SPIDER-MAN: ALL ALONE (CHAPTER 31)
FOREST HILLS COMMUNITY HOSPITAL…
May tossed and turned in her bed as she tried to get comfortable. Every day, her physical health was fighting a strenuous battle and she would wonder what her nephew was up to. There was not much she could do anyway with all the crazy events that were currently happening.
The nurses and wards would come in to check on her. Whilst she was appreciative of the care, she was also insisting to leave her nursing bed much to the objection of the doctors. She may be developing health problems but she was determined not to go down that easy.
"Ms. Parker. We really need to reach your nephew about this." The nurse informed as she tried to stop May getting out of her bed, "I can't just let you go."
"You have no idea how much trouble my nephew gets into, do you?" May asked as she got up in her patient uniform and tried to walk.
While they argued, unbeknownst to them, a flash of blinding light popped behind the window and blew the bricks and other debris dangerously close. May was struck aside as well as the nurse.
The Goblin was standing mid-air on his glider and eyeing May behind his mask. Norman's own twisted face watched with glee as he hopped off the glider and walked towards May on the ground. The nurse started to panic as the Goblin came forward like a demonic entity.
"We're due some for catch up." Goblin said staring at May's shocked face.
Grabbing May by the arm, Goblin dragged her with force to his glider. As the Goblin flew away with his new hostage, he left behind a small gift of destruction for the nurse. A little ball of orange metal with green glow.
As the explosion sounded, Goblin flew May out fast who could only watch in horror at the sight of destruction. The Goblin had yet again given Forest Hills Community Hospital another bad name.
"Put me down!" May screamed as the Goblin carried her.
"Fret not, old bird. You still recognise this friend of yours?" Goblin asked before the mask lifted to reveal Norman's face.
"Norman? Wh-What's going on?" May asked with confusion at both the situation and Norman's new face.
"It's time for the Parkers to be seated for a 'farewell'." Goblin said with malicious glee as they flew.
ALL OVER MANHATTAN…
Spider-Man continued to track and chase the Lizard across the streets as it made its dash across the city for a food source away from danger. Recalling the lizards at Curt's lab, Peter remembered the connection and believed something fishy had happened with the lizards.
"Norman… No. Goblin is turning everything against me." Spider-Man said as he continued the chase, "And this damn lizard is just the latest problem."
In his battle ravaged self, he was determined to put an end to this problem and this included the idea of killing the beast.
"Surely, nature takes course right? Man hunts nature and tames it?" Spider-Man asked, "Wait… What am I thinking? I don't know what this lizard is yet!"
Lizard was aware of Spider-Man chasing him down. In a one sign of intelligence, he stopped before using its tail to break a fire hydrant. Water sprayed out from the ground and made contact with Spider-Man who was hit by such force and fell down.
Lizard growled with satisfaction as it leered its teeth. Maybe the Spider deserves to be chewed and potentially swallowed into tiny pieces to sate its hunger. The radioactive scent however coming from Spider-Man was going to be a challenge though.
"I got your attention now? I got your attention now! Who's a good lizzy?" Spider-Man joked as he prepared for another round of fighting.
Spider-Man flipped and dodged as the Lizard tried to take a swipe against him. Slamming its claws downwards, it made an effort to lessen Spider-Man's chance on ground as it crushed the road gravel beneath.
Spider-Man struggled mid-air with air time whilst shooting web strings in random directions. However, the effort was for naught with the Lizard catching Spider-Man on the head. The lesson here was to never underestimate the strategic mind of an animal that belongs on the predator line.
The Lizard drooled as Spider-Man struggled against the force of his head being held tight. Snapping its jaw, it was determined to make a quick meal as required but such an act would not be done when an object with gaseous features hit Lizard near its eye.
Yuri arrived just within time to lend Spider-Man a hand by a random NYPD car. Carrying herself a rifle-like weapon and wearing protective pads, she dashed bravely towards the scene.
