Rebirth Of the Phantom Web

The day started like any other for Peter Parker.

He was perched on a rooftop overlooking the bustling streets of Manhattan, his mask half-off as he devoured a hot dog he'd grabbed mid-patrol. Swinging around the city and speeding through narrow alleys always gave him a ravenous appetite, and he savored every bite as the city buzzed below.

"So far, so good," Peter mumbled between bites. "No bank heists, no giant monsters… just a good ol' quiet day in the Big Apple."

But far away, in the peaceful halls of the Xavier Institute for Higher Learning, a very different kind of day was unfolding.

Perspective Shift: Charles Xavier

In his study, Professor Charles Xavier adjusted the straps of the Cerebro helmet. The room hummed softly as the massive device powered up, its spherical walls shimmering with faint light. Charles had spent the morning searching for new mutant signatures, always on the lookout for young people who needed guidance or protection from a world that feared them.

Today, however, he stumbled upon something… extraordinary.

As he concentrated, Cerebro's reach expanded across the globe, a flood of voices and sensations filtering through his mind. Familiar presences passed by—mutants he'd already contacted, others too distant to reach. But then, something unique flickered into focus, pulsing with an unfamiliar yet overwhelming energy.

He focused on it, zeroing in on the signature.

"A young man… no older than twenty," Charles murmured. "Fascinating. His power is unlike anything I've sensed before."

It wasn't just raw power—it was two distinct energies intertwined, as though they were working in tandem. One felt biological, spider-like in its precision and agility, while the other was something entirely different, vibrating with a force that seemed to warp time and space.

Charles furrowed his brow. This wasn't just a mutant signature—it was something more.

He pushed further into the connection, images forming in his mind: a young man in a red-and-blue suit, darting through the streets of New York at impossible speeds, his mind brimming with quick wit and endless determination.

"Peter Parker," Charles said aloud, recognizing the name as the boy's thoughts surfaced. "The Webrunner… and a mutant."

Charles removed the helmet, his mind racing. "So much potential… but such danger, if left unguided."

He knew what he had to do.

Perspective Shift: Peter Parker

Peter's day had gone from quiet to chaotic. A runaway food truck nearly flattened a street vendor, and Peter had barely managed to web it to a stop in time. Now, back in his apartment, he slumped onto the couch, flipping on the TV as he peeled off his mask.

"That's enough heroing for today," he muttered, tossing his web-shooters onto the coffee table.

Just as he reached for a soda, there was a knock at the door. Peter frowned, glancing at the clock. It was late—too late for deliveries or neighbors.

Cautiously, he approached the door, his senses tingling. He cracked it open, only to find a man in a wheelchair waiting on the other side.

Peter froze. His eyes widened in shock, but he quickly schooled his expression. It's him. Charles Xavier. Professor X. No way.

"Peter Parker," Charles said warmly, his voice calm yet commanding.

Peter blinked, feigning ignorance. "Uh, yeah… can I help you?"

Charles smiled gently. "May I come in?"

Peter hesitated. He hadn't seen Charles since his last life, back when he'd read about him—or seen him in action. And yet here he was, standing on his doorstep. A legendary figure from a world Peter had only dreamed of, now real and in front of him.

"Uh, sure," Peter finally said, stepping aside. "But, uh, no offense—are you lost or something?"

Charles chuckled softly as he wheeled himself inside. "Not lost at all. In fact, I've been looking for you, Peter."

Peter closed the door, his mind racing. He kept his face neutral, but inside, he was screaming. How does he know who I am? Why now? And how much does he know about me?

Charles turned to face him, his expression calm but serious. "I know this might come as a surprise, Peter, but you're not as ordinary as you may think."

Peter kept his tone casual, though his heart was pounding. "Yeah, I figured that out when I got bitten by a radioactive spider."

Charles's smile didn't waver. "It wasn't just the spider. That bite unlocked something within you—something that was already there."

Peter raised an eyebrow, playing dumb. "And that something would be…?"

"You're a mutant, Peter."

Peter froze for a moment, pretending to process the information. But deep down, he already knew Charles was right. He'd always suspected that his powers were more than just an accident. And if Charles Xavier had figured it out, that meant Peter's secret wasn't as safe as he thought.

"So… what, you're here to recruit me? You want me to join your school or something?" Peter asked, crossing his arms.

Charles's gaze softened. "I'm here to help you. I've seen what you can do—your speed, your strength, your courage. But I also know the burden that comes with being different. The dangers you face every day."

Peter let out a nervous laugh. "Yeah, well, I've been handling it pretty well so far. Thanks for the concern, though."

Charles tilted his head slightly, his eyes narrowing just enough to let Peter know he wasn't fooled. "Peter, you can drop the act. I can see in your thoughts that you recognize me. You know who I am, don't you?"

Peter's breath hitched, his calm facade cracking. "I… I don't know what you're talking about."

Charles gave him a knowing smile. "Your memories… they're not just from this life, are they?"

Peter's heart stopped. For a moment, he felt completely exposed, as if Charles was peeling back the layers of his mind.

"You're… reading my thoughts," Peter said quietly.

Charles nodded. "Only the surface. I wouldn't delve deeper without your permission. But I can see enough to know that you've lived a life beyond this one. You've seen things—things that shouldn't be possible."

Peter swallowed hard. He'd spent so long trying to forget his old life, to focus on the here and now. But hearing it from Charles made it all feel real again.

"So, what now?" Peter asked, his voice quieter than before.

"Now," Charles said, "we talk. About who you are, who you've been, and what you're capable of. You're not alone, Peter. And I think it's time you understood just how extraordinary you really are."

Peter stared at Charles, his mind a whirlwind of emotions. For once, he didn't have a quick reply.

End of Chapter 14