#protectanattac

[2:00 am, Wednesday, Chicago, Universe 4655]

Your hands cradled your head as you attempted to relax on your bed. It was about the time you had to convince yourself to wake up and go on patrol, which you didn’t look forward to. Some days were more challenging than others, and this week had been incredibly taxing on your body. The chaotic state of the city caused you not to have enough downtime to let your cuts and bruises heal.

Willing yourself out of bed, you made your way to your spare bedroom. The uninhabited room was often used as storage, where you would keep all your spider gear and gadgets. Your spider suit was tight. The feeling could only be described as if someone had worn a custom-made reinforced version of skims. It was hell to get in and out of, but once it was on, you loved it. 

Music was your antidote to the chilly nights in Chicago. It was the only thing that kept you distracted from the harsh breeze that ravaged your body with chills. After struggling to put on your suit, you put on your headphones and hit shuffle on your playlist. You made your way to your apartment complex’s rooftop, sitting on the edge of the building like a gargoyle.

“Day n Night… at, at, at night,” You sang the song to no one in particular as you surveyed the usual routes.

The streets of your universe’s Chicago were dark and dangerous. It was a place where criminals ruled, and law-abiding citizens were afraid to walk alone. You knew this better than anyone and were determined to do whatever it took to stop these criminals in their tracks. Luckily, your brutal methods of justice and the dark presence you carried that cast over anyone who dared to cross your path scared off everyone.

There was always a strange feeling in your chest when you crossed Alchemex Street. Memories of easier times would come back no matter how hard you attempted to block them out. You painfully missed the times when it was you and Joy together in the lab listening to music and making messes—the times when you could wake up before ten a.m. comfortably. In need of clearing your thoughts, you land on a nearby building and steal a moment to calm yourself.

A few moments later, you huffed through your mask, the cold air causing your breath to condense into a small white cloud. Skillfully, you leaped off the building and swung to another, softly landing on top of the other building. You exhale at the thought of Joy and her absence. Ever since she left, its always felt off. Granted, it would feel off for anyone to lose someone as important as she was to you, but everything felt unreal like this moment of mourning would never leave your mind.

The streets were silent. That was typical for this time of night in this area. Criminals feared you. The citizens knew when it was time to get off the streets and go home, and any citizen who wasn't home by this hour became exposed to the chance of being mentally scarred for life or, worse yet, having it taken from them.

“A silent sleeper, you won't hear a peep… peep,” You sang the song to yourself.

There was still nothing—no movement on the streets. So you decided to check everything out at ground level. You walked down the side of the building with ease, your feet hitting the ground quietly as you hopped off the building. Gently, you brushed yourself off and walked a few blocks down the street, still finding nothing. Not a soul in sight.

“Come out, don't make me chase you,” You called out into the street.

Something was up, and you could feel it. Your senses were going wild. It felt like you were trudging through a bottomless lake as you walked around. Your eyes couldn’t find something to settle on as you whipped your head around trying to identify the source of your panic. You felt your chest tighten and constrict against your pounding heart and racing lungs. To ease your nerves, you pause the music you were listening to and slide your headphones off gently, allowing them to sit around your neck.

“Where did you send us, Peter,” A strong voice roared.

Instead of striking fear into your heart, the noise did the opposite. Whatever was causing you panic had a voice, meaning you could catch it. A small smirk forms on your masked face as you run toward the voices. The closer you came to the noise, a second voice came into the argument.

As you approached the building, the name of it came into view. ‘Alchemex School for Gifted Children’ was what you read on the very front of it.

‘Of fucking course,’ you muttered in your mind.

You jumped onto the wall and began to scale up the building. You screamed when you were grabbed by something you hadn’t yet identified. It pulled you through a window, and you responded by clawing at whatever had dragged you into the building and ripped pieces out of it.

“Spider!” A man exclaimed.

“Uh-Huh... Who the fuck are you?”

You didn't wait for an answer. Instead, you lunged at the man with robotic tentacles coming out of his sides. Doctor Octavius was someone you had sworn you’d gotten rid of. Psychosis wasn't something you struggled with, and you were positive you remembered squeezing the life out of his eyes yourself.

You ripped one of the robotic arms off of him as you fought. He shouted for help, and before you had a chance to realize what was happening, another person was ripping you off of him. Another person with the same technology–they looked like twins. However, you didn’t ponder on the fact that they looked the same but instead focused on the fact that they were trying their best to beat the shit out of you.

Bang. Your back flew into a row of lockers. With a loud thud, you hit the ground, wincing and clutching your side.

“C'mon, Spider, show me what you got,” The shorter doctor teased you with a smile.

You shook off the pain and pushed yourself off the floor, webbing the shorter doctor in the face to disorient him. You then swung yourself toward him, tearing off one of his robotic arms. Sparks flew from the broken wires, and you flinched away, giving the other doctor enough time to grab and throw you toward a broken window. As you flew out the window, you shot a web. The web manages to stick onto the building.

