SPIDER-MAN: ALL ALONE (CHAPTER 36)
THE RAFT…
After recovering from the trauma, Curt composed himself in front of his saviours in an interrogation room. The two Spider people were conversing with him whilst Yuri and other Raft members watched in the camera room.
"I-I'm truly sorry…" Curt mumbled remembering the first time he transformed, "Please forgive the things I did. My mind was…"
"No need to worry now, we're glad you're not a giant lizard anymore." Spider-Man assured.
"At least you have the arm now." Gwen added, "Right?"
"That formula must have overworked itself." Curt said putting both hands near his temples, "And Norman counted on it. I could've refused."
"Don't beat yourself now, doc. We've got bigger things to worry about." Spider-Man said putting an arm on his back.
"Yeah… Um. About that." Gwen said checking the news feed on her phone.
As Spider-Man checked the news as well, both of them caught on with the live story of Oscorp Tower looking like there was a magic ritual happening with the Greenwave energy spewing out of its windows.
"Whoa, out of all the things. I didn't expect a glow up." Spider-Man commented.
"Let's hurry and find out what's happening." Gwen said.
As the two decided to hurry off, Yuri intervened at the hallway and warned about the situation on ground.
"Hold up." Yuri said, "I know you two are the best we got for this city. But I want to say… Cops who went near that area suddenly disappeared. Their radios can't even be reached for answer."
Spider-Man and Gwen looked at each other; their masks hiding their concern and curiosity.
"You mean they?" Spider-Man asked.
"Either they're vaporised or they're trapped." Yuri theorised, "Does not sound fun for anyone."
As they conversed, they noticed Curt trying to make his way over to them. The guards however were trying to prevent him due to safety concerns.
"What's the matter?" Yuri asked the guards before turning her attention to Curt.
"That situation in Oscorp. I want to help." Curt replied with a stern look.
"With all due respect, I don't think it's safe for the likes of you." Yuri said back.
"Well, as someone who happens to be a scientist turned into a lizard. I think I may be of assistance to our web-headed heroes here." Curt said, "I owe them a debt."
"Debt? Putting yourself in danger again? We've had enough trouble." Spider-Man said confused.
It was then Curt looked at his recently grown arm and noticed a patch of reptile scales. The mutation had not been removed; it was supressed.
"I'm afraid that leaving myself here is actually a bigger problem." Curt said with concern.
As soon as Spider-Man and Gwen noticed Curt's concern. They immediately followed through with his logic.
"If only we had more time with the cure." Gwen said.
"Doc? What makes you think coming along is a good idea?" Spider-Man asked conflicted.
"I've got certain ways around Oscorp. And if there's a chance, I might control this transformation for good." Curt said believing that he can control the beast that took over the first time.
Spider-Man and Gwen were both uncertain but Curt could be useful in their fight against Goblin provided that he actually proves to be an ally.
"I swear, Doc. If this is your plan then you better have some countermeasures on you just in case." Spider-Man said giving Curt his chance.
"We'll get a chopper ready for you to leave." Yuri said to Curt.
"Actually, I've got a better idea." Curt said before looking at Spider-Man.
OSCORP TOWER ENTRANCE…
The two Spiders arrived on scene with Spider-Man carrying Curt by his side who was beyond thrilled at getting the chance to web swing. In order to ensure Curt's transformation would be kept under control; an electrical collar fit for his neck had to be put in place.
"Exhilarating." Curt said as he got down with Spider-Man's help.
"Now, if I was a Goblin; what would I be doing now?" Spider-Man asked.
"Causing trouble just like in every fairy tale?" Gwen asked rhetorically.
The trio soon noticed a mysterious green light illuminating out of the tower windows. The police cars on scene were almost empty with the remaining police officers trying to secure more help on radio and cowering. Civilians were told to evacuate should they draw near as well.
"Looks to be some sort of party." Spider-Man noted.
"You think the Goblin is trapped like everyone else there?" Gwen wondered.
"We won't know unless we jump into the unknown ourselves." Spider-Man replied.
"Well, if we go in there and don't come out. Just so you know…" Gwen said looking at Spider-Man.
