Chapter Five
Midtown High
The senior meeting concluded and the students made their way out ready to depart home. Mary Jane walked out with Harry and Gwen as they were talking about Peter.
"I just don't get why Peter is being so weird about everything," Harry said with a shrug.
"Well think about it from his point of view, you both ditched him the whole summer, Harry practically snaps at his girlfriend, and the cool kids overhear you and Gwen talking about him" Mary Jane said with an eyebrow raised.
"Maybe things could have been a bit smoother between us, but I was doing my best to be there for Harry, he's been through alot this year" Gwen countered a bit defensively.
"Listen, I'm not taking sides I just want you guys to understand how Peter feels, who knows what would have happened to him if he never met Felicia over the summer" Mary Jane said with a hint of sadness in her tone.
Harry and Gwen stopped to think about what Mary Jane said as she walked away.
"Harry, I think we should do something nice for Peter" Gwen said.
"I don't see why we have to, he blew us off today Gwen he was supposed to sit with us and go over our weekend plans," Harry said.
"Harry, Peter is our best friend remember, and after Flash and Liz made him public enemy number one he probably skipped the meeting to go home" Gwen responded concerned.
"You don't have to come with if you don't want to, but I'm going to try and make it up to Peter" Gwen said.
Gwen began walking away as she started to go Harry punched a nearby locker leaving a dent. Harry quickly caught up to Gwen and began walking side by side with her "you're right Gwen we should do something nice, I hope he likes the laptop."
Bronx, NY
Spider-Man and Black Cat made their way to the address Daredevil sent over which ended up being a church. The duo landed on the roof and took in their surroundings.
"I wonder what made Daredevil pick a church, I wonder if he's religious" Spider-Man quipped.
Black Cat seductively moved closer to Spider-Man and began rubbing his chest 'so what should we do while we wait?"
Before things could go any further The Defenders made their presence known.
"I hope we weren't interrupting" Daredevil said stoically.
Daredevil turned his head toward Black Cat and took out his billy club "what is she doing here, she is a criminal."
"Reformed criminal thank you very much" Black Cat replied sticking out her tongue.
"I can vouch for her Daredevil she's my partner" Spider-Man said standing in between Black Cat and Daredevil.
"Let us not do anything rash, remember why we're here" Iron Fist said trying to defuse the situation.
"Tell me Black Cat you used to steal why should I believe you want to be a hero" Daredevil asked.
Black Cat took a deep breath, "my father was a criminal it's the only life I've ever known, I have stolen many things but never hurt anyone in the process. I enjoyed the challenge and thrill of breaking and entering undetected, but that was all before I met him. Spider-Man was interesting to say the least, when I met him, I tried to bring him to my side but he refused. I even asked him to help me break my father out of jail, but my father surprised me and sided with Spider-Man saying to leave him in there. After that I took a hard look at myself and the choices I've made. I will admit falling in love with Spider-Man is a big reason I decided to become a hero, but beyond that I want to make my father proud."
Luke, Jessica, and Iron Fist all looked at Daredevil while Spider-Man wondered why they were staring.
Daredevil begrudgingly spoke "she's telling the truth."
"Is that your superpower are you a lie detector" Spider-Man asked.
Jessica burst out in a fit of laughter "that seals it, I don't care what anyone says I like this guy he has my vote to become a defender."
"Wait you invited me here to join you" Spider-Man asked surprised.
"That was the plan before horns over here started interrogating your girlfriend" Luke said.
"After you helped Daredevil dispatch the hand we felt it only right to reward your great moral compass" Iron Fist said.
"What" Spider-Man said confused.
"Sorry he does that sometimes" Jessica replied still laughing.
"Anyway, Spider-Man do you accept entry into the defenders" Daredevil asked.
Spider-Man sat down legs crossed for a moment in deep thought "three conditions, one my mask stays on until we build trust, two you have to take me to your super secret headquarters I know you have one, and three Black Cat joins with me we're a package deal."
