Peter's initial plan had been to keep an eye on this world's Superior Spider-Man—the "Otto-Peter" hybrid—and look for clues. In his theory, that Superior Spider-Man, capable of traversing the multiverse, would surely recruit more of his own kind.
But looking at the results now, that didn't seem to be the case at all.
"Don't worry, he's just asleep."
Faced with the Superior Spider-Man's explanation, Peter looked at the Ghost Rider Spider-Man standing behind him with a look of disbelief. "Be that as it may... it looks like your friend over there is a Ghost Rider. I'm pretty sure I just saw him use the Penance Stare."
"That is correct. The evil soul within this body has been destroyed," the Ghost Rider Spider-Man said with quite a bit of excitement. Behind him, the previously shattered Spider-Bots were beginning to reform. The Superior Spider-Man glanced at his teammates, then deactivated his nano-suit's mask, revealing his face.
Peter recognized that face. It was Otto's face after he became the so-called "Ultimate Octopus." In other words, the Superior Spider-Man standing before him wasn't an Otto Octavius who had taken over the body of some universe's Peter Parker to become "Otto-Peter," but rather a pure, unadulterated Otto Octavius.
"You really don't need to worry. Although Otto Octavius's soul has been ripped away, he won't be handed over to the Devil. I have another excellent use for him. As for this world's Peter Parker, he will return to his own body, relying on the memory data stored in his brain and genome."
Peter suddenly realized something. "The Jackal's technology, right?"
"...So you've been to that universe. Fascinating. I am indeed aware of your existence. You've been running around inviting people to join your little club. Unfortunately, I have no intention of joining. Your club holds no appeal for me."
Otto shook his head as he spoke, turning to leave. However, Peter used a strand of web to snag his arm. "Wait, I still have a lot of questions to ask."
"I am under no obligation to answer you."
As the Superior Spider-Man spoke, a teleportation portal materialized around him, enveloping him as he left. Seeing this, Peter tore open a rift in space, intending to give chase. But he paused, casting a backward glance at Cindy, who had followed him here.
"Maybe you should—"
"I'm coming with you."
"Alright. The watch will tell HQ which universe we end up in anyway. Keep up, Cindy!"
With that, Peter leapt into the spatial rift, and Cindy followed close behind. Peter initially started searching based on his past experiences, but he quickly realized it wasn't necessary. The sensory technique taught to him by Master Weaver was still completely effective here.
Meanwhile, back in that universe, the local Spider-Man finally woke up on a rooftop several hours later. He massaged his body, finding himself completely unharmed. Then, the memories of the past few months came rushing back in a torrent.
"Oh my god! Doctor Octopus took over my body for five months?! And then a Doctor Octopus from another world killed him?! Just like that, he's dead?! He killed so many people?! My..."
While his brain was still scrambling to process the massive information overload, a portal opened. Several Spider-Men stepped out. "Peter of Earth-TRN95... wait, hasn't the Spider-Army already used this line?"
"Does that mean our Alliance doesn't even have a catchphrase? Should we design one?"
Watching this group of Spider-Men, the local Spider-Man, whose brain was already short-circuiting, fell even deeper into bewildered contemplation.
When Spider-Totems used the Web of Destiny to travel across dimensions, they caused slight vibrations in the web. And even the faintest vibration was crystal clear to Peter's current senses.
He had already located the other party's base. Tearing open space directly, he grabbed Cindy's hand and pulled her across to the other side of the universe.
Next, he and Cindy arrived at... the Spider-Base?
"Is this the Spider-Base at the bottom of the Hudson River? No, wait, the layout is wrong... I didn't design this interior."
Peter surveyed his surroundings. Suddenly, his spider-sense flared in tandem with Cindy's. Both of them leaped into the air simultaneously, narrowly avoiding a massive swarm of black spiders crawling out from the gaps in the floorboards.
"It's not in a very good mood. I suggest you don't provoke it carelessly."
Otto Octavius walked out, holding a cup of coffee as he looked at the two of them. "Won't you sit?"
"No thanks." Peter eyed this Otto warily. "I have a stomach full of questions."
"Very well. First of all, I can tell you that I am not the Spider-Man of this universe. The Spider-Man of this universe has always been Peter Parker. Right now, he should be... at school?"
Peter was a bit dumbfounded, not quite understanding the situation yet. Otto sat down. "Peter Parker gained superpowers because of a genetically modified spider from Osborn Biotech. Then, because his uncle died in a tragic accident, he decided to become Spider-Man. That is pretty much the origin story for most Spider-Men, correct?"
But in this universe, the story was slightly different. Before Stark and Osborn ever entered the picture, an Otto Octavius consumed by a desire for revenge was the first to discover that Peter Parker was Spider-Man. An audacious plan had formed in his mind.
He would become the boy's mentor. He would guide and exploit the boy's sense of justice to investigate and uncover the ugly, dark truths of Osborn Biotech. He would use the products of Osborn Biotech to destroy Osborn Biotech, and then mock Norman Osborn ruthlessly from atop its ruins.
Otto's plan was highly successful. The young fifteen-year-old Peter Parker never suspected this bizarre old man confined to a life-support vat. He even kindly helped Otto modify his mechanical tentacles and electronic vocal cords to make his daily life easier.
Peter Parker had even been willing to make a choice—to steal a modified spider being researched by Jonathan Drew—simply because Otto had casually mentioned that the specimen was being developed as a cure for ALS.
Thus, Otto decided to make a change for his student.
"I know what you want to say, but the Jackal's world needs a true Spider-Man. Whether he intends to make a comeback, or whether a clone becomes the true Spider-Man, it doesn't matter."
Otto casually sipped his coffee. He had later become the Superior Spider-Man. Of course, he hadn't told the Peter of his own universe that he had acquired superpowers, researched cross-dimensional teleportation technology, and recruited an anti-hero squad.
"Then what do you intend to do?"
"Me? First, I intend to eliminate every disgusting Otto Octavius across the multiverse. I have already completed two major research projects toward that end. But more importantly... I've discovered a few things. Certain actions that you Peter Parkers would never take the initiative to carry out. So, I plan to take action myself and recruit a few monsters to solve the problem."
"And the Jackal was just a piece of bait. Though I suppose he can't be used anymore."