Unlikely G Man

"That explains why you give off a similar vibe as another spider person. Geiko must have been the project that Dr. Conner started after the death of my parents and the loss of the arachnid experiments from 8 years ago." Peter Explained. "I had heard that they were trying to synthesize an improved type of Super Soldier Serum using my parent's research into its effects on Spiders. They were using radiation and the partially known super soldier formula on Reptiles. From what I have heard at the Daily Bugle, all experiments were lost, and Norman Osborn has started to push to cut his project funding and reassign Dr Conners."

"That would make you guys Superpower cousins', born from the same radioactive research," Gwen quipped, leaning against the wall.

"I will look into this, Josh; Gwen will keep an eye on you until we figure out what to do. I gotta go; I'm late for a promised date with my fiancée. Nice to meet you, Josh. Keep an eye on him, Gwen." The screen went black, and Josh was left alone with Gwen.

"Wouldn't that make us cousins, too, since you also have spider-powers, Aka Ghost Spider," Josh questioned from the couch.

"Nope, Oscorp didn't make my spider; it was made by a government scientist in my old universe who studied alien arachnid DNA and created a genetically engineered spider from it."

"Whoa, that sounds like it was a fun experience. You know how I got here to this universe; why don't you share how you got here? Compare notes on World Hopping."

"We world hoppers do have to stay together. Scoot over, and I'll share." Gwen offered a small smile, but it didn't reach her eyes. "Another thing we share in common is that I, too, come from 2024. A warning: my hopping is more depressing than just landing in sewer water." For a moment, her tone was light, almost teasing, but Josh caught the way her hands tightened into fists and the fleeting shadow that crossed her expression. An wiff of fear and despair. Whatever she had gone through still haunted her, even as she tried to mask it with humor.

""I'd love to hear anything about you," Josh teased, flashing a dorky grin. He quickly followed up, his tone softening, "But only if you're comfortable sharing. I don't want to drag out anything painful." He gave her a warm smile, hoping to show he meant it and wouldn't push.

Gwen took a deep breath, steadying herself before she began. Sharing this story wasn't easy, but as she glanced at Josh, she saw the understanding in his eyes. He was the only person who could truly grasp what it felt like to lose an entire world. That realization gave her the strength to share. "The first time I realized my world was slipping through my fingers, it wasn't a dramatic revelation. It was quiet—the silence clinging to the air before a storm. The once-bustling streets of Manhattan were eerily empty, the distant hum of life replaced with the sound of faint whispers—a noise that seemed to creep into your bones and linger long after."

"It started with the Avengers. Iron Man stopped showing up in the skies; Captain America's Shield was cracked and bloodstained in a crumbled alleyway. Then it spread. Heroes, villains, ordinary people—it didn't matter. The vampire plague didn't discriminate. The infection turned even the strongest into hollow, monstrous versions of themselves, hungry for blood and power. Those bitten weren't just turned; they became thralls to the oldest and cruelest among the vampires, Lord Morlun."

"I still remember the day Peter—my Peter—became one of them. He'd fought so hard to resist, his webbing tangling with Morlun's minions in a desperate bid to hold the line. But even Spider-Man wasn't fast enough, wasn't strong enough. The look in his eyes when he turned—a mixture of rage and hunger—still haunts me. I never stood still for long in my universe; the memories catch up if I do."

"The city fell in weeks, and the rest of the world wasn't far behind. Small groups of survivors huddled in forgotten corners of the globe, clinging to the last vestiges of hope. That's when I met Wong. With Doctor Strange gone, Wong took up Sorcerer Supreme's mantle. He had a plan, one last desperate gamble to save those of us who were left—a portal to another dimension where we didn't exist, one where we would have less impact on the timeline. A fresh start."

"But getting there wasn't easy. Every trip to scavenge for supplies meant running the risk of detection. Every night brought the terror of wondering who'd be missing by morning. The vampires were intelligent; they learned our habits and predicted our moves. And Morlun? He was the worst of them. A shadow that loomed over us all, a predator who took delight in hunting what little remained of humanity. I knew he was watching me. Waiting."

"When Wong's portal spell was finally ready, we had no time to waste. The vampires were closing in on our sanctuary. I fought harder than I ever had before, every blow landing with the weight of grief and anger. For my Peter. For my World. For a world I'd never see again. Wong's voice echoed through the chaos, calling us to the portal. One by one, survivors leaped into the shimmering gateway, vanishing into the unknown. I was the last to go; Wong stayed behind with Reed Richards. They had made a plan to save the rest of the universe. Destroy the world, end the Vampire Plague."

"As I stepped through, I couldn't help but glance back. The vampires had breached the final barrier, their crimson eyes gleaming victorious. I saw Reed smile as he detonated the Hub before the portal collapsed. It felt like an eternity falling through Limbo when the portal closed before another appeared and spit me out here."

