"Boom!"
In the night sky, a faint glow streaked rapidly toward them.
At the same time, the Darkhold above Dark Strange's head continued flipping, dark chains shooting out from its pages.
"Whoosh~~"
The dark chains swept across the sea, clashing with scarlet energy in a terrifying burst.
Scarlet and darkness intertwined, and Wanda could sense the power she craved within Dark Strange's Darkhold.
But having only recently acquired her own Darkhold, she couldn't wield its power as effortlessly as Dark Strange.
Thus, bolstered by the Darkhold's relentless power, Dark Strange swung the dark chains, shattering the scarlet energy completely.
"Boom!!"
"Wanda!"
Old Steve cried out, watching helplessly as Wanda plummeted into the sea.
Yet the faint glow in the night sky surged, transforming into a white phantom that dove down and caught her.
In that moment, Wanda stared at the white face before her, stunned.
"Vision?"
Infinite Tony was slightly shocked, "He's alive too?"
He was genuinely happy for their reunion.
But Old Steve noticed something off.
"No, this white guy doesn't seem like Vision."
"What?"
In Infinite Tony's astonished gaze, Wanda, after a brief pause, returned to her cold demeanor.
"You're not him. This doesn't concern you!"
With that, scarlet energy surged from her hands, pushing White Vision back as she charged at Dark Strange again.
Meanwhile, Charlie's clone was shattered by the dark chains, his tiny figure quietly climbing onto White Vision's shoulder.
"Hey, you're so white! Ever thought about a paint job? I suggest my red-and-blue color scheme—people will know you're a superhero at a glance," Charlie waved in greeting.
White Vision's eyes were dazed, offering no response, only staring blankly at Wanda's back.
"My heart tells me I should help her."
Charlie shrugged, "Alright, I get it."
In the Westview incident, S.W.O.R.D. acquired some of Wanda's magical power, using it to revive Vision's body, turning it into a ruthless machine.
Thus, White Vision was born, possessing the same powers as Red Vision.
He entered Westview to kill the crazed Wanda, but in the illusionary barrier she created, the chaos magic-born Red Vision stopped him, awakening White Vision's memories.
Afterward, White Vision left Westview on his own, his whereabouts unknown.
No one expected him to appear at a time like this.
The real Vision was gone.
In Wanda's heart, White Vision could never replace her husband.
Per the soap opera playbook, White Vision, influenced by Red Vision's memories, would likely become Wanda's devoted follower.
Yup, that's probably it.
Anyone who's been Spider-Man's friend knows his predictions are spot-on.
Sure enough, seeing Wanda suppressed by Dark Strange's Darkhold, White Vision could no longer stand by.
"Boom!"
Instantly, the blue gem on White Vision's forehead fired a laser.
"Sizzle~"
The laser hit the Darkhold, but the ripples it caused couldn't disrupt its operation.
Seeing this, White Vision charged at the Darkhold with his body.
In the process, Charlie on his shoulder grew larger in the light.
"Sizzle~"
A crimson beam swept the sky, its red halo breaking through the dark energy but failing to tear the Darkhold apart.
It was as if the book didn't exist in this dimension, untouchable by any force.
"Boom!"
As White Vision's body passed through the Darkhold, soaring upward, Dark Strange glanced at the strange figure and sneered.
"Another one, with a vibranium body no less. But as I said, too weak."
As he spoke, dark energy surged around him again. The Darkhold flipped a page, and demonic claws emerged from the void, seizing White Vision's body.
"Click click~"
Under the demonic claws, White Vision's body groaned under the strain. His so-called vibranium body couldn't absorb the kinetic energy of dark magic to convert into strength.
At least in the cinematic universe, the vibranium body was underwhelming.
"Hey, Dark Doctor, you're gloating too soon."
The sky roared with firelight as Infinite Tony arrived in his nano-armor.
Upgraded with 31st-century tech, the nano-armor's firepower was ferocious, unleashing endless electromagnetic energy, only to be blocked by an unremarkable magical shield.
"This isn't your fight!"
Dark Strange waved, dark tentacles rising from the sea.
"Oh, at times like this, I'd rather fight Thanos again," Infinite Tony quipped, activating his armor's defenses, weaving through the tentacles at full power, occasionally firing energy to disrupt the enemy.
"Guess it's my turn."
At the seaside villa, Banner sighed helplessly.
Old Steve cheered him on, "Go! Show us the power of Hulk and Banner!"
"Don't get your hopes up."
Banner headed to the armor lab.
