While the Spider-Society and the Spider-Man of Earth-811 were discussing their combat operations, Peter was still in the Noir Universe, discussing the Spider Totem with Spider-Man Noir.
There were also some personal matters to attend to.
"So, you and Felicia are lovers, but you're currently dating MJ..."
Listening to Spider-Man Noir describe this tangled web of relationships, Peter felt like he was hearing a particularly outrageous plotline. "How do you even pull that off?"
"...Felicia and I both understand that, from every perspective, it's impossible for us to be together. I'm an anti-gang vigilante, and she's a nightclub owner who makes her living off the mob. Because of that, being with Mary Jane is the right choice—at least, that's what I believe."
As Spider-Man Noir spoke, he gathered various newspapers, documents from gang hideouts, and handwritten notes, synthesizing the information to analyze the details of Osborn's smuggling network. He was specifically trying to find information on how Osborn had smuggled that Spider Totem.
The small talk continued on the side.
Peter sensed something off, so he asked out of curiosity: "But?"
"But Felicia and I are attracted to each other. It can't be helped; we always... things happen between us."
Spider-Man Noir awkwardly skipped over the details, but Peter was relentless. "Well, do they know about each other?"
"...Do you have similar emotional problems?"
"Not exactly similar... I met two wonderful girls, and they're both willing to date me. But no matter who I choose, I feel like the other one will be heartbroken..."
Spider-Man Noir interrupted him: "So you plan to choose both?"
"Actually, I haven't made a choice yet."
Spider-Man Noir didn't respond to that directly, but instead gave his own answer: "Felicia knows about MJ, but the reverse isn't true. MJ doesn't even know I'm Spider-Man."
"You think that's protecting her?"
"I'm keeping her from getting involved. She's a compassionate girl; if she knew what I was doing, she would definitely understand and try to help me. She's not like Felicia—she's not suited for this life."
As he spoke, Spider-Man Noir handed a photograph to Peter. "Found it. Here. This is where we need to go."
"Where is this?"
"Osborn's cash cow: Otto Octavius's laboratory. If there's anyone Norman Osborn trusts enough to help him investigate and research how the Spider Totem gave me my powers, it's Otto Octavius."
"...Haha, Otto Octavius as a loyal subordinate of Norman Osborn."
Peter told a dry joke that Spider-Man Noir didn't understand at all. The latter simply stared at him with a metaphorical question mark over his head before putting on his fedora. "Let's go. we have a lot of work to do."
"Wait, I made something for you. A web-shooter that can be used normally even in 1933... It's actually my first-generation design. I've written down the chemical formula for you as well; it shouldn't be hard to get these materials even in 1933."
Spider-Man Noir took the web-shooters and glanced at the formula. It was indeed simple enough to procure. He wasn't entirely sure if the recipe would hold up, but the equations looked sound.
"Then let's move."
The previous night, several people had witnessed a battle between multiple Spider-Men and vampires. While most people, including those at the Daily Bugle, dismissed it as just another exaggeration, Mr. Osborn had demanded that Otto figure out the source of Spider-Man's power as quickly as possible.
He seemed convinced that the Spider Totem had bestowed the mighty spider-strength upon Spider-Man. However, Otto could provide no evidence, nor could he replicate the results. He had placed many different spiders inside the totem, but without exception, none of them granted anyone superpowers.
So, where exactly did Spider-Man's power come from?
At that moment, outside Otto's laboratory, Peter and Spider-Man Noir arrived in the vicinity. Spider-Man Noir surveyed the surroundings and suddenly whispered, "There are sixteen gang members inside. This could be troublesome."
"...Wait, how do you know there are exactly sixteen?"
"My Spider-Sense told me." Spider-Man Noir looked at Peter. "Yours doesn't do that?"
"...No, I only sense danger."
Peter answered honestly. Spider-Man Noir didn't press further, so Peter asked about the opposition's capabilities: "You said they're just ordinary mobsters, is that true?"
"Do you think our world is full of freaks?"
Peter shrugged. "Then they won't be much trouble. Leave them to me."
Spider-Man Noir watched as Spider-Man vanished. A moment later, one by one, the gang members lost their fighting capacity within his Spider-Sense. They were hoisted up by webbing, their weapons stripped away. The entire process didn't make a single sound.
"This is useless. If you take them to the police station, Norman's crooked cops will just let them out the next day."
"Then the person you should be dealing with is Norman Osborn, not these common thugs. More accurately, you need to deal with the system."
Peter shrugged and pushed open the lab doors with Spider-Man Noir. They saw Otto Octavius, who was busy researching spiders. The Doctor Octopus of this universe was also physically disabled; he sat in a wheelchair, gaunt and skeletal. Several crude, mechanically driven power claws were attached to his wheelchair to assist him in daily life.
Peter looked at this universe's Otto with uncertainty, while Spider-Man Noir stepped forward. Hearing footsteps, Otto initially thought his guards had arrived. He spun his wheelchair around, only to turn pale with fright upon seeing Spider-Man Noir. "You... how did you get in? Why was there no sound?"
"I don't plan on killing you, Otto. Your life or death is immaterial. But I need to know—where exactly did Osborn get this thing?!"
Otto looked at the totem pole sitting to the side and shook his head frantically. "I don't know! I'm just a scientist!"
"Do you really not know? My Spider-Sense tells me you're lying."
Your Spider-Sense can do that too?
Peter stared at Spider-Man Noir in shock. Under the threat leveled against a disabled man, Otto finally revealed what he knew.
"I really don't know! I only know Osborn bought it from a European woman!"
"Who was she!"
"Ana Soria! I only know a name! I don't know who she is!"
Peter listened to the name, his expression equally confused.
Who the hell is that?!
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