Chapter 3-1

"Thank you very much for dinner last night," Misa thanks her boyfriend, Drew, as she gets out of his car. She smiles and kisses him on the lips before closing the door. She waves him off before turning around and walking back into her apartment. As she takes the elevator up, she notices several officers in the lobby doing an inspection. When she gets to her floor, she pauses when she sees several police officers

She walks up to her apartment building and gasps upon seeing the police tape inside her apartment. "Oh my god."

There were four dead bodies on the floor, each one holding a gun with gunshot wounds all over their bodies. She covers her mouth and looks at the officer in charge.

The officer who secured the crime scenes approaches her. "Are you Misa Dante?"

She nods. "I am, what's going on?"

"I'm Detective Carrell, I'm afraid that a murder was committed in your apartment." He sighs before pulling out a notepad. "It seems a group of armed men broke into your apartment and a shootout broke out. A witness said he heard gunshots at approximately 4:35 AM tonight. Where were you?"

"I was doing a shift at the Cat Club."

Carrell's eyes widen. "You… you're a stripper? Oh, I was wondering why you looked familiar."

Misa rolls her eyes. "Yes, I'm a stripper and I had no idea I was that popular. I mean, I knew but I didn't realize I was that popular."

"You have an amazing body, Misa-Misa, and I love the way you bent over to pick up that dollar I threw at you."

Misa smiles sarcastically. "Would you please get back on topic?"

Carrell slaps himself upside the head. "Apologies. Anyway, the bodies found in your apartment belonged to one of several major crime families. We talked to the managed downstairs and one of the people living here had ties to the mob. The other three men are from a rival gang. Apparently, the three men asked for the man living here and they chased him into your apartment where they ultimately shot themselves to death." He pockets his notebook. "I'm afraid we're going to need you to vacate the premises for a few days while we do a crime scene."

Misa's jaw drops. "What, how can you -"

"Mom," a familiar voice shouts. David comes running down the hallway and stops at her side. He looks into the building and sees the four dead bodies. "Are you okay? Our neighbor, Nikita said he heard gunshots in our apartment."

Misa hugs her son. "I'm fine, sweetie, I'm fine."

"What happened officers?"

Carrell explains the situation.

Gee, I wonder who gave those three gangsters the location of this traitor gangster. And I wonder who used their bad luck powers to cause the four gangsters to kill each other. Honestly, the trickiest part was forcing the traitor into my former apartment. But the key was making sure the door was left slightly ajar and the panicking traitor was seeking refuge.

"David," a new voice calls out, a familiar feline voice. Felicia stops and looks inside the apartment.

I know Felicia said killing isn't her style… but then again, all she did was use her bad luck powers on these four guys; they did the killing.

"Ma'am," Carrell spoke up, "Is there a place you can stay for a few days while we do a full sweep of the crime scene? We promise to contact you the second we're done."

Misa glances at David for a brief second before looking back at the officer. "I can figure things out."

"Good. And we apologize for any inconvenience." Carrell smiles. He pulls out his wallet and hands her a $100 bill. "As much as I want to see you shaking your ass on that pole tonight, I won't be in attendance so I'll just give you my money now."

Misa accepts the bill. "Thank you."

David escorts his mother downstairs and they call for a cab. While they're waiting for a cab outside, David decides this is the best opportunity to talk.

Misa beats him to the punch. "Why do I have a feeling we are entering familiar territory, Davey?"

David looks at her. "Because we are entering familiar territory." He looks around and sees civilians walking up and down the street. He checks his watch. "You know, Mom, I rented a car to get here."

They head to the parking garage and take refuge in a car. David sits in the front seat with Misa in the passenger and Felicia in the back.

"What is going on, Davey?" Misa demands. "Why were there four bodies in our apartment?"

David clutches the wheel. "You're in danger, Mom, and I'm doing this to protect you."

Misa stares at him. "What have you done, Davey?"

"It's Cindy and Eddie."

He explains the events of last night to her.

"Oh my god," Misa gasps, "what's going to happen to them?"

