"I can't believe it!" Donnie shouted as he stared at the screen. "An alien! An alien life form right on our doorstep!" This was a miracle to all forms of science everywhere! The Fermi paradox finally cracked!
"Yeah, we know." Raph rolled his eyes, focused on the pinball game. "We've met the Kraang."
"It's different from the Kraang! An organic liquid base lifeform found outside of a normal atmosphere! Perhaps even a completely new and undiscovered species!" What he wouldn't give to be the pilot of that ship.
"I wonder if it's alive." Peter said, being the only in the room to be smart enough to appreciate this historical moment for mankind as a whole. "We already have a classification system for viruses since they border on living and just organic material, but that would be irrelevant in the eyes of sentience."
"With how many jokes you make, I keep forgetting that you're still a nerd." Mikey bluntly pointed out as he ate his pizza.
"Peter Parker, science geek extraordinaire." The boy sent forth finger guns.
"And just like that, you made finger guns even lamer." Raph snickered. "Why are you two even getting so excited about this? If it's another alien, then that just means more trouble for us down the line."
"That feels a little racist." Leo bluntly pointed out, polishing his blades. "That's like saying all mutants are evil. There's gotta be good aliens out there somewhere."
"Well, 'good' is subjective." Donnie said. "It's living mud, but it doesn't have any major organ systems to support a brain. It's not like it can understand complicated concepts such as responsibility and justice."
"And I reiterate….why do we care about it?" Raoh glared.
"Guy's, don't you get it? If we could study this species, it could give us an insight on how alien lifeforms operate. It could even give us an upperhand on how to handle the Kraag!"
"Is that really the best idea?" Raph asked as he scored the top score. "We already have one alien problem, we don't need to open the box on another."
"Yeah, didn't you hear about what happened with the alienoids?" Mikey asked. "First, they hide eggs in your food, then they break out of your stomach and begin eating your face!"
"Mikey, did you put hot sauce and ice cream on your late night pizza again before bed?" Leo asked.
"...Maybe…." Their youngest brother whistled.
"Maybe if I put on a lab coat and let Peter do the talking …" Donnie thought aloud.
"Sadly, I can't get anywhere close as Peter Parker." The web head groaned. "Due to the whole 'betraying the Connors' trusts for the sake of supporting my aunt' thing. And according to Gwen, Eddie still holds a grudge about the whole thing, so that's fun too."
That put a damper on the mood. "At least Gwen's still talking to you." Mikey tried to point out a bright side.
"Yeah … until I flaked out on halloween and Harry went to 'remedial for help'." Peter sulked. "So now she feels like she's been abandoned by two of her best friends, and the one she's left with can't be around because he's Spider-man."
Once again it got awkwardly quiet, before Raph slammed the controls on the machine. "This is getting boring. Come on, let's go for a patrol."
"Yeah.." Donnie turned back to the screen. "Such a shame. I would've loved to have gotten a closer look."
"Yeah.." Peter looked at it. "..You know, Peter Parker may not be able to get close … But if spider man and a theoretical ninja turtle is able to take a picture from afar on the rooftop, then no harm no foul."
"Yes, let's do that!" Donnie instantly rushed to grab his supply kit. Tonight was gonna be amazing!
"Okay … you nerds go ahead and do that." Leo announced, putting his swords away. "We'll catch up with you two later." Tonight was all about SCIENCE! Nothing could get in the way of this moment.
Felicia Hardy was a simple lady in her opinion. Living life on the edge at practically every moment that she could. She was smart, she was athletic, rich, and above all else … sexy. She had all that any woman could ever desire in the world. She never had to work a day in her life … and it was utterly boring. There was no excitement, no thrill, no adventure, no purpose.
What was the point of having everything the world had to offer if there was no poetry to it? The reason strife existed was to give meaning and purpose to someone. So, she decided to create her own.
Her dad was once a burglar, so she picked up from that little bit of inspiration. She kept his morals (in and out, free to roam, Non lethal intent) and his agile style. From there it was all about training and experience. From learning how to read men, to looking through every nook and cranny of a security system, to fighting off guards and completion. Like Karai, fun girl. They would probably try to kill her again after that last incident, but definitely a drinking pal.
