Hellzone: There and Back (Porcupine)

[Rift]

Spider-Man swung overhead and felt a stab of pain go through his heart. New York City, his city, was falling apart. The citizens not evacuated, the poor and those unable to really travel were being preyed upon. Criminals both mundane and enhanced were running the streets doing as they pleased, turning the Big Apple rotten at the core like the parasites they were. Of the gangs you could practically flip a coin to pick the worst of the bunch. Hood, Green Goblin, Mister Negative, Fisk, whoever it was they were all a major problem and none had regard for the lives of those innocent people caught in the crossfire.

This little run should result in us being able to track one of those parasites at least, he thought as he considered the tech he'd need to cobble together to track down Mister Negative.

Landing on the side of a building he scanned the street for any signs of resistance. Across the street was the Alchemax building, the last place in the city he wanted to visit following his encounter with his future self a month or two prior. But it was not raided and looted yet the way Horizon Labs had been and the security measures would be lesser than those around the Baxter Building or Avengers Tower.

"Yo, Needler! See anything from your position?" he asked Porcupine over his communicator.

He'd asked the crook turned would be hero along because not only did he need backup considering the task at hand the fumes he was running on, but if they were going to be a part of the team than both of the typically independent vigilantes needed to work together. Maybe it would go a long way towards showing Daredevil that Roger was a worthy addition to the team too.

[Deleted]

Roger was sticking to the shadows, examining the defenses of the building. He almost felt like he was back to the days he was a thief, but this time he had the right reasons. "That depends on how quietly you plan on doing this webhead" he said, checking out the walls. "I found a weak wall I could probably tear down, but that would risk alerting the guards. I suppose there is also the air vents. I wouldn't fit in there with my bulk, but you probably could spiderman."

He thought to himself for a moment, starting to come up with a plan "Hmmmm....Perhaps we should do both. I'll go in loud and cause a distraction to lure out the goons, while you sneak in through the vents. Then once you've got the tech we need you can help me finish off the rest of the thugs. Any thoughts on the manner Spidey?"

[Rift]

Spidey thought it over and he had to admit that there was a certain appeal to Roger's plan. The two-pronged approach would definitely be the way to go. From what he knew of the security Alchemax had, especially the incredible reduction of forces following Miguel, Flipside, and Deadpools visit some weeks before, chances are that Porcupine would be dealing with the majority of the problems. His noisy approach was sure to draw in nearby goons. Once the evacuations were over the gangs were on almost every corner so someone was bound to hear. The Wallcrawler on the other hand was unlikely to meet much more than some security systems that may or may not be running on backup power. That said, he'd seen how valiantly the Quilled Warrior had fought. Amateur hero or not, the man could take care of himself.

"Sounds like a plan. I'll be out of there as soon as I possibly can. The stuff I need shouldn't be too hard to come by. In the meantime, watch your back. There is no telling what these thugs have looted from places very much like this."

Swinging onto a flagpole coming off the side of a nearby building he glanced up at the gaping hole ripped in the Alchemax facility by the portal the crazed version of him from the future had opened. He shuddered as a chill went up his spine.

Just remember Parker, you are only gathering advanced tech in order to help track down Negative and save lives by ending this nightmare. It doesn't make you him!

"Alright Cactus Carl, don't get killed. If you need help just holler. On my mark..."

A webline glided silently through the air and landed on the Alchemax building. He was in just the right position to sail over in the darkness and like his namesake, crawl inside unseen. He was also able to make out several shadowy forms a street or two away, one holding what looked like a Molotov Cocktail. Whoever those jerks were with, they'd be the ones heading over to check out Porcupines grand entrance.

Wishing his partner the best of luck he gave the command.

"Go!"

[Deleted]

As soon as peter gave the signal, Roger didn't hold back. He fired a barrage of explosive rockets towards the opposite of the building as Spidey, blowing a hole in the wall to attract attention. As if that wasn't enough, he also started to shoot out the security camera's while making a loud ruckus.

Just as expected, a large gathering of goons headed for Roger's location. luckily he managed to spot the molotov before it landed as he launched a glop of liquid cement that both stuck the bottle to the wall as well as doused the flame.

A few of the other goons started to unload clips of bullets from various firearms at Porcupine, but his armor was more than sturdy enough to take it. firing some knock out quills at them, Roger was thankful that none of the enhanced tech had shown up yet, however his luck wouldn't last long...

