Chapter 95
Arc 7 - Ch 12: Serum
Date: Tuesday, August 30, 2011.
Location: House of M, Manhattan, New York
Tyson stepped into the VIP lounge and paused, taking in the sight of Felicia and Jessica sprawled across the plush couches, their faces peaceful in slumber. The past several hours had been a whirlwind of activity. After ensuring Gwen's safe arrival at House of M, Tyson had thrown himself into work within the arena. The labor had been a welcome distraction from the events of the day, allowing him to focus on something tangible and immediate.
Felicia's white hair spilled over the arm of the couch while Jessica's form was curled into a tight ball, her breathing slow and steady.
"Felicia," Tyson said softly, gently shaking her shoulder. "It's time to wake up."
She stirred, her eyes fluttering open. She blinked a few times, disoriented, before focusing on Tyson's face. "What time is it?" she mumbled, her voice thick with sleep.
"Ten," Tyson replied. He then moved to Jessica and repeated the process. "Jessica, wake up. It's time to get moving."
Jessica groaned, burying her face deeper into the couch cushions. "Five more minutes," she muttered.
Tyson chuckled. "Sorry, no can do. Come on, up and at 'em."
As the women slowly roused themselves, Tyson walked over to the mini-fridge in the corner of the lounge. He pulled out two bottles of water and tossed one to each of the groggy women as they sat up.
"Drink up," he instructed.
Felicia caught her bottle despite her sleepy state. She cracked it open and took a long swig, the cool water helping to clear the fog from her mind. "What's the plan?" she asked. Jessica blinked owlishly at Tyson, waiting for his response.
"First, we need to get you two some food and a chance to freshen up. No good planning on empty stomachs and foggy minds."
Felicia nodded, stretching her arms above her head, drawing Tyson's eye. "Food sounds amazing right now. I'm starving."
Jessica yawned widely, covering her mouth with the back of her hand. "I could definitely use a coffee... or three," she mumbled.
Tyson pushed off from the wall, gesturing towards the door. "Alright, let's get moving. We'll grab some breakfast and then get down to business."
The women rose from the couches, still moving slowly as they shook off the last vestiges of sleep. Tyson led the way to the door, holding it open as Felicia and Jessica shuffled past him into the corridor.
After a meal and some time to themselves, Tyson led the way with Felicia and Jessica following close behind.
"So why are we going to Dr. Connors' lab?" Felicia asked.
"I need to grab a sample of Jubilee's blood."
As they walked, Jessica considered why Tyson would need her blood. She hesitantly asked, "Are you going to go to Sinister and ask her… him… err them, to clone Jubilee?"
Tyson froze mid-step. The question hung in the air, heavy with implications he hadn't considered. Jessica's words presented an ethical dilemma. In his mind, he debated the potential drawbacks against the desperate hope of getting her back.
"I hadn't thought of it," he admitted, "But now that you mention it, I don't know… Would it really be her?"
The silence that followed was heavy. Felicia watched Tyson intently, noting the conflict in his expression. Her hand twitched at her side, wanting to reach out but holding back.
Finally, Tyson shook his head. "No," though the women could hear his answer's lingering uncertainty tinged with regret. "I don't trust Sinister in the slightest. And I'm not ready to tackle the moral implications of where that leads. I had another idea to get her back. One that is somewhat less morally dubious."
Jessica nodded, understanding in her eyes. "I get it. Even being a clone, I don't know how to feel about that."
As they entered the lab, Dr. Connors was already deep into his work. Tyson mumbled, "Does anyone sleep around here?"
Felicia's lips quirked up. "It's your fault we're all awake."
"Morning, Doc."
Dr. Connors looked up from his workstation with a tired smile. "Good morning, Tyson. Ladies," he nodded to Felicia and Jessica.
Tyson asked, "Been at it for a while?"
Connors set down the pipette he'd been holding and turned to face them fully. "My family understands. My wife's so happy to have me back that she'll overlook a few all-nighters. Not like I wasn't doing the same when I worked at Oscorp."
Tyson nodded, his expression softening. "Fair enough." He paused, his voice growing more serious. "I'm going to need a sample of Jubilee's blood."
Connors moved to the secure blood storage cabinet on the far wall. His fingers danced across the keypad, entering a complex code. The lock disengaged with a soft click, and he pulled open the heavy door.
