It was the late afternoon down at the New York Airport as two guess have arrived. One was an optimistic, happy-good-lucky, Japanese high school girl with a headband and boxing gloves, and other was an eccentric, overly confident and cocky martial artist similar to Ryu, but had different wardrobe. It was easy to get lost, so they blended with the crowd.
They were not your ordinary tourist. These two were traveling martial artist. The young girl had begun to take picture of the superhero ads, from Captain America, Iron-Man, Hawkeye, Spider-Man, Hulk, and Thor. "Come Sakura, New York is a big place and we don't want to get separated now don't we?"
"I'm on my way Hibiki-san."
With ease, the two Japanese tourist walked by the security guards with ease. Not once did they question their motives or attire. They already had super powered individuals, so in no way they weren't faze. All they wondered is when their shift would end, and when they next donut break.
While across the town, Dan picked up a paper from the Daily Bugle. It said, "Spider-Man let the criminals get away. Spider-Man is a wall crawling menace to society." At least that is what the paper had said. But most people knew that what the Bugle printed wasn't true.
A few ticks later, Dan thought of an idea. "Sakura, I have an assignment for you. I promise you it will help you out on your training along the way." Dan announced. "You will need to fight Spider-Man. he is in league with criminals of this city, so it's up to you to put a stop to his behavior."
"But Hibiki-san Spider-Man is cool, maybe I can get his picture while I'm at it."
Dan pointed his index finger at Sakura. "Your priority stands Sakura. Just remember you're here as a fighter not a tourist. Newspapers don't lie. If you do this, you'll save a lot of people. If you want to get strong to face Ryu again, you must bring crooks like him to justice."
Knowing it was completely random she asked. "Even so Hibiki-san, how will we know where to find him?"
"Why the photography that takes his pictures off course. I'll help you find him. Seek him out and I'm sure he'll lead you right to him, so look sharp. Now if you mind I have to check in at a hotel."
Sakura grasped her camera in anticipation. Even if Dan had told her otherwise, she was more determined to get picture with Spider-Man let alone fight him as an opponent. Now the question was where to start looking?
Meanwhile, Peter continued his superhero duties. He landed on top of a school roof changing into his street clothes. With his knowledge, he was able to work a job as an instructor at Midtown High, while still juggling his Daily Bugle work.
He arrived inside school through the janitor's washroom. It was nearly five minutes before class started, but he managed to make it on time. He taught teenage kids in a science class. Just seeing them wanting to learn reminded them of himself when he was young. He set down his book bag and started, "All right kids, let's get started on our assignments shall we?"
"And so kids, by combining these compounds, you'll be able to make formal able to melt even the thickest block of ice with this. But I can assure you it's perfectly harmless to human beings except if you swallow it like candy. Then you'll have days of diarrhea and throwing up to worry about." Peter teaches. "And that would be bad for your posture if you want to look as good as me."
They laugh at his minimum humor. Even if he wasn't Spider-Man, he still had plenty of jokes on him.
"So on and so forth, once we boil it all down, we can mix the…" Peter paused over the sound of the bell. "Have a good day kids, be sure to study chapter twelve and remember the formal."
Since he was only a part timer, he only worked for limited amount of hours. And thanks to the recommendation from the University, he was able to stay as a teacher. The job also had helped him out on his monthly expenses as well as helping out his aunt.
"Bye Mr. Parker." A few girls shouted waving to him. He waved back with a smile.
When he received his paycheck and about change, he discovered somebody on his trail. Thanks to his spider senses. Unfortunately it was no super villain after him this time. While hanging from the wall he saw Dan and Sakura trying to find Spider-Man after stopping by the Daily Bugle. It must have been a false alarm or so he thought.
Sakura and Dan walked through the city in search of Spider-Man. Wasn't sure about the directions, Sakura asked. "Are you sure about this Hibiki-san?"
"Off course I'm sure. Spiders love dark corners so it's only a matter of speaking he'll be here. Or at least when danger strikes. I know my way around this city from the back of my head." Dan continued to boast.
"That's not what you said, when you got us kicked out of the Daily Bugle office by security."
Peter sighed in relief. It wasn't the first time his spider sense had been wrong about enemy detection. Still, he remained cautions of his surroundings. He highly doubt they were assassins hired to eliminate Spider-Man. So he decided to approach them in a subtle manner.
Later on that day, he finished stopping by the Daily Bugle to pick up his check for his usual Spider-Man photos. After his bosses encounter with Dan and Sakura he had more security and even yelled at Parker for his adventures. He was even tempted to question his motives for the Spider-Man pics. That made his insides goes numb for a few seconds.
Sakura waited at the main lobby reading another article of Spider-Man's failure. Once again, the Bugle had blamed Spider-Man for the increase of crime. "Nice pictures aren't they?" he inquired.
"Yeah, I never knew you take some pretty good photos." Sakura grimaced at Peter. "Hey you're Peter Parker-san, one of Spider-Man's man supporters. It must be hard trying to keep up with him on a daily basis, with the way he goes from building to building." She says still looking at the picture.
"Oh he comes and goes alright, I try to catch up to him, sometimes even follow him. Are you one of his fans?" Peter sat down beside her.
"Oh, sorry about that, I'm guess I'm pretty late with introductions. I'm Sakura Kasugano, and I'm on an assignment from my master Hibiki-san."
"Really? What kind of assignment?"
