Author's notes: A condensed, early idea I had when I first started writing for this category. Seriously, if the USM cartoon wanted a completely new host for Venom, why couldn't they have done something interesting with it? This is VENOM we're talking about.
So sorry this took so long to post. I really struggled with this piece. The fanfic was much longer than originally intended. Enjoy!
Summary: [AU for The Goblin arc] After failing to bring down The Goblin, Spider-man finds himself battling a new adversary, The Goblin Hunter.
Spider-man and The Goblin Hunter
"You were a real nuisance to hunt down," a harsh voice uttered. "You better be worth it."
His deep tone echoed. The scolding was carried out by The Goblin, a monstrous form of Norman Osborn. The typical business suit had been tossed aside in favor of a flexible gray apparel. A metallic gauntlet covered one hefty hand while his other featured his claws. He held an unbelievable height. His extensive shadow encased its surroundings in a black shroud. Every step he took created a small-scale earthquake. The most eye-catching change in physical trait was the grody green skin.
The Goblin's eerie, yellow eyes fell onto a teen with auburn hair. He had victoriously kidnapped his own son. He had retrieved his boy from S.H.I.E.L.D. and took him to a hidden bunker of his own.
Harry sat on the hard ground. His back aligned itself to the cold wall. While he took dignity in his appearance, his unexpected capture resulted in him looking disheveled. His soft hair was unkempt. His pristine sweater carried holes with his pants holding dirt patches. He cast aside his outward image. Underneath his smudged face his blue eyes stared at the beast in front of him.
"Dad?" he called. He was astonished, and his voice reflected that. "Is it… Is it really you?"
The innocent student was heading towards school when a green creature attacked Midtown High. Spider-man and his team fought to stop The Goblin. The newly created monstrosity was searching for Harry Osborn. He successfully snatched his son. Harry had learned from Spider-man of what had become of his missing father. Bewildered by the uncanny situation, he gawked at the green brute.
"What happened to you?" he asked. He tried to gain control of his own shivering behavior. He was aware of the troubles brewing within New York City. He never expected anything so strange to have happened to his own family.
"A little mishap at the office," The Goblin replied, looking himself over. His appearance prevented him from attending galas or even restaurants for brunch like a normal human being. Such a notion didn't bother him. He held power he never presumed he could achieve. He had even eluded the notorious wall-crawler and S.H.I.E.L.D. It was all at the tips of his claws. "But, yes, son. It's me."
Harry's mind struggled to digest the unsettling information. Gathering his strength, he strained to sit up his exhausted body. As The Goblin won his goal in seizing his son, Harry became battered during the endeavor between heroes and villain.
"Why are we here?" the boy questioned. "Shouldn't we be at Oscorp?"
"Are you blind?!" The Goblin roared. "Or is your dense mind unable to comprehend that Spider-man and S.H.I.E.L.D. are after me?!"
The young Osborn quieted down. The insult matched his father's disapproving attitude. Despite giving his best to raise his grades, such an honest dedication never impressed Norman. The man had left the celebration to conduct his shady business.
"Oscorp was up in flames three night ago," Harry reminded. "S.H.I.E.L.D. agents tried to control the commotion. They were keeping everyone out. Spider-man told me what happened to you. I didn't believe him at first. Maybe they're after you for a reason. Do they know it's you?"
"Yes, they do. They're afraid of me. They're afraid I could take down S.H.I.E.L.D. in an instant. Hmm…" The Goblin wildly grinned, exposing his sharp teeth. "That doesn't sound like a bad idea."
The boy couldn't believe his dad's growing opposition. He had acted against Spider-man taking in his only parent. He had to try and help him. He struggled to keep his feet on the undusted ground. He kept his back against the coarse wall for support. "Dad, whatever happened to you… It isn't good. Let S.H.I.E.L.D. help you."
"Help?" The Goblin repeated. "I've grown past the need for help. This is by far better. Octavious thought he could outdo me. The man who had stolen that Iron Man suit made me what you see before you. But I took a recusant situation and made it my own."
The teen gasped. Perhaps the cobweb hero wasn't responsible for anything wrong towards Norman. But he couldn't accept that fact. Spider-man and his team had treated the businessman like a fugitive. Such execrable acts from self-proclaimed saviors were unforgivable. He only wanted his father to get help. He knew Norman made any circumstance into his favor. Something like a physical change outed by the best Science Fiction or Horror movies seemed far too immoral. He shook his head. "Dad, you can't stay like this. If S.H.I.E.L.D. is after you, then let's get back to Oscorp. Let's find a way to control all this."
"Why should I? There's no chance in Hades I'd permit Octavious win. Harry, as I told you before, you don't let your enemies control your situation. Don't let the situation control you. You control the situation."
Once Norman Osborn set his course, there was no chance of changing it. Harry understood his father. Uncertain of his situation, he nervously asked, "So, then, what do you want with me?"
