A/N: As usual, your praise is appreciated :D Guardian of Azarath: You are correct! New Trivia question; in the first episode of "The Spectacular Spider-Man", who voices Tombstone? Spider-Man is like his Spectacular counterpart and has only being doing this for six-months.

Chapter 6

As the Daily Bugle office was abuzz with phones ringing and people talking at once, two teenagers managed to sort through the insanity. They were dressed in a similar fashion (check out Spectacular Spider-Man and tell me you don't see it) and both looked rather exhausted. Jack and this Parker kid entered J. Jonah Jameson's office and were met by his tirade, "I THOUGHT I TOLD YOU TO GET OUT OF MY BUILDING PARKER!"

"You did, Mr. Jameson, but you also told me to bring you pictures of Spider-Man," Parker pulled out some photos from his bag. "I also got one with him and that ninja guy." Jameson quickly grabbed the photos, sorting through them, muttering "trash" and "crap" while he did so. Finally he looked at the two boys again.

"These are worthless!" he bellowed. "I'll give you fifty for 'em."

"Come one," the boy whined. "I'm the only one who got the pictures. I should at least get a little more than that!"

"Fine, 250$."

"Each," the boy crossed his arms over his chest.

"WHAT! That's outrageous!" the man paused for a second. "Deal. You've got a real future in this business Parker. NOW GET LOST!" He slammed the door in their faces, leaving the two boys to stare at each other.

"Is he always this…"

"Let's put it this way," Parker interrupted. "He's been on decaf for the last month." Both boys gave a small shudder before walking to Mrs. Brant's office to collect the money. "I'm Peter by the way. Peter Parker."

"Jack Darby," the raven haired teen replied.

"You been in New York long?"

"Just visiting. Don't really like big cities. I'm from Jasper, Nevada."

"I went there once when I was kid," Peter replied. "Kinda boring if you ask me."

"I learned a long time ago that boring isn't so bad when compared to other stuff." After collecting the money, the two boys exited the building and walked in silence. Peter asked if it was alright if they stopped by his high school, to which Jack shrugged. He didn't really care as he was too busy trying to find ways to ditch this guy. "How'd you get those pictures anyway?"

"I have a knack for being in the right place at the right time," he grinned. "It's dangerous, I know, but it puts money in my pockets and helps my aunt pay the bills."

"Your aunt?"

"My Aunt May," he said. "She's the only living family I have, so I live with her. It's not easy, thanks to the never-ending supply of bills. But we managed to get through." Jack had to admit this kid may have been slightly annoying, but his priorities were in order. "So what about you? Any family?"

"My mother," he replied. "I'm pretty much like you. Only living family and not too lucky when it comes to bills. Had to get a job at a fast food place to help pay them." The two of them continued to exchange experiences as they caught the bus to Midtown High. Jack had to admit to himself that this Parker guy wasn't so bad after all. Getting off the bus, the two teens entered the school yard, where they were met by two people.

"Hey, Pete," the girl replied; she was dressed in an orange jacket and grey pants. She had short blonde hair and glasses in front of her blue eyes. Next to her was a boy dressed in short sleeve shirt and dark green pants. His hair was red with curls and he had green eyes and freckles.

"Hey Gwen, Harry," he greeted. He gestured from them to Jack, "This Gwen Stacey and Harry Osborn, my two best friends. This is Jack Darby; I'm showing him the best places to snap photos for the Bugle."

"Nice to meet you," Gwen extended her hand, which Jack accepted. "Hope your enjoying your stay here."

"It's been surprising to say the least," the boy smiled. Harry extended his hand in greeting, which Jack took as well. He was rather happy to have a taste of some normalcy for a change after everything that had happened in the last few months. Still, he wouldn't trade his life for the world; deciding to change the topic on his mind, he decided to ask them something, "What do you guys know about this Spider-Man?"

"The Bugle says he's a menace, but I don't think so," Harry replied. "I owe him one for saving my dad."

"Harry's right," Gwen said. "Jameson just blowing off some hot air; I take it you've met him?"

"I had the pleasure," the boy replied, turning to Peter. "If I'm cutting into your personal time…"

"Don't sweat it," the brown haired boy smiled. "Us socially awkward teens gotta stick together, right? Besides, if you want see Spider-Man in action, I'm the only guy who can get pictures of him."