"You keep blood samples of everyone?" Jessica asked somewhat uneasily.
Connors carefully rifled through the neatly labeled vials. "Not everyone, but so many people around here have non-standard traits that I'm looking into. We never know when we might need genetic material for research or emergencies." Finally, Connors pulled out a small vial filled with dark red liquid. The label bore Jubilee's name in neat, block letters. He held it up to the light, examining it briefly before turning back to Tyson. "Here we are. Jubilee's blood sample. Be careful with that; you know what it'll do to a human."
As he caught the pained look in Tyson's eyes, his voice softened. "Is there anything else you need, Tyson?"
Tyson tore his gaze away from the vial. "No, this is all for now. Thank you, Doc." His expression was grim as he commented. "And what it does to humans is exactly what I'm counting on."
When Tyson turned to leave, Connors cleared his throat, regaining his attention. "While you're here, I wanted to talk to you about something that you brought up a while back."
"Alright, what's up?"
"You're not dying."
Felicia and Jessica exchanged puzzled glances, their attention now fully focused on the conversation unfolding before them. Seeing their bewilderment, Connors elaborated, "The Adamantium. You're right about it being poisonous. A normal person couldn't survive having it in their body, but your healing can handle it just fine." He paused, allowing the information to sink in. "You thought that you were going to die of adamantium poisoning. I didn't have any reference or research to dispute your claim... Until your friend Logan let me have some of his blood."
At the mention of Logan, Tyson connected the dots. Connors continued, his voice gaining enthusiasm as he explained his findings. "He's got a similar healing factor, blood type, and also the same adamantium grafting. But he's been living with his adamantium for decades, so I finally had a sample to compare yours against."
"And you say I'm not dying slowly?"
Connors agreed emphatically, "Right. Your body is handling the adamantium remarkably well. The healing factor constantly counteracts any potential poisoning effects. It's quite fascinating, actually."
"That's good news, isn't it?" Felicia asked, unsure.
The ticking clock of adamantium poisoning was always in the back of his mind, but it was decades out, so he didn't allow it to shape his decisions and outlook. Now, that burden was lifted. The problem had solved itself without him dedicating any resources or thought to it, leaving him feeling strangely unmoored.
Jessica, sensing the shift in Tyson's demeanor, spoke up. "How certain are you about this, Dr. Connors?"
Connors turned to her, his expression confident. "Very certain. The data is quite clear. Tyson's healing factor is, if anything, even more robust than Logan's. There's no indication of any long-term damage or degradation."
"How are you at Biology?" Dr. Connors asked, eager to delve into the science.
Tyson shrugged. "Not great, to be honest."
Jessica, who had been listening intently, piped up. "I'm pretty good."
Connors launched into his explanation. "Humans live as long as we do because our body replaces cells through a process known as mitosis. That, and our metabolism isn't fast as far as most mammals go. The faster the metabolism, the faster cells divide, and the shorter we live."
He turned to Tyson. "You and Logan, your cells divide at a rate far beyond anything usually seen. It's why you heal so quickly. Theoretically, you should age far faster, but we know this isn't the case."
"Why is that?" Felicia asked.
Connors continued, his voice taking on a professorial tone. "Normally, there's a limit to the number of times a cell can divide through mitosis due to genetic damage. It's known as the Hayflick limit." He paused, making sure they were following along. "Cells are astonishingly good at dividing. Three billion base pairs, around 30,000 genes at 99.99% accuracy. But therein lies the issue. It's not 100% accurate."
Jessica nodded along. Tyson found surprisingly he was able to follow. He closed his eyes briefly before realizing it was because he'd absorbed Magneto. Magneto had to be a genius to create a machine that could activate the X-gene in humans. While Tyson knew from his metaknowledge that the machine was flawed, even coming up with such a device required extensive scientific understanding. Opening his eyes, a newfound understanding dawned on his face. "I think I get it."
Connors continued, "Because of this, as the genes are replicated and cell division continues, damage from the cell continues to build up from either the environment forcing changes in the genetic coding or simply errors caused during the replication process."
"Over time, after about 52 divisions, these damages have accrued enough that it will cause the cell to undergo apoptosis, ending its line as it's no longer functional. This stems from the genes no longer directing the cell effectively."
