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iguana-eyanna · 10 months

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In Another Universe Pt. 6

Pairing: Ned Leeds x superhero! reader

Summary: Ned's world turns upside down when his new powers bring a stranger to his world. What's more strange is that she knows who he is.

Everything was set in motion. MJ was assisting Sorcerer Supreme Wong to prepare while Doctor Strange was practicing his incantation. Ned and Peter were sent off to grab everything else.

Ned went straight to get ahold of some herbs in the potion closet, muttering the ingredients to himself.

"Need a hand?" Peter asks.

"Sure, hold these." Ned said in a rush, stacking bottles in Peter's arms.

"Look, about earlier... I'm sorry if I crossed a line." Peter said but Ned doesn't look over.

"You're fine Pete, no worries." Ned said, walking away to get the spell book in the library. Peter followed in tow.

"Ned, I'm trying to apologize. Could we just pause right now?" Peter asks.

"Funny you should say that cause when I wanted to talk to you, you were busy elsewhere." Ned looked over his shoulder as he went up on the ladder to look where it was located.

"Okay, I deserve that. But I feel like you need to take a break and breathe for a sec. You're preparing for something that could kill you."

Ned breathed through his nose as he looks at Peter.

"I am done letting people, especially you, tell me what my limits are. I'm not a kid, I'm not your sidekick, and I'm not rushing this. So you could just let go of your pride for a second and be there for me just this once?" Ned raised his voice.

Peter seemed unsettled with his friend's temper. He never saw Ned angry. Ned returned his focus and turned over to his right, finding the book he was looking for.

It was different than the darkhold or the other books that were on the shelf. This had egyptian hieroglyphs that kept on moving on the cover, glowing a soft gold color.l

"The Book of Thoth." Ned whispered as he went down the stairs.

"That's the God of Knowledge from the Egyptian Mythology. But why does that book sound familiar?" Peter asks, looking down.

"Don't you remember the first issues of the Captain America comic books? He defeated the Witch Queen alongside Bucky when she was resurrected with this book. I thought it was just something they made up but apparently, this is real."

"That's so cool. I gotta ask Mr. Barnes if this is familiar." Peter said, slightly fan boying.

"Only if I get to tag along." Ned joked.

"Of course man! Mr. Barnes is so cool, I think you guys will like each other. He read the first copies of Lord of the Rings."

"No way!" Ned said in disbelief.

The two laugh a bit before Peter looks at Ned.

"I'm truly sorry for the way I've been treating you. It wasn't right to just ignore you like that. You literally took down an evil doppelganger with your powers and you're doing something pretty selfless. I'm proud of you Ned, I hope you know that." Peter said.

"You're my best friend Pete, I don't mind you being with MJ, I like hanging out with her too. I just missed when it was the three of us, or rather me not feeling like a third wheel."

"We're going to change that. No one is going to be left out or forgotten. And Ned? You were never a sidekick."

Ned smiles and gives Peter a hug.

"No matter what happens, I'll be there man." Peter assured Ned.

The two let go and they use their free hand to do their handshake before heading back.

"So, just to clarify, the girl you told us you were dating is or is not your girlfriend?" Peter asks.

"It's more of a cover really... but with these memories I told her that I was falling in love with her."

"WHAT?" Peter half yells which Ned shushed him.

"What?" Peter whispers again this time.

"That's why I'm wanting to do this. Although the memories I have of her are real, it feels more of a movie I watched than actually living them. I need to find the answer if I love her because of me or him."

Peter nods his head.

"Well, I'm glad that both of you are at an understanding. It must have been hard to face those feelings alone." he says

They finally reached the middle where everyone else was as they were busy. You look over at Ned, giving him a soft smile.

"Yeah, you could say something like that." Ned replied.

Ned gave Wong the book as everyone placed the items on the ground. MJ was using chalk on the ground in order to contain the incantation.

"You ready kid?" Strange asked.

Ned nods his head.

"Let's bring Edward up."

Wong opens a portal and out came Edward who looked unfazed of being transported out from his prison.

"If you do anything to jeopardize this, I will make sure you will be transported to the icey glaciars of Greenland." Wong warned him.

"Yeah, that totally makes me want to to do more trouble now." Edward says sarcastically.

"It's a bit unsettling to see them in the same room." Peter whispers to MJ.

"Yeah, I agree." She says.

"Okay. Ned 1 and Ned 2... listen up so I don't accidentally melt your brains into smoothies."

