Part Four

            Spider-Man swung in towards the flaming apartment building. He landed on the neighboring building, the heat was intense, could feel it from here through his costume. The fire department had arrived and had already set up a perimeter around the site to keep pedestrians safe.

It didn't look like there was much more that he could do here. Peter moved away from the ledge and prepared to swing off.

A tingling sensation ripped through his skull for third time tonight, he was beginning to become annoyed.

            "I've been waiting for you." A voice called from his rear.

            Peter turned around, his eyes widened, his jaw dropped and his blood became ice. Behind him on his ever present glider was the Green Goblin. Wait, something's different about him His skin was not the same bright color instead it was dull, twisted, corrupted. His red eyes gazed out from the gray hood draped around his head. "Either you've gotten new threads or you're a different Goblin."

            "You're right on the second claim, Spider-Man, I am the HobGoblin." He stated calmly, "Although you're first instinct may to be come at me with your fists thrashing away let me assure you I am not here for a fight."

            "You started this?" Peter gestured angrily towards the flames.

            The HobGoblin nodded, "Indeed, I needed some way to reach you. You're not listed in the phone books."

            Peter stared at the flames, he could see casualties being brought into the ambulances below; "You did this! You killed people just to reach me! Are you some sort of a wacko?" He shook his head, "Forget I asked that. Anyone in a Goblin suit must be a lunatic."

            HobGoblin grimaced, "Don't be so brash, my young friend. This was regrettable but I have come with a proposition."

            "Well, I can tell you right now you're already off to the wrong foot." Peter retorted, "Why shouldn't I pound you're ugly mug into the asphalt right now?"

            "Hear me out." The HobGoblin pleaded, "After all, we have a common enemy, the Green Goblin."

            Peter grimaced, "What's this got to do with him?"

            The HobGoblin smiled, he had Peter's attention, "Excellent, I heard about your previous scuffles with him before. Although, you supposedly fought him to a stand-still you could never quite overcome him, correct so far?"
            "Continue." Peter coldly replied.

            "I've been involved in a corporate war with the Goblin for some time, although I myself could never do much to cripple him. I never dared engage in open battle, far too risky."

            Peter raised a hand interrupting the new Goblin, "Hold on a second, are you telling me the Green Goblin is some corporate big shot?"

            The HobGoblin grinned, "Yes, you've probably seen him on the news, might have even shaken his hand once, the point is I'm offering an alliance."

            "Who is he?"

            "For me to know, that's my special little secret." The HobGoblin replied, "When the time is right you'll know."

            Peter was quiet, he stared at the fire and then back into the red eyes of the HobGoblin. "How can I afford to trust you? Except for the fact that you're a smoother talker than he is you're just as bad as he is."

            "How can you afford not to?" The HobGoblin asked, "You've crossed paths with the Green Goblin twice thus far, with rumors of a less public third encounter, the man behind that purple tunic and goofy hat is not one to let bygones be bygones."

            Peter shrugged, "I already know the Goblin would like to tear my head off. So far you haven't said anything besides: let's team up and kick his butt, while that in itself isn't such a bad idea, I don't see a reason to ride along with  what so far looks like to be a poor man's Goblin. I can handle him."

            The HobGoblin laughed, "Oh can you? Let me tell you something, Spider-Man. The Goblin has been asking around with certain contacts he has in the criminal underworld. He's looking for you."

            Peter froze, "What?"

            "Yes, and may I add he's very intent on finding out who you are, obsessed almost, I'd say. All he has to do is gather enough clues and then he can pinpoint you."

            "No he can't." Peter retorted angrily, "Stop trying to intimidate me!"

            The HobGoblin smirked, "I found you." He chuckled quietly, "And when he does, your life will be torn apart in little bitty pieces so that you can see it crumbling down moments before he goes in for the kill. That is if you don't stop him first."

            Peter was silent; the flames were being beaten back by the firefighters. The wind was cold and bitter cutting down to his bone. "What do I have to do?"

            "You'll know. The time isn't quite proper now, but I'll contact you again, Spider-Man. Meet me in Central Park in three weeks, everything will be ready by then." The HobGoblin backed off on his glider, "Until we meet again, Spider-Man." With that note he soared away like a phantom into the night.

            Peter watched the HobGoblin leave and lowered his head quietly. Nothing had gone like what he had expected. Gwen was out of his life, it seemed, but what would become of her?

            And who was this HobGoblin? There was something in his demeanor, behind the smile, pleasantries and inviting eyes that terrified Peter. "Did I just sell my soul to the devil?"

            The HobGoblin cackled, "Wonderful, that naïve costumed freak took the offer just as I expected."

            He banked his glider past the bridge as headed back towards the innards of Manhattan. "Amazing really, he's young, it's obvious yet he's given Osborn such difficulty in the past. No matter, this should be sweet."

            "The first phase of my plan has gone into effect. Spider-Man is now my loyal pawn." The HobGoblin laughed madly, "There's much to do; I can't get ahead of myself, no I must not do that."