"Ock wants to wipe the whole city out of existence!"
Harry stared at his friend in complete silence. Alex's words drilled deep into his frontal lobe, dancing wildly like a bat out of hell. All of the craziest images suddenly came to mind, which he previously regarded as indifferent and impossible.
Destroy?! I should have seen this a long time ago...is this what Peter managed to discover and Ock took him out?! And since he and Dad are old enemies, he is going to destroy him as well! No, I have to do something!
"Harry, is everything okay?", Alex asked his pale-looking friend.
"No...what do you mean he wants to destroy the city?! How?! When?! Why?!"
"I'm not still quite sure, but I have some ideas..."
"What?! Tell me!", Harry grabbed Alex's sleeves, shaking him. "I need to know! Hurry, hurry!"
"Okay...but...please...stop...shaking...me...!", his friend struggled back. Harry noticed what he was doing and let him go.
"Sorry...I guess I panicked a little."
"It's fine...but as I said, I haven't confirmed anything yet."
"Well, what made you come up with this theory?"
"It's thanks to your father's book. While I was reading it, I found an old magazine clip between the pages. It's about the accident at Oscorp several years ago. Can you remember anything about it? This says your father and Ock were involved."
"Oh yeah, that one...", Harry muttered. Norman spoked about in public only once, when they were attacked by The Iron Octopus. Connors managed to identify the tentacle which controlled Iron Man's armor and attacked them. How different times they lived then...
"Otto Octavius is another story, a tragic one at that. Otto was like a son to me. We were doing revolutionary work, but there was a terrible accident. Otto perished in my arms."
"Yes...?", Alex waited.
"Well, Dad has never spoken much about it. All I know is that Octavius perished in some...explosion, I think. After that, everything went downhill as we speak..."
"Interesting...well, this so-called revolutionary work your father is telling about in the article may hold one of the keys to this puzzle."
"How so?"
"I'm still working on that. But this mysterious energy ball or force shown in these pictures arose my curiosity. It has many connecting factors with these minerals. And I fear he is using them to build..."
"Build...what?", Harry asked, but Alex shook his head.
"Look, I don't want to get ahead of myself. I need to speak with your father before I draw any further conclusions."
"Okay, I'm going to get my armor and save them. But now, you should return to Miles. It's risky to leave him alone."
"Will do. You better hurry", Alex ran towards the elevator while Harry headed to the lab. But his mind was full of worrying theories.
This can't be good...why would Ock want to destroy the city?! And if he has Ambrose on board...this is a disaster!
Just when the busy young man reached the stairs, sudden nausea took him over. Grabbing his head, Harry groaned in pain.
Not now...I don't feel so good...my body is lacking the recovery of the overdose...
Taking hold of the railing, Harry landed stairs carefully down. He was his friends' only hope...without him, they will choke in that stupid store.
But it's my fault...I have no one else to blame but myself.
"Hold on Dad, I'm...coming..."
And with that, Harry's body gave up. Falling down the stairs, he hit his head against the wall and sank on the floor unconscious...
*The shop*
"Damn, what's taking him so long?! Soon we are running out of oxygen", Flash pushed the shelves and walls. No use.
"Stuck...", he coughed. "Yuck this dust!"
"Ahh...what happened?", Norman blinked his eyes, rubbing his temples. Luckily Flash managed to wake him up.
"This stupid shop collapsed and trapped us in. I'm trying to break free..."
"Oh yes, that's right! Where's Harry?!"
"Don't worry, he's not here. He went to get his armor to get us out of here."
"Great. He shouldn't rush around in that condition. I'm still worried what side effects my pills will do when time goes by..."
Turning to see Norman, Flash couldn't help grinning. The man noticed this.
"What's so funny...?"
"Sorry, your protectiveness towards Harry is sometimes quite funny. I'm sorry, I just can't help it."
"Oh...", Norman looked back in confusion. "How is it funny?"
"Well, people always see you as the mighty, powerful industry leader. Like the time you showed up when Harry joined the Academy. He thought it was embarrassing, but you didn't care. You just...did it."
