031

Norman is currently standing in the vast garden of the Osborn mansion as he watched Harry take a ride on a tricycle he had recently purchased Mary Jane followed close behind him with a smile, they both seemed to be enjoying in their own way.

The elder Osborn was sitting in a chair and had a table in front of him where there was a cup of coffee and several folders that had been delivered by Walter after he and Bucky had given him a personal report of their mission.

The first thing they had discovered was that A.I.M. was creating a serum capable of regenerating lost limbs again, that they named Extremis, however, for all the years that had passed since its creation they had been unsuccessful in the serum.

Walter was able to get some information from the experimental subjects that had participated in the creation of the serum, all of them were currently dead and most importantly all of them died due to being involved in an explosion.

Of course most of the time the reasons for the explosions changed completely, but it was something really suspicious when you thought about it carefully and both Bucky and Walter noticed it immediately.

Bucky in turn took it upon himself to make an extensive compilation of the main members of the agency, and it generates no surprise in Norman to see the names of Maya Hansen as the lead investigator while Aldrich Killian was the founder and CEO of the agency.

The agency was founded based on military contracts and with the permission of the US Government which practically made them untouchable on US soil, well, that only applied if he wanted to attack them directly and legally, but Norman didn't have that in his plans.

He really had to move quickly before A.I.M. attacked again, however, he didn't have enough power or men under his command to eliminate all of them, and it made him hesitate a bit, as he didn't want to leave any loose ends.

Osborn took his cell phone out of his pocket and proceeded to open his contacts and then type in different numbers, he knew that what he was about to do would leave him in a somewhat disadvantageous position, but it was better to eliminate the problems from the root.

While the call was being made to his mentor, Norman just looked at the sky in thought, so he didn't notice the strange and worried look that MJ was giving him.

…

Norman was in the office he had in the mansion, his gaze was simply focused on the sword Ducard had given him after his training.

The knock on the door snapped him out of his thoughts and he calmly put the sword back in the cane-like sheath, "Come in" he said once the sword was hidden.

He was a little surprised when he saw that the person was MJ and not Bernard as he had anticipated, "Miss Watson, did something happen with Harry?" he asked quickly thinking that the redhead's motive for coming to his office was related to his son.

Mary Jane, however, shook her head at his question, "If that's the case tell me what you want to talk to me" asked Osborn as he waved his hand for the redhead to take a seat.

MJ just took a seat before looking at Norman, "Mr. Osborn are you all right?" she asked carefully, almost as if she was afraid she might say something wrong.

Norman was a little puzzled by that question, "I am" he managed to reply, "May I know the reason for your question?" he asked with a little curiosity.

"It's just that I think you may be overexerting yourself, after all since some time ago, you haven't had a break and adding that you were involved in a traumatic experience I really consider that you need to rest, even a little" the redhead said and although her voice was a little low, you could hear her seriousness.

"Miss Watson as I mentioned to you a few days ago I appreciate your concern for me, however, I do not consider that I need a break and even if I did I would not have the luxury of being able to give myself one at least not at this time" before Mary Jane began to speak again Norman commented honestly.

" I understand that you are a busy man" MJ began to say "But as you explained to Gwen a few days ago, even if you are not aware you are generating a considerable amount of stress to your body" she pointed out remembering about the conversations she had with Gwen related to Norman.

"And although I can't forbid you to work or something similar like you did with Gwen, I can ask you to try to take care of yourself a little, before your body collapses due to overexertion" as she finished her words the redhead kept silent waiting for Norman's answer.

Norman was silent for a few seconds before speaking: "You know it's a bit low to use my words against me" was the first thing that came out of his mouth which caused a small blush on Mary Jane's beautiful face: "However I think you are right we should lead by example however a man in my position can't take the job lightly, but I will still keep your words in mind" he explained calmly.

Norman's vision settled on a wall clock in his office: "I think it's time for you to go, so I'll accompany you to the car," he declared as he left his seat and walked around his desk to stand next to Mary Jane and then extended his hand to her as a sign of courtesy.

