[center] [img][/img] [img]https://imgur.com/kzRPhBS.png[/img] [@Dark Light] [@Varicke] ▶︎• ၊၊||၊|။||||။‌‌‌၊|• 3:32 [sub][url=https://youtu.be/7fEKQ1phMOQ?si=ViQxFxA-3K3zT7LY]Bye Bye My Love – Megumi Yuuki[/url][/sub] [/center] There was an awkward moment of silence after Terry introduced himself. The way Clay gauged his expression, it seemed like he was trying to determine whether or not the newly arriving patron was a good guy. Hopefully, the biker didn’t get the wrong idea due to the slightest hint of slurs that came out of his mouth so casually. Albeit exasperated at first, Terry ended up snickering at Clay misspelling his name, shaking his head in amusement. Whether Clay did it deliberately or not, he hadn’t a clue. Thankfully, the biker didn’t just call the brawny blonde ‘Hat Ken’ like many others would’ve done. [color=1E90FF]“Buddy, it’s ‘Terry’ with a ‘T,’ actually,”[/color] he corrected. [color=1E90FF]“So, it’s Clayton, huh? Alright! Nice knowin’ you, Clay. You seem like a cool guy, though.”[/color] Terry seemed a little self conscious about the bruises on his face when Clay gave him a piece of advice. Still, he continued to beam, ignoring slightest hints of injuries inflicted upon him. Not that they still hurt, anyway. [color=1E90FF]“Y’know, it was hard when your opponent hit like a damn brick. Glad I still made it outta the Fest victorious. That was sooo close!”[/color] Terry recalled, then when Clay offered him help, added: [color=1E90FF]“Well, I’ve just ordered some beer not long ago. I just came here to see if everybody’s alright. The way y’all have been gathering here, I thought something off had just happened. Say, uh, what’s the deal with that shadowy thing over there?”[/color] He gestured at the pitch-black form still perching by the wall with his eyes, wondering if Knutik had been [i]frozen[/i] in place or that he was paying attention to their conversation. Meanwhile… [img][/img] [center] [h3][sub][color=lightgray][i]Whatever life holds in store for me, I will never forget these words: [b]‘With great power comes great responsibility.’[/b] This is my gift, my curse. Who am I? I’m…[/i][/color][/sub][/h3] [img]https://imgur.com/xWWdBXi.png[/img] ▶︎• ၊၊||၊|။||||။‌‌‌၊|• 3:21 [sub][url=https://youtu.be/aKKFjNVZkHU?si=RoT3TAmH4inUXqEW]Theme of Spider-Man – Marvel vs. Capcom 3[/url][/sub] [/center] From across the tavern, [url=https://cdn.imgchest.com/files/f2ad90d87308.jpg]a man clad in red and yellow[/url] scurried towards an alleyway separating a rundown inn and a small bakery. It was apparent that something had been chasing him, and although his face was mostly covered, he still seemed visibly uneasy beneath that mask. The man quickly hid behind the inn’s mossy wall, then tried to control his breath, tightening his grip on the strap of the sizable sling bag worn over his shoulder. He swallowed and panted, his fright intensified as he began peeking past the wall. So far, only a couple of pedestrians were spotted strolling by the sidewalk on sight, minding their own businesses. The man looked away, closing his eyes and sighing in relief. Thank goodness, he mused. Unfortunately, his relief wouldn’t last long… [b][i]WEE–WOO…[/i][/b] [b][i]WEE–WOO…[/i][/b] [b][i]WHOOOOP![/i][/b] The masked man forced his eyes open, widening in fear. He took a peek past the wall one last time, panicking at the blur of red and blue closing in his direction. Apparently, it came from the same police vehicles that’d been chasing him around since the moment he was caught robbing a local bank. As the blaring cars and motorcycles became imminent, the man reflexively jolted out of the way, barely striding deeper into the alleyway. The vehicles eventually reached the location, its reeling wheels stepping on the puddles across, creating a massive splash that’d made its way to the fidgeting man. The man jerked away further, part of his tight-fitting costume dampened. Thankfully, despite his initial concern, the police vehicles continued to move forth, oblivious to the fact that their wanted felon was there. Once again, the man took a long, relieved breath, running his gloved hand around his chest. But just when he believed that he was safe… [color=red]“Excuse me, sir…”[/color] A mysterious figure had poked his shoulder with his finger, prompting him to jerk both of his shoulders up. He turned around, only to find that it was… [color=FFDA03][b]“Spider-Man!”[/b][/color] [color=red]“Yeah, it’s me. Miss me?”[/color] Spider-Man playfully asked, his form blue and red just like the prior sirens. The web-slinging vigilante was seen perching by the inn’s wall, his gloved, webbed hands glued to its mossy surface. [color=red]“Oh, and also, do you happen to be the ‘Shocker’ guy I’ve been looking after? Hah! Silly me! Of course, it’s got to be you! We’ve been fighting each other for, like, what? Forever?”[/color] Shocker grunted, his eyes narrowing. [color=FFDA03]“You… I thought I’d gotten rid of you!”[/color] he retorted, pointing a finger at the fellow masked [i]menace[/i]. [color=FFDA03]“How the hell did you find me?”[/color] Spidey widened his expressive lenses and gasped, feigning surprise as he brought a hand over his chest. [color=red]“Oh, you wanna know how?”[/color] he reassured, craning his head slightly. [color=red]“Well, it’s no rocket science, pal. I have my spider-sense, unlike [b]you![/b]”[/color] Reflexively, the web-slinger launched a spreading web out of his wrist-mounted web-shooter, producing an audible… [b][i]THWIP![/i][/b] And just like that, he glued Shocker’s hands together, thinking it would’ve reduced the impact of his vibro-shock gauntlets if he was to trigger them. Spidey casually leaped and rolled out of the wall with practiced ease, landing right across from his archenemy in a crouching position. [color=red]“And how about that? Didn’t see that coming, did you?”[/color] he quipped, leisurely approaching the squirming Shocker. [color=red]“Gee… I wonder what’s in that bag. Not so slick, are you? Think you can just get away with what you stole, knowing that I’ll send your butts back to the Raft?”[/color] Surely, Shocker would’ve hated getting back into that specially designed prison like most other super-powered felons had. Charging both of his gauntlets, the masked felon broke out of the webbing trap gluing his hands together, his thumbs tight around the triggers attached to both cutting-edge appendages. Frowning, he pointed his knuckles towards the approaching Spider-Man, a pair of vibrating gleams bringing both vibro-shock units to life. [color=FFDA03]“Stay out of the way, web-head!”[/color] he warned. [color=FFDA03]“If you know what’s good for you…”[/color] Spidey was unfazed. He, instead, giggled. [color=red]“Alright, it’s showtime, isn’t it?”[/color] he asked, carefully lowering his lithe frame, [url=https://imgur.com/a/59RbRme]his ready stance[/url] assumed. [color=red]“I’m really gonna take you on a ride!”[/color] Perhaps, the true commotion raged outside of the building, instead of within. One could only hope it didn’t crawl farther into the tavern. [b]FIN.[/b]