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IAM THE MENTOR OF SPIDER-MAN
Chapter 177: Across the Spider-Verse (2)

Chapter 177: Across the Spider-Verse (2)

[In the Past]

The news blared in the background as J. Jonah Jameson's voice filled the room, his words dripping with condemnation. "Pressure mounts as Captain George Stacy leads the manhunt for Spider-Woman," he declared, his disdain evident. "Who is she? And why won't she show her face? Peter Parker, an innocent young man, was killed by Spider-Woman, a menace of society!"

Meanwhile, an interview with Captain George Stacy unfolded on the screen. A reporter shoved a microphone towards him, seeking answers in the wake of Peter Parker's tragic death.

"Sir, what's happening in the case of Peter Parker?" the reporter inquired earnestly.

Captain George Stacy's expression darkened with grief and determination. "I've known May and Ben Parker for 12 years. Peter Parker ate at my table, He is been a family to me and Uh.." he began, his voice heavy with emotion. "He was my daughter's best friend." His gaze turned steely as he faced the media. "And I will not rest until I find this Spider-Woman."

........

........

[Back to the present]

As Gwen approached the window, she saw her father, George Stacy, methodically cleaning a plate in the kitchen. She hesitated for a moment before deciding to enter, her footsteps tentative as she made her way towards him.

"Hey, hey, hey. How's the band?" George greeted her casually, trying to break the tension that hung between them.

Gwen paused, unsure of how to respond at first. "Uh... Uh, yeah, great. I quit so, you know..." She trailed off, avoiding his gaze as she headed towards her room.

George sighed softly, his concern palpable. He followed her to her room and stood outside the door, his voice gentle yet laden with the weight of recent events. "We, uh... We caught a break in the Spider-Woman case."

Gwen turned slightly, facing him from her doorway. "Oh.. That's good." she replied, her tone masking the turmoil within her.

"We're close. I'm telling you, I can feel it." George continued, his determination clear as he hoped for closure in the case that had shaken their lives.

"Me too." Gwen murmured quietly to herself, a conflicted expression crossing her face. "I am the Spider-Woman, Dad, and I'm not a criminal." she thought, her internal struggle evident despite her attempts to appear composed.

"It'll be good for us. To find her and capture." George remarked, his voice tinged with a mix of resolve and concern for his daughter.

Gwen's reply was hesitant, her words weighed down by the weight of her secret. "Don't be so sure."

George pressed on, his frustration evident. "She killed your friend. She killed Peter!!"

"You don't know that." Gwen shot back, her voice rising slightly in defense of someone she knew she couldn't openly protect.

"What do you mean? I do know that," George insisted, stepping closer to Gwen, desperate to make her see reason. "I was there. She ran from the scene."

"Maybe she didn't have a choice." Gwen whispered, her eyes pleading with her father to understand the complexity of her situation.

"I got a job to do, Gwen." George replied firmly, his duty as a police captain guiding his actions even in the face of familial conflict.

"It won't bring him back." Gwen retorted sharply, her pain and frustration with the situation spilling over.

George sighed heavily, the weight of their argument settling heavily on his shoulders. "Anyway, I don't wanna argue about this, okay?"

"Yeah, I can tell." Gwen responded bitterly, her voice thick with emotion as she turned away from him.

Realizing the tension between them, George softened his tone, trying to bridge the gap between them. "Say, uh..." He paused, his voice catching slightly. "Too punk rock to give your old man a hug?"

Gwen hesitated for a moment, her resolve wavering. Then, with a mix of reluctance and longing for connection, she turned back towards her father and wrapped her arms around him in a tight embrace.

"I love you, Dad." Gwen whispered, her voice choked with emotion.

George held her close, his own emotions catching in his throat. "Me too, sweetie." he murmured, his words a promise of love and support despite their differences.

They stood there, father and daughter, clinging to each other in the quiet of her room, each finding solace in the simple act of being together, even amidst their tumultuous circumstances.

As Gwen and her father, George Stacy, held each other in a heartfelt embrace, their moment of connection was abruptly interrupted by the crackle of George's walkie-talkie. The urgent message sliced through the air, announcing a possible superhuman event at the Guggenheim Museum involving Adrian Toomes, also known as the Vulture.

