At this age, children are always full of fantasises about the future and carry some hesitation. But when someone gave him a very definite answer, and that person happens to be at the pinnacle of their respective fields, Peter chose to believe.
On the other hand, Stark, who had already rushed to the battlefield, also encountered significant trouble. This red-throated lizard, as Stark called it, was even more troublesome than the Lizard.
First of all, it was even larger than the Lizard, already exceeding 10 meters, standing as tall as a building.
Secondly, this monster had immense strength. One random punch could topple a building. Moreover, it seemed to be in a state of rage with almost no sanity, only knowing how to charge recklessly.
Usually, Stark preferred handling these brainless enemies because Jarvis' artificial intelligence could tactically outsmart them, making Stark's success come easier.
But this red-throated lizard, though it lacked intellect, scared due to its colossal size and immense brutality. Even just charging and throwing a punch could be deadly.
Furthermore, the Lizard had just recently appeared. The upgrade of Stark's battle armor also needed time. He had just found some ideas to deal with large monsters but hadn't had time to try them out before another big guy popped up. This inevitably irritated Stark. His current light armor was not very effective against this kind of enemy.
While Stark was pondering tactics, a shiny shield flew in, hitting the monster's forehead squarely, causing it to stagger.
When Stark saw Steve, his face darkened. He hadn't forgotten how Steve had beaten him up under the guise of expelling Venom, and afterwards denied doing so, insisting it was for his own good.
What Stark hated most was when people talked to him condescendingly. Even more so when they beat him up before talking to him like this, and even beat up the more challenging enemy after beating him up, making him feel useless.
Steve retrieved his shield, leaped directly onto the monster's neck, and landed two heavy punches.
The brain is an important organ of any creature. After taking such a beating, the monster was stunned for a second. Taking advantage of this, Steve sent his shield flying towards the monster's right calf. The monster pulled its leg back in pain. Steve then slammed it from the side, which made the monster fall to the ground.
"Thank you, Tony. Besides you, I really haven't experienced dealing with such big guys. You've given me a lot of experience."
Jarvis said inside Stark's armor: "Your heart rate is too fast, blood pressure is high, please calm down, take a deep breath..."
Stark said, "Trigger the Hive plan, immediately! Right away!"
"Are you sure you want to deactivate all safety protocols, and..."
"I'm sure! Launch now!!!"
During the fight, Steve looked up to see Stark, who was flying in mid-air, raise his arm. Instantly, numerous hall-slicing sounds arose, and dozens of black spots appeared in the sky, reaching the battlefield in a blink of an eye. It was dozens, if not hundreds, of mecha.
Stark said, "Move away, antique!"
Instantly, a mecha swooped down and exploded directly. The red-throated lizard was forced back a few steps. Steve, holding his shield, was thrown off balance, he shook his fist and said, "Stop firing at your ally, you did this on purpose!"
Stark laughed and said, "You misunderstand, I only mean well."
Stark waved his hand again, and a dozen mechas surrounded the monster. Then instantly, a high-voltage current burst out between them, forming an electric net. After a flash of intense light, the monster let out a monstrous shriek, and was electrocuted to the ground.
Stark said, "This move is not bad indeed, but I think there is room for improvement. Remember, don't mention that the inspiration for this tactic came from a yellow-haired rat called Pikachu. It electrocuted my mecha, and I haven't made it pay yet."
Although the monster had fallen momentarily, it quickly got back up. Stark complained with a sense of annoyance, "It must have some relation with that giant lizard. How in the hell do they have such incredible self-healing power?"
Indeed, the monster's charred scars from the electric shock had completely healed up in just a few minutes, and it seemed to recover its stamina quite fast. After getting beaten up by Captain America, it quickly began wreaking havoc again.
The two men surely had enough offensive power, but without Spider Man, they lacked a means of control. Spider Man's webs were effective against these huge monsters as they could easily unbalance them or bring them down. Just as Stark was about to make a call, he got a message from Jarvis that Peter was currently conducting an experiment with Doctor Connors.
Stark ended the call without saying a word.
In the increasingly tense battle, a figure in red and blue suddenly appeared in the city skylines. Peter swiftly swung his way over, kicked the monster's back, and knocked it down on the spot.
He held a box in his hand, which he tossed over to Stark, "This is the antidote. Inject directly, five vials in total. Then everything will be calm."
Stark tossed the box to a nearby Mecha, flying and talking simultaneously, "This is your research?"
"No, it's mainly Doctor Connors'. I only assisted."
"So it is your research."
Saying this, the Mecha, controlled by Stark, opened the box, took out the syringe, and handed it to other Mechas. While Steve distracted the monster, the Mechas ambushed it from behind and injected the medicine.
The monster began to scream in agony and violently struggled with its arms. But soon, its size started to shrink until it returned to a normal human size.
Seeing the armless man lying on the ground, Stark sighed and told Jarvis, "Send a Mecha to take him away. If anyone asks, just tell them that he was blown up beyond recognition."
Looking at Spider Man standing on the rooftop, Stark flew over to him and asked, "How does it feel when Peter Parker saves the world?"
"Great, I mean... fantastic!"
Peter let out a sigh, as if suddenly relieved of a heavy burden.
For the first time, he gained confidence in his true identity. This confidence was not built on the immense power brought by his spider mutation, but sprouted from the character of Peter Parker himself.
Had he not often wondered what he would do if his spider mutation was just a dream? What if this power disappeared tomorrow?
In fact, he had lived in doubt and terror for many days. He was afraid of losing his identity. He felt that the world cannot do without Spider Man.
But today, Peter felt for the first time that perhaps the world, apart from needing Spider Man, also needed Peter Parker. He needs himself, the non-superpowered him.
"Wisdom is the greatest asset of the human race." Stark, not looking at him, but towards the horizon, commented, "Don't set your sights on merely being a street hero. The road to wisdom is endless."
Peter laughed, removing his mask as if breaking free.
His hair fluttered in the soft breeze. He saw the magnificent clouds and twilight at the end of the sky, and watched as the last brilliant ray of the sun disappeared beneath the horizon--
He saw the gate to a new world.