章 2: A New Life as Peter Parker

Mark took a deep breath, trying to calm himself as he delved deeper into the memories of Peter Parker—the young man he had consumed.

To his surprise, Peter Parker in this reality was not Spider-Man. Instead, he was an intelligent but shy student with top-notch grades, known for his love of science and dedication to his work under Dr. Curt Connors.

In this world, it wasn't Peter who had been bitten by the radioactive spider, but his childhood friend, Gwen Stacy. She had transformed into Ghost Spider, the heroic figure swinging through the city.

Peter harbored a secret crush on her, though he had never mustered the courage to tell her.

Mark rubbed his temples as the weight of this new reality settled in. The world seemed similar to the Amazing Spider-Man storyline but with notable differences. Dr. Connors had already developed the lizard serum, and human trials were the only thing pending.

Peter's memories revealed something deeper. Almost a year ago, his Uncle Ben had been killed while trying to stop a robber.

The pain of losing him lingered, pushing Peter to work tirelessly to strengthen himself. He blamed his own weakness for not being able to protect those he cared about.

This drive had led him to assist Connors, hoping the experiments could one day help him gain the strength he desperately sought.

Mark—now Peter—sighed. "Alright. I'm in one of the Marvel multiverse. Haaa... Alright... since I can't change the past, so I might as well adapt."

He flexed his hands and glanced at his reflection in a puddle nearby. The face staring back was Peter Parker's. Mark nodded to himself, determination replacing his initial panic.

"Great Sage," he asked mentally, "how does consuming Peter affect me?"

> "Answer: By consuming Peter Parker, the body and soul are absorbed to strengthen you. However, while you can maintain a human form temporarily, you cannot sustain yourself without bonding to a living host or have to consuming more humans."

Mark clenched his fists. The thought of consuming another human sickened him. "How long do I have left if I don't bond with anyone?"

> "Current estimated survival time: 12 hours, 8 minutes."

He groaned. "Alright, I need a host. The best candidate is obviously Gwen."

Resolving to find Gwen soon, Mark started walking toward the Parker residence. Gwen lived next door, and he figured he could approach her later.

....

**Peter's Home, Queens**

Standing in front of the modest house he now recognized as his own, Mark hesitated. He wasn't sure how to act as Peter Parker, but he knew he had to try.

"Peter?" a warm voice called from behind.

Mark turned to see a kind-faced woman with soft eyes. Aunt May. Her gentle presence made his tension ease slightly. She placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.

"Come on, dear, let's go inside. You've been out so late," she said, concern evident in her voice.

Mark smiled faintly. "Sorry, Aunt May. I... wasn't feeling great. Just needed some air."

Aunt May studied him closely. "Are you sure? You've been acting strange. If there's something on your mind, you know you can always talk to me."

Mark nodded, playing the role of a nervous teenager. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just a little headache, that's all."

Aunt May opened the door and the duo entered the house.

Inside, the house was cozy and welcoming. As they sat down at the kitchen table, Aunt May poured him a glass of water.

"You've been working so hard with Dr. Connors. Are you sure you're not overdoing it?" she asked.

Mark shook his head. "It's fine, Aunt May. Science is... my thing, you know? It helps keep me focused."

She gave him a soft smile but her eyes glimmered with sadness. "I know you've been carrying a lot on your shoulders since Ben..." Her voice faltered, but she quickly steadied herself. "You know, he would be proud of how hard you're working. But he'd also want you to take care of yourself."

Mark stiffened as the weight of Peter's grief filled his chest. Memories of Uncle Ben flashed in his mind—his wisdom, his kindness, and his tragic death at the hands of a robber.

Peter had been consumed with guilt ever since, dedicating himself to finding the culprit while pushing his own limits to avoid feeling helpless ever again.

Mark swallowed the lump in his throat and managed a small smile. "Yeah, I know. He always told me to take things one step at a time."

Aunt May chuckled softly, her warmth easing the tension in the air. "And you should listen to him. He was always right about those things."

