[GROWING PAINS] ARC

Chapter 9

To Catch a Cat

You make sure you have everything before you head out. You wear a hoodie and loose jeans to cover up your costume underneath, your webshooters underneath your sleeves, and your mask, goggles and gloves hidden in an inner pocket of your hoodie. You also have your backpack, which has a separate change of clothes.

Well, tonight's the night. You have a little while before the caper will happen, so it's probably for the best you head out now. You leave a note for Aunt May that you're heading to the library and leave the house.

It isn't good to change too close to your home, it might lead people to you. It's also a bad idea to change too close. People will be on the lookout for the Black Cat and slipping into an Alley might be seen. So, you change at about a halfway point. You climb up an alley about halfway between your home and destination and leave your clothes in your bag, which you web to the upper part of a wall where it's hard to see. That should keep it secure and hidden for a couple hours. You put on your gloves, mask and goggles and start jumping, from building to building when people aren't looking.

You easily make your way unseen, closer and closer to the Daily Bugle without being seen. It takes time and use of your ability, but you haven't seen anyone point you out or act oddly, your spider sense advising you as you go.

It's slowly been progressing through evening and before you know it, you're near the daily bugle. It's almost night and you still have half an hour.

But there's a lot of people around who are on the lookout now, you'll have to advance more carefully.

You quietly move into position, constantly pausing and adjusting as your spider sense alerts you. You make it to a good hiding spot on a ledge that overlooks Jameson's office. You see a man in a police uniform and a man that you can identify as J Jonah Jameson, owner of the Daily Bugle.

You lay yourself low so you can keep an eye out without being spotted.

You keep an eye on the office. It's boring and you sometimes have to duck out of the way to avoid anyone spotting you, but you keep hidden.

But, nothing's happened, it seems. Jameson seems to be yelling at the police officer, who seems to be trying to placate Jameson. Is that Gwen's dad? The hair color looks the same, so maybe.

The phone office rings and Jameson hands it over to the cop, who picks it up and answers it. He seems surprised at first, then worried. When he hangs up he sits in a chair, hands in his face as Jameson seems to be asking him something.

The man shakes his head and there seems to be nothing more for a while. Eventually the door opens and an officer escorts in an upset Gwen, who talks with the officer before wrapping her arms around his torso.

You move closer to investigate. If it's really Gwen, she'll know who you are and not react. If she isn't she'll be alarmed. You move closer, slowly and make yourself visible to her.

When Gwen looks up, her eyes widen in surprise, as something akin to panic crosses her face before it quickly fades as your Spider sense blares.

You quickly dodge out of sight and get into a new hiding position as you watch the Gwen imposter scream at where you were as Jameson and the officer quickly turn to where you were moments ago. The two of them are looking around frantically as 'Gwen' opens the door and shouts, pointing back at the wall. Spotlights light up the side of the building you're on but you somehow /BARELY/ manage to keep out of sight thanks to your wall crawling powers.

There's police looking around every window, along with everyone on ground level. Behind The officer and Jameson, you see 'Gwen' smirk before quickly knocking the two out, the Officer before Jameson, who isn't able to make a noise before a cloth is put over his mouth, too.

She then slips over to the large safe in the corner of the room and starts opening it after locking the office door.

There's nothing left to do but act. You let yourself become the Black Cat's distraction, so you're going to have to catch him…her… it.

Especially if you want that reward money. You extend your webshooter and create a line so you can swing on through the window. Luckily, both the cop and Jameson are away from it.

Swinging in, the glass breaks as you tumble in, quickly righting yourself, webshooters at the ready.

'Gwen' turns to you, a smirk on 'her' face, the safe swinging open, revealing an emerald cat statue. "Oh, and who are you supposed to be?"

It's unnerving to hear Gwen's voice in such a tone. Man, this person is really bothering you! Your spider sense is tingling as you ready yourself for any actions she might take. Who are you?

