Reticence Saga

Severed Web

Chapter 21: Goblin Town

"You know, not every day is about being the Ultimate Spider-Man. Some days, it's about being Peter Parker. I do have a life outside of SHIELD Academy you know. I've got a place to unwind before all the stress twists my head off."

Matt snapped, "For the last time...stop with the narrating!"

"There is a thing called 'internal monologuing'," said Kala, "It's most effective if you keep it internal."

"Yes, otherwise it's just weird. Where the hell are you taking us anyway?" said Matt icily

"We're just going out for game night," said Miles.

"Game night?" said Matt, perking up before adding in a deadpan voice, "Ok, what's the catch?"

"You're most likely gonna lose," said Peter.

"Lose? Who are we playing?" asked Kala calmly.

Just then, Matt looked up and said, "Isn't the Oscorp building up ahead?"

"Yeah, that's where we're heading," said Miles cheerfully.

Matt twitched. "Oscorp? As in Norman Osborn Oscorp?" he added.

"Well, Harry's place is kinda at the top," said Peter.

"Ah, owning your own skyscraper where you run your own company and work in your own labs on the lower floors and live in style in your own penthouse at the top. Sounds very convenient," said Kala.

"Sounds very detailed. How would you know that?" said Matt suspiciously.

Kala laughed nervously, "Erm...I came on the last game night?"

"What last-" started Peter before Kala shot him a fiery glare. "Oh, right, that game night," said Peter.

"When were you last here, 'dear'?" said Matt, grinning evilly, his teeth dragonic.

"None of your business," said Kala.

"We'll talk about this later," said Matt before saying, "So...we're here to find out what Green Goblin's plotting?"

"Uh, you do know that Norman's given up being the Goblin for good, right?" asked Miles.

Matt called up a file. "Says here he's still secretly...wait...last updated 1991...oh for God's sake," he muttered, updating a footnote to say 'probably not evil'.

"Also, we should lay a few ground rules down," said Peter, "Harry knows about us. You've seen him around SHIELD Academy as Patrioteer."

Matt said gloomily, "I'd say thats a stupid name but my codenames Lazard."

"Anyways, Norman is now the Iron Patriot," said Peter.

"That sounds like he's ripping off both Captain America and Iron Man," said Kala.

"I said that too, but he's got legally certified distinction," said Peter.

Matt paused, his eyes crossing as his imagination kicked in...


"What do you mean 'Plasmite' is taken?" he snapped

"Sorry, sir, but you have to be quicker in applying for a trademark," said the bureaucrat, who for some reason was wearing a mask and cape.

"Aren't there any other good names available?" asked Matt.

"Well, you could go by 'Lord Smoked Meats and Fishes'," said the bureaucrat.

"Oh, you're a loon, aren't you?" asked Matt, "Right then, where did you escape from? I'll take you back myself."

"No, I'm a bureaucrat," said the caped man.

Matt paused, "What's the difference?"


Matt shuddered. "I really hope that's not real," he muttered.

"Anyways, Norman knows who Patrioteer is, kinda obvious," said Peter, "But he doesn't know about our other identities."

"Ok...simple enough..." said Matt, mostly to himself, adding, "Unless...NO! NOT THAT! It's a game night...it's a game night...it's a game night...it's a game night..."

"Quick question, how competitive is Matt?" asked Miles.

Kala paused before saying in a weak tone, "I'm not allowed to say due to a pending legal action on Station 31."

"Can he at least lose a game with grace and dignity?" asked MIles.

"I repeat my previous statement," said Kala in a weak voice, her expression that of someone who has seen...terrible things.

"Maybe this isn't the best time..." started Miles.

Matt turned to snarl, eyes glowing yellow and slitted. "Are you saying I could lose?" he snapped.

"Well...this may be a challenge that could be beyond your-" started Peter.

"Oh, it's on now," said Matt, "Norman Osborn won't know what hit him."

"That's why we're not allowed within 12 lightyears of Station 31." said Kala weakly.


Matt had to admit, the Osborns certainly lived like they were millionaires. And they were well-stocked for game night, including ordering several pizzas.

"Ok...what sort of games am I winning at?" said Matt with a manic grin, one of his eyes actually gently rolling before he sniffed the air, his train of thought changing facts as it locked onto a old memory. "Is...is that...stuffed crust?" he said, faintly.

"You need plenty of fuel to compete with my dad," said Harry.

"Haven't...had...stuffed crust...since I was...14..." said Matt weakly, drooling and staring.

"Uh, guys, if you don't want to lose something, which may or may not include body parts, I'd not stand between Matt and that pizza," said Kala.

Mile asked "Erm...is he ok?"

Kala said "Remember when the Triskelion served coconut cake last week? That bad." before Matt lunged at the pizza.

Pieces of dough, cheese, tomato sauce, and other toppings flew everywhere at that. Miles wiped some off his face and said, "Apparently it's unsafe to stand next to something that he wants."

"Just this. He did have experiment DNA once, I think it's carried over," said Kala.

Matt's almost feral gaze paused. "Erm...where was I the last couple of minutes?" he asked, the fact he was clean just a sign that in his insanity, he'd not left any crumbs.

"I better order more," said Harry.

"I am so sorry...I dunno what came over me," said Matt mostly to himself.

"As long as you can curb your appetite the next time," said Peter.

"Ok...I should be fine," said Matt, twitching before taking one of the surviving slices and chewing on it, the same way someone would chew on tobacco.

Just then, they heard the door open and a voice said, "Harry, I'm home." Norman Osborn walked into view at that. "I hope you and your-" he began, pausing as he saw the pizza carnage. "I see your friends were hungry," he said carefully.

"I was just about to order more," said Harry.

He looked at Matt and Kala at that. "New friends of your, Harry?" he asked.

"Yeah, they're from...Pete's new school," said Harry.

"Yeah...exchange students from England and Hawaii," said Matt innocently, covertly kicking Kala as she said "Who's from Ha-ow, Yes I am."

"Well, then, while we wait for more pizza to arrive, perhaps we can play a game," said Norman.

Matt grinned. "Bring it on," he said.


Rikers Island was one of the most famous prisons in New York, starring in shows, crime novels...and being used to imprison the worst of the city's supervillains. SHIELD had as a result upgraded the security...sadly there was one who was smart enough to breach it.


A heavy duty door was torn off its hinges by a metal tentacle, Doctor Octopus walking through the ruined doorway, looking around calmly. He was here for specific people...

"Let's see... They should be close to here," said Doctor Octopus thoughtfully.

Just then, a few guards came around the corner and aimed their guns at him. "Put your hands up!" yelled one.

"As you wish," said Doctor Octopus, raising his two human arms above his head. Then his four metal arms lashed forwards. The guards didn't even get a chance to fire before they were knocked flying, rendered unconscious in seconds. "Fools," Doctor Octopus muttered, walking to a large, surprisingly plastic, cell door.

Inside was a giant lightbulb that held a man made of sparking electricity. "Doc Ock? That you?" asked the electric man, "You look different."

"An improved version of my nanites, Electro," said Doc Ock, "It's given me my body back."

In another cell, a pool of swirling water rose and formed a humanoid upper body. "Well, that's great for you," said the water man, "Now how about letting me out?"

"Patience," said Doc Ock, noticing sensors around the two 'cells' before going over to a wall console. "Triple encrypted...amateurs," he sneered, hacking the controls, causing the sensors to power down. Two tentacles later and Electro and the water man were free, happily, keeping away from one another.

"Hydro-Man, Electro, wait here for a moment," said Doctor Octopus before going over to a third cell. Inside the cell was a huge goblin-like monster with horns and wings. He wasn't given as much freedom of movement as the other two, being clamped thoroughly into the wall and with two turrets aimed at him.

"Doctor..." the creature growled. It seemed its time in the cell had not helped any of its temper.

"Goblin..." said Doctor Octopus icily.

"Have you come here to gawk or are going to release me?" growled the Goblin.

"I am extending you, Electro, and Hydro-Man a chance to earn a place in my new Sinister Six," said Doctor Octopus.

The Goblin scoffed and said, "Why not just include me and leave the spark and the puddle where they were?"

"Because, you winged neanderthal, we will require their skills to stop any meddling," said Doctor Octopus with a glare.

Doctor Octopus spoke louder, "There is only one position left in my Sinister Six and you three need to prove you're worthy of joining it. Your defeats have lowered your values considerably in my eyes." He turned his attention back to the Goblin, "Particularly you. I assumed as the only version of the Goblin to have successfully killed Spider-Man, you would be an unstoppable warrior. But you could not even defeat that stripling of a Spider-Man."

The Goblin growled at that. "Watch your tongue," he warned.

"If you want to be in the Sinister Six, you'll have to prove yourself just as much as them," said Doctor Octopus as he started hacking the Goblin's cell.

