Otto was working hard, and Charlie felt reassured.
But he wasn't about to sit idle.
Even if Doctor Octopus perfected the artificial sun experiment, a flawless artificial sun wouldn't help him defeat Hydra.
This approach could only temporarily stop Hydra from destroying military bases worldwide.
With a true artificial sun, Hydra could effortlessly dominate the world.
So, once the artificial sun was complete, a battle between the two teams was inevitable.
But Hydra's influence spanned the globe, making their complete eradication nearly impossible.
Charlie needed to prepare.
He opened a portal with the Time Tablet.
Hum~
Magical sparks flared as Charlie arrived at Kamar-Taj.
"Master Ancient One, I'd like to learn how to use the Time Tablet's power," he said bluntly.
Ancient One, about to sneak a sip of cola, saw Charlie and smiled, tucking the cola into her cushion.
"No problem, I'm happy to help."
Her gaze settled on the Time Tablet in Charlie's hand.
She formed hand signs, and the tablet was enveloped in a golden mystic array.
Closing her eyes, she probed the tablet's mysteries with magic.
Soon, she opened her eyes, her expression odd.
"This tablet's origin is suspicious. I never sensed its existence before."
"You're off-topic. I just want to know how to use it," Charlie said.
Ancient One paused, then laughed.
"Sorry. It's not hard to use. Tap into the power of the Sun God to activate it."
Charlie's face darkened. "I know that already. I mean another way."
"There is another way."
Ancient One eyed him. "But first, tell me what you plan to do with it."
"You're worried I'll disrupt the world's development?" Charlie asked.
Ancient One shook her head. "No, the Time Tablet is a divine artifact with time's power, but it has limits."
"Limits?"
Charlie frowned. "What are the consequences?"
"Nothing serious. It'll just shatter."
"Then no problem."
Charlie didn't care. The multiverse was full of artifacts more wondrous than the Time Tablet.
It was just a tablet—if gone, then gone.
Seeing Charlie's resolve, Ancient One didn't argue.
"Besides the Sun God's power, an artificial sun can barely activate it, but it needs a true artificial sun. That aligns with what you're doing."
Charlie blinked. "An artificial sun is physical. It can substitute for the Sun God?"
Ancient One chuckled. "If it's a sun, it falls under the Sun God's domain. Artificial suns are no exception."
"Then why not use the real sun?"
"Sure, if you can get close to it."
"Forget it. Artificial sun it is."
Charlie thanked her and left Kamar-Taj with the Time Tablet.
He then opened a portal to find Hydra Steve.
They "talked" for a long time.
Until the mission failed.
…
Thirteenth Resurrection Match.
Twelve retries had boosted Charlie's strength by twelve tons.
Kingpin's villa.
Professor X was using a dragon bone fossil to gather intel for Charlie.
His psychic power swept the globe.
At Charlie's warning, he deliberately avoided Kamar-Taj.
"Spider-Man, you have many enemies. Hydra's Captain has rallied the other contestants."
He opened his eyes. "Though you stopped Norman Osborn from exposing your identity, it's meaningless.
Many contestants know who you are. They've seen you.
If you don't deal with them first, even if we win the Resurrection Match, your identity will be exposed."
Charlie waved it off. "That's not important. You know what I want to ask."
Professor X glanced at the others. Charlie leaned in close.
"Keep it quiet. Don't let them hear."
"Got it. It's about that woman, Ophelia, right? Don't worry, you don't have a child."
"Child?!"
Wade, just arriving at the villa, gasped. "Spider-Man has a kid?"
"What?"
The group was stunned.
"Little Spider's kid was kidnapped?" Old Steve's face changed.
Peggy frowned. "They think baby Kingpin is your child?" she asked Charlie.
"Kingpin is Spider-Man's kid?" Hawkeye gaped.
Natasha scoffed. "Your ears are worse than your eyes. She said Spider-Man is Kingpin's kid."
"Enough! This is getting ridiculous!" Charlie's face darkened, but he stayed calm.
This matter would stay absolutely confidential.
He pressed on.
"Can it be done?"
Professor X frowned. "Altering a few people's memories is simple, but it impacts the world too much. I need to think it over."
Charlie knew it was a long shot.
This guy was too big-picture.
But it was expected. Even if Professor X refused, Charlie could still save the world.
In the next few retries, Charlie made scattered preparations.
Finally, in the twentieth Resurrection Match, Otto and Tony completed the perfect experimental data.
"We did it!"
Tony collapsed with an ecstatic grin, blood seeping from his nose and mouth—clearly beyond saving.
Charlie knocked Pepper out as usual, then turned to the thrilled Doctor Octopus.
"Are you sure it'll work?" he asked.
Otto laughed. "Hahaha, absolutely. I'm confident we can create a true artificial sun, but we need further experiments to confirm."
Charlie smiled, satisfied. "No problem, but we're out of time this round. Next time!"
…
Twenty-First Resurrection Match.
"Spider-Man, I won't agree to this. It's too much for the world—"
"I know, big impact."
Charlie's face was serious. "But Professor, with great power comes great responsibility. This is just an experiment. I can restore everything to its original path without disrupting the world's course."
"With great power comes great responsibility…"
Professor X murmured, conflicted.
Kurt eyed Charlie suspiciously.
"I've heard that line somewhere."
"Not important."
Charlie activated his nanotech device, displaying the data on a virtual interface.
