"Remind me why I'm doing this again." Paul said as he was on the phone and was getting himself dressed up in a suit and tie. He was also on the phone with Harris.

"It's Valentine's Day, Paul." Harris said. "Monica and Jessica told me they wanted to go out for it and they asked if we were both free. So I agreed and we're heading to a nice restaurant."

"You better not be trying to set me and Monica together." Paul said.

"It will be fine. Besides, what's wrong with having a girlfriend?" Harris said. "One more thing. I actually invited Jean as well and she'll be coming with Thomas and the others."

"Thomas actually wants to hang with us and you agreed?" Paul questioned.

"It's not like that. I couldn't talk Jean out of it. I think she wants to make you jealous and she would rather spend Valentine's Day like this than alone." Harris said. "Speaking of your love interests, do you know what's going on with Lindsay? If all three are there, this could get a little chaotic."

"I actually talked to her about that." Paul said. "She's not really into the whole cliché valentine stuff like flowers, fancy meals, and chocolate."

"What is she into then?" Harris asked.

"I didn't ask. I don't think I want to know." Paul said. "Look, I'll go, but I want it on the record that I'm only there as friends."

"Fine, but you'll still have a great time." Harris said, but Paul was having his doubts.

…

Master

Master has his own plans for Valentine's Day. He was fixing himself up so no one could see his mutated parts. Everyone believes he is just a regular person and he has to keep the illusion.

"Dr. Senner, I'm leaving now." Master said and left Senner with his work.

"Sir, are you sure you want to go alone?" Senner said. "You're going to meet with White Streak and Goldberg and they're bringing reinforcements. Shouldn't you do the same?"

"No." Master said. "The people of New York believe I'm on their side and I need to keep the illusion. It will be less suspicious if I don't travel with a criminal. We also agreed to come alone. If anyone asks, I'll say I'm just negotiating with these crime lords in hopes that I can get them to change."

"And what if Spider-Man gets involved?" Senner asked.

"If he's smart, he won't." Master said and left for his business.

…..

Harris

Harris was outside and was waiting for everyone else. He stood out a fancy restaurant known as Belle Lune. He saw a cab pulled out with Jessica in a lavender dress and Monica in a black one.

"Hey, Harris. Hope you weren't waiting long." Monica said.

"Hey, girls. No, I haven't." Harris said. "I've got to say you both look great."

"Thank you." Jessica said as she blushed from Harris' words.

"Paul should be here any moment now." Harris said.

"Really? I bet he's gonna look like….." Monica didn't get to finish that sentence as she spotted Paul heading in their direction in a fancy suit and Monica had hearts in her eyes with her actual heart beating so fast. "…..an absolute hunk."

"Hey guys." Paul said.

"Glad you could make it. Shall we go inside?" Harris said as he opened the door for them and all of them went inside. All four of them took a seat at a table and it was a lovely place with classy live music and everything.

"Everything looks great." Jessica said.

"And a little expensive." Paul said as he was worried about money.

"Don't worry about it. We're all going to chip in." Monica said.

"Hey. What a coincidence." All of them looked up to see Jean in a lovely blue dress with Thomas, Amanda, and Ray all dressed up with Thomas in a navy blue suit and Amanda wearing a pink dress.

"Hey guys." Paul said.

"I can't believe it. Porter and Harper are here? There goes our dinner." Thomas said.

"Since we're here, you don't mind if we join you guys, right?" Jean asked.

"You can't be serious." Amanda said.

"You can if you want." Paul said much to Monica's disapproval. They got another table and brought the two together and placing Paul between Monica and Jean.

"I can't believe this." Amanda whispered to Ray. "If I didn't know any better, I say she wanted it to be this way."

"Why did you have to invite them?" Jessica whispered to Harris.

"It was Jean's idea. I couldn't talk her out of it." Harris said. With nothing else to do, they decided to roll with it.

"So Paul, what's Mr. Parker doing tonight?" Jean asked.

"He's actually staying in tonight. No plans or anything." Paul said.

"This is a nice surprise." All of them looked up to be faced with Master, Alexzander Polser. "I remember some of you from Midtown High."

"You're Alexzander Polser!" Monica said.