The Goblin glowered till the cell door, and his restraints released before he smirked, pushing his way past the doctor. "What makes you think I am interested in your little...club?" he sneered.

"Um, excuse me, do I hear that you're building an anti-Spider-Man team?" called a voice.

Doctor Octopus looked at another cell, which held a green-skinned man in a blue and gold costume wearing a large helmet over most of his head. "And you are?" asked Doctor Octopus.

"Mesmero, the Master of Hypnosis," said the prisoner. Doc Ock called up a holo screen, reading down, Mesmero saying in a deadpan voice, "Urgh...some people get all the publicity."

"You appear to have encountered Spider-Man a few times, including switching his mind with that of Wolverine and the Hulk," said Doctor Octopus.

"Two things I am not repeating..." yelped Mesmero, remembering that both said heroes would probably pound/slice and dice him if he pulled that again.

Doctor Octopus stroked his chin thoughtfully before saying, "An unknown factor can result in a surprising outcome." Mesmero's cell wasn't nearly as secured as the other three's. The door was soon opened and the helmet unbuckled, allowing Mesmero to take it off.

"You even consider this weakling?" snapped the Goblin, looming over Mesmero.

"He stands just as much a chance of joining the Sinister Six as the rest of you," said Dr. Octopus, "This offer expires when you are captured. I will not be breaking you out again."

The Goblin glared, blasting a hole in the roof. "I want no part in this...competition," he said darkly, spreading his wings and taking off.

"His loss," said Doctor Octopus.

"So, how do we get in?" asked Electro.

"Does it involve squashing a certain bug?" asked Hydro-Man.

"Capture, not squash," said Doctor Octopus, "Prove yourselves however you wish. But I reserve the honor of squashing Spider-Man for myself."


Perching on top of one of the skyscrapers in Manhattan, the Goblin would have looked like a gargoyle in the dark as he stared down at the bustling city.

He would usually have been hunting for his Spider-Man by now, or making the peons below run in terror with a few fireballs to draw him out...but tonight he was experiencing an unwanted emotion: doubt. A small voice pointed out in his head that it was always the same; he and the Spider-Man would fight, he would get some blows in, sometimes his opponent would. What was the point?

What did this younger Spider-Man have that the one he killed did not? Invisibility and an electric sting. That shouldn't have been enough to keep him from squashing a child. He should have been owning this city by now, the humans bowing at his claws...

The Goblin grinned as a kernel of a good idea started growing. Why shouldn't he own this city? The only thing stopping him was the various superheroes who lived here. But if he had an army, no, better yet, a kingdom...

Yes, this world's feeble Goblin had tried it before...and if such a feeble facsimile could come so close to success, he could easily accomplish it...

All he needed was a subcommander to keep his legions in line. And he knew the perfect one for the job. With an evil cackle, Goblin launched himself off the skyscraper and took flight. First, he was going to need to pick up some medicine.


"Best of 50," growled Matt darkly.

"He's taking this pretty well," commented Peter.

Kala nodded. "Surprisingly so. By this point, he was fighting security," she said happily.

"I'm just glad he's distracted enough that we can eat," said Miles.

Kala nodded. "Yeah, this is actually nice. Nothing happening except watching my boyfriend's ego knocked down a notch," she joked.

"Good way to blow off steam, right?" asked Peter.

Matt snapped something at that as he lost again. "Then again, Matt may need a win soon or he might lose his temper," said Kala.

At that, an alarm began to ring, a computer at the room's desk unfolding to show a flashing blueprint.

"What was that?" asked Kala.

"I'm sure it's nothing," said Norman, Miles noticing the alarm was for the labs.

"Dad, you probably shouldn't ignore this. Especially if it's Doctor Octopus again," said Harry.

"Nonsense, my security can handle Octavius. I deserve to have a night off to spend with my son," said Norman.

At that point a voice, apparently from security, came over the laptop. "Oh God, we can't handle this."

"What did Octavius send this time, anyways?" asked Norman, turning on the camera feed.

The image showed several security guards running for it, two fireballs following them. A switch to a different camera showed what was throwing the fireballs: a demonic green creature with large bat wings, a frightful set of horns, and even worse teeth.

Miles seemed worried at that. "You ok?" Kala asked quietly

"That's the Goblin," whispered Miles.

"But Norman's right there," said Kala, pointing.

"No...it's the Goblin from my world," said Miles.

"What? Oh, wait, you're from a different dimension, I forgot," said Kala quietly.

Norman had headed over to another room, Matt also looking at the recording. "You think we should help?" he asked.

"I'm afraid I'm the only who who can deal with this," said Norman, "Harry, please keep your friends safe."

"Dad, I can help," said Harry.

"No, Harry, it's time I face my own demon," said Norman.

Matt jumped as he saw Normal in the Iron Patriot suit flying out the window, curving down. "So...definitely gonna follow?" he said in a deadpan tone.

"Give him a head start," said Peter, "Wouldn't want him to ask how we got here too soon."

"Fine...one plasma cannon...two plasma cannon...three plasma cannon..." said Matt, starting to count.


The Goblin left quite a trail of destruction where he went, and not all of it was intentional. He had forgotten how hard it was to operate computers when you had giant claws.

Normally he would have just torn open containers till he found his target, but the man he had been still had just enough hold to remind him that randomly tearing open things with biohazard symbols would not end well.

"It has to be around here somewhere," growled the Goblin. A file finally came off, listing the Goblin Gas. "Perfect," sneered Goblin before frowning, a file listing something about a vaccine. "No...NO, NO, NO!" he roared, smashing the computer.

"I don't appreciate anyone smashing my lab," said a voice behind him, "Not even myself."

Goblin turned to glare at that. "Osborn," he said darkly, Iron Patriot at the far end.

"I assume you have some greater intent here, or are you simply wanting to destroy my work?" asked Iron Patriot.

"Well, I have to say, even if you were inferior, you did have one good idea," sneered Ultimate Goblin.

"If you're here to steal it, you're about to get something else: a missile barrage," said Iron Patriot. On cue several missiles shot out from the armor, hitting Goblin, before the smoke cleared to show no damage.

"If missiles hurt me, my world's Stark would have beaten me," he laughed, readying several fireballs.

Iron Patriot blasted the fireballs with repulsor blasts. "Shall we take this outside?" he asked.

"Oh, I'm not finished in here," sneered the Goblin.

At that, he grabbed a gas canister, throwing it at Iron Patriot, only for a second pair of repulsor blasts to blow it apart.

"This business isn't just called 'Oscorp' because it's my dad's, you know," said the Patrioteer as he flew in.

"Oh...so your son is a hero too?" sneered the Goblin, adding, "I can take two of you easily."

"Yo, Gobby, long time no see!" said Kid Arachnid as he and Spider-Man swung in through the hole that Goblin had made breaking in.

"Norman, you really ought to reinforce your building," said Spider-Man, "The whole place could come down one day."

"Spider-Man," sneered Goblin, readying a fireball, only for it to bounce up into his face, Salamandra at the far end in her armor..

"Saw there was a break-in going, thought I'd come in and see what's going on," said Salamandra.

Lazard floated up outside the window too, "Man, I thought villains usually used the stairs...and were more aerodynamic."

"Bring in as many as you want," sneered the Goblin, "I'm still stronger than all of you combined!"

"Kid, he's your rogue," said Lazard, igniting a plasma orb.

"Ah, yes, the young spider," said Goblin, "It's past time I squashed you like your predecessor."

"Wait...is he saying?" said Salamandra.

"Yeah, yeah, you keep saying that, but you haven't squished me either," said Spider-Man, lifting his mask up just long enough to blow a raspberry at Goblin.

Lazard raised an eyebrow, "Dude...that was childish even for you." before he fired a plasma orb, one nearly hitting several green gas canisters.

"Be careful with that," said Iron Patriot, "Those are very dangerous chemicals."

"And exactly what I need," sneered Goblin, trying to grab one of the canisters, before Kid Arachnid and Spider-Man webbed his arms.

"Yeah, I don't think you have the license to transport those," said Kid Arachnid.

"Get away from that!" snapped Goblin, pulling on the webbing.

More webbing started webbing up more of Goblin's body. "Yeah, you're not getting away that easily," said Spider-Man.

Goblin glared before a wave of fire shot out in all directions. The concussive heat of the fire knocked back five of the six heroes. Salamandra, of course, was unaffected.

"Toasty," said Salamandra, readying another fireball, Goblin grabbing one of the canisters.

"You're an interesting one, but I don't have time to play around," said Goblin.

Salamandra and everyone else shielded their eyes as Goblin fired several fireballs into the support struts before flying out, the room shaking.

Spider-Man and Kid Arachnid quickly started webbing up the walls and ceiling to keep them together. Likewise, Iron Patriot and Patrioteer started welding the struts back into proper shape. Salamandra likewise began superheating the struts, pushing them back into place.

