"No!!"
Soon after learning that ordinary people without superpowers couldn't enter the Resurrection Match, third-generation Peter shed tears of grief.
Charlie, watching from the sidelines, waited for Peter's next move.
"Classmate Charlie, open a portal for me. I'm heading to Kamar-Taj."
"Sure thing!"
Charlie waved his hand, drawing a circle of magical sparks. Third-gen Peter leaped through.
Before long, Peter entered the hell portal opened by Strange.
Only then did Charlie appear.
"Supreme Sorcerer, you're a bit too accommodating. Doing whatever people ask without a shred of backbone?" he said with a smirk.
"You're Charlie Parker?"
Strange sized up the Spider-Man curiously. "Are we close?"
"Sort of."
"I see. You're tight with the me from another world, so you're skipping the formalities."
As he spoke, Strange pulled a whiskey bottle from the hidden fridge by his feet. "To answer your earlier jab, everyone knows I'm bad at saying no. Want a drink?"
Charlie: "…"
"Your Supreme Sorcerer quirks are all the same. Next time, have some fresh-squeezed juice ready. Two cups."
"Why two?" Strange asked, puzzled.
Charlie crossed his arms. "Because two cups taste better together."
Strange nodded thoughtfully. "Got it. You're hinting I should propose to Christine. Thanks for the nudge—I'm on it."
He started to leave the attic, but Charlie, forehead lined with exasperation, stopped him. "Hold up. Open a hell portal first. I need to check things out."
In the Resurrection Match, multiverse travel wasn't an option—only locals could help.
Strange paused, turning back. "You're a mage too. Can't you do it?"
"Amateur level."
"Oh, I get it. You're a jack-of-all-trades, master of none."
Strange waved, opening the hell portal, then bolted. Staying meant more Spider-Men might show up asking for favors.
He was out.
Seeing Strange hightail it, Charlie stepped into the portal.
"Buzz~"
His soul detached from his body, which stayed in Kamar-Taj, while his soul arrived in the familiar hellscape.
In the Bone City, before Charlie could track down third-gen Peter, a surge of hellfire revealed a familiar figure.
"Bug, what're you doing back here?" The white-haired old man eyed Charlie warily.
Charlie shrugged. "Obviously, I'm here for your help."
Mephisto's cheek twitched. "I'm already kind enough not to mess with you. You think I'd help?" he sneered.
Charlie crossed his arms, grinning. "More friends, more paths. Think about it—being pals with the invincible Spider-Man guarantees your afterlife…"
"I don't die. Or rather, I've already died."
Mephisto cut off Charlie's pitch, circling him appraisingly. "But I could help, depending on what you want."
"Simple, then."
Charlie slung an arm around Mephisto's shoulder. "See, I've got this friend."
"Hm?" Mephisto shrugged him off, looking skeptical. "I know that line."
"No, seriously, an actual friend."
"Fine, fine, go on."
"Uh, you threw me off. Gotta rethink my wording."
"Make it quick."
"Let me get my thoughts together."
Three minutes later, Mephisto grinned, extending a hand. "What's in it for me?"
"Man, talking benefits between friends? That's cold."
Charlie slapped Mephisto's hand away, pulling a roll of cash from his pants. "Help me out, and I'll burn you some extra later," he said with a wink.
Mephisto: "…"
"Are you messing with me?"
He swatted away Charlie's bribe, face darkening. "We're not friends."
Before Charlie could respond, Mephisto pivoted. "But I could help for free."
He closed his eyes, demonic power spreading, quickly locating the bewildered third-gen Peter and gleaning key intel.
"His goal's to find a loved one's soul in hell."
Charlie nodded—as expected. "If I hadn't shown up, what would you have done?" he asked.
"Obviously, get him to trade with a demon," Mephisto said, rubbing his chin, a glint in his eyes.
"I've decided—I'll help you for free. Last time, though."
With that, he vanished into the hellfire.
Soon, in a dark void, Mephisto's hellfire form flickered.
