On a quiet rooftop in Hell's Kitchen, Spider-Man sat perched on the edge, watching the city below. It was well past midnight, and the sounds of New York's nightlife were alive beneath them—car horns, distant sirens, the occasional drunken laughter echoing through the streets.
Daredevil stood a few feet away, arms crossed over his chest, his red suit blending into the shadows. His head was slightly tilted, listening intently.
"So," Spider-Man began, breaking the silence, "I'll just come out and say it. I want you to join my team."
Daredevil exhaled through his nose, unimpressed. "That's ambitious, considering we've barely spoken before tonight."
"Hey, I've seen how you operate," Spider-Man said, gesturing. "You're one of the best. You care about the city. And, let's be real, with all the super-powered crazies running around, wouldn't it be nice to have backup?"
Daredevil didn't move. "New York already has plenty of heroes, Spider-Man. What makes your 'team' different?"
"I don't want to just punch bad guys—I want to fix things," Peter said. "We can work smarter. Pool resources. We could make New York the safest city in the world. No more lone wolf acts. No more getting overwhelmed when things go south. You've seen what happens when people don't work together."
Daredevil tilted his head slightly, as if analyzing Spider-Man's heartbeat. He was silent for a long moment before finally speaking.
"I like the idea," he admitted. "But there's a problem. I don't trust you."
Peter blinked under his mask. "Ouch."
"It's not personal," Daredevil continued. "But you've only been here for, what, two weeks? I've seen villains pretend to be heroes before. They show up, do good work, and then—when people trust them—they strike. Even if you took off your mask right now, it wouldn't convince me."
"Because of shapeshifters?" Peter guessed.
Daredevil nodded. "And because trust isn't built in a single conversation. You could be sincere, or you could be the best liar in the world. Either way, I don't gamble on gut feelings."
Spider-Man sighed, rubbing the back of his head. "Alright, fair enough. So what would convince you?"
"Time," Daredevil answered simply. "Keep doing what you're doing. Keep protecting the city. Keep proving that you're in this for the right reasons. If you are, then I'll judge you by your actions."
Spider-Man thought about it for a moment before nodding. "Alright. No pressure or anything, but I'll be extra heroic just for you."
Daredevil smirked slightly. "We'll see."
And with that, he turned, vaulting over the rooftop ledge and disappearing into the night.
Peter remained where he was, tapping his fingers against his knee.
"Well," he muttered to himself, "that could've gone worse."
Two weeks had passed by with all these events taking place and Peter felt that he had lived through years within those two weeks.
The Oscorp lab bustled with activity, students marveling at cutting-edge technology and the scientific wonders being explained by Dr. Connors. Peter, however, was more focused than most, absorbing every detail the doctor mentioned.
That was until he felt it—a strange, almost electric sensation tingling at the back of his mind. His gaze instinctively landed on Gwen Stacy, who suddenly wobbled slightly, her expression twisting in discomfort. Just as he turned to check on her, his eyes caught another girl—a petite, dark-haired student he vaguely recognized—also swaying on her feet, clutching her ankle.
Something was wrong.
Then, a voice, deep and amused, echoed in his head.
"The spider has bitten, and they are your new companions."
Peter's eyes widened, and his body tensed. Slowly, he turned his head and saw a black-and-white spider perched on his shoulder, its eight eyes meeting his gaze with an eerie intelligence.
"What do you mean? And what are you doing here?" he asked in his mind, keeping his composure.
"We are partners now. My name is Yami," the spider responded smoothly. "Today is the day you were supposed to be bitten, but I scared the spider away. I don't like others touching what is mine."
Peter stiffened, his thoughts racing.
"Mine?"
"You don't need their powers—you will keep growing stronger with my abilities. However, because I have dominion over all spiders, I have formed a connection to them for your sake. It is a link that will help you. They, too, will feel it."
Peter swallowed, his eyes flicking back to Gwen and the dark-haired girl. They were visibly struggling now, their bodies reacting to the venom coursing through their veins.