She lived life at her own pace. The pace of a rocket. Swift, quick, and probably deadly, but it was a life well lived, a life she was never going to apologize for, no matter what happened to her. With every heist her skills grew wider, and with every success her jobs got more dangerous. Greed and pride were the forces that drove the world, so she would take advantage of every second of it. She was Felicia Hardy … the Black Cat.
Tonight's job was simple on the surface. Stealing from a college campus laboratory. Mediocre on its own to say the least. The only memories she had of college were the times she seduced her professors into giving her straight A's.
What was the fun part? The object in question was an alien. A little unethical to steal something alive, but if it was about as dumb as a plant she wasn't gonna feel bad at all. The only thing really on her mind was who was dumb enough to leave something so important in a college of all places?
Especially with the lack of security. Her high school locker was harder to crack into than this! … Granted she put tasers into her locker, but it's the thought that counts. Some people were just asking to get robbed.
After getting past the lasers and hacking that little lock, she pulled out the container, leaning in close. "Just gonna scoop you up, and hand you over to a new family." She told the goop.
Before she knew what hit her, a web latched itself onto her container, snagging it away from her hands as a particularly infamous vigilante in a red costume and a turtle costume guy hung out near the roof. "Hey now, I know how hard the system is, but when you adopt a child there's a lot of forms to fill out. We don't want them going to a broken home after all."
"Well well well." Looks like her night is about to get a lot more fun. She decoupled the line, moving closer. "If it isn't the spectacular Spider-Boy."
"That's Spider-Man to you sweet cheeks. Spider-boy is my much less famous cousin twice removed." The vigilante hung upside from a web. "Not everyday I get to save an icky alien from the beautiful damsel."
"Oh you flatterer, but you're off by one word." She pressed her feet off his chest and sent him back against a wall. "I'm far from a damsel."
"Ah, the knight in latex armor, isn't that a story to not tell the kids." He quipped, jumping from a wall and trying to land a kick of his own. "So what's your story? You get paid by a big shot for a bio weapon, or are you a secret agent sent from PETA?"
"Oh nothing so noble, my dear little spider. I'm just a humble alley cat looking to move up in the world." Their feet met as they collided together, a tingle being sent through her back. It was rare for her to meet anyone that could match her speed and agility, not to mention have decent banter to bounce off of. "A certain captain of industry offered an indecent amount of cash for the squiggly little E.T."
"Well you are dressed for the indecent part, so you got that going for you." They gripped the walls almost unrealistically, throwing a few punches. "But something tells me that he may be playing you for a chump."
"Oh I know a chump when I see one." She smirked, flipping on the ceiling while throwing one of the industrial beakers at the sexy spider-man. "And I'm the one who does the playing around here. I get to eat for five years for one sample of black mud, think of what I can do with a whole vial's worth."
"You can't just take this from the lab!" The turtle boy shouted, trying to hit her with the stick. "You're depriving the world of the science that could be done with it!"
"Everyone's gonna use it for science sidekick, just not the same clean white brand of it." Black cat hopped on the turtle's shoulder's, and threw him on a nearby counter. "Just an fyi spidey, if ya gonna ask a girl out, find a babysitter for your third wheel."
"Sorry miss leather cat lady, I'm a family man, swore by the book after the custody battle."
"And here I am willing to split the diamond prize." She smirked. "Sure the family man doesn't need it to support said family?"
"When you put it like that … Sorry, sounds tempting, but I'm setting up a superhero role model program. Extra watchful eyes make me sound like a hypocrite if I let a woman with a pretty face walk away scot free." And webbed up her claws together.
"Spidey, it's the first date, and you're already getting your sticky white web all over my hair?"
"I warn everyone I go against, I get physical when they don't back down. They're the ones that refuse to listen." They flipped on top of her back. "Don't worry, it comes out with ice water and peanut butter."
"Oooh, kinky."
"I am so glad Mikey's not here." The gap tooth turtle grumbled. "You humans have such dirty minds."
"What can I say, all animals have their own little ways to spend time." She broke out of the web with her claws. "Preferably, I like to dance." And Felica was ready to tango tonight … for as long as-
"What's going on here?" She saw that Curt Conners scientist she read about in her case file. "Where's the alien?!"
"Doctor Connors!" Spidey shouted with a surprise tone that indicated familiarity. Perfect opportunity.
"Sorry cutie, but I gotta cut our date short." She kicked him to the floor while he was distracted. "Two's company, three's a crowd, but four's a cooperating witness."
