Absolute Spider-man

Peter felt a wave of familiarity at the sound of the bus's brakes as it stopped, and a shiver ran down his spine—but he quickly dismissed it, because an even stronger emotion was washing over him. It was the kind of excitement you only feel as a child on Christmas morning, eager and thrilled to see what Santa Claus had brought you.

He was in the elevator beside the bus window, so he could clearly see the grand monument at the entrance: a sign in black letters on a white stone base that read, OSCORP INDUSTRIES. 

Peter couldn't suppress a grin as he looked at it. It seemed the old feelings from this field trip were real. He could hear the other students start to speak in hushed tones, awed by the enormous building whose top couldn't be seen from the ground.

"This place is bigger than the state university and over a hundred stories tall. Only Baxter Building and Stark Tower can compete," Harry sneered at his side—and Peter saw a small glimmer of pride in his friend's eyes. Who wouldn't be proud? After all, someday, all this would be theirs. "You know it even has its own underground tram?"

"I know. That was the first thing you told me when we met," Peter said, still staring at the building through the window.

"Did I?" Harry asked, not recalling the conversation.

"Yes. The first thing you said after your name was that you've got your own train," Peter answered, glancing at him.

Harry seemed to think on that for a moment before letting out a small chuckle.

"In my defense—what else was I going to say in a train store?" Harry laughed, making Peter laugh too.

"I can't ever get used to seeing this," Peter whispered, wide-eyed as he took it all in—huge hexagonal windows tinted black.

"Come on, man, it's not like it's your first time." Harry spoke up, and to Old Peter's recollection, he was right—they had been here several times with Harry, but they always went straight to the penthouse on the top floor and never saw what really went on inside the building.

"Be honest with me: will I finally get to see the particle accelerator in the building?" Peter asked. Even knowing he was there just for the spider, he couldn't help but let excitement show—it was thrilling.

"Sorry, bro. My dad just agreed to this tour and banned any sensitive zones—or, as he put it, any area where an idiot teenager could get hurt and end up suing." Harry made air quotes around the last phrase.

"Damn," Peter said, feeling the disappointment.

"Don't worry, I managed to convince him to let us see the live specimens section," Harry said, tapping his shoulder lightly.

At the mention of that section, Peter tensed—after all, that's where the spider was supposed to be.

"Relax, Parker. Remember why you're here: not for a field trip, but for your destiny," Peter thought, clenching his fist with determination. This moment was monumental in Marvel history, and whether this was a parallel dimension or not, he needed to make sure things proceeded as they should: the spider bit him, and he became Spider-Man.

"Though I haven't decided yet if I really want to be Spider-Man," Peter thought. He did want the powers—that was true—but he wasn't sure if he wanted the title; after all, he knew Parker luck came with it.

"Earth to Peter, Earth to Peter." Suddenly Peter felt a nudge, and saw Harry looking at him, slightly worried. "You okay, man? After I mentioned the live specimens section, you zoned out."

"Yeah, I just drifted off for a moment," Peter said quickly, searching his memory for a convincing excuse. "Didn't you say your dad has his teams researching genetic splice, right?"

"Yeah, it's one of Oscorp's top projects right now," Harry replied, shrugging. "I don't know what they're doing exactly, but one of my dad's scientists has been super excited these past few days to show him the advancements."

That caught Peter's attention, and mentally he prayed it wasn't Curt Connors—he didn't want to face a supervillain, especially not a two-meter-tall Lizard Man.

Before they could continue, and before Peter could ask which scientist it was, Mr. Warren intervened, calling for everyone's attention. "All right, guys! I know I shouldn't have to say this since you're all old enough, but I will anyway—like any school trip, we stick together, don't touch anything without permission, don't stray from the guide, and for the love of science, don't try to be smart. I'm talking to you, Flash."

Flash just shrugged with a mocking smirk, earning a few suppressed laughs from classmates.

"Also, remember this isn't a zoo trip, so no selfies and don't steal anything to sell on eBay. Got it?" The class murmured, and Mr. Warren nodded in satisfaction.

