GarudaTranslation
patreon
[Marvel : Spoiling Spider-man] Chapter 186 - 190
🕑 Added 2025-02-22 01:00:01 +0000 UTCChapter 186: The Second Bell Tower Battle
"Harry, that armor!" Peter turned to Harry in surprise.
"Yeah… I've seen it before, but I never expected it to be this powerful! It actually cured the effects of that awful spider venom!" Harry said, swallowing hard.
"I think you could be a new superhero," Peter remarked with a grin. With his newfound super strength and this advanced armor, even Peter would have trouble taking him down in a fight.
Harry waved off the idea. "Forget it! The company is in a mess right now. Once I stabilize things, maybe then I'll think about it." Oscorp Industries was still reeling from scandal and legal trouble. There was too much on his plate for him to even consider becoming a vigilante.
If it weren’t for the fact that he had promised to attend Max’s birthday party, he wouldn't even be here—he’d still be buried in corporate damage control.
"It's that armor!" 1st Gen Gwen gasped, realizing she had predicted correctly. She excitedly hugged 1st Gen Spider-Man.
1st Gen Spider-Man smiled, embracing her back. "You’ve got an amazing memory, Gwen!" He leaned in and kissed her.
Meanwhile, both 1st Gen Harry and Tony Stark eyed the second-generation Harry’s armor with great interest. They both wanted to study it, analyze its capabilities, and possibly replicate its functions.
The key difference was that 1st Gen Harry had once possessed a similar suit, but its healing abilities were nowhere near as advanced. On the other hand, Tony Stark’s Mark series armors had always prioritized durability, weaponry, and functionality over medical applications.
Tony had always believed in designing stronger defenses—armor that could prevent injuries rather than heal them. But seeing the second-generation Harry’s armor in action gave him a new idea.
If the armor couldn't withstand unimaginable amounts of damage, then self-repair could be an alternative strategy.
Acting immediately, Tony turned to Jarvis. "Record this idea and pull all data on emergency medical treatments used in major hospitals worldwide."
[Harry stared at Spider-Man, then turned his head and caught sight of Gwen standing behind him. His expression twisted—his smirk vanished in an instant.]
[The realization hit him like a freight train. He looked between Spider-Man and Gwen, putting the pieces together—Peter Parker… and Gwen Stacy…]
[And in that moment, he knew.]
[His lips curled into a wicked grin as he slowly uttered, "Peter... When Spider-Man says no, it's actually you saying no!"]
[A storm of fury welled up inside him. His best friend had refused to help him, had stood by and let him die. Rage and betrayal burned inside Harry like an open wound, and he silently swore revenge.]
["Harry? What did you do?" Peter asked, confused. How had Harry changed so drastically in just half a day?]
["You pushed me to this point!" Harry shouted. "You were my friend! But you betrayed me!!!"]
[Peter shook his head. "No! I wanted to protect you!"]
["Oh yeah? Then look at me!" Harry’s voice trembled with raw emotion. Because of Peter, he had become this… this half-human, half-monster abomination!]
["Hey! It's going to be okay! Everything’s going to be okay!" Peter pleaded. He didn’t want to fight his best friend. But Harry was beyond reasoning now.]
["You don't give people hope, Peter. You take it away!" Harry hissed through gritted teeth. Those were Peter’s own words—thrown back in his face with venom.]
["No! Harry!" Peter shook his head again. That wasn’t what he had meant, but he couldn’t find the words to explain. Harry was too stubborn, too consumed by anger to believe him.]
["Then I'll take your hope away!!!" Harry sneered. His eyes flickered toward Gwen.]
[And before Peter could react, Harry lunged toward her.]
["No! Gwen! RUN!" Peter shouted.]
[Gwen’s heart pounded as she turned and bolted. But no matter how fast she ran, she was still on foot—how could she possibly outrun a flying maniac?]
["Aha!!!" Gwen screamed as Harry snatched her up mid-air. Peter leapt forward, but missed.]
[Panicked, Peter fired a web and took off after them. "Harry! Put her down!"]
[But Harry wasn’t listening. He held onto Gwen tightly, ascending higher and higher into the night sky.]