"Oh. Hey, this could be it." George remarked, his voice tinged with a mix of anticipation and duty.

The walkie-talkie continued to buzz with updates. "Suspect is Adrian Toomes. Also known as the Vulture."

George glanced down at Gwen, concern etched on his face. "So, I'll see you later?"

Gwen nodded silently, her mind already racing with thoughts of what might unfold next. As her father hurried off to respond to the emergency, Gwen's own walkie-talkie crackled to life. She had acquired the device by stealing it from her father, which caused him to get another one. This walkie-talkie had a huge impact on her career, as it meant she could stay informed and ready for any situation.

"We don't know the full scale of the threat yet," the voice on the walkie-talkie informed her urgently.

Gwen wasted no time. She moved swiftly to her cabinet where she kept her Spider-Woman suit. Opening it with practiced ease, she retrieved the sleek black and white suit and quickly began to dress.

"We're gonna need all the help we can get. It's a real mess down here." the walkie-talkie continued, the urgency in the voice signaling the seriousness of the situation.

"This is Captain Stacy. I'm five out. I need you to look alive. Good chance our girl shows up." the voice instructed, its tone brimming with the weight of responsibility.

Gwen took a deep breath, steeling herself for what lay ahead. She reached out and swiftly turned off the walkie-talkie, her mind now focused solely on the task at hand. With her suit secured and her resolve steeled, Gwen was ready to swing into action.

Without hesitation, she dashed out of her room, leaping into the night, ready to face whatever challenges awaited her at the Guggenheim Museum. As she swung through the city streets, Gwen's thoughts raced, her determination clear. She was Spider-Woman, and Today, she would prove herself once again.

........

As the chaos unfolded outside the Guggenheim Museum, Captain George Stacy and his team found themselves caught in a whirlwind of explosions and confusion. George's voice cut through the mayhem as he directed his frustration towards Yuri, his fellow officer.

"Yuri, explain to me how a guy with a 40-foot wingspan just waltzed into the Guggenheim unnoticed?" George demanded, his tone a mix of disbelief and urgency.

Yuri, replied with a hint of dry humor, "Hey, it's New York. Everyone's got their thing."

Before they could delve further into their discussion, the tranquility of the moment was shattered by a deafening explosion that rocked the museum. George, Yuri, and the other officers scrambled for cover, their training kicking in as they sought refuge from the sudden violence.

As they took shelter, George's mind raced with questions. "Do we know what he wants?" he shouted over the din of the chaos.

Yuri, trying to maintain her composure amidst the turmoil, responded with a touch of sarcasm, "Do you speak Italian?"

George, undeterred, retorted, "Uh, I'm an Irish cop."

Yuri's dry wit persisted, "Maybe you love pasta or something."

In response to the escalating danger, George swiftly drew his gun, his voice authoritative as he rallied his team. "Everybody on my signal! Look out for signs of Spider-Woman!"

Just as tension reached its peak, the scene took a sudden turn. Without warning, strands of webbing shot through the air, ensnaring George, Yuri, and the officers in a sticky trap. They struggled against the bonds, their movements restricted by the strong fibers.

"You!!" George exclaimed as he recognized the familiar pattern of the webbing.

Yuri confirmed with a resigned tone, "Yup, we got our sign."

Moments later, Spider-Woman, known to them as Gwen Stacy, approached George Stacy with a mixture of determination and regret. George, tied up and unable to speak, glared at her, his eyes filled with a mix of disappointment and frustration.

"How's the manhunt for me going?" Gwen asked

George's voice cut through the chaos with authority, "You're under arrest!"

Gwen sighed softly, conflicted but resolute. Without another word, she swiftly webbed George's mouth, her eyes betraying a hint of sorrow as she looked at her restrained father.

"Good to know!" she added softly, her words barely audible to the muffled protests from George. With a brief glance back at her father, Gwen swung gracefully towards the interior of the museum, where the Vulture awaited, determined to confront the threat and prevent any further chaos from unfolding.