The two Leeds look at Strange with an unsettled look.

"Not the best time for jokes, I get it. But, you should really listen. Here, drawn by MJ, is a circle. Do not step OUT of the circle. This rune will make sure that those inside will only share the others memory. You're not allowed to interrupt my incantation. This hasn't been done for about a hundred years, and we don't want to see the outcome if it goes wrong. Am I clear?"

"So what you're saying is don't step out and shut up?" Edward asks, crossing his arms.

"Pretty much."

Ned looks over at Peter and MJ.

"If anything happens, tell my parents and my Lola I love them."

"You're going to them yourself Ned." MJ reassured him.

"I'm here bud." Peter says, as MJ squeezed Peter's hand as he was nervous.

The two Neds then look at you, expecting any last parting words from you.

"Please... be careful." you whispered.

The two boys stood apart in the circle and looked straight at each other.

"This may hurt a bit." Strange said before reciting the incantation.

Ned was about to ask how much, but soon his eyes glowed yellow. He floated in midair, unresponsive. You were about to go up to him, but Wong held you in your spot.

"We need to do this." Wong stated.

Soon, Dr. Strange waived his hands in a circular motion and brought out the dreams Ned had.

It was like you saw a projection of every moment you had with Edward. They were all in golden colors, and each memory moved as if you were in the moment.

One was when you had your first date at the state fair, and Ned won you a stuffed panda.

One memory that caught you off guard was the second night you spent with this world's Ned on the roof of his apartment. You were looking at the sky and saw how he fell in love with you.

"How is that possible that Ned remembered all of Edward's memories?" Peter asks.

"Any dream you have of yourself is most likely a memory a version of you had in a different universe. Apparently, all these memories of Spidergirl's Ned are the most vivid with our Ned."

Peter walks around the circle, seeing Ned's memories and caught one of them freshmen year of high school. They looked so shy in class, but Ned peered over when he saw that Peter had a star wars comic book on his desk. They started talking, and soon it was the first day of being friends.

Peter sniffles a bit, remembering the time it was them against the world.

Everyone was too preoccupied of looking at the memories floating in the air, the voice in Edward's head became louder.

'Now's our chance, you know what to do.' Hobgoblin said.

Edward reaches into the hidden pocket of the jacket he's wearing, feeling the small explosive he has saved in case of emergencies. He finds where the Book of Thoth was left unguarded. Edward was about to throw the explosive towards it, but then he heard something.

"You won't catch me!" You yelled out loud. "Yes I will!" Ned replied back.

"Huh?" Edward looks back and finds the memory. It appeared him and you were at a park, you wore this white spring dress that was covered in blue flowers. You were smiling, laughing as Ned was chasing you.

"Gotcha!" Ned replied, catching you by your waist as he spinned you back to his chest. "I let you!" You joked, playfully shoving his shoulder. "What will take you for me to release you?" He asks. You hum a bit before an idea pops in your head. "A kiss." Ned becomes easily flushed. This was your fourth date with each other and he has been too shy to kiss you. Maybe it was because he wanted to go slow and be the gentleman he always was, but this was his first kiss. He was worried he was going to mess this up. "Hey... it's okay. I'm not going anywhere. I'm with you till the end of the line." You said, placing a hand on his chest. Ned felt a flutter in his heart as you remembered that was a line from the Captain America and Bucky comic book he showed you. He placed his hand on top of yours and stared at you with such warm eyes. Without hesitation, he tilts his head down and kissed your lips for the first time. Both of you closed your eyes, feeling a thousand stars were surrounding you. Once you pulled away, you brush away a strand of hair that was in his face. "Nothing beats a first kiss." You said, smiling. Ned widen his smile as he picked you by the waist and spun you again and kissed you again with all the love he could give.

"That quote was your favorite movie." Edward whispers, looking down on the ground.

You break away from the memory and look at him.

"Ned?" you call him.

He turns around towards you, his eyes looking almost familiar.

Suddenly, he hisses in pain as he grabbed the sides of his head.

'STOP IT.' The voice yelled in his head.

"What's happening?" MJ asks.

"Something is blocking his mind for the memories to enter. Strange can't do anything when Ned is unconscious." Wong said.

"It's not something... it's someone." You said, hearing a sort of high pitch from your spider sense.

Edward thrashed his head violently, until he paused... giving a bone chilling laugh that filled the air.

He looks at you, smiling at you wickedly.

"Miss me?" Edward's voice slightly changing.

"Hobgoblin." You whispered.

