Chapter 270: Chosen

[Third Person's PoV] 

"What? That's the pervert you've all been talking about?!" Lizzy asked in surprise.

"I'm not—" The Watcher began, wanting to correct the misunderstanding.

However, Harry cut in, "Woah, I can't believe he actually exists! I thought you guys were just making that up, like you were being paranoid or something. To think there really was a perv."

"I am not—"

"Why the hell would we make that up?" Gwen asked, raising an eyebrow. "We told you we felt a perverted gaze on us. We just couldn't do anything about it since we never knew where it was coming from."

"It wasn't—"

MJ shrugged. "And when we asked the Ancient One where that perverted gaze was coming from, she just stayed cryptic. Not that it was anything new."

"Please stop—"

"We couldn't do much about it either," Felicia added. "If we felt it even in our hideout, then that meant it knew our identities. But we didn't act on it because, for one, it respected our privacy when we went to the bathroom. Plus, it only appeared occasionally, mostly when we were out fighting crime."

"Thank you—"

Felicia's expression suddenly dropped as she turned to the Watcher. "Don't get me wrong. I still think you're a perverted vulture."

"Ughhh," The Watcher groaned in frustration, prompting the Ancient One to intervene.

"Alright, that's enough. Stop bullying the man," she reprimanded, though an amused grin was plastered on her face.

"Thank you," The Watcher nodded toward her before turning back to the group. "First, I want to properly apologize if I caused you any discomfort. That was never my intention. I am known as the Watcher—my gaze spans across countless universes, observing the fate of extraordinary individuals."

"The multiverse…?" Harry muttered in awe.

The Watcher nodded in confirmation.

Gwen narrowed her eyes. "Alright, if there are infinite worlds for you to observe, why do you seem so obsessed with ours?"

"Because of him." The Watcher fixed his gaze directly on Peter, his eyes shimmering like a galaxy of stars.

"Because of me?" Peter asked, a slight fear creeping into his voice. 'Does… does he know?'

The Watcher nodded. "I have observed countless universes, each with its own version of Spider-Man. Each one unique, yet all sharing a common trait: they never disclose their secret identities to protect their loved ones. But you… you don't mind if those close to you know. Not because you care for them any less, but because you care so much that you choose to share your truth with them."

"I've seen countless Spider-Men suffer, destroying relationships due to their secrecy. Their hidden identities have become synonymous with misfortune and misunderstandings. In fact, it has even been coined as 'The Parker Luck.'"

MJ looked at the Watcher with a puzzled expression. "So... you're interested in Peter because of his honesty?"

The Watcher nodded. "Yes, his sincerity is what first drew my attention. But something else kept my gaze locked onto him. There is a question that has plagued my mind, and I hope he can answer it honestly."

'Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! He isn't going to ask me about that, is he?!' Peter inwardly panicked.

MJ glanced at Peter, sensing his rising anxiety. But seeing how well he masked it with a straight face, she wondered if she was imagining things.

"What is it?" Peter hesitated to ask.

The Watcher's voice took on a tone of mystic wonder. "How did you do it?"

Peter blinked. "Do what? Be more specific."

"How did you escape the grasp of Fate?"

"Huh?!" Peter's brain short-circuited as relief washed over him. "Wait a minute, what?"

The rest of the group exchanged confused glances.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Felicia asked.

Noticing their confusion, the Watcher tilted his massive head. "Were you... unaware?"

"Unaware of what, dude?! You're seriously freaking me out!" Peter exclaimed, his emotions all over the place.

The Watcher's gaze didn't waver. "Peter Parker… you are someone who does not possess a fate—not in this world, nor in any other. You are a being without destiny. You are the Spider with no strings attached… You are Fateless."

"¿Qué?!" Peter blurted, so stunned that he switched languages.

The others stared at him in disbelief, their expressions a mix of concern and unease.

"Is that good news or bad news?" Harry asked, his voice filled with worry.

The Watcher's response was cryptic. "It is neither… and both."

"You see, as a Fateless being, you have no predetermined path. Your direction is yours to decide. However, because of that, you collide with the fates of others, altering their destinies—whether for better or for worse, no one can say."

A tense silence filled the room.

Then MJ stepped forward, her expression unreadable. "Wait… if Peter doesn't have a fate, does that mean… he was never meant to be Spider-Man?"

The group held their breath, their gazes locked onto the Watcher.

After a pause, he closed his eyes. "No, he was not."

