Time to Bring Out the Pajama Baby!

After dinner, once Wanda had returned to her room at Kamar-Taj, Ned put on his Sling Ring and mask. With a sharp "Szzzt!" he sliced open a portal right in front of him.

Queens, New York—

After a full day of classes, Peter had just returned home. Unlike usual, he hadn't immediately changed into his suit to head out for crime-fighting. Instead, he lay on his bed, staring at a photo in his hands, his expression filled with nostalgia and sorrow.

It was an old picture of him and Ned. Back then, they were just two ordinary kids—social outcasts, maybe—but life had been simple, free from the burdens they carried now.

Now, they were both well-known members of the Avengers (at least, Peter believed he was), superheroes recognized across the world. But Ned…

Peter let out a deep sigh.

Ever since Ned had disappeared, he hadn't reached out—not even once. Stark had thrown everything he had into searching for him for months, but there had been no sign of him. Peter had already prepared himself for the worst.

And if, somehow, Ned was still alive—and the "Ghost" everyone was talking about on the news really was him—then why hadn't he come to see Peter? Why hadn't he even called?

Over the past few days, Peter had been secretly keeping an eye on Ned's house, hoping to catch a glimpse of his old friend. But there had been nothing. No sign of him at all.

Peter couldn't bring himself to go knock on the door either. If Ned wasn't back, bringing him up would only bring more pain to his grandmother.

BANG!

Peter carefully set the photo back on his desk, then got up and pulled his Spider-Man suit from the closet. He was just about to put it on when—

TINGLE.

A sharp jolt shot through Peter's senses.

His entire body went on high alert. His Spider-Sense was screaming at him—warning him.

Peter instinctively dropped the suit, turned around, and locked his eyes on the empty space in front of him, muscles tense and ready.

He had always been careful—always—when heading out as Spider-Man. No one had ever followed him home. So how…?

"Szzzt!"

A glowing portal of golden embers swirled open right before him.

And stepping out of it, dressed in sorcerer's robes and wearing a haunting mask—

Was Ned.

Peter's eyes widened in disbelief. "Ned…?"

Then, in a split second, his expression turned serious. His stance shifted, ready for battle.

"No. You're not Ned," Peter declared, narrowing his eyes. "Ned isn't this… stylish."

"Who are you really? What did you do to him? And why are you pretending to be him?"

To Peter, this stranger couldn't be Ned. The man in front of him looked completely different—more composed, more powerful. But he had Ned's signature magic and wore the same mask…

Whoever he was, he had to be connected to Ned's disappearance.

Ned had barely stepped out of the portal before he felt a deep sense of exasperation.

One year.

One whole year, and this is how Peter greets me?

With a sigh, he waved his hand, causing his mask to vanish, revealing his familiar—if slightly slimmer—face.

"Seriously, Peter? One year apart, and this is the first thing you say to me? That hurts, man."

Peter froze.

"…Ned?"

For a moment, he just stood there, mouth slightly open. Then, as realization hit, his face lit up with pure joy.

"You… I… Dude!"

Peter stumbled forward, still struggling to process it, before finally pulling Ned into a tight, crushing hug.

"Brother."

Ned grinned and hugged him back.

Peter pulled away, still in shock. "You're really back? That Ghost everyone's been talking about on the news—it was really you?"

He bombarded Ned with questions, his excitement bubbling over. "Where have you been all this time? I asked Stark to look for you for months—he never found a single trace!"

Ned's smile faded slightly, his expression turning solemn. "It's… a long story."

He sighed. "But if you've been watching the news, then you know what's happening right now, right?"

Peter frowned. "You mean… Mr. Stark?"

Ned nodded. "He's in deep trouble. There's a superpowered assassin hunting him down as we speak. I'd help him myself, but I got injured recently and haven't fully recovered yet." He met Peter's eyes. "Right now, you're the only one who can save him."

Peter's eyes widened. "You're hurt?"

"I'll be fine," Ned said quickly. "But Stark won't be if we don't act fast."

Peter hesitated. "I—I want to help, but… Ned, I have school. And Aunt May—she'd never let me just leave like that."

He looked torn. "I want to help Mr. Stark, but—"

"I know, I know," Ned cut in.

Then, without warning—

YANK.

"OW!"

Peter yelped as Ned casually plucked a few strands of his hair.

"What the heck, man?!"

Ned ignored him. Instead, he held the strands of hair between his fingers, twisted them, muttered a few words—

And threw them into the air.

A flash of golden light—

And suddenly, standing beside them was a perfect, identical copy of Peter Parker.

Peter's jaw dropped.

"…WHOA."

His double smirked and casually slung an arm over his shoulder. "Hey, buddy. Chill out. Go save Stark—I'll take care of school for you."

Peter stared. "Ned. What. The. Heck."

"This is magic," Ned said with a grin. "Meet 'Parker 2.0.' He'll take your place at school for the next two days. He'll act just like you—no one will notice a thing."

"Two days should be plenty of time to take care of Stark's situation."

Peter blinked. Then he nodded, determination lighting up his eyes.

"Alright, Ned. I'll do it. I'll save him."

Ned grinned. "Good."

Then he added, "Oh, and I sent ten grand to your part-time job account. You know, as mission funds."

Peter stared at him again. "Wait. What? Ned—where the heck did you get ten grand?!"

"You've heard of Nick Fury, right?" Ned smirked. "He asked me to help Stark and gave me some funding. But since you're handling it now, it's only fair that you get the money."

Peter narrowed his eyes.

"…How much of it did you actually keep for yourself?"

Ned coughed. "A reasonable amount."

Peter rolled his eyes but laughed anyway.

"Alright. Let's do this."

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T/N:

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