Chapter 882

Due to the Superhero Registration Act not being implemented, no one has collected precise data on the abilities of all superheroes; nearly all factions have obtained their data solely through visual observation.

Based on visual observation, Spider-Man likely possesses strength far beyond normal humans, extreme speed, superior flexibility and agility, the ability to shoot webbing, and strong scientific research capabilities.

In terms of conduct, Spider-Man is a quintessential teenage superhero: he helps anyone he can, never uses excessive violence against criminals, and absolutely never kills.

This is a common trait among most Spider-Men, but within the Spider-Family, there are still outliers—the Shadow Spider-Man is one of the rare killing Spider-Men, and he is even left-wing.

After General Ross received the report on personnel losses, he firmly stated: "The man beside Bruce Banner is definitely not Spider-Man—that kid wouldn't and couldn't kill."

He then narrowed his eyes and said: "Don't you find it strange? The mutants still haven't moved…"

"Three rocket launches failed—they couldn't have missed the rumors. And the fact they haven't resisted as fiercely as before suggests they've changed their strategy," Ross speculated, stroking his chin.

"The mutant leaders aren't fools. Previous resistance efforts achieved little. Perhaps the more loudly they protest, the more they provoke ordinary people's resentment."

"They've likely shifted from open to covert operations. Otherwise, we can't explain why our initial public opinion campaign against mutants and our plan targeting Bruce Banner both failed."

"Have you noticed? Every part of these plans that went wrong involved interference from superheroes."

"Every time we arranged interviews about mutant incidents, they were interrupted by random accidents involving superheroes. And in our plan against the Hulk, we encountered someone who resembled Spider-Man but acted nothing like him."

"I suspect they're using their mutant abilities to impersonate superheroes and sabotage our plans from the shadows."

Ross sighed and said: "They've played a good move—our plan to fight them in the public arena is ruined. But it's fine; I'm not unprepared… Where's Baron Strucker? Call him. I need to speak with him."

His subordinate looked uneasy. "General, but… Baron Strucker… I mean, he's very likely a Hydra agent, and he's not trustworthy…"

"Why can't you understand the situation now?!"

Ross's voice was hoarse; over these past few days, he looked years older. "The military is under immense pressure. Anti-mutant groups demand action. Washington is launching an investigation and trial. The Avengers, led by Stark, demand a full inquiry. My Red Hulk plan failed—I lost the bet. I must find a way to turn this around!"

Ross's tone turned bitter at the end. He wasn't truly a mutant hater—he only wanted to advance within the military. After the Red Door Plan nearly collapsed, he stepped forward and proposed the Red Hulk Plan to quell anti-mutant anger.

He was gambling. If the plan succeeded, he would rise. But unfortunately, he lost. The first Red Hulk produced was too weak, unstable, and short-lived; once knocked down, it quickly lost power.

As a result, he faced even greater pressure and urgently needed a way to reverse his fortunes.

A few days ago, a man named Baron Strucker contacted him, claiming his two children were genuine mutants who could help orchestrate a catastrophic mutant out-of-control incident to turn public opinion against mutants.

Ross knew the consequences—Baron Strucker was very likely a Hydra agent and a Nazi remnant. But now, he had no choice. If he didn't reverse the situation immediately, all his years of painstaking effort would be destroyed.

In a current of opposing water, if you don't advance, you retreat. In desperate situations, more gamblers emerge. Ross wasn't this extreme—but now, he had no path but to walk it to the end.

In a secret meeting room, Ross shook hands with Baron Strucker, narrowed his eyes, and stared at the blonde man and woman behind him.

Strucker noticed his gaze and smiled. "These are my son and daughter. You may call them—the Fenris Twins."

"They possess immense power and can create any accident effect you desire. And they are genuine mutants—no one will suspect them."

"They're your biological children?" Ross looked at Strucker. "Are you willing to send them to hell like this?"

"You underestimate them. I didn't mean for them to become human bombs. New York has plenty of unstable superpowered criminals. Once we find them, my children can trigger them by any means. Then, the horrific scenes captured by reporters will make all mutants look guilty."

Strucker spoke with absolute certainty. Ross looked at him and asked: "Then what do you want?"

