Wolverine chased after the pups a few more times before stopping, tilting his head in confusion.
At that moment, Malrick conjured a mirror in front of him with a flick of magic.
Wolverine froze as he saw his golden, handsome reflection—then glanced at the two mangy Deadpool pups beside him. The truth hit him hard. Deadpool Dog truly belonged at Deadpool's side.
The sound of something breaking wasn't audible, yet everyone around could almost feel his heart crack. The smile on Wolverine's face warped into a strained, hollow mask.
"Woof, woof!" he barked, stepping toward Deadpool Dog one last time, hoping to win her back.
But Deadpool Dog turned away, happily licking the original Deadpool instead.
"Woof!" Deadpool waved a paw at him smugly, as if saying, We're not in the same circle, pal. Don't push it.
Wolverine's smile stiffened further. Without another sound, he turned and slowly walked away, his figure fading into the wilderness, carrying only disappointment.
Meanwhile, Deadpool continued shamelessly smooching his canine counterpart, completely unfazed.
"…He really looks like a dog," Malrick muttered.
Tony appeared at Malrick's side, supporting the still-wobbly Holland-Spider. "What are you talking about? He is a dog now, thanks to you."
Holland-Spider lifted a shaky thumbs-up. "Thanks, Malrick. If you hadn't gotten rid of that Deadpool army, I think this would've been the end of Spider-Man."
Garfield-Spider added with a grin, "Well done. Though… honestly, I kind of wish you had turned all those Deadpools into dogs earlier."
Malrick smirked. "And if I had, they'd all be slobbering all over you three right now."
Garfield visibly shuddered. "On second thought, no thanks. I'd rather die than get licked by that many Deadpools."
B-15 stepped forward, glancing at the two odd little dogs prancing nearby. "Gentlemen, perhaps it's time we returned to the Time Variance Authority."
She activated the Time Pad, opening a glowing temporal gate.
The Deadpool pups wasted no time and bounded inside.
Toby-Spider hesitated, his voice trembling. "Ma'am… when the Deadpool Corps first appeared, couldn't you have just taken us away like this?"
B-15 stepped through the portal without looking back. "Those lunatics are unpredictable. If we don't indulge them a little, they cause bigger problems. I'm sorry—you had to endure them for a while."
Toby froze, his face falling as though his soul had cracked in half.
B-15 turned her head. "Don't worry. The TVA will classify all your injuries—physical and emotional—as work-related. You'll receive full compensation."
The three Spiders perked up instantly.
"Compensation?" Toby asked.
"What kind?" Garfield pressed.
B-15 considered, then said, "How about after-tax funds, usable in your own universes, at three times your annual income?"
Toby's jaw dropped. "Three times…? Oh my god. Are you serious?"
"Of course, Mr. Parker."
"Ma'am," Toby said reverently, "the Time Variance Authority is the greatest organization I've ever seen."
The group stepped through the portal and soon returned to TVA headquarters.
This time, B-15 gave them a proper tour. Tony was fascinated, his righteous curiosity ignited once more. But despite his enthusiasm, B-15 showed no intention of inviting him to join.
Eventually, goodbyes were exchanged.
Thanks to Malrick's earlier modifications, the TVA successfully locked onto several universes in the Spider-Verse. Each Spider who had joined was issued a Time Pad, granting them the ability to travel freely between their own worlds and others—though training at the TVA would still be required.
One by one, they opened their portals home.
Holland-Spider returned to his apartment. Leaning against the wall, replaying memories of the other Tony, he gazed at the ceiling and allowed himself a small, tired smile.
Garfield-Spider went back to his workshop, knowing the night ahead would be filled with nightmares—most featuring an army of Deadpools.
Toby-Spider returned home, where Mary Jane immediately asked why he smelled so strange. When he showed her the TVA's generous payout—three years' worth of income—the two embraced with relief and joy.
Gwen stepped into her own world, only to be met with silence. With no one who could truly understand her, she sat on her bed, tapping her drum kit idly, already missing the friends she'd just parted from.
She glanced at her Time Pad. "Wanda invited me over… maybe I should go."
Though their friendship had started rocky, Gwen and Wanda had bonded over their shared disgust at the Deadpool Corps' antics. By the end, they had forged a bond of genuine respect.
Meanwhile, Malrick and his companions returned to Earth-199999.
At their apartment, Aunt May and young Peter were already back. The ordeal had shaken May deeply, but Peter was brimming with excitement. Meeting so many versions of himself had filled him with anticipation for the day he'd finally become Spider-Man. He even started feeding spiders in his room, hoping to hurry destiny along.
Natasha and Sherry were waiting in the living room. Malrick recounted their adventures across the Multiverse, leaving the three women stunned.
Tony, however, was fuming. "So let me get this straight. That 'Time Variance Authority' would rather keep two ugly mutt Deadpools and some werewolf guy than invite me? Iron Man? That's suspicious."
Malrick sighed. "Come on, Tony. B-15 only showed us two floors, and the TVA found over seventy listening devices by the time we left. Anyone else would think you were a salesman for bugs, not a superhero."
Tony scowled. "I was checking for infiltrators, like S.H.I.E.L.D.! I was helping them!"
"I remember you telling them you were just curious," Malrick replied, sipping the coffee Natasha handed him. "They didn't kick you out, so count your blessings. Besides, they allowed a Jarvis sub-unit to help oversee things. That should be enough."
Jarvis chimed in, "Correct, sir. My sub-unit will be integrated into the TVA's monitoring system. Once we build a cross-temporal communication device, I'll be able to receive their data in real time."
Tony brightened slightly. "Not bad. So… when do we build it?"
"The Time Pad they gave Malrick can already do that," Jarvis replied.
Tony turned to him. "So? Hand it over."
Malrick shook his head. "Not happening. With you, a Time Pad is basically a time bomb. Jarvis can connect through me. That's safer."
"Unbelievable. You don't trust your reliable brother?" Tony groaned. "Wanda, back me up here. Am I reliable?"
Wanda shook her head without hesitation.
"See?" Malrick smirked. "That settles it. Come on, Wanda, I'll take you home."
As night fell, the chaos of the Multiverse finally gave way to silence.
_____
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