Chapter 29: A Plan and a New Suit
"Look at me," Talon snapped, his voice tight with disgust. "I'm filthier than a sewer rat. People aren't avoiding me out of fear, but because I stink. I'm done."
"Maybe... I could get you a respirator?" Spider-Man offered weakly, wracked with guilt for dragging the powerful man into this mess.
"We're getting out. I have a way to draw the Lizard out."
"How?"
"Later," Talon cut him off, his patience gone.
They emerged from the manhole, the stench rolling off them in waves. Passers-by recoiled, pinching their noses and scurrying away. Talon led them to a luxury hotel, intending to wash off the grime, but were immediately blocked by the doorman and a security guard.
"Get lost, you stinking bums!" the security guard barked.
"This is no place for your kind," the doorman sneered.
Spider-Man flinched, humiliation burning his cheeks.
Talon simply let go of the leashes. He pointed at the two men. "Sic them."
The well-trained German Shepherds, obedient to his command, instantly turned aggressive.
"Woof! Woof! Woof!"
They lunged.
"Ah! Help! Get it off me!"
"Call your dogs off! It's biting my leg!"
The dogs were trained to subdue. The two dogs Spider-Man held strained at their leashes, eager to join the fray.
"Talon, please! They were just doing their job!" Peter pleaded, holding the dogs back.
"Recall," Talon commanded. The two dogs immediately released their holds and trotted back to sit obediently at his heels.
Talon stepped over to the cowering men on the ground. "Do you still have a problem with me entering?"
"No! No, sir! Please, go right in!" they stammered, waving him through in terror.
They entered the opulent lobby, staff scattering before them. The front desk attendant, trapped at her post, held her breath. "S-sir, I'm sorry, but we don't allow pets."
"One million dollars," Talon stated. "I'm booking the entire hotel for the day."
The attendant gasped in shock, inadvertently sucking in a lungful of the foul air. She doubled over, retching violently. When she finally recovered, pale and shaky, she managed a weak smile. "Sir, do you truly wish to spend one million dollars to book the hotel?"
"Yes. Now. I need to wash this stench off," he said impatiently.
The manager was summoned and arrived in seconds, fawning and obsequious. After a swift bank transfer of the funds was confirmed, he became even more servile. "Right this way, sir! Our finest presidential suite is yours!"
"Have these dogs returned to the police station," Talon ordered, handing the leashes to the manager, who passed them to a terrified bellhop without a second thought.
Spider-Man quietly handed over his leashes as well.
In the lavish suite, Talon's first priority was the shower. He spent a full hour scrubbing the sewer's memory from his skin. When he emerged, wrapped in a plush robe, the air smelled clean again.
Spider-Man, who had washed up quickly, was waiting for him. "Talon, what's the plan?"
"It's simple," Talon said, drying his hair. "We let the Lizard know where you are. He'll come to us."
"But how?"
"Let Harry know your location. The Lizard will find you."
"Right! I'll suit up and go to Oscorp," Peter said, a plan forming.
"Go. I'll be your backup."
After Spider-Man left, Talon had the hotel manager procure a range of specialized fabrics—stiff, elastic, soft. He was going to craft his own suit, one that would conceal his identity from Harry Osborn. He had no fear of the man, but saw no need to make an enemy of a powerful corporation prematurely.
With an industrial sewing machine and Optimus Prime's precise guidance, Talon fashioned a perfectly fitted suit. It was pure, unadorned black, designed for stealth and function over style. This was a tool, not a costume.
He then had Optimus Prime pull up a holographic feed of Spider-Man's location. To his surprise, he saw Harry Osborn himself, clad in the advanced Green Goblin armor, locked in a fierce aerial battle with Spider-Man.
Why is Harry involved personally? What did Peter do to provoke him?
Talon didn't move to intervene. He settled in to watch, waiting. He was patient. He was waiting for the main event—the arrival of the Lizard.
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