Reality is always crueler than idealism suggests. The world exists in shades of gray rather than simple black and white, and the legal system—while designed to uphold justice—can be manipulated by those with sufficient resources and cunning.
In American courtrooms, a skilled lawyer's eloquence can often generate sympathy for obvious criminals, transforming perpetrators into victims through carefully crafted narratives. This fundamental flaw in the justice system was precisely why Matt Murdock had chosen to pursue both legal and vigilante careers—he wanted to defeat his enemies not only physically, but also ensure their legal conviction through proper channels.
"However, I must remind you, Mr. Murdock," the defense attorney said with practiced condescension, "there exists no credible evidence linking my client, Mr. Stromm, to the so-called 'Green Goblin' persona."
He turned to address the judge directly, his voice carrying the authoritative tone of someone accustomed to swaying opinions. "The individual who delivered Mr. Stromm to police custody was a masked vigilante known as Spider-Man—a figure who operates outside legal authority and could reasonably be classified as a criminal himself."
To support this argument, the defense attorney produced a substantial collection of Daily Bugle articles, each one portraying Spider-Man in the most negative light possible. J. Jonah Jameson's relentless editorial campaign against the web-slinger provided a wealth of material for anyone seeking to discredit the hero's credibility.
What made this particularly painful for Peter was the realization that many of those damaging photographs had been taken by him personally, sold to Jameson for desperately needed income. His own work was now being used to undermine Spider-Man's reputation and potentially free a dangerous criminal.
The courtroom debate continued with increasing intensity, both sides presenting evidence and arguments with legal precision. Matt and Norman found themselves in an unexpectedly difficult position as the jury seemed to display subtle but concerning bias toward Stromm's defense narrative.
Both men quickly realized that the Green Goblin had acquired powerful backing during his imprisonment—resources that could afford elite legal representation and influence public opinion through carefully orchestrated campaigns.
Their assessment was entirely correct.
Wilson Fisk had spent the past week negotiating with Mendel Stromm, ultimately securing an agreement that would provide the modified lizard serum in exchange for freedom. The process had required considerable patience, as Stromm initially attempted to maintain leverage by refusing to reveal the serum's location until after his release.
Despite his transformation into the Green Goblin, Stromm remained fundamentally different from someone like Norman Osborn. Where Norman possessed genuine cunning and strategic thinking, Stromm was merely a powerful individual wearing a villain's costume—dangerous but ultimately predictable in his desperation and greed.
The fear of permanent imprisonment had gradually worn down Stromm's resistance. He could imagine spending decades in maximum-security confinement while Norman claimed ownership of everything he had worked to build. Eventually, cooperation with Kingpin seemed like his only viable option.
Fisk had immediately provided Stromm with premier legal representation once their deal was finalized.
While Kingpin was undoubtedly a criminal, his position required sophisticated approaches beyond simple violence. In fact, he valued rules and legal procedures more than most legitimate businessmen—primarily because he had become exceptionally skilled at manipulating those systems to his advantage.
In cases like this, achieving victory through conventional legal channels was far preferable to dramatic rescue operations that would attract unwanted attention from law enforcement and federal agencies.
For now, everything was proceeding exactly according to Kingpin's preferences.
Once Stromm regained his freedom, Fisk could deploy the entire collection of villains and assassins he had assembled specifically for eliminating Spider-Man and his allies.
Peter watched the proceedings with mounting anxiety. If this trial collapsed due to Spider-Man's damaged reputation, he mentally swore never to sell another photograph to the Daily Bugle for the rest of his life.
Fortunately, Matt had prepared for exactly this line of attack.
"Your Honor," Matt said, rising with confident composure, "the Daily Bugle represents a private media organization with obvious editorial bias. Their publications constitute opinion rather than factual evidence, and cannot be considered sufficient proof that Spider-Man operates as a criminal, nor can they exonerate Mr. Stromm of the charges against him."
Matt's voice carried the authority of someone who had spent years perfecting courtroom strategy. "We possess extensive video evidence definitively proving that Mr. Stromm is indeed the Green Goblin who has terrorized this city."
He paused for maximum dramatic effect. "Furthermore, the New York City Police Commissioner has agreed to provide testimony establishing that Spider-Man is not a criminal, but rather a valuable ally in maintaining public safety."
Matt smiled slightly, knowing that Captain Stacy's pre-trial cooperation would prove decisive in swaying jury opinion.
"Captain Stacy?" Peter nearly exclaimed aloud, barely restraining himself from creating a scene.
He had never imagined that George Stacy would publicly defend Spider-Man. Throughout Peter's career as a vigilante, official police statements had consistently portrayed him as a reckless vigilante who undermined proper law enforcement procedures.
Peter assumed that his recent crime-fighting successes had gradually changed Stacy's perspective on superhero intervention.
