Hey everyone, here TheRedSpider. Here is chapter 2. I'm re-uploading the enter series given that many grammar error keep persisting even after I change the stories content. This means two things:
1-Give me some time to upload everything again in a better way
2- New Chapters are coming!
CHAPTER 2: City of Heroes
The multi-universe is a strange place indeed; filled with multiple realities and dimensions. On one edge we can find a planet stuck on the Victorian Era, maybe one where zombies do exist or even one where humans never appeared. The what if and the else worlds can be never ending and for a hero going through the fabric of space and time like Spider-man, it was not a good sign that he would return to his home anytime soon.
Traveling to what appeared to be a worm-hole full of glimpse of different realities was quick yet fascinating to our science loving hero.
Coming to what seem like the end, Peter was once again falling. This time though he was well awake and in a very familiar environment. Buildings, companies, a skyscraper covered by the night' sky. This was the scene he could see from above. -Yes! I arrive in a modern place!... is not New York though, I don't recognize any of this building... but well could be worst I guess-.
Deciding not to hit the ground Spider-man shot one of his webs to start his travel throughout the city. "People walking in the street? Check, cabs trying to get by? Check, street stalls serving food from unknown sources and with questionable health value? Check, check, check!". Spoke Peter to himself as he explored the city. After a couple of minutes he started to notice that the people down the street where looking at him, some poking at him and a few even taking their cellphones out. -Hopefully they at taking my good side-. He thought.
Once he found a lonely alley, he hid in it to get away from curious eyes. Now sitting in the wall, which means sticking his back to it along with his feet, it was time to evaluate the situation.
"Well, at least this is no Disney movie I know of…. Ok Parker, let's see what we know so far. To begin I'm in another dimension/city not very different from my own. Next, judging by the people's light reaction to me maybe they are used to see humans with super powers. And finally, if the previous statement is true, then my best change to get out of here is to contact these super guys and try to work together to get back home, soooo". Looking around him, he spotted a trash can with a newspaper on the top. Quickly, pull it to where he was with the help of his webs and started to read it.
"Ok let's see if my assumptions are correct ...The Scarlet Speedster of Central City better known as the Flash, stopped a bank robbery yesterday caused by a ...meta-human? That's something to keep in the back of my mind. Also, a couple of street robberies, cat rescued from a tree….. every dimension has one of those huh?. Let's see what else…... written by Iris West. Well this Flash-guy appears to be quiet popular... Wish I could say the same….What else... A couple of pictures... All of them are filled with a long blurr... Hummmm maybe his power is super speed. They also have an article about the collaboration between the CCPD (Central City Police Department) and S.T.A.R LABS, maybe another place I can check out later…. Well, that seems to be everything useful I can get. Now, let's get a bit more familiar with th-"
"HELP! PLEASE SOMEBODY HELP ME!". The cry for help got to his ears. Following quickly, Spider-Man found a crime in progress. Two people, a man and an elderly woman. He with a knife at her throat, Both inside an alley. Acting rapidly, spider-man shot a web to the criminal's hand and another to his back. Pulling with enough strength, the man flew to the main avenue but just before he could hit the ground, the criminal found himself trapped in some kind of web created on a street light.
"HEY! HEY! WHAT THE HELL IS THIS YOU FU-". A web covered his mouth.
"Geshhhh man, would it kill you to have some manners? we have a lady in front of us" said the web-head on top of the light. He then Jumped down to where the woman was. "Are you ok Miss?"
"Y-yeah, I'm fine" responded the woman.
"That's good to heard, luckily I was around, did he hurt you?"
"No... Thanks for asking young man... Who... Who are you? I've never seen you around here." Spoke the woman trying to show her gratitude.
"I'm your friendly neighbor Spider-man. Now, can you call the cops? I got no cellphone here". Thought he couldn't emulate much emotion through the mask, his lenses adjusted to his eye's expression creating an apologetic face. After calling the local cops and gave him a farewell, the woman started to redo her walk home. Peter offered to accompany her but the woman declined
"Thanks again Spider-man for saving me" was the last thing she said before walking away.
