Chapter 9: Il Sogno Di Morte

Neo backflipped multiple times, prompting the Inmates to follow her like the piped piper's mice. She led them towards the dock in an effort to force them to fight in relatively closer quarters, as compared to the prison courtyard. She landed on her feet, striking a pose and tipping her hat down to cover her eyes. The Inmates struck up their own pose, levelling their weapons on the figure. The Nerd demanded, "S-S-Soigné F-F-Fighter! You are ou-ou-outmatched! S-S-Surrender immediately and-"

Dreadnought pushed him aside. "BRING IT ON!" He shouted, adding, "BITCH!"

Neo gave them a slasher's smile, levelling Melodic Cudgel's barrel on them. The Inmates winced, Dreadnought and Nerd, in particular, were closing their eyes, waiting for the inevitable outcome. She wanted to laugh as she squeezed the trigger.

…Nothing.

Neo squeezed it several more times and still nothing came out. She broke open the action, the spent dust cartridge flying into the air. Her smile dropped, eyes wide. Oh no. Captain Inmate shouted, "SHE'S OUTTA AMMO! GET HER!"

'Oh yes, way to point out the obvious.' She thought, ready for their assault.

Captain Inmate took point, he slammed the shield on the ground, revealing freaking rocket boosters on the edge of his shield. They activated, shooting him at ludicrous speeds. Neo barely avoided the train, hearing a coherent splash, and now finding herself under assault from mini-rockets from the Nerd. It detonated her Overactive Imagination, confusing those around. AT least it giving herself time to breath as she was on the other side of the dock.

Suddenly, a shipping container was thrown at her general location! Perhaps not. She looked up, which ended up being a big mistake as a King Sisyphus' fist rammed into her Aura. She was launched backwards and back to the prison streets, tumbling on the rough pavement.

Neo checked her scroll, nursing her wounded sides. She got back up, levelling Hush's blade and exercising her breathing. King Sisyphus rushed head long, screaming obscenities. The vigilante readied the hook. The minute he was upon her, she hooked his right shoulder down and rolled over him, thrusting her blade at the Missileteer, catching his SMAW rocket launcher, disabling it. She used her free hand to handstand on his shoulder, and pushing herself into the air.

She did a twirl, landing in front of Dreadnought and kicking out his legs from under him. Unsuspectedly, the hulk of mass collapsed on top of the Nerd, crushing his wheelchair. He was gasping for air, arms stretched out to get someone to pull him out! Neo ignored his pleas, teasingly jumping on Dreadnought's waist, punching the Nerd's old face, followed with a swift wedgie, eliciting a really nerdy whine.

Unexpectedly, Captain Inmate's shield bashed into the back of her head, throwing her to the ground. Before she could even stand, King Sisyphus grabbed her by the thigh and waist. He raised her above his head before launching the petite figure into the Missileteer, swatting her with his SMAW like a baseball batter. Just like a baseball, she was sent a considerable distance, landing, and tumbling near the edge of the docks.

Neo held her gut as she rose. She felt her cheek, wincing, and noticing a prominent bruise on her cheek. The vigilante huffed, standing up and ready to fight. Hush was nowhere to be found, neither was Melodic Cudgel. Her tools of the trade were missing off her person. She cursed herself, ready for the fight and analyzing her opponents. The Inmates regrouped, standing in front of her weapons. The Nerd appeared to have taken the worse of her blows, his wheelchair in tatters and nursing his wounded ass. She shook her head, spat on the ground, and bounced on the balls of her feet. She raised her fist and charged first.

Captain inmate moved first, ready to bash the neapolitan girl with the edge of the shield. She slid on the ground, limboing under the blow. Neo got back up and threw successive hammer strikes into his chin and gut. King Sisyphus came around to hit her from behind with an uppercut. The vigilante followed the movements, dodging the blow and letting him hit his ally, sending Captain Inmate into the air.

