Oscorp's anniversary celebration was a grand affair, one of the company's biggest events of the year.
As Norman Osborn's partner, Nolan Rock naturally received an invitation.
With his contributions to the Green Goblin serum research, Nolan felt confident that the Green Goblin would never emerge at least, that was his hope.
Walking through the bustling crowd, Nolan casually sampled the various delicacies on offer. He had not felt this relaxed in a long time.
From a distance, Peter Parker watched Mary Jane and Harry Osborn as they laughed and whispered to each other. Envy flickered across his face, though he could only offer his silent blessings.
Seeing Peter like this stirred a mixture of frustration and pity in Nolan. He remembered advising Peter to seize opportunities when they appeared. Peter had failed to act, while Harry had not. Perhaps, Nolan thought, Peter was feeling the sting of regret right now.
He approached Peter with a calm demeanor.
"What are you looking at, Peter?"
Peter turned and was slightly startled. "Mr. Rock? What are you doing here?"
Nolan smiled. "This is Oscorp's anniversary, and as a collaborator with Mr. Osborn, I was invited."
He gestured toward Mary Jane and Harry. "That's the girl you like, isn't it? A pity. Perhaps if you had removed your mask back then, things might have turned out differently. After all, no girl would base her future on a superhero she might never see again."
Peter felt a sharp pang in his chest. Mary Jane was his ideal, his white moonlight, and hearing Nolan's words only deepened the ache.
Nolan didn't press further. Peter was already hurting enough. His purpose was not to pour salt into the wound, but to allow Peter a moment of emotional release.
Without the Green Goblin's interference, the anniversary would pass safely. Harry and Mary Jane's story seemed destined to follow a parallel path, one Peter could only watch from afar.
"I… I'm not sure, Mr. Rock," Peter admitted, voice hesitant. "Mary Jane likes Spider-Man, not me. Is this the fate of a superhero?"
Nolan's eyes narrowed. "Fate of a superhero? Don't use that immature mind of yours to overcomplicate things!"
He spoke with unflinching authority. "Superheroes have no fate. Neither heroes nor ordinary people do. The future is created by your own actions. You fear approaching Mary Jane because of your superhero identity. That fear is not from being Spider-Man it comes from your own insecurities."
Nolan understood exactly why Peter felt this way. Peter was brilliant, and his intelligence made him acutely aware of the dangers of being a superhero. It meant his family could be threatened, every loved one was a source of worry.
Peter longed for his ordinary self to win Mary Jane's affection, rather than his Spider-Man persona. This was the main reason he refused to remove his mask.
Nolan did not approve of this mindset. "Your identity as a superhero is never a shackle. You worry it might bring trouble to those around you, but Peter, what you must do is not fear the future, but confront and overcome your fear."
There was one thing Nolan could not teach. Were he in Peter's place, he would eliminate anyone who threatened him, ensuring enemies would never dare touch his family. But Peter was not Nolan, and he would never make that choice.
Even so, Nolan had to impress upon him that avoidance solves nothing. Retreating is acceptable, but it must never mean abandoning progress.
Peter stared, processing Nolan's words. Could his greatest obstacle really be himself?
At that moment, Peter's expression shifted. A stern focus appeared between his brows. Spider-sense had activated.
Seconds later, the Green Goblin descended on the anniversary celebration, riding his hoverboard.
Explosions rained down, plunging the crowd into chaos.
"Mr. Rock, I'm sorry, I have to go!" Peter exclaimed, leaping into action.
"Go," Nolan replied, his expression unreadable. Was the Green Goblin truly emerging despite his confidence? Why hadn't Norman waited?
The Green Goblin's manic laughter echoed through the hall. Watching the terrified crowd below, he was intoxicated by the feeling of power the sensation of absolute control. Evil had taken root in his heart. To him, nothing else mattered.
Bombs exploded indiscriminately. Several people were killed or injured instantly.
