Working Fire Man
Mark is soon contacted by Norman Osborn himself to be employed for a very… special job for his unique skill set… do not own Spectacular Spider-Man.
At Midtown High…
Mark was drawing Peter as he was getting the good side of his boyfriend when he heard the stampede of students coming to the table.
"You're going to Ryker's?!" Sally gasped as everyone was panicking from what they'd heard.
"Dude, what did you do!?" Kong yelled as Liz managed to make her way to her brother and her brother's boyfriend.
"Guys, I said Mark was going to Ryker's, but he's not going as a prisoner!" Liz tried to explain.
"He's going to be working there." Peter sighed, not happy with his boyfriend's career choice.
There was a bit of relief but still, everyone was surprised.
"Yeah umm… Mr. Osborn thought my unique abilities could help keep the big bad guys from getting out again." Mark admitted as he scratched the back of his head.
Liz and Peter still showed displeasure at working at such a dangerous place, even with his superpowers to keep him safe.
"My dad?" Harry muttered to himself, the boy, though now an outcast again after learning that he cheated at football, only to have Gwen and Peter as his friends.
"Yeah, he heard about me and wanted to meet me…"
A few days earlier…
Mark returned to the labs to see Dr. Warren speaking with Dr. Connors, who looked extremely pale and frightened.
The Artificial Mutant coughed from a tickle in his throat, causing the two scientists to look at the young man, Warren with a smile, while Connors… old Curt looked conflicted… Mark glared slightly as he had already shown such resentment towards the man in the past.
"Ah, Molten Man, it is nice to see you again~." Miles Warren happily greeted the charming high school boy.
"Dr. Warren, I got your message. I heard someone wanted to see me about a job." Mark voiced as Curt looked at the boy with deep concern.
But he said nothing.
"Yes, I am quite happy to inform you of an opportunity provided for something of great value." He informed as he led the boy to the office.
Before him was one of the richest men in New York City, his boyfriend's best friend's father, Norman Osborn. He looked pleased to see the boy turned mutant as he offered a seat for Mark to have a pleasant conversation.
"You must be the esteemed Mark Allan. A pleasure to meet a man such as yourself." Norman formally greeted the man as he shook his hand.
"T-thank you, Mr. Osborn, it is rather nice of you to say."
"Now, now, no need to be so formal. Please, call me Norman." He requested, "After all, with your connection with Peter and my son, I feel like we're almost… family."
"Well… thank you."
Peter did mention that Norman seemed to have favoritism towards him over his own son, a boy not related to blood or anything else other than the friendship with his child; but admired for his intelligence and undaunting determination. It made him feel someone odd… Norman is not Peter's father but deeply desires to be and Harry is envious because of this.
"Now, I hear you have become dedicated to serving your fellow man in the same way as Spider-Man."
"Yes sir, someone told me that 'With great power, comes great responsibility.' Seemed like a code to live by," Mark answered as Norman seemed intrigued by that motto.
"Indeed. You and your partner in heroism have been pushing yourselves to the limit, risking your lives and getting little in return, even getting hounded by those who could never understand. Isn't that a little… unfair?"
"Yeah, it is but what can be done?"
"Mark, have ever thought about doing something good and getting to support yourself and Peter…"
"So… Mr. Osborn suggested that I could work part-time as a security guard at Ryker's, dealing with heavy hitters… and I took him up on it," Mark concluded as Peter frowned a little.
He would never ask for Mark to take care of him and yet the man wanted to.
Harry also felt a little sullen because the jealousy was aflame by how his father adored Peter.
"Harry, you okay?" Gwen wondered.
"Yeah, yeah… just fine." He breathed.
"Mark, I really don't think this is a good idea. I mean, I looked away when you decided to team up with Spider-Man-." Liz voiced.
"Which is cool." Flash interrupted while his girlfriend Sha Shan jabbed him a bit.
"But a security job, in the most dangerous place in New York?"
"Liz don't worry, it's part-time, I won't be alone, and I can manage on my own with my fire powers," Mark assured her as he had confidence in his powers.
"Most of the men that you and Spider-Man would want the kill you the moment you take a step there," Peter added.
"Pete, Liz, don't worry. I won't be stupid, and I'll call to keep you guys informed that I'm okay."
"Plus, I think with Mr. Osborn offering the job, he would guarantee your safety." Rand vouched, but earning a bit of an ire look from the pair, "And I thought the Gwen look was scary…"
Then the two looked at Mark.
"Hermana, Muy pequeño, I promise I'll be careful and if anything happens, I'll contact Spider-Man and quit."
"Promise?"
"Promise."