A Halloween To Remember.
After her clash with Taskmaster, Cassandra headed over to MJ's place. Said girl wasn't home so Cassandra took the chance to wash up and take a quick nap on the couch. Her bruises hurt from the beating she took from Taskmaster, but with any luck some resting would be enough to help her get ready for what comes next. She didn't know how long she slept before she felt someone was next to her. She blinked a few times before opening her eyes to see MJ looking down at her with an amused smile on her face.
"Wakey wakey, sleepy head" She said, her smile never vanishing from her face.
Cassandra sat up "Oh, hi MJ".
"You know, I am starting to get used to coming home and find you sleeping here" MJ said before she noticed something "Hey, are you hurt?".
"A little roughed up but I'm fine. Had a fight with a Mercenary who has taken some kind on interest in my skills" Cassandra said.
"Mercenaries. Like we didn't have enough things to worry about. You sure you are ok?" MJ asked.
Cassandra rubbed her chest "Well, might need a longer break from crime fighting. At least until something really serious comes up".
"Good idea" MJ heard a knock on the door and knew right away who it was and she hurried to open the door, and sure enough there was Peter "Peter" She pulled him inside "You're not gonna believe what happened. So you know that address you gave me? I went there".
"MJ…" Peter said in clear disapproval.
"I know, I know. But wait" MJ said as she handed something to Peter.
Peter took it and looked confused "What is this?
"Just listen" MJ said and began explaining.
She told them she had found a secret chop shop where armed men where working on something big. She had to sneak around for a bit to find out what it was, and turns out they were in the possession of some chemicals from a corporation called Alchemax. She also discovered the head of the gang was Tombstone. After witnessing him killing one of his own men in cold blood, she learned he was building a armored vehicle and the device she had given Peter was some kind of tracker.
As she was explaining, Peter had began cooking for all of them " Okay… I want to say don't ever do that again, but since I know you're going to anyway, here…" He tosses her one of his gadgets "Take a few of those next time".
"Nice, thanks" MJ said.
"So, who is this Tombstone?" Cassandra asked.
"Lonnie Lincoln. He is a drug trafficker and biker gang leader. His skin was bleached after exposure to some chemicals when he was younger. Which also made him super strong pretty much invincible. So not a guy a rising reporter wants to meet in person" Peter said while looking at MJ.
"Everybody has their weakness. Mine is… whatever you're cooking right now, smells amazing" MJ said.
"The chicken curry. Uh, Just needs to simmer" Peter said.
"Been a while since I last had curry" Cassandra said, then her stomach voiced it's need, making her blush.
"Someone is hungry. Be thankful it isn't dumplings" MJ said teasingly.
Peter smiled as he left the kitchen "You are never go on to let me live that one down, are you?".
"Nope" MJ said.
"What happened?" Cassandra asked.
"The story of great dumpling catastrophe. I tried to make dubblings once and... well things began smocking a lot and well..." Peter trailed of while rubbing his neck.
"I still can't believe they evacuated the entire building" MJ said.
"I know and in January, too. Your neighbors hated me" Peter said. Cassandra couldn't help but to laugh a little "Oh so now I managed to make you laugh. Only because it's at my expense".
"Sorry, but I have never, ever, met anyone who could trigger a building evacuation by trying to make dubblings" Cassandra said as she snickered.
"Yeah. They were pretty happy when we broke up" MJ said causing everyone to go silent. Realizing she utterly killed the mood, she quickly got back to business "Let's talk about what you found in Li's office".
"Well. Li clearly has issues with Norman Osborn" Peter said as he held up the folder containing the file on Devil's Breath.
"Yeah, but… but why?" MJ asked.
"I don't know yet. But his next move looks like it involves Devil's Breath. Whatever that is" Peter said.
"Our first move should be trying to find out what Devil's Breath is" Cassandra suggested.
"Yeah. I'll dig into it. So I was thinking… what if we teamed up?" MJ asked.
Peter looked at her "You want to be our sidekick? Like, uh… Spider-girl? Spider-woman… Woman".
"No…not a sidekick… a partner. Like Cassandra" MJ said.
"Oh…" Peter said before he hears his curry boil over "Not again!".
He rushed to save the curry before the smoke became to intense, Cassandra shook her head "Now I am worried about the dubbling thing".
MJ smiled before she noticed Peter's phone vibrating "Hey it's your crime system thingie. Looks like a residential break-in".
She tosses the phone and Peter used his web to pull it in to his hand "Charles Standish".
