04x03 - Chapter III: The Black Cat

[bunniefuu]

Previously on Spider-Man.

Leave us alone.

- I'll do anything you say.
- Of course you will.

What deal was your mother
making with Doc Oct?

Something called the
Ausbach's fortune.

It was a jewel theft.

The crime was attributed to
a burglar known as the Cat.

Felicia's father!

As a boy, he was tricked into
working for German spies.

He memorized the formula
that created Captain America.

The Chameleon?
But isn't he in jail?

Chameleon, show us your cellmate.

It's Hardesky.

Hardesky holds a secret that
is worth a king's ransom.

Have you ever heard of SHIELD?

I need information about the Cat.

I can't help you at all.

Now what?

Well done, Chameleon.

I vow never to reveal
that formula to anyone.

I have more persuasive methods.

Fisk, what is the meaning of this?

Allow me to introduce
you to your father.

Some superhero I turned out to be.

First I was helpless
to save Mary Jane

and now I might
never see Felicia again.

She and her mother has
been missing for days.

Where could they be?

I feel like I'm losing everyone
in my life one by one.

TOWER TOP JEWEL

Well, that's not exactly what
I had in mind for the night,

but I guess I should respond.

My spider senses.

I knew you would come, Spider.

Who are you?

Just a stray black cat.

You're definitely getting
enough vitamins.

Silly spider.
Cats always land on their feet.

Hey, I was just being curious.

I wanted to see if I
was as strong as you.

Well, you know what
they say about curiosity.

Indeed. I also know the
value of a surprise!

Sorry, Spider.

I want to know just who's
behind your mask.

No. This isn't what
I want after all.

It'll be far more rewarding when
you take the mask off for me,

willingly.

Till next time.

Come on, get it open.

Whoever that woman was,

she gives new meaning
to the word knockout.

Uh oh, I'm out of here.

Hey, that's Spider-Man.

Spider-Man's been sighted
in sector 8-14.

Get him.

We verified that the
person in Hardesky's cell

is really the Chameleon.

Hardesky's gone.

I wanna know Spider-Man's
connection.

Is he trying to get the
super soldier formula?

I'll have all your heads if it
falls into the wrong hands.

Nervous, Hardesky?

You should be.

If our little test subject
has flown the coop,

it will be very unfortunate for you.

Don't worry, Kingpin.

I've trained the Black
Cat to be unbeatable.

She should be returning... now.

Thanks for the vote of confidence.

Spare me the theatrics.

How did the operation go?

Piece of cake.

Congratulations, Landon.

It appears you have successfully
re-created the super soldier serum.

Re-created it?
I have improved the formula.

Show Kingpin the new feature.

Ah, brilliant!

A built-in ability to hide
one's super identity.

And hide the shame I feel to be
carrying out your wicked crimes.

As long as I keep
your father hostage,

you, my dear Black Cat, will
continue to do what I tell you.

Did you perchance encounter that
wall crawling menace Spider-Man?

No, I didn't.

Pity. I should liked to have
known how your powers

would have measured
up against his.

Look, I'm exhausted.

If you have finished having
me jump through hoops,

I'd like to get some rest.

You are both dismissed for now.

Take them back to
our holding cell.

The test went well, but
we'll need a few more days.

We must see if the formula
has any negative side effects.

- You better get some rest.
- I'm fine.

I just said I was tired to
get away from those two.

Between your coaching
and the formula,

Black Cat is quite
the feline felon.

I wanted something
better for you

better than the life I had.

Daddy, this isn't your fault.

There is no way you could have stopped
the Kingpin from giving me that serum.

Maybe, but what about all
the times you needed me

when you were growing up,
and I wasn't there?

Will you ever forgive me for that?

That's all in the past.

Tell me, now that
you've all grown up,

is there anyone
special in your life?

Actually, there is someone.

He's a lot like you, mysterious.

Are you have strong
feelings for him?

Yes, I'm afraid so.

Ah, family reunions
are so touching.

I shall miss this little family
after I have destroyed them.

And then she got into a
fight with Spider-Man.

Call herself the Black Cat.

I was hoping there might be a
file on her here, but there isn't.

Do you know anything,
Mr. Robertson?