Connors continued, "This can also result in cancers, and if you've lived a hard life and put these cells under constant strain to divide, this can lead to faster aging due to genetic damage. But it all happens the same regardless, and a lot of this is caused by telomeres."
Jessica clarified, "Telomeres don't contain active genes. Instead, they are highly repeated DNA sequences and specific binding proteins that form structures at the end of your genetic coding."
Connors nodded approvingly. "Exactly. This is important because every time a cell undergoes mitosis, a little more of that telomere gets cut off. Think of it like burning a candle. Eventually, as you get older, these telomeres get cut to the point that important genes and genetic information start getting cut off, too. This is where the issues begin to build up as more and more genetic information is lost at the end of your DNA."
"If telomeres were longer or weren't cut so often, then it would dramatically lengthen someone's life. Other genetic damage would still build up, eventually causing problems, so you wouldn't be immortal." Jessica summarized.
"She's right," Dr. Connors affirmed. "But your friend Logan and you toss out the rules with your healing factor from your X-Gene. Logan's telomeres are completely intact. It's like he hasn't aged since reaching maturity. My hypothesis is that your X-Gene has a stabilizing effect. I think it grants your genetic coding some way to correct genetic damage."
"Without damage to your X-Gene, it's likely that you'll live for a very, very long time."
"So, our healing factors," Tyson mused, "they somehow preserve or regenerate these telomeres and prevent or repair the genetic damage that would normally occur with rapid cell division."
"Precisely! Your cells divide at an incredible rate, but instead of deteriorating faster, they maintain their integrity. It's as if your body has found a way to reset the cellular clock with each division."
"So, theoretically, this could mean..."
"Potential biological immortality," Connors finished.
Felicia reached out, gently squeezing Tyson's arm. "Are you okay?" she asked softly, her eyes searching his face.
Tyson nodded slowly, his mind still processing. "Yeah, I just... it's a lot to take in. I've been living with the idea that the adamantium was slowly killing me. Now, not only is that not true, but if you're right, I might outlive... well, almost everyone."
He glanced down at the vial of Jubilee's blood in his hand, then back up at his friends. "For now, I have other pressing matters to attend to. But it's good to know I won't have to rip the adamantium out of my body. Thanks, doc."
Felicia's eyes narrowed as she studied Tyson's face. "You weren't actually thinking about doing that, were you?" Tyson shrugged, but his expression betrayed him. It was clear he had been considering it. She sighed heavily, shaking her head. "This is why you should share your plans more. That's a stupid idea."
Tyson looked sheepish. "Okay, I'm planning to parlay with a sorceress," he said. "Any objections?"
The room fell silent. No one spoke up.
"Alright, then," Tyson nodded, turning to leave the lab. As he walked out, Felicia's hand gently touched Jessica's, preventing her from following.
Once Tyson was gone, Felicia turned to Dr. Connors. "How's the progress on the super soldier serum?"
"I explained this before, but I compared the samples of goblin serum and the incomplete version of the super soldier serum. They were remarkably similar. There was one compound shared between the two serums and my first iteration of the Lizard formula. I believe now that compound was the cause of the mental instability that affected me initially and also affected Norman Osborn."
"With the Lizard formula, after months of fine-tuning, I was able to fix this deficit. The solution existed within the Lizard DNA I used in my serum. Part of the problem with the incomplete super soldier and goblin serums was they have no mechanism for fixing this deficit." Connors' eyes lit up as he delved deeper into his explanation. "But I had a breakthrough after speaking with Tyson and receiving the samples of Dr. Banner's blood. Banner's team used gamma rays to try to stabilize their attempt, and Tyson revealed that the original super soldier serum used Vita Rays. Vita Rays or Vita Radiation is an exotic energy type, not found commonly on Earth. The only way I know of to create it is through Nitramene, a chemical explosive created by Howard Stark."
He added, almost as an afterthought, "Tyson also asked about stabilizing the Lizard formula using a different animal's blood. I told him that it might be possible, but not with something humanoid, short of maybe a monstrous mutant."
Felicia asked, "Would a feral mutant that looked like he was maybe a quarter of the way to being a werewolf work?"
Connors paused, considering the question. "Probably," he answered after a moment.
