Chapter 93: Chapter 93: Crisis of Identity Revealed
Meanwhile, at the New York Police Department:
"Captain Custer, how's the situation?" George Stacy asked, standing in front of the monitor, trying to get a status update after the surveillance screen was lost.
"He's beating that bastard!" Custer replied, his voice filled with urgency.
"Who?" George asked in confusion. "Is it Spider-Woman?"
"No, it's not her. It's another Spider-Man," Custer responded, his gaze fixed on the scene unfolding on the Brooklyn Bridge.
The Brooklyn Bridge was now a chaotic battlefield. Cars were blocked at the entrance and exit, while panicked citizens ran for safety. Thick smoke from explosions quickly spread across the bridge. Debris from the buildings above continued to rain down, and the sounds of crashing and destruction echoed in the night.
Custer acted swiftly, helping a woman who had tripped while trying to escape. "Thank you! Thank you!" the woman exclaimed as Custer steadied her.
"Stay calm. We'll get you to safety," Custer reassured her before moving on to help others.
"Captain Custer, should we fire?" a voice came from overhead. It was the helicopter pilot, awaiting orders.
Custer hesitated, his eyes scanning the battlefield. He saw Spider-Man battling the Green Goblin, but he wasn't ready to act. "No, don't fire for now. Keep the helicopter away from them," he ordered, his voice resolute.
Below, Gwen was using her spider silk to block debris falling from the bridge. The citizens below, nearly hit by falling rocks, didn't have time to thank her before they sprinted away. As she looked up, she saw the two combatants in the air and felt an odd sensation in her chest.
Why does Spider-Man always appear when things are at their worst for me? she thought, suddenly struck by the possibility that he might know her identity, just like the Green Goblin. She quickly dismissed the thought. That's ridiculous. He can't know.
She shook her head and focused on the task at hand. Nearby, she spotted a man trapped in a burning car. Without hesitation, she leaped towards him. Grabbing the door, she yanked it open and pulled the man out just as an explosion rocked the car.
The blast sent Gwen flying, and she crashed against a nearby vehicle with a loud bang. The impact left her winded, and pain shot through her chest. Gritting her teeth, she tried to rise, only to see the Green Goblin—now on the losing end of his battle—being pummeled by Peter.
With a sickening crack, Peter's claws—now fists—slammed into the Green Goblin's face. The Green Goblin, still on his glider, quickly retreated, tossing pumpkin bombs to stop Peter's advance.
"Boom!"
The explosion tore through the bridge, shredding steel cables and sending debris flying. The Green Goblin took the opportunity to regain some distance, but it wasn't enough. Peter shot black, corrosive webs toward the Green Goblin, who tried to evade them but was struck in the shoulder. The special armor that had protected him was now corroding away.
In a panic, he ripped the armor off, but his movements were too slow. Peter struck again, this time with devastating force. The Green Goblin was sent hurtling from the air, crashing to the ground, and finally slamming into a burning car with a massive explosion.
"Boom!" The impact shook the bridge, and Peter stood his ground, his feet firmly planted as he watched the defeated Green Goblin struggle to rise.
Despite the Goblin's advanced technology and enhanced body, it was no match for Peter's rapidly improving strength and the venomous power of his webs.
The Green Goblin finally staggered to his feet, raising his hand defiantly.
"Pathetic monster," he sneered. "You think you can stop me? Look at the helicopters above. In the next moment, they'll drop bombs on your head, just like me!"
"Whoosh!"
A powerful laser shot from his fingers, but Peter wasn't fazed. He was ready for the next move, knowing that the Green Goblin was running out of options.
The Green Goblin's sinister laughter echoed as he took off again on his glider. "Reincarnation! Reincarnation! You and I are the same! You will become me one day, Spider-Man!" he taunted as he soared into the night sky.
Just as the Green Goblin attempted to escape, Gwen wasn't about to let him go so easily.
"Whoosh!"
With a burst of energy, Gwen shot a spider web at the Green Goblin's glider, yanking herself into the air. She flew toward him, her fist landing hard on his head.
"Ho!" she shouted with rage. Her punch was powerful, but exhaustion slowed her down. She couldn't quite finish off the Green Goblin before he retaliated.
The Green Goblin's eyes flashed with fury as he unleashed another blast of laser energy, forcing Gwen to retreat. Her body was sent crashing into the top of the bridge with a loud bang.
Peter had also moved in, landing near Gwen as the three combatants formed a tense triangle on the bridge.
Gwen, struggling to catch her breath, glared at the Green Goblin. "How could I let you run away so easily?"
Her voice was filled with anger. "I won't let you hurt anyone else. Not while I'm here."
The Green Goblin simply smiled, his red eyes glowing ominously. "Gwen, running around in that suit? Aren't you afraid that your identity will be exposed?"
Gwen froze at the sound of her name. The Green Goblin had just revealed what she feared the most. The shock on her face was evident, and the Green Goblin seemed to revel in it.
With a wicked grin, he operated the communication device embedded in his armor and dialed a number. His voice was dripping with malice as he spoke. "I know your fears, Gwen. You are just like me. You chose this bloody path, and now everyone around you will pay for it."
He laughed maniacally, his voice echoing in the night. "The cycle of life, death, and pain. This is your burden now, just as it's mine."
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