"Hehe..." Gwen couldn't help but smile, but there was an undeniable sense of frustration within her. Peter always managed to win her over so easily, and she found herself wondering why she hadn't noticed how clever he was before.
"This is different," Gwen insisted, shaking her head. "I remember you supporting Spider-Woman before…"
"Of course, I still support her," Peter replied.
Gwen let out a sigh of relief, but then Peter continued, "But that doesn't stop me from critiquing Superman or Spider-Woman, does it?"
Gwen's face stiffened. "Peter, how could you think that way!?"
"What's wrong?" Peter looked at her with confusion.
Realizing her reaction might have been a bit over the top, Gwen quickly composed herself. "I mean… don't you like Spider-Woman? How could you even think about her being with another guy?"
"Otherwise? Do you expect me to want to possess her?" Peter raised an eyebrow.
"No…" Gwen replied quietly.
Peter gently patted her head, "Gwen, I already love you. And honestly, I think Black Superman is a good match for Spider-Woman."
Gwen's thoughts became a jumble. Was Peter suggesting that he wanted her while also planning to pursue Spider-Woman? She couldn't quite wrap her mind around it.
Seeing her confusion, Peter added with a smirk, "Well, trying to juggle relationships with other girls, whether they agree or not, is quite a challenge, Gwen. I think you're testing me physically and mentally..."
"No, no, no! That's not what I meant at all!" Gwen quickly interrupted Peter's dangerous line of thought, suddenly feeling exhausted by the conversation. She couldn't help but feel like this situation was getting out of hand.
Spider-Woman was her, after all. She certainly didn't want Peter to discuss any rumors about Spider-Woman, nor did she want him to get too close to her superhero alter ego. But if she tried too hard to keep him away, what would happen to Gwen Stacy?
Ugh, how did this get so complicated?
"I don't care," Gwen finally said, crossing her arms. "From now on, you're not allowed to discuss Spider-Woman's private life."
Peter chuckled, "No one can make me do anything I don't want to… okay, okay, I promise."
As they continued walking home after school, Gwen intertwined her fingers with Peter's. "By the way, how was your visit to Stark Industries the other day?"
A few days ago, Peter had been invited to visit Stark Industries as part of a new project for talented students. The company was selecting academically outstanding students with potential, offering them scholarships and the possibility of working for Stark in the future.
"It was pretty cool. I even got to see the Iron Man suit up close," Peter said with a grin.
"That sounds amazing," Gwen replied, trying not to show how proud she felt. After all, she knew Peter had done more than just look—he had fought alongside Iron Man, something she couldn't reveal to him just yet.
As they reached their respective homes, they exchanged a quick kiss before parting ways.
But, of course, things were far from over.
As soon as Gwen changed into her Spider-Woman suit, she swung her way to Peter's bedroom window with her spider silk.
Knock knock!
"Spider-Woman, you're finally here," Peter said as he opened the window to let her in.
"Ahem," Gwen cleared her throat, trying to sound casual. "Of course, I've actually been waiting for you here for a while, and I finally caught you and your girlfriend coming home."
"You saw her?"
"Of course! She's… impressive!"
"Yeah, I know," Peter chuckled. "Alright, let's get down to business."
He laid out some electronic components on his desk. "Since your spider silk launcher got damaged last time we fought Electro, I figured we should upgrade it."
Gwen nodded in agreement. "I think we should definitely improve its resistance to electricity."
Peter grinned, "Don't you think we should add a few new features while we're at it?"
Gwen blinked in surprise. "What do you mean by that? How much have you been secretly watching me?"
Peter laughed. "Aren't we talking about improving the spider silk's resistance to electricity?"
"Of course, but I thought maybe we could take this opportunity to give it a significant upgrade."
"Well… I get what you're saying, Peter, but we don't have much time left. Electro could strike again at any moment."
"I've already taken care of it," Peter said casually. "We can't afford to waste time when we can't use the launcher temporarily… Wait, you've already done it?"
Gwen stared at Peter in shock.
"Of course," Peter said with a proud smile. "Ever since you gave me the blueprints for the launcher, I've been studying them and putting in a lot of effort." He handed her a new spider silk launcher. "Here, give it a try. This is the first piece of equipment I made for you with my own hands."
Gwen was speechless, touched by Peter's thoughtfulness. He was always so good to her… but wait! She was Spider-Woman now, and this was getting confusing.
"What's wrong?" Peter asked, noticing her hesitation.
"No… thank you, Peter," Gwen said, her voice suddenly heavy. She felt like she needed to clear something up. "Peter, why are you so nice to me?"
"Is that even a question?" Peter replied, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "I'm your partner! You're out there on the front lines protecting New York. It's only right that I provide you with some logistical and technical support."
Hmm… Gwen thought to herself. It all sounded perfectly reasonable, but she couldn't shake the feeling that she might be overthinking things.
She carefully installed the new spider silk launcher, and Peter explained, "Now, in addition to the standard web-slinging mode, it can also launch web grenades, set web traps, release dispersion webs, and more."
"Of course, this is just a basic prototype. There's plenty of room for improvement, so you can tweak it to suit your preferences."
"Wow… isn't this a bit too fancy?" Gwen marveled at the new launcher, unable to put it down.
"Isn't it just right for you?" Peter replied with a smile.
"Thank you, Peter. You really do understand me," Gwen said, genuinely appreciative.
With the launcher problem solved, it was time to address another pressing issue.
"Next, we need to find new materials for my suit. If we can't effectively resist electricity, we won't stand a chance against Electro!" Gwen said seriously. "Peter, do you have any ideas? I've been considering a few material options…"
Peter hesitated before sighing. "Well… I think we might already have a better option."
"What?" Gwen asked, intrigued.
Peter smirked slightly, a hint of disdain in his voice as he answered, "I visited Stark Tower two days ago…"
After Tony Stark received a new commission from Black Superman and delivered the suit to Spider-Woman, he started pondering how to hand it over naturally and seamlessly. This small dilemma occupied his thoughts for less than a minute. First, he needed to establish contact with Spider-Woman. Unfortunately, he didn't have her contact information.
Since his first encounter with Black Superman, Tony hadn't taken steps to investigate her, despite his curiosity. Black Superman had made it clear that investigating was fine, but interfering was not, and Tony, being the smart man he was, quickly understood the underlying message. Black Superman didn't mind exposure but detested unauthorized meddling that could disrupt certain people or events. Therefore, Tony had restrained his investigative urges—after all, he was just an ordinary billionaire back then.
But things were different now.
He was Iron Man.
Though it might not make any difference to Black Superman, at least Tony was now a hero. And since this matter involved the suit, Tony finally began to dig into Spider-Woman's identity.
The results were surprising, even to Tony. By narrowing down the locations Spider-Woman frequently appeared and cross-referencing that with people who matched the criteria, only two names surfaced: Peter Parker and Gwen Stacy.
Adding gender into the equation made the answer obvious. Spider-Woman was none other than a high school girl, Gwen Stacy. The realization left Tony in a thoughtful silence. What could compel a teenage girl, who should be enjoying carefree school days, discussing makeup and boys, to don a mask and fight crime on the streets?
When Tony dug deeper into Gwen's background, he found even more surprising details. Gwen Stacy, the daughter of New York City's police chief? Suddenly, Spider-Woman's honorary police status made perfect sense. The NYPD's seemingly lenient attitude toward Spider-Woman now felt like an act of paternal protectiveness.
Other details started to click into place as Tony delved further. Gwen was not only an excellent student but also an intern at Oscorp, under Dr. Connors. The timeline matched perfectly—Spider-Woman's first appearance seemed to coincide with Gwen's internship. It seemed likely that Spider-Woman's powers were the result of a genetic experiment gone awry, possibly the first of its kind.
But so far, Tony hadn't come across anything linking Spider-Woman to Black Superman. Of course, with Peter's biological force field, no one could easily connect the two unless Peter himself chose to reveal it.
Tony quickly returned to his primary mission: delivering the suit to Gwen Stacy. Directly dropping in with his Iron Man suit wasn't an option. Black Superman had made it clear that investigations were fine, but interference was not. A direct approach would almost certainly prompt a swift and unwelcome response from Black Superman. Reaching out as a billionaire would likely bring unwanted attention to Gwen's family, something Tony wanted to avoid.
But then, Tony noticed someone he had initially overlooked—Gwen Stacy's childhood friend, Peter Parker.
"Good guy," Tony mused, "Peter Parker is a fan of Spider-Woman and even teamed up with her to take down the Lizard—who was actually Dr. Connors."
Tony realized that Peter Parker might not even know Spider-Woman's true identity, despite their partnership. Even more intriguing, Peter and Gwen had recently started dating, and Peter still seemed unaware that his girlfriend was Spider-Woman. Tony couldn't help but admire how well Gwen played her cards, keeping her secret identity from her boyfriend.
Although Tony felt a bit sorry for Peter, he also recognized an opportunity. Peter Parker's connection to Gwen could be useful.
Tony quickly devised a plan. The first step was to launch a new project to support students with excellent academic performance. Shortly after, Peter received an invitation letter from Stark Industries.
When Peter got the invitation, he was stunned. His super brain quickly deduced that Tony was probably looking to have him pass a message to Spider-Woman. The corner of Peter's mouth twitched in amusement—Tony had found a way to hand off the responsibility to him.
