I don't own anything except any original character and/or any original plot

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Chapter Twenty-Eight: The End of an Osborn

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Letting out a slow breath, I closed my eyes as salt water splashed over my face. It calmed me as I prepared myself for what I was about to do next.

"Alright guys, a week and a half of waiting for the right moment, we won't have another chance to do this. (Y/n)."

"I'm on it."

I raised my hands and water raised from the ocean around my body. Maneuvering myself, I dropped down on the main platform. As soon as my feet touched down, I diverted the surrounding water to the guards springing into action.

"Clear," I said into the com when all the guards were either unconscious or frozen.

"Other X-Men dropping down."

The X-Jet hovered over the facility. With the guards out there was no chance of it being shot down. With the momentary pause in action as the X-Men prepared to drop, I pulled up Peter's contact on my lenses.

"I'll be back Pete."

New York - January 20 - Peter -

Peter looked out his bedroom window, longing to go out and be Spider-Man. That or to at least have (Y/n) there with him. But neither of those were possible. (Y/n) was still on her mission, and if Peter went out as Spider-Man then he chanced luring Green Goblin out.

"Peter, dinner is ready," May called from the kitchen, "It's not burned this time!"

"Just a sec May!"

Peter pulled out his phone, thumb hovering over (Y/n)'s contact. He wanted to call, make sure that everything was okay. She should have been back home a few days ago, but the only text he got was saying that the mission had been extended. Sighing, he turned his phone off. If he called he could disturb the mission. Instead, he left his room to go eat.

"So how's (Y/n)?" May asked conversationally.

"Good, I think. She's on a mission with her old team right now, has been for the last week so I've barely talked to her."

"She's a strong girl. I'm sure she's out there kicking butt and she'll be back tomorrow," Aunt May assured, no signs of doubt in her tone or expression, "What about your other friends?"

"They're doing fine. Lives as normal as they can be." Peter answered robotically. He hadn't actually heard much from his friends that day, but he assumed they were busy. Friends didn't have to talk every day to be friends.

"That's good, I know how much you care about keeping all of your friends safe," May stated casually, "Anyone can see how much you care about them."

The hair's on Peter's arms lifted up beneath his sweatshirt. Something in his gut twisted at those words. Jumping up from the table and ignoring May's protests, he ran to his room where his phone was waiting. Fumbling with it, he pressed Ned's contact.

"You've reached Ned-"

"Shit. Come on," Peter switched to MJ.

"I either can't, or don't want to come to the phone-" the voicemail message stopped abruptly. They were safe. MJ picked up.

"MJ thank god-"

"Hello there Peter."

Peter's blood ran cold. Green Goblin had answered. From MJ's phone. Not only that, but if he focused, he could hear MJ and Ned yelling from the back.

"What do you say we bring this little feud to an end, hmm? You'll know where to find me. I'll be... excitedly waiting."

The call ended after that. Peter scrambled around his room to pick up the stray pieces of his suit, worn and discarded at off points when he was tempted to break his promise to (Y/n). Of course he never did, he never even managed to put on his full suit. But he had to now.

"Peter what's going on?" May questioned from the doorway as Peter was slipping on his web shooters.

"He has them May. Of course (Y/n)'s gone when he makes his final move. I have to go save them."

"Peter," May grabbed Peter's wrist, "You don't have (Y/n) here, so whatever you do, be careful. You may be a hero, but you're still human."

"I will May, and I know. I have to save my friends."

Peter slid open his window and jumped out of his room. Shooting a web and jumping out. This was fine. He was protecting his friends. There was no way (Y/n) wouldn't understand. She would do the same in his situation.

"Where is he Karen?"

"Queensboro Bridge, he's causing quite a scene. It's all over social media."

"He said I would be able to find him," Peter muttered bitterly.

He shot web after web, swinging as fast as he could to get to the bridge. He knew he was close when he heard Green Goblin's, Norman Osborn's, voice singing eerily.

