Creeperbray and spiderebug: the origins

Issue #1

Creeperbray trudged home after a long day in the city, arms full of groceries and thoughts of dinner. But as he stepped inside, his heart skipped a beat. A note lay on the table, scrawled in messy handwriting: “Hello, creeperbray, or whatever your name is. I’ve kidnapped your parents for my little experiment. Will you come for them or not? - Mr Evil.” Creeperbray’s eyes widened. He clenched his fists. “You’ll regret this!” he vowed. Rushing to the door, he found another note taped to the handle: “Meet you behind the nearest Skiddzie Industries. - Mr Evil. again.” Creeperbray smirked. “Aight, bet.” He dashed outside, heading back toward the city, asking strangers for directions to Skiddzie Industries. Someone handed him a map, but his stomach rumbled. He stopped for sushi, but just as he reached for a piece, a quick hand snatched it away. “Hey, give that back! That wasn’t cheap!” Creeperbray shouted, chasing the thief into a shadowy alley. The thief spun around, grinning. “Lol, you should have been paying attention, fool.” “Bruh, give it back,” Creeperbray demanded. The thief pulled down his hood, revealing eight gleaming eyes and a black hoodie with a red S. “Yo, who are you?” Creeperbray asked. “I’m Spiderbug, the guy who steals to survive!” “Why do you steal?” “Because my parents were murdered.” “Well, my parents were kidnapped by Mr. Evil today.” Suddenly, a bomb dropped from above. Without thinking, Creeperbray dove onto Spiderbug, shielding him. The explosion rocked the alley. “That was close, right, Spiderbug?” Creeperbray said, catching his breath. “Wait, I’m alive?” “Of course. I’m immune to explosions,” Creeperbray replied. “But why save me? I stole your food.” “You’ve been through enough. You don’t need more pain.” “I’m a dirty, no-good thief. I deserve to die!” “Everyone deserves a second chance. Except for murderers and kidnappers.” Creeperbray extended a hand. “By the way, I’m Creeperbray. Will you help me?” “Under one condition,” Spiderbug said. “And what’s that?” “Let me live with you once you find your parents.” “Deal.” Together, they studied the map and set off toward Skiddzie Industries. Suddenly, a hulking robot blocked their path, its body glowing with molten lava and turrets bristling on its shoulders. “Hey, are you Creeperbray?” it boomed. “Yeah, why?” “I’m supposed to kill you.” “Oh, crap!” Creeperbray yelped. “Also, I’m General Lavabot.” Lavabot unleashed a torrent of lava. “Ahhhh, it burns!” Creeperbray exploded, shaking off the molten stream, then punched Lavabot, leaving only a dent. “Ha! You weakling!” Lavabot taunted. Creeperbray retreated, then launched himself forward with a blast, fist outstretched. His arm punched through Lavabot’s chest, lava spewing everywhere. Creeperbray’s arm was scorched, but Lavabot’s chest quickly regenerated. “What? Impossible!” Creeperbray gasped. “Spiderbug, why aren’t you helping?” “He doesn’t see me as a threat. But he’s wrong.” “Since you are a threat, I’ll have to kill you too,” Lavabot declared. Spiderbug shot a web onto Lavabot’s back and zipped toward him, feet first. The impact should have shattered Spiderbug’s legs, but thanks to his super-strong bones, he was unharmed. The kick hurt Lavabot, but didn’t break him. Lavabot staggered away to report to Mr. Evil, but sputtered and shut down, out of lava. “That’s gonna hurt,” Creeperbray said. “He’ll feel that in the morning,” Spiderbug quipped. “Enough with the puns. Let’s go find my parents,” Creeperbray said. They continued toward Skiddzie Industries. After half an hour, hunger struck. “Hey, Creeperbray,” Spiderbug said. “What?” “You got any money?” “Yeah, why?” “I’m starving. Can we stop to eat?” “I’m hungry too. Let’s do it.” They stopped at Sandwich King in the next town. “This is really good,” Spiderbug said. “I agree,” Creeperbray replied. “How do you plan on saving your parents?” “Honestly, I have no idea.” “We should get going.” They set off again and after another thirty minutes, arrived at their destination. “Looks like we’re here,” Creeperbray said. Inside, a figure greeted them. “Hello there, are you looking for anything specific?” Skiddzie asked. “No, but can I see what you have?” “Sure.” “Ooh, I like this weird-looking potion.” “That potion reveals your hidden powers.” “I’ll take two.” “That’ll be $2,000.99.” “Ok.” They each drank a potion. “That tasted weird,” Spiderbug said. “I think I got electricity,” Creeperbray said. “I think I got venom,” Spiderbug replied. Suddenly, a hole ripped open in the ceiling and someone dropped through. “There you are, Creeperbray,” Mr. Evil announced. He was tall and slender, dressed in a suit, a top hat perched on his TV-shaped head, devilish horns curling upward. “Wow, I pictured you differently,” Creeperbray said. “Are you a robot or a cyborg?” Spiderbug asked. “I am a cyborg,” Mr. Evil replied. Then, from behind, his clone appeared. “Oh brother, a second one,” Spiderbug groaned. Mr. Evil and his clone lashed out with mechanical tentacles, but we dodged. “Get out of here, Spiderbug and Skiddzie!” Creeperbray shouted. Once they were gone, Creeperbray unleashed a massive explosion. “No, my store!” Skiddzie wailed while crying. Mr. Evil survived, but his clone was destroyed. “That clone took years of research!” Mr. Evil cried. He attacked with all eight tentacles, pelting Creeperbray with debris. Creeperbray remembered his new electric powers and zapped Mr. Evil, but it barely fazed him. “That tickles,” Mr. Evil sneered. Creeperbray was out cold. In his consciousness, a mysterious figure appeared—the Lord of Creepers. “You’re about to die,” the Lord intoned. “You need to become stronger.” “How? I’m KO’d,” Creeperbray asked. “I can grant you new strength, but you can only use it on the brink of death.” “I’ll take it.” Creeperbray awoke, transformed. Power surged through him. He soared upward and struck Mr. Evil with a bolt of lightning, leaving him badly wounded. “I’m cooked, spare me!” Mr. Evil begged. “No, you kidnapped my parents! I’ll never forgive you!” Creeperbray shouted, lightning crackling in his voice. Mr Evil hesitated, then tossed a key toward him. “Here, take the key to their cage.” Creeperbray snatched it, eyes narrowed. “Fine, I’ll spare you.” But as Mr Evil relaxed, Creeperbray grinned. “Sike!” He unleashed another bolt of lightning, this one fatal. “Easy!” he crowed, then severed the heads of Mr Evil and his clone, claiming them as trophies. Returning to himself, Creeperbray examined the key and discovered a hidden note tucked inside the top. The message revealed his parents’ location. Without wasting a second, he slipped beneath Skiddzie Industries and freed his parents from their prison. “Creeperbray!” his parents cried in perfect unison. “Thank goodness you’re okay,” his mom said, relief flooding her face. “We were worried sick about you,” his dad added. “You’re welcome,” Creeperbray replied, grinning. Skiddzie appeared, surveying the wreckage. “You saved your parents, but my store is in ruins!” “Here, take $900,000. That should cover the damages,” Creeperbray said, handing over the money. To be continued.