An alternative route where MJ becomes Scream earlier in Insomniac Spider-Man 2. Right as she tries to escape the symbiote controlled Spider-Man, his superior abilities were too great for her. At the brink of death, the symbiote had something else in mind.

"MJ, You gotta run and don't look back!" MJ thought as she fled from her alien and mind controlled boyfriend Peter Parker a.k.a Spider-Man.

Miiine! Spider-Man caught MJ with his tendrils with one goal in mind.

No, Pete, I know you're in there, snap out of it! MJ begged as she thought she was gonna die.

Soon, you'll understand. The mind-controlled Peter stated as he was ready to tear her apart.

No- was all MJ could muster as she lost consciousness as her boyfriend knocked her out cold and grabbed her head for a moment before leaving.

A few minutes later, a small group of Kraven's hunter's found her laying on the wet floor, passed out in a red and yellow suit.

Boss wanna see this.

Several hours later

What happened to me? And where am I? MJ wondered as she found herself in a cell somewhere underground and as she looked down, there was a grid of lasers ready to cut anyone trying to escape.

How did I get here? Miles Morales a.k.a Spider-Man(M) uttered as he was struck by fear, waking up in an unknown place.

Miles! I'm so glad you're ok. MJ said not realising her voice change.

Huh? Aghhh! Spider-Man(M) jumpscared as he hears the growling voice from across the room.

How do you know my name and why should I trust you?! Spider-Man(M) requested.

What? Miles, it's me… MJ paused as she looked at her hands as everything clicked. No! No! It can't be! MJ panicked as she tried to remove the symbiote on her body but to no avail.

MJ? That you?! Spider-Man was shocked to see his mentor's girlfriend wearing a similar alien suit albeit red & yellow.

Spider-Man used his super strength to bend the steel bars and almost got sliced to minced human cubes but luckily he managed to not tip over the edge.

Don't worry, I'll get you out of there, just sit tight. MJ? Spider-Man reached out but MJ didn't reply; she stood still and unresponsive.

Hivemind

Join us. A growling voice asked persuasively.

One second, she was attempting to remove an alien and the next thing she knew she was in a whole nother world with a red sky and a lot of black webs of goo stretching as far as the eye could see.

I need to get out of here. MJ walked away from the voice but she soon realised it was futile as the world constantly shifted to make her move towards the bright core.

"Don't be afraid, together we will be again." The voice wouldn't stop trying.

Don't listen to the voices, MJ, they aren't real.

"But we are. Imagine the powers you'll have, no need to feel inferior, no need to be validated, you can finally be in control." The voice whispers.

Inferior? I'm not. Peter and I are a team-

Stop lying to yourself. The voice claimed as a flood of memories showing her all the times she had been rescued by her boyfriend.

"I don't need Peter's help, I can do it myself. Why does he always have to interfere? Doesn't he trust me? If Peter didn't save me, I… I would be…" Various versions of MJ talked over each other as MJ saw flashes of her past when Peter saved her, feeling sad and insecure about herself.

Stop it! These aren't real, MJ held her head in pain as the voice got louder.

"Don't hide from yourself, let your true side out."

I can cover the mortgage Peter, I'm sorry Pete, you'll get a job soon, I'll know it. Urgh can't you stop being Spider-Man for one second. I need you Tiger… How long are you working this time before you lose it? Stop telling me what to do! Another set of MJ's voices echoed in MJ's ears as she tried to resist the temptation.

"Don't you see? You have sacrificed so much for him and what do you get in return? Pain, suffering, loneliness." The voice said.

No, it's not true, I love him, the city needs him. MJ argued.

No, it doesn't. You will always be second fiddle to the people but the power of the symbiote, *we* can fix everything. You and Peter can be together all the time. No more isolation when you can be with each other all the time. You can save yourself, act without asking for approval. The voice argued.

I… I… I never thought of that. MJ responded as her body slowly started walking towards the core.

You see. Become part of something greater. You NEVER need to ask for help. You can solve your own problems. No more investigating, feeling afraid. No more writing books people will never read. People will respect you. Together we can make a difference. The voice *cheered* on as MJ was almost at the core, walking hypnotically as her eyes were spiraling.

MJ! Wake up! Spider-Man(M) screamed as in the real world he was battling MJ.

Let all your pain out, let your agony disappear, let the people know who we are. The voice encouraged.

Yes. We are SCREAM! MJ/Scream roared as MJ was in the touching distance of the core.

MJ, snap out of it! This isn't you! Spider-Man worryingly said as he used his venom powers to stun MJ temporarily. Remember what happened to Peter. We need to save him from the alien!

Peter… He doesn't need saving. We misunderstood what the symbiote is. Scream hypnotically said.

I don't know what happened in the tunnel but the real Peter wouldn't force an alien on you! Spider-man argued as he dodged several of Scream's hair tendrils.

Meanwhile MJ had stepped into the core, beginning the final step of the bonding process.

Stop calling us that! We are Scream!

No you're not! You're MJ, Daily Bugle journalist and my friend, not some alien trying to kill me! Spider-Man reaching out to MJ.

MJ is weak! She lied to herself to be validated. Scream is not! We are better in every way possible she said as she grabbed hold of Spider-Man using her long hair and slammed him into the wall and started slowly to choke him.

MJ… Don't… do this… Spider-Man begged.

And why wouldn't we? Scream laughed.

MJ… would never… kill… Spider-Man claimed.

Kill… Scream began shaking her head. No, I don't want to kill anyone! MJ snapped out of her trance and started pulling off the suit.

No! Stop it! The voice panicked as MJ resisted the bonding process.

Scream released her hold on Miles as she and MJ were brawling it out on the inside for control.

Don't listen to him, don't leave Peter, he needs you! The voice argued.

Shut up you alien! I'm not letting you take him away from me! MJ shouted as she avoided Scream's attacks in the hive mind.

It's futile, you cannot win against your other. We know everything about you and you don't know anything about us. The voice whispered.

We are stronger together, listen to our father. Scream hissed.

Appreciate the offer but I don't need you. MJ bantered but she didn't pay attention as Scream grabbed hold of her and started to merge.

Don't resist, feel the power coursing through you, don't you want it? Scream asked.

I need to do something before the alien gets me… Suddenly she remembered her stun gun. With all of her effort, she reached out to Miles.

Miles! Use your electricity on me! MJ growled.

On it! Spider-Man charged his ability and dashed towards Scream, hitting her with a powerful venom punch.

What have you done to us! Scream screamed.

It's too late, you accepted us, you will never separate from us! The voice claimed. You're wrong. We will find a way to save Peter and I from the symbiotes. MJ confidently said as the hive-mind disappeared yet the bonding finished.

MJ, MJ, wake up! Spider-Man repeatedly said as his voice became clearer by the second.

I'm OK, Miles. I think. MJ reassured him.

But you're still wearing the symbiote. Spider-Man pointed out.

Yeah… I'm not happy about it either but I'm in control for now. MJ sighed.

Are you sure? What if- MJ interrupted the inexperienced Spider. You really sound like Peter right y'know that? MJ laughed.

But… Spider-Man stuttered. I'm fine, really and we should really be thinking of escaping wherever we are. MJ reminded.

Yeah, sure but let me know if you're losing control again. MJ nodded.