Soon, Osborn Industries' cleanup crew arrived to handle the aftermath.
A swarm of reporters crowded nearby.
"Sorry, this area's sealed off. You can't enter," the staff blocked them, leaving the reporters jostling to snap photos from the perimeter.
"Look, it's the giant!"
"He's with Peni Parker!"
Amid the crowd, Eddie Brock shouted, pointing at the red-and-blue figure and snapping several photos.
Noticing the reporters' eager gazes, Peni pulled Charlie into a corner.
"Those guys are annoying. Don't let them latch onto you," Peni warned.
Charlie nodded thoughtfully. "They know your identity?"
"Yeah, no hiding it. They've known for a long time."
Hearing this, Charlie suddenly asked, "How're Aunt May and Uncle Ben?"
Peni smiled slyly. "They're great. Aunt May's my mech repair tech, and Uncle Ben's my mechanical engineer. They help me a ton."
Charlie couldn't help but admire Peni.
From elementary school to now, with her identity exposed, Aunt May and Uncle Ben were still alive—a miracle in the Spider-Man multiverse.
It was enough to make other Spider-Men jealous to the point of losing control.
In the movie universe, Peter Parker's identity reveal led to Aunt May's death by Green Goblin's pumpkin bomb in a series of "accidents."
"With great power comes great responsibility" seemed to demand Spider-Man's loved ones pay with their lives.
Charlie suspected Aunt May wasn't the first victim. That was probably Tony, who snapped his fingers.
The closer someone was to Spider-Man, the faster they died.
Of course, Peni's parents were among the first to be sacrificed.
Nearly all Spider-Men's parents met the same fate.
Lost in thought, a familiar yet strange voice broke through.
"Peni, you okay?"
An Osborn Industries flyer landed, and Aunt May and Uncle Ben, in silver uniforms, jogged to Peni's side.
They weren't young anymore.
Charlie felt a wave of nostalgia.
After confirming Peni was fine, they turned to Charlie.
This young man felt oddly familiar, almost intimate.
"You are…?" Aunt May hesitated.
"Charlie Parker," Charlie introduced himself with a smile.
"Parker?"
Uncle Ben frowned thoughtfully, while Aunt May recalled Peni's bizarre past experiences.
Before they could voice their questions, Charlie added, "In my universe, Aunt May and Uncle Ben are doing great too."
The two exchanged glances, feeling something off.
"A Spider-Man from the multiverse. Welcome," Norman stepped out from the crowd.
He studied the young man, his smile tinged with something strange.
Sensing Norman's odd gaze, Charlie's heart stirred.
No way.
A hidden villain?
Per Spider-Man universe rules, Norman was destined to become a villain.
Whether by choice or circumstance was unclear.
Charlie nodded at Norman in greeting.
"In my universe, Uncle Norman's a good guy."
Norman: "…"
Why did this kid emphasize "good guy" so much?
His smile stiffened. "Yes, I'm a good guy."
"Uncle Norman built the Spider-Mech. He's a hero saving the world," Peni said, full of admiration.
Charlie kept smiling. "Yeah, I can tell."
Norman wasn't interested in small talk.
Glancing at the reporters, he turned to Charlie. "Mind coming to my place for a chat?"
"Of course not."
"Great, let's all go!" Norman smiled, hands behind his back. "Check out Osborn Industries' latest invention."
…
Ten minutes later, Osborn Mech Research Base.
"RUMBLE~~"
A ten-meter alloy gate rose, revealing a black mech, similar in size to the Spider-Mech but with a more aggressive design.
Charlie's gaze locked on the mech's narrow eyes and the white spider emblem on its chest, his expression shifting.
Venom Mech!
More precisely, a Symbiote Mech.
Peni's jaw dropped. "Besides SP//dr, there's another mech in the world?" she marveled.
Aunt May smiled. "This is our latest development, still untested."
