["Climbing walls! How did you do that? Sticky gloves?" Tony squinted at Peter, clearly baffled by his ability to cling to the wall like an actual spider.]
["It's a long story! I..." Peter started explaining, but Tony cut him off.]
[Reaching for the sunglasses from his pajama pocket, Tony slipped them on dramatically. Seeing nothing but darkness, he exclaimed in an exaggerated voice, "Oh my God! Can I still see with these on? I'm blind!"]
["Yes! Yes! I can see just fine!" Peter sighed, snatching the one-piece pajamas from Tony's hands and tossing them into the closet.]
[He added, "I can see! Okay? It's just… after that incident, my senses became super sensitive. I receive too much information at once!"]
["So… wearing those helps me concentrate!" Peter explained, settling back onto his bed.]
["You desperately need an upgrade! From head to toe, a complete system overhaul! That's why I'm here!" Tony declared, making his intentions clear.]
[Then he asked, "Why do you do this? What's your motivation? What gets you out of bed every morning?"]
["Because..." Spider-Man hesitated, staring down at his hands.]
["Because I've been an ordinary guy my whole life! Six months ago, I got these powers! I studied, built computers…"]
["And! I really wanted to play football! But I couldn't. Now that I can, I still can't do it!" Peter admitted. He knew he was different from normal people—if he played, there was no way he could hide his strength.]
[Tony nodded in understanding. "Yeah… because you've changed."]
["Exactly! But I can't tell anyone, so I haven't told anyone!" Peter swallowed hard, his voice carrying the weight of his secret.]
["Look... if you have this power and don't use it, then the bad things that happen because of it will be on you!"]
[Tony leaned in, listening carefully. Peter's words struck a chord deep within him.]
[Peter was powerful, responsible, compassionate, and selfless. Every day, he got up early and stayed out late helping others. Such a rare quality in a person.]
[Though Tony was impressed, he didn't rush to make a decision. Instead, he asked, "So, you want to help the little people? Do your part? Make the world a better place or something?"]
["Yeah! Yeah! Just helping the little people… that's all!" Peter responded without hesitation.]
[Tony smirked and stood up, stepping closer. "Move your legs—I wanna sit here."]
[Peter scooted over without protest. Tony sat down beside him, patted his shoulder, then suddenly asked, "Do you have a passport?"]
["Uh… No! I don't even have a driver's license!" Peter admitted after a brief pause.]
["Ever been to Germany?" Tony followed up. Peter shook his head.]
["Oh! You'll like it there!" Tony grinned.]
["I can't go to Germany!" Realization hit Peter, and he nearly shouted in protest.]
["Why not?" Tony asked, raising a brow.]
["I… I still have homework!" Peter stammered.]
["Okay, I'll pretend you didn't just say that!" Tony rolled his eyes and stood up.]
["No! I... I'm serious! I can't drop out of school!" Peter argued, eyes wide with panic.]
[Tony strolled toward the door, unfazed. "It might be a little dangerous… you should probably tell the pretty aunt that I'm taking you out."]
[He reached for the door handle, but before he could turn it, Spider-Man shot a web, sticking Tony's hand to the door. Unfortunately, Spider-Man didn't realize Tony had already locked it—so it wouldn't have opened anyway.]
["Don't tell Aunt May!" Spider-Man warned, looking deadly serious.]
["Alright! Spider-Man!" Tony smirked knowingly. After a brief staredown, he finally said, "Now unstick me."]
[Spider-Man blinked, realizing his mistake. "Oh! Right! Sorry, I'll get that off!"]
—
Max listened intently to Peter's speech. His voice wasn't loud, but his words were powerful. It reminded Max of what had played ut on The Screen—Spider-Man didn't earn respect simply because he had powers.
People naturally gravitate toward those who treat them kindly. It had nothing to do with superpowers. The First-Generation Spider-Man—whether he had abilities or not—was the kind of person who'd charge into a fire to save people.
Anyone willing to lend a hand to others would eventually earn their gratitude.
That was the realization Max had failed to grasp before. Spider-Man wasn't celebrated because of his powers, but because he actively helped people. Meanwhile, Max had done nothing.
What truly set Spider-Man apart was his heart—a heart willing to sacrifice for others. That was what earned him the admiration of countless people.
"He's so responsible! And at such a young age..." 2nd Gen Uncle Ben commented, turning to Aunt May. "Unlike our Peter, who's almost graduating high school and still sneaks out late at night!"
Aunt May nodded in agreement.
Second-Generation Spider-Man covered his face in embarrassment. Compared to this Spider-Man, he felt lacking. The little spider was still in high school yet already knew what it meant to help others.
Second-Generation Gwen, standing beside him, grinned, watching him squirm. This was an everyday occurrence in their family.
Not long after, George and Helen arrived with their three sons. Uncle Ben got up to greet them, followed by Peter and Gwen.
"Hey! Ben!" George greeted with a handshake. He nodded to Second-Generation Spider-Man before stepping inside.
Today's gathering had a serious purpose. They needed to discuss why the story of the Second-Generation Spider-Man had ended so abruptly. Many people now believed there would be no sequel because he had died at the hands of Aleksei.
—
Meanwhile, Tony Stark arrived at Aunt May's doorstep. A small crowd of curious neighbors had gathered outside, watching the commotion. Aunt May had closed the door, trying to block them out.
When Iron Man landed in his armor, the crowd instinctively parted to make way for him.
"Tony Stark?" someone whispered in awe.
Tony casually introduced himself at the door. After confirming his identity, Aunt May hesitantly opened it, stepping aside to let him in.
Once inside, Tony locked the door behind him. He glanced around, assessing the living conditions. It wasn't much different from what he'd seen on The Screen—except this Peter Parker was still a child, barely ten years old. But even at this age, he bore a striking resemblance to the one in The Screen.
"Looks like your situation isn't great. Need a new house?" Tony asked, taking off his armor and setting it aside. He reached out and tousled little Peter's hair, then turned to Aunt May.
"Maybe," Aunt May replied cautiously. "But… why are you here?"
Tony smirked. "What? Didn't The Screen say I'm his father? What do you think I'm here for?"
Aunt May's eyes widened slightly.
"To protect him, of course!" Tony crouched down, looking at the young Peter Parker. Who would have thought this little kid would grow up to say such profound words?
"You need to leave. You're not safe here. Your identities have been exposed. Staying here will be dangerous. Some people out there don't want another nosy Spider-Man running around in this world!"
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