Considering the crisis engulfing Oscorp, it's quite strange that they allowed an excursion at this time, but that's how public relations go, smoke and mirrors. Companies and governments never reveal how bad things truly are and always aim to keep a good public image.
Upon arrival, security checked the students' belongings and passed them through metal detectors. There were no incidents except for a couple of students with hidden piercings.
The students were divided into groups and split up. An enthusiastic old man in a white coat led Allen's group on the guided tour through the facilities.
"Welcome to Oscorp, young scientists in training. My name is Dr. Evans, and I'll be your guide on this fascinating tour of our facilities," the old man smiled, leading everyone with enthusiasm. "At Oscorp, we're at the forefront of scientific research and technological innovation."
"I hope to have that energy when I'm his age..." Gwen commented beside Allen.
"That scientist has more energy than me in the mornings, hehe," Mary Jane chuckled, holding onto Allen's arm.
This action didn't go unnoticed by the other students, but they decided not to say anything for fear of getting in trouble with security and the teachers. However, some started recording their affectionate interaction.
The group followed the old man to the elevator that took them to the fifth floor.
"Here in our labs, we explore various areas, from biotechnology to advanced engineering!"
"Sir, what kind of technology do you create?" Gwen took the initiative to ask the old man.
Dr. Evans smiled warmly, wearing a friendly expression, seeming like a good person.
"Well, miss, our goal is to improve people's lives through innovative discoveries and technological solutions," the old man opened a door leading to a hallway with several experiments simultaneously developed. From a jetpack to some kind of mechanical exoskeleton
.
Allen was aware of the strange technological disparity phenomenon in his world. Everything seems normal, but suddenly Tony Stark invents a reactor capable of replacing nuclear energy. Everything appears ordinary while in one building, a scientist creates a miniature sun. Everything seems normal, yet at a university, a young genius named Reed Richards invents an anti-gravity skateboard.
Dr. Evans led them to one of those specific rooms where a man was running on a treadmill. The incredible part was that his legs looked synthetic, and the speed counter surpassed forty miles per hour.
The scientist caught everyone's attention as he put his hands behind his back. "The prosthetics we develop at Oscorp are among the best, and we hope that in a few years, they can be as functional and accessible as a real limb!"
"Is there any issue with this? I see it's functioning very well..." This time it was Allen who commented with confusion. He was impressed; the performance of those legs surpassed that of a professional athlete. The world record for a hundred-meter race was twenty-seven miles per hour.
Dr. Evans sighed. "They have no functionality downsides... but they're expensive, require too much maintenance, consume too much power, and can't be used for more than an hour."
"I see..." Allen understood. In an ideal world, using water as fuel is the best, but hydrogen vehicle prototypes are very expensive, and almost no one can afford them.
The group left the place and took an elevator to a gigantic underground field with an artificial sky.
"This is incredible!" Gwen, shocked, grabbed Allen's free hand which made many boys want to vomit blood at the sight of the two beauties glued to Allen. Felicia teased the girl for acting childish, but Gwen didn't notice.
"In this section, we're working on genetic engineering to develop crops more resistant to diseases and adapted to different environmental conditions."
In the field, drones were flying overhead while robots watered the plants.
Hunger is one of the major concerns worldwide. However, there's a detail in this problem—many times, companies and governments halt these types of developments if they don't find any benefit.
...
On the next floor, there were various workshops with robots of all kinds, from humanoid versions to unmanned vehicles.
"At Oscorp, we also take pride in our advances in artificial intelligence and robotics. Our labs are creating technologies that could change the way we interact with the world," Dr. Evans paused, looking seriously at the people working in this area. "Of course, ethics and responsibility are fundamental in our work. We always strive to use science for the welfare of humanity."
Dr. Evans didn't have a good opinion of artificial intelligence. He felt that by giving autonomy to beings created by humans, there was a risk of causing their annihilation; every thinking being reaches a point where they have their ego. However, as friendly as Dr. Evans might seem, he's not an angel since he is an enthusiast of genetic manipulation.
