Hatred thundered through the dense forests outside New York.
Trees shattered beneath his monstrous charge, cracking and tumbling as he bulldozed through nature like a force of chaos.
But despite his furious speed, there was no sign of Nathan or Luke Cage.
His roars echoed across the valley as he broke free of the forest, only to be met with empty plains.
"Where are they?!"
Enraged, he slammed both fists into the earth.
BOOM!
A wide fissure opened across the plain, splitting the terrain in a jagged line.
Overhead, General Ross's drones scanned tirelessly. But they came up with nothing.
No footprints. No energy signatures. No direction.
Because Nathan hadn't taken the direct route toward New York. Nor had he gone south, as expected.
Instead, he'd outmaneuvered their predictions entirely—exiting the forest through its eastern corridor and slipping into New York's outer boroughs undetected.
In the military command post, General Ross stared blankly at the empty drone feed.
"Damn it!" he growled.
"Who the hell is this mysterious intruder?"
Another officer beside him chimed in, "Sir, could it be the same person who broke into the prison previously?"
Ross's brow furrowed.
"Spider-Man? Is that you?"
He narrowed his eyes. "He must have evolved. Spider-Man never used electricity before…"
A cold flash passed across Ross's face.
"We underestimated you, Spider-Man."
He turned to a subordinate.
"Begin a full-scale search. I want every trace of Spider-Man investigated. Tear the city apart if you must."
"Yes, sir!" The soldier saluted and ran off.
But just then, the head researcher stepped up beside Ross and shook his head.
"General... That man isn't Spider-Man."
Ross turned sharply. "What?"
"He climbed like Spider-Man, released webs—"
"Yes," the researcher interrupted, "but there's a difference. I've reviewed Spider-Man footage extensively. That individual is short, about 5'8" tops."
"The one who invaded the lab is tall. Over six feet."
Ross squinted. "So what are you saying?"
"That this masked intruder may have spider-like powers, but he's not Spider-Man. Maybe... another spider-type variant. A mutation or engineered clone. We've seen others like Ghost-Spider. This is not unprecedented."
Ross fell silent, but the gears in his mind were already turning.
"Then we have no lead… No identity. No direction."
The researcher, however, had one theory.
"There is one person," he said slowly, "who was deeply involved in genetic experimentation with spiders."
Ross looked up. "Who?"
"Richard Parker."
The name hit like thunder.
Ross blinked. "Peter Parker's father?"
"The same," the scientist nodded. "A brilliant geneticist. Specialized in arachnid DNA."
"I thought he was dead?"
"He disappeared. That's not the same. His body was never found. No conclusive death record. Just... vanished."
Ross pressed his fingers together in thought.
The researcher continued, "Think about it. Spider abilities, electric discharge, high-level intellect. If anyone had the capacity to create or become such a being…"
Ross muttered, "Richard Parker."
Silence fell again.
Ross finally asked, "But if he's been missing for so long, how do we find him now?"
The researcher leaned closer. "He's shown his hand. He's not hiding anymore. And he has a son. Peter."
"If Richard Parker resurfaced... he'll contact Peter. Eventually."
Ross's eyes lit up. "You want us to track Peter Parker."
"It's the only path we have."
Ross nodded. "Do it."
Then, after a long pause, he asked, "Do you remember the rumors from the agents stationed at the site of Parker's disappearance?"
"Yes," the researcher replied. "They spoke of... strange phenomena. But posthumous analysis shows they weren't lying."
"So either they were hallucinating..."
"Or they saw something real."
Ross stared out the window, more uncertain than ever.
---
Elsewhere, hidden among the maze-like alleys of East New York…
Nathan and Luke Cage had already arrived.
Having shed their military uniforms and donned streetwear disguises, they snuck through camera blind spots, carefully making their way across rooftops and service tunnels.
Luke Cage looked around in disbelief.
"Man, it's like you memorized every surveillance angle in the city."
