Barry quickly released the web and called out calmly.
The owl, after hearing him, seemed to calm down, taking a good look at the creature that had caught it—a bear dressed in human clothes.
"What do you want?" the owl asked warily, having freed itself from Barry's grip and taken a few steps back, its eyes wide and round.
"Don't be nervous. I just need you to find someone for me. I'll offer you food—chicken, fish, beef," Barry replied softly, extending his claws in a friendly gesture.
"And if you stick with me in the future, you'll have food and shelter without losing your freedom. How does that sound?" Considering his potential to earn more, Barry thought about organizing a Beast Squad for assistance.
"Food and shelter!" The owl's eyes widened at the offer. For a wild bird often struggling for food, it was a tempting deal, especially with no strings attached.
"Is this human easy to find?" the owl asked, still cautious about making a commitment.
"He should be easy to spot. He's wandering around the city..." Barry glanced around, soon spotting Spider-Man graffiti on a nearby wall.
"That's him. Just find him and let me know where he is."
"Of course, if you can't find him, I won't waste your time, and you'll still get the food I promised," Barry assured.
The owl looked at the graffiti, nodded, and agreed.
"Alright, I'll give it a try."
"Thank you so much," Barry said, grateful for the owl's agreement. Clear communication made things easier. Compared to human interactions, talking with animals seemed straightforward.
With that, bear and owl began their search. The owl flew over New York, scanning for Spider-Man, while Barry moved through the city below, keeping pace.
---
As they continued their search, the owl, following Barry's suggestion, traced the path of police cars. Soon, it left Queens and spotted Spider-Man near the Brooklyn Botanic Garden.
Brooklyn, with its diverse ethnic neighborhoods—Italian, Jewish, Black, Russian, Irish, and German—was a cultural melting pot.
Race issues were prevalent, and gang activity was rampant, each group forming its own protective enclave.
"Is that him?" the owl asked, perched on Barry's hat, pointing to the red figure leaping across a Nordic-style villa.
"Yes, that's him. Let's go," Barry nodded, leaping over the quiet street to the villa.
The area was secluded, the villa seemingly a wealthy individual's private residence.
"Hi! Good evening, Peter!" Peter, who had just followed a group of gangsters to the villa, was startled by the greeting.
Turning around, he found the panda he hadn't seen in a while, now with an owl companion perched on its head.
"Why are you here!?" Peter exclaimed, surprised at the odd duo.
"I'm here for you. You ditched me after I helped you out," Barry replied, adjusting his bamboo hat.
"That was just a one-time deal, and you're a panda. It's risky having you around," Peter said, hands up in exasperation. Even with superpowers, the idea of dealing with a panda was daunting.
Before Barry could respond, voices from inside the house shouted up at them.
"Who's up there? Get down, you rat-like thief!"
"Uh... maybe we should handle your business first, then talk," Barry suggested, pointing below.
Peter hesitated, unable to send Barry back now.
"Come down here!" someone inside shouted, firing at the roof, though the bullets merely chipped the cement, serving as a threat.
Peter sighed, addressing Barry seriously, "Stay here and wait for me, okay?"
"No problem," Barry agreed, raising a paw in promise.
Ignoring him, Peter swung off the roof, crashing through a window with his spider silk to enter the villa.
Inside, gunfire erupted. Peter hurried, hoping the homeowner was unharmed.
Moments later, Barry heard a burst of gunfire and frantic shouting from inside the house.
"What is this!?"
"Get out, you monster!"
"Boss, save me!"
---
Amid the chaos, a panicked figure dashed out of the villa.
Seeing this, Barry leapt from the roof, blocking the man's escape.
"Hey, you're lucky to make it out alone."
"Who are you!?" the gangster stammered, eyes darting between the owl above and the strange bear, terror evident on his face.
"Uh... Dragon Hero?" Barry mused aloud, wondering if the name was too flashy, and decided to ask the gangster.
"You're just like the freak inside!" the gangster shouted, drawing a dagger and charging. The firearm had given him confidence, but Spider-Man had disarmed him inside.
"Don't scare my friend," Barry warned, sensing the owl's alarm. He quickly shot a web, entangling the gangster.
Walking over to the struggling man, Barry delivered a swift kick, knocking him out.
Inside, Barry found many cocooned figures suspended in the minimalist yet luxurious villa. The decor was Nordic, with a bar opposite the entrance stocked with wine, surrounded by a lush ecosphere.
Peter crouched by a coffee table, beside a man bleeding profusely, his gaze fixed on a dog lying in a pool of blood, clinging to consciousness.
"What happened?" Barry asked, stepping closer.
🛸EXTRA CHAPTER IS AVAILABLE IN PATREON 🗿
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