Symbiosis

AN: Yeah I know, my third Spider-Man story….technically. Cuz see….well Toxin had his own comic for a bit but first appeared in Venom and Carnage and….and…..oh you know what I mean. Now look this is just a fun little story I made because well…..honestly I really like the concept of Toxin and I really wish they did more with him before killing him off in Carnage's comic series.

Now I'll level with you guys I'm mainly doing this as a guilty pleasure fic, nothing super in depth like Spider-Man/Rwby crossover or Son of Wolverine I just wanted to make a cool story.

Now for those of you who are unfamiliar with the symbiote known as Toxin, I can't blame you since he gets sidelined a lot in comics for his cooler kinsmen.

Now, this is waning because this story shall contain violence, language, smut, and worst of all….possible spelling errors.

Also I will not use timestamps because those are annoying as hell.

Thinking

'Radio/Phone'

'Telepathy'

Symbiote speaking to Host

Remind me how we ended up in here of all places? Mark asked as the bus he rode on passed a large sign on the side of the road, welcoming the passengers to Gotham city. The teen ran a hand through his brown hair as he leaned back in his seat, Because I'm pretty sure we agreed that we would go anywhere but here.

Hey don't blame me! If I recall correctly, you where the one who wanted to get out of New York while the Parkers decided to screw around with one another. And I remember you thinking that Gotham would be a nice change of scenery. Another voice in the teen's head said, the voice sounding older as compared to the child like one he had when he and Mark bonded together. The teen rolled his eyes, he had been living with Peter Parker and Mary Jane Watson ever since he lost his mother and father a few years ago.

And about three months ago, the Parker apartment got some big news in the form of a pregnancy test. To say that Peter and Mark were overjoyed would be a statement….at least for Peter it was after he woke up from fainting. No Toxin they…..look they…uggh you know what I mean! And besides with MJ having a bun in the oven I think it's about time we set up our own shop in some other city….Jersey was a bust so Gotham is next on the list. he explained to his friend as best he could as they entered the city limits.

Toxin was silent and Mark didn't need a mental link with him to know why, Toxin was deathly afraid of being alone. And the thought of moving out of the Parker's loving home was suffice to say a little jarring for the symbiote to comprehend. Tox, listen…you know Pete and MJ think of us like family right? he tried to reassure. He received no response, ….just because we won't be there doesn't mean we won't be a part of their lives Tox. he assured as the bus turned at a street corner, the outside showing people heading home for the day as the sun began to set.

…you sure you just don't want me around a baby? The symbiote asked with a hint of bitterness.

Well the thought of a symbiote baby never crossed my mind. he joked, but he knew what Toxin meant. He was the spawn of Carnage, and the first thing that the psychopath tried to do was kill his own 'son' along with Venom. You are not you're father Toxin. Trust me. Besides we've been with Spidey how long? Pete's like family and all but there comes a time when you need to….move out of the nest you know? he assured, smiling a little as the bus stop came into view. Mark sighed, Well let's find a place to crash for the night, last thing I think we need is to get roped into something. We wind up staying here I want to make a good impression on Batman…you know if that's actually possible.

That man still scares me. Toxin admitted.

Dude he scares everyone a little. Mark stated as he got up from his seat and made his way off the bus. Looking up at the skyscrapers he took in the gothic style of some of the buildings for which the city was known for. Though in this city it might be a requirement if you want to make any progress. he thought as he took his phone out of his pocket and looked for the closest place to stay for a few days.

Kinda perfect for us in that case. Toxin noted as his host worked on finding a decent motel nearby on his phone. As he began to make his way to his temporary abode, he noticed a few people from the bus stop going the same way as him….at least that's what Mark thought before he still felt them fallowing him after a few blocks. Remember what you said about not getting roped into something? Toxin asked him.

Must be the Gotham welcoming committee…..I don't think Bats would mind if we scare these guys off. he thought with a hint of mischief, he could feel Toxin smile in the back of his head. There's an alley up ahead. Let's do it there. he said as he quickened his walking speed and dipped into an alley. The group of four tailing him fallowed suite only to see the darkened alley empty, thinking that their target had made them and simply went to hiding.

The alley was like a miniature maze between the buildings, as the four walked down the alleyway the one in the back felt something grab his back before suddenly being yanked upwards. The trio noticed that their other member was suddenly gone, "Patty? Where the hell did Patty go?" one of them asked as he turned to the others, only to find that the trio had lost another. Both of their eyes widened, "It's gotta be the Bat! Run!" he shouted before taking off down the alley back the way they came. The one running looked back to see the last of his partners gone, only making him run all the more faster into a sticky substance in the shape of a web.

