"You... no, you've got the wrong person." Peter became incredibly flustered, his life's biggest secret exposed right in front of him.
His identity being exposed meant that not only he, but also his friends and Aunt May, would become targets for evil criminals.
Moreover, someone like Tony was hardly a good person. As far as Peter knew, Tony had killed quite a few people.
Tony reached into his briefcase—a movement that made Peter even more tense—and pulled out a bottle of liquor and two small glasses.
"Why are you looking at me like that? Planning to lay hands on me, arrest me preemptively? Too bad, I'm employed by the Military, so even if you catch me and hand me over to the Police, it'll be useless. Besides, you're not my opponent." Tony calmly placed the cups down, unscrewed the cap, poured a little into one, and then pushed it towards Peter.
"What do you want?"
Peter gradually calmed down. The Spider-Sense that had saved him many times hadn't warned him, indicating that at least the guy opposite him harbored no ill will towards him or Aunt May.
"Just wanted to get to know you. If I wanted to deal with you, I could simply expose your true identity in the media—a somewhat timid, friendly, ordinary high school student. Sit down. You're old enough for college, you should learn to drink. It's good for you; a college student who can't drink is pretty lame." Tony leaned comfortably back on the sofa, observing the somewhat modest home decor.
"Speaking of which, this is our third meeting. Once at the Empire State Building, once at Times Square, and now this. Don't look at me like that; investigating your identity is simple for me. You're very lucky, Peter, at least luckier than me." Tony took a sip from his glass. "I've had to protect myself by killing, had to mediate between various Factions, and put on a show of strength. The more I kill, the more ruthless I act, the less they dare to make a move."
"Then why are you looking for me... I don't want to get involved in your affairs, especially with someone like you. No matter what you say, it doesn't change the fact that you've killed people..." Peter sat down across the table, his mind buzzing. He hesitantly picked up the glass and, under the other's sharp and mocking gaze, braced himself and took a small sip. Of course, his Spider-Sense didn't warn him again; the drink was safe.
His identity was exposed. If even Tony could find out, then more people would discover it in the future, and sooner or later, Aunt May would be in danger. Peter's goal was simple: protect his family while fighting criminals.
Tony shook his head: "I only kill those who deserve to die. Think about your mindset towards the criminal who killed Ben back then? 'With great power comes great responsibility'?"
"How do you know that saying?!"
"I know many things. I've looked into your past. You have incredible abilities. In terms of strength and intuition, on the entire Earth, besides Hulk, you are in the Second Tier. But what are you doing? Fighting petty thieves? Chatting with commuters every day to pass the time? You have great power, Peter, but you haven't shouldered your responsibility. You've disappointed Ben."
Peter's eyes were red. He suddenly looked up and said, enunciating each word, "Shut up! Don't you dare mention him! Someone like you isn't worthy of mentioning him! He was a good person, not a murderer like you!"
Tony watched him for a long time, then nodded slightly. "Captain America and Batman, they're heroes, yet they've killed many people. By your logic, they're even more dangerous murderers than me because they have formidable backgrounds, especially the Captain, who kills on orders. However, the fact that you can say this at least shows that Ben's teachings didn't fall on deaf ears, and that his death didn't lead you astray. Is this world just black and white? Nonsense. Everyone who seems 'clean' has done things they regret, and everyone has killed people who shouldn't have died."
"Ben's teachings weren't thorough enough. He needed to teach you more things, at least how to discern whether a not-so-good person leans more towards being a scoundrel or more towards being a villain." Tony drained the liquor in his hand, savoring the spicy aftertaste.
The two stared at each other in silence, neither backing down.
"I can bring Ben back to life." Tony suddenly spoke.
A few simple words, like a bolt of lightning, stunned Peter.
I can bring Ben back to life! Ben can live again!
The glass in Peter's hand slipped to the floor and shattered with a 'thump,' spilling liquor everywhere. His eyes were bloodshot, his mumbling lips slightly parted. He just stared blankly at Tony, a gurgling sound escaping his throat, wanting to say something but unable to.
"I have a way to bring the dead back to life. Even the Military doesn't know this; they think my technology can only augment human body strength." Tony calmly took another glass from his briefcase and refilled it for Spider-Man.
Peter drank it all in one gulp, his eyes vacant, his mind roaring.
"How is this possible? Bringing the dead back to life? This kind of technology is unheard of. You're lying to me, you must be lying to me..." Peter mumbled to himself.
"You can judge for yourself if I'm lying. Letting me try wouldn't cost you anything. This world has many secrets. You spend your days wandering the streets; don't expect to encounter deeper things. Bringing the dead back to life is just a minor feat. What will you think when you see Gods filling the sky?"
"But humans can't even achieve limb regeneration right now! Otherwise, Lizard wouldn't have come into being. And, bringing the dead back to life, isn't that a desecration of the deceased...?"
"So, do you want Ben to be resurrected? Does Aunt May want Ben to be resurrected? Sooner or later, you'll leave Aunt May. She's getting old and will be all alone. Can you really bear that?" Tony stared intently at him. "Besides, you know about Ben's death; he shouldn't have died. His death was an accident."
Peter slumped into the chair, his eyes vacant, countless images of Ben from before his death flashing through his mind.
"Listen, kid, your world is so simple it makes me envious. If it weren't for a major organization protecting you, you'd end up on the same path as me: either kill all your enemies or be dragged away and dissected by them. Heard of those civilian heroes from Hell's Kitchen? They all have one thing in common: tragic pasts." Tony abruptly stood up, gave him a deep look, and then left.
Peter's world truly was simple because his biological parents and adoptive parents had already laid the groundwork for him, and global organizations like S.H.I.E.L.D. secretly protected him, preventing any interference from The Authorities or Factions.
Otherwise, Peter would have long been subdued by the Military and taken for live experimentation. Aunt May was Peter's unavoidable fatal weakness.
"A major organization? Do you know something? Is it about my parents, whose whereabouts are a mystery?! Tell me!" Peter leaped in front of Tony, grabbing him tightly.
(end of chapter)