OK! Now for those of you who have been so kind to review this story; I am VERY thankful! May I just say that I'm VERY grateful for those of you who have been supportive for me! (You both know who you are)
Ok, I have to make a discretion note- this chapter WILL be violent.
***OH***
The tinkling glass of the falling chandelier practically echoed in the large foyer of the opera house. It took little to no time for Spiderman to quickly spring into action, leaping from his perch on the ceiling and shooting a web for the chandelier that had been heading for the group below. Twisting in mid-air, Spiderman then shot webbing for the ceiling and quickly hung from that, the ceiling decoration coming to a slow stop right above the heads of the bystanders.
Spiderman let off a loud grunt and looked down, pointedly towards Jonah Jameson.
"Hey Picklepuss! UNGH! This is heavier than it looks…so-" He strained, trying to hold the two-ton decoration as best as he could.
Jonah stammered for a moment and quickly looked towards the two boys next to him. "Wha- Don't look—MOVE Kids! Can't trust that blasted web-head to save us!" The man said, quick to grab the kid's shoulders and shoving them towards the nearest exit, leaving Spiderman to roll his eyes at the remark.
"Oh REAL nice." Spidey quipped, slowly and gently setting the Chandelier down on the ground.
"SPIDERMAN! LOOK OUT!"
Spiderman's head snapped upwards when he heard Flying Fox yell out her warning, only to see the good Doctor Octopus looming over him, the claws on his arms rotating like menacing buzz-saws ready to slice him in two. However, before he could get the chance to slice the Spider-based hero, he glanced to the side when he noticed movement behind him.
Sure enough, Silvermane had found an opportunity of his own…and sent a large sonic blast in Doc Ock's direction. Doc let off a grunt and was hurled into the air…and SLAMMED into the fallen chandelier, an explosion following.
"Ah man…" Spidey muttered, inwardly muttering to himself as to why he bothered to save the Chandelier in the first place if it was just going to be blown to bits.
"OTTO!" Flying Fox gasped and forced herself to stand, managing to run to where Spiderman was standing. She looked around franticly at the damage…and then gasped upon seeing that the mad scientist rising from the flames, perfectly fine…but lashing out his mechanical arms towards the heroic duo.
Flying Fox and Spiderman quickly looked towards each other, before quickly dashing off into different directions. Flying Fox flapped her wings and started to get air born…only for her to wince sharply in agonizing pain, slamming her hand over her left shoulder and looking back towards her wound.
Her shoulder was bleeding badly…it looked as though the bullet she had taken for Otto had landed close to her veins…or worse…her arteries. Pursing her lips she flapped her wings once more, managing to steer and turn. This battle was now a danger to her…if she got hit in the wrong place at the wrong time…
…then all of this will have been for nothing…
Flying Fox looked down, seeing that Spiderman had managed to swing around the room, and used his momentum to send Dr. Octopus CRASHING through the glass wall, and out of the building into the courtyard below. A part of her wanted to berate Spiderman…but that voice in her...was being drowned by the waves of logic and law in her.
…not to mention a screaming voice of betrayal and anger.
She felt tears threatening to come to her eyes and was quick to wipe them away; before narrowing her eyes.
Doc Ock's arms had quickly shot back inside taking hold of the Big Man, Silvermane and Spiderman, and then HURLING them outside harshly. Quickly flapping her wings and changing her flight course, the bat-girl quickly turned straight for Dr. Octopus and narrowed her eyes in concentration.
Dr. Octopus heard the flap of her wings and looked up quickly, before ducking right as she flew over him. "I'll give you your LAST WARNING, Flying Fox! SURRENDER!" He snarled, throwing two of his claws in her direction, to which she was quick to use the natural wind currents of the outside to evade his attacks. "Or you will face my full fury!"
Flying Fox made no answer, but rather changed her flying course from flying upwards, to turning in mid-air and then flying straight FOR Dr. Octopus.
The mad scientist narrowed his eyes and scowled, raising his arms. "Very well Sophia." He snarled lowly, suddenly sending his arms flying for her. The mechanics made contact, causing Flying Fox to cry out as she was struck and then promptly SLAMMED into the ground below.
Dr. Octopus started to stalk over towards the fallen heroine, before he felt a pressure in one of his mechanical arms, and turned around, his eyes narrowed dangerously. Squeezing with great wrath was Silvermane, looking murderous and scowling with distain.
"Call ME a relic…" he snarled, taking Doc's mechanical arm, ready to snap it in half with his own metallic armor.
Dr. Octopus snarled, quick to turn his attention from the Flying Fox towards his new enemy.
Flying Fox watched him take off for the new fight…before she managed to get to her knees, trying to stand. She could feel her body protest, and her body gave off a small shiver. It was bad enough that it was still winter…but losing the heat from her body made this even worse. Her bat ears perked and she looked towards the side as Spiderman swung to her…and his eyes widened at the sight of his ally.
