-Meanwhile in the Speedforce-
Wally walked cautiously through the endless void, his footsteps echoing in the emptiness. A strange energy crackled around him, golden streaks of lightning flickering in the distance.
Wally: What is this place, anyway…? The Speed Force or something?
His voice barely carried in the strange realm. The air felt heavy, charged with an unnatural force. As he took another step, a deep, guttural growl echoed behind him. His heart pounded. Slowly, he turned his head.
There it was.
The Black Flash.
Its skeletal face twisted in a grotesque grin, hollow eyes locked onto him like a predator sizing up its prey. Wally instinctively stepped back, his breath hitching.
Wally: Oh boy… this ain't good.
Without warning, Black Flash lunged at him, tearing through the void at impossible speed. Wally's instincts kicked in. He bolted, lightning crackling beneath his feet as he pushed himself forward.
Wally: I need to outrun him! If I can get back to my body, I can—
A cold, deathly grip clamped onto his shoulder.
Pain shot through him like ice freezing his veins. He gasped, his body jolting as Black Flash's claws dug in. Panic surged through him, but then instinct.
A bolt of lightning exploded from his body, surging through Black Flash's arm. The monstrous speedster screeched, momentarily loosening its grip. Wally didn't waste a second he ripped free, surging forward with every ounce of speed he had.
The chase continued.
Black Flash recovered instantly, its monstrous form tearing through the Speed Force in pursuit. Wally gritted his teeth, pushing himself harder, faster.
Wally: Come on, come on! Just let me wake up already!
The endless void stretched before him, the storm of lightning growing wilder.
-Back to the Real World-
Spider-Man swung between buildings, dodging debris as the Lizard rampaged through the streets, hissing and swiping at terrified civilians. Webbing up a fallen streetlight before it could crush a parked car, Spidey sighed.
Spider-Man: Can we just stop doing this, Doc? I'm getting real tired of fighting you, y'know? Maybe take up gardening or something? Less destruction, more zen?
The Lizard roared in response and lashed out with his powerful tail. Spider-Man flipped backward, narrowly avoiding the strike.
Spider-Man: Ah, guess that's a no.
Just as he prepared to counter, a blur of yellow and blue shot through the air—Wolverine. With claws unsheathed and a battle-ready snarl, Logan launched himself at Lizard, aiming for a direct slash.
Wolverine: Alright, you overgrown gecko, let's—
Before he could finish, Lizard ducked at the last second. Wolverine's trajectory didn't change.
Spider-Man: Wait, wait, wait!
"WHAM!"
Wolverine crashed right into Spider-Man mid-air, knocking them both to the ground in a tangled mess.
Spider-Man: Oof! …Ow. You do know I'm not the bad guy, right?
Wolverine: (Growling as he untangles himself ) …Shoulda moved faster, bub.
Lizard hissed again, taking advantage of their momentary blunder.
Spider-Man: Great. Now he's got jokes too.
Spider-Man struggled as the Lizard's massive claws wrapped around his leg, lifting him into the air like a helpless ragdoll. The reptilian monster sneered, his sharp teeth glinting under the city lights.
Lizard: I'm just gonna split you in half and eat you alive. How's that sound to you, Spider?
Spider-Man dangled upside down, wincing.
Spider-Man: Y'know, Doc, I think that's taking our relationship way too far. Maybe we should slow down? Like, dinner first?
Lizard hissed, tightening his grip—until a sudden jolt of pain surged through his body. His limbs convulsed, his growl turning into a pained roar. He dropped Spider-Man, who landed on his hands and flipped backward to safety.
Lizard looked down and saw a metallic ankle bracelet attached to his scaly foot, blinking with strange energy. His body twitched violently as his monstrous features began to melt away.
Lizard: N-No… not again—!!
Within seconds, the towering beast shrank down, his green scales receding into pale human skin. Soon, Dr. Curt Connors collapsed onto the pavement, gasping for breath, fully restored.
Spider-Man blinked, then turned to see Jimmy Woo standing nearby, holding a small control device.
Jimmy Woo: That should do it.
Spider-Man dusted himself off.
Spider-Man: Okay, not that I'm complaining, but who the hell just walks in and casually cures supervillains like that?
