The elevator continued going down while May was trying to calm down Nora, who was crying and sitting on the floor with her hands covering her face.
"I'm scared, May. And my dad's hurt and still up there", she said.
"I know, Nora", May replied. "I'm scared, too. But we need to try and be brave. For both of our dads. And once we get to your place, we'll find a way to save them. And the Avengers.
"And the key that my dad gave you, he said that in unlocks something important in your grandpa's study. Maybe that's certain something could help us save them".
"But what if they're dead by the time we get back..?"
"No! Don't say that! We can't think like that, Nora".
"But I've read all about Doctor Octopus, May. He's an evil scientist and very dangerous, he almost killed Spider-Man so many times. There's no way we can defeat him. It's hopeless!"
"Ding!" The elevator stopped, and the doors opened. The girls have reached the Tower lobby. They exited the elevator and ran straight for the front doors and outside. Where they saw Falcon waiting for them.
"Oh. Good. You girls are safe", he said. "But Nora, where's your dad?"
"He's still up there", she answered. "But he's hurt!"
"Your dad will be fine, Nora," said May. "And my dad promised to take care of him. Remember?"
Then Falcon said, "And if there's one thing I know very well about your father, May. It's that he never breaks his promises. Not even when he was Spider-Man."
May and Nora smiled.
"And right now, my promise to Spider-Man is to get you girls straight to Osborn Manor, where you'll be safe. Now hold my hands, and hang on tight."
The girls grabbed Falcon's hands, and each other's, and they flew up into the air. Away from Avengers Tower.
Soon after, they reached Osborn Manor, safe and unharmed.
"Thanks, Falcon," said May.
"Yes. Thank you," said Nora.
"You're welcome, girls," Falcon replied.
Then May said, "Now that we're here, Nora. Let's go inside to your grandpa's study, and find out what your key unlocks, and use whatever it is to help save our dads and the Avengers".
"What key?" asked Falcon.
"Show him, Nora".
Nora took the key Spider-Man gave her out of her pocket and showed it to Falcon. And she said, "Spider-Man gave me this big key just before we escaped the Tower. He said that it unlocks something hidden in my grandpa's study."
When Falcon looked at the key, he let out a small gasp. "I think I know what that key unlocks, Nora. But you'd better go to your grandfather and ask him first."
So the girls and Falcon went inside, and found Nora's mother and grandfather in the living room, while Bernard was serving them tea.
"Mom! Grandpa!" shouted Nora. And she ran to them, and began to cry a little.
"Nora, honey. What's wrong?" Liz asked as she hugged her daughter.
"You look and sound like you've seen a ghost", said Bernard.
"What happened, Nora? And... where is your father?" ask Norman.
And so. May, Nora, and Falcon told them everything what happened when the girls arrived at Avengers Tower. Doctor Octopus's attack. And Spider-Man staying behind to help the Avengers.
Including Harry.
"Octavius?! He's back?!" Norman shouted in disbelief. He knew Dr. Otto Octavius years ago. He was one of Oscorp's most brilliant scientists, until he had a freak accident that involved his four mechanical arms being fused to his spine and corrupting his mind. Leading him to the path of evil, and becoming one of Spider-Man's worst enemies:
Doctor Octopus!
"You know him, Grandpa?" Nora asked.
"Unfortunately, I do, sweetie. Him and Spider-Man have fought many battles for years. The last time they fought, he severely damaged all four of Ock's mechanical arms. But he somehow managed to escape before S.H.I.E.L.D arrested him."
"And that happened one week before you were born, May," said Falcon.
"Yes. And a few weeks after your parents brought you home is when your father made up his mind to stop being Spider-Man. For your sake."
"I know," said May. "He told me why he quit. Before Doctor Octopus attacked Avengers Tower. But my dad got me and Nora to safety..."
"And he gave me this key," said Nora as she took it out of her skort pocket and showed it to her family. "He said that it unlocks something important here in the house."
Norman looked at the key closely. Then he gasped and said, "I thought Peter had hidden that key. He said he did! And why on Earth would he give it to you, Nora?"
"Uncle Peter said that it unlocks something very important, somewhere hidden in your study. And that it'll be useful for me. But only if it's my choice to use it."
Norman sighed. Then he sat back down on the couch and covered his face with his hands.
Then Liz came to him on the couch, and said, "Norman. We all knew that this day would come. It's time she knows the truth. It's been long enough, don't you think?"
"You're right, Liz.
"Girls... follow me."
So Norman led the girls to his study. And he stood in front of a big tall mirror on the wall. Then he flipped open one of the big spheres on the frame, revealing a large keyhole. "Nora. put the key inside, then turn it clockwise all the way around until you hear a click."
Nora nodded. And she inserted the key, turn it all the way around, and...
Click! Suddenly, the mirror slowly creaked open. Revealing a secret room behind it.
"Follow me, girls. What I'm about to show you and here will be quite a bit of a shock.
"But I need you to be open-minded for me. Alright?"
"Alright," replied May.
"Okay, Grandpa," said Nora.
Norman led the girls into the secret room. And he turned on some light switches. Showing something that they did not expect to see...
The Green Goblin's glider. Pumpkin bombs. His fight suit and mask. And his other gadgets.
The young girls were in complete shock! But also very confused.
Then May said, "Wait a minute. I recognize this stuff. This all belonged to the Green Goblin! I've read about him in school, he used to be an old enemy of my dad when he was Spider-Man."
"Yeah. I remember," said Nora. "But, Grandpa. Why do you even have the Green Goblin's old things in here...? Wait! If you have the Goblin's gadgets. Then that means that... no. No, no, no, no! It can't be!"
"I'm afraid so, Nora. I am undoubtedly, and regretfully...
