chapter sixteen:
❛ spiderwomen & mysterio? ❜

PLEASE DONT BE A GHOST READER!!!!
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the reason i always say "please don't be a ghost reader" this isnt just because i want votes, i mean i do, but ive been writing on this app for 3 almost 4 years and it helps me stay motivated because that means people are reading my stuff. and unlike other people, they have so many views on their books and i know my writing isnt the best but i love to write and it just helps me stay motivated. and i know i unpublish and republish my chapters and i get thats really annoying

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gwen paced the plush carpet of her hotel room, the soft glow of the lamp casting a warm light across the space. she held her phone to her ear, her voice a mixture of frustration and amusement. "max, seriously, how can you be scolding me right now?" she said, exasperated as she flopped onto the edge of the king-sized bed, her mind racing with thoughts of her recent adventures.

"you didn't fight that sea monster, gwen!" max's voice came through, filled with disbelief. "you had some other guy fight your battles for you? who even is that guy?"

gwen sighed, tugging at the ends of her hair. "i have no idea! it was so weird. i could've handled it, but peter was struggling, so i had to step in. it was the right call at the moment."

"oh, it's the right call, huh?" max replied with a sarcastic tone, his laughter echoing through the phone. "that was peter in the joker mask, wasn't it?"

gwen's eyes widened as she leaned back on her hands. "wait, are you serious? the guy who almost got eaten by a sea monster was wearing a joker mask?"

"yep! and he looked ridiculous! but come on, gwen, you can't let someone else take the lead when you're spider-woman. you need to step up your game!"

just then, gwen heard muffled arguing in the background. curiosity sparked in her eyes. "what's going on back there? sounds chaotic."

"oh, it's just melina," max replied, his voice muffled as he turned away from the phone. "she's-"

"gwen! gwen!" melina's voice burst through, energetic and excited. "did you see spider-woman in italy?! did you meet her?!"

gwen couldn't help but chuckle at melina's exuberance. "i didn't meet her, melina, but I saw her! she was amazing, flipping through the air like she owned the place!"

"i can't believe it! if you meet her, can you get her to make a video for me? i wanna show it off at school!" melina pleaded, her voice bubbling with excitement.

"sure! i'll do my best," gwen promised, feeling her heart warm at melina's enthusiasm. she loved how passionate her friends were about her adventures.

then, she heard the phone rustle again, and max's voice returned, sounding more serious. "i don't think she heard me talk about you being- you know who."

gwen waved her hand dismissively, feeling a little embarrassed. "it's all good, max. we'll talk later, kay?" she said, eager to keep the mood light.

"yeah, later," max replied, and she hung up the phone, shaking her head with a smile.

standing up, gwen stretched her arms overhead, feeling the tension release from her shoulders. she took a moment to look around her hotel room, taking in the minimalist decor and the way the light danced on the walls. the excitement of the day was still buzzing in her veins as she grabbed her jacket and headed downstairs.

as she reached the bottom of the grand staircase, she noticed a small crowd gathered in the lobby, all eyes glued to the large television mounted on the wall. the soft hum of murmurs filled the air, creating a buzz of anticipation. gwen's heart quickened with curiosity as she approached the group, trying to catch a glimpse of what had captured their attention.

the news anchor's voice cut through the chatter, urgent and compelling. "breaking news: a new hero has emerged in the battle against crime in new york. and we have exclusive footage of spider-woman in action, and she's making waves across the city!"

gwen's breath hitched as she watched the footage on the screen. her heart raced as she saw herself swinging gracefully through the city, her silhouette striking against the skyline. the images flashed by: her saving civilians from a collapsing building, her fluid movements as she battled a menacing villain, the vibrant colors of her suit contrasting against the chaos around her.

the crowd gasped and murmured in awe, their eyes wide with excitement. "wow, did you see that? she's incredible!" a woman exclaimed, nudging her friend.

gwen felt a surge of pride as the praise washed over her. she was part of something bigger now, and it was exhilarating. she glanced around at the people in the lobby, their expressions a mixture of admiration and disbelief. for a moment, she felt like a true hero, the weight of the world on her shoulders yet feeling invincible all at once.

as the report continued, she couldn't help but smile at the excitement rippling through the crowd. she could hear snippets of conversation, people discussing her abilities, the way she had fought against overwhelming odds. it was surreal to hear their admiration and to see herself on the screen.