You smile beneath your mask. "Oh, just your friendly neighborhood Spider-man!"

As you shoot a web towards the statue, intending to web it into the safe, 'Gwen' quickly grabs it and jumps back, waving a finger, grinning cheekily. "Ah, ah, ah! That's a bad Spider!"

As she slams a ball at her feet as smoke erupts from it, engulfing the room. You hear the sound of a door unlocking.

You give chase, firing a line of webbing at where the door is. You feel it connect and pull as you feel something struggling against the line. Exiting the smoke cloud, you see 'Gwen' on the ground staring dirtily at the webbing on her leg.

She looks back at you, pleading. "I'll give up the statue, Spider, just let me go, please?"

She uses Gwen's face to try to convince you as police officers come into the room, pointing their guns at both of you. She glances at them then you before she raises her hands in surrender.

"Alright, I give up."

She stands up after kicking the statue away.

Your spider sense is going off, but that might be from the cops pointing guns at you.

"Officers, it is my pleasure to introduce you to the one and only Black Cat.

Also, Mr. Jameson and Captain Stacy are currently unconscious. Think she used chloroform or something. You might want to do something about that."

You gesture back with your head as you raise you hands and slowly step to the side to allow access to the room. Two officers rush in there to wake Jameson and Stacy.

Black Cat nods, a different voice coming out of Gwen's mouth, the voice is silkier, deeper. "Yes, that's entirely correct. I am, indeed, the Black Cat."

She lets out a sigh. "This is a surprise, though. I never actually expected to get caught."

She looks over you and leers. "But then again, I never faced such a daring opponent before, either."

Behind you, you hear the sound of Jameson yelling. Apparently he's regained consciousness as he marches into the room and looks at both of you and then back at his office and then down at the statue on the ground.

"Stacy! Your daughter's the Black Cat, what exactly is the meaning of this!"

He turns towards you, looking furious and pointing his finger. "And you! WHO ARE YOU IN THAT MASK AND OUTFIT!"

"Me?"

You point a finger at yourself. "Well, I'm just your friendly neighborhood Spider-man!"

You gesture over at the amused looking disguised Black Cat. "And that's not really Captain Stacy's daughter. Remember, the Black Cat is a master of disguise, Sir."

Jameson looks unamused, pointing a finger in your face. "DON'T YOU LECTURE ME! I've been writing papers and deducing facts for years! Of course she's not Stacy's Daughter! But that means that YOU'VE been slacking, Stacy!"

He points his finger at Captain Stacy who walks into the room, looking irritated. He looks over at you and then the Black Cat. "Enough, Jameson."

You clear your throat. "So, wasn't there a reward for stopping and catching the Black Cat?"

Jameson turns on you, angry again. "REWARD! You want a REWARD! LOOK WHAT YOU DID TO MY OFFICE! Sure, I'll give you your reward, once you show me your face, so I can SUE you for destruction of private property!"

He pulls on your mask, but like your wall crawling abilities, you adhere it to your face, causing it and the goggles to be stuck there. "Hey, sourpuss, you didn't state that the identity of the capturer had to be revealed! You're breaking your own contract!"

Jameson snarls at you, spittle flying in your face. "OH YEAH?! THEN SUE ME YOU MASKED MENACE!"

To the side, the Black Cat sighs. "This is getting annoying. Since there's no reward for you, how about the both of us blow this joint, Spider?"

You shrug. "What and let you ruin your own daring escape? I couldn't do that!"

She smiles, hand over her heart. "Oh, dear, what a romantic!"

"WHAT!"

You look over at Jameson. "Well, She can do what she likes. She's as good as in police custody. On the other hand, if there's no reward, I have no reason to help keep her here. But you've sure made yourself out to be such a fantastic person, JJ! I'll be sure to sell my story to your biggest competitor so they can tell everyone exactly what kind of person you are. Imagine all the papers they'll sell."

