Chapter 159: Spider-Verse (9)

After Miles left, Jefferson Morales approached the lifeless body of his brother, Aaron. The sight shocked him to the core, and he collapsed to his knees beside him.

"Nononono, Aaron, Aaron, no. No!" Jefferson sobbed uncontrollably, clutching his brother's body tightly.

(SOBBING)

Minutes passed, filled with grief and despair. But then, determination flickered in Jefferson's eyes. He stood up, wiped his tears, and reached for his phone. With resolve in his voice, he called the police station.

"All units. I want an APB on a new Spider-Man."

....

Meanwhile, as I fought Olivia Octavius, I locked eyes with her and called out, "Liv, let's end this!"

Olivia suddenly halted and smirked. "Oh, it's already over." With a swift motion, she grabbed a smoke bomb and hurled it at me.

I used my chi sense to track them, then I saw —Scorpion, Tombstone, and Olivia—as they made their escape. For now, I let them slip away. My priority was finding Miles. I hoped Peter B was able to protect him and his uncle.

I dashed towards where they had headed, focused and determined.

"Michael!!"

A voice shouted behind me. It was Peter B, waiting in a secluded area.

I swung over to him and asked urgently, "Where's Miles?"

Peter B looked distressed. "I don't know... He might be at... his house."

I studied Peter B's expression. Something wasn't right. "Pete, what's going on? Dont tell me..." I asked, my heart sinking as a dreadful realization crept in.

Peter B hesitated before confirming my fears. "Yeah. His uncle... died. Just like Uncle Ben."

My mind raced. "Shit, shit, shit... Why? Why? I thought I changed it by making Peter B follow them..."

Looking into Peter B's eyes, I asked urgently, "Who killed his uncle?"

"Kingpin," Peter B replied solemnly.

I felt a surge of anger and grief. Kingpin, the killer... it was the same as in the movie. "Where is Kingpin?" I demanded.

"He... he escaped," Peter B admitted with a heavy sigh.

I clenched my fists, frustration boiling inside me. Kingpin had slipped away once again. But right now, finding Miles was my priority.

As I tried to make sense of everything that had unfolded, I couldn't shake the questions swirling in my mind about fate and whether I could change what had happened. The Spider-Man System, always there in my thoughts, tried to give me some clarity.

"It's his fate, host," the System said, its voice steady. "You can't change that."

I felt a surge of frustration, thinking about how in my own universe, I had managed to save Uncle Ben. "But what about Uncle Ben in my world? I saved him, didn't I?" I pressed, hoping for some kind of explanation.

The System's response was direct, aiming to clarify things for me. "I've told you, host, I don't know how altering those events would affect Peter's life."

Confusion swept over me as I struggled to grasp the implications. "What does that mean?"

The System explained patiently, its tone reassuring yet firm. "You're not bound by the same rules as the Spider-Verse. But Peter Parker—he's different. He's subject to the laws and consequences of the Spider Universe."

As I stood there, grappling with the weight of what had transpired and the decisions ahead, my mind racing with possibilities and consequences, Suddenly Peter B's voice broke through my thoughts.

"Michael? Hello," Peter B waved his hand in front of my face.

I blinked and refocused on him. "I'm sorry, I was lost in my thoughts there."

Peter B nodded understandingly. "I know, right? It's really crazy with everything going on with Miles and all the fighting."

He then looked at me intently. "What should we do now?"

Before I could respond, Spider-Gwen, Peter Porker (Spider-Ham), Spider-Man Noir, and Peni Parker approached us.

Gwen spoke up first, concern evident in her voice. "What are we going to do now, Michael?"

I looked at her, understanding the weight of her question. "What are you trying to say?"

Gwen hesitated briefly before continuing, her words careful yet direct. "You know, Miles... He's not ready yet. You saw what happened. He almost died."

Spider-Man Noir chimed in, his tone grave. "I agree. That kid can't do it."

Peni looked at me earnestly. "I think it's better if it's you, Michael. I mean, you're the only one who isn't glitching. I think only you can bring us home."

Porker nodded in agreement. "I second that."

Peter B turned to me, his expression expectant. "What's your word, leader?"

I took a deep breath, feeling a surge of determination welling up within me. "No, Miles is still going to do it. But there's something we need to do first. Something that will make sure he's truly ready to be Spider-Man."

Peter B furrowed his brow slightly. "What does that mean?"

I smirked, a plan forming clearly in my mind. "You'll see."

With that, I turned towards the task ahead, knowing that whatever challenges lay ahead, I needed to prepare Miles not just to survive, but to thrive as Spider-Man. The weight of responsibility settled heavily on my shoulders, but I was determined to see it through.

.....

Meanwhile

Miles was alone in his room, consumed by anger and self-blame over the recent events.

