Spectacular Spider-Men Chapter 10: Secret Origins Part 1, a spectacular spider-man fanfic

Chapter 10: Secret Origins Part 1

Hey everyone! I'm back with a new chapter—the first chapter of an exciting three-part event in Spectacular Spider-Men! I want to thank Cloud4012 and Kival737101 for letting me use their OC characters. I don't own anything except my own OC. Anyway, sit back, relax, review, and enjoy!

At the Feast Center, Jake and Mia were busy sorting donations and chatting lightly about their day.

"Hey, pass me that box of canned food," Mia said with a smile. "I think we're finally making a dent in this pile."

"Yeah, no kidding," Jake replied, handing her the box. "You'd think we're stocking up for a zombie apocalypse or something."

Before Mia could respond, a shadowy figure emerged from the corner of the room. Jake turned, startled, as Blackbird stepped into the light, his cape slightly billowing.

"Jake, we need to go," Blackbird said, his voice low and urgent.

Jake frowned, instinctively shielding Mia. "Uh, who are you? And why do you think I'm going anywhere with you?"

Blackbird took a step closer, his piercing gaze locked on Jake. "You can call me Blackbird. And I know you've been working with Spider-Man. I wouldn't have come unless it was important."

Jake hesitated, still unsure. "Okay, but why me? What's going on?"

Blackbird crossed his arms. "Molly and Dylan. Their names ring a bell?"

At the mention of their names, Jake froze. His thoughts raced, the seriousness of the situation dawning on him. He sighed and looked at Mia.

"I have to go," he said reluctantly. "Tell Mr. Lee I'll make up the time later."

"Wait, Jake," Mia said, worried. "What's going on? Who is this guy?"

"I'll explain later, I promise," Jake said, backing away. "Just trust me."

Mia nodded, albeit reluctantly, as Jake followed Blackbird out the back door.

The two moved swiftly through the city streets. Shadow spider glanced at Blackbird as they walked. "So, what's the deal? Why bring me into this?"

"You're not the only one I need," Blackbird said without breaking stride. "We're picking up Spider-Man next. This mission requires teamwork."

Shadow spider smirked. "Well, lucky you. Spider-Man's good at that… most of the time."

"You both better be," Blackbird said gravely. "Because this isn't just about Molly and Dylan. It's bigger than you think."

Meanwhile At Dr. Conners' lab, Jaden and Gwen walked together toward the entrance.

"So, I tried tons of jobs, but they all turned me down," Jaden sighed, adjusting his bag on his shoulder. "Man, getting your first job is harder than swinging across the city."

"Well, in the meantime, it's nice to have you back at the lab," Gwen said with a smile. "Sorry the whole 'photos of Spider-Man' thing didn't work out."

"It's fine," Jaden replied with a chuckle. "Besides, if I had that job, I wouldn't get to hang out with you at the lab."

"Right back at you," Gwen said as they entered the lab together.

"Hey, there he is!" Eddy waved at Jaden from across the room.

"Hey, Eddy. What's up?" Jaden grinned, approaching him.

"Brace yourself, dude. You're in for it today," Eddy said, smirking.

"What do you mean?" Jaden asked, confused.

"Jaden!" a voice called out. Looking toward Dr. Conners' office, Jaden saw Billy running out—wearing clothes nearly identical to his own.

"Billy! Whoa, what's with the new outfit?" Jaden asked, clearly surprised.

"Check it out, Jaden! I look just like you," Billy beamed, doing a quick spin to show off.

"Jaden, good to see you're back," Martha said as she entered the room.

"Hi, Mrs. Conners. Uh… what's this?" Jaden asked, gesturing toward Billy.

"Well, after you saved my husband and my son, you sort of became Billy's idol," Martha giggled.

"Which I'm a little jealous of," Kurt interjected, walking in with a smirk. "That used to be my job."

"Hi, Dr. Conners. How're you feeling?" Jaden asked.

"Much better, and happy to have you back here," Kurt replied warmly.

