"Parker, get in here now, you slacker!" Jameson exclaimed.
"Yes, Mr. Jameson." Peter replied.
Jameson tossed a newspaper on the desk regarding a robbery. "There was a robbery from an old tech lab. And I'll bet you Spider-Man is behind the whole set up. He's maybe manipulating people to do his dirty work, while still trying to pretend to be everyone's 'so called hero'."
"So you want me to cover the story what's going on behind those robberies." He asked.
"Not just the story, get me photos linking Spider-Man to the crimes and who is partner in crime." Jameson yelled. "Now get your butt moving Parker, time is money chop-chop!"
"JJ will never live it down if Spider-Man really was behind the crime spree." Peter thought changing into Spider-Man costume, on the roof. "I guess it's up to Spidey to prove him wrong once and for all."
It would be when pigs fly before J. Jonah Jameson would recognize Spider-Man as hero people make him out to be. Nevertheless, Spider-Man hung in there, knowing that he was not the only hero target to criticism.
He tried to call Chun Li for help, but only received her voice mail, "This is Chun Li, I'm sorry I could not take your call, so leave message after the beep, please and thank you." No doubt she was still doing some follow up work, so he was on his own for now.
"Guess it's up to Spidey to do this act solo." He said to himself. He handled a group of armed thugs before, so it shouldn't be a big deal to him.
He followed the directions to a hidden location around the docks of New York. He set his camera at corner, ready to shot at any time while in action. When his spider sense detected a ninja, he followed them by stealth.
Through the shipyard of New York City a couple ninjas loaded up some heavy crates into a submarine. One ninja was an energetic young teenage ninja leading group of Shinobi. And the second in command was mutant ninja also leading some troops to guard the area. The night was young and the streets were near pitch black. Knowing Shinobi's and Kunoichi darkness was always their greatest weapon, it didn't take them long to take out security.
Before she could touch the box, Spider-Man stopped her. "Aren't you a little young to be playing cops and robbers."
"Do not underestimate me Spider-Man." She tossed smoke bomb his way and charged at him with Kunai. Like a knife, she swung in different directions to land a blow.
"Don't you know you can poke yourself with that thing?" Spider-Man continued to joke around, while evading her strike. When Spider-Man took a step back, she launched barrage of ninja stars and Kunai knives his way.
"We have an intruder, but I shall neutralize him at once sir." She informed the others.
"Ibuki, finish him off and let's go. I'll even send Psylock there to help you." Ibuki's commander ordered.
Spider-Man stuck to the walls. "You have quite the arsenal, but you haven't seen me yet. I'm just getting started."
But before he could counter, he dodged a bunch of powered projectiles launching his way. That didn't stop Ibuki from throwing more kunai knives. Both attacks cut Spider-Man's web, thus grounding him. "I shall take care of this pest at once sir." Psylock said.
The two ninjas were caught off guard by sudden flash of nearby camera. Peter knew it wasn't his, since his was hanging from a building. Fearing for reinforcements, Psylock and Ibuki quickly rushed outside to check for whoever was trailing them.
To their surprise no one was out there, but that didn't stop them from checking all over the place. Barely any light was lit around the docks as the two ninja snooped around like guard dogs. In the corners, garbage cans and alley ways they looked for the intruder other than Spider-Man.
When Psylock heard something dropping, instantly she rushed to check armed and ready to kill anyway who stands in their way.
"Hold it you two; we must get out of here immediately you can deal with Spider-Man and the other guy later." The boss ordered.
"Yes sir," both ninja replied in unison, vanishing.
"Well, that could have gone worst, Spidey failed to catch the bad guys and no photos to explain any of it. How could it be worst?"
A flash came from behind Spider-Man. He thought it was an enemy, but surprise, surprise; it was his photo rival Frank West. "Spider-Man's big humiliating beat down. The Bungle would pay top dollar to see that, don't you think so Spidey?" he chuckled.
"Sorry pal, but I already have guy who takes my photos." Spider-Man replied.
"Yeah, well he's not better than me. I'll show that Parker kid who's the better photographer any day of the week."
"Yeah well Parker can take better photos then you." Spider-Man defended.
Frank suspected Spider-Man. "You sound like you know Parker a little too well Spidey. You two must be close buddies. Or do you expect me to believe your meeting with him is just a coincidence."
"Um, I guess he shadows me from a distance." Spider-Man lied to his teeth.
Frank folded his arms, not buying the story, "Uh-uh. Maybe what the Bugle says is really true about you Spider-Man, and I intent to find out."
It was bad enough to have Jameson on his tail, but now Frank West. What else could possibly go wrong? Then again Peter did admire Frank West's endurance to any danger, since he did cover wars. So he'd guess he'd play along for now, a little competition would not hurt. He'd only hope Frank West was not another Eddie Brock.
"Thank you for the photos Frankie, you really made my day." Jameson shouted. "You don't mind if I call you Frankie do you?"
"No problem JJ, just doing my job as photographer." Frank replied.
Peter had arrived at the Daily Bugle the next morning only to find an awkward surprise. Only rarely Jonah Jameson was in his good moods if someone made is day. And that could not be any clearer then Frank West. He was welcomed with opened when presented photos of Spider-Man defeat. It was also kinda a funny defeat.