"It is our only option to be fair." Spider-Man said.
"Let me say this. If it wasn't for these Spider powers; then I'd just be the girl who doesn't know how to guide her aimless life." Gwen said back.
"Yeah, and I would still be- Hey, wait a minute. Where's Curt?" Peter asked before seeing him walk towards the Oscorp Tower entrance.
Curt in all his determination wanted to make the struggle between being a monster and having a new arm count as an opportunity to save everyone else. He never intended to be a man of action but perhaps the story of stopping citywide destruction from Oscorp may be something he could accept.
OSCORP BUILDING...
As the three entered the building, there was an eerie change of scenery. People have either evacuated or they were victims in the latest machinations of what was going on in Oscorp.
"And to think that Oscorp was this mega company." Curt said walking with haste as he assisted with getting past some of Oscorp's security measures with his keycard.
"How's things going, doc?" Spider-Man asked.
"It's spreading but so far I feel nothing yet." Curt said checking on his arm.
"This energy…" Gwen said as the Greenwave light continued to envelope, "I'm sensing something weird from it."
"What do you mean?" Spider-Man asked.
"I'm getting visions." Gwen said, "Flashes of things."
"Visions?" Spider-Man asked again in confusion.
After asking, Spider-Man then noticed Gwen stand still. There was something strange that seemed to be bothering her that Spider-Man was not seeing.
"Uh…Spider-Woman?" Spider-Man asked as he watched both Gwen and Curt from both ends.
Afterwards, Gwen snapped out of the trance and moved.
"Sorry, let's get going." Gwen said shaking her head.
?...
The Energy Sector was now a room filled with illuminating green light. As much as Oscorp may deceive the general public; it was still true that Greenwave is generally speaking 'harmless'. However, that did not stop gravitational force from being a factor with some of the floor panelling being gently lifted.
"Okay, what movie finale is this? Ghostbusters?" Spider-Man asked as they traversed the new surroundings covered by the greenish light.
Unlike the other two, Curt took careful steps to move around the damaged surroundings. Clearly, he was out of place now.
"Okay, I must admit. This is foolish of me." Curt said.
"Doc, what exactly are we bringing you for again?" Spider-Man said as he leapt to a metal bar fencing.
"Uh, I have this." Curt said holding up his key card, "And if given the chance, I may shut down whatever chaos is swirling in the Energy Sector room."
"Hey, I found someone." Gwen called out as she stood near the unconscious body of a police officer.
Gwen carefully listened for a sign of breathing and with a sigh of relief; she picked up on the man's vital signs.
"He's still alive." Gwen noted, "Something knocked him out."
As she turned the man's body around, she noticed bits of orange looking shrapnel hanging around. The man's eyes started to flutter as Gwen tried waking him up.
"Officer? Are you okay?" Gwen asked, "Tell me what's happened."
"W-h-hat? Spider-Woman?" The officer asked dazed, "What's going on? Uh, where's the rest of the crew?"
Meanwhile as Gwen checked on for civilians, Curt and Spider-Man searched for a control panel that is causing the Greenwave energy to generate intensely. As two people in the science field, they were fascinated by the nature of the energy and how they were still alive from it.
"Let's see…" Curt murmured as he looked at the input keys, "Oh, this is…"
Suddenly, Spider-Man pushed Curt aside when two razor boomerangs flew past and hit the panel causing a bit of a spark. The signature cackle was then followed.
"So, the Spiders have returned and brought their pet with them." Goblin taunted as he arrived on top of his glider.
"Mr. Osborn, whatever this is. It has to stop." Spider-Man demanded.
"Oh, Peter, Peter…" Goblin said shaking his head, "You can't keep things ambiguous forever."
Curt turned around looking at Spider-Man with suspicion before repeating the name as well.
"Peter? Peter Parker?" Curt asked in confusion, "This whole time?"
"Yeah, it's me doc." Spider-Man said with a sigh.
"You see, Dr. Connors. I didn't think you were that smart for Oscorp. I just needed you to hurt the nuisance standing with you." Goblin said.
