Polaris North

Spider-Verse: Dark Destiny

S A M B L Y T H E | A R A L T U S

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^{In a bar, New York Times Square}

"Another round for us, boss."

Sam raised a hand with a cigarette pinned between two of her fingers as the bartender acknowledged them and took out a bottle of scotch to pour into their glasses. She wouldn't say that she was a regular drinker. She preferred the company of a cigarette more than the mind-addling effect of alcohol, but it was a special day! Christmas was right around the corner and she thought she deserved a break or two from the whole writer and vigilante thing.

"Thanks for covering the tab for this, Rye." She said as she turned to her companion. Four drinks in and she supposed that the whole spider-powers thing really helped with metabolism because she was not as tipsy as she expected her to be. Maybe she should try taking shots of tequila next time?

The editor snorted as he picked up his newly refreshed drink and held out the glass to which Sam responded in kind. "To a prosperous year to both of us."

"And may we have more money this time around. Cheers."

The two of them downed the drink in one go. Sam would have liked to talk more, really, but there was a buzz at the back of her mind. For a moment, she thought that maybe the drinks were finally getting to her. However, her hopes were soon dashed when she realized this was another thing entirely. She let out a deep sigh as she put down the glass. Technically, she could just leave this to the others. Surely, Otto or Caty would be on the case. If not, then there were plenty of other heroes in New York City.

"I need to make a call with a friend." Sam said and Rye made a dismissive hand wave as she made her way out of the bar with her backpack.

Of course there was a large-ass portal in the middle of fucking Times Square. Onlookers were still captivated, perhaps not sensing that this was abnormal. With another heavy sigh as a rope of web shot out of the portal, Sam turned around and made her way to one of the alleys. And just as chaos began to erupt from the scene as some monster exited the portal, Sam walked into the shadows.

After a few moments, Araltus shot out of the shadows, swinging to a higher vantage point where she could see the monstrosity in full view while sticking to a glass pane window of one of the buildings. What in the ever living fuck was that? Like, Araltus didn't deal with that kind of shit unless someone else called her to help them. For a moment, she idly wondered if that thing was an ape that got bitten by a radioactive spider like she and the other spiderfolks did.

That would be kind of cool, having a spider monkey pet or a spider pig pet or a spider animal thing.

Araltus took another long drag of her cigarette before snuffing it against the window behind her as she surveyed the scene. Spider King Kong was likely going to wreak havoc in the city (nothing new) and civilians were going to get in the way (again, nothing new) so they probably needed to wrap this up soon. She spotted someone already swinging towards the scene of the disaster. She let out her breath, watching as the smoke dissipated in front of her before dragging her mask down.

"This better be fun."

With that, Araltus leaped off of the building to join the chaos.

Spider-Verse: Dark Destiny

I'm looking forward to how many Sam can convince to kill their adversaries to lessen the load

Also on the topic of discord, I'm good either or. I'm more active on discord, if I'm being honest.

Spider-Verse: Dark Destiny

Sam Blythe | Araltus

All right, let’s take it from the top, one more time…

What’s your name?
Samantha Blythe. Or Sam... or Sammy. I don't care either way. The other "me" is called Araltus.

How old are you?
Fresh into 24... yay.

What do you look like?

Looks

Costume

What's your story? What was it like before and after becoming a Spider-Totem?
Let's see here... I don't think there was anything particularly alarming or interesting during my childhood days. I mean, I was your typical kid. I got into a couple of fights, a bit of roughhousing, and might have gotten on the other side of the law every now and then but that's just typical kid stuff, right? Typical delinquent kid stuff, I guess. I'm not saying my parents were particularly abusive, just... absent if you will. They bailed me out when it counted, and went to PT meetings at school when they could but when we got home, they just shrugged it off as me acting out a bit, gave me a few stern words, and maybe a day or two of doing all the chores in the house, then let me go about my life again.

