Summary:

Spider-Man arrived in Arkham city. Being there for ten minutes was enough and now he's in Gotham.

Chapter Two

Spider-Man had little time to react as, he found himself hurtling towards the ground. He twisted desperately as the wind rushed in his ears, trying to regain his mental balance, searching for any hold.

Even with his enhanced reflexes, it was difficult to fight confusion, wind and rain all at once. His younger self would have panicked, probably searching for water below, forgetting that from a height like this, the impact would be dangerous even to him,but he'd learned a lot since then. With his speed, both physical and mental, he was able to spot a vantage point and react instantly.

With a sound that could only be A line of webbing exuded from his famous webshooters, the angle and pressure exerted by the webslinger compensating for all external factors. There was no hesitation even though at this speed, even he could sprain or break his arm. But the webbing found purchase on one of the several struts protruding from this weird metallic tower.

Powerful legs swung out, bringing him back around in a tight arc, before he let go of the webline and somersaulted to his new target. He connected with enough force, that even with superhuman stamina, it was jarring.

My Head's buzzing like Jennifer Lawrence's phone after her latest photo shoot, but it's fading. The immediate danger has passed.

BREAK

In the repurposed office of Doctor Hugo Strange, Barbara Gordon seethed with an unusual amount of anger. Gripping the sides of her wheelchair, the woman known as Oracle ground her teeth. Whoever this creepy figure was, she knew one thing about him. He was the reason Batman was no longer here and she was going to find out why.

In order to achieve that, there was one man she needed to talk to first. Punching in the correct passcode on a laptop designed by Lucius Fox and comparable to any technology use in the main Batcave she made the call

"Good evening Ma'am." The familiar clipped British tones pf Alfred Pennyworth answered her call with a smooth grace.

"Alfred, we have a development. Batman is now officially MIA."

" Explain."

BREAK

On his perch in one of Wonder City's underhangs, the new arrival was trying to make sense of his predicament, with limited success.

Okay I've no idea where I am but this place looks like it's seen better days, and wherever this is, I have no spare clothes, no change and phone. Huh, this is like the old days. No wonder I rarely feel nostalgic about them.

So, what do I need? Shelter. Food. Then once I'm reasonably secure, I need Information. I wonder if this place still has newspapers… sure looks backwards enough.

He looked over the skyline taking in the tallest buildings, their logos and their prominence. After a few minutes he had a mental outline, with this tower at the centre, Wayne Tower in one corner, A Lexcorp building across the city from it. These were far from the only names he could see, others like Falcone or Sionis adorned multiple businesses with Falcone being prominent around the docks of both the city across the water and this dystopian mess.

Methinks I need to go visit this Gotham city. It's about two to three miles away. That bridge should allow good swinging. I'll be across in about five minutes. Wonder how long it would take just running these days? Lessee, proportionate to a spider, so at least eight times faster than your average joe… huh.. I should be able to clock a hundred plus. Huh, That's faster than Cap. When I get home I should run up and tap him on his shoulder and let him know. 'on your left' should do it.'

He put the thought on hold as he launched himself from the tower, flipping from building to building as he made his way to the looming city.

BREAK

Gritting her teeth, Barbara ground out the necessary question. "Are you getting the feed, Alfred?"

"I am. Unfortunately I have nothing that allows me to cause his incarcerationin."

"I thought not but, I take it the most used room is still functional?" there was the slightest hint of humour in her voice as she asked the rhetorical question."

"Madam, Really," Alfred replied with false indignation. "But now that we have him monitored, I would describe him as enhanced. Superior reflexes, speed and strength. Extremely likely to be a metahuman"

"And anyone who can plot a course whilst in mid swing at the speed he is, is a fast thinker."

"What is the Codename of this miscreant to be, then?" Alfred frowned as he said the words. Something was wrong but he couldn't place it. He looked back at the Monitor, deciding it was more than likely this blasted newcomer's fault.

Oracle drummed her fingers over desk, then said, "Manspider." She smiled as she coined the phrase. It might not be possible to take this guy down, as fast as he was but at least she stick the creepy bug with a crappy title. She sighed as she switched to new links, wishing the network here would keep pace with Gotham's.

