It was back to school finally, following the weekend he had going back to Midtown did not seem so crummy.
A typical day is all I ask. Can I please have a clam day?" He thought or asking some higher power that could be listening.
Harry and Gwen were in the usual meeting place. They were not looking at each other or holding hands, just sitting beside each other in silence.
Crap, did I not say please?
Approaching, Peter held his breath as they spoke at once.
"We're taking a break." They said together, ignoring each other looking directly at Peter.
Oh boy.
"So, how did this happen?"
Gwen started talking first. "We realized it's possible that rushing into this might not have been the best idea."
"In English, she's trying to say that we needed to think harder." Harry joined in saying.
"Not responding to that," Gwen said, still refusing to look at Harry.
"You just did," Harry replied.
"Anyways, I think it would be wise for us to wait until one of us grows up more and learns how the world works," Gwen said.
"I'm sitting right here!" Harry said, looking at Gwen, she still did not look at him. "I'm the child." He muttered.
"I'm going to class. See you later, Peter." Gwen stated, walking away.
"Well, that was fun," Peter said aloud unintendedly.
"How was that fun?" Harry asked.
"Sorry, wrong time for sarcasm," Peter replied, sitting next to his friend. "Do you want to talk about it?"
Harry paused and sighed. "Sure. Gwen asked what I like about her, honestly. I was honest. Couldn't even say a second thing before she got pissed, and we started fighting." Harry said softly.
"You told her she was hot first."
"Yep."
"Whoops."
"Yeah."
"You know, the truth can hurt. Is that really what you like about her the most?"
"No, I misspoke. I did not even know I could. I meant to say her heart that incredible kindness, which is buried a little deep inside from time to time. Instead, I mentioned how hot she is, dumb rookie mistake. Wish it could be taken back."
"It can't. All you can do now is fix that mistake. She'll get over it, Gwen's too smart. Staying made with you would be such a dummy discussion." Peter said, smiling and patting his friend on the shoulder.
"Thanks, Pete. You're a good friend. I'm sorry for getting mad at you when, you know, dad rials me up can't help but get angry." Harry said regretfully.
Peter looked down at the ground. "I could've been a better friend."
"Your the best friend I've got and ever will have. That's a fact that nobody could dispute."
"Thanks, Harry. That means a lot."
"Anytime I've got so much wisdom stuffed in my head."
"If you say so." Peter laughed.
After school, Peter came up with a plan for what needed to be done.
Wilson Fisk is going to be at his most powerful soon. Right now, he's valuable, stilling off the high of killing Silvermane for sure. I need to find his dirty secrets and get them into my hands. Get em to Foswell and boom he's a goner. I hope.
Peter began stretching and swinging off toward Fisk tower. This is likely to go wrong, and I'm going to hurt a ton more. Can't give up, won't back down. This is it, all I've been working toward is going into action here and now, time to storm that Tower. Again, I know the layout kinda. So this should be a cakewalk! Getting through anyways might have to question the big guy himself. Jeez.
Meanwhile, Norman Osborn was meeting the man named Jason. Jason Macendale, to be precise, at Ozcorp inside a secret lab. Macendale was testing a glider for the past couple of hours while Osborn was working on something else. He waited for a phone call from one of his people, scoping out Fisk Tower, checking if the target was there.
The phone rang.
Finally, Osborn thought. He grasped the phone tightly and listened, hanging up in thirty seconds after starting the call.
"You're a go. Regretful as it is, you must kill Fisk. I can't have my family be in danger any longer. This ends today, understand?"
Macendale came down from the glider. "Yes, I'm using the alias discussed."
"Of course, Hobgoblin. Don't let me down."
"Wouldn't dream of it, I've been dreaming for this day for months! Can't put all this tech and that fun suit to waste after all, could I?"
Fisk sat in his office, staring out the window at his city while Wesley walked in, finding him drinking.
"Sir, it's early for that."
"Stop pestering me!" Fisk shouted.
"It's imperative that you don't do this."
"Why? Can't a man have a drink after their wife is dead and their son won't pick up the dam phone! I know he's as the kids say, ghosting me. His mother would be furious to discover how petty he's being. It would tare her apart if she knew about all the pain we've gone through since her coma. Meant to fix it, got caught up in living her dream, her plans."
"Sir, enough of the self pity. Work must be done, we've got intel that an attack is underway. Not sure by who or when. We can expect it to be today guaranteed. Recommend you get out of the building into a safe house, pronto." Wesley said nervously, beginning to sweat.
