Atlantis.
The underwater city, the royal palace.
On the throne, Atlanna, adorned with a high crown and a shimmering silver-scale gown, radiated a beauty and maturity far greater than years past.
Since her last visit to Spider-Man's world, where she battled another Aquaman, she hadn't seen Charlie again.
A century was a lifetime for ordinary humans, but for her, with her long lifespan, it was but a fleeting moment.
As long as she didn't bear children, her life could extend for millennia.
Yet, as the Queen of Atlantis, she needed an heir to inherit her legacy.
It was her duty—she needed a successor.
With the Trident of Neptune in her possession, she wielded absolute power, and the elders were no longer a threat.
The Marius family had been uprooted, unable to challenge her again.
But her countless subjects longed for Atlantis to have a new prince.
So, she resorted to genetic technology to create the prince her people desired.
Not one, but two.
The first was created using her own genetic material combined with Spider-Man's, a child symbolizing a bridge of friendship between the ocean and the land.
A super-being with all the gifts of both the sea people and humans.
The future Aquaman, Arthur!
The second, Orm, was purely of Atlantean descent.
She admitted there was a gamble in this.
If her people couldn't accept a child of mixed sea and human heritage, Orm would be the future king.
But now, it seemed her worries were unnecessary.
Lost in thought, Atlanna gazed outside the palace, where a robust young man played with sea beasts. Compared to their massive forms, the boy's body seemed insignificant.
Yet, this seemingly small frame matched the strength of the colossal sea beasts, even faintly surpassing their power, making them bow to him.
Seeing this, Atlanna's face softened with a gentle smile.
That was her first child, Arthur, a man of beauty and wisdom.
At least, that's what she believed.
She owed thanks to that mysterious woman who had provided Spider-Man's genetic material.
Without Spider-Man's genes, she couldn't have created such a perfect child.
Even Ophelia could never have imagined that the perfect child she sought would be successfully engineered by a seemingly dim-witted Aquaman.
In the DC Universe, the web of life and destiny's protection over Spider-Man's genes seemed to have vanished.
Atlanna didn't know this. She only knew she and Spider-Man had a child, and he had no choice but to accept it.
He couldn't escape.
At that thought, Atlanna's smile grew even brighter.
But it had been so long—why hadn't he shown up?
She frowned slightly, dissatisfied with Orm's efficiency.
Soon, an Atlantean soldier rushed into the hall to report.
"Your Majesty, Prince Orm has been captured by Spider-Man."
"What?"
Atlanna blinked. "They fought?"
"Yes, Prince Orm struck first."
Hearing this, Atlanna was momentarily speechless.
"That kid is so unreliable. How could he possibly beat that guy?"
She waved her hand lightly. "I understand."
If her guess was correct, Charlie would be here soon.
Sure enough, as the soldier retreated, a ripple appeared in the protective membrane above the underwater city.
"He's here!"
In Atlanna's expectant gaze, a streak of light shot down.
"No~~"
Bang!!
As the palace wall trembled, a battered Orm was embedded in the stone ruins, his face full of despair.
"Mother… he hit me!"
Orm pointed at the approaching red-and-blue figure, tears streaming as he accused.
Yet his revered mother rushed toward his enemy with a face full of joy.
Bubbles rose in the water as Atlanna buried her head in Charlie's chest, her face beaming with happiness.
Orm: "!!!!"
In that moment, he was utterly hopeless.
His mother still couldn't forget this damned bug!
No!!!
He clutched his head, sobbing.
Arthur, arriving at the commotion, witnessed the scene.
His eyes widened, unable to believe it.
"Could it be… he's…"
"Father!"
The bearded, burly man jumped excitedly like a three-year-old, eager to approach the pair, only to be blasted back by a sudden shield.
"Who hit me!!"
Knocked back, Arthur turned, glaring at the woman who appeared. Her face was terrifyingly grim, scarier than his mother's when angry.
Instantly, Arthur recalled the fear of his mother's wrath, shrinking back and slinking into the coral reefs.
Peggy glanced at the fleeing Arthur, then coldly fixed her gaze on Charlie.
"That jerk, they're definitely not just regular friends!"
In her agitation, the stellar energy on her body flickered, the surrounding water repelled and surging.
