Albedo knelt in a swirl of dazzling whiteness, a place so luminous that his own outline seemed to dissolve. His breath caught, heart thudding with a combination of awe and mild trepidation. He remembered this space from earlier in his strange odyssey: the White Hot Room, a realm that transcended time and conventional cosmic laws. Here, cosmic forces had once judged him, granting him a second chance after his catastrophic meltdown in his home dimension. He'd rarely been summoned since, and whenever the White Hot Room called him, it usually meant a turning point.
He rose unsteadily, scanning the blinding expanse. In the shifting brightness, a figure emerged—a man in a crisp, old-fashioned suit, neat bowtie, and a gentle, ever-so-knowing smile. Professor Paradox. The time traveler removed his top hat and waved it in greeting.
"Ah, Albedo, it's been a while, hasn't it?" Professor Paradox said in that coolly amused tone. "You've been quite busy with the Civil War business—fighting Tony Stark's enforcement squads, rescuing heroes from negative-zone prisons, and tangling with unscrupulous villains." He gave a mild chuckle. "Never a dull moment for you, I see."
Albedo tried to steady his breathing in the overwhelming light. "Professor Paradox. I assume you didn't drag me here just for small talk."
Paradox pursed his lips, stepping closer. "Astute as ever. Indeed, I have important news. Your performance has been…commendable. You've saved countless innocents, prevented mass injustice, and even overcame your old thirst for destruction. Those who watch from higher planes are pleased with your progress. Yet, a crisis looms. One that, if left unchecked, could shatter the lives of your allies—particularly a dear friend named Peter Parker."
A swirl of anxiety coiled in Albedo's stomach. "I know Peter's in trouble. Aunt May's at death's door after being shot. He's in agony, willing to do anything to save her. But the doctors aren't sure she'll recover. If there's more to it—"
Paradox lifted a hand gently. "Indeed, there is more. The cosmic tapestry is…fragile. When a mortal man is desperate enough to tamper with unnatural powers, bargains can be struck that unravel entire destinies. In your dimension's parallel, there's a well-known storyline in which Peter makes a terrible deal to save Aunt May—one that costs him his marriage, his future child, and a lifetime of happiness. That storyline is on the verge of playing out here, though not necessarily with the same entity or the same details. But the seeds are planted: a powerful being may appear, offering Peter a miraculous cure for Aunt May in exchange for something intangible but precious—part of his soul, or the dissolution of his love with Mary Jane."
Albedo's fists clenched. "He'd do it. He's desperate. He'd give anything to keep Aunt May alive. But… I can't let him do that. The cost—losing MJ, losing his own future children—would be monstrous."
Paradox gave a grave nod. "Precisely. If Peter goes through with this dire pact, he will unknowingly unravel not only his personal happiness but crucial events that shape the moral fabric of your Earth. Many future tragedies would occur or intensify. It's a pivot point. If you intervene, you might prevent that. If you fail, the timeline veers into darkness."
Albedo inhaled, mind spinning with the weight of it. He'd fought in cosmic wars, confronted vile rogues, and challenged Tony Stark's tyranny. Yet this felt more personal. "How do I stop it?"
Paradox smiled wryly, adjusting his gloves. "Ah, that's the tricky bit. Peter's heartbreak is fueling his willingness to do anything. You must reach him—appeal to the part of him that knows better. Convince him that the price is too high. Show him an alternative. And hurry. The potential deal is fast approaching; certain cosmic entities sense his desperation like sharks smelling blood."
Albedo bowed his head. "I'll do everything I can."
Paradox's expression softened. "I know you will. Now go. Time is short. And remember, Albedo: heroism isn't merely about saving lives. Sometimes it's about saving souls."
The brilliance intensified, erasing Paradox's form. Albedo felt the floor vanish beneath him, his consciousness pulled away like a thread in a cosmic tapestry. Then, in an instant, reality snapped back. He gasped, finding himself perched on the edge of a hospital roof, the place he'd stood moments before the White Hot Room's summons. No time had passed in the real world.
He patted his chest, heart hammering, mind reeling from Paradox's warning. If Peter even considered a supernatural or cosmic bargain, he might doom himself forever. Albedo had to act fast.
A short while later, Albedo hurried through the hospital corridors. Tension radiated off him like static electricity. He found Aunt May's room empty except for the familiar hum of medical monitors. A passing nurse recognized him from previous visits. "Peter Parker left with his wife about fifteen minutes ago," the nurse said kindly, though wariness flickered in her eyes at Albedo's vigilante attire. "They seemed upset. She's stable, but… well, you know how worried they are."
"Do you know which way they went?" Albedo asked quickly.
