The sun beat down mercilessly on the bustling docks as Spider-Man swung through the air, his keen senses on high alert. He had received a tip that an arms deal was about to go down, and he couldn't let dangerous weapons fall into the wrong hands. Landing on a nearby rooftop, he surveyed the scene below.
His eyes narrowed as he spotted the criminals, clad in Avengers-themed masks, preparing to exchange a crate of weapons for a briefcase of cash. Spider-Man knew he had to act swiftly. "Looks like I arrived just in time to crash the party," Spider-Man quipped to himself as he prepared to spring into action. With a swift leap from the rooftop, he flipped and somersaulted through the air before landing gracefully in the midst of the criminals.
"Hey there, fellas! Planning to play dress-up and wreak havoc on my city?" Spider-Man taunted, his voice laced with a mix of sarcasm and determination. "Don't you guys know Halloween is tomorrow?"
The criminals spun around, caught off guard by the sudden appearance of the friendly neighborhood hero, their eyes widening behind the masks. Spider-Man's agility and spider-sense gave him the upper hand as he dodged punches and weaved through the chaos. His web-shooters shot strands of sticky webbing, immobilizing the criminals one by one. The battle raged on, but Spider-Man's acrobatic prowess and quick reflexes proved to be too much for them.
Eventually, only one criminal remained standing, the leader wearing a Captain America mask. Spider-Man shot a web, pinning the criminal against a stack of crates. He approached him cautiously, making sure to keep his guard up.
"You guys really think you can just waltz in here, causing trouble and pretending to be the good guys?" Spider-Man asked, his voice filled with a mixture of annoyance and curiosity. "Who's pulling the strings? The guy you all fear. The Big Man."
The criminal's eyes darted around nervously, his breath quickening behind the mask. Spider-Man could sense the fear emanating from him, even through the disguise.
"You think I'm just gonna spill the beans? Not a chance, webhead," the criminal spat defiantly.
Spider-Man tilted his head, studying the captive criminal. He knew that extracting information from him would be difficult. He had dealt with fear-induced loyalty before. But he also knew that he had to try.
"You're afraid of him, aren't you?" Spider-Man asked, his tone softer now, tinged with sympathy. "But maybe you should be more afraid of what he'll do if you keep protecting him. You think he cares about you?"
The criminal's gaze flickered, a flicker of doubt crossing his eyes. Spider-Man continued, trying to chip away at his resolve.
"You've seen what happens to people who cross him. The ones who think they're invincible, wearing these masks. They disappear. No one hears from them again," Spider-Man said, his voice low and steady. "You wanna be next? Is your loyalty worth that much?"
The criminal's silence spoke volumes. Spider-Man knew that he hadn't cracked him completely, but he had planted a seed of doubt. He stepped back, allowing the police sirens to grow louder in the distance. It was time to let them handle the rest.
As the police arrived and began taking the apprehended criminals into custody, Spider-Man perched on a nearby rooftop, still hidden from view. He took out a burner phone and dialed a number he had committed to memory. The voice on the other end belonged to Captain Stacy, an ally in the fight against crime.
"Captain Stacy, it's me. The arms deal at the docks has been thwarted," Spider-Man reported, his voice tinged with relief.
"Good work, Spider-Man," Captain Stacy responded, his voice filled with gratitude. "We'll take it from here. You did a great job today."
Spider-Man smiled, despite his hidden face. "Thanks, Captain. Just doing my part to keep the city safe."
With that, he ended the call and watched as the police loaded the criminals into their squad cars before swinging off for class. Though he hadn't pried any concrete information from the Captain America-masked criminal, he hoped that he had made a dent in their operation. The seed of doubt had been planted, and Spider-Man was determined to find out who this enigmatic figure, "The Big Man," truly was.
—
The lecture had finally come to a close, and Peter hastily gathered his belongings, eager to make his way to Connors' lab. It had been a week since the Electro incident, and today marked the lab's reopening. But there was something else driving Peter's urgency—a birthday celebration for their son awaited him, along with what the Connors had hinted at as great news. He needed to reach the lab as quickly as possible.
However, before Peter could reach the doorway, he heard his name being called out by his professor, Dr. Otto Octavius. With an exhausted sigh, Peter halted his steps and turned around to face the renowned scientist.
"Peter, my boy! Just the person I was hoping to catch before you made your escape," Otto greeted him with a warm smile.
Peter offered a tired smile in return. "Hey, Dr. Octavius. What can I do for you?"
The professor engaged in some small talk, discussing the recent events and the impact of the Electro incident. Then, as if it was an inevitability, he posed the same question that had been asked by countless teachers before him. "Peter, why are you always so tardy?"
Peter contemplated for a moment, feigning a look of disappointment. "You know, it's this old alarm clock of mine. It just keeps malfunctioning. I can't seem to get it fixed."