Everyone's eyes widened in shock and disbelief as they slowly turned to Peter.

His face was unreadable—completely blank. No emotion. No reaction. Just… apathy.

"Peter Parker was never meant to be Spider-Man in this universe. This is simply the fate he wove for himself."

Gwen slowly turned towards Peter. "Peter… do you remember when we first got our powers?"

Peter nodded without a word.

"And do you remember the other Spider-Men we met in Miles' universe?" Gwen asked again.

Once again, Peter nodded.

"Where are you going with this?" Felicia asked.

"When all those Spider-Men shared their origin stories, they were all different in their own ways," Gwen explained. "But they had one thing in common: they were all accidentally bitten." She turned back to Peter. "But you… you purposely went inside the exhibit looking for the spiders."

She closed her eyes briefly before continuing. "And the only reason I was bitten was because I saw you sneaking into the spider exhibit. I followed after you. If I hadn't… I never would have been bitten."

Gwen then looked around at the others. "I think it's safe to say that none of us were ever meant to be superheroes. Everything that happened was like a domino effect, changing all of our lives."

Peter crouched down, his head hung low as he gripped his mask in his hands. The others exchanged concerned glances.

"Pete?" Felicia called softly.

"Just… give me a second," Peter sighed, staring into his mask.

'It all fits… goddamn it.'

'Like Gwen said, I could have ignored the spiders and lived a normal life. Becoming Spider-Man was my choice. I can't blame fate or destiny for what's happened since. Every consequence—good or bad—has been because of me.

If I hadn't chosen this path, Gwen wouldn't have been bitten. Harry wouldn't have discovered his father's research or found the SSS formula. I wouldn't have fought Doc Ock, which means Felicia and MJ wouldn't have been bitten. Gwen wouldn't have figured out a solution for Harry's illness. And without the SSS, Harry never would have told Lizzy about being a hero… and her X-Gene wouldn't have activated.'

Peter ran a hand through his hair.

'If something bad happens to them… it'll be my fault.'

Then, he paused.

'But how is that any different than before? Whether I like it or not, they already see me as their leader. Their lives were always in my hands…'

'Oh well, I better suck it up.' 

Peter let out a long breath before standing up. "Alright, I'm good now," he said, regaining his composure. "But I do have a question of my own that I hope you can answer."

The Watcher tilted his head curiously.

Peter crossed his arms. "How come everything isn't going to shit? I don't want to be that guy, but my life is awesome. Shouldn't things be falling apart or something?"

"That is due to your connection with the Web of Life," the Watcher explained. "If I were to use a metaphor, you are a spider weaving your own web around you. Whether it was luck or something more… who can say?" A faint grin played on his lips.

"Alright, that's enough," the Ancient One interrupted with a frown, glaring slightly at the Watcher. "I've let this go on long enough. Now, why are you really here? I thought your kind agreed not to interfere with other worlds. You must have allowed Peter to pull you in for a reason."

The Watcher sighed. "You're right. There's another reason why I've revealed myself."

"Does it have to do with the fact that you called Peter 'chosen' when you first appeared?" Lizzy asked, raising a hand.

The Watcher nodded. "The Multiverse is under threat of mass extinction. And since I am forbidden from intervening directly, I must instead gather heroes from across the Multiverse to stop this catastrophe."

"Holy crap, that sounds serious," Felicia muttered.

"Multiverse adventure~" Harry whispered excitedly, his eyes gleaming.

"What's the threat?" MJ asked, raising an eyebrow.

The Watcher's expression darkened. "Ultron… and he has collected all six Infinity Stones."

"WHAT?!"

Everyone turned toward Peter, the only one who had completely lost his cool. Unlike the others, he knew exactly who Ultron was—and the thought of an AI like him wielding the Infinity Stones made his blood run cold.

"Wait, I don't get it," Gwen said, frowning. "How is the Multiverse in danger? I thought the Infinity Stones only worked in their respective universes." 

As she spent a spent hours studying the books of the Sanctum Sanctorum she knew exactly what the Infinity stones were. 

"Huh, that's a thing?" Peter asked in surprise, having only watched up to Avengers: Endgame.

"The Infinity Stones he possesses can function outside their universe," the Watcher explained gravely. "I had a brief encounter with him… and barely escaped. That is why I am assembling a special task force of heroes to deal with the impending threat."

The room fell silent as the weight of his words settled over them.

Then, the Watcher's gaze locked onto Peter.

"So, I will say this again: Peter Parker… you have been chosen."

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