Gwen and George

Once I double-checked that I had everything I needed for the day in my pockets - phone, keys, and wallet - I gave my apartment one final glance to make sure everything was okay, the lights off and oven not left on. Satisfied, I stepped out and gently closed the door behind me, locking it with a smooth twist of the key. 

In the hallway, I saw the door next to mine was already left slightly ajar. An invitation inside, as Gwen and George had picked up on my habit of leaving first and waiting for them. It had become a custom for them to leave the door open so I could go inside and wait for them there instead of standing alone outside their door. We were the only two apartments on the top floor anyway, so nobody else would be taking advantage of that.

Shoving my keys into the back pocket of my jeans, I push open their door and step inside. Everything is spotless here as always, as Gwen does a lot of cleaning, being the tidy type that didn't like leaving a mess anywhere.

Speaking of her, Gwen is sitting cross-legged on the living room couch on her phone while her dad, George, is eating what looks like a pancake. 

"Morning" I greet the two, getting a simple 'yo' from Gwen and a silent wave from George before he quickly swallows a mouthful of food.

"Morning Reo, I'd offer you a pancake, but I'm afraid you were too slow today, and I'm already about to finish the last one." He chuckled, grabbing the last piece with his fork and popping it into his mouth. "Let me just put these dishes away, and we can get going. I'm in a bit of a hurry since I got a call from the station, so I'll drop you off at Oscorp and skedaddle."

George said, standing up with a grunt, grabbing the plate and sliding it into the dishwasher. He was a middle-aged man with graying hair, but an air of authority developed from his long career in the police force. Despite his strict attitude, I got along with him very well, as ever since my parent's death he kind of stepped up as an unofficial guardian and checked up on me fairly often, especially in the early days.

He even showed up to my school's parent-teacher meetings instead of my adoptive parent a few times whenever work allowed him and made sure I hadn't burned down my apartment occasionally.

According to him, he has even met my adoptive mother a few times, unlike me. I used to ask him about her, but as he gave away no info I eventually stopped with the inquiries as well.

"It's strange going to school without having to carry a heavy backpack, but I welcome it" Gwen said walking up to me as she stretched with her arms above her head after putting away her phone. 

It was strange seeing someone who I have both known personally for years yet at the same time have memories of from another life where she is but a character in comics. She had long flowing blonde hair that reaches just past her shoulders with a little headband on top and was dressed rather casually today with jeans and a light beige coat over her shirt.

"You could just leave your books at school and never have to carry them again. Then just participate in the little extreme sport that is doing your homework as the teacher is collecting it." I say, getting a narrowed gaze at me in return.

"You only succeed in that 'extreme sport' because someone always lets you copy your homework from her."

"And I'm very thankful for it."

"Thankful enough to carry that person's books for them in the future? Damn, I should have thought of this sooner." She grins.

"That would make me storing my books at school to not carry them pointless. I'll consider it, though." I say. Time to deflect the conversation. "Looks like your dad is ready, time to go?"

As I said, George was just putting on his jacket and picked up the apartment keys, ready to head out. The three of us leave their apartment and take the elevator down to the basement floor where cars are parked, getting into George's car.

"Reo you excited about this tour? Gwen has been talking about it non-stop for weeks, but I haven't heard you mention anything about it." George asked while turning on the car. He was of course in the driving seat, while both I and Gwen sat in the back.

In truth, the 'previous' me wasn't all too excited about this trip. After all, it would just be another boring tour of a place where we watch some scientists put on a show for us as they do their work, but the new me was of a different opinion.

"Of course, I'm excited. I've just been a bit more held back about it than Gwen." I say to George as the car turns on and the radio starts playing. "It may not seem like it, but even I can't help but be eager to see some of the projects they have been working on, like their robotics division or the Super Soldier Serum recreation."

Gwen nods excitedly, adding on. "And all the work they do on genetics and biological enhancements. I'm going to be interning there in the future, so really this is just me checking out my future place of employment."

Ah, yes, the bioengineering… one might say the spider there is the biggest trophy to claim if it happens to escape its enclosure today, but frankly I am more than happy to just let Peter have it. I would go as far as to say I don't want anything to do with it.

I already have a way to grow stronger with the system and dungeons as Gali had told me, and while the Spider powers would be quite a boost they also come with extreme downsides that I want to stay far away from.

The iconic Parker luck that Peter is often stuck with is nothing more than a Spider-Totem curse that comes along with the powers, and the threat of Totem-Hunters like Morlun coming from another universe to kill you is not something I want to deal with, at least not right now.

Everyone knows the saying 'With great powers comes great responsibility…' but you could easily add a second part to the saying '...and also chronic suffering, existential dread, and a target on your back.'

So feast up little spider. Peter is all yours. I have other plans in place.

"Focus on making sure you finish with good grades first, young lady." George says hearing Gwen talk about her future internship. Not like this is the first time for him, as she has been talking about this plan of hers for a long time now, and both I and George have had to listen to it time and time again. "The better grades you have, the better job you will get in Oscorp later and the more money you will… hold on a second."

George stops his lecturing, turning up the radio which had stopped playing music and instead switched to the news.

"Eye witnesses have reported another sighting of what they described as a 'white caped crusader' last night on sight of the failed break in at the Empyrium Jewelry on the west side of Manhattan. This is now the 7th time this month that this person has been spotted on or near crime scenes, putting a stop to the acts in brutal ways. Police are stum-"

George switches channels and lowers the volume with a sigh, "Looks like it's going to be another long day. You two make sure to be home before it gets dark, there have been all sorts of weirdos popping up lately and increased crime to match it."

Gwen pouts. "Is this really your job? Should this be something The Fantastic Four deals with? They put a stop to that Paste-Pot-Pete guy who shot glue and the sand guy Flint Marko just recently, might as well have them deal with this too."

Wait, Sandman is already active and clashing with The Fantastic Four? Must have missed the news on that. Looks like the guy couldn't wait for Spider-Man to come into existence in this world.

"You can't leave everything to these 'superheroes' Gwen." George explains. "The police still have a job to do, and people will lose faith in us if we leave everything to The Fantastic Four or mutants or whoever else might pop up in the future with supernatural powers."

[It's a wonder the police still have any power left in the city when there are like a hundred heroes and thrice that amount of superpowered villains running around with no care in the world in some universes. You would think at that point they would just throw in the towel.] Gali says from the top of my head. Evidently she has been along for the ride, quietly listening in the whole time.

I was about to reply to her but manage to stop myself as only I can see and hear her thanks to being connected to the system. I don't wanna look crazy to Gwen and George here by suddenly conversing with an invisible being.

"The average citizen will still feel safer knowing there are normal human police patrolling the streets only than superhumans who they can look up to. There will always be a need for police to do their job." I say, after thinking of for a while, answering to both Gali as well as to what George said.

"Well said." George nods.

Gwen shrugs. "I guess that's true but imagine being someone like The Human Torch and flying in the sky, wouldn't that be cool? Maybe I can make that happen one day with my work."

"You can think about that later." George said, pulling up to a towering building where several kids were already waiting in front. "We've arrived. Have a good day at Oscorp and don't break anything. I'll see you later at home."