Little Spider

A Norman Osborn Fanfic

By Ophelia Fiona Tin

The fires licked hungrily at my sides, scorching the metallic green flesh that was bound tightly to my body. I didn't care, I didn't notice. All I could see was the flashing of crimson and cobalt jumping intrepidly from the scene. A hero through and through, are you my boy? I unleashed a feral growl, my clawed hand thrashing out and connecting brutally with a blazing pillar. The structure collapsed, bringing a little bit more of the doomed building down around me.

"Oh, no you say? I think not, little spider. You're mine, boy…all mine…"

The fire reflected dangerously in my emerald eyes, as I returned my focus upon the cavernous hole in the side of the building. An malevolent grin began to grow across my face hidden beneath my devilish mask. Slowly, I began to walk toward the hole, completely ignoring the dangerously low ceiling that was lowering still. The fire seemed to shy away from my touch, lest they be scalded by the devil stirring within me. I neared the opening with each stride, the inferno hungrily consuming all behind me.

"Will you walk into my parlor, little spider. It's the prettiest little parlor that ever you did spy…"

Which each word I stepped closer and closer towards the opening, my voice maddening and up-surging ever the more. Oh, the irony, my little spider. Fits of laughter broke my recitation when I reached the cavity. I braced myself with hand upon a miraculously unscathed section of the failing structure, my other arm wrapped about my midsection in attempts to quell my riotous bout of laughter.

"I'm sure you must be weary, dear, with soaring up so high…" I managed to sputter between spasms of uncontrollable hilarity.

The gallant knight could run for all I cared. I'd meet him again, it was inevitable. Where there was crime, there was Mr. Goody-Two-Shoes incarnate. All dolled up for a night on the town with corruption and his lovely sister malevolence. Bizarre, eccentric, curious…intriguing. I believe you may have caught more than bits of unforgiving metal within your webbing, my lovely little spider. I believe I may be awestruck by you; your every movement as if choreographed, your carefully chosen words…what are you afraid of, little spider? Could it possibly be me in my twisted emerald suit of armor? Do I frighten you, little spider? Do I make you tremble inside…?

"Oh…Sweet creature…" I hissed under my breath, once the convulsions had subsided. My smile withered as quickly as it had grown, leaving my thin lips in the all-too familiar surly look of a corporate business man. I glanced up toward the bleary heavens, a thick fog of deepest ebony impeding my ability to see the cerulean skies. He was long gone now, but the firemen and the miserable tenants still stood uselessly beneath me. Could they see me? I hope so; I hope they fear me. I was their curse, I was their bane. A little bit of ignorance that had snuck passed the privileged few who really owned this shameful city.

I let out a small chuckle on account of their blindness, the urge to break into hysterics once more a threat. Glancing about me, figuring that a hasty treat was more appropriate than knee-slapping glee; I hastily pressed a small button on my boot. The sweet sounds of a purring motor soon began to fill the area. All eyes raised to the blue just in time to see the ever-infamous glider zoom into view. My smile seemed to only widen when I saw my precious fly into view. Unfortunately however, my visit was through, my metallic over suit could only protect me from so much and the flames were growing hungrier and hungrier behind me.

I leapt from the ledge the moment my glider came into range, soaring freely through the air for a brief moment. Yet, the moment passed quickly and I landed easily. The lessees were pointing now, their mouths wide, aghast. Oh yes, they feared me. But, did they know that their precious hero feared me too? No, of course not, he was untarnished in some eyes, mottled in others. But fear me? Never. Hero or not, he was not normal, and abnormalities did not possess emotions like their pathetic frailties. The world would never fully accept marvels like he and I. Powerful emotions like envy, opposition, and ignorance would always hamper some.

But…we have each other, my little spider. You may have pushed me away this time, but how long can you hold out? How long can you endure the enmity? When will you come running home to me? Oh yes, you need me. Just like I need you. It's like an addiction, you see, my pretty little spider. I give you drive, I give you glory, I give you eminence. Without me, you'd just be some freak on the corner. Without me, who would give a damn if you saved another homeless tramp from rape. The hero needs the recognition, the hero needs the villain.

So push me, break me, use me, little spider. Don't fear, I like the pain. It's like a drug…you're like a drug. One day you'll see, little spider, that you need me. One day you'll see that your obsession is mounting. We could work wonders, my boy. We could create a legacy of vice, a monument to decadence. Go ahead then, play the hero, little spider. It'll make the whole affair much more interesting when the chips are down. You have to fly to fall, and don't worry, little spider, I'll be there to catch you.