Daredevil stood on one of the highest rooftops of Hell’s Kitchen, listening closely to everything that surrounded him. The last couple of weeks had been crazy with the whole Peter Parker situation. He was working extra hard during the day as Matt, and at night he still had to patrol as Daredevil, now more than ever. Luckily, tonight was a calm evening, apparently Hell’s Kitchen was also tired, because he couldn’t hear any trouble at the moment.
Suddenly, he felt someone approaching him from behind. It didn’t take him long to sense that it was Peter. He relaxed, and sat down next to him. Peter took off his mask, and let out a sigh, breathing fast probably from the rush of swinging. Matt could feel Peter’s anxiety miles away, and he hated having to know he was going through that. That’s why he tried to help anyway he could. During the day, he helped by being his lawyer, and at night by making sure he wasn’t alone.
— Hi, Mr Daredevil, it’s a slow night right? —Peter asked, leaning back on his elbows to see the starless sky.
— I told you, it’s just Daredevil, drop the Mr —Matt chuckled, knowing full well that Peter would still call him that next time they met—. And, yes, it’s a slow night.
Peter nodded and stayed quiet, maybe too quiet. Matt could feel his nervousness and stress. Something was wrong, something more.
— Are you okay? —He asked as softly as he could—. Did something happen?
Peter was aware of Daredevil’s power, or at least that he had some. But he didn’t quite understand what they were. Sometimes he could feel that Daredevil could read his mind, just like his lawyer, and it creeped him out a lot.
— Yes… No. Everything is fine —Peter had never been good with words, but luckily Matt knew that and didn’t pressure him to explain himself better—. It’s just this whole situation… you know? —Matt didn’t actually know what was frustrating him about it now, but he understood so he just nodded and stayed silent knowing Peter wasn’t done venting—. Look, I don’t care what happens to me, okay? I know it’s a big mess that I’m in, but it’s my mess. Now, my friends are being affected by it and I just hate it. I hate that they are suffering because of me and I can’t do anything to help them.
Matt didn’t speak for a few seconds, processing what Peter just said. Every time he thought about how the kid must be feeling, anger went through his body. It wasn’t fair that everyone believed the words of a dead man. And now, Peter’s life was ruined, probably forever, or until the next alien invasion happened.
— I understand that trials are hard, but it’s ending soon. I heard in a few days they’ll drop all the charges against you, and you’ll be able to go back to your life.
Matt knew it wasn’t going to be that easy but, what else could he tell him?
— I know —He whispered, looking down and fidgeting with his hands—. I just don’t think anything is gonna change after this… I’m so tired.
A few tears slipped down Peter’s cheeks, and Matt put a hand on his back trying to console him. He kept quiet while Peter cried, hiding his face in his hand and gripping tight his mask in a fist.
— Everything will be okay, kid. Besides, I heard you have a really good lawyer. In the end, everything will work out —Maybe it wasn’t wise to give him hope, but Matt couldn’t bear to see him like that constantly.
Peter lifted his head slowly, while wiping away the last tears from his eyes. He looked at him with a soft smile, blushing from embarrassment.
— Yeah, actually I have the best lawyer, Mr Murdock, do you know him? —Peter’s smile grew a little, and Matt tried to keep calm. He didn’t know what Peter knew.
— Murdock and his partner have a reputation in Hell’s Kitchen. They have helped a lot of people, and they are really good lawyers. You are in good hands.
— Thanks —Peter muttered before getting up and putting his mask on again—. Well, I gotta go. I have school tomorrow.
— Good night, Spiderman.
— See ya, Mr Mu… Daredevil —Peter quickly corrected himself, before swinging away.
Matt stood there questioning if he had heard him right. Maybe he got confused because they were just talking about him, or maybe Peter knew more than he thought. Matt couldn’t quite understand the extent of Peter’s powers, so it was possible that he had sense that it was him. Or maybe he was just a smart kid who connected the dots between a blind lawyer with extraordinary reflexes and a blind vigilante.
