Back to GatefoldIssue #23 by Mike Exner III
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"AN ENFORCER TO BE RECKONED WITH - Part Two - Who Shot the Sherrif?"
Previously in the Amazing Spider-Man: The Daily Bugle printed a powerful story blaming the Brotherhood bombing on Spider-Man. After finding out about the story, Peter rushed to the Daily Bugle to confront Jonah and was given a photo assignment instead. Spider-Man rushed to the scene and was attacked by the Enforcers who defeated him and took our hero to their hideout… where the Hobgoblin was waiting in the wings. Meanwhile: Detective Russ Anderson took the brunt of the responsibility and resigned from the NYPD as a result… unbeknownst to the captured web-slinger.
Randy looked up and grinned at the young man hovering over him with flowers in his hand. "Are those for me, Gene? Really… you shouldn't have. I don't know what to say."
"Give me a break, Randy. All the hospital gift shop had were boxes of candy and flowers. I'm not sure how well candy would agree with you in your current state, but I wanted to give you something to thank you for hanging with me this past day," said Eugene and held the flowers out for Randy to take.
Randy placed them on the small table to the right of his bed and shook his head. "Like I had much of a choice. It wasn't like I could hop out of bed and waltz out the door every time you let loose with a volley of flatulence."
"Now there's a thought to fill your head in the morning," said a voice from behind the two young men and Eugene smiled and turned around. Vincent Patilio stood there with a smile that mirrored Eugene's planted on his face. "You ready to go, Eugene? Or do you and your friend have to kiss each other goodbye first?"
"Oh, you're a real funny guy, Dad," said Eugene as Vincent Patilio crossed the floor to shake hands with Randy. "Randy, I'd like you to meet my father. Dad, this is Randy Robertson… Peter's roommate,"
"I've heard a lot about you, Mr. Patilio. It's a real pleasure to meet you," said Randy as Vincent pumped his hand enthusiastically.
"No, the pleasure is all mine, Randy. It's really rare that I get a chance to meet Eugene's friends. And please, call me Vincent," said Patilio as he continued to jerk Randy's hand back and forth.
"Vincent it is then," replied Randy as he struggled to disengage his hand from Mr. Patilio's grip.
Eugene noticed Randy's discomfort and clapped a hand on his father's back. "Ok, Dad. I think we should get out of here and let Randy get some rest. The nurse will be making her rounds in a couple of minutes and Randy has been trying to hook up with her all afternoon."
"Man, that's not even funny. That she-beast has more bulk than the Hulk and she's twice as ill-tempered," said Randy as Vincent Patilio finally let go of his hand.
Eugene smiled and then wrapped an arm around his father's shoulder while backing towards the exit. "We'd love to stick around, Randy… but I think I hear the seductive clomp of her hooves now!"
"Don't do this to me, Eugene! You're supposed to have my back!" called Randy after the father and son as they slipped from the room. Randy chuckled to himself and then reached for the remote control to the television set drilled into the wall above his head.
"It has been quite a while since the last time we saw each other, Spider-Man. Aren't you the least bit curious as to how I've been doing since the last time we crossed swords?" said the Hobgoblin as he hovered menacingly over Spider-Man.*
( *Spider-Man and Hobgoblin last met in Spectacular Spider-Man #259-261 - Dino )
Spider-Man kept his head motionless as his eyes flitted to the four figures sharing the space of the warehouse office he was captured within. "I've got to be honest with you, Hobby. The only thing I've ever been curious about is when you're going to drop the whole goblin-thing and find your own niche. I mean, there's the Green Goblin, the Rose Goblin, you… Uncle Joe Goblin with the glass eye. It's getting a bit ridiculous."
The Hobgoblin smiled and leaned forward to press his nose against the mask of Spider-Man. "You haven't changed, Spider-Man. You still use levity as a shield to hide your fear."
"I'm actually using it as shield to hide from that pasty face of yours, Hobbes. I mean… I know New York isn't the best place to get some sun. But at least try to get outside from time to time. It'd do your complexion a world of good," said Spider-Man and then tensed as his spider-sense sprang to life.
The Hobgoblin reared back a hand and smacked the web-slinger across the face. "I will not be disrespected by you, wall-crawler. After our last encounter I was forced to flee from New York in order to escape the authorities. Osborn took my company from me and then promptly disappeared from sight, enabling that fool Ryan Jent to systematically lose my holdings piece by piece. I'll never forgive Osborn for that. Or you."
"C'mon, Hobby. I didn't have anything to do with the loss of your company. Just because Jent was a bad businessman doesn't mean you should hold a grudge. You can always start over. Would Bill Gates throw on a ratty Halloween costume and start harassing super-heroes if he lost Microsoft? I don't think so," said Spider-Man as he continued to struggle to pull apart the shackles that held his hands firmly together.
The Hobgoblin narrowed his eyes at Spider-Man and then turned to walk towards a desk in the corner of the office. "No, Spider-Man. Even though Osborn's business was crippled along with my own when Jent took over, it would still take too long to build a corporate empire strong enough to do away with Oscorp. No, I've decided to go in a different direction now that I've returned to New York."
"Please tell me that by different direction, you mean you're going legit and that this is just one of those… tie-up Spidey for old time's sake… gags that's going to end up on America's Funniest Home Videos," said Spider-Man as he continued to focus all of his strength towards prying the shackles from his wrists.
"I'm afraid not, Spider-Man," said the Hobgoblin as he leaned over the desk he was standing in front of and lightly traced his fingers over the documents strung across the top if it. "In fact, you could say I'm after even bigger fish than Osborn this time. You could say… I'm aiming to be the King of New York!"
"Yeah… you tell him, boss. The Kingpin ain't gonna have nothing on you," said Ox and the Hobgoblin suddenly whirled around and fired an intense laser blast directly into the larger man's chest. Ox fell to his knees and gasped as the energy ricocheted throughout his body.
"I do not have the patience for fools in my new regime, Ox! If you cannot keep your gums from flapping while I speak then I assure you that you will take the same short road to Hell that your brother traveled years ago!" said the Hobgoblin as he ground his fingers into the desktop. Curls of splintering wood cracked beneath his fingertips.
"I hate to interrupt this terrifying show of power, Hobbes. Because it is impressive, don't get me wrong," said Spider-Man as Fancy Dan and Montana rushed to aid their fellow Enforcer. "But did Ox just say that you were thinking about taking down the Kingpin? And if so, have you gone completely off your rocker? I mean… I know you dress up in goblin-attire and scoot all around the city on a bat-shaped rocket and all. But this is the Kingpin of Crime we're talking about here. The Kingpin of Crime!"
"I am fully aware of who it is I seek to usurp, web-slinger," said the Hobgoblin as he turned towards Spider-Man. "But what you are unable to comprehend is that I… am… the… Hobgoblin! I am not afraid of anyone! This is my city! I will take what I want from it whenever I want and there is not a soul alive that can stop me! Not the Kingpin of Crime! Not the Green Goblin! And not… you!"
"Ok… ok. Point taken. You don't have to raise your voice. We're all in the same room, Hobby. Try to calm down. This can't be good for your blood pressure," said Spider-Man and in a flash the Hobgoblin crossed the room and drove a knee into Spidey's midsection.