BREAK

He was cold and wet from his journey over the bridge. It was almost a cliche for it to start raining when he was crossing one. He was pondering his next move when he heard gunfire. Cold, wet and hungry, he headed towards the commotion.

BREAK

The reinforced armoured truck had hit a bad patch of weather and GCPD officer Mark Hale found his brakes unresponsive. The vehicle had pitched, rolling to a stop only after several metres. The police motorcade had been hit by an unknown assailant from above and even as the surviving occupants scattered for cover, the class A prisoner breached his cage.

With a roar of triumph the eleven foot tall form of Waylon Jones, better known as Killer Croc rushed the police. A figure on a rooftop watched the incident unfold, then as deftly as the Bat himself, he slid into the shadows..

BREAK

Rolling to his feet, adrenaline coursing through every bone in his body, Officer Jack Lawson aimed and fired, refusing to take no chances with the oncoming murderer, only to see the telltale glint of ricochets. He turned to retreat, intending to call for reinforcements. He didn't manage a single step before, he was hefted skyward by two scaly arms and heard savage guttural words that he fully expected to be his last..

"And now I break your bones!" KIller Croc tensed, ready to snap this mewling cop in two, but as he did, he found himself empty handed. Lawson was gone.

"Hey ugly!" The call came from above and KIller Croc searched, his eyes settling on some red and blue costume wearing weirdo. "I will suck the marrow from your bones!"

"Aw come on dude, you can do better than that. You really should've had a snappy answer."

"Die !"

Croc threw the nearest thing he could, a small car, at the interloper but even as he let go, his target was moving. He moved towards the car but instead of colliding with it, he seemed to almost pirouette on its bonnet, sending it falling harmlessly back to the ground. even as Croc reached for a manhole cover.

Officer Jack Lawson watched as this all happened in a matter of seconds, from behind the relative safety of his perch, secured behind a gargoyle, three floors up. He could barely keep up as the man in the spider themed costume went to work.

Killer Croc was also nonplussed, which infuriated him. Each time he was about to take out a cop, they'd be yanked to safety. After a second or two, he decided it was time to go the actual source of the problem. Growling, he looked at the weirdo, who was just standing there, staring him down. He charged.

The charge ended with him hitting reinforced gates blocking an alleyway, hearing a weird sound as he felt his legs pulled out from under him.

"Whaddya know, Looks like I caught me an 'Alley' Gater!"

Those police still on the ground just stared, most of them unable to believe this bug like man's flippancy. What was truly amazing though was how well it seemed to be working. Croc was concentrating his efforts on the deceptively fast arrival.

The newcomer stood there now, his arm outstretched, followed by a flattened outstretched palm, his stance defiant. Then he made a gesture, famously used by the martial artist Bruce Lee, which was 'come and get me then.'

Waylon Jones,the eleven foot tall, scaled monstrosity, Killer Croc, was now closer to animal than man, charged again, but this time he was halted by a long thin white line of something. Whatever it was, it was in his eyes, wrapped around his mouth and snagging his arms.

He hit the ground with a thundering crash, and in front of him he saw a lady's fashion store, advertising a half price on fake crocodile shoes and handbags.

"I know we didn't get off on the right foot so I thought I'd give you a family reunion…courtesy of your friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man!"

Several feet above this surprisingly one sided fight, Jack Lawson committed that comment to memory. Now he had a name he could put in his report.

Back at ground level, Killer Croc roared in response to Spider-Man's quip only to reel from a double handed swing and a back flip that resulted in both feet connecting with his jaw. This time when he went down, he stayed down.

Spider-Man remained tense but when the thug failed to rise he straightened up, Waving at a group of police, he said, "He's all yours, guys."

Police with shotguns and heavy pistols moved in, still wary of the scaly murderer on the ground, and unsure of the creepy vigilante. The air was tense but the an exasperated voice called out, "Hey, Spiderman right? You gonna leave me up here all night or you gonna help me down?"

The hero jerked his head upwards and upon realising that the speaker was the first officer he'd met and had secured three floors u, said "Oy vey."

BREAK

Well, that went better than my first time out, thought the Wallcrawler, satisfied with the reaction he had from law enforcement so far. It had been an understandably awkward exchange between himself and the GCPD. Lawson had cut through the tension when he'd poured a coffee for Spider-Man and thanked him for saving his ass.