[Peter sprinted up the clock tower, swinging and leaping to keep up. He reached the peak and launched himself into the air, firing his web toward Harry’s glider—]
[But he miscalculated. Harry’s glider was faster and higher than Peter had anticipated. The web fell short.]
[Harry circled the bell tower, grinning maliciously. Peter, desperate, kept jumping and shooting webs, trying desperately to reach them.]
["Harry! STOP! This isn't you!" Peter shouted. "You're not like this! Let her go!!!"]
[Harry paused mid-air and looked down at Peter. Gwen also turned to him, her voice filled with urgency. "Harry—"
["Harry is DEAD!!!" Harry roared, cutting her off. His rage toward Peter extended to her now.]
["This is between you and me!" Peter bellowed. "You want a fight? Fine! But let her go!!!"]
[Peter was done. He couldn’t let this continue. George Stacy had warned him about this before he died. Gwen shouldn’t be involved in their fight!]
[Harry gazed at Peter with cold, calculating eyes. Then, in a chillingly calm voice, he whispered, "Okay."]
[And then—he let go.]
["NOOOO!!!" Peter screamed, diving after Gwen as she plummeted.]
[The glass at the top of the bell tower shattered as Peter broke through, adjusting his body mid-air to shield Gwen from the fall.]
[The wind roared around them. Gwen gasped, her breaths coming out in sharp, panicked bursts.]
[Peter held onto her tightly. "Are you okay?!" he asked. His own heart was racing.]
[Gwen shook her head, but managed to force out, "I'm fine."]
[But before either of them could process what had just happened, a pumpkin bomb landed next to them.]
[Peter’s instincts flared. He immediately turned, wrapping his arms around Gwen to shield her as the grenade exploded.]
[The blast rocked the bell tower. The iron bridge they were standing on gave way—]
[Gwen fell.]
[Peter lunged, stretching his hand forward. His fingers just barely caught hers.]
["I got you! Gwen! I’ll put you somewhere safe!"] Peter assured her, holding on as tightly as he could.]
[He reached out with his free hand, firing a web toward a nearby gear. The web wrapped securely around Gwen’s palm, anchoring her safely onto the massive gear mechanism below.]
Chapter 187: Critical Situation
As 1st Gen Spider-Man watched Peter place Gwen on the gears, an overwhelming sense of dread gripped him. His mind replayed the words of The Screen, and suddenly, it all clicked.
"I said I don't like using my webs to save people. I prefer to hold them because it's safer! It's really safe that way!"
"I saved my Gwen, and he said I showed you perfectly how to save someone… and asked someone to learn from me!"
His eyes widened in horror. "No… no way! Peter Parker and Gwen are separated by life and death?!"
The realization hit him like a punch to the gut.
"Peter? What’s wrong?" 1st Gen Gwen asked, confused by his reaction.
"Oh, damn it! He’s saved so many people using his webs—doesn’t he realize the risk?!" 1st Gen Spider-Man’s mind flashed back to all the times 2nd Gen Spider-Man had used his webbing to save someone.
The foreman’s son—the way Peter had thrown Gwen out of a window and caught her with his web—he had relied so much on his webs that he had forgotten their shortcomings.
1st Gen Gwen covered her mouth as she, too, pieced it together. She thought about it carefully and realized that it was exactly as 1st Gen Spider-Man had feared—they had all subconsciously ignored the warning signs.
Her voice trembled. "Separated by life and death… If there had been no Venom in our universe, would I have died from Eddie’s gun instead? Did The Screen deliberately bring Venom to me to prevent my death?"
"That’s right," 1st Gen Spider-Man nodded gravely. "Venom is under my control now, but back then, it insisted on staying with you. It was as if something had made sure you survived."
"Damn it… I can't warn him!" 1st Gen Spider-Man clenched his fists in frustration. "I can only hope that their universe sees what’s coming and avoids the same tragedy we almost faced."
1st Gen Gwen silently held onto his arm, her gaze fixed anxiously on the screen.
Tony Stark and Nick Fury had also noticed it. Tony had been too caught up in the battle to make the connection, but once Banner pointed it out, the realization sent a chill down his spine.
