"Luca, we're in big trouble here. Can you come over?"
In the communication feed, seeing Gwen's serious and nervous expression, Luca was slightly surprised.
Although he had been busy preparing for the dimensional war and had somewhat neglected Gwen recently, their last contact was only two days ago. How could a huge problem suddenly arise with the Avengers again?
Besides, wasn't Vision over there helping out? Why didn't he send back any news?
With these questions in mind, Luca focused and listened to Gwen's explanation.
However, as Gwen recounted the story, the expression on Luca's face became increasingly weird.
"You're saying Dr. Otto from Osborn Corp created a new virus serum that affected Dr. Banner? Then Banner injured Tony, kidnapped Natasha and Harry, and plans to release the virus serum to turn all the New York refugees into monsters?"
"Yes, this virus serum can affect the infected person's mind! We suspect that Natasha and Harry might have already been influenced by whatever Dr. Otto created."
As Gwen spoke, Norman Osborn entered the frame. Behind him, Luca could see Tony Stark, looking pale, tinkering with bottles and jars at a lab bench.
"Sorry. Originally, we secretly obtained some of Hulk's blood for research. We didn't expect Otto to be mentally affected by this serum in the end."
Norman Osborn's face was full of guilt as he spoke, seeming deeply remorseful for the consequences of his actions.
Even Tony, who looked unwell in the background, nodded at the camera, seemingly confirming their story.
But looking at the three of them, the weird feeling in Luca's gut only grew stronger.
Why does this sound like the Lizard's plot? Are you sure you're talking about Dr. Otto and not Dr. Connors?
And why does it feel like these three... aren't genuinely nervous?
While Luca was thinking this, Norman Osborn took over the conversation, urging Luca to come over as soon as possible to help capture Dr. Otto and research a cure for the serum, and so on.
Luca responded perfunctorily while subtly moving the communication screen aside and contacting Vision, who was also there, via text message.
However, the reply he got was that Vision had been asked by Tony a few days ago to take Aurantius Industries' engineering robots to New New York to supervise reconstruction.
Although other robots remained on standby at the refugee camp, they only knew there was an explosion and massive power outage at Stark's temporary lab last night.
So there really was an attack?
Luca naturally wouldn't doubt Vision's answer, but even that didn't seem to explain everything.
Just then, Hawkeye suddenly appeared in the communication feed.
He didn't seem to notice the call; he just rushed over and said to the other three:
"Gwen, we just received news. The Stacy family, including your variant and Captain George Stacy, have all disappeared. We suspect they were also kidnapped by Dr. Otto, though the reason is unclear."
Hearing this, Gwen's expression changed drastically. She took two steps towards Hawkeye, then stopped abruptly. Turning back to Luca on the screen, her face filled with grief.
"Luca, help me!"
Seeing this, although Luca still felt something was off, he didn't delay any longer.
After all, any questions could be addressed face-to-face.
He decisively activated the "Spot Express." The next moment, an ink-black portal appeared before him. Stepping through, Luca appeared in front of the group in the blink of an eye.
"Tell me, what do you need me to..."
Luca had barely started speaking when his expression shifted slightly.
He hadn't even finished his sentence.
The reason? The metal ring carved with green patterns on his left hand was glowing faintly red on the inside, almost imperceptibly.
What the hell? Nick Fury isn't even here?!
This green ring was a detection device Luca specifically crafted after discovering Skrulls within S.H.I.E.L.D.
Although it couldn't clearly identify who the Skrull was impersonating, it alerted him to Skrull bio-signatures nearby.
Right now, Luca was certain the ring's detection range only covered the four people in front of him. Which meant...
Someone has been replaced by a Skrull! Is it one of them, or...
A bad premonition rose in Luca's heart.
However, perhaps because he paused mid-sentence, the other four looked at him with confusion.
Just as Luca was about to feign ignorance and speak, the phone in his pocket rang again.
Feeling slightly awkward, Luca pulled out his phone. But upon looking at the screen, he froze. The caller ID displayed the name of the very person standing in front of him: Gwen.
And what made it even more speechless was that, due to their proximity, the "Gwen" in front of him was staring right at the caller ID on Luca's phone.
In an instant, the entire lab fell into a bizarre silence.
Even the three standing further away, who couldn't see the phone screen, realized what was happening.
"It's fake! Dr. Otto just kidnapped the Stacys; he must have used drugs to control her to impersonate me!"
Watching "Gwen" eagerly jump to explain...
Suddenly, the awkwardness on Luca's face vanished, replaced by a calm look tinged with mockery.
He didn't even answer the phone. Instead, he asked flatly:
"Gwen, where are the glasses I gave you?"
"I've been staying at the Stacys' place lately; I left them there."
Facing Luca's question, "Gwen" still answered. But for some reason, her expression, like Luca's, shifted rapidly from nervous to calm.
Not just Gwen. Even the other three present dropped their facades, their faces turning cold as they slowly approached Luca.
"Heh? So it's all of you? Well, that saves me a lot of trouble~"
Spouting words that seemed nonsensical but dripped with undisguised mockery...
The next moment, time seemed to freeze, and Luca transformed into a streak of silver light.