Amazing Spider-Man #545 Jan 2008
One More Day: Part 4 of 4
Mephisto explains to Peter and MJ that they will not remember the deal that he is proposing, if they should accept it. A small part of their souls will remember, but nothing conscious.
Mephisto's joy will be in listening to that part of their soul for all eternity. Either Aunt May perishes, or the marriage is forgotten and erased from history.
Peter wakes up in bed, and finds MJ in the bathroom, clutching herself. MJ asks Peter if he thinks Mephisto can do what he says he can, and Peter doesn't think that he can,
but that this is the only chance or choice that they have. MJ asks Peter if perhaps this is just May's time, and that the right thing at this time might be to let her go, and let her die.
Peter says that if it had been a death from natural causes, he might be able to accept it, but not if it's his fault, not if it's something that he caused. The bullet was meant for him, not her,
so he blames himself for her condition. Peter says he can't live with himself, being the reason that she might die. Peter tells MJ that if they decide together to let her go, then he could live with himself.
MJ and Peter hold each other, with her quieting him whenever he tries to say something, anything to her, just wanting to stay with each other, quietly.
MJ tells Peter that no matter what Mephisto does, she will always remember all of it, every little detail, and that nothing will ever take that away from her.
Peter asks MJ what she's saying, when Mephisto reappears. Peter asks Mephisto how it will all work.
Mephisto reveals that the marriage will never have happened, and will be removed like a stitch in time, saying that all else will remain the same. Peter doesn't understand,
but Mephisto brushes this aside, saying that Aunt May being alive is the only thing that should matter to him. MJ rails against Mephisto, saying that it won't change anything,
because Peter's identity is still public. In order to achieve the deal, Mephisto adds that he will remove all knowledge of his identity. As Peter struggles with the answer, MJ tells him Yes.
MJ demands that Mephisto put Peter's life back just as it was, and give him a chance at happiness. Mephisto asks why he should do this, and MJ responds with a mysterious, whispered offer.
Peter asks what MJ did, but Mephisto cuts them off, asking for Peter's response, his choice, now that MJ has made hers.
MJ tells Peter to go on, to be her hero, to make the deal. Mephisto taunts Peter with the fact that he didn't ask about the little girl from last issue, the unborn child that the couple will now never have together.
As magic swirls around them, MJ tells Peter that she loves him, and will always love him, and that nothing will ever change that. She tells him that they'll find each other again.
Peter and MJ exchange final "I Love Yous", as they embrace, remembering their past, and kiss, with MJ telling Peter "Face It, Tiger... You just hit the jackpot.", as the scene fades to black.
Peter wakes up, and realizes he's late. He runs down the stairs of Aunt May's house, grabs a pancake off the frying pan, stuffing it into his face as he takes off out the door and jumps on his bike.
He finally gets to a Tower, and goes up to the penthouse, just in time for the Surprise part of the Surprise party. Flash Thompson meets him off the elevator, and the two catch sight of Mary Jane,
looking their way. Flash asks Peter if things are still frosty with them, and Peter starts to ruminate on not knowing if she'll ever forgive him for something.
Then, the guest of honor is about to arrive, and the surprise about to be launched. And in comes...
HARRY OSBORN. Peter and Flash greet Harry, who introduces them to his new girlfriend, Lily Hollister. Peter is also introduced to Carlie Cooper, Lily's best friend.
As Carlie asks Peter how he knows Harry, Peter catches a glimpse of MJ leaving the party. Harry gets some glasses, and pours out some nice bubbly, as the party raises their glasses in a toast to a Brand New Day.
Written by J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI.
Pencils by JOE QUESADA