"[Referring to mankind] His psyche should be studied, because we are the origin of all coming evil." -Carl Jung
Carnage Part 2 - Diagnosis
Backyard, Quarter, and Spidey slowly walked down the corridor towards Osborn's office.
"You know," Spidey spoke to their backs, "for such a big building, it seems like this place has more hallways than rooms."
The scientists didn't laugh.
"So... that loud guy on the TVs is your boss. He probably wants my super-suit back then. You told him that it doesn't come off, right?"
"Actually, Mr. Osborn told us before that he wants you to have it," Quarter answered.
"Then what's this meeting about?"
"Who knows? There's no way of knowing what that man is thinking."
They came to the double doors at the end of the hallway and entered. The room beyond was wide and open. Windows that revealed the night sky made up the entire far wall. In front of that, Norman Osborn sat at his desk, with an impeccable suit and a broad smile. An impassive dark-skinned man stood at his side, wearing SWAT armor and holding his helmet under his arm.
"And why are the biggest rooms the ones with the least stuff in it?" Spidey said, glancing around. Osborn had the only chair in the room.
"Welcome, Spider-Man. We meet at last. My name is Norman Osborn." He proudly gestured to his right. "You've already met the head of my Goblin security force, and until the rest of his group recovers, the only member."
"We've met," he deadpanned. "He was the one shooting missiles at me and splitting my skull open."
The Goblin member didn't respond. He didn't even look at the boy.
"You have quite the reputation, Spider-Man," Osborn continued. "Every criminal in the city, from petty muggers to mob bosses, has tried to defeat you, only to fail. You brought the Kingpin's dark actions into the spotlight, and while he made bail, he is unable to act due to careful police monitoring. You caught the Chameleon, an international terrorist, and he is in custody of the FBI. Even the Hobgoblin and his powerful weaponry were helpless before you, and he is still in prison... Spider-Man, do you know the reason for your string of successes?"
He shrugged. "'Cause I'm better than all of them."
Osborn stopped and stared for a second. Then he laughed and enthusiastically nodded. "Yes! Good answer! Even without your powers, your confidence alone would be a strong weapon. But with your powers, you're invincible!"
He pointed dramatically at the two scientists. "It was inspired to graft animal DNA onto the organic nano-tech. Speed, reflexes, proportional strength, equilibrium, webbing, clinging to surfaces, and more all obtained in one swoop! Just wearing the suit over your hands reinforces the joints, like the tape on a boxer's fists. And the usefulness of your 'danger sense' cannot be overstated. All your powers together make constant street fights not only possible but winnable!
"However... spiders are hunters, not brawlers. Spiders set traps, sneak through barriers, hide in darkness, and wait for that single perfect moment. This is all reflected in your powers as well. The fact that you're so strong in battle is little more than a happy coincidence. But Protoform X is different. It doesn't imitate an animal, but a weapon. Do you understand what that means? ...The difference between you and Carnage is the difference between 'stealth' and 'assault'."
In other words, Spidey was no match in a one-on-one fight. That night he went into Rage Mode, Carnage did not, and they were just barely even.
Osborn continued, growing continually more frustrated. "Your powers can be used for infiltration or - no, any number of purposes. But Protoform X is a weapon only. The way it is now, it has no use except to destroy! And it's now in the hands of the criminal element! This is my worst fear come true!"
He suddenly turned his swivel chair around and stared out the windows. "I read about Carnage's exploits last night. He seized control of a pre-existing gang, and used them to terrorize innocent people. I honestly did not see that coming. And he managed it using only a single explosive."
"The bomb was fake, actually," Spidey interjected.
"Even worse! He caused that much chaos with nothing at all! And now he has Protoform X! This is undeniably the worst-case scenario!"
Osborn faced the trio again and stood up. "I'M OFFICIALLY TICKED OFF! Carnage and his bio-suit must be captured, dead or alive, as soon as possible! No, faster than possible! He cannot be allowed to keep it any longer!"
After a rare moment of silence, Spidey spoke up.
"So... in summary... Carnage needs to be stopped. I kinda knew all that before your long-winded ranting."
Osborn calmly sat down again. "The extremity of this disaster cannot be overstated. Besides, when you're the head of your own multi-billion dollar company, you're allowed to rant as much as you like.
"Anyway, Spider-Man, I want your help on this case. We'll pursue our own leads, of course, but I want you to look for Carnage on your end as well. And if you bring him and the bio-suit back to me, I'll let you keep the bio-suit you stole from this lab. No strings attached."
Spidey put his hands on his hips. "You were going to do that anyway!"
Osborn smiled. "And capturing Carnage would be such a nice way of saying 'thank you'!"
The vigilante sighed. "Well, no point arguing. I was gonna go after him anyway... I have a score to settle."
"Um... Mr. Osborn?" Backyard finally spoke up.
"Yes?"
"Mr. Osborn, I thought Protoform X was an incomplete failure. When - why - did you begin working on it again?"
Osborn and the Goblin member glanced at each other. It was notably the first time the security man moved, even if just his eyes.
But all Osborn said was, "That's classified."
"...Oh."
He continued. "But I can say that we got it to work, although testing was still ongoing when Carnage stole it. It shouldn't fuse with his body no matter how much he uses it... but there's no way to be certain. That's just one more reason to get it away from him as soon as possible. Honestly... It was not supposed to leave this lab."
Spidey walked towards the window. "Well, Ozzy-"
"I don't like that. Don't call me that."
"Okay, Normy-"
"That I can live with."
He opened the window. "If you don't have another speech to make, I'm gonna get going."
"Best of luck, Spider-Man."
Spidey didn't respond. He just swung out.
A surprise was waiting for Peter the next morning. He checked his book of messages like always, but didn't actually expect Spidey to have written anything.
However Spidey had written a few pages worth. He told Peter everything that happened the last few nights. About meeting Carnage, and when Carnage gained powers like his.
I'm not writing all this because of that note you left. It's because I need your help. Carnage already beat me twice. I won't get the upper hand unless I take whatever help you can give me. Help me find him.
The message went on to explain that Peter could probably recognize Carnage with the Spider Sense. It reacted to Carnage even before he got a weapon.
"It reacted to him instead of something he had?" Peter muttered as he read.
"But that sounds like Cletus Kasady... Was Harry right about him?"
Spidey didn't realize that after he left, and before Peter got the message, the conversation at Oscorp continued.
The Goblin member spoke after locking the window. "Sir, I don't believe it was necessary to get Spider-Man involved. We should be able to apprehend Carnage by ourselves."
"Of course it's not necessary, but any little bit helps," Osborn responded.
"But how are we supposed to stop Carnage?" Backyard asked.
"We can't even try until we find him," Quarter added. "We need to figure out who he is."
"There's no need for that. I already know who he is."
The scientists stared at their boss. "You do?!"
"I do."
"How?!"
"Simple." He looked back at them, completely serious. "I know everything."
"Um, okay... So who is he?"
Osborn stared for another second. "Let's just say... It's in my best interest to keep that a secret."
He turned his chair around again. Then he took an item out of his pocket and examined it carefully.
It was the "brain pedometer" Carnage had the previous night.
Osborn put it back in his pocket. "And if we can't capture him... There's always Plan B."
Author's Notes: (3/23/2013) I made sure to mention what happened to the three supervillains from "Dual Identity," since I don't think I ever explained that before.
Disclaimer: I'm not sure how obvious I made it, but I based this version of Norman Osborn on President Kougami from "Kamen Rider OOO," which I do not own.