Octavius raised an eyebrow, clearly skeptical of the excuse. But instead of pressing the matter, he decided to accept Peter's response and moved on to more significant matters.
"You know Peter, I'm actually good friends with Dr. Connors, in fact we get lunch every Saturday, but that's besides the point." He said. "In fact I've noticed that as much as we talk, a good chunk of our conversations end up being about you."
"Oh really? I can't imagine why." Pete said sheepishly, nervous that Dr. Octavius was about to question his consistent disappearing act.
"Oh don't be modest Peter, of course you do. You are a remarkably intelligent young man, I truly believe this," He revealed. "and I know for a fact that Curt agrees."
"Thank you sir, I really appreciate your compliments."
"Ah Ah Ahh. May I remind you that it's not all sunshine and rainbows, Mr Parker." He interjected. "While we agree that you are brilliant, we also agree that you're lazy and in terrible need of guidance."
"In light of that, Peter, I'd like to offer you my guidance," Octavius declared, his voice carrying a mix of sincerity and determination.
Peter's eyes widened in surprise. Mentally, he considered the proposition. He had never had a mentor who could keep up with his intellect and, in some cases, even surpass it. Uncle Ben had done his best, but Peter had outgrown his understanding by the sixth grade. The idea of having someone like Dr. Octavius as a mentor seemed appealing and potentially beneficial.
Without hesitation, Peter accepted the offer, a smile spreading across his face. "Thank you, Dr. Octavius. I appreciate your willingness to help me."
Dr. Octavius laughed heartily, his excitement evident. He extended his hand toward Peter, who gladly shook it. "Excellent, Peter! I knew you would see the value in this. I have a project in mind that I believe you're perfectly suited for."
As he spoke, Dr. Octavius tore a small piece of paper from his notebook and swiftly jotted down an address. Handing the paper to Peter, he instructed, "Go to this location tomorrow at 2:00. We'll get started on our project."
Peter took the paper, carefully tucking it into his pocket. "I'll be there, Dr. Octavius. Looking forward to it."
With that, Dr. Octavius dismissed Peter for the day, allowing him to finally make his way out of the classroom. Peter's mind buzzed with excitement as he left, grateful for this unexpected turn of events. He couldn't help but feel that this new mentorship would open doors he had only dreamed of, and it was a chance he didn't want to miss.
Walking out into the bright afternoon, Peter's thoughts raced with anticipation, both for the lab reopening and the promise of guidance from Dr. Octavius. Little did he know that this decision would set in motion a chain of events that would shape his destiny in ways he couldn't yet.
—
Peter finally arrived at the lab, slightly startled as he was pulled into a surprise side hug by Dr. Connors. As he looked around, Peter noticed that Connors once again had a fully regenerated right arm. Greeted by Maria, Billy, Gwen, and Eddie, Peter couldn't help but question the miraculous return of Connors' arm.
Amidst the celebration of Billy's birthday and the miraculous return of Connors' arm, Peter's curiosity got the better of him. He quietly approached Gwen, unable to contain his question any longer. "Gwen, do you know how Dr. Connors got his arm back?"
To which the blonde looked back at him and shrugged. "Beats me, I got here a little bit before you did and he still hasn't told me."
Unbeknownst to them, Connors overheard their conversation and smiled, realizing it was time to share the news with everyone present.
He took a fork and clinked it against his glass, capturing the attention of the room. "Everyone, if I may have your attention," he announced cheerfully. "My regenerative formula, which I've been working on for years, was successful. It's the reason my arm has returned."
The room erupted with happiness and congratulations, but Maria raised an eyebrow, sensing something amiss. However, she decided to save her inquiries for a private conversation with her husband later on.
As the celebration continued, Eddie noticed the time and realized he had to leave.
"Sorry guys, but it looks like I've got to go." Eddie said, sadly breaking the news to everyone. "I guess I'll have to party with you guys later."
"What?! Really?!" Billy spoke, "But we haven't even got to opening my presents yet!"
"Sorry lil' buddy, but the team and I have got a home game today. I made a commitment and don't really feel like getting chewed out by my coach today." Eddie explained, not wanting to see Billy sad, he continued talking. "Look I promise to open your presents with you later, squirt. Deal?" He said, offering his hand out to shake.
While understandably hesitant, Billy was quick to take his hand before shaking it just as quickly. "Deal!"
As he finished putting his coat on, Eddie turned to two of his oldest friends, putting on a goofy grin as he pulled out for tickets. "I managed to score four tickets to the game today, and I really wanted you guys to come, plus I hear Osborn got the okay to come and play this game."
"Oh totally! There's nothing that could keep me away, Bro." Peter exclaimed, before getting confused as he realized he was holding two tickets. "Wait, but you have four tickets."
