New York — Bank — Day
At the scene of the robbery, the bank's heavy reinforced doors had just burst open with a metallic crash. Moments later, the six supervillains, already well known to law enforcement, emerged from the building one after another. Each carried a massive black duffel bag on their back, so stuffed with cash that it looked ready to split under its own weight.
Just a few yards away, a patrol car had screeched to an emergency stop. The doors flew open, and two police officers immediately stepped out, their guns already aimed at the criminals.
— "HANDS IN THE AIR!"
— "Like this?"
With a mocking smile, he slowly raised his hands, as though he truly intended to comply.
Then, without the slightest warning...
A violent burst of electricity erupted from his body.
The explosion that followed obliterated the police car with a deafening blast. The two officers had just enough time to dive aside before the shockwave engulfed them, narrowly escaping serious injuries.
— "All units! We need backup! Get here now!"
She hurriedly reached for the radio attached to her shoulder to call for reinforcements. But before she could even finish her message, one of Doctor Octopus's metallic arms shot forward at incredible speed and violently grabbed her.
— "H-Hey! LET HER GO! LET HER GO OR I'LL SHOOT!"
Doctor Octopus smirked.
— "You want me to let her go? Very well... if that's what you want."
Without the slightest hesitation, he hurled the young officer into the air with terrifying force.
Her scream instantly echoed through the street. For a split second, she was convinced she was about to crash into the pavement.
Then, a black-and-white figure streaked across the sky at incredible speed.
Spider-Man appeared at the last possible moment, caught her in midair, then descended with her and gently set her back on the ground.
The policewoman remained frozen, unable to utter a single word. Her breath was still caught in her throat, and the emptiness in her eyes reflected the shock of what she had just experienced. For one brief moment, she had truly believed her final hour had come.
On the other side, Doctor Octopus stared at the young hero for a long moment. His expression revealed genuine surprise.
— "Spider-Man? Is that really you?"
The young hero slowly turned toward him. His attitude was strangely calm... almost icy.
— "Who else do you think it'd be?"
— "Well, I don't know... Your suit's changed quite a bit. What, did someone die recently or something?"
Amused by his own joke, he let out a light laugh. But it came to an abrupt stop almost immediately when the policewoman Spider-Man had just saved suddenly raised her weapon and pointed it directly at him. Her partner quickly followed suit, aiming his gun at the young hero as well.
— "P-Put your hands in the air, Spider-Man!"
Peter slowly turned his head toward them, visibly exasperated by the situation. He had barely saved this officer's life, and she was already pointing her gun at him as though he were the real threat.
He didn't even try to justify himself. Not a single word left his lips. Despite the mask hiding his face, his posture spoke for itself:
The slight tilt of his head, his stillness, and the silence he imposed all reflected a profound sense of disappointment, mixed with the bitter feeling of betrayal. Meanwhile, the other criminals casually gathered around Doctor Octopus, watching the scene with curiosity.
— "Looks like the police don't like him very much," Sandman remarked.
— "Looks like they hate him even more than they hate us," Shocker added.
— "Hey... maybe we should take this opportunity to leave?" Scorpion asked.
— "Leave? No! This time, we kill him! Once and for all!" Electro declared aggressively.
Just the thought of finally killing Spider-Man made Electro even more excited. Thin arcs of electricity began crackling all over his body, dancing around him as an almost sinister smile slowly spread across his face.
That was when Rhino spoke up, still with that almost astonishing innocence that contrasted completely with the enormous brute that he was.
— "Yeah! This time, we kill him!"
— "That's exactly what he just said, for God's sake..."
Sandman let out a deep sigh, visibly exasperated by his teammate's behavior.
Almost every single time, Rhino simply repeated whatever someone else had just said like a parrot, and it was seriously starting to get on his nerves.
— "Very well..."
Peter let out a quiet sigh.
He'd had enough.
Without the slightest warning, he suddenly sprang into action. In just a few seconds, he neutralized both police officers. A strand of black webbing shot from his wrists, pinning them down before ripping their weapons away, then a second strand gagged their mouths to prevent them from interfering any further. His sequence of movements was so fast and precise that by the time he came to a stop again, he was already standing with his back to the supervillains.
— "I didn't know you attacked police officers, Spider. Is that suit going to your head? Looks like black really suits your attitude."
— "No. But this time... I'm sending all of you to prison with only one thing on your minds: staying there."
At those words, a brief silence settled over the criminals. They all wore the same expression of surprise. Something had changed about Spider-Man. His voice was icy, far colder than during any of their previous encounters.
He hadn't cracked a single one of his usual jokes, wasn't trying to provoke his opponents, and remained unusually quiet. This simply wasn't the Spider-Man they were used to fighting.
Even some of them seemed slightly unsettled.
— "Looks like your memory's failing you. Have you forgotten what happened last time? One-on-one, you might be stronger... but against all six of us..."
As he spoke, he slowly raised his mechanical arms, proudly gesturing toward each member of his team. His smile reflected the complete confidence he had in their combined strength.
— "Do you really think you can defeat the Terrifying Six ?"
Certain that the outcome of the fight was beyond doubt, Doctor Octopus let out a satisfied laugh. He seemed almost as proud of their group's name as he was of the power they represented together.
Yet before him...
Peter didn't move.
Still standing with his back to them, he remained perfectly motionless for several long seconds, allowing his opponent's laughter to echo through the street without trying to interrupt it. He patiently waited until Doctor Octopus had finished basking in his own confidence before finally speaking again.
— "Bad news, Six-Arms. You can forget the name "Terrifying Six.""
Doctor Octopus's laughter died instantly. His eyebrows furrowed as an expression of confusion spread across his face.
That was when Peter slowly turned around.
Now facing the Terrifying Six, he finally stood before them without the slightest hesitation. His posture, the way he carried himself, and the strange aura that now seemed to surround him were nothing like those of the Spider-Man they knew.
And this time... it wasn't the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man standing before them.
In a calm voice, yet one filled with icy determination, he declared without ever taking his eyes off them:
— "Because soon... you'll be nothing more than the Terrified Six."
TO BE CONTINUED.