MJ hesitated a bit before taking Norman's hand and Osborn escorted her to the car that would take her home.

On the way they met Bernard who just looked at the two adults without commenting anything, after the car disappeared from their sight Norman spoke: "I have to go out for a while, I probably won't be back until tomorrow".

The only thing that Norman could hear was a sigh from the old butler, "Will you tell me sometime what you do when you disappear?" he questioned.

"Maybe someday" with the somewhat ambiguous answer given Norman started walking in the direction of the garage, there were important things he had to do.

…

Norman was in Flushing which was a neighborhood in Queens he honestly didn't know what Ducard had with Chinatowns, well, he could get an idea, but he really didn't want to dig too much into that subject.

Night had already fallen in the city, but there were still plenty of people on the street, even though Norman was on his way to a potentially dangerous situation he decided not to inform Bucky or Walter, at worst he would simply use his teleportation to flee.

But he doubted he would get into a situation like that, the most likely case was that Ducard would refuse his request and nothing more.

Soon he arrived at a somewhat old building that gave the impression of a fortress, not caring too much about the design Norman began to walk towards the doors, but as he got closer to them, he began to feel several eyes on him.

A quick glance allowed him to see several men hiding in the shadows of the buildings nearby.

Without giving the glances too much importance Norman reached the doors of the building where before he could even knock the door was opened and a somewhat familiar woman with blue eyes welcomed him.

"He's waiting for you" he heard her say in a somewhat delicate voice and probably the most beautiful voice he had heard in a long time.

The woman turned around and began to walk being followed by Norman, the course was in relative silence as neither person spoke.

Soon the woman stopped and pointed to the door when Norman passed by her side she spoke: "You must offer him something in return, but never agree to owe him a favor" she said in a low voice, once she finished saying those words she began to walk.

Osborn just looked a little at the retreating figure of the woman, finding her warning a little strange, of course Norman himself knew that he should not agree to something like that with Ducard, but that someone working for him had warned him about that fact was certainly strange and a little suspicious.

Putting that thought aside Norman proceeded to walk over and open the door the woman had previously pointed out, the first thing he saw was Ducard sitting in a somewhat peculiar armchair.

"Well, to what do I owe your call and visit?" asked Ducard.

Norman just looked at him, "I'm sure you must already know" he commented flatly, "So I'll get straight to the important stuff" he stated not wanting to waste time in the face of the games Ducard might try to play.

"I need your help to eliminate A.I.M. tonight" were the words he said and as he expected, it did not provoke any surprise in Ducard.

"I think you must know that in exchange for something so risky I need payment" without refusing to give an answer, but also not affirming one replied Ducard.

"I know" replied the Osborn simply: "In exchange for your help I will make your men able to regenerate lost limbs immediately as well as heal many of the wounds that can be made during a fight which will help their probabilities of being victorious" he finished by saying and the room fell into complete silence.

"I don't know with whom and I don't even care, but I can deduce that you are planning to fight a war, so it's an offer you can't refuse" Norman continued after a while in silence.

Ducard only looked a bit thoughtful for a few minutes, "I will help you in your personal vendetta, but if you don't hold up your end of the deal I won't mind if you are one of my students" he made it clear.

"You do your part, and I'll do mine" simple words came out of Norman's mouth as he took one of his hands to a pocket in his pants and pulled out a memory card and then tossed it in Ducard's direction, "On it come the locations I want you to take care of, it's up to you how to do it" he explained and his mentor just nodded.

"I will leave, as I must prepare on my own" with those words said Norman started to leave the room without Ducard saying anything to him.

Once he left the room two people appeared next to Ducard, one of them was the woman with blue eyes and the other seemed to be the figure of a man.

"Get the men ready, tonight there will be work to do" he declared without even looking at them.

While Ducard's two subordinates were passing on the news and orders from Ducard, Norman was already outside the building as he made a call.

"Get ready and meet me at the coordinates I just sent" was the first thing he mentioned when the call connected, "Tonight is a hunting night" and with those words, he hung up, he knew the other party would understand his meaning.