"Not a bat. More like a Spider." a voice said from above, the would be mugger looked up to see what he would only describe as a monster. A narrow set of black eyes with red rims around them narrowed as they looked over it's victim. The entire body was covered with some sort of liquid looking substance with the occasional tendril extruding out. The body itself looked like something akin to armor, with the shoulders, forearms, and shins more padded. The suit itself was dark black with a large red spider with the legs spread out, a set going around his neck, another across his shoulders, a third pair around his waist, and the final set dipping down over his hips and connecting to another spider on the back.

The man's terrified expression made Toxin roll with laughter in the host's mind but Mark ignored it, "Now then, here's what is going to happen. You and your little friends are going to stop doing this, or I will be back and….well you know what spiders do to flies trapped int heir webs." he said before crawling up the web and leaving the terrified thug. Leaping from the web, he raised his hand and a new line shot out from the top of his wrist from the white square atop his hand and swung through the sky. Well there goes not starting anything.

I love doing that. Toxin said happily, noticing his host was smiling beneath the suit, You did that to cheer me up didn't you? he asked his host.

"Don't know what you're talking about." Mark said innocently as he threw out another webline as curved through the air and flung himself off into the air. "Come on, let's have some fun partner." he said as they continued swinging.

A single night in Gotham left Mark and Toxin both had more than their fair share of action, Seriously a normal man does this much work every night? We're sure he's human? Toxin asked his host as they swung after a car being chased by police cruisers. The getaway car's passenger window opened and a masked gunman climbed out with a assault rifle raised before a glob of black webbing hit it's barrel and pulled it out of his grasp just as Toxin landed on the roof of the car, grabbing the gunman he threw him over his shoulder with a tendril spraying out a web to catch him while the host drove his fist through the roof and into the skull of the driver.

The car swerved until the suit sent out a few weblines from it's back onto the road behind them, slowing the car to a stop before leaping off the roof and swinging away. It was almost ten at night by now and he was starting to slowly wear on the host and his symbiote. Ok Maybe now is the time for us to hit the- Mark began thinking before the sound of gunshots rang through the air fallowed by the roar of a series of engines a block over.

He shot a webline to the side of a building to his left and swung over top of it, flipping over so he landed in a crouch on the other side to see a trio of bikes parked outside of a continence store, a second later the robber came out and hopped on his bike. However just as the pair were about to spring into action, an arrow hit the bag with the cash an pinned it to the wall of the store. Wait I thought arrows was the green guy's thing…what's his name again? Toxin joked in Mark's head before another arrow stuck one of them in head with a blunt end, knocking them out.

The symbiote and host looked from where the arrow came from to see an blonde, female archer stationed down the street with another arrow knocked back and poised to fire. Mark's eyes widened as the other three drove down the street at her. The archer ran forward and fired at the wheel of one of the bikes, puncturing the tire and making him crash while the other two continued forward. Ok she can kick ass. he added as she leapt up onto the hood of one of the bikes and flipped over the driver's head, shooting a net arrow at the driver's back.

As she rolled across the ground she turned her attention to the final cyclist only to see him pulled off his bike by a black line before being slung around a lamppost. The archer pointed her arrow atop the streetlamp and saw the dark figure raise his hands up, "Woah! Friendly!" he called out peacefully.

Getting a better look at the archer he first noticed that she clearly seemed to be related t the emerald archer of Star City, her costume consisted of a dark green sleeveless top with a exposed midriff along with of a lighter shade of green over her chest in the shape of an arrow. The top stretched up her neck to where her mask covered most of her face up to her hairline while exposing her nose, mouth, and eyes. Her blonde hair had been tied back in a ponytail with her hair down to her waist. On her right bicep was a green band with matching colored fingerless gloves extending up past her elbows, showing off her muscular arms.

Around her waist was a black utility belt with a buckle on the front bearing a arrowhead. Her tight pants where the same shade as her top with black kneepads and a pouch on her hip that looked like it was holstering something that resembled a firearm but looked too big to be any piece Mark had seen. Hello sexy archer girl. Mark thought, getting a snicker from Toxin in response, Zip it Tox.

The archer didn't lower her bow so Mark took a page out of Spider-Man's notebook, talk, "So uhhh…hi, I'm Toxin. I'm new to town, just arrived today….gotta admit, you're a sight for sore eyes compared to the dude with pointy ears…he doesn't like me all that well." he admitted, hoping to try and not get shot with an arrow. He saw the corner of her mouth twitch slightly. "If it's any consolation I'd much rather have an arrow pointed at me by you than talk with the other guy….although that says more about him than me."

She finally cracked a smirk as she lowered her bow, "I thought all the spider people were in New York." she jested as she put her arrow in the quiver she held on her back. The sound of police sirens made them both look down the street where a cop car was approaching from.

"Want a lift?" The symbiote covered ten asked whilst the archer fired a grappling arrow to the rooftop where she was pulled up to.

