Peter Regains His Powers

"I can't help you." Peter hesitated, but ultimately decided to tell Li Nian that his powers had vanished. "I'm sorry, I can't help you right now, even though I really hope you can go home."

No matter which universe he came from, Peter was kind. Looking into the pure eyes of the young man before him, Li Nian did not know what to say.

"There's nothing wrong with your body. You should know that very well." Li Nian looked at Peter's face. "Did you know? Some people with cancer are misdiagnosed as cured, but when they go back for another checkup years later, the cancer has actually disappeared!"

"What I'm trying to say is that the disappearance of your powers may not have much to do with your body. It may have more to do with your state of mind." Li Nian pointed at Peter's heart. "Whether you can become Spider-Man depends on whether you want to become Spider-Man."

"If even your subconscious denies who you are, then Spider-Man will no longer exist in this world."

After saying that, Li Nian stood up and prepared to leave.

"Think it over, kid, even though I'm younger than you."

Li Nian gave a playful smile. It looked truly strange on a grown man.

After Li Nian left, Peter stared blankly out the window. The sky had gradually darkened, just like the night Harry had broken with him.

Pain... pain that pierced deep into his bones...

Peter lay in bed, a thin sheen of sweat on his forehead, his brows tightly furrowed. His body trembled unconsciously, as if he were trapped in a terrifying nightmare.

He dreamed that Mary Jane married her boss's son, walking step by step into the halls of marriage with such a sweet, blissful smile...

He dreamed of Harry. He dreamed that his former brother was glaring at him with venomous eyes, his voice filled with despair and hatred. "You're Spider-Man! You killed my father! He treated you like his own son, yet you killed him without mercy! All because you're Spider-Man!"

He also dreamed of Aunt May. He saw the lonely old woman sitting in the house with a face full of sorrow, covering her face as she wept...

"No... no..." In reality, Peter kept his eyes closed, murmuring helplessly. He reached out, trying to grasp something... but he could grasp nothing...

"Peter... Peter..."

Peter stopped. He heard that voice, a voice that seemed to have long since drifted away from him. Old and kind, as though it could embrace all his endless willfulness.

"Uncle Ben!"

Peter watched as the old man slowly approached him. Uncle Ben wore a smile, his hair already completely gray, yet he still looked at his nephew with the same warmth and kindness.

"It's been a long time, Peter!"

Peter's nose stung, and tears immediately began streaming down his face. Even the most reserved and introverted child would probably weep bitterly upon seeing a loved one they had missed day and night, just as they had as children, always seeking their parents' comfort and love over the smallest things...

"Uncle Ben... I... I..." Peter threw himself into Uncle Ben's arms and burst into tears.

"I'm sorry... I... I couldn't do everything right... I couldn't take care of Aunt May... I'm sorry..."

"It's all right. You've already done wonderfully!" Uncle Ben gently patted Peter's back, his face full of affection as he spoke in a relaxed tone. "You have a beautiful girlfriend, Aunt May who loves you, Harry, who is like a real brother to you, and a whole crowd of people who admire you... Every one of them loves you, Peter! You're truly wonderful!"

"But... but..." Peter choked out, "My powers are gone. They don't admire me anymore..."

"No, Peter, you need to understand one thing." Uncle Ben's affectionate expression faded, replaced by a stern look. "You, Peter Parker, made Spider-Man what he is. Spider-Man did not make you who you are."

"Peter, I love you not because you're Spider-Man."

Uncle Ben gently held Peter. "Do you remember what I told you?"

"With great power comes great responsibility!"

"Uncle Ben..." Peter raised his head and looked at Uncle Ben through tear-filled eyes.

"It's time to wake up, Peter!"

"Ah! Uncle Ben..." Peter jolted awake from his dream, his face covered in tears and his pillow completely soaked.

Peter looked out the window. Warm sunlight fell across his face, illuminating his resolute features.

The boy looked down at his wrist. His body began burning uncontrollably, the agony so intense it felt as though he could die at any moment. Peter endured the pain, gritting his teeth as he curled up on the floor...

He knew this process too well. This was his chance to become Spider-Man again, perhaps his only chance!

"Ah!" Peter let out a roar and shot from the floor to the ceiling, hanging there.

As the burning heat inside his body gradually faded, Peter could not help looking out the window. This time, he was not wearing his glasses, yet he could still see everything clearly.

The sunlight spilling down, birds soaring through the air, people walking below, stains on the walls...

Spider-Man... had returned!

Leaning against a corner, Li Nian watched the jubilant Peter Parker and rubbed his forehead helplessly.

"Getting his powers back was really difficult. I had to hide outside his window and shine the Mind Stone on him all night."

That was right. Everything Peter had dreamed was Li Nian's doing. He had used the Mind Stone to draw out the people and things Peter desired most deeply, carefully crafting and selecting every detail.

Especially Uncle Ben at the end—he was practically Spider-Man's ultimate weapon. Memories hurt the most, but they could also be the greatest source of motivation!

Li Nian watched Peter celebrate so loudly that the neighbors complained, then shook his head helplessly. Next, all he had to do was wait and see, until Doctor Otto came to him on his own.

To be honest, Li Nian did not want to let such a scientific talent slip away. Their fields might not match, but one more person meant one more hope. Maybe Otto could give him a chance to return home?

So Li Nian decided to personally interfere with what came next and restore Doctor Otto's true nature so that he could help him.

At the end of the day, Otto had merely been led astray by his mechanical tentacles. Li Nian actually admired him. In a universe where there was only Spider-Man, Otto had managed to create something akin to artificial intelligence. He truly qualified as a top-tier scientist.

Wearing Paul's appearance, Li Nian moved through the streets. Over the past few days, he had been gathering information about the neighborhood and trying to build good relationships with the locals. They might be useful someday.

Yes, Li Nian had already decided to settle down here for the time being. Who knew how long he would have to stay? Having somewhere to live was better than sleeping on the streets.

Osborn Residence

Harry looked at the sky streaked with lightning and rumbling with thunder, glancing around uneasily. He kept feeling as though someone was watching him, yet he could not find who it was.

Suddenly, a tentacle shoved Harry aside and steadily caught the wineglass as it fell.

"Hello, Harry!"

Otto smiled wickedly. The flashes of lightning cast shadows over them, heightening the eerie atmosphere between the two.

"I think we have a common enemy!"

And so, Harry and Otto struck a deal...