His face darkened. He had suspected this outcome from the beginning, but seeing it unfold before his eyes still made his stomach twist.
He hated it. He hated being right about something like this.
He could only hope that, just like their mistaken belief that Harry was dead, this, too, was a miscalculation.
George Stacy remained silent, his face grim. He, too, remembered the warnings of The Screen. He hadn’t said anything, but he had already suspected the real reason Gwen was given Spider-Man’s powers in this timeline—perhaps it was to prevent her from meeting the same fate as in the other universe.
"Sigh…" Uncle Ben exhaled. None of them had expected Harry to not only survive but also attempt to kill Gwen in an act of revenge against Peter.
Thankfully, they knew that the real Harry in their universe would never harm Gwen. That was some consolation.
Harry himself looked at Peter and Gwen apologetically. Seeing this version of himself act so ruthlessly made him sick. He would never—could never—do something like this.
Peter tightened his grip on Gwen’s hand. He would save her. He would defeat Harry. Just like 1st Gen Spider-Man had defeated his Harry.
Gwen was just as nervous, not knowing what would happen next. But she trusted Peter—he would protect her.
[After placing Gwen down, Peter immediately performed a backflip to avoid Harry’s rapid approach. Mid-air, he shot out a web, attaching it to the walls on either side of the bell tower—blocking Harry’s path.]
[Harry’s glider, having just turned, wasn’t moving at full speed, so he didn’t crash outright. However, Peter wasted no time—he flipped forward and landed on another platform.]
[As he spun in the air, he fired another web and pulled at a railing, blocking another walkway. His strategy was clear: he was making the already cramped bell tower even tighter with his webbing.]
[Then, with flawless agility, he performed a somersault back to his original position. Just as he landed, Harry came charging through.]
[Peter sprinted up the side of the wall in long, powerful strides, before leaping off and firing another web just as Harry almost reached him.]
[With expert precision, he latched onto a thread that was already stretched across the bell tower. The camera panned to reveal that he had now woven a web maze—four or five different lines crisscrossing the interior.]
[Gwen, meanwhile, cautiously stood up and moved toward the center of the rotating gears, trying to find a safer position.]
[At that moment, Peter—who had somehow already launched himself mid-air—kicked Harry hard, wrapping his legs around Harry’s waist to restrain him.]
[Harry’s glider spun wildly. Peter grabbed him from behind, locking one arm around his neck while slamming his fist into Harry’s head twice.]
[Then, in a desperate move, Peter wrapped a web around Harry’s neck, attempting to choke him.]
[Realizing he was in trouble, Harry accelerated toward the bell tower wall, slamming them both into it at full speed.]
[The impact was brutal, but Peter recovered quickly. As Harry tried to push away, Peter used the still-intact wall to kick him off the glider.]
[Using the momentum, Peter grabbed another web line, spun in mid-air, and delivered a devastating kick to Harry’s skull.]
[The force sent Harry flying into a steel beam before he finally crashed down onto a metal bridge inside the bell tower.]
[The glider, now out of control, activated its homing function and plummeted downward—heading straight for its fallen master.]
[But in the chaos, it smashed through the gears beneath Gwen’s feet.]
[Gwen gasped as the platform collapsed, sending her plummeting.]
[Peter, horrified, immediately shot out a web, catching her just in time.]
[He gritted his teeth, using all his strength to pull her up—but before he could, Harry suddenly lunged forward and grabbed Peter by the throat.]
[Peter refused to let go of the webbing. Gwen dangled below, gripping the thread tightly as she fought against the force of gravity.]
[Harry’s grip tightened around Peter’s neck, slamming him against the gears to pin him down. Spotting the webbing in Peter’s hand, he stomped down on Peter’s wrist.]
[Peter cried out as he lost balance. Gwen slid down further.]
[The gears kept turning, pulling the web away from Peter’s reach—but an iron rod jammed the mechanism just in time, stopping it from fully unraveling.]
[Harry freed one hand and pulled out a dagger-like weapon—aiming to stab Peter in the chest.]
[Peter, using his quick reflexes, tilted his head just in time, causing the blade to miss by mere inches. Seizing the moment, he clamped his legs around Harry’s arm, preventing him from swinging the weapon again.]
