Chapter Text
Time passes as it must. This new reality slowly concreted itself in the place once occupied by its components. Now the memories of the heroes' lost loves are just that… memories.
Both heroes have grown to adore, love and cherish in ways even past that of their lost loves. The two completing each other in ways out of fairy tails rather than real life.
But even so, while the presence of Two Spider Totems is a great boon to a reality, their presence is also a beacon. One calling out to the monsters and demons hiding in the dark and the shadows of reality.
My name is Uatu the Watcher and it is my duty to observe the events unfolding before me.
Months After The Lizard Crashed The MJ’s Concert
The bodega's alarm echoes through the streets of New York. Inside the bodega is Gwen’s self-proclaimed nemesis the Bodega Bandit. Dressed in his usual outfit the wannabe supervillain tried his best to be an intimidating threat to the disinterested cashier.
“OK, now I’m going to need you to empty the cash register into this bag I have here.” silently from the ceiling behind Bodega Bandit Gwen dropped to the floor with a single raised finger to tell the cashier to stay silent.
“C’mon man seriously? Can’t you be more impressive? Like Spider-Man has proper villains but all I get is you.” Standing with her arms crossed Gwen could only let out a sigh at the sight of her self-proclaimed archenemy. Turning back to face Gwen with a jolt The Bodega Bandit tried to hide the shake in his voice as he faced Gwen.
“S-Spider-Woman! It is I! Your and Spider-Man’s dreaded archenemy, the Bodega Bandit!” Watching as the villain strikes a pose Gwen could only hold a hand against her head in embarrassment.
“Holy hamburglar I’m surprised you haven’t been sued yet. Like seriously… does Ronald know how you’re ripping off his friend?” Gwen’s words caused the villain to deflate instantly, but he quickly recovered with a stamp of his foot.
“What no The Bodega Bandit is an entirely unique idea made up by me in its entirety! Any similarities to certain fast food mascots are entirely coincidental.” As she rolls her eyes under her mask Gwen’s hand shoots out, firing a web ball that collided with Bodega Bandit before expanding to wrap him in webbing.
As the villain falls to the ground Gwen rubs her chin appreciatively at the sight, “Well what do you know? Bugboy’s adjustments do work well.” The Bandit struggles to escape from the webbing but it quickly proves futile, “Yeah sorry buddy but you’re not getting out of those for an hour or two. Anywhoo I’ve got places to be and I am…” Trailing off Gwen looked over to the clock on the wall resulting in a groan escaping her lips, “Late. Crapbaskets.”
With barely a final glance at the Bodega Bandit, Gwen sprinted out of the store before quickly coming to a stop as she saw what looked to be half of the NYPD out the front of the store. “SPIDER-WOMAN! DO NOT MOVE! YOU ARE UNDER ARREST!” Captain Yuri Watanabe’s voice boomed through the megaphone she held as Gwen winced at the noise.
“Oh thanks, guys I didn’t realise you knew it was my birthday! But I can’t stay, I've got an urgent appointment to keep!” With a smile hidden under her mask, Gwen fired off balls of webbing at the closest police officers sticking them to their cruisers. Wasting no time Gwen flipped onto the side of the Bodega and sprinted up its side disappearing from the view of the police officers before any of them could do anything.
As she continued to sprint across the buildings of New York City Gwen tried desperately to keep track of the time in the back of her mind.
‘ Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. I’m Late. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. I can’t believe I’m this late. Fuck. ’
As she leapt off the edge of a final building Gwen fired off a web line that connected to the skyscraper to her side and sent her flying forward. Maintaining her momentum even with the rush she was in Gwen couldn’t help but let out a whoop.
‘ God I love swinging through the air. ’ as she fired off another line Gwen cocked her head to the side as a sudden thought occurred to her, ‘ Huh… I never asked Peter what he thought of web-swinging. Like does he love it as much as I do? I’d assume he would but I’ve never asked.‘
As she continued musing on Peter’s feelings about various things, Gwen continued swinging through New York. But as she did Gwen missed a green, red and blue object flash across the street below her.
‘ Seriously how is it that every single time I need to do something there's some costumed dumbass breaking New York. ’ these thoughts and other similar ones ran through Peter’s mind as he crashed through a New York storefront.
Recovering quickly Peter flipped back onto his feet. But just as he did a bolt of pain shot through his head. Recognising it as his Spidey Sense, Peter lept on top of one of the many streetlights, just barely managing to avoid an emerald tail smashing the wall he’d just been in front of.
“Watch it! There’s people walking here!” As he lept off the lamp post Peter shouted at the armoured figure attacking him as he saved the numerous bystanders from the collapsing storefront.
