Disclaimer: I do not own Spider-man or any marvel related things.
Chapter 7: The Rampant Rhino
"Give him the formula!" yelled an old man.
A younger person restrained this huge man and injected a shot into him.
"If this works we can rid ourselves of Spider-man," it was a huge bald man in a nice suit.
Then the restrained man's arm started to grow, and it started to turn gray. He grew a few feet taller and started gaining some more bulk. An odd object started to grow on his head it was a horn. He ripped the restrains off and stood up.
"So the Rhino," said the big bald man, "The human tank!"
The tall gray Rhino like man snorted at this, "What is my duties?"
He said this in a heavy Russian accent.
"Kill Spider-man," said the fat man with a grin on his face.
Rhino walked down the stairs…
Several days later…
Peter was at a newspaper stand and there was a newspaper that said, 'Spider-man Burglar!'
It shows a picture of Peter sitting on the roof of the museum waiting for Vulture. He looks at the company it says, 'Daily Bugle.'
He then sees an ad in there for pictures of Spider-man, 'Easiest money ever.'
He runs into an alleyway and changes into his Spider-man costume. He then web swings out with a camera in hand.
A couple bums point at it then continue to look for nickels. Some people turn away from a street performer and watch in awe.
Spider-man swings out of the area. He then sets up his camera so it will go off on timer, on a roof. He swings towards the camera and it takes a few pictures. Feeling satisfied he heads towards the Daily Bugle. A man in a bug outfit flies by.
Then a man in a suit of armor follows him closely behind.
Peter catches up to the guy in the suit of armor, "If I am correct I believe the Bug Guy is the villain?"
"Ah, Spider-man I have awaited the moment we meet! The name's Tony Stark, Iron-man," he says as he shoots the guy in the bug outfit. He is knocked from the sky.
They both land on the ground.
"I have read all about your medical findings!" said Peter; "You made a life support suit that can be used in emergency situations."
"Well Spider-man if anyone should be impressed it's me, you inspired me to build a suit to help civilians," said Iron-man, "I have many models built for different occasions, the life support suit is just one."
"What did this guy do anyways?" asked Peter.
"He is Beetle he stole plans for a suit of armor he now knows how to make," said Iron-man, "But he can't get those supplies in jail."
Iron-man presses a button on his armor and Beetle is trapped in a force field.
"Well, salutations Spider-man I'll help you when I can!" Iron-man flies towards the Stark Tower in the middle of town leaving Peter with the Beetle.
He punches the force field and it starts floating away, "Come back!"
He swings into the air and kicks it. It flies around bouncing off of things like a pinball. He shoots a web at it grabbing the field. He pulls it in and drags it to the police station.
"Here you go Captain Jeane De' Wolfe," He hits the force field landing it in a cell. The force field disappears leaving Beetle in the cell armor less.
"Spider-man we need to talk," said Captain Jeane De' Wolfe.
"Don't tell me we are going to have the 'talk!'" Spider-man replied.
Captain Jeane De' Wolfe responds, "There is a man named Kingpin, the untouchable high lord of crime in this city. He is pretty upset with you taking out a few of his men to name one in particular…Mysterio. Also we believe Kingpin is going against a law preventing him from messing with humans in genetic experiments, I need you to find what he made and bring it here."
Peter looks down and says, "Why not Kingpin himself?"
"Well Spider-man Kingpin is like I said, untouchable," she says sadly, "He is the Kingpin of crime therefore it is hard to pin something on him, usually evidence is void in a confrontation with him. He will have one of his underlings take the blow."
"All right, any clue what this genetic mishap might look like?" asks Peter.
"No, that's why we need you, keep fighting these super beings and your bound to find it," said the Captain in an understanding way, "The other Officers are getting a little cranky you better leave."
Peter leaps out of the window and shoots a web, 'Next stop the Daily Bugle!'
He shoots a web to an apartment building and pulls on it making him fly over it. He lands on the one ahead of it and leaps to another. While running he shoots a web to a higher building making him swing off of the building. He shoots at least ten or twenty more webs before finding the Bugle.
He expertly makes an acrobatic landing in an alleyway not far from the Bugle. He removes the costume and puts it in his bag. He puts on his street clothes and walks in the building holding the pictures. He walks up to a counter where a woman is sitting. The tag on her shirt reads 'Ms. Betty Brant.'
"Umm, Ms. Brant I heard J Johnah Jameson was looking for pictures of Spider-man…" Peter asks her.
"Correct what is your name so I can give a name when I call?" Ms. Brant replies in a very business-like voice.
"Peter Parker."
Betty Brant picks up the phone and dials a number, "A Mr. Parker is here with pictures of Spider-man."
She sets down the phone, "He wants you to come right up!"
Peter walks over to the elevator and presses the UP button. Another, man walks over who has short brown hair, wears a lot of black, and has a beard. He is holding a file with a lot of papers sticking out.
"The names Phil Urich," he said holding out his hand.
"Peter Parker I'm here to deliver pictures to J Johnah Jameson," he replied.
"Oh, the Spider-man pictures, there is no way my Rhino story will make it front page now," he looked crest fallen, "But, don't worry I'll insure it will make it in the paper."
"Mr. Urich I have read many of your articles and I have always been impressed with the interesting things found in New York," said Peter.
"You can see the article before it is turned to trash or treasure by J Jonah," he hands Peter the article.
He reads the title stated, 'Rhino's, Birds of Prey, and Bug zappers.'
He starts reading the article, 'Lately there has been a sudden influx of mutants, super powered beings, and misused technology of sorts. Spider-man was there to counter most except certain cases where a man named Tony Stark flew in a shining suit of armor. Together these super heroes have captured robbers, murderers and common thieves like…Vulture, Electro, Shocker, Beetle, Mysterio, and Mandarin.