"The itsy-bitsy spider went up the water spout down came the goblin and took the spider out, the rain came to save him and the goblin brought a drought. And the spider and the rain were never seen again."

"What have you done Mr. Osborn?" Peter screamed, the villain in sight.

Green Goblin smirked, holding MJ up by her neck and Ned by his upper-arm. Both were panicking, rightfully so.

"This is why only fools are heroes Peter! Because you never know when some lunatic will come along with a sadistic choice. You've seen how much the Avengers have lost. It's your turn. You have to choose between your best friends, because your little girlfriend isn't here to help you save both."

"You time this."

"My son, in all his kindness, told me that dear (Y/n) had been sick, out of school," Goblin smirked cruelly, "No hero is ever truly sick. Now make your choice Spider-Man and see how heroes are rewarded."

"Don't do it!"

"We are who we choose to be, now choose!" Green Goblin thrust MJ and Ned away from him.

The two screamed as they plummeted towards the ground. They were slowly moving even farther away from each other. Peter sprinted and jumped off the bridge, webbing the side so he would hopefully get enough momentum to swing and grba both his friends.

He reached MJ first, grabbing her around the waist, waiting for her to grab his shoulders before he held out his hand for Ned. But his timing was off, the wait for MJ to be stable pushing back his time, and Peter missed Ned.

Thanking his fast reaction times, Peter shot a web at Ned's ankle, yanking him upside down. Looking around, Peter spotted a nearby gondola lift passing by.

"Ned I'm going to swing you to the lift!" Peter yelled to his male friend.

"I really don't think that's a good- Woah!"

Peter swung Ned to the lift without warning, letting him land not-so-gently on the top. As it came nearer, Peter looked to MJ.

"You need to climb down."

"Are you crazy?" MJ screeched, for once losing her cool demeanor. While she thoroughly enjoyed hearing their hero stories, she never had the desire to be thrown into the middle of one.

"MJ, you have to trust me and climb down. I won't let you fall."

MJ glanced down at the approaching lift, sliding down Peter's legs until she was close enough to get on the lift. The slow speed worked to their advantage as MJ grabbed onto the wire, sliding down like it was a fireman's pole.

Everything was going as smoothly as possible until Green Goblin flew by and chucked one of his knives at the wire, cutting it from the track.

"Shit!" Peter swore as he reached out for the wire, grabbing it just in time. Now it wasn't just his friends' lives on the line, but everyone on the lifts as well.

"We're coming right under you!" A boat drove towards the lift.

Peter sighed in relief.As long as he could hold up the lift until the boat was under so he could lower it, everything would be fine. His relief was short lived as the Green Goblin flew by again, knives shooting out of the end of his board.

"Time to die!"

Before Peter could be impaled something was thrown at Green Goblin's head, throwing him off course.

"Leave Spider-Man alone!" A group of civilians yelled from the bridge, "You gonna pick on a guy trying to save a bunch of kids?"

Peter had never loved the citizens of New York more. Even if they were putting themselves in danger, it gave him a chance to save others lives. Everyone was a hero that night.

"You mess with our heroes you mess with New York!" Another civilian shouted.

Peter let the wire slip through his fingers until it was safely situated on the boat. Both the people from the lift and the citizens above him cheered victoriously.

"Spider-Man, look out!" Ned yelled amidst the celebrating.

A rope wrapped around Peter's waist and he was pulled from his web on the bridge, blindly having to follow behind Green Goblin as he pulled Peter into what seemed to be one of Vulture's old supply warehouses.

Peter groaned as the rope around his waist dropped from the board. He had just been pulled through a wall. So much for not getting hurt.

Beep. Beep. Beep.

"Incoming explosive!"

Peter leapt back as one of Green Goblin's explosives nearly detonated in front of his face. That would have been bad. In a seemingly planned dramatic entrance, Green Goblin walked through the flames towards Peter.

