Chapter 7: Make Way for Mysterio Part I

Chapter 7: Make Way for Mysterio Part I:

“One of the chief inventions of Oscorp has been our state of the art security systems,” said Norman Osborn as he spoke with members of the press. “Our security system has been used by many buildings owned by the United States government but Oscorp will continue to strive for the safety of the citizens of both this city and the entire nation. We are confident that our new portable security system will be a valuable asset for any home. At Oscorp, we strive to make this new portable model a balance between being affective and affordable. We aim to have this device in stores by the Christmas season, perhaps earlier. It is always a work in progress and with electronics there are always issues that need to be worked out.”

Peter stood and watched, camera at the ready, as he stood right beside Harry, who looked bored out of his mind at his father’s tour of Oscorp and Ned Leeds, a reporter of the Daily Report who had been sent with Peter by Jameson for this assignment. Not to mention several other reporters and photographers who moved around for a chance to get a peak inside Oscorp, as Norman Osborn rarely granted the press any access.

“And here is another prized invention of mine, the Oscorp Tech Flight Glider,” continued Norman. “An invention that I spent years working on with my own two hands, patented Oscorp technology that will be a boon to science and humanity. While very few private applications can be utilized, there are many ways where it could serve us and I am proud to reveal this groundbreaking technology for the very first time.”

Peter focused his camera as Norman pointed out some of the tech flight gear. It looked rather bland to the normal eye, but Peter was certain that the scientific potential was intriguing never the less. He looked over as Norman walked over.

“Here is our research and development lab, where most of the magic happens with Oscorp, but I’m afraid press access is restricted due to the dangerous equipment in there,” said Norman. “We wouldn’t want any accidents to happen that could be fatal.”

“Yeah, you wouldn’t,” muttered Harry to himself, which only Peter heard and he was curious at the amount of sarcasm in Harry’s voice.

“Mr. Osborn,” said one of the members of the press. “What do you have to say to the allegations that you are using your technology as a front to create dangerous weapons to sell to the criminal underworld in New York?”

“Whoever started that rumor is a fountain of misinformation,” said Norman calmly, without missing a beat or even breaking a sweat. “I do admit that weapons development has been something that I have been involved in the past, but I assure you that it was fully in collaboration with the United States government. Norman Osborn would never align himself with the criminal elements plaguing this city.”

“What about the rumored unauthorized disposal of dangerous chemicals?” asked another reporter.

“Purely fiction once again,” said Norman. “The opportunity to clear this matter up is welcomed but remember, there are those who will slander the good name of Oscorp for their own petty gain. They don’t value the consumer as much Oscorp and Norman Osborn does, rather there own bank accounts. Money is rarely an object for me, as you can see by the photos in my office and newspaper clippings detailing donations to orphanages and various charities. The city has given me an opportunity and thus I have paid it back in full by helping those less fortunate.”

“Pouring it on a little thick, eh, Norm?” thought Peter but he hid his amusement at the look on Harry’s face. His friend appeared physically ill at how his father was acting but a look from Norman has stopped the antics of his son. “Oh, well, I got some pictures for Jameson and for once, I didn’t have to risk my neck to get them. All in a day’s work I guess.

A loud bang echoed throughout the hallway and a cloud of green smoke appeared, with loud, echoing laughter following. The smoke began to clear as a figure wearing green with a purple cape and gloves appeared. As the smoke cleared a bit better, the man wore a glass helmet over his head that obstructed his identity.

“Bow before me mortals, for I am Mysterio!” bellowed Mysterio in a voice that echoed throughout the hallway. “For too long humanity has its minds softened by the mighty pull of technology, unable to determine the difference between fantasy and reality, but now, I, Mysterio shall begin to show the error of this foolish way of thinking!”

“Time to make a change,” thought Peter desperately but he came to his senses, security guards and members of the press were all around, with the nearest exit blocked. “Or not, I have to keep an eye on this joker, since what he’s up to.”

“Get him!” shouted Norman to his security force who held their guns but Mysterio just responded with a loud round of laughter.

