I ran. I just bolted out the moment he let me leave that kaleidoscopic hell hole. I ran out the front door, jumped out into the city, and swung away like a bat out of hell.
Oddly enough, he didn't stop me.
I swung into the city, desperate for space, though no matter how hard I tried I couldn't find it. I needed a place to think, somewhere I could let myself breathe. Queens was too far away, but the Baxter Building was just two blocks over.
I swung across and landed on the roof, sighing with relief as I sat down on the edge and took off my helmet, panting as I tried to calm down.
I was still processing what he had told me. Why he was training me in the first place.
It just didn't seem to stick in my head.
Magic so powerful it bound the multiverse together — and I was the only one who could access it.
And worst of all, he knew who I was. Who I really was. Not Peter Parker. Someone else. That thought alone kept me awake. I sat on top of this familiar building and tried to think, but I found myself unable to form a single coherent thought.
"Spider-Man?" I looked up and was surprised to see Franklin hovering before me.
I blinked. "Frankie? What are you doing up so late?"
"It's six in the morning," he said with a raised eyebrow. I was startled — I looked over his shoulder and sure enough, the sun was cresting the horizon. I had been here all night.
I sighed, rubbing my eyes. "Sorry, it's just...I didn't know what else to do. I'm dealing with a lot right now and I needed somewhere familiar to think."
"I understand," the boy smiled as he dropped down, sitting next to me. "Want to talk about it?"
"No, I—" I stopped. Looking at the boy, I was reminded of his mother — the hair, the eyes, so much like Sue's. I sighed. "Yeah...maybe. I just found out I have some kind of destiny, and now I'm panicking. I have no idea what to do and I'm completely lost."
Franklin chuckled. "So you're having an identity crisis?"
I snorted. "Yeah, kind of."
"Well...what are you afraid of?" Frankie asked.
"I'm...I'm afraid of failing," I said, remembering Strange's words — if I died at Thanos' hands, so did the rest of the universe. "And I'm afraid I won't be strong enough when the time comes."
Franklin nodded. "I see...but...why not?"
I looked at him. "Huh?"
"I mean — your blood has the ability to give you the powers of others, right?" He motioned to me. "Just take the powers of people who would say yes and get stronger."
"Franklin, it's not that simple. I know what happens to people who become obsessed with power. You've seen what happened...what happened to me when I got hold of that Cosmic Control Rod."
Franklin sighed. "Yeah...I do."
I closed my eyes. "I don't ever want to become that kind of monster again, Frankie. Someone who cares more for power than the people who love him. Someone who...a monster..."
"I...I get it," Franklin reached up and touched the gold band around his head. "This thing keeps my powers in check. I can't...I can't control them on my own. I doubt I ever fully will. But I use them to help people, and slowly but surely I'm getting stronger. I'm aware of the danger I represent — which is exactly why this power is safest in my hands, and no one else's. Well...other than yours, maybe."
I blinked. "What are you talking about?"
"Spider-Man — you're a hero unlike anyone else. My mom used to tell me how amazing you were. How selfless, how brave. If anyone deserves power, it's you."
"Franklin, I'm not the same person you know. I'm not your version of Spider-Man," I argued.
Franklin smiled. "From what I've seen so far...that's a lie. You're exactly the same as my Spider-Man." He paused. "Which is why...hold on a second." He suddenly flew up and descended back into the building.
I waited curiously. He returned three minutes later with a small vial of dark liquid in his hand. He grinned as he tossed it to me. "Don't worry about breaking it — Dad made the vial indestructible."
I looked it over. The sun's rays turned the near-black liquid a deep red. "What is it?...Blood?"
Franklin nodded. "Yup. My blood."
My eyes went wide. "Frankie! Why did you do this?!"
"Because...you're my hero," he smiled. "And if you can save the world and yourself using my blood, then go for it."
"Franklin — you are the strongest mutant in recorded history, beyond Omega level. I have no idea what this could do to me!"
Franklin shrugged. "True...but maybe it can help you save the world." He gave me a salute. "Good luck, Spidey!"
