Meanwhile, at the Sufindian Embassy, Norman Osborn comforts his friend, Ambassador Hazram, whose daughter was kidnapped by Conundrum in last issue). Hazram questions Prodigy's sincerity and wonders if he'll be able to return his daughter to him. Osborn, who unbeknownst to anybody, is involved in the whole scheme, reassures his friend that Prodigy will do what is necessary to rescue his daughter. Flash Thompson, Norman's assistant, asks Norman if he really believes Prodigy can pull it off. Norman admits he knows virtually nothing about Prodigy, but he knows earnestness and honesty when he sees it. Osborn’s thoughts reveal that he intends to exploit Prodigy's ridiculous naiveté.
Plummeting down what he believes to be the fiery bottomless pit that lies inside Jack O'Lantern's mouth, Prodigy concludes that he must be hallucinating, having been the subject of similar experiments in his past battles with the pumpkin-headed criminal. In the process of making this realization, he figures out what he needs to do to break the curse, so to speak. Making use of his amazing spider-sense, Prodigy breaks free from the illusion brought on by his foes. Jack O'Lantern and Conundrum are stunned, to say the least – they had not counted on Prodigy breaking free. They have no time to formulate another plan of attack, as Prodigy is already upon them, punching and kicking his way through. Sent flying to the ground, Jack reveals that Conundrum is responsible for the kidnapping of the ambassador's daughter – he had nothing to do with that. Conundrum is angry with Jack, who stole the Hand of Mumthazi, which is what he is really after. Having been distracted by Conundrum's outburst, Prodigy is caught off guard when Jack flings Maguire, his cat, at him. In the ensuing confusion, Prodigy loses his fake nose and Jack O'Lantern, who disappears into a cloud of smoke. Conundrum is about to do the same thing but Prodigy homes in with his spider-sense and manages to capture the felon. Holding Conundrum in his tight grasp, Prodigy demands to know where the ambassador's daughter is imprisoned. Conundrum indicates that he only wants the Hand of Mumthazi, which Jack O'Lantern has, and offers his services to bring down Mad Jack. Prodigy slams Conundrum's head into a wall and tells the puzzle-face criminal that his only interest is finding the ambassador's daughter – as far as he's concerned, Jack O'Lantern can wait. Having said that, Prodigy threatens to take Conundrum's face apart, piece-by-piece, unless he starts cooperating with him.
A short time later, Prodigy meets with the police and delivers Conundrum to them (he had called them a few minutes earlier, providing instructions as to a meeting place). As the prisoner is transferred into the hands of the police, he tries to pull his vanishing act once again. Using his spider-sense to hone in on the felon, Prodigy blindly advances toward his opponent and takes him out with a punch to the jaw. He then hands him to the police once more. Daily Bugle reporter, Billy Walters, who happens to be present at the scene asks Prodigy for a quote. Prodigy utters a cheesy quote and flies off to rescue the ambassador's daughter.
Minutes later, he arrives at Conundrum's lair. Using the information Conundrum gave him, he locates a hidden lever and pulls down on it. Suddenly, an ornate golden cage descends from the ceiling to reveal Tabriaz Chaliz, the ambassador's daughter. Upon seeing Prodigy in his getup, she asks who he is and what he wants from her. He introduces himself and reveals that he's there to save her. She is so happy to be rescued that she puts her arms around him and proceeds to kiss him. Just then, Prodigy's spider-sense starts buzzing, warning him of danger. Seconds later, trouble appears in the form of Jack O'Lantern. In possession of the Hand of Mumthazi, Mad Jack is confident in his chances at defeating Prodigy. However, before he can even use said ruby, a shot rings out into the air and Mad Jack falls to the ground. Flanked by two armed bodyguards, one of which shot Mad Jack, Norman Osborn makes his presence known to Prodigy and the ambassador's daughter. He indicates that he got tipped off by Billy Walters about what had happened with Conundrum and where he (Prodigy) was heading to next. Being a close personal friend of the ambassador, Norman wanted to be there during Tabriaz's rescue. When Norman saw that Prodigy and Tabriaz were about to be attacked by Jack O'Lantern, he felt there was no other choice but to take action. Prodigy argues that there was no need to kill Mad Jack, as he would have taken care of him. Norman is not so sure, however. There was no way for Prodigy to know or understand the full power of the Hand of Mumthazi and whether he could stand up to power of that magnitude. Prodigy admits that Norman does have a point. With that said, Norman suggests they take the ruby and Tabriaz back to the ambassador.
