Volume IV: The Hobgoblin
This will be the fourteenth chapter of Volume IV, Spider-Man will be enlisted by Black Widow in aiding S.H.I.E.L.D. in taking down a smuggling operation involving HYDRA and Oscorp, this will introduce Roderick Kingsley as a disgraced fashion designer and mogul, after he lost everything he turns to his old longtime friend Norman Osborn for help in getting back at his competitors, Norman refuses but Kingsley knows too much about Norman's past crimes as he blackmails him into helping him, Norman eventually provides Kingsley with the tools needed to exact his revenge on all his competitors including Janet Van Dyne for their successes in the fashion world, but having these tools will come at a catch provided he uses them to help destroy Spider-Man for all his actions against Norman Osborn, meanwhile Mary Jane Watson decided to take up modeling after her chat with Millie the Model as she applied for Van Dyne Fashion, but she'll need Peter's help in photography in order to secure her future in the fashion world. This story will also delve into the mysteries of the deaths of Richard and Mary Parker as Spider-Man will interrogate Arnim Zola to learn more about who is truly responsible for their deaths, little does he know that the man responsible is much closer than he realized, this will also explore more of Norman's dark side and his past with HYDRA. While Kingsley will take this opportunity to take down his other competitors in the fashion industry, it'll be up to Spider-Man and his team to stop him before anymore innocents get hurt. At the same time Betty Brant crosses paths with a 21 year old reporter name Ned Leeds as he looks into these Hobgoblin attacks he and Betty are investigating together, at some point in the chapter he'll be intrigued by the mysteries of Rodrick Kingsley as he looks into his past.
The day is January 20th around 12:23 PM in the Garment District at the building of Van Dyne Fashion, the place is run by famous fashion designer Janet Van Dyne as a number of models are still in the middle of photoshoots to be displayed on fashion magazines, photographers taking shots of models posing in designer outfits, some models in the make up room being helped by makeup artist applying make up to make them look good. Meanwhile still in the waiting room is Mary Jane Watson sitting here waiting for her interview with Ms. Van Dyne as she's a bit nervous but determined, this whole world of fashion is still new to her as she's never done any modeling before, she reached out and picked up a newspaper from the New York Bulletin showing the fall of fashion mogul Rodrick Kingsley, she sets it aside and picked up a Van Dyne magazine, she started looking up pictures of models showing off their work, Mary Jane is getting the idea of what she's getting into based on these pictures, she just hopes she can impress in her efforts. All of a sudden the secretary came by to meet up with Mary Jane reading the magazine.
"Ms. Watson, she's ready to see you now, follow me."
Mary Jane puts away the magazine and gets up from the seat, she follows the secretary into the office of Janet Van Dyne sitting at her desk as she spotted a friend of Peter Parker here for an interview, the secretary left the office after she left Mary Jane here alone, Janet gets up to shake hands with Mary Jane Watson.
"Mary Jane, it's been a while." Janet greeted.
"Likewise, thanks for making the time for this interview." Mary Jane said.
"Of course, anything for a friend of Peter's, speaking of which, how he's feeling marrying the love of his life?" Janet said.
"Guess you know." Mary Jane said.
"I've heard, though I shouldn't be surprised, I had a sense that was coming but I never expect this soon." Janet said.
"Yeah, this whole thing caught us all by surprise too." Mary Jane said.
"I'm happy for them, I truly hope their marriage together is a long lasting one..." Janet is thinking about her marriage with Hank Pym.
Mary Jane noticed her expression. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm alright... anyway, let's get back to you, Millie has great recommendations about you, she believes you'll be perfect for this job, but I gotta ask, have you ever done any modeling before?" Janet said.
"No, but I've done some plays since I was ten, I have aspirations to become an actress one day." Mary Jane said.
"That's nice, most models actually become actresses. Okay, I like to see your portfolio of your work." Janet said.
"Portfolio?" Mary Jane said.
"Yeah, it's where models show off their photos as a presentation. You do have one, don't you?" Janet said.
"Oh... I'm sorry, I didn't know, I'm still new to this business." Mary Jane said.
"It's okay, you don't have to feel embarrassed, this happens for new time models. I'll tell you what, you hired a photographer willing to take some shots of you posing, afterwards pick out some great shots for your portfolio and come back again for another interview, alright?" Janet said.
"Sure, and I'm sorry if I wasted your time." Mary Jane said.
"Don't worry about it, Millie did tell me that you'd make a great model and to be honest I believe it too, just don't take too long with the portfolio, there's only one opening right now and with the recent fall of Kingsley Fashion, there's bound to be models coming in looking for work and the deadline is on Wednesday." Janet said.
"Geez, thanks for the head up." Mary Jane said.
"Sure thing. Oh, one more thing, if you do see the bride in need of a designer for a wedding dress, tell her I'm that gal." Janet smiled.
"I'll let Gwen know." Mary Jane said.
Mary Jane gets up and shake hands with Janet before leaving the office, Mary Jane is in need of photos for her portfolio needed to get the job here and she's on a deadline more than ever, she just happens to know a photographer who might help her out.
Time is 4:15 PM at the Foam Party Coffee shop in Brooklyn, Miles, Tiana, Ganke, and Danika are all hanging out and having their drinks together, all of a sudden coming into the coffee shop is Anya along with the new kid Sam as they're waiting in line to order their drinks, the group spotted their friend with the new transferred student showing him around Brooklyn, Miles on the other hand is very surprised seeing his friend with another guy.
"And here we are, welcome to the Foam Party, best coffee in Brooklyn." Anya said.
"I can see that, this place is packed, I passed by it a few times and the line outside is pretty long." Sam said.
"For good reason, just wait until you get a taste of the coffee here, it's pretty much an institution around here." Anya said.
"Hey Anya!" Danika calling out waving her hand.
Anya smiled as she came up to the group. "Hey guys, I see you're all having drinks without me."
"We would've invited you, but I can see why you're occupied." Danika said.
"Right, I was just showing Sam around town, you all remember Sam right?" Anya said.
"Yeah, the new guy from Arizona, right?" Tiana said.
Sam chuckles. "That's me, and you are?"
"I'm Tiana." Tiana introduced herself.
"I'm Danika from Danikast, my podcast channel, I'm sure you've heard of it." Danika said.
"Not yet, but I'll check it out." Sam smiled.
"Hi, I'm Ganke, Danika's boyfriend." Ganke introduced himself.
"And I'm Miles Morales, nice to you Sam." Miles said.
"Likewise, I'm sure we're gonna be great friends." Sam said.
"I feel the same. So how are you liking Brooklyn so far?" Miles said.
"It's great, still getting used to living in the East Coast, far away from AZ where it's hot. My mom and sister love it out here too." Sam said.
"I see, what about your dad?" Miles said.
"He... doesn't live with us, he's a different story." Sam felt uneasy.
"Oh, sorry If I..." Miles said.
"It's cool, I'm pretty much used to not having him around... anyway, I should probably get back in line and order that fancy coffee they have here." Sam said.
"Sure, it's nice meet you Sam." Miles said.
"See ya around." Sam waved them goodbye before heading back in line.
"You two seem to get along just fine?" Danika smiled.
"We're just friends, we get along just fine." Anya said.
"If you say so." Danika teasing.
"I should get back in line and get my drink too." Anya said.
"You gonna hang with us?" Miles said.
"Actually Sam and I just came to get our drinks, maybe next time." Anya said.
"Yeah... sure." Miles said.
"Bye." Anya waved to her friends before walking and joining Sam in line.
Danika itching with curiosity. "Do you think they're going out together?"
"Dani, they're just friends, you heard Anya said so herself." Ganke Lee said.
"Oh come on Ganks, I got this sense and I can tell she took a real liking into this Sam guy. Who knows, with any luck, they might get serious and we can all triple date." Danika being enthusiastic.
"That might not be so bad, what do you think Miles?" Tiana said.
"Huh? Oh, sure thing, if she's into him." Miles said.
Danika and Tiana got back to talking again as Miles can't help but have this strange feeling for Anya being with another guy, he shouldn't be feeling this way since he's already in a relationship with Tiana, at first he did harbor a crush on Anya last year and they pretty much stayed friends, he never expected to feel this way again, he thought he'd moved on. Anya is waiting in line beside Sam as she looks back at Miles chatting with his girlfriend Tiana which still gets to her sometimes, Sam noticed the way she's looking at Miles and Tiana together, he's getting the sense of something but says nothing for now.
It's now 5:12 PM in Queens, at a snowy cemetery as Peter and Gwen, it's the cemetery where Peter's parents are both buried along with Uncle Ben who is also buried here, but the couple are now standing before the gravestones of Gwen's father George Stacy buried next to her mother Helen Stacy.
"Hey mom, dad, if you both can hear me, I want you to know that I'm about to marry the love of my life, Peter, I know dad already likes him, but I'm sure you would've loved him too mom, he's wonderful and he's the one I want to spend the rest of my life with. I hope you gives us your blessing wherever you are." Gwen pays her respect to her parents.
"Hey George, and Gwen's mom who I never got to meet but I'm sure I would've loved you too, anyway I still kept my promise to you on protecting your girl who is now a woman, a very wonderful woman who's made me the happiest man on Earth, a woman I want to grow old with, you always saw me as a son and to me you've been like a another father to me after Ben died, now you're soon to be my father-in-law, I promise to protect Gwen with my life and to make her the happiest woman on Earth, thank you for raising your daughter into the woman I love." Peter pays his respect.
"I miss you mom and dad, wish me luck." Gwen paid her respect.
Gwen and Peter paid their respects to her parents and asked for their blessing as they walk away from their gravestones and towards the gravestone of Ben Parker, Peter's uncle, as they've stood in front of his grave.
"Hey Uncle Ben, it's been awhile, but I'm sure you'll be happy to know that I'm about to marry the love of my life, it's funny that I didn't that I had such strong feelings for Gwen before, I still remember that time when you dropped us off at the Stark Expo, you told us to have fun on our date, I guess you must've seen something between us that neither me or Gwen knew at the time, now we're finally together and about to spend the rest of our lives in marriage, thank you for everything Uncle Be, I'll always remember the lessons you've taught me, they made me who I am, with great power comes great responsibility." Peter pays his respects.
"He'll be fine by my side, I promise, it was a pleasure knowing the man who raised this amazing man into the man I love the most, I'll make him very happy for a long time, I promise." Gwen pays her respects.
Peter and Gwen finished paying their respects to Uncle Ben as walk over the gravesite where Peter's parents, Richard and Mary Parker, are both buried together, for Peter it's been a long time since he even came to their graves since the day they were buried, Peter has got so much to say to them.
"Hi mom, hi dad, I'm sorry I didn't come here for a long time, I guess I was still dealing with never having my parents around, I never understood why you were never around, for years Uncle Ben and Aunt May never told me the truth about the kind of life you both had to live, when I found out that you both were secret agents, I held so much resentment for you for keeping this from me, I didn't even try to understand why you chose this kind of life, but now I understand, it's who you both are, you both chose responsibility to the whole world, for me, I can't believe I'm about to say this but... I'm very proud to be your son and I was lucky to have you both as parents while it lasted, and thank you for leaving me under the care of Uncle Ben and Aunt May, even without you I was never truly alone, I still had family and now this woman beside me is about to join our family, Gwen is very amazing, I'm sure you've would loved to meet her, she'd make an amazing daughter-in-law and maybe some day be the mother of your grandchild, I hope you both give us your blessing, I love you both so much." Peter paying his respects.
"You son is the most wonderful man in my life, the man I chose to be my husband, I promise to make him happy as his wife, it was very nice meeting you." Gwen pays her respects.
They finished visiting the gravesite of Peter's parents and paid their respects as they're about to leave the cemetery together, Gwen looks upon Peter to see something is on his mind.
"Everything okay, Pete?" Gwen asking.
"Yeah, it feels great being her telling my parents that I missed them and I'm about to get married to the love of my life." Peter said.
"But..." Gwen could tells there's something else.
"There's so many questions around my parent's death, I only learned the truth last year by accident when Bucky..." Peter said.
"I know... it was very hard for you learning the terrible truth about their deaths." Gwen said.
"Even more harder learning my parents weren't who I thought they were, it only made me feel more bitter, but eventually I came to accept the truth and gained some closure in talking with Bucky and gave him my forgiveness." Peter said.
"I can tell that you haven't gained full closure yet." Gwen said.
"No, I know that Bucky was brainwashed by HYDRA into carrying out that mission that took my parents lives, none of it was his fault and I forgave him for it, just before we parted ways he told that someone besides HYDRA ordered their deaths." Peter said.
"What?" Gwen is stunned hearing this. "Who would want to kill your parents?"
"I don't know, that's what I've been trying to figure out, I even asked Bucky for more details but he didn't know much about who was truly responsible, I didn't get very far and that's what's eating me, my parents ended up dead and their names were disgraced, they died as traitors to their country and this guy is still out there somewhere, this person didn't just destroy my parent's lives, he even destroyed mine, I will find out who was responsible for their deaths and he'll face justice one day, I swear it." Peter made a vow.
"I know you will, I believe in you, I always have." Gwen smile warmly.
Peter felt better having his fiancé by his side on this day as the couple are walking out of the cemetery until they made it to the streets, Peter is getting a vibrate on his phone, he pulls it out to see its Natasha Romanoff texting him, he reads it.
"What is it?" Gwen asking.
"It's Natasha, she needs me for a mission, she's coming to pick me up." Peter said.
"When?" Gwen asking again.
All of a sudden a corvette is pulling up to the sidewalk where Peter and Gwen are standing, the passenger side window rolls down as Natasha Romanoff is at the driver seat looking at the couple.
"Hello there, am I talking to Peter Parker?" Natasha said.
"It's me Nat, is that really necessary?" Peter said.
"Had to be sure you're weren't hijacked by a mad scientist again." Natasha teasing.
"Very funny." Peter smiled.
Peter hopped into the corvette with Natasha as Gwen look upon them.
"I hope you don't mind me borrowing your fiancé for a moment?" Natasha said.
"No, as long as you bring him back in one piece." Gwen smiled.
"I will, and congratulations." Natasha said.
The corvette drives away from the cemetery leaving Gwen behind as Natasha and Peter are heading on a mission together.
"Sorry if I came to you at a worst time." Natasha driving the corvette.