Daredevil moved toward the standing Spider-Man and extended his hand "I accept, welcome Spider-Man and Black Cat to The Defenders."
"Now the reason I called you here is we have intel that The Enforcers are heading to Rikers Prison to break someone out we don't know who, but Fisk wants them out bad" Daredevil said.
"Who plans a prison break on a Friday someone has no regards for social plans" Spider-Man joked.
"Rikers, just great half of Spider-Man's rogue gallery is in there" Black Cat said.
"So Spidey who do you think Fisk would go through so much trouble to get" Luke asked.
Spider-Man's posture tensed "there is only one person he could want."
Rikers Prison
Otto Octavius sat in his prison cell planning. He was planning to get revenge on his long time nemesis Spider-Man. Otto had heard rumblings of a new player in the criminal world and rumors had it he was a big player. Otto took a chance and with some of his reserved money from working for Norman Osborn he paid a small time henchmen to reach out to this new player. If this player was as big as he had heard his release from his shackles should be coming along any day now all he had to do was wait. He didn't have to wait much longer as the power went out and a loud explosion was heard and felt throughout the prison. Otto watched as he recognized The Enforcers causing a commotion within the prison. Shocker sent guards running with his shockwave blasts. Ox found the emergency generators and destroyed them effectively releasing all of the prisons leading to a full on prison riot. Ricochet pulled out bars off of Otto's cell and handed him a briefcase "something from the Kingpin as a show of good faith." Otto opened the case and bag laughing maniacally as he was greeted to the site of his metallic tentacles.
Spider-Man, Black Cat, and The Defenders arrived at Rikers Prison and were welcomed to the site of complete and utter chaos. Inmates roamed free attacking prison guards, police vehicles were overturned and on fire, and the police reinforcements needed help. There were a few cops that set up a perimeter around the entrance of the prison and fortunately Spidey recognized one of the officers Captain Geroge Stacy.
"Captain Stacy, what's going on in there" Spider-Man asked as he shook the captain's hand.
A new officer Spider-Man never saw before pointed her gun at him. Captain Stacy put his hand up "Officer Watanabe that's enough Spider-Man is here to help."
Officer Yuriko Watanabe holstered her weapon as Spider-Man tried to ease the tension "we just met and you're already pointing a loaded weapon at me I feel special Yuriko."
Yuriko glared before turning to Captain Stacy "you didn't tell me he was this annoying in person and if you're going to call me anything just call me Yuri better yet don't call me at all."
"Oh yes talk dirty to me" Spider-Man said with a laugh before Black Cat slapped him in the back of the head.
"Ouch, Cat you do know you're strong right I'm tender" Spider-Man complained.
"Maybe you shouldn't talk dirty then" she replied with her tongue sticking out.
"Anyway, Captain how can we be of assistance" Luke cut in.
Spider-Man instantly switched back to mission mode as he waited for an answer.
"So far the prison is in complete chaos, we have to hold a perimeter here so the inmates don't get into the city" Captain Stacy said.
"Just great a big portion of my rogue gallery is in there" Spider-Man said.
Another explosion could be heard and Captain Stacy's radio came to life "we can't hold out they are going to breach the vault holding the supervillains."
After hearing that Spider-Man didn't hesitate as he shot a webline and began making his way inside. Black Cat and the Defenders weren't far behind as they rushed inside. The Defenders were immediately met with escaped inmates who attacked in mass. Iron Fist lived up to his name by focusing his chi into his fist and delivering a strike to the ground. The shockwave knocked several inmates back. Luke easily picked up a prisoner and launched him into another group knocking them all over. Daredevil split his billy club into escrima sticks and with his heightened senses dodged incoming attacks and easily knocked out prisoners with stikes to the head. Spider-Man and Black Cat were amazed at how good the Defenders worked as a team until Spider-Man turned to Jessica Jones.
"Um Jessica aren't you going to do anything," he asked.
"I am, I'm watching" she replied.
