Gwen found herself standing at the top of Brooklyn Bridge, and she had to admit being in the exact same spot where she had been killed was unsettling. Then, she noticed she wore a white and black costume with pink webs and a hood over her mask.
She wondered how this costume suddenly appeared but remembered that magic was involved. She then realised that she had both the memories of Peter and MJ, and she soon realised how difficult their lives were.
Peter lost his parents and his uncle, and, of course, MJ didn't keep a stable family herself. She had images of her father yelling, her sister heartbroken when her husband left and, of course, the day when her mother died.
The fact that they both wore masks to cover these tragedies proves they truly belong to one another. However, it would only happen if she was successful before that; she needed to know the exact date.
Of course, there was another problem: she was on top of the Brooklyn Bridge and had no idea how to get off it. Then, she realised she was wearing web shooters under her gloves.
Acting out on instinct, she raised her hand, pressed two fingers against her palm, and instantly, webbing shot out of attaching to one of the supports. She then jumped and began swinging right across the bridge.
At first, it wasn't very comforting, but then she suddenly began to enjoy herself and wondered if this was how Peter felt every time he web-slinged. Then, she realised she was acting on instinct from Peter's memories.
She eventually reached the city, perched on a rooftop, and napped a newspaper from a paper stand. Ironically, she had taken the Daily Bugle, which was showing some more slant about Peter, but she was more focused on the date.
According to the date, it was just a few months after she had died, which meant she still had about a year before Peter and MJ's wedding. Then came the problem of where she could stay; she could hardly return to her former apartment.
Then a memory from Peter gave her an idea: there was someone who could help without giving anything away.
Using Peter's memories as a guide, she entered through the window to an apartment building.
"This is quite the unexpected visit, and I'm rarely surprised," said a voice.
Gwen was now face-to-face with an old woman sitting on a life-support machine that resembled a giant web. She was currently face-to-face with Cassandra Webb, or more accurately, Madam Web.
Gwen didn't know quite what to say. "Look, I know this is going to sound strange, but—"
"That your Gwendolyn Stacy, who died a couple of months back and now has been resurrected by a certain Sorcerer Supreme," she said.
Gwen immediately removed her mask. "How did you—"
"I can see the future, dear, and your arrival has created a great shift," she said. "Something which was not meant to happen."
"The same could be certain by a certain interdimensional demon messing with the lives of two of my best friends," Gwen countered.
"I'm not condoning you, my dear; I'm just pointing out that the future has changed so much that I cannot determine what will be."
"So you're aware of Mephisto's manipulation of reality?"
"I was aware that something was manipulating the great web of reality," Madame Web admitted. "I, however, did not know the identity of the individual. If what you say is true, then we must proceed with caution."
"What you expect him to show out of the blue?" Gwen asked.
Madam Web shook her head. "No, he would have already done it by now. He will doubtlessly suspect something; your arrival has shaken the entire web of reality."
"You said that the web of reality was manipulated; how do you know?"
"Normally, when I see something, I can see all different outcomes, but when it came to Peter Parker and Mary Jane Watson's wedding, that was set in stone. There were no alternate versions, no different outcomes, just one until you arrived."
"You're saying my arrival has reset the board somehow?" Gwen asked.
"That would appear to be the case, but you must move carefully. At the moment, young Peter is still grieving over your death; if you show up to him in person, he will most likely try to rekindle the love that was in his heart."
"So you're saying that he can't see Gwen Stacy, at least not yet," Gwen concluded.
"Nothing can stop you from meeting him in your alter ego."
Gwen sighed. "Now I know how Peter felt when he talked to me as Spider-Man."
"I can set up some lodgings for you in the meantime, and I suggest we come up with a superhero name for you."
Gwen looked at her mask. "I already have one. Ghost Spider."
True to her word, Madam Web provided Gwen with an apartment, but of course, she had another problem because she could not get a job. She couldn't go back to Empire State University out of fear she might run into Peter or anyone else he knew. She could hardly go to an employer with her credentials, considering technically they belong to a dead young woman.
Madam Web assured her she would not need to worry about money troubles and would get a job someday. This reassured Gwen, considering she could see into the future now.
She decided to practice with her new powers to keep her mind off this. She did this by tackling some criminals, though she had to be careful not to show herself just yet. She wasn't entirely confident that she could face Peter's moment.
However, everything changes when there is an explosion in Peter's apartment. Going through Peter's memories, she remembered that today was the day Harry became the new Green Goblin.
She instantly went to the warehouse where Peter had started his investigation and found that he was already there. Harry flew in a split second sooner, flying on his glider dressed as the Green Goblin.
To say it was utter chaos would have been an understatement. Still, Harry kept firing lasers from his gloves and tossed pumpkin bombs everywhere. Peter was doing his best to dodge every attack and try to restrain him. Still, the gas from the pumpkin bombs was filled with some sedatives, and he became weaker.