Smooth. Toxin jeered in his mind.

Oh zip it you slushy reject. Mark thought back as he fired a webline up after her and pulled himself up onto the rooftop where the green clad teen was waiting for him with a hand on her hip expectantly. "So….Green Arrow fan?" he guessed.

"I hear green goes with my eyes…..you?" she asked, looking the new arrival to Gotham over with a critical eye. She knew that there were a few people bearing the Spider symbol, most notably was Spider-Man but she knew what he looked like and his costume wasn't as menacing.

"Well that depends, you got a few hours to spare while I go into my origin story?" he asked. She folded her arms across her chest as she shook her head, "It's a alien." he replied bluntly, causing her eyes to widen. "I mean I'm still a dude but it can change my appearance and does all the spider stuff." he reassured, not wanting her to get the wrong impression. "So….I'm Toxin, and your?" he tried again.

The archer smirked at his persistence, "Artemis." she introduced.

"Oh like the Greek Goddess? Gotta say that's more creative then Green Arrow…or Batman…or Superman….Or Spider-Man but don't tell him I said that he thinks it's cool." he added the last part as he stood upright. Artemis was just a head shorter than him but she didn't seem intimidated in the slightest.

"And Toxin isn't intimidating or anything." she countered verbally.

Well she's not wrong. Toxin said to the host.

However Mark merely shrugged, "Well I sure as hell wasn't going to be Kid Arachnid. The worst names are ones with ages in them unless it's man or woman." he said in his defense, the archer absentmindedly nodded in agreement with his sentiment. "I don't suppose you know a good cheap hotel nearby do you?" he asked.

Her smirk turned playful, "Is this the part where you ask if I could show you where a nice warm bed is and that you wouldn't mind sharing it?" she answered as she turned to her left, the newcomer leaping to a chimney in that direction as she turned.

He held up a hand, "Oh Madam Artemis, I would never take you as the sort! I merely am tired from my journey and want a place that I can sleep for the night….preferably without chance of getting robbed." he said in a mocking tone before adding the last bit quickly.

The blonde's smirk didn't falter, "There's a place a few blocks from here. It's called the Open Arms, it's a decent motel for cheapskates." she jibbed.

"Hey I'm not cheap….I'm poor, there's a difference. I'd rather be poor than cheap." he retorted jokingly as Artemis made her way across the rooftop and hopped over to one across a narrow alley. "Seriously I could just swing you across I do it all the time." he said, fallowing her lead and catching up to her quickly.

"I just met you like ten minutes ago and I find out you're covered in alien and you want to hold me close while swinging over four stories up from the ground?" she asked skeptically. Mark held back a snicker that Toxin didn't seem to find very amusing, when they reached the edge of the building she pointed towards a motel a few blocks away that she mentioned, 'Straight shot to the place from here."

"Thank you." he said gratefully, "And now's when I ask if you could show me to my bed." he said, echoing her words from earlier jokingly to bring a actual smile to her face. "Really though I apricate it….so I guess I'll see you around?" he hoped.

The amusement on her face made him hopeful, "Depends. You want to see me again?" she asked as she turned around and walked away with her head turned over her shoulder to look at him. The host couldn't help but apricate the archer's form, while feminine she clearly had put a lot of time into keeping herself in peak form.

Oh he want's to see a lot more of you. Toxin's voice snickered in his brain, Mark wished that his bodily roommate came with a mute button.

"Well I might be staying in town, wouldn't mind a local showing me around. You know, where the nearest comic book store is, where the best sandwich place is, oh and where the local bad guys hang out." he replied, he didn't know anywhere in Gotham so having someone as a guide, especially as a costumed guide, wouldn't hurt so that he doesn't encroach on someone else's territory. He wasn't sure if he was going to stay here but until he can scrounge enough money together for a ticket out of here? He might be staying a while.

The archer smiled slyly, "Hmmm, not sure if you could keep up with me…I might be around say, Gotham Central Station tomorrow night. You manage to find me there….I might show you a thing or two." she teased lightly, twisting herself around to face him from the opposite side of the roof. Leaning against the ledge and crossing one leg over the other and braced herself against the ledge with both her hands on either side.

He could think of a few things you could show him. Wow she is making this way too easy. Toxin thought.

I'm pretty sure that's the point. Mark thought bluntly before speaking out loud, "So a little hide and seek? Alright, I'm game." he accepted, causing the archer's smirk to widen a little. Mark felt a small sense of happiness that she seemed to look forward to it as much as he did.

"It's a date." The archer stated before falling back off the ledge, quickly drawing her bow and shooting a line to swing from. The blonde's excited face hidden from the newcomer's view as she swung off from the host and his symbiote. He turned his attention to the hotel as his suit began to change form into red hoodie and blue jeans and the rest of the alien seeping into his skin.