The Goblin looked at his boy. He recalled hearing the familiar voice shouting nights ago when Oscorp's basement was burning. He answered, "I came to save you from the hands of S.H.I.E.L.D. You wouldn't have found any shelter there. Should they had captured you, they would've used you against me."
Harry wondered how much of that statement held truth. The wall-crawler was all too eager to get him to board with the dictorial association. He hated seeing Spider-man and his team dominate his dad, a man who clearly needed guidance and support. But it seemed like they were only interested in defeating and locking away another criminal. He clenched a fist.
"So then let's not make that happen," he declared.
The Goblin silently studied his son. He detected a burning desire set within the teen's blue eyes. There was ambition. There was pride. Perhaps his son was proving himself to be worthy of the surname Osborn.
"Let's see if you have the proper motivation."
He held out his hand wearing the gray gauntlet.
Harry recognized the indication. A deal was being offered. He believed now was the chance to show his support, to show he had what it took to be an Osborn. Lifting up his own hand, his fingers enclosed around the gray casing.
The Goblin grinned.
A flash of lightning emitted from the gauntlet.
The young Osborn received the powerful jolt. He couldn't break himself free. He released a scream.
The Goblin focused on his son. He witnessed the surge of electricity running through the boy. He spotted black muck sprouting out from the teen's backside. He seemed pleased. However, the satisfaction soon stopped. The dark goop was not fully embracing Harry. It squirmed and writhed from the shock. It reacted to the distressed bellowing gushing from the adolescent. Clearly the host of the symbiote was unable to control it.
The Goblin's grin faded. He had seen enough. He ceased his power over the gauntlet. The electricity halted as well.
Harry kept his eyes shut. The burn twinged his exhausted body. Unable to stay on his feet, he dropped to his knees. He huffed. Had it not been for the gauntlet holding his hand, he would've completely collapsed to the floor. But the case soon changed when he was lifted. His feet dangled below. His blue eye met with the yellow ones owned by The Goblin.
The monster stayed silent. He had examined all he needed to. He threw the young Osborn against the wall.
The teen went flying. His back smashed against the grainy structure. He bellowed. A sharp pain infected one arm and upper shoulder. He could no longer move that limb. He slid down to the unpolished ground. A groan slipped past his lips.
He knew what had happened. He grasped his father's scheme. A part of him had always felt the lingerings belonging to the cursed symbiote. Venom. He was unable to manage it. Despite the hazards he was subjected to, the living creature was beyond his domain. He had failed. He had once again failed Norman Osborn.
He felt the floor rumbling. He sensed Norman approaching him. Shaking in anxiety and pain, he looked up. His head spun. Through his blurred vision, he could see his father, The Goblin, towering over him. Yellow eyes glared at him. They carried the same disappointment Norman Osborn would deliver.
"Dad, please," he begged. "I can make this work. I know I can."
The Goblin ignored the whimpering pleas. He had protected his son from S.H.I.E.L.D. What he needed was something deemed worthy of assisting him. A dark side kick. That idea became dashed studying the results Harry had presented. He lowered himself. His hushed voice growled, "You were a real nuisance to hunt down…. You weren't worth it."
He pointed his index finger on his gauntlet. The fingertip unlocked. Like a vacuum, it sucked up a sample of the black symbiote. As soon as his morsel was gathered, his gauntlet was captured by a white web.
"Maybe you should try a little encouragement over physical discipline sometime, Gobby," a voice commanded.
The monster gasped. He turned around. He couldn't believe he had been located. "Spider-man!"
"Finally found where you've been stowed away!" the same voice continued, emitting from a large window above. A teen boy cast himself down. His red boots skidded down a pile of sand and discarded warehouse supplies. The wall-crawler appeared far from his usual chipper self. He was angry with all the damage The Goblin had caused. He was angry how much discord the giant monster gave his team. And he was angry the brute bestowed danger upon his best friend.
"What concern do you have here?!" The Goblin yelled. He ripped off the webbings. He rose himself up and faced his adversary.
"I believe you owe the city an explanation for your little tantrum," the web-head replied. He bravely stood several yards from his enemy. "You can't expect to just smash and dash. Even The Hulk isn't permitted to do that."
"What I do is no business of yours!" the green monster shouted back.
"Turning into a rampaging Goblin? Kidnapping your own son? You bet that's my business! Never mind if it's something you want. That's no excuse dragging your son into this!"
Harry watched as the two argued. Whenever the web-spinner arrived, the younger Osborn felt like he disappeared, became irrelevant. His father had disregarded his presence. Those yellow eyes stared directly into the white slits in the red mask. They were prepared to wage war.
"You have let to learn your lesson," the giant beast sneered. "Allow me to remind you that no one shall defeat The Goblin!"
