Issue #3: Friends?
"We've got a six-oh-six at West tenth and Sixth Avenue! I repeat, a six-oh-six, several enhanced or superhuman suspects. We need more back-up!" Captain Watanabe peered out over the hood of her cruiser, significantly higher than usual now that it was crushed in the middle.
She jumped when the box-truck next to her thudded. She hadn't even raised her gun when that fear was eased immediately. "Afternoon, Yuri. What's the sitch?"
Chaos of their meetings notwithstanding, she was always happy to see the wall-crawler. "Spider-Man, thank goodness. Gotta admit though, you might even want some back-up. We've got three or four super sixers in there, tearing up the bank. Confirmation on two of them though. The Hippo's in there."
"Oh, dang, really?" While she knew better than to buy into Jameson's crap… There sometimes did seem to be a sense of excitement or joy while he worked. "Been a while since he's stomped through good ole NYC. I wonder if I remember any of those quips I worked on…"
She rolled her eyes. "Right. Big Wheel, too. Dick crushed my car."
"Holy shit, Big Wheel's back? Truly, we are doomed!" Spider-Man feigned despair, the back of his hand pressed to his forehead. Only for a second though. He chuckled and nodded to Yuri. "Don't worry too much, Yuri. I'll take care of this. Remember, call for the extra large prison transport. Oh, and another one for the other guys."
He thwiped away, swinging through a higher window of the bank. Years ago, she would've been ready and eager to slap some cuffs on a wise-cracking vigilante in her city. That's how she thought she'd react when she finally caught up to him. Until their first meeting. Even back then, despite how differently he treated the job of crime fighting… She had taken a bit of a liking to him.
Maybe he really was just that personable. He'd already won thousands of hearts on the streets… And on social media. But it could also be the increasing number of these 'super sixer' situations. It would be hard for her to do this job without his help.
Not that New York was short on heroes. Avengers Tower dominated the skyline of Randalls Island, the Fantastic Four's tower was a stone's throw from Times Square, and Hell's Kitchen was newly singing the praises of the rarely-spotted Daredevil.
Still, Spider-Man was different… The Fantastic Four and Avengers were often fighting syndicates all over the world. Lofty goals that Yuri was good with, but they were actually very rarely in state, even in the country. This Daredevil may have been doing good, but she found herself less at ease with his methods than with her…
Friend? Colleague? Acquaintance? She'd always wondered what word to use to describe the department's relationship to Spider-Man. Either way, he had yet again just thrown himself into a situation she swore would get him killed. She smiled a little, though she'd never tell him, thinking about how he was gonna catch them this time.
"Alrighty then, we turn now to our Spidey-Eye-in-the-Sky, what do we have down there pal?" Peter whisper-yelled to himself. He'd considered talking to someone about how maybe self narration was a problem for him.
"I won't lie, it may be a handful for ya Spidey! We got the Hippo: A hulking beast with the mind of a man. Tragic really, he was just a scared soul that society shot down. Massive and destructive, but scared."
The Hippo was carrying a massive pack over his shoulders, which the others were filling with money. His arms and legs were bound in rings of metal armor. Thankfully, there were no hostages. Just the understanding that anyone the NYPD sent in would have to deal with that behemoth.
"Then we got the infamous, the insane, the inept Big Wheel!" Whose vehicle was parked square in the middle of the room. He'd refurbished his suit a bit, but the wheel bike looked just like Peter remembered. Which probably meant the same armaments.
"Aaaaand, rocking the ever fashionable purple and green, the clawed thief in the night: The Prowler!" He'd only run into the Prowler a handful of times. His eyes and the ends of his claws glowed with the green of his costume's accents. It was actually kind of interesting to see him here, bank heists weren't usually his thing. Then again, this many costumes in a room, it was a safe bet someone outside was organizing it.
"Finally, last but not least… Uuhh… New guy! Hoodie? The Red Hood! No wait, I think that's taken…" A stranger wearing a red cowl over otherwise normal street clothes. Two pistols, one on either hip. Nice boots too.
"Okay, Spidey… Outnumbered, but enclosed, no hostages… What's the approach? Probably want to disable the Big Wheel's big wheel… Hippo's gotta go down as soon as possible… Prowler won't hurt anyone at least, not his MO."
Ah well, time to fall back on the classic Spider-Man strategy. Time to wing it!
"Howdy fellas! Lotta costumes here, room for one more?" Swinging down toward them, he shot an impact web into Hippo's face. Not enough to knock him over, of course, but it would keep his mouth closed for now. Hippo stumbled a little, and he was standing right in front of the wheel. Bingo, thank you winging it!
