Marvel With Spider Power and Omnitrix

"So you want me to come with you to find Dr. Connors?"

Just minutes ago, Ben had said goodbye to Harry after agreeing to finish the laboratory setup over the weekend. He'd also reluctantly declined Mary Jane's band rehearsal invitation.

Before he could even reach home, Peter had called and tracked him down.

Still about Dr. Connors.

"Dr. Connors needs help right now!" Peter said, guilt heavy in his voice. "His experiment turned him into a monster, and it's all my fault..."

"Hmm..." Ben made a thoughtful sound, pretending to consider the situation.

Honestly, Ben was quite willing to help Dr. Connors. The man was genuinely good-hearted, eager to use his research to benefit humanity. Having just been ousted from Oscorp, if Connors could join Primus Technologies, it would be like acquiring a brilliant general.

If the lizard serum's side effects could be resolved, the formula had the potential to revolutionize the entire medical industry. Countless people with disabilities could regain healthy bodies.

But Ben really didn't want to go crawling through sewers with Peter.

"I can't do this alone, Ben," Peter said miserably. "I always mess everything up. I'm useless at everything."

"This is all my fault. If I hadn't given the formula to Dr. Connors..." He buried his face in his hands. "I know I should take responsibility myself, but I can't. I don't know where he is, and I don't know if I can save him. I need your help, Ben!"

Seeing Peter's distress, Ben felt genuinely sorry for him, but something puzzled him. "Since you wanted to find him, why did you let him leave the Oscorp building this afternoon?"

Honestly, today's encounter between Peter and Connors should have been the perfect opportunity to apprehend the doctor. His serum supply was obviously depleted, and he'd returned to Oscorp to retrieve more doses or ingredients. In other words, Connors had been relatively powerless at that moment.

"I..." Peter froze, his expression growing darker. "I was too nervous at the time..."

I actually forgot! When Peter thought about it now, he wanted to slap himself.

I really am useless. Even with superpowers, I still can't do anything right.

The realization made him more certain that he couldn't manage without Ben's help, and his eyes grew more pleading.

However, Ben realized Peter was fundamentally misunderstanding the situation.

"You say this is all your fault, but that's not true, Peter," he said firmly. "Without your intervention, things would be much worse."

"What do you mean?"

"Oscorp fired Connors because his experiments had consistently failed and he refused to conduct human trials. Even if you hadn't shared your father's formula, Connors would have eventually taken desperate risks. From the beginning, neither you nor Connors were really at fault here," Ben explained.

"So you don't need to blame yourself, and you're not responsible for this situation."

Peter remained silent for a while, then said quietly, "Even if you say that, I can't just abandon the doctor."

Ben wasn't surprised—that was Peter's compassionate nature.

"I don't mind helping you," Ben said, "but I won't go swinging around through the city looking for him."

He recalled the sewer battle between Peter and the Lizard, where both combatants had nearly drowned in putrid wastewater.

"I know where Connors might be hiding," he continued.

"Really?" Peter looked at him in amazement. "But how could you know? You've never even met Dr. Connors or seen the lizard creature."

Ben could answer that question easily. "Connors studies cross-species genetics, right?"

"Genetic code affects survival instincts. Just like us—after acquiring spider abilities, we naturally gravitate toward high places and aerial movement."

Even Azmuth couldn't change this fundamental truth. When using the Omnitrix to transform into alien heroes, Ben was always influenced by their genetic predispositions. XLR8 made him more impatient than usual, while Four Arms increased his aggressive tendencies.

"According to what you've told me, Connors extracted lizard DNA, and lizards prefer humid, dark environments. Where in New York best fits that description?" he asked.

Peter immediately thought of the sewers.

"New York's underground infrastructure is incredibly extensive. If Connors is hiding anywhere, I'd guess it's down there."

"I'll go right away!" Peter started to move immediately.

But Ben grabbed his shoulder.

"Wait."

"I can't wait any longer, Ben! I have to find the doctor quickly and fix my mistake!" Peter said urgently.

"Really? How exactly will you fix it?"

"What are you planning to do after you find Connors? If he transforms into the lizard creature again, how will you handle him? How will you change him back to human form?" Ben's rapid-fire questions left Peter speechless.

Each question was crucial, but Peter had never considered any of them.

Peter was brilliant, but sometimes he failed to apply his intelligence effectively. Just like Superman occasionally using his super-intelligence only to conclude he should charge forward with brute strength, Peter had become too dependent on his spider abilities. He rarely made proper preparations, usually relying on enhanced strength to solve problems, trusting his spider-sense to save him from danger.

But he'd forgotten that extraordinary intelligence was humanity's greatest asset.

"You're right..." Peter deflated completely.

"I need to research an antidote for the serum, but can I actually do it? What if my cure makes things worse?"

His uncertainty was well-founded. In fact, to allow the Lizard villain to return repeatedly in the comics, the transformation serum was rarely permanently effective.

"How about this—you go find Dr. Connors, and I'll help you develop the cure," Ben suggested after a moment's thought.

"Give me your father's research notes."

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