"I don't know… but I can't risk your safety. Cindy and Eddie know my identity and Felicia's. That's why we're doing this. If they're corrupt or whatever or going on a rampage, they might come after you to get to me and I can't risk that. That is why I -"

"You did the same thing last time," Misa points out. "When the Green Goblin found out your identity - no, when you revealed your identity to him - you burned our house down."

"I did it to protect you," David points out, "if the house burned down then Green Goblin wouldn't have figured out where you were. It's what protected you."

Felicia leans forward. "Let's also not forget that you used me as bait against the Green Goblin."

They say women notice things more than men. I think the saying should be 'Women REMEMBER more than men.'

"This is a step up from last time, Mom. Unlike last time, you can go back after we're done. I'm not going to burn our home down anymore so all you have to do is wait."

"And what about Felicia's mom and brother."

Felicia smiles. "Oh, with me away at college, Mom and Scott decided to spend some time together. They're on a Bahamas cruise."

"Where am I supposed to stay?" Misa asks.

"Your boyfriend's house," he answers. "I was wary of Drew at first but I finally see a use for him. Live with him for a few days. I'm going to do something about Eddie and Cindy as soon as I can so that way, you can go back to living in your apartment."

Misa glares. "David, I get that you're trying to protect me and everything but next time, give me a heads-up. Give me a heads-up so I can prepare for the next time that there are four corpses in my apartment."

"I had to work fast. But if it makes you feel better, then I will try to warn you next time."

"Thank you. I do wish that sometimes, I never learned your identity but I am grateful for everything you're doing for me."

David looks at her and smiles. "Do you think I would've done it for anybody else?"

She shakes her head. "I know you better than that, Davey. But what about Cindy and Eddie? If they commit a violent crime, are you going kill them?"

David clutches the wheel tighter. "No. Eddie is, I dare say, the first person I find to be tolerable and likable outside of you and Dad, and Cindy is the first person I ever saved and one of the few people I would try and not harm."

"And what if it was me, Spider?" Felicia speaks up.

David looks at her in the rearview mirror. "If I put up with you for over a year, then I would not like it if your presence were to suddenly vanish from my life."

There's nothing philosophical about life. You're born, you live, you die. They say life is too short but no, life is too long and that's the problem; because life is too long, there are way too many opportunities for padding and filler. If there's anything I learned from watching Naruto, it's that I HATE filler episodes. But sometimes, filler episodes are good because it's nice to just take a break and step back. Mom, Felicia, Cindy, and Eddie are my fillers and padding to give me socialization in my life but I enjoy their filler and padding.

After Misa calls her boyfriend and talks to him about staying for a few days, David turns on the radio, and the three of them jam to 'Heartless' by Kanye West.

F.E.A.S.T. Center, Martin Li's Office

"What the hell was that?" Martin scolds Kraven. "What the hell were you thinking last night?"

Wearing civilian clothing, Kraven sits in the chairs before him and faces his employer. "I think I was acting in my employer's best interest. I could tell from the way you were fighting that your fight with the Spider would've been over quickly."

"I had him," Martin growls, "I could've killed him. Then you had to go and ruin it."

"For all your power, Mr. Li, you have underestimated the Spider. The Spider is not someone you should underestimate and I saved you from dying."

'Why?"

"It would've been dishonorable to let you die, Mr. Li. I already had my reputation disgraced when the black creature impersonated me; I want to be remembered as an honorable warrior, not a backstabber."

Martins clenches his fists. "I am trying to start a business here of eradicating the corruption in this city and I cannot do that with Spider-Man still alive. I need Spider-Man dead so I can take over this godforsaken city."

"And I will deliver on that promise. I will fulfill my contract, Mr. Li." He stands up. "I must get going, however." He turns and starts walking to the door but stops when his hand touches the knob. "If it makes you feel better, Mr. Li, you managed to corrupt the black creature and the one called Silk."

"But they didn't obey any of my orders." Martin sighs loudly. "I suspect it has something to do with the fact that they have superpowers that allow them to have a stronger resistance."

