Welcome true believers to another chapter of my story. In our last chapter Spider-Man ducked it out with Molten Man, aka: Mark Allan. He was just about to get some answers when someone else intervened…how rude. Before Spidey could get any more info, a bomb was dropped right at his feet. Did the spectacular Spider Get the bomb out of range in time? Did he get out of range in time? I sure hope so. I don't want to clean up that mess.

ON WITH THE SHOW!

Chapter5: Conflict and Resolution

The crowd watched in wonder as the web slinger jumped out of the shop and swung over the hotel. Everyone waited to see what was happening…

BOOOOOM!

Everyone hit the ground in fear. Captain Stacy protected the girls as debris fell everywhere. Confetti and pieces of paper fell from the sky. Everyone looked around. The crowd cheered; Spider-Man had saved them again. George got off the girls, seeing it was safe. One at a time Gwen, Mary Jane, and Liz got off the ground. Sargent Carter picked up one of the pieces of paper.

"Captain!" called, he handed George the paper.

From the top of the Hotel, Spider-Man was just regaining consciousness. While the blast missed the crowd, Spider-Man had been hit by the shock wave and was slammed into the hotel roof by the force. As Spidey's head began to clear, he saw the roof littered with confetti and pieces of paper. Picking up one of the pieces of paper, he saw a single word.

Hobgoblin

Spidey looked at the name in frustration. "Great…another one. What a way to start the weekend." He got up, making sure nothing was broken, suit or self. He made his way over to the edge of the building. Looking down, he could see the crowd was starting to dissipate. No ambulance, no commotion, looks like everyone is ok. Now I just need to get back to the girls… thought Spidey as he scanned the crowd. His mask covered eyes fell on to the three girls he was looking for. This made things easier. He webbed his way a few streets over, than changed back into his street clothes. Running the five blocks, he found his three female friends talking to Captain Stacy.

George looked, "Pete, there you are. Did you get any good shots for the Bugle?"

"Shots?...Ow, no I-I just got here" he said pretending to be out of breath. He then looked at the three girls, "Where did you three run off to?"

"Us?" questioned Liz, "Petey we turned around and you were gone. If anything, we should ask where you went," she stated, half worried, half angry.

"I went to call Captain Stacy. I thought if he got here, he could talk to Mark" replied Peter.

"He's right" replied George, "I received a call from Pete telling me about what happened. When I got here, I received word of explosions from inside."

"Then I went back to the alley and you three were gone" finished Peter.

"We thought you left to get pictures" said Liz.

"Not this time" replied Peter.

Liz gave him a small hug, "Thanks Petey." She squeezed a little tighter; Peter flinched in pain in response. "Petey, are you ok?"

"Yeah," he said recovering quickly while rubbing his chest. "I crashed into a delivery cart on the way over here." He nervously laughed, hoping that would satisfy the questions. Unfortunately, it didn't.

"Why not just take a cab?" asked Gwen.

Peter flashed a sheepish smile, "Not enough money."

Everyone nodded in understanding. Breathing a sigh of relief, the group plus Liz left the scene to continue their day.

Across town near the docks we find Molten Man making his way to an old abandoned OsCorp warehouse. He pressed his hand to the wall and a key pad popped out of the space. He punched in a code and the door opened. Inside the warehouse, there were mounds of boxes with old and obsolete inventions and ideas. As Molten Man continued his way down the aisles, he heard the faint sound of arguing. He groaned as he knew what he was walking into. Ever since the breakout, the group known as the Sinister Six – or seven before Kravenoff was arrested – have had one thing on their minds: how to destroy Spider-Man! Rhino just wanted to flatten him and Electro wanted to fry him. The two could go on like this for hours if not stopped. Mark came around the corner and saw the two fighting villains.

"Flatten 'em'"

"Fry him"

"Flatten 'em'"

"Fry him"

"Flatten 'em'"

"Fry him"

"FLATTEN 'EM!'"

"FRY HIM!"

The other villains were around the outer edge of the area they cleared for themselves. Sandman and Mysterio looked at each other. "How long are they going to keep this up?" asked dome garbed villain.

"Knowing O'Hirn," replied Sand Man, "Another three hours."

Vulture was standing next to Doctor Octopus, while he tinkered with some of the equipment he found in the warehouse.

Rhino slammed his fist on to the table in front of them. "I say we find the web head and flatten him into a pancake!" he shouted.

"No!" shouted Electro, "We fry Spider-Man on sight!" He grinned wickedly as sparks leaped from his hands.

"How do you plan to do that?" questioned Mysterio. "All you have been able to do is distract the spider. He's too fast for you."

Electro would have rebutted, but an outburst from Vulture caught their attention. "WILL YOU JUST SHUT UP!" Every one remained quiet. They were not use to Vulture just screaming for no reason. Doc Oc placed a metal tentacle on Vultures shoulder.

"You must forgive Adrian," he said sympathetically. "He just learned that Norman Osborn's life has ended."

Sandman started to snicker and laugh. "Are you mad because you didn't kill him…or by who did?" he asked. The others were confused by this question, even Toomes.

"What are you talking about?" asked Vulture.

