The Protege

In the early hours of the morning, the medical staff of the Spider Society successfully stabilized you after countless hours of nonstop efforts. One of the spider doctors meticulously sewed up the deeper gashes on your body, ensuring proper healing. Lyla materialized in the room, ready to gather as much information as possible. As Lyla assessed your condition, she glanced at your limp form. Even as an AI, she was still shocked by your resemblance to Gabriella. She had known her; she had silently witnessed Gabriella's life. The possibility of you being an alternate version of her filled Lyla with excitement and hope for the future that awaited Miguel. At the same time, Miguel stood focused in his lab, diligently searching for a match to your face on his multiversal facial database. His eyes darted across the screen as Lyla's hologram projection materialized beside him. With exhausted eyes, he glanced at her, breaking his concentration.

“Lyla, what’s the report? How is she doing ?” He asked, concern filling his voice.

“Med bay reports that she has been successfully stabilized ....but I’m afraid that it will be a while before she fully wakes up. Her mind is still healing from Carnage's hold,” Lyla responded concerned while looking at Miguel's exhausted features.

"Miguel, I understand your determination to find answers, but I'm genuinely concerned about your well-being. Ita been a full day and you haven't left the lab and have canceled all your afternoon meetings. This investigation is taking a toll on your body due to lack of rest. As your assistant, I strongly advise you to take care of yourself before continuing," Lyla advised, her voice filled with genuine care.

Miguel sighed frustrated, his gaze shifting from the screens to Lyla. The situation was taking its toll on him, but he couldn't bear the thought of leaving any stone unturned.

"I can't just stop, Lyla. There's something about her. What if she truly is another version of Gabriella... I need to find out who she is, for both her sake and mine," he said, determination still evident.

"I know I can't force you to stop, but please try to take care, Miguel. At least do it for her, alright?" Lyla said before disappearing.

Despite Lyla's advice, Miguel kept searching, hoping for a match. He tirelessly combed through databases, records, and any available information. After hours of searching, Miguel finally stumbled upon a match to your face on social media of Earth 2103, yet you remained nameless.

Despite Miguel being a rational person, when it came to Gabriella, it seemed like any sense of reason was gone. He was overcome by the urge to fill the hole in his heart. In a moment of weakness, as he scrolled through your pictures, he began calling you Gabriella. It appeared that you took great care in hiding many details of your life from the public eye, making his search for information even harder than expected. However, he was fortunate to find videos showcasing your accomplishments: graduations, high school prom, and your quinceañera. These glimpses into your life became windows into a world Miguel had yearned to be a part of with his little girl. For a brief moment, against his better judgment, he allowed himself to dream of you as his little girl, inserting himself in the pictures of the important moments of your life

"Lyla, look at this. Justo como ella quería (Just like she wanted)," Miguel said, his gaze fixed on the pictures of your quinceañera.

Lyla observed Miguel's wistful expression as he immersed himself in the memories captured in the photographs. She recognized the bittersweet emotions coursing through him, a mixture of joy and sorrow. Concerned for his well-being, she materialized beside him.

"Miguel, I understand the significance of these moments for you, but it's important to remember that she may not be Gabriella," Lyla gently reminded him. "It's natural to feel a connection and project your desires onto this girl, but you must be cautious not to lose sight of reality."

Miguel sighed, his eyes still fixed on the images. "I know, Lyla. It's just that... in these pictures, she looks so happy. She's surrounded by loved ones, celebrating a milestone that Gabriella never had the chance to experience. It's just what I wanted for her."

Lyla paused for a moment, contemplating the best course of action. She knew that Miguel's relentless pursuit of answers was driven by his love for Gabriella, but she couldn't let him strain himself further
"Miguel, I understand your need for answers, but I'm concerned about your well-being," Lyla said firmly.
"You've been consumed by this investigation, neglecting your own health and emotional stability. I'm shutting down your computers for now. It's time for you to take a break and rest. We'll resume the investigation when you're in a better state."

Miguel's frustration surged, and he slammed his hand on the desk. "No, Lyla! I can't just stop now. We might be on the verge of uncovering the truth, and I won't let it slip away."

