"I'm the Human Torch, not 'Fire Guy'! Oh—Tony? Is that you? What's with the paint job? Forgot to finish it?"
The Human Torch turned midair, instantly recognizing the sleek silhouette of the iconic Iron Man armor. Seeing the silver armor, he simply assumed it was Tony Stark in yet another one of his experiments.
"No," Marcus replied smoothly, imitating Tony's tone perfectly. "Just felt like changing colors. You know how it is—new look, new mood. So, what's got you out here? Where's the rest of the Fantastic Four—Rocky, Stretch, and Invisible Girl?"
"It's The Thing, Mr. Fantastic, and Invisible Woman, Stark," Johnny corrected with an exasperated sigh. Still, he answered, "We've been drafted into the military's operation for the day after tomorrow—the big assault on Queens. Unfortunately, we're just backup. The other three are stationed aboard the First Carrier Fleet waiting for deployment."
"And you?" Marcus asked, feigning casual curiosity as they flew side by side across the night sky of New York.
"Me? I just needed to clear my head," the Human Torch replied, his flames flickering in the dark. Then, as if remembering something, he added, "Though I did run into Spider-Man earlier. Don't know what's gotten into that kid—he's wearing a black suit now. Creepy-looking thing. I called out to him, and he bolted. I've been chasing him since."
Marcus's eyes narrowed behind his helmet. So it was as he suspected — Peter Parker had been taken over by the Venom symbiote.
A black costume, erratic behavior, and an uncharacteristic refusal to respond — all telltale signs of the alien parasite's influence.
What he didn't know yet was how far the fusion had progressed. If Peter had completely bonded with the symbiote, then he'd become something far more dangerous than the naive young hero he used to be.
'Which means… I'll need someone to test him first.'
Marcus's gaze flicked toward Johnny — the perfect candidate. Reckless, emotional, and eager to prove himself. In short, the ideal disposable test subject.
He put on his most sincere "Stark" voice.
"Listen, Johnny — the man you saw isn't Peter anymore. You remember the Hydra assassin who attacked him? He was severely injured. I had him rushed to my private medical facility for emergency treatment. But while he was there… one of the alien samples being studied in the lab went missing. I believe that's what's controlling him now."
It was a seamless lie, wrapped in just enough truth to sound convincing.
Marcus continued smoothly, "It's a sensitive matter for Stark Industries. I came out here alone to fix it quietly. I'd appreciate it if you kept this between us."
Johnny's eyes lit up immediately. The Human Torch had always been an adrenaline junkie, and the thought of investigating a secret "alien incident" with Tony Stark was too exciting to resist.
"Of course! My lips are sealed," he said eagerly. "So what's the plan? Need a hand?"
"I can handle it myself," Marcus replied, feigning reluctance. "But if you insist on tagging along, I won't stop you. Just tell me—does anyone know you're here?"
Johnny smirked, puffing his chest out with pride. "Nope! I don't report to S.H.I.E.L.D., and the others—well, if they knew, they'd never let me out. Sometimes a man's gotta have a little freedom, right?"
'Perfect.'
Marcus hid his grin beneath the faceplate.
'No witnesses, no reports… you couldn't make this easier if you tried.'
The night was dark, the streets below deserted thanks to the "radiation leak" scare Fury had staged. With most of the city evacuated and satellite surveillance easily scrambled by his armor's jamming field, the entire city had become a perfect hunting ground.
"Alright then, Fire guy," Marcus said, turning toward the Torch. "But fair warning—I don't babysit during combat."
"It's Human Torch, Stark!" Johnny shouted back, his body flaring brightly in indignation.
To speed up the search, Marcus handed him a communicator. "Split up and keep this channel open. I'll sweep the northern sectors."
"Got it! You won't regret having me on your team!" Johnny said, then shot off into the distance like a streaking meteor.
Marcus, of course, had no intention of searching separately. Instead, he circled wide through the air and silently tailed the Human Torch from a distance. The plan was simple: let Johnny find Spider-Man first—and then let the two clash. It would be the perfect opportunity to observe both of them without revealing himself.
Given Johnny's mobility and his glowing, attention-grabbing presence, it wouldn't take long.
Sure enough, within minutes, the flaming trail in the sky began to slow. The Torch hovered in midair, scanning the skyline. He had spotted something.
Marcus followed his gaze. Between two towering skyscrapers, suspended upside-down by a line of black webbing, hung a lone figure clad entirely in a dark, liquid-like suit.
Spider-Man.
But this was no longer the bright, idealistic hero the world knew. The suit's surface rippled like living oil, reflecting the faint city lights. The white spider emblem on his chest glowed faintly beneath the moonlight.
And behind that black mask — Marcus could almost feel the presence of another consciousness, whispering, hungry, alive.
The Venom symbiote had found its new host.
_____
T/N:
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