"Don't worry Nat, you didn't. Alright, what's the mission?" Peter said.
"Our mission to take down a major smuggling operation, there's a cargo freighter out in the Atlantic enroute to Europe, the cargo is advanced military grade weaponry being sold to HYDRA, we going to join S.T.R.I.K.E. to intercept those weapons before HYDRA gets their hands on them." Natasha briefed Peter.
"How'd you get the intel?" Peter said.
"Courtesy of Dr. Arnim Zola who is now in S.H.I.E.L.D. thanks to you, we've got valuable information on HYDRA's operations. Normally I'd bring Cap into this, but he's away with Agent Carter on a separate mission, you're the one only I can turn to, so are you in?" Natasha said.
"I know what HYDRA is capable of and I don't want any these weapons to fall into their hands... so yeah, I'm in." Peter said.
"Thanks, I knew I could count on you." Natasha said.
"Though, I'm gonna need a suit." Peter said.
"Not to worry, there's a new suit at S.H.I.E.L.D. made especially for you, I'm sure you're gonna love it." Natasha smiled.
Later around 7:34 PM out in the Atlantic Ocean the quinjet is flying over with the S.T.R.I.K.E. team on board in the company of Black Widow and Spider-Man donned in his new stealth suit all black with green highlights in the shape of a spider, his lens are also green too, the entire team are gathered around to be debriefed on the mission via Nick Fury showing himself on hologram from the Helicarrier.
"Agent Romanoff, Parker, glad to see you're taking part in this mission too." Nick Fury said.
"Just doing this as a favor for Nat." Spider-Man said.
"Fair enough, let's get started, we have confirmation that a cargo freighter is currently still enroute to Europe where HYDRA will be waiting at the port for their shipment of hi tech weapons, fortunately that's never going to happen cause you're going make sure that these weapons never fall into their hands. If we play this right, we'll be dealing a critical blow to HYDRA's smuggling operation by shutting down their major pipeline and cutting off their weapon supply. Now according to intel, there are at least a few guards on lookout, HYDRA also retrofitted the freighter with anti-air guns manned by gunners, the minute they see any aircraft or parachutes coming in, they'll start shooting, this is where you'll come in Spider-Man, you're to drop down fast towards the water, then you're to board the freighter undetected and take out those gunners, once you do signal the team and they'll come parachuting in, now it's important that we keep a few crewmen alive for interrogation, understood?" Nick Fury debriefing the team.
Spider-Man raised his hand. "When you say drop down fast, how fast exactly?"
"This is stealth mission Spider-Man, for you, no parachute." Nick Fury said.
"Oh... wonderful." Spider-Man being nervous.
"Relax, Cap has done this many times and survived, this should be a piece of cake for you." Black Widow said.
"Thanks for the confidence." Spider-Man said.
"The success of this mission depends on you Spider-Man... good luck." Nick Fury signing out.
Black Widow then opens up the ramp as she and Spider-Man are looking out to see the freighter down below from high up as Spidey is getting nervous and having second thoughts about jumping from this high up without a parachute.
"So I'm suppose to drop down from this high up?!" Spider-Man is very nervous.
"Come on Spider, just pretend you're climbing up the ladder about to jump down into a pool from up on high." Black Widow encourage.
"Except the pool is about the size of an ocean, probably infesting with sharks." Spider-Man being silly.
"Spider, let's just get this over with, shall we? Come on, I'll buy you an ice cream later." Black Widow gave some encouragement.
Spider-Man sighs. "Make it a Cherry Vanilla."
"Cherry Vanilla, got it." Black Widow smile.
Spider-Man steps over the edge of the ramp to see how far up he's about to jump, he's never done anything like this before out in open water, but he's calm himself down and took a deep breath, he then jumps off the ramp and drops down from high up, he can see the freighter up ahead as nobody is yet unaware of him falling down from the sky, Spider-Man was afraid at first but quickly overcame his fear, he's coming in closer to the water as he then positioned himself for a drop down into the ocean, he dived down deep underwater undetected.
Afterwards he rose his head out of the water to see he dived next to the freighter, he climbs up on the starboard hull quietly, a sentry is walking around with a rifle until Spider-Man took a grab and pulled him off the starboard, this sentry is all webbed up on the hull and Spider-Man climbs on board the freighter, he activates a holoscreen from his web shooters to get a read on where each of the anti-airs are placed, he switched it off as he is on the move and activates his suit's primary function, his stealth suit bends the light around him and become invisible to the naked eye
He move through the containers as more sentries are patrolling around and being vigilant, one of them spotted an open container up ahead and decides to take a closer look, he slowly approached it but got pulled in by something he could not see, the other sentry noticed someone is missing and decides to check it out, he only noticed the assault rifle on the floor the other guy was carrying but no sign of the guy, but he was caught off guard by a webbing being shot out of nowhere and he got tangled up, Spider-Man de-cloaks himself and shows himself off, he picked up the other guy and tossed into the container where the other sentry is also tied up.
"Stay put." Spider-Man said.
Spider-Man then closed the container and locking the two inside trapped together mumbling, Spidey then picked up the two assault rifles and tossed them out over port into the sea, Spider-Man climbs up the containers where the anti-airs are placed, he spotted about four gunners in place ready to take shots at anything flying too close to the freighter, he needs to take em out quietly without letting them know he's here or the mission is over, he switched back to stealth mode and became invisible again, he's able to move without making any sounds thanks to his suit's sound dampening tech allowing Spidey to move around quietly.
Spider-Man got in closer to one of the anti-air with a gunner still in his seat, he switched up to using taser web onto the gunner and zapping him with so much voltage til he passed out cold, after the gunner went down Spidey walked up to the anti-air, he began disabling it and shutting it down, one is down and only several more to go, he moved on to the next one and does the same thing like before, first zap, then disable, he finished with the second one and moves on to the third and doing the same thing, zap and disable, he finally arrived at the fourth and zapped the gunner out cold and disabled the last anti-air. All anti-airs are down as he uncloaks and taps his earpiece.
"Anti-airs down, you're all clear for descent." Spider-Man gave the signal.
"Alright, we're about to drop down, see you in a minute." Black Widow said.
Spider-Man then is on the move to clear out any leftover sentries, he runs down on top the containers till her made it to the prow of the ship where a few sentries are gathered together, Spider-Man jumps down from the containers and executed a drop kick on one, then he flip back and does the frankensteiner on the next one, another come came at him as he did the martelo de negativa kick and knocked him down, but he was briefly distracted to not noticed the other guy aiming his assault rifle at him.
"Gothca!"
This guy suddenly got tasered and fell down as Black Widow is parachuting down onto the freighter along with the S.T.R.I.K.E. as they all landed onboard the ship safely.
"No, I gotcha!" Black Widow said.
"Thanks." Spider-Man said.
"I thought you have like eyes in the back of your head." Black Widow said.
"It's a spider sense, and yes, it's kinda like having eyes back." Spider-Man said.
"How's the water?" Black Widow said.
"Ice cold thank you for asking, pretty sure I saw a shark roaming around, and you still owe me an ice cream when this is over." Spider-Man said.
"Sure, let's get this over with, shall we?" Black Widow said.
"Ladies first." Spider-Man said.
Meanwhile at the bridge, the ship's captain and his crew are at the helm keeping the ship on course with the cargo, all of a sudden the S.T.R.I.K.E. came in bursting through as the crew quickly grabbed their guns to shoot, but they weren't fast enough as the team shot first with perfect precision and the crew all went down except for the captain who still has his pistol out as he's feeling corner, Black Widow and the S.T.R.I.K.E. has him surrounded.
"Give it up, we want to bring you in for questioning, there's nowhere for you to go!" Black Widow aiming her gauntlet.
The captain has nowhere else to escape and he can't let them take him alive as he then turned the gun on himself willing to take the secrets with him.
"Hail HYDRA!"
Unknown to the captain something took a hold of his wrist and moved the gun away from his head, he got flipped over and dropped down to the floor, he was neutralize as Spider-Man un-cloaks himself and looks down at the man.
"Not today." Spider-Man said.
Spider-Man looks at Black Widow smiling as he was able to keep one of the officers alive for interrogation, the S.T.R.I.K.E. are taking the man in alive as Black Widow calls in S.H.I.E.L.D. for support, unknown to anyone at the bridge the camera is still on and transmitting footages back to HYDRA H.Q. as they're watching everything.
(Later)
The freighter has been stopped in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean as several quinjets are hovering around it, the S.T.R.I.K.E. have the captured HYDRA members assembled together with their hands above their heads, Spider-Man and Black Widow opens up one of the containers and started searching the crates only to find advanced weaponry inside them, they searched the next containers to find the same thing, and the next one, and so one, all the containers are loaded with advanced weapons and technologies.
"We got em." Spider-Man said.
Black Widow smiled as she tap her earpiece. "Director Fury, mission complete."
Time is 9:55 PM at the Helicarrier hovering above New York City while being cloaked by the retro reflection panels, Nick Fury along with Maria Hill and Phil Coulson are in the middle of interrogating captured HYDRA personal demanding information on who is supplying HYDRA with advanced tech, meanwhile Spider-Man is at the bridge along with Black Widow awaiting for the director to come by after they're done with the interrogations. Spider-Man is still waiting by the console Fury would often stand at overlooking all of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s operations, he's itching for answers that's been bothering him for over a year, he attempts to access files on his parents but it's restricted and sealed, he was disappointed as he then attempts to access the files on captured prisoners searching for Arnim Zola, he found out that he's been held here in the detention cellblock. Coming to the bridge is Nick Fury as Black Widow and Spider-Man all met up with the man.
"Mr. Parker, Agent Romanoff, you both did done a great service for S.H.I.E.L.D. and the rest of the world, thanks to you both we've just dealt another critical blow to HYDRA's operations by shutting down their major weapons pipeline, cutting off their arms supply." Nick Fury said.
"Any idea who's supplying them?" Spider-Man said.
"No, everyone we've interrogated doesn't know where they're coming from or what company created these tech, they just got instructions on where to pick 'em up after they've wired the payment offshore, we've analyzed the components on their products, so far nothing is traceable on them, they can be bought and made from anywhere." Maria Hill said.
"Like made in Taiwan?" Spider-Man as everyone look at him referencing a movie with a Russian accent. "You know, 'American components, Russian components, all made in Taiwan.'"
"Yes, all made in Taiwan... whoever is behind operation this is very careful, someone who's managed to stay under the radar for so long and doesn't even under the meaning of the word treason, this person is what we call the merchant of death." Nick Fury said.
"From what we know of A.I.M. and what Miles told me about Roxxon recently, it's no surprise some corporations are into some shady stuff. So if this a corporation that made this stuff, any idea which one is capable making tech like this?" Spider-Man said.
"No idea, there's a lot of hi tech corporations in the East Coast capable of producing tech like this such as Rand, Hammer, Power Broker, Life Foundation, and many more, any one of them could be involved." Maria Hill said.
"It's a needle in the haystack." Phil Coulson said.
"And what about Zola? You guys got the intel from him, he must know who is supplying HYDRA." Spider-Man said.
"We've already asked him but even Zola doesn't know who it is, says the man prefers to keep his identity anonymous when doing business, but one thing we do know for sure is this man was directly responsible for providing HYDRA with the Devil's Breath bioweapon from three years ago, the one you and Captain America stopped by the way." Nick Fury said.
"Not only that, this man was also into creating living weapons like Molten Man." Spider-Man said.
"Both incidents happened in New York City, that can't be a coincidence." Black Widow said.
"Still, New York is the mother load of many corporations, list is still long." Maria Hill said.
"But it's a start." Phil Coulson said.
"Let's try to narrow it down, I'm gonna take another crack at these guys, see if they got anymore details." Nick Fury said.
"Fury, I like to request a chat with Arnim Zola." Spider-Man said.
"For what? We've already got everything out of him." Nick Fury said.
"Not me, this isn't about the mission, this is about something else... something personal." Spider-Man said.
Phil Coulson figured it out. "The assassination against your parents, you want to know who really behind it don't you?"
"I know that Bucky was brainwashed into carrying out that hit, I also know that someone else beside HYDRA gave that order and I want to know who that is." Spider-Man said.
"Listen Parker... I respect your desire to find answers for your parents, I really do, but..." Nick Fury said.
"Please, I spent my entire childhood never knowing the answers as to why died so early, I only learned the learn of who they truly are and came to accept it, but the answers to their deaths are still plaguing me for a year, I need to know Fury, I have to find out who was truly responsible for it, I can't their deaths be for nothing, I owe to them to find justice... please Fury, for my parents." Spider-Man said.
Nick Fury sighs uneasy. "Your parents were among the very best of S.H.I.E.L.D., they were my agents and they die cause of the mission I sent them on, they died as traitors instead of heroes, I want justice for them as much as you do... very well, I'll grant you access to the cell block, but we're going to watch the interrogation and listen to everything, those are the terms, understand?"
"Yes, I accept those terms." Spider-Man agreed.
"Coulson, take him down to the detention block." Nick Fury said.
"Follow me." Phil Coulson said.
Agent Coulson leads Spider-Man out of the bridge and heading towards the detention block for a face-to-face with HYDRA's top scientist, Arnim Zola, meanwhile Nick Fury along with Black Widow and Maria Hill are about to observe. Coming into the detention block Coulson leads Spider-Man down where S.H.I.E.L.D. hold some of their most wanted prisoners including the assassin Foreigner Spider-Man helped captured couple years ago, Coulson eventually made it to the cell and accessed it as he and Spider-Man entered it to find Arnim Zola pinned to the wall without any legs or arms for him to use to escape, the cell has a camera where Fury and the others are watching from the bridge, Coulson walks out of the cell to give Spider-Man sometime alone.
"Zola!" Spider-Man calling out.
The screen on Zola's robot chassis turns on as Arnim Zola was napping and the camera above the body is looking at Spider-Man.
"Spider-Man... never imagine you'd have the nerve to see me after you put me in here." Arnim Zola said.
"Believe me Zola, the feeling is mutual, by the way, thanks for the intel, we've just stopped a major weapons shipment enroute, so HYDRA ain't gonna get their hands on those fancy toys anytime soon." Spider-Man said.
"So why are you really here? I've already told Fury everything he needs to know." Arnim Zola said.