Gwen's eyes were vacant as she stared into nothingness, her shoulders slumping as if the weight of her memories pressed down on her. Her hands fidgeted briefly before falling still, and her lips parted slightly as though she wanted to speak but couldn't find the words. The faint quiver of her chin betrayed the storm of emotions threatening to overwhelm her, but she remained rooted in place, trapped in the moment her world ended and she fell into darkness.

"I was a mess for that first month. The world was so close to my own, yet so different. I was just another girl in this Universe; Peter said I died in his arms when he couldn't save me from a mugging gone wrong in High School. Peter would go on to ESU to date Michelle. The week before I arrived, Peter proposed to Her. When Pete and Michelle found me and heard my story, Michelle offered me her old apartment and moved in with Peter. I started my band again, the one I had lost in my previous universe, to make money, so I'm not mooching off Peter and MJ. For three months, I had been the happiest I had ever been since 2020. Reuniting my band was a huge part of it—playing music again felt like reclaiming a piece of my soul. Late-night jam sessions, the thrill of small gigs, and the shared laughter reminded me of a time before the darkness consumed my old world. Peter and MJ were another source of comfort, always checking in and treating me like family. Peter's lame jokes and MJ's no-nonsense advice made this strange, new world feel just a bit more like home. I felt like I belonged somewhere again for the first time in years. But as the lone survivor, I often wondered if I deserved to be happy when everyone else was gone or lost."

"Last night, I went swinging to clear my head and stumbled upon you passed out in the park. I instantly recognized that you were a stranger to this universe, just like me. When I found you there, you felt like my Peter Parker, and I hoped you were him. We were best friends; he always said we were bound together by fate, meant to annoy each other from birth. Maybe you were him from another universe, here to find me again."

Josh gently touched her shoulder, grounding and reminding her she wasn't alone. He hesitated as his hand rested there, wondering if the gesture might be too forward or unwanted. But seeing the slight tension in Gwen's frame ease, he felt a renewed determination to offer her comfort. She had been through so much, and he could sense the weight of her grief threatening to pull her under. He couldn't fix it, but he could remind her she didn't have to face it alone.

"I am like you, Lost in another universe, but I am not your Peter Parker, Gwen. I wish I were or that I was another survivor from your universe so you wouldn't feel so alone. I have never had something so tragic happen to me, but I have lost people I care about, and I know that those who love us want us to remember the good times and carry that light forward to share with those around us. I've only known you for a few hours, but you already have people who care about you here. I don't mind being one more of those people. Geiko can be one, too." Geiko nodded its head sagely from his perch on Josh's shoulder.

Gwen felt his easy smile and sharp wit were a rare comfort amidst the chaos that was her current emotions. For a brief moment, her guard faltered, and she let herself absorb his words. It was strange to find someone who could make her feel a sliver of normalcy in a world that had been anything but. She didn't fully trust him yet—how could she? But something about his presence, his humor, and the sincerity in his eyes made her want to believe he might actually understand. He bumped her shoulder gently, pulling her from her thoughts.

"As a fellow world hopper," Josh began, his tone light but laced with sincerity, "I must ensure we both get the happy ending we deserve no matter the Universe, especially a vampire-killing badass like you."

That brought a small smile to Gwen's face, which Josh counted as a win.

He thought it was best to end on a win.

"Peter wanted you to keep an eye on me," Josh continued, his expression softening. "And I don't have a phone, so I can tell you where I usually crash or stop by here daily. I will not be busking with Oscorp goons after me, so it's time to return to the library to learn more about this world."

Gwen nodded, her gaze lingering on him for a moment. "You can stay here," she said, surprising herself as much as him. "This isn't my place, and there is a spare room. At least for now. It's... safer."

Josh's grin widened, but he kept his response simple. "Thanks, Gwen. I'll try not to snore." Internally, though, he marveled at the significance of her offer. For someone like Gwen, who had clearly been through so much, to let her guard down and trust him, even a little, felt monumental. He resolved not to take her kindness for granted and to prove that her faith in him wasn't misplaced. Despite the chaos and uncertainty, it felt like he was finally stepping toward finding his place in this strange new world.

She shook her head, a soft laugh escaping her lips despite everything. For the first time in a long while, the weight on her chest felt just a little lighter. They both had unknown futures, and her past haunted her, but they could find a way forward together.

"Did you see a gym bag near me when you found me?" Josh asked, standing up.

"Am I taller? Gwen, can I use your bathroom?"

"Sure, It's the door to the right."

Josh hurried to the bathroom mirror, his heart pounding in anticipation. He could feel a mix of excitement and trepidation bubbling in his chest. What if the changes were too extreme? What if he looked... different? Each step felt heavier than the last, his mind racing with possibilities until he finally stood before the mirror, bracing himself for what he might see.

[HOLY SHIT, I GOT THE STEVE ROGERS TREATMENT. Goodbye, scrawny average Josh, hello superhero bod.] Josh lifted his shirt to show an 8-pack [I'm probably what 6'3" and 255 pounds of pure muscle now. ] He then looked in his pants [ Wow, complete body upgrade]