In the room, Charlie gently placed G'iah on the bed.
After covering her with a thin blanket, he turned to face the former Skrull leader.
Talos looked at his sleeping daughter with heartache, sighing, "She's been through too much lately. This shouldn't be her burden."
Charlie glanced at the tattered clothes on Talos, not responding directly but asking with a puzzled tone, "Even if resources are scarce in the underground world, it shouldn't be this hard. With G'iah's abilities, she could help you all live better."
Talos shook his head, looking at Charlie meaningfully. "G'iah is indeed strong, but she's a fugitive now. The moment she appears in the upper world, they lock onto her.
The corrupted superheroes aren't something she can handle alone. You, of all people, know that."
Charlie fell into thought at those words.
"I want to know where Gwen is," he said, shifting the topic.
Talos considered for a moment. "I don't know, but I'm certain she hasn't been affected by the evil experiment."
"Alright, one last question."
Charlie locked eyes with him. "If I defeat my friends, I can save the people here, right?"
"No."
Talos's face was resolute. "Spider-Man, you're oversimplifying things.
The people up there are used to reaping the benefits of the underground world. You're not just facing superheroes—you're up against everyone in the upper world, including your friends, your family. They're all beneficiaries. They'll stop you, even… kill you for their interests!"
Charlie's heart trembled at those words.
But Talos's next words eased him slightly.
"Their personalities were altered by the evil experiment. They were once good. If you can restore them to who they were, everything can be fixed."
"The evil experiment…"
Charlie mused, "Are you sure it's just an experiment and not some other force at play?"
Talos looked confused. "What else could it be?"
"Nothing."
Charlie gave up on prying more from Talos.
Based on Carter and the others' strange behavior, Charlie suspected it wasn't just a matter of good and evil flipping.
But now that he had part of the truth, he finally had a new goal.
Restore his friends to their former selves.
The world was this way, but it shouldn't be.
Charlie didn't want it to stay like this.
He didn't like this world.
So…
Boom~
Amid his thoughts, the roar of engines erupted around the villa.
"Trouble—it's the cleanup crew!"
Talos's face paled the moment he heard the sound.
He rushed to the window, peering at the surrounding lights. A motorcycle squad had already surrounded the area, led by a woman in a red leather outfit. She dismounted her bike with a graceful step and called out to the villa in an overly polite tone.
"Ladies and gentlemen, please raise your hands and exit the room in an orderly fashion, then put on the handcuffs nicely. Otherwise, my little whip will crack across your backs. Of course, I'm a delicate, kind woman who really doesn't like violence. I might just let my assistants take care of you."
Lady Deadpool sauntered elegantly, her whip lightly tapping the ground—then she jumped, startled by a pebble.
"Oh my, such rude gravel! I'm so scared!"
She clutched her face like a fragile damsel, her exaggerated act sending chills down spines.
Charlie watched the scene unfold.
Black lines crossed his forehead as he turned to Talos. "What's her deal? Good or bad?"
Talos's expression was grim, but with Charlie nearby, he relaxed slightly. "She maintains order in the underground world. S.H.I.E.L.D.'s top… uh, number eighteen enforcer. She must've heard G'iah was here and came to capture us."
"So she's turned bad?"
Charlie's eyes narrowed oddly. "If her personality flipped, shouldn't she be good now? Was she even a superhero before?"
He shook his head. As Lady Deadpool's goons surrounded the place, causing panic, Charlie leapt out the window without hesitation, landing before her.
"Hey, how's it going?"
"Whoa, Spider-Man!"
Lady Deadpool's eyes flashed with red hearts, then she became coy.
"I heard you were back. I'm thrilled, but…"
Her tone shifted, the syrupy sweetness turning stern.
"You want to be the guardian of these pathetic losers? Isn't that a bit ridiculous?"
With that, her red whip sliced through the air toward Charlie's face.
Crack!
Charlie caught the whip effortlessly, and no matter how Lady Deadpool struggled, she couldn't break free.
"Nice. This is the first time you've attacked me with malice. You've grown."
He smirked, firing a web-line with a searing heat that flashed in the night. Lady Deadpool's head rolled to the ground.
"No!"
Seeing their boss dispatched so easily, the goons scattered in a panic.
Charlie ignored the small fry.
Behind him, the refugees and Skrulls spotted Spider-Man and erupted in cheers.
"Oh my God, it's him! It's him!"
"He's back!"
"Ten years, and it's awesome!!"
Perhaps only they still remembered Spider-Man.
But Charlie didn't care anymore.
He picked up Lady Deadpool's head, gently brushing her messy blonde hair.
"So gentle. No wonder you're my idol," Lady Deadpool said, her eyes fluttering open with glowing red hearts, the vibe utterly bizarre.
Charlie calmly looked at the head. "Go back and tell them to come down and face me."
Lady Deadpool blinked. "Not gonna reconsider?"
"Reconsider what?"