Mark could swear he felt Toxin nodding, I've always wondered what human mating customs where on his planet…..not bad Mark. I think she wishes to mate with you! his friend said expectedly. The host could only facepalm at his partner's blunt explanation of it, while he learned a lot from Peter the one thing he didn't think would be good to learn from him was when it came to girls, for that he went to both Mary Jane and Black Cat about that particular subject.

MJ simply advised him to have fun and act a little coy, while Black Cat told him that girls like it when flirted with, but not to take it too far so that they aren't uncomfortable…. obviously he didn't tell either that what he learned from the other since those two had enough bad blood between them already. Toxin I don't even know this girl, besides I really do need to figure my way around the city. he explained as he vaulted over the ledge and landed on the empty street before making his way towards the Open Arms as Artemis had suggested

But wait she called it a date though. That's what it means when you want to court someone right? the symbiote asked.

He shook his head, No Tox that was flirting…..alright see, flirting can depend on who your talking to…..alright you know how me and you say things to each other like I'll set you on fire but you know I would never do that? he felt Toxin nod in the back of his mind. Well flirting is a form of that, she's attractive to me so I flirt with her but it doesn't mean that I love her like Pete loves MJ.

Toxin took his host's words in as they neared the motel, Ok so it's like a form of banter?

Exactly. But not everyone is directly fond of it right off the bat like her. I just did it because she did first. he explained as they approached the entrance to the motel where the attendant was sitting at the desk. Reaching into the pocket of his hoodie, the symbiote made his wallet appear in his pocket for him to grab so he could pay for the night. After getting his room key he was about to exit the lobby when his own Spider Sense rang in his head. Stopping in place he looked around and waited for whatever set it off.

The first thig that Peter taught him was that no matter how much it seemed insignificant, to ALWAYS listen to his Spider Sense. However after waiting a few moments and not noticing anything that was immediately dangerous he walked outside, Well that was weird…wonder what set it off? Toxin asked his host who could answer with a shrug as he made his way to his temporary abode for the evening.

As he opened the door to his room however both the Host and Symbiote failed to notice the pair of onyx eyes watch them through a pair of binoculars from a rooftop. So that's what our mystery man looks like under his alien friend. Artemis thought as she lowered the binoculars. She was not going to trust some mystery guy the night she met him so she doubled back after making sure he had left the rooftop and poised herself somewhere she could see the front door to the motel office.

He does look like a normal guy but still, can't be too careful…..it's weird, it looked like he was listening to someone. she thought, holstering the binoculars in her quiver and began to make her way back home to her mother.

Meanwhile inside the motel room, Mark pulled his phone out of his pocket and dialed Peter's number as Toxin shifted into a pair of sweats and a loose tee shirt. 'Hello, Parker residence where all your dreams come true.' Peter's voice answered, making Mark smile.

"Hey Peter, I just wanted to call and tell you I made it to Gotham." he replied as a tendril came out from his arm and grabbed the remote off the bedside table and began clicking through channels.

'Oh I know, you know why? Guess who came by today and asked me what you were doing there? I'll give you a hint, he's big, brooding, and has pointy ears.' Peter said, making Mark wince. 'I just told him that you were vacationing…..he didn't think it was funny.'

"He doesn't think anything is funny…other than that, how's MJ?" he asked s Toxin settled on a movie channel.

'She's fine. And kind of moody….it's weird what pregnancy does to a woman. Today she wanted a tuna sandwich….MJ hates tuna. Think it's possible she's possessed?' Peter asked, Mark had the suspicion that he was doing that as he was speaking to him from the other side of the phone.

"Yeah by a small demon you put in her and will hatch in six months." Mark joked, Toxin laughed from inside his mind at Peter's expense. "Look Pete, you fight Doc Ocks, Goblins, and Rhinos on a semi weekly basis, you can handle this." he reassured. He had seen Peter go through things that most men wouldn't recover from, in fact if he was being honest Mark thought that he was one of the greatest heroes of all along with Batman and Superman.

'Thanks Mark….so how's the homestead search going? You gotta be missing New York by now." he said, the host to the symbiote smiling fondly as he thought of his old home. However the past three months of his life had been like a road trip, going from city to city and trying to see what fits, so har he'd been to Washington D.C., Boston, and Metropolis, with stops to New York to visit the Parkers. He would stay a few days or maybe a week before packing up and leaving for the next city, however so far none of them stood out to him.

But so far Gotham strangely seemed to be somewhat of a fit for him, maybe it was because Toxin wasn't as friendly looking as Spider-man? Maybe it was because while bad guys think Batman was some sort of monster, Toxin actually could be a monster…..or the fact that he met a very attractive archer girl his first night here could be a factor as well. Oooh The Thing! I love this one. Toxin said, finding a good movie to watch before setting the remote down on the nightstand.

