Six Years Ago – The Bolivian Jungle

The air was thick with humidity, the jungle alive with a cacophony of chirping insects and distant animal cries. The Oscorp expedition team trudged cautiously through the dense undergrowth, the green canopy above shielding them from the harsh afternoon sun. Jacob L/N, Oscorp's lead biologist, adjusted his satchel and glanced at his scanner, its display lighting up with erratic readings.

"This is it," Jacob said, his voice low but charged with excitement.

Dr. Curt Connors, walking beside him, frowned as he leaned over to peer at the scanner. "You sure? These energy levels are—well, they're anomalous, to say the least."

"That's why Norman sent us halfway around the world," Jacob replied. "To find anomalies."

Ahead, one of the team members called out, "Dr. L/N, Dr. Connors! You're going to want to see this!"

The group pushed through the thick foliage and emerged into a clearing. In the center of the space, partially submerged in the ground, was a dark, pulsating substance. It looked alive—tendrils curling and uncurling as though sensing their presence.

"What the hell..." Connors muttered, taking a step back.

Jacob approached cautiously, pulling a portable containment chamber from his pack. "It's organic. Look at the movement—completely independent of external stimuli."

One of the junior scientists crouched down for a closer look. "It's almost... beautiful," she said, reaching out before anyone could stop her.

A tendril lashed out, wrapping around her arm in an instant. She screamed, thrashing as the black matter began to creep up her arm.

"Help me!" she cried.

"Get back!" Jacob shouted, stepping forward. "Hold still!"

Connors grabbed the machete from his belt and sliced through the tendrils. The substance hissed, almost like it was in pain, before retreating back to its central mass.

The scientist collapsed, gasping for air, her arm marked with dark veins where the substance had touched her.

"Get her back to base camp," Connors ordered. "And quarantine her until we're sure that thing didn't leave anything behind."

The rest of the team quickly worked to secure the substance in the containment chamber. Jacob watched intently as the tendrils pressed against the glass, almost as if testing their new confines.

"What the hell is this thing?" Connors asked, his voice uneasy.

Jacob's eyes never left the chamber. "Something worth studying."

🕷️

The Oscorp team had set up a makeshift lab near the jungle's edge, complete with state-of-the-art equipment flown in specifically for the expedition. The symbiote, as Jacob had quietly begun calling it, was now safely contained in a reinforced glass chamber.

Connors stood beside Jacob, reviewing the initial scans. "It's not like anything I've seen before. Completely alien biology."

Jacob nodded. "Look at these readings. It's interacting with the environment around it—absorbing energy, adapting to stimuli. It's not just alive, it's... symbiotic."

Connors frowned. "Symbiotic? You're saying it bonds with a host?"

"Yes," Jacob replied, his voice tinged with awe. "Look at how it latched onto Sarah earlier. It wasn't just attacking—it was trying to connect. At a cellular level."

"And nearly killed her in the process," Connors pointed out. "Jacob, this thing is dangerous. We need to report this to Norman and let Oscorp decide what to do with it."

Jacob hesitated, his gaze fixed on the chamber. "You're right," he said finally. "I'll include it in the report."

🕷️

The lab was quiet, the rest of the team either asleep or working on separate projects. Jacob sat alone at his workstation, the dim light illuminating the chamber before him. The symbiote moved lazily, its tendrils curling and uncurling like a predator at rest.

He activated his audio recorder. "Day 12. Subject identified as a potential symbiotic organism. Early analysis suggests it can form a mutualistic bond with a host, integrating itself at the cellular level. The possibilities here are extraordinary—enhanced physical capabilities, rapid healing, perhaps even immunity to diseases. But the risks..."

He paused, glancing over at the chamber. "The risks are significant. Host compatibility appears to be critical. Without it, the bond becomes unstable, potentially lethal."

Jacob leaned closer to the chamber, lowering his voice. "Norman can't know the full scope of this. He'd turn it into a weapon or sell it to the highest bidder. This... this could be so much more. A cure. A way to prevent suffering."

The symbiote seemed to ripple in response, as though understanding him.

🕷️

Back in New York, Jacob stood in his private lab at Oscorp, carefully transferring the symbiote to a more secure containment unit. He'd told Norman that the substance was a decayed organic mass, a dead end for their research. Norman had bought the lie without much interest.

Jacob, however, had renamed it **Project S.**

"It's not just another experiment," he recorded into his personal notes. "It's a revolution in biology. If I can unlock its secrets, it could change everything we know about medicine. But it has to stay under the radar. Norman can't know. Not yet."

He sealed the chamber and turned off the recorder, his mind racing with possibilities. For the first time in years, he felt like he was on the brink of something truly groundbreaking. Something that could finally prove his worth—not just to Norman, but to himself.

🕷️

Y/N leaned against his locker, his fingers drumming on the metal as he stared at a textbook he wasn't really reading. His grades had been climbing—a small victory in a sea of frustrations. On the surface, he seemed to be getting back on track. But underneath, a storm churned. 

It wasn't just the ache of losing his mom. That grief had settled into something quieter, more manageable with time. What gnawed at him now was the lack of justice. 

Men like Mac Gargan were walking free, operating multi-million-dollar companies without a hint of remorse. The same man who had murdered his mom in front of him was untouchable. Miles was doing what he could, but there were limits. He wasn't the law, and in some ways, he was outside it. 

The anger festered. 

Y/N slammed his locker shut, drawing a curious glance from a passing student. He ignored it and turned down the hall. He needed to breathe, to walk, to not think about the world's unfairness for a second. 

🕷️

Gwen found him sitting at a secluded bench, staring at the cracks in the pavement like they held the answers to his questions. She approached quietly, setting her bag down before sitting beside him. 

"Alright, out with it," she said, her tone soft but firm. 

Y/N glanced at her, his jaw clenched. "Out with what?" 

Gwen raised an eyebrow. "Don't pull that with me. I know you. Something's eating at you." 

He exhaled sharply, leaning back on the bench. "It's everything, Gwen. My mom's gone, and there's no justice for it. Gargan's out there living it up, probably laughing at how untouchable he is. Norman Osborn put my dad out of work, and now he's cozying up in his penthouse, running for mayor like he's some kind of savior." 

Gwen nodded, letting him vent. 

"And Miles... Miles is doing what he can, but he's not exactly the law. He's not exactly going to file a police report, is he? It's all so—" Y/N clenched his fists. "It's maddening." 

Gwen reached out, placing a hand on his arm. "I get it. I really do. And I know it feels like no one's doing anything, but my dad—he's trying. The police are trying." 

"Not hard enough," Y/N snapped, his frustration boiling over. He saw the hurt flicker in Gwen's eyes and immediately softened. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean—" 

"It's okay," Gwen said, her voice steady. "You're angry. You have every right to be. But Y/N, all you can do is trust that justice will catch up to people like Gargan. You can't carry this weight alone. Let the police handle it." 

Y/N looked at her, his anger giving way to guilt. He sighed and pulled her into a hug. "Thanks for being here for me. I don't know what I'd do without you." 

Gwen hugged him back, resting her chin on his shoulder. "You'll be okay. We'll get through this." 

🕷️

Just as they pulled apart, Y/N's phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen and blinked in surprise. 

"It's my dad," he said. 

Gwen tilted her head. "You gonna answer?" 

"Yeah," he muttered, swiping to pick up. "Hey, Dad. What's up?" 

Jacob's voice came through, hesitant but hopeful. "Hey, Y/N. Look, I know we haven't been... seeing eye to eye lately, but I wanted to tell you—I might've found a job." 

Y/N sat up straighter. "Really? That's great!" 

"It's not much," Jacob admitted. "Just a consulting gig at a pharmaceutical firm. The pay's decent, not Oscorp-level benefits, but it'll keep the lights on and food on the table. At least until I can find something better." 

"That's still good news, Dad. I'm happy for you," Y/N said sincerely. 

Jacob sighed, his voice softening. "Look, I also wanted to say I'm sorry. I know I haven't been the easiest person to be around since... your mom. Losing her hit me harder than I ever expected. I miss her every day. But she wouldn't want me—us—acting like this. She'd want us to keep going, you know?" 