She ran to Dreadnought, adopting a Burmese Lethwei stance, and struck hard with knees and elbow strikes. Unfortunately, it only seemed to tickle the thug, who caught her in a bear hug. Neo hacked and coughed. He shouted, "GOTCHA BITCH!"

Neo glared at him, striking him with a headbutt. This was enough to get him to release her and she preformed an illegal move in fighting sports, a well-aimed hook into his crotch. He was on the ground in an instant, nursing his wound. Unfortunately, she took too long dispatching Dreadnought that King Sisyphus caught up to her and hammered a fist into her liver.

Neo's eyes watered, dropping her. King Sisyphus pinned her with his monstrous size 12,5. He shouted, "She is trapped!"

The Missileteer was first, ramming a fist into her face, letting her head bounce on the hard concrete. Captain Inmate was next, ramming an uppercut into her diaphragm, taking the wind out of her. The Nerd refused, but it allowed the Dreadnought to follow up with a kick into her crotch, tears in her eyes. King Sisyphus laughed, raising her by the neck and punching her into the prison door.

Neo coughed and hacked, even getting up was a struggle. Surprisingly, even to the Inmates, she stood tall, huffing as much air as possible and eyes on them. The vigilante rushed them, despite her slower pace, managed to duck under all of them. She ran to her weapons, collecting them. Neo, found relief, and loaded Melodic Cudgel with a new cartridge and fired.

Captain Inmate and King Sisyphus took the blast, tanking them. Her eyes widened, disbelief on her face. It was enough for the Nerd and Missileteer to launch blinding flashbang rockets, disorientating her. With that opening, the Dreadnought ran through her. Neo's body was flung backward, just like a train wreck. She didn't have the strength to stand. Captain Inmate laughed, proclaiming, "You are no match for…THE INMATES! INMATES ASSEMBLE!"

King Sisyphus took Hush's blade. He used it as a tooth pick, admiring it for a bit, and snapped it, casting the blade and handle into the Hudson River. The Dreadnought picked up Melodic Cudgel and warped the barrel, showing off his strength. He compressed the trigger, letting it self-destruct, sending shrapnel all around him. Captain Inmate took the back of her head and smashed her head into the concrete, several times. She has blood dripping from her forehead and bruises on her cheek and left eye.

The Inmates cheered, victory was theirs!

The Nerd followed up by locking handcuffs on each of her limbs. Barely conscious, Neo was dragged up the stairs until they were on the roof top. Six well-dressed men in a suit were waiting for them. The lead asked, New York accent very apparent, "Nicely done kids. You might have a spot with us if you keep it up."

Captain Inmate replied, "Thanks. We appreciate the chance." He snapped his fingers and King Sisyphus forced Neo on her knees and forced her bloodied and bruised face to stare at one of the men. The suit parted, revealing a tablet taped to his chest.

A black-and-white picture of a kind, elderly man was on the screen. The voice that came from it, seemingly matched the picture's kind and gentle hearted demeanour. "Neapolitan." The voice said, "I had allowed your presence in New York for many weeks now. I must admit, I was fascinating by your ability to cheat death and I was quite glad to know that my Blackie was able to dispatch you. However, I tire of your antics. I will give you this one chance, and only one, to join me or die. What do you choose?"

Neo shook her head.

"Is that really what you wished for?"

She nodded.

"Why? Don't you want to live? Get rich and thrive?"

She shook her head, a smile on her face.

"A pity, I suppose some were destined to be poor."

She shrugged nonetheless.

"Fine. This is the end for you! Do you have any final words?"

Neo spat at the screen.

"Of course, puttana!"

Neo was forced to stand at the edge of the building, King Sisyphus holding her steady enough so she can actually stand. The Inmates watched, the Nerd and Dreadnought looking a little concerned but said nothing. They seemed a little concerned but kept their silence. The Missileteer grinned and taunted her while Captain Inmate and King Sisyphus had their poker faces on. The five man Maggia firing team lined up, racking the bolts of their assault rifles.

"FIRE!"

The rounds smashed into her gut, her body falling off the building. They looked over the edge, seeing the body disappear into the water.

