SPIDER-MAN: THE OTHER SPIDER (CHAPTER 40)
Note: There's a part in Chapter 35 that I had to correct in which Peter had to do some internet surfing for a website named 'The Watchful Eye' which was not showing up properly previously.
10:00 am Manhattan rooftop…
"What are you going to do, Spider-Man?" Peter said as he chewed on a slice of pepperoni pizza by himself.
Now that word of Tombstone bothering the Daily Bugle has gotten to him, Peter had more demons to face again and it is worse knowing the kind of damage Tombstone is capable of.
"Seriously, what the hell is Robbie thinking? He wants me to go up against a guy who almost made me need a wheelchair. This is nuts. Is there anyone else out there that can take care of these problems? What the hell happened to them?" Peter ranted in his head.
As Peter talked to himself, the distinction between him and his vigilante-self diverged. Peter found himself believing that Spider-Man was a separate person. While he is a dorky man with a lack of organisation; Spider-Man was an idealised persona who can save the day in no time.
"Take it easy, Peter. Stop eating for a moment." Peter said as he closed the pizza box and carefully let his mind be at ease.
As he began to relax, Peter started to trace back to what he knew of Tombstone and what he could learn from experience. He reached for his phone and searched the internet.
"Robbie's childhood friend… Albino guy with skin as tough as titanium. Associate of Fisk." Peter rambled.
After surfing the internet, a little, he then remembered the website that he'd used to research information on Wilson's crimes.
"The Watchful Eye…" Peter said before trying to search for information regarding Tombstone on the website.
"Whoever is behind this site; somehow knows the avenues of the criminal enterprise or is just second-guessing." Peter said again noting the character of the website, "I can't face Tombstone head on though."
After digging around a little, Peter found information regarding suspected storage units on where Tombstone runs drug trafficking. He then figured that these would be the places where he could learn more about his foe.
"Maybe if I intercept one of his operations, I can extract more information on Tombstone." Spider-Man said, "Maybe…"
Upon further investigation, he read up on the rumoured time schedules of each drug operation and picked his destination.
"Dutch Kills… Yeah, sounds like a place where you'd run a drug operation." Spider-Man said.
10:45 am Dutch Kills chemical warehouse…
Reaching the destination, Spider-Man noticed a white van parked near a warehouse with its backdoors open. Perching on top of a lamp post, he eyed two men each carrying esky boxes in one hand. Additionally, the men also had lab coats draped around them as well as surgical gloves covering their hands.
"It's not every day you see minions pretend they are scientists." Spider-Man said, "Now for the usual drill."
In his usual routine, Spider-Man tried to find a ventilation entrance or rooftop window that he could sneak through. Finding one window, he ziplined towards it to get a better view on the activity that was happening inside.
Inside, there were people near distillery sets creating chemicals. Spider-Man observed the men wearing lab coats; safety googles and surgical masks.
"Lots like chemistry class down there. Though, who should I be interrogating? The men who got out from the van or these guys?" Spider-Man said.
Before he could take any action, the people inside started reacting to something as if they were on high alert.
"What the-?" Spider-Man said before realising the people were under attack.
Swinging into the window and breaking the glass, Spider-Man quickly heard the sound of gunfire and the yells of people.
"She's already shot down some of us!" A woman's voice yelled.
"Everyone on the ground!" Another female voice yelled which prompted Spider-Man to identify the attacker.
Spider-Man then watched as the rest of the workers cowered in fear from above. He then turned his attention to an Asian woman wearing a black leather jacket and blue jeans holding a gun. Officer Yuriko Watanabe entered the scene taking control of the situation.
"Be grateful I haven't actually put down any of you…Yet." Yuri said in her most forceful voice.
"Who's this lady?" Spider-Man wondered before he decided to take action and snatch her gun by web.
Yuri's attention was diverted when Spider-Man entered the scene surprising her.
"Excuse me, mam. I don't know what you are doing but that's a rather extreme way of making an entrance." Spider-Man said.
"Just my luck…" Yuri replied, "Why are you here?"