Jameson held his whine glass. "Oh Parker, your just in time. Frankie had got some good photos of Spider-Man in action."
Peter read the headline. "Spider-Man suffers embarrassing defeat by ninja teen and mutant ninja. Are you kidding me?"
Frank placed his hand on Peter's shoulder. "Oh don't take it so personal Parker; you should just leave the photography to the experts, better luck next time."
Jameson patted Frank on the back. "I like this man's talent. You should learn a lot from him Parker, maybe he will take you as his apprentice."
Feeling left out as usual, Peter exited the Daily Bugle building. "Thanks I'll keep that in mind."
At first he didn't mind having much contest as long it doesn't jeopardize his job, but he felt with him here Spider-Man only looked worst then before. However, he could not worry about Spider-Man's imagine right now. All that mattered right now were his responsibilities.
When nightfall came once again Spider-Man went to the docks again. He only hoped to outshine Frank West this time with nice photo scoop. With his automatic camera set in place, he set down on ground level. He approached the situation with much caution.
Sensing a presence, he found Frank West behind him. "Sorry Spidey, but I'm just here to get the scoop from Parker, but don't worry I've handled dangers before."
Peter rolled his eyes under the Spider-Man mask. "This day just gets better and better doesn't it?"
When his spider sense triggered again, the two quickly got out of the way of army of Kunai. Ibuki and Psylock approached them with the intent to kill. "These ninja belong to be me Spider-man, for they are now under my control."
"I know that voice. When did you get out of prison Zebediah Killgrave, or should I say Purple Man." Spider-Man exclaimed.
"Very good Spider-Man, you figured out who I am." Purple Man chirped.
"As I recall didn't the Avengers took you down before?"
"Enough of this foolishness, ninjas kill Spider-Man and the other guy at once!"
As the ninjas attack Spider-Man quickly leaped him and Frank up in the air. He was able to trap most of them inside his spider web like catching his prey. Knowing Frank West was no pushover to danger, he let him down for a dropping elbow move. He then followed up with ramming clothesline.
With web filled robes at his disposal, Spidey was able to match most of the Shinobi through his mixed martial arts skills. The Kunai and sword strikes the two dodged front, back, side to side, fighting a group of trained ninjas. Ibuki and Psylock had even joined the fight.
"Hey ninja girl, if you're in there, fight the Purple Man's control." Spider-Man tried to reason with them.
Leaving Frank with the group of ninja, Spider-Man held back as much as possible only sticking to defense instead of fighting Psylock and Ibuki, going from one area to the next. They chased him like a rat, not letting her target get away.
"After I'm though with you Spider-Man, the Avengers are next on my list." Purple Man said on speaker.
His words were like air to Psylock and Ibuki's ears as he continued to try to reason with the two of them. The least he could do was calm them down with web obstacle after obstacle. Knowing how the Purple Man operates, he tried to distance them as much as possible, even if it included getting hurt by their weapons.
When they were mile a Spider-Man used the chance to wrap them under his web. He hoped they finally calm down after being under Purple Man grasp. Their eyes twitched constantly trying to fight the Purple's Man control, until they were quiet.
When their eyes snapped opened, they knew what they had to do now, free from control.
"It's over for you." Purple Man announced watching Frank West defeat.
Ninja stars and Kunai launched at Purple Man, but only tracing him from a distance like drawing. Psylock and Ibuki were beyond anger after being controlled by the Purple Man. When Psylock was back she ordered her ninjas to retreat. Now Killgrave was all alone and surrounded.
"Do you think you'll get away with this, you can't resist me?" Purple Man argued.
Ibuki and Psylock cracked their knuckles and released a fast right hook towards Killgrave, completely ignoring his pled for mercy.
Ibuki gave Spider-Man an honorable bow of gratitude. "Thank you so much for your help Spider-Man."
"Yes, your assistance has been most helpful, I'll remember that when we encounter again." Psylock replied, even if she didn't like being saved.
It was another job well done for everyone's favorite wall crawler, both as Peter Parker and Spider-Man. Ibuki even took a last minute photo shot with Psylock, Frank, and Spider-Man. It would be quite an event to remember in her eyes.
"Spider-Man and Frank West takes out Purple Man and his ninjas," it said in the headline of the Daily Bugle paper, Photos taken by Frank West and Peter Parker.
"I don't know how you did it Parker, but maybe you should give me some pointers sometime." Frank offered.
"Oh I'm really nothing special then average Frank." Peter said calmly.
"In local news a big heist is going down at the New York treasury. Enforcements are already on their way here and now," as said on the news report.
Leaving their money on the table, Frank and Peter rushed out of the Coffee house to their assignments. It was race to the finish. Frank became an ally to Spider-Man and rival to Peter. Now Peter didn't mind at all having some friendly competition, since Frank shared his adventurous determination.
"Bet I can catch the story before you Parker. And when I do Jameson will promote me to staff." Frank challenged.
"Yeah right, we'll see Frank."
"Can I come?" Ibuki asked. "I got time to kill before my plane arrives."
Peter smiled, "Sure as long as you can keep up. The more the merrier."