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Chapter 5: The Three Spider-Men Together—Another Reality Shattered
🕑 Added 2025-03-24 18:40:44 +0000 UTCFrom the contents of Luo Chen’s diary, it was clear that he wasn’t the only Tony Stark.
In fact, there were versions of Tony Stark across parallel universes—some of whom looked nothing like him.
Which meant…
He wasn’t necessarily the Tony Stark of Universe-1999.
Maybe this wasn’t Universe-1999 at all.
Maybe he was just another variant in a similar parallel world. Otherwise, why would there be inconsistencies between Luo Chen’s recollection and the reality he was experiencing?
That thought alone was enough to annoy him.
Still…
If he had counterparts in other universes, that only solidified his status as the protagonist, didn’t it? After all, only protagonists got this kind of treatment.
But before Tony Stark could process it further, new words began appearing on the diary’s blank page.
"At this point in time, Gwen Stacy is already so much older… Could it be that the Spider-Man of this universe is the ‘Amazing Spider-Man’ version and not the ‘Dutch Brother’ Spider-Man?"
"If that’s the case, then the father-son dynamic between Peter Parker and Tony Stark wouldn’t exist in this universe. Tony wouldn’t get the chance to understand his strict old man by mentoring Peter Parker."
"But that’s fine. That way, we won’t have to deal with Dutch Brother’s Spider-Man fumbling as Iron Man’s successor—causing disaster after disaster and even getting Aunt May killed."
"Still, this also means Gwen might end up dying in Peter Parker’s arms. That scene in ‘The Amazing Spider-Man’ left so many people in tears… especially during that three Spider-Men crossover. At least MJ was there for Dutch Brother Spider-Man, giving him some closure."
Another avalanche of information.
Tony Stark could feel a headache coming on.
He had just wrapped his head around the fact that multiple versions of him existed across parallel universes.
Now he had to accept that there were also multiple versions of Spider-Man?
What the hell was an "Amazing Spider-Man" or a "Dutch Brother" Spider-Man?
It sounded like there were at least two different variations. And from the way Luo Chen described it, Gwen Stacy belonged to the "Amazing" Spider-Man’s storyline, while the Dutch Brother Spider-Man was paired with some girl named MJ.
Everything was starting to make sense now.
No wonder Luo Chen had been so shocked.
And if that "Amazing" Spider-Man was the version who lost Gwen Stacy…
That was brutal.
Watching his lover die in his arms?
Tony grimaced at the thought. If he ever had to watch Pepper die in his arms like that—
No. He wouldn’t let it happen.
And then there was this "Dutch Brother" Spider-Man…
What kind of nickname was that?
Was it some kind of joke?
Despite himself, Tony found his attention drifting back to this particular Spider-Man.
Because, according to Luo Chen’s words, their relationship would have been almost like that of a father and son.
He would have mentored him… and in doing so, gradually come to understand his own father’s strict ways.
Tony’s expression darkened.
Understand his old man?
Was that even possible?
His memories of Howard Stark were a mixed blur. He could barely recall the rare moments when his father had been kind to him—those had been too long ago, lost in the haze of childhood.
What did stand out were the lessons. The harsh discipline.
The belt.
That damn belt.
Howard Stark had only ever seemed to care about shaping him into a successor, not a son. But then again… had there been another side to him that Tony had never seen?
The car crash had taken away any chance for them to resolve things.
Any chance for Tony to prove himself.
Any chance to hear his father say the words he had always wanted to hear.
"Father and son…" Tony murmured under his breath.
"Sir," J.A.R.V.I.S. spoke up, snapping him out of his thoughts. "It appears this ‘Dutch Brother’ Spider-Man is not a reliable successor. According to Luo Chen, he struggled to inherit your mantle and caused significant problems. He may not have been the best choice."
Tony frowned. "Pass the mantle? Why would I even be looking for a successor? Unless…"
His eyes narrowed.
"Unless I’m dead?"
That realization sent a chill down his spine.
He was only in his thirties—young, successful, at the peak of his life.
With his wealth, his intelligence, and modern medicine, he could easily live to a hundred. So why the hell would he be so concerned with finding a successor now?
Unless…
Something happened.
Unless he died.
"I’m the protagonist. How the hell could I die?" Tony muttered, shaken by the thought.
"Sir," J.A.R.V.I.S. responded, "generally, protagonists do not die… unless a transition is needed to introduce a new lead character. If the Dutch Brother Spider-Man was meant to be your successor, then narratively, your death would serve as the passing of the torch."
Tony’s gut twisted.
He could feel it—like an invisible hand gripping his fate, dictating his future.
If he had to die, fine. If it was for a greater cause, to protect the people he cared about, he could accept that.
But if his death was nothing more than a scripted event to make room for the next protagonist…
That was beyond infuriating.
For years, he had believed he was in control of his destiny. That his choices shaped his future.
But now, even that was in question.
Had he ever truly been in control? Or had everything—the triumphs, the failures, the sacrifices—been predetermined by someone beyond the fourth wall?
Tony clenched his fists.
He had always considered himself one of the most powerful people in the world. But now, he felt like nothing more than a pawn.
Still, anger wouldn’t solve anything.
He took a deep breath, forcing himself to focus. Luo Chen's existence… this diary… maybe they were the key to changing things.
Maybe his fate wasn’t entirely set in stone.
"Sir," J.A.R.V.I.S. spoke again, "there is another important detail—‘three Spider-Men in the same frame.’ Based on Luo Chen’s words, it implies that three versions of Spider-Man appeared together at the same time."
Tony’s brow furrowed. "Three Spider-Men…?"
"Yes, sir. Luo Chen also mentioned that the Amazing Spider-Man saved the Dutch Brother Spider-Man’s girlfriend, MJ, which further supports this theory."
J.A.R.V.I.S. continued, "If we analyze Luo Chen’s previous statements, it strongly suggests that there are multiple parallel universes in existence. And considering there are at least three different versions of Spider-Man…"
"Then ‘three Spider-Men in the same frame’ must mean they all appeared together."
Tony exhaled, his mind racing.
"So the Dutch Brother Spider-Man, the Amazing Spider-Man… and one more."
Who was the third?
If Spider-Man wasn’t some kind of mass-produced superhero, then that meant—
Tony’s eyes gleamed with intrigue.
This universe was far more complicated than he had ever imagined.
And he was determined to uncover everything.