"Foxey—You're hurt! What did-…"
"Tombstone tried to kill Dr. Octopus." Flying Fox glanced down at her wound and frowned. "…I intervened…"
"Well isn't THAT gratitude for ya? You're in love with that guy, WHY?" Spiderman scoffed and looked over Flying Fox's wound, a grimace coming to his face. He started to reach for her shoulder, but Flying Fox took a step back and faced him, her grip tightening on her wound.
"Now's not the time to fuss over me, Spiderman. I appreciate it; but do you not see all these people?" The heroine motioned towards the crowd that was starting to form around them. "I'll never forgive myself if any life is lost on my account…not even their lives." Flying Fox lowered her head and looked over towards the fighting villains.
Spiderman frowned and glanced over towards the fight…before he put a firm hand on one of her wings.
"Be careful, Foxey."
Flying Fox looked towards Spiderman and nodded. "You too."
That much said, SpiderMan quickly swung back into the fight, narrowing his eyes at the amount of action. Flying Fox stayed behind…watching Dr. Octopus fighting with Silvermane. His eyes were dark and determined…his actions were set on setting a new age…of a super criminal. What did he possibly hope to accomplish by this? HE had always told her that Science was to be used for the good of others, rather than for destruction.
…Then again…he had also constantly told her that Otto Octavius was no more…
"…Otto…you once told someone oh so dear that you didn't want to ruin the relationship between us." She muttered more to herself than anyone else. The girl shut her eyes for a moment…and then looked back up towards Dr. Octopus. In her mind's eye, she could see Otto Octavius…so happy…so intelligent…so cute with that bow-tie of his…
…after a few moments, that image melted into the dark image of Dr. Octopus. She didn't see the man she loved…
…If anything…she saw….her father…
"Said relationship…is non-existent." That much said, the Flying Fox spread her wings…and quickly joined the battle, tears streaming down her face.
***GR***
"This just in, Breaking news in Lower Manhattan; Two of New York's biggest criminals, Silvio Manfredie and Dr. Octopus, Alias Otto Octavius; are starting a gang war in grounds of the Manhattan Opera house and seem to have even trapped an iconic figure, L. Thompson Lincoln. New York's heroes, Spiderman, and the Flying Fox, seem to be trying to break up the fight; however, each of those involved seem to continue to be going strong; save for the Flying Fox, who seems to be suffering from a gunshot wound."
Simone paused her work, and turned towards the television, in the middle of washing the dishes. It had been an adjustment getting back to Griffin Rock…still, being back home was refreshing…though it would be even MORE refreshing if she knew that her beloved cousin was out of harm's way. On the screen, there was a picture of said gang fight. Dr. Octopus had a strangle hold of Silvo Manfredie, who THREW Dr. Octopus into the air, causing the scientist to go crashing for Lincoln, who seemed to try and get out of the way, only to get grabbed by one of Dr. Octopus' arms and CHUCKED into the air.
The mute girl took in a gasp of air and looked at the screen, searching franticly for the Flying Fox. The feed showed plenty of footage of SpiderMan, doing his best to evacuate civilians from the area…but where was?
Oh! SOPHIA!
Simone felt her heart shatter when she saw a picture of the Flying Fox grabbing two people and flying into the air, quick to swoop down towards the Police cars that were lacing the area and gently setting them down; then turning to do the same thing all over again.
She was clutching her shoulder…and even through the dark brown tint of her suit, it was obvious to a trained eye that she was badly injured.
Simone felt hot tears run down her cheeks, and she heard a CRASH below her. The mute girl looked down, taking note of the freshly broken dish on the floor. Now blinded by her tears, the girl tried to stoop to the ground in order to pick up the pieces. If she left the broken glass on the floor, the glass could get into Marril's paws…
…but she couldn't see. Simone reached up and tried to wipe her eyes dry…but more came. She tried again…but the flow just wouldn't stop.
"Si?"
Simone made no motion…but stayed on her knees on the floor…before bursting into tears, putting her hands over her face and sobbing. Before she knew it, she felt the strong embrace of her fiancé around her trembling body, causing her to cry harder.
Ray rubbed Simone's back and his gaze got grave…before he looked towards the screen of the TV, pulling his beloved closer to his chest and rubbing her back, allowing her to cry on his shoulder.
"If witnesses are to be believed, the gang war erupting tonight may be the start of many to come to Manhattan…which leaves us to wonder if our heroes can handle the pressure…" The anchor said, himself seeming to trail off at the intensity of the situation.
Ray let off a heavy sigh and leaned down, pressing his lips to Simone's forehead…and then resting his chin on her head, running his fingers through her soft light brown hair.
