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It was a warm afternoon in New York City as both sixteen year old Peter Parker and his friend Miles Morales limped in the makeshift kitchen of the abandoned warehouse that they and their makeshift family called home.
Pulling out a chair at their kitchen table, Peter slumped into it in exhaustion. These past several months have been both a physical and emotional roller-coaster for the sixteen year old web-slinger.
After the blip, so much has happened in such a short amount of time for the young hero. To begin with, Peter’s hero and mentor, Tony Stark, died saving the universe.
Then on a summer trip to Europe, his secret identity was revealed by a man in whom he trusted. Mysterio not only revealed Peter’s identity but told the world that Peter was responsible for his death. The result caused the world to hate Peter and then branded him a villain.
Unable to deal with the consequences of his identity being revealed and the harm it brought to those he loved the most, Peter sought out Avenger member: Dr. Strange.
Unfortunately, since the botched spell with Dr. Strange, even more happened.
Several villains from other universes emerged into his own.
None of which he’d ever encountered before. Such as the Green Goblin, Electro, Sandman, Lizard, Kraven the Hunter, and Dr. Octopus.
Thankfully though, Peter was able to capture all of the villains and place them in respective cells in Dr. Strange’s magical dungeon.
However, despite all his pain and all he’s gone through in just a span of a few months, Peter was not jaded with villains and, in an attempt to save them from their own fates in their world, he defies Dr. Strange’s intent to send them back to die in their worlds.
Unfortunately, no good deed goes unpunished.
After creating a new inhibitor chip for Dr. Octavius, Aunt May was killed by the Green Goblin which also allowed the other villains to escape into the city at large.
In an attempt to recapture the villains, Peter goes after them and, in his absence, his friends –Ned and M.J.– open several portals. Through those portals three other Spider-Men appeared. Peter Benjamin Parker.Peter James Parker. Miles Gonzalo Morales.
Thankfully with the help of the Spider-Men and Dr. Octavius, Peter was able to cure the remaining villains before Dr. Strange was able to send them all home. Then just before they’re sent home, Peter convinces Strange to conduct one more spell.
To make sure the world forgot Peter Charles Parker.
Saying his goodbyes to Ned and M.J., Peter found himself alone.
Due to the consequences of the spell, Peter couldn’t live with Happy anymore and has been living on his own as well as keeping a low profile at his school.
One day though, while on a nightly patrol to save a bank from a burglary, much to his utter surprise, Peter is assisted by three other Spider-Men.
Literally wrapping the criminals up for the local authorities, the Spider-Men meet up on a far away rooftop and Peter’s mind in blown even more when he sees that the Spider-Men are the very same ones who were supposed to be sent back to their respective universes.
Apparently, and obviously, something went wrong with the spell and the three Spider-Men stayed behind but were taken to other parts of the state. The eldest Peter informed the Peter of this universe that Octavius had also been left behind with them and had ‘borrowed’ materials from a laboratory to stabilize their quantum signatures in order for them to survive in this universe.
The youngest Peter, was admittedly happy that they were with him and was able to remember him; however, he felt guilty because they still needed to find a way for them to get back home.
Thus, the youngest Peter followed the others to their hideout that had access to the electrical grid and running water.
He has been with them ever since. 
Which led to why he and Miles were currently nursing sore bodies. Earlier that Saturday morning, Peter One, now known as Petey to their group, and Miles had stopped Rhino earlier; however, they didn’t come away from that fight unscathed.
Currently the young teens were nursing aches, pains, and bruises.
“Dude,” began Petey, “how did we get so unlucky and end up with Rhino today?”
Shaking his head slightly before wincing in pain, Miles brought hand to his head before answering, “Man, I dunno! Do you think Peter and Pete are having a better patrol?”
Shrugging gingerly, Petey said through a yawn, “I’m too beat up to guess.”
Looking across the table to Petey, Miles asked, “We’re not too old for…naps, right? Cause…”
Picking up on his friend’s trailed off suggestion, Petey responded, “Naw! We’re not too old!” Snuggling further into the wooden kitchen chair, Peter added, “In fact…I’d say we deserve it. Right now.”
Nodding in agreement, Miles said, “Yeah! Right here!”
Feeling his eyes feeling extremely heavy, Petey hummed in agreement and before either could say anything else they drifted off in an uncomfortable but much needed rest.
Sometime later, both Petey and Miles were slowly awakened from their seats in the kitchen by the slight rumblings of the ground and then moments later, they heard the front door open and close which was then followed by the now familiar whirring sounds of several machines.
The towering, lumbering form of Dr. Otto Octavius, dressed in a black business suit, entered the kitchen on his human legs and looked at the two boys sitting at the kitchen table. 