"That sounds familiar. Oh. Oscorp's CFO! Wait… you don't think this has anything to do with Li, do you?" MJ asked before she turned to see Peter was in his suit and ready to leave.
"Sorry to cook and run…" He said.
"Did did you just leave your clothes on the kitchen floor?" MJ asked.
"Uh…" Peter slowly backed back in to the kitchen.
"Not wonder his apartment was such a mess" Cassandra grumbled.
Peter came back with his clothes "Where do you want me to, uh…".
Just the couch is fine" MJ said.
Peter put his clothes on the couch "You coming Cass?".
"No she is not. Not until she rests up a little more. You can handle it on your own, right?" MJ answered for the female hero.
"I can. See ya later?" Peter asked.
"Yeah" MJ confirmed and Peter jumps off a window.
After he left, the two girls began eating the curry. Cassandra was so hungry she barely tasted the nice curry before she swallowed it. MJ shook her head before Peter called them.
"Hey, it's me" He said.
"This curry is legit" MJ said as she ate some curry.
"So what do we know about Charles Standish?" Peter asked.
"Let's see. Chief Financial Officer at Oscorp. Single. Known for his art collection" MJ listed.
"If Li's after him, it's got to be related to Devil's Breath" Peter said.
MJ nods "I'll run a search on everything in that file".
"Let me know the second you find something. I think Li might be planning something even worse than City Hall" Peter said.
"And we need to stop him before that happens" Cassandra added.
"So are we partners now? Cuz it sure feels like we are" MJ said.
"Partners. Sounds good" Peter said.
MJ smiled "Okay! See ya, Partner!" She hung up before looking at Cassandra "And you young lady, get some sleep. You will need all the rest you can get in case something happens".
Cassandra nodded as she finished her curry and was about to head for bed.
"And don't forget to brush your teeth. You can use my spare tooth brush. Don't worry I haven't used it" MJ called after her.
'What is she, my mom?' Cassandra wondered before shaking her head, remembering her mom was not nearly as nice as MJ is.
She brushed her teeth and got in MJ's bed. As she slept, she had a dream about her family back home. Richard Grayson, Tim Drake, Stephanie Brown, Kate Kane, Luke Fox, Bruce Wayne... even Damian and Jason Todd. They were a much better family than her parents ever were. She missed them... and she was worried she would never get the chance to see them again. It could take years before they find her in this world, and she didn't know what else she could do while waiting for that day to come. Other than helping Peter with his crime fighting.
After a while she woke up when she heard talking. She got out of bed and heard Peter speak "MJ, what'd you find out about Isaac Delaney?".
"Check out the picture I just sent" MJ said.
"Which one is Delaney?" Peter asked.
"I don't know. Guess you'll have to go to the party to find out" MJ said.
"Good thing I already have a costume" Peter said.
"I will join you on this" Cassandra said, causing MJ to nearly jump out of her seat.
"God, don't do that!" MJ said while rubbing her chest.
"Sorry, but I am good enough to help with this. If the Demons shows up both of us will be needed with so many innocent around. Tell me where to go" Cassandra said.
"Empire State University, I am on my way there now" Peter answered.
"Alright, I'll be there as soon as I can" Cassandra said as she put on her suit and mask "See you soon, MJ".
"Good luck" MJ said.
Cassandra jumps out the window and began heading for the location Peter told her about. She soon arrived at Empire State University... there was an Halloween party going on, and almost everyone dressed as Peter's famous foes. Seems like Peter had quite the influence on this generation. But since it was an Halloween party, Cassandra didn't need to change. She could just walk right in.
'Alright, from the picture MJ showed me, the one we are looking for is either dressed as a lizard, a bird, or some strange guy with a fish bowl on their head. What strange enemies Peter have' Cassandra thought as she looked around. But then again she remembered her enemies were rather similar. She called Peter "I am here. Any luck?".
"I think so. Dr. Delaney is not dressed as Mysterio or Vulture. He is on the dance floor, dressed up as the Lizard" Peter answered.
"Alright, I am heading over there now" Cassandra said as she began walking towards the dance floor.
But suddenly a female student in a rather... revealing cat suit showed up "Hey! I love your suit!".
"Umm, thanks" Cassandra said as she tried to leave but the girl stopped her.
"No really! It's badass! And my, what an ass that is" The girl said as she looked at Cassandra's back side "Everyone dressed up as those villain losers, but I wanted to dress up as Black Cat, she is so much cooler. But you stick out, and looking good while doing it".
