The Void

Chapter 46 - Changes

2 Weeks Later

(Your POV):
"I know that there have been many rumors about my disappearance," Harry spoke to the crowd of reporters, Oscorp employees, and cameras. "But I am here to set the story straight. My father took a serum that Oscorp developed, one that was not yet ready for human trial. The serum made him unstable and it awoke a powerful monster, one that you know by the name of the Green Goblin."

Gasps circulated throughout the crowd as I stood in the back, holding my breath. He had told me what he was planning on doing before getting up in front of the press so that he could save me the heart attack, but I still wasn't sure that he was making the right decision. Reputations were a fragile thing and he was shattering his.

"After his death, which I know understand was for the public's safety, I became fueled by hatred, which I directed towards Spider-Man, who I thought was responsible for my father's death. I found the serum that my father had taken and I followed in his footsteps figuring that it would be the easiest way to beat Spider-Man. Thankfully, I was approached by someone close to me and they brought me out of the country to be treated. I am relieved to announce here today that I am no longer under the influence of the Green Goblin serum."

The crowd erupted into applause, but Harry silenced them by holding up his hand. As soon as the noise died down, he continued, "my experience with the Green Goblin serum has also led to a change of heart, one that I've been struggling with a lot during my recuperation process. Human experimentation can result in incredible feats, it's true, but at great costs. More likely than not facilities are going to create a Green Goblin than they are a Captain America. It is because of this that I am announcing the closing of Oscorp.

"While we do many services to the public, our main focus is on human experimentation. We are not here trying to find the cure for cancer, that has never been who we are. So from now on, Oscorp will no longer exist. I will finish what little I have left of high school, perhaps attend college next year, and then continue with my own life. For those incredible scientists working for me, you will continue to receive your pay until you find, or I help you find, a new position at a different company. While it is hard to part with my father's legacy, after his experience becoming the Green Goblin, I think he would have agreed that this is the right thing to do. Thank you all for your service here and I will not be taking any questions at this moment."

Harry left the stage, leaving the crowd in a stunned silence. It was unlike anything I had ever scene before, and I had witnessed a number of Tony Stark's press conferences. However I, who had received that same surprise as everyone else in the room, had more important things to think of than the scientists having to find new work or the loss of a major genetic research facility. I needed to worry about my organization which Oscorp had funded.

I quickly slipped out the room and dashed over to an elevator, riding it up to the floor of Harry's office. I was not surprised to see him there and evidently he felt the same way towards me. He opened his office door for me and gestured for me to take a seat, no ounce of surprise visible in his expression.

"I thought I might be getting a visit from you, worried about your parents jobs are you?" He spoke as he sat on the edge of his desk so that his legs were almost touching mine as I sat in the chair.

"No, I don't give a shit about them as you well know. However, you also know that my life hangs on the line here, so I don't understand why you would destroy Oscorp without warning me beforehand and why you'd even be willing to sign my death sentence after all I have done for you."

"(Y/N), I do appreciate everything, I really do, but I couldn't keep Oscorp alive, knowing the things that we've created. Hell, we made Spider-Man by complete accident! I obviously haven't spoken to Peter about it, but I am sure that he was terrified when he started realizing that he had powers. Not to mention the monstrosities that have come from our research labs, things that even you wouldn't know about. It has to end here," he spoke, determination commanding his voice.

I stood up and placed my hand atop his, "I know, but I still would have liked a heads up. You know, so I could have maybe packed before going into hiding?"

He gave me a smile as he squeezed my hand gently, "you won't have to go into hiding. Your parents will know nothing about how you helped me and I will not be informing anyone about H.A.M.M.E.R., although I certainly don't endorse it either. I will even continue funding H.A.M.M.E.R., but of course on a smaller budget. This was the best that I could come up with."

"And it might just be enough. Thank you, Harry, I know that keeping H.A.M.M.E.R. alive and unknown goes against the very reasons that you just destroyed your father's legacy. You really didn't have to do that for me. I would have been fine with going into hiding if you had just given me some warning."

He smirked slightly, "it wasn't just for you, I think Peter would kill me if I took you away from him."

I pulled my hand away from his and stood from my seat, refusing to meet his eye, "well then you definitely shouldn't have done it because Peter has no interest in me, he is too busy relishing in the flirtations of Gwen Stacy."

"See I'm remembering that you were the one that broke up with him and, knowing how much he cared about you before, I doubt that he's over you yet. I know I haven't had the chance to see him and Gwen together, but I doubt he really likes her, not the way he adored you," he assured me, but it didn't alleviate any of the pain.

However I gave him a sad smile, "thanks for the kind words, but Peter and I are over. And while that may hurt for the moment, it will be better in the long run. I don't want to be out on the streets fighting my boyfriend, do I?"

With that I slipped out of his office and descended down to the H.A.M.M.E.R. headquarters, where I knew that my parents would be waiting. I could sense the uncertainty that filled the space as soon as I stepped out of the elevator. Everyone was simply waiting for Harry to rat them out to the public.

"Void, my office, now," my father's strict voice called out and I was relieved that I had good news to share with him, well at least as good as it was going to get in this situation.

"Father, before you yell at me, I want to assure you that I have just spoken to Harry," I began the second that he closed the door behind me. "While H.A.M.M.E.R. will be functioning with a smaller budget, he will continue to fund us and has promised not to leak our existence to the public."

"You trust his promise? How pathetic," my father spat, clearly not pleased with the new deal.

"I trust his promise when I know that he understands that if he breaks it, he will be dead. Not even a jail cell will keep me from murdering him in the most gruesome way possible. I'd imagine the Oscorp building will be sold as I am sure Harry will not want to continue renting the space, so I think it would be wise to move back into one of our old bases. We can survive off of Harry's money until we can find a more generous sponsor or else perhaps go even public."

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(A/N): I feel like I should clarify that this is not turning into a Harry x Reader fic nor I'm I going to create a love triangle between you, Harry, and Peter. Anyway, I hope that you enjoyed the chapter!