Spider-Man: Web of Shadows

Chapter 21: The Hunt Begins

The night sky was alive with the hum of the city. New York had always been a place where the lights never truly went out, where the hustle of daily life never stopped, and where Peter Parker could blend in among the chaos, hiding his true identity behind a mask. But tonight, something was different.

Peter's thoughts were consumed by the weight of his recent discoveries. Norman Osborn was behind the conspiracy that had claimed his parents' lives. And now, it seemed, Osborn was coming after him, after everything Peter held dear. It wasn't just about revenge anymore; it was about stopping a force of pure destruction.

But as Peter swung through the streets, dodging between buildings, he couldn't shake the image of MJ's face. The look of hurt in her eyes lingered, like a scar that wouldn't heal. He had promised her he would fix things, but he wasn't sure how. He had always been good at fighting, at swinging through the city as Spider-Man, but this—this was different. He couldn't just punch his way out of it.

Peter took a deep breath, the wind rushing past him as he flipped through the air, coming to a landing on a rooftop. He didn't have the luxury of time to sort things out with MJ. The danger was closing in, and the threats were multiplying.

As Spider-Man, he had always been able to handle danger. But this was bigger than any villain he'd ever faced. This was personal. His parents. His friends. His life.

Peter pulled out his phone and dialed Harry's number.

"Harry, what's the next step?" Peter's voice was tight, determined.

Harry's response came quickly, his voice just as serious. "I've been digging into Oscorp. There's something they're working on. Something huge. I don't know all the details, but if we want to stop them, we need to get to the heart of it."

Peter's mind raced as he processed Harry's words. "Where do we start?"

"The old Oscorp facility on the outskirts of the city. It's abandoned now, but I have a feeling that's where everything's going down. We need to get there, Peter. We need to find out what Osborn's been hiding."

Peter's jaw clenched. "I'll be there in twenty minutes."

After hanging up, Peter crouched on the rooftop, looking out over the sprawling city below. He didn't have a lot of time to waste. Every second that passed brought him closer to a confrontation with Osborn. The thought sent a cold shiver down his spine. But he couldn't back down. Not now. Not when so much was on the line.

He shot a web into the air and launched himself toward the distant horizon, the night air rushing past him as he rocketed across the city. The destination was clear now. The old Oscorp facility. And with it, the answers he had been searching for. Answers about his parents. About his destiny.

The old Oscorp facility loomed in the distance, a dark silhouette against the glow of the city lights. It had been abandoned for years, a relic of the past. But now, it seemed to hold the answers Peter desperately needed.

He landed on the roof of the facility, his heart racing as he scanned the area. The place was eerily quiet, no signs of movement, no guards standing watch. But something told Peter that wasn't a good sign. It was too easy. And easy never meant safe.

He crouched down, his senses alert as he moved closer to the edge of the roof. Below him, the entrance was guarded by a few armed men—mercenaries, most likely. Peter's spider-sense was tingling, warning him of the imminent danger. He didn't know what was inside, but he could feel that whatever it was, it was bad.

With swift precision, Peter shot a web to one of the nearby vents, pulling himself silently down the side of the building, staying hidden in the shadows. As he reached the ground, he ducked behind a pile of crates, his heart pounding in his chest.

This was it. The moment of truth.

Peter watched as the mercenaries patrolled the area, their movements mechanical and well-rehearsed. They weren't here by accident. They were guarding something—someone. Peter's eyes narrowed as he scanned the area, looking for an opening.

He waited for a few minutes, his fingers tingling with anticipation. Then, when the guards' attention was momentarily diverted, he made his move. With a quick burst of speed, he webbed up behind one of the men, pulling him into the shadows before he could make a sound. A swift punch knocked him out cold, and Peter quickly tied him up with webbing, leaving him hanging from a nearby pipe.

Two down, more to go.

Peter moved through the shadows, taking out one guard after another with silent, calculated precision. It wasn't long before he was at the main entrance of the facility, where the large steel doors stood ominously. This was where he would find the truth.

His hand hovered over the door handle, and for a moment, he hesitated. What if this was a trap? What if Osborn had anticipated his every move?

Peter pushed the doubts aside. He couldn't afford to think like that. Not anymore.

With a deep breath, he opened the door, stepping into the dimly lit facility. The air was thick with dust, the long-abandoned machinery standing like silent witnesses to the years of secrets that had been kept here. Peter's eyes adjusted to the darkness as he crept deeper into the facility, his senses on high alert.

Every step he took felt like it brought him closer to a confrontation he wasn't sure he was ready for. But he didn't have a choice. He had to find the truth.

And in this place, with its cold, metallic walls and lingering shadows, he knew the truth would come with a heavy price.

As he moved further into the facility, Peter's thoughts returned to MJ. He couldn't stop thinking about her. About the way she had looked at him that day in the café. She had been so torn, so unsure of him. And for good reason. He had lied to her. He had kept so much from her.

But could he fix it? Could he repair the damage he had caused?

He pushed the thoughts away. Right now, he didn't have the luxury of worrying about his relationship with MJ. That could wait. The danger was real, and if he didn't act now, everything he cared about could be lost.

Suddenly, his spider-sense flared, and Peter froze. A sound echoed through the facility—a soft metallic creak. Someone was coming.

He quickly ducked behind a large piece of equipment, holding his breath, waiting. The footsteps grew louder, and then a shadow passed over him. Peter's heart raced as he peered around the corner.

A figure stood in the doorway—a tall, imposing man in a dark suit. His face was hidden in the shadows, but Peter could tell from his posture that he was no ordinary mercenary.

Peter's grip on his web-shooters tightened. He had to act fast.

Without another thought, Peter launched himself from his hiding spot, webbing up the man before he could react. The figure let out a surprised grunt as he was slammed against the wall, but before Peter could move in for the knockout, the man's hand shot out, grabbing hold of Peter's wrist with a vice-like grip.

Peter's spider-sense screamed in warning, but it was too late.

A sharp, electric shock surged through Peter's body, causing his muscles to seize up in pain. He gritted his teeth, trying to resist the shock, but the force of it was overwhelming. The man laughed, a low, menacing sound.

"You really think you can stop me, Spider-Man?" the man's voice was cold, filled with contempt. "You're too late. Osborn's plans are already in motion. And you—you're nothing but a nuisance."

Peter's vision blurred, but through the haze, he could see the man's face for the first time—a face he knew all too well.

It was Norman Osborn.

End of Chapter 21.

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