He kicked with both legs right into Hippo's face, and he toppled backward, pinning the wheel beneath him. A few more webs on both of the Hippo's arms. He turned to the other three, standing in front of the open vault. "Alright, I really hope that was your guys' getaway… Wheel. Now, if you just put your hands up -"
"I'll kill you for what you did to my last wheel!" Ah, ok, so he just made a very similar one. Peter had been surprised, he knew the tumble it took off the bridge last time would've left a little more than a dent. But the new suit was definitely something. Big Wheel sped forward, wheels having appeared suddenly on his boots. As Spider-Man leaped over the charge, he noticed the circular saw elevated slightly from his hand.
"So the Big Wheel's got some little wheels, huh?" He landed and shot a glance to the other two. Sure enough, it looked like Prowler didn't even want to fight. His suit shimmered and began to disappear in a triangle pattern. Damn. Well, three for four was a decent score.
The newcomer seemed less prepared for the Prowler's getaway. "Hey! Dammit! I knew you were a coward, you bastard! Fine then!" He drew both of the pistols, dropping the bags of cash.
"No you don't!" Twhip! Thwip! Peter yanked the two guns out of the man's hands, and flung them over his own shoulders. They met like clackers with Big Wheel's head between them. "Sorry buddy, but I'm not fond of guns. While I've got you though, got a name? I'm fine thinking one up for you if you don't!"
"Damn it! Hey guys, a little help?!"
Spidey-sense. Peter turned in time to see Big Wheel finish cutting the webs on Hippo's arms with his wrist-saw. Shit. The Hippo threw himself to his feet, and spared no second before charging.
"Yeep! Watch out folks! Hippos are actually one of the most dangerous animals on the planet! I'd call that a fun fact, but…"
"Oh, it is fun for me, Spider!" The Hippo snarled and picked up a heavy wood desk.
Peter dodged the desk easily. Ok, let's take stock. Prowler got away already. Big Wheel was standing his wheel back up. The new guy had barely dodged the Hippo's charge himself. Not to mention, from here it looked like his guns had been crushed underfoot.
It seemed that was the last straw. "Yeah, no, screw this. You two can handle the web-head."
Peter hadn't pegged him as a tech guy, but that changed with the stranger's getaway. He started running for the door and then… Just, ran up. Up on absolutely nothing, steps carrying him higher and higher. Then, with a flourish of his cape, the stranger disappeared.
"Aw man. How many of you guys have cloaking tech these days? It's getting a little annoying. I mean, what if I just started turning invisible on you guys?" He leaped down to the floor, another desk splintering right above him. "I mean, you get it right? You'd feel like it was unfair too?"
"Stop! Dodging! And! Fight!" The Hippo punctuated each word with another violent throw of furniture. Yuri would have words for him about that.
"Alright Hippo, Spider's all yours! Good luck, hahaa!" Big Wheel shot off on his wheel, fitting through the same crack in the space above the door he'd presumably come in through. Oh come on! Half and half, Yuri might accept, but if he only caught the Hippo he'd never hear the end of it.
"Ok, ok, play time's over. Stand still Hippo, gotta swing." Peter sprinted toward the hulking animal, who threw a giant punch. Peter jumped and pushed himself off his arm. He clung to his shoulder, and began crawling over his back. This was always fun. Peter hummed to himself as he began wrapping the Hippo in webbing.
"Hey! Stop that! Dammit! No, no, nononononoooo!"
The last bit of his unofficial theme tune finished, the Hippo toppled over, arms and legs wrapped and webbed tightly to his body. He threw a web mine onto the Hippo's back and stepped back, the massive web net covering the whole beast-man.
"Alright then. Now: Stay! I've gotta go catch a deranged unicyclist."
The Hippo grumbled and rocked side to side. "Nah, you're right. Stupid as the name is, that actually is a really cool bike… Thing. Seeya! Write me! Au revoir!"
Thwip! Peter waved as he swung by Yuri. "I've got him!" He had to admit, it was nice having a friend in the department. They were friends, right? He'd ask her later. He swung down the street, following the honking and semi-crushed cars. Big Wheel had a block on him already, but Peter was gaining on him.
"Hey, Big Wheel! Any chance you wanna stop and settle this on foot?! You were so pissed about the other wheel! Do you really want me to wreck another one?!" He started running along a wall while gripping the last web he'd shot.
