Time Skip and Birthday Gifts

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(Brian's P.O.V)

It had been a month after losing my virginity and things were going great between MJ and I. We weren't in a relationship by any means and instead the hook ups were casual. A friends with benefits sort of thing. 

I'll admit I was worried that either of us would catch feelings and want more but surprisingly, nothing of the sort happened. No dates, no declarations of love or romantic shit was involved. This MJ was totally different from the one in canon. She was freer with her words, passionate about acting, mean when it came to board games of any kind and a cool person to hang out. Not to mention the sex…the sex was… awesome.

She wasn't afraid to try out new things and for the first time in both of my lives I found it easy to keep it fun. She also disclosed to me, the other reason she didn't want a relationship with me or anyone really. MJ was leaving. She was going to L.A to pursue a career in acting at Hollywood. I was really happy for her and knew I would miss her.

2 more months later and she left. This was about the time that Peter on the other hand got accepted into MIT. He changed his mind citing the fact that he wanted to be near his neighborhood to help out so instead he joined the Empire State University. He was going to start a few weeks after my birthday.

That prompted me to have a long discussion with my guardians about what I wanted to do with my life. I told them I didn't want to go to college. At least not yet. Aunt May and Uncle Ben were understandably upset and wanted to know why. I told them I wanted to see more of the world. We argued and I finally convinced them to give me a year to travel around the world. Afterwards I'd come back and we would discuss the issue of continuing my studies.

My birthday then arrived and I officially turned 18. I celebrate the day with my family and it was a joyous occasion. Later in the night Peter asked me to join him at our base and I finally knew it was time. Time for another power up.

He had already completed the serum a couple of months ago. I had set up a bank account with a substantial sum of money earlier on in the year for him, so procuring the materials and machinery to complete the serum was easy. He had officially turned a room back at the base of our operations into his science lab. I hadn't minded it. 

Now the question was, if he had completed the serum some time back, then why did he wait all this time to administer it? Peter wasn't one for theatrics so I was sure there was a reason why. And sure enough once we arrived at the base, he broke off into an explanation of what the serum was. He was filled with a nervous energy as he said,

"Ok, Brian, I know you've been dying to know what it is I've been doing so I'm not going to keep you waiting."

"Ok. So should I sit down for this or what?"

I joked while looking around the lab. 

" I love what you've done with the money."

Most of the devices and huge machinery outfitting the room were things I'd never seen before. I didn't have a single clue about what their functions were either.

"Yeah. The money helped out a lot. Anyway could you come over for a second? And please shut up, it's my time to shine."

I nodded and walked towards where he was standing before a huge box like thing covered in a grey sheet. He pulled the sheet off it and revealed a machine that looked like the vita rays chamber from Captain America.

"Ta da."

" Wow. This is... fascinating Pete."

I said while caressing the device.

" This thing stabilizes the energy discharge from the changes Extremis will make on our bodies."

"Extremis?"

I asked in shock. Could it be?

" Yes, Extremis is like a key. A key that unlocks the d.n.a part of you that governs cellular rejuvenation and regeneration and enhances it."

Hold on. Wait a minute.

"Cellular rejuvenation? You mean stalling aging? Regeneration makes sense but are you telling me that you created something that can effectively stop aging?"

Peter sheepishly rubbed his head.

"I mean, kinda. It's no big deal though because it won't make you invincible. Just really really hard to kill."

I threw my hands up.

"How did you even...you know what? I don't want to know. So how do we do this?"

He told me to get rid of my clothes. I did as told but stopped before I entered the chamber.

"Hey Pete. Have you taken into account our powers and different body make-ups."

"Yeah I have. Which is why I constructed the chamber. Extremis is powered by our bio-electricity to make the changes. The chamber harnesses that wave of energy released, refines it and bombards the body with a benign energy designed to strengthen it enough to handle Extremis."

"Wow. That's really smart Pete."

"Well...I doubt you'll notice any huge difference though. Your body can probably handle Extremis as it is."

I shrugged, thoroughly squashing that brief surge of disappointment. 

"The regeneration factor is already enough."

Not to mention, the great synergy it would have with Zenkai. I'd get hurt, regenerate and get stronger all in one fell swoop.

