It took Charlie a while to snap out of it.
"Fine, taking the Spider-Man title isn't a big deal. You didn't use 'invincible,' did you?" Charlie shot a warning glance.
Harry patted his chest, assuring him, "Relax, we didn't. Cindy's powers aren't exactly standout."
"What did you say?" Cindy side-eyed Harry, her wifely threat making him backtrack instantly.
"No, I mean, Cindy's powers are great, but she's not into those empty titles." Harry shrank back, prompting an inward scoff from Charlie: Spineless.
Cindy withdrew her menacing glare, but Charlie still had questions.
"So, your kid…"
"You already know about that?"
Harry clapped, grinning. "Parker, come say hi to your uncle!"
At his words, a mechanical spider dropped from the ceiling with a clack clack clack.
Its eyes glowed, projecting a hologram into the air.
[I'm Parker-Bug, Daddy's favorite.]
Charlie: "…"
He studied Harry, his expression odd. "Your son?"
Harry nodded, smiling as he caught the mechanical spider in his palm.
"Yep. Took me years to develop this little guy. I treat it like my own kid."
Cindy rolled her eyes. "Hmph, men."
Sensing "Mommy's" disapproval, the mechanical spider sheepishly crawled into Harry's sleeve, not daring to defy the true head of the household.
Harry, embarrassed, changed the subject. "My best friend's back—time for a grand party!
By the way, how was life in the Quantum Realm?" he asked.
Charlie blinked, surprised. "How'd you know I was in the Quantum Realm?"
Before Harry could answer, Mary Jane stepped forward. "We looked for you. With Dr. Pym's help, we found anomalies in the Quantum Realm. The webbing sealing it proved you were there."
Charlie nodded thoughtfully. "I see."
Ten years, and this world's Dr. Pym was finally stepping into the spotlight.
Harry activated his communicator, notifying everyone, then sidled up to Charlie.
"I've spread the good news. Tonight's party will blow your mind."
"Blow my mind?"
Charlie gave him a skeptical look. "The invincible Spider-Man's above such low tastes. You sure you can impress me?"
…
One hour later.
"Hahaha, awesome! The invincible Spider-Man is super impressed!"
At the pool party, hundreds of cyber-girls in neon-lit, bizarre swimsuits splashed in the water.
Their looks and figures were a far cry from ten years ago—way more striking.
Charlie lounged on a chair, soaking in the scene, as Harry handed him a juice.
"You wouldn't guess, right? These are all tech faces, but more real than real. Whatever you want, they can make it happen."
"Whatever I want?"
Charlie's eyes lit up. "Actually, I'd love to see something with more… personality."
Harry flashed a sly grin. "Buddy, you're in for a surprise."
He clapped, and a blonde with three-meter-long legs emerged from the villa.
Charlie nearly choked on his juice. "No way! That's possible?"
Harry wagged his finger. "This isn't even the best part."
Just as he was about to show his friend something mind-blowing, his wristwatch flashed red, and his face fell.
"Oh my gosh, Cindy's here. Party's over."
He tapped his virtual computer, and their chairs sank. Mechanical arms swiftly swapped their outfits.
In the final second, Charlie and Harry were in sharp suits, transitioning from the sunny beach to a ballroom elevator.
Ding
As the elevator doors opened, Harry tugged the dazed Charlie into the ballroom.
"Hey, Captain, look who's here!"
Harry's shout drew every eye to Charlie.
The ballroom fell silent.
Among the crowd, a tall figure turned, radiating a commanding aura. Carter froze, her eyes complex.
She was thrilled but suddenly hesitant.
Ten years, and she'd nearly grown used to life without Charlie.
When Harry told her he was back, she wrestled with her emotions for a long time.
In front of her mirror, she studied her decade-older self, terrified of wrinkles.
Thankfully, there were none.
She could face him looking her best.
Seeing that familiar face, Carter approached slowly.
She'd rehearsed countless things to say, afraid she'd run out of time.
But now, none of it mattered.
She didn't need words.
Carter trusted he'd read everything in her eyes.
