Chapter 71

  Arc 6 - Ch 4: Interview

  Date: Monday, June 13, 2011.

  Location: Warren's Lab, Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn, New York

  Harry Osborepped into the secret b of Dr. Miles Warren, located in an inspicuous building in Brooklyn. Dr. Warreed Harry with a measured smile, "There's someone I want you to see, and perhaps meet if you're ied," he said, gesturing towards a one-way mirror.

  Harry peered into the room, his gaze falling upon a young man, seemingly close to his age. The room artanly furnished, with a single bed and a small desk.

  "What am I looking at?" Harry asked, his brow furrowed in curiosity.

  Dr. Warren cleared his throat. "This is my prototype creation. His name is Kaine. He is imperfect, scarred, aally troubled."

  Harry nodded slowly, his expression unreadable. "Okay."

  Dr. Warren led Harry down the hall to another room, where a pretty young woman sat, at a table w studiously. "This was my sed attempt," Dr. Warren expined with a hint of pride in his voice. "She's perfe almost every way. Due to issues in my first ing attempt, I adjusted the sample osomes, so here we have a female e instead of a male."

  Harry studied the young woman through the gss, his mind rag to keep up with Warren's progress.

  Dr. Warren tinued, "I released them for an afternoon to see how they respoo being in the world with a little freedom."

  Harry's head sowards Dr. Warren, his eyes widening. "Miles, I thought I told you to keep me in the loop," he interrupted, his tone sharp.

  Dr. Warren's face fell, aammered an apology. "I'm sorry, Mr. Osborne. I didn't think two teenagers could get into much trouble in a siernoon."

  Harry sighed, rubbing his temples in frustration. "You know nothing about teenagers," he muttered. "So, what did they do?"

  Dr. Warren shifted unfortably. "Well, there's something else. These are the es I made using the sample of Spider-Man's DNA that you gave me."

  Harry's displeasure was evident, his jaw g as he processed the information. Dr. Warren hastily expined, "The girl, she calls herself Jessica. She registered for csses at Empire State Uy in the fall. By her ats, nothing remarkable happened."

  "And the mentally unstable young man?" Harry prompted, his voice low and dangerous.

  Dr. Warren looked nervous, his hands fidgeting with the tablet he held. "That is where the problem lies, sir," he admitted. He pulled up a news clip oablet, the image of J. Jonah Jameson appearing on the s.

  "I'm aware of Captain Stacy's death," Harry said tersely, reizing the clip. He prompted the doctor to tinue.

  Dr. Warren's nervous energy was evident in his fidgeting hands and averted eyes. "Kaine came back extremely distraught after the i. He cimed that uhers had forced him into the heinous act. After calming the unstable young man, I learhe full truth." Warren paused before admitting, "Kaine killed Captain Stad injured his daughter Gwen and audent, all while disguised as Spider-Man."

  Harry's eyes widened fraally in surprise. "Let me make sure I uand this correctly," he said slowly, his voice measured despite the dangerous glint in his eyes. "The e you made of Spider-Man. Dressed up as Spider-Man, then he framed Spider-Man for the murder of a police captain?"

  Dr. Warren nodded sadly, his shoulders slumping i.

  Harry fought to hide the grin that threateo spread across his face. The wheels in his mind turned, calg the potential implications of this development. He schooled his features into a mask of , while internally, a sense of dark satisfa began to take root. His ambition and desire for revenge against Spider-Man fueled his thoughts. Dr. Warren awaited Harry's rea, believing his future hung in the bance. Meanwhile, Harry was realizing the true potential of Dr. Warren's creations. The imperfect e, Kaine, owerful on against his nemesis.

  He turo Dr. Warren, "Miles," he said, "I believe we have much to discuss. Your work has opened up a world of possibilities, and I io seize every opportunity that presents itself. But first I want to speak with them."

  Dr. Warren nodded, relief etched on his face.

  Harry knocked on the door, his knuckles rapping against the smooth surface. He entered, his eyes immediately drawn to the young man who focused on him with an intense gaze.

  "Harry?" Kaine asked, his voice ced with surprise.

  Taken aback, Harry replied, "You know me?"

  Kaine began mumbling, his words tumbling out in a disjoiream. "Of course, you wouldn't reize me, wouldn't know me. No one does."

  Harry's brow furrowed as he tried to make sense of Kaine's ramblings. "I know your name is Kaine," he said, hoping to ease the tension in the room.

  Kaine was about to unto a tirade, his frustration bubbling to the surface, but then he remembered something crucial. Harry was in charge of Oscorp. Dr. Warren must work for him. If he could get in Harry's good graces, perhaps Harry could help him. Maybe Harry would be different from the others, Peter and Tyson. Maybe Harry would be able to do what they couldn't.

  Taking a deep breath, Kaine ged his demeanor. "I'm sorry if I've caused you trouble, Mr. Osborne," he said, his tone now pleasant and apologetic.

