Late at night.
The wind swept past the window ledge, bringing with it a soft sound.
Gwen Stacy's eyelashes trembled slightly, and she instantly woke from her sleep.
She did not open her eyes.
Her Spider-Sense felt like a thin needle, lightly pricking the back of her head—not a lethal danger, but someone was there. Very close.
The room was very quiet. There was only the occasional sound of the night wind from outside the window and the faint, distant noise of traffic.
But Gwen Stacy knew she wasn't alone.
She slowly opened her eyes.
Moonlight shone through the gaps in the curtains, spreading a patch of silver-white across the floor. A figure stood by the window, wearing a black bodysuit, her amber eyes glowing slightly in the dark.
Silk.
Gwen Stacy's heart skipped a beat, but she didn't show anything on her face.
She didn't move, just quietly watched the uninvited guest.
Silk didn't move either.
The two of them stared at each other like this for a few seconds.
Then Silk spoke.
"You see it, don't you?"
Her voice was very soft, so soft it sounded like she was talking to herself. But in the silence of the deep night, every word clearly reached Gwen Stacy's ears.
"Even if you help them," Silk continued, "to them, you're just a freak. Just like me."
Gwen Stacy slowly sat up and leaned against the headboard.
She didn't respond.
Silk didn't care whether she responded or not.
"They need you now," she said to herself, "but when they don't, they'll drive you away like a leper. Look, their morals, their codes, are just a bad joke. They throw them out the window the moment trouble hits. Their kindness depends entirely on whether the World is treating them well."
She paused, a cold arc curling at the corner of her mouth.
"I'll let you see that when they're truly desperate, these civilized people... will kill each other. I'm not a monster; I'm just ahead of my time."
Listening to these words, Gwen Stacy's brows slowly furrowed.
Why did these words sound so familiar?
Classic lines from countless movies she had watched in her past life flashed through her mind, and then a thought popped up.
"Are you Joker?" she blurted out.
Silk was stunned.
"What?"
"You're not Joker," Gwen Stacy said, "so why are you using Joker's lines?"
Silk's expression froze for a moment.
Taking this opportunity, Gwen Stacy quietly reached for the headset on the nightstand—the one Peter Parker had made for her so they could contact each other at any time. Her fingers lightly touched the small device and pressed the power button.
A faint crackle of static came from the headset.
Peter Parker should still be sleeping, but she didn't need him to speak. She just needed him to know that she needed him.
Silk quickly regained her composure.
"You think The Hand has been wiped out?" she said, a hint of mockery in her tone.
Gwen Stacy's attention returned to her.
"I know," she said, "I've heard of Madame Gao. And Kingpin."
Silk raised an eyebrow.
"Murakami was injured and fled," she said, "but Alexandra, Sowanda, Madame Gao, The Fixer—The Hand's five leaders, you've only met one. Not to mention Kingpin."
She took a step closer, the moonlight shining on her face, making those amber eyes appear exceptionally deep.
"They won't let you go."
Gwen Stacy looked at her.
"Why are you telling me this?" she asked, "Aren't you part of The Hand?"
Silk was silent for a few seconds.
"Cindy Moon," she said, "that's my name. As for me and The Hand—we're just using each other."
Gwen Stacy silently noted the name in her heart.
Cindy Moon.
In the comics, this character was indeed another girl bitten by a spider. But in this Universe, her story was completely different.
"Then what do you want to do?" Gwen Stacy asked.
Silk did not answer directly.
She walked to the window, looking at the night scene outside, as if recalling something.
"In elementary school," she began, her voice becoming somewhat distant, "that alien spider was supposed to bite me."
Gwen Stacy was stunned.
"What?"
"It was a spider from another dimension," Silk said, "carrying special energy. If it had bitten me, I would have become—I don't even know what I would have become. But it didn't."
She turned her head and looked at Gwen Stacy.
"The teacher swatted it dead with a newspaper."
Gwen Stacy opened her mouth, not knowing what to say.
"Just because of that?" she asked, "Just because a spider didn't bite you, you just—"
"Just because of that." Silk interrupted her, her tone terrifyingly calm, "I lost the chance to become a superpowered being. I could have been someone special, but because of a newspaper, I became an ordinary person."
She paused.
"Later, I studied desperately, joined S.H.I.E.L.D., and became a spider gene researcher. I started studying arachnids, wanting to regain that chance. Later, I used an Agent's blood to artificially cultivate a mutant spider."
Gwen Stacy's pupils contracted slightly.
S.H.I.E.L.D.
S.H.I.E.L.D. actually existed in this Universe. And Silk had once been one of them.
"Later, I extracted the serum from that spider," Silk continued, her gaze falling on Gwen Stacy, "and injected it into your body."
She smiled, but there was no warmth in that smile.
"I didn't expect that you, an experimental subject, would have such outstanding spider abilities."
Gwen Stacy's hands slowly clenched.
"Later, I left S.H.I.E.L.D.," Silk said, "and formed my own organization."