"Join us. It's fun. Ditch all those moral standards, give up saving the world. We can enjoy everything. Survival of the fittest—this world belongs to us."
"Survival of the fittest is fine, but there's only one strongest in this world: me."
Charlie grabbed her hair, tossing her head toward her body.
"Whoever's strongest calls the shots."
With that, he turned to Talos upstairs. "Tell everyone—it's time to fight."
"Fight?"
Talos and the others froze.
Then, even louder cheers echoed through the night.
Because only they remembered—Spider-Man was invincible!
…
S.H.I.E.L.D.
"What? He went to the underground world?"
In the office, Carter's face darkened. Before her, Lady Deadpool rubbed her neck and nodded. "Yeah, he sent me to tell you he's ready to fight."
The room fell silent, hearts trembling.
Carter's brow furrowed. "The Time Tablet was a ruse. He's found the truth he was after." She shook her head helplessly.
"No surprise from my little Spidey. One disagreement, and he's ready to throw down. So cool!" Old Steve beamed with pride.
Natasha shot him a look. "Didn't you hear he's declaring war?"
Old Steve nodded. "Heard it, but it's fine."
"What?"
"Losing's no big deal. It's our little Spidey!" Old Steve said with a hint of regret. "But he can't win. We've planned this perfectly. He's got no chance."
Harry rubbed his chin. "Doesn't matter how it goes, but one condition: no hurting him."
"Exactly. Even if he wants a fight, we can't harm little Charlie," Norman said sternly.
Max thought for a moment. "Also, don't let him lose too badly. We've gotta save his pride."
Aleksei, munching on a burger, chimed in, "Yeah, ruling the world feels great, but I still wanna be friends with Spider-Man. How about we surrender? Skipping a few meals is fine."
Aleksei's suggestion made everyone hesitate.
Carter mused, "Maybe wait a few days. I'm not done enjoying this!"
"You're seriously considering surrender?" Barton snapped, looking at the group. "We were superheroes once, but what did we get?
Doubt, blame, distrust, constant pressure from public opinion. One misstep, and we're canceled. We're so powerful, yet we lived worse than anyone. We weren't heroes—we were their nannies!"
He scanned Max and the others. "I don't want that life anymore. I'm done with mortgages. I want wealth, power. Are we really giving it all up for one Spider-Man?
I won't do it!"
Barton's cold glare swept the room. "Spider-Man wants to take everything from us. He's not our friend—he's the enemy."
His words plunged the group into deep thought.
Then, Mary Jane, who'd been silent, spoke up.
"Since he's found out, we have no choice but to fight."
"What?" Old Steve looked stunned. "You're really gonna kill little Spidey?"
"No."
Mary Jane shook her head, a creepy smile spreading across her face.
"Of course not. I'll lock him up so he can't run around anymore."
Carter's eyes lit up. "Yes! Why didn't I think of that?"
She slammed the desk, excited. "Exactly! That way, he'll never leave. Brilliant idea!"
Agent Hill grinned eagerly. "I'm in, but let's divvy up the time. Sunday's Spider-Man is mine!"
Mary Jane shot Hill a cold look. "No way. You're not even in the running."
Hill fumed, but Carter raised a hand to stop her. "She's right. You're not."
"Commander, I—"
"Shut it."
Carter snapped at Hill, then locked eyes with Mary Jane.
Their gazes clashed, neither yielding.
Old Steve stepped in to defuse. "Alright, let's deal with Spidey first, then sort the rest. But no bullying little Spidey—it'd break my heart."
"Get lost!" Carter and Mary Jane barked in unison.
"Got it." Old Steve shrank back, not daring to speak further.
Soon, Carter rallied her team, launching the Spider-Man capture plan.
After the meeting, Harry and Norman huddled in a corner, scheming.
"Caging little Charlie? That's despicable!" Harry hissed.
"Son, follow my lead. When they're both weakened, we take out Carter. You become deputy commander, I take the lead, and we rule the world together."
"Deal, Dad."
…
Meanwhile, Old Steve found Mary Jane.
"Take out Carter later. Spidey's yours at night, and we game during the day."
Mary Jane smirked. "Deal."
…
In the agent dorms, Natasha and Barton gathered.
They opened a video call with Nick Fury on the other end.
"Nick, the chance is here. Take out Carter, and S.H.I.E.L.D. is ours."
"Good. Spider-Man's too soft-hearted. You'll need to step in."
"No problem."
…
Reed's Lab.
"Everyone ready?" Reed asked.
Johnny took a deep breath. "Of course."
Susan's face darkened. "I've been sick of that woman for ages. The moment comes, we take Carter out."
The Thing grinned broadly. "We're the ones who freed their burdens, so this world is ours. They don't deserve it."
"Exactly."
Reed's smile dripped with malice. "I've already tipped them off. They'll help us seize S.H.I.E.L.D. Spider-Man won't stand in our way."