Uncle Ben nodded. "Yeah, it's controlled differently. The pilot doesn't need a psychic link with a mutant spider. The symbiote core automatically connects to the pilot's mind, making it easier to operate in combat."
Peni's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "So I won't be fighting alone anymore?"
"Exactly. The symbiote core doesn't require a specific physique. Anyone can do the job," Uncle Ben grinned.
Charlie pieced it together.
Peni was the only one who could form a psychic link with a mutant spider, necessary to pilot the mech.
Osborn could mass-produce mechs, but Peni was the only pilot.
With the Symbiote Mech, her burden would lighten.
But why did Norman bring him here?
As expected, Norman turned to Charlie, his face serious.
"Charlie Parker, your strength is beyond our imagination. I want you to pilot the Symbiote Mech."
Charlie raised an eyebrow. "We just met, and you trust me that much?"
"Of course."
Norman met Charlie's eyes. "I trust my instincts."
Charlie: "…"
Was this guy joking? This was absurdly reckless—something was off.
"I came here to find my friend, not to pilot your mech," he refused flatly.
Norman looked disappointed but didn't give up.
"You really won't consider it? Becoming the world's second mech pilot would bring unimaginable honor and wealth."
"Wealth?"
Charlie's eyes flickered. He leaned toward Peni.
"How much is your salary?" he whispered.
Peni thought for a moment. "I'm not into money. Aunt May saves it for me."
Charlie: "…"
He hated that line.
He glanced at Aunt May, who avoided his gaze.
It clicked—Peni's salary was probably squandered.
As expected, all Spider-Men were broke!
Charlie shook his head, rejecting Norman's offer.
"The Symbiote Mech doesn't need a specific pilot. You've got plenty of options."
Norman sighed. "But a stronger pilot means a stronger symbiote core, pushing the mech to its peak."
"Sorry, then."
Since his second Resurrection Match, Charlie wanted nothing to do with symbiotes.
An invincible Spider-Man getting reckless would be a disaster.
Norman had no choice but to back off.
With Charlie's strength, he couldn't force him.
Bribery, maybe?
One last try.
"Alright, Charlie, I hope you'll reconsider."
Norman checked the time. "It's late. I'll arrange a place for you to rest. As for your friend, I promise, on behalf of Osborn Industries, we'll do everything to help."
"Thanks, Uncle Norman."
And so, Charlie settled into the familiar yet strange Osborn Castle.
There, he saw a photo of Harry and Norman.
Sadly, Harry was dead.
Killed in an accident ten years ago.
That night, a mysterious figure in a tech suit descended on Osborn Castle.
"BOOM!!"
A loud crash woke Norman.
"Sir, Spider-Man was defeated by a mysterious figure," Old John reported.
The figure's power far surpassed Spider-Man's.
Before Norman could act, the figure stormed in, radiating a terrifying aura.
"BUZZ~"
The figure struck, and Norman's consciousness blurred.
When he came to, the figure was gone.
"Was that an illusion?" he muttered, sweat beading on his forehead.
Soon, he and Old John found Spider-Man in the rubble.
"You okay?"
"I'm fine."
Charlie staggered up, limping out of the debris.
"Your universe's criminals are tough. Can't let my guard down," he gritted out.
Norman frowned. "This world's worst threats are monsters. Powerful humanoids are rare."
"Really?"
Charlie's mind raced.
Monsters, mechs—interesting.
He'd just tested Norman using Conqueror Kang's alias.
He stripped Norman's soul and found no trace of Mary Jane.
It wasn't foolproof, but worth a try.
Excusing himself to rest, he opened a portal.
"BUZZ~"
Next, Peni, Aunt May, and Uncle Ben were attacked by the mysterious figure.
None of their souls showed anything unusual.
Back in his room, Charlie's face was grim.
Where the hell was Mary Jane?
…
The next day, the red-and-blue giant dominated city news.
"According to Mr. Norman, chairman of Osborn Industries, the giant is not hostile and is likely a new secret weapon developed by Osborn…"
On screen, Jonah Jameson reported the giant, then mentioned the mysterious figure from last night.