It had been a busy couple of nights. Suddenly something shook the earth, and now new and weird villains were appearing out of nowhere. He knew it had to do with Spiderman but he hadn’t shown up since a few nights ago, and Matt didn’t have time to track him down. Peter was probably also preoccupied with this entire situation.
He went to the top of a building, after beating up some criminals, to keep a lookout. Suddenly, he heard steps and someone cursing under their breath, in a nearby alley. Matt quickly approached it, to make sure that person wasn’t causing any trouble.
He heard a neighbor coming to the roof, so he decided to go down to the ground, and get to the alley from there. He ran in the shadows, trying to not get seen by anyone. But, abruptly, a man crashed into him. They both fell to the ground, and Matt was a little surprised by it. First of all, how was that man so silent walking that Matt hadn’t heard him? And secondly, how was he so strong that he had made him fall to the ground too?
The stranger offered him a hand, and Matt took it reluctantly. There was something in this guy that made Matt feel like he was a good person. He really didn’t know what it was, but he felt like he was trustworthy.
— Sorry, I wasn't looking where I was going —The stranger apologised, while he helped Matt get up.
Matt fell silent, trying to figure out every detail that he could about this man. It seemed like he was wearing normal clothes, a t-shirt and a blazer. Although, Matt felt like he was wearing something beneath all of it, some kind of suit. “I really hope it’s not another superhero”, Matt thought, trying to focus on what the man was saying.
— Are you okay?
Matt suddenly came back, and just barely nodded. Something about this man was bugging him. Matt was sure they had never met, but there was something about him that reminded him of… Peter? That was impossible.
— Hey, your costume is really cool.
— Thanks —Matt answered before disappearing, climbing up the next building to continue his path on the rooftops.
Daredevil jumped down to the ground, and stood in front of the mysterious man that he was following before getting distracted. He just tilted his head, his heart beating fast. But it wasn’t fear what Matt perceived, it was more adrenaline.
— Who are you? —Matt asked, his voice ruff and low.
— Hey buddy, I could ask you the same question. Right now, it just looks like we’re two grown men in spandex and weird costumes.
— I don’t wear spandex… —Matt muttered, feeling very irritated by this individual.
— Oh right, yours is different. It looks cool, kind of creepy, but cool.
— I won’t ask again —Matt said getting on a defensive pose.
— How about you tell me your name first? I’m actually very curious.
— I’m the devil of Hell’s Kitchen —He tried to sound as terrifying as possible, but the other man didn’t seem to notice.
— Well, that explains the horns… —The man muttered to himself, a playful tone in his voice. Matt groaned, threatening him, making him keep talking—. Okay, okay. —He put up his hands, in a surrender gesture—. I’m Spiderman.
Matt was stunned after hearing that. That wasn’t Spiderman, the innocent, lovely and hyperactive Peter Parker that he knew. That man was taller, skinnier, and had a very different way of speaking. And that was just the basic differences. Everything on that man’s body was completely different from his Peter. Except for one thing, something that did seemed like Peter, but he wasn’t sure what it was, just like with the man of the street. Matt thought it was impossible he was telling the truth. But, he had heard his heartbeat the whole time. That man wasn’t lying. Was he somehow lying in a way that Matt couldn’t notice? Was that even possible? Or had he just met two Spidermen without knowing?
— That’s enough! Who are you, really?
— I told you, man. I’m Spiderman —He said while avoiding the punches that Daredevil was throwing his way—. I’m. Just. Not. The. One. You. Know. —Matt fell flat on the floor, while that Spiderman put his foot on his back.
— What do you mean?
— Are you gonna stop trying to kick my ass?
— Yes —Matt replied with gritted teeth.
— Okay, then —He let go of Matt, and took a few steps back, while taking off his mask—. Look, I know this sounds weird, but I am Spiderman. But not the one from this universe. Something happened a few days ago, and all of a sudden I was here. I know it's kind of creepy, and it creeps me out too, but I’m telling you man, I am Spiderman.
This so-called Spiderman, talked really fast, while messing with his hair anxiously. Matt listened carefully to everything, but nothing told him that he was lying. He definitely was freaking out a little bit, but he was being honest. So, Matt straightened his back, and decided to ask him questions to figure this thing out.
