Uplifting Women

The next morning, Peter woke up in his bed feeling extremely refreshed.

Just as he was about to stretch his arms, he realized that Emma was sleeping on top of his arms.

Don't want to wake her up, Peter thought tenderly.

On the contrary, I've been awake, darling, Emma thought. I think my thoughts were what woke you up.

"What were you thinking about?" Peter asked.

"I was thinking about how enjoyable it was to calmly wake up next to someone who knows me as well as you do," Emma admitted. "Unfortunately, the truth is that when someone knows me this well, it always comes with complications and fights, sometimes even wars between us, so it's... difficult."

"Why do the heroes in your world fight each other so much?" Peter asked. "I mean, in my world, there was really only one time something like that happened, and it really was more of an infight between the Avengers than something all out like your world's Avengers Versus X-Men war."

"Your world appears to be the anamoly," Emma said thoughtfully. "Pardon, your world and its variants, such as the one Felicia hails from. On our first day, Natasha and I had clashed because of fights from our worlds."

"It's so weird," Peter played with a lock of Emma's hair. "I mean, I understand that each hero is their own individual, with separate drives, opinions, etc., but at the end of the day, we're supposed to be heroes, why would we fight each other so frequently and so intensely?"

Emma looked Peter in the eyes tenderly, then she gave him a kiss on his cheek. "I think it's too early in the morning for such a nuanced conversation, darling. Let's get ready for breakfast, and discuss this at a later date?"

"Sure," Peter said, but his thoughts betrayed him. I'd like your thoughts on this.

I know, darling, Emma said as she got out of the bed. However, I don't want to destroy your optimistic point of view with my jaded pessimism.

Emma entered the bathroom and freshened up, then she exited the bathroom.

"Could you please at least offer some insight?" Peter asked as he got up.

Emma sighed. "If you want to formulate your own understanding, I'd advise you to pay attention to the disagreements while we're here. When the stakes are as high as they get because of this place or because of heroism, everyone becomes all the more insistent that their opinion is correct, and they are willing to put much more at stake."

Peter entered the bathroom and started freshening up, while Emma leaned against the door.

They didn't start attacking each other here, Peter thought while he brushed his teeth.

"Peter, I love your optimism, you know that, but don't be obtuse," Emma said. "Natasha and I used the Gift Shop as a weapon on the first day. Now, I do believe that if we hauled from a universe with less infighting such as yours, that wouldn't have been our first reaction. However, the Shop is designed to be our medium of warfare, and the only reason it hasn't seen use every single day is because of your insistence."

"You're acting like I'm Captain America or something," Peter said.

"Where does he fit into the equation?" Emma asked confusedly.

"I mean, he's like unanimously the most respected hero," Peter said. "I'm not like that."

"Captain Rogers is not the most respected hero, especially within mutant circles," Emma grumbled. "Regardless, it's not about respect in the way you're quantifying it. It's about the respect of power."

"What do you mean?" Peter asked as they entered the elevator.

Emma hummed. "I'm unsure of the best way to explain this. Actually, I have an idea."

Peter looked at Emma confusedly as he saw her mental plan.

"How will asking everyone else which heroes they respect help me understand?" Peter asked.

"Just entertain me," Emma said as they entered the dining floor.

"Good morning, Mrs. Parker," Emma said.

"Good morning, Aunt May," Peter said as well.

"Good morning, you two," May greeted. "Take a seat, we're only waiting on Mary Jane and Olivia."

"I have a question for all of you," Emma said as she sat down. "I'll ask it after Edith tells us the rankings for today."

"Is it a serious question?" Anne asked. "Like, is it life or ****?"

"No," Emma said. "It just relates to a conversation Peter and I were having about superpowered dynamics about life and ****."

"Ok..." Felicia said. "Ignoring how ominous that sounds, let's talk about Peter and you. How was last night, I want all the saucy details."

"There aren't any saucy details," Emma said, then MJ and Olivia entered the dining floor.

"Good morning," Peter greeted as they sat in the last two seats.

Oh, thank goodness we didn't have to discuss sex in front of my aunt again, Peter thought.

"Good morning, everyone," Edith greeted. "Yesterday had major Web changes, and I foresee some necessary development in the near future. There are only three days left, if there's a time to win, it's now!"

Web Rankings, Day 5

1. Emma Frost (16 Webs)
2. Ava Ayala (6 Webs)
3. Olivia Octavius (5 Webs)
4. Felicia Hardy (1 Web)
5. Maybelle Parker (0 Webs)
6. Mary Jane Watson (0 Webs)
7. Anne Weying (0 Webs)
8. Natasha Romanoff (0 Webs)

"Ms. Hardy, Mr. Parker, I wish you well on your Date," Edith concluded.