"I've got business to take- Look out!" Spider-Man said as he forced Yuri to move aside from gunfire being thrown at them by one man.
Afterwards, Spider-Man grabbed the gun out of the man's hand via web and knocked him out.
"Hey, you mind helping me removing those with guns?" Yuri asked as she began to physically fight her assailants.
Seeing that Yuri can take care of herself, Spider-Man put his trust onto her and swiftly agreed to her suggestion.
"For once, I don't need to do 100% saving." Spider-Man murmured before taking out those carrying firearms.
As Yuri and Spider-Man fought together, their actions knocked over some equipment and supplies that were scattered in the area. Together, they ransacked the drug operations taking place. Yuri furiously fought as she knocked over people with her fists and kicks with Spider-Man working behind her.
After the crew were taken care of, one lone man was left alone carrying an inhaler mask of sorts. The man strapped the mask onto the face and began breathing in what seems to be a white powder substance stored inside. After coughing up a little, the man's eyes turned red while his skin turned chalky white reminding Spider-Man of Tombstone.
"What the-?" Spider-Man said in amazement before the man came rushing over like a bull.
Spider-Man prepared to jump before Yuri intervened and tried knocking the man over. However, the man felt nothing and shrugged Yuri off. Yuri hit the back of her head onto the wall and lost a bit of conscious making Spider-Man face the man alone.
"Time for a ride?" Spider-Man said before jumping onto the man's back and webbing his face up.
The man moved randomly side by side as he was blinded by the webs while Spider-Man held onto a web string in each hand as he tried steering the man's direction. The man then knocked himself out by running into wall. Afterwards, his skin slowly showed signs of changing back to normal to indicate the drug's effect wearing out.
"You okay?" Spider-Man said walking up to Yuri who was rubbing the back of her head.
"I guess." Yuri said before accepting Spider-Man's hand to get up.
"So, what's your deal with these guys? You here for Tombstone too?" Spider-Man asked.
"Tombstone? So that's who this place belongs to, right? Good to know." Yuri replied.
"Are you like a police officer or something? Shouldn't you have a squad with you for these kinds of situations? Kind of irresponsible for someone like you to go one man-er… Woman army here." Spider-Man asked.
"I'm a cop, yes. An off duty one. I'm here alone because well…I need to do things on my own otherwise the bureaucrats I work with block the progress of my investigation." Yuri explained.
"Tombstone wrecking things for you?" Spider-Man asked.
"Possibly. Actually, I've been thinking it's got something to do with Fisk. Or, as other people call him, 'The Kingpin'." Yuri replied.
"Ah, no surprise. But since you're a cop, aren't you worried that you're a target if you're doing things like this?" Spider-Man asked.
"Screw it. I can't do right if I work with people who are reaping locket rooms full of cash or boxes of guns." Yuri said shaking her head.
Spider-Man then stopped talking for a moment raising both hands before explaining why he's here.
"I'm trying to stop Tombstone. Stop him and hopefully get information from him on the bad things Fisk has done to this town." Spider-Man explained to Yuri.
"Hold up… If I recall correctly, that's the same guy who supposedly killed you. At least that's what the press said until you came back again." Yuri said in return.
"Yeah, maybe it's a Bugle article. No surprise there. Put myself back together though. So now… I have a chance to learn from my mistake." Spider-Man said, "I was going to ask one of these guys if they know what beats their boss. Wait a second…"
"What?" Yuri asked.
"They were saying you shot some people early on, did you-?" Spider-Man tried to ask in shock before Yuri cut in.
"It's a stun gun." Yuri said holding her gun up, "But there is a bullet option if I wanted to."
"Uh… As long as…" Spider-Man said.
"As long as they're criminals, gunning them down is not out of the question." Yuri said, "You know I never realised you were the stuttering type."
"Ugh, well as long as we're not enemies." Spider-Man said, "Say, you mind if I look around this place?"
Yuri was hesitant at first as this was first encounter with the vigilante. The two were on opposite ends of the law when it comes to chasing criminals; however, for her own sake the Spider hero could provide useful to her.
"Sure, what are you after?" Yuri asked with scepticism.
