Black Cat was climbing up a building, processing to carefully slice into a window going inside doing all the usual bugler things cracking open the safe and making a clear getaway out of the building. Trouble was sprung almost the second she left scaling down the side of the building. The armed goons busted in finding the safe wide open and a note, which they ignored searching for the thief. Black Cat was spotted by them and started getting shot across the rooftop, but used her incredible acrobatics to avoid the incoming bullets escaping.
"Come on! We've gotta get after her!" One goon shouted and froze after seeing their unpleasant to say the least boss enter, Hammerhead.
"What are you mocks doing now! The cops could arrive and check out our place, you bunch of useless lots!" He started saying some things that shouldn't be repeated and then relaxed, kinda, for a moment. "Who robbed us? And what'd they take?"
One revealed the note. "Uh, here sir. They left us a note."
"You read it, you lazy slim!"
The goon sighed and complied. "This is what the note says, I swear." They cleared their throat and sweated a bit. "Hey, uh." They paused.
"Get on with it now!" Hammerhead shouted with his teeth grit.
"Hey, Hammy. You are no doubt going to be very angry over the loss of this priceless diamond. It was no offense, but you and I both knew how much money this would be worth. It's exactly what Odessa needs to be kept alive, she needs to keep the thievery going or else, you know. Stealing this was completely necessary, it was easy as pie so you were the perfect mark. So do yourself a favor and don't pursue me, do you really want to cross the thieves guild? Till next time, Hammy head. Signed, The Black Cat."
Hammerhead grit his teeth. "That little girl thinks she could steal from us! For The Thieves Guild, no, she's got another thing coming. I want you boys to hunt down that pussy cat and kill her! Only after she's revealed where that diamond is!"
"Uh boss, do we gotta kill her? She's kinda pretty, boss." One idiot said.
"You want to get thrown out the window?" He then asked with his crazy eyes starting to twitch at the goon.
They turned white and walked away slowly.
"Alright you mocks! We need to keep this on the downlow! Everyone will start getting after that cat if it's spilled how much money this is and how much it could damage our gang! We can't have a leak!" Hammerhead shouted.
All the goons nodded and went off to find The Black Cat.
Elsewhere in the city, the next day, with Peter, he returned to the Daily Bugle after a week of recovering from his battle with Green Goblin.
A lot of people seemed happy to see him, even JJ of all people came up to him.
"Welcome back Parker!" He said uncharastically happy.
"Boss? What's got you in a cheerful mood?" Peter asked, interested.
JJ smiled, which was almost as scary as Green Goblin. "My son, a real hero, unlike that wall crawling menace who puts cats in trees no doubt. He's an astronaut and he's going on a very important mission into space very soon! Ha! I'd love to see Spider-Man do something as heroic as my son! He's incapable of even being half of the man my son is!" Jonah exclaimed, cheerful.
Peter felt unhappy by his comments, as usual, but kept it to himself as JJ's son, John was indeed a nice person and seemingly adopted would be the only explanation with how he turned out. "That's wonderful boss!"
"You bet it is! The photos that'll be taken, it'll be a tremendous moment!"
"Can I take them?" Peter, unfortunately asked.
JJ's face turned back to normal. "No way I'd ever let an unskilled photographer take pictures of my son on that momentous day! This is the biggest moment of his life and I'll be making sure they're taken only by the very best. Myself!" He shouted, making the building shake.
Peter backed away slowly and his boss went back to the uncomfortable cheerful demeanor once again.
Robby came up to Peter as he backed off. "Glad to see you are feeling better Peter, those hospital bills mustn't have been good. I know your money troubles, I was contemplating having a fundraiser for you and your lovely aunt."
"Wow! Thank you, Mr. Robertson. That's a very generous offer, though I think my aunt might decline it and I think I'll have to as well. I feel bad having to ask for money. We'll pay it off, eventually. I'm sure of that." Peter replied with a frown.
