Chapter 7: Shadows Over the Expo

The New York City Science Expo was buzzing with energy, the air alive with the chatter of scientists, entrepreneurs, and curious onlookers eager to see the latest technological marvels. Peter Parker adjusted his glasses, the familiar hum of a thousand conversations swirling around him. Momiji stood by his side, her calm presence grounding him in the bustling chaos.

"Technology is the light that will cut through the darkness," announced a commanding voice over the loudspeakers. The crowd fell silent as Dr. Otto Octavius took the stage, his larger-than-life persona captivating the room. Dressed in a finely tailored suit, he looked every bit the reformed scientist and businessman he claimed to be. "When humanity conforms to a single truth—a truth based on technological progress—we will be unstoppable. I, Dr. Otto Octavius, vow as a scientist and businessman that my duties to humankind will be fulfilled."

The audience erupted in applause, their admiration echoing through the grand hall. Peter, however, crossed his arms, his expression one of skepticism. "Yeah, pretty words, Octavius," he muttered under his breath. "If these people knew as much about you as I do, I wonder if they'd be so quick to applaud."

Momiji placed a gentle hand on his arm, her eyes filled with concern. "Peter, I know how you feel, but let's not jump to conclusions. People can change."

Peter sighed, his gaze unwavering from Octavius. "Some people, maybe. But not him."

Their conversation was cut short as a sudden commotion rippled through the crowd. Gasps and shouts filled the air as a figure swung down from the rafters, landing on the stage with the agility of a predator. The unmistakable red-and-blue costume sent a shockwave through the room.

"Spider-Man?" Momiji whispered, her eyes widening in disbelief.

Peter's heart raced, his mind struggling to process what he was seeing. "No way… That can't be me."

Dr. Octavius stepped back, his face contorted with a mix of shock and fury. "Who dares interrupt my presentation?!" he bellowed.

The fake Spider-Man didn't respond. Instead, he lunged toward the display table where Octavius's prized invention—a small but sophisticated energy converter—was prominently showcased. In a flash, the fake webbed the device and yanked it free from its stand.

The chaos escalated as the crowd surged forward, craning their necks to get a better look. Peter and Momiji found themselves trapped in the throng of people, their frustration mounting as they tried to push their way through.

"Excuse us! Coming through!" Peter called out, his voice lost in the cacophony.

As they struggled to move, they accidentally bumped into Eddie Brock, the Daily Bugle photographer who had been furiously snapping pictures of the event. "Watch where you're going, Parker!" Eddie growled, barely glancing at them as he focused on his camera.

"Sorry, Eddie," Peter said hastily, his attention still fixed on the stage. But before Eddie could take another shot, the fake Spider-Man turned toward him. With a flick of his wrist, a web shot out and struck Eddie's camera, yanking it from his hands.

"Hey, that's mine!" Eddie shouted, his face twisting in anger. The fake Spider-Man slammed the camera to the ground, shattering it into pieces. Eddie's rage boiled over as he pointed an accusatory finger toward the stage. "You're gonna regret that, Web-Head!"

Momiji glanced at Peter, her expression filled with worry. "We need to stop him."

"I know," Peter replied, his voice low and tense. But with the crowd pressing in on them, they were helpless to intervene as the fake Spider-Man leaped into the air, the stolen device in tow.

Dr. Octavius's voice rang out over the chaos, a mixture of fury and indignation. "Stop him! Someone stop that thief!"

The fake Spider-Man disappeared into the shadows, leaving the expo in a state of disarray. Peter clenched his fists, his mind racing as he tried to make sense of what had just happened.

"This doesn't make sense," he muttered. "Why would someone impersonate me? And why would they target Octavius's invention?"

Momiji placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "We'll figure this out, Peter. Together."

Peter nodded, his resolve hardening. "Whoever's behind this, they've got some explaining to do."

As the crowd slowly began to disperse, Peter and Momiji exchanged a determined glance. The peaceful day they had envisioned was over. Something far more sinister was unfolding, and they were about to be pulled into the center of it.