On the day of the visit, Peter "coincidentally" ran into Tony Stark. Tony, in a "good mood," personally welcomed the visiting students and took special care of Peter.
Initially, Tony only intended to feign interest in Peter, pretending to be impressed by the kid's abilities, then pulling him aside to discuss Spider-Woman. But Tony was genuinely surprised by Peter's potential. Although Peter's abilities were only a fraction of Tony Stark's, they were still impressive.
With Spider-Woman's connection in mind, Tony began to appreciate Peter's talents even more. Draping an arm over Peter's shoulders, Tony playfully said, "If you're ever free, you should come to Stark Industries for an internship. Trust me, it's 10,000 times better than Oscorp."
As Tony boasted about himself and his company, he unknowingly led Peter to a private office.
"Alright, kid, let's cut to the chase. Do you know Spider-Woman?" Tony asked, deciding not to reveal Gwen's identity to Peter. Let young people handle their own affairs, Tony thought, though he couldn't help but look at Peter with a hint of pity.
Peter noticed Tony's pitying gaze, which made him feel slightly depressed. If he weren't playing the role of Peter Parker, he would've shown Tony what true cruelty looked like.
"Do you know?" Tony continued, "Spider-Woman and I were dealing with Electro. He's a tough nut to crack. So, while I was upgrading my armor, I prepared a suit for Spider-Woman. It'll help her better resist Electro's attacks."
"Now, I don't know where she is, and only you can contact her. So, I'd like you to let her know she can come to me to get the suit."
What could Peter say? He had no reason to refuse. "I will, Mr. Stark."
With the matter settled, Tony was in high spirits. He even gave Peter a closer look at the Iron Man suit during the tour.
Later, Peter conveyed Tony's message to Gwen.
"That's it. Mr. Stark asked me to inform you," Peter told Gwen.
Gwen hadn't expected Peter's visit to Stark Tower to unfold as it did. "I'll go check it out now," she said, preparing to leave through the window. "Thank you, Peter."
"This is what I should do," Peter replied.
Gwen hesitated for a moment before asking, "Peter, I heard you think Black Superman and I make a good match?"
…
"Did you just hear that?" Gwen asked.
"Uh… yes, when you came back, I happened to overhear you chatting with your girlfriend," she added.
Peter quickly explained, "Please don't worry, she really doesn't have that kind of hobby!"
"Hobby?" Gwen was momentarily confused, but then she realized what Peter was talking about, and she almost got angry.
"Hey! I'm trying to talk to you about something serious! Why are you bringing up weird habits?" Gwen thought, a mix of irritation and amusement washing over her. She said, "Of course, I know! I just want to say… I don't like Superman!"
"I understand," Peter said, watching her closely. "But I'm curious, aside from any relationship issues, what do you really think of Superman?"
Gwen was caught off guard by the question. She paused to think before responding, "I'm very grateful to Superman. He once helped me and saved New York. He's incredibly powerful, but... it's hard for me to feel any special affection for him."
"He's too powerful, too mysterious. I don't even know what he's thinking or how he sees the world. It's like he's surrounded by this bottomless darkness that could swallow anyone at any moment," Gwen admitted with a wry smile. "Maybe it's just my prejudice because he's so powerful, so powerful that it scares most people. It's like Superman in the comics, isn't it?"
She hesitated, then continued, "Compared to that, I prefer…" Gwen glanced at Peter but stopped short of finishing her thought. She preferred Peter, who could warm others with his presence.
After their conversation, Gwen left, leaving Peter alone at the table.
Later that night, Gwen arrived at Tony Stark's luxurious villa, knocking on the window as she had agreed.
"Why don't any of you ever use the door?" Tony complained as he let her in.
"Mr. Stark, who else?" Gwen asked curiously as she jumped inside.
"It's nothing," Tony said, quickly changing the subject. "Did Peter let you know?"
"Yes, he said you made a suit for me to fight against Electro. Thanks a lot," Gwen said with genuine gratitude.
Tony shrugged. "It's nothing. I'm used to trying to do everything better. It wasn't that troublesome anyway."
He handed her a vibranium case. "It's right here. Do you want to try it?"
Gwen was relieved to hear it wasn't too much trouble. If it had been, she would have hesitated to accept it. But this way, she felt more comfortable. Still, changing into the suit at someone else's house felt awkward, so she said, "No, I trust you, Mr. Stark."
After a pause, she asked, "Do you know everything?"
"What do you mean?"
"My identity," Gwen clarified.
"Of course, Gwen Stacy. And I noticed that Peter Parker guy is pretty good," Tony replied.
"Of course! He's the best," Gwen said proudly, a bit too quickly.
Tony could practically smell the love in the air. He rolled his eyes. Gwen realized she might have overshared and quickly changed the topic. "Mr. Stark, can I ask you a question?"
Tony, who was about to leave after completing his task, stopped and thought for a moment. "You have ten minutes," he said.
"Thank you!" Gwen said, then asked, "Do you think I should tell Peter about my identity?"
Tony leaned back on his couch. "You're asking if you should confess your identity to your boyfriend?"
"Yes," Gwen replied, sitting primly on the sofa across from him. "I became Spider-Woman because of Peter. It was his kindness that always encouraged and supported me. He helped me find my direction. Now that I have these powers, I should use them to help more people."
"But… Peter is just an ordinary person. If he gets involved because of me, he could face unexpected dangers. It makes me hesitant," Gwen admitted.
She hoped Tony, who had revealed his identity to the public, could offer some advice. But Tony simply replied, "That's it?"
"Well… it's very important to me!" Gwen insisted.
"What's there to hesitate about? You're just worried that your powers might not be enough to protect him."
"So, should I confess to him?"
"I don't know."
"What?"
"I don't know," Tony repeated, standing up. "No one can give you advice on this. If it were me, I'd definitely tell him, because I'm Tony Stark."
"Is that so?" Gwen asked, but it felt like she hadn't really gotten an answer. It was typical Tony Stark.
In the end, Gwen left with even more doubts swirling in her mind. Tony returned to his lab, trying once again to find a replacement for the palladium in his arc reactor, only to fail as expected.
"Sir, you lied," Jarvis said.
"What do you mean?" Tony asked, slightly irritated.
"You didn't confess," Jarvis pointed out.
"How is that possible? I'm Iron Man!" Tony retorted.
"But you haven't told Miss Pepper about the palladium poisoning, have you?" Jarvis pressed.
Tony was momentarily stunned. Jarvis had hit a nerve. "Jarvis, I didn't create you just to make me feel bad!" he grumbled.
He was about to try a new arrangement of elements when Jarvis interrupted him again. "Sir, there's something I think you should know."
Tony put down his tools, exasperated. "What could be more important than my life right now?"
"About the surveillance you asked me to conduct, monitoring the city's data for any signs of Electro," Jarvis reported.
"Okay, tell me," Tony said.
"I found some news. This afternoon, the military urgently blocked off Culver University in the suburbs," Jarvis began.
Tony, who had been dealing with increasing military pressure to hand over the Iron Man suit, frowned. "What are they up to now? And what does this have to do with Electro?"
"It seems a new superhuman criminal has emerged. Witnesses uploaded photos showing a massive green figure, over two meters tall, dismantling military tanks. But the news was quickly suppressed," Jarvis explained.
Tony's frown deepened. "The military… Let's not worry about them for now. Keep looking for Electro, Jarvis."
"Yes, sir," Jarvis replied.
And so, the undercurrents continued to surge from all sides. Electro, holding Harry hostage, remained dormant due to the presence of Dark Superman, waiting like a predator in the shadows.
Gwen received her new suit and informed George about Electro. Naturally, George was skeptical of his daughter's claims and prepared multiple contingency plans.
Meanwhile, Tony had Jarvis monitoring the city's networks for any clues. He upgraded his armor and continued his fruitless experiments with new elements, growing more anxious by the day.
Until one day, a green monster suddenly appeared on the streets of New York...
..
Emil Blonsky was a man of extraordinary valor, a veteran elite special forces soldier with a career that could make any man envious. Despite approaching forty, he refused to relinquish the thrill of battle. He thrived on the battlefield, relishing the way his muscles strained and his senses heightened during combat. For Blonsky, the fight was life itself, and the desire for power was his constant companion.
Recently, Blonsky had been tasked with a mission by General Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross—an assignment that should have been simple enough: capture Bruce Banner, a meek scientist hiding in Brazil. In Blonsky's mind, it was a trivial task. After all, what danger could a frail scientist pose?
But his confidence shattered when he encountered the Hulk—a towering, green-skinned monster over two meters tall. For the first time in his life, Blonsky felt fear. The creature's sheer power and inhuman strength were beyond anything he had ever faced. The Hulk's might was as terrifying as it was awe-inspiring.
Learning that Banner and the Hulk were one and the same only fueled Blonsky's jealousy. It was an insult to everything he believed in: a man who was nothing more than a weakling could somehow harness the strength of a god. Blonsky felt the bitterness of fate's injustice. Why should a cowardly scientist possess such power while he, a seasoned warrior, was condemned to wither with age?
