102: Ancient One VS Mephisto
In the smoke, Green Goblin knelt praying, "Lord Mephisto, I offer my life and soul if you aid me."
A voice responded, "I've no interest in your life, Norman Osborn, only your soul. Will you serve me?"
"Give me the power to defeat those outside and I am yours!" Green Goblin pleaded.
Mephisto laughed, "Your agreement alone won't suffice, I want you both!"
Green Goblin looked up, one eye bloodshot while the other normal, two voices speaking as one. "I offer my soul to serve Lord Mephisto!"
Mephisto cackled wildly, "Norman Osborn, today you are mine! Feel the power of Hell and live as my servant!"
A crimson light seared Norman's brow as he screamed. The exoskeleton writhed as if alive. The fallen mask flew up, affixing itself to Norman's face and seemingly consuming it. Green flames ignited over him.
On the roof, Andrew frowned at the changes. "Evil power aids Green Goblin? It must be Mephisto...why now?" With Mephisto involved, Gwen and Tony couldn't win. Andrew moved to help as Tony and Gwen reacted to Norman's screams.
"I've got other plans, no time to waste here!" Tony aimed his palm cannons, uneasy at the ominous screams.
Gwen echoed, "I don't want to waste time either!" But Anna's scream distracted them.
The scrapped Flight Device was flying, its metal now fleshy, eyes blood red. The guns had become glassy orbs. Everyone stared, bewildered by the unnatural sight.
George ordered open fire, riddling the thing with bullets to no effect as it healed rapidly. Its gaze locked onto George, who shuddered inexplicably. It looked away, flying into the smoke towards Norman.
"Stop it, Tony!" Gwen shouted, firing web. Tony launched missiles as the thing closed in on Norman. But red beams shot from its eyes, disintegrating their attacks before it zipped past them.
"That's disgusting!" Tony glared after it. Sensing the imminent danger, they gave chase but Norman's screams gave way to wild laughter. A shockwave of green mist burst out with him at the core, blowing Tony back. Gwen held fast to the ground.
Tony stabilized himself, "Can you explain what's happening?" Gwen just shook her head, as lost as him. "Okay then."
The smoke cleared, revealing a changed Green Goblin. "Uglier than ever!" Tony insulted. The exoskeleton was now organic, with blue flames at the joints. The mask appeared fused to Norman's face.
Tony fired a palm blast, but Green Goblin took it directly, the armor healing instantly. "Is that all, Tony Stark?" he mocked.
Perplexed, Tony checked with JARVIS, who confirmed full power. Green Goblin sneered, "Try mine!" Twin red lasers blasted from the Flight Device, knocking Tony back violently.
"Tony!" Gwen shot web to catch him but Green Goblin intercepted her in a blur. "Let's see your vaunted strength now!" His flaming fist came at her.
Wary of the flames, Gwen evaded instead of blocking. Green Goblin grew frustrated, "Take the hit like before!"
Tony got up and charged a punch, hammering the Flight Device after it shielded Green Goblin. Grabbing Tony's fist from the shattered armor, Green Goblin leered, "Tony Stark~". His hellish voice sent chills through them.
JARVIS warned of drastic temperature drop as green flames engulfed Tony's armor. "Enjoy the cold of Hell," Green Goblin grinned.
Gwen grabbed for Tony but the flames swallowed them both instantly...
At Kamar-Taj, Ancient One donned her yellow hooded robe, indicating she was going to battle or confront danger.
Mordo stepped forward, "Master, allow me to accompany you."
Ancient One smiled, "Where I go, you cannot follow yet."
Still worried, Mordo started, "Master..."
She rested a hand on his, "Do not fear for me. Watch over Kamar-Taj, Kaecilius may return."
At that name, Mordo's expression hardened. "I understand, Master."
"Even if I die, Kamar-Taj will be safe."
Dissatisfied, Ancient One lectured, "Kamar-Taj is just a building. It's not Kamar-Taj we truly guard."
Mordo listened, though his principles made him obsess over Kamar-Taj. If Kaecilius attacked while she was away, Mordo would keep his word.
Ancient One sighed, knowing her disciple too well. He could not succeed her as Sorcerer Supreme.
The other disciples nodded at her reassuringly. Passing through the gate, Ancient One entered a dark dimension with strange green lights.
Forming a golden magic circle, she shattered it into butterflies that illuminated a hallway of bones and a vacant skull throne - Mephisto's, but he was absent.
After a time, the skeletons' eyes ignited red flames towards Ancient One. The hallway blazed as a figure in red robes appeared upon the throne.
"Sorcerer of Earth, why trespass in my hell?" asked Mephisto, pupils solid white in sunken eyes, fangs bared.
"Lord Mephisto," she addressed evenly. A golden shield circle sparked around her. "Why visit Earth?"
Mephisto smiled, fangs glinting. "The Sanctum has you listed as dangerous. I came to ask in person."
His smile vanished. "I go wherever I please across the cosmos! Not even Asgard bars me, let alone tiny Earth!"
Ancient One pressed, "You came to accuse falsely?" Mephisto's pupilless gaze chilled her, but she remained steadfast.
"If you wish to know, make me tell you," Mephisto threatened. The skeletons rattled to life, eyes blazing. Hellfire surged at Ancient One, halted by her magic circles.
Mephisto praised her might as Sorcerer Supreme. But then his expression contorted in fury. Upon Ancient One's forehead was a red rune...
At the NYPD, green flames engulfed Gwen and Tony. The others watched anxiously as the temperature plunged despite the roaring fire.
"It's freezing!" Anna shuddered. The fierce flames nearby should be hot, yet it grew deathly cold. Another night beyond her understanding.
Soon the flames receded, leaving only Green Goblin. To his shock, Tony and Gwen had vanished along with the arm he grabbed at them.
"Where are they?" Anna asked worriedly. The fire could have incinerated them. George desperately searched for any sign of the heroes.
"There they are!" a detective shouted...
To be continued...
[ T/L: In the comic "Spider-Man: One More Day", after publicly unmasking during the Civil War, Peter Parker supported Tony's Hero Registration Act.
This exposed Aunt May to his enemies and she was critically injured. Desperate, Peter turned to anyone who could help but no one could save her.
Then Mephisto came to Peter with an offer - trade his future with Mary Jane and their daughter to save Aunt May and erase his identity as Spider-Man. ]