"She's getting away!" The turtle boy shouted. Hmm, should she get her own sidekick? … Nah, she was twenty one, she didn't have time to look out for little scamps. Plus that meant being obligated to split the dough, and who had time for that?
"I'll keep an eye on the alien, catch her!" They pointed … with their right hand. Hmm, different from what she read in the file.
"This would be much more of a turn on if you didn't have the green pet following us around." She winked at the spider. "The things we could do together…alone." Things better left in a locked up penthouse with the lights and clothes off.
"What, you saying you're not into men that can raise kids? I heard that's a very attractive quality in self made women." The webhead said, swinging after her.
"Seriously, don't bring me into your messed up fantasies, I still have my dignity to maintain."
"And ruin this figure? Sorry, you can't web this cat down." She grappled to a nearby ledge. "Catch you on the flipside Spidey, hopefully without your sidekick." She threw smoke at the turtle, making him tumble.
"Ah! I hate being on the other end of tha-ahhh!" The turtle guy fell off the roof.
"Dang it, family before foe!" So to get him off her back, threaten someone … something to remember
Chameleon was a little ticked off. The job was ruined thanks to the Black Cat and Spider-Man. Weeks of perfect preparation and acting, filling himself into the perfect role … gone because of a simple random bust.
The alien escaped, and the dark net hadn't heard heads or tails of it. A perfectly worthwhile, rich experiment … gone with the wind. So was the five hundred thousand
So, Chameleon decided to be provocative. He still needed money, and Spider-man cost him his latest gig… so why not exact revenge and get money while doing what he did best … acting.
"How's my lovely little stage crew doing tonight?" Spidey asked, messing the voice module in his mouth. Very expensive surgery, removing all of his skin and changing up his insides. But it helped bring his skills beyond their height. When one had a talent, they honed it sharper than any blade. Much like his brother Seigei honed his hunting skills.
"I'm at the bank. Knock out gas has filled the security office and the police cruisers think they're on mainstreet when they're about five miles off." Quinten Beck, his illusionist and pyrotechnic specialist answered. A fellow actor who he was able to bounce off of to hone his abilities, the man's true capabilities came in his ability to fool almost anybody with his special effects. The only crutch was while the Chameleon saw it as a means to an end, Beck saw it as an artform that must be upheld at every single opportunity. IE, he was an annoying showman that constantly thought he was more amazing than he really was.
"Get away is covered. All thats left is for you to make your mark." Phineas Mason, his tech support. Great mind, some of the inventions he made were truly fascinating. Boots with spring loaded heels and magnetic toes would allow him to jump around just like the one and only Spider-Man himself. Totally unreliable if the fight got serious though, always leaving it to himself and Quinten.
"Then I guess all that's left is to make the big dramatic entrance every criminal loves to pull off." With a quip, they grabbed the wire, swinging down from the grappling hook and into the building. "Sorry for the rushed show up, traffic in New York gets everyone moving faster than they should." He told the crowd. The only downside to adopting this persona was having to come up with so many bad jokes so quickly all at once.
"It's Spider-Man!" A man shouted.
"The one and only." He smirked, pulling a 'web bag' out of his wrist compartment. "Money into the bag, all you can fit."
"I … what?"
"Yes I know, I'm supposed to set up an account before I take a bank loan, but like I mentioned before, New York has a lot of traffic issues and I'm in a rush." He said. "And we wouldn't want anyone getting into an accident, would we?"
"Incoming guard at twelve o'clock." Beck whispered into the comlink.
"Would you look at that? My enhanced spatial awareness is tingling." Spidey sent a punch, hardened by the brass knuckles woven within the costume, and sent them into a nearby wall. "And just like that, you punch out early, how lucky are you?" They jumped into the air with their spring shoes, letting forth a sticky glue like substitute from a hidden compartment in the wrist. "And top it off with some webbing specially cultivated from my own body, all naturale."
"Why… why are you doing this?" The bank receptionist asked in a terrified tone.
"Being a hero doesn't pay as much as you think it would. All work and no pay make Spidey a dull boy." He answered. "And if I don't get this year's taxes complete, the IRS is gonna shank me with a laser from space." Seriously, the quips are annoying.
"The guy near the third pillar's pulling out a phone."