"Good for you," Jack smirked.

"You know you two kind of sound alike," Harry stated. Both teens looked at each other for a moment.

"I don't hear it," they replied in unison. After saying his goodbyes to his friends, Peter and Jack headed for the best viewpoints to take pictures. Jack listened half-heartedly, trying to concentrate on locating the relic before whoever had it activated it. They travelled all over the city until Jack senses got stronger and he determined the relic was in the building a few blocks from them.

"What's that building?" he asked, indicating it.

"That belongs to the Big Ma- I mean that's where L. Thompson Lincoln works," Peter told him, looking somewhat uncomfortable. This did not go unnoticed by Jack.

"You were about to call him something else, what was it?"

"Rumor has it he's the Big Man of crime and that he controls all of the small time operations in the city; but like I said, it's only a myth." Jack knew from Peter's tone that he thought otherwise; and if this L. Thompson Lincoln had the relic in his hands, than things were about to get messy.

ShadowStrike: Terra Breaker

As they entered the building, the two teens were met by a room filled with some of New York's shakers and movers. They socialites conversed, paying no mind to the casually dressed boys and the walked through the room. They were quickly the center of attention when a voice boomed, "PARKER!" Jameson stepped out of the crowd and met with the two boys, "What are you two doing in here? This is a party for the city's top notch citizens."

'Then what are you doing here?' they thought at the same time. Before Jameson to tirade any further, the sound of finger tapping a microphone caught everyone's attention. On the stage before them was a man clad in black suit, his skin inhumanly pale. His eyes appeared to be yellow and the pupils were dilated. His teeth were about a sharp as shark's, "Welcome everyone. I am your host, L. Thompson Lincoln. I would like to thank you all for attending."

Jack took in the sight of the man as he continued to speak, an uneasy feeling in his stomach. Looking over to Peter, he saw a stern look on his face, suggesting he wasn't too fond of Lincoln as well. From the aura the man gave off, it wasn't hard to guess why people thought he was some kind of crime lord. They listened as he regaled the crowd with how he started a foundation or something; Jack was too busy trying to find the man's office. Peter followed him, "What are you doing? We're not supposed to be back here!"

"Never thought I'd hear those words coming out of a photographer," he replied. "Maybe we can find something to incriminate this guy if he really is the Big Man." Entering his office, Jack was taken aback by the appearance. Lincoln's office commanded a large sweeping view of the city. Mounted on the walls were several trophies and works of art while a desk sat in the middle.

To the far right was pool table, which was oddly missing its Eight Ball. Following his senses Jack walked up to the piece of artwork that resembled a staff of sorts. 'What do we have here?'

"The Nexus staff," Zangetsu spoke from within the boy's mind. "It was created from shattered pieces of Nexus Prime's armor. It is not a weapon to be taken lightly."

'Noted,' Jack thought in reply. He's found the relic; now all he had to do was take without being noticed by someone. He knew he would have to come back here at a later time, when Lincoln wasn't around. As he prepared to leave, he was tackled to the ground by Peter. Before the boy could protest, an explosion caused them both to cover their heads.

Looking the direction of the explosion, the two boys were met by the sight of man on what appeared to by a glider with the appearance of a gargoyle shaped bat. He wore purple armor on his forearms, knees, torso, and head, the exposed skin was a light green color. His nose was elongated and his eyes were white, dilated pupils being the only color visible. His most notable feature however was the perpetual smile on his face. Recovering from the shock of the explosion, Jack gazed at the figure in disbelief, "What the hell are you supposed to be?"

The figure threw his head back and let out a high-pitched cackle, "Why I am the Green Goblin, master of mischief!" He continued laughing as he flew past the two boys and into the dining hall, shocking everyone. He pulled out small device that resembled a pumpkin and threw it. The device exploded in puff of green smoke. The people started to run for the elevators and stairwells, screaming in terror as the Goblin laughed like a mad man.

"Peter, we need to-" Jack started until he realized Peter wasn't around. "Must've gotten scared. Can't say I blame him." Quickly assuming his ninja form, ShadowStrike entered the dining room, hiding behind the corner as the Goblin confronted Lincoln.

"L. Thompson Lincoln," the horrid figure chuckled. "Just the 'Big Man' I wanted to see!"