The nurse shrugged. "They mentioned stepping outside, maybe for fresh air. Sorry."
Albedo thanked her. He headed downstairs, scanning the hospital's ground-floor waiting areas and corridors. No sign of Peter or Mary Jane. At last, he spotted them through the glass doors that led to a small courtyard—a secluded corner with a few benches and a single lamp. Peter paced like a caged animal, Mary Jane standing near him, tears glinting on her lashes. Their expressions were etched in heartbreak and confusion.
Albedo pushed open the doors, letting the night air wash over him. His footsteps crunched on the gravel path, drawing their attention. Mary Jane turned, relief and alarm mingled in her face. "Albedo."
Peter's eyes were bloodshot, the lines of fatigue etched deeper. "I… I figured you might come." He swallowed. "We… we need to talk."
Albedo approached, mind braced for the dreaded conversation. He recalled Paradox's warning: a cosmic deal that would cost Peter his marriage. "What's going on?" Albedo asked, voice low.
Peter raked a hand through his hair. "It's Aunt May. The doctors say there's only so much they can do. There's a chance she might not pull through unless we get something… miraculous. Reed Richards has a Healing Chamber device you once designed—an advanced version. But from what I found out, he's not giving it to us. Or maybe Tony won't let him. I'm not sure. All I know is that they refuse to cooperate."
Mary Jane touched Peter's arm gently. "We considered… other means," she said, voice quivering. "We're hearing rumors that certain supernatural or cosmic forces might be able to heal Aunt May if we… if we offer something in return. We don't want to believe it, but we're so desperate, and no one's helping. Not even Reed."
Albedo's heart pounded. This was it—the forging of a dire pact. He stepped forward, voice urgent. "Peter, MJ—listen to me. Don't. If you think there's an entity offering a cure in exchange for your marriage, your soul, or anything like that—don't do it. The cost is unimaginable."
Peter let out a harsh laugh, tears gleaming in his eyes. "Why not? The cost of losing May is unimaginable. She's my last family member left, Albedo. If… if we have to sacrifice our relationship to save her, we can fix that. We can… figure it out."
Mary Jane's voice shook, tears spilling freely. "It's not that simple, is it? But Peter's so sure. He says he can't bear losing her."
Albedo clenched his fists, frustration burning. "Peter, you're a hero. You know deals with cosmic or supernatural powers always come with twisted strings. You'll lose more than you can imagine—your love, your child, your future. I've seen glimpses of how these bargains ruin lives. If you do this, you might regret it forever."
Peter's eyes blazed, both love for Aunt May and anger that no one was helping. "You say that, but who else is helping? Tony's done nothing but cause havoc. Reed has the means to save her but he's refusing. The world turned its back on us. I can't watch my aunt die when there's a chance, however dark, to save her!"
Mary Jane grabbed Peter's arm, sobbing. "Please, let's not do something irreversible. We love Aunt May, but what if we lose each other in the process? If we lose our future child—" She choked on the words.
Peter's gaze flickered, but desperation hardened him. "I'd do anything for her, MJ. Anything. Even if it means rewriting reality."
Albedo's frustration mounted. He recalled Paradox's instructions—to show Peter a better path. He tried to swallow his own bitterness at Reed's betrayal. "Wait, Peter. Maybe we can forcibly take the advanced Healing Chamber from the Baxter Building. Or at least the components needed to cure Aunt May. That device was my invention, partially. I know it can restore necrotic or gravely wounded cells. I can tweak it for Aunt May's condition. If Reed or Tony won't help, we can… take it."
Peter's eyes widened in disbelief. "You think that's possible?"
Mary Jane looked between them. "But Tony and Reed—wouldn't that just cause a bigger war?"
Albedo nodded grimly. "Probably. But it's better than selling your soul. At least it's a fight you can walk away from with your marriage intact. If we succeed, Aunt May might be saved without cosmic deals."
Peter's breath caught. "You're telling me that device—my aunt can be saved with no deals, no black magic?"
Albedo hesitated, not wanting to offer false hope. "It's not guaranteed. She's in critical condition. But if we calibrate the Healing Chamber to her cellular structure, we might stand a real chance. If Reed withheld it deliberately, we need to force his hand. But it's a better shot than a devil's bargain."
Peter's fists trembled at his sides. "He'd let her die for some twisted principle of the Registration Act. I can't— I can't accept that."
Albedo nodded. "Nor should you. Let's do it. We storm the Baxter Building. We get the device, calibrate it, and rush it to Aunt May. I can handle the machine's modifications; I know its design intimately."
Mary Jane raised a trembling hand. "But you'll have to fight Reed. Fight Tony again. Are you sure?"