Sophia…PLEASE be careful…
***LM***
Spiderman landed on one of the structures of the Opera house courtyard and quickly looked downwards watching the scuffle between Dr. Octopus and Silvermane heat up…in the water of all things.
Silvermane reeled back and PUNCHED Dr. Octopus across the face; and in reply, Ock lunged his mechanical arms for Silvermane, sending the aged criminal flying into the air. Silvermane landed harshly on the ground and snarled in reply. Finding a stone garbage can nearby, the villain effortlessly RIPPED it from the ground and then sent it HURLING for Dr. Octopus.
Doc narrowed his eyes at the incoming projectile and quickly raised himself in the air, letting the thing blow right past him, straight for innocent bystanders.
Thankfully, before the projectile could get to those caught in the middle, Spiderman quickly shot a web for the stony weapon; changing its direction from the innocent, to the guilty.
Silvermane quickly put up his arms in defense as the projectile SLAMMED into him, then crumbled like so many little pebbles.
"So this is the famous 'SpiderMan' that's been giving Tombstone and Octopus so much trouble!" He scoffed and casually brushed off some of the rubble that was still on his metallic armor. "As yet…I'm unimpressed."
"Well you haven't seen me juggle bowling balls, while drinking a glass of water." Spiderman quipped, reaching upwards and firing a stream of webbing for the Jurassic villain before him…who broke out of the webs like it was a mere piece of thread.
Ungh…I have GOT to make that stuff stronger.
Spiderman quickly jumped out of the way of Silvermane and narrowed his eyes as he looked over towards the other fights…
Tombstone had been sent flying, but managed to grab a hold of one of Doc Ock's arms. Giving it a YANK, he sent the scientist SLAMMING against the cold pavement. Doc growled and quickly SNAGGED Tombstone by his jacket, and HURLED the man clean across the courtyard, watching as the Big Man slammed into a light pole as he landed.
Dr. Octopus narrowed his eyes and quickly put a hand upwards towards his head piece, keeping a sharp eye on the villain before him.
"Octopus calling Kraven, do you read?"
All the scientist got was a screeching line in reply. Growling in frustration, Doc slammed his headpiece to the ground.
The scientist heard a swooping sound above him, and without looking sent his mechanical arms flying into the air. He managed to grab a hold of the Flying Fox as she was descending and narrowed his eyes as she landed on her back, yet was forcing herself to stand back up. Upon seeing her struggle, Dr. Octopus smirked and made a motion with his hand.
"Oh what's the matter, my dear? Feeling the weight of the world?" He narrowed his eyes and quickly snagged a light post, quick to throw it in her direction. "You will feel MUCH MORE than that!"
Oh trust me…I already have.
Flying Fox was quick to spread her wings and take to the air, dodging each attack that the scientist made on her. The heroine glanced towards the structure of the Doctor…and narrowed her eyes in concentration. Quickly, the bat-girl took out her whip, activated it and sent it CRASHING against the mechanical arms that were keeping Dr. Octopus in the air.
The villain went crashing to the ground and grunted loudly as he hit the ground, however, before he could get himself up, Flying Fox reeled back and wrapped her whip around his body. He could feel the surge of energy around him- though it was at its lowest setting…and usually when it was at its lowest setting, she was getting ready to-
Flying Fox narrowed her eyes and then sent Dr. Octopus HURLING for the edge of the courtyard, to which he dug his mechanical claws into the ground, halting his ride…and then slowly rose, a smirk on his face.
"Why, Sophia! You've gotten stronger!" He taunted, waving a hand in the air for emphasis. "It's a shame that you waste all your bat talents on the weak."
Much to his surprise, Flying Fox made no answer. If anything, her reply was spreading her wings and narrowing her eyes at him.
Dr. Octopus smirked at the action and continued taunting her. "Oh my, are you going to perform your remarkable bat screech? I'm sure the crowd would love to hear your music, while my tech will politely tune you out." The scientist smirked evilly towards the woman, lifting his mechanical arms up threateningly.
Flying Fox still made no reply…if anything, she continued to glare at him, wings still spread, and…tears running down her mask.
Oh Sophia…Oh Sophia don't cry! I'm so sorry!
Dr. Octopus suddenly growled and narrowed his eyes upon hearing Otto in his head. He could FEEL the torrents of remorse boiling inside his chest; at the same time, a desire for control and to have that power. The battle of his desires was starting to drive him mad…and he was GOING to END it!
Shut UP you FOOL!
Quickly, Dr. Octopus charged for the Flying Fox, and was quick to make stabbing motions for the heroine. She was quick to react and took to the air, however, one of Doc's arms grabbed her by the ankle and sent her SLAMMING for the ground.
As she made impact, she spit out some blood and coughed, a sharp wince escaping her. Flying Fox found her hoisted into the air by her hurt wrist of all things and looked downwards towards Dr. Octopus, wincing in pain.
