"So, you want me to help you find Curt Connors?"
Bren asked.
Just a few minutes ago, he had said goodbye to Harry and made plans to work on the lab issue together this weekend.
As for Mary Jane's invitation, he had to apologize.
Before Bren could even make it home, Peter called him up, asking for his help again.
This time, it was about Curt Connors.
"Doctor Connors needs help!" Peter said, filled with guilt. "His experiment turned him into a monster, and it's all my fault…"
"Hmmm…" Bren paused, thinking it over.
Honestly, Bren was actually quite willing to help with Curt Connors' situation. The doctor was kind-hearted, eager to use his inventions for the good of humanity. Besides, with him getting kicked out of Oscorp, if they could bring him into Prymus Technologies, it would be a huge win.
If they could solve the side effects of the lizard serum, it might change the entire medical field.
Many people with disabilities could have their bodies restored!
But Bren really didn't want to go back down into the sewers with Peter.
"I can't do this, Bren," Peter said gloomily. "I always mess everything up, I can't do anything right."
"It's all my fault. If I hadn't given the formula to Doctor Connors…" He buried his face in his hands. "I know I should take responsibility, but I can't, I don't even know where he is or if I can save him. I need your help, Bren!"
Seeing Peter like this, Bren first felt a pang of sympathy, but then became a bit confused. "If you wanted to find him, why did you let him go earlier this afternoon at the Oscorp Tower?"
To be honest, today was probably the best opportunity to capture Connors.
His serum had already run out, and he had gone to Oscorp Tower presumably to get more serum or ingredients. At that moment, Connors didn't have much resistance left.
"This…" Peter froze for a moment, his face darkening further. "I… I was too nervous…"
How could he have forgotten this?
Now, as he thought back on it, Peter wanted to slap himself.
As expected, even with superpowers, he still couldn't do anything right.
Realizing this, Peter grew even more desperate for Bren's help, looking at him with pleading eyes.
But Bren noticed something about Peter's perception that was a bit off.
"You're saying it's all your fault, but that's not really true, Peter," Bren said. "Without you, things would have gotten worse."
"What do you mean?"
"Oscorp fired Connors because his experiments kept failing, and he refused to conduct human trials. Even if you hadn't given him your dad's formula, Connors would have still taken the risk. From the start, the real mistake wasn't yours, nor Connors'," Bren explained.
"So, you don't have to blame yourself, and you don't need to take responsibility for this."
Hearing this, Peter fell silent for a moment, then said, "Even if you say that, I still can't just leave the doctor to his fate."
Bren wasn't surprised. After all, this was kind-hearted Peter.
"I don't mind helping you," Bren said. "But I'm not going with you to find him."
He recalled the sewer battle between Peter and the Lizard. The two of them were so close to drinking the filthy, stinking water from the sewers.
"I know where Connors might be hiding," he said.
"Really?" Peter looked at him in surprise. "But how would you know? You've never even met Connors, nor the Lizard."
Bren was able to explain. "Connors was researching cross-species genetic inheritance, right?"
Peter nodded.
"The genetics of a species affect its survival habits. Just like us, after gaining spider powers, we naturally like to swing through high places."
Even Azmuth couldn't change this. When using the Omnitrix to transform into an alien hero, Bren would be influenced by the genes of that alien, like how Fastlane made him more impatient and Four-Armed King made him enjoy fighting.
Even in the animated series, Bren, after becoming the Ice Phantom, had… offspring...
Of course, Azmuth might be able to deal with that, but the watch was originally designed to ensure the diversity of intelligent species across the universe, so it wouldn't intentionally erase biological habits.
"According to what you're saying, Connors extracted the lizard's genes, and lizards prefer dark, humid environments. Where in New York best fits this description?" Bren asked.
Humidity?
Darkness?
Peter immediately thought of the sewers.
"Underground in New York, the piping system is very developed. If Connors is hiding anywhere right now, I'd guess it's there."
"I'm going now!" Peter immediately wanted to act.
But Bren grabbed his shoulder.
"Wait."
"I can't wait any longer, Bren! I have to find the doctor quickly and fix my mistake!" Peter said urgently.
"Really? How do you plan to fix it?"
"I…"
"After you find Connors, what are you going to do? If he's turned into the Lizard again, how will you deal with him? How will you turn him back?" Bren's string of questions made Peter fall silent.
Each of these questions hit the Matt, but Peter had never considered them before.
Peter was smart, but sometimes, he wasn't good at using his intelligence.
It was like how Superman always uses his super intellect, and the answer he gets is, just use your super strength to charge through.
Peter was the same. Even though he had recently gained spider powers, he had become somewhat too reliant on them. Every time he took action, Peter hardly ever made any preparations. Most of the time, he just used his super strength to solve problems, even when in danger, relying on his spider sense to save him.
But he had forgotten that human intelligence was mankind's greatest asset.
"You're right…" Peter slumped.
"I need to come up with an antidote for the serum, but can I do it? What if my antidote goes wrong?"
Peter said, lacking confidence.
However, this time, his worries weren't misplaced.
In fact, in the comics, to make sure the Lizard villain could be brought back multiple times, the serum rarely had long-term effectiveness.
"Here's the plan: you go find Connors, and I'll help you make the serum."
Bren thought for a moment before adding, "Give me your dad's notes."
**********
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