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Chapter 82 - Chapter 82 : Peter Desire to Become Stronger and the Sandman Joining

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"Long time no see, Peter. I'm the Sandman."

William Baker—the Sandman—slowly spoke as he formed into human shape from swirling grains of sand, his voice steeped in an indescribable weariness and age.

Peter Parker stared at the Sandman, clearly puzzled. His eyes flashed with curiosity and surprise. He turned to Alex Ray. "Whoa, another guy with superpowers? Why does he know me too?"

Alex smiled knowingly, easily reading Peter's confusion. "Why don't you let the Sandman explain? After all, he played a part in saving your Uncle Ben."

Peter's heart stirred at Alex's words.

He didn't recognize the man before him, but the mention of Uncle Ben sparked an immediate emotional connection. Gratefulness welled up inside him.

Sandman looked toward Alex with silent appreciation, though he knew he hadn't done much, not really.

This Sandman hailed from a parallel universe. Upon realizing he was in an alternate reality, he immediately sought out his counterpart.

With a substantial sum of money, he ensured his counterpart in this universe used it for his daughter's treatment—an act that, he hoped, would prevent the tragic chain of events that originally led to Uncle Ben's death.

But for reasons unknown, despite his intervention, Sandman arrived on the scene only to witness the same grim outcome—Uncle Ben still died from a stray bullet, collapsing to the ground.

He was stunned, disbelief etched across his face.

He'd changed the future. He knew he had. So how could Ben still be dead?

Just as he stepped forward to help, Alex Ray appeared—and offered him a deal.

Alex hadn't expected to run into Sandman in this universe either. But the moment he saw him, he knew this version was a variant, not native to this timeline. After all, by the current timeline's standards, Sandman should still be serving a prison sentence—long before he would ever transform.

Originally, William Baker was a low-level street thug. During a desperate prison break, he fled across a restricted testing area in Georgia.

There, during a covert nuclear weapons trial, he was caught in a radiation explosion. The result: his molecular structure fused with sand.

He became the Sandman.

Alex had learned that, in this timeline, Sandman was believed to be Uncle Ben's killer. But he also knew the deeper truth.

Seeing potential, Alex entertained a new idea—perhaps Sandman could be an ally.

After all, Sandman had once joined the Avengers, even if that alliance was short-lived due to ideological differences.

Alex didn't fear him. Not when he'd seen far worse in Hell's Kitchen.

He believed that, with the right guidance, Sandman could be an invaluable asset. So, he struck a deal: Sandman would join Hell's Kitchen. In return, Alex would ensure both Uncle Ben and Sandman's daughter were safe in this reality.

Now, Sandman looked at Peter—his expression tangled with guilt, shame, and long-buried relief. It was as if his entire past weighed in his gaze.

His voice was deep, reverberating with remorse: "In a way
 I'm the one who killed your Uncle Ben."

Peter's heart skipped a beat. Rage surged within him like a lit match dropped into gasoline.

But Sandman continued, his voice quivering, "I didn't mean for it to happen. I had second thoughts after hearing your uncle's words. I was ready to walk away from that carjacking. But the gun—it just went off. It was an accident. And
 he died."

"I've said this before. Another version of you forgave me. Still, I wanted to say it again."

Peter blinked. Another version of me?

Uncle Ben's alive? I forgave him?

None of this made sense.

He was certain he'd remember something so significant. After all, Sandman had an aura—sinister, unique. There's no way Peter would forget meeting someone like him.

Alex watched Peter's confusion build. Sandman's way of explaining wasn't landing properly.

So Alex decided to clarify.

"Peter," he began slowly, "do you know what a parallel universe is?"

Peter may seem a little goofy at times, but Alex knew the truth—he was incredibly intelligent. Almost on par with Reed Richards himself.

With just a nudge, Peter's mind pieced it together.

His eyes widened in realization. "You
 You're from another universe?"

Alex nodded. "Yes. We all are. Though we're not from the same one."

He paused, considering the best way to simplify this complex idea.

"Think of us as travelers from different worlds," he said. "We all just happen to be visiting yours."

"As for why they know you," he added, gesturing at Sandman, "it's because, in their worlds, they've fought you before."

"In other words," Alex smirked, "they're your enemies."

Peter flinched. This wasn't exactly the meet-cute he expected with his multiversal selves.

But deep down, he felt a strange rush of excitement.

If there were other universes—and he existed in them—it meant he might've already become something more. Something stronger. Maybe even a superhero.

"Wait," Peter asked Alex, eyes gleaming, "are you one of them too?"

Alex chuckled knowingly. "You? As my enemy?" He waved dismissively. "You're nowhere near that level. Anyone on my team could take you down."

He wasn't being cruel—just honest.

After the power upgrades he had granted his inner circle, no Peter Parker in any timeline could challenge them.

Peter scratched his head, both embarrassed and awestruck. His mind raced with thoughts of alternate versions of himself.

"Then
 could I go to a parallel universe too?" he asked hesitantly.

Alex's tone shifted, his face serious. "Don't be so quick to want that. Let me explain why I'm really here."

And for the next half hour, Alex explained everything—the threat looming over their timeline, the anomalies plaguing the multiverse, and the catastrophe approaching.

Peter was stunned. He'd never imagined that his world—his ordinary world—was standing on the edge of oblivion.

The pressure was suffocating. He realized the full scope of what lay ahead.

"What do I do now?" Peter asked, visibly shaken. His expression was a mix of fear, urgency, and determination.

He understood now—his actions could decide the fate of this universe.

He had to step up—not just for himself, but for Aunt May, for Uncle Ben
 and for Mary.

No matter what it took, Peter knew he had to protect this world.

Alex took a calm sip of his tea, his gaze steady and unwavering.

"You just have to do what you've always wanted to, Peter," he said, voice laced with conviction. "We'll handle the rest. Together."

Peter's confusion lingered. "Do what I've always wanted? Now?"

Right now, saving the universe felt a bit more urgent than anything else.

Alex nodded, resolute. "Punish the wicked. Protect the innocent. Be a hero."

That was all Peter needed to hear.

Alex knew that as long as Peter embraced his role as Spider-Man in this universe, the villains from across the multiverse would eventually reveal themselves.

And when they did, they'd be ready.

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"The story truly takes off after the gang war arc—around chapter 100—and evolves into something incredible."

As the plot unfolds, it dives deep into the Spider-Verse, Avengers War and the Marvel Multiverse, weaving in epic elements from Endgame, God of Stories Loki, Kang the Conqueror, the Council of Kangs, the Council of Reeds, and even Franklin Richards.

Expect mind-bending twists with Deadpool breaking the fourth wall, going on a rampage that includes killing everyone... even the authors themselves.

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