The morning sunlight bathed New York in golden rays, the towering steel jungle awakening with vibrant energy as the bustling metropolis stirred from its slumber.
Dr. Connors, his hair disheveled as usual, arrived at his laboratory only to find Davis (a high-ranking executive from Oscorp) already inside...
The middle-aged man in a tailored suit, who often accompanied Norman Osborn to handle business affairs, now stood arrogantly in the lab while directing security guards to haul away documents from the archives.
The usual busy atmosphere shattered instantly as all the researchers turned to Connors in confusion.
"Apologies, Dr. Connors," Davis said with a fake smile, "Mr. Osborn has given you ample time and funding, but your research has yet to yield any breakthroughs. It's time for Oscorp to terminate this failed investment."
Connors remained silent... his eyes dull, as if all life had drained from him.
As an Oscorp executive, Davis felt no pity... Dr. Connors had consumed vast resources without producing results. From a business standpoint, Norman should have cut this project long ago to minimize losses.
"You have two hours to pack your personal belongings," Davis announced coldly as he smirked at the stunned researchers, "And let me be clear, none of the research materials leave this lab. If security finds anything, prison awaits."
Gwen stood dejected by the entrance. She had worked hard to earn her internship here, only to be forced out in humiliation...
"My students are honest, they wouldn't do such things," Connors argued, his anger rising as he spotted the hulking guards at the door.
"Know your place Dr. Connors!" Davis scoffed, "I've seen your records. In the scientific community, you're a laughingstock, a fraud who somehow tricked Mr. Osborn. Now take your things and get out!"
Connors' face flushed red, but he had no retort. He could only endure the humiliation.
As he watched his life's work being dismantled, despair crushed him. His career was over...
"Are you okay, Doctor?" Gwen asked softly, holding a cardboard box.
The golden-haired girl glanced around, puzzled. She hadn't seen Sean in days... not at the lab or even at school...
'Where has he gone?' She wondered.
Connors waved her off, suddenly looking a decade older...
He scanned the room and saw no sign of Sean. The young man's promise now seemed like empty bravado. Keeping a lab running required astronomical funding after all.
Sean was just a college student. Who would invest in a washed-up scientist with no apparent results?
'I should never have gotten my hopes up...'
Limping out of the lab, Connors wondered... 'What if my human trial hadn't been interrupted? Even death would be better than this... being stripped of all my work and cast aside...'
"Dr. Connors."
A familiar voice stopped him.
Turning, he saw a black Chevrolet parked outside. Sean stepped out of the vehicle accompanied by a sharp-eyed man in glasses.
"Sean, you..." Connors stared in stupor.
The lab was already being seized. All his research would belong to Oscorp.
"Don't worry Doctor. Everything's been taken care of," Sean grinned as he gestured to the man beside him, "This is Mr. James Wesley. He has an exceptional passion for science and believes in your work. He's willing to fund your research."
"A pleasure to meet you, Dr. Connors." Wesley shook the doctor's hand warmly.
The impeccably dressed man showed no trace of his criminal past, "Your breakthrough could change millions of lives. I'd be honored to support it."
Connors stood frozen. This sudden reversal was too much to process.
Seeing his shock, Sean smiled and took a document from Wesley. He then strode into the chaos of the lab and stopped before Davis.
"Stop what you're doing. Now." said Sean.
Davis barely glanced at the 'kid' and simply waved for security to remove him.
The labmates stared at Sean in disbelief... After all, even Connors couldn't do a thing in this situation... So what could an intern hope to do?
"Sean!" Gwen called out worriedly.
As guards approached, Sean smirked and slapped the document against Davis' chest:
"Are you sure you want to do this? This is a transfer contract signed by Norman Osborn himself. This lab now belongs to Dr. Connors. Everything you're doing here is illegal."
His words struck like lightning. Davis frantically scanned the document only for his face to grow pale when he saw signature and seal.
"I– I wasn't informed–" he stammered.
"You have one hour to restore everything as it was," Sean said coldly, "Remember not to take anything, or I'll have you in federal prison."
Sean then gestured at Wesley and 'kindly' added, "Oh, and Mr. Wesley here? He's from Hell's Kitchen. He used to work for the infamous Kingpin..."
Davis' face drained of color... After all, was there anyone in New York who didn't fear that name?
Watching the Oscorp executive flee, Connors frowned and asked, "What did you say to him? He looked terrified."
"I told him you turn into a lizard monster at night and bite people's heads off." Sean shrugged as he laughed.
Connors chuckled weakly at that. No fairy tale could scare Davis. But that didn't matter now... What really mattered was that his research was saved.
"Thank you, Sean." The one-armed scientist spoke sincerely.
Without Sean, he would have lost everything...
Sean smiled, "We're building a better future, Doctor."
Step one was complete...
Many more would follow...