The abandoned underground subway tunnels were dark and deep. Looking ahead, there was only silence. Only the occasional scavenging mouse crawling through a pipe suggested any signs of life.
Several figures suddenly appeared here. They were inverted, adhering to the ceiling and walls of the tunnel, defying gravity as easily as walking on the ground. These figures were Peter Parker (Earth-616), Miles Morales, Gwen Stacy, and Peni Parker (with SP//dr). They were Action Group Two for this infiltration.
The members not present—Spider-Man Noir, Spider-Ham, Middle-Aged Peter, and the newly joined The Prowler—constituted Action Group One.
The plan was as follows: The combined might of the more powerful Action Group One would enter the Particle Collider area frontally and conspicuously. This action would directly draw the majority of Kingpin's attention and forces (including his Lieutenants). This would not only ensure the safety of Miles's parents but also create a crucial window for Action Group Two to infiltrate.
Action Group Two was significantly weaker in terms of raw combat power due to the presence of two relative novices: Peter (Earth-616) and Miles. Even though Peter's "spoilers" had given Miles a general direction for developing his powers, the time was too short for any practical use.
However, Miles did have prior infiltration experience, making him the perfect guide. Their mission was to sneak directly into the vicinity of the Particle Collider and find an opportunity to insert The Gadget into the Collider's main system to destroy it! The mission was simple, and if luck was on their side, they wouldn't even need to fight. This was also why Middle-Aged Peter and the others felt safe letting Miles tag along.
Otherwise, they absolutely would not have allowed Miles to come. Since they could use the Collider to leave this universe, Kingpin's knowledge of them was irrelevant. But Miles was from this universe and couldn't leave with them. If Miles came along, it meant he was officially burning all bridges with Kingpin!
Of course, there was another option—simply kill Kingpin! However, this option did not receive universal agreement. Most Spider-People, after all, do not kill. The only ones who agreed were Spider-Man Noir and Peter (Earth-616). Oh, and The Prowler. Even Miles, the person most directly affected, was agonizing over whether he should truly kill Kingpin if they won.
This moral logic was something Peter (Earth-616) found baffling. Nevertheless, since this was Miles's universe, the final decision had to be his. The opinions of others could only serve as counsel.
"Peter, I have to say, the suit you helped me design is so cool! Thank you!" Miles said, quickly crawling ahead but turning back to thank Peter, who was beside him. Miles was now truly The Ultimate Spider-Man—at least in appearance. He was no longer wearing the cheap, commemorative suit bought from a street vendor. He was now wearing a genuine suit made of high-tech nanofiber material. The suit was predominantly black, with only the shoulders and hands accented in red, looking incredibly sleek and cool. In Miles's words, it was his "dream suit."
Hearing this, Peter chuckled inwardly: "Of course you like it, it's your original comic-accurate suit!"
"You're welcome, Miles," Peter replied with a smile. "By the way, have you decided how you're going to deal with Kingpin? If we combine our strength to eliminate him, this is the best time."
Gwen shot Peter a look: "How can you incite him to kill?"
Peter shrugged: "I'm speaking the truth. If Kingpin isn't eliminated, Miles and his family will live under his shadow forever. After Aaron decided to betray Kingpin, he was automatically put on Kingpin's kill list."
Gwen fell silent upon hearing this. Having a police captain as a father, the education she received taught her not to break the law, especially murder. But Peter had a valid point. If Kingpin wasn't neutralized, Miles's family would never know peace! Now there were only two choices: Either Miles's uncle dies, ending the matter (in Kingpin's eyes), and Miles's family is safe. Or Kingpin dies, solving the problem from the root and ending the threat completely.
However, Miles's mindset was similar to Gwen's. His father was also a police officer; his upbringing taught him to respect the law... Miles hesitated: "Maybe we can just beat him up and show him how powerful we are? Wouldn't that make him give up fighting us?"
Peni, the little girl, couldn't help but mock him: "Kingpin is the biggest crime boss. Do you think he gets intimidated easily?"
"Uh..." Miles was speechless: "Then, after we beat him, can we make him write a guarantee that he won't hurt my family anymore?"
Gwen deadpanned: "Do you think this is a tea party?"
"What should we do, then?" Miles was distressed. He didn't want to kill. But Peter's words forced him to face the stark reality. If his parents were harmed because of him, not only would he never forgive himself, but he might actually take his own life!
"Alright, quiet," Gwen raised a hand, signaling everyone to stop. Peter and the others immediately grew alert. They had arrived! Through the gaps in the abandoned metal framework piled at the tunnel exit, they could see a faint light ahead. That was the location of the Particle Collider!
However, the four heroes did not move rashly. They waited quietly for the right moment. They needed to wait for the four members of Action Group One to achieve their objective before proceeding.
... Meanwhile, with Action Group One.
On a tall crane structure, four figures were either hanging or standing. They were the four members of Action Group One.
Middle-Aged Peter looked at the brightly lit building ahead, and the stream of vehicles below, and asked in surprise: "Why is it so lively here?"
Spider-Man Noir replied: "They're clearly not here to welcome us."
The Prowler's voice was calm, like the ocean before a storm: "Kingpin is hosting a charity gala here, ostensibly in memory of Spider-Man."
"Ha?" × 3
"Well, that's rich," Middle-Aged Peter forced a sarcastic laugh. Kingpin, who killed this world's Spider-Man, is hosting his memorial service?
Spider-Man Noir chuckled: "How much do you think he'll make from it?"
Spider-Ham was furious: "Is this the true face of a capitalist? I'm going to punch him until he looks like a pig's head!" Wait... you're a pig.