Chapter 13: Standoff
"So, you're going?"
"Yep," Harry responded. "Bringing Liz. You're taking Gwen, I assume."
Peter and Harry were walking outside of the school, and based off their conversation, Harry was much less enthusiastic about the event than Peter.
"You're seriously not that excited?" Peter asked.
"Nope. Why would I be? It's just gonna be another one of Dad's events. They're all the same. They're fundraisers that benefit him and him only."
"But this is for his company. Oscorp's at risk here, dude. Do you really want to see your father lose everything?"
Harry thought about it. He loved his dad but hated that his father focused more on his company than his own son. Harry always felt jealous and longed for a father figure, something Peter could relate to since losing Uncle Ben.
"No, Pete. I just feel neglected. Do you know that he hasn't asked me once how I've been doing since my mom died? Not once. He never talks about her or shows any remorse for what happened. To be honest, I'm kinda starting to think that he had something to do with it," Harry confessed.
"But why? It was just a fire, wasn't it? Do you think he started it?"
"I don't want to believe it. And maybe I'm just being paranoid. But I can't shake the feeling that something isn't right."
"I don't mean to be rude, dude. I'd be lying if I said your dad didn't give a creepy vibe at times, but would he go as far as murder?" Peter wondered.
"Insult him all you want, I don't care. I think he's hiding something, and I need to know what it is."
"No. Don't make things worse between you two. I'll talk to him," Peter promised.
"You're gonna talk to him? Do you really think that's smart?"
"Well, I have always admired him to an extent. Whether you like the guy or not, he works hard to provide for you. If you really think he's hiding something or behind your mother's death, then let me get a confession out of him."
"You're not a cop, are you?" Harry jokingly asked.
Peter chuckled. "No, but I can definitely say I've had experience when it comes to being around police officers. I'll get the answers you want."
Harry nodded. "Thanks, Pete."
To say that Norman's fundraiser was a big event was a severe understatement. This could make or break the future of Oscorp, the company he had started twenty years prior. Norman was well aware of the stakes, so he did he best to make sure everything went well.
The venue was packed with people in fancy attire, and it was only 6:10. Peter was dressed in a black suit he had borrowed from Harry, as well as a white collar shirt and green tie. Gwen was dressed in a green dress and black heels. Peter and Gwen were making their way through the swarm of people.
"Jesus, I don't know why I let you talk me into this!" Gwen joked.
"Believe me, it'll be worth it," Peter responded.
"It must be for them," Gwen said, pointing to Peter's right.
Peter turned to see Harry and Liz both talking to each other, and both looked happy. Luckily, Peter was able to spot Norman nearby, talking to a businessman.
"Bingo," Peter stated.
"Bingo?" Gwen questioned.
"I gotta interview Mr. Osborn. Is it cool if you give me a minute?"
"Sure, Pete."
Peter walked through the crowd of people and made his way to Norman, who had luckily just finished talking to the businessman.
"Mr. Osborn!" Peter started. "Is it cool if I ask you some questions for the Daily Bugle?"
"Absolutely, Peter, glad you could make it. Ask away," Norman enthusiastically agreed. Norman was also wearing a suit with a red tie.
Peter pulled a tape recorder out of his jacket pocket and pressed the record button. "So, in light of recent events at Oscorp, how successful do you think this fundraiser will go, and how much hope do you see for the company?"
"Well, Mr. Parker, I have all the hope in the world in my company. My business has done a lot for this city and has greatly benefited our citizens. I also have to hope that that damn Goblin gets caught or killed before he can pull off another attack. You remember how much damage that did to my tower," Norman replied.
"Yes, I do, sir. What's the goal you need to accomplish the repairs?"
"$3,000,000. You'd think that one of the richest men in New York would be able to pull that all off with ease, but I also lost a lot of my fortune in my divorce and when my ex-wife passed away. Truly a tragedy. I miss her very much."
"But you had your struggles with your wife, yes?"
Norman was confused. What did a question like that have to do with Oscorp?