Peter's jaw clenched. "Yes. If that's what it takes. No more waiting for Tony's scraps or cosmic deals."
A surge of relief and determination coursed through Albedo. He'd managed to steer Peter away from an infernal pact. "All right. Let's do this now—time is short. Aunt May doesn't have days, maybe not even hours, before her condition worsens."
They headed back inside to the ICU. Albedo needed to confirm Aunt May's vitals and ensure the staff wouldn't intervene. The doctor on duty balked at their plan—didn't want to see them cause chaos—but Albedo pressed firmly. "We'll be back with advanced equipment. Keep her stable." The doctor frowned but nodded, knowing he lacked better options.
With that, Peter and MJ shared a final, tearful moment with Aunt May, kissing her forehead gently. Peter brushed away his tears, face resolute. Mary Jane clung to him, offering a silent prayer. Then they departed, ready to wage war on the Baxter Building if need be.
A short drive later, under the cloak of night, Albedo, Peter, and Mary Jane convened outside the towering edifice that was once a bastion of scientific wonder: the Baxter Building, home to the Fantastic Four. Streetlights cast dramatic shadows across the sleek, modern facade. Albedo's heart pounded, remembering the heartbreak of that earlier confrontation with Reed. But now the stakes were higher than ever. Aunt May's life hung in the balance.
Mary Jane insisted on coming, though Albedo tried to dissuade her. "This is going to be dangerous. You might get caught in the crossfire." But MJ refused to leave Peter's side. "She's my family, too," she said simply. Peter nodded, grateful for her unwavering support.
They approached a side entrance, away from the main lobby. Albedo tapped his Proto-Tool, scanning for security systems. "The building's advanced defenses might be offline or minimal at night, but Reed is paranoid. Expect heavy countermeasures."
Peter flexed his gloved hands, wearing a half-suit of Spider-Man attire under a jacket. "We'll handle them."
Mary Jane, a grim set to her jaw, stood behind them, ready to slip inside once they cleared the path. Albedo raised a hand. "Okay. Let's do this quietly if possible. We only fight if they force us."
Peter gave him a wry smile. "You think Reed's going to hand over the device if we knock politely? Not likely. But let's try."
They slipped into the side corridor by disabling a keypad lock Albedo recognized from old visits. Inside, the halls were eerily silent, bathed in low-level security lighting. Albedo's Ultimatrix beeped softly, scanning for advanced weaponry. Possibly the building's occupant detection systems might already be flagging them. Time was short.
They came to an elevator bank. "We want the top research labs," Albedo whispered, pressing a button. "Reed keeps specialized devices in his advanced med-tech wing. That's probably where the upgraded Healing Chamber is stored."
The elevator ascended quietly. Mary Jane clutched Peter's hand. Albedo watched them, heart heavy but resolute. All three braced for conflict. Sure enough, as the doors opened on the lab floor, an alarm shrieked. Lights flared. Overhead speakers crackled with a robotic voice: "Intruders detected on research level. Lockdown in progress."
Albedo hissed, "We have to move fast!" They rushed into the corridor, only for an energy barrier to snap shut behind them. Another barrier formed at the far end, trapping them in a sealed section.
Peter's eyes flashed. "Reed's standard tactic. He wants to contain us."
Mary Jane held her breath, scanning for an exit. Albedo reached the nearest control panel, flipping open a small compartment. "Give me a moment," he murmured. He hammered the Ultimatrix dial lightly, summoning Grey Matter's minuscule brilliance. In a swirl of red, he shrank to the tiny Galvan form, limbs dexterous, mind hyper-intelligent. He scrambled into the console's wiring, bypassing layers of security code, ignoring the sparks that danced around him.
Seconds later, the barrier flickered. Peter used a short-range web to yank down an emergency lever, and the barrier sizzled out. Mary Jane exhaled in relief. Albedo reverted to normal size, panting slightly. "That'll buy us time, but they definitely know we're here."
Sure enough, footsteps echoed. Rounding a corner came the Fantastic Four themselves—Reed Richards in a specialized harness, Susan Storm in full Invisible Woman attire, Johnny Storm's hands aflame, and Ben Grimm's rocky form looming. They spread out, blocking the corridor.
Reed's face was grim. "Peter. Albedo. MJ." A flicker of regret passed across his features. "I knew you might try this. I can't let you steal the med-tech. It's locked down."
Peter's voice broke with anger. "Reed, you have the means to save Aunt May's life, and you refuse out of petty compliance with Tony's laws? You'd let an innocent woman die?"
Sue, eyes sorrowful, glanced at Reed. Johnny's flame dimmed uncertainly. Ben crossed his rocky arms, frowning. None of them spoke.