"What are you doing?" Old Steve asked, puzzled.
"Tony prepped an upgraded anti-Hulk armor for me."
Old Steve: "."
He stared at Banner's slightly forlorn back, lost in thought.
Since the final battle, everyone had changed so much.
Hulk willingly merged with Banner, his former defiance and rage smoothed out.
A non-angry Banner had lost his former combat strength.
Tony, with 31st-century tech, was busy with his wife and kid, upgrading his armor less efficiently.
Wanda, having lost her family, was on the verge of snapping again.
The resurrected Natasha was no longer as reckless as before.
Barton, after saving Tony, returned to his two-story villa, balancing family and mortgage payments.
Rhodes had been acting strange lately, out of touch with Tony.
As for Falcon and Winter Soldier, one was busy proving himself, the other seeking redemption.
And he, Steve Rogers, after fixing past regrets and saving Tony and Natasha, had no regrets left.
The only joy came from the Resurrection Matches.
There, he felt the vigor and passion of his youth.
But as the multiverse lost its mystery, and he could see the little spider anytime, that vigor faded.
Even facing a powerful enemy now, he maintained a playful mindset.
Because he wasn't afraid of death.
No, he was.
In every Resurrection Match, he feared the little spider wouldn't complete the mission.
He didn't want to see Spider-Man fall into a tragic fate again.
So he was afraid of death.
He feared witnessing Spider-Man's loneliness firsthand.
So…
Old Steve looked at the collapsing Spider-Man clones in the night sky, his gaze firming, the blue in his pupils growing radiant.
"How could I not fear death!"
With a roar, the night sky thundered, lightning striking the sea, Asgardian power piercing through time, star-like specks raining down like a beautiful meteor shower.
"Rumble!!"
The thunder exploded, and Dark Strange, sensing familiar power, paled slightly.
"What's that?"
"What's that?"
Amid the dark tentacles, Charlie swung through, looking up to see the stunning meteor shower streaking overhead toward the villa.
"It's Thor's power!" Infinite Tony exclaimed in joy.
Charlie shook his head, "No, it's Steve's power."
"Rumble!!"
The thunder roared again, the meteors coalescing into a battered Mjolnir in Old Steve's hand. Lightning from its cracks surged into his body, Thor's power making him roar skyward.
"Thank you, old friend, this is our second time working together."
"Rumble!!"
Thunder rolled, a flash of lightning turning dazzling.
"What…"
"Boom!!"
Wielding Mjolnir, Old Steve streaked past, and Dark Strange's clone shattered before it could react.
"A fake?"
Lightning swept the sea. Old Steve's gaze sharpened, blue light flashing in his eyes as he raised the hammer and leaped.
"I see you!"
"Boom!!"
Lightning exploded, the void twisted, and the hidden Dark Strange staggered into view, horrified.
"How is this possible!"
"No! It can't be, just luck. Die!!"
Dark Strange raised the Darkhold, its pages flipping, dark lightning shooting everywhere.
"Sizzle~"
"Rumble~~"
Old Steve raised Mjolnir, the dark lightning transforming into his power under the blue electric glow.
"Resurrection Match rookie, you have no idea the weight of winning consecutive matches!!"
Old Steve roared, his blue eyes replaced by electric arcs.
His body surged with thunderous power, Mjolnir revitalized, its cracks leaking electric light.
"Rumble!!!"
The legendary Mjolnir struck the darkness, the twisted void cracking wildly, the hidden Darkhold trembling.
Seeing this, Charlie was astonished.
"Marvel's got idealistic power too?"
By his judgment, the broken Mjolnir had been taken to outer space by Thor's ex-girlfriend.
Summoning it from such a distance was nearly impossible.
Yet Old Steve did it.
Infinite Tony raised an eyebrow, "What reward did he get in the Resurrection Match to wield Thor's power?"
Charlie shook his head, "He never said, but it's clear Dark Strange's magic is heavily countered by Thor's power."
And unfortunately, Charlie was least skilled with lightning powers.
His arc form only boosted speed, with limited destructive lightning power, nowhere near Old Steve's level.
Charlie sighed, "He's really stealing the show this time."
As he spoke, Old Steve roared again.
"Thunder shatters darkness!!"
Old Steve struck again, lightning exploding, the darkness visibly collapsing.
"What!!"
Dark Strange watched in shock, lunging for his Darkhold.
It was his hope.
His only hope to find Christine.
He couldn't lose it.
But a scarlet streak reached the Darkhold faster.