"Mr. Parker, I'm not sure what this has to do with this fundraiser."
"It's just a question, Mr. Osborn. You're more than welcome to not answer it," Peter countered.
Norman sighed. "Yes, my wife and I had our problems, and we rushed through the divorce process, but I also need to provide for my son Harry."
"You have your problems with him, too, don't you?"
The conversation was starting to hit a nerve with Norman.
"Mr. Parker, I respect you a great deal, but I'm failing to see the relevance of my son in all of this. Whether it's your business or not-"
"Sorry, Mr. Osborn, it's just that I've known Harry since we were kids, and I've never seen him this down in his life. I think he's making progress at getting better, but that was his mom. And you're his father. He feels neglected by you, and I think he has always felt that way."
"Peter, who are you to judge my parenting skills? And turn the damn recorder off!" Norman shouted.
A couple of attendees looked over, though Peter kept his composure. "Mr. Osborn, I'm just concerned. Harry has suspicions on how his mother really died, and I know he'd hate the fact that she might have been murdered."
"And what is it that you think?" Norman asked.
"I have my suspicions as well. That was a pretty large fire for it to have only been started accidentally. It's a miracle that Harry's aunt even made it out alive. Come to think of it, they never found out how it happened."
Beads of sweat started going down Norman's forehead as he played around with his tie.
"He's on to us! We have to kill him!"
"No, I can't," Norman blurted out.
"You can't what?" Peter asked curiously.
"Nothing, Peter. No more questions," Norman declared before storming away.
Peter walked back to Gwen.
"That must've been awkward. I could hear him yell all the way from here," Gwen admitted. "What the hell did you say to trigger him like that?"
"Well…"
"Don't tell me there was an ulterior motive," Gwen groaned.
"Well, Harry's been having suspicions about his mom's death. Let's just say I decided to get some answers," Peter admitted.
"And did you get any?"
"Uhhh…"
"Great."
"Can we just try and enjoy the rest of the night?" Peter begged.
"Do you really think this was the right time and place to interrogate him?"
"Yes. I'm putting him on the spot."
"Putting him on the spot would be questioning him in front of everyone, though."
"You may have a point. But I needed to give Harry some closure."
"Ladies and gentlemen, I just wanted to thank you all very much for showing up. Without you all, I'd be living out on the streets, eating from the trash and drawing words on cardboard," Norman joked, holding a microphone in front of a stand on a stage.
The audience burst in laughter while Peter and Gwen just looked nervous.
"As you all know, for a long time, I've always wanted to perfect humanity. Enhance us to our fullest physical and mental capabilities beyond our potential. With a new breed of superhumans, the world could be a utopia. However, that dream was robbed from me after an experiment went wrong, and as a result, the other board members threatened to kick me out of the damn company I started with my own two hands. Not too long ago, they were killed by that dreadful Goblin creature, and the whole tower was de-destroyed after a fight with that freak Spider-Man. Those two monsters…they took away decades of my work! Lost me so mu-much money! My accountant later on gives me the nasty surprise that after a while, I can't afford to run my damn company anymore! Funny, huh? Nope, I'm dead serious!"
The attendees all looked around in confusion and started whispering to each other. Harry ran over to Norman, with Peter, Gwen, and Liz also looking concerned.
"Dad, what's going on?!" Harry shouted.
"Oh, go away, son! I'm perfectly fine right where I am! So, shut it!"
Taken aback, Harry went back to Liz in shock.
"I might be losing everything! Everything! It's all because of Spider-Man! This Goblin appeared after Spider-Man did, and that's what led to all of this shit! Come to think of it, the Goblin isn't at much fault compared to Spider-Man! Hell, let's give him a medal!" Norman screamed.
"Keep telling yourself Spider-Man's responsible for this all. Together, we really brought chaos to this city. Let's bring all of New York to their knees, make them beg for mercy."
"What is it with everyone blaming Spider-Man for all the villains?" Peter sighed to Gwen.