[Then, using his free hand, Peter grabbed Harry’s face, forcing his head back while locking his legs around Harry’s wrist.]
[Harry struggled, trying to free himself. But Peter held firm.]
[Then, as Harry opened his mouth in a snarl, he lunged with the dagger once again.]
[Peter reacted in an instant—he fired a web to bind Harry’s left hand to the giant gears beside them.]
Chapter 188:Fate, Sharp as Knife
[Harry immediately clutched his neck with his right hand, gasping for breath. Peter knew this wouldn't work. His eyes darted upward, spotting the gears above Harry's head. Without hesitation, he shot a web toward them.]
[The web wrapped around Harry's neck twice, tightening as the gears at the back began to rotate. The force immediately constricted Harry’s throat.]
[Peter finally found a moment to glance downward, just as the stick wedged in the gears lost its grip, causing the mechanism to lurch forward by another notch.]
[The iron rods supporting the structure bent and snapped entirely, crashing down below as if foreshadowing Gwen’s impending fate…]
[The sound of gears grinding filled Peter’s ears, and as he realized they were about to turn again, he twisted his body, wedging his foot between them. The sudden force nearly severed the spider web holding Harry.]
"Oh no… this isn’t good!" the First-Gen Spider-Man muttered anxiously. He clenched his fists as he watched the scene unfold, his concern growing by the second.
Beside him, First-Gen Gwen huddled closer, her eyes locked onto the screen. "She'll be fine! She has to be! Peter Parker will save her!" she murmured repeatedly, almost like a prayer.
Hearing this, the First-Gen Spider-Man placed a reassuring hand over hers, signaling her to stay calm. Maybe—just maybe—this child could be saved.
"Jarvis!" Tony snapped, his eyes narrowing. "If Gwen falls, can Peter Parker save her? Run the calculations!"
"Sir, based on the estimated height, if the Second-Gen Peter Parker moves fast enough, he can catch her before she hits the ground," Jarvis responded smoothly. "However, he would need sufficient acceleration to reach her in time."
"Like how the First Peter Parker saved the First-Gen Gwen?" Tony pressed, his fingers drumming on the table.
"Correct. If Peter can use falling debris to gain momentum, he may be able to intercept her mid-air and slow her descent safely."
Tony's jaw tightened. "And if he doesn't have enough acceleration?"
"Then his only option would be to catch her using his web. However, due to the high altitude and velocity of the fall, there is a high probability that Gwen’s cervical vertebrae will fracture upon impact."
The room fell silent for a moment.
"If the web has enough elasticity," Jarvis continued, "it may cushion her fall sufficiently to prevent fatal injuries. But the risk remains—she could still hit the ground before the web takes full effect."
"FUCK!" Tony swore, slamming his fist onto the table.
Banner, standing nearby, frowned deeply. The situation looked grim. Gwen’s chances were dwindling with every passing second.
There was nothing left to do but hope for a miracle.
[Peter, his foot still wedged in the gears, found himself locked in a stalemate with Harry. The massive clock hands outside the tower trembled violently. Below, Gwen gazed up, her voice trembling as she screamed, "Peter?!!"]
[A spark suddenly flickered within the gears. A shift. Peter's foot, which had been holding everything in place, slipped free. The last strand of web that had been keeping Gwen suspended—snapped.]
[She plummeted.]
[The hands of the clock outside spun wildly as Gwen let out a breathless gasp before plunging downward. The web strangling Harry yanked at the gears, dislodging several components, sending a shower of debris crashing below. Harry, flung backward by Peter’s kick, slammed against the wall, unconscious.]
[Peter’s gaze snapped downward, locking onto Gwen’s falling figure. Without hesitation, he leapt off the structure, diving after her. His mask reflected the horror etched across her face.]
[His Spider-Sense sharpened, making every moment stretch painfully long. Gwen’s eyes—wide, tear-filled—looked up at him. She already knew. She understood her fate. At this velocity, a direct web catch would be fatal.]