"there she is! that's her!" a teenager shouted, pointing at the screen as gwen swung past a familiar building. the crowd erupted in cheers, and gwen felt a flush of warmth on her cheeks.

in that moment, surrounded by awe and admiration, gwen realized that this was what it meant to be a hero-not just the battles fought, but the inspiration shared. she stood taller, her heart swelling with determination to continue fighting for what was right. as the report ended and the crowd began to disperse, gwen felt a sense of belonging and purpose, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

a video of the mysterious guy who had stopped the sea monster was playing, and she felt a flicker of annoyance stir within her. "who is that guy?" betty asked, her brows knitted together in confusion.

gwen leaned against the wall, arms crossed, a huff escaping her lips. "he stole spider-woman's thunder, that's for sure," she muttered, her jealousy bubbling just beneath the surface.

peter walked in at that moment, a knowing chuckle escaping him. "don't feel bad, gwen," he whispered, shooting her a playful wink.

gwen rolled her eyes at him, a smirk creeping onto her face despite the frustration she felt. she playfully shoved him, the familiar banter easing her annoyance.

mj, sitting on the stairs with a contemplative expression, watched their interaction closely. her eyebrows furrowed as she noted gwen's annoyance at the mysterious superhero. an amused smile formed on mj's lips as she recalled how gwen had reacted a year ago when peter had been acting similarly strange. wait-was gwen actually spider-woman?

"he's like iron man and thor rolled into one," brad exclaimed, arms crossed and eyes wide with awe as he stared at the screen.

"he's all right. he's no spider-man or spider-woman," flash scoffed, his tone dismissive, as if he were an authority on the matter.

peter and gwen shared a knowing glance, smirking at flash's misguided enthusiasm.

"what is it with you and spider-man?" mj retorted, her voice teasing. flash shot her a disbelieving look, and gwen glared at her former best friend, feeling the irritation rise again.

"what? they're just awesome, okay? they're like a power duo! they both protect the neighborhood and they're both inspiring. plus, I want a date with spider-woman," flash declared, his expression lighting up with excitement.

gwen's eyes widened in disbelief, and she felt the corners of her mouth twitch into a smirk. she shot a pointed glare at peter, who was laughing uncontrollably.

"what's up, dickwad? thought you drowned," flash mocked, noticing peter's amusement.

gwen rolled her eyes at flash, exasperated. "can you just shut up, please?" she snapped, her patience wearing thin.

"what, you gonna protect your little boyfriend? I'm afraid of you," flash continued, his smirk infuriating gwen further.

"don't fuck with me, flash. I know spider-woman. if you want that date with her, then shut the fuck up," gwen retorted, her voice steady and full of authority.

flash faltered, his bravado waning for a moment. "yeah, right. as if," he scoffed, trying to save face.

"my soon-to-be step-dad used to work for tony stark. don't fuck with me," gwen gritted out, her tone leaving no room for argument.

peter's eyes widened at her revelation, and flash simply rolled his eyes, clearly unimpressed. "whatever," he mumbled, trying to brush off the encounter.

gwen couldn't help but smile sarcastically at him, feeling a rush of triumph. the news anchor began to speak about the mysterious superhero again, pulling everyone's attention back to the screen.

"sounds like his name is mysterio," brad piped up.

"l'uomo del mistero is italian for 'man of mystery.' they don't actually know who he is," mj clarified, her interest clearly piqued by the unfolding drama.

