Tony Stark was a powerful man. King to a country, he has people obedience in the point of his fingers, everything he says is law.

Maybe that was why he liked the kid that had just left his office. The kid who cheated the system just to get what he wanted. The kid who just had a perfect score on an exam that he made himself.

He reminding too much of himself at that young age smart, always trying to get his away, although innocent and pure.

Maybe he was making a rush decision, but his intuition pointed that he was right, the moment he watched the kid through the monitor he knew that he was the one.

"You want me to do what?"

That was the part of the process that Tony didn't like, he knew that he couldn't just declare the kid his heir this soon, he had to know him first, test him, see if it was really the one, or he was just a snobby kid who thought he was the best just because he now lived in section one. No, first Tony needed to love Peter, needed for Peter to also know him, and then he could declare him his heir and move him to the palace.

Tony supposed he could handle the process himself, but that was why he had his assistant to do his paperwork for him. It would be much better if she didn't question everything, but that was one of the main reasons Tony hired her in the first place, so he supposed he couldn't really complain about that

"I need you to block a kid from the public adoption" Tony repeated to his credulous assistant

"Are you serious? Who?"

Tony couldn't really blame anyone who showed surprised at hearing those words. Anyone close to him knew that for years now he was looking for an heir, for a son or daughter for him to love and cherish to pass his legacy down. But each year he looked to each kid that passed through the academy was each year he failed to find the one.

In reality, Peter was the first one of the students to actually talk to him in person, normally he just sticked to reading reports about the children development, but something about the kid had sparked some curiosity in him, and he couldn't really ignore it.

And let me tell you that Tony wasn't disappointed in the slightest, in the short amount of time the king had already learned so much about the kid.

Just in the first second that Peter grabbed his favorite scientific book out of his personal shelf, might not be much, just a pure coincidence, but for Tony it had been a sign.

The kid was pure and innocent, couldn't lie to save himself and tony amused himself at watching the kid try to lie to him, it was cute actually to see the kid actually believe that he was fooling anyone.

"Peter Parker" Tony finally let the name slip. Of course, after the process was complete, his name would he of course adapted. His last name would fall and a much more suitable would replace, something more worthy. But for now for formalities only the name would have to be maintained, for now.

"Peter Parker. From midtown? The one attacked at the station?"

The king still didn't believe that the people in section two had the nerve to actually hurt a kid. They probably weren't aiming at hurting Peter, but such rebellion was unforgivable, even if all they did was a scratch on the kid's face that was practically gone the next day. Tony had read the report that Clint had given him, the kid was scare shitless, shaking even, it proved more that he was an innocent soul that didn't like violence at all.

Tony of course had handled the main ones that hurt his kid, hanged in public for all to see what happens when you disobey orders.

"Yes, I want him blocked, no one is even to know that he attends the academy"

"Are sure?"

"He's the one"

Peter had been stuck in section one for about a week now. He hated to say that he was liking the classes and his new friends.

He never got bored in class, they taught all the advanced stuff, made the craziest lab experiences, and had the last generation technology free for use. He liked so much that he hated it. What would his aunt say to him, would she be disappointed that he was enjoying himself, or would she wanted him to move on.

All his life he was always so sure of himself that he would never get selected that he never talked about that possibility with his aunt, and whenever she brought it up, he would always end the conversation before it started. Now he regrets it.

And what would Ned think about replacing him with Harley. He and Harley hit off the moment they got to know each other, and while being complete opposite to each other, the two of them got on well together.

Despite Peter being shy, Harley introduced him to almost everybody, not that they didn't know him, he was the kid who got here late and proceed to disappear half of the day.

Peter never told anyone where he went. He quickly figured it out that it wasn't common practice to see the king on the first day here. He just told everyone that he was missing some paperwork and had gone back to the station to get it. No one bought that, let's be honest it was a stupid excuse, but soon everyone dropped the topic.

The problem came on Friday, they were given their first assignment. Each one had been assigned a book to read and make an essay about it.

Peter recognized the title of his book very well. It was the one he had grabbed in the king's office.

Contrary to his colleagues who didn't seem very happy to be forced to read a book, Peter was actually looking forward to finally read the book and visit the library, something he didn't have the opportunity to do. Perhaps he just wanted an excused to do it after saying to the king that he didn't like reading and much less going to the library, so he didn't have the opportunity to visit.

That was his first problem, because when he arrived at the library, he was blocked from entering.

"I can't let you enter kid" the man said putting his hand in front of Peter

"What do you mean? I need a book for an assignment" he pleaded, why did everything happen to him. He just wanted to see all the books that this place had, ones that probably didn't have missing pages. But now he was barred at the door, couldn't he have some peace and quiet.

"That's not my problem, kid, you can't get in"

He gave up. There was no point of arguing, he wasn't getting in any time soon.

He would just ask Harley to get the book for him, he was sure Harley wouldn't mind.

"Harley, can you do me a favor?" Peter asked the boy when he saw him.

As usual, the boy was surrounded by his friends.

His friends didn't like Peter very much, he didn't know why, he didn't do anything to them.

