Chapter 91: Spider Web
Peter Parker might seem like an ordinary high schooler, but he has a remarkable secret: his friend, Gwen Stacy, is none other than the newly famous superhero "Silk," who swings through the streets of Queens. Inspired by heroes like the Dark Knight Zod and the Fantastic Four, people are waking up to the presence of superheroes among them, from Silk in Queens to Daredevil and Superwoman in Hell's Kitchen.
Gwen, clad in a distinctive white suit with a spider emblem, balances her double life as a superhero with her commitment to help her father fight crime. She's become comfortable with Peter knowing her secret after he accidentally discovered her identity when her exhaustion from night patrols became too obvious to hide. Trusting his loyalty, Gwen found she could rely on Peter to keep her secret.
Recently, Peter had asked for Gwen's help in tracking down the man responsible for his Uncle Ben's death. Gwen agreed, determined to bring the culprit to justice. But despite her efforts, she hadn't had any luck. Days of searching had turned up nothing but a few minor street criminals. What Gwen didn't know was that Flint Marko, the man responsible, had already been arrested.
"What are you looking for?" A voice spoke suddenly beside Gwen, making her jump as she spun to see Zod, hovering silently above in his black armor.
"Oh, Dark Knight!" she breathed out, relaxing when she recognized him. But she quickly wondered, Why didn't my spider-sense pick up his presence?
Unknown to Gwen, Zod was equally puzzled. He'd been unaware that a new Spider superhero was active in Queens until his AI, the Black Queen, alerted him.
"This must be Silk," he thought, observing her white suit. Wait, is my world actually Earth-65? The familiar movie characters around him suggested otherwise, but he had yet to pin down the exact origins of some heroes like Gwen.
"Apologies for startling you," Zod said, smiling.
"No worries, I just... didn't notice." Gwen shook her head. Despite her father's insistence that the Dark Knight Zod was more concerned with showboating than heroism, Gwen couldn't help but admire him. What she didn't know was that Zod avoided frequent public appearances to ensure he didn't overshadow police work, letting the Black Queen handle most rescues.
"Hello, Dark Knight. I'm Silk," Gwen introduced herself, offering her hand.
Zod shook it, amused by her confidence. After the brief introduction, she explained her search. "I'm looking for a criminal who shot an elderly man in cold blood," she said. "I want to see him brought to justice." She wasn't usually this nervous, but standing before a hero like Zod made her feel like she was meeting her mentor.
Zod noted her description, momentarily unaware it was related to the death of Peter's Uncle Ben. "Is that all the information you have?" he asked.
"I do have a sketch," Gwen admitted, fishing it out and handing it to him.
After scanning it, the Black Queen quickly ran a check. "The man you're looking for is Flint Marko," Zod reported. "But he's already in prison." He projected an image of Flint being arrested, confirming it for her.
Gwen's face dropped behind her mask. She'd been losing sleep for nothing. Acne, dull skin—all of it was for a search that had already been resolved.
"Next time, try checking the news." Zod chuckled. "Or better yet, use the Spider Web app. It has real-time crime updates and news feeds."
Spider Web had quickly become the most popular platform, boasting two billion users globally, surpassing even Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook. It served as both a communication platform and a payment system integrated with Blade Bank, all managed under a single Blade account.
"Oh, I have Spider Web," Gwen admitted sheepishly. "I just didn't think to check it."
The traditional social networks were struggling to compete with Spider Web's comprehensive functionality. Despite recruitment attempts, Blade Technology Industry's employees stayed loyal, preferring to be part of a promising company with a clear path forward.
Zod gave a nod. "Most people only use it for messaging, but it's more than that. Spider Web's designed to keep you connected and informed. There's a lot of power in having the right tools."
Relieved that her search had come to an end, Gwen felt a surge of curiosity. "Mr. Heath, if it's not too much trouble, could I ask you a few questions about being a superhero?" She looked up eagerly, her mind already brimming with questions.