Under its glow, Charlie glanced at the old man. "Gotta use these weird effects?"
Mephisto nodded. "Of course. Hell lords need some mystique. In human terms, it's about elevating the vibe."
Charlie facepalmed. "The more I deal with you gods, the more I realize something."
"What?"
"Humor's the bridge."
"Thanks for the compliment."
Mephisto straightened proudly, eyes nostalgic. "Back in the day, I was a charming, witty guy, a cosmic heartthrob. But since becoming a demon, I haven't… Wait, why am I telling you this? Damn it."
The moment third-gen Peter appeared, Mephisto snapped out of it, cursing internally before launching his act.
Charlie got a front-row seat to just how unreliable third-gen Peter was.
Young and naive, sure, but after all he'd been through, still clinging to such childish notions? Total Aunt May bait.
Just as Peter was about to sign the contract, Charlie kicked him out of the dark space.
"What're you doing?" Mephisto's face darkened. He was this close.
Charlie patted his chest. "Let me handle this!"
Mephisto: "…"
"What's that mean?"
"I'll trade with you."
Mephisto's eyes dripped with disdain. "You got any love to offer?"
Charlie: "…"
"Not yet, but I can trade ten years of Harry's life."
Mephisto: "…"
Back in the main universe, Harry sneezed uncontrollably.
Charlie caught Mephisto's scorn. "Fine, add the Eisen Apartment deed."
Mephisto: "…"
Charlie pressed, "If that's not enough, I can—"
"Stop!"
Mephisto cut him off, taking a deep breath, his aged face seeming older. "Annoying bug, enough nonsense.
I'll trade, but show some sincerity."
"Sincerity?"
"Exactly."
Mephisto locked eyes with Charlie, a sinister smirk creeping up. "I know I can't get your soul, but your body's less important."
"Fine, do whatever with it," Charlie agreed instantly. "Just no photos. That'd be awkward."
"What're you talking about?"
"You know."
"I don't. Not at all."
Though confused, Mephisto quickly drafted the contract. "Sign your name. It'll take effect immediately."
Charlie grabbed the quill, scrawling in one go.
Mephisto stared at the signature, then exploded. "Bastard, I said sign your name!!"
Charlie shrugged. "What's the difference?"
"Your name, Charlie Parker—not 'Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man Always Protecting Your Mind and Body'!!"
"Oh, my bad. Thought you were a fan."
Finally, Charlie signed a new contract.
"Buzz~"
The contract burned in hellfire before his eyes. Mephisto smirked. "Good. That guy's Aunt May isn't here, but I can negotiate with another hell lord. Reviving her shouldn't be an issue."
Charlie blinked, surprised. "So his Aunt May's really dead?"
"Of course. Demons don't stoop to cheap tricks."
"Then who's the Aunt May I met?"
Charlie frowned, his mind a mess.
Suddenly, his eyes lit up, catching a key clue. "Mephisto, you're a real saint—no, a saintly demon!!"
He hugged the old man, pounding his back.
"Cough, easy! This body's just a frail old man."
"Oh, sorry… wait, this body?"
Charlie's eyes narrowed suspiciously. "You planning to swap my body for yours?"
"Obviously. Surprised?"
Mephisto summoned Charlie's body from Kamar-Taj, eyeing it like a priceless artifact. "With the invincible Spider-Man's body, scamming'll be a breeze," he said, grinning.
Charlie: "…"
This old trickster had that in mind.
"Hurry up, then. You're running out of time," Charlie urged.
Mephisto squinted. "I've got all the time in the world."
"Really? I don't buy it."
…
[You have been eliminated. Unable to obtain Resurrection Match slot. Reward: High-Heat Web Ball -0.5 seconds.]
[Remaining 74 retries. Restart?]
Seventeenth Resurrection Match.
Atop the Empire State Building, beneath the spire, Charlie yawned and stretched lazily. "Another Resurrection Match. Let the fun begin."
Though he'd confirmed third-gen Peter's Aunt May wasn't the mission target, it sparked a new idea.