Dr. Octopus locked her gaze with his, and a growl of frustration escaped him…his mechanical arms held back by a hidden force.
Don't hurt her!
Be QUIET you fool!
NO! I won't let you hurt her!
Letting off a scream of anger, Dr. Octopus quickly sent Flying Fox…well…flying, and SLAMMING into a nearby police car.
Flying Fox trembled and shakily started to push herself upwards…only to feel someone helping her up. Glancing to the side, she saw Officer Carter and Officer Hull to each side of her, helping her stand. She trembled at the motion, glancing at her wound for a moment…before she gasped and quickly pushed the Officers away from her just as Spiderman got SLAMMED right into the same car that she had been slammed into.
"ungh…anyone get the license of that Octopus?" Spiderman quipped, himself being helped up by Officer Carter and Captain Stacey.
"Most likely that license needs to have some sort of restriction." Flying Fox muttered…before she made a face…and slapped a hand to her face. "Oh perfect, now I'm starting to sound like…YOU!"
Spiderman looked towards his ally, a grin behind his mask. "Yeah, no kidding! And that one was actually pretty good-…Foxey! You're bleeding more!"
Flying Fox winced and put a hand over her wound, trying her best not to tremble and shiver from the loss of blood that she had gone through. "I told you, Spiderman…now's not the time to fuss over me."
"Actually it's the perfect time to fuss over you" Officer Hull replied, putting a hand on the heroine's shoulder and taking a good look at the gunshot wound. The Policeman frowned, before looking back up towards the heroine, a serious look on his face. "You need a medic, Foxey; or you might bleed to death."
"Is EVERYONE deaf or something?" the bat-girl huffed, putting a hand to her face and then looking towards her allies, looking steamed. "Flying. FOX! F-L-Y-I-N-G FOX! Where are you GETTING—UNGH!" The heroine let out a groan and suddenly lost her balance, leaning against the police car and wincing sharply at the throbbing pain of her wound. She winced and pulled up her hand…seeing it absolutely COVERED with her own blood. Oh this was bad…this was REALLY bad.
"I'm going to say this again…" Officer Hull put a hand on one of her wings and frowned at her seriously. "You need a medic."
"Come on, Foxey, listen to him!" Spiderman urged, turning to face his ally and putting a hand in the air. "I mean- really! Two of our biggest enemies, and this Jurassic Jerk are taking each other out…and we're trying to stop them, why?"
No sooner had he asked the question, did a collection of screams reach his ears, causing the whole group to look up, just as Dr. Octopus had thrown Silvermane into the stricter of the building, causing the balcony to begin to crumble, causing the people above to start to lose their balance.
Flying Fox pulled away from Officer Hull…and made a sarcastic look in Spiderman's direction.
"Oh…" Spiderman replied to the look he was getting from Flying Fox. MAN! If he didn't KNOW that she was Sophia Vincent, he would mistake her for GWEN!
"Right…Public Safety."
That much said, both Flying Fox and Spiderman went right back into the battle set before them. Spiderman swung and fired his webbing for the falling people, allowing them to have a gentle landing, while Flying Fox swooped downwards and grabbed a young girl in mid-air, swooping downwards and allowing her onto the ground and run towards the Police.
She sighed in relief when she saw the young girl find her mother and cling to her, before both were ushered to safety by the Police.
Flying Fox let off a pant…before clutching her shoulder and trembling once again. She could feel herself weakening…her body was begging to quit, to be nursed back to health.
Not now…not now…
Her thoughts were suddenly broken when she felt the harsh grip of Dr. Octopus' mechanical arms SLAM into her back, sending her forwards. She let off a scream, and was knocked back down, landing on her stomach, and then firmly pressed down by one of the mechanical arms. She let off a whimper…and then coughed up a mouthful of blood…before wincing.
Oh, I am NEVER going to hear the end of this from my doctor…
Looking to the side of her, she noticed Spiderman get pinned as well, Dr. Octopus looming over both of them.
"THIS is the cause of our troubles!" The scientist roared, pointing accusingly towards the two heroes below him, a look of pure darkness in his eyes. "We can rule Manhattan either together; OR divide it at our leisure!" The doctor leaned in closer, pure madness reflected in his goggles. "As SOON as we dispose of these…PESTS!"
"…yeah…I love you too…" Flying Fox muttered under her breath, feeling her body's trembling getting worse. She couldn't take much more of this…though really it wasn't what she had in mind. Otto was never coming back was he? All the dreams she had…the desire to be in his arms…the dream of…even walking down the aisle towards him.
…did she even have a reason to keep this up?
Flying Fox was silent…before she felt a new strength inside of her. No…No she didn't. But that was EXACTLY the reason that she had to keep fighting.
Because this was what she was born to fight against.
