Ranma 1/2 usd without permission
Spiderman used without permission
C&C is, as always, welcome and appreciated
=============================
"You failed." Despite himself, Wu Long felt a shiver run up his
spine at Leung's declaration of the obvious. Resting atop Leung's polished
mahogany desk was a black briefcase which held the thing Long had been sent
for. As it rested there, the mystery of its contents taunted him, the
solution beyond his grasp.
Leung had to pay out of his ass to get the whatever-that-was away
from the police, as well as to bail out the men who survived the fiasco at
the dock. Long knew that beneath his employer's steely gaze a raging temper
was straining to be free.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Leung," Wu Long said. It was a pathetic atempt at an
apology, but under the circumstances it was all he could say. He had
explained how the Yakuza, there was no other explanation of who they were,
and Spiderman had ruined what was supposed to be a simple operation. But was
it really so simple?
"Spare me your apology," Leung snarled. Wu Long inwardly flinched at
the venom in Leung's voice. "I had to pay premium yen to retrieve this." His
fingers lightly tapped the briefcase as he said the last. A pregnant silence
stretched between them, the waning light of the evening sun casting the room
in a golden tint.
"I will, however, give you one more chance," Leung said after the
silence had become almost unbearable. Long looked up in shock, doubting his
own ears. With the Kingpin, it was usually one strike and you're out.
"Sir?"
"First, you will locate the other case," Leung said, "and
then, you will bring me Spiderman. Or his head. Is that clear?"
"Perfectly, sir," Long replied, hoping his relief wasn't too evident
in his voice.
"Good," Leung said. "Now get out!"
Leung watched as Wu Long made his exit. Once the door shut, he
allowed himself to bury his face in his hands. Anger and frustration mixed
to create a malestrom of powerful emotions that strained at the bonds of
Leung's control. Preventing himself from ripping Long's throat out with his
bare hands had taken a herculean effort of will.
He sat in that position for what felt like hours, attempting to get
his emotions under control. Finally, he managed to bring himself back to a
reasonably calm state, allowing his mind to think rationally.
The yakuza intrusion had been a complete surprise. He had taken
great care in setting up the entire scheme, and had left nothing to chance.
However, his rivals had found out anyway. Such a breach indicated a bad
security leak, one that he fully intended to find and have plugged. He would
handle that particular mole hunt himself.
Then there was the matter of the Spiderman. How did he learn of the
pickup? Who was he working for? Could it be possible that he was in it for
himself? Who was he?
Leung ended that train of thought, following it would only rile him
up again, and he needed to think clearly. What leads did he have? The only
name he could associate with Spiderman was... what was that kid's name
again? Hikaru... something or other.
Activating the terminal that rested on the top left corner of his
desk, Leung browsed through all newspaper articles on Spiderman. So far,
only two had run which really narrowed the playing field. Looking through
the by-lines, he found the name he was looking for. Hikaru Gosunkugi. It
wasn't much, but it was entirely possible that it could also be everything.
History showed that it was most often the smallest, most unlikely detail
that blew the toughest mysteries wide open.
Pulling up the file on Hikaru Gosunkugi, he printed out a picture
and the vital information. He would have a team tail the kid round the
clock. If he was indeed connected with Spiderman, and not just some geeky
kid with a camera who got lucky once or twice, then he could lead Leung
right to the Spiderman. Placing the hard copy on the desk, he picked up the
phone and summoned two of his best street men. The sooner they got started,
the better.
=============================================
Hikaru Gosunkugi stared longingly at the deep blue sky, the towers
of concrete and steel reaching up to the heavens. As he trod the sidewalk,
which was starting to come alive with people, he found himself drawn to the
spaces up there. In the short time he had been web-slinging, he had grown
rather attached to it. The freedom, the rush of adrenaline, the feeling of
being ALIVE and not just him, was highly addictive. After all, why just walk
to school when you could practically fly? Gangsters be damned, what was
stopping him?
Common sense soon re-asserted itself, an attribute rare in Nerima,
and affirmed that he he couldn't take the risk of being spotted just yet. It
was still too soon.
The strange tingling feeling came back, nearly stopping him in his
tracks. Gosunkugi kept moving forward, his eyes scanning every inch of
visible surface. Somebody was watching him, the sense seemed to say. He
didn't know where they were, or who, but they couldn't be up to anything good.
Nervous anticipation stole over him as he picked up his pace. The
tingling persisted, neither weakening or strengthening. It seemed that his
shadow was keeping time with him, keeping a discrete distance as they went
along.
