Disclaimer: I read a review from WinterRain36 about why Peter doesn't just go with Gwen to London. I thought the same thing to be honest, but then I realized it's not as simple as one would think since Peter still feels he has a duty to the city.

Plus, aside from that earlier cameo by the Punisher earlier, this is purely a Spider-Man story, meaning no X-Men, no Avengers and no Fantastic Four. Tony Stark was considered for a cameo, though.

Anyway, Spider-Man and all supporting character are the property of Marvel.

Chapter XX

"What do you mean you're backing out?" Kingpin demanded from Mr. Negative over the phone while riding in his limo.

"Do not sound so shocked, Kingpin. Silvermane and I agreed that after that fiasco on the roof, it'd be better for all of us if Spider-Man and the Goblin targeted each other and left us out of the equation." Mr. Negative replied over the line.

"Left you out of the equation, maybe," Kingpin said, realizing that he was being left to suffer the Goblin's wrath. "I guess you thought of everything, didn't you?"

"I'm Chinese, Fisk. I'm very good with calculations. The Goblin was always most intent on killing you, though for whatever reason, I can't say."

"Maybe it's because I know the truth; I know the Green Goblin is working for Norman Osborn and Osborn sent the Goblin after me in revenge for taking his company," Kingpin stated. "But the Goblin is clearing more interested in taking over the entire criminal underworld, and he'll target every one of us to achieve his goals. We're all targets here, Negative."

"Wrong, Fisk. You are the target and this exchange is over. Goodbye." Then Mr. Negative ended the conversation.

"Negative? Negative? You son of a…" Fisk couldn't finish his rant when something rocked the limo.

The driver in the front seat was looking up toward the incoming figure on a flying object just as two of smaller objects were approaching. The objects were small missiles that impacted the road on either side of the vehicle, and they sent other cars spiraling out of control. Those cars crashed into each other while Kingpin's limo weaved in and out of the way. Kingpin caught a glimpse of the attacker and quickly determined that it was the Green Goblin. The Green Goblin flew over the limo in the opposite direction before rounding around and pursuing the vehicle.

"Drive faster, you idiot." Kingpin bellowed.

The Green Goblin was laughing as he was in pursuit of the limo while it weaved around traffic. He tossed a pumpkin bomb that exploded on the left side of the limo, causing it to swerve to the right. Another pumpkin bomb caused the vehicle to swerve left. In both cases, the limo recovered and continued down the road, avoiding any all incoming traffic while trying to evade the pursuing Goblin. The Green Goblin unleashed an onslaught of electrical blasts from his fingers, striking the limo and leaving scorch marks along the body of the vehicle. More pumpkin bombs rained down on the limo and sent it swerving to and fro even more. The limo sideswiped a few parked vehicles and then mounted the curb, sending the people walking along scurrying for safety.

The Green Goblin maintained his pursuit of the limo while he hurled more pumpkin bombs at the limo, seemingly heedless of the innocent bystanders in the way. Kingpin began to notice a pattern in the Goblin's attack; his bombs were missing the limo almost by design. Kingpin realized that he was being used to lure someone else… and he already had an idea about who the Goblin really wanted. It didn't stop the Goblin from attacking the limo. One of his bombs finally struck the limo on the front left wheel and crippled the vehicle into coming to a halt.

Kingpin crawled out of the crippled limo to the street just as the Green Goblin was flying away and then banking back, laughing as he went. Then seemingly out of the clear blue, Spider-Man swung into the fray and kicked the Goblin out of the air. The Goblin tumbled and landed hard in the flatbed of a pickup truck. With Spider-Man's timely arrival, Kingpin saw his chance to escape and allow the freaks to fight each other. Spider-Man ignored Kingpin and focused on the Goblin, who was recovering from his fall.

"Took you long enough to show up." the Goblin snarled.

"I had other engagements to handle. Sorry if I kept you waiting." Spider-Man snapped back.

"You have no idea just how sorry you're going to be." The Goblin retorted before hurling a pumpkin bomb at Spider-Man.

Spider-Man batted the bomb away seconds before it exploded and sent him hurtling to the ground, and the Goblin followed up with more bombs. The bomb exploded inches from Spider-Man, who managed to escape the blast radius of each one. It bought the Green Goblin enough time to remotely call his glider to him and mount it before quickly taking off into the sky. Spider-Man fired a web line and gave chase.