[Rift]

Spider-Man silently wished Roger the best of luck as he began his own part of the plan, silently making his way up the face of the Alchemax building, sticking to the dark, and slipping into the large hole on the upper floor, a leftover from his last visit to the facility. Inside he found things much as he had left them. The CEO's office was in ruins and the room where his evil future self tried to keep him locked away had fared no better. If there was any useful tech left up here, something he seriously doubted, he wanted no part of it. The idea that he could become one of the worst villains ever had shaken him to the core and he didn't want anything even remotely related to the insane him of 2099. What he did need however came from a completely different Spider-Man of 2099, Miguel O'Hara. His lab was several floors lower and was likely to hold all he would need to put together something that could help track Mr. Negative. Getting there however meant a trip through the ventilation shafts.

unlike some who would no doubt find the ordeal frightening and claustrophobic in the extreme, Parker felt right at home as he made like his namesake and crawled silently through the dark, careful not to alert the goons he heard ransacking offices and labs not far away. In short order he was where he needed to be, relieved to see that Miguel's lab was untouched thus far. Popping a grate off the ceiling he dropped into the darkened lab below.

"I'm in. Could take a few moments to locate everything we'll need. You still good out there oh mighty Cactus?" he whispered into his communicator.

[Deleted]

"Holding up fine webhead. Honestly hardest part is not knocking them out too fast so people wonder why I'm still here" as he blocked a few bats heading for him by getting them caught in his quills as he knocked the assailants back a distance away.

"Take the time you need, it's better we do this right than have to return later" as Roger was then knocked back by a high powered energy blast, being slammed against one of the walls, pieces of which stuck to his back quills when he stood up

"Well Spidey things just escalated, looks like they somehow got ahold of some energy bazooka's" dodging another laser blast, he kept on the defensive, tearing a panel of flooring to use as a shield. "This city really is in trouble" getting a idea on how to prolong the fight, Roger unleashed a smokescreen the flooded the room, creating a haze that the goons would have trouble targeting him.

[Rift]

Spidey grimaced at the sounds of battle he could hear. The gangs were ramping things up in a big way and Roger was right, the city really was in trouble.

"Alrighty Spike-Boy, hold the line. I'll wrap this up as soon as I can so we can get the heck out of here. I'm going to be entering an area that may interfere with com lines, so I'll be radio silent for a bit. Don't get killed and make sure to deflate these guys egos faster than the Patriots at half-time. Spidey out."

Truthfully the area he was entering was not designed to interfere with signals, but there were secrets he had to keep. For instance he had to speak to Miguel and he knew the futuristic wallcrawler didn't want everyone in the present to know he was here. Then there was the inevitable mention of what occurred when last he was here. If the Defenders needed anything it sure wasn't having to be hit with the knowledge that one of their teammates could very well could become worse than the crooks they were fighting. The team, if you could call it that, already had frayed nerves. Worrying about Peter going all Doctor No on them was not something they needed to add on top of that stress.

Without further ado he switched frequencies and waited for the connection. When he heard the voice on the other end he smiled, despite the irritated tone.

"Alright let's make this quick Spidey. Got a lot of work to do still and helping you ripoff my own lab is not exactly the highlight of my day," Miguel O'Hara snapped.

"Well nice to hear from you too sunshine. So, why are you not here in the Big Apple to share in the wealth of scum we've accumulated?"

O'Hara sighed. "Because Alchemax needed me out in L.A. Since some smartasses decided to trash our NYC operations they wanted everything backed up out here and security tightened."

"Oh you poor mistreated scientist you. Having to make do in the land of sunshine and beautiful women. You are so tortured."

Miguel huffed. "Can it webs. Not everyone enjoys the smog and plastic people. I wanted that I could be back in 2099. And don't even ask why I'm not. It is a long story I don't want to get into. Just...steal my shocking tech and get out of there before one of those crazy shockers that work for Goblin or the Instagram filter guy get's there."

Peter smirked at the insult to Mr. Negative as he glanced about.

"Okay, what am I looking for?"

"False panel under the desk. Press it inwards."

Spider-Man did as instructed and a wall slid away with a snap-hiss, revealing a completely different chamber. Along the walls were tube structures filled with Spider-Man suits, each with a different level of high tech gizmos added in.

Eat your heart out Tony. Sure it may take double digit years before we get there, but us wallcrawlers know a thing or two about cool suits too...what in the hell is that?

"Uh...NeoChrono-Spider or whatever codename you picked, what is with the..."

"White and pink? Don't ask. Stupid notion I had after that team up with the girl from the alternate dimension. It was dumb and will be destroyed with the rest when the self-destruct goes off."

"Wait...Did you say...is this all going to blow up?" Peter asked panicked.

"Yes, so hurry the shock up!"

And so Peter ran, checking each tube and its unique suit briefly before settling on an armored version he figured would come in useful for the coming battles throughout the battle zone that was New York. He also picked up a strange briefcase with glowing buttons and smiled, the case something he and Miguel had discussed just before the city went to hell. It was a gift of sorts, a little something for MJ the next time he saw her, and added peace of mind for him.

