Chapter Seven: Curing Osborn Disease
Luke Blake POV:
It was a nice morning outside, on the streets of New York City. The air smelled like home, the skies were clear and the pedestrians busied themselves on their walks and commutes to and from work, and other destinations.
The streets themselves were mildly full but that didn't seem to stop an emerald green and black 2022 Jaguar F-Type limited edition sports car from going in and out and between traffic on its route to wherever it was intending to go.
[Vehicle Image]
After 30 minutes of weaving in and out of traffic, the emerald sports car stopped in front of Oscorp Tower — a building reminiscent of a mix between Andrew Garfield's Oscorp Tower and Insomniac's Oscorp Tower.
[Oscorp Tower Image]
As Luke (disguised as Lewis) pulled up to the front, getting out the driver's side, with Chris coming out the passenger seat, Luke made his way to the entrance, his recent publicity making his presence easily recognizable in a common crowd. Upon entering Oscorp, his presence immediately turned heads, causing words to be whispered all across the lobby.
"Is that Lewis Blake?"
"The genius inventor? Where?"
"They say he's the next Tony Stark in terms of new-gen inventors," another murmured.
"Stark? Tony Stark? Hmph. Don't make me laugh," another retorted.
"I hear he's on par with Reed Richards," one pointed out.
"I hear they are friends."
"No, Lewis Blake's friend is Johnny Storm! Duh."
"The fire one?" asked another.
"Supposedly."
"Do you think Lewis has powers, too?"
"I mean, yeah, duh—he was on the space expedition with those five," one stated as if obvious.
"I wonder what kind of powers he gained from his time up there," a third questioned.
Luke ignored them, tuning them out by this point as he made his way to the receptionist counter, where an almost mirror copy of the actress Felicity Jones sat behind — The future Black Cat
[Felicity Jones Image]
"Hello, sir, how may I help you?" Felicia asked professionally.
"I'm here to see Harry," Lewis replied.
"Is Mr. Harry Osborn expecting you, Mister…?" Felicia paused mid type, looking at Luke.
"Blake. Lewis Blake of B.L.A.K.E. H.T. Industries," Luke corrected. "And no, this is a surprise visit."
"I apologize, Mr. Blake, but the Osborns aren't free for surprise visits. Please schedule a visit for a later time," Felicia responded.
'This woman is serious?' Lewis thought inwardly. But on the outside, he was all smiles. Why? Because in this world, image was as important as presence, and Lewis Blake was a cocksure, intellectual genius that oozed confidence, and Luke would do his duty and act to his utmost best, playing the part. 'Doesn't really matter, though. I texted Harry this morning; he should be here—ah, there's his manual signature.'
"Do I need to call security, or can you find the exit, sir?" Felicia asked, raising an eyebrow as she looked up and saw Luke still hadn't left. "Do you need help finding the ex—?"
'Dammitwoman, please shut your wordhole,' Luke thought inwardly, humming on the outside. 'Sound like a freaking Karen.'
His attention, however, was on a casually dressed, for-business Harry—Harry Osborn, who was making their way to Luke. Harry Osborn in this reality looked like a merge of Insomniac's Harry, TASM Harry, and SM2's Harry — all wrapped into a singular 19-year-old fit body in a buttoned-down green shirt, black slacks, and business shoes.
[Harry Osborn Image]
"Sir,, I asked—," Felicia began, but Harry interrupted, "It's ok, Felicia. He also has the Parker exemption treatment."
Felicia smiled, obviously pleased to see Harry, who merely winked at her discreetly—'Those two are already flirting,' Luke noted—but then gestured for Chris after coughing into his own fist. This move garnered Harry's attention and his eyes fell onto the suitcase in Chris' hands.
"What's this?" Harry questioned, curious, eyes squinting slightly in curiosity before widening in shock. "Is that what I think it is?"
"The thing you had me research and develop? Yeah," Luke grinned, as Harry led him to the top floor, to a helicopter, where they took off to arrive at the Osborn penthouse. All the while, Harry questioned Luke with all kinds of queries, including the safety, its effectiveness, and side effects.
"It tested positively to your blood samples—It didn't just assimilate your illnesses, it transformed them," Luke spoke to both the Osborn men. "It renewed the vitality of the white blood cells, allowing for the regaining of youthful appearances."
Norman and Harry watched Luke with awe and disbelief shining like hope in the eyes, as Luke openned the case and pulled out two vials and two sets of serum injectors.
"Have you truly cured my bloodline's illness?" Norman asked, tears in his eyes. "Truly."
"I have," Luke answered plainly. "However, a reapplication of the serum will be needed every two to three weeks for the next—" he paused to check his notes "—4.5 years, by my estimate, for complete cure effect. But I wouldn't worry too much. I have already produced 80 of the needed 128 injections. By next week, I will have produced the necessary 160 required injective products. And, by the end of the month, we'd have surpassed all requirements."
'This young man has created the very cure that I have been attempting to pioneer at OSCORP for a lifetime — And in just a ninth since his start! I was right to have Harry befriend him,' Norman Osborn thought as his nurse injected the vial of light blue liquid into his arm. 'Whoa! I feel that.'
Almost instantly, Norman felt its effects: warmth spread throughout his body from the injection site. His wrinkles smoothened like he was in his mid-to-late 30s, not his mid-60s. His eyes regained their vigorous color, and his body—muscles, bones, and pores—reverted to how they were in his youth.
[Norman Osborn Image]
After seeing his father's transformation, Harry took his own serum. And after giving him his thanks, Harry led Luke out into the hallway, where he gave him his thanks again.
"No problem, Harry. You are my friend. It was the least I could do," Luke waved aside.
"What about the serum—The other one I asked you to perfect?" Harry then asked in a whisper.
"The Goblin Serum?" Luke whispered back. "I've actually finished it. You can take it whenever you want. I've upgraded it so that it has all the abilities you specified, without the weakness of losing control. Chris?"
Chris pulled out the third serum in the case. This one was green, with a hint of bronze to it, and it glowed more than the others.
"And this will give me power?" Harry questioned.
"Great power," Luke answered.
"What do you want for it?" Harry questioned.
"I have a product I've created, but its distribution and recognition need contribution," Luke began, pulling up the holographics of a video of his 3-in-1 Tree Seed that can grow three trees from one seed. "It needs approval. I have created 20 different species, all growing anywhere between 3 to 5 separate trees. I need a credible business partner to publicize this and gain federal approval."
"Done. Absolutely," Harry grinned darkly. "Is that all?"
"I may need future partnerships," Luke said.
"I can do that," Harry nodded. "I'll have Felicia write up an agreement soon enough. Is that all?"
Luke nodded.
Luke was about to speak when his earpiece picked up on news from OMNIS:
[Your Plane to Sarasota Springs, FL, Is Ready.]
[Furthermore, Redline Left to Infiltrate Valentine's Lab in Pennsylvania, 5 hours ago.]
'Bob's in Florida. I should probably go already,' Luke thought.
After concluding his business with Harry, Luke turned to his car and boarded a private plane.
His destination: Florida.
His mission: To retrieve the Sentry before he becomes sentry.
Easy peasy. It should be simple enough.
Only, it won't be without its share of struggles…