As the countdown ended, Charlie's soul left his body, which collapsed into sleep.
After defeating Thanos and snagging three Infinity Stones, Charlie returned to Stark Tower.
"I'm gonna eat you!"
In the living room, Aunt May's symbiote went berserk but was pinned by a single hand.
"You—"
The symbiote's narrow eyes flashed with fear, but Charlie shook his head. "Drop the act. You're no nameless symbiote. You're Venom."
Aunt May's eyes widened in shock, and the symbiote's white eyes bulged. "What're you talking about?"
"I'm saying you're Venom—the one inside Venom Parker."
Charlie raised his Infinity Gauntlet, its glow scattering the creepy webbing from the TV into the sky.
Seeing this, Charlie turned to Venom, smirking. "That guy knows who you are. If I'd been a bit slower, the real Aunt May would've fallen into his hands."
Aunt May's face froze, and Venom dropped the facade.
He cackled, "Hahaha, Charlie Parker, you're too damn smart. You figured it out."
Charlie shrugged. "Just threw out a guess. You admitted it yourself. Boring."
Venom: "…"
"Oh, sht, I'm such an idiot."
His long tongue flicked, spitting everywhere. "So what? You still fell for it. Peter stalled you, and we won!" he laughed.
Facing Venom's gaping maw, Charlie stayed calm. "You sure you won?"
"What?"
"I don't think you did."
Charlie paced slowly. "Gotta say, your Parker's clever. After all these Resurrection Matches, he's learned how to win and adapt.
You rushed into the hospital room, using symbiote cells to save Aunt May. But I bet those cells didn't save her. The bullet near her heart was a red herring. The real fatal wound wasn't physical."
Venom's expression was a spectacle.
Before it could speak, Charlie continued, "I also bet this Aunt May's just a puppet. The real one's been moved elsewhere."
"You—" Venom gasped. "How could you know that?"
Charlie grinned, spreading his hands. "Spider-Man smarts, obviously."
Venom's reaction confirmed it.
Charlie had overlooked Venom Parker.
The guy seemed like a loser but had quietly picked up Resurrection Match tricks from him.
"You saw me as the biggest threat in the match," Charlie said. "You couldn't save Aunt May yet, so you threw a smokescreen to lower my guard against Venom Parker.
If possible, you'd redirect my focus to other Spider-Men.
But things went beyond your plans, yet still in your favor.
I zeroed in on Thanos, while you, Venom, left Parker's body to pose as Aunt May's symbiote.
Parker, with a new symbiote, left Earth with me, since you worried I'd get suspicious if he wasn't around."
Venom's scalp tingled, its voice trembling. "No, you're wrong. If that were true, I wouldn't be here waiting for you. You're wrong," it denied.
Charlie eyed it. "Double denial means admission. Triple denial's just stubbornness."
Smirking at the defiant Venom, he said, "You're not that cautious. You didn't expect I'd come back and see through you.
Parker told you to transfer the real Aunt May and stall me.
If you found a way to save her, Parker gets the Resurrection Match slot.
If not… hm, what'd Parker tell you?" he asked.
Black liquid writhed, the demonic face covering "Aunt May" again. "Fine, you're terrifying," Venom said, head low, voice heavy with sorrow.
"Parker told me if we couldn't save Aunt May, to tell you—or whichever Spider-Man figured it out—and let them save her.
Better one Aunt May lives than none.
Parker wants to escape Spider-Man's fate but can't. He doesn't want others to fail too."
Charlie's expression softened. "Then why not tell me?"
"How'd you know I wouldn't?"
"Guessed."
"Fine, you're right."
Venom bared its fangs, snarling, "I don't want you to win. I still remember you trying to split me and Peter. He's mine—no one's taking him.
I did it on purpose. And I don't think you can save Aunt May. Peter overhyped you.
You're Spider-Man, not an almighty god.
Why does Peter get a tragic fate while you keep pulling off miracles and living happily?
It's not fair!"
It roared, saliva flying.
