Upon arriving at Empire State University, Wyatt removed his suit and ran towards the science laboratory. When he entered the lab, he was quickly filled in on the situation by Gwen and a reluctant Martha.
"A gene cleanser," Wyatt muttered as he examined Curt Connors's DNA through the microscope, an unnecessary action considering his abilities but a needed one to keep up appearances. "Fascinating. His DNA exhibits the capacity for continued diversification of multiple strains, even after prolonged stasis outside the body... Developing a cleanser for this won't be easy."
Gwen and Martha exchanged glances, both acutely aware that synthesizing a serum capable of completely eradicating lizard DNA from Curtis within a constrained timeframe was challenging, if not impossible.
"So... you don't think it's possible?" Gwen said softly.
"No, it's definitely possible," Wyatt explained, his pen quickly jotting down important observations and formulas on a sheet of paper. "According to Dr. Connors's research notes, a gene cleanser should be theoretically attainable. However, our time is limited. While creating a complete cleanser to separate Dr. Connors's human DNA from his new lizard DNA may be beyond our reach tonight, we can definitely engineer a suppressant much quicker than a definitive cure. Once we return Dr. Connors to normal, we can take our time to work on a more permanent solution."
Wyatt's mind raced as he carefully analyzed and detailed the complex lizard DNA derived from Curtis's genetic material. The detailed notes left by Curtis proved to be essential, serving as a vital resource in this challenging task. Without Curtis's notes, Wyatt doubted they could have developed a viable cure in such a short time to restore the good doctor to his former self. While he was confident enough to be able to develop a cure himself thanks to his powers, it would have most likely taken several days of trail and error.
"Gwen, please take these annotations and initiate the process of isolating Doctor Connors's DNA from strands 1, 3, 5, and 6," Wyatt instructed, passing her his compiled notes before turning to Martha. "Doctor Connors, could you examine this compilation of gene sequences and identify those with a probability of success of at least 75%?"
"Now, Wyatt. While I believe Gwen when she says you're a gifted young man, but coming up with such..." Martha began, her voice trailing off as she scrutinized the notes Wyatt had produced.
She took a moment to absorb the intricacies and depth of the work laid out on the page, an impressive compilation created in merely a few minutes after examining her husband's blood.
As a highly accomplished scientist, Martha felt an unsettling flicker of doubt creeping into her mind. The sophistication of Wyatt's notes was nothing short of staggering, filled with intricate concepts and groundbreaking insights that seemed almost unattainable for someone so young and seemingly inexperienced. With each page she turned, she was struck by the depth of his understanding and the clarity of his thought.
The notes were meticulously drafted, revealing hypotheses that sparkled with possibility and were crafted with the precision of a seasoned researcher. They stood in stark contrast to what she would expect from someone his age—a profound level of intellect that transcended her own initial expectations. Who could have imagined that such a brilliant mind lay hidden in obscurity, operating quietly beneath the surface, while the world missed out on his extraordinary potential? Each scribbled equation and insightful remark seemed to hint at a genius just waiting to be recognized, leaving her both awed and curious about the story behind this remarkable talent.
Gazing at him with a mixture of wonder and intrigue, Martha couldn't comprehend how a person with such undeniable talent remained largely unknown.
Yet, even as the visual splendor of his work captivated her, she reminded herself of the utmost importance of verification. As much as she respected the quality of his data, rigorous testing was paramount.
With the weight of worry for her husband pressing heavily on her chest, Martha sprang into action.
"Very well," Martha said as she nodded at Wyatt.
She hurried to a nearby workbench, her fingers trembling slightly with urgency. There, she prepared to conduct a series of meticulous tests on Wyatt's proposed gene sequences, determined to explore their potential and ensure that this remarkable discovery might lead to a cure for her husband.
"What are you going to do?" Gwen asked.
"I'm going to work on developing a targeted suppressing agent aimed specifically at the lizard DNA present in Doctor Connors's bloodstream. The primary challenge in formulating this suppressant lies in its specificity; it must selectively target the lizard's genetic material while leaving the human DNA intact. Otherwise, it might break down Doctor Connors' body from the inside out." Wyatt said gravely as he grabbed a pair of goggles and gloves.
Before he could dive into his task, Wyatt's gaze fell on Gwen, whose hands trembled slightly, betraying the emotional toll the recent events had taken on her. The weight of their predicament, coupled with Peter's sudden abandonment, seemed to leave her in a fragile state. Wyatt instinctively reached out, enveloping her hands in his and delivering a reassuring squeeze.
"It's going to be okay, Gwen. This will work... I promise," he said, offering a warm smile that slowly coaxed a small smile back from her.
"Okay," Gwen replied, her voice barely above a whisper. She gently withdrew her hands, the tremors subsiding as she moved purposefully to an open work table strewn with scientific equipment. There, she began the meticulous process of isolating the lizard DNA strands from her mentor's blood, her focus sharpening as she immersed herself in the work.
