Chapter 686: Three Spider-Men Together

In the video, two Spider-Men from different worlds finally met, and it was immediately obvious how different their personalities were.

The third Spider-Man, Andrew's version, was more outspoken—he revealed his identity the moment they met. In contrast, the first Spider-Man, Tobey's version, was more reserved and composed. He only revealed himself when Andrew tested him by shooting webs at him.

Ned asked in surprise, "Why didn't you just say you were Spider-Man earlier?"

Tobey smiled and said, "I don't usually go around shouting it. Bragging isn't really the anonymous hero style."

Andrew was momentarily stunned—he felt like that was a direct shot at him.

They had all ended up in this world due to the botched spell cast by Doctor Strange. Tobey said that after arriving, he had this unexplainable feeling that led him to seek out Tom's Spider-Man, as if he knew the kid needed help.

Andrew added, "He needs our help."

MJ finally let her guard down, but she still didn't know where to look for her boyfriend. Tobey offered a suggestion, "Is there a place that's special to him? Somewhere he'd go to escape the noise of the world? For me, it's the top of the Chrysler Building."

Andrew chimed in, "For me, it's the Empire State Building... better view."

Even though they came from different universes, with different appearances and personalities, there were still deep similarities between them.

MJ thought for a moment, then nodded. "I know where to find him!"

Cut to the top of a tall building. Tom's Spider-Man, bruised and battered, sat curled up on the rooftop, head bowed, eyes red, staring blankly at the horizon.

Peter was drowning in pain and despair, completely consumed by self-doubt. He looked like a lost child.

MJ approached and hugged him tightly. Ned joined from the other side, wrapping his arms around his friend. In the presence of the people he had left, Peter finally broke down in tears—crying like a child, because right now, that's exactly what he was.

As he let out some of the grief weighing on him, he looked up—and saw two silhouettes jumping down from above. They were familiar and unfamiliar at the same time. Familiar in how they moved—leaping effortlessly across the rooftops, just like him. One of them even wore the classic Spider-Man suit. But their faces were completely unfamiliar. He had never seen these people before.

He was confused for a second, then realized—they must be Spider-Men from parallel worlds. His counterparts?

Tobey and Andrew both offered their condolences for Aunt May's death. Andrew seemed especially affected.

Peter grew emotional. "Don't... don't say you understand! She's gone, and it's my fault. Her death was meaningless… I should've just sent them back right from the start."

He reached for the Box that MJ had brought.

Tobey tried to stop him, but Peter responded coldly, "You two don't belong here either. I should send you back too. Those villains came from your worlds, right?. So deal with them yourselves. Whether they die, or you kill them—I don't care anymore. It's not my problem. I'm done!. I'm sorry you got dragged into this, but now it's time for you to go home. Good luck."

Peter had swung from one extreme to the other. If he really used the box to send the villains away, it would mean giving up completely—and he might never recover from this trauma.

MJ knew this, so when Peter reached for the box again, she backed away and shook her head.

That's when Tobey stepped forward and said solemnly, "My Uncle Ben was murdered too. It was my fault."

Andrew added, his face full of pain, "I lost... Gwen. She was my MJ. I couldn't save her. I've never forgiven myself for that. But I had to keep going. I had to move forward."

"I had to stay the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man—because that's what she would've wanted. But after that, I changed. I stopped pulling my punches. I got angry, even cruel sometimes. I don't want you to become like me."

Andrew wasn't just offering empty words. When he said he understood, he truly meant it.

If we're comparing tragedies, Andrew's Spider-Man might've had it the worst—he lost Uncle Ben, then Gwen. Two crushing losses. And though he managed to move on, it changed him forever. The moment Gwen died in his arms was a nightmare he'd never escape.

Looking into Andrew's tear-filled eyes, Peter was deeply moved. Pain connects them—he could feel the depth of Andrew's grief and struggle, and it mirrored his own.

Then Tobey shared his story in a voice rough with emotion. "The night I lost Uncle Ben, I went after his killer. I wanted him dead. And I got what I wanted. But it didn't bring peace. In fact, it took me even longer to get through that pain."

Peter clenched his fists and said through gritted teeth, "I want him dead. I want to tear him apart! And I still hear her voice... even after she was bleeding out, she told me what we're doing is right. She said, 'With great power...'"

Tobey gently finished the sentence, "...comes great responsibility."

Peter jerked his head up, stunned. "Wait... how do you know that?"

Andrew said quietly, "Uncle Ben said the same thing."

Tobey added, "On the day he died. Maybe... maybe your Aunt May's death wasn't meaningless, Peter."

Watching all this unfold, Stephen Strange let out a heavy sigh. Three Spider-Men from different worlds, united in one frame—yet the tone was steeped in the sorrow of tragic heroes.

He murmured, "Spider-Man is a hero worthy of respect—no matter where he comes from."

Pietro also sighed, saying, "Compared to rich kids like Batman, Iron Man, or literal god like Thor, or even Superman who's practically a god on Earth…"

"Spider-Man is something else entirely. He's ordinary, yet unbreakable—like a blade of grass growing through cracks in stone. No matter how hard the wind and rain beat him down, he stays rooted, full of life and hope."