Chapter 1
Peter Parker had seen some wild things in his time. A talking raccoon, an army of aliens, and even the snap of half the universe’s population evaporating into dust. However, nothing prepared him for what happened after Doctor Strange cast that final spell above the Statue of Liberty.
The air around him shimmered like a disturbed puddle, the magic swirling in strange, otherworldly patterns. As he looked back on his friends MJ and Ned, he felt a tug—sharp, sudden—and then the world as he knew it fractured.
When Peter’s senses returned, he wasn’t standing on the steps of the Statue of Liberty anymore. Instead, the gritty, ominous skyline of a city loomed before him. Towering, twisted skyscrapers rose like jagged teeth, blotting out the sun. The air was thick with smog, and a constant drizzle gave everything a wet, shadowy sheen. This was no longer New York City.
“What” Peter muttered under his breath, instinctively checking his web-shooters. They were still there, snug on his wrists. Taking out the cartridges, he noticed that his webbing was low. He would have to make more, and soon.
But this was no place for Spider-Man. He had to figure out what was going on. He swung from rooftop to rooftop, trying to get his bearings. This city was nothing like the one he knew. It was darker, more dangerous. The streets were full of chaos, and the buildings looked like they hadn't seen a coat of paint in decades. But the most unsettling thing of all was the silence. No happy tourists, no bustling crowds. Just the low hum of distant sirens and the occasional echo of footsteps in the dark alleys.
As Peter landed on a particularly grimy rooftop, he took a breath and examined his situation. He was still in his spider suit, bloodied and worse for wear. His lack of mask made him nervous, as he didn’t know the full effect of Strange's spell. Peter really didn’t want to go through yet another identity reveal.
Clothes, he needed clothes. Examining his surroundings, Peter searched for any kind of low-end thrift store, somewhere where he could get something new to wear for cheap. He knew he would have to drop down to the street to find what he was looking for but he was hesitant. His lack of mask and the constant hum of his spidey sense made him want to stay on the roof, hidden from sight.
His stomach growled, a reminder that he hadn’t eaten since he got here. The last thing he needed was to get caught in some alley by a group of thugs because he looked like a superhero who didn’t know what to do in a strange city.
But he couldn’t stay on this roof for the rest of his life. Peter sighed, dropping down and scanning the street below. There were a few people milling around, but none of them seemed to notice the kid in a Spider-Man suit casually walking through the alleys. He made his way toward an area that looked like it had a few shops—maybe something normal. Maybe some kind of store where he could sneak in, grab a hoodie, and get out without causing too much of a ruckus.
As he walked down the alley, his eyes flicked back and forth, scanning for signs of trouble. This was a weird place, and his spidey sense wouldn’t stop humming in the back of his brain.
He found his answer in the form of a small, dimly lit thrift store tucked in the corner of an alley. The sign above it read: “Lenny’s Vintage Apparel.” It looked like the kind of store that specialized in used leather jackets, mismatched socks, and things that probably shouldn’t be worn in public. But Peter didn’t have the luxury of being picky.
He pushed open the door, the bell above it jingling faintly. The store was cluttered with clothes hanging haphazardly on racks, and the faint smell of old leather and dust filled the air. A man with a thick, scruffy beard looked up from behind the counter.
"Can I help you, kid?" the man asked, eyeing Peter suspiciously.
Peter gave a sheepish grin, hoping the guy wouldn’t recognize him. "Yeah, you could say that. I, uh, need something a little... more intact."
The shopkeeper’s eyes narrowed but he didn’t comment on the suit Peter was wearing. "You got cash?"
"Uh, yeah. Yeah, I’ve got... a little bit," Peter stammered, trying to sound convincing as he reached into his pocket and found a few crumpled bills. He noticed the shopkeeper had a New Jersey accent and held back the grimace at the thought of Doctor Strange throwing him into Jersey.
The man grunted. "Good enough. The clothes you’re lookin’ for are in the back. I suggest you stick to the basics, kid. Gotham’s not exactly a place for tourists.”
Peter nodded, doing his best not to let his nerves show and bookmarking the mention of an unfamiliar place. He was getting some clothes and getting out of here. That was the plan.
As he walked to the back of the store, he noticed the walls were covered with random posters and flyers for all sorts of Gotham events—none of which seemed particularly welcoming. In the far corner, there was a rack of hoodies, shirts, and jackets that actually seemed like something he could wear. He grabbed a black hoodie with a Gotham City logo on it, tossed it on the counter, with a pair of faded jeans that were definitely too big for him, and a old pair of sneakers that would probably only last him a few weeks but were at least something.
When he returned to the front, the shopkeeper was still behind the counter, flipping through a newspaper. "That’ll be twenty bucks, kid."
Peter handed over the cash and pulled the hoodie over his head, immediately feeling the relief of being able to hide the Spider-Man suit once again.
“Thanks,” Peter said, grabbing the rest of his new clothes and starting for the door.
As he stepped out, a chill swept over him. The constant drizzle made the city feel even colder, and Gotham’s sinister, looming presence felt like it was closing in on him. He wandered deeper into the alley he was in, using its cover to fully change out of his spider suit and into his new clothes.
Finally, being able to look at the state of his suit, Peter cringed. It was definitely in need of some major repairs. As well, he wasn’t sure if his AI Karen still worked or how long it would take to fix the suit in this new place. He didn’t know where he was, or if he was even anybody here. Doctor Strange did say that the universe needed to forget who Peter Parker is. It was time for Peter to figure out the true extent of that spell.
As he walked down the street, blending in with the locals, Peter’s thoughts turned to his mission. Figure out what he can about where he is, and find a place to sleep. Also, if possible, avoid getting tangled up with the local criminals.
"How hard could it be, right?" Peter muttered to himself, already knowing the answer.
But for now, one step at a time and one hoodie closer to not being too noticeable.
It was a small victory, but in a city like this, Peter would take it.