Jameson scowls, His face red, veins popping. He leaves the room and comes back in with a stack ov money and throws it at you. "There! NOW ARE YOU HAPPY?!"

You count the bills and nod, turning towards the Black Cat. "Sorry, business is business."

She nods, hands cuffed behind her back as you make sure she doesn't escape. She gives you a big grin. "Oh, I understand. Bye Spider!"

She's led off by several cops leaving Jameson and Stacy there. Jameson looks at you. "WELL? GET OUT OF MY OFFICE! I NEVER WANT TO SEE YOUR FACE AGAIN!"

You look over at Captain Stacy and nod. "Well, it was nice giving you all a hand Captain."

He nods. "Just don't get on the wrong side of the law, Spider-man."

You nod and head towards the window as you hear someone call for you.

You turn back as you see someone run up, out of breath. It's Eddie Brock, who brings up a camera. As he does so, you Salute from next to the window and Websling away.

You get several buildings away before there's an outcry. Sounds like Jameson is yelling. On the top of the buildings, it looks like a figure is following you from rooftop to rooftop.

Tucking away the money in your glove, you continue for a bit, checking to see if the figure is still following. After what you feel is a decent distance, you land on a rooftop as the figure jumps, landing in a roll before stopping before you. She's got long white hair and green eyes, the figure clearly feminine. She walks up to you and points, but your spider sense isn't going off.

"Hey, you could be a bit more considerate for a girl you know."

Her 'clawed' glove traces its way down your chest. "but still, you did good work there. I think we'd make a great team. How about it?"

She leans in giving you a sultry look. The woman seems to be wearing a black catsuit, with white, furlike bits on her arms, legs, and neck collar. She also has a domino mask around her eyes. You don't know her age, but she looks young.

Is this really the Black Cat?

You shake your head. "Wow, that was fast. You know, you've just completely destroyed my faith in the NYPD, I hope you're happy."

She leans in, tracing circles on your chest. "Extremely so."

You raise a finger and shake it, your voice full of jest. "Sorry, my mother always told me not to play with bad girls."

Her eyes hood as she lightly bites down on your finger, not doing anything buy applying light pressure before letting go. She must not have any malicious plans because your Spider Sense isn't reacting. "Oh, but we bad girls are all the fun, Spider.

"Besides, you can always punish me for being naughty."

She's leaning in as she whispers into your ear.

"Besides, you're the only one to know what I look like, and I /am/ at your mercy."

"Cat, I don't think you're at /anyone's/ mercy. After all, didn't you just escape police custody?"

She pulls back and smiles as you check behind your glove, seeing the money in there. "Oh, you charmer. Checking to see if I took Jameson's reward?"

She's amused as she leans in. "Don't worry, I don't plan to steal that from you, Spider. After all, we /both/ got what we wanted, after all."

You make a motion of being shocked. ""...It was never about the money or the adrenaline at all, was it?

"Your whole thieving career was just a ridiculously convoluted way of getting a date."

Her eyes widen in surprise before she grins, leaning against you further, causing you both to topple over, her straddling you. "Well, no. But it is a good idea. How about it, Spider? You and me on a daring date where two individuals should never be found."

She leans down and you feel her chest press down on yours as you feel her breath against her mask as her voice seems to promise very indecent things. And you think, if there wasn't anything you wouldn't want her help with. And you know of one thing.

"Well, there is one thing… But I don't know if you're up to it."

Her eyes widen in excitement as she adjusts herself to be straddling your hips, her voice heavy and breathy. "Really? Do go on."

"Well, There is this company named Oscorp who I need to find out what they've been up to. It'd require only the best, you know. Are you /sure/ you'd be up to it?"

As you teasingly ask her, you see a spark of real consideration and interest light up in her eyes and with that you know that you'd hooked her on the idea. "The best, Spider? There's none better. And going after Norman Osborn? Oooh, you do know how to get a girl interested."