Jimmy smirked, slipping the device back into his coat.
Jimmy Woo: Name's Jimmy Woo. And we need to talk, Webhead.
-LATER-
The dimly lit bar buzzed with chatter, the scent of cheap beer and fried food lingering in the air. In the corner, Wolverine swayed slightly, his gruff demeanor softened by the heavy drink in his hand as he mumbled along to the jukebox playing an old rock song.
At a booth near the back, Spider-Man sat across from Jimmy Woo, his mask pulled up just enough to shovel food into his mouth. He took a huge bite of his burger when Jimmy slid a photo across the table.
Spider-Man glanced down mid-chew his eyes widened. He immediately choked.
Spider-Man: (coughing) HIM I KNOW THAT GUY?!
He slammed the table, reaching for his drink.
Spider-Man: Wally West?! You're telling me you want me to help him? That guy made Betty cry for over a month!
Jimmy leaned in, voice calm but firm.
Jimmy Woo: Ever heard of The Flash?
Spider-Man wiped his mouth, rolling his eyes.
Spider-Man: Oh, you mean the guy who's been robbing banks with Speed Demon? Yeah, real hero material.
Jimmy Woo: No. You've got it all wrong. Wally West is The Flash. The one working with Speed Demon? That's an impostor or worse, a clone.
Spider-Man scoffed, waving a dismissive hand.
Spider-Man: Blah, blah, blah. Look, I don't care if he's the real deal or not. I'm not gonna help that heartless wannabe speedster who broke Betty's heart.
Jimmy's expression darkened. He leaned forward, lowering his voice.
Jimmy Woo: If you don't help me… I will expose your identity right here, "Peter Benjamin Parker."
Spider-Man's body went stiff. His hand instantly shot across the table, slapping over Jimmy's mouth. His masked eyes darted around to see if anyone heard.
Spider-Man: (whispering) Alright, alright! I'll help! Just just don't expose my identity in a place full of people who love booze and loose lips!
Jimmy smirked under Spider-Man's hand.
Jimmy Woo: Good.
Spider-Man sighed, shaking his head before looking around.
Spider-Man: Wait… where's Wolverine?
Jimmy casually pointed toward the corner of the bar.
Jimmy Woo: Over there. Dancing like the drunk idiot he is.
Spider-Man turned to see Wolverine shirt slightly unbuttoned, beer in one hand, the other lazily pointing in the air rocking back and forth offbeat to the music. A couple of drunk regulars hyped him up, cheering as Logan muttered something about "Canadian pride."
Spider-Man groaned.
Spider-Man: Oh, this is gonna be a long night…
The TV above the bar flickered with breaking news, drawing their attention.
News Anchor (on TV): We interrupt your program to bring you breaking news! A violent clash has erupted downtown between none other than the Hulk and Ghost Rider! The two powerhouses are tearing through the city, causing massive destruction!
The footage cut to shaky live coverage Ghost Rider revved his flaming bike, dragging his fiery chain across the pavement, while Hulk, wearing a trench coat over his massive frame, roared and smashed a car aside. Civilians ran in panic as the two titans clashed, shaking the ground.
Jimmy Woo buried his face in his hands.
Jimmy Woo: Oh, great. Now my plan is ruined… no more mob boss Hulk.
Spider-Man let out a low whistle.
Spider-Man: Yeahhh, pretty sure "mob boss" and "raging out in the middle of the city" don't mix, dude.
Jimmy groaned.
Jimmy Woo: I needed him on our side! Now he's throwing hands with a flaming skeleton instead of punching Sinister in the face!
Spider-Man leaned back with a smirk.
Spider-Man: Well, if it makes you feel better, Hulk getting pissed off isn't exactly breaking news. It's kind of his whole thing.
Jimmy shot him a deadpan look.
Jimmy Woo: That doesn't make me feel better at all.
Spider-Man shrugged, then gestured toward Wolverine.
Spider-Man: Well, at least Logan isn't causing?
Before he could finish, Wolverine suddenly flipped the table next to him, growling at a bartender who had apparently given him the wrong drink.
Wolverine: What the hell is this, bub?! I said whiskey, neat! Not this watered-down garbage!
Spider-Man groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose.
Spider-Man: Forget I said anything…