Spider Quinn 12 Rise of the Green Goblin - Part 8

 

Sandi came down to breakfast and saw that her brothers were watching Brittany talk at the Groundhog Day Festival. ‘I doubt she’s the Shadow,’ she thought. She had been thinking about what that other vigilante had said, that she, Ninja Talon and SpiderGirl had worked together despite their differences. ‘I doubt I’d work with any of them,’ she thought as she reached for a cereal box.

 

 

Brittany finished her speech with a cheer. “Give me a G. Give me an R. Give me an O…”

 

 

“You did well.” Ms. Li said.

 

“Thanks,” Brittany responded.

 

“Remember, tonight at the Lawndale Center…”

 

“I will be there,” Brittany said before the Principal could say more.

 

 

Ms. Li entered her office fifteen minutes later, to find Norman Osborn waiting for her.

 

“You said you would get back to me later in the week,” Norman said.

 

“So, I did,” Angela said. “But I need some assurances that you would notify me if you do find out a student is one of the vigilantes.”

 

“Or more than one. I’m sure you’re aware of yesterday’s headline.”

 

“There’s no proof of a fourth vigilante. There’s not even a name.”

 

“Ninja Talon and the Shadow weren’t named at first either,” Osborn pointed out.

 

“Be that as it may, my point stands.”

 

“Fine, You will be notified if any of your students is one of the vigilantes.”

 

“Good, Mr. Osborn. I will have my people coordinate with yours,” Li said.

 

Osborn took out a piece of paper. “Here is a contract.”

 

“I didn’t agree to a contract, but I will read it and get back to you.”

 

“I will be back on Monday.”

 

 

Through the day, the various students talked about the Groundhog Day festival, their various visits to the Historia, as well as the rumors of the fourth vigilante. At Lunch, Quinn caught up with Stacy, Tiffany and Tori.

 

“It’s getting out of control,” Tori said.

 

“Is it?” Quinn asked.

 

“SpiderGirl appeared three months ago,” Tori pointed out.

 

“That’s true,” Stacy said. “A little over three months.”

 

“And Ninja Talon two and a half weeks ago. Then the Shadow later that week,” Tori said.

 

“That quickly?” Tiffany asked.

 

“Yes, and this week the rumors of a fourth emerge,” Tori added.

 

“A lot has been happening,” Quinn said. “I doubt there would be any more.”

 

“And SpiderGirl has partnered with Ninja Talon it seems,” Tori added.

 

“I think her words were ‘We’re colleagues, not rivals’. Doesn’t mean they’re partners,” Stacy said.

 

‘We work well together, but not always. But last week proved that we work well together,’ Quinn thought as she looked around the cafeteria. She saw Brittany talking with Jodie and Donna in the distance. ‘And knowing each other’s secret identities helped with that.’

 

“That’s pedantic,” Tori responded to Stacy.

 

Stacy shrugged.

 

 

“You did well this morning,” Jodie said to Brittany.

 

“Thanks, although I think Ms. Li is in it for herself,” Brittany said.

 

“When is she isn’t?” Jodie asked rhetorically. “I assume you will be there tonight?”

 

Brittany nodded. “Yes.”

 

“I wonder if SpiderGirl will appear as the Sun-Herald suggests,” Donna said.

 

“Probably not,” Jodie said. “She may have been appearing in Lawndale Flats, but crime is still occurring.”

 

“And there are the rumors of a fourth,” Donna said.

 

“What are they saying?” Brittany asked.

 

“Just that there’s a fourth,” Jodie answered. “No name mentioned.”

 

‘Good,’ Brittany thought. “I see. Is anything else mentioned? Like with the other vigilantes?”

 

“Nothing. SpiderGirl has been seen at the usual places, as has Ninja Talon. The Shadow is more elusive, true to her name,” Donna answered.

 

“There is one that SpiderGirl and Ninja Talon are cooperating more,” Jodie said.

 

‘Not surprising,’ Brittany thought. She looked at where Quinn was talking with Stacy, Tiffany and Tori. ‘It’s great that we trusted each other with our secret identities.’

