This is my first Origin story involving how my character Star Spider came to be. Most of you probably know her while others do not so much. After four years of making my first spidersona, I wanted to celebrate this anniversary with this.
Major thanks to Alvaxerox for helping me collaborate in making this possible. I hope you enjoy.
Chapter 1: Once a Hunter's Daughter…
My name is Rose Hunter Oaks…also known as Star Spider. Although, it wasn't always that way. A year ago, I was still Rose Kravinoff…otherwise known as the perfect daughter of Sergei Kravinoff.
Ever since my parents lost their lives when I was five years old, I became an orphan girl with no new father eventually adopted me, who kept me healthy and claimed to be a wealthy businessman whose also an animal rights advocate and into veterinary medicine development. I didn't know about his true job until after we moved from the African lands to New York when I became ten or eleven.I regret not running away from him the moment I found out he was Kraven the , I kept it to myself until he felt ready to tell me. Tried being his perfect daughter and not disobeying him in his eyes.
I kept doing the same exercise and healthy programs Sergei was doing for almost my childhood and teen life isolated in a penthouse in New York. Especially when Sergei left for 'work'.I was never trusted to go anywhere unless I was by my 'father's' down, I got sick of it. I wanted to explore beyond the walls of my penthouse in seeing New York City. Try new things and meet new people around my age where I'm not…by myself.
So, one day, I decided to do just that. It was the day that changed everything for me.
Morning came to New a room fully decorated with jungle-themed items and stuffed exotic animals on the bed, a brunette teen with fair skin slept peacefully. She snuggled in the covers and one of the stuffed animal toys being hugged in her arms.
It didn't take long for her alarm to go off at 7:00 am where the teen girl woke up slowly and stopped her clock. Once rubbing the sleepiness from her brown eyes, she got up from her bed to put on her exercise clothes and loose hair brushed up to start the day.
This girl was none other than Rose Hunter.
"All right, Rose. Time to start another routine day with some morning warmups before the real workout," Rose said to herself at the mirror stand."I am sure if all goes well, then father will let me check out the special event happening. Well…probably not, but it's worth a try."
You see, there was this rad exotic animal event where all types of new creatures will be presented to the public. We're talking about endangered species, rare reptiles, and , some people from Oscorp coming to present their different collections of arachnids they discovered and modified to live a long life plus unique ability. I think you all know where that's , while I truly wanted to go there myself, I have to first convince my stubborn 'father'.
Rose braided her hair quickly, and put on some sportswear to begin training with her father Sergei at the training room. "Okay, my little Calypso child, now it's time to sharpen your skills with stealth and timing." He said to Rose.
The training room was a state-of-the-art high-tech same one that is based on sci-fi films that look and feel surroundings were set to be a jungle-like forest.
"Ready?" Sergei asked his daughter.
Rose nodded, getting into a fighting position.
"Then show me what you got!" Sergei stated, already starting.
Rose tried her best, and thankfully she is a sharp learner. Even made Sergei proud a bit. He even told her the ways of evasiveness. If having a sharpened sense as a hunter, she had to predict where her prey will strike her. Sergei was pretending to be the prey and was about to pounce on Rose. But thanks to the teachings, she jumped, rolled to a nearby tree, and threw some dirt at Sergei.
Sergei then covered the training area in dust. Rose tries to look around but all she sees is smoking dust. She had to listen carefully to footsteps. She concentrates, but Sergei is leaving other random noises to distract her. Sergei leaps towards Rose, but she noticed him, unfortunately, when she tried to block him with her palm. She was too late and Sergei blocked it fast and made her fall to the ground.
"You must build counteract strength if your prey pounces on you. You must use its own strength against it." Sergei advised.
Rose slowly got up as she saw her father lend a hand to help her get back on her feet while nodding at each other."Of course. Thank you, father."
"Remember that, my fighting cub," Sergei said. "Now, wash up. Breakfast is being made now."
Once the simulation ended, Rose left to do what her father asked.
The brunette took a quick shower, put on normal clothes, and rushed down to the dining room to eat breakfast with her father. They had some eggs with some bacon and some kiwi. While eating, Rose decided to have a talk with her father about something important she wants to do on her own. But she's worried her father will say no. Even so, Rose was going to try regardless.
"Something on your mind?" Sergei questioned, seeing his daughter distracted. "I can tell since our morning very well, I know when you become distracted by a certain thought."
"Father...While I know I'm not eighteen yet, I was wondering if you'd let me see the Animal Appreciation Event today," Rose requested calmly. "It is something I never asked before, but I have worked hard on everything that seems like a good reward."