“Fools, you can’t match up to the power of Mysterio!” bellowed Mysterio in a thunder voice and suddenly the weapons were ripped from their hands before they crumbled into dust. The security guards tried a physical attack, but they struck an invisible force, knocked down to the ground, before Mysterio dropped down, his eyes on a particular expensive piece of technology. “None can challenge the utter might of Mysterio and the spoils of today belong to me!”

Mysterio raised his hand and a flash of light appeared. Peter stood, surprised as the technology and Mysterio having vanished, his camera inadvertently have gone off taking a picture. It did no good as both Mysterio and the technology had vanished and one Norman Osborn was not too happy.

“Menken, call the police, tell them there was a theft,” ordered Norman swiftly but the question on his mind was exactly how this Mysterio had managed to breach the Oscorp security. It was air tight with no flaws, he had a group of experts in stealth attempt to break through and they did not get through.

Norman turned to the members of the press.

“All of you will leave right now, given the events of this day a full investigation needs to be taken and the members of the press will not be required,” said Norman coldly, as the press was escorted away. Peter stepped back quickly.

“Perhaps Spider-Man could find a trace of Mysterio somewhere,” thought Peter.

“Harry, return home, immediately,” said Norman swiftly and Harry just shrugged, before he turned.

“I wonder how that Mysterio pulled that disappearing trick,” said Harry in a low voice to Peter. “I mean, people just don’t disappear into mid air, unless he really is a magician.”

“That’s all done with smoke and mirrors, but it did seem pretty sudden and whatever trickery he used wasn’t obvious,” said Peter, screwing his eyes up in thought. “I need to get these photos back to the Bugle, Jameson’s going to want them, especially after news hit that Oscorp got hit.”

“Right, catch you later, Pete,” said Harry, as he had to admit that the robbery of Mysterio was the most exciting thing to happen during one of his mandatory trips to Oscorp ever, but the all too unpleasant realization that this would set his father on the war path reached its ugly head.

-

“LEEDS!” bellowed Jameson which caused the reporter to step back in slight intimidation. He had been working at the Bugle for a couple of years but it seemed like J. Jonah Jameson was a person that one did not get used to. “What do you mean the thief just disappeared with the technology?”

“That’s just what I mean, boss, he was some kind of sorcerer or magician or I don’t know,” protested Ned as he tried to wrap his head around the situation. It sounded ridiculous he would have to admit, but he knew what he saw and what he was a disappearing act. “He was calling himself Mysterio…”

“Mysterio?” asked Jameson incuriously and Ned responded with a meek nod. “MYSTERIO? What kind of nutcase calls himself that? And this utter tabloid fantasy about disappearing tech, if you ask me, you need your head examined Leeds.”

“There were witnesses, Mr. Jameson,” protested Ned.

“Calm down Jonah, I’m sure there is a logical explanation for all of this,” said Robbie. “When Peter gets here with the photos, I’m sure that…”

“Speaker of which where is Parker, he should have been here twelve seconds ago!” bellowed Jameson, red in the face.

“Right here, Mr. Jameson, sir,” said Peter as he walked over, with his newly developed photos and he held them looking at him. “From the press conference today and even…a couple of Mysterio stealing the tech from Oscorp?”

“What?” asked Ned. “That’s impossible, we were both there, we saw both the tech and Mysterio vanish into thin air.”

“Especially since these photos were taken after Mysterio and the tech vanished,” said Peter but Jonah took the photos, as he looked them over. “Both Mysterio and the tech disappeared so how…”

“Both of your are hallucinating as far as I’m concerned, right here, plain as day, in black and white, well actually in color but that’s beside the point, is that Mysterio whack job stealing the technology,” said Jameson as he pointed to the photos. “I don’t know where either of you get that the technology just disappeared. Technology simply doesn’t disappear, it gets stolen! Now we run this photo, along with Leeds’ story, after cleaning it up a little bit to remove the rubbish about a disappearing magician and technology, and put in Parker’s photo in it. Fifty dollars by the way, would have been more had you got the entire villain in the picture.”

