Actions = Despair
Male News Anchor: "Breaking news today! Would-be mayoral candidate Norman Osborn has been issued a cease and desist by the IRS today, as news about him working on a secret pet project has been leaked today. The images we've been able to find seem to show what can only be considered an evil lair as he works to, we believe, recreate the super soldier serum that made Captain America. This is the Daily Bugle, and once we get more, we'll let you know."
Harry: "BULLCRAP! (Throws a TV remote at the wall, smashing it into pieces) My father hates heroes and would never attempt to recreate or even make anything that could be something like that!"
Harsh but fair critique, seeing as how his mother was killed in the midst of some superhero bullcrap, with the worst thing of it all being she wasn't even involved in the villain's plan or anything, as she got killed by a random fragment the hero sent flying.
Of course, once Norman realized this, he sued the hero for all they were worth and tried to make them public enemy number one and would never accept whatever apology gifts the young X-Men tried to give the family, as Norman would send everything to either the shredder or furnace.
Penny: "Where did they even find something like this? I mean, they just barged into your home and forced everyone in the building outside as they ripped and tore everything apart until they found whatever they wanted."
Jake felt a massive cold sweat sweep all over his body as the pain and emptiness in his gut continued growing the more he heard about everything the government was doing to the Osborn family and home.
Harry: "(Turns to Jake) Hey man, thanks for letting me crash here as everything gets sorted."
Jake: "No problem... I'm happy you're here (gives a subtly pained smile) as it gives my sister a chance to meet more people."
Ekaj: "I don't understand why you're in pain and suffering. Norman broke the mortal rules and has to face the music of his own actions."
Jake's thoughts: "We both know that's a lie! We just found something that he was working on and have no idea what it might be."
Ekaj: "Which broke the rules of man, as they're arbitrary to whatever the place and era desires the rules to be. For instance, in the past, Norman could have killed everyone who was lower in life than he, and he'd be fine, while in the present day, he'd get sentenced depending on his lawyer, crime, and amount."
Jake just groans since he knows these are his own thoughts thrown back at him, but just because he thinks it doesn't mean he really believes it to be true. If he did, then what's the point in any acts of heroism if those with money and power can just get off scot-free?
Penny: "Well, it's getting late, and I have to work the Bugle (looks at Harry with a sad and sorry expression) since, you know... all hands on deck."
Penny tries to cheer Harry up, which doesn't work, but he tries his best to make Penny think it does, and once she leaves, he goes back to being depressed and angry at the world.
Jake: "Look, once everything's over, your dad will have lots of free time and can spend more time with you."
Harry: "(Scoffs) Yeah, right. All this is going to do is make him work even harder to make up for all the losses he got from the IRS invasion and the time he lost to make advancements. The only time we spend together is my birthday and any holiday that Mom used to force all of us to be together."
Jake looks at Harry with a sad expression as he pats and rubs his friend's back as he tries to think of how he could help his best friend feel better, as he was the one who helped screw over his family, as it was a task given to him by Nick Fury.
But for now, Jake just had to leave his apartment, or otherwise he felt like he was going to snap if he stuck to Harry any longer than he had. Before he left, however, he took his sister with him, as what kind of terrible brother would he have to be to leave his sister with a total stranger?
Jake: "So where do you want to go?"
Haley: "ICE CREAM!"
Jake: "We can't get just ice cream?"
Haley: "But... (uses one foot to draw a circle on the floor) your friend should be happy with ice cream, right?"
Jake felt even more guilt, as while he screwed over one of his longest friends, Haley, who is afraid of most strangers, she was thinking about how to help him even when she doesn't really have to.
Entering the local ice cream shop, Jake leaves for just a minute or two before rejoining his sister as she was getting many types of candy and snacks from all the old ladies that worked the store and those that were getting their own kids some.
Haley: "Um... th... thwank you..."
Seeing her brother Haley makes a mad dash behind him and clings to his pant leg causing everyone to gush over the cute sight, which leads to Jake getting a massive discount on the ice cream along with triple the amount he paid for.
Jake's thoughts: "Should... should I bring Haley with me more when I go to places like this?"
Ekaj: "Yes. Use anything to get a better deal, even if it means abusing the trust of your family."
Jake's thoughts: "Which means I should never actively do this since you think it's a good idea."
Going back to the apartment, Jake gave Harry his favorite ice cream, which was a mix of brownie craze and mint chocolate chip, which was very odd, but what was even odder was that someone else in the world also liked the mix, Penny, but she liked it with a strawberry syrup topping.
Haley enjoyed Neapolitan, as she got three flavors to enjoy for the price of one, while Jake enjoyed some cookie dough and cookies 'n cream mix.
As everyone enjoys their ice cream and some cartoons, as Haely's favorite show was on, and she seemed to lose all nervousness she had about Harry being there as she got absorbed into the world of her favorite cartoon with both siblings singing along to the theme song.
(A/n: Just for fun, it's the Spectacular Spider-Man, but change everything about Spider-Man with WonderGal and anything spider-like with gadgets.)
At some point Penny arrived and began watching the show with everyone else, and Jake only realized she arrived when the episode marathon finished.
Haley: "YES! I wonder who the Lizard Boy is?"
Jake: "(Chuckles) Maybe he's the good doctor."
Penny: "(Giggles) Or maybe she's the best friend who has a secret crush."
Jake: "AH! (throws the bowl of popcorn everywhere) WHEN THE HECK DID YOU GET HERE!?"
Penny: "(Shrugs) By, I'd say, the third or fourth episode from the marathon. Anyhow, Harry, I came because the Bugle found the pictures to be doctored and that everything will be called off this time either tomorrow or next week, so you have that to look forward to."
Harry: "Yeah... looking forward to it. Anyway, thanks, Jake, in advance for letting me crash here for the two weeks I'll probably be staying here."
Jake: "No problem. You've let me stay over countless times, so it's only fair I let you crash in your time of need."
Jake's thoughts: "Especially since I'm the reason this all happened. But what does she mean by "doctored"? Any camera made by both Reed and Iron Man should never be something to make such low-quality pictures that it could be perceived to be doctored."
Ekaj: "Maybe those thugs we ate at the ice cream parlor had something to do with it. I mean, why would they have a USB stick that only had a virus if they weren't planning to use it on something?"
Meanwhile, Norman Osborn was stuck inside a normal-looking house that was his prison as he waited for everything to blow over, letting out a sigh of relief once his insider at the Daily Bugle told him the exciting news.
Norman: "Five thousand dollars for a quick job as a down payment is more than worth it if I can get back to making the world a better place. (Looks behind him with a smile on his face) Isn't that right, my dear? Yes... yes, you're right; we have to make the world safe for Harry and his little friends. I know, dear; if anything gets in our way, we have to help them see the light."
Norman walks past a bathroom and stares into the mirror with a crazed look in his eyes as he tries to calm down and thinks about taking some medicine before dumping it all down the toilet and makes his way outside to talk to the masses after taking a Tic Tac.
Norman: "Wait for me, my beloved. I swear by the time we meet I will make the world a safe and better place for Harry. (Steps outside to a sea of flashing lights and indiscriminate chatter) Thank you for coming. Now I, Norman Osborn, have a message to say to those that try to get in the way of peace by trying to frame me and others just because they're scared of a better future."
And that is all for now hope you all enjoyed and until next time stay safe and peace!