"Am the Green Goblin. Or, at least I was, thanks to your father, May. If it wasn't for him and Dr. Connors, I wouldn't have been cured. They saved me from that monstrosity. But there's not a day that goes by that I don't feel any guilt for all the evil I've done. And I still have nightmares about them. But you both must know that I never meant to be the Green Goblin, it was all an accident. Honest.
"And Nora. Honey. Please understand that your mother and father wanted to tell you the truth about my dark past so many times. But I made them swear to never say anything."
"Mom and Dad knew all along?"
"Yes. And so did Peter, MJ, and Bernard. That's why I gave Peter the key to this room, to protect you from my mistakes..."
Just then. Liz, Bernard, and Falcon walked into the room. They were listening the whole time.
And Liz said, "But that's all in the past now, Norman."
"Yes. I believe that now is the time to let it all go, sir. Your guilt is eating you alive, and Harry and I can't stand seeing you like this anymore," said Bernard, putting his hand on his shoulder.
"Oh, grandpa!" Nora gave him a hug. She knew that Norman was suffering from depression for a long time, but she never thought that the cause of it was from something so horrible and evil so many years ago. But now that she knows who he used to be, and why he kept it from her, Nora wasn't angry or disappointed at all.
"You're not mad, Nora?" Norman asked.
"Well... to be honest, Grandpa. I am a little bit embarrassed, but. Uncle Peter cured you and saved your life. And that was so long ago, and I'm really sorry that happened to you. But now that I know the truth, I feel like I understand you now. More than ever."
Norman didn't expect his young granddaughter to hug him, and showing him sympathy. Especially after telling her that he used to be the evil Green Goblin. He really thought that Nora would be furious with anger, but he's glad that she kept an open mind and understood everything.
"I can't believe it," said May. "But wait a minute. This could be what my dad meant. Of course!
"Nora! You can use your grandpa's glider and gadgets. And with my new spider suit and web shooters, we can team up and save our dads and the Avengers!"
"Now, hold on a minute, May," said Norman. "Nora will not be using anything in here."
But then Falcon said, "Wait, Mr. Osborn. She may have a point. I've just checked in with JARVIS at Avengers tower. Doctor Octopus has my team de-powered and locked up. Including Spider-Man, and Harry."
Everyone gasped!
"NO!! My daddy!" cried Nora.
"Don't worry, Nora," said May. It's gonna to be all right, I know it. And my dad gave me a journal that could probably help us save him and your dad."
So May unzipped her backpack and took out her father's journal. And she looked through the pages. And when she found a page that said 'Supervillains', she looked through it and found Doctor Octopus's page. And May put the journal on a nearby table and showed it to the others.
"Here it is. 'Doctor Octopus'." May and the others looked at his page. Peter wrote everything down that is related to Doc Ock. His origins, skills, powers, and his weaknesses. Including his mechanical arms.
"It says here that Doc Ock is tough, but not impossible to defeat. His metal arms operate through an artificial intelligence, but his mind is corrupted by it, which explains why he's evil. It also says that his arms are vulnerable to electric shock and explosives. But the only way to really beat him, is to fight him. Not his mechanical arms."
"That's right, May," said Norman. "And I knew that madman years ago. Long before he became who he is now. Dr. Otto Octavius was once a brilliant scientist at Oscorp. But an accident occurred in his lab, which led to the result of his mechanical arms permanently fused to his spine, and his genius mind was corrupted by its AI. But as his hatred towards Spider-Man grew as they fought with one another. So has his poor health. In fact, it was the day that he escaped when his terminal illness was getting worse. But Octavius knew that your father's DNA, thanks to the radioactive spider bite, would cure him. But your father wouldn't allow it.
"And yet, somehow, after all these years in hiding. He's managed to treat his illness. And biting his time. Waiting to strike another attack, and let nothing stand in his way to find a cure."
"So that's why he attacked Avengers Tower. He wanted Tony Stark! And force him to find an antidote," said Nora.
"And Mr. Stark is a true genius, after all," May replied. "But now that we know what Ock is after. It's up to us to stop him. Save the Avengers. And our dad's. They need us!"
Falcon smiled. And said, "You're just like your old man. Loyal, brave, smart, hopeful, and you always have faith."
"You're right, May," said Nora. "She started to feel a little bit braver after hearing her best friends words. Our dads need us.
"And Grandpa? Uncle Peter said that it's my choice if I use your old goblin equipment. And I know you don't want me to, but May's right. Your glider and gadgets could help me save the Avengers, and our dads. Please, Grandpa. It's the only way."
"She's right, Norman," said Liz. "Time is running out. You know how to operate and control your glider. Show your granddaughter how to use it. And allow her to redeem your good name. Think about Harry."
Norman still wasn't sure about the whole idea. But he knew that the girls had a point. "Very well. I'll do it. For Peter. And for my son. It's time to let go of the past, and think about the future...
"The future for my family."
And so. Norman removed his old equipment from the room, and the others followed him outside. He showed Nora how to turn the glider on. Luckily, it was already fueled up. Nora kept her balance steady as she hovered above the ground. Next, Norman showed her how to fly it. By leaning forward. And leaning backwards to stop. Then, he taught her how to activate the pumpkin bombs. And she threw a couple of them for practice. Including titanium boomerangs that explode when they hit their targets. Even knock out gas grenades.
And Nora was even given a strong grappling gun that attaches to the glider. Perfect for catching criminals while in the air.
And last of all, Norman gave his granddaughter in emerald green and lavender bulletproof flight suit, and an indestructible silvery green helmet that covers her upper-face.
"There. They both fit you perfectly," he said with a smile.
Nora smiled back. And gave her loving grandfather a hug. She was ready.
