Chapter Text
“Can you believe it?” Ned asks, grabbing Peter’s arm and shaking him. “We’re at Stark Industries, we’re going to see Tony Stark.”
“Ned, you saw Tony Stark last week.” Peter points out, rolling his eyes.
“Yeah, but that was dinner, this is a robotics competition.” Ned explains, and Peter can practically see the stars in his eyes.
“You’re both idiots.” MJ declares, dragging them over to a table. They’re late already, and they sit down just as the lights lower, and Mr. Stark’s entry music starts.
Truthfully Peter was excited to be part of the first ever Stark Industries High School Robotics Competition. It felt silly to be so excited when he spent so much of his time in the lab with Mr. Stark already, but he’d been looking forward to this.
He’d spent weeks with Ned coming up with plan after plan, for any limitation Mr. Stark could think up.
“Hello, and welcome to the-“ Mr. Stark says, and not even two seconds into his speech the door slams open to reveal Captain America himself.
“So, you got detention,” A kid mocks, and laughter ripples through the crowd.
“Hey Ton- What are all these kids doing here?” Steve says, looking completely shocked to see a crowd of glaring high schoolers. Peter takes note of a few particularly heated looks.
“I told you five times already Steve,” Mr. Stark says, rubbing at his temples, completely unaware of the new rage he’s inspiring in many of the assembled students. An adorable looking girl in a bucket hat, and sundress looks ready to kill him. “This is the robotics competition,” He turns back to the crowd shrugging a shoulder as if to say, ‘what can you do?’ “As I was saying.”
“Excuse me,” A girl from another school says, climbing to her feet. “My name is Riri, and I think we should change the terms of the competition.” She declares, leaving Mr. Stark looking about as shocked as he feels.
“I’m afraid that’s not how this works.” He protests, as soon as he recovers.
“I think,” She plows on. “We should make this a competition to prank Steve Rogers, first person to make him cry wins.” A murmur goes through the audience.
“I don’t think-“ Steve, and Mr. Stark protest, and Peter can see the panic on Steve’s face.
“I accept the challenge!” The girl in the sundress yells, standing up. Then Flash, and a wave of others are calling out.
“Yeah, I’m in.” Peter decides, joining Ned.
“Have fun,” MJ says, and starts to walk towards the stage.
“Wait, don’t you want to help?” He asks, and she shakes her head.
“I have bigger fish to fry Parker.” She announces, and then there’s a popping sound, and something that looks suspiciously like a potato flies into the ceiling.
“Harley Keener!” Mr. Stark snaps, and the crowd starts laughing.
“Tony, you can’t just let them do this.” Steve says, looking at the room of teenagers.
“Do you know how many times I’ve had to watch the ‘so you got detention’ video?” Sundress girl yells. “He can’t stop me.”
“Well, I’m afraid the terrifying teenager had spoken.” Tony says, gesturing to the crowd. “Since I can’t stop you, I will be setting some ground rules.”
“Boo!” Someone yells.
“Too bad. Okay, JARVIS is in charge, no knives, no weapons of any kind, no maiming killing, or otherwise hurting the Captain, is that clear?” There’s nods around the room, a few salutes.
“Tony-“ Steve starts to protest, and is interrupted by a potato flying past his head, and smashing against the wall behind him.
“Furthermore, that potato gun, and any other tech you brought in is confiscated, everything you use, you make today, but you’re welcome to use any plans you brought with you.” Tony declares, “There are lockers up front for you to leave your things, let the games begin.” He walks out of the room, Steve following after him, arguing.
Peter watches as MJ disappears down the hallway after him, and a kid with a Eastern NY High shirt climbs up to the podium.
“Um, hi?” They squeak. “I think we should maybe split up into groups, or alone, did we want to limit group sizes?” There’re a few small conversations but as long as pairs are allowed Peter isn’t worried.
“Five?” Someone offers, and there’s a general chorus of agreements.
“Please announce your groupings to me,” JARVIS says, startling a bunch of students. Peter laughs as Eugene jumps three feet in the air. “If you need any items just request them, and they will be brought to you. All designs must be submitted at the end of three hours.”
“You and me.” Ned declares, and then there’s a commotion on the other side of the auditorium.
“Parker!” A voice yells, and Peter turns to see Harley, dragging Riri over the back of a chair.
“What?” Peter yells back, ignoring Eugene glaring at Harley.
“I’m joining your group!” He declares, as he gets closer “Harley by the way, nice to meet you.” He holds out a hand to Ned still straddling a chair. “I brought her.” He gestures to Riri.
“I don’t even know you.” She mutters, and Harley just shrugs.
“That’s fine,” He waves her off. “We’ve got a group of four now-“
“Five.” Flash butts in.
“Whatever,” Riri shrugs. “JARVIS I have a list of parts I need.” She states holding up a sheet of paper.
“Of course, Ms. Williams.” JARVIS agrees.
“Why would we want you in our group?” Ned asks Eugene, and Eugene just points at Peter.
“Listen, you and I both know Parker doesn’t have a mean bone in his body. If you want to make Captain America cry, you need me.” Flash declares.
“That’s true,” Peter admits before Ned can start arguing. “However, Harley over here is an asshole.”
“Thanks,” Harley says with a proud smirk, “wait?” The smirk falls. Flash scowls at him.
“Let me join your team, and I won’t bully you for a month.” He offers, and Ned’s eyes light up.
“Deal.” Ned agrees before Peter can say anything.
“Your team has been registered.” Jarvis says, and Flash smirks at him. “I do warn you Mr. Thompson that bullying is not tolerated by Stark Industries, and if you are found bullying anyone it will be hard to get a job here.”
“Except for Steve Rogers.” Flash points out.
“Yes, except for Steve Rogers.” Jarvis agrees. Flash grins proudly at them, and Peter rolls his eyes and starts listing the chemicals he needs.
“Okay, what’s everyone’s plan?” Eugene says, taking control. Harley glares at him. “I know Ned can code, and Parker’s great with biochem, what about you two?”
“Robotic’s Riri says,” Her requested materials have arrived, and she’s already tinkering with them.
“Potato guns.” Harley states.
“Why?” Eugene asks, clearly baffled.
“I want to find out what happens to a potato when it breaks the sound barrier.” Harley says, with a far off look in his eye. “I’m great with any projectile though.”
“Cool, I’m good with engineering.” Eugene says, “What does everyone want to do?”
“I’m going to make a tiny flying Ironman that follows Mr. ‘Fitness gram pacer test’ around and mocks him.” Riri says, testing a joint. Peter snorts a laugh at the mental image, fully aware that Mr. Stark is going to try and buy it from her.
“I’m going to code all of the doors to demand a password,” Ned declares. “Make him say things like, Ironman is the best Avenger, and updog.” Riri opens her mouth and Harley pulls on her sleeve to stop her, shaking his head.
“I like this, what about you Parker?” Eugene asks.
“Stinkbombs.” Peter states, and there’s a pause. “I’m working on a skunk-like solution that only comes off with tomato sauce. If he tries to shower, that’ll make it worse.” Eugene turns to Harley.
“JARVIS?” Harley says. “How many potatoes can you get me?”
“Alright.” Eugene shrugs. “I can work on the delivery system for Parker’s stink bombs.”
“Perfect, let’s get to work.” Peter grins, and a tiny robot rolls out from under the table, and waves at him.
“Hi!” The tiny robot greets with a wave before rolling off.
“Okay?”