With a sense of relief that she was regaining her composure, Wyatt turned his attention to his own task. As he delved into his work, he discovered that Curtis's DNA yielded itself to his manipulation, just as he had experienced with Reznov's blood when it had coated his hands. The way his brutalized face stared up at him left him momentarily lost in the memory of the night he lost control.
Shaking the memory of the man's brutalized face, Wyatt focused back on the task at hand.
It seemed that as long as blood wasn't flowing through a living, sentient creature, Wyatt was capable of altering or even copying its genetic makeup. This revelation stirred a whirlwind of questions in his mind, particularly regarding the mental barriers or limiters that governed his ability to manipulate living matter. It left him to wonder just what it was that limited his power if he was still capable of effecting living DNA outside of the sentient being it belonged to.
I can't focus on that right now. Wyatt thought, casting a glance over his shoulder.
He observed Gwen and Martha, their brows furrowed in concentration, diligently immersed in their tasks. None the wiser to what he was about to do. With a deep breath, he closed his eyes and created several more beakers of Curtis's blood. Their crimson hue glistening under the sterile lab lights.
Driven by an urgent desire to restore the good Doctor to his former self, he immersed himself in a whirlwind of chemical experiments, each concoction swirling through his thoughts like a cosmic dance of possibility. His quest was to uncover the elusive formula capable of suppressing the lizard DNA without inflicting harm on any human genes. With determination etched on his face, he meticulously examined hundreds of different chemical formulas, blending elements and manipulating compounds, each combination a potential key to unlocking the Doctor's humanity once more. His mind buzzed with theories and calculations, as he harnessed his unique abilities to navigate the intricate world of biochemistry, searching tirelessly for the breakthrough that might save Gwen's Mentor.
In no time at all, Wyatt accomplished what would take a highly intellegent research team countless weeks of trial and error in mere seconds. His extraordinary ability to perceive and rearrange atoms transformed the complex process into something almost instinctual, as if he were conjuring the very fabric of life itself.
When he was done, Wyatt held an incomplete gene-cleansing agent in his hands, but it was missing two crucial components: the essential genetic information that Gwen and Martha were currently researching. Once they completed their tasks, they would be able to finalize the suppressant for Doctor Connors.
Turning back to the two women behind him, Wyatt waited patiently for them to finish their tasks.
As he did so, he couldn't help but wonder how things were going for Peter on his end.
••o••o••o••
Pandemonium reigned in the MTA Subway station as throngs of commuters surged toward the exits, their voices a cacophony of screams and urgent shouts.
Echoing off the walls, loud roars flooded the tunnels as the Lizard ran along the walls using his clawed hands and feet. His large maw slobbered hungrily as his sharp yellow eyes watched the escaping crowd.
Several loud bangs filled the tunnel as local police officers fired their service weapons at the Lizard. The creature roared as its bullets slammed into its tough, scale-covered skin, barely managing to draw blood.
Enraged, the Lizard jumped at one of the police officers. The officer gasped in fear as the Lizard's claws rushed up to slice him into ribbons when a rope of web pulled him back.
"Down boy, no attacking the boys in blue!" Spider-Man said as he dropped the officer down at a safe distance. "Get everyone out of here. I'll handle him."
The portly officer nodded dumbly and began to rush those who were watching the Lizard and Spider-Man fight evacuate the subway station.
"Move it, people! Let's move!" The officer yelled.
Growling in frustration, the Lizard jumped toward a woman with blue hair who had been hiding behind a pillar against the station's wall. With quickness, the Lizard crawled over the woman and opened its large jaws, ready to bite the woman's head.
In a blur of red and blue, Spider-Man swung through the air and grabbed the torn laboratory coat of the Lizard. Using his immense strength, Spider-Man threw the lizardfied Curtis Connors across the station, crashing him into the subway's turnstiles.
"Sorry, pal. No eating in the subway!" Spider-Man said as the Lizard growled and launched a ruined turnstile in his direction.
With a graceful leap, Spider-Man evaded the hurtling mass of metal that whizzed through the air. The turnstile collided violently with the wall, unleashing a cacophony of sound as it fractured the concrete surface, sending shards and debris tumbling down toward the panicked crowds below.
Among the chaos, Eddie's eyes widened in horror as he spotted a hefty chunk of concrete plummeting toward an unsuspecting man sprinting for safety. Instinct kicked in. Without hesitation, he lunged forward, shoving the man aside just in time. Eddie instinctively raised his arms above his head as he hit the ground, bracing for the imminent onslaught of falling debris.
At that critical moment, a thick blanket of webbing shot down and ensnared the massive chunk, catching it just inches above Eddie and sparing him from a gruesome fate.
