Can this get any more painful? I can't believe i used to write this.

“... And he lays it up... and it bounces off the court in a humiliating defeat for the Park.” said Harry grinning.
“Give it a rest, you won already.” replied Peter.
“ Yeah well, gotta rub it in now.” Harry said.

Peter was sitting on a bench placing the ball in his gym bag, He despite his words was having a great time. Harry had a big smile on his face because of the way Peter was going on that he figured out how to beat Harry, but lost anyway.

“Man it's cold, got to be in the upper 30's.” said peter.
“You're telling me! At least you remembered a jacket.” Said Harry, then continued. “What's in that box anyways?”
“A compound necessary for making my dissolving glue.” replied Peter.
“What's that?” Harry asked.
“It is a compound that is super sticky for about ten minutes, and it hardens immediately. Over time it finally dissolves away.” Peter said.
“Sounds dumb.” Harry said.
“So far it has held Dr. Octavius's harness long enough for the epoxy to set.

They both got up and started walking down a path. It was very cold and windy, so cold that Harry who almost never was bothered by the cold, was shivering. They were almost to the side walk when Harry yelled “Hey MJ!”
“What?” Peter said looking around.
But then he saw Mary Jane Watson and Gwen Stacy in an old car that belonged to Gwen.
Mary Jane was Harry's girlfriend, she had red hair and blue eyes, she was extremely thin as well. Peter always thought of her as a skeleton with skin. Gwen Stacy on the other hand had platinum blond hair, with blue eyes. She also was fit, but not a living skeleton.
He walked up to the car.

“Hey Petey!” Yelled Gwen.
Peter got even closer, and Harry had already been talking to MJ, who for some odd reason was driving, so Peter walked around to the other side.
“Hey Gwen how are you doing.” said Peter.
“I'm fine, what were you and Harry up to?” she asked.
“Oh, playing a little basketball, and getting humiliated.” said Peter.
“Well get inside the car it freezing out here.” said Gwen.
“Not really, it's not actually freezing till it's 32 degrees out.” Peter replied.
“You know what she meant, now both of you get in.” said MJ
“Hey I'm not arguing.” said Harry.
“I'm just cold, lets go home.” peter said sitting down.
“I second that, but I've got my car at Peter's so I will have to go home alone.” Harry said looking at MJ.
“Could you drop me of at my house? Gwen lives so far away.” said Mary Jane.
“I live closer to you than he does Mary!” Gwen said with a big smile aimed at Peter.


Peter was oblivious to what they were saying, he was worried about Harry. How could a man as detestable as Norman Osborn have a child like Harry, who was caring and helpful. Would Harry ever be able to overcome his dad? Peter was just tired of the way Norman acted.

The car pulled up at his apartment, which had looked extra run down in the dark.
The lights were out, so peter assumed that Flash retired for the night. He suddenly realized he was being asked a question.

“Petey, are you ok? You haven't said a word since you got in the car.” asked Gwen.
“Yeah,” he muttered. “I'm just tired.” this of coarse was true but not the whole truth and Gwen could tell.
“All right.” she said.

They all got out of the car and exchanged some goodbyes before Harry left with Marry Jane.
Peter started to head up the stairs, when felt like he was being watched. He turned and saw Gwen was staring at him with a piercing glare.

“You think I can't tell that you have something important on your mind?” she said with the same glaring look.
“I'm Just worried about Harry...” Peter started.
“Norman?” She asked.
“Yes, his dad cut his project again.” He finished.
“Again!” she said aloud, now with concern. “Is Harry ever going to get anything done without that monster getting rid of it?”
“I'm beginning to wonder, I wonder if this is like the plasma blaster.” Peter said.
Peter was referring to an event where Harry had come up with a plasma blaster, when Norman
Osborn shut the project down. Three months later he announces his own Plasma Blaster, which the only difference was a smaller rod.
“Is he taking it well?” Gwen asked.
“No, not really.” Peter replied.
“How are your aunt and uncle doing?” Gwen said trying to change the subject.
Peters Eyes lit up, “Oh no, I was supposed to visit them.” he looked down at his watch which said 7:30. He had two hours.
“Look I gotta go sorry.” Peter Said.
“Wait, don't take the scooter, I'll drive you there.” Gwen replied. “It's way to cold out for you to be using that silly old thing anyway.
Peter grinned, then followed her to the car.