[She closed her eyes, surrendering to the memories flooding her mind. Every moment with Peter flashed before her in an instant…]
[A web shot from Peter’s wrist. The strand extended forward like a reaching hand, skillfully weaving through the chaotic ruins of the collapsing tower.]
[Gwen's speed increased. The wind howled past her ears, tears streaking down her cheeks. The moment she felt the tug of Peter’s web, she barely had time to react before—]
[Impact.]
[The web latched onto her. Peter yanked at the railing mid-air, creating tension to absorb the shock. The elasticity prevented the web from instantly snapping Gwen’s spine…]
[But it wasn’t enough.]
[Gwen’s neck snapped on impact.]
[Her body jerked violently before hanging limply just a meter above the ground.]
[A rain of shattered gears and debris crashed around her, framing her still form like a tragic painting. Outside, the grand clock’s hands froze—stopping at exactly 1:21 AM.]
[Peter, breathless and desperate, secured his webbing before dropping to the ground.]
[His hands trembled as he knelt beside Gwen, his mind screaming in denial. He ripped off his mask, his expression one of sheer disbelief. He gently cradled her in his arms. "Hey… hey? Gwen?!!"]
[Peter tore the last remnants of the web from her body, shaking her slightly, pleading for any sign of life. "Come on, Gwen! Open your eyes!"]
[But she didn’t. Her body remained motionless. Her lips, once so full of warmth, were now still. Blood trickled faintly from her nose.]
[“Gwen???” His voice cracked. Desperation clawed at his throat. He held her tighter, his entire body trembling. "Breathe! Gwen!"]
[But there was nothing.]
[His hands moved to her face, cupping her cheeks as if his touch alone could will her back. His eyes, red and swollen with tears, searched hers for any flicker of life. "You're okay… Gwen… you're okay…"]
[But she wasn’t.]
[The reality shattered him. He let out a ragged cry, burying his face into her shoulder. "No… no… please… please!"]
[He begged. Begged for this nightmare to end. Begged for time to reverse. Begged for Gwen to gasp, to breathe, to open her eyes, anything.]
[But she never did.]
[The camera slowly zoomed out. There, in the silent ruins of the clock tower, Peter wept—holding the woman he loved as the world around them stood still. Outside, the clock remained frozen at 1:21 AM, marking the moment Gwen Stacy was lost forever.]
"FUCK!" Tony roared, knocking his wine glass off the table. His worst fears had come true. Just as Jarvis had predicted—Gwen was dead. Whether from the fracture or the impact, it didn’t matter.
She was gone.
Banner silently drained his drink, his expression heavy with regret. The Second-Gen Peter Parker had just lost the love of his life.
Nick Fury exhaled slowly. "We all saw this coming," he muttered. "But that doesn’t make it any easier."
Harry covered his face with shaking hands. "I… I’m sorry… Peter… I’m so sorry…" His voice broke with guilt, shame swallowing him whole.
Peter, standing frozen, shut his eyes tightly. The words from the screen echoed in his mind. The narrator had warned him. He was supposed to learn from his mistakes. But it was too late.
Beside him, Gwen leaned against his shoulder, whispering softly, "Oh, Peter… it’s okay. I’m still here… I won’t leave you."
Chapter 189: Funeral
Peter took a deep breath, his mind clouded with regret. He had always relied too much on his webbing—it was fast, convenient, and second nature to him. Whether he was catching thieves or saving civilians, it had always been his go-to solution.
But now, The Screen had slapped him with the harsh reality of his over-reliance. His instinct to use his webs had directly led to Gwen’s death.
If only he had thought differently—if he had used the same strategy as the First-Gen Spider-Man, gaining acceleration through falling debris—then maybe he could have caught up with her in time. Maybe he could have held her in his arms, just as his predecessor had saved the First-Gen Gwen.
But this was all just reflection. The Screen had merely shown a possibility, not his reality. Gwen was still beside him, alive and well. And yet, every time he thought about losing her, a suffocating weight crushed his chest.
When Gwen's death was shown, Helen and her children screamed in horror. Helen instinctively shot to her feet, while George let out a heavy sigh—his worst fear had become reality.
Thankfully, The Screen had foreseen this outcome. In their world, Gwen had been given a second chance—a gift that allowed her to become Spider-Woman and take control of her own fate.