24 HOURS LATER

This is Mary Jane Watson with a Daily Bugle special report on the bio-terror attack—as of this hour, the number of infected Civilians is approaching half a million. There is still no update from the NDC on the timetable for an antiserum, but they are working around the clock on a cure for this deadly disease. The city-wide quarantine is being heavily enforced…by Sable International who maintain tight security over all transit points. Throughout the city. Police and Sable Agents continue to battle with Ryker's and Raft escapees. Meanwhile, Mayor Osborn has gone on record blaming Spider-Man and the Soigné Fighter for the prison break and the city-wide sickness, branding Spider-Man a fugitive and…declaring a victory for justice with the death of the Soigné Fighter.

But he has yet to provide evidence and many believe the mayor is just deflecting blame, since an exclusive report by the Bugle revealed that this disease originated in a secret, unregulated Oscorp laboratory here in Manhattan. The Soigné Fighter's death is also suspect due to the presence of known Maggia soldiers gunning her down. Mayor Osborn insists that Oscorp is working with the NDC on an antiserum and a suppression against the Maggia Crime Family, but has not provided any further evidence to support this claim—

Spider-Man sat against the brick rooftop entrance, mourning, "Neo…Dr. Octavius…why…? How did I let this happen?"

Yuri informed, "Just got a call from the hospital, they said you went AWOL."

"Need to get back to work." He murmured, hefting himself up.

"The doctors said you still have fourteen broken bones!"

He quipped, "Which means I have one hundred and ninety two *non* broken ones…how's Neo?"

Yuri mourned, "We still haven't found her body. We're checking the Hudson but…nothing came out yet…I think she's-"

Peter interrupted, "Don't!"

"I'm sorry."

"Not as much as I am. I shouldn't have abandoned her like that." He said, guilt lacing his words.

Yuri retorted, "There was nothing we could have done. It was a bad situation. Which reminds me, Sable branded you a 'priority target'."

"I humbly accept the honour, for both Neo and myself." He said, attempting to lighten the mood, "What is happening to our city, Yuri?"

"I don't know. Feels like the end of the world. Maybe it is."

He swung off, trying to clean up the mess.

Yuri shut her phone off and hovered over her desk, cradling her head. She didn't have the manpower to replace losses and she just wished that the US National Guard could come in to help. Unfortunately, someone told them they were 'just fine'. She punched her desk, absolutely livid. If that wasn't enough, she had to conclude that Neo was…

Yuri shook her head, unwilling to believe in her demise. Neo was a tricky girl, and she would certainly survive something like that, her 'aura' would be able to protect her…right? Right?!

She wanted to leave the station and go hunting down the Maggia. She lost a friend, a playful, troublesome, and petite little sister she always wanted. Now Neo was gone and she only had herself to blame. She shouldn't have encouraged her to fight the Maggia, at least not now. She should have held off, allowed her to focus against the Demons. She just wished she could correct her mistake.

The door to her office opened, Silver Sablinova entered. She schooled her features and asked, her sarcasm cutting into her speech, "How can the New York Police Department help Sable International?"

Sable said, "I require a platoon of your SWAT team to lead an arrest at these locations, you will find residents harbouring your fugitives."

Captain Watanabe bitterly took the tablet and looked at the addresses. She started laughing out loud. She went to her door, calling out, "Hey Jackson, Jackson! Get over here! You gotta take a look at this! Sable wants to arrest people at these places!"

Officer Jackson took a look and started laughing, gathering his friends over. Sable, annoyed, demanded, "What are you doing?! This is serious, you must go to make the arrest now while we secure the streets!"

Yuri ignored her, getting the attention of Commissioner Dewolf who looked at the note. She bit her lip and said, "Ms. Sablinova. Are you sure you want to lead an arrest there?"

"YES!"

All the officers at the precinct looked at one another before aiming their sidearms at Sable and her escorts. Jean growled, "One of the addresses is the Police Precinct you are standing in, but I guess you didn't know that. Also, the others don't either don't exist or are public places."

