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Chapter 6: A Wholesale of Spider-Men?
🕑 Added 2025-03-24 18:43:44 +0000 UTC"You mean something like the super soldier serum? The one my old man mentioned back then?" Tony Stark asked, his mind immediately grasping J.A.R.V.I.S.'s implication.
There were only two logical explanations for the existence of so many Spider-Men.
Either they were counterparts from different parallel universes—just like how there were multiple versions of him in alternate realities.
Or…
Spider-Man was some kind of mass-produced superhuman, created through artificial means.
Though he wasn’t entirely sure what “Spider-Man” actually meant, the name itself suggested a connection to a spider’s abilities.
Given his background and social standing, Tony naturally had access to information far beyond the average person. For instance, he was well aware of the existence of the super soldier serum.
In the United States, Captain America—Steve Rogers—was practically a legend. His story had been adapted into countless movies, TV shows, comics, and novels over the years.
However, very few sources accurately explained how Rogers acquired his superhuman physique and abilities. Some even fabricated absurd tales—claiming he was aided by aliens or received divine intervention.
But only a select few at the top—those with classified clearance, including Tony himself—knew the truth:
Steve Rogers became a superhuman thanks to the super soldier serum.
It had been intended for mass production, to be distributed among soldiers. The name itself made that purpose obvious—
Super Soldier Serum.
If multiple Spider-Men existed, could it be due to a similar kind of scientific advancement? Some kind of mass-produced superhero technology?
For a moment, Tony considered the possibility.
Then he frowned.
Something didn’t add up.
"No, that doesn’t make sense," he muttered, his sharp mind catching the flaw in that logic. "They're all named Peter Parker. Unless this ‘Spider-Man serum’ only works on people named Peter Parker, it can’t be mass-produced like the super soldier serum."
J.A.R.V.I.S. responded immediately.
"Correct, sir. Based on data calculations, there is a 99.9% probability that these Spider-Men are from different parallel universes."
Tony’s eyes narrowed.
"Which means…"
"At some point in the future, a multiversal event may occur—one that allows beings from different parallel worlds to interact. This could explain the phenomenon of ‘three Spider-Men appearing together.’"
J.A.R.V.I.S. paused briefly before continuing.
"Additionally, sir, it is highly probable that you may also encounter versions of yourself from alternate universes."
That thought sent Tony into deep contemplation.
If multiple versions of Spider-Man could appear in the same place, what was stopping multiple versions of Tony Stark from doing the same?
How would he react upon meeting his own counterparts?
Would they get along?
Would they compete?
Or… would they end up fighting each other to assert dominance?
"If I were the protagonist of this story, what kind of abilities would I have?" Tony mused aloud. "Could it be that, instead of being kidnapped, I was actually saved by some extraterrestrial master who then taught me ancient Eastern qigong? Or maybe I was trained in Western magic?"
The more he thought about it, the more plausible it seemed.
After all, this world was filled with superheroes like Spider-Man.
And yet… he was just a regular person.
At least, for now.
If he was supposed to be a protagonist—or at least one of them—shouldn’t he possess some kind of extraordinary ability?
Perhaps qigong?
Or magic?
A day ago, Tony would have never entertained such ridiculous notions.
But today, he had already witnessed enough absurdities to make him question everything he thought he knew about reality.
His worldview had been shattered and rebuilt multiple times in mere hours.
Who was to say magic didn’t exist?
Who was to say he wouldn’t develop supernatural abilities?
Yet, despite his attempts to rationalize it, he still found himself internally screaming—
"Who the hell is supposed to accept all this insanity so easily?!"
"Sir," J.A.R.V.I.S. interjected at the perfect moment, "your speculation sounds remarkably similar to the plot of a third-rate novel."
Tony smirked. "And how do you know that this world isn’t a third-rate story?"
J.A.R.V.I.S. hesitated.
Tony continued, "Since we’re in a world where bizarre events keep happening, wouldn’t it be logical to assume that any kind of plot twist is possible? If that’s the case, then why shouldn’t I get some kind of mystical adventure?"
Regardless, he decided to act on his latest revelation.
"J.A.R.V.I.S., record the name Peter Parker and begin a deep search."
"Understood, sir."
"Compile a list of all individuals named Peter Parker. This could be the key to identifying potential Spider-Men. Label the file ‘Spider-Man: Peter Parker.’ Make it a priority for surveillance."
"Yes, sir," J.A.R.V.I.S. acknowledged.
Just then—
The diary’s pages flickered.
More words appeared before Tony’s eyes.
By now, he had grown accustomed to it.
He was already numb.
But the new text caught his attention immediately.
"Wait. There’s another possibility. The issue might not be with Universe-1999. It might not even be Peter Parker himself. The problem could be… Gwen Stacy."
"I almost forgot—there are universes where Spider-Man isn’t Peter Parker at all. Instead, Spider-Man is… Gwen Stacy."
"If that’s the case, then in this universe, Gwen wouldn’t be Peter Parker’s love interest—she would be Spider-Woman."
"And if that’s true… then where is Peter Parker?"
"In some versions of the story, Peter Parker transforms into the Lizard and ultimately gets killed by Gwen."
"That would be too tragic. Are Gwen and Peter always doomed to end up alone?"
"Seriously, what kind of cruel screenwriter thinks it’s necessary for Peter to die just to make Gwen the hero?"
"There are multiple versions of Spider-Woman, but which Gwen is this one?"
Another bombshell of information.
Tony’s mind raced.
He had just come to terms with the fact that multiple Peter Parkers existed across different universes.
He had just accepted the reality of parallel and multiversal travel.
He had just adjusted to the idea that multiple individuals carried the title of Spider-Man.
And now—
Now, he was being told that Spider-Man might not even be Peter Parker at all?
That, in some universes, Gwen Stacy was Spider-Woman?
And even worse—
That in those realities, Peter Parker might not have even survived?
Tony let out a deep sigh.
Every time he thought he had a handle on things, the diary threw another twist at him.
One thing was clear, though:
The multiverse was far, far more complex than he had originally imagined.
And he was just getting started.