 

“I don’t think that would be a bad thing,” Donna said.

 

“Like, working together, they can do more,” Brittany said.

 

“True,” Donna said.

 

“But will it be good for Lawndale in the long run?” Jodie asked.

 

‘I hope so,’ Brittany thought. ‘But that is why we’re doing what we’re doing.’

 

 

After school, Quinn entered the library to find Gerald there, but not Anna and Ben.

 

“I talked to Mom about the lessons,” he said.

 

“And?”

 

“I will do it, but we still need to know how long and how frequent they would be.”

 

“That’s great!”

 

Anna and Ben then entered, hand in hand.

 

‘So, they are dating now?’ Quinn wondered.

 

“Hey, we are going to the Standing Stones this time next week, right?” Anna asked as they came up to the other two.

 

Ben rolled his eyes.

 

“Probably, but after the usual session. And it would depend on when Gerald’s elocution lessons are,” Quinn answered.

 

“Of course,” Anna said as she and Ben let go of each other’s hand and sat at the table.

 

“But we will go,” Quinn added.

 

Anna’s smile widened.

 

 

SpiderGirl left the school at the usual time. ‘I’ll go to the Lawndale Center later, but as my usual self,’ she decided. She headed to the downtown.

 

 

After averting a couple of muggings, she arrived home to find Daria and Jane talking in the kitchen, having a conversation like the one she had had at lunch.

 

“So, you think the Shadow is doing good?” Daria asked.

 

“It’s been reported that she mostly helps those who are alternative,” Jane said.

 

“But what about the rumors of a fourth?” Quinn asked, wondering if they had heard anything.

 

“Unsubstantiated,” Daria said.

 

“But persistent,” Jane said. “But there’s no mention of a name. None at all.”

 

“Ninja Talon’s name didn’t come out until a few days after she first appeared,” Quinn pointed out as she sat with the other two.

 

“That’s true,” Jane said.

 

“What do you think, Quinn?” Daria asked. “Is Lawndale going to be crawling with vigilantes.”

 

“I think that the three or four we have now is enough,” Quinn answered. ‘It would be difficult to handle if there are more than ten,’ she thought. She had been considering what Tori had said about the frequency of emergence. ‘Ninja Talon was inspired by me. It could be that the Shadow was inspired by me as well, although she didn’t say. And now the actual fourth who wants to confront me. There could be more. But I hope not. I’m not sure that’s what Lawndale needs.’

 

“I agree,” Jane responded. “Any more and there might be infighting.”

 

“And what have you seen in your project?” Daria asked.

 

“Project?” Quinn asked.

 

“She’s doing sketches based on Lawndale’s streetscape,” Daria explained.

 

“Oh,” Quinn said. “That sounds like a good idea.”

 

“Slowly,” Jane said. “Inspiration can be fickle.”

 

“Of course,” Daria said.

 

‘It sounds like something I could do,’ Quinn thought. ‘Along with everything else. I hope I’m not overloading myself.’

 

“But there’s something I can show you tomorrow,” Jane said to Daria.

 

“Sure,” Daria said.

 

 

It wasn’t long before Jane went home. She wanted to be ready in case something happened at the Groundhog Day Festival and the Shadow need to leap into action.

 

She saw that her mother was home. “Mom?” she asked as she came into the kitchen.

 

“I see that you’ve been busy.”

 

“I have been.”

 

“That rescue last week was good,” her mother said.

 

“It was mostly SpiderGirl and Ninja Talon…” Jane began humbly.

 

“I know. But I’m sure that SpiderGirl only has her powers and Ninja Talon is just a teenager skilled in martial arts.”

 

“There were times when we relied on the tech you gave me,” Jane admitted. “I thank you for that. Those cheerleaders would still be captives otherwise.”

 

 

Amanda took what her daughter said in. “That’s true. SHIELD wouldn’t have rescued them otherwise. But the situation in Lawndale is now escalating. I have seen it before.”

 

“The fourth?” Jane asked.

 

“Trent told me you met her. I agree that her name should be kept secret.”

 

“Good.”

 

“But using Trent’s car wasn’t a good idea. It was an oversight on my part not to give you a vehicle,” Amanda said.