"I'm sorry, doc. I wish this didn't happen, I…" Spider-Man stammered.
"No need for explanations now." Curt assured angrily, "Not after I make Osborn here pay for his malice."
Unphased, Goblin smiled at what was going to happen with Curt. The scales on Curt's arms started to rapidly spread again and change him. It was a shock to Spider-Man to see the change happen so suddenly. But Curt's anger to Norman seemed to accelerate his transformation.
"Doc, stay calm." Spider-Man warned.
Curt then relaxed a little upon realising the change. But he was already on one knee as he tried his best to suppress the change.
"So what if he resists? He'll still be a beast after all." Goblin said confidently.
Without hesitation, Spider-Man stood his ground and webbed himself away to face down Goblin. He tried his best to remember that it was not about outpowering him but rather outsmarting him.
"Isn't this too much of an evil plan? Destroying the whole building?" Spider-Man said as he swung about.
Goblin started chasing after Spider-Man on the glider and the two attempted to land a hit on one another. On the other hand, Gwen had finished rescuing as many people who were trapped in the room by webbing them out of the Energy Sector room.
At first, Spider-Man knew by heart what he had to do to win but pulling it off was a different matter. There was just no time to breath with Goblin chasing him and the Goblin inevitably caught up to him and grabbed him by the throat.
"What was the plan, Peter?" Goblin asked mockingly as he prepared to pull out a wrist blade.
"Norman… I'm trying to hel-p." Spider-Man groaned.
"Norman was the man the world was looking to despise and cast out." Goblin retorted, "But the Goblin? He will be the one who fixes this fractured world. Piece by broken piece."
Before the Goblin got his chance to stab Spider-Man again. Spider-Man had the strength to upper kick Goblin which swiftly split the metallic mask into two. After freeing himself from Goblin's grip, Spider-Man fell flat on the ground.
"It's too late to repair anything, Peter." Goblin said with shrug as squashed his mask by foot into pieces, "What a pity you are."
As Spider-Man got up from the ground, Gwen finally joined up next to him all the while Curt was breathing heavily as his eyes had started to change alongside the rest of his body being covered in scales whilst growing in size.
"I saved as many as I could." Gwen panted.
"Hey. Let's fight this guy properly." Spider-Man said sternly.
"Did you try reasoning with him again?" Gwen asked.
"No point." Spider-Man said in admittance.
The two focused their energy in double teaming Goblin. Despite his own super strength, there was a waning novelty that had sprung thanks to Spider-Man and Gwen being able to predict better on how he fights back. When it came to the gadgets, Gwen made sure to disable them by shooting webs at where the bombs and boomerangs may be.
The Goblin grew increasingly frustrated at his chance at loss but still kept his smile. His smile was maintained by how much of the Greenwave energy was bursting out from the generators. Additionally, Curt was almost about to transform with his clothes being torn off.
Soon, Spider-Man and Gwen found an upper hand and punched Goblin in the face simultaneously. As the Goblin fell down, the two looked back to see Curt become the Lizard again.
"Now's a good time to use that electrical collar switch in case." Gwen whispered.
The Lizard initially did not seek to attack either of the Spiders but was soon motivated to pounce when he saw Goblin on the ground. Both Spider-Man and Gwen moved out of the way as Lizard launched himself.
As the Lizard slobbered over Goblin; the part of Curt inside him gained some form of control in terms of anger with the Lizard clawing at him whilst Goblin struggled. Spider-Man was prepared to activate the collar to prevent Lizard from going too far but through his own cunning, Goblin managed to activate his wrist blade and stab Lizard where his heart is.
The sight of the stabbing shocked Spider-Man so much that he dropped the switch as the Goblin heaved the Lizard aside to a corner. The Greenwave energy continued to intensify to form a spheroid of sorts as if it was created some form of star.
"And thus the wicked beast was slain by the noble knight." Goblin said with all his heroic delusions.
After heaving himself upwards, Goblin whistled as he activated his glider. The flying machine hissed as it prepared to target both Spiders. Before it flung forward, Spider-Man made a nudge to Gwen to jump forward.
