New York — The Corner Café — Terrace — Afternoon
Sitting on the terrace of the Corner Café, Peter and Gwen were finally enjoying a moment of peace.
Each held a drink in their hands while the cool December air drifted gently through the city. Despite the season, the temperature remained surprisingly pleasant.
Peter let out a satisfied sigh.
— This is so nice.
Gwen raised an eyebrow with a faint smile.
— What is? The nice weather in the middle of December? The fact that we're spending some time together after school? Or maybe... the fact that we're dating?
Peter thought for a few seconds before smiling.
— Honestly? All of it. Ever since the Lizard incident, everything's gone back to normal... and it's awesome! Criminals don't dare make a move while I'm around, Tombstone is keeping quiet, and there aren't any weird super-powered lunatics running around. It was starting to get exhausting.
Gwen slightly raised an eyebrow.
— Weird powers? What do you mean by that?
Peter waved his hands as he explained.
— Long story short: ever since I started messing up Tombstone's business, he's been turning people into monsters to kill me. First a guy who shoots shockwaves, then a literal half-scorpion guy, a dude who can turn into sand... and even a guy turned into a rhinoceros! Seriously, can you believe it?! I swear this kind of stuff only happens in New York.
Gwen let out a small laugh.
— You're not wrong. But at least now they're all in prison. You can finally relax a little and enjoy a normal high school life. And on top of that, in my company...
A gentle smile appeared on Peter's face.
— Yeah... I think I've earned a little break.
Gwen gently slipped her hand into his.
But at that exact moment, several police cars sped down the street.
Their sirens blared.
Peter immediately understood.
— ...Sorry.
Gwen gave him an understanding smile.
— Don't worry. Go.
Peter leaned in, stole a quick kiss, then climbed onto the roof of the restaurant.
A few seconds later, Spider-Man was already swinging across the New York skyline, following the police vehicles.
New York — Downtown Manhattan — A Few Streets Away — A Few Minutes Later
Spider-Man quickly arrived at the scene.
What he found left him speechless.
— Seriously?! One guy with six arms... and another one throwing electricity around?!
He let out a long sigh.
— Here we go again... I really need to stop talking. I keep jinxing myself.
Farther away, a man whose body crackled with electricity looked at his partner.
— Hey Doc! How are you doing with those arms?
Otto Octavius looked on the verge of a nervous breakdown.
— Can't you see they're doing whatever they want?! How am I supposed to control them?!
Around him, six mechanical arms flailed wildly in every direction.
The electric man simply shrugged.
— Yeah, that sucks...
— Come on! I'm not a criminal! I'm a scientist, I don't fight!
— I know, but Norman was clear: after the mission, you'll be able to remove them. So shut up and focus.
Flashback — Oscorp — Experimental Laboratory (Basement)
A few days earlier...
Otto Octavius stared at Norman Osborn in confusion.
— Why me, sir? Why do I have to do this?
Norman Osborn maintained his usual calm demeanor.
— You know very well that normally, I wouldn't have asked you. But you're doing this for a good cause.
Otto remained silent.
His expression still revealed his confusion.
Norman continued with a kindness that sounded strangely fake.
— Listen, I need two people for this mission. Max, our maintenance worker, agreed. And then there's you. You designed these arms. Otto... you're the only person truly qualified to use them. It's almost as if they're already part of you. And besides...
A disturbing smile slowly appeared on the Oscorp director's face.
— It will be an opportunity to test them under real-world conditions.
Snapping out of his thoughts, Otto let out a long sigh.
In front of them, several police officers had surrounded them and were aiming their weapons.
— Hey, you two! You're surrounded, so put your hands up... metallic or not. And surrender peacefully!
Electro burst out laughing.
— Surrender?! Is this guy high?!
Otto took a step forward, visibly panicked.
— No! Listen, please! My name is Otto Octavius, and this is all just a misunderstanding! I don't want to hurt anyone, I just want these things removed from—
But before he could finish his sentence, his mechanical arms suddenly began moving.
With a deafening metallic crash, they struck several police cars, sending them flying in every direction.