He yelled as he raced towards his foe. Spider-man accepted the challenge. He bolted towards him. The Goblin placed together a fist. He swung it down. The wall-crawler sprung up. He flipped himself over the large creature. His red glove patted his opponent on his back. He left behind a disc. The Goblin felt something strange. He panicked when he heard a strange beeping sound. Quickly, he tried to reach behind him. His extended arms and hands could not touch his center. The noise accelerated. A bomb exploded.
The Goblin howled as the rush bulldozed him to the other side of the room.
Spider-man landed safely, away from the scurrilous brute. He saw the action of temporarily subduing The Goblin. Defeating the mutated Osborn was one goal, one that was critical as decided by S.H.I.E.L.D. The teen hero created another objection. He turned towards the other boy.
"Harry, you OK?" Spider-man asked. His voice carried his concern. After seeing The Goblin terrorize Midtown High and thrash his teammates, the arachnid hero needed to check in on his best friend. He was truly worried for his safety.
The auburn teen glared at the masked champion. Rage surged inside him. He believed Spider-man was responsible for what happened to his father one way or another. He retained his animosity against the assault the web-head committed towards Norman. He didn't need the web-slinger interfering with himself and his dad. He barked, "You again?! Get lost! I'm trying to work something out with my dad! Unlike you! Where you just attacked him like he was a monster!"
Spider-man could see his best friend still held him accountable. He spotted the burning temper owning his pal's blue eyes. He sighed. "Harry, I'm sorry if me and my team had acted rough. But your dad isn't some antique china set. I'm trying to help him, too. But if he's gonna be clobbering city property and threatening innocent citizens, then he's gonna need to come in to S.H.I.E.L.D. He can be in a safe place until we can find a cure."
"Safe place? More like lock him in prison and throw away the key!" Harry derided. His heated body language took control. He aimed to shove away the menace of New York City. His injured limb crippled his intention. He shut down his quarrel. He winced in pain. He hissed.
"He'll be in a cell, sure, but he'll get board and food wile S.H.I.E.L.D. looks for a cure—" Spider-man also discontinued his appeal. He observed his pal's anguished expression. One hand was holding one arm. The trained hero put together the pose. "Harr! What happened?! Did he hurt you?!"
The auburn boy snapped his attention to the web-slinger. He raised one eyebrow. "What did you call me?"
The cobweb contender realized the moniker he had blurted. Before he could correct his fumble, his spider-sense came into play. He immediately placed himself in front of the captured Osborn. An empty oil drum smashed against Spider-man's back. His sturdy posture of setting his hands against the wall and planting his feet against the ground protected the innocent teen. He yelped. He clamped his own eyes. The metal rang from the bump. It clanged as it dropped and rattled.
"Enough with the fraternizing," The Goblin scolded. He had recovered from his unexpected blitz. He was looking to rid himself of the pests in front of him. He coldly added, "As I already told my worthless son, S.H.I.E.L.D. can forget taking me in. I enjoy what I became. I won't let anyone stop me. This power is what I've been searching for. It's what I've been working for every day of my life. After all, Spider-man, with great power can come great reward."
Harry stayed on the floor. He kept his attention to the green brute. Those words of poisonous wisdom was what Norman had shared with him. He knew his father was still present. He only needed a way to reach him. He only needed to purge themselves of any distractions.
Spider-man kept in mind the havoc that took place in front of Midtown High. He believed in something greater than mindless power. He gained from experience nothing could triumph rooted in a corrupted starting point. He squeezed a fist. "You got it wrong, Norman."
"And who are you to harangue me about such life lessons? Everything you stood by is crumbling right before you. Just take a look at your team."
The resentment and temper blasted out of the wall-crawler. He bolted. He gained momentum. Turning himself slightly, he bashed against the giant monster. "That one's for my team!"
The enormous monster couldn't withstand the encounter. He flew. He crashed. His large body rested over the smashed pallets and crates. He stayed in place. He felt more than the onslaught. He felt a twinge of revenge poorly disguised as justice.
"Your team, eh?" The Goblin questioned. Striving to sit up, he jeered, "If memory serves, you used to be a solo act. What exactly changed your mind? Was it a lack of power? You realized how pathetic and weak you were on your own?"
The web-head steamed. He caught his enemy's ploy. He refused to give in. Stoutly, he rebutted, "I was a solo act. I thought I could handle everything on my own. I was wrong. I joined S.H.I.E.L.D. to get stronger. I learned the value of teamwork. My teammates became my friends. They became my family."
The auburn teen on the other side of the room heard what the web-spinner was declaring. If a novice hero could fight for those he cared about, then Harry could do the same for his only family. He struggled to gain balance on his feet.
"How touching," The Goblin mocked. Standing up, his large shadow fell over the one wearing the blue and red costume. "It only proves what a weakling you are. You rely on others. Have you noticed your so-called teammates are nowhere to be found? How you have no resources from S.H.I.E.L.D.? You're alone now."
"Physically, yeah. But, as Spider-man, I know who I'm fighting for." The courageous boy placed up his fists. He prepared himself for anything The Goblin threw at him. He was not ready when someone else entered the battle zone.
