Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man Vol. 2

Chapter 13

The door opening before him, the Goblin entered the laboratory, coming straight up to a window. Peering inside it, he observed as what he hoped to be his greatest masterpiece was being forged. Right now, the subject was lying still, sedated and being monitored closely by his head scientist. Speaking of the man, upon making eye contact with the Goblin, he glanced over a couple more things before leaving the room, coming out to meet him.

"Well, doctor?" he questioned. "How proceeds our work?"

"He's still resisting, but he can't hold out much longer," the man replied. "The serum you gave me is doing its work, and in a few days, the fruits of your labor should finally be coming to fruition."

"Excellent," the Goblin replied. "Keep me updated." He then turned and headed out, intent on making his way to his armory when a surprising voice stopped him in his tracks.

"Please, don't do this."

The Goblin turned, glancing to his right at the window, which was met with not his reflection, but that of Norman Osborn.

"I'm making him better," he snarled. "Better than you ever could!"

"You already have me," Norman tried to barter, his eyes pleading. "Please, this is too far. Let him go!"

The Goblin simply shook his head in disgust.

"You see, this is why I needed to be in charge," he said. "You were never willing to do what was best even for yourself, much less for him! Soon, I will have accomplished more than you ever could have dreamed of, starting with..."

"Boss?"

"WHAT!?" the Goblin yelled, turning and getting right in his henchman's face. The man shrunk back, clearly caught off guard.

"Nothing," the man said. "I, you know, was just wondering who you were talking to..."

"NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS, THAT'S WHO!!?" the Goblin yelled as he grabbed his thug by the shirt, pulling him up to his face, "and you do not speak of this to anyone, got it!?"

"Y-yes sir!" the man scrambled out. "Promise!"

The Goblin, still breathing heavily in anger, relented his grip on his subordinate, the man moving quickly on to another destination. He then clenched his fist in frustration, making a resolution then and there that he would never again allow such a distraction to occur. He was in command; he was in charge now, and there was nothing that could stop him.

Soon, the whole city would realize that too.

---

Peter shot up, the sharp nature of his spider sense's alert causing him to regain his concentration and then some.

"Easy," his boss said, holding out his hands as a gesture of peace. Peter glanced around, realizing that he was still in the lab. His brain scrambled to put the pieces together as Mr. Fireheart spoke up again.

"Are you okay, Peter?"

"Y-yes sir," he replied, finally accepting the reality of his situation. "I'm sorry, I guess I must have dozed off. Anyway, was there something you needed? I didn't miss a meeting or something, did I?"

"No, you didn't miss anything," his boss replied. "I just wanted to check on you. Some of the others have been talking, saying you've hardly been in over the last couple of weeks, and when you are, you seem as though your mind is somewhere else."

"I'm here," Peter said, trying not to let his frustration show too much in his tone. Admittedly, it was difficult to do when one wasn't resting properly, evidenced by his apparent cat nap. "I'm just a little tired."