Peter couldn't forget the scene he'd just witnessed, even after leaving Osborn Tower.
His hands and feet felt cold, his mind a complete blank.
"Dr. Connors is the Lizard Man? How could I have dreamed something like that?"
But he knew it wasn't a dream.
Even though Connors had seemed like himself just moments ago, his personality was completely different from before.
More importantly, Peter had seen the rat they had used for research a week ago – it had mutated completely, growing larger than a dog and cruelly devouring the other small animals in the lab.
In that instant, Peter understood where the Lizard Man who appeared on the Williamsburg Bridge last night had come from.
"It's my fault!" He was consumed by intense self-blame.
"If I hadn't told Dr. Connors my dad's formula, he wouldn't have experimented on himself and turned into... that!"
He felt like he had messed up again.
Always messing up.
He was dejected, his fighting spirit extinguished.
He had thought that by gaining superpowers, he might be able to change his past failed life, but now it seemed he was still a failure.
Peter blamed himself for everything.
But he hadn't considered why Dr. Connors would suddenly experiment on himself.
All he knew was that no matter what Connors' current goal was, he had to save him.
"I, I should tell the police..."
At that moment, the first thought that flashed through Peter's mind was to call the police.
And he did.
But when he arrived at the police station, he realized how naive he had been.
Who would believe the ramblings of a student?
"I'm telling the truth, Chief!"
Peter said anxiously, not understanding why no one was willing to believe him.
"Alright, Mr. Parker," George Stacy interrupted Peter forcefully.
"Dr. Curt Connors is a renowned scientist, not some Godzilla like you say."
As he spoke, he took off his police uniform and put on a suit.
He had more important things to do than listen to a delusional boy talk nonsense.
That was picking up his daughter and enjoying the Lemon Perch he had missed last night with his family.
"I'm telling the truth!"
Peter anxiously blocked his path.
"Dr. Connors was researching Cross-Species Genetics, but his experiment failed, and he became the Lizard Man! Spider-Man stopped him last night—"
Hearing Peter mention Spider-Man, Stacy stopped.
"Spider-Man stopped him?" He looked at Peter. "Or I have another explanation."
"That masked Spider-Man and the Lizard Man were working together!"
George Stacy was angry when he mentioned Spider-Man.
Last night, the entrance to the police station was littered with gangsters, all thanks to Spider-Man.
Wasn't that a provocation to the NYPD?
Who did he think he was!
"What, how can you say that?" Peter looked at him in disbelief, about to argue when a pleasant voice sounded from behind him.
"Peter Parker?"
Peter turned around and saw a blonde girl standing behind him.
"Are you, Gwen Stacy?"
Peter was a little surprised.
Of course, he knew Gwen, but Gwen Stacy was even more dazzling than Liz, whom he had always liked. He hadn't expected to see her here, let alone that she knew his name and would greet him.
"Wh-what are you doing here?" he stammered.
Gwen tilted her head, looking past Peter at George. The Chief suddenly realized something. He had initially thought Peter was just an ordinary, infatuated student, but now it seemed this kid was a player!
Good grief, he's even hitting on girls at the police station? Does he think he's some kind of big shot?
George Stacy's gaze towards Peter turned hostile.
He roughly pushed Peter aside and said, "She's here to see her father. Do you have a problem with that?"
"Dad!" Gwen called out to George, clearly unhappy. George immediately backed down.
But he still didn't give Peter a pleasant look. "Alright, Parker, I have to go."
George pulled Gwen away, and she waved goodbye to Peter as she was being dragged along.
Normally, Peter would have been over the moon if a pretty girl treated him like that. But things were different now. His mind was on Connors, feeling as heavy as if it were filled with stones.
Leaving the police station, Peter felt the gloom in his heart hadn't lifted.
"If the police don't believe me, then I'll just have to find Dr. Connors myself," he thought.
Connors was dangerous now. Peter wasn't sure what changes the Lizard Serum had brought him, but it was clear that the mutated rat in the lab had become extremely aggressive.
"Damn it, where can I find him?"
"I wish Benny could act with me. Otherwise, I might still mess everything up."
In his eyes, Ben was practically synonymous with omnipotence.
No matter what he did, he would make a mess of it, but Ben could handle things much better. Before, when Flash bullied him, Ben always stood up for him.
Peter sighed and finally decided to go back and ask Ben for help.
Meanwhile, George and his daughter got into a police car.
"Talk," George Stacy, as a father, wasn't in a good mood.
"Talk about what?"
"You and that boy. Are you dating?" George asked sternly. "Don't try to fool me; I can tell your relationship isn't normal at a glance."
"What?" Gwen shrieked. "What are you talking about, Dad? I don't even know him! We're not even in the same class!"
Gwen's panicked denial was a bit of a stretch.
While it was true they weren't in the same class, she had noticed Peter long ago.
Excellent grades, a nerdy, invisible type, seemingly weak, yet possessing a sense of justice.
Gwen had seen Peter stand up for other classmates bullied by Flash Thompson several times.
Flash could tolerate it once or twice for Ben's sake, but with more frequency, he would also lay hands on Peter. Yet, Peter had never been a coward, afraid of being beaten up or embarrassed.
"Dad, what did Peter want to see you about?"
"Peter?" George repeated with a strange tone, thinking his daughter was growing up and he couldn't keep her.
Calling him so familiarly, yet saying they weren't close?
But what could he do?
He then gripped the steering wheel, started the car, and replied with a tone of helplessness, "He said your teacher, Dr. Connors, is the Lizard Man who appeared on the Williamsburg Bridge last night."
"He's crazy!" George was still angry when he said this.
Gwen had been Connors' assistant during her internship at Osborn, and Connors had generously offered to write her a college recommendation letter.
But Peter Parker said he was the Lizard Man – it was preposterous!
Involving her teacher, Gwen was also surprised.
However, she still said, "Dad, Peter hardly ever lies. Maybe he really discovered something. And—"
"Osborn seems to be having some trouble. The doctor sent a message this morning saying we all have the day off."
Gwen's face was full of worry.
George's hand froze mid-air, and the engine suddenly stalled.
He picked up the radio.
"All units, pay attention. Immediately investigate all files on Curt Connors."
Gwen of this universe will be left to Peter, because the Garfield Spider-Man and MJ from that time were truly unforgettable. Other universes' Gwens will be considered later; the female lead will be taken, but the romantic storyline won't be the core.
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