  Harry reized the shift in Kaine's behavior. Dr. Warren had warned him about Kaine's ability to act appropriately when he wanted something. Warren expined how Kaine had acted 'normal' to try to get released, and once he did, that's when he went after Captain Stacy dressed as Spider-Man.

  Deg to py along, Harry responded, "No trouble at all. I wao meet you and see if there was anything I could do for you."

  "Oh, thank you. You're the first one who's treated me with any kind of decy," Kaine said, his voice filled with faux gratitude.

  Harry nodded already w out how to turn this to his advantage. "What do you need, pal?" he asked trying to take on a friendly and aodating tone.

  Kaine's expression turned pained. "Something to make the pain stop. I'm always in pain," he fessed, his voice strained.

  Harry's eyebrows raised in surprise. It was the first thing that Kaine had said that seemed genuine. "Dr. Warren hasn't given you anything?"

  Kaine shook his head. "Over-the-ter stuff isn't enough. I'm still in pain all the time," he expined pleadingly.

  Harry sidered the request, his mind already formuting a pn. "Alright, I'll make sure you get something strong enough to take the edge off what you're feeling. I'll take care of it as soon as I leave here, making it my top priority, but I might need a little time to figure out what works for you," he assured Kaine, who nodded, a flicker of relief crossing his features.

  "That's fine. I've waited this long, a little more time isn't a problem," he said, his voice filled with gratitude.

  " I ask you about what happened when you went out?" Harry asked, keeping his tone casual and non-judgmental.

  Kaine's expression turned faux apologetic. "I'm sorry," he said, his voice was filled with regret, but it rang hollow.

  Harry quickly reassured him. "I'm not here to chastise you. I'm just curious."

  "Jessica said she was going tister for school, so I thought I'd visit the school. So I went to Midtown High," Kaine expined hesitantly.

  "Why did you idtown High?" Harry prompted, his mind already eg the dots.

  Kaine answered, "Because that's where we went to school."

  Harry's breath hitched. Kaine had the memories of the blood sample he was ed from. He had all the memories of Spider-Man, and Spider-Man had goo Midtown High. This was Harry's ce to figure out the viginte's identity.

  Probing further, he asked, "Okay, so you went to Midtown High. Then what happened?"

  Kaine's face torted with anger. "I saw him, trying to steal irl," he snarled.

  Harry leaned forward, his curiosity intensifying. "Who?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

  "Tyson!" Kaine excimed, his voice filled with rage and jealousy.

  Harry sidered Kaine's words carefully. Tyson was dating Felicia Hardy as far as he knew. So Kaine, or rather Spider-Man, had been someone who dated Felicia. But try as he might, Harry couldn't remember Felicia dating anyone from school retly besides maybe Tyson, but he was too big to be Spider-Man.

  "So yirl was Felicia?" Harry asked, seeking crification.

  Kaine's face screwed up in fusion. "Felicia? No. Tyson already has his hooks in Felicia. But he's insatiable. I saw him making a move twen," he expined, his voice filled with bitterness.

  Now it was Harry's turn to be fused. "Gwen? Gwen Stacy?" he asked, his mind spinning with the new information.

  Kaine nodded enthusiastically, saying, "That's why I had to go see her. Had to make sure Tyson didn't get to her."

  The pieces were falling into pce for Harry. He asked, "So that's why you went to her house?"

  Kaine firmed, "Yes. And everything was going so well until Peter showed up. Then her father shot at me, so I hurt him. Peter made me. And I hurt Gwen too... But it eter's fault. So I hurt him. Then I brought Gwen to Tyson because I thought Tyson could help."

  Harry's mind reeled from Kaine's word vomit. The information hardly made sense, but he tried to piece it together. "Slow down, buddy. It's okay," Harry said, his voice calm and reassuring. "So Peter showed up. Why was that a problem?"

  Kaine said, "Because I was dressed as Spider-Man."

  Harry nodded, "Yeah, I uand, but why was that a problem."

  Kaine's answer was simple, apanied by a wicked smile. "Because Peter is Spider-Man."

  Harry froze, his world tilting on its axis. It couldn't be. Peter Parker, his best friend sihey were children... ider-Maer had been the one who captured his father, along with Mirage, and both had bee for the disaster at the Stark Expo.

  Shaking his head, Harry tried to process the revetion. "Okay, so Peter is Spider-Man. Now I uand. But I don't get ohing. If you thought Tyson was trying to steal Gwen, why brio his pce?" he asked, trying to make sense of it all.

  Kaine expined hurriedly, "Because Tyson has always been there for Peter. I thought he could help me. But he wasn't there, he didn't help. He must have been trying to set me up, he wao see Gwen hurt... so she'd turn to him, or something."

  Harry pressed further, still not fully uanding Kaine's logic. "I get that he might be reliable, but why n Gwen to the hospital?"

  Kaine's answer was resolute. "I brought her to Tyson because Tyson should've been able to help her best. He's a hero, after all."

