Rising Tide
12 PM
Spider-Man was standing atop a building at Columbia University. “Damn, he completely disappeared. Not even a trace of his footsteps on the street. And no one’s seen him. What was he even doing on the docks?”
A pebble hit his ass so he turned around to Jessica Jones on the sidewalk. “Spider-boy, come here.”
“Hey Jessie,” he flipped off and landed easily on his feet. He kneeled in his usual Spider-Man position. “What’s up?”
“Please tell me you found the Rhino.”
“What? I was about to go ask you if you’ve seen him!”
“No! You’re the superhero! I’m just some girl. Dammit Spider-Boy.”
“Wait, why are you looking for him?”
“Some guy wants to sue him for crushing his car.”
“That’s just stupid.”
“You think the local wizard could search for him?”
“But he needs a hair or something.”
“Dammit. Which direction did he go to at least?”
“North on Broadway. But he left no footprints, even up to the Bronx.”
“Then I’m going to keep looking. I’m better than you at that. Enjoy bugs or whatever you do when there’s no crime.”
Jessica sauntered away with Spider tilting his head side to side. “I do not enjoy bugs,” he told himself quietly. “Why does she always talk to me like that? No matter who I am…Well I should head to class anyways.”
From across the street, Namor watched as Spider-Man passed behind a pillar to appear as Peter Parker on the other side. This wasn’t noted as important in his head. He instead growled; how infernal! I thought a superhuman like Spider-Man would at least be able to pick up the smell Rhino left behind. If he could, they would just go east of here to find Rhino. If I go after him myself, he won’t make it to court alive. I must make some kind of message to Jessica Jones to head east.
So Namor found a paintbrush (violently) and started painting ‘east’ on every building or sign that she might come across. He wrote this on a fat guy’s shirt, road signs, ANYTHING. At one point, Jessica stopped to answer a phone call from her only friend; Trish Walker. “Did you hear? Danny Rand was killed in a fight just a couple of minutes ago. Luke identified Bullseye and a mercenary known as ‘Deadpool’ to be the killers. I’m heading to Rand right now.”
“Wait, what the fuck?” The phone call ended. “Trish! What!?”
We really let Wade get the first kill. Now the rest of them are going to be even more defensive.
“Wait wait wait, first Rhino runs through town, a seaman wants to sue him, and Danny gets killed by Fisk’s right hand man, Bullseye. These are connected. Why do I keep seeing ‘east’ everywhere? The only thing east is Rikers and Brooklyn. Where do I go!?!”
Throwing his voice from across the street, Namor whispered ‘east’.
“East! In Rikers, Fisk must be planning something. That’s why he sent Bullseye to kill Danny. And Rhino must’ve delivered something to him. I’ll find the Rhino over there!”
YES! And there, I will kill you. Then I’ll go kill Spider-Man before heading to ‘Rand’ to finish off Luke. And tomorrow, I will have my justice served. And so the Earth turns for King Namor!!!
Karen Page also received a phone call from her Daily Bugle friend Ben Urich. He told her he was appearing on the Rand scene in five minutes. She was about to tell her coworkers but they were deep into work. She left the office quietly.
In the middle of his class, Peter quietly answered his phone. His professor was much too busy with lectures to notice. “Hey Jameson, I’m actually in class so-”
“PARKER, ONE OF BIGGEST BILLIONAIRE MOGULS JUST GOT MURDERED AND YOU’RE WORRIED ABOUT IF A PHOTON IS A PARTICLE OR A WAVE!? YOU ARE ON THIN ICE!” and the phone call ended there but everyone in the lecture hall heard what Jameson had said.
“Uh uh sorry professor…”
In the Daily Bugle office (the biggest news corp in the Yankee area), J. Jonah Jameson slammed the phone and then pointed to photographer Eddie Brock. “Alright Brock, you get to follow Urich to the crime scene. Brant, get Walker up here so we can get a script done. Robertson, get in contact with police. Foswell, make sure this stays exclusive. GO PEOPLE GO!!!”
In the Bowery, there’s a family run diner known as Landers’. Gena is the owner there and her two sons, Rick and Ray, also work there when they are not goofing off. Old Man Crowley is her most loyal customer second only to taximan Jake Lockley. Jake wears a red hat and a brown uniform although his taxi service is independent. He and Gena were trading stories when Crowley finally came in. “Crowley!!” they cheered and he sang a little tune as he came up to the bar. Gena poured him a tall glass of English tea which he appreciates most.