 

“So, you’re giving me one now?”

 

“Yes. It’s in the garage.”

 

 

Jane looked at the vehicle her mother was providing. “So, it’s still yours, right?”

 

“Legally, yes. But I’m giving it to you.”

 

“Of course,” Jane said as she looked closer at it. It looked like a black ordinary car. ‘Black, a perfect color for the Shadow to use.’

 

“There is a manual in the glove box, for the various gadgets it has, complementing what I have already given you.”

 

“That makes it easier.”

 

“Anything to help make Lawndale better than what it has become,” her mother said.

 

“But what is your opinion on SpiderGirl now?”

 

“She’s doing well with what she’s doing, but you worked with her; what do you think?”

 

“That she’s doing what she can for Lawndale,” Jane answered. “But there’s also something else that drives her. Something in her past.”

 

 

“It is promising to a good night here at the Lawndale Center, where Mayor Lawson has promised a new start for Lawndale after the last several months of struggles with crime and the rise of vigilantism after the appearance of SpiderGirl…”

 

Sandi turned off the radio and opened her yearbook again. ‘Tania Ashworth last night,’ she thought as she looked at the page. The next person was Julia Barbero. She drank the energy drink. “Finndu mann sem heitir: Julia Barbero!”

 

She found Julia at the Lawndale Center, where she also noticed that the festivities were yet to start.

 

“Five down.”

 

 

SpiderGirl noticed the low tingle as she approached the Lawndale Center. ‘I guess they’re still looking,’ she thought.

 

 

At the Lawndale Center, Brittany saw Ms. Li come over. “Hi, Ms. Li.”

 

“It will be a while before things start,” the Principal said. “Mr. Dewit-Clinton will recite a poem. Then Ms. Coultard will tell a short story.”

 

“So, Quinn’s mentoring has been good for her?”

 

“Yes, Don’t interrupt, Ms. Taylor!”

 

“Sorry,” Brittany said.

 

“Then your speech will take place.”

 

“Got it.”

 

 

It wasn’t long before Mayor Lawson declared the festivities open. Xanthe Peterson, who was off duty, looked around. There were hundreds of people there. She saw one of the people she was looking for. Her change in appearance since what happened didn’t confuse her. “Ms. Morgendorffer.”

 

“Officer Peterson,” the other said guardedly.

 

“I was wondering how you’re holding up.”

 

“It’s been difficult,” Quinn answered. “But with family and friends around me, it’s getting better. It’s just Lawndale these days, it’s changing.”

 

“I know that, what with these vigilantes,” Peterson said, putting meaning into the last word.

 

“True,” Quinn responded, looking away briefly. “It’s been nice catching up.”

 

‘But is she SpiderGirl? I’m still not sure,’ Xanthe thought as Quinn went over to someone else. She looked around again. ‘Is Ninja Talon here too if that is the case?’

 

 

Quinn thought about the encounter with Officer Peterson. ‘She does suspect I’m SpiderGirl,’ she thought. ‘I’ll have to be more careful around her. But I don’t think she suspects Ninja Talon is Brittany.’ It was like a web, weaving through all the interactions and relationships in Lawndale. ‘But what else is new,’ she thought. She saw Ms. Li go up on the stage.

 

 

“And now, for some presentations from Lawndale High students. First will be Ted Dewit-Clinton with a poem he composed comparing Lawndale to various legendary localities.”

 

 

Ted finished his poem, which was inspired by some of JRR Tolkien’s writings, although not specifically the Middle-earth legendarium.

 

However, as Anna got up to read her story, something happened…

 

 

No one noticed the small object as it flew in the sky above Lawndale. A small glider craft that was ridden by a pilot that looked like a creature out of legend. It approached the Lawndale Center Hall quickly and fired a missile!

 

 

The Hall rocked and the fire alarm went off as debris rained down as the missile exploded. ‘Uh oh!’ Quinn thought as her eyes meet Brittany’s across the room. They needed to leap into action. The two of them then left the Hall as more explosions occurred outside.

