43 43: Lizard appears & Spider-Woman's Escape

Peter's door. 

George checked his watch. 

Past ten pm, the house dark - the couple must be resting. 

"Keep watch a bit longer. If no movement, we'll wrap up."

"Notify Team B to monitor when shifts change." 

"Report the instant Peter Parker leaves Osborn!"

A detective asked, "Chief, a lizard that massive really exists?"

George was silent, then stated, "We're here to work the case. The lizard's existence doesn't matter!" 

"Eyes open."

S.H.I.E.L.D Helicarrier. 

In his office, Nick Fury listened to Phil Coulson's report. 

Afterwards, Nick sighed, "Quite a gap between him and his old man."

His impression of Howard Stark was more personable. 

Also a genius, Nick saw Howard as Tony's equal. 

Only the war-torn era limited Howard's potential. 

Yet he created the nation's first superhero, still influential today.

A knock sounded on the door. 

"Enter."

Hill agent stepped inside. "Evening sir. I have something to update you on." 

Nick gestured for her to proceed. 

Hill tapped her tablet, bringing up photos on the big screen. 

A dilapidated laboratory.

Nick wondered, "Why are you showing me this?"

"Perhaps this next one will interest you more." 

The image changed to a corpse. 

Seeing it, Nick's still healing facial scar suddenly ached, recalling that night. 

"Where did this come from?"

"The NYPD sir. It's a university lab belonging to one Kurt Connors." 

The screen switched to show Connors' details.

"That giant lizard is tied to this man somehow?"

Hill took a breath. "Unclear yet, but the police commissioner is investigating." 

"Hill, send the chief that footage from when we were attacked." 

"Yes director." 

"Also, Tony's had contact with Obadiah, seems quite unpleasant." 

"He may have noticed Obadiah and Kingpin's covert actions."

"Let's see what he does next."

...

In a sedan. 

Seeing no activity at Peter's, George prepared to withdraw. 

A detective exclaimed, "Hey, look at this!" 

On his tablet, an anonymous account had sent him a random video. 

They gathered around to view it. 

The footage, clear from inside the car, initially showed nothing odd. 

But suddenly a loud thump sounded on the roof, followed by a claw piercing the windshield. 

Then a terrifying lizard head with snarling maw appeared. 

"It's that giant lizard?" 

The younger detectives swallowed upon seeing the creature. 

Though aware of mutants, this was new to them.

"Can you trace the sender?" George's expression darkened after watching. 

The video alerted him to the operation's danger. 

The detective shook his head. "No, very careful. One-time anonymous account." 

"Vanishes after sending this, like..." 

"Meant just for us to see." 

George added, "Ready your clips, gentlemen." 

"If we encounter it, don't hesitate to fire!" 

"Yes chief!" 

Guns audibly loaded as the mood grew tense.

Just then a faint bang sounded from a nearby street. 

Though muted, very distinct on the silent night. 

George signaled for quiet, directing all to exit the car. 

He and another approached the sound's origin. 

Without notice, they crept toward the open manhole on the ground.

Reaching it together, they aimed guns downward. 

Pitch blackness below, nothing visible. 

A faint sour smell.

George shone his flashlight down. 

Still nothing. 

"Chief, watch yourself."

Just as George relaxed, his partner warned.

He reflexively rolled forward. 

A claw barely missed him from behind. 

The other detective fired several shots at the sudden monster. 

The harsh gunfire pierced the night's calm. 

But no one dared turn on lights. Those with lights switched them off after the shots. 

The whole street remained silent. 

And the officer who fired gaped in shock: "How's this possible..." 

...

"Miss Gwen, Connors encountered the detectives." 

"Is my father okay?"

"Don't worry, all are safe presently." 

Gwen exhaled in relief, swinging faster.

Unbeknownst to her, Red meant thanks to Andrew's presence.

She assumed Andrew was still home awaiting her return. 

...

Having rolled clear, George whipped around, training his gun on Lizard-Connors. 

Though prepared by the video, seeing the creature still shocked him deeply. 

Most stunning was watching Connors' bullet wounds heal instantly. 

Other detectives, hearing the shots, now converged on the scene. 

All were stunned by Lizard-Connors, two even cursing audibly. 

The monster took several steps back under their collective gaze. 

But not fear, just instinct. 

