Peter remained disoriented for several long moments, his consciousness slowly reassembling like scattered puzzle pieces. He sat up gradually, one hand pressed against his throbbing skull as fragmented memories of the attack began filtering back into focus. Before the fear and trauma could fully settle in, he noticed Ben crouching beside him with obvious concern, and a wave of relief washed over his battered psyche.
But almost immediately, anxiety about his friends crashed back into his awareness like a physical blow.
"Ben, some kind of monster attacked us," Peter said urgently, his voice still rough from unconsciousness. "Are Harry and Flash okay? What happened to them?"
"They're both fine," Ben assured him, helping Peter to his feet with steady, reassuring movements. "Flash barely sustained any injuries at all. As for Harry's wounds, they're nothing that Primus Technologies' medical systems can't handle completely."
Ben's expression grew more serious as he considered the broader situation. "Norman Osborn's condition is more critical, though. He was attacked during a space mission, the entire battleship was destroyed in the assault. When Norman was in maximum danger, his situation was similar to what Vilgax experienced when his ship exploded. Half his body was severely damaged by energy discharge."
Peter's eyes widened with shock and concern, but Ben continued before he could interrupt.
"At the critical moment, he managed to inject himself with our healing serum, which sustained his life functions long enough for the rescue team to extract him. He's currently in our medical wing." Ben's tone became more confident. "Primus's healing formula has been upgraded several times since Dr. Connors began his research, we gained access to significant biological data after defeating Vilgax. There's no need to worry about Norman's survival. He'll probably make a complete recovery after a few days in the regeneration tanks."
Ben helped Peter stand fully upright, deliberately ignoring the Venom symbiote that remained dormant within his cousin's body. The black, viscous organism was notoriously difficult to kill permanently, even the smallest fragment could survive and regenerate like the ultimate parasite.
Overkill could still sense Venom's faint life fluctuations through the symbiotic hive network, so there was no immediate cause for concern.
In another universe entirely, the landscape told a story of devastating defeat.
Several Spider-heroes lay scattered across the broken ruins like discarded action figures after a child's tantrum. Superior Spider-Man's advanced armor had been completely destroyed, leaving only half of one mechanical spider-leg still attached to his back, sparking and crackling with electrical discharge.
Spider-Noir had been thrown against a concrete wall with such force that his body appeared folded into impossible angles, his dark costume torn and bloodied.
The rest of the team was in similar condition, unconscious or barely clinging to life, sprawled among the debris of what had once been a thriving city district.
At least one casualty was confirmed beyond any doubt: Six-Armed Spider-Man's corpse still lay where it had fallen, but the sight was so grotesque that it belonged in a horror movie. His flesh had been drained so completely that only gray, desiccated skin clung to his skeletal frame. The body looked like it had been dead for centuries rather than minutes, and the putrid stench of decay filled the air around his remains.
In his desperate attempt to match Morlun's shapeshifting abilities, the six-armed hero had transformed into a full spider-creature. The strategy had backfired catastrophically, Morlun had systematically dismembered all eight of his legs before draining every drop of life force from his body, leaving behind nothing but a mummified husk.
Another Spider-hero was confirmed to be alive, though in dire straits: Scarlet Spider remained conscious but completely immobilized, pinned to the ground by several of Morlun's energy blades that had been driven through his limbs with surgical precision.
Thanks to his identity as the prophesied "Other," Morlun had deliberately avoided killing him outright. Instead, the Inheritor planned to transport his prize back to the family fortress for a more elaborate ritual sacrifice.
As for the remaining Spider-heroes scattered throughout the ruins...
Morlun surveyed the devastation with obvious contempt, a disdainful smile playing across his predatory features. They represented nothing more than appetizers before the main course, pleasant snacks to consume while he prepared for more substantial meals.
He had hunted countless Spider-totems across the multiverse during his centuries of existence, but never had a single encounter yielded such a bountiful harvest. So many powerful heroes captured in one decisive battle!
