# Chapter 13: Electro
New York, Queens
03-Street
"Sir, please put down the cable in your hand."
A police officer moved toward the suspicious man vigilantly, his hand resting on his holstered pistol, beads of sweat forming on his brow despite the cool evening air.
America was a country where gun ownership was widespread, making frontline law enforcement inherently dangerous.
Officers had learned to be cautious—their lives often depended on it.
The relationship between Americans and firearms ran deep, rooted in the nation's founding.
During the War of Independence, citizens fighting for freedom understood that an armed populace was the last resort against tyranny.
The founding pioneers who paid for liberty with blood recognized the importance of "the people's freedom to overthrow oppression."
The Second Amendment enshrined this principle: the right to bear arms shall not be infringed.
This constitutional protection made personal firearm ownership the final barrier defending citizens' rights. It also meant guns were ubiquitous throughout America.
The prevalence of firearms led to numerous police injuries and fatalities each year. In response, American law granted officers significant authority: if they felt endangered during enforcement, they could take preemptive self-defense measures.
Officers could shoot at any time during law enforcement, with no standardized requirements for injury versus lethal force.
The legal system rarely held officers accountable for shootings during duty.
Even in serious cases, verdicts of "not guilty" were common. Courts evaluated whether police procedures were followed, not whether the suspect survived.
In short: don't joke with American police officers. Someone wielding even a toy gun could be killed, and it would likely be ruled justified.
"Sir, please put down the cable in your hand," the officer repeated firmly, his voice carrying a tremor of barely suppressed fear.
"Raise your hands where I can see them."
His fingers touched his pistol grip, knuckles white with tension. At any sign of danger, he was prepared to shoot immediately.
The hooded figure raised his head slowly, revealing his face to the officer with obvious reluctance and confusion.
The officer recoiled in shock, his face draining of color as he immediately drew his weapon with shaking hands.
This was no ordinary person. The exposed head and arms appeared translucent, emitting a faint blue glow like something from a science fiction nightmare. The officer's heart hammered in his chest.
"Don't move!" the officer shouted, his voice cracking slightly with terror.
"FREEZE!"
"Get on the ground! NOW!"
The surrounding officers' panicked commands made the hooded man visibly nervous, his glowing hands trembling.
He stood up hastily, looking around in growing panic at the ring of armed police, his translucent face contorting with fear and bewilderment.
At that moment, Lin Chen, who had positioned himself in front of the hooded man, could clearly see his appearance.
Surprise flashed through Lin Chen's eyes, quickly followed by understanding and a hint of satisfaction.
Given his familiarity with the Spider-Man franchise, he immediately recognized this individual: Electro.
The villain from The Amazing Spider-Man 2.
Maxwell Dillon, formerly an electrical engineer and grid designer for Oscorp. His work had been stolen by his superiors, leaving him unrecognized and invisible within the company. He was a man of low social standing, whose greatest admiration was reserved for Spider-Man.
In the original timeline, Spider-Man could have recruited Max as an ally—gaining a powerful teammate. Instead, tragedy and misunderstanding turned him into a villain.
A waste, Lin Chen thought with a mixture of pity and determination. But one I can prevent.
Electro wasn't inherently evil. He was an honest man pushed too far. Lin Chen could recruit him before he caused real damage.
This individual had enormous potential. Letting him die or become a villain would be a tragic waste.
Lin Chen knew the origin story well. Max had been electrocuted while repairing circuits at Oscorp, falling into a tank of genetically modified electric eels.
The combined assault of massive electrical current and eel attacks had caused miraculous changes to his cellular structure and nervous system.
Not only had Max survived—he'd been transformed into a living capacitor capable of storing nearly 12 million volts of electricity.
[DETECTED! Maxwell Dillon - Electro]
[SYSTEM ANALYSIS: ELECTRO]
├── Physical Capabilities: Variable (dependent on electrical charge stored)
├── Current Power Level: Early manifestation, unstable
└── Abilities Detected:
├── Electrical Energy Generation & Projection
├── Electrical Manipulation & Detection
├── Enhanced Physical Attributes (when charged)
├── Electricity Absorption & Storage
├── Electrical Immunity
When electricity was stored to sufficient levels, Max could use it to dramatically enhance his physical capabilities. His speed could potentially break the sound barrier. He could project devastating electrical shockwaves and control any device powered by electricity.