Sable, shocked, said, "Impossible, we already interrogated-"

"Excuse me?" Yuri blurted, "Interrogated? More like tortured."

Sable bit back, "Interrogated, Captain Watanabe. The criminals have been interrogated as per our protocol."

Yuri shouted, "Yeah right! We all heard Jameson! How can we expect to believe you after all the shady shit you guys do?"

Sable retorted, "We are professionals at Sable International. We get results!"

"No you don't!" The Police Captain snarled, "You intimidate the people and torture them if they don't give you what they want."

"Jameson is a radical and doesn't know what he's saying. There is no proof."

Yuri laughed, stating, "Unlucky for you, I got some!" The Police Captain went to her desktop and played a recording of Sable's 'interrogation' of Neo on all of the station's screens. She growled, "You were saying?"

Sable bit her lips and all officers were glaring at the Sable Agents, some tempted to locking cuffs. A Agent panicked, assaulting an officer. It was enough to charge an assault charge and take the man. Sable shouted in her own language and her guard calmed down. Commissioner Dewolf glared at Sable, glowering, "Get out of our precinct. If we see you in here again, we will place you under arrest for torture, and we will bring this to the United Nations. Don't think that we won't, the building is quite literally in our backyard. Also, we are keeping one of your agent and charging him with assault against a peace officer."

Sable, defeated, strutted out the station with her remaining guard. The Commissioner shouted, "What are you all looking at?! Get back to work, quickly!"

Yuri sighed, resting her head against the desk. Jean shook her up, saying, "C'mon Yuri. We need you out there."

The Police Captain nodded, pushing herself up and about to make a call. Suddenly, a cop entered the room, shouting, "Captain! Something happened!"

She wanted to die, right here, right now. "What is it?"

"Ma'am." The Officer hesitated for just a second, "One of those Sable bases that's holding detained my folks, someone broke them out."

"Oh thank God for Spider-Man!"

"It wasn't Spider-Man ma'am."

Yuri's eyes glittered, "Neo?"

The Officer said, "I don't know but a whole lotta Sable Agents are getting sent to the Hospital right now. Lots of them got shrapnel."

Her eyes told the man everything she wanted to say. Oh shit.

The Officer added, "It doesn't end there, ma'am. The report says that after the suspect freed the detainees, he…or she…or whatever gave them guns and practically told them to form mini-militias to protect their residents. They already took down a Sable Checkpoint and took the Agents prisoners…the leader wants to speak to you about getting a paddy wagon over."

Yuri slammed her head into the desk.

Spidey was swinging around and taking out as many inmates as he can, firing at generators and avoiding getting shot at by Sable's goons. He was beyond done with them. He shouted, "What is wrong with you?!"

The jetpack troopers didn't answer, continuing to fire energy bolas at him. He growled, "I wished Neo were here."

He rushed out and pounced on an agent, hitting him in the air and pacifying the man. Spidey jumped to another, destroying the jetpack and letting it spin out of control. Peter took the agent and swung off, webbing the man onto the roof and seeing the jetpack explode mid air.

Peter informed, "Yuri…Your men are safe, no thanks to Sable and her thugs."

"Thanks Spider-Man. You've given us a fighting chance at least."

Peter was huffing, trying to recover his breath after dealing with the got damn jetpack troopers. He wondered, mostly to himself, "Why they make things easy? At least Yuri has a fighting chance now."

He swung through the city, muttering, "Okay. Need to hustle to F.E.A.S.T.'s Sister Site in Harlem and help May."

MJ called, panicked, "Peter! Thank god - we need you at the Veteran's Centre - where are you?"

He admitted, "I got held up - are you okay? What's happening?"

"The convicts started a fire! We got the building staff out, but May and Miles are trapped inside. I'm trying to find a way in to them but the fire's spreading so fast…"

"Stay where you are, MJ. I'll handle this." Peter ordered, moving faster, "Damn it - move it Pete - move! You can't fail another friend!"

