Marinette and her classmates were rehearsing for a school drama play based on 'The Other Boylen girl', with Liz Allen and Mary Jane in the leading roles. Peter, working backstage, was enthralled at how seamlessly Mary Jane vanished into her role and how flawlessly she spoke her lines with emotion and conviction….

"Stop!" The producer snapped. "Where is the passion? The PAIN? Miss Allen, your performance is completely devoid of emotional TRUTH!"

But it seemed that Liz was sturgglingl just delivering her lines, wooden and her mind elsewhere.

"Hate to say it, but he's right..." Nino winced.

"And WHY is my follow spot not following my performers?! Where is Mark Allen?!"

The school bell soon rang and rehearsals had to be put on hold for today. As everyone began leaving school, Adrien couldn't help but hold back as he wanted to ask an important question to someone in particular.

"Hey, Plagg?"

Scarfing was heard as Plagg poked out of Adrien's shirt pocket, having been eating his fill of cheese.

"Yeah, what's up?"

"I have questions...about the Cataclysm."

"What about it?"

Adrien gulped. "Can it...KILL people?"

Adiren had stayed out of the Clayface fight, partly due to the cramped quarters, but also the reveal of Karlo's face had paused and made him think of his power. And while that had seemingly ended with Karlo's destruction through the madman's own actions…?

It made the blonde worry.

Worry that his Kwami shared, as Plagg was silent for a minute, before sighing and simply saying:

"Yup."

Adrien paled at just how blunt and brutally honest his Kwammi partner was, nearly falling over himself in shock.

"Don't act so surprised, kid. I'm the Kwami of Destruction. Anything that can be destroyed will be destroyed by the Cataclysm. Why do you think Master Fu told you to use it responsibly?"

"It's just...I can kill people with just a touch!" Adrien said. "What if I end up messing up? What if I lose control of my powers?! What if-"

"Kid, relax!" Plagg snapped as he slapped Adrien across the face with his stubby little paw. "Look, I get it, it's a scary concept. I understand, but at the same time, being Chat Noir means taking risks. It's all part of the job."

"I don't know..."

"Hey, it's just like your pal Peter said; With Great Power comes Great Responsibility."

Adrien calmed down as he recalled the words Peter had told him that he had gotten from his late uncle and sighed in relief, giving Plagg a thankful smile.

"Thanks, Plagg."

"Anytime, buddy."

MIRACULOUS

Marinette and the girls were all having an outing together with Liz and MJ also joining in. However, Marinette could see the concerned look on Liz's face.

"Hey Liz, what's up?" Rose asked, having also noticed the distressed expression on the older girl's face.

"I think my brother's in trouble...again."

"Well, we have noticed Mark hasn't been in school these past couple of days," Alix noted.

"Isn't there another kid named Mark?" Mylene asked.

"No, that's Marc with a 'C' at the end. He's in a different class." Alya corrected.

"I think Mark is gambling," Liz explained. "He told me and our parents he gave it up but I saw him talking with his old bookie, Blackie Gaxton."

Liz then reached into her jacket pocket and pulled out a piece of paper which the other girls checked out.

"What is it?"

"It's a betting slip."

"Roosevelt Down's Racetrack...$5000 on Ulterior Motive?!" Chloe gawked.

"Why are you shocked? That's chump change to your family." Mary Jane snarked.

"I looked the horse up online and it had lost. Last time Mark was on a losing streak like that, he stole a car to pay off his debts and wound up doing six months in Juvie." Liz said.

"What can we do though?" Juleka asked. "It's not like any of us know your brother."

"I know, I just...I needed people to talk to." Liz said as MJ put a comforting hand on her shoulder.

MIRACULOUS

At a local bar, Blackie Gaxton was sitting by his usual table, taking some money from one of the people who had booked him when the door burst open and a young man, around 20 years old, was thrown down at his feet.

"Where's me money, Markey?"

"I-I don't have it...Yet!" Mark Allen said as he picked himself up. "But there's this horse, Golden Chance and it's a guaranteed winner!"