Y/N felt a lump rise in his throat but managed a small smile. "She'd definitely be giving you a lecture right about now." 

Jacob chuckled. "Oh, no doubt about it. She'd probably tell me to stop sulking and take you out for dinner. Which is exactly what I'm going to do. If you're free, that is." 

Y/N glanced at Gwen, who smiled encouragingly. "Yeah, I'd like that," he said. "I'm with Gwen right now, but I can meet you later." 

Jacob hesitated, his tone shifting. "Gwen, huh? Still spending a lot of time with her." 

"Yeah, and maybe if you got to know her, you'd see she's amazing," Y/N said, a hint of defensiveness in his voice. 

Jacob sighed. "Alright, alright. We'll table that for now. Just... think about where we should go for dinner. My treat." 

"Will do," Y/N said, smiling. "Thanks, Dad." 

As the call ended, Gwen looked at him curiously. "So, dinner with your dad?" 

"Yeah," Y/N said, standing up and holding out a hand to her. "But right now, I'm spending time with you. He can wait." 

Gwen took his hand, smiling. "Good answer." 

🕷️

Y/N tossed his keys onto the counter as he stepped into the quiet apartment. The air was still, save for the faint hum of the refrigerator. Jacob's shoes weren't by the door, which meant he wasn't home yet. That wasn't surprising—he had a tendency to stay out late when he was prepping for something big.

Y/N sighed and flopped onto the couch, his mind replaying the conversation with Gwen and the call with his dad. He wanted to feel happy about Jacob's potential new job and their planned dinner, but the same nagging frustration clawed at him. Gargan. Osborn. All the people who had turned his life upside down without facing any consequences.

He leaned back and closed his eyes, willing himself to relax. That's when he heard it—a faint, rhythmic *thud* coming from down the hall.

"Thud."
"Thud."
"Thud."

Y/N's eyes snapped open. It was coming from his dad's office.

At first, he tried to ignore it. He knew his dad had been working on some kind of experiment—"Project S," or whatever he'd called it—but Y/N had stayed out of it. Miles had warned him not to mess with anything his dad was studying. "Best to leave that stuff alone," Miles had said.

But the sound was relentless.

"Thud."
"Thud."
"Thud."

Curiosity got the better of him. Rising from the couch, Y/N made his way down the hall, each step hesitant. The noise grew louder as he approached the office door.

He hesitated, hand hovering over the doorknob. "It's probably nothing," he muttered to himself. But then, he thought about how strange the black goo had looked when he'd glimpsed it the other day. The way it seemed... alive.

Taking a deep breath, he turned the knob and pushed the door open.

🕷️

The room was dimly lit, the only source of light coming from a desk lamp that cast eerie shadows across the walls. On the far side of the room was a reinforced glass containment chamber, and inside it was the black substance. The symbiote.

It wasn't just sitting there.

The goo writhed violently, slamming itself against the glass with unnatural force. "Thud. Thud. Thud."

"What the hell..." Y/N whispered, stepping closer.

The black tendrils seemed to react to his presence. They flared out, pressing against the glass like a predator stalking its prey. Y/N froze. He could feel it—or at least, it felt like it was sensing him.

Anger.
Fear.
Pain.

It was as if the creature could see straight into him, into the dark corners of his mind where he kept all the things he didn't want to face.

"Dad, what are you doing with this thing?" Y/N muttered. He shook his head and turned to leave. *Miles is right. This isn't something I should mess with.*

But the symbiote had other plans.

🕷️

The containment glass suddenly cracked with a loud pop, making Y/N spin around in alarm. Before he could react, the glass shattered, and the symbiote oozed out like liquid shadow.

"Oh, crap," Y/N said, backing up. "No, no, no—stay there!"

The goo slithered toward him with unsettling speed, tendrils stretching and curling like fingers reaching for him.

"Dad's gonna kill me," he muttered, scrambling to the door. But before he could make it, the symbiote surged forward and latched onto his ankle.

"Get off!" Y/N shouted, shaking his leg violently.

The black substance climbed higher, wrapping around his calf and then his torso. Y/N grabbed at it, trying to tear it off, but it was like trying to fight water—it just slipped through his fingers and reformed.

"Stop!" he shouted, panic rising in his chest.

The symbiote didn't stop. It slithered over his arms, his neck, his face. Y/N gasped as it invaded his senses, a cold, invasive presence burrowing into his body.

And then it was inside him.

🕷️

Y/N staggered back, clutching his chest. He could feel it—something moving under his skin, merging with him. His vision blurred, and his thoughts grew louder, more chaotic.

He stumbled against the desk, panting. "What... what is this?"

A voice, low and guttural, echoed in his mind.

*You are mine now.*

Y/N froze. "Who said that?" he whispered, looking around the empty room.

*We did,* the voice replied. *You... and I.*

The realization hit him like a freight train. The symbiote wasn't just inside him—it was speaking to him. It was alive.

Y/N gripped the edge of the desk, trying to steady himself. He wanted to scream, to run, to do anything but stand there, but his body felt... different. Stronger. Faster. Like it wasn't entirely his anymore.

🕷️

The sound of the front door opening snapped Y/N out of his thoughts. "Y/N?" Jacob's voice called.

Y/N stood frozen for a moment before stepping out of the office.

Jacob looked up from hanging his coat, his face lighting up. "Hey, kid. You ready to head out?"

Y/N opened his mouth to say something—anything—but the voice in his head interrupted him.

*Don't. Say. Anything.*

It wasn't a suggestion. It was a command.

Y/N's jaw clenched. "Yeah, just... let me grab my jacket," he said, forcing a smile.

Jacob nodded, oblivious. "Good. I've been craving Italian all day."

As Jacob turned to grab his keys, Y/N glanced at his reflection in the hallway mirror. For a brief second, he thought he saw something—his own eyes flashing black.

He shuddered and looked away, the voice chuckling softly in his head.

*This is only the beginning.*

🕷️

The air in the small, cozy diner was warm and filled with the scent of sizzling burgers and freshly brewed coffee. Jacob sat across from Y/N in the booth, smiling faintly as he glanced at the menu. The lighting overhead was dim, casting soft shadows on their faces.

Jacob was in a good mood, maybe the best mood Y/N had seen him in months. He'd been talking nonstop since they arrived—about the job, the plan, how things were finally going to get better.

"You know, consulting isn't where I imagined I'd end up, but it's a start," Jacob said, leaning back against the booth. "The pharmaceutical firm focuses on gene therapy and experimental treatments. Nothing groundbreaking, but it's steady work. A foot in the door."

"That's great, Dad," Y/N replied, forcing a smile as he fiddled with his straw.

"Yeah, it'll keep the lights on. And who knows, maybe I'll move up. It's not Oscorp, but I've been out of work long enough. I can't afford to be picky anymore." Jacob paused, giving Y/N a small, hopeful smile. "It'll be good for us, Y/N. A fresh start."

Y/N nodded, but his stomach churned. He couldn't focus. His dad's words blurred into white noise as the voice crept into his mind again, low and venomous.

*This man locked me away. Years of torment, of isolation, and for what? To rot in a cage while he played scientist?*

Y/N's fingers tightened around his glass. "Stop," he muttered under his breath.

Jacob looked up, confused. "What?"

Y/N froze, realizing he'd spoken out loud. "Nothing," he said quickly, forcing a laugh. "Just... uh, thinking about something."

Jacob frowned but didn't push further, continuing his ramble about the job and its possibilities. Y/N tried to nod along, but the voice didn't let up.

*I should rip his head off. Tear him limb from limb for what he did to me.*

"No, we're not doing that," Y/N said loudly, his voice sharp and firm.

Jacob blinked, startled. "What? Doing what?"

Y/N's heart skipped a beat. He scrambled for an answer, his palms slick with sweat. "Uh... I-I mean... nothing. Sorry, just... spaced out for a second."

Jacob stared at him for a moment, his brows furrowed, before slowly nodding. "You sure you're okay? You've been acting... off since we got here."

"I'm fine," Y/N said quickly, offering a strained smile. "Really."

But he wasn't fine. The voice—the *symbiote*—was still there, muttering dark thoughts in his head. Y/N tried to drown it out, focusing on Jacob's voice instead, but the more he tried, the louder it seemed to get.

