"In breaking news, New York's latest super powered criminal being referred to as 'the Scorpion' has made off with an estimated hundred thousand dollars in diamonds. Officials say they are doing everything they can to stop the Scorpion. Spider-Man was not seen at the scene of the crime, and was unavailable for comment."

Mary Jane slouched further into the couch, hoping she'd just melt into it so she'd never have to get up again. She looked at her cell phone. Still no messages, and she'd called Peter at least a dozen times.

"The Scorpion has only recently--wait. We're getting word that the Scorpion is on his way downtown. With the route he's currently taking, it looks like he's heading for the Bugle building."

The Bugle? Why did everyone go after the Bugle? She felt her stomach churn, and she grabbed her cell phone from beside her. She dialed Peter's number nervously. "Come on, tiger, pick up..." she mumbled as she tried one more attempt, the phone at her ear.

"Hey, you've reached Peter. I'm not here right--" she slammed the phone shut and threw it at the wall.

Five minutes earlier...

Man, this was the life. More than the life. It was....it was awesome! It was living on a high. He was powerful, unstoppable, undefeatable! No one would ever mess with the Scorpion. Even Spider-Man had learned his lesson. As of that moment. Gargan knew he was the most dangerous man in New York.

He laughed, throwing the bag of recently-thieved diamonds onto his couch in his apartment. It was hard walking around the place with his suit on, but he'd manage the short time he'd have it on. Speaking of, he decided the suit needed a little break, and Gargan needed to make a stop at the black market.

He felt around for a zipper, or something, looking like an idiot trying to grope himself. The tail flung this way and that, and Gargan realized that, as he was trying to peel the green suit away, it wasn't coming off. A wave of panic went through him. Not coming off? It...it couldn't...it had to come off! What, was the suit a part of his skin now? He laughed nervously at the idea, trying more desperately now to get the damned thing off.

Sweat dripped from his brow. It wasn't moving. At all.

How...what...why..."Jameson!"

A semi-depressed Spider-Man was crouched on a rooftop, sitting there as if he was one of the pigeons perched to get the best view the city had to offer. He went through his phone, making a face as he saw all the missed calls. He called Mary Jane back, and she picked up within half a second.

"Hey, babe. Where's the fire?"

"The Bugle," she snapped. "Why the hell haven't you been picking up?!"

"I've been a little busy," he replied. "With you know who."
"House?"

"You betcha."

"Listen, we'll talk about him later. Scorpion's headed for the Bugle. I'm watching the news right now."

"Jesus." He paused a moment. He really wasn't looking forward to going after that guy and getting his ass kicked again. "Alright, I'm on my way."

"Be careful."

"I always am."