Reed sighed, tightening the harness. "Peter, I'm not your enemy. But giving you that device—especially after what you and Albedo did, resisting Tony's orders—would violate the conditions we've set to maintain order. Aunt May is a casualty of war, as cruel as that sounds. Sometimes the greater good demands sacrifice."
Peter's eyes flared with fury. Mary Jane gasped, tears brimming. Albedo stepped forward, baton crackling. "You're rationalizing the death of an innocent woman, Reed. That's monstrous."
Ben grimaced, looking aside. "Stretch, c'mon— letting some old lady die? That don't sit right with me."
Johnny's eyes flickered with conflicted flame. "He's right, Reed. It's not like we're handing over a nuclear bomb. It's a healing machine. Are we that far gone?"
Susan placed a trembling hand on Reed's shoulder, voice filled with pain. "Reed… we're heroes. We don't let innocents die if we can save them. I— I can't watch you do this."
But Reed's expression hardened. "We must maintain consistent policy. If I break the rule for Parker, we undermine everything we built. Tony's trust in us, the entire reason we exist as a stable faction in this war. Aunt May's life is tragic but not worth unraveling the system we rely on."
Albedo felt bile rise in his throat. He locked eyes with Peter. This was it—the final straw. "We tried reason, Reed. Now we take the device."
Johnny and Ben exchanged uncertain glances. Sue's lips trembled. But Reed, determined, raised a console on his harness. "Then you leave me no choice."
Susan and Johnny and Ben stood back, refusing to engage wholeheartedly. They seemed torn, not wanting to fight Peter or Albedo. But Reed advanced, harness arms extending with mechanical elasticity, lasers crackling at the tips. "Stand down," he commanded.
Peter roared, launching a web that snagged Reed's harness. Albedo lunged with the baton, forcing Reed to retract one mechanical limb. The corridor exploded in chaos. Susan hesitated, invisible force fields shimmering but never quite attacking. Johnny's flames flickered, halfhearted. Ben hovered on the sidelines, arms folded, clearly not wanting to pummel his old friends but also uncertain how to intervene.
Reed's mechanical limbs lashed out at Albedo. He ducked, baton sizzling as it struck the harness plating. Sparks flew. Reed grunted, activating a sonic emitter. Waves of disorienting sound battered Albedo's ears. He stumbled, but Peter leapt overhead, delivering a fierce double-kick to Reed's chest. The blow staggered Reed backward.
Susan cried out, "Reed, stop! Don't escalate this!" But Reed, consumed by conviction, fired a stun blast that crackled in midair. Mary Jane shrieked, ducking behind a console. Peter rolled aside, letting the blast scorch a hole in the floor. Albedo recovered enough to jam the baton into one of Reed's mechanical arms, short-circuiting it. Electricity arced, forcing Reed to hiss in pain.
Johnny started forward, fists aflame, but his expression was tortured. "I—I can't let you guys trash the place," he stammered. "Just… surrender, get a medical pass from Tony—"
Peter snarled, "Medical pass? My aunt's dying now, not waiting for Tony's red tape!" He fired a web at Johnny's flame. Johnny reflexively soared upward, but didn't retaliate. Instead, he just hovered, uncertain.
Ben finally spoke, voice rough. "This is messed up. I ain't clobberin' nobody who's just tryin' to save a life. Reed, can't we just give 'em the darn device?"
But Reed's voice rang with stubborn resolve. "We can't. Tony expects compliance. If word gets out we gave them the device, the entire pro-registration side unravels. We become outlaws, too. I'm sorry, but that's reality."
Albedo lashed out again, Ultimatrix glowing. He flicked to Diamondhead for a moment, crystal fists smashing the harness's sonic emitter. Reed reeled, harness limbs sparking. Peter seized the opening to deliver a punishing blow with spider-strength, cracking the harness plating. Reed slumped, chest heaving.
Panting, Albedo canceled Diamondhead. Mary Jane emerged from cover, stepping cautiously. "Reed… please. This is Aunt May's life." Her eyes brimmed with tears. "You were once our friend."
Reed's eyes shone with guilt, but his voice was firm. "Sometimes friendship must yield to the greater good."
With a final jerk, Peter tore the harness free from Reed's shoulders, tossing it aside with a clang. Reed collapsed to his knees, powerless. Susan hovered in shock, gaze flicking from Peter to Reed. "Reed… you can't… This is wrong," she whispered, voice cracking. "I can't stand by you if you'd let someone die."
Johnny extinguished his flames, stepping back. "Sis, Ben… let's stay outta this. They got a point. We can't keep ignoring the real reason we became heroes."
Ben sighed, nodding. "Hate to do this to ya, Stretch, but I can't fight my conscience no more."