She pulled a vial from her pocket, and Jessica's eyes widened in recognition. "That's from the mutant Logan fought in the sewers, Sabertooth," she gasped.
Felicia nodded, handing the vial to Connors. "This is your priority now," she said, her tone brooking no argument. Connors eyed the sample warily, opening his mouth to speak, but she cut him off. "Just work on it, and when it's ready, double, triple, quadruple check it."
"Are you sure about this, Felicia?" Jessica asked, concerned.
"I've been relegated to being a secretary around here. It's because I can't keep up. Jubilee was a vampire who could shoot nuclear fireworks. Tyson's ex-girlfriend is a teleporter who's learning magic." She looked at Jessica with frustration. "You're like Spider-Man... I'm just a girl who picks locks."
Jessica shook her head, trying to reassure her. "You're exaggerating."
"Yeah," Felicia admitted, "but not by much." She pointed at Connors, "He's a genius that can turn into a super-strong lizard. Logan can heal like Tyson and has unbreakable claws and bones. Hell, everyone around here is strong. I need to be, too."
Jessica looked at her friend, seeing the determination burning in her eyes. She understood the feeling of inadequacy.
Connors cleared his throat. "I understand your motivation, Felicia, but we need to be cautious. The risks involved in experimenting with these serums are significant."
"I know, Doc. That's why I'm asking you to be thorough. I trust your expertise."
Jessica placed a hand on her shoulder. "Are you absolutely certain this is what you want? There's no going back once it's done."
"I'm sure. I can't keep standing on the sidelines while everyone else puts their lives on the line. I need to be able to hold my own, to contribute more than just keeping Tyson's schedule and making phone calls."
Connors carefully placed the vial in a secure storage unit. "I'll begin analyzing the sample immediately."
Jessica gently squeezed Felicia's shoulder. "I'll help Dr. Connors with this. We'll make sure it's safe."
Felicia offered a small smile, but Dr. Connors looked skeptical. Jessica caught his expression and moved purposefully toward a blank whiteboard on the wall. She began sketching out the chemical formula for the original lizard serum, leaving gaps where certain elements were missing. Connors watched with growing interest as Jessica filled in the blanks with confident strokes, adding compounds and adjusting molecular structures.
Dr. Connors' skepticism melted away. He studied the board intently, tracing the connections with his eyes. After a moment of silent contemplation, he turned to Jessica with a newfound respect.
"Alright then," Connors said. "Let's get started."
Felicia smiled as she watched Connors and Jessica dive into a rapid-fire discussion of chemical properties and potential modifications. Their words quickly got to the point where they flew over her head. Connors suddenly turned to her, remembering something important. "Oh, and Felicia," he said, interrupting his train of thought, "you might want to talk with Tony Stark and get your administrator privileges back. When they found out you were being impersonated, Wednesday had you locked out."
Before Felicia could respond, a voice piped up from the lab's speakers. The tone was unmistakably that of an angsty teenager, dripping with sarcasm and the barest hints of amusement. "Sure did," Wednesday, the AI that ran House of M, chimed in. "Contacting Mr. Stark now so the boss can give you back the keys to your castle. Welcome back, princess."
Felicia blinked at the AI's sudden interjection and its choice of words. She had forgotten about Wednesday's sometimes irritating presence in her daily life.
Tony's voice crackled through the lab's speakers. "Wednesday, scan Felicia. Is she registering as a mutant?"
There was a brief pause before Wednesday's sarcastic teenage voice replied, "No. And Tyson has me constantly tracking the blueberry's location. She's in the arena."
"Alright, end all protocols," Tony ordered, his tone shifting as he addressed Felicia directly. How are you doing, kid?"
"I've been worse," she admitted. "Walk in the park compared to being beholden to a crime lord for months."
Tony's voice softened, and a hint of regret colored his words. "Sorry, I wasn't there." He paused for a moment before continuing, "How's he doing? I saw what happened."
"He's having a hard time," she said quietly. "He seems okay so far, but I don't know if it'll last."
"I want to help," Tony offered, his voice filled with genuine concern. "I have something that might be able to take the load off his back a little bit."
"Anything you can do would be appreciated," Felecia said. Then, as if remembering, she added, "But now that I'm on the topic, there's something I need to get my hands on, and you might be the only person who can provide it." She took a deep breath before continuing, "I need some Nitramene."
