Once again I must thank all my readers and especially my reviewers. Keep those reviews coming!
A/N Now firstly the official useless disclaimer that notes how I do not own any of these recognizable Marvel properties and this is for fun, no profit here so please no lawsuits..
And now...
Ben Reilly: The Uncanny Scarlet Spider
Chapter Five: Reaction...
In Manhattan
At the offices of The Daily Bugle, its owner; J. Jonah Jameson, sat chomping his traditional cigar and projecting his normal friendly 'badger with a toothache' personality that made him so beloved by his staff and employees.
"Robbie!" He bellowed.
"Yes JJ?" Robbie Robertson came over hoping that whatever it was wouldn't involve Jonah's blood pressure going through the roof today.
"What have you got on these reports that Spider-man was seen in Bayville last night?"
"Definitely not him JJ."
"How can you be sure?"
"I've got fresh photos from Parker showing Spider-man in Central Park last night."
"Hmmm..." Jameson grunted in thought. "Let's see if we can get under ol' 'web head's' skin some shall we? Put the Spider-man photos on page six. And I want a page one story... 'Spider-man terrorizes Bayville...' Be sure to put a question mark on that so those jerks at the Globe can't hang us with our own pics."
"Are you sure JJ?"
"Of course I'm sure. Spider-man will hate it. "Meantime I want Parker to get his butt over to Bayville and see just exactly what's the deal with this other Spider loser and these Sirens."
"Right away JJ." Robertson started to go call Parker but hesitated. ''JJ?"
"What?"
"We're in agreement that whoever is in Bayville.. we've got the proof that Spider-man is still in New York. Why waste the time sending Peter on what'll likely be a wild goose chase?"
"Good point. Let everyone else run around Bayville... I'll find someone else to send out later. We'll see if there's anything worth sending Parker for first!" He finished making it sound if it had been his idea.
"Right JJ." Robbie agreed unfazed with his boss's rather familiar ploy.
Jameson grunted in satisfaction and slapped Robbie on the shoulder. "Robbie! What are you standing around for? We've got a paper to run!"
At the Xavier Institute the following morning...
Scott looked up from his engine as Kurt popped in.
"Damn Kurt..." Scott exclaimed as he waved the smell of brimstone out of his nose. "Confined space you know..."
"Oops... sorry... Uh so vhat did you vant to see me bout and vhy are we meeting in secret?"
Scott closed the hood on his classic 'vette.
"Jean and the girls are headed for big trouble. You and I both know they're the Bayville Sirens."
"Ve do...?"
"Yeah... Who else could it be? And the Professor had to have a talk with me after using my powers in public just the once even discreetly. And we already went through that business with Angel... "
"So vhat are ve going to do?"
"I'm not sure. What's worse is this Spider-man guy showing up here... It was bad enough with having him showing off in New York. At least Angel tried to be discreet. This idiot doesn't even care he's putting us all at risk and now he's running around in Bayville? Just what we need is Spider-man bringing his media circus here."
"So do ve tell the Professor?"
"No. We can't do that. If the Professor calls them in, the girls will know we're the ones who told. All we can do is keep an eye on them without them knowing and make sure they don't get in over their heads."
"And vhat about Spider-man? I mean everything I've ever heard says he's one of the good guys..."
"Not according to the Bugle. And I agree. He's a showboating menace."
"Scott..." Kurt grinned shaking his head. "I think you're wrong there but maybe ve can use this..."
In a rented house in the suburbs of Bayville...
To the students and faculty of Bayville High, she was Risty Wilde. But right now Mystique was in no mood for disguises as she looked over the papers. Rogue and her friends were playing a dangerous game playing hero. That she was certain. She had no idea why Xavier hadn't stepped in to put a stop to it. Well even a psychic could only find something where he was looking for it. Still; while exposing mutants was part of Magneto's plan, it had to be at a time of their choosing. And Mystique really did not intend to sacrifice Rogue in the process.
Foolish girls! Did they really think this would help humans see mutants as anything but a threat? Public opinion was a fickle beast that created heroes and just as quickly devoured them at whim. One only had to look at Spider-man to know that. She smiled at that thought though as she read through the Bugle. Everything was second hand reports with nothing in Bayville other than the headline. She could use this to help quiet the fires before either she or the girls got burned.
She picked up the phone and dialed as her features shifted a bit.
"Hello Glory? This is Randy Green... Is Mr. Jameson in?"
Downtown Bayville...
At the bus station a large man in a trenchcoat and hat stared at the picture in the Bugle. Don't worry Peter... I promise I'll make sure he doesn't hurt you... Enjoy your life... It's good he's come to Bayville. Best that you don't get involved... At that a large scarred fist crumpled the paper as soon its owner intended to do to the Spider of Bayville...
To Be Continued...