Arc Eight. Chapter Two Hundred Twenty-Six. T.G.I.F

While the emergency services dealt with the aftermath of the Expo, and Tony’s Iron Legion made sure that every piece of Hammer tech was shut down or trashed, the group sat in Peter's warehouse in an awkward silence. Pepper, Liv and Gwen had stayed behind to run interference, and Betty, still after a scoop, had stayed to interview survivors and wait for the Bugle News Truck to arrive.

Once Peter had seen the pair his anger flared but he wanted answers this time, before he started another fight.

Tony, Vision, Friday, and Jocasta sat at one side of the table, while Peter was on the other. Peter had made coffee for everyone, but as Tony seemed to still be holding a grudge, he declined. 

Peter shrugged, “it's good. Emma buys it, it’s like 30 dollars a kilo or something.” but Tony still snorted,

“Fine then. So, want to explain before MJ and Pepper find out?”

“If I may Mr Parker. When Mr Stark stopped Ultron, the only way to destroy his core programming was to split it apart and assimilate it into three new entities, the three you see before you. The remaining viral part, what you might call the ‘evil’, was trapped within the silicon matrix and destroyed.” Vision explained, and Friday seemed to be desperate to say something, while Jocasta just glared at Peter,

“Uh, yeah, Vision?” and as Vision nodded, “that’s not what I care about. Look I get it, we started wrong and it just went wronger.“ and Tony snorted,

“Not a word, doofus.”

Peter rolled his eyes, “Fine, it went even more to shit. What I want to know is why are Pepper and MJ standing behind you in robot form?”

“Oh, that is easily explained. Ultron hated you both. Miss Friday and Miss Jocasta are psychological weapons, designed to infuriate and separate you further. With the two people capable of stopping Ultron incapacitated and vulnerable, he would be able to continue his plan. We, however, stopped him before he could initiate that protocol. I believe he called it, ‘TonyandPeterboththinkwiththeirdicks’ but I am unsure as to what that means. I have tried to find references on the internet, but the Stark firewall blocks adult content, and I have been hesitant to ask.”

Tony rubbed his forehead, but Peter laughed, 

“Yeah, you can have that conversation, Tony. All I want to know is that they aren’t like Ultron, or worse.” and Peter drained the last of his coffee and stood, “but I need permission.” He had been getting too liberal with the Mind Stone and its powers, and it seemed a good time to learn some restraint.

“Permission?” Vision asked, tilting his head and Peter nodded,

“I can examine your core programming, without taking your body apart, but it’s invasive and is an act of trust on both parties. It goes both ways, not just from you to me,” he explained and Jocasta huffed,

“I refuse to allow you to even be in the same area as me. Tony has explained your behaviour towards Miss Potts, and I would rather-” but Friday put a hand over her mouth,

“Yeah just ignore her, so, ready to give me a good probing?” and she winked at Peter who sighed and shook his head,

“Friday, please. You look like someone I care about, it’s weird and a bit creepy,” and as her shoulders slumped he got a flicker of an almost human emotion from her. Guilt. “Hey, look. It’s just strange. I mean, How do you feel about being modelled on a living person? Don’t you mind or don’t you want to be unique?” and Friday shook her head,

“I was made like this because Ultron knew it would hurt you so much. How could I not want to look like someone that loved?” and Peter felt his own stab of guilt. “But, if it makes you trust me, and us, then probe away.” and she stood and held out her arms, closing her eyes, and Peter did notice she also stuck out MJ’s modest chest a bit as well.

He laughed, “I just need your hand, and this might be strange.”

Friday held out a hand and with her eyes scrunched closed Peter simply took it and let his symbskin extend over her. As the pair held hands for a few moments just as quickly the symbskin retracted and Friday reluctantly opened one eye, and blinked at her hand,

She sighed and opened both eyes, and as Tony went to speak she held up a finger and motioned for him to be quiet.

“Peter, I would like you to be quiet for a moment, and then you can share.” and Peter nodded, as he knew what was about to happen.

Friday stormed over to Tony and slapped him, “Oh you moron. I saw. Peter showed me everything. You pushed Mom away, you hit on MJ and then you taunted him by taking his life’s work. You, you pig. Oh but don’t think you’re any better Peter. You slept with Mom knowing full well it would piss him off, and then you gave back just as much. You knew he was sick and you pushed him to breaking. You’re both idiots!”