Lyla, concerned for Miguel's well-being, understood his determination but also recognized the need for him to take a break. Ignoring his protests, she swiftly shut down his computers, deactivating the screens and leaving the lab in silence.

Miguel's anger and distress intensified as he watched his research abruptly halted. He glared at the powered-down computers, feeling a mix of frustration and annoyance towards Lyla's actions. He needed answers, and he couldn't understand why Lyla was preventing him from getting them. Despite Lyla's intervention, Miguel made a decision. He needed to see you for himself, to observe your comatose state, and perhaps find some solace in the resemblance to his daughter. Leaving his lab, he swiftly made his way down to the med bay.

Upon arriving at the med bay, Miguel's anger began to dissipate as he saw you lying in your comatose state. Anger was replaced by a deep sense of sadness. He approached your bedside, his expression softening as he observed your peaceful face. Concern and sadness replaced his anger. He reached out, gently brushing a strand of hair away from your face staring at your peaceful expression, Miguel's voice softened.

"I don't know who you are or why you look so much like my daughter, but I can't deny the connection I feel. I need to find the truth, for both of us."

His frustration with Lyla's actions still lingered, but he knew deep down that she was acting out of concern. With a sigh, Miguel made a silent promise to himself to continue his search. He carefully took one of the chairs in your room and set it next to your sleeping form, his gaze filled with longing and a sense of bittersweet nostalgia as he reached out and held your hand.

"You know," he began, his voice barely above a whisper, "you remind me so much of someone I lost. Someone very dear to me." His words carried a mixture of sorrow and hope.

Tears welled up in Miguel's eyes as his mind drifted back to memories of his daughter, Gabriella, and the love they had shared. He could see traces of her in your features, in the delicate curve of your cheek, and the way your hair fell around your face. It stirred both pain and a glimmer of warmth within him.

"Gabriella... mija," he whispered, his voice choked with emotion. "How is it possible? How can you be here, yet not be here? I miss you so much," he continued, his voice quivering with raw emotion. "Gabriella was taken from me before her time, and sometimes it feels like a void that can never be filled. Seeing you... it's like a chance, however fleeting, to reconnect with her in some way."

The tears in Miguel's eyes finally fell as he recalled the moments he cherished with Gabriella. The laughter, the conversations, the shared dreams that were abruptly cut short. He squeezed your hand gently, seeking solace and connection in the touch.

"I don't know if you can hear me or understand, but I want you to know that I care about you," he confessed, his voice filled with raw vulnerability. "You may not be her, but you've brought a glimmer of light back into my life. For that, I am grateful."

Miguel sat by your side, pouring out his heart, sharing a moment of silence with you as the machines keeping you alive beeped. He sought a sense of connection, and as the quiet moments stretched on, Miguel found a small measure of comfort in your presence. With a heavy sigh, he released your hand and stepped back, wiping away his tears with the back of his hand.

Taking a deep breath, he composed himself. He knew he couldn't stay in the med bay forever, lost in his emotions and thoughts. Reluctantly, he released your hand and stepped back, mustering the strength to continue his search for answers. Miguel turned and left the med bay, unaware that Lyla had called Jessica and Peter to reason with him. He made his way back to his lab, his mind still filled with thoughts of you and the longing for his daughter, Gabriella. The encounter with you had awakened a longing in his heart that he had buried deep within him since the day Gabriella was taken from him.

As he entered the lab, Miguel couldn't help but feel conflicted. Part of him wanted to dive right back into the investigation, to continue searching for answers about your identity and any possible connection to Gabriella. Yet, another part of him knew that Lyla had shut down his computers for a reason - he needed rest and a fresh perspective.

He sat down at his desk, staring at the blank screens that once held so much information. A mixture of frustration washed over him before he remembered that Lyla had shut them down for his own good in the first place. For a moment, he felt grateful that someone cared enough to intervene. As exhaustion took hold of him, Miguel rested his head on his desk, slowly drifting into a deep slumber.

