Chapter 189: Across the Spider-Verse (14)

As Miles Morales and Gwen Stacy swung through the city, their movements were fluid and synchronized, a testament to their shared experience as Spider-People. The late afternoon sun bathed the city in a warm, golden glow, casting long shadows and illuminating the bustling streets below.

Miles, dressed in his Spider-Man suit, glanced at Gwen, who was effortlessly keeping pace. "So this club." he began, curiosity evident in his voice as they swung side by side.

Gwen, her eyes scanning the streets below, spotted a thief running away with stolen money. "Look at that dum-dum..." she muttered, her voice laced with amusement. Without missing a beat, she shot a web, snaring the thief and lifting him off the ground.

As Gwen dealt with the thief, Miles continued his line of questioning, his voice laced with a mix of curiosity and concern.

"What kind of stuff do you do?" he asked, referring to the Spider Society Gwen had mentioned earlier.

Gwen, now focusing on the thief as she dangled him from a lamppost, grinned and called out, "Guy in the stripes... ten points!" Her playful demeanor masked the seriousness of their conversation.

Miles, still curious, pressed on, "Is that really the thing you always do in this... you know, club?"

Gwen's expression shifted slightly, her tone becoming more serious as she explained, "We're trying to keep the multiverse from collapsing."

Miles, recalling past events, raised an eyebrow. "I thought we did that already."

Gwen shrugged, her voice nonchalant. "Like, last week we had this mission to some Shakespeare dimension."

Miles, caught off guard, echoed in disbelief, "What?"

Gwen swung gracefully to a nearby building, her movements smooth and precise. "And Hobie and I just, like..." she started, but Miles interrupted, curiosity piqued.

"Who's Hobie?" he asked, his voice tinged with jealousy.

Gwen landed on the roof of a building and turned to face Miles, a playful glint in her eyes. "Oh, my gosh, you would love him." she teased, before continuing her acrobatic journey across the rooftops.

They sprinted across the building's edge, their feet barely touching the ground as they moved with incredible speed and agility. Gwen explained, "He lets me crash in his dimension sometimes."

Miles, puzzled, came to a stop, breathing heavily. "What does that mean? You stay overnight or...?" he trailed off, unsure how to interpret Gwen's words.

Gwen laughed, her voice echoing in the air as she resumed their fast-paced journey. "Anyway, they're pretty strict about where I go," she said, swinging towards a nearby train. She landed on the side of the train, sticking effortlessly to its exterior, her silhouette framed against the setting sun.

Miles followed her lead, landing beside her on the moving train. He looked at her, concern evident in his voice. "Or I really would have come to see you sooner." Gwen added, her voice sincere.

Miles nodded, understanding the constraints she was under. "Right. So, uh... So why'd you come now?"

As Gwen considered his question, a young child inside the train noticed her and, with wide-eyed wonder, pressed his face against the glass, licking the window where Gwen was perched. Unaware of the child's antics, Gwen prepared to swing off again.

Miles, however, noticed the child's actions. "Don't do that," he called out filled with jealousy, before following Gwen as they continued their journey, the city stretching out beneath them like a living tapestry.

...

Meanwhile in Another Universe

Peter Parker, 16 years old and already a seasoned Spider-Man, swung into action at a grocery store under siege. The setting sun cast long shadows, and the air was thick with tension as the terrorists threatened the manager and terrified customers.

One of the terrorists, his voice gruff and demanding, shouted, "Give me the money!!"

Suddenly, from above, a voice rang out with a casual yet confident tone, "Hey!!" The store's attention shifted to the red-suited figure descending gracefully from the ceiling.

The leader of the terrorists, momentarily stunned, pointed his gun at Peter and snarled, "Spider-Man!!"

Peter, unfazed and seemingly amused, surveyed the scene. "So, let me get this straight," he began, swinging lazily in front of the criminals. "There are five of you, with five guns, and you're all robbing a grocery store?" He shook his head in mock disbelief. "I mean, have you considered a career change? I hear clowns are in demand. You know, something that suits your level of professionalism."

One of the younger terrorists, not fully understanding the sarcasm, looked to his leader, puzzled.

The leader, trying to maintain control, barked, "Shut up and shoot him!"

Peter quickly shot a web at the gun, yanking it from the terrorist's hand before he could react. "Wow, rude," Peter remarked, his voice dripping with feigned offense. "And here I thought we were getting along."

As the other terrorists raised their weapons, Peter launched into action. He dodged bullets with acrobatic flips, all while continuing his banter. "You know," he quipped, swinging a web to disarm another assailant, "this really isn't necessary. I mean, think about the paperwork! And not to mention the embarrassment of being taken down by a guy in spandex."

With each quip, Peter disarmed another terrorist, using webs to pin them to walls or the floor. His movements were a blur of agility and precision, each action punctuated by a light-hearted comment.

"You should really watch those carbs," he advised one struggling terrorist as he webbed him to a snack display. "This isn't the best place for a stick-up, but it is great for a stick-in."

The remaining terrorists, now weaponless and restrained by webs, could only watch in disbelief as their leader made a final, desperate attempt to attack. Peter, effortlessly dodging the clumsy lunge, webbed the leader's feet, causing him to trip and fall face-first into a pile of canned goods. Peter landed softly next to him, crouching down with a playful smile. "And they say crime doesn't pay. But if it did, I'd suggest you use it to buy some manners."