Each of these have appeared within the last two to three weeks. To mention super heroes appearances are the most infamous Spider-man (real name unknown), Iron-man, and to a lesser extent Blade, and Deadpool (both are mercenaries who are unidentified.)
The most recent was spotted by a civilian named Harry Osbourne son of the well known Norman Osbourne. He spotted a gray skinned hulking figure, he described it as Rhino like in appearance, it said one word to him in a heavy Russian accent, 'Spider-man.'
We are convinced this Rhino man is connected to Spider-man in a way. Harry said that he seemed violent and uncaring of the destruction he caused. Let's hope that this man is but a peaceful giant.'
It had references at the bottom for short biographies of Tony Stark, Quentin Beck, and Adrian Toomes.
He handed the article back to Phil Urich with an awestruck expression on his face, 'The genetic experiment…might be this Rhino thing. Harry saw this? I'll have to ask him about it.'
"How was it?" Phil asks Peter as they get off the elevator and head toward J Jonah Jameson's office, "You believe the story right?"
"Well if it came from Harry Osbourne, I believe it. Harry is a good friend of mine," Peter replied.
"J Jonah will not see it that way, it shows Spider-man in a positive light," says Urich in a response.
Before Peter could reply they arrived at the office.
"You can go first Peter I can wait," said Urich.
Peter steps into the office holding a stack of pictures. Each one containing different poses of Spider-man, even a few shown of him helping Iron-man with Beetle. J Johnah Jameson sits at the desk he had graying hair, a business suit, and a moustache. Robbie Robertson was standing, he was dark skinned, shaved nearly bald, and wore a business suit as well.
"What's this kid doing out get him out Robbie," yells J Jonah.
"I believe this was the Mr. Parker who had the pictures Jonah," Robbie says apologetically towards Peter.
"Well bring them here boy," said Jonah in an extremely rude tone.
Peter steps forward and drops a pile of pictures on the desk.
"Are you Spider-man's stalker or something?" he asks before Peter could reply he started sifting through the pictures saying which ones were bad and good.
The ones with Iron-man and Spider-man were tossed aside immediately. He finally narrowed it down to about four to five pictures.
"One for tomorrow's paper, 'Spider-man: Do We Need Exterminators?'" He grins to himself and stores the pictures.
"Spider-man was saving lives though!" Peter exclaims.
"You take the pictures I make the paper got that hot shot?" Jonah replied.
"Yes sir," Peter mutters.
"Good, now kid do you want a job? You seem to be the only guy who can get these pictures. The view points of the pictures are amazing too," Jonah says.
"Yeah, yeah I would like a job," Peter says in response.
"You'll work under the very Robbie Robertson!" says J Jonah as he lights a cigarette, "He too started out as a photographer for the paper, now he is a head honcho along with me."
"Okay Peter, I believe I have one empty office back here," Robbie says to Peter in a kind friendly way.
He gets Peter over to a cubicle near an office entitled Robbie Robertson, "There we are Peter you start tomorrow I'll have a few assignments for you, you should be able to get your check from Betty Brant."
Several minutes later on Peter's way out he picks up a check of five hundred dollars. He soon arrives home after swinging most of the way, at about four o' clock on a Saturday.
He walks in to say hello to Aunt May, he immediately hands her the check.
"Peter how did you come up with this money???" Aunt May nearly yells.
"I'm going to take photographs for the Daily Bugle now May, we can start getting things that we need," Peter hugs her tightly.
He visits with Aunt May for an hour or two more than starts swinging to Harry's house. He lands in an abandoned street nearby and finds a place to change.
He walks over to the front door and knocks. Norman Osbourne answers the door, he is wearing a lab coat, and laboratory clothes, "Ah…Peter there is something in the lab you might be interested in seeing. Harry is their too so you guys can meet there."
His short red hair was unaffected by the wind but however Peter's somewhat longer hair was swaying this way and that. They walked in and started heading down stairs.
They appeared at the lab entrance, "I call it the Glider!"
Peter looked at it. A metallic bat shaped thing with jets on both wings, was floating in mid-air. But it also had familiar things on it. The wings were made of the same technology as Vulture's. To octopus arms were planted underneath the wings. Shocker equipment was sticking out of the Bat Mouth.
"It looks like it's just a weapon," said Peter.
"Oh trust me Peter it has more uses than that, a de-armed version of this product will be sold publicly as a cheaper way to travel to places. Also it runs on an electric-solar hybrid so it runs on no gas. Also military applications would be to merely clear enemy lines from higher ground. It is still nowhere near as powerful as a military jet…but it's getting there," Norman smiled maliciously while saying this.
"Mr. Osbourne, may I talk to Harry about his Rhino incident?" Peter asks.
"Sure thing Peter, just remember our house is your house," Norman Osbourne grins at Peter as he walks toward Harry.
"Well, let's go to my room to talk about it, my Dad's so excited about the Glider he wouldn't even notice if I went on fire," Harry laughs as he heads up stairs.
"So Harry, what exactly happened with that Rhino creature?" asked Peter.
"I am not supposed to tell you," said Harry.
"Why?" asks Peter.
"If I tell you later after this Rhino thins is said and done you will know," Harry replied.
They talked about other stuff shortly after as they were bored of the subject. After a half an hour or so of chatting with Harry Peter left and started swinging home from the city.
Several minutes after he left…
Peter shot a web making it strike the side of a building. Then he pulled forward. He landed o the ground and started running again.
What he saw shocked him…
Iron-man was on the ground with his armor mostly damaged. He was bleeding badly and had a few broken bones. Iron-man beneath the armor looked to be around Peter's age.
Rhino was seen leaving the crime.
Next Chapter: The Crimson Dynamo