"Another dream?"
The gray, hazy world gradually came into focus, revealing a neighborhood gate in Charlie's view.
"Eisen Apartments?"
Staring at the familiar apartment building nearby, Charlie's expression turned odd.
This person's ability to pull others into dreams was indeed powerful—even he could barely resist it.
But this time, the target clearly wasn't Charlie, but the villains who had entered the cinematic universe through space-time rifts.
Suddenly, he felt something off about himself.
Looking down, he saw he was wearing a delivery uniform, holding a packed pizza box.
He lifted the pizza, noticing the packaging boldly labeled "Bugle Pizza."
Charlie: "."
What the heck?
He had a feeling this would be a terrible dream experience.
Before he could think further, illusory text appeared before his eyes.
[You are a pizza delivery person and must deliver the pizza to the customer within the specified time.]
Charlie: "?????"
"No way? What kind of setup is this?"
The corner of his eye twitched slightly.
Did they really think he'd play along as a pizza delivery guy?
At that moment, Harry, riding a scooter, screeched to a halt by the roadside, clutching a pizza and rushing toward the neighborhood gate.
"Damn, only three minutes left. I can't afford a customer complaint!"
Sweating profusely, Harry muttered as he charged toward the entrance, only to be blasted back by a tremendous force.
"No!"
"Bang!!"
Harry's body tumbled, crashing into a car window by the road, as a freckled, red-haired woman wielding a curling iron emerged from the gate.
"I told you, deliveries stop here. You can't go in. This is what happens when you don't listen!"
The woman, cigarette in mouth, one hand on her hip, pointed at the bruised Harry, glaring fiercely at Charlie.
Charlie: "."
Damn, what an immersive script.
But this landlady's vibe…
Okay, it's definitely that person's twisted sense of humor.
He'd once described to someone how terrifying a landlady could be.
Unbeknownst to him, a group of fellow pizza delivery workers had gathered at the gate.
"No!!"
Deliveryman Norman wailed, clutching his head but refusing to let go of his pizza.
"I've got one minute before I'm late. I can't lose this job!!"
Desperate, he decided to risk charging toward the gate.
Three seconds later, Norman was dragged to a corner like a dead dog by the landlady.
The scene sent shivers through the surrounding delivery workers.
"Good lord, what a terrifying woman," Lizard Man whispered, covering his mouth, eyes wide with fear.
Another Lizard Man trembled beside him, "She's the nightmare of the pizza world!!"
"No!!"
With a roar, Doctor Octopus stepped forward, eyes resolute.
"Delivering pizza to the customer is our duty. To ensure they enjoy the tastiest pizza, I must defeat this demon!"
With that, he gritted his teeth and charged at the landlady.
"Buzz~"
The next moment, Saw-style horror ensued. The landlady, somehow wielding a chainsaw, swung it down, splitting Doctor Octopus in half.
"As long as I'm here, no pizza will reach the residents!"
Blood splattered the ground. Standing in the pool, the landlady roared, and Charlie's face lit up with admiration, clutching his chest and staggering back.
"What a bizarre plot!!"
His expression was one of discomfort.
At that moment, a pair of hands steadied Charlie.
"You okay?"
Hearing the voice, Charlie turned to see first-generation Peter and second-generation Peter, both holding pizzas, arriving at the scene.
"You guys?"
Charlie exhaled, "You're planning to…?"
"Yes."
First-generation Peter took a deep breath, "With great power comes great responsibility. As long as I'm on this job, I won't let customers go without my pizza!"
With that, he lunged at the landlady like a madman, "I'll fight you!!"
"And me!"
Second-generation Peter followed, waving his pizza and shouting to the crowd, "Charge!! For the smiles on our customers' faces, for the honor of the pizza world, for the dignity of our delivery brothers, defeat this terrifying woman!!"
In that moment, everyone's faces showed a resolve to face death.
"Go! Defeat the evil gatekeeper!"
"The world can't survive without delivery!!"
"We'll eliminate all forces blocking delivery!!"
"We'll cross this gate, and not even Jesus can stop us!"
"Charge!!"
"For freedom and dignity!"
"To avoid complaints!"
"To survive!!"
Instantly, the crowd surged toward the gate in a grand wave.
Under the sunlight, a group of people defiant of fate ran forward.
Their faces were filled with stubbornness and unwillingness.
"What the heck, why does every inspiring moment come with slow motion!!"
Witnessing this, Charlie's face was full of horror, realizing he too felt an urge to charge recklessly at the gate.