Cassandra blushed a little, since this was he first time a girl had ever flirted with her "That is very nice of you to say, but I need to go, I am in a rush".
"Oh come on, just one selfie" The girl said as she wrapped an arm around Cassandra's shoulders and pulled her close, and since she was taller, it let to Cassandra's face being pressed against the side of the girl's breast.
"Fine! Just make it quick!" Cassandra said desperately.
The girl took the picture and giggled "Purrfect! Now for your reward".
"There really is no need!" Cassandra said as she tried to get away.
The girl pulled her close "Oh I insist".
Back with Peter, he had to deal with a guy dressed as the Rhino before he could follow some Demons that had taken Delaney. He had just dealt with some demons inside, but wondered where Cassandra was. He heard the door open.
"Finally, what took you so... long?" Peter trailed of when her noticed Cassandra's face "Umm, mind telling me why you have kiss marks all over your face?".
"Don't. Ever. Ask" Cassandra said, she really wished she still had her old mask that covered her whole face, instead of this eye mask she's been forced to wear.
"Right... We need to hurry, the Demons got Delaney" Peter said.
Cassandra nods and they hurry to try and catch up with the Demons.
They crawled through the vents until they reached the room where the Demons had dragged the helpless man... and someone else was there.
"Who… who are you?" Delaney asked.
"You recently began working with someone at an Oscorp lab" It was Martin Li.
"He's here..." Cassandra whispered. This could be their chance to stop him.
Delaney tried to back away "H-how do you know that?".
"We don't have much time, Isaac. Tell me his name" Li demanded.
When Delaney didn't answer, Li lost his patience and changed... He now looked like a photo negative version of himself, with black skin, white hair, and glowing eyes. His clothing takes on the same transformation, and seems to react to light in an inverse manner. Ge infects Dr. Delaney with his energy, causing him to glow with a strange aura.
Cassandra and Peter came out of hiding, with the Spider-Man speaking "Show's over Li".
Li glared at them before suddenly draining two of his men. Causing them to yell in pain before falling over. Cassandra dashed towards him and threw a punch at his face... only for Li to catch her fist with his hand. Cassandra got wide eyes, not expecting him to be this strong. But then he suddenly grabbed her, and she could feel his negative energy entering her body, causing her to scream in pain.
"Let her go!" Peter shouts as he runs towards them... only for Cassandra to kick him in the chest, sending him back
Li looked at Delaney "His… name…".
"Doctor Morgan Michaels" Delaney spoke like a robot.
"Thank you. Finish this" Li ordered as a Demon gave Delaney a loaded gun and made him shoot himself.
"No!" Peter shouts as he tried to go after Li but had to block a strike from Cassandra. Li and his Demons left, so it was just them now "Cassandra! Snap out of it!".
Cassandra was breathing heavily before she attacked Peter again with a flurry of punches and kicks. Even Peter had a hard time avoiding them, Cassandra was much faster than he thought. She struck his shoulder and he could already feel it starting to go numb. Cassandra's pressure point strikes were dangerous. He jumped back to avoid another attack.
"Cassandra! It's me! Fight Li's control!" Peter pleaded.
Cassandra hesitated for a moment while straining to speak "Must... make them... pay... all... must pay... Osborn... must... suffer!".
"This isn't you, Cassandra! You are a good person!" Peter said before Cassandra punched him "I am not going to fight you Cassandra!".
"Osborn... must... suffer.. for what he did!" Cassandra said as she punched Peter again "Must... make him... pay!".
Peter caught her next punch before using his strength to restrain her "That is not you talking Cassandra. Please, remember who you are! Li can't decide that!".
Cassandra was shaking her head violently before let out the loudest scream Peter had ever heard... then the negative aura finally vanished. She fell to her knees shaking like a leaf.
"Hey, you ok?" Peter asked.
"Wh-what did I just do?" Cassandra asked in horror.
"It wasn't you, Cassandra. Li did this, ok?" Peter said.
Cassandra nodded shakily "O-Ok".
Peter helped him up, he was worried but they needed to catch Li... Sadly, Li had infected the students with his negative energy, so Peter and Cassandra needed to deal with them first. They had to hold back, since this was innocent people who were forced to do this against their will.
Cassandra could barely focused after what happened... She saw things while under Li's control... horrible things... this was going to be a very long night.
.
Just something for those who still feel some of the Halloween spirit.
.
Tell me what you think.