"I need information on if there's a drug out there that can make Tombstone feel pain." Spider-Man said, "Like-"
Turning to his attention to the knocked-out man who previously used an inhaler mask on the floor, Spider-Man had an idea.
"That last man we faced used some kind of drug that made him as hard as stone." Spider-Man said, "Maybe we can use some of the lab equipment here and make a counter drug."
"As with all crime scenes, let's not mess around with the evidence." Yuri replied.
"Well, you said you don't trust your own police friends. So why not have a bit of liberty?" Spider-Man said as he began to search.
"I may arrest you for this." Yuri replied.
After searching the place, Yuri alerted Spider-Man to a man who was still conscious after being knocked out in the fight early on.
"It's called Diox-3, okay? That's all I know. If you want to make it; go read a book." The man whined with Yuri interrogated him.
"Diox-3?" Spider-Man chimed in, "Like two oxygens with three hydrogens? Isn't that just hydrate?"
"I don't know. I just read what's on the manual for it. It's a drug, alright? It has rings; carbon and all that shit. I hope that sounds confusing to you." The man replied before he stopped talking.
Spider-Man then scanned the environment and found a lone book opened up on the table. The pages were stained and the Diox-3 recipe itself was written on it.
"Just like chemistry class, nothing that exaggerated." Spider-Man said as he examined the notes.
He then looked at the warning paragraph in the case of overdose. Reading over the symptoms and side effects, he found information that would give him the idea on how to create an antidote of sorts.
"Don't worry. I know exactly what I'm doing." Spider-Man said before looking around for some lab equipment.
Yuri walked up to read the book as well and scoffed at the information.
"I need a forensic guy to read all this." Yuri said before seeing Spider-Man pick up some empty flasks, "Hey, what are you doing?"
"Just cherry-picking the stuff for a Diox-3 counter drug." Spider-Man said.
"Maybe I should arrest you." Yuri said taking out her gun.
"Oh, come on. I'm trying to take out a big bad guy and you want to arrest me for 'stealing' some tubes and flasks?" Spider-Man asked.
Yuri stood there for a second before lowering her gun. Even if she did try attack him, Spider-Man would have beaten her based on super powers.
"Fine. Take what you need. Maybe leave the book since I need to take it to forensics." Yuri said.
"Awesome. In fact, I'll be taking all I need…In a box." Spider-Man said dragging out a large esky box in the middle.
After taking what he needed, Spider-Man created two strings of web and carried the box like a backpack.
"Forget it. I was just about to ask how you were going to carry that thing while swinging." Yuri said watching Spider-Man carry the box.
"Oh, I've got a good back and I can swing. That's all it takes for me." Spider-Man said, "Well, now I've got what I came for, I guess I'll see you soon? Officer-."
"Yuri. In fact, Lieutenant Yuri Watanabe. If you are interested in stalking me." Yuri answered.
"Yuri." Spider-Man said in return, "Nice knowing you. Hey listen, if you manage to get an anti-drug sample done by your forensics. You mind lending me some? It could really help."
"Uh…When would I meet you again?" Yuri asked watching Spider-Man take his leave.
"The Rockdrum. This evening maybe. 7:30? It's a place in Harlem where Tombstone hangs out. Think you can find me there?" Spider-Man asked.
"Rockdrum… Yeah, I guess I can go to Manhattan this-." Yuri replied before realising Spider-Man had left.
Looking around, Yuri was left with a room of unconscious people and the lab surrounding her.
7:30 pm The Rockdrum, Harlem…
As promised, Yuri made her arrival at the location Spider-Man told her. This time she wore warmer clothing to withstand the cold night as she waited by herself in the alleyway.
"Why am I trusting this guy?" Yuri thought to herself coming face-to-face with the vigilante hanging upside down by web causing her to gasp.
"Sorry to keep you waiting." Spider-Man said before falling off and landing on his two feet.
"Unfair entrance." Yuri said with a bit of a glare, "Do that for the criminals you catch."
"Aw, come on. I would have liked a smile." Spider-Man teased.