"I can't wait to show you what I have in store." He says, his eyes growing a darker shade.

You don't know what he meant, but you could see Hobgoblin reach for something in his pocket.

"Peter! The book!" You screamed.

Peter ran to wear the book went as Hobgoblin threw the explosive at his direction. Peter almost reached towards, but then the explosive blew up, sending everyone off their feet. Artifacts flown around the room as some laid down on the floor and the book was lost in the chaos. Wong made a magic shield around MJ to protect her from any debris as you and Peter landed on the walls.

You could see all of Ned's memories slightly glitch, as the magic was being disrupted due to the rune on the floor was damaged.

"Someone needs to fix this quick!" Strange grunted, trying to not let any of the memories escape as they now swarmed in the air. Without the book, Strange couldn't maintain the spell. You could hear all the voices of each memory overlap, making it hard to focus.

"I can fix the rune! But you have to keep Hobgoblin inside!" MJ screamed.

"Find the book, I'll deal with him." You said to Peter. He nod his head.

MJ grabbed a chalk and started to connect the runes once more. You went in the opening and went up to Hobgoblin.

"I don't want to hurt you anymore." You said, hoping your Ned would hear you.

"Too late for that." Hobgoblin replied as he threw his fist at you. You knelt down as you caught it in thin air, but it was hard to maintain his grip. Hobgoblin used this opportunity to swing his leg towards your ribs that were already bruised. You let go, groaning, but you stood tall and raised your fists.

"This ends tonight." You gritted before both of you charge.

MJ rushed fixing the symbols on the floor as you and Hobgoblin fought. You ducked most of his punches, but he was almost invincible to take down.

"I'm almost done! You need to get out!" MJ screamed.

"I need more time!" you yelled back, trying to use your web fluid but Hobgoblin breaks free in seconds.

"There's not enough! I can't contain the memories anymore!" Strange yelled.

You look up and see Ned's aura fading like all of his memories. You can't leave Ned like this. And you can't leave Edward either, not again. You look over at MJ and nod your head.

"Do it."

She nods her head and scribbles the last symbol. Finally, the floor glowed around you three. Peter found the book in time and gave it to Strange as he recited the last lines.

"I know you're in their Ned, you can fight against him. You're able to decide for yourself, not him!"

"STOP TALKING" Hobgoblin spoke as you could sense that he was losing control over Edward's body.

"I'm not going anywhere, baby. I'm right here. I-"

You stop as you were now gasping for air.

The air was still for a moment. You could hear your new friends calling your name and you look down, seeing that Hobgoblin found a dagger lying on the floor and pierced you in the stomach.

Hobgoblin smirks back at you.

Suddenly, the soft glow of yellow turned a violent shade of orange. Hobgoblin took notice and turned around, seeing Ned now towering over him, his eyes glowing like raging fires.

"Wong? What's going on?" Strange asks.

"He's still conscious! His emotional ties towards her is stronger than we realized, Ned might not break free from this rage!" He yells back.

Ned took Hobgoblin by the collar and levitated up, flying as Hobgoblin dangled in mid air. Ned didn't even say a word, but his features turned menacing. That innocent kid that he once was is now gone.

"Just do it, kill me now. But if you don't you're just as weak as Edward." Hobgoblin spat.

"Stop, you're better than this!" Peter screamed.

Ned, not facing towards his friends, raised his hands toward them as they became frozen in place, even with Doctor Strange and Wong. But with Strange's lost of control, all the memories began to violently fly around the room. There was screaming, so much screaming. Everyone now saw the horrible things Edward had gone through. His manic episodes when he was lost in the sewers, his destruction towards the city when innocent lives were lost, and the times he fought with you before you were transported towards this world.

"Ned..."

Ned looks down as he sees you lying on your back, starting to bleed out.

"I'm with you till the end of the line."

Suddenly, the memories came to a halt as everyone became quiet. Ned lets go of Hobgoblin. He thought he was about to fall to his doom, but he levitates in the air.

"You're wrong about us. We're not weak... we care a lot. And frankly, I think you're time is finished."

And with that, Ned raised his hands to Hobgoblin, blasting all of the memories at Hobgoblin.

Hobgoblin screams out as Edward fights for control as both of the Leed boys shine bright as the sun. Everyone else closes their eyes as the light overcame their senses. Soon, it began to dim as well as the hold that Ned had on them. They break free from their frozen places and look up to where Ned and Hobgoblin once were.

They see Ned holding Edward's shoulders as he seemed half conscious.

