Chapter 197: Across the Spider-Verse (22)  

Pavitr, still catching his breath from the intense rescue efforts, pointed at the black hole in alarm. "Guys, what's that?"

Hobie squinted at the swirling, ominous void forming beneath them. With a smirk, he quipped, "It's a metaphor for capitalism."

Gwen's eyes widened as she recognized the gravity of the situation. "It's a lot worse than that." Her tone carried an edge of urgency.

Suddenly, a loud hum echoed across the area as a sleek, high-tech spaceship appeared in the sky, descending rapidly towards them. The ship bore the insignia of the Spider Society. As it touched down, the hatch slid open, revealing a squad of Spider-People led by none other than Jessica Drew. Her presence radiated authority, her red and black suit striking against the chaos surrounding them.

Jessica, a tall, imposing Black woman with fierce eyes, barked orders as she stepped out. "Okay, everyone! Secure the area, clear all civilians, and contain that quantum hole before it expands!"

Miles, seeing a potential ally, quickly approached her with a friendly wave. "Hey, I'm Miles. We met before—when I was invisible, remember?" His voice was hopeful, but the moment was met with cold indifference.

Jessica barely spared him a glance, her expression stern and dismissive. "I know who you are." She then turned her attention back to her team, clearly uninterested in engaging with Miles any further. It was clear that she saw him as nothing more than an anomaly—a ticking time bomb in the multiverse.

The other Spider-People moved swiftly, deploying devices around the quantum hole in an attempt to stabilize it. Blue energy fields crackled as the machines hummed to life, desperately trying to contain the tear in reality. Yet, despite their best efforts, the devices struggled against the sheer power of the anomaly.

Pavitr's voice trembled with concern as he watched the operation unfold. "Is everything going to be okay?" The usually upbeat hero was visibly shaken, the gravity of the situation sinking in.

Gwen approached Jessica, trying to explain. "Look, I can explain—" Before she could finish, Hobie, Miles, and Pavitr joined them.

Jessica was busy typing commands into her wrist device, scanning the quantum hole. She gave Gwen a hard stare. "Miguel wants you back at HQ."

Gwen hesitated, knowing what that meant. "Miles was just about to head—" She stopped mid-sentence, casting a worried glance at him. She didn't want to drag Miles into the Spider Society's issues, but she knew there was no avoiding it.

Jessica cut her off, her tone final. "All of you."

Hobie leaned in casually, draping an arm over Miles' shoulder with his trademark rebellious grin. "I don't follow orders, and neither does he." His words carried the usual defiant edge, but Miles' response was more upbeat.

"I'm invited to HQ? Whoo!" Miles exclaimed with an excited grin, clearly unaware of the tense undercurrents surrounding the situation.

Hobie smacked his forehead, exasperated. "This guy…" he muttered under his breath, shaking his head.

Gwen's concern deepened. She knew what awaited Miles at HQ, and it wasn't going to be a warm welcome. The tension in the air was palpable as the Spider-People continued their desperate work around the quantum hole, hoping against hope that they could prevent Pavitr's universe from unraveling.

Miles remained blissfully unaware of the storm brewing around him. But Gwen couldn't shake the knot forming in her stomach—she feared that this journey to HQ might be the beginning of a harsh awakening for Miles, one that could change everything.

................

In a quiet, dimly lit bedroom, Mark Taylor, also known as Nightwing, was tossing and turning in his sleep. His face was etched with distress as he grappled with a nightmarish vision of his best friend Michael dying. The sheets were tangled around him as he gasped for breath, waking abruptly from the horrifying dream.

His wife, Emily Taylor, a unique blend of human and vampire known as Lady Vamp, stirred beside him. The gentle glow of the morning light seeped through the curtains, casting a soft illumination over the room. Emily's senses were finely tuned, and she immediately detected the distress in Mark's breathing.

Emily turned to him, her eyes filled with concern. "What's wrong, babe?" she asked softly, her voice a soothing balm in the midst of his turmoil.

Mark sat up, rubbing his face with his hands as he tried to shake off the remnants of the nightmare. "Nothing, it's just a bad dream." he replied, though his voice betrayed a hint of the fear that lingered.

Emily reached out, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. "It must have been pretty intense. Do you want to talk about it?"

Mark's thoughts were racing, his mind still entangled in the dream's unsettling imagery. "I don't know," he said, his tone uncertain. "It just felt so real. I saw Michael... he was in danger, and it felt like something terrible was going to happen."

Emily's expression softened with empathy as she drew him closer. "It's probably just the stress or something playing on your mind. But if it's bothering you, we can figure out what it might mean."

.................

Miles Morales, Hobie Brown, and Gwen Stacy stood in the elevator, each in their spider suits. As the elevator ascended, Hobie casually removed his mask, revealing his effortlessly cool demeanor. Gwen followed suit, taking off her mask, her blonde hair falling neatly into place. Feeling the pressure, Miles decided to remove his mask as well.