And without another word he took off, flying back inside. I blinked. Did that seriously just happen? I looked down at the vial of blood in my hand — blood that could potentially make me a beyond-Omega-level mutant.
It shook in my grip. No...I can't use this. It was a drug of sorts, and relying on freely-given power was a slippery slope. So far I had been careful. But now? Now I needed more power, and it had just dropped into my lap.
Ten months — that was how long the Reed Richards of this world told me I would need before I could boost my abilities again, before I could grow stronger.
But I didn't want to. I never wanted to become a power-hungry monster. That had always been my greatest fear: to become so powerful that I lost what made me human.
So I had a problem. Thanos was coming, and I had two solutions. Use Franklin's power...or fight with my own.
I took off, swinging back to Greenwich Village. I landed at Strange's door and walked in — it wasn't even locked.
I remembered the way to the kitchen and moved. Inside I found him sitting at a small table, sipping tea, while the kitchen around him was alive with movement. Everything was working on its own, preparing breakfast as though guided by invisible hands.
God, I loved magic.
Strange looked up from a large tome he was reading. "Ah — so you're back. I had a feeling you would be."
"I'm sure you did," I looked at him nervously, swallowing. "I...I'm sorry I ran."
"It's all right. It's only natural...after what I told you." Strange sighed. "Please, sit."
"Thanks." I sat as a cup of coffee floated into my hands, sugar drifting over from a small bowl and mixing itself into my drink. I raised an eyebrow. "Huh. Cool."
Strange nodded. "You'll learn how to do it soon."
I sipped my drink and slowly looked at him. "So...what now?" So many thoughts were running through my head, but here, before Strange, there was only one.
"You're afraid of what I'll say about you taking over Peter Parker's body."
"Yes." He was blunt, but I didn't care. The faster this was over, the sooner my heart would stop hammering inside my chest.
"I must admit — when I first scanned you and found this...alteration, I was skeptical." I groaned. "I didn't know what kind of man you were. So when you left my home yesterday, I followed."
"You spied on me?" I asked in surprise.
He nodded. "Yes. I wanted to see what kind of man you were. You spent the entire day saving people who weren't even yours to save — helping people from a world not your own. And then I realized: you may not be Peter Parker, but you are a damn fine Spider-Man."
I was quiet, his words settling into me. "You offered to teach me magic before you even knew what kind of person I was?"
Strange nodded. "Yes. If you had accepted immediately, I would have known that you desired power above all else. I would have wiped your memory and tried to restore Peter Parker."
"Could you?" I asked immediately, alarmed. "Could you actually do that?"
Strange sighed. "Unfortunately, such an action would be pointless. I saw a little further into your mind yesterday—"
"—Hey! Not cool!"
Strange smiled and continued. "I found that if I did restore Peter Parker, it would be the version of him who never received a spider bite and never learned to become Spider-Man. I would be reversing all the good you have done, all that you have become. It would also be very, very painful for both you and Peter. So no — I decided against it."
"But you could do it, if I ever became too much of a problem," I narrowed my eyes, the implication clear.
"Yes, if I wanted to, I could," Strange nodded. "But as I told you — you are a significant part of the Web of Life. As such, I cannot act without risking the Web collapsing in on itself. You are very much safe from me. Pe...I'm sorry — all this time and I never bothered to ask: what is your name?"
I blinked. "It's $#%#$."
Strange blinked. "I'm sorry?"
I sighed. "It's not your fault. Whatever being placed me into Peter's body also prevented me from sharing any information about my old world and the knowledge contained in it. I can't even say my own name. I had my world's Charles Xavier look into it — he had no idea what to do either."
Strange nodded. "I see. Interesting."
"How did you know I was from a world where all of this existed in comic books?" I asked. "As I said, my mind is protected — so how?"
"I used this." Strange pointed to a golden, eye-shaped amulet around his neck. "The Eye of Agamotto — powerful, and very good at what it does. No secret can hide from it."
I blinked. "So can you use it to read my mind and learn details about my world?"
Strange shrugged. "I don't know. I haven't tried — nor am I going to."
"Why not?" I asked, curious.