The Green Goblin quickly got ahead and attempted to blast Spider-Man out of the sky with a series of pumpkin bombs and electric blasts. Spider-Man managed to avoid the attacks and retaliate with a series web shots, all of which the Goblin avoided as well. Spider-Man shot out a line and snagged the underside of the glider, forcing the Green Goblin to bank and spin in an attempt to lose him. It didn't work, and Spider-Man fired another line and catapulted himself toward the Goblin.

A collision followed; the Goblin and Spider-Man fought for a control of the glider but neither was able to gain any momentum for more than a moment. The Green Goblin was able to toss Spider-Man off of him before Spider-Man caught himself with another web line. Spider-Man once again chased the Goblin, who, while he was well ahead, pulled out another pumpkin bomb. The Goblin grinned, knowing this particular bomb was what going to turn the tide for him. He started to slow his glider, letting Spider-Man draw closer to him. Spider-Man hadn't noticed anything out of the ordinary but his spider-sense went off. He still wasn't able to avoid the pumpkin bomb the Goblin tossed to him, and he was met with a cloud grayish-black smoke.

The Green Goblin halted his retreat and spun back around to examine the cloud of smoke in front of him, grinning the entire time. For a time, he waited. He saw nothing so far to suggest that Spider-Man was even coherent enough to understand what had happened. The Goblin inched his glider closer to the smoke before a web line snagged him. Spider-Man appeared from the smokescreen and tackled the Goblin. They struggled for control of the glider again before the Goblin tossed Spider-Man off of him once more. Spider-Man clung to the side of a building where shook his head and waved his hand in front of his mask.

"Ugh jeez, Gobby! What'd you put in that rotten pumpkin of yours?" he asked.

"Oh that? That was just a very special pumpkin-styled cocktail I whipped up just for you. How do you like it?" the Goblin replied with a sick grin.

"Like it? It smells like you mixed anchovy paste with dash of skunk stank."

"If you'd like to know my secret recipe, all you have to do is catch me… if you can." The Goblin cackled and jetted away.

Spider-Man muttered to himself. "Why do they always run?"

He shot off a web line and swung off after the Green Goblin, who managed to achieve a head start from the beginning. Spider-Man still managed to keep the Green Goblin in sight and in spite of the putrid stench of that pumpkin bomb the Goblin used. He wrestled with a small pang of confusion; the Goblin usually used the more incendiary types of explosives. Aside from the foul stink, that particular bomb had no effect on Spider-Man. Something was off about the Green Goblin's antics, but Spider-Man pushed the thought aside and focused to tailing the Green Goblin.

The Green Goblin fired off another onslaught of electric blasts to keep Spider-Man at bay while he was gaining distance from him. He fired a blast that cut through Spider-Man's web line and set the hero spiraling out of control. Spider-Man managed to anchor himself with a new line and swung onto a wall. He recovered enough to spot the Green Goblin, now too far ahead to be reached in time before he escaped. Spider-Man wasn't about to give up and gave chase once again. He followed the rapidly fading contrail left by the Goblin's glider, which took him in between two buildings.

By the time he'd reached the other side, the trailed had gone cold and there was no sign of the Green Goblin anywhere. Spider-Man clung to the next closest building and surveyed the surrounding area. There was nothing to suggest where the Green Goblin had to have gone and no contrail to lead to his precise location. It was like he'd vanished into thin air.

Great, now the Goblin just pulled a Houdini on me. Where's Doctor Strange when you need him?

Spider-Man shot a web line and swung in the direction he assumed the Goblin had taken, unaware that the Goblin was hidden around the corner of another building. "Well, Spider-Man? Who's hunting whom?"

Hours passed by without Spider-Man even taking a moment to notice how much of the day had gone by. He'd spent much of the day searching almost fruitlessly for the Green Goblin, checking around the corners of every building with his line of sight. So far, his efforts were met with a cold trail and no sign of his nemesis. So it was unbeknownst to him that it was Green Goblin who was now tailing him... with Spider-Man even being aware of it. That was because, also unbeknownst to Spider-Man, the Green Goblin had neutralized his spider-sense.

