Peter, normally a chatterbox, found himself uncharacteristically tongue-tied when it came to a serious conversation.
As he walked down the street, he nervously rehearsed what he wanted to say. But when he arrived at the dessert shop where MJ worked and saw her and Ned—neither of whom recognized him—Peter's smile faded. Quietly, he slipped the note he'd prepared back into his pocket.
He noticed the bandage on MJ's brow, a wound she got during the chaotic battle with the villains—a mess he had dragged her into.
Spider-Man missed his chance. He didn't reclaim love or friendship. Instead, he chose to let go. Because they deserved a life of peace and happiness, something he couldn't give them.
In the end, Peter simply stood there, staring at MJ and Ned with eyes full of longing, as if trying to burn their images into his memory. Then he turned and walked away from the shop without looking back, carrying a heart heavy with emotion.
By this point, many emotional viewers watching outside the projection screen had already started crying. They remembered how Peter once longed so deeply for that love—how, not long ago, his mind was full of dating plans, even putting saving the world on the back burner.
And now, he willingly let it all go. Was this the price of growing up—the pain of maturity?
In the video, Peter found peace in front of Aunt May's grave. Watching this, Stephen sighed quietly.
"Maybe people only mature after losing things over and over. You know, that's why adults envy kids. Everything children have… is what adults have already lost."
Pietro felt the same and forced a smile.
"Wow, Stephen, didn't know you were a philosopher as well as a sorcerer."
Young Peter, still a kid, didn't think too much—he just felt bad for his future self. Scratching his head, he asked,
"Why didn't he tell them?"
Stephen gave him a serious look.
"Because he's Spider-Man."
In the final scene, Peter returned alone to a tiny, cramped apartment. Snow was falling outside. Though still young, he had already been through so much. He quietly sat at a sewing machine, piecing together a new suit by hand.
When a police scanner reported a crime nearby, he didn't hesitate. He put on his handmade suit, then swung into the snowy night.
At this point, people truly began to understand Spider-Man's fate.
This hero, who once fought alongside Iron Man and the Avengers across the stars, ended up back in a small, lonely room, clinging to his belief—
"With great power comes great responsibility."
"Whew…"
The video ended. Charles let out a long breath and turned to Erik with a smile.
"So? Told you. That kid's like a shining gem—he's got something truly special. Erik, he's not the immature brat you think he is. If you underestimate him, that'd be a mistake."
Erik scoffed but didn't argue.
He had already changed his mind back when Peter selflessly agreed to let everyone forget him. Of course, Erik still didn't like Spider-Man very much.
But it was like how he didn't always get along with Charles either. Dislike aside, he still respected Charles's will and ideals.
Now, Magneto also recognized Spider-Man. If they ever became enemies, he'd take the kid seriously.
Elsewhere, discussions about Spider-Man had reached a fever pitch. Thanks to these glimpses of the future, people had come to deeply appreciate this down-to-earth hero's greatness.
Just then, a new message appeared on the screen:
[Next question will follow a new future video. Please watch closely. Questions will appear during playback—choose your answers carefully]
As the text faded, a new video began. And it started off intense.
On screen, a young girl and an oddly dressed man were running frantically through a surreal space filled with floating debris and broken buildings.
Seeing the man, Pietro raised an eyebrow.
"Wow, Stephen, gotta say—your new look's kinda cool!"
Stephen blinked in surprise. On screen, a middle-aged man with streaks of white in his hair—tied back in a ponytail—looked exactly like him, with a similar aura. But something about it felt… off.
"Wait… something's not right. No, that's not me!"
"Not you? Come on, who else could it be?" Pietro shrugged.
"Doctor Strange's magic is your trademark, after all."
Just then, the monster chasing them was revealed. It resembled the elemental creatures Mysterio had faked before—but this one was definitely real. Even bound by Strange's magic, the creature lashed out with sharp tentacles, leaving a deep gash on his leg.
The injury worsened visibly, weakening his magic and making it harder to control the strange beast.
At that moment, Strange turned to the girl beside him.
"I'm sorry. This is the only way…"
Then he suddenly reached out toward her.
White energy began to drift from her body into his hand. She floated into the air, panicked.
"Hey, what are you doing?!"
"I can't let the monster absorb your powers. You can control it. I can't."
The girl's fear only grew.
"We're friends—and you're going to kill me?!"
Watching this, Pietro gave Stephen a side-eye, clearly unimpressed.
"Wow. Didn't think you were the type to pick on innocent girls."
Even young Peter stared at Stephen, like he was seeing him for the first time.
Stephen looked shocked, then shook his head.
"No way. That's not me. I'd never do something like that!"
But the moment he finished saying it, the video slapped him in the face.
On screen, Strange looked at the frightened girl. His expression was pained, but he didn't stop.
"I know. But in the grand calculation of the multiverse, your sacrifice is worth more..."