Apologies for not updating sooner, I've been in a bit of a rut. This chapter is going to be a 2-parter so I can finally get some work out there instead of sitting on this for a couple months. Again, apologies for not updating sooner, but hey we got a Spider-Man game ABOUT Miles and an Avengers game with Kamala Khan, so things are looking good for these two. (Now we only have to wait for their MCU appearances).
Edge of the Shinjuku Ghetto
"What's with the urgency, I didn't think you'd call me for a few days." Spider-Man landed on the roof; The Detective stood in front of him his hand cupping his chin. In the night sky of the ghetto, he looked almost invisible save for the shimmer of his mask and coat.
He sighed, "Things have changed, my contacts in the police force say they won't be pursuing the evidence."
"What?!" Spider-Man stood up, "How can't they, it's irrefutable evidence. They're just going to ignore it?"
"I'm afraid to say that…the police may be corrupt. I hope I'm wrong…but that seems to be the case. The best we can do is continue our work, if we can't get the police to do their job, we'll have to persuade the public. We have to reach the ears of the Viceroy to book the Kingpin." Spider-Man nodded.
"Alright, what's the scene look like?" Spider-Man asked as he approached the ledge.
Below them was what should have been an abandoned building, after all, much of the ghetto was decrepit, but this was curiously had a pair of men in front of the doors – both with handguns. The building itself was only a few stories tall, if he had to guess what it was before the war, he'd settle on an office building.
"This should be the distribution center; we go in quiet and take whatever points our way to the Kingpin. When we get that, we burn this place to the ground." The Detective pulled out a pair of binoculars and handed it to Spider-Man.
As he put it on, he pointed to the far of the building, there was an air vent with no guarding it. "I see what you're getting at, but what about you?" He asked.
"You misunderstand, I'll be going through the vents, you will be causing a ruckus below when I say so. Feel free to sneak around and take them out quietly in the meantime." Spider-Man smirked and nodded; he liked the plan.
"Sounds good, let's get you over there." Spider-Man shot two web-lines from their building to the other and connected them.
"Meet you on the other side and keep in touch." The Detective pointed said as he zip-lined to the other building.
Seeing The Detective enter through the ventilation, Spider-Man went to work. "You two need a nap." He launched over the two guards standing in front of the door, they had no idea he was above them with his cloak. As he dropped behind them, he jabbed them both with a venom blast, they fell fast.
He point-launched back to the roof of the building, "That's a very convenient skylight, don't mind if I use it?" He asked to no one specifically as he opened it.
He silently lowered himself just enough to crawl on the ceiling, the inside was very bright. Every light that could be on was, probably to limit any unwanted intruders like him. Unfortunately for them, he had the lucky ability to turn invisible.
"Okay, I'm inside, where are you?" Spider-Man whispered into his radio looking around for his partner against crime.
The only response he got was two quick clicks of the radio, he had gone silent. "Alright then, I guess I'll just keep myself busy." Spider-Man crawled along the ceiling, inspecting his environment.
"Looks like a The Detective wasn't kidding; this place is absolutely bustling with activity." The floor beneath him was filled with people. Many of them were leisurely sitting, but that didn't excuse them from carrying a sidearm on them. One however stood out amongst the others, a familiar face and not a very friendly one.
"Alright you mooks, we got an order from the boss. We're heading out in 15 minutes, anyone not ready by then is gonna speak to my father personally. And you should know how much he hates talking by now? Capiche!?" Joseph Manfredi a.k.a. Blackwing, son of Silvio Manfredi former head of the Maggia.
"This isn't good. Detective you there, we just got a major issue." It was silent for a few moments before he got a response.
"I just got into the office, what is it?" He asked, obviously sounding rushed.
"Joseph Manfredi is here." Spider-Man kept his eyes on Blackwing. He's only ever met the man once, and it wasn't a very pleasant experience. He had his bats back then, now however he wasn't wearing his ridiculous get-up.
"Joseph Manfredi? Son of Silvio Manfredi?! What the hell is he doing here?" He asked.
"I think I know who our mysterious Kingpin is, but there's only one thing that confuses me. He talks like his father is alive, but last I checked Silvio has been dead for years." Silvio Manfredi died a decade before Miles ever donned his costume, he was ancient by all standards. The man lived to be 100 before kicking the bucket, but by then the Maggia had been all but torn apart from infighting caused by none other than Peter. They lost profit so much that the Maggia became defunct, of course, power vacuums don't last forever, which is how New York got Wilson Fisk.
"Don't take your eyes off him, I'm downloading data from their computer. If we can prove he's the Kingpin than the Viceroy can't possibly ignore this." Spider-Man agreed, he turned back to Blackwing as the men surrounding him started putting on fake Zero masks.
"Better take some pictures, say cheese," Spider-Man whispered as his mask snapped some pictures, he really had to thank Milly for the upgrade. It was stopped when he (and everyone in the building) heard a loud gunshot. He looked around, trying to find the source of the sound. The Maggia below him did the same, pulling out their handguns and rifles.