You used the web as a makeshift rope as you climbed back up to the window. Your success was short-lived, though, as one of the twins came leaping out of the building just as you approached the window. Quick thinking was the only thing that saved you from hitting the concrete. You grappled onto the doctor, saving yourself. But as you pulled yourself toward him, he managed to grab you.

The doctor squeezed your arms at your sides, laughing maniacally as you both free-fell. You webbed the side of the building during the fall and then the doctor's tentacles. Your webs jammed them, allowing you to slip from his grasp. The doctor tumbled off the building, trying to break free from the webs, but was unable to do so. You kicked him in the back before allowing him time to catch himself, giving extra power to his fall. He hits the ground.

The only sound you could compare the splat of his body to was a car crash. The doctor's body was spread across the street, his robotic tentacles twitching and sparking from the damage they endured during the collision. Rolling your eyes, you put your headphones back on and turn on your music. You hopped off the building and stealthily landed on the ground, turning your music up some.

You carefully walked over to the short doctor and over him, making sure to avoid the bits of his remains getting on your shoes. Instead of planning some intricate ambush attack, you strolled up to the front doors of the building, kicking them open.

MIGUEL

[2:08 am, Wednesday, Chicago, Universe 4655]

“Thank you, Lyla.”

The anomaly he was hunting was supposed to be somewhere around here. Miguel scanned the area carefully, his eyes taking in all the little details in the scene. He realized he wasn't in New York but rather in another city like Chicago. There was an eerie feeling about the whole place. Usually, large cities like this would still be alive and bustling with noise, and pedestrians would be out living and having a good time. However, all he could hear was the wind wrapping around the buildings and nothing else. 

Normally when he would go on his missions, the watch's portal would be at the scene. So most times, he wouldn’t have to do much walking. But instead, he stood in the desolate city, confused. Moments like these made him wish he had a spider-sense, something that would help alert him to suspicious activity, so he wouldn’t have to have his guard so far up his ass.

The building in front of him seemed quiet from what he could see. Nothing suspicious alarmed him. He was just about to ask Lyla if she’d messed up the location, but then he read the name of the building.

‘Alchemex School for Gifted Children,’ He read in his head, confirming that he was indeed in the correct place.

He nodded to himself and waited patiently for the anomaly to come waltzing out of the building. Missions like these always felt like a fun game of cat and mouse. He was the predator waiting for his prey to move into a more vulnerable position so he could attack. A loud crash took Miguel out of his thoughts.

When he heard the crash, the only thing going through his head was “Go.”. And so he did. He broke through one of the windows and ran up the stairs towards the commotion. When he made it to the cafeteria, the fight was flying from one side of the room to another. 

Miguel watched as the short doctor pounced out the window in pursuit. His breath caught in his throat as he watched the scene, dashing to the window. He watched as the two of you tussled, the fight ending with the doctor splattered on the sidewalk. Miguel was impressed with the brutality of the kill but found himself more intrigued with the swiftness you had committed it in. But he hadn’t much time to dissect the play thanks to the other doctors' hysterical actions.

The other doctor was throwing anything he could at Miguel. He was screaming and running around like a crazy person. Miguel sliced the table flying at him in half, but then the doctor swept him up. The next thing he knew, he was flung at a concrete wall. The force of the collision caused the wall to cave in and crack, Miguel letting out a grunt in pain.

“Lyla.” Miguel instinctively went to call for Jess’s assistance.

Before she could answer, he was grabbed by another tentacle and flung into the cafeteria door. He instantly burst through the door on impact and began tumbling down a flight of stairs. The back of his head hit the wall with a quiet thud, disorienting him slightly.

By this time, you were back inside the building and walking up the stairs. Miguel came crashing down in front of you, and you looked down at him for a second before continuing into the cafeteria.

“Yes?” Lyla’s hologram body popped out of Miguel’s watch.

He watched as you confidently walked into the room, noticing the headphones sitting casually on your head. 

“Nevermind,” Miguel answered with a low grumble.

He groaned and rubbed the debris off of his suit. He turned to the side before pushing himself up and shaking his head gently, running back into the cafeteria. He was on high alert and pissed that he’s made a fool of himself in front of another Spider-Person.

When Miguel walked back into the cafeteria, he watched as you held up one of the doctor's tentacles, ready to strike him with it. The tentacle hits the doctor's face with a loud crack. He falls to his knees, blood spilling out of his mouth, along with a few molars. Miguel walked up to the scene, seeing if he could do anything to help. You watched him from the corner of your eye and then discarded the tentacle, throwing it off to the side. Pulling your headphones off your head and sitting them around your neck, the music was now blaring out of them and echoing in the cafeteria. You turn and look at him, not caring for the disabled doctor.

“What do you want,” You asked, almost annoyed that he was interrupting the fight.