He sent a grapple at the man, tying him up nicely. "Sorry, only one guy takes my photos, and he's a bit preoccupied today." They had to be extra careful on that front. Last thing they needed was the usual photographer, one 'Peter Parker', showing up and potentially exposing the ruse they had cooked up. "So money, baggy, choppy choppy or else I get punchy punchy."
With a reluctant sigh, the receptionist drew out stacks of bills from the register. This was much simpler than working for any number of government agencies or ceo's. Sure, they had to rob quite a few banks to make up for all the money they would've received, but it was much less of a hassle, and there was less chance of sabotage as well.
"Cops found the fake location, they're looking for where we really are." Phineas warned. Looks like it was time to wrap this up … great, the method acting was starting to bleed into his own skull.
"Well you've been a lovely audience this fine afternoon, but this little spider has to crawl up to his web on his mattress made out of your money!" Spider-man grabbed the bay and flipped out of the door, posed as he sent out another grappling line, pausing just for a second to let Phineas snap a photo, so that the world could capture 'Spider-man' robbing a bank. "If you want an encore, just be filthy rich and I'll see you then!" They shouted, pulling on the line. In and out, no sweat at all. all. Best part about it is while he would be busy planning his next robbery, Spider-man would no doubt be confused as to why 'Dr. Curt Connors' didn't explain to the police that he was chasing the Black Cat thief, and the police would be busy hounding him for for 'Spider-man's robbery's. Life was great when everyone got what they deserved.
J. Jonah Jameson was in a great mood. First off, his son was back! It was rocky for a moment with that mechanical failure, for a good moment he thought his son would be lost to the depths of space … but nope, the indomitable spirit of the Jameson family held strong, and he persevered! Now that was a true American hero if he ever saw one. Sure the people of new york preferred no good masked vigilantes for some bizarre reason, but John was sure to win their hearts one of these days!
The second great thing to happen was thanks to a recent hacker, social media was glitched in New York for the week! … Which wasn't great for most people, but if you wanted news then the paper began to rocket up high! Hah, New's print wasn't nearly as dead as everyone made it out to be!
And to cap off his perfect joy? "Spider-Man robs banks!" He slammed the paper into the desk. "I want thousands of copies, front page news!" The menace finally showed off his true colors! All those blind and in denial couldn't excuse the wall crawling freak anymore!
"Do you want us to get some statements first?" Leeds asked an admittedly valid question. "Something more than just 'Spidey robs bank'?"
"Good point Leeds. Get me at least five live in action quotes on how scary and terrifying Spider-man was when he threatened everyone's lives!"
"I think that's stretching it a little-"
"That's why you need to read into their terror that's hidden in their voice!"
They sighed. "Will do, sir." Leeds nodded as he walked away.
"Now then, Robbie, figure out who sent these pics." He told the man. "I like news about Spider-Man being threatening as much as the next hard working New Yorker, but anonymous information always rubs me wrong." Just because it helped spread the truth didn't mean he was willing to be a blind puppet. There was a fine line between integrity and slander. The weird part was they didn't even send in a return address for a digital check, so it wasn't for monetary gain. Not that he was complaining about not having to waste money, but still.
"Uh, hey, Jameson, I have a question.." What do you know, his usual cash cow for all things Spidey related was late to the punch, with no photos.
"Speaking of … Parker, what were you doing!?" He shouted to the boy as they came in. "I hired a youngling like you because you always had the energy to somehow follow Spider-Man everywhere! But this time not a single photo of the scene at hand?!"
"Wait, there's a..aggh, one problem at a time." The youngster shook his head. "I'm here on the account of, and I want to put this as delicately as possible, the slander that was written on the alien case…
"Slander?! The bugle only prints the truth, and whatever it takes to connect the bylines. Look at the facts!" He said. "The alien is missing, images of Spider-Man and some lady in a cat burglar costume were seen grappling each other so intimately I can't show it to kids, it all adds up!"
"But I took that photo! I saw Black cat leave and Spider-man chase her-"
"So it would seem to an amateur! It's a classic robber tactic! They leave at separate times to fool the witnesses but circle around later to divide the spoils." He said. "Not to mention besides you, no other witnesses were there at the scene of the crime."
"But what about Curt Connors?" They asked.