Lazard saw that the other five were busy with keeping the building together so took it upon himself to go after the Goblin. He swooped down, seeing the Goblin swooping over the street. "Hey...where you going?" he taunted, flying off in pursuit.

The Goblin didn't even deign to look back at him and kept flying onwards.

Lazard grinned madly, flying faster till he was alongside. "Need to see your flying and fireball license, pull over," he taunted.

The Goblin did a barrel roll, smacking Lazard aside with his wing.

"Ow...well, you're just making it worse," said Lazard, readying a plasma orb, "Let's play hot potato...you start." tossing the orb over.

The Goblin used one hand to smack the orb back at Lazard. Lazard grinned, swatting it back, adding a few more orbs. Of course, that led to what might be described as a ping-pong match between the two, only without the table, paddles, and anything to make it look like a professional sport.

It didn't help that any orbs that hit Lazard were just absorbed. "I can annoy you alllll day. Watch out for the jumbotron," Lazard said, peeling off.

The Goblin probably would have ignored Lazard, but this was one case where he should have listened to him. As the Goblin soon flew smack right into a jumbotron. Lazard swooped back, plucking the canister away. "This is Osborn's methinks," he grinned, beginning to fly off.

But before he could get far, the Goblin let out a mighty roar before throwing pieces of broken jumbotron at Lazard. Lazard turned to see the flickering visage of Jameson closing. "Oh, this is gonna hurt," he muttered, before being swatted by it and through a building window into an office.

It took a few seconds for Lazard to regain his senses. It helped that there was a burning sensation on his shoulder. It took him a while to realize it was because hot coffee from a smashed coffee machine had poured onto him.

He jumped up in time for Goblin to land in the office, scattering those who hadn't already run for it when Lazard had 'landed'. "Foul...unlawful use of Jameson's ugly mug," gibbered Lazard.

"You're almost as annoyingly chatty as the Spider," said the Goblin, "I think I'll like to hear your screams as you burn."

"Ok...but you do need to get in line," said Lazard, sending a blast of blue flame out.

"Hand over my chemicals and I might leave alive enough for them to find you," said Goblin.

Lazard backed up at that. The plasma flames usually sent people running, or charbroiled them. "Erm...no," he said cautiously.

"Oh, so unwise," sneered Goblin before shooting fire from his eyes.

Lazard yelped, shielding himself with his wings, only for Goblin to use the distraction to punch him the length of the office. "For a 'dragon', you're awfully scrawny," sneered Goblin, "Even the Spider isn't as frail as you."

"Scrawny?" snapped Lazard, getting to his feet.

"Honestly, you're more like a gecko with paper wings," said Goblin.

"Oh...am I?" snarled Lazard, the damaged plasma screen parts coming on again, distorted and starting to smoke.

"A real dragon wouldn't be harmed by fire," said Goblin before throwing two fireballs at Lazard.

Lazard's eyes blazed and the fire slowed down, the plasma screens all shattering, the white hot plasma shooting over to him. "You were sssaying?" he hissed.

"Finally, I thought this fight would be too easy," said Goblin.

Lazard snarled, sending several plasma orbs out. The Goblin sent fire blasts from his eyes that hit each orb before lunging again at Lazard, shoulder-checking him through a wall.

Lazard had the wind knocked out of him before locking claws and pushing back. "You think you scare me, you demon knockoff?" the dragon snarled, digging his claws into the ground with the cracking of floorboards.

"If you aren't afraid, you're a greater fool than I thought," said Goblin before pushing Lazard down onto his knees.

Lazard growled, realising he still wasn't at full power after his run in with Scythe before he roared as his good arm made a cracking noise. "So frail," sneered the Goblin before kicking Lazard in the chest.

Lazard yelped as he was rolled into the wall, Goblin smirking and picking up the canister, readying a fireball. Lazard just managed to raise a shield before it hit, everything spinning into darkness.


Following where Lazard chased the Goblin wasn't hard at all. The fiery hole in the office building was hard to miss.

The Spiders were first in, seeing Lazard slumped against a wall, several scorches on his armor and scales. "He looks in pretty bad shape," said Kid Arachnid.

"I'm...sure he's taken worse," said Spider-Man doubtfully, "Let's get him out of here."

Lazard's eyes shot open at that with a deep gasp. "Urgh...where is he?" he managed.

"Easy, easy, you took quite a beating," said Spider-Man.

"I'm ok...really...nanites handled it," said Lazard, waving them off and getting to his feet.

"You sure you're ok?" asked Kid Arachnid.

"Oh, sure, he's not as strong as the Hulk," said Lazard before muttering, "Faster and fierier, but not stronger." Outloud, he asked, "What the hell was so important about those canisters?"

Just then, Iron Patriot landed inside. "Those canisters contained my samples of the Goblin serum," said Iron Patriot.

Lazard twitched at that before snarling, "I knew it...evil...EEEVIL!"

"I needed that serum so I could make my Goblin vaccine," said Iron Patriot pointedly.

"It's true," said Spider-Man, getting in Lazard's way.

"How many canisters did you need?" asked Lazard.

"The supply he took was all that was left. It was due to incineration tomorrow," said Norman.

"Some coincidence that he shows up here the day before that," said Lazard.

"That is all it is." said Norman coldly

"So now the Goblin has it," said Spider-Man, "Is he gonna spread it all over New York now?"

"I dunno," said Kid Arachnid, "He's always had a 'there can only be one' attitude."

"People can change. Why else would he nick it?" asked Salamandra, landing.

"Well, he's loose in the city with them," said Iron Patriot, "We'll need to find him before he unleashes it."

"Please tell me there's a vaccine," said Lazard.

"There is," said Iron Patriot, "I'll need to step up production now."

"Fine, how many do you have right now?" asked Lazard.

"Only one dose, but it's needed to make more," said Iron Patriot.

"Only one?" asked Salamandra skeptically.

"It took a lot of vaccines to cure those Goblin soldiers," said Iron Patriot.

"Great..." muttered Lazard.

Salamandra said "He's taking it." pointing at Lazard who looked up in surprise.

"What?" asked Lazard.

"If anyone's most likely to get goblined, it's you," said Salamandra.

"Not true," said Lazard, "The most likely would be...Moonshock." He looked around, "Let me put it another way: who wants to risk a gamma-powered Goblin? Show of hands. No one? Anyone? Good. So how long will it take to make more vaccines?"

"A few days for the first batch, less time if you can get some of the gas back," said Iron Patriot.

"Right, well, a guy like Goblin shouldn't be that hard to find," said Lazard.

"Why do I get the feeling you're going to end up blasting every gargoyle in New York?" asked Salamandra.


Back at the Triskelion, Gary, who was reading a book, suddenly looked up. "I suddenly have a feeling of foreboding," he said.


"Hey, some of our best buddies are New York gargoyles." said Lazard, Salamandra facepalming.

"It's a long story and several dimensions away. Don't ask, you'll stay sane longer," she said in a muffled voice.

"Anyways, I better call Fury," said Spider-Man.

"Goblin just crashed me into the building," said Lazard, "How could he not know?"

Kid Arachnid began to say "He can't have found out that-" before Lazard held up a finger, counting silently, before everyone's communicators buzzed.

"How low should we turn down the volume?" asked Salamandra.

"Almost mute. I have a headache," said Lazard, answering.


Fury wasn't about to take Ultimate Goblin stealing canisters of Goblin serum lying down, especially since three other supervillains have escaped Rikers. SHIELD teams were on high alert and sweeping the city.

"Good grief it's like there's revolving doors," muttered Matt, looking at the damage.

"It's a good thing that they have the courtesy of going to ground while there's a Goblin on the loose," said Chloe, "Not I'm worried at all about Electro."

"Yeah...unless he can mind control you or something," said Matt abscently.

Chloe laughed and said, "I'd like to see him-" only for Matt to stomp on her foot.

"Let's not tempt fate," said Matt as Chloe yelped, hopping on one foot.

"I'm still worried that they're not done with the vaccines," said Kala.

"Well, speeding up production would require allowing them access to NSC tech," said Matt, "And I can think of three ways immediately of how that could go wrong. I'm sure I can think of more later."

"I thought of 70," said Kala with a shudder.

Chloe said, "95 reasons...130 if the Combine gets involved."

"Now I'm worried I'm not paranoid enough to come with disaster scenarios quickly enough," said Matt.

"We need to keep a low profile...least till we get our shots," said Chloe in a concerned voice, adding, "NegaMorph said the ship's still a week or two away."

"Boy, how time flies. Till then, everyone on their guard," said Matt, adding, "Let's not find out what goblin serum does to dragon DNA."


The Goblin meanwhile was not in a good mood. He'd been trying the serum out on random people...but it seemed that SHIELD had managed to get the serum into most of the area...and he only had so much.

And it wasn't like he could make more. He wasn't...the Norman Osborn he was before, as much as he despised thinking of himself like that. Even the Goblin of this world, weakling that he was, was more gifted in science than he was.