He fought the impulse, watching as the landlady was overwhelmed by the crowd.
Suddenly, the scene went black.
After an unknown time, Charlie saw blood everywhere.
The crowd lay on the ground, barely alive, staring at the figure sitting in the middle of the gate, their expressions complex.
Pain, guilt, and helplessness against evil forces.
"Why?"
In a corner, the bloodied Rhino Man clutched his face in agony, "Why stop us? We're just delivering pizzas. Why treat us like this?"
"Does she never eat pizza?" a one-armed Lizard Man sobbed, covering his face.
"We're late!!"
"It's over, the customers will starve."
"They'll die of hunger!"
"No!!"
"No!!!"
The pizzas on the scene were stained red with blood, the crowd wailing in pain.
Only Charlie, unscathed, stood holding his pizza.
The crowd looked at him, their eyes silently encouraging.
"Go, young man, you're our hope."
"Our only hope."
"Cross this gate, deliver the delicious pizza to the customer."
"Go for it!"
"Charge, kid!"
The crowd cheered Charlie on.
Charlie initially resisted.
But to end this farce, he decided to save the world.
He couldn't take it anymore!!
Thus, under the crowd's expectant gazes, Charlie strode toward the landlady at the gate.
"Step~ Step~"
Step by step, in… slow motion.
Charlie: "."
Too bizarre.
Finally, he stood before the landlady.
"Let me in, okay?" he asked solemnly.
The landlady sneered, "I said, as long as I'm here, no one's eating pizza."
"Do you have to be so dramatic?"
"Of course. If I can't eat, no one else will either."
"Come on, just three minutes."
"No way, not even one minute."
With that, her chainsaw gleamed menacingly, radiating intimidation.
"Click~"
The next moment, Charlie unplugged the chainsaw. The landlady's face froze in shock, her cigarette dropping to the ground.
"How could someone be this smart!!" she wailed, clutching her head.
Charlie's mouth twitched, picking up the cigarette.
He dusted it off, smiling faintly.
"Smoking's bad for you. In the future… smoke something better."
He handed her a new cigarette, "Have a Hua Zi."
In that moment, the landlady's hands trembled as she took the cigarette, her face moved.
"I never thought the one who'd understand me most would be you."
Tearing up, she clenched her fist, as if making a decision against her ancestors.
"Fine, you've got three minutes. Go in!"
She turned away, refusing to look at Charlie.
"Don't say I let you in," she added.
Charlie smiled, "I understand."
The moment he stepped through the gate with the pizza, the crowd outside saw a glimmer of hope.
"He did it!"
"Good lord, unbelievable."
"Oh my god, it's a world miracle!!"
"One small step for a boy, one giant leap for history!"
Under the sunlight, the excited crowd rose, cheering.
They hugged each other, laughing wildly.
Laughing, they cried.
The cost of crossing this gate was too great.
They didn't have a Hua Zi.
This was an unrepeatable miracle.
Inside the gate, Charlie looked back, feeling the sky had collapsed.
"Bizarre, too bizarre."
Disgusted by the plot, Charlie jolted awake.
The first thing he saw was old Steve learning to wrap gifts.
"Where am I?" he asked, standing.
Old Steve turned, "You're awake. This is Tony's villa. You okay?"
"Fine, had a nightmare."
"Nightmare?"
Old Steve trembled, "What'd you dream?"
"I was delivering pizza."
"Oh, you're lucky to be alive."
Old Steve sighed, "Much worse than what I dreamed."
"Where are those guys?" Charlie asked.
"Those guys… oh, I know what you mean."
Old Steve clicked the virtual computer, "They should still be asleep—no, they're awake."
He perked up, rushing to the basement.
There, the restrained villains were sobbing.
"Wahh, I can't even deliver pizza right. I'm too weak, I deserve to be a monster."
Seeing this eerie scene, Charlie recalled the fear of that gate, shaking his head.
"Damn! Brainwashed?"
He eyed the villains, still not fully awake, and shook his head.
Ruthless.
"You're awake."
Infinite Tony entered the basement, handing replicated control chips to the mechanical arm to replace the defective ones in the Doctor Octopuses.
"Antidotes for Green Goblin serum and regeneration genes are still in progress. Might take a while."
Infinite Tony looked at the other villains, "But some guys are hopeless. They became criminals by choice."
"Then send them back when this is over," Charlie said, unconcerned.
"By the way, who tipped you off to pick up these guys?" he asked Tony.
Infinite Tony shook his head, "A stranger, probably a woman."
Charlie mused, "Got it."