Mr. Robertson nodded. "I understand and had a feeling you'd say that. It's very respectful of you Peter, I wish there was more we could do here to help. Perhaps you and your aunt could come by my house sometime, have dinner? My wife, bless her heart, cooks and cooks. She loves every moment of it and helping out kind people."
"That's very kind of you, I'll speak to my Aunt May about it. I'm sure she'd be thrilled by it Mr. Robertson. Thank you." Peter replied, feeling better.
"Anytime son." He said and walked off.
Now Peter went over to Fredrick Foswell and Eddie Brock who were discussing something in private.
"Hello? What's up? Hope I'm not interrupting anything."
They looked at each other. "Come over here, Peter. Oh and keep your voice down, we trust you to hear this." Foswell said, motioning him over.
Curiously, Peter listened and came over. "Okay, I'm so silent, you might even forget I'm here! Okay, starting now."
They nodded and Eddie started to share. "There are rumors that Hammerhead had a valuable diamond stolen from him. All thanks to a thief called, The Black Cat. She's been rumored to be quite active, more so now then usual and it's unknown as to why. Though most suspect she's the daughter of the mysterious Cat, as he was never caught before and it seems he might have died in a heist gone wrong. Unconfirmed of course."
"The point is, Hammerhead's got it out for that Black Cat and if he doesn't get that diamond back, everything could fall apart for Hammerhead going solo." Foswell interjected and looked interested in the situation.
"Uh, what happens if Hammerhead can't go solo now? And I still can't wrap my head around that creep was already back in power after just escaping prison thanks to that mess with Electro."
Eddie sighed. "It'd be bad if Hammerhead teams up with another gang to stay afloat. The best case would be him finally giving up, Hammerhead wouldn't give up, not after all these years of fighting to be a crime boss. We're thinking and fearing, he might team up with that new player, Tomestone."
"If he does, that'd be very disastrous and fill the void from Fisk's arrest. And be spelling the death of that Black Cat, along with The Thieves Guild who seem to be falling apart after their being revealed. This could be a turning point in the city." Foswell added.
Great, all my favorites potentially teaming up and hunting down Black Cat, she technically saved me. I can't let any of this happen. Also I can't believe that taking down The Thieves Guild could be causing more trouble now. Just when I think I've got the underworld on the ropes, something else crazy happens. Peter then acted surprised out loud pretending to be ignorant. "Can we do anything to prevent this?"
The two looked at each other again.
"I'd say the only hope right now is Spider-Man." Foswell said genuinely.
Eddie looked in disagreement. "I don't know Mr. Foswell, surely the cops and us reporting on this would get the ball rolling."
Foswell looked unsure. "My informant said Hammerhead wanted to keep this silent, it could escalate into a gangwar if the info got out!"
"Over a diamond? Seriously?" Peter questioned.
"You've got no idea how much that diamond is worth, more than we're all going to make in our entire lives combined!" Eddie remarked.
That's a lot. Peter realized in his head.
"Indeed, it's true, unfortunately. It is why the criminals or even dirty cops heard about this being out on the streets. It would be a complete mess! Any money grubbing piece of trash would want a taste of that worth!" Foswell added.
Peter thought about what to say next, as the two continued talking.
"We really can't let this slip out!" Foswell exclaimed.
"Someone's gotta stop it and Spider-Man might not even know about this!" Eddie remarked back.
"How about we wait a night and see if Spider-Man helps out, if he doesn't do anything about all this, then publish the story? I mean, that Black Cat lady would have to have gone underground by then if she wasn't found, right? And nobody else would pick up the story before us, hopefully." Peter suggested.
Foswell smiled. "You've got a good sense kid, alright. We could try that, it's certainly a compromise I'm fine with."
"I guess I'll agree to it too, unless someone else catches wind of this first, we should get the story first!" Eddie reasoned.
"Fair point Brock." Foswell said and looked over at Peter, who started to move away, confused Foswell tried to call to him. "You just came back? Where are you going?"
"Oh, why, I forgot I have a follow up appointment today! I'll be back soon!" He rushed out of the Bugle.