— Let’s say I believe you…
As soon as he started speaking, he heard a soft crippling noise, a few meters away from them. He turned to where the sound was coming from, and suddenly he could hear voices appearing. It was like a door was being opened. Matt wasn’t sure what that was, but he definitely didn’t want to be seen without knowing first what it was.
He hid in the firescape of one of the buildings from the alley, but Spiderman stayed still, putting back on his mask, and looking at whatever that was with curiosity. The voices were becoming clearer… They were calling him, calling Peter. The man didn’t even look back to where Matt stood, and just went to where the voices came from.
Then, there was complete silence for a moment. Matt had been too focused on the noises surrounding that man and that weird thing that just happened, so it took him a few seconds to tune in with the rest of the world again. The usual sounds and smells flooded his senses, making him feel some sort of comfort, after that strange interaction.
After a few moments thinking about it, Matt decided that the best thing he could do was keep doing his job, alert in case any or all the Spidermen needed help.
The sky was opening up, and everything was chaos. The screams, the shakes of the earth, the cries for help… It was all too much for Matt, but he had to help however he could. He ran through the streets of New York, trying to get as close as possible to the Statue of Liberty, where the riff had opened, and where he guessed the Spidermen were fighting. If this was as bad as Matt was imagining it, they would be in desperate need of help.
They were people all around him asking for help, shouting for it actually. But he couldn’t stop. If he helped stop the problem on its root, hopefully the rest will also be fixed. However, on his way there, he helped everyone he could, making sure nobody was in a deathly situation.
No matter how much he moved forward, it felt like his destination was getting further away. At this rate, he wasn’t going to make it on time. All of a sudden, he heard two women running while screaming “Peter!”. They were a blonde and a ginger women of around the same age. Both of them were running as fast as they could, screaming while letting out all the air in their lungs.
— Peter Parker, you better not die without me! —The blonde woman yelled, still too far away for any of the superheroes to hear them.
Matt chuckled at that, and continued with his path, close to them in case they put themselves in danger. It was clear that the two of them were important to the other Spidermen, so the least he could do was make sure they were safe.
They were getting closer to the shore, and it didn’t seem like they were going to slow down. Matt got a little bit ahead, and waited by the shore in a dark corner.
— Gwen, wait! —the other one said slowing down and stopping herself and her friend just a few meters away from where Matt stood—. How are we going to get to the statue? It’s not like we can swim there.
This confirmed Matt’s suspicions that they were also not from this universe. They clearly didn’t know about the constructions and the bridge that was built for the workers. It wasn’t easy to get through, and they couldn’t see it from there, being very hard to spot, but it was how Matt planned to cross.
— I don’t know, but we have to do something. Mary Jane, don’t you want to see your Peter again? —She breathed deeply looking at the Statue, and the fight that was happening in the distance for a second—. Look, I don't know about you, but I need to see Peter and help him. I need to make sure nothing happens to him.
— Okay, what do we do?
— I guess we could look for a boat or something like that.
They both started to get closer to the shore, looking for a transport, when a loud crash was heard form the Statue. They looked there, and Gwen ran and climbed a streetlight all she could to watch them. From where she was standing, she could see everything that was happening. A shiver went through her body when she spotted Doctor Connors, and Electro. Suddenly, her heart skipped a beat when she saw a Spiderman appear next to them, followed by another two. She had no problem recognizing the one she knew and loved.
— Peter! Peter! —She shouted as loud as she could, but he couldn’t hear her. They were so close and so far at the same time.
All of a sudden, the earth shook, making her lose her balance. Matt heard her scream, and appeared quickly as she fell, grabbing her in his arms before she touched the ground. She held on tight, before realising she was safe. Matt put her down, helping her stand up, while Mary Jane ran up to them.
— Who are you? —Gwen asked, astonished.
— I’m a friend of Spiderman. Well, this Earth’s Spiderman. I’m here to help.
— Okay, so help us get to the Statue —Gwen crossed her arms, impatient.
