And then, Peter noticed something else.
Among the glowing threads in his mind, one was special.
It wasn't another world's code.
It was his own.
Earth-199999.
Peter's eyes widened.
"So these are… universe designations for different Spider-Man worlds?"
The realization hit like thunder.
"The multiverse really exists…"
Maybe this glowing web wasn't just some random power.
Maybe it was a multiversal singularity—a map of infinite parallel worlds, each marked by its own point of light.
And him? He could ride those lights, slipping his consciousness into other universes…
into other versions of himself.
"Could I one day step through completely—not just mind and spirit, but in the flesh—and meet the other Spider-Men face to face?"
The thought electrified him.
He pictured it: himself, Shadow Spider-Man, and the Amazing Spider-Man, all sitting together, trading stories, laughing about battles only they could understand.
It was wild.
It was exciting.
It was the multiverse.
---
Peter's thoughts spiraled further.
The multiverse could be imagined as a tower stretching infinitely into the sky.
Each floor—an entirely different universe.
Some floors decorated in Western pastoral charm.
Others built like medieval castles.
Others yet styled in ancient Chinese design.
One unlucky floor rented out, chopped into tiny "luxury" cells.
Another rotted away into a zombie apocalypse.
Others still… bought up by beings not even human.
Worlds upon worlds.
Infinite possibilities.
And his glowing spider-web?
That was the elevator.
Each number—the floor buttons.
Pick the floor, push the button, arrive at a new reality.
Most tenants in the tower didn't even know the elevator existed.
But Peter? He did.
And he could ride it.
Of course, he wasn't arrogant enough to think he was the only one.
He had some luck, sure. Maybe even some talent. But the smartest man in the multiverse? Hardly.
"Tony Stark was ten times smarter than me," Peter muttered with a grin.
---
With his mind settling, Peter grew curious.
"What did I actually gain from the Amazing Spider-Man this time?"
Spider-sense? No change.
Strength, speed, agility? Felt the same.
Nothing obvious.
Then he remembered. Shadow Spider-Man hadn't given him raw power either—he'd given him sharpened instincts, cunning, subtlety.
Software, not hardware.
That must be it.
And honestly? He was okay with that.
Physically, he was already strong enough.
He'd once caught a bus—a seven-ton bus—that Ant-Man had kicked straight at him. Just the thought of the kinetic energy involved was insane.
And yet… his hands had held.
That kind of strength was already more than enough.
Any more, and living a normal life would be impossible. He'd break things just by breathing wrong.
Peter smirked. "Yeah. I'm good where I'm at."
---
A quick glance at the clock told him it was already 7 a.m.
He'd spent all night away, yet his body felt fresh, brimming with energy.
That made sense—while his mind had fused with the Amazing Spider-Man, his real body had been resting the whole time.
In theory, he could just keep hopping between worlds forever. When one body got tired, switch. No sleep needed.
But in practice? His mind would burn out long before his body did.
And there was another risk.
Every time he fused with another Spider-Man, he absorbed fragments of their memories, their pasts, their emotions.
If he pushed it too far… he might lose himself.
Peter shivered at the thought.
"Better to pace myself."
He stretched, then smiled.
"Or better yet… cook Aunt May some breakfast."
---
As he moved through the kitchen, a thought tugged at him.
In both universes he'd visited, May had been alone. Widowed, childless, bearing quiet tragedies.
His May wasn't much better. She didn't even have a boyfriend.
Too much burden. Too much loneliness.
She deserved better.
With that in mind, Peter laid out toast, eggs, milk. Simple. Warm. Home.
By the time Aunt May walked in, he was plating breakfast with a butter knife in hand.
She froze in the doorway, amused.
"Well, would you look at that? What wind blew this in?"
Peter grinned without looking up.
"Hey, hey—how about some appreciation instead? Something like, 'Wow, my nephew's not only thoughtful but ridiculously handsome today'?"
Aunt May laughed, stepping close to kiss him on the cheek.
"Fine. Today you're handsome. Very handsome. My little Peter's growing up. Cooking for me, even. I love it."
Peter flushed. She didn't realize how much that meant.
For years, she'd been his rock, his hero. And once he got powers, he'd spent so much energy being other people's hero… that he'd neglected hers.
Never again.
---
May quickly slapped together a sandwich and wolfed it down.
"Whoa—what's the rush? You've never eaten this fast before," Peter asked, eyebrow raised.
She swallowed hard, grinning like a teenager.
"Charity adventure event today. Public Rescue Center's hosting. Extreme sports for a cause—jet boats, off-road racing, even bungee jumping. It's going to be amazing!"
Peter blinked.
"…The sponsor's not Red Bull, is it?"
—End of chapter—
Author's Note:
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~ Tenacious Hare 🥕❤️