"It's not too bad, I'm busy all the time here so that's a plus. Who knows maybe I could get a small neighborhood here to patrol while Batman deals with the big bad stuff?" he said hopefully.

'Yeah good luck with that. Look I gotta go, I'll tell MJ you called. Stay safe.' Peter said.

"Back at you Pete." he said before hanging up, using a tendril to turn off the light in the room and climbing into the bed and watching the movie along with Toxin as the symbiote made a small tiny head on his shoulder and watched along with him.

The next day in Gotham Mark spent wandering the city looking for a place he could make some money, the cash he started his journey with was starting to dwindle and needed to refill his funds. Thankfully he found a help wanted sign near where he was staying, a small Bar called the Stacked Deck, after inquiring inside the bartender didn't seem phased that he was a minor and put him on a trail run from noon to five.

Thankfully with Toxin keeping the orders memorized for him he served all the patrons what they wanted. But the best part was that this bar was frequented by criminals, it wasn't the Iceberg Lounge or anything but Mark had overheard a good percentage of the customers talking about jobs that they pulled. As he set down a tray under the bar, the owner, a large, muscular, bald man with a greying goatee, approached him, "Not bad for your first time tending bar kid."

Mark nodded in appreciation, "Thanks sir, I'm happy to hear it." he said with a hint of pride.

The bartender nodded, "Look, I can't pay you tonight but you can start here tomorrow. Hours are the same, pays about $25.50 a hour, and tips are yours to keep. Sound good?" he asked. The teen and Toxin both did the math in their head, over a hundred dollars a night and if he worked only weekdays that would make it to five hundred dollars a week!

Mark nodded with enthusiasm, "Sounds good to me sir." he said, causing the older ma to actually smirk a little.

"Quit the 'sir' crap, call me Sully. Everyone here does." he said before grabbing a bottle from the rack behind them and readying a drink for one of the patrons at the barstool. "Now get out of here, the next temp will be here soon." he said, the teen nodding as he took his apron off and made his way towards the door flap to the bar and setting it on the hook beside it and exiting the bar.

As he left the bar he noticed that the sun was just beginning to drop towards the horizon to the west, Excited for you're hot date? Toxin asked in the back of his mind. The host made his way down the street to an alley to change in before leaping up onto the wall and beginning to crawl up the side of the building and around the corner before swinging off into the city.

Well…maybe, why did you have any plans tonight? He asked his partner as they reached the apex of their swing and let go, flinging himself through the air until he created another line to swing from. Besides it's been a while since we worked with someone.

He says to the living being who gives him all his powers. Toxin thought back dryly, making his host pause in thought as he swung under a railway and up over the side as a train passed by on it.

Ok fair point but I mean more in terms of variety. I mean we worked with Peter for two or three years and when you boil it down it's like two Spider-Men. Only ne can change their suit into weaponry. he thought as he raised his hand, the symbiote turning it into a bladed axe before shifting it back. From what I can tell, Artemis has a mini arsenal on her back with her arrows. he pointed out.

Yeah good point…..we might want to warn her about using fire arrows around us….or sonics. Toxin added, Mark nodded in agreement. While some might say that the symbiotes are more powerful versions of Spider-Man, they also had something Peter didn't, a weakness. Like kryptonite to the man of steel Symbiotes were vulnerable to both fire and intense sonics, this was due to the fact that since they were born in space they didn't evolve with natural defenses to those elements.

Mark shook those thoughts off as the train he rode continued through the city. Really hope I got the right train. The schedule we picked up said this line goes all the way to central station.

I'm sure, but aren't you getting there a little early? She said tonight, not sunset. Toxin pointed out. According to TV girls don't like clingy guys. he reprimanded.

First off, you're talking to me about being clingy? And second, I want to grab a bite at the station. I've been around food all day! I'm hungry. the host explained as a large train station came into view around the bend of the tracks and buildings. It was three story building with the top having a glass roof above the tracks where the trains entered from As they neared the large building the red and dark blue suit began to shimmer until he was invisible, as the train pulled to a stop he dropped from the train and blended with the crowd while Toxin returned him to his normal look.

Finding a place to eat was easy, however the challenge came from Mark having to eat for both him and Toxin, usually the symbiote would feed off whatever adrenaline that the host produces but since Mark isn't constantly pumping it he makes up for it with the energy he gets from food. Thankfully Toxin burned most of the calories he gained and his activities as a superhero doubled as daily exercise for him.

After getting a large hardy meal, he paid for the food and made his way out of the station's front entrance. Ok, if you were an archer where would you be? Mark asked his other half as he scanned their surroundings for where an Archer would be.