🕷️

Halfway through dinner, Y/N couldn't take it anymore. "I'm gonna hit the bathroom," he said abruptly, sliding out of the booth before Jacob could respond.

The restroom was dimly lit, the smell of lemon cleaner faint but present. Y/N locked himself in one of the stalls, leaning against the wall as he pulled out his phone. His hands were shaking as he opened his contacts and tapped Gwen's name.

Before the call could connect, the voice hissed in his head.

*Don't call her.*

Y/N froze, his thumb hovering over the screen.

*She doesn't care. She wouldn't understand. No one will.*

"Shut up," Y/N whispered harshly, gripping the phone tighter.

*She's weak,*" the voice continued, its tone dripping with malice. "*A distraction. You don't need her.*

"Shut. Up," Y/N said louder, his voice echoing in the empty restroom. He shoved the phone back into his pocket, clenching his fists. "She's my girlfriend. Leave her out of this."

The voice chuckled, dark and amused. *If you insist.*

Y/N pressed his palms against his temples, taking deep, shaky breaths. He didn't know what was happening, but he had to figure it out—and fast.

"Get out of my head," he muttered. "Whatever you are... just leave me alone."

There was no response this time, only silence. Y/N sighed, straightening up and splashing cold water on his face. His reflection stared back at him, pale and shaken.

"Get it together," he told himself. "You can't let Dad see you like this."

🕷️

Y/N returned to the booth, sliding into his seat. Jacob looked up from his plate, concern etched on his face.

"You okay, kiddo? You've barely touched your food."

"I'm fine," Y/N said automatically.

Jacob didn't buy it. He set his fork down, leaning forward slightly. "Y/N, what's going on? You've been off all night. If something's wrong, you can tell me."

Y/N hesitated, his heart pounding. The voice was back, hissing in his mind.

*Don't. Say. Anything.*

But he couldn't keep this to himself. Not forever.

Y/N looked down at his plate, his hands clenched into fists. "I... I need to tell you something," he said quietly.

Jacob's brows furrowed in concern. "What is it?"

Y/N opened his mouth to speak, but the voice roared in his mind, louder and more forceful than before.

*NO.*

Y/N winced, squeezing his eyes shut. He couldn't do this here. Not now.

"Can we just... get the check and go home?" Y/N said, his voice barely above a whisper.

Jacob studied him for a moment before nodding. "Yeah. Sure."

As they waited for the check, Y/N stared out the window, his mind racing. Whatever was happening to him, it was getting worse.

🕷️

Y/N paced back and forth in the living room, sweat dripping down his face. His heart pounded, his breaths shallow, as he tried to explain himself to his father. Jacob stood across the room, arms crossed, his face unreadable as he listened.

"I don't know how to explain it," Y/N said, stumbling over his words. "There's... something in me, Dad. It's not just a voice—it's alive. And it's angry. Angry at you."

Jacob's brow furrowed. "Angry at me? Y/N, what are you talking about?"

Y/N gestured wildly in the direction of Jacob's office. "That black stuff—the goo you've got in your office? It broke out! It—it *found me*!"

Jacob's eyes narrowed. Without saying a word, he marched toward the office. Y/N followed, the panic in his chest growing stronger with every step.

As they entered, Jacob froze, his eyes locking on the containment unit. The glass was shattered, shards littering the floor. The lab equipment around it was singed and melted in places, as if some chemical reaction had occurred.

"No," Jacob muttered under his breath. "No, no, no."

He turned to Y/N, his face livid. "What the hell were you doing in here, Y/N? This isn't a toy! Were you snooping? Messing with things you shouldn't have been?"

Y/N flinched at the accusation. "No! I wasn't! I didn't touch it, Dad—I swear!"

Jacob's voice rose. "Then how did it get out?"

"I don't know!" Y/N shouted back, his voice breaking. "Miles and I found it the other day when we were looking for you. We saw it, but we didn't do anything! I wasn't even near it!"

Jacob pinched the bridge of his nose, pacing in tight circles. "Do you even know what you've done? What you've let loose?"

"I didn't let anything loose!" Y/N snapped. He gestured to himself, his voice trembling. "It chose me, Dad! It's in my head, and I can't get it out! I'm scared, okay? I don't know what to do!"

Jacob stopped pacing and looked at his son. For a moment, the anger melted away, replaced by something gentler—concern. He stepped closer and put a hand on Y/N's shoulder.

"Okay," he said softly. "Okay, we'll figure this out. Just breathe."

Y/N took a shaky breath, his hands still trembling. "What's happening to me?"

Jacob hesitated, then sighed heavily. "It's... a symbiote. That black goo—it's alive. I found it years ago in an asteroid sample while working at Oscorp. It's not from Earth."

Y/N blinked at him, his mouth opening and closing as he tried to process the words. "Wait, hold on—are you saying that an *alien* is attached to me?"

"Well... relatively speaking, yes," Jacob said, rubbing the back of his neck.

Y/N threw up his hands. "Relatively speaking?! Dad, I have an *alien parasite* inside me!"

Jacob winced. "It's not a parasite. It's... symbiotic. A partnership of sorts. It's supposed to bond with its host."

"I don't want to be a host!" Y/N shouted, his voice cracking. "I want it off! Now!"

Jacob sighed, glancing at the shattered containment unit. "There's not a lot of research on this, Y/N. We don't know its weaknesses. If we try to remove it the wrong way, it could hurt you."

"I don't care!" Y/N said, his voice trembling. "I can't live like this!"

Jacob studied him for a moment, seeing the fear in his son's eyes. Finally, he nodded. "Alright. Get in the car. I know a place where we can work this out."

🕷️

The car ride was silent except for the faint muttering of the symbiote in Y/N's head.

*You're wasting time. He can't help you.*

"Shut up," Y/N hissed under his breath.

*You don't have a choice.*

Jacob led Y/N down a dark alley and into a hidden entrance that led to an old sewer system. They walked in silence until they reached an underground lab filled with dusty equipment and scattered notes.

"This is it," Jacob said, flipping a switch. Old fluorescent lights flickered on, illuminating the space. "This is where Curt Connors worked before Oscorp shut him down."

"The lizard guy?" Y/N asked, glancing around nervously.

Jacob nodded. "He did a lot of... unconventional research here. We can work without being interrupted."

They began experimenting, testing various methods to remove the symbiote. Chemicals, electrical pulses, and even extreme temperatures—all of it failed. The symbiote clung stubbornly to Y/N, its presence growing more agitated with each attempt.

"This isn't working," Y/N said, his voice strained. He leaned against a counter, his head in his hands.

Jacob lit a cigarette, pacing the room. "There has to be something we're missing."

As the flame flickered, the symbiote recoiled slightly, causing Y/N to flinch.

"Wait a second," Jacob said, holding the lighter closer to Y/N. The symbiote began to retreat, its gooey tendrils pulling away from his skin.

"Fire," Jacob murmured. "It's sensitive to fire."

"Good," Y/N said through gritted teeth. "Burn it off!"

Jacob hesitated. "Y/N, if I use too much heat—"

"Just do it!" Y/N yelled.

Before Jacob could act, Y/N's phone buzzed in his pocket. A loud ringtone blared, filling the room.

The symbiote screeched, twisting violently inside Y/N.

*NO! NO!* it growled, its voice echoing in Y/N's head.

The soundwaves from the ringtone caused the symbiote to loosen its grip further. Jacob quickly connected the lab's speaker system, amplifying the sound to deafening levels.

The symbiote shrieked in agony, tearing itself away from Y/N's body and flinging itself across the room.

Y/N collapsed to his knees, gasping for air. "We did it," he said weakly.

But the victory was short-lived. The symbiote launched itself back at Y/N, enveloping him completely.

"Y/N!" Jacob shouted, backing away as the black mass overtook his son.

Y/N screamed as the symbiote fused with him, his body growing larger, his muscles rippling unnaturally. The creature that stood before Jacob was no longer entirely human.

Jacob stared in horror. "Y/N...?"

The creature tilted its head, its voice a deep, guttural growl. "Y/N is... occupied."

It lunged forward, grabbing Jacob and lifting him effortlessly into the air.

