Days Later at Aunt May's Home…
Peter was happy that his story was in the paper.
'Spider-man or a Man-Spider; Mutant of New York.'
He didn't like how the press was presenting him, but he still liked the money, so it wasn't a problem. Plus, there was the addition of selling his exoskeleton for research, learning more about himself. Dr. Connors promised to keep him up to date with every new discovery. They promised to keep it a secret from everyone as they studied his genes.
It's weird how a lot can happen in that one lab…
At the Empire State University in Doc Connor's Lab…
Peter was excited to be at the lab, he wanted to come here for a long time now.
This was one of the most states of the art labs in the world, plus it helps that his brother (all but in blood) Eddie Brock promised to let him see all the cool stuff. Peter wanted to go here after he finished high school for years and he would be able to build the inventions he's been wanting to do as well. Eddie believes his little brother was guaranteed entry since he was a born prodigy and son to the famed Richard Parker. Peter was worried if he could even afford the tuition here, but Eddie told him to stop worrying, he would probably get in free anyway.
"Hey Bro, happy to see you and your class could make it." Eddie grinned as he and Petey gave a high five.
"I wouldn't miss this for the world. I mean… this is the lab! This is where it all begins!" Peter spoke with enthusiasm in his voice.
While the class laughed at his nerdy behavior, Dr. Connors was quite content to see someone who enjoys this line of work.
"Well, I am happy at least someone interested in being here. I hope to see you with Mr. Brock after high school. A mind like yours can bring a better future for the world, like Eddie." The doctor complimented as Peter blushed a bit.
"Now Curt, we can't show favoritism. I am sure every student here has the skills and knowhow to be a great scientist." His wife, Dr. Connors advised as her husband felt his phone vibrating in his lab coat.
"Uh, I need to get back to the lab."
"I'll take over the tour."
The two doctors kissed, and Dr. Connors left while Dr. Connors (His wife) stayed to continue the tour. They were presented with genetic spiders within glass cases. Each one changed and altered for desired traits, yet the process has created them to be a mystery.
"Um…Dr. Conners, this display says there fifteen spiders." Gwen pointed out as the woman scientist chuckled a bit.
"Yes, there are fifteen genetically altered spiders in total." She confirmed as she was a little puzzled on why the girl pointed that out.
"Then why are there only fourteen?" She wondered, surprising Martha Connors as she looked into the glass tanks.
She was right, there were only fourteen.
"Maybe Curt took one to research. But just in case… Eddie, mind scoping out the lab a bit just in case." Martha requested from her assistance.
"On it. Sorry Bro, duty calls." Eddie smiled as he began searching around for the little creepy crawly missing.
He should have looked at the table closest to Pete, if he did, maybe it wouldn't have happened. All it took was a yelp of pain for Eddie to turn one-eighty! No… Not Petey, no one was watching or noticing so Eddie rushed to his side.
"What happened?"
"It's nothing… Just something bit me." Peter answered as Eddie looked at the table and there it was.
Number Fifteen curled up and dead. A genetically modified spider bit Peter. Who knows what kind of effects this could have on him! He then looked to his brother or more to his hand and saw the bite more, it was bulbous, swollen, and pussing ooze.
At Connor's Labs at night…
Peter was amazed by the sight of the tank.
Dr. Connors was giving a speech about life and how it was all connected to a web of life. Each animal has a purpose to help itself and others connected to them. Humans were trying to better understand this web and how to use it for a better world for all humanity. The best example was the electric eels, more precisely were genetically modified electric eels with their electric receptors enhanced beyond the limit. Though the web of life can bring good to the world, it would be dangerous to mess with nature and could cause more damage than good when things began to cross to the point of no return.
"When's the last time the tank is clean?" Peter joked as he and Gwen were confused by the color of the water.
"There's nothing wrong with the tank. The fluid, I call sludge increases the electricity output on the eels." Eddie explained as he loved the excitement in his brother's eyes.
He's really going to be happy as an intern here.
"In fact, the biosignatures have become so intense that we are forced to upgrade our lab's bioelectrical filters." Dr. Connors explained as the handyman chuckled a little.
"We have been forced to?" Max grinned.
"Sorry, we are forcing Max to upgrade." He corrected himself.
"I'm just saying," Max added.
"Guys this is Max, a good bud of mine. Max this is Petey and Gwen." Eddie introduced.
"Nice to meet you all. Looks like Eddie was right about you being cute, Peter." Max commented as Eddie turned red.