"Peni Parker was defeated again. Whether it's Mysterio or this mysterious figure, Peni's no match. We have reason to suspect she's been slacking."
Jonah listed evidence of Peni's "laziness" during training, condemning her irresponsibility.
Empire State University.
On a bench by the park lake, Peni held a handheld computer, rolling her eyes at the so-called evidence.
"In your universe, does this guy always smear Spider-Man like this?" she asked Charlie beside her.
Charlie chuckled. "Don't worry, he's actually your biggest fan."
"Fan?" Peni scoffed. "No way. He's always badmouthing me." She pouted.
Charlie grinned. "Haven't you noticed? He only targets you on trivial stuff. It doesn't hurt you, and his stories are entertaining, drawing attention away from the 'Spider-Man threat' online."
"Spider-Man threat?" Peni frowned.
Charlie explained, "Yeah, the Spider-Man threat. You're the only mech pilot in this world, facing global scrutiny and suspicion. Many see you as a threat.
But Jonah's stories shift focus to whether you're slacking, how rough your life is, or if you're bullying classmates with your Spider-Man powers.
Compared to being seen as a threat, this is a good outcome, right?"
Peni nodded, half-understanding. "But why use this method? If he openly supported me, maybe people wouldn't be so hostile toward Spider-Man."
Charlie laughed. "If he took the opposite side, it'd turn into a black-and-white debate, endless arguing.
By joining them, he avoids that. He doesn't need Spider-Man fans' support—real fans don't hurt Spider-Man.
By gaining the haters' trust and becoming their voice, he can filter out truly harmful rhetoric, attacking Spider-Man with harmless topics. It's protection in disguise."
Peni finally got it. "So he's an undercover agent."
Charlie thought for a moment. "Yeah, undercover. I only recently figured it out."
Or maybe he was overthinking it.
Maybe Jonah just went from hater to fan.
But that wasn't the point.
The point was, a new enemy had appeared.
"SPLASH~"
The calm lake churned into a massive vortex, and a colossal tentacle shot out.
A deluge of water rained down.
In the downpour, more terrifying tentacles spread.
"Oh no, a monster! Run!!"
Students by the lake fled in panic. Peni's face changed.
"It's the Octopus Monster Otto!"
Charlie: "…"
Doctor Otto had finally become a literal giant octopus.
Before Peni could act, Charlie transformed into the red-and-blue giant in a flash of light.
"BUZZ~"
"BOOM!!"
Under the stunned gazes of classmates, the fifty-meter giant dropped into the lake.
"SPLASH~~"
The giant's movements churned massive waves. In the torrential rain, he battled the enormous octopus monster.
Per Mephisto's clues, everyone he met could harbor Mary Jane's soul.
Including this world's monsters!
So he had to defeat them himself, ensuring Peni didn't kill them.
Dodging a suction-cupped tentacle, Charlie grabbed one.
"Up you go!"
"ROAR!!"
With a shout, the monster wailed.
Under the giant's terrifying strength, the octopus was flung skyward.
"GRR!"
"Friendly Neighborhood Flying Kick!"
The giant leaped, a dazzling magical meteor streaking through the sky. The free-falling octopus turned to mush under the magical energy, splattering into the park lake.
"BANG!"
"SPLASH~"
The massive creature hit the water, waves crashing ashore. Murky water swallowed the monster, mist spreading.
Under the sun, a radiant rainbow arched over the lake.
The red-and-blue giant vanished against the rainbow backdrop.
"So awesome!"
Among the crowd, Annie Brock was awestruck.
She clenched her fists, eyes resolute.
"No wonder he refused the Symbiote Mech. With that power, he doesn't need a mech—he is an invincible mech."
Murmuring, her gaze fell on Peni nearby.
She stepped toward her.
"Peni Parker, one day, I'll make you see you're just a lucky girl who got a mutant spider.