"mysterio," gwen mumbled to herself, testing the name on her tongue. "cool name," she added, only half-listening as ned and betty chimed in unison, sharing a look of wide-eyed awe.

"aw, babe," they said, and gwen couldn't help but laugh at their sweetness, the light atmosphere lifting her spirits a bit.

peter took a step closer, his expression shifting to something more serious as he looked at gwen. "so, gwen..." he trailed off, his voice hesitant.

"so, peter?" she mimicked, raising an eyebrow and crossing her arms with playful defiance.

he hesitated, searching for the right words. "i was, uh, wondering... what you're doing tomorrow... you know, when we go to paris. you gonna go to the eiffel tower?"

"rambling," gwen teased, a playful glint in her eyes.

"noted..." he trailed off, his nervousness palpable.

"are you trying to ask me out on a date, peter?" she asked, an amused eyebrow raised.

"i, uh, well-" he stammered, clearly caught off guard by her directness.

gwen cut him off, a teasing wink lighting up her face. "see you in the morning, peter." she patted his shoulder, leaving him in a daze of confusion as she walked away, a satisfied smile on her lips.

the moment felt electric, and gwen reveled in the thrill of uncertainty that hung in the air. as she stepped away, the bustling noise of the lobby faded into a background hum. with the buzz of mysterio still swirling in her mind and the potential of tomorrow looming ahead, gwen felt invigorated. it was shaping up to be a wild adventure, and she couldn't wait to see where it would lead.

Gwen sat on the edge of her bed in the cramped hotel room she shared with MJ, a space filled with the faint sounds of the city outside. The dim lighting cast a warm glow on the walls, but it felt anything but comfortable. The tension between them hung thick in the air since their falling out, making the atmosphere almost unbearable. Gwen picked at the frayed hem of her shirt, anxiety knotting in her stomach as she waited for MJ to come in.

When the door creaked open, MJ stepped inside, her expression a mix of curiosity and suspicion. "Hey, Gwen," she said, leaning against the doorframe with her arms crossed, a posture that radiated both confidence and challenge.

"Uh, hey," Gwen replied, her voice barely above a whisper. She felt the weight of MJ's gaze, probing and critical, making her heart race.

MJ narrowed her eyes, clearly ready to confront her. "I have to know-how do you know Spider-Woman?"

Gwen's pulse quickened, the familiar rush of anxiety settling in. "I-I told you, my dad used to work for Tony Stark before he died," she stammered, the lie spilling out in a nervous rush.

MJ raised an eyebrow, her skepticism palpable. "Yeah, but that doesn't explain how you know Spider-Woman. She's not even part of the Avengers yet. Are you sure you're not just making this up?"

Gwen felt her face flush with embarrassment. She had to think quickly. "Well, it's complicated. I mean, we've had some run-ins. I've helped her out a few times when things got rough," she replied, trying to inject as much confidence into her voice as possible.

MJ pushed off the doorframe, stepping closer. "Come on, Gwen. You expect me to believe that? It sounds like you're just trying to ride the coattails of someone famous."

Gwen's heart sank as she struggled to keep her composure. "Why do you have to make everything a competition?" she shot back, her frustration boiling over. "It's like you're trying to undermine everything I say."

MJ smirked, folding her arms tighter across her chest. "Maybe because I know you, and this sounds ridiculous. You always wanted to be the cool one, and now you're acting like you're some sort of superhero insider."

Gwen clenched her fists at her sides, feeling a mixture of anger and hurt. "Wow, MJ. Seems like you're trying to be like me now, huh? Always trying to outdo me. Maybe that's why you're so obsessed with questioning everything I say," she snapped, taking a step back as the words left her mouth, more venomous than she intended.

MJ's expression shifted, surprise flickering across her face. "I'm not trying to outdo you, Gwen. I just don't get why you're acting so sketchy about it. You could at least be honest."

"Honest? You think I'm not being honest?" Gwen replied, her voice rising. "I'm sharing something important to me, and you're treating it like a joke!"

