43. Go to Dogobah

But Ben guesses that already, "I know it's a risk. But you risk your life and their lives anyway by doing what you do. The best way to minimize that risk is by trusting the people you know can help."

He places his palm on the hero's chest, "Open up that big heart son. The possibilities it will bring will be worth it."

Peter looks down in thought and can see where his uncle might be right. Trusting his fellow Avengers with his identity would be a huge help. There comes the risk of them revealing his identity by mindreading, possession, or clones, 'God I hate clones,' but he can find ways to minimize the risks. He weighs the pros and cons and sees the pros are worth it if he can minimize the cons.

"One last lesson," his uncle says taking him out of his thoughts, "And Peter, I really want you to take this one to heart," he grabs him by both his shoulders and gives him a hearty smile, "Peter Parker matters just as much if not more than Spider-Man."

Peter's eyes widen at that statement.

"All throughout this, you always say that Spider-Man does so much more good in the world than Peter Parker can do. And well that may be true on some level, it also could not be further from the truth. You care so much about so many people, that you can't help but want to fix everything. You often see a problem and you try your damnedest to come up with a solution."

"That big heart is and always has been Peter Parker's heart. Spider-Man," he gestures to the two big heads, "from what they said, is supposed to be a killer, but you aren't. Even after hearing how much easier your life could get if you did, you still would never do that."

"Spider-Man is just a mask. Peter Parker is the man beneath that mask. And you can do some amazing things too. All you have to do is try."

All his life he's heard from people close to him the exact same things his Uncle is saying to him right now. He just never listened because he thought they could never understand.

He sags in complete relief, "I'm such an idiot."

Ben lets out a soft laugh, "You're young. You still have a lot to learn."

He really does. He screwed up so much and he's supposed to learn from every screwup. But it feels like he hasn't done that lately.

'But that changes now,' he thinks to himself as he clenches his fist with determination.

Seeing this, Ben smiles and says, "So, are you gonna get up from that dirt and show them who the man beneath the mask is?"

Peter looks up at his uncle and smiles a big wet smile. He rises to his feet as he wipes his eyes and when he's done he nods at Ben before facing the Tribunal.

"I screwed up," he tells the Tribunal before looking at all the cosmic beings present, "I screwed up big. I take full responsibility for what happened. I cheated death out of a life that was hers to take," she raises an eyebrow at his confession before he gesture to a livid demon lord, "And even though Mephisto was the one who messed with my life, I was the one who made the deal that allowed him to do so. I convinced the woman I love to do this for me. So it's all on me. I take full responsibility."

The Living Tribunal does show any indication of how he will act as he asks, "And why should I allow the earth and its inhabitants to continue to exist? There are still their actions to consider."

Peter looks down in thought before he looks back at Ben and then back at the powerful being, "People make mistakes. It's a part of life. Sometimes a necessary part. It's how we grow, how we learn. And we still have a lot to learn, we just need the chance to do so."

The Tribunal stays silent as he thinks about the hero's words. While Peter is hoping for the best, he is also prepared to do whatever it takes to convince the man. Even giving up being Spider-Man and letting someone else take the reigns. He remembers Madam Web mentioning that after the whole Spider Island incident. If he has to give it up then so be it.

"Uatu," The Tribunal calls out to the Watcher who steps forward, "Take his soul back to earth."

****

(Present)

The older men are once again stunned silent. Not knowing how to respond again.

Peter meanwhile just sits there with a soft smile. Obviously happy about that brief reunion.

"Well, what happened next?" Tony asks.

Peter just shrugs, "Well Uatu took me to earth and I pulled an Obi-Wan on Hope."

"You showed up as a ghost and told her to go to the Dagobah?"

"Exactly."