"I know, right? Enough is enough already," Gwen agreed.
"After we rip Spider-Man's head off of his body, blood will be shed around the city."
"SHUT UP!" Norman roared as he got down on his knees. "Enough is enough. What do you want from me? Why do you want to destroy New York so badly?"
"Destroy? New York is full of corrupt people everywhere. The Vulture, Kraven, Chameleon, Scorpion. You might as well accept that we're living in a squalor full of people who do nothing but kill, rape, rob, do everything to take away hope. You and I are the worst of them. Let's just embrace it! Let's be the best of them and rip this city apart!"
"Bullshit!" Norman yelled as he fell off the stage, prompting people to gasp.
"Dad!" Harry exclaimed as he, Liz, and a few attendees ran over to Norman.
"Oh, shit," Peter said before running away.
"Peter, where are you going?!" Gwen shouted.
All she saw before Peter left the room was him ripping his jacket off. She looked at Norman as he was struggling on the ground.
"Call an ambulance!" Harry shouted.
All Gwen could wonder was who the hell Norman was talking to. Why would the Goblin deserve a medal? And his hatred for Spider-Man…
"Oh, shit!" Gwen shouted as she put two and two together. Norman Osborn was the Green Goblin.
"Don't let these ignorant souls bother you! You're the Goblin! First, we slaughter Spider-Man, and-"
"I will not kill anyone!" Norman shouted. "Not anymore!"
A few of the attendees quickly rushed away from Norman, while Harry and Liz both looked at each other with shocked looks.
"Dad?!" Harry exclaimed.
"Your son, he'll be the next one."
"NO!" Norman yelled.
Harry's eyes widened in shock. "Not anymore? You-You killed Mom?"
"I'm sorry, son."
Norman started screaming in immense pain, punching back Harry, Liz, and the few attendees trying to help. Norman started to rip off most of his suit as his fingernails transformed into claws. Norman's eyes turned green, and his skin started to grow into a more monstrous and large form.
"What the f-" Liz started.
"YOU KILLED MOM! YOU FUCKING DID IT!" Harry roared. "I'll kill you!"
"I don't think so," Norman said before lunging at him.
Before the Goblin could attack his son, Spider-Man swung into him, knocking him into a wall. Spider-Man ran over to Harry.
"You okay?" Spider-Man asked with genuine concern.
"Y-Yeah, just kick his ass," Harry muttered.
Norman was heard roaring, and Spider-Man swung over to him. Spider-Man jumped on top of Norman and pummeled him with punches. Norman kicked Spider-Man off and grabbed his leg, smashing him against the floor. Norman then threw Spider-Man against the microphone stand, knocking it over.
"I don't have time for this nonsense!" Norman roared as he pressed a button on his watch.
Norman ran over to Spider-Man and smacked him across the wall. The attendees were everywhere screaming and fleeing.
"Mr. Osborn, you have to stop! You're putting everyone's lives in danger," Spider-Man begged as he grabbed Norman's fist and countered with a punch to the face.
"And I couldn't be any happier," Norman sadistically declared as threw some punches, which Spider-Man blocked.
Goblin grabbed Spider-Man by the throat and held him above the ground.
"But I can't kill anyone if you stand in my way. So, looks like I'm going through you first."
"Over my dead body!"
"That will be arranged," the Goblin threatened.
Spider-Man shot a web at Goblin's eyes and jumped back to the ground. He swept Goblin's leg, knocking him down. However, a piece of Goblin's body armor hit Spider-Man in the back of the head, knocking him down. The piece along with many other parts of Goblin's armor attached itself to Norman.
Once his helmet got on, Norman mused, "Good to be back."
"Still haven't gotten rid of that ugly mask, huh, Gobby?!" Spider-Man pointed out as he jumped over Goblin's incoming glider.
Goblin jumped on to the glider, which started shooting bullets at Spider-Man, who ran and dodged them before attaching himself to a wall.
"Freeze! Police!"
Spider-Man and Goblin both turned to see police officers and a SWAT team charging towards them.
