Side Chapter: Ben Reilly – The Scarlet Spider  

The streets of Houston were never quiet for long, but tonight they were eerily still. The city skyline was lit up against the night sky, and the distant hum of traffic was the only sound that cut through the silence. Atop a rooftop, a figure crouched, his red and blue suit blending into the shadows. Ben Reilly—the Scarlet Spider—was scanning the streets below, his instincts sharp, his mind racing.

Something was off.

His muscles were tense, almost vibrating with a sense of anticipation. He had always trusted his body—his clone-enhanced strength, agility, and reflexes had saved him more times than he could count. But tonight was different. Tonight, his body felt stronger, more charged.

"Muscles tingling." Ben muttered to himself, flexing his arms. "I'm strong. I feel stronger than ever."

Suddenly, an explosion ripped through the quiet night, shaking the building beneath him. Smoke and fire erupted from a nearby warehouse, and before Ben had time to think, his Spider-Sense flared—danger. Immediate and unavoidable.

Without hesitation, Ben leaped from the rooftop, swinging toward the source of the chaos. His mind raced as his body moved on autopilot, weaving through the city streets with precision. When he landed near the warehouse, the scene was pure pandemonium—armed mercenaries, heavily armored and carrying experimental tech, were tearing through the area, wreaking havoc.

But that wasn't the worst of it.

From the wreckage emerged a massive figure, covered in shimmering, metallic armor. His fists crackled with energy, and his eyes glowed with an unnatural, violet light.

"Who the hell is this guy?" Ben muttered, crouching low and ready for action.

The armored figure noticed Ben immediately and sneered. "You're in the wrong place, Spider."

Ben's eyes narrowed behind his mask. "Nah, I think I'm right where I need to be."

Without wasting another second, Ben lunged forward, his fists crashing into the armored foe with enough force to make the ground beneath them tremble. But the figure barely budged, countering with a devastating punch that sent Ben flying backward, slamming into a concrete wall.

Ben grunted, wiping blood from his lip as he got back to his feet, his muscles twitching with renewed energy. "Alright, big guy. Round two."

He flexed his arms, feeling the strength surge through his body. His muscles bulged as he rolled his neck, his confidence growing. "I'm strong," he said to himself, a grin forming beneath his mask. "I can feel it."

The enemy charged at him again, fists crackling with energy, but this time Ben was ready. He ducked under the first punch, delivering a powerful uppercut to the armored figure's jaw, sending him staggering back. Ben's movements were fluid, each strike more precise and devastating than the last. He launched a flurry of punches and kicks, his body moving faster than ever before.

With one final burst of strength, Ben grabbed the armored foe by the chest and threw him into the side of a nearby building, the impact causing the wall to crack and crumble. The enemy groaned, struggling to get up, but Ben was already on him, delivering a knockout punch that left him unconscious.

Panting heavily, Ben stood over his fallen foe, flexing his muscles again. "I told you," he said, his voice low. "I'm strong."

Before he could catch his breath, Ben's Spider-Sense flared again. He spun around, ready for another fight, but what he saw wasn't an enemy—it was a portal, shimmering and glowing in the dark alleyway. A figure stepped through, tall and imposing, wearing a futuristic Spider-Man suit.

"Who the hell are you?" Ben asked, still on edge, fists clenched.

The figure raised his hands in a non-threatening gesture. "Relax, I'm not here to fight." His voice was calm, almost authoritative. "Name's Miguel O'Hara. Spider-Man of the year 2099."

Ben's eyes narrowed. "2099? What, did you come to tell me the future's even worse than the present?"

Miguel smirked. "Something like that. I've been watching you, Ben. You've got potential—more than you know."

Ben crossed his arms, still wary. "Yeah? And what's that supposed to mean?"

Miguel stepped closer, his expression serious. "There's a threat coming. A multiversal threat. We need Spider-Men—Spider-People—from every dimension. You're strong, Ben. I saw how you handled that fight. But we need your strength for something bigger than this city."

Ben tilted his head, the idea intriguing him despite himself. "So, you're saying there's more out there? More like us?"

Miguel nodded. "Exactly. And right now, those other dimensions are in danger. I've been gathering Spider-Men from across the multiverse to stop this threat, but I need you to join us."

Ben flexed his arm again, feeling the power coursing through his veins. His body was ready for more. "My muscles are tingling," he muttered to himself with a smirk. "Feels like I was built for something like this."

He looked Miguel up and down, then shrugged. "Alright, future Spider. I'm in. Let's see what the multiverse has to offer."

Miguel extended his hand, and Ben clasped it firmly. "Welcome to the team."

As the portal reopened behind Miguel, Ben glanced back at the warehouse he had just saved. His city would survive without him for now. He had something bigger to fight for.

With a deep breath, he stepped through the portal alongside Miguel, ready to take his place among the Spider-Men of the multiverse. And for the first time in a long time, Ben Reilly—the Scarlet Spider—felt like he was exactly where he was meant to be.

The end