'This can't be good. What's he doing here?' Paul thought. 'Play it cool, Paul. Spider-Man knows that's Master, but he isn't aware that Paul Porter doesn't. I'll have to play it low until I can sneak off without drawing suspicion.'

"So what are you doing here?" Harris asked.

"Isn't it obvious? He has a hot date." Thomas said.

"Sadly no." Master said. "I'm actually here on business. I'm meeting with a few people here. It might be Valentine's Day, but my work is never done. I don't wish to spoil your dinner. Have a nice time." He left them alone, but Paul kept his eyes opened for him. Master went off in a back table where no one would disturb them.

"I'm glad you could make it. It's a pleasure to finally meet you in person."

"As if I would miss this." Master said. He was met with White Streak and Goldberg. It was a meeting of the crime lords. Master had a seat and they all got to talking. "I must admit I was surprised when you both agreed to this meeting."

"I think it would be necessary." White Streak said. "All three of us have been at it with each other for a while. One should make negotiations before going to war."

"Yes, but there wouldn't be a war if you two just let New York be mine." Goldberg said. "There's only enough room for one of us to rule New York."

"Relax, Goldberg." Master said. "There's no reason for hostility. I'm sure there's a way for us to get all what we want."

"Building a criminal empire is no different form building a regular empire." White Streak said. "It should be done through unification and expansion."

"I suppose I see the reasoning in that." Goldberg said. As the three of them were running their negotiations, everyone else was enjoying a nice time. Everyone started dancing with each other like Harris and Jessica and Amanda and Ray. Monica even got Paul to do some dancing.

"So you can sing, take great pictures, and know how to dance." Monica said. "I wonder what else you can do."

"Nothing you really need to know about." Paul said as he referred to his powers. He was trying to keep his eyes open for Master and whoever it was he was meeting with. As for Thomas and Jean, the two of them were just hanging back, but Thomas had other things in mind.

"Come on, Jean. Let's dance." Thomas said.

"I guess I am in the mood for some dancing." Jean said as she got up. Thomas thought it was going to be with him, but she walked over to Paul and Monica instead. "Mind if I cut in?"

"Actually yes." Monica said as she didn't want this ruin to be moment.

"Come on, Monica. We're all here for some fun." Paul said. He let Monica go and had Jean take her place. Jean was enjoying herself as she placed her head on his shoulder.

"I can't believe she's actually dancing with him." Amanda said. "If I didn't know any better, I say she planned this."

"Maybe we should just leave it alone." Ray said.

"Excuse me?" Amanda said as she was not in full agreement.

"Jean seems to really like him. If she really does, maybe Porter isn't really all that bad." Ray said, but Amanda didn't like it at all. As they all continued to dance, Jean was able to look across the restaurant and spot the criminals.

"Hey, isn't that Mr. Polser talking to some criminals?" Jean questioned. Paul turned around and spotted them. Paul was doing his best to keep his eyes on all of them.

"New York is such a big city." Master said. "I'm sure we can split it in three even sections where we each have control over."

"You expect me to take a share of New York?" Goldberg said.

"What's the matter you walking money bag?" White Streak said. "Are you saying that you don't know how to share?"

"Goldberg, we must get some share of it if we really decide to split New York for all of us to control." Master said.

"Not a chance." Goldberg said as he slammed his hands on the ground. "I think I should stop laying around. New York is mine and mine alone."

"You always were so stubborn." White Streak said and activated his armor. Everyone had their eyes on them and Paul knew he would have to act soon.

"Gentlemen, remember why we came here." Master said.

"I think we all know the real reason we came here." Goldberg said.

"Ambush to eliminate the competition and take New York for ourselves." White Streak said. Goldberg and White Streak had their fists collide and pushed the other back. White Streak shot electricity at both of them, but they both avoided it. Master decided to take part and attack as he kicked White Streak. He had to be careful not to blow his cover. Goldberg tried to attack both of them with a lariat attack, but they both ducked out of the way.

"I knew this would happen." Paul said. "Everyone, get out of here and find cover." Everyone was hurrying to the exit. Paul and his group tried to hurry out and Paul was doing his best to make sure they all get out.

"Hurry." Harris said as they were almost out. Paul noticed White Streak was about to attack near them.