Reed coughed, staggering to his feet. "Traitors, all of you," he rasped, though his eyes brimmed with anguish. "Fine. Take the device. But you'll doom our alliances, our stability."
Albedo advanced on him. "You doomed yourself the moment you let arrogance blind you to an innocent life. Tony's 'stability' is tyranny. We won't stand for it."
Peter clutched Reed by the collar, heartbreak twisting his features. "How could you? How could you weigh the life of an old woman who once welcomed you into her home, against your precious registration? You used to stand for compassion."
Reed offered no retort, just a haunted silence.
Albedo glanced around. "Where's the device?"
Reed's chin lifted. "In Lab 3C. Through that door," he gestured weakly. "You'll need to power it up, calibrate it for her physiology. It's complicated."
Peter scoffed. "Albedo helped design it. We'll manage." He released Reed, letting him slump to the floor.
Mary Jane hung back, tears glistening, startled by the violence and sorrow in the air. Johnny and Ben hovered near Susan, exchanging pained looks. The Fantastic Four was fracturing under the moral weight of Reed's stance.
Albedo hurried with Peter and MJ down the corridor, scanning the labs. They found Lab 3C: a reinforced, glass-walled chamber full of advanced medical tech. The largest piece was indeed the advanced Healing Chamber, a sleek cylinder with swirling lights and an external console for tuning cellular restoration. Albedo's heart skipped with relief—this was the ultimate iteration of his original design.
He moved to the console, pressing keys. "Yes… Azmuth's and Reed's modifications are here. Tissue regeneration subroutines… advanced plasma lattice… This can heal Aunt May if we run it properly. We can't do it here, though. Too risky with Tony's forces possibly inbound. We have to move it."
Peter grabbed one end, straining with spider-strength. Mary Jane positioned to help, though the device was cumbersome. Albedo typed frantic commands, shutting down the lab's alarms. "We'll need a cart or something. Let me see—"
From the corridor, they heard Reed's broken voice calling, "Wait." Albedo tensed, expecting another confrontation. But when they turned, they saw Reed leaning in the doorway, face drawn, Susan beside him, hand on his shoulder. "Let us help you move it," Reed said quietly, tears brimming. "I—I can't fix the damage I've done, but at least let me ensure Aunt May gets the correct calibrations. If you do it wrong, she might…she might die anyway."
Susan nodded, eyes wet. "He means it. Let us help. That's the least we can do."
Peter's lips curled in anger. "Now you offer help? After you forced us to fight? After you said you'd let her die for the 'greater good'?"
Reed bowed his head. "I know. I was wrong. I was… afraid of Tony, of losing everything. But seeing you risk your life for her, seeing how we nearly lost all sense of compassion… I can't live with that. Please, let me do this."
Mary Jane's shoulders shook with pent-up sobs. Albedo glanced at her, then at Peter. "We might need him, Pete. The calibrations are tricky. Aunt May's condition is dire. Every second counts."
Peter's hands balled into fists, torn between rage and the desperate need to save Aunt May. At last, he spat, "Fine. You help us. But once she's safe, we're done here. I can't forgive you."
Reed swallowed hard. "Understood."
So they loaded the Healing Chamber onto a floating antigrav dolly, courtesy of Reed's lab. He typed instructions, ensuring its systems wouldn't glitch in transit. Susan offered a faint smile at Mary Jane, but MJ turned away, still wounded by Reed's betrayal. Together, they maneuvered the device into the corridor.
Johnny hovered, arms folded uncertainly. "What about Tony's reaction, Reed? We can't hide this."
Reed's lips tightened. "We'll deal with it. Maybe he'll label us traitors. Maybe I deserve that. Let him come. I'm done letting law overshadow basic humanity."
Ben nodded, placing a massive rocky hand on Reed's shoulder. "Glad you finally see it, pal. We're the Fantastic Four, not the Fantastic Bureaucrats."
Susan's eyes glistened. "Yes. Let's make things right."
Peter eyed them, pain still etched in his face. "We'll see."
Albedo stepped ahead, scanning for more security. The corridor was quiet, though faint sirens in the distance suggested outside authorities might be converging. If Tony got wind that Reed was helping them, S.H.I.E.L.D. might swarm the Baxter Building. They had to move fast.
At the main elevator bay, Reed keyed in override codes to keep them operational. The group crowded around the Healing Chamber on the antigrav platform, descending to the building's sub-level shipping docks, which were less guarded. Peter stayed close to MJ, while Albedo and Reed guided the device. Susan, Johnny, and Ben followed, uncertain how to proceed once they parted ways.