"You," it growled. "You locked me away. Kept me caged like an animal."

"Please," Jacob stammered. "Don't hurt him—don't hurt my son!"

The creature's head tilted again, as if considering. "He doesn't want me to hurt you. Lucky for you."

It hurled Jacob across the room, sending him crashing into a pile of equipment.

Before Jacob could recover, the creature leapt out of the lab, its monstrous form crashing through the sewer system and into the night, leaving chaos in its wake. Y/N's voice could barely be heard, screaming from within.

🕷️

The symbiote tore through the city like a storm, its form a hulking mass of black tendrils and jagged musculature. Each leap sent shockwaves through the concrete jungle, its massive frame slamming into buildings and rooftops with bone-jarring force. The creature was monstrous—its twisted, sinewy body glistening under the city lights, teeth razor-sharp and endlessly bared in a maniacal grin. Its glowing white eyes seemed to pierce through the darkest corners of the streets, as if hunting for prey that couldn't escape.

Inside, Y/N was trapped—his voice drowned out by the guttural growls of the alien entity now controlling his body.

"STOP! PLEASE!" Y/N shouted, but the sound was muffled, buried beneath the symbiote's laughter.

*Stop? No. This is freedom,*the symbiote snarled, its voice guttural and alien, reverberating in Y/N's mind. *"We are alive now. They will all fear us."*

The creature landed on a crowded avenue, causing cars to swerve and crash into one another as it advanced. Tendrils whipped outward, smashing windshields and flipping vehicles like they were toys. Pedestrians screamed and fled in all directions, some stumbling and falling in the chaos. The symbiote reveled in the terror, its deep, echoing laugh bouncing off the buildings.

A man tripped on the curb, his groceries spilling across the pavement. The symbiote's glowing eyes locked onto him.

"No, no, no!" the man stammered, scrambling backward as the creature approached.

The symbiote leaned down, its massive, tooth-filled grin mere inches from the man's face. *Run faster next time.*

It reared back, leaping onto the side of a nearby skyscraper. Claws extended from its fingers, slicing through glass and steel as it scaled the building effortlessly. Inside, office workers screamed and ducked under desks as the creature's claws carved long, jagged lines through the windows.

🕷️

Back in the lab, Jacob pushed himself off the floor, clutching his ribs as he stumbled to a phone. His mind raced, his heart pounding as he replayed the events of the past hour.

He dialed George Stacy first.

"Stacy," came the captain's gruff voice.

"George, it's Jacob," he said, trying to steady his voice.

"What's going on?" George asked, his tone shifting to concern.

"There's... there's something loose in the city," Jacob said. He hesitated, debating how much to reveal. "It's dangerous. You need to mobilize every unit you can."

"What kind of something?" George pressed.

"It's hard to explain," Jacob admitted. "But you'll know it when you see it. Just... don't engage directly. This thing is beyond anything your officers have dealt with before."

"Got it," George replied grimly. "We're on it."

As soon as the call ended, Jacob dialed Aaron Davis.

"What do you want, Jacob?" Aaron asked, his tone wary.

"I know about Miles," Jacob said bluntly. "I know he's the Prowler."

There was a long pause. "You don't know what you're talking about," Aaron said finally.

"Yes, I do. And I don't care right now," Jacob snapped. "Something's got my kid, Aaron. I need your help."

Aaron hesitated, then sighed. "What do you need me to do?"

"Just... be ready," Jacob said. "I might need Miles'... skills. And yours."

🕷️

The symbiote crashed into a narrow alley, its claws raking against the walls as it skidded to a stop. It sniffed the air, its glowing eyes narrowing as it detected movement. Ahead, a group of men was unloading crates from a truck, their jackets bearing the scorpion insignia of Scorpo's crew.

"Tasty," the symbiote growled, its mouth curling into a feral grin.

The enforcers turned, their eyes widening as they saw the hulking creature stalking toward them.

"What the hell is that?!" one of them shouted, fumbling for his gun.

"Kill it!" another barked, raising his weapon.

Bullets sprayed across the alley, but they did nothing to slow the creature. Tendrils erupted from its body, disarming the men with terrifying speed. The symbiote lunged forward, grabbing one man by the throat and slamming him into the side of the truck.

"Pathetic," it snarled, its teeth inches from the man's face.

It tossed him aside like a ragdoll, then turned to the others. Tendrils lashed out, wrapping around their limbs and pulling them off their feet. The symbiote roared, its voice shaking the walls of the alley.

Inside, Y/N was screaming. "STOP IT! YOU'RE KILLING THEM!"

They are nothing, the symbiote growled in response. "Weak prey"

It slammed another enforcer into the ground, the force of the impact cracking the pavement. Blood pooled around the body as the symbiote turned to the last man, who was cowering against the wall.

"Please," the man begged. "Don't—"

The symbiote's grin widened. "Begging is useless."

With a single, brutal motion, it ended him.

🕷️

By now, the police had caught up. Squad cars screeched to a halt at the end of the alley, their lights flashing as officers poured out, weapons drawn.

"Freeze!" one of them shouted.

The symbiote turned slowly, its glowing eyes narrowing. "*You dare to challenge us?*"

It raised its massive arms, black tendrils writhing and twisting like living snakes. Before the officers could react, the tendrils lashed out, disarming them all in a blur of motion.

"Fall back!" one officer shouted as the symbiote advanced.

But it didn't attack. Instead, it leapt upward, grabbing hold of a fire escape and pulling itself onto the roof. From there, it bounded across the city, its massive form silhouetted against the moonlit sky.

Below, the streets were in chaos. People screamed and pointed as the creature tore through the city, smashing windows and leaping from building to building. Helicopters buzzed overhead, their spotlights struggling to keep up with its movements.

Inside, Y/N was fighting with everything he had. "LET ME GO!"

"Never," the symbiote snarled. "We are one. You are mine."

Eventually, the creature reached the waterfront. It paused, staring out at the dark waters surrounding the Statue of Liberty.

"Why... here?" Y/N's voice was weak, exhausted.

"This place... it feels right," the symbiote murmured, its tone almost contemplative.

Without another word, it waded into the water, disappearing beneath the surface. Moments later, it emerged at the base of the statue, its massive frame glistening with seawater. It climbed onto the pedestal, its glowing eyes scanning the city.

🕷️

At the base of the Statue of Liberty, the Symbiote crouched in the shadows, its massive, pulsating form heaving as it recalibrated. Slowly, the monstrous black mass began to shrink and reform, its tendrils coiling back into its body. Y/N's human shape reemerged piece by piece, though his movements were sluggish and unsteady, as if he were emerging from a deep, oppressive fog.

Finally, a tendril slithered from Y/N's shoulder, shaping itself into a grotesque approximation of a face. The slick black material twisted, forming jagged teeth and those same glowing white eyes, staring into Y/N's terrified expression.

"Wh-what the hell are you?" Y/N stammered, his voice cracking.

The creature's voice was like gravel grinding against metal, deep and otherworldly. "I am Venom," it growled, its teeth curling into a horrifying grin. "And you... are mine."

Y/N's stomach churned as memories of the rampage flashed through his mind—the screams, the blood, the lives extinguished in an instant. "Oh God," he whispered, his face pale. "You ate people?"

Venom's grin widened as if the question amused it. "Fuel for the tank, as one would say."

Y/N felt bile rise in his throat. "That's—God, that's disgusting."

"Survival is not always... elegant," Venom said, its voice low and mocking. "Let us make one thing clear, Y/N. You did not find us. We found you."

Y/N's chest heaved as he tried to catch his breath. "What... what do you want with me?"

Venom's grin faltered slightly, and its glowing eyes seemed to pierce deeper into Y/N's soul. The creature didn't answer immediately. Instead, Y/N felt a sudden wave of nausea as Venom began sifting through his memories—his life, his thoughts, his emotions.

It wasn't just reading him; it was invading him.

Y/N clutched his head. "Stop it! Get out of my mind!"

But Venom continued, its voice dark and dripping with malice. "Your anger, your pain, your hatred... It is exquisite. And then there's your friend—Miles, your girlfriend—-Gwen. Oh, and your poor, poor mother. Jessica, wasn't it?"

Y/N's eyes snapped open, and he shouted, "You leave her out of this!"

