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Post by Victor Von Doom on May 4, 2014 16:59:39 GMT -5
The light from a large television reflecting off of Doom’s titanium features was the only thing that could be seen within his dark surroundings. As he was no closer to decoding the cause or source of the dome, Doom had resorted to flipping through local channels for anything that could aid his research. As available frequencies were limited, Doom had developed a system flipping through all of them every few hours before returning to the local news network for any new developments. In this new round of channel-flipping Doom brushed past a rather interesting soundbite.
"Well, it's not every day you get to interview a war criminal."
In his haste Doom had flipped past the channel but he quickly returned.
"...Right now, I'm wanted for my crimes against Asgard, for inciting a war against them without proper authorization. I overstepped my boundaries, people were caught in the wreckage, and I am fully ready to pay the price for that. It was a grave error, and I deserve my punishment. I took my duty to protect people too far, letting it cloud my judgement. I only wanted what was best for the security of everyone."
Doom looked closely at the superimposed face of Norman Osborn, denoted by a large nameplate at the bottom of the screen. He couldn’t help but chuckle as the broadcast went on. This man had his interviewer as well as the public eating out of the palm of his hand. Doom wished he had made a more graceful step into the spotlight such as this rather than shaking the city in a fit of rage. Doom relaxed as he returned his attention to the show.
"Norman, can your crimes really be forgotten? Working with known criminals? Causing a massive amount of collateral damage? Proving your instability on live TV?"
As the man mounted a measured and eloquent response, something about him had shifted in Doom’s eyes. Doom had worked among powerful people before but there was something about this Norman Osborn that he couldn’t quite put his finger on. The man was clearly more intelligent than he let on for the public but the nature of his cognitive depth remained a mystery. As Doom was never the type to test fate, he was in desperate need of some answers. He had to meet this man.
Doom rose from his seat to address a nearby wall-mounted computer screen, remembering the company name “Oscorp” from earlier in the interview. He spoke the company name and the screen sprang to life with maps and coordinates pertaining to Oscorp Tower. It had been a while since Doom had planned a corporate meeting.
Doom stepped from the limousine into the morning light reflecting off of Oscorp Tower the following day. The air felt odd against his body as his power suit had been traded for a fine cotton business suit for the day. As two of his body guards flanked him on his long walk to the building he waved them away, Doom had no intention of threatening what could be a valuable ally. He itched his neck, he was not as used to wearing only his mask. Upon entering the building, he walked straight to the front desk. “Victor Von Doom calling for Norman Osborn” he said smoothly as a startled look grew over the receptionist’s face. “S-Sorry sir, we don’t have any record of an appointment. Mr. Osborn is a very busy man. If you would like I could call his office and see if he’s in but with the dome crisis I’m afraid he may not have the time.” Doom resisted the urge to manipulate the nearby computer and insert his name to the list, that would be impolite. “Of course, I wouldn’t want to interrupt anything important.” Doom smiled and leaned on the desk, turning his back on the receptionist as he stared directly into the nearest surveillance camera then proceeded to look around the lobby. Admiration wasn’t a common feeling for Doom but he felt it all the same as he took in the impressive features of Oscorp Tower. He had no prior knowledge of Norman Osborn but he had to admire his sense of style.
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VILLAIN
Years Old
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The Green Goblin
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The bad guys always win.
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Post by Norman Osborn on May 4, 2014 22:30:33 GMT -5
"Dammit." Norman sighed at his desk, exiting out of the transmission log that was showing on his computer screen. Most of his information networks were down in the wake of the invisible barrier cutting them off from the rest of the country. As far as Norman could tell, he was alone in a bubble full of unruly swine and those...'heroes.' People were spotting more and more fo them - Thor, Iron Man, even that incessant Spider-Man. Just thinking about it made Norman grit his teeth. He had won over the public for the time being, but he couldn't push his real agenda simultaneously - not with all the heroes no doubt keeping an eye on him, to see if we would slip up, trip over his own ambitions. But he wouldn't give them that satisfaction.
"Uh...Mr. Osborn...you have a visitor." The speaker on his desk echoed as the nervous receptionist spoke, clearly shaken by something. Norman rolled his eyes - he hadn't even been out of the press conference for a couple hours and already other reporters were trying to break through the Oscorp gates. Norman reached over with a powerful hand and pressed on the intercom button.