But the uneasy alliance soon cracked. As the elevator doors opened on the sub-level, Tony Stark himself stood waiting, flanked by War Machine and a handful of S.H.I.E.L.D. troopers. Their expressions were grim, repulsors already charged. "Going somewhere with stolen property?" Tony asked, voice low.
Reed stiffened. Susan gasped, stepping behind the device. Johnny flamed on, uncertain whether to fight. Ben clenched his fists. War Machine hovered menacingly behind Tony, who glowered at the group.
Peter seethed, stepping forward. "It's not stolen. We're saving my aunt. Out of my way, Stark."
Tony's expression flickered with hurt, overshadowed by anger. "Reed, I trusted you. You told me you wouldn't give that device to Parker. Now I see you actively abetting him?"
Reed forced a steady breath. "I changed my mind. I can't let an innocent woman die."
Tony raised a gauntleted hand. "This is bigger than one woman, Reed. You swore to maintain the standard. Albedo's a wanted vigilante. Parker's unregistered. We cannot let them take advanced tech." His gaze fell on the device. "Stand down. I'll handle Aunt May's situation through official channels."
Peter barked a laugh. "Official channels? She'll be in the morgue before your red tape clears."
Albedo stepped between them. "Tony, we're done playing. Aunt May is dying now. We're leaving with this device. If you try to stop us, more blood will be spilled."
Tony's face twisted in conflict. "I gave everything to keep order—my reputation, my friendships. But I can't let you walk away with S.H.I.E.L.D.-sanctioned technology."
War Machine tensed. "Boss, we can't fight them all. Richards is on their side. The rest of the Fantastic Four, too."
Ben cleared his throat. "Hate to break it to ya, Shellhead, but we're not letting you keep that machine away from an old lady. So stand aside."
Tony's repulsors flared in frustration. "Don't make me do this."
Peter glared. "Then step aside."
A heartbeat's hush, then Tony unleashed a repulsor blast. The corridor erupted once again. War Machine soared, firing sonic concussions. Reed flinched, protecting the device with a force field generated by some leftover harness component. Susan extended an invisible shield around Mary Jane. Johnny flamed on, intercepting War Machine's blasts to keep them off the Healing Chamber. Albedo lunged at Tony, baton in hand, repelling a second repulsor strike that scorched the walls.
Tony roared, "You're destroying everything we built for the Act's sake!"
Albedo retorted, "You destroyed it yourself the moment you valued laws over lives."
They clashed, baton sparking against Iron Man's gauntlets. Tony's thrusters flared, pushing Albedo back. Albedo flicked the Ultimatrix dial, partial transformations flickering—XLR8 speed to dodge, Diamondhead fists to block. The corridor shook from each blow, crates toppling. Peter soared overhead, webbing a trooper who tried to flank them.
Meanwhile, Reed and Susan manipulated force fields to shield the device, while Ben fended off War Machine's attempts to damage it. Johnny's flames forced troopers back, preventing them from forming a perimeter. The entire sub-level rumbled with clashing powers.
At last, War Machine jammed a sonic disruptor close to the device, hoping to short it out. Ben tackled him, wrestling him away. "Nuh-uh, tin can," Ben growled. War Machine crashed into a forklift, sparks flying.
Tony battered Albedo aside and turned repulsors on the device itself. "If I destroy it, no one uses it—no forced exceptions!"
Peter screamed, "NO!" Launching a web, he yanked Tony's arm upward, deflecting the blast. Reed also extended a mechanical limb from his harness, redirecting Tony's aim. The repulsor shot hit the ceiling, raining debris. Tony snarled, thrusters roaring, pivoting to aim again.
Albedo lunged, smacking Tony's gauntlet with the baton. A feedback jolt stunned Tony's armor momentarily. "Stop!" Albedo roared. "You'd really kill Aunt May to prove a point?"
Tony sagged, eyes wide behind his faceplate. "I—" He hesitated, conflict raging. In that hesitation, Albedo forced Tony's arm down, disabling the repulsor with an electrical surge from the Proto-Tool. Tony stumbled, shimmering arcs dancing across his armor.
"All teams, fall back!" Tony finally barked to the troopers. War Machine, battered, retreated with them. They could see the fight was futile. Tony glared, panting. "Fine, take your damned device. But you'll face consequences for this… for betraying everything we built."
Peter exhaled shakily, relief and anger swirling. "You never cared about Aunt May or the innocents, Tony. Only your precious registration."
Albedo stepped away from Tony, heart pounding. "We're done." He turned to see Mary Jane, eyes brimming with tears, gripping the device's platform. Reed hovered behind it, uncertain whether to accompany them or remain.
Peter glanced at Reed, eyes cold. "We don't need you anymore. We have the device. Let's go, MJ, Albedo."