"I didn't want to embarrass him, but I was honestly concerned. He's my only son and it's my job to make sure he's safe. And as a teenager, you should know how embarrassing everything is around that age."
"I know, I know. I matured when I got the symbiote and thanks to Spidey's encouragement. It was a good opportunity for me", Flash nodded.
"Maybe...", Norman rubbed his chin. "Do you think I should give Harry some space then?"
"After how he almost got killed? Are you kidding me?"
"No, that's not what I mean! I mean should I be a more relaxed father?"
"How would I know?"
"Maybe you don't, I'm just asking. Since I don't know how Harry behaves when he's around his friends."
"Well", Flash put his hands over his head. "I think that Harry wouldn't want you to let go. Okay, he acts cool and all in front of everyone but when the Anti-Venom attacked us, he was terrified. Trust me, he's very lucky to have a father like you. Some of the heroes are even jealous of your relationship."
"Really?"
"Really. Same goes for Peter and his aunt, Luke, and his parents."
"I see", Norman listened. "Well, of course, I'm going to protect him, even though he's learning to become a hero. If that's what he wants..."
"It is, he just wants to be independent as well. Find the classic golden path and I'd say you'll be just fine."
"Maybe", Norman revealed a little smile. "Oh yes, one more question."
"Yeah?", Flash asked.
"How did you know that Harry was in the graveyard that night? Only a few people know my wife's buried there. I'm simply curious."
"Oh, well, uhh..."
"It's okay, I actually need to know. Please."
"And this is the right time to talk about it?", Flash coughed. "We're running out of air!"
"Well, what else are we gonna do?", Norman coughed as well. "Unless you can get us out."
"Urrh, fine", Flash landed to sit. "Well, the story goes like this..."
-o-o-o-
"Okay, everything is in order", Alex went the list through, checked Miles and cleaned his bottles. "Oh man, I forgot to ask Harry where to find a charger for my tablet. Hopefully, he has not left yet..."
Grabbing his computer along, Alex walked quickly towards the lab. Entering the elevator, he hoped to get there in time.
Come on, hurry...
Minutes later, he stepped out of the elevator and walked straight to the lab. Opening the door, he met a dark room.
Tsk, so he already left. Darn, maybe I should...
As Alex was ready to go back upstairs, something on the back wall caught his attention. It was the Patrioteer armor, standing beside the Iron Patriot one.
"Huh?", the nerd loped in front of them. Indeed, both Osborn armors were neatly in the huge glass cupboard, side by side. So it meant that Harry was still in the house. But where?
"That's weird", Alex opened the glass door, touching Harry's glove. The metal was cold.
So he has not used this today...but where is he then? It has been almost an hour we saw each other...
Fearing that something bad had happened, Alex ran out of the lab, stopping in the doorway. There were two ways how to get down here, the elevator and stairs. And since he didn't see anyone in the elevator...
Stairs! Harry must have used them.
Not waiting any longer, Alex ran along the corridor, eventually finding a very familiar figure on the floor.
"Harry!", the boy knelt next to him. "Are you okay?!"
There was no response. Rolling Harry onto his back, Alex noticed how blood flowed from his nose.
"Oh dear, what happened?", the boy wondered. "Harry, wake up! Please!"
Still, no answer. Putting Harry against the wall, Alex felt his friend's forehead. It was hot.
"Just as I thought", he made a quick analyze. "A strong fever, dangerously strong. And his lungs are infected...this is not good."
Now, what do I do?! Harry can't save Flash and Mr. Osborn in this condition. Should I go? But I can't break through that shop! Unless...
Jumping up, Alex ran quickly back to the apartment, grabbing a blanket and first aid kid along. Soon he was back with his friend again.
"Okay, this should help for a moment...", he injected Harry with some antibiotics. After that, he covered him with the blanket.
"That's all I can do for now. Try to hang on, I'm back as soon as I can."
Leaving his friend grudgingly behind, Alex ran, not stopping until he stood outside, looking into the storm. He was afraid, but there was no other choice. And that choice scared him.
