Author's notes: Still disappointed that Harry never was a Goblin in this USM series.

Summary: The Osborns put an end to The Goblin for good.

Ending The Goblin

Spider-man and Norman Osborn, two brilliant minds, collaborated in a lab at Oscorp. The glass beakers and flasks held special chemicals. A white slit in a red mask noted the ticks on the equipment. The distinguished liquids needed to be measured precisely.

"Must be nice to have your own company's name on these tools," the hero mused aloud. "I hope I can have my name printed on something without the word 'menace' attached."

They were working on a remedy for The Goblin. Such terrible beasts had resurrected thanks to Doc Ock and HYDRA. Norman had successfully cured himself from that horrid chemical mixture. Now he was teaming up with Spider-man to replicate the antidote. As the duo carried out the job, Scarlet Spider kept an eye out for any arising trouble that may disrupt the process. Harry assisted his father in grabbing whatever items Norman needed. Most of the numbers were in the older Osborn's head. He only needed to instruct any modifications.

After putting in a couple of hours, the treatment was completed.

"Let's go bring down that slime ball," the web-slinger announced.

Spider-man and his newest teammate, Scarlet Spider, left the building. They had a mission to complete (minus any shared high fives). All who were left behind were the Osborns and those who had become members of HYDRA's Goblin army.

"I called an ambulance," Norman announced. "They should be here to take those infected with the Goblin serum to a hospital for further monitoring."

He noted his received no response. He watched his son.

Harry stepped up to the area destroyed by Ock and HYDRA. The broken window permitted drafts to blow in. His blue eyes glared. They had been unexpectedly besieged. He was held prisoner by two Goblin mooks while his father was strapped to a chair. That madman Otto Octavious wanted Norman to return to his Goblin character.

"Harry?" Norman called.

The teen heard his name. He harshly replied, "It won't ever be enough for him, will it?"

The father became surprised by the sharp tone. He spotted Harry angrily clenching his fists. Heroes like Spider-man and S.H.I.E.L.D. agents had their reasons to loath the green monster and the evil scientist. But only one person surpassed Norman in hating The Goblin.

"Ock's really pathetic," Harry bitterly added. "He thought he could make you a Goblin again. He wanted you back, so he had to ambush us. It was totally outta revenge. I know that we Osborns don't hafta let Goblins be our only identity. But if he had given me that serum, if he wanted me to so badly be a Goblin, it wouldn't have been pretty for him—"

Harry stopped when he felt someone snatching his wrist. Norman swung his son into a tight embrace. He wrapped one arm around the teen's shoulder, and he placed his other hand on his boy's head. His bond was strong like steel.

The act bewildered the young Osborn. His anger suspended from the strange performance given by his only family.

"Dad?" Harry called confused.

"That was too close," Norman whispered, distressed. "He almost took you away from me. He almost made you a Goblin. And I couldn't do anything to have stopped it."

Harry closed his mouth. His rage was replaced by fear. He recalled how terrified he was with the threat. Their foe Doc Ock nearly made the teen a Goblin, following his father's unholy footsteps. Sharing the frightened response, he mirrored his dad's position. He was powerless against their enemy. He could have easily transformed into the same monster that enslaved his father.

The wind blew on as the limited family stood in place.

"At least Spider-man was there to help," Harry softly replied.

The hero in the blue and red spandex was always giving a hand. He defended helpless New York citizens. He aided the wealthy Osborns whenever they were under attack. Now that Harry had his father back, he had no reason to hold any anger towards the arachnid-based hero. He knew should he had become such a monster Spider-man would do all he could to rescue him (unaware that the wall-crawler would be protecting his best friend).

Norman heard the fair argument. He permitted himself to ease up. He released his powerful grip. "Yes, you're right. I owe a great debt to him. Even more so since he saved you before anything worse could be done."

Harry formed an idea how the older Osborn could achieve that. He softly asked, "Will you hafta go? As Iron Patriot?"

He was glad to see Norman take the heroic path to make up for his misdeeds. But the job could only be done by him. He had no way of helping his father.

Norman gazed into the pleading blue eyes. He shook his head. "I believe Spider-man and his teammate will be able to stop Octavious and his plan. That's their goal. Mine is to protect you."

