Hobgoblin Rises Episode One
The night was a very ominous one. It was overcast. No clouds were seen. No stars were visible. The night was just exactly how Spider-Man seemed. Uncertain. Dark. Sadness.
Peter stood atop of his usual gargoyle, which he considered to be a 'crow's nest', a comfortable spot for him to see and observe the entire city. But now, his seated position was not a very relaxing one. Peter was in a daze. He was in shock at the events that had transpired. Tears had stained his umasked face and soot, dirt and sweat made him appear defeated.
'How could this happen?' Peter said over and over.
He couldn't believe what had just happened an hour ago. After he had stopped Otto Octavius, Peter went to the city to help save any civilians in dire need of rescue. It wasn't long until he came upon a building that was blown apart at the top section moments before he faced Otto. From what Peter could tell, the debris had fallen and scattered to the street and hit a couple of restaurants, shops and stores. The damage was what made that conclusion more than discernible.
But the destruction was not the shocking part, Peter eventually came to a nutrition shop and found three people under pounds of debris and plaster. He got the debris off to make sure they were alright. As soon as he got boulders of the store off them, Peter held his breath and he thought his lenses would pop off from the shock of who he was seeing unconscious.
It was Gwen, along with Eddie Brock, who looked as if he were sleeping. Brock was breathing normally but he was knocked out cold. It was Gwen, who seemed lifeless. Peter made his way to her and placed a hand to her face. All the annoyance and frustration that he had felt towards her had disappeared, only worry and despair.
"Gwen? Gwen!" Peter said shaking her slightly. No matter how soft or hard he shook her, she remained unmoving. "Speak to me, Gwen!"
"Uhh…" a voice groaned and Eddie Brock was beginning to come to. A gash on his head and cheek appeared. "What the hell?" he managed to say as he held his aching head with both hands.
Peter had ignored him and instead tried to feel Gwen's pulse on her neck. There was one but it was faint, very faint.
"Hey! Hey! What are you doing? Get away from her!" Eddie said struggling to get up.
"I'm trying to help her!" Peter said. "She's not waking up! Try and get some help!"
"Just get away from her!" Eddie cried out.
"How about you help out that other guy trapped in the rubble?" An unfazed Peter cried out.
"I would…but he's dead. Dead because of you!" Eddie bellowed out.
Peter's heart fell even further down as soon as heard that. He walked over to the boy and ignored Brock's rantings. Further shock wanted him to retch right then and there. The boy was Arthur from school and his neck looked dislocated and blood trickled down his nose and mouth.
"Oh my God…" Peter wanted to say. But he felt dizzy and the words couldn't come out. He felt lost and wanted to faint. The loss was devastating. Gwen was probably half-dead. Arthur was already gone.
So was he. As soon as he heard the ambulances blaring, he did the only thing he could do and that was to leave Brock, Gwen and Arthur in the hands of the doctors. However the loss of Arthur was tragic and Peter felt horrified, almost to the point of being traumatized.
Afterwards, he wanted to go back to the spot where Otto had been. But the police had taken him away, presumably to Ravencroft, as he had heard from one of the enthusiastic police officers, who was fortunate enough to be there to see such a maniac go away. Peter wanted to pummel Otto but his chance was taken away.
One thing was certain. No matter what he tried to prevent, he still failed. 'Maybe I'm not cut out for this whole superhero deal.' Peter thought. Arthur was dead and possibly Gwen and he couldn't do anything to help them.
Now perched atop of the highest building in the world, Peter weighed everything bad with all the good he had done. The balance wasn't there. Peter realized that even if he prevented something bad from happening, another would rise in its place. It was just too much. He couldn't handle it. He couldn't handle the load.
He held his Spider-Man mask in his hand and looked it over. It was wrinkled and filled with soot just as his real face looked. Gritting his teeth when the mask told him nothing, Peter threw it down where it would land far…far…never to be seen again. He didn't know what Uncle Ben would tell him if he was alive. But Peter knew what he would tell him.
"I quit! You hear me! I quit! I don't want to do this anymore!" Peter shouted and cried once more. His cries would be unheard so it was easy for him to cry as much as he wanted to.
He was Harry reborn not Harry the weak anymore.
In the chamber situated in his father's old study, Harry Osborn appreciated and coveted his new abilities. From what he could tell, his strength was ten times a normal human and his speed had greatly increased. He also acquired fighting abilities that could kill anyone that dared challenged him. Harry Osborn felt like a God.
Rajit along with his associates came into the room and as soon as Harry got down from testing his glider, he eagerly listened to what his father's assistant had to say.
"Well, Mr. Osborn, you would be pleased to know that all arrangements have been made in the timely manner. The only question is...what do you wish to do next?"
"Arrangments?" Harry frowned. "What do you mean by 'arrangements?'"
"The company's arrangements are already made. Me and my associates are doing everything we can to make sure the business keeps on running." Rajit said.
"You seem to imply the notion..." Harry said walking toward him slowly and calmly. "...that you run this company. Please tell me I heard wrong."
"I know where you're getting at, sir." A cautious Rajit said stepping back away from Harry. "But after what Otto has done, you need people who actually know what they're doing. We placed our faith in Otto Octavius and that faith has been misplaced and look what it almost cost us. Failure...should not be an option. We need people in the company to do what they're doing. Please consider keeping me on board just a little longer."
Harry had to give a smirk. "Relax...you're still onboard Rajit. I'd never let any harm come upon your person."
"Thank you sir, I just-" Rajit relaxed before he was interrupted.
"For now." Harry added with a smile.
Rajit's smile faded. Harry could tell that his father's associate dodged a bullet for the time being.
"You asked me what I wanted to do now."
"And?"
The glider behind him began to whir and start up and Harry was amused by what happened next. Laser blasts were issued by the glider hitting Rajit's men in the chest. Some of them tried to get out but the firepower was precise and accurate, almost as if every laser blast knew what the men were going to come up next. But their efforts were no good, they were down in an instant. Only Rajit stood there in the middle of the room, shaking with fear.
The laserfire stopped and Harry answered Rajit.
"Practice." Harry smiled.
"Very good shooting, sir." Rajit managed to say though his voice creaked.
"Thank you. Now while you run this company and I'm a potential heir. I want you to do something for me."
"And that is?" Rajit frowned.
"Find my father, Norman Osborn. I know you know he's still alive. Since you run this company, so be it...but under my supervision. You better come up with something vital. I don't expect you to find my father entirely. Find me evidence that suggests he's still alive. Whatever you have had on him and whatever new you come up with, you bring it to me immediately...and then maybe I'll keep you around for a little while longer." Harry grinned.
"Yes sir." Rajit said with a gulp.
Harry seemed satisfied when Rajit left. 'He's going to regret giving me these abilities soon enough.' he thought to himself. As soon as he came out of his father's secret lair, he looked at a certain portrait in the room. 'Alexander the great...' he said and for the first time, he seemed to admire the man. 'One day, it'll be me in a portrait.' he smiled.