He was so thankful when Dr. Martha Connors came in with their son, Billy. Peter and Gwen soon went home as Eddie made sure the costume, he finished sewing was with Pete. Another night of being a hero means a costume in need of sewing.
"So, Eddie, how old is Pete anyway? He looks around ten, maybe eleven." Max wondered as Curt was still looking over the lizard's DNA.
"He's fifteen and doesn't say that in front of him, he hates it when someone calls him a child." Eddie answered, "And don't say that type of stuff in front of him."
"You mean the part of you think he's cute or the face you have a crush on him? Relax, Eddie, your secret is safe. He probably thinks cute meaning as a little brother sort of way anyway." Max assured him as he tried to pull out one of the filters.
Then it got stuck. He tried to pull on it as hard as he could but that was when it happened. The machine short-circuited as he collided with the eels!
"Peter?"
"SHRIEK!" The monster bellowed at the woman, escaping the bathroom!
"Oh, what have we done…?"
When the Lizard got too close to Gwen, Eddie, and Billy, Peter retaliated as he clashed with the monster!
"Dad!" Billy screamed as Gwen grabbed him.
"Is that… Spider-man?" Gwen gasped as Eddie thought this would be perfect.
"Get the kid to safety, I need to help Dr. Connors finish the serum," Eddie ordered the girl.
"Ed-."
"Go! I'll be okay!"
Gwen was hesitant but did as she was told. The lizard was thrown around but bit his hand as the spider monster howled in pain! Eddie saw Martha as she got out to see him. He knew she wanted to talk to him after this.
"I will tell you everything once we get these two under control. I still think Peter is still in there since he's fighting the Lizard." Eddie advised, "We wait for him to pin him then shove the serum down his throat."
Martha agreed with a nod as they waited for the right moment.
The Man-Spider did the job as the Lizard was shrieking in his grasp.
It was time to end this before this becomes more of a slaughter…
So many things were born from his place, including his power and that creature inside him…
It makes you think.
"Peter, time for school! Eddie's offered to drive you there!" Aunt May shouted to her young nephew.
"I'm on my way!" Peter grinned; happy he's being able to provide for his aunt.
On the Road…
"Really? Red's coming back to town? Man, we haven't seen our third since he left for private school!" Eddie shouted as the pair were riding on his bike.
"I know, Mj's coming back to town as a surprise visit, though it's not a surprise anymore!" Peter laughed as it's been a while since he saw his best friend.
"Well, you know your Aunt May! When she's excited, she can't keep it to herself! It's not just our bud coming back to town!" Eddie grinned, "You think she's doing better?"
"I hope so! After what happened… I hope she's okay!" Peter answered.
"Man, I tell you! If I see her dad again, he's getting socked!" Eddie growled as there was a sudden commotion going on, "Speaking of socking! Go get 'em!"
Peter sprung to action as he changed into Spider-man.
At Eddie's place…
"Man, I screwed up big… Gwen's mad at me for disappearing and hiding what happened at the labs and Harry's upset because I abandoned him when he needs me to help him." Peter sighed as he was on Eddie's bed, getting his bruises checked over.
"Don't worry about it, Gwen will come around. She just needs some time to let off some steam and as for the rich boy… this will be good for him. It's about time he stops leeching off you." Eddie advised as he was cleaning his wounds.
"Ow! Harry doesn't leech off me. I know you and he never saw eye-to-eye but he's still a good friend." Peter defended.
"Yeah, a friend who's jealous of you and uses every opportunity to twist you around his finger."
"He leans on me but sometimes I lean on him."
"Name one time."
Pete opens but then shuts his mouth.
"Anyway, I still need a new camera but Aunt May needs that money for bills. I feel like I'm stuck." Peter sighed, wanting to change the subject.
Eddie frowned, hating that Peter is taking too much responsibility. Peter never leans on anyone, and Eddie was getting sick of it.
It was time Petey was spoiled a little.
After the fight with the Enforcers…
Peter presented the money to his aunt while Eddie got a surprise for him.
"Listen, I don't like how you're pushing yourself and you said you needed a camera… so I dipped into my fund and- ta-dah!"
Eddie presented an expensive camera, just for Pete.
"You didn't have to get me this." Peter grinned as he felt a little selfish.
"Hey, you've been doing too much so, let yourself be spoiled by other every now and then," Eddie advised as he was given a hug.
"You're the best, Bro!" Peter grinned as Eddie blushed and hugged him back.
Aunt May could see the fireworks from here. I think a little encouragement was needed but they would make a lovely couple.