"That's how it is. I don't know why it turned out this way."
In the burger joint across from the hospital, Jessica, wiping away tears, recounted her situation in detail to Hawking.
Ultimately, she was still just a high school student. Her entire family was gone in a car accident; how could her heart possibly accept it?
She had been suppressing her emotions for the past few days, which was why she had a breakdown and wanted to end her life. Now, with Hawking as a listener, her emotions were released, and her tears became uncontrollable.
"Jessica, this was just an accident; you can't blame yourself."
Hawking first offered comfort, then explained:
"I estimate your ability to float and your sudden increase in strength are likely due to some reaction between your body and the military chemical agents in that car.
This situation isn't actually that special, so there's no need to worry.
Just adapt to it properly, and you'll be able to master your special abilities."
"I don't want these abilities. I just want them to come back to me, or for me to go to them," Jessica said, wiping away her tears, her voice somewhat dazed.
Seeing this, Hawking immediately became serious:
"Jessica, the dead cannot be revived, and the living still need to live on. I think you can use your abilities to help those in need, to prevent similar tragedies from happening again.
Think about it: if, when your car accident happened, there was someone like you nearby, and she was willing to help, then the tragedy wouldn't have occurred."
"But can I really do it?"
Upon hearing Hawking's words, Jessica's body stiffened.
Perhaps God let her survive this car accident and bestowed her with special abilities precisely so she could, as Hawking said, prevent those tragedies from happening.
However, she was just a mere high school student; could she truly bear this responsibility?
"Perhaps not now, but if you are willing to accept my training, then there is hope."
Hawking led Jessica to a deserted alley outside and used the Deformation Curse to transform into the standard Armor Hero suit.
"It's you!"
Jessica immediately recognized Hawking's identity.
Although she had been hospitalized, there was a television in her room, so she had naturally seen reports about the Armor Hero and Spider-Man on TV.
At the time, she had thought to herself, if the Armor Hero and Spider-Man had been nearby on the day of the car accident, then perhaps her family wouldn't have died.
"That's right, it's me. I plan to form the Hero Alliance, to find a group of like-minded superhumans to prevent more tragedies from happening. Jessica, are you willing to join us?"
Jessica looked at the golden Hawking in the alley. The warm sunlight shone on him, reflecting dazzling light, as if he were a deity.
After about five seconds of silence, she stepped out of the shadow in the alley, and a long-lost smile finally appeared on her face.
"I am willing!"
After failing a suicide attempt, it's actually very difficult for a person to muster the courage to try a second time.
It just so happened that she met Hawking and was given a new reason to live.
"You did well. I will come every day at this time to help you adapt to your abilities until you fully master them."
In an open space not far from the hospital, after helping Jessica with about an hour of ability testing and assisted control practice, Hawking left a message and prepared to leave for O's Group.
Jessica, somewhat breathless, asked:
"When can I join you to fight criminals and help those in need?"
"That depends on when you can control your abilities."
Hawking restored Jessica's hospital gown, then rode his motorcycle away from the open space.
Jessica's strength was significantly less than Peter's, probably because she hadn't fully mastered it yet. However, she had the ability to fly as a supplement, and with a certain period of training, she would definitely be a good helper.
"Young people are so easy to trick!"
Riding his motorcycle, Hawking couldn't help but let out a sigh.
Peter and Jessica were both only high school students, and the more obedient kind, so they were easily swayed by Hawking's few words when their spirits were fragile.
If it were experienced adults, it probably wouldn't work.
For example, the cunning Green Goblin he was about to face.
Of course, to deal with someone like Green Goblin, he would definitely have to switch to a more suitable method, which was to beat him up first, then talk!
For Green Goblin's cunning personality, one must first use absolute strength to subdue him, to make him understand the disparity in their strengths, to make him understand that you have the power to easily kill his entire family, and that you would do so.
Once this premise is established, then discussing cooperation can preemptively avoid many troubles.
"Hello, I would like to see your chairman, Mr. Norman Osborn," Hawking, dressed in a Midtown High School uniform, said anxiously to the female receptionist on the first floor of the Osborn Industries building.
The female receptionist looked at Hawking with a puzzled expression:
"Do you have an appointment, please?"
"I am a classmate of Mr. Norman Osborn's son, Harry. Harry is injured, very seriously!"
Hawking still had a look of extreme urgency on his face.
Upon hearing Hawking's words, the female receptionist dared not delay. She immediately picked up the phone and called the chairman's office, reporting the situation here.
Soon, Norman Osborn rushed out of the elevator and appeared before Hawking.
"How is Harry? Where is he now?"
"He accidentally fell from the second floor and broke his leg. Let me take you to see him quickly!"
Hawking pulled Norman's arm, intending to walk out of the company. Although Norman, anxious for his son, had some doubts, he assessed his own strength and did not immediately refuse:
"Then I'll call him first."
"His phone also broke when he fell," Hawking replied without hesitation.
Norman narrowed his eyes:
"Alright… To the parking lot. We'll drive over, and you give directions!"
If it was true, then he definitely had to go immediately. If it was false, then it was a good opportunity to see who the mastermind was and what their purpose was.
A moment later, a Rolls-Royce sped out of the Osborn Industries building, with Norman Osborn driving and the composed Hawking sitting in the back.
"As long as he's willing to come out, it'll be easy to handle," Hawking thought to himself, looking at the expressionless Norman in front.
He knew Norman wouldn't easily believe him, but it didn't matter; he didn't need Norman to truly believe.
"Yes, turn left, then turn right at the next intersection."
Under Hawking's direction, the Rolls-Royce finally stopped in front of a luxurious Villa.
"Are you sure it's here? Harry broke his leg here?"
At this point, Norman was completely certain that his son's injury was a lie, and the other party simply had another motive.
He had just been recalling, and in his memory, he had never met this classmate of Harry's named Hawking, nor had Harry ever mentioned him.
Moreover, it was only a little past four o'clock, and given Harry's personality, it was impossible for him to come home this early. Harry still had club activities to attend.
Finally, and most suspiciously, he noticed that ever since getting into the car, Hawking, this self-proclaimed classmate of Harry's, no longer exhibited the initial urgency, which was far too obvious.
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