“Boys,” Octavius rumbled in acknowledgment.
“‘Sup Doc!” said Miles.
“H-hey Doc,” greeted Peter. Looking over his shoulder to the large physicist pouring himself a glass of water, Petey couldn’t help but feel a small, lingering amount of trepidation crawl under his skin. While he was glad that he created a cure for Octavius and the others, being around the superpowered and supergenius man caused Petey several types of anxiety. For one thing, Octavius left a very memorable fight with him when they first met. For another, his genius reminded Petey a little too much of Tony. Both Tony and Octavius were geniuses in their fields and wanted a better life for the good of humanity. They both were even willing to sacrifice themselves for the better good as well. Luckily though, the botched spell allowed Octavius to be here in this dimension with them alive and well.
Well , Petey thought, As well as a man with metal arms molded to his spin and electrocuted more than anyone should, could be.
But as an added thought and with a small smile on his youthful face, Petey thought, At least we were able to get Doc some further help!
About a month ago, Dr. Octavius assisted them on a mission when Mole-Man and several Moloids attacked the city. Thankfully though, they were assisted by the Fantastic Four but one of the Moloids nearly gave a fatal blow to Susan Storm. But in record time, Octavius saved her and they all from there took down Mole-Man and the Moloids.
In thanks for saving his wife, Dr. Reed Richards offers Octavius a job at his company as well as surgery to upgrade the actuators. Unable to turn down such a generous offer, Octavius accepts.
Despite Octavius’ initial fear of the surgery, Richards and the other surgeons reassure him and the actuators that they’re simply improving upon the original design and fixing any lingering injuries.
The surgery was a huge success. Octavius now actuators made from nano-adamantium material. In addition to this, the girdle surrounding Octavius’ plump middle was gone. In its place was a more sophisticated back brace and when needed the actuators now had the ability could fully retract into the back brace.
Due to the adamantium, the actuators had strength almost beyond measure; and in addition to their strength, they also now had the ability to shape themselves into different tools thanks to the nano technology within them, move at mach speeds, create specific sized protective force fields, shoot ink, shoot fire, and spin to create powerful wind speeds.
Besides the upgrades to the actuators, Dr. Richards and his team of surgeons were able to use their advanced skills fix his chronic spinal injuries which resulted in Octavius no longer having severe back pains. They were also able to perform reconstructive surgery to his injured right leg. As well as fix his overall nerve damage.
Afterwards, Octavius physically felt like a brand new man and in his gratitude has worked extremely hard for the Richardson Corporation. The Spider-Men were also grateful that Dr. Richardson was able to help the eldest man of the group.
Thinking about all the help Octavius was able to receive in his universe, Petey often found himself smiling at this and was quite grateful that the older man was actually here at the very least for his continued recovery.
But then a baritoned voice shook him out of his thoughts, “What’s got you smiling at me like that Petey?”
Blinking his eyes to focus on the man he’s been apparently staring at, Petey stuttered, “U-uh, w-well Doc…”
The intensity of the older man’s shaded gaze caused Petey to shift uncomfortably but as he shifted he forgot about his soreness and injuries from earlier.
Due to the teen’s wince, Octavius peered over his rectangular aviator shades and squinted his eyes and Petey and then he looked at Miles with the same intense, inspection.
After a moment, Octavius huffed, “Why didn’t the two of you boys say you were injured?”
Due to Petey’s continued stuttering, Miles answered, “Well, Doc, we’re not that injured anymore. We just had a nap and that all but healed the more painful bruises.”
Looking from Miles back to Octavius, Petey nodded and responded, “What he said.”
Rubbing his temple to aide the incessant throbbing, Octavius moved to the freezer that sat directly beside the fridge and asked, “Did you two at least put ice on the other injuries?”
“Uhhhh…” they intelligently answered unanimously.
“That’s what I thought,” murmured Octavius before he closed the freezer and brought back ice-packs and handed them to the two teenagers.
“Put this where it hurts while I get us some lunch,” said Octavius.
The teens thanked Octavius and as the older man opened the fridge he asked, “Well we’ve got leftovers from the other night. Which do you two want: pizza or Chinese?”
Looking at each other with smirks, they said simultaneously, “Both!”
Huffing out a short chuckle, Octavius said, “Not surprised.”
Shortly there after the three were seated and ate their food in companionable silence.
In that time, Miles couldn’t help but think how lucky he was to still be in this dimension with the others. Ever sense his parents died in a car crash the year before, life just hadn’t been the same for him. He thought his heart knew sorrow when his Uncle Aaron died protecting him from the Kingpin Wilson Fisk, but he was sorely mistaken. He felt like his entire world had collapsed and imploded and it was only made worse when Child Protective Services placed him in a facility for kids until they could place him with a foster family because they couldn’t allow him to stay in his dorm room without living parental consent.