"Did they find you?" The Detective asked.
"No, I'm just as confused as they are. Where did…"
BEHIND YOU
The wall behind him blew up and bullets started to fly each way, whoever these people were they didn't know he was here.
"Spider-Man, what's happening!?" The Detective yelled over the radio.
"Some people just blew up the south wall, I'm trying to get a good look." Spider-Man hopped between the rafters, trying to get a better view without the smoke in his way. Instead of having to go out to meet them, the intruders came in.
"Knights of Zero, your reign of terror ends now!" The Black Knights emerged from the smoke and rubble.
"It's the Black Knights." Spider-Man said into the radio.
"The Black Knights? Here!?"
"Surrender yourselves to us, and we will see that you are taken alive. Failure to comply means death!" Zero declared, the Maggia hid behind boxes ready to pop out and fire.
"Fat chance you elevens! Eat lead!" Blackwing stood up and aimed, about to fire.
That's my signal¸ Spider-Man thought as he jumped from the ceiling. Time slowed to a crawl as Spider-Man aimed his web-shooters at the guns in the room. By the time Blackwing fired the gun exploded in his hand, seeing the rest of his gang face the same problems. Of course, that problem wasn't exclusive to the Maggia. The Black Knights looked at their own weapons to see they
"Tsk tsk tsk, I thought you were better than using derogatory terms Blackwing." Joseph looked up with anger in his eyes, in front of some 40 people on both sides was Spider-Man.
"Spider-Man!? You idiots, what do I pay you!" Joseph yelled at his men, less a question and more a rant.
"Sorry Blackwing, but this little 'Maggia Revival Project' is being shut down now." Spider-Man jumped into the fray, pouncing on the closest Maggia. Behind him, the Black Knights turned to Zero, waiting for his word.
"What are your orders?" Ohgi asked as he looked down at his gun, he didn't feel like having it blow up in his hands, so he holstered it for now.
"Captain," Steve came upon his left, "While we secure the rest of the building, you will help Spider-Man. You two will get along just nicely." Steve nodded and ran into the fight.
"You sure we can still trust Spider-Man, it's not like you two have been on the same page since we formed the Black Knights." Ohgi asked as he watched Spider-Man leap and punch between the crowd of criminals.
"We have a common enemy, and so our goals align. Come, let's make sure the Knights of Zero never return." Ohgi nodded and followed Zero as they left the room.
Back in the fight, Blackwing threw three knives towards Spider-Man, each missed as he jumped out of the way. Without any sharp objects flying his way, Spider-Man shot two web-lines towards a box and started to spin it around himself. As the speed heightened, he let it fly at Blackwing. The box misses him but hit another Maggia in his place.
"I knew I should have killed you the last time we met, but I was on a tight schedule. Not this time, I'm gonna put you in the ground. Shame I wasn't there when the last one died; I won't miss this one." Blackwing took out another knife, but before he could throw it a fist met his face and he fell to the ground.
"Not today, son." Captain America reeled his arm back, behind him a dozen others had the displeasure of meeting Steve's right hook.
"Nice shot, you clean up fast." Spider-Man looked at the floor full of Maggia members.
"Thank you, I've heard of your work. You do tight work here in Japan." Spider-Man leaned forward, taking a good look at his face.
"You're not from here, are you?" Spider-Man asked.
"No, I'm not." Steve walked up to the passed out Blackwing and tied his arms behind his back with a nearby wire.
"So why are you running with the Black Knights, you can do better alone than with them." Spider-Man walked about shooting webs at any of the Maggia left unconstrained.
"The cause is worth the fight, Zero is an impressive tactician. If my instinct is right, it'll take a lot more than what the Viceroy is throwing at us to keep him down." Steve stood back up, looking back at Spider-Man.
"The Black Knights are trouble, Zero especially. I've seen men like him, willing to do whatever it takes to reach the end goal, anything that justifies the ends. Sorry, but I can't stand behind that." Spider-Man turned to the man in front of him.
"I'm not asking you, what you do now is good enough." Spider-Man thought it over, he still wasn't comfortable with the Black Knights. If he was right, Zero will have a large impact on the world his friends and family included. And personally he wasn't very enthused with a revolutionary terrorist like Zero being the one in charge.
"Y'know, I didn't even ask your name." Spider-Man said.
"The name is Captain America." Steve stuck his hand out, and Spider-Man met him halfway.
"You could have warned me I would be having guests." Spider-Man turned around and saw The Detective walk with Zero.
"Sorry about that, I was a bit pre-occupied. Zero." The curt nod was the only response Spider-Man received. "You find anything? This rope the Maggia have been stringing us is getting a little tiring." Spider-Man turned back to The Detective.
"Babel Tower, that's where they're holed up." He answered.
