Return of the Goblin, Part III

[itwasablast]

Finally. Norman's been particularly antsy for weeks now, but the second his feet lift off the ground in that outdated Iron Man getup (just putting it on was a task in and of itself), he knows he wouldn't have been able to hold out much longer even if he'd wanted to. Now is when all the waiting becomes worth it. Now is when Spider-Man finally

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[mutant_gi_jesus]

Cable hated being wrong. That was one of the reasons why he preferred not to admit when he was, even to himself.

But he had clearly been wrong here. He had been almost sure that Alton had been no more than he appeared. Not sure enough to let his guard down completely, of course, but sure enough for it to take him by surprise when he saw the flying armored figure out bombing huts. The armor was a new trick, probably stolen from Stark, but the bombs he recognized, if only from videos.

It was the bombs that told him he'd been wrong.

He didn't have any of his big guns on him, he'd clearly gotten careless, so he drew a handgun instead and peppered the figure's back with bullets before dropping back behind a tree. That should probably get Osborn's attention, at least.

[itwasablast]

Normally, something of so small a caliber would barely register as a blip on Norman's radar, but it's been a distressingly long time since he's had anyone from either side of the law shooting at him. It gets his notice. Whirling around to the sound of bullets ricocheting off of metal, he catches a glimpse of a pretty unmistakable form.

"Well, well, well, if it isn't everyone's favorite mutant messiah figure." God, he'd missed the sound of his own voice coming through the armor's speakers. Grabbing another bomb, he tosses it directly at the trunk of the tree because if there's anyone on this damn rock that Norman's been looking forward to %$&#ing up almost as much as Spider-Man, it's this one.

[mutant_gi_jesus]

Cable started moving as soon as Osborn started speaking, so he escaped the worst of that particular explosion. He still felt the heat on the back of his neck, though, and the force still pushed him down, making him stumble as bits of broken wood smashed into his back.

He didn't stop though. If he wanted to win this fight, he needed to get in close and that meant making Osborn get lower. Which meant he needed to get far enough into the jungle that he couldn't be seen from above the canopy and hope that the other man will follow.

[itwasablast]

If it were anyone else, Norman would have probably let it slide in favor of continuing to flush out Parker, but in this case? Summers had been a particular pain in his backside since day 1. The suit's sensors may have been rudimentary, particularly with its AI removed for upgrades, but he still did a passable job of trailing the man from above the treetops for a ways. When Cable finally did manage to dip out of range, Norman poured on an extra burst of speed to put himself ahead before turning around and bursting down through the canopy, repulsors firing away.

[spirited_hero]

[itwasablast]

Well, it certainly didn't take long for the cavalry to arrive. Norman, however, hadn't exactly expected said cavalry to take the form of some kid bashing him in the side and then grabbing on like he was looking for a damn carnival ride.

"Are you kidding me with this?" Norman wasn't sure if the metallic voice that emerged could probably convey the sneer that was supposed to go with it, but actions always spoke louder than words, anyway. Gaining a bit of altitude, he shoved an elbow towards the kid's head to pry him loose as blows (ones that he actually sort of felt, surprisingly enough) continued to rain down on him.

[spirited_hero]

[itwasablast]

Heading higher still, Norman grunted as the blow landed and decided right then and there that he'd had more than enough of this one. Spinning himself in a rapid circle, he punched the wannabe Iron Fist in the side to dislodge him, not noticing that they were over the large waterfall instead of something harder until it was too late.

He could always blame it on being disoriented from that punch to the head, but it was still a shame.

[polly_okeefe]

I walked toward the compound in a fog, as I had these past few days since Bridge had disappeared. My days were structured by my routine, and quietly accepting the condolences of friends. Things happened around me, but I paid attention to nothing.

Until a house exploded.

I looked around, stunned, and saw the smoke and flames rising in the distance. Without thinking, I ran towards the destruction.

But then there was another explosion, the sound of something whistling through the air, and the sound of someone laughing. I suddenly remembered the orders Dick Grayson had barked at me when I ran towards the man who'd pulled a sword on Coraline.

I remembered too late.

[itwasablast]

"Now even I know that was just dumb." Norman was more than used to stupid people trying to play the hero, but they usually tended to offer a little bit more than... that. Still, he'd been keeping an eye out for decent potential hostages, and this one seemed to fit the bill to a T.

Grabbing another pumpkin bomb, he didn't actually activate it just yet, instead electing to hold it at eye level as he slowed the pace of his destruction to approach the girl.

"In my business, girlie? Dumb gets you killed."

[polly_okeefe]

Any sort of explanation, any words to try and speak up for myself, pretty much dried in my throat at the sight of him and the menace in his voice. I flashed straight back to the time I was kidnapped, and this was worse.