"Fail," Kraven suggests, "fail as many times as you need so you can succeed. My father told me that. Every predator starts at the bottom; they must earn the title of an apex predator." He turns the knob.

"Where are you going?"

"I am going to look for the Spider."

Martins watches Kraven as he exits the room and sighs heavily once more. With Kraven out of the room, Martin leans back in his seat and looks up at the ceiling.

"Why are you tormenting me?" he asks aloud. "Haven't I done enough to make you happy? Why do you keep torturing me? What is your endgame?" He slowly pushes himself out of his chair and points an accusing finger forward. "Leave me alone. I've done everything you said so leave me the fuck alone. Get out of my head, stay out of my life, just drop fucking dead. Just fucking die!" He sinks back into his chair and closes his eyes.

Shanghai, China

July 2023

Experiment #108

Tape #1

-Dr. Han here and this is Experiment #108. We've observed the subject for a total of 5 hours, 4 minutes, and 6 seconds, and already, the subject is showing such amazing results. Unlike the previous 107 test subjects, Subject 108 seems to be bonding to the serum on a DNA level. It's extraordinary. All the subjects in the past barely lasted two hours after being administered the D-Lite but 108 seems to be doing fine. I do not yet see the common denominator that the previous subjects had, given that all of them had a practically identical physical makeup. All of them had strong immune systems yet were in generally poor health. The only thing I can see a difference in is his childhood. Of all the previous subjects, their mental state was relatively healthy as well but 108 is an exception. If what I'm saying is true… then it means that the subject's mental health plays a large role in this serum we created. Psychology, NOT physical.

Tape #2

Subject 108 is unresponsive. It's been 26 hours since he was first administered the D-Lite and he does not respond to stimuli. His vitals are working just perfectly fine, including brainwave activity. I suspect that Subject 108 isn't in a coma but is rather being intentionally unresponsive to our physical stimuli. This cannot be; we need the subject to understand why we are doing this and that having no reaction at all is detrimental to all of our work.

Tape #3

-It's been 90 hours since Subject 108 was given the serum. He is responding to stimuli this time and -

-I'll kill you.

-Yes, I'm sure you will, Subject 108, but now is not the time.

-I'll kill you, I'll kill you, I'll KILL YOU!

-I'm going to end this recording right here.

Tape #4

-Go on, admit what you've done. Say who you are and what you've done.

-My name is Dr. Han and I'm a geneticist working on a serum that uses energy to augment or power up certain objects. I have abducted 108 subjects between the ages of 11 to 41. All but one subject has survived and that is Subject 108.

-Look at my face! You did this to me! I'm a freak because of you.

-But we are all freaks, Subject 108.

-N-no, I'm not a freak. I'm not a freak. I'm NOT -

BOOM!

….

….

….

Tape #5

-Balance is the key. That's what my father always told me. You cannot have good without evil and the only way to manage a healthy life is to find balance. If it all seems too good, if there is too much good shown on the surface, then it really shows how corrupt everything is on the inside. Like a city. If a city looks too good to be true with only the bad people dying and the good guys winning, then there is corruption within the system. I thought that by giving shelter to those wronged by this corrupt society, I was doing a good thing. But I was wrong. I may have given refugee to these people wronged by society but I'm sending them back into this corrupt society when I help them leave my homeless shelter. All those people, EVERYONE in F.E.A.S.T. means too much to me for me to just send them back into this corrupt society.

I have found balance and I will help New York City find balance too.

Present

KNOCK-KNOCK!

Martin snaps his eyes open and looks at the door. He pushes himself out of his chair and paces over to answer said door. Upon opening the door, he meets his assistant, Darcy.

"Mr. Li," she begins, "The film crew for the movie is heading down as we speak."

Martin tugs on his tie. "Ah, I forgot; they're shooting a scene of their film here. Well then, I should get ready to introduce our guests." He tugs on his cufflinks before he closes his office door. He heads back to his desk and makes sure everything is in an orderly fashion before he heads out to meet the first of the film crew. He meets up with Drew and Misa as they walk through the door.

