Kingdom Hearts: Web of the Dark Heart
Chapter 5: The Start of a Hero
After finishing Super Buddies, Sora convinced them to watch another Air Buddies movie. They were halfway through Treasure Buddies when they started arriving at the first world.
Peter: (Getting into uniform) Sorry, Sport. Movie is gonna have to wait.
Sora sighed in disappointment but Wanda picked him up.
Wanda: (Using her powers to get ready) I promise we'll continue it the second we're back.
The trio went to the cockpit and saw the world. Spider-Man looked at the computer and it showed a description of the world. All it showed was a Greek Stadium but he couldn't tell if it was as a ruin or in its prime. CH-33P rolled up and gave wrist com-links. CH-33P explained what they were but Scarlet Witch couldn't understand him. Karen helped translate.
Spider-Man: (Strapping it to his wrist) He said these are com-links. They'll help us stay in touch with each other if we get separated or anyone on the Ghost. You're not coming, Doom?
Doom: No, sir. I think I'll stay on the Ghost for a while. I'll help the droid set up a remote piloting system on the Phantom for when you need an extraction.
Doom piloted the ship to the world. The next thing anyone knew, a flash of light shined and Spider-Man, Scarlet Witch, and Sora vanished. When they could see again, they saw they were in a forest. Close by, was a city made of stone.
Scarlet Witch: Where are we?
Spider-Man: If my knowledge of Disney Movies is correct, we're in Ancient Greece.
Sora: Grease?
The heroes chuckled lightly as Scarlet Witch kneeled down at their charge.
Scarlet Witch: No, sweetie. Greece, G-R-E-E-C-E, is the name of a country. Grease, G-R-E-A-S-E, is two forms liquid: One for cooking and the other used for cleaning vehicles.
Sora: Oh, sorry.
Scarlet Witch: It's okay. Just an innocent mistake. What movie takes place in Ancient Greece?
Spider-Man: Only one I can think of is… (As his Spider Sense flared) MOVE!
Everyone dodged as a nasty-looking centaur came holding a club. Spider-Man summoned Wayward Wind as he got a good look at the Centaur.
Spider-Man: Nessus?
Nessus: Good. You know me. (Seeing Scarlet Witch) Hey, hot stuff. What brings you on my turf?
Scarlet Witch: This is your home?
Nessus flexed his muscles in front of Scarlet Witch, much to Spider-Man's annoyance.
Karen: (Silently) Peter, your temper seems to be spiking. Is something wrong?
Spider-Man: (Lying) I'm fine.
Scarlet Witch, on the other hand, was both unimpressed and disgusted by what Nessus was doing.
Nessus: What do you say you ditch this loser and hang with me? We could have some special fun.
Wanda was even more disgusted but dreaded Sora hearing this.
Sora: (Coming out from behind her cape) Ms. Wanda, what does he mean by "Fun"?
Nessus eyed Sora in distained.
Nessus: Yuck. Children. (Moving his hand to Sora) Buzz off, twerp!
Nessus flicked Sora away from Scarlet Witch and, thankfully, into Spider-Man's arms.
Nessus: Now, about my…
The next thing Nessus saw was Scarlet Witch slashing Kitetsu down his left eye.
Scarlet Witch: (Extremely mad) Now, I'm mad!
Nessus glared at the Red Mutant Heroin with his good eye and was about to crush her when a slightly fat satyr stepped in front of her.
?: Whoa, punk! Didn't your mom ever teach you to respect a lady! (Trying to flirt) Stay behind me, sweetheart. I'll keep you safe.
Scarlet Witch looked at the satyr, deadpan, but her visor kept him from seeing her eyes. Spider-Man set Sora down but looked at the Satyr and recognized him.
Spider-Man: Philoctetes? But that means…
Nessus charged at them when Philoctetes shouted hard.
Philoctetes: Take him, Herc!
Spider-Man expected to see the great hero after his training session, instead what punched Nessus was Hercules when Spider-Man watched the Spin-off series: Scrawny and weak and wearing his white toga and sandals. As Nessus got up and pressed the attack, Spider-Man left Sora behind a nearby tree and raced to help. Nessus grabbed Hercules and was about to crush him when Spider-Man shot his webs at Nessus' face, making him drop Hercules to get it off him.
Spider-Man: You okay, Skinny?
Hercules: Yeah, I'm fine. (Seeing the Keyblade) Hey, that belongs to a friend of mine.
Spider-Man: Yeah, no fooling? It's just a loaner. I'm borrowing it.
Scarlet Witch: Boys, focus.
Nessus got most of the webbing off him except for what was covering his left eye. Karen finished analyzing the Centaur.
Karen: Spider-Man, this opponent is too strong to fight physically. Speed is your best chance.
Spider-Man: (Fighting stance) Guys, we got to outmaneuver him. He's strong but not fast.