His weakness was simple: the electricity in his body wasn't unlimited. Once depleted, he needed to recharge.
Suddenly, a large truck careened toward Max, the driver's eyes wide with horror as he desperately pumped the brakes, unable to stop due to momentum.
Max instinctively raised his hand to protect himself, his face twisted in absolute terror. Powerful electrical current surged from his palm, creating an electrical field that lifted the multi-ton vehicle into the air.
"No! No!" Max cried out in panic, his voice breaking.
In his fear and confusion, Max threw the truck aside with a wild gesture.
It crashed toward a group of fleeing civilians, who screamed in horror—
A masked figure flashed into existence!
Lin Chen appeared beneath the falling truck, his expression calm and focused as he caught it with ease and set it down gently. The crowd, initially panicking with tear-streaked faces and trembling bodies, began to calm when they recognized him.
"Look, it's the Masked Man!" someone shouted with relief flooding their voice. "He'll stop the bad guy! We're safe!"
Police surrounded the area, weapons drawn, their faces set with grim determination mixed with fear.
"Get down! On the ground immediately!" they commanded with aggressive intensity.
"I'm not to blame, please!" Max pleaded desperately, his voice cracking as he raised his glowing hands in surrender, tears beginning to stream down his translucent cheeks. "I didn't mean—stop pointing those at me! I'm scared!"
He wanted to explain, his face a mask of desperate hope, but the officers only responded with more shouted warnings, their expressions hardened by fear and training.
Television crews arrived, broadcasting the scene across the city with reporters speaking in excited, breathless tones. Screens everywhere showed Max's transformed appearance.
He saw himself reflected in the monitors—truly saw what he'd become for the first time. His eyes widened in horror and disbelief.
"My God... is this me?" Max whispered, his voice filled with wonder and terror. "They can see me. You're all seeing me." Awe and fear mixed in Max's trembling voice, tears now flowing freely down his glowing face. After years of invisibility, being seen like this was a cruel irony.
"Get down! Hands on your head!" officers screamed, their faces red with exertion and fear.
Tear gas canisters arced through the air toward Max.
"Oh no—please, no!" Max cried out, backing away with his hands raised defensively.
Lin Chen leaped high, his movements precise and controlled as he kicked several canisters away mid-flight with athletic grace.
A few still landed near Max's feet, releasing their irritating smoke.
"Wait! I'm not the bad guy here!" Max coughed violently, his eyes streaming as he backed away from the gas, his expression one of wounded innocence and growing desperation.
"Hey, listen to me," Lin Chen said calmly, landing near Max with the quiet confidence of someone in complete control. "Don't resist. Let's talk this through."
But Max was beyond listening, his face contorting with emotions he'd suppressed for years.
The fear, confusion, and years of being ignored erupted into rage, his translucent features twisting with anguish.
"I SAID STOP!" Max roared, his voice raw with pain and fury.
A massive electrical shockwave exploded outward from his body, sending police cars tumbling and officers flying backward with screams of terror. Civilians scattered, diving for cover with panicked shrieks.
"Looks like we need to have a physical conversation first," Lin Chen muttered with a slight frown of disappointment, though his expression remained determined.
In a blur of motion, he closed the distance to Max.
While Max was still processing his own outburst, his face showing shocked horror at what he'd done, Lin Chen appeared above him, his expression focused and resolute as his fist descended toward Max's head.
BOOM!
The impact was thunderous, creating a crater over ten meters in diameter.
Dust and debris exploded outward as nearby witnesses cried out in shock.
When the smoke cleared, Lin Chen stood calmly at the center of the devastation zone, his face emotionless but his eyes sharp and assessing.
[DETECTED! Electrical Immunity - passive ability. DO YOU WANT TO PICK UP?]
[Y/N]
[DETECTED! Electrical Manipulation (Master Level) - Active ability in use. DO YOU WANT TO PICK UP?]
[Y/N]
Lin Chen mentally selected Y with quiet satisfaction while Max lay in the crater, unconscious, his face finally peaceful despite his tattered clothing, his body still glowing with residual electrical energy.