Without it, you're nothing."
Peni blinked, confused. "You are…?"
"Annie Brock, a transfer student and candidate for the Symbiote Mech pilot. I'll surpass you," Annie declared firmly.
Peni lost interest. "Oh, got it. Good luck."
Annie gritted her teeth at Peni's indifference.
"Hmph, stay smug!"
Her brother Eddie was right—Peni was an arrogant jerk.
Eddie, a top-notch reporter, had tracked Peni for ages.
In his view, Peni was just an ordinary girl, unremarkable without the mutant spider.
She didn't deserve to pilot the Spider-Mech.
Annie agreed completely.
Once she earned the Symbiote Mech's approval, she'd replace Peni as the world's brightest star.
Before she could keep taunting, a red-and-blue figure shot up from the lake.
"The giant!"
Annie gasped as the figure landed before her.
"You—"
Seeing the young face, Annie's excitement surged.
She admired strength, and this man was the ultimate powerhouse.
But the "powerhouse" seemed as indifferent to her as Peni.
Charlie glanced at Annie, then turned to Peni.
"Wanna hear my story?"
"Of course!"
Annie answered first, earning a weird look from Charlie.
"You are…?"
"Annie Brock, soon-to-be Symbiote Mech pilot."
"Oh, good luck."
Annie: "…"
Under the classmates' eager stares, Charlie found a quiet spot.
Half an hour later, on the school rooftop.
"Sob sob Mary Jane's story is so tragic. Your love story is so moving," Annie cried, covering her face.
Charlie: "…"
"Calm down, kid. When did I mention anything about love?" he said, twitching.
Annie's red eyes and smeared eyeliner made her look comical.
"You didn't say 'love,' but I can feel the tragic romance between you two."
Charlie's face darkened. "Great, story's over. You can leave."
"No, I want more."
"Nope."
Peni spoke up. "So you told us this to get help finding Mary Jane's soul?"
"Yeah."
Charlie nodded.
He'd just stripped the octopus monster's soul and found something intriguing.
He couldn't figure out the details alone, so he needed this world's "protagonist" on his side for better odds.
The fastest way to convince a woman was to gain her sympathy.
No, now it was two women.
Well, girls.
Peni looked deeply at Charlie. "You made a deal with a demon for Mary Jane. I can't refuse your request."
"Me too."
Annie wiped her tears, clenching her fists. "I'll help you."
"Uh, I was only asking Peni—"
"It's settled," Annie cut him off.
Charlie: "…"
"Look, a UFO!"
He pointed at the sky. Peni and Annie instinctively looked up.
Before they could react, Charlie slapped Annie's shoulder.
"BUZZ~"
Her soul drifted briefly before returning.
"What was that?"
Annie blinked, confused.
Charlie waved it off. "Nothing, just testing your reflexes as a pilot candidate. You need work."
Annie nodded seriously. "No wonder I've felt off lately. My focus is lacking. I need to reflect."
"Yeah, keep at it."
Charlie said earnestly, "Go train. I'll contact you later."
"Okay, I'll wait for your call."
Annie hurried off. Peni gave Charlie a strange look.
"You sent her away on purpose."
"Obviously. She seems like an idiot."
"I thought so too."
Peni pondered. "How can I help?"
"Find the other monsters. I need to confirm something."
"Other monsters?"
Peni frowned. "That simple?"
"Yeah, simple but confidential."
"You could ask Uncle Norman. He knows more than me."
"I only trust you."
"Uh, you're putting me in a tough spot."
"But I know you'll agree."
"Fine, you got me."
Under Charlie's expectant gaze, Peni sighed.
"The monsters I defeated are still alive, locked in Osborn's secret base."
"Great, take me there."
"Me?"
Peni's forehead creased. "Sneaking you in like that? Uncle Norman will punish me."
"Of course we're not going in openly."
Charlie grinned, handing her a Pym Disc.
"Time for a thrilling, magical adventure."