"Babel Tower? I don't think I've heard of it."
"That's because it's currently under construction, it's apparently being hailed as the next tallest skyscraper." Zero spoke, nothing escaped his knowledge.
"Then we know where to attack, we appreciate the assistance Zero, but I don't think your help will be needed." While the faceless mask gave away no expression, Spider-Man could feel Zero's eyes squinting at him.
"I have other issues to attend to, my goal of eradicating these false Knights of Zero has been completed. This problem lays on your hands, Spider-Man." Zero turned to leave but was stopped by Captain America.
"Sir, if I could interject?" Zero turned to the soldier and nodded. "I believe the benefits of collaborating on a takedown of this size would be beneficial. This Maggia has been impersonating us, and if left to dwell we could be seeing a more active underground war between us and them. We cannot leave them in a position of power." The Captains analyses was thorough, Zero had to commend him for that.
"And what would you suggest, Captain?" Zero asked.
"I will help Spider-Man with the Maggia, the two of us should be enough to take them down. When we do, we hand them over to the authorities, and we will be far gone by the time we're done." The plan was rough, but it was a start. Spider-Man couldn't say he was enthused with working with a Black Knight…but he was a good fighter.
"If you can assure victory, then you have my permission. See that it is finished." Zero nodded and walked away, the rest of the Black Knights followed Zero out leaving the three of them alone.
"If we're going to be working together, you're going to need our radio frequency." The Detective held out his hand, asking for the radio. Cap nodded and handed it over.
"What do you get from all this?" Spider-Man asked.
"Nothing."
"Then why help?"
"Because it's the right thing to do, the ramifications of this could be disastrous." Spider-Man nodded, maybe working with Captain America wasn't a bad thing. That reminded him…
"Why is your name Captain America?" Spider-Man asked, Rogers could only chuckle.
Government Bureau
"I'd like the room to myself and Mr. Stark, I don't want to be interrupted unless it's urgent. If my sister comes asking for me knock thrice to let me know." Euphemia's guards nodded and exited the room.
The common area within the more secured area of the Government was empty save for herself and Tony Stark. She had promised knowledge, so she would give it.
"Y'know, a tour of the restricted parts of the Bureau was not what I was imagining when you said knowledge, princess." Tony started looking at some of the hung paintings. Most of them were made by Clovis before he passed away, some were made by commoners and young royals who entered Clovis' art contest. That reminded her the next one was approaching soon; she'd have to be prepared for it.
"I promise you that what I promise is far more interesting than this room. Here." Euphemia pulled out a small jewelry box she held and placed it on the table. Tony turned back to it with a raised brow.
"Jewelry?" He asked.
Euphemia sighed and opened the box, in it was a single ring. A sole shining pink ring. "I've kept this a secret from a sister since we were children, I've kept it a secret from everyone ever since I found it. But lately, I see a need to speak to someone about it because of the implications it brings."
Tony approached the ring and examined it. It had a gold band and a simple diamond-shaped gem. Nothing out of the ordinary. "So, what…you're getting married to a childhood friend or something?" Euphemia didn't look impressed.
"See that flower over there?" She pointed to a sunflower. Euphemia grabbed the ring, she didn't look eager to put it on, but when she did the ring shined. Literally. A soft pink light emanated from the ring. As she turned it towards the flower it shined brighter; if that were all Tony would hardly be impressed. "Watch the flower." Euphemia said.
Tony watched the flower, stood tall and proud for the world to see. But slowly, it started to wilt. The vibrant yellow started to dull, turning from dull mustard than into a sickly brown. The entire flower was dying. As it continued to wilt, a stream of pink light left the flower and entered the ring. Eventually as the flowered wilted away, Euphemia gasped for air. As if it was a strain on her.
"That is what I meant by implications." Tony could only gawk at the ring, had he seen that right?
"What was that?"
"It's an old yet powerful ring, but I have found truly little on its history. What I do know is that it was owned by my great-grandmother. She passed it on to me when she passed away a decade ago. Unfortunately, she did not say how she acquired this ring or explained its magical properties before she passed. You could see my surprise when I, at 8-year-old drained, the life out a field of grass at my family's vacation villa in the homeland. I cried so loud because I felt sorry for the plants."
"So, you're telling me, you have a magical ring that steals the life out of plants?" Tony asked.
"Not just plants, I tested it on some bugs, and it had the same effect. The largest I've effected were some squirrels. The noises that squirrel made her heartbreaking, I couldn't go through with it. I stopped immediately and the squirrel ran away. After that I made a promise to never use it on any living creature." Tony kept his eyes on the ring, he suddenly knew to never piss off Euphemia.
"So, um, where do you want to start?" Tony asked.
This is part one of the two-part arc finale. We're gonna finally finish up with the Maggia with a spectacular finish. Stay tuned for the extra long chapter next time I update. I'll try not to take as long with that one like this chapter.