Sergei sighed gently. "Rose, my little cub...As much as I'd love how hard you have worked under my roof, you are just not ready. You do not have the maturity to handle the big world."
"But father, I'm more than-"
"Furthermore, it is far too dangerous," Sergei continued, raising his hand up to indicate he was not finished. "You will only hurt yourself."
"What about the heroes who protect this city? The Avengers? Spider-Man and the Web-Warriors?" Rose reminded, only to pause a moment in seeing Sergei flinch from hearing that last part...and she knew why in secret. "...Look, all I'm saying is that I have been training for years now to defend myself thanks to you. To think like a hunter in order to avoid becoming prey.I promise I will be good and keep out of trouble. Please, father?"
"I'm sorry, Rose, but my decision is final," Sergei stated firmly, as he went up to dress himself accordingly in a suit. "Now, I will be off to work longer than usual, so I might come home late. Continue with your studies and chores while I'm gone."
The brunette teen looked down in sadness. "Understood, father."
"Good. See you later or tomorrow," Sergei said, as he left.
Rose then washed the dishes, upset with her father's orders. She sees the window and the beautiful city of New York. She then sighs, trying not to feel mad.
"Why wouldn't he let me go outside?" She asked herself out loud. "I am more than mature and ready to go by myself."
Technically, I did have a small theory as to why he didn't want me going. Possibly involving his 'work' and dealing with the Spider , that moment really bugged me.
Later, after she washed all the dishes and vacuumed the carpet, she saw her research on the Animal Appreciation Event on the table. And since it was today...she felt something in her chest like she just wanted to do it.
"I can't believe I'm doing this, but…" Rose said, going to her closet in grabbing some hoodie, flexible pants, a sports hat to hide most of her hair, and sneakers. "I'm not missing this event! Not now, not ever! I am seeing those animals!"
She grabbed a fanny pack belt holding some spare cash plus emergency items, opened the window, left the TV on, and was climbing out the window. She's sneaking out without her father's notice.
"Sorry, father, but this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that I just cannot compromise with." She jumped off the window and ran into the city. The event was taking place at the Central Park Zoo, according to the map she had. 'Hopefully, father doesn't come back too fast if something came up.' Rose thought to herself.
I didn't know what got into was something within me screaming that I should go see the event, despite Kraven's I have never been out of the city by myself before, I knew the survival basics of not talking to strangers, being aware of one's surroundings, and so on.I was also smart enough to leave the tracking device my father would leave in my phone back in the penthouse. So, he wouldn't be the wiser knowing I left.
Not only that, I managed to look into Kraven's secret room holding his hunting weapons and computer files on not just his past teammates, but also his 's very thorough in his work. And so am I. But I'll come back to that part later.
Around moving in the crowd, Rose took a moment to enjoy the sights in awe. Rose saw the bright lights while walking around Time Square, and this was just during the smile just grew while still moving forward.
"I should have done this sooner," Rose muttered to herself, checking around the different areas. Just then, a silhouette passed her from above where she looked up and had her mouth gapped. "No way..."
On top of her view, Rose sees a few costumed people swinging in web lines. It was Spider-Man and his fellow Web-Warriors; Iron Spider, Agent Venom, and Scarlet Spider. "Try to keep up, guys! Spider-Woman and Kid Arachnid are waiting for us at Coney Island!" Spider-Man said.
"Don't worry, Spidey. I can move faster, remember?" Agent Venom said.
"Does it really matter, Venom?" Iron Spider said.
"Not really. You punks like to treat web swinging like a race," Scarlet Spider said.
"Well, it should be easy. It's just Batroc, Boomerang, and Grizzly. They're not that big of a deal." Spider-Man said.
The Web-Warriors conversation was growing thin, as they swing to Coney Island.
This was the first time I ever saw Spider-Man and a few of the Web Warriors swinging around the city in real life. Especially seeing one certain spider that made me feel all tingly inside.
"Wow..." Rose replied lowly, her smile growing more with stars in her eyes before shaking it off. "Stay focused, Rose! You got an event to see. Go in for an hour or so and head back before father finds out."
Getting her senses back, the brunette kept moving in a hurry nonstop until she'd reach her destination.
"Finally," Rose stated with a sigh, a little tired but still glad she made it. She finally made it to Central Park Zoo. Now she can go see the endangered animals.
The brunette walked in, paid for her ticket of admission, and started checking out the different exhibits. Rose got to see tigers, giant pandas, red pandas, even an African wild dog. Each animal sparking so much inspiration and happiness within the brunette teen.