I hope this works...
Closing his eyes, Alex opened his fist...and sank the needle in his hand.
"AAAAAHHHHHH!"
-o-o-o-
"We have to get out of here...", Flash coughed. "This air won't keep us alive for much longer!"
"Something must have happened...there's no way it would take this long for Harry to return. Now I'm deeply worried", Norman rubbed his hair. He did so only when was really stressed.
"Calm down, panic isn't helping us. Maybe he's just..."
"What if he went to chase those false Peter hallucinations?! Maybe that monster is trying to lure him somewhere and pretends to be him!"
"Calm down, man!"
"I just wanna get out of here! Can't you blast those damn doors?!"
"If I do that, we are buried alive. Is that what you want?!"
"No, but I can't just sit here doing nothing! I have to find my boy!"
"Yes, sir...", Flash rolled his eyes. "Okay, stay back! I..."
*Running sounds*
"Do you hear that?", Norman asked.
"Yep, someone is coming this way. Could it be Harry?"
"Why would he run when he can fly? No, it's not him."
"You're sure?"
"Like I don't know my son? Just trust my word and be ready."
"Okay, it's your funeral...", Flash activated his weapons and the duo listened. Steps came closer...and stopped right in front of the shop.
"Who is it?"
"I told you, I dunno! You said it was Harry!"
"I did not!"
"..."
"SMASH!"
"Hey, what?!", both Norman and Flash yelled in surprise as someone smashed through the wall.
"You guys okay? Boy, that was close!"
"Huh?", Flash removed his hands from his face. "No way! Is that you, Alex?!"
"What...?!", Norman stared at him. "That short friend of yours?"
"It's me", Rhino came into sight. "No need to be afraid."
"What happened to you?! I mean how...?!"
"No time to explain! I can't hold this ceiling much longer! Hurry, get up!"
"Okay, okay!", Flash pushed Norman first out of the shop, coming right after.
"It's gonna come down! RUN!", Rhino let go of the ceiling, jumping out of the way just in time. Standing side by side, the trio eyed the mess.
"So much for our food", Norman sighed.
"Not quite. I managed to grab this banana cluster", Flash showed proudly. "I'm a genius!"
"Right. But thank you, it was getting very hot in there. Although I gotta ask, where's Harry?"
"That's why I'm here instead. He's in danger."
"WHAT?!", Norman's eyes almost popped out if his head. "What danger?!"
"NOT that kind of danger! I mean he's terribly ill! I found him in the lab unconscious. He has a strong fever and infection in his lungs. Apparently, he was coming to rescue you, but fainted."
"Oh god no! I have to get home asap! That's where he is, right?!"
"Yes, I had to leave him behind. I'm sorry, but there was no time to lose."
"I understand. Thank you!", Norman started running fast towards home while Flash and Alex decided to stay behind and try to find at least some food.
"Okay, your turn. How did you transform again?!"
"I had one last dose left. I've been keeping it, in case something like this would come up. Don't worry, Doctor Connors tested it and it's safe. I have a cure and I will inject myself as soon as we go back."
"Good, you look much better in your normal form. No offense, though..."
"Yes. And..."
"Yeah?"
"Never mind, let's just try to find some food. I tell you later."
"Okayyy", Flash shrugged. "It's not anything bad, is it?"
"Heh, of course not", Rhino muttered. "Absolutely not..."
-o-o-o-
Run Norman, you fool...run!
Heading towards his apartment, Norman was sure his heart would jump out of his chest sooner, or later. Danger and Harry in the same sentence wasn't a good sign. It never is.
If I don't get there in time, I'll never forgive myself!
Today wasn't snowing, but the freeze was deadly. At least it felt like it as the wind went through Norman's body, despite his rather thick winter jacket.
Why did Octavius choose the winter of all seasons? Why didn't we get sand, tropical palm trees, and hot weather instead?! Just asking...
Suddenly, Norman slipped on the ice and sprained his ankle. His shoes weren't meant for this.