"Goddamn it," Peter muttered. "GET OUT OF HERE! IT'S NOT SAFE! HE'LL KILL YOU ALL!"
Unsurprisingly, the men started shooting, with the bullets easily bouncing off of the Goblin, who Spider-Man used as a human shield.
"You're gonna have to do better than that!" the Goblin taunted. "But I can."
He summoned a bomb from his glider and threw it towards the crowd of officers before Spider-Man lunged at it and threw it back at him, knocking him off his glider. Spider-Man leapt down in front of the men.
"You believe me now?!" Spider-Man asked.
"Men, evacuate the building and get everyone out of here! Set up a perimeter outside, and make sure people get off the streets!" Captain Stacy commanded.
The men started to leave as Captain Stacy stayed behind.
"Captain, you have to leave. This is my fight, not yours."
"I doubted you for a while, and I owe my life to you."
"No, you don't. Not with your life."
Goblin came flying, grabbing Spider-Man, who grabbed onto Goblin and tried to force him off. As the two struggled in the air, Captain Stacy aimed for a good shot with his shotgun. Once he had a clear shot, Captain Stacy shot the glider, causing it to start smoking. The two held onto the glider as it flew threw a window of the building and outside. Goblin kicked Spider-Man off, and the young hero held onto the edge of the glider as tightly as he could.
"You're really starting to get on my last nerve, Spider-Man!" Goblin spat.
"The feeling is mutual. At least we can agree on something," Spider-Man agreed as he ripped some wires out of the glider before letting go.
Spider-Man swung towards a clock tower and crouched on it. Goblin jumped off of the glider and leapt onto the clock tower as the glider crashed to the ground.
"What's next, Goblin?" Spider-Man asked as he shot a web, which Goblin caught. "Everyone knows who you are now."
Spider-Man jumped over to Goblin and kicked him twice in the chest before backflipping. Goblin threw a fist, but Spider-Man jumped over it, and the punch landed on the concrete. Spider-Man punched Goblin in the face and grabbed his fist.
"It's over, Gobby," Spider-Man declared.
Goblin smiled evilly. "You're right, but not for me."
Spider-Man's cockiness disappeared as he looked down at his chest, with Goblin's claws scratching it. Goblin proceeded to smack Spider-Man across the face twice, kick him in the chest, and throw him to the edge of the roof. Spider-Man shot some web darts, though Goblin smacked them aside. Spider-Man lunged at Goblin, who simply grabbed the hero by the throat and smashed him against the concrete. Spider-Man grabbed Goblin's mask and plunged his fingers into it, ripping it. The Goblin shouted in pain as he grabbed his face, allowing Spider-Man to escape. Goblin took his helmet off, revealing Norman's bruised and bloodied face.
"It was you all along, all this time," Spider-Man stated in disbelief. "How could you do this to Harry?"
"How could you do this to Harry, Peter?" the Goblin countered.
"You knew?" Spider-Man asked, stunned.
"I should have figured it out sooner. You're too oblivious to the fact that you and Spider-Man are one and the same. You both do what needs to be done. When you stop and think about it, you're a lot like me. You don't let anyone stand in your way, no matter how close they are to you."
"You're right. The difference is, I won't kill people to do it. You're ruthless, and you'll kill anyone. You would even kill your own wife, the mother of your child."
"And I'll kill you, too," Norman threatened.
"Let's find out."
Spider-Man and Goblin lunged at each other. Spider-Man shot a web at Norman's face and pulled it down, kneeing him and throwing him across the ground. Spider-Man pummelled Goblin with his fists. Goblin pulled a dagger out of his leg and swung it, but Spider-Man grabbed it and jammed it in Goblin's shoulder.
"Damn insect!" Goblin yelled as parts of his armor temporarily malfunctioned.
Spider-Man continued to punch, though Goblin started to block them. Spider-Man headbutted Goblin, who laughed and headbutted Spider-Man back, causing him to yell and hold his head in pain.
