Trickster at the Zoo (OPEN)

Personally, Norman never enjoyed the zoo. It was always filthy and disgusting, the smell of unwashed fur and feces seeming to emanate from every corner. But still, Norman walked into the gates of the local zoo (after the cashier complained about not being able to break a $100 bill - what a waste of oxygen), looking around at the open area that forked into numerous paths, signs accompanying them. It was surprising that the zoo was still open, given all the news that was breaking. But then again, during times of crisis, people liked familiar comforts. It somehow gave them the feeling that everything was going to go back to normal at some point. Norman knew that because that's how he approached his charisma towards them. By promising stability and promising to eradicate change, people were swayed so much easier than by trying to force them into something they weren't comfortable with. After all, that's how he became the leader of HAMMER back in the day - by promising to keep people protected, securing their worthless lives.

Norman walked over to the giraffe pen and watched them as they were fed by a staff member. A crowd was gathered, watching with some form of excitement. Norman didn't get the fascination - after all, he could see the use in keeping something around for the amusement of conquering it, but to waste all the resources on just keeping the animals living in a replicated habitat of the one they were taken from just felt...wasted. A few people noticed Norman, actively staying out of his way. A few others gave him a thumbs up, believing in his promises. Norman buttoned up his jacket - it was colder than he would have expected on a day where the sun was in full blossom. Norman watched a few birds in a cage fly around, and grew progressively more bored. There was less to learn here than he had originally thought.

Norman's attendance to the zoo was based on him researching the effects of imprisonment on animals, and trying to connect that to humans. After all, they were much like the lion he now gazed at - trapped in an space that, while open and comfortable, was ultimately a restriction of freedom. Norman wanted to dominate the people as they had dominated the lion. Even the child standing across from him was taking a picture, amused by the animal's stagnant new life. Something about that boy looked familiar, and Norman couldn't put his finger on it. dismissing the feeling, he quickly moved on, trying to find a reason to still be there. He eventually arrived outside the lizard exhibit, sitting down on a bench near the front entrance.

"Hey Osborn!" A shout came from Norman's left and he looked over just in time to see a middle aged man with a scowl on his face advancing towards Norman, a fist cocked back. Norman braced himself for the hit, almost welcoming it. The fist jammed into his leftside jaw and pushed his face to the side, the man's form clearly off and not delivering any real power behind the hit. Norman turned back to the look at the man, whose black slicked back hair was still wet with gel. "That's for Asgard!" The man said in triumph, as if he had already won. Norman scanned the area, finding no one there. Good. I would hate to damaged my still healing reputation, Norman thought to himself before standing up, towering a couple inches above the man. He buttoned his jacket before speaking, making the man wait for his rebuttal.

"You just made a grave error." Norman spoke in a calm voice, frowning. The man stared at Norman, clearly ready to fight. "But I'm not going to fight you - you're not worth my time. In fact, I doubt you're worth anyone's time. You're just another one of the greedy masses, taking whatever you want and thinking that's that. Expressing your views with something so petty as a child's punch. You're a disgusting plague upon this earth and this city, and you must be eradicated. But not by me - no, I won't do anything. You know why?" Norman asked, the man now sweating. Norman reached his hand back, and brought it forward in a powerful whip that slammed across the man's face, backhanding him. The powerful blow knocked the man to the ground as he held his face in pain. "I've got better things to do." Norman spoke superiorly, adjusting the sleeve on his jacket. The man took one look at Norman, his face scrunched in defeat, and ran off.

"Well, that's definitely the end of my zoo adventure." Norman muttered to himself, walking opposite from the man's trail, and running smack into a boy, hardly above the age of twelve. It was the photographer he saw earlier. Norman looked down and took a small step back. "Next time, watch where you're going, boy." He spoke with a scowl. He was not in the mood to deal with anymore interference, but the boy looked so familiar - why couldn't he place his finger on it?

Norman eyed the youth as the boy pulled a white hood over his head. He furrowed his brow at the movement, slightly annoyed at the rudeness it implied. He may not have been the most respectable man currently (something he was looking to fix), but a young boy should still respect his elders, whether in a trapped New York or elsewhere. The boy shot back at Norman in a rebellious voice, but obviously wasn't intentionally being rude. Norman was taken aback by the statement - noone ever talked back to him that way. The gall this child had. if it had been an adult, Norman would have shown them a lesson, like he had done to that man.

but this time, it made Norman smile, a small smirk spreading from his lips. The boy had spunk, and Norman had to respect that. It was kind of refreshing, actually. it reminded him of the defiance he grew to possess as a young boy - to not take crap from anyone."I guess you're right." Norman responded with a small laugh. He looked around the vicinity, still seeing no other passerbys. A couple walked in the distance, clearly not concerned with anything regarding Norman and the child. Odd - in times like these, it was unusual to see a disregard for child safety. People clinged to things they loved in times of crisis, holding them so close they almost suffocated them. Yet this boy was alone, wandering by his lonesome. His demeanor showed that he could handle it, but still - it struck Norman as out of place.