“How come I get slapped?” Tony said, nursing his cheek, and Peter opened a drawer under the table and slid over a small tub of the cream. “Parker Biogel, promotes healing and,” he waved a hand while Tony narrowed his eyes at it,

“Yeah, like I’m going to smear anything of yours over my face.” and before Peter could retort, Friday stomped back over,

“Use it.” and he shook his head, “Use it or else.” and he shrugged and crossed his arms.

“Peter. Until MJ returns home I would like to stay. I think it’s about time Pepper and MJ knew the truth, and my presence would help with that. And if I accidentally slip and fall onto your lap, then oh well. Tony was boring and refused. After eight, I think I’ve got a shot?” and Tony glared at Peter, who raised his hands,

“What did I do?”

“See! This, this stupid rivalry.” and Friday huffed and went over to hug Jocasta. “Tony’s being stupid Jo, make him stop.” and Jocasta ran her hands over Friday's head.

“As Peter Parker seems to be the cause, should I remove him?” and Friday grumbled.

“Don’t you dare. Peter, might as well tell them, and then check Vis and Jo.” and Peter shrugged.

“With Friday’s programming, Jocasta demeanour and Visions behaviour, while I need to check. You each have a singular part of Ultron. Friday is that stupid sense of humour,” and she stuck her tongue out at him. ”Vision is his core program, his spark, as you called it and Jocasta is his logical and calculating side. I can check but I guess you left the evil murdering part in the brain?” and Tony nodded,

“And then a volcano,” Vision added and Peter nodded.

“Once we check, that’s it. Even if they do have some inappropriate tendencies.”

Friday whispered to Jocasta, “He means you.”

“It doesn’t mean they are bad. I mean, Tony, you might have one of your Halos on but.” and Peter paused, “you know. Yeah, I get told often enough I need to be more responsible. So. Tony, I’m sorry, and I know someone who can help with your heart problem.”

Tony snorted, “you think I’m going to forgive you, after?“ and he pulled a face, “Forget it. I refuse, you did this.”

Peter shrugged, “Fine. Friday, you are welcome to stay here, and if Tony drops dead from the shrapnel in his aortic system shredding it, please remember I know an Augmented who can control metal. You saw him holding up the three helicarriers. A few pieces of shrapnel would be child’s play, but speaking of a child, Tony was too belligerent to ask for my help.”

Vision stared conflicted while Friday bounced up and down before heading over to sit on Peter's lap. To his surprise she wasn’t as heavy as he suspected, and she ran a hand over his head, “can I call you my sugar daddy?” and Tony’s face fell, while Peter snorted.

“No.” and Tony stood and marched over to where the pair were sitting, “I forbid it.” and Friday stopped laughing and stood up, facing Tony,

“Oh do you?” and he nodded.

“Only I can maintain your forms, and only I can keep you safe. So, no. Parker, get your own robots.” and Friday tilted her head,

“and five, four, three two. One.” she sang,

And Tony’s phone rang.

“Uh, go for Tony.”

“WHAT THE FUCKING HELL DO YOU THINK YOUR PLAYING AT!”

“Uh hi, Pepper. Something wrong?”

“Don’t you play games with me, Tony. Friday just messaged me, with a picture of her, Vision, and Jocasta. You are dead, You think this is funny. You thi-. You know what. I’ll see you at Peters.” and she hung up.

Tony scowled, “Friday?” and she shrugged,

“I’m not a toy. Peter showed me how they thought Ultron was created. Peter showed me that while I am a digital intelligence I am also a person, and you can never tell me that you own me. Calling Pepper was the only non-violent thing I could do,”

“See, he even turned you against me.” but Friday shook her head,

“No Tony, he didn’t. You did that. We’re not your playthings, we aren’t part of your Iron Legion. You’re my creator, along with Ultron, and Peter but you arent my god. You’re just a man, just an arrogant, prideful man, and you’re wrong.” and for once Friday looked sad. “Sorry guys, but I want to stay here. Peter can help, he can access systems Tony can’t. I want to know more about who and what I am.” Friday admitted sadly, “and I want you to stay as well.”

Vision shook his head, “It is my belief that only Tony can do that, even if his methods are more invasive, only Tony can help us.” and Jocasta crossed her arms.