"Hold them still" Slivermane crooned, walking over towards the trapped heroes and pulling back a fist, ready to crush the bones of the two below and watch them writhe. "And I'll finish what the both of you—" The man didn't get to finish his sentence, because out of nowhere, Tombstone of all people jumped into the air and kicked Silvermane away; then proceeded to get behind Dr. Octopus and put him in a strangle hold, releasing both Spiderman and Flying Fox.
"STOP FOOL!" Dr. Octopus snarled, his mechanical arms losing their focus on the heroes below and turning to face the Big Man instead. "LET. GO!"
Spiderman was quick to get himself up, but was concerned at the sight of Flying Fox struggling to get herself up. Acting quickly, Spiderman ran to her side and helped her up, placing himself between the badly injured heroine and the battling enemies before them. "Thanks Tombie…just don't expect roses OR lilies."
"Oh yeah, he'll understand THAT one…" Flying Fox mumbled, frowning upwards towards Spiderman, who only shrugged.
"Sorry Doctor" Tombstone said lowly, glancing at the crowd around them. "Too many witnesses. L. Thompson Lincoln can't be seen collaborating with Super Villains and Gangsters.
"Then L. Thompson Lincoln, IS WEAK!" Dr. Octopus snarled, slamming Tombstone away from him and into the ground a few yards away.
Flying Fox pursed her lips, and then found herself knocked away by Spiderman, only to see Silvermane take a strong strangle hold of the hero. "You're ALL Weak!" He snarled, beginning his attempt to crush the hero who was trapped in the grip of his armor.
"Spiderman!" Flying Fox was quick to get up and start to run for Spiderman; only to get SLAMMED away by a sonic pulse by the suit that Silvermane was wearing. The heroine forced herself to stand, shaking badly as she did so and glanced towards her wound.
Her arm was now COVERED in blood, and it was a miracle in itself that it was still moving.
"You're slowing down, chiroptera!"
Flying Fox frowned…and looked to the side, before quickly spreading her wings and taking to the air as Dr. Octopus' arms SLAMMED right into the spot that she had once been occupying. She flapped her wings and spun around, dodging each attack from the mechanical strips that followed her through the air.
Doc Ock growled and managed to snag one of her wings, yanking her backwards and back up into the air.
SNAP!
Flying Fox let out a scream of pure agony as she felt a stabbing pain in her wing as she was tossed into the air. Glancing to the side, she saw a crick in the bone of her wing…the flesh had been completely ripped away, exposing the tendons and ligaments inside, and allowing blood flow to escape.
Ok…she was going to have to end this, and now!
Flying Fox tried to flap her wings, and for a moment, they wouldn't cooperate…before she FORCED them to flap, and then quickly swooped down, aiming straight for Dr. Octopus.
The scientist sneered at the arrival of his enemy and quickly swung his mechanical arms for her. Flying Fox narrowed her eyes, and reeled back her hand, activating her whip and SLAMMING it against the upcoming arms coming straight at her.
"ARGH!" Dr. Octopus felt the rush of energy flow into him and was thrown back a good ways, slamming onto the ground. Growling, the man quickly got back up, and glared at his approaching enemy. As he looked, he took notice of her blood covered arm…and his heart stopped.
The bullet she had taken for him…it was still doing it's damage on her! She-…If she continued—
Please! PLEASE STOP! If she continues, she'll DIE!
EXACTLY! Once she and that Arachnid are out of my way; there will be NO stopping me!
But SOPHIA is NOT the one who shot that bullet at you!
Dr. Octopus growled and clutched his head…just as Flying Fox SLAMMED into him.
"To WHAT end will this take?" Flying Fox yelled, grabbing Dr. Octopus' wrists and locking her eyes with his, her eyes dangerously narrow. "Once you control the world, THEN what?"
"What could you POSSIBLY understand? I will make the world fear me!"
"Then what!" Flying Fox landed on the ground and continued to struggle with the man that she…no longer trusted. She moved out of the way as his arms took stabs at her, and narrowed her eyes at him. "Once the world fears you, once it's under your control…THEN what? Destroy? Conquer? KILL?"
"That is NONE of your concern!" Dr. Octopus roared, grabbing the girl's wrists and squeezing tightly, ignoring her cries of pain. "I will HAVE that power! Otto Octavius always stayed in the background! Dr. Octopus will TAKE the power! I will not be—"
"But you ARE weak!" Flying Fox snarled, glaring into the scientist's eyes. "It will NEVER be enough for you! Once you've tasted the darkness of power, you CANT get out of it! It will destroy you!"
"That is MY decision!" Dr. Octopus snarled back, looming over the girl and pressing down harder on her. "And I will NOT let you get in the WAY of that power!"
"I keep getting in your way, because that power will destroy you! Your life is precious to me!"
Dr. Octopus growled and shut his eyes tightly as her words were thrown into his face.
A flash of Flying Fox fighting Spiderman to keep him from impaling him came to him.