Eddie Brock stood alone in the corner of the now-dwindling expo crowd, holding the shattered remnants of his camera in his hands. He stared at the pieces with a mixture of frustration and dread. Peter and Momiji approached him cautiously, weaving through the dispersing bystanders until they reached his side.

"Eddie," Peter began, his voice low and apologetic. "I'm really sorry about what happened. That wasn't me up there—you know that, right? I mean, I know it looked like me, but—"

Eddie cut him off with a wave of his hand. "Relax, Parker. I know it wasn't you. That faker made it pretty obvious when he trashed my camera. You'd never do something like that." He let out a bitter chuckle, shaking his head. "Still, it doesn't matter. J. Jonah Jameson's gonna love this. I can already hear him chewing me out for 'blowing the scoop of the century.'"

Momiji stepped forward, her expression filled with concern. "Is there any way we can help? Maybe we can replace your camera or—"

"Nah, don't worry about it," Eddie interrupted, his tone softer this time. "It's not your fault, bro. I should've known something weird was gonna happen. Things always go sideways at these big events." He ran a hand through his hair, letting out a sigh. "I'll deal with Jameson. I always do."

Peter hesitated, watching Eddie carefully. "You're sure?"

"Yeah, I'm sure," Eddie replied, his tone firm but not unkind. "Thanks, though. Both of you. Just… take care of that faker before he ruins my reputation any more than he already has."

Momiji gave him a small, reassuring nod. "We will, Eddie. And if you ever need anything, just let us know."

With that, Peter and Momiji turned and walked away, leaving Eddie to his thoughts. He stood there for a moment, his gaze fixed on the shattered camera in his hands. "Great," he muttered to himself. "This is gonna be fun."

In his mind, he could already hear Jameson's voice, dripping with irritation: "Brock! You had one job—one job! And you let Spider-Man—fake or not—make a fool outta you! Do you know how many photographers I've got lined up, waiting to take your place?!"

Eddie sighed heavily, stuffing the broken camera into his bag. "Yeah, yeah, I know, Jameson," he mumbled under his breath. "I'm a disgrace, I'm fired, yadda yadda. Same story, different day."

He straightened up, shaking off his frustration. There was still a story here—one he intended to get to the bottom of.

Eddie Brock's frustration lingered as he walked through the streets of New York, clutching his shattered camera bag in one hand and his notepad in the other. Determined not to let the humiliation at the Science Expo be his final chapter, he decided to dig deeper. Whoever this fake Spider-Man was, they had wrecked his professional reputation, and Eddie wasn't about to let it slide.

"I've gotta figure this out," Eddie muttered under his breath, ducking into a quiet alley to gather his thoughts. "Why frame Spider-Man? What's the endgame here?" His mind buzzed with questions as he jotted down notes, piecing together the little information he had.

Eddie's instincts told him that the answers wouldn't come easy. Whoever was behind this, they were meticulous and dangerous. Still, Eddie had a knack for finding the truth in the most chaotic situations, and he wasn't about to give up now. "Time for Brock to go undercover," he said to himself, a hint of determination flashing in his eyes.

Disguising himself, Eddie made his way into the city's darker corners, hoping to pick up whispers of the fake Spider-Man's identity. He knew these streets had secrets—dangerous ones—and he was willing to risk it all to uncover them.

In a secluded location, far from the bustling streets of New York, a dimly lit laboratory hummed with activity. Two shadowy figures stood at the center of the room, surrounded by glowing screens and intricate machinery. The one in charge, their face obscured by the flickering light, turned to their ally with an air of authority.

"Phase one completed," the leader said, their voice low and deliberate. "Let us begin phase two."

The ally giggled maniacally, their laughter echoing through the cavernous space. "Yes… it begins," they replied, their voice twisted with anticipation.

Mist crept through the base like a living entity, curling around the machinery and enveloping the figures in an eerie haze. The two conspirators reveled in the sinister atmosphere, their laughter growing louder as the fog thickened.

Whatever their plan was, it was unfolding perfectly. And soon, it would bring chaos to the unsuspecting city above.