I stood on the veranda of the Baxter Building, looking out at the city skyline at night. The X-Men and the others were inside. I had no idea what they were talking about, and I didn't particularly care.
Ever since they left — my children, from a future I was now obligated to prevent — I had been standing here, turning the problem over and over in my mind. A plan to become stronger. To be ready. Because when Thanos came, and he would come, I needed to be something more than I was right now.
The door to the veranda opened behind me. Jean, Felicia and Wanda stepped out and closed it behind them.
"We need to talk," Wanda said.
I sighed and turned, crossing my arms. "Yeah. I figured."
"Peter," Felicia asked, "what are you thinking?"
I looked at her. "That I've been taking things far too lightly. I thought I had prepared enough for Thanos — that the world was slowly getting ready for him. Now I realise how foolish that was."
"So what are you going to do?" Jean asked softly.
I met her eyes. "I need to get stronger. I need to learn more, become more. The way I am now, I wouldn't last a minute against Thanos — even with the best possible plan."
"So what are you going to do?" Felicia asked.
"Kamar-Taj," I said. "It's the place. It's where I can push myself to my full potential."
"Why haven't you gone before?" Wanda asked.
I shrugged. "Never had the time. But now..."
Felicia and Jean exchanged a look. Jean spoke first. "We're coming with you."
"Jean, no, this is something—"
"Something you need to do alone?" Jean cut in. "Why? Because you're drowning in guilt?"
I exhaled. "My future children just told me I'm partly responsible for a madman erasing half the universe. Can you blame me?"
"No," Felicia replied. She reached out and took my hand. "But Tiger...you don't have to do this alone. We're with you. Every step."
"Do I need to remind you that's exactly how you end up dead?" I said. "Or were you not listening when our son explained how much he resents me?"
"Peter." Jean reached up and cupped my face, turning it gently toward her. "We don't blame you for what might happen. But if you're going to do this for all of our sakes...shouldn't we be able to do it alongside you?"
"Jean—"
"We're coming, web-head," Wanda cut across me. "Final answer. If you have any further complaints, you can save them."
I blinked. "You're coming too?"
She gave me a look. "Obviously. Or are you forgetting that apparently I also end up having your children?"
I rubbed my nose. "Why does every version of Peter Parker have such a complicated love life?" I turned to her. "Look, Wanda, I—"
"Save it," she said. "I'm not doing this because I've suddenly fallen for you. I'm doing it because I was just told that some madman is going to come for us and my children may have to fight him — and possibly die. So if you're going to train hard enough to stop that from happening, then that's exactly what I'm going to do as well."
I sighed. "Alright. Fine. But I'm warning you — Kamar-Taj is not a resort. It's a demanding and dangerous place. Jean and Wanda, your abilities will give you an advantage, but it'll still be a serious challenge." I turned to Felicia and paused.
"What?" she said immediately. "Just because I don't have powers doesn't mean I'm useless."
"It's not that," I smiled. "It's just that there's a lot of reading involved."
She blinked. "Oh...well. I'll manage." She crossed her arms. "You're not talking me out of this, Peter. I'm coming."
"We all are," Jean agreed.
I looked at the three of them. "Alright. Who's going to break the news to the team?"
A few days later:
I was in my room at the Xavier mansion, a packed bag waiting on the bed with everything I would need and then some.
"Stand by," I ordered, and my suit shifted and condensed into the plain white undershirt it defaulted to when at rest. I changed into my old red apprentice robes — a bit tighter than I remembered, but serviceable — then pulled on a long trench coat and a hat over the top, just enough of a disguise for the real world.
I picked up my bag and walked out. Waiting in the hallway, dressed in the baggiest clothes I had ever seen her wear, was Felicia.
"Ready?" she asked.
"Yeah. Where are Jean and Wanda?"
"Saying their goodbyes," she replied as we walked downstairs together. We went in comfortable silence for a moment, though I noticed her sending occasional glances my way.
I sighed. "What?"
"What, what?"
"You know what I mean."
Felicia smiled. "Yeah. It's just...I'm still getting used to the idea that we have a son. You know?"
I snorted softly. "Yeah. And what's worse is that he got his attitude from your father."
"Hey! He's not that bad!"
"Now Hope — Hope I love," I said. "Brilliant, composed, quietly terrifying. Just like her dad."