Gwen knew that Peter would be all right, but this might be the best way for her to introduce herself as Ghost Spider and smash through the window.
"What the—" said Harry.
Gwen swooped in with a dropkick, sending him to crash into some crates. "Sorry, Buster, but you've got two spiders to contend with."
Peter coughed and stared at her. "W-Who are you?"
"The name's Ghost Spider, and I'm a friend," she said.
Harry had just recovered from a surprise attack and looked as confused as Peter. "There's two of you now?"
"What say we deal with him and then talk this out?" Gwen suggested.
"No arguments here," said Peter as he rose.
Harry flew around, tossing more pumpkin bombs down at them, but now he had two targets to deal with. They quickly sprung into action and ran in different directions to surround. Gwen quickly fired some webbing at the thrusters on Harry's glider, causing it to lose power.
Peter then jumped onto the glider and wrestled with Harry; they looked just about even stronger. However, Peter had one advantage, which was proven when the glider went upside down. While Peter could stick to the glider, Harry was not as fortunate and now hanging upside down.
Peter then used the gliders as a springboard and launched them straight towards the floor. The impact of the blow knocked Harry out, and the glider crashed into the wall.
"Won't be long until the police arrive," said Gwen.
"Look, I know we just met, but you have to trust me when I say he is not a bad guy," said Peter.
"I only know he's Harry Osborn, and I don't want him in trouble either," said Gwen.
"You do?" said Peter, shocked.
"Yes, and I also know who you are, Peter Parker," Gwen added.
"W-What makes you think that?" Peter stared.
"Let's get him out of that costume before the police arrive, and then I can explain," said Gwen.
Peter didn't argue when they got Harry out of the Green Goblin outfit. Peter also switched clothes and waited for the police to arrive. They immediately apprehended Harry, who kept on yelling that Peter was Spider-Man. Thankfully, they took his words as that of a madman and took him to an asylum.
Once that was settled, Gwen climbed the rooftop where they agreed to meet, and Peter arrived dressed as Spider-Man.
"Okay, now that we're not in danger to explain," he said.
"I wish I could give you the full explanation, but I can't," she said apologetically. "You, of all people, should know the dangers of revealing too much about oneself."
Peter nodded reluctantly. "Can you at least tell me how you know who I am?"
"All I can say is that I'm working with Madam Web at the moment, but I assure you I am on your side and keep your secret," Gwen promised.
Peter sighed. "You're not making this easy, you know."
"And believe me, if I could, I would tell you who I am, but the timing is not right," said Gwen.
"Look, I'm grateful you helped me with Harry and everything, but I still don't know if I can trust you."
"I know, but let my actions be the proof that you can trust me; that's all I ask."
"All right, but where did you get the web shooters?" Peter asked. "And those moves, they were mine."
Clearly, Peter was a lot more observant than she had originally assumed. "I'm afraid those questions are rather complicated."
Peter sighed. "You know, for someone asking me to trust her, you're not exactly forthcoming."
"I know it's frustrating, but how do you think I feel?" Gwen asked. "I know that you know what it feels like to withhold information from someone you care about, no matter how much it may hurt."
Peter nodded reluctantly. "I do, and I wish I could be honest with everyone around me."
"Maybe you will in time; you must find the right moment."
"Will I be seeing you again, Ghost Spider?" Peter asked.
"You can count on that, Spider-Man," she said, smiling behind the mask.
She then jumped off the building and web-swinging home.
Gwen climbed through her apartment window when suddenly the lights switched on. She saw a tall man with an eyepatch sitting in a chair in her living room.
"You certainly know how to keep an old man waiting, Miss Stacy," he said.
Gwen immediately recognised him as Nick Fury, the director of SHIELD.
Gwen groaned as she removed her mask. "I Should've known to expect a visit from you, Director Fury."
"Ah, so you know who I am," he said as he rose. "Then let's say the introductions and skip straight to business. Care to explain how you're alive and well, considering that your funeral was just a few months ago."
"It's a long story, and it's going to sound weird," she said.
Fury raised his one good eye. "Young lady, I have their witness to gods, magic sorcerers, aliens, and a whole array of superpowered humans. By this point, nothing is weird to me."
Gwen then began explaining everything to him, and he stood there listening intently, not showing emotion.
"I admit that is a weird story," said Fury. "But I do not believe that you're lying. To that end, what would you say to a job."
"You want me to work for SHIELD?" Gwen stared.
"More actuarial, you'll be working for me, and I am under the impression that you could do it with some financial aid," said Fury.
"I'm tempted, but my primary mission is to make sure that Peter and Mary Jane get their happily ever after," said Gwen. "Everything else is secondary."
"That does not have to change," said Fury. He then held out his hand. "So, would you say? Are you in?"
Gwen looked at his hand and then shook it.