"No!" Harry shouted. He bravely stood in front of the web-slinger. He strained himself lifting his damaged arm. The pain didn't deter his courage. Glaring at the white slits, he swore out, "Forget this fight! I won't let you take in my dad!"
The masked champion stared at the teen in front of him. He recalled the reason why he joined S.H.I.E.L.D. He had already failed to act as a hero back then, and his best friend had taken the hit. He shot his webs. They landed on the boy's shirt. They gave a connection between the two boys. He refused to allow anyone to further hurt his friend. He needed to remove his buddy from the battlefield. "Harry, this is gonna hurt awhile, but trust me when I say this is for the best—"
"Stop it!" Harry roared. He used his working limb to pull away the webs. "You have no right to say what's for the best! Don't think we're friends!"
The Goblin became just as surprised as the web-head. His son continued to be a nuisance. He quickly decided to use the situation to his advantage. He summoned his glider.
"I'll do what it takes!" Spider-man avowed.
"So will I!" Harry challenged.
"As will I!" The Goblin announced.
The two boys grew surprised seeing the giant beast riding his machine. Before Spider-man could sprint, his enemy snatched his son. The wicked creature laughed. The webbing attached to Harry snapped. The imprisoned teen struggled in his changed father's grip. His injured limb was still causing problems. The Goblin stopped his zooming. He stared at the teen hero. He knew he was safe so long as he carried his own shield.
Spider-man stared ahead. He grasped his enemy's idea. He was an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. But he continued to play by his own rules, his own morals.
"Norman! You gotta stop this!" he pleaded. Lowering his arms, he intended to show he was not using any threats. He was not begging. He only wanted to reach into the humanity he believed was still present. "You aren't this Goblin monster! You are Norman Osborn!"
"I am not Norman Osborn!" The Goblin rebuked. "I have evolved past that! I possess something that makes Octavious and even S.H.I.E.L.D. tremble! I am making my power give me great reward!"
"You're rejecting yourself? The Osborn who ran Oscorp? The scientist and businessman who is on the same level as Tony Stark?!"
"Oscorp was only one source of power. I was still trapped as a feeble human being. Being a Goblin will give me more."
"You can't just switch gears like this! You have your responsibilities towards your son!"
The Goblin glared at the one he was holding. The blue eyes stared back at him. He had snubbed any positive bond he may have developed with his boy. He only saw an incompetent heir to the throne. He spat, "Then you assume responsibility for him!"
He tossed the teen.
Harry gasped. He grew terrified feeling the grip loosen. He stared at the rash face that once belong to his father. He began his descent. Darkness started to overtake his vision. The ecstasy and adrenaline he was bearing had waned. He could never keep up with an evolving hero or villain. He was, after all, only human.
Spider-man saw Harry dropping. He needed to catch him before he could hit the floor. He thrust himself forward. Stretching out his gloved hands, he caught the falling body. He positioned himself like a swinger preparing to land himself at the school playground. He managed to keep himself and the imprisoned Osborn safe.
"We'll meet again, Spider-man. You haven't seen the last of The Goblin!"
A maddening cackle emptied out of the room as the glider smashed through some windows.
The cobweb hero bitterly watched as his foe made his escape.
"That dirty rat," he grumbled. "He knew I wouldn't allow Harry to fall like that. He plotted that opportunity for an escape."
He looked down at the teen. Harry was unconscious. Their argument was rough. But he had to do what he believed was right. He had to get him to safety. He remembered the injury he may be bearing. Gently taking the auburn boy's good arm, he placed it over his shoulder. He guided the unconstrained body to stand.
"Don't worry, Harr. I'll find a way to help out your dad. First, I gotta get you home."
A brunet adolescent was walking towards Oscorp. He was meeting up with a friend. Earlier as the notorious wall-crawler, he had dropped off the unconscious heir at the company. As each step led him closer to the building, guilt began to grow inside. His mind re-played the awful events of the previous day.
((I couldn't stop The Goblin. Again. But at least I kept a green Norman from hurting his own son even further. I can't let Norman run free like this. Time to do a little investigation as Peter Parker. See if Harry will let me know anything about The Goblin. Plus, considering everything that's going on, I gotta check in on my buddy.))
He approached the glass doors. Caution tape was placed around the entrance. Construction was continuing after the fire unexpectedly overtook the business's basement. Much of the fiery aftermath had been taken care of. As he stepped up the stairs, someone came out of the building. Harry was waiting at the entrance. Peter saw his friend wearing a black classic fit suit. His necktie was only a tint lighter. The gray shirt tucked underneath was the brightest color on him. Obviously, the only method in cleaning the whole pristine piece was to send it to a swanky dry cleaners.
"Wow," Peter praised. "You look ready to take a photo shoot."
