Spider-Man: Web of Shadows

Chapter 107: The Return of an Old Foe

Peter's heart skipped a beat as he recognized the figure walking toward their table. It wasn't just any ordinary person—it was someone he had hoped he would never see again.

The tall, menacing figure was dressed in a dark, armored suit that seemed to shimmer slightly, reflecting the harsh fluorescent lights of the school cafeteria. His cold, calculating eyes were fixed on Peter as he approached. The air seemed to grow heavier with each step he took.

"Norman Osborn," Peter muttered under his breath, barely believing what he was seeing.

MJ and Ned exchanged confused glances, both of them sensing Peter's sudden tension.

"Do you know him?" MJ asked, her voice low.

Peter could barely nod as he stood up. "Yeah. We've crossed paths before. He's not someone I'd ever want to cross again."

As Norman Osborn drew nearer, his lips curled into a familiar, sardonic smile.

"Well, well, Peter Parker," he said, his voice smooth, like venom dripping from each syllable. "It's been a long time. I see you're still playing the hero. How quaint."

Peter's fists clenched involuntarily. He had faced Osborn countless times in the past—whether as the ruthless businessman or as the terrifying Green Goblin—but this time, something felt different. There was a palpable air of menace surrounding him, something darker than before.

"What do you want, Osborn?" Peter asked, trying to keep his voice steady. "Last time we met, I thought I made it clear that I wouldn't let you get away with your plans. You're finished."

Osborn chuckled darkly, eyes gleaming with a mix of amusement and something more dangerous. "Finished? Oh, Peter, you're so naïve. You think just because you beat me once, I'll simply disappear? No, no. The world is changing, Parker. The rules are changing. And this time, I'm not here to play games. I'm here to take what's mine."

Peter's eyes narrowed. "What are you talking about?"

Norman leaned closer, his voice lowering to a dangerous whisper. "The multiverse, Peter. It's broken, and the pieces are scattered. I've seen it with my own eyes—every timeline, every possibility, all within my grasp. And with the rifts beginning to tear through reality, it's only a matter of time before the power shifts. I'll be ready, and you, Spider-Man, will have no choice but to kneel before me."

Peter's pulse quickened as the full weight of Osborn's words sank in. The multiverse was unstable, and now, Norman Osborn was somehow involved. But how? Had he been manipulating events from the shadows all along? Or was he just a pawn in a much larger game?

"You don't understand, Osborn," Peter said, trying to keep his composure. "This isn't just about power. This is about the fate of the entire multiverse. If you keep pushing things, it's not just your world that will crumble—it's every world."

Osborn's smile widened. "Oh, I understand perfectly. I'm not here to save the multiverse, Peter. I'm here to rule it."

Before Peter could respond, Norman turned on his heel and began to walk away, his footsteps echoing in the cafeteria. "You're not ready for what's coming, Spider-Man. But you will be. And when you are, I'll be waiting."

Peter stood frozen for a moment, the weight of Osborn's threat hanging in the air. But just as quickly as he'd appeared, Norman Osborn was gone, vanishing into the crowd of students milling about.

"Peter, what was that about?" MJ asked, looking bewildered.

Peter took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. "That was Norman Osborn… someone I used to know. He's not a good guy."

"Clearly," Ned said, his voice laced with concern. "But what's he doing here? Why now?"

Peter didn't have an answer. Osborn's sudden return, paired with his cryptic words about the multiverse, left more questions than answers. He knew one thing for sure, though: the appearance of Osborn could only mean one thing—things were about to get worse.

That night, Peter found himself back in his suit, perched high atop a building in Queens, scanning the city below. His mind was still reeling from the encounter with Osborn. The implications were enormous—Osborn was involved in the multiverse somehow, and that was the last thing Peter wanted to deal with right now. But he knew it was inevitable.

He couldn't shake the feeling that something big was coming, something beyond what he'd already faced. The rifts, the strange creatures, Osborn's involvement—everything was pointing to one conclusion: the multiverse was collapsing, and the enemies who had once been contained in their own worlds were now spilling into his.

As Peter brooded, a familiar tingling sensation ran up his spine. His spider-sense was going off, and something was approaching. He turned around, scanning the shadows, and saw a flicker of movement. The air shifted with a sudden heaviness, as if the atmosphere itself was twisting under some invisible force.

Then, from the darkness, a voice—low and menacing—spoke.

"You're not the only one with secrets, Spider-Man."

Peter's eyes widened as he turned to face the source of the voice. What emerged from the shadows was something that immediately sent a chill down his spine.

A figure clad in dark, sleek armor stepped forward, the glowing blue eyes of their mask locking with Peter's. The figure was tall and imposing, but their presence felt… familiar. As if Peter had seen them before, in some distant corner of his memory.

"I don't know who you are," Peter said, his voice tense, "but I've got a feeling you're not here for a chat."

The armored figure tilted their head slightly, almost in amusement. "Not a chat, no. I'm here for the same reason as everyone else, Spider-Man. To clean up the mess you've made."

Peter's heart skipped. "The mess I've made?" he repeated. "What are you talking about?"

The figure's voice dropped to a whisper, one filled with venom. "You opened the door. The multiverse will never be the same, and neither will you."

Peter's spider-sense flared again, but before he could react, the armored figure lunged forward, faster than Peter had anticipated, knocking him off his feet and sending him crashing into a nearby rooftop.

"Who are you?" Peter demanded, rolling quickly to his feet as the figure stood over him.

The armored figure gave no response, only raising their hand to reveal a glowing, pulsating orb embedded into their palm. "You've made your choice, Spider-Man. Now, I'm here to make you regret it."

Peter's mind raced. The figure's words made it clear: whoever this was, they were no ally, and their power was far beyond anything Peter had faced before.

End of Chapter 107