"Good to be back," Jaden said with a grin.

The day went on, and as the sun began to set, no one noticed a shadowy figure slipping into the lab unnoticed.

Nearby, Jaden was organizing some equipment with Gwen.

"You know," Gwen began, glancing at Jaden. "It's kind of funny how things always seem to get... interesting whenever you're around."

Jaden chuckled. "Interesting, huh? Is that code for 'trouble'? Because I feel like trouble follows me everywhere."

"Maybe a little," Gwen said, smirking. "But you keep things lively. The lab was boring without you."

"Aw, I didn't know you missed me that much," Jaden teased.

"Don't let it go to your head," Gwen replied, rolling her eyes playfully. "But yeah, it's nice having you back."

Jaden smiled warmly at her. Before he could reply, his phone buzzed in his pocket. Glancing at the caller ID, he quickly answered.

"Suit up and meet me outside on the roof. We need to talk. Now," a familiar voice commanded on the other end. Blackbird's tone was urgent, leaving no room for argument.

Jaden's eyes widened. "Wait, what's—"

"Now," Blackbird repeated before the line went dead.

"What's wrong?" Gwen asked, noticing his expression.

"Gwen, I gotta go," Jaden said, hurriedly grabbing his bag and heading for the door.

"Jaden, what's going on?" Gwen asked, concerned.

"I don't know, but someone needs to talk to me right now," Jaden said, fumbling with his things.

"You mean like an interview?" Gwen asked, tilting her head.

"Something like that," Jaden said vaguely. "Can you explain this to everyone for me?"

"I don't know. It'll cost you," Gwen said, crossing her arms with a sly smile.

"What do you want?" Jaden asked, pausing.

"Ice cream. Double scoops," Gwen said, holding up two fingers for emphasis.

"You drive a hard bargain, Gwen Stacy, but you've got a deal. Wish me luck," Jaden said, smiling.

"You don't need it. Now get going," Gwen said, urging him toward the door.

Just as Jaden was about to leave, he stopped and turned back to her. "Thank you," he said softly.

Then, to Gwen's surprise, Jaden leaned in and gave her a quick peck on the cheek before bolting out the door.

Blushing, Gwen froze for a moment, her hand drifting to her cheek. Adjusting her glasses, she muttered under her breath, "Wow, Jaden."

Outside, Spider-Man leaps up onto the roof, his movements light and agile.

"Alright, Blackbird, where are you?" Spider-Man calls out, scanning the dark rooftop. Suddenly, a figure emerges from the shadows.

"Whoa, geez!" Spider-Man yelps, nearly losing his footing. "Can you put a bell on or something? You're like a walking jump scare!"

From the shadows, Blackbird steps forward, his cape flowing behind him. His voice is low and commanding. "I need both of you. Something big is brewing."

"Both of us?" Spider-Man asks, confused.

"Yep, I'm here too," a voice says, and Shadow Spider drops down from above, landing beside Spider-Man with a slight smirk.

"Shadow Spider! Man, you really gotta stop sneaking up on people like that," Spider-Man complains, clutching his chest.

Shadow Spider chuckles. "Hey, I had to make an entrance. Besides, you're the one who said we needed more team-ups."

Blackbird crosses his arms, his patience visibly thinning. "Enough. I wouldn't have called you if this wasn't serious. Something's coming, and I need eyes on the ground."

"Wait," Spider-Man interjects, pointing at himself. "Me? Wow, Blackbird, I didn't think I'd ever get a chance to work with you! I mean, I'm honored—your first choice?"

Blackbird's piercing gaze shifts to him. "Actually, you were my fourth."

Spider-Man groans loudly. "Aw, come on! You didn't have to say it!"

Shadow Spider snickers. "I mean, fourth is better than fifth, right? Look on the bright side, Spidey."

"Time is of the essence," Blackbird interrupts, his tone sharp. "Are you in or out?"

Spider-Man hesitates, scratching the back of his head. "I don't know… Can't I just be your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man?"

