[A/N: Here comes the hard left turn…major reset coming….]
Chapter 13 [A Week Earlier—NYC Warehouse District]
Luna rode high in Midnight's sky. Stars danced about her. A gentle breeze wafted down through the brick, mortar and concrete jungle. Silence muffled most sounds and traffic despite the activity only a few blocks away.
Something sinister was going down…or at least it seemed that way….
Strange blinked his eyes. He rubbed his forehead. Anticipation had underestimated the taxing nature of his journey. "By the Vishanti. I wish Reed Richards had helped me." He breathed deeply. Each lungful of air granted more composure. His vision cleared. He peered out into the nearly empty street. This should be the right place. I just hope Peter's memory was correct. He waved his fingers.
His form shimmered. Rather than his costume, he seemed to wear a rather worn red flannel shirt, blue jeans and scuffed brown shoes.
"That will do better." Strange noticed smoke leaking from a nearby warehouse's windows and doors. "I believe that should be promising." He cast Detection's spell to discern the cause.
Sure enough, the spell picked up on a brawl within the building. Two dozen men attacked another with a familiar aura….
…Peter…
By Oshtur! I have done it. I have made it in time! Strange now spied the mailbox just down the street. Just as he was about to start for that point, he saw his quarry stagger out of the warehouse. Memoria pinned that man as the Green Goblin. And there he is!
He began to mouth another spell….
[A/N: And now we jump back into the What If? Again]
The Goblin slipped away from the warehouse. He glanced over his shoulder toward the ongoing battle behind himself. Ambitions had seemed so close minutes earlier. Spider-Man seemed dead. He'd gathered mobsters to rival the Kingpin's organization. Illicit monetary infusions would've brought Oscorp back to a solid footing again.
Woulda…Coulda…Shoulda….
Spider-Man crashed the affair. Focus remained keen. Drive propelled him through the deadly thugs as Scythe striking through wheat. Even with his back turned, Spider Sense enabled him to thwart a Goblin sneak attack.
Gwen's close call put the Wall Crawler on task. She wouldn't face another one if he had anything to say about it…
The Goblin skulked out over the potholed blacktop. Frustration stewed within his gut. So close! I almost had it! He ground his teeth. Pain pounded at his temples. Those simpletons will force my weaker self from Oscorp! As if his milksop son could run it? He curled his lip. Parker! Always Parker! He staggered step by agonizing step away from the warehouse. He had to get away from there. He needed time for his next move. He'd….
The mailbox sparkled in the lamplight.
Realization dawned across his consciousness. He narrowed his eyes. But why prolong this agony any further? I can't escape Spider-Man and I was never meant to! The gods raised me to greatness…removed me from the shackles of my weaker self… His hand reached the lamp post by his target. …only to dash my dreams of conquest to the dust! The mighty Green Goblin! An unwitting foil in a ghastly cosmic jest! He placed his hand on the blue metal receptacle.
Vengeance reminded him of his backup plan. It brushed the bag of tricks against his side and hip.
He stuck his hand into the bag. But I will not meet my fate passively! I'll fight that meddling Parker to my last breath and beyond! He brought out the most dangerous gimmick from that bag…more so than his razor bats, pumpkin bombs, gas bombs or ghost imprisoning bags…
…a seemingly normal manilla envelope….
He grinned. This envelope, mailed to his greatest enemy save myself, insures my victory no matter what happens tonight! He waved it in the air. Then he turned toward the mailbox.
An energy field enclosed it.
"What is this? Parker can't…!" The Goblin glared at his surroundings.
Flames ignited the envelope and its insidious contents.
"What? NO! NO!" The Goblin dropped the burning envelope. He tried to stomp out the mystical flames to no avail. "WHY WON'T IT GO OUT? WHY…?" He watched the yellow envelope, the documents, negatives and pictures inside curl, blacken and char under Emerald Fire's assault.
Breeze scattered Ashes on the wind.
"AHHH!" The Goblin curled his lip. "Green fire?" Menace hissed through his teeth. He grabbed for a pumpkin bomb. "COME OUT!"
"You have done enough." Strange strode from the shadows. He cast another spell.
Energy bound the Goblin's arms to his sides and his ankles. "You will pay…for this!"
Strange allowed the threat to pass without reply. He touched the villain's forehead. "Sleep and forget."
The Goblin went limp within the bonds. His eyes closed. Slumber claimed his mind.
Strange touched Osborn's forehead. His eyes glowed. "In Darkness Deep/Toward Light's Shine/Goblin Away Creep/From Osborn's Mind!"
The Goblin's eyes snapped open. His mouth contorted in a silent scream. Then he slumped once more to the ground.
Dark Wisp emerged from Osborn's back. It rose as if to escape from the scene.
Strange opened a portal to trap the fleeing mental construct. He watched it vanish from view. "Now for your attire." He waved his hands once more.
The sleeping form's costume shimmered and vanished. In its place, a dark blue suit, shirt and tie adorned Osborn instead.
"Now the world will not miss the Green Goblin." Strange assessed Osborn's sleeping form. "Now your mind is whole once more, Norman Osborn. Spider-Man's secret is safe." Satisfaction and Relief warmed his heart and relaxed him.
Right on cue, Spidey swung over the scene. His eyes scoured the area for the Goblin. I can't let him get away. This has to end so Gwendy and I can have our lives! He spied Strange and Osborn on the street below. Doc Strange? And what's going on with Osborn? Questions bubbled up in his mind. He landed on the street beside his friend. "Doc? No demons or wizards running around tonight?"
"Not now. I banished the Green Goblin forever, my Friend. Whatever happens to Norman Osborn now, it will be his destiny to write from now on." Strange smiled and offered a curt nod. "He will not endanger your progress any longer."
"You…just banished that part of him?" Spidey raised an eyebrow under his mask. Disbelief shook his head. "Just like that? You waved your hands and he's normal?"
"Indeed he is. Perhaps you might see him home? Until our next meeting." Strange murmured another spell. Emerald Flash swept him away from there.
Spidey shook his head. "He just sweeps himself off with a wave of his hand. Unreal." He picked Osborn up. "The brownstone it is." He shot a web line toward the next building and swung away into the night.
Destiny was revised again….