There were some options though. He could ask the Octopus for help...no...no, not after last time. The Goblin knew Octavius was hardly trustworthy...but there were other options. At least three heroes seemed to have appeared from nowhere on SHIELD's records, and he'd met at least two.

The male was hardly suitable. Goblin knew a hard head when he smashed it and making him a goblin would hardly make him obedient.

He checked the others. There were two females, one was definitely out. Even back in his world, the Hulk had left more than a few bruises. The last thing he wanted was to give a gamma mutate better abilities. Not to mention a werewolf... Well, goblins and werewolves don't mix, even if he wasn't technically a real goblin.

That left one...even if she seemed scrawny. Then again, she did have the gift of fire. That showed promise at least.

The trick would be getting her alone. He didn't want to waste the shot on the others. This could take a lot of waiting. But the Goblin was a predator and predators knew how to wait.


The next few days had the coffee shop gang on full patrol. By agreement, they'd decided to give Silvana the first shot, after they'd had a mental image of a metal-eating goblin and Taelina had insisted that she'd be fine. The Morphs would be immune, of course. The worse they would get would probably be a bad cold.

Matt had also made it clear that everyone wears their armor in stealth mode. There was also the uneasy tension that the Goblin hasn't appeared again since his attack on Oscorp. Their memory of the Goblin's might kept them from lowering their guard any.

Matt was cleaning in the kitchen, the shop closed when Miles came in, the defence turrets folding down to aim. Matt looked to see who had come in before saying, "Sorry about that. Can't be too careless these days."

I can see," said Miles nervously, the multi-barreled plasma cannons folding away.

"Till the vaccines are ready...well, you can imagine if he tags us," said Matt, walking into the main area.

"Yeah, no offense, but you're crazy enough without big green ears," said Miles.

"No offense taken. Good God, he was built like a tank. What even is he?" asked Matt, rubbing his shoulder. He was still getting a few phantom pains .

"Well, what did you hear about the Goblin from here?" asked Miles.

"That he was the improbable creation from combining Spider-Man's DNA with Venom's," said Matt, "By what stretch of imagination does Spider-Man + Venom = Goblin?"

"Well, Connors had this theory," said Miles, "That serum was apparently made with the most negative aspects of Spider-Man with Venom enhancing it, which would bring out all the worst in someone."

"And that ends up with a goblin?" asked Matt.

"You got me. Maybe there was an early race of man who were like goblins?" suggested Miles.

"That's a disturbing thought," muttered Matt, before saying, "So...he got Parker in your world..."

"Yeah. I don't know how my Goblin ended up so much more monstrous than Peter's Goblin," said Miles.

"Maybe your world's Norman was a latent Mutant or Inhuman," said Matt.

"Maybe..." said Miles.

Matt nodded, "Dimensional travel's a headache sometimes."

"You don't need to tell me," said Miles.

"So, you doing ok?" asked Matt, "That Goblin's the worst from your world, isn't he?"

"He's pretty hard to top," said Miles.

"Also, when he said he squashed Spider-Man, does that mean..." started Matt.

"He killed him," said Miles sadly.

"Oh," said Matt somberly.

"The Peter Parker of my world died saving the world from him," said Miles, "I've been trying to live up to his legacy since. And it's actually going great so far."

"Hold on...if you're here though...who's covering back home?" asked Matt before twitching, "Gah...headache."

"Turns out another Spider's taken up the webs while I was away," said Miles, "So me and my mom just moved here."

"Good to hear," said Matt.

"Yeah, Fury was able to patch Mom in pretty well. Now she's working as-" started Miles.

An alarm began to ring at that, the computer saying "Registered target located on Metro CCTV...Sector 46 dash 1...Central Station Metro."

"Let me guess," said Miles, "Goblin?"

"Yep, and at Central Station, an ideal place to unleash a plague," said Matt.

He turned on his own com. "Kala, Chloe, showtime. Full hazmat."

"Don't rush in alone," said Kala's voice.

"Relax, I've got Spider-Man with me. Well, one of them anyways," said Matt.

Chloe's voice said, "We'll get NegaMorph to port us to you. See you there..."


Central Station was a sensible target in hindsight. It was one of the biggest train and metro stations in New York...and as a result was usually packed.

Goblin's appearance had naturally caused a stampede to get away from him. His maniacal laughter and throwing fireballs certainly encouraged them to flee. Even if this failed, he was getting some of his frustration out of his system...

A blast of webbing covered his eyes at that before a plasma orb knocked him into a wall. "You know, I get that getting a subway pass is frustrating, but isn't this overreacting?" asked Lazard as he landed in front of Goblin.

"You again... snarled Goblin.

Lazard said, "Not just me." before Goblin roared, electricity crackling over him, Kid Arachnid shimmering into view on Goblin's back.

"I do not have time for-" started Goblin.

"Let me guess, you have a train to catch?" asked Kid Arachnid before zapping him again.

Matt snapped, "Hey! No stealing the puns."

"That was more of a punchline than a pun," said Kid Arachnid.

"And here's the punch!" snapped Goblin before hitting Lazard with his fist. Lazard was sent flying into a pile of rubble, before he burst free in full dragon form, though with some sort of air mask on. "How quaint," said Goblin before pulling Kid Arachnid off his back and throwing him at Lazard.

Lazard managed to catch Kid Arachnid at that. "Non regulation ball," he said, winking at Kid Arachnid.

"You need to work on your material," said KA.

The Goblin growled, throwing more flame, snapping, "I'm not in the mood to deal with you fools now."

"Aw, I thought we were close," said Kid Arachnid.

Goblin smirked at that, pulling out a technological orb. "If you're so eager to stick around, then perhaps you'd like to join in the mayhem," said Goblin before throwing the orb at Lazard.

Lazard rolled his eyes, the mask parting to let him breathe a stream of blue hot flame over the orb. "Really?" he said. The orb was vaporized before it could get near him, along with whatever was inside him.

"That was your plan?" said Kid Arachnid in a disbelieving voice before the two avoided a fireball as Goblin lost it

"Ok, we got him to the angry and reckless part. What's next?" asked Kid Arachnid.

"I dunno, usually I just trick him into flying into a building," yelped Lazard, dodging the fireballs.

"Yeah, this guy has no problem with flying through buildings," said Kid Arachnid.

"How do you usually beat him at this state?" yelped Lazard before taking a fireball to the chest, almost landing on NegaMorph as he came out a shadow portal.

"Are we having problems?" asked NegaMorph cheekily.

Lazard said, "You don't get it. He's-" before he was pulled back by his tail.

"Such an inconvenient appendage, wouldn't you say?" asked Gobin, "I wonder if it's as easy to pull out as an arm or leg." Lazard growled at that, his eyes going to slits. No dragon liked having their tail yanked. Lazard demonstrated this by blasting Goblin in the face.

"Wow, that guy is ugly," said NegaMorph, "You sure he was made by science?"

"SHUT UP AND HELP, YOU MORON!" roared Lazard before he was swung aside.

NegaMorph looked up at the descending dragon. "Oh, I'm gonna feel this tomorrow," he groaned before Lazard landed on him like...well a ton of dragon.

Salamandra and Moonshock popped out the portal next, looking at the mayhem. "Did someone miss their train?" asked Moonshock.

"Already made that joke," said Kid Arachnid.

Moonshock frowned. "Dammit...screw it, can we just blast him?" she said, sending several lightning blasts, her armor deploying an filter mask while Salamandra send several blasts of flame out.

The fire and lightning send the Goblin flying backwards. "Ah, just the lady I was expecting," said Goblin.

Salamandra paused before she said, "I think he means you." to Moonshock who twitched.

"I'm taken, you gargoyle reject!" snapped Moonshock.

"Sorry, I'm not much of a dog person," said Goblin before spitting a fireball at Moonshock.

Moonshock stared before the fireball sent her flying, Salamandra glaring. "Hey!" she snapped, redirecting a second shot aimed at Moonshock. "Your fireballs can't do queesta, asshole," she snapped, her airmask secure.

"Oh, I do like them fiery," said Goblin before cracking his neck.

Salamandra raised an eyebrow before grinning, "Did I mention my boyfriend's really protective?"

"As if any man can take down the Great Goblin," said Goblin.

"I hope that's not your official title," said NegaMorph.

"Where's the lizard?" said Goblin suspiciously before seeing something had melted a hole in the roof.

"Getting a run up," said Kid Arachnid.

"Damage Control is gonna be busy today," said Moonshock, stepping away from the Goblin.

Goblin looked up before flying back just as a furious dragon tried to divebomb him, filling the room with rubble and smoke.

Salamandra was first on her feet, wiping her brow before realising her mask was a foot away "Uh oh," she said before picking up her mask. "Ok, it's not as bad as it seems. Just need to pop it back on," she said as she put her mask back on.

"Warning: Microfractures detected. Mask integrity compromised," said her armor's computer.

