Chapter 11: The Web Discovery
The night was thick with tension as Oscorp's convoy rolled through the industrial district. The lead SUV's headlights cut through the darkness, flanked by two identical vehicles bristling with mounted drones and armed guards. The convoy's centerpiece, a heavily reinforced transport truck, rumbled between them, its contents a mystery even to the guards escorting it.
Above the street, Mac Gargan crouched on the girders of an old warehouse, his glowing eyes locked on the convoy. His pulse thrummed with the unnatural power surging through his veins, and his lips twisted into a feral grin.
"Let's see how untouchable you really are, Norman," he muttered.
With a deafening crash, Gargan leapt from the girders, landing on the lead SUV. The roof caved under the impact, the vehicle swerving violently before slamming into a streetlight. Chaos erupted as guards spilled from their vehicles, shouting commands and raising their weapons.
Gargan moved like a force of nature. He ripped the SUV's roof clean off, tossing it aside like paper. His hands gripped the driver and threw him into the side of a nearby building. The guards opened fire, their bullets ricocheting off Gargan's hardened skin.
Heller watched from a shadowy alley, his breath catching in his throat. Gargan wasn't just dangerous—he was unstoppable. Every movement was calculated brutality, every roar a declaration of power.
As the guards regrouped, deploying drones to flank him, Gargan turned his attention to the transport truck. His hands crushed through the reinforced metal doors as if they were foil. Inside, Oscorp technology gleamed under the faint light, its value immeasurable.
"This is mine now," Gargan growled, hoisting a glowing device onto his shoulder.
A sudden surge of rage overtook him, and he smashed the truck's remaining contents into twisted scraps. His breaths were ragged, his muscles twitching with excess energy.
Heller's hands shook as he backed away, his mind racing. Gargan wasn't just out for revenge—he was spiraling into chaos. If someone didn't stop him soon, the city wouldn't survive his wrath.
The academic club room at Midtown High buzzed with activity. Students huddled around laptops and diagrams, debating theories and strategies. Peter hesitated in the doorway, the energy of the room both intimidating and inviting.
"There you are!" Liz Allan's voice rang out, drawing several heads. She waved Peter over with a bright smile, her enthusiasm palpable. "Come on, don't be shy."
Peter swallowed hard and stepped inside, feeling every pair of eyes on him. Liz looped an arm through his and led him to the center of the room.
"Everyone, this is Peter Parker," Liz announced. "He's, like, a genius. Trust me, we just scored big."
Peter rubbed the back of his neck, trying to laugh off the attention. "Uh, I wouldn't say genius. I just like science."
Liz grinned. "See? Humble and smart. We love that."
Before Peter could respond, the door creaked open, and Flash Thompson strolled in. His eyes scanned the room, narrowing when they landed on Liz and Peter.
"Hey, Liz," Flash said casually, though his tone was anything but. "Didn't know you were recruiting new members."
Liz's smile tightened. "Flash, we're in the middle of something. Did you need something?"
Flash ignored her, his gaze locking onto Peter. "Parker. Didn't think this was your scene."
Peter shrugged, keeping his tone light. "Guess I'm full of surprises."
Flash smirked, his posture deliberately casual as he leaned against a table. "Just remember, some things are out of your league."
Liz rolled her eyes, grabbing Peter's arm. "Ignore him. Let's get started."
Across the city, Alaric Kane stood in a dimly lit garage, his team of mercenaries gathered around him. A large map of the city was spread across the table, dotted with markers indicating Gargan's recent attacks.
"He's not moving randomly," Alaric said, his voice calm but commanding. "Each attack brings him closer to Oscorp Tower. He's planning something big."
One of the mercenaries frowned, pointing to a marker. "He's leaving a trail, though. We could use this to set a trap."
Alaric nodded. "We will. But be ready—this isn't a man we're dealing with anymore. Whatever Oscorp did to him, it's turned him into something… more."
Norman Osborn's voice crackled over the comms. "I don't want speculation, Kane. I want results. Bring him in, or don't bother coming back."
Alaric smirked faintly, his confidence unshaken. "Understood."