[DING! Electrical Manipulation (Advanced Level) ACQUIRED]
[DING! Electrical Immunity (passive) ACQUIRED]
Knowledge flooded Lin Chen's mind—understanding of electronic fields, electrical current control, the ability to sense and manipulate electronic systems.
A slight smile of satisfaction crossed his face.
"Officers, this individual is secured," Lin Chen called out with reassuring authority. "No need for concern."
Police approached cautiously, weapons still drawn, their faces pale and expressions uncertain. The blue-glowing man certainly looked subdued—
"BZZZZZZT!"
Electrical current suddenly blazed across Max's body. His eyes snapped open wide with confusion and fear, and he surged upright, electricity crackling wildly around him.
Officers stumbled backward in renewed alarm, several crying out in terror.
But just as quickly, the electricity faded. Max collapsed again, kneeling in exhaustion, his face showing complete bewilderment and fatigue as his reserves were temporarily depleted from the shockwave. He looked like a lost child.
"Hey everyone! Did I miss something?"
A new voice called out—cheerful and young, full of energy. A figure in a red and blue costume swung down on a web, landing gracefully near the crater with characteristic flair.
Spider-Man had arrived.
"Is that you?" Max looked up at the masked hero with sudden hope lighting his translucent face, recognition dawning in his tear-filled eyes like a drowning man spotting a lifeline.
"It's me!" Peter Parker replied enthusiastically, though his voice carried uncertainty as he studied the glowing figure, his masked face tilting with confusion.
"Who are you?" he asked gently, studying the glowing figure with obvious concern.
"Don't you remember me?" Max's voice held desperate hope, his entire being seeming to lean forward with anticipation, his hands clasped together almost in prayer.
"Should I remember?" Peter asked genuinely, his tone apologetic but puzzled.
Max's face fell, devastation clear in his glowing features. "I was walking down the street—a car almost hit me, and you pulled me to safety. You saved me. You said you needed me."
For Max, who had gone unrecognized for years, Spider-Man's brief acknowledgment had meant everything. His voice cracked with emotion as he spoke.
"The one with the blueprints?" Recognition finally clicked in Peter's mind, his voice brightening with realization.
"Yes! The blueprints!" Max said eagerly, his face lighting up with pathetic hope, like a puppy finally recognized by its owner.
"I remember you!" Peter said quickly, his voice warm and enthusiastic. "Of course I remember you—you're my eyes and ears out there."
He paused awkwardly, his masked face showing embarrassment through body language. "Uh... what was your name again?"
"You forgot about me?" Max's electrical field began fluctuating with his emotions, his face crumpling with hurt and betrayal, fresh tears streaming down his translucent cheeks.
Peter's body language showed panic. "No, no—I'm thinking, I definitely remember. Don't tell me, let me—"
"Max," Max said quietly, his voice small and defeated, like a child who'd been forgotten at school.
"Max! Right, yes—it's Max!" Peter snapped his fingers with relief and enthusiasm. "Sorry, I didn't recognize you like... this. You've changed quite a bit."
His voice became gentle and concerned. "Are you okay?"
"I don't know what's wrong with me," Max admitted, his voice trembling as he looked at his glowing hands with a mixture of wonder and horror, his face showing complete vulnerability.
"I can see that. Listen, I believe you—I've been through something similar myself."
Peter's voice was gentle and understanding, full of empathy. "It's weird, having this power inside you. I know you're angry right now."
"I'm very angry," Max confirmed, his voice shaking with suppressed emotion as he gestured at the police and cameras surrounding them, his face showing years of accumulated pain. "I don't want them to shoot me or hurt anyone, but I feel so much rage."
"They won't hurt you," Peter assured him with confidence, turning to the officers.
"Everyone, this is my friend Max. I've mentioned him before. Nobody shoots him, understood?"
His voice carried protective determination that made several officers lower their weapons slightly.
"Let's just talk, okay? Just the two of us." Peter extended a hand toward Max with open, honest body language.
"I just want everyone to see me," Max said softly, his voice breaking with vulnerability. "To know I exist."
For someone who'd been invisible his entire life, recognition was everything. His face showed naked longing.