Sure enough, under her expectant gaze, Charlie rushed forward, arms wide.
Carter smiled, her wait seemingly rewarded.
A single hug would make it all worthwhile.
"Hey, old man, how's it going?"
"Hahaha, great, little spider! I'm still kicking—eight steaks a meal!"
Under Carter's watch, Charlie and an elderly Steve embraced, laughing and clapping each other's backs.
Carter: "…"
Her face darkened.
Then, a scene that drove her up the wall unfolded.
"Charlie, my man!"
With a delighted cry, a glammed-up Agent Hill shoved Carter aside, rushing to Charlie.
Otto and others swarmed him too, leaving Carter no chance.
She could only watch as Charlie greeted his friends.
"Wow, Agent Hill, you got prettier!"
"Of course, this face cost 800 grand."
"Dr. Banner, you've been hitting the gym?"
"Just a little workout."
"Lady Natasha, still rocking that collagen!"
"I thought you'd call me Old Pigeon."
"That was a joke."
"Oh, Dr. Otto, you've slimmed down."
"Ruth forced me to diet. It's torture."
"Max, you're even darker."
"Johnny, you… eh, we're not close."
After greeting everyone and chatting, Charlie frowned, confused. "Where's Tony?"
Elderly Steve explained, "He's off-world."
"Off-world?"
"Yeah, like going abroad. He's in space, hunting for that Celestial skull. No idea when he'll be back."
"Oh."
Charlie nodded, still scanning the crowd.
Steve caught on. "Stop looking. Everyone who's coming is here. The rest won't be back anytime soon."
Charlie's face fell, disappointed.
"You looking for Gwen?"
Carter's voice came from behind, and Charlie slapped his forehead.
"Crap, I got carried away."
He turned slowly, forcing an awkward grin. "Just kidding earlier. You're not mad, right?"
"What do you think?"
Carter's face was grim. "Tonight, come to my office. Write a report on your last ten years. In front of me."
Charlie: "…"
His smile faltered. "Do I have to? I was out cold for ten years…"
"What? You slept with someone for ten years?" Elderly Steve shouted.
The crowd gasped.
"Oh my gosh, he slept with someone for a decade!"
"Damn, I thought he had it rough."
"That jerk, grinding calluses for ten years."
"No, his skills must be polished now."
Whispers erupted, and Carter's face grew darker.
"You damn jerk, who was it?" She grabbed Charlie's collar, her glare menacing.
Charlie's mouth twitched. "I wasn't done."
"Then finish."
"To be precise, I was unconscious for ten years."
"What?"
Carter's expression softened, her grip loosening.
"You…" Guilt flickered in her eyes, her tone gentling. "You okay?"
Charlie shook his head. "I'm fine now."
Back in this world, his body was no longer frail.
He felt perfectly fine.
Carter studied him closely, knowing he wouldn't lie about this, and relaxed.
"Alright, we'll talk later. Go home. Aunt May and the others are waiting."
She turned. "Don't forget to show up for work tomorrow."
"Got it."
Charlie said goodbye to Steve and the others, then left.
At the door, he paused.
"Wait, aren't I the King of Earth? Why do I have to work?"
He scratched his head. Had they forgotten?
Well, with this tech level, Sakaar's limiter was probably long broken.
Nobody cared about the invincible Spider-Man anymore.
Well, the once invincible Spider-Man.
Charlie chuckled, shaking his head. He waved a hand, drew a circle, and stepped into a portal.
…
Queens, Bleecker Street.
At his doorstep, Charlie gazed quietly at the familiar house.
Surrounded by towering, high-tech buildings, his home alone remained unchanged from years ago.
They'd kept it the same, afraid little Charlie wouldn't find his way back.
Recalling Aunt May and Uncle Ben's smiles, Charlie felt a wave of emotion.
"Need a tissue for those tears?"
"No, thanks—wait, why are you here?"
Charlie turned to the "girl next door," his legs nearly giving out from shock.
In the neighboring yard, Ophelia, dressed provocatively, leaned on the fence with a meaningful smile.