"That kid, he's quite the oddity."
After rushing out, Spider-Man was now swinging out on patrol. There was a good feeling in his mind that Black Cat might be getting into trouble and could be out searching for him too considering their last playful encounter. It wasn't exactly the greatest of chances, but after nearly an hour of swinging around it appeared as if his suspicions were correct, as he found Black Cat just jumping from rooftops.
"Ah ha! I knew saying here kitty to myself for an hour would pay off! Eventually." He said to himself and chased after her.
"Spider! I was wondering how long until you'd find me. Looks as if you'd found me! And excellent timing too!" She said with a smile.
He stopped in his tracks. "Why would that be?" Spider-sense then went off and he spotted a helicopter chasing after her. "Great."
Said copter revealed a man, holding a machine gun and did the only logical thing with such a powerful deadly weapon, fire it in broad daylight at Black Cat on the roofs.
I'm speechless! Spider-Man thought and webbed onto the helicopter going to stop this insanity from continuing.
He climbed inside. "Do you guys understand how entirely insane you are? I mean seriously! In all my time! Firing a machine gun, from a helicopter, in the middle of the day, all at a harmless Cat Burglar who causes bad luck!"
"She causes bad luck? That's real!?" One exclaimed
"Screw it!" The gunner shouted and kept on firing.
Spider-Man kicked them both out of the helicopter, webbing them safely to a nearby building not wanting to play in this case.
The co-pilot tried shooting at Spider-Man, while the other pilot looked angry with them. "Please, I need to keep my attention!"
"Piss off man!" The other said and got pulled out of their seat by Spidey and suffered the same fate as the others.
"Hello pilot man. What's up?" Peter said, sitting next to them. "You are working for Hammerhead aren't you? He's never been a fan of being subtle. How about we pull over now, huh?"
They sweated nervously. "Um, could I land somewhere?"
Spidey nodded. "Oh yeah sure, very far, understand?"
"Yes sir!" They exclaimed and listened, as Spider-Man leaped out and headed back to The Black Cat who was running off. So much running! Always have to make a grand chase out of everything doesn't she!
After a few minutes or so of pressuring her, it seemed she reached her destination finally turning to Spider-Man. "Have you gotten slower, in your old age perhaps?"
"Very funny, I'm a bit off my game you could say, fought a madman dressed in green who kicked this poor web slingers butt." He replied.
"Oh, someone's a bit hurt? Your pride? I'm sure it'll heal not to worry."
Spider-Man rolled his eyes. "Alright Black Cat, what's your game this time? Stealing from Hammerhead is clearly a big deal!"
"Actually I'd suspect you'd not guess my motivation." She replied.
"Mysterious! What are you stealing for openathens? For charity? All part of a get rich scheme while pissing off Hammerhead cause he's a mighty fine jerk? Oh I know! Your stealing it for a long lost sibling who's gotten in deep with the mob!?" Spider-Man asked curiously searching for an answer.
She smirked. "Close Spider, remember my partner? Odessa Drake?"
"The leader of your fun little band of thieves, yeah. She's locked up in prison all tight, what would she need for a diamond?"
Black Cat chuckled. "There is a lot you don't know about her, my beautiful Odessa has a problem being behind bars now. Her immortality is on the line I fear. You see, the story of her getting it from a demon, it's completely true. That demon needs to feed, specifically off her stealing valuables. The entire organization was around to help continue this, her legacy, along with her father's and the demon, demanded something very nice. This diamond that Hammerhead had to be exact. I won't let Odessa die by failing to retrieve this. I love her." She said unusually truthfully.
Peter thought about it for a moment. "Okay, that is pretty far-fetched, but for some reason I think I believe you and I won't take the chance too of letting that woman die. Even if she's something of a jerk." He looked around. "Why stop here?"
"It's a safe house that Odessa set up. The guild still processes a lot of power, even without the leader around. It's a real fancy place, you'd love it!"
"I'll warn you lady, my interdesign tastes are very particular, I might get a little snody!"
