Spider-Gwen

An underground chamber.

Kingpin turned to exchange a look with his personal bodyguard, Tombstone. A Black man with albinism, Tombstone was one of New York's most notorious underworld enforcers. His bulletproof body was powerfully built, yet beside Kingpin, he looked like a child who had yet to finish growing.

Tombstone shrugged without a word, indicating that he had noticed nothing unusual.

Kingpin turned back and gave Doctor Octopus his answer. "No."

"Uh, then perhaps I imagined it? Let's continue... gentlemen, where was I?"

Having obtained the information he wanted, Josen left a large-denomination bill beneath his coffee cup, then got up and left.

It was time to meet up with Peter, that poor sucker...

Leaving the café, Josen was about to find somewhere to take flight when he suddenly stopped.

Overhead, a white figure swung past at high speed on a strand of webbing.

Hmm?

The telltale signs of a spider-themed Hero were unmistakable. An ordinary person might not have registered them in time, but Josen's powerful psychic power let him see everything clearly.

Was this person here to investigate Fisk Tower too?

Josen's interest was immediately piqued. He changed direction and disappeared into a shadowy alley.

A female Spider-Man in black and white crouched on a red fire pipe. Her two-tone bodysuit traced the budding curves of her teenage figure, and the eyes on her mask narrowed slightly as she studied Fisk Tower before her.

She was Gwen Stacy, also known as Ghost-Spider, the only Spider-Man of Marvel's Earth-65. She had arrived in this unfamiliar New York a week earlier. As news of Spider-Man's death spread, she finally understood why she had come to this world.

Even before that, Gwen Stacy had begun investigating.

Guided by the intuition of her Spider-Sense, she had found this Spider-Man's successor at Visions Academy. Unfortunately, the kid was still a rookie who could not even control his powers.

So Gwen Stacy had changed tack and soon uncovered a possible mastermind: Kingpin.

"This building is too big a target. Getting inside won't be easy," Gwen Stacy muttered as she stood up. "But Alchemax in the Hudson Valley belongs to Kingpin too. Looks like I'll have to pay it a visit sometime. Before that, though..."

Whoosh-

Ghost-Spider vanished from her perch, swept across the deserted alley, and spun into a kick aimed at the darkness!

Smack!

The person in the shadows easily blocked her fierce kick. Gwen Stacy twisted in midair and lashed out with her other leg!

Smack!

This time, her green ballet shoe was caught in a single hand.

Gwen Stacy: *!!*

She had held back, but that kick should still have sent an ordinary burly man flying.

Who was this guy?

They remained at a standstill for a second before the newcomer released her. Freed, Gwen Stacy planted one hand on the ground and sprang into the air with a nimble, dance-like backflip, landing on a vertical red brick wall.

"This might sound a little rude, but I still have to ask," Josen said, emerging from the darkness. "Why do you people always like standing on walls?"

Gwen Stacy did not answer. Her gaze remained wary. "Are you one of Kingpin's men?"

"That bald guy? He's not qualified to order me around."

Under Gwen Stacy's astonished gaze, Josen floated up to her eye level. "Josen. I know another Peter Parker-not this world's Spider-Man. Like me, he only just arrived in this world."

"You mean... wow!"

Their powerful Spider-Senses collided. Gwen Stacy frowned and waited for the stabbing sensation at the back of her head to subside before exclaiming in surprise.

"You're just like me!" they both said.

"Actually, you're not the first person with Spider-Sense I've met. But that guy... never mind, let's leave him aside for now." Recovering her composure, Gwen Stacy pulled off her hood and mask, revealing blond hair and a teenage girl's face. "I'm investigating the real cause of this world's Spider-Man's death. My instincts told me coming here would bring me closer to the answer. Looks like I was right."

"At least you don't have to fight alone anymore, right?" Josen extended a fist toward Gwen Stacy. "Now there are three of us."

"All right, you've convinced me." After a brief moment of thought, Gwen Stacy reached out and bumped his fist. "Gwen Stacy. I'm in."

As their hands met, a purple Fantasy Card materialized out of thin air. Josen deftly caught it with his psychic power.

[Fantasy Card: Spider Agility]

[Card type: Ability Card]

[Rarity: SR]

[Description: Spider psychic powers. Agility like that of an apex predator.]

[Effect 1: Super agility]

[Superhuman agility and speed, allowing the user to easily dodge or catch bullets.]

[Effect 2: Silent movement]

[Produces almost no sound while sneaking, reducing the likelihood of exposure.]

Having successfully collected his third spider psychic power, Josen silently thanked nature for its bounty.

Once I meet the remaining Spider-Men, I might actually be able to officially become Z City's friendly neighborhood Spider-Man.

"Oh, right. I have a question."

"Hmm?"

"Your hairstyle... how should I put it? It's pretty distinctive. Is it punk?"

"..."

Gwen Stacy's face fell. Why did he have to bring up that sore spot?

Glancing at Josen, she asked, "Where's your suit? Do you usually go out doing Hero work dressed like that?"

"We don't have any strict rules about that where I'm from. As for my suit, though, you'll get a chance to see it."

Central Park, Manhattan.

"Hey, Josen! We need to get something straight!" Peter clenched his fists and trembled with indignation for a moment before relaxing them. "If you leave me working off the bill at a burger joint again, this team-up is over... whoa, whoa, whoa! Hold on, who's she?"

Peter's first reaction upon seeing the blond girl following Josen was surprise.

Then he noticed that she was not wearing some trendy designer outfit, but a familiar spider suit!

The stabbing sensation of his Spider-Sense followed immediately, confirming the girl's identity.

"You're one too..." they both said.

Rubbing the aching back of her head, Gwen Stacy sighed.

Including Miles Morales from Visions Academy, this was already the third person with spider psychic powers she had encountered.

She might have been surprised at first, but now...

She could only say she was getting used to it.

"Okay, one last introduction. Gwen Stacy. And for the record, I'm the only Spider-Man in my world."

Peter spread his hands. "So am I!"

Josen said, "You two go ahead and chat."

Delighted to meet a new companion, Peter eagerly launched into conversation. "Right, your name's Gwen? I know a Gwen too. She was a classmate of mine in high school. I mean, she was in the class next door, but we had quite a few lessons together. Honestly, she's nothing like you... sorry, I got sidetracked. Guys, what I meant was, my name's Peter Parker. Nice to meet you!"