Fisk got up from his seat, staring at his ally dead in the eyes. "It's about time I got my hands dirty. If someone wants to take a shot at me, let them come, I shall wait.
Spider-Man swung to Fisk Tower. Once more, he intended to go through the back entrance. However, it seemed they had learned from the previous encounter stationing guards near the loading area all armed to the teeth.
This could be a problem. Maybe going inside as Peter Parker would work out? No, I'd need to bring in my suit, and surely he'd have people checking mysterious bags for anyone who'd enter. I'd bet it would include a random kid. Okay, guess I'll be having to go in loud. Or try to be quiet. Spidey thought as he approached the guards from above. They looked up and nearly saw him if not for the danger being initiated beforehand, of course.
Spider-Man lowed himself and silently knocked out two goons. Quickly he moved to knock out the other five moving faster then he'd usually moved before impressing himself.
Yes! That was not so bad. Alright, now I just need to know where a bunch of criminals would keep incriminating files. I'd bet one of them could at least offer a clue.
He proceeded to wake one of the goons up, looking around to make sure no cameras. It was not clear if Spider-sense would detect if he were being watched. Had a bit of unstable track record regarding that.
"Hey, wake up, sunshine! " Peter tapped the goon on the head, webbing their hands and legs together.
"What the! You're a dead man! You'll pay for this!" The goons began crying out struggling.
"Yeah yeah, of course. Let's just get to the point, shall we? Where would all the dirtiest secrets be stored? If you tell me, I'll let you live." Peter said, bluffing, of course.
The goon laughed in his face. "I know your no killer, nice try! And why would I tell you anything? How would I? I'm just a guard! Only the boss would have that info and good luck getting it from him.
"Guess your right. Thanks for the help, back to sleep now sunshine!" Spidey punched them out again.
Guess I'm going to have to raid the boss man's office. About time I finally have a talk with Willy face to face anyhow.
Spider-Man went inside of the building heading upstairs evading all the guards to his surprise and luck. Multiple nearly spotted him but seemed not to acknowledge his presence. This was admittedly suspicious. Still, he was inside and on his way to where he'd suspect Fisk's office would be. Turning back couldn't be an option.
Getting to the top floor, a handy sign showed the way to Fisk's off. The tower was quite large, so this was consistent was what had been seen already in his travels. Walking down a hallway, a ton of guard in riot gear and shields came rushing out surrounding Spidey.
Crap.
Spider-Man said nothing and got ready for battle, waiting for one of them to strike. However, oddly they all stood still.
"Um, hello?" He asked, confused. "Are you all robots having a malfunction? Say nothing if yes."
"No." One said. It was unclear who said it and did not matter anyway.
All of them backed away, heading to where they were seemly stationed.
Oh, okay. Well, that was odd. Guess this is a trap. What kind of trap I wonder? Bet he's got an army of supervillains in that room ready to kill me. And yet, I'm still going to go forward.
Spidey kicked the doors to the office opened and dramatically posed, pointing at Fisk, saying, "This is over!"
Fisk laughed, a bit intoxicated. "Proud of yourself? Coming here, taking me down all by yourself." He clapped. "So impressive!"
"So, where the party?"
Fisk chuckled again, taking over his nice suit jacket. "No party, I've been feeling less than pleasant. Using you as a punching bag would bring me joy at this moment. Why I called off my guards."
Peter now laughed. "You're going to kill me? A single average guy?"
"I'm anything but normal, young man."
Spidery charged at Fisk, cracking him across the face doing nothing. "Huh?"
In Peter's confusion, Fisk gripped him tightly, giving him a painfully hug.
"My body is pure muscle, I've got an unsuspecting build. To the common man, I'd look fat. Just how I like it. Being the underdog."
Spider-Man swiftly webbed random objects and pulled them toward Fisk, hitting him. This got him free for a moment. Shockingly the large man was fast and hit Peter multiple times in the chest, causing him to fall to the floor.
"You think of yourself as talented, better than me. It's time for your rude awakening of how this world works for real!" Fisk lifted him up and threw him across the room. Spidey crashed into the wall.
Ouch, he was stronger and faster then I thought. He seems to be having a monologue. Maybe he'll say something incriminating! Peter started recording the events unfolding.