"Yuri, stop." Spider-Man called believing her moves to be foolish.
Yuri ignored the warning and continued firing tear gas rounds at Lizard before reloading different ammunition. The Lizard's attention was diverted giving Spider-Man a split second to escape its grasp.
"Hey Spider-Man! Can you help tie him down while we're at it?" Yuri asked as she stared down the beast.
"How did you…?" Spider-Man wanted to ask before being cut off.
"Save the chatter for later. Just wear this thing down until more cops show up." Yuri replied.
Seeing Yuri prove herself to be a capable ally, Spider-Man agreed to cooperate. Yuri had the tools needed to wear the Lizard down while he could tie him down.
"This would work. Hey Lizzy, still want another crack at a bite?" Spider-Man asked crawling around the ground like a bug, "I'm New York's finest."
Lizard being agitated by Spider-Man's antics was the perfect setup for Yuri to practice her shooting skills after confining herself to mostly intel work. She was ranked top amongst officers and her training was still sharp as she hit the Lizard with knockout gas rounds directly at the face.
Spider-Man for his part decided to use every weakening opportunity as a moment to properly ensnare Lizard where it counts. He may be battle worn but a job must be done for the safety of others. Avoiding the gas where it counts, Spider-Man did his effort but noted the Lizard's resilience.
"Anything hard hitting?" Spider-Man asked as he noted the Lizard's non-reaction to the gas.
"Got varieties." Yuri commented as she got around the corner of one lamp.
Reloading, she picked out yet another new round. This time it was a stun tranquiliser. It was the weapon used to deal with animal targets especially escaped zoo animals. Aiming the gun, she fired the shot once again.
The Lizard reacted much more strongly with electric shocks surging through. It growled at Yuri but was weaker as a result with sluggish movement. Spider-Man continued to encourage the Lizard to focus on him however with Yuri firing two more rounds just make sure the Lizard would go unconscious.
"Now's the chance." Spider-Man said as he prepared to web down the creature.
As the Lizard became engulfed by Spider-Man's webbing, the effects of the tranquiliser helped settle it down. The next stop for the creature was the Raft, where he would be added as another locked up rogue unless otherwise.
"I'd say you would have been food if I wasn't there." Yuri commented, "If it were for the other guys, they'd use lethal force on this thing."
Spider-Man said nothing in response as he walked over to the street side.
"Nothing witty to say?" Yuri asked surprised at Spider-Man's non response.
"I just want to rest." Spider-Man said kneeling down, "Like a nice bath… And a new suit."
STACY RESIDENCE, BROOKLYN…
Gwen made every effort to get back to her house as fast as she could. As soon as she arrived at her home, she found the door already opened conspicuously.
"Mum? Simon?" Gwen called out as she walked in looking around whilst taking her mask off.
As soon as she reached the living room, she noticed a mess had been made and that somebody had entered their home uninvited. Amongst the mess were knocked down furniture and papers scattered.
The one item that did standout to her was an orange tape recorder. A classic motif to signify a game a villain wants to play. Reaching the tape recorder, Gwen played the recording and heard disturbing information.
"It's gonna be okaaay…." Goblin's voice menacingly whispered.
"Don't you dare lay a hand…" Helen's voice muttered.
This was then followed by her scream and Simon yelling in terror. Objects were also heard being knocked down with explained Gwen's surroundings. After the sounds of Helen and Simon were stifled, Goblin began the next part of the tape.
"If you're listening to this, dear Gwendolyn… Then you're not quite the darling Spider-Man raised you to be." Goblin said, "I'm taking your family members to the nicest meat factory here in Brooklyn so come along if you want to save them. Secrets can't be hidden forever, kiddo. They'll find out soon enough."
With those chilling words, Gwen had to make haste. She looked underneath the tape recorder and saw the address of where the Goblin had claimed he held the two captives at.
TO BE CONTINUED…