Miles glanced at Hobie, his expression filled with a mix of awe and envy. "How are you even cooler under your mask?" he asked, genuinely puzzled.

Hobie smirked and shrugged. "I was this cool the whole time, mate."

Gwen chuckled as the elevator door slid open, revealing the sprawling, futuristic cityscape of Nueva York, Earth-928—the home of Miguel O'Hara's universe and the headquarters of the Spider Society.

As they stepped out, Jessica Drew led the way. Her presence commanded attention, and she walked with the confidence of someone who had seen it all. Miles couldn't help but be mesmerized by the sight that greeted him: the base of the Spider Society, a hive of activity filled with hundreds of Spider-People, each with their unique suits and abilities.

Gwen gestured for Miles to follow. "Hey, over here."

Miles snapped out of his awe-struck trance and hurried after her. "Yo, this place is wild." he said, taking in the dizzying array of Spider-Men and Spider-Women swinging, climbing, and teleporting across the massive lobby.

As they walked, they passed by Malala Windsor, also known as Spider-UK. A confident and sharp-witted Spider-Person, she was busy cracking jokes with a few other Spider-People. "Anybody spot Spot?" Malala asked with a grin, eliciting a groan from the group.

Jessica rolled her eyes at the pun. "Oh, so funny.." she said dryly, before addressing the crowd. "Anybody else got jokes?"

The crowd buzzed with laughter. "Well, you know what they say," one Spider-Man quipped, "we need to run a spot check."

Miles couldn't help but smile. For the first time in a while, he felt like he truly belonged. He was surrounded by others who understood the weight of responsibility, yet could still find humor in their shared struggles.

"This is unbelievable." Miles said quietly to himself as he scanned the scene. The air was electric with camaraderie and purpose.

Gwen, noticing Miles's awe, nudged him playfully. "This is just the lobby." she said with a knowing grin.

Miles blinked, realizing how much bigger this place must be. "Oh." he said, still processing the sheer scale of it all.

Just then, a massive set of doors slid open, revealing the heart of the Spider Society headquarters. The vast chamber was filled with Spider-People of every imaginable type—some swinging on webs, others using high-tech gadgets, and a few even practicing combat moves. Holographic displays floated in the air, showing real-time data from various universes, while other Spider-People strategized over upcoming missions.

Gwen led Miles and Hobie forward, turning to him with a smile. "Welcome to Spider-Society," she said.

Miles stood in awe as he gazed at the spectacle before him. Spider-People from countless universes, all brought together under one roof to protect the multiverse. The sight was breathtaking—a true testament to what being Spider-Man was all about.

....................

Meanwhile, in Another Universe...

On a dark, underground room, the Mad Titan Thanos stood towering over a defeated Peter Quill, who was chained alongside Rocket and Groot. The atmosphere was tense, the air heavy with fear and despair. Thanos's cold, unrelenting gaze was fixed on Peter as he demanded answers.

"Hurry up and tell me about the Power Stone, Star-Lord!" Thanos growled, his voice dripping with menace.

Peter, despite the dire situation, spat back defiantly. "Suck my dick, you fucker."

Thanos's expression didn't waver. If anything, it grew more menacing. "If you insist on being hardheaded... very well." Thanos's gaze shifted from Peter to Rocket and Groot, who were also bound in heavy chains.

Peter's bravado crumbled in an instant. He saw the murderous intent in Thanos's eyes as they moved to his friends. "No, nononono—don't do this!" Peter begged, struggling against his restraints.

Thanos took a step closer to Rocket and Groot, his massive hand flexing ominously. The two of them stared defiantly at the Titan, despite knowing they stood no chance against him.

Rocket's voice was filled with fury. "I won't forgive you, you monster!"

Groot, with fierce determination, echoed his companion. "I am Groot!"

Thanos, unmoved by their courage, coldly responded, "Don't blame this on me. Blame it on your incompetent leader." His voice was filled with venom as he prepared to strike.

Peter Quill's heart raced as he saw Thanos about to kill his closest friends. Panic and desperation gripped him, and he shouted with all the strength he could muster.

"No! You bastard! I'll tell you everything—just don't hurt them!" Tears welled up in his eyes as he looked at Rocket and Groot, his voice breaking. "Please… please, just don't kill them. I'll guide you to the Power Stone, just please…"

Rocket, realizing what Peter was sacrificing, shouted back. "No, Quill, don't do it! Don't let him win!"

But Thanos's smirk widened in satisfaction. He knew he had broken Peter's will. "You have a deal." he said, his voice filled with dark triumph.

Peter hung his head, feeling defeated. He knew he had no choice but to reveal where the Power Stone was if he wanted to save Rocket and Groot. Even though he understood how dangerous it was for Thanos to get his hands on the stone, his only concern right now was keeping his friends alive.

"I'm sorry, Michael," Peter thought, the words echoing in his mind. "I turned your universe into a battleground to save my friends."

To be continue