The First-Gen Spider-Man clenched his fists, rage bubbling inside him. But he had nowhere to direct his anger. Instead, he turned and drove his fist into the nearest wall, shattering it into pieces.
"Peter..." First-Gen Gwen whispered, watching him with concern. She had never seen him this furious before. She knew he was angry—angry at the other Peter for depending too much on his webbing, but also angry at himself for realizing the problem yet being powerless to intervene.
"I'm fine, Gwen. I'm fine..." First-Gen Spider-Man muttered, breathing heavily as he tried to compose himself.
She looked toward the Second-Gen Spider-Man on the screen. "No matter how angry you are, he’s the one suffering the most right now..." she said softly.
"...Yeah. I know." First-Gen Spider-Man exhaled deeply. His anger didn’t stop him from feeling the heartbreak of watching another version of himself experience such devastating loss.
Meanwhile, the entire world mourned Gwen Stacy’s death. Discussions erupted across the internet, with some refusing to believe she was really gone. Many clung to the hope that she had survived, much like Harry did.
However, due to strict regulations on reporting Spider-Man’s personal life, most of New York’s media outlets refrained from covering the situation. The mayor had publicly warned that anyone who harassed Spider-Man and his loved ones would face severe consequences.
As a result, the focus of the media remained on Spider-Man’s crime-fighting rather than his personal tragedies. Crime rates in New York had been steadily dropping, thanks to his efforts.
Still, the curiosity of the public couldn’t be ignored. In response, the mayor announced a press conference to formally introduce Peter and Gwen as the protectors of New York. By doing so, he hoped to elevate their status, attract investment, and possibly even use their image for future political endeavors.
[At Gwen's funeral, a solemn silence filled the cemetery. Police officers lined the perimeter, while Helen Stacy and her three sons wept bitterly. Peter stood quietly beside Aunt May, his face unreadable.]
[As time passed, the crowd gradually dispersed. Aunt May gently placed a hand on Peter’s arm, her expression filled with concern. Peter leaned down and kissed her forehead, silently reassuring her. Understanding his need to be alone, Aunt May left without another word.]
[Peter remained in front of the tombstone, lost in thought. His chest rose and fell in uneven breaths as he recalled every precious moment he had shared with Gwen.]
[Since that day, Peter visited Gwen’s grave daily. It didn’t matter if it was spring or winter, rain or shine—he always came, standing by her side in silent remembrance.]
[As his grief deepened, Spider-Man disappeared from the streets of New York. He could no longer bring himself to wear the suit. Every time he did, he was reminded of his failure—of the moment he couldn't save the woman he loved most.]
[For countless sleepless nights, he replayed the event in his mind, searching for a way he could have saved her. He swore to himself that he would never make such a mistake again.]
"Peter Parker..." Pepper whispered, her eyes red as she watched him on the screen, standing alone at Gwen’s grave. "I can't even imagine the pain he's going through."
"Fate is cruel," Tony muttered. He sighed, running a hand through his hair in frustration.
But no one was more infuriating to him than Harry Osborn.
Spider-Man had been forced into this battle because of him. And Gwen—Gwen had been dragged into the crossfire between two former best friends.
After leaving Max's house, Gwen and Peter found a secluded place to be alone.
Gwen turned to Peter, tightening her arms around his waist. She had watched his counterpart suffer on the screen, his sorrow unbearable to witness. She pressed herself closer, feeling his warmth.
Peter wrapped his arms around her in return, holding her as if she might disappear.
"We won’t be separated," Gwen whispered, looking up at him. "I won’t die. I’ll stay with you forever, Peter."
Peter cupped her face gently. "Yeah. No separation, no death… We’ll always be together."
He leaned down, capturing her lips in a deep kiss.
Above them, the moon bathed the towering skyline in soft silver light. Below, the city glowed with vibrant colors, stretching endlessly into the night.
"Poor Peter..." Otto Octavius sighed, watching the scene unfold. Beside him, Rose wiped away her tears with trembling hands. Seeing her so upset, Otto quietly handed her a tissue.
