The steady hum of the fusion reactor in the lab had become almost comforting over the past few weeks. The soft glow from the core lit up the faces of the team gathered around it, reflecting the cautious optimism growing among them. Gwen Stacy leaned over the control panel, running final diagnostics while Peter Parker hovered nearby, trying to look competent but mostly looking like he was hoping he wouldn't break anything.
Across the room, Dr. Octavia "Vee" Octavius stood with her husband, Otto Octavius, who had become a familiar fixture in the lab since their success a few days ago. Otto's calming presence had done wonders for Vee's stress, but Gwen could see it wasn't enough.
The arms were still there, always there, attached to Vee's back, moving subtly even when she was at rest. They twitched, adjusted, tightened around her like metal serpents guarding their host. It was no longer subtle—Gwen could see them asserting themselves.
And Vee didn't seem to notice.
Or worse—she did, and she was letting it happen.
"Containment levels are stable," Gwen said, trying to focus on her work and not the pit in her stomach. "We're good for the public demonstration."
Vee nodded, but her smile was strained. "Perfect. We show the world what's possible."
Otto kissed her temple. "You've already done the impossible, honey. This is just showing off now."
Peter smiled awkwardly. "Not gonna lie… still scared this thing is going to turn us into nuclear toast."
MJ Watson swept into the room right on cue, because chaos had a name and it was Mary Jane Watson.
Her heels clacked against the tile floor, her red hair perfectly styled, and her designer handbag swinging like a weapon of financial superiority.
"Okay, nerds, let's get something straight," MJ declared, linking arms with Harry Osborn, who was clearly already regretting being dragged here.
"When this goes public, I want to be in the photos—preferably standing next to something expensive and glowing."
Peter muttered under his breath. "Good to see your priorities are straight."
MJ ignored him, zeroing in on Gwen's lab outfit.
"Oh, babe. No. What is this? You're dating a billionaire, and you're still dressing like a broke college student?"
Wanda Maximoff, leaning casually against the wall with her arms crossed, arched an eyebrow.
"Billionaire?"
MJ waved her hand dramatically. "Please. You run Sokovia. Taxes? That's all yours, babe. You own the damn country."
Wanda smirked and glanced at Gwen.
"She's not wrong."
Gwen flushed, completely caught off guard.
"I—I never really thought about it like that."
Wanda stepped closer, slipping an arm around Gwen's waist.
"You heard the lady. After this, we're going shopping. Proper clothes for my girl."
Gwen's face went pink, but she nodded quickly. "Y-Yeah… okay."
MJ clapped her hands. "Damn right! Finally! I'm so proud. My best friend's finally joining me in the gold digger club."
Harry sighed. "MJ…"
MJ shot him a look. "What? You love me."
Harry, defeated: "I do."
While the banter lightened the room, Wanda's eyes were on Vee—specifically, the arms coiled around her like a vice.
Fracture stirred beneath Wanda's skin, slithering over her shoulder briefly, forming that familiar shadowy head beside her ear.
**"They are controlling her,"** Fracture whispered.
**"Tightening their hold. She is theirs."**
Wanda exhaled slowly, making sure no one else could hear. "I know."
When the work resumed, Wanda pulled Gwen aside near the observation window.
"I see what you see," Wanda said quietly, her eyes serious.
"The arms… they're not just assisting her. They're controlling her."
Gwen tensed. "I knew it. But what can we do? We can't just—"
"We can. And we will." Wanda's tone was final. "After the demonstration, we're taking those arms off her—permanently. We'll destroy them. And if she needs new ones, Talia will build her better ones. Arms that aren't influenced by… whoever is behind this."
Gwen blinked, relief flooding through her.
"You mean it?"
Wanda nodded.
"I won't let her fall. We'll stop it before it's too late."
Fracture purred approvingly.
**"A decisive hand. Good."**
Gwen exhaled, tension easing from her shoulders. "Okay. Okay. Good."
For the first time in days, Gwen allowed herself to hope.
As they returned to the group, Vee and Otto were talking quietly, Otto's hand resting protectively on her back.
The arms twitched. Watching.
Wanda narrowed her eyes.
And for the first time, she allowed herself to acknowledge what she had suspected for weeks.
Vee was brilliant. But those arms? They were more than her creation.
Someone else was involved. Someone was funding this beyond Harry Osborn's legitimate investment. Someone was pushing this forward faster than it should be moving.
Kingpin? Another shadow player?
It didn't matter—not yet.
First, they would to stop the arms.
Then, Wanda would hunt down whoever was pulling the strings.
"Alright, everyone," Vee called out, her voice stronger than earlier.
"Tomorrow, we change the world."
The team nodded, optimism filling the air.
But Wanda and Gwen exchanged a different kind of look.
They would change the world—
But first, they would save their friend.
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