Note: Here's a new lovely chapter for you lovely folks, sorry I haven't posted for a while but school has been eating up most of my days and Cosgrove wasn't posting for a while, but never mind that, here's a new chapter, enjoy!
[Peter Parker Quest]
CHAPTER 60
[Kingpin Arc]
Multiple Doubles and Escalation
Spider-Man
You've been looking into the list you were given by the Ghost Rider for the suspects of the Kingpin for the past two weeks. And you've managed a little progress so far. Like, for example, you learned that Fredrick Foswell is just some reporter for the Daily Bugle. As the least high profile name, he was the easiest to cross off your list, but other than that you've had to search a little harder.
The closer you get to the Kingpin, the closer you are to finally finding Felicia. The past two weeks, when you weren't looking into the Kingpin, were used looking for the Ghost Rider. It took the first entire week to find her and track her down. She seems to have blended in admirably- she has her own apartment and identification. When asked on how she obtained them, you were calmly told it wasn't important.
Well, it was important, but when pressed her eyes got all flame like and she just as calmly repeated it before offering you a drink. Seems like she has an identity here now of an independently employed adult… somehow. At he very least, she assured you that she didn't do anything really illegal or kill anyone.
In the meantime she seems to have begun assembling the outfits and décor of someone out of a heavy metal album. When asked if she was some sort of demon she only shrugged with a noncommittal 'maybe.'
Regardless, there was some join patrolling- her on her somehow obtained motorcycle and you on your webs. Only mainly smalltime crooks got stopped, but there seems to passing on the word that criminals are being targeted by Spiderman and the Ghost Rider.
Somehow the Criminals preferred you over the scary skull ghost girl. Surprising.
As for your investigation, you've trimmed down the names. Obidiah Stane is dead, so he's clearly out. Fredrick Foswell was also off the list. Upon researching and asking around, it seems like Roderick Kingsley last was seen a year ago boarding a plane to South America.
Bolivar Trask has constantly been traveling, looking into research and other genetic projects lately. While it could be him, its unlikely from how public he makes himself. That, and his stature is rather distinctive. Not entirely ruled out but you're ninety percent sure it isn't him.
Justin Hammer's apparently been working with the Military after Stark's fallout with them, so he'd probably have to keep himself clean while working his way into Stark's old military contracts. Not entirely ruled out, but highly unlikely.
That really only left you with
L. Thompson Lincoln
William Fisk
Both apparently private men who donate to charities and are known philanthropists. Personal info on them is rather scarce. The only thing that you or Gwen have managed to find is that Lincoln once had a criminal record that was quietly erased, making him the bigger suspect.
Overall, while looking into L. Thompson Lincoln, there's almost nothing to be found. His books are clean, his home's in a respectable neighborhood and keeping an eye on him, there's nothing that really provokes your interest. There's the issue that whatever his criminal record was is sealed tight and nobody will talk about it, but other than that there's nobody willing to say anything bad about him. He tips well, but is overall very private.
Maybe that's why when things go bad while patrolling and talking with the Scarlet Spider, that things go wrong. Firstly, the fact that Venom's working with you isn't something Gwen's happy about. At all, she views him as a threat if he loses control and based on what you've seen… she sorta has a point. But, overall, the two of you can't seem to find much of anything on Lincoln. He's basically clean.
After one last patrol, the two of you are conversing on a rooftop when you begin to hear the sound of a helicoptor. Probably a news copter. But what distracts you first is the police bulletin that's got you alarmed.
"In pursuit now. Repeat. Fugitive Spider-man has robbed the-"
And then your precognition and Gwen's spider-sense go off. Someone's gunning for you as you hear the sound of something like a rocket in the distance as the helicopter has gotten louder.
Dodging away from the incoming explosive, you and Gwen move out of the way of the explosion. Unfortunately, which unharmed by the blast the Scarlet Spider didn't move quite fast enough and found herself slammed into the side of the wall from the sheer force of the explosion with a grunt. Seemingly unhurt, she gets back up as the helicopter continues to move at a distance.
On the open side door is a familiar figure standing and being handed another Rocket Launcher by a subordinate. The Silver Sable- a Russian mercenary with a reputation of never failing a job- seems to be rumors of being a child soldier. Who taught her or why is unknown from what you've seen, but she definitely seems to be out to get you.