Albedo hesitated, scanning the battered sub-level. "I'll stay behind to ensure no one sabotages our escape. Take the device. Save Aunt May."
Peter narrowed his gaze. "Are you sure?"
Albedo nodded. "Yes. Once you're safely gone, I'll handle any aftermath here." He turned to Mary Jane, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Good luck. Hurry."
Mary Jane gave a trembling smile, tears glistening. "Thank you, Albedo. We… we owe you so much."
Peter locked eyes with Albedo, gratitude and sorrow flickering. "Don't get yourself killed, man."
"I won't," Albedo replied, offering a small grin. "Go save her."
Peter guided MJ and the antigrav platform bearing the Healing Chamber toward a cargo exit. Johnny and Ben parted ways, stepping aside to let them pass. Susan lingered, wanting to help, but the heartbreak in her eyes told a thousand stories. She gave Mary Jane a nod, voiceless apology shining in her expression. Mary Jane sniffled, forcing a small, understanding nod. Then she and Peter vanished, pushing the device into the darkness beyond, presumably to a waiting vehicle or some safe route to the hospital.
Albedo turned to face Reed, Tony, War Machine, and the troopers who remained. The tension was palpable. Tony's armor flickered with damaged systems. War Machine nursed a dented torso plate. The troopers hovered anxiously, uncertain if more violence would erupt.
Reed steadied himself, bruised from the confrontation, harness sparking. His voice broke the hush. "Why… did you stay, Albedo? You could have gone to help Aunt May."
Albedo fixed him with a piercing gaze, bitterness lacing his tone. "I stayed to tell them how you were going to let her die. I want Susan, Johnny, and Ben to know the truth. The world, too. Goliath's death, Aunt May's near-death—it's all on your heads. My hope is they see reason and realize you lost your way."
Susan stared, tears brimming. "Reed… you told me you'd do anything to preserve order, but you didn't tell me you'd withhold life-saving tech from an innocent. How could you?"
Johnny stepped forward, flame flickering at his fingertips. "Yeah, man. That's some cold stuff. Even if I was on the fence about the Registration, I never wanted this."
Ben, arms folded, rumbled. "Stretch, you remember how Aunt May used to scold us if we argued at the dinner table, telling us to respect each other? She was practically family. Now you say you'd let her die for Tony's policy? That's not the team I signed up for."
Reed looked like a man unraveling, suit shredded, harness wires dangling. "I—I wanted to keep us safe, keep the world from descending into chaos. Tony's system needed strict compliance. If I gave the device to Parker, we'd lose credibility. Don't you see the bigger picture?"
Sue's voice trembled with fury. "The bigger picture is we're letting the small, everyday kindness that makes us heroes slip away. People are dying or nearly dying because we hold some twisted line in the sand. That's not heroism, Reed. It's cruelty."
Johnny nodded vehemently, flame intensifying. "Exactly."
Ben's rocky jaw tightened. "I can't stand by this. If it means breakin' from you, so be it."
Albedo flicked his gaze at Tony. "And you're equally complicit. You let your drive for control overshadow basic compassion. This entire Civil War is tearing families and teams apart."
Tony stared at the floor, shoulders slumped. "I never wanted Aunt May harmed," he said quietly. "I never told Reed to withhold medical help."
Albedo snorted. "But your fear-based system made him believe it was necessary. That's on you, too."
Reed tried to speak, but only a choked sound emerged. Susan stepped away from him, tears rolling. "I love you, Reed, but you've crossed a line. I can't trust you."
The troopers shifted uneasily. War Machine grimaced. "Tony, we should go. This place… is compromised." He eyed the battered sub-level, flickering lights, the tension among the Four. Tony gave a slow nod, reluctance etched in every line of his posture.
Before Tony turned to leave, Albedo locked eyes with him. "If Aunt May dies, her blood's on your hands as much as anyone's. So think about that the next time you push your 'Act' over people's lives."
Tony said nothing, stepping into the elevator with War Machine and the troopers. They ascended, leaving the sub-level in an uneasy hush. Reed stood, trembling. Albedo approached, voice harsh. "For all your brilliance, you forgot your humanity. Now you've lost the trust of your family. Was it worth it?"
Reed slumped. "I never wanted this."
Susan, Johnny, and Ben gathered around, each face stony. Albedo raised a hand. "I'm done. My job was to ensure Peter left safely with the device. He's gone now. If you try to sabotage them or go after them, remember that you'll be exposing your true colors to the entire world. Because I'll make sure everyone knows."
Reed's eyes flickered with shame. "I won't. Not now."
Albedo nodded curtly. "Then we have nothing more to say."