"Here, sorry about it though. It's the only sample I could wring from the forensic specialists." Yuri said handing Spider-Man an injection vial of the counter drug, "Be careful with it. The needle is encased for a reason."
"Well thanks, I also took the time to synthesise my own counter drug." Spider-Man said pulling out an inhaler mask with the powdered drug stored inside, "Not sure if it's going to be as effective as the one you have."
"Are you serious? You actually know chemistry? What else do you have up your sleeve?" Yuri asked surprised.
"I mean how else can I have webs that make me swing?" Spider-Man replied back before taking the vial from Yuri's hand.
Yuri then crossed her arms and wrapped her scarf around her mouth to keep warm.
"You sure this is going to make a difference for you?" Yuri questioned.
"I mean…Any help is good. So, thanks." Spider-Man said holding the two items in each hand.
"Just so you know. I'm doing this because I feel it's right. I want something efficiently done in the justice system." Yuri said, "Maybe it's time you show me something."
"I'll be going in then, maybe you should try stay out of this. It could get rough." Spider-Man warned before venturing to the place where he confronted Tombstone.
Leaving Yuri alone, he ziplined to a building where the heart of the Rockdrum was hidden. Entering a small window, Spider-Man crawled in where he could hear the sounds of disco music pounding and the voices of people cheering for bloodshed.
"I wonder why this whole fight club hasn't been shut down yet. Are the cops scared of Lonnie?" Spider-Man thought as he crawled in.
As he pushed forward, Spider-Man found the same arena where he first fought Tombstone. The same electrical fences were still in place to keep the contestants caged as crowds watched from behind. Currently, two men were wrestling each other to a bloody conclusion in which one man was getting strangled down.
There were no pleas of mercy to be heard which made Spider-Man intervene by shooting a web down and interrupting what could have been a death. The crowds stopped cheering as Spider-Man descended in.
"Hate to interrupt this death match. But I thought we buried this sort of thing back in Rome." Spider-Man joked.
The two men stopped fighting and moved away due to already being physically exhausted and not wanting to be hurt by Spider-Man. They soon left the cage after the gatekeeper let them out.
"Which one of you is Lonnie Lincoln. Tombstone. Mr. Statue?" Spider-Man asked as he looked around the crowd.
After a few moments of whisper, Tombstone eventually walked out from the crowd and greeted Spider-Man from behind the fence.
"Well, well. Thought you would show up again." Tombstone said looking the same as ever.
"Ah, the man running the show." Spider-Man said, "Listen, I know I shouldn't fight you because you have thick skin. But Lonnie… We can just chat in your office and I won't have to bother you."
"I can't do that. Even if I did, the price I pay from Kingpin himself will bankrupt me and put these fellas into debt." Tombstone said.
"Wow. Despite what you are, even you are scared of him. Is this fight club your way of paying him back?" Spider-Man asked.
"Sure. But you and I know too well we're not friends either. Plus, your price tag has been upgraded." Tombstone said who was keen on fighting Spider-Man again.
Spider-Man watched as Tombstone was let into the arena. His appearance remained the same as when they first fought.
"If sending you to the dump wasn't going to keep you away; then maybe a body bag would do." Tombstone said cracking his knuckles.
"And this time, you're giving me what I originally came for." Spider-Man said reminding Tombstone.
"Make no mistake. Once you accept this fight, you better make sure you have a eulogy written already." Tombstone warned.
The two shared a stare down with each other as the fences were electrified again. Additionally, a ceiling fence was put in place to prevent Spider-Man from escaping. For Spider-Man, all he had was the floor to move about and the match was officially life and death.
"Fight!" The announcer yelled.
Music began to play as well while the crowd was excited again. Tombstone then stepped forward like the killing machine he was.
"Gotta dodge for now." Spider-Man thought as Tombstone came swinging.
As he kept dodging, the electricity running off the fence reminded him of the pressure he was facing. Even if Tombstone ran into an electrical fence, the zap would be nothing.
"Keep running, Spider. I don't tire that easily." Tombstone said swinging his arms around.
