Spiderverse

As I regained consciousness, a profound sense of disorientation washed over me. The world around seemed to warp and distort, colours blending together in a dizzying array. An otherworldly energy crackled through the air, and before I could make sense of what was transpiring, I was engulfed in a blinding vortex of light.

When my senses finally returned, I found myself in a realm unlike any I had ever known. The atmosphere hummed with a strange, unfamiliar power, and towering skyscrapers loomed overhead like monolithic sentinels. But it was the sight of a figure before me that truly captured my attention—Spider-Man, yet not the one I had known. This Spider-Man bore a striking resemblance to the noir-inspired hero from another dimension, clad in a sleek black suit and a fedora pulled low over his eyes. 

He approached me cautiously, his sharp gaze assessing me with a mixture of curiosity and suspicion. "Who are you, and how did you come to be here?" he asked, his voice low and guarded.

I opened my mouth to respond, but the world began to spin and blur once more, and darkness consumed me before I could utter a word.

When I regained consciousness, I found myself in a dimly lit hideout, a makeshift sanctuary hidden from prying eyes. The noir-clad Spider-Man, now out of his suit and hat, was rummaging through a dusty old chest, searching for something. 

"You're awake," he said, glancing over with a soft, almost sympathetic expression. "You took quite a tumble back there. How are you feeling?"

I nodded slowly, taking in my unfamiliar surroundings. The hideout was small but cosy, with worn-out furniture and dusty shelves lined with trinkets from another era. 

"You know, you're not in your own world," Spider-Noir began, his tone grave. "This is a strange place, full of wonders and dangers. And I'm afraid the Spider-Man of this dimension is no longer with us."

My eyes widened with a mixture of fear and curiosity as I listened to his words. "Then where am I?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

"This is my temporary hideout, a place where shadows and darkness hold sway," he replied, his gaze distant. "I am Peter Benjamin Parker, the Spider-Man of a different dimension. And I must admit, I'm rather intrigued by your sudden appearance, just next to me."

I swallowed hard, my mind racing with a myriad of questions. "I... I don't have a name. I was simply called X-98," I finally managed to say, the memories of the torturous experiments at Oscorp still haunting me like a spectre.

Spider-Noir's expression softened with empathy. "X-98 is not a name befitting one such as yourself," he said gently. "How about 'Alice'? It seems fitting, given your sudden arrival in this strange new world, just like Alice in Wonderland."

"Alice..." I murmured, testing the name on my lips. I forgot that I am no longer a guy. *sigh* Why do I have to be a girl?

"And hey," Spider-Noir continued, his tone growing more serious. "I couldn't help but notice the bruises on your skin. Did something happen to you before you arrived here?"

I hesitated, unsure whether to confide in this enigmatic figure. But there was something in his demeanour that put me at ease—a sense of kinship that I couldn't quite explain.

"I... I was bitten by a spider," I whispered, my voice barely audible. "And before that, my abilities went berserk, and I didn't recover well enough."

Spider-Noir's keen eyes narrowed as he listened intently, his sharp senses picking up on the subtle signs of distress that lingered beneath my stoic facade. He had seen firsthand the toll that trauma could take on a person, and he was determined to do whatever he could to ease my burden.

As he returned with a meager supply of food, he found me eagerly grabbing at the provisions, my hunger palpable in the air. But as I hastily gulped down the sustenance, Spider-Noir's sharp eyes caught the telltale signs of choking, and he hurriedly fetched me a drink, urging me to eat more slowly.

"Easy there," he said gently, his voice a calming presence amidst the chaos. "Take your time. There's plenty to go around."

As I regained my composure and ate more slowly, Spider-Noir couldn't help but notice the miraculous speed with which my injuries seemed to heal. Bruises faded, cuts closed, and the wounds that marred my skin began to vanish before his very eyes.

"Interesting," he murmured, his voice tinged with awe. "Your ability to heal... it's unlike anything I've ever seen."

I nodded, a faint smile tugging at the corners of my lips. "It's my X-gene," I explained. "It allows me to regenerate at an accelerated rate, as long as I have enough calories."

Spider-Noir listened intently, absorbing this newfound information with a sense of wonder and fascination. But as he glanced at my torn and tattered clothing, a pang of guilt washed over him. He had brought me sustenance, but he had neglected to consider my need for comfort and dignity.