"Yep, all according to plan. You, Liz, Gwen, and hopefully Gwen's hot roommate." Eddie said slyly as Gwen smiled sheepishly while Eddie proceeded to hand her two tickets also. "Four people. Four tickets. Perfect math." With that, Eddie bid his farewell and made his exit.
Peter raised an eyebrow, understandably thinking of Liz as Gwen's hot roommate. However that was before Gwen clarified. "He means our other roommate. You haven't met her yet."
With Eddie gone, Peter and Gwen lingered a while longer. Enjoying the presence of the Connors family, eventually realizing that they too had to leave. The two pardoned themselves as they went to go grab their coats together.
"So, another roommate, huh?" Peter found the revelation surprising, wondering why Liz hadn't mentioned it earlier. However, he decided not to question it further for the moment. "Sounds interesting, I can't wait to meet her later."
"Eh, I wouldn't get your hopes up, Pete. Cuz I doubt MJ's gonna show." Gwen let out calmly, despite the pang of disappointment in her voice. "I mean she's barely been at our dorm since I moved in. Plus, I don't think I don't think she'd be the football type."
"'Sounds about the same thing Harry and I went through. We've barely seen the guy and he apparently moved in before us.'" Pete thought, putting his coat on. "So I imagine it's pretty much just you and Liz in there?"
"Actually, I would imagine it's pretty much just Liz in there. I've been staying with my dad ever since the blackout last week." She admitted. "I imagine I'll be back by Tuesday."
"Gone huh." Peter mumbled, though it made more sense the more he thought about it. "I guess I would explain why Liz had been spending more time at my place this week."
One would have thought that Gwen had gotten whiplash the way her head snapped to look at Peter. "Wait, what?", As Gwen finished speaking, Maria Connors quickly came over.
"Please pardon my rudeness, but I couldn't help overhear that there was a vacant ticket available and I was wondering if Billy could attend the game with you all?" She asked, explaining that she needed to talk to her husband privately.
Both Peter and Gwen blushed furiously, misunderstanding Maria's implication.
"Yeah, sure, Dr. Connors!" Eager to avoid any more details, Gwen immediately agreed.
"Thank you for your generosity, Gwen." Maria smiled as she hurried back to her family, instructing Billy to grab his coat.
Meanwhile, Peter grabbed his backpack and informed Gwen that he would see her at the game. But before he could leave, Dr. Connors stopped him at the door.
"I'm sorry to stop you, Peter. But I must confess. This morning Otto told me that he was going to ask you to be his apprentice today." Curious, Connors inquired about Peter's answer.
Peter didn't waste any time and replied, "I accepted Dr. Octavius' offer."
A smile spread across Connors' face as he heard Peter's response. "I'm glad to hear that, Peter." Curt expressed, putting both arms on Peter's shoulders. "A long while back when I had heard that you had lost your uncle in that tragic incident, I wanted to share my condolences with you, but I didn't feel it was my place."
"But I must say Mr. Parker, I can see a spark inside of you, one that is destined for greatness." He shared. "And I'm glad that you now have a mentor like Otto who can guide and nurture your spark into becoming the great scientist you are destined to be."
Peter was left speechless by Connors' words, unable to find the right words to respond. He extended his hand and shook Connors', expressing his gratitude. "Thank you, Dr. Connors. To hear that coming from you means the world to me. I'd also like to thank you for recommending me to Dr. Octavius. I'm quite sure I couldn't have done it without you."
Though his gratitude was felt, Connors shrugged it off, saying, "It was no problem."
And with that, Peter bid his farewell and left the lab to meet up with Liz at the dorms.
———
The field rumbled with anticipation from adoring fans as MSLI's Mammoths made the starting game kickoff. Peter watched as the crowd roared in excitement, an ESU Eagles player caught the ball and drove down the field, brute forcing their way through the opposing team before being stopped at the 42-yard line, 78 yards to touchdown.
Being that sports really aren't his thing, Peter Parker felt more bored than he thought he would be, staring off into space before Liz pulled him from his thoughts.
"Well Petey, I didn't take you for a sports fan," she said flirtatiously, hugging his arm, still in her cheer uniform from her squad's performance before the game. "It's a shame my ticket went to waste, but we can still hang out in the stands before halftime." She hugged him even tighter.
"I'm really not, I'm only here to support Eddie and Harry. And don't worry about the ticket; I should have figured you'd be cheerleading at the game," Peter said, blushing.
Gwen, on the other hand, was the polar opposite of Peter, yelling at the top of her lungs with an excited Billy next to her after Eddie made an excellent tackle on 4th down, forcing a turnover back to ESU. "YEAH EDDIE! Make that Maine State Pansy regret EVER stepping foot in New York!"
