"What kind of ability is this? He became my exact double, even his mannerisms are the same!" Peter exclaimed.
The fake Peter smiled, then his form shimmered and reverted back to Klein. "This is a standard-issue item for every official hero at Marvel," he explained. "It can transform your appearance to that of anyone with a similar body type, even mimicking their temperament. The purpose is to protect our heroes' identities and prevent their normal lives from being disrupted."
"It's amazing that this kind of technology exists," Peter said in awe.
Gwen was still pondering the offer. "Is that so? I haven't really thought about it yet. I'll give you an answer later."
Amon smiled, unconcerned. "No problem. We are a formal company, and we don't force anyone to join. Let's talk after you've had time to consider it."
After a few more words, Peter and Gwen prepared to leave. As he watched them go, Amon offered a parting reminder. "Mr. Parker, I sense your luck has not been very good lately. Please be careful, and be sure to hold onto the business card I gave you."
Peter was taken aback. A fortune-teller? Is this guy a charlatan? he thought, but he kept the rude comment to himself. He simply nodded and said, "Thanks for the heads-up. I'll be careful."
On their way to the first-floor lobby of the Marvel building, Peter noticed a very old, ornate silver mirror hanging on the corridor wall. "Is this an antique?" he wondered aloud. "Just hanging out here in the hallway. The security must be incredible." After admiring it for a moment, he subconsciously reached out to touch the mirror's surface, wanting to feel the intricate patterns on the antique frame.
Buzz. That strange, unsettling feeling pulsed through Gwen's mind again. Her spider-sense pinpointed the source: the silver mirror.
"Wait, Peter!" she cried out, reaching to grab his outstretched hand. But she was a moment too late. Peter was already turning at the sound of her voice, and his fingers brushed against the mirror's surface.
"Gwen, what did you say?" he asked, turning back to her. Seeing his hand on the mirror, Gwen felt a wave of confusion. She wasn't even sure why she had called out to him.
The surface of the silver mirror rippled like water, and pale, glowing words began to form. "I am the omniscient Arrodes. You may ask me a question."
"Hey, there's a sentence on the mirror!" Gwen exclaimed, pointing for Peter to look.
"A sentence?" Peter read the pale words. "Is this some kind of advanced artificial intelligence?" he speculated.
A man with a face as black as soot walked up to them, a gloating expression on his face. "Haha, you're in for some fun now, kid!"
Gwen looked at the man, her brow furrowed in disapproval. "Who are you? Did you just crawl out of a chimney?"
The man straightened his clothes and tried to smooth down his singed, fluffy hair. "Leon Jones," he announced. "Aspiring superhero. This mirror is very... interesting."
Peter asked doubtfully, "What did you mean just now? What's wrong with this mirror?"
Leon shrugged, a look of feigned indifference on his face. "Nothing. Just ask it a question, and you'll find out." He smoothed his hair again, thinking, When will this damn afro go away?
"What a weirdo," Peter muttered. He turned his attention back to Arrodes and thought of the perfect question. "Why did that guy named Leon say that? Is there a problem with you?"
The surface of Arrodes shimmered, and an image appeared. A handsome young man and a sturdy, well-built youth were walking down the corridor. They, too, stopped in front of Arrodes. The handsome young man, much like Peter, reached out and touched the mirror. He then started laughing and joking with his companion. Suddenly, his expression changed, and a bolt of lightning appeared from nowhere, striking him down. The image zoomed in, showing the young man's face, now charred black by the lightning. It was, unmistakably, the gloating Leon.
Leon's face froze. He hadn't expected his embarrassing moment to be replayed for all to see. More words appeared on Arrodes's surface. "Leon Jones lied when answering the question and was punished according to the rules."
"So that's how it is. No wonder that charcoal-faced guy was gloating," Gwen muttered, just loud enough for Leon to hear.
Leon's soot-black face flushed with shame. He wanted to sneak away, but his curiosity about what question Arrodes would ask this new victim kept him rooted to the spot.
The mirror's surface changed again, a new line of pale text emerging. "In accordance with the principle of equivalent exchange, you must now answer a question for me. If you answer incorrectly or lie, you will be punished."
"Here we go," Peter thought. He had already anticipated some sort of punishment; the singed man beside him was all the proof he needed. "Ask away."
"Peter Parker, do you feel inferior and unworthy of your loved one now that she has gained superpowers and become superior?"
Peter was stunned for a moment but remained outwardly calm. Gwen, however, shifted uncomfortably, her eyes filled with a complicated mix of emotions. Does Peter feel inferior? she wondered.
Peter took a deep breath, looked back at Gwen, and said with a nonchalant shrug, "Gwen, it's fine. Having such a beautiful and outstanding childhood friend, anyone would feel a little inferior. It's normal. You don't have to worry about me."
"Peter..." Gwen's eyes grew moist.
"Yes, you are right."
"Correct answer," the pale words on the mirror seemed to declare, their light fading slightly.
Leon, watching from the side, felt a growing sense of injustice. This is wrong! he screamed internally. They're practically flirting! Why am I the one who gets socially executed, while they get a relationship-building moment? He felt like the mirror was personally targeting him. Too embarrassed to stay any longer, he covered his singed hair and slunk away.
Peter reached out again, wanting to touch the mirror once more. This time, Gwen grabbed his hand and held it fast. "Peter, what are you doing? Didn't you see what happened to that guy? You'll be struck by lightning! It's a magic mirror!"
Held in Gwen's grip, Peter couldn't move his hand an inch. Forty-three tons of force is just insane, he thought with a sigh before explaining, "I'm thinking this mirror, Arrodes, can see into thoughts I've never even expressed. Maybe it can tell us what really gave you your powers. What if it wasn't the spider? What if it's something else, something dangerous? If it can tell us, we can deal with any hidden danger before it's too late."