"Before we dig into breakfast or your question, I need something clarified," Felicia said, much to Peter's dismay. "What do you mean that there are no saucy details from last night? Lady, you're practically always oozing sexuality, I can't believe that!"

"Why, thank you," Emma said. "However, I am aware of the nuances of relationships, contrary to popular opinion. Peter and I made some major and necessary developments in our relationship yesterday, it would've been rather counterproductive to wish for sex, frankly."

"You had a question for everyone, can you please ask it?" Peter asked. Emma, I'm begging you, we don't need to talk about my sex life every damn morning.

Emma grinned at Peter, but she moved the conversation along. "You're right, darling, I appreciate the reminder. Mrs. Parker, could you tell me who is the most commonly respected hero in your universe's Earth?"

"Call me May or Aunt May, dear," May said, then she hummed in thought. "I'd have to say it's between my Peter and Captain America. Captain America may have a wider scope of influence, but Spider-Man is the established hero that is respected."

Emma looked displeased at May mentioning Captain America, but she continued. "And which hero's authority would be respected the most?"

"Oh, that would be Thor," May said immediately.

"Natasha, could you answer the first question?" Emma asked.

"There isn't a commonly agreed upon answer in my universe," Natasha said. "In my universe, there have been countless debates on this on forums, and in the end they agreed on who the top four would be, which would be Captain America, Spider-Man, Iron Man, and Black Panther."

"What is it with you all and Rogers," Emma muttered. "If I asked you the second question, what would be the answer?"

"Either Hulk, or Blackbolt. Thor would be a contender if he was on Earth more," Natasha said.

Emma turned to Olivia. "Ms. Octavius, could you please tell us the answer to the first question?"

"Probably Spider-Man," Olivia said. "To answer your following question, it would almost definitely be Thor or Hulk."

"I appreciate the proactiveness," Emma said. "Ms. Watson, if you could answer the questions, please?"

"I wouldn't be able to tell you accurately," MJ admitted. "But, if I had to guess, it'd be Iron Man for the first question. For the second question, I'd have to go with Scarlet Witch. She did change reality that one time, after all."

"That is Wanda's tendency," Emma said derisively. "Ms. Ayala, could you answer the questions, please?"

"Iron Man or Spidey would take the first cake," Ava said confidently. "Hulk would be the most universally accepted answer for the second question."

"Ms. Hardy?" Emma asked.

"Pete and Captain America are definitely the only answers for the first question," Felicia said after thinking for a moment. "Dr. Strange or Thor probably wins on the second question."

"Again with the Captain," Emma rolled her eyes. "Ms. Weying, could you please answer the questions?"

"Why do you need to know?" Anne asked. "And why do you hate Captain America?"

"I'll explain the answer to your first question shortly," Emma said. "However, I'll only answer your second question once you answer both of mine."

"Fine," Anne said. "In terms of general respect, Spider is the generally accepted answer, except whenever an alien attacks, then the Avengers will temporarily be the common answer. In terms of actual respect, I would be the common answer. Hulk would be the more correct answer in my opinion, but people usually can't decide if he's a hero or not."

"Thank you, all of you," Emma said, then she turned to Peter. "Ms. Weying put it perfectly, even if I would disagree with how she put it. There is a difference between general respect, and the respect that comes from authority. General respect is typically associated with love, adoration, or similar feelings. The respect of authority comes from the simple knowledge of what the other person could and possibly would do to you."

"I get a little bit of what you're saying now," Peter said. "But what does that have to do with me and the Hotel?"

"Everyone obeys your demand not to use the Shop primarily because of the authority the Hotel and the Directors gave you," Emma explained. "The general respect is why they understand your command and don't argue against it."

"That's not true," Ava said. "I have my own morals, I wouldn't have used the Shop."

"That is a valid point," Emma said. "That brings us back to our discussion regarding infighting, Peter. Let us assume we are all equals, and the Directors didn't place your affections as the win condition. You and Ms. Ayala would be directly pitted against me and Natasha, but both of us would adamantly believe we were in the right."

Peter ahhed in realization. "I get what you're saying now. You have your valid reasons for believing what you believe in, so do we. In this scenario, we're definitely working against each other."

"Exactly," Emma said. "However, I doubt it could lead to direct fighting, with how the Hotel forbids it. However, let me give an example from my world. There was a major fight, and inhumans started dying as the results of the **** actions of some mutants to save their race. Would they not have both been in the right for fighting?"

"It'll always boil down to sides," Natasha said. "I don't know how you guys got to this conversation, but I can understand the root of it. As intelligent beings, we're bound to have our own personal leanings, and they're bound to clash with each other. We're heroes, we're obviously willing to fight for our beliefs, even at the risk of ourselves. It's bound to happen."