"Just trying to look presentable," Harry modestly replied. "Those sleazy board members are clamoring for a head. Some employees are running around in circles. They're completely lost without a leader. I told 'em to keep working because my dad won't accept excuses while he's gone. My goal is to keep Oscorp in the hands of the Osborn family."
The other boy grew impressed with his pal's plan. He noted how high the auburn held his chin. Despite the presence of The Goblin, Harry aimed to stay with the company. His eyes lowered towards the sling. His smile faded. "How's your arm?"
"Better. Doesn't hurt as much. I'll be wearing this for a while."
"Good thing you found one matching your style." Peter tried to crack a joke. He knew Norman was never one to raise his hand against his son. But The Goblin was a different story. That horrendous beast was yet wasn't Harry's father. The cheerful attitude encasing the brunet began to diminish.
Sensing the uneasy stillness, Harry spotted his best friend turning glum. He understood it wasn't because of the difference in outfits they wore, where one could attend a gala while the other resided in his living room. He flashed a confident grin. "Dreary meet ups are for the board rooms. Let's go to the penthouse already."
Peter regained his smile. He took the upbeat outlook as a turn for the better.
The duo went through the glass door and headed towards the elevator. There was always an atmosphere of power within the penthouse. Norman Osborn was one to display his wealth whenever he could. Flashy furniture, upscale flooring, and gaudy artwork were always on. Peter understood the method allowed prosperous people to display their wealth. Yet that wasn't enough to satisfy the voracity growing within the older Osborn.
"You want a drink or anything?" a voice asked, breaking the brunet from his thinking. "Rushing through all of New York can be thirsty work."
"Huh?" Peter responded, lifting his head. He remembered that he walked instead of web swung towards the penthouse. He saw his pal heading towards the kitchen. A hand struggled to reach for a cup on top. The unbalance was caused by the fashionable sling.
Peter raced towards the cabinet. "I'll get it. You don't hafta strain yourself for me."
He grabbed a clear glass for himself, crowded it with ice, and then filled it with filtered water. As he carried with his task, his mind wandered. He made sure to never pry into the private life of his pal or his family. At times the young Osborn had shared memories and stories from his past as the two high school classmates began to know each other. He had also witnessed the strained bond between father and son. He did what he could to offer support. He wondered how he could aid his best friend while sporting his red and blue costume. He snapped out of his thinking when cold water rushed down his hand.
"Oh!" he gasped. Water dripped towards the hardwood flooring. "My bad!"
"You tryin' to get me a broken leg, too?" Harry laughed. He was accustomed to his pal's mindless habits. He strolled towards the counter top for the paper towel roll. After a third attempt, he successfully split off the sheet using his good hand. Before he could get to the mess, Peter took it from him.
"I got it," Peter insisted. He became guilty seeing the everyday tasks turn into laborious chores. He knew his friend was only delivering his own jokes to lighten his mood. Yet as a superhero whose duty is to protect the innocent, he felt he failed against The Goblin. Without a word, he began cleaning up the mess.
The auburn wondered why his guest was so quiet. Peter was less present than usual. He figured something important had to dwell on his perceptive mind.
"You worried about the teacher's re-arranging our tests after that shut down?" Harry teased. "Because, with your brain, you'll be able to ace it no prob."
"Uh, well, you know how it is," Peter replied. He stood up and tossed away the dirty sheet. "I can't enjoy my weekends unless I know what I gotta study for. We sure don't need a lab accident blowing up—"
Realizing his crude remark, he cut himself off. "Err… Sorry…. With what had happened at Oscorp… Sorry."
He snatched his glass from the counter and silently drank his water.
Harry studied his guest. Peter was never one to view him as an ATM like many of their peers. The brunet paid his fair share whenever he could. He never sought to do anything mean-spirited. He was an honest guy, who could be overly cautious. At times Harry despised his only parent approving the school genius while belittling him. Yet he could never hold that over him. Even now, Peter dropped by to visit him. Looking down at his sling, he was glad to have a friend, someone to trust.
"You feel awkward knowing what's going on with my dad, aren't you?" Harry asked upfront.
Peter nearly choked on his drink. "Wha?"
"It's not exactly public news, but these things have a way of getting out," the auburn adolescent began. His blue eyes stared across the floor. They reflected his humorless voice. "The morning where the school went into lock down, I went missing the rest of that day. Oscorp had that fire three nights ago… It happened in the lab in the basement. The accident that caused the fire turned my dad into what everyone's calling The Goblin."
He stared directly at his buddy. "But you already knew that, didn't you?"
Peter's own eyes looked back. He questioned the sudden grim intent. He was on his own hunt to see if the young Osborn carried any information regarding The Goblin. Holding his own mission in mind, he still had to maintain his innocent stance. "Um… I pieced it together from bits of The Daily Bugle cast, Oscorp, and your absence."
"Right. I figure you kept an ear out for hearing your favorite hero's side of the story. I mean, what Spider-man was doing…." Harry paused. His voice then softened, "At least your approval of him isn't as bad or obnoxious as Flash's."