Connors had great pride, otherwise he wouldn't have pursued limb regeneration despite scorn. 

Now his instincts initially made Lizard-Connors retreat. 

But bestial urges swiftly prevailed.

He saw the five or six newcomers were all police! 

Connors knew the more who discovered his existence, the harder achieving his aims would be. 

Let alone a pack of detectives...

In that case...

Slaughter them all!

Lizard-Connors' eyes flashed with predatory intent. 

Roar!!!

He roared wide-mouthed at George's group. 

Spittle and fishy breath spewed out. 

"It's enraged! Fall back, spread out!" 

George realized their current firepower was useless, only angering it further.

Dispersing was the safest option to contain it.

Leading the group, George became Lizard-Connors' immediate focus. 

It targeted the alpha first. 

Landing on all fours, the creature roared and charged George. 

Despite George's experience, that was with humans. 

Lizard-Connors' speed exceeded his knowledge. 

Facing the oncoming monster, George managed to pull his trigger. 

Observing overhead, Andrew moved to intervene but saw a white figure speeding in - Gwen on time. 

"Perfect timing."

Rushing urgently, Gwen didn't notice the golden armor atop a nearby house. 

She saw Connors lunging for George instead. 

"Sh*t!"

Seeing the lizard almost upon George, he could only blurt a curse and fire wildly. 

His bullets only punctured Lizard-Connors briefly before healing.

It opened its maw of fangs wide, icy glinting. 

Targeting George's neck - one bite would kill him tonight.

Just before reaching him, Gwen swung in, web binding Lizard-Connors' head, disorienting it.

Then she leapt and kicked the creature away! 

After rolling on the concrete, it screeched to a halt, claws gouging the pavement. 

George, spared from death, was drenched in cold sweat. 

But seeing Spider-Woman as his rescuer soured his mood again.

Gwen noticed and playfully teased, "Hey officer, don't I get a thanks for saving your hide?"

"I didn't ask you to save me!" 

George retorted stubbornly, getting to his feet. 

"Fine, I'll let him pounce on you next time." 

Gwen's spider-sense screamed the instant she finished speaking. 

Lizard-Connors, recovering from her kick, now crawled rapidly back toward them.

Still targeting George. 

"Look out!"

Gwen quickly web-wrapped its head again, confusing it. 

Then she leapt and delivered a flying kick, booting Lizard-Connors into the woods, knocking down trees. 

"See, I rescued you again." 

George wouldn't acknowledge it, but it was factual. 

He scowled, wanting to protest but found no rebuttal. 

In the woods, Lizard-Connors slowly righted itself, glowering at Gwen. "Who are you?" 

"I'm the amazing Spider-Woman!"

Gwen declared proudly. 

"Do you know?" 

"Know what?" Gwen asked.

"In nature, lizards feast on spiders!" 

Lizard-Connors' intent was clear - Gwen was prey.

"Oh yeah? Let's see, what if I'm poisonous?" 

Lizard-Connors lunged down, shaking its head violently. 

Preparing to attack Gwen once more. 

Just then, harsh blaring sirens sounded from all around. 

Approaching from every direction. 

Lizard-Connors glared angrily at George, who proudly brandished a radio. 

"I called all precincts nearby."

"They're bringing serious firepower." 

"Wanna try us out?"

Lizard-Connors realized further engagement would only harm it at this stage. 

After glancing at Peter's house, it slunk off, disappearing into the woods.

"You're not getting away!"

As Gwen moved to pursue, the converging police surrounded and aimed guns at her. 

"Don't move!"

Gwen raised her hands. "What are you doing, it's escaping! Harder to catch later."

"Catching thieves, criminals, and monsters is our job. Don't worry about it." 

"Come to the station to assist investigating now." 

"I just saved you guys!" Gwen said, indignant. 

George approached and added, "How could you coincidentally appear? We have to suspect you're connected to that creature."

At George's signal, a detective neared to unmask Gwen. 

Gwen stood still, hands up.

Facing all those guns...

What to do now? 

"Ms. Spider-Woman, you ready?"

Just as Gwen panicked, Andrew's voice sounded in her earpiece. 

Gwen steeled herself. "Absolutely!" 

Suddenly, painful screeching blared from the officers' headsets. 

All grabbed their ears in pain.

Gwen seized the chance to kick the two before her. 

Then swung upwards on a web...

...To be continued.