Chapter 21: A Pact Forged in Battle
Talon directed the Transformers to drop from the sky, landing with a heavy impact in front of Spider-Man.
Spider-Man immediately felt the pressure. "Talon," he said, his face falling, "you're not actually helping him, are you?"
"I rescued your girlfriend and took her home. She's safe now," Talon stated.
"Really? That's great!" Spider-Man's mood instantly lifted.
"Now you need to cooperate with me. Pretend to be attacked by me, then find a chance to escape. Doctor Octopus can't suspect a thing," Talon instructed.
"Okay," Spider-Man agreed readily.
Talon launched a kick. Spider-Man had initially intended to take the hit, but the sight of the Transformer's massive foot made him instinctively recoil in fear. He rolled backward, narrowly avoiding the stomp.
BOOM!
The spot where Spider-Man had just been standing was now a deep crater, the concrete for meters around shattered by the impact.
Talon reached out to grab him. Spider-Man nimbly dodged, using the giant fist as a stepping stone to leap onto the Transformer's head. Talon executed a swift backflip, forcing Spider-Man back down, and followed with a powerful punch as the hero was landing.
WHAM!
The blow sent Spider-Man flying backward, crashing directly into Doctor Octopus, who had just emerged from the clothing store. The two tumbled back inside in a tangled heap.
From within the store came the sounds of a renewed struggle. Spider-Man held to his code, never killing, only seeking to subdue and hand his foes over to the authorities. Doctor Octopus, his humanity eroded by the mechanical arms, held no such restraint, his attacks fueled by pure rage. Despite Spider-Man's superior strength, he was forced on the defensive.
Seizing an opening, Spider-Man scrambled into a ventilation shaft. Doctor Octopus, too large to follow, began tearing the vent apart with his arms, digging like a mad excavator. But he was no match for Spider-Man's speed inside the confined space. Using his webs for propulsion, Spider-Man vanished into the ductwork in seconds.
Talon emerged from the Transformer and walked into the ravaged store. "Doctor Octopus, he's gone. You won't catch him."
"No! I can catch him!" Octavius refused to give up, his arms still tearing at the walls.
"Face it. With his agility and webbing, he can swing through the city or vanish into the sewers. Finding him would be difficult even for me," Talon reasoned.
Octavius let out a furious breath. "As my collaborator, shouldn't you help me kill him?"
Talon shook his head. "Now I understand why your fusion reactor failed."
"Why?"
"Because you lack focus. Failure is the foundation of success. Scientists build world-changing technologies on a mountain of failed experiments. But look at you now. Consumed by vengeance and hatred. There's no trace of a scientist's spirit left in you. You blame others for your failure. That mindset guarantees it."
"NO! I DIDN'T! I DIDN'T!" Octavius screamed, clutching his head. His mechanical arms thrashed wildly, pulverizing the last intact fixtures in the store.
"Doctor," Talon pressed, his voice calm. "I said scientists succeed through failure. One failed experiment doesn't mean your life is over. Let go of this hatred. Work with me. Focus on the reactor, and I believe you can create an artificial sun that could power the world. You would be the greatest scientist in the universe."
"You're... you're right," Octavius muttered, a clarity returning to his eyes. "I am a scientist. I can't let this consume me. I don't want revenge. I want to finish my work."
Talon stepped forward and extended his hand. "Then we have a deal."
Octavius took it. "A deal."
"This city is no place for your work. The space is limited, the noise is distracting. I suggest you relocate your lab to my private island. You can consult with Dr. Helen Cho and Dr. Hank Pym there. The environment is perfect."
"Anywhere is fine, as long as I can continue my research," Octavius agreed.
"Optimus Prime will help you move your equipment. If you need anything else, just ask him." Talon turned. "Optimus Prime, assist the Doctor and transport everything to the island. Then await my next command."
"As you wish, my Lord."
With Optimus Prime and Doctor Octopus gone, Talon turned his attention to his next objective: Spider-Man's genetic template.
He took a taxi to Mary Jane's house. Instead of knocking, he scaled the wall and climbed a drainpipe with practiced ease. Guided by Optimus Prime's directions, he found Mary Jane's window with precision.
He had, however, picked a bad time. Inside, Spider-Man and Mary Jane were intimately engaged.
Not wanting to interrupt, Talon waited outside the window. But Spider-Man's enhanced hearing picked up the sound.
"Peter, what is it?" Mary Jane asked, frustrated by the sudden stop.
"Someone's outside," Spider-Man whispered.
"Who? It's not my dad, is it?" she gasped, worried.
"It's not your father. He's not this skilled."
"Then who? A thief? Or... Doctor Octopus?"
"Someone with these skills wouldn't be a thief, and it's not Octavius's style."
Hearing their conversation, Talon felt a flicker of embarrassment. Since he was discovered, there was no point hiding. He rose into view outside the window.
Mary Jane let out a sharp scream.
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