"Ahh, my favorite actor returns in the flesh," Martin says with a smile and shakes his hand. "How are you doing, Drew?"

"Excellent, actually," Drew smiles, "I'm actually excited to shoot this scene with you guys."

"Hey, happy for free advertisement for my homeless shelter. Again, thank you; this means a lot to me, people getting recognized. Most of those people have nowhere to go and I'm hoping making an appearance in the movie might help them with their lives."

Drew laughs. "Hey, as long as I get 'Certified Fresh' on Rotten Tomatoes, then I can't think of any inconvenience."

"Since when do horror movies have a 'Certified Fresh' score on Rotten Tomatoes?"

Misa laughs and looks ahead. "Martin, you got a lot of people here."

"Yeah, and I'm hoping that I can get some out by the end of the week." He points to a nearby person. "That woman over there, Helene, has been practicing day and night on her interviewing skills. Well, not skills per se but practicing what answers she'll say to certain questions. She's doing great so far." He points to a homeless man. "Gary there, he's applying for a community college and working as a pizza delivery man. He's been doing it for about five weeks and has never been late on delivery so far." He points to a homeless couple. "Betty and Jasmine there, they're hoping to become actors one day and I think that this can be their big debut. Their chance to go from zero to hero."

"Well then, this is your chance, Martin, you should tell them," she encourages. "Make a speech."

"About what?"

"Zero to hero."

He ponders for a brief moment before tugging on his tie. "Thanks, Misa, I should do that."

As the camera crew comes in through the front doors and starts setting up their extremely expensive camera equipment, the crowding homeless people gather around and watch eagerly. martin sighs before stepping up. He laces his hands behind his back.

"Good evening, everyone, I hope everyone here is doing well today. Now, I know what you're thinking. 'What, a camera crew? What are they doing here, are they here to shoot a movie?' Well, you have the mind of a genius because that is exactly what they are here to do. So, we're a movie set from now on. And I gotta say, it's certainly a step up from Pixar and Disney Studios. Have you been to their movie sets, it's takes forever to go to the bathroom. I swear, the last time I was there, I swear, everyone there was walking around like this." He presses his legs together and walks like a penguin, making the crowd laugh. He laughs for a brief second, his face blushing red before he composes himself. "Sorry about that, terrible joke." He claps his hands and delivers a closed-mouthed smile. "I know I don't give a lot of big speeches so I'm probably going to be stuttering here and there but please show me mercy as I try to deliver my best heartfelt speech."

He clears his throat.

"I didn't have a happy upbringing growing up. I grew up in a similar way many of you guys did, on the streets alone with just me and my parents, every day a fight for our lives. I promised myself one day when I grew up, I would become rich and buy them a house. I got my first job shaving bears off of old people in a barber shop and all I can say is, 'thank god I had hands as steady as a surgeon', I could've gotten a lawsuit for the slightest cut I missed. But, my steady hands saved me from that. It took me years and years and years before I climbed up the ladder. I got a job from shaving bears to working as a gopher at a big corporation that delivers bottled water to stores. I had all that water at my disposal I could take a bath in it. Thank god I did, otherwise, you wouldn't be having sparkling water." He chuckles a bit. "How did I make my fortune, I built a relationship with my boss and he took me under his wing. He told me... that when he dies, he wants me to take over the company. I was shocked because I had no idea how to take over a company, let alone a water bottle delivery company. It was too much pressure for me to handle and I thought that I could collapse from the inside out but my father sat down with me and he had a conversation with me.

"He told me that, no matter who you are or where you go, balance is always the key. There can not be light without dark. There can be no victory without defeat. You lean towards one side, on either side, you lose yourself, and only by finding a proper balance can you succeed in becoming a better person. And..." He pauses and closes his eyes. "The point I'm trying to make is... there has to be balance. The first thing I did when I became rich, I bought my mother and father a house just like Promised them and before I knew it, I was giving money out to homeless people nonstop, I was like an ATM or something. But then I remembered what my father told me about balance and that's when it gave me an idea. This money I have, it's not a representation of wealth, it's a representation of optimism, how one can go from being a complete nobody to a multimillionaire. That is why I built F.E.A.S.T. in the first place so I can bring in people like you and show you through example... that... no matter how far down the ladder you are... you can always climb to the top with hard work and balance.