Well probably somewhere high up where she could see everything right? Toxin guessed, the host looked up towards the rooftops, most of them overlooked the train station but there was only one that offered the best view of the area was at a clocktower rising above the other buildings nearby. Of course it's a clocktower. Just wait, we'll get there just when the bells go off.

Relax Tox. We'll see if she's there and if not we'll try and see where she's at. he assured his other half as he started making his way towards the tower. Besides most modern clock towers have speakers.

And this city is still stuck in the last century. Toxin replied bluntly, Mark decided to shut up and make his way to the tower.

By the time he reached the base of the suspected rendezvous the sun was just beginning to set over the horizon. Finding a place to change, the pair crawled up the side of the clocktower, Toxin being relieved that there were actually no bells inside when the clock struck the hour. When Mark reached the belfry, he peeked over the ledge and found an arrow pointed right at the center of his face while Artemis looked at him with a smirk. "Took you long enough, I've been here for the past hour."

Mark climbed up as she let off on her bow, "So what're you gonna show me?" he asked as a few black lines came out from his back and hung pulled him a few feet above the ground with his legs tucked in underneath him. While Peter hung upside down when he talked to people he usually did something akin to this, finding it more comfortable then having all his blood rush to his head.

The archer's lips twitched as she walked towards the outcropping of the belfry and leaned her forearm against the stone frame, "You up for stopping a train robbery?" she asked before looking out to the station as Mark's eyes widened at the prospect, "Once a month this little gang sticks up a random train in the city, every car all at once with one gunman in each." she explained.

"Your kidding me! How hasn't the police caught them?" the host asked in disbelief, such a bold crime had to illicit some sort of response from the local law enforcement.

Artemis let out a muffled chuckle, "Welcome to Gotham City." she replied simply as he dropped from his webs and walked over to the small balcony beside the archer as she watched a train enter the station, "The Bat hasn't cracked down on them yet since they just started doing this three months ago, and they make sure not to kill anyone unless they need to. If they don't cooperate they just beat whoever doesn't fallow as a warning." she explained.

The symbiote's eyes narrowed, How about we see how they like getting the crap beaten out of them? Toxin suggested with a growl to his voice. As much as he agreed with Toxin he couldn't give into the anger Toxin had.

"What's the plan?" he asked bluntly, "We can't stake out every train at once." he pointed out.

She shook her head, "No you're right we can't but I looked at the trains they've already robbed and saw that they never hit the same one twice. And it's always after the train leaves this station." she explained.

"So they're only so smart." the host surmised, "Alright then what's the plan? We won't know what train they'll be on until they start the heist so how do we stop them?" he asked. If there were more than two of them it'd be easy as assigning one person to a train but with just the two of them? He didn't see how they could pull it off.

Artemis sighed with frustration. "That's the rub….so far they've robbed three of the eight trains that come through here this time of day. And usually they start robbing as soon as it leaves the station, the system is automated so there's no driver to stop or call it in." She'd been planning this for the past few days but with just her she couldn't figure anything else but wait until their targets thin out, but with Toxin she had hopped that with his mobility he could check multiple trains, but even then there was margin for error. "How fast can you swing?" she asked.

The host thought for a moment, Tox?

I'd say at full speed? Maybe over a hundred miles an hour? the symbiote guessed.

"Fast enough to hit more than one train." he translated to the archer. "But how will we coordinate?" he asked. The archer simply pulled out a flip phone and tossed it to him. The host caught it and opened it to see there was a number already put in it, "I was going to ask for your number after but this works too." he said, causing Toxin to snicker in the back of his mind while the blonde smirked.

"That's a dummy phone number. You want my number, you got to impress me first." she replied.

Mark crawled along the side of the train as it rode the tracks through Gotham city, a tendril reached out from the side of his mask and looked inside the car through the tendril. Nothing out of the ordinary was happening, Ok this makes the second one that's fine. the symbiote said as the tendril withdrew back into his suit. The teen launched himself from the side of the train car and spun a webline out, Ok the Artemis hasn't called yet so then that narrows it to two other possible trains. Toxin thought.

Right. So if they're not on the next one- the host began before he felt a vibration, ….that's the phone isn't it? he thought to his friend as he twisted himself around and shot a webline out towards the second line that Artemis took. Letting go of the webline he landed on a rooftop and sprinted across to the other side where he leapt off just as the train Artemis was on passed below him, landing on the roof he heard gunshots. Meanwhile inside the car, Artemis peeked out from the door of the train car before recoiling back as a bullet hit the doorframe from one of the gunmen.

She had been lucky enough to get on the same train as the muggers had targeted, unfortunately she had been caught by one of the muggers and she took him down but he alerted the rest of his partners on the train. Thankfully most of the people knew to get down the second his friend pulled out a gun and started shooting at her, Artemis could have taken the gunman at the end of the car down with no issue if he hadn't taken a hostage.

