The Spider-Grind

Ethan leaned back in his chair, staring at the flickering light on the ceiling. The mansion was quieter now, the aftermath of the battle slowly fading into the past. He had a few hours before they were set to leave, but his mind was far from still.

The text from his mom weighed heavily on his mind, dredging up memories he had buried since arriving in this world. Her words were a reminder of the life he once had, a life that now felt like a distant dream. He gripped the sill tightly, the cold metal grounding him.

"It's not about getting them back," he thought to himself. "It's about moving forward."

Ethan sighed, running a hand through his hair. He was exhausted—not physically, but mentally. The battles, the responsibilities, the constant fear of making the wrong choice—it was all beginning to take a toll. Maybe Psylocke was right; he needed to let go of his hesitation. Maybe it was time to appreciate the people around him, the bonds he was forming.

"Next time," he resolved, "I'll spend more time with them. Maybe I'll take Psylocke on a date. Or set Peter and Gwen up—it's obvious they like each other." A small smirk tugged at his lips at the thought.

But for now, there was work to be done.

---

In the common area, Ethan found Peter and Gwen engaged in a heated debate over the merits of pineapple on pizza.

"It's disgusting," Gwen declared, her arms crossed.

Peter looked genuinely offended. "It's a culinary masterpiece! The sweetness complements the saltiness!"

Ethan smirked, leaning against the doorway. "You two argue like a married couple."

Peter immediately turned red, stammering, "W-We do not!"

Gwen rolled her eyes but couldn't hide the small smile that crept onto her face.

"Anyway," Ethan said, cutting in, "I was thinking we could all do something together before the mission. You know, relax for once."

Peter and Gwen exchanged a glance. "Like what?" Peter asked.

Ethan shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe grab some food, hang out. Peter, you could even tell Gwen about that place you love—the one with the amazing milkshakes."

Peter perked up. "You mean Benny's? Oh, they have the best strawberry shakes!"

Gwen raised an eyebrow. "Are you... asking me out, Parker?"

Peter's face turned crimson again,"Relax, it's just milkshakes. And before we forget, we got to collect our new suits from the lab!."

"Nice dodge!". Ethan chuckled,"we'll get back to it later!"

---

The group gathered in the X-Mansion's underground facility, where Forge and Beast revealed their latest creations: the Arachne Suits. The sleek designs were both functional and stylish, incorporating cutting-edge technology and mutant expertise.

Forge stepped forward, holding up the suit meant for Peter. "This one comes with adaptive camouflage, thanks to Beast's genetic research and an increased web fluid reservoir. You'll be able to blend into your surroundings and keep swinging for longer."

Peter inspected the suit, his eyes lighting up. "Sweet. Thanks, Forge. This'll make patrols way cooler."

Beast presented Gwen's suit next. "Your suit features self-repairing nanotechnology, inspired by Wolverine's healing factor, and an enhanced spider-sense amplifier using Cerebro tech. You'll have quicker reaction times and greater situational awareness."

Gwen ran her fingers over the material, impressed. "This is... amazing. Thanks, Hank."

Finally, Forge handed Ethan his suit. Its dark, almost obsidian sheen reflected the light, and its design was more rugged than the others. "Your suit is built for offense," Forge explained. "It can absorb energy from impacts and redistribute it as a punch to a certain extent. It also has retractable Carbonadium knuckle spikes. The spikes maybe small, but they are particularly useful against enemies with rapid healing abilities."

Ethan slipped the suit on, testing its fit and flexibility. "This is incredible. Thanks, Forge. Hank."

"You'll need every advantage you can get for this mission," Forge said. "Be careful out there."

---

Professor Xavier called the group into the briefing room. On the screen was a detailed map of New York City's underground tunnels.

"We've identified two potential locations," Xavier explained. "Cyclops will lead one team to investigate a lead near the Hudson River. Ethan, you'll take the other team into the tunnels beneath Midtown. These areas are connected to Kingpin's operations and could give us insight into his plans."

Ethan nodded. "Understood. Who's with me?"

"Your team will include Psylocke, Logan, Laura, Peter, and Gwen," Xavier replied.

Ethan glanced at Psylocke, who gave him a small, reassuring smile. He could feel the pressure of leadership again, but he pushed it aside.

"Let's gear up," he said, while Cyclops left with Jean, Storm, Nightcrawler, Gambit and Deadpool.

---

The mission led Ethan's team to the depths of New York's underground tunnels. The air was damp and stale, the dim lighting casting eerie shadows on the walls. The tension was palpable as they moved in formation, Ethan taking point with Psylocke by his side.

"This place gives me the creeps," Peter muttered, his voice breaking the silence.

"Focus," Logan growled. "The Hand doesn't mess around. Stay sharp."

The team navigated through a maze of tunnels, avoiding pressure plates and laser tripwires. But as they turned a corner, they were ambushed by a wavelength of Hand assassins. The ninjas moved with precision, their blades glinting in the dim light.

"Here we go!" Ethan shouted, charging forward.

The fight was chaotic. Gwen and Peter swung through the narrow space, using their webs to disarm and immobilize their attackers. Logan and Laura tore through the ranks with brutal efficiency, their claws glinting red in the dim light. Psylocke wielded her psychic blades with deadly precision, her movements fluid and graceful.

Ethan found himself facing off against a particularly skilled assassin, his knuckle spikes clashing against the ninja's blade. He ignored a heavy strike to his chest, the energy dispersing harmlessly through his suit. "Cool upgrade," he muttered before landing a counterstrike that sent the assassin sprawling.

As the group pushed deeper into the tunnels, the attacks grew fiercer. They encountered mutated creatures—horrific abominations enhanced with stolen symbiote DNA. The creatures were fast and resilient, their movements erratic and unpredictable.

"Stick together!" Ethan called out. "Focus on one target at a time!"

Peter and Gwen worked in tandem, their webs ensnaring a massive creature as Logan delivered a finishing blow. Psylocke stayed close to Ethan, the two of them fighting back-to-back as they held off a wave of smaller creatures.

"Ethan, on your left!" Psylocke shouted.

He spun just in time to see a clawed creature lunging at him. He absorbed the impact with his suit and redirected the energy into a powerful punch, sending the creature flying.

As the team caught their breath, they discovered a hidden chamber. Inside, they found a horrifying sight: vats filled with glowing green liquid, each containing a humanoid figure. The figures were partially fused with symbiote matter, their twisted forms a grotesque blend of human and alien.

"This is what Kingpin's been working on," Gwen said, her voice filled with disgust. "Mutant-symbiote hybrids."

The children of Knull... Ethan's eyes narrowed as he scanned the room. "This isn't just about power. He's building an army."

On a nearby table, they found a map marked with several locations. One spot in particular was circled in red—a facility in the heart of New York.

"This has to be it," Psylocke said. "Kingpin's central lab."

"Logan, contact Scott", Ethan clenched his fists. "That's where we're going."

The group left the eerie chamber, with the weight of their discovery sinking in.