𝗢𝗕𝗦𝗜𝗗𝗜𝗔𝗡, Miles Morales

iii

EDITED

...

Miles dived headlong into the swirling portal, driven by nothing but instinct—and instantly regretted it. He felt his body being pulled, yanked, and tossed as he was swept into a violent spiral of flashing lights and distorted landscapes. His body glitched, vibrating uncontrollably, fragments of himself stuttering and lagging in and out of view. He could feel the dimensional fabric stretching and bending around him as he plunged deeper, each new world whirling by like a fever dream of warped colors and shapes. The sensation was overwhelming, as if he were being stretched thin across realities, his atoms barely holding him together.

A searing, blinding light flared up, forcing Miles to shield his eyes, but it offered no relief as he was flung out the other end with brutal force. Spinning through a sprawling cityscape, he tried to brace himself, crashing against anything and everything in his path—billboards, balconies, clotheslines strung between buildings—until he finally managed to catch himself mid-air with a shot of his web. Dangling above the buzzing streets, he struggled to orient himself.

“Earth-50101—Mumbattan,”

India, he realized, taking in the city around him. This place was a riot of life: dense crowds, colorful facades, and an almost symphonic chorus of honking vehicles and chattering voices. The air was thick with unfamiliar sounds, blending into a city that moved with an energy he’d never felt.

Swinging forward to steady himself, he squinted, scanning the bustling area—and then he heard it, clear as day, an incredulous voice below.

“Is that a… cow…?”

Miles’ heart leaped. That was unmistakably (Y.name)’s voice. A grin spread across his face as he swung closer, letting the familiar tone guide him. A moment later, he spotted her alongside Gwen, both of them locked in battle with a white figure covered in shifting black spots—the Spot, stretching and twisting his inky limbs in unpredictable directions.

“Gwen, take the first hit!” (Y.name) said, voice focused, ready for action.

Gwen didn’t hesitate. She bounded forward, her fist pulled back, aiming right for Spot, she quipped, “Mo-ooo-ve over!”

That’s when Miles swooped in, calling out, “Gwen! I’m here to help!”

“MILES?!” Gwen’s voice was a mix of surprise and alarm, her hesitation giving Spot just the opening he needed. In a split second, he lashed out, sending Gwen spiraling backward. Spot’s voice taunted, “You weren’t expecting that, were you?”

But before he could say more, (Y.name) darted forward, clad in sleek black, striking him with fierce precision. Miles swung down just in time to catch Gwen with a web before she hit the ground. “I got you!” he reassured her, his voice steady, though his heart raced.

Gwen’s eyes were wide as she glanced at him, her tone incredulous. “Did you… follow us?!”

“No! I just saw where you guys went and… y’know, came without you knowing!” Miles replied, hauling her up as they swung together.

“You’re not supposed to be here!” Gwen huffed, her voice scolding but tinged with a flicker of concern. But before she could continue, (Y.name)’s voice cut through, assertive and protective.

“Easy on him!”

“Sorry…” Gwen muttered, her tone softening.

But (Y.name) turned to Miles, her gaze both serious and affectionate. “No, but seriously, she’s right. You’re not supposed to be here.” She punctuated her statement with a sharp elbow jab at Spot, managing to knock him back.