Spider-Man

The Dark Goblin

by Lee Homer

Disclaimer: All rights go to Marvel Comics and Disney. The story is non Spider-Man canon and is based off of the limited series and one-shots of the 80's and 90's.

Chapter Six

The Hit

Dylan returned to Ryker's Island the next day with a new tactic in mind. The guards checked his identification and allowed him to enter the buildings. The whole plan of unmasking Spider-Man clouded his mind as the mere thought of hurting the wall crawler became an obsession. The guard brought him to Normans cell and immediately left the two alone. Dylan pulled up a chair and sat down. He assumed that Norman had acknowledged his presence.

"How's the hunt going?" Norman smiled as he placed his book down on the desk. "Were you able to satisfy yourself?"

"I want to know who Spider-Man really is." Dylan replied bluntly. "We both know that you know who he really is."

"Oh?" Norman said as he raised an eye brow. "How did you come to this conclusion?"

"I studied your medical records last night." Dylan explained as his eyes met Norman's dead on. "It's not everyday when a super villain gets carted here on a stretcher. Especially shouting the words "I know who Spider-Man is." Ring any bells?"

"I might have been hallucinating." Norman scoffed.

"Now come now, Uncle." Dylan said in a mocking manner. "You're much smarter than that. You're an Osborn."

Norman's expression turned to more menacing one as he began to laugh sinisterly. "Okay, you got me. He is the one person who you would least expect. He also takes photos of himself for the Daily Bugle. Guess what? His photo's always make the front headlines."

Dylan knew the man in question. "Peter Parker." he said. "Peter Parker is Spider-Man."

"Bingo." Norman confirmed. "And you will find that he works at the Daily Bugle."

"What else do you know about him?" Dylan asked as he began to make a note of the details on his phone. "Does he have any family?"

"He has a wife who was once a supermodel turned actress." Norman replied. "Mary Jane Parker."

"With her I can hurt Spider-Man and bring him down when his defences are low." Dylan sneered as he got up to leave. "Uncle Norman, you're the best."

"Good. Now go on. get out of here you scamp!" Norman laughed as Dylan left the prison block. "Make me proud."

Three Weeks later, a storm descended over the city. The heavens opened above the bustling citizens of New York. Gale force Winds brought the rain, which lashed up against windows, cars and people. It was a particular dismal start for both Peter and Mary Jane. It was the day that Peter decided to return to work at the Bugle against MJ's wishes. She still felt that he wasn't well enough. However, Peter's wounds had healed at an impressive rate. His ribs were still sore but were on the mend, his eye was no longer swollen and the strength returned to his aching limbs. He told her that he could manage on his own but MJ insisted on going with him.

"You didn't have to come with me you know." he said again. "I told you, I'm perfectly alright.

"Yeah you look it." Mary Jane replied with a chuckle. "Anyway, I suppose I should tell you my other reason. I want to have a few choice words with Jameson. He's been running you ragged."

"He's only doing his job." Peter said. He didn't want the fuss.

"True and look what happened to poor Ned?" Mary Jane countered with a fact. "I won't have that happen to you."

They entered the offices where they were confronted with the familiar, over crowded environment. They had to dodge everyone just to get to Jameson's office. Peter took in all the regards as he passes his friends at their desks. As he approached Ned's desk, he felt a moment of sadness. He noticed that Ned's desk had a new occupant. A new face that didn't want to meet. Mary Jane knocked on the door and took a step back. The door opened and the pair inhaled the foul aroma of stale cigar smoke. The air was thick with it. Jameson stood at the other end of the door and told them both to sit.

"I think I can guess why you are here, Mrs Parker." He said with a fierce look on his face. "We've already been through this."

"I want to know how this happened to Peter in the first place?" Mary Jane demanded. "I'm betting that the Bugle has had him on top of flag poles again no doubt."

"Absolutely not!" Jameson denied. "Peter here, knew what his job was. His methods are strictly his responsibility. Let me guess, did you think that we would pay out for his health insurance?"

"He is a fully paid staff photographer on the official payroll is he not?" Mary Jane responded, referring to Peter's contract. "It seems like to me you keep treating him like a free lance. You seem to keep breaking your own policies."

"That is an outrageous comment!" Jameson reacted! "I treat all my staff here with the highest respect. It's not my fault that half of them are sleazy!

MJ didn't reply as she stared down Jameson with her trademark angry expression.

Jameson finally gave in. "Fine. How much is it this time?"

"It's not a matter of money anymore." Mary Jane replied. "I just can't believe that you don't have enough respect for my husband."

While the two were arguing over his well being, Peter drifted off into his thoughts. He hated it. All of it. He just wanted to be left alone to fend for himself. He knew that Mary Jane was using Jameson as a cover for his foolish actions. It was times like this that he wished that he would just hang up the webs once and for all. Suddenly his spider-sense tingled. The distinctive sensation burnt the base of his skull, drawing his attention to the window behind Jameson. His enhanced senses spotted a pumpkin bomb heading towards them.

"Get down!" he screamed as he forced them both to the floor.

An explosion rocked the building. Projectile glass flew everywhere and the sound of a frightened office staff echoed in the hall way. Peter looked upwards to see The Grey Goblin emerge from the smoke cloud that filled the room.

"Hey kiddies!" he said as he let out a menacing laugh. "Peter Parker? I know who you are but I wont spoil it for everyone else so I'll make this visit pure and simple. I want you and I want Spider-Man. Now this is what you're going to do."

"Who are you!" a frightened Jameson growled. "You can't to do this!"

"Oh shut up!" The Goblin replied as he grabbed Jameson and threw him up against the wall. "Now where was I? Ah yes. I'm going to take your wife as an insurance policy."

He swooped down and grabbed Mary Jane by the waste. She screamed and kicked as he flung her over his shoulder and turned to leave. Peter moved in to attack but the Goblin grabbed him and threw him into a book case. He braced himself as the book case came crashing down on him, pinning him to the ground..

"Here are my instructions." the Goblin continued as he noted that Jameson was unconscious. "I know that you are Spider-Man. You knew that this day was coming. If you want to see your wife again, then I suggest you come to the old Oscorp test facility in Soho. If I don't see you there before sun down, she dies!"

And with that, The Goblin laughed as he lifted off the ground and flew out into the city with a terrified MJ under his arm. Peter lifted himself from the rubble and leaped out of the window.

"I knew this would happen!" he thought as he crawled down to a lover level. "That nightmare was a premonition. The Goblin is going to hurt Mary Jane the same way Norman hurt me before. I can't let him kill her. I can't have her die the same way Gwen did. I've got to stop him once and for all!"

He found his way into the Gents toilets where changed into his costume. Within a matter of minutes, he swung out into the city as The Amazing Spider-Man. He moved as fast as his body would let him. The fear in his mind over powered the pain in his body.

"I'm coming, MJ. I'm coming."