Shadows Over Spider-Woman

The sleek blue glow of Stark Enterprises' central monitor bathed the room in soft light as Wanda, Gwen, Natasha, and Talia stood in front of the massive display. A silent tension hung in the air, their focus locked onto the scattered heat signatures Jarvis had detected throughout the city.

"Five million dollars, huh?" Talia muttered, crossing her arms. "That's what Jameson's putting on Spider-Woman's head? I gotta say, Stacy, you're getting expensive."

Gwen rolled her eyes, leaning against the desk. "Oh, please. Like anyone's actually collecting. I already beat Kraven the Hunter. Who else are they gonna send after me?"

"Don't jinx it," Natasha said smoothly, arms folded. "We just took down one obsessed lunatic; there are plenty more where that came from."

After this statement, Natasha took on a rare, serious tone as she said the women present.

"There has been another attack and another massacre," Natasha muttered, her arms crossed. "The Goblin's getting bolder."

Talia leaned forward, flicking her fingers across the console as multiple video feeds rewound to the moment the Osborn Industries Board of Directors was obliterated by a pumpkin bomb and his other attacks. Some of the slow-motion footage showed the fiery explosion engulfing the upper balcony of the parade float, the brutal efficiency of the strike unmistakable.

"Damn," Talia muttered. "Whoever this guy is, he's not just hitting random targets. This was personal."

"Of course it was," Wanda said, her tone sharp. "The Goblin's only targeting people in positions of power. The question is why?"

Gwen sighed, rubbing the bridge of her nose. "It's not about money—if it was, he'd be robbing banks instead of assassinating business executives."

Natasha nodded. "And it's not about proving himself like some of the other lunatics we've faced. He's got a specific endgame."

Gwen crossed her arms. "Right. But what's the pattern?"

Jarvis' calm voice echoed throughout the room.

"Based on my analysis of recent attacks, the Green Goblin's technology is highly sophisticated, utilizing advanced propulsion systems and integrated weapons that rival Stark Enterprises' early prototypes. However, the glider's heat signature, which was detected at the parade, has resurfaced near a new location."

A red marker appeared on the city map—the Grand Plaza, an elite gala venue.

Talia exhaled sharply. "Well, looks like our guy's got another party to crash."

Natasha studied the display, her mind already working through the logistics. "Who's attending?"

Jarvis pulled up a guest list, and several familiar names popped up.

Representatives from Stark Enterprises

High-ranking Oscorp executives

Military contractors from Roxxon Energy

Wanda frowned, scanning the list. "This isn't just a business meeting. It's a power summit."

Talia nodded. "These are the people who control a lot of what happens in New York—and beyond."

Gwen's stomach twisted slightly as she saw Oscorp among the listed attendees.

"Oscorp?" she repeated, her voice hesitant.

Talia nodded, rubbing her chin. "Yeah. Makes sense. Norman Osborn's got his hands in everything from weapons research to biotech."

Gwen tried to keep her expression neutral, but something nagged at her.

If the Green Goblin was specifically targeting corporate elites, and Oscorp kept showing up in the mix…

She shook her head, trying to shake the feeling. It's just a coincidence.

"Let's talk enhancements," Talia said, swiping the screen to a new report. "I've been running diagnostics on the Goblin's capabilities, and they match something straight out of a super-soldier program."

Natasha raised an eyebrow. "You're saying this guy's juiced?"

"Beyond juiced," Talia replied. "Enhanced reflexes, inhuman strength, durability. He's not just using tech—he's been biologically modified."

Wanda exhaled slowly. "That means there's only a handful of places where he could've gotten that kind of enhancement. But we already suspected as much before this, so this is no big surprise. What's interesting is his fixation on you, Gwen."

Jarvis brought up a list of corporations with known super-soldier experiments.

Stark Enterprises (discontinued project)

Roxxon Energy (classified research)

Oscorp (experimental trials rumored but never confirmed)

Gwen's grip tightened at her sides. "Oscorp again," she muttered under her breath.

Talia gave her a side glance. "Yeah. But we don't have proof yet. Just a hunch."

Gwen tried to ignore the tight feeling in her chest.

First, the Goblin is obsessed with me. Now Oscorp keeps coming up?

She swallowed. No. It's a coincidence.

Gwen paced slightly as the others continued analyzing the data.

She had been fighting the Goblin non-stop, but the way he fought—it felt… calculated. He wasn't just attacking her at random. He wasn't just testing her skills.

It was like he was trying to see something in her.

Like he was trying to convince her of something.

"Gwen?" Wanda's voice broke through her thoughts.

She blinked, looking at her.

"You okay?" Wanda asked, tilting her head slightly.

Gwen hesitated. "Yeah, just… thinking."

Wanda frowned, stepping closer. "About what?"

Gwen bit her lip. "The way the Goblin fights… it's like he knows me. Like he's studied me."

Natasha narrowed her eyes. "You think he knows your identity?"

Gwen exhaled. "I don't know. But it feels personal."

Wanda's gaze darkened. "That's not a coincidence."

Talia folded her arms. "If that's true, then the question isn't just who the Goblin is—it's why he's fixated on you."

Gwen shook her head. "I don't know. But if Oscorp is in the mix, I need to be sure."

Wanda placed a hand on her shoulder, her grip steady. "We'll find out."

Gwen glanced at her, and for a moment, she felt a sense of calm wash over her. Wanda's confidence was unshakable, and somehow, that made everything feel just a little less overwhelming.

"You really believe that?" Gwen asked.

Wanda smirked. "I believe in us."

Gwen's heart did something weird in her chest, but she quickly pushed it down.

Natasha sighed, looking at the map. "Alright. No more waiting. If the Goblin's hitting this gala, we need to be there. But let's go as guests I can secure us entry thanks to Talia."

Talia grinned. "Looks like it's time to crash a party."

The four women suited up, their symbiote suits shimmering in the dim light of the lab as they turned into elegant dresses."

Natasha adjusted her gloves, her expression sharp. "Let's make a full scale entrance as women with attitude?"

Gwen stretched, feeling the symbiote enhance her movements. "Let's just hope we're not walking into a trap. But I love the idea of not having to worry about clothing anymore with this new suit."

Talia tapped her temple. "Trap or not, we've got the element of surprise."

Jarvis' voice echoed once more. "I have secured transportation. ETA to Grand Plaza: 10 minutes."

Wanda looked at the others. "Let's go."

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