Peter sat on his bed, the faint glow of the TV casting shadows across his room. A news anchor detailed the latest attack on an Oscorp convoy, the screen filled with images of destruction and chaos. The footage showed overturned vehicles, shattered crates, and frantic security personnel—another violent mark left by the mysterious assailant who had been terrorizing the city.
Peter leaned forward, his hands gripping his knees tightly. His heart felt heavy as the images replayed in his mind. "This is my fault," he muttered, the guilt clawing at him. "If I hadn't been in that lab…"
He let the thought hang in the air, the weight of his actions pressing down on him. The muffled voices of the news anchors faded into the background as Peter's mind raced, connecting dots he didn't want to see. His chest tightened at the idea that his presence at Oscorp might have set off a chain reaction he couldn't control.
A soft knock at the door pulled him from his thoughts. Aunt May stepped inside, her kind eyes immediately finding his troubled face. "Penny for your thoughts?" she asked gently, sitting beside him on the bed.
Peter hesitated, forcing a weak smile. "Just… school stuff. Nothing major."
May didn't buy it. She tilted her head, her gaze soft yet probing. "You've been distant lately, Pete. You're not yourself."
"I'm fine, Aunt May. Really," he said quickly, though his voice wavered slightly.
She placed a hand on his shoulder, her warmth grounding him. "You know," she began, her tone thoughtful, "even small actions can make a big difference. You don't have to solve every problem, but you can choose to help where you can. Don't be afraid to step up when it counts."
Peter looked at her, his throat tightening at the sincerity in her words. He wanted to tell her everything—that he wasn't just dealing with normal school problems, that his world had changed in ways he couldn't explain. But the words stayed locked in his chest.
Uncle Ben's voice echoed from the hallway, a playful impatience in his tone. "What's the holdup, May? Dinner's getting cold!"
May chuckled, ruffling Peter's hair affectionately. "Think about what I said, sweetheart. You're stronger than you think. And remember, we're always here for you."
Peter nodded, his voice quiet. "Thanks, Aunt May."
She gave him a warm smile before heading out, leaving the door ajar. The room fell silent again, save for the faint murmur of the TV. Peter exhaled slowly, May's words lingering in his mind. Could he really make a difference? Did he even have the right to try, knowing what his abilities might mean for those around him?
He flexed his fingers absently, his thoughts still swirling—and then froze.
A sticky strand shot from his wrist, attaching to the corner of his desk. Peter's eyes widened, his breath catching as he stared at the shimmering webline. He tugged his hand back instinctively, and the web snapped with a faint twang.
"What the—?" he whispered, his voice barely audible.
Heart pounding, he held his hand up, inspecting it closely. The skin looked normal, but the memory of the strand shooting out was vivid and undeniable. His mind raced as he tried to piece together what had just happened.
Experimentally, he formed a fist, his fingers curling tightly. Another web shot out, this time sticking to the lamp on his desk. The sudden force yanked it off the table, sending it crashing to the floor with a loud clatter.
Peter scrambled to clean up, panic and awe fighting for dominance in his chest. He crouched over the broken lamp, staring at the thin strands of webbing that still clung to his wrist. "This just keeps getting weirder," he muttered, his voice shaky.
He glanced toward the open door, half-expecting Aunt May or Uncle Ben to come running. When no one appeared, he carefully swept the broken pieces of the lamp into a pile, his hands trembling slightly. The reality of his situation hit him like a wave—his body was changing, and the limits of those changes were still a mystery.
Peter held up his hand again, flexing his fingers cautiously. A faint tingle buzzed in his palm, as if the web was waiting just beneath the surface, ready to be summoned. For the first time in days, he felt something other than fear—an inkling of wonder, a spark of curiosity.
But the questions came flooding back. What did this mean? How far did his abilities go? And most importantly, what was he supposed to do with them?
The faint glow of the TV flickered behind him, the news anchor's voice cutting through his thoughts: "Authorities are urging citizens to remain vigilant as Oscorp tightens security measures in light of the recent attacks…"
Peter stared at his reflection in the dark window, his expression a mix of uncertainty and determination. He didn't have the answers yet, but one thing was clear—his life was no longer ordinary. And whether he liked it or not, he couldn't ignore the responsibilities that came with his newfound abilities.