Charlie stepped back, dodging the spit. "Ew~"
"So, what's your plan now that you're exposed?" he asked, disgusted.
"I already acted."
Venom laughed smugly. "That guy didn't escape—I told him Aunt May's location. He's probably saving her now. You've got no shot."
Charlie: "…"
So I misread it.
That guy wasn't scared of me?
He facepalmed, helpless. "Fine, you win. One last question—where'd you get the Aunt May puppet? I don't recall you having cloning or body-making powers."
Venom crossed its arms, turning away haughtily. "Not telling."
"I'll help you win next time if I get the chance."
"Why didn't you say that sooner?!?!" Venom clawed its face, roaring, "If you'd offered earlier, I wouldn't have told that guy!"
Charlie smirked. "You didn't ask."
"I'm so pissed… No, it's fine."
Venom calmed, grinning. "The Aunt May I'm in isn't a puppet. She's a living person, but her soul's gone. I found her and took over.
As for that guy, don't worry—he can't save Aunt May either."
"How so?" Charlie raised a brow.
Venom's grin stretched wide. "Because the real Aunt May told me she's beyond saving."
Charlie: "…"
"What's that mean?"
"She's done for."
"Why're you happy about it?!?!"
Now Charlie was the one spitting at Venom.
Snapped at, Venom realized its mistake. "Oh no, Aunt May's done for, and so's Parker!!"
Watching Venom lose it, Charlie felt he was wasting time. "Aunt May made a deal with Mephisto, right?"
The sudden question startled Venom. "How'd you know?" Its narrow eyes widened in shock.
"Guessed."
Charlie stayed calm.
In the last retry, Mephisto's reaction to seeing "that damn bug" again raised suspicions.
That demon wasn't the helpful type. Not screwing Charlie over was generous enough.
The kicker? Mephisto's claim about being a "boy" before becoming a demon.
Bullsht!
Charlie knew what Mephisto was before demonhood.
To lower his guard, Mephisto played human.
He was hiding something.
Most crucially, Mephisto let slip a key detail—he knew where Aunt May's soul was all along!
Charlie had reason to suspect Mephisto had been targeting this world's Aunt May—or rather, this world's Spider-Man, Peter Parker!
Venom's next words confirmed it. "Aunt May told me she's beyond saving because she made a deal with a demon.
She offered her soul, and the demon promised that after today, no one would remember Peter Parker is Spider-Man.
This world's Peter could live peacefully, free from public scorn and Stark's resentment."
Venom wiped a tear. "I was so moved!
But that demon's a bastard. He gave Aunt May one day, but she's stuck in a hospital bed, unable to speak or say goodbye.
If not for me… she's so pitiful!!"
Venom sobbed wildly. Charlie finally got it.
That's why it's called the "Last Day."
For Peter and Aunt May, it was their final day together.
So, all this misery stemmed from Mephisto!
In a flash, Charlie checked the time.
Almost over.
…
Eighteenth Resurrection Match.
Through Strange's hell portal, Charlie arrived in Mephisto's domain.
Hellfire flared, revealing an aged figure.
Before Mephisto could speak, Charlie cut in, "I'm here to trade. Undo Aunt May's contract. Name your price."
Mephisto froze, then smirked wickedly. "Figured it out that fast? You're something else!"
He squinted, grinning. "Sorry, I already handed the contract to someone else.
Want it? Go get it—or steal it!"
Mephisto's scheming was obvious. Charlie knew it wouldn't be easy.
"Who'd you give it to?"
"Dark Lord Dormammu."
"Fine. Wait for my good news."
Good news?
Mephisto blinked. "Why should I wait?"
…
Nineteenth Resurrection Match.
At Kamar-Taj, Strange opened a portal to the Dark Dimension.
Under his gaze, Charlie, carrying the Time Stone, stepped into the alien realm.
In the vast cosmos, countless planets formed a massive demonic face.
Charlie swung onto a meteor's surface, looking up at Dormammu. "I've come to bargain."
Dormammu: "…"
The familiar line stirred awkward memories.