The drive was quiet, which was nice. Gwen had never been a talker, but she also had never been one of those highly emotional women either. She had been his friend since he was 15. the reason the met was that she despised Flash, and she hit him trying to protect Peter.
They had been buddies for three years, but it had a slightly romantic turn at the age of eighteen.

He glanced over at Gwen she had a look of extreme frustration. She was very worried about Harry, who used to be her boyfriend until Norman Osborn threatened her. They all hated Norman. Peter always wondered what would have happened if Norman had liked Gwen instead of Mary. Gwen had always liked stability, her dad being a cop had always been her protector. She sort of expected any man to be her protector. Peter never quite understood her that way.

They pulled up at his aunt and uncles place. Which had been his home for a long time. His parents died when he was four. He knew really nothing about them, which left him always thinking of his aunt and uncle as parents. They had raised him all his life, and Peter had regular visits with them. Their house was in great condition, unlike most of the houses on that street. One of the things that drove his uncle crazy was that his aunt would not take a break from keeping this house in perfect condition. She believed in keeping a home as tidy as possible.

They both got out of the car. Gwen was straitening her hair as they walked up the steps.
Peter ringed the doorbell, but remembered that it never had worked, so he knocked on the door instead. Aunt May was the one who answered.
“Hello Peter!” She said as she hugged him then turned to Gwen. “ Why hello Gwen, you look lovely today.”
“Thank you.” Gwen said. “so do you.”
“Well not in these clothes” She waved at here apron.
“Well come in you two, it's freezing.” Aunt May said.
Peter started to say that it wasn't 32 degrees yet, but Gwen gave him a look that clearly said no, so he kept his mouth shut.

They walked in, and Aunt May hollered for Uncle Ben to come down. Gwen was looking at the photos in the hallway, while aunt May was brewing coffee. U
Uncle Ben came down,
“Hey Peter, you want to help me with the stupid plumbing upstairs?” Uncle Ben Said while Grinning.
“I probably should have brought my work clothes.” Peter replied.
Uncle Ben had always joked that way, it drove Aunt May nuts because half the time, there was nothing wrong.
“Oh Ben you know you got that done hours ago.” Aunt May said.
“What you brewing? I hope it's Colombian.” He said.
“No this time it's French Brew I'm afraid, I forgot to get the Colombian.” Aunt May said.
“Thats alright, look I'm going to go see if I can get that stupid car running.
Peter and Aunt May watched Uncle Ben go out the back door.

Peter looked around, the walls all still had the yellow tone on tone pinstripe wall paper that he grew up with. He always loved this place, not because it was always fresh, but because it wasn't. The old pictures hanging on the wall from when Peter was young. Peter felt at home here more than any place in the world.

He heard several glass items breaking in the den
So he ran over inti the den found Gwen standing in shock, apologizing repeatedly. Peter glanced at the now broken glass angel collection. When aunt May ran in she saw and laughed.

“Well thats one way of cutting down on my collection.” she said smiling. While Peter understood because the angels had been gathering all over the place, Gwen was shocked even more.

“Gwen, dear they were going to thrown away because I need the space, it's all right.” Aunt May said trying to comfort Gwen.

Gwen calmed down, this was really the one thing Gwen struggled with was she was the definition of clumsy. Gwen was still clearly thinking about Harry. Peter hugged her then went into the kitchen where Aunt May got her broom.
“Here, let me help.” Peter offered.
“No, I can handle it.” she looked around for Gwen “So what are you doing here at this time of night.”
“She drove me here because she didn't want me driving the scooter here, and I think shes a little lonely all the way over on the other side of town. Peter replied. “I am however here because of Harry.”
“What happened with Harry?” she asked.
“His dad cut his funding again.” Peter said grimacing.
“Again? The Poor boy. I'm going to have to have a talk with his father.” She said scowling.
“What's that going to do? You know how he is.” Peter said.
“Don't know, but someone ought to stick up for that boy.” She said.