Sorry, I haven't heard word
about a costumed adventurer.

But it looks like you've been having
adventures of your own, Peter.

Huh, how did that get there?

Peter, I need to talk to you,
in my office. Now.

Did he call me Peter?

Is that our J. Jonah Jameson?

What's up, Mr. Jameson?

You're friends with Felicia Hardy.

Is she in some kind of trouble?

I'm not sure. Why do you ask?

Not that it's any of
your business, Parker,

but Anastasia Hardy is a
guest in my penthouse.

Mrs. Hardy staying with you?

She's afraid to go home,
but she won't tell me what's wrong.

I tried all my other sources and

now I'm reduced to asking you.

I don't know any more than you do.

Well, that's just dandy.

What are you wasting my time for?

Go back to your rooftops and sewers.

Right.

I can't believe it.

Jameson actually seems
to care about someone.

At least that solves the mystery
where Mrs. Hardy is.

- Nice view.
- How dare you come here?

I'm concerned about Felicia.

- Nobody seen her...
- She's not here.

And even if she were,
my family is none of your business.

Oh no? If Felicia's life's in danger,
shouldn't something be done?

There's nothing anyone could do.
Nothing!

Mrs. Hardy, I'm begging you.
Give me a chance to try.

I... I can't.

Look, if you change your mind,
you can contact me with this.

Just press the center
to activate it.

I wish I knew what to do.

Spider-Man?

Miss Grant, is Jonah there?

Well, when he gets in,
tell me I'm going home.

Time to go kitten.

Sorry. I'm sure the
cells are bugged.

I'm just glad we're finally
getting out of here.

There is no "we".

Only you have the super strength
necessary to escape.

No, I won't go without you.

Please, no arguments.

I haven't given you much kitten,

but I can give you your freedom.

Hurry.

Lead the way.

Where did you get that?

Borrowed it from the lab.

Even at my best, kitten,

I never had what it would take
to escape from this fortress.

I'm not sure I do either.

You do, trust me.

John Hardesky,
I will come back for you.

Mother?

Felicia my darling,
where have you been?

- Are you alright?
- Yes, and I've seen daddy.

You've seen your father?

He told me everything.

I want to save him,
but I need help.

I suppose someone has
already volunteered.

I knew he wouldn't let me down.

Don't worry.
We'll take care of everything.

When I got Mrs. Hardy's signal,

I assumed she was in
some sort of danger.

But why on earth would
she call me here?

- Hey Spider, care to dance?
- Not this time.

What have you got to
do with the Hardys?

Cool it, Spider.
I'm on your side.

I need your help to
save another Cat,

John Hardesky.

What's your connection to him?

He made me the super
soldier I am today.

The formula.
You've actually taken it?

Oo, smart spider.

I'm smart enough not to trust you.

I don't even know who you are.

I'm supposed to be your executioner,
if Kingpin has his way.

Kingpin? If you work for Kingpin,
why don't you want to k*ll me?

Who knows?

Maybe it's your animal magnetism.

- Now what?
- Commander, it's Spider-Man.

- Get him.
- Fire!

Black Cat, save yourself!

Now we're gonna ID him for sure.

It's no use.
The mask's coming off.

Is this private?

You really put your foot
in it this time, Spider.

Stay with Spider-Man!

Nice touch.

After him.

This ought to keep them in there.

Or maybe not.

Over here.

Need a lift?

I've got a feeling we're
gonna need this.

You miserable thieves!

We're not thieves.

Well, I'm not but, her
I'm not so sure about.

I hate to be a backseat driver
but this is a one-way street.

Relax. I'm a New Yorker.

Relax doesn't go in the
same sentence as New York.

B-b-big big bus!

You didn't take lessons from
a guy named Blade did you?

Ever hear the phrase
"divide and conquer"?

Where did he go?

I'm right here.

Cat!

Thanks for the ride.

Alright. Now where were we before
I was so rudely interrupted?

I was about to tell you what
a good team we'll make.

I don't team with anyone.

You'll have to if we're going
to save John Hardesky.

Look, I don't even
know who you are.

Like you, I have my secrets,

but that doesn't mean
you can't trust me.

All right, but we have
to return this bike first.

No problem.

