"It feels like the atmosphere has completely changed." In New York's Central Park, William, dressed in a suit, looked grave. "It's clearly still New York, but I can't say why—I just feel like something is off."
There were several Spider Totems in this New York. Penny was using hacking methods to locate them, while everyone else had found a relatively inconspicuous spot to wait for the results. Yet the atmosphere in the park made it impossible to relax.
"Because everything is wrong." Gwenpool clutched her head as she complained, then pointed toward a nearby road for William to see.
A crowd of ragged civilians was marching with signs held high. The placards bore all kinds of slogans, such as "We want to live" and "Kill the Mutants," as they faced off chaotically against the National Guard.
The National Guard had deployed a new type of robot, aiming live firearms at the civilians. Still, they showed some restraint, using only tear gas and water cannons.
There were no families relaxing in the park. Everyone there was the sort who loved a spectacle and feared nothing, holding up their phones to watch as though it were a circus.
Those spectators were all dressed rather well. At a glance, they were clearly from a higher social class. They seemed to have no pressing needs, and every one of them wore a smile.
"I see. I thought protests were just part of everyday life for Americans." William stated the truth with innocent sincerity, nodding as though he had reached some great realization. "But why don't they choose representatives and sit down with the people in charge for a proper meeting?"
Gwenpool's little mouth twisted to one side. She could not even be bothered to answer that question.
She wrapped an arm around Spider-Gwen beside