He turned, heading down a side corridor that led to a secondary exit, ignoring the battered shapes of advanced machinery. Behind him, Susan's quiet sob echoed. Johnny muttered curses, and Ben's heavy sigh rumbled. Reed was left in the rubble of his convictions. That final image seared itself into Albedo's mind: a broken genius, undone by his own moral compromise.
As Albedo emerged into the cold night, he felt a mix of triumph and sorrow. They'd won the device. Aunt May might live. Peter had a real shot at saving her without a demonic bargain. But the cost was the near-destruction of the Fantastic Four's unity, the final fracture in Tony's moral authority, and an even deeper tear in the hero community.
Still, Albedo whispered a silent prayer of thanks to whatever cosmic watchers hovered overhead. He'd done as Paradox asked—he prevented Peter from forging a devilish deal. Maybe he'd averted a timeline of tragedy. Aunt May, if saved, would remain a beloved figure in Peter's life. Mary Jane and Peter's marriage could endure. Their future child—who might have been erased by a demonic contract—would have a chance to exist.
Satisfied that he'd done all he could tonight, Albedo slipped into the shadows, heading for an inconspicuous vantage. He'd likely rendezvous with Peter later, or perhaps wait for news from the hospital. For now, he wanted nothing more than to vanish from the shattered remains of the Baxter Building, carrying the memory of Reed's downfall as a lesson: even the brightest minds can become monstrous when they abandon compassion.
In the days that followed, news headlines burned with revelations. Sources within the Fantastic Four—possibly Sue or Ben—leaked details of Reed's near-refusal to save Aunt May, the infiltration by Spider-Man and Albedo, and Tony's arrival. Public sentiment wavered. Many questioned how far the Pro-Registration side would go, letting an elderly civilian suffer. Meanwhile, Aunt May was placed in the newly acquired Healing Chamber. Albedo and Peter recalibrated it carefully to her advanced age and injuries. The procedure was delicate, requiring hours of constant monitoring. Peter never left her side, eyes glued to the device's readouts, Mary Jane's hand entwined in his.
The next morning, her heartbeat stabilized, her vital signs improving under the chamber's relentless cellular repair. Doctors marveled at the technology, admitting they'd never seen such advanced regeneration. By evening, Aunt May stirred, fragile but alive, her voice a faint whisper calling Peter's name. Tears of relief swept the hospital room, MJ hugging Peter in quiet joy, Albedo standing near the foot of the bed, heart brimming with satisfaction. They had done it—without cosmic devils, without illusions or twisted bargains.
Mary Jane pressed Albedo's arm. "Thank you. You saved her—and us."
Peter turned, eyes glassy. "We owe you, Albedo. You and that device you made with Reed. It's the reason she's breathing now."
Albedo exhaled, letting the tension slip away. "I'm just relieved we avoided any… darker alternatives."
A hush fell, each acknowledging how close they'd come to a catastrophic deal. Albedo recalled Professor Paradox's words: Sometimes it's about saving souls. Indeed, Peter's soul, his marriage, his entire future—preserved.
Peter gave a small, tremulous grin. "Yeah… no deals with devils or cosmic beings. She's here on real science, real compassion. That's how it should be."
MJ leaned against him, tears reflecting the overhead lights. "We can move forward. Aunt May can recover. And we keep our life together."
Albedo stepped back, letting them have that moment of family closeness. He thought of the White Hot Room, of Paradox's watchful eyes. He'd done what was asked, and more. In a war overshadowed by cosmic and human tyranny, he'd salvaged hope for a single family. Sometimes, that was the greatest victory.
Epilogue to Chapter 9:
In a quiet coda, Albedo found himself summoned once more to a half-lucid dream that smelled of starlight and cosmic wind. He knew it was the White Hot Room reaching out in subtle form. He couldn't see Professor Paradox or any luminous figure, but a gentle voice, echoing from the white void, murmured, "Well done, Albedo. One soul's redemption can ripple across entire timelines. You have saved far more than one life. Remember that."
Albedo, half-conscious, smiled. "Thank you. I only did what was right."
The voice faded, leaving him drifting in darkness. When he awoke, he was still at the hospital's waiting area, dawn's first rays peeking through the window. Soft footsteps alerted him to Mary Jane stepping out of Aunt May's room. She gave him a grateful nod, gesturing that Aunt May was resting comfortably.
Albedo rose, shoulders stiff from an uncomfortable sleep on hospital chairs. A sense of peace washed over him. The next battles might loom—Tony would come after them, the Civil War might intensify—but for now, Aunt May was alive, Peter's soul was intact, and the possibility of a future with Mary Jane and any children remained unbroken.
That was enough. For now, it was everything.