The Green Goblin's plan was working better than he'd hoped thanks to the specialized pumpkin bomb he'd concocted earlier in the day. The foul smell aside, the bomb did its job of dulling Spider-Man's early warning talent and allowed the Goblin to tail Spider-Man without his awareness. He was very careful to avoid being spotted whenever Spider-Man stopped to scan the immediate area. When Spider-Man swung to his next destination, the Goblin followed covertly without giving himself away.

Another hour and a half passed, and there was yet no sign of the Green Goblin. Spider-Man was getting frustrated up until he descended down into an alleyway, just a block away from the Daily Bugle. After retrieving his clothes from a small hiding spot, all wrapped in a web sac, Spider-Man reached the ground. The Green Goblin reached the rooftop above the alleyway and peered over the ledge down toward Spider-Man. An evil grin appeared on his twisted face as he watched Spider-Man undoing his costume.

That's right, little spider. Take off your mask; show me your face.

Eagerness crept into the Goblin's mind like a cancer when Spider-Man brought his hands up to the back of his mask. Spider-Man had yet to see the Goblin watching him from the roof; he wasn't even aware of the Goblin's presence with his spider-sense dulled. The Goblin leaned further, wanting to get the best view possible without giving himself away. Spider-Man hesitated, frustrating the Goblin before he finally removed the mask. It was all the Goblin could do to keep his urge to strike in check. He wanted to see the face of his greatest foe… and then Spider-Man turned his face.

The Green Goblin's face became contorted and his thought processes were put into overdrive. Spider-Man, his greatest and most persistent enemy – was a mere child. He was a boy barely scratching the proverbial glass ceiling toward adulthood, in his teen years no less. By all accounts, he might as well have been fighting acne. The Goblin felt all the breath leave his lungs at once coupled with the uncontrollable desire to attack his enemy right at that moment… until his mind cleared and his thoughts became organized.

He studied the boy further, determining that Spider-Man was also, of all people Peter Parker. It took every ounce of restraint the Goblin had to keep himself from snapping. All this time, likely since their first fight roughly a year ago, the Green Goblin's greatest adversary was the young man who Norman Osborn nurtured. The Goblin's number one enemy was Norman's supposed true heir to the Osborn throne, with all the same drive and intelligence as Norman. Furthermore, Peter Parker was the best friend of Norman's only child, Harry.

It infuriated the Goblin while he watched Peter Parker stroll out of the alley and into the busy Manhattan streets. He kept an eye on the boy and did the best he could not to lose him. He wanted to attack right then and there but thought better of it. It wouldn't have been prudent to attack his enemy while in his civilian identity in broad daylight. Vengeful as he was, the Green Goblin opted to wait until Spider-Man/Peter Parker was vulnerable. Then he'd strike.

On the busy sidewalk, Peter suddenly stopped in his tracks and looked back. He saw nothing out of the ordinary but couldn't shake the feeling that he was being watched. Maybe it was paranoia on his part, a call back to all the times that Venom stalked him. Just the mere thought the alien symbiote and the equally vengeful Eddie Brock sent a chill up and down Peter's spine. The familiar Game of Thrones ringtone took him out of his trance and Peter reached for his phone. The caller id read J. Jonah Jameson's name, much to Peter chagrin.

"Yeah, Jonah, I'm on my way to the Bugle now. I just gone a bit held up downtown."

"You got held up? What kind of excuse is that, 'cause it's not a good one, Parker?" Jonah bellowed over the line.

"I know, Jonah. I swear, I'll be at the Bugle as soon I can." Peter assured his boss.

"You damn well better, kid, 'cause I'd prefer to fire you in person. Now hurry up." Jonah then hung up.

Peter looked his phone with a befuddled stare. "Okay!" he muttered before continuing on his way.

Elsewhere in the city, Norman ripped his Green Goblin mask off and threw to the ground in pure rage. His hands were shaking and his breathing was erratic when he said, "That ungrateful little bastard. After everything I've done for him, everything I've given him… My own son's best friend…"

"… is our greatest enemy."

Norman cleared his head upon hearing the familiar voice of his other persona. "Peter Parker… is Spider-Man. Spider-Man is Peter Parker. All this time…"

"He's been lying to you, Norman. Using you. Manipulating you. He's been luring you into putting your trust, your faith in him; providing you a false sense of security before he could eventually strike at you when you were most vulnerable."

