Chapter 1
Rubble and smoke surround him. As Peter looks around he sees his friends trying their best to navigate the chaos. M.J. pulls Ned up from the ground, checking for injuries as they all take in the destruction. Eyes wide with adrenaline and the shock of surviving.
He turns to face Doctor Strange.
Peter knows what happens now. He knew this might happen, it was always a possibility in his mind. He is ready for it. He has to be. Not for himself but for everyone. He just hopes Doctor Strange will grant him one final request.
Doctor Strange gives him a knowing look as he approaches.
"Are you ready for this Peter?"
Peter nodded. Straightening his back, his eyes hardened in determination.
"Yes. Before you erase me, can I ask just for one thing first?"
"Of course."
"Can you send me somewhere else? Anywhere else really.” He runs a hand down his face before fidgeting with his mask in his hands. “Being here in this universe with all of my memories, near all of those I love without them remembering me... I don’t think I could handle it, I’m worried that I'd be tempted to reverse it."
Doctor Strange’s gaze softens into something full of kindness and pity.
"Say goodbye to your friends, Peter. If we’re doing this it has to happen now” -Peter gives a sharp nod and dashes off- “WONG, OPEN A PORTAL. SOMEWHERE SAFE FOR PETER"! Strange shouts across the field.
Peter sees Ned and M.J. running towards him, slowing their pace as they get closer. He runs over to meet them, his arms wrap around Ned, hugging him tighter than he ever has in his life.
“Peter, what’s going on…” Ned stutters out.
"Go to M.I.T., become the best coder you can be. Live your life for me."
Ned takes a step back, a look of worry in his eyes, his face scrunching in confusion.
"Peter, what? What's happening? You're not leaving."
Peter ignores Ned's questions, turning to M.J. he cradles her face softly between his hands.
"M.J., I love you. I will always love you. You will forget me and that's ok because I am never going to forget you. I hope you live the best life you can. You are gonna change the world M.J., I know it." Peter leans in kissing her softly, gently wiping away her tears before backing away.
"Bye guys."
He shoots a web at the hidden bag, yanking it towards him from where he stashed it in advance.
Taking a deep breath he turns and with a flick of his wrist webs his friend's feet to the ground before running over to Strange and Wong who have the portal and spell set.
He turns a deaf ear to their screams as he runs away.
Wong addresses him as he approaches.
"Once you go through you'll never be able to come back, are you sure about this?" he asked.
"I have to be."
With a deep breath to steady himself, he steps through the portal. The air is cold and damp as it hits his face. Heavy rain soaking his hair in seconds. He turns around just in time to watch the portal close, separating him from the two most important people in his life.
Peter tilts his head towards the sky.
The tears fell before he could stop them. Rolling down his cheeks and washing away with the rain as he sobs. He let out an anguished scream, mourning the loss of the only life he had ever known.
He could never get them back. He lost Tony. May. Now Ned and M.J.
He takes a shaky breath, trying to pull himself together.
He turns back around and takes in his surroundings, trying to get a feel for the world he will spend the rest of his life in. His new home. He appears to be standing in a park, clusters of trees covering the area. In the distance a large body of water separates him from a towering city. With no other choice he follows the road, one foot in front of the other towards his new life.
His body was aching and sore after an hour or so of walking, his suit clinging to his skin from the mix of dried blood and rain. A sharp stabbing pain has him clutching his stomach as he realizes he hasn’t eaten in hours.
Finally the city limits come into sight. A sign with large faded letters.
Welcome to Gotham.