"Misery, misery, misery," Goblin tutted, "That's what you've chosen. I offered you friendship, and you spat in my face."

Green Goblin ran forward, punching Peter across the face once, twice, three times. While Peter was disoriented he felt a kick be delivered to his ribs. He flew back into a wall, groaning. He lifted a hand to shoot a web before Green Goblin stepped on his wrist, applying just enough pressure to make it hurt.

"You've spun your last web Spider-Man Had you not been so selfish, your little friends' deaths would have been quick and painless. But now that you've really pissed me off, I'm gonna kill them, then take my time with your sweet little girlfriend. Too bad she couldn't be here for you to watch. You'll die knowing what awaits her."

Peter screamed, jumping up and kicking Green Goblin in the chest. He webbed his legs, flipping him backwards. Peter webbed one of the cabinets behind him, pulling it down on top of him.

Green Goblin stumbled out from beneath the cabinet, jumping at Peter. Peter moved out of the way, grabbing Green Goblin and slamming him against his wall. In his protective filled rage Peter punched Green Goblin wildly.

"Peter, Peter stop- It's me, Mr Osborn! Thank god for you," Norman coughed out, pulling off his helmet.

"Do you know how many people you've hurt?" Peter asked, panting heavily from the physical exertion of the fight.

"I didn't do anything it was the Goblin," Norman insisted desperately, "I was filled with so much rage, my mind split in two...Peter you can't let him take me again!"

"You tried to kill my friends, you tried to kill May and Clara!"

"But not you, because I knew that if I needed help, you would be the one to help me. You and (Y/n), you saved me," Norman held out his hand, "Give me your hand. Believe in me as I have believed in you. I was like a father. Be a son to me now."

"I've already had father figures. Their names are Tony Stark and Ben Parker."

"Godspeed Spider-Man."

Peter's eyes widened, and he jumped as high as he could, narrowly missing the blade on Green Goblin's board going right through him. Instead, Norman was impaled in his place. The sickening squelch of the impact would forever haunt Peter. It was nothing like he'd heard before.

Peter watched with wide eyes as Norman writhed in pain, too injured to save. Norman looked up at him, his eyes clouding over. He was dying.

"Peter," he groaned, "Tell Harry the truth. He deserves it."

That was it. Norman's face fell to his board, and he was gone. Peter pulled off his mask, silent with shock. So much for following what (Y/n) said. He went out, fought the Goblin, and Norman died.

Peter grit his teeth as he pulled Norman's board from his body, slinging his limp arm around his shoulder and wrapped his arm around his waist. Peter pulled his mask back on and shot a web outside of the warehouse, beginning the long trek to the Osborn Residence.

Stryker's Base - January 30 (1:42 AM) - (Y/n) -

"You got it Hank?"

"I'm getting there," Hank mumbled from the main computer, "Overriding all control systems to overheat...And done. Five minutes, easy extraction. A week's worth of planning made this easy."

The team nodded, running from the main console room as red light began to blare. My chest swelled with excitement. I was tired, mentally and physically, but I could go home and see Peter. A robotic voice announcing a system overheat over the speaker. As we were entering our ship my in-suit phone rang.

"What's up MJ? It's really early," I stated, settling in and buckling my seatbelt.

"Oh my God Green Goblin grabbed me and Ned and fought Peter on the bridge and they took off and we don't know where they are-"

"Woah, slow down," I prompted calmingly.

"Green Goblin kidnapped me and Ned and used us to get to Peter," MJ started slowly, "And after Peter saved us he grabbed Peter and flew him somewhere and I haven't heard from him since."

"I'm on my way back now, I'll see what's going on," I assured. Looks like I wouldn't be able to sleep as soon as I got back.

"MJ," Ned seemed panicked in the background, "You need to see what Harry just texted."

"Oh my God, (Y/n), you need to see this." MJ ended the call. My brows furrowed before Misty spoke.