Morlun reached up and carefully removed the Nemetrix device from his collar, examining the hexagonal badge with deep satisfaction and admiration.
"The device that fool gave us is truly remarkable," he murmured to himself with genuine appreciation.
The Inheritor family had always possessed natural advantages when hunting animal totems, but the Nemetrix had elevated their capabilities to godlike levels. Each transformation contained genetic templates for predatory species that had never existed in their home reality, creatures evolved across countless worlds specifically to hunt their targets.
Morlun's grin took on a particularly cruel quality as he considered the implications. He had already discovered that the device contained genetic codes for thousands of predatory creatures. Coincidentally, the Inheritor family possessed advanced cloning technology capable of mass reproduction.
If these genetic templates could be replicated infinitely, then all the endless totem power scattered across the multiverse would eventually flow into their family's hands!
He carefully returned the Nemetrix to its position on his collar, then raised his eyes to survey the battlefield. Among the fallen Spider-heroes, one figure was still struggling to stand upright.
"You appear to be somewhat different from ordinary Spider-totems," Morlun observed, baring his fangs in a predatory grin. His eyes glowed with the greedy intensity of a hunter who had spotted especially valuable prey, as if he wanted to devour Gwen alive on the spot.
This reaction went beyond his usual hunger for Spider-Man essence. Something within the Nemetrix itself was responding to Gwen's presence, roaring with desire to consume the unique energy radiating from her body.
The other Spider-heroes had referred to it as "Mana", an unusual name that Morlun didn't understand, but he didn't particularly care about the terminology. He simply wanted to feed!
At that moment, Gwen was indeed in terrible condition. Her Mana reserves had been completely exhausted during the prolonged battle, her body was covered with injuries, and her physical strength was nearly depleted. Looking at her scattered and broken teammates around her, Gwen felt overwhelming sadness and guilt crushing down on her like a physical weight.
Time rewound slightly to reveal how this catastrophe had begun.
When Superior Spider-Man had proposed gathering sufficient forces to deal with the Inheritor threat, Gwen had volunteered to seek additional help. Missing Ben terribly and hoping to see him again, she had suggested to Spider-Noir that they travel to Ben universe to recruit Ben Parker for their cause.
However, while traveling through the dimensional corridors, they had discovered Morlun departing from that same universe with an unconscious Spider-hero in his grasp.
Initially, the rescue team had assumed that Ben himself had been captured, but Gwen quickly realized the victim was more likely Peter Parker, Ben's beloved cousin.
She didn't believe for a moment that Ben could be defeated by any member of the Inheritor family, but Peter was a different story entirely. Looking across the infinite multiverse, virtually every person named Peter Parker seemed destined for tragedy and suffering.
Since Peter was essentially her brother-in-law, rescuing him had become a moral imperative.
The two groups had clashed directly within the multiversal transit space. Superior Spider-Man had used his advanced technology to force open dimensional barriers, causing both parties to crash-land in this unknown wasteland universe.
They had previously defeated Karn with relative ease, so the team had assumed that dealing with another Inheritor would be similarly manageable. But no one had anticipated that Morlun would reveal a device nearly identical to Ben's Omnitrix, allowing him to transform into countless monstrous forms specifically designed to hunt their prey.
Within minutes, the entire Spider-squad had been systematically defeated.
Although Superior Spider-Man had quickly developed tactical strategies centered around Gwen's unique Mana abilities, their efforts had proven insufficient against Morlun's adaptive capabilities.
Initially, the Mana had been effective against the predatory transformations, but Morlun had eventually shifted into an energy-based form that could actually feed on Gwen's power, draining her reserves and turning her greatest strength into a liability.
Once Gwen, their trump card, had been neutralized, all the Spider-heroes became helpless victims waiting for slaughter.
The defeat had been absolute and devastating.
Gwen hadn't expected such a complete reversal of fortune. In what felt like seconds, their confident rescue mission had transformed into a massacre.
