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Peter came to the Daily Bugle for the first time in days.
He needed to see Marcus. Had to talk about Spider-Man.
As soon as he entered the office, he spotted Marcus's back.
Relief washed over him. "Finally! There you are, buddy."
He'd missed Marcus. They needed to talk.
But Marcus and several other employees were crowded around Jameson's office window, peering through the blinds.
Peter approached and looked through the gap.
Inside, Jameson—cigar clenched between his teeth—was wearing Peter's discarded Spider-Man costume. He crouched on his desk in an exaggerated pose, arms extended as if shooting webs.
The employees watching were grinning.
Peter stood frozen.
Jameson wasn't Spider-Man's biggest hater. He was secretly Spider-Man's biggest fan.
The man who'd spent years slandering Spider-Man was now playing dress-up in the costume.
Peter didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
Marcus seemed to sense Peter's arrival. He turned, smiling. "Peter! Where've you been? Haven't seen you in forever. How are things?"
Peter's expression darkened. "Not great, actually."
He looked at Marcus seriously. "Can we talk? Somewhere private?"
Marcus's eyes gleamed with interest. "My office. Come on."
Inside Marcus's office, Peter made sure the door was fully closed.
Then he looked Marcus in the eye.
"You know about Spider-Man disappearing and then reappearing, right?"
Marcus raised his eyebrows. "Of course. Jameson claimed you quit. I didn't believe him—and look, you came back! New costume and everything."
He smiled. "I recognized you anyway."
Peter felt embarrassed by Marcus's trust. "No. I really did quit."
He took a breath. "The Spider-Man who's been appearing lately—that's not me."
Marcus feigned shock perfectly. "What?! That Spider-Man isn't you?!"
He moved toward the door. "That's an imposter! We need to report this immediately—people deserve to know—"
"Wait!" Peter grabbed his arm. "Don't. Not yet."
Marcus stopped.
"The thing is..." Peter hesitated. "I've lost all my Spider-Man abilities. Having someone fill the role—even a fake—it's keeping the city safer. If we expose him and he turns evil, things could get much worse."
Marcus pretended to consider this. "You're right. We need to think strategically."
He studied Peter with apparent concern.
No spider-sense, Marcus thought. If Peter still had it, he'd sense my identity immediately. Spider-people could recognize each other through that sixth sense. But right now, Peter feels nothing from me. He really is just an ordinary person.
"So what are you planning to do?" Marcus asked aloud.
Peter was caught off-guard. He hadn't thought that far ahead.
Exposing the fake might create an evil Spider-Man. And with Peter powerless, maybe having someone cover for him wasn't the worst outcome. It gave him time to live normally, spend time with family and friends.
After a long silence, Peter sighed. "I don't know. Leave things as they are for now, I guess. I'm just a regular person."
Marcus looked at him intently. "The Peter I know doesn't give up because of setbacks."
He leaned forward. "Is Spider-Man coming back?"
Peter avoided his gaze. "I don't know. I've been trying to restore my abilities. Nothing's worked. Maybe... maybe I'll never be Spider-Man again."
He stood. "I should go."
"Get some rest," Marcus said. "We'll figure out how to deal with the imposter."
Peter nodded and left.
Outside the building, Peter glanced back toward Marcus's office.
Something felt... off. But he couldn't identify what.
His instinct told him Marcus wouldn't hurt him. In fact, Peter felt an unusual certainty: Marcus was trustworthy. Absolutely trustworthy.
Why do I feel so sure of that? Peter wondered. And why does everything feel strange lately?
Inside the office, Marcus watched Peter through his telekinesis.
A knowing smile crossed his face.
"Spider-sense awakening," he murmured.
The next day, Peter met Mary Jane at a small café.
She'd asked him to come.
Since Peter stopped being Spider-Man, their relationship had improved. He'd even called her one night and left a voicemail confession.
Hearing Peter's sudden admission of feelings had made Mary Jane reconsider everything. She'd realized she still had feelings for him too.
She wanted to know where they stood.
But now, sitting across from her, Peter couldn't bring himself to say the words.
He claimed the voicemail had been impulsive. A mistake.
Mary Jane's expression fell. "Do you love me or not?"
Looking at the hurt in her eyes, Peter steeled himself.
He couldn't involve her in his life. Not now. He'd decided to become Spider-Man again—he just needed to figure out how to restore his powers.
Getting close to Mary Jane would put her in danger.
"I don't—"
Peter stopped mid-sentence.
His spider-sense flared.
Sharp. Urgent. Clear.
A car was about to crash through the wall. Directly toward their table.
Peter moved on pure instinct. He lunged forward, grabbed Mary Jane, and pulled them both to the floor.
CRASH!
Glass exploded inward. The car flew over them and slammed into the restaurant's interior, destroying tables and chairs.
Chaos erupted. Screaming. Running.
Peter pulled Mary Jane to her feet. They looked toward the entrance.
Doctor Octopus walked through the shattered storefront, his four mechanical arms carrying him forward like a monstrous spider.
He stopped in front of Peter.
"Peter Parker. And his girlfriend."
"What do you want?" Peter asked, voice tight.
Doctor Octopus smiled—a cruel expression. One mechanical arm shot out and grabbed Peter by the throat, lifting him off his feet.
"Listen carefully," Otto said. "Find Spider-Man. Tell him to meet me at the clock tower. Three o'clock this afternoon."
"I don't know where he is—"
"You'll find him." Another arm extended and wrapped around Mary Jane's waist, pulling her into the air. She screamed.
Otto's face was inches from Peter's. "Or I'll peel the skin from her bones."
Peter's eyes went wide with horror and rage.
Mary Jane struggled in the mechanical arm's grip, terrified.
Peter watched, helpless, as Doctor Octopus held the woman he loved hostage.