Jake asked, “where were you? I didn’t see you in your usual spot.”
“I was uptown acquainting an old acquaintance. How are you doing today?”
“Wondering why it is so boring,” Gena said. “We just started talking about some childhood memories.”
“Honestly, I’m just enjoying another quiet morning,” Jake answered.
“Well I guess it’s not all quiet. There was that Rhino run this morning,” Gena mentioned.
“Even worse, Deadpool is in town,” Crowley announced.
“Who’s Deadpool?” Gena asked but Jake shuddered at the name.
Crowley showed his picture to the two. “He’s a rambunctious mercenary. Been active for a few years. I never met him but most people who do don’t get to talk about it. Someone in New York has a few hours left to live.”
Gena then looked from the drawing to her tv on the wall and saw the real Deadpool mask. “Wait a second!” She turned the volume up on tv.
Urich reported, “here we are in front of the Rand Enterprises building where the president of said company was killed by a mercenary identified by Captain Brett Mahomey as Deadpool. A man also known as Bullseye was seen by eyewitnesses.”
A second name sending a shiver down Jake’s spine. Crowley said, “Danny Rand? From the stories I hear of Deadpool, I’m surprised he needs help to take out a business man, even if he knows martial arts.”
Urich continued, “Luke Cage, the Hero of Harlem, was also here doing his best to defend New York’s most generous philanthropist.” The camera panned to a corner where Luke was sitting on a bench. The camera panned back to Ben but zoomed out to show the crater behind him. “The battle mostly took place in Danny’s office but it soon came out to the street here where the man called Bullseye finally stabbed his sword into Danny’s head. This is after Bullseye already murdered 30 people in the lobby. The sword used mysteriously floated away as if under Strange’s telekinesis. The two mercenaries have run off. They are very dangerous and are both armed, be warned. The Bullseye is dressed in black with white rings across his costume. He is about 6’0” and slightly wide. Mahomey has informed me that he is active in New York all of the time but, and I quote, ‘usually I find that Daredevil clears him before I arrive at a crime scene’. Bullseye remains elusive nonetheless. The Deadpool is an international agent of murder and this is his first foray into New York. The Federal government informs Mahomey that Deadpool’s cases always become public because of his personality. The SHIELD organization headed by Nick Fury has issued a bounty for information on Deadpool’s location as he needs to be ascertained by the UN for his crimes against humanity. Deadpool is 6’2” and skinner but in a red costume and black around the eyes of his costume as if he is an evil Spider-Man. Strangely, both assailants have the right sleeves of their suits ripped off. Hopefully our local superheroes can take care of them but if you do see or hear of them, please contact the local police first, 911, and only after finishing that call do you call the Heroes for Hire number. That is 4-4473. The Daily Bugle, New York’s finest news, will update you as soon as officials are updated.” The broadcast ended there, cutting back to regular television.
“Wow, well that is indeed a big hit,” Crowley said. “Let’s hope that is all Deadpool needs to do here. Unfortunate news for those in Danny’s world. Rest in peace.”
Gena grew in anger, “that really is shitty, that whole company must be an offense to the devil. Danny’s parents died in a plane crash, Mr. Meachum was killed by the Iron Fist, Joy Meachum found hanging in her apartment and now Danny is killed by Deadpool. Ward will be all alone now. I feel most sorry for him.”
Jake finished his drink, “there’s a conspiracy at foot here. Gena, you busy?” She gestured at the empty restaurant. “Then let’s go on an old-fashioned manhunt.”
Gena locked up the place and the three headed into Jake’s taxi car although he took the taxi label off. They headed south for the Rand building.
There, Ben Urich was staring into the crater again. Danny’s body had already been carried out. It was put into a hearse where Ward was still crying over him. Eddie Brock touched Urich’s shoulder who just nodded. The entire intersection was blocked off by police cars. There were ambulances as well that the injured (mostly dead) staff members were being carried into. Ben made his way over to Mahomey and asked, “does he really not want to talk?”
Mahomey looked over at Luke who now had his head down on the bench. “No, the brother only told us what they looked like and then shut mouth. I think he feeling guilty. Just talk to the other witnesses we have.”
“Yeah sure. Thanks for everything Mahomey.”
“Try my best.”
Before Ben could though, he was approached by two blondes; Trish Walker and Karen Page.
“Trish! Karen. Wait Trish, Jameson was looking for you.”