Peter picked up the disdain tone. He understood how watching the battle between the web-head and Goblin would be viewed differently by the green creature's son. He had done what he could to be the hero. He couldn't be viewed as the bad guy. "Spider-man was doing what he does."
"Which was what?" Harry snapped. "Pit a war against my dad? Treat him like he's some sort of criminal? Not someone who needed help?"
"It might've looked that way. But it was also important to keep the students, and teachers, and any other bystanders safe. That's why the school went into that lock down until the battle moved on. Sometimes people don't want help."
"Other times people stick their nose in situations that don't concern them."
Peter watched as Harry's expression went from pensive to rage. He didn't wish to continue the interrogation. He straightened himself up. "Look, I get you're upset because your dad is missing. You're unhappy with Spider-man and S.H.I.E.L.D. If you're wondering if I'm choosing sides between you, your dad, and Spider-man… I'm here for you. You're my best friend."
"Of course. I knew you'd be here. Meanwhile my own dad is no where to be found." Harry turned away. He appeared to be lost for a moment. His mind swirled like a storm, contemplating about heroes and villains. He sourly added, "All because of Spider-man."
"I'm sure Spider-man would've tried to work things out with S.H.I.E.L.D. And it's not like he was actually responsible for turning your dad into The Goblin."
Harry set his eyes on his guest. He raised an eyebrow. "How could you know?"
Peter turned quiet. Perhaps he had revealed too much with his second argument. He scratched his shoulder. He felt the costume underneath his jacket. "Um, well, heroes are heroes. Spider-man gets grilled by The Daily Bugle regularly, but he still takes down carjackers and bank robbers. He risks his safety for others. People can surprise you."
The young heir to Oscorp reflected on those words. His best friend was someone who tried to offer fair compromises and positive outlooks. He mumbled, "My dad was in his office a lot. Late nights. He was doing something big. Now he's gone. I hadn't seen him since then. It was Spider-man who chased him off like a villain in a movie."
Harry stared out the window. "Not that you would know."
Peter didn't respond. He had seen his buddy express rage and disappointment, namely whenever Norman had left him. But this particular adversity seemed to pin on something else. He had trouble reading him.
Harry grumbled, "I thought I knew someone. Guess I didn't know a single thing after all. Not a damn thing."
Peter uneasily watched as his best friend underwent his anguish.
((Harry's really taking his dad becoming a Goblin hard. Can't blame him. Norman is Harry's only family.))
He knew Harry only wanted a connection. Yet Norman kept him away. He stepped forward but maintained a distance. "You worried that your dad lived some sort of secret lifestyle? Secret or no secret, he's your dad. I'm sure he'd never want it to hurt you. Anyone who carries such a burden would feel the same way."
He saw his best friend clenching a fist from his working hand. "Harr?"
"Spider-man… He's probably looking to get any tracking he can against The Goblin. Everyone thinks Norman Osborn is a monster. But he's not. He's always been busy. He's an important man." Harry stepped away from the window. "If I just knew where The Goblin was, maybe I could try reaching my dad again. I might hafta get Spider-man to gimme any notices."
"And how do you plan on contacting him?" Peter questioned. He wasn't looking to dissuade his friend. He only wanted to ensure that his buddy wasn't getting his hopes up or risking himself once more. "He's with S.H.I.E.L.D. I doubt even they allow youth clubs to sell them cookies on their property."
"There's gotta be a way!" Harry shouted. "I hafta try! For Dad's sake!"
He set his working hand on his pal's arm. He stared directly into his friend's eyes. He pleaded, "Pete, if you know anything—anything at all—you gotta tell me!"
Peter stood in place. His mouth hung open, yet no words departed. He had come to do an investigation, but it was clear the young heir knew nothing. Harry was desperate for any information. He may even endanger himself. Silently, Peter's blue eyes traveled down to the gray sling. He knew he couldn't reveal anything, lest he place his best friend in even more danger. Lowering his head, he mumbled, "I'm sorry."
The auburn stared at his buddy. He scowled. Removing his hand, he turned away. "I think you should leave now."
"Wha? Harr, please…"
"Just go…"
Peter turned stunned by the order. He knew Harry was carrying a great pain in his heart. Believing his friend needed time alone, he left.
The sunny day gave a relaxing ambiance. Many citizens took their time in coffee shops, boutiques, and brunch restaurants. City parks were much more crowded with people. It was a day of leisure for bike rides, photography shots, and disk throwing. But one teen hero was working tirelessly.
"Haven't heard from our ol' pal The Goblin in days," Spider-man remarked. Shooting his webs, he flew in between the towering buildings. The enormous windows reflected the bright sunlight. He knew how to avoid them blinding his sight. The streets below honked with zipping cars. He repeated the steps he had long practiced for his transportation. Swinging freely at high altitude allowed him to think. "Can't believe Doc Ock turned Norman Osborn into that green monster. Is Norman struggling to adapt to his new identity? Or is he plotting something big?"