Allen ended up enjoying the Oscorp visit more than he initially thought, as many things seemed straight out of sci-fi movies and series. MJ kept taking photos, and Gwen took notes, while Felicia only showed interest when the value of various inventions and developing technologies were mentioned.
...
Lastly, the elderly scientist led them to a laboratory where genetic manipulation of spiders was being conducted. The man's face seemed euphoric as this was his favorite department and area of work. The first question a normal person would ask is "Why?", why the genetic manipulation of spiders? However, Allen didn't have time to ask because, at that moment, the system spoke to him.
[Host, the source of destiny is here!]
'What?! In this area?!'
As it was an isolated area, it was smaller than other laboratories and had fewer staff. Allen immediately activated all his senses to search for the cause of the anomaly, while the system diverted part of his attention to crystallize the fragments as usual.
[Host, don't worry, it seems the source of destiny isn't something dangerous, but discretion is recommended, as destiny is often tragic...]
Upon the system's words, Allen began investigating the area. At that moment, his attention was drawn to the different spiders in their respective containers, each with something different and unique. Allen didn't know what to say about this; he's not an animal advocate, but he also believes that sometimes humans play god without considering the consequences and cruelty of their actions.
Allen shook his head; on the other hand, the old man seemed to have had several energy drinks and he didn't stop talking about each spider. As mentioned before, Dr. Evans is a hypocrite because on the one hand, he criticizes artificial intelligence, but on the other hand, he adores genetic manipulation.
At that moment, Allen noticed an empty container.
"Excuse me, it seems one is missing," Allen immediately informed the old man, who smiled amused.
"She's a little rascal, always hiding even in broad daylight. She developed the ability to camouflage, like a chameleon."
Allen frowned at the man's lack of alarm and turned to complain to Gwen about the lack of caution, but she was no longer there.
[Host, the protection pendant has been activated in Miss Gwen.]
Allen's senses sharpened, and he saw a small spider falling from the air where Gwen had been moments before. Allen wasn't foolish; he deduced that this tiny spider had tried to bite Gwen, but the pendant saved her.
He extended his hand and caught it, unconcerned about the venom. With Shirohige's resistance, he could endure something that would kill ten thousand people.
The spider glanced at Allen before biting him. Clown Crown tried to stop the spider, but Allen halted his innocence from acting.
"Ouch..." Allen felt the pain in his hand spread through his body. But at this point, considering all he had experienced, this level of pain was nothing.
[Host! That's the source of destiny!]
"...!"
Allen contemplated what to do while no one was watching. He bought a container from the system and stored the spider in his inventory. According to the system, the source of destiny allowed crystallizing fragments periodically, it was like a fragment farm!
[Host, there's a force trying to merge with you, both physically and spiritually. I don't recommend assimilating this directly; instead, you can refine it through the system and only get the benefits.]
'Do it...'
Allen would never refuse free benefits, especially when he constantly faces the risk of encountering some apocalyptic creature.
[Purple/Crimson Spider Core - Permanent and underdeveloped skill sets: super strength, super reflexes, super agility, evolved spider-sense, surface adhesion ability, high regeneration capacity (the spider core can develop other powers with the practice of these abilities) - Progenitor (As a progenitor, you can give these abilities and powers to others.]
Allen was surprised by these abilities. They might seem weak compared to others, but they were permanent! That was extremely valuable! Especially the last part—Allen couldn't share system abilities with others, even when opening chests for them. However, the progenitor characteristic changed that.
'System, Gwen is okay, right?'
[Don't worry, the pendant is designed to take her to a safe place. She's in a restroom in the building.]
Allen felt like he had taken something from Gwen because originally, the spider was supposed to bite her. But given that the system could refine the adverse effects of these abilities, he could give Gwen what she was originally meant to have. Of course, after discussing it with her. Although when Allen remembered how frustrated the girls felt not being able to help him in moments of need, he believed she would accept.