"Lookout!" Paul said as he pushed Monica and Jean out the door, but White Streak's blast hit over the door and caused it to be blocked off with Paul still inside.

"Paul!" Monica shouted as they were all afraid he was trapped or hurt.

"I'm fine. I'll find another way out." Paul said, but he used this as an opportunity. He hid behind a table and used the commotion to change. "Good thing I brought my other suit." This was the chance he was waiting for, to bring all the crime lords down, and he can't let it go. The fight went on as White Streak blasted Master into the wall, but Goldberg tackled him. Master jumped in the air and kicked Goldberg in the head and tossed a chair at him.

"I was expecting more." Master said.

"And I expected a quiet night." All three of them looked up and saw Spider-Man hanging on the wall.

"Spider-Man!" All three of them said.

"Who else?" Paul said as he jumped off and webbed a table to have it slammed against Goldberg. He came down and kicked him in the face. Goldberg growled and tried to crush him, but Paul jumped away from him. White Streak charged and shot some electricity at him, but Paul jumped out of the way. Master jumped at him and drove his knee against him. Master also grabbed a hold of Paul and tossed him on the stage.

"I got an idea. Spider-Man is the nuisance of all our problems." Master said. "How about whoever takes him out gets to take New York?"

"I do love a good gamble, but an emperor doesn't gamble. I say it's a free for all." Goldberg said.

"Doesn't matter." Paul said as he grabbed a cello. "It's time all three of you face the music." White Streak was the first to attack him. He tried to attack him with a fist of electricity, but Paul slammed the cello against him. Goldberg got a hold of a table and tossed it at Paul with him getting hit and slammed against the wall. Master jumped on the stage and held him down, but Paul wasn't done yet. He webbed Master in the face and blinded him. Paul used the opportunity to hit him across the face and got free. Paul jumped up to the roof to gain some distance from them.

"You can't run forever." Goldberg said as he was grabbing everything he could and tossed it at him, but Paul was doing his best to avoid the attacks.

"I got him!" White Streak said as he fired at Paul and Paul did get hit from that attack as he fell to the floor. Goldberg ran at Paul and grabbed him by the leg and tossed him right to the wall. White Streak blasted Paul again and he went right through the wall where innocent people were. "He's mine."

"I don't think so." Goldberg said as he knocked White Streak out of the way so he can have Spider-Man to himself. White Streak and Master weren't down either as they went after him. Paul tried getting up with help of the police.

"You okay?"

"No one will be with what's going on." Paul said. Goldberg slammed through the restaurant walls to continue the fight. Everyone stayed back as Goldberg tried to tackle Paul like an elephant, but Paul was able to jump over him. White Streak tried blast at him, but Paul webbed his arms and pulled him in and gave him a kick to the face. Goldberg grabbed Paul from behind and tried to crush him.

"I'll squash you and New York will be mine." Goldberg said.

"I think not." Paul said and slammed his head against Goldberg's and got free. Paul gave Goldberg an uppercut and had him move back, but White Streak grabbed Paul's arm and electrocuted him. White Streak shoved him to the ground and held him down.

"This is where the roof of all our problems intertwine. We can rule New York together or divide it as soon as we eliminate this…pest!" White Streak said.

"Dude, you really could use a mint." Paul said.

"Hold him still." Goldberg said as he was getting ready to crush the spider, but Master noticed all the people that were around. He leaped on White Streak and slammed his foot against Goldberg to push him back. He jumped down and grabbed White Streak's arm and held him back and allowed Paul to escape.

"What are you doing?" White Streak said.

"Sorry, White Streak. Alexzander can't be seen working with criminals." Master said.

"Then you are weak." White Streak said as he got himself free and decided to fight him off.

"While those two are fighting, I guess that leaves me with tubby." Paul said.

"You're done for!" Goldberg said as he tried to hit him, but Paul got an idea as he flipped over him. Paul shot some webs out and got Goldberg to hold still in place.

"Hey, White Streak! Here I am! Give me your best shot." Paul said as White Streak pushed Master back.

"You asked for it." White Streak said as he shot out a blast, but Paul kicked off a piece of a fire hydrant and water shot at Goldberg. White Streak's attack mixed in and electrocuted Goldberg and had him taken out.