— Whoa, nice one Doc! Looks like you're getting better! Electro exclaimed.
— No... I didn't mean to...!
— My turn. Take this, you bunch of—
He never got the chance to finish.
A red and blue figure shot forward at incredible speed and slammed directly into him.
— What the hell—
— Alright, your turn, big guy. Any last words before I knock you out? Spider-Man said.
— No! Wait, I—
— Move, Doc! shouted Electro. I'm gonna fry this asshole who hit me!
— No, Max! Wait—
Too late.
A powerful electric blast shot across the street.
Spider-Man barely dodged it.
But Otto wasn't so lucky.
The bolt hit him head-on.
The neural chip connected to his mechanical arms exploded in a shower of sparks.
The scientist instantly froze.
Completely motionless.
As if his consciousness had suddenly shut down.
Spider-Man cautiously stepped closer.
— Hello? Still there?
He tapped one of the mechanical arms.
No response.
— Uh... well, I guess he's out cold. Thanks, battery. That's one less to deal with.
Suddenly, his Spider-Sense exploded in his mind.
Without warning, all six mechanical arms sprang into action at once.
This time, their attacks were precise.
Calculated.
Dangerous.
Spider-Man dodged several strikes before one of the arms slammed violently into his chest.
He was sent crashing to the ground.
— Wow... those arms hit really hard!
— Nice one, Doc! Electro shouted. Looks like you finally figured it out!
Otto slowly raised his head.
His gaze was no longer the same.
— Exactly. But try not to hit me with your lightning anymore, because it's starting to seriously annoy me... he replied in a cold voice.
Electro blinked.
— Oh yeah, Doc, now you sound way more authoritative. Less like a victi-
A web shot directly onto his mouth.
— Sorry guys, but I really don't have time for this.
— Good. Neither do we.
Otto stood up completely.
His six arms were now perfectly synchronized with his every movement.
As if they had always been part of him.
— That electric shock opened my eyes. I've been exploited from the beginning. People have always used me for my skills and my intelligence... but I'm a genius! And it took a stupid electric shock for me to FINALLY understand it!
His mechanical arms spread out around him.
— Spider-Man... you're going to step aside and let me do whatever I want. I'm not a puppet anymore!
Then he charged.
— Okay... now things are getting serious.
Behind him, Electro ripped the web from his mouth and immediately started firing lightning bolts again, making sure not to hit Otto.
Spider-Man shot a web straight into the scientist's face.
The sensors on his arms were temporarily blinded.
Taking advantage of the opening, the hero dodged several electrical blasts, leaped into the air, and grabbed a manhole cover he had spotted earlier.
— Eat this! Electro shouted.
The lightning bolt struck the metal cover.
Spider-Man absorbed the impact.
Then, in the same motion, he hurled the steel disc directly at Electro.
The cover smashed into his face with brutal force.
The electric man collapsed instantly.
Taking advantage of the opening, Spider-Man turned toward Otto.
A massive web burst from his web-shooters.
Within seconds, the scientist was completely tied up.
Mechanical arms included.
Barely recovered from his temporary blindness, Otto tried to break free.
Without success.
Spider-Man stepped forward.
And delivered a perfectly placed uppercut.
The scientist collapsed as well.
The fight was over.
— Finally over...
Several police officers cautiously approached.
One of them smiled at Spider-Man.
— Thank you, Spider-Man. You saved the day! Again.
— Always a pleasure, sir. By the way... do you know where George Stacy is? I mean... your captain.
— He's busy, he couldn't make it. But he knew you'd be here, so he asked me to congratulate you on your victory.
Spider-Man could almost feel his cheeks heating up beneath his mask.
He felt proud.
Almost like a child receiving praise.
— Thank you. And please say hello to him for me.
— You can count on it! We'll take it from here, you can go.
— Perfect! Thanks!
Spider-Man waved goodbye to the officers before launching himself into the air.
A few minutes later, he returned to the place where he had left his belongings.
The moment he picked up his backpack, his phone vibrated in his pocket.
Gwen was calling him.
New York — The Corner Café — Terrace
Spider-Man answered while catching his breath.
— Hello, Gwen?