But the months dragged on and he continued to go to school, back to the facility, and then sneak out –cloaked in his invisibility power– to continue being Spider-Man. Every now and then he was assisted by other street level heroes such as Power-Man which helped because he felt himself becoming jaded and bitter.
The best thing that had happened to him though was being sucked into a portal only to meet these other Spider-Men. And was immensly grateful that Dr. Strange didn’t remember Petey either because the wizard more than likely would’ve fixed the problem and sent them back. Sent him back.
Unfortunately, that didn’t mean much though because Dr. Octavius was scary smart and he was working on building a machine to send them back to their respective universes. And Miles knew it was only a matter of time before the older man did.
Everyday Miles would wait with baited breath, praying and hoping, that Octavius never made that break through; however, keeping it in was getting harder and harder.
Looking at the man sitting at the head of the table directly next to him, Miles couldn’t wait any longer and asked, “So Doc, made any progress on the… ya know… portal?”
Swallowing his bit of fried rice, Octavius looked at the young African American-Puerto Rican teen and answered, “Not yet my boy. Reed and I made several new discoveries but nothing of significance that will get us home. But at the speed in which we’re going, we’ll find the answer sooner rather than later.” Behind his shaded eyes, Octavius looked the squirming boy up and down before his actuators alerted him that Miles took an all too subtle sigh. “Why?” asked Octavius. “Eager to get away from us and back home even sooner?”
Unable to stop himself, Miles answered in an all to vulnerable tone of voice, “No.”
Sitting up straighter Octavius looked to Peter, whom he noted was just as surprised as he was.
Gently Peter asked, “Whaddya mean, Miles?”
Placing his fork on the empty plate, Miles heaving a world weary sigh, saying, “I don’t wanna leave.”
Looking at Octavius, Miles added, “Mi mamita and Pops died a year ago in a car crash…and I-I been in the system ever since. But people don’t want older kids, so I’m living at a state facility.”
Eyes wide in shock, Peter said, “But…you told us that you lived in a dorm at Brooklyn Visions Academy.”
Miles cast his eyes downward and the table and said, “I said that ‘cause it was happier times for me. My parents were still alive and wanted me to do my best there. But ever since they died, everything changed for me.”
Silence wafted between for a moment before Miles felt thick calloused finger gently take him by the chin and tilt his head upward.
Now looking at Octavius’ face, Miles listened to the older man ask, “What else have you been not telling us?”
Shrugging his thin shoulders, Miles said, “That’s it, Doc.”
Letting go of the boy’s chin, Octavius asked, “So, under no circumstances, you don’t want to go back?”
“Not unless my parents aren’t there,” Miles answered.
“Not even to be Spider-Man?” asked Peter.
“The city’s got other heroes. One who often helped me out was Power-Man,” said Miles. “If I’m not there, the city’s safe in his hands.”
Sitting back as far as he could with his actuators still dangling out of his back, Octavius crossed his arms over his broad chest and thought for a moment.
In that moment though, one of the high windows opened and closed as Peter Two, simply known as Peter, came in followed by Peter Three, simply known as Pete.
“Hey guys!” exclaimed Pete, as he bounded into the kitchen.
Following directly behind, Peter cast his observant blues shifted between the three seated figures and asked, “What wrong?”
Looking at his Peter, Octavius answered, “Two surprising discoveries has just occurred. One, Miles here has told us that his parents died a year ago and he’s been living in the System since then.”
Gasping at this, the two older Peters immediately leap over the table and kneel on either side of the young teen and whispered words of sorrow and encouragement to him.
After they were done, Octavius finished saying, “Two, he’s confessed to us that unless his parents somehow come back to life, he wishes to remain here.”
“Whoa…” said Pete.
“Miles…” began the twenty-one year old Peter, “You realize that if you stay here and if we leave… both you and Petey would end up in the System here, right?”
Miles nodded and looked Peter straight in his caring blue eyes and said, “I know. The System the System no matter what universe. But at least here, I’ve got Petey and not everything reminds of my parents here, ya know.”
Silence lapsed over them once again. Once that moment was over, Octavius said carefully, “In that case, I can’t make you go back. But…”
Miles and the others tensed as Octavius paused to collect his thoughts.
“But, I can’t in good conscious leave you nor Petey to the System,” the eldest man said.
Scrunching his brows as he attempted to understand what the large physicist said, Petey asked, “Doc… are you sayin’ that you’d stay behind too?”