"I'm not here on behalf of S.H.I.E.L.D., this is personal." Spider-Man said.
"Personal? How personal?" Arnim Zola is confused.
"I want to ask you about an assassination your organization carried out many years ago." Spider-Man said.
"HYDRA has killed a lot of people in many decades, you're going to have to be very specific." Arnim Zola said.
"Fine, it happened about 12 years ago, two S.H.I.E.L.D. agents were killed in a plane crash, Richard and Mary Parker." Spider-Man said.
"Ah yes, the Parkers, now I remember." Arnim Zola said.
"I know HYDRA sent the Winter Soldier to carry out that mission, but I also know that someone else was behind it and your organization was asked to kill them and make it look like they've died in a plane crash, I want to know who that person is." Spider-Man said.
"I see, so it's not my organization you're going after, it's our mysterious partner." Arnim Zola said.
"Exactly." Spider-Man said.
"Say that I do know, what's in it for me?" Arnim Zola said.
"You're in no position to negotiate Zola." Spider-Man said.
"I beg to differ, this information is clearly of value to you, so tell me hero, what do I get in return for this piece of information?" Arnim Zola said.
"Listen carefully Zola, there's nothing in it for you, the people who were murdered meant everything to me, so you're gonna tell who is behind it, cause if not I'll dismantle you piece by piece and sell off what's left of your parts for cash, how does that sound to you?" Spider-Man tries intimidation.
"My oh my, I didn't think you had a dark side in you, hero." Arnim Zola said.
"So... are you going to tell me or not?" Spider-Man said.
"Very well, since I got nothing better to do anyway... go ahead and ask." Arnim Zola said.
"Who is the man who ordered their deaths, I want his name." Spider-Man said.
"I don't know who he is." Arnim Zola said.
"What do you mean you don't know?" Spider-Man said.
"I've never actually met the man before, the only person who's ever had direct contact with this guy is Strucker, whoever he is he's very careful." Arnim Zola said.
"Fine, what can you tell me about him? Any detail can be useful." Spider-Man said.
"I don't know much, only very little from what Strucker has told me, he's very powerful and quite cunning, we've done a lot of business with him for about 20 years, he provides HYDRA the tools they need in exchange for money, we've made him very rich, enough to make him very powerful and very well connected." Arnim Zola said.
"How is it he's not been caught after all these years?" Spider-Man said.
"Like I said he's very careful and he's also very vicious, he's well protected thanks to all the connects he made, not just with HYDRA, but with other criminal and terrorist organizations all over the world he does business with, he's also got politicians and many government officials in his pocket, anyone who crosses him he kills them without any hesitation nor mercy, just like he did to the Parkers, and just like he'll do to you as well, Spider-Man, you've just taken down his operation." Arnim Zola said.
Spider-Man is surprised hearing this. "You're telling me that he's responsible for providing HYDRA the tools they were smuggling tonight?"
"You just crossed him Spider-Man and this isn't the first time either, you've caused him a lot of trouble by stopping our organization from acquiring that bioweapon years ago, his relationship with us was soured for a while, and now you've just dealt another blow to his business again, he's not going to sit back and take this defeat lightly, this will become very personal to him, you don't have to worry about finding him, he'll find you. You made a big mistake making an enemy out of him, you have no idea what he's capable of." Arnim Zola said.
"Seeing what he did to the Parkers, selling chemical weapons for money, using people for his twisted experiments and seeing them as expendable, I'm getting a very good idea what he's capable of. So he'll come for me... good, let him come, he hasn't met me yet, if he wants a war then I'll give him a war, straight to his doorstep." Spider-Man said with seriousness in his voice.
Arnim Zola is stunned by this reaction. "You told me this was personal, I never imagine it was this personal, what did he do to you to make you like this?"
"He destroyed my life the moment he took away what was precious to me... I'm going to find him and take him down." Spider-Man said.
Spider-Man then leaves the cell after getting everything he needed from Zola on this very powerful and mysterious figure who is directly responsible for the deaths of Richard and Mary Parker all those years ago, this man destroyed Spider-Man's family and left him an orphan, Spider-Man is following Coulson back up to the bridge, Coulson is stunned upon hearing everything on the death of his friend Richard. Meanwhile back on the bridge, Nick Fury along with Black Widow and Maria Hill are still processing everything they've heard on the conversation between Spider-Man and Arnim Zola. Spider-Man just arrived back on the bridge with Coulson as he takes off his mask and they all got a read on his facial expression, this became very personal to him.
"Everything alright Spider." Black Widow is concerned.
"No... I just found out the man I've been looking for, the one who ordered my parent's death, he was the same man who sold the Devil's Breath and the one who was behind the experiment that created Molten Man, he's been much closer than I realized." Spider-Man said.
"Zola wasn't lying, this guy must be really powerful if he's got the connections and the resources to pull off an illegal experimentation on people, turning them into living weapons." Phil Coulson said.
"Someone who created a bioweapon capable to killing millions, a weapon being sold for money, he has no regrets to the many lives he's destroyed, including two of our own." Maria Hill said.
"If this guy hasn't been on our radar yet, he will be, we're gonna find him." Nick Fury said.
"Not unless I find him first, this is my mission now." Spider-Man said.
"With all due respect Parker, this is our mission too, this man is responsible for killing two of my best agents, he's been supplying HYDRA and other bad actors with powerful tools they never should've gotten their hands on, using people as guinea pigs for his illegal projects, having no regards to the lives destroyed cause of his immoral actions, committing crimes against our country and the whole world, what he's done is conspiracy and treason, that's life imprisonment if he's ever brought before the World Criminal Court." Nick Fury said.
"It's no wonder this man's identity is so well hidden and is willing to kill anyone to protect himself." Black Widow said.
"That's why this is our mission now, you gotta let this go Parker." Nick Fury said.
"I can't, this man has destroyed many lives, including my parents, I'm not going to let this go Fury, I'm gonna find him and he will face justice, I swear it." Spider-Man said.
Black Widow sighs. "Come on, let's go get that ice cream I owe you."
Black Widow and Spider-Man leaves the bridge about to head on down to the city after a night of completing their mission for S.H.I.E.L.D., Nick Fury and Coulson could tell that Spider-Man is more determined to find this mystery man one day and bring him to justice for his parents, this is very personal for Peter Parker.
Later it's 10:32 PM down in New York City at a ice cream shop in Tribeca where a corvette is parked nearby, Peter and Natasha are each getting their cups of ice cream and sitting down together at one of the tables, Natasha is wearing glasses and a black beanie blending in so that nobody suspects the Black Widow is here, Peter is take a piece of cherry vanilla in his spoon and puts it in his mouth as he's feeling better eating it.
"Feeling better?" Natasha said.
Peter smiled. "Mmm, been screaming for ice cream, thanks Nat."
"Sure thing... how are you feeling? I've seen that look in your eyes before, it's the same look when you found out the truth from Bucky." Natasha said.
Peter sighs. "I'm still processing it, to think the very same man who turned Liz's brother into a supervillain is also the man who killed my parents, he's here somewhere in the city free and unpunished while my parents are dead and their reputations destroyed."
"I know, none of us saw this coming." Natasha said.
"Which is why I can't let this go Nat, I was only a kid when my parents were taken away from me, I didn't know much about them for years until I found out they were living a double life, it was hard at first but I came to accept who they were, but I still haven't gotten closure since Bucky told me someone else had a hand in their deaths, I don't think they'll ever rest in peace as long as this man is out there and justice hasn't been served... I need to see this through, for my parents." Peter is more determined.
"I understand where you're going with this, but it won't change anything... did I ever tell you about that night in Russia? When we escaped the Red Room?" Natasha said.
"No." Peter said.
"When I was erasing data the Red Room had collected on you and Gwen, I confronted the very woman who took me away from my family, stole my childhood, turned me into an assassin... I killed her, and you know what happened next? Nothing, it didn't make me feel better cause I could never get back what was taken from me, I didn't get the closure I thought it would bring." Natasha said.
"I'm sorry Nat." Peter said.
"Listen Peter, what happened to your parents is tragic and it's not fair you had to grown up without em, you can never get back what was taken from you. Don't hold on to the past, focus on your future, you have an amazing woman you're about to marry, your future and happiness is with her." Natasha said.
Peter smiled upon thinking about his great love "I'm lucky to have Gwen as my fiancé, she the woman I love, the one I want to spend the rest of my life with, she makes me whole and she keeps me going."
"I envy you, despite the losses you had to endure, you still have a great life and people who love you, you were never alone." Peter said.
"You're not alone either Nat, I think you do have a family, it's called the Avengers, they're your family too just like they're mine." Natasha said.
"Thank you, I was lucky to have you in my life, you helped change me, showed me a better path in life, I got to do good more than I ever did as a spy." Natasha said.
"You are a great hero and the Avengers are your family, if you ever need anything they'll be there, no question." Peter said.
Natasha smiled. "I should get going, thanks for the talk."
"Anytime, thanks for the ice cream." Peter smiled.
"I hope you and Gwen get your happily ever after." Natasha said.
"That's the plan... take care." Peter smiled.
"You too." Natasha said.
Natasha is leaving the ice cream shop after having a conversation with Peter, encouraging him to focus more on his future with Gwen Stacy rather than finding justice for his parents, Natasha hopped in her corvette and drove away while Peter stayed behind thinking about everything, even though a part of him still wants justice for his parents, it wouldn't change anything, the only thing that kept him going is his love for Gwen, now more than ever he want to have a future beside her in marriage, Peter smiled as he's very lucky to have Gwen Stacy as the love of his life, he kept on eating his ice cream and feeling more better.
At the same time at the penthouse that was formerly owned by Roderick Kingsley, a 52 year old man with salt pepper hair and a beard, he's sitting alone at the table as most of his stuff are already packed up as he'll be evicted very soon, he looking upon newspapers and magazine highlighting the fall of fashion mogul Roderick Kingsley and the exposure of his unethical methods he used to stay on top for years, he's now currently broke and lost his fashion empire, most of his former models and employees all jumped shipped and joined his rival competition.
Roderick Kingsley sighs. "You had it all and now you have nothing, is this how the mighty Roderick Kingsley ends? Reduced to nobody while my enemies are all thriving, taking away my business, everything I've built!"
Kingsley has become bitter his life is now ruined and he wants payback, he pulls out an old picture from the box on the table, in it is his younger self along with Norman Osborn from when they were in college.
"Time to pay an old friend a visit." Roderick Kingsley said.
Kingsley got up and walks over to his safe, he used his personal combination to unlock it, he opens up and pulls out files, he looks up and sees all kinds of incriminating evidence on Norman Osborn and his company Oscorp as he plans to use them as leverage, he then pulls out his smartphone and makes a call.
"Hello?"
"It's me, Kingsley." Roderick Kingsley holding his phone to his ear.
"Jesus Kingsley, it's very late and I'm about to head on home, besides you don't have capital anymore."
"That's all about to change, I have in my possession documents that could be worth a fortune in blackmail." Roderick Kingsley said.
"Interesting, go on."
"I need someone I can trust to ensure the safety of these documents should anything happen to me, can I count on you?" Roderick Kingsley said.
"Very well, you've convinced me. What do plan to do?"
"I plan to get even with some help from an old friend." Roderick Kingsley smiled sinisterly.
It's 11:45 PM at Lower East Side as Peter Parker unlocks the apartment door and just came back home to see the lights are off which tells him that everyone is asleep, he quietly walks over to his bedroom where his fiancée Gwen Stacy is sleeping in bed without any clothes underneath the blanket, he smile looking upon her sleeping peacefully as he then starts to underdress himself till he's has nothing to wear, afterwards he climbs into the bed and snuggle up with Gwen still asleep feeling the warmth of her skin, Peter then softly kisses Gwen's neck as she smiles and wakes up, she turns around to see her fiancé in bed.
Gwen smile upon looking at Peter. "Mmm... Hey."
"Hey." Peter smiled.
"Everything alright?" Gwen said.
"Everything's fine, cause I have you... I love you." Peter said.
"I love you too." Gwen said.
Peter leaned in closer and kisses Gwen on the lips, the two continuing locking lips as they're entering a very intimate moment right there on the bed, despite the night he had learning the terrible truth, none of that matters as Gwen is the only one who can make him happy and she keeps him going through tough times, she's the love of his life.
It's now January 21st, time is 12:23 AM at the Oscorp Industries as Norman Osborn is staying at the company and going up the elevator with his right hand man Donald Menken and his personal security team, neither Osborn or Menken are too happy given the circumstances that occurred recently, Menken holding up the tablet showing footages he and Osborn received from his associate from HYDRA of the freighter being hijacked by Spider-Man and S.H.I.E.L.D. as Osborn isn't pleased by what he's seeing.
Menken holding the tablet. "This occurred hours ago, the shipment we've sold to HYDRA has been seized by S.H.I.E.L.D., Spider-Man partook in the operation."
Norman is angry. "Spider-Man, how dare he! How could he've known about the shipment? Who told him?"
"Strucker informed us that Arnim Zola was captured by Spider-Man and the heroes months ago in Switzerland, which means Zola must've talked and told them everything. But there's no reason to worry, only Strucker knows about you and none of the products we've sold can ever be traced back to you, you're safe." Menken said.
"Safe? I haven't been safe since Spider-Man stopped the Devil's Breath sale years ago, he even thwarted my secret alloy project a year later, and now this, he's getting too close." Norman is more concerned.
"How could he? If Spider-Man knew you were involved with HYDRA, we'd expect to be arrested by now." Menken said.
"Spider-Man was here months ago, he told me straight to my face that he'll stop me one day, he clearly declared war on me. Which is fine by me cause he made the mistake crossing me all those years ago, if he thinks he can just take the fight to me, then I'll squash him like the bug he is and I'll have no remorse nor mercy." Norman said.
The elevator finally reached the floor as Norman got out and walks towards his office with the malice intent to kill Spider-Man, he and his group enters the office only to find someone sitting at Norman's seat looking out the window at the city, the security team all pulled out their guns and aimed at the unknown intruder.
"Excuse me, you're in my chair!" Norman said.
The chair spins around to show Roderick Kingsley is sitting there with a smile.
"And it's quite a lovely chair with a perfect view of the city, you always did had a god complex." Roderick Kingsley said.
"Kingsley." Norman said.
