3rd POV:
''HYIAAAH!!!''
King Arthur Pendragon sank in his throne and released an exasperated sigh. It was remarkable how a person could induce such feelings in him with just one word. Though, he supposed the tone mattered.
He watched as Merlin let himself through the entrance to the throne room.
''Merlin. Perhaps you used your magic to remain unseen by my servants, so none could stop you. But I wished to remain undisturbed,'' Arthur told him.
''Now, now. Is that any way to speak to your teacher and mentor who you haven't seen in so long. I notice a distinct lack of presence in the court...or well the kingdom,'' Merlin looked at the empty space around them.
Arthur released a frustrated sigh.
''I don't want-''
''Yes, yes. You told me so,'' Arthur interrupted. If he had to suffer his gloating anyway, at least he would do so by ruining his fun. But Morgan was his half-sister. And whatever 'warning' Merlin did issue in regards to Morgan was cryptic and more of a passing remark, before telling him that he would go on a 'magical' sabbatical. Which he still does not know the specifics off.
''It seems, my friend, that even at your age, you still need my guidance, if you could not detect Morgans betrayal,'' Merlin nodded sagely,'' Luckily for you, your court mage has returned from his journey and is ready to serve his majesty.''
Arthur starred at him flatly while Merlin was doing his theatrics. The guy really had no shame, huh?
''So, my friend, what had you in such a sour mood?,'' Merlin continued when he saw that Arthur choose to remain silent, as if his return to the court was a done thing already.
...Which it was. Arthur needed a court mage and with Morgan gone...
For all that Merlin and Morgan cut of Camelot from the rest of the world and erected magical barriers to keep the bloodshed low of the non-magicals during the Witch Hunts, for all that most of his subjects had magic in their repertoire, most were not at the level of Merlin or Morgan. They were mostly adept or used their magic for convenience in their day to day lives. The outliers to that were his Knights of the Roundtable and all the other kinghts. But even then they turned their magic inward to enhance their body, so they could not be a court mage.
(Not that he was really displeased with his Knights. Arthur was doing the exact same thing, only to a much greater extent. He always found an excuse to avoid his magical lessons whenever Merlin tried to teach him.)
Arthur NEEDED his court mage and his advisor.
''I stand at the precipice of a major decision. As my spies reported, the world outside has advanced technologically by leaps and bounds. Certainly our existence has become a widespread knowledge. Already, I had to turn envoys away, bearing letters of invitation to dialogue with other ...politicians,'' King Arthur found the word distasteful.
People so eagerly make up words and attach meaning to them. Dictator, President, Führer, etc. all words that denoted a leader and a leader was a king. And politicians were the nobles. Why complicate matters? To make themselves feel better?
''Aaaaand? I'm not hearing a question or dilemma?,'' Merlin patiently asked him.
''One way or another, we will remain isolated. My only concern are the peace of my kingdom and the prosperity of my subjects. I only wonder if we should erect the magical barriers again and not only isolate ourselves but also close ourselves off from the world,'' Arthur presented his issue to Merlin.
Merlin rubbed his imaginary beard and nodded sagely to himself.
''While I personally advise against isolating ourselves, I understand that you have already made your decision on that matter. The question, then, is on the extent you wish to apply your decision. If you would hear your old mentors word, then I would advise you against sealing ourselves off again. At that time, in the past, it made sense in order to avoid bloodshed. But in my travels I saw the opinions off the non-magicals. Certainly, they are wary, as they should, but unlike in the past they are not possessed by a maniacal hatred to extinguish all things magical.
People like Nexus, The Spider Duo, The Avengers have only helped that shift public opinion. Therefore, my king, I advise that we do not go through the trouble of putting up those barriers again. For now,'' Merlin talked... and talked.
Arthur could see that he still loved the sound of his own voice.
He was also not ignorant that Merlin probably wanted to avoid to be saddled with that task of putting up the barriers.
The lazy bum.
...Still, Arthur knew his friend good enough that he knew he wouldn't suggest such a course of action merely because he wanted to laze around. He knew there was some genuine advise in there too.
''And Chaos Magic? I saw Morgans papers, few as there were in the laboratory after her bout with Nexus. Not only was I made aware of her duplicity, but for all that she was lying to me, Chaos Magic is still dangerous. In that she was honest. What she would we do about Wanda Maximoff? I do now want anyone to be put so gravely in danger,'' Arthur asked him and tapped the arm rest of his throne chair a little anxiously.
''Absolutely nothing,'' Merlin smiled angelically.
''What?''
''My young apprentice, sometimes things are our of our hands... and sometimes some things need to take their natural course. Leave the matter of Chaos Magic alone, for in her case it is both. You did so up till now and only got yourself involved with it, because of Morgan. Surely you can return to your previous state on this issue,'' Merlin rubbed his 'beard' again.
''Your clairvoyance told you that?,'' Arthur asked him.
''I have no idea!,'' Merlin eagerly told him and threw his hands out, the staff in his hand being swept in the air.
There! This is exactly why Arthur found Merlin so exasperating despite being his friend.
