Author's note: Just a note before we begin. Well, first of all, thanks for the constructive criticism, sketchyneuron. Um, I will try to get around to cleaning that chapter up a bit. I was being kind of rushed that week, things were constantly happening and it was difficult to devote all of my attention to that chapter, so sorry if I seemed to rush and the wording appeared childish, and it was overall crappy. So, I offer my most sincere, heartfelt apology. This chapter will be a little smoother, I promise.

Chapter 18: Pride and Prejudice

When the three of them arrived in Times Square, people stretched as far as possible, with a tarp draped over a large bulky object in the center of it all. Peter hastily finished shoving his mask in his pocket and took out his camera. "I'll catch up with you guys later." With that being said, he disappeared to find Mr. Jameson before he got his head bitten off. Otto and Felicia switched on their headsets and split up into the crowd.

Otto moved his way through the massive gathering, his trenchcoat flowing behind him. A tap on his shoulder almost startled him to the point of bearing the actuators. He whipped around, growling. Kurt staggered back a few inches. "Whoa."

"Ah, sorry Kurt," Otto said, ruffling his hair. Lilia came from behind Kurt and stood next to him.

"Hey, how's she doing?" She asked Otto.

"Hey- Oh, God, you've heard about that too?" Otto said rubbing the back of his head guiltily.

"Of course, but she's okay now right?"

"Yes," Otto said hastily.

Somewhere in the crowd, a voice called to her. "I'll be right back," Lilia said, lightly touching Kurt on the shoulder. Kurt watched her leave, staring after her lovingly. Otto smiled. When Kurt turned around, he noticed his friend's expression.

"What?"

Otto raised his eyebrows, "You like her don't you?"

"Not in a million years, she's-" Kurt began to fade off a bit as Otto cut in.

"Yeah-huh, say what you will, I think you've got the hots for her," Otto grinned. Kurt stared, open-mouthed, lost for words. "Hey, it's alright," Otto said calmly. The crowd erupted into an uproar as the mayor and his wife ascended to the podium. He beckoned the crowd for silence. On Otto's earpiece, static crackled a bit before Felicia's voice came in full and clear. "Can you hear me now?"

Otto held the tiny microphone to his mouth. "Yeah… Peter?"

"Yeah, I can hear ya'."

"Alright guys, keep an eye out for anything suspicious," Felicia said over the communications systems. "Even the first glitch of something odd, you know what to do."

"Otto? We still don't know what the Symbiote's weakness is," Peter said in a concerned voice.

"I… I'll think of something."

"Alright guys," Felicia said, the sound of her mike leaving the conversation was heard.

"I'm out," Otto sighed, and let up on the communication button. Lilia returned and was standing close to Kurt again. Everyone turned their attention to the podium.

The mayor tapped the microphone before speaking in a clear voice. "People of New York! We are gathered here today to unveil a new statue in commemoration of someone who watches over us day and night! I give to you, our new statue of… Spiderman!!!"

Peter watched as the tarp fell, revealing a huge statue of his alter ego. He was in web-slinging position. The bronze shone in the sunlight. Peter shook his head, smiling.

"Parker! Quit residing in la-la land and start takin' pictures!" Jameson yelled.

'Jolly Jonah,' Peter thought as he raised the viewfinder to his eye. The bad feeling was returning again.

Somewhere else in the crowd, Otto stared at the shimmering bronze of the statue. "Well, that was to be expected," He said to no one in particular. He pulled the coat tighter around himself, around his chest-plate. "Where are they?" He muttered through his teeth.

The tentacles twitched slightly under the coat, sensing their father's uneasiness.

Do not worry so much

Yes, they are not here now

Relax for the moment

Yes, you really must. You are making us nervous

"Don't be naïve," He whispered. "They are here. They're just biding their time."

Alright

Fine, we shall wait and see

…

As you wish

Their voices silenced. A half hour passed. The mayor and his wife had come down from the podium and were now standing amidst a large ring of reporters and people from the press. Otto could clearly pick out Peter from the mob, standing next to Jameson, who was yelling in his ear.

Otto activated and spoke into his headset, "Felicia?"

"It's Cat now."

"…fine, Cat?" He asked again. "I don't get it."

"I don't either; they should have already shown themselves…" She said.

Otto was busy staring at something in an alleyway across the square.

"Otto? Is something wrong?" Cat asked from the other line.