"Long time no see, old friend." Roderick Kingsley smiled.
"I'm not in the mood to catch up on old times, so get the hell out of my office." Norman isn't too happy.
Roderick Kingsley gets up from the chair. "What's the matter Norman? Having some bad luck, I know the feeling."
"What do you know about what I'm feeling?" Norman said.
"I know you too well, don't forget that we've known each other for a long time since we were young, we think alike, we've done things to get where we are now." Roderick Kingsley said.
"Like sabotaging your rival competitors, stealing from their designs, bribery and extortion." Norman said.
"We really do think alike, we're the same, we've done a lot of things to stay at the top, but it's never enough for guys like us, no matter how rich and powerful we are, we'll always want more in life and we'll do whatever it takes to get what we want, isn't that right? Which is why I'm here, I've kept an eye on you Norman, I know a lot of things." Roderick Kingsley said.
"You know nothing." Norman said.
"Which part? That you've been secretly dealing with criminals and terrorists for years? Committing treason against your own government? Killing anyone who stood in your way, just like your wife, those two agents who died mysteriously in a plane crash. Does any of that ring a bell?" Roderick Kingsley said.
"So you do know everything." Norman said.
"Like I said, I've been keeping an eye on you." Roderick Kingsley said.
"How unfortunate... for you." Norman said.
Roderick Kingsley looks upon the security team all cocking their guns with their fingers on the trigger about to shoot him on Norman's orders.
"Is this how you treat an old friend?" Roderick Kingsley said.
"You know too much, and you know exactly what happened to those who mess with me... Goodbye old friend." Norman said.
Roderick Kingsley being fearless. "Listen carefully, if anything happens to me of if nobody hears back from me, someone I trust has instructions to turn over hard evidence against you over to the U.S. attorney and your whole world will come crumbling down before you know it."
"What kind of evidence?" Norman said.
"A list of people on your payroll, photo evidence of you with Baron von Strucker along with anyone on the watchlist, illegal money transactions to your secret offshore accounts, evidence proving Adrain Toomes is innocent, everything needed to send you away for life, unless... you're willing to play ball?" Roderick Kingsley said.
"You're playing a very dangerous game Kingsley, no one bargains with me and lives. Do you seriously believe I'd give into blackmail?" Norman said.
"Maybe, maybe not, but I'm dying to find out, aren't you? Well... go ahead, I got nothing left to lose unlike you who has everything to lose, so tell me Norman Osborn, what's it going to be?" Roderick Kingsley is very daring.
Roderick Kingsley isn't showing signs of fear as the security team all have their guns aimed at him ready to take his life, he's willing to take on a gamble that Norman will give into his threats at the risk of losing everything he's built, Norman gave a sign to his team to stand down and lower their weapons.
"What is it you really want Kingsley? Money?" Norman said.
"Now we're talking, but no, it's not money I want from you... what I really want is revenge, I want the chance to get back at all my competitors for taking away my business and leaving with nothing, and you're going to help me make it happen." Roderick Kingsley said.
"How do expect me to help you?" Norman said.
"Come on Norman, you've sold very dangerous tools to very dangerous people for money, what difference will it make if you loan out your best weapon to me... come on, I'm not asking for much, just a chance at revenge and the satisfaction of getting it." Roderick Kingsley said.
Norman sighs silently. "Very well... follow me."
Norman is leading the way out of the office with Menken as Kingsley follows the man back to the elevator, all three enter and went down together to the R & D floor, they've arrived down and exited out as they've reached the R & D department where it's fully restored since the Vulture incident months ago, Oscorp is developing new technology here as Kingsley is stunned upon seeing everything Oscorp is creating all in the name of profit for anyone who can afford it whether they're good or bad as they're walking towards the inventory hub.
"See anything you like?" Norman said.
"Plenty... I'm amazed that you've managed to sell off your most valuable tools for so long without getting caught, well except for that one time when the feds came close to into investigating your company's double dealings and you needed someone to take the fall." Roderick Kingsley said.
"Someone needed to take the blame and I gave them Toomes on a silver platter, he thought he was doing legal work on my behalf without knowing he became my scapegoat, he got arrested and me and my company were clear." Norman said.
"But that wasn't the end, was it? Your wife Emily has some serious doubts about Toomes being a criminal, she seemed to believe he was innocent, so she went to see him and he shared some things about you, afterwards the dominos starting falling, setting off a chain of events that led to more deaths, including your own wife." Roderick Kingsley said.
"Emily made a very big mistake, she knew too much about my secret business with certain terrorist group and those secrets are the reason why I did what needed to be done." Norman said.
"You never cease to amaze me Norman, to kill off the mother of your own son, that's very cold." Roderick Kingsley said.
"Don't get wrong Kingsley, even thought she was my wife and she gave me a son, she made him very weak and pathetic, he may have my blood and he lacks the character to be worthy of the Osborn name." Norman said.
"She may have died, but she ended up sharing some suspicions about you to a couple of government agents." Roderick Kingsley said.
"Ah yes, the Parkers, how could I forget? Here we are." Norman said.
Norman and Kingsley arrived at the inventory hub as Menken uses his keycard to access it and unlocks the door, all three enters the hub as Norman shows him the very tool he plans to loan to Kingsley for his quest for revenge as Kingsley is amazed by what he's seeing before his eyes. A green battlesuit equipped with red googles along with an arsenal of weapons including handheld bombs, a flaming sword, razor bats, and the most prized of them all is the weaponized aerial platform called the glider.
"You asked for the best, here it is, aerial combat battlesuit, the googles are used for infrared and allows the user to see into the dark, these weapons right here are the same ones used by the Jack O'Lantern which I'm sure you've heard of him, but none of them are compared to the real prize, our crown jewel, this is an high maneuver aerial platform which we call the glider, created by Dr. Stromm and Macendale, this fine piece of machinery is built for aerial warfare, capable of evasion in the air and transporting the user at high speed, the glider itself is equipped with state-of-the-art weapons such as bombs and missiles, machine guns that can fire up to 800 rounds per minute, plus it can be operated remotely via the googles and the suit." Norman explained about the suit and the glider.
"Very impressive, though..." Roderick Kingsley said.
"What's wrong?" Norman said.
"It's look very powerful, but it lacks style, doesn't really inspire fear." Roderick Kingsley said.
"Well this is all I got, take it or leave it." Norman said.
Roderick Kingsley sighs. "Very well, but can I at least make some alterations to it to make it more intimidating, besides green isn't really my color."
"Fine, you can even keep it as a gift, provided you do me one small favor while you're out there." Norman said.
"I'm listening." Roderick Kingsley said.
"While you're taking your revenge, I want you to uses these weapons to destroy a powerful enemy of mine, Spider-Man." Norman said.
"Spider-Man? Why do you have a vendetta against him anyway?" Roderick Kingsley said.
"Spider-Man has cause nothing but trouble for me in the past, he thwarted my secret businesses and operations in the past, just recently he's crippled a major pipeline I've been using to supply HYDRA with weapons and technology for their cause, his actions just dealt me a critical blow, I won't forgive him for his actions against me, I plan to destroy that insect by any means necessary. If you're successful in taking him down, not only will you get to keep your new toys, but I'll even pay you generously, enough to get you back on top, so... interested?" Norman said.
Roderick Kingsley smiled sinisterly. "Deal."
"So what kind of alterations do you have in mind for the suit?" Norman is curious.
Roderick Kingsley looks upon the battlesuit as he's got some ideas on what to add to it for his quest in revenge along with a mission to kill Spider-Man in the process on Norman's behalf.
Time is 7 AM in the morning as Peter Parker is waking up only to find Gwen isn't in bed with him, he smiled upon thinking about what they've did last night to ease the pain he felt yesterday, later in the kitchen Mary Jane is in all dressed up for work and brewing some coffee as Peter coming out the bathroom all cleaned up and dressed for school, Mary Jane poured in some coffee into the mug and handed it to Peter.
"Thanks MJ, have you seen Gwen?" Peter asking.
"She woke up earlier than you, she went to that bagel place she likes, she's getting one for you as well." Mary Jane said.
"Sounds good." Peter drinking his mug of coffee.
"So... how was last night?" Mary Jane itching with curiosity.
Peter gulped and blushed. "Oh... you know."
"The walls are paper thin, I'm pretty sure everyone knows." Mary Jane smirk.
"Oh... sorry if we've disturbed your sleep." Peter felt a bit embarrassed.
"Don't worry, it's nothing new when it come to you both." Mary Jane smiled.
"Yeah... anyway, I should head on out and met Gwen at school, see ya MJ." Peter finished drinking his mug before walking away.
"Actually Tiger, I need to talk to you about something, if you got a minute to spare." Mary Jane said.
"Sure, what is it?" Peter stayed to listen.
"I need a favor from you, I haven't told anyone yet but here it is... I've decided to get into modeling." Mary Jane said.
"Modeling? You?" Peter looks surprised.
"Something wrong with that?" Mary Jane said.
"No, of course not, but since when?" Peter said.
"Since you and Gwen were away in England, I was approached by a famous model named Millie, known famously as Millie the Model, we got to talking about me and my dreams, I told her that I wanted to be an actress, but I don't have enough savings for acting school, she suggested that I get into model as a way of earning more money than I ever thought possible as way to reach my dreams much faster, she told me that I got the right disposition for this job. She handed me a card for Van Dyne Fashion, I had a meeting with your friend Janet yesterday." Mary Jane explained.
"Really?" Peter said.
Mary Jane got up and shows herself. "Be honest with me Tiger, do I got what it takes for modeling?"
Peter looking at Mary Jane's beauty and looks. "Yeah MJ, I'd say you're overqualified. So what does this have to do with me?"
"Janet told me I need a portfolio with pictures of me posing to get the spot, I need a photographer." Mary Jane said.
"Which is where I come in." Peter said.
"I don't know any other photographer and you're the only one I trust, I know you're busy and it's a big ask but I really need this job, this could be an opportunity of a lifetime for me, there's only one opening right now and the deadline is tomorrow, so will you help me?" Mary Jane said.
"Sure MJ, if I could get great shots of myself as Spider-Man in action, why not do it for aspiring model, I'll help you out MJ." Peter smile.
"Oh thanks Tiger, you're the best. I've already got the lingerie for the photoshoot, I just need some space to pose." Mary Jane said.
"We can do here, I get off school at 2:45, I'll head on back home and start setting everything up." Peter said.
"Okay, I get off work at 4, I'll head on straight home, so I'll see you later." Mary Jane said.
"Sure, later." Peter said.
Peter then leaves the apartment after agreeing to help take pictures of Mary Jane in order to get the photos she needs for the portfolio to secure her job in modeling.
Time is 11:34 AM at the penthouse as the whole place is still empty except for Roderick Kingsley wearing a paint spray mask as he is in the middle of spray some blue paint on the upper arms and upper legs along with orange along the torso and the lower arms and feet. An hour later he's using the tools he got from Osborn to create a greenish-yellow mask and combined it with the infrared googles lens, this mask has got like a mouth and sharp teeth as it resembles a demon of some sort that inspires fear as Kingsley smiles upon creating it. Another hour later he gazed upon the battlesuit painted in orange and blue, added with a orange hooded cape around the mask Kingsley personally designed as it looks more intimidating that ever, Kingsley smiled upon seeing his design.
"At last you're perfect, who'd thought that my designer skill would come in handy in creating a masterpiece of fear, this should strike fear in the hearts of all my enemies, I want this face to be the very last thing they'll ever see once they die... Look out, the Hobgoblin is coming into town." Roderick Kingsley smiled sinisterly.
Roderick Kingsley has officially called himself the Hobgoblin, a new supervillain that'll spell trouble for New York City, including Spider-Man once they cross paths, they're in for a fight of their lives.
It's now 12:45 PM at Brooklyn Visions Academy as everyone is on their lunch break in the school courtyard as Miles, Tiana, Ganke, and Danika are all sitting together at one table while Anya is sitting with Sam at the other talking about personal things they like to share.
"Me and my dad used to live here in Brooklyn for 15 years, till we moved to Washington Heights months ago." Anya said.
"I see, what about your mom?" Sam said.
"She... died when I was little." Anya said.
"Oh, I'm sorry if I brought it up." Sam said.
"It's okay, at least I have my dad, he's the only family I got." Anya said.
"What does your dad do?" Sam said.
"He's a reporter for the Daily Globe, one of the major tabloid newspapers in the city, he worked pretty hard to take care of me, I'm lucky to have him as my father." Anya said.
Sam smiled "I envy you, you have a cool dad."
"What about your dad?" Anya asking as Sam is being quiet about the subject. "If you don't want to talk, then..."
"It's okay, I want to, my dad is... complicated." Sam said.
"Is he bad?" Anya wondering.
"No, he's not bad, he's... unhinged, he claims to suffer from PTSD as a result of him being a space ranger of some sort." Sam said.
"Space ranger?" Anya said.
"Like I said, unhinged, he doesn't live with us anymore, it's just me, my mom, and my sister, we have each other for support." Sam said.
"I'm sorry if your relationship with your dad is strained." Anya said.
"It's okay Anya, I'm used to it." Sam said.
Anya then looks at Miles and Tiana getting too flirty with one another as Sam noticed it from before, the way Anya is looking at Miles.
"You okay Anya?" Sam said.
"Yeah, why wouldn't I?" Anya said.
"Can I ask you something?" Sam said.
"Sure." Anya said.
"Was there anything between you and Miles?" Sam said.
"No, we're just friends." Anya said.
"Really? Cause you seem a bit bothered seeing him with Tiana, I kinda got a sense you might be jealous." Sam said.
"Me? Jealous?" Anya is stunned.
"No need to feel embarrassed." Sam said.
"I'm not, it's just... Miles did have a thing for me last year, we went out a few times, but I never saw him anything than a friend, so we just stayed friends since then, nothing ever developed between us" Anya said.
"And now Miles is going out with another girl and this bothers you." Sam said.
"It's funny, in the past I always found him as dorky and timid, now he's much cooler and gained great confidence, he's not afraid to ask someone out anymore, he's changed a lot." Anya smiled.
"Hey, you're not so bad yourself Anya, you're smart and pretty, I think you're amazing." Sam said as Anya blushed upon hearing those words, Sam blushed in embarrassment. "I mean in a platonic way, sorry if I said it out loud."