And then let's discuss
this bad habit you have

of taking things that aren't yours.

It's the Cat.
He got out of his cell somehow.

It would appear that
the Cat has lost his touch.

Or was this alarm deliberately
tripped as a diversion?

That would be just like you.

Using surprise to help
your protege escape.

The Kingpin does
not like surprises.

You had better hope that
your kitten is still with us.

What's up boys?

With the formula a success,

I no longer have need
for either of you.

Guards, dispose of
these two alley cats.

Landon, go to your laboratory
and manufacture enough serum

to make an army
of super soldiers.

With pleasure.

What's happening?

You? But you were just taken away.

When the Cat is involved,

one should never believe
everything they see.

Take this formula, for instance.

Now you see it.

The formula!
You're erasing it.

Exactly. This is the only kind
of memory I ever trusted.

You can't!

I guess the old cat hasn't
lost his touch after all.

No!

As soon as you get a respectable
distance from crime central,

finish them.

We have to stall.
He needed more time.

Surprise!

Nice job, partner.

- Doc Oct.
- Surrender Spider-Man.

Unless you want to see if this
little cat truly has nine lifes.

No! I can't risk Black Cat's life.

Ah, how predictable.

Once again, Spider-Man falls prey
to his pitiful weakness, compassion.

We must find the
real Hardesky at once.

And, oh yes, the prisoners
must be destroyed.

Before we go, there's one
last thing I have to tell you.

Yes?

- Duck!
- Duck?

Commander, the stealth sky ship
that attacked SHIELD headquarters.

It's finally showed
up on our sensors.

Tactical as*ault in progress.

Have you found John Hardesky?

Negative, but we've located
Spider-Man and his companion.

Bring every agent in.

Full attack formation. Go!

Look what they're doing
to my stealth sky ship.

Kingpin, I've bad news.

Hardesky was left behind
hidden in my laboratory.

He has destroyed the formula.

What? No!

If we stay here, we may take
a hit from either side, or both.

Personally, I like a little more
control over my destiny.

I'm with you, Spider. Lead on.

Not so fast, my pretty.

Hold it Spider-Man,
or she gets hurt.

Doc!

Nice web shot, Spider.

We shall meet again,
Spider-Man, Black Cat.

This I promise you.

Hurry! I'm running
out of webbing again.

And this thing's running out of gas.

I'm aiming it toward the river.

Time to abandon ship.

We all know how cats
feel about water,

but I think I can
keep your paws dry.

Very impressive.

I'm getting pretty good at this.

Hopefully John Hardesky took care
of business and got away safely.

If there's one man I'm
sure I can count on,

it's John Hardesky.

Great working with you Spider.

Don't be surprised if I
cross your path again.

Huh? But, hey!

What is it with me?

Why do women always
leave me high and wet?

Well, at least when
she wasn't looking,

I put a spider tracer on her.

Huh? She put it back on me!

At least this time we
get to say goodbye.

I hate to leave,
but there is no other way.

Twenty years ago,
we never had that chance.

I am sorry for that, Anastasia.

I can't let you leave me again.

I love you too much, Daddy.

I love you too, kitten.
That's why I must go.

You can never lead a
normal life with me in it.

I know too much.

Oh, John. There's no place
where you'll be safe.

What kind of a life is that?

But you're forgetting
the cat has many lives.

Perhaps one of them
will be right for me.

- Ready, Spider-Man?
- Ready.

He's gone from our lives once more.

Yes. But thank heavens
he's alive and free.

Are you sure you want to do this?

I don't want to, but I have to.

You see, I've got a secret in here
that could destroy the world.

And there's only one place where
I'll be able to keep it safe.

Then, here goes.

- Don't ever tell Felicia where I am.
- I won't.

And don't worry about me.

Now get out of here.
And thanks.

Look, it's Hardesky.
It looks like he's waiting for us.

Well, what do you know.

Bring him in.

And if you see Spider-Man around,
tell him I say thanks.

Something tells me, he has
his web-covered hand in this.

Before all this started, I thought
to turn to Felicia with my grief.

But she has more than enough
problems of her own to deal with.

Looks like I'm alone again.
Or am I?

Have I found a kindred
spirit in the Black Cat?

I just wish I knew know who she was.