Chapter 38: Chapter 38: Do You Really Have to Come Through the Toilet?
In the sewers beneath New York City, Dr. Connors lurked in the shadows like a creature trapped between two worlds.
The effects of the lizard serum had worn off once again, leaving him feeling more vulnerable and pathetic than ever before.
After experiencing that intoxicating rush of power, Connors could barely tolerate his current weak, disabled state. He was fragile, powerless, reduced to hiding in the darkness like some pathetic scavenger. A random infection or minor accident could end his miserable existence entirely.
And above him, throughout this sprawling metropolis of New York, millions of people lived equally fragile and tragic lives.
"I can save them all!" Connors whispered feverishly, leaning his weakened frame against the stained concrete wall.
Burning conviction flowed through his fragile human body like molten metal! He felt the crushing weight of destiny on his shoulders—the responsibility to lead humanity, a species that had reached the evolutionary dead end, toward a broader future and a new path forward.
Only by abandoning their current weak human forms could the people of Earth gain the strength and evolutionary potential they needed to survive!
"I have to be their savior!" he declared to the empty tunnels.
"My discoveries will transform the entire world!"
Even though Connors had reverted to human form, his mind remained fundamentally altered by the lizard serum's influence. He genuinely believed that humans were inferior, fragile creatures, and that he alone possessed the knowledge to change everything—to spread this "blessing" to all people so they would never again suffer from disease or weakness.
Of course, Connors understood that not everyone would immediately appreciate the dramatic physical changes that came with becoming a lizard hybrid. But in his twisted perspective, their resistance would only last until they experienced the incredible power that accompanied the transformation.
Once they felt that strength coursing through their bodies, they would become completely addicted to the sensation. As for the changes in appearance—who would care about such superficial concerns when they possessed superhuman abilities?
Connors was lost in these grandiose thoughts when a sharp voice suddenly echoed from behind him.
"Excellent thinking, Doctor!"
"Who's there?!" Connors immediately became alert, his human instincts still sharp despite his weakened state.
He spun around and peered into the darkness with predatory wariness, watching as an elderly man with distinctly bluish skin emerged from the depths of the tunnel system, regarding him with obvious admiration.
"You can call me Dr. Animo!" the stranger said excitedly, his thin lips pulling back in what might have been a smile but looked more like a death rictus.
He seemed completely unbothered by the filthy, toxic environment of the sewer system. His voice carried passionate excitement as he continued, "Dr. Connors, I am someone who shares your noble vision! We both want to change this world and make it a far better place!"
Connors was far too intelligent to be swayed by a few well-chosen words from a stranger. He studied Dr. Animo with the cold, calculating gaze of a predator evaluating potential prey, ready to strike at the first sign of deception or threat.
"Please, don't be nervous, Dr. Connors. I mean you no harm whatsoever," Dr. Animo said in soothing tones. "On the contrary, I'm here to offer you a precious gift that will advance both our causes."
Dr. Animo clapped his hands together, and immediately, terrible echoing sounds emerged from the empty tunnel system behind him—deep, resonant notes that reverberated like distant thunder.
Connors' enhanced instincts immediately triggered a powerful sense of impending danger.
He stared into the darkness where four scarlet eyes were beginning to glow like demonic stars! Then, the creature hidden in the shadows began approaching with the inexorable presence of a moving mountain.
Connors was genuinely stunned by what he saw.
"Allow me to present to you," Dr. Animo announced with theatrical flourish, his shabby clothing doing nothing to diminish his grandiose gestures as he raised his hands like a showman displaying a priceless treasure to an amazed audience, "my masterpiece!"
"A genetically enhanced organism!"
Connors remained frozen in place, unable to process what his eyes were showing him.
What emerged before him was a massive frog-like creature standing three or four meters tall—as large as a small building and clearly capable of swallowing a human being in a single bite!
"How did you accomplish this?" Connors demanded, his scientific mind overriding his fear.
As an expert in reptilian biology, Connors was well-versed in amphibian physiology, even though frogs weren't technically lizards. But given the structural limitations of a frog's anatomy, it should have been physically impossible for it to grow to such enormous proportions! Its skeletal system couldn't possibly support its current mass, and gravity alone should have crushed it into organic paste!
"This is my greatest invention—the power of genetic manipulation technology!" Dr. Animo proudly pointed to the device mounted on his head while cunningly concealing the fact that the Transmodulator also granted him complete control over his mutated creations.
He continued with growing excitement, "This world is far more complex than it initially appears, Dr. Connors."
As a brilliant scientist capable of creating sophisticated technology from common commercial components, Dr. Animo had immediately begun investigating this new reality after his arrival.
He'd discovered not only the existence of Iron Man but also a mysterious organization called S.H.I.E.L.D.
This knowledge explained why Dr. Animo had been operating with such unusual caution since his dimensional displacement.
He took a step closer to Connors, who remained transfixed by the sight of the gigantic mutant bullfrog. Dr. Animo's voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper.
"Don't you think that in order to realize our grand vision, we need to acquire much greater power and eliminate those who would dare to stand in our way?!"
His words carried the fervor of a true believer as he continued with building intensity.
"Biological evolution follows the principle of survival of the fittest!"
"Your lizard serum combined with my genetic enhancement technology—together, we can create superior species, more powerful forces, something far more—"
Dr. Animo took a deep breath, and his voice echoed through the tunnel system like the whispered promises of a dark god.
He was so excited that he nearly exploded into shouting, but he maintained control.
Instead, he moved closer to Connors and whispered directly into his ear: "—a more glorious civilization than anything this world has ever seen."
Connors turned his head, apparently overwhelmed by the scope of Dr. Animo's ambition, and remained silent for a long moment.
Finally, he spoke with obvious confusion: "You..."
Dr. Animo smiled expectantly, waiting for Connors' enthusiastic response and admiration.
"What did you just say?" Connors asked.
Dr. Animo nearly collapsed in frustration.
I delivered that entire passionate speech about reshaping civilization itself, and you're asking me to repeat myself?
"I said we should combine our technologies to create a new world order," Dr. Animo said through gritted teeth.
"Oh, right," Connors nodded slowly. "That's a brilliant plan, but we'll need to eliminate someone who's been interfering with our work first!"
Connors was referring, of course, to Spider-Man.
However, Dr. Animo shook his head and mysteriously produced a small orange crystal from his coat. "We have more than one enemy to consider. The power of lizard transformation alone won't be sufficient for what we're planning."
"Is that... amber?" Connors asked, studying the crystalline object.
Meanwhile, at Midtown High School, Ben was heading to the restroom for what he assumed would be a routine break between classes.
But at that moment, his spider-sense exploded like a fire alarm in his mind, and every hair on his body stood on end.
The next instant, the entire restroom began shaking as if a localized earthquake had struck. As Ben watched in complete bewilderment, a section of the floor suddenly collapsed inward, and a massive green head emerged from the ground, pushing aside a toilet bowl like it was made of cardboard.
Dr. Connors? Did you really have to make your dramatic entrance through the toilet?
Ben didn't fully understand the logistics, but he was definitely shocked by the audacity of it all.
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