Unwilling to accept this, Blonsky leapt at General Ross's offer to inject a version of the Super Soldier Serum, a recreation of Dr. Abraham Erskine's work from World War II. Though it was merely an imitation and the dosage was small, Blonsky accepted it without hesitation.
The serum revitalized him, restoring his body to a condition far beyond his prime. He was faster, stronger, and more resilient than he had ever been. Yet, despite this newfound power, Blonsky was still defeated by the Hulk. The green giant thrashed him, leaving Blonsky bruised and battered. If not for the serum, Blonsky might have never left his hospital bed.
This failure only deepened Blonsky's obsession with power. He yearned for more—specifically, the Hulk's incredible strength. Driven by his insatiable desire, he risked everything and injected the serum a second time. The transformation made him even more formidable, but Blonsky knew it still wasn't enough.
Then, fate intervened.
During a second mission to capture Banner, Blonsky discovered Dr. Samuel Sterns, known as Mr. Blue, who was treating Banner. Blonsky forced Sterns to inject him with Banner's gamma-irradiated blood, despite the obvious dangers. The result was a spectacular mutation—a fusion of the Super Soldier Serum and the Hulk's gamma-infused blood. Blonsky's transformation was complete, turning him into something far more terrifying than the Hulk: the Abomination.
Now, in the streets of Harlem, New York, the Abomination rampaged. His monstrous form dwarfed even the Hulk, and he reveled in his newfound power. With a voice that shook the very air, he bellowed his challenge, "Hulk! Banner! Where are you? You coward, come out!"
The chaos was broadcast live by major TV stations, with journalists displaying their unyielding courage even in the face of imminent danger. The footage sent shockwaves across the nation.
"Oh my God, what has New York done to deserve this? How many superhuman terrorist attacks have we endured in just a few months?" a distraught viewer cried out.
"Who can save us? My grandmother lives in Harlem!" another exclaimed.
"Where are the superheroes? Where's Spider-Man? Where's Iron Man?" voices echoed in desperation.
Yet, the first to respond wasn't a hero but a villain—Electro.
At Osborn Tower, Max Dillon, also known as Electro, watched the chaos with cold satisfaction. Standing over the lifeless body of the new chairman, Donald Menken, Max grinned at Harry Osborn, his voice electric with anticipation.
"Harry, this is the moment I've been waiting for," Max declared. "While that green-skinned monster draws everyone's attention, we will take control of the city's power grid, plunging New York into darkness."
"And then what?" Harry asked, his tone skeptical. "Do you really think you can defeat Black Spider-Man with just that?"
Harry's belief in Spider-Man's strength lingered, even though they had become enemies. Despite everything, Harry still admired his former friend's power.
"Black Spider-Man can't stop me," Max said, turning to Harry with a manic glint in his eyes. "I've got the key to that place. Come with me."
Max, Harry, and Felicia Hardy—who was restricted and could only follow silently—descended to the basement of Osborn Tower. As they walked, Max outlined their plan.
"Our primary goal is to eliminate two people," Max said.
"Who?" Harry asked.
"First, Iron Man—Tony Stark," Max replied.
Harry frowned. "Just because he stopped you once?"
"It's not just that," Max snarled. "It's him! He's the reason Spider-women didn't pay proper attention for me, leaving me with nothing."
Harry remained silent, understanding all too well Max's obsession. In the time they had spent together, Harry had seen how Max's twisted love for Spider-Man had warped into something dark and dangerous.
"And the second target?" Harry asked, dreading the answer.
"The second one… deserves to die even more. Peter Parker!"
"What!?" Harry's eyes widened in shock, unable to hide his disbelief.
Max's smile twisted with malice. "Thanks to you, Harry. If you hadn't called him that day, I wouldn't have known… that someone dared to get so close to Spider-Man. Damn it! Peter Parker must die! Only I should be by Spider-Man's side!"
"No! You can't…" Harry began, but Max cut him off.
"Harry!" Max's voice boomed, crackling with electricity. "That bastard has abandoned you, hasn't he? Now, we're on the same side!"
Harry fell into silence, the weight of Max's words pressing down on him.
"He refused to help you, Harry," Max continued, his voice softening, but the danger in his tone remained. "I'm the one who helped you! Now, it's time for you to make a choice. Don't disappoint me."
After a long pause, Harry sighed and nodded. "I… I understand. He's already given up on me once."
"Good, Harry."
The three of them finally arrived at their destination: a hidden laboratory. As the door slid open, they stepped inside, revealing Osborn's cross-species gene transfer projects and experimental biological warfare armor.
"What are we doing here?" Harry asked.
"It's simple," Max said, a sinister grin spreading across his face. "I need some companions. You didn't think I planned to do this alone, did you?"
Harry's unease grew as he watched Max walk directly to a section housing spider-serum vials.
"What are you doing?" Harry asked, his voice trembling.
Max handed Harry a vial containing the spider-serum. "It's time to add some allies. Don't you want to take your revenge personally?"
"No… I…" Harry started to refuse, but the cold look in Max's eyes told him there was no option.
The serum was a reminder of everything Harry despised about his father—the Green Goblin, the monster he vowed never to become. But now, faced with the choice between following Max or defying him, Harry hesitated.
After a long, agonizing silence, Harry clenched his fists and made his decision. "I only have one request—let Felicia go."
"Do you think that's possible?" Max mocked, picking up a vial labeled 'Black Cat Serum.' He tossed it to Harry. "I look forward to you joining me as someone who transcends ordinary people."
Harry stared at the vial in his hand, his mind a whirlwind of fear, anger, and despair. As he looked at Felicia, helpless and bound by their circumstances, he knew that there was no turning back.
With a heavy heart, Harry Osborn prepared to embrace the darkness that he had once sworn to fight against. The serum in his hand felt cold and heavy, a symbol of the inevitable transformation that awaited him.
And in the depths of the lab, as the shadows closed in around them, a new chapter in New York's ongoing nightmare began to unfold.
In the laboratory, tension was palpable. Max Dillon, now fully embracing his identity as Electro, had already left to occupy the power grid. Harry Osborn, meanwhile, was in agony. After being forcibly injected with an unstable serum, his veins felt as if they were on fire. A network of green poison began to spread under his skin, sending waves of pain through his entire body. Yet, his concern wasn't just for himself.
"Felicia! Felicia!" Harry shouted, his voice strained. Felicia Hardy, who had also been subjected to the experimental Black Cat serum, lay unconscious nearby. The serum was far from ready for human testing, and Felicia had been its latest victim. Her breathing was shallow, and her pulse weak. Harry's heart sank, realizing that he couldn't help her in his current state.
Gritting his teeth, he fumbled for his phone, desperately trying to make a call. His first attempt went unanswered, which only fueled his frustration. Finally, he dialed another number, hoping for a better outcome.
"Gwen! Where's Peter?" Harry's voice was urgent as soon as the line connected.
"Harry, you sound terrible... What's going on?" Gwen Stacy's voice trembled with concern.
"Listen to me carefully," Harry interrupted, not allowing Gwen to waste time with pleasantries. "Electro's been hiding out with me since his escape, but I've been under surveillance and couldn't warn Peter. Now, Max is planning to kill him! You need to find Peter and warn him—tell him to hide!"
Gwen's breath caught in her throat as she processed Harry's frantic words. She knew Max Dillon had a vendetta against Peter, and now, Harry's warning confirmed her worst fears. Before she could respond, Harry continued, his voice weaker now, "He's at OsCorp's power grid. Max is going to take control and plunge New York into darkness. You have to stop him!"
The line went dead before Gwen could say another word. She was left staring at her phone in shock, her mind racing. Peter was in grave danger, and it was all happening because of her. Without another thought, she bolted out of her apartment, heading straight for Peter's home.
Aunt May answered the door, surprised to see Gwen in such a state. "Gwen, what's wrong?"
"Is Peter here?" Gwen asked urgently, her eyes wide with fear.
"No, he just left a few minutes ago," Aunt May replied, concern growing as she noticed Gwen's distress.
"Oh no," Gwen whispered, her heart sinking. Without waiting for further explanation, she turned and ran, leaving Aunt May standing bewildered at the door.
Quickly donning her vibranium-enhanced Spider-Woman suit, Gwen didn't even take a moment to test its new features. She had no time. The city streets blurred as she swung through the darkening sky, her mind singularly focused on finding Peter before it was too late.
Suddenly, the entire city was plunged into darkness. The lights that illuminated New York's skyline blinked out, one by one, as if someone had flipped a switch. Panic spread like wildfire. Cars collided as traffic signals failed, and the air was filled with the sound of honking horns, shouts, and the distant wail of sirens. Hospitals lost power, factories halted, and the very lifeblood of the city—its electricity—was gone.
"The infrared function has been activated," a voice from her suit's AI informed Gwen as she landed on a rooftop, her eyes scanning the chaos below. The city was in total disarray, a nightmare unfolding before her eyes.
"This… all of this…" Gwen whispered to herself, her gaze locking on the distant silhouette of OsCorp's power grid. "Max… I won't let you get away with this."
At Stark Tower, Tony Stark was already monitoring the situation. "Jarvis, what's the status?" Tony asked, his tone grim.
"Sir, the blackout has spread throughout New York. As you predicted, the power grid has been compromised," Jarvis responded.