Now with the criminal webbed and hanging, the super hero took a little piece of paper from her belt along with a pencil. He wrote a little note and stuck it to the criminal. "Don't worry, the web will dissolve in 1 hour, the cops should arrive before that". Turning away from the criminal, the walking on-goers started to get close to the criminal. They all started to take photos and laugh as they read the note:
"Courtesy of your Friendly Multi-Dimensional Neighbor Spider-man".
Ready to leave the scene, Spider-man attached a web to one of the building when his spider-sense reacted and a stick of lighting appeared in front of him.
"So... you are the new meta-human social media speaks of" said the figured, arms crossed. He was tall, with a full red body suit and a lightning symbol on his chest.
"Really? Wow, I've just been here for 20 minutes and I'm already famous? Damn, I wish I was this popular on my universe" spoke Peter mostly to himself trying to appear pissed.
"Yeah... news here can go faster than me sometimes". Mutter the speedster.
"I'm guessing you are the hero from the newspaper, the Flash right?" Replied Peter.
"The one and only fastest man alive. Anyway I take it that you are not from this universe, right?"
"How did you know? People don't tent to use colorful suit and have incredible powers?" Spidey said with a bit of amazement on how he got discovered so fast.
"Sometimes we do, but you fell form a portal on the sky and that's pretty difficult to miss. Besides, we've got some visitors before. What are you doing here anyway?".
Before Spider-man could answered his spider-sense kicked in again. Turning quickly he saw a small building, a block from their position, explode and flames starting engulf it. "We better save the explanations for later Speedy Gonzales". Looking at each other eyes, both nodded in agreement.
"I take the bottom floors, you take the ones on top" Commanded the Flash to Spider-Man.
And with that, both of them race to the burning building. Flash arrived first at the scene and Spidey was close above him with is webs. Flash entered through the main door and Spider-man went through a window.
Once inside, the flash began to rush to the different rooms, going in and out of the building carrying anyone he could find. Spider-man's situation was a little more difficult however. Without being able to stick to any surface for much time without risking them to break, his mobility was restricted. Luckily, this wasn't his first rodeo, so focusing all of his sense, and especially his spider-sense, he started to look for civilians. He entered in a little room and webbed the roof above him as he fear it may collapse. Catching a little mumble inside a closet he found two kids inside, a boy and a girl shaking and crying as they hug each other.
"Calm down, calm down you two. You're her brother?"
The little one just nodded looking at the hero. CRACK, was the sound Peter heard, warning him of the roof's state. "Good, you protected your sister, now, let me protect you both". Maybe it was mask or his voice, but this man remind the little boy of their own Scarlet Speedster. So looking at his sister, both stand up and through themselves at him.
With everyone from the first floor evacuated, Flash started to run around the building trying to suck oxygen out of the air in an attempt to help Spider-man on the upper floors. Still, the floors had transformed into an inferno, as second explosion occurred inside it. Thanks to his spider-sense, Peter fleet that level, and ended in the last floor. His vision fixed on his only escape route, a window at the end of the hall. With the kids in one hand he pressed a bottom on his right web shooter and fired as he advanced through the hall. As the web contacted the fire, they expanded and extinguished the flames. Crashing the window to get out, Spidey escaped the building shooting a web to land safely. Getting to where Flash and everyone else was, he gave the kids to their parents who went rushing for them.
"Thank you Sir thank you very much". Was what the parents could mutter as they cry and hugged their children.
"Don't worry ma'am, the firefighter will arrive soon so don't forget to get their help for your children and for you" Peter got down in one knee to reach the boy's height. "Good job back there buddy, keep protecting you sister like that ok? And you little lady keep being brave for your brother". The girl wiping her tears and spoke "Yes Mister, I will".
Waiving at them, he walked away. Looking at the Flash, he indicated to follow him. Running to the roof of a nearby building, Peter shot two webs to a light to impulse himself up.
Once on the top the two heroes meet. "You got nice moves back there". Remarked Flash
"You too man but...why did you trusted me?" Asked Spider-man.
"I saw you saving the old lady on the street." Flash paused for a minute thinking and after everything he witness he came to a conclusion. Extending his hand he approached the web-head. "I'm The Flash, the faster man alive".
