Chapter 68: The Spider-Man's Curse?

"Look, it's just the two of us now," Doctor Octopus said leisurely, looking at Peter.

"Uh huh, that's right. So, would you like to treat me to some crab buns for breakfast? I'm quite hungry," Peter asked in all seriousness. 

"Then would you let me study you?" Doctor Octopus smiled. "Don't worry, I'll only take a small sample."

Peter shook his head. "I'm not an onion, why would you need to slice me?"

In truth, he did have the thought of researching the current state of Blond Spider-Man's body. Because his condition was too bizarre now. It seemed to be in a "Schrodinger's death state." When his consciousness left, Blond Spider-Man's body entered a period of death and decay. When his consciousness returned, Blond Spider-Man was back to normal.

This was definitely not a normal state of being. However, letting Doctor Octopus research it was out of the question. He could just turn around and leave, but Blond Spider-Man, Aunt May, and even Blond Spider-Man's lover Mary Jane couldn't simply walk away.

What if Doctor Octopus researched this and discovered something strange? Like zombies also trapped in a "Schrodinger's death state?"

Imagining Blond Spider-Man with rotting flesh, silent hollow eyes, wearing a tattered Spider-suit, mouth covered in someone's fresh blood...Peter shuddered.

"No, no, absolutely not!"

"Well then, I'll just take it myself!" No longer hoping for Peter's cooperation, Doctor Octopus sent three fluid mechanical tentacles attacking him simultaneously.

Peter could easily handle two tentacles alone. But as the saying goes: Two fists cannot defeat four hands. Adding that third mechanical tentacle increased the variables exponentially, giving Peter much more trouble.

Peter guessed these mechanical tentacles must have independent intelligent chips installed, linked to a control hub operated by Doctor Octopus herself. Only then could they launch different attacks independently yet also coordinate with each other, restricting Peter's movements.

While battling Doctor Octopus, Peter couldn't help recalling the Iron Spider suit stored in Blond Spider-Man's private underground base. That suit had three iron spider-legs on the back controlled by its AI system.

However, that suit was extremely expensive and the maintenance costs after each use were exorbitant. Although Blond Spider-Man was not destitute, he was not wealthy enough to maintain such an advanced battle suit - his money mainly came from various investments without having his own company, at least not for a very long time.

Blond Spider-Man also did not highly pursue wealth. Plus, his usual activities rarely required such an advanced suit. Even if some of Kingpin's goons attacked together, it was just a minor inconvenience to him.

Seeing her attacks had no effect, Doctor Octopus grew anxious. They chose this timing precisely because it avoided disturbing people at night while the streets were not too crowded. Even if someone spotted them, Kingpin could use his influence to cover it up.

But in a couple more hours, the streets would be full of people going to work, causing a major disturbance that even Kingpin would have to consider the consequences of. 

However, Doctor Octopus's impatience gave Peter an opportunity to counterattack. He suddenly accelerated, attacking Doctor Octopus's side flank. She hurriedly controlled the fluid tentacles to pursue him.

Then, Peter's movements paused momentarily as he reached back with his hand, sticking it to one of the fluid tentacles. He spun around Doctor Octopus in a circle, over and over again.

When Peter finally stopped, Doctor Octopus found herself bound up by her own tentacles like a bamboo-leaf wrapped sticky rice dumpling. Peter thoughtfully applied some webbing over her body to ensure she couldn't escape.

Throughout the process, Doctor Octopus kept staring intently at Peter, as if trying to see right through him. It made Peter's skin crawl. After ensuring she couldn't break free anytime soon, he tossed her aside and looked toward the other battlefields.

On Noir Spider-Man's side, Scorpion had both his mechanical legs bent and his tail stinger ripped out, lying motionless on the ground. Indeed, without Peter holding him back, Noir Spider-Man's methods were more ruthless now.

Spider-Gwen was heading back their way, so the gunmen must have been taken care of without incident. 

Amazing Spider-Man B had punched Kingpin to the ground, shouting something Peter couldn't make out from that distance, before turning to leave.

However, Peter didn't see Miles anywhere and his brow furrowed, feeling something seemed amiss. Combined with Amazing Spider-Man B's anxious demeanor...had Miles run into trouble?

Peter's heart skipped a beat. Although he was constantly exasperated by Miles's repeated mistakes, he couldn't deny that if he left this world, Miles was the only one who could take over as the new Spider-Man.

So Miles absolutely could not be harmed. Peter hurried over in that direction.

When he arrived, he saw a man in a purple trench coat lying in a pool of blood, with Miles sobbing while holding him. This man was Miles's uncle, Prowler - who also happened to work for Kingpin, making him one of Blond Spider-Man's longtime foes.

Amazing Spider-Man B stood on a rooftop, looking down with a complex expression.

Peter landed beside him, overhearing him murmur, "Fate. This is fate's cruel curse. Every Spider-Man has to lose their loved ones." He seemed utterly distraught.

Peter frowned and leapt down to the ground beside Miles. With a soft thud, he crouched to examine Prowler's wound. 

The injury was in his chest area, clearly dealt by some kind of high-caliber firearm. Prowler's battle suit used bulletproof materials, but it could not withstand such powerful ammunition's impact.

Not only was there a gaping hole, his internal organs suffered severe trauma as well. It was fatal, Peter could see at a glance.

Miles looked at him with teary eyes, seeking any shred of hope in Peter's gaze. Peter sighed, patting his shoulder before walking away, his heart shrouded in darkness.

Noir Spider-Man, Spider-Man, Amazing Spider-Man B, Blond Spider-Man...and now Miles. Amazing Spider-Man B's words echoed in Peter's mind: 

"Being Spider-Man is a curse that not only affects us, but those around us too. Because of it, I've missed out on so much, lost so much..."

Was this the curse? Then who would his curse claim?

Aunt May?

No, never!

(End of chapter)