Visiting May

<Alice's POV>

I left Miles apartment and said that I was going for a stroll. He wanted to come but was unable to do so because his father was calling him to talk. Well, I didn't interfere because I could see Uncle Aaron going inside the apartment. And even if I come, it will make the matter worse.

The vibrant colours and energy of the city reminded me of my own dimension, yet there was always something subtly different. I navigated the streets with ease, heading towards a place that was unforgettable for me during my initial disorienting days in this universe: May Parker's home.

May Parker, the kind and resilient woman who had lost her son Peter Parker, had taken me in and cared for me when I first arrived in this world. Despite the pain of her loss, she had shown me nothing but warmth and compassion, and I felt a deep sense of gratitude and affection for her. To me, she was more than a surrogate mother; she was a beacon of hope and kindness in an otherwise chaotic existence.

I reached May's modest house and rang the doorbell. The familiar chime echoed, followed by the sound of shuffling footsteps. A moment later, the door opened, revealing May Parker. She looked older and more fragile, but her eyes still held that unmistakable spark of warmth and strength.

"Alice!" she exclaimed, her voice tinged with surprise and joy. She quickly wrapped me in a tight embrace, and I returned the gesture, feeling a wave of comfort wash over me. She still recognised me in my spider suit. Well, my design is almost the same, but I still feel a little happier about it.

"It's so good to see you, May," I said, my voice slightly muffled against her shoulder.

"And you, dear. How did you get here? Are you alright?" She asked, pulling back slightly to look at me.

I smiled reassuringly. "I'm fine, May. I just came here for a little while to subdue a villain," I said, trying to downplay the complexity of my interdimensional travel.

May nodded, accepting my explanation without pressing for details. "Well, come in, come in. You must be tired. Let me get you something to eat."

We moved into the cosy living room, and May fussed over me, bringing out tea and cookies. As we settled into a comfortable conversation, I felt a sense of normalcy that I hadn't experienced in a while.

She then took out a dress and passed me. "Wear this; you should be more relaxed at home."

I took the dress from her; I can see that it's a dress of mine size, and it's completely neat and clean.

"It's my neighbour's daughter's dress," May explained as she handed it over. "She was about your age a few years ago and hasn't grown much since then. I borrowed it from them."

"Thanks, May," I replied gratefully, already touched by her trademark thoughtfulness and the care she put into accommodating me in every possible way. "I really appreciate you thinking of me like this."

With an indulgent smile, she shooed me off to the nearby bathroom to change. I was embarrassed by the girl's dress, but I can't come to reject May.

Once inside the small but immaculately clean bathroom, I gently pried off my spider suit, carefully folding and setting it aside before slipping on the dress May had provided.

For the next while, after re-emerging, May fussed over me for my hair, with that particular brand of maternal affection so quintessentially hers. She gently brushed out my hair with a soft bristle brush, deftly working through any tangles or knots before deftly plaiting it into a pair of tidy twinned tails secured with a simple band.

"You should take care of your hair better; try not to always keep it open."

"Aunt May, my hair is completely fine."

"You should put a bit more effort into caring for yourself properly, Alice," she chided with a warm smile as she tied off the final braid. "You're such a lovely, vibrant young woman - don't let the demands of your...other obligations prevent you from embracing your femininity too."

"So, Alice, how have you been? Is everything fine there?" May urged, her eyes twinkling with curiosity.

I recounted the events of my life since we last saw each other, painting a picture of my experiences in my home dimension. "I'm attending school now," I began. "It's a lot to juggle, but I'm managing. And I've got a guardian now—Hope Van Dyne. She's been incredible, helping me adjust and providing guidance."

May listened intently, nodding along as I spoke. "That sounds wonderful, Alice. It's important to have someone looking out for you."

I continued, "I've also made some friends. Ohh, you know, there is also a Peter in our dimension too, but not bitten by a spider. I didn't meet him that personally, but as much as I noticed, he is always stuck with his work."

May laughed softly. "That sounds like my Peter. Always buried in his work, but with the biggest heart."

We chatted for a while longer, sharing stories and catching up. I cherished these moments, feeling a sense of belonging and connection that was rare for someone like me, constantly straddling the line between different worlds.

