Scott picked me up in his Toyota Camry. Once I was in his car and had my seatbelt buckled, I explained to him everything as he drove. While his expression was rather stoic, as usual, something told me that he was a bit agitated.

"That… is concerning," he muttered out. He glanced over at me. "And you're going to cover this?"

"That's what I'm hired to do," I confirmed. "…I… I just don't know what I'll find there."

"And you think J. Jonah Jameson is connected to it?"

"I don't know." I looked out of the window. "So… the night after the St. James incident, I went on patrol, and I passed by the big screen where Jonah's show is broadcasted, and he talked about how The Daily Bugle has a plan to take down Spider-Man. I shrugged it off like I usually do. But then, I come to this interview, and he was in a heated argument with the editor-in-chief, with said editor telling to Jonah to 'keep me out of this B.S.', to mostly quote him. I know it's not a lot to go on, but…"

"Technically, it's not. But given his fixation on you, I wouldn't put it past him." Scott went quiet for a moment. I looked at him, seeing the expression of contemplation on his face. "…I'm going to send Kitty to that event, mostly to keep an eye on you and get you out of there in case things go south."

"Are you sure?" I asked. "I don't think I'll be in any danger."

"I'm sure. Even without her powers, she's very good at infiltrating places. But don't expect her to make contact with you during the event. Just focus on doing your job."

"Will do."

Scott dropped me off at my apartment. I still had a couple of hours to kill before I even needed to leave for classes. So, I put my portfolio away and checked my camera, making sure everything was in working order. Once it was time to go to class, I headed out, taking my camera with me.

After class, I went over to Peter Pan, as usual. MJ was there, but Ned wasn't.

"He has to help his parents out with something," MJ explained as she brought my coffee over. I took the cup and quickly took a sip. I then closed my eyes and let loose a noise of delight. "…Okay, the coffee isn't that good."

"It is compared to the one I had at The Daily Bugle," I retorted as I opened my eyes.

At that, MJ scoffed. "Well, Jonah doesn't seem like the type of person who'd pay extra money for decent coffee. So since Ned isn't here, does that mean you're not going to stay for a bit?"

"While I can't stay, it's not because of Ned." I smiled wryly. "I got hired for a gig tonight by The Daily Bugle. And if I do a good job, I'll be hired."

MJ frowned. "I'd be a bit happier for you if it wasn't for the fact he'll likely have you take pictures of Spider-Man just so he can shit on him like he always do." She then walked over towards the donuts. "He'd probably do so literally if he could."

"…You're not wrong."

"I'm usually not." She grabbed a pair of tongs and a bag. She then used the tongs to grab a French culler and put it in the bag. She walked back over and held the bag out towards me. "But I am still glad for you."

"Thanks," I replied. "I…" I trailed off. I was about to tell her that I needed to go. But then I remembered Betty's suggestion from earlier that morning. I swallowed the lump that suddenly formed in my throat. "Hey, Em… are you… are you doing anything tomorrow night?"

MJ tilted her head. "…I don't have anything planned," she replied. "I mean, other than studying, but I try to give my brain a break every now and again. Why, what's up?"

"I was wondering… if you'd like to hang out. Just… you and me."

"…And do what exactly?"

I froze for a moment. I smiled sheepishly. "I don't know. I didn't think that far."

My heartbeat rose, and butterflies were swarming in my stomach. It was amazing to me – spectacular, even – how MJ could make me feel like asking her out was this monumental task. I have never been so nervous doing anything else, whether it be taking on villains that rivaled me in strength or sitting through Aunt May giving me "The Talk". I took in a breath, mostly to steel myself for disappointment.

Expect disappointment, as MJ would say.

"So, you're asking me… to hang out with you… with nothing planned," MJ stated matter-of-factly. She leaned forward. "Am I correct?"