Alas, Arthur merely released a sigh, knowing this was not a battle he would win.
For a few moments, he was silent, contemplative.
''Call my envoys, I wish to speak with the leaders of this 'UN' after all,'' The King spoke.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Uncle Ben was driving the trio to F.E.A.S.T.
''And?,'' Uncle Ben asked him. The audio from the phone was too low for him to hear it properly, not with being forced to concentrate on driving. Peter was watching Arthur Pendragons speech at the UN on his phone.
''Nothing TOO spectacular. He is just saying that they will remain isolated and will not bother anyone till bothered in turn and also explaining why they isolated themselves.
Oh! And setting the record straight that our legends are just that, legends, since Mordred is the child of him and Guinevere and there was no rebellion and stuff.
Aaaaaaaand him brushing a lot of questions and concerns off, because 'his word is law and his magical subjects dare not disobey him and cause trouble' and 'he is only interested in ruling over Camelot' and also 'that the light streak and huge release of energy was the result of battle and nothing more would be disclosed about it', etc,'' Peter summarized and pocketed his phone. They talks were slowly descending into pure politics and he was starting to lose interest in it.
''Still... To think that the Arthurian Legends would be real. Or magic for that matter,'' Ben said in disbelief.
''I mean... We had the Chitauri invasion a few years back. Oh and all those heroes are technically doing magical stuff as well. I mean sticking to walls and turning green when angry sounds pretty 'magical' to me,'' Peter shrugged.
''Maybe. You still have to admit we are living in interesting times,'' Ben remarked.
''People ALWAYS live in interesting times, magic or no, it would make no difference,'' Bell supplied and rubbed Gwens calf. She was turned slightly with one leg in his lap. The car was surprisingly spacious enough for that.
''How much do you want to bet that civil unrest will spark in the UK, because peoples loyalties will shift anyway, regardless of what King Pendragon said, between his royal bloodline and the current one... Eh, they are both the current royal bloodlines, but you know what I mean,'' Gwen challenged them.
''That is a fools bet.'' 2X
''Damn. And here I was hoping for an easy 40 bucks,'' Gwen muttered.
Ben chuckled, feeling himself calm down a little. Recent developments did stress him our a bit and made him anxious, but the kids banter (as if nothing was out of the ordinary), calmed him down.
Then again, what even WAS normal anymore, when, as Peter said, people could crawl on walls and turn green when angry?
''We are here. Greet May for me. Would you?,'' Ben told them as he pulled into the small parking lot to the building.
''Thank you and we will. Do try not to risk your life over 200 something bucks again. Stay safe out there, Uncle Ben,'' Bell patted him on the shoulder, before helping Gwen out the car.
''What he said,'' Gwen waved to him.
Ben cast a look to Peter, who shrugged.
''They're not wrong. Stay safe, Uncle Ben, or I will tell Aunt May,'' Peter teased him a little, before leaving the car.
Et tu, Brutus?
Ben watched them all depart for a brief moment.
In retrospect, he could (reluctantly) admit that (maybe) trying to stop that robbery was (perhaps) not his best moment.
EVERYONE chastised him for that, even if they all made sure to praise his drive to do good, as there was a time and place for everything. Risking his life over money was NOT that moment.
The worst one was his dear May though. She talked his ear off in worry.
Ben sighed. Yeah, they would not stop reminding him off that day for a while, Ben was sure.
Oh, well. At least it showed they cared, Ben chose to see the silver lining.
Finally he drove off.
---
Bell brought over some boxes to Gwen. These were clothes donated by people or bought by Martin Li, the director of F.E.A.S.T. And he was transporting it from the truck to the foyer, where most of the homeless people were, and Gwen was unboxing them to hang them on the rack. Peter was helping Aunt May with making food.
Instead of immediately going to get the next one, he stood near her and watched the people around. They were generally not bothering them or paying them any mind for that matter.
Hmmm.
''Is something wrong?,'' Gwen asked concerned.
''Not really. Just contemplating an idea,'' Bell murmured, for a brief moment turning silent,''You think it would be a good idea to give those people a job when I open my company? I do need my employees.''
''That does actually sound nice, but it depends on what you want to have them do?,'' Gwen asked him.
''Oh, I will find something. Either way they will get paid very handsomely, so even if some get hired as cleaners they will have nothing to complain about,'' Bell replied.
''I have no complaints with your idea, since it will get them back on their feet. But you know that not all of them will accept, for reasons, and who knows how many of them will still be here in, what 11 months?,'' Gwen told him.
''True, true,'' Bell nodded.
Before he could say anything else, her watch beeped and made her look at it. She shared a look with Bell not saying anything.
Bell nodded and indicated with his head sideways, implying that he will cover for them and take care of things here. Gwen gave him an appreciative nod and then ran off. He could see Peter running off too from the side.
Hmm.
''Bell, I see Gwen ran off too,'' Aunt May said approaching him.
''Yeah, she said something about girl trouble and I didn't ask further questions,'' Bell shrugged.