Tony's response was quick and laced with his trademark wit. "Trying to blow up your problems?"
At the mention of Nitramene, Dr. Connors' head snapped up.
"Something like that," she replied cryptically.
The line went quiet for a moment as Tony considered her request. "One kilogram," he said finally. "Not sure I trust you with any more than that."
Dr. Connors nodded subtly, seemingly satisfied with the amount. Felicia's shoulders relaxed further, relief evident in her voice as she said, "That works. Thanks, Tony." There was a brief pause before Felicia asked, "When will you be back in New York?"
"Tomorrow or the day after," Tony replied.
"See you then."
As the call ended, the lab fell into a contemplative silence. Connors cleared his throat. "Are you sure about this?"
Felicia answered, "If you're right about the Vita Rays, even if the reworked Lizard serum fails, this could be the key to making the super soldier serum stable and safe."
"Theoretically, yes. The Vita Radiation could stabilize the serum in ways not achieved since Captain America. But the process of harnessing that radiation safely... It's going to require extensive preparation. We'll need to design a containment system for the Nitramene, develop a method for controlled Vita Ray exposure..."
As Connors trailed off, lost in the scientific possibilities, Jessica asked, "What about Tyson? Are you going to tell him about this?"
Felicia hesitated for a moment, her confident facade cracking slightly. "Not yet," she said. "He's got enough on his plate right now. Once we've made some progress, once we're sure it's viable... then we'll bring him in."
Jessica nodded slowly, though her eyes betrayed her lingering concern. "Alright. But this isn't a secret, okay? We're in this together. We're just holding off on telling him until he's in a better headspace and can handle more on his plate."
"Agreed," Felicia said. She looked between Jessica and Dr. Connors. "Thank you both for this. I know it's asking a lot, but it means everything to me."
Dr. Connors straightened up. "Well then, we'd better get to work. We've got a lot of ground to cover before Tony arrives with the Nitramene."
— Rogue Redemption —
"You nervous?" Peter asked as he walked side-by-side with Gwen through the street toward the building where Gwen's Oxford scholarship interview was being held.
"A little. But I'm ready for this."
Peter nodded with a mixture of pride and sadness in his smile. "You're going to knock their socks off, Gwen. They'd be crazy not to give you that scholarship."
As they reached the building's entrance, Gwen turned to face Peter. "Thank you for being here, for supporting me and protecting me. I know this isn't easy for either of us."
"Hey, we talked about this. Your dreams are important, and you deserve the chance to reach for them."
"I still can't believe I have these abilities now. It's like the universe has a weird sense of humor."
Peter chuckled. "Tell me about it. But seriously, you're handling it amazingly well. And who knows? Maybe England could use a Spider-Woman."
"Uh, no. I'm not stealing your gimmick, and New York already has a Spider-Woman. I'll come up with my own superhero name if I need to. Thank you very much."
They shared a laugh, and Peter's expression grew more serious as he looked into Gwen's eyes. "I meant what I said before. No matter what happens or where you go, I'll always be here for you."
"I know. And I'll always be here for you, too, even if 'here' is across an ocean."
They stood there for a moment before Gwen reluctantly pulled away. "I should go in. Don't want to be late."
Peter nodded, "Go get 'em."
She smiled at the familiar phrase, then turned and walked toward the building's entrance. She paused at the door, looking back at Peter one last time. He gave her a thumbs-up and an encouraging nod.
As she disappeared into the building, Peter let out a long sigh. He knew that supporting Gwen's dreams and newfound powers was the right thing to do. But it didn't make the prospect of her leaving any easier. He found a nearby bench and sat down, prepared to wait for Gwen. He pulled out his phone, scrolling through news alerts about recent criminal activity and the latest reports and feelings toward Spider-Man within the city. Even as he worried about Gwen's interview, a part of his mind was always on alert for any situations that might require Spider-Man's attention or any new appearances of the imposter.
Inside the building, Gwen found the correct room and took a deep breath before knocking on the door.
"Come in," a voice called from inside.
Gwen entered the room, her posture straight and confident despite the butterflies in her stomach. Three interviewers sat behind a large desk, their expressions neutral as they assessed her.
"Gwen Stacy?" the woman in the center asked.