"…Yes," I replied. There was a cynical side of me that berated myself for expecting anything other than her saying no. In this post-Spell world, we only just became friends about a week or so ago. Plus, when MJ put it like that, it did sound kind of stupid, if not suspect. Even with Betty telling me that MJ liked me, I was expecting her to say no.

But, she didn't.

MJ stared at me for a few seconds, even though it felt like five minutes to me. She then closed her eyes briefly as she nodded. "Okay."

My eyes went wide a bit. "Wait, is that a yes?"

"Yes, Peter, that is a yes. Now get out of here before you get fired on your first day."

"Oh, right." I cleared my throat. "Okay, I'm out." I nodded. "Thank you. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Likewise, loser." She smiled slightly. I returned the smile before I turned away and left the shop.

I arrived at The Downtown Conference Center around 5:30 PM. After a quick check by security, I was able to enter the building. With directions given to me by one of the guards, I navigated the building until I was in the room where the press conference is being hosted. There was a stage set up with a podium. Behind the podium was a curtain. I had a feeling there was a door behind there. Hanging up high were three large screens, evenly spaced out with the outer screens angled a bit inward. In the back of the room was a row of cameras with some reporters and technical staff. In front of the stage were several rows of seats.

"You're kind of early." I looked to my right to see Betty approach me. "How was the rest of your day?"

"Same old, same old," I replied as I surveyed the room once more. I blinked once, then looked back at her. "…I took your advice. I asked MJ to hang out with me tomorrow."

Betty smiled. "That's great to hear. What are you two going to do?"

"…I don't know." I grimaced. "I didn't plan that far."

"Does she know that?"

"…Yes."

"And she still said yes?"

"Yes."

Betty looked at me for a few moments. She then smirked as she shook her head. "So, basically, you two are going to wander New York with nothing planned but you two having each other for company." She then tilted her head for a moment. "…Come to think about it, I think that would make a good fan fiction prompt."

I smiled. "You read fan fiction?"

She blushed a bit as she put on a nervous smile, looking a bit embarrassed. "…I write fan fiction."

"Oh… Oh, wow." I chuckled heartily. "That's awesome! I have to read your stuff!"

"No you don't." She looked away. "…I don't think I'm that good at it."

"Does Ned like it?"

"He says he loves it."

"Then that tells me all I need to know."

Betty sighed as she looked back at me. "I tell you what, you get hired to the Daily Bugle officially, and I'll send you a link. Deal?"

"Deal."

A little bit later, I started taking pictures as people filed in. Representatives from different companies arrived – companies such as Oscorp, Roxxon Corporation, and Glenn Industries, to name a few. All of the representatives and guests were dressed in their finest formal wear. I was pretty sure what each person paid for their outfits could cover seven months of rent for my apartment. An hour before the start of the event, J. Jonah Jameson arrived and checked in on me, seeing if I was taking pictures. When I told him I was, he said he expected me to have them e-mailed to Robbie in the morning before he walked up onto the stage and disappeared behind the curtain.

Finally, eight o'clock rolled around. People working the event ushered us to the seats. I was got a seat in the front row, about five seats to the left of the podium. Seated next to me was Betty. After a few minutes, Jonah stepped out onto the stage and stepped up to the podium. He looked around the crowd before he spoke into the microphone.

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen," Jonah began. "I'm J. Jonah Jameson of The Daily Bugle. For years, I have warned this city about the dangers of vigilantes – these so-called heroes who act outside of the law, often at the expense of our esteemed law enforcement who trained for years to protect the many residents who call New York City home."

It was at this point that footage played of different heroes in New York in action. I knew they were taken out of context, as they only showed the destruction we did indeed cause, but not the reason behind it. There was me kicking away a burning vehicle towards a fire hydrant. There was Shadowcat and Frictor throwing someone through the window of a shop. And it didn't stop with them. It showed heroes I knew of but never got a chance to interact with, like Daredevil, Luke Cage, Jessica Jones, and The Iron Fist. It took me all of my will power not to chuck my camera at Jonah's head as I continued to snap pictures.

