Su Yi's complex relationship status was settled, much to his satisfaction. With Gwen and Mary Jane both agreeing to his unconventional terms, all that remained was the final, private "proof of ability" scheduled for Sunday. After leaving the coffee shop, the air was light with shared excitement and anticipation—for everyone except Peter Parker.
Peter finally cornered Su Yi near the subway entrance. He was clearly upset, his face etched with confusion and hurt on Mary Jane's behalf.
"Su," Peter began, his voice shaky, "I saw you talking to them. What did you tell Mary Jane? Are you really going to... date both of them? How is that even possible?"
Su Yi preempted the full onslaught of Peter's moral outrage, laying out the truth with unsettling frankness.
"Gwen and Mary Jane will both be my girlfriends, Peter, and I will not hurt either of them. Don't worry about it."
The blunt confirmation shattered Peter's remaining sense of normalcy. He stared at Su Yi, his world view cracking. "This... how is this possible?"
"Why not?" Su Yi asked, shrugging slightly. "I like them both, they both like me, and I intend to treat them well. It's not your concern." Su Yi clapped a hand on Peter's shoulder. "Goodbye, Peter."
Peter trudged home, feeling the heavy weight of an incomprehensible moral dilemma. His unrequited crush was being shared, and he felt utterly defeated and broken by the sheer audacity of Su Yi's success.
Time moved quickly, and Saturday arrived—the day of the Osborn Tower field trip. This school-mandated activity was a crucial point in the original timeline, and Su Yi had planned around it meticulously.
The rest of the class boarded the traditional yellow school bus, but Su Yi drove his luxury car, with Gwen, Mary Jane, and Betty all riding comfortably with him—a scene that stirred visible envy and whispers among their peers.
Osborn Tower was a monument to wealth and advanced research, though it lacked the eccentric flair of Stark Tower. The class was guided through various labs and exhibition halls.
"Welcome to Osborn Industries," a staff member greeted them. "Today, you'll see how science is shaping the future."
The tour soon brought them to the large research bay, where the company's most ambitious projects were displayed.
Dr. Otto Octavius—at this point still a brilliant, well-meaning physicist—stood before a complex piece of machinery.
"Hello everyone, I am Dr. Otto, and this is our latest nuclear energy model: The Artificial Sun," he announced with palpable enthusiasm.
"This is completely different from Stark Industries' Arc Reactor. If successful, this controllable fusion model will represent a far greater breakthrough in clean energy than anything Stark has achieved."
A student interjected, skeptical. "Dr. Otto, Stark already mastered nuclear energy with the Arc Reactor. Isn't your research redundant?"
Octavius, a true scientist, shook his head. "Young man, that thinking is dangerously narrow. The Arc Reactor is one solution; it is not the totality of nuclear energy. The potential of fusion is infinite, and we must explore every avenue to truly unlock clean, affordable power for the world." His response showcased the intellectual integrity he still possessed.
The group eventually reached the Genetics and Cross-Species Integration lab, overseen by Dr. Curt Connors. Connors, wearing a standard lab coat and standing beside several secured enclosures, began his introduction to gene therapy.
Peter Parker, whose father Richard Parker had worked on similar research, listened with rapt attention. When Connors finished, Peter, overcoming his shyness, approached the scientist.
"Hello, Dr. Connors, I'm Peter Parker."
Connors' face lit up with recognition. "Hello, Parker! Do you have a question? You look familiar."
"My father was Richard Parker. I recently found some of his old research notes, and there are some parts I don't quite understand," Peter explained, excitedly connecting with his father's former colleague.
Connors' interest became intense. "Richard's son! He was the captain of our research team—a true genius. An absolute tragedy, that plane crash. If he were still here, he'd have perfected gene therapy long ago." Connors' praise deeply moved Peter.
Peter, completely trusting the man who spoke so highly of his father, pulled a folder of his own detailed notes from his backpack. "These are my study notes based on my father's research. I'm stuck on this specific formula."
Connors scanned the page and immediately realized the formula's significance—it was a critical piece of the puzzle he had been missing. "This is crucial! The key to unlocking successful gene therapy! Peter, you've done a tremendous service."
"I just want to fulfill my father's wish and see this technology realized to help people," Peter responded earnestly.
Just then, a lab assistant called Connors away. "Professor Connors, Mr. Osborn needs you immediately."
Connors sighed in frustration. "Oh, blast! I must go." He looked back at Peter with newfound enthusiasm. "Peter, your data is extremely helpful. If you can come to my lab tomorrow, we can discuss this thoroughly, and I want to offer you a position as my research assistant. I will pay you a salary, and your contributions will be credited. You've earned it."
Peter's face split into a wide, joyful grin. Not only was he working towards his father's dream, but he could help Aunt May and Uncle Ben financially. "Yes, Dr. Connors! I'll be here tomorrow!"
In his distraction, Peter returned to the main exhibit area, pulling out his camera to take pictures of the secured spiders, his mind buzzing with joy.
He failed to notice a single genetically mutated spider descending slowly on a fine thread, having escaped its enclosure.
Su Yi watched the entire interaction from a short distance, his plan finally coming to fruition. He moved closer to Peter, the Symbiote Bodily Suit subtly preparing beneath his clothes.
The mutated spider landed silently on the back of Peter's hand, which was clutching the camera.
Flick.
The spider bit down, delivering its transformative venom. Peter instantly flinched from the sharp pain, moving to swat the insect.
Su Yi acted with lightning speed, feigning a helpful reflex. "Whoa, Peter, got something on you!" He slammed his hand down, seemingly crushing the spider, but in reality, the Symbiote enveloped the tiny creature, capturing it completely.
Gwen, who had walked up beside Su Yi, felt a sudden, sharp, localized sting on her arm. "Su, something just bit me! It hurts a little."
Su Yi quickly glanced at the nearly invisible point of contact. "Must be a stray mosquito, Gwen. We're in a science lab, not exactly sterile." He gave her a reassuring squeeze on the shoulder.
The mutated spider, having fulfilled its dual purpose, was instantly and irreversibly absorbed into the Symbiote, silencing it forever.
Su Yi now had two potential Spider-People in the room. He felt a surge of triumph, and waited, anticipation thrumming through him, for the inevitable notification.
How many Destiny Points will I get for creating a second Spider-Hero?
A calm, resonant voice echoed in his mind:
[Ding! The Host has successfully helped Gwen Stacy obtain superpowers! Rewards processing...]
Su Yi has successfully ensured that both Peter and Gwen have been bitten and are now on the path to becoming Spider-People.