"It's always a guaranteed winner with you, kid." Another voice cut in, making the mood in the bar trun chill. Well, aside from Blackie, who smiled and moptioned for a drink to be prepared.

"Eh, Blackie! My main man!"

"Nice to see you too, Sionis."

Strolling into the bar was Roman Sionis, one of the 'Big Men of Crime'. Known by his alias 'Black Mask' due to his distinctive black skull mask that he had carved from the tombstone of his father...who, unknown to the public, he murdered.

Black Mask laughed as he and Blackie shared a quick hug.

"I know there's something you need, Sionis. Care to tell me what it is?"

"Sure thing, Blackie-Baby. See, there's been an uprising of...FREAKS in town. New York City, Gotham, Paris...all the Big Three Districts. And since my...partners have been doing some recruiting, I figured I'd do some recruiting of my own."

Blackie smirked. "Well, Sionis, I got just what you need."

Mark Allen, who had tried to shrink away when Black Mask made his appearance, froze when he realized that the crime lord and Blackie were both staring directly at him...

MIRACULOUS

"W-We can't go in here, this is a police station!"

Black Mask and Blackie had taken Mark to an abandoned police station that used to be the GCPD's old headquarters before they moved after Gordon first rose to the rank of Commissioner and began cleaning up the corruption that had been plaguing the force.

"Relax, once that boy scout Gordon took over the GCPD, they moved uptown to be closer to their buddies over in NYPD and PPD." Black Mask chuckled.

The two criminals led the misguided young man inside and dumped him in the old interrogation room. Mark yelped when Blackie yanked off his jacket and forced him to sit on the table as light shined down.

Heading to the viewing room, a man with glasses and a handlebar mustache was looking over some notes as he noticed Blackie and Black Mask approaching him.

"So...think your research is sound, Doc?"

The man, Miles Warren, nodded as he presented his notes to the two.

"Yes, using nanotechnology, the subdermal armor implements I've created can be evenly distributed throughout the subject."

"Good, because I need to match up with Fisk and Lonnie in some way. Figured good old-fashioned nanotech is the way to do it." Black Mask chuckled.

The three men then came into the interrogation room.

"Okay Markey, shirt off!" Blackie commanded, forcing the young man to comply.

"A-Are you sure this is safe?" Mark nervously asked. "This place doesn't look sanitary..."

"Relax, kid. Professor Warren here is a professional." Black Mask chuckled. "You just need a little shot and all the debts are cleaned up."

Blackie smirked. "Trust me, kid. It's a 'guaranteed winner'."

"Okay..." Mark said, knowing there was no other way out of his debts. "I'll do it."

Warren nodded his head and injected the nanobot syringe into Mark's arm, making him wince as he felt the microscopic smart machines settle into his system. After a moment, nothing seemed to happen.

"I-Is that it?"

"No..." Warren smirked as he took out a device. "It needs the finishing touch."

Pressing a button on the device, Mark suddenly felt extreme heat run through his body, causing him to panic as golden molten-like metal formed over his skin, generating flames. The young man looked over himself in fear at what he had been turned into, nearly falling over and breaking the table in the process.

"W-What is this?!" Mark panicked. "H-How do I get this off?!"

"Calm down, son. It's a special subdermal armor of my own invention." Professor Warren explained. "It has granted you enhanced strength, durability, stamina, and judging by the increased temperature...Thermokinesis."

"Look at you, kiddo! You're a regular 'Molten Man'!" Black Mask chuckled.

"The subdermal armor is completely renewable and virtually indestructible." Professor Warren said. "This device I used is what you'd call a 'Safety Wheel', it's to help control you turning the armor on and off but with practice, you can soon be able to turn it off with your mind."

"Well, that's a surefire success!" Blackie smirked, shaking hands with Warren, who discretely gave him the device in the process.

"So, we're square now?" Mark asked as he put his shirt and jacket back on.

"We're complete aces, kiddo." Black Mask said before taking out his wallet and handing $500 to Mark. "Here, bet on that horse you were talking about. On me, as a little gift."

Mark breathed a sigh of relief as he left the abandoned police office, taking a quick look at himself in the mirror as he headed off to the races.

