Perched atop the branches, covered by the tall trees and tangled branches Peter watched over the Wayne Manor with a pair of binoculars. Dotted around the mansion’s walls were tents, news vans and media officials all abuzz with the recent Wayne Family scandal.

“I didn’t know the Waynes were this big,” Peter said through the radio. Barbara’s voice crackled to life on the other side.

“They’re essentially celebrities in Gotham,” Barbara said. “Did you see anything on Alfred or Jason?”

“Alfred’s doing his usual rounds around the mansion,” Peter said. “Jason and Bruce are still stuck in the cave I assume. I don’t get why it’s such a big deal though. To Bruce, I mean.”

“His parents are the whole reason he does this.” Barbara paused. “I’m worried about him. I tried calling him to see how he’s doing but he hasn’t been answering my calls.”

“That means he’s not taking it well,” Peter said. He took out his binoculars and noticed a drone buzzing atop the windows. “Drone.”

“On it.”

The drone flickered to life for a second before plummeting to the grass.

“What do you think?” Peter said.

“About?”

“The whole scandal?”

Barbara paused. “I mean we still don’t know if it’s the truth or not…”

“What if it is?”

“Well, I’d be worried about Bruce,” Barbara said. “But there’s also the fact that no matter how much we love them, our parents aren’t perfect. They’re human just like us and I don’t think Bruce realises that.”

“Drone.”

Another drone landed, this time it crashed into the fence.

“What about you?” Barbara asked.

“Well, I didn’t really care much about the Wayne family,” Peter said. “Growing up, Bruce was my hero. He was an orphan just like me but that didn’t stop him from doing good things for the world and for orphans like me. But that was before…”

“The incident.” Barbara said.

Peter chuckled. “Yep.”

Just then, Peter’s phone started to ring. “Hold on, I think I have to take this.”

Peter took out his phone and sure enough it was Dr. Curt Connors.

“Parker, you’re running late,” Connors said.

“I’m sorry,” Peter said. “School work, I’ll be there in…”

“What did I say about discipline?” Connor said. “Part of being disciplined is being on time.”

“Yes, Dr. Connors,” Peter said. “I’ll be there in a jiff.”

Peter hung up. He pressed the radio. “I have to go to work. You’ll be fine on your own?”

Barbara nodded. “Yep. I have access to all the secret Wayne cameras outside, even the ones Bruce didn’t give me permission to use.”

Peter was genuinely surprised. “Oh wow, you’re really good at this aren’t you?”

Peter didn’t have to see her face to know she was beaming with pride. “Yep. Spending most of my time with computers you tend to learn a thing or two.”

Peter started to swing away.

“Remember we still have to visit the Santinis after work,” Barbara said.

“I mean I could always do it myself,” Peter said. “You don’t have to…”

“Peter,” Barbara said firmly. And that was the end of the argument.

“Alright,” Peter said. “I’ll see you there.”

Peter hung up. He perched atop a branch and launched, attaching his web to another tree he swung across the branches….

Only for the branch to snap, leading him to slam onto the ground with leaves spread across his face.

Peter groaned. “Story of my life.”

…

Peter had to flap around his limbs trying to put on the lab coat as he made his way to the glass windowed office. Connors was waiting for him.

“You’re late Parker,” Connors said.

“Yes, I’m sorry…”

“Doesn’t matter,” the doctor said. “Let’s get to work.”

They started work on the formula.

“You told me you’d synthesis the last formula?” Peter asked. “How did that go?”

“It didn’t work,” Connors said with an exasperated sigh. “Maybe you can take a gander, see what I missed.”

Peter stared at the formula scrawled across the board written in a lime green ink. He walked into the corner and noticed something off.

“Dr. Connors,” Peter said. “You might want to see this.”

Dr. Connors walked towards the board, right at Peter’s side.

“Go on, Peter,” Connors said.

“Well, you see,” Peter said. “I think we should decrease the amount of Lithium Carbonate.”

“That’s too risky,” Connors said. “We’re dealing with DNA transfer and integration. The Lithium exists to make sure the DNA doesn’t alter personality.”

“But I feel as if it’s reducing the potency of the DNA alteration,” Peter said. “It’s reducing the purity. I agree it’s a delicate balance but we’re working with very little time and…”

Connor’s nod was grim. “I understand where you’re coming from Peter. I’ll reduce the Lithium percentage and begin the synthesis. I will let you in on the results.”

Peter nodded. “Yes. I haven’t had the best luck lately but fingers crossed it goes according to plan.”

Curt held up his left hand. “Fingers crossed.”