Timeline: November 14, 1995
One day after the incident
The news blared from the television, the reporter's voice a somber monotone against the backdrop of the day's events. "Chris Hilton, the CEO of Hilton Company, has resigned, taking all the blame for the incident. It has been revealed that the real culprit was Chameleon, not Maxwell Dillon, who died in the incident. Maxwell saved the world. He is not a villain; he is a hero who saved us from Dr. Doom."
I sat in front of the screen, the weight of recent events pressing down on me. The revelation about Chris's resignation was a blow. Despite his insistence on stepping down, the public didn't want him to leave. They understood it wasn't his fault, but Chris couldn't forgive himself for Max's death. He bore the weight of it, even though he was blameless.
The news continued, showing scenes of people mourning Maxwell Dillon. The truth had come out: Maxwell wasn't responsible for the crimes at the Hilton Company. It was Chameleon, who had been hiding and manipulating events. Once the truth was revealed, The public's anger shifted towards Chameleon. Then Maxwell was recognized as a hero for his sacrifice in stopping Dr. Doom.
The memory of Maxwell's final moments replayed in my mind. The look of determination on his face, the way he absorbed the energy to save us all, and his last words to me. It was a heavy burden, feeling the depth of his sacrifice.
As I watched the footage of memorials and tributes to Maxwell, I couldn't help but feel a mix of sorrow and pride. Sorrow for the loss of a brave soul and pride in his ultimate act of heroism. The world now knew the truth, and Maxwell Dillon's name would be remembered not as a villain, but as the hero who gave everything to save us.
I was devastated by what had happened. If only I had been strong enough, maybe I could have stopped the Orbit Sun by myself. I felt like I had failed—as a hero, as the Legendary Spider-Man. The weight of my failure pressed down on me, and images of Maxwell's sacrifice and the chaos we barely avoided kept replaying in my mind. While I was lost in these thoughts, Mary interrupted my reverie.
Mary Rose Taylor said softly, "Babe, are you okay?"
I looked up at Mary, her concern evident in her eyes. "Yes, I am," I replied, though my voice betrayed my uncertainty. "It's just...you know," I hesitated, then met her eyes. "I feel like I failed as a hero."
Mary reached out, taking my hand in hers, her touch warm and reassuring. "It's not your fault. What happened is already done, and we can't change those things. Perhaps it was fate. We can't change fate."
I sighed, looking down for a moment, letting the reality of her words settle in. Yet, within me burned a desire to make things right, to somehow undo the wrongs. I looked back at her, my eyes a mixture of pain and determination. "You're right. Fate played its hand, but I want to change that fate. I want to control it so that everyone can be happy."
Mary looked at me with a warm, comforting gaze, her eyes filled with love and understanding. "Babe," she said softly, her voice a soothing balm to my troubled heart.
Her support gave me the strength to keep going. "Thank you, Mary. I don't know what I'd do without you."
She leaned in, her eyes filled with love and determination. "We'll get through this, no matter what. You're not alone in this fight."
...
Meanwhile
Chris Hilton sat on a sun-drenched beach alongside Mark Taylor and Loe Halloway. The rhythmic sound of the waves provided a serene backdrop to their conversation.
Mark broke the silence. "So, you really resigned, huh?"
Chris looked at Mark and nodded. "Yeah... I just need to rest after everything that happened." He gazed out at the horizon, the sunlight reflecting off the water. "It's been hard for me since the incident at my company and Max's death. Things aren't the same anymore, so I decided to step down."
Loe chimed in, "So who's managing your company now?"
Chris sighed. "Well, Samantha initially faced criticism for what happened. She blamed Max, but once the truth about Chameleon came out, people forgave her. She didn't know either."
Mark interjected, "So your daughter, Samantha, is managing Hilton Company now?"
Chris shook his head. "No, it's not Samantha. It's Lucas, my son. He's the one who will inherit the company. I think he's the best person to handle it, and I feel reassured knowing he's in charge."
Loe nodded in agreement. "Lucas is a good choice, Chris. When I saw him last time, he seemed like an honest and calm person. He reminds me a lot of you."
Chris smiled faintly. "You think?"
Loe affirmed, "Yeah, he really does. He's perfect for the job."
Chris nodded, feeling a small weight lift off his shoulders. "Thanks, Loe."
Mark then asked, "So, what are you going to do now? You're not the CEO anymore."
Chris looked at Mark, contemplating his words. "Now that you mention it..." He paused, lost in thought. "I guess I'll figure that out tomorrow. For now, I need to rest and honor Maxwell Dillon."
