After striking the deal with Norman and Dr. Connors to keep his identity under wraps, Peter briefed them on his current project: having Herman Schultz (the Shocker) develop high-capacity batteries to disrupt the mobile phone market.
Norman was instantly intrigued. In fact, a bold idea began to take root in his mind.
He knew Oscorp was currently a toxic mess of internal politics and bloated bureaucracy—something he hadn't had the energy to fix while he was dying.
But now, with his health restored, Norman saw a golden opportunity for a "rebirth" through fire.
He could use Oscorp's resources to secretly fund Peter's new enterprise in Harry's name. Once Peter's company grew strong enough, Norman would let the old Oscorp slide into bankruptcy, allowing Peter to swoop in and buy up all the high-quality assets and projects.
A simple "left hand to right hand" maneuver would shed the annoying shareholders and the mountain of bad debt. Then, they could relaunch improved versions of the serums.
A brand-new Oscorp, entirely controlled by the Osborns and Peter, would soar to unprecedented heights.
The two hit it off immediately, finalizing the "Project Phoenix" strategy. With that, Peter's commercial empire officially had its wings.
Before leaving, Peter didn't forget to "shear some wool" from his new allies:
[Detected Light Green Sacrificial Item: Dr. Connors' Lab Coat]The favorite lab coat of Dr. Curtis Connors. It accompanied him through many breakthroughs and witnessed the terrifying power of the Lizard.[Sacrifice for 400 Points. Sacrifice?]
[Detected Blue Sacrificial Item: First-Gen Green Goblin Armor]The first-generation suit designed by Norman Osborn. A high-tech killing machine and a key artifact of a Spider-Verse supervillain.[Sacrifice for 1000 Points. Sacrifice?]
The two items netted Peter a cool 1,400 points, bringing his total balance to 5,200. He was eager to see what the shop would refresh next month!
With a satisfied grin, Peter hopped onto his new Goblin Glider—a gift from Norman—and took to the skies. Since Norman's evil persona was gone, he had no intention of being a villain, and he felt too old to play the superhero. Giving the glider to Peter was the perfect "thank you" gesture.
While Peter was soaring over New York, back in Washington D.C., at the Triskelion...
Level 8 Agent Phil Coulson burst into the office of S.H.I.E.L.D. Director, Nick Fury, carrying a laptop.
"Director, satellite surveillance captured a supernatural event in New York. Here is the intercepted footage."
Fury, sipping his coffee, clicked the video. He watched the four-way brawl between Ghost-Spider, the Arbiter, the Goblin, and the Lizard with a dismissive pout. "This is it?" He thought it was just a group of costumed vigilantes playing house.
But when he saw the Arbiter dismantle the Lizard with a barrage of high-speed strikes, his hand paused. That strength, that speed... he's got something. He looked like he could go toe-to-toe with the Captain.
Then came the end of the video: The Arbiter restoring the school.
Pffft!
Fury sprayed his coffee all over Coulson's face. He didn't even bother to apologize, his one good eye glued to the screen as debris floated and clicked back into place. His eye sparkled with greed.
"What is... the name of the one in the black-and-red suit?" Fury asked.
Even if the power only worked on inorganic objects, it would save S.H.I.E.L.D. a fortune in repair costs. But if it worked on humans? A "Super Priest" capable of raising the dead... a strategic weapon like that could not fall into the hands of the military. He had to have him.
Moreover, this power might be the key to safely reviving Captain America, who had recently been found frozen in the Arctic ice. If the Arbiter could ensure a stable recovery, the "Avengers Initiative" would accelerate tenfold.
Coulson, wiping coffee from his forehead, reported: "He calls himself 'The Arbiter.' This is his second recorded appearance.
Two days ago, he and 'Ghost-Spider' stopped a bank robbery in Manhattan. Based on his combat style, I suspect he might also be the 'Dock Butcher' from last week.
Lastly, satellite tracking shows his last known location was the Osborn Estate."
Fury's desire intensified. The Arbiter didn't seem like a homicidal psychopath, despite the arrogant name.
And Fury loved nothing more than "taming" arrogant geniuses—like a certain billionaire playboy he already had his eye on.
"Coulson, move! I want everything on this Arbiter," Fury barked. "Contact Norman Osborn. Demand information.
And since he appears near Midtown High so often, he likely lives there. Send our best to infiltrate the school. I want his threat level assessed, and I want him brought to me."
Fury rubbed his chin, hesitating for a moment before adding: "Assign this to Agent Natasha Romanoff."
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