The Police needed to get Waylon Jones secured again swiftly, so the question and answer session between officer Lawson and Spider-Man had been short. All he had time to discover was that Wayne Enterprises pretty much owned the city, owned by foolish but well meaning and liked philanthropist, Bruce Wayne.

Then, he'd downed the coffee and devoured the Pastrami wrap that Lawson had gifted him. He hadn't seen the officers pause in surprise at his standing jump up a building in his departure, nor their tired smiles straight afterwards.

Now, he was a few blocks away, pondering his next move when he spotted her. Whoever she was, he was extremely impressed. Not only had he nearly missed her, she'd seen him coming and darted into concealment. A normal human would not have caught her. But alongside the proportionate speed and strength, he had the perceptions of a spider.

He leaped across the wide city road, coming to an easy stop a few feet up the building from the agile woman getting his first proper look. She tensed at his arrival but his Spider-sense barely tickled, letting him know she was currently only thinking defensively. She was clad in a figure hugging bodysuit that served to accentuate her lithe form.

"Hi, I'm your friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man, hero, vigilante and a good guy with a long list of nutjob enemies!" Pleased to meet you."

The woman relaxed, smilingand replied. "Saying it like that makes it sound like you're standing in for Batman. In that case, I'm Catwoman, jewel thief extraordinaire that helps out now and again so that the Bat doesn't take her into custody. So, want to play with the pussy?"

Spider-Man paused trying desperately to think of an appropriate reply. None of his spider abilities were any use to him at this moment. All he managed was"No thank you."

The woman grinned. "Oh, you're gay. Pity to see all that hunkiness has to go to waste," She purred. "Anyway, Long story short ' Spider-Man . I'm a cat burglar and no, before you say it, I don't go around stealing cats; although that has happened on occasion."

"Must've left you 'feline' quite the sense of satisfaction."

"I'm allowed to scratch people that make jokes that bad. It's in my contract, but I forget which 'claws'.

"Okay, are we really going to have a pun off half way up this building?" Spider-Man couldn't believe he'd just said that.

"Why… is there somewhere else you'd rather be halfway up?" Catwoman smiled at the way the hero's head snapped back and she took the opportunity to flop backwards. The hero did exactly what she'd expected and launched himself after her. The thwip of a line being snapped out to ensnare her and save her life was also expected.

As the line caught around her leg and her downward momentum was reduced and she came to a stop she was pulled upwards. She arched her back as it happened and brought one hand around in a slashing motion, severing the line of her would be captor/saviour.

"Nice try Spider-Man". Catwoman purred as she flicked out her own line and moved in an intricate pattern. "Sorry I can't stay and play but I have places to be, and more importantly, places not be be." She watched him sit on the building and with whip cracks and pounces, she prowled through the Gotham night.

She cursed though when her pursuer arrived at the next building she was swinging to, simply landing there and sitting on it halfway up again.

"Tag, you're it," he said.

Selina's eyes widened in surprise then narrowed as she thought of something. "Alright, how the hell did you get the tracer on me?"

"Simple flight trajectories. I worked out where you would be and threw the tracer." He sat there, oozing confidence.

She stared at him disbelievingly. "At no point was I… wait, you mean even when I twisted?" This was an interesting development.

"It was a variable . You could say my aim was 'purr' -fect." Spidey said.

"Haw, haw, Spider-geek."

"And besides, I was enjoying the view." Spider-Man added shamelessly.

"You mean you got it on me when you were distracted?" Catwoman was rapidly re evaluating her new playmate. "I take it you're not gay after all."

"I got it on you way before then. I was talking about when you did the deadfall, off the building."

Her eyes narrowed and a thin smile crossed her lips. "I get the feeling you're a new meta?

"Meta? Ah, right, empowered individual Where I'm from we normally just get called 'Supers'. So are you-?

"No, I'm just that damned good. Anyway-"

Police loud hailes interrupted her. "Selina Kyle, you are under arrest. Come down with your hands in the air!"

"Whoop, speaking of places not to be… See you around!"

Spider-Man's first instinct was to go after her, but he shook it off. He was new here and his brief conversation with the woman had yielded results; besides saving lives, he had heard the name of the major hero of this city.

Batman.