“Get down here and fight me then Spider-Man!” The shout from the villain caused Peter to look backwards as he started to chase him down the street. Zipping to the side and narrowly avoiding another jab of the sharp tip of the tail Peter let down the civilians in his arms.
“Come on then greeny! If you want to fight me come catch me!” swinging away from the people on the street Peter doesn’t even need to look back to know the villain was chasing him. The almost inhuman roar was more than enough of a sign.
As he swung through the streets Peter avoided as many civilians as possible as he led the villain to the emptier parts of the city. Finally, as the villain lets out another roar Peter finds the condemned building he had been looking for.
As he smiled under his mask Peter turned back to the supervillain and fired off a webline at his face, pulling him after himself as he leaps into the condemned apartment building.
“C’mon, stabby! Let's get you doing some work for the public good for the first time in your life!” landing on a column inside the building Peter slams the villain into the floor, smashing through it and revealing the next level of the building.
Wasting no time Peter leaped down after the villain. Landing in a crouch on the lower floor of the building, Peter’s eyes tensed for any sign of movement. Creeping forward slowly Peter is surprised by the lack of trail left behind by the rather large armoured man that had only just been in front of him.
Turning in place Peter can see clearly where the villain had landed. It was rather obvious because of the crushed furniture and shattered floorboards. But to Peter’s surprise, he couldn’t see any sign the actual villain was still there.
“Hellooo? Big green guy? With a stabby tail? Didn’t you want to kick my…” Peter trailed off as spider-sense blared in his mind. Reacting quickly Peter leapt off the floor landing on one of the few still-standing columns and barely avoiding the tail smashing into the floor where he was.
“Graagh! YOU PEST! STAY STILL!” the shout of the villain sounded more like an animal’s roar than anything a human would make. Keeping up his momentum the villain continued smashing through the building, the tail slicing through air and building with no distinction for either.
Flipping from column to column Peter barely avoids being smashed or sliced with the building. As he desperately looked for a gap in the villain's attack he could capitalise on. Bobbing and weaving throughout the decrepit apartment Peter’s eye notices the exposed brickwork of the walls that match the building’s exterior.
Almost instantly Peter’s eyes light up in realisation underneath his mask, and with a small smirk, he starts to move with purpose. Edging towards a specific part of the wall Peter starts taunting the supervillain.
“Hey! Since you never told me your name I came up with something!” coming to a stop in front of one of the exterior walls, Peter breathes in deep. Waiting. For. Just. The. Right. Moment. Before leaping up as the villain’s tail shoots forward smashing into the wall. But much to the villain's surprise rather than being speared by the stinger at the tip of the tail or dodging out of the way, Peter instead landed on the tail itself.
“So yeah as I was saying, since you’re big, green, angry and have a big tail you can be Bug Hulk! Get it? Cause you’re basically the Hulk but you’ve got a tail? Jeez, tough crowd.”
Simply growling at Peter the villain tried to rip his tail out of the wall but as he did, Peter leaps forward revealing the tail was covered in webbing sticking it to the wall. But before anyone can react to the reveal Peter’s fist collides with the villain's head. Which not only ripped his tail out of the wall but also sent him flying across the room before landing in a heap.
Jumping onto the wall next to the unconscious supervillain Peter pokes him hesitantly to check for consciousness.
“Well looks like you’ve been exterminated buggy.” dropping from the wall Peter prepares to start webbing up the unconscious villain. But before he can start the entire building starts to shake and Peter’s head pounds with his spider-sense.
CRASH!
“Alright, Men you know the drill capture the undesirable and get him back into containment as soon as possible.” Suddenly the cause of the crash is revealed as the far wall collapses, revealing what appeared to be a full regiment of heavily armored troops of some kind. But even more surprising to Peter was the man leading the group.
“Lucky for you guys it seems Pe-Spider-Man has done your jobs for you!” as the troops surround the unconscious supervillain, Peter leaves them to it as he slowly approached the red-dressed man leading them.
“Daredevil?” at Spider-Man’s hesitant words the red-dressed man’s head tilted with a smile.
“Spider-Man! I'm glad to see you’re doing the good work as always. Thanks for the assist with Project Scorpion.” tilting his head in confusion Peter comes to a stop next to the civilian clothes wearing Matt Murdock.
“Scorpion huh? I think I prefer Bug Hulk.” Peter’s words are hesitant and measured, his discomfort with this seemingly different Daredevil. But Daredevil seems to ignore it, favouring instead to tilt his head back with a laugh.