The little boy he had grabbed was either too scared to speak or the man had his arm around his neck too tightly. She took a deep breath, as she was about to pop out from cover and fire a concussive arrow however, the metal above their hears shrieked open, she looked out from the corner of the doorway to see the gunman look up and fire at the newly formed hole in the ceiling as a black arm reached through and grabbed him by the face and pulled both him and the boy through the ceiling.

The man held the boy in a death grip as he was brought face to face with a pair of narrow black eyes as the jaw of the head before him unlatched and a row of white fangs opened up with a long green tongue slithered out. As the man became horrified from the sight, dark blue tendrils came out from his chest and grabbed the boy from the man as the gunman became limp. The boy coughed from the pressure around his neck as his savior spoke, "Drop. The. Gun." his voice came out like something from a nightmare and the gunman did as he said.

Toxin proceeded to lift the man up high before throwing him down through the hole with enough force to make the entire train car shake. The boy soon fallowed with Toxin's tendrils gently lowering inside next to the man who had taken him hostage, as the tendrils withdrew, one of the patted him on the head, making the boy let out a short chuckle before his father closed in on him and embraced him.

Artemis finally let out the breath she had been holding to take her shot and moved to the next car, that was two down and six to go. However just as she thought that the door to the next car opened with one of the gunman, next thing he knew Artemis's combat boot was in his gut with the other knocking him upside the head as she flipped off him and drew an arrow, firing at him a shock arrow with stunned him.

The next car she entered she found the gunman webbed to the window, upside down with his pants drawn down showing his heart printed boxers. She had to stop herself from laughing at the sight as she quickly move onto the next car. Only two left. she thought as she opened the door to the next car, only to find herself staring down the barrel of a gun. As he began to pull the trigger, Artemis twisted her bow so the stock hit the gun upwards, firing it into the ceiling she drove her fist into his gut and bashed the side of his face with her bow. Correction, last one. she thought as she moved past the next two cars.

Reaching the door at the end of the next car she heard gunfire. Sliding the door open she saw that Toxin had beaten her here but was busy. This guy had to be the brains of the outfit, he had gathered all the civilians at the end of the car with his gun trained on them. But Toxin was standing between them as he unloaded his handguns into the symbiote which had spread itself out across the entire width of the car so no one would get shot.

However this left it's host with less of the symbiote to block the bullets and one had clipped his shoulder as evidenced by the red liquid seeping from his wound. She let loose an arrow before she realized it, the concussive tip would leave a large lump on the back of his head tomorrow. As he began to crawl on the floor towards his gun, a black boot crushed his hand, looking up he saw that Toxin was not pleased, "Wall or ceiling?" he asked.

"What?' the leader asked before a thick tendril grabbed him by the neck and hoisted him off the ground.

"Which one do you want me to put you through?" Toxin growled out, the man clearly thought he was serious as evident by him wetting his pants.

BWAHAHAHAHA! He peed himself! I can't believe it! Toxin howled with laughter in his host's head as the suit wrapped the thug in a cocoon of webbing and attached it to the ceiling.

When the train pulled into the station a few minutes later, police led by Harvey Bullock flooded the cars and found all the gunmen already taken care of, wrapped up in some sort of black substance. The heavy set detective frowned as the men were carried out of the car, grabbing his radio from his trench coat he radioed the station, "Hey commish? You might want to call in the bat for this one."

Meanwhile a few blocks away on top of an abandoned apartment building's rooftop, Artemis winced as the bullets toxin took were pushed out from the host's skin by the symbiote, Toxin himself was guilt ridden from his host's injuries, I'm so sorry Mark! I was distracted and…and…

Toxin you're fine, you protected everyone else in the car, that's the number one priority. he reassured, trying to ease his partner's concern.

Artemis meanwhile watched with some concern as the webslinger's suit removed the bullets, it was somewhat unnerving to watch. "Are you….ok?" she asked, making him stiffen and draw him out of his inner conversation.

"Yeah, sorry just…..Toxin is fixing me up." he said nonchalantly, causing the archer to look at him with confusion. Realizing how weird that sounded out loud the host began to explain, "Well the alien is sentient and talks to me, I named him Toxin since….well Venom and Carnage? It hits the motif." he said with a shrug as the last of the bullets were pulled out, "There, good as new." he said happily as he stood from the AC unit he was siting on.

"Woah, woah, wait, that thing is alive? And it's…..living inside you?" Artemis questioned, saying it oud loud sounded a little disgusting but what offset her was how….personal that was. From the way that he made it sound it was like he was never alone or had any secrets between him and the alien. "I thought it was something like the Green Lantern's ring."