  For the sed time in as many minutes, Harry froze. Tyson, a hero? Who... He thought of his wild hair, rge frame, and his brown skin... Mirage. It was so obvious, how had he missed it? Tyson was Mirage. Peter and Tyson had worked together to put his father in jail. A mix of emotions swirled within Harry; betrayal, anger, fusion. But he couldn't let them show here. He o keep up the fa?ade, to maintain the illusion of being Kaine's ally.

  Harry turo Kaine and pulled him into a tight hug. "Don't worry, buddy. Everything is going to be okay. I'm going to take care of you," he promised, his voice filled with a siy he didn't truly feel.

  Kaine hugged Harry back, his voice filled with relief and gratitude. "At least I have one friend," he said, his words muffled against Harry's shoulder.

  As they embraced, Harry's mind spun with the implications of Kaine's revetions. Peter Parker, his childhood friend, ider-Man. Tyson was Mirage. The two heroes who had pyed a role in his father's downfall were the same people he had once sidered his friends. The betrayal cut deep, a wound that festered with each passing moment. But Harry knew he had to keep his emotions in check, to py the role of the g and uanding friend. He needed Kaine on his side, he e's trust and loyalty.

  As he held Kaine, Harry was already formuting a pn. He would use Kaio exact his revenge against Peter and Tyson. He would make them pay for their betrayal, for the pain they had caused him and his family. But first, he o gain Kaine's plete trust. He o show him that he was different from the others, that he was the only one who truly uood him and the only one he could trust.

  "I'm here for you, Kaine. I'll make sure you get the help you he pain relief you deserve. And together, we'll figure out a way to make things right," Harry promised, his words dripping with false siy.

  "Thank you, Harry. Thank you for being my friend," he whispered.

  Harry smiled, "Of course," he said, his words like honey ced with poison.

  He had been given a gift, a on in the form of Kaine, and he would use it to its fullest potential. The truth about Peter and Tyson had shattered Harry's world, but it had also given him a new purpose, a burning desire for revenge. With Kaine, he would make them pay for their betrayal.

  After finishing reassuring Kaine, Harry left his room. The young ade his way back to Dr. Warren.

  "So, what about the girl? Is she special?" Harry asked.

  Dr. Warren's chest swelled with pride as he replied, "She's a perfect ed spe. Physically and intellectually she is in the upper pertile for young women her age."

  Harry raised an eyebrow, his expressioical. "That's it? Nothing special as far as abilities, no superpowers?"

  Dr. Warren shook his head, a hint of disappoi in his eyes. "Not that she's exhibited. Maybe it's a side effect of the osome ges I made. Or something else, but she didn't seem to gain Spider-Man's powers."

  "And her memories?" he asked, trying to calcute where she fit into his moves.

  "Somewhat," Dr. Warren replied, "She retained knowledge, but not memories. She's intelligent, exceptionally so."

  A flicker nition crossed Harry's face. She was smart like Peter, but nothing else. The pieces of the puzzle and the pn slowly fell into pce.

  "So, something in the process wiped out her powers and memories, but left everything else intad perfect," Harry mused. Dr. Warren nodded, his frustration evident. Harry leaned forward, fixing Dr. Warren with a pierg stare. "And you think that you've perfected the process?"

  Dr. Warren straightened his posture, his voice filled with fidence. "I do. I'm ready for arial. Male this time, since I'm not sure what went wrong with the female spe. But I'm certain that I create the perfect Spider-Man."

  Harry's lips curled into a smile, a pn already f in his mind. "Alright, Dr. Warren. We're going forward with this. But we're moving to a new location. I want that expedited. Bring Kaih you, release Jessica."

  Dr. Warren's eyes widened in surprise. "Release Jessica... why?" he asked, fusioched on his face.

  Harry's expression hardened, his voice taking on a cold, calg edge. "She has no powers, so she's not useful or nearly as perfect as you cim. She's a liability. We don't need her seeing any other Oscorp employees and risking exposing us. Release her while she's ignorant. Wheurns, this pce will be empty, we will have moved on. She's pretty and smart, she'll get by just fine… Unless you want to dispose of her."

  Dr. Warreated for a moment, his eyes dartiween Harry and the door that led to Jessica's room as he grasped the implications of what Harry wanted. But as he met the CEO's unwavering gaze, he khere was no room fument. He nodded, his shoulders slumping slightly in resignation. "Alright," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. Then, as if remembering his pce, Dr. Warren stood up straighter, his voice taking on a more formal tone. "Yes sir, Mr. Osborne. I'll make the necessary preparations."

  Harry nodded, a sense of satisfa washing over him. He had the information he needed, and now it was time to set his pn into motion. His father nguished in prison while Harry alohered the mounting pressures from the Oscorp board after the ret failure at the Stark Expo. But fortuide was turning at st. Now that he knew Peter Parker's and Tyson's secret identities as Spider-Man and Mirage, with Kaine under his and, opportunity beed. The bio-electric power pnt Oscorp had developed, soon to undergo city review, would provide a direct ter to whatever teology Stark was developing in his ower.

