[You, the friendly neighborhood hero, defeated Morlun family's Karn. Retry count +13]
In the neon city, a red-and-blue figure swung across the dazzling skyway.
Whoosh~
Charlie landed on a billboard, eyeing the plaza's massive screen.
On it, a giant Spider-Man propped up a crumbling building.
In the bottom-left corner, J. Jonah Jameson analyzed Spider-Man's gigantification powers.
"Nobody knows Spider-Man better than me!" Jonah declared, cigar in mouth.
"By now, everyone should know Spider-Man doesn't truly die. His resurrections follow a pattern. More importantly, each Resurrection Match makes him stronger. This time, after portals and cloning magic, he's gained gigantification. He'll be this century's most iconic superhero—and the most consistent."
The broadcast cut to footage of Ghost Rider and the Fantastic Four.
Jonah continued, "Viewers, from my observations, that skull-headed biker is a superhero in a sense—he only kills the wicked. But his flames are too dangerous, and he seems barely in control. As for S.H.I.E.L.D.'s four newbies, they're even less stable. Inexperienced, they cause civilian injuries every time they show up."
The host interjected, "But Spider-Man's destruction is massive. Doesn't that make him more dangerous?"
Jonah scoffed. "That's because Spider-Man faces tougher enemies. If it were any other hero, we'd all be toast."
The host debated briefly before shifting to mutants.
"Mr. Jameson, Spider-Man's a mutant too. With rising mutant crime, what's your take?"
Jonah paused, then said, "I know what you're getting at. Tensions between mutants and humans are growing, and you're worried Spider-Man will side with mutants."
He removed his cigar, serious. "I have faith in Spider-Man. He won't side with mutants. But he won't side with humans either."
The audience murmured. The host glanced at the script. "Mr. Jameson, what do you mean?"
"Of course." Jonah relit his cigar, smiling. "The Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man helps those in need. Mutants are people too—he sees no difference. Calling him a mutant is sloppy.
Don't forget, most of Spider-Man's deaths are because of us. He protects the weak, and we're the weak ones. Some of you don't like that—you think you're elites, shaping the world, and Spider-Man's just a lucky guy with powers, beneath you.
But let me tell you, we're elites in education and wealth. So what? The world's eat-or-be-eaten. We're not the strong ones. Against real power, we're defenseless. We're the absolute weak. We live and work under rules set by the strong, feeding them labor and wealth. When someone breaks those rules, our weakness is exposed.
No one can save us—except Spider-Man. He's strong and cares about us. So cherish your Friendly Neighborhood hero."
Watching Jonah's uncharacteristic sincerity, Charlie felt sheepish.
"Am I that great?" He scratched his head. "Yup, he figured me out. Worthy of my biggest fan."
"He's Spider-Man's superfan. I knew it," Gwen said, swinging onto the billboard.
"I'm prepping my thesis. When are you going back to school?" she asked.
"So soon?" Charlie calculated. "I'm still a freshman."
Gwen shrugged. "My bad. Thought you were that exceptional."
"You can think that."
Charlie grinned. "I'll talk to Professor Kurt about graduating."
Gwen side-eyed him. "After graduation, what's the plan? Scientist like Kurt? Or pizza delivery?"
Charlie: "…"
"Not every Spider-Man loves delivering pizza. Nanotech royalties are my pension—I don't need a job."
Gwen nodded. "Sure, if Tony Stark doesn't crash and burn. I heard about his antics. He's done with heroics, clashing with the military and S.H.I.E.L.D."
"I know." Charlie glanced at figures in the street. "I'm looking into it. The real Iron Man will be back soon."
"The real Iron Man?" Gwen blinked.
Erik and Charles approached the billboard.
"I slipped into his mind and found a huge secret," Charles said telepathically.
Charlie nodded. "Spill it."
Charles explained, "The real Tony Stark's been kidnapped. The Iron Man we're seeing is a group of aliens called Skrulls. They're stirring up human-mutant conflict to seize Earth."
Charlie: "…"
How many times has Tony been kidnapped now? He'd lost count.
"Tell Apocalypse," Charlie said. "He'll know what to do."
Charles frowned. "The Skrulls' plan involves a lot of people. If Apocalypse acts rashly, we'll fall into their trap. You sure?"
"Absolutely." Charlie smiled. "Apocalypse isn't reckless anymore. He'll wait for me to move first. Plus, it's a chance for mutants and humans."
"A chance?" Charles asked. "How so?"
"With a common enemy, mutant-human tensions ease."
"Only temporarily," Charles said skeptically.
Charlie leaned against the wall. "As long as Skrulls exist, war between mutants and humans won't break out. Everyone knows how scary a shape-shifting species is."
Charles got it. "So we don't wipe them out?"
"Right. Don't destroy them, but don't let them run wild."
Charlie asked, "How's the fake Stark doing?"