I was a teenager leading a relatively normal life. I was, up until I had gotten involved with one Mikhail Moronov. Now let me tell you this guy was no joke. I met him through one of my part-time jobs as an assistant in an underground fighting ring and he noticed that I had a particular skill set he wanted to cultivate. Something about lacking the fear of consequences or... well, actually just lacking fear overall. He offered me a job I could not refuse. Literally. Like, if I refused, I don't think I would still be here. Anyway, Moronov put me into training which constituted having to learn... various questionable things. I think my parents believe me to have died which is probably Moronov's doing.

Now, you might be asking me, what kind of work did Mikhail Mornov put me on? I think it's best for both of us that you don't know.

Either way, that all came to a close shortly after I was bitten by this weird, anomalous spider. Our little base of operations was raided by one of the rival groups and I had personally seen Mikhail Moronov killed. I was freed from my contract with this devil of a man and I escaped the base as quickly as possible. However, the only thing I wished that could have been different was that I hadn't stayed to watch my former boss die as this had caused me to be too late to save a partner of mine— Gabriel.

Secret life aside, I had since moved on to take on a job as a freelance writer. However, these new powers were... interesting and I always had an itch to do something more physical. And so, I became a vigilante. We're going on a solid four years now.

I wasn't exactly planning to be all that present. After all, there were already a couple of Spider-Folk swinging around and saving the day. But, some big asshole that we all know came knocking at one of my favorite hole-in-the-wall ramen shops... or well, more accurately, one of his lackeys. See, Kingpin needed space for his brand-new operation and he was going to buy or kill anyone who didn't want to hand over their land. Well, I couldn't stand by and let that happen to my favorite food shop, right? So... yeah, I killed a couple of lackeys and Kingpin has had a dart on the picture of my mask ever since. But hey, I was more than happy to be a pain in the ass for him and we've been on each other's throats since. He has roots and informants everywhere you look. Too bad Fisk is looking for a ghost who barely has a legal document to her name, yeah?

Psh, reminds me of the asshole he sicked after my ass. Electro. I almost felt my heart stop, literally, when I had first fought him because, yeah, getting thousands of volts of electricity into you was not healthy. But electricity isn't all that's cracked up to be and a bit of water and a bit of rubber was all it took to fully short-circuit him. I wanted to knock his head into a nearby wall but police were already swarming around him. Lucky man.

Partnered up with Arachnid a year or something back to take down Fisk— apparently, he had kidnapped and killed Otto's girlfriend to taunt him or break him. But that just ended up making a worse version of the guy. But hey, if there's anything I can thank Fisk for, it's somehow being the butterfly effect reason for me getting my cool webshooters so thanks Fisk and go fuck yourself.

Powers and Tech
Araltus: I observed super strength, an increase in agility, speed and durability, regeneration, and being able to stick to walls ever since I had been bitten by that spider. I also obtained this so called "spider senses" that allowed me to percieve if there is any danger around me.

Shade: Now as to why I was called Shade was due to this ability I have where I can essentially "enter" a shadow and traverse through it undetected. We call it shadow walking, one of the gifts that had been bestowed by making a deal with the devil known as Mikhail Moronov.

Equipment: Mainly, I use two shock batons modified to be able to produce higher voltages than normal to be able to help take down more powerful enemies. But I'm no stranger to using sharper weaponry or guns if need be. Alas, I don't have access to Moronov's personal armory anymore. I also have two grappling hooks that act as my own "webs" but, unfortunately, are limited in both length and the fact that I can't leave them behind and have to wait for it to reel in to use it again. The technology used in this grappling hook wherein there's no physical evidence left to wherever it sticks to is apparently alien in nature but I'm not sure what from.

Otto gave me my own webshooters that use the same web-fluid that he made. I usually swing by the lab after a couple of runs to get some web-fluid or have him look at it for repairs. I still have my grappling hooks just in case I lose web-fluid on the field.

Do you believe in aliens?
Yeah. What? Did you think we made these stuff? 'Course not!