Nathan nodded. "I have. I studied every municipal system. NYC's tech isn't what it used to be."
Luke grinned. "You're smarter than you look. I always thought researchers were soft."
Nathan gave a short chuckle. "I'm not like most researchers."
Luke grew more serious. "About our deal... you promised you'd let me go after a few days of study."
Nathan turned, locking eyes with him. "I keep my promises. Once I have what I need, you're free."
Luke scratched the back of his neck. "That's the thing. Where would I even go? The military will chase me to the ends of the earth."
He paused.
"I want to join you."
Nathan blinked. "You want to... work under me?"
Luke nodded. "You saved my life. Beat Hatred. Escaped the military. If I'm going to survive this new world... I want to fight with someone who can make a difference."
Nathan considered the offer.
Luke Cage was strong. Loyal. A rare find.
And more importantly — if he wanted to build a network of superhumans for future missions... this was the start.
He finally nodded. "Alright. But you follow my orders, exactly."
Luke gave a grin. "Boss. Got it."
---
Northern United States, near the Great Lakes.
In a remote farmhouse, Logan (Wolverine) and a young girl knocked on the door.
A plain-looking woman answered.
"Logan? Where's Charles? Who's the girl?"
Wolverine's voice was quiet. "Charles won't be coming back. He's at peace now."
The woman gasped, hand over her mouth.
She stepped back. "Come in."
Inside, her face shifted — revealing Mystique (Raven) in her true, flawless form.
Wolverine nodded. "Still as sharp as ever."
Mystique gave a weary smile. "Shape-shifting has its perks."
Then her face turned serious. "You didn't come just to reminisce."
Logan recounted everything: Nathan's emergence, his power, his experiments.
"We're dying, Raven. Mutants are hunted. Essex is relentless. And now he has Caliban."
Mystique's eyes narrowed.
Wolverine said, "If you don't help, they'll find you too. This hiding won't last."
"We have to act. Together."
Mystique hesitated — then nodded.
"Alright. Let's find the one who can save us."
"Jean?" Wolverine asked.
Mystique shook her head. "Gone. But her power... if we could find it again…"
"No," Logan said firmly. "That force... it destroys everything, even its host."
Mystique sighed. "Then we move forward."
"Let's start in New York. Find Colossus. Tap into the mutant underground."
---
Meanwhile, deep beneath New York City…
A hexagram flickered in black flame.
In its center sat Black Sky, eyes closed, breathing deeply.
Surrounded by robed elders of The Hand, their energy flowed into the ritual.
Power gathered. Darkness pulsed.
Black Sky's eyes opened.
"I can smell him. We're destined to meet again."
An elder warned, "Leader, the evil god's essence hasn't fully merged."
Black Sky stood.
"It's enough."
The hexagram vanished in a burst of shadows.
---
Back in the lab...
Nathan had finally returned to his underground facility.
Luke Cage laid on the operating table, unsure what to expect.
Nathan looked him over, nodding.
"Perfect."
Luke suddenly felt a cold shiver.
"Boss... is this going to hurt?"
Nathan smirked. "Pain is a matter of perception. You'll be fine."
Luke groaned. "Comforting."
Nathan quickly got to work. Though he had older data on Luke Cage, it was outdated — incomplete. He needed live readings.
He conducted scans, blood tests, strength evaluations. Meanwhile, he prepared something far more critical.
A laser scalpel.
No ordinary tool could pierce Luke Cage's steel-hard skin.
Nathan designed one powered by high-density energy — enough to carve through reinforced titanium.
It consumed immense power — and only had a short operating window.
But it would be enough.
This was it. The beginning of the steel body replication experiment.
Nathan's vision was clear now.
He wouldn't just be a researcher.
He would be the man to replicate superhuman power.
-
--
-------------------------
Visit our Patreon for more:
Get membership in patreon to read more chapters
Extra chapters available in patreon
patreon.com/Dragonscribe31
-----------------------------------------------------