The breath exploded from Spider-Man's lungs and the Hobgoblin leaned in close again. "What you also fail to realize is that you are the first key to my eventual rule over this city, Spider-Man. The Kingpin and other mafia-rulers in this city underestimate you. No great move for power can be taken without taking your interference into account. My Enforcers have captured you specifically so that I can have the pleasure of killing you. You will not be a thorn in my side as I attempt to take this city from the Kingpin, Spider-Man."
The Hobgoblin stepped away from Spider-Man and pointed a solitary finger in the direction of Spidey's face. Spider-Man's spider-sense exploded in his head as the tip of Hobgoblin's finger began to glow with a sparkling white energy.
"Good-bye, Spider-Man," said the Hobgoblin and just as the laser blast shot forth from the finger of the Hobgoblin, Spider-Man heard the sound of glass breaking and a three-pronged metal claw slammed into the hand of the Hobgoblin.
The laser blast went wide and sizzled into the wooden wall of the office right next to Spider-Man's ear. Spidey turned his head in the direction of the broken glass and smiled as the feminine form of the Black Cat leapt lithely into the room.
"Am I on time?" said the Black Cat as she slipped over to Spider-Man. The Hobgoblin was regaining his composure and Fancy Dan and Montana had both left the side of Ox to confront their new adversary.
"Get these shackles off of me, Cat," said Spider-Man and Felicia Hardy extended the claws built into her white gloves. The Black Cat swiped at the shackles lightly and they cut through the metal as if it were paper. The shackles fell from Spidey's arms as his spider-sense hit a crescendo.
"Watch out, Cat!" said Spider-Man as he roughly shoved Felicia out of the way of the burst of laser heat that came hurtling from the extended finger of the Hobgoblin. Spider-Man gripped the shackles on his feet in his hands and squeezed with all his might. The shackles sparked and crumpled beneath his grip and Spider-Man was free.
"Now," said Spider-Man as he got to his feet and clenched his fists. The Black Cat moved beside him as the two remaining Enforcers flanked the Hobgoblin. "Let's try that whole beat on the guy with the webbed underwear again… shall we?"
"Things have just been rough lately, Dad. That battle with Toad was one of the most frightening experiences of my life.* How am I supposed to function as a hero after a beating like that?" said Eugene as he sat in the passenger side seat of his father's Volvo.
( * Frogman battled the Toad and was injured severely in issues #19-20 - Dino )
"We all do our best, Eugene. You took out Mastermind and handed her to the police before Toad beat you. You managed to beat that Elec-Toad character before you even came back to New York.* I know it's hard. But the world isn't something that's handed to you on a silver platter. You've got to earn your place in it," said Vincent Patilio as he struggled to navigate through the rush-hour traffic.
( * Eugene battled Elec-Toad in the 2001 Annual and Marvel Fanfare #9 - Dino )
"I know, Dad. I know being a super-hero is never easy. But it's not just the super-hero stuff… it's Jill too," said Eugene.
His father raised his eyebrows but kept his eyes on the road ahead of him. "Well what about Jill? I know you two had your problems earlier and that you wanted to get them squared away…"
"That's just it. I wanted to try and talk about that night at the club… but when she came into the hospital she started talking about her problems and I never got a chance," said Eugene as he lightly punched the glove compartment of the car in frustration. "I thought we could work things out but things just got more complicated. She's dealing with some major stuff in her life right now. And I guess I'm just not sure where I fit in."
"Look, Eugene. Things are never cut and dry. This is just like the super-hero thing. You're going to have your good days and your bad days. The best thing you can do for Jill is just to be there for her. Don't try to pressure her into a relationship. Don't try to pressure her into talking about something she might not want to. Just be there for her and I guarantee you that eventually things will work out," said Vincent Patilio as he turned onto the exit that would bring he and his son home.
Eugene wrung his hands together and nodded his head. "I guess you're right, Dad."
"Of course I'm right. I'm your father, aren't I?" said Vincent and Eugene grinned.
"I know you're doing a lot for me, Dad. What with letting me stay at the house and making the arrangements for me to attend classes at Empire State University… but I have to ask you for one other thing," said Eugene and his father turned to him as they stopped at a red light.
"Whatever you need, Gene," said his father and Eugene Patilio smiled broadly.
"I need you to suffer through that traffic again and take me to Jill Stacy's house," said Eugene and Vincent Patilio groaned.
"I was afraid it was going to be something like that," Vincent replied and flicked the turn signal on the car from left to right. Soon they were back on the highway crawling through the traffic once more.
The sun finally slipped beneath the horizon as J. Jonah Jameson entered the alley next to the nightclub known as Empire Heat. Robbie had mentioned to Jonah once that his son Randy worked in the club. Jonah was surprised that such a small tidbit of information could come to you in a time when your mind was filled with other things.
Jonah had passed dozens of people who were all huddled in front of the bolted doors of Empire Heat waiting to get in. He had dimly wondered if Randy was working tonight… and then remembered that muggers had beaten Randy senseless not long ago.* The kid was still holed up in the hospital and the last time Jonah had seen Robbie, he had been rushing off to see his son.
( *Was it a mugger? Not likely. But you can check it out in issues #20-21 - Dino )
Jonah narrowed his eyes at the darkness encapsulating the alley as thoughts of Robbie's love for his son ran over and over through his mind. Jonah thought of his own son - John - and it strengthened him enough to take a few hesitant steps into the alley. He was doing this because it was the only thing to do… the right thing to do. He had to remember that above anything else.
Jonah blinked as a line of sweat slipped to the corner of his eye. He swept a hand across his face and was surprised that it came away slick with perspiration. It was a cold night in New York City. J. Jonah Jameson knew he wasn't sweating because of the heat. He was sweating because of the fear that walked with him step for step.
Jonah glanced down at his watch and frowned. It was precisely six o'clock. When the man known as Scrier had called J. Jonah Jameson's office and demanded this meeting take place, Jonah had refused at first. Meeting in dark alleys at dusk was something he'd done as a young reporter more times than he could count. But now he was the owner and publisher of a prestigious newspaper. Mysterious figures in darkened alleys were something Jonah avoided like the plague.
"Well, until now," muttered Jonah to himself as he looked down at the briefcase clutched in his hand. Eventually the mysterious voice on the other end of the line had convinced him to come. Jonah had thought briefly of asking Robbie or someone else he trusted to come along to watch his back. But Scrier had insisted he come alone or the information the man had would disappear forever. That information was priceless to J. Jonah Jameson. He was determined to get it no matter how much it cost or how dangerous the situation was.
"I did not think you would come," said a voice behind Jonah and he gasped and nearly slipped on a damp fold of newspaper beneath his feet. Jonah turned and sucked in his breath again as a figure approached him from the dim light of the street beyond.
"I am Scrier," said the figure and J. Jonah Jameson felt gooseflesh slide up and down his back as the apparition before him moved closer. The man was draped in a black cloak that covered his entire body. It almost seemed as if he was moving with the darkness itself as he approached Jonah. The only thing Jonah could see clearly was the face of the man. It was completely pale. There was not even the slightest hint of color to it. The eyes were sunken holes of black.
