[S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters]
[Agent Hill and Director Nick Fury walked side by side through the secure corridors. Nick Fury's voice carried his characteristic frustration as he complained, "Who would have thought that Hydra had managed to plant a deep-cover sleeper agent in an operation this classified? We've been compromised from the inside."]
[Hill glanced at her tablet and suddenly grabbed his arm, stopping him mid-stride, "Nick! Our satellite network just detected a massive electromagnetic pulse signature!"]
[Director Fury's expression immediately shifted to high alert, "Wait, what? Wasn't this whole Mysterio situation supposedly resolved already?"]
[Hill's expression grew increasingly grave as she studied the incoming data, "This electromagnetic reading is significantly larger than any of the previous incidents we've recorded!"]
["Where's the source location?"]
[Hill looked up from her device with concern, "London, England!"]
Meanwhile, in this alternate dimension, Mysterio had chosen not to fly directly to Stark Industries with his usual dramatic flair. After arriving in this universe, he had made a crucial discovery – this reality also possessed a sky curtain that was synchronized with his original dimension's sky curtain.
This revelation made him acutely aware that his Mysterio identity had been completely compromised and discredited by Quentin Beck's actions in this universe. If he dared to make any kind of public appearance today, he would undoubtedly be splashed across tomorrow's headlines, and Tony Stark himself might harbor immediate hostile intentions toward him.
Therefore, until he could properly assess Tony Stark's current attitude and disposition, he refused to be so recklessly impulsive as to fly directly into the billionaire's line of sight. Such an action would undoubtedly be interpreted as an act of deliberate provocation or open aggression.
Moreover, he had carefully observed and catalogued the extensive anti-aircraft defensive positions that General Ross had strategically redeployed throughout the city's airspace. If he attempted to take to the skies without proper clearance or authorization, he would very likely find himself shot down by these sophisticated surface-to-air defense systems.
As he walked through the streets, he began to realize that there were significant aspects of this universe's recent history that he was completely unaware of. The evidence was everywhere – he could clearly observe that numerous buildings were still under active construction, and military vehicles routinely patrolled the streets with clockwork regularity.
Even though more than six months had passed since the devastating Dark Elf invasion, there were still countless damaged and partially destroyed buildings throughout New York City that remained unrepaired, and the city's overall security alert level had never been downgraded or relaxed.
He didn't believe for a moment that this widespread reconstruction represented some kind of massive urban renewal project that enthusiastic New Yorkers had collectively undertaken. After all, the gaping holes visible in several nearby skyscrapers were obviously the result of significant external destructive forces, not planned demolition.
The frequent sight of military trucks filled with armed soldiers, combined with the remarkably calm and resigned expressions of the surrounding citizens, clearly indicated that the local population had become completely accustomed to the constant presence and movement of these military convoys through their daily lives.
He had made the strategic decision to travel on foot and had removed his distinctive battle suit, leaving only his civilian undergarments to avoid drawing unwanted attention to himself.
Although his clothes hadn't been properly washed in many days of interdimensional travel, thanks to the advanced cleaning and odor-neutralization functions built into his suit's systems, there was no noticeable smell or appearance of neglect.
During his extended walk through the city, he observed that while there was still considerable vehicular traffic, the overall population density in this version of New York was dramatically lower than in the New York City where he had originally lived. Not only were there significantly fewer citizens venturing out onto the streets, but many of the shops and businesses that lined the sidewalks had their doors locked and "CLOSED" signs hanging in their windows.
The great metropolis of New York had clearly experienced a significant economic and social decline after enduring two major catastrophic upheavals: the widespread famine and infrastructure damage caused by the original Battle of New York, followed by the more recent devastating invasion of the Dark Elves.
[In London, England]
[3rd Gen Spider-Man's classmates were filing out of the busy train station under the careful guidance and supervision of their teacher, Mr. Harrington.]
["Alright everyone! Listen up! The travel agency has arranged a comprehensive bus tour of the city for us! After that, we'll grab some dinner and then catch our flight back home to New York!"]
[Brad Davis looked around at his fellow classmates and couldn't help but stop in his tracks to voice his growing frustration, "Seriously, am I the only one here who thinks this whole situation is completely abnormal and suspicious?"]
[Mr. Dell, the other chaperone, responded with his own concerns, "Oh! Yeah! Actually, I've been thinking the same thing! This entire 'science trip' has had absolutely nothing to do with actual science education!"]
["NO! NO! NO! That's not what I'm talking about at all!" Brad said, his voice rising with agitation, "I'm talking about Peter Parker! Am I seriously the only person who thinks he's been acting incredibly suspicious this entire trip? I literally saw him in a room at a gas station wearing nothing but his underwear with some random woman!"]