"Spider-Man" he simply said. Everyone stopped in their tracks at the new topic. "He offed Osborn." Marko soon found himself slammed through the crates he was leaning against.

He reformed himself to see Vulture breathing deep. "What are you talking about, you idiot!" he shouted. "We all know Spider-Man killed him!" Vulture shouted with disgust.

Marko simply laughed again. "Yeah, but do you know why?" Everyone waited for the answer, but no one knew. "Norman Osborn was the Green Goblin." Shock is the only word that could describe the everyone's reaction, with the exception of the good doctor. "It seems good ol' Mr. Osborn was using some king of juice to buff himself up" he continued.

"Globulin Green" said Doc Oc, somewhat ominously.

"Yeah, that's the stuff. Anyway, we all know what Osborn did, but what we didn't know was that he framed his own son to save his butt. Then, he kidnaps him to frame him. So Osborn called Spider-Man out in a fight. He rigged the whole New York skyline with traps. The fight ended with the web-head stuffing one of Osborn's own pumpkin bombs into the his glider thingy's engine and sending him to a water tower filled with bombs!" Sandman threw his hands out for emphasis. "But, Osborn Jr. didn't want the bad press, so there was a huge cover up."

"It would seem the apple does not fall far from the tree," replied Doc Oc. Then a sinister smile crossed his face, "Your tale was somewhat unnecessary…and yet so very informative. Thank you Marko." The others just looked at him in confusion. Well, I bet Mysterio was confused under his fish bowl. "You have given me an excellent idea as to our current predicament."

"Are you ladies done gossiping?"

All seven villains looked up to see a figure descending from the rafters. He rode in on a silver version of the Green Goblins glider. He had an orange one piece suit with blue legs and arms. He wore orange gloves and boots as well as an orange hood and cape. As he landed, the light shined on his face: yellow with red eyes. A sadistic smile across his face showed enlarged fangs. Everyone's attention was on him. He smiled as he looked at each and every one of them.

"And how was everyone's day?" asked the Hobgoblin mockingly.

Electro shot a burst of electricity at this new speaker, however he was too quick and took off straight up on his glider and dodged the attack.

"What's the matter, not in a talking mood?" he replied.

"Get down here and fight you freak!" shouted Rhino.

"Freak?" he asked, "You're calling me a freak? Apparently I need to get you lot some mirrors."

"Spare us your incessant rating" said Doc Oc. "What is it you want this time?"

"Can't a friend just stop by to say hello?" Hobgoblin asked.

"Friend? You have us trapped here like rats!" shouted Mysterio.

"We broke out of one prison just to be put in another," replied Vulture.

"I had to make sure you would agree to my plan," said Hobgoblin matter-o-factly.

"Your plan thus far is faring just as good, if not worse, than any of ours," stated Doc Oc as he indicated everyone on the ground.

"Step one: yes, I did expect Molten Man to put up more of a fight but I guess he still needs some training." Mark looked at the ground in shame. "Anyway, I figured that you would feel this way, so I brought a little incentive," said Hobgoblin as he flew to the rafters and came back down with a large duffle bag. He dropped the bag onto the table and its contents fell out: money and lots of it. The villains just looked at the Hobgoblin in confusion. He smiled as he said, "If you can't beat 'em, pay 'em." A smile grew on the sinister six faces.

Doc Oc raised a tentacle, "Well then partner…What's the plan?" The hobgoblin took the tentacle and shook it while laughing manically.

"Let's review," said Mary Jane, "Mark?"

"Called dad," replied Gwen. "Robber?"

"Bathroom break. Fire?"

"Took Pictures. Car chase?"

"Stomach ach. Car jacker?"

"Got a soda. Purse snatcher?"

"Don't forget girlfriend, it was my purse. Pete tried to tackle the guy, but ended up in a dumpster. Bank robbers?"

"Took pictures," said Gewn with a huff. "We've been at this all day." Currently the trio was at the Silver Spoon Café for some rest after a long day of shopping. The group offered for Liz to join them, but she decided to stay with her parents at the hotel. Pete was getting coffee while Gwen and Mary Jane grabbed a table, in order to break down the day. "And we still don't have proof of Peter being Spider-Man."

Mary Jane sighed, "I hate to say this girlfriend, but maybe Tiger isn't the wall crawler."

Gwen put her head down on the table, "I guess…But it just doesn't make sense," she almost shouted. "There are too many coincidences between Peter and Spider-Man. What about after Peter meet up with us and Liz at the hotel? The burse on his chest was from when Mark slammed into him."

"Or he could have just gotten it from the delivery cart he says he crashed into," replied Mary Jane. She looked over at the dejected looking Gwen. "Hey, I'm not trying to get you upset. I'm just trying to be realistic."

"I know," replied Gwen. "I guess I was just looking too hard for answers."

"If you want answers, you'd have to ask Spider-Man himself," said Mary Jane, giving a small laugh.

Gwen's eyes seemed to brighten as she gave a big smile. "Mary Jane, that's it!" Gwen quickly asked the waitress for a pen. She pulled out one of the receipts from her pocket and began to write.

