Spider-Man: Web of Shadows

Chapter 30: Shadows of the Future

Peter's heart raced as he swung through the streets, his mind focused on the strange crash that had interrupted his moment with Mary Jane. The sound had been unmistakable—something big had just happened, and it was happening right now.

What the hell was that?

His mind raced as he darted between buildings, the dark streets of New York flashing by beneath him. The crash had come from a few blocks away, near an industrial district on the outskirts of the city. It wasn't a part of town he usually patrolled, but something told him this time was different. The air had shifted, and he could feel the weight of it pressing down on him.

No time to waste.

As he reached the industrial district, Peter's spider-sense flared violently, warning him of immediate danger. He landed softly on a rooftop and crouched low, scanning the area below. His eyes narrowed as he spotted the source of the crash: a massive hole in the side of an abandoned factory, smoke billowing from the wreckage.

Peter's instincts told him to be cautious. Whatever had caused that crash wasn't just a random accident. There was something much bigger at play here.

He swung closer to the factory, sticking to the shadows as he crept along the building's edge. As he reached a broken window, he peered inside. The sight that greeted him was enough to freeze his blood.

A large figure—shrouded in darkness—was moving through the smoke, stepping over debris. Peter's spider-sense screamed. This was no ordinary criminal. The figure moved with purpose, its body covered in what appeared to be some kind of armored suit, black and sleek, with glowing red eyes.

Peter's heart skipped a beat.

Not another one. Not now.

His thoughts flashed back to the chaos caused by Venom, and a sick feeling crawled up his spine. Whoever this was, they weren't here to play. They were a real threat.

The figure's head snapped in his direction, and Peter's heart stuttered. The glowing red eyes locked onto him. It was almost as if the figure knew exactly where he was, as if it had been waiting for him.

"Spider-Man…" a low, distorted voice rumbled from within the helmet. The voice sounded mechanical, like the speaker was wearing a voice modulator. "You're not as clever as they say you are."

Peter instinctively shot a web at the edge of the building, swinging to the other side, just as the mysterious figure fired a blast of energy. The blast missed, but the shockwave from the impact sent Peter spiraling. His webbing snapped as he collided with another rooftop.

His head spun, but he quickly regained his bearings, gritting his teeth. Who is this guy?

The figure didn't waste any time. With a swift motion, the dark silhouette moved, closing the distance between them with unnerving speed. Peter fired off another web, aiming at the figure's face, hoping to blind it for a moment.

But the armored figure was prepared. A field of energy rippled around the suit, deflecting Peter's webbing. In an instant, the figure was upon him, grabbing his wrist with one gloved hand and slamming him to the ground with shocking force.

Peter groaned, struggling to break free, but the figure's grip was like iron. "You're a pest," the mysterious figure continued, its voice cold and detached. "And pests need to be exterminated."

This guy's strong.

Peter gritted his teeth, focusing on his spider-sense and his agility. He needed to find a way out of this. As the figure lifted him into the air to slam him again, Peter kicked off from the ground, twisting his body mid-air. With a quick maneuver, he used his webs to ensnare the figure's legs, sending him sprawling.

Peter didn't wait for the figure to recover. He launched himself at the armored opponent, but as he got closer, he realized something—he wasn't just fighting a man in armor. There was something more to this. The figure's movements were too fluid, too precise. And that glowing red in the eyes—it wasn't just for show.

What the hell is going on here?

He landed on the figure's back, attempting to subdue him, but before he could do much, the armored figure swung an elbow into Peter's ribs, knocking the air out of him. The force of the hit sent him tumbling to the side, landing hard against the factory wall.

Peter groaned in pain, barely able to catch his breath as the figure stood tall, its red eyes flashing ominously. "This is where your story ends, Spider-Man."

Peter's mind raced. He couldn't take much more of this. The armored figure was powerful, faster than anything he had encountered before. And he hadn't even been able to figure out who—or what—he was dealing with.

The figure's voice cut through the silence. "I was sent to eliminate you. Your interference is no longer tolerated."

Eliminate me? Peter's brain was working in overdrive now. This wasn't just some random attacker. This was a targeted threat—someone who had been sent for a very specific reason.

He had to buy himself time. Peter quickly shot a web at the factory ceiling, causing a small section to collapse, sending dust and debris flying into the air. The distraction worked, momentarily obscuring the figure's vision.

Peter wasn't about to waste the opportunity. He flipped to his feet, firing a web that latched onto the figure's helmet. He yanked hard, trying to rip it off, but the figure's armor reacted, sending an electric jolt through Peter's body. The shock caused him to stumble backward, his legs giving way as his muscles seized.

The armored figure advanced, its stance methodical, as if it had been trained to fight someone exactly like Spider-Man.

"You don't understand," the figure intoned, "You're nothing. You never were. The world will be better when you're gone."

Peter's head buzzed. This guy's out for blood. And it wasn't just any blood—it was his.

Before Peter could react, the figure raised a gauntlet, pointing it directly at Peter's chest. Energy began to charge inside the gauntlet, crackling with a violent blue light. The air around them began to hum with the power building up.

This is bad. Really bad.

Peter's spider-sense was going haywire, the danger too great to ignore. But he had one advantage left. His webs.

As the energy blast erupted from the figure's gauntlet, Peter fired a web at the weapon, just as it discharged. The blast collided with the webbing, and instead of hitting Peter, the shockwave ricocheted back, blasting the figure off his feet.

Peter didn't waste the opportunity. He leaped toward the fallen figure, using his agility to strike with precision. But as he attempted to deliver the final blow, the armored figure activated a pulse, sending Peter flying backward, landing hard on the ground.

As the dust began to settle, the figure stood, his voice reverberating with cold finality. "I will not be stopped. I will be back. And next time, you won't escape."

With that, the mysterious figure vanished into the shadows, leaving Peter to collect himself. The fight had been a near disaster. He wasn't sure who or what he had just fought, but one thing was clear—the stakes were getting higher.

Peter slowly stood, his body bruised and aching, but his resolve stronger than ever. This was far from over.

End of Chapter 30