"So… almost time," Miles said softly as he looked over at Chris.

"Almost time." Chris paused, jaw working slightly. "I'm not going to ask you if you want to come. Tell you we have this handled and you can stick here with your parents. I know that's never gonna fly."

"Yeah, it won't," Miles said. "But thanks for saying it." He checked over his webshooters. "So… someone goes in to distract the Spot… we get set up… and then we finish this."

"Except it really isn't finished, is it?" Chris said to him.

"No… it isn't."

Miles looked about the room as everyone prepared for the battle. The Superior Six were discussing battle plans, which seemed to mostly involve sudden surprise attacks. Night-Spider and Hunter-Spider were the biggest ones pushing that, though the others weren't disagreeing with them. 'Though, the way that Hunter-Spider is sharpening that knife…' Miles thought before looking at the others. Madame Web and several members of the Council of Mary Janes were discussing what they would be doing, with the old woman commented on different 'flashpoints' that might cause them trouble during the battle. She was also ignoring Timepool who kept, for some odd reason, holding up cans of Pepsi and asking her to open them up.

"So why again am I agreeing to do this?" Miles heard Prowler, the one he had first encountered in Miguel's holding cells, say to Nathaniel Asgard.

"Because as per our agreement not only will we take you back to your world once this is done but…" He waved his hands and a briefcase suddenly appeared, filled with, of all things, dull looking rocks.

"I was hoping for gold."

"These are diamonds," Asgard said. "Industrial ones… worth more than the fancy jewelry ones, actually. You can get quite a bit out of these and they will be FAR harder to trace… or explain… than gold."

Prowler reached for the briefcase only for it to disappear. "Yeah yeah…" he muttered to himself.

"Miles," Chris said, "remember that this time is going to be different from all others. You have support now. We'll be keeping an eye on the others, making sure they don't do anything stupid that could jeopardize things."

"Right," Miles said, wishing he could just take Spider-Chaos at face value. But the problem was that after everything that had happened… he couldn;t do that. Couldn't trust easily. He wondered if he would ever be able to trust someone again. Or at least trust someone as quickly as he had Peter B and Gwen and the rest. Sure, Noir and Ham hadn't betrayed him. And that had been such a relief to learn. They simply hadn't been able to get to his world, at the mercy of the Society calling them to visit and not knowing Miles was there when they had arrived the previous day. And Pavi seemed like a good egg. But what had happened with Gwen and Peter and to a lesser extent Peni and even Hobie had taught him he needed to be more careful. Needed to actually consider who he trusted… because while he might be willing to give all for them they might not want to give him a pencil.

"So... anything else you want to go over? Feels like we've been through the plan a thousand times already but if you have something else you want to check on..." Chris trailed off, giving Miles an opening to speak his mind.

But, to be honest... Miles wasn't for sure if he wanted to speak his mind. If he wanted to say out loud the thoughts that were troubling him. 'So long as I don;t voice them... I can deal with them. But the moment I begin actually focusing on them I think I might come completely apart!' He mentally scoffed. 'And why shouldn't I come apart? Everything that has happened... everything I've been through! No sane person would be able to move on after dealing with all this. World view completely destroyed. Betrayed by people I would have died for. My parents are in on my secret and mom isn't happy about it but also they are being oddly supportive which, okay, didn't see that coming. Entire multiverse out there but a lot of people like me joined some stupid cult... and that's not even getting into getting beaten near to death by some freaky Mexican Irish Vampire dude and only getting healed thanks to Doc Ock's male doppelganger! And now... now I'm about ready to take on some guy that is threatening to tear my world apart with a small army of Spider People...'

Honestly Miles felt like he deserved an award for not curling up in a corner and chewing on his fingernails until they bled while muttering all the digits of Pi that he could remember.

"Man... why does it always have to be me?" Miles muttered, completely forgetting that Chris was there until the other Spider spoke up.

"That's a question every person asks themselves," Chris murmured softly. "Not just Spiders... everyone. I doubt there has been a single person in the entire world who hasn't wondered at some point why they have to deal with this bullshit while others seem to have a charmed life. But... that's the thing, Miles. There are no charmed lives. We like to think there are because it oddly makes us feel better about our own shitty existences."

Miles raised an eyebrow at that. "It makes us feel better... to believe we were dealt a bad hand?"

