The starry sky, shrouded by an infinitely massive entity, was sliced by a blood-red sword light, like a scarlet galaxy tearing through the cosmos. The colossal entity shattered instantly, dissolving into countless stars that merged into the crimson river, flowing slowly into the vast universe.
The god fell, and sunlight bathed the earth once more.
"Spider-Man."
The name the newborn god screamed before its demise was heard for the first time by this universe's Earth.
"Spider-Man."
"That black god was Spider-Man!"
"He saved this world."
"Saved us."
"No, he saved the world, but not us."
On the battlefield, under orders from above, soldiers picked up their weapons again, charging recklessly at their enemies.
The world remained unchanged.
Meanwhile, the gathered Peter Parkers couldn't hide their disappointment.
"The black Spider-Man—no, red—whatever, it doesn't matter. Who was that guy?"
"Did you notice? Charlie Parker hasn't shown up yet. That's not right. Something like this happens, he'd definitely be here."
"So… could it be?!"
"That guy is Charlie Parker!"
Lizard Parker laughed excitedly. "Hahaha, if it's the strongest Spider-Man, it's gotta be him! I'm gonna make it big! I'm gonna be resurrected!!"
Last time, he helped that guy. This time, there's no reason Charlie wouldn't help him.
Wait.
Lizard Parker's smile froze.
That guy saved the world alone!
He clutched his head, screaming at the sky, "Damn useless jerk! He went and beat the world-destroying enemy all by himself! We were supposed to soar together!!!"
Buzz~
A portal flickered, and the black Spider-Man stepped out, bringing a new friend along.
"Lizard stud, I've already slain a god, and you're still calling me names? That's a real headache!"
Charlie emerged from the portal, holding Diana hostage. Behind him, Wade silently wept under the threat of a group of Amazon warriors.
Why, oh why, didn't he take me along?!! Wade was heartbroken.
Antiope stared at the scene in despair.
A demon god that terrifying was cut down with a single strike. Even if the Amazon Queen arrived, or Zeus himself descended, they might not save Diana from this guy.
As the portal closed, Queen Hippolyta finally reached the scene.
"Where's Diana? Where's my daughter?" she scanned the area, her face darkening.
Antiope, full of guilt, nodded. "Yes, she was taken by an evil god. Before he died, the demon god told us his name: Spider-Man, a wicked being with absolute destructive power."
At those words, Hippolyta felt the sky collapse. She staggered, her face pale.
"He's the one who broke Zeus's divine barrier… Spider-Man… Diana's lost…"
Her strength drained, she nearly collapsed. Her soldiers caught her, helping her recover slightly.
"Send people to find Diana. We must learn Spider-Man's purpose."
"Yes."
…
Meanwhile, in a desolate western town.
An empty saloon.
Lizard Parker gaped at Charlie, now free of his black suit.
"You've completed your mission. Why are you still here?"
He gasped, then realization hit.
"I get it! You're staying to help me defeat Ares, the war god, right? It's gotta be that!"
His face lit up, tears welling as he lunged at Charlie.
Sniff sniff "I'm so touched!!"
Facing Lizard Parker's charge, Charlie sidestepped, pulling Diana in front to make Lizard Parker miss.
Yes, Lizard Parker's real target was hugging Diana.
The wild beauty of an Amazon warrior was one of Lizard Parker's irresistible types.
This guy's getting shameless.
Charlie mentally groaned. Lizard Parker, missing his mark, casually wiped the table to cover his embarrassment.
Diana, curious, surveyed the surroundings, then turned to Charlie.
"We've left Paradise Island, haven't we?"
She'd realized the so-called "evil Spider-Man" was just a jokester.
His friends were too.
Moreover, she never sensed malice from Charlie. Beyond shock at his terrifying power, she felt no panic.
Most importantly, this man had taken her from the Paradise Island she'd known her whole life to the outside world she'd longed for.
Though just a small place, the colorful bottles and unfamiliar tables and chairs sparked her desire to explore the unknown.
Seeing Diana's innocent expression, Charlie smirked.
A five-thousand-year-old girl acting cute? Too bad the invincible Spider-Man never falls for that.
"Yes, we've left Paradise Island. So you'd better behave, or I'll really…"
Mid-sentence, Charlie scratched his head.
Lizard Parker chimed in, "Really ravage you!" His face twisted into a menacing grin, earning Charlie's nod.
"Yes, ravage you!"
Charlie turned and high-fived Lizard Parker.
"How'd you come up with such a cliché, non-threatening word?"
"No, in this era, it's scary enough."
"She doesn't look scared."
"Don't worry, she's just pretending to be calm. Give her to me, and I'll make her really scared."
"Will you?"
"Obviously."
"Fine, you've got three minutes."
