CHAPTER V

"APEX PREDATOR"

Cries and screams echoed throughout the New York City streets as the reptilian human hybrid rampaged after his quarry. The last time they crossed paths the wall-crawler successfully managed to seal him away again deep within the good doctor's mind, but now that he was free once more, he was determined snuff-out his old nemesis once and for all.

Peter meanwhile was doing everything in his power to lead the Lizard away from the civilian's while also simultaneously trying to keep property damage down to a minimum. Unfortunately, the latter was easier said than done as the reptile that walked like a man tore through anything and everything on route to him.

Thankfully his web swinging kept him out of reach.

The masked hero looked ahead to spot the empty construction site he had passed by earlier while on patrol. It was the perfect place to do battle with no poor civilians to get in the way. Hopefully he'd also be able to use some of the tools in there to immobilize the Lizard. Doctor Connors was still his friend after all.

"Almost there." Peter whispered. He stuck out his hand to fire another web-line and was horrified when he was met with nothing but air. "Oh no! Not now!"

The momentary pause was all the Lizard needed to catch back up with the spider-themed superhero. Peter was about to try scaling the wall but suddenly felt his spider-sense going haywire. Before he knew it, he was smashed against the wall by a fully loaded dumpster.

He grunted as the wind was forced from his lung and he fell along with the trash in a heap on the ground. More cries and screams rang out as he tried to regain his bearings, but he had next to no time to do so. He was hoisted off the ground as if he weighed nothing and was brought into a bone crunching bearhug.

As he desperately fought to free himself, he could hear the deep and angry hiss of the Lizard and feel his nasty breath wafting against his mask. "You tried to trap me! Keep me in a cage! Now I will tear you apart!"

"GAH!"

Peter knew for a fact the Lizard wasn't bluffing. He really was going to squeeze the life out of him than then rip his body limb from limb. He struggled and struggled but it was to no avail. It was hard to breath. Hard to think. Everything was going... black.

Was this really going to be the end of Spider-Man?

He could see images of his loved ones in his mind as the dark spots began to overtake his vision. He could see his Uncle Ben out on the water with his fishing boat, he could see his Aunt May making her famous wheat cakes in the kitchen, he could see Mary Jane sewing his torn-up costume, Harry buying everyone lunch, Gwen in the science lab mixing chemicals, and... Amora reveling in her victory over the dreaded bubblegum.

Right as all the fight was about to leave his body, the pressure around his torso vanished and a fresh wave of air rushed into his lungs. He had missed it but the stragglers on the ground certainly did. A green blast of energy came from down the street and sent the Lizard creature straight through a brick wall.

Peter coughed and gagged as he greedily sucked down air and turned towards the new hole in the bricks. He hadn't done that. From his seated position he turned towards down the road and gulped nervously when he saw and annoyed looking Enchantress stomping their way.

"Uh oh..." he whispered. The last thing he wanted was to be on the wrong end of Amora's temper. He'd seen firsthand what happened to people who made her mad.

"You insufferable beast of burden! How dare you put your filthy claws upon my mortal!" she shouted towards the hole in the wall. She then stopped between him and the hole before rounding her fiery gaze. "And you...! Why did you abandon me at the diner?"

Peter rubbed the back of his head nervously. "Sorry, old habit I suppose. I just wanted to keep you safe."

The Enchantress sighed. She could understand his simple mortal logic. Lure the beast away and keep everyone including her safe. "I am a goddess Spider-Man. I am not some fair maiden in need of protection..." she knelt down and gently placed a hand on his cheek. "Though I appreciate your chivalry all the same."

Hearing that warmed the young hero's heart even as the Lizard began to emerge from his hole.

"One moment." Amora said with clear annoyance in her voice. She turned to face the scaled menace that glared daggers into her very being. She glared back at the beast for a moment before he froze in place. His eyes had widened to absurd degrees and every instinct he had screamed danger. It was as if he was looking into the eyes of a predator grander than himself.

An apex predator.

He tried to run back into the hole but wound up back in the street. He tried to cut around a corner, but it led him right back into the street. Fear gripped the Lizard's being and it ripped a manhole cover free and jumped into the sewer... only to fall back into the street from the sky.

The Lizard was full-on panicking now. There was no escape. He couldn't escape the eyes! He didn't want to, but a full front assault might be his only chance. With a desperate cry he charged the goddess. She didn't move. She didn't blink. She just continued to stare a hole through him.

He was about to pull back but fell forward mid charge. He couldn't move his legs. He looked down to see a familiar sticky white substance. Web fluid! No! The Lizard's eyes settled on the web-slinger and growled. He momentary forgot about the apex predator who had appeared in his few. He shrunk back.

She waved her finger, still glaring. "Tisk! Tisk! Return to eternal sleep beast."

The last thing the lizard saw was a green heeled boot collide with his scaled face.

"Pathetic." she huffed.

"Wow." Peter breathed.

Amora smiled. "Impressed, are you?"

Peter nodded. "Well... yeah."

"As you should be."

TO BE CONTINUED...