Chapter 154 - 150
Outside one of the cells in SHIELD headquarters, Nick Fury peered through the one-way glass. Inside, a figure in a white prison uniform sat silently on the metal bed, staring off in a daze. His hair was disheveled, obscuring his face, but the aura he projected was unmistakable—worn, defeated.
Beside Fury, Agent Maria Hill observed with a trace of complexity in her expression. "Over the past two months, we've conducted numerous tests on him," she said quietly. "His muscle density is forty-eight times that of a typical person, and his bones are as strong as metal. Yet, his original abilities have either disappeared or deteriorated for reasons we can't determine."
She continued, "His genetic structure is remarkable—far more refined than that of an ordinary person. However, the sequence is impossible to replicate. And ever since his arrest, he's been like this: silent, uncommunicative, though he cooperates with every test and procedure we conduct."
Fury's eyes stayed fixed on the dejected Peter Parker, his expression unreadable. "He's being weighed down by his own conscience."
Hill nodded. "Yes. He's young, and he's lost himself in all of this. I think we need to guide him."
Hill knew precisely what Spider-Man had done. From SHIELD's standpoint, Spider-Man's decision to let the Green Goblin go—following his own impulsive principles—had led to catastrophic damage. There was no question: it was a grave mistake. Legally and morally, Spider-Man's arrest was justified.
Yet, after two months of regret and self-recrimination, he was still struggling to recover. It was a testament to his character, Hill thought. On a personal level, she sympathized with him. Many SHIELD agents had faced similar guilt after making tragic choices. However, from a practical perspective, she believed Peter Parker could be redeemed—but only if he was willing to change.
"I don't have time to wait around for him to come to his senses," Fury said coldly.
He hadn't detained Peter Parker simply because of a mistake; he saw potential in the young man, an opportunity to turn him into a valuable asset.