"You're underestimating me?"
Lizard Parker gritted his teeth. "Give me at least three hours."
Charlie shrugged. "Whatever, good luck."
"Charlie Parker, I'll never call you useless again. Thanks for this!" Lizard Parker was touched again.
Charlie patted his shoulder, encouraging. "No need to thank me. I won't disturb you for three hours."
"I trust you."
"Go for it!"
With that, Charlie left the saloon, leaving Lizard Parker and Diana alone.
As Charlie exited, Diana eyed Lizard Parker, blinking curiously.
"What do you want to do?"
"Nothing?"
Lizard Parker grabbed a rose, flashing a roguish grin as he approached.
"Lady, ever heard the story of Spider-Man—er, Lizard-Man?"
Diana stared at Lizard Parker's greasy smile, slowly raising her fist.
"Ever heard the story of the Amazon Princess?"
"What… ah! Not the face!!"
"Speak! Have you heard it?"
"No, no—agh! Stop kicking my face!!"
"Now have you heard it?"
"Yes, yes, stop, or I'll get mad!"
"Oh, you're not mad yet?"
"No~ You're forcing me! My green muscles, come out… argh!!"
"Wow, a lizard demon! I'll tame you!"
"Hmph, impossible… Shit, your strength… Useless, come save me!!"
Outside, Charlie heard the sound of tables and chairs smashing in the saloon and turned back with a smile.
"Lizard stud, don't get too excited. I said I wouldn't disturb you. Three hours—you can handle it."
"No!!"
Bang~
The door shattered as a green lizard crashed through. Lizard Parker, face swollen, raised a hand to beg for help but was dragged back by Diana's iron grip on his ankle.
Even enhanced by the Resurrection Match, Lizard Parker was no match for a demigod.
No matter how he struggled, he couldn't escape Diana's clutches.
Under Charlie's pitying gaze, Lizard Parker's claws sparked against the ground, disappearing into the darkness.
The scene reminded Charlie of his own past.
"Sigh~ A human tragedy." He shook his head, sighing.
Three hours later.
Diana strode out of the saloon, refreshed, cracking her neck with pop pop sounds.
"Awesome!"
She spread her arms, embracing the outside world, her face blooming with a smile.
Charlie glanced at her, shaking his head.
Something about this vibe felt off.
Soon, Lizard Parker limped out.
Sniff sniff "The pretty girls around you… they're doomed to never have me." He wailed, hugging Charlie, tears and blood from his face staining Charlie's shoulder.
"There, there, don't cry."
Charlie patted his back, consoling. "As the only Lizard-Man named Peter Parker, you should toughen up. If you can't chase girls, go chase a female lizard."
"Go to hell!!"
Lizard Parker, covering his face, ran through the sunset-lit streets of the town.
Tears scattered in the air, crying out to the fading sun about the world's injustice.
Bang!
A bullet struck Lizard Parker's head.
He collapsed, twitching.
At the street corner, a grizzled cowboy spun his revolver, cursing.
"Where'd this dumbass come from? Didn't he see we're in a duel?"
Across from him, another cowboy looked relieved.
Good thing this idiot took the bullet for him.
He'd have been a goner.
There were still good people in this world.
The cowboys exchanged a glance and left in silent agreement.
Lizard Parker, on the ground, wept anew.
He wasn't dead, but it was humiliating.
"No!!"
"Why!"
"Why!!"
"It hurts! It hurts too much!!!"
Lizard Parker knelt, sobbing hysterically.
Diana glanced at her fist.
"Did I beat him stupid?"
"No, he's always been like that."
Charlie smiled, explaining, then pointed to the sky, magical light shooting upward.
Whizz~ Bang!
A signal flare, summoning 99 Peter Parkers.
Magic sparks exploded, portals blooming one by one.
Soon, aside from the two remaining newborn gods and Wade, still on Paradise Island, the other contestants arrived in the town through portals.
"Charlie Parker, it is you."
Thunder God Peter, hammer in hand, glared at Charlie. "Last time, you tricked us."
"Wait, business first."
Charlie waved him off, and Thunder God Peter lowered his hammer.
"Fine, I forgive you."
Charlie: "…"
"I didn't ask for forgiveness."
"I've already forgiven you."
"Did you get hit in the head?"
"I said I forgive you."
"Alright, I get it. Your ears are busted."
Charlie turned to Carol. "You got lucky this time. Learn from the invincible Spider-Man, see how I win the Resurrection Match."
Carol opened her mouth but stopped.
Before, she'd have given this guy a piece of her mind.
Spider-Man isn't invincible—Captain Marvel is! But she'd seen the invincible Spider-Man slay a god.
That power far surpassed hers.