He kept staring at the source of his discomfort. "Yep," He spoke slowly. Black Cat stirred from the rooftop where she was seated. "I'll get Peter." There was a bit of a pause. "Hey Spider, Heads up!" She hollered into her piece. Otto watched something in the alley hover for a moment. "We have a Goblin," He interrupted Cat and Spidey's conversation.

Peter looked around as he pulled on his mask in an alleyway nearby. He hoped that Jameson hadn't seen him disappear.

Seemingly out of no where, a brass sphere came and landed in a crevice on the statue. It violently exploded in a fiery column. The explosion itself was bright enough to make everyone avert their eyes and immense heat radiated from it. Otto held up his hands to block the light. He blinked for a moment, his vision swimming. As it cleared, two figures appeared; one on a glider, the other alighted atop of one of the flag poles. The sun reflected off of the Green Goblin's armor.

Everyone looked to the now partially molten statue, the face and arms disfigured. Small pools of molten bronze dotted the concrete.

"Honestly Spiderman, it doesn't look a thing like you!" The goblin yelled to Peter as he swung out from the alley and attached himself to the corner of a building. Cries of dismay erupted from the crowd. Amidst the crowd, Otto suddenly ripped off the trenchcoat, exposing the armor and actuators. More screams and cries, both positive and fearful called out to him as people moved away in panic.

"Go get 'em!" One woman screamed. Using the actuators, he launched himself towards the Green Goblin, only to be smacked down and pinned to the concrete by Venom. "No, no, no… you're mine!" He hissed. Otto squared his jaw and brought both of his feet up to Venom's stomach. Once they connected, he flipped him over and off of him. Venom snarled angrily, exposing his white, razor-sharp teeth. Otto just glared and drew his staff.

Spiderman watched as the Goblin dodged all around the square on his glider. If he didn't stop him soon… He let out a webline and darted after him. Finally, he managed to attach the end of one to his glider.

"Well, well, it seems I have a cling-on!" The Goblin laughed, "No matter." And with that he removed a brass sphere from his belt. It was different from the ones he normally threw; it had a green opening at the top. Goblin tapped a button on the side and waited a few seconds before flinging it up to one of the balconies where a group of pressmen were standing. They stared in fear at this thing before it unleashed a bright flash and a small shockwave. The men standing there for a second became bone-dry skeletons as it touched them. People down below screamed in horror as they crumpled into dry heaps on the ground.

"Harry, NO!!" Peter screamed. He remembered very well that same sphere that Norman threw.

"Give it up, Pete! I'm the Green Goblin now." He abruptly turned his glider, slamming Spiderman into a glass window on the building in front of them. The shards of glass sprayed everywhere as frightened secretaries darted about screaming. Peter got up, brushing the shards off of him. A few places on his costume were ripped.

Outside, Peter watched the Goblin zoom by, cackling. "I just have to wait for the right moment," he said as he attached two very thick lines to the open window's sides. He pulled back and held it. 'Hey, it worked for Ock, maybe it'll work for Gobby,' He thought to himself. Right before Harry passed the window again, Spiderman shot out, knocking into his body. His momentum knocked them both off of the glider. They plummeted to the ground, exchanging blows. Thank heavens on their part, they weren't that high off of the ground. As they hit the concrete, Harry flipped Peter over with his legs.

Peter slammed onto his back, hearing the screams and cheers from the crowd and the snarls and yells of Otto as he and Venom clashed. But… where was Cat? Peter opened his eyes to see the gruesome mask of the Green Goblin hovering over him.

"Now, let's let New York see, just who's behind the mask," He spoke harshly as his fingers found the flap and began to slowly pull it up. Peter closed his eyes in defeat as he heard a kick being given and a growl. The upward tension on his mask disappeared and was replaced by the mask being pulled down. He opened his eyes to find Cat looking down at him.

She helped him to his feet, smiling. "Y'know, you really should put a little more into it."

Peter looked at her fondly for a moment before his spider senses went off. He shoved Cat out of the way as a spinning object with many blades came flying towards them. Peter bent over backwards as it missed him and flew towards the other two combatants.

Venom hissed and leapt up to the face of a nearby building. Otto saw it and tried to dodge it, but the tip of one knife found its mark and slashed across his arm. Otto looked at it. It wasn't that deep, but still. Venom saw this as an opportunity and released a black webline. He swung low and took hold of Otto. As they headed up to the top of the swing arc, Venom hurled Otto with all of his strength towards a large wall of lights. Dropping back to a flag post, Venom sprung forwards and grabbed hold of Otto, increasing their velocity.