"Stop right there," said Jonah and though he commanded his voice to come out as a gruff bark, all that escaped from his lips was a weak whimper. Scrier did stop, however and Jonah was immensely grateful for that.
"As you wish, Jonah. Do you have the funds we agreed upon?" said Scrier and Jonah reached a hand down to pat the briefcase held clutched in his hands. His first name spoken from this ghost of a creature unnerved him even more.
"Do you have the information you promised?" asked Jonah and Scrier smiled. The teeth of the apparition were as black as its cloak and Jonah grimaced and looked away.
"Of course," said Scrier and when Jonah looked back, the man had a file held delicately in his startlingly white hands. Jonah reached out a hand to take the file as Scrier snatched the briefcase from him.
Jonah opened the file and flipped through it. His wrinkled and weathered face lit into a grin as he surveyed the information. "This is all of it? Everything he needs?"
"Yes," said Scrier as he tucked the briefcase into the folds of his cloak. "But you will never live to deliver it to him."
"What?" said Jonah but then he saw. In the ashen hand of Scrier was a handgun pointed directly at Jameson. A million thoughts ran through the head of J. Jonah Jameson when he saw the gun pointed at his chest. There was enough time for that in the seconds before Scrier pulled the trigger. But the last thing Jonah saw before the bullet cleaved into his flesh was an explosion of light enshrouding the terrifyingly pale face of Scrier. And the last thought that burst into his head was the same name scrawled on the file that spilled from his hands…
… Peter Parker.
Spider-Man leapt into the air over another shot of laser and crashed into the Hobgoblin with all his strength. Both of them were tossed through the wooden door of the office and slammed into the concrete floor outside. The Hobgoblin skidded away from Spider-Man and got shakily to his feet. Spidey used the brief pause in the battle to peer over his shoulder at the Black Cat.
Felicia had her hands full with the two conscious Enforcers. Ox had finally passed out from the blast the Hobgoblin had delivered. Spider-Man was just glad that the Hobgoblin had taken care of Ox for them. The Black Cat dodged a kick from Fancy Dan and swiped at him with her claws. Fancy Dan danced away from her slashing fingers and Montana's lasso surrounded her wrist.
"Be careful, Cat. That thing packs a hell of a punch!" said Spider-Man but then was forced to look away as his spider-sense erupted anew. Spidey turned just in time to see three spherical projectiles hurled in his direction. The laughing faces carved into the pumpkins taunted Spider-Man as he jumped into the air to avoid them.
The pumpkin bombs crashed to the ground and exploded. The force of the blast added to Spidey's already substantial momentum and sent him hurtling into the far wall of the warehouse. Spider-Man struggled to rise and could dimly hear the Hobgoblin laughing through the buzzing in his ears.
The Black Cat felt the electricity arc into her body just as Spider-Man finished warning her about it. The shocking sensation brought her quickly to her knees and she thrashed wildly as the electricity contracted and released her muscles in rapid succession. She could see the Spider having problems of his own as an explosion sent him hurtling into the far wall of the warehouse. The Hobgoblin would only press the attack and kill Peter if she didn't do something.
Felicia struggled with all of her might and lashed her hand out. The claws on her gloves slipped along the rope fastened around her wrist and severed it. The electricity immediately fled from her body and the Black Cat took a deep shuddering breath.
"Most impressive, little kitty," said the little man with the fedora as he kicked her hard in the stomach. Felicia rolled onto her back and grimaced as the pain sliced into her gut. Fancy Dan raised his foot above Black Cat's head and brought it down at her head.
"You're really pissing me off, little guy," said Felicia as she caught Fancy Dan's foot in one clawed hand. She drove her fingers through his shoe and into his foot and smiled as Fancy Dan howled in agony. It had been a long time since she had hurt a man like that.
The Black Cat jumped to her feet with Fancy Dan's foot still gripped in her hand. Montana was rushing towards Felicia and let loose with his severed rope like a bullwhip. Black Cat caught the rope with her other hand and wrapped it around her forearm.
"Here… catch!" she said and pushed Fancy Dan at Montana. Fancy Dan hopped on his good foot and crashed into Montana. The Black Cat let go of the rope Montana was pulling on and they both crashed to the floor. "Be right back, boys. I've got to keep your boss from filleting my friend."
The Hobgoblin placed a hand over Spider-Man's face and picked him up and into the air. He slammed the web-slinger into the wall and smiled as Spider-Man labored to break free.
"Even the unexpected interference of your girlfriend won't be enough to save you, Spider-Man. Once you are finally out of my way I'll be able to pursue the New York Underworld with all the resources at my disposal!" said the Hobgoblin as he cracked the back of Spider-Man's head off the warehouse wall again.
"Look, Hobbes. If you want me out of your hair so you can go play with guys who make Al Capone look like a bed-wetter… be my guest," said Spider-Man as he struggled to pry the Hobgoblin's hand from his face. "I've only got one question for you. Do you wash these hands after you wipe? If not, could you grab me by the throat or something? I'd really appreciate it."
"And I am definitely NOT his girlfriend," said a voice from behind the Hobgoblin. The Black Cat hurtled into the Hobgoblin and the villain's grip was wrenched from Spider-Man as he slid across the warehouse floor once again.
"Looks like you could use some help, Spider," said the Black Cat as she helped Spider-Man to his feet.
Spider-Man grabbed the Black Cat by her arm and jumped away as another pumpkin bomb hurtled towards them and exploded. "What are you talking about? I had him right where I wanted him."
"Yeah, right. And I suppose when he was about to fry you back in the office you were just biding your time for the perfect opportunity to strike," said the Black Cat as she slipped free of Spidey's grip and fired her claw-cable.
Spider-Man watched her swing away as he landed lightly on the warehouse floor. "Hey now… don't go blabbing my super-hero secrets all over the place. If you do, how am I supposed to ever trick the bad guys with them again?"
"Blast you, Spider-Man. I'll destroy you yet," said the Hobgoblin as he stalked towards Spider-Man with a grimace of hatred etched on his features. Suddenly the sound of police sirens echoed through the din of the battle and the Hobgoblin froze.
"Oh no you don't, Hobby. I know that look. You're thinking of running away," said Spider-Man as he primed his web-shooters to glue the Hobgoblin to the floor. Suddenly Spidey's spider-sense sounded and he jumped into the air as Fancy Dan came hurtling at his back.
"Until next time, Spider-Man!" said the Hobgoblin as his goblin-glider came hurtling out of nowhere to pick him up. Spider-Man's spider-sense screamed at him again as the Hobgoblin sent pumpkin bombs raining down to the ground. Spidey pushed Fancy Dan out of the path of the bombs and dodged the blasts. When the smoke cleared… the Hobgoblin was gone.
"Oh well. At least he left me some unconscious Enforcers," said Spider-Man as he observed the carnage. Fancy Dan, Ox and Montana were all unconscious on the ground. Spider-Man began walking towards them all to wrap them up when he spotted the Black Cat lying motionless on the ground amidst a pile of rubble.
"Felicia!" cried Spider-Man as he jumped over to her. He picked the Black Cat up from the debris and skittered up the side of the warehouse to safety just as the members of the Code Blue squad of the NYPD burst in through the doors.