Peter tried to stay calm. The moment was drawing ever closer, and his excitement kept growing. Talking with Harry had distracted him, but now he was fully back in the moment—and thrilled.

He had to stay alert. The moment was approaching.

They all quickly disembarked and headed to the entrance, where three people were waiting: two women and a man. Both women were blonde but couldn't have been more different otherwise. The taller one (taller than Peter, he guessed) wore a formal suit and was incredibly muscular, her face carved like marble but with a noticeable scowl.

"Probably because she's acting as babysitter," Peter thought, guessing why she looked annoyed before he even saw them.

The other blonde was younger—around his age, he guessed—wearing a lab coat and maybe more beautiful than the older woman, but she wore a warm smile. Still, Peter noticed something in her gaze, as if she surveyed everyone, his eyes darting over faces like tallying mental notes.

The man, like the teenage blonde, wore a white lab coat and thick glasses, his greasy black hair slicked back, and like the woman in the suit, he didn't look happy to be there.

"Good morning. Are you Midtown High?" the young blonde asked, stepping forward.

"Yes," said Mr. Warren, smiling. "I'm here to bring Oscorp the best and brightest!"

The girl smiled. "Good morning, it's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Gwen Stacy, an Oscorp intern, and these are your guides for today."

At her name, Peter's eyes widened. For the first time that day, he realized he'd never met Gwen Stacy before today.

"It's nice to meet you, Miss Stacy, and gentlemen…" began Mr. Warren, looking at the two adults who hadn't introduced themselves.

"Sablinova," replied the older blonde, arms crossed. "Head of security at Oscorp."

"Dr. Alistair Smythe, head of the engineering department," said the man, adjusting his glasses.

Peter felt he knew those names—from somewhere, maybe not this life but a past one—but he couldn't remember where.

"It's an honor to meet you," Mr. Warren said, shaking hands with them, though his smile seemed forced—they probably felt obliged to chaperone a school trip, no matter how prestigious the school was.

"Who did they annoy?" Peter wondered—making the head of security and the head of engineering guide a school trip was clearly a punishment.

"All right, the only rule today is: stay with me, Mrs. Sablinova, or Dr. Smythe. Remember that, and you'll be fine. Forget it, and—you wouldn't want me to finish that sentence." Gwen said with a playful smile and a wink. Most of the boys and some girls blushed in response.

"Ahhh," Someone suddenly tapped him on the back of the head—with an open palm. He turned to see Felicia glaring at him with arms crossed. "What's your problem?"

But Peter didn't get to ask; Flash shoved him forward. "Move it, Parker."

Peter staggered but recovered his balance. Felicia had already moved on with her group toward the elevators.

And so the tour began. In Peter's opinion, it was quite enjoyable. He marveled at everything shown to them, like a child in a toy store—Harry and classmates laughed seeing him almost drool at everything. Still, through it all, Peter stayed alert, scanning for any sign of the spider. If it had escaped, it could be anywhere in the building—and he couldn't afford to miss it.

About three hours later, and with the tour nearly over—and no sign of the spider—Gwen spoke with a smile as the group paused before double steel doors with an electronic lock. "I hope you've enjoyed the tour, because now we're heading to Oscorp's crown jewel: the genetics lab."

Peter got goosebumps. He was sure that if he didn't find the spider here, he never would.

"Inside, you'll see some of the most innovative projects in genetic manipulation and interspecies splicing," Gwen continued, swiping her access card. The hydraulic doors opened with a slow hum. "Of course, you're only allowed in the observation area—no interaction with the specimens. Look all you want—but do not touch a thing. We don't want more incidents, right, Dr. Smythe?"

Smythe grumbled something inaudible; Peter guessed he was still focused on his tablet as if the group didn't exist.

When the doors opened, an enormous room came into view. The lab was huge, clean, bathed in bright white light. Inside were several glass containers with different creatures: feathered lizards, mice with prehensile tails, even a salamander with what looked like plant tissue sprouting from its back.

