Chapter 131 [Next Morning]

Sol bobbed over the eastern horizon. Light and Warmth burned away the previous two days' situation. People headed for work. They turned on their TVs. They got on social media and their news sites. A few even read their newspapers.

From Smallville's (with a bit of Tokyo's) composition and Metropolis' presses, the story broke. Heads would be turned that was for sure.

Parker & Sullivan had just struck again….

[Daily Planet]

Travers walked out of the elevator. She needed sleep but would settle for the energy drink/espresso combination on that particular morning. Meetings still waited. Stories needed proofing. Assignments had to be made. In spite of the previous day's run into Lowell County, she still had a department to run.

But the Scoop to End All Scoops was so worth it….

Foreign nationals stage a black ops invasion on American soil. Civil liberties violations. International intrigue. Secret military orders. Wakandan involvement. Dinner with said Wakandan King and Princess. Collaborations between Tokyo and Smallville. And interviews with the Black Panther AND Spider-Man. I can't believe this came together in under twelve hours. She'd put her coat away. Then she'd bring up the latest edition on the web site.

"Travers!"

She turned to find Taylor walking toward her. He had a newspaper in his hands. "Good morning, Mr. Taylor. What can I do for you?"

He held up the edition. The headline screamed in 20 point type: "HOME INVASION GONE WRONG: CIVIL RIGHTS VIOLATIONS EXPOSED." Underneath the secondary headline: "Heroes Work Together By Peter Parker, Melody Edwards and Chloe Sullivan." And the kicker? A picture of Spidey and King T 'Challa supporting Jasmine and Rasniya. "You know the State Department wanted their pound of flesh first."

She shrugged. "If we didn't do it, somebody else would have. I didn't think you'd run the heroes' picture."

He snorted. "What? And miss a chance to stick it to Jameson? Between the picture and Parker's name on the byline will stick in that SOB's craw. The only thing that would be better is if Spider-Man himself delivered it in person."

She rolled her eyes. "You'd like that. Well we owe him this story in part."

He nodded. "That's right. Parker called him. Luthor called the Embassy. The Wall Crawler got in to see that T 'Challa. Hey, as I said at Parker's interview, no ethics violations crossed so I'm great with this. Sullivan's getting her own desk in the basement too. Let's see what the kid has to offer. Good job, Travers! Tell Edwards, Parker and Sullivan that too. I love it when newshounds follow the scent!" He pumped his fists and headed back toward his office.

She had to smile. Good going, Mr. Parker! Somehow I think you'll be just fine. She headed into the office and the waiting energy drink.

[Daily Bugle]

Jameson whistled Triumph's tune. He strolled off of the elevator. Cherubs soothed his mind. He puffed away on his best Cuban cigar. He'd reacquire Jasmine's stocks in short order. His decision to fire that traitor Parker stood justified. He was ready to run his next "Spider-Man Menace" editorial.

Everything seemed just right in his world….

He saw reporters running about. Some emailed on their computers. A few argued or yelled choice words into their phones. People rushed away from him toward something. Good! Let them run after stories! Better editions! We're the best newspaper bar none!

Robbie, Glory, Ben Ulrich, Betty and Ned Leeds all stood around the television set. Discomfort over their boss' impending reaction would come swift and with Shakespearean effect…

…full of sound and fury and signifying nothing….

"What's going on? Why's everyone just standing around?" Jameson yanked the cigar out of his mouth. His eyes narrowed. His teeth clenched. A leak just sprang in his happy balloon.

"Jonah, you really don't want to see this." Robbie switched off the television.

"What do you mean? Robbie, this is MY NEWSPAPER! I'll see what I want to!" Jameson barked.

"It was your newspaper, Mr. Jameson."

Jameson raised an eyebrow. "And what do you mean…?" He wheeled around to find T 'Challa and Lex watching him in turn. "Luthor! I should have known! And who's your African buddy here?"

"Oh he's more than my 'buddy', Jameson. This is King T 'Challa of Wakanda. He's your new boss by the way." Lex tapped his fingers on Glory's desk.

"Indeed I am! I have had a very long day and a half, Mr. Jameson. I am not in a particular good mood." T 'Challa narrowed his eyes.

"Yeah? Wakanda? What? Someone kill a prize elephant or some panther?" Jameson quipped.

"Peace! No. I have had to intercede in a family squabble. It is never good when one has to take such sides. It was the right thing to do. Two sisters are reunited in your Midwest. An incursion has been dealt with and war avoided. An important news event happened here in your city and you ignored it!" T 'Challa fumed. "They have watched my press conference from earlier this morning."

"What event? Something that big I would've heard about!" Jameson scoffed.

"You were not paying attention! Instead of writing those foolish editorials, keep your eyes OPEN! Perhaps you would know that Peter Parker called Spider-Man. He came to see me with Princess Jasmine's situation. We dealt with it. Another newspaper got the exclusive as you call it. Mr. Parker is one of the reporters who broke the story. He interviewed me last night. I cannot believe you fired him! Are you insane?"