"Please don't let her come back. Don't ever let her come back," whimpered the Sandman as he slithered in his sand form all around the plexi-glass room that had become his new home at Ravencroft. Air was filtered through a machine in the corner of the room and it hummed in a soothing tone that calmed the Sandman slightly as he slipped across the floor and up to the ceiling.
Then the Sandman heard the footsteps as he had heard them countless times before since Spider-Man had brought him to this hellhole. The footsteps echoed down the corridor toward his room and the Sandman stifled the scream that threatened to rise to his lips. An image of the devil-lady, a pale-faced harpy all draped in cloth stained with blood came to the mind of the Sandman.
A shadow began to creep along the dimly illuminated hallway as it had countless times before and the Sandman rushed underneath the bed that had been bolted against the plexi-glass cell. Sandman peered out from beneath the bed and whimpered, as the footsteps grew nearer. The red-garbed demon woman with the pale face would come and kill him this time… he was sure of it.
"Don't be the devil-lady… don't be the devil-lady… don't be the devil-lady," muttered the Sandman underneath his breath as the footsteps finally stopped directly outside his cell.
"Sandman," whispered a voice and the Sandman began to cry. The devil-lady had been visiting him often in his cell. His only respite was when Dr. Kafka would come to see him and try to help. But whenever Dr. Kafka would come the Sandman would be paralyzed with fear that the devil-lady would punish him if he told her what he knew. The devil-lady told him things that made him insane with rage, jealousy and fear. The devil-lady hurt him in ways that no other person had ever been able to do. Not even Dr. Octopus. Not even the Wizard.
But now the Sandman wasn't crying in fear or rage. Now he was crying as tears of joy slipped from his eyes and were absorbed into the sandy mass of his face. The Sandman flowed out from underneath the bed and formed into the human form of William Baker.
Standing outside his cell was a man with a dark cloak that seemed to blend with the shadows around him. All Sandman could see clearly was the pale white face that seemed to hover in mid-air and the sockets of black that held no eyes but that still seemed to peer into Sandman's very soul.
The man was terrifying and certainly wasn't Dr. Kafka… but anything was better than the devil-lady.
"Who are you?" said Sandman and the man with the pale face smiled.
"I am Scrier," said the man with the pale face, and hands of blistering white appeared as if from nowhere. Scrier spread his hands out and seemed to embrace the emptiness of the corridor. Then Scrier suddenly tucked his hands back within his cloak and regarded the Sandman solemnly. "You wish to be rid of the devil-lady."
"Yes!" screeched the Sandman and Scrier smiled again. This time teeth that were as black as the cloak wrapped around the pale man were bared to the dim light.
"I will make sure the devil-lady never visits you again, William. Would you like that?" asked Scrier and the Sandman's face exploded into one of joy and hope.
"Yes… please! I'll do anything to get away from her!" said the Sandman and Scrier nodded.
"I was hoping you would say that, William," said Scrier as he stepped to the glass of the cell. "Come closer and I will tell you what you must do. If you do this for me… the devil-lady will never bother you again."
The Sandman flowed towards Scrier and pressed his ear to the plexi-glass wall of his cell. Scrier began to whisper, and he whispered into the ear of Sandman for a long time. The Sandman listened to each word that Scrier had to say and soon began to cry anew. He would do what the dark man wanted. He would do anything to be free of the devil-lady… the woman Scrier now told him was called: The Rose Goblin.
"Lucky for you I'm a fast healer," said the Black Cat as she stood with the Amazing Spider-Man on the roof of the Daily Bugle. Spider-Man had stuck around the warehouse of the Hobgoblin just long enough to watch Code Blue load the Enforcers safely into the specially designed containment units. The Black Cat had regained consciousness as Spidey watched the show and had agreed to accompany him back to the Daily Bugle.
"I think I'm a lot luckier that you showed up at all," said Spider-Man as he reached beneath his mask and pulled it from his face. "How did you know I was in trouble in the first place, Felicia? Been following me?"
"You wish, Spider. I just heard about some of the things that have been happening to you lately and thought you might need someone to talk to," said Felicia and Peter dropped his eyes from her green eyes. "I came to the Bugle just in time to see you swing off. You were too fast to keep up with so by the time I did catch up, the Enforcers were already hauling you to the Hobgoblin's warehouse. I followed them and managed to stick my nose in at just the right time."
"Those good-luck powers coming back again?" said Peter and Felicia frowned and playfully swiped at Pete with her clawed hand.
"Don't even joke about those retarded powers, ok? It's hard enough to be feared by the criminal element when you're a female in a male dominated spandex-club," said Felicia as she flexed her hand and the claws on her fingers slipped back within her glove. "I honestly was just worried about you, Peter. I wanted to make sure you were ok after… well… everything."
"I'm fine, Felicia. Really… things could be better but I'm dealing with them the best that I can. I appreciate the help and I really appreciate the concern, but…" said Peter but then Felicia stepped forward and planted her lips onto his. Peter stumbled backwards and the two fell on the roof of the Daily Bugle in a heap. Peter pulled away from Felicia and scooted towards the door to the stairs.
"What the hell was that about? I don't know what game you're playing, Felicia…but I don't have time for it," said Peter as he got to his feet and grabbed the doorknob in one trembling hand.
"Stop, Peter. Just hold on a second," said Felicia and Peter hesitantly turned back to her. "I'm sorry, ok? I just wanted to let you know that I was here for you and I got a little carried away. Don't take it the wrong way, all right? If you need anything… just give me a call."
"I'll… keep it in mind," replied Peter and then slipped into the stairwell leading down to the Daily Bugle offices. Felicia watched the door click shut and smiled.
"Whoa. Where the heck is everybody?" said Peter Parker to himself as he stepped out of the stairwell and entered the newsroom of the Daily Bugle. Only a few people were in the room either scribbling frantically on notepads as they rushed back and forth or sitting stone still and typing on their computers. Peter watched as Ken Ellis ran into Robbie's office.
"This is too weird," said Peter and then paused as he noticed the headline glaring out at him from Ben Urich's desk. Peter picked up the copy and his mouth dropped open. The headline read in bold words: Police Detective Responsible For Bombing: Resigns From NYPD
Peter read the story written by Ben Urich and then immediately headed for Robbie's office. Ken Ellis had long ago left the office and was furiously typing away at his desk again. Peter entered the open door of Robbie's office and slammed it shut behind him.
"When the hell did this happen, Robbie?" said Peter and then paused yet again as he saw the look on the editor's face. "Robbie… what's wrong?"
Robbie Robertson looked up at Peter and there were tears just barely concealed behind his aged eyes. "I've been waiting here for you, Peter. We've got to go to the hospital right away. Something terrible has happened. I'll tell you what I can about the Anderson story on the way there."
Peter felt fear clutch his heart like a viper as Robbie reached for his coat. "What is it, Robbie? Is something wrong with Randy?"
Robbie Robertson slipped his arms into his coat and frowned in confusion. "Randy? No, Randy's just fine."
Robbie Robertson rounded the desk and Peter could see that his old friend was walking like a man in a trance. "It's Jonah… he's been shot. And he's asking to see you."