"Come with me," Peter offered warmly, his voice full of genuine friendship. "Let's walk and talk. Away from all these people."
"Will you come?" Peter asked gently, his extended hand steady and patient.
"Okay," Max nodded, his face showing tentative trust as he took Peter's hand, electricity flowing harmlessly between them.
"Hey, give me a chance to talk to him," Peter called to the police with confident authority. "I can help."
The officers, recognizing Spider-Man as an ally, reluctantly stepped back with uncertain expressions.
They didn't want this strange electrical being causing destruction, and if Spider-Man could defuse the situation peacefully, so much the better.
In the shadows of a nearby building, a sniper had taken position, his face set with grim determination, rifle trained on Max's glowing form.
"Sniper in position," the marksman reported through his radio, his voice professional but tense. "If the target leaves the containment zone, I have authorization to engage."
As Peter and Max began walking away from the crowd, the sniper's finger moved to the trigger, his jaw clenched with resolve.
Lin Chen's enhanced perception and mental power detected the hostile intent immediately, his eyes narrowing with cold disapproval.
In a blur of superhuman speed and a high jump, he appeared beside the sniper on the rooftop.
"Hey," Lin Chen said calmly, his voice carrying quiet menace.
The sniper jumped in shock, his face paling as he found his trigger suddenly immobile. The masked vigilante's finger prevented it from moving, and the sniper's eyes widened with fear.
"You can't shoot," Lin Chen said simply, his expression cold and final.
With a casual flick, he snapped the trigger mechanism entirely, rendering the rifle useless. The sniper's face showed shock and growing terror.
"They're trying to resolve this peacefully," Lin Chen continued, his voice carrying quiet authority mixed with warning. "Let them."
Before the sniper could respond with his face frozen in fear, Lin Chen grabbed him and threw him to the other side of the building with effortless strength. While the sniper was still in the air, his scream cut short, Lin Chen released an electric bolt that pierced his body with crackling energy.
Then Lin Chen vanished from the rooftop with grim satisfaction, returning to ground level to monitor the situation.
Peter and Max walked down a quiet side street, their conversation gradually becoming more relaxed, with Max's tense shoulders slowly dropping and Peter's animated gestures growing more frequent.
When Lin Chen approached with measured steps, Max's electrical field immediately surged in nervous response, his face showing renewed wariness.
"Hey, Max, don't be nervous," Peter said quickly, his voice soothing and reassuring.
"This is the Masked Man—he's a hero too. He won't harm you. He also wanted to save you."
His body language was open and protective, standing slightly between them.
Max's electricity dimmed slightly, though he remained wary, his glowing eyes studying Lin Chen with uncertain hope.
"What's wrong with me?" Max asked, his voice small and vulnerable as he studied his strange, glowing body, his face showing deep confusion and fear.
"Listen, Max, this isn't necessarily a bad thing," Peter explained with encouraging enthusiasm. "You've undergone genetic mutation—your DNA has been altered."
"Genetic mutation?" Max struggled with the concept, his brow furrowing with incomprehension, looking like a student facing an impossible equation.
"Yes, it's complicated to explain fully, but the key point is: you shouldn't consider this purely negative."
Peter gestured to himself with self-deprecating humor. "I was bitten by a genetically modified spider. The mutation gave me spider-like abilities. Now I can help people."
"So I have... super abilities?" Max looked at his hands with dawning wonder as electrical sparks danced between his fingers, his face showing the first hints of amazement rather than pure fear.
"Yes, Max. But you need to remember something important: with great power comes great responsibility."
Peter's voice was earnest and sincere, his masked face somehow conveying deep conviction. "Actually, that's what he told me," Peter nodded toward Lin Chen with respect. "Since we have these abilities, we have an obligation to use them to make society better."
"You want recognition, right? Do you think the people of New York recognize me?" Peter asked with gentle leading, his voice full of encouragement.
"Of course," Max replied with obvious admiration shining in his eyes. "You're Spider-Man. Everyone knows you."
"So if you use your abilities to help people too, don't you think they'll recognize you as well?" Peter pressed gently, his voice full of hope for his new friend.
"I... I don't know," Max said uncertainly, his face showing years of ingrained doubt and low self-worth.