Trusting his intuition (and his spider-sense) Peter advanced and took his hand. "I'm Spider-Man, your friendly neighbor".
With their hands shaken, Peter started to walk away. "Well, I'll be seeing you around Flash, stay sharp". Leaping from the building the web-head slowly disappear from Flash's' eye. As he got away, the fastest man alive talked through an earpiece on his mask.
"Cisco, Caitlin did you get all that?" What do you think of the guy?".
It was already the morning on the other day. Finding a place to stay wasn't difficult. As luck would have it, Peter had improved his belt to fit different material before the incident that transported him here. Special webbing, Spidey-tracker, and most importantly, money. So having spent the night resting, Peter decided that it was time to investigate more about this world. As he walked through a street downtown, he could see a local.
-C.C Jitter huh? Let see... Cafe shop and Internet Caffe?, that can work- he thought as he approached it. "2 mockas and ummmm chocolate cookies and a bagel, I'm gonna here for a while" ordered once he enter on the place. Taking a seat he began to research everything he could about this universe, its history, its geography and specially the heroes that dwell on it. "Huh... Interesting".
Back in Star Labs Barry Allan Aka The Flash was investigating the new hero in town. "Cisco did you check the video I send you?" Asked Barry to his fellow scientist, inventor and lover of all things cool, Cisco Ramon. "Yeas I did, we have a bit more of 15 minus of this guy. Since he save the lady until he left the roof. It doesn't appear to be anything too suspicious about him. What was his name again?".
"Spider-man" answered Barry.
Cisco smiled "I approve, Caitlin, what do you think of him?" Cisco spoke to his other co-worker, the red haired biology scientist Caitlin Snow.
"Well with the video on Internet, it`s difficult to tell... And with that mask even more, we see him traveling through the city with these kind of cables and-"
"Webs". Cisco Remarked
"What?"
"They're webs; he is like a spider, so he is shooting webs"
Caitlin let that one slide. "As I was saying, he traveled through the city, dealt with the criminal with his... webs and then helped you save civilians for a burning building... I don't know Barry, I think he at least deserve the benefit of the doubt."
There was minute of silence from Barry. "I think you are right… but just to be sure, what about his powers?"
This time Caitlin spoke first, "Based on his name, maybe his power are spider-related, wall crawling, jumping, also spiders can lift up to 10 time his weight so, maybe that's the measure of his strength".
"Did you see any of that when you were working together?" Cisco asked to Barry
"Well, to be able to move like that through the air he needed to be very agile, and strong to pull himself through the air, so maybe super strength can't be rule out"
"What about the crawling? It would be awesome to be able to crawl up wall!" Said Cisco.
"That... I can't verify ...but anyway, I asked Joe and Iris to keep an eye outside. If anything happens let me know ok?". And with that Barry ran out of the lab to head to his home.
Four hours have passed since Peter began his investigation. So far this dimension was practically the same to his earth. Strangely though, there was no record or mention even of any of the heroes from his universe, no Captain America, no Iron Man, and of course no Peter Parker. It was as if no hero or villain he knew was present here. On the other side, there were some similarities, The Green Arrow, for example, the emerald vigilante of a near city appeared to be a version of his earth's Hawkeyes. -I bet Barton would sue him for copyrights- thought Peter laughing at the thought.
Now of course he understood better the whole meta-human deal. The explosion in Star Labs that affected people and granted them super-power. How The Flash started from a legend until becoming the biggest hero the city has ever known. "He sure is lucky, He doesn't have to put up with Jameson all day long" said Peter mostly to himself. Noticing now that it was close to noon, Peter got up from his table and left the local.
His best shot at the moment was to convince The Flash to help him get back home but right now he was occupied web-swinging through the city. Maybe it wasn't his earth, but that didn't free him from the responsibility bestowed upon him. After a couple of hours he was getting used to city. "I have to said, this city is way calmer than New York". As soon as he finished that sentence a strange storm caught his attention. Spider-man face palmed. -Me and big mouth- The storm came out of nowhere and it started to get stronger by the downtown are. "I better go check that out".
Barry Allen was walking through the city streets. Right next to him was her childhood friend Iris West. "So Barry what do you think?" Asked Iris.