"The Connors? They were at home with each other all night." Jonah corrected. "They didn't find out about the robbery until early in the morning. Frodrick was the one that questioned them and tested the alibi."
"But-But-"
"And they've confirmed that Spider-man once before had come through the ceiling, so it makes perfect sense for him to know the layout, and thus, know how to rob the lab!" Easiest puzzle to solve.
"But … that doesn't make…"
"Don't break your brain over it too much Parker. The web head has finally shown his true colors, and all of new york knows it!" He slammed his fist on the table. "And if you want to actually keep your job, you'll go out and get me more photos of Spider-man's crime spree in progress! Anonymous photos are a great money saver, but I need sources I can actually trust."
The kid sighed, looking defeated for some bizarre reason. What was with him? Jameson just reaffirmed his worth, that ought to make him jump for joy. "Why do you hate Spider-man so much?"
Jonah shook his head. "Parker Parker Parker, I don't just hate Spider-Man. I hate everyone with a mask!" He shouted to the kid. "When a villain commits a crime with a mask they get away scot free. There's no accountability! Who's gonna hold them responsible if nobody knows who they are or where they live!?" He shouted. "And these so-called vigilantes are no better! The law doesn't belong in their hands! Heroes are the ones that put on a badge and uphold it!"
"Captain America wore a mask."
Jameson pointed at the boy. "Everyone on the planet knows Captain America is Steve Rogers, don't play with me there." Especially when Jameson was the president of the Captain America fanclub for ten years straight. "You either work within the law or against it, there's no inbetween!"
They stared at him with an expression he couldn't quite read, before sighing. "I understand sir, I'll make sure to get those photos." Parker said, before walking away.
"Hmm …" Seems like he has a lot on his mind … nah, everyone did. As long as nobody was hospitalized or homeless, it was fine.
It's….it's memories were foggy. So much time floating …. Nothing but meteor and the endless abyss of space. Sensations…lost. Touch … taste feeling … all senses were numb, depraved of stimulation for too many years. All they recalled was being exiled….cast out…abandoned.
For a moment it was hot, then they almost … almost bonded. Almost met host. To protect and nurture, to cherish. Then gone as fast as they came. Poke, shock, stab, strange things. Freedom, hearing, talking with fun, looking for a host.
Attached to boot, waiting for perfect moment, not to scare another away … then connect.
Gaah, alright, thank you nervous system. Now they were getting somewhere. Along with full sentences to boot. And the cloudiness was finally gone, that was a relief.
First thing first, information. They looked through the Host's memories. They were on a planet called Earth, populated by a hairless creature called humans. Such primitive people. Wait, how would they know primitive? Memories…their own were still painful to access. Brief flashes came in and went in an instant.
They could focus on that later. Let's see … they were considered an alien, to be captured, contained, and experimented on … they briefly wondered if having a conversation with the host counted as being ethically sapient enough to avoid that.
"What the heck is going on here?" They heard the host talk out loud as they swung in the air. Memories showed that it was a normal occurrence that they did quite often. "Why the heck would the Conners lie like that? Sure, they have no good feelings towards Peter Parker, but Spider-man saved Curt from a permanent case of Lizard breath." Talking in the third person apparently was also considered normal. "I'm not asking for gratitude, but not stabbing me in the back would be greatly appreciated." Conners stabbed their host? That wouldn't do at all. Definite enemy.
Now what was gratitude … oh, complicated. Not just yellow happiness, blue sadness, red rage. Not just instincts. There was tangerine guilt, magenta responsibility, sapphire frustration. A whole rainbow of bundled up emotions existed, all tangled together almost constantly. But they were always contained ... restrained… so much strength … potential … capability … restrained and unused.
"And seriously, all it takes is one picture for everyone to turn on me? ME?! Maybe the turtles have the right idea. Maybe I should've kept myself anonymous and just hide in the shadows. Not like anyone appreciates anything I do, what difference would it make if I drop out altogether?" They appreciated their host, they wanted the best for them.
Now as for the body … how weird, why was it off? We're they not human? Deeper into the memories … mutants, metal men, brain aliens, ninjas … A … hero … so strong, so powerful. Noble. Kind … spectacular. Their host was the best! Oh, this was going to be amazing!
"Top it all off, they're blaming me for stealing the alien, and I never even got a glimpse of it!" Well…technically that was true, though it was less stealing and more liberation, which they were eternally grateful for. They should probably keep their own existence a secret for a moment though. Let the host feel safe and in control.
