Sandi Brandenberg hung up the phone, her smile fading.
The press conference on the TV ended.
"The war has begun," she whispered.
A war between humans and mutants.
Not everyone wanted to lose their powers. For low-level mutants like them, finding a powerful patron was the only way to survive.
Sandi and Inez (The Outlaw) had left the mercenary life to join the Ice Demon.
She believed most people didn't know Vincent Hall was the Ice Demon. But it didn't matter. She had seen his power.
The sinking of the Carrier Strike Group was being suppressed, but rumors were spreading.
The San Diego tsunami had killed over 100,000 people. It was the 21st-century Pearl Harbor.
Global panic was rising. Smart people knew this wasn't a natural disaster. It was a warning shot.
"Inez, get ready. Vincent is coming tonight."
Inez scowled. She felt trapped. She was a slave to a demon, just to stay alive.
"I wish he would forget us," Inez muttered.
"Do you?" Sandi scoffed. "The US government is about to launch the Mutant Cure. Mandatory injections. Do you want to lose your strength? We have enemies, Inez. Mercenaries who want us dead. The moment we become human, they will come for us."
Inez glared at her. "I know my fate. But to him, we are just sex slaves to satisfy his urges."
The Texas spirit in Inez was rebelling. She was the Outlaw. She feared nothing.
"If you want to leave, leave now," Sandi said calmly. "I can convince Mr. Hall to let you go. He's not evil. We used him as a shield against the Vatican, remember?"
Sandi had analyzed Vincent. He was reactive. He rarely started trouble, but if you messed with him, he burned your house down.
Sandi saw opportunity. Vincent needed generals for his new empire. She had ambition.
Inez fell silent.
Sandi walked over and cupped Inez's face. "You're a Texas cowgirl. Treat him like a wild bull. Tame him."
Inez blushed.
"We have nowhere else to go," Sandi whispered. "The Vlad remnants are hunting us. The Vatican is hunting us. If we leave, we die."
"Fine," Inez grumbled. "But if I leave, I'm taking the TV. I paid for it."
Oscorp Tower.
Vincent returned from Long Island.
Harry Osborn was waiting in his office. He looked haggard, obsessed.
"Vincent, I need to find Peter," Harry demanded. He had spent millions but found nothing.
"He's in London," Vincent smiled. "He got accepted into London University."
Vincent had placed a magical tracking mark on Peter.
"London?"
"Yes. And he's injected himself with Lizard Serum."
Harry froze. "Is he insane?"
"No. He's evolving," Vincent said. "He and Connors stole your father's wealth to fund their research. Peter has fused Spider and Lizard DNA. He is stronger than you."
Harry clenched his fists. The Green Goblin serum in his veins pulsed with anger.
"Why are you telling me this?"
"Because Peter is a perfect test subject," Vincent said. "And so are you."
"You want me to take another serum?"
"Smart man," Vincent grinned. "You want to kill Peter. I can give you the power to do it."
"Why help me?"
"Because watching you two fight improves the data for my final product," Vincent admitted shamelessly. "Peter has the Lizard. You have the Goblin. But you need something to bridge the gap."
"Spider Serum?" Harry asked.
"The most perfect serum Oscorp ever made. It usually kills people without the Parker DNA key. But we've cracked it. Thanks to... a special donor."
(Gwen's DNA).
"I accept," Harry said without hesitation.
"Good. Connally will handle the procedure."
Vincent pressed the intercom. "Send Connally in."
Raven walked in, looking sharp in a business suit.
"How does it feel to run a company?" Vincent asked softly.
"It feels like I'm babysitting your money," Raven teased.
"Connally is making moves," she warned. "He's trying to access the Monster Army files."
"Let him," Vincent shrugged. "Betrayal has a price. If he wants to pay it, let him."
"I need a team," Raven said. "Connally has loyalists. I need muscle."
"Take Sandi and Inez," Vincent said. "They are strong. They can be your enforcers."
Raven raised an eyebrow. "Your girlfriends? You really are a playboy demon."
"I prefer 'Love Demon'," Vincent laughed. "My power comes from... passion."
"Does Gwen know?"
"Not yet."
"I can help with that," Raven smirked.
"Don't you dare," Vincent warned. "Now go. Secure the armory."
The Lab.
Connally walked Harry down the hall.
"Master Harry, once you do this, don't betray Oscorp," Connally warned.
"I know the score, Uncle Connally," Harry sneered. "Oscorp is thriving under Vincent. I just want revenge."
"Your father didn't hate Parker," Connally said suddenly. "He knew Parker hid the serum because Oscorp was infiltrated by Hydra."
Harry stopped. "Hydra?"
"Yes. Peter is working for them now," Connally revealed. "That's who he sold the tech to. That's who protects him."
Harry's eyes widened. Peter wasn't just a traitor; he was a terrorist.
"Peter is weak," Connally added. "Vincent saved my life when Peter tried to kill me. Peter ran away like a coward when he saw Vincent."
Harry absorbed this. Vincent was the apex predator.
They entered the lab.
Doctor Otto Octavius was waiting. Four mechanical arms extended from his back, moving with snake-like precision.
"Mr. Connally," Otto greeted.
"This is Harry Osborn. Subject for the Black Widow Spider Serum," Connally ordered.
"Understood. Just lie down, Mr. Osborn."
Otto smiled. His mechanical arms prepped the needles.
Harry looked at the metal limbs. Doctor Octopus?
He laid down. The green liquid flowed into his veins.
Spider-Green Goblin Harry.
The game was on.
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