{Two Years Later}
Everything seemed calm. The city was calm. The world was unmoved and collected. The universe stood as it should.
Or that is people were believed to think.
Stephen Strange walks along the corridor of the Sanctum Sanctorum with his partner Wong. The sorcerer has been the guardian of the Eye of Agamatto for about two years, which holds the Time Stone. He's swore to protect it, knowing otherworldly entities like Dormammu can use it to harm the universe.
Him and Wong walk down the stairs. The two are hungry and on the way to eat.
Doctor Strange: Seriously, you don't have any money?
Wong: Attachment to the material is detachment from the spiritual.
Doctor Strange: I'll tell the guys at the deli. Maybe they'll make you a metaphysical ham on rye.
Wong: Oh. Wait, wait, wait. I think I have 200.
Doctor Strange: Dollars?
He takes out the bills.
Wong: Rupees.
Doctor Strange: Which is?
Wong: Uh, buck and a half.
Stephen sighs. He's going to have to cover it.
Doctor Strange: What do you want?
Wong: I wouldn't say no to a tuna melt.
Suddenly, the bifrost activates behind them, and something crashes through the roof and into the staircase. They look back in shock, and Wong uses his Eldritch Magic and raises his fists. Stephen calls over his Cloak of Levitation and puts it on. The two look into the hole, and see Bruce Banner within the rubble.
Bruce pants.
Bruce: Thanos is coming. He's coming.
Stephen looks at Wong in confusion, then back at Banner.
Doctor Strange: Who?
• •
{Meanwhile}
AJ walks along the streets of Hell's Kitchen with Judith. They hold hands and converse as they pass by the shops and restaurants.
Judith: We are not getting a dog.
AJ: Come on, I saw this nice chocolate Labrador online that someone's selling. They're in Queens.
The two college graduates have been living together for the last four months, and since their apartment allowed pets, AJ wanted to have one.
Judith: You know how busy we are, AJ. The dog is gonna need some love, and we're not gonna be there all the time with him.
AJ nods, understanding her point.
A few months after taking up the Spider-Man mantle full time, AJ found out that the mysterious Spider-Woman, or Ghost-Spider, was his best friend Judith, and Vice-versa. She had gotten bit from a genetically engineered spider like AJ when she was kidnapped by the Red Goblin. He remembers saving her that day, and didn't know that day would change her life forever.
Nowadays, they are in a relationship. Judith has been his friend since middle school, and was there for him when he lost Enid. He feels like she's his soulmate, and she made him happy.
They're a pair out of costume, and also a duo in costume, both of them fighting crime together when they can.
Judith laughs as AJ was in his thoughts. She can see how not being able to have a dog kind of hurt him. The two stop on the sidewalk.
Judith: Aw, don't be sad. Hey, I all ready have one, look at those puppy dog eyes.
AJ chuckles. He tucks a strand of hair behind her ear and caresses her cheek.
AJ: I'm fine with what I have now, hermosa.
The two kiss, and then continue walking along the sidewalk.
Judith: Maybe we can go slow...start with a fish or some—
Suddenly, sparks fly ahead of them and a portal opens. Doctor Strange walks out of it, the Sanctum Sanctorum is shown behind him within the circle.
Doctor Strange: Spider-Man?
AJ raises a brow, and glances at Judith before looking back at the sorcerer.
AJ: Uh...hi?
Doctor Strange: I'm Doctor Stephen Strange, and I need your help.
AJ: How did you find me?
Doctor Strange: I just used a spell to send me where Spider-Man is. You're fairly young...are you still in high school?
AJ: I'm turning 22 in six months. I'm out of college.
Doctor Strange looks at Judith, then back at AJ.
Doctor Strange: Oh, I'm sorry. I hope I didn't spill any...secrets.
AJ: She already knew...anyways, what are you? And what do you want me for?
Doctor Strange: The fate of the universe is at stake. I need all the help I can get.
AJ looks at Judith. He is going to agree, and she knows it. It's his responsibility and mission to do so.
Judith: Let me come with you.
AJ: No, I have to see exactly what this is. You stay here, and in case things get bad, I'll come back to you.
Judith nods, holding his hands. They say goodbye and AJ goes through the portal with Doctor Strange.
They make it to the Sanctum Sanctorum, and AJ looks around the dimly lit room. He sees Wong, and the sorcerer's brow raises.
Wong: This is Spider-Man?
Doctor Strange: Yes, you told me that he'd be around here.
Wong: Yeah, but he's younger than I thought. He doesn't look like he's been operating for the last decade.
AJ crosses his arms. He knows the person they expected to see.
AJ: I think I know who you're talking about....
Doctor Strange: What?
AJ: I'm Spider-Man right now, but there was one before me...
Stephen and Wong listen in.
AJ: ...the original.
• •
{Meanwhile}
You are at home, sitting in front of your computer in your office. You're finishing up your online class, and start bidding farewell to the students streaming from their webcams.
You: Well, that's all for today folks. Remember that the assignment is due this Sunday at midnight, and I recommend that you don't wait to do it an hour before it's due.
Student 1: Thank you, Mr. L/N.
Student 2: Thank you.
Student 3: Have a nice day.
Student 4: Yet another great web-based class, Mr. L/N.
You chuckle. Even after two years, students would throw in jokes referencing your time as Spider-Man.
You: Have a great rest of the day.
You end the class and start stretching as you get up.
You've been a professor at ESU teaching online classes from home. You do this because of the house-arrest term you had, which had just concluded a couple weeks ago. Next semester you hope to be able to teach on campus.
Teaching has always been something you like to do. Once you lost your job at Stark Industries after the Germany incident, you went straight to teaching. You were glad they accepted you despite the circumstances.
You go into your living room, and then you apartment door opens. Clementine walks in, and you smile upon her arrival.
Clementine: Hey, honey.
You: Hey. They let you off early?
Clementine: Yup. Slow day at the Times. The current events have been handled.
She goes up to you and you kiss her.
Clementine: You just finished class?
You: Yeah. Now it's just time to relax, and wait for the kids to finish school so I can pick them up.
Clementine: I'll come with. I find it funny every time the principal comes out to see you.
You laugh. The principal at Ben, May, and Aaron's elementary school loves Spider-Man, especially the original. He always wants to talk with you.
You: Sooner or later I feel like he's going to invite me to dinner, without his wife. Just me and him.
Clementine laughs too.
Clementine: Speaking of dinner, how about we go grab something to eat? I'm starving.
You: Sounds like a swell idea.
Out of nowhere, there's a loud whoosh and sparks fly to the left of you. A portal opens, and Doctor Strange comes out of it. He looks around for a moment, then at you.
Doctor Strange: Y/N L/N? I'm Doctor Stephen Strange. I need your help.
You: Who are you exactly, Wizard of Waverly Place?
Doctor Strange: You were the original Spider-Man, the Avenger. The fate of humanity as we know it is at risk. I need you to come with me.
You look at Clementine in confusion, then at Strange.
You: What? What's happening?
AJ comes out of the portal too.
You: AJ?
AJ: Y/N, I know you said you wouldn't suit up anymore. But...this is big. It's gonna need the both of us.
The sorcerer looks on as you think about it. AJ was called up by him, and now he's asking for the assistance of the original Spider-Man. You.
Maybe this is big. Maybe the fate of the universe is at stake. You needed to learn more.
You: Okay...
You look at Clementine and hold her hands. Like always, she understands your decision.
Clementine: I always knew the retired life wouldn't last.
You chuckle.
You: I'll come back. To you and the kids. I promise.
She looks into your eyes.
Clementine: I know you will.