I awoke the next day in the home of myself, Norman Osborn, and even though I'd gone to sleep early I felt as though I'd only gotten five minutes worth. Where had all the hours in the night gone? I forced myself out of bed and as soon as my feet hit the cold floor I saw another image...an image involving that green beast I kept seeing. I saw him all the time now, in my dreams and even through out the day in those horrible flashbacks. Who was he? Why was his image haunting me?

I slipped my feet into my bedroom slippers and tied a robe around myself as I walked slowly to the bathroom. When I looked in the mirror I barely recognized myself, God I looked awful. I looked as though I hadn't shaven in days and my hair was a mess. My eyes were bloodshot and I looked as tired as I felt. I would have taken the day off today as well, as I wasn't feeling to well again, but today was the day I was scheduled to meet with the members of the Oscorp board of directors. I somehow managed to shave and get dressed for the day without falling back asleep. After a quick breakfast, I boarded into the back of my chauffer driven car; before I knew it I was being whisked away towards the city and my company.

I arrived on time, taking my seat at the head of the table as I normally did. The members of the board all looked rather stiff and unhappy but what was unusual about that? I called the meeting to order, trying to look more chipper than I felt as I started my spill.

"...the stock is great, the revenues are up, and the company has never been better." I finished, as I stood there, surveying the members of the board.

"Wonderful news Norman, wonderful." One member spoke up, placing his coffee cup down on the table. "That's exactly why we've decided to sell the company. Quest has made us a sweet offer we can't refuse." he said

I stood there, feeling rather numb from the shock. "What?" I asked, finding my voice once more. "No...no you can't do this to me. I started this company. Do you know how much I sacrificed?!" I screamed, before turning to a man who I'd always thought was my friend. "Oh Max...please..." I said, giving him a rather pleading look.

"I'm sorry Norman..." Max said, turning away.

The guy with the coffee cup spoke up once more. "You're out Norman." he said, picking up his cup and giving me a rather annoying smirk, before taking a sip of his drink.

"Am I?" I whispered, wiping a bit of spittle off the side of my mouth before giving them all an evil smirk. That's when it happened...that's when I snapped inside. That green monster I'd been seeing in my dreams, perhaps it was time to bring him to life.

Heh heh heh! Little did Osborn know, I had already brought myself to life, having him accept it just sweetened things a little! With Norman on my side, I could only get stronger and those board members would definitely be sorry they messed with us...

"I know just how to get them too. The World Unity Festival...they'll all be defenseless. Like sitting ducks. No better time to exact our revenge and show off a bit in the process! What do ya say?"

I was on my way back to my house, in my car when I heard the voice. It sounded a bit like my own...but yet it was harsher and more cruel than I sounded. I didn't know who it was doing the talking but I didn't feel like arguing with him at that time, my life was falling apart around me and I felt so helpless. I hated that feeling! Whatever this new feeling was inside of me...whoever this new voice in my head belonged too...perhaps I could let him take over, just for a little while. Just long enough to show those idiots on the board what a mistake they were making. "I'm listening..." I answered back.

Back in the employees lounge at Oscorp...

"Marian? You alright?" came a soft voice as Marian drifted out of her restless nap.

She blinked a few times, before looking up to spot one of her co-workers. "Oh....I-I'm fine." she said, forcing a grin. "Must've dosed off after all that cleaning." she lied, standing up from her chair and brushing the wrinkles out of her lab coat.

"Well you'd better go home and get some rest...the World Unity Festival is tomorrow and all Oscorp employees are required to attend!" said the co-worker.

Marian gasped, "Oh the festival! I'd completely forgotten, thanks for the reminder. Don't worry, I won't miss it. See you there?" she asked, gathering up her purse as she headed towards the exit.

"See you."

Marian smiled with a small nod, before leaving the room to head home from work. She just needed a good nights sleep, then she'd feel better. She couldn't seem to shake this odd feeling that she was having though. It was as if she wasn't in control of her own body anymore and she couldn't help but worry about the amount of gas she'd breathed in during the accident with that brat Andy. Ah, she was sure by tomorrow she'd be back to her usual self again.

The next day at the World Unity Festival...