Six-Armed Spider-Man had been killed instantly and horrifically drained. Scarlet Spider had been pinned like a biological specimen. Spider-Noir had been beaten until his body was bent at impossible angles. Assasin Spider-Man had half his torso severed, with internal organs spilling across the ground. Indian Spider-Man had been pummeled into unconsciousness, his distinctive costume torn and bloodied.
As the core member of the team, Superior Spider-Man had been unable to withstand Morlun's assault. Though he had managed to rescue Gwen before the Inheritor could completely drain her life force, the energy backlash had severely injured him, leaving him hanging onto consciousness by sheer willpower.
He wasn't unconscious, but he was barely functional, forced to watch helplessly as Morlun approached like a predator savoring his victory. The sense of powerlessness and frustration was overwhelming.
As the self-proclaimed "Superior" Spider-Man, Peter's heart was filled with pride and confidence in his own superior abilities. He genuinely believed that he possessed intelligence and skills that surpassed other Spider-heroes, especially the various Peter Parkers throughout the multiverse. He wanted to be the absolute best among them all.
He could accomplish what other Spider-Men couldn't achieve, and he could defeat enemies that other Spider-Men couldn't overcome!
But facing the Inheritor family, Superior Spider-Man had discovered that his abilities were woefully inadequate.
When he first learned about the Inheritors' existence, he had felt genuine terror, the knowledge that space vampires were systematically hunting Spider-totems across infinite realities meant that someday, they would inevitably come for him too.
For that reason, he had gathered allies and chosen to take the initiative, hoping to protect himself and others through preemptive action.
When he finally discovered Gwen as a potential game-changer, he had thought victory was assured. He never expected to be defeated so easily and completely.
The sense of failure and regret was almost unbearable.
If he had known this would be the outcome, perhaps it would have been better to remain in his own universe. At least there, he had people he loved and who loved him in return.
But even as he contemplated alternate choices, he knew that even if he could travel back in time, he would make the same decision. Knowing that he might eventually be targeted by the Inheritors, he couldn't help but fight back against the threat.
"We should have been better prepared," he thought bitterly.
Instead of rushing into battle like this, only to watch helplessly as Morlun approached and wait for death to claim him.
With this grim realization, he looked toward Gwen, the only team member who could still move under her own power.
The young woman obviously had very little strength remaining, but she stood there with stubborn determination, one hand covering her wounds while refusing to surrender or show any sign of giving up.
Superior Spider-Man desperately wanted to tell her to run, to escape while she still could. Staying here would mean certain death, but if she fled, there might be a chance to find the Ben Parker she had mentioned, or locate other Spider-heroes who could mount a rescue operation.
But when he tried to speak, no sound emerged from his throat. The energy explosion had damaged his vocal cords and left his body paralyzed. He could only lie there like a patient on life support, making weak, raspy sounds as death approached.
Gwen hadn't considered fleeing, primarily because she knew it was impossible.
Her opponent was a multiverse-spanning Spider Hunter with centuries of experience. Against such a formidable enemy, where could she possibly escape to?
'I didn't expect that I wouldn't be able to see you one last time,' she thought with profound sadness, her heart filled with regrets and concerns that could never be resolved.
Originally, when facing Karn, she had never believed that any member of the Inheritor family could pose a serious threat to Ben's overwhelming power.
But after witnessing Morlun's shapeshifting abilities and the sophisticated device mounted on his collar, Gwen was no longer certain of anything. The technology was obviously similar to the Omnitrix, with such a weapon in Morlun's possession, he might actually be capable of harming Ben.
The thought that Ben might be in danger made her feel that even death would bring no peace.
"Who are you, and how did you acquire an Omnitrix?" she demanded with as much authority as she could muster.
"Omnitrix?" Morlun frowned slightly, recognizing that the name had significant connections to the Nemetrix in his possession. They seemed to be different versions of the same technological concept.
"From your words, it appears there is another device similar to this one?" he asked with obvious interest.
