Chapter 28: Shadows in the City

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A sprawling white net swooped in, ensnaring a police car. In a daring move, Spider-Man descended from the rooftop, effortlessly hauling the vehicle to safety.

"Hey! How's the coffee?" Peter quipped, zipping past the coffee shop's floor-to-ceiling windows on his web. Inside, patrons gasped in awe, their mugs nearly spilling as they witnessed the spectacle.

Peter swung over a sleek black SUV, its occupants startled into silence as they ceased firing, momentarily distracted by the superhero in their midst.

Seizing the opportunity, Peter's web shot out, snaring one of the bandits and yanking him out of the vehicle, suspending him from a nearby street lamp after a dizzying descent.

As a police car pulled up to secure the captured criminal, the pursuit continued, with reinforcements en route.

"Wow!" Energized by his success, Peter found his rhythm. With a deft maneuver, he swung back toward the SUV, intent on stopping the remaining criminals.

The gangsters, unsure of who this airborne assailant was, quickly realized he was trouble. A bald gunman leaned out of the SUV, firing wildly. Peter dodged the barrage, swerving to safety just in time.

As the SUV fled the downtown area, Peter followed, aware that fewer obstacles lay ahead. The bald gunman shouted curses, frustration boiling over as he continued firing at the agile hero.

Suddenly, a shadow descended from above, nearly overturning the SUV.

Before the gunman could react, he was hoisted out of the vehicle and tossed onto the road, meeting a grisly fate as the SUV crashed over him.

James, having leaped clear of the wreck, swiftly vanished into a nearby building, blending into the shadows.

As the police arrived, they found the wrecked SUV and the incapacitated criminals.

In the aftermath, three armed robbers were neutralized: one arrested, while the other two lay lifeless.

Footage of Spider-Man's heroics circulated online, catapulting him to local fame. Though two individuals were involved, only Peter's name gained traction, which mildly embarrassed him. James, however, brushed it off, content to operate in the background.

Back home, Peter eagerly tinkered with his suit, his ambitions of citywide renown fueling his creativity.

Meanwhile, James sat pondering the Zodiac suitcase, feeling its secrets beckoning him, yet he remained clueless about its contents.

"James, check this out!" Peter's voice broke into his thoughts, drawing his attention to the computer screen.

A news report announced a terrorist attack on an Afghan garrison, revealing Tony Stark's mysterious disappearance. Stark Industries was grappling with uncertainty in his absence.

For James, Stark's vanishing act barely registered; he felt a fleeting satisfaction at the billionaire's misfortune.

Three months passed, and Stark Industries managed to function without its namesake. Meanwhile, at the orphanage, Grandma Hana anticipated improved conditions for the children, hinting at James's potential return.

Reluctant to go back, James preferred his independence. However, Clarice's pleading eyes stirred a pang of guilt within him.

They agreed to revisit the orphanage once James had established stability. Until then, Clarice would remain, a constant reminder of unfinished business.

After one more night at Peter's, James rented a modest dwelling that would serve as the new headquarters for the Guardians of the Zodiac. Peter helped transfer sensitive items to the new location, preparing for their nocturnal endeavors.

Elsewhere, in an underground garage, boxes bearing the Stark Industries logo sat in rows. A group of men, including Russian mobsters, gathered to discuss their recent setbacks.

The leader in a black suit probed, "Sentinel humiliated you. Have you lost both men and resources?"

Antony fumed, "That guy's invincible. We were blindsided."

"I've heard whispers. Do you know the identity of the archer who aided your escape?" the man in black pressed.

Vladimir shrugged, "He was hired by someone from Romanoff-Francis, a prestigious law firm."

The man in black cautioned, "Keep an eye on Romanoff-Francis. Their connections may run deeper than they appear."

The tension in the room thickened, foreshadowing the challenges yet to come.