"You have a text from Harry."

It was simple. Five words. But they filled me with such a sense of fear and dread that I didn't know what to do. So blunt, but there was no time for a carefully crafted text while mourning.

Dad's dead. Peter did it.

Osborn Residence - January 30 (1:30 AM) - Peter -

Peter laid Norman down on one of the couches in a sitting room. He didn't know what to do, or what to tell Harry. Everything him and (Y/n) had worked so hard for had gone down the drain with Norman's life.

"Peter?" Harry entered the sitting room, his eyes on his pale and motionless father, "What did you do?"

"He was Green Goblin, Harry I tried to stop him but his board-"

"You killed him," Harry whispered, his voice thick with emotion. Peter tried to understand. Rage blinded him when Uncle Ben was killed too.

"No, he tried to kill me! I moved and his board-"

"You just had to fight him while (Y/n) was gone didn't you?" Harry snapped, "She could have saved him. This is your fault Peter. He was the last family I had!"

"Harry please-"

"Get out."

Peter backed out of the room, shooting a web and swinging out. There was no talking to Harry. Not in that state. Because he left so soon, he missed Harry kneeling next to his father. He didn't see Harry looking at the mirror above the couch, and he certainly didn't see what Harry saw.

"Avenge me," Norman's voice rang through the room, hauntingly realistic, "He ruined our legacy, my place at the company, he killed me."

Lost in his grief, Harry couldn't put together what was real and what wasn't. He didn't want to hear Peter's explanation. How could he fully accept that his father was a villain? Not only that, but he was trying to kill his best friend? No. Peter was supposed to save people, even the villains. He failed.

Just as Norman lost his mind to the hero and villain world, Harry felt his slipping. Genetics and the situation mixing into a deadly cocktail of dark potential.

"Kill him Harry."

Harry looked at the mirror, seeing his father's reflection behind him. So real, so determined.

"I will dad, for you."

January 30 (2:09 AM) - (Y/n) -

I said goodbye to the X-Men, though I was tempted to ask them to accompany me to wherever I was going to go. They dropped me off on top of her apartment building, and I waited until they were gone to move. My parents didn't know I was home, which gave me a chance to investigate things before I had to have a reunion with my family.

I jumped from the roof and lifted my hand to let water catch me before I could fall. All I wanted to do was sleep, but I couldn't do that until I figured out what was going on. Harry's text made it obvious that his father was dead. But how did Peter do it? And why?

You leave for two weeks and everything goes downhill.

I went to Peter's apartment first, since it was just down the street from where I lived. I found Peter in his room, head in his hands, still in his suit.

I knocked on the window, smiling reassuringly as Peter looked over at her. I ducked under the sill and sat next to him on his bed.

"I'm sorry," Peter whispered, pulling me into a tight hug, "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to- He took Ned and MJ and he used his board to try to stab me and I jumped out of the way and it got him instead."

"It's okay," I assured, running a hand through Peter's sweaty hair, "You fought to defend. You would never kill anyone on purpose. I know you."

"Harry blames me for his dad's death," Peter sniffled, "I think I lost him (Y/n)."

"I'll go talk to him alright? I'll see what I can do for him. You need to shower, and eat something, drink something, and get some sleep okay? You'll feel better in the morning."

"Can you heal me first?" Peter asked sheepishly.

"Sure."

Pressing my water release, I hovered the liquid over the obvious cuts and bruises on Peter's body, taking more time on bigger internal issues. The pain of Peter's injuries trampled the aches and pains from the overexertion of my mutation. Heroes gaining a higher pain-tolerance was a half lie. When we got big injuries, we usually had high amounts of adrenaline in our blood, hence not feeling the pain.

When I was sure that Peter was mostly healed, leaving the small stuff alone, I gave him another tight hug, some affirmation, and left again.