The next day, Norman holds a press conference to announce the safe return of the ambassador's daughter and the Hand of Mumthazi, which was recovered, all thanks to Prodigy's involvement. Having said that, Norman turns the podium over to Prodigy, who wants to say a few words. Prodigy first thanks the people of New York City for their support, affection and trust, and indicates that it's been a pleasure serving them. He then announces that he's donated the ambassador's reward money (one million dollars) to his favourite charity. Prodigy is not done yet. He – shockingly – goes on revealing that, while searching Conundrum's lair, he found a Spider-Man costume, as well as enough additional evidence there to suggest that it was either Conundrum or Jack O'Lantern who recently beat up Norman Osborn disguised as Spider-Man in order to frame him. Prodigy believes that this evidence, coupled with the Trapster's recent confession that he framed Spider-Man for the murder of the criminal known as Joey Z. (see previous issues), would seem to completely exonerate the web-slinger. Prodigy will be turning all evidence over to the police, immediately after the conference is over. Totally and completely shocked, Norman Osborn is speechless (he was the mastermind behind everything). He turns to Flash Thompson, his assistant, and indicates that he’s taking the rest of the day off.
Later, Prodigy comes to rest on top of a unidentified building. His thoughts reveal that he feels somewhat lousy about planting evidence to clear Spider-Man's name, as it wasn't the most ethical thing to do. Prodigy knows, however, that sometimes, there are no other choices, especially when dealing with a man like Norman. Spidey is quite satisfied with his new alter ego, but understands that it is coming to an end.
A short time later, at the Parker house, Mary Jane tells Peter (Parker) that she does not understand why he has to give up being Prodigy and go back to being Spider-Man. Peter agrees that Prodigy has become quite the hero in the eyes of the cops, media and even Norman Osborn. However, as Prodigy, he is only play-acting. As much as the public and everybody else enjoys it, that's not who he is. He is Spider-Man, whether people like it or not, and with his name cleared, there are no reasons not to be him again. MJ accepts Peter's position and gives him a hug. Peter admits that having the Prodigy costume around may prove useful again, so he's made up his mind to hold on to it for a while. MJ is okay with that, as she thinks he looks cute in it.
Talking to a very much alive Jack O’Lantern, Norman comments that his plan was not a total success, but acceptable enough. It was Conundrum's unexpected kidnapping of the ambassador’s daughter that set the whole thing in motion, after all. That, and his demand for the Hand of Mumthazi. Mad Jack applauds Norman's brilliant manoeuvre to have the Hand of Mumthazi stolen so that the ambassador would be desperate and eager to accept Norman's help. Norman points out that the original plan was to have him recover the Hand, thereby making him responsible for the ambassador's daughter's return. The ambassador would then owe him a tremendous debt, one he would never be able to repay; however, when Prodigy got involved, Norman had to improvise. Norman congratulates Mad Jack for his part in the whole thing, from his use of special effects and his convincing death scene. Mad Jack explains that his "death" serves both of them. With everyone thinking he's dead, he can operate more freely and Norman is now even more of a hero in the eyes of the public. Norman agrees and indicates that he may have to share the credit for the daughter's rescue but now the entire nation of Sufind owes him a debt of gratitude for recovering the Hand of Mumthazi and he intends to take full advantage of it. Having said that, Norman pays Mad Jack and remarks that the payment is quite generous, considering how he once told Norman to go to Hades. Mad Jack amusingly replies that Norman should consider that a compliment. Norman starts to laugh hysterically, agreeing that he probably should.
The end...for now.
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