Chapter 43

In his laboratory, the Lizard is diligently working on creating an enhanced version of the Lizard serum. This new serum is designed to trigger further mutations in his cells, resulting in a significant increase in strength and an overall improvement in his abilities. The Lizard is counting on this heightened power to defeat anyone in his way and carry out his ambitious plan.

"If all goes as planned, that rat should be finishing up soon."

He has devised a strategy to defeat the heroes pursuing him. If everything goes according to plan, it will effectively neutralize them, allowing him to carry out his plan without interference.

*Ting*

The lizard gazed in awe at the finished serum, a surge of joy pulsing through his veins. Carefully, he lifted the serum vial, admiring its shimmering contents.

"With this, no one will be able to stop me!"

After taking the serum, the Lizard undergoes a dramatic transformation. His muscles rapidly swell and expand while his scales toughen and thicken, forming a robust and natural armor. His jaw resembles an iguana's, and his claws lengthen and sharpen, becoming lethal weapons. Bony protrusions emerge along his arms, spine, and tail, as well as on his back, head, and neck, capable of piercing through steel. He grows in size, now towering at an imposing height of 10 feet.

"ROAR"

…

As Ace, Gwen, and Peter ventured into the dark, damp sewers in search of Vermin, they were assaulted by an overwhelming stench that seemed to seep through their protective suits despite the filters. The water was filled with floating garbage, and the rusted, deteriorating pipes loomed ominously in the dim light, adding to the sense of unease and danger in the underground tunnels.

"Uh, what do people throw down here to smell this awful?" asked Peter

"All kind of waste. Food, trash, drugs, and probably even human bodies," replied Ace

"Scary…"

"Hey guys, check it out," said Gwen

Gwen surveyed the trail of chaos Vermin had left in his wake. The walls were marred with deep claw marks, and sturdy metal bars had been torn. Broken pipes lay scattered about, spewing flammable gas and igniting fires.

"He must have gone this way. Come one, let's follow the trail before we lose him," said Gwen as she followed the trail. Ace and Peter followed behind her.

As they trailed Vermin through the dark and damp sewers, they found themselves squeezing through narrow passageways. While the spiders moved effortlessly, Ace faced considerable difficulty with his larger size. He had to exert extra effort to overcome some barriers and keep up. After a while, they stumbled upon an abandoned subway line, where they uncovered further signs of Vermin's presence. Ace's unease grew as he couldn't shake the feeling that everything was going too smoothly.

"This is weird," said Ace

"What is?" replied Peter

"All of this, Vermin is trying to run away, but he is leaving trails we can easily find. He has not even done anything to stop us. It is like he is trying to lead us to somewhere."

"You think this might be a trap?" asked Gwen

"Maybe, keep your eyes peeled. If your spider senses pick anything, try to run immediately."

They continued to track the path until they reached a spacious circular clearing. In the middle, a single sewage waterline ran through the area, encircled by multiple catwalks and platforms. The air was unsettling, with only the water flow disrupting the stillness.

They did not find any more tracks of Vermin. "Where did he go?" asked Gwen

"I don't know, but stay close and be careful. I have a bad feeling about this," said Ace

They moved together, keeping an eye on each other's surroundings, when Peter and Gwen's spider senses suddenly blared, giving them a slight headache.

"Ah! What the hell? My spider sense is going haywire." said Peter

"Mine too," replied Gwen

"CRY"

They gazed up at the origin of the sound and spotted Vermin slowly descending from the ceiling. Vermin leaped onto a catwalk and let out a roar towards them.

"CRY"

"I guess you're back for more. Don't worry when this is over. You are going to be put into a nice cell locked away forever." Gwen was prepared to leap towards Vermin, but Ace restrained her by placing a hand on her shoulders.

"Spider-Woman, wait, something is not right here."

"How perceptive, Rider."

Something dropped down in front of them. The ground cracked when it landed, causing dust to spread. Ace, Gwen, and Peter saw a massive silhouette. When the dust settled, they saw the Lizard in his mutated form. He towered over them with his sharp teeth, ready to crush them.

"Doc… what happened to you," said Peter in disbelief, seeing the Lizard's monstrous form.

The Lizard replied in a deep, growling, animalistic voice. "I have become better. I have transcended humanity!"

"Doc, this isn't you. We have the cure; let us help you," Peter pleaded, trying to reason with the Lizard.

"Why would I want to be cured? I am not sick. I do not need your help." he responded with a sickening tone.

"What about your family? Your wife, your son. They are waiting for you to go home." said Peter

"Do not worry; they will join me soon."

Ace did not like the sound of that. "What are you planning!?"