The Nemetrix in his hand was already incredibly powerful, if the Omnitrix possessed similar or greater capabilities, it could bring enormous benefits to the Inheritor family's conquest of the multiverse.
"No wonder you're so unique and capable of wielding that strange energy," Morlun continued with cruel satisfaction. "Unfortunately, I was born to be your natural predator!"
He licked his lips with predatory anticipation, then suddenly paused and sniffed the air. His expression shifted to something resembling disgust.
"There's a familiar scent of blood on you," he observed with distaste. "Very familiar indeed..."
Gwen didn't notice his reaction, but she realized that Morlun was detecting traces of his fallen brother.
"You know the Inheritor named Karn, don't you?" she said, attempting to use the information as leverage. "He's in our custody. As long as you release us, I'll tell you exactly where he's being held."
"You want to trade my brother for your freedom?" Morlun asked with a mocking smile.
"What a pity! I wish he would die as soon as possible!"
With that dismissive declaration, Morlun lost all interest in further conversation. He planned to capture Gwen alive and extract information about the so-called "Omnitrix" through more persuasive methods.
Breaking her limbs seemed like an appropriate starting point. After all, she didn't need functional hands or feet to answer questions, and consuming her flesh while she watched might provide excellent entertainment while he worked!
As these thoughts crystallized, Morlun attacked with lightning speed, manifesting energy blades in both hands as he slashed toward Gwen's extremities.
However, at that precise moment, a dimensional portal tore open in the sky above them.
Immediately afterward, an enormous shadow blocked the wasteland's sunlight like a descending building, and a massive metal fist with a diameter of nearly three meters plummeted toward the ground like a meteor strike!
Morlun's face contorted with shock and fear as he realized the scale of what was approaching.
BOOM!!!
The thunderous impact created a shallow crater in the wasteland floor, sending shockwaves rippling across the entire battlefield.
Morlun managed to dodge the devastating attack, but his expression remained deeply troubled. What had emerged from the portal was a giant robot standing several dozen meters tall, its presence dominating the landscape like a mechanical kaiju.
Who the hell brings a Gundam to a Spider-Man fight?! What kind of universe is this supposed to be?
Above the towering mecha, a dark silhouette stood confidently on the robot's shoulder with arms crossed, speaking in a dramatically cold voice that carried across the wasteland.
"I am an emissary from Hell! Supaidaman!"
Takuya Yamashiro surveyed the enemy below with calculated composure, privately thinking that his opponent didn't appear particularly formidable. Perhaps summoning Leopardon immediately upon arrival had been overkill for this situation.
The battle might prove disappointingly easy, making this multiverse adventure less exciting than he'd hoped.
Of course, he could clearly sense the totem-hunting power radiating from Morlun's position, which was definitely appealing from a combat perspective.
If he didn't use Leopardon's full capabilities, this might actually provide some entertainment.
As he considered his tactical options, several more figures descended from the portal in the sky, landing on various parts of Leopardon's massive frame and striking dramatic poses reminiscent of a sentai team formation.
The dying Superior Spider-Man raised his head with tremendous effort and stared upward in shock. His pupils contracted as if he had seen a ghost, or more accurately, he was looking at another Superior Spider-Man who appeared virtually identical to himself.
Morlun also recognized the newcomer, and his expression immediately transformed into a mask of rage mixed with old grudges and barely controlled fury.
"Peter Parker!" he roared through clenched teeth, his voice echoing across the ruins.
"It's you, Morlun!" Spider-Man from universe 616 stepped forward with grim determination, clearly recognizing his longtime nemesis. "Whatever scheme you're plotting this time, I'll stop you once again!"
A flicker of deeply buried fear passed through Morlun's eyes, but it was quickly replaced by renewed confidence. The Nemetrix had given him the power to finally settle all his old scores and take revenge for every previous humiliation.
"Today is the day you die, Peter!" Morlun declared with savage anticipation.
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