Blackbird steps closer, his voice dropping to an almost growl. "Not if there's no neighborhood left to protect."

Shadow Spider steps forward, his tone more serious. "He's right. If Blackbird's involved, it's gotta be huge. Whatever's coming, we need to stop it before it gets worse."

Spider-Man glances at Shadow Spider and then at Blackbird. "Okay, fine. I'm in. But only because you asked nicely… ish."

"Same here," Shadow Spider adds. "Let's do this."

Blackbird nods, his expression grim but focused. "Good. Stay sharp, and follow my lead. We move quickly and quietly."

As Blackbird turns, his cape flowing behind him, Spider-Man leans over to Shadow Spider. "Does he always talk like that, or is this just a 'mission voice' thing?"

Shadow Spider smirks. "I think it's his default setting."

"Enough chatter," Blackbird says without turning. "Let's move."

The three heroes disappear into the night, ready to face whatever challenge awaits.

Intro Music: Spectacular Spider-Men* Theme Song

Living on the edge

Fighting crime, spinning webs

Swinging from the highest ledge

He can leap above our heads*

Spider-Man swings gracefully through the cityscape at sunset, dodging obstacles and performing daring flips.*

Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah*

Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah*

Villains on the rise

And the city's victimized

Looking up with no surprise

Arriving in the speed of time*

Shadow Spider (Jake) swings in from the shadows, landing next to Spider-Man. They exchange a quick nod before jumping into action against a group of armed thugs.*

Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah*

Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah*

Spectacular, Spectacular Spider-Men*

Spectacular*

The two Spider-Men work in perfect harmony: Spider-Man uses his web-shooters to immobilize criminals while Shadow Spider performs high-speed acrobatics, taking down enemies with precision.*

Crawling through the night

Facing evil in his might

He's a hero in our eyes

See the headlights every time*

Spider-Man and Shadow Spider patrol the city at night, moving stealthily across rooftops. They spot a car chase below and spring into action, webbing up the fleeing criminals.

Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah*

Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah*

Making villains fall

Webbing rivals to a halt

Racing up and down the walls

Bringing justice to us all*

Spider-Man and Shadow Spider face off against a formidable villain on top of a skyscraper. They use their combined skills to defeat the villain and restore peace.*

Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah*

Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah*

Spectacular, Spectacular Spider-Men*

Spectacular*

Spectacular, Spectacular Spider-Men*

Spider-Man and Shadow Spider stand side by side on a rooftop, overlooking the city as the sun sets. They watch as the city lights flicker to life.*

Meanwhile, in Emporium City, a news story was beginning.

"Good evening, this is Snapper Carr. It has been six months since Senator J. Allen Carter's dramatic disarmament plan was ratified. While Star Nova has been disarming hundreds of deadly warheads, public support for the plan has surged," Carr reported as the video shifted to a group of enthusiastic citizens.

"Star Nova rocks!" one man cheered, with others joining in celebration.

"Yet, some remain skeptical," Carr continued, transitioning to an interview with Blue Speed.

"Hey, the big guy's heart is in the right place, but give me a break. I'm the fastest man alive, and even I can't be in five places at once," Blue Speed said, crossing his arms.

"Still, with more missiles being dismantled every day, most of us sleep better knowing that Star Nova is watching over us," Carr concluded as the scene faded to a dimly lit room.

A television clicked off, revealing a man with blonde hair—Connor Jones. He yawned and settled into bed, ready to call it a night.

However, the moment he closed his eyes, he was bombarded by strange, vivid images flashing through his mind. The overwhelming sensations caused him to groan in pain, his body tense as the visions swirled chaotically.

With a sharp gasp, Connor bolted upright, panting heavily. His heart raced as he wiped sweat from his brow, wondering what the images could mean.

Meanwhile, across town at Aurora Labs, Blackbird entered silently through the roof, his cape blending with the shadows. Spider-Man followed, lowering himself on a webline while speaking on his phone. Shadow Spider trailed behind them, his dark suit nearly invisible in the dim light.