"Whoever placed you into Peter Parker's body is powerful. Very powerful. And dangerous. If I attempted it, they might perceive me as a threat and try to destroy me. I would rather not risk that. Besides, I have been Sorcerer Supreme for a long time. I have learned during that period that some knowledge is better left unlearned."
I looked at him before slowly nodding and accepting his answer. It made sense. He wasn't lying to me — or at least I didn't think so. He simply wanted everything to remain intact, which was more or less what I wanted too.
I finished my coffee and got up, heading for the door. "Where are you going?" Strange asked.
"I have to tell Peter and MJ where I'll be staying. And then I have about a hundred books to read, Master Strange." I called back. "I'll see you later."
Strange chuckled. "Very well, Apprentice Parker. But don't forget to eat something — you'll find your mind far more willing to bend on a full stomach than an empty one."
I nodded. "Right." As I walked, the weight of the vial of blood Franklin had given me sat heavy in my pocket. I had made my choice — I would earn power rather than take it. It was noble, perhaps even foolish. But if I wasn't ready when Thanos came, I knew I wouldn't hesitate to use Franklin's blood.
Sometimes...sometimes you need a monster to fight a monster.
---
A week later:
I stood in the middle of the training hall, feet apart and arms tucked to my sides. I moved in a deliberate rhythm, my movements following the pattern I had memorized. The kata flowed out of me cleanly, like water.
I tried to feel it — the power Strange said I carried. I moved, placing both palms before me before spreading them apart in a slow circular motion, pushing out whatever energy I was supposed to hold, willing it forward. But nothing came.
"I can't do this!" I cried out, throwing my hands up. "It's impossible!"
Strange smiled. "There's no such thing. Try again, Peter — I promise, you will eventually understand the process."
"Dude! It's just me waving my hands around like an idiot! How is this supposed to help me learn magic?!" I was on a very short fuse.
But Strange was patient. "Did you read 'The Power of Chakra Movement'?"
"Y-yes."
"And what does it say?"
I sighed. "That the movement of the body and clarity of mind unlock the body's spiritual energy, combining it with our physical abilities."
"Correct. You have mastered the body. But tell me — have you mastered your mind?" He narrowed his eyes. "Or have you gotten distracted?"
"I'm not distracted!" I hissed. "I...I just can't focus!"
Strange smiled. "That's what distracted means, Peter."
"No...I mean I understand what I have to do, and I'm focusing on it, but nothing happens!"
Strange hummed. "I see...well, perhaps it's time you take a break. It's nearly time for school — a short rest might clear your head."
"I'm training to be a sorcerer, Master Strange. Do I really have to go to school?!" I grumbled.
"Yes, you do," Strange smiled as he walked away. "Besides — you need the break."
---
A few hours later:
I grumbled as I walked out of class. Even though I was being trained to be a sorcerer, both Peter and Strange demanded I keep attending school. I didn't understand why they were so insistent, but I couldn't say no — especially not to Strange. For every day of school I skipped, he put me through three hours of mind-numbing drills.
So here I was — five hours wasted sitting through things I already knew or subjects I'd never use. I was just about to head back to Strange's place when someone called out to me.
"Bruce! Hold up!" I turned to see May and Felicity running up to me, looking excited.
I blinked. "Hey, girls — what's new?"
"Hey, are you free right now?" Felicity asked, sounding extremely giddy. "There's a girls' basketball game after school and we need people in the stands!"
I blinked. "There's a game today?"
May nodded. "Yeah, and it's a pain to get people to come and show support."
"Could you come, Bruce? Please? It would really help!" Felicity said in a pleading tone.
"Yeah, come on, Bruce — it'll be fun," May smiled. "Besides, you look like you could use a change of pace."
I sighed, rubbing my eyes. "Yeah...you're right. Lead the way, ladies."
Felicity grinned. "Yes! Come with me! Oh, and quick question — would you mind holding up a poster and cheering?"
I shrugged. "Hey — you girls win and I'll take you out to dinner."
"Really? You mean it?" Felicity asked with a flirtatious smile.