While Peter was unfazed, this side of Gwen was a complete shock for Liz. Gwen always had the most backbone, but this was definitely not the girl Liz knew from High School.
Towards the end of the First Quarter, Liz could do nothing but watch as Gwen snatched Peter from her arms to celebrate with her, as the two watched their best friend Harry catch a Hail Mary and score a touchdown.
Usually, Liz wouldn't let something like this get to her, but she couldn't shake the feeling as she saw the way Gwen looked at Peter, and those definitely weren't the eyes of someone who was "Just Friends".
There was more to Gwen Stacy than she initially let on, and Liz planned to find out what.
As the First Quarter ended, Liz made her move, "Oh man, all that moving around earlier has really made me work up an appetite. How about you guys?"
Peter, having not eaten since the cake earlier, couldn't think of a reason as to why not. "Sure, I could use a bite."
"Great!" She exclaimed, telling Peter that she and Gwen were going to get some refreshments, dragging the blonde girl off before she could respond, leaving Peter and Billy by themselves to watch the game.
The two only sat there, staring at each other awkwardly for a moment before the young boy spoke up. "Y'know you really are dumber than you look, Pete," Billy said before turning back to watch the game, his statement leaving Peter dumbfounded.
———
Dr. Maria Connors stormed back into the lab, her eyes blazing with fury. "Curt, what on earth were you thinking? You used that untested regenerative formula without even consulting me!"
Curt, standing defiantly with his newly regrown arm, tried to defend himself. "I couldn't wait any longer, Maria. One of the board members is going to come knocking any minute, and we need to at least have something for them to chew on."
"You think this is just about the board?! It's about safety, responsibility, and the potential consequences of using an unproven substance!" Maria replied, her voice trembling with anger and concern.
"I know it was risky, but it worked, Maria! Look at me!" Curt gestured to his restored arm, pride evident on his face.
"That's not the point, Curt. What if something goes wrong later? What if there are hidden side effects we haven't discovered yet?" Maria argued, trying to make him understand the gravity of his actions.
"I don't care about the 'what ifs.' All I cared about was getting my arm back and securing our positions as the heads of this lab, and the formula did that," Curt retorted, his stubbornness showing.
Maria took a deep breath, trying to remain composed. "You could have talked to me, and we could have found a safer, tested solution together. As a scientist, you should know better."
Curt's demeanor softened a bit, realizing his mistake. "You're right, Maria. I should have come to you, but I was desperate."
"Dangerous shortcuts like this can't be tolerated, Curt. We must prioritize scientific integrity and patient safety above all else," Maria said, her tone more composed now.
"I promise, I won't do something like this again without consulting you fir- AHGK!! '' Curt's sentence was violently interrupted as something within his body jerked, making him feel sick as the world started spinning, beginning to fall over, Maria catching him before he could hit the ground.
She let out a large huff as she helped Curt lean against the large metal table. "Oh God are you okay, Curt?" She asked, her mood making a complete 180 as she went from furious to concerned.
Although her husband didn't say anything, she knew the answer anyway as she felt her husband shaking, shivering as if he were cold, which was unorthodox considering it was only room temperature there. "Curt, what's wrong? C'mon we just agreed that you were going to start telling me these things."
Unfortunately, the only answer that Maria got was Curt pushing her away as he started grunting in pain.
In the dimly lit laboratory, Dr. Maria Connors stood frozen with terror, watching in horror as her husband, Curt, writhed in pain against the metal table. The air was heavy with a pungent odor, a mixture of chemicals and fear.
"Maria, please... help me," Curt's desperate voice trembled as his body convulsed. His once human form was now contorting in grotesque ways, bones cracking and reshaping, as if nature itself rebelled against the transformation.
Maria's heart pounded in her chest, torn between the love she felt for Curt and the dreadful sight before her. She tried to find the words, her voice shaking, "I-I don't know what to do."
The laboratory equipment hummed ominously, intensifying the tension in the room. The flickering lights cast eerie shadows on the walls, creating an unsettling atmosphere that mirrored the unfolding nightmare.
As Curt's skin turned a sickly shade of green, scales began to emerge, covering his body from head to toe. His fingers elongated into sharp claws, tearing through the remnants of his clothing. His face contorted, nose and mouth merging into a reptilian snout, while his eyes took on a predatory gleam.
A guttural growl escaped Curt's throat, and he lurched forward, causing Maria to step back in terror. "Stay away!" he hissed, his voice now distorted and animalistic.
Tears welled up in Maria's eyes as she clutched her trembling hands to her chest. She couldn't bear to see the man she loved become this monstrous creature. "Curt, please, fight it! You have to remember who you are."
But the transformation seemed relentless, the monstrous instincts overpowering whatever remained of Curt's consciousness. His body contorted further, muscles bulging and rippling with newfound strength. He stood on all fours, a horrifying amalgamation of man and reptile.
