Chapter 4: A Wild Encounter
All right. Major recap. I was bitten by a radioactive spider, became Star Spider, made a new stealth belt, and left off around Kraven taking me to a picnic near the zoo.
Although I was not aware of all this conspiracy involving the Shadow Council at the time, I had my own problems. There's danger going on at the zoo, Kraven left to possibly take an opportunity to hunt as Kraven the Hunter, and my backpack had gone missing that held my Star Spider suit and gear! Talk about bad timing.
Still, I bet Spider-Man dealt with worse situations than this.
Rose tried looking around the picnic area where her backpack was nowhere to be found.
"There's no way my bag could have disappeared! I left it right here and-" Rose paused to realize something. "Wait a second…Mela! That little fox must have snatched my bag when I wasn't looking! I knew there was something off about her!"
The realization made Rose so mad and frustrated that she nearly unleashed her stingers from her wrists. She then calmed down to keep her stingers back in.
"Not a problem. I can still find it," Rose stated, grabbing her phone to activate something. "Good thing my father's tech comes with a unique tracer so I can find it and I placed the code on my phone only so I can find it."
…What? Did you really think that I didn't plan ahead for situations like this? It's New York! There are bound to be thieves and muggers to steal people's stuff! You always prepare for anything! Something my ex-father taught me…unfortunately.
It didn't take long for Rose to get the exact coordinates of where her bad is…and it was the one place she was hoping not to be in now.
"Oh, you have got to be kidding me! She's at the zoo?!" Rose exclaimed, facepalming with a groan. "Ugh! Well, I guess I don't have a choice. I have to sneak in there the old fashion way without getting spotted by my father and get my bag back."
And so, Rose made her move to hurry over to the zoo while going in full stealth.
Elsewhere,
Kraven rushed towards the zoo, and sees an unexpected villain. "What the?"
A crazy man, his face looked like a green alien, he had a dark and Macy blue costume with gold-like yellow plating as armor and for a cloak, and in the middle of his forehead... A circle that has a swirl on it. This was the supervillain Mesmero, a mind-control themed mutant supervillain. Spider-Man has fought him a few times. Mesmero was one of the fewer villains that swapped Spider-Man's mind into another body. He swap the webslinger's body with Wolverine and Hulk and he even used a cellular phone tower to control every single person in New York into his army.
"Mesmero?" Kraven asked in confusion. "So Zanda was merely a misdirection. Clever, Killmonger, but not clever enough."
"Why haven't I done this before?" Mesmero said, controlling both the animals' minds as well as the zookeepers who work there open the gates. "I can control all these animals into my feral army, then I can rule the city, and as an added bonus, I'll eliminate that web-headed pest, Spider-Man. Maybe I'll swap his mind with one of those animals." He laughs maniacally.
Kraven sneaks past the gate and puts on his hunting attire. "Mesmero!" He called out.
The mutant villain turned his head and sees Kraven. "Kraven the Hunter! What brings you here? Don't tell me you wanna stop me from freeing these creatures."
"No, I do not," Kraven said, having an idea. "I was gonna take some of these animals away first."
"Well, I appreciate it, especially since you are a hunter, but this is my takeover," Mesmero said.
"I know, but I only ask for the lion. I can use it to crush Spider-Man." Kraven said.
"No! I mean, yes, for the lion. Do what you want, but I wanna crush Spider-Man! He's humiliated me plenty of times." Mesmero replied. "And I deserve the right to destroy him."
"Then, I propose a gauntlet. Whoever defeats Spider-Man first... Gets the right to end his worthless life." Kraven said.
Mesmero chuckled as he twirls his fingers. "I like a good challenge. And with my animal army, I will be the victor."
"We shall see, Mesmero," Kraven replied.
"So be it." Mesmero summoned the lion with his mind control. "The big cat is all yours. Good luck, Hunter."
As Mesmero leaves riding on an elephant, Kraven smirks. "I know more about Spider-Man than you realize, mutant. Trust me, I don't depend on luck."
Meanwhile...