"I got you, man." Ned whispered as they soon stood on the floor. Everyone else surrounded them, unsure.

Edward regains his senses, looking straight at Ned.

"It's... it's quiet. I don't hear him anymore." Edward said in disbelief. Both Ned and Edward smiled as they hugged each other, realizing that it worked.

Edward smiles brightly as he tries to look for you, calling your name.

"I remember now! I remember everyth-" Edward stops speaking as he sees you lying on the floor, eyes closed.

"No," Ned whispered.

Both he and Edward race to your side as Edward lifts you in his lap, trying to shake you to wake up as Ned held your hand.

You lied in his arms, cold as your blood decorated the floor. Peter and MJ go up to their friend as Peter knelt down besides Ned.

"I - I killed her." Edward whispers.

"It's not your fault." Ned said.

"It is. She's gone because of me."

Ned looks over and sees his teacher a few steps away, still shocked as he witnessed Ned's power.

"We can't do anything, can we?"

Wong lowers his head.

"It is forbidden. We must not disrupt the balance of the living and the dead."

"How about the book? There has to be a way-"

"There is. But it requires for one soul to be exchanged in order to bring back the other. We're not risking your lives again."

"What if we shared half of our souls to her?" Edward asks.

Everyone turns back to Edward.

"Half of my soul and half of Ned's creates one soul. Can that work?"

Wong and Strange look at each other, unsure.

Ned looks back at you, as you lied there peacefully

"We have to try."

Edward lies you on the ground as Ned took the book and looked at the spell.

"Hold her hand and I'll hold the other. Whatever you do, don't let go."

"I won't." Edward said.

Ned looked down at the book, repeating the words that was written on the page. Everyone around them saw a small glowing orb erupting from Ned's and Edward's chest.

"That's their souls." Wong whispered to Peter and MJ.

They flew in the air at the moment, slowly twirling around each other until the souls flew in your chest. A few seconds past and you gasp for air. Ned and Edward jump back from you unexpectedly. You look down and see that how your stab wound healed completely, barely leaving a scar.

“What- what happened?” You ask, looking around.

"You died for a good 5 minutes. All hope was gone till we decided we split our souls so you could come back."

"We?" You ask.

He looks over your shoulder and you turn around in his direction, seeing Edward standing alone.

Ned helped you get up until you were on your feet and you slowly take a few steps towards him.

He looks so scared as you got closer to him.

"Is it really you?" You ask, your heart still unsure if your Ned was back.

"On our first date... we went to go watch that new Disney movie. You looked cold so I gave you my letterman jacket. And when you wanted to hold my hand, I warned you that I had sweaty hands and you said -"

"-I had calloused hands so it was perfect." you finished his sentence

Edward and you laugh quietly as he looks at you, close to tears.

"I am so sorry, for everything. If I could take everything back, I would-"

You stopped Edward as hugged him tightly.

Besides you two, everyone around you began to tear up. Strange had to step away because he was more of a mess than all of you.

Edward choked as he quickly wrapped his arms around you, needing your touch like it was the only thing that was keeping him alive.

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"Thank you, for everything." You said to Peter and MJ as you and Edward were about to leave this dimension.

You've stayed for an extra two days, wanting to regroup all the events this week. But, you two decided it was time to go home.

"Of course, I'm glad that you're able to go back, Ned." Peter said.

"Actually, I think I want to be called Edward from now on... it kinda grew up on me." Edward said, intertwining his hands with yours.

"I like it too." You smiled at him.

At a fair distance, Ned looked at you and Edward happily in love.

"How are you?" Wong asks as he walked up to Ned.

"I'm... i'm alright. Made my piece that they'll be going back. I'm happy for them." Ned said, smiling contently.

Wong nodded his head.

"We need to discuss about your magic. Strange and I were talking and we had never seen someone advanced this quickly during their training. You're powerful Ned, more than you realize."

Ned looks down at his hands, knowing that too.

"Like I told you awhile ago, my Lola told me that we had a long line of people who were gifted."

"It's more than that, Ned. I believe you are a descendant of a powerful lineage. It ties to a mystic artifact that we've encountered: the Ten Rings. No one knows its origin, not even the man that beholds it."

"What's his name?" Ned asked curiously.

"His name is Shang-Chi. I will be meeting him in a few weeks to research more about this from his late mother's homeland, and I want you by my side on my expedition."

"I'm honored, Master Wong. I won't let you down!" Ned replied, about to hug Wong, but decided to bow instead.