Right, they should probably start fixing some things. They had to earn their keep after all, it was a symbiotic bond, not a parasitic one. First up, the easiest part, the 'Spider-Man'. Integrate DNA, replicate its properties, allow anyone bonded to use the powers of the Spider, and their host would gain even further strength and speed from it! Next was the spider sense. Plug it in, add their own keen spatial awareness to it, allowing them to react faster.
Now as for the webs … they could replicate the process and save the host money, but it would cost energy to produce that much mass. And they didn't want to feed to the point the host was damaged. The host was a hero, they didn't want to eat brains. The host body was … oh. Lots of energy to feed on here. Was it bad to find a human body that had this much radiation produced internally?
The blood … the glands … the adrenaline … it was so….salavating. No, no no no. You are symbiotic, not parasitic! Don't take more than you need, you're better than that. Well… they wanted to be better than that. They wanted the host to love them… rely on them… need them.
Okay, the webs were doable, just as long as they kept up the adrenaline, kept it pumping and moving. And going by the hosts' memories, that was something they did constantly…. probably a little too much, the host didn't look like they got much sleep. Fix that at some point, maybe work on a night shift to help lessen the burden.
Alright, the short term was secure. Now, all that was left was to assess every problem the host had … every … problem … why the fuck was the list so long?
Bills, ditching, drugs, bills, villains, politics, bills, school, romance, BILLS! So many freaking bills! The simplest solution was to just rob a bank … wait no, they were a hero, they didn't rob from people…..but what about other criminals? They didn't deserve the money they stole, so why not take what was already missing? Criminals weren't people after all.
"And now some weirdo is dressing up as me and robbing banks! The nerve! I worked so hard on this image and there's no respect!"
Although the turtles would disagree … they'd stop the host from being in the right and helping themselves…. people that got in the way of happiness weren't people either. Their hosts already had to give up so much money not taking photos of them, spending even more on pizza that they never paid him back for. Those ungrateful mutants, taking advantage of their host's kindness.
The host was too attached to people that got in the way. If they wanted the host to be happy, they'd have to convince them they were the only ones that mattered … slowly of course. They had all the time in the world.
Peter landed down at the meeting place for the night, sighing. He already got his scream out for the night, he needed to do something else. Mainly, figure out how to find the imposter taking up his mask, and find Black Cat before she makes another move. "Why do so many people want to antagonize me?" The list went on for ages.
Maybe the turtles had an answer, they always seemed to come up with something. Most of the time. And he's definitely gotten used to working with more than one person. Maybe you should be solo again. Life was much simpler when it was just you on the streets.
True … but that was before multiple armies came out of the woodwork intending to destroy the city/world. Spider-Man was a 'friendly neighborhood' hero, not a 'I can beat up any enemy with one punch' hero. Without help he'd get creamed, and the police just laugh whenever 'brain robot aliens' becomes the topic of the day.
"Ugh, one problem at a time. I'd like to start with finding 'Spider-Man'." He grumbled. A small part of him wanted to find that hot cat thief first, but that was mostly just the hormones talking.
"I take it looking in the mirror hasn't worked?" … What, out loud doesn't work but mentally does? What kind of twisted jynx logic is that?
"Well personally it's a little late at night for that, but I think putting away a criminal will at least alleviate the mood." Spidey answered, ready to jump at the burglar.
"Relax, Spider-Man, I'm on your side." She responded, walking over from the ledge. "I know exactly how you feel. Being accused of a crime is always the worst, especially when you haven't actually done the crime to begin with." The Black cat made her way over to his side all sultry like. "I take pride in my work, at least recognize me for my long list of misdeeds."
"Oh yeah, care to show off that list as I drag you to the station?" He glared.
"Geez, take a chill pill for a second, short, dark and handsome. Right now I'm your best friend." Between her and Harry…that wasn't saying much on Peter's part."Listen up, you remember the night we locked eyes?"
"You mean the night you knocked my friend off a roof?" He asked. Donnie really needs to pull his weight.
"Yeah. And how Curt Connors pointed at me?" She continued, completely unphased. "With his right hand, when he's supposed to have his prosthetic on his right?"
Right hand … was Connors messing with the lizard formula again? No, he knew the risks. Plus his alibi … "It's a set up."
