"Parallel Universe Theory?"
Gwen's brow furrowed in confusion. Even though she was a top student with perfect grades, she had never studied high-level physics or the idea of multiple worlds.
"Think of it like this," Peter explained, keeping his voice calm. "According to science, the universe isn't just one single path. Every time a choice is made, new universes are born. This means that beyond our world, there are thousands of other worlds just like ours—but with different versions of us."
"So, these are called Parallel Universes," Peter concluded.
Gwen pointed at the news footage of the blonde Peter Parker on the giant screen. "So... you're saying that guy is you? But he's ten years older, and... he looks a bit different."
Peter gave her a helpless smile. "In a multiverse, things aren't always a perfect match. Small differences are normal."
Gwen looked back and forth between the screen and the Peter standing next to her. Finally, she let out a soft sigh. "Well, I think you look way more handsome than him."
Peter's eyes twinkled. "Can I take that as a compliment?"
"Shut up!" Gwen laughed, her face turning pink.
The lighthearted banter helped ease the tension. They were stranded in a strange world, but as long as they were together, it didn't feel so scary.
"What do we do now?" Gwen asked, her voice turning serious. "Are we stuck here forever?"
Peter looked at the giant memorial for the dead Spider-Man. He knew the story of Into the Spider-Verse well, and he knew they needed to move fast.
"Our arrival here must be linked to the death of this world's Spider-Man," Peter said. "If we want to find a way home, we need to investigate what happened to him. The truth is our ticket back."
Gwen nodded. "We should start where he died! There must be clues there."
"Good idea," Peter said, tapping his temple. "But there's a faster way. Gwen, your Spider-Sense reacted when we got sucked into the vortex. Try to focus on that feeling. See if you can 'ping' a location."
Gwen took a deep breath and closed her eyes. She focused all her energy on that strange buzzing in the back of her head. Slowly, a mental map formed in her mind, pointing toward a specific part of the city.
"I feel it!" Gwen opened her eyes. "It's coming from Brooklyn!"
"Perfect. Let's move!"
Peter wrapped his arm around Gwen's waist, and his nitrogen thrusters roared. They shot off the rooftop, streaking toward Brooklyn through the cold evening air.
Brooklyn: The Burger Shop
Brooklyn was quiet. The usual noise of the city was replaced by a heavy, sad silence. Everywhere they looked, people were wearing black armbands or Spider-Man masks in mourning.
Inside a small, local burger shop, the smell of grease and grilled meat filled the air. A man wearing a faded denim jacket and a baseball cap sat in a booth in the back corner.
He had just ordered a double cheese, double beef burger with an extra-large soda. As soon as the food arrived, he began to eat like he hadn't seen a meal in weeks.
At a nearby table, Peter and Gwen sat quietly, pretending to eat their own dinner. They kept their eyes on the man in the corner.
"Is that... really another Spider-Man?" Gwen whispered, sounding very uncertain.
"I'm sure of it," Peter whispered back. "Deep Blue hacked the street cameras outside. This guy literally popped into existence in the alley behind this shop half an hour ago."
Gwen squinted at the man. He had graying hair at his temples and deep wrinkles around his eyes. He looked at least forty-five years old. But the most shocking part was his stomach—he had a very noticeable beer belly that even his loose jacket couldn't hide.
He looked less like a superhero and more like a middle-aged man who had lost his job and given up on life.
"How can he be Spider-Man?" Gwen asked, her voice full of disbelief. "Spider-Man is supposed to be fast and fit. He has a... a belly!"
Peter chuckled quietly. "Gwen, heroes get old too. They have to eat, they get tired, and sometimes they lose their way. It's a hard life."
Then, Peter leaned in closer, a playful grin on his face. "Tell me the truth, Gwen. If I end up looking like that in twenty years, will you still like me?"
"Of course—" Gwen started to answer, then stopped herself as her face turned redder than a tomato. "I mean—no! Who said I liked you at all? You're dreaming, Parker!"
Peter just smiled, watching her flustered reaction. He knew the truth, even if she wasn't ready to say it yet. But his smile faded as he looked back at the older Peter Parker. The multiverse was beautiful, but it was also a warning of how much a hero could lose.