Wong smirks and releases a sigh.

"I'll make an exception, just this once."

Ned smiled brightly and hugged Wong.

"Guys! Guys! Guys!" Ned yelled, running toward his friends.

"You didn't tell him everything, did you?" Strange asked.

"That what... he may be a descendant of the most evil sorcerers of ancient times?" Wong asked.

"I get it Wong, he's a good kid. But he needs to know his fate if his powers will corrupt him like The Duwende."

Wong sighs. He thought hearing Edward's alter ego sounded so familiar until he realized that duwende was the Filipino word for elf and goblin, or rather Hobgoblin.

"I will, but for now, we let him live the life he wants. He shouldn't be burdened of a historic destiny when he's finding himself."

The two look over to see Ned smiling and laughing with his friends. He almost died on countless attacks, disappeared from the blip and had to redo half of his education.

But one thing about Ned was that he stilled smiled, even in the face of casualty.

Wong and Strange walked away to give the teens some privacy as they discuss more of their expedition.

In a few minutes, everyone began to say their final goodbyes.

Ned was faced to-face with Edward.

"What are you going to do now?" Ned asked.

"I wanna see my family again. Just thinking about my Lola is making me tear up right now." Edward sighed, brushing his eyes with the back of his hand.

"But I'm going to get help. Even if I'm not Hobgoblin anymore, I need to make things right with the people I've hurt and take responsibility. Thank you, for reminding me of who I am." Edward said, lifting his hand.

"Actually, can we try something?"

Ned quickly taught him the handshake that him and Peter do and were laughing at how cool it was to be doing this with their doppleganger.

"Be kind to yourself, Edward. You were always a good person, don't ever forget that."

Edward smiles at Ned's words as the two hug each other.

"Mind if I steal you for a minute?" You interrupt.

Edward goes next to you and smiles, squeezing your hand before you and Ned were talking.

"I guess this is it." You said, rubbing the side of your arm.

"Yeah... it was um, nice to have you around." Ned said.

You look at him in a bit of disbelief.

"You know I have half of your soul, and that's how you're sending me off?" You sassed.

Ned couldn't help but crack a smile.

Your feels a bit heavy as you went up to him, holding his hand.

"I'm forever grateful for what you did for me these past few days. I'll never forget you Ned Leeds. I have apart of you with me."

Wong steps forward and signals that it's time to go. You look back at Ned and slip your hand away. Wong opens the portal and you and Edward look forward, seeing your New York.

"Ready?" You ask over your shoulder.

"Yeah, let's go home." Edward says.

Everyone waves them goodbye until something in Ned broke.

"Wait!" Ned yells after you.

You turn and see Ned run to you, wrapping his arms around you.

You hold onto Ned as you two began to cry. If these past days taught you anything, it was that love came at the most strangest of places. And you found a different kind of love with him, it was when two people who were hurting found each other.

He gave you a loving look as he wiped his tears away.

"Thank you, for the memories."

You gave him a tearful smile.

"Any time, I hope that one day soon, you'll find someone to share them with." You said, kissing his cheek as you slowly walk away from him as you go back to Edward. You two look back at the people who changed both of your lives.

And it was the last time you ever saw Ned.

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1 year later

"Okay, ready? Smile!" Ned said, taking a picture of Pete and MJ by the pond at the Boston Gardens.

It was now breaking into warmer weather, so the gang decided to treat themselves of a day of adventuring after finishing their exams from MIT.

Just when he's about to show them the picture, a soft whimper caught his attention. Ned's eyes lit up with curiosity as he spotted a cute, lost puppy wandering near a cluster of trees.

With a warm smile, Ned crouched down and gently scooped the puppy into his arms.

"Hey little guy." He cradled the adorable canine, looking around for any signs of its owner. Just as he began to worry, he hears a familiar voice.

"Milo? Milo!" the voice came closer as he saw them running to Ned with a dog leash that matched the small bulldog's collar that Ned saw.

"Oh my god- is that-" Peter asks.

"Yep. Our world's version of Spidergirl." MJ said, slightly blown away.

Ned was in utter shock as you came closer with relief on your face.

"Thank you so much for finding my Milo! I wanted to have him run without the leash for a few minutes but he's such a troublemaker, always wanting to find new friends!" You said, a bit out of breath.

Ned broke out of his spell and gave you back your dog in your arms.

"Yeah, I uh- I'm glad I bumped into you." Ned said, still in disbelief that you were standing in front of him.