"We didn't tip him off. He's planning to use Stark's armor tech for an iron army, but to others, he's lost his edge."
Charlie mused. "Creating conflict is his job, but he's pissed off the military and S.H.I.E.L.D. He can't build an army in secret—everyone's watching. He won't hide it long."
"He's already passed the tech to his allies. He's the decoy," Charles said.
Charlie nodded. "Clever plan. Too bad they picked the wrong guy."
He turned to Stark Tower. "Where's the real Tony?"
"The Ten Rings."
Charlie: "…"
"The cave?"
"Yup. No one would guess it."
"Okay, I didn't either."
To Gwen, he said, "I gotta go. Oh, how's Mary Jane?"
"You do care about her," Gwen teased, arms crossed. "She's fine. Needs a job. Want me to help?"
Charlie waved it off. "No… well, okay, help her."
Gwen: "…"
"Complicated man. Bye~"
She swung off to the skyscrapers.
Charlie shook his head. "She's got a quinjet but still swings webs. Nutcase."
Yup, Carter took her quinjet back.
Webs were his only ride now.
He stepped into a portal.
Buzz~
Ten Rings valley, dim cave.
Back here, it felt like home.
Well, someone broke into his home.
"Who's there?"
A soldier with a gun shouted, only to be swept away by webs.
Bang bang bang~
After a series of thuds, the soldier reverted to Skrull form, making Charlie frown.
"Quite a few Skrulls."
More soldiers poured in. Charlie formed a mystic seal, a clone charging them with a gust of wind.
He kicked open a metal door.
Bang!
The door toppled with a crash.
Inside, Tony was bound to a metal frame, strange devices wired to his brain.
Around him, Skrulls jolted awake.
"Spider-Man!"
"How'd he find us?"
"Damn, we're exposed…"
As they shouted, they grabbed weapons and attacked.
The lead Skrull fired a pulse gun wildly.
Zzip zzip zzip
Pfft!
Charlie flickered, snatching the weapon with webs.
"Damn, weapons don't work!"
Realizing their foe was Spider-Man, the Skrulls exchanged glances and pulled out strange vials.
Gulp~
As they downed the liquid, their bodies transformed.
"Argh!!"
One Skrull roared, his body erupting in flames.
Boom!!
He unleashed a fire pillar. Another turned to stone, charging Charlie.
"Hm?"
Recognizing their powers, Charlie's spider totem flickered.
His soul left his body, his head drooping.
Boom!!
Bang bang…
Flames roared, stone walls cracked, and the cave descended into chaos.
Under the Skrulls' powered-up assault, Charlie's body dodged effortlessly.
His soul floated above, studying their abilities.
Human Torch, Thing, Mr. Fantastic, Invisible Woman…
Good grief, they copied the Fantastic Four's powers.
Charlie facepalmed.
In the lore, Skrulls had two branches.
Mutant Skrulls could mimic any creature, like mutants.
Eternal Skrulls couldn't shapeshift but were titan-like in strength.
These were mutant Skrulls, able to mimic humans and their memories.
Some, super Skrulls, could copy superhero powers.
These weren't super Skrulls, but their vials, infused with power genes, gave temporary abilities.
They were like a mutant force with Mystique's powers, trickier than regular mutants.
But Charlie was pleased.
Weak foes wouldn't convince Apocalypse to ally with humans.
Seeing the unconscious Tony, Charlie didn't waste time.
His soul dove back into his body, eyes flaring blue.
Buzz~
Zzzzt zzzzt~
Arcs flashed, Skrulls slamming into walls under the impact.
Bang bang bang
In a series of crashes, they reverted from their powered forms, buried by falling rubble.
Charlie dusted his hands. "I didn't even try!"
He approached Tony, ripping off the metal frame.
As the brain devices were removed, Tony gasped, opening his eyes, staring blankly at Charlie.
"What happened?" he asked.
Charlie explained briefly. Tony's face darkened.
"Damn those alien bastards. That guy's posing as me—what about Pepper…"
Imagining a scenario, Tony's face soured, his head glowing green with rage.
Charlie sympathized. "Don't tell Pepper. She'll feel guilty. Real men bear the pain alone."
Tony: "…"
"No, I'm exposing that guy."
He staggered up, but Charlie held his shoulder.
"He's posing as you. You can pose as him," Charlie suggested.
Tony thought. "Good idea. Hope he's got a wife—I'm getting revenge."
Charlie: "…"
"You sure?"
Pointing at a Skrull corpse, he said, "If you're set on revenge, brace yourself. Not everyone's that brave."
Staring at the Skrull's green skin and wrinkled chin, Tony gritted his teeth.
"Well… lights off, it's all the same."
Charlie gave a thumbs-up. "You're the real superhero. I'm rooting for you. Go wild!"
Iron Man's dark history, Spider-Man's ATM.
He had to support that.