Chapter 196: Playing at God
"I'm a friend of Peter's. His phone isn't answering."
Parker Industries' recently acquired Manhattan tower—purchased under CEO Alice's supervision—received its first visitor immediately upon opening: Harry Osborn.
He sat in Parker Tower's VIP reception room, watching Alice with obvious anxiety:
"Miss, can you help me reach him?"
"Mr. Osborn, I know who you are." With Batman absent, Alice demonstrated executive composure, calming Harry. "Please give me a moment. I'll attempt contact."
"Would you like coffee?"
"Yes, please hurry." Harry's worried expression barely managed a forced smile. "I mean—contact Peter quickly."
Alice smiled politely, exiting the reception room while extracting her phone.
Busy signal. Alice apparently couldn't reach Peter Parker either.
After multiple failed attempts, Alice returned to the reception room with apologetic expression:
"I'm sorry, Mr. Osborn. The boss is likely occupied. I'll relay your message the moment I reach him."
Harry shook his head, walking toward the elevator somewhat dazed. He'd just returned from Ravencroft Institute.
Yesterday Harry had visited Ben Parker's grave with flowers. Today he'd intended contacting Peter to visit Ravencroft together in the northern suburbs, hoping to see his father.
After failing to reach Peter, Harry had traveled there alone. This time he'd offered substantial payment and provided his own name.
This time Harry Osborn got his wish—entering that psychiatric facility and discovering information that chilled him to the bone.
Norman Osborn wasn't there. He'd been transferred over two weeks ago!
"Peter, Father—what's happening?" Harry asked himself. But no answers materialized.
Harry felt completely disoriented. He couldn't remember the journey from Parker Tower back to Oscorp Tower.
He only knew that upon reaching the twentieth floor via elevator, Professor Morbius was speaking with obvious agitation to Professor Miles Warren.
"You're listening to him? Though I genuinely like that young man, if you were in his position, would you unconditionally sacrifice everything helping a virtual stranger?" Warren's expression radiated frustration.
"I can sense Peter wasn't deceiving me. He genuinely intends to do exactly that." Morbius spoke with urgent conviction.
His statement remained incomplete when Harry Osborn arrived. Both scientists tactfully ceased discussion.
But Harry had heard enough. He slowly approached both professors:
"You're discussing Peter, correct?"
Warren remained silent. Morbius nodded honestly.
"Forget what he said. Resume the previous treatment approach, Professor Morbius." Harry stated.
Morbius studied Harry without responding.
Harry pulled over a chair, sitting opposite both professors:
"Professor, I know you want to cure your condition. We all do. But we cannot actually follow Peter's proposal."
Seeing both professors lapse into silence, Harry continued:
"Let me tell you about Peter. The kid who desperately wanted his own computer but was too poor—so he scavenged parts from junkyards, assembling them himself."
"Even then, he refused my financial assistance."
"He's that stubborn and inflexible. I didn't even dare secretly buy him a decent computer. He would have repaid me a thousand times over. But you understand I never needed that."
"At school, everyone called him a bookworm. But I once witnessed a bully who'd tormented Peter break down crying after a bad breakup. Only Peter approached to comfort him. That guy's name was Eugene, I think?"
Warren nodded:
"Eugene 'Flash' Thompson. One of school's notorious troublemakers. I remember him."
Harry forced a smile. His mind remained consumed with questions about Peter and Norman's whereabouts. But considering Morbius's blood disease, he persevered:
"But this person—kind to everyone—lost one of his most beloved people last month. His Uncle Ben."
"I'm sorry." Warren murmured.
Harry shook his head slightly. He wasn't soliciting Warren's sympathy but building toward a point:
"Yesterday Peter shared Uncle Ben's final words with me: 'With great power comes great responsibility.'"
"Peter clearly misunderstood the meaning. That's why learning about Professor Morbius's blood disease made him want to sacrifice everything helping you."
"He was a poor kid who finally built Parker Industries. I cannot watch him actually bankrupt himself—lose everything—over this. He still has Aunt May and Gwen to care for."
Harry directed that final statement specifically at Morbius.
Morbius lowered his head, resuming his characteristic melancholic poet demeanor:
"I understand."
Warren's expression flickered with reluctance. He apologized again—this time for doubting Peter's intentions:
"I apologize. I don't know Peter well. I assumed his offer represented temporary passion rather than genuine commitment. But based on your description, Peter truly would sacrifice everything without hesitation."
"Yes. That's exactly who he is." Harry confirmed. "Professor Morbius, though I oppose Peter's approach, Oscorp will still provide everything you need."
Morbius sighed. After this conversation, how could he permit Peter Parker's return to poverty? Simply resume previous progress:
"We'll restart electroshock therapy protocols."
Harry nodded: "I'll summon Max Dillon."
---
Distance continued closing. Batman in heavy armor approached The Leader—still facing away—plus General Ross and the glass chamber containing Norman Osborn. Less than thirty feet remained.
"Stop there. Halt your advance." The Leader still hadn't turned toward Batman. "Your armor's quite thick. Unless you want it transformed into your coffin, stay where you are."
Batman's stride never faltered.
The Leader seemed impatient. He finally pivoted to face Batman, voice frigid:
"I reviewed available intelligence on you. Playing supernatural vigilante suits New York better than barging into my laboratory creating chaos."