Gwen nodded, smiling. "Yes, that's me."
"Please, have a seat," the woman gestured to the chair across from her.
"So, Miss Stacy," one of the male interviewers began, "tell us why you're interested in studying at Oxford."
Gwen took a deep breath, her mind racing with all the reasons she'd rehearsed. But in that moment, she decided to speak from the heart.
"Oxford represents an opportunity to push myself beyond what I thought was possible," Gwen began, her voice growing stronger with each word. "I've always been fascinated by science and its potential to change the world. But recently, I've come to understand that change often requires us to step out of our comfort zones, to challenge ourselves in new ways."
The interviewers nodded, seemingly intrigued by her response.
"At Oxford," Gwen continued, "I believe I'll have the chance to work with some of the brightest minds in the field to tackle problems that could have global impacts. It's not just about personal growth, though that's certainly part of it. It's about being in an environment where I can contribute to something larger than myself."
As Gwen spoke, she recognized her words weren't just about the scholarship anymore; they were about embracing all aspects of her life, including her newfound abilities. "I know that leaving New York, leaving everything familiar, won't be easy," Gwen admitted. "But I also know that growth often comes from facing challenges head-on. I'm ready for that challenge, ready to push myself to new heights – both academically and personally."
"That's quite a mature outlook, Miss Stacy. Can you give us an example of a time when you've faced a significant challenge and how you overcame it?"
Gwen paused for a moment, considering her words carefully. She couldn't exactly tell them about waking up one day with spider-powers, but she could draw from that experience.
"Recently, I found myself in a situation that completely upended my understanding of the world and my place in it," Gwen began, "My family was attacked. I ended up in the hospital, and my father, a police officer here in the city, was killed. It was like waking up one day to find that all the rules had changed. At first, it was overwhelming and unbelievably frightening, not to mention disheartening. But instead of letting fear paralyze me, I chose to embrace this new reality. I'm starting to see this change not as a burden but as an opportunity. It's taught me that I'm capable of adapting to even the most unexpected circumstances, and that's a skill I believe will serve me well at Oxford and beyond."
The interviewers exchanged impressed glances. The woman in the center smiled warmly at Gwen. "That's a remarkable perspective, Miss Stacy. Thank you for sharing that with us."
As the interview continued, Gwen felt herself relaxing more and more. She answered questions about her academic interests, extracurricular activities, and long-term goals.
Outside, Peter had ducked into an alley and changed into his familiar red and blue spandex costume. He perched on a nearby rooftop, keeping a watchful eye on the building where Gwen was having her interview. As minutes ticked by, he realized waiting up high might draw unwanted attention. With a graceful leap, he landed in a nearby alley and casually strolled out, taking a seat on a bench in front of the building. As he sat there, his mind wandered to the possibility of Gwen leaving for Oxford. How would he manage without her? But he knew he had to support her dreams, no matter how much it hurt.
His musings were interrupted by the sound of the building's door opening. A young Asian boy, early in his teens, stepped out. The moment the boy's eyes landed on Spider-Man, he froze, his mouth hanging open in disbelief.
"Are... are you real?" the boy asked, his voice a mix of awe and skepticism.
Spider-Man chuckled and waved. "Last time I checked, yeah. Unless this is all some weird dream, and I'm actually a talking spider. That would be pretty cool, actually."
The boy's eyes widened. He approached the bench, his steps hesitant but excited. "I'm Amadeus. Amadeus Cho. I can't believe I'm actually meeting Spider-Man!"
"Nice to meet you, Amadeus," Spider-Man replied, gesturing for the boy to take a seat next to him. "What brings you to this area of the city on such a beautiful day?"
"I just had an interview for a scholarship to Oxford University. I was so nervous, I thought I was going to throw up!"
Peter realized this must be the boy Gwen was competing against. Regardless, he kept in character and nodded sympathetically. "Interviews can be pretty scary. But hey, you made it through, right? That's something to be proud of."
"I guess," Amadeus said, his enthusiasm dimming slightly. "But what if I messed it up? What if I'm not smart enough?"
"Hey now, none of that talk. You know, being smart isn't just about knowing a bunch of facts. It's about how you use that knowledge, how you solve problems."
Amadeus perked up at this. "Really? Because I love solving problems! My mom says I have a knack for it."