What are your goals for the future?
Earn more, and get some more positive reviews as a freelance writer so I can get more jobs. Maybe I can get better pay too. Ha! Maybe I can also start writing original books to get published.

You lived in New York for a while now, right? What do you think of the city?
It's crowded and noisy but it's home.

How much technology do you use on a daily basis?
Not as much as I had before, that's for sure, but when aren't we using some form of technology?

What do you like?
I like writing a lot. From what I can remember, my parents always told me I was creative.
I did like training and I still regularly go to the gym or fighting rings, but I have to hold back nowadays and it's a bit of a shame.
Thanks to Moronov, I've become quite good at most types of conventional weaponry and martial arts. I still sometimes go to shooting ranges to see if I still got it. I do.
I've come to start keeping little plants around my small apartment.
I like smoking, or rather it's a bad habit I've picked up. Wonderful, isn't it?

What do you dislike?
I suppose I heavily dislike having to work under people. I finally got out of the deal with the devil and I won't easily go back.
I hate staying idle for too long. Maybe it just got drilled into me.
I don't want to lose anyone close to me ever again— so I try to keep people at arm's length.
I hate being known. I prefer being able to work and help from the dark instead of having my mask blown on newspapers. No one listens to the boundaries of vigilantes, unfortunately.
I know the people who had ended my group and they know I am alive. I doubt they have given up on making sure the Court has been completely wiped but they've kept quiet so far. I expect the day they decide it's time to go after me.

Do you think true evil exists?
No. Not really. Unless there's an actual avatar of evil out there. There probably is honestly.

What’s your favorite color?
A midnight blue. 0076a3

Favorite song?
"Villain" by Stella Jang

Anything else to add?
In the years I've worked under Moronov, I've been to many places around the world. But maybe you don't want to know what I've been doing out there.
I was born without the ability to feel fear.
The group I was involved in was called The Crimson Court but our identities during that time were also changed. We both existed and did not exist during this time.

What are your thoughts on these people?
Bernard Blythe - My father. I don't remember much about him aside from the fact that he likes coffee and newspapers. I haven't checked in on him ever since my release.

Laura Blythe - My mother. She was much kinder but still overall absent. She's taught me how to be polite and what to touch and not touch, do or not do, because, without the ability of fear, I was an unruly child. I haven't checked in on her ever since my release.

Mikhail Moronov - My mentor, my boss, and the man who reformed my life. I am... unsure of what exactly he is— we called him a devil, but he called himself human. I both despised and admired him but he made sure that we were well-compensated and overall comfortable so long as we did our job. When he died, I did grieve him for an extremely short amount of time.

Gabriel De Luna - My partner in crime, brother in arms. Smoke, his codename was. He and I were closer than most of the other members of the Court. Unfortunately, he would not escape the slaughter of the Court.

Caty Davis | Spider-Woman - Despite our... past encounter, we can work together pretty decently nowadays. She's gotten a hold on her temper since our last encounter so it's fun to watch her and the other kids grow.

Otto Octavius | Arachnid - Mister Genius himself! He supplies me with my webshooters and some extra equipment when need be. Now he's the guy I usually team up with because he has some personal business to settle with Fisk. I feel like I should watch over him carefully. I don't care if he goes around killing like I do, it's just that he has to make sure his vengeance doesn't blind him enough to not see a bullet to his head.

Other Spider-Folk - It's like the Crimson Court but like... on the other side of the spectrum of masked, mysterious supers. But at least no one's keeping anyone in check. THat's what makes it a little fun, eh?

Spider-Verse: Dark Destiny

<Snipped quote by Polaris North>

lucky for you, I've decided against killing Seo in a good old 2nd peter fashion. couple goals.

@autumoon

Couple goals indeed! Though I suppose that doesn't protect her from getting hurt aye?