“Hah! Bug Hulk I like that one Spidey. Although one does wonder where’s your girlfriend Spidey? I’d have expected her to be here backing you up… or is there something you should be at that you forgot about, a graduation of some kind maybe?” Peter’s face drops as he realises what Matt is saying but before Peter can say anything one of Murdock’s troops approaches with a salute.
“Kin-Sir! Project Scorpion is contained and we have begun transport back to the proper facilities!” with a tense smile Matt jerks his head to the side at the soldier before turning back to Peter.
“Well apologies Spidey but our conversation must end. Which is for the best as I believe you have somewhere to be. Goodbye, and say hello to Spider-Gw-Woman for me, won’t you? Toodles.” without waiting for a response from Peter Matt turns and leaves making the the hero the sole inhabitant of the decrepit building.
“That was weird… I thought Daredevil was in jail… when did he get out? Wait he went in as part of a case against Kingpin. If he’s out did Kingpin ever end up in jail? Is he out? Jeez, I thought I had a better hold on what was going on here than I do…”
Lost in thought Peter stares off after the now long gone Daredevil. But eventually, he jolted into motion as he finally remembered what Matt had reminded him of.
“Crap Graduation!” leaping through the hole in the side of the building, Peter wastes no time in firing off a webline, Attaching himself to a new york skyscraper. Moving as fast as possible Peter launches himself towards Midtown High School using every scrap of energy he can muster to move as fast as possible. ”I’m gonna be late!”
Landing in her usual alley next to the toilet block of Midtown High Gwen quietly creeps through the as usual open window. Dropping down and dashing into a cubicle Gwen quickly changed but the entire time her eyes didn’t leave the clock on the bathroom wall.
“Shit fuck shit fuck shit fuck shit fuck shittity fuck fuck. I can’t believe I am so late for this because of stupid fucking sandwich smuggler.” Gwen muttered a stream of curses as she caught her leg in her pants. “Fucks sakes.”
Finally having changed out of her costume Gwen slips out of the bathroom to begin creeping through the empty school halls, making her way to the high school’s auditorium for graduation.
Inching open the door of the auditorium Gwen slipped through it, but as she closed it something slipped-
CRASH!
-and the door slams close and with a synchronicity one would expect only from practice everyone in the room looked to her at the back. Wincing at the sudden attention from everyone in the room, Gwen gives up on trying to sneak through the room and instead speedwalks through the auditorium doing her best to ignore the disappointed glare from her father.
However as Gwen moved through the auditorium ignoring the resigned looks of her teachers, she couldn't help but notice Peter wasn’t there either. But before she could start worrying about the absence of her boyfriend Gwen felt an arm wrap around her shoulders and pulled her away.
“Jesus Gwen, could you have cut that any closer? I mean seriously bad enough you’re late for our gigs but graduation too? And you’re not even dressed properly for God's sake. Wait Parker’s not here either oh for-don’t tell me you and Parker were skipping graduation to make out. Oh for god's sake Gwen how can't the two of you keep your hands off each other for five minutes!”
MJ’s disappointed stare sent a chill down Gwen’s back, compounded by the matching stares from the flanking pair of Betty and Glory.
“Wait Peter isn’t here yet?” as Gwen questioned what MJ had said she looked around. She searched for some sign that Peter was there but instead, she saw nothing.
‘ Crap, crap, crap, crap, crap, crap, crap. ’ crawling across the numerous buildings of Midtown High, Peter tried desperately to remember which building the graduation was being held in. After what feels like forever spent searching through the school Peter finally gives up and does what he had been dreading.
BRRRING!
BRRRING!
BRRRING!
[ Peter! What are you doing? ] Luckily for Peter, however, even though he hadn’t wanted to call him, Harry Osborn was still willing to pick up the phone for him, [ Why aren’t you here? Where are you? Even Gwen’s here but I think she’s looking for you… ] Peter tried to interrupt but before he could Harry just kept talking, [ Oh my god Peter are you cheating on -]
“NO! What? Of course not Harry why would you even think about that? Wait no don’t answer that there’s no time. Where’s the graduation?“ Peter’s hurried tone as he asked the question spawned an exasperated sigh from Harry.
[ Seriously Peter? You don’t remember where graduation is? You know it’s a wonder you can manage to do anything at all Peter. ] Rather than responding immediately to Harry’s jab, however, Peter instead favoured to roll his eyes in annoyance.
“Yes, Yes I’m aware Harry. Now are you going to answer my question or not? I’m fully prepared to handle any ribbing you want to throw my way but please help me?” Peter can hear the snicker over the phone line as he pleaded desperately for Harry’s help but ignores it anyway.