Oh boy, big tingle. Police barricade ahead. Something emerging from a hatch on the whee - Shit those are rocket launchers aren't they? "Hey boys in blue, get clear!"
The first rocket shot out, and Peter managed to latch onto it with a web. He directed it up into the sky, hopefully clear of any aircraft, but definitely safe from hitting any buildings. Second rocket launched. Cops still getting clear of the would-be blast zone.
Peter let go of the web he'd been swinging on, purely running along the wall. He webbed the second one as well, sending it in the same direction. Come on! Get clear already!
He couldn't stop the third one, but he was close enough now to web the wheel. He caught the rocket launcher and pulled himself from the building toward Big Wheel. He landed as the rocket made contact. The line of police cruisers exploded, and Big Wheel drove himself and Spidey through the wrecks. "Sooorryyyy!" Woops. That's what you get for winging it, Pete.
One punch, right to Big Wheel's jaw. He put one hand on the wheel's control, something more like a flight stick than a motorcycle's handles. Ok, here we go, should be safe to send him to jail. Peter undid the safety harness keeping his opponent in the wheel, and tossed him out. He webbed him to a light post as he steered past, pulling himself into the seat.
"Ok, uh, let's see here, stop, stop, stop…" Peter studied the controls as he maneuvered the wheel through traffic. "You know what, nevermind. Let's just hope this works." Peter shot a few webs ahead and upward, three from each web shooter. As he began to pass the places where they attached, he pulled upward, sticking to the wheel with his feet.
"Oh shit oh man oh god please work!" The wheel lifted off the road. Peter pulled the webs together and tied them up. Finally, the wheel was slowed by them, and started falling. He'd planned that just right. The elasticity gave, but kept it just above street level, no cars were going to be hit.
With this newfound safety, Peter took his time and worked out the controls, finally stopping the engine. "See, there we go. Alright, think the cops can take the clean up from here. Let's hear what glowing review Yuri's got for me today."
He lowered himself on a single web, waving to her still upside down next to the fire-escape. "Alrighty, Captain. Don't pull any punches, how's the NYPD's finest feeling about me today?"
She shrugged wide, shaking her head. "Same as normal I suppose? I've talked to you about the property damage, right?"
"Hey, I did what I could! You gotta admit, for having Hippo and Big Wheel in town, with just this much damage? I'd call it a win."
There it was. A smile. Yuri liked to berate him, but he knew it was more than tolerance she had for him. "Alright, kudos there. Prowler and the other guy still got away though. Any clue who the new thief is?"
Peter shook his head. "Nope. Pretty cool though. Some sorta high tech boots and cloak. Or, as much as it still sometimes shatters my world view to admit, it could be magic."
"Well, either way, you did take down the two more dangerous ones. Hippo had most of the money, too. I still don't get why the Prow -"
"Hey, we're friends, right Yuri?" Wait, I was kidding about asking her! Why had he done that?
"Wha - Um… I don't… I guess? Where did that come from?"
"I don't even know, sor - Wait, really? Awww… Thanks Yuri! Gotta say, that is a pick-me-up." He wasn't kidding. Peter wasn't really sure why, but he really did like knowing that. Peter might have had a few friends, but Spider-Man had always sort of muddled through it alone. Even with the occasional 'nurse MJ' moments.
"Yeah, ok… Anyway, I've gotta get out of here. I'm sure you've got plenty of…"
"Spider stuff. Yup, lots of spider stuff to do. Mhm." He flipped back to his feet. "But you know, I kinda play it by ear. What are you up to?"
Yuri laughed a little. "More important things than humoring you. Thanks to you though, hopefully just paperwork. That and party prep."
"Party? Oh, the police ball, right? I didn't think you were still doing that this year."
"We weren't, originally. But we could use the fundraising. We do have an unreasonably high rate of car destruction."
Peter made a show of hanging his head. "Hey, I tried! I totally blanked on the rockets, that's my b, I'll acknowledge it."
Normally he'd have swung off by now. Back when he'd started, heck, even two years into it, any cops would be trying to arrest Peter right now. But here he was, chatting it up with a captain. But… He should probably head back to Dr. Connors, right? Instead… "So, is this an invite only occasion, or…?"
Yuri started to chuckle, but clearly had an idea. "Actually… I have to say… You showing up might be a little helpful for us. Mmm… Well, how well do you think you could handle a night with more high-brow company?"
"Hey, I do high-brow. Or, well, at least not low-brow. Middle-brow. Morally unaligned brow. I'm sorry. I can do that for you though. Say a few good words for you, shake some hands. But is that good with the department? Aren't I…" Peter leaned in and fake whispered. "A vigilante?"