It felt like a dream come true to me. I had not seen these beautiful creatures up close in ages. I wanted to enjoy every second of it there.
Rose placed a hand on the glass near a gorilla exhibit where the gorilla did the same at his hand. Most people who saw that were a bit amazed. For Rose, it just felt natural for her to make such easy animal connections.
'There's still one exhibit I've been meaning to see,' Rose thought, walking further. 'The Snow Leopard. I always wanted to see those up close.'
While moving forward, Rose came across a familiar logo booth. It was Oscorp presenting their endangered yet slightly modified spiders in glass jars. This was also high in security where the guards have to do a quick sweep on individuals on whether it's safe to go through for them or not.
Rose went towards that exhibit before going to see the snow leopards. She went pass the security guards and pressed on one of the buttons that had AI voices so they can explain everything about the spider.
"After confiscating mainly spiders from Otto Octavius's sub lab underneath Oscorp, most of these modified spiders are the results of endangered spiders we hope can be ready to be released into the forests around the world."
"Well, that's a first," Rose muttered, unsure if that was true or not before thinking to herself. 'This is where Spider-Man became the hero he is today. And to think, he got to relive that moment when his powers were taken away a few months back involving some graduation event at their hero academy.'
Rose then pressed on one of the buttons to talk about the specific spiders with the small thorns attach to them.
"The spiders with the big stingers attached to their top side are known as the Spiny Orb Weavers. They are the rare spikey spiders, with their sharp thorns. Some call them Star spiders because the spikes are like a shape of a star. Some also call them thorn spiders, jewel spiders, or even crab spiders. The unique thing about these Orb Weavers is their unique skill to form their own webs by using other spiders' webs to create a shape spider web which are the shape of orbs. Easy to catch their prey, like moths, beetles, etc. There aren't that many spiny Orb Weavers in the world, so Oscorp is keeping them around till they lay an egg sack and then set them free to go into the Amazon forests. These spiders only have 1 life spans which lasts for a year until the females lay their eggs, the male spiders don't last too long unfortunately."
Rose looks at the spiny Orb Weavers spiders, and she doesn't know why but she can... sense one of their feelings. But she shook it off and decided to continue on to the snow leopards.
Back then, I was never fully aware of my special connection to animals. Sensing how they feel and vice versa. I only brushed it off as a sudden chill or whatever. But believe me, I had no clue of what happened next, despite seeing one of my favorite endangered animals.
Rose was amazed by the snow leopards. The greyish-white fur, and how they match the regular leopard. Any of the strongest felines around. Unfortunately, there's not that much of their kind yet. They're going to be kept in the zoos until they repopulate a bit more Cubs in order to return to Africa or the winter places where they don't get cold.
"So majestic...I hope you find a place called home to bring back your beautiful snowy leaps," Rose muttered, lifting her hand up to make it look like she was petting one of them in the distance. "You'll be out running free to do whatever in no time."
She then see some interesting foxes, lions, and finally an albino gorilla. The last of its kind. She walks closer to its cage. The gorilla was eating some leaves, ignoring the bananas.
"I guess not all apes eat bananas," Rose shrugged, as the gorilla pushed its banana away towards her "Oh, no, I wouldn't." Somehow, she can sense the white gorilla's generosity since it doesn't want its banana so Rose can have it. "Okay...I guess."
Just then, one of the zookeepers walked toward the brunette. "Hey, kid, you can't eat that banana. It's animal food."
"Actually, this Albino gorilla offered his banana to me," Rose explained honestly. "He doesn't seem fond of bananas."
"Oh, yeah? If you think he's generous 'cause he doesn't like bananas, then what does he like?" The zookeeper asked.
"Only one way to find out," Rose stated, as she looked at the gorilla. "What is it that you really like to eat?"
In response, he points at one of the banners showing some fruit. Rose then walked up to the banner and pointed at what she thought the gorilla is pointing at.
"Apples?" She asked; as the white gorilla shook his head. It was a no. "Okay, then...Watermelon?"
The gorilla shook its head again as he continues pointing.
"What about...Mangos?" Rose asked again, which earned the white gorilla nodding with excitement. "All right, then. He likes mangos. Not bananas."
"Very well, then." The zookeeper went to the real fruit bouquet, grabbed a half slice mango, and also grabbed the other half and placed them inside the cage. "Here you go, big boy, two slices of mangos."
The gorilla cheered with joy, and even happily grunted at Rose like it was saying, 'Thank you.' And Rose could understand the grunts. "Awww, you're welcome."