MJ shrugged, her casual demeanor irritating Gwen even more. "If it's so important, why don't you have proof? You never bring it up until it's convenient for you."

Gwen felt her frustration boiling over. "Because I don't want to prove myself to you! I don't need your validation, MJ!" she shouted, the words spilling out before she could rein them in.

"Fine! If you don't need my validation, then why do you care what I think?" MJ shot back, her voice equally heated. "Maybe you're just scared that I'll find out the truth about who you really are."

"Maybe I'm scared you're going to keep digging until you find a reason to tear me down!" Gwen retorted, her chest rising and falling rapidly as she tried to steady her emotions.

The air felt charged between them, a palpable energy thick with unspoken history and unresolved tension. Gwen took a deep breath, trying to cool her anger before she said something she would regret. "You know what? I can't deal with this right now," she finally said, her tone cold. Without waiting for a reply, she stormed out of the hotel room, slamming the door behind her.

As she walked down the dimly lit hallway, Gwen couldn't shake the adrenaline from their argument. MJ always had a way of getting under her skin, and now that their friendship had taken a turn, it felt like every interaction was fraught with tension. She needed to warn Peter that MJ might be onto her, and the thought filled her with urgency.

Reaching Peter's room, she knocked rapidly, her heart pounding in her chest. When there was no immediate response, she pushed the door open and stepped inside, greeted by the familiar scent of pizza and the sound of a TV playing in the background. The room was dimly lit, a cozy mess of clothes and gadgets scattered around.

But as she stepped further in, a prickling sensation shot down her spine-her Spider-Sense was flaring. She barely had time to react when a dart whizzed past her, embedding itself in the wall with a soft thud. Instinct kicked in, and she shot a web at the dart, pinning it against the wall.

"Peter!" she shouted, adrenaline flooding her system as she scanned the room. Her heart sank when she saw Ned slumped unconscious on the bed, his face pale and still.

In the corner stood Nick Fury, an imposing figure with a dart gun in his hand, a smirk plastered across his face. "So, you're Spider-Woman?" he said, amusement dancing in his eyes.

Gwen shot a frantic glance at Peter, desperate for clarity. "What's going on? What did you get yourself into?" she demanded, her voice edged with fear and anger.

Peter stepped forward, hands raised in a placating gesture. "He's trying to recruit me to help him with some secret project," he explained, but there was a hint of uncertainty in his voice.

"Secret project? What kind of project?" Gwen pressed, her mind racing with concerns.

Nick Fury stepped closer, his gaze sharp and assessing. "You can come too," he said, directing his attention to Gwen, a challenging glint in his eyes.

Gwen exchanged a wary glance with Peter, her stomach twisting with unease. She had a million questions racing through her mind. "What do you mean I can come too? What is this all about?" she asked, feeling the weight of the unknown pressing down on her.

Peter shrugged, a hint of relief flickering in his eyes. "We'll figure it out together," he said, an unspoken promise hanging in the air between them.

Gwen took a deep breath, determination hardening her resolve. "Okay, but I need to know everything before I agree to anything," she said firmly, her gaze locked on Fury.

Nick Fury regarded her with a steely expression, as if weighing her words. "You'll find out soon enough. Trust me, you'll want in," he replied, his tone serious.

With the tension of the argument with MJ still buzzing in her mind and the threat of the unknown looming large, Gwen felt a mix of excitement and dread as she prepared to step into whatever chaos was about to unfold. Together with Peter, she would navigate the challenges ahead, but first, she needed to confront the tangled mess of her past with MJ.

ASH SPEAKS!

and gwens about to meet, ew, mysterio and her and peter get manipulated by him🤧

so i have decided that gwens gonna be in doomsday! doctor doom may or may not be her arch enemy...

PLEASE DONT BE A GHOST READER!!!!
COMMENT AND VOTE! IT HELPS US WRITERS STAY MOTIVATED:)