"Where are your parents?" Norman investigated. An idea started to manifest in his head - maybe he could return this child to his guardians, and make himself look even more heroic. It was a small gesture, sure - but every bit of support helped at this point. A brief chilled wind brushed across him, and he shoved his hands in his pockets. He locked down at the boy again, who was still hiding his face. Norman still thought he knew the boy, but he wasn't going to pry until he gathered more information. After all, doing something like that was bound to give him a dose of libel when people like J. Jonah Jameson heard about it, and the last thing he could afford to do was hurt his fragile reputation. "Do you want help finding them?" Norman offered to the boy, still noticing that no one was coming. 

Norman watched as the boy in front of him purposely tried to keep hiding his face. Was he afriad of the man, or was he actually hiding something? Coupled with the fact Norman though he knew the boy, his suspicions became more and more to the forefront. What was the kid hiding? Did he also recognize Norman, or know Norman would recognize him? But Norman brushed it off for now - he would have to wait for a proper opportunity to actually identify him, and couldn't let his rash decisions get the better of him. he frowned when the kid refused his generous offer. Originally, Norman didn't want anything to do with the boy, but now that he has developed a plan, he needed the boy to help him out. It was so important for him to get as much positive press as soon as he could. He wasn't going to let the boy say no, but he also couldn't force him to do anything, or risk harming his image. Man, it was hard to be a good guy. Norman wondered how the so called 'heroes' stayed so true to their idiotic ideals.

"Boy, I strongly suggest you let me help you. It's dangerous out here." Norman spoke calmly, keeping his wit's about him. "Have you seem me before? I'm Norman Osborn, leader of Oscorp. I'm here to help. Not just you, but everyone." Norman spoke, trying to educate the boy. "Sorry to hear about your parents - but a boy needs to be strong  and able to stand on his own without the support of his mother and father. This world is rough, and it's up to you to remember that - before you learn the hard way." Norman paused, remembering his son Harry, who he wished would live up to the high bar he had set. Harry had repeatedly disappointed Norman, time after time, his refusal to become the American Son just another strike against him. Where did Norman go so wrong raising such a weak and helpless child, who dreamt of owning a coffee shop reathe than leveraging the Osborn name. What a failure.

Norman looked back down at the child. "Come now, let's find your family. It's getting cold out." Norman spoke to the child. He was determined to figure out who the boy was, and that wasnt going to happen until he could get an opening. Norman looked around the zoo, watching a few other people pass them by. Some went in to the nearby lizard area, pointing at Norman as they passed. He wanted to leave, and was having trouble keeping a patient attitude.

Norman was growing tired of this game. The child insisted on wasting his time, denying his generous offers repeatedly. Norman wondered why the child was so stubborn - was it really due to his family, or something else? The child was definitely hiding something, and Norman was growing impatient and weary at trying to convince the boy. "Norman...this child is hiding something - find out what it is!" The Goblin hissed in his head, caskaling maniacally. Norman had accepted the Goblin back into his life, no longer fighting its influence, and had to admit it was good to feel like he was in total control once more. But was the Goblin right this time? Should he make such a rash move? They certainly weren't getting anywhere staring at each other in determination, and he was sure all he had to do was flip that hood down...

Norman closed his eyes for a second, reopening them into the fresh sunlight, dispersing the thoughts that had just threatened to consume him. No, he couldn't do that - he was here to try and leverage the child for his own gain and public appearances, not to discover the mysteries the boy was hiding. That was a secondary objective, and his primary one was to take the kid to his parents, and appear a hero. But maybe he didn't actually need to take him to them at all. After all, he could still gain popularity by simply finding the parents on his own and telling them where the boy was. It achieved almost the same endgame, it just wouldn't be as picture-worthy as him towing the lost child to his parents, a joyous smile stretched on everyone's face, with the headline "LOST BOY RESCUED BY OSBORN" on the newspaper. The masses would clamor to read all about how Norman was a renewed man. Telling the parents instead was simply worthy of a half page article written by some newly-hired intern that would probably spell his last name 'Osbourne.' Ugh, the wreckage that noise-machine family had done to his name.

