Arc 1: The Spider Muggings [II]

Chapter: The Twenty Four Hour News Cycle


Nabiki Tendo [1] knew how the game was played. And unlike her sisters she wasn't that much of a goody two shoe. In fact, she knew what the people in the studio whispered behind her back. What they said wasn't exactly flattering, but she didn't really care. You don't rise to the top of the twenty four hour television news network while holding hands and singing kumbaya with the rest of your colleagues. You do your job and tell your enemies to get in line. Nothing's personal. Just business. She tries not to hold a grudge. Having said that, she would be firing the jerk who did her hair and makeup. How dare he suggest that she get a new hair stylist? There was nothing wrong with her lovely brown hair. The chin-length bob cut would never go out of fashion, you hear.

In case you haven't figure it out yet the woman was a television journalist. Actually she was a prime time television news anchor. Or was it better to call herself a television news host. There would be a guest on the panel, sharing her spot light, showing his mug on live television for all of Japan to see with their morning cup of tea or coffee. Hmm. Well, if that was the case there wasn't much to think about. Prime time television news anchor it is.

Now you might be wondering why she was repeating the word 'television' over and over again. Well, it's because the word was incredibly important in today's day and age. There was an important distinction between how she did her job and how other so called journalists did their job. Back in the day, when you heard the word 'reporter', you immediately thought of newspapers. But those days were long gone. Print media was dying, and if you wanted proof, you only needed to take one hard look at the older gentleman sitting next to her on the panel in today's show.

But she will get to him in a little bit. For now she was the star of the show and it was her time to shine and give her lovely audience what they want, what they crave, what they need the most – something sensational to stare at on cable, a smoking hot babe to tell you about the big, bad world that awaits you when you finish your breakfast and put on your monkey suit and head out for your daily grind in the concrete jungle.

"Welcome back dear viewers. I'm your host Nabiki Tendo. Today my team and I at the Furinkan News Network [2] will be continuing our daily news coverage on the string of robberies which started taking place all over town since last month."

Being a news show host in today's day and age wasn't as easy as she made it out to be. There were a lot of rules and it didn't always make a ton of sense. For example the swotty know-it-all from the legal team told her she should start using the word 'viewers' instead of the old 'ladies and gentleman' to address the people who watched her show. Why? Well, because nowadays there were people running around for whom two genders didn't seem enough. It worked fine for her. Like she said, the world didn't make much sense these days.

"The first reported incident of what is now being called the 'Spider-Muggings', owing to the fact that the mugger wears a Spidey-mask while carrying out his crimes, first took place on Halloween night. Ever since then, the 'Spider-Mugger' has continued his crime spree unchecked, robbing innocent people at night while giving the local authorities the slip."

Bringing the audience up to speed was an important part of the job, because let's face it, the common folks back at home have a million things going on with their own lives. They don't really give a damn about how another guy met his tragic end at the hands of a lowlife in a dark alley. Everyone had their own sob story and they were too busy living it. That's where the content producers and news writers and field reporters come in. Nabiki Tendo had made the tough climb through each wrung of the corporate news agency ladder and now she gets to sit back and read lines from a teleprompter. If you put in the hard work, life tends to sort out the rest. Besides, it helped that she was a woman without morals and looked great on camera.

"Last night, things took a turn for the worse as there were reports of shots being fired in Asakusa. When the police and paramedics arrived on the scene of crime, they found a blonde man bleeding out from a gunshot wound in a back alley. Kouhei Imamura, 32, a businessman by profession was rushed to the hospital immediately. A spokesperson from the hospital confirmed that Kouhei Imamura-san survived, but he had to undergo surgery and needed a blood transfusion."

But don't get it twisted, Nabiki Tendo didn't get the anchor job because she was a fine looking gal. Okay, she will get even with you. It helped a bit. Let's say fifty-fifty. Fine, it was sixty-forty. Take it or leave it punk. The rest was all her being observant, resourceful and cool under pressure.