He flipped like a well-mannered performer. He landed on a rooftop no problem. The pigeons already occupying the top cooed as they scooted away. Their native inheritance familiarized them with who was there. He sighed, not from the long journey, but from what hovered in his mind. "And poor Harry… Everything he's going through. I don't think I've ever seen him so hurt."
That's when Spider-man's spider-sense went off. He perked his head up. "Whuh oh! Speaking of hurt!"
Something round crossed his path. He immediately spun out of the way. A bomb exploded.
"Who did that?" the web-head cried. He scoped the area. He saw nothing. Even the homegrown pigeons that crowded the roofs had fluttered away, spooked by the sudden eruption. The hero in the red and blue costume stood alone.
"Consider this a warning!" a voice boomed.
"A warning?" the wall-crawler repeated. "How's me exploding a warning?"
He looked up. He saw someone riding an aircraft that looked like a snowboard. The rider wore all black—from the boots, to the slacks, to the armor chest plate. Only the slim facial mask was green.
The aircraft was heading towards Spider-man. He placed up his defense. It halted in front of him.
"Stay away from The Goblin," the new guy ordered. His voice came out firmly. "He's mine."
"And just who are you to tell me what to do?" Spider-man challenged. "I already got S.H.I.E.L.D. for that."
The Sky-stick softly glided. The one on the machine stared directly into the white slits of the red mask. What was most peculiar was a white spider design on the chest plate. "Right. Because that's all S.H.I.E.L.D. is good for. You already failed against The Goblin once. You're no match against him."
"I can see whoever hired you did because of your taunting skills."
"I'm self-employed."
"Save yourself some time and quit now. The long hours only pay so much."
"You may like to make jokes, but I'm quite serious." The new guy shook his arm. The black sleeves activated hidden blades. They reflected the bright sunlight. They appeared quite sharp.
Spider-man's eyeholes expanded. He could see how well equipped this foe was. "Hey! There's no need to act like a hostile bounty hunter! The Goblin hasn't been around that long. How much damage has he done to get a bounty on his head?"
"Enough to have caught S.H.I.E.L.D.'s attention." The antagonizer hit a button on his glider. A strange sphere popped out. It was the same that had nearly assaulted the web-spinner earlier.
"OK, OK," Spider-man replied. "You have this fascination with The Goblin. How about a compromise? How about teaming up? We'll take down The Goblin, bring him to S.H.I.E.L.D., and you can take a selfie with him to prove you took him in for you cash reward."
"No deal!" The mysterious agent tossed his bomb.
"Whoa!" Spider-man yelped. He spun himself around, nearly missing the weapon. It exploded. The rupture caused no damage. The wall-crawler turned to his enemy. "Is your beef with me or S.H.I.E.L.D.?"
"Anyone who gets in my way!" The new guy guided his Sky-stick away from the explosion. He circled himself around the rooftop. He kept his green goggles on his opponent.
The hero could see the new adversary was deliberate. After such threats, he had no choice but to return fire. "If you're gonna be like that, then I'll hafta to bring you in for interfering with S.H.I.E.L.D.'s work!"
"You can try!"
The two began their tussle. The new guy set his Sky-stick towards the red and blue web-spinner. Spider-man saw what was coming for him. He jumped away. As he skid through the air, he shot his webs. He intended to snap his opponent off his glider. His enemy spotted the white webs aiming for his ride. He slid his Sky-stick upwards. The fire from the machine burned away the sticky vines.
"Woah!" Spider-man gasped. He grounded himself. "That's some quick thinking! I'm gonna hafta go over my webbing's heat resistance ability!"
His foe pulled his machine upwards. "You're gonna hafta try harder than that."
"Like playing with you hover toy, do you?" Spider-man shot his webs once more. This time his sticky vines journeyed between the enemy's feet. The webs wrapped around the center. The red glove gripping the white line yanked. "Why don't you learn to share?!"
The foe gasped as his machine was pulled beneath him. His black boots had been glued to the Sky-stick. Underneath them were metal soles that attached themselves to the machine via magnets. That strength kept him from tumbling downwards as he rode it across the sky. He couldn't allow himself to fall onto his backside. But the sudden force swept him off. He rolled on the roof. He carried his set of weapons, but he was only novice.
"Let's keep your little toy outta range until you're ready to go home," Spider-man derided. He hopped behind him to create a greater space between himself and the foe. He watched his opponent struggling to stand up. With himself trained by one of the best hero academies in the world, he felt bad for the newcomer. "Ready to give up?"
The pair of green goggles flashed towards him. The new guy made it to his feet. "Never!"
His black boots raced across the open roof. Holding up a fist, he was prepared to strike. Spider-man dodged the attack. The other teen's fist smashed against the staircase entranceway. His strength caused cracks.
Spider-man saw the result. "You gonna be able to text OK after that?"