Perhaps they just didn't like the idea of hanging around a younger kid. Peter was just one year younger than them, it wasn't like he was going to break down and cry, throwing a tantrum at the minor thing.

Now he was glad that he waited until he was under his bedsheets to cry, away from the eyes of everyone.

If they thought of Peter as a little kid, now, he couldn't imagine what they would have thought if they saw him sobbing.

Or maybe it was the fact that he was stealing Harley attention from them, maybe they were jealous of him.

He didn't know, and honestly, he didn't care. They should be united by the same cause, fighting against the system, but Peter seemed to be the only one who didn't want to be here.

"Yeah, Pete, what do you need?" the older asked.

"Could you go to the library and get this book for me, please?" Peter could see Harley's friends rolling their eyes. They must have thought he is too shy to even go get a single book from the library.

"Uh sure, but why don't you get it yourself" Harley took the paper with the book title anyway.

Peter didn't want to tell Harley why, especially with all his friends listening. They would without a doubt tell the whole academy, that the weird kid got even weirder after getting ban from the library.

"They didn't let me in." Peter said quietly to Harley, trying not to let his friends hear him.

But looking at his faces he knew they heard, he knew that they would tell everyone, making him even more an outcast.

"That's strange, I never heard that happen to anyone. But I'll get you the book, don't worry"

"Thank you, Harley"

They went on their way after that, Peter was going to lunch, Harley already eaten his, so he was going alone.

Peter breathes a sigh of relief, when he saw them gone, he loved Harley but seriously felt uneasy with the other kids.

The cafeteria was almost empty when he gets there, everyone had already eaten while Peter tries to go to the library.

He likes to eat alone, no eyes were on him, judging, studying him from behind his back.

He still had the 'special diet' like Harley like to call it, the doctor still didn't clear him from it.

But looking at the other kids plates, he saw that no one had that. Before Peter started eating right, three meals a day, plus a couple of snacks, Peter still couldn't eat those being too full of his meals. He never realized that he was eating so little and so bad.

It made him guilty thinking like that, it reminded him that his aunt was eating the same amount as him. Although with Peter gone, she could manage to eat more having just one mouth to feed.

Maybe it really was best this way. This way he didn't burden May, she could work less, maybe go on dates and build a proper family.

Peter focused on eating, pushing those thoughts aside. There was no point in thinking that, there was nothing he could do.

After lunch, Peter walked aimlessly in the hallways. He had planned to do some reading to start on the project, but without the stupid book was impossible.

While on his stroll, he finds Harley once again

"Hey Peter, I went to the library to pick up your book, but apparently they never had that one"

"Oh, thanks anyway"

It was a quick chat, rushed by Peter's part, especially since Harley's nosey friends were still trailing after him.

But how could that be, his teacher was the one who assigned the books. Had he not checked if the book existed in the library?

In reality, Peter was a little down for not getting to finish the book.

But for now, he had just to find his teacher for him to change is assignment.

Had he not had the talk with the king, he would care less about finishing his work or even put some effort into it?

But of course, the king had to threaten his aunt. And that scared him. It scared them because he didn't even know if he would stick to the promise of not hurting his beloved aunt. He had not away to know, no way to contact her. So, he simply couldn't risk it, for now, until he had a better plan he just had to do well on his work and stay out of the spotlight, it should be an easy task.

But it's been proven difficult when Peter is constantly dragged back under the spotlight.

He dragged his feet in an effort to find his teacher, before his free time runs out, he certainly didn't want to talk to him in front of his class.

"Mr. Warren"

Peter called when he saw

He found him, just as he was leaving the classroom, 'thank god' Peter wouldn't want to talk to the man in front of his whole class, no need for even more gossip about him.

"Mr. Warren" Peter greeted as he got closer

"Peter, didn't expect you to see you, something I can help you with"

"Yes, actually is about the new assignment" Peter began handing the paper to his teacher "the library doesn't have the book you assigned to me"

Peter decided to leave out the part that he even couldn't enter the library to look for the book, but he would fight a battle at a time.

"Sorry Peter, I can't change the book"

Peter just stared at the man; he was joking, right? Had he not heard a single word that came out of peter mouth?

How did he expect him to read something that he couldn't get his hands on?

"Sir, I just told you that the library doesn't have the book." This time, Peter said slowly, maybe the man had trouble hearing

"Maybe you should go request the book to Mr. Barton. He is the one responsible for this type of requests. In the meantime, I will expect this report to be handed by next Friday" And with that his teacher left him standing in the middle of the hallway.

Peter felt like the world was just laughing at his face, joking around his life. How could all of this just happen to him. Peter just wanted to scream his head off, blow up his eardrums, but instead, he just took a deep breath and went to find Mr. Barton, so he could just have the stupid book.

This time, he didn't know where to look, so he just walked around the building, hoping to run into the man.

Thankfully, he found him in a random hallway

"Mr. Barton" he called

"Peter, is there any problem?"

"Yes, actually. I need a certain book that isn't in the library, Mr. warren told me to speak with you" once again he handed the sheet with the book title

"Of course, Peter, I'll see to it. Was that all?"

