Marvel Zodiac knight

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Peter sat on the floor, his head spinning with the weight of their recent actions. "One hundred and thirty-six injured, one hundred and thirty-six dead," he murmured to himself, the gravity of the numbers pressing heavily on his conscience. "That's over a hundred lives lost… What have we done?"

James let out a long sigh, the tension evident in his posture. "If only I'd left them disabled instead of... you know."

"What?" Peter's voice shot up, a mix of confusion and disbelief. "You didn't kill them? Then why—was it the archer?"

James shook his head, frustration etched across his face. "It wasn't him. I took care of him myself. But maybe his associates were involved. I don't know. But why didn't anyone take photos at the scene?"

James was being honest. He hadn't killed anyone, but the consequences of their actions had spiraled beyond his control. He understood how easily S.H.I.E.L.D. or rival gangs could exploit the chaos they had left behind.

A wave of relief washed over Peter. If James had crossed that line into murder, he wasn't sure how to reconcile their friendship. Yet another concern gnawed at him. "The police have pinned the crimes on you. If you show up as Sentinel again, it could spell big trouble for both of us."

"But isn't it more of a deterrent for those criminals?" James countered, leaving Peter momentarily speechless. It was a tough reality to face—a double-edged sword.

James had a plan, though. In the future, when he accompanied Spider-Man, he would shed the Sentinel identity. He didn't want to tarnish Spider-Man's reputation as New York's beloved hero. "Don't worry about it. Remember that hero suit you're working on? Just add two crescent-shaped logos facing outward on my chest. From now on, I'll go by Zodiac."

"Zodiac?" Peter repeated, a frown crossing his face as he tried to wrap his mind around the name.

As they talked, Peter's attention shifted to a heavy copper box that James had brought along. "What's with this box? It's massive! No wonder Uncle Ben's car was so sluggish."

James grinned, gesturing toward the Zodiac Box. "Give it a feel. See if anything stands out."

Peter obliged but was unimpressed. "It's just an ordinary copper box. What's so special about it?"

"Exactly," James replied, a thoughtful expression on his face. "Clarice handled this box without any reaction. It seems like it only responds to me."

"Why is there a Zodiac Box in the Marvel Universe? And why am I its chosen user? Did I pick it up, or did it choose me?" James mused, his mind racing with possibilities.

"What are you getting at?" Peter asked, his curiosity piqued but confused.

"Just planting some seeds for the readers," James teased, a mischievous glint in his eye.

Peter shook his head, bemused. "Okay, whatever you say."

Suddenly, a thought struck Peter. "About that tattoo I saw on TV... When did you get it? And why didn't you tell me?"

James raised an eyebrow. "You want to see it?"

"Of course! It looked awesome on TV," Peter said, eager to see what his friend had been hiding.

"Unless you want to burn the house down, go wash up and sleep. I'll show you when we're alone," James replied, his tone light.

Peter's ingenuity impressed James. He recognized the talent in his friend, who had crafted a web launcher that was nothing short of brilliant. But when James observed the device, the inner workings baffled him.

"The mechanics behind my device are—"

"Stop! Spare me the technical jargon. I won't understand it anyway," James interrupted, amused.

Peter beamed with excitement, eager to show off his invention. They ascended a tall building, and Peter leaped off, exhilarated, while James turned away, concerned he might inadvertently fuel Peter's fear of heights.

After a brief swing through the city, Peter landed safely. "If I run into that archer again... Hawkeye will be sorry," he declared, brandishing his web launcher. "Want to give it a try? It's a blast!"

James hesitated, instinctively declining. "Nah, I'll pass. I don't have your spider-like abilities, and I don't want to risk a mishap."

Just then, the wail of police sirens echoed below. They peered down to see a black SUV careening through the streets, police cars hot on its trail.

James clapped Peter on the shoulder, encouragement radiating from him. "Go on, you're the guardian of world peace."

Peter donned a makeshift mask and sunglasses, a determined look on his face. "What about you? Do you want to come along?"

James shook his head with a smile. "Ever seen a superhero hitch a ride on a swing? I'll pass. I have my own way. Go."

"But…" Peter protested, but James urged him on, closing the door behind him. "Let's move! No time to dawdle. The crook's not getting away."

With Peter gone, James retrieved a costume from his backpack, preparing to conceal his identity for the impending confrontation.

Unbeknownst to Peter, James had reservations about using the Bronze armor's wings, fearing they would link him back to Sentinel.

The SUV had just robbed a jewelry store, leaving a trail of casualties in its wake. Police and civilians alike had become victims of the chaos that ensued as they evaded capture. One police car lost control and crashed into a nearby café, sending patrons scrambling for safety.

James couldn't help but admire Peter's ingenuity. If only he could absorb knowledge like Peter, perhaps the inner workings of the web launcher would make sense.

As the chase unfolded below, James pondered the enigma of the Zodiac Box and his newfound role as its wielder. The mysteries surrounding his identity deepened, leaving him with more questions than answers.