The Zookeeper was surprised, while the gorilla was eating its mangos. He walked towards Rose. "Wow, kid. You can understand that ape?" He asked.
"Somewhat," Rose shrugged. "It's just something I can pick up automatically with other animals."
"I got to say, I'm surprised. It's like you're Dr. Dolittle. You know; you could sign-up for an internship at the zoo." The zookeeper said, giving Rose a little card.
"Oh, wow! Really?" Rose asked, sounding both happy and surprised...until she remembered Sergei. "Well, I'm not sure..."
"It's up to you, kid, but if you have the gift to understand animals, then you could be a good addition to taking care of the animals of the zoo. Think about it for the Summer." The Zookeeper suggested. "It's important to share that gift with others."
Rose blinked when hearing that. As if pondering it over.
The Zoo guy had a point. I honestly never thought about a positive future for myself. And learn a lot in such a big opportunity. The only problem I had getting in the way of saying yes to that offer...was my father.
Rose looked at the card while walking around the event. She felt conflicted on the inside. 'Disobeying my father in going to the event is one thing, but doing the zoo internship? It's not possible. I should just head back home already. I had enough of a good time today.'
Just then, some strong commotion was happening that was causing a large crowd of panic. Rose quickly took cover of what was going on.
Everyone looked at what appeared to be a man in a bear mech suit...and he was charging at the zoo. "You won't hold me, Spiders!" It was Grizzly. "Leaping boy and Boomerang guy already had their chance!"
"Get back here, Papa Bear!" Spider-Man yelled, swinging toward the bear-themed supervillain. "Iron Spider, get everyone out of the Zoo! Venom, Scarlet, you're with me to stop Grizzly.
"You got it, Spidey!" Agent Venom said.
Rose stared in shock while hiding behind a nearby trashcan. Although amazed to see her heroes in action up close, she didn't want to be in the middle of it.
"Everyone, follow me! I'll get you out of here! GO! GO!" Iron Spider said, escorting everyone out.
Grizzly kept fighting off the Web-Warriors when he noticed some animals in cages ready to be put in their habitats. "Hey, Web-Head! Catch!" He said, throwing a panda at Spider-Man. It made Rose shocked that Grizzly would do that, and he's dressed like a bear.
Spider-Man quickly grabbed the panda with its webbing and placed it on the grass. "Grizzly, why would you do that to your own kind?"
"As much as I dislike your joke, it's a new low even for someone dressed like a bear," Scarlet Spider added.
"Scarlet, hold off the bear, Venom and I will get the animals out of harm's way while we and Iron Spider will regroup with you," Spider-Man said. "Try slashing some of his armor."
"With pleasure!" Scarlet Spider agreed as he charges at Grizzly.
Rose kept hiding yet was up halfway peaking in awe. She's never been this close to watching her favorite spider hero of all time. While happy about the animals being escorted to safety like everyone else, the brunette girl in the hood just couldn't leave it.
Grizzly then grabbed Scarlet Spider and threw him at a near pillar.
"Scarlet! No!" Rose gasped while yelling, only to cover her mouth with what she just did.
Yeah…That was my bad. Rule one in stealth…never give away your position. And I was caught in the moment where I was about to pay the consequences.
When hearing that, Grizzly sees Rose when she gasped and yelled at seeing Scarlet in trouble. "Looks like I got some bait." He said with a smirk, walking towards Rose.
"Uh, oh," Rose muttered, knowing she's caught and backed up to where the spiders from Oscorp were. "Look...I don't want any trouble..."
"Too late, little can't stop me!" Grizzly stated, as he then hit the near wall, breaking some of the spiders off their small homes. It even caused Rose to stumble and fall on the floor sitting down. "No one can." He reached out his metal paw to try to grab her.
Just as a slightly terrified Rose was about to get snagged, a bunch of webs pulled Grizzly's arm back. Courtesy of Scarlet Spider.
"Focus on me, punk!" Scarlet Spider called out, redirecting Grizzly to fight him instead.
Grizzly roared. "Fine! I'll crush you with my bare hands!"
"Was that a bear pun?" Scarlet Spider cringed. "Where do the bad guys come up with jokes worse than Spider-Man?" He pulled out his stingers and started slashing Grizzly's armor.
Rose put her hood down to reveal her caped hat covering most of her hair tucked in getting a better look at the spider who saved her…unaware of a certain spiked spider webbing down from above her.