"See? That's exactly what I'm talking about," Spider-Man said encouragingly. "And let me tell you a secret, Amadeus. Even superheroes get nervous sometimes. But we don't let that stop us from trying our best."
"You're right. I did my best in there. And even if I don't get the scholarship, I'll keep trying."
"That's the spirit!" Spider-Man exclaimed, giving him a thumbs up. "So, what kind of problems do you like to solve?"
Amadeus's eyes lit up, and he launched into an enthusiastic explanation. "Oh, all kinds! Math, physics, engineering... I once built a device that could translate animal noises into human speech. It didn't work perfectly, but my dog's barks came out as 'I love bacon' so I count that as a win."
Spider-Man laughed, genuinely impressed. "That's incredible. I dabble in a bit of science myself. Maybe you could give me some pointers sometime."
Amadeus beamed at the compliment. "Really? That would be amazing! I've been working on some designs of my own, but nothing as advanced as Iron Man."
"Keep at it," Spider-Man encouraged. "Who knows? Maybe one day you'll be the one inventing gadgets for superheroes."
As they continued to chat, Peter couldn't help but be impressed by Amadeus's intelligence and enthusiasm. The boy's mind seemed to work at a mile a minute, jumping from one complex topic to another. Despite his young age, Amadeus displayed a deep understanding of advanced scientific concepts that even Peter sometimes struggled with.
"You know," Spider-Man said after the boy finished explaining a particularly complex theory, "I have a feeling you're going to do great things, scholarship or no scholarship. Your passion for learning and problem-solving is going to take you far."
"Thanks, Spider-Man. I just hope the interviewers saw that, too."
"I'm sure they did," Spider-Man reassured him. "And even if things don't work out exactly as you hope, remember that there are always other paths to your dreams. The important thing is to never stop learning, never stop trying."
"You're right. My mom always says that, too. She says I have a gift, and it's my responsibility to use it to help people."
"Your mom sounds like a wise woman," Spider-Man replied. "And she's absolutely right. With great power comes great responsibility, whether that power is super strength or super smarts."
"Is that why you do what you do?" Amadeus asked.
Spider-Man nodded. "That's a big part of it, yeah. I have these abilities, and I believe it's my duty to use them to make the world a little bit better, one web at a time."
"I want to use my brain to help people too. Maybe not by fighting bad guys, though."
"And that, Amadeus, is what makes you a real hero," Spider-Man said, placing a hand on the boy's shoulder. "Not all heroes wear masks. Some wear lab coats, carry toolboxes, or sit behind computers figuring out how to make the world a better place."
As Spider-Man continued his conversation with Amadeus, a realization dawned on Peter. Here he was, encouraging this brilliant young mind to pursue his dreams and use his intelligence to make the world a better place. Yet, wasn't this exactly what he should be doing for Gwen as well?
The irony wasn't lost on him.
He had been so caught up in his own feelings about Gwen potentially leaving that he hadn't fully embraced the idea of supporting her dreams. Sure, he had told her he supported her, but deep down, a part of him had been holding back, hoping she might change her mind. Peter felt something shift inside him. He realized that truly supporting Gwen meant more than just accepting her potential departure. It meant actively encouraging her to use her brilliant mind, to forge her own path, regardless of whether that path led her away from him or not.
And it wasn't just about Gwen, Peter realized. He had been so focused on being Spider-Man that he had somewhat neglected his own intellectual gifts. Maybe it was time for him to do more, not just on the streets as Spider-Man, but in the classroom and lab as Peter Parker. He thought about his own scientific pursuits, projects he had put on the back burner in favor of his Spider-Man duties. Maybe it was time to dust those off, to see how he could use his intelligence to make a difference in ways that didn't involve web-slinging and wall-crawling.
And Gwen... Peter needed to support her fully. Though her powers were similar to his own, they didn't define her path. Her brilliant mind and her passion for science could shape her future just the same. Tony Stark was proof of that. And whether that future took her to Oxford or kept her in New York, Peter knew he needed to cheer her on every step of the way.
"You've given me a lot to think about, Amadeus," Spider-Man said, "Sometimes it takes a fresh perspective to see things clearly."
Amadeus beamed at the compliment. "Really? I helped Spider-Man?"
"You sure did, kid," Peter chuckled.