"No one wins with a headbutt!" Spider-Man admitted.
Goblin grabbed Spider-Man and slammed him against the concrete. Smashing him against the concrete, they both fell through the tower as the concrete collapsed. They both fell on the large gears. Spider-Man swung around, evading Goblin, and swung around to kick him in the face, knocking him further down to more gears. Spider-Man jumped down and threw a kick, but Goblin grabbed his leg and threw him against the wall. Goblin then assaulted Spider-Man's chest and face and lunged his claws at Spider-Man's face. Spider-Man desperately grabbed the claw and managed to shove it away, throwing Goblin against the wall.
Meanwhile, outside, people on the streets were watching the clock tower as debris kept crumbling to the ground. Cops were talking to witnesses, who had all claimed to have seen Spider-Man and Goblin fighting there. Captain Stacy got out of a cruiser and ran towards the tower. A news crew was there, covering the event.
"As we're covering this, Spider-Man and the Goblin are fighting inside of this clock tower. We'll let you know if there are any updates, but so far-"
Part of the clock tower's wall exploded, and Spider-Man was knocked down, falling towards the ground.
"Holy shit!" the news reporter shouted.
Spider-Man shot a web at the tower and clung to the wall. However, Goblin jumped down, grabbed Spider-Man and smashed him against the wall before throwing him back down. Spider-Man fell on a cruiser, smashing it completely. Spider-Man groaned in pain as he got down from the car. His left eye piece was ripped off, and his chest was still bleeding from the claw marks. Spider-Man quickly webbed up his wound as Captain Stacy ran over to him.
"Is he any close to dying?" Captain Stacy asked.
The Goblin's roar was heard as he jumped down.
"That answer your question?" Spider-Man sighed as he swung towards Goblin.
The news cameras focused on the fight, primarily Norman's exposed face. Goblin grabbed both of Spider-Man's fists and kicked him down. Spider-Man swept to the side to avoid his foot, and jumped back up. Goblin ran over, grabbed a cruiser, and threw it at Spider-Man.
"Okay, now I'm offended," Spider-Man groaned as he dodged the cruiser that came his way.
BAM!
A shotgun bullet hit Goblin's arm, causing him to shout in pain as blood spewed everywhere. Goblin turned around to see Captain Stacy shoot him again in the thigh.
"Son of a bitch!" Goblin shouted as he lunged at Captain Stacy.
Captain Stacy fell back as Goblin grabbed his shotgun. The two wrestled on the ground, though Goblin managed to snap the shotgun in half. Before he could do anything else, Spider-Man pulled Goblin off and punched him twice in the face. Spider-Man punched Goblin's arm wound, causing him to yell further in frustration. Captain Stacy rammed Goblin in the back of the head with one part of the shotgun, only for the villain to turn around and smack him across the cheek, knocking him down. Spider-Man plunged his hand in Goblin's back, ripping out some wires.
"NO!" Goblin screamed as Spider-Man ripped out more wires.
Goblin turned around to throw a punch, only for him to stumble on his feet. The suit was disabled, and it didn't help that Norman had two shotgun wounds.
"I feel bad for you, Mr. Osborn. I really do," Spider-Man confessed as he simply pushed Norman down to the ground.
"I don't want your pity," Norman growled. "I promise you when I come back, you'll find yourself swimming in a pool of blood."
"And I'll be ready."
Several officers finally were able to arrest Norman Osborn as Spider-Man swung away from the scene. Just as he left, Gwen, Harry, Liz, and Flash arrived at the scene. Harry was sobbing, with his friends consoling him.
"My dad…he really did it. I didn't want to believe it, but he killed my mom. Did all that terrible stuff to all those people," Harry cried.
"I'm so sorry, Harry," Liz said.
"We all love you, Harry," Gwen reminded.
"We've got your back if you want to talk, bro," Flash promised.
Captain Stacy walked up to Harry and put his hand on his shoulder.
"I'm sorry, son. We'll do our best to bring your father to justice."