"I... I brought you some clothes," he said awkwardly, gesturing to the bundle he had retrieved earlier. "I know it's not much, but... I hope it helps."

My eyes widened with gratitude as I accepted the offered garments—a simple shirt, trousers, a hoodie, and shoes, all in shades of black and white. It wasn't much, but it was a far cry from the battered attire I had been wearing.

"Thank you," I murmured, a sense of relief washing over me.

The next morning, as I rose from my makeshift bed, I discovered that my health had completely recovered, and I felt lighter and more energised than ever. However, I soon encountered a new challenge: my hands seemed to be inexplicably sticking to the fabric of my clothes, frustrating me to no end as I struggled to free myself, only to become stuck once more.

Spider-Noir was quick to notice my predicament, his sharp eyes assessing the situation with a thoughtful expression.

"It seems like your spider abilities are awakening," he remarked, his voice calm and assured. "It can be overwhelming at first, but you'll learn to control it with time."

I listened intently as he shared his own experiences with newfound abilities, recounting tales of triumphs and challenges that had shaped him into the hero he had become.

"Think of your abilities as an extension of your body," Spider-Noir advised. "It's all about mastering control and channelling that energy in the right direction."

Under his patient guidance, I began to focus on relaxing and visualising my abilities as natural extensions of myself. Slowly but surely, I felt a newfound sense of control settling over me, allowing me to navigate through the world with growing confidence.

Spider-Noir decided to put my abilities to the test, pushing me to discover the extent of my powers. I found that I possessed enhanced strength, speed, durability, and stamina, as well as the ability to cling to walls and ceilings with ease. However, I soon realised that I lacked the organic web-shooting ability that was so integral to the Spider-Man of this world.

"What about your other abilities?" Spider-Noir inquired, his brow furrowed in thought. "Surely there must be more to your X-gene than just enhanced regeneration."

I paused, considering his words. "Well, the X-gene can only grant one primary ability," I explained. "But in my case, I seem to have a rare dual ability: regeneration and a form of phasing or something more that I don't know. And I discovered that I got an extra ability from spider ability, called camouflage."

Spider-Noir's eyes widened with fascination. "Phasing, you say? Interesting. And camouflage, Let me see if I can detect you with my spider sense."

I focused inwardly, suppressing my presence and blending into the background. To my surprise, Spider-Noir's expression shifted, his brow furrowing as he scanned the room.

"Remarkable," he murmured, his voice tinged with awe. "I can sense your presence, but it's like you're... vibrating at a different frequency. Truly remarkable."

I allowed my camouflage to fade, revealing myself once more. "I'm not entirely sure of the extent of this ability," I admitted. "But it seems to be a form of invisibility or, as you said, a cloaking mechanism."

Spider-Noir nodded, his gaze contemplative. "And what of your other abilities? Have you discovered anything else?"

I paused, considering the question carefully. "Well, I do have one more ability that I've discovered," I said, raising my hand tentatively. "I can generate a bioelectric discharge; I named it 'Venom Blast.'"

Focusing my energy, I channelled the electricity through my palm and unleashed a powerful surge, leaving a dent in the nearby wall and a trail of charred ash.

Spider-Noir's eyes widened with a mixture of surprise and admiration. "Don't tell me you even got that from the spider's bite!" he exclaimed.

I nodded, a faint smile tugging at the corners of my lips. "It would seem so. I'm still exploring the full extent of my abilities, but it's clear that the spider's venom has granted me a unique and powerful set of powers."

Spider-Noir let out a low whistle, his expression shifting to one of respect and curiosity. "Well, Alice, it would appear that you're quite an exceptional individual," he said, a hint of amusement in his voice. "I can't wait to see what other surprises you have in store."

As I stood there, the weight of my newfound abilities settling upon me, I couldn't help but feel a sense of both awe and trepidation. These powers were a double-edged sword, granting me incredible strength and resilience but also carrying the burden of responsibility and the potential for misuse.

Spider-Noir seemed to sense my internal struggle, for he placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder, his gaze conveying a silent understanding.

"Don't worry, Alice," he said, his voice firm yet gentle. "You're not alone in this. I'll be here to guide you, to help you navigate this strange new world and learn to harness your abilities for the greater good. Just have a leap of faith in yourself; it's our spider ways."

I nodded as a response. I am glad that I am safe now, but I have to become stronger quickly, as I cannot trust the Marvel universe and, moreover, the Web of Destiny.