''Oh. Well, if she needs you for something, don't hesitate to leave. But for now, could you help me with distributing the food?,'' May asked him and pointed to the kitchen.
''Sure.''
---
George starred at the creature wreaking absolute havoc in Time Square. They have been hunting it for some time now as it fled across the city, finally 'settling' down in TImes Square. 'Settling' until it starts fleeing again that is, George suspected. There was nothing particularly interesting here that would keep the creatures attention. Still, he got to shouting orders to evacuate people.
It looked like... The Lizard. Only except in paper form? And it was ... glitching? Every now and then.
He didn't receive any reports of Curt Connors escaping from the Raft, so he didn't know what to assume. Was it someone else? Did they recreate the Lizard Serum?
George saw 'The Lizard' lung for some civilians when they made the mistake of stumbling and throw their bag in fright at the creature.
He immediately pulled out his gun and shot a few times at the creature to grab his attention... George had to admit, that may have not been his rightest moment, but he was a civil servant and his training just kicked in.
'The Lizard', thankfully or not (depending on how one looked at it), gave him his attention. For a creature of its size it was deceptively fast as it lunged at him. In a matter of seconds, he closed the distance and was just about to pierce him, similar to how another Lizard once tried to do with him. It did not care about anyone else shooting at it.
Thankfully, in the nick of time, a manhole cover slammed into its face and threw it off course.
George moved behind his car for cover after releasing a breath of relief. Despite some of the issues he still had with the vigilantes, he could admit that New York needed them... and he was glad to see them.
This marked the second time New York was under threat in short notice. Amora attacked the city just last week or so. The less said about all the other villains, like Rhino or the others, the better. For some reason despite New York being the safest city on earth, as it should be, it was way too often attacked by someone or something, making it unsafe. (Probably not the unsafest city on earth, but still.)
''What happened to Dr.Connors?,'' Spider-Man asked her as he shot two webs to pull back a fleeing Lizard. It really was behaving FAR more animalistic then their Lizard from a few years ago. It probably sensed danger from them and wanted to run away or it did not like being outnumbered by two threats.
''I don't think that is our Dr.Connors,'' Ghost Spider replied as she ripped out a pole from the sides of the street. Doing damage to cars and stuff sucked, because people lived paycheck to paycheck, so she tried to avoid doing damage to these things. But things like manhole covers or street lights belonged to the city and still had a good enough structure to be used as a weapon so she had no qualms about that.
''Parallel Universe Dr.Connors? That is awesome dude,'' Spider-Man called out and dodge the swipe from his claws.
''Focus, Spider-Man,'' Gwen slammed the pole like a bat into 'The Lizard' making it shoot off into the air. It was immediately pulled back by Spider-Man only to be hit again by the pole.
Third times the charm, as the saying goes, because this time 'The Lizard' pulled Spider-Man with enough force to rip him from the ground toward him. It was clear it was trying to pierce him with his claws, but Ghost Spider abandoned her pole to pull him back down with her webs. (Unnecessary as Spider-Man could have just pulled himself away with his own webs, but sometimes instincts just kick in.)
This left enough time for 'The Lizard' to land on the ground. It used its massive tail to hit a stall towards them, newspaper and various other objects getting thrown around and providing it with a cover and barrier against their webs.
The duo tensed ready to dodge its attacks...
Only for 'The Lizard' to get hit by a massive object and turned into paste, as much as paper can get turned into paste. It looked like a rectangular pillar and it dug into the ground with enough force to make it crack.
The duo followed the pillar and Spider-Man stepped back in disbelief at the black 'cloud' the pillar originated from. It looked to be 'glued' to the side of a sky scraper.
Various other smaller objects flew out of it and it also seemed to be expanding.
''Is that...?,'' Spider-Man was interrupted as another portal opened high above them.
A massive mechanical spider landed on the side of another sky scraper and quickly crawled to the ground, finally settling its main body down. It opened up a hatch allowing... More Spider people to step out? They all had particular objects in their hands and pulled themselves to the side of the black cloud to stick it at the edge of the 'cloud'. It spewed out red web like lines and tied up the 'cloud' in its web.
Spider-Mans attention was grabbed by something else.
''Is that a pregnant woman walking willingly into danger? Uh, someone call the CPS on her,'' Spider-Man called out to the people around them.
''What is the meaning of this?,'' Ghost Spider1 (our Ghost Spider) asked them. Wait. Was that Miles? The one she met a few weeks back as well as her variant. She didn't know the other one though. The one that looked like a mish mash of different colors and with a punk styled dress.
''You have no idea what you are doing. You are coming with us least you put this entire universe in danger,'' the black woman told them flatly. She nodded to someone and they moved to drag out 'The Lizard' from under the pillar, their collective efforts and strength allowing them to lift the pillar. Already 'The Lizard' began regenerating.
''We have time. Surely, you don't mind explaining stuff to us,'' Ghost Spider1 asked them casually.
Forgive her, if she did not take the word of a stranger at face value, when she had Bell and Phoenix on her side. For all their issues with each other, mostly one sided, Ghost Spider1 trusted Phoenix to warn her and especially Bell of something like this. If there was an universal threat then she would say something and the two of them would stop that threat.