"Got what?"
"Nothing. How many super-criminals are still out there?"
"Plenty, but someone just tipped me off to pick up more."
"Same person?"
"No, another one, also a woman."
Infinite Tony's eyes turned odd.
"They seem to be helping us. Because of me?"
He stroked his beard, "Didn't expect I'd still be this popular at my age. Shame I'm not the playboy I used to be," he said regretfully.
Old Steve side-eyed him, "Maybe they're my fans."
"Old soldier, you had fewer fans than me in your prime, let alone now."
"Stark, that's too far. How can you compare like that?"
"You started it."
"I didn't."
"You should see a doctor, dementia."
"Jerk…"
"Stop arguing."
Charlie cut them off, "Actually, they're my fans," he grinned.
Infinite Tony and old Steve exchanged a glance, seeing mutual disdain.
"Good news."
Banner Doctor entered the basement.
"The space-time rift wavelengths have stabilized. No more weirdos will enter this world."
Hearing this, Infinite Tony sighed in relief.
"Great, I'll soon have time for Morgan and Pepper," he smiled.
Old Steve frowned, "I've got a bad feeling. Does this mean there are enough Spider-Men here, and that guy's about to show up?"
At that, Charlie's eyes narrowed.
"Possible, but it could also be someone else interrupting the forbidden magic."
Just then, flickering golden sparks appeared behind them.
"Stark…"
A weary voice came through. Everyone turned.
A battered figure collapsed from the portal, the bloodied, near-despairing Strange raising a hand.
"You're back! Where's Peter?" Infinite Tony asked urgently.
But Strange didn't answer, gasping, "Quick… find Wanda… it's almost too late…"
With that, he fainted.
Infinite Tony's face changed, scanning Strange's body.
"He's badly injured, not fatal, but he won't wake soon."
Infinite Tony's expression darkened, "Was it that guy?"
Old Steve's face was grim, "Even the Sorcerer Supreme isn't his match. How's that possible?"
"The current Sorcerer Supreme is Wong."
Infinite Tony looked at Charlie, "Stephen told us to find Wanda. She's the only one who can beat that guy."
Charlie stroked his chin, "Where is she now?"
Old Steve shook his head, "Since Wanda took over Westview, no one knows where she is unless she shows herself."
Charlie crouched by Strange, noticing something in his hand.
"What's this…"
He pried open Strange's hand, revealing a glowing golden magic circle.
"Let's try this."
He attempted to draw the same circle with his magic.
"Buzz~"
The first attempt failed.
Unfamiliar, he paused mid-drawing.
Again.
"Buzz~"
The second time, the circle succeeded.
In the golden virtual scene, a forest appeared, with no landmarks to indicate its location.
Wait.
Charlie noticed a red glow in the golden forest.
"She sees us!"
Old Steve exclaimed as the circle dissipated.
…
Meanwhile, in the forest.
A despondent woman looked up at the unfamiliar face in the sky, frowning slightly.
Who?
Then, she saw a familiar face.
"It's Steve!"
Her face lit up with excitement.
The Captain's back, and he's looking for me?
With that, dense magical energy surged around her, transforming her into a scarlet stream soaring into the sky.
"Boom!!"
Soon, at the seaside villa.
As an indescribable pressure swept over, Charlie and the others rushed outside.
In the garden, scarlet energy poured down, and the Scarlet Witch in a dark red robe landed slowly.
"Wanda!" Old Steve, seeing her, was overwhelmed with emotion.
Charlie's spider sense tingled.
Compared to the main universe's Wanda, the cinematic universe's Wanda wielded chaos magic, her power immeasurable.
She could single-handedly slaughter all of Kamar-Taj.
Terrifying.
When Wanda's gaze landed on Steve, her cold eyes warmed slightly.
Feeling wronged, she wanted to cry unrestrainedly, but she couldn't.
It was the Captain who invited her to join the Avengers, hoping she'd be accepted.
It was also the Captain who, in a critical moment, stopped Thanos's minions from killing Vision.
She'd always be grateful to him.
But because of the Westview incident, she lost all her family, becoming a feared, uncontrollable factor in human eyes, scorned by all.
She wasn't worthy of being an Avenger or facing the Captain.
But she had no regrets.
For her family, she'd do anything.
Even if it meant opposing the world, she wouldn't hesitate.
Her emotions quickly subsided. Old Steve noticed something off.
"Wanda, don't be like this. We need you," he said softly.
Wanda glanced at Charlie, finding him familiar.
While studying the Darkhold, using dark magic to peer into the multiverse, she'd seen this guy.