“Don’t suppose that I better tell the Jolly One that I accidentally got that photo,” thought Peter. “But I wonder what happened, I mean everyone saw the technology and Mysterio disappear as clear as day…”

“Peter, you were there, I saw it disappear and so did you,” protested Ned.

“I know, it did and I saw it but you know how Mr. Jameson gets when he has his mind made up about something,” said Peter, bitterly thinking about Spider-Man. “Just got to roll with the punches I suppose.”

“Maybe Spider-Man could find out what game Mysterio’s playing or he would if he was not grounded for another week,” thought Peter. “Wish I would have been able to slip a tracking device on him or something, but let’s face it, I don’t have that kind of money. The perils of being a teenage super hero living with his aunt and working on a shoestring budget I guess. Oh well, better get home, don’t want to worry Aunt May.”

-

“Peter are you okay?” asked Aunt May. “I heard what happened at Oscorp…some awful man named Mystery or something…”

“Mysterio, Aunt May,” said Peter. “He popped in and stole some technology, disappeared into thin air, it sounds silly but that’s what I saw.”

“I swear, there are some strange people in New York sometimes,” remarked Aunt May and Peter nodded, he could attest to that. “I was worried when you didn’t come straight home, I thought something had happened…”

“I just had to drop some photos off at the Bugle, that sort of thing,” replied Peter. “After what happened the other night, I got back as soon as I could.”

“I want to talk about that night, Peter,” said Aunt May. “I know you can get tied up in your work, but there is no excuse for being out at one o’clock at night. Especially on a school night and you had me worried sick.”

“It won’t happen again, Aunt May, I swear,” said Peter.

“I know it won’t Peter, you’re normally a good boy and after what happened to Ben….” stated May before she trailed off. “Not a day goes by where I don’t think about him...”

“I know exactly how you feel, Aunt May,” said Peter.

“Still, I can’t help but wonder, you’ve been a bit off since Ben died and you’re going through a tough time, as am I admit,” said May as she looked at her nephew seriously. “The help is appreciated Peter, the money from the Bugle but we have to have a serious discussion about that arrangement.”

“About what?” asked Peter.

“You aren’t keeping any of the money for yourself, young man,” said May sternly.

“Aunt May, I have to take care of you,” protested Peter.

“I’m under the impression that it’s the other way around Peter, considering that I’m the adult here,” said May firmly. “The help while appreciated doesn’t have to be all from you. I’m looking for a part time job so I can take some of the burden off of you Peter.”

“It’s no burden at all Aunt May,” said Peter.

“It is when you work that Jameson man and have to put up with his attitude and then give all the money to me,” said May. “Either you promise to take every other paycheck for yourself or I won’t accept any more help from you at all.”

“Are you sure Aunt May?” asked Peter. “About working…”

“Peter, I’m not frail, I can work,” said May with a laugh before she grew serious. “Most children your age would not help out and that would be something that I can’t accept if you were like that but you’re not. Rather you’re at the other extreme, you help out too much. So do we understand each other, Peter?”

“Yes, Aunt May,” said Peter.

“Lovely,” said May. “And in another week, you can stay out until nine on school nights and ten on weekends, but no later, unless it’s an absolute emergency and you call first.”

“That’s more than fair Aunt May,” said Peter, who was not going to plan any late night trips to Latveria, not if he could help it anyway.

-

“Dispose of this tech, it is of little use to me, if you can find a buyer on the black market, then fine, but other wise get rid if it,” said Quentin Beck as removed his helmet before he sat down right at a table, with blue prints scattered about it, in his hideout.

“Why go to the trouble of stealing all this tech if we ain’t gonna use it?” asked a young man by the name of Flint Marko.

“Because, Marko, it is all about misdirection, the news media and the police are too preoccupied with the rash of thefts at high profile tech companies and their attention would be diverted from the theft of chemicals from much lower profile companies,” said Beck as if this was simple and Marko was a fool for asking. “By the time the police deduce the secrets behind my cinematic production of crime, it will be much too late for them to stop me.”

