URICH

DISCLAIMER: If I owned any of these characters, would I REALLY be posting my stories on a Fan Fiction website? For those of you who are sarcasm- deficient, no I sadly don't own the rights to the character of Ben Urich et al, that privilege belongs to Marvel Comics and Joe Quesada. Ben Urich was created by Frank Miller.

FIRST ARC: THE MAN WITHOUT FEAR

CHAPTER TWO: Who is Daredevil?

Ben stared as the scarlet clad newcomer pursued the gasping old man into the old subway station. Urich didn't pause for a moment: this was his chance to make a comeback! This was for Doris!

The reporter ran harder than he had in two decades, his lungs burning… but he ignored the pain. He had to know: what was going on? His reporter's instinct was kicking in, as he slipped behind a pillar in the station, pulling out his notepad and a pencil.

The costumed man had slowed to a walk as his prey ran on, stumbling and falling flat on his face on the track. His hunter walked on. Urich stared on. The old man was running again… gasping… gasping too hard.

"You'll pay for the death of Battlin' Jack Murdock, Fixer!" Shouted the red- clad man, who Urich assumed was some kind of vigilante.

The man called 'Fixer' turned his head to stare at the vigilante, gasping as he ran. Gasping harder.

"Battlin' Jack?" Panted Fixer, "You care 'bout that ol' bum!?"

And then Fixer staggered. He felt to his knees and the pursuing vigilante stopped, head bowed. Urich's reporter's instinct finally won out over his fear and he stepped out from hiding.

"I was wondering when you'd show yourself," Commented the vigilante, despite the fact that he was still looking towards The Fixer's body.

"Who… who are you…?" Muttered Urich nervously. The stranger turned, and Urich saw he had horns on his head:

"I'm Daredevil."

And the man was gone…

Ben sat across the desk from his editor- in- chief, J. Jonah Jameson. Jameson reluctantly took Urich's article.

"Shit," Muttered Jameson.

"It's not good?" Urich prepared himself for a bollocking.

"It's fucking brilliant!" Replied Jameson, "But Ned Leeds isn't gonna like this!"

"Why…?"

"You just pushed him off page one, Urich!"

Ben walked out of Jameson's office, smiling fully for the first time in years. But this wasn't the end of his story. Urich knew… he would find out the truth about this Man Without Fear… whatever the cost.

Urich didn't need to wait long for his next story on Daredevil. The next night, New York's criminals faced one of the greatest challenges to their activities for years… the vigilante delivered over fifteen wanted offenders- rapists, muggers, drug dealers, even serial killers- straight to the steps of NYPD HQ.

Ben had already written two pages of the story when he arrived at his appointment with New York police lieutenant Nick Manolis.

Manolis was an ill- tempered, balding, middle- aged man with yellowed teeth.

"Keep this crap short, will ya?" Grunted the lieutenant as Urich entered his office, "Some of us have got real work to do."

"Yes," Urich said coldly, "Like reporting. So…" Ben knew it would be unwise to aggravate Manolis much more, but he couldn't resist a jab at the supremely impolite officer, "Daredevil… what is the NYPD's official stance on this character…?"

NEXT IN "URICH": Ben runs into trouble during his investigation into Daredevil as he encounters the Kingpin's chief assassin… yes, folks, next up is Ben Urich's first encounter with Benjamin Pondexter, better known as the nefarious BULLSEYE!