"No, Mom, I'm just spending the night with a friend," Spider-Man said, holding his phone to his ear. "I promise I'll see you soon. Yes, I'll pick up eggs on my way home. Love you. Bye," he finished, hanging up.

"Really? You had to call your mother?" Blackbird asked, raising an eyebrow.

"You try being a hero with a curfew," Spider-Man retorted. "Thank God it's Friday."

Shadow Spider chuckled softly. "Classic jay . Saving the world *and* running errands. Multitasking at its finest."

"Focus," Blackbird said curtly. "No more talking."

The three heroes moved cautiously through the lab, scanning their surroundings. Blackbird's sharp eyes landed on a strange device sitting on one of the tables.

"What is that?" Shadow Spider asked, stepping closer to inspect it.

Before Blackbird could answer, a noise broke the silence. The trio froze and turned toward the source. From their vantage point, they spotted three scientists moving through the lab, speaking in an unfamiliar, alien-sounding language.

"Who are they?" Spider-Man whispered.

"They're why I called for backup," Blackbird replied, his voice low.

Shadow Spider narrowed his eyes. "They're messing with some serious tech. Whatever they're doing, it can't be good."

The scientists turned off their equipment and exited the room.

"They don't look like much," Spider-Man muttered.

"Looks are deceiving," Blackbird said sharply.

Descending quietly to the office, the trio opened the door and stopped in their tracks. Inside, the three scientists were encased in strange pods.

"What the heck is this?" Spider-Man asked, horrified.

"Whatever it is, it's not standard lab equipment," Shadow Spider said, stepping closer to one of the pods.

"Hold this," Blackbird instructed, handing Spider-Man a flashlight. He pulled out a birdarang and carefully cut one of the scientists free.

"Is he dead?" Shadow Spider asked, his tone concerned.

Blackbird checked the scientist's pulse. "No, he's alive."

The scientist groaned weakly. Before anyone could react, Spider-Man's spidey sense flared.

"Uh-oh. We've got company," Spider-Man warned.

The flashlight beam revealed a growling dog stalking toward them from the hallway.

"That's one *big* dog," Shadow Spider muttered, stepping into a defensive stance.

The dog barked loudly and charged, knocking Blackbird to the ground.

"Not a fan of dogs!" Spider-Man shouted, firing a web to wrap around the creature's mouth.

"Bad dog! Bad dog! Heel!" he yelled, trying to yank the creature back.

"Thanks for the save," Blackbird said, using the distraction to kick the dog, sending it crashing into a desk.

The creature shook itself off and snarled, charging again. Shadow Spider leaped to a nearby pipe as the others scrambled to get clear.

"Down! Sit! Stay!" Spider-Man ordered.

But instead of obeying, the dog started crawling up the walls toward them.

"Okay, dogs *don't* do that," Shadow Spider said, his voice edged with unease.

As it closed in, the dog's body shifted and twisted, transforming into a grotesque amorphous beast with black-and-white skin.

"That's no dog," Blackbird said grimly.

The creature lunged, tackling all three heroes to the ground.

"Okay, this thing is officially terrifying!" Shadow Spider shouted, rolling out of the way.

The creature swiped at Spider-Man, knocking him to the floor, before turning its attention to Blackbird. It slashed at him, sending him crashing into a shelf.

Shadow Spider quickly fired webs to distract it. "Over here, ugly! Let's see how you like getting tied up!"

Spider-Man joined in, shooting two webs that wrapped around the creature and held it in place.

"It's not gonna hold for long!" Shadow Spider shouted, struggling to keep the webs tight.

"Blackbird, do something!" Spider-Man yelled.

Blackbird grabbed a birdarang and hurled it at a stack of steel girders. The sharp weapon sliced through the ropes, sending the heavy girders crashing down onto the beast.

Shadow Spider and Spider-Man leaped out of the way just in time.

The three heroes landed together, panting.