Anya smiled. "It's okay, I'm quite flatter. How about you Sam? You got anyone?"
"I did, I had a girlfriend back in Carefree, her name is Carrie, we've dated for six months til I moved out here, we still stay in touch." Sam said.
"How is she?" Anya said.
"She... met someone." Sam said.
"Oh, sorry about that." Anya said.
"It's cool, it is what it is, life goes on. But... I'm glad to have you as a friend." Sam smile.
"Likewise. Anya smile.
Anya and Sam gotten too friendly with each other as Miles is looking ahead to see Anya smiling with Sam as the two have grown friendly together, he wonders if their relationship is strictly platonic or is it something more than friendship, he decide to ignore it and focus on his relationship with his girlfriend Tiana as the group got back to talking.
It's 2:45 PM at Empire State University as the bell rang, most students are leaving campus and some are staying behind, the engaged couple Peter and Gwen are walking out of campus and walking down the sidewalk, Peter still remembers that he needs to help MJ out with her job, but there's also something else that's been on his mind since yesterday, the couple kept on walking till they've spotted the 4 Star Diner up ahead they usually hang out for lunch.
"Wanna grab a bite?" Gwen said.
"I can't, I promised MJ that I'd be home earlier to set up the place." Peter said.
"Set up for what?" Gwen said.
"Guessing she hasn't told you yet, she's getting into modeling." Peter said.
"Really? Our friend the model." Gwen said.
"And it gets better, she's gonna apply for a spot at Van Dyne Fashion run by our very own Janet Van Dyne. There's a spot opening but it's closing soon, so she needs a photographer like myself to take shots of her looking good." Peter said.
"That's very nice of you helping our friend... Also, are you alright Pete?" Gwen said.
"What do you mean?" Peter said.
"I know you Pete, you told me last night everything was fine, but I know there's something else, something you don't wanna tell me. Peter, whatever is going on, you can talk to me, know that I'm here for you." Gwen said.
Peter sighs. "Okay Gwen, I'll tell you... I found out something about my parent's death and it's related to the mission I took with S.H.I.E.L.D."
"What? How?" Gwen looks surprised.
"Widow and I stopped a major smuggling operation, later after chatting with Zola, turns out the same man who was responsible for selling tools to HYDRA is the very same man who ordered their deaths all those years ago." Peter explained.
"My god." Gwen is stunned.
"There's more, he's much closer that we realized, he was also responsible for selling that Devil Breath's bioweapon years ago, he's even responsible for turning Liz's brother Mark into Molten Man." Peter explained much more.
"Do you have any idea who it could be?" Gwen said.
"No, all I know this man is very powerful who runs a corporation, which makes sense since he would have the resources needed to conduct his secret experiments that created Molten Man. Zola warned me that he'll want revenge for everything I've done against him, he'll be coming for me soon." Peter said.
"He doesn't care that you're a hero, he has the nerve to come after you." Gwen said.
"This man ordered the deaths of two government agents, this guy is vicious and he's not afraid of anything, if he's coming to kill me, then he will, I just don't know how or when he'll strike." Peter said.
Peter and Gwen were about to cross the street until a limo is coming honk the horn loudly and they've stopped before they got hit as it drove pass them.
"Hey! Watch it!" Peter yells out.
Inside the limo itself is a woman who heard the yell as she's scuffed it off as not important, she's Desiree Vaughn-Pope, a famous fashion designer and businesswoman as she's on the phone getting back to talking with someone, Peter and Gwen are walking across the street until their spider sense tingles together, they then heard a sound as they look up to find someone on top of what appears to be some kind of aerial transport flying down towards the street, they sense that it could be trouble about to brew. The couple rushed away towards a nearby alley for a quick change. The woman is still talking on the phone unaware of the danger heading her way.
"Don't worry, I've already returned back to tower, I'll look over the new designs once I'm back at the office, I'm sure that things will turn out great for us now that Kingsley Fashions is history, none of us will have to worry about that loser anymore." Desiree said over the phone.
The mysterious individual is flying in closer to the limo as everyone on the streets are seeing someone dressed in a orange cape with scary looking mask as he cackled loudly, Desiree stopped talking as she looks up the sunroof at someone flying holding a bomb in his hand.
Desiree panics as she turns to her driver. "Driver, stop the car!"
But she was too late as this guy cackle and tossed the bomb on the right side of the limo, causing it to blast off from the right, forcing it up and came crashing upside down on the streets, Desiree is still alive as she's crawling out of the limo all disoriented from the crash, the glider is hovering down as Desiree is looking up at the new supervillain all scary looking in an orange cape, this guy is the Hobgoblin.
"Hello my dear." Hobgoblin in a creepy voice.
Desiree is scared. "Who... who are you?"
"Someone you've crossed, the name's Hobgoblin and my face shall be the last thing you'll ever remember. Goodbye Desiree, see you never." Hobgoblin said.
Hobgoblin hovers up to a safe distance as he pulls out another pumpkin bomb from his satchel and holds it in his hand, Desiree is afraid for her life, but all of a sudden a webbing shot the pumpkin bomb off his hand as Hobgoblin turns around to see Spider-Man coming in swinging for a drop kick, but he hovers his glider higher and dodged his incoming attack, he and Ghost-Spider arrived in time to save Desiree before Hobgoblin takes things too far, Hobgoblin is surprised to see Spider-Man so soon, Ghost-Spider is helping Desiree and her driver get to safety as Spider-Man looks upon this new supervillain with weapons that seemed very familiar.
"Hey, did anyone tell you Halloween was months ago?" Spider-Man said.
"Spider-Man, should've figured you'd come, but very fortunate." Hobgoblin said.
"Do I know you?" Spider-Man said.
"No, but I know you, allow me to introduce myself, the name's Hobgoblin." Hobgoblin said.
"Okay Gobby, this is part where you give up, it's over." Spider-Man said.
"Oh contraire Spider-Man, it's just beginning." Hobgoblin as he accesses the guns on the gliders.
"Oh boy!" Spider-Man got nervous.
The glider then started shooting bullets as Spider-Man as he does the backflips off the limo and dodged the incoming fire, Hobgoblin is flying towards the hero as Spider-Man is jumping on some cars on the parking lane, Hobgoblin then resorted to using his missile as if went flying and blasted one of the cars and Spider-Man got caught in the shockwave and he came crashing against another car, Spider-Man is hurt as Hobgoblin is cackling out loud and has the hero in his sights ready to fire, but Ghost-Spider came onto the glider from behind and got a hold of his mask, she diverted his attention away as his glider is flying around, Ghost-Spider still got a hold of Hobgoblin as the supervillain uses his hand to unleash a flash of light, blinding Ghost-Spider and he took the advantage as he headbutt backwards and Ghost-Spider was forced to let go, Hobgoblin side kick her off his glider as she's falling down blind towards a sharp spike fence as Spider-Man rushed as fast as he can, he jumped up and caught her in his arms before she got impaled, he landed to safety with Ghost-Spider in his arms as Hobgoblin cackled in the air.
"You got lucky, we'll finish this another time, Toodles!" Hobgoblin waved goodbye.
Hobgoblin is flying as fast as he can and he's higher up as neither Spider-Man nor Ghost-Spider are able to chase after him, they're both on the ground as Spider-Man felt relieve that he was able to save his fiancée in time and looks upon her in his arms.
"My hero, you caught me." Ghost-Spider flirted
"Did you really think I'd let you fall to your death? Not a chance." Spider-Man flirted.
"You can put me down now, please." Ghost-Spider said.
Spider-Man allowed Ghost-Spider to stand on her own two feet as the two look up to see the new villains has got away.
"Who was that?" Ghost-Spider said.
"He calls himself the Hobgoblin and I have a feeling we haven't seen the last of him, we're gonna see him very soon." Spider-Man said.
(Later)
The NYPD has seal off the street where the fighting occurred, a lot of vehicles in the vicinity are riddled with bullets and some are destroyed, Desiree Vaughn-Pope along with her driver are being treated by paramedics and talking with detectives as some reporters are there behind the yellow tape eager for a story including Betty Brant from the Daily Bugle, coming in swinging towards the crime scene are Kid Arachnid and Spider-Girl as they've joined up with Spider-Man and Ghost-Spider still around.
"Hey, sorry we're late." Kid Arachnid said.
"It's alright, we can't be everywhere at once, it was fortunate that we were nearby at the right time, things could've ended badly." Ghost-Spider said.
"So what's the news on this new villain?" Spider-Girl said.
"He called Hobgoblin, he's another nutjob dressed up in some costume, but he's got this hi tech flying gizmo that lets him fly around in the air and its got some weapons." Spider-Man said.
"Not to mention he's got bombs and his hands seem to emitter a flash a light, caught me by surprise." Ghost-Spider said.
"So basically he's just a guy armed with some nasty toys, he doesn't have any superpowers." Spider-Girl said.
"That's the thing, those bombs he used, the weapons, they all seemed identical to the one used by Jack O'Lantern." Spider-Man said.
"You think that nutjob Macendale is behind this?" Kid Arachnid said.
"He can't be, he's still locked up at the Raft after the Ends of the Earth incident, but there's no mistake it's somehow connected to Jack O'Lantern." Spider-Man said.
"I'm sorry, who is this Macendale guy anyway?" Spider-Girl is unfamiliar with that name.
"His real name is Jason Macendale, he was the supervillain who called himself the Jack O'Lantern, but before that he was an employee of Oscorp." Ghost-Spider said.
"That's gotta be the connection, Macendale originally got his tech from Oscorp." Spider-Man said.
"This flying gizmo, what does it look like?" Kid Arachnid said.
"Ah... it look like it was winged shaped, why?" Spider-Man said.
"Cause I think I've might've seen something like that at Oscorp one time." Kid Arachnid said.
"You did? When was this?" Spider-Man said.
"Months ago during the Spider-Island incident, I believed I came across something like that when I was fetching the Ganali Device." Kid Arachnid said.
"So this all traces back to Oscorp, I hope Norman has a good explanation as to why his tech is in the hands of a lunatic." Ghost-Spider said.
"I doubt he's gonna be very happy to see me since Otto declared war against him as me." Spider-Man said.
"Typical Otto, always gotta complicate everything." Kid Arachnid said.
"I guess me and Kid Arachnid can go to Oscorp on your behalf and talk with Osborn." Spider-Girl said.
"Good idea, meanwhile Ghost-Spider and I will still patrol around, hoping to pick up a trail on Hobgoblin." Spider-Man said.
"I can do that myself, besides don't you have something to do back home for a friend." Ghost-Spider reminding.
Spider-Man suddenly remembers. "Oh, I forgot, the photoshoot, it's today."
"Why don't you go on home and help our friend out, I'll go around trying to find Hobgoblin." Ghost-Spider said.
"You sure?" Spider-Man said.
"Go, our friend needs you now more than ever, if I do get a lead on Hobgoblin, I'll let you know." Ghost-Spider said.
"Okay, be careful out there." Spider-Man said.
"Will do. Now go." Ghost-Spider said.
Spider-Man then swings away from the scene heading back home to Lower East Side while Spider-Girl and Kid Arachnid also swings away heading for Oscorp, Ghost-Spider then swings away to find Hobgoblin somewhere in the city, meanwhile still around behind the yellow tape is Betty Brant eager for an interview with Desiree Vaughn-Pope as the fashion designer refuses to comment on the incident, she and the other reporters are still calling her name as she's being escorted by police, she then bumped into another reporter in the struggle, he's around her age but a bit older with blond hair and blue eyes.
"Excuse me, do you mind?" Betty felt annoyed.
"Do you mind? This is my scoop." Ned Leeds said.
"Like hell it is, who the hell do you think you are?" Betty argue.
"Edward Leeds of the New York Bulletin, but you can me Ned, everyone does. And you are?" Ned Leeds introduced himself.
"Elizabeth Brant of the Daily Bugle, but only my friends call me Betty, so it's just Ms. Brant to you... Ned." Betty said.
"How old are you? You seem too young to be a reporter." Ned Leeds said.
"I'm 18, how old are you? You're not exactly look 30 yourself." Betty said.
"I'm 21, Ms. Brant. So... Daily Bugle, huh? Isn't that the newspaper that always badmouth Spider-Man." Ned Leeds said.
"Used to, it's under new management and I got nothing against Spider-Man, I respect him, he even saved my life a few times." Betty said.
"Oh, now I remember, I knew I've your name before, you were one of the people who were held up in the Midtown High incident, the one where Spider-Man first appeared." Ned Leeds smiled.
"I'm flattered someone's heard of me." Betty said.
"Well, I don't think we're gonna get an interview anytime soon. I'm feeling famished." Ned Leeds said.
"My friend has told me there's this diner nearby the university, it's called the 4 Star Diner, I want to try it out, interested?" Betty said.
"Lead the way." Ned Leeds said.
Betty rolled her eyes with a smile as she and Ned are leaving the crime scene, the two have met for the first time and not on friendly terms since they're each from rival tabloids, but they seemed to gotten along very quickly, even thought Betty didn't like Ned at first due to his snarky attitude, she finds herself drawn to him for some reason, it's the same with Ned as he finds Betty very interesting even thought she's a feisty one.
Time is 4:10 PM at Lower East Side as Mary Jane just returned back to the apartment after work as she finds Peter here setting up the living room for a photoshoot using the white curtain, he's already had the furnitures set aside for some space, Ms. Lion is running out of the bedroom as Peter stopped his work to find Mary Jane returned home, she got down to pet her dog happy to see her.
"Hey Tiger, I'm surprised you're here, I was getting worried that you would call to cancel, thought you'd be out there looking for this goblin guy." Mary Jane said.
"Gwen and the others are handling that, they'll call me once the get a lead, in the meanwhile I got time to spare. So are we doing this?" Peter said.
"Sure, give me a minute to change." Mary Jane smiled.
"Take your time." Peter smiled.
Mary Jane then leaves the living room and heads towards her bedroom and closed the door for some privacy as Peter has his personal camera on the table, he picks it up and switched out the lens for something more closer and personal for a photoshoot, Mary Jane is undressing herself and heading to the closet to pick out the lingerie from her bag she picked out yesterday for this occasion. Peter is adjusting the lens for perfect resolution as he wants this to be perfect when he takes shots of MJ posing.
"Okay, I'm coming out!" Mary Jane said from her bedroom.