[ Alright fine Peter but here's a tip that comes straight from my dad, don’t sound so desperate when you’re trying to negotiate. ] Pinching at his brow Peter as usual ignored Harry’s parrotted business advice from his dad, hoping that he’d just tell him where to go already, [ anyway we’re in the auditorium. Oh and no ribbing you just have to dorm with me at ESU. ]
“Harry…” Peter started to speak up in protest, trying to argue all the same points he’d already made; that his aunt needed him around the house; he didn’t know if he was actually going to be able to go to ESU yet; even with the assumption he was he hadn’t even broached discussing anything with Gwen about whether they would room together.
But as if Harry knew what Peter was going to say Harry spoke up and interrupted him preventing Peter from repeating his usual arguments once again, [ Nonononono, you and me are going to be dorming Peter, at least if you want to actually make it to graduation in time. ]
A frustrated hiss of air escaped from Peter as he tried desperately to think of some sort of rebuttal. But as the school bell rang out across the school Peter gave up with a tired sigh.
“Fine Harry. I give up I’ll room with you.” Peter winced as a strangled cheer made its way over the phone line.
[ Great! Fantastic! I’m so glad you finally agreed Peter you would not believe how hard Dad’s been riding my ass over this for months. Anyway, we’re in the auditorium. But hurry! They’ve finished the speeches and Jessica was just called up so you’re soon. ]
As soon as Harry finished talking he hung up on Peter, leaving the other boy to just stare confusedly at his phone. But before Peter could get too hung up on the weirdness of some of the things Harry said he started running off hoping that he’d manage to make it in time to graduation.
Taking great advantage of his arachnid agility Peter quickly arrived at Midtown’s auditorium. Paused for a moment Peter looked around for the best way to sneak into the auditorium.
“Oh wow that’s way too easy.” directly in front of Peter was one set of the light switches for the auditorium. Almost as if it was set up perfectly for Peter to sneak in, one of the windows along the roof of the auditorium was also open.
Peter quickly decided not to look the gift horse in the mouth and flipped the switch. In an instant, the auditorium was plunged into darkness. Peter heard the yells of shock and surprise mixed with the teachers straining futilely to keep control of the situation.
Peter winced at the sudden burst of noise but was aware of how quickly the lights could be turned back on so he quickly fired off a pair of web lines pulling himself through the open window. Making his way through the open window Peter saw that the majority of people inside the auditorium had stood up in the confusion.
Surprised by just how easy sneaking in was proving to be Peter dropped to the floor and made his way to the mass of people. As Peter joined the mass, slipping in between several people the lights turned back on.
“Alright alright, everyone. Back to your seats. It was just a prank no need to panic.” standing on the stage at the front of the auditorium, Midtown’s principal called out loudly to the assorted group. “Alright that's enough we need to continue with the graduations. Everyone, I will not repeat myself. Back to your seats.”
Finally, the students follow the principal’s orders and filter out of the large group back into their seats. Slipping in amongst the moving students Peter manages to spy Harry out of the corner of his eye and begins to make his way to him.
As Peter came to a stop next to Harry he didn’t even bother fighting the urge to elbow him in the side. Ignoring Harry’s groan Peter simply stared forward as Cindy Moon got her certificate from the principal.
“Wow, real mature Peter. Glad you could make it to your graduation.” Harry whispered the words out of his mouth, seemingly much more worried about teachers noticing him now than when he was on the phone with Peter.
“What are you talking about Harry? I’ve been here the whole time. I’d never miss a school event.” Peter’s words were whispered back to Harry but Peter’s gaze was focused elsewhere. Harry started to say something likely more mocking about Peter’s total inability to be on time for anything but instead, Peter’s gaze was searching for Gwen.
Peter knew that if Gwen was late like Harry suggested she was that meant that she was doing hero work just like he was. Now Peter had complete confidence in Gwen’s capabilities as Spider-Woman but that didn’t stop him from worrying about when she was out without him, and he wouldn’t be surprised if she was the same.
But Peter’s worry was rendered moot anyway as it didn’t take long for him to see that she was alright. Seeing her ahead of himself and Harry standing next to MJ and Betty soothes Peter’s worry about her condition allowing him to start paying attention to Harry again.
“Can’t believe that you turned the lights off for the enti-” Harry whispered excitement was quickly cut off by Peter’s elbow jamming into his side once again. This finally managed to get Harry to stop talking to Peter, just in time for Peter’s name to get called by the principal and the graduation to continue.
As she walked out of the auditorium Gwen struggled with blinking away the sudden brightness of daylight as she basked in the feeling of having graduated. Following Gwen out are MJ, Betty and Glory, who unlike Gwen don’t seem to feel the need to bask in the feeling.