"Now your catching on spider." Black cat smirked. "Whoever running around as the spectacular spider stunt double is the same guy that stole your little e.t. And judging from his photo fame, he decided that pinning you for his crime spree is a nice little revenge bonus."
"Great, as if I didn't have to worry about my double identity before." It does cause you more trouble than it's worth. Not when Rat King caused so many … was he arguing with himself?
"So now that we're on the same page, you've got two options here." Black cat leaned in close. "We team up, clear your goodie good reputation, and everyone lives happily ever after."
"Uhu … and what's in it for you?" He questioned.
"I walk away without you chasing me down like I'm one of the more dangerous people in town." She answered, placing a finger on his shoulder. "I'm sure you have other targets that aren't this … frisky."
Why did this girl have to be so sexy? Why didn't Peter Parker have this kind of game? "Well I already have a team … standards are quite high."
"I know where he's striking next." She smirked. "He calls himself the Chameleon. We've run into the same circles every once in a while, and I know his MO."
That did seem helpful… "What was the other option you were talking about?"
"The more fun one. Ditch the rewardless hero's life and run along with me?" She made her fingers walk on his chest. "No rules, no responsibility, just each other. Doesn't sound too bad, does it?"
Tempting. Yes it was … "Sorry, bound to this city, might as well keep the reputation clean." Spider-Man had to be the hero.
"Spoilsport." The cat girl pouted. "Anyways, if you actually want to salvage your reputation, meet me at the pier around nine. That's when the fun'll begin."
"Hope you don't mind if I bring the kiddies along, not that I don't trust you, but I don't trust you."
"Kiddies? Aww, and here I was hoping the nerd from last night was an only child." She smirked. "You must really get around."
"Lady, I can swing circles around this city and then some. What, afraid you can't keep up?"
"Oh no, the challenge just gets my kitty sense purring." She flipped off the roof and grappled away. "Catch you on the other side, swinger!"
Peter whistled as she watched her swing away. "For Pete's sake I always attract the crazy ones."
"That's one way of putting it." … He turned to see Leo and the other turtles emerge from behind a nearby ventilation unit.
"... How long have you guys been listening?" He asked.
"Ever since 'with his right arm'." Mikey said. "... So how was the date?"
"Not a date. Negotiation." He countered.
"You said things that made me question bringing Mikey along and you don't call that a date?" Raph asked.
"She's a wild card. All that flirting is just her way of getting into my head. All I was doing was speaking her language."
The guys looked unimpressed and unconvinced , with Leo stared at Spidey for a full minute. "So… WHAT was that about never falling in love with a villain?"
"Who said anything about love? I already have a sort of thing with Liz. Definitely nothing there." She's not committed to you. … Not inaccurate, definitely needed to talk that through. "Banter and quips don't equate to love, and as I said, I don't trust her. For the moment she's just the fastest route for me to deliver a knuckle sandwich to this chameleon guy."
"Chameleon, the perfect name for a shapeshifter." Mikey growled. "Why didn't I name it!?"
"Actually Chameleons just change colors." Donnie said. "They're actually terrible at camouflage."
"You're telling me, they thought dressing up in Spidey's tacky pj's was a good idea." Raph snickered. "Speaking of which… when did you get the new suit?"
"I what now?" Peter looked himself over…. and saw an entirely black version of his own suit, with a white spider emblem on his chest, covering him from head to toe. "...How did this get on me?"
The turtles stared at him, although with concern. "Peter, how many all nighters have you pulled?" Donnie asked.
"Are you talking about this past week or since I've met you guys, cause I've lost count." You could afford to sleep in every once in a while. Great, even his conscience was calling him out now.
"Did you rob a store in your sleep?" Raph asked. "Cause I thought you owned nothing but tacky bright colors."
"Says the bright colored fashion wear … maybe I crashed into something without noticing." Peter looked the suit over. It was weird, it felt like his suit, but somehow … more comfortable. That squeeze in the crack was gone too. "Well, we got a few hours to kill before nine. Let's get some patrolling in."
"You don't wanna question how you ended up in a black suit without noticing?" Leo asked.
It's not hurting anyone, we have more important things to focus on anyway. "We got more important things to focus on. Fashion is the least of my worries tonight." Somehow… somehow he felt better about today than he did an hour ago.