"That's some crazy luck, Allen. Cleared your debt, survived meeting a mad scientist, and walked away with super skin and a cool $500..." He then sighed sadly. "You should really quit while you're ahead..."

"Oh, it's too late for that now, kid..." Black Mask smirked to himself as he watched Mark leave before contacting his fellow Big Men. "Hey Fisk, Lonnie, Oz, you and everyone else tune in to the horse races. I got a little surprise for ya..."

MIRACULOUS

Mark, feeling on top of the world, put his money on Golden Chance at the races. However, what he didn't realize was that Marinette had told Peter, Bruce, and Adrien about Liz's trouble and right now, Batman, Spider-Man, Ladybug, and Chat Noir were on the scene.

"Mark's betting slip was from this place," Spider-Man noted. "We obviously can't stop him from gambling but if we can find him, maybe we can protect him."

"We should probably sneak inside. Looks like the race has already started." Chat Noir said as the four heroes snuck inside to see the race in action.

"Hey Bruce, do you ever bet on these things?" Ladybug asked Batman.

"My father used to do it once or twice just for fun. I picked up on that habit myself."

"Ooooh, Brucie-Boy's a gamblin' man!" Spider-Man teased before shirking away at his best friend's glare.

"Well, good thing the Waynes have cash to burn." Chat Noir chuckled.

The four heroes decided to watch the race to pass the time. Golden Chance looked like the surefire winner but in the end, another horse, Rain in Spain, took a surprise victory.

"I was actually betting on Rain in Spain in my head," Ladybug admitted. "What? I like the underdog."

"NO! I ALMOST HAD IT!"

Hearing Mark's voice, the four heroes turned to see him crushing his betting slip in frustration but then Spider-Man's Spider-Sense started blaring wildly. Sure enough, Black Mask had snuck into the race and, with the device given to him by Blackie, pressed the activation button.

As Mark slammed his fists into the guard rails, his molten armor activated, burning away his shirt and jacket as the crowd gasped at his transformation, making him gasp when he realized what he had just done.

"No! I didn't mean for it to turn on!"

"Hey, buddy! You okay?" One of the security guards asked as he came over.

"No, go away! I need it to go away!" Mark panicked as he tried to focus on making the armor go away to no avail. "Is it gone?!"

Desperately, he grabbed onto the guard, burning him by accident and making him throw the poor sap into his coworker in panic. In fear, he ran out into the racetrack to try and escape, accidentally disrupting the next race as the heroes saw this as their chance to move.

"Not who we were looking for, but okay..." Spider-Man noted to himself as he leaped in front of Mark while the others made sure the horses and racers were okay. "Hey, is that an Oscar with my name on it? I was thinking Emmy but spiders can't be choosers!"

Shooting out his webs, Spidey was stunned when they just melted and slipped off Mark's molten body. Trying to shoot more webs sadly had the same effect.

"Stay away from me!" Mark snapped as he moved toward Spider-Man. "I gotta get to Blackie and get him to turn this off!"

"Wait, that voice...MARK?!"

Unfortunately, Mark grabbed Spider-Man by the chest and threw him straight into a nearby wall. With the other heroes currently distracted, Mark made his escape as Spidey picked himself up, a black handprint on the chest of his suit.

"Okay, he's hot to the touch too...duly noted."

MIRACULOUS

"Being a freak for life wasn't part of the deal, Blackie!" Mark yelled as he confronted Blackie at the bar an hour later.

"The deal was you play guinea pig and clear your debts," Blackie smirked. "Not my fault if the bossman decided to...cash in his favor."

The two turned to see Black Mask there, with his mask off and enjoying a cocktail as he tossed the device in his hand before catching it with the other.

"See Mark, considering your... 'luck' so to speak, I figured you were due for a...unique new job opportunity."

"What new job opportunity?" Mark asked worriedly as Black Mask got up and approached him, using the device to turn off his armor.

"See, I'm looking for able-bodied folks like yourself who need a new career path. And that career path is...GETTING RID OF THE FREAKS RUNNING AROUND THIS CITY."

As Black Mask said this, he squeezed his cocktail glass until it shattered, spilling the alcohol everywhere but he paid no mind to it as he wiped it off on his white coat before putting his mask back on.

