Spider-Man: Web of Shadows

Chapter 94: Web of Deceit

Peter's world spun as the armored figure's grip tightened around his shoulders, slamming him into the rooftop with bone-jarring force. His breath came in ragged gasps, the wind knocked out of him. The streetlights below blurred as he fought to keep his focus.

The armored mercenary—tall, imposing, and cloaked in sleek black armor—held Peter in place with unnatural strength. Peter's spider-sense buzzed furiously, alerting him to the danger, but it was almost as if the mercenary knew exactly how to counter it. He was too fast, too coordinated.

"Get off me!" Peter growled, pushing against the figure's grip, but it was like trying to move a mountain. The mercenary's grip only tightened, and the other figure, standing back a few feet, raised their arm again, charging another energy blast.

No time, Peter thought, panic flickering in the back of his mind.

With a surge of strength, Peter kicked off the ground, propelling himself forward, throwing the armored mercenary off balance. He twisted mid-air, webbing the figure's legs, pulling him into the air and slamming him into the ground with a force that cracked the rooftop beneath them.

The second figure fired the energy blast, but Peter was already moving. He shot a web at the incoming blast, redirecting it toward the edge of the rooftop where it exploded in a burst of sparks and energy.

I can't keep doing this, I need to get out of here, Peter thought as he fought back the pain in his ribs, realizing just how outmatched he was.

The Shocker wasn't backing down either. "You think you can beat us? You're just one guy, Spider-Man. This isn't a game anymore. We've got a plan—and you're just in the way."

The statement struck a nerve. Peter didn't know what this "plan" was, but every instinct screamed that it was something bigger, more dangerous. His enemies weren't just street-level criminals—they were organized, skilled, and prepared. This wasn't just another night of fighting the usual suspects. Something far darker was unfolding, and Spider-Man was being dragged right into its heart.

As Peter dodged another blast from the armored mercenary, he made a split-second decision. He couldn't keep going like this. These enemies were too coordinated, too strong. They knew exactly how to handle him, and he was starting to feel the toll.

In a blur of motion, Peter webbed both mercenaries to the ground, trapping them momentarily. He spun to face the Shocker, who was preparing for another attack.

"I'm done playing," Peter said, his voice sharp and resolute.

With a quick flick of his wrist, Peter fired a barrage of webbing at the Shocker's gauntlets, wrapping them in sticky strands. The villain struggled, but the webs held fast, disabling his weaponry for the moment.

Peter was quick to capitalize. With the Shocker distracted, he hurled himself forward, slamming into him with all the force he could muster. The Shocker crumpled under the impact, falling to the ground, momentarily stunned.

But the victory was short-lived.

A loud crash echoed from behind him as the armored mercenaries broke free from their bonds. They moved with terrifying precision, surrounding Peter before he had a chance to react.

"Enough!" one of the mercenaries shouted, his voice muffled behind his helmet. "We don't have time for this. Let's end it now."

Peter's heart sank. He was outnumbered and outgunned. The mercenaries weren't just skilled—they were professionals. He could see the familiar glint of advanced tech embedded in their armor. Whoever was behind this syndicate wasn't playing around.

"Who's behind all this?" Peter demanded, his voice strained. "What's the plan? Why the hell are you targeting me?"

The mercenaries said nothing, their silence more chilling than any threat. But the Shocker, still groaning from the webbing that bound him, managed a wicked grin.

"Don't worry, Spider-Man," he spat. "You'll find out soon enough."

And with that, a small device on the Shocker's belt beeped. Before Peter could react, an explosion of light filled the air, temporarily blinding him. He stumbled back, his mind reeling, struggling to regain his bearings.

The mercenaries used the moment to their advantage, charging him in unison. One threw a punch with such precision that Peter barely had time to dodge. The other fired a blast of energy, forcing Peter to leap out of the way.

I can't win this fight, Peter thought, as his mind raced. I need to get out of here…

With a surge of energy, Peter shot a web at the edge of the rooftop, swinging to the side, narrowly avoiding another energy blast. He hit the side of a building, then immediately launched himself into the air again, putting distance between himself and the mercenaries.

He didn't stop swinging until the city lights were just a blur beneath him. He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself as he perched on a nearby rooftop.

His muscles ached, his mind was running in overdrive, and his heart was heavy with the weight of what he had just encountered. Whoever these mercenaries were, they weren't part of some random criminal organization. This was bigger. These were players in a game much darker than anything Peter had faced before.

The next day, Peter walked through the school halls, his thoughts occupied with everything that had happened the night before. The Shocker and the mysterious mercenaries were just the beginning, but Peter had no idea how deep the rabbit hole went. All he knew was that something was coming—something dangerous—and it wasn't just his usual street-level crooks anymore.

As he entered the classroom, his eyes caught Mary Jane's, and for a moment, the weight of the world seemed to lift. Her warm smile made everything feel like it might be okay, even just for a second.

"Hey, Pete," she greeted, her voice light and cheerful. "You okay? You look like you didn't sleep last night."

Peter forced a smile, though the exhaustion in his eyes was undeniable. "Yeah, just… a little tired. Long night."

Mary Jane didn't press him further, but her eyes lingered for a moment, concern flickering across her face. Peter quickly turned his attention to the lesson that was starting, but his thoughts were still miles away, lost in the mystery that had unfolded the night before.

When the bell rang, Peter found himself walking to his locker, trying to process everything he'd learned. There was a bigger game at play now, and he was right in the middle of it. The pieces were still scattered, but they were starting to come together.

His phone buzzed in his pocket, breaking his reverie. He pulled it out and saw a message from Harry.

Harry: "Got more info. You need to see this."

Peter's stomach clenched. Whatever Harry had found, it wasn't good. He quickly typed a response.

Peter: "I'm on my way."

As he turned to leave, a sinking feeling settled in the pit of his stomach. This wasn't just about him anymore. The lives of those he cared about were in danger too. He couldn't afford to make a mistake.

End of Chapter 94