Episode 56: Panthack Ambush!

Ritchie stomped on the trapdoor a certain number of times before the trapdoor opened, revealing a hidden set of stairs.

"After you," Thor said to Ritchie politely.

Grumbling, Ritchie descended the stairs while Thor followed after. Then just as MJ was about to follow Thor, she was hit by something from behind that caused her to fall to the ground paralyzed. She strained her neck to look back and saw Nebolt's mandibles had electric charges on the ends.

"Sorry, kid, but only fight participants are allowed to enter the basement arena," Nebula said as she left the bar and walked over to MJ.

"But why did Nebolt stun me with Concussion Beam?" MJ asked.

"I think she sensed you and your friend are up to something," Nebula replied. "That's why she acted hostile to you earlier. And if my Marémon senses that something is wrong, then so do I."

"Follow Thor, Noirspi!" MJ told her black spider Marémon. "And don't let anyone see you!"

Obediently, Noirspi crawled towards the empty trapdoor and scurried down the stairs before Nebolt's Concussion Beams could hit him.


"Okay, remind me why I have to wear this again?" Peter asked, looking down. He was wearing the outfit Black Cat gave him, which was a blue-and-red spandex suit that covered his body completely with black web patterns, white visor eyes, and a spider-shaped symbol on his chest. "I look ridiculous!"

"You look great to me," Black Cat said, eying Peter from top to bottom. "It really outlines your figure, which isn't half-bad."

Feeling uncomfortable, Peter turned away. "Just tell me what to do so we can get this over with. My friends are probably wondering where I am."

"Don't worry, Spider," Black Cat assured. "You'll be back before your friends find out where you've been."

"Spider?" Peter looked confused.

"It's the codename I'm giving you during this heist so no one can figure out your real identity, including myself in case I get captured by the authorities and they make me reveal who my accomplice was."

"Oh, so that's why you haven't asked for my name since I got here."

"Exactly."

The two then made their way over to the Nova Corps Headquarters with Black Cat using Blaccet's Grapple Hook tail to swing between buildings while Peter used Spidermin's Web Shot to do the same. They reached the roof the headquarters, where Black Cat used a device to bypass the security lock on the door and opened it slightly.

"Have Spidermin Web Shot the cameras leading up to the security room," Black Cat said to Peter. "Then I'll go in and disable the entire camera system from there. Meanwhile, you should make your way to where the Infinity Stone is being kept and wait for me."

Black Cat then gave Peter a black earpiece and turned it on, while she pressed an identical one in her ear.

"We'll keep in touch using these," Black Cat stated. "Now let's start the heist."

"Okay," Peter said and turned to Spidermin, who looked uncomfortable. "Look, I know you don't want to do this as much as me. But we're doing this to save Felicia from a bad man who might kill her if we don't give him what he wants."

Spidermin glanced at Black Cat, and then he nodded and crawled up the side of the door before making his way inside. Peter followed after his Marémon, and saw Spidermin crawling along the walls and shooting webs onto every security camera he passed by. Black Cat was right behind, while Blaccet darted ahead to keep up with Spidermin.

"After we first met in front of Don Fortunato's safe, my Blaccet developed a crush on your Spidermin," Black Cat smirked. "Though I've heard Blaccets are naturally attracted to Spidermins and Scarspides."

"Yeah, I've heard that too. Leading experts like Professor Banner think it might be the bravery of these Marémon that Blaccet loves but secretly envies because the Spidermin and Scarspide's bravery contrasts their cowardly nature."

"That seems narrow-minded," Black Cat argued. "Sure, Blaccets habitually steal things. But they are not cowards since their thefts are arguably more daring than the Lokeens."

"How so?"

Instead of answering, Black Cat put a hand over Peter's mouth as they approached a door which Spidermin and Blaccet were standing near. On the other side, they heard confused voices.

"Sounds like the guards are trying to figure out what to do," Black Cat whispered. "I'll take care of them. You get to the Infinity Stone."

Nodding, Peter went down an adjacent hallway with Spidermin following close behind. He tried to recall the layout of the Nova Corps Headquarters that Black Cat gave him to look at while he changed into the outfit, and was able to figure out where the evidence room was in relation to his current position. A few masked guards patrolled the area, but Peter and Spidermin were able to sneak around them. They eventually got into the evidence room, which had a glass case in the back with a purple gemstone underneath. But just as Peter approached the case, a low terrifying growl caught his attention.

From the shadows to his right emerged a leopard-like cat with silver reflective eyes, metallic claws, and a black pelt covered in purple stripes. A ring of tooth-like marks wrapped around its neck, while its ears were small and pointed.

"Holy Celestials!" Peter exclaimed. "A Panthack!"

"Indeed."

From behind the Panthack appeared a young man wearing a full spandex suit with a cat-like head and metal claws similar to Panthack's.

"You're Black Panther, the vigilante that fought alongside Tony Stark during the Civil War event," Peter realized.

"How sharp you are, for a thief," Black Panther said, flexing his right hand which extended the claws. "You've come here for the Power Infinity Stone, correct?"

"Actually, I'm not the one trying to steal it," Peter claimed.

"Then you are an accomplice," Black Panther concluded. "What are you called?"

Peter hesitated for a moment before saying, "I'm, uh, Spider-Man…."

Spidermin, Panthack, and Black Panther looked confused.

To be continued…