"Oddly enough yes," Chris said. "That's at least what I've found. We all like to play the martyr. Like to have others pity us or comment about how strong we are to deal with the pain we have. Like to look at others and dream about being them even as they dream about being us. I'm not sure why... maybe its just this natural need to push ourselves further, to attempt to get more. Motivation and the like. Or maybe we can't stand the idea that we have a good thing going so we focus on all the bad so it mutes all our luck. The whole 'things can't stay this way forever' mindset." He paused. "Or maybe every sentient being in the multiverse is fucked up in the head. Honestly I'm kinda leaning towards that option."

Miles couldn't help but let out a breathy laugh at that. "Damn man, that would explain a lot, right?" He shook his head. "But yeah, I get it. Get what you are saying. Everyone seems to always look at their problems and think they are the worst things ever." He held up his hands. "I don't know... maybe its because we all want to be the hero of the story and heroes don't have these peaceful little lives where everything is sunshine and puppy dogs."

"Even in the world where sunshine and puppy dogs are the currency."

That made Miles frown. "You're joking, right?" Chris just stared at him, the words that were forever flowing over his features not being helpful because they only said COOL COLLECTED GUARDIAN BLANK. "You're joking," he finally said with a smile... only to pause once more. "Right?"

"Maybe someday you'll find out," Chris said. "Or maybe someday you'll find that world and I'll have to play dumb and act like I was telling the truth when in reality I'm shocked that a broken clock was right twice a day. Who can tell in this fucked up Multiverse. You see there is a T-Rex? God I wish we could bring the T-Rex."

"Somehow I think even New Yorkers would react badly to a Tyrannosaurs," Miles commented. "So... you've been doing this longer than I have. Spider-Man and dealing with the multiverse. How do you stay sane when it feels like everything is working to tear your brain apart?"

"You don't worry about it," Chris said. Miles shot him a flat look for that. "I mean it!" he answered with a chuckle. "You don't worry about it. Listen... its real easy to get lost in the weeds when it comes to existence and all the big questions. Why are we here? Why do bad things happen to good people? What is our purpose? Can drive you crazy... but more importantly it can keep you from doing what you need to do. Those things? They are distractions, Miles. Keep you from enjoying your life." He placed his hand on Miles' shoulder. "All you have to decide... is what to do with the time that is given to you."

"Nice one, Gandalf," Miles retorted.

Chris smirked and let go of Miles' shoulder so he could pull on his mask. "Yeah... I'm Gandalf. Let's hope I return to you at the turn of tide."

Miles' brow furrowed at that. "What-"

Spider-Chaos suddenly shot out a webline, hitting a button on the console and causing a dimensional portal to open up.

"What are you doing!?" Miguel roared, others bracing themselves as the portal began to swirl.

"Time's up! Someone has to distract the Spot so you can get in position!"

"Chris!" Cassie Strange screamed.

"We got this," he said simply. "Miles... time to decide."

And with that Spider- Chaos leapt into the portal.

~MC~MC~MC~

"You know," the Spot said as he slowly descended down into the middle of Time Square, "I'm beginning to think that Spider-Man doesn't actually care about any of you."

He had chosen Times Square as his landing spot because while some would call it cliché he would argue that there was a reason things became tropes. Times Square had an... aura about it. An energy that called out to him. Not like the particle accelerators that were screaming out to him across the Multiverse. No... they called to him in a different way. They sang that they were there and so lonely and just needed a big strong man like him to come and hold them close. To take in all their wonderful particle goodness. And he was telling them all that he was coming but the greedy little sluts were begging him to hurry up and get to them. They were so lonely, sitting in their labs, all sparking and energized and needing him to enter them and fill them up so good. And... well, he was perhaps a bit firm in telling the wailing whores that he would get to them when he wanted to and they needed to be patient but they just kept begging him and he was about ready to scream at them to shut their mouths until he-

The Spot shook his head.

