Before long, under the combined assault of Garfield and Holland, the Scorpion was forced on the defensive. Strong as the suit was, it couldn't keep up with two Spider-Men working in tandem.
Desperate, Gargan's armored tail suddenly whipped forward, the tip glowing. A stream of sizzling green acid shot toward them.
Their spider-sense shrieked. Both twisted aside just in time as the corrosive spray hissed into the floor, eating through solid concrete.
Taking advantage of the opening, Gargan bolted, crashing out of the bank and vanishing into the night.
…
Elsewhere, Maguire sat idly at home, boredom gnawing at him. He opened his system interface.
[Current Bully Points: 100]
He tapped his chin, thinking. A random draw? Too risky. He already had an SS-class Devil Fruit, the **Gura Gura no Mi**—the Tremor Fruit. Better to invest those points into developing it further.
He pulled up his stats.
[
Host: Maguire
Strength: S
Speed: C
Stamina: C
Reflexes: A
Defense: B
Special Abilities:
* Tremor Fruit (SS-Class, Development 22%, Rank A)
→ Can self-train or use Bully Points to upgrade
* Spider-Sense (Rank A)
* Webbing (Rank C)
Special Items: Black Suit, Cuban Cigars
Overall Combat Power: S-
]
"Let's raise it," he muttered, pouring in his points.
[100 Bully Points spent.
Tremor Fruit Development: 32%
Current Rank: A+
Overall Combat Power: S-]
Maguire leaned back, frowning in thought.
"The Tremor Fruit… its potential's insane. With it I can shake space itself, create invisible shields. As long as an attack's force isn't greater than my quake power, I can block it—bullets, cannon shells, water jets… all useless.
"But flames, light, anything at the molecular level—that's still beyond me. For now."
He smiled darkly. If he mastered vibrations at the atomic, even nuclear scale… by colliding quake forces in perfect opposition, he might trigger controlled nuclear blasts. An idealized dream, but one that burned in his mind.
Looking at his now-empty Bully Point reserve, he sighed.
"Damn. Where are all my lovely villains hiding? Come out, let's… 'negotiate.' I'm reasonable, I promise."
…
The next morning.
Maguire unfolded the newspaper, his eyes gleaming when he spotted the headline.
**\[Green-armored Scorpion battles Spider-Duo—Spider-Men flee in disgrace!]**
Of course, that was the Bugle. But the truth didn't matter. All Maguire cared about was one thing: finding this Scorpion. His next "ATM."
Just then, his phone buzzed. Caller ID: Garfield.
He answered.
"Maguire, did you see the paper? That guy we fought yesterday—he was really strong. I'm at Holland's place now. Can you come?"
Maguire rolled his eyes, but smirked. If Scorpion was after Garfield and Holland, sticking close to them was the fastest way to run into him. And besides, he'd promised Aunt May he'd show her some Chinese cooking.
He hung up, slid into his car, and drove toward Holland's house.
…
Meanwhile, at **Oscorp Tower**.
In a hidden lab, Dr. Curt Connors stood beside Norman Osborn, both watching a holo-screen replay of the Scorpion in action.
Norman's lips curled into a wide, delighted smile.
"Excellent. Very impressive."
He turned to Connors.
"Find him. Invite him here. If he refuses—eliminate him."
"Yes, Mr. Osborn," Connors said quickly, bowing his head. The look in his eyes toward Norman was pure subservience—like a dog before its master.
…
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