A Spider-Man from some universe.
"Funny, I need your help too."
Wanda smiled, a hint of madness in it.
Charlie's heart trembled.
No way…
The next second, Wanda's expression turned cold.
"I sensed a dark force earlier, but it vanished quickly. Is that why you're here?" she asked.
Old Steve nodded, "Yes, a powerful dark sorcerer. He defeated Strange.
Before Strange passed out, he told us to find you. You're the only one who can match him."
Wanda mused, "Dark sorcerer…"
Her guess was right. The Darkhold's power she sensed earlier must be from this dark sorcerer.
If she could get another Darkhold, she could fully traverse the multiverse to the world she longed for.
Excited, she said, "Alright, I'll help. When will he show?"
"Not sure, maybe soon."
As old Steve spoke, Infinite Tony's wrist device sounded an alarm.
"Trouble."
Infinite Tony's face changed, "Someone's broken into the spider nest."
"It's him!"
Old Steve exclaimed, "He's back and found where the Spider-Men are gathered. He's retaliating."
Wanda's patience seemed to wane, her tone turning cold.
"Where is he?"
"At—"
Before Infinite Tony could finish, the seaside sky darkened with clouds, thunder flashing.
"Rumble!!"
Amidst the lightning, a shadow darted through, carrying endless darkness toward the villa.
"He's here!" Old Steve raised his shield, ready.
Charlie blinked, "Such flashy effects… so vain," he couldn't help but quip.
In the dark clouds, sensing a familiar presence, Dark Strange laughed maniacally.
"Hahaha, Charlie Parker, you're finally here. No one can save you now!!"
He wasn't Spider-Man's match in the Resurrection Match.
But outside it, he'd crush Spider-Man!
No one could stop this.
Everyone interfering with his revival of Christine must die!
His heart burned with endless rage.
He no longer cared if Spider-Man would revive after death.
He only wanted to use every means to exact revenge on the damn bug.
Kill Spider-Man, kill everyone around him, destroy his world!
Dark energy spread wildly, the sky shrouded in darkness.
The exaggerated scene made Infinite Tony and the others tremble.
"Little spider, it's definitely him. He seems stronger," old Steve swallowed.
Charlie frowned, "He won the match, got rewards, of course he's stronger."
Old Steve's face darkened, "First time I've seen this."
"Me too."
Charlie took a deep breath, "Anyway, get ready!"
"For what?"
"For the match."
As he spoke, Wanda beside him turned into a scarlet storm, surging into the dark clouds.
"Hand it over!!"
With a roar, scarlet energy spread wildly.
"Rumble!!"
Instantly, the scarlet energy exploded in the clouds, eliciting Dark Strange's startled cry.
"This is… impossible. How could the legendary chaos magic exist in this world?"
As the dark clouds began to dissipate, Charlie sighed in relief.
"Looks like no prep needed. Spider-Man's connections should handle this guy," he smiled.
Old Steve crossed his arms, looking at Charlie with disdain.
"Let's be clear, these are my connections, not yours."
"Any difference?"
"Uh, no."
Old Steve grinned, "Haha, family doesn't split hairs. My connections are yours."
As he finished, the dark clouds regrouped, familiar figures shooting out.
"Swish~"
"Bang bang bang!!"
Countless Spider-Men charged recklessly toward the scarlet energy, exploding upon contact, the wild dark energy breaching Wanda's magical defenses.
"Rumble~~"
With a loud crash, Wanda's figure was suppressed by the overwhelming darkness, plunging into the sea.
"What!!"
Old Steve was shocked, "Spider-Men!!"
Charlie's eyes narrowed, "Darkness-corrupted Spider-Men. He turned them into dark puppets!"
"Damn guy."
Old Steve gritted his teeth, "If you're so tough, corrupt me too—uh, should we run?" He turned to Charlie.
Charlie smirked, "No backbone."
"Old bones, what backbone?"
Old Steve headed to the room to pack.
Infinite Tony clicked the virtual computer.
"My anti-magic armor isn't ready. Send him to the quantum realm first."
"Ding!"
Instantly, a satellite locked onto the dark clouds, a crimson beam shooting from the sky, plunging into the clouds.
"Sizzle~"
The next moment, a dark mirror shield reflected the beam to an island, which vanished instantly.
"Pity, it failed."
Infinite Tony shrugged, "Invincible Spider-Man, your turn."
"What can I do?"
Charlie said, raising his hand to draw a circle.
Magical sparks bloomed, and he dove in.
