"So, one question," asked Predator, crouched on a rooftop beside Spider-Man and White Tiger.
"Shoot," said Spider-Man.
"So, how exactly are we supposed to find Kraven, anyhow?" Predator continued. "This guy is supposed to be one of the best huntsmen the world over. He's got to be good at hiding his trail. I only found him last time because he was up and about. Now, how are we going to find him now that he's gone to ground?"
"I'll let White Tiger answer that one," said Spider-Man.
"Gee, thanks," groused White Tiger. "The trick to finding Kraven is just letting him know you're in town. If he wants to find you–"
"-I will," Kraven finished for her. "Hello, dear White Tiger. How nice to see you again…"
The group turned from their huddle to face the Hunter, tensed. "S'up, Kraven," said Predator. "Ready for a rematch?"
"Actually, yes, I am," said Kraven, and then he whistled. A trio of black panthers, each seven feet long, leaped up to join him on the rooftop.
"Of course," said Spider-Man. "It wouldn't be a real fight with Kraven unless he has some kind of big, hungry cat with him."
"Didn't you have a big, hungry cat on your side that one time? If the two of you can handle the overgrown house cats, I can take Kraven," said Predator.
"Hey, wait–" Spider-Man called, but Predator cocked the submachine guns in his gauntlets and opened fire. Kraven leaped back and began dodging, and Predator stepped forwards, pressing his advantage. The panthers growled and stepped forward, but each was met with a shot of web in the face. The big cats yowled in annoyance and began clawing at the webbing, trying to get it off. "I was going to say that the cats would be easy to take out, and we should all try to take Kraven on together!" Spider-Man said.
Predator gave a noncommittal grunt and continued firing at Kraven. "Hey Kraven, it's three on one," he said as he continued to fire his submachine gun, which the hunter seemed to be dodging quite easily, "How about you surrender so we can call it a night?"
"Forgive me if I decline," Kraven said with a small laugh, as he threw a small rectangular shaped object at Predator. Predator immediately attempted to jump to the side, but the object being hurled at him opened up the reveal a bright red energy net, which ensnared Predator's legs, bringing him to the ground. "I said I was ready for a rematch didn't I?" Kraven asked as he pulled an energy dagger from his belt. "It's time to add another 'Predator' to my trophy case," Kraven raised the knife, preparing to bring it down on Predator.
"Sorry Kraven, but no sharp objects allowed," Spider-Man declared as he shot a web at Kraven's knife hand, snagging it. Before Kraven could tear his weapon free, Spider-Man gave the webbing a tug, which pulled the knife from his hand. "Besides, this guy is truly 'The Most Dangerous Game'."
White Tiger followed up with delivering a punishing jump kick into Kraven's jaw. Kraven was knocked backwards a little bit, but White Tiger continued her advance before he could recover.
Predator frowned as he finally managed to trigger his claws and cut the net off his legs. Spider-Man hadn't shown that much fondness for him earlier. Why waste energy making sure he was okay?
Spider-Man moved over and offered Predator a hand to get back to his feet. Predator looked closely at Spider-Man, then took his hand. "Thanks... I guess."
Spider-Man pulled Predator to his feet with a sigh. "Gee, don't get so enthusiastic, buddy."
Predator grunted and turned to face Kraven, who was still trading punches with White Tiger. He primed his grappling hook and aimed it at Kraven. If he could time this just right...
"Wait- some things not right; Kraven is never this easy to beat." Spider-Man said, catching Predator by the shoulder.
"His back is turned and I've got a clear shot." Predator replied coldly. He shook off Spider-Man and fired his grappling hook, but Kraven heard the whizz of the deploying grappling hook and leaped over it in a back-flip, with a smug smile on his face. The grappling hook zipped underneath him, missing his leg by a hair, and caught White Tiger in the shoulder. Predator and Spider-Man could only watch in horror as White Tiger screamed in pain and fell to the ground, passing out.
"You should have listened to your leader, Predator," Kraven laughed as he threw a dart at White Tiger. The dart dug into her skin, pumping who knew what into her system. "It was too easy to turn your lack of experience into an advantage," Kraven said as he crouched over the now still form of White Tiger. Predator aimed his submachine gun gauntlet at Kraven, while Spidey also was preparing to fire his Taser webbing at Kraven. "I wouldn't if I were either of you," Kraven said in a mocking tone as he pulled out another glowing red energy knife and held the glowing blade to White Tiger's throat. Spider-Man and Predator lowered their weapons. Kraven smirked, "That's what I thought."
"You have a hostage Kraven," Predator said, as he tried to formulate a way out of this situation. "Now what do you want?" He was instead met with a laugh so evil it chilled both him and Spider-Man to the bone.
"You are a fool, Predator," Kraven began as he was reaching for something in his belt. "She is what I want. I could kill her and take what I want right now, but I have other business to attend to, here in Miami. I would rather finish both White Tiger and my other business at the same time." He ripped off White Tiger's wrist communicator and smashed it beneath his boot.
"Good luck finding me," Kraven laughed, and threw a small grenade into the ground, which exploded into a cloud of dark, concealing smoke.
The smoke cleared away moments later, revealing that Kraven was gone, taking White Tiger with him. Predator could only stare there in stunned silence upon realizing the seriousness of the situation, and then the silence was broken as a red fist punched him in the face, knocking him down to the ground. "I told you not to fire, and now look what's happened!" Spider-Man said as Predator got back to his feet.
"I'm sorry–" Predator started to say, but was cut off by Spider-Man again.
"You don't understand just how serious this situation is, don't you?" Spider-Man seethed as he paced frantically back in forth.
"I know a hostage situation is always dangerous, but I also know that White Tiger is stronger than most hostages," Predator said, as he pulled up his HUD and began calculating possible plans of action.
"No, Kraven will KILL her." Spider-Man said, which earned a stunned silence form Predator. "Kraven almost killed her once, and now there is nothing stopping him from doing it now, since we can't track him." Spider-Man now stood in place, trembling with rage and helplessness.
"That's not entirely true..." Predator said.
"He smashed her Communicator. How else could we track down those two?" Spider-Man asked.
Predator's response was to light up a holographic projection from the watch on his right gauntlet. It showed a red blinking dot that was currently moving farther away from their location. "How'd you do that?" Spider-Man asked as he inspected the hologram.
"Nanobots. I had a few on my grappling hook, in case things went south. Good thing," Predator said.
"Well then, what are we waiting for?" Spider-Man checked the hologram again, and then shot a web in the direction Kraven was running. "Let's go–"
"-Tiger hunting," Predator finished for him, firing a grappling hook in the same direction.
"I'm almost starting to like you, newbie," Spider-Man said as the two leaped off the building, leaving a trio of very upset panthers behind.
They didn't know that their actions had been watched by the skull-faced figure from earlier. The figure pressed a button on her wrist, activating a scanner that quickly picked up the nanobots from Predator's grappling hook. "So, you're fighting the Wizard of Oz reject, then…" She muttered as she walked patiently in the direction the scanner was indicating.
Edited by Darkest Nightmare's Dread
