a spider in the wrong universe

we won

peter's p.o.v.:
everything is dark.

calm.

serene.

i take in the silence and allow myself to finally relax. i close my eyes and take a deep, peaceful breath. when i reopen them, i see the world has shifted into a strange, yet familiar place. i realize i must be within one of the stones.

i whip around when i hear a voice, "you did it, peter." dr. strange, looking exactly as before, stands before me.

i smile, happy to see a more friendly face from my universe.
"dr. strange! where are we?"

he gives me a small, proud smile, "you're in a space between realities. a place the stones and i created for you to rest, to understand what you've just done."

"the stones are...here?"

before he could answer, another voice interrupts, this time in a voice so ancient, so deep that it vibrated through my bones.

"indeed, child. we are always here. as we are within you."

well that's...comforting...

i look to where the voice is coming from and see the glowing, ethereal forms of the infinity stones. they're floating in midair like translucent, pulsing orbs, each one glowing in their respective colors— green, orange, purple, red, blue, yellow. they shimmer with energy, as if alive, with an undeniable presence.

i feel warmth spread through my chest, where i knew the stones had been sealed within me. they were a part of me, and yet they were so much more.

the soul stone pulses "you wield our power now, peter. you are the bearer of destiny, the one who has saved not just this universe, but the entire multiverse from falling into darkness."

the time stone sparks "you learned to understand us. they key to the universe's balance is in your hands now. we have watched you grow, and you have proven worthy."

i swallow, "i- i didn't want any of this. i never asked for any of it. i'm just...me. peter parker. the friendly neighborhood spider-man. not some... universal protector."

i trail off overwhelmed. the weight of it all crushing me, even in this calm, strange place.

doctor strange's voice cuts through my spiraling thoughts. "peter you've done what no one else could. you did what we failed to do. you used the stones for good. you protected the multiverse. you even changed the timeline. sir night eye saw the future, stark was supposed to take your place and be the one to snap. he was supposed to die. but your willpower, your determination, your heart changed that future. and now...you have the chance to go home."

i froze, taking in all that information. "go home? you mean...back to earth? back to...my world?"

the time stone flickers. "yes. we have the power to return you. it is time for you to begin saying your goodbyes."

the soul stone flares. "you have given much. your journey here has been pivotal. but your hero journey is not over, it is simply... shifting. you must decide which world you would like to stay in."

a deep breath escaped me. i could feel my chest tighten with the weight of this decision. months ago this choice would've been an easy one to make. but now? after i have sacrificed myself countless times for the people of this universe, the friends and family i made here. it makes the choice a little bit harder. i had done what i had set out to do. i had stopped thanos, saved this world along with mine. but in doing so, i changed the lives of so many people.

midoryia, bakugou, aizawa, hawks, eri, all of them. i couldn't imagine never seeing them ever again. the people who had helped me grow into the hero i am now.

but when i think of new york, ned, mj, aunt may, mr. stark, the choice seems easier. as much as i had grown to love the people of this world, i knew deep down i couldn't stay forever.

"i can't say goodbye to them, can i?" my voice broke.

doctor strange gives me a sad smile, "we can give you one more day. any longer and you'd be stuck in this universe permanently."

i nod my head, "thank you."

a sudden, comforting warmth filled me, and the air around me shimmered. the dream plane began to dissipate, fading back i to the calm darkness.