PLEASE! LET GO OF HER! She needs a medic!
No! I Can't- I won't! She's my enemy!...She's-…
A flash of Flying Fox smashing into the glass and knocking him out of the way, taking the bullet that had been intended to end his life came to him.
"I loved you…" Flying Fox growled lowly…before her low voice turned into a yell. "I REALLY LOVED YOU!"
Dr. Octopus was dragged out of his thoughts and he looked down towards the girl struggling with him, taking notice of the tears streaming down her face. The gunshot wound to her shoulder…it continued to bleed to the bullet that had been intended for him.
Oh Sophia…What have I done?
Otto felt something hot form in his eyes…and gasped upon realizing…that tears were forming in his own eyes. The scientist trembled and panted…before he let off a scream of anger. Dr. Octopus suddenly grabbed Flying Fox by her waist and CHUCKED her away from him…before he clutched his head.
NO! I've GOT to get her out of my way!
I WONT let you hurt her!
She's a PEST!
NO! I LOVE her! And I will NOT let you hurt her!
Flying Fox was unaware of the fight going on in the scientist's heart. No, she was busy trying to push herself up…trying to stand. She felt her wing twitch and glanced over towards the deep gash in the top of her wing. Oh joy, she'll love explaining all the damage done to Nick Fury…HE was going to have an absolute PICNIC with her!
"FOXEY!"
Slowly standing, Flying Fox looked over as Spiderman swung over and put his hand on his back, looking ready to hold her up if necessary.
"Ok, that's it. You need to LEAVE!" Spiderman said firmly, looking over her wounds franticly, and then looking back towards her. "Listen, we are SURROUNDED by Police. Go get yourself to them; they'll take care of you! I'll take care of Doc Ock and Tombie."
"Just them?...what about-?"
"Silvermane's been taken care of." Spiderman motioned over towards the motionless villain, who looked unable to move or do anything else. "Busted the guy's hydraulics; he's down and out."
"…huh…I'm impressed, and that's saying something.." Flying Fox smiled slightly…and winced sharply. Spiderman quickly looked in her direction and then took her by the shoulders. "Listen Foxey…I know you love the Doc…I understand. It's WEIRD, but I understand that's not who he used to be." The hero's eyes narrowed. "But you're not going to be able to reason with him…believe me…I've tried."
"So have I…" Flying Fox trembled once more and looked up towards Spiderman, a look of determination in her eyes. "…but I'm not here to reason with him…" The heroine reached to her waist…and took out a small tube with a yellow liquid in it. "…I'm here to finish this…and it HAS to be done tonight."
Spiderman gasped at the sight of one of Dr. Conner's gene cleanser's in Foxey's hand. How did she- WHERE did she- Why did she—
Both heroes paused and looked to the side when they heard the sound of buzzing and looked to the side, seeing Dr. Octopus in the process of trying to rip the disabled Silvermane apart. Flying Fox panted…and then handed Spiderman the tube. "I need your help Spiderman…please…"
Spiderman looked towards his ally…and then slowly nodded. "Don't worry, Foxey…you can trust me."
"I know I can." Flying Fox replied…before smiling at the hero fondly…and then spreading her wings, before taking to the air and heading in the dereliction of Dr. Octopus. The heroine pursed her lips as she approached him…and reeled back her whip SLAMMING it against his back, throwing him away from his murder attempt on Silvermane.
Dr. Octopus grunted, and then growled, narrowing his eyes in the direction of the upcoming heroine. "That's it…you repeatedly tell me you love me, yet you CONTINUE to be a thorn to me!" He turned and thrust his mechanical arms in her direction, his claws SLAMMING into her mid-section. Flying Fox let off a scream as she was hoisted upwards.
Dr. Octopus narrowed his eyes and slammed one of his other mechanical arms into the ground, making a huge crater in the ground.
"THIS IS WHAT IT IS FLYING FOX!" He snarled, his grip tightening on the heroine…and then SLAMMING her down to the ground. "FACE IT!"
As he slammed the heroine into the ground…the crater got bigger…cracked…and then collapsed under his feet, taking the scientist down with it. Letting of a yell, Dr. Octopus fell into the tunnel below, a pile of rubble covering over him.
"FOXEY!"
Dr. Octopus heard the frantic cry of the webbed hero above, and quickly thrust his mechanical arms upwards, managing to grab both Spiderman and Tombstone harshly, bringing them down with him. There was sounds of crashing and rumbling as the ground above them continued to crumble…
….SCREEEEEEEEEECCCHHHHHH!
"ungh…" Dr. Octopus groaned and put a hand to his head, before quickly rising from the pile of rubble that was on top of him, quick to scan the area around him. Strange…that screech from the Flying Fox actually…hurt…
Letting off a growl, the scientist looked downwards…and then smirked at the sight of Tombstone stuck in the rubble below him. He narrowed his eyes, before scanning the area around him…where was?