"Well…uh…no! He let things happen behind my back! I can't…." Jameson stammered.

"I have heard the account. He was a freelance photographer in bed because of injury! How could he know?" T 'Challa smacked the closest desk with his palm. "And now he works for another newspaper. Wasted talent cannot be tolerated. Oh and you should also know something else. In return for his return of the Princess' assets, the Sultan stood to lose a great deal of money to sell your stocks back to you."

"Well he did! Too bad! You aren't my boss after all!" Jameson crowed.

"Jonah, check with our broker." Robbie shook his head.

"Pity that the sale had not gone through yet. I stepped in and outbid you. Then I purchased enough additional stocks to take control. I now own fifty one percent of this newspaper. So that means it is my newspaper now. That is two errors you have made on this affair!" T 'Challa corrected him.

"Naughty, naughty, Flat Top."

Jameson rolled his eyes. "You didn't invite him in here? GAH!"

Spider-Man sat on a web hammock in the corner of the room. He skimmed his (or rather Peter's) handiwork. "Parker's not bad at the writing thing. Who'd have thought? Wait. Not you. That'd set off a fire alarm." He walked along the ceiling. "Lex flew this in from the Midwest. Free copy of The Daily Planet. I mean my buddy, Parker, swoops back in here and snatches this story right out from under that bristled mustache of yours. Then he calls me to make sure it would make your day. Happy to oblige. I told the Black Panther. He told your mutual boss here. The wheels turn. The free world sings. And you keep brain farting. Another day in your mess." He dropped the newspaper onto the desk by Jameson. "After Chloe Sullivan interviewed me, the Editor in Chief himself asked me to deliver that and a personal note to you in person." He handed an envelope to him.

"What the Hell?" Jameson ripped the envelope. He pulled the paper out. There he read:

"Good morning, Jameson,

Thank you for the exclusive. Next time pay attention to the potential all around you. Oh and when you get done with Page 1. Look at the Business and Features Sections. I think you will really *enjoy* reading of your failed bid to regain control of your own newspaper and the free press about Spider-Man in this edition.

Thank you as well for passing on Parker and Sullivan. They will do quite well for us.

Please enjoy the complimentary copy of their handiwork and our unique messenger in this regard. I know you so love to write about him.

Thank you for supporting The Daily Planet.

George Taylor,

Editor and Chief"

"WHAT?" Jameson saw the picture on the front page.

"Is that all you can say? I mean really?" Spidey shook his head. "Okay. I know there are lots of big words to give you fits. Since there's a picture, you should be happy. Right? And that Sullivan kid? She asks some tough questions. You might learn something from her about being tough and fair. Wait. But…nah…never mind. That'd be too much to ask. Well yeah, there's my thing. Oh wait! Lookie! Lookie! Business section!"

"I get the idea!" Jameson scowled. Red streaked his face in darker shades than Rudolph's nose. "Get out of here, you Menace!"

"I want him in here. Mr. Taylor requested he be here. I agree." T 'Challa allowed himself a small smile. While he normally did not care of such quips and jabs, he knew Spidey would deliver the message in just the way to get under Jameson's skin.

"Luthor!"

"What? Don't look at me! I'm just here with the luggage." Lex shrugged. The Smirk however spread wider and wider across his face by the minute. "Oh wait. There was something else you missed. You might want to thank Norman Osborn for telling the Sultan about his daughter and her partner. Being buddies with him cost you your paper. And his ten percent of the paper's now LexCorp's. Which makes it mine."

"He did what?" Jameson slumped into the chair. He rubbed his forehead.

"He sent a message to Sultan Mahmud about the matter. Before his arrest, Osborn was about to retrieve his costume and equipment for an act of terror." T 'Challa raised an eyebrow.

"Terrorist?"

"Jonah, Norman was the Green Goblin. The FBI found the gliders, costumes and weapons in one of his warehouses." Robbie sighed.

"That's Page 4, Brillo-Butt." Spider-Man interjected with Sarcasm's cough.

"I can find it for myself! Thank you!" Jameson growled.

"That's up for debate." Spider-Man fired back. "Glad you like it. Parker's happy. Oh by the way,

Roses are red

Violets are blue

Thanks for great cred

Because of you."

Spider-Man added a half bow to T 'Challa. "Thanks for the ride. Give my best to the Panther and our thanks." He opened a window and crawled outside. He leapt into the abyss….

…or rather right onto Jasmine's carpet….

"Going my way?" he quipped.

She snorted. "Of course." She pointed at her Bluetooth. "You are most entertaining."

"Hey! I have my standards you know. So everyone okay?" He looked about.

"We are fine. I believe there is a stone omelet waiting. The lady of a certain house said you would know what that is." She raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah I do. Just make sure you drop me off a few blocks away. You know…" He left that reply hanging for effect.

"Of course. Come. We do not wish for our friends to wait too long." She flew them toward the north.

From Chaos came Onesupmanship's entertainment for all's concerned….