Scientists were working, and a man in a white lab coat—like Gwen and Smythe—emerged from a hatch. He looked fit and slightly muscular, and Peter guessed he'd been in the military. But what caught his attention most was the total absence of his right arm.

"Curt Connors," Peter remembered the name; he had read several articles and watched interviews about his work online. The man was considered nearly a god in genetic manipulation.

"Good morning, Gwen. I see you brought company," Connors said with a calm smile as he looked at the class.

"Good morning, Dr. Connors. They're the Midtown High group here for the tour," Gwen replied.

"Oh, right—today's the day," Dr. Connors said, putting a hand to his forehead. Composing himself quickly, he turned to face them again, resuming his calm smile. "Good morning, students. Thanks to Miss Stacy, I'm Dr. Curt Connors—chief scientist in charge of the genetics and genetic modification hall."

He began walking, and the class followed closely.

"I mostly study reptiles," Connors said as they arrived at a tank full of lizards.

"Reptiles?" a student asked. Exactly the question Connors expected.

"Yes—reptiles." Connors walked around the tank. "These fascinating creatures possess one of the most incredible regenerative abilities in the world. They can regrow entire functional limbs as though they never lost them. Now imagine if that ability could be transferred to humans—not just allowing people to recover limbs, but to repair damaged tissue… to potentially extend lifespan."

As Connors continued, his voice shifted from calm to energized and fascinated.

"He's the guy you were talking about," Harry whispered beside him.

"What?" Peter had been absorbed by Connors's words and didn't catch what Harry meant.

"On the bus—the scientist who wanted to show your dad his advancements," Harry replied, nodding discreetly toward the doctor, who was still waxing poetic about the lizards. "A few days ago he came to the penthouse, all nervous, saying he'd created something and Dad had to see it immediately."

Those words scared Peter, causing him to swallow hard. Only one thing came to mind that could get a renowned doctor like Connors so hyped—even enough for Harry to think he was crazy.

The Lizard serum.

He pushed the thought aside—for now—as he could think about that once he had his powers.

But as the lecture continued, Connors's phone rang in his pocket, interrupting him. He quietly took it out, looked at it, raised his eyebrows, turned and answered in a low voice.

Peter noticed Connors's behavior was unusual—Smythe and Mrs. Sablinova, for the first time in three hours, suddenly took notice.

"Right, kids. Sorry this was brief, but I have to go. I'll leave you in Gwen's capable hands," Dr. Connors said, turning and exiting the lab.

Gwen picked up smoothly, re-positioning herself in front of the class with the same smile as before.

"Here," Gwen said, pressing a button on her tablet. Suddenly, a hologram of a tree appeared before the class. "This is Oscorp's Tree of Life—a summary of all the species and genetic crosses Oscorp has researched, all aimed at guiding humanity to its next evolutionary step."

"Like mutants or Inhumans?" Flash asked, and the class formed a circle around the hologram.

"No—no, not like mutants. Though that's a good question," Gwen replied naturally, as if she expected it. "At Oscorp, we aim to enhance the current human species—Homo sapiens. While Oscorp acknowledges those other variants, it doesn't necessarily view them as the next branch in human evolution. Oscorp seeks to improve humanity in its present form."

That seemed to answer Flash's question, or so Peter thought, since no one else asked. Gwen then spoke about the tree and their various animal-based experiments, discussing ethical considerations in their work.

After a while, she led them to a special section of the lab where rows of tables were lined with transparent containers—each filled with soil, twigs, branches, and leaves—makeshift habitats.

"All right, before we end the tour, feel free to roam the lab and examine any specimens on display," Gwen said.

"Please keep a respectful distance," Mr. Warren reminded them. "Do not tap on the glass. Do not lean on it. Just… don't do any of that, please."

The students began to disperse into smaller groups. Quietly, Peter—and taking advantage of Harry flirting with some cheerleaders—started slipping away, seeking the thing he had found among the display containers—until he finally discovered it.

It was a cylinder, about the size of a home computer monitor. Inside, Peter could see webs.