"Ouch...damned! Seriously!", he cursed angrily. Grabbing his leg, he limped forward. It hurt, but he had to keep going.
Fever, poisoning, sleeping pills, broken ribs, blood, bruises, wounds...I can't even calculate how many times I have hurt myself during this stupid case. How can my body stand this?
The journey felt like an eternity but eventually, Norman managed to get back home. Opening the door, he landed on the floor in exhaustion.
I made it...
But now was not the time to rest. Standing quickly up, Norman moved fast towards the stairs where Alex said he left Harry.
"Son!", Norman called but got no answer.
No...I'm not too late! I can't be!
"Harry!", he tried again, landing stairs carefully down. Soon, he saw his son.
"Son!", Norman knelt next to him. "How are you feeling?! Can you hear me?!"
No, he can't. His skin is burning...
"Oh, my poor little boy...", the man's voice shattered. Always in trouble, always hurt.
Always suffering because of me.
"Okay, let's get you out of here", Norman lifted Harry in his arms and walked towards the elevator. Sure his son wasn't as light as he was when he was a little kid, but his sprained ankle fought back hard, like wanting to quit this exercise.
It hurts, it hurts...
Against all odds, Norman managed to get in the elevator. Hitting the button, he was able to relax for a couple of ten seconds before it was time to go again.
"Great, I forgot the stairs...", he muttered when he arrived in front of them seconds later.
"Right, here we go...", he took the first step. Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth...
"Almost there, almost there...", Norman smiled, congratulating himself for the hard work. But at the same second, his leg gave up and he fell painfully down, dropping Harry as well.
"Aahhh!", he grabbed his leg. Desperation took him over as he looked at the ground.
My strength is gone...I can't take this anymore! Where should I get more every day, huh?! HUH?!
True, Norman was broken both emotionally and physically. In reality, he should have been dead a long time ago. There's no way the human mind can endure pain indefinitely. At some point, the consequences will strike back hard.
Very hard...
Rubbing his leg, Norman turned to see Harry. It hurt him so much to see his boy in pain. He shouldn't suffer. But as he said, the famous Osborn curse wasn't going to let them go.
"I know, I shouldn't be thinking like this...but what kind of life is this?! If this hell is not going to end, then maybe Emily and I should have thought about the baby twice. All this endless worrying and..."
"I knew it."
"Huh?", Norman lifted his gaze, seeing Harry who had come back to consciousness. The boy was ill, no doubt. But luckily Alex's medicine had enough time to affect.
"Son?! Oh thank god, I was so worried! Let me..."
"Stay away from me, you heartless son of a bitch", the teen hissed sneezily. "I heard everything you said."
"What?!"
"You heard me, Dad", the boy said and coughed. "If you regretted my existence all this time, then why didn't you let me finish my actions in the graveyard? Then I wouldn't be here to ruin your everyday life!"
At first, Norman didn't understand what Harry was talking about. But then, horrible pieces went together in his mind. He must have said that horrible thought out loud without even realizing it. And of course, his son happened to wake up just then.
"Harry...", Norman started babbling, trying to fix his words. "Listen, I..."
"I think I understood everything quite clearly", the boy stood slowly up, glaring at his father. "You don't have to explain anything anymore."
"But you don't understand! I didn't mean what I said! I was thinking out loud and..."
"Oh great, you just accidentally happened to let it out in front of me! Hah, I have heard those same pathetic excuses over and over again. But no more", the boy whipped around, running upstairs. Norman sprinted after him as fast as he could.
"No, Harry! Wait, you got it all wrong! I..."
"SHUT UP!", Harry yelled. "All this time you were pretending that you cared for me. But now I see the truth. Because you lost Mom, you needed to have someone to blame for it. And since everybody avoids you, it had to be me. The one who ruined your perfect life. How sad..."
Stunned, Norman was unable to answer this. He was in shock and sorrow.
"Hah, for once in your life you are left speechless. Well, it's actually better. I don't have to listen to your useless rubbish any longer. It just makes me realize what a fake my whole life has been...what a fake you have been. But don't worry, it ends now. I don't wanna see you ever again", the young man went into his room, slamming the door shut.