"What are you doing?" asked Mary Jane, a little concerned.

"Taking your advice," said Gwen simply. She looked up to see Pete coming to the table. While giving Mary Jane her Latté, he noticed Gwen scribbling something down.

"Gwen…what are you doing?" he asked as he placed her drink in front of her.

"Just writing your pal a note," she replied. She then handed the note to Peter. "Next time you see Spider-Man, can you give this to him?"

Peter raised an eye brow in confusion. "Ok…What is it?" he asked as he began to open the note.

Meet me at

Nine tonight

Gwen

Mary Jane read the note over Pete shoulder. "You want a rendezvous with Spider-Man?" she asked, puzzled.

Gwen's face turned redder then a tomato. "What! No! I just want to talk to him, you know, and say thank you for all the times he saved me and my dad."

"He won't show up," said Pete.

"Why not?" asked Gwen.

"Think about it Gwen," said Pete sternly. "Spider-Man has a number of psychos and villains that would love to get their hands on, if not kill, the wall crawler. If just one of them sees him with you… I'd never forgive myself if something happened."

Gwen reached over and placed her hand on Pete's. He wanted so badly to take her hand in his, but Gwen was still Harry's girl…even is he is a shmuck. Pete looked at Gwen with her pleading turquoise eyes. Knowing it was a bad idea Pete opened his mouth, "I'll do what I can, BUT no promises."

"Thank you Pete" she squealed as she hugged him. At that moment, a cell phone went off. Gwen reached into her pocket and looked at it. Harry Osborn occupied the caller ID of the text.

She looked at the message then sighed, "I have to go, Thanks for a great day you two. We really need to do this again, and thanks again Pete." Without thinking, Gwen bent down and kissed Pete on the cheek before leaving the Silver Spoon. Pete sat there stunned; all feeling had left his body. He heard, felt, saw, and tasted nothing. Slowly, a goofy lovesick smile crossed his face. A giggle drew his attention towards the redhead seated next to him. He could see that she was holding back her laughter.

"What?" he asked. All Mary Jane did was point to Pete's shirt, he looked down to see a huge coffee stain. Pete jumped out of his chair, feeling seeping back into his body. "Hot! Hot! HOT!"

Gwen had grabbed a cab and headed to Harry's penthouse. As she exited the elevator, she could sense that something was wrong. She slowly made her way into the living room. She looked around the area, remembering all the times Mr. Osborn had greeted her and Pete as they entered his home. The thought of Norman Osborn made Gwen's skin crawl. She just wanted to find Harry. Gwen backed up, only to feel two hands fall on her shoulders. She screamed and jumped as she tried to get away, but the grip was too strong.

"Gwen…cut it…out...It's me, Harry!"

Gwen stopped her flailing and turned her head to see Harry with a rather annoyed look on his face. She was breathing hard from her scare. "Harry! S-sorry, you just scared me," she said with a small smile.

"Yeah, I noticed," he replied with repugnance.

"You said you wanted to talk to me?" she asked, both concerned and scared.

"Where were you?" he asked dryly.

Confused, Gwen answered, "I was out shopping."

"With who?" his anger becoming clear.

"Mary Jane and Pete"

"What were you doing with him!" he shouted.

"We were shopping. What is the problem?"

"You were with him instead of ME!" he shouted pointing a finger in Gwen's face. "I don't want you to anywhere near Parker!"

Now Gwen was getting mad. "What is your problem, Harry! Peter is my friend. He's your friend too! Besides I called and asked you if you wanted to join us, but you said no."

"I thought you meant just you and Mary Jane!" he shot back. "Is Pete really my friend? Would a friend keep taking pictures of your father's killer? Would a friend go behind your back and try to take your girlfriend?"

Gwen felt her jaw drop in shock, all anger gone.

"That's right Gwen, I heard everything. You were going to leave me for Pete."

"Harry…" She couldn't look him in the eyes. "I'm sorry, I really am…but…I-I love Pete." She looked up to see his reaction. She had expected him to him to be angry, but he was downright furious.

"Why?" he muttered. "How…HOW!" He threw his fists into the air. "How could you choose that loser over me? I have money. I have power. I can take better care of you then that pathetic photographer!"

Gwen's anger began to boil over. "You have no right to talk about Pete like that!" Her reaction caught Harry off guard. "Peter is the sweetest, kindest, and most caring person I've ever met. He puts his aunt and others before himself everyday and never asks for anything in return. Who are you to call him a loser?" Gwen had got right into Harry's face.

Acting purely on instinct, Harry pushed Gwen out of his face and onto the ground. "Now you listen and you listen good," he said in a frightening new voice. "You are my girlfriend. That means you do what I say."

She got up and dusted herself off. She looked at him and walked to the elevator. She turned to Harry and said, "Not anymore." She stepped into the elevator and watched as Harry's shocked face disappeared behind its closing doors.

All Hail the beast has been SLAIN, and there was much rejoicing…yay. OK, ok, Harry is still alive, much too many a compliant. I still need him for the rest of the story. Besides, who's going to get me my coffee? Well, that's all for this chapter; hope you all enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. Don't forget to Review!