MARVEL -BLACK SPIDERMAN

"That makes sense, but humans should be different from birds."

Gwen paused, her expression thoughtful as she spoke to Peter Parker. "This world is so complicated, Peter. Sometimes, I can't tell what's right and what's wrong."

She hesitated before adding, "Take Josh, for example. He was killed by Frank and wrapped in a spider nest. Most people would call him a bad guy—I would too. But at his memorial service, it was like I didn't even know him."

Peter tilted his head, listening closely as Gwen continued, her voice tinged with confusion. "His neighbors and friends spoke about him like he was some kind of saint. His parents said he dreamed of playing professional football after college, planned to study for an English degree, and even published poetry in Everli, a well-known magazine."

Gwen shook her head, conflicted. "I mean, sure, I doubted his chances of getting into college, but hearing all that made me think he had some kind of vision for his life."

Peter raised an eyebrow. "And yet, he was a bully who tormented his classmates," Gwen continued. "He was awful to people, even to you. Sometimes, I wanted to punch him myself. So, how can someone like that be considered a good person?"

She looked down, her voice dropping to a whisper. "If someone like me became a superhero, but I couldn't distinguish between justice and evil, between good and bad... what would that make me? Could I ever forgive myself if I got it wrong?"

Peter softened, understanding her turmoil. Gwen raised her head, her eyes firm. "You're right, Peter. I need to understand how society works—the cruelty, the unfairness—if I ever want to figure out what's truly right and wrong."

Peter leaned forward, intrigued. "How do you plan to understand that?"

Gwen smiled faintly. "I haven't figured that out yet. Maybe... you can help me."

"Me?"

"You're great at talking about depressing stuff like the universe being a massive cemetery where we're all doomed to die. Maybe you can show me society's cruelty, Peter." Gwen smirked, though her voice carried a hint of seriousness.

Peter frowned. "I don't think that's a good idea."

"Oh, come on," she teased, overestimating her resilience. "It's not like you're Spider-Man or anything."

Peter hesitated before saying in an even tone, "What if I am Spider-Man?"

Gwen froze, her heart skipping a beat. "You're joking."

Peter didn't flinch, keeping his expression neutral.

Under his steady gaze, Gwen felt a wave of unease. She shook her head quickly, brushing the idea aside. "No way. You're messing with me."

After an awkward cough, she feigned confidence. "Because if you were Spider-Man, then I'd have to tell you something crazy—I'm Spider-Man too. So, we're even."

Peter chuckled softly as Gwen fidgeted uncomfortably.

---

Later That Day

Peter sat at his desk in biology class, flipping through his textbook while replaying the events of the past few days. Something about the new biology teacher, Helen, didn't sit right with him.

Her demeanor reminded him of Frank.

"She has something inside her too," Peter muttered to himself.

He glanced toward the window, sunlight streaming in as he tried to piece together what he knew. If Helen shared Frank's condition, she was likely connected to the Hand, the shadowy organization he'd encountered before.

After Frank's death, Peter had attempted to investigate the Hand's operations in New York but found little to go on. The group either operated deep underground or primarily in Japan, as some sources suggested.

According to Matt Murdock's intel, the Hand originated centuries ago during Japan's feudal era. They had started as oppressed civilians who fled to the Iga and Koga regions to practice martial arts in secret. Over the years, they had honed their skills, mastering combat, espionage, assassination, and even ancient magic capable of resurrecting the dead.

Peter's thoughts drifted to Frank, who had been host to a mutated, parasitic spider—a manifestation of the Hand's revered "beast."

But Peter knew his situation was different.

The alien symbiote in his body wasn't tied to the Hand's mystical practices. Its primary purpose was survival and destruction, not the pursuit of power or manipulation.

Even so, Peter noticed that his impulses had changed. His once-heightened physiological responses were subdued—except around certain individuals, like Helen. Whenever she was near, the alien within him stirred uneasily.

"Ding-ding-ding!"

The sound of the bell snapped Peter out of his thoughts.

He was about to pull out his notebook when he sensed something unusual.

---

A Strange Scent

The classroom felt off.

Peter's enhanced senses picked up a faint aroma—something similar to the scent Frank had emitted but layered with a cloying sweetness, like a hormone-laden perfume or volatile oils.

He scanned the room, noting that his classmates were acting oddly. Their energy levels were unusually high; even after the bell rang, they continued chatting loudly, their movements animated and restless.

"What's going on here?" Peter wondered aloud.

His gaze fell on Gwen.

Her face was flushed, and she shifted uncomfortably in her seat, her movements fidgety and erratic.

"Gwen?" Peter stood and walked over to her.

She looked up at him, her body trembling slightly. "Peter..." Her voice was barely a whisper. She reached out, grabbing his hand tightly.

"I—I don't feel so good," she stammered, her eyes wide with panic.

Peter's heart raced as he examined her closely. The scent in the air seemed stronger near her, almost intoxicating.

---

The Unknown Threat

Peter frowned, trying to piece together what was happening. Was this Helen's doing? Could she have released some kind of pheromone or chemical agent?

He looked around the classroom again. His classmates' erratic behavior mirrored Gwen's, though to a lesser degree.

"Stay here," Peter whispered, gently pulling his hand away from Gwen's grip.

"No, don't leave me!" she cried, her voice desperate.

Peter hesitated, torn between staying to comfort her and investigating the source of the disturbance. He placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "I'll figure this out, Gwen. I promise."

Gwen nodded reluctantly, her breathing uneven.

Peter turned toward the front of the classroom, his gaze locking onto Helen, who stood by the whiteboard, writing equations as if nothing was amiss.

She paused, sensing his eyes on her. A subtle smirk crossed her lips, and for a brief moment, her eyes gleamed unnaturally.

---

A Growing Mystery

Peter's mind raced. If Helen was indeed connected to the Hand, she was far more dangerous than she appeared.

The alien within him stirred, its instincts screaming that she wasn't human.

Peter clenched his fists, his resolve hardening. Whatever Helen's true nature was, he needed to uncover it—before anyone else got hurt.

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