"NO!", Norman ran to the door, but it was locked. Yanking the knob, he hit the wall with his other fist.
"Go away!"
"I won't! Harry, open the door this instant! You understood the whole situation completely wrong! Of course, I'm not thinking like that! It just came..."
"I said I don't care! If you won't leave me alone, then I burn this damn room!"
"STOP SAYING LIKE THAT!", Norman panicked. "Just open the door and let's talk this over! Please!"
"Too late! I'm not going to let you fool me anymore. So get lost!"
"But you are sick..."
"That's not your concern anymore! Since from now on, you aren't my father."
"What?!"
"You heard me! And I'm not going to repeat it. NOW GET THE HELL AWAY FROM MY DOOR!"
Giving up, Norman sighed and left. As Harry heard the steps echoing away, he buried his face in his hands, crying hard and silently.
-o-o-o-
"Man, this was some experiment! But now we should have enough food", Flash put the boxes on the table.
"Good. And please, be careful next time", Alex said, back in his normal form. "I don't want to use that serum anymore."
"It wasn't our fault! Harry started goofing around and..."
"And?"
"Nah, forget it. So, wanna have a hotdog? I can make them."
"Why not", Alex said. "But Flash, there is something you must know. All of you."
"Oh? Like what?"
"Come to the living room", Alex said. "Mr. Osborn is already there."
"As you wish", Flash followed him there. Norman was already sitting on the couch.
"So why did you want to see? I have some work to do."
"Trust me, this is very important. I guess Harry is not joining us?"
"No...he's not feeling well so I put him to bed. So...?"
"Okay, well. I already said this to Harry, but I think I have found out what Ock is planning in general."
"Really?!", Flash and Norman asked at the same time.
"Yep. But remember, these aren't confirmed facts. Just my assumptions. But anyway, do you remember your work with Ock, Mr. Osborn? The one that is described in this article?"
"Lightly. The accident in the lab was a horrible one. I survived, but Otto, well...you know."
"Yes, Harry told me about it. But I think it has the main connection with his plans. Take a look at this pic."
"What about it?", Flash asked. "It's just some weird green light ball."
"No, it's not", Alex said, opening the mineral box. "Look, this greenery matches pretty well with it. See?"
"Indeed it does. What are you trying to say...?"
"Well, I have a very bad feeling about this so-called building project of yours. I think that Ock hired those villains to make sure that you are going to build...a bomb."
"A bomb?!", Norman repeated, surprised. Even Flash jumped from this.
"Yes, and not just it. I think that the abilities of these minerals are the second main key in the puzzle. Ock wants weapons where he can use those rare features like heat, resistance, water resistance..."
"But what for?! He has had several opportunities to do so without wasting time on this stupid chase! Why did he even freeze the city if he wants to destroy it?", Flash asked.
"Because he wants to use us as his puppets", Norman said. "He doesn't need a harder reason. He feels humiliated, so he wants to have a payback."
"That's what I was thinking. Don't you see it by now, Flash?! This whole thing is nothing, but Ock's big game what he loves to play. We are his toys, nothing else. I bet he has kept us alive this whole time just for fun."
"That slimy, little cockroach!", Flash clenched his fist. "He has tested our limits and has only waited that we would figure this out, but decided to win more time by false tips and leads! Aaarrhh, I'm so, so pissed off..."
"I feel a total fool as well", Alex sighed. "You, me, Miles and Toomes were dragged into this by a coincidence. We just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Or from Ock's pov, in the right place at the right time. That's how he got more people to play with."
"But then it means that Harry, Peter and I...", Norman started to feel dizzy. "Just the three of us were meant to survive this far and those millions of people...oh god I can't even picture this..."
"Don't forget your crazy old man", Flash reminded. "The cherry on top, he has him as his ally."
"Yes...I need to sit down...", Norman landed on the couch. "Oh dear lord, what have I done...?!"
Flash and Alex were feeling helpless. They had no idea how to comfort the poor man, whose mental burden on the shoulders was even worse than they knew.
