SPIDER-MAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES
PRODIGY: PART 1
DISCLAIMER: All characters in this fanfic are the property of Marvel Comics and the creators of the animated series (though some might be created by me, they're not that important so if Marvel wants them, they can have them). This fanfic is purely for others to read and hopefully enjoy. If I wanted money for this, I'd submit it to Marvel and let them deal with it.
NOTES: This Spider-Man: TAS (Yes, I know that's not the real title but it avoids confusion this way, and just so everyone's clear, this fanfic is for the 1994 animated series which in my opinion is the best television incarnation of Spider-Man yet, aside from a few quibbles which I will change in my next Spider-Man project, so be sure to look out for it) is set between Seasons 1 and 2. At this point, the Insidious Six (as they are called here) has not formed yet. This doesn't do much to change the continuity, it's merely an interesting story I thought up. In this fanfic, Doctor Octopus is still in prison following the events of "Doctor Octopus Armed and Dangerous". This story will be in 2 chapters. And since this is only fanfic, I obviously haven't timed it to fit within the time constraints of a normal Spider-Man: TAS episode so don't worry too much about it. Like I said, changes will be made with my next project.
Without further ado, the story begins
Jail. Whether it is literal or metaphorical, we all go through a stage of being trapped, of wishing to be free. Doctor Otto Octavius knows this all too well, for he has been in both. Mocked for his beliefs in the ways of science, he has vowed to show the world how powerful he really is. That is, once he has escaped from his cell.
It seems that chance has come.
It started off as a typical day, filled with tedium. To pass the time, Doc Ock has been reading a classic, having been granted access to the prison library. He has selected A Farewell To Arms and is already two-thirds through the book.
The door to the cell opened. One of the wardens appeared in the doorway. Even with his arms firmly locked into the walls, everyone was scared of coming too close.
"To what do I owe this pleasure, warden?"
"I prefer to think of it as displeasure but….. you're free to go. Someone paid a great deal to release you, and they told me to give you this address. We normally don't release prisoners under these conditions but considering the source, we feel the up most confidence in your rehabilitation."
"Well now, isn't this a nice surprise. I must remember to send my savior a thank you card as soon as I pick up my things from my lab." He took the card and looked at the details. "Very well then."
The arms were released from their locks and were grateful for being able to move around on their own again. "You've missed your daily exercises, haven't you boys? Don't worry; we'll make up for lost time." And he walked confidently out of his prison, his home away from home as it were.
(CROSS TO SPIDER-MAN, IN THE NEXT EVENING)
It was a relatively quiet day in the neighborhood. Of course, any day where he didn't have to deal with a supervillian was a quiet day. It's even better if that supervillian isn't Venom. Now all he was looking forward to was to go home and fall soundly asleep.
"Of course, that seems to be the time that some nutjob comes up with some big plan to destroy the city."
It was really hard to talk to anyone about his trials and tribulations, so Spidey always thought a lot and it almost seemed like different aspects of his mind were holding conversations about this and that
Lately he was concerned with his fight with Venom, a combination of an alien organism and a frustrated ex-Bugle member, Eddie Brock. Although he had stopped Venom and made sure he wouldn't be back for a long time, it had been his greatest battle yet and it was the first time when one of his enemies truly frightened him. He thought about this a lot as he wanted to be on the look out for similar villains or just in case Eddie might make a reappearance.
It was on this recollection of events that he noticed a familiar character. "Ock! What's HE doing out!" Spidey swung to the nearest building where he could notice Ock without being noticed back. He noted that Ock was wearing a trench coat, trying to hide his tentacles.
"Since when did they let Ock roam the streets? I'd better follow him and see what he's up to."
As Doc Ock walked, Spidey crawled along the walls until they reached a familiar spot. Spidey recognized this as the place where Ock had kept Jameson and Felicia, before Spider-Man intervened and sent him to prison.
"And my guess is he's come here to pick up from where he left off." Hiding up on the roof, he waited to see what Ock's next move would be.
(BACK TO OCK)
Ock stood still and remembered the torment he suffered at the hands of Spider-Man, the way he swooped in and laid waste to his carefully thought out plans. Well, next time he would be ready for the webslinger. He would use this time wisely, in case he was ever caught again or worse, in case of his untimely death. And that's when it hit him: he would need someone to carry out his legacy should the inevitable happen. He would need to train someone to continue his work long after he had passed on, to achieve his dream. Now the tricky part was finding someone with the same passion for science, the same drives and motivation to work for the common goal of science: the betterment of mankind (though with Ock, world domination would soon follow). Someone who might even have the knowledge to defeat his greatest enemy: Spider-Man.
And with that, he thought of the perfect candidate. Someone he had met before, someone whom he had taught. The answer had been right there all along. He had taught this young man years ago and it seemed to have paid off
That young man was Peter Parker
(BACK TO SPIDEY)
"Technically, I can't deal with him until he's done something wrong. But I better keep my eye on him just in case." Spidey reaches for one of his Spider-Tracers and is contemplating how to tag Ock without him noticing when all of a sudden, the Tracer falls out of his hand and hits the ground. The Tracer falling caused Ock to look up and notice Spidey.
"Um, excuse me neighbor but can I please borrow a cup of sugar?"
"YOU! Did you follow me here? Have I done anything wrong? No! So make like a tree and leave!" With that, Ock's tentacles make a grab for Spidey, with Spidey avoiding them all.
"Easy Doc, I just came to see if you could prescribe something for me!"
"I prescribe a lot of pain for you!" Ock takes another swing, narrowly missing Spidey
"And I was just getting over my last outbreak of pain too!" And with that, Spidey jumped up to the well just above the doorway and attempted to web Ock's tentacles to the ground.
Ock managed to avoid being webbed and retaliated by trying to grab Spidey. Spidey wasn't fast enough and was trapped, trying to struggle free.
"Now that I have your attention Spider-Man, I order you to leave me be. I have things to do and you would be wise to let me do them." And with that, he threw Spidey out the door and was on his way to Peter Parker's home, not aware that Spider-Man and Peter Parker were one and the same.
"Boy, you really asked for it that time webhead." After cleaning his suit of dirt and dust, Spidey webbed home, ready to turn in for the night.
(FLASH FORWARD TO PETER'S HOME)
After making sure Aunt May was ok and saying goodnight, Peter settled down on his bed and fell asleep.
That sleep was to be short lived
SMASH! Peter awoke to see Doctor Octopus burst through his wall. He had a devilish smile on his face, but it was what he said next that really concerned Peter.
"Hello again, Mr. Parker. You're probably wondering what I'm doing here at this time of night. Forgive me, but I request your company right away. For I intend to train you in the ways of the octopus so you can aid me in my goal."
END EPISODE
(Thanks to everyone who read this. If you have any comments, I'd love to read them and I'd be happy to answer any questions you may have. Look out for part 2 soon)