Several hours later, Miguel woke up to the sound of voices. As he rubbed his eyes, he stood up and walked to the edge of his platform. From there, he spotted Peter and Jessica standing below him, concern evident on their faces as they looked up.

"Peter? Jessica? What are you doing here?" Miguel said, his voice tinged with annoyance as he descended from his platform.

"Hey, Sleeping Beauty finally wakes up," Peter said playfully, his tone light in an attempt to diffuse the tension. Mayday, giggling in her sling unaware of the situation.

"Look Miguel we didn't mean to disturb your sleep, but Lyla contacted us… she is worried about you, big time," Jessica said, noticing the exhaustion in Miguel's eyes.

"Lyla contacted you? Why would she do that? I'm perfectly fine. I just needed a little rest, that's all."

"Miguel, Lyla told us that you've been working nonstop, neglecting your well-being. Lyla was just looking out for you. She knows how driven you can get."

"I appreciate your concern, but I'm so close to finishing my investigation. I can't afford to rest now. I need to find out the truth."

"We know it's important, but pushing yourself to the brink won't bring her back, Miguel. And it won't do you any good either. You need to take care of yourself."

"You think I don't know that Parker? Do you think I don't feel that pain every day? That girl dying in the med bay could be my second possibility of having my daughter back, and you're telling me to just give up?!"

"Miguel, we understand your desperation. We're not trying to belittle your pain or stop your work. We just want you to take some time and consider the possibility that this girl may not be Gabriella. You can't let yourself get consumed by false hope," Jessica pleaded, her voice filled with empathy.

"False hope? Jessica, how dare you dismiss this as false hope? You didn't know her as I did. You didn't experience the loss, the emptiness. I won't let her slip away from me again!"

Miguel's anger escalated, frustrated by Peter and Jessica's inability to understand his desperation and determination to find answers. In his anger, he decided to kick both of them out of the lab.

"Enough! Get out! Both of you, just leave me alone! I don't need your pity or your concern!" Miguel shouted, his voice filled with frustration and anger.

"Alright, Miguel, just don't die on us, alright? We need you as our leader," Peter said, raising his hands in defeat.

Unable to reach Miguel in his current state, Peter and Jessica reluctantly left the lab. They hoped that Miguel would eventually find clarity and peace in his search, but for now, he was determined to continue on his path, even if it meant pushing away those who cared about him. As they began walking down the hall, Lyla materialized in front of them.

"Sorry, Lyla, we couldn't do much," Peter said, holding Mayday in his arms.

"He's quite out of it at this point. He made us leave. Just let us know when he has cooled down so we can properly talk," Jessica added, her annoyance palpable in her words.

"I'm sorry about that, but thank you for your efforts, guys. I appreciate you coming down here. I'll keep an eye on him," Lyla assured them.

Jessica and Peter continued walking to attend to their duties. The silence between them was heavy, and Peter eventually broke it by asking a question

"Jess, you were there when the girl was rescued, right? Does she look like Gabriella?" Peter asked, his curiosity evident in his voice.

Jessica paused for a moment, recalling the glimpses she caught of you during the rescue.

"Yes, I was there, and to be honest with you, Parker, she does bear a resemblance to Gabriella. It's uncanny how similar their features are," Jessica replied, her tone filled with a mix of surprise and intrigue.

"Wow, that's something. Is she still here in headquarters?" Peter asked, his interest piqued.

"Yes, she's still in the med bay. It's been three days since she was brought in. It's a delicate situation, and the medical team is doing everything they can to help her wake up," Jessica explained, her concern evident in her voice.

"I need to see her for myself, Jess. I need to understand what's going on here. Can you take me to see her?" Peter requested, his determination clear.

Jessica nodded and led Peter toward the med bay. As they walked through the corridors of the Spider Society headquarters, Peter's mind raced with thoughts, remembering the incident when he saw Miguel lose his daughter. A grim sensation filled him as he looked down at Mayday, the baby giggling slightly in his arms. Jessica waved goodbye as Peter stood at the entrance of the med bay, cradling Mayday.