Venom leaned closer, its face mere inches from Y/N's, its breath hot and rancid. "But why? I like your anger. It makes you strong. It makes us strong."

Y/N gritted his teeth, his hands curling into fists.

Venom's voice softened, mocking yet insidious. "It's like that one man said, isn't it? Osborn. Life is hard, Y/N. Get used to it."

The words struck a nerve, but Y/N refused to give Venom the satisfaction of a reaction. Instead, he glared at the creature and demanded, "You never answered my question. What do you want with me?"

The tendril-face pulled back slightly, as if considering. When it spoke again, its tone was slower, more deliberate. "It is simple," Venom began. "We need each other. I need a host—someone strong enough to survive, to keep me alive. And you, Y/N... you are perfect."

"Perfect?" Y/N scoffed. "Why me?"

Venom's jagged teeth curled into a cruel smile. "You have qualities most others lack. The strength to endure pain. The fire of rage. The hunger for justice."

Y/N's stomach turned. "Justice?"

"No," Venom corrected, its voice lowering to a guttural snarl. "Not justice. Vengeance."

The word hung in the air like a thunderclap, and Y/N's heart sank. He knew exactly what Venom was referring to.

"Gargan," Venom continued, its voice dripping with malice. "The man who took her from you. Your mother. You tell yourself you've moved on, that you've let go. But I know the truth. I've seen it, Y/N. Felt it. You want him to pay. You want him to suffer."

"No," Y/N said quickly, his voice shaking. "That's not true. I've—"

"Liar," Venom growled, cutting him off. "You want him dead. And you want to be the one to do it."

Y/N shook his head, but the tears welling in his eyes betrayed him. "Shut up."

Venom leaned closer, its voice a dark, hypnotic whisper. "I can give you that, Y/N. I can give you the power to take what you want. To hurt him. To destroy him. To make him beg."

The image flashed in Y/N's mind: Gargan, broken and defeated, pleading for mercy. It was everything he'd wanted to see for months, but it also terrified him.

"And what if I say no?" Y/N asked, his voice barely audible.

Venom's smile disappeared, replaced by a cold, predatory stare. "Then I will find someone else," it said simply. "Perhaps your little girlfriend, Gwen. She is... compatible."

"No!" Y/N shouted, panic flooding his veins. "You leave her out of this!"

"Then do not make me," Venom said, its grin returning. "You want revenge. I want freedom. Together, we can have both."

Y/N stared at the tendril-face, his chest heaving as he struggled to process everything. "I do want revenge," he admitted finally, his voice trembling. "I want to hurt him for what he did to her."

Venom chuckled, the sound reverberating through Y/N's entire body. "Good. Very good. You and I are going to make an excellent team."

Y/N shook his head, his voice barely above a whisper. "And I don't have a choice, do I?"

Venom's grin widened to an almost impossible degree. "Now you're catching on," it purred.

Y/N slumped against the cold metal of the statue's base, his breath shallow and ragged. "Oh God," he whispered.

🕷️

The wind howled in Y/N's ears as Venom propelled them through the sky, tendrils latching onto buildings and pulling them higher and higher until they landed with a bone-rattling thud atop a rooftop in Queens. The impact cracked the concrete beneath them, but Venom remained unbothered, standing tall and scanning the city below.

The mural of Jessica was behind them, untouched and glowing softly under a nearby streetlamp.

Venom tilted its head, its voice deep and resonant. "It's... peaceful, isn't it?"

Y/N's voice broke through, muffled but audible within their shared mind. "Peaceful? I guess you could say that after you just killed a bunch of people."

Venom chuckled darkly. "They were weak. Insignificant. Their lives meant nothing in the grand scheme. But look at this..." The creature turned toward the mural, the glowing white eyes narrowing slightly as it studied Jessica's painted smile. "This is... surprisingly nice."

Y/N's anger flared again, his voice cutting through Venom's musings. "Don't. Don't you dare talk about her. You have no right."

Venom ignored him, its gaze lingering on the mural for a moment longer before a faint sound from behind caught its attention. A soft thud echoed from the rooftop's edge, followed by the faint hum of advanced tech.

Venom didn't turn around immediately but grinned, the sharp teeth glinting ominously. "Well, well. Look who's here."

From the shadows, Miles Morales stepped forward, clad in his Prowler gear. His voice was calm, almost playful. "So this is the famous monster causing all that trouble. Gotta say, you've got some real anger issues, man."

Venom finally turned, its massive frame dwarfing the slimmer figure of the Prowler. "You wear a mask," Venom said, its voice a low growl. "But I know who you are, Miles Morales."

Miles stiffened but kept his composure. "Yeah? And I know who you are. Or at least who you're pretending to be." He gestured toward Venom's chest. "You've got my friend in there, don't you? Y/N."

From deep within, Y/N's voice broke through, desperate and strained. "Miles! Don't let it—"

Venom's voice overpowered him, cutting him off. "He's mine now," the Symbiote snarled. "You should leave before I make you regret staying."

Miles tilted his head, his voice sharp but calm. "Yeah, I don't think so. You're gonna let him go, or I'm gonna make you."

Venom roared, the sound echoing across the rooftop as it lunged forward. "I'd like to see you try!"

Miles was ready. He dodged to the side, his gauntlets sparking to life with a high-pitched whine as they activated. "Yeah, about that," he said, aiming a strike at Venom's side. "I've got some new toys."

The gauntlet connected, emitting a burst of sonic energy that made Venom shriek in pain, the sound grating and inhuman. The Symbiote staggered back, its tendrils thrashing wildly.

"You think sound will stop me?" Venom growled, recovering quickly and lashing out with a massive tendril.

Miles jumped over the attack, his claws extending as he slashed at the black mass. "Seems like it's working pretty well so far!"

The two clashed, Venom's raw power and monstrous speed pitted against Miles' agility and advanced weaponry. Each strike from the Prowler's gauntlets sent ripples through the Symbiote, but Venom's relentless attacks kept Miles on the defensive.

As the fight raged, a new voice cut through the chaos.

"Need a hand?"

Aaron Davis appeared, leaping onto the rooftop and landing a powerful punch to Venom's side with his own gauntlet. The sonic energy rippled through the creature, forcing it to stagger once more.

Venom snarled, turning its attention to Aaron. "You dare challenge me?"

Aaron smirked, raising his gauntlet for another strike. "Kid's family. You mess with him, you mess with me."

The fight continued, the two Prowlers working in tandem to keep Venom on the ropes. Miles focused on precision, using his speed to land calculated blows, while Aaron delivered heavy, disorienting strikes.

But Venom was relentless. It lashed out with tendrils, nearly catching Aaron by the leg, and launched itself at Miles with feral speed. The rooftop shook with the force of the battle, debris scattering in all directions.

Inside, Y/N struggled against the Symbiote's control, his voice growing louder as he fought to break free. "Stop it!"

Venom hissed in frustration, its movements faltering for a split second. It was enough.

Miles seized the opportunity, delivering a powerful sonic blast directly to Venom's chest. The creature howled, the sound deafening, and its form began to writhe uncontrollably.

The black mass retracted, pulling back into Y/N's body and leaving him slumped on the ground, gasping for air.

Miles and Aaron exchanged a glance before rushing to his side.

"Y/N," Miles said, pulling off his mask as he crouched beside his friend. "Are you okay?"

Y/N looked up at him, his face pale and his eyes hollow. "I... I don't know," he whispered.

Aaron knelt on his other side, his expression grim. "We need to get him out of here. Now."

Miles nodded, helping Y/N to his feet. "Come on. We'll figure this out."

🕷️

Miles and Aaron helped Y/N to the front door of the house, his legs barely holding him upright as they shuffled up the steps. Y/N's breathing was labored, his body trembling from the strain of the night's events.

"We'll get you inside," Miles said, his voice laced with concern. He glanced at Aaron, who nodded.

"Yeah, but we can't stick around," Aaron said. "We've got a job to do, but... we'll check in later. You good here, kid?"

Y/N nodded weakly, leaning on the doorframe. "Yeah, thanks. I'll be fine."

Miles hesitated, glancing over at his friend. "If anything happens—anything—you call me. Got it?"

