Intelligent beings can never imagine how great the pressure of public opinion can be, unless it happens to them personally.
Many people feel that those who commit suicide under the pressure of public opinion are vulnerable and unable to withstand a single blow, but if they were in the same situation, they would probably react the same way.
The Skrulls are intelligent beings as well. Their willpower isn't significantly stronger than that of humans. They can imitate Spider-Man's appearance and abilities, but they can't imitate Spider-Man's determination and will.
This Skrull officer was never a good person. Within his not too long life, his job consisted of following orders, preparing for the revival of the Skrulls.
Before this, he had not realized that his job would be so painful. Whatever he did, whatever he said, no matter what image he put forth, nobody would accept him.
This kind of pressure is lethal to anyone.
Unfortunately, he isn't a young man who acquired spider mutations. He is an officer who can only follow orders. Facing these doubts, he doesn't even have the right to turn evil. He can only bottle everything up, transforming his initial pride into anger and grievance.
Once he gained a degree of freedom in his actions, he inevitably began to ponder: Why didn't people accept him? Was he really no match for Spider-Man?
Anyone has the mentality of not accepting defeat, especially when they are constantly compared with another person, and everyone thinks they are inferior in every way.
The impostor Spider-Man began to do good deeds hysterically. He even replaced the New York police, appearing at every potential or already-occurred crime scene, exerting his utmost ability to combat criminals and help others.
Then, Chief George from the New York Police Department accused Spider-Man, claiming that he shouldn't treat the police this way. He claimed that Spider-Man was expanding his own power and taking responsibility.
If this continues, the police might all become unemployed, while Spider-Man can't truly replace all the police. The result would be a greater threat to the safety of the citizens.
And then he tried to do nothing at all, only to be accused of doing nothing but riding the coattails of the situation to gain attention.
The counterfeit Spider-Man failed to realize that once you show to the outside world that you are willing to listen to certain people's opinions and willing to change for them, these people will naturally feel that they have the right to control you.
They won't appreciate your actions that align with their wishes, they will only further demand you to perform like a clown for their amusement. They would criticize every action you take, pointing out even the most minor faults to satisfy their desire to control others.
The counterfeit Spider-Man didn't realize this, hence, he easily fell into the trap of public opinion. When the newspapers and forums realized that he would make changes based on their absurd opinions, everyone became even more daring.
They demanded that Spider-Man II stop wearing his costume because a superhero should be honest. They insisted Spider-Man II cease to use spider silk because it's not environmentally friendly or hygienic.
They required Spider-Man II to issue three warnings before attacking a criminal. He must ensure they do not suffer any scratches or bruises when he uses force. At the same time, he must save the property of the beneficiaries. Even if an apple drops to the ground, he needs to pick it up.
The counterfeit Spider-Man felt like he was going mad due to these humans.
He found himself becoming gradually split. On one hand, the superhero he imitated should be optimistic, cheerful, and full of vitality. He loves this world and everyone in it.
Yet on the other hand, the world returned his affection with such negative and cruel feedback. This tempted the counterfeit Spider-Man to question: Why does Spider-Man even bother helping these people?
He started to question if his memories were truly reliable. Before this, he had never doubted his ability to replicate memories, but now, he was wavering.
Facing such vicious, disgusting humans who exhaust every means to harm others, how could Spider-Man still possess the kindness to help them?
The memories he held of Spider-Man, of his interactions with others, were they actually real?
Standing on the roof of the Empire State Building, the Skrull playing Spider-Man, felt like his vision was clouded by darkness. Countless fragments of illusions swept by, making everything seem unreal.
Maybe this was just a dream he was having in the life pod. When he wakes up, everything will happen as he had predicted. He would stand at the highest point of New York, receiving applause and cheers, thoroughly replacing the identity of the superhero.
At that moment, the phone rang. The fake Spider-Man took the call, hearing Schiller's voice on the other end, "I am in the laboratory of S.H.I.E.L.D., I hope you could come over and help me test some psychic abilities. I am a doctor, I need a patient…"
By hearing that, the fake Spider-Man understood. This man was his companion, the Skrull who was ordered to imitate the psychic. He had successfully replicated Dr. Schiller's abilities and was now planning to test them.
But the moment he realized this, he suddenly hesitated, or rather, he felt a sense of defiance.
The Skrulls have an absolute power structure, subordinates need to obey their superiors without question, even thoughts of rebellion are not permitted. However, the counterfeit Spider-Man was very clear that the chaotic emotions in his heart must not be discovered by his mind-reading companion.
If his Skrull companion, who was impersonating Shiller, divulged his inner emotions to the superior who was impersonating Nick, he was very likely to meet his doom.