"I've got the perfect artificial sun data. With slight tweaks to the equipment, we can fill the missing tritium, and a true artificial sun will be born."
As he spoke, the TV screen flickered with barely visible static, then went blank.
Charlie flashed a faint, knowing smile.
If Professor X wouldn't do it, someone else would.
…
"Mr. Schmidt, I've uncovered a secret from Spider-Man."
Hydra's secret base. Doctor Zola's face appeared on a computer. The red figure before it paused.
"Doctor Zola, correction—I'm Ms. Johann now," Red Skull said, annoyed.
Zola's digital face twitched. "Fine, Ms. Johann. Spider-Man has advanced artificial sun data that could create a true artificial sun."
"Impossible!"
Hydra Steve, holding baby Kingpin, entered, incredulous.
"Charlie Parker couldn't possibly develop a true artificial sun. Even Otto couldn't do it."
Bucky had a different take.
"Steve, have you forgotten who he is?"
"What?"
"He's Spider-Man."
Bucky took a deep breath. "He creates miracles time and again. Just when we think we've won, he pulls off something we can't fathom to win the Resurrection Match. I bet this time's no different."
His words stunned Hydra Steve.
"Yeah, he always pulls off miracles."
His face soured. "If this Resurrection Match were set elsewhere, we might not have learned this, let alone turned the tables."
"Eeya~"
Talk of turning the tables made baby Kingpin coo.
That's my line!
But he quickly realized his current state.
"Oh, what a cute baby! Let me play with him."
Hearing the coo, Red Skull's curiosity lit up. Her grotesque face morphed, flesh buds shifting into a refined visage.
Taking baby Kingpin, Red Skull's maternal side emerged, cradling and rocking him fondly.
Hydra Steve frowned but said nothing.
Bucky looked away, unable to watch.
He knew the old Johann Schmidt was a tough-as-nails man.
But after an injury, a Hydra spine was implanted, changing Johann's personality and opening a new world.
In Bucky's memory, the last time Johann smiled like this was in Tony Stark's room.
So…
He glanced at the baby, shuddering.
No way.
Is she serious?
Poor kid. Hope he doesn't grow up traumatized.
Wait, he's Spider-Man's kid. He won't get to grow up.
Meanwhile, Zola had infiltrated the Okinawa base's artificial sun experiment.
"I've altered the base's data. We'll have results soon."
Hydra Steve frowned. "Could this be his trap?"
"No worries."
Red Skull, holding baby Kingpin, reassured Steve. "If it fails, we lose nothing. If it succeeds, we conquer the world. It's a win either way."
Hydra Steve was still uneasy but felt he was overthinking.
This Resurrection Match was on his turf, backed by all of Hydra. He couldn't lose.
Soon, Zola brought good news.
"It worked!"
Zola's digital face beamed. "The true artificial sun is born. Spider-Man's data was real."
"What?"
Hydra Steve relaxed.
"Great. We can still modify the other bases' data. With true artificial suns, we'll seize global control effortlessly!"
Long-dormant ambition surged. Hydra Steve's grin turned manic.
"Bucky, come with me. We're finding Carter."
"Why?" Bucky frowned.
Hydra Steve took a deep breath. "She can't stay with Charlie Parker. She'll die."
"Heh, classic Steve. Still sentimental."
A swaying, elegant figure approached. Hydra Steve eyed Ophelia in a python-patterned gown, his brows furrowing.
"Are you the Ophelia I know?"
"You know both of me."
Ophelia held a Spider-Man doll, her smile eerie.
"Before Spider-Man vanishes for good, I want one more deep talk. Last time wasn't enough."
Hydra Steve: "."
Bucky shook his head. "Crazy, absolutely crazy."
Is Spider-Man that captivating?
Hydra Steve ignored the madwoman.
But he didn't dare offend her.
Her genetic toxin was far deadlier than the other Ophelia's.
Except for Zola, now a digital entity, no one could resist it.
Perfect. If she's after Spider-Man, let her disappear in the ultimate weapon's destruction!
…
Twenty-Second Resurrection Match.
Cosmic web. New power surged, enhancing muscle density. Charlie took a deep breath.
Everything was ready. Retry!
Hum~
The red-and-blue figure vanished into the void, reappearing atop the Empire State Building.
"Carter, call everyone. Avengers, assemble!"
Charlie leaped off the skyscraper. Magical sparks flared, and electric arcs surged as he swung into a nearby TV station.
"Hahaha, the terrifying demon's back!!"
Norman's cackle cut off as an arc dragged him into a portal.
Then, Bleecker Street, Empire University, and Oscorp Tower saw Charlie's figure.
Faster than ever.
In these three rescue missions, he didn't eliminate Hydra Steve, needing him to gather the other contestants.
Soon, Kingpin's villa.
Charlie publicly displayed the artificial sun data, letting Zola steal Otto and Tony's victory.
With thirteen artificial suns succeeding, they'd reshape the world.
Meanwhile, Charlie snatched the Time Tablet from Madame Gao and visited Kamar-Taj.
Hydra's secret base. Contestants summoned by Hydra Steve cheered.
"Spider-Man can't sabotage the artificial sun experiment. Hydra will conquer the world. Our mission's a success!" Steve exulted.
Bucky frowned. "This was too easy. The New York bombing was interrupted. We should calm down and check for overlooked details.
Remember, our opponent is Spider-Man, not just anyone."
His words doused the group with cold water.
Anyone who'd been in a Resurrection Match knew Spider-Man always won.