"Be confident, Max. They will," Peter assured him with absolute conviction in his voice. "Trust me."
A genuine smile crossed Max's face—perhaps the first real smile in years, transforming his glowing features with pure joy. "In that case... I'll follow your example. I'll be your eyes and ears like you said before."
"We'll be friends from now on," Peter said warmly, his voice thick with emotion as he extended his hand with obvious sincerity.
Max shook it with trembling gratitude, electricity flowing harmlessly between them, his eyes bright with unshed tears of happiness.
Lin Chen finally spoke, his voice measured and calm but carrying undeniable authority.
"Max, I need to be honest with you about something Peter's too polite to mention."
Both Peter and Max turned to look at him, their faces showing curiosity mixed with slight apprehension.
"What you're experiencing isn't just genetic mutation—it's a fundamental transformation," Lin Chen continued with serious intensity. "Your body has become a biological battery capable of storing and generating massive amounts of electrical energy. Right now, you're unstable because you haven't learned to control your power."
His expression grew grave, his eyes boring into Max. "Without proper training and understanding, you could accidentally hurt people. Or worse—there are those who would try to weaponize someone with your abilities."
Max's expression grew concerned, fear creeping back into his features, his hands beginning to tremble. "What should I do?"
"Learn control," Lin Chen replied with firm certainty. "Spider-Man can teach you about being a hero. But I can offer you something else—resources, training facilities, and a support system. People who understand what it's like to have power that sets you apart."
He pulled out a card with a phone number, extending it with deliberate slowness. "Think about it. When you're ready to truly master your abilities rather than just surviving them, call me."
His expression softened slightly, showing a hint of genuine concern beneath the authority.
"I appreciate that," Max said sincerely, taking the card with careful reverence, his face showing touched gratitude. "But right now, I just want to help people like Spider-Man does."
His voice carried earnest determination mixed with lingering vulnerability.
"That's a good start," Lin Chen acknowledged with a slight approving nod. "Peter, take care of him. And Max? Remember—recognition isn't given, it's earned. Use your power wisely."
His voice carried both warning and encouragement, his expression serious but not unkind.
With that, Lin Chen stepped back into the shadows with fluid grace, allowing Peter to continue mentoring his new ally, a small satisfied smile playing at the corner of his mouth.
---
Three Months Later - Evening - Lin Chen's Warehouse
Daisy looked up from her computer array as Lin Chen started playing a game, her expression amused and fond.
"Boss, I've been monitoring the Electro situation. Social media's exploding with footage. Some people are calling him a hero for not actually hurting anyone, others want him locked up." She paused, her face showing curiosity mixed with concern. "You think he'll stay on the hero path?"
"With Spider-Man as his friend? Probably," Lin Chen replied with quiet confidence, not looking away from his game. "Peter Parker has a gift for bringing out the best in people."
"And if he doesn't?" Daisy pressed, her voice carrying genuine worry.
"Then I know his weaknesses," Lin Chen said calmly, his expression briefly becoming cold and calculating before returning to neutral. "Water, insulators, electrical grounding. But I don't think it will come to that.
Max isn't evil—he's just been ignored his whole life. Recognition and purpose will do more for him than any amount of power ever could."
His voice carried surprising empathy.
He sat down, pulling up the message Daisy had sent earlier, his expression growing focused and intent. "Now, tell me more about this seismic activity in New Mexico. What exactly did S.H.I.E.L.D. find?"
Daisy's fingers flew across her keyboards with practiced efficiency, her face showing excitement and curiosity as she pulled up satellite imagery and energy readings.
"It's weird, boss. Massive energy signature appeared in the desert out of nowhere last night. S.H.I.E.L.D.'s mobilized a full research team, secured the entire area. Whatever it is, they're treating it like a potential weapon."
Her voice carried breathless fascination.
Lin Chen studied the data, a knowing smile crossing his face, his eyes gleaming with anticipation and satisfaction.
He knew exactly what had landed in that New Mexico desert—Mjolnir, the hammer of Thor.
The God of Thunder was about to arrive on Earth, and the age of heroes was accelerating faster than anyone realized.
The pieces were moving into place. Thor's arrival would bring Asgardian attention to Earth. The Avengers Initiative would accelerate.
[To Be Continued...]