Rose went inside the zoo and she sees her father taking up the lion and riding it away. She also sees Mesmero riding an elephant as they ride away to get Spider-Man's attention.
'Just when I thought having my father involved was the least of my concerns,' Rose deadpanned in thought. 'I got to find that bag quickly.'
Rose looks all over and she sees the animals going crazy. She could not sense their feelings because their minds were under Mesmero's control.
'Well, at least, now I know what the big commotion's about here,' Rose thought to herself while trying not to show her stingers how mad she felt. 'That green-skinned, sorry excuse for a hypnotist mutant is so going down.'
She then spots the albino gorilla she met last time at the zoo event. The one that loved mangos. The gorilla grunted happily. And Rose can thankfully sense him happy to see her again.
"Hey, it's you. From the special event days ago," Rose replied, recognizing this gorilla instantly that made her smile. "Glad to see a friendly and familiar face. How are you?"
The gorilla pouted. Rose can sense the gorilla didn't get enslaved because it thought really hard of Rose and how she helped changed the zookeeper's mind about giving it mangos instead of bananas. Until Mesmero unleashed the lion to hurt the gorilla. It even showed Rose the wound.
"Oh, you poor baby. Don't worry, Mangos, I'll help you with that wound," Rose assured, only to pause on what she said. "Oh! Is it okay if I call you Mangos? Considering you love them and it's kind of how we first met."
The gorilla really liked that, and it nodded and smiled.
"Great. I think I saw an emergency aid kit not far from here," Rose said, looking around to see it a few feet away. "Perfect! Hold tight, Mangos."
At the top of the clock tower of the zoo, Zanda, sees Rose tending to the albino gorilla she now named Mangos. "So, she has discovered these creatures before... She just hasn't informed Kraven yet, nor does he know." She said in her earpiece, talking to her boss Killmonger.
"She herself is still learning it without Kraven's knowledge," Killmonger replied from Zanda's earpiece. "Give the girl back her bag. Once the girl learns more about her gift, we shall inform Kraven that she is deceiving him."
"Very well," Zanda said, until getting a sly idea. "What is good about an animal connection without a little drama from the pack?" She then threw Rose's backpack into the monkey habitat. And disappeared into the shadows.
Mangos sees the bag falling into the monkey habitat and he grunted. Rose could sense what he is trying to tell her, after attending to his wounds with the Aid Kit.
"What is it, Mangos? Do you know where my backpack is?" Rose asked, already wrapping the wound in a firm hold with bandages.
Mangos nodded and pointed at the monkey habitat.
Rose turned her head to the exhibit. Even brought out her phone tracking her suit in the bag to verify it was there.
"Oh, boy. It had to be in the monkey habitat," Rose muttered with a sigh, well aware of these creatures as playful yet mischievously naughty. "I'm beginning to like Mela even less than before. Wish me luck, Mangos."
And so, the Brunette carefully went inside the monkey exhibit to see a group of monkeys looking at her. Especially one of them holding her bag.
"Uh…Hello," Rose said, waving her hand while slowly walking forward. "Don't be alarmed. I'm just here to get my backpack. If you kindly give it back, please, then I'll be on my way."
The monkeys did not listen and one of them throws Rose's backpack at the other monkeys while Rose was in the middle trying to catch it. It was basically 'monkey in the middle'. A cruel twist of irony.
"Hey! Give it back!" Rose yelled, trying to snag her bag yet kept missing.
Back then, I didn't have much assertiveness when it came to animals. Mostly because I was more of a caring and nurturing type to them. I eventually got that later on.
Also, I couldn't use my spider powers out in the open. Despite being around animals, I didn't feel safe using my webs or stingers. Luckily, I had some backup.
Mangos did not like the monkeys being bullies to Rose. He broke the cage door from his habitat, ran to the monkey habitat, and roared at the monkeys to give back the backpack.
The monkeys were scared of Mangos to the point that they whimpered and gave Rose her backpack back. Rose sensed that they said they were sorry since Mangos defended her. She then gave Mangos a hug.