''No,'' the black woman with the yellow skiing glasses nodded again to someone and the pulled out another device.
Before Gwen could react, mostly since they had not intention of harming her, she was tied up by self moving webs. She crashed onto the ground, wiggling trying to escape.
Spider-Man tried to help her while also fighting off the other Spider people, but it was no surprise he was losing.
''H-Hey! Maybe this is too much. Surely we can take some time to explain stuff to them,'' Spider-Man (Miles) said to the woman. He looked helplessly at Ghost Spider2 and the unknown other person.
The woman shot him a distasteful look and said nothing. She simply walked back as the other Spider people were dragging a kicking and tied up Spider-man after them.
''I'm sorry,'' Spider-Man (Miles) called out to her as he reluctantly walked back into the spider cage. Ghost Spider1 watched the hatch close and then disappear into a portal.
''What the hell was that?,'' George asked her as he and a colleague of his walked over to her.
''You think I know?!,'' she snapped at her father as she forcefully wiggled. In her defense, she was worried for her friend.
''Captain, you think we could...?,'' the police officer indicated with his head to hear head, or more accurately her mask.
George shot him an annoyed look. First of all, they saved them all more often then not, with some losses here and there. They deserved some leniency. Second of all, if she was really his daughter, as he suspected, then he really did not need such attention on her, even if it got her away from danger.
''Help me get her out,'' Captain Stacy told him sternly.
After some struggle they got her out and she jumped up. They looked at the black 'cloud' that was still present, only contained and stopped from expanding.
''What is that?,'' the other police man asked her.
''I don't know,'' Ghost Spider replied truthfully,'' But I suspect. Probably something to do with space or umbrakinesis. One or the other.''
''Then we best get Stark on it,'' George nodded to his colleague to go and call the Avengers.
''No,'' Ghost Spider shook her head,'' If it really is space related, then you should call Reed Richards, he is the foremost current expert on space time continuum... as well as some other fields. But ... maybe call Stark as well, since the devices are still here.''
Then again, Ghost Spider knew, since she followed up on current scientific media, that Richards was currently indisposed with an important subject of his. One that apparently needed all his attention so he could and would probably not be available.
''Got it. And you? How will you help your friend...colleague?,'' George asked her.
''I may know someone else that could help with this. I need to call in a favor. Good luck on your side Captain Stacy, I will take care of matters on my end,'' Ghost Spider replied before shooting off, swinging through the sky.
''Can I just say, that life gets weirder, Boss?,'' the police officer replied in disbelief. Everything happened so quickly that he kind of didn't get to warp his head around it fully.
''You and me too. Come, let us restore order here,'' Captain Stacy replied.
---
Gwen burst through the doors of the F.E.A.S.T building, through she quickly and forcefully composed herself as people looked at her weirdly.
She made her way over to Bell.
''I know. Before you say anything else, I just excused myself to go to the toilet since Neith called me with my sword. You remember that sword? (*Gwen nodded*). There is a multiversal threat, threatening not only the Web of Life but...well, the multiverse.
Neith told me that the guys name is Spot and she wanted us three to take care of him,'' Bell summarized things for her. Already he was using his powers so that none could eavesdrop on them.
''Spot? So, that woman wasn't lying, then. If he is a multiversal threat why didn't Neith stop him or anyone else for that matter?,'' Gwen asked him.
''Gwen, in case you haven't noticed multiversal threats kind of... just hit you in the face in an instant. There is not really a way to anticipate their arrival. Also, Neith suspects that more is going on here and that Spot has a backer, known or unknown. She disclosed everything she could to me. One moment he was your average Grade A villain and then suddenly his powers grew almost exponentially and he was as he is now. She only recently found out about him, before then not really worth her notice,'' Bell replied.
Also, technically, Spot wasn't just allowed to do as he pleased. As Bell was told by Stan a few years ago, people were probably already moving to deal with Spot in the interest of keeping the balance. Hell, he, Gwen and Peter, were technically agents of such an entity so it wasn't like Neith or Phoenix or who knows who else weren't doing their job.
''Ok. Then what will we do?,'' Gwen asked him.
''You will go and release Peter and then ... well at that point it is up to you. I will go and investigate Spot to track him down and maybe his backer if Neiths suspicion is true.
...I don't know, Gwen. Despite Neiths information there are still too many variables for me to make a complete and proper plan,'' Bell rubbed his face in frustration.
''Bell, we told the others that my boyfriend has space powers, which is why I wasn't glitching. Peter knows you have telekinesis. If you send me and the people talk Peter will have questions and then-,'' Gwen worriedly.
''Fuck that. That I lied to him is on me. If I have to suffer the consequences of that, then that is on me, but at least Peter is safe and sound... relatively speaking. I already know where he is. Should I send you off, before I go my own way or do you need to restock?,'' Bell asked her.
''Well I do need some more web fluid (*Bell snapped his fingers*)... but aside from that nothing. Thanks,'' Gwen told him.