"I want YOU...to take out Spider-Man, Batman, Ladybug, and Chat Noir. The goody two-shoes that have been running around thinking they can weasel in on MY town." Black Mask explained. "Do that and I'll let you keep the device so you can control that fancy new skin however you want. Who knows...maybe you'll get to be the new superhero in town."

"But...I don't want to mess with those guys!" Mark argued. "They saved my sister's life! More than once!"

Indeed; Liz had been saved from a mugging or two from the two more experienced heroes, and a passing Ladybug had once used her Lucky Charm to give Liz a cast after she twisted her leg. And another time, during a robberty attempt, Chat had saved Liz from being taken hostage.

Suffice to say, the Allens had nothing but gratitude towards the four heroes.

"I'm not giving you a choice, pally." Black Mask scowled as he got up in Mark's face. "The minute you agreed to take this deal, you belong to ME. And by extension...THE BIG MEN OF CRIME."

Mark's eyes widened as he realized just how deep he had gotten himself in. Black Mask took out the device and pressed the button, turning on the molten armor again as Blackie smirked in amusement at the poor boy's misery.

"ROMAN SIONIS."

Turning around, Black Mask saw one of the folks he was betting on seeing; Batman had arrived.

"The Batman himself! Where are the rest of ya little friends?"

"On their way here with the authorities. I did some digging on the people Mark Allen had been in contact with the past few days. Let's just say your men are great talkers."

"Ah, but I was counting on it!" Black Mask smirked as he stepped aside to present Mark. "Meet...MOLTEN MAN!"

Mark, knowing he had no choice, began to approach Batman, who narrowed his eyes but stood his ground.

"Mark, listen to me, you don't have to do this." The Dark Knight tried to assure his proposed foe. "There are people that can help you!"

"There's no helping me...I've already sold my soul to the devil..." Mark bitterly said as he picked up one of the pool tables and threw it at the Dark Knight, who dodged.

Reaching into his utility belt, Batman took out a new gadget he had been meaning to test out; a Freeze Grenade made from leftover technology by Mr. Freeze.

Throwing the grenade, Batman watched as it exploded and covered Molten Man in a thick sheet of ice. However, the heat his body was giving off was too strong and he managed to melt it off.

"Maybe you told the wrong guy to CHILL!"

"Hey! I was gonna say that!"

Spider-Man, Ladybug, and Chat Noir had arrived and joined up with Batman. The conflict in Mark's eyes was clear before he steeled himself and then cupped his hands together, forming a ball of molten energy that he threw straight at the heroes, who scattered.

"Mark! Stop this!" Ladybug pleaded. "Liz is worried about you!"

"Sorry Milady, but he looks HOT under the collar!" Chat Noir quipped.

"Now's not the time!" Batman snapped as he threw another Freeze Grenade in hopes of slowing Molten Man down.

"Get outta here, Blackie. I'll pay for the damages." Black Mask ordered Blackie, who nodded and fled with the other patrons as the crime boss stayed behind and reached into his coat, taking out his prized Colt Python with the Sionis family name engraved on the long barrel. "Let's see if I can give old Markey a hand..."

Meanwhile, Liz had gone to find Mark and had bumped into Mary Jane, who opted to accompany her to make sure things were okay. However, they heard the commotion as well as Mark's voice before heading to the source and finding the bar.

Heading inside, the two girls gasped when they saw Spider-Man, Batman, Ladybug, and Chat Noir fighting a familiar-looking figure covered in some kind of gold molten skin armor that was giving off heat. Also nearby was notorious crime boss Black Mask, holding a gun and looking like he was waiting for his perfect chance to strike.

"Mark! We know you owe Blackie Gaxton money!" Ladybug said. "We can help clear your debts!"

"I've already paid my debts...but now I've got a debt that can't be paid off with money!"

Liz gasped. "That voice...Mark?"

Molten Man swung his fists down but the heroes dodged. As they tried to figure out their next move, Spider-Man's Spider-Sense went off as he saw Black Mask aiming his gun directly at...

"LADYBUG!"

