DC hero at Marvel

The little Spider-Man was speechless.

Of course, he recognized Venom. He also recognized the person taking the photos—Phil Urich.

Back when he first started selling photos to the Daily Bugle, it was this Phil Urich who had led him into the office.

"You Bugle people are just too…"

Peter struggled to find the right word to describe the two individuals in front of him. Glancing at Venom, then at Phil, he silently grumbled, How come everyone from the Bugle is like this?

"Can't help it, man. I'm just a working stiff!" Phil casually greeted Spider-Man, snapping a few shots with his camera before turning to Venom.

"Carry on," he said.

Eddie, still in his Venom form and concealing his true face, looked at the little Spider-Man and asked, "What are you doing here?"

"Making an antidote," Spider-Man replied. "The Lizard turned into that monster because of a complex genetic serum. If you think of that serum as a kind of poison, then this antidote should neutralize it and turn him back into a human."

Peter paused, looking slightly troubled. "But there's a problem. The Lizard just escaped. We don't know when he'll show up again. We can only cure him if we catch him."

"Got it," Venom said in his low, gravelly voice. "Don't worry. You'll see him soon enough."

"What do you mean?" Peter's masked eyes widened as he seemed to sense something. He suddenly turned to look behind Venom into the air.

A sleek, black Batmobile floated into view.

Batman stood atop the car's hood, his boot firmly pinning a broken, bloodied, and defeated Lizard beneath him.

Thud!

In Spider-Man's shocked and awestruck gaze, Batman kicked the Lizard off the hood, sending him tumbling to Peter's feet.

"I believe you have what it takes to fix him," Batman said, his deep voice filled with meaning. Beneath the mask, Peter's eyes widened even further as he realized Batman's piercing gaze seemed to see right through him.

Minutes later, the antidote was complete.

The Lizard reverted back to Dr. Curt Connors.

But now, Connors' once-regrown right arm was gone again. Worse still, this time, he had also lost his right leg.

Connors lay on the ground, his eyes hollow, filled with despair and simmering anger.

"Why?" he whispered, glaring at Batman with hatred. "Why would you do this to me? I just wanted to be whole again!"

"Your thoughts—and your actions—are dangerous," Batman replied coldly. "Instead of lamenting your disability, maybe you should think about how to compensate Oscorp for its losses and make amends for the harm you caused while you were the Lizard. Losing your leg is the price you pay… and perhaps even your freedom for the rest of your life."

At that moment, Captain George Stacy arrived with a squad of police officers.

Now, Spider-Man, Venom, and Batman were all present.

Phil Urich's eyes lit up with excitement. Silently, he adjusted his camera and captured the scene in high-definition.

"Batman, hand him over to us," George Stacy said as he observed the maimed Connors on the ground. He finally understood why Batman hadn't handed the Lizard over immediately after subduing him—it was because the Lizard could still be cured.

"He's yours," Batman said. Then, with all eyes on him, he stepped into the Batmobile and disappeared into the night sky.

Venom and Spider-Man departed soon after.

Before leaping out of the Oscorp building, Spider-Man took one last long look at Connors. He sighed deeply, then vanished into the cityscape.

Meanwhile, Phil approached Captain Stacy. "Congratulations to the NYPD for apprehending the Lizard. What's your take on his actions, Captain? And do you think the incident offers any lessons for the department?"

George Stacy finally noticed the rogue reporter. With a headache, he ordered his men, "Get him out of here."

Phil was unceremoniously escorted from the Oscorp building.

Phil wasn't worried, though. He waited outside.

Sure enough, Eddie and Anton soon appeared.

"How'd it go?" Eddie nudged him on the shoulder, grinning. "Got it all?"

"Of course!" Phil puffed out his chest proudly. "Don't forget, I learned from the best. Eddie, I'm your student, after all!"

"Nice work," Eddie said approvingly. "You're almost ready to graduate."

Meanwhile, Anton gaze shifted to the street where a sleek black car was approaching.

The car stopped in front of Oscorp, and the driver hurried out to open the door for none other than Norman Osborn, the head of Oscorp.

The moment reporters spotted Norman, they swarmed toward him.

"Mr. Osborn, what's your take on the Lizard incident?"

"Is it true that the Lizard was an Oscorp employee who mutated because of some experimental serum? Does this relate to Oscorp's genetic research?"

"We've heard Oscorp is acquiring the Life Foundation. Could this technology have ties to Carlton Drake, who turned into a monster himself?"

"Mr. Osborn—"

The flashing cameras and clamoring voices made the Oscorp entrance a chaotic scene.

Phil squeezed into the crowd, eager to hear Norman Osborn's response.

"Gentlemen, I'll answer your questions," Norman said calmly, stepping up to the steps. "But only one media outlet will get to ask."

The crowd erupted in disbelief. Ignoring them, Norman pointed to Phil. "I believe the Daily Bugle has a representative here."

Phil froze for a second before raising his hand excitedly. "Here! That's me, Mr. Osborn!"

"Good. Follow me," Norman said. Then he turned to Eddie and Anton, standing at the edge of the crowd. "Anton, if you're interested, you're welcome to join us."

Eddie and Anton exchanged glances. Shrugging, they followed Norman into Oscorp under the envious gazes of the other reporters.

Inside the elevator, Norman dismissed his bodyguards. "You can wait here. Don't let anyone else in."

"But sir—"

"No one can harm me here," Norman interrupted. He glanced meaningfully at Anton. "Isn't that right?"

Anton hesitated, then smiled faintly. "Of course."