"Oh come on. Can't you start the repair sequence?" asked Salamandra.

"Negative...all nanites devoted to elemental core repairs," said the computer.

"Override to-" stared Salamandra before she was suddenly picked up. Goblin easily held her in one hand before using the other to rip off her helmet.

"Alert...outside interference...activating emergency response," said her armor before it began to superheat. Usually that would have had anyone dropping her, but Goblin wasn't anyone

"I think we should take this somewhere private," sneered Goblin before he flew up towards one of the holes in the ceiling that Lazard had made.

"MAAAATT!" yelled Salamandra in terror, Lazard shaking his head, dazed from his miss.

Moonshock responded first, grabbing NegaMorph and throwing him at the Goblin. "THIS IS A TERRIBLE PLAAAAAAAN!" yelled NegaMorph, before splatting over Goblin's head.

Goblin pulled NegaMorph off before looking at him. "What is this?" he asked, "A shoddy recreation of Venom?"

NegaMorph glared, his eyes glowing red. "Bite me...better yet, I'll bite you," he said, his handmouth biting down on Goblin's shoulder.

"NegaMorph! We don't want to give the insane supervillain EXP!" snapped Kala.

"I can choose when not to make my bite infectious," said NegaMorph, "Besides, this guy's so genetically twisted I don't think it'll affect him."

Goblin glared, pulling NegaMorph free. "Out of my sight," he snapped, igniting NegaMorph and throwing him aside. NegaMorph crashed into the street, not unlike a meteorite. "Now then, I think it's time we get away from the riff raff," said Goblin before flying up.

A few blue bolts shot past him at that, three SHIELD jetpack troopers in pursuit. "My patience is just about gone," snarled Goblin before he shot fire blasts from his eyes. The three troopers scattered and by the time they had stabilized Goblin was gone


To say that Matt didn't take it well would be an understatement approaching biblical proportions. The only reason he was on the Triskelion now was to keep him from literally tearing Manhattan apart to find Kala. Another warning was that he hadn't turned back to even anthro form yet.

"You said you were looking!" he snarled, practically frothing at the mouth at Fury.

"All of our available resources are being poured into this," said Fury, "The fact is New York City is the ultimate hiding place. You think we can ferret out supervillain lairs so easily?"

"Look harder or I will!" spat Matt. his eyes feral slits and wings spread

"Ok, tune it down," said NegaMorph, sticking some claws into Matt's flank.

Matt's eyes focussed, though NegaMorph had to release him. "Wow, he's seriously on the edge," he said, his claws glowing red and smoking slightly. "Excuse me a sec, I need to temper this," said NegaMorph. He went over to a sink and poured water on his hand, steam rising as it hit it.

He walked back over to Fury and said quietly, "You ever heard the term 'nuclear meltdown'? That's Matt at the moment. I can keep him from going postal, but I gotta stay here..."

"Well, we can't just wait around for Goblin to reappear. I don't want a repeat of the first Carnage," said Fury.

"Wait, there was another Carnage?" asked NegaMorph. Fury glared before NegaMorph sighed, "Lemme guess...classified. I'm gonna explain something: last time Kala went off the grid, Matt went half insane and he wasn't properly dragoned at that. Now? He'll melt the entire state to find her."

"Fine, then do you have any suggestions to find her faster?" asked Fury.

"Turn the city upside down...quietly. Have Moonshock, Spider-Man...everyone looking. And don't let Matt loose. In his state, he has no concept of collateral damage," warned Nega.

"And should Kala not be...herself when we find her?" asked Fury meaningfully.

"Tell him nothing...at all," said NegaMorph darkly.


Nick Fury wasn't wrong. New York City is practically made of hiding places. The Goblin found one such place down in the sewers. It was of Doc Ock's old labs, the one in which Curt Connors first became the feral Lizard to be exact. It was a little wrecked after that battle, but there was enough here for Goblin to work with. Including a place to keep his guest. Now if only she wasn't so loud...


"When I melt my way out of here, you are DEAD!" yelled Kala from the bunker/vault at the back of the lab.

"You're quite the little banshee, aren't you?" asked Goblin.

"I AM NOTHING LIKE THAT HARLOT!" screamed Kala, the vault door starting to glow orange.

Goblin probably should have reconsidered about using the Goblin serum on her. A temper that fierce would only be exacerbated by the serum. Not to mention his scans of her indicated she wasn't as human as she seemed, though the pointed ears were a bit of a giveaway. "Are you going to be quiet?" he snapped.

"You wanted to play with fire, now you're gonna get burned!" snapped Kala.

"I know a thing or two about fire," said Goblin as he adjusted the controls for the vault's settings, "One of the first things to know is that it needs air to burn."

"Hey...hey, thats cheating!" called Kala, several sizzles heard as the lack of oxygen extinguished her flames.

"Save your breath," said Goblin.

"Let...me...out..." managed Kala before there was a thud from the inside of the vault.

"That should keep her quiet until I can put a new gas in her lungs," said Goblin.

"Serum compatibility at 87%," said the damaged lab computer.

"That's just enough," said Goblin smugly.

"Commencing aerosolization," said the computer.

There was a hissing sound in the vault as the Goblin serum was being pumped in as a gas. And considering the vault was so low on oxygen, Kala had no choice but to breathe it in. That said, she did try. "Hey...let me out!" she snapped, trying to continue melting through the door as the green cloud engulfed her.

It was hard to keep up the heat with the lack of oxygen. Not to mention the way her head was spinning because of said oxygen-deprivation and the green gas she was breathing in. "Please...let me...out..." she managed, the gas making her head spin. As Kala started to black out, she heard laughter. But it wasn't outside the vault, it was in her head.


Goblin smirked as he watched the video feed show the gas turn Kala into just a shape in the green fog. He clicked on a filter that allowed him to see Kala through the gas as she was starting to change.

Goblin's sadistic grin turned puzzled as Kala's skin didn't change green, but blood red. As her uniform was being ripped open by her growing body, it showed shaggy reddish-brown hair growing the back of her arms, legs, and the back itself. The back was more exposed as a pair of large bat wings burst out. A pair of devilish horns grew from her head as her ears became larger than the Goblin's. Her face changed the most, looking like a mix of bat and koala.

Eventually, Kala's eyes snapped open, now blood red and malevolent. "Oh...oooh...what a rush..." she said in a sultry voice.

The computer seemed to predict his next question, saying, "You were warned that she was incompatible." Goblin resisted smashing it...why had this world's Doctor Octopus insisted on giving his computers his own voice?

Not long after that, he heard an even louder smash. It seems the Goblin serum had increased Kala's strength considerably. "Are you going to let me out? It seems a waste to ruin a door." called Kala

"Just a moment, my dear," said Goblin before he unlocked the door.

Kala walked out of the smoke, having found an old lab coat to cover herself. "Well...this is new," she said casually, looking at her hands, adding, "I think I'll miss my scales."

"You've certainly made an interesting kind of goblin," said Ultimate Goblin.

Kala gave him a dirty look and said, "Goblin? Do you think I'm calling myself a goblin?"

"Well, you don't look like a banshee," said Goblin dryly.

Kala glared, slapping him and sending him flying. "We do not mention that mate-stealing bitch," she snarled.

Kala looked at herself using the reflective metal side of a machine. The real wonder was that anything down here was clean enough to reflect. "Hmm...this is a unique look," she said. Kala grinned at her reflection, chuckling before seeing an annoyed Goblin getting back up, before she ignited a fireball. "I wouldn't.." he said warningly.

The Goblin bared his claws and growled angrily. "Oh please. Put that way before you poke an eye out," said Kala. Then she paused and muttered, "Poke an eye..." Then she gave a nasty grin and said, "I just remembered another creature from Celtic lore, one that has a dangerous sense of humor. From now on, you may refer to me as the Pooka."

The Goblin glared but decided to calm down...for now. Her blow had caught him off guard and he hadn't killed his world's Spider-Man by being brash. She would get her comeuppance eventually.

"And now that little pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, why did you go through the trouble of capturing me and what do you intend to do now?" asked the Pooka.

"I required aid in my plan...and beggers cannot be choosers," Goblin said smugly.

"Oh, very flattering," said Pooka flatly, "And what harebrained scheme do you need help with?"

"Taking over the city and building an army," said the Goblin smugly.

"I was expecting something more elaborate," said Pooka flatly.

"I shall succeed where the lesser Goblin of this dimension could not," said Goblin, "I shall transform New York City into a Goblin Kingdom, with me as the Goblin King."

"Ok, let me be perfectly clear: hell will freeze over before I'm your queen," said Pooka flatly.

Goblin snorted and said, "I am not so easily distracted by such frivolities."

Pooka muttered, "No wonder you're alone."

"Of course, a general isn't much good without an army and that vaccine will get in the way of building up a proper one," said Goblin.