"Finally caught you. From now on, we're real neighbors. Hope you'll be a good neighbor and not disappoint me!" She jiggled her "assets," her intent clear.
But Charlie wasn't the Spider-Man of ten years ago.
He gave her a cold stare. "No time for you. I'm done with your threats."
Ophelia didn't get mad. She giggled, covering her mouth. "Good, still as stubborn as ever. But soon, you'll crawl into my bed willingly."
With that, she sauntered back into her house.
Charlie frowned.
What did she mean? Could it be… His heart skipped a beat, and he rushed inside.
"Aunt May!"
Bang!
The room lit up, and a chubby kid with a scowl reluctantly twirled a confetti popper, showering the air with colorful bits.
"Surprise!"
Aunt May carried a cake toward Charlie. "Welcome back, our little Charlie."
The Richards couple hugged him right away.
"Little Charlie, welcome home."
"We've missed you so much."
"Dear brother, I missed you the most," said Otto Parker, now more mature, his words insincere but his smile picture-perfect.
"Uh, I missed you all too."
Looking at his familiar family, Charlie blinked.
"When did you find out?" he asked.
The chubby kid pouted. "Some bald woman told us you'd be back soon."
"Bald woman? Ancient One!"
Charlie instantly thought of her.
She hadn't retired yet? He shook his head, then looked at the chubby kid.
"Who're you?"
"I'm Kingpin, the future super-villain!"
Chubby Kingpin flashed a wicked grin, only to be slapped back to reality by Aunt May.
"Go do your homework."
"Oh."
Chubby Kingpin shot Charlie a glare, then trudged to his room to do his homework.
Charlie clapped. "Aunt May, congrats on taming Kingpin."
Aunt May switched to a warm smile. "Enough about that. Tell us what you've been up to all these years."
"Let little Charlie blow out the candles and eat cake first. Celebrate his safe return," Uncle Ben said sternly.
Aunt May realized her oversight and apologized.
"Oh, my bad."
Finally, the family was reunited.
Except for Kingpin, stuck in his room, far from the cake.
They talked late into the night.
After dealing with Aunt May and the others, Charlie and Otto Parker went to the rooftop.
Gazing at the electronic starry sky, Otto dropped his facade.
"I've earned their full trust. You can't threaten me with that anymore," he said coldly.
Charlie didn't look at him. "I'm not threatening you. But give me a straight answer—when are you letting Peter back?"
Otto fell silent.
After a long pause, he took a deep breath. "I know it's unfair to Peter, but I can't let go. I can't lose them."
Charlie shook his head. "I'm not saying you have to leave the family for good. Use cyber-tech to build another body. I'll make sure you come back."
Otto's eyes widened in shock.
"You… you'd accept me?" he asked, incredulous.
Charlie lay back on the roof, hands behind his head.
He smiled. "Why not? You've taken good care of Aunt May and the others these past ten years. I can see that."
Otto lowered his head. "I beat up that chubby kid a lot."
"He deserves it."
"Then I'm relieved."
Otto let go of his burdens. "Thank you. I'll treat them like my own family. And… you too."
With that, he leaped off, vanishing into the night.
Charlie glanced at his departure, rolling his eyes.
"Weird guy. We're not even close."
He stood, stretching, as chubby Kingpin's wail echoed from the house.
"Ah! This problem's too hard! I can't do it!"
Charlie: "…"
Ignoring Kingpin's despair, he flipped back into the house, ready to sleep, only to be cornered by Aunt May.
"Little Charlie, the neighbor's sewer is clogged. Go help fix it."
Charlie: "???"
"Which neighbor?"
"Not Mary Jane. It's Ms. Ophelia, who moved in a few years ago."
Aunt May pointed to her face mask. "She's always giving me these masks, so when she's got a problem, I have to help. You're going."
Charlie's mouth twitched. "Do you know who she is?"
"I don't care."
"Can I not go?"
"What do you think?"
Seeing Aunt May on the verge of another menopausal meltdown, Charlie grudgingly agreed.
This was Ophelia's threat. Way too unexpected.