“Boss, what about Spider-Man?” asked another thug.

“What about Spider-Man?” asked Beck matching his tone. “Nothing but some weak minded fool in a cheaply made Halloween costume. His mind could not deduce the subtle and complex layers of the plans of Mysterio! Still should that web slinging fool dare interfere with my production, I have a special surprise lined up for Spider-Man, one that will permanently eliminate the wall crawler for good. My production will go on as I begin to shift to the next phase of my plan, one more vital component and then the plan can move into post production!”

“What do you have planned, boss?” asked one of the thugs.

“The term Crime of the Century is thrown around too loosely in this day and age, but this plan is truly that, the Crime of the Century!” shouted Beck “Now, leave me, I have a few minor edits to make to my production, before the next phase can occur tomorrow.”

-

“And you know what that Mysterio guy stole?” asked Harry to Peter and Gwen the next morning. “A cooling unit used to keep the computer systems at Oscorp for overloading.”

“That doesn’t make any sense, I mean unless you have a lot of computers, what use could something like that have?’ asked Peter as this entire Mysterio mess was getting stranger by the moment.

“Maybe, if that was the only thing stolen,” said Gwen skeptically.

“Trust me Gwen, nothing else was stolen,” said Harry. “Dad’s not broken up about what was stolen but the fact that something was stolen. Oscorp security is state of the art and he doesn’t like it when someone tries to steal something even if he’s willing to steal other people’s ideas but…that’s another story for another time. The point is I don’t even think Spider-Man could stop Mysterio.”

“Maybe, maybe not,” muttered Peter to himself as the three separated to go to their respective classes. Peter looked at the Daily Bugle clippings that he gotten, detailing many recent tech robberies within the last week and a map of the city. He had a hunch and if that hunch was correct, then he could trap Mysterio at the scene of his next crime. Gwen followed Peter into the classroom, a few minutes before the next class, very few people had gotten there yet and even the teacher had not arrived. As he took a pen, he marked the tech companies hit in the order they were hit. “Just as I suspected…”

“What?” asked Gwen but her eyes widened. “He’s going in a linear order, I can’t believe no one caught onto it yet.”

“Judging by this, TriCorp is next and it’s the only major company in the city that hasn’t been hit,” said Peter as he looked at the map, with wide eyes. “It’s almost like he’s leaving a trail of bread crumbs…”

“To lead Spider-Man into a trap,” concluded Gwen but she remained silent, not able to say much more as the class room began to fill up.

“Well Mysterio, you’re the one who’s going to be trapped, because Spider-Man is going to stake out TriCorp first thing after school today,” thought Peter. “You won’t be able to pull that disappearing act twice, this time I’ll be able to tie a web line to you and go along for the ride.”

-

TriCorp was buzzing with activity but what was a normal work day turned into something much less, when a loud bang echoed and smoke filled the room. When the smoke cleared, Mysterio appeared and cackled like a mad man as he looked around, before he raised his hands and knocked the security off balance.

“Yet another company peddling mindless technology, but never fear, your savior is here!” bellowed Mysterio in a force that echoed throughout the entire building. “Marvel at the mysticism of Mysterio and know that you can’t stop the waves of the change that are coming for all of this mindless technology will fall by the wayside and be useless because of the production of Mysterio!”

“So, you’re this Mysterio I’ve heard so much about,” said Spider-Man as he lowered himself down to face the criminal. “You sound like you have a big head. I wonder how that fishbowl on your head contains it.”

“Bah, Spider-Man, you have met your match in Mysterio!” bellowed Mysterio loudly as he raised his hands.

“We’ll see about that,” responded Spider-Man as he leapt forward, but a loud bang and Mysterio disappeared. Spider-Man dropped down to the ground but suddenly his spider sense went into overdrive and he turned around, right in time to see a set of playing cards being flung at him. “Card tricks, Mysterio? Isn’t that a bit amateur for someone like you?”