Feeling dejected, Carol grabbed a label-less whiskey bottle from the bar.
"Careful, don't drink fake booze again," Charlie warned kindly.
Carol froze, remembering her cause of death.
Drinking was her downfall.
What a pathetic way to go.
She expertly poured herself a whiskey and asked, "You summoned us. What's the plan?"
"Obviously, to take you all out of here," Charlie grinned.
"Together…"
Supreme Peter's eyes gleamed. "So you're not going for the slot alone?"
"Of course not. The invincible Spider-Man is the most selfless."
Their conversation piqued Diana's curiosity.
Resurrection Match? Missions?
So this is the outside world.
There wasn't just one Spider-Man, and they all looked similar—probably siblings.
What a great mother to birth so many kids! She felt deep admiration.
And inferiority for the Amazons' population growth rate.
Charlie, unaware of Diana's thoughts, scanned the gathered Peter Parkers.
"You all saw what happened. There's more than one god in this match. Two haven't shown up. I suspect they're lurking, eyeing Earth."
The Peter Parkers erupted.
"So that guy was a contestant, not a native!"
"Oh my gosh, unbelievable. What kind of species is that huge?"
"Where could they be hiding? Outer space?"
"Two more? That's terrifying…"
Charlie waved. "Quiet."
If he could, he wouldn't want to drag these guys along.
Too chatty.
But as Spider-Men, they should help each other.
Well, he barely needed their help.
Just barely. Not necessarily.
So he laid out his plan.
"Step one: invade Paradise Island!"
The Peter Parkers exchanged glances.
"Paradise Island? Is that a game?"
"No, an island full of beautiful, healthy women," Lizard Parker explained.
The Peter Parkers lost their cool.
"No way! We're turning into evil pirates?"
"The friendly neighborhood Spider-Man would never do this!"
"Well, not never. If those women are evil, it's not out of the question."
"What's after invading Paradise Island?"
"I say we win them over with love."
"Yeah, the best way to win them is to make them fall for us."
"Wow, great idea. I like it."
"Me too."
"But I already have a girlfriend."
"Listen, Spider-Man doesn't just have one girlfriend!!"
"What? You have two?"
"Damn, you found me out."
"Boo! Scumbag!"
The Peter Parkers didn't take Charlie's words seriously, but Diana sensed something.
Her expression shifted. "Why are you doing this?" She stared at Charlie, clenching her fists.
Charlie shrugged. "As my captive, you don't get to know."
Before Diana could act, Supreme Peter bound her with magical webbing.
And sealed her mouth.
Ignoring Diana's fury, Supreme Peter stepped forward, meeting Charlie's eyes.
"You won last time. I admire you. I know you don't waste time on pointless things."
Charlie smiled. "Of course. You made the right choice."
He began planning the next move.
At night, near Paradise Island's waters.
The sea churned, waves crashing.
The sky was thick with clouds, thunder rolling.
A ship bobbed on the waves, seemingly moments from being swallowed.
On the deck, Supreme Peter frowned at the storm-shrouded area.
"I sense powerful magic protecting the island from outsiders."
"That's Zeus's divine power," Charlie explained.
"Zeus?"
Supreme Peter marveled. "The legendary Zeus exists. Incredible."
"If there's Odin, there's Zeus."
Thunder God Peter joined them, staring at the island's shadow in the storm.
"Greek and Norse myths aren't just stories—they're real. But I can't sense this world's Asgard."
He looked at Charlie. "This multiverse is weird."
Charlie shrugged, not elaborating.
Thunder God Peter still thought this was the Marvel multiverse.
"Hey, we've got something to say."
A group of Peter Parkers approached Charlie.
"We've decided to stop this era's war instead of going with you."
Ant-Man Peter's gaze was firm. "Our power's small, but war's too cruel. We can't stand by. Even if we lose our retry, we have to try."
Charlie turned, looking at these usually unreliable Spider-Men with new respect.
"You can't change history," he said.
Muscle Peter shook his head. "I don't want regrets."
"If we don't do something, we'll feel guilty forever, even if we're resurrected," Invisible Peter said, appearing.
Venom Parker's expression was complex.
He stared at Charlie, sighing.
"This is my redemption. Before meeting you, I saved some innocent people.
This era's a curse on the weak. Their only salvation is fighting, but most times, they don't make it.
So, Charlie Parker, I don't want to fight you anymore."
Venom Parker was serious. "I want to save one more. Even just one."
"Yes, let us go back!"
"Charlie Parker, please."
The Spider-Men pleaded. Charlie fell silent.
After a long pause, he spoke.
"What you're doing is pointless. Change history, and this universe will restart. You know what that means?"
"Universe restart?"
The Spider-Men exchanged looks.
"What's a restart?"