"Tell them I'm busy. I don't want any distractions." He spoke clearly, making sure his inflection was no-nonsense.
"Sir...it's D-Dr. Doom." The receptionist spoke even more skittishly. Norman's eyes widened at the revelation, his mind kickstarting. Doom? Why would Doom be here? Norman's mind flashed back to his meeting with the Cabal, of the Doombot erupting into thousands of robotic locusts that tore into his Dark Avengers headquarters, of Doom's arrogant speech of betrayal. Norman pushed his hair back, his mind trying to make sense of the visit. Doom dares show his face around here? After what happened the last time they saw each other? Doom had jeopardized everything Norman had built, and here the man wanted to have a civil meeting? Norman could feel sweat fabricating on his brow, and he wiped it away.
"Norman...you must crush him. This is your chance to make that traitor pay for everything he did!" The Green Goblin spoke in a callous voice, the sneering grin becoming vivid in Norman's mind. "Show him that the Goblin is not to be trifled with! HAHAHA!!!" The echoing laughter rang in Norman's brain, but he shook his head and sighed. That wasn't the course of action he needed to take. Not now, anyway.
"...sir?" The intercom buzzed, interrupting his thoughts.
"Tell him to come up to my office. Make sure no one disturbs us." Norman spoke coolly before turning the intercom off. Doom may have been a traitor, but he was part of the Cabal at the beginning. There was a reason Norman originally sought his alliance, and that's because Doom was such a powerful force to align with. Norman had to push through his anger - the times were desperate, and he had no allies. He needed to make one.
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Post by Victor Von Doom on May 5, 2014 10:44:34 GMT -5
“Mr. Osborn will see you now.” Doom was surprised, he had already planned a more, a word for it could be direct, approach to meeting Norman Osborn but this would undoubtedly be much simpler.
“Take the elevator, I’ll unlock it for you.”
“Many thanks miss.”
Doom walked to the large deposit of elevators just off of the lobby, wondering which she could have meant. His suspicions were quickly put at ease when a large ornately designed door rose to meet him at the end of the hallway. Doom waited a moment before the door came to life, opening to a well kept elevator. Doom stepped inside and stood patiently as the elevator began to ascend at an understandably rapid pace. As he waited, Doom found himself lost in the elevator's gentle music. He thought deeply about what this man could possibly offer him and what exactly peaked his interest about him in the first place. As far as Doom knew, he was going to meet with a powerful man who had no objection to dirty work. Such an ally in such an unusual situation could only prove beneficial, that is if he doesn’t plan on staking a monopoly on villainy beneath the dome. Doom felt both relief and regret for not wearing his power armor.
The elevator slowed as it reached its destination, the doors opened to a large office lit only by its massive windows keeping the shape of one silhouetted figure, one large desk and a lone chair in front of it completely obscured as Doom began his walk in. “Norman Osborn I presume.” Doom said, projecting confidence to set the tone as he approached through his mysterious surroundings.
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VILLAIN
Years Old
Male
56 Posts
The Green Goblin
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The bad guys always win.
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Post by Norman Osborn on May 5, 2014 18:24:25 GMT -5
Norman rubbed his forehead, unsure what to expect from Doom's visit. What was the man planning? Would he betray Norman again? Was it actually Victor, or a Doombot? Norman closed his eyes and rubbed them a second before hearing the familiar smooth beep of the elevator to his office arriving. He opened his eyes to see Victor Von Doom enter the large room, his figure lit by the sunlight cascading from the windows of the office. Norman was surprised to see the man standing before him dressed in a suit, rather than his familiar green cloak. The sunlight bounced off the infamous metal mask, however, making the man clearly recognizable. Norman listened to Doom's greeting. 'He presumes? What the hell is that supposed to mean?' Norman thought, calculating his next move carefully - he needed this man, and had to put the past behind him for now. Norman pushed himself from his chair, standing up and pointing a finger at Doom.