"It doesn't need to be so soulless," May disagreed. "You can also disagree with someone else fundamentally, but if you have a healthy load of general respect for each other, you will be willing to come to a compromise without fighting."

"That is most definitely true," Emma agreed. "However, like you said, it requires a lot of deep respect, which can't just be created out of nowhere."

"I think that's the problem," Peter said, coming to a realization. "That should be the basis we aim for. We should generally have that much respect for each other, if not as humans, then as heroes, people who are using their powers to help people!"

Natasha smiled sadly. "That'll never be the case, as much as we can wish for it, Peter."

"Maybe not universally, but how about over here?" Peter asked. "There's only 9 of us here in this hotel, and we can all look at the food in each other, and improve ourselves and each other accordingly!"

"It feels naive, but it's rather logical," Emma said with a smile. "You're amazing, darling."

"That's Peter," Felicia said. "Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, the best hero to ever patrol the streets."

Peter blushed. "Please, it's what anyone would've said."

Felicia shook her head adamantly. "There are 8 other people in this room other than you, Pete. None of us said what you did, none of us even thought of it. Aunt May was the closest, but even then, you took that initiative. You're the perfect ideal, Peter, that's a fact. There's a reason nearly all of us said your name when it came to general respect, and that's the more important respect, we just agreed on that."

3 Webs Earned: Uplift Peter Parker's Self Image!

Felicia stood up as she continued to speak. "Peter, if you think you're not the greatest hero, think again. Spider-Man is the greatest hero in each universe, and I know you're the greatest Spider-Man across the multiverse, because a multiversal demon was scared of you! Not any other Peter, he was scared of you. So believe me when I say that I know spending the rest of my life with you will be amazing, and I can't wait to love you."

2 Webs Earned: Get to a point where you think you can fall in love with Peter Parker.

Before Peter could even respond, Felicia bent and gave Peter a chaste kiss on his cheek. "I'll be at the Date Floor at 1 PM, hero. Don't be late, and bring a coat."

With that final statement, Felicia sashayed out of the room, leaving Peter in a shocked state.

One by one, everyone left the room, leaving Peter to his thoughts.

---

Five minutes before 1 PM, Peter was wearing his trench coat over his black shirt and red tie.

I'm happy you took your time to process what Felicia said this morning, darling, Emma thought. That woman is opening her heart wide open to you, so open your heart to her, okay? She deserves that.

Of course, Peter thought. Do I look good?

You look like you'll run late if you delay any longer, Emma thought firmly, then she gave him a mental nudge.

"Ok, ok, I get it!" Peter laughed as he called the elevator.

Enjoy your date, Peter, Emma said genuinely, then the elevator doors opened.

Peter blinked as he felt a cold wind and a chilly breeze, then his face brightened.

"You put us in the Rockefeller center during winter?" Peter exclaimed in joy as he looked at Felicia.

"Not really," Felicia said with a grin. "See, I couldn't fully recreate the Rockefeller without paying Dollars I didn't have, so I did the next best thing."

Felicia took a step towards the large Christmas tree, then she tapped the glass.

"Woah," Peter breathed. "How...?"

"See, my thought process was that this place is either magical or advanced technology," Felicia said. "Either way, it could give me the live image and sounds of a place, and make it seem like we were in it, as long as we didn't need the full venue."

"It's like a 3D omnitheater," Peter realized. "You're a genius, Felicia!"

"I wouldn't push it that far," Felicia said. "Let's sit, then we can talk more."

"Of course," Peter pulled out Felicia's chair gracefully.

"Thank you, Spider," Felicia said as she sat down.

"Just doing my job," Peter said as he took his own seat.

"And we don't appreciate you enough for that," Felicia said softly, reaching over and grasping Peter's hand.

Peter smiled uncomfortably, then he changed the topic. "Y'know, our worlds are supposed to be nearly identical, what's different?"

"Don't think I haven't noticed the topic change, mister," Felicia said. "But, I'll let it go for now. To know the answer to your question, we'd have to compare stories."

"Well, I guess my first question is how did I meet you?" Peter asked.

"Well, I was a friend of Liz Toomes," Felicia said. "Did you take her to prom in your universe as well?"

"Yeah," Peter said glumly.

"Judging from your expression, it went as bad as it did in my universe," Felicia said. "Well, after you stood her up, and she had to move because of her dad's arrest, I wanted to chew you in for how you treated Liz. I tried tracking you after school, and then —."

"Don't tell me you found out I was Spider-Man," Peter said.

"Sorry, Spider," Felicia said with a meek smile, then she giggled at Peter's languished expression.