"Never heard of it."
"Probably like rebooting a computer."
"I get it. Change history, and the universe resets to its original state. Nothing changes, just acceptance."
"How can that be…"
They quickly grasped the crux.
They suspected Charlie was bluffing.
But he had no reason to lie.
Without them, Charlie could still crush Paradise Island.
They knew he genuinely wanted to take them out of here.
But…
Their hearts wrestled.
"Is there really no way?" Venom Parker's shoulders slumped.
Charlie took a deep breath. "The past can't be changed. We learn from history's lessons, strive to be better, and help more people in the future."
He turned to the storm-shrouded Paradise Island.
"Don't forget who we are.
Spider-Man… can't save anyone."
Those words hit like a hammer.
They fell silent, no longer mentioning it.
Yes, Spider-Man can't save anyone.
Not family, friends, lovers.
Not even himself.
The more Spider-Man cares, the more he loses.
Trying to stop a war would only worsen the disaster.
One Spider-Man can save the world.
But a group of Spider-Men?
They knew the outcome better than anyone.
Finally, Charlie summoned the Black Death Sword and launched the attack on Paradise Island.
War was what Ares, the war god, craved most.
Human wars paled compared to "godly" wars.
The closer to war, the stronger Ares became.
He wouldn't miss this chance.
As always: show yourself, and you're done!
As for Paradise Island…
A light fight would do. No need for casualties.
"Charge!!"
Charlie raised his sword, the Black Death Sword erupting in dazzling blood-red light, ravaging the sea. Endless black liquid fell as rain, merging with the water, bonding to marine life.
Instantly, giant waves surged. Symbiote-infused sea creatures turned into black monsters, circling the ship.
Lizard Parker leaped onto a black whale's back, charging toward the storm's center.
"Oh yeah!!"
Lizard Parker rode the beast, shouting excitedly.
"Brothers, charge!!"
"Charge!!"
More Spider-Men leaped onto sea beasts, rushing toward the storm in a grand wave.
On the deck's corner, Diana, bound tightly, watched in despair.
What was this guy trying to do?!
She struggled, but Charlie approached, sword in hand.
Whimper~
Diana glared, unable to speak through the webbing.
Charlie crouched with a wicked grin.
"Supreme Peter's webbing isn't professional enough. Let me rebind you. Oh, do you like whips—"
Mid-sentence, Diana's eyes turned sharp.
Snap~
The magical webbing broke under her strength, and she lunged.
Charlie feigned shock. "Oh no, you—"
Zzt zzt~
In a flash, Diana's wrist guards clashed with the Black Death Sword, sparking brilliantly. Golden divine power met blood-red light, shaking the ship violently.
Missing her strike, Diana dove into the sea without hesitation, vanishing from Charlie's sight.
Charlie casually tossed the Black Death Sword into the void.
"Ah, she escaped."
"You let her," Thunder God Peter said, approaching.
Charlie shrugged. "Without the Princess, the Amazons will fall apart."
Behind him, Supreme Peter shook his head.
"You're playing with fire. The stronger Ares gets, the harder this gets," he said.
Charlie spread his hands, smiling without a word.
Ares was easy to handle. Saving the world? That was hard.
He was certain "saving the world" meant protecting Earth from the newborn gods, not stopping human wars.
There was a reason this was a multiplayer mission.
After so many Resurrection Matches, Charlie knew the patterns by heart.
He couldn't directly join other missions, only indirectly help the Spider-Men save the world through this one.
And, well, complete his own mission.
Thus, the world once again faced the fear of Spider-Man's domination.
No, intimidation.
"Amazon Queen, dispel the storm and welcome the Spider-Man Legion, or we'll raze your paradise and flatten your island!"
On the whale's back, Lizard Parker halted, pointing at the storm's center and shouting.
That's how they do it in movies before a battle.
This should be legit, he thought.
Charlie's face darkened.
"Damn green snake, can't you be more convincing?"
He pointed at Thunder God Peter. "You go."
"Me?"
Thunder God Peter pointed at himself, eyes wide.
"Classmate Charlie, you know me. If I strike, those warriors will get zapped."
Charlie considered, then looked at Supreme Peter.
"Then you."
"Me?"
Supreme Peter rubbed his chin. "Classmate Charlie, you know me. I'm good at binding, not fighting."
Charlie: "…"
Finally, he glanced at an empty spot.
"Classmate Charlie, you know me. If I strike, I'll steal all their clothes," Invisible Peter said with a creepy laugh.
Charlie: "…"
At that moment, he realized what was wrong.
He'd almost forgotten.
The more Spider-Men, the weaker Spider-Man.
The invincible Spider-Man Legion was probably going to get wrecked by Diana.
Damn!