She paused, and said word by word: "S.I.L.K."
The meaning of the word flashed quickly through Gwen Stacy's mind.
S.I.L.K.—Silk's own organization.
"But before that," Silk looked at her, her gaze becoming sharp, "I am going to reclaim your power."
Gwen Stacy's heart skipped a beat.
"What?"
"Since you won't listen," Silk said, "and aren't willing to join me—"
Gwen Stacy stood up from the bed.
She looked at Silk and suddenly smiled.
"You betrayed S.H.I.E.L.D. and researched spiders just to rule the World, right?" she said, "Why make yourself sound so noble?"
Silk's expression turned cold.
"Shut up," she said, "experimental subject."
Gwen Stacy did not shut up.
She turned around, opened the closet, and took out the red and blue suit.
"If we're going to fight," she said, "let's go outside. Don't wreck my room."
Silk looked at her, a flash of surprise in her eyes.
"Interesting," she said.
Gwen Stacy quickly put on the suit, zipped it up, and put on the mask.
Then she pushed open the window, and the night wind poured in, bringing a chill.
She looked back at Silk.
"Come on."
Before the words had even faded, she flicked her wrist, a web shot toward the opposite rooftop, and she leapt into the night.
Silk followed closely behind.
Two figures streaked across the night sky under the moonlight, one after the other, swinging into the distance.
Gwen Stacy landed on the rooftop, turned around, and saw Silk also land steadily on the water tower opposite.
The two stared at each other from a distance of over a dozen meters.
The night wind blew, fluttering their clothes and hair.
"You can't escape," Silk said, "my abilities are stronger than yours. I've studied spider genes for fifteen years, while you—you're just an accident."
Gwen Stacy did not answer.
She was waiting.
Waiting for an opportunity.
Silk moved.
Her speed was astonishing, faster even than Murakami. Gwen Stacy's Spider-Sense exploded, and she instinctively rolled to the side. A cold light brushed past her face—it was the sharp blade on Silk's hand, a bone spur extending from her wrist.
Gwen Stacy flipped up, flicked her wrist, and a web shot toward Silk's face. Silk tilted her head to dodge, and simultaneously kicked toward Gwen Stacy's abdomen.
Gwen Stacy couldn't dodge in time and was kicked, flying backward and slamming into the water tank on the roof. The tank dented from the impact, and the metal sheets made a jarring screech.
It hurt.
It hurt so much.
But Gwen Stacy didn't have time to cry out in pain.
Silk had already charged over again.
Gwen Stacy gritted her teeth, stood up, and met her head-on.
The two fought on the rooftop. Fists and kicks clashed, webs flew everywhere, and every strike carried lethal force. Gwen Stacy gradually fell behind—Silk was too familiar with her fighting style, as if she knew what Gwen Stacy was going to do before every move.
"I told you," Silk said while fighting, "your abilities come from my serum. I understand it better than you do."
Gwen Stacy was swatted away by her palm, rolled on the ground twice, and knelt on one knee.
She panted, looking at Silk.
She couldn't win.
She really couldn't win.
But she couldn't lose.
Just then, a red shadow flew from the night sky, spinning, carrying the sound of breaking air.
Silk turned abruptly, trying to dodge, but that shadow was too fast—
A shield.
Circular, with red, white, and blue stripes, and a white five-pointed star in the center.
Vibranium shield.
The shield flew past Silk's face, spinning, tracing a beautiful arc in the air, and then—
A hand caught it steadily.
Gwen Stacy looked up, toward the direction from which the shield had flown.
Under the moonlight, a figure descended from the sky.
A tall figure, tight muscular lines, deep brown skin. She was wearing a red, white, and blue suit—blue body, white five-pointed star, red stripes. The goggles on her helmet were flipped up, revealing a pair of deep brown eyes, her gaze firm and cold.
When she landed, her knees bent slightly to absorb the impact, and then she slowly stood straight.
The shield was held in her hand, steady, as if it had grown on her.
"Cindy Moon."
Her voice was steady and powerful, carrying the composure and majesty of someone battle-hardened.
"You are under arrest."
Gwen Stacy stood frozen in place.
Captain America.
But not the Captain America she was familiar with.
Not Steve Rogers.
Not Sam Wilson.
It was a woman. A Black woman. Deep brown skin, sharp short hair, her eyes carrying the decisiveness and calmness unique to a soldier.
Samantha Wilson.
The Captain America of this World.
Silk's expression changed.
She looked at the figure holding the shield, her pupils contracting slightly.
"Captain America," she said, "how could you—"
"S.H.I.E.L.D. has been looking for you," Samantha Wilson interrupted her, her tone calm, "Illegal research, conducting unauthorized human experiments, betraying the organization—Cindy Moon, your crimes are enough to get you sentenced for three lifetimes."
Silk stepped back, her gaze sweeping between her and Gwen Stacy.
"Just you?" she said, "You think you can catch me?"
Samantha Wilson did not answer.
She just raised the shield and struck a standard starting pose.