Moving faster than the eye could blink, Spider-Man tackled Ladybug out of the way just as Black Mask fired, receiving the bullet in her steed. Everyone, even Molten Man's, eyes widened in horror as the Webslinger went down, clutching his wounded side as blood pooled around him.

"Awww...was aiming to squish the weaker bug but the arachnid is good too!"

Seeing his friend in pain, Chat Noir felt anger wave through him as he rushed straight toward Black Mask, who turned and aimed his gun at him but before he could fire...

"CATACLYSM!"

His claws brimming with destructive energy, Chat Noir struck the gun, which completely eroded and fell to pieces. However, the energy also hit Black Mask's hand, causing it to crack apart and shatter like it was made of glass, making the crime boss scream in pain as he stumbled back and then fell straight into the flames.

The screams of agony Roman Sionis let out would be remembered by everyone in the bar that night. In fear, Molten Man turned and tried to flee, but Ladybug moved to stop him.

"LUCKY CHARM!"

Creating a ladybug-printed fire hydrant, Marinette sprayed Mark with the cooling foam as he yelped before falling to his knees, the cold easing the heat his body was giving off as he closed his eyes and then, as if subconsciously activating the nanomachines, subsided his armor.

"Come on, we need to leave!" Batman said urgently as he picked Spider-Man up.

True to the Caped Crusader's words, the heat Mark had been giving off had set the building on fire. Quickly, the heroes ushered Liz and MJ out along with Mark as the authorities soon arrived with the fire department.

Overwhelmed with guilt, Mark turned himself in to the police as Black Mask's body was hauled off to the hospital. His body was badly burned but the worst part was definitely his face...his mask had been burned straight into his skull.

The heartbroken Liz was being comforted by Ladybug and Mary Jane while Batman, Spider-Man, and Chat Noir somberly watched from a respectable distance. Soon, the heroes took their leave but despite Black Mask being caught red-handed, it didn't feel like such a mighty victory for them...

MIRACULOUS

Mark had lost all sense of time and reality as he was transported to…wherever he was going. He just wanted this whole thing to end…Forget Liz's tearful face, Spidey getting shot because of him…he could at least take solace that Chat Noir had screwed up Sionis' face and hand.

If the world was telling him to give up gambling? This whole day was the wake-up call he needed….

The truck suddenly skidded to a halt and was knocked backwards into the air before returning to the ground. The cops were then silenced and collapsed into a thud as the back door was destroyed by a in a yellow suit with gaunlets

"You Mark Allen? The Molten Man?" A gravely, deep voice asked.

"W-Who are you?"

"Just the guy commanding the insurance you're on." The man in the quilted costume said as he stepped inside, forcing Mark onto his feet, then pushing him back and flinging an arm back. From the gauntlet he wore brust a shokewave that destroyed Mark's cuffs.

"That? Is why they call me...SHOCKER." The man explained. "Now? You coming loudly, or quietly? Because Mr. Wilson Fisk wants a word with you, Mr. Allen."

Knightmare Lord A/N:

Looks like Mark isn't gonna be able to escape his newfound debt as easily as we thought. Also, a surprise guest appearance at the end from Shocker and yes, he will be based on his Jim Cummings iteration.

Also, it seems Black Mask now has his iconic disfigurement from the comics. How will this affect his standing with the other Big Men of Crime? Well, we'll get to that eventually but we've covered three of the four elements for this mini-saga; Air/Lightning, Earth/Mud, and Fire...all we need is WATER.

Mrotrax A/N:

Jim Cummings Shocker is Best Shocker, FIGHT ME!

Sorry. That was my introduction to the character and he was my fave Spidey villain for years (I wasn't even aware of Electro being older and stronger than him until I was older, so I always assuming Shocker was a heavy hitter/OG villain.)

Moving on from that….Another somber chapter, while Adrian learning and SEEING how powerful Cataclysm is. I get the feeling Black Mask's hatred is going to be directed at our favorite kitty in the coming chapters….

Next chapter we deal with a sometimes sympathetic, sometime terrifying baddie from the Rouge's Gallery.

See ya when we see ya!