The constant buzzing at the base of his skull was beginning to drive
Gosunkugi mad. Fear and anxiety were beginning to give way to irritation as
his tail moved along with him. He had briefly considered just taking to the
air and losing whoever it was, but decided that the risk was too great. He
couldn't just stop and look, either. He didn't want the mystery man to know
that he was onto him
Finally, the gates of Furinkan appeared directly ahead. Gosunkugi
almost let out a sigh of relief, he never thought he'd actually be happy to
see that place. Keeping pace with the students still trudging in, he
attempted to lose himself in the crowd. He stayed in their midst as they all
approached the doors granting access into the school.
The feeling of being watched vanished after he set foot in the
school. The tingling, which had been constant and annoying, stopped as
abruptly as it had began. Revelling in the feeling of his nerves relaxing,
Gosunkugi made his way to his locker. Maybe some schoolwork would get his
mind off of his new shadow.
====================================
Outside of Furinkan High, an old woman stood on the sidewalk with a
vacant look on her weathered features. The simple red kimono hung off of her
bony frame, thin wisps of white hair limp around her head. A
wicker basket dangled from her left arm, fruits and vegetables layered in
the small carrier.
She idly wandered off toward the nearest alley, her vacant eyes
seeming to stare at nothing at all. Those on the street paid her no mind,
she was just a feeble old woman after all.
Once her shuffling gait carried her into the shadows, the vacant
look left her face. With her free hand, she reached into her basket,
producing a small black cell phone from beneath the layers of vegetables.
Flipping it open, she hit the speed dial and placed to her ear.
"He's in the school," she said, "I'll pick up the trail after he
leaves."
"Excellent," came Leung's voice over the digital connection, "keep
following him."
=====================================
"Mr. Leung," the female voice said over the intercom, "Your two
o'clock appointment is here."
"Excellent," Leung said, a slight smile on his lips. "Send him in."
The large door opened a moment later, the sound of footsteps approaching as
the door clicked shut.
"Well, now," a male voice said in English with a distinct German
accent, "to what do I owe this pleasure?"
"Please, Dr. Octavius," Leung said pleasantly, "have a seat." The
large man sat in a plush leather chair across from Leung, folding his tan
trenchcoat benath him. He removed his fedora, exposing brown hair in a neat
bowl cut and a pair of wide dark glasses on his face. "Care for something to
drink?"
"Mr. Leung," Otto Octavius snapped, "I am not a man for formalities.
Let's get down to business."
"Very well," Leung said as he inwardly bristled. He was not
accustomed to such rudeness from his guests. However, Dr. Octavius was
renowned for his scientific genius, among his other attributes, and a little
rudeness could be tolerated. "I want you to head up a little experiment."
"What is the nature of this work?"
"Are you familiar with this?" Leung asked as he slid a sheet of paper
across the desk. Dr. Octavius picked up the paper, his face twisitng in an
angry scowl at the diagrams on the surface.
"This..." he sputtered, "... how DARE they tamper with my work!" Leung
allowed a small smile to cross his face. The hook had been baited, and the
fish looked eager to bite.
"I take it you could build a better one?" Leung asked, slipping just the
right amount of unspoken challenge into his words.
"With my eyes closed!"
"Just what I wanted to hear," Leung said, "You will be set up in one of the
finest laboratories in all of Japan. The prospects for your own experiments
are practically limitless."
"Interesting," Octavius said in a considering tone, "however, I
require more than simply a laboratory for my work."
"I realize that," Leung said, "and therefore, I can provide you with
more than ample funds. Think of it," he went on. The fish had bitten the
hook, now it was time to reel him in. "You can finally get the recognition a
scientist such as yourself deserves."
Otto Octavius sat in silent thought for a moment, considering what
Leung had just told him. One thing was certain, the man drove a hard
bargain. From his manner, and from what he had heard of the Chinese man, he
was also very accustomed to getting his own way. Octavius had no doubts that
the man could deliver on his promises, but the question was if he would. He
had been lied to before by men promising just what Leung was. Could he trust
this man?
"Very well, Mr. Leung," Octavius said as he rose from his seat, "I
accept your offer."
"Excellent," Leung said as he rose from his chair. The two clasped
hands and shook briefly over the surface of the desk between them. Sealing
the deal, Leung said, "Of course, should I need you for other work, you will
be available, correct?"
"I am a scientist!" Octavius shouted, his face flushing with anger
as his German accent became more pronouced. "I am NOT a common thug for hire!"
"I did not say you were," Leung repllied in a placating tone, "I
only wish to use your special...gifts... for other assignments should the
need arise." Leung knew full well just how dangerous Dr. Otto Octavius, or
as some called him Doctor Octopus, really was. If given half the chance,
Octavius could easily turn him into a wet spot on the floor of his office.
"May I see them?"
"I don't see why not," Octavius replied, apparently sated for the
moment. Pulling the trenchcoat open, Leung saw something moving beneath the
concealing folds of tan material. Seconds later, four metallic, snake-like
appendages shot out into the open air.
Leung watched them in fascination as they writhed about, seemingly
of their own accord. Three pincer-like protrusions rested on each end,
snapping open and shut with a soft clack.