''Gwen, please be careful. I need all my attention on that threat so I won't be with you. You will just have that 'program' with you,'' Gwen kissed him firmly before he could ramble on.
''I will. I promise. What about the time dilation?,'' Gwen asked.
Bell shook his head.
''I will need all my attention on this. But I can make another 'program'. In that case however, it will run out of energy sooner or later since I can't supply it, so ... time will be ticking,'' Bell replied.
''So it is a race against time. How long will we have?,'' Gwen asked him.
''Days on the other end. Hours here, but once a week passes I won't know how time will flow,'' Bell answered.
''No pressure, eh?,'' Gwen joked.
Bell released an amused huff, despite the situation.
''Indeed. Well then? Shall we?,'' Bell asked her.
She nodded firmly.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Peter, now unmasked as he had his hands bound behind his back, was following Miles Morales and the others. At least he looked apologetic and seemed to have no idea why he was treated this way, having asked... not-Gwen... eh Gwen2 why he was being treated this way.
Not that it amounted to much.
His question was not answered and he, well both of them, was told that they will receive their answer shortly.
Much as he wanted to geek over and fanboy that the Multiverse actually existed, he had other priorities right now.
...
''Can you guys stop bringing children in dangerous situations. What is with all of you guys?!,'' Peter called out incredulously as he saw Peter B. bring his daughter Mayday with him here.
He was ignored in favor of Peter B. hyping Miles up, meeting up again after some time passed. Like old friends.
Peters eye twitched.
''Taking a crap on the establishment. I salute you,'' Peter heard Hobie salute May, when she crapped her pants and Peter B. tried to change her diapers.
Bell would get along well with that guy, Peter thought to himself.
''What are you even upset about? Can someone tell us what is going on? I saved those people and he hasn't done anything as far as I saw, so why are you treating us like that?,'' Miles asked Miguel.
''And that is the problem. You saving those people, I mean,'' Miguel quickly elaborated at the end.
''LYLA, do the thing.''
''What thing?,'' a hologram of a small floating woman appeared in the air.
''What do you mean 'what thing'? The information explaining thing,'' Miguel replied annoyed.
''Gotcha.''
In a moment the space around them turned black and a hologram appeared in font of them. One of a ball.
''What is this?,'' Miles asked, the same question Peter had on his mind.
''This is everything,'' Miguel replied.
The ball of light landed on the ground and transformed into a tree.
''Could you be more specific?,'' Miles asked him.
''Could you... not talk for a second?,'' Miguel asked him mockingly.
Miles mumbled an awkward agreement.
The tree transformed into a web of lines.
''And this ... is all of us. Woven together in a beautiful Web of Life and Destiny,'' Miguel began explaining.
''The Spider Verse,'' Miles muttered.
''Spider Verse? That sounds stupid. It's called the Arachno Humanoid Poly Multiverse (*Miles and Peter shot him a disbelieving look*) Which... sound stupid too, I guess.
And these spots where the lines converge? They are the Canon Events. Chapters that are a part of every spider story, every time. Some good, some bad, some very bad.
Most of us, lost a police officer close to us. That is how the story is supposed to go. Canon events are the connections that bind our lives together. But those connections can be broken. That is why anomalies are so dangerous.
Inspector Singhs death was supposed to be a Canon Event. You weren't supposed to be there and you weren't supposed to save them. That's why Gwen tried to stop you,'' Miguel explained.
''I thought you were trying to save me?,'' Miles asked her, feeling betrayed.
''I was. I was doing both,'' Gwen2 did not look him in the eyes, guilt clear as day inhabiting her body.
''And now, because you changed the story Pavitrs Universe is unraveling. If we are lucky, we can stop him. But we haven't always been lucky,'' Miguel finished.
''That wasn't me. That was the spot. How would you even that what you are saying is true?,'' Miles defended himself.
''Because I lived it. I found a universe where I was happy, where I had a family. Something happened to my variant and I replaced him. I thought it would be harmless, but I was wrong. And before I knew it, an entire universe was gone,'' Miguel told him, his voice slightly cracking.
Miles and Peter saw the hologram show them a moment of the end of that universe. How Miguel tried to desperately save someone anyone, only to then fail.
''And how do I factor in all of this? What? Are you... Are you trying to tell me that I should let my dad die or my uncle... or even my mother?,'' Miles asked him hotly.
''To be Spider-Man means to sacrifice,'' Miguel told him apologetically.
''Can't he save both? The universe and his parents?,'' Peter asked him, speaking up again after a long time.
''No,'' Miguel replied.
''And I how do I factor into all of this?,'' Peter asked him,''What makes me an anomaly? Same reasons as him?''
''You are a worse anomaly then him. You were not meant to exist!,'' Miguel snapped at him. The two just did not seem to get the gravitas of the situation.
''Excuse me? How am I at fault for being born?,'' Peter shot back.
''No, that is not what I.... I meant you were no supposed to be Spider-Man. Only your friend Gwen Stacy. And SHE is also bordering on being classified an anomaly. Twice she stopped her father from dying. You on the other hand were no supposed to be Spider-Man and even then, your Uncle was supposed to die trying to stop a robber!,'' Miguel was clearly getting more agitated.