Pooka raised an eyebrow, "This isn't anything like a virus, is it?"

"A virus? You really think you can get the power of a goblin instilled into a virus?" asked Goblin dismissively.

"Oh, that and much more," said Pooka, "In fact, I know just the bacterial culture we can use."


Meanwhile, NegaMorph and Gary had volunteered to sweep some of the city. Well, NegaMorph had volunteered. Gary was mostly dragged along. "I don't really see how I can contribute," said Gary.

"Well, you have to do something other than sitting on your tail all day," said NegaMorph.

"Despite what Megan said, we did not have experience fighting other villains. I do not know what use I can be," said Gary.

"If nothing else, an extra pair of eyes to watch my back," said NegaMorph.

"You think we will find Kala in time?" asked Gary.

"I'm just hoping we'll find Kala before something becomes irreversible," said NegaMorph.

"Because Matt will snap if that happens," said Gary in a weak voice.

"Look, Kala's been in far worse situations. I don't think this Goblin measures up to Taleth or the Aldmeri Dominion," said NegaMorph.

"The what?" asked Gary.

"Ah, forgot you weren't in Skyrim," said NegaMorph.

"Would you risk that?" asked Gary.

"I don't think it's that great a risk. I mean, this Goblin isn't really that tough if he doesn't get the drop on you. And it's a rare thing if he can. You can see and hear that big brute coming from a mile away. Smell him too. And he doesn't have nearly the brainpower of Norman Osborn," said NegaMorph.

A second later, a fireball shot down from the sky and implacted between them.

"Finally. I was starting to think I'd have to start talking about his mother," said NegaMorph.

"You have my attention now," sneered the Goblin from above.

"You're not an easy guy to find, you know that?" asked NegaMorph, "And someone as big and ugly as you should be easy to find."

The Goblin smirked at that "Spider-Man's attempts at humor have more effort," he sneered, tossing another fireball. NegaMorph narrowly avoided the fireball before flying at the Goblin. The Goblin simply swatted him aside before flying over to Gary. "And what do we have here?" he asked, "Another pale imitation of the Goblin?"

"Where is Kala?" snapped Gary.

"Kala? Never heard of her," said Goblin with a smirk.

Gary glared, his eyes glowing at that, before aiming a punch. The Goblin caught Gary's fist easily. "Pathetic. Not even enough to measure up to a lesser Goblin," sneered Goblin.

Gary glared before swinging his free fist, landing a punch. The Goblin was actually knocked back in the air before he righted himself. "Hmm...stronger than you look," said Goblin.

"I am not some weakling to bully." snapped Gary, adding "And you will tell me where you took Kala."

"Why should he tell you when I can show you?" asked a female voice. Gary turned only to be hit by a massive fireball.

Gary yelped as he was knocked to the ground, his back aching from the hit, before he realised he was aching. A point blank fireball to the back and he hadn't been turned to ash and charcoal. "Huh, I'm resistant to fire. That would have been helpful to know..." Gary lost his train of thought when he saw what had blasted him.

The resemblance to Kala's experiment form was unmistakable, even if it was being filtered through a goblin image. Her armor was rather minimalist, mostly reduced to a halter top and shorts. "Kala?" he said before going bug eyed as 'Kala' kicked a support from a water tower next to her, causing it to creak and begin to fall into the alley.

"Oops," she taunted.

Gary quickly rushed over and grabbed one of the water tower's legs. "NegaMorph, I could use some help!" called Gary.

"Gee, I'll try and finish my fight early," snapped NegaMorph, struggling with the Goblin.

"You know, I don't think you've really had your strength pushed to its limits," said 'Kala' hovering down to Gary's level.

Gary glared at her. "I will not fight you," he snapped.

"Oh, don't make it too easy for the Pooka," said 'Kala'.

"Pooka? But you don't look like a shaggy horse. Well, you're a little on the shaggy side..." said Gary.

Pooka glared before sending an almost solid beam of fire into the side of the water tower. The water tower buckled before a deluge of water came out, drenching Pooka. "Too hotheaded to think things through, are you?" asked Gary.

"Goblin, do you mind if I beat this annoyance half to death?" Pooka snarled, steaming as the water on her evaporated.

"Unless he can make a useful addition to our Goblin army, I have no use for him," said Goblin. Pooka grinned at that, igniting a fireball in each hand.

"Kala, don't make me do this. Matt wants you back," said Gary.

"Matt? The idiot who got my weak side to poison me?" sneered Pooka.

Gary's eyes widened. "It's you..." he said in surprise.

"We never really met, have we?" asked Pooka, "Pity I don't have the patience for proper introductions."

At that, Pooka fired a fireball into the ground in front of Gary, a huge fireball knocking him through a wall. NegaMorph stared at that in horror, which sadly allowed Goblin the advantage he needed.

The Goblin blasted NegaMorph with fire coming from both eyes, hands, and mouth. It taxed the Goblin to expend so much fire at once, but it had the desired effect.

NegaMorph coughed, badly sizzled, though the water he was in stopped him dehydrating completely. He may not have a particular weakness to fire, but a blast like that can take a lot of anyone. Oh, and his wings just got burned up.

Goblin grabbed him at that. "I have no idea why my companion thinks you will help," he sneered.

Pooka flew up to Goblin and said, "You wanted a proper dispersal method for your Goblin Kingdom? It's all in him."

NegaMorph stared in horror at that, trying to get free. "Not a chance!" he snapped.

"Your cooperation or wakefulness isn't required," said Pooka before hitting NegaMorph in the head with a concentrated combustion.

The two goblins smirked, taking flight with the twitching and regenerating NegaMorph. A minute later, some rubble moved, Gary pulling himself free. "Oh, this is really not good," said Gary, "I have to warn the others."


Back in the Goblin's lair, Pooka was putting Kala's knowledge to use. Specifically working on extracting a large amount of EXP virus out of NegaMorph.

"Interesting..." commented the Goblin as the computer checked some of the samples, the EXP virus seen in full.

"You should be. This is the most virulent mutagenic weapon in the multiverse and the only cure's in my blood," Pooka laughed.

"And how well does the Goblin serum work with this?" asked the Goblin.

"We'd need to strip the original payload and replace it with blood samples from you but after that..." said Pooka, only half-listening as she worked.

Just then, Pooka felt a little lightheadedness. "Um, excuse me, I need to use the bathroom real quick," she said, getting up and walking out of the room.

"Don't take long," said Goblin.

"Uh, you are aware this place is in the sewer," pointed out NegaMorph from his container.

"Is that something you really want to question?" asked Goblin.


Pooka staggered into the lab's restroom, grabbing the sink before looking at a reflection that wasn;t hers. "I'm not gonna let you do it," said her reflection in the mirror, that of Kala.

"You're not in much of a position to do anything," sneered Pooka.

"Actually, I'm right where I can do the most damage, Kai," retorted Kala.

"Oh really? You're locked where you put me...and that wonderful serum means I am more than strong enough to resist," laughed Pooka/Kai.

"It also makes you look like you should be lurking in children's closets," retorted Kala.

"I take what I can get. Once I'm in charge, I can streamline this," sneered Pooka.

"You know you're not the one really in charge," said Kala.

"Of course I am. All you can do is make noise in my head," said Pooka.

"No, I mean you're not the one calling the shots. The Great Goblin is. You're only his lieutenant right now," said Kala.

"Like I said, once I'm in charge," smirked Pooka, mockingly making a 'shush' with her finger and saying, "Don't tell."

"You do realize that none of the others are gonna fall for this Pooka persona," said Kala.

"Doesn't matter if they do or not," said Pooka, "Once they've got the Goblin virus, they won't care."

"You wouldn't dare. Even McNiel would hunt you down," snapped Kala.

"But Tenebra will hire me on the spot," said Pooka.

"Only if you don't get Matt, and you know it. Anything happens to her godfather and she'll skin us alive," said Kala.

"Well, I guess I need to bag him for later," said Pooka.

"If he lets us..." muttered Kala, her image in the mirror flickering between her and Pooka.

"Better save your strength, dear. You've only got so many words left to throw at me before you disappear for good," said Pooka. With that, Pooka left the mirror, laughing as she headed back.


"How long till he calms down?" said Gary weakly, the floor shaking as he watched Matt rage on a monitor. Fury had wisely had Gary give the news over the intercom.

"Once Matt gets started, he can go on for hours," said Chloe.

"We don't have hours," said Gary, "We may not even have an hour."

The group winced as Matt, on the screen, grabbed a dropship before throwing it at the camera, the room shaking from the distant explosion and Chloe sighing and adding to a growing number on her wristcomp...the repair bill.

"Hang on, I think he's losing steam," said Chris.

The shaking had finally stopped, before Fury listened to a guard outside the hanger, saying Lazard had exited and was heading for the group. "Well, if Goblin doesn't wreck New York, Lazard will," said Fury.

"I don't hear explosions," said Chloe hopefully.