The glider moved with its incredible speed before Gwen leapt up and jumped. Spider-Man on the other hand moved aside before shooting a web to the side. In response, Gwen also shot her web and together with both of their strengths, they tore the glider apart into the two.
"No tricks this time. Let's finish this." Gwen said feeling personally motivated.
With no other tools at disposal, Goblin would have to make match with only physical strength. For him, he was not willing to throw the towel as he wanted the chaotic future to happen.
Throwing all the kicks and fists they have, the two Spiders double teamed Goblin with more precision than ever. Hitting harder than before and proving to Goblin that the formula in him is not so invincible after all. With that had happened, the final blow was hard enough just for Goblin to stay on ground.
"Okay, just one more important task." Gwen said as a spheroid of Greenwave formed and continued to pull.
In an attempt to find an emergency stop button, Spider-Man looked around. It was complicated but also made easy thanks to an emergency power shutdown lever nearby. Using one web, he latched onto the lever and pulled. With the gravitational force at hand, the lever broke off.
"WARNING. POWER SHUTDOWN IMMINENT." An auto generated announcement called out, "EVACUATE IMMEDIATELY."
The force soon turned extreme with the Greenwave energy sucking itself inwards. Gwen immediately felt pulled before Spider-Man found a wall to latch onto and use his other arm to shoot out a web and save Gwen.
"Hang on, I got you." Spider-Man said as he held onto the web.
Gwen held on back as she tried to hold herself. As New Yorkers, this was the closest to understanding what a tornado is like.
"Don't let go. Don't let go." Spider-Man said as he tried hanging on.
The situation at first felt hopeful until the Goblin had enough strength to grab onto Gwen's leg. Despite all the knocking, there was enough strength for him to at least to make Spider-Man's victory felt less earned. Gwen in panic tried to kick off the Goblin while Spider-Man pulled.
The Greenwave's green light continued to move inwards with the force pull nearly subsiding. In a last-ditch effort, Goblin clipped off one wrist blade and stabbed it into Gwen's ankle. Gwen's pain soon took hold as she lost balance.
"P-Pet-e-…" Gwen said before she was cut off and sucked off into a vortex.
"Gwen!" Spider-Man yelled out before losing the web.
As it happened, the Goblin had one last laugh to go with it as both him and Gwen vanished out of sight with none of the Greenwave left. The last thing Peter through the eyes of Spider-Man ever saw was Gwen's shocked mask look. A face of shock that was brief and seared into Peter's own eyes. Gwen was ripped away and taken by the energy force.
"Gwen?!" Peter asked in a desperate and uncertain tone.
But nothing answered back to Peter. What happened to Gwen was so sudden; whether she died was too hard to answer. And Peter was left alone. Alone with Curt's slumped body who barely got sucked into the vortex himself thanks to initial body mass.
"Doctor Connors?" Peter asked as he rushed over to see.
Curt's stabbing seemed to have reversed the Lizard effect on him. Lying naked and bleeding, he tried to comprehend what he accomplished. His new arm was also decaying as he spoke.
"P-P-Peter…" Curt said in his dying breath.
Pulling off his mask, Peter faced his former lab supervisor directly. There were tears streaming off his face already from the losses he just incurred.
"Tell my family… Tell everybody; what we discovered." Curt said before going silent.
And it was that moment, Peter broke down after contemplating what happened. He might have saved the day but two people have just exited out of his life.
THE RAFT…
Two weeks later, the trial processing for Adrian Toomes had been decided with him being transferred into the Raft due to his reputation as the Vulture. Once a small-time crook, now a well-known criminal with a knack of technology and an inspirational persona.
"Alright, Toomes. Welcome to your new home. It's made to suit your needs." The guard accompanying him said.
Wearing an orange prison suit, he was pushed into his glass padded cell and sealed away. As the door closed behind him, he noticed one specific feature. The bed looked as if it belonged in a hospital. Somewhere there was somebody looking out for him and with a joyous smile, his cranky attitude was subsided for a brief moment.