Tony leaned back in his chair, a wry smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Good. Let's start the plan."
"I must remind you, sir, this will cost you billions," Jarvis said, almost teasingly.
"So what? I'm not just a billionaire—I'm Iron Man," Tony quipped, standing up and walking towards his latest armor model.
The suit enveloped him effortlessly, a result of countless hours of design and innovation. With enhanced firepower, improved resistance to electricity, and a higher charge limit, the suit was his masterpiece. But it came with a price—each time he used it, the palladium poisoning grew worse.
"Sir, you're burning through your life," Jarvis cautioned, his voice laced with concern.
"But, I am Iron Man," Tony replied with a smirk, before launching himself into the night sky.
In Harlem, chaos reigned. The abomination was wreaking havoc, and Bruce Banner couldn't sit idly by. He leaped from a captured helicopter, the impact triggering his transformation into the Hulk. The two giants clashed in the streets, their fight escalating into a full-blown battle that shook the city to its core.
Betty Ross watched in horror, her hands clasped in silent prayer. "Please… God, save him."
Above them, a dark figure hovered in the air, watching the two monsters tear into each other. Superman, his cape billowing in the wind, looked down with a mixture of indifference and curiosity, his presence adding another layer of tension to the already chaotic scene.
The Abomination, now rampaging through the city, sneered as he wiped Hulk's spit off his face. "Is that all you've got?" he taunted.
With a mighty kick, the Abomination sent Hulk crashing through a building. Watching the chaos unfold, General Ross, who had been overseeing the operation from a helicopter, finally grasped the gravity of the situation.
"Open fire!" he commanded the machine gunner on the helicopter.
"At who, sir? Both of them are green!" The machine gunner hesitated, glancing between the two monstrous figures below.
"Shoot the uglier one!" Ross barked.
The machine gun roared to life, unleashing a torrent of bullets towards the Abomination. Unfortunately, the rounds ricocheted harmlessly off his thick hide.
Annoyed, the Abomination climbed to the top of a building, seeking to swat the helicopter out of the sky. But before he could strike, Hulk, having recovered from the earlier blow, leapt back into the fray, determined to stop his foe.
Just as the two titans prepared to clash again, a new figure appeared—a blur of black and red. In an instant, the newcomer delivered a devastating punch that sent both the Abomination and Hulk crashing back to the ground, creating a massive crater on impact.
Hulk climbed out of the rubble, his green eyes locking onto the figure that had interrupted his fight.
"You wait your turn, big guy," said the man, who was clad in a black suit with a red symbol emblazoned on his chest. "Let me deal with this one first."
Before the Abomination could fully regain his senses, the mysterious hero delivered another crushing blow, followed by a barrage of laser vision that left the Abomination writhing in pain.
"Who are you?" the Abomination roared, struggling to fight back.
But the black-suited hero didn't give him a chance. Blow after blow, heat vision after heat vision, the Abomination could do nothing but endure the punishment. Finally, when he could take no more, he covered his head with his massive hands and whimpered, "Please, stop! I give up!"
The hero paused, considering the request. But just as the Abomination began to relax, a powerful punch sent him flying back into unconsciousness.
"Boring..." Peter Parker, the man in the black suit, muttered, his tone filled with disappointment. The Abomination had been a mere distraction, barely a warm-up.
He turned his gaze towards Hulk, who was still eyeing him warily. "Your turn, Hulk. Show me what you've got."
With a thunderous roar, Hulk charged at Peter, fists raised to deliver a mighty blow.
A Deadly Encounter
Meanwhile, at the Osborne Power Grid, Gwen Stacy swung through the steel jungle of electrical pillars, her Spider-Woman suit glowing faintly in the dim light. The area was eerily quiet, with only the sound of her footsteps and the distant hum of electricity breaking the silence.
"Max! I'm here. Where are you?" she called out, her voice echoing in the empty space.
Suddenly, her Spider-Sense tingled, and she leapt to the side just in time to avoid a bolt of blue lightning that sizzled through the air where she had been standing. The electricity bounced between the pillars before finally coalescing into the shape of a man—Max Dillon, now fully transformed into the villain known as Electro.
"Oh, Spider-Woman," Electro sneered, his voice crackling with energy. "You finally showed up."
"Max, stop this madness," Gwen pleaded. "You're causing chaos out there."
"Stop? This is just the beginning," Electro replied, his voice filled with maniacal glee. "I will control all the electricity in the world and become its king!"
"No, you're just a power-hungry thief!" Tony Stark's voice cut through the air as Iron Man, clad in his latest armor, descended from the sky.
Electro's eyes narrowed. "You again!" he snarled, unleashing a torrent of electricity at Iron Man.
The blast pushed Tony back a few feet, but his armor remained unscathed. "Is that all you've got?" Tony taunted, as he redirected the stored energy back at Electro with a powerful repulsor blast.
"Mr. Stark!" Gwen called out, concerned.
"Don't worry, I'm fine!" Tony reassured her.
Electro, furious, charged at Tony, turning into a living bolt of electricity. He slammed into the Iron Man suit, causing it to temporarily shut down and crash to the ground with a heavy thud.
"Mr. Stark, are you okay?" Gwen asked as she rushed over.
But instead of Tony's voice, it was Electro who replied, his voice echoing from inside the armor. "He's done for! Now, this suit belongs to me!"
Just as Electro thought he had gained control, the Iron Man suit powered back up, ejecting him with a forceful blast. Tony followed up with two more repulsor beams, sending Electro sprawling.
"You think I wasn't prepared for that?" Tony said smugly. After the last encounter with Electro, Tony had upgraded his suit and AI to protect against such electromagnetic attacks.
Electro, humiliated, absorbed more electricity from the surroundings, becoming even more powerful. The energy surged through him, causing uncontrolled bursts of lightning to explode in all directions.
One of these stray bolts struck Gwen, but instead of harming her, the suit absorbed the energy, and a voice inside the suit chimed in, "Charge complete. Overload mode available."
"What the…?" Gwen marveled at the suit's advanced capabilities.
"Pretty cool, huh?" Tony's voice came through her comms. "Have you even tested the new suit's features yet?"
"Um, no… not really," Gwen admitted sheepishly.
"Well, now's the time. Activate overload mode."
Gwen hesitated for a moment, then activated the mode. Her suit began to glow, emitting a powerful energy field that shielded her from Electro's attacks.
"This suit is amazing!" Gwen exclaimed, joining the battle with renewed confidence.
With her suit now fully charged and in overload mode, Gwen launched herself into the air, her hands crackling with electricity. She unleashed a barrage of webbing combined with electrical energy, catching Electro off guard and driving him back.
Electro snarled in frustration as his attacks bounced harmlessly off Gwen's enhanced suit. Realizing he was outmatched, he desperately tried to absorb even more power, but Gwen was relentless. With a final, coordinated strike with Iron Man, they overloaded Electro's system, causing him to collapse, drained of all energy.
Gwen landed next to Tony, who gave her an approving nod. "Good job, kid. Looks like you're getting the hang of this hero thing."
Gwen smiled, but her thoughts were still on Peter. "Thanks, Mr. Stark. But I have to find Peter."
Tony nodded, his expression serious. "We'll find him, Gwen. Together."
And with that, they both swung off into the night, ready to face whatever challenges awaited them next.
With the advanced technology and equipment at their disposal, the power of Electro's attacks had been significantly reduced, rendering them almost harmless. Instead of causing damage, his electricity seemed only to charge his opponents. Despite this advantage, Gwen and Tony found it challenging to land a decisive blow on Max due to his speed and the elusive nature of his electrical form.
The situation left them with a difficult decision. The only apparent way to defeat Electro was to shut down the power grid and cut off his energy source. However, there was a significant risk involved. If one of them went to turn off the grid while the other engaged Electro, Max could simply flee. If he managed to escape after acquiring a significant charge, it could spell disaster for society. The more modern the world became, the more vulnerable it was to such a powerful electrical entity.
The prolonged battle was also taking its toll on Tony's suit. Although he had upgraded his armor, there were limits to what technology and materials could endure. Eventually, the suit would break down. An idea crossed Tony's mind—perhaps he should have prepared multiple suits to swap out during the fight. But he quickly dismissed the thought; now was not the time for that.
"Damn it! Where's that Black Superman when you need him?" Tony grumbled in frustration.
"Sir," JARVIS responded, "according to the information I've found online, Black Superman is currently in Harlem."
"Is he dealing with those two green monsters?" Tony asked.
"Yes, but it appears he's merely toying with them."
Tony was speechless, finally remarking, "I knew Black Superman was unreliable!"
At that moment, the tide of the battle began to turn. Gwen had accidentally managed to attach her spider silk to Electro while he was in his human form. Max, confident in his abilities, didn't think much of it. After all, it was just a bit of webbing—he could easily break free. As he attempted to revert to his electrical form, something unexpected happened. Max found that the part of him entangled in the spider silk couldn't transform. He was forced back into his human form, making him an easy target for Tony's repulsor blasts.
Max desperately tore away the spider silk before finally escaping as pure electricity.
Tony's eyes lit up. "Spider-Woman, did you see that?"
"Yes, Mr. Stark," Gwen responded, her voice tinged with surprise. "Max's electrification process was interrupted!"
