History
The Catalyst was a device created by Project P.E.G.A.S.U.S., which represented the most promising development in renewable energy since nuclear power. Count Nefaria set his sights on the Catalyst to use it as a new source of power for himself.[1] After the device had been moved to Empire State University for a demonstration at a symposium on renewable resources, Nefaria led his Lethal Legion on a raid on the Project P.E.G.A.S.U.S. Facility to murder the scientist who had discovered it, to prevent his knowledge from being used against Nefaria once he got his hands on it.[2]
The Lethal Legion then attacked the public demonstration for the Catalyst. They were first interrupted by Spider-Man, who was overpowered by the villains, and then by the murderous vigilante Sin Eater, who took down the entirety of the Lethal Legion and then Count Nefaria before he could use the Catalyst.[1] Following this theft attempt, the Catalyst remained at Empire State University, but was placed under heavy guard.
When he became indebted to the super villain Chance, Empire State University student Jamie Tolentino suggested stealing the Catalyst to use it as a source of power for his future-predicting invention called the Clairvoyant.[3] After stealing Dr. Connors' access card, Jamie entered the chamber containing the Catalyst and distracted the guards while Slyde snuck into the room via the ventilation systems. Slyde shrunk down the Catalyst using Pym Particles and left behind a decoy. Spider-Man intervened and confronted Slyde, Chance, the Foreigner and the Jack O'Lanterns.[4] During their fight, Jamie used the miniaturized Catalyst to release an energy discharge that knocked out Spider-Man, allowing the villains' escape.
The device was taken to Chance's airborne casino, The Palace, and it was returned to its original size. The Jack O'Lanterns revealed themselves as double-agents for the Finisher[5] and attempted to take off with both the Catalyst and the Clairvoyant. Spider-Man intervened again and ultimately retrieved both devices. With The Palace plummeting toward Manhattan after its battery was destroyed by Foreigner double-agents, Jamie connected the Catalyst to the ship's power grid, giving it power to be diverted from the city before crash-landing.[6]