Next Issue: J. Jonah Jameson lies near-death in a hospital bed. What was in the file Scrier handed to Jonah and what did Jonah see? The mysterious Scrier seems to be a key player in Spider-Man's rogue's gallery. What other schemes does the mysterious man clad in black have for our hero? Even I'm intrigued… and I write this thing! The two-part saga that finally ends the saga of the Rose Goblin starts next issue as: Laughter in the Dark begins!
Randy looked up and grinned at the young man hovering over him with flowers in his hand. "Are those for me, Gene? Really… you shouldn't have. I don't know what to say."
"Give me a break, Randy. All the hospital gift shop had were boxes of candy and flowers. I'm not sure how well candy would agree with you in your current state, but I wanted to give you something to thank you for hanging with me this past day," said Eugene and held the flowers out for Randy to take.
Randy placed them on the small table to the right of his bed and shook his head. "Like I had much of a choice. It wasn't like I could hop out of bed and waltz out the door every time you let loose with a volley of flatulence."
"Now there's a thought to fill your head in the morning," said a voice from behind the two young men and Eugene smiled and turned around. Vincent Patilio stood there with a smile that mirrored Eugene's planted on his face. "You ready to go, Eugene? Or do you and your friend have to kiss each other goodbye first?"
"Oh, you're a real funny guy, Dad," said Eugene as Vincent Patilio crossed the floor to shake hands with Randy. "Randy, I'd like you to meet my father. Dad, this is Randy Robertson… Peter's roommate,"
"I've heard a lot about you, Mr. Patilio. It's a real pleasure to meet you," said Randy as Vincent pumped his hand enthusiastically.
"No, the pleasure is all mine, Randy. It's really rare that I get a chance to meet Eugene's friends. And please, call me Vincent," said Patilio as he continued to jerk Randy's hand back and forth.
"Vincent it is then," replied Randy as he struggled to disengage his hand from Mr. Patilio's grip.
Eugene noticed Randy's discomfort and clapped a hand on his father's back. "Ok, Dad. I think we should get out of here and let Randy get some rest. The nurse will be making her rounds in a couple of minutes and Randy has been trying to hook up with her all afternoon."
"Man, that's not even funny. That she-beast has more bulk than the Hulk and she's twice as ill-tempered," said Randy as Vincent Patilio finally let go of his hand.
Eugene smiled and then wrapped an arm around his father's shoulder while backing towards the exit. "We'd love to stick around, Randy… but I think I hear the seductive clomp of her hooves now!"
"Don't do this to me, Eugene! You're supposed to have my back!" called Randy after the father and son as they slipped from the room. Randy chuckled to himself and then reached for the remote control to the television set drilled into the wall above his head.
"It has been quite a while since the last time we saw each other, Spider-Man. Aren't you the least bit curious as to how I've been doing since the last time we crossed swords?" said the Hobgoblin as he hovered menacingly over Spider-Man.*
( *Spider-Man and Hobgoblin last met in Spectacular Spider-Man #259-261 - Dino )
Spider-Man kept his head motionless as his eyes flitted to the four figures sharing the space of the warehouse office he was captured within. "I've got to be honest with you, Hobby. The only thing I've ever been curious about is when you're going to drop the whole goblin-thing and find your own niche. I mean, there's the Green Goblin, the Rose Goblin, you… Uncle Joe Goblin with the glass eye. It's getting a bit ridiculous."
The Hobgoblin smiled and leaned forward to press his nose against the mask of Spider-Man. "You haven't changed, Spider-Man. You still use levity as a shield to hide your fear."
"I'm actually using it as shield to hide from that pasty face of yours, Hobbes. I mean… I know New York isn't the best place to get some sun. But at least try to get outside from time to time. It'd do your complexion a world of good," said Spider-Man and then tensed as his spider-sense sprang to life.
The Hobgoblin reared back a hand and smacked the web-slinger across the face. "I will not be disrespected by you, wall-crawler. After our last encounter I was forced to flee from New York in order to escape the authorities. Osborn took my company from me and then promptly disappeared from sight, enabling that fool Ryan Jent to systematically lose my holdings piece by piece. I'll never forgive Osborn for that. Or you."
"C'mon, Hobby. I didn't have anything to do with the loss of your company. Just because Jent was a bad businessman doesn't mean you should hold a grudge. You can always start over. Would Bill Gates throw on a ratty Halloween costume and start harassing super-heroes if he lost Microsoft? I don't think so," said Spider-Man as he continued to struggle to pull apart the shackles that held his hands firmly together.
The Hobgoblin narrowed his eyes at Spider-Man and then turned to walk towards a desk in the corner of the office. "No, Spider-Man. Even though Osborn's business was crippled along with my own when Jent took over, it would still take too long to build a corporate empire strong enough to do away with Oscorp. No, I've decided to go in a different direction now that I've returned to New York."
"Please tell me that by different direction, you mean you're going legit and that this is just one of those… tie-up Spidey for old time's sake… gags that's going to end up on America's Funniest Home Videos," said Spider-Man as he continued to focus all of his strength towards prying the shackles from his wrists.
"I'm afraid not, Spider-Man," said the Hobgoblin as he leaned over the desk he was standing in front of and lightly traced his fingers over the documents strung across the top if it. "In fact, you could say I'm after even bigger fish than Osborn this time. You could say… I'm aiming to be the King of New York!"
"Yeah… you tell him, boss. The Kingpin ain't gonna have nothing on you," said Ox and the Hobgoblin suddenly whirled around and fired an intense laser blast directly into the larger man's chest. Ox fell to his knees and gasped as the energy ricocheted throughout his body.
"I do not have the patience for fools in my new regime, Ox! If you cannot keep your gums from flapping while I speak then I assure you that you will take the same short road to Hell that your brother traveled years ago!" said the Hobgoblin as he ground his fingers into the desktop. Curls of splintering wood cracked beneath his fingertips.
"I hate to interrupt this terrifying show of power, Hobbes. Because it is impressive, don't get me wrong," said Spider-Man as Fancy Dan and Montana rushed to aid their fellow Enforcer. "But did Ox just say that you were thinking about taking down the Kingpin? And if so, have you gone completely off your rocker? I mean… I know you dress up in goblin-attire and scoot all around the city on a bat-shaped rocket and all. But this is the Kingpin of Crime we're talking about here. The Kingpin of Crime!"
"I am fully aware of who it is I seek to usurp, web-slinger," said the Hobgoblin as he turned towards Spider-Man. "But what you are unable to comprehend is that I… am… the… Hobgoblin! I am not afraid of anyone! This is my city! I will take what I want from it whenever I want and there is not a soul alive that can stop me! Not the Kingpin of Crime! Not the Green Goblin! And not… you!"
"Ok… ok. Point taken. You don't have to raise your voice. We're all in the same room, Hobby. Try to calm down. This can't be good for your blood pressure," said Spider-Man and in a flash the Hobgoblin crossed the room and drove a knee into Spidey's midsection.
The breath exploded from Spider-Man's lungs and the Hobgoblin leaned in close again. "What you also fail to realize is that you are the first key to my eventual rule over this city, Spider-Man. The Kingpin and other mafia-rulers in this city underestimate you. No great move for power can be taken without taking your interference into account. My Enforcers have captured you specifically so that I can have the pleasure of killing you. You will not be a thorn in my side as I attempt to take this city from the Kingpin, Spider-Man."
