Enter Spider-min
Winter had no idea how much of a difference a haircut could make, but after a few days, she was starting to feel like a brand-new person. Her sleek blonde bob gave her an edgier, more confident look, which only made her spider suit fit her even better. The new haircut, along with the improvements Ningning had helped her make to the suit, made her feel more like a superhero than ever.
It was late afternoon, and Winter and Ningning were perched on the rooftop of an abandoned building in downtown Seoul, the sun setting in the distance. Winter’s Spider-Min suit, now fully completed, was a perfect mix of sleek black and vibrant red, hugging her figure and moving with her like a second skin. The web shooters attached to her wrists, courtesy of Oscorp’s stolen tech, gleamed in the fading sunlight.
Ningning, standing beside her, was fiddling with a pair of binoculars as they scouted the area. She looked up from the lens and gave Winter a mischievous grin. “So, how’s it feel? Ready to be a hero?”
Winter took a deep breath, flexing her hands as she glanced at the city below. “I don’t know. I mean… I’m ready, but it’s still a lot to take in.”
Ningning slapped her on the back, nearly knocking her off balance. “You’re *totally* ready! You’ve been practicing for weeks. The city needs Spider-Min!”
Winter gave her a nervous smile. “I’m just not sure I’m… that kind of person, you know? Heroic.”
Ningning scoffed. “Oh, please. You’ve been obsessed with all this superhero stuff since we were kids. You’re perfect for it. You just need to stop being such a nerd and go for it.”
Before Winter could respond, a noise in the distance caught their attention. The sound of alarms blaring, followed by panicked screams, echoed from a few blocks away.
Ningning jumped to her feet, excitement flashing in her eyes. “Now’s your chance! We’ve got a crime scene, Spider-Min!”
Winter hesitated for a split second, her heart pounding in her chest. This was it. The moment she’d been preparing for. The moment she’d dreaded and dreamed of all at once. But with Ningning’s enthusiastic encouragement and her own sense of responsibility pushing her forward, Winter knew she couldn’t back down now.
She pulled her mask over her face, feeling the familiar rush of adrenaline as it snapped into place.
“Alright, let’s do this.”
---
The source of the chaos turned out to be a group of masked robbers, holding up a jewelry store in broad daylight. Pedestrians had already started scattering in every direction as the robbers waved their guns and shouted threats, trying to load as many valuables into their bags as they could.
Winter and Ningning crouched on a rooftop just above the store, watching the scene unfold. Winter’s senses were on high alert, her sharp eyes and ears picking up every movement, every sound below.
Ningning pulled out her phone and snapped a few pictures of the scene. “Looks like your first big test, Spider-Min. You sure you’re ready?”
Winter took a deep breath and nodded. “Yeah. I’m ready.”
“Remember,” Ningning said, her voice serious for once, “you’re not just Winter Parker anymore. You’re Spider-Min. The city needs you to step up.”
Winter smiled beneath her mask. “No pressure, right?”
Ningning gave her a playful nudge. “Just get in there, you dork.”
With a final nod, Winter leaped off the rooftop, shooting a web at a nearby building to swing herself toward the scene. The feeling of soaring through the air was exhilarating, like nothing she’d ever experienced before. Her body moved with ease, her agility and strength making every motion feel effortless.
As she swung closer to the jewelry store, Winter released her web and dropped down right in front of the robbers, landing gracefully on her feet. The group of masked men froze in shock, staring at the figure that had suddenly appeared out of nowhere.
One of the robbers raised his gun, his voice trembling. “Who the hell are you?”
Winter tilted her head, a smirk playing on her lips beneath the mask. “I’m Spider-Min. And I’m pretty sure you’re not supposed to be doing that.”
The robber hesitated, clearly unsure of how to handle the situation. He fired a shot, but Winter’s reflexes were far too fast. She dodged the bullet with ease, her body twisting in mid-air as she flipped over the man and kicked the gun out of his hand.
Chaos erupted.
The other robbers started firing wildly, but Winter was already in motion. She shot webs at two of the men, yanking their weapons away and sticking them to the wall. Another robber tried to tackle her from behind, but Winter easily flipped him over her shoulder, sending him crashing to the ground.
“Too easy,” Winter muttered to herself, her confidence growing with every move.
The fight was over in a matter of minutes. The robbers were all either webbed to the walls or knocked out cold, and Winter stood in the center of the scene, surveying her work with a satisfied grin.
Just as she was about to leave, Ningning’s voice crackled in her earpiece—her AirPod, actually.
“Spider-Min, you nailed it! That was epic! You’re like a real-life superhero now!”
Winter chuckled, still buzzing from the adrenaline. “I guess I am.”
“Wait,” Ningning interrupted, “before you leave, you gotta say something cool. You know, like those classic one-liners.”
Winter thought for a moment, then turned to the group of unconscious robbers.
“Next time, maybe try working on your aim,” she quipped before shooting a web to the rooftop and swinging away.
---
Back on the rooftop, Winter landed beside Ningning, who was practically vibrating with excitement. “That was amazing! You totally crushed it!”
Winter grinned, pulling off her mask and running a hand through her hair. “Yeah, I guess it went pretty well.”
“Pretty well? You were like a total badass!” Ningning shoved her playfully. “You’re definitely ready for the big leagues now. Spider-Min is officially on the map.”
Winter laughed, feeling a mixture of relief and excitement wash over her. For the first time since she’d gotten her powers, she felt like she was finally starting to figure things out. She wasn’t just Winter Parker anymore—she was something more. Something stronger.
“Thanks for believing in me, Ning,” Winter said, her voice sincere. “I don’t know if I could’ve done this without you.”
Ningning rolled her eyes but smiled. “Please, you would’ve been fine. But, yeah, you’re welcome.”
The two of them sat on the edge of the rooftop, watching the sun dip below the horizon, the city coming to life with lights and sounds. For the first time in a long time, Winter felt at peace. She didn’t know what the future held, but with Ningning by her side and her newfound purpose as Spider-Min, she knew she was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.