“What are you even doing here?” Eddie asked.
“I was in the area, I just wanted to see what happened. Where’s Luke? Do you have any more information you didn’t report?”
“Huh…” Karen muttered.
Ben shook his head. “It was just all of a sudden. Don’t bother Luke, he’s over there.”
Trish turned, “he needs someone,” she said. She walked over to him.
Karen then said, “hey, I kind of just came because I think you wanted me here.”
“Maybe you heard something?”
“Have not. Me and the boys have been buried in work all day. I didn’t even tell them yet.”
“Well that’s alright. The only ones truly affected are Ward Meachum, the company, and seemingly Luke. Although, I don’t know why he is taking this man’s death so hard, even if Rand sponsors Heroes for Hire.”
“I don’t know why he’s out of Harlem either,” Eddie said.
Ben was about to argue but then Karen said, “if Spider-Man can protect the planet, then Luke Cage can take the train downtown.”
Eddie bounced his eyebrows in response. Then he said, “let me get Trish out of trouble.”
He left them. Karen shuddered as she looked into the crater. He kept his super identity secret. Deadpool wasn’t trying to kill Danny Rand but actually the Iron Fist. New York doesn’t even know they lost one of their Defenders. “Where did the sword go?”
“I don’t know. Forensics was checking it out when it flew up the building and we found no one there. Anyways, a quick dust search found no prints.” In her head, Karen remembered that Bullseye doesn’t have fingerprints. Maybe the same for Deadpool. He simply wears gloves.
Trish sat down next to Luke but didn’t announce herself. He glanced at her but then stared at the ground again. “I’m sorry Luke,” she finally said after feeling fully uncomfortable. “I…I already called Jessica so she must be on her way here. I haven’t seen Colleen in weeks.”
“That’s just the thing!” Trish jumped at his stern response. “I came here to take him to Colleen. But I think I somehow led them to him. Then the Bullseye guy, Daredevil never talked about him. I never fought him before. Somehow, he used my body to shoot bullets at Danny. Then he used my back to kill him. I didn’t tell the police that but he bounced the sword off my freaking back and it stabbed Danny. If he didn’t take the bullets, he would have been awake to defend himself. I couldn’t even defend him in his sleep.” Then finally Luke whispered, “and he called me his best friend”.
“Trish,” Eddie said, walking up to the bench. “Come on, you can come collect some stories with Ben. People love your personality.”
“I- um-”
“Go,” Luke said. Then he stood up surprising Eddie. “I’m on them.” Luke then started running in the direction that the mercenaries did.
“What’d you say to him?”
“Just gave him an ear to listen to. Now, if you’ll excuse me, a woman has to go potty.” Trish got up and entered the Rand building. She glanced back at Eddie who gave her a gross look. “What?”
“Don’t say that!”
Eddie turned the corner as no one was looking at him. Trish headed into the bathroom. Eddie found a manhole cover and went into the sewer. Trish tore off her coat and dress. She packed these in a duffel bag and took out a yellow bodysuit. Eddie put his camera in a corner and then took out a goopy mass. Around her waist, she tied a black cloth. She slipped into black boots and black gloves. Then she put on a black mask that did not cover her mouth as inspired by Daredevil who was inspired by the long dead Captain America. The mask had cat ears atop. This is Hellcat. The goopy mass spread itself around Eddie as a suit. It was completely black save for the white spider symbol on its chest, as inspired by Spider-Man. The suit also grew Eddie in size making his upper body wide and gave him a foot in height. It wrapped around his head extending Eddie’s tongue. It had huge white eyes but otherwise a sinister look. This thing would then consume the camera via phagocytosis. This is Venom.
Jake was driving down the road toward Rand but then Gena spotted Luke running in the opposite direction. Turning around, they now followed Luke. Across the rooftops, so did Hellcat, and in the shadows, so did Venom.
Now despite being active in New York, Hellcat and Venom are not a part of the Defenders (which isn’t even an official team). They are not on the hit list and their true identities are unknown to everyone. They mostly work at night and even less frequently than the other actual heroes. Frank Castle, more than an anti-hero than these two, is apart of the pantheon because of his avid fan base and his actual teamwork with the other heroes.
Logan and Kwannon were atop another skyscraper watching all of this occur. Kwannon held out Deadpool’s katana as if mocking those unaware below. “I’ve got Luke’s scent locked,” Logan said, “so we can follow him slowly. Those other two aren’t our targets though.”