"By locking him up?" Harry asked.
"Whatever we have to do. Your father I can only assume has great lawyers. He'll probably get a minimal sentence or locked in a psych ward."
Harry nodded. "Whatever works."
Peter ran over, though his face was bruised and his shirt was bleeding.
"Guys, what the hell did I miss?!" Peter asked.
Gwen and Liz screamed simultaneously as Flash's mouth dropped.
"Shit, what happened, Pete?!" Liz blurted out.
"Babe, where were you?!" Gwen cried as she ran over to Peter.
"Oh, it took me a while to get out of that place," Peter lied. "As Spider-Man and Goblin fought, I got caught in the crossfire. Ferocious stuff, let me tell you."
"Dude, you need to go to a hospital!" Flash exclaimed.
"No shit you need to go to a hospital!" Gwen yelled as she pressed her hands on Peter's wound.
Peter groaned. "Probably not a good idea right now."
"Right. Sorry," Gwen said as she pulled her hand away.
"Pete, you seriously stayed behind for all of that?" Harry asked in disbelief.
"Believe me, not fun. Also, I lost the suit jacket, so sorry about that," Peter apologized.
"Dude, are you shitting me? I'm just glad that you're breathing," Harry pointed out.
"Peter, can I talk to you in private?" Gwen requested.
"Uh, sure."
Peter and Gwen walked away as Liz and Flash continued to talk to Harry.
"Before all that shit went down, you literally ran out. Now, you're saying you got caught in between the fight?" Gwen stated with a suspicious tone.
"Y-Yeah. As I was trying to run out, the entrance got barricaded with some debris or whatever, and before I could break open a window with a chair, that whole fight went down."
"You just ran all the way here?"
"Uber?"
"Pete, are you sure you're okay? You didn't knock your head on any debris?'
"Gwen, I'm fine," Peter assured. "I promise."
As Peter and Gwen held hands, they looked at Norman being taken away in a cruiser and Harry continuing to cry.
"What happened to the man who just wanted to help humanity?" Peter sadly asked.
"He got lost in himself. Harry's dad as the Goblin. I never would've imagined that. Just shows how much crazier New York's gotten since the Vulture."
"More like since Spider-Man," Peter countered.
"I know he's got his haters, like my dad initially, but I have and always will admire Spider-Man for having the guts to do what's necessary for us."
Peter chuckled. "Sounds like a great guy."
"Valeria Toomes would've been proud."
"I bet she would be, too," Peter agreed, trying not to cry.
As Spider-Man and the Green Goblin were fighting, Max Dillon was working in an Empire State University laboratory. He didn't have high hopes that the fundraiser would work, so it didn't take long for him to begin having a test trial at the lab to see if it could be a potential new job for him. Luckily, Doctor Curt Connors was generous enough for Max to start fast. The young electrician was working on the bioelectric filters, which were the starting point for more unlimited and feasible electricity for New York. If it worked, Connors would be rich, along with Max.
"Damn things can be tricky," Max admitted as he worked on the filters. "Right now, the electromagnetic particles aren't corresponding well with the electric sources of the-"
"With that knowledge, I'm surprised you didn't become a scientist like me," Curt admitted, walking in.
"I wish," Max said. "I didn't realize until after graduating college how fascinating this science stuff can be."
"Men like us do have our gifts," Curt stated, holding up his limbless arm. "Hopefully, that'll bring my arm back someday.
"That'd be sick," Max chuckled. "You know, after we both get rich, I think I want to try and-"
BOOM!
The Goblin's glider flew right through the wall and exploded in the containers with the biolectric filters and specialized water. Curt was knocked back by the blast, but Max fell in the water, screaming in pain.
"Help, HELP!" Max screamed in agony as his body was taken over by the electric pain.
Thanks for reading. Hope you enjoyed the final chapter of Along Came a Spider-Man: Vol 2 - Enter the Goblin. Reviews are greatly appreciated. Stay tuned for Volume 3: High Voltage.