"Ok, now we just need to calmly discuss with Matt a way to find Kala," said Spider-Man.

"Yeah, I don't think that would last more than two minutes," said Chloe.

"We should probably try," said Gary.

Just then, Matt entered the room and said, "Ok, we have three minutes to think of a way to track down Kala before I go look for her myself."

"Matthew...I found...Kala..." said Gary carefully.

"Yes, I heard that part," said Matt, "That's why I was taking my anger out on the hangar."

"Erm...she isn't herself..." began Gary.

"Let me guess, Kai is back," said Matt.

"Um...maybe," said Gary, "I don't think this is Kai's usual self."

Matt took a deep breath before saying, "Explain."

"She's...been Goblinized," said Gary, "She's currently calling herself 'the Pooka'."

Matt, his head being rubbed by one of his hands, punched the wall with his other hand.

"Pooka?" asked Spider-Man.

"Irish folklore," said Chloe, "Interesting choice of names, though."

"Yes, but she alluded to Matt and Kala destroying her before, so I think this is a new persona of Kai," said Gary.

"And I am not gonna let her hang around. Where's NegaMorph?" said Matt, still not looking up.

"They took him," said Gary. "Oh...why?" asked Kid Arachnid in confusion.

"He's not that much use for him...unless they wanna turns everyone 2 feet tall and weird," said Matt.

"Er..." said Chloe uncomfortably.

"Out with it..." demanded Matt.

"Well...they kinda designed the EXP virus to be...modular," said Chloe.

"Modular? What does that mean?" asked Kid Arachnid.

"It means that they can remove the genetic experiment DNA and replace it with DNA from some other lifeform," said Chloe.

Everyone except Fury jumped as Matt punched the wall again, leaving a rather large dent. "And you say this now? Sis...do you remember the policy on secrets?" he said darkly.

"Well, this particularly eventuality never came up before," said Chloe, "I mean, not many people want to mess with EXP virus."

"Uh, hold the phone for a minute," said Chris, "Are you saying the Virk virus is a modified EXP virus?"

"No, we tried that first," said Gary.

"Yeah, couldn't have been that easy," said Matt, "Otherwise Kala would have been able to cure the..." Matt paused and said, "Kala would know how to tailor in new DNA into the virus, right?"

"Of course. She would';t be a good combat medic if she couldn't modify on the fly," said Chloe.

Matt glared and snapped, "You know what I say; secrets can kill! I thought you'd have known better!"

"I wasn't keeping it secret. There just...hasn't been a reason to talk about it before," said Chloe, "As if I could have possibly predicted Kala would one day be kidnapped by a goblin who wants her to make him more goblins." She paused and said, "Let me rephrase that."

"This isn't helping anyone. How bad could this be?" snapped Fury.

Matt said, "It's a viciously virulent bioweapon...and Kala is the only vaccine."

"Well, at least it won't be as hard to find them now," said Gary.

"Why, because Matt will be so determined to save the love of his life that his heart will be able to lead him right to her?" asked Chloe sarcastically.

"Actually, I meant that NegaMorph is a lot easier to track," said Gary.

"Scan on the 1900 megahurtz frequency. It'll pinpoint him," said Matt.

"When did you put a bug on NegaMorph?" asked Chloe in annoyance.

"The minute he was on the crew," said Matt darkly.

"Seriously?" asked Chloe.

"And he hasn't found it yet?" asked Chris incredulously.

Matt just smirked, "Without the ship, hopefully SHIELD can spot it before she decides for a field test."

"Ok, we've got a ping," said Fury, "Looks like it's down in the sewers. If I'm not mistaken, that's near where Connors first became the Lizard."

"I know the place," said Spider-Man.

"Ah, that was quick. Let's hurry before they move," said Matt.


NegaMorph groaned as he came too, to see himself in a glass booth. "Well, at least this is roomier," said NegaMorph.

"Oh, you're awake," said Kala's voice.

NegaMorph looked over at Pooka and said, "You know, Kala, the goblin look just isn't you."

"She is complaining about that It's such a shame she won't be around for long," sneered Pooka.

"Oh, Kai. I might have known," said NegaMorph, "Honestly, I think being a goblin is a step down from being a dragon."

"Well...for now. That's the beauty of EXP. Once I deal with that hothead, I can do some changes," sneered Kai.

"Backstabbing the Goblin too," said NegaMorph, "I suppose you're not going to settle for Goblin Queen."

"Of course not. I prefer Dragon Queen," sneered Kai.

"Yeah, well I'm not sure where you're going to get dragon DNA around here. Don't think you count right now," said NegaMorph.

"Why, Matt will be here any minute to 'rescue' me," said Kai with a nasty smile.

"You know...I'm actually impressed. Me and Silvia shoulda tried that," said NegaMorph, smirking.

"Well, somebody already did. You ever wonder where that Virk virus came from?" asked Kai, "Because I'd certainly like to know."

"True but those nutters were already dragons," said NegaMorph.

Kai paused before saying, "Erm...good point."

"Still, I don't anyone's tried to explore the different possibilities of the EXP virus like you have," said NegaMorph.

"I was designed to...why are you sucking up? I thought you were all good now," said Kai suspiciously.

"Hey, I appreciate genius when I see it," said NegaMorph.

Kai paused before sneering, "You must think I'm fresh out the genetic pod."

"Well...look, how far do think you're going to get with this scheme?" asked NegaMorph.

"Far enough. The heroes will eventually get this under control but I'll be long gone by then," sneered Kai.

"Long gone? Where do you think you're gonna go?" asked NegaMorph, "You don't think anyone can fly faster than your wings?"

"They'll be too busy with a city wide outbreak of goblins. One of the good places about this place: the sewers go everywhere," sneered Kai, adding, "The best part is, your marker's all over the strain, so the NSC will blame you."

"Uh-huh, you haven't been brushing up on recent history, have you?" asked NegaMorph.

"Oh please, how much could have changed?" scoffed Kai.

"Uh-huh, well you've heard about the new Empire, right?" asked NegaMorph.

"Yeah, Tenebra, hoping to get in touch with her soon," said Kai.

"And the NSC probably won't give a hoot about what you did here," added NegaMorph.

"Say what?" asked Kai.

"Try looking at Kala's memories of McNeil," said NegaMorph.

Kai paused before she snapped, "Dammit." Then they both heard the Goblin coming. "If you say one word to the Goblin about my plan, I'll make sure Matt never sees us again," she hissed.

"Yeah, I don't think I'd want to help him," said NegaMorph.

"Like you have a choice. The work's already done," sneered Kai as the Goblin came in, Kai slipping into her Pooka persona. "Honey, I was just explaining to our friend how he'd helped to doom the city," she said.

"Oh, you horrible, twisted fiends," said NegaMorph flatly.

"Oh I can't wait to see the looks on everyone's face when we send that gas up the pipes," said Pooka.

"In New York City? They won't notice the difference," said NegaMorph.

"Oh, they will," said Pooka with an evil grin.

"You do realize this is late spring, right? Almost summer," said NegaMorph, "Nobody's gonna have their heaters on."

"And they have all their windows open...meaning when we blow this through the sewer pipes..." said Pooka, leaving an opening for Goblin or NegaMorph to finish.

"New York will be full of goblins before they know what happened," said Goblin.

"And nobody can stop us," sneered Pooka.

NegaMorph grinned this time, "You had to tempt fate."

"Fate's already set," said Pooka, "They would have to find us before we let out the gas-"

NegaMorph cracked up at that. "I'm sorry, it's hard to take you seriously with that line," NegaMorph laughed.

"It's not that funny!" snapped Pooka.

"Yes it is. There is one thing I wouldn't have done," NegaMorph said, leaning back in his tube, "I wouldn't waste time on the gloating." Just then, the far door began to glow red. NegaMorph pulled out his pocketwatch and said, "Oh, they're actually early for once."

Just then, the door was blasted open, our heroes standing behind it. "ROUND TWO, YOU GARGOYLE REJECT!" roared Lazard.

"I resemble that remark," said Gary indignantly.

Pooka glared. "Maybe actually deal with-" she began before a blast of webbing covered her face.

"You know, I'm kind of in a rush right now," said Spider-Man, "Can we skip the pre-battle banter and skip to the mid-battle banter?"

"My pleasure," said Goblin before throwing a fireball at him.

Spider-Man swung out of the way, the fireball going wide just before Lazard, in full dragon form, tackled Goblin and snarled in a deep voice, his eyes red, "I'll peel you like a grape for what you did to her."

"You couldn't beat me before," sneered Goblin before punching him in the face.

Lazard's head swung to the side before he slowly turned back, glowing cracks in his scales. "That was then," he snarled, before throwing Goblin across the room, "This is now." before Goblin fired a load of fireballs into the roof above Lazard.

Lazard sent a welding blast of heat up at the ceiling. "You have to do better than that!" he snapped.