"Remarkable," Leung whispered sincerely.
"Indeed," Octavius replied with a grin. "They allow me to do my work
four times as fast. And," he said as the arms drew up into an attack
position, "they are the greatest weapons imaginable."
"Indeed," Leung admitted, genuinely impressed.
=====================================
//Maybe it was a fluke?\\ Gosunkugi thought as he walked blindly
toward Trig class. He had ot admit, it was plausible. After all, he didn't
know all that much about his powers, or even if they were permanent. Could
his new abilities be fading? What was going on?
Gosunkugi hated the thought of losing his spider-powers. They set
him apart from everyone else, gave him an edge nobody had. Without them,
he'd be just plain ol' Hikaru Gosunkugi. He couldn't stand to be that way
again...
"Oof!" He was brought back into the real world when his erstwhile
body collided with another. His bag landed on the floor accompanied by a few
books the other carried. The unlatched bag spilled out its contents all over
the tile floor, books, notes, and a small yellow roll of Kodak film that he
didn't notice. The girl in the blue dress whirled about, revealing herself
to be none other than...
"Sorry, Nabiki," Gosunkugi stammered as he groped about for his
supplies.
"You should be," Nabiki said as she stood over him. "For that, I may
have to raise the interest rate on your loans." Gosunkugi groaned in dismay
at her haughty tone. He had managed to pay off one or two with the money
gained from his Spiderman photos, but there were a few more that he really
didn't have the funds for.
"Please, Miss Tendo," he said meekly, "I really can't afford it!"
"Well..." she said, seeming to consider his plea, "I could probably
let this slide once. Just make sure it doesn't happen again. Also, pick up
my books. That should be a sufficient fee for now."
"Thank you," he said, his voice in direct contrast to his true
feelings. He despised the way Nabiki treated him. Perhaps she should have a
visit from the friendly neighborhood Spiderman? After a second's worth of
debate, he discarded the idea. Nabiki, bitch that she was, simply wasn't
worth it. Besides, if he went around as Spiderman pounding everyone who had
ever wronged him, he would be no better than Keiichi and his goons had been.
Handing Nabiki her books and reclaiming his bag, he hurriedly set off for
his next class, not even noticing the roll of film that had come to a rest
just beneath one of the lockers.
After Gosunkugi left, Nabiki bent down to retrieve the small film
roll that had fallen from his bag. She had been curious as to how he got his
photos of Spiderman, after all the shots had to be worth a significant
amount of yen for him to just pay off two of his loans in one go like that.
And where money was concerned, Nabiki wanted to be in on it. Besides, Nabiki
hated to be shown up on anything, especially by an underclassman and those
photos were doing just that.
//Well, now,\\ she thought as she tucked the roll into her bra for
safekeeping, //I'll just take these to the darkroom and see what develops.\\
=====================================
Morning came as it always had in Nerima, the sun climbing above the
eastern horizon to shine its light on the world below. Inside his parent's
apartment, Hikaru Gosunkugi groggily walked into the single bathroom they
all shared.
His senses weren't quite up and running at the time, and as such
didn't really notice his reflection in the full-length mirror. After a good
shower, though, he did take a good look.
//Hey...\\ he thougth as he looked over his body. A towel was
wrapped around his lower abdomen, reaching to his knees. Above the towel was
a sight he thought he'd never see.
Muscle tone. Actual muscles on his arms and chest. His stomach was
beginning to firm up as well, perhaps he'd end up with a decent sixpack
before long. //Looks like all that web-slinging is paying off!\\ He remained
in front of the mirror for a few minutes more, admiring his developing
physique. Things were definitely looking up.
Gosunkugi flopped into his dad's recliner, the jacket of his uniform
unbuttoned. His third pop-tart of the day in one hand, he picked up the
day's paper from the table at the plush chair's side. Gosunkugi stared at
the large picture of the front page, and nearly spat out the first bite of
blueberry pastry.
"What the hell?!" In the center of the sea of text was a picture of
none other than Spiderman, beating up on some armed thugs. One of them had a
small gun in his hand, and two familiar looking briefcases rested on the
ground in the shot. No doubt about it, these shots came from that warehouse
at the dock a few days back.
//How? What? Who?\\ Disregarding the article and the rest of the
pictures, Gosunkugi searched the by-lines for the name of the one who had
gotten those pictures. Finally, he found the name.
"Nabiki Tendo..." Gosunkugi snarled as he visciously balled up the
newspaper. How had she gotten the film? He'd destroyed it... hadn't he?
Searching his memory, he dredged up an image of him plopping the roll into
his schoolbag, and then...
//Aw, damnit, I forgot!\\ Gosunkugi berated himself for not
destroying the film. Now, somehow Nabiki had gotten hold of it and published
the shots. The fact that she had stolen his work and slapped her name on it
didn't bother him as much as he thought it would. The idea that she may
induce the wrath of the ones who had been duking it out in that warehouse
seemed far more real.