"I think that's very much from her mother," Felicia rolled her eyes. "And as for Ben — that attitude is entirely from his father's side, actually."
"I beg your pardon."
She chuckled. "It's true."
I turned and looked at her. She looked back. I reached out and took her hand, and she let me. "He's not so bad, I suppose," I said quietly. "He time-travelled back to try and save the universe. There's something of me in that."
"There really is," she said, squeezing my hand.
We reached the ground floor to find what seemed like the entire student body assembled. Jean and Wanda stood at the centre of a crowd, surrounded by hugs and well-wishes.
"I can't believe you're all leaving!" Kathy cried out.
Jean smiled warmly. "I know. But we have to."
"Yeah, yeah — intergalactic warlord, children in danger, we know," Evans said with a sigh.
"I'm genuinely still not following any of this," Scott said under his breath.
"Ah, Peter," Charles called out as the crowd turned. He noticed Felicia and me arriving. "I suppose you're ready to depart?"
"Yes, Professor. And...thank you. For everything. I know I haven't always been the easiest person to have around—"
"Don't." Charles raised a hand. "Don't apologise for being yourself, Peter. And as for what you're setting out to do...good luck, Mr. Parker. It has truly been a pleasure."
I shook his hand. "Thank you, Professor. If you ever need anything — anything at all — you know how to reach me."
"Indeed I do," he said.
I turned to the room and smiled. "It's been real, everyone. Thanks for...well, for helping me understand why my future children wanted to steal from me."
Laughter rippled through the crowd. Rogue and Scott looked understandably baffled.
With heartfelt goodbyes — and, in Wanda's case, a brief, slightly stiff hug with Rogue — we left the mansion, climbed into my car, and flew toward the city.
We touched down over a parking garage a few streets from the New York Sanctum. I unbuckled and turned to the AI. "Hack into the garage's reservation system and assign this space to us for the next six months. Standby mode until I say otherwise."
"Yes, sir," the AI replied.
We got out and stretched. "You're sure it'll be safe here?" Felicia asked.
"It's a military-grade vehicle with an advanced AI system," I said. "I pity the fool who tries to steal it."
"So where is this place?" Wanda asked.
"A few streets down," I said.
"A place that teaches magic is in the middle of New York City?" Wanda looked skeptical.
"More like a portal. Come on." I led the way.
We reached the building a few minutes later. I went to the door and knocked three times and waited. The door opened slowly as Master Drumm peered out, his expression already moving toward irritation at the sight of us.
"This isn't a hotel," he said.
"I know. I'm here for sanctuary. And training."
The tall, broad-shouldered man looked past me at the others. "And them?"
"To learn," Jean said.
He snorted. "Is that so."
"It's not your call either way," I said mildly. "That belongs to the Ancient One alone."
"The Ancient One is a woman?" Felicia asked.
"Yes," I said. "Didn't I mention that?"
Drumm sighed with the air of a man who had been sighing his entire life. "Fine. Come in. She was expecting you to show up eventually — it took longer than anticipated." He stepped aside and gestured us through, closing the door behind us.
"This place is incredibly creepy," Felicia whispered, her eyes moving hungrily over the artifacts lining the walls. "On the other hand...I wouldn't mind a closer look at some of these."
"If you touch a single one," Drumm said without turning around, "I will personally banish you to an empty void for eternity."
Felicia blinked. "Ah...okay?"
"He's serious," I told her. "He can actually do it."
Her eyes went wide. "Oh. Right then. Nevermind." We shared a quiet laugh as I led them toward the portal at the heart of the house, my time spent on Earth 982 serving as a useful guide.
I opened the door and stepped through, the sensation of the portal washing over me as always. We came out the other side into Kamar-Taj — and there, waiting for us, was the Ancient One. She wore her usual robes, and she was smiling.
"Hello," she said. "You're late."
I shrugged. "Traffic."
"Indeed." She paused, looking past me. "And what's this?"
I turned. Jean, Felicia and Wanda were doing their best to absorb everything around them and failing spectacularly. I exhaled. "They insisted on coming. Jean Grey, Felicia Hardy, Wanda Maximoff — they wish to be trained as well."
Silence from the Ancient One. A long silence.
Then she smiled. "Very well. Come — there's much to do and little time to waste."