'...I just got saved by Scarlet Spider,' Rose thought; her cheeks feeling warm and pink while not moving. 'Man, I wish I was brave and free like him. Free like the others.'
But just then, she snapped back to reality after she felt something bite her in the back of her neck.
"Hey, you!" Scarcely Spider yelled at Rose. "Why are you still sitting here?! Get out!"
"R-right! Thank you. Thank you!" Rose stated, already moving and putting her hoodie back up. "Good luck, Scarlet!"
While moving, she barely noticed the Orb Weaver spider hanging around her hoodie after biting her neck and was launched away when she put the hood back up so it landed somewhere safe, the Orb Weaver just crawled out.
Spider-Man and the other Web-Warriors regrouped with Scarlet Spider. "The civilians are out of harm's way. Now we cut loose and..." Iron Spider said, as he suddenly paused.
"Iron Spider, what's wrong?" Spider-Man asked.
"My spider sense tells me...someone is behind us." Iron Spider stated.
Just then, after pausing at another hiding spot, Rose noticed a silhouette of someone in the trees. She can see her father... Kraven. "Uh, no..."
Kraven was focused on shooting Spider-Man as his target. Thankfully, he was covered with leaves where he doesn't see Rose. Not to mention she's wearing her own disguise from getting recognized.
"Careful, my prey. You don't want any bad publicity making these species extinct." He said with his dart rifle ready to shoot while aiming.
Now I knew why Kraven didn't want me near the animal event today. He was doing his job here and after one of the rare animals for either paying top dollar or for his immortality scheme. Or even take down Spider-Man. It's also most likely he set up Grizzly and the others as the distraction. Typical Kraven.
Well, now that he's here, it's pretty obvious that I couldn't stick around. Otherwise, Kraven might see me and realize that I disobeyed his orders. I had to run back home immediately.
As Rose used her training skills to make her daring escape, the bite from the spider made her a little...dizzy and she collapsed near some tall bushes where Kraven couldn't see her.
Just so you know, I still had no clue about the spider that bit me until later.I honestly thought my sudden dizzy spell and slight forming nausea was either me being starstruck at seeing Scarlet Spider up close while saving me or Kraven showing up where I could be busted. Radioactive spiders were not on my train of thought during that moment, okay?
The Web-Warriors felt their spider senses tingle. And Scarlet Spider quickly throws Grizzly in Spider-Man's direction, as the dart his Grizzly's armor. "Drat!" Kraven yelled.
Spider-Man sees Kraven in the trees. "Kraven the Hunter. Last time I saw you, I stopped you and your boss Doc Ock's superior Sinister Six." Spider-Man said.
"And need I remind you, that I know who you are, Spider?" Kraven said.
"Bro, Kraven knows your secret identity?" Venom asked his leader/teammate. "I'm surprised he didn't try to hunt you down without your costume."
"I may be a hunter, but I am a man of honor. And there is no honor in hunting down a prey when he is not prepared to face me." Kraven said. "More importantly, I do not care about his secret identity. It means nothing to me regardless."
Rose eventually got her senses back and slowly got on her feet. 'Gotta...get back home...' She thought, wanting to barf yet didn't.
Scarlet Spider noticed the girl whom Grizzly was gonna grab had finally left and sees a glimpse of her running away as fast as she can…even though she was weak.
I had to run as fast as I could before Kraven finished his battle with the Web-Warriors. Granted, that should have been the least of my worries.
Rose decided to take the secret sewer tunnels as a shortcut to get home quicker. She remembered in her father's notes that he navigated around the underground tunnels of New York to track and trap his prey which included Spidey and Scarlet Spider during a Goblin army invasion of Hydra.
And lucky, there happens to be a tunnel opening not far from the penthouse.
The Brunette did not stop moving while also being cautious of any traps Kraven might have set up. Fortunately for her, she didn't stumble on any traps.
Rose soon made it back to the surface, climbed back to her room, turned off the television, and took a long-needed shower while catching her breath.
"I did it...I can't...believe...that happened..." Rose replied to herself, as she kept cleaning herself up from any sewer smell she picked up or sweat from running all day.
Yep. I beat Kraven in coming back home. And knowing Spider-Man and his team, they already stopped Kraven from another dastardly plan. The news would most likely talk about the animal event destroyed yet saved by the spider heroes...with J. Jonah Jameson dishing out negative stuff on Spidey again for something beyond his control. That part we will get to soon.
Once getting cleaned up and putting on her pajamas, Rose just plopped herself on the bed where she immediately fell fast asleep.
However, little did she know that her life was about to change for better and for worse.
To be continued…