"Thanks, Mangos," Rose said, very happy to have a friend like this Albino Ape. "I can definitely learn a lot of confidence from you."
Mangos grunted happily, technically saying 'You're welcome.'
Rose chuckled, finishing the hug while putting her backpack on. "I'm gonna get help to save your friends and acquaintances from that Mesmero creep. Stay safe, Mangos."
The Brunette quickly made her leave somewhere to hide by going into the public bathroom and suit up.
Knowing situations like this, many of you can agree that Spider-Man's about to show up soon. However, I knew well that I wasn't going to let him face two dangerous villains on his own. Especially one of them being my so-called dad back in the day.
Thankfully, I already had a three-stepped plan. Step one; track and observe who/what I am up against.
On her phone, after putting on her suit in the bathroom, Rose/Star sees Mesmero laughing crazy while animals from the zoo safeguard him, while the rest, pillage the city.
Step two; divide the pack and conquer the big prey. Since Mesmero's the Puppet Master pulling the strings on those animals to control, it's obvious that he's the target to stop. I take him down, I end the hypno-link to free everyone.
Also…I did not want to face my father. I was afraid he'd figure out I'm the new spider when hearing my voice or seeing my moves. Best to let Spidey handle him while I handle Mesmero.
She then sees on the news on her phone; Spider-Man was already swinging to where Mesmero was to stop him.
Knowing he needs backup; Star activates her belt to go invisible before escaping for about five minutes away from the zoo until becoming visible again.
Step three; erase my tracks and get out. After Mesmero gets defeated by me with Kraven escaping from Spidey or whatever, I take my leave using the stealth belt and go from Star Spider to Rose Kravinoff.
It's a straightforward plan. Nothing can go wrong…Or so I thought.
Spider-Man arrives just in time to see Mesmero on the elephant. "Mesmero!" he barked the mutant villain's name.
Mesmero sees Spider-Man and smiles. "Ah, Spider-Man. You're just the insect I wanted to squash so badly."
"Is that so?" Spider-Man asked sarcastically. "Cause last time I checked, I beat you three times already, when you swapped my brain with Wolverine, Hulk, and when you tried to amplify your mind control power to the phone tower."
"Indeed. And that's three times too many. And now vengeance on you is what I desire!" Mesmero exclaimed. "Once I beat you, I'll swap your brain with an actual Spider, you'll be defenseless, and I can squash you like the literal bug that you are and soon will be!" He then laughed maniacally. "And with you out of the way, your so-called team will never be the same again!"
Spider-Man secretly gives a smug smile underneath his mask. "I have to admit, Messy, I am touched you want to get revenge on me. But I already had my brain swapped for the third time already, and that was by Loki, and I am not giving you the fourth time." He said. "But if you really want me, then you're going to have to catch me!" He then web swings away.
"That's the general idea, bug boy!" Mesmero said, giving a cold stare as he grunts. "CHARGE!" He yelled, commanding his animal-controlling army.
Spider-Man Web swings away very hard to avoid getting pounced on by the animals. And he doesn't wanna hurt them. New Yorkers will call him a monster for animal cruelty. So, he just webs them one by one.
Meanwhile, Rose as Star Spider was watching from the shadows. She was waiting for an open spot to draw Mesmero's attention away from Spider-Man.
'Seriously? Bug Boy? Doesn't that guy know spiders are animals called arachnids?' Star questioned in thought, still disgusted and disappointed by Mesmero while shaking her head. 'I so can't wait to take this clown down for not just getting his insects and animals mixed up, but also abusing them.'
"You are a sniveling little pest, Spider-Man!" Mesmero said, riding on the elephant, chasing the web-slinger. "But your luck can't last forever!"
Spider-Man just laughed. "I can try to make it last, Mesmero, but I'm just buying some time while my teammates-" Just then, Spider-Man felt his head tingling. "Spider-sense!"
Suddenly, Spider-Man then got pounced by a lion that jumped from a building rooftop. He struggled against the lion until he sees who's riding it. "Kraven!?"