"Not gonna lie, Blackbird," Spider-Man said, catching his breath. "I kind of regret picking up the phone when you called."

Shadow Spider smirked. "Yeah, next time, let's stick to pizza night instead of fighting alien dogs."

"This is bigger than just the three of us now," Blackbird said gravely, pulling out his signal watch.

Across town, Connor was washing his face when he suddenly heard the signal watch beeping.

In seconds Star Nova was flying to the site and entering the crashed building.

Blackbird?" Star Nova asked as Spider-Man and Shadow Spider helped the injured hero up.

"Took you long enough," Blackbird muttered, his voice gruff despite the pain.

"Easy, old man," Shadow Spider said, his blue-and-black suit glinting in the low light. "You wouldn't have needed help if you hadn't tried to solo that last fight."

"Careful, Shadow Spider, he's a brooding type. You might hurt his feelings," Spider-Man quipped, giving Shadow Spider a playful nudge.

"I don't brood," Blackbird snapped, glaring at the younger heroes.

"Sure, and I don't swing from webs. Denial looks great on you," Shadow Spider shot back with a smirk.

Star Nova cleared his throat, trying to restore focus. "Well, you're both new. Let me guess—Blackbird upgraded from birds to bugs?"

Shadow Spider crossed his arms, electricity sparking faintly around his fingertips. "We're not bugs. We're arachnids. There's a difference."

"Yeah! Respect the spider brand!" Spider-Man added.

"Can we save the banter for later?" Blackbird interjected sharply, wincing as he tried to stand.

Before anyone could respond, a thunderous crash shook the ground, and something massive fell from the sky, embedding itself in the street nearby.

"Agreed," Star Nova said, launching into the air. "Take Blackbird to safety. I'll handle this."

Firing webs, Spider-Man and Shadow Spider gently lowered Blackbird to the ground.

"So, what are we?" Spider-Man asked, turning to Blackbird. "Your new sidekicks or what?"

"Right now, you're help," Blackbird replied, keeping his tone neutral.

"Wow. Not even an ally? Brutal," Spider-Man joked.

Shadow Spider rolled his eyes. "Focus, Spidey. There's a giant alien machine over there that's probably not here to ask for directions."

As they spoke, the crash site erupted in flames. Firefighters scrambled to extinguish the blaze, while soldiers kept civilians back. From the smoldering wreckage, a colossal Imperium Walker emerged, towering over the cityscape. Its red eyes scanned the area before unleashing a devastating beam that ripped through a nearby building.

"Okay, that's... huge," Spider-Man said, craning his neck to take in the machine.

"Yeah, and it's angry," Shadow Spider added, watching as Star Nova engaged the Walker, only to be blasted into the ground by another beam.

The Walker advanced, crushing cars and firing indiscriminately.

"What's the plan, boss?" Shadow Spider asked, turning to Blackbird.

"We need to slow it down. Buy Star Nova time to recover," Blackbird said as the Blackjet roared overhead.

Spider-Man's eyes lit up behind his mask. "I've got an idea! You ever see The Empire Strikes Back?"

"Seriously?" Blackbird said, looking unimpressed.

Shadow Spider arched a brow. "I don't hate it... but if this doesn't work, it's your funeral, Spidey."

"You'll thank me later," Spider-Man said, leaping onto the Blackjet as it approached the Walker.

As the Walker turned its attention to the jet, Blackbird fired missiles, drawing its fire. Spider-Man swung into action, circling the machine and wrapping its legs in webs.

Shadow Spider followed, his movements seamless as he flipped onto the Walker's back. "Cover me!" he called, disappearing mid-air as his camouflage activated.

"Show-off," Spider-Man muttered, still looping webbing around the Walker's legs.

Shadow Spider reappeared on top of the Walker, electricity sparking in his hands. "Hey, tin can, let's see how you handle this!" He slammed his palm into the Walker's hull, sending a venom blast coursing through it. The Walker jolted, its movements faltering as systems began to short-circuit.