"What do you mean? I should be the one thanking you! How can I repay you?" You ask, about to look in your purse.

"No no! It's okay. I really don't want anything."

"Are you sure? I mean... I could treat you to a coffee. It's the least I can do." You said, wanting to show your gratitude (especially since you thought the guy in front of you was really cute.)

Ned smiles as he looks over to his friends, giving him a thumbs up.

"Yeah, I'd like that."

In a different world, two of the same people were by the beach side in the west coast, soaking in the sun.

"This is much needed." You whispered, as you cuddled closer to Ned as you were enjoying your first vacation with just the two of you after your first year of college.

"Agreed." He whispers in your ear as you guys relax, hearing the small waves crash against your bare feet.

A lot has changed within the year.

Edward had a tearful reunion with his family, and may or may not have been slapped with his Lola's house slipper of his long disappearance, but she hugged him tightly afterwards, afraid to let him go again.

He get the help he needed during his road to recovery. He had moments where he doubted if he was a good person, but you were always there to remind him all the good things he has done.

"What are you thinking of?" Edward asked.

You took a deep breath as you hug him against your chest.

"Just thinking how lucky I am that you're here."

Edward looks back at you with a loving gaze.

"I think I'm the lucky one."

"Oh yeah?" you ask.

"Yeah... and I'll prove it." He says as he turned more in your direction.

You were about to ask what until he inched closer and kissed your lips. Both of you closed your eyes as you felt fireworks, the same way you felt on the day of your first kiss with him.

You connect your foreheads together, later kissing his head as you two stared off in the sunset together, feeling your souls intertwined.

A part of you felt Ned somewhere in another universe. Somehow, you knew that he felt accomplished and accepted... and found someone that would one day love him with all of her heart:

You.

Taglist:

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iguana-eyanna · 10 months

Text

In Another Universe Pt. 5

Pairing: Ned Leeds x superhero! reader

Summary: Ned's world turns upside down when his new powers bring a stranger to his world. What's more strange is that she knows who he is.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"If you didn't get bit by that spider, do you think we would have met?"

You ponder for a moment as you look up to the clear blue sky.

"Yeah." You said, turning to Ned as you were lying on picnic blanket.

"You really think so?" He asks as he turned around too.

"Of course! I mean, we met at my family's store for one. Spider or no spider, we could have found each other no matter where we are in life."

He smiles as he squeezes your hand as you cuddle closer as you two looked up at the same sky.

"I hope you're mine in every universe."

You gasp out loud, your mind filled with heightened anxiety.

You look down at your body and see that spider suit was ripped from the fight, but your torso was bandaged by someone.

Out of heightened senses, you accidentally flip some web fluid from your wrist and tried getting up, but it was no use.

"Hey! It's just us." Peter Parker yelled out as MJ helped you calm down. You took a deep breath and closed your eyes, almost drooping your head.

"Try to stay up for us, okay? You got a pretty nasty concussion." Peter addressed.

"Where's... where is he?" you tried to speak.

"Well, our world's Ned is visiting yours in the prison." Strange walked up, trying to wipe away the web you shooted out.

"What?" You ask, trying to get on your feet.

"Don't worry, Wong is on standby. No one is going to get hurt." MJ said as she helped you lie down.

But deep down, you know that someone will.

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Hobgoblin, or rather Edward, doesn’t look back at Ned since he came in.

Ned feels impatient as anger began to build in his chest.

“I’m not leaving till you answer my questions.” Ned replie- no, demanded.

Edward have a sleazy scoff, slightly looking over his shoulder.

“And what makes you think I’ll reply?” Edward asks.

“If you’ll answer my questions, I’ll answer yours. It’s only fair.” Ned stated flatly.

Edward slowly turns around, making Ned feel a bit unnerved seeing an evil version of himself.

“Okay. You have my attention.”

“Alright then… you followed us through the portal without us knowing. Why didn’t you attack then?” Ned asks.

“I admit, I was shocked when I saw you at a far gaze. I watched from a distance, wanted to know about this… version of me.” Edward said, his tone changing at the end of his sentence.

“Speaking of that night... You took her in without hesitation. Why did you save someone you barely knew?”

“It was the right thing to do.” Ned replied.

Edward tsks, walking in circles in his prison.

“That’s not a good answer.”

“What do you mean?” Ned asks, walking closer to him.

Edward rolls his eyes groaning.

“Oh please, it’s so obvious! You love her.”

