Chapter 1: The Assignment

DISCLAIMER: I do not own any of the characters in this story. They are all owned by Marvel (which is currently owned by Disney). I am simply using them in a story that I came up with.

A/N: I'm updating this chapter with a disclaimer and author's notes. Thanks to Agent-G for reminding me about the disclaimer. Also to Agent-G, I will answer some of your questions later but if you had read my story more carefully then you would have known that Peter Parker is 16 at this point.

It was a normal day at the offices of the Daily Bugle. As usual, J. Jonah Jameson, the Bugle's hot-tempered publisher, was calling for his freelance photographer.

"Parker. Parker! PARKER!" Shouted J. Jonah Jameson, a man in his late forties and had a Hitler-like mustache.

"You yelled angrily for me, Mr. Jameson?" Asked Peter Parker as he walked into his boss' office. Peter Parker was a not-so-typical 16-year-old. He was unusual because he happened to be the Amazing Spider-Man, something he kept secret from the world.

"There you are Parker, I've got an assignment for you. I want you to go to this town called Bayville. It's not too far from here. Word has it that there have been some strange occurrences going on there."

"What kind of strange occurrences, Mr. Jameson?"

"That's your job to find out and take pictures. Any questions?"

"Uh yeah. How long is this assignment supposed to last?"

"As long as it takes for you to find something. It could take from a few days to a couple of months." Months? Peter didn't like the sound of that. Being away from town for months would mean no Spider-Man to keep the city's criminals from going wild, and that would mean trouble.

"Gee, I don't know Mr. Jameson. I think I like the idea of going out of town for awhile to chase after rumors."

"Listen kid, I know these aren't just rumors. There's something going on in Bayville, I feel it in my gut. So how about this? If you take the assignment, I'll throw in a bonus of $25. Deal?" At hat Peter just scoffed. 25 measly dollars. Only J. Jonah Jameson would offer a low amount of cash and call it a bonus. Jameson was a cheap man, which was one of the reasons why the Daily Bugle was one of the least respected newspapers in New York, if not the least respected.

"Make it $100."

"$100? That's outrageous! You got yourself a deal. Now get out and get ready. You leave tomorrow at 6:00 P.M. and start the next day."

"Yes sir, o' fearless leader." Said Peter in a mocking tone that Jameson didn't seem to notice. As he leaving Mr. Jameson's office, J.J.J. said,

"Hey Parker, one last thing; for your assignment you'll go undercover as a student at Bayville High."

"Ok." Said Peter. Peter wasn't particularly happy about that last part. The last thing he wanted was to go to another school where he was sure to be laughed at for being a bookworm. Later that night he was at his house eating dinner with the only family he had left, his elderly Aunt May. He had told her about the assignment and how he would have to temporarily change schools.

"Well, look at it this way Peter. Maybe you can make some new friends at this new school." Said Aunt May.

"Yeah, maybe." Said Peter half-heartedly.

"Also, you'll be far away from that awful Spider-Man" Peter groaned silently. Aunt May loved Peter, but she hated Spider-Man. The reason being was that she openly accepted everything the Daily Bugle said about Spider-Man being a criminal. After dinner, Peter went up to his room and packed up everything he would need for his assignment, including his costume, his web-shooters, and web fluid. The next day, Aunt May took him to the train station where he would catch a train to Bayville. Before he got on the train, he said goodbye to Aunt May.

"Now Peter, promise me you'll be good and that you'll make at least one friend at that new school." Said Aunt May.

"Don't worry. I will." Peter promised. They hugged and then Peter got on the train and headed towards Bayville.