— Rogue Redemption —
Harry Osborn strode confidently through Oscorp's secret medical facility. Behind him, a team of scientists led by Alistair Smythe hurried to keep pace.
"Mr. Osborn, where exactly are we going?" Smythe asked.
"You'll see soon enough, Smythe. I have something special to show you."
They rounded a corner and halted in front of a heavily secured door. Harry pressed his palm against a biometric scanner, and the door hissed open. As they entered, the lights automatically brightened, illuminating a sight that made the scientists gasp.
In the center of the room, surrounded by an array of advanced medical equipment, lay the comatose form of Dr. Otto Octavius. The once-brilliant scientist was a shell of his former self, his face slack and unmoving, with various tubes and wires connecting him to life support machines.
Smythe's eyes widened in surprise. "Dr. Octavius? When was he moved to our facility?"
Harry moved closer to the bed. "I had it done quietly, a few weeks after the incident. A decoy was left in the hospital. The authorities were none the wiser. Given our recent successes with the Rhino and Scorpion suits, I thought we might be able to help him as well."
The scientists immediately sprang into action, their initial shock giving way to professional curiosity. They began examining Octavius, checking his vital signs and studying the readouts from the various machines. Smythe scanned every detail of Octavius's condition. He focused particularly on the back of Octavius's neck, where a small, intricate device was partially visible.
"Fascinating," Smythe murmured, leaning in for a closer look. "The inhibitor chip seems to have sustained damage."
Harry moved to stand beside him. "What does that mean for Octavius?"
"The inhibitor chip was designed to control the AI in his mechanical arms. With the damage it's sustained, the AI has entered a standby mode." He paused, considering the implications. "More importantly, it's likely that the AI has become linked to Octavius's consciousness. If we repair the chip, it could potentially awaken him."
Harry's eyes lit up with excitement. "Can you do it? Can you wake him up?"
Smythe nodded slowly. "Yes, I believe we can. But Mr. Osborn, we should consider the potential risks. There's no telling what state of mind he'll be in when he awakens."
Harry waved his hand dismissively. "I'm well aware of the risks, Smythe. But think of the potential. Octavius's brilliance... He was on the cusp of attaining unlimited sustainable energy. Awaken him. But I want the AI to ensure his loyalty. Can you manage that?"
A wicked smile spread across Smythe's face. "Oh, we can do that, Mr. Osborn. We most certainly can."
The team of scientists exchanged glances, a mixture of excitement and apprehension evident on their faces. Smythe began barking orders, sending them scurrying to gather the necessary equipment and prepare for the procedure. Harry stood silently by Octavius's bedside. He imagined Octavius awake and under his control, the brilliant mind that had once mentored him now working tirelessly for Oscorp's benefit.
"Mr. Osborn, we're ready to begin the procedure. It will take some time to repair the chip and make the necessary modifications to ensure Dr. Octavius's... cooperation."
"How long?"
"Several hours, at least," Smythe replied. "The delicate nature of the work requires precision. We can't afford any mistakes."
"Very well," Harry said, turning away from the bed. "I want to be notified the moment he shows signs of waking. And Smythe?"
"Yes, Mr. Osborn?"
Harry's voice took on a steely edge. "Make sure the loyalty programming is foolproof. I won't tolerate any surprises or betrayals. Is that clear?"
Smythe's smile widened, and his eyes held a glint of malice. "Crystal clear, Mr. Osborn. When Dr. Octavius wakes up, he'll be the most loyal employee Oscorp has ever had."
As Harry left the room, the scientists swarmed around Octavius's bed. Smythe directed their efforts, his voice filled with authority and barely contained glee.
"Alright, team, let's get to work. We're about to make history once again."
The room filled with the sounds of equipment being moved and technical jargon being exchanged. Smythe stood at the head of the bed, overseeing the operation with a look of intense concentration.
Outside the room, Harry's thoughts had already turned to his plans for the future. The fusion experiment was a bust. The board had already reallocated all of its funding. But with Octavius under his control, combined with the Rhino and Scorpion suits, he was assembling a formidable team that could finally bring down Spider-Man and Mirage.
As he reached the elevator, Harry allowed himself a small, triumphant smile. Soon, very soon, everything would change. And he would be the one holding all the cards.