Just then, the fake Spider-Man crouching on top of the building saw a robbery taking place below, so he naturally said to the person on the other end of the line, "Sorry, Doctor, I'm quite busy here, the media is all over me, I must maintain law and order in New York, you can call Captain or Mr. Stark…"
After speaking, he hung up the phone. As he had done countless times before, he swung over on spider silk, landed and subdued the criminals, waved to the camera, then went to find the next crime scene.
However, the difference was, he no longer felt bored or unable to understand Spider-Man. He now felt a sense of relief; as long as he had something to do, he wouldn't have to see a psychologist, he wouldn't be found out about his strange emotions, he wished there were more crime scenes.
On the other side, Shiller glanced at his phone and shook his head. He dialed a number again. Steve's voice came through. He spoke again, "This is Shiller, I am in the SHIELD laboratory now, I need you to collaborate with me on testing the psychic doctor's ability…"
"What? You are busy? Spider-Man says he's busy too… okay, I'll ask Tony then. Goodbye."
After hanging up the phone, the fake Captain America clenched his shield, sighed, he was indeed quite busy, busy combating Hydra.
The news of Captain America and Iron Man's demise has not been disclosed to the public, hence they don't need to act under the pretext of the second generation while outside. However, Captain America has had no time to do so these past few days, as he has been constantly combating Hydra.
Ever since the warehouse that might have been blown up by Hydra's German Headquarters was discovered, Captain America was assigned by Nick to stop this crazy act. This itself was not for justice, but rather to avoid further loss to the Skrull's property.
In the memory of the imitated Captain America, he didn't think Hydra was difficult to handle. Most of Hydra's leaders, like most villains, schemed, got exposed, and were dismissed with just one shield throw by Captain America.
Only some Hydra that he encountered after waking up were somewhat formidable. But the Skrull impersonating Captain America, older and more experienced than the previous fake Spider-Man, was one of the more powerful imitators. He thought, given his own abilities and means, dealing with these people would be a breeze.
Then, he was beaten up by Hydra.
The imposter Captain America was currently in an abandoned warehouse. About half an hour ago, this wasn't an abandoned warehouse, but the moment he heard the explosion, he knew he had been tricked again.
This group of Hydra was much stronger and craftier than Captain America remembered. They comprehended warfare strategies and executed them flawlessly.
If only that was all. More importantly, somehow they had complete knowledge of Captain America's movements and habits, even which foot he first set off on when exiting a plane, the posture he took retrieving his shield, and which arm he liked to swing when speaking.
The imitated Captain America felt as if there was an invisible surveillance filming him in 360 degrees, providing real-time information to a tactical group that formulated the combat plan against him.
First, he was decoyed away, led to another warehouse, only to find an explosive trap set in his blind spot. Though he wasn't at the blast center, he was still shocked and received minor lung injury. Then came an assassin's surprise attack, slicing his arm.
Every time he just lay down to rest awhile, a call from Nick Fury would come, informing him another warehouse has incurred severe losses. He urged him to consider the future of the Skrulls and work hard without rest.
Now, the imitated Captain America was dragging his weary body down the halls of the abandoned warehouse when he saw a blonde figure. Started, he instinctively tightened his grip on his shield and stepped back cautiously.
A blonde girl appeared at the end of the corridor, extending her hand, an air cannon launched towards the Captain. He rolled to dodge, hurling his shield in retaliation.
The shield, cutting through the air at an extremely fast speed, passed right through the blonde girl when it hit her. The Captain's face darkened; he knew that could be an illusion made by a psychic.
Unsurprisingly, with a loud "boom," the whole hallway was blasted. The Captain only managed to jump out of the window but was still thrust tens of meters away by the aftershock of the explosion.
When he landed, he spat out a mouthful of blood. He knew he must first preserve his life to maintain his disguise.
Another defect of the Skrulls' disguise was that once they were exhausted, severely injured, or even dead, the disguise would immediately drop, revealing their green-skinned form.
Just then, his phone rang again, Nick's icy voice came over: "Captain, what happened? Why couldn't you protect this warehouse?!"
"Sorry, Director, I am really…"
"You have to be clear who you're working for, and why you're working. Your sole value is to serve the grand ideal. If you can't do that, dying on the battlefield is where you belong!"
After the call, Captain America closed his eyes. As the phone slid from his hand, a message popped up on the lit screen from Sharon Carter, a female S.H.I.E.L.D. agent.
"Steve, the warehouse info you requested has been sent. Also, there may be danger there, so be careful."
"Also, if you're too tired, come back and rest. Don't push yourself too hard."