Eventually, I broached the topic that had brought me here. "May, I was wondering if I could use the basement for a bit. I need to look at some of Peter's old technology."

May's expression softened with understanding. "Of course, dear. You don't even need to ask." She reached into her pocket and handed me the key. "Here, take this. It unlocks the basement door."

"Thank you, May," I said, taking the key. "I really appreciate it."

With the key in hand, I made my way to the basement. The door flashed open, and a lift appeared, going down from the lift, revealing a treasure trove of Peter Parker's technological marvels. My eyes were wandering as I took in the array of gadgets, blueprints, and scientific journals that filled the room. This was a veritable goldmine of information and innovation.

I sifted through the materials kept on Peter's high-tech PC, looking for anything that could help me with my own projects. Among the piles of blueprints, I found detailed schematics for nanotechnology applications, intricate designs for web shooters, and even genetic research notes. Peter Parker truly was a genius, his mind a wellspring of creativity and intellect.

One document caught my eye: "Nano-Actuated Polymer Synthesis." I scanned through the dense scientific jargon, marvelling at the complexity and ingenuity of Peter's work. This was exactly the kind of information I needed to upgrade my own technology.

As I continued to explore, I found a series of files labelled "Bio-Electric Augmentation and Neural Interface Technology," "Enhanced Web Fluid Formula," "Auxiliary Utilities Tech," etc. Intrigued, I delved into the documents, absorbing the intricate details of Peter's research. His ideas on bioelectricity and neural interfaces were ground-breaking, pushing the boundaries of what was possible in both engineering and biology.

In another folder, I discovered a stack of genetic research files. Titles like "CRISPR-Cas9 Applications for Genetic Enhancements" and "Retroviral Gene Therapy for Superhuman Abilities" jumped out at me. These documents revealed Peter's deep dive into the genetic underpinnings of superhuman abilities—a testament to his relentless pursuit of knowledge.

I realised I couldn't possibly take all this information with me in any conventional way. I needed to find a way to transfer this data directly into my mind. A wild idea formed in my head, one that would likely be deemed reckless by any sane person. But with my enhanced healing abilities, I believed I could manage it.

I found a USB cable and connected it to Peter's PC. On the other end, I stripped to expose the wires, creating makeshift electrodes. I carefully attached them to my skin, feeling a slight tingle of bioelectric energy. Concentrating, I directed my bioelectricity to create a bridge between the computer and my brain, essentially turning myself into a living data conduit.

It was an audacious, borderline insane idea. But with my mutant abilities, I could process and store vast amounts of information at an accelerated rate. I closed my eyes and focused, pulling the accumulated bioelectricity towards my brain. A surge of data flooded my consciousness—a torrent of information that threatened to overwhelm my senses. I gritted my teeth, enduring the onslaught, my enhanced healing working overtime to keep my mind intact.

Bit by bit, I absorbed Peter's research, his knowledge becoming a part of me. The process was gruelling, but it was also exhilarating. I could feel my understanding of technology, genetics, and engineering expanding with each passing second. It was like opening a thousand doors at once, each leading to new realms of possibility.

Finally, the data transfer was complete. I disconnected the makeshift electrodes, my mind buzzing with newfound knowledge. I had done it. I had accessed Peter Parker's genius research.

I noticed that blood was dripping from my nose. I suppose I disregarded mental demands for this crazy thing I pulled up. I took out a tissue to clean my nose bleeds, and I waited for my healing factor to do its job. I should take better precautions next time.

I took a moment to steady myself, feeling the weight of the information settle in my mind. This was a game-changer. So, my lowest priority was to get technological research done. Now, I should prepare to handle my second highest priority objective, to face Spot. And then think about ways to return to my world. Should I go check on the particle collider? Even if it's broken, I might be able to pull something out of it.

As I emerged from the basement, May greeted me with a warm smile. "Did you find what you were looking for?"

"Yes, May. More than I ever imagined," I replied, my voice filled with gratitude.

She reached out and patted my head. "I'm glad. Peter would be happy to know his work is helping someone as wonderful as you."

I hugged her. "Thank you, May. For everything."

I spent the rest of the evening with May, sharing a simple meal and enjoying her company. As the next day came, I knew it was time to search for the spot.