Spider-Verse: Dark Destiny

my wip!ik its kinda very unfinished, but ima finish it today, no worries. id love to be apart of this rp :)

Nadia Romanhoff, AKA the golden spider

All right, let’s take it from the top, one more time…

What’s your name?
Nadia Romanhoff is my real name, and i don't really have a alias- people call me the golden spider though. I guess its the color.

How old are you?
21

What do you look like?

this is.. what i look like. i wear different kinda clothing usually, but i look like this most of the time. sometimes i wear a pony tail? i dunno what you want me to say honestly.

this is my spider costume! i made it myself- i love it. I wanted it to be dark in color but have accents that fit my vibe. Really accentuated the fact that I don't really stay in the publics eye much

What's your story? What was it like before and after becoming a Spider-Totem?
I've always been 'the life of the party', ever since high school. I was.. popular, to say the least. I had a lot of friends, i still do- i just had a lot more.
I got bit in my senior year. I was reaching a great point in my life- i knew what i wanted to do, and i had friends and fun that i enjoyed. Everything was going well, hell i got a fucking girlfriend. I was at a party- everything was fine. It was fun, but i was just having a drink and.. a spider dropped down and bit me. I freaked out a little- i felt sick, but i just thought i was overreacting. i mean, I've always had a dislike to bugs.
I left the party early, my girlfriend Seo Chin-sun took me home and she slept over to make sure that i was okay. I mean, that's a plus, right? Anyways, when i woke up, everything was weird- i was sticking to things and stuff and i was kinda freaking out- Seo was there too, freaking out with me, because it was really weird. I mean, who wakes up and then suddenly you don't even need your contacts, and you stick to everything and create WEBS from their wrists? Nobody, that's who.
Seo was the one who helped me through everything- Especially when my dad died. He got mugged one night, and he apparently was taking too long to get his wallet out. I hated seeing his body on the concrete- bleeding out. Hell, i ran after the guy who killed him. i.. i almost killed him.. um.. anyways, she.. she made me realize i could be a hero like the ones i kept seeing, the other spiders. Seo didn't want me to get hurt though, so we compromised- I try to keep myself in the dark and save the people who need saving. the people who arent seen. The minor and daily. So i can use my abilities for good.. and not get me or my family hurt.
Seo is like the girl in the chair- Whenever i go out, she goes on comms and helps me a little. While she isn't a nerd, shes happy to help. She's the heart behind the operation, and i adore her for it. She knows a shit ton about martial arts, so when i got my abilities she helps and teaches me. Honestly, we're always hanging out these days- at least ever since i became the golden spider.
Ive been doing this for a while now- i work with my girlfriend and we tackle crime and helping the community, staying in the shadows so i don't get my friends and family don't get hurt. I don't really have any villains, i do have a couple groups who want me dead, but.. they're not that important, we're staying as safe as we can.

Powers and Tech
I have some basic things- i have organic webs produced from my wrists, got the good ol spider sense, better eyesight- and i can camouflage! Its one of the things i like best- makes me being, well, in the shadows, a lot easier. I don't know what spider bit me, it was just some weird spider.

Do you believe in aliens?
I mean, i guess?

What are your goals for the future?
i want to pay the bills- and don't tell SEO, but.. i want to move in with her. We already spend so much time together, it would only make sense if we moved in together.

You lived in New York for a while now, right? What do you think of the city?
the city is alright, its a lot of fun for parties and doing stupid shit, but god knows this place isn't the party house its put up as.

How much technology do you use on a daily basis?
well, technology not related to being a vigilante? All the time. I like social media, and i like catching up with the news and even to see the few photos of my sitings- its really funny some times!

What do you like?
i really like fashion, which seems so stereotypical for.. well, who i am, but i do love it. I also lovvee biology, specifically marine biology. I dunno, i love martial arts. love my girl friend. Sorry, I've said that a lot. My bad.

What do you dislike?
i.. have a fear that one day someone will find out my identity. Find out who my girlfriend is and hurt her. Thats why i try to keep on the down low- so that she's safe. That im safe. Uh, on a much less serious note, i genuinely hate bugs. I also hate getting my hair all messy, its so annoying.