But Norman conceded that it was the best option at this point, his mind racing through the options quickly and efficiently. He was a busy man, and standing around arguing with a child was going to get him nowhere, not to mention make him look ridiculous. Best to find the parents and move on - maybe they could provide some insight on the deja vu he was feeling, as well. "I respect how adamant you are in your decision, even if it is a foolish one." Norman spoke to the boy as an equal, not as a child. "Then at least give me your name - I will track down your parents and at least let them know your whereabouts."

Norman waited, watching the kid carefully. Obviously, he was uncomfortable about something, an internal struggle happening in the boy's mind. Norman could tell because he had seen that look on himself so many times before - except he wrestled with a Goblin. The boy finally stretched out and gave Norman an answer - one that the man didn't like. Norman scowled, displeased with the boy's defense of his parents. It was getting irritating - Norman was trying to perform one good deed (albeit towards his own ends), and this boy was constantly standing in his way, fabricating new reasons for why he didn't need Norman's help. Didn't he want to be reunited with his parents? Wasn't he scared to be by his lonesome at a time like this, where the whole state had gone to hell in a wash of panic and distress? The kid was acting so flippant about everything, and it bothered Norman. Not just because it came off as obnoxious, but because it also furthered the idea that he may know this boy from somewhere - the attitude was so...familai.

"Norman." The Goblin spoke aloud in Norman's head, echoing through his brain. "Did that boy say his dad has been in 'wars'? As in, plural?" Norman could see the Goblin in his mind, the green guise grinning in glee. Norman felt himself start to sweat lightly as he rattled his brain, trying to understand what the Goblin was telling him, clenching his fists in his pockets. "How many old men with kids that young do you know that have been in more than one war - and not only that, but 'plenty?'" The Goblin asked, egging Norman on to figure out the answer himself. Norman looked down at the boy with wide eyes. Who was this child? Why was he standing in Norman's way so much? Norman wiped the sweat from his brow and rubbed his eyes. He needed to stay stable - he wasn't going to do anything to this boy - at least, not in public.

But Norman quickly looked around and noticed everyone in the vicinity had disappeared. The Lizard exhibit had closed for the day while the boy and him stared each other down, and there was no reason for anyone to be cutting through to get to the other animals. The section of the zoo was a ghost town. Norman turned his gaze back on the boy, narrowing his eyes. "Find out who he is Norman! You know! You know who he is! HAHAHAHA!!!" The Goblin yelled out in his mind, his crazed laughter filling Norman's head. Norman's pulse increased, his thoughts slipping to rash action rather than calm demeanor. The Goblin had a point - how many people could have been in multiple wars at this point in time? Did Norman really know this kid? 

"W-who are you?" Norman struggled to regain composure as he stared down the boy, focusing on the hood he wore. He didn't give the kid time to answer. "WHO ARE YOU??" Norman yelled, his eyes growing wide. Before he knew it, he had reached across in haste, his body moving before his mind could process anything that was happening. He grabbed the hooded tightly with white knuckles, and thrust the cloth backwards to reveal the boy's face. The warm daylight illuminated the young man's features. 

Norman gasped, quickly recoiling his hand. It was him - it had to be. The face was younger, but the eyes were the same. It was his old ally, the man who once sat at the table with him, scheming and plotting, figuring out how to remove Asgard from Earth. The man who had given Parker his otherworldly powers to resume his reign as The Hood under Norman's employ. The man who had become not only part of Norman's Cabal, but one of the only members to not force his hand against them. The man who Norman saw die, giving his life to protect them against the Void which was unleashed upon Osborn's defeat. But it wasn't a man now...it was a boy. Norman took a step back, his mind trying to digest what he had just seen.

"L-Loki?"

Norman's mind was back at Asgard, the architecture crumbling around them, soot filling the air, explosions raging as the whole thing was coming down in masterful destruction. Norman was on his knees, simply watching, the world moving slowly, so slowly. He saw the Void's mass, its rigid, monstrous forms shamble, looking for prey. It was attacked by Captain America's shield, and Thor's hammer, enchanted by Asgardian magic, and still did not go down. Norman could feel his heart beating in his chest, the world around him crumbling down. The Void moved swiftly, violently, and ripped into Loki with all its power, the force shredding the mischief maker into pieces before erupting. More than anything, that symbolized the end of everything. His plans, his power, his control.