"These are the people that kids look up to – destructive beings who justify the damage they cause by saying what they're doing is for the greater good. These people are the reasons The Sokovia Accords were created. And it's high time there was someone who puts a stop to them. Fortunately, for all of us, there is a man who reached out to me. This man not only shares my vision and goal for this city, but also sees this as a chance for redemption for his past wrongs and indiscretions. So, without further ado, I'll step aside and give the podium to none other than the founder and, once again, head of Hammer Industries, Justin Hammer!"

There a lot of murmurs in the crowd. I lowered my camera and could only utter a single word.

"…What?"

This had to be a joke. I thought it was a joke. But it wasn't. Justin Hammer in the flesh appeared from behind the curtain and walked up to the podium. He took a moment to shake Jonah's outstretched hand. I clenched jaw for a bit as many questions ran through my head, such as when did Justin Hammer get out of prison, when did he become head of Hammer Industries again, and why was he even here? Well, I was going to get the answer to the last one as he turned towards the audience and spoke into the microphone.

"Thank you all for coming here," Justin began. I resumed with picture taking. "I know it's a surprise to see me here, give my past transgressions. However, with a little help from my new friend J. Jonah Jameson and the U.S. Government, I was given a new lease on life. Not a lot of people in my position would get that, especially considering what I've done against the late great Tony Stark." He put on a remorseful look. I wasn't buying it. I was a bit angry that he even spoke his name. "But as it is, I'm on a mission of repentance. And what better way to repent than helping New York with a problem that has plagued this great city for years, if not decades?

"Fact of the matter is most of the so-called heroes in New York are operating contrary to The Accords. And because of that, it'll only be a matter of time until another Sokovia happens. I know it, people like Mr. Jameson here know it, and the U.S. Government knows it. So, I decided to provide the U.S. Government with my knowhow. With funding from the U.S. Government and The Daily Bugle, I was able to develop a cure for this vigilante plague. And this cure means beating them at their own game.

"As such, that brings us to Spider-Man."

The screens went on again, showing a picture of me standing on top of a damaged car. I felt a lump develop in my throat. What made it even worse is that I felt the tingle go up my spine and a buzzing in my head.

Why were my senses going off?

"Spider-Man has been the face of New York vigilantism for a long time. Now, I'm sure his heart is in the right place. I'm sure he has good intentions. But isn't the road to Hell paved with good intentions?" Justin closed his eyes briefly and shook his head. He took in a breath and opened his eyes. "Well, as a man who was given a chance at redemption, I'm willing to give Spider-Man and his new sidekicks, Shadowcat and Frictor, that same chance. So here's the ultimatum. I'm going to give Spider-Man, Shadowcat, and Frictor three days to turn themselves in to the U.S. Government or local law enforcement and submit to The Sokovia Accords. Quietly quitting vigilantism is also acceptable, but I think we can all agree that it'd be a shame if their talents were wasted.

"However, if three days pass, and they continue with their vigilante activities, well… they'll find out the hard way that a spider, a kitten, and… whatever animal Frictor would liken himself to, pales in comparison to… a scorpion." He smiled and nodded. "Thank you."

He turned and walked off through the curtain, ignoring the many reporters trying to get him to answer some questions. My senses were still going off. All around me, I heard the words and heartbeats of everyone talking. Some think that it was merely a bluff and that Justin was trying to create buzz for his company. Others think he has something under wraps. I had reason to believe it was more of the latter. The only question was what.

And what did he mean by "a scorpion"?

I took in a breath to try and calm my nerves a bit. I didn't want to be in this room anymore.

"Peter," Betty said.

I turned my head towards her, seeing the look of worry on her face. "Yes, Betty?" I replied.

"…I don't like this."

I frowned in sympathy. "I don't like this either." I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket. I reached into my pocket and fished out the device. After unlocking the phone, I saw I had a new message from Kitty. I opened the message and read it. I looked at Betty. "You need a ride home?"