Spectacular Spider-Man, Season 3
Episode 1: Lost
By Tr3adst0ne

Synopsis: SHIELD asks for Peter's aid to assist in the capture of the stray alien symbiote once bonded to Eddie Brock. He just won't know how much of a steep price he will pay to keep his friends and loved ones safe.

Disclaimer: I do not own this iteration of Spider-Man, as it is the property of Marvel and Greg Weisman.

Author's Note: The Nick Fury in this story is the one from X-Men: Evolution, post-Season Four.


Prologue – Freedom

In the sewers beneath New York City's streets, a pocket of black slime slithered from beneath the grimy waters as they flowed through the tunnels. Not of this Earth, it possessed a hunger that drove it to control others; a desire in which it needed to bind itself to an indigenous host so that it could survive. Through its merging with Peter Parker and Eddie Brock, it has learned to adapt accordingly.

Damaged by the gene-cleanser meant to remove it, the symbiote sought to hide and bide its time until a temporary host could be found. It trudged through the sewers for weeks at a time, wandering aimlessly through the darkness. It was through its resilience that it endured underground.

But it couldn't stay that way for long. It still needed a victim in which to feed upon. Through its 'vision', it saw two humans who were near a barrel of fire, keeping in mind to stay away from the heat. It needed an opportunity to take one of them.

Both men began fighting each other as they argued. The symbiote continued to watch with interest. Its wants steadily grew as it realized a conflict was about to erupt.

"I found this first!"

"No, I did!"

"If you want it, you're going to have to take it from me!"

Yesfood… it thought hungrily.

One of them threw a punch straight into the other's midsection. The other man dropped into a ball on the ground as he clutched his stomach. While the dust appeared to have settled, there was still tension in the air. The man who threw the last punch was a heavyset fellow, intent on keeping his prize. He stood victorious and consumed his piece like a rabid animal.

His peace was short-lived, however. The one who was knocked down recovered himself quickly. Small but determined he showed no intent of backing down. The beggars continued to fight with each other over the scrap of food in which they were sharing. Their bodies crashed into the water as the conflict escalated. The symbiote sensed the negative emotions that dwelled between the two and eventually made its choice.

Doesn't look that tasty, but he'll do just fine.

While it waited, the bigger man laughed at the feeble attempts of his opponent, shrugging the hits off his body as though they were merely poked. He used a free hand and drowned his rival until he stopped moving. Soon after the symbiote crept and consumed the man entirely from head to toe, covering his person within its essence.

As it bathed him in its slimy tendrils, the bigger man yelled frantically as he tried to escape from the creature's grasp. It would continue to take over his mind and subdue him until he was brought under its control. Eventually his resistance broke down and the symbiote metamorphosed into a black trench coat around the man. No traces of the man's personality remained; he was now its slave and ready to execute its will.

Soon, Brock… Soon we will be whole again!