"One down." Paul said.

"One spider to go." White Streak said as he was at full power and released his orb of electricity, but Paul jumped as high as he could. Paul came down with a kick, but White Streak blocked it. Paul kicked his arms out of the way and slammed his fist through the core of his armor and White Streak began to lose power. "My armor! I can't move!" Paul pushed him with just a finger and had him knocked down. Everyone cheered for they thought the fight was over.

"Excellent work, Spider-Man." Master said. "I was hoping to lure them to do good, but I failed. It's a good thing you showed up when you did." He tried to walk away, but Paul shot a web at him and kept him from going anywhere.

"You're not going anywhere. I'm taking all the crime lords in." Paul said.

"What do you mean? I'm no crime lord." Master said.

"Oh no?" Paul said. He lunged himself at Master and grabbed a hold of his capes. "Explain this!" He pulled it all off and people finally saw the monstrous side of him and they were all shocked. "Cops, meet Alexzander Polser, aka: Master and one of the crime lords."

"Well, since my secret is out…." Master turned and gave Paul a strong hit across the face, but he did some flips and stayed on his feet.

"Get him, Spidey!" Thomas cheered.

"I assume you know there's only one way to go." Master said.

"Painfully, but I know how it's going to end." Paul said and went on the attack. He tried to hit him, but Master grabbed his arm and tossed him over his shoulder, but Paul landed on his feet. Master tried slashing at him, but Paul ducked down. However, that allowed Master to kick him and knock him down. Master tried attacking while he was down, but Paul used his legs to keep Master's arms away and it gave him a clear shot to kick him in the gut and in the face.

"He's right. You really are a pest." Master said.

"Sticks and stones." Paul said.

"Speaking of stones." Master said as he reached for the ground and used incredible strength to lift a piece of the pavement over his head.

"Good idea." Paul said and webbed Master in the eyes. Paul webbed Master's arms to pull them out of the way to have the piece of the pavement drop on his head. Master was able to pull the webbing out of his, but was met with a fierce punch across the face and knocked him down. Master tried his best to get back up, but Paul jumped up and slammed himself down on Master's stomach and knocked the wind right out of him. The last of the crime lords has been beaten. "Officers, I think you can take it from here." Everyone cheered for Spider-Man has brought down the three baddest criminals in the city.

"That was awesome! We actually got to see Spider-Man in action." Thomas said.

"Guys, Paul isn't out here." Monica said.

"Oh no. What if he's hurt?" Jean said and the two of them hurried inside to find him. Paul heard them and had to move fast. Jean and Monica were able to get inside and tried to find Paul. "Pauli!"

"Paul, where are you?" Monica said. They all heard a groaning sound and saw Paul as he was acting like he was hurt. "Paul!" Both of them rushed over to help him.

"Are you okay? What happened?" Jean asked.

"I was on my way out when I felt something hit me in the head." Paul said. "I'll be okay."

"That's good. You missed what happened." Monica said.

"Yeah. Spider-Man saved everyone from the worst criminals in New York." Jean said. Paul thought the night would be boring, but he actually did have a great time because now the three crime lords are locked up.

…

Reserved Waters

It was the next day and Peter had a nice night himself too. He was having some tea when he heard something land out the window.

"Did you see the news?" Paul said as he held out the paper.

"Yes. I heard you actually beat the three crime lords. You should be proud." Peter said.

"Not that. This." Paul said as he tossed the paper in. "Master bailed. Somehow, Master actually got himself out of jail while the other two are still locked behind bars. I thought I finally had all of them."

"Yes, but the world knows that he's Master now. He might have had the appeal of the city, but now that's gone." Peter said. "We'll get him next time." Paul hopes so, but until Master is caught too, New York isn't any safer, but hopefully it will be one day.

….

Master

Master made it back to his office after being bailed from his jail and Dr. Senner was there to greet him.

"Thank you for getting me out of there, Dr. Senner." Master said.

"It was my pleasure, but what are you going to do now?" Senner said. "All of New York knows who you are now."

"So be it." Master said. "There's more than one way to become a ruler. If you think this is over Spider-Man, it's not. This is only the beginning."