"Nice one!" Spider-Man shouted as he tightened the webbing, causing the Walker to wobble.

Seeing an opening, Star Nova launched into the air and delivered a devastating punch to the Walker's core, sending it toppling backward.

"Whoa!" Spider-Man yelped as the impact sent him flying into the Blackjet's windshield. Blackbird glared at him through the glass.

"Told you it'd work," Spider-Man said with a grin, clinging to the jet.

The hatch opened, and Blackbird motioned for him to get inside.

"No 'Good job, Spidey' or 'Nice teamwork'? You're killing me here," Spider-Man teased.

Shadow Spider landed on the wing, shaking his head. "Don't hold your breath. The man has a heart of stone."

"Focus," Blackbird barked. "That thing's not down yet."

The Walker began to stir, its systems rebooting. Star Nova tore into its hull, trying to disable it from within, but was blasted out by another energy beam, crashing into the rubble below.

Snapper Carr's news van pulled up as Star Nova staggered to his feet, clutching his head as strange images flashed through his mind.

"Star Nova! Are you okay?" Snapper asked, but the hero ignored him, shaking off the visions before flying off abruptly.

"Star Nova?" Snapper said, confused.

From the Blackjet, Shadow Spider watched Star Nova leave. "That can't be good. Shouldn't he be heading toward the fight?"

"Something's wrong," Blackbird said, turning the jet to follow.

Spider-Man glanced at Shadow Spider. "Think he knows something we don't?"

"Either that, or he's got a bad case of déjà vu," Shadow Spider replied grimly, charging his venom blasts in preparation.

As Snapper Carr's report broadcast across the globe, other Imperium Walkers were shown descending in cities worldwide, leaving destruction in their wake.

Soon, Blackbird and Spider-Man were flying over snowy mountains in the sleek Blackjet, its engines humming as it cut through the cold air. Below, destroyed military equipment lay scattered across the terrain. Shadow Spider swung alongside them, easily keeping pace.

"Whoa, Star Nova is really on a warpath," Spider-Man remarked, glancing at the destruction.

"The only question is why," Blackbird replied coolly, his hands steady on the controls.

Shadow Spider called out, "If we're going after him, I assume you have a solid reason. So, what's the deal here?"

Blackbird shot him a sidelong glance. "Let's just say it's a hunch."

Spider-Man groaned. "A hunch? You dragged us along on a wild goose chase because of a hunch?"

Blackbird smirked faintly but kept his focus. "Prove to me I wasn't wrong about you. Both of you."

Shadow Spider folded his arms mid-swing. "So we're just a trust exercise now? Great."

The Blackjet landed outside a military facility, its sleek design blending into the snowy surroundings. The trio exited cautiously, surveying the area.

Inside, they discovered strange pods reminiscent of the ones they had seen in the labs. Deeper in, they found Star Nova relentlessly punching a reinforced steel door, his golden glow cutting through the dimly lit corridor.

"Hold it, Star Nova!" Blackbird called out, hurling a birdarang. It exploded near the Superhuman's hand, causing him to pause. "Destroying government property isn't your style. What's going on?"

"See for yourself," Star Nova said grimly, tearing the door open with a final, thunderous punch.

Inside was a high-tech lab lined with alien containment devices. The room hummed with energy, the equipment brimming with sinister intent.

"Whoa, so this is where our tax dollars go?" Shadow Spider muttered.

"Pretty fancy for a prison," Spider-Man added.

At the center of the lab, two green-skinned aliens were restrained in containment pods. One appeared older and regal, the other younger, her features more delicate.

"Oh my God. Aliens!" Spider-Man exclaimed, his eyes wide.

"Who are they?" Blackbird demanded, his voice sharp.

"Mankind's last hope," Star Nova replied, pulling the lever to release them.

The older alien collapsed into Star Nova's arms, while Spider-Man instinctively caught the younger one.

"You okay?" Spider-Man asked.