Norman's thoughts were interrupted by the child speaking, his mannerisms and tone exactly as Norman had remembered. Those green eyes gleamed with roguery and deceit. Oddly enough, Norman found comfort in those eyes - maybe because he too shared that gaze so much, his plans and schemes always hiding in the background of what his face showed. he knew that Loki was infinitely more conniving than he was, though - after all, he apparently hadn't died that day, and fooled them all. He still couldn't believe Loki was alive. How? Was it because of the 'pocket dimension' they were trapped in? Maybe Loki was reborn as a child after his death? Norman wiped the sweat from his brow, trying to regain his composure. This must be what Spider-Man felt like when Norman appeared in front of the hero after his falsified death.

Loki spoke calmly with a grin on his face. Norman cleared his throat, residual nervousness still echoing within him. "Loki...how...I saw you die." Norman managed to squeeze out, still trying to assemble his thoughts. "I mean..." Norman stopped - he had to compose himself. He couldn't be seen as weak around Loki - he trusted the god, but knew that their previous alliance was one forged of convenience, and if he were to possibly work with the rogue again he would need to keep his wits about him. "The Void killed you. I assume you had to plan to regenerate yourself in case of death?" Norman asked, finally cementing his mind in place. "I didn't expect our siege on Asgard to escalate so much. Those damn Avengers and their self-righteous ways ruined everything." He spoke to Loki, once more treating him as an equal, though even Norman had to admit it felt a bit strange to be doing so.

"I have a new plan." Norman spoke coyly. "A new plan to take down the heroes that are trapped in this dominion with us and rule over it." He had to be careful about what he said - he couldn't give too much away. Norman liked keeping things up his sleeves, and laying down all of his cards made him feel too vulnerable to be okay with it, especially when dealing with someone like Loki. However, having the god on his side would make things so much easier. The heroes seemed to be gaining allies in a flurry, while as far as he knew, he was the only real opposition. He needed to change that by finding allies wherever he could, and he knew Loki was a good one to have.

Norman watched Loki, the boy's eyes gleaming with thought and planning. Norman had grown so accustomed to those eyes while they worked together, but was still slightly uncomfortable around them. Norman liked to be in control of his plans and Loki had a way of having his own endgame, which made him sometimes a wild card. Still, if their motivations aligned, he knew Loki was a good partner to have, one that had not only a lot of power, but a sharp mind that could unravel situations as fast as they occurred. Still, this new form seemed...odd. Did Loki disguise himself as a child to hide among the masses? Was he any weaker in this state? These were important questions Norman needed answers to, if only to have as background knowledge. He liked to know weaknesses for his enemies and allies alike. He would have to keep those questions on the back burner for now, though - he was just happy to see another schemer in the mix.

Loki's suggestions intrigued Norman, his words twisting Norman's plan into something entirely different, the trickster letting slip that there was indeed an escape from this twisted mirror of the New York he was once part of. Norman's eyebrows raised at the remark, surprised. "So there is an escape? Do you know of it, Loki?" If the Asgardian knew about an exit and hadn't taken it himself, it had to be for good reason. Norman brought a steady hand to his mouth and began to pull at his bottom lip slightly, thinking about the implications of Loki's plans. It seemed like a good idea - why try and dominate this realm when they could leave and seal the heroes in it, progressing back to a dimension with no more 'saviors?' In fact, a vision was already shaping in Norman's mind -one of the Green Goblin ruling over all, taking control of the United States and forming a new Goblin Nation. The Green Goblin's laugh echoed in his head deviously at the thought, and Norman couldn't help but smile. He looked back down at Loki, newfound strength captured in his eyes as he lusted after the power Loki's plan presented.

"Yes...you're right. We could leave this realm and trap all of those annoyances behind in it. We would finally be in a world that we could control without interference, ruling over all those mongrels who desperately need to know their place in the world." Norman spoke, evil curling behind his eyes as he processed the plan and started laying the groundwork in his mind. "I have been gaining favoritism with the populous here. It may take me a little bit more time to tide them all over, but that will be a powerful asset to us. Once the people are on our side, it will be hard for the heroes to touch us." He eyed Loki inquisitively, cocking an eyebrow. "However, the heroes seem to be flooding in here in much larger quantities than I would like. Perhaps we should eliminate some in the meantime? We can't risk our plan slowing because fo them." Norman suggested. With Loki's power collaborating with him, he knew they would be able to dominate some of the heroes trapped with them. His plan would time some time to fester, and the more heroes that came into the situation, the more they may try and stop it. They had the opportunity to nip it in the bud now, before it became severe.