"Before I forget," Yami added casually, "only you can see me."
Peter exhaled sharply. This was a lot, even for him, but after everything he had been through—Naruto's training, fighting Tombstone, dealing with Felicia and Jessica—this was just another unexpected turn in his increasingly chaotic life.
But he didn't have time to dwell on it. Gwen and the unknown girl were in trouble, and if their experiences were anything like his when he first got his powers, things could get dangerous fast.
Without hesitation, Peter excused himself from Dr. Connors, stepping toward Gwen and catching her before she could stumble. At the same time, he reached for the other girl's wrist, his instincts guiding him.
To his relief, they didn't resist. They simply followed him, as if something inside them recognized him—like they already knew they could trust him.
Peter led the two girls outside the Oscorp lab, guiding them toward a quiet park area nearby. The fresh air, the open space—it would help them regain their bearings after the strange transformation they were going through. They settled onto a wooden bench under the shade of a large tree, the hum of city life in the background.
Both girls were still visibly shaken, their breathing uneven. Gwen leaned forward, elbows resting on her knees as she tried to steady herself, while the other girl—Cindy, if he remembered correctly—crossed her arms tightly over her chest, her expression a mix of wariness and confusion.
The connection they felt to Peter was unmistakable. It was like an invisible thread tied between them, something deeper than just recognition. They could feel his presence in a way they had never felt before, as though their very beings were attuned to him.
"Peter, what's happening to me?" Gwen finally broke the silence, her voice laced with exhaustion and worry. Her body had been burning up since that spider bit her, and now she felt something strange—a pull toward Peter, like he was the center of some unseen web.
Cindy, who had been eyeing him suspiciously, narrowed her gaze. "Hey, did you do something to us?" she asked, her voice carrying an edge despite the weakness in her body. Like Gwen, she felt sick—like her body was undergoing a massive change. And on top of that, she could feel Peter. It wasn't just awareness; it was something deeper. A connection.
Peter sighed. He couldn't blame them for their suspicions—this was a lot. But he had to handle it carefully.
"Calm down and listen to me," he said, his voice firm yet reassuring. "This is something you cannot share with others."
A smooth voice slithered into his mind.
"Talk to them and show them your powers. I have covered the area in an illusion for you, but finish quickly. I can only rely on your limited chakra."
Peter had almost forgotten about Yami—the spider that had altered the course of his life in ways he still didn't fully understand.
With a single thought, his clothes shifted.
In the blink of an eye, his iconic red and blue suit materialized, fitting snugly over his body. The moment it happened, Gwen and Cindy's eyes widened, their confusion instantly replaced with shock.
"You're… Spider-Man?" Gwen breathed, her voice barely above a whisper.
Cindy stared at him in stunned silence before shaking her head. "Why are you showing us this?"
Their minds were still sluggish, fogged by the changes happening in their bodies, but they knew what Peter had just done was huge. This wasn't something he should just reveal to random people.
Peter exhaled slowly, watching their reactions carefully.
"Because," he said, his tone serious, "you two are about to go through something very similar."
Cindy Moon was always a logical person. Her eidetic memory made sure of that. She remembered everything she read, everything she heard, everything she saw. Her parents had always told her it was a gift, something she needed to cultivate, so she lived by their expectations—studying hard, aiming for the top.
But that wasn't all there was to life.
In high school, she made friends, let loose a little, found joy outside of textbooks. Sports, video games, even sneaking out to parties—it was her way of balancing things out. Her parents weren't thrilled, but Cindy needed to feel normal. She needed to live.
But then, last week, she had gone too far. A club, a little too much fun, and her parents had found out.
So here she was, at a science field trip she hadn't wanted to attend. Punishment, as far as she was concerned.
And then… the bite.
The sudden fever.
The connection to the guy sitting beside her.
She had never experienced love before—never had time for it. But this was something else entirely. When Peter had taken her hand, her body had instinctively wanted to follow him. And now, staring at him in his Spider-Man suit, Cindy felt her mind spiraling with questions.
