Chapter 6

[Inside the Museum]

Pandemonium's wave subsided after a few minutes' time. Shadows allowed the ninjas to allow Mass Exodus to do their bidding. Their eyes watched the crowd. Others hunted for the missing teens and Professor.

Clock was ticking….

[A Wing Over]

Spider-Man scampered across the ceiling. Shadows provided cover for him in that regard. Okay! Think, Web Head! Gwen and the others are down there with that katana. Arighatto-Creep's got to be around here somewhere. Okay. Where are the Bruce Lee Wannabes?

WHY ARE YOU WASTING TIME HERE? MY CHILDREN NEED YOU BELOW! Jor-El barked in his ear.

Hey. Trying to work here. They'd want me to make sure everyone's out first. Right? Spider-Man scowled to himself. Now I'm doing the thought-talk thing like them? He stopped and ground his teeth. Too easy…too easy….

Spider Sense screamed at him.

"Yeah! I knew it!" He flipped to another section of wall and into Shadows' cover. He webbed his camera to a corner. Then he saw the star blades imbedded in the ceiling panels. Four silhouettes slipped through the darkness. He sniffed. Then, he went into action. He bounded and sprang from wall to wall. His webbed fist broke one man's nose. A kick pancaked a second attacker against the wall. He webbed the third and fourth against the wall. "Can't play nice, can ya? Bad sneaky ninja…whatever." He secured the other two attackers as well to their spots. See? That's why we make sure Ari's by himself!

More sounds echoed from Passage's other end.

"More goons." He grabbed his camera. Then, he crawled toward that trouble as well….

[Tuishiama's Guest Office—Ten Minutes Earlier]

Tuishiama ground her teeth. Memoria recalled certain women with such abilities. Calm. I must remain patient! This will pass. Where I will be is another matter! The mists thinned. She noted Silhouette in the room with her. "Who is there?" She assumed First Position.

"Professor?" Jasmine stepped into view. "Do you know what this mist is? It seems magical." She batted the cloying fog away from her face.

"Hai. There are sorceresses who know such magic and spells." Tuishiama recognized her office within the museum's compound. "It seems someone wants us to be here." She tossed off her blazer. "We change and get back. I will not leave the agents or our young friends in danger. I know your secret, Princess. Do not worry."

"I am not." Jasmine spied Carpet rolled up against the wall. "I can put on my gi." She pulled a knapsack into view. Her formal blouse and skirt came off to reveal a sheer top and leggings. She pulled on her robe and bound it with her sash. Daggers went into her boots' sheaths and into her sash. An elaborate scimitar went on her back. She pulled a hood over her hair. A scarf concealed her nose and mouth. Then she unrolled her carpet. "Come!"

"Hai." Tuishiama opened the door. Then she edged out into the hall. "It is good." She urged her companion out into the darkened passage. "We go back and help." She drew her own katana. She kept watch over the passage.

Snapdragon streaked out of the passage. "We are clear." She frowned. I wish my brethren were here. Her infrared goggles pierced the inky darkness. "I see nothing ahead." She shook her head. "They will be close." She led Tuishiama toward the main part of the museum. For several minutes, nothing seemed amiss around them. Yet her mind wandered down toward the exhibit. We cannot let that butcher take Miri again. How are her companions? Does Arighatto know of the rocks? Possibilities Good and Bad ran through her mind. Worry ate at her. He would have to do this tonight!

Tuishiama nodded. She pointed straight ahead. Twenty yards further, Silhouettes bobbed about in the darkness. She held her blade at the ready. Her eyes narrowed. Ming T 'sai ninjas' reputation marked them as supreme warriors and killers. She and Snapdragon had no chance in a straight hand to hand fight with the dozen intruders. Honor, however, demanded an attack. She crept forward. Her blade met the first warrior's blade with a sharp clang.

Snapdragon streaked ahead on Carpet. She passed over the opposing ninjas' heads. Lavender once again glowed in her fingers. Her energy interacted with the air itself.

Glue gummed over weapons and their clothes. The ninjas ripped and tore at their robes for movements' sake. Curses hissed from their mouths.

"HEY! A party and no one invited me?" Spider-Man flipped into the area. Glue's stench irritated his nose. "I know your boss is stuck up but really?" Webbed boots and fists met ninjas' heads. Webbing secured the antagonists. "Snapdragon, right?"

"Indeed. And who would not be honored to meet Spider-Man? Despite what that fool, Jameson, writes of you, I am glad for your help." Snapdragon bowed to him. "We have friends who need help."

"Yeah. Parker's around here some place. He's looking for pictures." He shrugged. "He gave me his spare camera. Whatever. I get the money for these." He snapped several pictures. Even so, he glanced at her. Arighatto exposed me to her earlier. Hope she can help explain. "Let's get back to the group. I don't want to give Ari-Snotty any extra shot at that kid or her friends." He shook his head.

"Miranda Chan will surprise you." Snapdragon surveyed his handiwork. "I know you helped Mr. Parker get to safety. His girlfriend and the others are still below in the katana's display chamber. There are more ninja than these. Get on. It is faster."

"More? I just webbed up four other guys in the other hall." He rolled his eyes under his mask. How many of those guys are there anyway? And what about Joe-Ghost? I don't want to tick him off by not acting as if I don't care. What a headache. And here Gwendy and I thought this would be an *easy assignment*.

You want hard? GET DOWN HERE! Dubois snapped in his head.

Don't yell, Lady. Dragon Lady, that Prof and I have been dealing with ninjas up here. Everyone seems to be out. Just keep Big Joe off of my case. Just keep Gwen and the others safe. We'll be right there.

They're with you? Gwen, Miranda and Mrs. Kent disappeared in some mist. The agents and I are here with Clark and Lana. Arighatto is here! Dubois reported.

Tell Snotty-gato to take a number and we'll be right with him. He jumped onto the carpet. Can't be any worse than the last time I was here.

I am your worst nightmare, Parker San. Hai. I can hear you annoying banter. Whatever you faced before, I am much worse, Arighatto hissed in his mind.

You know some old wizard named Kulan Gath? That creep resurrected himself in here. Ninja boy like you kind of takes second to him. Some fire haired red gal warrior and I dealt with him. Whatever. My gal's waiting for me. Spider-Man rolled his eyes.

THAT WIZARD? YOU? Arighatto's laughter mocked his statement. PARKER SAN, YOU ARE A FOOL! I WILL DEVOUR THE CHILDREN AND THEN YOU!

It happens. I'm a fool…I'm a fool…Knew I shoulda stayed in school…Not as cool as you…when that katana makes you drool. Spider-Man frowned under his mask.

Snapdragon shook her head at him. Don't taunt him! You have no idea what we are dealing with!

"Kind of dealt with creeps like him before, Lady. Comes with the territory. I'm still mad about earlier. At least now I'm with friends. Mush!" Spider-Man tried to modulate his tone. Urgency and Panic stabbed at him over Gwen and Martha. They've disappeared now? Where are they?

"Come! We must go!" Tuishiama sprinted down the hall and toward the gallery beyond.

Snapdragon and he flew after her. Desperation marred the situation.

Little did any of them suspect what happened in the Met's other wing. Déjà Vu lurked for a certain Wall Crawler and Arighatto alike….