"Thompson, that charge you made was amazing!"
Liz Allan beamed as she praised Flash Thompson, the star quarterback who had just finished a game-winning play. Around her, several girls looked on with envy, and Liz couldn't help but revel in their jealous stares.
Sure, she wasn't as cool or commanding as the "Knightress" Jessica Jones, whose school-wide reputation was nearly untouchable. She didn't have the top grades or polished poise of Gwen Stacy, the police captain's daughter. Even Mary Jane Watson, once an overlooked member of the school band, had risen in popularity after their explosive performance at the last party...
But so what?
She was dating Flash Thompson—"Lightning" himself—and that gave her more than enough reason to hold her head high.
"Thanks for the compliment, Liz," Flash said with a cocky grin, flexing one of his oversized biceps for good measure.
A few dolled-up girls on the sidelines screamed in delight.
"Oh my god, Flash! You're so hot!"
"Dump Liz and go out with me!"
Flattered, Liz clung tighter to Flash's arm, proud to show off their relationship. She leaned her head on his shoulder, playing the part of the loyal girlfriend to perfection.
Flash didn't mind the attention, but something still irked him.
He wrapped his arm around Liz's waist and asked, half-joking, half-serious, "So tell me, Liz. Between me and Peter Parker... who's the real man?"
Liz blinked in confusion for a second, but quickly caught on. "Oh, come on, Thompson. I only said that to make you jealous! Peter's just a science geek. You're the one I want."
"Hah! I knew it!"
Flash laughed, puffing out his chest like a proud lion. "I mean, Peter Parker? Please. That guy's got nothing on me!"
But then— "AAAAAAHHH!!"
A sudden, sharp scream sliced through the air.
It came from one of the same girls who'd been swooning over Flash just moments ago—and it was quickly followed by more screams as panic swept across the field.
"Monster! A monster!"
"There's a giant lizard! It's coming this way!"
"It's the Lizard! The one Jessica fought before!"
Whispers spread quickly. Because of Jessica's ties to the superhero scene, news of her previous encounter with the creature—the Lizard—had become a hot topic at Midtown High. And now, that scaly nightmare had returned… in the flesh.
"Thompson! Look out!" one of the football players shouted.
Flash turned—and froze.
Towering above the ground and lumbering toward them was a horrifying green-scaled creature with glowing yellow eyes, sharp claws, and a thick reptilian tail.
It was Dr. Curt Connors—or was it?
"L-Lizard?" Flash's voice cracked. His knees buckled slightly, but he gritted his teeth and forced himself to stay upright.
He loved superheroes. He admired them. Heck, he had daydreamed about being one. And while he had nothing but respect for Jessica Jones, she was leagues beyond his reach now.
Still… this was his moment, right?
Someone had already raised their phone to start recording the scene, but Thompson's pride wouldn't let him back down in front of his girlfriend.
Liz, on the other hand, was so terrified by the reptilian creature approaching them that her legs buckled. She collapsed onto the grass, paralyzed by fear.
Across the field, the mutated Peter Parker—now half-man, half-lizard—grinned with unsettling satisfaction as he watched the couple tremble in place.
"Ah! Please don't eat me!" Liz screamed as Peter opened his maw, revealing rows of sharp, glistening fangs dripping with saliva.
The grotesque sight was too much. Liz screamed again and involuntarily lost control of her bladder. She sobbed helplessly, "Where's Jessica? Where's Spider-Man? Someone help! Save me!"
Thompson's face twitched. Seeing Liz like this made him clench his fists—but his voice betrayed his fear. "Wh-what the hell is going on? G-go! G-get out of here…!"
"Hehehe…" Peter hissed through clenched teeth, clearly enjoying their fear.
Suddenly, his tail whipped forward, wrapping tightly around Liz's waist and hoisting her up into the air. She let out a terrified yelp before the end of his tail forced itself into her mouth, blocking her screams.
"Mmmph! Mmmm—!" Liz gagged, her eyes wide with panic as she struggled in the air.
Satisfied, Peter turned to Thompson and rasped, "Now... I'm feeling generous. So I'll give you two choices."
His voice was deeper and more guttural now—warped and twisted by whatever had changed him.
"Option one: I kill you. Option two: I kill your girlfriend."
Thompson stared, frozen. The monster's face was distorted, but the eyes… the eyes looked familiar. Still, he couldn't accept that the lizard-like monster standing before him was Peter Parker—the quiet nerd he used to mock.
"I... I choose…" he stammered, beads of sweat rolling down his temples.
Then—suddenly—he lunged.
"I choose you!"
With all the force his athlete's body could muster, Thompson delivered a punch straight to Peter's midsection.
It landed.
But it didn't do anything.
Thompson's fist thudded uselessly against the scaly green hide. Peter barely flinched.
"Hmph. That's the strength you used to knock me down with one punch before?" Peter said, his grin turning cruel. "Now it doesn't even tickle."
Before Thompson could react, Peter's clawed hand shot forward and wrapped tightly around his neck. He lifted Thompson clean off the ground with one hand, as though he weighed nothing.
"You really thought I was joking?" Peter snarled.
"Nggh—n-no...!" Thompson gasped, kicking in the air as his helmet cracked and his protective pads were crushed like paper.
Now, the threat of death was real—undeniable.
He didn't want to die.
And he didn't care enough about Liz to pretend otherwise.
"I… I choose two," he croaked. "I choose the second one… save me…"