Nodding, Octavius replied, “Yes I am, Petey. Honestly, I’ve been thinking about staying behind for a while myself for a number of reasons. One of which includes, there’s no life for me back at home. I’m still the monster the public is terrified of and they rightfully should.”
“Doc you’re not the same man anymore…,” Peter objected.
Looking at the boy he’s come to secretly see as his oldest son, Octavius said, “That’s true, my dear boy, but they’d never trust me. And that’s if, I don’t still die on impact from the river.” Taking a breath, Octavius added, “Also, say I’d survive somehow. Not saying I’d escape but in our world, there’s no prison that could hold me and the public would never believe it either. It’s just best if they continue believing that I died. At least here, I can attempt some form of penance while relishing the gift of a second.”
Petey sat in utter disbelief as he heard what Octavius and Miles had said. His young broken heart swelled as he realized that his fear of being utterly alone again wouldn’t come true after all.
But then, surprisingly, Pete spoke up next, “Well since we’re all confessing…I’ve got to say that I’d like to stay behind as well.”
Eyes wide Petey, Miles, and Peter asked unanimously, “You too?!”
Nodding, Pete answered, “Yeah. Me too.” Taking a deep teary eyed breath, Pete continued, “I don’t…want to go back because everything hurts there. Everything reminds me of Gwen and Aunt May.”
Blinking away some tears that stung his eyes, Petey asked, “W-what happened to your Aunt May?”
Letting his thick shaggy brown hair dangle for a second to collect himself, Pete then looked up and said, “She, uh, she died a few months ago of cancer. It was…peaceful but…it just still made me more bitter.” Rubbing his sniffling nose with the sleeve of his suit, Pete said, “So yea...I’d like a new start.”
“Mine died recently too…” said Peter, shocking everyone.
Not waiting for the inquiry, Peter said, “My Aunt May died just after moving into her new home. It was also peaceful. The doctors said it was just her age. But a few weeks ago, my M.J. and I broke up again and quite frankly I don’t think we’re getting back together again.”
“You don’t know that Peter,” said Octavius.
Giving the man his own watery smile, Peter said, “Yes I do, Doc. She and I had a long and serious talk and we both agreed that as much as we would’ve wanted it to work…it just doesn’t look like it will. She said if we were married by this point, we’d more than likely be divorced. Plus, I mean with my schools debts, me just graduating, my huge student loans, on top of being Spider-Man…it’s too much.”
“And you know,” said Peter, “I wouldn’t mind staying here with you guys.”
“Really?!” asked Miles.
“Yeah. I’m not shirking my hero responsibilities or anything… I’m just transferring them to another universe. Just more permanently, I guess,” answered Peter. Looking at Octavius, Peter asked, “Maybe we could still build the portal device though? Just so we could visit our worlds sometimes and in my case let M.J. know that I’m okay and alive. Just doing my hero duties with my Spider brothers.”
Octavius simply nodded at Peter’s request.
Looking between everyone, Petey asked carefully, “Sooo… you’re all staying? Like with me? Here?”
Octavius smirked and nodded. “It seems that way, dear boy.” But then he lifted up a finger, adding, “But if anything, I found this warehouse first and each of you found me. So, you all are staying with me.”
Laughing at this the boys and nodded in agreement.
Finally standing from his crouched position by Miles, Pete said, “Well this calls for a celebration! Who’s up for more food?”
The three other Spider-Men made their vocal agreement but Octavius diplomatically shook his head.
“What’s up Doc? It’s time to celebrate!” said Pete.
“I’ll enjoy the festivities without food, my boy,” said Octavius. “I’ve already had my fill and quite frankly don’t have any room for anything else.”
Smirking, Miles got up from his seat and came to stand at Octavius’ broad shoulder. “You sure Doc? I mean I’d be seriously surprised that your dad bod doesn’t have even room for el mas pequeño bit of food.” Feeling emboldened, Miles went as far as to pat Octavius large satiated middle.
Looking between Miles’ hand to the young man’s face, Octavius slowly took off his shades and said, “Miles, you do realize that since we’re all in agreement about staying here, this makes me your legal guardian. And with that power comes the ability to ground you.”
Laughing, Miles retracts his hand, scratches the back of his head, and says, “Oooh…”
“That’s right,” said Octavius with a now playful smirk, “So keep up the jokes and let’s see how creative I can get.”
Punching the air, Pete said, “BOOM! Goes Doc!”
The others laughed at the antics that now filled the kitchen.
While they all continued their playful banter, Petey couldn’t help but think how lucky he felt and how he’d always cherish his new found family.
I’m glad we’re a family and that our love for each other isn’t a secret, Petey thought before joining in on the fun.
THE END