— Peter, where are you?
— On the terrace where we were. I stopped the criminals and just picked up my stuff. What about you?
A brief silence followed.
— I'm at Professor Connors' lab. You do remember we were supposed to come here, right?
Peter froze.
— Oh no... I completely forgot...!
A sigh answered him.
— Oh, Peter...
— I know, I'm sorry! But don't worry, I'll be there in a few minutes.
— Alright. I'll wait for you at the entrance.
The call ended.
Peter immediately put away his phone, grabbed his backpack, and launched himself into the air.
From building to building, he raced across New York until he finally spotted the Connors laboratory.
New York — Professor Connors' Laboratory — End of Day
Once he arrived, Peter quickly changed clothes before joining Gwen at the entrance.
Together, they entered the laboratory.
They had barely stepped through the door when Martha Connors rushed toward them.
Without hesitation, she wrapped both of them in a hug.
Especially Gwen.
— Gwen! Oh my God, I'm so happy to see you! Are you alright?
— I'm fine, don't worry. What about you? Where's Dr. Connors?
Martha hesitated.
— Connors? Oh... he's...
— Right here.
The voice came from the back of the room.
Curtis Connors calmly stepped out of his office and approached his wife and his two students.
When he stopped in front of them, his face was marked by sincere shame.
— Peter... Gwen... I'm so happy you're alright. I want to sincerely apologize for everything that happened. I'm an unworthy teacher. It won't happen again. And thank you for not calling the police. Truly.
Gwen gave him a kind smile.
— It's nothing, Professor. I'm alive, and I'm not the type to hold grudges. There's no point spending your life dwelling on the past. Besides, I had the support of people who matter to me... that helps you heal.
Martha felt her eyes grow moist.
A touched smile appeared on her face.
— Well done, Gwen...
Peter couldn't help but feel proud of her.
— Thank you, Gwen. I know you're forgiving, but I wanted to say it. And besides...
Suddenly, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed through the room.
Billy came running in.
In his hands, he was carrying a cake.
He quickly joined his parents, and all three stood in front of Gwen with big smiles.
— Welcome back to the lab, Gwen!
The young girl was speechless for a few seconds.
Clearly surprised by the gesture.
Then a genuine smile lit up her face.
— Thank you...!
Peter watched the scene from a distance.
And for the first time in a long while, he felt truly relieved.
Proud, too.
Things were finally getting back to normal.
New York — Ryker's Prison — Maximum Security Wing — Meanwhile
In the maximum-security wing of Ryker's Prison, two new inmates had just been transferred in.
Otto Octavius and Max Dillon.
Better known as Doctor Octopus and Electro.
Still unconscious after their fight against Spider-Man, they were locked in two neighboring cells under heavy surveillance.
A few cells away, several eyes immediately turned toward them.
— Hey, who are these guys? Rhino asked. Wait... does that guy have arms on his back?
Sandman looked as well.
— Yeah... and they look like us.
— Hey, can you shut up? Shocker growled.
From his cell, Scorpion opened one eye.
— I'm trying to sleep, so honestly, that'd be nice.
The six prisoners were now gathered within the same section.
A proximity that quickly sparked their curiosity.
A few minutes later, Otto and Max began to regain consciousness.
Electro placed a hand on his head.
— Ow... my head... where... where am I?
He looked around in confusion.
— Damn it, answer me! Can somebody tell me what's going on?!
— We're in prison, Electro, Otto replied calmly.
— What?!
Shocker let out a sigh.
— Looks like the guy with six arms pays more attention than the other hyperactive idiot.
— To be fair, he looks completely lost, Sandman added.
— I don't understand a damn thing you're saying, but I don't care. I'm getting out of here!
Electro raised his arms.
A powerful electric discharge should have erupted.
But nothing happened.
Not a single spark.
Not a single bolt.
— What the hell is this?!
— Your powers don't work in here, Shocker explained. These cells block them. So stop fantasizing.
— Damn it...
Rhino stepped up to the bars.
— So, you guys... why are you in jail?
Otto crossed his arms.
— We're here because of a certain... superhero.
