(Author's Note 1: A quick heads-up—this story follows an original version of Spider-Man inspired by Tom Holland's portrayal. He's a native of this world who unexpectedly gains powers related to "the Web," allowing him to travel across different realities. Through living the lives of various Spider-Men, he evolves and strengthens himself. His personality shifts gradually from his original self, so if you're looking for an overpowered protagonist right from the start, this might not be your cup of tea. Characters behave according to their canon personalities, with everything grounded in logic.)
(Author's Note 2: Alternate title: What If Holland's Spider-Man Gained the Web of Fate?)
"Out of all three Spider-Men, he's the worst-looking!"
"Such a disappointment!"
"He hasn't grown at all!"
"Other Spider-Men solve problems—he creates them!"
"…"
Voices full of criticism echoed through Peter Parker's mind, making him groan and open his eyes, visibly frustrated.
What was happening to him?
It all started a few days ago, when a strange spiderweb appeared in his mind. Ever since then, these voices would randomly speak up in his head.
"Spider-Man? Are they talking about me?" Peter muttered, walking to the bathroom. He splashed some water on his face to wake himself up and stared into the mirror.
About a month ago, he'd gone on a school science field trip. That's when it happened—a spider bite.
He had a fever that night.
But when he woke up the next day, he realized something was different. His body wasn't the same.
It took him about a week to get a handle on it—he'd been bitten by a spider and somehow gained spider-like powers.
But what was he supposed to do with them?
Maybe he could be like Iron Man or Captain America and become a world-saving hero.
He'd seen the Sokovia incident footage. It had happened around the same time he got bitten. The massive battle between Hulk and a giant-sized Iron Man had even been broadcasted live.
Most of his classmates thought the Hulk should've been put down after that.
Then again, the Hulk did disappear afterward. No one knew if Iron Man took him or if the government locked him away.
That thought scared Peter at first—would the same thing happen to him?
But his admiration for the Avengers and his desire to become a hero pushed him to use his powers.
So, he dug up an old costume from his school's drama club, reinforced it with high-polymer fibers, and created his own superhero suit.
Just like Iron Man had his armor, Hulk had his shorts, and Cap had his star-spangled uniform—this suit would be Peter's identity.
Following strange formulas that appeared in his mind, he even crafted high-tensile synthetic webbing and a web-shooter using school lab materials during chemistry class.
And just like that, he became a friendly neighborhood vigilante. People started calling him all sorts of names—Spider-Guy, Spider-Boy, and eventually, Spider-Man.
Not everyone was a fan. Some said he was a meddler. But Peter didn't mind—he actually enjoyed it.
That was until a few days ago when things started to change.
That strange web in his mind had started glowing in parts, and those voices became more frequent.
He couldn't see who was speaking, but something told him—those voices were about him.
"But why me?" he wondered. "Other Spider-Men? Are there more like me out there?"
Peter dried his face and went back to bed.
He had to sleep. It was already past 3 a.m., and tomorrow was a big day.
Tony Stark—yes, the Tony Stark—had sent a message saying he'd be visiting him tomorrow.
"Why is Mr. Stark coming to see me? Did he figure out who I am? Is he going to invite me to join the Avengers?" Peter thought excitedly as he closed his eyes.
And right then, the massive web in his mind reappeared.
But this time… something was different.
One of the web's countless intersecting nodes began to glow.
"What is that?"
Curious, Peter focused his mind on the glowing spot.
And the next moment—
"Ahh!"
He felt his consciousness yanked out of his body and sucked into that shining node.
---
"Where... am I?"
Peter blinked and looked around. He wasn't in his bedroom anymore. He was in a small, dimly lit room.
In front of him sat a makeshift desk built from old boxes, cluttered with photos and papers.
"Ah!"
His head throbbed sharply.
It was like a glowing thread of nerve had shot from the web in his mind and linked with the glowing point. And as it connected, a flood of memories poured into his brain.
It was the year 1933.
New York was knee-deep in the pain of the Great Depression.
Peter's Uncle Ben had been killed—tortured and murdered by Norman Osborn, better known as the Green Goblin, the city's most powerful extortionist.
Then Osborn turned his sights on Peter and Aunt May.
They would've been next… if not for Ben Urich, a photographer at the Daily Bugle, who risked everything to save them.
Peter earned Urich's trust and started working as his assistant.
During a secret mission to photograph a shady deal between Osborn and the mob, Peter had been bitten by a spider that crawled out of a cursed spider idol.
In the hallucinations that followed, he met Anansi—the Spider-God—and was granted mysterious, powerful abilities.
He became Spider-Man.
But that power came with a cost.
Peter uncovered things hidden deep in the shadows.
Urich—whom he respected—had been blackmailing the Green Goblin, covering up for the gang in exchange for hush money.
Recently, Urich had told Peter he was going to expose everything. Maybe it was guilt. Maybe something else.
But that very night, Urich was shot and killed—by none other than J. Jonah Jameson, the man he was going to leak the story to.
Luckily, Felicia Hardy swooped in during the chaos and took the hidden evidence, later giving it to Peter.
From her, Peter learned the rest of the truth.
Both Urich and Felicia had known Peter was Spider-Man. That's why Urich had wanted to blow the whistle—to protect him.
But Felicia warned him: "Don't trust Jonah."
Peter didn't want to believe that.
He remembered Jonah's words when he first joined the Daily Bugle:
"There are a million sad stories out there, Parker. But in times like this, none of them matter—until we make them matter."
"I'll give the people facts and figures—Ben's photos will make them feel it."
"We'll show our readers what this city's really become."
"This dark time needs a light, someone who'll stand up and expose the darkness. Your Uncle Ben and Aunt May were those people. And so am I, J. Jonah Jameson."
Could someone who said things like that really be untrustworthy?
Was this era really that dark?
—End of Chapter—