The hunt begins

The dome appeared over New York suddenly, cutting the city off from the outside. As it did, drones swarmed the streets, playing a message from Kraven and Cheetah, informing the people of their hunt and telling civilians to say in their homes, while at the same time taunting the city's metahumans, both good and bad, daring them to try and find them. In the hours that followed, a number of the city's villains and vigilantes had fallen, captured by the hunting duo, who had been setting traps and making plans for weeks.

Perched on a rooftop, Peter Parker was in the middle of a phone call to his wife, Kristy Watson. "No sign of either Kraven or Cheetah. And trust me, I've been looking. I've been invited by a bunch of eggheads to try and figure out how to take that dome down -- Stark, Richards, Strange, McCoy, hell, even Luthor. Yeah, he's in town. I know, I'm not looking forward to working with him at all. Guy's a complete toolbag. I can't say much else -- who knows who could be listening. Just... stay inside with Benjy, all right? It's the only place you two are safe. Love you too, Kristy."

"Pete... thank god you're OK," Gwen said as she landed on the rooftop alongside Cassie, running up and hugging her mentor.

"Same to you. How's MJ doing?" Peter asked, worried about the dimensional counterpart of the wife he'd lost alongside his native universe. (She also happens to be his new wife's cousin... it's complicated).

"She's offworld with Kori right now. She's fine," Gwen answered, prompting a sigh of relief from Peter. "By the way, this is Cassie."

"Wonder Woman's protege. I've heard about you," Peter greeted, shaking the Amazon's hand. "Diana says nothing but good things about you."

"She's, um, also the girlfriend I was telling you about," Gwen added, blushing a little under her mask.

"That so? I can totally see it. You two make a cute couple," Peter smirked, knowing it would get under Gwen's skin.

"Shut up, Pete. I get enough of that from MJ," Gwen groaned.

"It's good to meet you, Spider-Man. Diana speaks highly of you," Cassie introduced herself. "...although she says your jokes are 'insufferable'."

"Then I'm doing my job," Peter said smugly. He wasn't surprised when he learned that Gwen was dating another woman; in fact, he had kind of expected it, as so many of the superheroines of this new universe he was in seemed to be attracted to other women. On occasion, he had wondered why that was, but being no stranger to multiversal travel, he also knew that different universes had different sets of rules, so it never bothered him.

"So, what's your plan?" Gwen asked. "You can't exactly go freely flying or swinging around the city... I've seen some superfolks both good and bad try, and it has not gone well for them."

Peter looked at Gwen and nodded. "I know, I've seen it too. They got Torch with some sort of oxygen vacuum or something... his flame just got snuffed out and he fell from the sky."

"Oh my god. He's not dead, is he?" Gwen worried.

Peter shook his head. "No, Kraven just uploaded a video bragging about his capture. Showed him alive. He does not look good, though... anyway, I'm on my way to an undisclosed location to help a bunch of scientist and sorcerer types figure out how to take that dome down so we can call for backup."

"Cool. Need any help?"

"Appreciate the offer, but it's invite only. We do have Wolverine and Wolvie Jr. trying to track down Cheetah and Kraven, though. You're a hell of a detective, Gwennie... maybe you could help 'em out?"

"Sounds good to me," agreed Gwen. "Any idea where Logan or Laura are right now?"

"Last I heard, Laura was pursuing a lead on the Upper West Side. I'd start with that," Peter recommended as he scanned the Manhattan skyline. "No idea where her dad's gone, though, but I doubt he's been caught yet... Aaaaaaand there goes Vulture. Ugh, I am not looking forward to rescuing that old bastard."

"Gotcha. Any more advice?"

"It'll probably be best to travel on foot, and stick to the streets. Just a hunch, given all the people falling from the sky... be prepared to fight, though, and -- oh my god... Felicia... not you too..."

"They got Felicia?! No..." Gwen exclaimed.

"Wait -- I see her in an alley. She's hurt bad, but still moving... heh, always was tough as nails, no matter what reality... but I really need to go now... shit! What do I do..."

"Get going. We'll help Felicia out," Cassie told Peter, with Gwen quickly agreeing. "We can look for the Wolverines later."

"OK, great. I appreciate the help -- and good luck to both of you," Peter said as he walked away. "Remember to keep your head on a swivel."