“Not just any card tricks, observe,” responded Mysterio as he snapped his fingers and the cards burst into flames. Spider-Man shot a line of webbing, to pull himself out of the way before the cards attacked him, before he swung over. Mysterio waved his hand and the webbing dissolved in a flash, which caused Spider-Man to land on the ground with a thud and he pulled himself up but Mysterio glided over effortlessly before he landed on his feet as he dodged another attempt to web him up before Spider-Man was knocked right off of his feet. “Give it a bit of time and effort Spider-Man and you may yet pose a challenge but right now, you are hopelessly and utterly outclassed. Until we meet again Spider-Man and rest assure you will as you have not seen the last of Mysterio!”

The smoke appeared and Spider-Man raised his hand, in an attempt to web Mysterio but only small strands of webbing shot out, signaling that cartridge had been completely drained.

“Of all the times to be out of webbing,” thought Spider-Man moodily as he watched the smoke clear, with no Mysterio.

“He stole some valuable communications equipment and you let him get away!” shouted an important looking man angrily. “And you’re supposed to be the hero!”

“Look, nothing I could do could touch that guy,” protested Spider-Man but the suited man did not want to hear it. Retrieving his camera, Spider-Man rushed out, as the sirens blared. He could not help but feel responsible, a miscalculation on the amount of webbing he needed had caused Mysterio to slip away. He was at this for about a month and a half anyway, pretty much a rookie and prone to those mistakes but still the guilt ate him up as Mysterio was out large, without a clue of what the man’s plans were.

-

“It happened again, Gwen,” said Spider-Man as he swung across the city talking on his phone. “I saw Mysterio disappear before his hands was even put on the tech and yet pictures, clear as day, it shows Mysterio stealing them.”

“Dad’s stressed out as well, because quite frankly what Mysterio’s doing doesn’t make sense, some of the technology stolen might be useful, but other technology, what can Mysterio do with it?” asked Gwen. “You’re not going to rest until you figure this out, right Peter?”

“Unfortunately, I can’t but this plan, it makes no sense…unless it was done by design,” said Spider-Man as the pieces began to click together in his head.

“You mean the trail he left was deliberately false to distract you from the real crime, whatever that is,” said Gwen.

“Exactly,” said Spider-Man. “Mysterio’s all about trickery, but the problem is trying to figure out the double meaning of his plan. Of course, if he has henchmen to carry out other thefts subtly while he conducts his elaborate crime wave, then this is going to be trickier than I thought.”

“What now then?” asked Gwen.

“Got another hour and a half before I’m going have to go home, so I’m going to check in with Oscorp, security cameras in the hallway, maybe they caught something,” said Spider-Man. “Talk to you tomorrow at school.”

“Good bye, Peter and good luck,” said Gwen as the phone went silent on the other end and Spider-Man put it away, before he swung through an open window at Oscorp and quickly walked down the hallway. He saw a room that was marked, “security”.

“Has to be the place,” thought Spider-Man as he moved forward and spotted Norman Osborn sitting at a chair, in front of a monitor.

“Do you regularly make a habit of barging into businesses uninvited Spider-Man?” asked Norman without even looking up.

“Mysterio, I’ve been after him and I’ve found…” started Spider-Man before Norman had cut him off.

“That while the eyes see one thing, photographic evidence speaks differently,” said Norman. “Yes, I gathered that much when I saw young Mr. Parker’s photo in the paper, it appears that the gas we thought we saw Mysterio use to disappear was really a mild Hallucinogen substance that tricked our minds into thinking that he vanished. When he reality, he was actually here the entire time and after taking a look at the video to analyze the color and the composition of the gas, it was a non lethal variation that wore off shortly after Mysterio left.”

“It makes perfect sense now,” responded Spider-Man as he mentally slapped himself.

“Quite,” replied Norman as he looked at the screen. “All that technology within his grasp and he stole equipment that had very little use outside of Oscorp. Very peculiar.”

“Maybe if I take a look at the camera footage, I can pick out a detail that might clue me into what Mysterio is really up to,” said Spider-Man.