In a last desperate attempt, Maria reached for a nearby syringe, filled with a serum she hoped could reverse the transformation. She rushed towards him, injecting the serum into his arm.
But it was too late. The transformation had taken its toll, and Curt's humanity seemed lost within his now dead, cold blooded eyes. With a bone-chilling roar, he lunged at Maria, leaving her with no choice but to try to flee for her life.
The laboratory echoed with the sound of their struggle, the air heavy with fear and regret. The sight of her husband's grotesque transformation haunted Maria, leaving her with the realization that her husband's scientific curiosity had led to a horrifying outcome, and the love she once knew was now lost to the darkness of the unknown.
In a panic, Dr. Maria Connors dashed through the dark and labyrinthine corridors of the facility, her heart pounding like a war drum in her chest. The echo of her footsteps mixed with the guttural growls of the monstrous creature that once was her husband, Curt, as it pursued her relentlessly.
Her breaths came in gasps as she turned a corner and reached the exit, only to be met by the reptilian horror, its glowing eyes locking onto her in a chilling stare. She let out a horrified scream, quickly reversing direction and racing back into the depths of the lab.
Maria's hands trembled as she grabbed a fire extinguisher off the wall, using it as a makeshift weapon, hoping to stave off the advancing creature. The extinguisher felt cold against her palms, providing a slight sense of comfort amidst the chaos.
The creature's monstrous roars echoed through the narrow hallways, and the heavy footsteps closed in on her, each thunderous beat amplifying her fear. Maria's mind raced, trying to think of a way to escape this nightmare.
With adrenaline fueling her actions, she rounded another corner, barely managing to keep ahead of the pursuing monster. But her panic betrayed her, and she stumbled, giving the creature the advantage it needed to close the distance.
Just as the reptile-like beast lunged towards her, Maria swung the fire extinguisher with all her might, catching the creature off-guard and temporarily forcing it back. But its determination was unwavering, and it continued its relentless pursuit.
With one final burst of energy, Maria reached the lab's main room, her heart pounding in her ears. She turned to face the creature, raising the fire extinguisher in a defensive stance. The air was thick with tension as the two adversaries locked eyes.
As the creature lunged again, Maria acted on instinct, shoving the fire extinguisher between its gaping jaws. With a swift move, she activated the extinguisher, releasing a powerful blast of cold chemical foam directly into the creature's mouth.
The freezing cold caught the reptile-like monster off guard, causing it to recoil in pain and confusion. Maria took advantage of the opportunity, scrambling to her feet and putting distance between herself and the stunned creature.
The reptile thrashed and snarled, its agony apparent, but Maria knew she couldn't let her guard down. She continued to back away, keeping the extinguisher aimed at the creature, ready to defend herself if necessary.
Finally, the pain became too much for the monster to bear, and it fled, disappearing into the shadows. Maria's heart was still racing, her body shaking from the adrenaline coursing through her veins. She leaned against the lab's cold, metal wall, tears streaming down her face, as she came to terms with the horrifying reality of the situation.
The encounter had left her traumatized, but she knew she couldn't give up. She had to find a way to save her husband and reverse the monstrous transformation, even if it meant confronting the darkest corners of her scientific endeavors.
————
Liz could barely hide her frustration as she dragged Gwen to the back of the line at the concession stand.
The two girls stood there in awkward silence for a moment before Gwen tried to break the ice, "So, what were you i--"
"Do you like Peter?" Liz interrupted her. Her question was straight to the point which caught Gwen by surprise.
"What?" Gwen asked in response, blushing uncontrollably at the Cheerleader's inquiry, which only seemed to irritate Liz more.
"Don't play coy with me, Stacy." Liz asked again, firmer this time to let Gwen know that she was serious. "It's a fairly simple question, do you like Peter?"
"No, of course not. What gave you that idea?" Gwen reflexively denied, trying to wave the idea off with the sheepish smile.
Liz, on the other hand, was less than amused as she rolled her eyes in annoyance. "Get real and tell me the truth, Stacy."
"We aren't in high school anymore. I can't get mad at you just because we like the same guy. That's bad roommate etiquette." Liz deadpanned. "Especially since you liked him first."
"I-I uh… NO! I um– ugh!" The blonde huffed in defeat. "How'd you know?"
Liz giggled so hard that she was barely able to get out a sentence. "You say that as if you don't make it transparent. I'd even say you're more obvious now than when you were in high school."
"So if you've known all this time, why didn't you say anything? Why even become his girlfriend?" Gwen asked, her mind filled with even more questions.
"Well first, I'm not his girlfriend. We're just dating. And no, Gwen, they're not the same thing." The Latina clarified, "And to answer your question, it's because I like him too, and just because you liked him first doesn't mean you get dibs."
