Gwen's Way Home: Peter 3 Brings Gwen Back

Chapter One

"I don't have time for Peter Parker stuff."

The second those words escaped my lips, I regretted it. Great. Just great. I've been in this universe for like...five seconds and I was already lying to the other Peters. (Other Peters...wow that feels weird to say.)

Truth is, I have plenty of time.

Sure, saving the world wasn't exactly a quick errand I fit in on a Saturday, but I didn't really do much else since losing Gwen. All I do is hang with Aunt May (she's learning TikTok - that's been fun), a little photography, and occasionally skateboard around...and then usually end up at Gwen's gravesite.

Aunt May has been begging me to cut back on my visits, but I can't help it. No matter where I go, no matter what I do, no matter who I am with...I am thinking about her. I'm thinking about gently placing a stand of blonde hair behind her ear, her adorable giggle, cutting her off mid-sentence with a kiss, or that cute little nose rub she used to do.

It felt near impossible to picture myself with anyone else, so I didn't.

As I watched Peter lean his head on MJ's, my heart ached, causing a pain far worse than any villain inflicted upon me.

While it was nice one of my brothers so happy, it was also a challenging reminder that I was alone in the world.

It felt like I would be forever, too, unless...

I suddenly remembered that magic ring. People that were literally dead in my world are now alive and given a second chance. What if I could give Gwen a second chance? Maybe I could...if I could just get my hands on that ring.

****

That wizard's ring wasn't exactly the kind of jewelry I thought I'd be acquiring for Gwen, but it was my only hope...

...and that meant that Ned was my only hope...because on his right hand was the ticket to seeing the love of my life again.

As I tinkered with my cure for Dr. Connors, my eyes darted back and forth between my lab equipment and Peter's best friend, contemplating my next move.

Finally, it hit me. What if instead of stealing the ring...I asked him for the ring?

I was done with my task, but still found myself fumbling with the water bottle, stalling.

"Just do it, Peter. What do you have to lose?" I asked myself, and the mini-pep talk ended up being just enough, because before I knew it, my feet were leading me across the room to my target.

"Hey...Ned...can I borrow you for a sec?" I kept my voice low. Thankfully, Peter was comforting MJ and the other Peter was distracted at his work station, so timing seemed to be on my side for once.

"Yeah, what's up?" Ned replied with a big cheesy grin. He was just so eager to help any of us...did that mean he'd help with this?

"Walk with me?" I requested and Ned happily obliged. He followed me out of the lab area and into a corner where we'd be out of sight.

"Hey, man, uh, you ever been in love?" I kicked off the conversation without much thinking, asking the first thing that came to mind. I was going to speak from the heart. No manipulation. No lies. Just me.

Ned's face scrunched up into a look of confusion, but it soon softened, his eyes growing wider. "Actually, yeah. Betty. I mean, we didn't last...like that long. But I did love her. She was amazing. And we...parted as friends."

Oh my gosh. What do I even say to that?

"Uh, that's great buddy. And at the time, you'd do anything for her?"

"Yeah...yeah I guess I would've."

Finally, I just couldn't take the build up anymore. "I-need-you-to-bring-back-Gwen-with-the-ring" I stuttered, the words probably coming out a jumbled mess.

"Need me to what?"

"Gwen. My...my MJ. I just want to see her again," I admitted, feeling out of breath like I'd just run a marathon.

Ned paused for a second, looking at my quizzically. I almost thought he was going to say he couldn't help, but he starting aggressively nodding. "Okay."

"Okay?" I repeated back.

"Okay!" he said, .

"Thank you. Thanks so much man. So...how does it work?" I asked.

Ned's laughter slowed. "Uh...yeah...about that. I don't know."

"You don't know? But you brought me here, and Peter, and..."

"Yeahhh and I have no clue how I really did that," Ned admitted. "We just kinda...said who we wanted to see?"

I couldn't help but chuckle. "Alright...well...if it's truly that simple...mind if I try?"

Ned took off the ring and placed it in my hand.

I took a deep breath, placed the magic object on my finger, and said "I want to see my Gwen again..."