"Life can be too good or too bad at the same time but if you can find a balance between the crapsack and the bright, then you will be the better versions of yourselves. Trust me, I know all about that." He wipes a tear away. "That was the first speech I ever made so thank you all for not laughing in my face."

The homeless people clap and cheer for him, one of them even whistling in approval at him. A homeless man thrust his fist into the air while another did the devil horns sign.

"Alright everyone, you have all been working hard going out there and trying to get a job and I think this is a good time for us to have a little fun every now and then. Personally, I've never been a fan of horror movies but we're going to be shooting a movie scene right here in this very building and be famous, how does that feel?!"

"YEAH!" the crowd cheers.

"That's what I'm talking about. Now, let's have some fun and maybe one day, we'll all be famous."

Empire State University

David leaves his classroom after the bell rings and he heads back to his dorm. He walks with his backpack on and both of his hands shoved into his pocket.

I've called everyone on Eddie and Cindy's contact list and none of them have been able to tell me where they are. This is not good; I have to find them and snap them away as soon as possible but first, I need to find them. Damn it, Venom is the only one with tracking abilities on him and he's been corrupted. I never should've put my complete faith in Venom; putting my faith entirely in one person will cause nothing but inconvenience in the long run. After this, I need to -

He bumps shoulders with a student as he is on his way to his dorm and is going to apologize before he sees who it is.

"Ryan," David chuckles, "small world, ain't it."

Ryan the Bully glares at David. "I see they're just letting anybody into ESU, prick."

"That must be why you're here, asshole. So, what are you majoring in, 'How to Beat Up Girls and Get Away With It While Having A Coward's Personality' 101? Why would you need to take that class when you already ace it in real life?"

"Some things are just easier to do, David, like pretending to be an asshole when you already are."

David opens his jaw. "You think I'm pretending to be an asshole? Well, I'm flattered that you think that but I hate to break it to you but you should try looking in a mirror every once and a while."

"I don't have a mirror - unless someone smashed a bottle over your head and gave me a piece then yes, I would have a mirror."

"Hey, why don't you save yourself some time and shove a broken glass piece right between your eyes? Or, if you're very hungry, you can munch on it. After all, what's the worst that can happen when you chew on glass; cut your tongue? If you ask me, that's an improvement for you, Ryan."

Ryan, a Grade-A asshole and bully back in Midtown. Not much of a threat compared to who I usually deal with but it is so much fun tormenting him. The last I heard of him, he got a scholarship to go to college and take a business course; I had no fucking idea that college course was here at ESU. As much as I hate Ryan, I can't ignore the fact that he's raising his sister all by himself and taking business courses to have better odds at holding down a white-collar job just so he can provide for himself and his sister. He's a bully and a asshole but he loves his sister and will do anything to protect her. I respect him for that and for that reason alone, I'll spare him from any harm or humiliation that may impede his chances of providing for his sister.

"Well, well, well, quite a popular fellow you are around here."

David's eyes widen.

There's only one person that voice can belong to.

He turns around and sees Detective Sergeant Austin Anderson leaning up against a wall with the widest grin on his face.

"David Dante, long time no see."

David glares at him.

Let me guess, you're here because of Venom? I heard that Venom had been captured on one of the body cams of the SWAT and figured it was only a matter of time before I was approached on the validity of my alibis.

"Why hello, Anderson, lovely weather we're having. What's wrong, couldn't find kids to molest at the park so you decided to expand your preferences and go after college kids?"

Ryan looks at Anderson with disdain. "You fucking pervert. If you get anywhere near my sister, I'll murder you. Motherfucker."

"I'd watch your mouth if I were you, kid, who knows what could happen?" Anderson sighs. "You never know how difficult I can make your life kid."