  Despite the setback at the Stark Expo, Oscorp's future looked bright.

  With his new assets, Harry felt fident he could finally enact the perfe to elimihose who had wronged him. Somewhere out there, Peter and Tyson were going about their lives, oblivious to the storm about to desd upon them. But they would learn soon enough. They would know what it meant to cross Harry Osboro betray his trust. And by the time they realized the error of their ways, it would be too te.

  Harry smiled a cruel, twisted expression that seemed to distort his handsome features. The game had ged, and Harry Osborne held all the cards. And he would py them with a ing that would leave his enemies reeling in his wake.

  — Rogue Rept —

  Date: Friday, June 24, 2011.

  Loidtown Manhattan, New York

  Tyson throttled the engine of his motorcycle as he sped uptown, in his Mirage e. The early rush hour crowd was hampering his efforts, but he didn't rush. He didn't o have Fury w why he was vioting traffic ws so early. He had been in a transitional phase tely, dividing his time between the House of M and one of the Four Seasons' smaller, alternate suites. The temporary lodgings were still luxurious by most standards, just half the size of his usual sprawling aodations. But the renovations on the Empire Suite would finally be fier that afternoon, and he looked forward to settling bato the familiar space.

  As he drove, his thoughts returo Natasha's test mission, the takeover pns being implemented for Trask Industries, and the nagging suspi he still harbored about that mysterious new Spider-Man impostor who had popped up retly.

  Tyson's ptions were interrupted wheiced a man standing in the middle of the busy street ahead. The man was bent at the waist, gathering rge rolled diagrams that had fallen from his arms, oblivious to the danger as cars and trucks barreled past him oher side.

  Ag quickly, Tyson summoned a squadron of illusory neoed Mirages wielding stop signs to block the traffic around the pedestrian. Tysht his motorcycle to a halt and dismounted, scooping up the st dropped dots and handing them back to their owner.

  The man looked up, suddenly reizing the illusions of Mirage proteg him from certain vehicur mansughter. His eyes widened behind thick crooked gsses as the dangerous situation dawned on him. Tysoended a steadying hand and guided the shaken man to the safety of the sidewalk, then dismissed his illusions allowing traffic to tinue.

  "You alright there, buddy?" Tyson asked, genuine evident in his mismatched blue and green eyes.

  The man nodded mutely, still rattled by his near miss with oning traffic. When he found his voice, it came out high-pitched and quavering. "Yeah, thanks to you. I... I don't know what I was thinking. You saved my hide."

  No longer in mortal dayson took in the man's appearance. His unfortunate bover did little to hide his encroag baldness. Crooked gsses perched on his nose, and he wore a rumpled shirt sp an askew ID badge. The name on the badge rang a bell in Tyson's head.

  Maxwell Dillon.

  Though the man's unassuming look hid it at first, the meta-knowledge in Tyson's mind, with the name printed on the ID, made the identity unmistakable.

  Tyson quickly sorted through his memories of the man, "No problem, Max," Tyson said evenly. "Just be a little more careful ime."

  Max started at the sound of his name. "You. I know you. You're that hero, Mirage. How did you know my name?"

  "Must have been the mask that gave it away, huh? Your name is on your ID, bud," Mirage answered.

  "I thought you only appeared when vilins were around," Max said, "and to do those shows."

  Mirage shrugged. "Today's a special occasion. I was io J. Jonah Jameson's m show at the Daily Bugle. You were lucky I was on my way there..." He trailed off at the ce but maintained his smile. What were the odds that he would run into the man that would bee Electro the m he rides uptown? Tyson fought to maintain his friendly demeanor while sidering how to approach this. If Tyson remembered correctly from the movie, Max wao be reized above all else. He could do that.

  Mirage straightehe gsses for Max, as the man's hands were full with the rge blueprints he carried. "Alright, Max," Mirage said evenly. It looks like yood to go. Just do me a favor and be more careful while crossing the street." He gestured to the other illusionary Mirages surrounding them and joked, "While it seems like I be everywhere at once, I 't. It's only an illusion."

  Max ughed, amused by the dispy of powers. Mirage chuckled at his joke before walking back over to his motorcycle. "It was o meet you, Max," Mirage said with a slight nod. Before the hero sped off, tinuing his journey uptown, he looked back at the grateful man and said, "I'll be seeing you around. Check out The Daily Bugle this m if you get a ce."

  Max was left standing in the middle of the interse. He mumbled in awe, "It was o meet me. A superhero said it was o meet me." A car beeped at Max then, breaking him from his musings. Shaken back to reality, Max hurried across the busy street, tinuing to his workpce at Oscorp Tower, invigorated by the enter. He speed-walked into the polished granite lobby with the oversized blueprints awkwardly cradled in his arms. His supervisor, Mr. Smythe, stood with arms crossed and foot tapping, his perpetual scowl dispying his irritation at Max's tardiness.