"It's mine!" Wanda grabbed for it, her red eyes fierce.
"Stop her!"
Reacting, Charlie turned into an arc, rushing for the Darkhold, while Infinite Tony fired an electromagnetic net to trap Wanda.
He couldn't bring himself to kill her.
Wanda glared at the charging Charlie, her expression ferocious.
"Get lost!!"
Scarlet energy turned into meteors blasting toward him. Charlie's muscles swelled, his red-and-blue body erupting with terrifying strength.
"Rumble!"
A punch shook the void, a special force field shattering the meteors.
The broken meteors reformed into scarlet magic, pausing Wanda.
"Such terrifying power!"
Wanda marveled, then flew toward the Darkhold again.
Charlie didn't back down, charging while firing a crimson beam at her.
"Sizzle~"
The sky split, the sea roiling under the heat.
Wanda narrowly dodged the extreme heat, her face grim.
"Damn bug, you forced me!"
Instantly, endless scarlet energy bloomed, everything around her turning into a hellish abyss under chaos magic.
"Hiss!!"
From the molten ground, endless demons lunged at Charlie, intent on devouring him.
Charlie finally understood.
How could chaos magic not match dark magic?
She'd been biding her time!
"Woman, you've betrayed my trust!!"
He shouted, firing spatial spider silk to swing up, dodging the molten demons, racing toward the Darkhold.
"Bug, it's over."
Wanda smirked, her red eyes glowing as she raised a hand, scarlet energy weaving into silky magic binding Charlie's body.
"Click click~"
"Rip!!"
Chaos magic tore his suit, exposing skin laced with purple veins.
Enveloped in scarlet energy, Charlie floated in the sky, feeling his body tearing apart.
He gritted his teeth, muscles swelling, his stellar energy rapidly depleting.
Is this true chaos magic?
Mock Thanos, understand Thanos, become Thanos.
So…
"Don't mess with a crazed woman!!"
"Little spider!"
Hearing Charlie's cry, Old Steve was startled.
"Wanda, stop!"
He raised Mjolnir but froze.
Dark tentacles from the sea locked his ankles, resisting his hammer swings.
"Jerk, let go!"
Old Steve smashed Mjolnir into Dark Strange's back, lightning flashing, but the exhausted Thor power let Dark Strange endure.
"Pfft~"
Spitting blood, Dark Strange clung to Old Steve's leg, grinning maniacally.
"Hahaha, yes, kill Spider-Man, take out this damn bug! Kill him, and I'll give you the Darkhold!!" he shouted at Wanda.
Wanda glanced coldly.
"I can take it myself, I don't need you."
She looked at Old Steve, controlling the scarlet energy to restrain Charlie without killing him.
"Don't worry, I won't kill him. I just want it."
She floated toward the Darkhold, her heart racing.
With the Darkhold, she could reach her desired world.
Her children would be with her again.
She'd no longer be alone.
As she reached out, a light rose from the sea.
The warm sunlight suddenly felt blinding.
Wanda squinted, instinctively shielding her eyes.
Her life was steeped in darkness; she craved sunlight.
Yet she hated its beauty.
Because it didn't belong to her.
It was a luxury.
So she hadn't ventured out in daylight for a long time.
But as the sunlight appeared, someone stirred.
"Light…"
In the scarlet energy, Charlie glimpsed the sunlight, reaching out without hesitation.
"It's here, it's here."
He muttered, the warm light flooding his body, healing his torn skin, purple veins turning golden.
Instantly, Charlie erupted in dazzling light, spider totems flashing with brilliant sparks, then exploding.
"Rumble!!"
With a loud crash, the scarlet energy collapsed, Wanda's face changing.
Before she could react, Charlie grabbed the Darkhold first.
"No!!"
Wanda cried, her hand grasping the Darkhold's other end.
"It's mine!!"
Wanda roared, scarlet energy surging.
Charlie didn't yield, his chest's spider totem exploding, briefly matching the chaos magic.
The sea split, scarlet and red-and-blue magic each claiming half the sky.
Under their tug-of-war, the Darkhold didn't tear as expected.
"Whoosh~~"
Winds howled, pages flipped, and two dark chains climbed onto their bodies.
"Hahaha, you're done, done."
Dark Strange laughed, "You think I got the Darkhold so easily? You can't control it.
Unless that entity agrees, you'll be consumed by darkness."
Wanda was startled.
She struggled but felt the Darkhold turn into an abyss, ignoring her chaos magic, dragging her into a black hole.
