As far as he knew, across the countless parallel universes of Marvel, there were two primary explanations for Spider-Man's wall-crawling ability.
The first version involved microscopic, hair-like structures—often described as "fuzzy barbs"—on Spider-Man's skin. These tiny filaments mimicked the setae found on real spiders, allowing him to adhere to surfaces through mechanical interlocking and van der Waals forces. While this explanation was intuitive and grounded in biology, it was relatively limited: it enabled climbing but offered little beyond basic adhesion.
The second—and far more advanced—version was based on bio-electrostatic manipulation. In this interpretation, Spider-Man could consciously generate and control a powerful electrostatic attraction between his body and any surface. Though sometimes loosely associated with van der Waals forces in popular science descriptions, the actual mechanism in-universe was more akin to a controlled electromagnetic field generated at the molecular level. This allowed not just adhesion, but precise, dynamic control over grip strength—enabling feats like anchoring himself to a speeding alien spacecraft with just a few fingertips, as seen in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Thanks to this enhanced adhesion—combined with his proportional strength (often cited as being able to lift around 10 to 25 tons)—Spider-Man could cling to even the smoothest surfaces and exert immense force. In some realities, skilled Spider-heroes had even weaponized this ability: by rapidly engaging and disengaging their wall-crawling power, they could tear through materials or leave deep, claw-like marks on opponents. It was brutal—but undeniably effective.
Across the multiverse, many Spider-People possessed this electrostatic adhesion ability. But he hadn't expected the Spider-Woman before him to wield it too—especially with such mastery. Judging by how she effortlessly restrained the adamantium Miao Dao in 2B's hand, she clearly understood its full potential.
No wonder. Even among Spider-People, Gwen Stacy—this universe's Spider-Woman—was exceptional. Her combat prowess far surpassed that of an ordinary superhero.
Looking at the wreckage around them, it was clear Iron Man and Iron Monger had already been bested in close quarters. One lay with limbs severed; the other's armor was half-shattered. Only Tony Stark's stubborn survival instinct—and perhaps 2B's restraint—had kept him alive. (He couldn't help but think: Of course Tony didn't die first—he's the king of getting out of tight spots.)
Yet despite 2B's overwhelming power, Gwen was holding her own—exchanging blows, countering strikes, and even pinning the legendary Miao Dao. Her skill was the greatest he'd ever witnessed.
And that was precisely the problem.
Because if this Spider-Woman were a stranger, he wouldn't hesitate. But everything—the stance, the voice, the way she moved—screamed Gwen Stacy, his deskmate, the girl with whom he shared that awkward, unspoken tension.
On one side stood Gwen—his classmate, possibly more.
On the other stood 2B—his creation, his companion, his robot girlfriend.
Now the two women closest to him were locked in mortal combat.
It was the ultimate dilemma: If your girlfriend and your best friend are fighting to the death… who do you stop?
(Or, as the old joke went: Your mom and your girlfriend fall into the river—who do you save? Except here, both could probably swim—and kill you while doing it.)
Part of him wanted to sprint between them, throw his hands in the air, and shout, "Stop fighting! Both of you!"
Maybe even do a little dance for emphasis.
But… no. That would be unbearably cringey. He'd rather face Ultron again.
Meanwhile, realizing she couldn't yank the Miao Dao free, 2B abruptly shifted tactics. In a blur of motion, she launched a devastating punch straight at Gwen's face.
Gwen's eyes widened—but she reacted instantly. She released the blade, twisted her wrist, and caught 2B's fist mid-strike with surprising ease.
But 2B wasn't grounded. With her flight systems active, she hovered just out of reach, already coiling for the next attack—unrelenting, precise, and deadly.
Instead, she kicked Spider-Woman again with a whirlwind kick—because 2B's action blatantly violated the laws of physics.
The strike caught Spider-Woman off guard, though her spider-sense made her instinctively raise her hand to block it.
But 2B's strength was overwhelming; the kick hit like an artillery barrage.
The explosive force sent Spider-Woman flying, and she crashed into the banquet hall like a kite with a severed string.