In one hand, Spider-Man had an injection vial ready to go. As Tombstone marched up to him, Spider-Man made the leap forward and tried stabbing Tombstone in the neck with the injection. However, the injection did not work as Tombstone's rock-hard skin made it difficult for intravenous injection to happen.
"A little knife to this fight doesn't make the difference, Spider." Tombstone answered before grabbing Spider-Man by the arm and swinging him away.
Spider-Man was knocked onto a fence and fried causing the crowd to cheer. Inside the suit, Peter felt dozy. The vial had also been knocked out of his hand and broken.
"Ugh." Spider-Man said as Tombstone picked him up again.
"Not sure if you're worth more alive but I did make my promise." Tombstone said as he clutched Spider-Man by the skull.
As Tombstone's grip began to settle on him, the inhaler mask dropped out Spider-Man distracting Tombstone.
"Another toy?" Tombstone questioned and he let go of Spider-Man and tried inspecting the mask.
This in turn gave Spider-Man the chance to take action by shooting out two webs out of his shooters and stop Tombstone from going forward. Although there was likely no pain, there was enough force to pull Tombstone through both the neck and back.
"Gotta do this quick." Spider-Man said before detaching the webs and latching them onto the fence.
Spider-Man rushed to get the inhaler mask before Tombstone freed himself from the webs.
"So, you're finally cheating." Tombstone said while showing off his razor-sharp teeth.
"I could say the same for you and your skin." Spider-Man said holding onto the intact inhaler mask.
"Heh. Can't say no to that." Tombstone humbly admitted before attempting to attack Spider-Man again.
As this happened, Spider-Man made another leap of faith and latched onto Tombstone's back. He then strapped the mask onto Tombstone and made him inhale the drug. Even with the success, Tombstone shrugged off Spider-Man again.
"What was that?" Tombstone asked as he ripped the mask off him and coughed.
Spider-Man laid on the ground and saw Tombstone was still standing agitated.
"Guess I'm done for." Spider-Man said as Tombstone grabbed him again.
"Hopefully the last of your tricks." Tombstone said as he prepared the death sentence.
Spider-Man closed his eyes to stop himself from meeting his bloody end. Aunt May; Gwen; Ned and George; all of whom would likely be at his funeral. But at least he could see Uncle Ben again. Before any of these death wishes came true, Tombstone started coughing again letting Spider-Man go.
Spider-Man watched as Tombstone coughed like he was having a heart attack. The crime lord convulsed and rocked back and forth in pain. It seemed liked the drug was having an effect. With this opportunity, Spider-Man rushed forward and kicked Tombstone knocking him back.
"It's working." Spider-Man said to himself before throwing some punches.
As Spider-Man continued with his fists and kicks; Tombstone eventually regained consciousness and grabbed Spider-Man by the arm. However, Spider-Man delivered another punch sending him back to the electrical fence and shocking him. Undeterred, Tombstone got up again and charged forward.
Jumping up from the charging attack, Spider-Man watched as Tombstone charged and broke down a fence. He watched as crowds dispersed as he rushed forward and eventually knocked down the brick walls of the building. Spider-Man followed the direction before finding Tombstone outside lying on his back.
"Finally." Tombstone grumbled in pain as he looked at his own blood on hand.
"You okay, Lonnie?" Spider-Man asked in concern before Tombstone laughed.
"I'm thrilled." Tombstone said as he ripped off his shirt to showcase his sizzling skin.
"So, you're actually enjoying pain?" Spider-Man asked again.
"Yeah. Maybe I'll give it a try again." Tombstone said with a crooked smile.
"Does that mean I won?" Spider-Man asked.
Tombstone nodded before giving his word, "Go to my office; find anything you want. It's all crooked."
Meanwhile, Yuri was with a police squad. She watched as the police came in and to arrest and question people involved with the Rockdrum fights when suddenly a snowball was thrown at Yuri. Turning around, Yuri spotted Spider-Man waiting in the corner of an alleyway.
"You're still alive." Yuri said.
"Yeah. And I've found some things." Spider-Man said handing Yuri a laptop and document folder, "All bad stuff Fisk was involved in."
"You know, maybe you can be useful." Yuri said, "In fact-."
