"If what you're saying is true, then the number of Spider-Men around right now is a bit hard to believe."
As Felicia spoke, she began setting up her equipment. Her target was Sandman, and for several reasons, she didn't need to rush to Avengers Tower. Quite unexpectedly, her partner for this mission was Silver Sable, Silvija Sablinova.
The two of them both had history with Sandman. One had discovered the truth about her father's death while tracking the Elementals, while the other was simply an old rival of his.
Peter didn't say anything to Felicia over the communication channel, but it was a simple fact. Counting Peter and Cindy, who already had spider powers, there was Gwen, who had just injected herself with isotopes to enhance her physique; Jessica, who had certainly undergone modification; Flash, who had copied spider abilities via the Venom symbiote; and finally, Superior Octopus.
There were arguably a few too many Spiders in Manhattan.
"Proceed according to plan. The most important targets are Sandman and Electro. As long as those two are dealt with, the problems in New York will basically be resolved."
"It shouldn't be much of a problem. The National Guard has already entered Manhattan and is trading fire with the rogue NYPD." At this point, Silvija couldn't help but complain: "Your National Guard's combat effectiveness is pathetic. I hope things improve once the US Army arrives."
Peter shrugged. Relying on the Army to have combat effectiveness? He'd rather put his faith in Spider-Man.
Avengers Tower was right before his eyes. Peter took the lead, breaking into the building and landing on the ground. Looking at the Sinister Six standing before him in battle formation, he focused his attention on Otto.
"Plagiarism is never a good idea, Otto. Has anyone ever told you that those clothes have copyright issues?"
Through their mutual Spider-Sense, Peter could confirm that Otto had obtained spider powers, and Otto was equally certain that Spider-Man had recovered his. He broke into a grin. "Is that so? Perhaps there are some similarities in design, but it doesn't matter. Soon, we'll see just how powerless you really are."
The first strike was a spray of reversion serum. Unfortunately for them, Anti-Venom had already encased Peter's body, so the serum had no effect on him. Peter then effortlessly dodged the mechanical claw sweeping from behind Otto, ensuring the symbiote on his body wasn't struck.
Electro seized this opportunity, turning into a bolt of current and charging straight at Spider-Man. However, it was as if Spider-Man knew exactly how he would attack; he dodged with ease and then leaned back, falling straight off the edge.
"Don't think you're escaping, Spider-Man! You're finished!"
Electro laughed maniacally and gave chase, lightning flashing constantly around Spider-Man. But Peter simply ran down the exterior wall of Avengers Tower, dodging Electro's attacks as he went. Soon after, Sandman transformed into a surge of sand and poured downward in pursuit.
Mysterio also set off on his drone, leaving only Scorpion and Rhino—who had no means of fighting in the Z-axis—standing behind.
"Well, should we go after Spider-Man or... oh, damn it."
His predatory instincts sensing something, Scorpion scrambled to dodge. Bursting into the battlefield were Silk, Cindy Moon, and Flash Thompson. As the new Venom, Flash stepped up to take on the physically superior Rhino, while Cindy landed a kick squarely on the dodging Scorpion, sending him flying.
The airborne Scorpion quickly allowed the artificial symbiote granted by Otto to cover his body. He rolled a few times upon landing before standing back up. Seeing this, Flash was momentarily stunned and prepared to act, only to find the Rhino before him was also encased in an artificial symbiote.
Indeed, for close-combat specialists like Scorpion and Rhino, Otto had found the simplest method of enhancement: symbiote suits. Cindy and the others were already aware of this, so she simply gestured to Flash, signaling him not to worry about her and to just keep moving.
Flash transformed into his Venom state and grappled with Rhino. The two of them tumbled off Avengers Tower in their struggle, but there was no need for concern; a drop of several hundred meters wouldn't kill either of them while they were enhanced by symbiote suits, even with a vertical landing.
Standing back up, Scorpion stared at Cindy, seemingly finally remembering something.
"I remember you... no, I should remember you, but because of that damn Spider-Man, I forgot who you were, didn't I?"
Scorpion glared at Cindy and let out a roar: "It was you! You're the one who turned my brain upside down, aren't you! You're dead!"
He lunged toward Cindy. The next second, multiple sonic emitters emerged from the floor and ceiling, immediately blasting Scorpion with high-frequency sonic waves. The symbiote on Scorpion's body writhed in agony, and he fell to his knees in disbelief. Why would the Avengers Tower defense system attack him? What was Dillon doing?!
The answer was that Electro couldn't do anything right now. While Spider-Man was battling Superior Octopus, Sandman, Electro, and Mysterio, Shadowcat suddenly phased out of a wall. When Electro's main body collided with the phased Kitty Pryde, he dissipated for a brief moment before frantically reassembling himself. But in that single moment, he had already lost control of Avengers Tower.
Ultron had been revived.
Upon reactivation, Ultron naturally began identifying friend from foe immediately. Although Cindy didn't know why Tony Stark had installed so many defense systems and lethal weapons inside Avengers Tower, they were clearly proving to be a huge help.
The lunging Kitty Pryde was caught mid-air by Peter, and she wrapped her arms around his neck as they swung through the air.
"That felt so weird. It felt like static electricity."
"Considering what that guy's power is, I'd say feeling only static is a pretty good outcome," Peter said as he swung back toward the tower. He let Kitty jump back inside, and seeing this, Otto immediately ordered Electro: "Go back and help Gargan! He's no match for Avengers Tower without you!"
"And William! William?!"
Superior Octopus realized with shock that Sandman had vanished at some point. He was certain that Sandman had been right beside him just seconds ago.
Or rather, he thought Sandman had been beside him.
At that moment, Sandman still believed he was chasing Spider-Man. He arrived at a specific location where "Mysterio" took off his helmet and shook out her long blonde hair.
Gwen chose to put on the hood of the Ghost-Spider suit she had designed earlier—or rather, she had been wearing it all along under that fishbowl head.
"I've brought the guy to you, and I'm throwing in this fishbowl head as a bonus."
Sandman clearly hadn't realized the danger he was in yet. He simply looked at the two familiar opponents standing nearby: Black Cat and Silver Sable.
As for Gwen, she had to head back to help deal with the others.