"Ahem!"
Dr. Octopus looked upwards, only to be SLAMMED to the ground, curtesy of Spiderman. Looking up, the villain growled and shot his arms for the hero, managing to knock him back into the rubble.
Spiderman started to get up…only to be grabbed by Tombstone, who loomed over him and smirked.
"No witnesses down here." He crooned, quick to throw Spiderman away.
Dr. Octopus smirked lightly…then quickly looked around, his claws beginning to rotate in anticipation of a different attack. Flying Fox was a BAT, and bats worked their greatest in the dark. Most likely she would do an aerial attack…or an attack from behind…or—
The scientist paused and gasped when he saw a pile of rubble of to the dark side of the tunnel…The Flying Fox lay under the rubble, motionless.
Narrowing his eyes, Dr. Octopus slowly stalked over towards the still figure and lowered himself, raising his arms in anticipation of an attack.
"Get up Sophia." He growled, clenching his fists and waiting for the heroine to get to her feet.
…she didn't move…
A wave of dread hit the scientist…and he gritted his teeth, using his arms to knock the rubble off of the heroine's body. "GET UP!"
…no response…
Fear suddenly gripped at his heart, and a look of terror made its way to his face…before he scrambled downwards, shoving the rubble off of the Flying Fox, and then grabbing her by the shoulders. "SOPHIA! GET UP AND FIGHT!"
He shook Flying Fox, to which her body only responded in a wilted fashion…unmoving…limp…lifeless.
"…no…" Otto panted and quickly took the limp Flying Fox into his arms, looking over her franticly and shaking her. "Sophia-…Sophia get up!" He tried shaking her more, but the girl made no response…no animation of any kind.
"S-…Sophia!"
The scientist trembled and quickly put his fingers to her neck, checking for a pulse…then trembled and checked again.
…nothing…
"…no…NO" Otto panted and looked over Flying Fox's figure. Her eyes were closed, her body was limp, and her mouth was only slightly open, a small trickle of blood escaping her mouth.
She…she was…
Otto trembled and noticed one of his mechanical arms slowly reaching for her…and gritted his teeth. "NO! DON'T YOU DARE TOUCH HER!" He snarled, reaching out with his own hand and backhanding the mechanical arm away from the figure in his arms.
Finally, she's out of our way…and you're UPSET about it?!
How can I NOT BE?! Stay away from her!
Listen! You can take the world! You can-
"NO! YOU listen to ME!" Otto yelled, glaring upwards towards the mechanical arms, gritting his teeth and narrowing his eyes. "Don't. TOUCH. HER!"
The mechanical arms paused, and seemed to lower in a submissive state. Otto panted…and looked back down towards Flying Fox, shifting her weight in his arms and bringing her closer to himself.
"Let her go, Doc!"
Otto looked upwards, his eyes narrowing. "Stay BACK, Arachnid! This doesn't concern you!"
"Are you serious?" Spiderman growled, swinging over and landing a few yards away, looking ready to shoot webbing at the scientist. He had managed to knock Tombstone out, and he wasn't about to turn his back on his ally. "Foxey's my friend; Of COURSE this concerns me—URGH!"
Spiderman found himself SLAMMED into one of the walls of the tunnel and grunted as he struggled against the grip of Dr. Octopus' arm. The hero met the cold glare of the villain before him and grunted, continuing to struggle.
"Wow. Doc! You actually look like you care about her for once—UNGH!" Spiderman found himself SLAMMED to the ground and then back against the wall.
"Get OUT of here, Arachnid!" Dr. Octopus warned, holding Flying Fox closer to him, three of his arms looking ready to strike at Spiderman.
"No. I'm NOT leaving without her." Spiderman growled back, standing up and aiming his webbing at the Doc…before his eyes widened in horror at the sight of his ally. "What-…What have you DONE?"
"I didn't-…I DIDN'T!" Otto panted and hugged Flying Fox closer to himself, trying to warm her cool skin with his sweat covered jacket, though it did little for the wound on her shoulder.
Spiderman took a few steps up, looking horrified at the sight…and then narrowed his eyes dangerously. "THIS is how you treat those who love you? Are you SERIOUS? Do you KNOW what she's GONE through for you?"
"Back. OFF. Arachnid!"
"NO!" Spiderman took a few steps up and narrowed his eyes. "I had to put up with her lectures! I had to listen to her cry out to you EACH time she fought you! I always thought she was wasting her time with you; but She WOULD. NOT. STOP!" The hero pointed towards the villain and scowled. "You say you don't want to be weak! You KNOW what weakness IS? It SURE as heck WASN'T Foxey!"
"I Said BACK OFF!" Otto turned to face the hero, picking up Flying Fox in his arms, keeping her close to himself in an attempt to warm her. The scientist glared at the hero, gritting his teeth in anger. "You wouldn't understand! I was going to raise up the age of the criminal! I was going to be Strong!"
