An elderly Caucasian woman appeared in front of Peter sitting on a webbed throne.
She was 167cm with white hair, and was wearing a silken outfit with a decorative logo that loosely resembled his spider insignia. With her patented silken blindfold, she was exactly the woman Peter hoped could shed some light on his situation.
"Madame Web! You're a sight for sore eyes! What's going on? Did you pull me into your Parlor? I could have sworn-
"That you died?" Madam Web said, her tone remaining ever so cryptic. "This is the reality, I'm afraid.
As Peter's light dimmed at her words his depressing train of thought came to a halt as she said her next words.
"However, death does not necessarily mean the end.
"So you can send me back?? Peter's ball of light appeared to brighten. Look Webs, I found a kid who's like me, and I kind of left a steaming mess in the form of a potential collapsing singularity in his lap.
He's not ready to handle something like that. You've got to send me back. Peter said, pleading with the cosmic entity.
If anyone could send him back, it'd definitely be Madam Web.
Pun not intended because he is 'technically' a ghost now. He definitely has some unfinished business to settle.
"I truly am sorry Spide….Peter. But you can't go back. Your time on Earth is finished.
His shock at her using his name for the first time, quickly turned into indignation.
"New York, no the world will be destroyed! I can't let the happen." He replied, he couldn't stomach the thought that the people he cared about would die because he was too weak to-
"Peter Benjamin Parker.
This put him into a state of shock once more. Never had She used his first name, let alone his full name before.
"I've watched you grow from a boy, grieving over his uncle's death. Into a man shouldering the weight of the world on his shoulders. Not once have I thought you weak. In fact, the inner strength that you possess is what links all Spider-Men and is what makes you truly Powerful.
Even as we speak, the one who will take up the mantle of Spider-Man, is being molded and trained, by others who've swung the same web as you did. So you needn't worry about his or your Earth's fate, for they are in capable hands." She said, in a reassuring tone.
"Now if you're done wallowing I have things I need to discuss with you, for our time is short."
Peter was still contemplating on the implications of what Web was saying, but she hadn't steered him wrong before, so he decided to trust her, as she seems to trust him.
So Peter did what he always did. Went with it.
"Alright Sorry about that, One floating mote of light at your service." He said with what would be a smirk if you know, he still had a face.
"That's more like it. Now, while you did die, I'm afraid, your job is not done quite yet.
"What do you mean?"
"Well…your light is simply too bright to be snuffed out so soon."
The One above all has decided that you are needed elsewhere, in a world that is surprisingly, far darker than the world you've come to know."
"Wait wait wait, let me get this straight M-Dubs. After years of blood, sweat, and tears saving people on Earth, This 'One Above all' character wants me to go be a hero in another universe??? He said, summing up what he thought about the situation. He swears if he has to wear spandex in the next life as well, he might just become a villain. Hell even though he insulted them, their costumes were sweeet.
"I heard that Spider-Man." Madame Web said with a deadpan look on her face.
He swears he could almost see her eyes roll. Then it occurred to him. What if she doesn't have eyes under there?? He's never actually seen her without the blind fold on….
"Ahem…."
"Sorry…..please continue." He said, sheepishly
Madame paused to collect herself, he could tell her patience was wearing thin, so he decided it'd be best to let her finish, because they were supposedly short on time.
"Peter the term hero is a relative term. You could be a hero to one but a true villain to another, like two sides of a coin.
I'm afraid, you will have to be both on your journey in this new world, because if you don't find the balance….well you will fail, and the world you were chosen to save will be doomed.
"Peter swore he could feel a migraine coming on. Can floating motes of spiritual light have migraines? Ahhh, he literally just died, he didn't need all of this pressure, weren't the dead supposed to rest…
"Look Webs, I don't know how things work in this 'other world,' but I will never become a villain." He said, completely serious.
"We will see then, won't we. I do hope you can prove me wrong. However, our time for conversing is rapidly coming to an end so I will get to the heart of the matter.
So no more interruptions.
Now, while your sense of honor is one of your more honorable qualities, it very may well get you killed in your next life.
Secondly, When you're sent to this world you will be given three boons to keep, and take with you to aid you along the way.
However, I have already decided on what you will need most. I was never supposed to intercept your soul to prep you for the next life, so it's taking quite a toll on my power to maintain you here in my dimension.
Lastly, a warning that you must heed with your entire being." As she said this, he swore that he could visibly see her age by the second. He made sure to give his complete focus on what she would say next.
After you arrive you mustn't hold back, you need to gain power, and grow stronger, as soon as possible. This will be your greatest challenge yet.
As he was contemplating her words, she suddenly reeled in pain, and he could see her energy start fluctuate around her, as her face contorted into a grimace.
"AGGHHH!!"
"What's Happening! Are you okay? Madame Web!
" He's…found…us..time is up Spider…"
She then, with great difficulty, opened an ethereal portal behind her throne using the web of destiny.
"Leave Now…Spider-Man." She said struggling to keep the portal open.
" But Madam We-"
"Peter Benjamin Parker! GO NOW! She said with utter desperation in her voice, and he swore he could see…fear on her face.
Madame Web was the most mysterious and powerful being he knew, and although it pained him to leave her like this, he really didn't want to meet the person, or thing, that could make her usual icy and composed exterior this panicked.
So against every fiber of his being that told him to stay and help her, he did what she was begging him to do and moved towards the now fluctuating portal.
"I swear to Uncle Ben, after I save this world, I'll come back to save you Madame Web. Just hold out for me." He said while looking back over his shoulder at a spasiming Madame Web.
With that Promise made, he did what he did every day of his past life. Lacking the proper understanding of the situation at hand and against his better judgement. He did the thing he did best. He jumped.
Cassandra took one last look over her shoulder and smiled.
I know you will Peter, but I'm afraid there won't be anything left to save after he's finished….
Steeling herself for what's to come, She wished Peter the best of luck, and closed the portal. As her dimension shattered…
Chapter 2: You've Gotta Be Kidding Me!!