'My god, he's gonna do anything to kill me,' Otto thought as he used all six of his arms to rip Venom off of his torso and pushed him in front. Using an actuator, he slammed it into his adversary's back, stopping his own momentum as Venom hurled towards the light board. Otto landed on his feet and watched as Venom slammed into the screen where a reporter's face was. There was a loud crash, and the picture was disabled. Showers of sparks fell as Venom crashed into the grass and lay still for the moment. The screen had a large hole in the center, exposing the wires and circuits.

Otto adjusted his sunglasses and sighed wearily.

The Green Goblin had found his glider again and was jetting towards Cat and Spidey.

"Cat, you need to get out of here!" Spiderman yelled.

"Like hell I will," she called jumping towards the Goblin. He wound up to punch her and when he did, she moved her head, making it look like he had really punched her. Cat looked up immediately and grabbed a hold of his outstretched arm. She flipped over and kicked him in the face. Harry swaggered and fell off.

Venom by now had regained consciousness and was now on his feet. Otto raised his staff defensively. Cat suddenly appeared out of nowhere and kicked Venom square in the chest as he was moving towards Otto. Otto straightened up and watched as Cat got a few good hits in. Venom, in one swift movement, ducked the last one at the last second and brought his fist forward. His fist connected to the side of Cat's face, flinging her backwards.

"He was just toying with her… that could mean… he's been toying with me?" Otto mumbled.

That was the hardest punch Felicia had ever felt. Spiderman ran to her and helped her up. Otto looked over at her, worried. She had a large red mark on her cheek and a bloody lip.

"Otto!" she called.

He looked to her.

"…when you kick his ass, kick it once for me," she breathed. Otto smiled and nodded.

"Cat…Take this guy to the hospital," Peter said pointing to a burned man on the ground.

"But…" she started. She knew why Peter was doing this. He didn't want to see her hurt. She nodded with a hurt look. She didn't want her friends to die. Cat ran over to the man. "It's okay; I'm getting you to a hospital." She released a line and swung away, the man over her shoulder.

Peter looked to Harry. Before he leapt after him, he looked to where Otto and Venom had been standing a moment before. They were no longer there, but halfway up the building, fiercely exchanging strikes.

"Come on, Harry… let's finish this," Peter said.

Harry took out another brass sphere from his belt and laughed.

Eventually, Venom and Otto reached the top of the nearest sky scraper. Otto viciously struck out at Venom with his staff and all four actuators, knocking upside the head a few times. A few times, Venom would block and slash out with his claws. That one time, he sliced his talons across Otto's chest plate. Sparks flew off from the force and Otto slammed his bottom two actuators into the concrete to brace himself. Three long claw marks appeared in the metal as Otto threw himself at his symbiote-clad foe.

You bastard!

Hold still!

I…Can't …Get…Him!

Ha!

The fourth one became excited as he tagged Venom on the thigh with its spike.

Otto lashed out one last time with his staff with all of his strength. (That's a lot.) He closed his eyes as he heard a crunch. Looking up, he saw Venom, openly moving his jaw up and down, metal fragments from around his teeth. Otto looked down at his staff. Half of it had been bitten off.

"Awww, I liked that too," He said, tossing the remains of his former weapon over his shoulder. He removed the staff's sheath and flung it away from him too. The next few minutes were spent as metal clashed with symbiote, flesh against flesh. Otto hit Venom in the face hard enough to throw the man to the ground. The symbiote slid away from Eddie's face for a second, revealing a bloody nose and many bruises.

Eddie looked to the man that he had down-talked so much in college. 'How cold he become so strong?' Otto didn't do anything. They just stared at each other. Eddie looked at him. The scarred metal chest plate, the dried blood down his arm, the actuators. Doctor Octopus. Eddie no longer saw the slightly frumpy science nerd he was used to, but a chisel-cut warrior. The symbiote slid down his face again. Venom had a plan.

He leapt off the edge and disappeared. Otto looked over the side. He saw Venom swinging towards the Empire state building. So, what? He followed.

After a few minutes of haste, Otto found himself standing in the small square below the immense face of the building. A piecing scream filled the air. Venom had a child in his arm and was making his way up to the top. Otto's heart flew up to his throat. Just what was he playing at now?