Do you think true evil exists?
... not really. I know people can be horrible people. So many times, people believe or do things that are truly evil. Some actions are true evil. But.. nobody is true evil. Actions can be, but no person is true evil. Everyone has a reason why they do something, and most of the time they might think that they're doing the right thing. Seo has to remind me of that often though- i forget often. Some people feel like true evil, but.. Seo reminds me the true. God, i do talk about her a lot. I owe ozzy so much money.

What’s your favorite color?
orange! I love wearing red though.

Favorite song?
Space ghost coast to coast by glass animals! I love glass animals in general, but i really like this song the best.

Anything else to add?
Uh.. I'm an only child?

What are your thoughts on these people?
Seo Chin-sun - My girlfriend! Shes the best girlfriend i could ever ask for, and she.. she compliments me so well, and I'm so happy to have her.
May Romanhoff - Myy mom. She tries her hardest, ever since dad died, but i love her no matter what.
Alex Romanhoff - my dad. he died a while back.. its been a bit of a struggle, but ill.. ill get through it.
Other Spider-folk - I.. don't really care about them. I feel like some go for the large crimes and done really stick around for the underground shit like i do. They go for robberies and big villains and forget how many peoples lives get ruined by the little things. Thats why i stay to the shadows- i don't want to get adicted to the spotlight and forget about the people I'm actually trying to protect.

@autumoon

I love her sm. Pls tell me none of the bad things will ever happen to her or Seo

Spider-Verse: Dark Destiny

I just want to say, the twin rivalry over Felix before just leaving him behind is kind of funny. Definitely, something Sam would hold above Felix's head if she ever found out.

I might add more into Sam's backstory to give more insight into her vigilante days.

@Crimson Flame

Oh! I think Sam would have fallen victim to the kind of rumors that went around our local Spider-man and when they had teamed up together for the first time, I think she would have been under the impression that he was a more morally grey vigilante such as herself until he kind of explained that it wasn't him kind of thing LOL

Spider-Verse: Dark Destiny

<Snipped quote by Polaris North>

Likewise Caty would've loved to see her turn to the good side. She can't really judge her methods considering how she started out, but she hopes she continues to grow as a hero as well.

And yeah, as a trained fighter she'd definitely be able to recognize her fighting style.

@King Kindred

Kills enemies anyway as a vigilante who said that

Spider-Verse: Dark Destiny

<Snipped quote by Polaris North>

She probably would've easily slipped up tbh. With her still being a rookie and not thinking straight I could see Sam escaping without much issue. Especially with other members of the gang there.

@King Kindred

For sure! Most of them operate by pairs for efficiency or solo if needed. I feel like it would have amused Sam greatly to see her grow once they start occasionally working together.

If you want, I can see Caty being able to recognize her fighting style. Sam changed a little bit (has no guns) but there are moments where someone can recognize her own style.

Spider-Verse: Dark Destiny

<Snipped quote by Polaris North>

That's a good question. If it was during Caty's first year it probably wasn't so nice. She was going through it and was taking her grief out on the bad guys. But she'd still hold back because they were human. She calmed down more in the second and third year.

@King Kindred

Oohh gotcha gotcha, I can definitely see Sam goading Caty as much as possible to get her to slip up so Sam could successfully escape with most of her limbs still intact. Probably had to be treated for a lot of broken bones after though LOL

If need be to escape, Sam would have definitely tried to "shoot" towards a civilian to get Caty to put more attention there, though Sam would have aimed it slightly off to ensure no extra casualties.

Spider-Verse: Dark Destiny

@King Kindred No rush especially since you're helping a friend and all but I was wondering how do you think Sam and Caty's initial interaction went back when Sam was still working as a villain?

Because back then, since Sam was more human than super in terms of physiology, Sam definitely used guns more and that would be some juicy conflict when everything comes to light?