"It's the spider silk! Not only did it resist electricity, but it also managed to disrupt his transformation! Great job!"
"Uh… Actually, Mr. Stark, it was Peter who helped upgrade my webbing. I think this was his doing," Gwen admitted, still in awe.
"Peter?" Tony's mind flashed to the image of a gentle boy with glasses. He couldn't help but admire, "That kid is a real genius!"
Coming from Tony Stark, a man who rarely handed out compliments, this was high praise indeed. Tony briefly considered using insulating materials to trap Electro, but he realized that under current technological constraints, transporting such materials and getting Electro to enter them was impractical. Even though Tony had backup plans and considered using his armor as a temporary prison, the success rate seemed low. After all, Electro was no mindless machine but a man with a functioning intellect.
Now, thanks to Peter's upgraded spider silk, they had the perfect tool to trap Electro. Lightweight, portable, and capable of being deployed in large quantities, it was exactly what they needed. Tony was increasingly impressed with Peter and even quipped, "This guy is far more reliable than Black Superman!"
Gwen felt a surge of pride at hearing Tony praise Peter so highly. After all, Tony Stark, the creator of the Iron Man suit and the Arc Reactor—both revolutionary inventions—represented the pinnacle of human genius and technology.
"Alright," Tony said, shifting his focus back to the fight. "Now we need to figure out how to trap him bit by bit..."
Meanwhile, in Harlem, New York:
After dealing with the Abomination, Peter Parker turned his attention to the Hulk, who had been eyeing him with growing fury. Hulk, still retaining some semblance of Bruce Banner's thoughts, had just defeated Abomination to protect the people. But he was also enraged and irrational, driven by the raw, primal force within him.
Peter, sensing the Hulk's power, met his challenge with a mixture of disdain and curiosity. The ease with which Peter handled the situation only served to enrage the Hulk further. Sensing Peter's strength, the Hulk's fighting spirit surged, and he roared, "Hulk! Smash you!"
The Hulk brought his fist down with the force of a mountain, only to have it stopped by Peter's hand, which didn't budge an inch. The chaotic battlefield seemed to momentarily still as Peter calmly remarked, "A little ordinary… not as impressive as I expected."
With a casual push, Peter sent the Hulk crashing into the ground, causing a massive shockwave that made the onlookers' hearts skip a beat.
"Stop! Hulk is here to save people!" Betty Ross, Banner's girlfriend, shouted desperately from a nearby helicopter.
Peter turned to her with mild interest and replied, "I know, but… so what? It's been a while since I've had such a challenging toy."
Betty was stunned, unable to comprehend Peter's response. Despite the Abomination, the villain she loathed being defeated, she now feared that an even more dangerous figure had emerged. Her concern for Banner grew, knowing the Hulk might not be able to withstand such a relentless adversary.
The Hulk, undeterred, climbed out of the crater with renewed rage and power. He charged at Peter once again, only for Peter to effortlessly catch his punch. "Well… that's a bit better, but still not enough."
Peter kicked the Hulk away again, sending him flying across the battlefield. Betty watched in horror as Hulk was repeatedly knocked down by Peter, only to rise and be struck down again. Each of Peter's attacks seemed perfectly calibrated to push the Hulk to his limits without completely overwhelming him.
Betty covered her mouth, shaking her head in disbelief. "Why? I don't understand why he's doing this."
General Ross, watching from the helicopter, reached out to pull Betty back inside and ordered, "We need to retreat!"
"No, father! We can't leave Banner! He still—"
"We must retreat! Can't you see? This is beyond anything we can handle! We'll come back after Black Superman leaves!"
On the battlefield, Hulk, after being sent flying backward yet again, finally managed to push Peter back a short distance. For the first time, Peter felt a force capable of challenging him. He was thrilled, even excited.
Finally, he had found a worthy opponent.
Few could understand the loneliness Peter felt after acquiring the powers of a Homelander. Since upgrading his abilities, everything around him had become too fragile. He had to be constantly cautious, fearing that even a slight misstep could cause irreparable damage.
Only in Wakanda had he been able to let loose, but even then, his opponents were just ordinary people bolstered by Vibranium. Now, at last, he had found someone who could match his strength and allow him to fight without holding back.
Hulk, with his seemingly limitless power, invulnerable body, and straightforward fighting style, was the perfect opponent. Unlike the time Peter subdued the Lizard, this battle was different. His goal wasn't to instill fear but to push the Hulk to his limits and beyond.
Peter was curious—just how strong could the Hulk become?
Boom boom boom boom boom!
On the street, two figures—one green and the other black—clashed with fists at blinding speed and immense power. Peter Parker and the Hulk, locked in a brutal melee, had abandoned all finesse, relying solely on raw strength and endurance. Each collision sent shockwaves through the air, distorting it and spreading outwards.
Although their battle seemed evenly matched, a closer look revealed the truth. With each of Peter's relentless attacks, the ground beneath the Hulk's feet sank deeper. Finally, after another powerful strike, the Hulk—who had reached an extraordinary level of strength—was knocked back into a massive crater.
This time, the Hulk stayed down longer, struggling to rise. His expression was pained, and he was breathing heavily. Under Peter's relentless assault, the Hulk had reached his limit—a threshold that Peter could feel. The Hulk's power had ceased to grow, peaking at what could be considered the apex of "Earth level" strength, comparable to Peter's power before his recent upgrade.
However, while Peter had reached an all-encompassing level of strength, defense, and speed, the Hulk had only managed to achieve comparable strength and durability. This was likely the Hulk's upper limit, even in the most extreme circumstances.
"It's just a little short after all…" Peter murmured, a hint of disappointment in his voice. Despite the intensity of the battle, Peter had enjoyed the challenge. The Hulk's durability had allowed him to fight without holding back, but Peter had hoped for more. It would be a while before he found another opponent who could push him to his limits.
"Roar!" The Hulk bellowed, "Hulk never gives up!"
Peter only responded with a calm, "Let's end this."
Before the Hulk could react, Peter launched him skyward. Following closely behind, Peter delivered a series of rapid punches, each one sending the Hulk higher into the sky. Finally, Peter hovered high above, watching as the Hulk plummeted back to Earth like a meteor, crashing into the city below and creating a massive crater. The block was mostly destroyed, but fortunately, the area had been evacuated.
When the dust settled, Bruce Banner lay unconscious, shirtless, in the center of the crater.
High above, Peter called up his system panel:
[You prevented a more harmful attack and received 5,000 points. Score: A. Additional reward: 4,000 points.]
[Upgrade available: Spend 500,000 points to upgrade your talent: Superman lv2?]
[Upgrade successful. Congratulations! You have unlocked the talent: Superman lv3.]
With his accumulated points, Peter didn't hesitate this time. He chose to upgrade, feeling his strength surge.
"Now, it's time to handle the other one," Peter said, shifting his attention to a different part of the city.
Osborn Plaza
Max Dillon, known as Electro, found himself cornered, ensnared by an ever-tightening web of spider silk. These threads, for reasons he couldn't fathom, were able to intercept him despite his speed. He was forced to carefully maneuver around them, avoiding direct contact with the webs.
But Spider-Woman was relentless, spinning her webs with astonishing speed.
Initially, Max had been able to evade the webs with little difficulty. After all, normal spider silk shouldn't have been able to keep up with his lightning-fast movements. But these webs were different. They formed huge, intricate patterns almost instantly, leaving him no room to escape.
Gwen Stacy, aka Spider-Woman, was equally amazed. Peter's foresight had been incredible. Although he had programmed several web-shooting combinations into her web-shooters, some had seemed impractical to her at first. Now, she realized their purpose: they were designed specifically to counter Max's powers.
With a simple gesture, Gwen could shoot webs that instantly formed large nets, easily entangling Electro and cutting off his escape routes.
The spider silk grenades were even more effective. When Gwen fired them at an electric pillar, they exploded after a few seconds, spreading webs that clung to the surrounding structures, trapping Max even further. This webbing didn't just block his path; it forced him to contort his body unnaturally to maneuver through, something he found nearly impossible in his electrical form.
Even Tony Stark, who was watching from the sidelines, couldn't help but comment, "Spider-Woman, are you auditioning for a cowboy movie? I didn't know you were into this sort of thing!"
"I'm not! I swear!" Gwen replied, flustered.
She had just tried a new combination, a turtle-shell spider silk bomb, which unfortunately hit Max directly in his human form. The scene was awkward, to say the least.
"These web combos are all Peter's designs! I didn't expect...he'd be into this..." Gwen's voice trailed off as she realized how effective, yet embarrassing, the designs were.
Tony smirked, looking at Max, who was pinned to an electric pole by the webbing. "Well, at least it seems pretty effective against humanoid enemies," he said, laughing internally at the absurdity of the situation. Why is Peter so annoyingly talented?
For New York's criminals, this kind of webbing was far more humiliating than being beaten or shot. The psychological damage was severe.
"Asshole!" Max seethed, his entire body trembling with rage. "How could you… treat me like this!"
"Hey!" Tony mocked in his usual sarcastic tone. "This doesn't suit you, Blue Guy. Peter did a fantastic job!"
"Peter Parker!" Max snarled, finally breaking free from the turtle-shell webbing. "He did all this! I will kill him! I'll make him feel the humiliation I'm feeling right now!"