They went into the next room, Gwen was pouting on the couch. Peter laghed when he saw her.
“Are you laughing at me?” Gwen asked with a smirk.
“Yes, have you ever seen yourself when you make that face.” Peter said.
“Gwen would you like some coffee?” Aunt May asked.
“Yes thank you.” Gwen said.
“Your welcome.” Aunt May said while handing her some coffee. “You seem upset about something dear.”
“It's Harry.” Gwen said.
“Ah yes, Peter told me about it.” She said.

Uncle Ben came in through the back door and walked to Aunt May.
“You forgot the gas, thats why it didn't start.” He told her.
“Oh, I should have known, did you get it running?” She said.
“Oh yes, but I had to steal from the lawn mower. I'll get some more tomorrow.” He said, then grabbed himself a cup of coffee.
“So what's up” He said.

They filled him in on what happened to Harry, and they continued chatting for a while but after 8:30 Gwen thought she should go home so she and Peter left. The mood had lightened as always when visiting them, but after you left the very happy world they lived in, life outside seemed like a nightmare. The drive home was almost depressing.

Norman stood behind his desk looking out the windows, the view of the city disgusted him. All of those weaklings walking, walking on his street, his city street. He paid for this private road, so they ought to pay a little respect. Instead these same people who believed in a faux freedom in this God-forsaken country didn't even look at his building.

He turned back to his desk and sat down, life was not going his way lately. Harry was acting like Oscorp already belonged to him, his project on a touch based EMP was bogus and Norman was pretty fed up with the lack of results. Harry had always been like his mother, a monster not realizing his own potential, refusing to take power, always giving in to weaker minds.

His thoughts began to drift more and more when his butler arrived. The man looked older than time itself and he was the one person Norman could count on to shut up and do what he was told.
“Norman your son is here to see you.” Bernard said. He looked like a man about to have his head cut off, which Norman Osborn loved, a little fear meant things got done faster.

“Send him in.” he said calmly, and his Butler turned to leave the room.

When he left the room Norman looked at some documents on his desk concerning the jet-wing stability issues. It was his favorite creation, but everybody said that no normal human could ever stay on top of it. If they wanted a slower one they could make it themselves, he was going to be richer than ever once he completed it.

Harry stepped into the room carefully, trying not to disturb his father. He was in a light blue button-down shirt with Grey slacks. This was rather formal for him, normally he would wear a rock band T-shirt and jeans. Maybe he was starting to grow up, but Norman doubted it. Norman looked up at Harry waiting hear what he had to say.

“We have had a major breakthrough in Experimental Technologies.” Harry said meekly.
“Is this your pet project that has been going nowhere in the one year you've had it.” Norman replied with a grimace.

The mention of the problems Harry had been having clearly upset him, but he shrugged it off and kept going.
“No actually it's a spin-off of that project. This one will change everything.” Harry said with a sudden air of confidence.
“I'll believe it when I see it, where is this um..spin-off.” said Norman.
“I'll show you.” Harry replied
And so Norman stood up and fallowed Harry out the door. Harry led them all the way to an elegant red elevator. There was an uncomfortable silence between the two of them, Norman had noted. Harry always seemed a little weak, but he was getting worse lately, like the universe was about to collapse.
The stepped out of the elevator and walk down a couple more industrial looking hallways, and then they walked into a giant lab, in which he was standing on the balcony.

He saw a bunch of people snacking, this disgusted Norman, highly trained scientists being paid $20 an hour to sit on their lazy rear ends.
“Harry what are they doing?” Norman inquired
“They are taking a well earned break.” Harry replied weakly.
“I do not pay people to take breaks, I pay them to work, why should they be sitting around?” Said Norman, “In fact, I don't see why you should keep waisting my money just to make them LAZY!!!” Yelled Norman.

Harry looked like he was about to argue but stopped. Turned and looked around the room meekly, and then said: “ you heard him, get back to work.” He said this, but his heart was not in what he was saying.
Norman scowled at what he was seeing. This was the work of a weakling; one who could not lead. He would have probably continued to fuss over the work ethic if Harry hadn't walked over to what looked like a metal glove.

“This is the close range PPP, you can get up to 12m with this glove. It is designed to focus on one target, and leave the others alone.” Harry said with renewed confidence.
“What is a PPP Harry?” Norman asked.
“Plasma Partial Pulser; it works similar to an EMP, but is much easier to focus. Let me show you.” Harry said.
They walked over to a Plexiglas test center. Norman had them installed because of high explosives.