Mark rubbed the back of his head, "I mean yeah it was weird at first, but after a few months I got used to it and now…..well do you want to talk to him? You might see what I mean." he offered, taking the archer off guard. She slowly nodded, her curiosity getting the better of her as a thin tendril came out from his outstretched hand, Artemis softly grabbed it and suddenly felt….different. She assumed that his suit felt like something from a monster movie, like slime or something but instead it felt more like a sort of jelly.

Hello. A voice in her head greeted her, making her jump slightly, Well um…..I'm Toxin, nice to meet you. This is Mark-

Both Artemis' and Mark's eyes widened, "Tox you just said my name!" he exclaimed loudly while the green archer tried to stifle a laugh. The host noticed her amusement, "See what I mean?" he asked, "He's not annoying or anything…..at least not most of the time. I just wish I could mute him sometimes." he joked.

Toxin perked up in both their minds, Oh yeah this reminds me, Artemis, were you flirting with Mark yesterday? he asked bluntly, Artemis couldn't see Mark's face through the mask of the suit but if she assumed that beneath it was blushing. He did also refer to you as sexy archer girl. the symbiote added, causing a sly grin to spread across the blonde's exposed features.

Toxin? Shut up. Now. the host thought privately to his partner, the symbiote took the hint and recalled the tendril, inadvertently pulling Artemis' hand into his. You little goo ball I swear to whatever deity symbiotes believe in I'll-

"So, sexy archer girl?" she asked playfully, not noticing where her hand was at the moment or simply not caring, but he wasn't going to stop her.

Recomposing himself the teen spoke again, "I'm hoping you take it more as a compliment if anything." he said honestly.

Artemis' eyes became half-lidded, giving her a suggestive look, "Oh I do, just don't think a few flattering words will get you anywhere." she advised, finally noticing that she was holding his hand she slipped out of his grip. Her smirk didn't waver as she reached into her pocket and pulled out a slip of paper, "But you did impress me earlier with pulling the guy through the roof of the train." she admitted before slipping the paper into his palm.

Mark smiled coyly beneath his suit, "I guess that means you enjoyed our little date?" he guessed, remembering how Artemis had phrased it before leaving him the night prior.

She took a step forward, her face a few inches from his. For a split second Mark thought she was going to kiss him, or Toxin rather, but she only spoke, "Yeah I did….but if you want a real date…..call me tomorrow night and we can meet up."

"Out of costume?" Mark asked curiously.

She clicked her tongue as she backed off, "As in civvies….maybe. But if you're hoping to get me out of this?" she gestured to her costume, "You're going to need to put some work in." she joked, making her way towards the ledge she gave him a two fingered salute, "See you around Mark." she bade farewell before shooting a rope arrow and grappling to the next building.

Toxin's voice in his head drew his focus away from Artemis' retreating shape, Well…..that went well.

You spilled my secret identity. Mark replied bluntly, stomping his way towards the ledge as well and shooting a webline.

Ok but….why are you so uptight about it? I mean what's she going to do? She's a good guy! Least that's what I picked up from her when I connected with her. the symbiote nonchalantly asked. Toxin did understand why a secret identity was important to some heroes like Peter or Superman, but for Mark he didn't see why it was a problem since he could make Mark a new identity by changing how he looks.

However this simply made Mark frown, "Toxin you didn't like probe her mind or anything did you?" he asked, with him being the symbiote's only host, Toxin didn't quite grasp the concept of privacy. He always chalked it up to Toxin's nature with him bonding with a host but he seemed to think this translated to humans as well.

No I didn't….I mean I got a sort of general feel from her but in the same way I can tell when MJ is mad at us. the alien explained.

Mad at you for assuming control of my body and eating an entire chocolate cake? Gee I wonder why? he thought sarcastically. Something that he, MJ, or even Peter ever expected was that symbiotes love chocolate, as in they LOVE it. Toxin vaguely explained that it had something to do with a chemical found in the sweet but he still didn't completely buy it.

But….I sensed she's really….protective of herself. But she wasn't nervous around you, or well….not nervous, she just let her guard down a little bit. he tried to explain the best he could.

Thinking back on their first talk with one another, Artemis didn't exactly say much to anything about herself while he kind of laid everything out for her….but if he was going to form any type of partnership with her while he was here in Gotham, he could at least learn some more about her. Look Tox we'll talk more tomorrow, right now I just want to crash. he thought as he landed on the roof of the motel he was staying at and flipped over the side as his suit changed into normal clothes once again.

Entering the room he was staying at, he took a mental note to start looking for a permeate place to live tomorrow while Toxin changed him into his sleepwear. The teen flinched in pain as he climbed into bed, rolling his sleeve up he looked at the damage from the bullet, Toxin being his partner did give him a healing factor but he had a small number of scars he built up over his career. Mostly from mistakes he made when first starting out but nothing too serious.

As the host and symbiote drifted off into sleep, Toxin gently pulled the covers up over his host before they both drifted off.