Swinging through the air with agility, Spider-Man exhaled a relieved sigh upon seeing Eddie unharmed.
Redirecting his focus to the ongoing threat, he launched toward the Lizard, grasping the villain's torn laboratory coat and slamming him against the ceiling. With precision, Spider-Man spun more webbing around the Lizard, pinning him securely to the ceiling and ensuring he couldn't escape.
"Dr. Connors, we have to get you back to the lab, understand?" Spider-Man whispered as he drew closer to the Lizard. "Dr. C, you in there?"
Using his great enhanced strength, the Lizard broke through the webbing and tried to bite down on Spider-Man's head. Moving quickly, Spider-Man pushed his forearm under the Lizard's jaw and pushed his head up.
"Okay, maybe not. Oh, yikes!" Spider-Man groaned as the smell coming out of the Lizard's mouth made him cringe. The Lizard roared in rage, and as he began to rip the webbing holding him down, "Can you say halitosis? I knew that you could."
With an acrobatic backflip, Spider-Man launched himself away just as the Lizard broke free from his restraints and roared in fury. The reptilian creature unleashed a primal growl that echoed through the dimly lit station, hot on Spider-Man's heels.
As they raced through the cavernous space, the Lizard's massive tail swept wildly, smashing into metal pillars and sending shards of debris flying in all directions, creating a chaotic symphony of destruction.
With a thunderous crack resonating through the air, Spider-Man delivered a powerful blow that sent the Lizard crashing to the ground beside the steel rail tracks. Feeling the surge of adrenaline, he expertly deployed his webs to gather momentum. Spider-Man steadied himself, poised to slam the Lizard down with all his strength, ready to leverage this moment of opportunity against his formidable foe.
"Okay, doc, this is gonna hurt me more than it hurts you." Spider-Man said. Only to be smacked away by the Lizards powerful tail before his attack could land.
Spider-Man crashed down on a steel beam, sending a wave of pain through him as his ribs took on the majority of the blow.
"Oh, yeah... Definitely hurts me more than you."
••o••o••o••
"There, that should do it," Martha said as she carefully poured the last remaining chemical solution into a test tube beaker. She released a sigh as she smiled weakly at Gwen and Wyatt.
"We're done? We did it?" Gwen asked tentatively.
"Yes… Wyatt's science was solid, and Curt's research coincides with our results. The only way to test it is to inject the suppressant into Curt, but his hide may be too thick to inject it from the outside. We're going to have to have him… drink it," Martha said as she held up the beaker, its yellow contents swished back and forth.
"You said your friend, Eddie, followed after Doctor Connors, right? Call him and ask where he is. I'll head to his location and we'll get Doctor Connors to drink it… somehow," Wyatt said, and grabbed two beakers of the cleanser. Completely missing the surprised expressions on both women.
"What? It's too dangerous! What if you get hurt?!" Gwen said, running up to Wyatt to hold him back. The memory of him rushing forward to save the boy from a speeding truck is still fresh in her mind.
"She's right, Wyatt. You've done more than enough to help. If it weren't for you, I don't think we would have completed the cleanser as fast as we did," Martha smiled in appreciation. "You don't have to do this."
"It's okay. I can handle this, trust me. I'm tougher than I look," Wyatt said confidently and gently moved Gwen out of the way. He began moving toward the exit. "I'm going to follow the trail of destruction. Text me when you have Eddie's location!" He called out and ran out of the lab.
"Wyatt! Wait!" Gwen called out and sighed in defeat at how she failed to stop him. She couldn't believe how easily he was able to move her away. It was as if she weighed nothing to him.
Gwen pulled out her phone and quickly dialed Eddie. After a few minutes of waiting, Eddie finally picked up.
"Gwen! Please tell me you guys made the gene cleanser! Spider-Man is in trouble. I don't think he can keep this up!" Eddie said from the other line.
"No, we didn't make a complete cleanser. We need more time. But we did manage to create a suppressant that will transform Doctor Connors back to normal! Where are you right now?" Gwen said as she walked back and forth with nervous energy.
"From the direction we're going, it looks like we're heading to the Bronx Zoo!"
"Okay! I'll let Wyatt know to head there! He has the suppressant with him," Gwen said as she texted Wyatt the location.
"Who the hell is Wyatt?" Eddie asked, but a loud crash could be heard from behind him. "Shit! I have to go!"
The line quickly went dead as Eddie ended the call. "Gwen, can you watch Billy? I'm going as well."
"Of course," Gwen nodded and watched Martha run out of the laboratory.
Rushing toward the room where Billy had been all along, Gwen's heart raced in her chest at the situation.
A sharp gasp escaped her lips as she pushed open the door—the office was utterly empty, void of any signs of life. Desperately, she began searching through the room, her hands trembling as she checked each closet and door. But no matter where she looked, there was no sign of Billy.
"Oh no…"