“No I don’t!” Ned said in defensive tone

Edward stops in his tracks and inches closer to Ned.

“So you’re telling me that you risked your life at least 3 times, nursed her back to health, and all because it was the right thing to do?”

“I don’t know why you’re interrogating me about this? You’re the one who done those things before.”

“Why would I ever help her?” Edward asked, mentioning your name as if it gave a bad taste in his mouth.

“You loved her, Edward. You’re the one who gave her hope-”

“That’s insane.”

“-you snuck to her house and cuddled all night when she was feeling down after a hard mission-"

"Stop talking!" Edward gritted.

"and you hurt her! You hurt the only person that loved you!"

"I said STOP!" Edward screamed, punching his fist against the clear forcefield as it rippled from his strength.

Ned backed up a bit, seeing how Edward was heaving.

Edward's eyes appeared rageful, full of spite. But Ned can't shake the feeling that it was the only emotion that Edward has known.

"What do you remember when you woke up in the sewer... the day you died?"

Edward stays silent.

"All I could remember was her face as she gave me the serum. Every time I try to remember anything else, I just hear this laughing in my head. It keeps taunting me whenever I think of her."

He sat down and leaned by the wall, feeling empty inside.

"Is she... okay?" Edward asks.

"I haven't checked on her since we came here. But I think she'd be alright." Ned replied.

Edward nods his head in a small manner.

"How... how did you know about these things about me and her?"

Ned inhales and sits besides Edward from the outside.

"Since I found out I have powers, I've been getting these visions of her. I realized that these dreams were memories that came from you. I didn't think she was real. Thought it was just my conscious making myself a fake girlfriend to make me feel better."

Edward chuckles.

"That's funny, I don't think I laughed like that in a long time."

Edward looks down at his hands, the hands that hurt you.

"I didn't mean for any of this to happen."

"It doesn't have to be this way you know... You could get your memories back."

"How?" Edward asks.

Ned looks outward in the distance.

"It starts with me."

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"I'm sorry, you want to do WHAT again?" Peter asks.

"I wanna free Edward." Ned said in front of his friends, Dr. Strange, and Master Wong.

"No, I forbid it." Wong said.

"Let's hear the kid out before you crumble his world." Strange stated.

"Look Ned, I know you probably had a heart to heart with him, but what makes you think that he's not going to go against his word?" MJ asks.

"All he wants to remember. It's not like he can escape here." Ned assured the group, but everyone seemed unsure.

Ned goes up to Strange who was deep in thought.

"Look, Mister Strange - you used to be a surgeon. Wouldn't it be possible to transfer the memories I've been getting and give it to Edward? Like a magical surgery or something?"

"It could be possible, but we've never done anything like this." He said.

Wong steps up and points out the problem.

"If one strand of your memory is gone or out of place, it could collapse your mind and you'll have no recollection of who you are." Wong said.

"But these aren’t my memories, they're his. Why can't we just give him some peace? The serum already corrupted him, I can't stand seeing him like that anymore."

Wong falls silent.

Ned really grew up these past few days. And he's willing to risk his life to save a version of himself that doesn't want to be saved.

But if he stopped these kids, who will be there for them?

Wong releases a breath that he's been holding onto.

"Alright, but in order to do this... it comes with a sacrifice."

"We're not losing anyone else." Peter stated.

"Pete... I got this." Ned said to his friend.

He looks back at Wong.

"What do I need to do?"

"In order to transfer these memories... both of you have to lose your powers."

Ned silently gulped.

"I know you've been working hard on your apprenticeship Ned. Although you must have an ancient power in your lineage... you may still be able to learn again, but we are unsure if you'll be able to harness the same capabilities as before."

"That's a sacrifice I'm willing to take." Ned stated

"But what about Edward? Is he willing to give up just like that?" MJ asks.

"Someone needs to go down and talk things through." Strange asked.

"I'll do it."

Everyone turns around and sees you holding a column to keep you up.

Ned runs to you before you slightly collapse.

"Are you sure? What if he gets triggered again?" Peter asks.

"I can handle myself. But if it's okay, I need to speak with you first." You said, looking at Ned.

Everyone made their way to prepare the spell and it was just you and Ned sitting down.

"This has been one crazy week." You said.

"Tell me about it." Ned chuckled as you join him.

You look over at Ned.

"I um... overheard what you guys were talking about. Are you sure about this? From what I'm hearing, there's no going back."

Ned purses his lips and looks down.