"For some reason I can't get in the library, so if you could fix that"

"I'll see what I can do"

Peter could breathe in relief, finally he got all that sort of. He was just complicating things that shouldn't be complicated.

He went off the rest of the day, enjoying that today wasn't raining to seat outside, in the silent, feeling the wind in his face and hearing the leaves ruffle

It was his safe haven, not many wanted to go outside manly because of the cold, but Peter enjoyed the sense of freedom it gave him if he could ignore the high fence in the distance.

The staff didn't like that he spend part of his time outside, warning him about the cold and the risk of sickness, but Peter ignored them, and after a while they stopped with the warnings limiting to just bring him an extra jacket or a hot chocolate, that Peter learn to love.

In the palace, someone that Peter learns to hate was receiving a call, smirking when he heard the other caller.

That night, Peter went to sleep unknowingly that he just began a process that he wouldn't want to be part of but wouldn't have a say in the matter.

Today was Saturday, so Peter woke the latest that he was allowed to wake up before they closed up breakfast.

Peter wouldn't really complain about not having breakfast, but they would. The first time that Peter did that, someone made sure to drag him to the cafeteria.

So, Peter absolutely didn't want a redo of that experience.

He was sitting in quietly in a table, having been joined by Harley and company.

He was munching slowly on his toast when Mr. Barton came, interrupting the conversation happening at his table.

"Peter" he called, making everyone go quiet and look at the boy.

Peter intently looks up "when you finish come find me at the entrance"

Peter nodded slowly as he watched the man turn his back, exiting the room.

"What was that about, Pete?" Harley asked

"It's probably about the book that I asked you yesterday. Mr. Warren said I had to ask Mr. Barton" Peter responded

"Oh, so the late boy got special treatment" someone at the table commented.

Peter ignored the name, he knew most called him by that, but Peter could bear it.

"It's not special treatment, there wasn't that book in the library and Mr. Warren told me he couldn't change it"

"They always give that first assignment; the books are always the same. No one ever gotten that one" another one told him

"They're right Peter. Even if that was normal, you wouldn't go to him asking"

"Why not?"

"Well, he's a royal employee. We never see him much, until now that is"

"Whatever" Peter didn't feel like arguing, especially with Harley who was supposed to be at his side. So, he just grabbed his empty tray and went to the entrance.

There was Clint already waiting for him sans book, he noticed.

"There you are Peter; the car is already waiting for you outside"

"A car?" Peter asked. It was supposed for him to get the book and go with his life. He didn't need or wanted to get in a car for that.

"Yes, Peter, you want that book, right?"

Peter could only nod lethargic

"Right, so in you go" Peter couldn't even say anything more before he was pushed inside the car he previously rides.

The door was closed, and he was alone again. This time the driver stood outside for a few minutes talking to Mr. Barton, before he entered and with only a glance at Peter, he closed the window that separated them.

Peter was almost certain of where he was going. Same car, same driver, same route, he was going to the palace again.

He didn't understand why so much work for a single book. Perhaps if he got to go there for something of so little importance, there was a large possibility that most of his peers got to go there.

He was starting to wonder if he could have done the assignment without reading the book.

What were the chances of the teacher having read a book that apparently was so hard to find?

Once again, he was walked through the massive hallways, only being stopped in front of the king's office.

The door was opened for him, and he entered, this time noticing the presence of the King right away

"Your majesty" Peter said, bowing his head a little.

"Kid what did I say about titles, and don't bow that's even worse" Peter straightened his back once again. "I heard that you needed something"

"Yes, Mr. Stark, I need a book that isn't in the library" Peter began "but you could change the book for my assignment to one that exist in the library" he tried to negotiate trying to get out of the office the sooner, the better.

"Nonsense, Pete, I got it right here" the king said, pushing forward. Of course, he already had it ready, but that meant he didn't have to waste time looking for it, which meant he would get out of the palace quicker

Peter moved forward to get it "Thank you, Mr. Stark, I will return it the sooner as possible" Peter said preparing himself to leave the room

"Where do you think you're going, Peter"

"Uh, back to the academy, I just needed the book sir"

"I'm afraid I can't let you take it. You see it's a one of the kinds, the only copy.

Peter stopped, what did he expect then. This whole situation was starting to annoy him, seriously, all this for a useless work

"Are you changing the book then, Mr. Stark?"

"No, Kid, Sit down. You got the whole day to work on your assignment" the king went back to his work, while Peter was left there standing. Was the king mocking him, because surely, he couldn't expect him to read all that in there, it would take all weekend at least.

"Uhh, I didn't bring any materials to work with" it was a valid excuse for Peter, he had an assignment to do he had to write it somewhere.

The king stopped his work and looked at him, and for a moment Peter really thought that he was going to send him back to the school, but instead he just opened a drawer at took out a tablet.

"You can use this" Mr. Stark said putting the device in the desk looking at him waiting for him to sit down.

Peter sighed but sat down nevertheless opening the first page of the book and started to read, while the king sitting in front of him went back to his work

This is going to be a long day.