As Gwen swiftly made her way towards the Vulture amidst the chaos of the Guggenheim Museum, she called out confidently, "Vulture!!"

"Screaming their name usually works," she muttered to herself, hoping to provoke a reaction.

Sure enough, the Vulture turned towards her, his mechanical wings unfolding ominously. Gwen sized him up, noting his unfamiliar appearance. "You're not my Vulture. What are you, made of parchment?" she quipped, her voice laced with confusion.

"I am the Vulture, the pinnacle of man's genius." the Vulture declared proudly, though he seemed to glitch and twitch unnaturally.

"You're glitching, huh? Been there." Gwen retorted, maintaining her agile stance.

"Uh, where you from, bud?" Gwen inquired, trying to glean more information as she prepared herself for his next move.

Without warning, the Vulture lunged towards her with surprising speed. Gwen deftly evaded his attack, somersaulting out of harm's way. "Oh, great. A Renaissance man." she remarked wryly, staying on her toes.

The Vulture then utilized his wings to attack again, forcing Gwen to backflip to avoid being ensnared. "Ooh, let me guess. You were having an espresso in some old-timey Leonardo da Vinci dimension." Gwen speculated, her acrobatic moves keeping her just out of the Vulture's reach.

"And suddenly a portal opens up and you wind up here. Am I warm?" she continued, testing her theory as she darted around the Vulture's frenzied assaults.

As the battle unfolded, Vulture's frustration grew evident. He attempted to justify his presence in this unfamiliar dimension, his words tinged with a mix of arrogance and disbelief. "Yes, that's pretty much it." he admitted begrudgingly, his tone defensive yet revealing.

However, his glitches became more complicated, causing Gwen to struggle for balance as she tried to maintain her advantage. "Sidebar, maybe you could stop making a mess of the art museum for no reason?" she suggested, her voice tinged with exasperation.

"You call this art?" the Vulture scoffed, his mechanical voice tinged with disdain.

"We're talking about it, aren't we?" Gwen quipped, launching herself towards the Vulture's back once more, aiming to distract and disarm him.

"¡Ridículo!" he spat out, the word echoing through the museum like a curse. His eyes narrowed with a mixture of anger and disbelief as he struggled to comprehend the unexpected turn of events.

In the midst of their skirmish, civilians who had been hiding witnessed the spectacle with awe. "Oh, that's cool." one of them murmured, admiring Gwen's agility.

Suddenly, Vulture lunged towards the civilians, his intent clear. Gwen, perched on his back during the skirmish, acted swiftly to protect them. She used her strength and agility to pull Vulture away from the innocents, ensuring their safety amidst the chaos.

"I mean, it's more of a meta commentary on what we call art, but it's also art." Gwen remarked dryly, her words directed at both Vulture and the onlookers, who were caught between fear and fascination.

The Vulture, growing increasingly frustrated, hurled Gwen off his back, sending her crashing into a section of statues within the museum.

Gwen winced in pain as she recovered, observing the statues around her. "Oh, look. It's your cousin." she quipped, trying to keep the Vulture off-balance with her banter.

Enraged by Gwen's taunts, the Vulture unleashed a fiery attack from his mask.

Gwen reacted swiftly, dodging the flames and mocking him further. "I wouldn't play with fire, dude. You're kind of made of paper." she taunted, her confidence undiminished despite the perilous situation.

As the battle between Spider-Woman and the Vulture continued to unfold, the fate of the museum and its patrons hung in the balance, with Gwen determined to stop the chaotic rampage and protect those around her.

........

The Vulture growled in annoyance, his frustration palpable as he struggled to maintain control over his glitching form. He lunged forward once more, driven by a combination of rage and desperation, his wings slicing through the air with renewed ferocity.

As Gwen struggled against the Vulture's attack, her spider-sense buzzing with warning, she realized she was seconds away from being incapacitated. The Vulture, his mechanical wings whirring with fury, sneered as he prepared to deliver a finishing blow.

"Ciao, ragazza." he hissed, his voice filled with malice as he tightened his grip on Gwen's arm.