"We'll discuss it after success," Strucker said with a confident smile. "I'll show you my sincerity—only then can we begin deeper cooperation…"

"Now, let us play the requiem for the mutants."

As the weather turned colder, the night sky grew deeper. Beneath a dark blue canopy, the moon shone faintly among sparse stars. On the rooftop of a building along New York's skyline, several figures stood at the edge. A hoarse voice spoke:

"Today, a group arrived at Dr. Banner's lab, armed with dangerous firearms and sedatives. I took care of them all."

Another female voice replied: "Someone is watching Dr. Otto. I found surveillance equipment outside the lab—I'm tracing the signal."

"Same with Dr. Connors," another voice said. "Lately, unidentified people have been loitering outside the lab. Though he can… I still worry he'll be ambushed."

"Now I understand what that kid meant by 'trouble.'"

The clouds obscuring the moon gradually parted. Moonlight fell on the rooftop, gilding the Red Spider-Man's suit in an eerie purple. He spoke: "This universe has developed better than any other—but it also holds more crises. We arrived at the wrong time. Shadows swirl here."

"Some want to target mutants. Others want to target S. . . . . . Some are exploiting the absence of certain individuals to attack these researchers. We don't know who's acting—or when they'll strike…" the Amazing Spider-Man said. "All I know is: we must stop them."

Spider-Gwen looked up at the stars. Her tone softened. "Don't you think the stars here are brighter? In my universe, I rarely saw a night sky so luminous, so brilliant…"

"Because here, the stars are within human reach—not distant dreams," the Amazing Spider-Man said, his voice fading into the wind. "I don't know if my universe will ever reach this point—where humanity can sail among the stars, touch the sun."

"If it can't, then I hope another universe can. I hope some humans will fulfill our dream."

"No matter how you look at it, we must stop these evil people—they're destroying humanity's future," Spider-Gwen said, frowning with unwavering resolve. "In any universe, this is what a Spider-Man must do."

"Looks like our easy, pleasant vacation is over," the Amazing Spider-Man smiled, extending his hand first. "The Spider-Army must assemble."

Many Spider-Men placed their hands on top. Beneath the brilliant starry sky, they solidified their resolve to protect humanity and take this step.

At that moment, another webline swung in. Peter landed on the rooftop, looking at all the Spider-Men. "What are you all doing here? I've been searching for you—I need your help!"

"What's wrong?" the Amazing Spider-Man stepped forward and asked.

Peter's voice was heavy and grave. "I received reliable intel from S. . . . . . Agents discovered the military is collaborating with a mysterious figure to engineer a massive mutant out-of-control incident to crush them in public opinion."

Spider-Gwen stepped forward, narrowing her eyes. "Do you know the details of the plan?"

"According to the agent's report, a pair of mutant siblings, brainwashed since childhood, are selecting targets among highly unstable criminals. They plan to trigger one of them into full out-of-control mode, causing a massive explosion in a crowded area to fabricate a massacre and frame mutants."

Most Spider-Men gasped in horror, condemning the planners as inhuman. But Peter said: "This isn't the time for outrage. We must stop this horrific plot—or ordinary people and mutants will both be destroyed."

"So you already have a plan?" the Shadow Spider-Man spoke, spinning his gun. "Tell us what you intend to do."

"The twins have unmistakable traits: both have blonde hair and nearly identical appearances, and their powers share similarities. We must split into multiple teams to search for them."

"Once we find them, we unite to stop their evil actions. Meanwhile, some of us must evacuate civilians and ensure everyone's safety."

As Peter finished speaking, shadow after shadow leapt from the building's edge, swinging on webs.

They echoed the stars above, spreading across all of New York. Webs crisscrossed the sky, forming an inescapable net, omnipresent and unbreakable.

One by one, lights flickered on. Soft rustling sounds echoed like spiders weaving. Suddenly, a webline trembled—instantly, every Spider-Man received the message.

"Target located! Abandoned chemical plant in southeast New York. Their target is likely a mutant criminal gang…"

"Wait—don't come yet! There are others here!" the Amazing Spider-Man's voice came through. "What is that? Those cameras… are they a film crew?"

"What does the show logo say? 'New York Marvels'???"