…
S.H.I.E.L.D. Office.
Not long after the others left, Carter was still waiting for something.
Before her, Agent Hill, Coulson, and Felicia stood with heads bowed, silent.
Soon, Carter opened a video call.
On the screen, Dr. Octavius and Dr. Connors smiled.
"Commander Carter, you've finally come around," Dr. Octavius said.
Carter nodded. "Of course. The world doesn't need so many sharing wealth and power. They should disappear."
Dr. Connors's lips curled. "Exactly. We'll help you achieve that, but first, let me introduce a friend."
He clapped, and a young Otto Parker appeared on screen.
"The Ultimate Spider-Man, who once killed an Inheritor. You need him. We need him," Dr. Connors said.
Carter squinted at Otto Parker. "I know him. Charlie's brother, right?"
"What do you want?" she asked.
"Maybe, maybe not."
Otto Parker removed his mask, revealing a face like Peter Parker's.
"He trusts me, but I won't let him off. One of us is enough for the family. He's baggage."
Carter studied him, then nodded. "I'll make sure he disappears from your family forever."
"Don't let my family know," Otto Parker said, his only condition.
Carter smiled. "Of course, my friend."
She cut the call and turned to Hill and the others. "Move out!"
"Yes, ma'am!"
…
Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters.
"It's begun?"
In the courtyard, a bald Charles, trimming flowers, said casually, "Gather everyone. This time, we'll overturn the world. Earth belongs to mutants!"
Behind him, Jean nodded coldly. "Understood, but you promised me…"
"Spider-Man is your trophy."
"Thank you, Professor." Jean smiled.
…
The New Ten Rings.
"Xu Wenwu, have you made up your mind or not?"
An impatient Wanda stormed into the room, glaring at Xu Wenwu, who was practicing calligraphy. "I got word they're moving. I need your help."
Xu Wenwu didn't look up, continuing his writing.
"It's complicated. I need more time to think," he said calmly.
"No time."
Wanda rolled her eyes. "You're a coward now. A good guy who does nothing isn't good."
Xu Wenwu paused, his face lacking the confidence and dominance of ten years ago.
He looked at Wanda, smiling faintly. "Don't rush. Have some tea."
"Tea, my ass!"
"Heh, your Chinese is improving."
Xu Wenwu said, "You should thank me. If not for that accident, you'd be part of the mob against Spider-Man."
Wanda crossed her arms, scoffing. "Even without the accident, their personality magic couldn't touch my chaos magic."
"Hurry up. I'm not waiting," she pressed.
"I know."
Xu Wenwu thought for a moment, raising his arm to show the Ten Rings. "I'll lend them to you. Go help Spider-Man."
Before he could remove them, Wanda slapped his hand onto the table.
"Coward. I despise you!"
"Your Chinese is really coming along. If you agree to date my son, I might—"
"Shut up, or I'll blow up your son's—"
"Wait, I'm in. Let's go now."
…
Outer Space, Desolate Planet.
A Stark Industries-branded ship sat stranded on a cliff's edge.
A grimy Tony was hard at work repairing it.
Boom~
A meteor streaked across the sky, and Carol, radiating cosmic energy, hovered above Tony.
"Stop fixing it. Nick sent word—they're moving to take out Spider-Man."
"What?"
Tony's eyes widened. "Take out Spider-Man? That's insane!"
Carol shook her head. "If you don't get back soon, he's done for."
"It's not that serious, right?"
Tony kept working on the ship. "Spider-Man's invincible. I don't buy they can take him down."
"What if I'm part of it?"
Carol's tone turned icy. Tony froze, his face stiffening.
No way.
She's a double agent?
…
Time ticked by.
In the underground world, Charlie's eyelids twitched uncontrollably.
The ominous feeling in his heart grew stronger, yet his spider-sense gave no warning.
He stared at the black sky of the underground world, his expression growing heavier.
Something was very wrong.
Beyond the corrupted superheroes, something far worse was waiting for him.
What could it be?
"Charlie, they're here."
At G'iah's cry, the dark sky flashed with dense lights.
Hum~
Crack! Crack~~
The night sky tore open, and a massive UFO-like craft descended into the underground world, stunning countless residents.
Avengers Civil War 2.0 was about to erupt!
The craft hovered above the skyscrapers, while Carter and her team piloted smaller vehicles, surrounding Kingpin's villa.
Looking at Spider-Man atop the broken roof, Carter sighed deeply.
"It's come to this."
Charlie replied coldly, "This your pre-war small talk?"
"Sort of—"
Before Carter could finish, Old Steve shouted, "Watch out! That's not Spidey—it's a clone!"
"What?"
The group gasped as "Charlie's" figure dissolved.
The real Charlie, hidden in the shadows, clenched his fists, abandoning his sneak attack plan.
Fighting those who knew him best wasn't a smart move.
They knew all his tactics and tricks, crafting a perfect plan to capture him.
This was going to be tough.