(Somewhere a goddess rolled her eyes.)
''I'm sorry, how exactly are you all supposed to be heroes again? Remind me, please,'' Peter chuckled.
''We all won't be lectured by some snot nosed brat that has been Spider-Man for barely a few months,'' Miguel spat.
''And ALL of you, have some bad experience tying you all up together? What was his Canon Event?,'' Peter asked him and pointed at a Spider-Man
''That one had his girlfriend Gwen die in an attempt to save her,'' Miguel replied.
Yikes. Peter did not need to hear that for Gwen was like a sister to him. Also Bell would kill him... probably.
Most likely.
''And he?,'' Peter pointed with his head to another Spider-Man.
''That one had his Aunt get shot on Kingpins orders,'' Miguel replied patiently. It seemed that he was trying another tactic, since Peter seemed open to hear them out, instead of just dismissing them, as he initially thought in the beginning.
''And he?,'' Peter pointed at another. He did not know who Kingpin was, but he noted the name for later.
''That one made a deal with Mephisto, sacrificing the memories of the love of his life and his unborn child to bring back his Aunt May,'' Miguel answered again.
Peters face slacked with sheer disbelief.
Suddenly he burst out in laughter, nearly falling over. It was a deep belly laugh and he threw his head back towards the sky, or more appropriately the ceiling.
''Are you done?,'' Miguel asked him after a while, now annoyed again.
''I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I understand that the fate of the universe is on the line. It's just...,'' Peter cleared his throat and shook his head, then continued,''The fact that a highly multifaceted complex system like the universe and the multiverse, which is wildly beyond our comprehension, would just... collapse because some random nobody in the corner of the universe would not experience a bad day is laughable.
But the fact that you sit there and defend making a deal with the goddamn devil like it is supposed to be a Canon Event is ... beyond compare. You all are a cult. (*Hobie nearly smirked and barely managed to suppress a nod. Too many eyes.*)
Why can't our Canon Event that connects us all, be something like the Spider Bite? Or maybe that Spot guy is somehow responsible for the destruction of these universes?''
Though, Peter had to admit he did not quite understand who or what Spot is. He was just saying that, because Miles mentioned him earlier.
''I see you are not convinced. Then there is no point in trying to convince you otherwise,'' Miguel said plainly.
''I do have a question. If I am an anomaly and in chains and he is one too... then what do you intend to do with him? With us?,'' Peter asked them.
Miles had an epiphany and looked around them. There were... a lot of Spider People, he noticed. Finally, something that was taken in as an innocent sight took on a sinister turn.
He stepped closer to Peter. He couldn't tell if in support or for help.
''I'm sorry, but the fate of the universe is on the line,'' Miguel shook his head.
Miles was closer to Peter, but not close enough. There were two devices slid under their feet and they were encaged in a semi hologramic cocoon.
Peter B. stepped forward and tried to calm him down as Miles began punching the cage.
''Kid you-''
''Stop calling me that!,'' Miles yelled in betrayal.
''There we go,'' Hobie commented.
''You are not helping,'' Jessica criticized him.
''Good.''
Miguel turned away with everyone talking over each other.
Hobie stepped up to the cage and raised his hands, everyone thinking he was also telling him to calm down. His eyes however moved to indicate to his hands, clearly trying to tell Miles something. In doing so, he spied a brief shadow moving in the corner of the massive room and then blending into the ceiling. A shadow that should not have been there.
Most others were watching Miles and Peter with glued eyes,least they tried something.
Well, wasn't that an interesting turn of events. Hobie suppressed a smirk.
Miles got the message and closed his eyes to focus.
With a short burst from his Venom Strike... which was an attack that had no venom involved and was instead a short electrical burst, the cage like cocoon burst open, showing most Spider People around him away.
For a brief moment, everyone stood still.
''I'm sorry, Peter!,'' Miles called back as he began springing away. He did not believe that he had the time to free him too. Also, unlike him, Peter was in chains. The fact that he did not already snapped them open suggested that he would fail as well.
Peter understood and yet he appreciated that Miles took the time to apologize all the same.
''Spider-Byte, transfer Peter to one of the cells. The rest catch Miles,'' Miguel bolted after him.
Everyone followed after him.
Hobie chuckled seeing the sight and instead of following after them, he used his watch to open a portal behind him.
He already had enough pieces to make his own watch and a few other Web-Watches as well. He also knew about the tracker so he slipped the watch off, before the portal closed and left it behind in the lab.
Peter looked at Spider-Byte as she typed in a few buttons and then a...A spider arm construct came? It grabbed his cage and began moving him about.
---
Ghost Spider watched this all from her hiding spot. Bell dropped her off here and then left her.
Suffice to say, she was absolutely nervous.
Sure, she had some sneak training back when she was stranded with Bell in Miles universe, but that was, if not tutorial level, then beginner level.
This?
She skipped several levels and landed on hardcore difficulty.