"He wants me to challenge Spider-Man in a fight. I figure you might know where he is, because you always happen to catch him."
Peter turned his eyes the other direction. "Oh he comes and goes. It's not easy Sakura. I usually just get from the shadows."
Peter didn't know what to do. He certainly could her that he was Spider-Man, since only few knows who he really his. He also didn't want to endanger the life of the young street fighter. Thankfully, she didn't come off as a crazed fan-girl. She was honest and carefree. His head was spinning in confusion over what to do.
On that day, Peter decided to take Sakura along with him. Knowing himself, he would just slip in and out before she knew it. No one would be able to suspect him. Peter and Sakura kept track on the building and skies for trails like a hawk. Cameras were armed and ready snap at any time.
Their watch was cut short by sudden alert of danger, as he knocked Sakura out of the way from the blast assault. Shocker had returned and was back with a vengeance. He bawled. "All right kid, since you take photos of the web-creep, you are going to lead me to him. Or else I'll get your little friend as well."
Sakura got on guard. "You leave him alone."
Shocker aimed at Sakura with warning shot. "Stay out of this kid, unless you want to get hurt. My gloves pack quite a punch that your body can't handle!"
Spider-Man busted in with his usual combats. "Hey there Shocky, they let you out of prison early? Or do you have to stomp so low to threatening little girls to get to yours-truly?"
"Good for you to show up, now I'll have the pleasure of eliminating you myself." Shocker aimed his power gauntlets.
About take on Shocker, Spider-Man warned Sakura. "You might want to get out of here. It will get dangerous." Sakura shook her head and wanted to help Spider-Man out in the fight.
Projectile blast fired at the two as they dodged every blow thrown at them. Spider-Man was amazed by Sakura abilities. She was no ordinary tourist. She even got far to land some blows against the super villain. He remembered another fighter with the same fighting style.
Realizing People were in the building they were standing upon, Spidey had decided to take the fight with Shocker somewhere else. Sakura was overjoyed to be in Spider-Man's back while swinging across Manhattan, since he swung doesn't of people.
Sakura bent down to her knees catching her breath. "That was fun Spider-Man, but where Peter-san?"
"He stood behind to get my good side, but don't worry he's safe. I know him a little too well." he said. "Parker says you were looking for me."
"Yeah, I guess this is how it is doing what you do."
"Sure is, it pays being Spider-Man. No matter what big-mouth JJ says."
Sakura smiled grew. "That's so cool."
"Your reign of terror against the weak ends now Spider-Man." Dan tried to tackle Spider-Man from behind.
As soon as he broke free, Spidey had shot back. "Okay, first of all, you got a black belt in stupid if you think you can take me? Second, pink, seriously, has the martial arts dojo you came from gone colorblind? Where wears pink karate outfits anymore?"
"Hbiki-san, what are you doing here?" she asked.
Ignoring Sakura, Dan continued to attack Spider-Man. "Shut up and fight me Spider-Man." While he parried Dan's attacks, he noticed a tracking device on him. It had made his spider sense ring considerably. He quickly saved Sakura and Dan from Shocker's projectiles. Looks like it would seem that Dan has been tapped. And poor guy didn't realize it.
Even after being saved, Dan was still under the influence that Spider-Man was criminal. Sakura and Spidey took on Shocker as a team. Both of them surrounded Shocker from left and right, ready to attack him. When they charged at him, Shocker aimed his gauntlets blast in two directions.
Spidey and Sakura knocked out the super villain with a double jump kicks after they evaded his shock blast.
"We shall finish where we left off Spider-Man. I'm going to finally bring you to justice." Sakura tried to explain the whole thing, but Dan was too stubborn to listen. Spidey was in no mode to fight Dan. Before he shot his Hadouken, Spider-Man had already hung the martial artist by his feet like piñata and even webbed up his mouth.
"I'm not Captain America or Iron-Fist, but I do have good combat skills." Spider-Man stated promising Sakura a fight.
Spider-Man had fought with only his hands and feet. This time he did not use his web-shooters, nor did he hold back on Sakura. Because she had the same fighting style as Ryu, she was able to land some heavy blows on Spider-Man. Sakura was tough, but not too tough.
Spider-Man had managed to match fighters like her, because of the additional training Chun Li gave him. Each blow landed, he shook it off with ease like it was dust. After her last blow, he easily slipped passed Sakura and landed a double kick. Finally, he grabbed her overhead and threw her. He even webbed her hands to keep her from throwing a Hadouken.
WHAM! Her armed may have been tied, but her legs weren't delivering one final high kick to the jaw.
With one arm around Sakura's shoulder, Spider-Man took a picture for the Bugle. "Say cheese!"
"Thank you so much Spider-Man-san, it was great honor fighting you and meeting you to get picture."
"Hey, anytime kiddo, it's always a pleasure for your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man and his adoring fans." As their hands released from each other, Sakura and Dan ran off to the airport to catch their flight. Spider-Man could only imagine what Jameson would say this time. Knowing him, he'd eat red-hot-chili peppers for whole year, before he acknowledges Spider-Man has a well-known hero. But seeing Sakura bright happy face, people do think otherwise about him. And that brought a smile to his face.
"We failed to capture him this time Sakura, but sooner or later his menacing will not go unpunished."
Knowing it was completely pointless to reason with her "so-called" master, she buried her ears in her earphones the whole way. Nonetheless, she did tresure her photo of her and Spider-Man, and that's what made her trip worth wild.