"I have to say this is much easier with a team" Spider-Man said out loud
Spider-Man's spider sense began to flair, as he searched for the danger a wall exploded with Rhino coming through it. Spider-Man looked down and saw a small group of police officers Rhino trampled. Their injuries didn't appear to be life threatening but they were in bad shape.
"This is a great day I get to escape this prison and destroy Spider-Man" Rhino said.
As Rhino charged in he felt himself be redirected as Luke Cage lifted him into the air before slamming him to the ground.
"YOU JUST MADE A BIG MISTAKE" Rhino yelled as he rushed in and locked arms with Luke Cage in a test of strength. Iron Fist turned toward the rest of heroes "go we will hold him here."
Spider-Man nodded as they dwelled deeper into the prison rescuing as many injured officers as they could. Eventually there were too many and Jessica Jones and Black Cat had to carry some officers back to the entrance promising to come back as soon as possible. As Spider-Man, Daredevil, Captain Stacy, and Officer Watanabe continued further in they were greeted by none other than The Enforcers.
"Well if it isn't the bug and the red freak" Shocker said.
"Well if it isn't Montoya and his C rank teammates" Spider-Man quipped.
Shocker fired his vibration gauntlets as Spider-Man pushed Captain Stacy and Yuri out of the way as he took the blast full force being sent into a concrete wall. Captain Stacy and Yuri opened fire, but the bullets didn't faze the charging Ox heading toward them. Daredevil was stuck in a hand to hand contest with Ricochet and couldn't save them. At the last second an impact variation of Spider-Man's web connected with Ox's face blinding him and causing him to run into a wall. Spider-Man stood up breathing heavily 'made it just in time, not bad for someone so annoying right." Yuri and Captain Stacy helped Spider-Man sit up as Daredevil slipped a kick from Ricochet and delivered a left hook flooring him. The rest of The Defenders returned to see the injured Spider-Man and the only Enforcer left standing Shocker.
"Give it up Montoya it's over" Spider-Man said.
"You're right bug, it is over" Shocker replied with a laugh.
Spider-Man didn't need his spider sense to warn him, he heard the familiar sound of mechanical tentacles. Slowly emerging from the shadows Dr. Octopus made his presence known by immediately using his metallic tentacles to grab Spider-Man by his throat and ripping him from Captain Stacy and Yuri's grasp.
Spider-Man was gasping for air trying to break his grasp "hey Doc long time no see, have you lost weight?"
Black Cat has seen enough and jumped into the fray with her claws ready to slash, she dodged two of his robotic tentacles but the third swatter her sending her flying back. Iron Fist quickly flipped in the air catching her. Jessica cracked her knuckles and rushed in delivering a superwoman punch to Dr. Octopus sending him back and in turn causing him to drop Spider-Man who began coughing "you're my new favorite defender."
Daredevil split his billy club into escrima sticks "you're outnumbered surrender now."
"As much as I would like to see you try and take me on I have places to be" Dr. Octopus gloated.
"You think we're just going to let you go little man, you're out of your mind" Luke Cage chuckled.
Dr. Octopus" tentacles punched a hole in the wall pulling out a bomb "if you want to save everyone on this island I say you have three minutes to make that decison"
With that Dr. Octopus grabbed Ox and RIcochet as he along with Shocker made their escape.
"Dr. Octopus is that bomb really going to take out the whole island I got a few guys in here I like" Shocker asked slightly concerned.
"I'm surprised, I guess there is honor among thieves, no the bomb will take out the floor their on and it actually has a shorter detonation time than three minutes" Dr. Octopus replied with a cackle.
Black Cat immediately went for the bomb, using her claws she unscrewed the casing around it and saw the timer was sent for thirty seconds. Everyone saw the time and panicked, everyone except for Spider-Man. He quickly acted without even thinking he webbed the bomb up in some of his web fluid.
"Spider-Man I do not think your webbing will be enough to stop the blast," Luke said.
"Maybe, but I have to do something" Spider-Man replied.