Gwen's eyes widened in alarm. She knew she had to act fast, but before the Vulture could strike, a shimmering portal suddenly materialized next to them. A web shot out from within the portal, wrapping around the Vulture's wrist and pulling him back forcefully. He released Gwen in surprise, his attention diverted to the newcomer.

Stolen story; please report.

Out of the portal emerged a figure clad in a striking blue costume with a red cape and spider emblem on his chest. It was Miguel O'Hara, the Spider-Man from another dimension, known as Spider-Man 2099.

Gwen, momentarily dazed by the sudden turn of events, looked up at Miguel with a mix of confusion and curiosity. She quickly gathered herself and approached him cautiously.

"I'm sorry. Who exactly are you supposed to be?" she asked, her voice tinged with skepticism.

Miguel, with a hint of annoyance, deactivated his cape and replied, "It's classified."

Gwen couldn't resist a playful jab. "You're the Blue Panther?" she teased.

Miguel shook his head. "No."

"The Caped Blusader?" Gwen tried again.

"No." Miguel responded tersely, clearly not in the mood for jokes as he scanned the area for any sign of the Vulture.

Gwen persisted, "Dark Garfield?"

Miguel finally snapped, "Stop!"

Taking a breath to compose himself, Miguel explained, "Macho Libre. I'm from another dimension."

Gwen raised an eyebrow, processing the information. "You are?"

Miguel sighed, feeling frustrated with the exchange.

"Wow. Actually, I'm not confused," Gwen remarked wryly.

Miguel attempted to clarify further, "My name is Miguel O'Hara. I lead an elite strike force dedicated to the security of the multiverse... Anyway forget about it" He trailed off, deciding it wasn't worth explaining further.

Gwen, undeterred by Miguel's demeanor, asked with genuine curiosity, "Can you go to any dimension you want with that watch thing?" She gestured towards the device on Miguel's wrist.

Miguel smirked, a hint of pride in his voice. "It's much cooler than a watch."

Gwen quipped back, "Okay. Sensitive."

Realizing the urgency of the situation, Gwen refocused on the task at hand. "Look... There is a big flying turkey from the Renaissance I have to bring to justice, so if you don't mind..."

Miguel nodded, understanding her intent. "It's all right, kid. I'll take it from here."

Gwen's senses tingled with imminent danger as she swiftly dashed away from her spot, narrowly evading the Vulture's incoming attack. Her movements were quick and fluid, guided by her spider-sense that alerted her to the danger milliseconds before it struck.

"Okay, knock yourself out." Gwen replied casually, her spider-sense tingling once more as she sensed danger approaching.

"Why are you saying it like that?" Miguel asked incredulously, just before he was caught off guard by the Vulture's counterattack.

"You're not funny!" Miguel exclaimed, his frustration evident as he recovered from the blow and prepared to face the Vulture head-on.

Gwen, standing back and observing the unfolding fight between Miguel and the Vulture, responded with a light-hearted comment, "Eh, I don't know." Her voice carried a hint of both amusement and concern. Despite the seriousness of the situation, she couldn't resist injecting a bit of humor into the tense moment.

Gwen circled around the outskirts of the skirmish, assessing the situation and looking for an opportunity to assist Miguel. The museum's grand architecture loomed around them, the aftermath of their battle leaving scattered debris and damaged artworks in its wake.

As Gwen and Miguel continued to engage with the Vulture, their banter and action unfolded amidst the chaos of the museum.

Miguel, still grappling with the Vulture, managed to said, "Been really fun cleaning up your shocking mess, by the way."

Gwen, always quick with a retort, replied, "What mess?" Her focus remained on the Vulture, assessing every move and calculating her next action.

Miguel, focused on both the fight and their conversation, responded amidst the flurry of blows, "Kingpin's collider." His words were punctuated by a swift dodge as Vulture's talons narrowly missed him.

Gwen, momentarily pausing to evade a swooping attack from Vulture, pieced together the implications. "The collider?" she muttered, recalling the catastrophic events that had unfolded back then where She and the Spider-Gang stopped the collider from happening.

Vulture, frustrated by their conversation and not understanding their references, interjected, "What are you guys talking about?"

Gwen shut down the Vulture's inquiry sharply, saying, "You shut up. None of your business. Nosy."