When his costume shopping was done he went to a large table that had previously served as the station Miguel had used to repair the nearly dead Flipside. On and around it he found various little bits of tech, sensors, and other equipment that would be useful for tracking down Negative and his goons. He had wanted to put it together on site, but Miguel's security measure of blowing everything to smithereens kind of put a pin in that plan. He did however take the time to pick up something that may just come in useful for Roger.

"Get. The. Shocking. Hell. OUT OF THERE!" Miguel shouted in his ear. "You have only got..."

"Thanks for the tip Marty McFly but I've got this. Enjoy the sunshine. Say hi to Kardashians for me. Toodles," Peter interjected before switched frequencies once more.

Leaping out of a window, stolen good strapped to his back via a web sack, Spider-Man contacted his partner.

"How goes it Thorn Man?" he asked just as the upper floors exploded in a shower of glass and flame.

The shockwave snapped his webline, sent him spiraling downwards, and almost turned him intro street pizza if not for a last minute web that broke his fall. Landing not far from Porcupine, shoulder killing him from the sudden tension, he announced "Ta-daaa!"

[Deleted]

"Get what you needed webhead?" asked Roger, smiling under his mask while firing several quills at some goons aiming for the newly arrived Spidey. "Was that explosion up there us or did you run into some trouble?" As a few more energy blasts went whizzing past, Roger noticed that one of the goons had left. He wasn't sure if this was a good sign they were losing morale, or that the goon had a trick up his sleeve.

It would turn out to be the latter, as the goon returned with some kind of energy grenade! Roger's eyes widened in horror as the pin was pulled and the device went flying over towards the costumed duo. "Get down!" Shouted Roger, shoving Spidey aside before leaping onto the bomb, tanking the explosion for Spidey as Roger was sent flying, slamming against a wall in the corner. Laying limp, things seemed grim until a cough was heard "Damn....That hurt" groaned Roger, standing up, a portion of his chest plate singed and exposed

[Rift]

"More or less," Spidey answered, making sure the case was still intact. "Should be able to put something together to track Negative's energy output and might just be able to up the effectiveness of your quills while I'm at it."

Before he could could supply an answer about the explosion above his Spider Sense blared. Injured as he was from the fall and trying to protect the materials he'd gathered, there was no way for Peter to dodge the incoming grenade in time. Luckily, the wallcrawler didn't have to worry about it as Porcupine threw himself in front of the blast, using his own body as a human shield.

Sprawled on his side from having been shoved to safety by the novice hero, Spider-Man aimed and fired a webline, hitting the goon in the chin. A sharp yank downwards, aided by spider strength, send the thug face first into the pavement, knocking him out cold and sending the lenses of his glasses popping out.

DAMN IT ALL! Don't be dead, don't be dead, don't be...

Regaining his feet Spidey ran to where Roger had been thrown, silently praying the entire time that the armored hero was not too seriously injured. Panic was beginning to set in when he finally rolled over, coughed, and proved to the Bugle's favorite menace that he was indeed still alive and kicking.

"Porcupine!" Spider-Man shouted using Roger's proper codename for the first time since meeting him. "Are you alright? Anything broken? Are you hurt?"

He was hoping against hope that his fellow animal themed hero was able to stand, because from the sound ow tires squealing in the distance, the gang's backup was enroute.

[Deleted]

"Yeah Webhead, going to have one hell of a bruise but I'll be fine" said Roger, getting back up onto his feet. Hearing the truck coming as well, Roger sprayed out his reserves of liquid cement over the wall, sealing it to buy them a few minutes "We better make a run for it Spidey. I could throw down a smokescreen to distract the goons. Think you can make it back fast enough with your webs, or should I give you a ride with my jets?" he asked, growing worried as he heard numerous thugs approaching the weak wall he had constructed.

Not wasting any time, Roger blew a hole in the ceiling for them to escape out of. Activating his jet boots, Roger hovered in the air as he waited for Spidey's answer, knowing they didn't have much time. "Better make the choice soon, those guards aren't going to be held back much longer"

[Rift]

Oh thank God, Peter thought, relieved that his partner was not too seriously injured.

Watching Porcupine shrug off the pain as he sealed over the wall Spidey knew he had made the right call. Roger was the real deal. Whatever his past may hold, his future was going to be a bright one. Well, as bright as costumed animal themed crimefighters could get at any rate.

"Smokescreen sounds good," he replied, flashing a thumbs up. "Should buy us some time. And I am not the one who took a grenade pal. I'm a little bruised, but nothing that'll stop me from slinging webs. Race ya back?"

And with that Peter took off, swinging away from the Alchemax building as fast as he possibly could. Of course his mind was already shifting gears. There was the Negative tracker to assemble, his new suit to test out, getting the other package to Mary Jane who was outside the city, and of a flurry of ideas for how to help Porcupine's arsenal out during this gang war.

Now, lets hope we all stay alive long enough to get any of this accomplished. Because this whole Hellzone thing is far from over...