"Quiet down, follow my lead!"
As Charlie barked, his six clones unleashed a torrent of webbing, cocooning Cullen.
In the massive web cocoon, Cullen roared, his totem power rapidly dissolving the binding webs.
Before he could break free, a dazzling meteor streaked down.
BOOM!!
The ground exploded, electric arcs zipping through the blast zone. Cullen staggered, each arc tearing his tuxedo and searing his skin black.
"Argh!! Damn it!!"
Cullen bellowed. A giant foot slammed into his face.
Bang!!
Like a cannonball, he smashed through the fountain, a hundred tons of force mangling his face.
Disfigured, he struggled up, claws extending. The streaking arcs and blinding magic energy made him wary, his mind cursing.
Those bastards said Spider-Man was food for the Inheritor family.
Eating Spider-Man granted greater power and longer life.
He believed it, sneaking through the Web of Life and Destiny to this world to hunt Spider-Man.
But this Spider-Man was weird.
Seven spider totems aside, his clones' physical strength was terrifying.
Even if the Inheritors were Spider-Man's predators, the power gap was too vast. He'd fall here.
Cullen faltered, but the clones gave no time to think.
Zzzzt~
BOOM!!
Arcs surged, magic energy blasted. Cullen, defenseless, was hurled to the street.
"Oh my gosh, is that a theater actor?"
"Look at his teeth—movie vampire!!"
"Run!!"
"Look, Spider-Man! So many Spider-Mans!!"
"No metal suit—what's going on?"
Amid the crowd's screams, the six clones webbed together, descending in a line, delivering six crushing blows. Cullen's form vanished under rubble.
In the dust, the clones dissipated. Charlie eyed the baton in his hand, blinking. "I didn't even say start, and it's over?"
He tossed the picked-up branch, portaling to the street's ruins.
In the human-shaped crater, Cullen's eyes bulged, mouth agape, face twisted, black blood seeping from his lips.
His tuxedo was in tatters, exposed skin scarred with burns and energy marks.
Despite his state, his chest totem still flickered.
Charlie listened—his heartbeat grew stronger, signaling rapid recovery.
"Whoa, nice healing factor."
Under shocked gazes, Charlie webbed Cullen into his grip.
Holding his throat, Cullen stirred. "Heh heh… Spider-Man, you can't kill me. I'm from the Morlun family, an immortal Inheritor. Spider-Man's just our food—prey can't kill predators."
Sensing this Spider-Man wasn't as scary as thought, Cullen's confidence surged.
Given time, he'd recover fully.
And Spider-Man?
Heh, his clone trick lasted mere seconds—not enough to kill him.
He'd feast!
Six more spider totems—lucky him.
As he fantasized, a massive fist loomed.
BOOM!!!
The air exploded, Cullen's face smashed again.
Before he could curse, Charlie's knee slammed into his gut.
Bang!!
A muffled thud, and Cullen spewed black blood, eyes bloodshot, clearly suffering.
Urk~
Charlie released him. Cullen collapsed, vomiting.
"You… cough… damn bug, I'll—"
Cullen spat threats, but Charlie stomped him down.
Bang!
His head sank into concrete. Charlie smiled. "Spit out my totem power, yeah?"
"Hahaha, dream on!"
Pinned by immense force, Cullen sneered, his chest totem flaring, unleashing that eerie suction again.
Buzz~
The familiar force hit. Charlie's spider-sense failed, totem power uncontrollably rushing toward Cullen.
"Hahaha, delicious Spider-Man, you're mine!!"
Cullen broke free, grinning at the rigid Charlie.
But this time, Charlie didn't let him drain his totem.
Chitter, chitter~
A tiny spider scurried onto his shoulder, flailing at Cullen.
"What's this?"
Cullen froze at the sight.
Pfft~
The spider shot webbing, covering his mouth.
"Mmph!!"
In brief panic, the web exploded.
BOOM!!
"Argh~"
Magic energy erupted, Cullen stumbling back, clutching his bleeding mouth, screaming. "Damn it, what is that?!"
Mid-sentence, a massive shadow loomed.
"How can you…"
Cullen looked up. Charlie towered like a giant, purple veins pulsing under his suit—another power.
"Try sucking again."
Activating his Titan form, Charlie beckoned mockingly.
Cullen gritted his teeth, opening his mouth to unleash the suction.
"I'll eat you—how?!"
His totem flared, but he couldn't drain Spider-Man's power.
He froze.
Charlie smirked. "Spider-Man's predator, ready to die?"
"What—"
"Ready to die?"
A purple-glowing fist crashed down.
BOOM!!
The air quaked, Cullen's body sinking into the ground, only his head exposed.
His vision blurred.
Crack!
A soft snap, and his sight went black.
The crowd gaped in horror at Spider-Man holding Cullen's head, many collapsing in fear.
Charlie ignored them, crushing the head with a squeeze.
Buzz~
Brilliant totem power drifted from the corpse, forming a spider totem that merged into Charlie's chest.
Cullen's bat totem struggled in the void, trying to flee.
But the spider totem wasn't having it.
Magic webs shot out, dragging the bat totem into Charlie's chest.
The spider totem shone brighter.
"Done."