I was immediately on guard. May blinked in surprise too — she must have caught it. Damn. This was bad. Defuse the tension. "Y-yeah, sure thing, kiddo." I patted her on the head the way a father would.
"Great! Make sure you keep that promise, Brucie!" Felicity winked. "Alright, May — I'm heading ahead!"
"What? Why?" May asked, bewildered.
"I'm going to squeeze in some extra training!" Felicity blew me a kiss. "You're so taking me out to dinner, mister!"
"I didn't mean it like that!" I cried out.
"I don't care!" she sang as she disappeared toward the gym.
"That...was awkward," May whistled.
I groaned. "Yeah...now I know how you felt when Johnny hit on you. So weird."
"Well, doesn't she kind of look like your Felicia?" May asked.
I turned to her. "Would you date my version of Johnny if he looked like Franklin?"
May blushed. "What?! No!"
"Exactly. Plus — no one can ever substitute for my Kitten. No one, ever."
---
That night:
"Go, Midtown Tigers!" the announcer cheered, followed immediately by the sizeable crowd gathered in the gymnasium. The home team was leading by twelve points while the visitors were rapidly closing the gap.
I sat in the fifth row with a giant poster held above my head — 'Get 'Em, Tigers!' The match was a little slow for my taste, but honestly, what can you do.
May and Felicity were killing it on the court — two perfectly synchronized partners who moved like they had trained together for years. Watching the way May passed to Felicity reminded me of me and my Kitten: how we covered each other in the field. These two were going to make an outstanding team.
Flash was there too — or as the students called him, Coach Flash. I hadn't had the displeasure of taking his class yet, but seeing him now...I was glad I got the chance.
Flash had aged badly. He didn't just look forty — he looked like Ben did back in my time: well into his fifties, thick around the middle, face creased with wrinkles, nose broad and red. My future self had managed to stay fit and sharp for his age, beard and all.
I knew this wasn't my Flash, and maybe he did eventually mature in his own world — but honestly? It felt good knowing this was what awaited him here. Wahaha.
I grinned at the bald spot on his head. Heh. Sucker.
"You know, if you keep staring at him like that, the bald spot might just grow bigger."
"You're slipping in your old age, Kitten," I smiled, turning around to find the older Felicia Hardy looking down at me. "I heard you sneaking up behind me three minutes ago."
"It's the cast." She pointed at her leg. She had been discharged from hospital only a few days ago — Felicity had been over the moon about it. Felicia still wore an eyepatch and had a cast over her left shin, but otherwise she looked well. She had on jeans and a leather jacket — an odd combination for a woman of her age, but she pulled it off.
"Sure it is," I smiled, making room beside me. We both turned to the game — Felicity had just scored three points. "That's some girl you raised, Kitten."
"Yeah," Felicia smiled. "She's something else."
"Is she close with her dad?" I asked, watching Flash cheer for her from the sideline. "She hardly ever talks about him."
"Just between you and me? She's a complete daddy's girl," Felicia chuckled. "She and I actually started fighting a lot after I divorced him. She lives with me, but he was always her favourite."
"So strange," I grumbled. "Flash Thompson — parental figure."
"You really need to get that chip off your shoulder, Peter," Felicia smiled. "Girls don't find jealousy attractive."
"I beg your pardon, but I know one girl who absolutely does," I grinned. "Don't even pretend for a second you don't enjoy when people fight over you. I know you, Felicia Hardy — even if you aren't the one I grew to love."
"Maybe," Felicia shrugged. "So — any luck finding a way back to your own world?"
I sighed. "No...it's more of a wait-and-see situation. Why? Are you eager to be rid of me?"
"You remind me of a world where I had the man of my dreams, Peter. Of course it's difficult to talk to you."
"Then why did you come over?"
"Because...I would kick myself if I didn't at least try," Felicia's smile turned sad as she looked toward her ex-husband. "Did you know I only started dating Flash to spite my Peter?"
"You did?"
"Yes. I was so angry he chose MJ over me that I decided to try and seduce his best friend."
"I'm going to stop you right there," I held up a finger. "Flash was my best friend?"
"Yup."
"God, this world is something else. Please — continue," I sighed.
