(Sorry about the late update y'all.)
OfficialUSMWriter: Some things have changed for the better and others have not.
Ultimatrix bearer: One might say that.
Death Fury: Thanks.
DEV LOHERA: Thanks.
The Timeless Writer: Spidey's Goblin self does already leave him with deep emotional and mental scars.
Noble Six: Thanks.
Chapter 56: Recollection and Realization
(Oscorp Tower, the next day)
White Tiger, Director Fury, and the others woke up groaning and grunting in pain. Each of them found themselves chained to walls like they had the Goblin King in his cell before he obtained his new power and after S.H.I.E.L.D. captured him. White Tiger saw her amulet was gone and not even in her room, as were the gear and weapons of the others. Power Man and Iron Fist were drugged heavily, keeping them from using their powers. Even without her amulet, she could hear the laughing and hissing of the Goblins outside her door. She could also hear the groans of the others in the rooms around her, recognizing their voices. However, she didn't hear Peter.
'Peter…where are you?...Peter?' White Tiger whimpered in her mind.
(Triskelion, present)
Spider-Man groaned in pain, whimpering in agony as he felt as if the Hulk had used his body for a punching bag. His eyes shook as the lights were mixed and blinding. He could hear voices yet they were unclear and unfocused to his ringing ears. After a few minutes which felt like hours to him, the voices became clearer as did his sight. Soon he recognized by both sight and sound Agent Coulson, Iron Spider, and the rest of the Academy. They are all gathered around him. He looks down to see that he is on an examination table, bandages and wrappings on various parts of his body stained by his blood.
"Hey guys…long time…no see…I guess." Spider-Man stuttered, his voice weak and tired.
The Academy ran to hug him, gently. Spider-Man couldn't help but smile under his torn mask. As they released him, Agent Coulson approached him with a sad smile.
"It's good to see you, Mr. Parker…I wish it was under happier circumstances." Agent Coulson said.
"Yeah…I wish that too." Spider-Man whimpered.
The group was quiet for a moment or so, their minds being cast back to the events of yesterday.
"Goby has the others…I…I have to…gah…" Spider-Man stammered, trying to get off the table only to fall back grunting in pain.
"You fell from a building and landed on a car. Despite your healing factor, it will take time before you are better. A week maybe." Agent Coulson said.
"We…don't have a week. When I was…green…there's no telling what Goby will do to them." Spider-Man gasped.
"We're preparing the S.H.I.E.L.D. tactical soldiers and agents to assault Oscorp Tower to free them and take down the Goblins. Cho and Conners have also created a large enough dosage to use Goblin's own machine to release the serum into the atmosphere. Once you're rested and healed along with S.H.I.E.L.D.'s remaining forces at full strength we'll siege the tower. Only then, we cannot risk anything else while they remain prisoners." Agent Coulson said, his voice filled with a mix of emotions.
"I get that…but…we can't delay this…I…oh no…" Spider-Man gasped.
"What? What's wrong?" Agent Coulson gasped.
"I…I had created an antiserum, that counteracts the one you, me, and Cho made. I destroyed the samples…but I wrote the serum ingredients down…I forgot to destroy it along with the samples before my 'escape'." Spider-Man said, his voice trembling in fear.
The group gasped and cried out in fear and panic.
"Alright, calm down. We cannot go into a mad panic. Yes…things are…bad…but if we don't stay focused they'll slaughter us…or have us become more soldiers in their army." Agent Coulson said.
The Academy calmed down, sort of…but not completely. The fear gripped their hearts like a snake coiled around its meal.
"You're right. If we let fear overcome us, they win. Goby has Ava, Luke, Danny, Sam, and Fury. We have to save them and stop this madness." Spider-Man added.
His words brought some comfort, but the Academy still was uneasy.
"What can we do? We attacked them and were nearly mobbed by them. That was when you and Harry were in command of the Goblins. Now, with our old friend back in charge of that rabid horde, there's no telling what they'll do." Dagger spat, her voice filled with venom.
"She's right. We cannot delay with what we do." Cloak added.
"What should we do? We did a full frontal assault on the tower! We were lucky to get out as we were! This requires delicate planning." Iron Spider grunted.
"Yes, but we have to be decisive about this. We must plan carefully, yes, but we cannot wait for long. Mr. Parker's warning brings this situation into even more dire circumstances." Agent Coulson said.
(And it's all my fault.)
"We'll have the doctors look you over, Mr. Parker. Once you're better and we have everything planned, we'll launch our attack on the Goblins." Agent Coulson said.
Agent Coulson made a call over his communicator.
"Good…idea…I don't see how much good I am when I'm feeling like the Abomination tap danced on my spine." Spider-Man whimpered, his voice filled with despair and pain.
"Is there anything else you can tell us?" Agent Coulson asked.
"Goby…he's…he's more powerful than ever…my Goblin powers…Harry's…he backhanded me through a concrete wall. I'm…I'm not sure I can beat him this time. I tried…but even at my full strength…he could crush me like a twig…that's if he was feeling generous." Spider-Man said, his voice trembling with each word.
"What do you mean…feeling generous?" Squirrel Girl asked, her tail bristling nervously.
"Doctor Conners and I once had a talk…it seems almost a lifetime ago." Spider-Man stated.
"What was it about?" Agent Venom asked hesitantly.
"We talked about fates, the worst ones a person could experience. Doctor Conners was right…he was right…" Spider-Man replied, not even looking at the group when the doctors came to get him.
"What do you mean?" Iron Spider asked.
"There are fates that are worse than death." Spider-Man replied, his voice void of emotion except for fear.
To be continued…
(Again, sorry about the late update.)