Yuri then handed out a call card with her phone number and gave it to Spider-Man.
"Is this real? Why?" Spider-Man asked looking at the card, "Oh, Yuri. Do you like want to grab a coffee some time or have a da-…"
"Yeah, um. If you ever think you find something useful in your crime fighting or investigations. Inform me." Yuri said, "By the way, it's just between you and me."
"You and me. Sounds like a good duo we can make." Spider-Man said teasingly.
Yuri chuckled and turned away a little as if to hide some form of embarrassment.
"Good to know there are still good cops out there." Spider-Man said to Yuri before swinging away into the night.
As Spider-Man swung away, Yuri asked herself a question.
"What would I do with him if I had super powers myself?" Yuri questioned.
9:25 pm Stacy Private Investigations…
In her costume, Gwen opened up the backdoor and snuck into the building. She could have tried her phasing abilities but there was still so much she was not sure about. She wondered if this ability was inherited from Miller's brief experimentation on her or if this was just a latent ability that she has yet to understand how to control.
After pushing the backdoor, Gwen turned on a torch that she brought herself and began searching the dark room. She was keen to find out about her dad's work and wanted to know if she would discover something new from George's business.
"Good thing, I am the daughter of this house." Gwen said to herself as she walked up to some bookshelves.
Stacked inside one bookshelf were archived folder documents and inside of them were case files compiled by George himself independent of any other police investigation. After digging around a little, Gwen looked through the document names related to the names of certain people such as Spider-Man; Electro and Shocker.
As she flipped through the files, she then paused and placed her fingers on the Spider-Man document which contained stacks of papers.
11:30 pm Parker residence…
Peter slept soundly for the night. Today, he had taken down a big crime lord and potentially made a new police ally in Yuri. Perhaps, Yuri may be good in place of George for now. However, his sleep was interrupted when he heard May's grumble downstairs before his name was called out.
"Peter?!" May yelled prompting Peter to wake up and stretch his arms before moving.
Peter quickly came out of his room and jogged downstairs to find May in the kitchen all by herself in her sleepwear.
"Peter, what is that awful smell in the kitchen?" May asked coughing and opening up the window nearby.
Realising it was the smell of the Diox-3 counter drug he synthesised, Peter hastily made an excuse.
"Uh, sorry. I was trying to cook some new curry dish for dinner. Didn't realise it would cause such a bad smell." Peter said swatting the air.
8:30 am Daily Bugle Building, 4th floor…
Peter greeted Robbie in his office, he was reading through a yet to be published editorial of the Daily Bugle on the computer screen.
"Parker, good to see you." Robbie said with a smile.
"What's the new flash today, Robbie?" Peter asked.
"Well, we just got word that Tombstone is heading to jail the day after Blackie Gaxton himself was jailed." Robbie informed.
"Blackie Gaxton?" Peter asked.
"The leading man who tried to attack the Bugle, don't you remember? Spider-Man stopped him." Robbie said before showing the man's appearance on his computer screen to him.
"Oh, the one with the oily hair and green outfit. Right." Peter said with a chuckle.
"It's a good thing Tombstone won't bother us no more. I wish I could I say thank you to Spider-Man." Robbie said.
"You look kind of down, Robbie. Did you only want to say thank you?" Peter asked.
"Actually, it's my son again. We've talked about him before. I tried contacting him today to ask how was he feeling, but he wouldn't pick up." Robbie said, "Poor boy must feel lost."
"Well, hopefully Spider-Man can find him and make him pick himself up." Peter replied.
"Well, I wish it can be him who does the all the work. That's why I tell you, you gotta always keep family and friends close." Robbie said to Peter.
"You're right." Peter simply replied.
Peter then wanted to show Robbie some evidence regarding Kingpin's crimes but thought he should save it for an appropriate time.
"Well, I have these photos to spare." Peter said as he handed out pictures of himself swinging with the moon behind him.
"Wow. It's gotta be hard to get that sort of picture. This better not be photoshopped." Robbie said examining them, "Keep up the good work, Parker."
With those words, Peter had a normal day to spare.
TO BE CONTINUED…