Before he could answer your question, the sound of a motorcycle echoes through the building.

“Lyla,” Miguel said, not bothering to lift his wrist to meet the A.I.’s eyes or answer your question. 

“Yes,” She asked.

“Did you call for backup,” He questioned her, partly embarrassed about the interaction.

You didn’t pay him any mind, too busy bending down and checking the doctor's pulse. He was dead. Your hit's force must have caused internal bleeding in his brain.

“Oh yeah. It’s Jess,” Lyla answered and then disappeared quickly.

You stood back up and looked over at Miguel.

“Oh, God, Miguel. You know my stomach can't take looking at this shit right now.” Jess’s face came into view via the communicator on Miguel’s wrist.

You furrowed your eyebrows curiously. Miguel huffed at his complaining partner and rubbed his forehead through his mask.

“Wasn’t me,” He simply replied.

“Oh… it's quiet. Do you want me to come up there?” Jess asked.

Miguel looked down at the doctor’s mangled face and decided this wasn’t for Jess to see. He wanted to look back at you, but you were already gone, swinging through the night. He whipped his head around the room for any sign of where you could have gone, but it was too late.

“No. I'm going to send this guy home, and then I'll be down soon,” Miguel answered.

When he reached the ground level, Jess was waiting for him outside. And so were the police.

MIA RICHARDSON

[2:57 am, Wednesday, Chicago, Universe 4655]

You thoroughly washed your hair under hot water, scrubbing shampoo into your scalp. A warm shower was what you needed—some time to relax and choose to ignore the night's events instead of adequately processing them. The smell of the fruity soaps offered you a sense of relaxation as the hot water soothed the rapidly healing bruises on your body. 

While showering, you heard what sounded to be two pairs of footsteps traveling throughout your apartment building. You knew that the chances of it being a civilian were low, seeing that nobody in their right mind would ever be out this late or at night period. You could only assume the people were two weirdos that invaded your fight from earlier. Not wanting to dwell on who they may have been, you ruled them off as tourists or some crazed fans of you (mainly because of their suits). 

A quiet sigh escapes your lips when you hear a loud knock at your door. You decided to finish up your shower since it was about time you got out. Being self-disciplined, you never allowed yourself a shower session longer than 20 minutes, so you weren't all too upset about having to get out. You turned off the water and slung on a robe, securing it to your body. When you answered the door, your hair was dripping wet, along with the rest of your body.

“Sorry to disturb you. We are looking for Spider-Woman,” Miguel said, and you couldn’t help but roll your eyes.

He stood behind Jess, towering over her figure. He still wore his mask, his arms crossed over his broad chest, his whole demeanor radiating confidence. He was trying to display a sense of authority, but you were too tired to give a fuck, so to you, it had no effect. Jess stood in front of him with a small smile on her face.

You looked down at her and studied her face. She didn't seem to be a threat, and she didn’t seem nervous or outwardly trying to seem– your eyes shifted to Miguel, looking him up and down to find the right word– cool.

“Who’s asking?” You looked back at Jess.

“I'm Jess. The Spider-Woman in my universe,” She answered, and her smile grew a bit after seeing the shocked expression you had gained.

Your eyes shift back to Miguel's silent figure. The act he was trying to pull off wasn’t working. If you hadn’t seen the man fall down a flight of stairs from a level three out of ten villain, his intimidation tactics might’ve affected you. But right now, you were too tired for this shit.

“Can you not speak,” You asked him snarkily, raising an eyebrow.

“My name is Miguel O’Hara.” His voice was deep and velvety, a slight accent touching his words. Just how you expected it to sound.

You diverted your eyes from him and looked back down at Jess.

“Well, my name is Mia. Nice to meet you. And nice to meet your employee, too, I guess,” You said while maintaining eye contact with Jess.

It caused the woman to laugh a bit. She extended her hand toward you, offering a handshake. Gently, you grabbed her hand and shook it, eyes moving back onto Miguel. The three of you awkwardly stood in the doorway for another twenty seconds before you couldn’t take it anymore.

“So, what do you want,” You asked, growing impatient.

Jess nudged Miguel with her elbow gently. He looked down at her momentarily before moving in front of her.

“I have a–” Miguel started, but then you cut him off, automatically knowing his offer.

“No, sorry. I don't do teams. I’ve never seen either of you around,” your eyes squint slightly, your head tilting to the side, “did you follow me here?”

Miguel paused for a second before answering plainly, “Yes.” His hand moved to his hip, his other staying idle at his side.

Jess cringed as she witnessed the awkward conversation. She was surprised that Miguel was still somewhat composed with your current attitude. However, Jess understood where your sass came from. It was late, and judging by the looks of the city she had seen so far, this lifestyle couldn't be the most luxurious and uplifting experience.

“Alright, you have a good one,” you said, “not you, though.” You pointed at Miguel.