'Should I also give powers to MJ and Natasha?'
Due to the independent arachnid core, they would receive, each of them could develop different abilities beyond the basics this skill set provided.
Allen shook his head; he would be forming a kind of arachnid family similar to Batman's.
...
Allen discreetly took MJ to find Gwen; she was confused about Gwen's disappearance. After hearing Allen's explanation, she understood what had happened.
"My goodness, you should sue these fools for such poor security!" the frustrated girl exclaimed.
"That would mean revealing that I have the spider in my possession," Allen replied, unable to do anything.
Mary Jane remained silent for almost a minute. "Right... so, the mysterious entity told you that with that spider, you can give us powers?"
Allen noticed her concerned attitude and hugged her.
"Allen?!" MJ became nervous about doing this in this place.
"MJ, it's not necessary if you don't want to. I'll protect you for the rest of my life," Allen assured her, making the girl relax.
She returned the hug but eventually pulled away, shaking her head. "I don't want to be a burden. At least I'd like to have the power to protect myself and not worry you."
MJ knew there was a limit and honestly couldn't imagine herself at the level to face Loki Destroyer, Doomsday, or Worldbreaker Hulk. But if it meant being able to help him, even if just so he wouldn't have to worry about her, that was enough.
Allen smiled with a loving gaze at her as he gently stroked her red cheeks, pushing aside her beautiful scarlet hair from her face.
At that moment, Allen felt pulses in his head; he immediately hugged the girl and entered the room.
"What's happening?!" MJ asked, alarmed, but Allen put his finger on her lips to silence her.
...
In the hallway, a middle-aged man already known as Norman Osborn walked angrily while two scientists tried to calm him down.
"I'm sorry, but it was the board's orders. We had to act for appearances!"
One of the men was balding and overweight. He didn't know how to respond to Norman's scolding; he knew that the relationship between the director and the board only worsened over time, and unfortunately, the employees were caught in the middle without knowing what to do.
"I told you the guided tour was canceled!! Why did you take the liberty to do it behind my back?!" Norman was beyond furious. For a week, it seemed like nobody obeyed him, and everyone sought to abandon the sinking ship.
Allen and MJ heard this from inside the room while remaining silent.
'I hope you don't do anything reckless, Norman...' Allen closed his eyes, feeling a bad premonition about Norman Osborn's mental state.
...
Gwen Stacy was in a restroom; she stood for a moment not knowing what had happened. After analyzing her situation, she took out her magic wand and realized the pendant must have been responsible.
Gwen received a message from Allen telling her not to worry, that it was due to one of the modified spiders that the pendant had activated.
Gwen sighed in relief and left the bathroom; she seemed to be in a workshop but there was no staff. She tried to head towards the exit when she saw a exhibitor with a strange suit, it was green with a terrifying mask.
"What kind of weird tastes do they have in this place? I should report them..." Gwen shook her head and left the place somewhat annoyed.
When they regrouped, Gwen approached Allen and put her head on his chest without saying anything. Allen knew she wouldn't admit she had been scared by the events due to her pride, so he just stroked her head without saying anything.
The girl improved her mood, but MJ laughed at her sweet actions, embarrassing the blonde.
Allen spoke to Gwen about the spider, and she accepted without hesitation. She didn't even hesitate for a moment.
"Don't look at me like that..." Gwen felt uncomfortable, not knowing what to say. "It's just that I feel like I should accept these powers."
Allen frowned at this; it seemed like an invisible force was pushing the spider's powers toward Gwen, and Allen didn't like that. Instead of using the spider directly, he would use his progenitor's power to give Gwen the powers.
[Title: Spider Family]
...
A/N: By the way I still don't know which part, land and era of DC Allen should go to, one option is with the amazons because of the Diana issue, or the teen titans, Ya know.... Raven, also go outside the box and go to injustice.... I don't know.
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