Miguel, emphasizing the urgency and frustration, chimed in with, "You shut up, ¡Cállate!"

Vulture annoyed to their exchange, he launched another attack, aiming to subdue both Gwen and Miguel with swift and powerful strikes. Gwen deftly evaded his blows, her agility and spider-sense guiding her through the flurry of movements.

Amidst the ongoing skirmish, Gwen couldn't resist adding, "We saved the multiverse."

Miguel, while dodging and countering Vulture's attacks, retorted, "You left a hole wide enough for guys like him to randomly get shot into the wrong dimension." His punches landed with precision, momentarily staggering the Vulture.

Miguel's frustration was palpable as he continued, "Now I'm stuck putting everybody back where they belong before all of time and space collapses." He emphasized his point with each strike, aiming to incapacitate the Vulture and prevent further chaos.

Vulture, not backing down, swiftly evaded Miguel's assault, maneuvering through the air and dropping grenades in an attempt to scatter and disorient his adversaries. The explosions caused debris and chaos within the museum, endangering nearby civilians.

Miguel, ever the protector, shouted as he rushed to save the civilians, "And don't even get me started on Doctor Strange and the little nerd back on Earth-199999. Anyway focus on saving civillians first!!"

Gwen, also aiding the civilians and catching sight of her father, swiftly webbed him up to ensure his safety. "Sorry, Captain, can't talk right now." she called out as she continued to move through the chaos.

Meanwhile, Vulture, reveling in the mayhem, taunted them, "Eat this!" He launched another grenade towards them, intending to catch them off guard.

Gwen, with her keen reflexes and determination, turned to Miguel and quipped, "So you want me to handle this one or...?" But before she could finish her sentence, Miguel used his enhanced abilities to swiftly destroy each grenade with his hand claws, ensuring the safety of the civilians and neutralizing the threat. She muttered "Wow, looks like you dont need my help."

With the grenades dealt with, Miguel focused back on the Vulture, who had managed to recover and was now airborne again. Miguel's attention snapped to Vulture's newly equipped hammerspace-enhanced wings.

"He's got hammerspace!" Miguel exclaimed, recognizing the danger. Vulture capitalized on his advantage, swiftly closing the distance between them and pinning Miguel down with his enhanced capabilities, causing Miguel to grunt in pain as he struggled against the Vulture's strength and technological prowess.

As Miguel wrestled with Vulture pinning miguel down, he glanced at his holographic assistant, Lyla, inside his watch. "LYLA, can you please, you know...?" he began, but Lyla teased him playfully, "Nah, you gotta say it first."

Miguel persisted, "Call for backup." Lyla chuckled mischievously, drawing out the moment. "What?" she teased again.

"Call backup." Miguel repeated urgently.

Suddenly, a new figure entered the fray with dramatic flair—Jessica Drew, another Spider-Woman, who smashed into Vulture's face with her motorbike.

LYLA couldn't resist teasing Miguel, "I already called her. But I enjoyed that."

Miguel sighed with a mix of relief and exasperation.

Vulture, reeling from the unexpected blow, managed to break free and escape once more, leaving the heroes to regroup.

Meanwhile, Vulture, recovering quickly from Jessica's surprising attack with her motorbike, attempted to escape again. His movements were swift and erratic, dropping grenades that exploded and littered the museum with debris, adding to the turmoil.

Jessica, steering her motorbike skillfully through the chaos, surveyed the scene and spotted Gwen in action against Vulture. "Spider-Woman." Jessica acknowledged Gwen, her attention briefly caught by Gwen's determination and agility.

Gwen, web-slinging through the air with practiced ease, responded confidently, "Me too." She noticed Jessica's pregnant belly and couldn't resist asking, "Are you, uh...?"

Jessica laughed lightly, a mix of amusement and excitement in her voice. "Oh, this? We don't know the sex yet. My husband wants it to be a surprise." Her tone softened with affection as she added, "He's really corny. But so hot."

Gwen nodded in understanding, a flicker of longing crossing her expression. "Will you adopt me?" she blurted out impulsively, caught up in the chaotic camaraderie.

