(I'm sorry for the late update. I've been swamped with work from college lately, and now I just have two finals next week. I'm hoping to get what I can done before then. I'm not sure how often I'll update during the summer.)
OfficialUSMWriter: The plans that are coming will be revealed soon. Things get…complicated to say the least.
Ultimatrix bearer: Thanks.
Noble Six: Sorry about that.
The Timeless Writer: You shall see.
Death Fury: Thanks.
Chapter 54: Despair and Deception
(Manhattan, a few blocks from Oscorp Tower)
Director Fury led the armed remnants of S.H.I.E.L.D. towards the Oscorp Tower, avoiding every Goblin they came across to stay undetected. Battalions of tactically armed soldiers moved 50 feet apart from one another. Certain members of the S.H.I.E.L.D. Academy led large battalions to envelop the tower and keep Goblins from coming to the tower. Coulson, Doctor Conners, and few dozen agents remained in the Triskelion as over watch. Director Fury had decided to personally lead the mission to retake the city and its people. Director Fury, White Tiger, Power Man, Iron Fist, and Nova eyed Oscorp Tower from behind a building.
"Director Fury, I've just hacked into the security systems of the building. All cameras within a few blocks' range are replaying old footage and cut off their communication channels. Once you enter, the alarm systems won't sound off." Iron Spider said over a comm link.
"Alright, you will stay out here as tech and air support since we couldn't scramble any fighter jets. If we need you, we'll call over comms. Take a secure position." Director Fury replied.
"Gotcha." Iron Spider replied over comms.
Director Fury carefully watched the tower, Goblins patrolled the building on both foot and on gliders. All of them carried deadly looking blasters.
"Guards patrols analyzed, sir. There will be a path for you in a just a minute. At your order, they will be drawn away making a definite path." Agent Coulson said over comms.
"On my mark, snipers fire your tranquilizer rounds. We cannot use the serum on any of them yet. Remember over the briefing: if any are cured of the virus, the others will likely tear them apart on sight. Once the Goblin's machine is destroyed and the city cleared of the air born pathogenic virus, fire the rounds with the serum. All other battalions, once we are inside and the snipers are in marked, strategic position engage the enemy and fortify the areas behind you." Director Fury ordered.
The battalions replied the acknowledgment of the order. Director Fury carefully watched the patrols as they moved and waited like Coulson said.
"Snipers. Now." Director Fury ordered.
Some of the Goblins at the corners of the perimeter of the building dropped to the ground. Cho and Conners had studied the Goblin DNA carefully, looking into their metabolism, nervous systems, and blood streams specifically. The tranquilizer that developed they molded to be strong enough to knock out an elephant within moments. It worked on the Goblins quickly, keeping them unconscious for longer than they expected. The Goblins around the building kept dropping or ran to the others.
"Follow me." Director Fury ordered, turning to the team then back to the building.
Director Fury and the small yet veteran Academy team rushed to the building. They quickly entered the building. Director Fury fired off his gun, loaded with tranquilizers, knocking down the Goblins rushing at them.
"Sweet Christmas." Power Man gasped in surprise.
"Keep moving." Director Fury ordered.
Director Fury ordered. The Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. had the team run in a specific order: Power Man taking point, Nova at the rear, the rest of them in the middle. They rushed up several flights of stairs. After several minutes, that of which they dreaded to count, they found themselves before two large doors to the former Oscorp CEO's office. No guards had been seen for the past several floors of the building. There are no guards on the current floor either
"Heh heh, let's knock and say hello." Nova chuckled, starting to move towards the doors.
"No, something's wrong. This is too easy. They should have guards throughout this building once the mayhem outside started." White Tiger grunted, grabbing Nova by the shoulder with a firm hand.
"Cho disabled their communication systems." Nova grunted in response.
"The Goblins are crazy, not stupid. They should've instantly maneuvered to defensive positions within the building." White Tiger hissed, her grip tightening the entire time.
Nova grimaced, trying to pry Tiger's hand off his shoulder.
"She's right, there's something at play here. Be ready, we cannot waste this chance. Let's move, stay in formation." Director Fury ordered.