The Hobgoblin stepped away from Spider-Man and pointed a solitary finger in the direction of Spidey's face. Spider-Man's spider-sense exploded in his head as the tip of Hobgoblin's finger began to glow with a sparkling white energy.
"Good-bye, Spider-Man," said the Hobgoblin and just as the laser blast shot forth from the finger of the Hobgoblin, Spider-Man heard the sound of glass breaking and a three-pronged metal claw slammed into the hand of the Hobgoblin.
The laser blast went wide and sizzled into the wooden wall of the office right next to Spider-Man's ear. Spidey turned his head in the direction of the broken glass and smiled as the feminine form of the Black Cat leapt lithely into the room.
"Am I on time?" said the Black Cat as she slipped over to Spider-Man. The Hobgoblin was regaining his composure and Fancy Dan and Montana had both left the side of Ox to confront their new adversary.
"Get these shackles off of me, Cat," said Spider-Man and Felicia Hardy extended the claws built into her white gloves. The Black Cat swiped at the shackles lightly and they cut through the metal as if it were paper. The shackles fell from Spidey's arms as his spider-sense hit a crescendo.
"Watch out, Cat!" said Spider-Man as he roughly shoved Felicia out of the way of the burst of laser heat that came hurtling from the extended finger of the Hobgoblin. Spider-Man gripped the shackles on his feet in his hands and squeezed with all his might. The shackles sparked and crumpled beneath his grip and Spider-Man was free.
"Now," said Spider-Man as he got to his feet and clenched his fists. The Black Cat moved beside him as the two remaining Enforcers flanked the Hobgoblin. "Let's try that whole beat on the guy with the webbed underwear again… shall we?"
"Things have just been rough lately, Dad. That battle with Toad was one of the most frightening experiences of my life.* How am I supposed to function as a hero after a beating like that?" said Eugene as he sat in the passenger side seat of his father's Volvo.
( * Frogman battled the Toad and was injured severely in issues #19-20 - Dino )
"We all do our best, Eugene. You took out Mastermind and handed her to the police before Toad beat you. You managed to beat that Elec-Toad character before you even came back to New York.* I know it's hard. But the world isn't something that's handed to you on a silver platter. You've got to earn your place in it," said Vincent Patilio as he struggled to navigate through the rush-hour traffic.
( * Eugene battled Elec-Toad in the 2001 Annual and Marvel Fanfare #9 - Dino )
"I know, Dad. I know being a super-hero is never easy. But it's not just the super-hero stuff… it's Jill too," said Eugene.
His father raised his eyebrows but kept his eyes on the road ahead of him. "Well what about Jill? I know you two had your problems earlier and that you wanted to get them squared away…"
"That's just it. I wanted to try and talk about that night at the club… but when she came into the hospital she started talking about her problems and I never got a chance," said Eugene as he lightly punched the glove compartment of the car in frustration. "I thought we could work things out but things just got more complicated. She's dealing with some major stuff in her life right now. And I guess I'm just not sure where I fit in."
"Look, Eugene. Things are never cut and dry. This is just like the super-hero thing. You're going to have your good days and your bad days. The best thing you can do for Jill is just to be there for her. Don't try to pressure her into a relationship. Don't try to pressure her into talking about something she might not want to. Just be there for her and I guarantee you that eventually things will work out," said Vincent Patilio as he turned onto the exit that would bring he and his son home.
Eugene wrung his hands together and nodded his head. "I guess you're right, Dad."
"Of course I'm right. I'm your father, aren't I?" said Vincent and Eugene grinned.
"I know you're doing a lot for me, Dad. What with letting me stay at the house and making the arrangements for me to attend classes at Empire State University… but I have to ask you for one other thing," said Eugene and his father turned to him as they stopped at a red light.
"Whatever you need, Gene," said his father and Eugene Patilio smiled broadly.
"I need you to suffer through that traffic again and take me to Jill Stacy's house," said Eugene and Vincent Patilio groaned.
"I was afraid it was going to be something like that," Vincent replied and flicked the turn signal on the car from left to right. Soon they were back on the highway crawling through the traffic once more.
The sun finally slipped beneath the horizon as J. Jonah Jameson entered the alley next to the nightclub known as Empire Heat. Robbie had mentioned to Jonah once that his son Randy worked in the club. Jonah was surprised that such a small tidbit of information could come to you in a time when your mind was filled with other things.
Jonah had passed dozens of people who were all huddled in front of the bolted doors of Empire Heat waiting to get in. He had dimly wondered if Randy was working tonight… and then remembered that muggers had beaten Randy senseless not long ago.* The kid was still holed up in the hospital and the last time Jonah had seen Robbie, he had been rushing off to see his son.
( *Was it a mugger? Not likely. But you can check it out in issues #20-21 - Dino )
Jonah narrowed his eyes at the darkness encapsulating the alley as thoughts of Robbie's love for his son ran over and over through his mind. Jonah thought of his own son - John - and it strengthened him enough to take a few hesitant steps into the alley. He was doing this because it was the only thing to do… the right thing to do. He had to remember that above anything else.
Jonah blinked as a line of sweat slipped to the corner of his eye. He swept a hand across his face and was surprised that it came away slick with perspiration. It was a cold night in New York City. J. Jonah Jameson knew he wasn't sweating because of the heat. He was sweating because of the fear that walked with him step for step.
Jonah glanced down at his watch and frowned. It was precisely six o'clock. When the man known as Scrier had called J. Jonah Jameson's office and demanded this meeting take place, Jonah had refused at first. Meeting in dark alleys at dusk was something he'd done as a young reporter more times than he could count. But now he was the owner and publisher of a prestigious newspaper. Mysterious figures in darkened alleys were something Jonah avoided like the plague.
"Well, until now," muttered Jonah to himself as he looked down at the briefcase clutched in his hand. Eventually the mysterious voice on the other end of the line had convinced him to come. Jonah had thought briefly of asking Robbie or someone else he trusted to come along to watch his back. But Scrier had insisted he come alone or the information the man had would disappear forever. That information was priceless to J. Jonah Jameson. He was determined to get it no matter how much it cost or how dangerous the situation was.
"I did not think you would come," said a voice behind Jonah and he gasped and nearly slipped on a damp fold of newspaper beneath his feet. Jonah turned and sucked in his breath again as a figure approached him from the dim light of the street beyond.
"I am Scrier," said the figure and J. Jonah Jameson felt gooseflesh slide up and down his back as the apparition before him moved closer. The man was draped in a black cloak that covered his entire body. It almost seemed as if he was moving with the darkness itself as he approached Jonah. The only thing Jonah could see clearly was the face of the man. It was completely pale. There was not even the slightest hint of color to it. The eyes were sunken holes of black.
"Stop right there," said Jonah and though he commanded his voice to come out as a gruff bark, all that escaped from his lips was a weak whimper. Scrier did stop, however and Jonah was immensely grateful for that.
"As you wish, Jonah. Do you have the funds we agreed upon?" said Scrier and Jonah reached a hand down to pat the briefcase held clutched in his hands. His first name spoken from this ghost of a creature unnerved him even more.