"So, this is what I think. I hope more than everything that I'm on the right tracks, but...", Alex didn't finish.
"Well, it was going to come out sooner or later. But Ock's line of thought is so sick! He has played with us for months just to avenge these so-called "wrongs" he's so angry about. He could have simply blown the whole city out of the map after he escaped, but instead he kept us on a leash, sometimes making us believe that we have the upper hand. But, in reality, he has been one step ahead of us all along. He knew our every move. Damn it!", Flash facepalmed himself.
"At least we have the minerals. Now we can destroy them", Alex said. "Then he can't use them anymore."
"I don't think it's that simple", Norman shot the idea down. "He must have copies or something else. He wouldn't have let us keep them this long if they were important. So I'm afraid that these what we have are fakes."
"Fakes?!", boys stared at him.
"Yes. Luckily I know a method that can help to find out am I right."
"That's good, I guess. So, what do we do now?", Flash asked. "If Harry is right and Ock has Peter, I'm very disturbed. We must find him asap!"
"I agree. By the way, Harry said that Flash's tracker picks up some other signals so we can't follow Taskmaster yet. He said you can fix it", Alex said to Norman.
"I can try, as soon as I see that tracker. But first, I must take a look at Harry."
"Are you gonna tell him about this? This isn't going to be easy as he already blames himself for betraying Pete", Flash crossed his hands.
"I know, but you don't have to worry. I take care of this", the man smiled, deciding to go talk to his son right away. Hopefully, he's not mad anymore...
*Moment later*
Standing in front of Harry's door, Norman rubbed his tie. All kinds of scary thoughts ran in his mind. What if Harry was still angry? What if he decided to do something stupid in an outburst of feelings? It feared him a lot.
"Harry...?", Norman knocked carefully on the door. "You're in there?"
No answer.
"Son...please, let me in. I wanna speak with you...no, I NEED to speak with you."
The silence continued. Gathering his courage, Norman tried the knob...and the door opened. Looking in, he eyed the dark view. At first, he thought that the room was empty, until spotted Harry's auburn occiput on the pillow. The boy had his back against the door and he didn't react in any way when his father stepped in and closed the door.
"Harry...?", Norman asked carefully. "Are you awake?"
*Silence*
"Son...?", Norman rounded the bed, now seeing how his son lay on his side and looked out of the window.
"Hey", he sat down on the edge of the bed. "How are you? Has the fever settled at all?"
Yet again, no response. This assured Norman that the teen was still angry at him.
Great...
"Isn't it here a bit too dark? Hold on, I'm gonna put a lamp on, so that..."
"What do you want?", the boy suddenly asked sourly. His tone surprised Norman, even though the reason was more than understandable. But it wasn't normal for Harry to sound like this.
"Well, I just came to see how you're doing, since..."
"Don't bother. It's not your concern anymore."
"Of course it is! Look, if you're still mad about earlier, then I'm apologizing. I was foolish and I didn't mean any of it."
"So you always say", Harry spat, gaze remaining in the window. "But oh well, it was good that it finally came out. Now we both can stop living in a lie and end this stupid happy family pretense."
"No, stop talking such nonsense! Of course, I wanted you! I don't know why I thought otherwise even for a second. You have to believe me", Norman tried to explain.
"It's not the first time you're lying. After all, it's the only thing you can do right."
Those words hurt Norman more than anything. But he tried to keep himself together.
"You have a right to be mad. I just hope you could see that even I make mistakes. Like a normal human being."
"Oh yeah. When the great Norman Osborn makes a mistake, everybody must understand and accept it. You can keep doing them again and again."
"No, I didn't mean it like that. Instead..."
"Well, what do you always mean then?!", Harry jumped into a sitting position, glaring coldly at his father. "Because I'm starting to lose count of your excuses! Can't you just be honest for once in your life and admit what you're thinking?!"
"Why should I admit something that's not true?! Or do you want me to say that I wish you had never been born?! You won't hear that from me, ever!", Norman answered.
