Chapter Eleven: With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility

"Are you alright? You don't look well," Connors said, trying to reassure Gwen as he noticed the pallor in her face.

"I'm fine," Gwen replied.

Connors didn't think too much of it and continued, "Don't worry, Gwen. We'll succeed soon enough. I've already figured out the correct decay algorithm. With smart analysis to find the optimal solution before we start experimenting, we'll avoid a lot of trial and error."

"I have something to do, so I'll be leaving now."

"Go ahead. Get some rest," Connors said, his spirits high after acquiring the decay algorithm, too elated to notice anything amiss.

Peter, on the other hand, couldn't help but feel uneasy. Connors noticed Peter's worry and said, "Don't worry, she'll be fine."

But seeing Peter still distracted, Connors spoke with the tone of a father: "Once you've completed this great experiment, you'll be someone with a grand career. By then, you can finally confess your feelings."

Peter felt a little embarrassed under Connors’ knowing gaze.

The two of them then threw themselves into the experiment, focusing all their energy on their work.

Gwen, meanwhile, had no idea where to go. Her heart was in turmoil. Like Peter, Gwen also needed encouragement. But right now, no one truly knew what she wanted, nor could they give her the support she needed most.

Sitting alone in a hallway of the company, Gwen felt miserable.

"Here's your hot cocoa."

Gwen looked up to see Michael standing there.

Taking the cup, she smiled weakly, "Thank you."

"Is something wrong? Did something happen?"

"I don't know how to explain," Gwen hesitated, unsure if she should tell Michael the truth.

"Is it a secret? Sometimes, keeping secrets only brings pain, or even consequences. Sometimes, speaking up might help you find the answer," Michael said gently. He’d been keeping an eye on Peter and Connors’ experiment, which was how he noticed Gwen’s odd behavior. He’d come out of concern for her, and also to check the experiment’s progress and observe Peter—maybe even to get a blood sample if possible.

Seeing Michael's sincere gaze, Gwen’s heart softened.

"Suppose…if someone had animal genes transplanted into them, would they still be human?"

Michael heard her question and, without thinking too much, assumed she was referring to Dr. Connors' research.

"I don't think what makes us human is our bodies, but our minds and our consciousness," he replied. "For example, if someone is a rapist who has harmed many girls and children, would you still call him a human being?"

"Of course not," Gwen said with disgust. "He’s worse than a beast."

"On the other hand, imagine a raccoon, subjected to extensive experimental modifications, who gains human intelligence and thought, and even makes great sacrifices to save Earth from alien invasion. Could you still call him an animal?"

"No. We should give him the respect he deserves, because he’s a hero."

Michael smiled. "Whether we can be called 'human' is a philosophical question—it’s about our worldview and how we see ourselves. Dr. Connors’ experiment is revolutionary. In some ways, it’s anti-human, but for someone with a terminal illness, a new chance at a cure is something to be cherished."

He paused, turning to Gwen, "If a disease can only be cured in a dangerous way, should it be cured at all?"

Gwen didn’t quite understand what Michael was getting at, but instinctively thought he meant her condition could be treated through animal gene transplantation. She replied, "Of course it should be treated. Only those who are ill know how much they long for health."

"So, do you still find cross-species gene fusion terrifying?"

Gwen smiled and nodded.

Having comforted Gwen and gotten the answer he wanted, Michael got up to leave. Yet, he was puzzled—could Connors be planning to use someone else for human experimentation? That wasn’t in the original story. Would Dr. Connors still become the Lizard?

What Michael didn’t know was that Gwen’s anxiety was about her own body, not guilt over Connors’ experiment. She had no idea Connors had already obtained Peter’s decay algorithm.

"Michael," Gwen called after him.

"Is there something else?"

"If someone, through cross-species gene fusion, gained extraordinary powers and abilities, what should they do? Or rather, what would they do?"

Michael looked at the earnest Gwen and replied, "With great power comes great responsibility."

"During World War II, Steve underwent human enhancement and became a super-soldier. With his extraordinary powers, Steve became a superhero. If you, too, gained such powers, you could do the same."

With that, Michael left, leaving Gwen deep in thought.

In truth, Michael was also wondering: if he gained extraordinary powers, what kind of person would he become? Would he only think of protecting himself and be selfish, or would he step forward to become a great hero?

He didn’t know.

At the airport, Tony Stark stepped off the plane, still shaken by his ordeal, his expression dazed.

Dodging the throng of reporters, Tony made his way to Pepper.

Pepper burst into tears of relief, unable to speak as she looked at him.

“Your eyes are red. Is it because your boss went missing? Well, I’m back now,” Tony said.

Pepper retorted stubbornly, “No, I’m just happy I don’t have to look for another job. I hate job hunting.”

Tony smiled, seeing through her words.

“Now that I’m back, let’s get to work.”

Happy obligingly opened the car door for Tony, and the two of them got in.

“Where to?” Pepper asked.

She was about to suggest the hospital when Tony said, “After being locked up for so long, there are only two things I want to do.”

“One: a hamburger…”

“And two—” Tony didn’t get to finish before Pepper teased, “Didn’t expect you to be so lecherous.”

Happy gave a knowing smile, but both guessed wrong.

Tony rolled his eyes. “The second is to hold a press conference.”

Pepper sensed that Tony really had changed.

“Let’s go, Happy. Let’s get a burger.”

“And yes, go ahead and arrange a press conference—I have something important to announce.”

News of Tony’s return spread quickly through New York, and word of the upcoming press conference got out. Reporters swarmed like sharks drawn to blood.

…

Michael watched Tony’s press conference, knowing the curtain was about to rise.

He opened his computer and saw the stock prices plummeting, turning green in an instant. Michael smiled with excitement.

Everyone was selling their shares, but Michael was buying as much as he could.

Countless investors went bankrupt overnight, cursing Tony Stark in the streets.

But Michael only had one thought in his heart: I’m going to strike it rich.