"I'm such a fucking idiot," Miles muttered harshly to himself, his frustration evident as he paced back and forth in his room. He kicked a chair, sending it clattering across the floor, and then continued, "I'm stupid, I'm stupid!"

His voice cracked with emotion, his hands trembling as he ran them through his hair. "I am weak, weak!" Miles shouted into the emptiness of his room, his tears flowing freely now as he collapsed onto his bed, overwhelmed by guilt and sorrow.

Suddenly, a quiet knock at his window interrupted his turmoil. Miles looked up, startled, to see Michael Wilson and the rest of the Spider gang outside.

As Miles wrestled with his emotions in his room, the weight of recent events bearing down on him, Michael Wilson and the rest of the Spider gang arrived. Peter B gently approached Miles, concern etched on his face.

Peter B's concerned voice broke through Miles's distress. "Hey, bud. Are you okay?" he asked gently, his expression conveying genuine concern.

...

Michael side

As we stood here inside Miles Room.

I placed a reassuring hand on Miles's shoulder, feeling the weight of my own past echoing in his turmoil. "Look, Miles, I understand your frustration and everything you're feeling right now. We've all been there," I began, my voice gentle yet firm.

Peter B stepped forward, sharing his own experience. "You know, for me, it was my Uncle Ben," he said, his tone carrying the weight of years of reflection and growth.

Spider-Man Noir followed, his voice steady and solemn. "For me, it was my Uncle Benjamin," he added, emphasizing the personal nature of his loss.

Peni Parker spoke next, her voice tinged with sadness. "For me, it was my father," she said quietly, her gaze momentarily drifting to a distant memory.

Spider-Gwen nodded in agreement, her voice steady but filled with emotion. "For me, it was my best friend," she admitted, acknowledging the pain of losing someone dear.

Peter Porker, ever the source of unexpected wisdom, chimed in. "Miles, the hardest thing about this job is you can't always save everybody," he said with a sigh, his eyes conveying a profound understanding.

Miles's voice trembled as he spoke, burdened by guilt. "Look, it was my fault. You wouldn't understand," he said, his words laced with self-blame.

I met Miles's gaze with sincerity. "Miles, we're probably the only ones who do understand," I reassured him, drawing from my own experiences of loss and regret.

Taking a deep breath, I opened up about my own past, revealing wounds that had yet to fully heal. "I lost my uncle Chris. And because of my stupid actions, I lost my mother too. I hadn't seen her for years... and then, after I woke up from being stuck in that ice for 38 years, she was gone," I confessed, the pain of those words etched into my expression.

The group fell silent, feeling the weight of our shared stories. It was a moment where we all understood each other's pain and the lasting impact of our choices.

"You see, Miles," I continued, my voice steadier now, "We can't change our mistakes in the past. "But what we can do is learn from them and strive not to repeat them. Sure, we might not be able to save everyone, but at least we can do our best to try. That's what we do."I emphasized, looking around at each of my fellow Spider-People.

"That's what makes us Spider-Man," I declared with conviction, my words resonating with the unspoken bond that tied us together. "That's why we take on this mantle, this hero thing, because we're the ones who can bear it.... You know what they say, Miles," I prompted, a small smile forming on my lips.

With perfect timing, the others joined in, their voices echoing through the solemn air. "With great power comes great responsibility," we recited together, a testament to our shared purpose and commitment.

I looked at Miles, holding his gaze with understanding and support. Our journey together had just begun, but in this moment, I knew he was starting to grasp what it truly meant to be Spider-Man.

Suddenly, the door open, and forcing us to quickly stick to the ceiling.

Ganke Lee, Miles Morales' best friend from the comics, entered the room, completely oblivious to the hidden Spider gang hanging from the ceiling. He settled into his chair, headphones on, and started reading a Spider-Man comic.

♪ Who in here trying to start a riot? ♪

Unaware of the Spider gang above, Ganke's chair began to swivel, causing Peter B to quietly direct the team to shift positions in the ceiling.

Peter B whispered urgently, "That way, that way," motioning for everyone to move discreetly.

♪ Who that swinging in the air? ♪

As Ganke's chair turned further, he suddenly noticed the Spider gang hanging above him in the ceiling. Shocked and bewildered, he froze, unable to process what he was seeing.

Miles, trying to break the tension, greeted Ganke, "Hey there."

Concerned about startling Ganke, Peter Porker joked quietly, "Do animals talk in this dimension? 'Cause I don't wanna freak him out."

Suddenly Ganke, overwhelmed by the surreal sight of Spider-Men in his friend room, could only stare in disbelief before the shock overwhelmed him, and he fainted, collapsing unconscious in his chair. The Spider gang exchanged looks, realizing the awkwardness of the situation as they assessed how to proceed with their unexpected unconscious visitor.

After we placed Ganke's unconscious body in Miles' bedroom, I approached Miles with a solemn expression.