As the police sirens approached, Peter stood up, giving a mock salute to the bewildered criminals. "Well, gents, it's been fun. But I've got to swing—literally." He glanced at the arriving officers, then back at the subdued terrorists. "Remember, next time, maybe try a career in knitting. Less dangerous, and you still get to use needles."

With that, Peter shot a web to the ceiling and swung out of the store, leaving behind a scene of chaos, laughter, and thoroughly embarrassed criminals. As he disappeared into the cityscape, his final words echoed in the minds of those left behind: "Stay in school, kids!"

......

Gwen zipped ahead, her form becoming a quick of motion as she effortlessly navigated the city's skyline. A passing train momentarily blocked Miles' view, and when it passed, Gwen had vanished from sight.

Miles, confused, called out, "Hey, Gw... Uh, Gwen? Where'd you go?"

While Miles searched for her, Gwen was busy planting small spider-bots around the city—tiny surveillance devices designed to help her track a mysterious figure known as "Spot." She moved quickly and efficiently, her mind racing with the need to balance her mission with her personal connection to Miles.

Inwardly, Gwen felt a pang of guilt. "I'm sorry, Miles, but... I can't lose this lead." she thought, knowing the gravity of the situation. Once the devices were in place, she turned her attention back to rejoining Miles.

Back with Miles, he continued to search for Gwen, his voice carrying across the cityscape, "Where did she go?" He was about to swing off in search of her when, suddenly, Gwen appeared behind him, her voice playful as she exclaimed, "Bah!"

Miles, caught off guard, let out a startled "Kyahh..." before quickly composing himself. Clearing his throat, he tried to play it cool, "Ahem... Oh, hey. There you are."

Gwen laughed, the sound light and carefree, and Miles couldn't help but join in. Her laughter was infectious, and the moment of tension dissolved into easy camaraderie.

Gwen, still smiling, asked, "What were you doing?"

Miles shrugged, a sheepish grin on his face. "Uh, er... Waiting for you."

Gwen nodded, her eyes twinkling with a mix of mischief and warmth. "Well, let's go then."

Miles nodded enthusiastically, eager to continue their adventure. "I found some cool spots. Let's go!"

The two swung off together, their banter and laughter echoing through the city, the sun setting behind them, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink. As they moved through the city, the bond between them grew stronger, filled with unspoken understanding and shared experiences. Gwen's mission lingered in the background, but for now, they focused on enjoying the moment, two friends united in the thrill of the swing.

....

Atop the Williamsburgh Savings Bank Building, both Miles and Gwen perched in their Spider-Man outfits, gazing out over the city. The view from this height was breathtaking, the city sprawling beneath them in a sea of lights and movement.

Gwen, captivated by the scenery, wandered to the edge of the building. She took a seat, flipping upside down so that she was hanging off the edge, her face lit up with wonder. "This is a cool thinking spot." she remarked, her voice carrying a note of tranquility.

Miles joined her, mirroring her upside-down pose, a playful grin on his face. "Right? Who needs a treadmill when you have the Williamsburgh Bank Building?" he joked, eliciting a laugh from Gwen.

As they sat in companionable silence, the weight of their realities began to surface. Miles, feeling a shift in the atmosphere, turned more serious. "So, uh, you and your dad... You still haven't talked?" he asked, his tone gentle but concerned.

Gwen's expression hardened slightly, the humor draining from her eyes. "What exactly would we talk about? 'Hey, Dad, how have the last few months been? You still think I murdered my best friend?'" Her words were sharp, carrying a mix of pain and resignation.

Miles hesitated, unsure how to navigate the delicate topic. "I don't know," he admitted, feeling the inadequacy of his response. "I mean, my parents... maybe if I told them..."

Before he could finish, Gwen cut him off. "Don't." she said firmly, her eyes locking onto his with a fierce intensity.

"Why?" Miles asked, genuinely puzzled by her insistence.

Gwen sighed, her gaze softening but her resolve unwavering. "Trust me on that." she said, the weight of unspoken experiences hanging in the air between them.

Miles could only nod, sensing the unyielding barrier Gwen had put up. He understood the need for secrecy, yet he couldn't shake the feeling of isolation it brought.

Gwen, noticing his quiet contemplation, added, "Maybe some things are supposed to be just for us."

The two sat in silence, the city below continuing its ceaseless rhythm. The shared solitude of their moment, perched upside down on the edge of a skyscraper, became a quiet sanctuary—a place where they could be themselves, even if only for a fleeting moment.

.......

Meanwhile, in a dimly lit alleyway of another part of the city, Spot, a villain characterized by his white body covered with black, interdimensional portals, was busily experimenting with his powers. He muttered to himself, focusing intently as he attempted to create a stable portal.

"It's like this, like that... yep, just like that." Spot murmured, his tone a mix of concentration and frustration. As he manipulated the black spots on his body, a swirling vortex began to form in front of him, flickering and unstable.

He clenched his fists, determination etched on his face. "Wait for me, Spider-Man," he vowed under his breath, his voice dripping with a mixture of resentment and ambition. "I'm gonna make you acknowledge me!"

To be continue