"Enough!" Gwen suddenly interrupted, her voice sharp and unusually cold. "I won't let you harm Peter. Not a single hair on his head."
Max stared at Gwen, disbelief and betrayal in his eyes. "Why? What's so special about him?" he raged, his voice filled with despair. "I've done so much for you! I never blamed you! I could be your partner! But your eyes are always on him—always on Peter Parker!"
For the first time, Gwen was faced with Max's heartfelt confession. He was no longer Electro in that moment; he was just a man who had been overlooked, desperate for attention, and heartbroken over unrequited feelings.
In the past, Gwen might have hesitated, unsure of how to respond. She was Spider-Woman, responsible for protecting the city, and balancing her personal life with her heroic duties was always a struggle.
But after much introspection, Gwen had found her answer. When Harry Osborn had called her, she had made up her mind.
"Yes, Max," Gwen said softly but firmly. "My eyes will always and only be on Peter. Past, present, and future."
Gwen's words sent Max into a frenzy. "No! You're lying!" He refused to accept the truth, transforming into pure electricity and charging wildly, only to find himself trapped within a web of spider silk, severely limiting his movement.
Nearby, Gwen addressed Tony Stark, "Mr. Stark, I need your help. I'm going to deal with Max... permanently." She took a deep breath before continuing.
Tony was taken aback. In his mind, Spider-Woman was known for her strict moral code, always opting for non-lethal methods. Her usual approach involved subduing criminals, restraining them with webbing, and leaving them for the authorities. It was rare, if ever, that she was associated with any fatal outcomes. But now, here she was, suggesting she wanted to eliminate Electro for good.
Tony wasn't particularly shocked by the idea itself—he was no stranger to lethal force. As Iron Man, he had killed many terrorists during his early days. But coming from Gwen, it was a surprising turn.
"How exactly do you plan to deal with him?" Tony inquired.
"Peter explained to me that Electro's powers work like a battery. He absorbs and releases electrical energy, but like any battery, there's a limit to how much he can hold." Gwen explained, "Since we can't cut off the power supply, we need to overload him—force so much electricity into his body that he can't contain it, just like what happened with your suit last time."
"…You didn't have to remind me about that," Tony muttered, slightly annoyed. "But okay, no problem. The power grid is practically in your web. Electro can't escape, but I'm stuck here too."
"Leave the power grid to me," Gwen replied. "But how are you going to channel the current?"
"With spider silk."
"What?"
"I'll use my spider silk as wires."
"That's not a bad idea," Tony admitted. "But are you sure you want to do this? I could handle it from here."
"What difference does it make, Mr. Stark?" Gwen said with a bitter smile before her expression hardened. "I have to do this… I can't let Peter get hurt because of me."
Peter Parker was Gwen's world—her reason for becoming Spider-Woman. Without him, there would be no Spider-Woman. The mere thought of Electro becoming another Green Goblin, another relentless threat to Peter, was unbearable.
In that moment, Gwen recalled how Black Superman had mercilessly crushed the Green Goblin atop the Osborn Building. "Maybe… maybe he was right. Showing mercy to criminals is cruelty to the innocent, to those we love."
Gwen didn't have the answer. She only knew that, at this moment, she needed to be something more than just a hero. For Peter's sake.
She stepped forward, eyes locked on the chaotic bolts of electricity, and called out, "Max!"
Electro halted, reverting to his human form. He looked at Gwen with a mix of anger and sorrow. "Spider-Woman, you abandoned me…"
Gwen stood firm. "No, Max. You've always been in your own world, your own one-man show."
Her voice and demeanor had changed, a steely resolve replacing her usual gentleness. Even Tony, observing from the control room, couldn't help but notice. For a moment, she reminded him of someone—a certain vigilante who fancied himself Batman.
"Mr. Stark, are you ready?" Gwen's voice crackled through the communicator.
"Uh… sure, just call me Tony," he responded, caught off guard by the unexpected intensity in her tone.
Tony shook his head, clearing his thoughts. This wasn't the time for distractions. He focused on the task at hand.
Back on the battlefield, Max's anger flared. "Why? Why do you think that? It's all their fault! They keep taking away what's mine! I just wanted your attention, to have you notice me instead of Peter Parker…"
"You don't deserve it!" Gwen's sudden outburst caught Max off guard. "Peter is a thousand times better than you, ten thousand times!"
Electro was stunned. He had never expected such harsh words from the usually kind-hearted Spider-Woman. In that moment of hesitation, Gwen shot her webs, connecting them to the surrounding electrical pillars.
"Mr. Stark, now!" she commanded.
In an instant, the power grid surged to its maximum output. The electricity coursed through the webs, and Gwen, clad in her vibranium suit, held onto the electrified strands. She directed the full force of the current toward Electro.
"Ahhhhhhhhh!" Max's screams echoed as the overwhelming electricity tore through him, his body convulsing violently.
Gwen gripped the web tightly, watching as Electro's form began to crack and disintegrate under the relentless energy. She knew she was being cruel, but she felt she had no other choice.
"You're… killing me! You promised… you'd never give up on me!" Max's voice was filled with pain and betrayal as he faced the agonizing reality.
With one final scream, his body exploded into a burst of electrical energy, throwing Gwen backward. For a moment, it seemed Electro was gone, his form dissipating into nothingness.
Gwen struggled to her feet, trying to catch her breath, but her spider-sense suddenly went into overdrive, sending sharp pulses through her mind. She felt a crushing sense of dread.
In front of her, the blue electricity began to coalesce once more, forming into a towering figure. Electro had returned, but now he was something more—a massive thunder giant, his body crackling with power.
Tony arrived just in time to witness the transformation. He stared at the thunder giant in shock. "What the hell just happened?"
"I don't know… but Electro is alive again," Gwen replied, her spider-sense blaring with warning.
The thunder giant roared, unleashing a massive bolt of lightning that sent both heroes flying. Tony's armor short-circuited from the overload, leaving him disoriented.
"Why won't he stay down?" Tony muttered, trying to regain control.
Unbeknownst to them, Max's return was driven by something more than just his electrical abilities. From the start, he had survived his initial transformation because of Gwen's voice—a will to live sparked by her kindness. But now, it was hatred, a burning desire for revenge against the one person who had once given him hope, that fueled his resurrection.
"Spider-Woman, you liar!" The thunder giant bellowed, charging towards Gwen with renewed fury.
Gwen switched back to the insulating spider silk, attempting to contain Electro. But she quickly discovered that the spider silk couldn't withstand the upgraded Electro for long. The insulation had its limits, and suddenly, she lost her most effective weapon—the spider silk. Simultaneously, she also lost her most crucial ally, Tony Stark. Tony lay in his paralyzed suit, desperately trying to restart it. Frustration was evident on his face. Electro's electricity was scientifically formidable, especially against machinery, making him a significant threat.
Gwen was left to face this lightning giant alone, fleeing desperately amid constant danger. If it weren't for her vibranium suit, she might have already collapsed. As if things couldn't get worse, a figure appeared in the sky. It was the Green Goblin's glider.
"How is that possible! Isn't the Green Goblin dead?" Gwen muttered. As the figure drew closer, it became clear that it wasn't Norman Osborn on the glider, but Harry Osborn, clad in a biological battle armor and showing symptoms similar to Norman's.
"Harry! You're finally here," the Thunder Giant said.
"Max? Why did you become like this?" Harry looked at the Thunder Giant, astonished.
"I'm just getting stronger," Electro replied.
"Harry, how did you become like this?" Gwen asked, equally puzzled.
"Do you recognize me?" Harry asked, then chuckled at himself. "Isn't it Peter Parker who made me like this?"
"Very well! Harry, let's take out Spider-Woman first, and then go after Peter Parker!" Electro laughed.
Harry was momentarily stunned, wondering why Electro and Spider-Woman were at odds when they had previously been allies. Despite his confusion, Harry's eyes flashed with determination. "I want to kill Black Superman even more!"
Electro, at the height of his power and somewhat arrogant, agreed, "Yes, these guys… I will deal with them one by one."
Gwen listened to their conversation in silence. She felt cornered with no apparent chance of escape. Was this really the end?
As Electro turned to attack her, he suddenly screamed, "Ah!!!" Gwen looked up to see the glider beneath Harry firing what looked like a micro-missile—though it seemed more like a syringe—into the Thunder Giant.
The Thunder Giant swung his arms violently, knocking Harry away. Gwen quickly moved to check on him. Harry's entire body was scorched from the attack, losing his ability to fight. Fortunately, the biological armor protected his life.
In contrast, the Thunder Giant was in dire condition. His body twitched uncontrollably, electric arcs flickering erratically as he appeared to be in severe pain.
"Harry! You betrayed me too! What did you do to me!?" The Thunder Giant roared.
Gwen looked at Harry with curiosity. She had always known Harry was on her side since he was the one who initially contacted her about Peter Parker.
Harry coughed and said, "Can I say I don't know? A tube of suppressive serum having an effect on a Thunder Giant… It's truly unscientific."
"His appearance is unscientific enough!" Tony complained, finally managing to restart his armor.
"We're more interested in where this suppressive serum came from and how you ended up here," Gwen asked.