"What the hell are you thinking Doom? Approaching me at Oscorp after I've just made an attempt to clear my name? You know how much damage control I'm going to have to do?" Norman spoke accusingly at the man before sighing. He adjusted his tie and forced himself to calm down. He walked confidently around the desk towards his guest. "Regardless, it is good to see you again, our previous encounter aside." Norman tried to hide the residual malice in his voice, reaching a hand outwards towards Doom to greet him. "As you can see, I've been doing quite well for myself for a war criminal. I bounce back well." Norman moved his hand around his office before motioning towards a seat. "Sit down if you like - I'm sure we have much to talk about. Mostly regarding this impenetrable bubble, I'm sure. That is why you're here, isn't it?" Norman wasn't sure what Doom's exact intentions were, but the man was cut off from Latveria, and Norman was sure that would be a primary motivation for the genius to escape their current predicament. Norman waltzed over to a glass cabinet and pulled out a number of alcoholic beverages.
"Want anything?" He asked as he poured himself a small glass of bourbon.
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Post by Victor Von Doom on May 5, 2014 19:35:38 GMT -5
As his host suddenly rose to his feet and proceeded to snap at him with an aggravated tone, Doom could not help hesitating. He put himself at ease as Norman stepped from behind his desk, allowing the bolt of magic energy he had prepared behind his back to dissipate. Hopefully the glow was obscured by what little bit of sunlight flowed into the room. Doom took the man’s outstretched hand in a firm handshake and puzzled at what he was saying. “See me again? I’ve never met this man before in my life.” Doom thought to himself as he nodded and sat down, shaking his head at the drink he was offered. It wasn’t like him to refuse such a gesture but to fully process this situation Doom would need all of his wits about him.
From his seat Doom paused, looking directly at his host as silence overtook the office. “I don’t wish to offend you, Norman. But I have no recollection of our ‘last encounter’ nor do I believe I have ever met you.” Doom sat forward in his seat to take a more detailed look at his surroundings now lit by the sunlight from his new viewpoint. He had no memory of this building, surely if he had known this man he would know the inner workings of his corporation, this was a common practice as Doom dealt with matters of business. As he finished his inspection, Doom returned to a more comfortable position in the chair. “I have met many a world leader, politician and business man in my time, perhaps you could enlighten me as to why I would deserve such a...” Doom paused as his attempt at politeness shifted as it often does to an adversarial tone. “...passionate greeting.” Doom had found himself in this situation looking for answers about the dome, but now his pride and curiosity posed questions of their own, questions that needed to be answered before he could move forward with this new face, whether it be friend or foe.
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VILLAIN
Years Old
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The Green Goblin
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The bad guys always win.
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Post by Norman Osborn on May 13, 2014 22:26:14 GMT -5
Norman's eyes widened when Doom coolly admitted they had never met before. Was this a ploy? A trick to get him to let down his guard? No - Norman knew Doom would never bother with such trivialities. He wasn't Loki. But as Norman's mind raced, he thought back to his encounter with the newly reborn God of Mischief. Loki had mentioned the dimension they were trapped in had a one way entrance they had come through, funneled into it by the Infinity Gauntlet's power. That must have meant other dimensions collided with this new world as well. Perhaps this Doom, despite his demeanor, appearance, and overall presence, was not the one he had once known. Some other Doom from another timeline - but this brought on even more complexities. Norman decided he would have to take it at face value for now - it wasn't worth fretting over - he had too much else to worry about.
Norman finished pouring his drink and took a quick sip. The bite of the alcohol was refreshing to him as he swallowed, and he turned his gaze back to the man that sat before him, clearly pondering their current predicament. Norman put the glass down and leaned against the counter. "I see. My mistake, Doom. It appears we may have come from differing timelines, oddly enough." Norman spoke factually. "As you may already know, this dimension seems to be bringing in people from all worlds." Norman assumed the man probably had discovered as much as he had. "In my timeline, we had previously worked together, briefly." Norman picked up his drink and walked towards the window gazing over New York, the sunlight illuminating his form.
"I don't know what your plans are for this new world, Doom. But I do know that the people here need guidance, direction..." Norman turned back to the man. "...and leadership. I can't think of a better partner to have in that plight. These people need to be ruled over, not babied as the so-called heroes are no doubt planning. Preserving their current way of life is a joke." Norman took another sip of his bourbon with a smirk. His alliance with Doom had previously gone sour, and Norman was determined to make sure it didn't end that way again. Seeing this 'new' Doom appear was a way to start fresh and use what he had learned before to structure a powerful working relationship. It meant having to put aside part of his ego, which Norman - especially the Goblin side of him - hated, but it was necessary. "What are you thinking, Doom?" Norman asked the man, gesturing with his palm up.
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