50: Why??

"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."

***

(Flashback)

Peter comes back in a flash of light, after giving Hope some words of encouragement. He sees his Uncle is still here with a big proud smile on his face.

"Like I said," Ben says as he walks to his nephew, "Peter Parker can do some amazing things too."

Peter gives him a sheepish look, "I wore my mask."

Ben waves him off, "Semantics."

Peter laughs with his uncle.

Ben stops laughing before he gives his surrogate son a hug, "I love you, Peter. Don't ever think otherwise."

Peter returns the hug with just as much affection, "I love you too, Uncle Ben."

They both pull back and notice that the senior Parker begins to fade.

Ben lifts his hand up to see this and says, "Well I guess I'm done here," he places his hands on the younger Parker's shoulders, "Do me and your parents proud son."

Peter looks at him with a smile full of emotion and nods, "I will."

Ben nods back before he says, "And Peter, the next time something happens to your aunt, and you feel responsible, don't."

Peter flinches at that as he lowers his head.

Ben continues, "She is not always going to be there kiddo. She is over ninety years old and has had health problems for years. She won't always be there. You need to be okay with that."

Peter swallows hard the retort and the emotions that want to come out. He's always known this, but truthfully he's never been at peace with it.

Ben's soul is nearly gone as he says one last thing, "Good luck champ. And always remember, with great power-"

"Comes great responsibility." Peter finishes for him.

And just like that, he was gone. But instead of feeling regret, Peter felt something foreign. Something that he has not felt in the longest time possible.

Peace.

"There is still another matter to discuss."