"After he was out of surgery, our sources tell us that Kouhei Imamura-san gave a statement to the police where he confirmed that last night he was indeed being robbed by a man with a gun, and his assailant was a man in a Spidey-Mask."

You don't believe her, do you? Well, let her prove to you how amazing she is. Not that she needs to, mind you. Let's just go with the story she is covering right now. Like they used to say, it's fresh off the press.

But let's be honest, it wasn't much of a story. A man in a mask was robbing people in an alley with a gun. It was a story as old as time, when gun laws became more relaxed and owning a firearm became far easier in Japan. Besides, it was Halloween. Everyone was in a costume, wearing a mask, pretending to be someone they are not. It was only a matter of time before a crook took advantage of the mask. But luck was on her side. The criminal had worn a Spidey-Mask. Why? Who knows? Who cares? All she knew was a Spidey-Mask was a lot better than any normal mask, because that wouldn't be as newsworthy given the current political climate of the country.

And there was her story, fit for prime time television, the twenty four hour news cycle. But she wasn't the only one who had gotten around to that idea. As the old saying goes, smart minds think alike and the man sitting to her left on the table was a veteran of the field. Game recognizes game, although she very much doubted if the old man would understand her more common lingo. Better to play it safe and keep it professional. Even though the other party refused to offer her the same courtesy.

"For more on this developing story, let me please welcome our esteemed guest, the publisher of the Daily Bugle," She looked at the teleprompter and read the words as thus, without trying to grimace or show her annoyance at the old geezer. "Vice Admiral Smoker."


Reference:

[1] Nabiki Tendo is a character from Ranma .

[2] Furinkan is the name of the high school in Ranma . Here it's a news agency.


Author's Note: So there you have it, the second chapter. I know, I know, Hikigaya hasn't shown up yet. But you know who showed up, Smoker! Thank you 'NSSS' for suggesting him. Now I can give my own spin on his character and make him fit into this marvelous new world. Also, I hope you like my version of Nabiki Tendo. If you don't know her, don't worry, you will. Or you won't. You just have to wait until the next chapter – It will be Smoker Vs Nabiki Tendo!

Now it's time for the polls –


Poll#1: Who Should Play 'Aunt May'?

Option 1: Sayaka Yuigahama AKA Mama Yuigahama.

[Explanation: Well, she needs no introduction, does she? But if you pick her, then you kill Yuigahama Yui. Yeah, she's gonna be the Uncle Ben of Hikigaya's Spider-Man. But if you think Yui will have a big role and show up as a supervillain or superhero in the future, I hate to break it to you, but I have decided on making all the Superheroes and Supervillains, characters from other anime/manga. But that doesn't mean Yuigahama Yui, if not dead won't show up as a supporting character for Hikigaya's Spider-Man. You know, if you don't pick Mama Yuigahama to play 'Aunt May' and kill Yuigahama Yui in the process.]

Option 2: Sachiko Fujinuma – Erased.

[Explanation: Okay, so Sachiko is a badass with a heart of gold. She's hard working and selfless and she fits the age bracket to play Aunt May. Plus, she used to be a news reporter, so if you pick this option, she could have pushed Hikigaya to pursue a career in journalism, and by using her connections, she could have landed him a job at the Daily Bugle. Plus, the way she expresses motherly love towards Kayo, who comes from an abusive household, I can easily see her extending it towards Hikigaya and doing volunteer work for FEAST. Besides, if you pick Sachiko, Fujinuma Satoru can act as an older brother figure to Hikigaya. Yeah, you know where I'm going with this. Satoru Fujinuma will be Hikigaya's Spider-Man's Uncle Ben.]

Option 3: Yasuko Takasu – Toradora!