"Oh I wouldn't understand? What I understand is that all a criminal can do is DESTROY!" Spiderman yelled back, pointing towards the limp figure in Doc's actual arms. "Think of 9/11! Those idiots attacked and KILLED innocent people all for power! For hatred! There was NOTHING but DEATH and DESTRUCTION All for the name of Power!"
Otto trembled, and narrowed his eyes
Spiderman glared right back at him.
"What a WONDERFUL birthday present, Doc…Is all the power in the world worth all this? Was it worth her LIFE? This is what evil is, Doc! FACE IT!"
That last statement hit Otto hard…and the scientist trembled at the realization. Spiderman continued to glare at him, and Otto's lip quivered, looking downwards towards the motionless girl in his arms…
…before he sank to his knees, tears streaming down his face.
Sophia…his beautiful Sophia…
"…no…NO!" Otto yelled out, hanging his head in pure bitterness, trembling and sobbing as he realized the evil that he had done. Sophia was no more…and it was ALL his fault! "No! I didn't mean to…I would have never…I-…I'm so…SO sorry Sophia" he wept, trembling in horror.
Spiderman narrowed his eyes slightly…before he took the vile that Flying Fox had given him and tossed it over towards the distraught scientist. "You know…the best way to end this…is to remove what started this in the first place." He muttered bitterly…before he turned his back on the scientist. "…I'll give you five minutes…" The hero lowered his head and walked over towards the unconscious Tombstone; before flinging a web upwards towards the surface and dragging the Big Man along.
Otto watched the hero leave…before he turned his attention back on the lifeless Flying Fox in his arms. Letting off a shaky breath, the scientist adjusted her in his arms and reached to her face, gently taking her mask off and setting it on the ground. He then stroked her cheek with the back of his fingers, wishing it all away.
She had begged and pleaded with him…she constantly ran to him…she saved his life THREE times…
…and in return, he did what he had sworn he would never do to the woman he loved…
…he crushed her…
She wasn't the one who had been weak…it was him…it had ALWAYS been him.
Otto gritted his teeth and let his tears stream down his face…before he gently set her body on the ground, then reached for the vile that Spiderman had given him.
Looking over the label, Otto felt a wave of guilt come to him as he realized that this…stuff…had been one of the products of a once dear friend of his. Dr. Curt Connors…
A gene cleanser…
Otto pursed his lips for a moment…and glanced over towards the mechanical arms behind him that was watching his every move. Narrowing his eyes, he reached down and slammed his fist against his harness, allowing the power pack to open. He then yanked out the device, stopping all power flow to his mechanical arms. They fell limp by his sides, and the scientist shut his eyes as they did so…
After a moment, he re-opened his eyes and looked at the vile before him…before opening it and putting it to his mouth, feeling the hot sting of the liquid BURN down his throat.
The scientist was silent for a while, before he let out a scream. He could FEEL his body suddenly working against the metal that was fused to his skin. The burning sensation caused him to clutch his head, and scream louder. His skin retched…and even trembled…and before he knew it he hear a loud CLANG behind him. Otto panted and trembled from the pain…and realized that he felt…lighter.
Otto winced and looked behind him…the metal harness that had been fused to his body…was now laying behind him like a yolk that had been broken. Away from his body…off of him. Otto reached up and put two fingers to his neck to search for the inhibitor chip…all he felt was open flesh that burned when he grazed it. Hissing in pain, the scientist let off another pant…and then looked downwards towards the still form in front of him.
I keep getting in your way, because that power will destroy you! Your life is precious to me!
"…I'm so sorry, Sophia…" he whispered, leaning downwards and once again bringing her into his arms. He rested his chin on her head and let off a quiet sob.
"…I'm a monster, Sophia…I don't know why you kept running to me. I'm not worth it…" Otto shut his eyes and let off a heavy sigh…before leaning down and pressing his lips against hers. The kiss was not as magical as the one that she had delivered to him on Christmas…that one had been beautiful…fuller…warmer…
Otto gently broke his lips away from Sophia's and let off a shaky breath.
"…I love you Sophia…I love you…so much." He whispered, pressing his forehead against hers. "I'm SO…sorry…please…PLEASE forgive me…"
"…hey Doc?...It's time to go…"
Otto was silent for a moment…before he looked upwards towards Spiderman who was walking over to him, stopping when he was a few yards away. The scientist looked broken…and sighed, gently setting Sophia's body back on the ground and slowly standing. Otto faced Spiderman…and held out his arms, to which the hero shot a small web at him, making makeshift handcuffs.
"Come on…let's go"
"What about Sophia?"
Spiderman placed a hand on Otto's back and started leading him to the opening of the crater. "Don't worry…I'm not going to leave without her."