Wilson Fisk kept talking. "I planed on doing this business for her, my wife. This was all her idea, her world. I was nothing before her, a bodybuilder living off small jobs for fellow low lives. I was the muscle, despite all my intelligence. Soon once I was done on my luck, Vanessa found me. We fell in love with no time. She had grand ambitions of taking this city for herself. I was the face for her operation. I was her scapegoat. Loved her dearly, so that did not matter to me, now that she's gone. I feel lost. Like this must be my dream, my mission. I'll burn this damn city to the ground for all it's taken, Vanessa and my son!"
Spidey prepared to overpower his foe while he kept speaking aloud. It was clear he was drunk, or at least intoxicated.
"Once I kill you, this city will feel my wrath! I'll have avenged Vanessa, my dearest wife."
"Late wife," Spider-Man said, trying to distract Fisk further. Despite all the bad the man had done, he still felt terrible that kicking his butt would be required. All that seemed to be left, right now, was a sad broken man with nothing left other than hate consuming him.
Fisk late out a loud defeated yell, going rabid on his foe, smashing himself into the wall as Peter jumped out of the way landing behind him webbing his enemy to the wall. Amazingly, Fisk dented the wall with his body.
The laptop on Fisk's desk was still opened. He figured the password was Vanessa, this was correct. It was clear cameras were all around the office, so not a soul would even get a chance to get on it. This happened to be fantastic luck. Looking around the desk drawers, a flash drive called Vanessa was discovered. Plugging it in, many family memories were there, more importantly, a file titled criminal activities was there. Documents were on there describing crimes she was directly involved with. It was lucky for memory reasons. Now it would be used for Spider-Man ends.
"Hey Willy, where are your guards?" Spidey joked at his expense. Then realized for real. "I've got a bad feeling in my stomach." Spider-sense agreed with the stomach beginning to ring as Spidey approached the outside of Fisk's office, finding a massive explosion going off, destroying the floor right before him.
"What the heck!" Spidey shouted, getting out of the way heading back into Fisk's office, finding that he started getting free from the webbing.
"Wait, Willy! We might have a bigger problem. Peter said, holding his hand up, motioning him to stay put.
"We?" Fisk asked, puzzled.
A new face came zooming toward Spidey, laughing maniacally.
"What are you?"
"Call me, Hobgoblin! I'm not here for you, Spider-Man, my job is to kill Wilson Fisk!"
"Well, this is oddly ironic. It seems like the tables have turned Willy. Now you're on the receiving end of an assassination attempt. And I'm here again."
"Stop talking! Just let me kill him and get this over with! We're on the same side. Surely you wouldn't want a man like him to keep living?
"Well, I'm not letting another person die on my watch!"
"If you insist." Hobgoblin flew toward Spidey. In response, he kicked off his glider mid-air by Spider-Man and hit across the face.
"That was shockingly easy, come on, Willy, I'm-" Peter turned to help him up, only to get gripped head again and thrown into the floor.
"I don't need your help!" Fisk yelled, attempting to step on Spider-Man. Hobgoblin got back up and called his glider over. Sharp spikes came out of the front, with these, he charged at Wilson Fisk. Peter tripped the man, saving him.
Hobgoblin flew thought the office window looking down at the city, smashing through it.
"Enough, you need to hide!" Spider-Man said, looking at Fisk.
"Fine, hope you freaks take each other out!" Fisk ran off. As Hobgoblin returned, now firing a ton of bullets from the gilder demolishing the room, spraying it continuously.
Spider-Man avoided all the shots staying one step ahead. After what seemed like a million shots, it finally stopped leaving the office in ruins.
"You missed me!" Spider-Man cried mockingly.
Hobgoblin now pulled out a bag bringing out pumpkins.
"Is this a joke?" Peter asked. His Spider-sense went berserk, and he moved out of the way as two were tossed his way, causing a massive explosion.
"Watch where you throw that!" Peter shouted, looking at the damage. Spider-sense kept going off, with this avoided a ton of bullets via turrets. Realizing both ways were dangerous, the apparent option now would be getting past Hobgoblin and getting out of the area. Unless killing Fisk would still be on his list of priorities, in that case, stopping him would be a necessary risk.
After taking a deep breath, Spider avoided a ton more bullets speeding toward his general area.
"Get out of my way, foul! Hobgoblin roared angered. "Just let this happen! Why must you make this difficult!"
