Marvel’s Ultimate Connector

Chapter 59: Cindy and Gwen's Connection, Jessica's Wild Thoughts

Hawkeye wasn't planning to fight head-on.

He swiftly holstered his bow and arrows and turned to run. His enhanced physical abilities, combined with the winding alleys, made it impossible for Doctor Octopus to catch him anytime soon.

Otto, furious, began lashing out with his mechanical tentacles in frustration.

Beams of energy scattered in all directions.

One of them happened to head straight for a girl on the sidewalk—

It was going to pierce her head—

Hawkeye noticed just in time and fired a rope arrow, aiming to pull the girl out of harm's way…

. . .

"What's going on with Felicia?"

After leaving the gallery, Cindy had wanted to check in on her best friend.

"She hasn't replied to any of my messages…"

She glanced at her phone—

Suddenly, her spider sense flared intensely.

Her body reacted on instinct.

She jerked her head to the side, narrowly avoiding a beam of energy. Immediately, she fired spider silk and swung up to perch atop a nearby streetlamp.

Strangely enough, she noticed a rope arrow tied off nearby—dangling in the same spot.

"Who's there?"

Cindy frowned. She couldn't tell who had fired the arrow. But something felt off.

If it had only been once, she might have assumed it was an accident.

But now—with the beam and the arrow—it was clear someone had deliberately targeted her.

This was an attack.

. . .

Hawkeye and Doctor Octopus were both stunned when they saw Cindy's agility and instincts.

Was she… Ghost-Spider?

. . .

Using her finely tuned spider sense, Cindy quickly located both Hawkeye and Doctor Octopus.

Who were they?

Could they be working for Morlun?

That seemed the only possibility. Cindy couldn't think of anyone else who might have a reason to come after her.

Run or fight?

She didn't hesitate—Run!

Poor, nervous Cindy made her decision immediately.

Her life came first!

The wind picked up, tossing her hair around as she covered her face with her collar, preparing to retreat—

But before she could flee, Hawkeye—now thinking clearly—launched a slime arrow at Otto.

A burst of viscous liquid exploded on impact, smothering Doctor Octopus and jamming the joints of his robotic arms, temporarily disabling them.

"A fight?"

Cindy paused, unsure what to make of the situation.

She still didn't know who these people were, but figured it had nothing to do with her.

They could brawl all they wanted—it wasn't her problem.

She spread her fingers, preparing to swing away with her webbing—

BZZZ~~

Cindy froze.

A familiar sensation stirred deep inside her—something like the resonance she'd felt before, when her spider sense intertwined with Ethan Lee's.

Someone's nearby…

As the feeling grew stronger, two figures in sleek combat uniforms landed beside her.

BANG—!

Dust kicked up as Gwen landed gracefully, hands raised, admiring the glow of her suit.

"This new tech feels great~"

Jessica, clad in her own upgraded suit, turned to Cindy.

"Cindy? What are you doing on top of a streetlamp? And… what's that on your fingertips? Spider silk?"

Thanks to Ethan, Jessica and Cindy had met recently. But now, Cindy's behavior and powers caught her completely off guard.

Why does she look so much like Gwen right now…?

"Jessica?" Cindy blinked. "Oh—it's you and Ghost-Spider. The suits are different from the ones I saw on the news."

She jumped down lightly, greeting Jessica but keeping her eyes fixed on Gwen.

Her spider sense confirmed it beyond doubt—the source of the strange feeling was Ghost-Spider.

"Cindy, are you Spider-Man too?" Jessica stepped forward and grabbed her shoulders, staring her down. "Wait… are you the Black Spider?"

It was a bold guess.

Back when they'd picked up their new suits at the club, Skye had passed along Ethan Lee's message:

Don't tell anyone he provided the suits. If someone asks, say they came from Black Spider.

Jessica and Gwen had already suspected that Black Spider might be the same mysterious friend Ethan had mentioned.

That would explain why the Black Spider was always helping Gwen—because of Ethan.

It made sense!

As for the idea that Ethan himself was Black Spider?

Gwen had thought about it… but quickly dismissed it.

He was way too friendly.

Black Spider was cold and distant.

Now, seeing Cindy exhibit powers similar to Gwen's—and knowing how close she was to Ethan—Jessica seriously began to suspect…

Could Cindy actually be Black Spider?

Sure, Black Spider was supposedly male.

But people could disguise themselves, right?

Jessica's gaze drifted down, scanning Cindy's figure. Hmm… a little curvy, but nothing a compression suit couldn't hide…

"Hey! What are you thinking about, Jessica?"

Cindy was completely baffled by the intense scrutiny.

"What's the big deal?"

"I'm not Black Spider," she clarified. "I go by Silk."

Jessica blinked, slightly disappointed.

"Her powers are really similar to mine," Gwen added thoughtfully. "But the Black Spider doesn't use webbing. So I don't think it's her…"

"Right… different powers," Jessica muttered, realizing her assumption might've been premature.

Besides, Black Spider could fly.

---