"I know these past few days were really rough. And I remind you of something you lost. But your Ned is downstairs, waiting to remember. Deep down, I know he still loves you because well... I felt like I was falling in love with you."

Your eyes soften as he said that.

"Ned..."

He takes your hands and softly holds them.

"I know you don't feel the same. Especially since i'm an exact replica of your ex boyfriend. If I don't remember you after all of this, I just wanna say thank you. You had a lot of faith in me when I didn't have any faith for myself. And uh... I'm really glad I finally got to see the girl of my dreams."

You gave a tearful chuckle, squeezing his hand ever so slightly.

"Someone told me that I'd either had to save the entire world or just that one person. And when I couldn't even do that, I just focused on doing whatever it takes. But you, Ned, saved me. I'll never forget you."

You guys hugged each other tightly and parted, drying your eyes.

"Are you ready to talk to him?"

You nodded your head as he helped you stand up. Using his ring, he opens the portal to the prison and motions you to go inside.

"When you're ready, you can head up any time."

You nodded as you fully walked inside. You look around and see Edward sitting down. He lifts his head and looks to see you.

"Hi." You whispered, limping over.

"Are you - alright?" He asks.

"Yeah, just a bit bent out of shape." You assured him.

Edward nods his head and looks back at the ground.

"Didn't think you'd come down." He says, fiddling with a pebble he found on the ground.

"I wanted to. It's time we talk... instead of fighting for once."

He chuckles, looking over.

"That um... other version of me... he seems like a nice guy."

"Yeah, he really is."

Edward gets up, not looking at you.

"I told him after waking up in the rubble... I couldn't even muster a thought. All I could hear was this laughter. Not like it was funny, it was haunting. I couldn't get it to shut up. Found a wallet with me and it had my school ID. It read 'Edward Leeds' Then I got this horrible laugh again. But somehow I heard your voice. You were calling me Ned. You knew me. And I was left wondering why, why did you leave me there alone?"

"You died, Ned. You died in my arms. I tried-" You stopped, choking on your own words.

"I tried to save you."

He turns around, glaring at you.

"and you gave me THIS! No silence left in my head! No memories of family or things that were important to me. Powers that I didn't even asked to have! You call that saving me?"

"That's not fair." You said.

"Yeah, you're right. It isn't. You get to be this hero... you got to live on with your life. And I never got to live mine anymore." His voice croaked at the end of his sentence.

"You think I moved on after you? I felt like a part of me was gone that day. It took me weeks to just get out of my bed. I refused to wear my suit because it was still stained with your blood. I wasn't able to face your family because of the shame that I've been feeling. They knew... they knew I was with you and I didn't give them the clarity of how their only son and grandson died. And I lived with that ever since."

Silence filled the air as you two refused to make eye contact again.

"Ned is wanting to give back his memories to you. The sorcerers upstairs are fixing the spell as we speak."

"I feel like there's a catch."

"Yeah. Both of you have to give up your powers. I don't expect you to resume back to who you were when we were still together, but this is your chance to live your life the way you want it. Not me or anyone should choose for you."

Edward is deep in thought.

"I'll do it. But I'm not going to be imprisoned when you're doing the spell. I want full control."

You nod your head.

"I'll talk to them right now. You just hang on tight, okay?" You ask before walking up the stairs.

You look back at Ned and give him a small smile.

"All I wanted is for you to be happy, Ned." you said before slowly walking up the stairs as your wounds were healing.

'What a load of crap.' a voice rang in Edward's head.

"Where were you? You've been awfully quiet since we came here." Edward said out loud.

'There was nothing to do much in this magic cell. But your gears started turning when she started to talk... You're starting to feel things for her.'

Edward shakes his head.

"No, I'm not. That ended a long time ago."

'Good, we don't need any distractions. Right now... let's figure out a way to cause real mayhem. There's gotta be something in this magic building that can do real damage to them.' the voice plotted.

"Are you sure that'll work?

'Have I ever left you to dry, Edward? I helped you dig yourself up from the rubble. I lead you to Kingsley's secret lair so you could learn how to build a new glider. Trust me, kid, I'm the only one who has your best interest at heart.'

Edward's nose flares as his eyes become a dark shade.

"Okay, we gain their trust. Then we'll follow by your rules." Edward said as he looked at the reflection of himself in a nearby mirror that was facing him.

His reflection grew a wicked smile as he laughed maniacally.

'It's time for the real Hobgoblin to come out and play. The first one to go is your doppelganger, then the girl.'

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