"Fuck you."

Anderson rolls his eyes. "I'm not here for you, you piece of shit, I'm here for your friend here."

David looks at Ryan and then returns his gaze to Anderson. "Me, and Ryan, amigos, you owe me an apology for saying that, Asshole Anderson."

"Honestly, I'm surprised you remember me, Davey because I sure as hell remember you and your trip down to the police station."

"And I bet you were picturing me with less clothes, you pervert."

He laughs. "Honestly, I've been falsely called a pedophile for over an entire year that jokes and insults like that don't bother me anymore. You destroyed me, David, hurt me, and now I'm under investigation because of you." He clenches his fists. "I'm not a pedophile yet when you called me one... in public... nobody looks at me the same anymore."

Ryan opens his mouth to say more before his watch goes off. Checking the time, he turns around. "I have to go."

David looks at him. "Why? Got a hot date with a goat you plan on fucking from behind?"

"I have to pick up my sister. We'll settle this shit another time, David, count on that, motherfucker."

"Sure thing; I'll be sure to clear my calendar."

Ryan walks off as David watches him retreat. He focuses on Anderson once more.

"What do you want?"

"Just making sure you're safe and sound, and that you aren't doing anything illicit." He smiles once more. "You know, you were cleared of your Spider-Man charge because the real Spider-Man showed up and fought the Hobgoblin in public. But if you ask me, it's a little too convenient."

"Excuse me, but my lawyer said that I needed to have traces of spider DNA in my human DNA and what were the results? Oh yeah, negative. No spider DNA at all in my bloodstream."

"And would you care to take a sample right now?"

"No, because I have already taken a blood sample so you should already have my DNA on file."

"Oh come on, this is just to do it to clear you of a suspect. When Venom showed up on the SWAT cam and showed off his impersonating skills, it got me thinking that maybe, as Spider-Man, you and Venom were working together to clear your name."

"I'm not Spider-Man."

"Then will you do more bloodwork?"

"What is wrong with my bloodwork?"

Other than the fact that I subtly nudged Yuri into erasing it?

"That's need-to-know and you don't need to know."

He shook his head. "No. I know my rights and I do not consent to a blood test. There is no evidence to warrant a DNA test from me. If you want my DNA, you're going to have to kill me and take whatever you want off my body. Unless you come back with a warrant demanding my test, then you're not going to do shit." As David turns to go to his dorm, he pauses and stops. "By the way, if I recall, I believe that the Spider Act was initiated because Kraven the Hunter is in town. Do you know what the rules of the Spider Act are? Spidey is not allowed to be touched by law enforcement until the supervillain he's dealing with is dealt with. This means that until Kraven is down for, no judge is going to give you a warrant to do a DNA swab of me. And even if you lie and forge a signature, that would technically be considered evidence obtained illegally, regardless of the outcome of the results and therefore, not upheld in court." He steps forward. "As an officer of the law, you should be more focused on enforcing the law and providing service, not harassing falsely accused people like me. Stay away from me, Anderson, or so help me god, I'm getting my lawyer and I will file a huge lawsuit against you and the entire New York Police Department."

I'm a person of interest... AGAIN! Nah, I'm not; this is unofficial and only Anderson has his sights on me. Anderson is a regular human being so I can outsmart him; I did so the first time around and I can't wait to humiliate him once more. But goddamn it. Hobgoblin used my name on the news one year ago, saying I was Spider-Man but at the time, he didn't realize he was right. He was just throwing a random name out there to frame that person as Spider-Man in hopes of drawing the real Spider-Man out. Even though Hobgoblin is dead, he is still ruining my civilian life by CONSTANTLY having me be a person of interest TWICE in a row. As soon as I get the chance, I need to find Yuri and get Anderson off my case.

David turns on his heels and walks ahead to his dorm. As Anderson watches, Felicia Hardy crosses his path.

"You look lost, Anderson, need a compass?"

He eyes her. "Felicia."

"That's my name, easy to remember."

Anderson glares at her. "Look at you, destroying your father's legacy by dating a motherfucker like Dante; your father deserves a better daughter."

