Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 1 #545

Description

The riveting conclusion to the most-talked about — and controversial — comics event of the year. Brought to you by J. Michael Straczynski and Joe Quesada. Brace yourself, Spidey fans, after this, nothing will be the same for Peter Parker! The stakes have never been higher. At his darkest hours — and he’s had plenty — Peter has always had one shoulder to lean on, one person who’d remind him who he is, who he was, and who he can be. Now he’s about to lose that person. What will he do…what would you do, if you only had “One More Day?”

Also included:

Aunt May profile by Jonathan Couper-Smartt, Mike Fichera and Peter Sanderson.

6 pages from The Amazing Spider-Man Annual #21 featuring the wedding of Peter Parker and Mary Jane Watson.

Aunt May lies in the hospital, close to death. The words of Mephisto are heard about the decision that must be made. Peter wakes up, in costume, alone in bed. He calls out to MJ. She’s in the bathroom, bent over in agony over the decision they must make, their love or Aunt May’s life. She wants to ask him a selfish question but is afraid. She asks if Peter thinks whether or not May has lived her life and perhaps this is her time to go. Maybe they just need to let her go. Peter reassures her by saying that he’s thought the same thing over and over. He says that if it was a natural cause, like a heart attack, he’d be fine with it. The fact that she was shot with a bullet meant for him wouldn’t allow him to ever forget it. MJ figures that must mean that if they decided to stay together, he’d forever be in agony over this. Peter says that if they made that decision together, it’d be fine. They have less than twenty-four hours to make their decision.

Peter and MJ lie together in the dark in silence. Peter keeps trying to bring up things that they did in the past but MJ shushes him. She says that she remembers every single detail and no matter what, will never forget.

The time comes and Mephisto arrives. Peter asks him how “it” would work. Mephisto says their life together will simply cease to have ever existed. MJ jumps in asking what would be the point if Peter’s identity is still known. May’s life would still be in danger. Mephisto explains to MJ why he’s chosen them of all people to make this bargain with. He tells them that their love for each other is the rarest love of all. He says it was made holy in “the eyes of he who [he] hates most.” It only comes once a millennia. He wants nothing more than to be able to take that away from him. The matter of everyone forgetting Peter’s identity is a simple matter if that’s all it takes. Peter still isn’t sure. MJ jumps in and says yes. She says that there is more though. She wants Mephisto to put Peter’s life back to the way it was. He will get a chance to be happy. Mephisto asks why would he do that. MJ says because of what she has to offer. She whispers something to him and he seems enticed. The decision must be made by both. MJ begs Peter to do it and he reluctantly agrees.

Now that the deal is done, Mephisto says that he is surprised that they never asked him about the little girl. Apparently she is the child that they will never have now that they’ve chosen May’s life. Mephisto simply smiles seeing the anger on Peter’s face.

As they are engulfed in Mephisto’s dark magic, MJ, in tears, talks to Peter. She says that she knows in her heart that they will find a way back to each other. They were meant to be together and no matter what Mephisto does, they will be able to undo it. They tell each other that they love each other. A flash of memories unfolds around them. They hold each other in the darkness. MJ tells Peter, “Face it, Tiger…you just hit the jackpot.”

Darkness.

Peter awakes, alone in bed. Looking at the clock, he sees he’s late. Running downstairs, Aunt May is making him (most likely) wheatcakes. He hops on his bicycle and heads over to a surprise party in a penthouse. People are waiting for the guest of honor. Peter meets up with Flash Thompson and is momentarily distracted when he sees MJ across the room. Flash asks if things are still “frosty” between them. Peter says he’s not sure if she’ll ever forgive him for something but is cut off before he can finish. The elevator opens and Harry Osborn walks in with his new girlfriend, Lily.

A toast is made to a brand new day…