The movement was clean and sharp, without a hint of excess.
"You can try."
Silk gritted her teeth.
She glanced at Gwen Stacy, then at Samantha Wilson, seemingly assessing her odds of winning.
Then she turned and leapt in the other direction.
Samantha Wilson did not pursue.
She just stood in place, watching Silk disappear into the night.
Gwen Stacy propped herself up to stand, stumbled a few steps, and walked to her side.
"You... you're not chasing her?"
Samantha Wilson turned her head to look at her.
A hint of scrutiny flashed in those deep brown eyes.
"Can't catch her," she said, "she's too familiar with this area. And—"
She paused.
"My goal tonight isn't to catch her."
Gwen Stacy was stunned for a moment.
"Then what is it?"
Samantha Wilson did not answer directly.
She looked at Gwen Stacy, her gaze lingering on her for a few seconds—on the red and blue suit, on the blonde hair peeking out from the edge of the mask, on those blue-gray eyes.
"Gwen Stacy," she said, "seventeen years old, a junior at Midtown High School (American high schools are four-year systems), drummer for Mary Jane's band, daughter of Captain George Stacy."
Gwen Stacy's heart stopped for a beat.
"You—"
"Don't be nervous." Samantha Wilson's tone softened a little, "Your identity, only I know for now. As for S.H.I.E.L.D., I've temporarily suppressed it."
Gwen Stacy opened her mouth, not knowing what to say.
Samantha Wilson looked at her and suddenly gave a small smile.
The smile was faint, but it was definitely there.
"You did well," she said, "I watched your performance at the docks last night. Although you're still quite immature, your courage is commendable."
Gwen Stacy stared at her blankly.
Was she praised by Captain America?
The Captain America of this World?
"Th-thank you..."
Samantha Wilson nodded, then her expression returned to that military seriousness.
"Cindy Moon won't give up," she said, "neither will The Hand. And Kingpin certainly won't. You'll be in great danger from now on."
Gwen Stacy took a deep breath.
"I know."
Samantha Wilson looked at her, a hint of admiration flashing in her gaze.
"Are you afraid?"
Gwen Stacy thought about it.
"Yes," she admitted honestly, "but I have to do it even if I'm afraid."
Samantha Wilson nodded.
"Good."
She turned to leave, walked to the edge of the roof, and suddenly stopped.
"By the way," she looked back at Gwen Stacy, "who made your suit?"
Gwen Stacy was stunned.
"Uh... a friend."
Samantha Wilson's gaze swept over the suit, and finally, she nodded.
"Tell him he did a good job. Although the materials are still lacking, the design concept is very good."
Gwen Stacy didn't know what to say, and could only nod.
Samantha Wilson looked at her one last time.
"Next time we meet, I hope you'll be stronger."
Then she leapt, disappearing into the night.
Gwen Stacy stood in place, looking in that direction, not moving for a long time.
The night wind blew, bringing a chill.
She suddenly remembered those movies she had watched in her past life—Steve Rogers, Captain America, that little guy from Brooklyn. She was used to that face, that temperament.
Now this version—
Gwen Stacy shook her head.
Not used to it.
Really not used to it.
But had to admit, it was pretty cool.
"Gwen!"
Peter Parker's voice came from the headset, filled with anxiety and panic.
"Are you okay?! I heard those sounds—did Silk come? Did Captain America come too? Are you okay? Are you hurt? Do you need me to—"
Listening to his rapid-fire questions, Gwen Stacy suddenly smiled.
"I'm fine," she said softly, "I'm fine."
The headset was quiet for a second.
"Really?"
"Really."
Peter Parker let out a long breath.
"You scared me to death... I woke up when I heard the sounds, but I didn't dare to make a noise, afraid of disturbing you..."
A warmth welled up in Gwen Stacy's heart.
"Peter."
"Hm?"
"Thank you for always being there."
The headset was silent for a few seconds.
Then Peter Parker's voice came through, soft, with a slightly embarrassed laugh.
"It's nothing. We are—"
"childhood friends." Gwen Stacy finished his sentence and smiled.
The two laughed out loud simultaneously in the night wind.
Gwen Stacy stood on the rooftop, looking at the night view of New York in the distance.
Brightly lit, skyscrapers standing tall.
She knew that countless dangers were hidden in this night—Silk, The Hand, Kingpin, and those enemies she hadn't met yet.
But she also knew she wasn't alone.
There was Peter Parker.
There was Daredevil.
There was The Punisher.
Now, there was also Captain America.
Gwen Stacy took a deep breath, flicked her wrist, and a web shot toward the opposite rooftop.
She leapt into the night sky.
The wind whistled in her ears, and the lights flowed beneath her feet.
She suddenly remembered what Samantha Wilson had just said.
"Next time we meet, I hope you'll be stronger."
She would.
She would definitely become stronger.
Strong enough to protect everyone.
Strong enough to make those darknesses never dare to come near again.
In New York under the moon, a red and blue figure streaked across the night sky and disappeared among the buildings.