Marvel's Spider-Man: Across the Multiverse

Carnage and Spider-Man had both left, leaving behind a crowd of terrified staff and customers.

The bar owner had to step up and take control of the situation.

He instructed a few bartenders to calm the guests and announced that all drinks for the night would be on the house. Then, he called the police to report the incident. However, he soon learned that someone had already called the authorities the moment that monstrous being, Carnage, had appeared. The nearest officers were already on their way.

"Mary Jane, you—" After handling these matters, the bar owner turned to look for Mary Jane, intending to tell her to head home and rest. But to his surprise, she was already gone.

He didn't dwell on it, assuming that she had simply left on her own.

Nor did he feel upset about her abrupt departure.

After all, Mary Jane had once been a popular theater actress. Though her fame had faded, her performances as a resident singer still brought in a considerable crowd to his bar.

That was precisely why he had stepped in to protect her from Peter Parker earlier.

—

Meanwhile, just a few streets away from the Passion Space Bar, atop a church tower, stood a small bell tower housing a massive bell—large enough for two or three people to wrap their arms around.

It wasn't unusual for a church to have a large bell.

It served many purposes.

Most commonly, it was used as a signal—for calling people to attend services, weddings, or other religious gatherings.

During times of war, a ringing bell could even signify surrender.

But tonight, it had found a new purpose—one that its builders could never have imagined.

Tonight, it was going to be used against an extraterrestrial being.

Spider-Man, clad in his black Venom suit, stood alone atop the bell tower.

Not far away, Carnage crouched on a nearby rooftop. Gwen Stacy lay bound beside him, ensnared by crimson webbing that Carnage had generated from his own body.

Peter Parker stood by the massive bell, staring in Carnage's direction.

"I hope you keep your promise," he said.

"Keh keh keh—relax! As long as you hand it over, I'll let her go. Good little children always listen to their fathers!" Carnage cackled maniacally.

Spider-Man gave a slight nod. He didn't respond with words—his actions would prove his resolve.

He turned to the bell, took a deep breath, and with a swift motion, he clenched his fist and struck it with all his strength.

GONG—

The ancient bell shuddered under the impact, releasing a deep, resonant chime.

"AHHHHH—"

As the sound echoed through the tower, Spider-Man collapsed to his knees. The black suit on his body began to writhe and shift uncontrollably.

It looked like lard melting near a heat source—losing its solid form, yet not entirely liquid either. Instead, it twisted into something caught between solid and fluid, an eerie, shifting mass.

"Graaahhh—"

A second agonized scream rang out.

This time, it came from the black liquid oozing onto the ground!