One mistake and they all would most likely hear her.
At least she had front row seats to this drama. Whatever Miguel was saying, she dismissed knowing better, then whatever he believed.
It was a saving grace that Miles dragged them or most of them away from here, as a distraction. Ghost Spider said most, because Spider-Byte was still present. And maybe others she failed to notice.
Still, she followed after Peters cage when that arm began transferring him. She did not use her webs. She made them as quietly as possible, but the still made some small noise. People with super hearing would absolutely hear it.
That said, it was not too difficult following after him, the structure of the building allowing for easy traversal.
Finally, Peters cage settled and he was dropped into a cell. The arm finally unlocking the shackles behind his arms.
Ghost Spider waited for a moment. Then another.
She surveyed the terrain for cameras, watching as Peter began pacing looking worried.
There were some cameras watching the cells.
Hmm.
Spider-Byte. She probably had some abilities or powers allowing her to hack things easily or work with cyber data easily, Ghost Spider was sure.
She was sure that the AI Bell made for them would take care of any cybersecurity, but it was not the same as Raezen himself, now that she was cut off from her universe, only the backup AI was in her mask.
She had to assume that some alarms would be triggered.
...
After some thinking Ghost Spider reasoned that this would be her course of action, maybe send in a Zip Bomb as well, to buy her a few minutes or seconds.
Yes.
She instructed the AI what to do, as she crawled over to the camera from its dead angle and connected her mask it with the USB as her wrist.
She received the notification that the cameras were down and she immediately jumped down at Peters cells.
''Gwen?! God, is it good to see you,'' Peter slacked in relief.
''Yes, yes. Give me a moment,'' Ghost Spider connected her mask to the terminal to Peters cell. This one did not have a USB, unlike the camera, so she had to rip out the device and make an impromptu connection port with its cables for her to be able to connect to it.
Peters cell door opened and shortly afterwards the alarms blared.
''Shit. Now what? Wait... How did you follow after me as a matter of fact? Can't we use that same method to escape?,'' Peter asked her, putting her on the spot.
''Indeed. How will you escape? Gwen told me about your space time continuum boyfriend, so where is he?,'' Hobie asked stepping out of the shadows. He knew of her presence. Well, not her specifically, but he guessed it had something to do with Miles or Peter. And he knew where the cells were. So he used his own Web-Watch to come here and wait for them both.
They both tensed.
''Space time continuum boyfriend?,'' Peter couldn't help but asked and looked at Gwen for a brief moment. He couldn't see her expression because of her mask. But he could see her clenching her jaw.
''Oh? Huhuh, there is more going on here then you told him,'' Hobie remarked. Never one to miss out on the chance to cause chaos.
''The means I came here with are no longer available. My first priority was to get Peter out... I didn't get past that. No point in making overly complicated only to never get past the first step. And you? Who are you?,'' Ghost Spider asked him.
Hobie nodded wisely in agreement.
''True. True. My name is Hobie Brown or Spider Punk, since we didn't have the pleasure. If you have no means of escape, maybe you would be willing to accept my help? I'm interested in stopping Spot and proving Miguel wrong,'' Hobie was pretty open about his motives having seen them (Peter) or heard about them (Gwen2). They did not seem like sheep who would simply follow what Miguel says, nor take what he say at face value.
''You assembling a team of rag tag heroes?,'' Ghost Spider asked him a little suspicious.
''Yup. You are distrustful. If it helps I saw you earlier, lurking in the shadows. I didn't out you. But I would really like an answer soon. Whatever you did, I know Spider-Bytes capabilities. This (*He indicates to the cameras*) won't last long,'' Hobie told them.
Ghost Spider was silent for a few seconds.
''We are coming with you,'' Ghost Spider replied.
''Well? What are we waiting for?,'' Hobie indicated with his thumb past his back to the now open portal.
Peter and Ghost Spider followed after him. A minute later Spider-Byte restored the cyber attack and noticed that one of the prisoners was missing.
---
''So what happened to your boyfriend that he couldn't help you?,'' Hobie stoked the flames. Right now, they could only wait, till some certain people finally got to the realization that Miguel was full of shit.
...And he never was one that liked secrets.
''Yes, what happened to your 'space time continuum' boyfriend?,'' Peter asked her, watching as she removed her mask. Space time continuum did not sound the same as telekinetic boyfriend. Otherwise she would have simply said that and he would have no problem with that. Or the fact that Bell could create portals. Mob Psycho prepared him for a lot.
But she was very particular about her choice of words.
(She wasn't very particular about her choice of words. She just said her boyfriend could control space, which is why she wasn't glitching. ...Others could interpret it as a very particular choice of words.)
She sighed and looked Peter in the eye for a while.
''Spot has a backer and there is... a LOT going on behind the scenes. Bell is hunting him down while he left Spot to me, to us. Look, once this is all over. I promise you and I and Bell will sit down and talk.
''I'll hold you two to that promise. But right now, we have different things to focus on,'' Peter shook his head, focusing on what was really important right now.