The reality was more complex. George Stacy still harbored significant resentment toward Spider-Man, viewing the web-slinger's activities as interference with police operations and illegal assumption of law enforcement authority.
However, Stacy's professional integrity demanded that he distinguish between vigilante overreach and actual criminal behavior. While he disapproved of Spider-Man's methods, he recognized that the hero's motivations were fundamentally decent.
More importantly, Captain Stacy refused to allow genuinely dangerous individuals like the Green Goblin to escape justice through legal technicalities. Such outcomes represented complete mockery of both law and justice.
A police captain's courtroom testimony carried infinitely more credibility than biased media reporting. Matt proceeded to present evidence systematically, each piece carefully chosen to build an overwhelming case against Stromm.
Gradually, the originally arrogant expression on Stromm's face shifted to ugly realization as he recognized that many of the charges being presented described crimes he had never committed.
Stromm's fury reached a breaking point. While he could accept responsibility for stealing serums and equipment—crimes he had actually committed—being accused of attacking innocent staff and other fabricated offenses seemed excessive even by criminal standards.
"Norman Osborn, you're framing me!" Stromm roared, his enhanced strength causing him to slam his fist through the defendant's table with explosive force.
Wood fragments scattered across the courtroom floor as broken pieces of furniture demonstrated the very superhuman capabilities that proved his identity as the Green Goblin.
Norman observed this outburst with obvious satisfaction. "The evidence is overwhelming, Stromm. You claim you're not the Green Goblin, but superhuman strength is rather difficult to fake."
Once Stromm's enhanced abilities were publicly demonstrated, proving additional criminal charges would become significantly easier.
Wilson Fisk watched these developments through hidden surveillance equipment, his expression darkening as the legal strategy collapsed due to Stromm's emotional instability.
Kingpin respected rules and procedures only when they served his interests. With Matt's skilled defense, Captain Stacy's testimony, and Stromm's self-destructive behavior, the possibility of legal victory had essentially vanished.
Under normal circumstances, Fisk would have arranged for Bullseye to eliminate such a liability immediately. Only the value of Stromm's hidden serum samples justified continued investment in this increasingly problematic asset.
Special measures would be required.
The massive crime lord used his calculating eyes to memorize the appearances of Matt Murdock and George Stacy, mentally adding both men to his list of future targets, then turned to address Bullseye.
"Inform our teams to prepare for immediate deployment," Kingpin ordered with cold finality.
Thirty minutes later, several enhanced criminals had gathered on a rooftop several blocks from the courthouse, their diverse capabilities representing Kingpin's most dangerous assets.
As Fisk's primary lieutenant, Bullseye naturally commanded the operation despite the presence of other powerful individuals.
"The payment is one million dollars for successfully extracting the Green Goblin, correct?" asked a figure wearing a distinctive purple cloak, his mechanical claw-hands glinting in the afternoon sunlight.
"Don't worry, Prowler," Bullseye assured him. "Kingpin's financial commitments are reliable."
This was entirely accurate. Money represented both power and control for Wilson Fisk, making contractual integrity essential to his business model. Breaking agreements would undermine the very foundation of his criminal empire.
"I'm not interested in money," declared another team member, a man dressed in primitive hunting gear who stood apart from the others' attempts at concealment.
Unlike his colleagues who preferred anonymity, this individual displayed his rugged features openly, wearing minimal protective equipment beyond a necklace of predator fangs that served as both decoration and trophy collection.
Sergei Kravinoff—known throughout the world as Kraven the Hunter.
This legendary big-game hunter had grown bored with conventional prey, finding even the most dangerous wild animals insufficient to satisfy his need for challenging quarry.
When Kingpin had approached him with intelligence about New York's costumed vigilantes, Kraven's interest had been immediately captured.
"I've heard there are two Spider-Men operating in this city," Kraven said with predatory anticipation. "Will both targets appear during this operation?"
"I cannot guarantee that," Bullseye replied honestly. "However, Spider-Man represents a significant obstacle to Kingpin's operations, so elimination remains a high priority regardless of which version responds."
"Excellent," Kraven smiled with the satisfaction of an apex predator anticipating a worthy hunt. His fur vest rippled in the wind as he savored the prospect of engaging superhuman opponents.
After years of hunting Earth's most dangerous animals, Kraven had reached the limits of conventional challenges. Enhanced humans represented an entirely new category of prey—intelligent, powered, and potentially capable of fighting back effectively.
Unlike the Prowler, who simply wanted to complete the mission quickly and collect his payment, Kraven hoped multiple Spider-Men would appear to maximize his hunting opportunities.
Suddenly, the wind around them shifted ominously.
BOOM!
Purple smoke erupted across the rooftop as a dozen ninjas materialized from concealment, their movements so fluid they seemed to emerge from shadow itself.
The Hand had arrived to fulfill their portion of the alliance.
"Showoffs," Bullseye muttered under his breath, though he had to admit their entrance was impressively dramatic.