She smirked at him. "Let me guess, should everything be red and blue?"
"With a little white to match!" Spidery remarked sarcastically.
As they entered, Spider-Man felt his spider-sense and stopped Black Cat from reaching for the door handle. "I've got a bad feeling about that door, let's not touch it."
"Fair call, Spider. There's a chance Hammerhead found us."
"You've got that right!" A voice exclaimed, three people stepped forward.
Spider-Man knew exactly who they were. "Hey! My old pals, The Enforcers! Wait, he's the third guy? That's not Montana, unless he got very bad plastic surgery."
"Man, why is Spider-Man always around?" Fancy Dan frowned, turning to Ox.
"We can take em!" Ox replied.
Guy number three spoke up. "I say, I say we should give this boy a fine old whopping! Now pay attention boy your facing off against the new and improved Enforcers!"
Peter stared at him and started laughing. "Please tell me his name is Foghorn."
"What! My name isn't Foghorn boy! Haven't you learnt naming, boy I say boy kids these days with these technologies know nothing!"
Spider-Man kept on laughing and almost fell over.
Everyone looked at him confused, so alas he stopped. "Ahh, I say boy, you all have very poor taste!" Spidey joked and leaped into action webbing up the Enforcers. "That's our queue to run now I'd say Cat."
She did as such running out of the place down the stairs about to head outside, then stepping back after a hepping load of gun fire started spraying in.
Spider-Man webbed Black Cat close out of the way.
"Hmm, Spider, this isn't exactly the most romantic timing." She joked.
"Really? I thought the sound of gunfire raining down on us was extremely romantic! Shows what I know."
They moved back upstairs finding The Enforcers breaking free.
"Why are you guys even here? Are you after the Diamond for Fisk? Is everyone involved coming into this?"
Fancy Dan shook his head. "Na, you're wrong. The Kingpin of Crime is done, we're working for Hammerhead now, he's going to be the big crime boss now. Times are changing and we're changing with it!"
"Really? Hammerhead is going to be in charge, that's classic. Did your guy Montana not like working for Hammerhead? Is that why he's no longer a part of your team?"
Dan and Ox looked at each other, then tried to attack Spider-Man, naturally failing and Black Cat joined in kicking them both down, webbing them up. Giving them bad luck made them not able to break free.
The last guy put up his fists. "Boy, I say boy you've done it now! You two are going down. I'll be teaching you folks a lesson!" After sounding so confident, Black Cat used her powers and gave the guy bad luck making him fall over knocking himself out cold.
"Seems like he had pretty poor balancing." Black Cat remarked.
"I say boy-"
"Please stop Spider." She said, crossing her arms.
Spider-Man frowned. "Okay, party pooper." Then his spider-sense went off again, so he grabbed onto The Black Cat pulling her away to safety as the thugs ran up the stairs shooting at them both.
"Quite an exciting day huh?" Black Cat remarked.
"I've had more exciting days."
Together they reached the roof, Spider-Man shot out a lot of webbing to block the stairs now finding another helicopter with Hammerhead in it who leaped down in front of them. "The jig is up Cat!"
The duo looked at each other.
Spider-Man stepped forward. "Hammerhead, how about we stop acting completely insane and let Black Cat go?"
"How about no." Hammerhead said, cracking his hands.
"How about we run now." Spider-Man said, grabbing onto Black Cat.
With a smirk she said. "Very touchy aren't you today?"
"On this occasion, yes!" He leaped off the building bringing them away.
Hammerhead grit his teeth and hopped back onto the helicopter. "After them now!"
The two started running away. "Uh, what exactly is the plan here? I really don't feel like running all night."
"Don't worry, I figured Hammerhead might've found the safehouse. The bridge, I should get out of town for now." She suggested.
"Good point. Let's go." Spider-Man said and swung them away, keeping out of sight of Hammerhead's helicopter who was still after them trying to shoot at them, until a police helicopter started following them.
"Lose em!" Hammerhead shouted.