Charlie squinted, vanishing through a portal, leaving a desiccated, headless corpse.
In the crowd, a haggard man eyed the body, a glint in his eyes.
Vampire, immortal…
He could cure my disease!
Before cops arrived, he sneaked close, taking a sample.
In a nearby alley, Erik and Charles watched, exchanging awkward glances.
"This guy's way stronger than we thought. No need to tail him anymore."
"Agreed."
A scarlet streak flashed overhead.
"New orders from the boss," Wanda said, floating, hair billowing.
She spoke coldly. "The boss wants you to gather all mutants, form the Brotherhood, and oppose human forces."
Charles frowned. "S.H.I.E.L.D.?"
Wanda nodded. "Including S.H.I.E.L.D."
Erik mused. "S.H.I.E.L.D. has mutants. Should we turn them?"
Wanda glanced at Erik, her expression complex. "Strictly speaking, S.H.I.E.L.D.'s superhumans aren't mutants. They're human forces."
"Got it."
Erik nodded, pulling Charles away.
In the alley, Wanda's scarlet energy faded.
Buzz~
A silver streak arrived. Pietro, arms crossed, stared after Erik, sulking. "The boss said Erik's the future Magneto, our dad. Feels off."
Wanda shook her head. "Even if true, he doesn't know us now."
Pietro shrugged. "I don't remember him either. Plus, the timeline's wrong. Erik died in battle. If he had kids, they'd be way older."
Wanda nodded, thinking of the figure behind the boss. "I bet they're from another world. That guy's helping."
"A time-meddling god?" Pietro scratched his head. "I overheard them. This is too messy. We should plan for ourselves."
Wanda looked at him, exasperated. "Yeah, we're in a dangerous vortex. The Four Horsemen title offers no protection, and their target's Spider-Man. We can't follow their orders."
"So?" Pietro grinned mischievously.
"Jump ship?"
Wanda: "…"
...
Meanwhile, Eisen Apartments.
Charlie returned home, spotting Wade on the couch, cradling a sleeping baby Kingpin. He blinked.
Why'd this guy bring Kingpin?
Shaking his head, he didn't disturb them.
In his room, Charlie called Carter.
"It's me. After you left, a weird guy showed up."
"I know, a vampire," Carter said.
Charlie shook his head. "Not that simple. He's from another universe, hunting Spider-Man."
"Hunting?"
Carter's tone turned odd. "Speaking of hunting Spider-Man, let's talk about Sergei."
"What's up?"
"Coulson rescued him."
"Hm?"
Charlie pondered. "Coulson's fake?"
"Yup. Sergei's brother, disguised as Coulson. He's Chameleon."
"I know, the guy who got me once."
Charlie exhaled. "He's no big threat, but this vampire's different. They're a family.
The guy I met was just a fringe player, not too tough. The real Inheritor family's another story."
He warned, "They're after me. If you meet them, don't engage."
Charlie's tone was grave. Carter frowned. "Sounds like trouble."
"Yeah, they're Spider-Man's natural predators."
"Predators?"
"Yup, but not my predators."
"You are Spider-Man."
"Or maybe not."
"What's that mean?" Carter asked, curious.
No answer came.
"Hello? You there?"
"Hey, hey?"
The phone screen flickered on the bed. The room was empty.
...
Meanwhile, Empire State University.
Maple Grove.
On a treetop, under blinding sunlight, Charlie squinted, raising a hand to shield his eyes.
"Daytime already?"
"Nope, just old friends meeting."
At the familiar voice, Charlie opened his eyes. Lizard Parker, reverting from his transformation, casually dressed.
Charlie: "…"
He scanned around, confirming this was another world.
"What'd you do?" he asked.
Lizard Parker grinned. "Resurrection Match bonus. I chose Spider-Man's friendship."
Charlie's lip twitched.
He was a summon now?
"Alright, scaly stud, what're we drinking in this hour?"
"I'm broke."
Lizard Parker, dressed, shrugged. "I'm in trouble. You gotta help."
Charlie pouted, sitting on the treetop, admiring the fiery red scenery. "That's extra."
Lizard Parker didn't argue. "Your call later."
He sat beside Charlie. "How's it going?"
"Not bad. Invested in a movie effects company. Just waiting to cash in."
"What?"
Lizard Parker's face twisted with envy. "Where'd you get the money?"
"Learned New York's richest guy's secret. Got a nice hush payment."
"Ugh, I'm so jealous." Lizard Parker shed sad tears.
The maple leaves rustled, and two familiar figures swung in on webs.
"Spider-Man?"
Seeing their crude spider-suits, Charlie's eyes narrowed. "This isn't your world?"
Lizard Parker shrugged. "Nope. After my last restart, Gwen got swallowed by a black hole. I tried to save her and got pulled into this world."
Charlie pondered.
Ahead, the two figures collided in their frantic swing, crashing to the ground.
"Ugh, lousy Spider-Men," Charlie shook his head.
The treetop swayed as green tentacles burst through the leaves, targeting the hapless Spider-Men.
"Doc Ock?" Charlie gasped.
Lizard Parker wagged a finger. "Nope, Dr. Otto—female."
"Lady Otto?"
Charlie raised a brow. Miles' world?