Chapter 402: Each to Their Own Opportunity, and the Beyonder Spider-Man
Ethan would never in a million years have guessed that while he stood on that second-floor balcony for an hour, someone would be bored enough to watch him the entire time.
And not just one someone, but a whole crowd.
That's right. From the moment Ethan stepped out onto the balcony,
people had been watching him: from the rooftop across the street, from below by the restaurant, from inside the building opposite.
"So is Master going emo? It's the first time I've ever seen that look on his face." Tobey-Peter dropped to the ground and spoke quietly to Tony.
Tony floated slowly down from the rooftop and didn't answer.
He was wearing his brand-new Super Mark Armor 1.0.
He had painstakingly built it from the high-tech weapons the Chitauri army left behind after the Battle of New York, the battle that had shaken the world. Its design and performance far surpassed any Mark armor before it.
Its cold black-and-white color scheme showed off Tony's unique taste and radiated a sense of power not to be underestimated.
At the center of the armor, a miniature arc reactor glowed with soft white light, supplying Tony with an endless stream of energy.
The helmet with its two rabbit-ear-like fins, and the Fullbottles set all over the suit, were Tony's clever fusion of Kamen Rider Build elements. The armor kept its original high-tech feel while gaining a touch of mystery and fantasy.
In stats and defense, the Super Mark Armor could now rival Kamen Rider Build, and might even surpass it.
Tony also didn't need to transform into a Kamen Rider to use the Fullbottles anymore.
He was a walking Kamen Rider.
Tony had planned to show off his new armor the moment Ethan got back and share his pride and excitement.
But when he saw Ethan's furrowed brow and the depth in his eyes, all that excitement and pride evaporated. He realized Ethan was carrying some heavy burden, one that seemed heavier than any before.
Being as smart as he was, Tony had already guessed why Ethan was so troubled.
"Is there really an even stronger enemy out there?" Tony muttered.
He had guessed the source of Ethan's worry, though he couldn't understand how someone as strong as Ethan could still have something to worry about.
Had something happened to Ethan this time? Or had someone gotten to him like this?
"Dammit, what is wrong with this world?! Guess this suit still isn't strong enough!" Tony suddenly cursed and took off.
Tony was a very proud man. He knew perfectly well that Ethan hadn't told them because he thought they weren't strong enough to handle it.
Telling them would only add to his troubles. In Ethan's place, Tony would probably have done the same. But knowing it and understanding it were one thing.
Tony was still furious. Not at Ethan, but at himself, for still being too weak to help him.
How could the ever-proud Tony stand that?
"Tech alone isn't enough. Kamar-Taj magic doesn't really suit me. Maybe this Hogwarts magic will suit me better."
At the thought, Tony immediately changed course and flew toward Hell's Kitchen Community School.
That left Tobey-Peter standing there completely lost.
But Tobey-Peter caught on quickly. His IQ was very high, after all. How else would he have gotten into a top university?
Master, no matter how hard the road ahead, I'll follow in your footsteps and help you however I can.
Tobey-Peter made the silent vow, then activated his Dimensional watch and vanished on the spot, heading for the one place that could make him stronger: the Spider-Society.
He knew only the Spider-Society could help him get stronger. He'd heard a lot of secrets from Miguel.
It turned out the Spider-Society hadn't really been founded by Spider-Man 2099. A predecessor had created it. Miguel was only in charge of running it.
That predecessor was said to be a Spider-Man too. He wasn't just extraordinarily strong; he had power enough to shake the universe. But he had chosen to live under a hidden identity to avoid too much interference and conflict, which was why he had never appeared at the Spider-Society.
If the Spider-Society didn't have backing like that, with their strength alone, Thanos or Kang the Conqueror would have wiped them out long ago.
Tobey-Peter had also learned the predecessor's name from Miguel: the Beyonder Spider-Man.
Tobey-Peter and Tony on the rooftop weren't the only ones who had seen Ethan.
So had Wanda and Pietro, down on the streets of Hell's Kitchen.
"Brother-in-law looks kinda bummed. Did he get dumped? Did you two break up, sis?" Pietro teased with a cheeky grin.
Wanda was already irritated enough watching Ethan brood on the balcony.
Now her brother's flippant attitude made her snap. Without a word, she flicked her fingertips. Chaos magic charged with tangled emotion took shape instantly and slammed Pietro to the ground like invisible shackles before he could react.
Caught completely off guard, Pietro was more confused and hurt than surprised.
He struggled to get up but found he couldn't move. All he could do was look up at Wanda, his eyes full of bewilderment and pleading.
Looking at her brother bound by her magic, Wanda felt a tangle of emotions. She knew she'd overreacted, but her irritation and worry surged like a tide she couldn't hold back. She drew a deep breath, trying to calm herself, and spoke in a voice that left no room for argument: "It's because we haven't worked hard enough that Ethan is like this. And you're still in the mood to play video games and deliver takeout every day! Is that fun?!"
"Right now, this instant, you start training. And no more messing around with all that nonsense." With that, Wanda ignored Pietro.
She turned and looked worriedly at Ethan, sitting out on the balcony, and murmured, "Ethan, what happened to you? Is there anything we can't solve together?"
"Am I still not strong enough to fight beside you and face your enemies with you?" While Ethan was away, Wanda had been running the company and training relentlessly to grow stronger.
She believed she'd caught up with Ethan by now. Surely she'd earned the right to share his burdens.
But a voice in her head quickly cut through her thoughts.
"Oh my. Your sweetheart has a rather familiar scent about him."
"If he's really who I think he is, then you're nowhere near strong enough!"
Wanda wasn't surprised by the voice in her head. She asked calmly, "What exactly do you know, other me?"
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