Mark nodded, determined to live up to Uncle Ben's memory. He was Peter Parker now, and he had a second chance to make a difference—not just for himself, but for the people around him.

As the conversation continued, Mark resolved to embrace his role as Peter Parker. He would adapt, find a way to survive, and ensure his survival he need a host. The clock was ticking, and Gwen Stacy was his next step.

...

**Peter's Room**

After a heartfelt conversation with Aunt May, Peter retreated to his room. As he closed the door behind him, he took a deep breath and scanned the familiar surroundings.

Every inch of the room held memories—posters of scientific breakthroughs, textbooks stacked haphazardly, and a desk cluttered with research notes. It was Peter Parker's world, and now it was his.

Sitting on the bed, he pulled out Peter's phone from his pocket. Thanks to Great Sage, the phone had already been analyzed, and Mark realized he could recreate the device if needed. Still, the thought of living another person's life, with their memories and relationships, was unnerving.

He hesitated for a moment before dialing Gwen Stacy's number. His hand shook slightly as the line began to ring.

After a few moments, Gwen's voice came through, cheerful yet curious. "Hi, Peter. What's up?"

"Hey, Gwen," Peter said, his voice steadying as he continued. "I... I have something really important to talk to you about. Can we meet tomorrow morning? Around 9?"

There was a pause before Gwen replied. "Sure. Where do you want to meet?"

"My house," Peter said after a brief thought. "Aunt May has an early shift at the hospital tomorrow, so we'll have privacy."

Another silence lingered before Gwen responded softly, "Alright, Peter. See you tomorrow."

Peter ended the call and set the phone down. He was mentally and emotionally drained. As much as he wanted to bond with Gwen immediately to ensure his survival, the day's events had taken a toll on him.

He lay back on the bed, staring at the ceiling. "Tomorrow," he murmured. "I'll handle everything tomorrow."

Sleep claimed him quickly, exhaustion overtaking his mind.

.....

**Gwen's Room – Stacy Residence**

In her own room, Gwen had just returned from her nightly patrol as Ghost Spider when Peter's call came. As she ended the call, her mind raced with questions.

Peter had sounded so serious—something she wasn't used to since he'd distanced himself after Uncle Ben's death.

She leaned back against her bed, memories flooding her mind.

A year ago, the tragedy had struck their lives. Uncle Ben had died trying to stop a bank robber. She still remembered that night vividly.

At the time, Gwen had only recently gained her powers and was still adjusting to the responsibilities of being a hero. That evening, while having dinner with her father, Captain George Stacy, he received a call about the robbery.

"Stay here," he had told her, rushing out the door. But Gwen couldn't sit still. She had decided to follow him, only to get sidetracked by a nearby fire. She stopped to help, saving several lives, but by the time she reached the scene of the robbery, it was too late.

Uncle Ben lay on the street, blood pooling around him. Her father knelt beside him, holding his hand as they exchanged a few words. Gwen had been perched on a nearby rooftop, too far to hear the conversation clearly.

Later, she learned from her father that Uncle Ben had shielded him from the robber's gunfire. The shot meant for Captain Stacy had instead taken Uncle Ben's life. Before dying, Uncle Ben had asked her father to look after Peter and Aunt May.

The weight of that night had changed everything. Peter had spiraled into grief, distancing himself from everyone, including her. He threw himself into his internship with Dr. Connors at Oscorp.

Gwen had been left grappling with her own guilt. She couldn't help but feel responsible—if only she'd been faster, maybe she could've saved Uncle Ben.

Now, hearing Peter reach out to her after so long stirred a mix of hope and fear within her.

She placed her phone on the bedside table and whispered to herself, "Tomorrow, I'll tell him how I feel. I won't let this chance slip by."

Determined, she got ready for bed, though sleep didn't come easily. Her mind replayed memories of Peter, their childhood together, and the scars they both carried.

Tomorrow would be a turning point—she just hoped it would bring them closer together.

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