Peter webbed a broken piece of Fisk's desk and tossed it at his foe. "Force of habit!" Was the response given.
The glider was fast, and he moved out of the way. In return, another pumpkin bomb was tossed, knocking Spidey back.
Hobgoblin tried flying past his foe, getting into the building and did not notice the turrets. When they began firing, it was a shock to the system for sure. The shots ripped thought the gilder and flew back zooming out of the window.
Spider-Man followed in pursuit.
Guards with riot shields went into the office with Fisk behind them, looking inside.
Wesley moved forward, checking the desk. "Sir, was there anything valuable left behind?"
"Yes, everything." He replied, looking furious and also defeated.
"Guards, secure this area. Shot that freak if it shows back up!"
Hobgoblin zoomed back, with his glider smoking. In one last desperate attempt, he pressed down on his bag and tossed it into the ruined office. Bullets went toward him, hitting him and his glider. Aless, one shot hit the sack, causing a massive explosion knocking Hobgoblin off his glider. While also generating a tremendous amount of damage and death for Fisk's people.
Spider-Man grabbed Hobgoblin and webbed him to the side of a building. "What did you do!?" He shouted.
"My job. A little too much damage, perhaps."
Spidey was shocked by this and went back up to see how much destruction was caused.
Going up, he saw a massive amount of damage. People were injured, naturally, he moved in to help. They did not require help. Instead of saying this like ordinary people, bullets were fired rapidly. They continued to shot even as he got back away.
"Stay back, freak!" Spidey could makeout being said while being shot at.
"I want to help you!" He replied.
They ignored and kept shooting.
Peter gave up and looked back at Hobgoblin, to his annoyance, his enemy had escaped.
"How's that even possible!?" Spider-Man asked allowed.After saying this, he went and swung off, looking for the mad man.
Jason Macendale called up his employer in a panic after escaping Spider-Man grasp. It was not easy. He had a knife and a parachute for any mistaken falls. It was a good thing he did, or it would be the slammer for sure!
"Mr. Osborn! I've got an issue."
"You don't say. You blew up a building!" Osborn shouted in his ear.
"I caused a minor explosion, that building is huge! Fisk's a goner, that's all that matter."
"Can you confirm?"
"Well, no."
Osborn sighed, moving away from the microphone, so Macendale did not hear. "How could you possibly not comprehend this. Your sole reason for going there was to kill one man. One."
"It was much more complicated than that, Spider-Man showed and defended him after he'd beat Fisk up! It made no sense what so ever."
"Why can't you finish your job?" Osborn asked nervously.
"The glider was damaged, maybe destroyed. I bearly escaped with my life." Macendale did not seem to grasp the situation at hand, talking calmly. Norman, however, began speaking less stable.
"That dam glider could be traced back to you! DNA was likely left behind and not to mention someone could link that technology back to Ozcorp. On top of that, the glider was meant to be used for a military contract! Having it used now was a stupid risk in it's self, but the reward being Fisk's death would've made it all worth it. Alas, you couldn't even get that done! Oh, we're dead. We're all dead." Norman kept repeating that, worrying Macendale.
"Um, maybe I could fix this. Can go back and -" He tried saying before Norman responded recomposed.
"No, if I destroy all evidence of all the tech that you used existence, then we can get away with this. For now, go lay low. I'll call if I need anything else."
"Yes sir."
They both hung up.
Norman Osborn looked around his workshop. All this work was years of blood and sweat. Not to mention the millions spent. It couldn't be wiped. A thought quickly formed, his father had a secret area installed for privacy. It was not used since his death. Norman never wanted to enter, too many memories. However, there was no choice in the matter, it was that or throw away all these years of work. He began moving everything away. After that would be done, all the contracts and documents would have to erased. It would cost millions, maybe more for the loss of the contracts alone. Yet, it would have to be done. It was a challenging yet obvious choice. One that would take many hours, which meant the key to success was The Green. It was unwise to take so much, but there was no other way to protect himself and Harry, who secretly mattered more. The side effects would be unknown, a problem for another time.
Next up is the end of the first volume. I hope you've all enjoyed it.
Don't have more to say right now and not sure what else to say sorry. One could say that's a metaphor.
Anyways, I'm open to reviews or constructive criticism of the story/writing until this point. I hope to be able to improve profoundly with Vol 2. Please share thoughts, even if it's years later, I'm open breaking down what worked and didn't. Thank you and stay safe all.