Which, considering that there seems to be an imposter out to ruin you, this is really a bad time for this crazy woman to try to kill you. Almost amused Silver Sable watches you, waiting to see how you'll react. Ah crap, you said that out loud, didn't you?"
"Yeah, and that too." With an amused voice, Gwen keeps her distance as she glances towards you for a split second. "Hey, what's the plan?"
...
00
...
Venom
The city rushes by you as you push it to inhuman levels. The only thing that's keeping you going is the boost added by Venom. Keeping an ear open, you hurry in pursuit of the Copycat Spider-man after the call you received. Spider-man's trusting you to take down his copycat.
Well, you hurry even faster. You'd already been on your way. Tendrils extend as you push yourself forward, faster and faster. Like on the swings, you push yourself with every swing to get the best speed and distance for your jump, then start again.
Holy hell, this is WAY more of a rush than football!
In the distance, you hear the sounds of police sirens.
Following the sirens, you begin to see the form of the imposter, swinging from building to building. But there's something… off with how the swinging's happening…
Regardless, this seems to be getting into worse and worse neighborhoods, so it'd be best to take the fake down as soon as possible.
Picking up the pace you continue forward as the fake spider-man lands on a rooftop and turns back towards you as a number of thugs with machineguns pop up -
...
00
...
Spider-Man
-As you dodge the explosion, the sounds of the helicopter a constant presence around you. Nearby, you head the sound of something landing as the smoke clears to reveal Silver Sable with a handgun as you dodge three more shots.
Nearby, you see Gwen dodge more fire from one of the goons in the helicopter, but your attention is forced back to the Silver Sable as she lets lose another shot.
Her eyes are narrowed as she pulls out another gun, this one aimed at Gwen and begins to fire upon both of you.
Jumping to the side, you slowly make your way forward as you dodge Silver Sable's shots- it's a bit easier with her attention split. That and you know how good she is, so making sure you get out of the way isn't impossible.
As you're about to reach her, you hear Scarlet Spider let out a groan of pain- your head snapping towards her, you see her holding her shoulder as she keeps moving before snapping back to catch Silver Sable's pistols and force them upwards away from you. Her whole attention is on you now as she lets go of the guns, leaving them in your hands and is moving back as she pulls out one more pistol and aims it at you.
"You're good, but you don't have the drive I do. You don't have what it takes to kill, and that is why you'll never defeat me."
You swallow, as you hear Gwen groaning in the background as she dodges the goon in the helicopter, a bullet from this woman shot lodged in her shoulder. She would have killed Gwen.
Flinging the guns back, you rush forward as you hear your blood pounding. Webbing the gun, you pull it away and grab her by her Silver Jacket as you swing your fist forward, intent on causing some pain in return. As you pull on the jacket, you find yourself put off balance as it comes loose. Throwing it to the side, you duck under a blow from her as metal glints of the Helicopter lights.
Her arms are covered in a metal pair of bracers and gauntlets. Popping her neck, she adjusts her stance as she clenches her fists. What looks like a smile crosses her face.
"Yes, That's the way you need to be if you want to best me. You'll need to do what it takes. Come, show me your bloodthirst!"
Springing forward her fist shifts forward-
...
00
...
Venom
Catch his fist easily. The thugs nearby all already dispatched. Pushing him down, you push out his scream of pain and the sound of something breaking as you stare at the fake.
"Who hired you?"
Your voice is deepened by Venom, make into something frightening as you loom over him in the dark, only your eyes and logo standing out. He screams as you grab him by his arm as he lets out another scream as you pick him up with your other arm.
"Okay, Okay- look, I'll talk. I'll talk! The guy's name is-"
The sound of the dart and the man's scream is the first thing that alerts you. The fake's hand moves to the dart and pulls it out- clearly already empty. Pulling it from his hand, you let the symbiote pocket it as the man begins trashing in agony. Dropping him, you look over as you see a figure sitting on the rooftop with a cloak, only a metallic skull grin of a mask is the only thing visible from his hood.
"Who are you and what did you just do?!"
The hooded figure cocks its head in consideration. "…Call me the Taskmaster, for now anyway. I had to keep someone quiet, and why not test a new formula while I'm at it? Best hurry if you want him to survive- no telling what might happen. Oooh, that sounds painful."
The man's screams are almost inhuman as the Hooded figure gets up and approaches the edge of the roof.
"I'm going to let you go. This time."
The self-proclaimed Taskmaster inclines his head. "You're not who I was after, anyway. So, naturally I'd rather not make myself more enemies when its not necessary."