["He's constantly sneaking away from the group! Remember that time at the opera house in Prague? And now he's suddenly abandoned the team again to supposedly visit some mysterious relatives in Berlin? Am I the only one who actually wants to know what the hell is really going on here?"]
[Ned Leeds instinctively started to raise his hand to defend his best friend, but MJ reached out and firmly stopped him. After giving him a meaningful look, she responded with her characteristic dry wit, "You know, the very concept of objective truth is rapidly disappearing from our modern world!"]
[Brad immediately recognized the reference and nodded appreciatively, "George Orwell! Thank you for that literary perspective, MJ!"]
[MJ tilted her head slightly with a sardonic expression, "Yeah, well! Since Peter obviously can't provide his own explanation right now, what about you, Brad? Do you honestly think it's morally acceptable to secretly take photographs of other people in bathrooms?"]
[Ned held up his phone, continuing his live broadcast while chiming in supportively, "Yeah, man! That's seriously messed up! Care to explain that behavior?"]
[Brad hadn't expected MJ to turn the spotlight directly onto his own questionable actions, and he hurriedly tried to defend himself, "NO! NO! NO! It's not like that at all! I only took that photo because..."]
[Brad found himself completely unable to defend his actions. He certainly couldn't admit that he had taken the compromising photograph specifically to embarrass Peter in front of MJ and potentially damage his reputation. If he confessed to that level of malicious intent, he would become a complete social pariah within their class.]
[Fortunately, Mr. Harrington intervened to defuse the growing tension, "Okay, okay! Let's put all these unpleasant accusations and conflicts behind us! We're here to spend a beautiful and peaceful afternoon exploring London!"]
[He then performed his characteristic habit of providing both sides of classroom dialogue, speaking in an exaggerated student voice: "'That's a great idea, Mr. Harrington!' the students enthusiastically agreed." Then he began leading the group away from the station.]
[Mr. Dell approached Brad and placed a concerned hand on his shoulder, "Listen, as both your mentor and someone who genuinely cares about your future, I need to give you some serious advice – you absolutely cannot continue this kind of behavior! Okay? What you did was genuinely perverted and completely unacceptable! You need to stop taking secret photographs in bathrooms immediately! You go to the bathroom to use the facilities, period! Do you understand me?"]
[Brad felt deeply wronged and misunderstood. Not only had he been publicly criticized and humiliated by everyone present, but even the girl he harbored romantic feelings for had refused to support him. The weight of social rejection left him feeling depressed and isolated.]
[Mr. Harrington called out enthusiastically as he led the students toward the station exit, "Students! Look ahead!"]
[Gutman, disguised as a professional bus driver and wearing a neat tie while holding a clearly marked sign, approached them with practiced enthusiasm, "Mr. Harrington! This is your chartered tour bus! It's such a pleasure to meet you all! Please, everyone come aboard!"]
[He immediately took the luggage from Mr. Harrington's hands with exaggerated politeness, "Please, allow me to handle that! You're most welcome!"]
["Thanks!" one of the students called out as he tossed his heavy duffel bag toward the driver.]
[Gutman caught it with a broad smile plastered across his face, watched carefully as all the students boarded the vehicle, and then pressed the hidden communication device in his ear, speaking in a low voice, "The targets are in position and secured!"]
"Oh God! That's Gutman! He's about to launch an attack on MJ and all the other students!"
"Damn these terrorists! They're planning to kill a bunch of innocent kids!"
"Where the hell is that lying bastard Quentin Beck? If I ever get my hands on him, I'll beat him to a pulp!"
The genuine Mysterio continued walking through the unfamiliar streets and couldn't help but overhear angry passersby cursing the fraudulent impostor everywhere he went. He instinctively kept his head down, feeling that his reputation and honor had been utterly destroyed by the actions of that deceitful charlatan.
Although the two men didn't look completely identical, the striking facial similarities made him easily recognizable to observant citizens. Therefore, he hadn't been walking for very long before he found himself confronted and blocked by a large, intimidating Black man.
"Hey there, buddy! You look really familiar to me! Where do I know you from?"
"You've got the wrong person, friend!" A flash of helplessness crossed Mysterio's eyes. He was completely unfamiliar with this area and genuinely didn't want to cause any kind of trouble or confrontation, but unfortunately, trouble seemed determined to find him regardless.
"Really? Is that so?" The man sneered with obvious disbelief. He had been watching Mysterio suspiciously for several minutes now. After all, New York City was dramatically different now than it had been in the past. Those citizens who were brave enough to remain in the city after multiple catastrophic attacks had learned to be both bold and extremely careful. It was relatively easy for them to identify when someone's appearance and behavior didn't quite fit the current environment, and Mysterio's profile had immediately raised red flags in his mind.
Because such a short amount of time had passed since the incident, the New York Police Department had not yet made any official public announcements regarding Quentin Beck's arrest and incarceration, so the general citizenry remained completely unaware of these recent developments.