Peter idolized Mysterio extremely fast, because Beck knew exactly how to manipulate the kid.
He watched him, did his research. He knew who what Peter needed.
Tony Stark.
The entire world was asking Spider-Man if he was the new Tony Stark. Captain America, Black Widow, Iron Man, all gone. the Avengers had been ripped apart when they saved the world, and now civilians were scared. Who would protect them if things like that were out there? Spider-Man was the only one standing up and still fighting for his city, he was mentored by Iron Man. Surely he would step up.
Peter felt the pressure, the questions. Even Fury was trying to push him to be the next Tony, fulfill his duty as an Avenger.
But Beck stood up for him.
"He's not bored, he's just thinking about how you kidnapped him"
He understands Peter wants to enjoy time with his friends, with MJ.
"You're not a jerk for wanting a normal life kid"
Everyone else was adamant though.
"Stark chose you. He made you an Avenger. I need that, the world needs that. Maybe Stark was wrong."
Here Fury is telling him that not stepping up would be failing the world, failing Stark. Putting words into the mouth of Peter's dead mentor.
Everyone knows that Tony Stark is Peter's weak spot-
"Tony did a lot for me so, I owe it to him. To everybody"
But Beck is always a step ahead.
He sets himself up as the knight in shining arming, showing up right when the world needs him, after all the heroes had fought and died and disappeared. (Iron Man was the first superhero the world had seen since Captain America. Peter worshipped him since he was a little kid. He burst into Peter's life, gave him an incredible suit, and cleaned up his messes).
He lifts Peter up when he's down. "Don't ever apologize for being the smartest in the room" "a part of me wants me to tell you to turn around, run away from all this". (Tony was the only one smart enough to understand how smart Peter was, too. Told him to stay away from the big stuff and help the little guy. He followed Mr. Stark onto that spaceship after being told to go home over and over).
He becomes a mentor. "It's really nice to have someone to talk to about superhero stuff, y'know" Peter tells him. It's painfully reminiscent of being 15, blowing up the phone with texts and voicemails because Mr. Stark was the only one who knew his identity and knew what it was like to be a hero. The way he'd look at Tony with eager eyes every time they were face to face, just happy to be seen. He'd had to fight so hard for Tony to listen to him, and losing it was... harder than he realized.
So here Beck is, a better hero than Spider-Man, more supportive than Fury- and then he asks the perfect question:
"What do you want, Peter?"
He lets the kid imagine a better life, a life where he isn't the next Iron Man. He looks up at Beck and sees his escape, sees someone far more qualified. Not only would it be an out for Peter, but the world would simply be better off with Mysterio.
"the world needs the next Iron Man, it needs to be an adult with some experience, who's good like Tony Stark, like you"
Everyone made it so easy for Beck- they broke Peter's self-esteem down till he was certain he couldn't be the next Iron Man. Denied him at every turn a piece of a normal life, any balance. Everyone was so desperate for a hero that no one questioned when Beck strolled in, charmed everyone, and proved himself the only solution.
Peter is 16. He's a kid. He lost so many years already; with his parents, his uncle, with gaining super powers. He lost Tony, his support system. He's desperate for an adult to take this burden from him.
For the next Tony Stark.
So he takes Edith, the physical symbol of his responsibility, and hands it to the nearest capable adult.
I just wanted to be like you!
And I wanted you to be better.
Peter Parker is not Tony Stark.
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