“Well, that’s graduation done ladies. We are no longer students of Midtown High. we are now members of society and part of the real world.” striding forward with her usual confidence MJ began to wax poetic about the end of this stage in their lives. However, this poetic expression isn’t supported by her bandmates.
“What the hell are you yapping about MJ?” Betty wastes no time in criticising MJ’s seemingly nonsensical speech, making the other girl visibly deflate.
“Come on Betty! This is the finale of our youth! The end of our beginning! Probably the best inspiration for our music until Gwen breaks up with Parker!” MJ’s arms flailed with passion as she spoke, her frustration clear in every movement as she spoke to her bandmates.
“Hey! What’s that supposed to mean?” Gwen’s arms crossed almost instinctively as she glared at MJ, the disapproval clear in every part of her body.
But before MJ got the chance to answer Gwen with her usual snark, Flash, Peter and Harry interrupted the four’s conversation. Striding into the middle of the conversation Flash showed no hesitation in wrapping his arms around Betty and Glory’s shoulders.
“Why hello there ladies, how’re things? You feeling all mature now that you’ve graduated? Or is everything hitting you all at once that we have to start worrying about stuff like bills and further education?” Betty and Glory both rolled their eyes at Flash before shrugging his arms off of them. However, while Glory’s expression was pure disdain there were faint blushes on Betty’s face.
“God Flash go bother someone who’d be interested in your unlimited machismo.” as she crossed her arms Glory sidled up to MJ and engaged in conversation with her. Unlike her friends, however, Betty appeared much more responsive to Flash’s attention.
“Oh well uh you know Flash it’s all so exciting I mean we’ll have so much time for the band now that school’s over and we don’t start college for a few months. So looking forward to getting some writing done and hopefully, we get a few gigs that aren’t bombed by the Spiders”
While Flash was paying attention to Betty’s explanation of her future plans that was nothing compared to when she brought up the Spiders, Flash’s face split into a grin as he jumped full bore into talking about both them and Betty’s band plans.
As the two spiralled into their own intense conversation Gwen stepped away from her bandmates and Flash and instead moved towards Peter and Harry.
“Howdy Gwen, finally decide to give us the time of day, oh well I mean I know you spent so long with Peter earlier that you were both late.” Harry smirked as Peter and Gwen both burst out into rampant denials and while Harry tried to hold it in, it didn’t take long for his attempted cool guy aura to break.
“Aw come on guys I’m only joshing with ya.” wrapping his arms around his two friends Harry pulled them both in close, “although really how many times in the last few months have the two of you skipped class together? That stuff ain’t gonna work in college you know. Anyway, I gotta bounce my dad wanted to have some Father-Son bonding today. Toodles!”
With a sudden burst of energy, Harry let go of Peter and Gwen before jogging off. However, as Gwen and Peter stare after him, both confused by Harry’s out-of-character frantic energy He calls out one last thing to Peter.
“Oh yeah Peter I’ll text you the deets for the place later!” these words caused Gwen to turn to Peter with a raised eyebrow, no longer caring about Harry’s abrupt exit.
“Wait what’s that mean Peter? What place?” as Peter turned to Gwen he shrunk under her intense stare and rubbed at the back of his head awkwardly.
“Well Harry’s been bugging me for a while about living together at college and because I couldn’t remember where graduation was and the only way he’d tell me is if I finally said yes. Are you mad? I know you had been subtly suggesting it for a bit.”
However, rather than giving the aggressive response Peter was worried about, Gwen instead wrapped her arms around his neck pulling him in closer.
“Nah if you can do it I’m fine with it. I have no worries about how we’d go living together especially considering our shared hobbies but I’d rather do it when we’re both comfortable with it. Plus Dad isn’t really ready for me to move out yet.” cocking her head to the side Gwen edged her head closer.
“Although are you comfortable leaving May alone? I know how you can get with her… and um are you confident you can do our hobby with Harry around?” As he looked into Gwen’s eyes Peter wrapped his arms around her waist with a smile.
“Please May? She’s the one most eager for me to move out. Like sure I’m worried but she seems to think that an essential part of the college experience is moving out of home. And sure I’m worried what she’ll be like home alone but I heard a rumour Spider-Man is gonna be spending some more time around Queens.”
“Oh really? Well, maybe Spider-Woman will be too.” chuckling softly Gwen leant into Peter’s chest.
“And also she seems to have made a few new friends in some group or another who’ve been over a fair bit recently. So I’m not too worried. And the hobby? Well if I can sneak past May I can definitely sneak past Harry.” Gwen nodded her head at Peter’s words content in the fact Peter didn’t seem worried.
“Alright then, although if you’re living with Harry how long do you reckon it’ll take for him to get annoyed at us?” Pulling Gwen in even closer Peter smiled down at her.
