Chapter 7 [Interdimensional Crossroads]

[A/N: Fans of the Hulk from the 1980s will recognize this place.]

Strange's eyes cleared from Teleportation's flash. He found himself floating in a nexus. Several doorways beckoned him toward them. Island bobbed on its surface. Roads wound from central signpost toward each respective door. What is this place? It's obviously a crossroads of some sort. He alighted by the signpost. "A choice is it?"

"For you indeed, Dr. Strange."

Strange stiffened. He turned to find an enormous pale yellow figure watching him in turn. He observed the glowing energy eyes staring down. Two other faces lay under the being's grey hood. "The Living Tribunal?" Chill cut up his spine at Balance's arbiter. "I'd chosen to save the old woman's life."

The Tribunal frowned. "Our previous meetings have done little to diminish your arrogance, Mortal. You still believe it is your place to challenge beings greater than yourself? No matter. Death has done its duty. The balance has been achieved once more. A divergent reality settles on its own path."

"Divergent…?" Strange's mustache twitched. Perception had not discerned any cosmic event around himself. Peter's situation, as dire it was, still remained beneath that level. "I granted a friend sanctuary. Surely that did not disrupt the balance?"

The Tribunal's face remained serene. Expression remained akin to a parent explaining something to a child. "No, Mage. That did not. Any attempt to save the old woman, however, would have. The Order demands that every being ascend at their chosen time. They cannot hide from Fate's eye. Even you cannot cheat Death, Dr. Strange."

"What caused this divergence? I detected no event of significance." Strange folded his arms across his chest.

"Your friend." The Tribunal's eyes flashed. Behold! Gaze into my eyes.…. Peter Parker saved Gwen Stacy. His enemy lives.

Strange saw the battle and events unfold in front of his eyes. He saw Spidey labor through every swing across Manhattan and toward the Brooklyn Bridge. Flu sapped his strength. Desperation and Fear propelled him onward. The Green Goblin challenged from the bridge's very top. He had Gwen sprawled unconscious at his feet….

…the battle was joined….

The Goblin shoved her over the side….

Spidey jumped after her. His actions saved her from a watery grave….

"She lives. My friend has his happiness." Strange raised an eyebrow. "And this is your dire event?"

In a manner of speaking. Behold the differences in another universe….

"The differences?" Strange's vision blurred once again. Then he beheld another set of events.

Once more, she fell toward her certain demise.

This time, however, Spidey shot a web line to catch her.

The web wrapped itself around her. Its sudden stop however jarred her. She sagged during the ride back up to the top.

Spidey pulled her to his side. He looked her over. Euphoria quickly turned to Panic. Reality set in. "Gwen? Hey, Kid. What's wrong? Don't you understand? I saved you…,You can't be…" He held her close to him. Denialnumbed him. "No! Oh no, no no. Don't be dead, Gwen. I don't want you to be dead! I saved you, Honey. Don't you see?" His voice trailed off. "I saved you…"

The Green Goblin hovered close by. Triumph lifted his ego as much as his glider did for him. His mocking cackle stung at his opponent's heart akin to Salt on open wound. ROMANTIC IDIOT! She was dead before your webbing reached her! A fall from that height would kill anyone…before they struck the ground! But for you, my Friend…death will come more quickly and surely than the shock of a sudden fall!"

Spidey shuddered. Emotions surged and crashed within his heart and mind. Rage burned within him. "WRONG, GOBLIN!" He shook his right fist at the Goblin. "YOU'RE THE CREEP WHO'S GOING TO PAY! I'm going to get you, Goblin! I'm going to destroy you slowly…and when you're begging for me to end it, I'm going to remind you of ONE THING…YOU KILLED THE WOMAN I LOVE AND FOR THAT YOU'RE GOING TO DIE!"

The Tribunal turned his head. The half-cloaked face, Vengeance, spoke next. I would not be denied, Dr. Strange. Behold…

Strange beheld the next battle in the Goblin's headquarters. He saw Spidey strike the Goblin from behind. Whereas the hero normally held back, there was no such effort in this case. Mercy would have no quarter there. Wisecracks and Flippancy were nowhere to be found. Instead Spidey struck out and kept striking out…

…until Conscience stopped him….

…until Reason reasserted itself….

Spidey backed away. Good Lord…what in the name of Heaven am I doing? In another moment I might have killed him! I would've become like him…a…a murderer!"

The Goblin flung his damaged glider at Spidey's back…but missed…impaling himself instead….

Strange blinked. "I knew Peter would stop himself. His sense of responsibility would not permit him to kill in such a callous manner."

"Equitydeems this alternate universe to be suitable," the Tribunal's main face declared. "Peter Parker will grow as hero and mortal. Gwendolyn Stacy will serve as teacher, wife and mother. May Parker is reunited with her beloved. It shall pain the young ones. Still it is the price."

Strange shook his head. "You think to play with lives? What of Peter's feelings for his aunt?"

Annoyance grated in the Tribunal's tone. "Have you not heard ANYTHING of what I say? You are all mortals! It was her time. Death took May Parker instead of the girl. Such matters are above you, Mortal!" It sniffed at Strange. "No matter. It is done. I have insured you cannot interfere. You may tell Parker of his aunt's passage. But you will not be able to share what I have revealed of the other universe! Such is my judgment!"

"What do you mean you have made sure I cannot interfere? What have you done?" Strange stepped forward to the bigger being….

…before the light swept over him transporting him from the scene once more….