"No, you're wrong. Peter wouldn't do that. Peter would never betray me like this." Norman claimed as if he was trying to rationalize it all.

But the voice of his Goblin persona bellowed, "WHY ARE YOU DEFENDING HIM? WHY MAKE EXCUSES FOR HIM AFTER WHAT WE'VE LEARNED OF HIM?"

"Because Peter is…" Norman tried to state.

The Goblin persona interrupted by saying, "Is what, Norman? Is Peter Parker your son, your true son?"

Norman wanted to argue with the persona that represented the Goblin and claim vehemently that Peter was his son, or at the type of son he wanted. But in lieu of what was learned about Peter, Norman wasn't sure anymore. The more he considered it, the more he wanted it not to be true. But he knew it was true that the young man he considered his heir was the Green Goblin's enemy, and there was no getting around that as much he could've tried.

"No. He's not my son." He said to the voice.

"No, he's not," the Goblin persona reiterated. "Peter Parker/Spider-Man is a traitor to us. He betrayed your trust and your faith in him. He may very well have even used Harry to get to us. Betrayal must NEVER be tolerated."

Norman acknowledged what the Goblin stated and asked, "What do I do?"

"Parker must be educated, taught a hard lesson about what happens when one betrays another. We have the advantage now, so we will wait until he is at his most absolute vulnerable before we strike." The Goblin persona said.

"Peter works at the Daily Bugle. We can confront him there." Norman stated as he picked up his mask.

"We'll do much more than simply confront him." The Goblin persona claimed.

Norman put on the mask and felt himself becoming the Green Goblin again. Spider-Man, you know who I am under my mask, but now I who you are under yours. So now, I'm coming for you – Peter Parker.

Coupled with the usual chaos at the Daily Bugle, Peter was also on the losing end of another argument with Jonah. "Jonah, you're not seriously considering running that story, are you?"

"I'm more than just considering it, Parker. Eyewitness reports saw Spider-Man in the vicinity when the Green Goblin attacked Wilson Fisk. It's been all over TV since it happened. It's also proofed positive what I've been saying all along."

"Which is?" Peter asked even though he knew what was coming.

"That Spider-Man and the Green Goblin are in cahoots, trying to take out Wilson Fisk so they could run this city into the ground. It happening right in front of everyone and no one's doing a damn thing about it."

"Honestly, Jonah, I can't tell if you're paranoid or you just don't trust anybody." Peter stated on his boss's skewed worldview.

"First of all, kid, the only people I actually trust in this world are Robbie and my son, who by the way is a real hero and not some costumed vigilante. Second, you're not Spider-Man's lawyer. If you were, you could tell him to go ahead and sue me and get rich like a normal person. Until, I'll print what needs to be printed."

Peter knew already that he wasn't going to win this argument. In fact, he'd never been able to win any argument with Jonah. "Fine, is that all you wanted to see me about?"

Jonah sat in his chair and lit up a cigar before putting in his mouth. He belched out a smoke puff of smoke before replying, "Yeah, now get out of here. And next you come around here, make sure you have some photos of Spider-Man or the Goblin or…"

"…Or Scorpion?" Peter said, and knew he'd gotten the last laugh when Jonah fell silent.

And Jonah knew it when he snarled, "Get out of here."

Peter was gone in an instant, leaving Jonah to his own devices.

A few minutes later, Peter was at the base of the Bugle and checked the time. It was already about 7:22 in the evening and the sun was setting over the horizon. Peter was hungry as well, having not eaten since lunch earlier in the day. A hotdog stand was conveniently place right at the foot of the Daily Bugle. Peter bought a hotdog to at least stave off any ensuing hunger until he got home. He decided to head to the nearest bus station instead of swinging across the city for a change. It wasn't like a random villain was going to attack him in his civilian clothes.

A second later, Peter was suddenly and inexplicably airborne.

To Be Continued…

Author's Note: CLIFFHANGER! Another chapter is finished but this will actually be as a multi-part act. Personally, it's a good idea to do so since it obvious what's just happened and what's now coming.

Check it out, leave a few reviews and I'll be back with the next entry. I don't know when, but I'll be back. See ya!