Charlie couldn't resist either.
But as the golden spider broke through the void onto his body, golden silk spread wildly.
With Dark Strange defeated, the forbidden magic failed.
Space-time power was usable again.
"Buzz~"
Golden light flashed, and Charlie vanished.
An extra chain climbed onto Wanda, making her struggle futile.
"Wanda!"
Old Steve tried to help but noticed something wrong.
Wanda stopped struggling, and the Darkhold slowly closed.
"What?"
Dark Strange's eyes widened, roaring.
"How? Why? Why is this happening?"
But he soon understood.
"Buzz~"
As Wanda raised her hand, another Darkhold appeared in her palm.
"Disagree?"
Wanda turned, laughing, "It agreed long ago."
"Boom!!!"
Instantly, both Darkholds merged into her, endless darkness enveloping the sky again.
The sun's light vanished, and Charlie felt exhaustion again.
Old Steve glared at Dark Strange, "This is your fault, jerk. Don't let me see you again!"
With that, he smashed Mjolnir into Dark Strange's head.
Dark Strange died, but a worse enemy emerged.
In the sky, scarlet energy absorbed the Darkhold's darkness.
Tainted by darkness, Wanda closed her eyes, feeling the power.
But her smile faded.
Though the Darkhold detailed multiverse traversal and universe sealing, it required long practice to master.
She couldn't wait.
She knew a simpler way.
Her gaze fell on Charlie, her smile eerie.
"Golden Spider-Man, lend me your power."
Her words unleashed scarlet energy, rushing toward Charlie.
"So fast!"
Old Steve couldn't help, but golden light flashed, and Wanda looked to the stars, her scarlet eyes intensifying.
"You can't escape!"
Scarlet energy, wrapped in a hurricane, soared, turning into a meteor vanishing into the sky.
Outside the atmosphere, the golden Spider-Man greedily absorbed stellar energy.
As the scarlet meteor charged, Charlie opened a space-time portal without hesitation.
At the seaside villa, Old Steve, waiting for Charlie's return, finally lowered Mjolnir, letting it fly skyward.
"This is trouble," he said, face full of worry.
Infinite Tony dragged Dark Strange's body to the lab, "Relax, Wanda probably can't catch him. Even if she does, he's got a retry."
Old Steve shook his head, "That's why it's trouble."
"Without me, Steve Rogers, the little spider will be so lonely in the Resurrection Match," he wailed skyward.
"Quick, kill me!!" he turned to Infinite Tony.
Infinite Tony: "."
…
Meanwhile, things got rough for Charlie.
In a desolate apocalyptic world, a golden figure crashed into a volcano.
"Rumble!!"
The volcano erupted, black smoke billowing.
At the volcano's base, a desert city's refugees stared at the falling scarlet meteor, faces full of despair.
"Even gods fall?"
"There's no hope for this world."
"Let it burn! Hahaha~"
The desperate grew crazed.
In the volcano, Charlie was frantic.
"Damn! How'd she follow me?"
In the lava, Charlie swam to shore.
To block her earlier sneak attack, he'd burned a tenth of his energy.
Wanda, with two Darkholds, was terrifying.
If this was Doctor Strange 2's plot, could Strange still match her?
No, there was no future.
"Boom!!"
Scarlet energy ravaged the volcano's crater, countless molten rocks falling.
Suddenly, the rocks floated mid-air, clustering around Wanda's dark red figure.
"Give me your space-time power. I've no interest in killing Spider-Man," she said coldly.
She could see Steve's concern for Spider-Man.
So she wouldn't kill him, repaying Steve's past kindness.
Charlie looked up, "You're not completely mad yet."
"Does it matter?"
"Not really."
Charlie clapped, "I can take you to a universe where Wanda's gone but her kids are alive.
There, you can have two children, be a real mother."
Wanda's chaos magic subsided slightly, her face lighting up.
"Take me now."
"It'll take time."
Charlie spread his hands, "Give me some time, I'll find that world."
Her eyes flared with malice again.
"I can't wait anymore! I want my kids, I'm done being alone!!"
Wanda roared, scarlet magic turning into meteors crashing down.
"Rumble!"
The volcano shook, molten lava soaring, black smoke shrouding the sky.
Golden light bloomed over the desert city as Charlie shook off the red lava on his hand.
"Should've tricked her."
He sighed, "Pity Spider-Man doesn't lie, especially to a mother who lost her kids. So tragic!!"