"Hello, spider," Kraven said, chuckling. Spider-Man fell to the floor as Kraven jumps off the lion and shoots his net at Spider-Man to pin him to the ground.
Star gulped when seeing her father there. 'Keep it cool, Rose. You got this. Now's the time to divide and conquer while in full stealth.'
Knowing what she has to do, Star turns on the stealth belt's invisibility feature and jumps in.
"Kraven and Mesmero?" Spider-Man asked himself out loud. "I didn't expect you two to team up."
"The mutant and I are not partners, Spider. We simply made a deal. Whoever puts you down first gets to be the first to destroy you!" Kraven said. "I only asked for a worthy animal to hunt you down and surprise you!"
"No fair, Kraven, I was about to stampede him!" Mesmero said, acting like a bad loser.
"A deal's a deal, Mesmero. I've hunted and captured Spider-Man, so it is I that will get the honor of obliterating him myself!" Kraven informs the mutant supervillain.
Mesmero pouts. "Fine! You go ahead!" Just then he felt some webs hitting him from behind. "Ow! What the?!" He looked behind him and he sees no one. He then felt his cape flip over in front of him. "Hey! What's happening!?"
"Kid Arachnid?" Kraven asked. He then growls at Spider-Man. "Your friend made a mistake and should've attacked me." He then punched the captured webslinger, not taking any chances.
Mesmero flipped his cape back, and he felt his face punched. He looked around to see there was no one. The villain can't see anyone. "Show yourself, Kid Arachnid!" He yelled.
'Yeah, that's not happening,' Star thought with a smirk, trying not to laugh herself while using a hand to cover her mouth. 'Got to lead this Mesmer-bozo away from this fight and somewhere else.'
The invisible spider started moving while purposely leaving some trace of herself to lure her opponent into a trap.
Mesmero sees a shadow, not realizing it was not Kid Arachnid. But the person was moving fast, and was in silhouette. He took control of his elephant again and charged after Star Spider.
Kraven continued beating up Spider-Man, to make sure that he doesn't pull any surprises. "Now, my final hunt... Ends now!" He was about to cut off Spider-Man's head with his heat-laser knife until he got kicked in the face by nothing. "What the?"
"Hey, Kraven!" Kid Arachnid appeared beside Spider-Man and freed him from the net.
"I knew it!" Kraven said, angry. "Attacking Mesmero was only a misdirection. I am getting sick of those spiders!" He took out a spear and prepares to fight the two Spider-Men.
"Thanks for the save, Kid Arachnid," Spider-Man said. "You could have ended it right here sooner before he broke almost on my ribs."
"Yeah, sorry it took so long. Scarlet and I were getting your signal, but then the lion damaged your communicator and we had to improvise." Kid Arachnid said.
"Fair enough. By the way, how did you lose Mesmero and took him down so fast?" Spider-Man questioned.
"What are you talking about?" Kid Arachnid inquired, raising a confused eyebrow. "I wasn't fighting Mesmero."
"Maybe Iron Spider, then?" Spider-Man guessed.
"No, he's still in the spider jet," Kid Arachnid said. "Scarlet Spider is tracking Mesmero right now."
Spider-Man was now really confused. And as he and Kid Arachnid charged at Kraven, Spidey thinks to himself, 'If it wasn't Miles and Cho attacking Mesmero to chase him away, then who was it?'
Well, the good news is that I was able to get Mesmero's attention and lead him back to the zoo. Steps one and two were in full effect.
Unfortunately, there was one variable I wasn't prepared for to make things more complicated. And let's just say…it was super hard for me when coming to step three of my plan.
Star Spider's belt had used a lot of the cloaking tech, now it was time to cool off. Thankfully, only Mesmero can see her, and she had a plan for that as well.
"Come back here, you invisible coward!" Mesmero said.
"That's right. Keep following me," Star muttered, web-slinging the bad guy to her destination before seeing her belt start to overheat. "Looks like I have to find a resting spot, first."