Felicia smiles at him with her lips quivering. "I don't know what you're talking about; I'm the best daughter my father could ever ask for. If anything, your parents could've done better. You should be a poster child for why couples should always use protection."

"Don't think just because you're Walter Hardy's daughter that you can protect your boyfriend."

"What... you're saying only a man is capable of protecting someone; how sexist of you." She holds her hand up. "I'll be taking my leave, Anderson, and I suggest you tread carefully." She winks at him.

When she turns her back to him, he flips her the bird before walking the way, hitting his knee against a bench and wincing.

David allows Felicia to come into his room before he closes the door.

"Man, he really hates your guts there, Spider. But don't worry, Spider, I made sure the big bad man won't hurt you anymore today."

David looks at her. "You could say that again, kitty." He locks the door.

She notices and shivers. "Ooh, plan on getting rough with me tonight, Spider?"

"Not tonight, kitty." He heads over to his rotating chair and spins in it. "So, did you find anything?"

She shook her head. "Sorry, Spider, but there's been no activity from the gangsters. And no reports of Venom or Silk. Wherever they are, they're most likely hiding."

"Good, not good. As long as they're hiding, then we're potential targets. That's the bad news. The good news is that this leaves us more time to investigate this glowing guy." He narrows his eyes. "I wonder how much the public knows about Venom."

He opens his laptop and opens the Daily Bugle website. There is a live stream that he clicks on immediately.

"- Venom..." J. Jonah Jameson begins while smoking a cigar on the screen. "And that's not even the best part folks; it's that Silk was seen fleeing from the scene and this Venom character. These guys went in, guns blazing, and then decided to leave before finishing off that glowing guy. Now, I don't know too much about Venom but Silk is supposed to be a good guy, someone who catches the bad guys. I heard she's supposed to be a pacifist, at least compared to Spider-Man, yet why did this positive and optimistic Silk run away from this glowing Mr. Negative guy?" He pauses. "Hey, that's actually a pretty good name." He looks to someone offscreen. "Ned, call the patent office and copyright the name 'Mr. Negative'." He looks back at the screen. "So anyway, this Mr. Negative character and his merry band of demon gangsters and..."

David pauses the video. "Mr. Negative and the Demons. Those names got a nice ring to it." He cracks his knuckles. "Yeah, the glowing guy does look like he was put through a negative filter." He pulls out Eddie's camera from his drawer, a photo of the glowing guy present on it. He uploads the photo to his laptop.

"I've always wondered what would happen if you put a negative photo through a negative filter." He actives the negative filter effect on Mr. Negative. Mr. Negative's black-and-white appearance inverts with his skin turning bone-white and his hair black as ebony.

"He looks like a ghost," Felicia points out.

David narrows his eyes.

Wait a second... why does he look so familiar?

David scoots toward the screen. "That face, it looks familiar." He quickly opens up an image editing site and applies several different types of skin color to the whiteout face.

"What are you doing, Spider?"

"I've seen this guy before; I'm sure of it. I can't place a name to it but I know I've seen this guy before." Looking at the back of his hand, he applies the same shade of his skin onto the photo.

"How do you know that's not his natural look?"

"Because when Silk and Venom were infected with the negative energy, everything about them inverted to the opposite colors, including their skin so I'm assuming that he can activate his negative mode at will. If he was permanently negative then he would be easier to spot."

He finishes applying the color to the whiteout face and sits back in his chair. "Okay, I've made him look regular and still I -" He abruptly stops. "Is it..." He pulls up a tab next to the image editing page and opens up the F.E.A.S.T. shelter website. He pulls up a picture of Martin Li and drags the photo next to Martin Li's photo.

His eyes widen and the beat of his heart slows considerably, almost as if time entered slow-motion. He sighs heavily like a runner taking a deep breath and closes his eyes. Driting off to a peaceful state of mind where the only thoughts he can hear are his own, he bears his teeth and opens his eyes.

Martin Li is Mister Negative... and Mom is with him right now.