Hopping off the rooftop, he's gone. Looking back at the fake, you pick him up as he thrashes against you. Holding onto him tightly, you hop off the roof. Extending a line of webbing, you lower yourself in front of the police. Setting the fake down, a large number of police- SWAT maybe- surround you.
"Put your hands up! Put your goddamn hands up and get on the ground!"
"Look, this guy needs a doctor. He's been poisoned by some guy name the Taskmaster and needs to see-"
The but of a gun slams you in the face, knocking your head to the side. Turning back, you see a shotgun held in your face. What? What's going on- you're just…
"Whoa I'm trying to hel-"
"Get on the goddamn ground or I will shoot, you freak!"
Bubbling down the irritation, you hear something snap loudly as someone lets out a shout. The fake Spider-man's screaming is back, even more inhuman as you hear the sounds of bones breaking- or unbreaking- as you see his broken arm seem to fix itself before claws seem to sprout out of the gloves as the police begin firing on the fake.
But, whatever's healing it is doing that faster than they can hurt it as you see the fabric start to tear as whatever was in there knocks the police back and to the ground before vanishing. Scraps of fabric scatter the ground before you find yourself slammed to ground before seeing the outline of something that mismatches the area start moving, like something out of predator.
And then- for a brief moment you see it- a monster that looks like a chameleon- before it vanishes while scaling the side of a building.
Great.
Just great.
As you get up, you pause for a moment as you look at the gear of one of the swat teams out cold around you.
Hmm…
You feel the symbiote shift its form after scouring the uniform as you feel the sturdier form of your costumed form look more police- or militaristic instead of closer to a football uniform. Not to be vain, but it looks good. Pocketing the tear gas grenades and other nonlethal weapons, you start moving fast a few moments later. As you go, you have the symbiote turn on the radio headset. "look, I don't know who's listening, but this is Venom. The fake spider-man mutated into a giant lizard monster like what happened near that hospital a while ago after being injected with something by some masked freak calling himself the Taskmaster. I'm in pursuit of the Chamelon-thing now. It can cloak itself like it's the Predator and is likely very dangerous."
As you land on the roof and start keeping an eye out for signs of movement, you think of something else to say. "I also don't like guns being shoved in my face. Consider that a warning."
Seeing a flicker on a distant roof, you start moving.
...
00
...
Spider-Man
Clenching your fists you extend forward with a brutal punch, but she manages to redirect your fist to the side as she steps closer. Thrusting her fist at your gut, your other hand catches it. As she moves to twist her arm- and yours, you let go and kick at her knee.
Stepping out of the way, she grabs your leg and pulls, but you've already adhered yourself to the rooftop and you easily resist and pull back with your leg, disorienting her before she drops to the ground and rolls away before springing up as she charges forward and jabs at you repeatedly. Stepping back out of the way of her punches, you make some distance between the two of you to catch your breath.
She seems to remain in complete control of her breathing as she watches you carefully.
Waiting, you let her approach you as you plan to use your precognition to give a definite final blow. Shifting your feet, you keep them firmly attached to the ground as you wait. Eventually she takes the bait. Coming in, she starts with a jab to the ribs you anticipate, followed by a kick which you also prepared yourself for. Bending over backwards, you firmly adhere your hands a you flip backwards as she advances.
When she grabs your leg, you adhere to her hand as you leg go of the ground and hit her in the back of the knees as you both tumble. As you bring strength to your leg to take her down with one good blow, yousee her eyes widen in realization.
A flash of precognition hits you as you hastily abort your attack just in time as you hear the sound of blades extending out the sides of the gauntlet, giving her that Shredder/ninja look to her gauntlets. Oh, and making them incredibly dangerous.
Taking a deep breath, you see that she's winded herself as you both prepare for end of this fight.
Her arms come up, the blades facing outward a she takes a half step back with her left foot. Her eyes watch your footwork and hands carefully. Her breathing shows she's trying to keep control of herself, but there's seems to be a sense of excitement to the woman unlike the cold clinical killer that you fought- even earlier at the start of the battle.
Her hands clench and unclench as she slightly begins to circle you.
You watch her circle around you before you spot a roof access that is behind her in a moment. Webbing her gauntlets, you then web the roof behind her and PULL, sending you careening towards her with a body check. Unable to move out of the way, you hear her grunt in pain before kicking out at you. Hearing the sound of metal grinding against itself , you see that the blades have cut through the webbing and have some unreal sharpness to them.