 

 

“This just in, explosions have been reported at the Lawndale Center, where Groundhog Day festivities have been taking place. Police on the scene have started an evacuation. Eyewitnesses have seen a small aircraft in the vicinity.”

 

Jane heard the report. “I have to go,” she said.

 

“Go,” her mother said.

 

“The Shadow is on it.”

 

 

Less than two minutes later, the Shadow pulled out of the Casa Lane garage and easily drove around the Plymouth. She then drove down the street, the powerful engine accelerating easily. The quiet of Howard Drive was a stark contrast to the chaos that awaited down at the Lawndale Center.

 

 

At the same time, both Linda and Sandi saw the scene on the television.

 

Explosions at the Lawndale Center in the midst of Groundhog Day celebrations. SpiderGirl and Ninja Talon are both on the scene.

 

“You have put aside your desire for tonight, Sandi,” Linda said.

 

“Obviously,” Sandi said. “I’m going to help.”

 

“So am I,” Linda said.

 

“Mother?”

 

“I can’t stand by while that is happening.”

 

“Good,” Sandi said.

 

“You get changed, while I also do so.”

 

 

The Enigma emerged into the backyard where her mother was waiting. ‘But I’m still not going to tell her my hero name.’ She saw that she had a suit much more refined than hers that was still purple.

 

“I see you had a similar idea,” her mother said.

 

“Yes.”

 

“And you’re not sharing your hero name?”

 

“No.”

 

“Then I won’t share mine either. All I’ll say is that I wore this as I fought crime in Boston when I was in college and a while afterwards before I met your father and moved back to Lawndale.”

 

The Enigma nodded.

 

“But for tonight we’re the Moretti’s.” The older Moretti took out a fob and unlocked the car.

 

“Is that a good idea?” the younger one asked.

 

“We’ll park down the street.”

 

 

The car pulled out of the Griffin’s driveway into Grandstaff Drive. “Trying to do this down the laneways wouldn’t be a good idea,” the older Moretti said.

 

“Do what?” the younger one asked.

 

“This,” the older one said as she accelerated and flipped a switch.

 

“Nitrous?”

 

“Yes!”

 

The car roared down Grandstaff Drive.

 

 

At the Lawndale Center, the Hall was threatening to collapse. SpiderGirl had taken many people to safety and Ninja Talon was helping Peterson and on duty officers with the evacuation. Li came up to her. “Have you seen Brittany Taylor?” she asked.

 

“Who?” Ninja Talon asked, her voice low.

 

“A teen, with blonde hair in pigtails,” the Principal answered.

 

“I think I saw her leave earlier.”

 

“Good. I saw Ted Dewit-Clinton, Anna Coultard and Ben Harrod leave.”

 

“Better keep going,” Ninja Talon prompted.

 

“Of course.”

 

 

SpiderGirl bought another two people to safety. Then she saw that the aircraft was still in the vicinity. ‘Oh no!,’ she thought. “Keep moving, go home,” she said. She looked back at the Hall. There were still people inside. She swung back and saw that more of the roof was threatening to fall in. She then re-entered and saw that most of the crowd had left. ‘There’s that at least.’ She then looked at the roof. ‘Could I try to stabilise it with webs?’ she decided to try. She saw that the remaining people were leaving in an orderly fashion.

 

SpiderGirl started webbing up the ceiling.

 

 

Back at Casa Lane, a suited up Amanda left via one of the rear upstairs windows with a jetpack and followed her daughter down the street.

 

 

SpiderGirl swung onto a stable part of the Hall structure and webbed up some of the roof. She then heard something.

 

“There you are SpiderGirl!” It was the pilot of the small aircraft.

 

“Are you the fourth vigilante?”

 

“No! I’m someone else, who has a different vision for Lawndale than you!”

 

“One that includes this destruction? That seems to be one of a villain rather than a hero.”

 

“Everyone is the hero of their own story. And every hero needs a villain. Good bye SpiderGirl!”

 

SpiderGirl leapt aside as another missile was fired. A villain, in Lawndale! That wasn’t what she wanted to happen. ‘Things are getting out of control,’ she thought as her Spider Sense blared again.