Chapter 223: Face-to-Face Confrontation
Most people acquiring superpowers—particularly physical enhancement abilities—rely purely on instinct during combat.
Superman represented the distant example. Green Goblin jr and Morbius were immediate ones.
Their situations differed fundamentally. Superman had achieved absolute power—strength so overwhelming it rendered technique irrelevant.
But Green Goblin jr and Morbius obviously hadn't reached that threshold.
Batman had already assessed their capabilities through previous exchanges. Green Goblin jr possessed approximately ten tons of strength. Morbius demonstrated considerably less—roughly two thousand pounds, barely nine hundred kilograms.
Meanwhile, Peter Parker's physiology under Batman's relentless conditioning had exceeded fifty tons.
Absolute disparity in strength. Astronomical gap in technique.
The balance atop the Empire State Building tilted overwhelmingly toward Batman.
Before this confrontation, Batman had prepared seven distinct protocols for engaging Morbius and Green Goblin jr. The sheer capability differential rendered every single contingency unnecessary.
WHAM!
Batman shifted slightly, evading Green Goblin jr's slash. Knee bent, blocking Morbius's claws. Then delivered a devastating uppercut.
The massive, blindingly fast fist resembled artillery fire. Morbius had essentially inserted his skull into the barrel.
One strike. His head snapped backward violently, body launched skyward by tremendous force.
Simultaneously—POP—Morbius's eardrums ruptured from impact pressure. Blood immediately streamed from both ears.
Morbius's facial features twisted grotesquely under the punch, nearly dislocating completely. Vision exploded into stars. Consciousness blanked entirely.
The downpour continued. Morbius flew upward through falling rain.
Batman had confirmed through combat that Morbius possessed significant healing factor. Therefore he'd calibrated force precisely to Morbius's tolerance threshold.
Sufficient to avoid pulverizing brain matter or crushing eyeballs from sockets, yet enough to eliminate combat capability instantly.
While Morbius remained airborne, specialized webbing—originally designed for Red Hulk containment—pursued him.
Pitch-black strands unaffected by rain solidified on atmospheric contact, binding Morbius thoroughly.
By the time he descended, he'd been wrapped into a black mummy, casually hung on the Empire State Building's television antenna by Batman.
Simultaneously launching Morbius skyward, Batman's fingers clamped like steel pincers, catching the green blade's edge mid-slash through multiple strike attempts.
SNAP!
Batman wrenched the double-handed sword from Green Goblin jr's grip, discarding it aside.
While Green Goblin jr stood stunned, Batman fired webbing that adhered to his chest armor.
Batman yanked hard. Green Goblin jr stumbled forward into Batman's range.
The instant he reached Batman, the prepared fist was already waiting—shattering raindrops individually before thundering into Green Goblin jr's abdomen.
SPLAT!
Green Goblin jr vomited blood immediately, body curling like a shrimp.
His twisted grin vanished completely. The shrill voice disappeared. Legs buckled. He collapsed.
"Wait! Batman, it's me—Harry!"
Green Goblin jr felt internal organs churning violently. Excruciating pain prevented breathing. He forced words through clenched teeth:
"I'm Peter's friend! Harry Osborn!"
The voice emerging from Green Goblin jr's mouth was unmistakably Harry Osborn's.
Batman's expression remained impassive. Webbing wrapped Green Goblin jr mercilessly, hanging him beside Morbius.
Half a month ago, confronting Norman Osborn, Batman had witnessed identical tactics—false surrender followed by surprise attack.
Batman had identified Norman's deception through behavioral tells. Determined the Green Goblin personality retained dominance despite apparent capitulation.
Now, identical situation. Harry Osborn remained considerably less skilled than his father at deception. Batman saw through the performance instantly.
Regardless of subsequent struggling or pleading, Batman ignored both completely. Gripping one figure in each hand like carrying chickens, he dropped from the Empire State Building's edge.
Rain-soaked night. Rikers Island was completely deserted.
Beyond relentless rain sounds, nothing else registered.
Batman transported Green Goblin jr and Morbius here, dropping them separately on the ground.
"Peter entrusted you both to my care. But he didn't explain what I should do when one of you murders prisoners while the other negotiates with the monster inside himself."
Morbius's healing factor had already repaired his injuries completely.
Batman's voice remained low, yet transmitted clearly through the rain curtain into both Morbius and Green Goblin jr's ears.
"Morbius, you remember this place? On this Rikers Island, you killed exactly thirty-one inmates."
As he spoke, Batman locked eyes intensely with Morbius.
Morbius turned his head away, lips pressed tight, refusing speech.
Batman didn't permit evasion. He stepped forward, lifting Morbius with one hand, forcing direct eye contact:
"When the first prisoner died, I could understand losing control to blood hunger."
"But what justified killing the other thirty?"
Morbius regarded Batman's white-lit eyes. His brow furrowed involuntarily:
"Everyone imprisoned here is a violent criminal. You're protecting those monsters?"
Despite underlying fear, Morbius couldn't restrain defensive anger under Batman's interrogation.
"Not protecting." Batman held Morbius's gaze. "Among your victims, at least three committed minor offenses, currently appealing their sentences. One man's daughter had just mailed him a letter."
"They weren't all death row inmates. At least half were serving finite sentences."
Minor offenses... Appeals pending...
Morbius's eyes flickered. Regret flashed across his features momentarily, then explosive rage erupted. Fangs bared, he attempted breaking Batman's grip:
"What are you trying to prove? That I'm an out-of-control monster? Congratulations—you succeeded!"
"Do what you came to do. Kill me!"
Batman shook his head slowly:
"I'm not a judge. I can't represent the law."
From his utility belt, Batman extracted a letter, unfolding it before Morbius's face.
Rain rapidly soaked the paper, blurring ink. But Morbius clearly read two sentences.
One: "Mom and I are waiting for you to come home." Another: "I want to become a scientist like Morbius."
"Touching." Green Goblin jr's voice emerged as cold laughter from where he lay. "The genius scientist redemption drama."
Batman released Morbius with an audible sound, letting him fall beside the letter. He turned attention toward Green Goblin jr.
"Words can't change facts. When I needed him most, Peter abandoned me. He'd been deceiving me from the beginning with garbage like 'your father will definitely return.'"
Green Goblin jr watched Batman approach step by step, mockery intensifying across his features:
"Bring Peter here. I want to confront him face-to-face."
Batman remained silent for several seconds, studying Green Goblin jr's completely green-saturated eyes. Slowly, he removed his mask:
"I am Peter Parker."