On March 3rd, 1969, the United States Navy established an elite school for the top one percent of its pilots. Its purpose was to teach the lost art of aerial combat and to ensure that the handful of men and women who graduated were the best fighter pilots in the world.

They succeeded.

Today, the Navy calls it fighter weapons school. The flyers call it: TOP GUN.

Peter rustled through his gear, trying for the love of god to find his helmet, and he couldn't, he cursed under his breath for being so unorganized. That was until he heard some snickering next to him, he peered from his open locker door. Only to meet the eyes of Harley Keener, if Peter had to describe his pilot in one word, no bad word was fitting enough.

Of course hate was a strong word, Peter rarely, if ever, used it. But Harley Keener earned the name of a pompous cowboy, maybe pompous was fitting. He sighed in frustration, "Seriously Keener? Have you regressed back to being a middle schooler?"

Harley chuckled, "Nah, you just need to keep better track of your gear Parker. Now c'mon, or else we'll be late." Peter rolled his eyes, shutting his locker door, and taking his helmet, stuffing it in his duffel. The two headed out the door, and to the briefing. Apparently they were getting two new instructors.

As Rhodes was on vacation, Peter was excited, sure he loved Captain Rhodes, but a new instructor only meant one thing. "A new mission? Are you serious? You'd think after the last one they'd wait a few months." Peter heard Ned squeak out, he could tell Leeds was nervous.

MJ told her friend, "I'm sure it's not that big of a deal, Ned. Like I always say..."

Ned recited, "If you expect disappointment, then you'll never actually be disappointed. Yeah, I know. But a mission is still a mission!"

Peter sat down in his seat, watching the pair as they talked, before Ned turned to him, "Peter, back me up here!" The other man exclaimed.

"I mean maybe, we won't know until the instructor gets here. So calm down man." Peter told him, giving a shrug. The room went still when the rickety door opened, the sound of heavy boots carried through and the student's whispered. The two men stood in front of the class, the blond one wore a stoic expression.

While the other, a brunet, had a mischievous glint in his eyes, like he had ticked off his friend beside him. "Everyone, this is Captain Steve Rogers and Lieutenant Tony Stark. They are the instructors for the next few months, I expect you to treat them with respect."

The young students kept their mouths shut, as the teacher left, leaving the Captain and Lieutenant the floor to speak and do their jobs. The Captain cleared his throat, "The reason you all are here is because of a mission. It's a matter of life and death, so if you can't handle that, it's best if you leave." No one rose from their seats to leave.

Lieutenant Stark chimed in, "Alright then, training for this mission will be brutal. So get ready kids, you'll be wishing you walked out that door." And so the grueling training began, multiple tests over the next few weeks. Some of the pilots didn't last and ended up quitting, all that remained were Ned and MJ, and Peter and Harley. Ultimately the four of them were chosen for the mission.

There was one last test that quad needed to do, trust was an absolute key component, it was probably the only one. MJ and Ned aced it, now it was Peter and Harley's turn, seeing the two of them interact, Tony and Steve noticed the guys kept a work type relationship. Speaking to them separately, Harley claimed Peter was too uptight and strictly followed the rules, whereas Peter described Harley to be immature and a jerk.

The men thought they'd at least figure out to work together, and credit them where credit was due they had their moments. But this test was the only way to prove if they were up for the task. Both Peter and Harley slapped on their gear, and got their aircraft ready. Settling in their positions, they began running their test, Harley piloting the plane. Peter kept his eyes peeled for Captain Rogers, waiting for him to launch his attack.

Everything was quiet, all either of them could hear was the engines and turbine. Then it happened, Captain Rogers appeared behind them, and the action began. Harley took control and started weaving to avoid the captain's radar, he yelled out to Peter to track him. Peter obeyed and called out different commands and directions.

Harley had an idea, "Parker, I'm gonna fly down! Then pull up so we can get behind him and take him out!"

"Keener, are you insane?!" Peter panicked over the rushing speed, constantly checking to see if Steve was still following them.

Harley yelled, "Do you trust me?!"

Peter paused for a second, "Yes." To which Harley sprung into action, and acted out his plan, he lowered their speed, and had their plane go down a few feet. Then just as he planned, he thrusted the speed pulling up and nailing Captain Rogers.

"Gotcha Captain." The three of them then went back to base and unloaded their equipment. As far as Steve and Tony were concerned, they passed, the road getting there was a little rough. All four of the pilots were chosen to fly and aid the mission. They were honored, and vowed to do everything in their power to ensure their victory.
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The End of Chapter 231