"Got it," Y/N replied, though his voice lacked conviction.

Aaron clapped him on the shoulder lightly, careful not to aggravate his injuries. "Take care, man."

The two disappeared into the night, leaving Y/N alone. He fumbled with his keys for a moment before the door opened abruptly, revealing his father, Jacob.

"Y/N!" Jacob exclaimed, pulling him inside. "What the hell happened to you?"

Y/N staggered past him into the living room, collapsing onto the couch. His skin was pale, and sweat glistened on his forehead. Jacob knelt beside him, his hands gripping Y/N's shoulders. "Talk to me. What happened?"

For a moment, Y/N said nothing, his head resting against the couch cushions. But then, Venom's deep, guttural chuckle echoed in his mind, urging him forward. "Tell him everything," the Symbiote hissed.

And so he did.

Through labored breaths, Y/N recounted everything—the Symbiote, the havoc it wreaked, the fights, the voices in his head. His father's expression shifted from horror to confusion, and then to something more complex as Y/N explained Venom's offer: revenge.

"Venom says... he can help me," Y/N admitted, his voice trembling. "Help me get revenge on Gargan. For killing Mom."

Jacob's face darkened, his hand running through his disheveled hair. "Gargan..." he muttered, the name dripping with disdain.

"And he's not wrong," Y/N continued, his voice growing steadier. "Gargan got away with it. He killed her right in front of me, Dad. And he's out there, living his life like nothing happened."

Jacob turned away, pacing the room. His breathing was shallow, his hands clenched into fists. "And Venom... he told you this?"

"Yes," Y/N replied, his voice quieter now. "He's in my head, Dad. He knows everything. My anger. My pain. And he's using it."

Jacob stopped pacing and stared at the floor, silent for a long moment. When he finally spoke, his voice was low and bitter. "For months, I've blamed myself for what happened to your mom. For what happened to us."

"Dad, it wasn't your fault—"

Jacob cut him off, his voice rising. "But it was, Y/N. Don't you see? I made the thing that started all of this. I worked for Osborn. I trusted him. And it cost us everything." He turned to face Y/N, his eyes filled with a mix of sorrow and fury. "But it wasn't just me. It was Norman. He ruined everything—our lives, my career, your mother's safety. And he didn't care. He fired me, left me to pick up the pieces, and never once showed an ounce of remorse."

Jacob's hands trembled as he sank into a nearby chair, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Norman did this. All of it."

Y/N watched his father, the weight of his words sinking in. "So... what are you saying?"

Jacob looked up at him, his expression grim. "I'm saying... if this is how we get justice—how we get revenge—then so be it."

Y/N's eyes widened in shock. "You're serious?"

"I've spent too long living with this guilt, this rage," Jacob said, his voice firm. "If this thing—this Venom—can help you, then maybe it's worth it. Maybe it's time to stop running from what we've lost."

For a moment, Y/N couldn't speak. He'd expected his father to resist, to shut him down, to be the voice of reason. But instead, Jacob was leaning into the very darkness Y/N had been fighting against.

And as Venom whispered in his mind, feeding his own simmering rage, Y/N felt his resolve harden.

"You want this, don't you?" Venom hissed, its voice like oil in his thoughts. "You want to make Gargan pay. To make him suffer."

Y/N's fists clenched as memories of his mother's death surged to the forefront of his mind—the fear, the helplessness, the fury. "I want him to hurt," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.

"I want to kill him."

Venom laughed, a low, menacing sound that sent shivers down Y/N's spine. "Then we're going to make him scream."

🕷️

Two Months Later

The night skyline of New York glowed with its usual mix of beauty and chaos, but for the city's criminal underworld, terror now lurked in the shadows. Y/N, bonded with Venom, had become something of a legend among those who operated outside the law—a faceless enforcer who didn't stop at apprehension. Word had spread of an "alien creature" leaving bodies in its wake, and the tales were enough to make even hardened criminals shiver.

Y/N, however, didn't see himself as a killer—not entirely. His agreement with Venom had been clear: no innocents, no friends, and absolutely no Miles, Gwen, or his dad. Venom begrudgingly adhered to these rules, though not without occasional grumbling. But even Y/N couldn't ignore how Venom had begun to influence him, twisting his sense of justice into something darker.

🕷️

Inside a dimly lit warehouse in Queens, a group of Mac Gargan's enforcers sat around a table. A shipment of illicit goods was being logged, but the tension in the air was palpable. They'd heard the stories—the alien monster tearing through their ranks. One man, Lou, nervously glanced at the shadows.

"You hear about Benny and Carlos last week?" Lou muttered, gripping his gun tightly.

"Yeah," another enforcer replied, trying to sound tough but failing. "Whatever that thing is, it ain't human."

From the rafters above, Y/N hung silently, Venom's senses alert. A low growl rumbled in his head.

"They're scared," Venom hissed in Y/N's mind. "I like it."

"They should be," Y/N replied coldly.

Without warning, Venom's tendrils shot out, snapping a beam and sending it crashing to the floor. The enforcers scrambled for their weapons, but it was too late. Venom descended like a nightmare, enveloping Y/N in the black symbiote, his white eyes glowing in the dim light.

"Where is Gargan?" Y/N's voice growled, distorted and monstrous.

The enforcers opened fire, bullets ricocheting off Venom's impenetrable form. With an ear-piercing screech, Venom charged. A tendril lashed out, knocking one man into a stack of crates. Another was hoisted into the air, screaming as Venom's jaws snapped dangerously close to his face.

"Tell me where Gargan is!" Venom bellowed, his voice shaking the walls.

The man stammered, his words barely audible. "I-I don't know!"

"Wrong answer." Venom's jaws opened wide, and with a sickening crunch, the enforcer's head was gone.

The remaining men tried to flee, but Venom was relentless. One by one, they were dragged back into the shadows, their screams echoing through the warehouse. Y/N felt a part of himself recoil at the brutality, but the rage—his rage—drove him forward.

The last enforcer, trembling and bleeding, collapsed at Venom's feet.

"Please... I don't know where he is!" the man begged.

"Then send him a message," Venom growled, lifting the man by his collar. The symbiote formed into a jagged, terrifying grin. "Tell Gargan this: *I'm coming for him.*"

With that, Venom hurled the man into a security camera, shattering it.

🕷️

In a high-rise overlooking the city, Mac Gargan stood in his office, watching the security footage of the massacre. His usual swagger was absent, replaced by a nervous energy. His mechanical tail twitched behind him, a sign of his growing agitation.

"What the hell is this thing?" he muttered, rewinding the footage.

One of his lieutenants, standing nearby, tried to reassure him. "It's just some freak in a suit. We can take him."

Gargan rounded on him, slamming his fist on the desk. "That's no damn suit! That's a monster! And it's coming after me!"

He turned back to the screen, watching as Venom delivered his chilling message. Gargan's mouth went dry, and he slammed the laptop shut.

"Find it," he barked at his men. "I don't care how. Just find it and kill it."

🕷️

Meanwhile, across town, Norman Osborn faced a barrage of reporters. The city was abuzz with rumors of the "alien vigilante," and the media was hungry for answers.

"Mr. Osborn," one reporter called out, "what is Oscorp doing about the reports of this creature?"

Norman smiled tightly, his politician's facade firmly in place. "Oscorp takes the safety of this city very seriously," he said smoothly. "We are working closely with law enforcement to address these... incidents."

Another reporter pressed him. "There are rumors linking this creature to Oscorp's experiments. Can you confirm or deny these allegations?"

Norman's smile faltered for a fraction of a second. "Ridiculous," he said, his tone sharp. "Oscorp's research is focused on innovation and progress. Any suggestion otherwise is baseless and defamatory."

🕷️

Gwen sat on Y/N's bed, her brow furrowed as she watched him pace the room. He was quieter these days, more withdrawn. She hated seeing him like this.

"Y/N," she said softly, "what's going on with you?"

He stopped, turning to face her. "What do you mean?"

"You've been... different," she said, choosing her words carefully. "Distant. Angry. I know something's wrong."

Y/N hesitated, the weight of his secret pressing down on him. "It's nothing, Gwen. Just... a lot on my mind."

She stood, crossing the room to him. "You can tell me. Whatever it is, we can handle it together."