Star Spider led Mesmero and his elephant back to the central park Zoo. This caught his attention. "So, you brought me back here?" He sarcastically asked as Star Spider hides in an empty habitat cooling off her belt. "This won't stop me. Once I crush you, I'll return to my gloating and destroy Spider-Man once and for all!"
"Too bad for you, Spider-Man's not here, punk." A familiar voice said. It caught Star Spider's attention. The person in the red suit and black mask with red shiny lenses drops down the middle of the zoo. "Which means, you will have to deal with me!"
Mesmero was in awe. "Ooooh, I've heard about you. You're Doctor Octopus's creation, the Spider Scarlet!"
"Close, but it's pronounced Scarlet Spider!" Scarlet Spider corrected the supervillain.
Star felt her heart beat in seeing Scarlet...both in amazement and fear. 'Scarlet Spider?! Here!? Oh, boy...'
"It doesn't matter what your name is. A clone of Spider-Man is never the same as the original!" Mesmero stated, commanding his elephant to shoot water at Scarlet Spider.
"He's not a clone, he's half human, half synthezoid..." Star Spider whispered to herself.
Mesmero's elephant kept shooting water at Scarlet Spider, but he keeps dodging them. Star Spider's belt was cooled off, so she reactivated her belt's cloaking and sees Scarlet Spider fighting off Mesmero.
'I got to help Scarlet without exposing myself,' Star thought, looking around the habitat to see a section where it's dark to get an idea. 'That might work.'
Going in the battle yet still invisible, Star landed on top of the elephant right behind Mesmero. She then saw Scarlet knocked down from the elephant's water squirting and was about to be stampede.
"And now Scarlet Spider, meet your doom!" Mesmero said. "Bye-bye...'
However, just before Mesmero could command the elephant, Star used her sticky hands and strength to lift him up and flip off the elephant towards the dark exhibit that left him screaming in confusion.
"What the heck?!" Mesmero asked, growling in anger. "Must've been that invisible spider that I was chasing! You can't stop me by putting me an exhibit like this! I will find you!" Just then, he overheard snarling and sees the albino gorilla, the one Rose called Mangos. "You again!? Ugh, I command you to get out of here." Mesmero ordered, trying to control Mangos.
But the gorilla charged at Mesmero to attack him. Mesmero screamed and begged for help.
Star then sat on the elephant and helped calm the creature down.
"Shhhhh, it's okay," Star whispered, rubbing the elephant's head gently. "No need for blind rage. You are safe."
Scarlet Spider was still unconscious, but he slowly opened his eyes. He can only see blurs for a moment.
The elephant was feeling a little calm since he was being petted by Star Spider. His rage was completely numb and, underneath his trunk, he smiled.
Star then saw the elephant bring its trunk up to her and caress her face which made her chuckle. As if saying thanks.
"No problem. Now, let's get you back to your exhibit," Star said quietly, helping the elephant while still invisible.
Scarlet Spider got back up completely and sees the Elephant walking back to its exhibit. "That's weird." He said.
The elephant went back into its habitat all calmed and happy. And trumpeted with joy.
"Awww...You're welcome." Star giggled while complimenting her animal friend, as she jumped off the elephant and gave one last goodbye pet on the trunk. "Stay here. I got another friend who needs my help dealing with a green sicko mutant," Star said, already webbing herself out of here to find Mangos.
She then made her leave to look for her albino gorilla. Turns out, around web-slinging, her belt started to act up where her invisibility was losing power...and it seemed to catch the attention of a brooding spider hero in following.
After landing, her belt was worn out of its cloaking. And she has turned visible again. "Oh, already? I got to get this thing recharged before I help Spider-Man. But first, I'm gonna pay a little visit to Mesmero and force him to bring the animals back to the zoo."
As she turned around, Star was shocked and gasped when seeing Scarlet Spider looking at her.
"So... You're the invisible spider Mesmero was chasing?" Scarlet Spider asked.
"Uhhhhh..." Star felt speechless about what to do. "Maybe?"
"Who are you?" Scarlet asked again.
To be continued...