Amid the chaos, a red figure appeared. Spider-webs shot toward the Green Goblin, who dodged them with ease.
"Spider-Man?" the Green Goblin sneered, firing two missiles from his hoverboard at Peter.
Peter dodged, but the missiles struck the second-floor platform, splitting it in half. Mary Jane stumbled, nearly falling. In a split second, Peter swooped in and saved her.
The Green Goblin, recognizing Spider-Man's danger, changed direction and charged. Today, his mission was simple: eliminate Spider-Man. With Spider-Man gone, no one could stop him.
Peter placed Mary Jane safely on the ground and immediately attacked the Green Goblin again. He seized a chance to trap the villain's hoverboard tail with his webs, yanking him down.
The Green Goblin landed, rolled, and delivered a devastating kick, sending Peter flying, demonstrating terrifying close-combat skill.
Nolan watched with admiration. This Green Goblin was stronger than the original. With the Super Soldier Serum enhancing him, the Green Goblin's powers were now formidable enough to match Spider-Man.
Peter, however, was no novice. Despite the Green Goblin's hoverboard and enhanced strength, he quickly stabilized the fight. His Spider-sense amplified his combat awareness, giving him a critical edge despite limited experience.
Then the Green Goblin's gaze locked onto Nolan. In that moment, Nolan understood his strategy. The villain needed a hostage. Spider-Man, as a superhero, would be susceptible to threats against others. The Green Goblin targeted Nolan because he possessed the Super Soldier Serum. If Nolan fell, the serum would belong solely to the Green Goblin.
With a malicious grin, the Green Goblin leaped onto his hoverboard and headed straight for Nolan.
"Mr. Rock!" Peter shouted, momentarily forgetting that Spider-Man's identity was a secret. He fired webs, but there was no time.
Nolan's expression turned cold. The attack was unexpected, but he was prepared. As the Green Goblin neared, Nolan delivered a single, powerful punch.
A muffled thud echoed. The Green Goblin recoiled.
Everyone was stunned. Peter gaped, unable to comprehend what he had just witnessed. He had always known Nolan could fight, but fighting a superhuman like the Green Goblin was another level entirely.
Amid the chaos, Nolan remained calm. He had donned a combat suit. Its power was modest alone, but combined with his peak human strength, it was more than enough to catch the Green Goblin off guard.
Seeing the villain retreat, Nolan's eyes narrowed. Such reckless behavior it was almost as if the Green Goblin was courting death.
With the Green Goblin fleeing, Spider-Man followed, leaving Nolan surrounded by survivors. Some thanked him, while others wore grim expressions. When the Green Goblin had first appeared, Nolan had not acted immediately, and that hesitation had nearly cost lives.
News of the fight quickly reached Jonah Jameson, the publisher of the Daily Bugle, along with several blurry photos.
Jameson grinned widely. "See that? This is the story. Tomorrow's front page will feature Spider-Man and Nolan Rock."
As his editors debated how to hype the two heroes and the Green Goblin's terror, Jameson smiled slyly. "Focus the headline on Nolan Rock. Such power hidden among civilians, and Spider-Man even called his name they must know each other!"
Lighting his cigar, he continued, "I have a feeling I can get Spider-Man's identity from Nolan Rock."
The editors exchanged glances. Some were frustrated with Jameson's obsession with Spider-Man, but he was their boss. Their concern was crafting the most sensational, controversial story possible to please him.
The next day, the Daily Bugle sold out again, fueled by Spider-Man's headline-making exploits.
New Yorkers knew that while the Bugle was a local paper, for Spider-Man news, it was the most reliable source.
Jameson stood at his office window, exuding smug satisfaction as cash flowed in. Criticizing Spider-Man was secondary money was all that mattered.
Meanwhile, Nolan held a copy of the latest Bugle issue. He could almost anticipate the public's reaction.
The battlefield of public opinion was formidable. With a flick of his wrist, he dropped the paper to the floor.
In the war of narratives, this was only the beginning.