[Explanation: Okay, so Yasuko Takasu is hardworking and supportive and has a playful personality. Yasuko is klutzy, childish, air-headed, but she has gone through a troubled youth. She is easily one of the most beautiful moms in anime and she used to work at a hostess bar to financially support her family. Okay, so hear me out on this. If you pick Yasuko Takasu, she can play the version of Aunt May from The Tom Holland's Version of Spider-Man from The MCU. But here's the kicker, if you pick Yasuko Takasu, then Ryuuji Takasu is dead, because yeah, you guessed it, he gets to be Uncle Ben. Only you know, in this fic, Hikigaya and Ryuuji were like brothers. At the moment, I don't have any plans for Ryuuji Takasu. But if you don't pick him, he might show up in the future as a Spider-Man villain or you know a member of the supporting cast.]

Option 4: Nana Shimura – My Hero Academia.

[Explanation: Okay, so I know she's an odd choice. But hear me out on this. Nana Shimura wielded One For All. She was a superhero. Although, in this fic, she won't be a superhero, but she will more or less have the same personality and Hikigaya could be inspired from her to take the super hero path. Also, she's a top shonen character, so there's no other way I can have her featured in this story. But if you pick her, please do keep in mind that All Might AKA Toshinori Yagi dies in the fic. Yeah, he gets to play Uncle Ben. Also, if you pick her Izuku Midoriya gets to be a Spider-Clone, you know Ben Reilly or Kaine Parker.]

Option 5: Anime Character who can play 'Aunt May' from the Reviews.


Okay, I think I have taken up enough of your time. I will keep the rest of the polls simple –


Poll#2: Who Gets To Play 'Harry Osborn', Peter Parker's best friend?

Option 1: Shinji Ikari – Neon Genesis Evangelion [Explanation: Because then Gendo Ikari gets to play Norman Osborn AKA The Green Goblin.]

Option 2: Shu Maiko – Nisekoi [Explanation: He is just fun, but he also has his serious moments. You know, my first choice for playing 'Deadpool' was Koyomi Araragi, because he talks too much and also, because Araragi and Hikigaya are a thing. But now the very close second is Shu Maiko, because he is a way better character than Ichijou Raku.]

Option 3: Shoto Todoroki – My Hero Academia [Explanation: Todoroki's dad can be the villain Green Goblin.]

Option 4: Takumi Usui – Maid-sama [Explanation: I can see Hikigaya and Usui being friends. He's the only one I can see who can get a girlfriend. He's charismatic enough. But he has his own demons.]

Option 5: Anime Character From The Reviews.


Poll#3: Who Should Play 'Betty Brant'?

Option 1: Miura Yumiko

Option 2: Shizuka Hiratsuka.

Option 3: Meguri Shiromeguri.

Option 4: Isshiki Iroha.

Option 5: Female Character From The Reviews.


Poll#4: Who Should Play Harry Osborn's Girlfriend, 'Lily Hollister'?

Option 1: Haruhi Suzumiya – The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya.

Option 2: Saeko Bushujima – High School of the Dead.

Option 3: Rin Tohsaka – Fate/Stay Night: Unlimited Blade Works.

Option 4: Ami Kawashima – Toradora!

Option 5: Anime Character from the Reviews.


Poll#5: Who Should Play Peter Parker's Love Interest, 'Carlie Cooper'?

Option 1: Akane Tsunemori – Psycho Pass [Explanation: Because she's police.]

Option 2: Kallen Stadtfeld – Code Geass.

Option 3: Haruhi Fujioka – Ouran High School Host Club.

Option 4: Rei Miyamoto – High School of The Dead.

Option 5: Character From The Reviews.


Please pick accordingly.


Hope everyone enjoyed reading this chapter.

Leave lot and lots of reviews, follow and fave.

Won't betray your dreams.


P.S.: Who do you want to play 'The Punisher AKA Frank Castle' in this fics? If you have someone in mind please let me know in the reviews or PM me. But please keep in mind, that whoever you pick will have to undergo the tragedy of losing his entire family/loved ones to violence. So yeah, no pressure.

Take care.