By Moonlight (P.P + M.J)

4. Fight (For) Me

*MJ pov*

Michelle didn't think much of the superhero encounter. Not to mean that she wasn't impressed by Spider-Man, but it was sort of... normal, for lack of a better word. The web-slinging crime fighter seemed very down to earth and friendly. One thing she noticed in particular was how young he had sounded. She knew he had tried to use a fake voice, but that she understood. But his laugh was entirely real, and one she had heard before. But for the life of her she couldn't pinpoint where she'd heard it.

As she descended the last set of metal stairs, a thought struck her. Wouldn't he only need to disguise his voice if they had met before? If he didn't know her, he wouldn't have to hide it. As MJ hit the cement pavement, she ran through her head who could possibly pass off as Spider-Man.

When Michelle had made it to the mouth of the alley, where a single car rolled lazily down the lane, she tensed. Not knowing why, she turned around, peering into the darkened alley. She had an eerie feeling that she was being watched. She fumbled in her pocket for her trusty can of pepper spray she always kept on her when she found herself on the streets at night.

She clutched at the small, compact canister as she quick walked down the sidewalk. The feeling of nervousness never left her, and when she decided to glance over her shoulder once more, she almost wished she hadn't.

Walking behind her was a shadowy figure, clothed in a black hoodie and dark trousers. Becoming fearful, she quickened her pace, only to have the stranger behind her match it. From an alley across the street, another figure appeared, crossing the street and heading toward her. Dressed similarly, Michelle mentally prepped herself for the impending fight. She wouldn't go down easily, that was for sure.

Hopefully Spider-Man was still close by.

Ha, like she even needed him. Michelle was proud to say that she was very capable of defending herself. Her dad had taught her enough self-defense moves to get out of any kind of situation and her mom had taught her where to aim a kick. If things turned sour, she'd be just fine.

Caught up in her own pride, she became aware of the sounds of running footsteps behind her. Immediately becoming alert, she glanced over her shoulder and saw her follower rushing toward her. As quick as lightning, Michelle whipped out her pepper spray and took that sucker down as soon as he was within range. The assailant fell back with an agonized cry, trying desperately to wipe off the stinging spray, and Michelle smirked at his futile attempt.

Then, for some reason she couldn't really explain, instinct turned her gaze upward. Her eyes went wide when she saw a large, bulky figure watching her from on top of a building across the street. With the moon on its back, MJ could just make out triangular ears pricked forward on top of its head, which was cocked to the side.

What the f-.

She couldn't finish her thought, however, because she was violently grabbed from behind. She had totally forgotten about the guy that had crossed the street earlier. The attacker wrapped his solid arms around her and began to drag her into the alley. The guy that got pepper-sprayed was struggling to find his feet, not taking his hands away from his face.

Michelle, nowhere close to giving up, attempted to step on her attacker's feet and kick his shins. He grunted in both pain and annoyance as he kept pulling her into the alley. She angled her spray can and pressed hard on the button, releasing a stream of the blinding substance. Some got in her own eyes, and while the guy cried out, she wriggled free of his now-loosened grip.

Eyes tearing up from the spray, she took off down the sidewalk. The two assailants barreled after her, though their steps were bumbling and they kept bumping into each other. Michelle quickly turned a corner and dove behind a dumpster in a darkened alley. They wouldn't be able to navigate quickly enough to follow her because of their blinded state.