“Not without a warrant, Spider-Man,” responded Norman crisply. “The security camera footage at Oscorp is extremely confidential but I can assure you that should I locate any evidence, it will be given to the proper authorities. Now run along, I’m sure you have some petty thieves to web up or something of that nature. I would highly recommend you leave such a delicate matter to the authorities and not try to play hero, as Mysterio seems to be a bit out of your league.”

“The nerve of that guy, sometimes,” thought Spider-Man but he had to admit there was no way for him to take a look at the security footage, short of stealing it and that would make me the criminal.”

“Dismissed Spider-Man and next time, do use the front entrance like everyone else or I will be forced to call the authorities,” said Norman as he watched Spider-Man swing off, before he turned back to his work. He was looking at Mysterio shortly but he also had just finished removing several incriminating bits of footage involving less than ethical experiments that he conducted behind the cover of his legitimate work. Norman looked to the side, before he spotted that Spider-Man had gone.

With a shift smirk, he watched over, a miniature statue that resembled a goblin. It was hardly visible unless one had a keen eye for spotting such things but he pulled it back. A switch was activated, to slide the door open. Norman casually stepped inside and the wall slid shut right behind him. With a calm expression he stepped forward to the test tubes, where a green substance bubbled. Norman removed one of the tubes, with a triumphant expression before he walked over towards a computer.

“Begin analyzing modified formula 7-15-2-12-9-14,” ordered Norman to the computer before he watched and took several notes. The simulation showed that the formula as composed now would boost the endurance of the subject by several times normal capabilities and allow for immunity against different types of diseases. It still offered small addictive properties but a strong mind and could fight those. “Acceptable for now but it still needs work. More tests and a couple of modifications, let’s see how far I can extend the capabilities of the formulas.”

Norman stepped back to run some more tests. A bit more research and then there was a matter of discreetly finding test subjects to further test the long term effects.

-

Gwen and Peter walked down the hallways and immediately were bombarded by the loud boisterous squeals of several excited girls. The cried were quite ear splitting to say the least.

“Any idea why they’re acting like a bunch of overly obsessed fans at an Allison Blaire concert?” asked Gwen over the loud cries but Peter just shrugged his shoulders.

“Oh some kind of spring dance,” said Harry as he shrugged his shoulders. “You would think this was the first time that there was a dance at a high school or something like that but you know how girls are.”

“I beg your pardon,” said Gwen with a slight glare at Harry.

“Not you Gwen, you’re actually sane, but I mean in general,” said Harry hastily.

“Thanks Harry,” replied Gwen before she added on hastily. “I think.”

“So, Gwen, do you want to go?” asked Peter.

“Sure, why, not it sounds like fun,” replied Gwen. “Provided you don’t get tied up with your work.”

“Ah, Gwen, I’m sure Jameson would make an exception to leave Pete alone for one night,” said Harry before he added. “Wouldn’t he?”

“No,” answered Peter and Gwen swiftly in unison but suddenly they heard that Flash Thompson and Liz Allan were arguing yet again about something.

“And what makes you think I would even go to the dance with you Flash, especially after the way you’ve been acting?” asked Liz.

“And what’s wrong with the way I’ve been acting?” asked Flash.

“Let me think, you’re still acting like a two year old when something doesn’t go your way,” said Liz.

“I don’t act like a two year old!” snapped Flash stomping his feet.

“See you’re doing it right now,” said Liz. “And throwing a fit every time someone says something bad about Spider-Man. Sure, Spider-Man’s helped a lot of people but you don’t have to worship him like a god.”

“I don’t worship Spidey like he’s a god,” argued Flash. “But you got to admit that he’s cool. I mean he just saved a flaming bus full of orphans.”

“He did?” asked Peter, who could not help speaking up. This was the first he’s ever heard of it.

“Well no, but if there was a flaming bus and there were orphans on it, you can bet your chemistry set that Spidey would be on the scene, Parker,” said Flash as he turned to Peter. “You take pictures of the guy, you know what a hero he is. He’s not a spineless skinny geek like you.”

“Hey, Flash, that was out of line,” said Harry before he paused. “Pete’s not spineless.”