“Well, I reckon we’d manage it in less than a week at least.” biting at her lower lip Gwen pulled Peter’s head closer intent on whispering something to him. But before she could a loud voice interrupts the two teens.
“Ah Peter it’s nice to see you and Gwen are still so close.” Striding towards Gwen and Peter with something approaching military speed was Captain Stacy. The sudden appearance caused Gwen to let go of Peter to instead wrap her arms around her father.
“Dad! You’re here!” leaning down Captain Stacy returned the gesture with a wide smile.
“Of course I am Honey, I wouldn’t have missed this for the world. You graduating… your mum would be so proud.” Rather than giving a vocal response to her father’s words Gwen simply pulled herself in closer to him, tightening their embrace. But as she did Captain Stacy looked to Peter addressing the younger man.
“Oh yeah, Peter your aunt was around here somewhere but I don’t know where she went.” raising a hand in thanks Peter simply looked around the open space occupied by students and their carers.
“Ah don’t worry about it Mr Stacy I’ll leave you and Gwen to yourselves and go looking for her.”
“Alright then if you’re sure son.” giving a single nod of his head Peter turned from the father and daughter to begin searching for his Aunt.
Slipping through the numerous masses of people Peter finally sees his aunt conversing with another parent of someone in his class. Making his way over to the pair Peter wastes no time in calling out to them.
“Hey, Aunt May!” turning her head at the call from Peter May’s face splits into a wide smile as she starts walking towards him.
“Peter! Oh, I’m so proud of you Peter. Oh, and Ben would have been so proud of you too… I wish he could have seen this-seen you.” May’s voice was soft as she raised a hand to Peter’s face that he leaned into slightly.
“Yeah, I wish he was here too…” Peter’s voice grows soft but it seemed to set off something in May as she pulls back her hand to instead rest it on her waist.
“Bah, what are we talking about, this is a happy day and Ben would want us to be happy not wallowing around like this.” suddenly May’s eyes gain a fire in them and she grabs Peter by the hand to pull him somewhere, “here I’ve got someone to introduce to you Peter, I just found out one of my book club friends has a niece in your class.
Dragging Peter by the hand Aunt May quickly makes her way back to the woman she was talking to before Peter found her. Coming to a sudden stop in front of the woman Peter can’t help but find something familiar about the woman as Aunt May began introducing him.
“Anna this is Peter, my nephew.” raising a hand in greeting Peter tries to figure out who it is the woman is reminding him of.
“Um hi, I’m Peter.” Anna walks forward quickly taking hold of Peter’s hand tightly to shake it.
“Oh, you’re Peter! I’ve heard so much from May about you!” smiling awkwardly Peter is surprised by the tight grip that Anna managed to have on his hand.
“Oh well, all good things I hope?” Anna shook her head with a smile at Peter’s joking question.
“Oh, purely good things. Your May’s angel from the way she talks about you.” the echoed praise Anna gave Peter caused a blush to break out on his cheeks rivaling the ones Gwen inspires.
“Oh uh well.”
“Oh don’t tell Peter everything Anna, otherwise the boy will get too big a head.” May’s tone was teasing but her expression showed her care for Peter.
“Oh yes you’re right May these teens have enough of an ego to begin with. Like my Mary Jane now don’t get me wrong she is in an amazing band but getting her to listen-” Anna clearly enjoyed talking about her niece like May does Peter but before she could get too into it Peter interrupts her suddenly.
“Wait you’re MJ’s Aunt?” Peter’s voice is shocked and May looks at him aghast as he interrupts her friend. But that shock wasn’t shared by Anna.
“Oh, you know my Mary Jane? That’s so nice. I’m glad she has more friends the only people I ever hear her talking about are those bandmates of hers. But don’t get me wrong all of them are nice girls… although that Gwen Stacy is rather distracted a lot.” Peter winced at the critique of his girlfriend by the older woman and it was only exacerbated by May speaking up in agreement.
“Oh, that’s probably Peter’s fault. Gwen’s always been a bit spacey, ever since she was a small girl and that’s only gotten worse since she’s gotten older, especially once she and Peter got together. Isn’t that right Peter?” both women turned to Peter as the teen scratched at his neck awkwardly.
“Oh well, Gwen has a lot on her plate… I mean she’s got the band, school, looking after her dad and her other hobbies. So it’s understandable that she can be spacey sometimes but she loves the band so much, music really is her passion and The Mary-Janes lets her do that.”