The teenage alien looked up at him, her voice echoing telepathically in his mind. "Thanks. I'm fine."

"Whoa! Telepathy?!" Spider-Man yelped, nearly dropping her.

"That's how they reached me," Star Nova explained, his tone grim.

"Why are they here?" Blackbird asked, still wary.

"Invasion," the older alien said weakly. "We came to warn you, but we were captured and imprisoned here."

"They wouldn't listen to us, no matter what we said," the girl added.

Blackbird's expression hardened. "Big surprise."

The aliens' forms shimmered, revealing their true appearances. The older one had smooth, light blue skin, glowing golden eyes, and armor that radiated authority. The younger alien wore a sleek suit designed for agility, her features delicate but determined.

"I am Kar'Dax," the older alien said with a bow, "and this is my niece, Lira. We are Martians."

Blackbird didn't acknowledge the offered handshake.

"Don't take it personally," Star Nova said with a smirk. "He doesn't trust anyone."

"A wise policy," Kar'Dax replied, lowering his hand.

"Uh, so… real aliens, huh?" Spider-Man said, still processing. "You're way cooler than Hollywood's Martians. No oversized brains or death rays!"

Lira chuckled softly. "Thanks... I think?"

Shadow Spider leaned against a console, arms crossed. "This day just keeps getting weirder."

Before they could leave, the room flooded with blinding light as soldiers surrounded them, weapons raised.

"Hold it right there, Star Nova!" barked a general. "Those freaks aren't going anywhere!"

"They're not freaks. They're with us," Star Nova countered, stepping forward.

"Not happening," the general snapped, aiming his rifle. "They're a threat to national security."

"They came to warn us! The world's safety is at stake!" Star Nova argued.

"And that's why none of you are leaving here alive," the general snarled. In a horrifying transformation, he and the soldiers morphed into white-and-black amorphous beings, their energy weapons glowing ominously.

Kar'Dax's eyes widened in alarm. "It's them!"

"Let me guess—these guys aren't your friends," Shadow Spider said, tensing.

"You'd be correct," Lira replied, her tone somber.

The aliens opened fire, blasting Star Nova into a nearby wall. Blackbird, Spider-Man, and Shadow Spider dove for cover.

"What's the plan?" Spider-Man yelled.

"Keep your distance. Web them up!" Blackbird ordered.

"You got it!" Shadow Spider said, vanishing into the shadows.

Spider-Man leaped into action, firing webs to ensnare the attackers. Shadow Spider reappeared in bursts of electricity, stunning enemies with venom blasts before vanishing again.

Blackbird hurled a birdarang, causing a fiery explosion that sent several attackers flying.

"Not bad!" Shadow Spider quipped as he reappeared, sparks still dancing around his hands.

"Don't get cocky," Blackbird replied sharply.

Lira pulled Spider-Man out of danger telepathically, while Kar'Dax turned intangible to shield Blackbird from incoming fire.

The battle escalated as alien ships descended upon the facility. Star Nova hurled tanks at the crafts, while Kar'Dax and Lira created protective barriers to shield the group.

"This is insane!" Spider-Man shouted as Lira lifted him into the air.

"Just keep shooting!" she yelled back.

Shadow Spider clung to a descending ship, frying its systems with venom blasts before swinging back to the others.

"Let's not die today, okay?" he joked, landing beside Blackbird.

Suddenly, as the Blackjet sustained heavy damage and began to plummet, two glowing green lights enveloped it, stopping it mid-fall.

"What was that?" Blackbird demanded, gripping the controls tightly.

Help," Kar'Dax said as he looked up to see two people in green and white uniforms glowing faintly with energy. One was an adult man with dark skin and a shaved head, and the other was a teenage girl with tan skin and short, jet-black hair styled in a bob cut. They were Kar'Dax's allies, Solara and Limelight.

"Limelight, set them down gently," Solara instructed.

"I got it," Limelight replied as a woman with shimmering metallic wings and a glowing energy blade flew in.

This was Skyblade.