A part of Harry was relieved to hear that. He always praised his father for his work as Iron Patriot. He knew of the bitter rapport between Norman and Octavious, the two inventive men. But after being stormed unexpectedly, he was happy to have his only family stay with him. Yet no smile came to his face.

"We'll need to head down for safety," Norman instructed. "I figured Octavious dropping by would happen. I've built something new for a shelter. With all these Goblins still running around, it's not safe up here. But before we go—"

He stopped after looking at his son. He noticed the remaining dower appearance. "Harry? What's wrong?"

Despite the assurance, Harry carried one more issue in his heart. He was furious at Doc Ock for his attempts in reviving The Goblin. But the incident led to something else to be revealed. He had the feeling Norman was still holding secrets from him.

"I didn't know you cured yourself," Harry disclosed. "I was so scared when Ock gave you that serum. I was paralyzed thinking that The Goblin was gonna come back. But… even if Ock couldn't control you as The Goblin, I…"

Norman heard his boy. He listened to the quieting pitches in his voice. The pause alarmed him. "What?"

Harry lowered his head. Closing his eyes, he quietly confessed, "I was afraid that you were gonna leave me again."

Norman gazed at his son. He understood the Osborn rage the teen displayed earlier was stemming from his apprehension. He learned to accept that Harry felt things more deeply than he did. Or rather, what he pretended to not feel.

"I didn't think I ever needed to bring it up," he replied. His tone was soaking with regret. "I was hoping that me curing myself would've been the end of it all."

Harry looked up. He noticed the genuine sorrow given by the glower and soften eyes. He didn't want guilt to consume his father. The man had kept his promise in being a better parent. Pushing away the glum, he remarked, "Then let's not worry about it anymore. You're cured, and Spider-man is out stopping HYDRA. This Goblin nightmare is over, right?"

"Not quite."

"What do you mean?"

Silently, Norman walked back towards the lab table. His eyes were drawn to the expensive tools. He picked up a particular item.

"What is it?" Harry asked as he followed. His eyes noticed a syringe. A special chemical resided in the glass. The size of the instrument was designed for an individual, not a crowd.

"It's the last of the vaccine," Norman explained. "Spider-man and his teammate have enough for their mission. This last mixture is for you."

"Me?"

"Octavious may have failed this time, but he'll return. I don't want him taking another chance with you."

Harry stared at the concoction. His mind traveled back to the threat. Osborns were on the same level as The Goblin. He was still vulnerable.

Norman realized all the mistakes he made. His old partnership with Doc Ock allowed the teen to be hurt. His greed led Harry to choose unsavory paths to earn his approval. Many of his intentions towards Harry were for himself, not his son. He lowered the syringe.

The younger Osborn noticed the resignation. He looked up as Norman ruled, "You're almost an adult and can make your own decisions. I won't force you to take it. I only want to keep you safe. But it looks like I've failed at doing the most basic responsibility of a father."

He looked away.

Harry recalled how terrified he was with how easily the serum could have been placed in him. He brought to mind all the misery he underwent while his only parent was dominated by The Goblin. He couldn't bear placing his only parent under that same despair.

He walked closer and straightened himself up. His decisive act caught his parent's attention. He looked at the man straight in his eyes.

"Dad, I never want to be a Goblin."

Norman smiled. He felt proud that his son was rejecting the wicked power he consumed himself with. He picked up the syringe. The chemical sloshed as it moved. He flicked the glass, knocking out any bubbles.

Harry was prepared. He rolled up his sleeve, exposing enough flesh on his upper arm. He could feel his heart race. He pushed aside any negative thoughts. He wanted the nightmare to be over.

Norman placed his free hand on the teen's shoulder. He then carefully stuck the needle into his son's skin.

In response to the prick, Harry clamped his eyes. He clinched his teeth. The feeling of the antidote running in his body felt odd. His head was beginning to feel a strange rush. He could feel his heart pump faster. Once the needle was out, he felt his legs losing their strength.

Norman dropped the needle as he helped stable his boy's balance.

The father and son looked at each other.

They smiled as they shared a hug.

The end had finally come to The Goblin.

End Ending The Goblin