J. JONAH JAMESON APARTMENT…
Ever since the incident at Oscorp, anti-Spider-Man rhetoric had skyrocketed with John instantly blasting him at every chance he could get. Whilst Curt Connors had a proper eulogy.
"Ladies and gents, I may not know Dr. Curtis Connors personally but after learning about him, I have to salute this man. He may have been a monstrous supposedly extinct reptilian but those were under forced circumstances as we all know. This is a man who went on a redemption arc to expose the insidious underbelly of once great industry titan." John stated before taking a sip of water.
"And that means Spider-Man is responsible. RESPONSIBLE!" John proclaimed, "It's not just the good doctor. But the sweet beautiful daughter of George Stacy, our beloved New York super cop captain. Who turns out was the partner of crime to Spider-Man. Now I've said some mean things but this is actually tragic. What kind of a monster is Spider-Man to transform such as a sweet woman into a dangerous and reckless being? My apologies to the Stacey's by the way."
As the rant went on, John shifted more to the topic of Oscorp's downfall. A mixture of personal feelings and truth cemented his confusion on what the future means.
"It's no secret. Oscorp was involved with some of the most ludicrous dealings in human history. Sure, they were innovative but we have to face facts… They were inhumane. I'm sorry for ordinary hard-working folks who lost their jobs and were in the dark; but as a show of goodwill, I am willing to invite those in need to share their thoughts on the podcast and hopefully, we can redeem you as someone like me believes." John said.
Whilst the message was hopeful, John soon went back to his rhetoric as predicted. If his speech is any indication, the times ahead are looking tough.
"And that includes you, Spider-Man. Pull off your mask and face real justice! You are public enemy one!" John finished.
BEDFORD APARTMENTS (EPILOGUE)…
Helen and Simon were both reportedly upset about Gwen being gone. With Helen especially taking it hard now that both George and Gwen are no longer with them. A funeral as a result was being planned with no invitation set for Peter yet.
As for Peter, though the day has been saved and the villains stopped, his life was in a bit of shambles. With Curt no longer around, his research is finding dwindling support and it was harder for him to finish his studies. May was now considered unfit for work and it was his turn to look after her for the rest of his life.
The rent during winter was also higher leaving Peter no option but to move back to Forest Hills soon. At the very least, he will be there more for May. Today, a despondent Peter was trying his hardest to sleep and get a good night's rest but King, his cat kept on mewing about the cold.
"I know, bud. Even super-duper me can't handle the cold." Peter said as he turned the light next to him on.
Peter then opened his phone to check the time before switching off. As he closed his eyes, his mind was drifting into a dream of Gwen, not in her Spider form but how he remembered her from high school and adult life. Her presence had never been erased and he could not believe she was not here anymore.
Suddenly Peter reflexively woke up. The time has gone by two hours and there was the sound of police sirens. His Spider-mask which he hid under his bed echoed the alarm.
"10-11. Mysterious alarm had been set off at Duke Ellington Apartments. Central Harlem. Calling for immediate support. Over." The police signal reported.
Stretching his arms, he was ready. The city still needs Spider-Man even with the drama following the aftermath of Oscorp. While times are uncertain; Peter was sure that his crusade as a hero will not waiver. Opening up his apartment window and letting the chilly air in, Peter was dressed ready for his duty again.
"Peter." A whispery echo called resembling Gwen's own voice.
Perhaps it was his imagination playing tricks or perhaps she is still out there somewhere that he cannot see. In Peter's mind and belief, Gwen could still be out there. With one leap, Peter swung out ready to begin another round of vigilantism all by himself this time.
THE END …
End note: Happy new year everyone! Now the question on everyone's mind is "What's next?" There's plenty of more stories we can tell with Spider-Man undoubtedly and I recognise there are many characters and some of them are my favourite who I haven't introduced or portrayed yet. Of course, there are other loose ends story wise that I am keen to tackle as well in the future.
In the meantime, I have other plans to consider writing stories for other things in my spare time. After all these years, I'm proud to have written 3 separate Spider-Man stories and the amount of traction it has gained from readers has been great. For now, thanks for reading and I hope to be back at it again.