Behind her, elderly Steve felt a chill wash over him, shivering.
"Oh crap, Little Spider's in deep trouble," he roared inwardly.
Nearby, Diana curiously studied the energy membrane around Steve's body.
"What's that? It feels similar to my divine power," she asked.
Steve explained, "It's from when Krypton's Codex shattered and entered our bodies, causing a beneficial mutation. It lets us absorb stellar energy and convert it into life energy. It's complicated."
Diana nodded thoughtfully. "I see. No wonder you can withstand the ocean's pressure to reach Atlantis. I almost thought you were Spider-Men too."
Steve raised his wrist, showing his web-shooter. "Actually, I'm kind of a Spider-Captain."
Diana: "…"
She patted her Lasso of Truth. "I could be a Spider-Woman too."
"Alright, Spider-Woman."
"Wonder Spider-Woman."
…
On the other side, sensing a fierce killing intent, Charlie shuddered.
He felt a terrifying gaze from behind.
Atlanna, in his arms, gave him an exasperated look.
"Jerk, that's all you've got?"
Charlie: "…"
It hadn't been that long, but why did she have such a strong cougar vibe?
She actually got his humor!!
In the awkward atmosphere, Charlie pushed Atlanna away.
"Ahem, you have kids?" he asked.
Atlanna pulled him close, her face full of affection. "Those are our kids."
Charlie: "!!!!"
"Don't talk nonsense; we're just regular friends." He instinctively glanced back at Peggy.
Atlanna followed his gaze to Peggy and instantly understood.
With a smug look, she deliberately raised her voice.
"Mr. Charlie, you seem to have forgotten that night. We had such a pleasant time!" She chuckled lightly.
At that, Charlie's face darkened.
Pleasant or not, wouldn't he know?
She was doing this on purpose.
His heart skipped a beat, and he quietly stepped back.
If she wanted to stir things up, don't blame him for watching the show.
Sure enough, Peggy, unable to hold back, stormed forward, tossing her written challenge letter to Atlanna.
"Tonight at ten, no one brings backup."
She snorted, shot Charlie a glance, and returned to Diana's side.
"Tonight, help me take her down," she whispered.
Diana: "???"
"But you said no backup."
Elderly Steve leaned in. "Where we're from, no one follows that rule."
"Really?"
Diana thought it over. "Not impossible. I kind of want to punch her too."
"Hm?" Peggy shot her a hostile glance.
Diana quickly clarified, "No, I mean, I really want to help you."
Peggy relented.
Meanwhile, Atlanna studied the challenge letter, sneering inwardly.
She'd bring Arthur and Orm tonight—this woman was done for.
Likewise, she didn't take the rules seriously.
The two women locked eyes across the sea, sparks flashing between them.
Of course, appearances had to be maintained.
Atlanna waved lightly. "Prepare accommodations for our land guests. I'll treat them well."
"Yes!"
The Atlantean soldiers bustled into action.
…
In a secluded alley of the underwater city's trenches, Orm limped into a shell hut.
"Vulko, that guy beat me," Orm said, tears still staining his face.
In the hut, a downtrodden man dropped his bottle at the words.
"Who?"
"Spider-Man."
"He's back."
Vulko gritted his teeth, a century of pent-up hatred erupting.
"Prince Orm, this time we have to take him down!"
"Of course."
Orm clenched his fists. "That lowly land-dweller can never be my father. He must die!"
"Exactly."
Vulko stood, patting Orm's shoulder. "You'll be Atlantis's king, not that half-human filth."
…
Meanwhile, in the palace.
A gem-encrusted shell palace.
"Like it?"
On a giant clamshell bed, Atlanna flaunted her finely honed figure.
Charlie, however, stared at the glowing gems around the room, nodding with a goofy grin.
"Love it, absolutely love it. You don't know, even though the invincible Spider-Man's basically Earth's only king, I've got no savings. I'm too embarrassed to ask for a salary—it'd lower my kingly status. And I can't exactly pocket stuff; my upbringing doesn't allow that. If you could give me a few of these, I could probably buy a villa… nah, villas get trashed too easily. Tons of enemies are watching me in the shadows, and property fees are outrageous. Better to crash at Tony's villa…"
As he rambled, Charlie's vision went dark.