"Miles, hey buddy," I began, trying to find the right words.

Everyone else had left the room, leaving just Peter B and me with Miles, who looked at us with a mix of confusion and concern.

"What's going on?" Miles asked, his voice tinged with uncertainty.

I took a deep breath, knowing this conversation would be difficult.

"Miles," I started, "there's something we need to talk to you about."

Peter B stood silently beside me, his expression serious yet supportive.

"We've been through a lot together," I continued, "and we've seen you grow. But after what happened um..., we're worried."

"So Miles," I started gently, "I came here to say goodbye."

Miles' eyes widened slightly in disbelief. "Goodbye? But we can say goodbye at the collider," he responded quickly.

Peter B interjected firmly, "You're not going to the collider, Miles. I am."

Miles looked between us, a knot of worry forming in his chest. "But you need to be there so everyone can go home," he insisted, his voice tinged with urgency.

I met his gaze evenly. "Everyone else is going home, Miles. I'm the one staying."

Miles' expression shifted, realization dawning on him. "You're taking my place? But if you stay here, you'll die," he exclaimed, his concern for me palpable.

I shook my head calmly. "I'm not glitching like the others. I can stay here without risking my life. And maybe," I paused, choosing my words carefully, "Maybe...I can find a way to create the portal to get back."

Miles looked torn, his thoughts racing. "What if you can't? What if you get stuck here?" he asked anxiously.

I placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "I'm doing what needs to be done. I just wanted you to hear it from me," I explained gently.

Miles shook his head, frustration evident in his voice. "What about your family?" he pressed, concern for my well-being mirrored in his eyes.

Peter B's voice was solemn as he answered, "Not everything works out, kid."

"That's not fair!" Miles exclaimed, his emotions raw. "You have to tell them I can do this," he insisted, desperation creeping into his tone.

I met his gaze with empathy. "It wasn't their decision," I replied softly, understanding his need to prove himself.

Miles took a deep breath, steeling himself. "I have to make Kingpin pay. You have to let me make him pay," he declared with determination.

Peter B stepped forward, his expression firm yet compassionate. "Then venom-strike us right now. Or turn invisible on command so you can get past us," he challenged, knowing the weight of Miles' resolve.

Looking into Miles' eyes, I saw his determination and the depth of his readiness. "Miles, you're going to get yourself killed," I warned, my concern for him palpable.

"But I'm ready. I promise," Miles replied adamantly, his voice steady despite his emotions.

Peter B nodded solemnly, acknowledging Miles' resolve. "I know how much you want this, kid, But, you can't" he said quietly, a mix of respect and concern in his tone.

.....

Outside the window, the Spider-Gang stood, their thoughts and concerns weighing heavy on their minds as they listened to the conversation inside.

Gwen voiced her doubts first, her tone reflecting her uncertainty. "Are you sure this plan would work?"

Spider-Man Noir, typically stoic but insightful, responded with a nod to my earlier words. "Michael said this will motivate Miles to become a better version of himself."

Peter Porker attempted to lighten the mood with a touch of humor. "Well, I hope so. From what I could hear, he got roasted in there."

Spider-Man Noir chimed in sympathetically. "I know, poor little guy."

Peni nodded quietly, her expression serious as she processed the weight of the situation.

.....

Michael POV

Inside, in Miles' room, after webbing him up in the chair, I took a moment to reassure him gently. "Look, Miles. You're not ready for what's out there yet. You almost got hurt today, and we can't risk it."

Peter B, always practical, echoed my sentiment. "I'm sorry. You don't have it yet."

Miles looked between us, his frustration and sadness evident in his eyes. "When will I know I'm ready?"

Peter B's response was simple yet profound. "You won't. It's a leap of faith. That's all it is, Miles. A leap of faith."

With that, Peter B and I swung out of Miles' window, leaving him tied up in the chair.

As we swung away from Miles' window, leaving him tied up in the chair, the weight of our decision hung heavy in the air. Peter B's concern was palpable as we moved through the cityscape.

"Are you sure Miles is going to be strong after what we've done?" Peter B asked, his voice tinged with worry. "Are you sure your plan will work?"

I nodded confidently, despite the uncertainty. "I told you, my plan will work. Just wait you'll see. Miles will become a new version of himself, and he will be the one who brings us back home."

Gwen, always pragmatic, interjected with a concern of her own. "What if it fails? What if he can't?"

I met her gaze steadily. "Then I'll bring you all back home and face the consequences of staying here," I replied with conviction. "But it won't happen. I know Miles can do it. He can stand up and take on the mantle of Spider-Man."

As we swung through the city streets, each of us grappling with our doubts and hopes, I held onto the belief that Miles would rise to the occasion. His journey was just beginning, and I had to trust that he would find the strength and courage to navigate it, no matter the challenges ahead.

To be continue