Bedroom door opens up as Peter has the camera in his hands, he gazed upon Mary Jane wearing a white satin robe open showing black lingerie bra and panties showing off her exquisite figure as Peter is speechless upon seeing MJ like this again in this state.
"What? It's nothing you haven't seen before, Tiger... twice." Mary Jane smiled.
"Yeah, it's just... been awhile... shall we get started?" Peter said.
Mary Jane is walking and standing before the white curtain as she has no idea what to do.
"Okay, so now what?" Mary Jane said.
"Seriously?" Peter is surprised.
Mary Jane smiled. "I'm still new to this, since you're the photographer, you got any suggestions?"
Peter smiles and sighs. "Okay, put you right hand on your waist, then then your left hand on the the back of your head."
Mary Jane follow Peter's instructions as she placed her right hand on her waist and her left hand behind her head doing a pose.
"Like this?" Mary Jane doing the pose.
"Yeah, just like that" Peter then aims his camera at MJ. "Okay, stay still."
Mary Jane is maintaining her pose as Peter adjust the lens for perfect resolution at his range, he's got a perfect view of MJ as he snap a shot of her, then he moves around still aiming the camera as he snapped a few shots of her at different angles.
"Okay, this time place both hands behind your head." Peter said.
Mary Jane puts her right hand behind her head with her left hand still on it, Peter then snapped more shots of MJ looking at him.
"Next, lower both yours hands to your waists and loosen the robe, let them hang on your wrists." Peter said.
Mary Jane lowers her hands and loosen her robe from her shoulders, left them holding onto her wrists, Peter then takes more photos of her posing.
(Later)
The photoshoot is finished as Mary Jane tied up her robe as Peter Parker is taking out the memory card from the camera and puts it into the laptop on the table, he's checking out the shots he took of Mary Jane posing, MJ is coming up next to Peter and looking the shots of herself posing as they're all impressive.
"Wow Tiger, this is very nice work." Mary Jane is impressed.
"Appreciate the compliment MJ, this kinda brings me back to that time I took shots of Gwen posing in the Savage Land." Peter said.
"You know if this whole freelance thing doesn't work out, you might have a future in the fashion business taking shots of models." Mary Jane said.
"Yeah, I don't think Gwen likes the idea of me taking shots of pretty women." Peter said.
"Anyway, thanks for the shots, how much do I owe you?" Mary Jane said.
"Forget it MJ, it's on the house, helping a friend out." Peter said.
"Well, if I do get the job and anyone is in need of a photographer, I'll recommend you for the job." Mary Jane said.
"Deal, let me get these printed out, it'll take half an hour to get them all and you can pick em out for your portfolio." Peter said.
"What would I ever do without you, Tiger? Oh, one more thing, Janet wanted me to remind you if you and Gwen would like her services as a designer for a wedding dress." Mary Jane said.
"That's nice of her, I'll let Gwen know. Thanks MJ." Peter said.
"No, thank you Tiger, for everything." Mary Jane is grateful.
"Always." Peter said.
Peter is working on printing out the photos for Mary Jane to use for her portfolio in her interview with Janet Van Dyne.
Around the same time back at the penthouse, Roderick Kingsley is still in his costume as he's watching the news on his work as the Hobgoblin who's managed to outmaneuver both heroes, he smiles as he enjoys his work on besting two heroes simultaneously and got away without a scratch, these weapons of his are everything Norman promised they would be, his phone is ringing as it's a blocked number, he got a sense who could be calling him.
"I take it you saw my performance on TV, Norman." Roderick Kingsley said.
"How did you know it was me?" Norman said.
"Come on, I know you Norman, you're always so discreet, covering your tracks so that nothing traces back to you. But back to the matter, how was my performance? Were you satisfied?" Roderick Kingsley said.
"I'd be very satisfied if you'd actually killed Spider-Man when you had the chance." Norman doesn't sound pleased.
"I just wanted to see what my new toys are capable of, I was playing around a little, having some fun." Roderick Kingsley said.
"I didn't give you those weapons for fun, I gave them as a tool for your vendetta and that you'd destroy Spider-Man in the process, if you can't do it, then I'll find someone else to do the job." Norman said.
"Whoa! You must really hate him that much if you want him dead that badly." Roderick Kingsley said.
"I do, I'll never be satisfied as long as he's alive causing trouble for me, so stop playing around and just kill him already, I demand it." Norman demanded.
"You're demanding me? You forget the leverage I got against you? I still hold all the cards, don't you forget." Roderick Kingsley said.
"Don't test me Kingsley, you're mistaken if you think blackmailing me will keep you alive for long, don't forget that no one bargains with me and lives. Go ahead and continue your vendetta, but I want Spider-Man dead, this is your last and only warning." Norman then hangs up the phone.
Kingsley felt shaken after the threats Norman gave him, he knows too well that Norman doesn't bluff on his threats, but he calms himself down and maintain control of the situation as he then dials his phone and makes a call.
"Kingsley?"
"Yeah, I'm still alive, I'm sure you've heard of the Hobgoblin on TV, that was me." Roderick Kingsley said.
"Jesus, that was you?"
(Oscorp Industries)
A group of I.T. experts at Oscorp are tapping into Kingsley's phone and listening to everything, here is Donald Menken listening to Kingsley speaking with his lawyer.
"Yeah, listen do you still have the documents I gave you?" Roderick Kingsley said.
"Yeah, they're here in my office under lock and key."
"Good, nothing has change, if anything happens to me, should the I or the Hobgoblin be killed, you know what to do." Roderick Kingsley said.
"Understood, I'll see to it."
The call hanged up as Menken confirmed that Kingsley has an accomplice who holds leverage against Norman Osborn.
"Trace the number, I want to know everything on the man Kingsley called and I want it soon." Menken ordered.
The I.T. experts are typing the keyboard trying to find out who that numbers belongs to as Menken is planning to find this man and get that leverage by any means necessary.
It's 4:32 PM at the 4 Star Diner nearby Empire State University as Betty and Ned are dining in and talking over burgers, fries, and shakes, waiting until they get a lead on Hobgoblin's next move, they're still talking getting to know each other on their careers as reporters.
"So how long have you been with the Bugle?" Ned Leeds asking while eating a fry.
"I've interned for three years learning under Robbie Robertson, after high school I got a job starting out a junior reporter, still trying to work my way up." Betty said slurping her shake.
"Wow, you've been doing this for a long time since you were a teen." Ned Leeds said.
"How about you?" What the story on Ned Leeds?" Betty said.
"I've started out working as a junior reporter for the Bulletin for three years, I've studied under Ben Urich, he taught me everything I know about journalism, he's a great mentor." Ned Leeds said.
"I feel the same way about Robbie, he was also a great mentor to me." Betty said.
"What are the odds that we'd crossed paths like this, birds of a feather." Ned Leeds said.
Betty smiled until she frowned upon seeing a news footage of an attack on another famous fashion designer and his business is on fire.
"It has been confirmed that fashion designer and businessman Luke Jacobson has been confirmed deceased as he was found burned inside his office and his place of business got burned to the ground, eyewitnesses tells police that the Hobgoblin is responsible for the death of Jacobson, the very same suspect who attempted an assassination attempt against another fashion designer Desiree Vaughn-Pope a couple hours ago,it is still unknown what the motive is behind these attacks are..."
"My god... what is this guy's obsession in fashion designers?" Betty said.
"Huh, that's interesting." Ned Leeds suspect something.
"What is?" Betty said.
"This guy has been attacking famous fashion designers, this could be a coincidence or..." Ned Leeds said.
"Or what? If you know something, tell me." Betty said.
"It may be nothing, but recently my tabloid was covering a story on the fall of disgraced fashion designer Roderick Kingsley." Ned Leeds said.
"I've heard of him, wasn't he big time?" Betty said.
"He was, til he was exposed for committing number of crimes including fraud, bribery, and sabotage, apparently a group of fashion designers got wind of his unethical methods, turned him over to the S.E.C., they seized his assets, he went bankrupt, he was crucified before the public, still facing trial, he lost everything." Ned Leeds said.
"You think Kingsley could be behind these attacks?" Betty said.
"Maybe, losing his entire fashion empire could give him motive to go after the very people who ruined him, but right now it's only speculation, I have no proof." Ned Leeds said.
"But it's a good place to start, any idea where to find him?" Betty said.
"His business has been closed and seized by the government, but I'll ask a colleague at the Bulletin if they can give me his address." Ned Leeds said.
"You mean us." Betty said.
"What? You're coming?" Ned Leeds said.
"Hey, this is still my story, like it or not, I'm coming and I'm not sharing bylines." Betty said.
"Well, since we work at different tabloids, we wouldn't be sharing, but I guess I'm stuck with you. Let me make a call." Ned Leeds said.
Ned Leeds pulls out a phone and makes a call to a colleague for an address on Kingsley, he and Betty are going to investigate together to look into the connection between the Hobgoblin and Roderick Kingsley.
At the same time at Oscorp Tower, Kid Arachnid and Spider-Girl finally arrived as they're crawling up the window towards the office of the CEO, Norman Osborn is in his office along with his right hand Donald Menken as they're watching the news on the computer of the recent attack by the Hobgoblin and the death of fashion designer Luke Jacobson, he turns off the screen as he's seen enough.
"Kingsley loves leaving a trail of destruction wherever he goes, how goes the progress in locating his accomplices?" Norman said.
"We're still working on it, whoever it is has a phone with hi level encryption, it's gonna take some time but we'll find him." Menken said.
"Good, as soon as you do, you know what to do?" Norman said.
"Yes sir." Menken understood.
All of a sudden they've heard a knock as they've turned around and look at the window to see Kid Arachnid and Spider-Girl clinging on the window, Norman isn't pleased to see either of them as Norman remotely opens up the windows and the heroes got inside the office.
"Mr. Osborn." Kid Arachnid said.
"You two have a lot of nerve coming here, don't expect this to be a warm welcome." Norman isn't happy.
"Meaning?" Kid Arachnid said.
"You don't think I know that you've broke into my company and stole my property without my consent so that you could use it on the entire city?" Norman said.
"We borrowed it, you should be grateful that your technology saved the city. But we're not here to talk about that, we're here about the Hobgoblin." Kid Arachnid said.
"Who?" Norman acting clueless.
"Oh come on, surely you must've heard of him, he's out there wrecking havoc on the city using your technology." Spider-Girl said.
"My technology?!" Norman acting clueless again.
"How can you be so sure that it's ours?" Menken said.
"Cause I was here months ago and saw the exactly same thing Hobgoblin is using to flying around, I know it came from this company." Kid Arachnid said.
"Care to explain why a lunatic is flying around with your tech?" Spider-Girl said.
"We... noticed one of our prototypes was missing recently." Menken made up a lie.
"When was this?" Kid Arachnid said.
"Just yesterday, we don't know how and why, but it's missing along with some of our cutting edge weapons." Menken said.
"Why didn't you report this when you had the chance?" Spider-Girl said.
"I don't want to waste the police's precious time on corporate theft, we'd just assumed that someone within my company might be responsible for stealing it and selling it off to a rival corporation, we'd never imagine that it would end up in the hands of a madman." Norman said.
"Any idea who could've been behind the theft?" Kid Arachnid said.
"No, there's a whole lot of employees here who could've done this under our noses, we don't any names to give you. Now, if that's all you came for, I would ask you both to get the hell out of my office, and the next time you ever steal from me again, I don't care if you're heroes or not, I will sue you for theft." Norman said.
Kid Arachnid and Spider-Girl has nothing else to say as they take their leave and swings away from Oscorp Tower, Norman was able to dodge any suspicions that he provided Hobgoblin with the weapons to destroy his enemies, he still carries a grudge on the heroes particularly Spider-Man he wants dead the most.
Later around 5:15 PM at the penthouse building in Rose Hill, Betty and Ned are exiting the elevator as they've arrived on the floor where Kingsley's former penthouse is on, they're walking down the hallways trying to get a door number, hoping to talk with Kingsley and investigate his connection with these attacks.
"According the to doorman, Kingsley has been given an eviction notice, but he's still lives here waiting to be maxed out." Ned Leeds said.
"Here is it." Betty then knocks on the doors. "Mr. Kingsley, we're reporters, we like to ask you some question if you have the time!" Betty hears nothing, no response. "Looks like nobody is home. We'll have to come back another time."
"Or, we could just go on in." Ned Leeds pulls out his kit and started picking the locks.
"Ned, are you crazy? This is trespassing." Betty said.
"Well since Kingsley doesn't technically live here anymore, it wouldn't count as trespassing, besides if this guys is involved in the murder of a fashion designer, then we need to find out before anyone else gets killed. If you wanna walk away, I'll understand." Ned still picking.
Betty sighs. "Fine, but make it quick before someone sees us."
Ned is picking until he finally unlocks the door. "Got it."
Ned opens up the door as he and Betty enters Kingsley's old penthouse and started looking around, the place barely has much but they've found some tools on the table next to newspaper clippings on his downfall in the fashion industry, one of the designers he's killed, Luke Jacobson, has an X on his face which made them more convinced that he's the killer.
"Looks like we're on the right track, this is definitely our guy. We gotta tell the police." Ned Leeds said.
"I have a friend who might be able to reach someone who can deal with this." Betty pulls out her phone.
(Spider-Cave)
Peter in his Spider-Man suit just walked into the Spider-Cave to find Ganke and Gwen in her Ghost-Spider suit still investigating the death of Luke Jacobson and the destruction of his business, they're still wondering what's the connection between fashion designers Jacobson and Vaughn-Pope that made Hobgoblin want them dead, Gwen then spotted Peter coming into the cave.
"Hey Pete, how was the photoshoot?" Gwen said.
"Went well, I've already printed them out, MJ is still going through em, picking em for her portfolio. So I hear Hobgoblin has already killed someone." Peter said.
"Yeah, Luke Jacobson, he's another famous fashion designer like Desiree Vaughn-Pope, only he's the only this guy has killed so far, when I heard about it I was too late." Gwen said.
"Hey, don't blame yourself, you can't be everywhere at once, we're gonna stop this guy, we just need to figure out what's the connection is with these two victims." Peter said.
Coming into the Spider-Cave are Kid Arachnid and Spider-Girl as they've returned back from Oscorp and taking off their masks.