Liz giggled at this remark and gave Harry a brief smile but quickly regained her composure.

“No one asked you to talk, Osbrat,” responded Flash roughly, not missing his girlfriend’s obvious amusement. “We know the only reason Parker keeps you around is because you make him look less pathetic. After all, it must suck being a complete and utter disappointment to your father. In fact, raising you’re the only thing

“Flash, that was way out of line!” shouted Gwen, as Harry recoiled but he balled his fists up and Liz put her hand to her mouth, in horror.

“Yeah, Flash, I never thought you could go so low,” said Peter in a slightly disgusted voice.

“It’s the truth,” said Flash as Harry was shaking with anger. “Did Mommy run off too when saw how pathetic you were?”

Harry could take no more and attempted to take a swing at Flash but Flash held him back, before he knocked him to the ground with a punch.

“Flash Thompson!” shouted Liz. “Of all the stupid, childish things, this is the worst. It’s one thing when you make fun of Peter and Gwen for being actually interested in their schoolwork but first you bait someone and physically assault them.”

“Peter and Gwen?” thought Gwen in a confused voice. “What happened to the blonde haired loser and her pet nerd?”

“Oh come Liz, you don’t like those two either,” argued Flash.

“Flash, unlike some people I’ve grown up,” said Liz as she looked at Harry, who was leaned against the lockers. “You could have seriously injured Harry, in fact you did seriously injure him and after you made those childish remarks.”

“And for your information, Harry’s mother died shortly after he was born, you lout!” snapped Gwen angrily and Flash suddenly looked a bit awkward. Even he realized he might have gone a step too far in his taunting, crossing the line.

“I didn’t think,” said Flash.

“The problem is Flash, you never think,” said Liz with her arms folded. “We’re through, this time I mean it, I thought you would change, but I guess I was stupid to think that an immature jock like you could ever grow.”

“Liz, I’m sorry,” begged Flash. “Please give me another chance.”

“You’re out of chances and besides, I’m not the one you should be apologizing to,” said Liz as she inclined her head towards Harry.

“Liz, you know what, I’ve had it, we’re through!” shouted Flash when he saw that a crowd had accumulated. “You’ve tried to run my life, but I’m Flash Thompson, star Quarterback at Midtown High, I can get any girl I want. I don’t need you to boss me around anymore, Liz!”

Flash turned and walked trying to remain cool, being surrounded by his football buddies and several admiring girls, who were trying to walk over each other to get with Flash, as Liz just looked down the hallway, before she turned around.

“Are you okay?” asked Liz to Harry.

“Fine,” said Harry but he staggered forward, dizzied slightly where Peter moved in to catch him.

“Easy there, Harry, you took quite a hit,” said Peter.

“It’s just a black eye, Pete, I’ll be fine,” said Harry a forced manner.

“Be careful Harry, you could have a concussion,” cautioned Gwen.

“Those aren’t something to mess around with, Flash got a couple, he had to be careful for a while,” added Liz.

“I’m fine, thanks for your concerns, but just fine, just need to walk it off,” said Harry as he put his hand on his eye, where there was swelling. “See you all later, I guess.”

The warning bell rang, with Harry wincing slightly at the loud sound and Liz was alone with Peter and Gwen.

“Right, I better get going as well,” said Liz awkwardly, she felt guilty at enabling Flash’s behavior and in some cases, participating in the activity.”

“Excuse me,” said a voice which caused Peter and Gwen to turn around, to see a young man in his late twenties or early thirties. The most noticeable thing about the man was that his right arm was missing. “I’m the substitute Biology teacher and I’m lost, I was wondering if any of you two could point me in the right direction towards the Science hallway?”

“It’s on the second floor, turn right from that stairway over there,” said Peter and the teacher nodded.

“Thanks, I appreciate the help,” said the teacher.

“No problem Mr…” said Peter.

“Dr Curt Connors,” supplied the teacher.

“I’ve read about your work,” said Gwen in an excited manner. “Your theories about using reptilian DNA to grow lost limbs are very fascinating.”