  "You're te again, Max," Smythe snapped as Max approached.

  "I know, I'm sorry," Max stammered, his cheeks flushing pink with embarrassment. "There was an i on the way here, I got held up."

  Mr. Smythe cut him off with a dismissive wave. "Save the excuses. Do you have the pns for the new power pnt or not?"

  Max swallowed hard, beads of nervous sweat gathering at his hairline. "Yes sir, right here," he said, hefting the cumbersome blueprints higher in his arms. "Just o finalize a few details and then they'll be ready for review."

  Smythe's scowl only deepe this. "See that you do. The board is anxious to move forward after Octavius's failure." He turned sharply on his heel and strode away, expealian loafers clig on the polished floor.

  Max sighed, feeling the weight of Oscorp's expectations bearing down. The new power pnt was crucial for the pany's expansion into energy, and the shadow cast by Dr. Otto Octavius's ruined demonstration still loomed rge. The once-promising stist had been disgraced after a catastrophic act involving faulty tai fields during a public dispy of his fusioor. Though the ensuiru had been mitigated by the timely intervention of Spider-Man and Mirage, Octavius was still atose.

  Shifting the cumbersome blueprints, Max made for the elevator, a trickle of apprehension creeping down his spihough fident in his engineering skills, this project felt beyond him. The sheer scale and plexity were daunting, not to mention the pressure to deliver after Octavius's failure. And there had been no discussion of pensation or credit beyond his standard sary.

  As the elevator asded, Max's thoughts wandered back to the enter with Mirage, the mysterious hero who had saved his life just minutes before.

  What would Mirage think if he knew Max's role in these designs? Would he be impressed by the teical elegance, or disappoio see Max simply enabling Oscorp's endless ambition?

  With a shake of his head, Max tried to banish such doubts. He had a job to do and inteo see it through, no matter any misgivings. Stepping out on his floor, blueprints clutched tight to his chest, he felt a swell of happiness at havi a real hero who saw him, if only for a moment.

  The glow of the puter monitor cast a pallid light aax's office. Hunched over the massive desk, he studied the blueprints ily, bushy eyebrows knit together. The schematics for Oscorp's new power pnt sprawled before him, weighing on his mind as heavily as his enter with Mirage earlier that day.

  Try as he might to focus on the designs, Max's thoughts kept wandering back to the mysterious hero. After all, it wasn't every day o araordinary man who knew your name and saved your life. Max sighed and pushed away from the desk. He stood, blueprints clutched to his chest, and crossed over to the window overlooking the city. A break was in order.

  Turning from the window, Max sat at his puter and navigated to thedailybugle.he livestream loaded, revealing the perpetually irate visage of J. Jonah Jameson. Though notorious for tirades against ed heroes, particurly Spider-Ma across from Mirage himself. Max's eyes wide the sight of the bck-cd man wearing a fox mask emerging ons. His mismatched eyes regarded the camera, the same eyes that had looked upon Max earlier that day.

  Jonah Jameson, the brash and formidable editor-in-chief, sat poised behind his desk, papers ly stacked before him. His trademark ft-top haircut, bushy mustache, and stern expression adorned his visage, signaling the no-nonsense versation to e. Across from him sat Mirage, a be with a fox half-mask. His mismatched eyes met the camera, the same eyes that had looked upon Max earlier that day.Jameson opened with a pointed gnd anding voice. "Good m, New York! You're tuo the Daily Bugle where truth isn't just a word, it's our mission. I'm your host, J. Jonah Jameson, and today we've got a guest who's beealk of the city these past few months. Mirage."

  Jameson turned, gaze sharp as he fixated on Mirage. "Mirage, you've been quite the spectacle in our city. Swooping in, stopping a threat, and then vanishing. The people of New York want to know, and it's my job to ask the tough questions. Who is Mirage? And more importantly, what's your stake in our city?"

  Mirage seemed unmoved by the provocation. He leaned forward slightly, voice calm. "Mr. Jameson, I uand the skepticism. In a city that's seehing, it's only natural to be skeptical of a guy walking around in a mask g to be a hero. As far as my stake... I live here too. You reported on my first appeara the Brooklyn Bridge when the Lizard attacked. I was able to help because I was nearby, in atown at the time. When the Green Goblin attacked at the Unity Day Parade I was there with my fellow New Yorkers. This city is my home, so I help protect it."

  Jameson leaned forward, "Since yht him up, let's talk about the Green Goblin. What is your vea against Oscorp? You took down Norman Osborn, andeered their glider, and then dared to return it only when the Senate demanded. Not to mention the spectacle you made of Oscorp at the Stark Expo. Harry Osborn himself has accused you of harassment. What do you have to say to that, Mirage?"