Readying herself, she takes a step forward, still circling you, as she watches your movements carefully, but seems to be looking more towards the torso. She licks at her bloody bottom lip as her eyes narrow and her fists clench.
Readying yourself, she carefully but quickly moves in to your threat range and begins to quickly try to pummel specific points. What those strikes would do you're not sure as you nimbly keep dodging out of the way and coring a hit whenever possible as you dodge and counter her attacks as your speed surpasses human limitations.
Blocking her last strikes where she tried to cut you with the blades on her gauntlets, you deliver a punishing knee to the ribs that sends her reeling. Hacking up blood, she staggers to her knee as she jams a syringe into her neck as you see her pained movements begin to steady.
Taking a deep breath, she completely lowers her guard- her body in a very neutral stance that is neither offensive of defensive. There's a serenity there, along with an iron will. What happens here will decide things is what she seems to be telling you.
But something seems to be off here.
Reaching out to those flashes, you try to picture what happens in every instance as you chose to guard yourself as the most survivable outcome. Keeping your guard up as you slowly move closer, you catch one of her blows as she swings into action. As you move to counter, her loose stance allows her to move out the way. Both of you manage to score a glancing hit on one another, then another. For every blow that makes it through, three more are blocked.
Her technique is superior, but your inhuman body allows you to keep up with her inhuman skills. Her unbreakable metal gauntlets crash against your sleeved webshooters as you feel the metal of your webshooters deform slightly. Her vision is firm and unhindered- its almost like she doesn't feel any of the pain you're inflicting on her.
As you block a blow from her armored fist, you feel your left webshooter break. Catching her right fist, you see her step forward and slam her head at yours with a vicious head butt- knowing physics as well as you do, you slam your own head at hers as you stagger from the blow and hold your head as your vision shakes some.
Her body collapses to the ground as you steady yourself. She's laying on her back looking at the night sky. In the distance, you hear the helicopter retreat and you see Scarlet Spider seems to be sitting down on the distance.
"I think… its fine now. I think... it's finally time, Father..."
Silver Sable seems to be talking to herself softly.
Heading over to Silver Sable, you figure it'd be best to make sure you didn't accidentally kill her or she didn't get away. Kneeling down you see her look over at you with a smile.
"Finally, a warrior other than my teacher who could best me. Yes, this… this is… good."
As you lean down, you see that she seems to be moving her jaw oddly… You've seen that sort of action before…
You hand moves before she can bite down- her teeth chewing on your fingers as you pull the loose fake tooth free. You remember this from the old spy movies you watched with Uncle Ben. Pulling out the false molar, the Silver Sable looks at you.
"Give it back to me. Let me have my worthy death, you bastard… …Let me be with my father…"
She draws quiet and stares at you pleading. Swallowing as you see the what's almost the mirror image of Felicia pleading for death from you. Making sure she can't get away, you all but run away from her towards Gwen, the false tooth still in your hand.
As you approach the Scarlet Spider, Gwen looks over at you, her shoulder webbed up. "So, is it over? Because if so, you're going to have to help me play doctor… not in that way… because there's no way I could explain this to my father."
She pauses and stares at you. "Is… something the matter? You seem tense."
Sitting down you reveal the tooth from your bitten up and slightly bloody fingers. "You could say that."
...
00
...
Venom
Water spills from the water tower across the roof as you scan for movement in the water- any sorts of distortions or anything.
Not able to see anything, you slowly make your way across the very large roof. The symbiote's doing its best to keep you aware, but as you step forward, the two wildly moving eyes of the Chameleon open in front of you as its tounge wraps around you. Trying to get out, you find yourself flung over the side of the building and into the side of its neighbor.
"Gonna need the number of that bus that hit me."
Groaning as you try not to slide down the wall, you pull yourself up as you see water move on the roof move as you throw your last tear gas grenade. The chameleon cries out as you see its outline in the smoke as it coughs and chokes from the gas. The symbiote has ideas for taking this thing out but it'd mean giving it more overall control.
Or you could try to take it out yourself.
You're the one in charge- last time they went out of control… people could have been in control. That's why, not only of the symbiote, but yourself as well, you have to remain in control. But, the two of you are partners. That's why you'll be glad to take any help you can get. It got any suggestions?
