Marvel’s Spider-Man: Across the Multiverse

Click.

A faint, unusual noise echoed from the window at the end of the hallway.

The sound was subtle, and the window was over ten meters away from the seats.

Naturally, an ordinary person couldn't hear it, especially not Jefferson Davis, who was immersed in grief at the moment.

But the keen senses of Little Black Spider, enhanced by spider genes, picked it up perfectly.

Instinctively, he lifted his head and looked in that direction.

There, he caught a fleeting glimpse of a hand.

A red hand.

Its surface patterned with web-like textures.

It was Mr. Parker's hand!

Little Black Spider glanced at his father, then stood and walked toward the window.

Behind him, Jefferson Davis noticed his son rising but assumed he was heading to the restroom or something, so he said nothing.

When Little Black Spider reached the window, before he could peer outside, a hand shot out from the nearby storage room and pulled him inside.

The door was then gently closed.

This was a hospital, after all, where loud noises were forbidden.

Here, silence was respect.

Middle-aged Peter Spider placed a hand on Little Black Spider's shoulder and asked, "Hey, Miles, how's your uncle?"

Miles drooped his head and replied despondently, "Still in surgery. Maybe..."

Peter extended his other hand to rest on Miles' other shoulder, offering comfort. "Don't think like that. He'll be okay."

"Yeah... Thank you, Peter," Miles looked at him gratefully. "If you hadn't pulled him aside back then, Uncle Aaron would've been hit in the heart. There wouldn't even be a chance to save him now."

Peter let out a faint sigh and said, "If you want to thank me, wait until your uncle is better. Then he can buy me a drink."

Though he said that, Peter's heart was heavy with pessimism.

He wondered, if only he'd pulled harder back then, would things have turned out better?

But regrets were futile.

For now, all they could do was give their best and leave the rest to fate.

Before crossing into this world, Peter had heard about a certain "fatalism" tied to Spider-Man—a belief that every Spider-Man would lose someone close to them.

Take, for example, the Spider-Men gathered here.

Shadow Spider had lost his Uncle Ben.

Middle-aged Peter Spider had also lost his Uncle Ben.

Gwen Spider had lost her best friend, Peter Parker.

Peni had lost her father—the source of her mech, her powers, and her responsibility.

The only exceptions were Peter (Bide) and Spider-Ham.

Spider-Ham hadn't lost anyone because he was from a comedic universe. As a character in a children's comedy, there was no need for tragic embellishments.

As for Peter, he came from the "real world."

Perhaps this so-called "fatalism" doesn't apply to him.

Or maybe it just hasn't had the chance to yet.

In truth, Peter (Bide) never believed in "fatalism," whether before or after crossing into this world.

This wasn't just due to the long-standing belief passed down through Hanxia's culture that "man can conquer nature." From the perspective of the real world, everything in the Marvel Universe was merely part of an editor's design.

That was the true "fate" in question.

As someone who existed outside that predetermined narrative, beyond the editor's reach, didn't that mean he could ignore it all?

At this moment, Peter fervently hoped that the Prowler could be saved.

Because if that happened, it would prove that this world didn't adhere to any so-called "fatalism."

At least, not in front of him!

Little Black Spider forced a smile, trying to pull himself together, and nodded firmly. "Yeah! I'll tell him!"

Then he turned to the others. "Wait... what's going on with you all?"

Shadow Spider replied, "We came to check on you and to say goodbye."

With that, he leapt out of the window behind him.

Spider-Ham and Peni gave simple farewells as well before leaving.

Startled, Little Black Spider called out, "Wait! Why are you all saying goodbye here? Can't we do that at the collider?"

Peter's grip on his shoulder tightened slightly, a subtle gesture of reassurance. "No, your uncle needs you more. As for the collider, I'll handle it. Right?"

Gwen Spider nodded. "Don't worry, Peter's reliable. Stay here, Miles."

"Gwen..." Little Black Spider hesitated, his gaze at Gwen Spider suddenly carrying an unusual expression.

"Hmm?" Peter's grip on his shoulder tightened a bit more. Turning to Gwen Spider, he said, "Gwen, you should head off now."

She shot him an annoyed look but gave Little Black Spider a quick farewell before leaping out the window.

"Miles, let me warn you—don't even think about going after Gwen!" Peter threatened jokingly.

Little Black Spider stood there, confused, staring in the direction Gwen Spider had disappeared. Then he glanced at Peter, and finally, at Middle-aged Peter Spider, silently pleading for help with his eyes.

Middle-aged Peter Spider shrugged. "Romantic issues between you young folks are none of my business, but I'd advise you to give up early, Miles."

Saying this, he patted Little Black Spider on the shoulder in a gesture of comfort.

Then he turned to Peter (Bide) and said, "Hey, Bide, give him a break. He's already been through enough."

"Hmph," Bide snorted softly but released his grip.

Even though he and Gwen Spider were currently only at the mutual-interest stage, still caught in a phase of ambiguity, eliminating a potential rival early was undeniably satisfying.

Why complicate things when a straightforward, reciprocal relationship was within reach?

Bide prided himself on being pragmatic.

"Alright, I get it," Little Black Spider muttered, lowering his head in frustration.

He did feel a budding attraction toward Gwen Spider, but just as that tiny spark was beginning to flicker, Bide snuffed it out entirely.

Bide grinned, stretching out his hand. "Now, hand over the little gadget."

Instinctively, Little Black Spider reached for his pocket, though he stubbornly replied, "I—I don't have it on me. It's in the pocket of my suit. I'll go get it now."

As he spoke, he started moving as though preparing to leave.

Thwip!

A strand of web shot out from Bide's hand, sticking firmly to Little Black Spider and holding him in place.

"What are you doing?!" Little Black Spider yelped in surprise, finally realizing what had happened as he reached to tear at the webbing.

However, Bide, ever the opportunist, had already closed the distance. With a sweeping kick, he knocked Little Black Spider to the ground.

The webbing that had initially restrained him wound itself further around his body in the scuffle, binding his hands tightly.

Bide crouched down and fished the gadget out of Little Black Spider's pocket. "See? Told you—you're not ready yet."

With that, he vaulted out the window.

There wasn't much for him to say goodbye to. After all, according to the plan, he would eventually stay in the Ultimate Universe.

It wasn't what he wanted, but given how things had unfolded, he had little choice but to accept it.

He had already made up his mind: if he were to remain here, he would take up the mantle of the Ultimate Spider, continuing the legacy as Spider-Man.

As for what lay ahead, he'd figure it out one step at a time—balancing his responsibilities as Spider-Man while seeking his own path forward.

(End of Chapter)

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