"How'd it go at Oscorp?" Peter said.
"Not well, we had a chat with Norman Osborn and he told us that the technology Hobgoblin is using is one of theirs, he also told us that it's been stolen recently." Miles said.
"And that's before he told us to get the hell out and that he'll sue us if we ever stole from him again." Anya said.
"Man, this Osborn guy really doesn't like you very much." Ganke Lee said.
"You can thank Otto for that, but that doesn't matter now, we need to figure out Hobgoblin's next move before he strikes again." Peter said.
All of sudden Peter's phone is ringing as he pulls it out to see Betty Brant is calling him.
"I gotta take this." Peter then answered the call. "Hey Betty!"
(Penthouse)
"Peter, listen carefully, I've found out something and it's big, it's about..." Betty then got spooked by the sight of something. "OH MY GOD!"
"Betty, what's wrong?" Peter said.
Coming into the penthouse is the Hobgoblin on his glider gazing upon two intruders as they're both intimidated by his sight as he hovers in the air.
"Well, well, what do we have here?" Hobgoblin said in a creepy voice.
(Spider-Cave)
Peter heard the phone hang up. "Betty? Betty?!"
"What's wrong with Betty?" Gwen is worried.
"I think she's in trouble, Ganke, can you track her phone?" Peter said.
"On it." Ganke is typing the keyboard tracking Betty's phone and got a location. "Got it, she's in Rose Hill."
"Okay, keep tracking and send us the location, let's get going." Peter puts on his mask.
The rest of the Web-Warriors are putting on their mask and follows Spider-Man's lead as they're on a rescue mission to save Betty Brant who is in trouble.
Later around 5:25 PM at the penthouse in Rose Hill, Betty and Ned are tied up together in chairs by the Hobgoblin as he's strapping on an explosive device with a timer set, they know that he means to blow them up but that's not all he's planning to do.
"Listen, I'm the one who broke in, just let her go." Ned asking to spare Betty's life.
"Ah, how very touching... I wish I could but she's seen too much. Someone should've told you what curiosity does to the cat." Hobgoblin said.
"You're still going to kill us, are you Kingsley?" Betty said.
"So you know who I am, all the more reason, don't you think, my dear?" Hobgoblin said.
"How'd you get your new toys? Something tells me you're no Einstein." Ned Leeds said.
"A gift from an old friend, even though I'm broke, I still have friends in high places, with the right kind of leverage I finally got the tools I needed to exact vengeance on those who took everything from me." Hobgoblin said.
"Like Desiree and Luke?" Betty said.
"Especially those two, Desiree was lucky enough to escape, shame I can't say the same for Luke, but I'm not done yet, still got one more name waiting to be crossed off my list." Hobgoblin said.
Hobgoblin then armed the explosive device as it's only got five minutes until both Betty and Ned are blown up into pieces, Hobgoblin then hopped onto the glider and hovers up.
"I'm afraid this is where we have to part ways, forever... Toodles." Hobgoblin waved goodbye.
Hobgoblin cackles as he flies out of the penthouse while Betty and Ned are still tied up and waiting to be blown up by the device, Ned is attempting to try to get himself loose for both their sakes but it's impossible, even Betty is trying her best too but it's no use.
"Come on." Ned is still having trouble.
"It's no good, he tied us up tight." Betty said.
Ned sighs. "I'm so sorry Betty."
"For what?" Betty said.
"For dragging you into this mess." Ned Leeds said.
"Hey, you didn't drag me into anything, I chose to come, it's what I do." Betty said.
Ned smiled. "I know the feeling, being a reporter means chasing down the story by any means necessary, even if it gets you killed."
"We're not killed yet Ned." Betty said.
"How could you be so calm in a situation like this?" Ned Leeds said.
"Cause it's not my first time being in this kind of danger, besides I'm sure my friend must've noticed something was wrong while we talked. He must be reaching out to someone to come rescue us." Betty said.
"The cops? Do you really think they'll get to us in time?" Ned Leeds said.
"No, not the cops, he... knows a certain someone." Betty said.
"Wait, you're saying he knows Spider-Man?" Ned Leeds looks shocked.
"He does, so don't lost hope just yet, Spider-Man will come to save us." Betty holds onto hope.
"Listen Betty, in case the worst has come... I want to say that I'm glad to have known you, even if you are pretty feisty and stubborn." Ned Leeds smiled.
Betty smiled. "Thanks, I'm glad to have known you too Ned, even if you are pretty arrogant."
Betty and Ned are glad to have each other at the end as something sparked between them, but their moment got interrupted as Spider-Man and his Web-Warriors arrived at Kingsley's penthouse to find the pair tied up together in the chairs, the pair are happy to see heroes came to their rescue.
"What do you know, they came." Ned Leeds is happy.
"Told you. Get us out of here quickly." Betty said.
"Okay, take it easy and stay calm." Spider-Man said.
"There's no time, there's a bomb underneath our chairs and it's counting down." Ned Leeds warned them.
The Web-Warriors approached closely to the pair to spot the explosive device underneath them and it's only got 30 seconds left before it explodes.
"Let get them out quickly!" Spider-Man said.
Spider-Man and Ghost-Spider both untie Betty while Kid Arachnid and Spider-Girl are untying Ned as they've spotted the timer.
"15 seconds!" Kid Arachnid yells.
"Lets go!" Spider-Man yells.
Everyone rushed away towards the balcony as the timer is about to reach zero, they all jumped off as the penthouse exploded and they fell off the building, Spider-Man got a hold of Betty while Kid Arachnid got Ned, everyone then swings back towards the streets. Spider-Man and the Web-Warriors saved both Betty and Ned and got them to safety as they all look up to find the penthouse on fire. Unknown to anyone far away from the penthouse, Hobgoblin is hovering on his glider watching the explosion from a distance.
Hobgoblin cackles. "And I shall weep for thee."
Hobgoblin then flies away as he's still some unfinished business to take care of, he's not done yet.
(Later)
The whole scene is crawling with NYPD and FDNY trying to contain the situation, Betty and Ned are being looked over by paramedics as the Web-Warriors still have many questions to ask the two.
"How are you Ms. Brant?" Spider-Man said.
"It's Betty, and I'm fine, thanks to you." Betty said.
"You can thank Parker for that, he gave me the message you were in trouble. So, care to explain why you two ended up tied together with a bomb?" Spider-Man said.
"We were chasing a lead and we ran into the Hobgoblin." Betty said.
"The Hobgoblin was here?" Spider-Man said.
"His real name is Roderick Kingsley, a former fashion designer, once we learned about the second victim, we connected the dots to Kingsley, apparently he's on a some kind of revenge mission." Ned Leeds said.
"And he's not done yet, he's got one more person on his list." Betty said.
"Who?" Spider-Man said.
"We don't know, he didn't exactly tell us much, he seemed more focused on blow us to pieces." Ned Leeds said.
"Don't worry, we'll figure it out, thanks to you, you gave us a lead to go on. I'm glad you're both okay, take care." Spider-Man said.
Spider-Man and the Web-Warriors are now leaving the scene after they've learned the Hobgoblin's true identity, Ned Leeds is watching the heroes who just saved their lives swing around the city as this is a first time for him.
"Can't believe I've actually met him, Spider-Man." Ned Leeds smiled.
"You get use to it." Betty smiled.
It's now 6:05 PM in the Garment District as Mary Jane is walking on the sidewalk towards Van Dyne Fashion with a portfolio in her hands as she's on the phone talking with Peter who is still out there on patrol, she heard about the incident her friend Betty was in and got worried, she just entered Van Dyne Fashion unaware that someone is hovering in the air looking at the building, she reached the elevator and enters it, going up.
"Don't worry MJ, Betty is safe, we got to her in time." Peter said.
"Thank god Tiger, did you guys catch the Hobgoblin?" Mary Jane said.
"Not yet, we're still looking. Where are you?" Peter said.
"I'm just outside Van Dyne Fashion, got the portfolio in my hands and gonna try another interview while I still have the chance." Mary Jane said.
"Okay, be careful out there." Peter said.
"Will do Tiger, will do." Mary Jane hangs up.
Mary Jane puts away her phone as she arrived on the floor and got off the elevator, she finds the place has barely any employees working today at this hour, she ran into Janet Van Dyne with a purse about to leave.
"Mary Jane, what are you doing?" Janet said.
"I came for an interview, though I get the sense you're closed." Mary Jane said.
"Yeah, with everything happening today, I told everyone to go on home for the day. I take it you came to see me." Janet said.
"Yeah, but you're leaving, I can do this another time..." Mary Jane said.
Janet sighs. "Since you came all this way, come on."
Janet leads Mary Jane towards her office for another interview, inside the office Janet is pouring in some hot coffee into two cups as she hands one of them to Mary Jane, they both sat down as Mary Jane hands Janet the portfolio, Janet lays it down on her desk as she picked up some glasses to look over the photos of Mary Jane posing in lingerie, Janet is impressive by the way the pictures are taken and her style in posing for the camera despite being her first time.
"Hmm, these are pretty impressive, who took these shots?" Janet said.
"Peter did." Mary Jane said.
"Gotta say, he sure knows how to capture your imagine perfectly and you're not so bad yourself." Janet said.
As Janet is impressed by the shots she's looking at and Mary Jane is happy she made a good impression in the photos, the windows bursted into pieces and caught the two of them off guard as Hobgoblin is flying into the office on his glider as none of them expected a supervillain to show up.
"Hello my dear!" Hobgoblin said.
Janet looks at the purse where her miniaturized Wasp suit is, she attempts to reach for it until Hobgoblin uses his glove to zap Janet's hand in her place, she felt hurt by the zap as Mary Jane got worried.
"Janet!" Mary Jane said.
"I'm okay, just stung." Janet feeling the injury in her hand.
"The famous Janet Van Dyne at my mercy, how I live to see this day." Hobgoblin said.
"Who are you? What do you want with me?" Janet said.
"You don't know." Hobgoblin then removes his mask and shows his true face. "Surprise!"
Janet became stunned. "Kingsley?"
"In the flesh!" Kingsley smiled.
Mary Jane is secretly dialing Peter on her phone and puts it on speaker, she slides it back into her pocket without Hobgoblin realizing that she's calling for help.
(New York City)
The Web-Warriors are on a rooftop in Midtown East as their search for Hobgoblin hasn't been successful and they're exhausting themselves.
"We've been out swinging and still nothing." Kid Arachnid said.
"We don't even know who he's going after next? We're getting nowhere." Spider-Girl said.
Spider-Man then heard his phone ringing as he pulls it out. "It's MJ, gotta take this."
Spider-Man answered the call as he listens to who's speaking. "Didn't see this coming, did you?"
Spidey immediately recognize the voice as he puts it on speaker for everyone to listen. "What do you want Kingsley?"
"Very simple Janet, revenge, against you and few others." Kingsley's voice.
"Dang, it's him." Kid Arachnid said.
Spider-Man hangs up the call. "We gotta go."
"Do you even know where he could be?" Spider-Girl said.
"Van Dyne Fashion, that's where MJ is." Spider-Man said.
"Know where it is?" Kid Arachnid said.
"It's in the Garment District, I can take us there, follow me, hope we're not too late." Spider-Man said.
Spider-Man and the Web-Warriors jumps off the rooftop and swings towards the Fashion District as fast as they can hoping they can reach MJ in time before it's too late.
(Van Dyne Fashion)
Hobgoblin still has Janet and Mary Jane held hostage as he explains his motivations, Mary Jane is thinking of something as she looks upon the hot coffee cup on the table and got an idea.
"Can't believe you go this far, Kingsley, you murdered Jacobson in cold blood, you tried to kill Desiree." Janet is disgusted.
"Did you really think I sit back and let you all go on with your lives after you all destroyed me?" Kingsley said.
"You destroyed yourself, you were cheating and ripping others off, you're a crook!" Janet said.
"You have no idea of the things I've done to get where I was, I had to restore to do unthinkable things in order to stay on top, I'm much more than a crook, I'm a monster and now this monster will be the end of you... Goodbye Janet." Roderick Kingsley said.
Kingsley puts out his flaming sword as he's about to kill Janet, but Mary Jane quickly grabbed the hot coffee cup and tossed it towards his face, Kingsley screamed as it's burning on his face, Mary Jane quickly strikes with a roundhouse kick to Kingsley's feet on the glider and tripped him off as he fell down to the floor.
"Come on!" Mary Jane said.
Mary Jane and Janet quickly runs away from the office as Kingsley is still hurting from the coffee burn on his face, he got angry that someone got the best of him. Mary Jane and Janet are heading back to the elevators and pressed the button, waiting for the doors to be open.
"Nice roundhouse, where'd you learn Taekwondo?" Janet said.
"From Spider-Man, thought it might come in handy one day. How's your hand?" Mary Jane said.
"Still hurts, but I'm okay." Janet said.
The elevator doors open but all of a sudden bursting out of the office is Hobgoblin on his glider as he finally catches up, he launched a rocket from the glider as they both jumped away from the elevators as it blew up and wrecked them, the pair are on the floor and trapped with the elevators destroyed as the Hobgoblin is hovering before them and has them cornered.
Hobgoblin growls in anger. "Now you really done it."
"Kingsley, your vendetta is with me, leave her out of this." Janet said.
"Too late, I was going to slice both to pieces, but now I think I'll let the bullets do all the talking." Hobgoblin said.
Hobgoblin's glider opens up and pulls out the barrels as they're all aimed at Mary Jane and Janet about to riddle them both with bullets as they're scared and awaiting to be killed, that is until a web line was shot from behind and clings to the left wing of the glider, it got pulled hard and the bullets fired and missed as Hobgoblin was forced to spin around only to find Spider-Man and the Web-Warriors here, Mary Jane and Janet are happy to see them came to their rescue in time.
"Go! We'll hold him here!" Spider-Man said.
"Alright, kick his ass!" Mary Jane said.
Mary Jane and Janet took the opportunity to escape through the stairs as Hobgoblin is about to face off against Spider-Man and his Web-Warriors.
"We meet again, Gobby." Spider-Man said.
Hobgoblin cackles as he got a hand in his satchel. "I was hoping to into you again Spider-Man, I still have a score to settle with you, didn't expect you to bring more friends, but the more the merrier."
"Give it up, Gobby, you've lost!" Spider-Man said.