Philoctetes: He's right, Herc! If you can't fight with strength, find another way!
The trio rushed to Nessus. He threw a punch but they dodged it while Spider-Man shot a line on him and started swinging.
Spider-Man: (Landing onto his back) So… Are you still a Centaur or are you now a Cyclops?
Nessus knocked Spider-Man off him and tried to punch him.
Spider-Man: (Dodging) Hey, you wouldn't by chance know, Polyphemus?
Nessus was so preoccupied by Spider-Man he forgot the other two. Hercules skidded under the Centaur and punched his left foreleg, forcing him down. Using her powers, Scarlet Witch made a waterspout nail him in the face.
Nessus: How did that happen?!
Shooting line at a tree, Spider-Man used it like a makeshift bungee and sped under Nessus' legs. Spider-Man whacked Nessus' right foreleg, forcing him further to the ground.
Spider-Man: (Quietly) That was for hitting on Wanda.
Scarlet Witch raced up and left a big cut on his back right leg, then went up to his head.
Scarlet Witch: (Pulling his goatee) That was sending my boy flying. And FYI: I prefer men with heads not full of cobwebs.
He was about to crush her when he collapsed on his last good leg. Scarlet Witch saw Sora with his slingshot. Spider-Man swung up to Nessus' face.
Nessus: Who are you?!
Spider-Man: (Taking a page from Odysseus) … Spider.
Hercules, picking Nessus up, spun around fast and sent him flying far away.
Philoctetes: YAH, WAY TO GO KID! (Speeding up to Wanda) I taught the kid everything he knows. You know, I'd be happy to…
Scarlet Witch: (As Sora ran up to her) Sora! (Hugging him closely) Oh baby, are you okay?
Sora: (Feeling like he was back in his mother's arms) I'm fine. Mr. Spider-Man caught me. Did you see my shot?
Philoctetes: Oh, just my luck. I met a pretty girl and she ends up with a kid and a boyfriend.
Spider-Man blushed under his mask and so did Wanda. Then Hercules walked up.
Hercules: You three okay?
Spider-Man: Yeah, thanks for the back-up Skinny.
Sora: Jeez sir, you're really strong.
Hercules: Thanks. I'm Hercules and this is my trainer, Philoctetes.
Sora struggled to pronounce Philoctetes' actual name.
Philoctetes: (Seeing how old Sora was) Uh, you can just call me Phil.
Hercules: Hey, why are you three out here anyway?
Spider-Man: We're looking for dangerous artifact that's causing trouble around here.
Philoctetes: And you two couldn't hire a babysitter?
Scarlet Witch moved Kitetsu to Philoctetes' throat, telling him to back off on Sora.
Philoctetes: Message received clearly.
Hercules: I'd love to help you look but I'm heading to sign up for The Games. (Snapping fingers) Hey, maybe you can use it to find warriors to help in your search.
Philoctetes: Herc's right. The Games usually draw the strongest fighters from all over. Some added muscle might help keep you safe.
Spider-Man: (As Scarlet Witch put Kitetsu back into its sheath) Sounds like a good idea.
Sora: (Innocently) Can I watch these games?
Hearing these fighting games, Wanda worried Sora might end up seeing severe injuries or worst. But Philoctetes spoke up.
Phil: Sure, kid. The Gods enchanted the arena so none of the contestants end up seriously injured. A little sore but still in one piece.
Scarlet Witch: Okay… (Grabbing Hercules) But if anything happens to my friend or my boy, it'll cost your head.
Hercules: (Calming her down) Easy… I swear upon the River Styx nothing bad will happen to them as long we stick together.
Philoctetes: Ya got believe the kid now. You make that pact; you keep it to the letter.
While everyone headed to the city, Nessus was limping to find a healer. Some passing centaurs saw him looking horrible. When they asked who did this to him, all he could say was a Spider did it. Meanwhile, Wolf Spider was meeting with someone. He wore a black toga, had blue skin, and his hair was pure fire. This was Hades, Lord of the Underworld.
Hades: Okay, let me see if I got this straight: I give you the boy two heroes are protecting and in exchange I get the power to control the Heartless?
Wolf Spider: Correct.
Hades: (Sucking on his teeth) Geez, kid. I don't know. It feels… Too good. What's the catch?
Wolf Spider: (Holding the Crack in a web) I need you to keep this safe while it's fueling my powers.
Hades: Is that so?
Wolf Spider: Once me and my associate succeed, I promise I'll show you how to channel it. You can destroy anything with just a snap of your fingers with the power I have.
Hades: Kid, you're singing my song and I love your voice. (Offering a handshake) You got a deal.
Wolf Spider: (Giving him the tear) Pass.
Wolf Spider left as Hades summoned a special help. Meanwhile, two special friends of the heroes were signing up to compete.