Inside, the atmosphere was quiet, save for the soft hum of medical equipment and the occasional hushed conversation among the medical staff. Peter's gaze immediately sought out you lying in the hospital bed, your form contrasting starkly against the sterile surroundings. He stood beside you, taking in your features—the delicate contours of your face and the faint rise and fall of your chest as you breathed. The resemblance you bore to Miguel impossible to ignore. Closing his eyes, memories flooded Peter's mind—the vivid image of Miguel's grief and anguish when he lost Gabriella right in his arms. The whole situation left a sour feeling in Peter's mouth as he empathized with Miguel and the pain he was dealing with. He couldn't help but wonder if fate had allowed Miguel a second chance at having his child again.

As Peter opened his eyes, he realized that Mayday had wriggled out of her baby sling. Spotting her on the room's ceiling, he quickly reached out to hold her again

"Oh no, Mayday, sweetheart, come back down here, you little troublemaker!" Peter quickly reached up to grab Mayday and gently brought her back down into his arms, trying to calm her down.

"Phew, that was a close one. We don't want you causing any trouble, do we?" Peter said with a relieved smile, holding Mayday securely in his arms.

Just as he managed to secure her in the baby sling, Mayday's tiny hand accidentally brushed against one of the machines connected to you. Immediately, the machines blared, alerting the medical staff who rushed into the room, ready to intervene.

"What's happening? We have a flatliner!" said one of the masked doctors in a panicked voice.

"No, no, it's a mistake! She's not flatlining! It was just... a little accident," Peter exclaimed, his voice filled with urgency as he tapped Mayday's face gently.

The medical staff quickly surrounded the girl's bed, working to stop the blaring machines. One of the doctors turned to Peter, giving him a talk-down amidst the chaos

“Hey Peter look, we get you love your daughter and all, but in this case, it's not advisable to bring her to med bay-”

The doctor and Peter's conversation is cut short as they stare at you. In an instant, your eyes flicker causing the room to go uncomfortably silent before you raise your hands to your face. It takes you a second before realizing a major detail.

"Where's my mask? Who are you, people? Get away from me!" You say hastily as you begin to pry the iv line from your arms, the fear of your identity being revealed your spider senses kicking in immediately
The Staff and Peter immediately try to calm you as you pull on the lines around you, trying to prevent further injury in your confused state.

"Please, calm down! We're here to help. You've been in a coma."

“Please, listen to them you aren't in a good condition-”

Ignoring the staff and Peters's pleas you finish yanking off the equipment and fling your legs over the bed's edge, before leaping out of the room. adrenaline fueling your every move as you try to find an exit. Thoughts race through your mind, questioning the reality of the situation and the nature of the place you find yourself in as you finally find the med bay’s exit.

"Someone stop her! She's running, She is still injured!"

"Call security! We can't let her strain herself!"

"Please, we are just trying to help!" Peter said as they continued to try to catch you.

Their voices echoed behind you as you flung open the doors of the med bay, the cool air hitting your face as you sprinted through the corridors of the headquarters. As you distanced yourself from them, you reached one of the site's windows and realized that you weren't in your city anymore. You had been taken somewhere else.

You paused for a moment, the gravity of the situation sinking in. Had you just seen Spider-doctors, a Spider-Man with a baby? The thought of there being more like you both excited and confused you, but it also seemed too good to be true.

"Hah... Holy shit What kind of anesthetic did they put me under this time? These visions are wild," you muttered to yourself, taking a deep breath to steady your racing thoughts.

You knew you couldn't dwell on it for long. The panicked shouts of the staff rang in your ears, urging you to flee again. Determined and panicked, you continued swinging until you finally reached the atrium, buzzing with activity as Spider-people of various ages and designs went about their business. Some swung from the ceiling, others chatted in groups. Truly a surreal sight your eyes opened fully as you took in the splendor of the Spider Society.

However, you couldn't afford to be captivated by the spectacle. Your spider senses guided you forward through the crowd as you weaved between people and pillars. You needed to find a way out of this unfamiliar place and make sense of what was happening.

The spider people's eyes followed you as you hurriedly moved, their voices blending into a cacophony of murmurs. You could feel their gazes lingering on you but your priority was to ensure your safety as soon as possible.