Fifteen seconds were left before Spider-Man had an idea a crazy idea, but an idea nonetheless. Using all of his spider enhanced strength Spider-Man webbed everyone together swinging them through the hole in the wall Dr. Octopus made earlier. Everyone was caught off guard as they were flung through the air. Spider-Man webbed up the hole and began encasing himself and the bomb in webbing to hopefully reduce the blast radius. Spider-Man mentally and physically braced himself as he mentally counted the remaining time left. The last thing he heard was a deafening explosion and a bright light before everything faded to black and became silent.
The explosion was deafening, but the web wall Spider-Man made didn't break. It took the combined strength of Luke and Iron FIst to break the wall down, and Black Cat was the first one through and was greeted to the site of an unconscious and badly injured SpiderMan.
Fisk Tower
After making their escape a helicopter was waiting and took the villians to Fisk Tower. Otto Octavius now stood face to face with none other than the Kingpin.
"So you are the new big man in town I must say I'm impressed" Otto said shaking his hand.
"I am glad I lived up to your expectations good doctor" Kingpin replied.
"I am interested in what you want in return for freeing me" Otto asked straight to the point.
"Nothing to difficult just your loyalty" Kingpin replied before sipping a glass of wine.
"I am no one's slave, Norman Osborne made that mistake and look where he is now" Otto threatened.
Kingpin stood up to his full height towering over Dr. Octopus "you misunderstand, I will offer you financial compensation and a location to continue whatever scientific experiments you wish all I want in return is your cooperation and assistance in future jobs."
Dr. Octopus felt he didn't have much of a choice besides a lab and funding sounded like a fair exchange to him "you have a deal."
Defenders HQ
Spider-Man opened his eyes and everything was foggy and spinning "ok at least I'm not dead."
"Don't jinx yourself because I have half a mind to do it myself" Black Cat replied weakly.
Spider-Man focused his vision and was able to make out her white hair and mask, he immediately tried to touch his face and felt immediate pain.
"Don't move Spider you're hurt pretty bad don't worry no one saw your face I made sure" she replied smiling weakly.
The Defenders all walked into the room with a woman Spider-Man hadn't seen before.
"Hello there ma'am I assure you this is not the superhero club you are looking for" Spider-Man coughed out his quip sounding forced.
"Easy there I'm Doctor Claire Temple, I know all of these lovely costumed vigilantes on a first name basis and I fix them up on a regular basis mostly Daredevil" she said putting Spider-Man at ease.
"Now you need rest you have at least six broken ribs, a fractured wrist, and a severe concussion" Clair said.
"I'm sure it only feels worse than it is I tend to heal quickly" Spider-Man replied.
Black Cat held up a mirror so Spider-Man could look at himself his suit was in terrible condition. It was torn in several places with the left side of his costume being gone from the explosion. Looking at his mask the bottom was also gone, he didn't question it earlier but he did feel he was able to breathe easier now he knew why.
"I stand corrected it does look pretty bad huh" Spider-Man said trying to hide the pain in his voice.
Black Cat's eyes were red from the tears she spilled earlier, seeing her cry again The Defenders and Clair decided to give her a moment alone with Spider-Man. Before Spider-Man could say anything the phone icon popped up in his mask alerting him to a call. Spider-Man surprised to see the electronics still worked slowly sat up so he could take the call.
"Hey Aunt May How are you?" he asked.
"Are you alright Peter, you sound tired" she replied.
"I'm fine May just adjusting to my first day back is all" he lied.
"Well I just wanted to let you know I will be going out with Ms. Watson this weekend, I don't mind you having Felicia over I trust I raised you right" she said sternly.
"Of course May nothing at all to worry about, you might be gone by the time I get back JJ has me chasing another Spider-Man story" Peter said.
"Oh Peter before I forget, Gwen and Harry dropped something off for you" May said almost forgetting.
After exchanging their goodbyes before he could lay back down Black Cat immediately embraced him into a hug.
"Is it my new cologne" Spider-Man quipped.
"Peter look at me, I almost lost you today and that scared me" Black Cat said taking off her mask.