  Mirage sat calmly uhe harsh lights of the studio, his masked face betraying no hint of u the accusatory questions. When he spoke, it was in a calm, measured tohat left little room for doubt.

  "I don't harbor any personal grievances against the Osborns or Oscorp as ay. It's crucial to distinguish between Norman Osborn, the man, and the monster he became. My frontation was with the Green Goblin, not Norman." Mirage paused, gathering his thoughts before tinuing. "Before his tragic transformation, I had the opportunity to meet Norman Osborn. Do you know what I thought of him? He was charismatic, gracious, and undeniably brilliant." Without pausing, Mirage tinued, preempting any interruption from Jameson. "The decision to experiment with that serum was Norman's downfall, transf him into the Green Goblin. That's the entity I was pelled to front, not Norman himself." Mirage's voice was steady and sincere. "As for the glider, its capabilities were demonstrated to all of New York during Unity Day. Leaving such teology ireets would have been irresponsible. Oscorp had already demonstrated its inability to secure it. In my hands, I k was safe. When the Senate issued their directive, I plied. I'm a New Yorker, an Ameri. I respect the authority of our institutions. The glider's fate is now in Oscorp's hands. My only hope is that it doesn't find its way bato our streets, causing more chaos."

  Mirage tinued, "My prese the Stark Expo wasn't about targeting Oscorp or any other corporation. I was there, like many others, out of geerest in the advas being showcased. I was at Dr. Octavius's presentatiohings went south, and it was only right to step in. The same goes for the i with Hammer Industries' drones. It wasn't about the spectacle or pig sides. It was about being there for the city when it mattered."

  Mirage shifted slightly, his tone being more ear, "And about Oscorp. I truly believe iential of their work. Despite their setbacks, the innovations ing out of Oscorp have been nothing short of revolutionary. The pany's tributions to sce, our city, and the world, shouldn't be overshadowed by a few unfortunate is. Had Dr. Octavious's experiment succeeded, or when Oscorp solves the issue of magitai, harnessing nuclear fusion would solve the world's energy problems."

  Leaning forward, Mirage's voice carried a note of siy, "Just this m, on my way here, I had a ter with an Oscorp engineer, Max Dillon. He is a great guy, passionate about his work. It's people like him who embody the spirit of Oscorp, dedicated individuals striving to make a difference. So, here's a shoutout to Max Dillon, I've got some VIP tickets reserved for you at House of M. And a o the viewers, remember that behind these headlines are people, hard at work, pushing the boundaries of what's possible."

  Max Dillon sat at his puter watg the live stream. Mirage's message extended beyond the studio to reach the people of the city, like himself. A superhero had aowledged his tributions live on television. Max thought that he was invisible, but he wasn't. Mirage had seen him, and now people would know his name.

  Jonah Jameson raised an eyebrow, the skepticism momentarily repced by a flicker of surprise. Jameson leaned ba his chair, processing Mirage's words. His tone, when he spoke was a mix ing resped his characteristifrontational style. "Well, Mirage, that's quite the civic duty checklist you've got there. Helping out at the Stark Expo, Dr. Octavius's presentation, and the Hammer Industries debacle? It sounds like you were quite the busy bee. And that wasn't all. You stopped a monster rampaging in Harlem as well. We saw the footage, It was about to crush those soldiers when you intervened."Mirage nodded in aowledgment. "The situation in Harlem was dire, with the creature causing chaos and endangering lives," he said. "I have certain... advahat most don't, but seeing those soldiers stand their ground against such overwhelming odds was truly inspiring. They're the real heroes, putting their lives on the lihout hesitation. I was fortunate enough to be there in time to assist, and eheir bravery wasn't in vain." Mirage paused, refleg, before turning to address J. Jonah Jameson. "W alongside w enfort and federal agencies wheuation calls for it is something I take seriously. Cooperation make all the differen ensuring public safety and resolving crises effitly."

  Jameson pointed out, "This isn't the first time you've worked with the federal gover. That's one of the reasons I invited you to the show. You're more than just a viginte." He used the opening to segue into talking about Spider-Man. "You've been seen w with Spider-Man in the past, what do you have to say about the accusations that he was responsible for the death of NYPD Captain Gee Stacy?" Jameson tinued.

  Tyson's expression turhoughtful as Jamesoioned Spider-Man, and he sidered his words carefully before responding. "Mr. Jameson, I'm gd you asked that question. I know you've been critical of how Spider-Maes outside the w. But I know Spider-Maer than anyone. I've fought alongside him and shared meals with the guy. We even pyed basketball once. I say without any doubt or hesitation that Spider-Man is good. He's only trying to help the people of New York. I saw him take down the Lizard, who stood ht feet tall and could throw cars off the road. But I've also seen him stop to help a bullied kid repair his broken sce project, and help elderly dies cross the street. These aren't publicity stunts. Spider-Man is just that good of a guy."