"Uh? Sorry Iris, I wasn't paying attention". Said Barry scratching the back of his head. "What did you ask?"
"I was telling you about this new tattoo I want to get in my back, all the way down to my waist". Said Iris looking rather happy to Barry. There was a silence between the 2. Barry's face showed surprise but it quickly turned to annoyance as his partner started to laugh out loud.
"You know Barry hahahaha to be so fast you are very slow to catch on". Iris laugh died down after a minute or so.
"Very funny Iris, what did you say?"
Iris tried to put an apologetic face. "I was asking you about our reunion tomorrow, remember? You, Dad, Cisco, Cathleen and me" claimed the brunette.
"Oh, yeah yeah sure, no problem, we'll be there." Tried to reassure Barry.
"I know you will... But I really want a tattoo you know?"
"Yeah I know I know… your father maybe won´t like it so much".
"I`ll deal with him, don't worry. Now seriously, I did some digging about this spider-man and I found nothing relate to him, only the stuff social media. Did my dad find something?"
"No, Joe couldn't find anything either. No criminal with those names, no match with that symbol on his chest. Nothing really, and without knowing his name we can't really look any further". Iris got close to him, putting her hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry, if he is indeed evil, you'll catch him right?".
"Yeah I will" Barry smiled
Their walk was interrupted when the weather suddenly change as the sky became cloudy and lightning started to appear near downtown.
"Iris is better if you take cover, I'll handle this!"
"And what?! Leave without photos of The Flash saving the day?, No Way!"
"Ok, ok you win, but try to stay save ok? And please keep your distance!". Yelled Barry as he sprinted out, leaving Iris behind.
Barry changed into his suit and called his team back in Star Labs. "Guys are you seeing this?"
"Yes Barry" responded Cathleen. "The air pressure just when down a lot, also the static on the air seems to be rising".
"This is likely Weather Wizard's work" continue Cisco.
"I'm closing in, let me know if anything happens".
Shortly after, Barry was in the downtown area. Everyone was running to get away from the incoming storm. Grey clouds and lightning was the scenery at that moment and Flash knew that wasn't good. Suddenly a tornado started to descend and Flash began to take people out of harm's way. With everyone evacuated the tornado fully formed. Suddenly a man stepped out of it.
"Flash!" The man had a malevolent smiley on his face. "You seem surprised". He was Caucasian, with black hair and a one-week-beard.
"Mark Mardom! what are you doing here?" Asked Barry a bit shocked.
"Well I love Central's city weather, and I thought I could give a little tour around the city, plus killing you is a good reason too". Smirked Mardon.
"You'll have to catch me first!" With that Barry started to run around him as Weather Wizard started to concentrate the Tornado around him. -I just need to get to 700 miles per hour before the storm gets out of control- he thought. Yet as he went running, he didn't notice a piece of metal thrown at his feet. Before he could react, an explosion erupted from the device sending Flash out of his track and making him roll on the ground.
"Did I forget to mention my new associate?" spoke the villain. A man with a long blue leather coat stepped out. "Mr George Harkness seems to have unfinished business with you too."
Walking calmly both villain stood side by side.
"You remember me don't you Flash?" Said the man in the coat. "Last time I see you, you and the Arrow stopped my from bombing Starling City, time for payback!". The man opened his coat, showing several boomerangs hanging from it.
"Remember the plan!" Ordered Weather Wizard as he elevated himself into the air.
"Barry be careful, weather wizard is lowering the temperature of the air, he may try to attack you with ice" warned Cisco as he checked from Star Labs the battle.
"Gotcha" answered Barry as he run and dodge Harkness' boomerangs, some of them landing on the ground, other passed him and even some just going around him.
"You are awful shot today, aren't you Captain Boomerang?" laughed Barry .
"Not so fast on the thinking department aren't you?" Responded Digger.
Before Flash could notice, Harkness threw one more boomerang in front of him. Now Barry understood, all the boomerangs had formed a circle around him, and as soon as the final one landed, they all started to produce high-pitched sound waves around him. Though it couldn't be heard from the outside, Barry screamed as the waves drilled into his ears, so much so that some blood started to come out of them. Immobilized by the pain, he tried to protect his ear with his hands but it was no use.