"Of all the ways —" Peter shook his head. "Sorry, continue the story, please."

"Well, you can tell what happened immediately after, so I'll skip past me finding out," Felicia said. "You went to space and fought Thanos, while I stayed on Earth. You got blipped and crime was rising in New York, so I put on a catsuit and filled some of the gaps for the first two years, then I attacked the wrong people, then Hammerhead sent the whole mafia on my ass, and Spider-Woman saved me because she was trying to take out the mafia, then the Wakandans were involved because of Hammerhead's vibranium, and that was my first superhero teamup!"

Peter raised a hand in confusion. "Before we continue, you have to understand how confused I am right now?"

"Did you not get blipped?" Felicia asked. "Or did you fight Thanos in Wakanda instead of in space? Oh my god, did you meet Shuri before me in your world?"

"No, I got blipped, and I also fought Thanos in space, and I've never met anyone named Shuri," Peter said. "I'm not getting your inspiration to wear a catsuit, and I don't think I have a Hammerhead in my universe, and I almost definitely don't have a Spider-Woman in my universe."

"Oh," Felicia said. "Well, Hammerhead is the leader of the mafia, I think they call him a Don? He's called Hammerhead because he surgically made his forehead have a big plate of vibranium. That shit hurts like hell, he knocked Spider-Woman out with one slam, then he broke my arm right after. As for Spider-Woman, you told me she was a Hydra experiment like the Winter Soldier, and she was freed around the same time as him. After we defeated Hammerhead, she went to Wakanda with Shuri, the queen of Wakanda and current Black Pantheress, to get her mind control removed."

"That was a lot of information, but you didn't answer my most important question" Peter said softly. "Why'd you endanger yourself, Felicia?"

"What do you want me to say, Peter?" Felicia asked shakily. "Do you want me to tell you about how I was one of five people that didn't blip in our class? Do you want me to tell you about how I missed you and Ned? Do you want me to tell you about how I suddenly didn't have a mom? The streets were filled with crime, Peter. Someone had to step up and do what you weren't there to do. And if it was a way for me to ignore my feelings, it all worked out in the end, you came back, so it's fine."

"I'm sorry you had to go through that," Peter said, squeezing Felicia's hand.

"It's fine, it all was fixed," Felicia insisted as she surreptitiously wiped a tear. "Anyways, you came back, then we went to Europe with the school, and —"

"Wait, why did you go to Europe?" Peter asked. "Weren't you older than us?"

"My mom is loaded, Pete," Felicia said with a grin. "One look at some of my money, and the principal chose me to be one of your chaperones."

"That's so corrupt," Peter said.

"Oh, definitely," Felicia agreed. "But I missed my friends, even if I lived five years without them. It was worth it."

"I guess," Peter acquiesced.

"Moving on," Felicia said. "SHIELD enlisted you to fight with Mysteria against the supposed Elementals, —"

"Wait, Mysteria?" Peter asked.

"Yeah," Felicia said. "Maguire Beck, she went by Maggie? She pretended to be a hero but she was actually using drones? I'm guessing you didn't have her in your universe?"

"In my universe, it was Mysterio, and his name was Quentin Beck," Peter said. "Did I tell her my identity as well?"

"Wait, Quentin was Maggie's dad," Felicia said. "The fact that it's so similar and so different is so interesting."

"Wow," Peter said. "So, did Quentin work for Tony, or did Maggie?"

"Quentin," Felicia said. "I don't know the full story, but Mr. Stark fired him, and he died while making his 19 year old daughter promise vengeance on Iron Man. A year later, she was blipped, and when she came back, Iron Man was dead, so she went after you so that she could get her dad's tech back. She died because of a malfunctioning drone, but a few weeks later, your identity was revealed, and that was our stint with the multiverse, then you did that spell, then I came here two months later."

"Wow," Peter said. "I don't even want to know how different the multiverse stint went."

Felicia nodded her head sadly. "She died in my universe as well, so no other difference really matters."

"Yeah," Peter said.

"There's no need to be so melancholy, especially on a date!" Felicia said, snapping her fingers. "Thankfully, this place is getting you your aunt back, even if it's not the same exact one. As for you and I, we have no past, so we can start anew, can't we?"

"This place, it's promises, they aren't healthy," Peter said. "It's a promise to fix all our mistakes if we drop our moralities."

"Not really," Felicia said. "It's asking to bend some. And I think you'll agree that it is worth it, considering the spell you had to use to save the universe. This place seems like it can have less negative side effects, and that's crazy to say."

"You're right," Peter said.

"I frequently am, Spider," Felicia said.

Peter smiled at Felicia, then they switched to lighter topics.