"It's nothing magical… I just ran into Dr. Connors," Harry explained.
"Connors!" Gwen and Tony exclaimed in surprise.
Gwen glanced at Tony, noting his shock. She was surprised by the news of Dr. Connors, especially since there had been no updates since Black Superman mentioned handling the lizard people. She had only recently heard about Connors again. Tony, meanwhile, was privately frustrated, feeling he should have been aware of Connors' sudden appearance at Osborne Tower.
Time rewinds to the beginning, at Osborne Tower. Harry looked at the Green Goblin biological armor, bitterly reflecting, "Am I truly doomed to the fate of the Green Goblin?" But at that moment, wearing the armor seemed essential for survival.
A strange sound at the laboratory door alerted Harry. Normally, no one would come at this time, and with Felicia unconscious due to spider venom, anyone who arrived would easily overpower them.
Harry saw a green humanoid figure peeking in and felt a pang of fear. The figure approached and said, "Great, Harry, you're okay!"
Harry was taken aback, "You are…?"
"I'm Connors!"
"Dr. Connors!?" Harry exclaimed, "How did you… become like this?"
Connors had transformed, no longer a giant lizard man but something between a human and a lizard—stronger than a human but not as powerful as a lizard, retaining his gentleness and humor despite his green appearance.
"Um… thanks to Black Superman…" Connors hesitated, not wanting to divulge his own defeat at the hands of Black Superman. Some secrets were best kept to himself.
Connors had noticed that the wild instincts within him had subsided significantly, especially around Black Superman. This led to a new form—less powerful than the giant lizard but more stable.
Harry was surprised by the influence of Black Superman on Connors and fell silent before asking, "Then, Dr. Connors, why are you here?"
"Of course, to save you, Harry!" Connors revealed a tube of serum. "I finally discovered this inhibitory serum. It targets victims of cross-species gene transfer projects. As long as the mutation isn't too advanced, it can fully rescue the victims."
Connors continued, "I'm aware of the genetic issues in the Osborn family, and Peter told me about you. Trust us, we're in the clinical stage, and the final version of the serum will be ready soon."
Harry was left speechless, absorbing the unexpected turn of events.
...
When Peter Parker visited Tony Stark's home to collect the Spider-Man suit, he made a detour to see Dr. Connors. Connors had been coping well despite his transformation into a part-lizard creature, confined to his laboratory where he conducted his research alone. The isolation was a small price to pay for the chance to pursue his scientific ambitions, and he was grateful for Tony Stark's financial support. The billionaire's generosity had enabled Connors to continue his work, though their interactions were often strained due to Stark's arrogant demeanor and Connors's disconcerting appearance.
Despite their differences, they shared a common goal: aiding others. Stark had been convinced of Connors's vision and had readily agreed to fund his research, albeit without much enthusiasm. Pepper Potts had questioned Tony about the sudden expenditure, but Connors remained oblivious to the financial scrutiny, focusing solely on his experiments.
When Peter arrived for his visit, Connors greeted him with a mixture of relief and excitement. "How is the research progressing?" Peter inquired.
"The funding is more than adequate, and everything is proceeding smoothly!" Connors responded, beaming with satisfaction. "I'm on the verge of achieving my dream, something I once thought would be impossible in this lifetime. Sometimes, it feels like a dream, and I fear I might wake up any moment."
"Even after everything that has happened to you?" Peter asked.
"Even with my current state, it's worth it," Connors said earnestly. "Thank you, Peter... Black Superman."
Peter shook his head. "It's your perseverance and choices that have brought you this far. Keep pushing forward, Connors; more progress is on the way."
"I need your help now," Connors said.
"Anything you need, I'm here for it," Peter assured.
"There's nothing more to do than prepare the suppressant serum and assist in saving someone," Connors explained.
Connors's gaze shifted to Harry Osborn, who seemed puzzled by the situation. Peter had anticipated this scenario, preparing for the need to suppress the serum in advance. Connors now wondered if Peter had planned everything from the beginning—watching him struggle, falling deeper into despair, and yet secretly arranging solutions.
Connors pondered whether Peter—or Black Superman, as he sometimes thought of him—was cruel or merely demonstrating a unique form of compassion. The only saviors of the world were its inhabitants themselves, while the gods could only observe from a distance, hoping for the best. Connors felt conflicted about his feelings toward Black Superman, questioning what emotions Peter harbored as he observed the ongoing struggles and choices.
With a resigned sigh, Connors prepared to administer the suppressant serum to Harry. However, Harry interrupted him, "First, check on Alicia! She was injected with the gene serum and has been unconscious since."
Connors frowned, "I only brought one serum from the lab. I'm unsure if there's a backup."
"And Peter!" Harry continued urgently. "Electro's target is Peter. He's Spider-Woman's... um, foe!"
Connors's concern shifted momentarily from Harry to Peter. Unexpectedly, he found himself less worried about Electro's threat and almost amused by it.
"Time is of the essence. Once I administer the serum to you, I'll retrieve Alicia and return to the lab for more supplies," Connors stated.
"Uh, Doctor..." Harry started, "I can handle the serum myself. You should take Feliicia for immediate treatment!"
Connors studied Harry for a moment, then handed him the suppressant serum. "Everyone makes their own choices. I'll take Felecia first."
"Dr. Connors, wait," Harry said, stopping Connors.
"Is there something else?" Connors asked, turning back.
Harry offered a sincere apology, "On behalf of my father, I'm sorry."
"It's alright, Harry. Though I couldn't save him, I'm grateful to be able to help you in time," Connors replied, then carried Felicia away.
Harry, now alone, looked at the serum but chose not to use it. Instead, he donned his bio-armor. The entire building suddenly plunged into darkness, with only the backup power supply keeping some machinery operational. Harry realized Max had taken control of the power grid and knew that Electro's threat was real.
The inhibitory serum in Harry's hand could potentially be a game-changer. He decided to focus on the immediate task at hand.
Back in the present, Harry had fashioned micro-missiles from the serum and used them against the Thunder Giant. The creature's form began to collapse, regressing to a more stable but weakened state. In this condition, Gwen could defeat him on her own.
Realizing his vulnerability, Electro attempted to flee. Injuries among Gwen's team and damaged equipment left them unable to pursue him. Electro's escape led him to an alley, where, in his fury, he cursed Peter Parker and the others. However, his anger turned to shock as a familiar figure emerged from the shadows.
"Peter Parker!" Electro exclaimed with a mix of rage and disbelief. The dim lighting obscured the figure's details until they came closer. The realization of Peter Parker's presence ignited a vengeful determination in Electro.
He gathered the remaining electric energy in his hands, compressing it until it crackled and screamed with intensity. With a furious shout, he hurled the electric discharge at Peter. "Go to hell, Peter Parker!"
Electro met his end peacefully. A powerful and concentrated electric current crackled in his hand as he thrust it toward Peter Parker. He could even envision Peter Parker's body fracturing under the assault. As this thought crossed his mind, his expression froze, twisted with uncontrollable ferocity.
"Damn it!"
Peter Parker, however, had caught his charged attack with one hand, gripping his wrist firmly. He absorbed the violent electricity head-on without any showiness. Normally, a person would scream, bleed, and be electrocuted into a charred mess, right?
Electro quickly realized something was amiss and tried to retreat or even escape using electricity. But he soon found that Peter Parker's hand was like the hardest steel, pinning him in place. No matter how fiercely the arc of electricity surged, it had no effect. Even his flimsy clothes remained undamaged.
He was completely supressed by peter bio-electric aura.
Click!
Electro heard the sound of bones snapping in his wrist. Before he could utter a scream, Peter Parker had struck him hard to the ground, then stomped on his chest, making him gasp for breath.
"Who are you?"
Electro's voice was filled with horror, but he had no chance to say more before Peter Parker's eyes glowed a menacing red. The entire alley was briefly enveloped in crimson light. When the red light receded and passersby came to check, all they found were blackened humanoid marks on the ground.
With Electro gone, the morale of Gwen and the others was at an all-time low. What if the Electric Man returned more powerful? Harry's phone suddenly rang, breaking the somber silence.
"It's Peter!" Harry exclaimed, answering the call.
Gwen sighed in relief but was immediately troubled. Peter was found, but the extremely dangerous Electro had escaped. In a way, Peter was now more perilous.
If Electro knew her identity, her parents, Uncle Ben, and Aunt May would all be in danger!
Gwen's heart felt heavier than ever as she listened to Peter's voice on the other end.
"Harry? Did you just find me? Sorry, my phone is out of battery."
It was a simple and blunt explanation, but it seemed to satisfy everyone.
"Peter! Where are you? Be careful of Electro! He's out to kill you!" Harry said urgently.
To everyone's alarm, the most dangerous person at the moment was Peter, an ordinary individual.
"Electric Man? I just encountered him," Peter said on the phone.
Everyone broke into a cold sweat upon hearing this. What kind of luck was it that Peter had run into Electro, who had just escaped?
Of course, the fact that Peter could still call them proved that Electro hadn't killed him… But Gwen couldn't help but ask, "Peter, are you okay? Did Electro harm you?"
Gwen was concerned and couldn't hide her anxiety.
"Gwen? Are you there too? Of course, I'm fine. Black Superman arrived just in time and used his heat vision to reduce Electro to ashes."