"Wait, you haven't paid…"
"Mr. Spider-Man, it's been a century. Are you going to be an irresponsible man?"
"What am I supposed to be responsible for…"
"We have a kid."
"No, I had no idea…"
"Don't try to dodge it. Why's your suit so tight?"
"Hahaha, I knew you'd try to get to me, so I upgraded this suit. Without my command, it won't—"
"No worries, your face is exposed."
"No!!"
…
Two hours later.
The clamshell bed collapsed with a crash, and a limping Charlie emerged from the ruins, leaning on the wall.
"Terrifying, too terrifying."
Stepping out of the palace, Charlie panted heavily, wiping lipstick off his face and guiltily scanning the surroundings.
Seeing no one nearby, he sighed in relief.
Good, the invincible Spider-Man was still invincible.
The next moment, a hand clapped onto his shoulder.
"Father, you look kinda weak."
"Who!"
Charlie spun around, only to see a bearded, burly man staring at him with eager eyes.
He shuddered.
"No way, you—"
"Father, I missed you so much."
The burly man teared up, and Charlie instinctively punched him into the coral reef.
"Don't just call me that! I'm a proper Spider-Man; I don't have a beefy son like you." Charlie pointed at him, issuing a stern warning.
Arthur clutched his bruised eye, lips trembling.
He wanted to cry, but his mother had told him men bleed, not weep.
"Father's just as Mother said—super strong."
He quickly adjusted his emotions, staring at Charlie with admiration.
"Father, I'm Arthur!"
"I don't care who you are… Arthur?"
Charlie froze, realizing something horrifying.
"No way?"
Under his stunned gaze, Arthur struck various Spider-Man poses.
"Look, I'm Spider-Man's kid."
Charlie: "…"
This guy… was nuts!
Before he could lose it, Arthur added, "My mother's Atlanna, my father's Spider-Man. That's a fact no one can change."
At that, Charlie clutched his head, freaking out.
"What a mess!!"
He roared to the heavens, then heard a crash from the shell ruins. Atlanna, now in armor and wielding the trident, emerged.
She summoned her seahorse chariot and said to Arthur, "The duel's almost here, Arthur. We need to set up an ambush and take that woman down."
Arthur nodded eagerly. "Got it, Mother."
He hopped onto his baby whale shark, following Atlanna.
Before leaving, he shouted back, "Father, I'll find you soon~~"
"No way!!"
Feeling utter despair, Charlie dove into a portal.
His connections were getting weird.
…
Soon, near the underwater city's trenches.
The duel was underway.
In the dim setting, Peggy gripped her shield, her gaze icy as she faced Atlanna.
Atlanna, clad in silver, held her trident, which gleamed with the aura of wealth.
"What's your name?" she asked.
"Peggy Carter."
"Good. I'm Atlanna, Queen of Atlantis. Unless you've got other lucrative ventures, you can't outdo me."
"I've got three castles, fifteen listed companies, twelve-figure savings, and a world-class security firm with double-digit superpowered employees. What do you have?" Peggy sneered.
Atlanna smirked. "I have all of Atlantis. The richest land-dweller's wealth is less than a percent of mine. I've got a million soldiers. That's a temptation Spider-Man can't resist.
Most importantly, he and I have a child."
At that, Peggy fell silent.
In silence, you either perish or erupt.
She erupted.
"Diana, go!"
As Peggy roared, Atlanna swung her trident.
"Arthur, take down your father's lover!"
"Kill!"
Instantly, the tense sides clashed, the battle igniting.
This fight would decide Spider-Man's "ownership."
…
New York, an unremarkable arcade.
The Grandmaster watched the duel on a screen, chuckling.
He turned to Malekith, smug. "See? I don't even need to lift a finger to make Spider-Man's life a mess. He's got no energy to compete with you for the Resurrection Match."
Malekith was initially thrilled, but his expression turned wary.
"You? Don't you want a spot in the Resurrection Match?"
The Grandmaster shrugged. "I think this kind of fun game suits me better. I'm not ready to leave yet."
"Really?" Malekith was skeptical, not buying it.
Who wouldn't want to live?
This guy must have another scheme.