"If you wanted to get with him, you should have done so back in high school. Back when you had an easy hole in one." Liz said confidently. "But now it's too late, because now Peter has options. Whether it be me, you, or any other girl that wants a big piece of Not-So-Puny Parker."
"Regardless, it's now a competition." She finished, her words making sense to Gwen to an almost scary degree. Because whether she liked it or not, Liz was right. She waited too long and now she's suffering the consequences.
"But don't count yourself out. As far as I know, Parker is still on the market. Mostly because he doesn't know how to seal the deal, but still." Liz admitted, once again getting visibly annoyed.
"Thanks for the vote of confidence." Gwen mumbled, giggling awkwardly. "But I don't think it's going to work out between Peter and I, we've known each other for years and I've had feelings for him almost just as long."
"If I'm that obvious about it, there's no way he hasn't noticed and since he has, that can only mean he doesn't feel the same and is trying to avoid the topic altogether." The blonde stated, grabbing her forearm in frustration.
"Well, that would be the case if he did know, but I can guarantee that he most definitely doesn't." Liz reassured her. "Why? Because your best friend is more oblivious than a deer in the middle of the road."
"I mean the guy can't even see when he's been given the green light to go past second base."
Unbeknownst to Liz, her last statement had set off a silent alarm in the back of Gwen's head. Well, more like a party alarm as Gwen started doing mental gymnastics in her head. Though her face quickly turned back to beet red as she remembered the contents of what Liz was saying.
"Wait so, y-you and Peter haven't done it yet?" Gwen asked, stumbling over her words a bit.
"If by "done it", you mean sex, then no. We have not." She confessed, feeling a bit embarrassed. "Though it's not for the lack of trying on my part, but I have seen him shirtless. He surprisingly ripped for a geek."
"Now you're just yanking my chain. Even if he were that fit, how would he hide that under his clothing?"
"What can I say, it's a wonder what baggy clothes can hide. Man or woman." Liz said. Looking Gwen up and down, to which the blonde in question immediately noticed.
"What?"
"Oh please, Gwen. We're roommates now. You think I haven't noticed what you've been hiding under those oversized hoodies and jeans by now." Liz called her out.
This statement made Gwen's face even redder than it was before as she looked away in embarrassment. "You know what, I think it's time to talk about something el– DING! " Gwen was interrupted by her phone going off.
Gwen quickly opened it to see what it was about, wanting to focus on anything other than this conversation right now, but she would soon come to regret her choice as she shockingly read who the notification was from and what it was about.
"I'm sorry Liz, but my boss really needs me right now, I gotta go."
"It's fine if it's an emergency then go. I'll text Peter to meet you over there."
"Thanks!" The blonde exclaimed, running off towards the labs as fast as she humanlycould.
—————
As the group rushed over to the labs, Peter, Gwen, Eddie, and Billy were anxious to find out what had happened to Dr. Curt Connors. They arrived just in time to see Maria being questioned by the police, tears streaming down her face as she recounted the horrifying incident.
"I-I can't believe it," Maria stammered. "We were just preparing for the university board's visit, and then that monstrous creature appeared out of nowhere! It was huge, like 6'2", and looked like a reptilian monster. It attacked us, destroyed the lab, and took Curt with it when it escaped."
Her voice quivered as she continued, "Curt tried to protect me, but the creature was too powerful. I was too weak to stop it. Please, you have to find my husband!"
The police officers nodded sympathetically, promising to do everything they could to locate Dr. Connors. Meanwhile, Maria spotted the four friends standing nearby and rushed over to them, hugging Billy tightly with gratitude for sending him to the football game.
Amidst the disbelief, Peter's mind raced with thoughts about the reptilian creature. '"This can't be a coincidence,"' he thought. '"There must be a connection between the monster and Dr. Connors' research."'
As Peter pondered, he overheard an officer's radio call for backup, reporting that the giant lizard was heading towards Williamsburg bridge. Without a second thought, two officers shared a nod before hurrying to their cruiser and speeding off to confront the creature.
In the midst of the chaos, Peter's burner phone buzzed with a message from Captain Stacy. He knew it was crucial information, but he couldn't afford to let the others know.
Seizing the opportunity amidst their distraction, Peter quietly slipped away under the cover of night, with Eddie being the only one to notice his sudden disappearance.
"Hey, where's Peter?"
While within the confines of his luxury vehicle, a man by the name of Adlen Van Rafka, Oscorp Executive and member of ESU board of directors, rolled his eyes in annoyance because thanks to his chauffeur's so-called shortcut they were now stuck in traffic in the middle of the Williamsburg bridge.
Growing sick of the constant honking coming from outside, Adlen commanded his chauffeur to go and see what was going on outside.