White Tiger released her grip on Nova as they moved forward. He rubbed his shoulder as he followed the others. They entered the office, finding it to be trashed. Marks in the walls left by huge fists and scorch marks spotted certain parts of the office as well. The desk had been split in two along with other items were either smashed or imbedded in the walls, ceiling, or floor.
"Damn, looks like a bull what set loose in here." Power Man gasped.
"Or a few Goblins." White Tiger grumbled under her breath.
White Tiger's eyes widened suddenly. Director Fury saw this.
"It's a trap." Director Fury growled, moving his gun to the entrance to the office.
A familiar demonic looking figure appeared in the entrance of the office.
"You think?" Hobgoblin chuckled, a wicked grin on his face.
The group started to move to attack. Hobgoblin slammed his hands together, a wave of flame-like energy flew forward. The group flew back and slammed into the walls of the office. They all fell to the ground knocked out.
(Another room, several minutes later)
The group groaned as they finally awoke. They tried to move, but they woke up to find themselves restrained at their hands and feet by huge metallic clamps against a wall. Sam saw his helmet on the ground. Director Fury's fear is also on the ground. White Tiger looked down to see her amulet was on the ground as well. However, she found herself drained of energy. The others did as well, they were able to look up though. They looked up to see something bizarre yet terrifying machine that looked like it a futuristic version seemingly created by Dr. Frankenstein. A familiar figure is strapped to a table with metal cable and tubes injected into several parts of the Green Goblin. Two other familiar figures stood next to two other tables. Goblin-Spidey and Hobgoblin grinned wickedly as they gazed at the group.
"Nice for to finally wake up. Didn't want you to miss the show. Oh as to why you're all so tired, I fixed up a bit of a tranquilizer cocktail, my own design." Goblin-Spidey chuckled.
"Go to hell." Nova hissed.
"I'm the embodiment of hell. So baby, you're already here. Heh heh." Hobgoblin chuckled wickedly.
"How…how did you know we were coming?" Power Man gasped.
"I knew you'd come. I knew you'd come to save the old me, to 'protect' everything. It's who you all are, pathetic. My old self knows you all too well, with a new view because of the new me, the better me: Director Fury, the hard ass bastard who needs to control everything, Sam, the egotistical little bitch who tries to prove himself even if he doesn't want to admit it, Luke, a giant teddy bear who can't give a hug without the possibility of crushing someone, Danny, the fortune cookie who is to weak to use his power, Ava, the kitty cat with anger issues and desperately in love with the old me yet couldn't say anything because the old me didn't care. I know you all too well." Goblin-Spidey chuckled.
The group displayed a range of emotions, from denial to rage. White Tiger held a visage of anger yet despair under her mask. The words struck her hard.
"What is this, Parker?" Director Fury grunted.
"Heh heh. Oh this? This just a something to give me more of a boost. My old self told you about his little trip across the multiverse and the pathetic slug's experiment of getting powers from the various spiders. Well, I've fixed up his old machine with a few improvements. Now me and Hobgoblin will use it to drain his power totally and share it amongst ourselves…along with sharing each others' powers. Then, we'll use it to wipe out your little army outside. Why did you think so many of my troops weren't in sight? They've created a large perimeter around this tower, for when the time comes…to watch the show." Goblin-Spidey chuckled, his jagged teeth gleaming in all their hideous glory.
The group's eyes widened in shock.
"Peter…I…I know you're in there somewhere…you have to fight this, don't do this. Please." White Tiger gasped, seemingly desperation in her voice.
"Don't worry sweetheart, you all get a front row seat to the party. Let's begin." Goblin-Spidey chuckled.
Hobgoblin grinned as they walked over to the tables. After laying against them the tubes injected themselves within their bodies.
"Begin power transfer." Goblin-Spidey chuckled.
The machine powered up and started running with electricity. The injections within the Goblins made their way into their various body systems. Goblin-Spidey closed his eyes, grinning in satisfaction. He thought he heard something, but he dismissed it.
(Yes, I can feel it. Yes, yes, yes! Hahaha!)
