I hate sitting here, not being able to do anything. Can’t protect the city as Spider-Man, and can’t even go to school as Peter Parker. Then there’s this guilt I feel about what happened to Harry. He blames Spider-Man for what happened to him, and he’s right. I could’ve got him out sooner, and come back to fight Ock. Why didn’t I? I mean, I had enough time. I just didn’t… I promised I wouldn’t let what happened to my uncle happen ever again, and yet, Harry almost lost his life, because of me. Since then, Harry has had multiple appointments with one Dr. Bart Hamilton to talk about everything, trying to move past it all. I hope he’s able to move forward from this. Just when I think it couldn’t get any worse, Teresa tells me about some spare super soldier serum that got stolen from a SHIELD warehouse. Just great.
It’s a few seconds later, when I hear a knock on the door.
"Come in." I say, managing to get the words out. The door opens, and it’s Lana.
"Hey Peter, how’re you holding up?" She asks, as she kneels down beside my bed.
"Just fine! It’s only a couple broken ribs. Nothing to worry about at all." I say, managing a smile, trying to convince Lana that I’m okay.
"A couple? Eight is way more than a couple of broken ribs. Yeah, sorry, but that act isn’t gonna fool me Peter."
"Hey, you asked! Laying down all day would usually sound like a dream come true, but not being able to go to school, or go out as Spider-Man, it’s just hard. Especially with what happened to Harry."
"Oh don’t even go there. Yes, what happened to him sucks, but that wasn’t your fault. We all know whose to blame. You like putting the weight of the world on your shoulders, even when you shouldn’t. You have friends that can help you in this. I mean look, Beetle’s been keeping the city safe while you recover. That’s not even counting the hundreds of other heroes that just so happen to live in New York City. There’s me, Cheyenne, that Hardy girl, and your sister that are here for you as well. While Harry may not like your other half right now, he’s still your best friend."
Right, totally forgot she doesn’t know that Cheyenne is Talon, Felicia is Black Cat, and my sister is Beetle. Why is it that almost all the women I know have alter-egos? It honestly wouldn’t surprise me at this point if my Aunt May turned out to have superpowers.
"Ok okay. How’s school been?"
"Besides a mutant trying to blow up the school, and Harry readjusting, it’s pretty much the same as always."
"Wait seriously?"
"Oh yeah. A junior, Angelica Jones, had a massive meltdown, and tried to kill that bitch, Simone DeSantos ."
"Simone has a knack for pushing the right buttons to get them angry. At least that’s what I’ve been told. Did anyone get hurt?"
"Nah, your sister was able to talk Angelica down long enough before law enforcement arrived. Guess being a hero runs in the family."
"So Angelica’s headed to Rykers then?"
"Honestly, I’m not sure. There’s a rumor floating around that she may be going to Xavier’s Institute instead of prison. I don’t know if there’s any validity to the claim, but it’s there."
We continue to talk for an hour or so before Lana leaves, and I get ready to sleep once more.
———————
OSCORP 9:04 pm
None of these experiments are working. The Lizard, Iron Spider, Rhino, all failures. No matter how I adjust the formula, there are no positive signs for this to cure me. Then there’s the Octopus debacle. My son permanently changed by juniors hatred for what I did to his father. But the truth of the matter is that his father, Otto Octavius, is nothing without me. The phone inside my office rings, and I walk over to pick it up.
"Mr. Osborn sir, there’s uh someone here to see you."
"Who is it?"
"She’s calling herself Sky Bandit…"
"Hah, what a preposterous name. I’m quite curious about who would willingly call themselves ‘Sky Bandit’. Send her up" With that I hang up the phone, and wait a few minutes. Soon enough, the doors open, and Sky Bandit enters.
"Norman Osborn."
"Yes? What is it you want?"
"You don’t know? You were the one that told me to meet you here. The Goblin… Nothing’s ringing any bells?" It’s just then that an explosion goes off. Through the newly created hole in the wall a figure emerges. Dressed in purple and black, flying on a glider that Oscorp definitely manufactured. He lands, and walks towards me, expressionless.
"Now that, was an entrance! Ah, Norman Osborn, it’s nice to finally meet you. Thanks for the glider by the way. Works wonders!" The voice cackles, as he pulls out- a pumpkin??
"Who are you?" I ask, trying to stay as composed as I can. Norman Osborn does not back down to terrorists.
"Awh c’mon Norman, surely you can’t be that dumb. I’m the Goblin."
"So you’re the one who called me here? Why here?"
"Ah Sky Bandit, so good of you to show up. Yes, it is I who called you here. Nice to see you made it out of the encounter with Beetle unscathed. A pity the young spider didn’t show up, but given recent events, it’s expected… I assume you brought what I asked for."
"As requested. Now for my payment?" Bandit pulls a vial from her belt. In the vial, is a blue fluid. She waits for an answer.
"Don’t worry, I make good on my promises. The funds have already been transferred to your account. Now if you would, hand over the vial, and I’ll be on my merry way." As he’s speaking, he tosses the pumpkin up and waits for it to land in his hand.
They don’t notice, with Bandit handing the vial over and all. I go towards my desk, and pressing the button underneath it, calling for security.
"I wouldn’t count on your security coming to help you anytime soon Norman. I took care of them on the way in." Well there goes that idea.
"Why are you doing this here?"
"Why? This is where I was born! These walls formed me into who I am today. It’s all thanks to you Norman. Don’t worry, I’m sure you’ll find a cure for your Retroviral Hypodisplasia soon enough. Oh wow, that is a mouthful. Anyways, I’ve got myself a spider I need to squash, so this is goodbye, for now." Goblin waves goodbye, with the hand that isn’t holding the pumpkin, as he climbs aboard his glider, and flies away. Sky Bandit flies out a few seconds later, and I’m left with a hole in the wall, with too many unanswered questions. I need to learn how this Goblin gained access to Oscorp technology. There’s been no thefts recently, so it must be an inside job. Once I learn who it is, they will face the wrath of Norman Osborn.
, Goblin , Rising , Rogueverse , Spider-Man , Volume , 2 , Issue , 7 #Rogueverse #SpiderMan #Volume #Issue #Goblin #Rising