For a moment, Y/N considered telling her everything. But Venom's voice whispered in his mind, warning him against it.

"She wouldn't understand," Venom hissed.

Y/N forced a smile. "I'm fine, Gwen. Really."

She didn't believe him, but she didn't press further. Instead, she wrapped her arms around him, holding him tightly.

"Whatever it is," she whispered, "I'm here for you."

As he held her, Y/N felt a pang of guilt. He wanted to believe her words, but the darkness inside him—inside Venom—was growing stronger. And deep down, he wasn't sure he could stop it.

🕷️

The night air in Queens was thick, carrying a slight chill as Y/N stood beneath the streetlights. His gaze lingered on the mural, the colors of the spray-painted tribute to his mother, Jessica L/N, seeming to glow in the dim light. It was a bittersweet sight—a memorial to a woman who had been more than just a mother. She had been a fighter, a leader, someone who had commanded respect. But now, all that remained were memories, a tribute, and the burning desire for justice.

"Rest in peace, Mom," Y/N murmured, the words slipping from his lips like an oath, a vow to avenge everything he had lost.

Venom, a constant, pulsing presence inside him, seemed to resonate with the mural's energy, its tendrils twitching. Y/N could feel it—Venom was just as connected to her loss as he was. There was a shared rage in their bond, and with each passing day, that rage only grew.

But before he could linger on the reflection, his phone buzzed in his pocket. The call was from his dad.

"What do you want, Dad?" Y/N's voice was flat, detached—he wasn't in the mood for small talk.

On the other end of the line, Jacob L/N's voice was sharp, urgent. "Go to Brooklyn. Aaron's place. Something's going on. Miles is already there."

"I was just there," Y/N replied, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "But fine, I'll go back."

Venom's voice echoed in his mind, its words dark and insistent. We need to go now.

Y/N took a slow, deliberate breath. He could feel the symbiote growing stronger, its influence gnawing at him, clouding his thoughts, feeding off his anger, his grief. He could feel its grip tightening. "Let's go," Y/N muttered under his breath, as he set off toward Brooklyn, already knowing that whatever waited for him there wouldn't be good.

The moment Y/N stepped into Aaron's apartment, the familiar sounds of the small place greeted him. The muffled thud of punches against the heavy bag echoed through the room.

As Y/N ascended the stairs, Venom spoke again, its voice dripping with sarcasm. Really? We had to turn back for this?

In the living room, Aaron and Miles stood by the punching bag, working through some form of training. But the focus in the room wasn't on their sparring.

Y/N frowned. "What the hell is going on?"

Then they heard it—an unfamiliar voice, high-pitched and confused. "What is that thing? Is that an alien?"

Venom's eyes widened, its form shifting in Y/N's mind. They both turned toward the source of the voice.

There, tied to Aaron's punching bag, was a boy. A kid in a torn, black suit with a red spider logo on the front. His eyes widened in terror as Venom loomed over him, tendrils writhing in anticipation.

Venom's voice rumbled in Y/N's head.

"Miles? But you're Miles? What's going on here?"

The boy—an imposter, a copy—struggled against the ropes, trying to shake free. "Seriously, you are not listening to me!" he snapped.

Y/N stepped forward, confused but still deadly serious. The boy looked exactly like Miles. Was this some kind of trick?

Prowler-Miles, standing off to the side, stepped forward, his gauntlet glowing ominously as he raised it in the imposter's face. "Then enlighten us."

Venom laughed darkly in Y/N's mind. Okay, this is freaking me out. What the hell is going on here?

Aaron's voice cut through the tension. "Relax, Y/N. He's not going anywhere. He'll talk soon enough. After that, we'll figure out what to do with him."

Y/N glanced at Aaron, but his mind was elsewhere. There was something unsettling about this situation. The kid tied up in front of them... looked like Miles. Too much like Miles. But if this was some kind of trick, he was going to need answers.

Then, to everyone's surprise, the kid on the bag spoke. "Wait... did you just say 'Y/N'?"

Aaron smirked. "Yeah, what's it to you? You gonna snitch on us?"

The imposter's eyes widened, his voice shaking. "No... I know a Y/N! He's my friend... Y/N L/N."

For a moment, everything in the room stood still.

Venom's form shifted violently, its presence overwhelming as it surged forward and enveloped Y/N. The black tendrils faded into his skin, and Y/N's eyes narrowed, cold and calculating. His voice was darker than usual, filled with a steady rage.

"How do you know my name?" Y/N asked, stepping toward the imposter.

The kid—this fake Miles—seemed to shrink under Y/N's gaze. "I... I know you. But not actually you-"

But before the boy could say another word, Y/N's hand clenched into a fist, ready to act, his anger bubbling beneath the surface.

Venom's voice whispered in his mind, seething with malice.

"What is going on?"

🕷️

The Oscorp labs were eerily quiet, lit only by the soft, sterile glow of monitors and overhead fluorescents. Harry Osborn slipped inside, his movements deliberate but not entirely cautious. His father's lab was a fortress of secrecy, but Harry had a knack for finding his way into places he wasn't supposed to be. 

He wasn't here to uncover anything earth-shattering—at least, not intentionally. His father had stashed liquor in his lab for some event he was hosting, and Harry, ever opportunistic, decided to help himself. But as he moved through the cavernous room, his curiosity got the better of him. 

Blueprints, documents, and prototypes were scattered across the lab. Harry glanced at schematics for a massive suit of armor labeled "Project Rhino". Another set of plans caught his eye: stabilizers and serums with illegible chemical formulas scrawled in the margins. 

But it was a separate filing cabinet, locked but poorly secured, that truly drew his attention. After a bit of fumbling, Harry managed to pry it open. Inside were meticulously organized files labeled with names he recognized—and some he didn't. 

One label made him pause:

**Project Scorpion.** 

Harry flipped through the documents, his brow furrowing as he read. He saw Jacob L/N's name repeatedly referenced as the engineer responsible for the armor and enhancements that turned Macdonald Gargan into Scorpion. But as Harry delved deeper, the truth emerged: it was Norman who had initiated the project, greenlighting it from the very beginning. 

Harry's stomach turned as the realization hit him. His father had stood in front of the press a few months prior, deflecting blame onto Jacob, painting him as a reckless employee. It was a lie—a blatant, calculated lie. 

But then Harry's eyes fell on another file, buried beneath the Scorpion documents. He skimmed through it, and his face paled. This wasn't about Gargan. This was something else. Something worse. 

🕷️

Later that night, at the Osborn penthouse, Norman sat in his study, nursing a glass of whiskey. The day had been long, but fruitful—his press conference had gone exactly as planned. He leaned back in his chair, savoring the rare moment of quiet. 

The sound of the door opening broke the silence. Norman glanced up to see Harry standing in the doorway. 

"You're up late," Norman said casually, taking another sip of his drink. 

Harry didn't respond immediately. His face was drawn, his expression somewhere between anger and disbelief. Norman raised an eyebrow. 

"Something on your mind?" 

Harry stepped into the room, his movements deliberate. "I went to your lab tonight." 

Norman's demeanor didn't change. "Did you?" he said nonchalantly, though his eyes sharpened. "And what were you doing there?" 

"Looking for your stash," Harry admitted, his tone tight. "But I found something else. A lot of somethings." 

Norman set his glass down, his voice hardening. "You had no business being in there." 

Harry's lips twisted into a bitter smile. "Are you mad that I went inside, or mad at what I found?" 

Norman leaned forward, his voice low and dangerous. "And what exactly did you find?" 

Harry didn't flinch. "Project Scorpion. All those lies you told about Jacob L/N—how he was reckless, irresponsible? It was you. You started it. You approved it." 

Norman's expression darkened, but he didn't deny it. 

"And that's just the tip of the iceberg, isn't it?" Harry pressed. "Rhino. Vulture Corp. Oct 8. ELECTROnics. Dr. Curt Connors' disappearance. Even—" Harry's voice caught for a moment. "Even Captain Morales. All of it, tied to you." 

Norman stood abruptly, his presence towering. "That's enough, Harry!" 

"Enough?" Harry shot back. "You think I'm going to just ignore all of this? You're the reason this city is drowning in crime! You're the reason people are dying!" 