“They can be matrys if they want to be.”
In the abandoned warehouse that the Punisher sleeps, there was Frank Castle watching the news report. “The past always comes back.”
1230
Jessica had made it to Rikers Island. She swam quite quickly with her super strength. Due to the rise of supervillains, the prison has been updated with higher security and even underground level for scoundrels like Wilson Fisk. So now Jessica crawled her way to a prison wall while Namor silently waited in the water.
Jessica then hugged the wall as she made her way to the gate. Then she noticed that the gate was seemingly busted. She ran over to see that the courtyard was torn asunder. Pillars fell, watchtowers crumbled and several possibly living guards scattered about. She found one still breathing. “Hey what happened here?”
“The Rhino ran through.”
“Uhhhh, why didn’t you call Spider-Man or some help?”
“We don’t always need to rely on superheroes. We are a functioning society.”
“That’s not the point, dumbass.” She walked away from him but stopped. There was heavy stomping coming from the main building’s entrance. Finally, the armored body of the Rhino appeared. He walked through the opening he made earlier with a happy face. “How do you usually contain him?”
“Well he doesn’t get to wear his armor when he gets arrested.”
“Little lady, who are you? You look familiar” said the Rhino still 200 feet away.
Jessica shrugged. “A fucking inconvenience. I’m here to deliver you a message, I guess.”
The Rhino jumped in front of her. “Go ahead.”
“A court order.” Then the Rhino flinched. “What?”
“Oh. I thought that might be a line Spider-Man would use to jump out. You know, his stupid jokes.”
“Feelings mutual, I really don’t want to be here right now.” Jessica took the lawsuit out of her jacket and handed it to him. “Aleksei Mikhailovich, you are being sued by ‘King of the Sea’ Namor for destruction of his vehicle. He wants you to pay for the damages which is up to 100 thousand US dollars. He will be represented by Hogarth tomorrow at noon.”
“What the fuck?”
“I know right? Super weird.”
“He is suing me under my legal name! If it was just the Rhino, I might be punished with jail time but Aleksei has money in Russia to lose here. How could he!? J Jonah Jameson has always reported that the collateral damage in battles with Spider-Man are the fault of Spider-Man! Not the villain!”
“Why are you taking this seriously? Just don’t show up, it’s not like just anyone can arrest you.”
“No! This case will set precedent if I lose, precedent that villains have to pay for collateral damage! This is a landmark case. I have to find a really good lawyer!”
“WHAT?” The Rhino dashed off. “Wait, I wanted to ask why you were here!” But Rhino already jumped over the waters of East River.
Then Jessica got a phone call from Hogarth, “for the Rhino case, make sure Spider-Man shows up as one of our witnesses.” Then she immediately hung up. What the hell? I didn’t even get to solve anything important! Maybe I can still find Fisk inside.
As Jessieca neared the Rhino opening, something happened. Thousands of gallons of water towered over the island on all sides. Jessica looked up to see what Noah’s Great Flood must’ve looked like. The towers of water were thickest and fastest on the west side where Jessica swore she saw a silhouette. She narrowed her eyes to see the visage of, “King of the Sea” she muttered. The water suddenly crashed down flooding the whole island two stories over. Jessica was almost pushed deeper into the prison but a strong current dragged her the opposite way. The water though continued into the prison flooding and drowning the above ground prisoners while the underground prisoners were uncomfortably neck deep in water. Several buildings on the island crumbled and were destroyed.
“When I was a boy, my father always warned me I would be in deep waters. But this is ridiculous.”
Jesssica was pulled into the river. Something kicked her back sending her to the seafloor. She then rolled away when suddenly a trident stabbed the ground beside her. Close to losing her breath, she looked to see Namor with cross arms far above her. She jumped upwards to the surface and grabbed a huge breath of air. Another large tower of water sprung up with Namor in the center of it. He had one fist pulled back and an open palm held out. Jessica shouted, “Namor!” but he had nothing to respond with. He came down at her to punch her but she caught it. He caved her skull in with his other hand and then shattered the rest of her skull with two punches that also sent her deep underwater. Namor quickly retrieved the trident and chucked it through her so strongly she flew out the water and onto the shore. Namor followed her. He pulled his trident out of her corpse and then carved an ‘X’ across her chest. Namor returned to the water. No one had witnessed this.
2 down, 10 to go.
Now Namor swam into the sewer system as he already plotted out a robbery on a bank near the Columbia University.
tdwriter 