He saw it. The Veteran's Centre was not a burning inferno as he expected it. It was uncontrollable for sure, but not crazy. In fact, it would look like that they would have enough time to get everyone out…once Peter Parker arrived on the seen at least. As he was changing out, he noticed plenty of convicts and a Maggia bodies around the building, many with stabbing wounds and knocked out. He wondered, "What in the world happened here? Is that a molotov- No! MJ first, then figure it out."

Peter rushed into the burning building, focused on getting people out as fast and as safe as possible, passing them on to either Miles, MJ, or Aunt May. The process was quick and smooth, like how an ideal fire drill should look like. SO much so that they were able to save some personal items as well like pets. In the end, everyone was evacuated, the clearing process complete all because of the extra hand.

Aunt May shouted, "Peter!" rushing to him and embracing him.

Miles said, "Glad you're here. We need all the help we can get."

Peter asked, "What happened outside? All I saw were those thugs and-"

MJ said, "I'll tell you later, we got this right now."

"Right." He said, "Anyways, we should probably check on the-"

A truck of Ryker's convicts rolled up, many thugs dropping out and armed with pipes. The elderly were trying to hide, minus the veterans who stood tall and unshaken. One muscle-bound thug, the leader, stepped off the truck and snarled at the coughing veterans and F.E.A.S.T. workers, "I see you refused our deal! Fine then! We'll just kill you all!"

He lit a molotov, ready to throw. Peter was ready to jump him until a gunshot echoed through the streets. The round hit the thug in his arm, forcing him to drop the molotov. The bottle crashed on the pavement, lighting the small proximity aflame. Everyone turned to see where the gunshot came from. As it so happened, it came from an elderly veteran, dressed in his paraphernalia from the Second World War. He was armed with an M1 Garand rifle. He shouted, "If you want those supplies, you'd have to get by us first!"

An inmate asked, "Us?"

A laser beam rested on the gathered inmates and they saw veterans from all of America's recent wars, from WW2 to the Gulf War, aiming their respected weapons on the thugs. The Ryker's prisoners were confused and afraid, uncertain what to do. A elderly WW2 Veteran with a walking chair marched up to the F.E.A.S.T Veterans. He saluted, arms shaking, and said, "Colonel Morrison! Lieutenant Bush reporting. The 107th Regiment reformed and we are in need of our commanding officer. Do you accept your commission sir?"

The man in question stood up, a gruff look on his face as deep as his scar. He used Peter as leverage, throwing the young man to the ground, and growled, "About time we got back together. You're late Lieutenant."

"Sorry sir."

The man shook his head. "Never mind that." He guttered, "I want those men rounded up and carted to the nearest prison outside of state."

The Thug taunted, "Yeah right! You geezers ain't-" A piercing scream stopped his rant, a petite and lithe girl in a Sable uniform pierced the back of his thigh with a bayonet. The Colonel chuckled, "I knew you pansies would say that! 107th! Form up! We're taking back our streets!"

Hurrahs and cheers echoed through the streets, the sirens of fire engines and police vehicles rolling towards them. The veterans started rounding up the Ryker's prisoners and holding them there until the young men took them away. Colonel Morrison saluted the Sable Agent. "Good job soldier and great bayonet work. You got a place with the 107th anytime." He muttered, a little pensive, "Never realized the newer generation keeps accepting smaller and smaller."

She returned the salute, handing him a map with multiple red circles around it. He hummed and said, "Thanks. Keep us informed."

The veterans started piling onto trucks, heading over to strategic positions to regroup and plan their next assault. Peter, MJ, and Miles approached the Sable Agent, pensive. Peter began, "Th-Thanks, uhm…I'm sorry, what's your name?"

The Agent rested a hand on her heart and took off the helmet. MJ's immediate reaction was to jump and hug her immediately, which she did.

"NEO!"

AN: Shorter than my usual, I admit and I was being lazy with the chaos of the Rhino and all that, true. Nothing much to say there since the mission is kinda repetitive in taking out power generators and whatnot. Anyways, I do hope that it was worth the wait.