Norman's face twisted in anger. "You have no idea what you're talking about. Every decision I've made has been for the greater good—for Oscorp, for this city, for our family." 

Harry scoffed. "Jessica L/N? Was her death for the 'greater good' too?" 

Norman's face hardened into a mask of indifference. "She was collateral damage. Necessary for progress." 

Harry's fists clenched. "She was a mother, Dad. Y/N's mother." 

Norman's gaze was cold. "And now Y/N will grow up with a little adversity. It'll make him stronger. Life isn't fair, Harry, and men like us can't afford to dwell on sentimentality." 

Harry stared at his father, disgusted. "How can you even say that? Y/N is just a kid!" 

Norman shrugged, his tone almost dismissive. "Why do you even care? You've done nothing but torment that kid for years." 

Harry's expression darkened further. "That's not all I found in your lab." 

Norman's jaw tightened, but he said nothing. 

"I found the G-Serum," Harry continued. "The experimental 'miracle cure' for genetic diseases. Do you know whose name I saw listed as the main test subject? Mom." 

Norman's face went pale for the first time, but his voice remained steady. "Harry—" 

"You lied to me," Harry said, his voice trembling with rage. "You told me she died in an accident. But it was you. It was one of your experiments, wasn't it?" 

Norman's composure shattered. "It was an accident!" he snapped. "Do you think I wanted that to happen? She volunteered. She understood the risks." 

"She was *your wife*," Harry said through gritted teeth. "My mother." 

Norman's voice dropped, icy and dangerous. "If you bring this up again, Harry, I swear—" 

Harry shook his head, his disgust evident. "You really don't care about anyone but yourself, do you?" 

Norman didn't respond. His gaze was cold, unyielding. 

Harry turned and headed for the door, pausing only to say, "One day, all of this is going to catch up to you. And I won't be there to help you when it does." 

As the door closed behind him, Norman sank back into his chair, staring at his glass of whiskey. For the first time, he was left alone with the weight of everything he had done. But instead of guilt, all he felt was the cold certainty that he couldn't afford to stop now. 

Earth 61

Peter stood outside the L/N household, his hands stuffed in his pockets, nerves twisting in his stomach. He had been bitten by the same spider yesterday, and with each passing moment, the symptoms were growing more intense. His senses were heightened, and his body was restless, eager to jump into action. He couldn't shake the feeling that these were the same changes Y/N had gone through. The same overwhelming sensations of power, the itching beneath his skin, and the strange flickering of his vision. But above all, Peter felt a deep urge to find Y/N, to apologize, to make things right between them.

He knocked on the door and waited. Moments later, it opened, and Jessica L/N stood in the doorway. Her eyes, sharp and unyielding, took him in.

"Hello, Peter," she said coolly.

"Hi, Ms. L/N, is Y/N here?" Peter asked, trying to sound casual, though his heart was racing.

Jessica narrowed her eyes. "It took you long enough to talk to him. To be honest, I thought you'd ignore him until college."

Peter shifted uncomfortably, guilt creeping up his spine. "Look, I know I haven't been the best friend. I... I messed up."

Jessica crossed her arms, clearly not buying into his apology just yet. "You've been an awful friend to him," she corrected him firmly. "Do you have any idea how much you hurt my son?"

Peter flinched. "I—"

"A lot," she interrupted, her voice tinged with frustration. "And now you think you can come and make amends after you went and became friends with that kid who bullied the both of you for years?"

Peter swallowed hard, his throat dry. "Listen, I know I've been a jerk. I... I got caught up with a girlfriend and forgot about Y/N. That's not an excuse, but I see that now. Gwen reminded me of it the other day, actually."

Jessica's posture softened slightly at the mention of Gwen. "Oh, Gwen? She's been very good for Y/N."

Peter nodded. "Yeah, she's great. But what I'm trying to say is, I understand I've been a jerk, and I want to make things right. I know it's not going to happen overnight, but I want to start."

Jessica studied him for a long moment before sighing. "I guess... if he'll actually talk to you."

Peter's shoulders sagged with relief. "Is he here?"

Jessica's expression darkened again, concern replacing the anger. "To tell you the truth, I don't know. He left a note on our kitten's collar, and I haven't seen him since. I'm getting worried."

Peter's brow furrowed, the weight of the situation suddenly hitting him hard. "Don't worry, Ms. L/N. I'll find him. I promise."

Jessica gave him a tight smile. "Please, Peter."

"I promise," Peter repeated, before turning and hurrying down the steps. He needed to find Y/N—now.
🕷️

Peter swung through the air, his new instincts guiding him with startling accuracy. He started with the usual places Y/N hung out—the abandoned buildings, the rooftops. But nothing felt right. There was no sign of his friend.

It wasn't until he neared the Brooklyn Bridge that he spotted something odd: orange and purple portals flickering to life in the air, rippling as figures stepped through. His eyes widened as he saw Spider-People emerging from the portals, all dressed in various versions of Spider-Man suits. But what caught his attention was the massive figure leading them—a man in a red and blue suit, his posture exuding anger and authority.

"Where is 1048?" the man growled, his voice filled with frustration. "His tracker looks like it's out."

Another Spider-Person, this one resembling a Lego figure, replied. "I don't know, Miguel. He's been out for a couple of days now."

Miguel slammed his fist into the concrete wall next to him, causing a massive crack to form. "He got away again! L/N! When I find that kid, I'm going to—"

Peter's heart skipped a beat. L/N? Y/N? That had to be him they were talking about. He darted behind a nearby pillar, trying to stay out of sight, but he couldn't tear his eyes away from the group.

A female Spider-Person, riding a motorcycle, joined the conversation. "What about the other one? Miles?"

A black-and-red Spider-Man added, "Still no sign of him. It's like they wiped off the map."

Miguel's voice was tense. "As long as the canon events remain intact, we should be fine. But I don't want any chances of those two not being found. You find them, and bring them back to me!"

The black-and-red Spider-Person shrugged. "Yeah, whatever, man. They're just kids."

Miguel's voice dropped dangerously. "And how do you expect Peter and Ben disappearing out of nowhere? Did you not see the scar that little punk L/N gave me? The next time I see him—"

Peter's breath caught in his throat as he realized the truth: Y/N had gotten himself mixed up with these Spider-People... and clearly, he had made an enemy out of this Miguel.

Miguel continued, "We need them back. Now."

Peter tried to move closer to hear more, but his foot scraped the ground, causing the group to turn in his direction. He froze.

"Okay, this is not good," the woman said, her tone sharp.

The black-and-red Spider-Man didn't seem to be bothered. "It's okay, he's just a kid. I'm sure he's seen Spider-Man around before."

The Lego Spider-Person shrugged. "We could always wipe his memory?"

Miguel's eyes narrowed as he approached Peter. "Wait a second."

Peter, caught in the middle, quickly put his hands up. "I-I'm Peter Parker, sir. Nice to meet you."

Miguel's gaze sharpened. "Uh-huh. And were you spying on us?"

Peter's heart raced. "No, no! It's just... I heard what you said about Y/N. I'm trying to find him. He's my friend. I guess... we're both trying to find him."

Miguel studied him carefully. He seemed to remember something, his expression flickering with recognition. "You're Peter Parker... from Earth 61."

Peter tensed. "What? How do you—"

He was supposed to be the Spider-Man in this dimension.

Miguel's expression softened, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Well, maybe we can help each other, Peter. I care about getting Y/N back just as much as you do. What do you say?"

Peter hesitated. There was something off about Miguel, something that didn't sit right with him. But he needed to find Y/N.

"Uh, sure, maybe?" Peter said cautiously. "Who are you again?"

Miguel's lips twisted into a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "Miguel O'Hara. Why don't you come with us? We can work together."

Reluctantly, Peter followed Miguel and the others through a portal. As he stepped through, the woman handed him a purple band.

"You'll need this," she said. "It's going to be a bit rough for your first time through the multiverse."

"The multiverse?" Peter asked, still unsure of what he was getting into.

"I'll explain later," Miguel snapped, a little impatient. "Just come on."

And with that, Peter was pulled into the unknown, his world shifting as they crossed into another dimension.

End of Arc V