Peter’s rambling defence of Gwen seems to make sense to the two older women as both nod appreciatively at him. But rather than continuing to discuss their families the two women change their discussion topic to something totally unknown to Peter leaving him standing there silently waiting for the two to finish. Eventually, they do leading Peter and May to finally leave the graduation and head home together. At least before Peter would head out once again to do his hero work.
Later that day, after dealing with a few muggings Peter landed on the side of a New York highrise intending to rest for a minute with some food he’d been gifted. Lifting the bottom of his mask Peter starts to eat and after a few minutes, he gets a guest at his random building.
“Why hello there Bugboy, how’s it hanging?” as he took a final bite of his food Peter jumped onto his feet with a smile.
“Heya Gwendy. So we’re both graduated now huh?” as Gwen walked forward slowly she nodded with a soft smile.
“Yeah… now we’re big college students…” as Gwen went quiet the two teens wrapped their arms around each other.
“Well if I get my scholarship an-” However PEter is quickly interrupted and kept from finishing what he was saying by Gwen with a wide smile on her face.
“Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you I got my scholarship!” Peter pulled back slightly with a wide smile that matched Gwen’s.
“Seriously? That’s amazing Gwen! I’m so glad for you!” a light blush bloomed on Gwen’s cheeks as her gaze grew appreciative.
“Hey just because science was magically easier once our worlds mixed doesn't mean you weren’t instrumental in me managing it.” Peter shrugged his shoulders at Gwen’s words, each one contributing to a blush of his own.
“Yeah you keep saying science was suddenly so much easier but I just think that you’re my super smart, beautiful, amazing, musically talented and superpowered girlfriend.” rather than trying to rebuke Peter’s argument Gwen simply rested her head on Peter’s chest, rolling her eyes and smiling under her mask as she did.
“You can be so dorky sometimes you know?” Peter tightened his hold around Gwen at her words, his confident smile visible since the bottom of his mask was still raised.
“Yeah, but I’m your dork aren’t I?”
“Alwa-” Suddenly Gwen and Peter’s flirting is interrupted by a burst of heat and light next to them off the edge of the building. With quick motions, the two jumped back from each other landing in prepared crouches and Peter finally pulled his mask down.
A squeal of surprise can be heard as the heat and light receded from the two superheroes revealing a familiar figure dressed in a blue and black jumpsuit to the two.
“Oh my god is that you Pete? Please tell me that’s you under there, oh and that you know who I am?” Johhny Storm landed on the building and immediately grabbed Peter his eyes desperate as they looked into Peter’s mask, “You know who I am right? It’s me Johnny? The Human Torch? Hottest Member of the Fantastic Four?”
Peter’s eyes widened in surprise under his mask at the sudden appearance of his friend. In all honesty with everything regarding Gwen, he’d completely forgotten about the Fantastic Four. although that still didn’t explain the still-present squeal. But before Peter could explain anything he’s ripped in another direction by Gwen.
“Oh my god you know Johnny Storm Peter? On a personal level? Where he knows your secret identity? And never told me!” Gwen’s tone had an excited enthusiasm to it, that Peter didn’t see often in his girlfriend. But yet again before he can say anything he’s cut off by Johnny again.
“Peter? Who is this woman? Since when have you had a partner? That you’re this close to… what happened to Gwen?” Gwen pulled Peter in even closer her excitement causing wildly uncharacteristic motions in the rest of her body.
“You told him about me? You told Johnny Storm star of the Fantastic Four about me? Oh my god, my boyfriend is friends with a TV Star and told them about me… I think I’m gonna faint.” finally Gwen let go of her hold of Peter and both teen heroes stared expectantly at Peter.
“Um I don’t know what you mean about a TV Show but I’ve known Johnny for a while, although I haven’t seen him since before the other you died.” Peter’s measured explanation made sense to Gwen but caused Johnny to grab Peter in a way very reminiscent of Gwen only a few moments earlier.
“Wait Gwen died? Oh my god Pete I’m so sorry. I’m sorry I wasn’t-. I-I should’ve been there for you.” Johnny’s hold on Peter quickly turned into a hug the older teen pulling Peter in close. But Johnny quickly realised something else Peter said, “Wait other? So you guys know something crazy’s happened?”
In perfect sync, Peter and Gwen both tilted their heads to the side as they looked at Johnny.
“What oh yeah we had some weird multiversal fusion thing which is why both of us suddenly existed on the same Earth.” Peter explained the situation quickly wildly simplifying the past few months of his and Gwen’s lives.
“Honestly, you’re the first person other than us that remembered one of the previous earths.” Gwen’s surprise at Johnny is clear in her tone as it seemed she had finally moved past the star-struck expression.