  Mirage took a deep breath before tinuing. "Regarding the i with Captain Stacy, it's a plex situation. The dynami cases like these are never bd-white, and it's important to sider the full text. Accusations are easy to make, but loss of life is always tragid my heart goes out to the Captain's family." Fixing his gaze on the camera, Mirage said, "I want everyone in New York to hear this. I spoke with Spider-Man after Captain Stacy died, as well as the member of the Stacy family who resent during the i, and I'm certain he wasn't involved in harming the officer. But I uand why some assumed he was. There's an imposter posing as Spider-Man out there. It was this imposter who killed Captain Stacy."

  Jonah Jameson's brow furrowed as he scrutinized Mirage from across his rge mahogany desk. "You expect us to believe there's an impoing around dressed as Spider-Man itting crimes? Instead of the simpler ahat it's just Spider-Man doing these things?"Mirage met Jameson's skeptical gaze steadily, his voice firm. "You're a seasoned journalist, Mr. Jameson. You know the value of examining the facts. Spider-Man has been a fixture in this city sie st year. In all that time, his as have sistently defehe city's people against criminal activities. There's not one verified instance of him crossing the lio brutality. Now, suddenly, we're seeing a shift in that pattern. It's not just unlikely. It's out of character." He paused, allowing the weight of his argument to sink in before addressing Jameson's skepticism. "I uand skepticism; it's healthy, especially in your profession. sider their behavior when distinguishiween the real Spider-Man and an imposter. Spider-Man is known for his light-hearted banter, his willio go out of his way to help, and his restraint. This imposter dispys mgressive behavior." Leaning forward in his chair, Mirage spoke directly to the camera and audience beyond. "To the people of New York, if you enter Spider-Man and he's unnecessarily aggressive or brutal, exercise caution. The best course of a is to stay safe a the sighting. I've set up a li the House of M for any information on this imposter. We're doing our best, but unity vigince make a signifit difference. Let's work together to ehe safety of our streets."

  "Let's talk about you then," Jameson said, his voice dripping with anticipation. He paused for dramatic effect, his eyes locked on Mirage. "What about the rumors of a budding romaween you and the so-called imposter Spider-Man?"

  Mirage's mismatched eyes widened slightly behind his mask, a flicker of fusion passing across his face. For a moment, he seemed caught off guard by the ued question.

  "Not sure what kind of fanfi your audience is rep," Mirage replied, his voice tinged with amusement. "While I sider myself an ally of the LGBT+ unity. I'm not gay."

  Jameson's grin widened, and he reached for something on his desk. With a flourish, he held up a photograph, angling it se and the camera could see it.

  "Oh," Mirage said, genuine surprise evident in his voice. The photograph showed a clear image of a female Spider-Man, her suit unmistakably simir to the inal but with subtle differehat highlighted a feminine form. "Well, that's new."

  Mirage leaned forward, studying the image more closely. This was not the imposter he'd seen ier's memories. Could it be dy Moon? The hair was close to the right length, but it was brown, not dy's bck. From the picture's a was hard to determine if she was Asian, but it ossible.

  "Photoshopped maybe?" he mused aloud. "When I spoke with Spider-Man, he was certain the imposter was a man, not a woman." He paused, sidering his words carefully. "If this picture is real, it's the first I'm seeing of her. But I 't speak to its validity."

  Jamesohe photograph down on his desk, his eyes narrowing. "One of my indepe photographers provided this. I firm it's real. A, you expect us to believe that you, with all your supposed insider knowledge, had no idea about this female Spider-Man?"

  Mirage leaned ba his chair. "If I knew about this female Spider-Man, I would say so. The fact is, I don't."

  Jameson scoffed, clearly irely vinced. "And what about the romance rumors? You didly deny them."

  Mirage chuckled, the sound warm and genuine. "Mr. Jamesoh know that rumors are just that. Rumors. I assure you that I've yet to meet a female Spider-Man. Spider-Woman. Spider-Girl, or whatever name she decides to go by." He paused, his tone being more serious. "What's important here isn't gossip or specution. It's the safety of New York's citizens. We have firmed reports of one Spider-Man imposter who has itted violent acts. Now we potentially have another individual in a Spider-Man e," then his tone softened, "To this Spider… Woman, if you're willing, I'd like to meet you. I'm pretty easy to find. But to the people of New York, until we know more, I advise caution."

  "Fair enough." Jameson nodded grudgingly, reizing the shift in tone. " we all take your evasions as firmation that you're si least? You did just ask for Spider-Woman's number on television."

  Tyson ughed, replying, "Despite my best efforts. I've been uo hold down a girlfriend."

  "Tragic," Jameson said dryly. "Let's shift gears a little. During the Senate hearing, you said you were a mutant. Most of us thought mutants were just a myth. Why are you pushing the mutant agenda on the rest of us?"

