Hero
Part One
Jameson stared out the window of the Bugle grimly, "Where's Parker, the kid hasn't been with pictures of any kind for days."
Robertson shrugged, "It's been a busy time with his graduation and all." He looked at the rival newspaper headlines, "That was some really crazy stuff last night wasn't it?"
"Yeah, crazy, it was crazy that we didn't have anyone out there to cover the story? Correct me, if I'm wrong but are we running a nursery or a newspaper here?" Jameson asked irately. "An entire building gets blown up and not one photographer in sight, Leeds had better get a hell of an exclusive when he gets back, otherwise I'll have to re-print one of my Spider-Man editorials."
"I'm sure he will; Ned always comes through." Robbie replied putting the Times down on the table in Jameson's office, "Hey, JJ do you want to go out and get a coffee?"
"It's only ten and you want a break now?" Jameson barked, "Why don't you just take the rest of the year off?"
Robbie frowned, "What are you talking about; we've been working thru the entire night."
Jameson shrugged, "Sorry, I've been on edge for the last few days. I-I feel like there's a big story just waiting for me out there." He took a whiff of the air, "It's just under my nose; I know it! It's waiting out there and I haven't the faintest clue as to what it is."
"Are you sure you don't want some coffee?" Robbie asked, "It might clear your mind."
JJ shrugged, "Why not?" He said walking away just as a crimson figure swung by the window.
"I'm having doubts about this, Osborn." Otto said in the safety of Norman's penthouse, "Destroying Spider-Man is one thing but what you want us to do to them is unspeakable? I don't know if it is necessary, we've already obtained his attention I'm sure." One of his tentacles rubbed his chin gently, "Perhaps…we should let them go?"
The Green Goblin hovered on his glider menacingly; he slowly moved towards the good doctor, "Let them go?" He smirked, "Please, tell me Otto, am I speaking to the same Dr. Octopus that took hundreds of people hostage at the circus just a few weeks ago, because that man was ruthless not a timid weakling."
Otto's entire stature became more aggressive, "The death of Spider-Man is as paramount to me as it is to you. He stripped away my last chance to become normal again; it is his fault that I am the wretch I've become."
"Then what is the fate of two women when compared to your burning lust for revenge?" Norman asked gesturing towards Gwen Stacy and Mary Jane both gagged and bound with ropes in a dark corner of the warehouse.
"But must they die?" Otto asked, "I understand the necessity in using them as bait, I even understood why you killed the old man when he resisted but killing these two no matter the outcome? If Spider-Man is dead what does it matter?"
Norman grinned towards Mary Jane for a moment, "Because Parker's suffering is only half his debt to us, his true defeat will come in his failing to save those he loves. I have no idea why you're getting cold feet suddenly; you seemed fully prepared to kill those people in the circus?"
"I was bluffing." Otto admitted, "Spider-Man was my target not them. Yes, I've killed Osborn, but it was all because he left me no choice! I have no further desire to stain what remains of my humanity with the blood of the innocent." He grimaced towards the blonde, "It seems so unnecessary." He whispered, "Why should they suffer for the sins of another?"
Norman leaned in, still hovering over him on his glider as if they were confidants, "Look at yourself; Otto." He circled Dr. Octopus carefully, "Look at those things on you."
Otto stretched out one of his tentacles grasping it with his fingers, "Yes, I know do not think I've forgotten."
"Then would you allow the man that ruined your chance for normalcy to escape so easily with such a little thing like death?" Norman shook his head, his yellow eyes growing as bright as Otto had ever seen them, "That's not justice, not for your lost humanity or my dead son. It has to be paid in full or he will never learn."
"Very well, Osborn." Otto grimaced, "I'll do my part."
Norman placed his hand on Otto's shoulder, "Are we on the same page, doctor?"
"Yes." Otto vowed, "We are on the same page."
"Excellent." He flew towards the young women and picked up Gwen first, "Here, doctor, Ms. Stacy I shall leave in your caring hands." Norman threw her to Otto who gently grabbed Gwen in the grip of one of his tentacles and then picked Mary Jane up off the ground, "The redhead I shall take for myself. She's the one who cast aside my Harry for Parker. You share as much responsibility for Harry's death as does Spider-Man. You should have been there to strengthen, to inspire him with confidence, not in bed with his best friend, for that there must be restitution, isn't that correct, whore? And so must the child you carry pay off your debts as well." He exclaimed placing his hand just below her stomach. The wiretaps he had placed in the Parker home had truly paid off. "Isn't that right?"
Otto was quite sure of it then. Norman was undeniably totally insane.
Peter smashed down the door to Osborn's penthouse with his fist and immediately entered. His spider-sense warned of no immediate danger; that was not what Peter had been hoping for.
His costume still bearing the scars from his battle just a few hours ago revealed bruises across his face, revealed the exhaustion that he felt. Peter ascended the stairs, ever careful for either Norman or Otto to make an appearance.
He fully intended to snap both their necks given the chance, they had declared the rules of war and now Peter was going to play their silly little game to its deadly conclusion, win or lose.
Entering Osborn's study, Peter surveyed his surroundings. One of the cabinets hung open nearby a window. Inside were spare Green Goblin costumes and equipment. When he came to the center of the room the large-screen television that hung on the wall suddenly came to life.
The hideous mug of the Green Goblin appeared before him. "Well, if it isn't my favorite web-slinger, come to take back your precious Mary Jane and Gwen?" He laughed, "Do you really think I'd jeopardize my standing in society by fighting you here?"
Peter grimaced, "Where are they Osborn?"
"No I'm far too clever for that, Parker." He realized it just a recording that Norman had left behind, "I wish I could have been there to see your expression when you found the house in flames and your dear old uncle Ben dead among the wreckage but what I have in mind will suffice. I also have a friend here who wants to say hello."
The camera backed away to reveal Otto beside the Goblin, as well as Gwen and MJ restrained to chairs behind the two psychopaths, "Greetings, Peter Park-no, Spider-Man, I want you to remain that way to me, not as a human being but my own personal demon. Do you think me evil for this? It was not I who imposed my own vigilante justice upon others; it was not I who denied aid to another, no; that was you. That's something to think about Spider-Man."
The screen again focused on Norman's face, now at the height of madness, "Check, Parker; are you going to let me get check-mate?" He gestured towards each of them for a moment, "You can save them, but you need to go through us." He laughed, "But I'm a sporting man, Parker, I'll give you a fair chance. You will find Otto alone with one of the loves of your life at my old base of operations, an abandoned steel mill, directions are on the table. If you survive him he will let you know how to find me and the other girl. Good luck and remember you only have one chance and not showing up or informing the police of any of this will result in two very horrific deaths."
The screen went black, leaving Peter to his thoughts. "I can't beat them." He exclaimed leaning on Norman's table anxiously. At his best he was just barely a match for either one of them, now after exhausted from his engagement against the Lizard he had no chance of defeating Dr. Octopus and the Green Goblin in the same day, maybe even less than two or three hours apart. But he really had no choice in the matter.
Peter walked over to the table and grabbed the map of downtown; a small circle had been formed near his destination. Suddenly, his spider sense went off the charts. Peter dashed out through an open window moments before an explosion destroyed the entire penthouse. "Jeopardize your standing in society, my ass!" He exclaimed firing a web-line and landing on the side of nearby building, "Osborn doesn't care anymore about that, about anything, all he wants is to tear me into very small bite-sized pieces. Well, the feelings mutual." He looked at the map, "Let's hope Otto's in a good mood." He fired a line and began the trek ahead of him; he only hoped that he would come through in the end.