"Wrong again!" Hobgoblin said.
Hobgoblin pulls out razor bats and tossed them at the Web-Warriors as Spider-Girl is unfamiliar with them.
"What are those things?" Spider-Girl said.
"Razor bats! Take evasive action!" Spider-Man said.
All spider heroes jump away as the razor bats are flying too close as only three of them are aware of what they can do, Spider-Girl is doing her best to dodge but one of them came close and made a cut on her left shoulder, Ghost-Spider is shooting off webbing to neutralize several of them, Kid Arachnid is doing a barrel roll in the air as he unleashed a venom blast to short out the circuits on the bats, Kid Arachnid turned himself invisible as Hobgoblin lost sight of him, he then switched to infrared vision and managed to spot his heat signature even while invisible.
"I see you!" Hobgoblin playing around.
Kid Arachnid got on to the glider as Hobgoblin used his gloves to spark a flash of light, Kid Arachnid got blinded as Hobgoblin push kick the hero off his glider, Spider-Man spotted his friend is in need of help, he made his way past the bats and swings in for a drop kick on Hobgoblin as the villain took evasive action, he moved away and he turns around as he draw out his flaming sword, he charged in swinging his sword as Spider-Man as the hero is jumping around dodging all the swings, Spidey spotted the office up ahead with a opening to the outside.
"Let's take this outside, shall we?!" Spider-Man said.
Spider-Man finally reached and jumped out the window, Hobgoblin flies out too as they're taking the fight outside, Hobgoblin pulls out a couple more razor bats from his satchel and tossed them at Spider-Man's web line he's holding on to, they sliced them off as Spider-Man falls down in the air, they're coming his way as he unleashed his spider legs from his back to strike at them, destroying them easily, Spider-Man fired off another line and swings back as Hobgoblin dives down to face the hero head on. Spider-Man managed to get closer and hopped onto the glider, Hobgoblin tries to flash Spider-Man but the hero closed his eyes and grabbed his gauntlets, he crushes and disabled them as he and Hobgoblin are locked and struggling in the air, the glider is losing control as Hobgoblin can't focus and is losing balance.
"If I go down, then I'll take you down with me!" Hobgoblin said.
"Don't count on it, Gobby!" Spider-Man said.
The glider is flying higher to the rooftop of Van Dyne Fashion carrying both Hobgoblin and Spider-Man still struggling, Hobgoblin strike at Spidey's face and hits him, Spider-Man counters back with a punch of his own, staggering Hobgoblin as Spidey took the opportunity to steer Hobgoblin off course, they're both heading towards the rooftop til the glider touchdown and crashed, sending both Spider-Man and Hobgoblin falling to the rooftop, both are getting back up on their feet as they're not finished yet, Hobgoblin pulls out his flaming sword again as Spidey tightens his fists.
"This is it, Spidey, only one of us will die this night!" Hobgoblin said.
"I'm not gonna kill you, Gobby!" Spider-Man said.
"Then you die." Hobgoblin said.
Hobgoblin charged in and swings his sword as Spidey kept pulling himself back avoiding the flaming blade swings, Hobgoblin is being serious in killing Spider-Man more than ever, Hobgoblin swings again as Spidey backflips and kicked the sword off his hands, Hobgoblin switched to pulling out pumpkin bombs from his satchel and started tossing them, Spider-Man is jumping away as they exploded causing a lot of noise, at lot of smoke is in the air as Hobgoblin lost sight of the hero among the chaos, he's looking around unaware that Spider-Man is quietly running around him, he moved in closer to the site trying to get a better look but found nothing. Hobgoblin heard footsteps from behind as he turns around but he was too late as his wrists got caught before he could draw out anymore pumpkin bombs.
"Gotcha Gobby!" Spider-Man said.
Spider-Man uses his right hand and strikes with a strong punch to Hobgoblin's face and sent him crashing against the roof ventilation system, Hobgoblin got bested by Spider-Man hard, the villain is getting back up on his feet injured and takes off the mask that is damaged by that punch, Kingsley has got blood coming out of his mouth and is very injured.
Kingsley chuckles. "Congrats Spidey, you've beaten me... what are you waiting for? Kill me?"
"I won't kill you Kingsley, I believe I made that pretty clear." Spider-Man said.
Kingsley chuckles while bleeding. "Doesn't matter, I'm already a dead man, I failed to deliver my word."
"What are you talking about?" Spider-Man said.
Kingsley smiled. "You really want to know? Then come closer and listen carefully."
Spider-Man is approaching Kingsley to listen what he's talking about, unknown to Spidey Kingsley is secretly remote controlling the glider silently hovering back up and facing towards the hero.
"What is it you want to tell me Kingsley?" Spider-Man said.
"I got something to tell you, listen carefully..." Kingsley is still hurting as he looks at the glider hovering and aimed at Spider-Man, he chuckles sinisterly. "I'll see you in hell, Spider-Man!"
Spider-Man's spider sense tingles and warns him as the glider is pulling out its prongs and thrusts towards him at high speed, Spidey jumps backwards over the glider as it flew passed him and towards Kingsley.
Kingsley realized he screwed up. "Oh."
The glider came crashing against Kingsley and pierced right through him, Spider-Man land onto another ventilation system as he look upon Kingsley taken out by his own weapon in his attempts to kill his enemy, instead it killed him, the Hobgoblin just died right there on the rooftop. Unknown to Spider-Man, there is a drone hovering in the air recording everything that has transpired here, it flies away from the scene back to its owner
(Later)
On the rooftop, the corners are zipping up the body bag with the deceased Roderick Kingsley inside, the NYPD are outside of Van Dyne Fashion along with a number of presses, Spider-Man and the Web-Warriors are with Mary Jane and Janet are just finished being checked out by the paramedics, Janet has her hand wrapped in a bandage.
"How's the hand?" Spider-Man said.
"No permanent damage, it'll be fine, thanks, you guys came to our rescue in time." Janet said.
"It's actually thanks to her, if she didn't let us know, it would've been too late." Spider-Man said.
"She saved my life too, she's a woman with many talents." Janet said.
The group then spotted the corners coming out of the building with a body bag as it got the attention of the press taking pictures and recording as word got out that Roderick Kingsley is the Hobgoblin and he's been confirmed deceased.
"Who'd thought that Kingsley would meet a violent end by his own hand." Janet said.
"It was unfortunate, his attempts to kill me ended up killing him instead." Spider-Man said.
"Regardless how it ended, at least he can't hurt anyone anymore, it's over." Ghost-Spider said.
Even though Hobgoblin is dead, Spider-Man isn't at ease as he got the feeling that it isn't over, there's something more to Hobgoblin's actions than meets the eye.
It's 7:10 PM at the Law Firm of Kingsley's attorney, the man is watching the news on Kingsley being the Hobgoblin and he's been confirmed deceased, the lawyer knows what to do next, he walks over of his safe and unlocks it, he opens up and pulls out documents Kingsley gave him for safekeeping as he's got instruction on what to do with them should Kingsley be killed, he plans to give them over to the U.S. attorney to take down Norman Osborn, but something unexpected happens as there is a struggle coming from the other room, a group of masked men is dragging the man's secretary and tossed her down to the floor, one of them had a pistol with a silencer as he shot her in cold blood before the lawyer's eye, she died as the man turns his gun to the lawyer himself.
"No, wait, please, please..."
The man tried to plead for his life but he ended up getting shot in cold blood too, he died and dropped down to the floor as the men walked over to pick up the documents he was holding in his hands, they looked over the contents as it's leverage on Norman Osborn, they took it and leave the law firm without any witnesses.
(Oscorp Tower)
Norman is at his office watching drone footages of Hobgoblin fighting off against Spider-Man and the Web-Warriors with the weapons he gave Kingsley, Menken hangs up the phone after he got confirmation and turns to his employer.
"It's done, our men retrieved the leverage Kingsley had on you." Menken informed.
Norman chuckles. "I told you old friend, no one bargains with me and lives... still, you've proven yourself quite useful to me at the very end."
"I don't understand sir, he failed." Menken said.
"True, I knew that his defeat at Spider-Man was inevitable, but his performance in using the glider against the heroes was still a success." Norman said.
"You were testing him? Why?" Menken said.
"Cause if an ordinary man can successful hold his own against four enhanced heroes with these weapons alone, such tools can be quite useful for the next generation of super soldiers I'm bringing to the world." Norman said.
Menken smiled. "The OZ formula."
"Imagine it Menken, super soldiers that are more stronger than Captain America with strength that can match Spider-Man, armed with these weapons, they'll be unstoppable." Norman grin.
"I see... though Project OZ is still a long way from being completed, aren't you worried that Spider-Man is getting too close to discovering everything?" Menken said.
"I have to admit, he's very righteous and relentless, just like the Parkers, Spider-Man seems to shared their level of commitment in seeing things to the end, if that's the case then he'll be more dangerous than anyone I've came across before, perhaps it's fate that we become mortal enemies. But no matter, one day I will find out who he is and I'll destroy him along with anyone he ever loves, I swear it." Norman said.
Menken then excused himself from the office as Norman is staying behind alone and looking out the window thinking about his inevitable war with Spider-Man who he now views as his mortal enemy he plans to destroy one day, he even thought about some ideas on what to model his next super soldier on.
"Mmm, goblin... you certain got good taste in the theatrics, Kingsley. Rest easy old friend, I'll finish what you've started and destroy Spider-Man one day." Norman grin.
Time is 12:55 PM at an apartment as Betty Brant is getting off the elevator and walking down the hallway looking for a specific apartment number as she's on the phone talking with Peter about her terrible experience and a story she wrote recently for the Daily Bugle.
"I heard about what happened yesterday, sorry I didn't get the chance to see you." Peter said.
"It's okay Pete, I'm quite alright, besides I should be thanking you for calling Spider-Man to our rescue." Betty said.
"Well I'm glad you're okay, and congratulations on the story, even Robbie was impressed." Peter said.
"Appreciate the compliment Pete and thanks for worrying for me, anyway I gotta go, gonna see someone, I'll talk to you later." Betty hangs up the phone.
Betty found the apartment number as she knocks on the door, Ned Leeds is staying home and working on the laptop investigating Kingsley as he's looking up an article on the recent deaths on Kingsley's attorney and his secretary as it intrigued him, he heard the knocks as he got up and walked over to the door, he opens up to find Betty Brant outside his apartment.
"Betty, what a nice surprise. How'd you find me?" Ned Leeds is happy to see Betty.
"Come on Ned, you think you're the only one who's resourceful?" Betty said.
"Come on in." Ned Leeds said.
Ned invited Betty into his apartment as it's pretty neat and some what messy with so much paper on the table, including today's issue from the Daily Bugle and an article titled: "Hobgoblin/Roderick Kingsley unmasked" written by Betty Brant.
"Guess you don't have any housekeeping, do you?" Betty said.
"It's fine, I have a system. By the way, congrats on the story Betty." Ned Leeds said.
"Thanks, though to be honest, I was quite surprised the Bulletin hasn't publish the story on the Hobgoblin yet." Betty said.
"I decided to pass and let you have it, besides I think there's more to this story than meets the eye." Ned Leeds said.
"What do you mean?" Betty said.
"Did you know that Kingsley's attorney was found murder in his office last night along with his secretary sometime after Kingsley died? Don't you find it a bit suspicious?" Ned Leeds said.
"You think they're somehow connected?" Betty said.
"Don't know yet, both victims were shot to death and nobody heard any gunshots, which means they used sliencers, not much was taken but the safe was opened and a few valuables are still there, they were after something specific, this all seems professional." Ned Leeds said.
"But to go this far to kill a lawyer and his secretary? You think the lawyer was holding something for Kingsley that is worth all that trouble?" Betty said.
"One thing Ben Urich has taught me is that where there's smoke, there's fire, like I said, there's more to Kingsley's story than meets the eye, this needs more investigating." Ned Leeds said.
"I'm sure you'll figure it out... by the way, it was sweet what you did, offering to put yourself on the line for me." Betty said.
"Don't mention it, it's what I do." Ned Leeds said.
Betty leaned in a kiss Ned on the cheek as he blushed and smiled, he couldn't help but find Betty attractive in many ways.
"Would you... like to go out sometime?" Ned Leeds being shy.
"I'd like that, it's a date. Take care Ned." Betty smiled.
"You too... Betty." Ned smiled with a blush.
Betty then leave the apartment after having a friendly chat with Ned, they've grown in a lot of ways since they've met and were held hostage yesterday, Ned can't help but being drawn to Betty from her beauty to her personality, she's an interesting woman. Betty had already left the apartment as he went back to his laptop and started investigating into Roderick Kingsley, specially his past, he knows there's something behind Kingsley's story than anyone realizes and he won't stop until he gets to the bottom of this mystery no matter how long it takes.
Time is 4:30 PM at Lower East Side as Peter is coming into the hallway with a paper bag of grocery as he pulls out his keys and unlocks the door, he finds Mary Jane with her head face down on the table with Gwen comforting her as he sets the grocery bag aside to check on his friend.
"Hey MJ, how'd it go with the interview?" Peter said.
Gwen is giving Peter the looks as MJ still has her head down not saying anything.
Peter figured out it's bad. "Oh... went bad, didn't it? I'm so sorry MJ, I thought for sure you'd get the job, I really put a lot of heart into those shots I took..."
Mary Jane raised her head up with a smile her face and giggles as she's laughing along with Gwen, they're too happy as Peter is confused what's going on.
"Can't believe you fell for it? Are you really that easy with women?" Mary Jane giggles.
"Oh..." Peter realized he was fooled.
"I did it Tiger! I got the job! I'm a model now!" Mary Jane is happy.
"That's great MJ, congratulations, finally some good news for you." Peter smiled.
"To be honest Tiger, I couldn't done it without you, thank you so much for everything." Mary Jane smiled.
"Always MJ, always." Peter said.
"We should go out and celebrate your success." Gwen said.
"Agreed, I'm sure Harry will be very thrilled." Peter said
"Okay, let's go." Mary Jane agreed.
All three agreed to go out together to celebrate that Mary Jane has finally succeeded in becoming a model for Van Dyne Fashion, her future is looking to be bright with many opportunities as she's part of the fashion world now.
Note: Please write comments or reviews about this chapter and tell what you like about it, thank you and enjoy reading the story.