"Sir, I don't think that's possible, we need to back off!" The pilot replied not listening to his orders.
Hammerhead was furious, but was powerless to stop the two escaping.
Spider-Man and Black Cat soon reached the Bridge crossing, starting to head out to the outer part of the city.
"Looks like we're about our stop." Spider-Man pointed out.
"Indeed we are, Spider. I'd hate having to keep a low profile, it's so, unlike me."
He chuckled softly. "Very true, it was nice working together this time. You know, assuming there isn't one last rug pull moment."
"Don't worry Spider, I'm going to inform Odessa, in my own way, about the beautiful diamond I've gotten for her and then I'll be keeping a low profile, for now."
Spidey crossed his arms. "Alright, you better stay a good kitty cat, or else this little spider is going to be sending you away to prison. Very gently."
"You'd love to think so." She smiled and soon vanished.
Oh, I really hope I wasn't tricked. Please gut, please don't fail me. I'm going to feel pretty stupid if I got dubbed by the world's most attractive cat themed criminal. Not that I know any other cat themed criminals. I wonder what MJ would look like- I'm going to stop thinking. He continued swinging off and figured it'd be time to head on back to the Bugle, also he considered calling MJ. Then thought it could be awkward after his, thoughts popped up again.
Meanwhile, Black cat called Odessa, as she had a secret phone sneaked in. A benefit of being a master thief.
"Please tell me, do you have it?" She immediately asked.
"Yes Odessa, I swear I have it and it's safe. This will keep him off your back?" The Black Cat questioned, hopeful.
"Thank you Felicia, you saved my life. I wish I could kiss you and make up for every cruel thing I said to you." Odessa replied.
She smiled. "Don't worry, you will. I'm waiting for some heat to blow over, but I've got a good feeling you won't be staying in prison for much longer."
"Hammerhead is after you isn't he?"
"It won't be a problem, remember someone taught me how to keep a low profile, besides I'm in contact with the rest of The Thieves Guild. We're working something out and keeping off his radar."
"You always have something in mind, don't you?" Odessa said sly as can be.
"Indeed I do, always. See you soon." She smiled.
That wasn't all happening, as the missing Enforcer was up to something else. Having a meeting with a familiar face, the unknown Hobgoblin.
"These plans, I'd say they are working out smooth as butter! You certainly have a lot of money to be able to build all these suits!" Montana said to them.
The Hobgoblin nodded. "Of course, why wouldn't I?"
"Fair point, sir. At this rate we should be ready soon, for a crime spree the cops and Spider-Man won't be able to stop."
"Indeed Montana, the first Shocker didn't understand the potential of his power at his disposal, those gauntlets were wasted on him. This will fulfill our hopes, out match them even. A new breed of Shockers! With you leading this new pack."
They both smile and Hobgoblin flew into the air overlooking an entire factory creating brand new suits based on the Shocker designs. "Look out New York, I'm only getting started on my comeback." Hobgoblin said in a meaningful tone and smiled.
Hope you enjoyed it everyone, that chapter ended up being shockingly longer than I expected, I nearly considered breaking this into a two parter. Though it kinda is, as you'll all see next time.
Always fun writing for Black Cat, as you can see I'm not done yet with The Thieves Guild and potentially hinting towards something deeper, with Black Cat's relationship with Odessa. I won't have much of that going forward, the romantic side of it.
Anywho, I enjoyed using The Enforcers again and having that set up for Montana getting his turn ultimately as Shocker, working with Hobgoblin. Also my probably stupid joke about the third new guy, if you got the joke, boy I say boy you have amazing taste. And rest assured, I've got plans for The Enforcers still and why they're working for Hammerhead now, along with a reason why Montana left the group.
Finally, it was important to me giving Eddie and Foswell more to do, so Peter's friends had to take a backseat for now. As JJ's son happens to be going to space soon, it could lead to something, critical and gooey.
Next time, more continued building on the state of the underworld and a return I've been looking forward to ever since I've gotten the idea.