This time, I went to the Osborn household, ringing the doorbell. I was sure she was a sight. Tired and smelling like sweat and saltwater, still in my uniform, but I didn't want to go through a window and make Harry think it was Peter. If he was violent in any way, it wouldn't be safe for either of us.

"Hey," Harry said, his eyes red and puffy.

"Is it true?" I asked, already knowing the answer from Peter. It was worth asking anyway. A miniscule hope still flickering within me that it was all a big misunderstand.

Harry nodded, his eyes filling with fresh tears. That hope was gone.

"Oh, Harry I'm so sorry," I gave Harry a tight hug, "Whatever you need to get through this, I'm here."

"Why weren't you there?" Harry asked, there was no anger in his tone, just... brokenness. He was left alone.

"I had another mission. If I knew this was going to happen, I never would have left. Listen, Harry, I know it hurts, but Peter didn't do this. He tried to save your father, we both did."

"You knew?"

"I did, we were trying to figure out how to tell you, but how could we?"

Harry looked over my shoulder, his eyes becoming glassy. I looked behind me, seeing no one. Passing it off as Harry being distraught, I focused on the situation at hand.

"Harry?" I put a hand on his cheek, "Are you alright?"

"I could never hate you (Y/n)," Harry blurted, coming back to Earth, "You didn't know what was going to happen. But Peter... he killed my father."

"Harry-"

"His funeral is on Friday, I'd love it if you were there. I need to be alone right now. Lots to figure out."

With that Harry stepped back and closed the door. Glancing uneasily behind me once me, I once again was met with nothing. Just New York. What was Harry so focused on?

Friday, February 1st

I looked at Norman's closed casket as they lowered it into his grave. The Green Goblin was no more, and now Harry didn't have a father. But he lost his father far before he died. He lost his father when he thought about being Green Goblin.

"Harry, I just want to say I'm sorry, for everything."

I moved over to Peter in a panic. I didn't know he had come to the funeral. If I did, I would have stopped him. Likely, it was Aunt May who brought them. She could understand, but she would never entirely understand the situation. It was something from a soap opera.

Harry turned to look at Peter, watching as most of the crowd dissipated and left. May was waiting for Peter at the car, leaving the three of us. When the last person gave Harry their condolences and left, Harry grabbed Peter by the collar of his shirt.

"Harry!" I exclaimed in shock, rushing to pull them apart.

"Whatever it takes Pete, I will avenge my father," Harry hissed, his voice low and threatening, "You're no hero, you're a killer. You're the reason he turned bad in the first place, remember that."

Harry let go of Peter and walked to his car, Bernard opening the door for him. Bernard got custody of Harry until he was eighteen. At that point Harry would be given full access to the Osborn family accounts, stocks, and businesses.

"Are we really the reason he turned bad?" Peter questioned sadly, watching his former friend leave.

"When we took out the Vulture, Oscorp lost big business, they blamed Norman for it," I explained as if Peter didn't already know, "And Norman blamed us."

"What are we going to do?" Peter asked no one in particular.

"What we can," I stated simply. There was nothing else we could do in the end, "Sometimes there isn't an easy solution. But Harry will come back, I know he will."

Peter walked across the cemetery, me following closely behind. He stopped behind a grave. I peeked over his shoulder to read what was on it.

Ben Parker

A Loving Husband and Uncle

I put a hand on Peter's shoulder. So much weight was on them. But we shared it, neither of us were alone anymore, and that was what mattered.

"How many more people will get hurt by us being heroes?" Peter sighed, eyes never straying from his uncle's grave..

"Way less than if we weren't," I gave his shoulder a squeeze, "I've been doing this for years Bug-Boy, you start to understand that the hero life comes with sacrifices, you just need to make the right ones. When you realize that, it all becomes a lot better."

"You know Uncle Ben once said something to me that seems to make a lot more sense now," Peter turned to me, wrapping his arm around my waist in a hug.

"What's that?"

"With great power comes great responsibility."