I backed up a step or two. I was far too far in the open; if I ran, he'd simply have a clear shot at my back and could take his time aiming. But what choice did I have. "I'm sorry!" I shouted. "I'll leave!" I ducked my head and turned to run.

[itwasablast]

Norman laughed at that, because honestly, what else was there to do? Did she really expect that to work? He fired a low-intensity repulsor blast straight at her back, just strong enough to hit hard and send her sprawling. There was no one else around, he could afford to take his time.

"Care to try that again?"

[legacyofcain]

She'd been thinking of training exercises. Ways to push people, ways to push herself.

She hadn't been thinking of explosions. She'd been just coming up on Green Arrow Estates, finishing up a run. About to go inside and sit down in the privacy of her hut, the only place she allowed herself the relief.

Then the hut next door to hers exploding, and even as she pulled her side-arm she was running for hers, scanning for the source of it.

She saw metal. It was the wrong color, and it was in the air -- that was new -- but it was metal, and her second thought, the quiet one that followed the course of action, was that I knew we couldn't trust them.

[itwasablast]

The smoke hadn't even begun to clear when Norman caught a flash of motion at the edge of his vision (or rather, the suit's). Turning in mid-air and not even bothering to take note of who or what it was, he hurled another bomb towards the door of the hut that someone was apparently making a break for.

"Too slow, sweetheart!" Or just slow enough, if she wasn't looking to be blown to blown to kingdom come today. Norman couldn't afford to get bogged down in semantics, here.

[legacyofcain]

She'd been going for the ZF-1. A side-arm just wasn't going to cut it, but rockets, nets, and the other features of the gun? Perhaps.

Unfortunately, rockets exploded. And these did, as the pumpkin bomb ignited the entire hut. She was just slowing when the shockwave from the second explosion picked her up and threw her backwards.

She skidded on the grass, dazed. Somehow, she'd kept her grip on the side-arm, but she'd lost track of where it was. The machine, or the man. Maybe it was both.

[itwasablast]

Well, that was unexpected. People in this place just tended to be full of surprises, didn't they? It was a little tough for Norman not to get all swept up and lose himself in the additional carnage, but the woman sprawled in the grass proved too much distraction to ignore. The gun she was holding probably helped as well, inconsequential as it was.

"Now that's what I'm talking about! If only everyone here knew how to step it up like you!"

[daretodo]

I hear it before I see anything. The detonation of pumpkin bombs tearing up the otherwise idyllic scenery. The all too familiar sounds of people screaming in fear of their lives. That bloodcurdling laugh of his over the loudspeaker of Iron Man's armor -- and whatever that means for Tony, alternate universe version or not, is a question I'm left to wonder indefinitely. I knew things were gonna escalate -- that they had to after our conversation on the Compound steps* -- but somehow I still didn't think it'd be so damn soon.

The only thing I have on me are my web-shooters and my belt loaded with extra cartridges, hidden from sight underneath my unseasonable long-sleeved shirt, the humidity making them sit uncomfortably against my skin. Pumpkin bombs are one thing, but if he's in the armor...

I allow myself one second of blind panic, one second where I can just appreciate how bad this is surely going to get before the day is through. I allow myself that one second, and then I'm already running towards the noise and the mayhem, hoping

[crossyourpath]

Felicia Hardy may be many things but stupid has never been one of them. A single laugh echoing off trees and houses sends a shiver down her spine and starts her angling for a fight.

Stun gun strapped her back, reachable when she's in a rush but not terribly visible underneath the Texas Longhorns shirt that she has one, she starts in the direction of the action. There is no way that she is going to miss out on a chance to do some damage especially to someone who deserves it.

Her sneaker clad feet pound the ground as she races towards the chaos, only slowing down when she catches sight of Spider.

"Spider!" she shouts not caring that he's less Spider-Man and more Science Teacher with a Awful Night Job. "What's the plan?"

[daretodo]

If I'm honest, Felicia's not the person I expected to be calling my name right about now -- no, I expected the dulcet, robotic tones of Norman Osborn calling Spider-Man out to play. Which doesn't mean I'm no less grateful for a familiar, friendly face, of course, so much as it means that, in my rush to get to ground zero, I forgot that I wasn't alone out here.

"Cat!" I call back, skidding to a stop only long enough to see where she's coming from before I start back into a slow, distracted jog. "I need you to go find Mary Jane! I can't... I need to get to Norman before he kills someone."

[crossyourpath]

"That someone is going to be you if you don't let me help," she returns picking up the pace so that she can argue with him face to face. Talking to his back is kind of distracting no matter what the circumstances.

"Tell Hot Rod to save her. Let's face it, she's more inclined to listen to him than me anyways!"

Danger might be imminent but there are some facts you can't ignore.