May pulled off her mask, sipping her soda. "I was 15 when I found his suit and diary, learning everything. Then Oscorp came knocking, so I put on the suit."
James noticed her fingers unconsciously tracing her wrist's web-shooter, clearly an upgraded model. "You modified the gear."
"Of course!" May's eyes lit up. "Dad's web formula was basic. I added nano-adhesive tech and an EMP mode."
Her enthusiasm made James smile. She had a scientist's focus and a teenager's energy—perfect for her universe's Spider-Girl.
"What about you?" May leaned closer. "What's your world like? How do you—"
An explosion cut her off!
Blocks away, a building spewed smoke. "Damn!" May donned her mask. "Kingpin's remnant bikers! They're stirring trouble!"
James pressed her shoulder. "I'll handle it. Stay here."
"No way!" May shot a web, swinging off. "I'm Spider-Girl!"
At the scene, a dozen modified bikes roared through the streets. Their leader, sporting a rhino helmet, blasted police cars with an energy cannon.
"Old rules?" May perched on a streetlamp.
James raised a brow. "Old rules?"
"Who takes out more!" She swung out, landing a flying kick to Rhino's head.
James chuckled. Why not? A relaxed fight could be fun.
He flashed forward, appearing before the bikers. The lead rider didn't react before James lifted him and his bike skyward.
"Borrowing this."
James tossed the fainted rider aside, drifting the bike to sweep five others down.
May swung between buildings, webbing weapons. "You ride bikes too?"
"Somewhat." James steered one-handed, catching a thrown pipe and hurling it to topple the last bike.
The fight ended in 30 seconds—James's easiest yet, since he held back. As sirens approached, they sat on a rooftop, watching police swarm below.
May dangled her legs. "So, what are your powers? Can you teach me?"
"Custom-made." James finished his soda. "But your suit could use upgrades."
May perked up. "Suggestions?"
James's fingertip glowed gold, sketching complex diagrams in the air. "Special nanotech to enhance your dad's web system."
May stared, entranced, then asked, "Where to next? Is this universe done?"
James gazed at the stars. "Dunno. Waiting."
"I'm coming with!" May jumped up. "We can team up! I know every corner of New York."
She paused, eyes gleaming. "Since this universe's Spider-Man is gone and Kingpin's dead, why not make a new one?"
James raised a brow. "Make a Spider-Man?"
"Yeah!" May bounced excitedly. "Kingpin's collider is busted, but his database might have records of spider-bite victims or spider genes we could replicate."
James laughed at her scheming eyes. "You're full of ideas."
May grinned confidently. "I inherited Dad's research talent!"
James sipped his soda. "Got a candidate?"
May smirked. "Midtown High's where Peter Parkers are born. There's gotta be someone there."
She paused, grinning slyly. "We just need a kid with the perfect tragic-hero backstory."
James chuckled. "You're picky."
May winked. "So, we doing this?"
"No rush." James tossed his can. "Making a Spider-Man's a big deal. We observe first, see if they're worthy."
May sat on the rooftop. "What now?"
James looked at the city, night breeze blowing. "Stroll. I haven't seen this universe's New York properly."
May's eyes lit up. "Awesome! There's a great pizza place in Queens, Brooklyn's graffiti street, Times Square's neon—"
James cut her off. "You always talk this much?"
May grinned, masking up. "Inherited."
James laughed. "How old are you, kid?"
"18."
May crossed her arms, eyeing him with a knowing smirk. "Asking my age? Got a crush?"
James: "???"
May laughed, thinking she'd won. They chatted as sirens and fire trucks echoed. Their corner stayed quiet, the night breeze gentle.
May dangled her legs, holding a cola "borrowed" from a vending machine. "So," she glanced at James, "we're temporary partners now?"
James scanned the unfamiliar New York. Neon reflected on wet streets, a saxophonist's tune faintly audible. So similar to his universe, yet subtly different.
"For now," he said, popping her cola open telekinetically.
May beamed. "Awesome! Never teamed with a Superman!"
James chuckled. She reminded him of Kara—if Kara was a chatterbox.
"Let's explore." He stood. "Lead."
May cheered, flipping backward, webbing a building. "Keep up, newbie!"
For hours, New York's night became their playground. May led James through skyscrapers, past Times Square's flashing billboards, swinging on Central Park trees, even sneaking into the closed Natural History Museum.
"Look! Where my dad got bitten!" May pointed at a spider exhibit, then slumped. "Oh, right, not this universe."
James eyed the fuzzy arachnids thoughtfully. "So, your plan's to find some poor kid to get bitten?"
"No way!" May protested. "Strict screening! Character, fitness, psyche!"
Her voice trailed off. "Okay, I haven't thought that far."
Dawn's light touched the skyline. They stopped atop the Brooklyn Bridge.
May slumped on a cable, mask off, blonde hair sweat-stuck to her forehead. "Tired?" James teased.
"Nope!" May straightened, then sagged. "Okay, a bit. You never get tired?"
James didn't answer, his gaze on a nondescript apartment building. His super vision pierced walls, spotting an Asian teen studying late, a Midtown Tech ID on his desk.
"What about him?" James pointed.
May squinted. "Russell? Straight-A's, basketball team, firefighter dad." She checked her wrist computer. "Stopped a bullying incident last week? Potential!"
"No rush," James said. "Observe a few days."
May grinned slyly. "So this is your style? Secret guardian angel?"
In the morning light, the first sunray pierced the clouds.
James turned to the waking city. "Where to today?"
May swung up, cheering. "Chinatown dim sum! The shrimp dumplings are—"
"Whoa!" Her words cut off as James grabbed her collar, soaring. "Point the way."
Their figures streaked across the dawn sky.
In a bedroom, Russell opened his window, rubbing his eyes. He swore something flew by, but the sky was empty.
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