"Right. Anyway, at first it was pure manipulation — I didn't care for him at all. But then...I found myself slowly falling for the man. Until...well." She gestured at the gym. "You can see the result."
Felicity and May cheered as they called for a time-out to discuss strategy for the final ten minutes.
"So why did you split up?" I asked.
"Because we wanted different things," Felicia sighed, scratching idly at the edge of her eyepatch. "He wanted a docile wife and I wanted my freedom. I wanted to travel — he wanted to be a coach in this small corner of the world. I refused to be tied down...is your Felicia the same?"
I nodded. "Yes. But so am I. I have a sense of duty to my city, but I wouldn't mind spending a month or two in Rome or Paris — just being with her wouldn't be the worst thing in the world."
"Right...well, anyway." Felicia huffed. "Things just escalated. We had children, kept fighting. Eventually we separated — Flash took our son and I got our daughter. And...that's just the way things have been."
We sat in silence as we watched the game wind down. Side by side, we watched our children work together to seal the victory — though only genetically was May mine, in any sense. I turned to Felicia. "Tell me, Kitten...do you wish you could go back and change it all?"
"No," she answered without hesitation, smiling right at me. "This is my life. I refuse to abandon my daughter for such a selfish reason."
"Heh. If only your father thought the same way," I snorted.
"I know he isn't the best father in the world, but he is still your Felicia's father. Remember that, Pete."
"I know...doesn't change the fact that if I ever get my hands on him I'm breaking his fingers for selfishly endangering his family the way he did," I growled.
"I won't like that," she said.
"Then what should I do?"
"Well...if you do find her—"
"—If she wants to be found."
"Right. If you do...hug her and kiss her and don't let go until she pushes you back. And after that...everything else can wait," Felicia smiled, scratching at her eyepatch again.
I groaned. Damn Richard Fisk. That bastard. I wished I had tracked him down and dealt with him properly. Last I heard he had gained immunity in exchange for giving up his partners and employees. That was going to make him a lot of enemies. I personally hoped he died in the gutter.
I noticed the bruising around Felicia's eye was deepening in colour — the blood vessels flooding the damaged capillaries around the socket. Theoretically, I could use my body's energy to feed those vessels, accelerate the healing. But...I had never been able to do anything like that before. Hell, I couldn't even summon a proper magical circle yet.
"What's the matter?" Felicia asked with a small smile. "You've been staring at me for a while now."
I smiled. "I just realized how lucky I'd be if I got to grow old with my Felicia. If she ends up looking like you, I'd never get bored."
"Ha-ha," Felicia rolled her one visible eye. "I know I'm old, Peter — you don't have to rub it in."
"I'm serious, Kitten," I smirked.
"I'm sur—" She winced, reaching up to rub the itching wound. My mind was made up.
"Here — let me," I said, reaching toward her eyepatch.
"What are you doing?" she asked as my fingertips touched her face, feeling the warmth of blood moving beneath her skin.
I focused — gathering up whatever energy I could, recalling the feeling of channeling my electric powers — and pushed it forward, imagining the path I wanted the energy to take.
I felt it move. I opened my eyes and there it was: a wisp of golden energy flowing from my fingertip into Felicia's skin. The bruising visibly shrank. Felicia gasped as it happened. I dropped my hands, exhausted from the simple act.
"H-how did you do that?" Felicia asked.
I smirked as I wiped the sweat from my brow. "I'm picking up a few tricks from Dr. Strange."
"Okay...you are definitely not the Peter Parker I'm used to."
"And the Tigers win!" the announcer cried out, ending the match in Midtown's favour. We turned to see Felicity and May cheering with the rest of their teammates — all of them together, all of them happy.
"Thank you," Felicia said, drawing my attention back to her just as I felt the soft touch of her lips on my forehead. A gentle kiss. "That helped."
"N-no problem," I replied.
"Don't worry, Peter," she got to her feet, steadying herself despite the cast. She looked down at me and smiled. "I'm sure she's just waiting to come back to you. Don't give up on her."
I nodded. "I won't. Now — do you need help getting down the stands?"
Felicia chuckled. "Yes, kind of!"