He swallowed and read the habitat label to confirm he'd finally found what he sought:

Hybrid 0‑0 – Arachnid Series I‑19‑616

They were small, red and black with an abnormal sheen on their abdomens.

Peter couldn't help laughing—he was so close to one of the most legendary elements of modern fiction, and a piece of glass separated them.

"Unreal," he shook his head, grinning widely.

If he remembered the Sam Raimi movies correctly, there were supposed to be a dozen specimens, but the Peter in this reality counted only nine inside the jar.

"One must have escaped," Peter thought, his heart skipping a beat, pulse racing. He had to find them quickly. If he didn't act, they might get away—or worse, bite someone else. But the problem was he didn't know which spider had bitten him in the original—only one escaped and bit Peter. Here there were three. He didn't know what would happen if a different spider bit him—but he'd figure that out later. Now he had to find that one.

Peter turned swiftly, scanning every visible corner of the lab like a living security system. His steps were soft and measured, trying not to attract attention as he moved between display units. He passed containers of glowing frogs, reinforced beetles, even what looked like a butterfly with translucent, plant-fiber wings. None of those mattered.

Only one thing mattered.

Then he saw it.

Hanging from the ceiling, directly above one of the light fixtures, a small figure slowly descended on a thread of shiny silk—almost invisible. Peter squinted. The red-and-black pattern was unmistakable.

It was one of the spiders.

Peter looked around. None of the guides were paying attention. Gwen was on the other side of the room explaining something to students. Smythe had disappeared, and Sablinova was talking with Mr. Warren near a secure hatch.

It was his opportunity.

He quickened his pace to the spot under the spider, pretending to examine one of the habitats. His breath quickened.

"This is insane. I'm about to let a genetically engineered bug bite me. On purpose," Peter thought, realizing how crazy it sounded.

He looked up again. The spider descended slowly on its silk thread—as if a living drop falling toward its destination. Closing in: ten centimeters. Five.

He rapidly extended his hand and caught the spider delicately in his palm.

"I've got it," his mind raced. "Now what?"

Peter considered everything—he could hold off letting it bite him, store it instead, maybe get an internship at Horizon Labs or Baxter Building and research the spider to see if it was the right one.

But as he hesitated, someone approached him from behind.

"Hey Parker, what are you doing hiding over here?" Felicia said, touching his shoulder.

So focused on the little spider, Peter hadn't noticed Felicia approach and startled when she did, reflexively clenching his hand tightly to hide the spider.

The altered spider, thinking it was being crushed, responded with the only method it knew.

And then Peter felt it. A tiny pinch, barely stronger than a needle. In his hand. A reflex made him open his palm, freeing the spider—it scurried away, out of reach.

It took him a moment to comprehend. Peter focussed on his hand, throbbing—it bore the bite mark.

"Hey Parker! You gonna answer or just stare off like an idiot?" Felicia demanded behind him.

Peter wanted to snap at her, but then a burning pain surged up his arm from the bite. He gasped, bringing his other hand to his forearm. It really was a mutant spider, he thought, as the burn climbed up his arm like liquid fire and began spreading throughout his body. The world seemed brighter, as if the lab's lights had intensified, and a powerful vertigo hit him—everything spun, making him stagger.

Peter felt his heart pounding with a rapid, uneven beat as he struggled to keep breathing.

"No. Not here. Not now. I thought I'd at least have time to get home," Peter thought, trying to step backwards—but his legs wouldn't cooperate, leaving him rooted. Voices around him sounded muffled, as if underwater.

"Parker," said a distant voice.

"Felicia," Peter thought—she was the only one close to see his sudden collapse.

"Parker, are you okay?" Felicia asked, but when Peter tried to speak, no words came out. He sank to his knees, one hand touching the floor.

Felicia crouched beside him. Her expression shifted from mockery to genuine concern.

"Mr. Warren, come quick—Peter!" she shouted. Her voice was the last thing he heard clearly before his vision darkened, and the cold lab floor crashed against his face.

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