Chapter Fifty: Spider Serum

Soon, Michael’s new suit of armor was freshly completed. Compared to the Green Goblin’s, it was somewhat enhanced, but it still couldn’t compete with Tony’s. Tony’s suit was equipped with a new reactor and anti-gravity device—technologies Osborne Industries simply couldn’t match.

However, Michael could make up for these shortcomings in other ways, such as with magic. The boots were enchanted with a leaping spell, similar in effect to Frodo’s Boots. The torso and right arm were inscribed with defensive spells, which, when activated, could form a circular magical shield—a touch of Michael’s own peculiar style. White magic didn’t offer much in the way of offensive spells; the only ones capable of turning magical energy into weapons were the whip and the shield. This was evident in Doctor Strange’s world: the villains wielded air blades, while Doctor Strange himself relied on the whip and the shield.

A lightness spell was cast on the cloak at the back, though it didn’t reach the level of Doctor Strange’s magical cloak. At first glance, the suit bore a resemblance to Batman’s attire; upon closer inspection, it looked even more so.

Now came the quiet waiting—for Norman to make his move during the carnival.

Michael had also discovered a business opportunity: Osborne Industries’ stocks. If all the old board members were dead and Norman, having become the Green Goblin, met a tragic end as well, would the next generation of privileged heirs be able to sustain the Osborne Group?

The answer was a resounding no. Norman’s son, Harry, had little to recommend him, and was often overlooked by his own father. If Norman died under the guise of the Goblin, Osborne Industries’ reputation would plummet, and its stock price would inevitably fall, especially with the board’s elders all gone.

Retail shareholders would be the first to dump their shares, followed by these underachieving heirs, some of whom might even be coerced into selling at rock-bottom prices. In the end, Osborne Industries would become a veritable mess.

Yet, even a dying camel is bigger than a horse—Osborne Industries was, after all, a massive enterprise. Perhaps it would struggle on, only to collapse, or perhaps someone else would take over. But why couldn’t that someone be me?

As Michael indulged in his visions of the future, Gwen walked in.

“Is my suit ready yet?”

Michael snapped out of his reverie. “Not yet. Why?”

Gwen slumped into a chair, looking drowsy. “I don’t know why, but I just feel drained.”

Michael shook his head. “Gwen, you need to get used to ordinary days.”

Gwen, sulking, propped her legs up on Michael’s lap. “I can’t. I feel like I’m dying. Not being Spider-Man just feels wrong.”

Michael kneaded her calf, glancing at the dismantled spider suit. “I’ve already taken it apart. Even if you wanted to be Spider-Man, you couldn’t.”

Seeing her suit in pieces, Gwen’s mood only worsened.

Michael then handed her a vial of spider serum. “Honestly, I don’t like you swinging around the city in skin-tight clothes. That suit is so form-fitting it’s nearly invisible. I don’t like men fantasizing about my girlfriend.”

Gwen took the serum, pouting. “So you both disapprove. Am I just supposed to be a good little student, then?”

“Gwen, I know you can’t let go of this city, and this city can’t live without Spider-Man. Maybe we can pass these powers to someone who needs them.”

“To someone who needs them?” Gwen looked at the serum and thought of Peter. She believed Peter would want this ability.

Recalling the admiration and hope in Peter’s eyes that night, Gwen finally made up her mind.

“Michael, let me wear the Spider suit one last time.”

“All right.” Michael stitched the suit back together and handed it to her.

Gwen began unbuttoning her shirt to change into the suit, but then remembered Michael was still present. “As a gentleman, shouldn’t you turn around?”

“Of course.” Michael turned his back, silently studying the smooth white tiles.

With Michael’s back turned, Gwen quickly slipped out of her clothes and into the Spider suit. Since the suit still lacked a proper lining, she kept her underwear on, much to Michael’s disappointment.

Once she was dressed, Michael asked, “Can I turn around now?”

“All done,” Gwen replied.

Michael turned slowly and, seeing Gwen suited up once more, couldn’t help but admire her.

This suit is fantastic; I’ll have to try it myself someday.

“Why is your face so red?” Gwen asked.

“I feel invigorated.”

“And your nose seems to be bleeding.”

“It’s just good nutrition—I’m a healthy young man, full of energy.”

Gwen nodded skeptically, but then noticed his posture. “Why are you bending over?”

“It’s a tribute to you—a formal gesture: chest out, chin up, and hips back. It’s the royal protocol.”

Seeing through him, Gwen chuckled behind her hand, leaned in, and kissed him on the cheek. “Love you.”

With that, Gwen swung away on her webbing.

The serum Michael had given her was made from a live spider and hadn’t undergone any testing. Still, he was confident that Peter’s luck would see him through.

There was a reason he hadn’t given Peter Gwen’s version of the spider serum. In one universe, after a spider bit Peter, it went on to bite a woman, giving them identical spider genes. Under the influence of these matching genes, the two became madly, irrepressibly attracted to each other, to the point of losing all reason—yes, “mating” is the word. Whenever they met, they would lose control and mate incessantly.

Not wanting to risk such a scenario, Michael naturally refused to give Peter Gwen’s serum.

“Keisha, has my affection for Gwen been affected by her antibodies?” Michael couldn’t help but worry if his feelings were genuine.

Keisha answered, “There is an effect, but it hasn’t made you lose reason; Gwen’s antibodies don’t carry animal instincts, they merely increase affection subtly over time.”

“That’s a relief.”

“Don’t overthink it. You liked Gwen to begin with, and as you spent more time together—helping and encouraging one another—your feelings deepened. The antibodies just gave you a little nudge.”

“I understand.”

“So Gwen’s fondness for the unimpressive Parker back then—is that because of similar antibodies?”

“They’re similar, but not the same, so probably not,” Keisha replied.

Michael nodded, feeling a sense of relief. Thank goodness he hadn’t injected Peter’s antibodies. If he and Peter were mutually attracted, that would be a sight too dreadful to imagine.

He wasn’t worried about Gwen and Peter being attracted to each other after acquiring spider genes. In some stories, there was more than one Spider-Man, but only Spider-Man and Silk were exceptions.

That day, Spider-Man once again swung through the city, bringing hope to its people.

As evening fell, Gwen visited Peter Parker’s home. As usual, Peter was in his attic, his favorite spot—a secret base of sorts.

“Hey, Peter.”

Peter stood up nervously. “Hello, Spider-Woman.”

He hadn’t expected Gwen to seek him out again, and her presence made him both anxious and exhilarated. For one, the person inside the suit was Gwen; for another, Spider-Man was his idol.