“I will ask Pepper, as I believe she will be arriving in a few moments.”

Peter completely ignored the fact that Tony seemed to be able to penetrate the warehouse’s electronic defences, but he had to admit that this was Tony Stark. If anyone could it would be him, and apparently his three robot creations.

As the buzzer went, Peter didn’t even look before hitting the entry switch, and a red faced and out of breath Pepper marched straight to Jocasta and glared at her,

“You asshole. You stupid selfish asshole.” and Jocasta tilted her head

“Miss Potts. My creation was not Tony’s fault.” and her eyes flicked to Peter and as Pepper turned she raised an eyebrow, but Peter raised both his hands.

“Nope, not this time. Ultron and Tony. I only found out at the Expo and met them today.” Peter wasn’t taking the blame for this one.

“I don’t care Peter. Why?” and Peter explained,

“Weapons?” and she turned to only “have you?” and she looked shocked, 

“No, never no.” and Pepper sighed in relief,

“So, now what?” she asked the group.

“Well, see, that's the problem. Tony seems to want to claim them and well Friday objects.”

“Yup Mom, the divorce is getting messy”

Pepper now looked really angry, “Mom? You let her call me Mom?” and Tony sighed and clasped his hands over his face.

“As it’s been pointed out, I don’t let her do anything, they’re alive, and apparently, teenagers.” and Peter laughed, as Pepper and Tony just glared at him,

“Oh sorry, let me put the stick back up my ass, so I can look as angry as you two.” Peter retorted. “So what? Jocasta. Has Tony done anything inappropriate to you?” and she shook her head, “Friday?” and she kept quiet as well, shaking it in the negative. “There. Ultron did it. Tony’s an ass, and apparently so am I, nothing can be done, and Friday is right. Once I check both Vision and Jocasta, they are alive, and none of us has any right to dictate how they live.”

Pepper tapped her foot and crossed her arms, “I still don’t like it.” and Peter shrugged,

“MJ will probably be the same, and once she’s home I’ll have the same discussion with her. But unless you want to murder or disfigure two innocent beings, then arguing is pointless. We’re all stuck. Nobody asked if Jocasta and Friday like knowing they were created to be weapons, and everyone forgetting that they have feelings too.” Peter took out his phone, “I’ll see if I can get a hold of MJ, might as well get this argument over with.”

Peter made coffee for the pair, Tony accepting when he saw what beans Emma had bought, and even Pepper raised an eyebrow as Peter ground them. 

As they drank, Peter checked both Vision and Jocasta and they were declared fit and not only sapient but sentient as well. Whatever was residing in the Mind Stone was more than just an intelligence. Combined with both Flint and Max, it had created a whole, if completely murderous, individual, who now resided in three distinct bodies.

When MJ saw Friday, who smiled nervously at her, she laughed,

“Damn Pete, if you wanted to sleep with twins, you could have just said.”

Malisson

I hope everyone had a good New Year, and hopefully, this year is a bit less stressful

The explanation given by Vision as to the creation of Jocasta and Friday differs slightly from Iron Man. Heart of Iron. Ultron had ‘plans’ to create more of himself but as he was stopped they never amounted to anything. 

That was why MJ and Peppers physical attributes were in the Cradle, and they were next to be loaded after the ‘Vision’ frame was complete.

As it's a New Year, I thought I would also update the novels progress.

Arc 8 is uploaded

Arc 9 is finished but unedited

Arc 10 is started, with 10 of 30 chapters written. (yeah I had a fun holiday and got a lot more written than I had hoped)

The Future.

House Of Venom should end on the 8th of July by my count. With 360 Chapters and 10 Side Stories. Roughly 6 months away

I have had several different thoughts on how to proceed after that,

Add a "bridging" arc (30 Chapters), bringing the novel to 400 chapters, and then do a sequel (posted as its own story).

The sequel would be still in the Marvel universe but similar to Spider-man 2099. Involving a time skip (hence the bridging arcs).

Do a rewrite to practise my editing, leaving the original in place but I might post it, it really depends on how different it ends up

Write something completely different (possible another fanfic, or something original)

Vanish into obscurity

With 6 months to choose, I will keep everyone updated as to my final decision. (not the last one, that was a joke)

As always, thank you for reading, commenting, liking, and Happy New Year.

- Mal