As he lamented, scarlet energy spread behind him, Wanda's figure emerging.
"You'll be more tragic."
"I know."
Charlie's mouth twitched, vanishing in golden light.
The next second, scarlet energy surged, and the golden figure emerged from the twisted void.
A flickering scarlet arrow glowed on his chest.
But Charlie felt no discomfort.
"This is locking onto me?"
He mused, then plummeted into the city under the scarlet energy's suppression.
"Boom~"
A loud crash, a ruined building crushed.
Dust spread, and flames shot up from city corners.
"Attention, strange individuals. This is Tony Stark's city. Surrender immediately…"
Countless unmanned armors aimed lasers at Wanda in the sky.
Emerging from the rubble, Charlie was targeted by infrared.
"Wow, Tony rules the world?"
He grinned, thinking it another connection.
Touching the golden spider emblem on his chest, Charlie vanished in golden light.
Wanda didn't rush to pursue, glancing at trembling kids in a city corner, anger flashing in her eyes.
"You scared the children. You deserve to die."
Instantly, scarlet energy spread, turning the armors into toys kids loved.
…
Meanwhile, New York.
Stark Tower.
Below, Charlie gazed at the towering skyscraper, full of awe.
"Flashy, too flashy, but something feels off."
He turned, noticing that, aside from Stark Tower, the city's other buildings were dilapidated from neglect.
The numb expressions on citizens' faces raised his suspicions.
But with Wanda closing in, Charlie set aside his thoughts.
A world-ruling Iron Man should handle Wanda.
With a thought, Charlie stepped into a golden portal.
"Buzz~"
On the top floor, in a palatial room piled with gold and jewels, Tony, in golden armor, sipped wine, enjoying massages from women.
Suddenly, the women screamed, and Tony opened his eyes.
A golden figure appeared, enraging him.
"Damn guy, who let you wear gold? Only I can in this world!"
Tony waved, countless unmanned armors firing at Charlie.
"Oh my god, I get it."
Charlie fired spider silk beams, cutting the armors, eyeing this Iron Man with disappointment.
"Alright, this Tony's a big bad. Thrilling!"
Before Tony could summon more armors, scarlet energy coalesced in the palace.
When Wanda's graceful figure appeared, Tony's eyes lit up.
"A superpowered woman, you've got my attention," he said excitedly.
Charlie: "."
Seeing Wanda's disgusted look, he seized the moment.
"Before we fight, let's deal with this annoying guy, yeah?"
Wanda considered, then nodded.
"Conquering the world with unmanned armors only leaves kids with war's shadow. I don't like it."
Her childhood was ruined by war.
With that, scarlet energy spread, Tony screaming in the magic.
"Stop! If I die, all the armors will explode, destroying every city!!"
Wanda sneered, "If?"
Her fingers curled, the scarlet energy fading. Terrified, Tony couldn't control his body, watching his hand deactivate the armors' self-destruct on the virtual computer.
"No!! Impossible, what is this, I—"
"Your life!"
Charlie punched through the golden armor, ending the evil Tony.
[You played the friendly neighborhood hero, saving a world dominated by Iron Man. Retry count +19]
The prompt appeared, and Charlie smiled, satisfied.
Finally played the freeloader.
As the world's armors shut down, hidden superheroes began their counterattack.
"For freedom, charge!!"
Outside, Steve-led heroes and refugees stormed Stark Tower.
Charlie ignored the noise.
He gave Wanda a slight smile.
"You're actually kind at heart."
Wanda eyed him coldly, "Not to you."
Charlie: "."
"Alright, see ya."
The golden spider glowed, and Charlie vanished in space-time power.
"Buzz~"
Osborn Corp Building.
On the roof, golden light was shattered by scarlet energy, Charlie stumbling, nearly falling off.
Looking down, the flickering scarlet arrow on his chest vanished, confirming he was locked onto.
No matter where he fled, Wanda could track him with chaos magic and the Darkhold.
He was done for.
As scarlet energy coalesced, Charlie's face fell.
He recalled an old ad.
"Why chase me?"
"I want your power."
Charlie: "."
Below, citizens gathered.
They shouted at Charlie on the rooftop.
"Don't do anything stupid!"
"It'll pass!"
"Come down!"
Charlie turned, "What? It's too windy, I~ can't~ hear~"
"Boom!"
Scarlet energy surged, and Charlie slipped, falling off the building.
"No!"
"Good lord, he jumped!"
"Yo, someone's jumping, don't worry, Spider-Man's here."