"Looks like I have to repeat your words to you! You said that maybe you and Mom shouldn't have done a child if this shit is not going to end. What else would that mean?! Tell me!"
"What I mean is that I was unsure can I provide a good life for you since we're always in danger! I would never want you to disappear!"
"Hah, and it took sixteen goddamn years to realize it?! Well bravo, I'm impressed! You always manage to prove what a douchebag you are deep underneath."
"I take that as a compliment", Norman said as coldly as his son treated him. "After all, Ambrose was one hell of a parent. So I'm sorry if you didn't get the perfect father you so desperately seek for!"
"Too bad indeed. Now you're blaming me for your poor childhood and mistakes. Be a grown-up and take responsibility for your life for once!"
"I will, I promise you."
"I don't need your promises. Since after this is over, I'm going to move to the Academy, permanently."
"Good luck with the idea. But you can be sure I'm not going to let it happen."
"We'll see about that. The only thing I want is to be far from you. No one wants to be near a monster."
*Several minutes of silence*
"If...if that's what you want", Norman finally said quietly. "You're right, you are almost an adult and I must let you make your own decisions. I don't want that your own home is a place where you have to be against your will."
Harry grunted. He felt annoyed and regretful at the same time.
Here comes the martyr. But I...
"But it's getting pretty late and you're ill so I suggest you get some sleep. You know where to find the medicine if you need it."
Harry stood silently in place. He could hear Norman's voice shattering, but the man did his best to stay calm. And if you looked closely, you could see his lower lip twitching a little.
Oops...maybe I should have kept my mouth shut.
"And oh yes...one more thing. I talked with your friends, they have something to tell you. It' gonna be quite disturbing, but I know you are strong enough to handle it."
"Like what?"
"You'll see in the morning, they went to bed already. Well, goodnight", the older Osborn walked to the door. As he was just about to go out, Harry started.
"Dad, wait! I, I umm..."
"No, Harry", Norman turned to see him with an expression that Harry's heart froze on the inside. It was so fragile and sad. "As you said, no more excuses or endless hogwash. After all...I'm not your father anymore."
With that, he disappeared out of sight, leaving Harry to stare after him. Collapsing on the floor, the young man cursed his big mouth. This same thing happened again, he got angry despite Norman tried to fix things and now they had a huge fight once again. Although this time, the boy feared that this was going to leave a big hole between them. They insulted each other on both sides and those insults were just horrible.
But I'm the kid here! I should be able to express my feelings without getting slammed to the ground. Then again, Dad had a shitty childhood and he protected me all this time. Of course, he is unsure, he tries so hard. Why, why must we fight all the time?! Ambrose is gonna win for sure if we keep doing this...
Rubbing his hands together, Harry coughed a little. He was still yet unaware of the seriousness of the situation and how this fight could not have picked a worse timing than this.
Yeah...great work, Harry. Great work.
-o-o-o-
"Heh heh heh! That was awesome!", Ock raised his glass after Taskmaster and Ambrose had arrived back in the hideout.
"Good to hear that you enjoyed our fight. Norman has guts, but deep inside, he's a pussy. I won over and over again!"
"Boring", Taskmaster snorted at Kraven. "Why am I still on board in this stupid thing?!"
"I'm asking myself that every day. But what better things to do there are?"
"You have a point, unfortunately...", his ally answered. "It was going so well until this crank came along..."
"Tell me about it..."
"So, what's next?", Ambrose sat down. "I can't wait to attack again!"
"Calm yourself, my friend", Ock nodded. "Since I have a hint that they might know something."
"You do?! Of course, this plan would go downhill...", Taskmaster grunted.
"Taskmaster has a point, Octavius", Kraven continued. "I told you Spider-Man and his team are going to figure this out soon. And you didn't listen..."
"I have been aware of this all along", the villain stood up. "And when it comes to that bug, you don't have to worry. Everything is under control."
"Like how?"
"You'll see...", Ock grinned and opened his fist, looking at Spidey's bloody and ragged mask on his palm. "You'll see very soon..."