"Skyblade? What's she doing here?" Blackbird asked, piloting the Blackjet toward the cliffs where Kar'Dax was being lowered.

"Sorry we're late; there was an uprising near Rigel 9," Solara explained as Star Nova joined the scene.

As the new arrivals grouped together, Lira flung Spider-Man and Shadow Spider onto one of the enemy ships.

"Don't you guys hate it when bugs get stuck on your windshield?" Spider-Man quipped, shooting a web to stop a blaster barrel from firing.

"Speak for yourself," Shadow Spider said, flipping off the ship as it charged its weapons.

They landed in unison, but not without some difficulty as a shockwave from the explosion sent them tumbling to the ground.

"Spider-Man, are you okay?" Shadow Spider asked, rising unsteadily.

"Define 'okay,'" Spider-Man groaned.

A ship bore down on them, weapons glowing ominously.

"Move!" Shadow Spider shouted.

Before either could react, a figure leapt in front of them, shielding them from the incoming fire.

Looking up, they saw a strikingly powerful figure—a warrior with long silver hair tied back, wearing a sleek red and white armored suit accented with gold. She wielded a shimmering celestial blade at her side.

This was Astraia.

"Allow me," she said, deflecting the incoming fire with her blade and redirecting the blasts toward the enemy ship, which exploded upon impact.

"Okay, that was awesome," Spider-Man said.

"I don't disagree," Shadow Spider added, staring in awe.

As debris rained down, Solara erected a glowing barrier, shielding them from the explosion.

"Who are the rookies?" Solara asked, regrouping with the others.

"They're not rookies," Star Nova said firmly, blasting another ship with a radiant energy beam. "Shadow Spider and Spider-Man are both with us."

"Yup. Totally professionals," Spider-Man added, casually webbing an enemy drone.

"With an emphasis on 'totally,'" Shadow Spider said, sliding beneath a low-flying craft and hurling a webline to ensnare it.

Moments later, a blue blur zipped up to Blackbird, holding a broken part of his suit's wing.

"Hey, Blackbird, you dropped this!" Blue Speed said with a grin, tossing the piece at him as the heroes began regrouping.

"Who are all these shiny people?" Spider-Man asked, dodging another blast.

The gathered heroes turned their attention to Kar'Dax and Lira.

"I wasn't alive when it all began. Uncle Kar'Dax?" Lira said, her voice tinged with emotion.

Kar'Dax nodded solemnly. "It all started about a thousand Earth years ago. Martians was a peaceful utopia—until they arrived. We didn't know where they came from, but it was clear they intended to make our planet their own.

"We were a peaceful people, but we learned the ways of war quickly. For centuries, we fought them, but every trace of our great civilization was annihilated. They were parasites who fed on psychic energy, growing stronger while we weakened. They even absorbed our shapeshifting abilities," Kar'Dax explained grimly.

"Even my parents," Lira added with a frown.

"They died shortly after Lira was born. I took her in and hid her away while a small group of Martian survivors planned one last desperate attack against the invaders. Inside their stronghold, they released a powerful nerve gas that paralyzed them. The attack was successful, but the cost was high. Because I hid Lira, she survived along with me—but we were the only ones who did. I sealed the invaders in the citadel, and for 500 years, I raised Lira while keeping watch. During our hibernation cycle, Earth astronauts accidentally unlocked the stronghold and revived the invaders."

"Wait, those astronauts never said anything about finding life," Spider-Man said skeptically.

"Some pencil-pusher in Washington probably covered it up," Solara said.

"With no more Martian's to feed on, the invaders decided to target this planet. We tried to get here before them, but… well, you know the rest," Lira explained.

"They sent spies to disable Earth's defenses," Kar'Dax added.

"That's why they attacked Aurora Labs' Deep Space Monitoring Network—so we couldn't detect them," Blackbird realized.

"We have to stop them before it's too late," Limelight said urgently.

"It might already be too late," Kar'Dax said ominously as a deafening noise erupted in the distance.