The lead ninja, his face hidden behind a traditional mask, stepped forward. "The Hand is ready to fulfill our agreement. Where is the target?"
"Three blocks south," Bullseye replied, pointing toward the courthouse. "Remember, we need the Green Goblin alive. Everyone else is expendable."
The ninjas nodded in unison, their synchronized movement eerily inhuman.
Kraven stretched his muscles, preparing for combat. "Finally, some proper prey."
After Stromm's rage-induced demonstration of superhuman strength, court security officers immediately deployed electric restraints to subdue him before he could cause additional damage.
Matt took advantage of this dramatic moment to present additional evidence and charges, overwhelming the opposing counsel who had been unprepared for such comprehensive prosecution.
Stromm's defense attorney possessed considerable skill and experience, but even elite legal professionals couldn't overcome their client's public admission of enhanced capabilities combined with Matt's methodical presentation of evidence.
The judge raised his gavel to restore order to the increasingly chaotic courtroom.
"Order! Order!" The wooden strikes echoed through the chamber, but something about the sound felt ominous rather than authoritative.
Peter's enhanced senses detected wrongness in the atmosphere, his spider-sense beginning to tingle with increasing intensity.
Matt's heightened hearing had also identified anomalous sounds—footsteps, mechanical equipment, and whispered communications that suggested imminent violence.
Beneath the echoing gavel strikes, another rhythm was building: the synchronized movements of an assault team positioning for attack.
Matt suddenly realized the true danger and spun toward Norman with desperate urgency. "Take cover!"
The next instant, a massive explosion ripped through the courthouse wall.
Concrete and steel fragments filled the air as professional-grade explosives carved a gaping hole in the building's facade. Flames and thick smoke poured through the breach, temporarily blinding everyone in the courtroom.
Peter had tackled Harry to the ground seconds before the detonation, his spider-sense providing just enough warning to protect his best friend from flying debris.
As the smoke began to clear, several dark figures became visible in the jagged opening, their silhouettes backlit by afternoon sunlight streaming through the destroyed wall.
Peter started to remove his outer clothing, preparing to transform into Spider-Man, when Harry's concerned voice interrupted his actions.
"Peter, are you hurt?"
Peter looked down at his friend with genuine regret. "I'm sorry, Harry."
"What?" Harry asked in confusion, just before Peter's gentle strike rendered him unconscious.
Peter carefully lifted Harry's limp form and carried him toward what appeared to be a relatively safe corner of the devastated courtroom.
The entire chamber had erupted into chaos. Jurors and court officials who had never experienced such violence screamed in panic, some diving for cover while others attempted to flee through exits that might already be compromised.
"You came to rescue me, Kingpin!" Stromm shouted with maniacal glee, completely oblivious to the strategic implications of publicly identifying his benefactor.
Wilson Fisk, monitoring the operation from his secure location, felt his blood pressure rise at Stromm's spectacular lack of discretion. The entire point of maintaining an underground empire was avoiding such obvious public connections to criminal activities.
Matt instinctively moved to shield Norman from potential attacks, his enhanced senses tracking multiple threats throughout the building.
"Are you injured, Mr. Osborn?" he asked while scanning for immediate dangers.
Norman pushed away from Matt's protective position, his face grim with recognition. "I'm fine, but this changes everything."
As one of New York's most prominent businessmen, Norman was intimately familiar with Kingpin's reputation. Few major corporations operated without some awareness of organized crime's influence on city politics and economics.
Norman's knowledge of Kingpin's capabilities made the current situation far more terrifying than a simple criminal rescue attempt.
His immediate concern shifted to locating Peter and Harry in the chaos. Spotting Peter protecting Harry near the courthouse's rear wall, Norman felt momentary relief that both young men appeared unharmed.
But relief was premature—the assault team had only begun their operation.
The Prowler moved through the courtroom like a purple ghost, his enhanced technology allowing superhuman speed and agility as he advanced toward Stromm's position. His objective was simple: extract the Green Goblin and collect Kingpin's substantial payment.
"Not on my watch!" Captain George Stacy had no intention of allowing criminals to succeed in open defiance of the legal system.
Without hesitation, he drew his service weapon and opened fire on the advancing Prowler, his training and experience evident in his steady aim and controlled bursts.
Gunfire echoed through the chamber, but the Prowler's enhanced reflexes and mechanical augmentations allowed him to evade most shots while closing the distance to his target.
When Stacy's magazine ran empty, the Prowler immediately shifted from evasion to attack, his razor-sharp metal claws extending as he lunged toward the police captain's position.
The deadly talons grew larger in George Stacy's vision as death approached with mechanical precision.
"I'm sorry, Gwen," he thought with paternal love, "but it looks like I won't be home for dinner tonight."
Captain Stacy closed his eyes and prepared for the inevitable—only to realize after several seconds that the expected pain never came.