Marian stood out on the balcony with all the important people of Oscorp. The board of directors, the investors, even Norman Osborne's son Harry and his date. She'd been chosen to stand out there with them and have a prime seat for viewing the goings on below them. Marian figured this was a way of making it up to her for having to clean that horrid lab the other day. She stood awkwardly off to the side however, swirling her drink about a bit as she watched the others talking. She had nothing in common with these people and she figured they didn't even know she was alive really. They didn't care if she was out there or not. She'd certainly made a lot of effort to make herself look nice that morning only to have no one speak to her other than the normal pleasantries. She didn't even look like the same person she did at work, she had her contacts in today and wore her long, blonde hair partially down; along with a flattering mid-thing length black dress and heels.

"And now ladies and gentlemen! Please welcome...Macy Gray!"

Marian could hear the announcer from down below, she smiled slightly, being a fan of Macy Gray, as she stepped to the edge of the balcony to get a good view of the show. She was tapping her foot along lightly with the music and beginning to forget about being the outcast when she heard one of the board members speak from beside her.

"What's that thing?" he asked, pointing to a shiny object flying around Times Square.

"I don't know...why it looks like our glider!" another gasped, pointing it out to everyone.

Marian squinted her eyes, trying to get a better view as the figure on the glider made a few impressive swoops over everyone's head. He'd gotten their attention and the crowd all suspected this was all just 'part of the show'.

Suddenly the figure on the glider turned and headed towards the balcony she and all the other members of Oscorp were standing on. Something wasn't right about this...she slowly started to back away, backing through an open door way just before....

"Ahaha! Out am I?!"

The man in the metallic green suit pulled out some sort of round object and threw it towards a group of board members. The balcony instantly exploded with great force, sending Marian flying backwards from her view point. She landed hard against a wall before she found her balance again, she could do nothing but watch the scene from a distance because she sure wasn't going out there!

The metallic green man threw a few more bombs, each doing something different but deadly. A sudden red and blue streak caught her attention from the corner of her eye...she'd read something about him recently in the Daily Bugle. "Spider-man." she whispered, watching as a fought ensued between Spidey and the Goblin. The Goblin looked like he was holding his own, but Spider-man wasn't giving in too easily and eventually he'd defeated his foe...for now at least. The Goblin flew off on his wildly bobbing glider as he shook his fist in Spider-man's direction. In all the commotion Marian hadn't realized...but she'd been cheering for the Goblin the whole time. She gasped when she realized this, however it soon brought a sly smile to her face and she couldn't help but think *What a brilliant man...*

"We'll meet again, Spider-man!" I hissed as I was thrown for a loop, being forced out of Times Square. I couldn't believe it, I, the Green Goblin as I would later be known as, had been defeated by some guy dressed up as a spandex spider! Of course even this spandex wearing spider seemed to have a good deal of strength. "I could use that..." I said to myself as I finally got my glider back under control. "I believe I'll be making him an offer soon...one that he'd do well not to turn down." I said, emitting a cruel chuckle as I flew back off towards Osborn's penthouse.

I knew I'd have to have some sort of bait, something to draw the spider in. "I've got it!" I hissed, smiling a cold smile from under the mask.

As Marian arrived at home that night she found that she couldn't stop thinking about the green man that morning at the festival. "Who was that? Why was he trying to kill all the members on the board of directors?" she muttered to herself, knowing nothing thus far of Norman Osborn's being kicked out of his own company. That's when something inside of her snapped, something that wouldn't be ignored easily. *You could be like that too you know...you could have money, power, and recognition! Just like you've always wanted...Just let me help you, I know just how to do it...* came a voice from inside her head.

Marian shook her head, placing a hand lightly on her forehead. "Ugh...I'm going crazy!" she said as she changed into her night clothes. *No! You're not going crazy...just beginning to wise up! You've been cast into the shadows your whole life, never been noticed for the genius you are! It's time to change all that my dear...*

Marian stared at herself in the bathroom mirror and as she stood there she couldn't help but agree with the things this voice in her head was saying. She was tired of being a nobody, of being used and thrown about as if no one really cared for her. It was time to change all that...it was time to take action.

She smiled sinisterly at reflection in the mirror and for a moment she didn't even recognize herself...she liked the feeling but she knew to achieve what she wanted she'd need a bit of help. A bit of help in the form of a metallic green goblin.

A.N. The thing that Marian turns into was inspired by a drawing a friend of mine did for me. ^_^ You'll find out what it is later, chapter 3 will be up soon!