Gosunkugi hurriedly rose and buttoned his jacket. He fully intended
to speak with Nabiki about this the first chance he got.
===================================
"What... is... THIS?!" Leung struggled desperately to reign in his
temper as he glared balefully at the large picture of Spiderman pounding his
own men. There was no mistaking it, these were pictures from the botched
pickup at the warehouse a few nights ago.
Such publicity was completely unacceptable. He could not, no, WOULD
not allow anything like this, nor would he allow the one who took the
pictures to see another sunrise.
His blood pressure soaring to new and dangerous heights, Leung
scanned the by-lines, expecting to see Hikaru Gosunkugi's name. Instead, he
found the name Nabiki Tendo.
"Nabiki Tendo," He let the name roll around on his tongue for a few
moments, pondering this new development as he managed to bring himself down
to a reasonably calm state. It was time to review the facts.
First, Spiderman was definitely a threat. That had been proven at
the warehouse.
Second, Hikaru Gosunkugi had been getting pictures of Spiderman, so
there was a possible connection.
Third, pictures of the warehouse battle had made the front page of
the Tokyo Times, the photographer one Nabiki Tendo.
So, what did this tell him? Could this girl also be connected with
Spiderman? Could it just be a coincidence? He dismissed the latter almost
immediately. Leung didn't believe in coincidence, it was something too
random. So therefore it was a safe bet that the first idea was the correct
one. Even if by some odd twist of fate that it wasn't, she had still taken
pictures of his people performing an operation for him, and had published
them no less. One thing was clear: Nabiki Tendo had to die.
Before he could pick up the phone to arrange it, a thought occurred
to him. If she, Gosunkugi, and the Spiderman were all connected, then he
could very well end up killing three birds with one stone. All he had to do
was kidnap one, and have the other bring him Spiderman in exchange for the
first one's life. Then, he could kill all three.
Smiling for the first time in what felt like forever, he picked up
the phone and began making the arrangements. Things could turn out all right
after all.
==========================================
This is endlessly fascinating! Doctor Otto Octavius stood in the
center of the sprawling research lab at Tokyo University, poring over a data
readout that scrolled slowly up the small monitor before him.
Vast arrays of research equipment surrounded him, large banks of
computers filling the spaces the assorted microscopes and test tubes didn't.
In one corner of the lab, an immense electron microscope sat idle, lights on
it's control panel blinking on and off intermittently.
In the center of everything, across from where Doctor Octavius sat,
rested a small, squat cylindrical structure. The mostly-assembled machine
came up to just mid-thigh to Octavius, numerous wires and circuits still
exposed for maintenance and adjustment.
He had been suprised to find nearly all the materials necessary already
gathered and awaiting assembly. The unit was still far from finished, such
an art could not be rushed, but once done would cement his name in the
annals of scientific history.
The final, and most important, components were still missing which served
as a minor annoyance. If Leung was even half as resouceful as he seemed to
be, then they would be delivered soon.
For a brief moment, as he took his eyes away from the readout to rest them,
he recalled his first experiment with this admittedly dangerous technology.
He had been called a lunatic, stripped of his funding and equipment for
daring to dream of such a feat as he was trying to attempt. Even so, he
would not be deterred. He set up what one would laughingly call a laboratory
and continued his work. The results had been both a curse and a blessing.
The explosion had destroyed all his work, but had fused the metal tentacles
to his spinal cord, giving him the power to crush his enemies once and for
all...
And he would start with the imbeciles at Tokyo University, who had stripped
him of the funding he had struggled so hard to obtain. To think that they
would kill off his project, and then assign it to some half-wit like Ryo
Sanzaki! Of course, they wanted a JAPANESE to finish the project first, not
a gaijin. Sanzaki would pay with the others on the board...
At first, he didn't hear the annoying sound of the pager at his hip
going off. After a few minutes, though, it finally managed to irritate him
enough for him to grab it and see what it was that Leung wanted. He was a
busy man, he didn't have time to be an errand boy! Growling, he exited the
lab and pulled out his cell phone.
=====================================
There she is, Gosunkugi thought as he spied Nabiki leaving the
school. His spider sense, which had been buzzing steadily that morning, had
failed to activate once he cleared the gates, a fact that Gosunkugi noticed
with some relief. Apparently, his shadow had decided to take the afternoon
off. It was just as well, really, it would make his job so much easier.
It was time to have a serious discussion with Nabiki, but how should
he go about it? She was well known for her ability to take control of nearly
any conversation, steering it as easily and expertly as a pilot would his
plane. If he revealed too much, it was possible for her to maybe figure out
just how closely he and Spiderman were connected. And that was something he
had to avoid at all costs.