— Yeah! Electro chimed in. It's because of Spider-Man! That bastard literally knocked me out with a manhole cover, can you believe that?! The guy's insane!
— Well... then we have something in common, Shocker replied coldly. We hate that son of a bitch too.
Rhino thought for a few seconds.
— Hey! So... does that make us brothers?
Sandman turned toward him.
— Brothers? Are you seriously saying that right now?
Before the conversation could continue, two guards entered the corridor.
— Looks like everyone's making friends in here, the first one said with a mocking smile.
The second chuckled.
— Everything alright, guys? Want a coffee? Maybe a croissant?
— Is your mom on the menu? Rhino replied.
— Ha-ha... very funny, you little—
But he never got the chance to finish his sentence.
A third guard suddenly appeared behind them.
Two quick strikes.
Precise.
The two men immediately collapsed.
— What now...? Scorpion muttered.
Without answering, the newcomer walked toward the security panel.
Her fingers rapidly entered a code.
Otto's cell opened.
Then Electro's.
Then all the others.
Less than a minute later, all six prisoners were free.
— Congratulations, gentlemen. You're free.
— Uh... what? Sandman blurted out.
Otto narrowed his eyes.
— Who are you? And why are you freeing us?
The woman simply shrugged.
— I got paid to do it, so who I am doesn't matter. I did what I was asked to do. Now... you're on your own.
Then she disappeared as quickly as she had appeared.
Otto watched her leave.
— Norman...? If that's you, then wait for me because I'm going to...! No... never mind. I don't have time to waste dealing with vermin like you.
— This isn't a trap? Sandman asked.
— Who gives a damn?! Electro replied. Let's get out of here!
— The hyperactive one is right.
— Shut the hell up!
Scorpion looked at the others.
— Okay, now what? What's the plan?
Otto barely had to think.
— A plan? It's simple: we coordinate and get out of here.
— Like a family? Rhino asked.
— No... like a team, Sandman corrected.
Their eyes met.
Then each of them nodded.
— I'm in, declared Shocker. The rest of you?
— Yeah!
— Yeah!
— Yeah!
— Yeah!
Otto turned toward Rhino.
— Rhino, can you make us a hole in that wall?
A huge smile appeared on the giant's face.
— With pleasure!
A few seconds later, an explosion of concrete shook the entire wing.
Rhino had just smashed through the wall with the full force of his body.
Chunks of stone and clouds of dust flooded the corridor.
Immediately, the alarms went off.
Red lights began flashing throughout the prison.
Outside, several guards came running.
— What the hell is going on?! How did they get out of their cells?!
— This is a disaster! Quick, shoot them!
The guards drew their weapons.
But they didn't even have time to open fire.
A bolt of lightning tore across the yard.
The men were hurled several meters away before crashing heavily to the ground.
At the center of the chaos, Electro smiled.
Electricity crackled around his arms.
Everywhere around them, prisoners were fleeing or taking advantage of the confusion to escape.
Chaos was taking hold.
Suddenly, a voice echoed from a watchtower.
— CODE RED! CODE RED! THE SUPER CRIMINALS HAVE ESCAPED! CONTACT THE NEW YORK POLICE IMMEDIATELY!
Searchlights swept across the yard.
Sirens wailed.
The security system seemed completely overwhelmed.
Near the breach, the six criminals gathered together.
Otto naturally took command.
— Alright, listen. Here's what we're going to do: Rhino, Sandman... you're going to free every prisoner in this facility. And tell them to free everyone they come across in return. Then—
— I'm going to get my equipment back, Shocker interrupted. Without it, I won't be very useful.
— Very well. Electro, Scorpion, and I will take care of eliminating every nuisance in this prison. And after that... we'll go get revenge on that damn spider and do whatever we want!
No one objected.
They all exchanged a look.
A silent agreement.
They had nothing left to lose.
And that night, Ryker would no longer be a prison.
It would become the starting point of a true nightmare.
As they were about to leave, Otto noticed something on the ground.
A pair of black glasses.
Only a few inches away from a guard's corpse.
A trail of blood slowly crept toward the lenses.