The chamber doors closed with me inside it and the process started. Peter had taken my durability into account and diamond point needles were used to shoot the Extremis into my spine. The pain was intense. It felt like hot lava was spreading through my body at an unprecedented pace. This time I didn't use the Interface to edit the energy discharge released from the activation of Extremis. I doubt I even could have. Mustering the concentration needed to do so while in such pain was a pipe dream.

The chamber did a downgrade of my skill by refining the energy and I felt my parameters increase a little. The biggest change was my ki reserves however and a feeling of elation overtook me. I could now do it. My ki reserves were enough to let me do 'it.'

The process ended after a few more minutes and the door to the chamber opened. I came out floating. The look of confusion on Peter's face was priceless.

" Since when can you fly?"

"Since now."

I touched down smoothly and looked down at my body. There was a little shade of red across my skin that promptly disappeared after a few seconds. Apart from that, my body changed little. The definition on my muscles was more prominent and my abs felt like they were made of adamantium when before it had been steel.

I underwent a few tests due to Peter's insistence and apart from the little rise in body temperature everything else came out ok. 

Next it was Peter's turn. He went  in and I activated the chamber. I was careful to follow his instructions to a T. He was the resident genius after all. The process ended the same as mine but Peter's change was more... pronounced.

He grew taller. Before this, I'd always had a few inches on him but now he'd crossed that distance. We were both in the 6 feet category now. His shoulders got broader and his whole body larger. His eyes glowed yellow with the power of Extremis, which I had to admit was a really cool look for him.

"I feel so... different."

He said and I noticed that his voice was also a little deeper.

"Yeah. You look different too."

He looked at his hands in wonder.

"No it's like... there's more inside. It feels like all I have to do is flick a switch and...this happens."

Instantly his hand was covered in a yellow ball of electric energy. 

My eyes widened. Venom blasts. Peter laughed in wonder while staring at his hands.

"Ok. That's really awesome Pete. Now would you mind flicking that same switch off before whatever that is explodes on your face?"

I said. It wouldn't do for him to lose a hand no matter if he has Extremis or not. He nodded.

"Fine. But first...how about we test something."

I didn't have time to question what he meant when a full on venom blast impacted my body. My danger sense was surprisingly quiet throughout so i knew that the attack wasn't malicious. The blast did nothing to me but it fried my clothes.

Peter started laughing in place.

"Not cool man. What was that for?"

I asked, a bit peeved. I didn't have spare clothes in the base except for my Valiant costume. He snorted.

"You've been messing around with MJ all through the summer. That was for hiding it."

I winced.

"Yeah man. I'm sorry about that. I just didn't want to make you mad because I knew you had a crush on her."

He waved his hand.

"Don't worry about it. It was just a childish crush because she was the only girl who actually talked to me despite my nerdiness back in middle school. The crush carried over to high school and it just felt comfortable to pine over her instead of other girls because of the fear of rejection. But now? After everything we've seen and been through? I realize I have my own self worth. If someone can't see it, it's their fault for being blind."

I stopped. That was deep. It showed that Peter had grown. I had no doubt that I was talking to the greatest Spiderman in the entire multiverse.

" You know, You're pretty awesome Pete."

He looked back and smiled at me.

"You too man. Now follow me. I want to show you, your birthday present."

"What do you mean? I thought Extremis was it."

He snorted.

"Oh please. I was done with Extremis a while ago. The real reason I delayed enhancing us with it, was because of it's undesirable effects on clothes."

I followed him to a closet on the wall of the lab. The closet was probably the only mundane thing in this entire place. I mean Peter had changed the room to look like a mad scientist's lair for chrissake.

He opened the closet and my mouth went slack jawed.

"Extremis causes the body to produce a lot of heat when healing. That means our normal costumes would be useless after every serious fight, so I decided to come up with something. It's based on that idea of unstable molecule fabrics you gave me a while ago. Plus I thought it was high time for a costume change."

I took my new costume in hand and marveled at the design.

It was a one piece. 

The upper section was blue. A domino mask was in place instead of the normal half mask I usually wore. The was a huge V on the chest area. The arms were split between black and blue with the black in laid from the wrist to the armpits and down to the hips. A yellow belt with a V was above the groin and then below the hips the costume was entirely black. A pair of blue boots completed the set. 

I instantly fell in love with the whole thing.

"Thanks Pete. Truly."