She looked at him—the strong frame, the confident posture, the way he carried himself. There was something about him… something that drew her in. And she wasn't sure if it was the changes in her body or something else entirely.
Cindy's mind raced, suspicion creeping in as she glanced at Gwen.
Is he using his powers to prey on us?
It was an unsettling thought, but how else could she explain this overwhelming connection? She had never felt drawn to anyone like this before. It made no sense. She had just met him, yet something in her told her to trust him.
Gwen, on the other hand, wasn't resisting the connection at all. If anything, she seemed to embrace it. Her body still felt strange, like an electric current was running through her veins, but that wasn't what had her so focused—Peter was.
Peter, oblivious to their inner turmoil, exhaled and spoke.
"I wanted to show you this because you are now like me," he explained. "You got bit by a radioactive spider, and it's changing your body—giving you powers."
Gwen and Cindy exchanged shocked looks. Their thoughts had been scattered, their minds sluggish, but hearing it put so plainly made reality sink in fast.
Peter turned to Gwen first. "Squeeze the wooden bench."
She hesitated but followed his instruction, her fingers tightening around the bench's edge. The moment she applied pressure, the wood crumbled like brittle chalk, splintering between her fingers.
Gwen gasped and jumped to her feet, staring at her hand as if it had betrayed her. "Is this real?" she whispered, disbelief clear in her voice.
Peter nodded. "Yeah. And this is just the beginning."
He crossed his arms, his voice taking on a serious tone.
"You both have incredible strength now. Gwen, what you just did? That wasn't even a fraction of your full power. Your grip strength alone is already at least 10 tonnes, maybe more."
Cindy inhaled sharply.
Peter continued, "That's why I'm going to train you both. You need control. You could end up hurting someone without meaning to." He looked between them, making sure his words were sinking in. "I won't force you into anything. Once you have control, you can decide what you want. If you want to live normal lives, that's fine. But if you want to use your powers for something more, you can join me. I could use the help."
He turned to Gwen and held her hand gently. His touch was firm but careful, like he already understood how strong she was.
Gwen stared into his eyes, her heartbeat quickening—not from fear, but from something else entirely.
"I want to help," she murmured. "I want to stand by your side."
Before Peter could respond, Cindy shot up from her seat, practically bouncing with excitement. Her face was flushed, her energy bubbling over.
"I knew this would be fun!" she grinned. "I mean, come on! Superpowers? Fighting crime? This is straight out of a comic book!"
Peter blinked at her enthusiasm, and a small smile tugged at his lips.
"So that's a yes from both of you?"
Cindy nodded eagerly. "Hell yes."
Gwen smirked, her earlier doubt gone. "Absolutely."
Peter let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. He had expected this to be a lot harder. But seeing their excitement, their determination—maybe this was the right call.
The world around them shimmered as Yami's power wrapped them in an unseen force. In the blink of an eye, the park, the city, the noise—it all vanished.
When Gwen and Cindy blinked, they were no longer outside.
Instead, they stood in a sleek, high-tech underground base—dimly lit, reinforced with steel walls, and lined with equipment and monitors. It was a hidden sanctuary, a place where secrets could be kept and heroes could be made.
Gwen and Cindy spun around in awe.
"What—where are we?" Cindy asked, her voice echoing slightly in the large chamber.
Peter, now back in his casual clothes, folded his arms and smirked. "Welcome to the Spider Web. Built it myself."
Gwen raised a brow. "You built all of this?"
Peter shrugged. "Well, I designed it. Had some... assistance in putting it together." He didn't mention that Naruto's resources had been a big help in making this place a reality.
Cindy walked over to one of the large computer monitors, scrolling through some of the data displayed. "This is insane… You've really got everything here."
Peter leaned against the table. "I needed a place to train and strategize, away from prying eyes. Now that you two are in the picture, we need to be even more careful."
The girls nodded, understanding the weight behind his words.
Then, Peter got an idea.
