The Amazing Spider-Man of Young Justice (Season 1)

The Assassination Attempt

The next morning, the sky over New York was unusually clear, sunlight streaming through the towering buildings as the city buzzed with energy. The event was set to take place in Central Park, where a large crowd had already gathered. A temporary stage had been constructed near the Bethesda Terrace, overlooking the lake. The terrace's iconic stone staircase led up to the platform where Harry Osborn was due to deliver his speech, endorsing the new mayoral candidate. Tall banners flanked the sides of the stage, waving in the slight breeze, each bearing the Oscorp logo in bold, dark green letters.

Peter and Artemis arrived on the scene, keeping a low profile as they wove their way through the crowd. They moved toward a shaded area by the iconic Bow Bridge, giving them a clear view of the stage without drawing attention to themselves. Peter's sharp eyes scanned the area constantly, watching the people milling about, trying to pinpoint any unusual behavior. He could feel the symbiote thrumming beneath his skin, urging him to act, to take control of the situation before it spiraled out of his hands.

"Are you sure about this?" Artemis asked, her voice low, as she leaned in closer to Peter. Her eyes followed his, sweeping over the event, looking for any potential threats.

Peter nodded, though his expression was tense. "Harry's the target. Mister Negative has been hitting Oscorp events, and this one's public. It's too perfect for him to pass up."

The park was alive with excitement as reporters with cameras and notepads jostled for position closer to the stage. Tourists and locals alike filled the rows of chairs set up before the stage, chatting amongst themselves as they waited for the speech to begin. Several security personnel dotted the perimeter, their dark suits and earpieces marking them as Oscorp's hired protection. Peter's eyes narrowed at the sight. He didn't trust them to handle a threat like Mister Negative—not when the stakes were so high.

The faint sound of applause caught his attention, and Peter looked up just in time to see Harry Osborn stepping onto the stage, dressed sharply in a tailored black suit. His face was all smiles as he waved to the crowd, though Peter could see the strain behind his eyes, the nervousness he was trying to hide. Harry approached the podium, clearing his throat as the applause died down.

"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for joining us on this beautiful day," Harry began, his voice carrying over the crowd. "It's an honor to stand before you as we look toward the future of this great city, a future that I believe we can build together."

Peter's focus remained sharp, though he couldn't help but notice Artemis watching Harry with a different intensity. "You okay?" she asked softly, not looking away from Harry.

"I'm fine," Peter muttered, his voice a bit clipped. He was trying to stay calm, but the symbiote's influence made his pulse quicken, pushing an edge of agitation into his thoughts. He didn't care what Harry thought of him, not anymore, but that didn't mean he was going to let him get killed.

Harry continued his speech, discussing the importance of innovation and community, praising Oscorp's contributions to the city's technological advancements. As his voice echoed off the stone walls of the terrace, Peter caught a flicker of movement out of the corner of his eye. A shadow darted between two parked Oscorp trucks near the edge of the gathering.

He tensed, every muscle in his body tightening. His instincts screamed at him, and before he knew it, Peter was already edging forward, his fingers flexing at his sides. He was ready to move, to act, if anything went wrong. Artemis noticed his shift and followed his gaze.

"Do you see something?" she whispered.

"Not sure yet," Peter responded, his voice low and sharp. "Stay close."

Peter felt someone brush against his shoulder. He turned sharply, expecting a security guard or some reporter, but instead, he found himself face to face with Martin Li. The man appeared just as startled to see Peter.