Exposed || PETER PARKER [3]

[13]: The Final Decision

2023 ― New York City, New York

"What's happening?" Peter asked when he made it to the top of the torch. Doctor Strange was trying to contain the spell, but it was getting too far out of his control.

"They're starting to come through. I can't stop them." Strange said.

"There's gotta be something we can do. Can't you just cast the spell again? But the original way, before I screwed it up?" Peter said.

"We're too late for that. They're here. They're here because of you." Strange slightly snapped. Peter sighed as he thought over his options. He knew that many people wouldn't be happy with it, but it was the only way to make things right.

"What if everyone forgot who I was?" Peter asked.

"What?" Strange asked.

"They're coming here because of me, right? Because I'm Peter Parker? So cast a new spell. But this time, make everyone forget who Peter Parker is. Make everyone forget... me." Peter said.

"No... and what about Amaya?" Strange asked.

"Make everyone forget she's the Sapphire Witch, except for her family, except for the Avengers. They are the only family she's ever known, and she can't lose them. Not because of me." Peter said.

"I can't do it. No." Strange said.

"It would work, wouldn't it? Everyone forgets me; Amaya gets to keep her family?" Peter asked.

"Yeah, it would work," Strange said as he nodded his head. "But you gotta understand, that would mean that everyone... who knows and loves you, we... We'd have no memory of you. Including Amaya... she would lose memories of your entire relationship. It would be as if you never existed." Strange said. Peter knew that was a risk, but he couldn't let people from other universes destroy theirs.

"I know. Do it. Everyone forgets me and Amaya are Spider-Man and the Sapphire Witch, but the Rogers family, Ned, MJ, and the Avengers all remember her, okay? She can't lose them." Peter said. Strange nodded his head as he sighed.

"You better go and say your goodbyes. You don't have long." Strange said solemnly.

"Thank you, sir," Peter said.

"Call me Stephen." Strange responded. Peter looked up with a bit of shock in his eyes, but he listened anyway.

"Thank you, Stephen." He said sincerely. Strange nodded his head with a slight smile as he laughed a little.

"Yeah. Still feels weird." He said, and the two smiled at each other.

"I'll see you around," Peter said as he jumped off the ledge to make his way back over to the other Peters.

"So long, kid."

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When Peter landed on the ledge where MJ, Amaya, and Ned were waiting, they immediately wrapped him in a group hug. "Oh, you're okay," Amaya whispered as they all hugged.