"Speaking of being careful, I should probably get you both suited up." He tapped his earpiece. "Naruto, you there?"
A second later, a holographic projection of Naruto appeared on one of the monitors, sitting in his throne-like chair. His golden eyes gleamed with amusement.
"Yo, Peter. What's up?"
Peter crossed his arms. "I need to ask you about Gwen and Cindy in your world."
Naruto raised a brow. "Oh? What brought this on?"
Peter sighed. "I just want to see if things align, or if I'm working with a completely different scenario."
Naruto smirked knowingly. "Well, in my world, Gwen became Spider-Woman—or Spider-Gwen, as she's sometimes called. Cindy? She took the name Silk."
Peter's eyes widened slightly. So their heroic paths were meant to happen, regardless of the circumstances…
Naruto continued, "Since you're gonna need them suited up, I might as well help." He lifted a hand, and in a flash of golden energy, two neatly folded costumes materialized on the desk in front of Peter.
Gwen and Cindy stared at them in surprise.
"These are…" Peter picked them up and handed them over. "Your costumes."
Gwen unfolded hers, revealing a white-and-black bodysuit with pink and cyan web patterns inside the hood and sleeves.
Cindy's was sleek and black, lined with red webbing, the design almost looking like a second skin.
The girls exchanged looks before smirking.
"Well," Cindy said, holding her suit up to herself. "I guess we're officially in the spider business."
Gwen chuckled. "Looks like it."
The excitement from earlier had faded as Cindy lay on the bed in her assigned room. The walls were sleek, modern, and soundproof, keeping the rest of the base's activity outside. She had been enthusiastic in front of Peter and Gwen, but now, alone in the quiet, her real emotions settled in.
She stared at the ceiling, arms folded behind her head, deep in thought.
Her body still felt hot, but it wasn't the feverish discomfort from earlier. It was something else—something foreign that made her uneasy.
Her fingers curled into the bedsheets.
"This stupid connection…" she muttered.
She could feel Peter—not physically, but mentally. It was as if a string tied her to him, pulling ever so slightly, always making her aware of his presence, even though he wasn't in the room.
And she hated it.
She didn't know him. Sure, she knew of him. Peter Parker—the university student, the top-tier nerd, and apparently, the superhero Spider-Man. He was handsome, yeah, but what did that matter? She wasn't some girl in a romance novel who fell for a guy just because he was good-looking.
And yet, this connection made it feel like they were linked. Like a piece of her was now his, and she had no choice in the matter.
Her breathing deepened, frustration bubbling under the surface.
"I didn't ask for this…" she whispered.
Cindy had wanted the powers. She had dreamed of getting powers. But not this.
Not this feeling.
Not this forced intimacy.
She rolled onto her side, pulling the blanket over herself, hoping sleep would take her before her mind spiraled further.
Maybe when she woke up, things would make more sense.
Maybe when she woke up… she'd feel normal again.
Gwen lay on the bed in her room, her body heavy with exhaustion. The transformation was still happening inside her, making her limbs weak and her mind foggy. Despite this, she felt at ease—content, even.
Unlike Cindy, who had acted excited but seemed internally conflicted, Gwen had no doubts about how she felt. The connection she now had with Peter… she didn't find it uncomfortable. If anything, it only confirmed what she had already been thinking.
Peter Parker was special.
Not just because he was Spider-Man, though that was an incredible revelation. No, it was because of who he was. Smart, kind, responsible—someone who took the weight of the world on his shoulders and carried it without complaint.
She admired him before, but now?
Now, she saw everything.
Not just the brilliant student, not just the masked hero swinging across the city—she saw the real Peter Parker.
And she liked him even more.
Her eyelids grew heavy, her body relaxing into the bed. The warmth of the connection between them was like a soft pulse in the back of her mind, reminding her that Peter was there, that he was real.
She smiled.
Her father had always told her to find a man who was good, strong, and truly cared about others.
Peter checked every box.
As she drifted into unconsciousness, a thought lingered in her fading mind.
"Peter Parker would make a perfect husband."