After launching her opponent away, 2B couldn't help but let a flicker of pride cross her face.
She was about to charge in for the finishing blow—when suddenly, Spider-Woman, using two strands of spider silk anchored to nearby structures, catapulted herself forward like a slingshot and delivered a flying kick straight to 2B's face.
Startled, 2B immediately grabbed her Miao Dao and raised it to block.
But she hadn't anticipated the sheer power behind Spider-Woman's strike—so immense that even 2B's enhanced strength couldn't fully absorb it.
In an instant, the tide turned. 2B went hurtling backward like a cannonball, mirroring Spider-Woman's earlier trajectory.
She smashed through the wall of a building across the street in a thoroughly undignified crash, leaving a gaping hole in someone's living room.
"Stinking woman! I'm going to tear you apart today!" Spider-Woman hissed in fury after sending 2B flying.
Without hesitation, she leapt up and charged toward her fallen foe.
Suddenly, the sounds of combat erupted from inside the damaged building.
The walls trembled as if struck by an earthquake, cracking wherever the two fighters collided.
One moment, Spider-Woman sent 2B flying out a window; the next, 2B roared back in, only to be kicked out again moments later.
They traded blows like players in a brutal turn-based game—hit for hit, again and again, without end.
At first, their fight had rhythm and grace—almost artistic.
But as the battle wore on, they abandoned their tools: the Miao Dao, spider silk, even drones lay forgotten.
It seemed they'd reached an unspoken agreement—this was no longer about gadgets or tactics. Just fists, fury, and raw physicality.
Watching from a safe distance, Loren stood stunned.
"My goodness… this isn't a battle for justice anymore."
"This is clearly a personal vendetta!"
But Spider-Woman was flesh and blood, while 2B—forged from vibranium—felt no pain and showed no fatigue.
After absorbing several devastating blows, Spider-Woman began to falter. Her movements slowed; her combat effectiveness plummeted.
Meanwhile, 2B grew bolder, her strikes sharper—clearly gaining the upper hand.
If this kept up, Spider-Woman's defeat was inevitable.
Loren watched the scene unfold and shook his head with a wry smile. "Time to stop this war between man and machine."
But just then, Stane—who'd narrowly escaped death thanks to Spider-Woman's earlier intervention—decided to stir up trouble again.
He activated the two micro-missiles mounted on his steel mecha.
Their target? The Stark Group Building.
He seemed determined to reduce it to rubble.
Loren's attention remained fixed on the duel between Spider-Woman and 2B, so he missed Stane's treachery.
By the time he noticed, it was too late.
BOOM!!
Two missiles slammed into the Stark Group's façade with catastrophic force.
The explosion was deafening.
The blast dislodged the massive steel sign hanging above Loren's head—and it began to plummet straight toward him.
"Loren, no!!"
"Boss!!! Look out!"
Before the sign could crush him, both Spider-Woman and 2B reacted instantly.
They abandoned their fight mid-swing, sprinted toward Loren in perfect sync, leapt into the air together—and shoved him clear just in time.
The sign crashed down with a thunderous clang, cratering the spot where Loren had stood seconds before.
"Boss, are you okay?"
"Are you alright?"
They asked in unison—then locked eyes.
Spider-Woman seemed to realize her slip. Without another word, she shot into the sky and streaked toward Stane.
"Boss," 2B said, watching her vanish, "that woman… she knows you."
"Well," Loren replied with a knowing smirk, "I know who she is."
"Who?"
"Your future best sister."
"…???"
"Never mind. Just go—take out that old coot Stani before he blows up the whole block!"
"Yes, sir!" 2B nodded, her expression hardening into a murderous glare as she charged off.
Just as Loren prepared to join the fray, a very different scene unfolded near the banquet hall's ruined entrance.
Beneath a pile of rubble, a man in a plaid shirt and broken glasses groaned in pain.
"Gwen…" he whispered hoarsely. "Didn't you say I was your best friend? Then why did you save him… and not me?"
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