บท 42: 41. Old soul

(Flashback)

Peter is on the floor with his head down in shame. After hearing both god-like beings tell how bad he's made things, he can't imagine how it could be worse.

"Wait what else did they say?"

"Not important. Anyway-"

While Peter is wallowing in his misery, Mephistopheles steps forward with a kick in his step. The demon lord is pleased with this outcome. Peter can't imagine what is going through the monster's head, but he knows it's not anything good. After all, he caused this but somehow makes it seem like it's Peter's fault.

And Peter feels inclined to agree.

"It would seem it is time to pass my judgment," The Living Tribunal states, "Does the Totem carrier have nothing to say?"

Peter wants to say something, anything in his defense, but can't. Frankly, after everything Love and Hate said he can't come up with anything to excuse his actions. He doesn't even want to. He feels like he-

"Mistress Death, can you please come forward."

Both Peter and Mephistopheles become surprised at this. The latter because he did not expect the Watcher to call forward Death, who holds no love for the humans and would certainly not help in any capacity. At least he's sure she wouldn't. Why would she?

But Peter is only surprised because it was Uatu who called Death. The guy is supposed to be defending him and earth. He's pretty sure Death won't have anything nice to say.

Then dread fills him as he can imagine what will be talked about. All the people he's failed. All the lives he couldn't save because of his screwups. Why would Uatu call for her?

Love and Hate step away and Death takes their place at being the center of attention.

"Please, summon the soul of Benjamin Parker."

Peter's heart shoots up his throat and chokes him. He looks at Uatu in shock as Death hesitates for a moment before she waves her hand.

A flash of light later and a man that he's never stopped thinking about appears just as he remembers him.

"Hey there, kiddo."

"Uncle Ben," he says in a whisper.

No. Not him. Of all the people in Peter's life, not-

He lunges forward and hugs the man tightly as tears fall freely from his eyes, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry."

"Hey, hey come on champ," Ben Parker says gently to his nephew as he holds him tightly, "Is that any way for a hero to be acting?"

Peter just holds him tighter and continues to apologize.

"What is this!?" Mephisto asks angrily as he comes forward, and Peter quickly reacts and gets in front of his Uncle Ben, "This man has no business here!"

Ben places a hand on Peter's shoulder and steps around him and stares at the devil fearlessly, "Well considering it's my nephew you're trying to pin this whole thing on, I think I have every right to be here, spooky."

The demon lord glares banefully at Ben, "Do you have any idea who you are speaking to?"

"I couldn't care less," Ben responds as he turns his back on the devil and addresses the Watcher, "Is it possible for me to speak to my nephew for a few moments?"

Uatu turns his attention to the one in charge, "Living Tribunal," he addresses with a bow, "I would ask you to allow this man to speak to Spider-Man."

Raising a nonexistent eyebrow, "Why should I permit such a thing?"

"Because it'd make a huge difference," Ben responds before Uatu does.

Peter immediately panics and as he tugs on the man's sleeve he says, "Uncle Ben!"

The senior Parker looks to the younger one with an amused smile, "Relax kiddo, I got this," he says before he gets serious as he looks to the Tribunal, "Look a guy like you I'm assuming is a big picture kind of guy. Meaning as far as the small stuff that happens in the world goes, you couldn't care any less."

Peters dealt with people like that. Maybe not cosmic level, but certainly people from home. Like the Avengers and how they don't think street-level stuff is as important as the big stuff like Hydra and whatnot.

"Well I'm here to tell you you're wrong," panic in the young hero gets even worse as he listens to his uncle call out the Tribunal, "The small stuff matters. If enough of the small details you think don't matter change, then you wind up with a different big picture. Get what I'm saying."

Peter can't help but be terrified about what his Uncle is doing. The man is speaking to the most powerful being in the universe so casually. Hell, he's even going so far as to lecture the guy.

If Peter could, he'd have messed up his pants.

After a few moments of silence, the Tribunal responds, "Very well I shall permit this."

Peter releases a breath he didn't know he was holding as his uncle thanks the Tribunal. He feels a hand on his shoulder and looks up to see his uncle giving him a smile of mirth.

"What are you looking so scared for?" He asks sarcastically.

Peter tries to respond but is completely tongue-tied at his uncle. So he just opts to hug the man again.

The older man just laughs at his nephew's action, "Easy there son. I may be a soul but I'm still an old soul."

Peter chuckles at the bad joke as he reluctantly releases his uncle and wipes his eyes, "Sorry, Uncle Ben it's just-" his smile turns into a sad look, "I'm so sorry, Uncle Ben."