Some people claim they don't want to be superheroes, yet secretly they've already planned their heroic name and even designed a full suit.
Peter shot Bant a mischievous look and teased, "I thought you said you weren't going to be Spider-Man?"
"I'm not," Bant replied calmly. "I just worry that the suit you make will be so ugly, it'll embarrass me in public."
In this universe, Spider-Man was like a mash-up of three cinematic interpretations. Bant wasn't even sure which version Peter would ultimately pull out. If it turned out to be something like Tom Holland's baby-themed suit, that would be mortifying.
"All right, I'll take your word for it… but…" Peter flipped through the sketches and quickly realized that the designs weren't just a single version. There were variations in every color imaginable, and even some high-tech, cyberpunk-inspired suits resembling Iron Man armor. Peter's mind was spinning.
"This is way too many options."
"Then just tell me if you want one or not."
"Yes! Of course, I do!"
In the end, Peter chose the classic red-and-blue variant. He would have loved the Iron Spider armor or the Spider Knight design, but their current tech level made it impossible. Those would have to remain on the back burner for now.
"Using web-shooters is a solid idea," Peter mused, "but the materials we have now aren't nearly strong enough."
The Tobey Maguire Spider-Man had biological web-shooters in his wrists, while the Garfield version's webs came from Oscorp itself; he merely crafted a mechanical device. But Oscorp wasn't producing web fluid in this universe, so Peter and Bant would need to create an entirely new material capable of meeting the tensile strength required.
If Bant could transform into a Spider Monkey, this would be much simpler. He could study the web structure directly. But for now, Peter had to figure it out alone.
"I think I might have an idea," Peter said, a spark of inspiration lighting up his mind.
"Good. Also, I suggest making the web material biodegradable," Bant added. "Otherwise, in a few months, all of New York will be one giant spider nest."
He patted Peter on the shoulder, then gently tossed him out of the room, leaving Peter to ponder. Bant returned to his desk, focusing on other matters.
As he had said before, gaining superpowers meant responsibility. Peter intended to be a hero for New York; Bant wouldn't save the world, but he could be the hero of their household.
"Make some money. Give Uncle Ben and Aunt May a better life," Bant thought.
The idea that had been nagging at him like a ghost resurfaced: founding his own company, Plamos Tech, and becoming a major player in the industry at least on the scale of Oscorp.
"But funding and projects are problems," Bant considered. "Right now, I don't have anything substantial to offer."
The only tech at his disposal were the Iron Man suit and the Omnitrix. The suit, of course, was mostly Stark's patented technology, but with legal loopholes and cooperation with the U.S. government, it could be adapted. Bant had no intention of providing weapons, though.
The other key asset was the Omnitrix. As a Level-20 tech device, it wasn't just for transforming. It contained advanced communications tech capable of instantaneous, galaxy-spanning transmission, teleportation, and nanotechnology.
Each time it transformed, it converted the wearer's clothing into the alien hero's suit via nanotech. That explained why the heroes' colors changed in later seasons from black and white to green.
"Nanotech is a good direction," Bant thought, "but the technical leap is massive, and funding is completely out of reach."
Start-up capital was always the main issue. Scientific innovation wasn't cheap. Even brilliant minds like Doctor Octopus needed banks or sometimes heists to fund projects.
Bant considered alternative approaches. Robbing small-time thugs wasn't viable, but taking on organized crime like the Kingpin or the Yakuza could work.
Of course, that carried far more risk.
With Spider powers alone, Bant wasn't worried about exposure. But Peter choosing to be Spider-Man meant S.H.I.E.L.D. would inevitably take notice. Bant needed to maintain the persona of someone with powers who didn't intend to be a superhero, using his Spider abilities as a decoy while keeping the Omnitrix hidden.
The Omnitrix was too dangerous to reveal. If it became public, S.H.I.E.L.D. or Hydra would stop at nothing to seize it. Bant wasn't afraid of them, but he didn't want the hassle. Plus, funding the projects ethically was another issue. Once results appeared, others could claim credit or seize the inventions.
"There's only one solution," he said, picking up his phone. He dialed a familiar number, knowing the person on the other end had more money than sense.
Even though it was late at night, the call connected quickly.
"Hello, Harry Osborn."
"Don't call me Harry Osborn!" the voice snapped immediately. After a long sigh, Harry asked, "You don't just call me at this hour for nostalgia. How's Peter doing?"
From the first words, Harry implied their relationship wasn't about casual conversation he assumed there was a deeper story, perhaps heartbreak, that prompted Bant to call so late.
But Bant's next words struck like a blade.
"Harry, I remember you wanted to impress Uncle Norman, right?"
"I have a plan!" Harry responded, curiosity and tension sharpening his tone.