Before a drop could reach them, Otto bent down.
He picked up the glasses.
Then placed them on his face.
A simple gesture.
But one that permanently sealed his transformation.
New York — Professor Connors' Laboratory — Exit — Evening
In the streets still illuminated by the last rays of the evening sun, Peter and Gwen left the Connors laboratory side by side.
With his hands behind his head, Peter let out a long sigh of exhaustion.
— Phew... This day is finally over. It was long, don't you think?
Gwen stared straight ahead, lost in thought.
— Yeah, but strangely... I feel like it's only the beginning...
Peter stopped dead in his tracks.
— Oh no... no, no, no, no, NO! Don't say another word!
Gwen turned toward him, confused.
— Huh? What?
— Don't say stuff like that! I can feel it... you're gonna jinx us! Well... ME especially!
Gwen burst out laughing.
— Come on, Peter. Just because we talk about something doesn't mean it's going to happen.
As if to prove him wrong, about ten police cars sped past them.
Their sirens echoed through the entire street.
Peter closed his eyes and let out a long, resigned sigh.
— ...See?
He turned toward Gwen with an almost guilty expression.
— Sorry Gwen, but I'm gonna have to leave you here.
— No. Take me with you.
— No, it's dangerous.
— But I'm not going to fight! I just want to watch from far away.
— But Gwen... that's not the point—
— Peter... take me.
The determined look in her eyes left no room for negotiation.
Peter rolled his eyes.
Defeated.
— Your wish is my command... Come on.
A few moments later, they slipped into a deserted alleyway.
While Gwen kept watch, Peter quickly put on his costume.
— Done? Are you finished? she asked.
— Yeah, let's go!
Spider-Man grabbed his backpack, picked Gwen up in his arms, and immediately launched himself into the New York skyline.
They sped between the buildings at incredible speed.
The wind whipped against their faces as skyscrapers flew past them.
Eventually, Spider-Man landed on the roof of a building overlooking a large avenue.
Then they looked down below.
And froze.
Chaos ruled the streets.
Overturned cars.
Shattered storefronts.
Fires.
Looting.
Robberies.
Dozens... maybe even hundreds of criminals were flooding the city.
— Oh... my God, Gwen whispered. But... what is this?!
Spider-Man remained motionless.
— What the hell is this...?
Suddenly, his phone vibrated.
George Stacy.
He answered immediately.
— Peter! Peter, is Gwen with you?
— Yeah, she's with me, but—
Before he could finish, Gwen practically snatched the phone from his hands.
— Dad! Are you okay?!
— Yes, sweetheart. And you? Are you safe?!
— Yes! I'm on a rooftop with Peter.
— Perfect. Stay with him!
— Yeah, but where are you?
— I'm still at Central Precinct, don't worry!
Spider-Man took the phone back.
— George, explain this to me. What is all this? Why are there so many criminals outside?! What's happening?!
On the other end of the line, George fell silent.
Then he answered bitterly.
— They're the Ryker inmates... They... they've all escaped.
Spider-Man felt his stomach tighten.
— What?! But how is that possible?!
— I don't know! We just received an alert from the prison reporting a problem, then nothing. Since then, it's been total panic! They're pouring into the city!
Peter remained silent.
A sentence immediately came back to him.
"He's ready for anything."
The words George had spoken to him a few days earlier.
His expression darkened.
— Tombstone... You didn't really go that far... did you?!
New York — Tombstone Headquarters — Top Floor — Evening
At the top of a skyscraper overlooking Manhattan, Tombstone watched the city.
Standing behind a massive glass window, he stared at the flames lighting up the streets.
A glass of whiskey rested in his hand.
A satisfied smile slowly spread across his face.
— Releasing every criminal wasn't part of the plan... but Osborn warned me.
He raised the glass to his lips and took a sip.
— And in the end... it's not such a bad thing.
His gaze settled on the chaos stretching as far as the eye could see.
— I'll just recruit this scum and turn them into my mercenaries.
His smile widened.
— All I have to do now is wait and enjoy your downfall, Spider-Man. Let's see how you get out of this one.
TO BE CONTINUED.