“Alan, show it off.” Harry said.
Norman grimaced, Harry was again not showing any strength, using a persons first name was considered a peer to peer attitude, if Harry is going rise to the top he will have to drop his low-life terms.

Alan was now standing in the test zone. He was wearing what looked like a giant battery on his back and the glove was on his hand. Harry had signaled for all clear so the show was about to begin.
“You'll love this Dad.” said Harry

Alan turned to a truck in the room, the truck was clearly turned on. It's engine was rumbling loudly.
Alan raised his glove and pulled the trigger in his other hand. Nothing happened. Norman Was suddenly thinking that clearing everybody out wouldn't be a bad idea. He didn't want a plasma bomb on their hands, but then Alan spoke up.
“The battery died. Sorry Harry.” Said Alan.

That did it. The lack of respect, the failure to complete a task, not following proper procedures, and have a snack during work hours all told Norman one thing.
“Harry, the money fund this project has been pulled. You have shown me that you aren't ready to lead a project, much less a company. You may find another task within this department, or find a job somewhere else, but you will not be leading anything anymore. And as for this disrespectful crew of yours, they're fired.” Norman said coldly, then turned to leave the room with Harry gaping.


__.....__



Peter heard a knock on his apartment door. He thought that it was awfully late for company. When he opened up it was Harry standing there looking like he had just been shot.
“What happened Harry.” Peter asked rather concerned.
“My Dad cut the funding for my project.” Harry said.
“Come on in.” Peter said,
Harry walked in slowly while dragging his feet, and sat down on the tattered yellow couch in the living room.
“So what happened, is this the one you made a breakthrough on, or the other one.” asked Peter.
“Sorta both actually, it was a spin-off designed to take out machinery and electronics, but without permanently damaging them. He got mad at me for not treating my co-workers like dirt. Maybe he is right, I am to week, I just don't know.” Harry said emotionally.

Peter wasn't sure how to handle this, to him Norman had always been a bit of a weasel, but for Harry life had always been hard, no matter how much he did his father hated him because he was too selfish to realize this was his son he was ruining. Peter never could figure out how to this, and Peter kept hoping Harry's dad would come to his senses.

“Maybe you should take a break from it all, go see someone you haven't seen in a while or go somewhere you've always want to. Man what I would give for the money you have.” Peter said.

Harry grinned for a slight moment, but it didn't last and then there was an awkward moment between the two of them. Suddenly they heard shouts and thumping from above.
“GO! GO! GO! GOOO!!! TOUCHDOWN!!!!!” they both heard followed by a couple more jumps and then Somebody jumped down from the loft above. It was Flash Thompson, who used to be Peters Bully but went on to be Peters friend and roommate.
“Man Peter! Roger Nowell caught a 65 yard touchdown. It was awesome.” Flash said, then looked at Harry who was giving Flash the deer in the headlights stare. Flash then said “Sorry if I scared you man, I just got exited.”
“Thats ok.” Harry said quietly clearly still a little stunned.

Flash went back up into the loft, and Peter and Harry walked to the kitchen.
“So want anything to eat” asked Peter.
“No I've seen your cooking.” Harry said with a grin.
“Get me some cheese sticks Peter, will ya.” Hollered Flash.
“ I'll stick some in the microwave.” Peter Hollered back. Then turned to Harry.
“Hey, why don't we go see if my shipment came and then go out to take your mind off of things.”


__.....__




Dr. Octavius just sat there on the edge of his bed shaking, he knew that Cletus was betraying him, he just had to be. The boy just stank of being Osborn's puppet, and Connors had taken a liking to him. Why couldn't Connors see the trap? Octavius knew that his days were numbered, the shipments from Brazil backfired, he thought had covered all his tracks but Osborn some how found out.

He sat there looking at a picture from graduation. The arms weren't worth this, what he would give for peace, but now he was always looking over his shoulder, screaming at people he cared about and hid from public eye. He wanted this all to end. He sighed and got up, then walked out to the living room. The arms may not be worth this, but he would kill everyone on this planet before he was killed, or put in prison; that he swore.