She shook her head, but smiled. "We make exceptions for Iron Man and the like. Why not you? I'll see what I can do and I'll give you a ring. It's in a few weeks, so if I don't before the twentieth..." She shrugged.
With a thwip he soared away as she went back to a new car. Cool. Possible party as Spider-Man. A first even after, what, eight years now? He'd really been at it since fifteen, huh? Spider-Man… No, Peter could do for a little celebration.
Harry grumbled to himself as he finished the article in the Daily Bugle. At least when Pete was working there, he was just taking the pictures. Jameson's crew came up with all the names. But come on, MJ! The 'Green Goblin'!? So what, he was just another super-freak for the Bugle to rant about now?
… Well, he guessed in a sense, he was. Strange alien substance bonded to his DNA. Weird costume. He did fight Spider-Man last night.
Dammit. Well, this had been the plan anyway. It was his fault for not considering his own feelings about it. With so many costumed crazies demonizing the city, one more would just be another day for most. That was the idea, Harry could protect Oscorp's operations and go after their enemies, all while being mistaken for just another New York criminal.
The door to their apartment opened. Isaac waved meekly to Harry. "Hey…"
"Hey Isaac. Are you craving anything? I was gonna order takeout for dinner, but I haven't decided from where yet." He flipped the page to another article. When Isaac didn't answer, he looked to him. He set down the paper immediately.
"Isaac? You ok man? Sit down, you look like you're shutting down already." He helped Isaac to a chair. He really did look like death. His eyes were half-open, tired, and his mouth hung slightly open. "Talk to me bud, what's going on?"
Isaac shook himself a little. "I… It's my dad… He's…" They'd been living together for a few months now, but Harry had never seen Isaac hit like this. Isaac started to cry. "He's really sick, Harry. I… He's already getting weaker… I don't know what I can do…"
Harry took Isaac's hand and tried to calm him down. He knew all he could really do was be here, let his friend vent and unload. "Oh man. Hey, don't worry man. Come on, let's get you to the couch. I'll text Peter to hit that place with the orange chicken, don't force yourself to tell me anything you don't want to right now. Let yourself breathe first, yeah?"
Isaac did breathe, still faster and heavier than usual, but that didn't stop him. He continued as they sat down. "He said all the top doctors - Fuck - all of them said there's no treatments. I even suggested he talk to Norman! You can guess how that went."
Harry could very easily. He'd only met Dr. Octavius once, a few weeks after he met Isaac. The entire time Harry could've sworn Otto would burn a hole in his head with his stare. Had Isaac not been there, Harry would've snapped. "Yeah… Well… You don't have to go through my father, you know."
Isaac looked at him, confused. But Harry thought he looked a little more hopeful. "I mean I am the COO there now." Harry continued. "I know my father wouldn't be exactly psyched to help out Otto, but who says he has to know? I can bring the condition up, say I heard you and Pete talking about some doctor in your class. Or, hell, I could poke around our projects myself, see if there's any work we're doing in the field."
Harry felt Isaac's hand clasp a little tighter. "Holy shit, I… You'd really do that? If Norman found out you were trying to help out my dad… Fuck, if my dad found out… I can't… You have no idea how much that would mean to me, Harry. He might be bitter about it later, but… He's my dad… I've gotta try."
Harry nodded. Otto may not have liked him much, but Harry didn't have anything against him. Besides, helping Isaac was more important. "Of course, man. You know you can come to me for help. I promise, my dad won't know."
Isaac's second hand covered Harry's. "Thank you… Holy shit, thank you Harry! The way he's talking about it, I can't…"
"I know. What are friends for, right?"
Isaac paused for only a second. "Y-yeah. Thank you… Uh, you should… Text Pete. Thank you Harry."
Harry smiled a little, nodded, and got up. Isaac took his hand again suddenly. "Hey, and, if you go for the 'poking around' route? Be careful, yeah? It seems like Oscorp hasn't been the safest of workplaces recently. Not insinuating anything, but… I get a little worried sometimes."
If Isaac knew Harry could heal from a gunshot in hours, punch through concrete, outpace Olympic sprinters… Would Isaac be less, or more worried? "Hey, if anything does happen, I've got you and Pete watching out for me. And you've got us. Don't forget that."
Harry started texting Peter while Isaac went into his room. Over the dull hum of lights, and the little noises of the city outside, Harry's heightened hearing picked up Isaac's whispered voice.
"Friends…" Harry paused, but didn't adjust his gaze.