"I want to go to the carnival parade too!"
In the apartment, Mindy pouted, her eyes brimming with tears.
Today was New York's Carnival Day, when crowds would gather in Central Park for a grand celebration. The little girl had been looking forward to this for ages.
Though Sean had received Harry's invitation, he initially had no interest in such crowded events... That was until he realized this would be Spider-Man and the Green Goblin's first showdown...
That changed his mind...
"I really wish I could take you, but you've got your interview with Mr. John today, this decides whether you can go to school! It's important!" Sean shrugged helplessly.
After discussions with Mindy, he had decided to enroll her in school, giving her a normal life.
He introduced her as his cousin, orphaned in a car crash in Australia.
The tragic back story (plus generous "donations") convinced the private school's dean to admit the golden-haired girl, pending an interview to confirm she was academically fit.
"I'll bring you Burger King to make up for it. Or we can go for some Chinese... that new authentic place in Chinatown just opened. Best news in weeks." Sean tried to console the sulking brat.
He felt like he had prematurely entered middle-aged fatherhood, raising a little girl who required endless attention.
"Oh, and remember to act like a normal kid. Don't scare the teachers!" He couldn't stress this enough.
Mindy's upbringing had left her... unique...
He dreaded her responding to "What are your hobbies?" by whipping out butterfly knives or demonstrating chokeholds.
"Ugh! So annoying!" The tsundere little girl grabbed her backpack and stomped out, clearly still bitter about being left behind.
With his tiny charge handled, Sean changed into a crisp suit and hailed a cab to Central Park.
'Maybe I should buy a car...'
...
Central Park, New York's "backyard", was the city's premier recreational space...
It was a sprawling urban oasis with lush woodlands, open plazas, and outdoor theaters.
Today, the main plaza teemed with crowds. Colorful ribbons and balloons filled the sky as Disney characters mingled with laughing children.
The festive atmosphere was infectious, with joyous shouts blending into a roaring sea of celebration.
Harry and Mary Jane arrived early at their reserved hotel suite...
The historic luxury hotel overlooked Fifth Avenue, its observation deck offering perfect carnival views.
"I don't know if Dad's coming... And where are Peter and Sean?" Harry frowned, having noticed that he and Mary Jane were the first to arrive.
Peter had hit rock bottom after his uncle's murder, and Harry hoped this outing might help.
As for Sean... since starting college, he'd become a ghost outside class, always seemingly busy.
Surprisingly, Sean had joined Dr. Connors' genetics lab as a research assistant at SUNY.
This stunned Harry since he had never known Sean had any interest in biology.
Peter on the other hand was striving to become the Daily Bugle's lead photographer. His exclusive Spider-Man shots provided much-needed income.
Both friends were building their futures, while Harry (aside from dating Mary Jane) felt adrift...
Taking over Oscorp held no appeal because he loathed corporate schmoozing and industrial labour...
Clutching Mary Jane's hand, he felt strangely directionless...
"Harry, your father isn't coming?" The voice snapped Harry from his thoughts.
Turning, he saw his father's associates, Mr. Barret and Mr. Fay.
"He promised, but there's no sign of him yet..." Harry sighed.
His father was probably working, as usual.
"We have good news for him." Barret and Fay exchanged sinister smiles.
With Oscorp's DoD contract dead, they'd sell the company to Wall Street bankers, pocketing massive profits... something they considered worth celebrating.
As for Norman Osborn? Who cared about losers? They'd long wanted to carve up Oscorp, but Norman stubbornly aimed to transform it into a defense contractor like Stark Industries...
'Pathetic...' The two men drifted away to enjoy the carnival.
Onstage, a plus-sized African-American woman belted out a rock anthem, her powerful vocals igniting the crowd.
Waves of applause surged as the music swelled...
A taxi pulled up at the periphery. With roads jammed by crowds, Sean stepped out, gazing up at the ribbons and balloons blotting out the sky.
'Is Harry here yet?' he wondered.
Soon, he spotted Peter happily snapping photos with his camera in the throng.
Just as Sean moved to greet him...
"HAHAHAHA! HAPPY HOLIDAYS!"
...A piercing cackle split the air.
The singer faltered as all eyes turned skyward.
A figure in green armor rode a bat-winged glider through the balloons, his demonic mask glowing with malevolent energy.
"PRESENTS FOR EVERYONE!"
Pumpkin-shaped bombs rained down...
*BOOM!*
Fireballs erupted across the plaza.
Screaming crowds stampeded as the stage collapsed in a tangle of sparking wires.
Sean watched as the green-garbed madman circled above.
'Right on schedule...' he mused.
The Green Goblin had arrived...