Jessica blinked in surprise, caught off guard by Gwen's unexpected request. "What?" she replied incredulously, momentarily forgetting the seriousness of their situation amidst the chaos.

Gwen quickly corrected herself, realizing the absurdity of her spontaneous suggestion. "What? What?" she echoed herself, trying to brush off the awkwardness.

Miguel, still locked in combat with Vulture, interjected with urgency, "Guys, can we focus on the big, fire-breathing threat to time and space, please?" His voice carried a sense of urgency, reminding them of the imminent danger they faced.

Jessica, regaining her focus, revved her motorbike and accelerated towards Miguel and Gwen, the engine's roar cutting through the chaos. Gwen followed suit, her movements fluid and precise as she swung through the air, closing in on Vulture.

Miguel, utilizing his webbing, latched onto Jessica's motorbike to evade another of Vulture's attacks, showcasing his agility and resourcefulness. Gwen seized the opportunity, webbing Vulture's face and then swiftly lunging towards him with a powerful kick.

The impact caused Vulture to stumble back, momentarily disoriented. Jessica, now beside Miguel, continued to drive her motorbike in strategic circles around the Vulture, keeping him off balance and limiting his aerial maneuvers.

Seeing the trio's coordinated effort, Jessica turned to Miguel with a suggestion, "What about her?" She gestured towards Gwen, implying that Gwen could potentially join their team of Spider-Men and Women.

Miguel, despite the chaos and the gravity of the situation, remained resolute in his decision. "No." he replied firmly, his expression serious and focused on the battle at hand.

Jessica persisted, seeing Gwen's potential and the value she could bring to their team. "We could use the help." she argued persuasively, hoping to sway Miguel's stance.

Miguel's response was terse and unwavering, "No." he repeated, emphasizing his stance against including Gwen in their ranks.

Jessica teased him gently, "Cause she called you Dark Garfield?" Her tone was light-hearted, attempting to inject some humor into the tense situation.

Miguel sighed, "No."

Jessica prodded further, "Do you say anything but no?"

Miguel relented, "No. Yes."

Jessica sighed in resignation, understanding Miguel's reasoning even if she didn't fully agree. "Why not?" she asked, seeking further clarification.

Miguel's answer was blunt and final, revealing his concern and perhaps some personal history that shaped his decision. "You know why." he replied, his voice tinged with a mixture of resolve and regret.

As Vulture flew into the air, he shouted, "Enough of this! Take a good look at my Greek fire from my backpack!" He unleashed a barrage of grenades, causing explosions that rocked the museum to its core. The once-majestic building trembled and shook, debris falling everywhere.

Gwen, noticing the danger to the civilians, immediately swung into action. She moved with lightning speed, using her webs to pull people out of harm's way and directing them towards the exits. Jessica Drew, despite her pregnancy, proved equally agile and efficient, helping Gwen to evacuate everyone.

In the midst of the chaos, Vulture attempted to make his escape. Miguel, realizing the gravity of the situation, shouted, "Don't let him out! He'll disrupt the canon!" With a swift motion, he webbed Vulture's wings, pulling him back.

Miguel and Vulture clashed mid-air, their battle an intricate dance of webs and attacks. As they fought, Vulture took in the sight of the modern city below. "Che meravigliosa bellezza." he marveled, his eyes gleaming with a mix of wonder and surprise about the beautiful city.

Miguel, determined to stop him, lunged forward, attempting to bite Vulture with his fangs. Suddenly, a helicopter approached, piloted by police officers. One officer, speaking into a megaphone, commanded, "Go to the ground."

Miguel, frustrated, shouted back, "Will you get out of here?"

The police, unfazed, responded, "We have you surrounded."

Miguel insisted, "But I'm a good guy!"

"You don't look like a good guy." the officer retorted, eyeing Miguel suspiciously.

Miguel sighed, "You're just gonna have to shut up and trust me."

Seeing an opportunity, Vulture hurled a shuriken-like weapon towards the helicopter, hitting its tail. The helicopter spun out of control, its tail exploding and sending it careening towards the ground.

"No!" Miguel shouted as he and Vulture were caught in the blast, both thrown apart by the force of the explosion.

To be continue