“Yeah, Dr. Connors, you’re a legend among geeks like us,” said Peter which caused Gwen to playfully elbow him.

“Well I don’t know about that, but my research is fascinating and something rather close to home, as you can see,” said Connors, gesturing to his missing arm. “Still, a couple months off as a fill in, with my predecessor on a leave of absence, it’s a welcome change of scenery. As much as I love my work in the lab in Florida, I’m looking forward to interacting with some potentially bright young minds.”

“I hope you find what you’re looking for Dr. Connors,” stated Peter.

“Guess I better run, I wouldn’t be late for my first class,” said Dr. Connors with a bit of a chuckle.

-

Spider-Man swung around the city, as he looked from side to side but he paused, his spider sense went into overdrive right as an alarm at an electronics store did. He swung down, as a loud and quite familiar voice thundered for all to hear.

“These foolish electronics speak poorly of the quality of life you live!” bellowed Mysterio. “They are nothing but cheap and it requires little imagination to utilize them yet you would be lost without them.”

Mysterio’s monologue was cut off when Spider-Man swung forward and caught him with a kick that staggered him back a couple of steps.

“Ah, Spider-Man, we meet again and I do admit you caught me slightly off guard, but that won’t happen again!” bellowed Mysterio as he spread his cape, before several flaming spikes shot out. Spider-Man prepared to duck them, but once one passed through a nearby television set, he realized what was up.

“None of your tricks will work on me, Mysterio, not this time,” said Spider-Man.

“We’ll see, Spider-Man, have a taste of this!” cried Mysterio in a boisterous manner and a blast of fire shot towards Spider-Man. At, first this appeared to be another hologram but the growing heat and the spider sense told a different story. The fire landed on the ground as Spider-Man attempted to wrap up Mysterio with a strand of webbing but the criminal propelled himself off the ground. Spider-Man’s webbing wrapped around the air and Mysterio dropped down. “The game has been fun Spider-Man, but the fact remains that the battle belongs to Mysterio!”

Mysterio raised his hand and a blue cloud of smoke exploded right in Spider-Man’s face. The web slinger was caught off guard but he stood there, with Mysterio still in front of him.

“I think the fishbowl’s on too tight, Mysterio, because that didn’t do anything,” said Spider-Man as he wrapped several strands of webbing around the criminal as he held his hands triumphantly in the air, but loud laughter echoed before Mysterio vanished into a puff of smoke. “Oh c’mon I…”

Spider-Man stopped, suddenly he felt rather flush and sweaty. He turned around slightly as he looked with a start as he saw the last person on earth he wanted to see at this time. Uncle Ben’s murderer stood right in front of him, with a taunting smile.

“Hey, kid, looks like I got away with it after all, I’m out of jail, so what are you going to do about it?” taunted the burglar. “Yeah, might have pulled the trigger on that gun but it was your fault your uncle died, because you were irresponsible and heartless, you only thought about yourself.”

“I made a mistake last time, letting you go, I won’t do the same thing again!” slurred Spider-Man as he staggered around, deliriously as he listened to the taunts of his uncle’s murderer. “This time, you’re going to pay!”

Spider-Man swung his fist back but his vision splintered slightly and through great strain, he saw the surprised and fearful face of Captain George Stacy flicker but it was through a haze as his head felt like it was splitting. The image flashed to the taunting form of the burglar.

“Spider-Man, stop, it’s me!” shouted George with a look of horror but while Spider-Man was able to pull back most of the power from the punch, he was unable to block it completely as he caught the Captain Stacy right in the chest, knocking the wind completely out of him. His vision focused enough to see a slightly pained expression on the face of Gwen’s father before his head started to feel like it was splitting but despite that, panic started to set in.

“No, what have I done?” thought Spider-Man as he tried to sort his thoughts out despite his head feeling like it was on fire. “What have I done, I attacked…no this can’t be happening, I see him everywhere, got to pull yourself together Pete, don’t lose focus, don’t want to hurt anyone, got to get out of here, get home somehow, don’t look at anyone!”


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