"Barry! what's happening?!" Caitlin tried to communicate with him but there was no response.
"The shock waves are interfering with the communications, if the waves were strong enough they could have damaged his earpieces". There was a silent between the two.
"Barry is on his own now".
Back with Barry, with the pain burning through his head, the speedster knew that his eardrums would explode if he didn't do anything. Having gathered enough ice, Weather Wizard created several ice-pillars around him, aim directly at the Hero.
"It was a pleasure to meet you Flash!" he yelled.
As he was about fire his ice, his eyes were blinded by a sticky substance to the face. Before he knew it as well, Captain Boomerang was thrown by a kicked in the stomach delivered by a figure that just swung at the scene. The boomerangs around flash started to melt suddenly and Barry was free from his torture. As soon as he could focus he saw a blue and red figure give him a hand to stand up.
"Spi-spider-man?" His sight adjusted and could see better now. Indeed was the arachnid hero. "How... How did you do that?"
"Acid Webbing. How are you holding up?" He said as both stand side by side.
"I ah..." Flash groaned a bit. "I'll be fine".
"Ok, tell me what we are dealing with"
"Two villains, Weather Wizard, he control he weather. Air, ice and lightning and water. And his partner Captain Boomerang, tactician and expert combatant. His main weapon are boomerang". The Flash explained
Spider-man had to stop an incoming laugh. "You can't be serious".
"Will talk about it later, I'll deal with Wizard you take care of Boomerang". Ordered Barry as he sprinted out of the way, avoiding Ice coming his way
"You are kind of bossy you know?". Peter shot a web to where he sent Digger. As he got closer, he could sense and incoming Boomerang going to his web. Before it could cut it though, Peter let go of it and landed. Once he was at close enough, he spoke.
"Hey man seriously, you need a better public agent". The villain was getting angry, so he threw 2 boomerangs at the web-slinger while running for a close confrontation. "Maybe a change of name could help" Peter back flipped to dodge the two incoming objects. "It could be Captain Kangaroo!". The spider-sense kicked in and warmed Spidey of the projectiles coming back it. "Or captain Australia!" When Captain Boomerang was close the hero ducked giving him only instances to avoid being hit by his own weapons.
"So, using my weapons against me? I'm gonna crush you bug!" Captain boomerang yelled.
"Spiders are arachnids man! Why everyone gets it wrong?" Peter spoke to himself. The confrontation got close, with Digger trying to hit Spider-man, the key word here was trying, as Peter easily dodge every attack from the mercenary. Pissed off already, Captain Boomerang got some distance between himself and the Spider hero, so throwing his explosive projectiles at the web-head he hoped to get some advantage. He had none of it however when spider-man jump 10 meter in the air to avoid the explosion.
Seen this as an opportunity Harkness fired 2 boomerangs again at the hero in the sky. "Avoid this!"
Peter watching the weapons coming his way got an Idea. He webbed one of boomerangs with each hand and directed one to Harkness's feet causing and explosion that send him into a nearby wall head first, knocking him out. As he fell he also saw Flash's situation with Weather Wizard. So he directed the remaining Boomerang right at his other adversary. "Flash! Heads Up!"
Barry was running around avoiding ice and lightning bolts coming down at him from Mark Mardon's powers. He had to keep the target on his back to avoid Mark for attacking other people but he also was looking for an opening to attack him. When Flash heard his name he saw the projectile going his enemy's way.
Weather Wizard quickly form and ice shield to protect himself for the blast but he inevitably dropped to the pavement when the explosion occurred. Before he could react Flash came rushing and with an uppercut he knocked his lights out.
After a minute or so, the police came. With both heroes being applauded by the citizens and the two villains unconscious and been tight up in webs, the cops had little problem cuffing the culprits.
"So Flash you need any help?" One of the officers said.
"No officer... I'm fine" said flash trying to sound confident.
"Where are you gonna take them? Peter asked
"We have special containments in Star Labs for meta-humans".
"Oh really? That was next on my tour list"
"Tell you what, give me a hand with them and I'll show you the place"
"Deal".
