

Peter: I-I don't know what you're talking about *getting nervous*

Mantis: *reaches the center of his emotions* Your heart beat's accelerating so quickly! And you're starting to break out in cold sweat.

Peter: Th-that's nothing! I-I'm just gassy!

Mantis: This feeling's almost like--

Peter: OK time out! *breaks free from her grasp* I think that's enough for one day.

Mantis: Oh ... Yeah, sure! I guess ...  I heard from Quill that you and Tony are from Earth.

Peter: That's right.

Mantis: Well ... I've never been to Earth before, and I always wanted to visit someday. What's it like there??

Peter: Are you kidding?! Just picture towering glass buildings that seem to touch the sky from below, and different crafts from cars to trains to airplanes! *makes grand gestures as he speaks* Earth might not have any fancy space crafts like the other planets, but it does have blue skies and modern technology unlike anything you'd ever see!

Mantis: WOW! You must love this planet very much.

Peter: I mean, well yeah ... Because it's home. You know what I mean? What about your home world??

Mantis: My home world? Well ... I don't like to talk about it very much. It's a sore subject for me.

Peter: It's ok. You don't have to tell me.

Mantis: Anyhow, Earth sounds like a dream come true! I asked Quill to take me there, but with the whole Thanos war and all, it looks like he'll be delayed for a while.

Peter: *thinks about her situation and gets an idea* I'll tell you what. Why don't I come with you on an official tour of my city when this is over?

Mantis: Really?! You'd do that for me??

Peter: Of course! We're friends now, aren't we? *smiles slightly*

Mantis: *pulls him into a tight hug* Thank you thank you thank you!

Peter: *hugs her back with a smile* You're welcome.

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