After days of silence, the Lizard finally returned—this time, right in the halls of Midtown High.
On TV, students loved gossiping about him.
But face-to-face?
There was only one reaction:
Screams.
Panic.
Running for their lives.
…
Meanwhile, in the counseling office, Hawk was just finishing his leave request with Mrs. Snow.
She smiled warmly.
"So, I hear you and Gwen are together now?"
"…Yeah."
"That's wonderful. You've finally followed your heart."
She'd known for a long time Hawk was holding back. She knew him, just like she knew Gwen.
Then her smile turned playful.
"Tell me, who made the first move?"
Hawk hesitated, then admitted. "…Gwen."
"Just as I thought," Mrs. Snow chuckled, before her tone softened. "There's an old saying I wanted to share with you at graduation: Being born humble is no shame—true strength is knowing when to bend and when to rise. But looking at you now, I think you've already learned that lesson."
"…Thank you." Hawk inclined his head.
"One more piece of advice, Hawk."
"Of course."
"Go to your graduation dance. Take Gwen. You don't want to look back and find nothing there when you remember high school."
For a brief second, Hawk actually pictured it—him and Gwen at the prom. Music, laughter, dancing.
"…Alright," he smiled. "I'll think about it."
Mrs. Snow looked pleased.
But then—
BANG!
The door flew open. A staffer stuck his head in, panic written all over his face.
"Trouble! Get out, now!"
Hawk froze. Mrs. Snow stiffened.
…
Minutes later, outside the building, Hawk saw students stampeding out of the main halls, screaming.
"Run!"
"The Lizard's here!"
His eyes narrowed. He let his heightened senses snap open. In an instant, he caught every sound inside the school: screams, crashing lockers, shattering walls… and the distinct snap of webs firing.
Spider-Man was already fighting.
…
Inside, Peter—now suited up—threw himself at the hulking Lizard.
But Connors was relentless. One massive claw caught Spider-Man mid-swing, hurling him through a row of lockers. His backpack spilled free, the name written on it exposed.
"Peter Parker…"
The Lizard's slit-pupiled eyes narrowed.
"No father. No mother. You're all alone."
Peter said nothing, launching back into the fight—only to be smashed again, the Lizard's tail whipping him like a ragdoll.
CRASH!
Peter tumbled through the front doors, skidding across the lawn.
The Lizard followed with a thunderous roar, only to be kicked in the gut by Peter's powerful counter, sending the beast crashing back into the school.
Walls shook. Windows shattered. The battle raged on.
…
Hawk sprinted toward the library.
Whatever reason the Lizard had for being here, it wasn't his concern. Spider-Man could handle him.
What mattered was Gwen.
He found her just as she was being rushed down the stairs with the fleeing students.
"Gwen!"
"Hawk!" she cried, running into his path. "What's happening?"
He opened his mouth to answer—
BOOM!
Glass exploded above them.
Spider-Man and the Lizard smashed through the second-floor windows, locked in combat.
With a feral snarl, the Lizard's claws tore through the air—lunging straight toward Hawk and Gwen at the stairwell.
...
(End of Chapter)
[Check Out My P@treon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/euridome]
[Thank You For Your Support!]