Having no reason to deny him, the chauffeur complied, locking the car doors as he exited the vehicle, while waiting for his driver to return, Adlen began scrolling through his phone until he looked up and saw people running past his car from behind.
Looking through the rear windshield, Adlen saw some kind of giant reptilian beast racing across the bridge, flipping over almost every vehicle in its way.
With fight or flight kicking in, Adlen tried to get out and run away with everybody else but realized that the car was still locked, moving quickly he tried to reach up to the front and use the driver's door inputs to unlock the back door until he heard a loud thud coming from the roof of the car.
Terrified, Adlen turned to see a massive clawed hand tearing through the sunroof. He fumbled for his phone, dialing 911 as he stammered, "There's a monster on the Williamsburg bridge! Send help!"
The creature's snarling head emerged from the shattered sunroof, its eyes locking onto Adlen. It let out a bone-chilling roar as drool dripped onto the leather seats.
Adlen's heart raced even faster as the monstrous creature loomed above him. He could feel its hot, foul-smelling breath washing over him. Panicking, he dropped his phone, which clattered to the floorboard.
Desperation fueled his actions. Adlen lunged toward the front of the car, reaching for the driver's door controls. With trembling fingers, he managed to unlock the back door just as the creature's clawed hand descended, narrowly missing him.
With a surge of adrenaline, Adlen scrambled out of the car and onto the bridge's pavement. He joined the chaotic crowd of terrified people running in all directions. The creature continued its rampage, flipping cars and causing mayhem.
As he ran, Adlen spotted a police car approaching with sirens blaring. He waved frantically, trying to get their attention.
But as he did so, Adlen had felt his world spin as he hit the pavement, the impact from the creature's tail knocking the wind out of him. He groaned in pain, struggling to get back on his feet, but before he could do so, the monstrous reptilian tail sideswiped him, sending him sprawling onto his back.
Helpless and terrified, he watched in horror as the creature rounded on him, its snarling face mere inches from his own. He flinched, bracing for the inevitable pounce, but just before the monstrosity could reach him, it was abruptly halted in its tracks.
Adlen's eyes widened as he saw strands of webbing shooting from an unknown source, ensnaring the creature's massive body. It roared and thrashed, but the webbing held strong, preventing it from reaching him.
Gasping for breath, Adlen realized that a masked figure in a red and blue suit had swung onto the scene, clinging to the bridge's structure. The hero had saved him from certain doom.
"Hey. I'm your friendly neighborhood pest control man, but muh friends call me Spidey." The vigilante quipped as he pulled himself in on the creature, delivering a devastating kick to its jaw before flipping back next to Rafka.
"So Mr…?"
"Rafka."
"Right! So Mr. Kacka, ya got any ideas as to why a 6'6" overgrown lizard is targeting you?" Spidey asked while he stretched as he waited for the reptile to finish recuperating.
"Honest to god, I've got no idea." He admitted.
"Okay okay, that works… despite it being totally useless. But I'll take it." Spidey let out a satisfying sigh as he felt his back pop just as the lizard finally got up. "Okay pal, let's do this."
In the blink of an eye, Spider-Man and The Lizard were locked in a ferocious battle on the Williamsburg Bridge. The Lizard, a towering reptilian monstrosity with razor-sharp claws and scaly, green skin, had the initial advantage, its sheer size and brute strength giving it the upper hand.
Spider-Man, however, was not one to be underestimated. With his agility, acrobatics, and web-slinging abilities, he danced around The Lizard's powerful strikes, dodging claws that could slice through steel like butter. Spidey's signature black and white goggles glistened in the moonlight as he moved with unparalleled grace.
The Lizard lunged forward, attempting to sink its teeth into Spider-Man's shoulder, but the wall-crawler somersaulted backward, narrowly avoiding the deadly bite. He quipped, "Whoa there, big guy! Dentist appointments can wait!"
With a swift kick, Spider-Man aimed for The Lizard's midsection, but the reptile countered with a vicious swipe of its tail. Spider-Man's web-shooters activated, releasing a web line that wrapped around the tail, allowing him to swing out of harm's way just in time.
The battle raged on, each combatant testing the other's limits. Spider-Man's punches were like lightning, striking The Lizard's armored scales with precision. He delivered a flurry of blows, trying to wear down his scaly opponent.
But The Lizard was resilient. It responded with a ferocious roar, its tail whipping through the air like a battering ram. Spider-Man barely managed to leap over the tail's trajectory, but he knew he needed a plan to end this battle quickly.
Circling The Lizard, Spider-Man's keen senses detected an opportunity. The creature seemed to grow larger with each passing moment, indicating that it was becoming more enraged and, possibly, more dangerous. Spidey needed to act fast.