The three friends sat in silence, each lost in their thoughts. The beach, with its endless expanse of water and sky, seemed to offer a momentary escape from the burdens they carried. Chris felt a sense of peace wash over him, knowing that he could take the time he needed to heal and find a new purpose.
....
Meanwhile, in Another Dimension
Earth-1610
Peter Parker lay trapped beneath a tangled mess of debris, rocks, and rubble, his body battered and heavily injured. Each breath he took was labored and painful.
Miles Morales approached, his voice tinged with concern. "Hey! Are you okay?"
Peter, trying to muster a reassuring tone, replied, "I'm fine, I'm fine." He paused to catch his breath. "I'm just resting."
"Can't you get up?" Miles asked, his worry evident.
Peter nodded weakly, his breath coming in ragged gasps. "Yeah, I always get up." He coughed, a wet, harsh sound that betrayed the seriousness of his condition. "The coughing's probably not a good sign."
Their conversation was interrupted by a distant, ominous voice. "Find him. Now."
Determination flared in Peter's eyes. He looked at Miles with urgency. "Listen, we gotta team up here." He paused, the weight of their situation heavy in the air. "We don't have much time."
Peter handed Miles an override key. "This override key is the only way to stop the collider." He coughed again, the sound echoing in the wreckage around them. "Swing up there, use this key, push the button, and blow it up."
Miles stared at the key, confusion and fear clouding his thoughts. "Uh What?"
Peter's gaze hardened, filled with resolve. "You need to hide your face." He paused, ensuring Miles was paying attention. "You don't tell anyone who you are. No one can know. He's got everyone in his pocket."
Miles blinked, still grappling with the enormity of the task. "What?"
"If he turns the machine on again, everything you know will disappear," Peter continued, his voice gaining strength through sheer will. "Your family, everyone." His eyes bore into Miles's. "Everyone."
Miles's thoughts raced, a whirlwind of doubt and fear. *I don't know if I can do this. I don't know what to do.*
Peter's voice cut through his turmoil. "Promise me you'll do this."
Seeing the gravity in Peter's eyes, Miles swallowed hard and nodded. "I promise."
"Good," Peter said, his voice softening. "Now go, destroy the collider."
Miles stood up, casting one last look at Peter.
Peter's eyes were resolute. "I'll come and find you."
Miles took off, his heart pounding as he glanced back one final time.
Peter, despite his injuries, managed a small, encouraging smile. "It's gonna be okay."
With those words echoing in his mind, Miles ran, the override key clutched tightly in his hand, determined to fulfill Peter's final wish and save their world.
.....
Meanwhile
Michael Wilson Aka The Legendary Spider-Man & Peter Parker aka Spider-Man Red
As Peter and I swung through the bustling city streets, our senses on high alert for any signs of trouble, Peter turned to me with a grin. "Mike, what's on our agenda today?"
I matched his smile, the rush of adrenaline already coursing through my veins. "Same as always: fight some bad guys, kick their asses."
Peter chuckled, nodding in agreement. "Yeah, let's do it."
But our lighthearted banter was abruptly interrupted by a warning from the system. "Host warning: Peter Parker will be sent into another dimension due to the collider."
My heart skipped a beat. "What do you mean? No, no, it can't be," I exclaimed, a sense of dread creeping over me.
The system confirmed my fears. "Yes, host. The Spider-Verse event is happening."
I clenched my fists, trying to think fast. "Shit. Well, um... shit. Let me go there instead of Peter," I insisted, desperation tingeing my voice.
The system provided a solution, but it required swift action. "Host, you need to touch Peter for me to change the transport dimension towards you."
I nodded, my mind racing as I turned to Peter.And pat his shoulder "Pete, don't freak out if I disappear. Don't worry, I'll be back," I reassured him, trying to hide the urgency in my tone.
Peter furrowed his brow, confusion evident in his expression. "What are you saying?"
As the countdown began, I pressed on, determined to see this through. "Listen, don't freak out, okay? I just want you to know I'll be back. I just have something to do," I explained hastily, hoping he would understand.
Peter's concern only grew. "Seriously, what are you saying?"
But there was no time for further explanations. The system's voice echoed in my mind, signaling the imminent transport. "1... 0. Initiating transport. Host will be sent to the alternate dimension."
And then, in the blink of an eye, I vanished from our world, thrust into the unknown of another dimension.
As I appeared in this strange place, I saw a news report announcing the death of Spider-Man. But something was off – the Spider-Man in the news was blonde. It hit me: I wasn't in my own world anymore. This was Miles Morales's dimension, and it seemed the Spider-Verse event had begun.
"Damn," I whispered, feeling a rush of confusion. I knew I had to brace myself for whatever was coming next in this unfamiliar world.
To be continue