The next moment, a crimson beam reappeared in the sky.
"Sizzle~"
The beam tore through the darkness, its extreme heat tinting the sea and sky red, plunging into the clouds.
"Rumble!!"
The clouds exploded, the dark magic shield shattered, and Dark Strange's figure shot out.
"Heh, never seen you use that move. More interesting than before."
Amid the twisting darkness around his eyes, he formed seals, releasing endless dark tentacles.
"Die!"
"Whoosh~~"
Instantly, the corrupted sea surged with countless octopus-like tentacles, spreading toward Charlie.
Charlie tried to open a portal but was disrupted by an invisible force.
As the magical sparks faded, his expression darkened, and he fired another spider silk beam.
"Sizzle~"
"Puff puff puff~~"
The crimson beam swept the sea, severing the endless tentacles with high heat.
The severed tentacles fell into the sea, and scarlet energy surged.
"Whoosh~~"
"Boom!!"
The sea exploded, a massive scarlet energy tsunami rising, a dramatic scene forcing Dark Strange to take it seriously.
"Buzz~"
A dark magic circle opened, dimensional space warping the sea and sky, endless water forming spiraling vortexes that enveloped the world, crushing the tsunami.
"Your chaos magic is pathetic."
The tsunami suppressed, Dark Strange sneered.
Wanda floated in the dimensional space, her scarlet eyes tinged with black.
"Too early to gloat."
With a wave, blackened scarlet energy poured from her, overwhelming chaos magic radiating despair.
Where the scarlet energy passed, the sea vortexes vanished, replaced by terrifying scarlet meteors.
Chaos magic, altering reality!
The phrase flashed in Dark Strange's mind.
The next moment, scarlet meteors crashed down, shredding the severed tentacles in explosions, engulfing Dark Strange's figure.
"You underestimate me!!"
At the explosion's center, Dark Strange roared, an illusory black book soaring upward.
"Whoosh~"
Pages flipped, endless dark energy surged, and the dark magic recorded within became reality.
"Click click click~"
The void was torn by hellish demons, charging at Wanda.
Simultaneously, a black sword blade extended from Dark Strange's hand.
"Die!!"
A shadow streaked, Dark Strange wielding the black blade vowing to cut Wanda down.
"Hey, does a sorcerer have to fight melee?"
Arcs flashed, Charlie quipped, his crimson beam slicing through the world.
"Sizzle~"
"Puff!"
Dark Strange's body was split in two, then split into two identical Dark Stranges.
"Knew you'd sneak attack, cunning bug."
The two Dark Stranges sneered, encircling him, their dark blades shredding Charlie.
"Puff~"
Charlie's body shattered into red-and-blue light particles, the two Dark Stranges' faces changing.
"Damn, a clone too!"
"Congrats, you guessed~ right~"
Suddenly, a massive shadow enveloped both Stranges.
Looking up, a kilometer-tall Spider-Man smashed down a fist, shaking the dimensional space, cracks spreading, engulfing both Stranges.
"Rumble!!"
In the sea's sky, the void twisted and shattered, exposing the mirror dimension to Infinite Tony.
"Boom~"
The kilometer-tall giant fell into the sea, its heavy body submerged, wild waves surging toward the villa.
"No, no, no, this is my favorite villa!"
Infinite Tony activated energy defenses.
Behind him, Banner glanced at his faintly green hand, shaking his head.
"I can't help much." He turned to leave.
"Where you going?" Infinite Tony asked.
"Packing, ready to run."
Banner reached a corner, seeing old Steve raising his right hand, muttering something.
"What are you doing?" Banner asked curiously.
Old Steve opened one eye, "Summoning Thor's hammer."
Banner facepalmed, "His hammer's broken. You sent the intact one back to its timeline, forgot?"
Old Steve thought.
"Then I'll try summoning Thor's axe."
Banner facepalmed, "Thor's off with Quill in space. Give it up!"
Old Steve's face was full of reluctance.
"As expected, without the hammer, I'm nothing."
Banner: "."
Familiar line.
Before he could speak, old Steve saw a faint glow in the sky, exclaiming in joy.
"It's here!!"
Banner was startled, "Thor's still on Earth?"
"Hahaha, little spider, hold on! I found Mjolnir, I'm coming to help!!"
Old Steve climbed the roof, shouting toward the red-and-blue magical energy bursting over the sea.
Hearing the old man's shout, Charlie's expression turned strange.
Thor's hammer?
He looked at the faint glow shooting from the distance, his pale blue eyes flashing.
That's…