"Sorry, got lost in some thoughts," he told the police that were pointing their guns at him. It was cute how they all thought they could hurt him... like fleas thinking they could harm a baseball stadium. Did that make sense? No, of course not... just like them thinking their silly little guns would be able to harm him! "But... you have to admit... it is rather rude of Spider-Man to not come swinging down here and save you. Instead that selfish little brat has left you all here to die." He held out his hands and the cops began to back away as portals formed all around them. "Oh... what am I going to send out? Could be anything, right? Acid from some horrible vat that melts you alive? Pressurized sea water that cuts you into pieces? Maybe just good old fashion flames so you're trapped in an inferno. Of course, that is assuming that I send something through to you... these could be the gateway to someplace else. The bottom of the ocean. Above a volcano. Maybe just drop you off a few miles above this city. Make the plummet JUUUUUUSSSSSSSSST long enough that you have a chance to think about all your life choices before you hit with a gooey... splat."

The Spot tilted his head, staring at the now rather nervous police.

"To be honest... I haven't decided yet. Hell, I might be kind and just teleport you to a Chuck E. Cheese. They still have those, right? If not some other place with a ball pit. That would be nice of me, right? Ah. Decisions decisions..." He wiggled his fingers-

"HEY!" someone called out and the Spot twisted his gaze skyward.

"Finally- wait, what?" he frowned... or made his own version of a frown since it was hard to frown with no mouth... as he saw someone swinging towards him on some webbing.

Someone... who wasn't Spider-Man.

"Sorry to bother you!" the new arrival said, landing on the side of a building. He was wearing a yellow and blue costume, similar to Spider-Man's but... not it. His spider icon was on his mask, legs stretching around his face. And he had a different build than Spider-Man. A bit taller and thicker. Not fat but... heavier. "I can tell you are super busy doing evil things but I was hoping you could help me out. Which, admittedly, is weird to ask someone who, again, is doing evil things but I tend to be optimistic."

"Who... who are you?" The Spot said.

"Name's Spider-Chaos. Not from around here, so you've never heard of me. Anyway, I'm looking for someone and you look like a clever guy so I figured to take my chance and ask if you'd seen them."

The Spot considered the so-called Spider-Chaos for a long moment. "You aren't with that one that tried to kill Spider-Man, are you? Miguel... O'Hara?"

"Oh fuck no!" Spider-Chaos said with a laugh. "Fuck no!" he let out a snort. "That's a good one. Nah... I'm the one that threatened to destroy the bastard-"

"HE'S MINE!" The Spot roared, balling his hands up into fists. "He is mine to kill! He stole my Spider-Man from me and he's going to die!" The Spot paused, calming down slightly. Or, perhaps it would be better to say, he let his anger go from hot to cold. "Unless this is a trick by Spider-Man and then I will make him suffer."

"Can't tell you either way there," Spider-Chaos said. "I'd offer to help you find out but, again, I'm busy looking for someone."

"Well," the Spot said with a shrug, "I'm busy too."

"Right, I see that now. Sorry, I shouldn't have bothered you. Good luck killing Miguel O'Hara... or Spider-Man... or the secret society of Daddy Long Legs who created Spider-Man to cover up their own sinister plots."

"I... wait, is that a thing?"

"Shhh... they could be listening," Spider-Chaos said, pressing a finger to his lips. "I've already said too much. I just hope for your sake that isn't true." He moved to swing away. "I need to find this world's greatest villain."

"You... are looking for this world's greatest villain?" The Spot said slowly.

"Oh yeah. A true terror. Able to take on everyone that faces him. Able to drain the might of the mightiest. And someone, from what I hear, able to create openings..."

"Or Spots?" the Spot said, growing excited. At long last... someone that recognized his greatness!

"Yeah!" Spider-Chaos said, pointing a finger at The Spot. "That's exactly it. The most dreaded villain on this planet..."

Taking a step forward the former scientist said, "Well, let me tell you then that I am-"

"Glory Hole!"

The Spot stumbled.

"I… no. I'm-"

"Glory Hole, yeah we established that. So great a villain because none of us can match him! Able to take on all-comers. And I do mean cummers." The Spot could hear the WINK in the man's words. "Doesn't matter the shape or the size… honestly its impressive. Awe-inspiring!"

"I… I am not gay!" the Spot shrieked.

"HEY!" Spider-Chaos snapped, his tone suddenly VERY angry. "What's with that tone!?"