The symbiote responds warmly. Of course it does. The two of you… you're more than human. This means you've got to realize that consciously. Right now, you're not Flash Thompson. You're Venom.
Standing up, you leap across the way as you twist the tendrils around your arm turning it into a gigantic hammer as you use your momentum and strength to send it flying into the street. It screams in pain but manages to catch the ledge with its tongue and scale away in a hurry.
And you're right behind it.
As it pauses and tries to hide, your already slamming your knees into it and crashing it into the ground . You hear something break and set itself as you see its mouth open. But you're already prepared.
"Defensive State."
The symbiote hardens like Chitin as spikes emerge everywhere as its tongue latches onto you, only for it to retract in pain as it recoils. It's moving as you try to think of how to beat this thing down and keep it down. But, as it is, it only seems to keep getting back up.
Keeping yourself as prickly as a porcupine, you keep on the offensive and attack it as it's attacks towards you only seem to hurt it… for a short time any while. As it is, you're getting tired. Every hit seems to be undone in a matter of moments. And the normal weakness of a lizard- the cold- totally isn't even effecting it!
Around the area- people seem to be cheering you on or running and screaming. Either or. As it is, you still seem to be the good guy to people…
The symbiote eventually suggests a plan. Make a decoy… then cut off its head. It can't heal from that…
You're almost revolted at that, this was a human once- might've been a criminal, but at the same time you can't let it go. People could get hurt. And you're getting tired. And Spider-man's otherwise busy. The symbiote's displeased by your last idea… but desperate times and all that.
"Not calling Zippo-head and I can't kill it, so guess I'm gonna have to find another way."
And so you tried everything you could. Tried netting it up, but there's no good way to net it reliably, all the attempts failed. Webbing it down didn't work because it literally ripped its flesh freee and ran as it healed. And trying to choke it…
Do you know how damn hard it is to choke one of those things?
Trying to take it down for what feels like all night and across all of New York. Ugh… This is getting hopeless…
Hey
…Okay. You're not hearing voices. That is not happening. No, not the symbiote either.
Pssst. Here. In the mirror.
Looking over, you see a figure cloaked in black staring as you in the place of your reflection. Only a single green eye was visible from its hooded appearance.
You want to win? I could teeeell you.
Well, it's a hallucination or Zippo-head. So… gonna go with the Hallucination.
"Okay, but if your plan doesn't work, I'm not listening to another hallucination ever again."
The single visible eye crinkles is delight as the hooded and robed figure raises its hands- one in the form of a large, blackened skeletal hand, and the other a gloved but otherwise ordinary hand. Spreading them outward the form whispers one thing.
Lightning.
And then vanishes, leaving you alone with your own reflection.
Blinking for a moment. You feel yourself and the symbiote grow indignant. Lighting- rather electricity? Like the last giant monster you beat and won against? Man, this better not be a running trend. That stuff's dangerous.
But still… Better decides on what to do- scouring the area you see power lines, stores… An automated external defibrillator…
Okay yeah, so what. You remembered it to impress the hot nurse that taught the cpr classes. So what? You ignore the laughing of the symbiote at your defensiveness as you grab the most powerful one there and turn it on- waaaay past the safety limits.
Taking the time to get it back on the ground, you hold it down, momentarily with webbing as you hold the little paddles in your hands and hear the beep.
"Clear."
As the electricity shocks the thing. You pause for a moment- unsure of if anything's happening before you see it begin to shrink and return to human shaped. Mostly, anyway. Webbing up the Chameleon, you quickly locate a cop and drop it off, not wanting to deal with them.
When you're safely away from everyone else, you sit down to take a break.
Until smoke gathers around you in a humanoid shape. Almost insubstantial, the cloaked figure from the mirror puts an arm around your shoulder as if in an embrace as its feminine voice whispers out. "Look, as far as you can tell we just met and this is totally crazy…"
Its left hand, Skeletal and almost metallic snaps as a card forms in its fingers.
"…But here's my card, so call me maybe?"
And like smoke, the figure dissipates, leaving a card left in your hands. Looking over the first side- you see some text.
Mister Thompson, you should really be more careful about the deals you make in the future. Though, I must commend your disdain towards Zarathos. Keep that up, I approve.
Flipping over the card, you see what looks like where a name had been white or blacked out- like in those military redactions. Below it, a name…
Mephistophele
END
To Be Continued...
Ghost Rider(Rock) Trust Levels increased.
Solodark: Hope you enjoyed!