  Mirage met Jameson's challenging gaze steadily, his voice calm and unwavering. "Mr. Jameson, I don't know much about a mutant agenda. Ohing that I do know is that I've learned in school that different groups that are beled as 'others' end up as disenfranchised at best, or ensved enocided at worst. This has happehroughout human history." He paused as if sidering his words carefully. "In this try alone, we look at svery, the decimation and relocation of Indigenous peoples, Jim Crow ws, Asian inter during World War Two, and even as retly as the issues with border trol, immigration, and discrimination faced by Muslim Ameris."

  Mirage's voice grew somber as he tinued, "I'll leave the debate oher mutants are a geiormality, evolution, an act of God, or Lucifer to the stists and theologians. But the social ramifications are clear. If people begin to look at mutants as the 'others' or their ehen history says it'll lead to misery for mutants everywhere. And I don't want to see that happen."

  Jameson's bushy brows drew together, his expression shifting as he sidered Mirage's words. "So, you're saying that you're ing forward as a mutant to prevent discrimination and violence against your kind?"

  "That's part of it. But it's also about dispelling the myths and misceptions surrounding mutants. We're not monsters or freaks. We're just people, with different abilities. Some may look different, but we deserve the same rights and opportunities as everyone else."

  Jameson remained silent for a moment, his fingers drumming on the desktop. When he spoke again, his voice regais aggressive edge. "But what about the dangers?" He jabbed a fi Mirage. "What about the potential for mutants to misuse their powers? How we be sure that you won't turn against us?"

  Mirage's eyes narrowed slightly, his voice hardening in respoo the accusation. "Mr. Jameson, that's exactly the kind of nguage we're hoping to avoid. You versus Us. I uand your s. But let me assure you, not all mutants are vilins. Most mutants are like everyone else and want to live their lives in peace." He leaned forward, his gaze log with Jameson's. "And as for the potential for misuse of powers. Any man misuse his power, we see it regurly in this try. Someone grabs a gun and goes on a shooting spree."

  Mirage's siy was evident, but Jameson remained unvihe old newsman grunted, distrustful of the young mutant's words despite their ear delivery.

  Jameson tched onto something Mirage had said earlier, his eyes gleaming with renewed i. "Let's rewind. During the Senate hearing you cimed you were only seventeen years old," he stated, his voice taking on an accusatory tone. "Earlier this year, we reported when The Lizard attacked Midtown High. You were seen by students there fighting the creature, arriving even before polid other emergency responders. we assume you're a student there?"

  Mirage's eyes narrowed slightly, his lips tightening into a thin line. "I appreciate iigative journalism, Mr. Jameson, but announg I'm a student at a local high school paints a target on that school and puts its students at risk. You won't put i kids in danger for a story."

  Jameson rolled his eyes dismissively. "Fine, fine," he grumbled. "Tell us about the Lizard then. What happeo it?"

  Mirage's expression softehe tension easing from his shoulders. He saportunity to reassure the city. "I'm sure you and the city have noticed the Lizard hasn't been seen sihe i at Midtown High," he began, his voice steady and calming. "Rest easy, New York. The Lizard won't be making another appearance."

  Jameson's skepticism was evident as his eyebrows shot up. "Did you kill it?" he demanded, accusation g his tone.

  Mirage merely smiled, a slight, enigmatic curve of his lips. "No, nothing like that," he replied lightly, dismissively. "I just gave it a stern talking to."

  Jameson's eyes narrowed and his lips pursed in disbelief. "A stern talking to?" he echoed, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "That's it? You just chatted with a giant, rampagiile and it decided to turn over a new leaf?"

  Mirage's smile widened, amusement twinkling in his eyes. "Let's just say I made it clear its days of terrorizing the city were over."

  Jameson shook his head, still unvinced. "I don't believe you," he scoffed. "There's no way you could've stopped the Lizard without a fight."

  Mirage shrugged nontly. "I have my ways," he said. "I have a unique way of expining things in ways others 't." His voice was firm. "Trust me, Mr. Jameson, the Lizard is no longer a threat to this city."

  Jameson's lips tightened into a thin line. He knew when he was being stonewalled and he didn't like it. With a resigned sigh, he leaned ba his chair. "Fine," he muttered, his voice resigned. "We'll leave it at that. But I'll be keeping an eye on you, Mirage."

  Mirage merely smiled, his expression enigmatic. "I'm sure you will, Mr. Jameson," he replied, amusement g his tone. "I'm sure you will."

  Author’s Note

  Arc 1 Re-edit is up. Arc 2 iually.

  Behind the Ses

  - here is an 11-day time skip between Harry and Tyson’s ses.

  - The bit where Tyson says he isn’t gay is a py on all the ents I got during the first feters where people thought this was a ssh fic because it started with Tysoing Logan.

  - I got a lot of positive reviews about Jameson’s entary previously, so I figured, eh why not give him a full se? For those of you who aren’t Jameson fans, this se might feel like fluff. But I promise… It’s not.

  Support Plug

  For those of you ied in supp my writing.

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