Marvel’s Shadowed Knight

"You'll have to find a place to fix this yourselves."

As Peter Parker tried to intercept Bruce's gaze, Bruce had already shifted his attention to him.

"Of course, I have a pretty good idea where you plan to go."

Bruce raised his hand and pointed toward a house near the entrance—one covered in Spider-Man memorabilia.

"Looks like there really is nothing we can hide from him," Gwen sighed, giving up entirely.

In front of this Bat, they had no secrets.

"If you're Batman, shouldn't you have a Batcave? Why can't we just fix this in your Batcave?"

Miles, having read a few DC comics, had the Batcave deeply imprinted in his mind.

Forget all the bizarre gadgets inside—the mechanical T-Rex alone was exciting enough.

Miles was eager to see what the Batcave looked like, and he was also curious why this Batman hadn't once shown his Batmobile or any of his signature Bat-vehicles.

"There's no Batcave."

With that answer, Bruce leaped into the air, spreading his cape as he glided gracefully to the front of May Parker's house.

"What?"

Miles was certain that Bruce was just making excuses.

How could Batman, a billionaire, not have a Batcave?

Peter Parker had a pretty good idea of what was going on. After all, he had recently helped this Batman pull off a Robin Hood-style heist—except the one being robbed was Batman himself.

Patting Miles on the shoulder, Peter picked up the computer tower he was carrying and jumped down as well.

"I'd suggest you talk to him as little as possible," Gwen said to Miles as she left.

Though, in truth, she was also reminding herself.

Something about this Bat—his attitude, his presence—just made Spider-People uneasy.

What else could Miles do?

He could only follow behind them.

After setting down Ock Max's computer tower, Peter Parker looked a little tense.

He had no idea what kind of reaction May Parker would have when she saw him.

Shooting out a web, he rang the doorbell.

But his expression immediately became complicated.

"Maybe we should just go."

Standing in front of this all-too-familiar house, Peter Parker's emotions were an absolute mess.

He wanted to see Aunt May, but he was also afraid of what he might find.

"Peter, we're already at the door," Gwen reminded him.

Besides, this was the only place they could create a second key.

"This was a terrible, terrible idea."

Peter turned to leave—

Only to meet Batman's disapproving gaze.

"Thank you for your concern, but I'm not receiving any fans today. Goodbye," came May's warm but firm voice from behind the door.

The moment Peter Parker heard that familiar voice, he froze in place.

The door opened, revealing May Parker, though she was clearly on guard—holding a baseball bat in her hands.

But the instant she saw Peter, her expression changed entirely.

Shock overtook her features, and the bat slipped from her grasp, clattering to the floor.

"I wasn't ready for this."

Though Peter Parker had managed to regain some composure, he still wasn't prepared to meet another version of Aunt May.

"Peter?"

May's voice was filled with astonishment at seeing another Peter Parker standing before her.

But within seconds, her eyes softened with deep affection.

"Hey, Aunt May."

Peter Parker's voice was rough and weary.

She walked up to him in disbelief, gently placing her hand over the spider emblem on his chest.

Feeling the familiar symbol, May Parker then hesitantly reached up to touch Peter's weathered face, still struggling to believe her eyes.

"I know this might sound crazy, but I'm actually from—"

Peter tried to explain that he wasn't from this world, but once again, someone beat him to it.

"Another dimension."

"That's right."

"You look exhausted, Peter."

Aunt May gently stroked the unshaven face of this older, more worn-down Peter Parker.

"Well, I am exhausted."

"You've aged a little… and filled out, too."

It was only now that May took the time to examine his broader frame.

At that, Peter shot a helpless glance at the silent, looming Bat standing nearby.

"Yeah… I've already heard that."

Then, Aunt May noticed something else—Peter's pants. Her eyes widened.

"Oh my God, are those baggy pants?"

Gwen sighed and nodded.

"Yep. Baggy pants."

Miles stepped forward hesitantly.

"I was there when Peter left. I'm really sorry."

His voice carried genuine regret as he expressed his condolences to Aunt May.

"And which dimension are you from?" she asked, curiosity in her eyes.

"Brooklyn."

At that moment, May turned and noticed Bruce towering over the others.

"Well, I never thought I'd see the day—my nephew turning into Batman in some universe."

Clearly, Batman was just as famous in this world.

"I'm from this world," Bruce replied, his normally deep and intimidating voice softening in the presence of this kindhearted woman.

"Alright then."

Miles pulled out the damaged key and held it up for May to see.

"Aunt May, is there somewhere we can remake this?"

"Just a little gadget," she said, taking the USB drive from Miles. She used the same casual tone as Peter had before.

Then, lifting her head, her expression became firm and resolute.

"Follow me."

With a determined kick, May Parker shoved open her back door and led them toward a small, unassuming storage shed in the backyard.

"Well, I do have a place like this—a little workshop for storing equipment."

But as soon as she turned the key in the old-fashioned brass lock, something surprising happened.

The lock gleamed with a Spider-Man insignia, and the wooden door—plain and ordinary just moments before—was suddenly illuminated by glowing lines, forming a giant spider symbol.

May turned her head slightly and motioned for them to follow.

(End of Chapter)

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