I relaxed as she led us into the monastery.
"While you are here, you will learn the ways of magic," she began. "I understand your abilities may give you a head start, but you will still need to master mythology, theory and combat. I trust this won't be a problem?"
"Ah...no?" Jean offered.
The woman chuckled quietly. "Good. Now, first things—"
"Peter?!"
I turned just in time to be hit by a blur of blonde hair and white robes. A pair of small arms locked around me.
"Tandy?" I recognised her at once.
"Oh my God, it's really you!" the girl pulled back, beaming. "I knew you'd show up eventually! I heard about what happened with Doom — I mean, where else were you going to go? And Ben said you'd come by soon too!"
Felicia cleared her throat. Deliberately.
All eyes turned to her. She raised one eloquent eyebrow.
"Does he really have to explain?" Wanda murmured.
"I would like him to," Felicia said.
I exhaled. "Felicia, Jean, Wanda — this is Tandy Bowen. She's a friend I helped out a while back."
"More like saved her life twice," Tandy corrected. "Once from living on the streets, once as Spider-Man." She blinked. "Wait — Felicia? As in Felicia Hardy? As in your—"
"Yes," Felicia said. "And?"
Tandy's eyes flickered pure white for just a moment before returning to blue. "I've heard a lot about you."
"Is that right. Like what?"
"Like how you abandoned him and left," Tandy said, her voice going flat.
Jean smiled. "I like her."
"She certainly speaks her mind," a deep, rumbling voice said. I turned to see Ben Grimm approaching with a grin on his rocky face. "Good to see you again, kid."
"Hey, Ben," I said warmly. "Good to see you too."
"Here for training, I take it?"
"Among other things. Mainly I need somewhere to lie low — the whole world still thinks I'm a terrorist, remember."
"Yeah, about that — we need to have a word," Ben said. "What exactly were you thinking, kid? I get that being outed was rough, but—"
I held up a hand. "Ben. I promise I'll explain everything. But right now," I glanced at Tandy, who was locked in a silent staring contest with Felicia, "can we possibly move this along? Please?"
"Indeed," the Ancient One said smoothly. "Come. Let me show you to your rooms."
The rooms were as sparse as I remembered — a bed, a desk, nothing more. They did have wifi, which was something. I was put in a room down the hall from Ben's, while Jean, Felicia and Wanda were on the far side of the building. Smart.
That night, the Ancient One summoned me to her chambers.
I walked through the empty courtyard — most of the disciples had lights on in their rooms, the soft glow of late-night study spreading across the walls. I arrived at her door and waited three seconds.
"Come in."
I pushed the door open. Her room was much like mine — bare, quiet, except for a small tea set on the low table where she sat waiting. There was something deeply melancholy about all that emptiness.
"You don't have much," I said, sitting down across from her.
"No," she agreed, pouring me a cup with a small measure of honey stirred in — exactly as I knew she made it. "In a long life, I find I tend to lose far more than I keep."
I sipped the tea and sighed. "You make an excellent cup. You know, I don't actually know your name. It feels strange, always calling you the Ancient One."
The woman smiled. "Sadly, my name has grown meaningless to what I've become. There's no longer any connection between who I was and what I am now. But I do sometimes use the name Ray, as an alias."
I considered it. "I'm sorry, but no. Ray doesn't suit you. No offence."
She smiled. "None taken. Do you know why I called you here?"
"I'm guessing it's not just for the tea."
"It is not." She set her cup down and looked at me directly. "I assume the Strange of the world you once visited — your original master — told you what happens to me."
That wasn't entirely true, but I understood the question beneath it. "You don't want me to save you," I said. "You want me to let your death happen."
She looked at me steadily. "Yes. When the time comes, Peter, I want you to let destiny take its course. My death will allow Stephen to step into what has always been his place."
I set my cup down. "With all due respect...that is completely wrong."
The Ancient One raised an eyebrow.
"Do you know why I finally agreed to come here?" I continued. "Not because I finally accepted my place in the grand scheme. Because I reject it. My children came back from the future to warn me about what's coming — a future where half the universe lies dead at Thanos's feet. I am not going to let that happen."
"So you wish to change the future," she said, absorbing this without apparent alarm.
"Yes. And I don't particularly care about destiny, Ancient One. Strange will become who he needs to be regardless — with or without losing you. But we need you. Your death...I'm sorry, but it will have to wait."