"It wouldn't matter. You will soon be dead."

The fearsome Lizard let out a loud roar as it lunged toward Peter and Ace while Vermin set its sights on Gwen. The Lizard's tail whipped through the air, narrowly missing Peter as he leaped out of the way. Meanwhile, Ace attempted to deflect the attack with the Gekitotsu Smasher, but the sheer force overwhelmed him, hurtling him into a nearby wall.

"Ex-aid!" exclaimed Peter

The Lizard jumps toward Peter and grabs him, slamming him into the wall.

"Dr. Connors, it doesn't— Ugh, have to end like this." Peter is struggling to break free from the Lizard's hand

"Connors is not here; only I am in control!"

As Peter is thrown away, he crashes into the ground, tumbling uncontrollably. Meanwhile, Gwen is battling fiercely with Vermin, struggling to subdue him. Despite her attempts to restrain him with her web, he darts around, scaling walls and catwalks to evade her every move.

"Hold still!"

"CRY"

Vermin leaped at Gwen, swiftly swiping her legs with his tail, then seized them and hurled her against a nearby railing with great force.

"UGH"

Gwen's spider-sense screamed a warning as she swiftly reacted, seizing the railings and executing a graceful backflip to evade Vermin's vicious claws. The metal railings were sliced by Vermin's attack, marking the spot where Gwen had stood just moments before. Gwen swiftly shot her webs at the railings near Vermin and used them to propel herself forward, delivering a powerful kick that sent him hurtling off the catwalk and crashing to the ground below.

Ace snapped out of his daze and saw the Lizard attacking Peter. He hurried toward them and struck the Lizard with the Gekitotsu Smasher.

"Hey ugly, eat this!"

The Lizard was caught off guard as the fist hurtled towards him, crashing into his face. Ace continued to deliver powerful punches, causing the lizard to stumble backward.

"You okay?" Ace asked Peter

"Never better, we need to give him the gene cleanser," replied Peter

"We need to pry open his mouth first. You go high, I go low,"

Peter skillfully scales the walls and hurls web balls at the Lizard to distract him. Meanwhile, Ace delivers powerful punches, aiming to stagger the Lizard, but the creature's tough scales and skin make it a challenge.

The Lizard lunges at Ace, swiping at him with his enormous claws, but Ace raises his arm just in time to block the attack, straining under the weight of the Lizard's hand. Meanwhile, Peter leaps onto the Lizard's back to attempt to intervene, but the Lizard's thrashing tail swiftly knocks him off.

The Lizard's attack catches Ace off guard, sending him crashing to the ground. The force of the impact leaves him gasping for air, struggling to regain his breath. As Ace staggers to his feet, he sees Gwen locked in a fierce struggle with Vermin. Despite her determined efforts, Vermin gradually gains the advantage and overpowers her, pinning her down.

"No!"

Ace tries to help Gwen but is blocked by the Lizard

"You are going nowhere. You will watch your friend suffer and die."

Ace tries to go through the Lizard, but he is not giving him the chance.

'I have to end this quickly.' Ace thought

He slots the Gekitotsu Robots into the Kimewaza Slot Holder and presses the button to the finisher.

[GASHATTO]

[KIMEWAZA]

[GEKITOTSU, CRITICAL STRIKE]

Ace's Gekitotsu Smasher emanates a bright glow as he assumes a punching stance. With a swift left hook, he propels the Gekitotsu Smasher toward the Lizard. The Lizard grapples with the powerful projectile, attempting to halt its advance, but eventually hurls it aside, causing it to collide with a nearby wall.

"What!"

"HAHAHA, is that all you got? It seems you won't be able to save your friend."

Gwen gets picked up by Lizard by the neck. He strangles her, barely enough to breathe.

"Let her go!" shouted Ace

"Hahaha, say goodbye to the little spider."

The Lizard was about to snap Gwen's neck when Peter swung in, throwing a pipe at the Lizard. He let go of Gwen, and Peter managed to grab her, bringing her to safety. 

"Gwen, are you okay?" asked Ace 

"Cough, cough, I'm okay…" she said weakly

"We thought you were going to snap like a twig there for a second," said Peter, relieved Gwen was okay.

"ROAR, Annoying pests! No matter, this is where you all will die."

The Lizard and Vermin departed from the area, and suddenly, a sequence of powerful explosions rocked the surroundings.

"He is trying to bury us alive!?" said Peter

As they clustered closely, desperately seeking an escape, the weight of the ceiling suddenly bore down on them, burying them beneath its crushing force.

***

Extra chapter reaching 9000 cumulative power stones. 7960/9000

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