"My tone-"

"I say, I say listen here, boy!" Spider-Chaos said, adopted a Southern Accent. "Now I don't know what's wrong with ya, boy, but we don't go gettin' all offended over sexual preferences here. I mean, come on, use that gray matter that the good lord gave ya! It ain't full of holes, is it?" He suddenly was right next to the Spot and smacked him on the back so hard he stumbled. "Ain't nothin' wrong with bein' gay, boy, so don't sound so offended. Stand up straight there when I'm talkin' to ya." He forced the Spot back up and began to lead him away from Times Square. "Listen here, ain't nothin' wrong with one man lovin' another man. Folks who have a problem with that are as sharp as a bowlin' ball. Now, I know, I say I know ya look a bit like one but you ain't no bowlin' ball, are ya? That your name? Bowlin' Ball?"

"I… am the Spot-"

"Boy, would ya let me talk? You're jabberin' way too much and not lettin' me get in a word edgewise, really is a shameful. Gotta show some manners there." He smacked the Spot on the shoulder again and caused him to spin around wildly. "Come on now, ya can walk straight can't ya? Ya get all offended about someone thinkin' ya aren't straight but can't even walk straight? Shame on yea, boy, shame on ya! That's the problem, you're too busy flappin' those gums ta actually listen! Love the sound of your own voice! That's the problem with ya! Need ta take a moment and actually listen! Use them things on the side of your head that keep your glasses from slidin' off! A disgrace, that's what ya are, actin' like this. All slouching and stumblin' and shakin'!" He grabbed the Spot and shook him hard. "Boy, ya listenin' ta me boy? I say, I say, I swear you're as slow as a slug with a broken leg. As dim as a broken lightbulb. That's why ya need ta listen ta me, boy and-"

The Spot finally had enough and shoved the man away. "I don't know who you are but I will not listen to your gibberish a moment longer."

"Good because I was running out a Foghorn lines," Spider-Chaos said, using his normal accent again. The words ASSHOLE and JACKASS and other variants on 'ass' appeared on his face. "Still, I suppose we can be done…"

He looked to his right and left and the Spot did the same… and fumed when he realized that the man had led him away from the cops and they were in now in a construction site that was empty. Overhead was a train rail and he could hear one of the lightning quick trains approaching but otherwise it was just The Spot and Spider-Chaos.

"You tricked me."

"I did," Spider-Chaos said. "Wasn't that hard… odd to think that bagel might have had more intelligence than you. Think that is what happened? You got its hole and it got your brains? Maybe there is this bagel wearing a cape somewhere, glowering at a computer screen and declared that, "Bagel Is!" before laughing."

"I… I am going to tear you apart and spread your body across the multiverse!" the Spot roared as portals began to form around him, crackling and shifting as he began to move closer towards the annoying figure.

"Get in line, Glory Hole," Spider-Chaos said only to blink. "Something I'm sure you're used to telling all the sailors down at the dock. Seriously Blanche, not slut-shaming but you can rest up to get electrolytes. Ul-Tune, drop a beat!"

"Aw yeah, I got the best one, boss!" a voice called out from a nearby speaker and The Spot stopped his forward progress and turned to stare at it just as a pounding beat began to play. Not just from it but it sounded like from every speaker in New York, turning the entire city into a dance club.

Return of the Mack

Get'em; what it is? What it does? What it is? What it isn't?

Looking for a better way to get up outta bed

Instead of getting on the Internet

And checking on who hit me, get up

Thrift shop, pimp-strut walking'

Little bit of humble, litte bit cautious

Somewhere between Rocky and Cosby

The Spot twisted, ready to battle the annoying bastard that was ruining everything… only for Spider-Chaos to fire off a webline at the train just as it roared above them, giving a cheeky wave as he was yanked off his feet. The Spot stood there for a moment, so utterly startled by what had happened and thinking that it had to be a trick. That his foe wouldn't merely appear, act like they were friends, then insult him and trick him before… running away.

But Spider-Chaos… didn't even look back. He just continued to grow further and further away as the train continued on.

"You… you can't run from me!"

With that the Spot began to form portals to give chase.

Can we go go back? This is the moment

Tonight is the night, we'll fight 'til its over

So we put our hands up

Like the ceiling can't hold us

Like the ceiling can't hold us…

~MC~MC~MC~

Author's Notes: Don't be like the Spot. Be like Glory Hole, respect the LGBTQ+ community.

Happy Pride Month!