"Luckily, our Gwen is protected by Venom," he said after a moment of silence. "Otherwise, she might have ended up like the Second-Gen Gwen..."
The Eddie incident had shocked the entire world, drawing attention from even the mayor of New York. Officials had personally investigated Gwen and Harry’s involvement, attempting to piece together the full picture.
Meanwhile, another surprising development had taken place—Marko, after recovering from his injuries, had accepted a new role. First-Gen Spider-Man had revealed that Marko was now Harry’s full-time driver. More than that, he had earned Harry’s trust and had even dined with him on multiple occasions.
It was an amusing thought—Spider-Man casually sitting at the dinner table with some of his greatest enemies. With the exception of the Green Goblin, all of his most infamous foes had been present—including Venom.
Otto smirked to himself at the memory. It was almost surreal.
An idea formed in his mind. "Perhaps I should invite First-Gen Spider-Man to dinner with Harry and the others," he mused aloud. Ever since the Doctor Octopus incident, Otto’s relationship with Spider-Man had evolved dramatically. They often exchanged knowledge, and Peter frequently brought Gwen along to learn as well.
Otto had taught Peter everything he knew, freely sharing his wisdom. Dr. Connors and others had done the same, answering every question Peter had.
Because of their collective guidance, Peter’s understanding of science had improved tremendously. Even First-Gen Gwen had acquired knowledge that went far beyond any textbook.
Otto turned to Rose and shared his thoughts. She immediately agreed, her mind already busy planning what dishes to prepare for the gathering.
Satisfied, Otto picked up his phone and made the calls.
The invitations were warmly accepted.
And so, an unusual dinner was set in motion—one that would bring together Spider-Man, his friends, and his former enemies in a way no one had ever expected.
Chapter 190: Gustav Fiers
[Ravencroft Mental Hospital. A man dressed in black, wearing a wide-brimmed hat, walked through the dimly lit corridors under the guidance of the staff.]
[With a mechanical hum, the steel door before him slid open, revealing the confined figure of Harry Osborn.]
["Get out," the man ordered in a calm but commanding voice. Without hesitation, the staff member obeyed, stepping outside and securing the door behind him.]
[Harry, seated in front of a mirror, smirked at his reflection. "You’ve finally made some progress," he mused, his voice laced with amusement. The scars on his face had almost faded, evidence that the aftereffects of the spider venom were subsiding.]
[The man, Gustav Fiers, remained shrouded in darkness, his features completely concealed.]
["I've screened a few good candidates," Gustav said smoothly. "With Spider-Man gone, this city is going to change."]
["Just as I expected," Harry replied, raising an eyebrow.]
["Speaking of change—you’re looking much better," Gustav observed, his gaze settling on Harry’s face.]
["Good or bad, that remains to be seen," Harry said nonchalantly. "Keep talking."]
["How many candidates did you choose?"]
["Not too many. Everything we need is right here in Oscorp Industries," Harry smirked, granting Gustav unrestricted access to the company’s resources.]
["Who's the first volunteer?" Harry inquired.]
["Alexei Sisevich. Life sentence. Still serving time. He’s eager to join."]
[Harry’s smirk widened. "Good. Let’s start with him."]
[With Harry’s authorization, Gustav Fiers entered Oscorp Industries unimpeded. As the AI security system confirmed his clearance, a mechanical voice welcomed him: "Access granted. Welcome, Mr. Fiers."]
[Inside Oscorp’s Special Projects division—the former storage site for spider venom—rows of containment units and experimental equipment lined the walls. Gustav strode past a collection of sinister artifacts: Doctor Octopus' mechanical tentacles, the Vulture's wings, a suit of Rhino armor… and more.]
"Fiers…?" Dr. Connors muttered, his brow furrowed. The name stirred something in his memory. He had heard it before.
After a moment of thought, he remembered.
Without hesitation, Connors called Peter, relaying everything he knew about Gustav Fiers.
Meanwhile, Harry also recalled his own brief encounter with Fiers—though, at the time, he hadn’t realized who he was dealing with.
Gustav Fiers, however, was no fool. He knew the risk of exposure. His name alone was a dangerous clue. If Harry pieced things together, it wouldn’t be long before others did as well.