He saw the green goggles staring straight at him. Despite the hidden eyes, the wall-crawler could feel a surge of hatred. Such strong emotions were pit against him. The enemy pulled his fist from the hold. He immediately began to bat his curled up hands.
The hero didn't like how close to range the fists were. He picked up his red boot and shoved it in the other boy's chest. The adolescent in black groaned. The muscle thrust him backwards. His feet tapped against the floor. He tried to keep his balance. As he kept himself above, he shook his wrist. The pair of blades popped out. He held them up to advertise his offense.
The web-spinner noted the silent threat. He shook his head. "No way I'm gonna let you cut me up like pizza!"
His adversary charged at him. He carefully dodged the blades. He knew each swing could cause a tear within his own flesh. "Hey! Don't you know it's not safe to run with scissors?! Someone could get hurt!"
"It's fine so long as that someone is you!" The other boy swiped his blade downward.
The famous wall-crawler moved. He formed his fingers to the familiar split. "Scissors may beat paper, but glue holds down scissors!"
His attacker spotted the oncoming webs. He sprang into the air. Even without his Sky-stick, he managed to gain great height.
"Shoot!" Spider-man yelled. He kept his eye on his opponent. "How'd he know I was gonna do that? It's like he already knows my moves."
"You're as predictable as a sappy sitcom!" the agent in black yelled. He activated his hidden blades once more.
The web-slinger observed the relentless determination his enemy was displaying. He didn't fully understand the new guy's interest in The Goblin. But he couldn't allow anyone to interfere with his responsibility. "Well, that's the thing about me—I know how to improvise!"
He formed his webbings to create a bolo. He swung them towards his foe as the teen was landing. The impromptu bolo wrapped around the detractor's arm. He tried to get his blades to cut through. But his sharp weapons were unfamiliar with the toughness the webbings held.
"Dammit!" he shouted. "Useless!"
"Watch your language!" the hero scolded. "Don't want Jameson and his board working overtime editing this fight!"
The assailant grunted. He needed to showcase his grit. He had yet to shake off the web-head. He needed something to dissuade the wall-crawler from interfering with his interest. He had to knock the hero down. He spotted his ride not too far from where he stood.
"Walk away from this battle," Spider-man tried to encourage. "With any luck, S.H.I.E.L.D. may only slap a citation on you and give you community service hours. No matter what your story is, The Goblin can't be worth all this."
"To me he is!" the agent roared. He pressed a different button on his sleeve.
The Sky-stick activated its boosters. It was speeding towards them. Spider-man sensed what was heading his way. He jumped. He wasn't alone in the air. His enemy was also able to leap to the same elevation as him. The duo remained in the air for a moment. The white eyesholes and the green goggles kept themselves on each other. Their bodies soon submitted back to gravity. Holding the ability to upswing great heights was one strength. Landing properly was another skill. Spider-man managed to dock safely on the roof. His enemy, however, never considered calculating where he would place himself. He completely missed the roof.
He yelped as he plummeted.
"Uh oh!" Spider-man cried. He couldn't allow his attacker to fall to his doom.
Before he had a chance to move, the new guy shot his own web. Black webs. They emerged from his wrists. They clung themselves to the skyscrapers. Flipping around, he swung himself back on his ride.
"What the?!" Spider-man shouted confused. "This guy's got web powers, too?!"
The new guy roamed himself away from the battle.
"Don't think you can leave without saying goodbye!" Spider-man tried to follow. He shot his webs and vaulted. He swung himself around the building. He couldn't find the strange agent anywhere. "Well, uh, I guess you can skip out like that. It's not very polite, though."
He returned to the vacant roof. He was alone once again. He reflected on what the new guy was ordering. He failed to draw any logical connections this agent would have towards the hideous beast.
"Terrific. What The Goblin needs—fanboys protecting his image."
His spider-sense went off. He quickly looked around. He spotted no danger. He developed the feeling he was being watched. He had no time to debate, for his original team appeared.
Someone was watching the group of teen heroes. He was crouching on a ledge. He was far out of sight from the group near him. He already knew who they were. Not just the title they made for themselves, but the ones who lived under the masks. He watched them make their exits.
The black goop removed itself around a human head, revealing a teen with auburn hair. The same black slime moved down towards his torso. He held his injured arm. Unprepared, he was exhausted. The friendly neighborhood web-spinner still proved how tough he was. The black goo formed a face, white slits that appeared like eyes and an open space that seemed like a mouth with jagged teeth. The symbiote watched alongside. It didn't take the wall-crawler's rejection so well.
Lifting his head, the auburn teen revealed raging blue eyes. He angrily watched as Spider-man swung away. His heart beat with hatred.
"I don't care if we were friends, Pete," Harry growled. "You won't be taking in my dad. Not so long as The Goblin Hunter is around."
End Spider-man and The Goblin Hunter
Author's notes: And that's 25 of the 50 stories I plan to post. We're halfway done! Why 50 chapters? IDK.