Chapter 38

Deep in the labyrinthine sewers of New York, the mechanical hum of machinery can be heard echoing throughout. After leaving Oscorp with his research, Dr. Connors established a hidden laboratory in the sewers, far from prying eyes. Determined not to lose his life's work, he is now focused on recreating the lizard serum.

"Soon, I will be whole again. No, I need to be better than I ever was before."

Connors is researching ways to enhance the serum. He recalls the battle against the two spiders, recognizing that he wasn't as strong as he needed to be. The Avengers and numerous other groups also pose significant threats to his plans. To achieve his dream, he must become stronger, far surpassing those in power.

"If I gather more reptile DNA, I would be able to enhance the serum, but I currently don't have them."

Connors plans to gather more reptile DNA samples to enhance his serum. He identified a zoo in New York that houses various reptiles and set it as his next target. After creating another batch of the lizard serum, he was about to inject himself with the serum, but his left hand stopped, halting his actions.

"Who. Are. You." Connors's true personality momentarily resurfaced, stopping him from injecting the serum. However, the Lizard persona was relentless, slowly inching the needle closer to his body, determined to inject the serum.

"Why are you fighting me?" asked the Lizard

"We both wanted this. To become whole, to create a world without weakness, no outcasts."

"No! You attacked those people. I did not want it to be like this! You are a monster!"

The two personalities are locked in a fierce battle for control over Connors's body, each vying to become the dominant force. Unfortunately, Connors's personality appears to be losing this internal struggle. The serum needle is slowly inching its way toward his skin, guided by the Lizard's will.

"You and I are the same, but you are weak—a pitiful and feeble human when we can be so much more. Stop resisting and watch as we ascend humanity! No, I will ascend, and you shall disappear. Forever throwing away my weakness."

"No!"

The serum was injected, and Connors's body began to change. Green scales emerged across his skin, and his size started to increase. With the transformation now complete, he had once again become the Lizard.

"Now then, shall I visit my brothers and sisters…" He said, looking at the zoo's location on the screen map.

…

After Ace, Peter, and Gwen's visit to Oscorp, it is now more or less confirmed that Dr. Connors is the Lizard. They are now discussing how to find and deal with the Lizard.

"What should we do now? We don't know where to find him, and he could be anywhere." said Gwen

"Does he have a family?" asked Ace

"He has a wife and kid. He told me before when we were working together." said Peter

"Then it is best if we check out his home first. He may have left a clue or told his wife where he is." said Ace

Now that they have a plan, the three of them head to Connors's house to search for clues.

…

They arrived at Connors' home, rang the doorbell, and were greeted by Martha when she opened the door.

"Hello, how may I help you?"

"Hello, are you Dr. Connors' wife?" asked Peter

"Yes, that's right."

"I'm Peter Parker. I'm working as an intern for Dr. Connors."

"Oh! So you must be Peter. It is so nice to meet you. My husband told me you are a bright young man. He said his research would have been delayed for years without you."

Peter was embarrassed by the sudden praise. "You are too kind."

"So, what brings you here?"

"We are hoping to find Dr. Connors. Has he been here last night?"

"Yes, he has. I was quite worried for him. He came home with his clothes ruined and smelling like the sewers."

This alarmed all three of them. The Lizard managed to escape after battling Peter and Gwen. He probably fled to the sewers and then made his way home.

"Was Dr. Connors acting a bit weird?" asked Gwen

"What do you mean by that?" replied Martha

"Did he have any scales on him, or did his eyes become yellow?"

"Are you saying my husband is a monster?" said Martha in a severe tone

"No, um, I did not mean to disrespect. It is just uh…"

"It is alright, young lady, come to think of it. He was unusually more hurried than usual. He did not even eat his breakfast and did not say goodbye. He just up and left."

"Do you know where he went?" asked Ace

"Did he not go to Oscorp? I saw him leave just this morning."

"We did not find him at Oscorp. Does he have any other labs that he owns?"

"No, he doesn't have other labs. I'm also a scientist. If he has other labs, I should also know."

Ace believed this was a dead end since there were no clues to find the Lizard except by searching the sewers, which would take too long.

