CHAPTER 2

One World

Phones were flying off the hook; reporters were scurry everything; nothing seemed to be at rest, especially J. Jonah Jameson's old heart. It had to be pounding in his chest, colouring his face red as he yelled.

"Parker, this is the biggest goddamn story we've heard of since my son landed on the moon!" Jameson exploded. Peter Parker stood in front of Jameson's desk, having been called in. Peter was Jameson's favourite photographer, or so, he liked to think.

"Bruce Wayne... and Norman Osborn! Business partners! Who would have thunk it!" Jameson marvelled.

Peter wasn't a big fan of either. Probably because Norman, who was at one point, the Green Goblin, before he took a fall and lost his memory, killed his girlfriend Gwen Stacey. Bruce Wayne, well, because he was an egotistical, playboy, ass hole.

Though, Peter had to admit, two tycoons coming together to better the medicinal field would be a huge step. Peter's friend Dr. Curt Connors was excited too, getting to meet Bruce Wayne and work with him. Peter didn't really see what all the hubbub was about. Wayne is a stupid, pretty boy.

"Parker, I want you down at the press conference tomorrow at three, and I want pictures. Not of your stupid wall crawler friend either. Some real news! Wayne. Osborn. Legendary! I'll be there too, of course. It's a party at some hotel. All the high-ranking people of New York were invited. Make sure you get my good side!" Jameson wagged his finger.

Peter was not looking forward to the press conference at all. But it was going to happen, whether he liked it or not.

Later that night, Peter returned to his apartment. It was a nice place, paid entirely from his paycheck. All of this paycheck. Mary Jane would be back soon, she had been at her play rehearsal. She was the lead role. They had been dating now for eight months, she was there for him as a friend who Gwen's death which happened nearly a year ago; the last sighting of the Green Goblin.

Peter turned on the news, lying on his bed. A newswoman came on, with a picture of Arkham Asylum in the background, with headlines flying by underneath her.

"It's not been two weeks since the prison break at Arkham. Many of the inmates have been caught and moved to Blackgate Penitentiary while Arkham still undergoes inspection due to the massive break out caused by one, Frank Michino, who is still at large and wanted by Gotham PD for questioning... In other news, billionaire Bruce Wayne announced his partnership with New York's own, Norman Osborn-" the television went dead.

Peter was sick of hearing about Bruce Wayne and Norman Osborn. Screw it, he had enough of the entire day! He threw off his shirt and slipped under the covers. He was done with the day.

A soft, yet warm feel work Peter. Mary Jane lye beside him, and kissed his cheek.

"Good morning." She whispered. He smiled, and kissed her back.

"How was your play rehearsal?" Peter's morning voice croaked.

"It went well! You're going to be there for opening night? It's on Friday!"

"Of course I will be, M.J! I'm your boyfriend, why wouldn't I be?"

"Hey, did you hear about Bruce Wayne-"

"No! No I didn't!" Peter smiled, jumping on top of her, and kissing her passionately. She didn't understand why the sudden burst of emotion, but she didn't mind.

At two o'clock, Peter suited up, getting ready for the press conference. M.J whistled at him from the bed. It was her day off, and she planned on doing nothing.

"Damn, Tiger!" She winked. Peter smiled. He did look good.

The orchestra played a soft tune, while the sun began to set over the roofless level of the hotel. Everyone was here, except Norman and Bruce. Peter took pictures of the special persons. Jameson made sure to get in most. After a few hours of that, he receded to the bar for a drink.

"Peter." Captain George Stacey came to Peter's side.

"Captain. How are things?" Peter's tone was serious, businesslike.

"Things are good. And with you? How's May?" May was Peter's aunt, and she had been sick for awhile. She had cancer, but she was making it through.

"She's okay. I plan on going over after this if the two big men would get here already..." Peter complained.

"Fashionably late of course. It's their thing." George chuckled.

The music ceased. All eyes turned to the podium. The mayor came to the microphone. Peter made sure to get pictures.

The mayor began the evening with a dull speech, introducing everyone to the idea of the two powerhouses coming together, and how excited he was to be apart of something so big. After he concluded, lights dimmed, as Norman Osborn walked out on stage, and to the podium.

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. I'm glad you all could make it... Two weeks ago, Bruce Wayne came to me with an idea that shocked even me. Oscorp has always been in the medicinal field, but we focus more on military projects. But now, with the partnership of Wayne Enterprises, we want to expand our medicinal field worldwide! We want to put outlets everywhere in the world!

"And why you ask? Because how can we fully understand illness without seeing first hand how horrible it can be? We'll also be able to help thousands of people who can't afford medical treatment in third world countries! And now, we ask your support. To donate, to sponsor, and to help Oscorp and Wayne Enterprises with a new venture we call: 'One World'. Now, I will turn the spotlight over to my business partner. Mister Bruce Wayne!"

Applause follow Osborn's speech, as Bruce Wayne himself stepped out into the spotlight. The two shook hands; Peter was sure to get a picture. Wayne stationed himself at the microphone and waited for the audience to quiet.

"Thank-you, Norman. My dear friends. Helping people, caring for people, and understanding people is what I am all about. With all my dear antics, lunatic moments, and drunken nights aside, I come to you tonight not as a billionaire playboy, but as a concerned man. I'm concerned for the well-being of our world. It's suffering. It's dying.

"We look at not one picture, but thousands of pictures every year, of war torn countries, new diseases, and we continue right by! But what if it happened here? What if you're children died at the age of ten because of something that could be prevented as easily as having a clean waste facility!

"My father once told me: "If you want to help the world, get the world to help." And that's why I'm coming to you. I'm not coming to your doors, your homes, your workplace. I'm knocking on your heart. I'm asking you to help your brothers and sisters. I'm asking you to help the one world you have, with the one life you have. If everyone in New York City donated merely one dollar, we would have enough money to open up one facility. Now imagine if you donated two... Three! Or I could be crazy I say twenty dollars! It's not much. And I ask this not on my behalf, but on your world's. Thank you."

The crowd broke out once again. Even Peter was moved. It was a beautiful speech, and a beautiful idea. Helping people internationally while researching problems that could be fixed here. It was genius, Peter had to admit.

Later on in the night, Peter had seen enough for his lifetime. He leaned against the bar, pondering on the best route of escape.

"Peter, isn't it?" Bruce Wayne appeared from thin air beside Peter. He leaned against the bar with him. Peter said nothing.

"I hope you got my good side." Wayne chuckled, gesturing to Peter's camera.

"Of course I did, Mr. Wayne."

"Call me Bruce. So you're the amazing photographer who gets all those pictures of Spider-Man?"

"That I am." Peter nodded.

"How do you get all those magnificent shots?" Wayne pressed.

"I know Spider-Man. I actually saved his life once. Helped him out of a tight spot. Ever since then he's let me take pictures of him." Peter rambled on.

"I wonder what Spider-Man would think of my venture!" Wayne added.

"Probably how most of the room feels." Peter answered.

"I'd love to meet him someday. He's a hero!" Bruce went on.

"Don't you guys have your own 'hero' in Gotham?" Peter wasn't a big fan of the masked vigilante of Gotham. His code, his rules, his ethics, all were appalling to Peter.

"Oh, the Batman? He's not much of a hero. More like a nut in a cape. He's wanted by authorities too." Bruce denied the accusation.

Peter was shocked. He would have thought a Gothamite would be a fan of the Batman, especially a citizen of Bruce Wayne's stature.

"Well, I should probably socialize some more. These things honestly bore me. We'll be seeing you." Bruce winked as he walked away.

Maybe he wasn't so bad, Peter thought.