"If it wasn't the fifth day of the theme week, I'd find it hard to believe so many things happened in half a month."
After an uneventful Thursday, today was much like most of the week. New York City remained peaceful, and even the NYPD and fire department communication channels were unusually quiet. No supervillains, no tech criminals.
"New York City, if only this city were as peaceful as it appears."
As Peter swung through the city, he recalled a dream he had. He didn't remember many details, but he clearly remembered a spider with "42" on its back.
This wasn't some "ultimate answer to the universe is 42" joke. If the dream wasn't just a dream, then it probably explained where Peter was headed next—the universe where Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse takes place.
The spider from Universe 42, due to Kingpin's plan, arrived in Universe 1610, bit Miles Morales of that universe, and a series of events followed.
Peter didn't know at what point in the movie's timeline he would travel to. If he could go back a little earlier, he could prevent that spider from biting Miles.
It wasn't that he had any prejudice against Miles. Although the second movie's attempt to elevate Miles by stepping on all other Spider-Men, including the teardrop-eyed bug, was foolish, and the "Spider-Verse" event concept was also quite silly.
The reasons he wanted to stop this from happening were: one, he could save that universe's Peter Parker, and two, bringing that spider back to Universe 42 for that universe's Spider-Man—that's how the story should develop.
"It's really quiet today—it was pretty quiet before the Shocker showed up, but I've gotten used to half a month of non-stop supervillain fights."
It was almost addictive; once you got used to those incredibly powerful enemies, everyday life felt bland. Not that he was used to getting beaten up, but...
Peter truly felt he didn't want to go back to his old, ordinary life.
But no matter what, school still needed to be attended. So, after finishing his day's patrol, he arrived at school. Today was another day where students dressed up in colorful costumes, pretending to be superheroes and villains.
Of course, Peter Parker still hadn't dressed up as Spider-Man.
The Baxter Building intern recruitment advertisement was gone, and one of the spots was, of course, reserved for him. Peter thought about this as he put his bag away, then took out the blueprints he hadn't finished last night and went to physics class.
"Good morning... Are you a Zygon?"
Harry's costume changed daily, but they were always Doctor Who villains. For example, today his suit looked like a giant red mushroom—a Zygon, which in the show's lore had the ability to mimic any other type of creature, but only if the target was alive.
Sounds familiar? That's because, aside from one looking like a red mushroom and the other like a goblin with a chin like a shoehorn, the Doctor Who Zygons and Marvel's Skrulls had almost identical concepts.
Peter suddenly wondered if Nick Fury knew that Skrulls were also infiltrating S.H.I.E.L.D., or perhaps that plotline hadn't happened yet?
"Yeah, looks cool, right?"
"It would be cool if you could turn into an exact replica of me."
Peter countered with a smile, then adjusted his mood slightly: "I got an internship at the Baxter Building."
"Really?!"
Harry smiled happily: "Congratulations! I knew I wouldn't get in, so I didn't apply..."
"Why didn't you try?"
"It's just... I don't think I can do it." Harry said something that felt vaguely familiar to Peter. He sighed and then looked around: "I don't even dare to ask a girl to the homecoming dance tomorrow!"
It took Peter three seconds to process before he blurted out, "You're planning to ask a girl to the homecoming dance?"
"Of course, I'm not like you. Even if you don't know anyone, you still have a childhood friend you can invite." Harry said with a sigh. Peter was about to encourage Harry a bit when Amadeus burst in, practically bouncing with excitement. This was truly an unusual display for him.
"Guys, you won't believe what happened!"
Amadeus was even more excited than Peter: "I got an internship at the Baxter Building!"
"Oh, congratulations!" Peter smiled. "We can go together, I got one too."
"Really? That's great!"
Amadeus's joy turned to Harry, who, still dressed as a Zygon, shrugged again: "I didn't apply, but you guys are really cool, congratulations."
Seeing Harry like this, Amadeus didn't even notice that Peter wasn't as excited, and looked at Harry with some concern: "Harry, are you okay?"
"I'm fine, I'm okay. It's just..."
"He's planning to ask a girl to dance with him at the homecoming dance, but he's too shy to ask her."
Peter explained Harry's worry, and Amadeus, remembering Harry had indeed mentioned something similar, quickly nodded. So that was it.
"There's nothing wrong with it. Be bold and ask her, maybe it'll work out?"
Peter encouraged Harry. He was indifferent; as Harry said, he had Gwen as a fallback, so he wouldn't be the most awkward one. Amadeus had pretty much the same attitude; he completely believed he couldn't have a girlfriend, so it didn't matter to him.
Harry became very embarrassed, and finally, Peter, compromising, asked, "Well, you can at least tell us her name, right?"
"Her name is Liz, and like us, she's a freshman. Liz Allan, I've never seen such a beautiful girl..."
Peter felt his memory stir.
"I know, I heard Gwen say that Liz and she are forming a band—"
Peter hadn't finished speaking when Harry interrupted him, eagerly asking, "Peter, can you ask Gwen what kind of guys she likes?!"
"First of all, you don't even know each other yet, isn't that a bit too hasty..." Peter said, startled, "Secondly, it's already Friday, and the dance is tomorrow. Even if you found out and asked, it would be too late."
So Harry slumped onto his chair like a salted fish.
"It's over, no chance."
"Or, you could take the initiative," Peter offered a suggestion: "Today is the homecoming football game. Although I don't understand football, I know a lot of people like it. Maybe she'll be there after school, how about it?"
Seeing Harry still hesitating, Peter added, "We'll go with you."
"Thanks."
After school that afternoon, Peter, confirming that the day was as peaceful as ever, accompanied his friends to the field. After pretending to watch the game for a while, he asked Amadeus, who clearly found it boring as well:
"Do you understand it?"
"Not at all."
Amadeus said the same. Harry's goddess seemed to indeed be there; he had already disappeared. Peter only watched as Eugene Thompson broke through the defense and scored.
Witnessing all this, Peter involuntarily said, "Looks like Flash is unstoppable."
"Hey, that's a great name." A guy Peter didn't know clapped him on the shoulder, then started yelling "Flash Thompson," and then everyone else joined in the chant.
Amidst everyone's shouts, Peter finally understood one thing.
Flash wasn't part of Thompson's name.