"Does he keep his research here? We hope we can take them. Dr. Connors lost all the data in Oscorp."

"Oh my, what happened? Did a fire happen or something?" said Martha

"Something like that." said Gwen

"Well, that is a shame. Sure, Curt has a copy of his research in his office. Let me show you."

"Thank you," said Ace

Martha led the three to Connors's office, where he kept his research data. She gave it to them, and they thanked her before leaving.

"What do we need his data for, Ace?" asked Gwen

"Well, I hope we can find out a weakness of the Lizard and create a cure as well. Peter, do you think you can do that?"

"Of course, I worked with the serum with the Doc and knew it like the back of my hand. I'm sure I can create a cure for him."

"Good, let's go back to my mansion. The lab should have all the necessary equipment to create the cure."

The three returned to the mansion to develop a cure for Dr. Connors. Upon arrival, Peter analyzed Dr. Connors' research data and, using equipment from the lab, managed to create a cure shortly after. Ace praised Peter, remarking that he was a genius to devise a cure on such short notice.

"I've finished the cure. It is a gene cleanser. It will use human DNA and hopefully filter out non-human DNA. Although I have no way to test it. So, I hope it will work." said Peter

"Won't that work against you as well? If you take that, you will turn back into a regular human." said Ace

Gwen and Peter were alarmed. Although they could use the gene cleanser to return to normal, they chose not to.

"Just make sure not to get that on you, okay?" Ace said, and Peter and Gwen nodded.

"What should we do now? Do we just wait?" asked Gwen

"What else can we do? We can't just swing around blindly."

Gwen and Peter discuss how to spend their time wisely until Ace receives a notification from Zea, who found the Lizard attacking a local zoo.

"You don't have to; look at this."

Ace switched the computer screen to the local news, which showed the Lizard gathering reptiles. A local news reporter was live reporting the scene.

"This is just in: a giant Lizard is attacking the New York Zoo, and many animals are on the loose. People are fleeing the scene, and many are injured while—"

"ROAR"

On the screen, the lizard appeared, leading a rampage with many reptiles following his command. The reporter fled as the camera cut off when the Lizard threw a bench.

"We have to get there quick." said Peter

"Right!" replied Gwen

They both put on their spider suits and took the gene cleanser with them. They swung as fast as possible toward the zoo. Ace was also not idle and put on his persona as Kamen Rider. He rode off, following Peter and Gwen.

…

The Lizard was gathering DNA from the reptiles in the zoo. He has nearly gathered all of them and now commands all the reptiles to attack people. A lot of people in the zoo visiting were bitten and bleeding. Some unlucky few died and were dismembered.

"And that should be the last. I now have enough DNA to make myself stronger! I should now leave before—"

"Hold it right there, Doc!" Peter and Gwen arrived and stopped Lizard from leaving.

"Annoying pest. ROAR"

"You have got to stop, Doc. You're not thinking straight. We have the cure, so please stop so this can all be over." said Peter, trying to persuade Lizard, hoping Dr. Connors was still there.

"Cure me? Why, I am whole! I am the next stage of humanity! Why should I be cured."

"Then you leave us no choice, Doc. We are taking you down," said Peter, determined to stop the Lizard.

"I'm also here." Ace arrived riding on the Blue Spader and stood beside Peter and Gwen.

"Rider! You're also here." said Gwen, now that Kamen Rider is here. She is more confident they can take down the Lizard.

The Lizard only snickered. "Having one more of you will make no difference." he said confidently.

"Then you are sorely underestimating me." Ace removed the Blay Buckle and inserted the change beetle rouse card into the buckle.

The buckle flew to his waist, and stacks of cards formed a belt. The standby noise played, waiting for Ace.

"Henshin!" Ace pulled the handle of the blay buckle to transform.

[TURN UP]

A blue door made of light appeared in front of Ace and slowly moved towards him. When Ace stepped through, he found himself covered in silver armor with a blue bodysuit. A spade symbol was on his chest and buckle, and his helmet had a single horn with red eyes. He carried the Blay Rouzer, a hi-tech saber, and his primary weapon on his waist. Ace had transformed into Kamen Rider Blade.

***

Extra chapter reaching 9000 cumulative power stones. 7000/9000

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