"Do you have the information you promised?" asked Jonah and Scrier smiled. The teeth of the apparition were as black as its cloak and Jonah grimaced and looked away.
"Of course," said Scrier and when Jonah looked back, the man had a file held delicately in his startlingly white hands. Jonah reached out a hand to take the file as Scrier snatched the briefcase from him.
Jonah opened the file and flipped through it. His wrinkled and weathered face lit into a grin as he surveyed the information. "This is all of it? Everything he needs?"
"Yes," said Scrier as he tucked the briefcase into the folds of his cloak. "But you will never live to deliver it to him."
"What?" said Jonah but then he saw. In the ashen hand of Scrier was a handgun pointed directly at Jameson. A million thoughts ran through the head of J. Jonah Jameson when he saw the gun pointed at his chest. There was enough time for that in the seconds before Scrier pulled the trigger. But the last thing Jonah saw before the bullet cleaved into his flesh was an explosion of light enshrouding the terrifyingly pale face of Scrier. And the last thought that burst into his head was the same name scrawled on the file that spilled from his hands…
… Peter Parker.
Spider-Man leapt into the air over another shot of laser and crashed into the Hobgoblin with all his strength. Both of them were tossed through the wooden door of the office and slammed into the concrete floor outside. The Hobgoblin skidded away from Spider-Man and got shakily to his feet. Spidey used the brief pause in the battle to peer over his shoulder at the Black Cat.
Felicia had her hands full with the two conscious Enforcers. Ox had finally passed out from the blast the Hobgoblin had delivered. Spider-Man was just glad that the Hobgoblin had taken care of Ox for them. The Black Cat dodged a kick from Fancy Dan and swiped at him with her claws. Fancy Dan danced away from her slashing fingers and Montana's lasso surrounded her wrist.
"Be careful, Cat. That thing packs a hell of a punch!" said Spider-Man but then was forced to look away as his spider-sense erupted anew. Spidey turned just in time to see three spherical projectiles hurled in his direction. The laughing faces carved into the pumpkins taunted Spider-Man as he jumped into the air to avoid them.
The pumpkin bombs crashed to the ground and exploded. The force of the blast added to Spidey's already substantial momentum and sent him hurtling into the far wall of the warehouse. Spider-Man struggled to rise and could dimly hear the Hobgoblin laughing through the buzzing in his ears.
The Black Cat felt the electricity arc into her body just as Spider-Man finished warning her about it. The shocking sensation brought her quickly to her knees and she thrashed wildly as the electricity contracted and released her muscles in rapid succession. She could see the Spider having problems of his own as an explosion sent him hurtling into the far wall of the warehouse. The Hobgoblin would only press the attack and kill Peter if she didn't do something.
Felicia struggled with all of her might and lashed her hand out. The claws on her gloves slipped along the rope fastened around her wrist and severed it. The electricity immediately fled from her body and the Black Cat took a deep shuddering breath.
"Most impressive, little kitty," said the little man with the fedora as he kicked her hard in the stomach. Felicia rolled onto her back and grimaced as the pain sliced into her gut. Fancy Dan raised his foot above Black Cat's head and brought it down at her head.
"You're really pissing me off, little guy," said Felicia as she caught Fancy Dan's foot in one clawed hand. She drove her fingers through his shoe and into his foot and smiled as Fancy Dan howled in agony. It had been a long time since she had hurt a man like that.
The Black Cat jumped to her feet with Fancy Dan's foot still gripped in her hand. Montana was rushing towards Felicia and let loose with his severed rope like a bullwhip. Black Cat caught the rope with her other hand and wrapped it around her forearm.
"Here… catch!" she said and pushed Fancy Dan at Montana. Fancy Dan hopped on his good foot and crashed into Montana. The Black Cat let go of the rope Montana was pulling on and they both crashed to the floor. "Be right back, boys. I've got to keep your boss from filleting my friend."
The Hobgoblin placed a hand over Spider-Man's face and picked him up and into the air. He slammed the web-slinger into the wall and smiled as Spider-Man labored to break free.
"Even the unexpected interference of your girlfriend won't be enough to save you, Spider-Man. Once you are finally out of my way I'll be able to pursue the New York Underworld with all the resources at my disposal!" said the Hobgoblin as he cracked the back of Spider-Man's head off the warehouse wall again.
"Look, Hobbes. If you want me out of your hair so you can go play with guys who make Al Capone look like a bed-wetter… be my guest," said Spider-Man as he struggled to pry the Hobgoblin's hand from his face. "I've only got one question for you. Do you wash these hands after you wipe? If not, could you grab me by the throat or something? I'd really appreciate it."
"And I am definitely NOT his girlfriend," said a voice from behind the Hobgoblin. The Black Cat hurtled into the Hobgoblin and the villain's grip was wrenched from Spider-Man as he slid across the warehouse floor once again.
"Looks like you could use some help, Spider," said the Black Cat as she helped Spider-Man to his feet.
Spider-Man grabbed the Black Cat by her arm and jumped away as another pumpkin bomb hurtled towards them and exploded. "What are you talking about? I had him right where I wanted him."
"Yeah, right. And I suppose when he was about to fry you back in the office you were just biding your time for the perfect opportunity to strike," said the Black Cat as she slipped free of Spidey's grip and fired her claw-cable.
Spider-Man watched her swing away as he landed lightly on the warehouse floor. "Hey now… don't go blabbing my super-hero secrets all over the place. If you do, how am I supposed to ever trick the bad guys with them again?"
"Blast you, Spider-Man. I'll destroy you yet," said the Hobgoblin as he stalked towards Spider-Man with a grimace of hatred etched on his features. Suddenly the sound of police sirens echoed through the din of the battle and the Hobgoblin froze.
"Oh no you don't, Hobby. I know that look. You're thinking of running away," said Spider-Man as he primed his web-shooters to glue the Hobgoblin to the floor. Suddenly Spidey's spider-sense sounded and he jumped into the air as Fancy Dan came hurtling at his back.
"Until next time, Spider-Man!" said the Hobgoblin as his goblin-glider came hurtling out of nowhere to pick him up. Spider-Man's spider-sense screamed at him again as the Hobgoblin sent pumpkin bombs raining down to the ground. Spidey pushed Fancy Dan out of the path of the bombs and dodged the blasts. When the smoke cleared… the Hobgoblin was gone.
"Oh well. At least he left me some unconscious Enforcers," said Spider-Man as he observed the carnage. Fancy Dan, Ox and Montana were all unconscious on the ground. Spider-Man began walking towards them all to wrap them up when he spotted the Black Cat lying motionless on the ground amidst a pile of rubble.
"Felicia!" cried Spider-Man as he jumped over to her. He picked the Black Cat up from the debris and skittered up the side of the warehouse to safety just as the members of the Code Blue squad of the NYPD burst in through the doors.
"Please don't let her come back. Don't ever let her come back," whimpered the Sandman as he slithered in his sand form all around the plexi-glass room that had become his new home at Ravencroft. Air was filtered through a machine in the corner of the room and it hummed in a soothing tone that calmed the Sandman slightly as he slipped across the floor and up to the ceiling.