“Oh my god Reed is going to be insufferable… and oh god none of us have any idea what our lives are like here Peter. We seemed to avoid whatever happened 'cause we were in a different dimension doing our Fantastic Four stuff…”
As Johnny stared vacantly into the middle distance something in his pocket began wringing, “Crap that’ll be Reed I need to go. I’ll find you later Peter.” Johnny raised a hand in farewell as he looked between Gwen and Peter. “Oh and um nice to meet you. Flame On!” Johnny burst into flames and flew away quickly disappearing into the distance.
Peter and Gwen stand still, staring off after Johnny and it takes several moments before the silence is broken by Gwen speaking up.
“I can’t believe you know Johnny Storm. Do you know Sue too?” while Gwen continued to stare after the disappeared ball of fire, Peter turned to her his face scrunched in confusion underneath his mask as he did.
“Yeah, I know Reed and Ben too. But why is it such a big deal to you?” this question from Peter finally made Gwen turn and face him. The confusion on her face was visible through her mask.
“Wait but Johnny mentioned the Fantastic Four, how don’t you know what they are? It's one of the biggest shows on the planet.” somehow Peter’s managed to widen even further under his mask as he stared at Gwen.
“Gwen the Fantastic Four are a superhero team. Like the X-Men or the Avengers.” Peter’s explanation caused Gwen to step back in shock, the words made sense to her but at the same time were an impossibility.
“Ok like I’ve told you I’m new to this whole idea of other supers but the Fantastic Four? The TV show stars? You’re trying to tell me Herbie the Robot is a superhero?” Gwen punctuated her disbelief by crossing her arms and the best glare she could muster while still recovering from the earth-shattering revelation.
“No not Herbie he’s the butler robot. The Fantastic Four are Johnny, Sue, Ben and Reed. From what I know they suffered an accident in space that led to each of them getting bathed in interstellar radiation which gave them superpowers.”
Gwen’s disbelief persisted however and the two superheroes continued trying to convince the other how insane their world's version of the Fantastic Four was. Each fully convinced the other was in the wrong. This discussion lasted for several hours, long enough at least for the sun to start setting over the horizon bathing Peter and Gwen in golden light.
“Alright fine I admit it I can slightly see the Fantastic Four as superheroes. If half of them were different people.” Peter simply rolled his eyes at Gwen’s not really an agreement agreement, unwilling to keep arguing the point with her.
“Wow, I’m glad you finally agreed with me. Kind of.” seeing Gwen just shrug back at him Peter simply sighed and continued talking, “Anyway we might as well do some hero work otherwise Jameson might start being slightly accurate in his libel.”
As she smiled under her mask at Peter Gwen lifted her arms above her head in a stretch. Letting go of the stretch Gwen walked over to the edge before looking back to Peter over her shoulder.
“Well then Bugboy, let's go then. Whoever catches the most perps wins!” before Peter could respond to Gwen’s taunt she leapt off the building and fired a webline into the distance.
Stunned by the sudden taunt Peter stared off after the slowly disappearing figure of Gwen. quickly gathering himself however Peter smirked under his mask before leaping off after her.
“Alright then Gwendy, let’s do this!” firing off a webline Peter swung off into the sunset. Every single part of his existence is excited for the future and what’s yet to come in his life.
It is interesting, isn’t it? Two worlds collide into one all because of the love two teens have for each other.
The walls of reality collapsed and in their place sprouted a new world. One of limitless possibilities for both good and evil.
Yes, indeed while the presence of an additional active Spider Totem years before most realities would be a great boon for the forces of good, as always the forces of evil do their best to balance the scale.
Events have already been put into motion. Events that will radically change the course of destiny in this reality, but even I cannot see whether that will be for good or evil.
All that I do know is that the pieces are now spread across the board, each prepared to fight desperately to achieve their goals, and for some no matter the cost they may incur.
The Pawns fight against other pawns, each victory securing their beliefs that good will triumph over evil.
The Knight travels through the night’s sky, desperate for a rider so it can survive to another day.
The Bishops tinker in their labs, one desperately trying to save the life he feels he is owed while the other goes mad as they create life from specks of blood.
And finally, the King disposed of the Rook, no longer needing nor wanting the spare parts. But as the Modern Prometheus tells us great things can come from spare parts.
Indeed the events in motion could leave this earth submerged in darkness.
But even so, that is the future and if there is something that Spider Totems excel at it is being beacons in the shadows of night. So it is not worth worrying about what may come but instead, it should be celebrated how Love’s Labours Won.
Two teens were challenged by love and emerged through the crucible to become a greater whole than they ever could have matched as individuals.
Indeed, my name is Uatu the Watcher and it has been my duty, no dare I say my privilege to observe the events before me.