With a burst of speed, Spider-Man closed the gap between them. He aimed a powerful punch at The Lizard's jaw, putting all his strength into it. The impact sent shockwaves through the bridge's structure, and The Lizard staggered backward, disoriented.
Several of The Lizard's teeth were dislodged and sent flying through the air, clattering against the pavement. Spider-Man didn't let up. He knew that this was his chance to end the fight before The Lizard could recover.
With unparalleled agility, Spider-Man sprang forward once more, his fists blurring as he unleashed a barrage of punches on The Lizard's already battered jaw. Each strike was a resounding blow, and The Lizard's roars grew more desperate with every hit.
Finally, with one last powerful punch, Spider-Man struck The Lizard square in the jaw, and the impact was cataclysmic. The force sent the oversized reptile hurtling backward through the air, crashing into a pile of overturned cars with a deafening thud.
The Lizard lay there for a moment, dazed and defeated. It had underestimated the strength and determination of its opponent, and it was now paying the price. Realizing that it was outmatched and badly injured, The Lizard made a strategic decision to retreat.
With a determined effort, The Lizard pushed itself up, its eyes fixed on Spider-Man. However, instead of lunging forward for another attack, it turned and, with surprising agility, scrambled over the bridge's edge and disappeared into the murky waters below.
Spider-Man watched as The Lizard vanished from sight, his chest heaving with exertion. He knew that he had won this battle, but the threat of The Lizard was far from over. As he stood on the damaged Williamsburg Bridge, while tired, he knew he couldn't let the creature roam free.
He sighed heavily as he prepared to go after it while the trail was still hot and right as Spider-Man turned to go after The Lizard, his heightened senses picked up a distant cry for help. The sound pierced through the chaos of the bridge, drawing his attention.
Turning around, he spotted a heart-wrenching scene - a man desperately trying to prevent his car from plummeting off the bridge. The vehicle's engine was on fire, adding to the urgency of the situation.
But what caught Spider-Man's attention even more was the terrified young boy in the backseat, struggling to get out. The man was risking his life to save his child.
Without hesitation and with fluid grace, Spider-Man sprang into action. He shot two web lines, attaching them to the bridge's structure, effectively halting the car's descent into the treacherous waters below. Landing gracefully on the car's roof, he wasted no time. With a quick, powerful pull, he tore off the back windshield and he reached out his hand, ready to pull the boy to safety. To his surprise, the child recoiled in fear, shrinking away from Spider-Man's masked hand.
Concern etched beneath his mask, Spider-Man asked gently, "What's wrong, buddy?"
Tears welled up in his eyes as he stammered, "You're scary! I saw how you were fighting the monster, how you were hurting it."
Spider-Man's heart sank behind his mask. He understood the child's fear. The intense battle with The Lizard had likely left the boy traumatized, and now he associated Spider-Man with that fear.
Taking a deep breath, Spider-Man decided to reveal the person behind the mask. He slowly removed his mask, making sure the boy could see his face. Gazing at the child with sincerity in his eyes, he said, "Hey there, I'm just a regular guy trying to do some good. The mask, well, it makes me feel strong."
He extended his hand once more, offering the boy the mask. The child hesitated for a moment but then took the mask in his trembling hands, clutching it tightly.
With a reassuring smile, Spider-Man gently urged, "Put it on, kiddo. It'll make you feel strong too."
Hesitantly, the child took it, his small fingers clutching the fabric. Spider-Man watched as the boy slipped it over his face, his eyes peeking out from behind the familiar red design, masking his fear with newfound courage. Spider-Man's heart swelled with a mix of emotions as the child finally reached out and grabbed his hand, this time without hesitation.
But time was running out. With the car's precarious situation becoming more critical, Spider-Man knew he had to act fast. The vehicle groaned under the strain, and he could see the flames growing larger beneath them. With one swift motion, he hoisted the boy up and held him securely.
Bounding off the car just as it teetered on the edge of the bridge, Spider-Man shot a web line, propelling himself and the child to safety. Seconds later, the car exploded in a fiery spectacle, sending plumes of smoke and debris into the air.
The boy's tearful eyes met Spider-Man's grateful gaze as the hero whispered, "You did great, buddy. You're a real hero today."
They swung away from the chaos, the child clinging to Spider-Man as they sailed back onto the bridge's safety.
Before rejoining the crowd, the boy quickly placed the mask back over Spider-Man's face, concealing his identity. He whispered a heartfelt "Thanks," followed by, "You need it more than I do."
With that, the child sprinted back to his father, who embraced him tightly, tears of relief in his eyes. Meanwhile, paramedics and EMTs arrived on the scene, attending to the shaken but grateful family.
Spider-Man watched from a distance, his heart warmed, with a silent nod to himself, Spider-Man swung away, back into the city's skyline.