Then the Sandman heard the footsteps as he had heard them countless times before since Spider-Man had brought him to this hellhole. The footsteps echoed down the corridor toward his room and the Sandman stifled the scream that threatened to rise to his lips. An image of the devil-lady, a pale-faced harpy all draped in cloth stained with blood came to the mind of the Sandman.
A shadow began to creep along the dimly illuminated hallway as it had countless times before and the Sandman rushed underneath the bed that had been bolted against the plexi-glass cell. Sandman peered out from beneath the bed and whimpered, as the footsteps grew nearer. The red-garbed demon woman with the pale face would come and kill him this time… he was sure of it.
"Don't be the devil-lady… don't be the devil-lady… don't be the devil-lady," muttered the Sandman underneath his breath as the footsteps finally stopped directly outside his cell.
"Sandman," whispered a voice and the Sandman began to cry. The devil-lady had been visiting him often in his cell. His only respite was when Dr. Kafka would come to see him and try to help. But whenever Dr. Kafka would come the Sandman would be paralyzed with fear that the devil-lady would punish him if he told her what he knew. The devil-lady told him things that made him insane with rage, jealousy and fear. The devil-lady hurt him in ways that no other person had ever been able to do. Not even Dr. Octopus. Not even the Wizard.
But now the Sandman wasn't crying in fear or rage. Now he was crying as tears of joy slipped from his eyes and were absorbed into the sandy mass of his face. The Sandman flowed out from underneath the bed and formed into the human form of William Baker.
Standing outside his cell was a man with a dark cloak that seemed to blend with the shadows around him. All Sandman could see clearly was the pale white face that seemed to hover in mid-air and the sockets of black that held no eyes but that still seemed to peer into Sandman's very soul.
The man was terrifying and certainly wasn't Dr. Kafka… but anything was better than the devil-lady.
"Who are you?" said Sandman and the man with the pale face smiled.
"I am Scrier," said the man with the pale face, and hands of blistering white appeared as if from nowhere. Scrier spread his hands out and seemed to embrace the emptiness of the corridor. Then Scrier suddenly tucked his hands back within his cloak and regarded the Sandman solemnly. "You wish to be rid of the devil-lady."
"Yes!" screeched the Sandman and Scrier smiled again. This time teeth that were as black as the cloak wrapped around the pale man were bared to the dim light.
"I will make sure the devil-lady never visits you again, William. Would you like that?" asked Scrier and the Sandman's face exploded into one of joy and hope.
"Yes… please! I'll do anything to get away from her!" said the Sandman and Scrier nodded.
"I was hoping you would say that, William," said Scrier as he stepped to the glass of the cell. "Come closer and I will tell you what you must do. If you do this for me… the devil-lady will never bother you again."
The Sandman flowed towards Scrier and pressed his ear to the plexi-glass wall of his cell. Scrier began to whisper, and he whispered into the ear of Sandman for a long time. The Sandman listened to each word that Scrier had to say and soon began to cry anew. He would do what the dark man wanted. He would do anything to be free of the devil-lady… the woman Scrier now told him was called: The Rose Goblin.
"Lucky for you I'm a fast healer," said the Black Cat as she stood with the Amazing Spider-Man on the roof of the Daily Bugle. Spider-Man had stuck around the warehouse of the Hobgoblin just long enough to watch Code Blue load the Enforcers safely into the specially designed containment units. The Black Cat had regained consciousness as Spidey watched the show and had agreed to accompany him back to the Daily Bugle.
"I think I'm a lot luckier that you showed up at all," said Spider-Man as he reached beneath his mask and pulled it from his face. "How did you know I was in trouble in the first place, Felicia? Been following me?"
"You wish, Spider. I just heard about some of the things that have been happening to you lately and thought you might need someone to talk to," said Felicia and Peter dropped his eyes from her green eyes. "I came to the Bugle just in time to see you swing off. You were too fast to keep up with so by the time I did catch up, the Enforcers were already hauling you to the Hobgoblin's warehouse. I followed them and managed to stick my nose in at just the right time."
"Those good-luck powers coming back again?" said Peter and Felicia frowned and playfully swiped at Pete with her clawed hand.
"Don't even joke about those retarded powers, ok? It's hard enough to be feared by the criminal element when you're a female in a male dominated spandex-club," said Felicia as she flexed her hand and the claws on her fingers slipped back within her glove. "I honestly was just worried about you, Peter. I wanted to make sure you were ok after… well… everything."
"I'm fine, Felicia. Really… things could be better but I'm dealing with them the best that I can. I appreciate the help and I really appreciate the concern, but…" said Peter but then Felicia stepped forward and planted her lips onto his. Peter stumbled backwards and the two fell on the roof of the Daily Bugle in a heap. Peter pulled away from Felicia and scooted towards the door to the stairs.
"What the hell was that about? I don't know what game you're playing, Felicia…but I don't have time for it," said Peter as he got to his feet and grabbed the doorknob in one trembling hand.
"Stop, Peter. Just hold on a second," said Felicia and Peter hesitantly turned back to her. "I'm sorry, ok? I just wanted to let you know that I was here for you and I got a little carried away. Don't take it the wrong way, all right? If you need anything… just give me a call."
"I'll… keep it in mind," replied Peter and then slipped into the stairwell leading down to the Daily Bugle offices. Felicia watched the door click shut and smiled.
"Whoa. Where the heck is everybody?" said Peter Parker to himself as he stepped out of the stairwell and entered the newsroom of the Daily Bugle. Only a few people were in the room either scribbling frantically on notepads as they rushed back and forth or sitting stone still and typing on their computers. Peter watched as Ken Ellis ran into Robbie's office.
"This is too weird," said Peter and then paused as he noticed the headline glaring out at him from Ben Urich's desk. Peter picked up the copy and his mouth dropped open. The headline read in bold words: Police Detective Responsible For Bombing: Resigns From NYPD
Peter read the story written by Ben Urich and then immediately headed for Robbie's office. Ken Ellis had long ago left the office and was furiously typing away at his desk again. Peter entered the open door of Robbie's office and slammed it shut behind him.
"When the hell did this happen, Robbie?" said Peter and then paused yet again as he saw the look on the editor's face. "Robbie… what's wrong?"
Robbie Robertson looked up at Peter and there were tears just barely concealed behind his aged eyes. "I've been waiting here for you, Peter. We've got to go to the hospital right away. Something terrible has happened. I'll tell you what I can about the Anderson story on the way there."
Peter felt fear clutch his heart like a viper as Robbie reached for his coat. "What is it, Robbie? Is something wrong with Randy?"
Robbie Robertson slipped his arms into his coat and frowned in confusion. "Randy? No, Randy's just fine."
Robbie Robertson rounded the desk and Peter could see that his old friend was walking like a man in a trance. "It's Jonah… he's been shot. And he's asking to see you."
Next Issue: J. Jonah Jameson lies near-death in a hospital bed. What was in the file Scrier handed to Jonah and what did Jonah see? The mysterious Scrier seems to be a key player in Spider-Man's rogue's gallery. What other schemes does the mysterious man clad in black have for our hero? Even I'm intrigued… and I write this thing! The two-part saga that finally ends the saga of the Rose Goblin starts next issue as: Laughter in the Dark begins!