Spider-Man did the same slowly pulling off his damaged mask "I know Felicia and I'm sorry I just have a bad habit of making jokes to ease the tension as well as my own nerves" Peter explained.
Felicia hugged Peter even tighter "I don't care how much it costs you are making a new suit."
"Felicia you've already spent so much on me I couldn't possibly accept" Peter replied.
Felicia sent the scariest glare that Peter has ever seen and he's seen the Green Goblin up close "ok I take it back and we can talk about it when we get to my house, anyway, where are we?"
"This is The Defender's headquarters, remember that church we met on, we're inside of it." Felicia said to the shock of Peter.
"What happened after the explosion" Peter asked suddenly.
"Majority of the prisoners were being placed back in their cells by the police, Dr. Octopus, The Enforcers, and Rhino escaped sadly, Captain Stacy got us a helicopter to get you back here well close enough to here, Yuri and Iron Fist kept you stable until we got you to Clair" she explained.
Peter sat in deep thought, "I don't like it Doc Ock hates to work for anyone, for Kingpin to get him as well as The Enforcers and Rhino he must have some serious pull. If Doc Ock reunites the Sinister Six there is no telling what Kingpin can do with that much firepower."
"I thought you beat them before though Peter" Felicia questioned confused.
Peter twitched slightly "I did, but not exactly alone I had the symbiote that black suit you saw me in. It is extremely powerful and tripled my spider abilities, but it was slowly turning me evil."
"You're not evil Peter you're a superhero you even helped put me on a hero's path" she said trying to comfort him.
"Sometimes I wonder if it was the suit or did the suit just bring out what was already inside of me" Peter replied with his head down.
Felicia grabbed Peter's face bringing his head up to hers "Peter Parker you're an amazing hero and an even better man, you risk your life every day trying to help any and everyone you can. For god sake you took on an explosion to not only save us, but the prisoners as well. You're selfless and I am honored to be called your girlfriend, now enough moping we have to figure out how to get you home."
Peter leaned in and planted a kiss on Felicia's lips with the kiss growing more and more passionate. A knock on the door brought the couple back as they quickly put their masks back on.
"We're decent" Spider-Man yelled.
The Defenders all entered as they saw Black Cat and Spider-Man fixing their masks.
"Good to see you're doing alright kid" Jessica said with a chuckle.
"Ballsy moves, did you know you would survive the explosion" Luke asked.
Even with his mask on everyone could feel Spider-Man divert his eyes to the floor.
"Luke, we all know the dangers this life carries" Daredevil said.
"Anyway Spider-Man, Black Cat you both should go rest we will continue to investigate why Kingpin broke those supervillains out" Daredevil added.
"I can't just leave you to deal with my rogue gallery, they are my responsibility" Spider-Man said slowly getting off the bed he was in.
"Spider-Man i applaud your dedication, but you need rest besides you can't go out looking like that" Daredevil said pointing to his damaged costume.
"Besides I'm a private investigator I know what to look for I got this" Jessica chimed in.
Seeing he was in for a battle he couldn't win Spider-Man surrendered "fine just keep me in the loop alright?"
"Agreed, do you need help getting to where you're going" Iron Fist asked.
"No between the two of us I will be fine" Spider-Man said.
trap_cloud_: Yo did you guys hear about that explosion at RIkers?
Reply from Spidey_nova: It was crazy, but it looks like Spider-Man is running around with The Defenders talk about a superhero team up.
Reply from TheDailyBugle: MORECOSTUMED VIGILANTES IS NOT WHAT THIS CITY NEEDS I JUST SAW THAT WALL CRAWLER SWINGING ON THE BACK OF THAT CRIMINAL BLACK CAT I TOLD YOU THEY WERE IN CAHOOTS.
A/N
I enjoyed the social media comments from the PS4 game so I decided to add it here. Let me know f it should stay or go. Also fun fact the handles I use are from Spider-Man cosplayers on IG so feel free to give them a follow if you want.