— I’m sorry, it’s too dangerous —Matt knew she was going to protest, but he didn’t let her—. I'll get there and I will make sure nothing happens to them, okay? But something bad could happen to you.
— Something bad could happen to them!
— We can’t stay here and watch them die —Mary Jane backed her up.
Matt let out a sigh, irritated with the situation and feeling like he was losing time. He turned around, analyzing the lonely shore with nothing around, not a single way of transport.
— Well, good luck getting there.
He instantly started running in the direction of the bridge. He was faster and sneakier than them, so he was sure they wouldn’t be able to follow him. While approaching the bridge, he kept listening to both of them in the distance. They were still discussing ways of crossing, and how they felt helpless. Matt could imagine how they were feeling, but the best he could do was make sure they were safe, and go help their friends.
A crash, louder than anything Matt had ever heard, trembled through the city. He fell to the ground and covered his ears in pain. He started hearing voices from the sky, coming from all around. Millions and millions of unknown presences were speaking. He couldn’t distinguish anything, and it all became a big sound that made everything hurt.
Slowly, it stopped hurting, the voices disappearing a bit. Matt knew he didn’t have enough time to cross, so he went back where he had come from. His hearing was a little damaged and sensitive still, so he was going to make sure that the two women were alright.
As soon as he got closer to the streetlight where he had left them, he heard the complaints of Gwen. Her voice started sounding more distant. Matt heard how both of the girls hugged, and he listened all he could.
— It was nice to meet you.
— You too, Mary Jane. Goodbye.
When they said their goodbyes, they both disappeared. Matt recognised what happened instantly, remembering the moment of the snap. He heard the same thing when Foggy disappeared, everything distant and then the void. Gwen and Mary Jane had gone back to their universes. Matt breathed deeply. The Spidermen must have figured it out. Everything was going to be okay again.
Matt walked through the streets of New York without any hurry. Foggy and him had a meeting in 30 minutes and he was going to arrive early. It was a sunny day, and for once Matt felt weirdly calm. Everyone around seemed to be having a good day, and that always put him in a good mood.
When he passed in front of a coffee shop, its door opened and a nervous teenager walked out of there. He definitely wasn’t having a good day. Matt was able to sense it immediately, along with something else. His voice, his smell, his anxious tics, everything felt familiar to Matt. He knew that kid. Something clicked and he figured out where he had sensed him before. He was Spiderman. But there was something else, he knew him also without the suit. It was hard explaining why, but Matt was 100% sure.
The teenager kept walking through the streets in front of Matt, unaware of his presence, and he decided to follow him. He went through big crowds, making following him a little bit harder. He knew he was being followed. Matt rushed to catch up with him, while folding his cane and throwing it to the side. He ended up on an alleyway, alone with the kid.
Matt approached him, standing a few meters away from him. He swallowed loudly and was so nervous that he was almost making Matt nervous as well. He fidgeted with a paper he was holding in his hand, but tried to look serene.
— Who are you? —The doubt in his voice was so clear, Matt almost wanted to laugh at his attempt of confusion.
— You know who I am, and I know who you are, Spiderman.
— What…? —His voice cracked and his body temperature was rising, blushing.
— You are terrible at lying.
— Sir, I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m just Peter Parker.
That name resonated in Matt’s memory. He was trying so hard to put all the pieces together. How was it possible that he had forgotten everything about him?
— I remember you… Peter, I know you, don’t I?
— Are you serious? —He whispered astonished and unable to stop a few tears from slipping down his face—. Yeah, Mr Murdock, you know me.
Peter burst into tears, hiding his face in his hands, breathing sharply. He was trembling, tense and overwhelmed, and Matt’s heart shranked sensing his pain. He put his hands on Peter’s shoulders, making him look up at him, still crying but calmer now.
— What happened?
— Everyone had to forget who I was and… —Peter started rumbling without making any sense. He didn’t know where to start—. It’s a long and complicated story, but to sum up, no one remembers me now.
— Well, I do.
Matt smiled softly, with a hand patting his shoulder. The tears stopped, and Peter returned the half smile, trying to relax. He wasn’t completely alone.
— Now, tell me everything.