Black Superman?
Several people were stunned by the sudden twist. The Black Superman, who had been expected but hadn't arrived, had taken down Electro in such a dramatic fashion?
They didn't know whether to complain or be grateful, but they leaned towards gratitude. At least there was Black Superman.
After hanging up, Harry, who had just absorbed Peter's disturbing news, looked at Gwen with surprise.
"Gwen? Are you Spider-Woman? Does Peter know?" he asked, clearly taken aback.
So, the Spider-Woman he had been searching for was right next to him. No wonder Peter was reluctant to hand over Spider-Woman's blood. But did Peter know?
Harry's gaze toward Gwen shifted with new understanding.
Gwen:...
"Well, there's a reason for this. I can explain," she began.
But Harry's phone rang again. It was Dr. Connors!
Harry answered and heard Connors' anxious voice:
"No! Felicia is missing!"
Banner walked out of Stark Tower, feeling as if he had stepped into a different world. Not far off, his girlfriend Betty waited for him, watching closely.
The two embraced, and Betty asked, "How did it go?"
"No problem. From now on, I'll be working for Stark."
"I knew you'd succeed."
Banner smiled weakly, adding, "It's all thanks to Black Superman."
As they got into the car, Betty's curiosity got the better of her. "I'm really curious, what happened after Black Superman took you away from your father? How did things change so much?"
Banner seemed to recall some unpleasant memories, trembling with unease.
After Hulk was shot down from the air by Black Superman, he could no longer hold out and reverted to Banner. General Ross came back to investigate, taking the general away. Ross didn't expect to discover such a significant leak. Not only was he displeased, but he was also excited to have Banner back under his control.
But soon after, Black Superman arrived, wanting to take Banner away. Ross refused, representing the mightiest military in the United States.
Black Superman merely remarked, "Are you planning to start a war with me?"
This comment ignited General Ross's fury, making him want to slam the table and scold Black Superman for provoking the world's most powerful country. But reason kept his anger in check. They didn't know Black Superman's limits or what weapons could harm him. At least from Hulk's perspective, conventional ones wouldn't have much impact.
If a conflict arose, war-level weapons would be used, making it a full-scale war. Based on data collected on Black Superman, if he wanted to launch a surprise attack, they wouldn't be able to intercept it. Black Superman remained shrouded in mystery.
Fortunately, they still had one Abomination left. However, General Ross was unaware that SHIELD would soon take away the remaining Abomination amid various intervention negotiations.
Thus, Peter successfully returned Bruce Banner. But Banner felt he had been brutally tortured. Banner was taken to a desolate mountain and forced to transform into Hulk to fight Black Superman.
"Too weak! Too weak! Hulk!"
"Is this all you've got?"
"The old lady next door is much stronger than you!"
Hulk was enraged but felt powerless against the absolute strength. No ability to fight back.
According to Black Superman, Hulk's current limits were still within the sub-universe. If this continued without intervention, it would be a waste.
Damn it! What did he think Hulk was? A pet?
Banner returned to his human form, feeling sore and drained as if he had been completely squeezed dry. He even felt that the Hulk within him was slightly withdrawn.
He asked Black Superman, "What exactly do you want to achieve?"
"Of course, it's to help you become stronger," Black Superman said.
Banner, utterly defeated, lay on the ground and scolded Black Superman, "I don't want to become stronger! I just want to be an ordinary person and be with Betty. Why is this happening?"
Black Superman's gaze cut through him deeply. It held a mix of contempt, disappointment, and disdain.
"Do you want to spend your life as an unstable bomb?"
This provoked Banner's anger.
"Is that what I want? The monster inside me might come out anytime and hurt innocent people, including Betty!"
"So, you choose to escape, hide far away?"
"I…" Banner was at a loss for words.
Peter continued, "Hulk is another part of you, Banner. He is like a child. His anger stems from you and his fear of the world. By choosing to give up, you not only fail Betty but also fail yourself. Hulk is irresponsible."
"But what can I do?" Banner asked in despair.
"Face it all, truly accept Hulk, and the life shattered by it."
"But Hulk…"
"If he misbehaves, just ask me to give him a beating."
Banner sat in the car, recalling Black Superman's words. He looked at Betty, who was leaning beside him with concern, and made up his mind.
He replied, "Black Superman just… woke me up."
At the same time, at Stark Tower:
"What on earth do you mean? Do you think of me as a garbage dump? You actually threw another green-skinned monster at me!" Tony Stark exclaimed to Black Superman, also known as Peter Parker. Turning to Dr. Connors, who stood nearby, Tony added, "Sorry, Doctor, I didn't mean to discriminate against you."
Dr. Connors merely smiled and said, "It's fine. I don't take offense." He was on the verge of realizing his life's ambition and had recently embraced a more philosophical outlook.
Tony turned his attention back to Peter. "Bruce Banner has seven doctoral degrees, and you call him trash? Are you looking down on him or yourself?"
Peter, still playing the role of Black Superman, responded with sharp sarcasm, "A billionaire with only two doctoral degrees suddenly feels insecure and defensive. Can you really get ten more degrees in a minute?"
Tony's temper flared. "Of course, I can get ten more degrees if I want to!"
Peter raised an eyebrow. "Really? I don't believe it."
Tony was already struggling with self-loathing, but Peter's provocations made him even more frustrated. If he could have defeated him, Tony would have gladly donned his Iron Man suit to confront Black Superman.
Tony took an angry swig of chlorophyll juice. His recent battle with Eugene Flash Thompson had caused the palladium levels in his blood to spike, especially after Thompson transformed into a lightning giant, which had completely overwhelmed him. Tony's health had deteriorated significantly; he often coughed and looked pale, clearly indicating that something was wrong.
The situation was further complicated by the fact that Pepper Potts had discovered his condition, leading to recent quarrels and even Pepper considering resignation. The added pressure from the military had left Tony troubled both internally and externally, making him irritable and sensitive.
"I've tried every known element, and none can replace palladium," Tony said, pressing his forehead in frustration.
Connors, who was calmly sipping coffee, suggested, "Perhaps you could try cross-species gene transfer? The human body is inherently weak. If you can't solve the energy problem, maybe you could address the body's fragility."
Tony glanced apologetically at Connors. "Sorry, but I'm not keen on that approach."
Connors continued, "I understand that there's no gene serum completely free of side effects at this stage. The upcoming versions are insufficient for your needs."
Tony looked uncertain. "Osborn's biological armor might be a good alternative, though, right? His life-support system could address your issues."
"The Green Goblin's armor?" Tony's eyes gleamed with interest. The biological armor's life-support system could indeed solve his immediate problems, but the side effects were significant. It would deeply affect his body and neural network, potentially altering his personality and character. While it had its merits, it wouldn't solve the underlying issue, and Tony would be permanently bound to the armor.
"Alternatively," Peter interjected, drawing Tony's and Connors' attention, "you could choose not to be Iron Man, and all your problems would disappear."
Tony's response was immediate. "No way. I am Iron Man. We are one." The thought of opting for a life-support device led him to think of Pepper, causing him to hesitate again.
Peter's next words were sobering. "Then you should consider what you want to do with the remaining time of your life."
Tony's expression grew solemn at this.
Connors, meanwhile, took another leisurely sip of coffee. As a victim of Black Superman's actions, he was surprisingly unperturbed and even somewhat intrigued by the unfolding drama. Although he was a straightforward person, he felt that experiencing this spectacle with others was more enjoyable. Moreover, he lacked the ability to challenge Black Superman directly. He wondered how Tony Stark's predicament would ultimately play out.
At the same time, Peter Parker was busy in his bedroom, controlling the computer to help Gwen Stacy, also known as Spider-Woman, search for information on Felicia. Gwen, in her Spider-Woman costume, sat by Peter's window, her legs dangling, with the sunlight casting a warm glow on her figure.
"Peter," she called out.
Peter didn't look away from the screen. "What's up?"
Gwen complained, "Why did you set up my spider silk launcher with a turtle-shell binding combination? It's so impractical!"
Since that night, she had been itching to address this issue. She never expected Peter to focus on such details, which she found quite dangerous. She felt that in order for them to coexist peacefully, she needed to curb Peter's troublesome habits.
Peter simply brought up a news article titled, "[Honorary Police Officer Spider-Woman Terrifies Criminals!]" The article featured several photos of criminals being restrained by spider silk and turtle shells. Quotes from apprehended criminals read, "Oh my God, I swear I'll never cross Spider-Woman again. I didn't realize she was so ruthless."
Gwen's expression softened. "Well, I guess Spider-Woman's deterrence has increased significantly. Criminals are afraid to cross paths with her."
Peter replied with a grin, "See, you're making a positive impact."
Gwen, a bit flustered, said, "You can't blame me entirely. After all, I only have this kind of spider silk! It's fitting in its own way."
"Indeed," Peter said, "On the bright side, Spider-Woman's effectiveness has clearly increased. The criminals are staying in line."
Gwen's mood lifted as she saw the positive side of her new gear. "Well, that's something."
Peter's expression then shifted. "I think I've found some clues about Felicia."
Excited, Gwen leapt out of the window and ran to Peter's side. "What? How is Felicia? Any updates?"