The group watched in horror as they saw a sewage colored liquid emerge from Goblin-Spidey and a lava like color form Hobgoblin. They moved outwards from their bodies towards another direction. The group looked at the Goblins in confusion. Goblin-Spidey's and Hobgoblin's eyes widened in surprise as they suddenly felt metallic bars wrap around them. Everyone turned their heads once they heard a familiar chuckling.
"You bastard!" Goblin-Spidey snarled.
"This is impossible!" Hobgoblin grunted.
"Really? You thought you take me down? ME?! I perfected deception." The Green Goblin chuckled, the restraints holding him down were suddenly released.
The liquids from the other two Goblins began transferring to him.
"How?" Goblin-Spidey hissed.
"This my machine, fool! Did you really believe I didn't have a failsafe if things went wrong for me?" The Green Goblin retorted.
"But…But I scanned-" Goblin-Spidey whimpered, eyes wide with shock.
"I was always smarter than you, Parker. Did you really think I didn't expect something like this to happen?" The Green Goblin chuckled.
"That means…with the machine's change calibrations…no…no…No. No! NO!" Goblin-Spidey stammered in fear.
"Wait, you're not saying…no…wait! No!" Hobgoblin gasped in addition.
Goblin-Spidey and Hobgoblin cried out in fear and pain, the constant flow of their lifeblood being drained and injected into the Green Goblin.
"Holy shit." Nova gasped.
"Don't just look at it and mope about. Break out, dumbass." White Tiger grunted.
"I can't without my helmet. I can't get it to come to me…whatever they put in us…it's affecting my focus." Nova grunted.
"As am I…I cannot call forth my fist." Iron Fist groaned.
"They had me drink whatever it was…my skin's impervious, not my insides." Power Man added.
"You're all trained by S.H.I.E.L.D., you don't need powers." White Tiger grunted, trying to work through the clamps holding her to the wall.
"Shh." Director Fury grunted, trying to work his fingers around the mechanisms in the clamps.
Director Fury and White Tiger were able to escape their clamps. Tiger quickly put her amulet back on. She gasped in response, the energy of the mystic artifact rejuvenating her energy instantly. Director Fury rearmed himself with his gear.
"That's better." White Tiger sighed in relief.
They quickly released the others. Nova put back on his helmet, the cosmic power rejuvenating his energy. He helped Iron Fist up while Director Fury helped up Power Man. They quickly turned to the Goblins. Director Fury pulled out one of his pistols and fire several clips into the machine. A blinding red light caused them to shield their eyes. A few sickening screams cried out from the Goblins. As the light faded, the group saw a shocking sight: Harry Osborn, human again, and unconscious slipping through the bars then onto the floor. Spider-Man, now 'human' and nearly unconscious. The Green Goblin is nowhere to be seen. They rushed over to Spider-Man.
"Spidey? Spidey?!" White Tiger cried out, her hands clutching the web slinger's head.
"…uhn…Hey…guys…" Spider-Man groaned weakly.
The group gasped in surprise and hugged him, except for Director Fury. The Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. inspected Harry Osborn.
"Coulson. Do you copy?" Director Fury asked over comms.
"Sir! Thank God. We haven't heard from you for about 10 minutes. The tactical soldiers and the other Academy members are holding their ground, but more Goblins are being spotted surrounding them. Please tell me you have good news." Agent Coulson gasped in response.
"Agent Parker and Harry Osborn are no longer Goblins." Director Fury responded.
"Well, at least his aunt might not decide to gouge my eyes out now when I tell her. What about Norman?" Agent Coulson sighed in relief.
"Right here." A familiar voice chuckled.
They all gasped and they turned to the owner of the voice. Spidey's eyes opened as he regained more focus. His eyes widened in fear and shock at what he saw: The Green Goblin, now looking like the Goblin King from the universe where an alternate version of him stopped being Spider-Man.
"No…it…it can't be…Goby…you…" Spider-Man gasped in fear.
"Oh it can be. But I shall no longer be the Goblin, or the Green Goblin. You may call me: The Goblin King. Heh heh, hehahahahahHahahHAHAHAHAHA!" The Goblin King laughed maniacally, his eyes, mouth, hands, and the outline of his body became ablaze with deep red fires.
To be continued…
(Again, I'm so sorry for the delay.)