She was quiet for a moment. "You realise that by taking the lead in this war against Thanos, you assume the weight of every person you pull into it. Every hero, every ally — their burdens become yours."
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"The Age of Heroes," she said simply.
I exhaled. "I suppose you would already know about that."
"By declaring it, you have made yourself a target unlike any other. You have become the symbol for the next generation. The world's champion, Peter." She looked at me evenly. "Are you certain you're ready for that?"
I finished my tea. "Strange once told me that the Web of Life is the greatest power in the multiverse. The greatest power carries the greatest responsibility. If I weren't ready for that...what right do I have to carry it at all?" I paused. "I'm afraid of power. I don't want it. But I understand now that I need it — and I understand what it's for."
She sighed softly. "Very well. Training begins tomorrow. Sleep well, Apprentice Parker. Tomorrow is the beginning of a harder life."
"I know," I said. "Believe me, I know."
"Oh — before you go." She produced a small rectangular sheet of paper and slid it across the table.
I picked it up and examined it. The text was partly recognizable, partly not — layered inscriptions in multiple scripts. "What is this?"
She smiled. "A gift. It will seal a room against all sound coming in or out. I suspect you will find it useful soon."
I looked at her, then back at the talisman, not quite following. I pocketed it anyway, thanked her, and went to bed.
I had barely had time to change when the door to my room slowly opened.
Felicia stood in the doorway in a loose set of white robes, leaning against the frame with a smile that made the air in the room feel warmer.
"You know...since we found each other again," she said, "we haven't really had any time. Together."
I raised an eyebrow. "Is that so?"
"What?" She pushed off the doorframe, her fingers moving to her belt as she walked toward me. "I may not have Jean's gifts, Tiger, but I know when a man wants me. Especially when I want him just as much."
"Do you?" My hands found her waist as she pressed against me, her own hands resting on my chest, looking up at me.
I pulled her closer. She smiled, leaning in. I bent down and kissed her neck — she made a low sound that told me everything I needed to know, and I pressed her gently back toward the bed.
We'd barely started when the door opened.
"I had a feeling," Jean said from the doorway, amused, closing the door behind her.
Felicia blinked. "How did you know?"
"You were being loud," Jean said with a smirk. "I don't have enhanced hearing and I still heard you."
I blinked, then looked down at the talisman on my table. Of course. "She is very, very good," I said softly, standing and affixing it to the top of the door frame. "There. Now nothing goes in or out."
"Good," Jean said. She flicked her fingers, nudging me gently back toward the bed with telekinesis, then crossed the room herself.
She kissed Felicia first — once, brief and warm, telling her without words that everything between them was forgiven. Then she turned to me, and kissed me as if she wanted to leave a mark.
I pulled her close. Felicia moved in from behind, wrapping her arms around both of us.
"Never leave us again," I said against Felicia's hair — not asking. The part of me I usually tried to keep quiet had come to the surface. "No matter what happens. If you have to go, if you have to save someone — go. But come back. Always come back. Promise me."
She looked at me. Her eyes were bright. "I promise. Never again."
"From now on, we stay together," Jean whispered, cupping Felicia's face. "All three of us. Promise me that too."
Felicia leaned in and kissed her. "I promise."
I had known for a long time that I loved Jean. I had tried not to know it about Felicia. But that night, as they both held onto me like they never intended to let go, I stopped trying.
"I love you," I said. They both went still. "Both of you."
Jean smiled, and her eyes were soft. "I know. I've always known. You didn't have to say it — but thank you." She kissed me again. "I love you too."
Felicia laughed quietly and pulled us both down with her. "And I love you. Both of you. Now will you please stop being so sentimental and—"
We went on into the night.
The last time had been reckless and wine-soaked. This time we knew exactly what we were doing. And exactly what we wanted. And I understood, as we held each other in the small hours of the morning, that this right here — this promise of a future, of a family, of love that had survived everything thrown at it — was mine. Not Spider-Man's. Not Peter Parker from another universe. Mine.
Whatever was coming — Thanos, Loki, whoever came next — they would have to kill me before I let anything touch what was mine.
Ben Parker. Hope Parker. I swear on whatever I have left — one day, you will be born into a world that isn't at war.
Even if it's the last thing I do.