Pooka meanwhile was stuck fighting everyone else. "Get off me, you inferior pests!" snapped Pooka, trying to tag Spider-Man and Kid Arachnid.

"Kala, I know you're still in there," said Spider-Man, "We can help you."

"Do I look like I want help?!" snapped Pooka, breathing fire at him.

Moonshock jumped on Pooka's back at that, trying to knock her out via headlock. "It's not Kala at the wheel!" she snapped, before she was thrown into a console.

"Careful with that!" snapped Pooka.

"Translation: break everything!" yelled NegaMorph.

Spiderman webbed a console and tore it free at that, Kid Arachnid overloading another. "You really suck at villaining," said Kala in Pooka's reflection.

"SHUT UP!" yelled Pooka.

Just then, Lazard was thrown across the room, hitting the wall right by Moonshock. She turned to him and said, "You wanna switch dance partners for a while?"

Goblin nodded, lunging at the others as Pooka advanced on Lazard.

"Well, Matt, it's been a long, long time," sneered Pooka.

"Aw...Kai...I wish I could say it was nice," snarled Lazard.

"Be honest, what do you think of this new look?" asked Pooka, turning from side to side, "I think it's starting to grow on me."

"You look like you belong in a Darkrift facility," snarled Matt, the two circling.

"Well, there's room for improvement," said Pooka, "I can probably make an even better dragoness out of this."

"And I'd still have no interest," snarled Lazard before lunging with a roar.

Pooka grabbed Lazard before lifting him over her head, and spinning him around like a pizza. "You know, I'm actually even stronger like this," said Pooka casually.

Lazard's tail whipped out at that, twisting round her neck and squeezing. "And so am I..." managed Lazard, glowing cracks spreading from his glowing eyes, "Didn't hear about the Shar-Ekta upgrade, did you?"

"Well, if you can do it, so can I!" snapped Pooka.

Kala, in a reflection, warned, "I wouldn't. It's a bit too much."

Pooka snapped, "SHUT UP, YOU PARASITE!"

Lazard looking surprised. "Did I hear Kala?" asked Lazard.

"Did Matt just hear me?" asked Kala.

"Will you shut up?!" snapped Pooka.

"Hold that thought," said Lazard before wrapping his tail over Pooka's mouth and looking at the reflection, "Kala? Is that you?"

"Well, close enough," said Kala.

"Ok...how?" said Matt, his eye twitching a little.

Kala thought for a second, "Either our love connects us or you're just that nuts." Lazard's eyes went wide as there was a crunch, caused by Pooka biting his tail. "I think we'd be able to continue this conversation later when I get my body back," said Kala.

Matt turned at that, the cracks now more like gaps, Kai pausing in her biting with concern. She was getting the creepy idea that, at the moment, her opponent was just a suit that was being taken off by something both more powerful and alot angrier.

"Now, let...Kala...go..." snarled Lazard.

Kai seemed scared for a moment before she snarled, "Over my dead body."

"That isn't up for bargaining," growled Lazard.

"Then I'd rather die," snarled Kai.

"If I only had the capacity for that," growled Lazard.

Kai smirked at that, adding, "That's why I win." aiming a swing, only for Lazard to catch it, a sizzle heard.

"I told you you'd get burned," said Kala.

Kai screamed, before Lazard let go, a dark red burn already healing. "Let's see if I can burn you out," said Lazard in an echoing voice.

"Hey, Smokey, you don't have to burn down the house just to get rid of the mouse!" called NegaMorph. Lazard, his dragonic head almost elemental, turned to hiss. Nega said in a worried voice, "I'd give up if I were you, Kai."

"Yeah, just take your anti-goblin vaccine and go back under the bed," said Kala before saying to Lazard, "You did bring it, right?"

"What vaccine?" screamed Kai as Lazard leaned in, opening his mouth

When it seemed like a light at the end of the dark tunnel that was Lazard's throat was growing brighter, Kai screamed and yelled, "ALRIGHT, TAKE IT!"

Her eyes seemed to flash before Kala yelled "MATT!"

The mouth clamped shut just before the plasma flare erupted out. Of course, that did cause a bit of discomfort for Lazard, if the smoking nostrils and ears were any indication. "If this is a trick..." he warned.

"No trick," said Kala, "But I'd really like that vaccine. I look like I have to hide in a Halloween shop 364 days of the year."


Goblin swung at Kid Arachnid before roaring as Moonshock sent a bolt of lightning into his back and Spider-Man webbed his hand down. "You're getting slow, Gobby," said Kid Arachnid, "This used to take twice as much time."

"Stay STILL!" snapped Goblin, swinging at Moonshock and knocking her flying.

"Now what superhero would stop and do that?" asked Spider-Man.

"Colossus, maybe?" suggested Kid Arachnid.

"Well, besides him," said Spider-Man.

NegaMorph yelled, "Will someone let me the hell out?"

"Just a sec," said Kid Arachnid before disappearing.

A few seconds later, the hatch to NegaMorph's tube opened. "Right..." Negamorph growled, his eyes glowing.

"Pooka, help me!" yelled Goblin.

'Pooka' snapped, "After you turned me into this and let my psycho split personality come back? Bite me!"

"Impossible! No one can overcome the goblin serum!" snapped Goblin.

"No human, I'm an alien," said Pooka smugly.

"More importantly, she's my girlfriend," said Lazard.

"And we don't appreciate the makeover," snarled Kala.

"Tell you what, we'll give you a chance to run while you can," said Lazard.

The Goblin glared at that. "Run?" he growled.

"Ooh, now you got him riled," said Kid Arachnid.

Kala smirked, "Oh please, he got lucky last-" before a fireball knocked her flying.

"THE GOBLIN DOES NOT FLEE!" roared Goblin, fire literally shooting from his eyes.

Moonshock, her eyes glowing, snapped "That's ENOUGH!" sending a huge blast of lightning into the Goblin's back.

The sheer voltage lit up Goblin like an x-ray. The Goblin was left staggering where he stood, his back smoking, before he fell over. "Huh, guess he never got that much electricity before," said Kid Arachnid.

Moonshock snapped, "Lets just drag his butt back and get rid of his little gas bombs."

"Gas bombs... OH THAT'S RIGHT!" yelped Kala, running back to the remaining machines.

She began pressing buttons before the voice of Doc Ock said, "Countdown terminated."

Kala saved a sigh of relief before saying, "Ok, now we can go."


Luckily there had still been a few vials of the anti-serum in stock at the Triskelion, though Kala had to remain in quarantine for the time being.

"Ok...so I assume you found me cause you found my bug," said NegaMorph.

"You know about that?" asked Chris.

"What do you mean? I bugged Matt the minute I joined the crew," said NegaMorph in confusion.

"Uh...sure," said Chris.

NegaMorph paused before muttering, "Oh that asshole...he bugged me?"

"I never said that," said Chris.

"When I get my hands on him...wait, did you know?" snapped Negamorph

"No," said Chris.

"I KNEW IT!" snapped NegaMorph.


Kala didn't mind the quarantine so much. It allowed her to collect her thoughts, as well as sort out which ones weren't really hers.

She could hear Kai screaming bloody murder in her head, mostly as Kala had gotten a mental inhibitor collar on at the first opportunity "Ugh...how does Matt deal with this?" she asked, rubbing her temples.

"When I am free I will make you watch as I kill everyone you know!" screamed Kai, getting quieter as Kala concentrated.

"Ok, I'm going to have to put a lot more effort in keeping her locked up," said Kala, "She's clearly more unstable than Silvia and that sun dragon persona that Matt has."

The door opened at that, Matt walking in. "Kala?" he said cautiously.

"Might want to stay back," said Kala.

"That goblin serum isn't contagious," said Matt, "And we already purged all the goblin viruses."

"I'm thinking more of my self control. Kai got control of me so easy even this second time," said Kala.

"You couldn't have expected her," said Matt, "She was functionally dead."

"She's not now," said Kala in a worried tone.

"Well, she's got us to deal with now," said Matt, "And we're more than a match for any day of the week."

"Ok...ok," said Kala, hugging Matt.

For a moment, Kala looked at her reflection on the door and saw the Pooka hugging Matt, giving her a wicked smile. But Kala shut that image out of her mind and her reflection changed back. She wasn't about to lose Matt again.


Here's another chapter and the start of a short arc. We've got a couple of contenders for the last open spot in Doc Ock's Sinister Six. And here we have the Ultimate Golbin trying and failing for that. I felt that there needed to be a little more personal closure considering who the Goblin is and what he's done. I also made Kala into the Pooka. Not quite a traditional villain name, but considering how pookas have been depicted in popular culture in recent years, I think it's apt. Whether this will have any long-term consequences for Kala will remain to be seen.

Anyways, there are three more villains on the loose. You won't have to wait as long to see what they'll be up to. I plan on posting several new chapters soon. Keep an eye out for them and please review.