''By the way, here. To stabilize your Quantum Harmonics, else you will be glitching,'' Hobie gave them both a Web Watch. He was a little disappointed he wouldn't hear the truth as well, but at least one lamb would have his eyes opened. Or realize that he couldn't trust his 'friends' if they weren't truthful with him.
Either way, his job and goal was done.
''How many of them do you have?,'' Peter asked him.
''Eh, 20ish or so. I over prepared, but I doubt so many will join us,'' Hobie replied.
''So? Why are we staying here, instead of recruiting others?,'' Gwen1 asked.
''We are waiting for the others to finish chasing Miles. That said. We do need something to know when his chase will be finished,'' Hobie grabbed a Web Watch and began writing the coordinates to his impromptu HQ.
''I will drop this off with Gwens father. I'm certain she will come here once she realizes the bullshit that Miguel spewed was in fact bullshit,'' Hobie saluted them as he jumped through a portal.
...
Nearly an hour later Gwen2 entered through a portal into Hobie impromptu HQ.
''So?,'' Hobie asked her, smirking knowingly.
''Let us stop Spot and prove Miguel wrong,'' Gwen2 replied. And shared a nod with Gwen1 and an apologetic look towards Peter.
''No hard feelings. I know you were just trying to do good. That said, will Miles join us? I kind of liked the guy, brief as our encounter was,'' Peter asked her.
''That is the thing. I actually went to his world first, to his house. And he wasn't there or any of the other spots he likes to visit,'' Gwen2 replied a little embarrassed.
Peter was weirded out, understanding the implication of her expression or suspecting. Even more so when Gwen1 just took it in stride, like she was used to it or made her peace with it. Then again, apparently he was together with Gwen in one universe.
Uuuuuh... now he was just weirding himself out more. The multiverse was wild and weird and he will stop thinking about what his variants as well as his friends variants were doing right now, for his peace of mind.
''He showed you those spots?,'' Hobie asked her and received a nod.
''Hmm. You three go recruit the others, the ones you told me about you fought alongside with in Miles' world. See of Parvitr is open to getting recruited as well. I will sneak back into the Spider Society and see if I can't find out the coordinates of the world that Miles was transported too,'' Hobie instructed her.
''I don't think we need to do that. You remember Miguel telling us about that Spider that bit Miles? Where it came from I mean. If Miles is not in his world. Then maybe he is in the spiders world. We know where that spider came from, we have his coordinates,'' Gwen2 told him.
''That could work,'' Hobie hadn't thought of that and smirked in approval.
''That is a huge maybe. Are we sure we want to risk that, instead of being certain. We need to stop this Spot guy as fast as possible,'' Peter asked her.
''I'm certain,'' Gwen2 replied to him confidently.
''I have to agree with her,'' Hobie added his own two cents.
''Then let us go and gather together our rag tag group, shall we?,'' Gwen1 told them.
---
''Oh my fucking god! What is with you all bringing children into potential danger! Send her back! We are dealing with a multiversal threat and she is just a liability and could get us killed,'' Peter immediately despaired.
They were all waiting on the rooftop of a random building in the world that Miles would potentially be at. Peter B. was the last that would join them.
Hobie stepped aside to let Peter B. face the music. He didn't disagree with Peters sentiment.
''She will be totally safe, I promise you,'' Peter B. defended himself.
''She can be even more totally super duper safe back in her crib at home... AWAY and FAR removed from the danger,'' Peter shot back.
''Man I forgot how stressed out I was when I started out. You need to chill, buddy, my experience tells me that she will not be in danger,'' Peter B. assured him.
''How are we more mature, then a literal fucking adult. You are a mess,'' Gwen1 told him.
''Hey! I will have you know that I got my life back together and stepped up as a family man. It is not a mess,'' Peter B. retorted defensively.
''SEND HER BACK!!!'' 9X
Peter B. recoiled and began comforting Mayday who started sniffling in discomfort.
''You kids got no sense of chill. Fine,'' Peter B. opened a portal with his Web Watch and stepped through.
Hobie's eye twitched at the ridiculous statement. And he was not alone as Peters eye also twitched. He hated seeing kids harmed or being put in danger.
...
''Now that normal sensibilities have returned to us all (*Peter shot a look at Peter B.*) Shall we find Miles here? Where do we start,'' Peter asked them all as he pulled his mask down. Gwen1 followed after him.
''We can split up. We have a way to contact each other so that shouldn't be a problem,'' Parvatr replied cheerfully.
''True. But doing our own thing could be wasteful. Let us just split the methods up anyway,'' Spider Noir said.
They did just that and finally swung off into the night ready to scour the city and find an extra set of hands to help them against Spot.
(A.N. 8217 words. After this, there should be two more chapters and then this arc is done and we can move on to the next thing.
That said, the reason the chapter is so short (BUT STILL ABOVE 5K WORDS!!) is because thematically, nothing else would have really fitted. At all. The last two chapters will be the same, pure plot advancement, with the final chapter being the longest. Hopefully you will find the arc dope by the end of it all.
Hope you enjoyed reading this. Cheers and stay safe out there.)