"And who are you?" the man asked calmly, his voice betraying no emotion.

"Think of me as your replacement," the Goblin laughed. "Or more explicitly, your executioner!" He prepared to throw another bomb when a shuriken flew into it, planting itself there. Both men looked over to find ShadowStrike, his sword drawn. The Goblin merely laughed, "Well if isn't Ninja Dave!"

"My name's not Dave," he growled. "Just call me ShadowStrike."

"ShadowStrike?" a familiar voice entered the fray. "Now that's much better than Dave." Spider-Man inched himself down from the web he was hanging from.

"Not you again," the ninja face palmed.

"Reunited and it feels so good," the red and blue hero replied, taking a stance. "So how do you want a play this?"

"Stay out of my way while I 'chat' with Lincoln," the ninja barked. "You can play with the Jolly Green over there." Without another word, the ninja darted in the direction of Lincoln, the man not moving an inch. He drew his blade and attacked, only for Lincoln to stop Mugetsu with his hand alone.

"You attack a defenseless bystander?" the man replied coolly, his eyes boring in to the ninja.

"You're not the first mastermind disguised as a business man I've faced," he replied. "Mr. 'Big Man'."

"In my life I have been known by many names," Lincoln replied, keeping a firm grip on the sword. "Some, like you and this 'Goblin' have accused me of being the Big Man of crime. But my favorite is 'Tombstone'." He quickly kneed ShadowStrike in his gut and punched him in his face, backhanding him across the room. He certainly had about as much punch as the Shredder, and that was saying something. Examining the blade for a second, he tossed back to the ninja and watched as Spider-Man and the Green Goblin fought it out.

The two men were performing feats of acrobatics and athleticism some would believe impossible; but the proof was before them. Spider-Man dodged each of the Goblin's bombs, swinging around the room, jumping from place to place. He managed to get behind the Goblin and knock him off his glider, sending him to the ground. Spider-Man ran towards him and threw a punch, only for it to be caught by the madman. Laughing insanely, he tossed the wall crawler into the recovering ninja.

"That all you got?" the Goblin cackled.

"Ya know I noticed something," Spider-Man said as he got to his feet. "He's more talkative than Tombstone and I'm more talkative than you and we're all at each other's throats."

"Do you have a point?"

"Just trying to make conversation," he replied. ShadowStrike looked about ready to strangle him when he pushed him to the ground, "Get down!" A bomb blasted them both out of the dining room, sending them to the ground below. Both men managed to recover and land on a nearby building, ShadowStrike catching the ledge. Spider-Man offered him his hand, but he refused, climbing up on his own.

"Got a plan B?" the web-head asked.

"Yeah, gut them like fish," he replied.

"Again with the killing thing?" Spider-Man asked in shock and anger. "What is your problem?"

"What's my problem?" the ninja asked incredulously. "You see how dangerous those two are, right? The only way to make sure they don't hurt anyone is by ending their miserable lives once and for all!"

"You idiot!" Spider-Man shouted. "How can you be so willing to take a life?"

"Practice," he replied, earning a gaping stare from Spider-Man.

"Practice? You mean you've killed before?"

"Plenty of times, that a problem?"

"Who the hell do you think you are!" Spider-Man growled. "What gives you the right to decide who lives or who dies? What makes you so special?"

"I'm not special!" ShadowStrike replied. "I'm just trying to use the power I have to protect the people I care about! Not that it's any of your business, but I have a daughter, sort of."

"How can you go back to her knowing what you've done?" Spider-Man narrowed his eyes. "How can you back to a little girl, knowing you've killed people?" ShadowStrike found himself at a loss for words; it wasn't like he hadn't thought about things like that, but they didn't really seem to matter that much. Sunny never seemed afraid of him, so he figured he had nothing to fear. Spider-Man continued, "You said you use your power to protect the people you care about? Well, with great power comes great responsibility. You can't just execute people willy nilly; there are things to consider."

Taking a moment to sort out his thoughts, ShadowStrike gave an audible sigh, sheathing his sword, "Okay, what's the plan?"

ShadowStrike: Terra Breaker

A/N: Hope you enjoyed! Next time: ShadowStrike and Spider-Man faceoff against the Green Goblin while Tombstone watches on. Afterwards, the Autobot must go into battle when the next relic is decoded.