You smirk behind your mask. "Well, assuming you are a girl. After all, that's all assuming that all you're wearing is a domino mask and catsuit, right now."

She grins, pulling down the zipper of the catsuit, revealing pale flesh as she grabs your hand and puts it inside, cupping a breast. "Well, I am wearing a wig, but it /is/ my natural hair color. And that's all natural. Go on, give a feel." As she grinds down on you with her derriere, causing a very natural reaction to the feeling. You gulp as she gives a light moan.

"Oh, is that webbing in your pocket, or are you happy to see me?"

She puts a hands against your face, stroking your cheek with a finger, her voice seductive, but somehow needy. "Hey, Spider, can you trust me for a second?"

Your spider sense is silent

You're flustered by all of the contact and your mind goes blank for a second. "I uh, huzahwhat? I think I need an adult."

She grins as you play it off jokingly, as she leans in, mouth right next to your ear. "But Spider, I /am/ an adult."

She puts her hands at the base of your mask and moves it up some, but you decide to trust her as she only moves it up to reveal your mouth. She gives you a grin before pulling you into a kiss.

Its amateurish but deep and needy as she grinds against you, arms wrapping around your back pulling you deeper into the kiss. You try not to respond, but its so hard not to, your hand resting on her breat, the other goes to rest on her rear.

Finally, she breaks the kiss and pulls back, a trail of saliva following. She's flushed but pleased looking as she smiles at you, her chest heaving as she breathes deeply.

"That was my first kiss Spider, I hope you like my gift."

She leans to your barely expose earlobe and gently nips on it as she whispers. "I think I've decided what I plan to take from you, too."

She pulls back as you tense up, a teasing grin on her face as she traces a heart shape on your chest.

"Your heart will definitely be stolen by this Black Cat. That's my public warning to you, Spider, can you stop me?"

She gives you a teasing grin as she gets up, being sure to give you a show. She extends her hand to help you get up.

You take her hand as she pulls you up. She smiles as you get your wits about you. "Well, I suppsoe this is where we part ways for now Spider. But don't be a stranger, or I'll have to come find you."

Her voice is teasing, but there's a note of seriousness in it. She shrugs, pulling up her zipper as she leans over and gives you one more kiss over your mask. "For luck, Spider.

"Though, I will be one cross Cat if I find you cheating on me!"

She waves a finger while showing off the emerald cat statue with the other before she jumps over the ledge. You go over to look, see if you have to react, but there's nothing down there. She's vanished without a trace.

Man, she's hot. Er, good.

Both, really.

You sit on the rooftops for a while, sorting things out in your head, or at least trying to make things less muddled. It isn't easy, because the Black Cat's pretty much stuck in your head.

You decide to check your money, pulling it out of your clove. Counting it, it is all there, but in he middle of the roll is a white card, with a black cat printed on it. Flipping it over, you see a note written it begins with a telephone number.

-"My number, don't be afraid to give me a call, Spider.

-"Black Cat"-

How? How the hell did she manage that? Stupid sexy thieves. After a while, you decide to head on back. You have something more important to think about.

How exactly are you going to actually GIVE this money to Aunt May or Uncle Ben?

-"SPIDER-MAN! HERO OR MENACE?!"-

The figure sets down the paper, leaving red handprints on it. "Spidah-Mahn, eh? Interstin'. Very Interestin'. Ah'll have to give him a lookssee when Ah get there."

The figure looks at the room its in, a red smiley face drawn on the wall. One of the figures on the ground, a child, tries to say something. "r-r-ed"

The figure grins, licking its lips. "That's right. It's my favorite color, ya see. But now now little child, yah best go to sleep. Forever."

Finishing off its last victim, the figure leaves the room, whistling merrily, leaving behind a scene of total and complete carnage.

END of [GROWING PAINS] ARC

[CARNAGE ARC] NEXT

To Be Continued...

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