Still, he was confident. Without concrete evidence, even Peter Parker—Spider-Man—couldn’t act against him.
Peter first received the call from Connors. Then, unexpectedly, one from Harry.
For Harry, Fiers wasn’t as significant as the fragile truce he had with Peter. Their history mattered more than a fleeting connection to a shady figure.
So, Harry disclosed everything he knew to Peter. However, thanks to The Screen's intervention, Gustav Fiers was far more subtle than his counterpart in the original timeline. Very few people knew his true identity.
But this anonymity wouldn’t last forever.
The moment Fiers slipped up—even slightly—he would be exposed. With the obsessive nature of Spider-Man fans and the rapid spread of information, it was only a matter of days before the truth came to light.
At the same time, George Stacy began using his police authority to investigate all individuals in New York with the surname 'Fiers.'
The FBI had also taken interest.
Although McCann had confessed to ordering Rajit assassination, the FBI Director of the New York branch wasn’t convinced.
There was no way McCann, acting alone, could have obtained classified intelligence or orchestrated such a sophisticated operation.
With Connor’s death placing them under heavy scrutiny, the FBI was now under pressure. Had the Director not been protected by high-ranking political allies, he would have been fired on the spot.
All eyes turned toward the mysterious Gustav Fiers.
Before, he had been difficult to track.
Now, the hunt was on.
The FBI raided multiple locations tied to him.
But when they stormed his company, they found nothing.
Frustrated, they escalated measures—tightening security at New York’s borders, monitoring travel logs, and vowing to uncover the mastermind behind the scenes.
[“Russian gangster Aleksei Sisevich, with the help of an unidentified group, has escaped from ‘The Vault,’ a high-security secret prison!”]
[On the TV screen, a news anchor reported the shocking development. A large portrait of Aleksei—Rhino—filled the display.]
[In a modest apartment, a young boy watched the broadcast intently. His name was George. The same boy who had once been bullied… and saved by Spider-Man.]
[“Since Spider-Man disappeared five months ago, crime has been on the rise. This is yet another example! The city is suffering in his absence!”]
[George walked over to the window, his heart sinking. He stuck his head out, searching for a familiar red-and-blue figure swinging between the buildings.]
[But there was nothing.]
[With a sigh, he turned back, his gaze landing on a small miniature wind turbine. A reminder of the hero who had once stood up for him.]
["Believe it or not," the anchor continued, "even the NYPD has joined the chorus of concerned citizens! Everyone is asking the same question—Where is Spider-Man?"]
[In a quiet home, Aunt May packed a few belongings into a box. She glanced at Peter, who stood motionless nearby, lost in his thoughts.]
[He reached out and turned off the TV.]
[Months had passed, yet the grief still weighed heavily on him.]
["What a shame," Aunt May sighed, sealing the box. "Spider-Man just vanished… like that. It's a pity. Seems like people really need him."]
[Peter flinched at her words. He didn’t want to hear about Spider-Man. Every mention of that name brought back the memory of that night. His heart clenched with pain.]
[He grabbed a bowl and started to leave.]
["Peter?" Aunt May called after him. "Where are you going?"]
["Eat cereal," Peter muttered. His voice was flat, emotionless.]
[Aunt May’s expression softened with concern. "Peter... where are you really going?"]
[He stopped. For a long moment, he said nothing. Then, finally, he turned back to face her.]
["I don't know."]
[“It’s funny,” Aunt May mused, lifting another box. “I’ve been trying to clean up a little… pack some of Ben’s things away.”]
[Peter watched her in silence.]
[She gave a small, sad smile. “Strange, isn’t it? The heavier the box, the lighter I feel.”]
[Peter frowned slightly, unsure what she meant. "Are you… throwing them away?"]
["No! Oh my God, no! Of course not!" Aunt May gasped. "I could never do that. Ben’s things are part of my life! I just… found a better place for them."]
[She met his gaze, her red-rimmed eyes filled with understanding. "Peter... you need to do the same."]
[Peter’s throat tightened. He understood her meaning. No matter how much he missed Gwen, she was never coming back.]
[She smiled softly. "I’ll take one last look, then put them where they belong."]
