Chapter 8: Confrontation
"Ms. Brant!" Shouted the voice of Jameson
"Yes, chief?" Asked the secretary of the Bugle.
"Where is that good for nothing new photographer Eddie Brock!" He bellowed, "We just received word that Spider-Man has been spotted in Bayville and we don't have a decent photo of that masked menace to finally expose him to a threat he truly is."
"He just came in sir, he's talking with Robbie." She stated, her eyes not leaving the screen of the computer
"Well, what's he waiting for an invitation? Get him in my office!" He said, slamming the door to the office.
Moments later a knock came at the door and entered a blonde haired man with a fine suit on came in the office sheepishly. Poking his head inside this young man said to the editor in chief, "Yes Mr. Jameson?"
"Brock, we got word that Spider-Man is another part of New York and you're still here talking nonsense with every single person in this damn office! Why aren't taking photos of Spiderman!?"
"I figured since I'm new here that I might… you know…"
He was cut off by Jameson, "No, I don't know! This is what I do know, if your ass isn't at Bayville within the next two hours you're FIRED!"
Brock winced as he heard the last part more harshly, Jameson was not a man of people slacking when it came to finding some dirt for the wall crawling menace. He learned that their previous photographer Peter Parker had resigned to move to Bayville and that he was one best at taking Spider-Man's photos now that he was here, he was going to be the one to provide more quality work than that Parker fellow so he thought.
"What are you still doing in my office? Get going before I get security to throw you out of this building, this paper isn't going to write itself." He touched a button to call his secretary, "Ms. Brant make sure you get me Robbie I want to speak with about today's front page headlines."
"Right away Mr. Jameson." She said over the intercom
"Well, what are you standing around here for? Get moving!" He pointed to the door, "There's the door, make sure it doesn't hit you on the way out."
Oscorp Labs
Norman Osborn watched in awe even though his face didn't show it, at a screen in his laboratory at a black suit individual taking on a group of thugs. He watched him perform acrobats, flips and handsprings to avoid his attackers. He moved in a blur caused confusion amongst his enemies, they had no time to react as he quickly disposed of them, webbing two to a nearby lamppost and throwing the final thug into a trash heap.
Earlier, after learning that Spider-Man was spotted in Bayville, Osborn contacted the head scientist to send out the probes in order to study Spiderman in hopes to create a serum to create the ultimate super solider.
"Extraordinary!" Came a voice, Norman looked at the source of the voice, it was that of an elderly man by the name of Spencer Smythe, "Simply extraordinary, his speed, his agility."
Spider-Man left web-slinging after his work was done, Norman was a bit displeased as to why the probes retreated instead of going after him.
"What are you doing? Go after him!" He shouted placing a firm grip on the older, "You're letting him get away!"
"Unhand my father Osborn, my father knows what he is doing!" This voice came from another man only he was in a wheelchair pointing an accusing finger at the older Osborn.
"Don't worry about it Alistair my son." His voice said nonchalantly, "There is no need to defend me."
"You better have a good reason why you didn't pursue Spider-Man or your son won't be the only thing that you will have to defend!"
Pushing the wheelchair of the younger Symthe, Spencer explained, "The probes that were sent to their target was to only get them to locate and find Spider-Man not capture."
"You may have built the machines, nevertheless it was my money that gave you the edge, why didn't you persist on capture!" Osborn shouted as he followed them to another part of the building
"As it was mentioned before Osborn their mission was to locate and might I add study Spider-Man not capture." He stopped in front of a control panel pushing a button to reveal a robotic spider, "Behold the real hunter to catch Spider-Man; The Spider-Slayer Black Widow."
Osborn looked at the robot it was black all over with a bit of red here and there, "Are you sure that this will capture Spider-Man?"
Alistair looked at Norman Osborn with irritation written on his face, "My father is the best robotics engineer there is! Don't underestimate him at what he does Norman."
"That's Mr. Osborn to you young man!" He snapped at younger Smythe, then he turned to the father, "This better be worth the money that I have invested Spencer or I'll cut your funding meaning no wheelchair for your son! Am I making myself clear?"
"Crystal" He replied
"Good I will not tolerate failure Smythe!" He turned to leave, "If you can excuse me, I have other matters to attend to that require my attention."
Alistair drummed his fingers on the handle of his wheelchair looking angrily at his retreating back of Osborn, "Sometimes father, I wonder why you accepted this job."
"It is because Alistair of your condition that I took this job offer in hopes of finding someday the method for you to have your legs back."
"Father… you mustn't worry about me, I'll be fine." He tried to reassure his father, the way he looked at him said otherwise, "Let continue with project Spider-slayer."
Bayville Mall 4:00 PM
Aunt May decided to go with Peter to the Bayville Mall to familiarize herself with the layout of the neighborhood since they have been working so hard unpacking items in their new home. May saw it as an opportunity to get acquainted with other people, Peter had arrived later during the day around 3:30 pm with a few scrapes, he dismissed it as nothing which worried Aunt May but she it slide for the time being.
Peter looked around the place, with many people were here, and all the commotion of the people echoing throughout place Peter felt a bit light headed. He shook his head to shake off the nausea, Aunt May looked at him.
"Peter? Are you alright?" She asked, clinging onto his arm
"I'm fine, Aunt May, just a little nauseous." He replied, "Now let's see if we can find you some new outfits to wear."
She smiled, "Will you be trying to find a job since we moved here?"
Peter chuckled lightly, "I might find one just to keep me busy."
They walked into different stores of the mall searching for clothes and hopefully to Peter luck a job, the symbiote was getting frustrated as time went by.
'Come on Parker! Stop this non-sense and let's do something fun, like fight more baddies or web swing throughout the suburban city, patrol? Anything to get away from this geezer!' It groaned
'Hey the 'geezer' is my Aunt and she is the only family I have left roomy! You want to hang out with me? You got to tolerate the people I hang out with.' Peter snapped
'Need I remind you, what friends? You left them back in New York City last I recalled. I'm the only friend that you'll ever need.'
Peter froze, the cold truth that he had no friends here. For the first time he was alone with now Harry, no MJ and no Gwen, no one.
'Don't worry Peter I will be your friend, and only friend you will ever need.'
'That's just wrong, I can't be limited to you! I need a social life to commute with the outside world for crying out loud!'
'Needless to say, nobody likes you for nerdy appearance! You be fooling yourself if you think that people like nerds, everyone like that independent bad boy not some nerdy teenage boy with his old aunt.'
'That was a low blow and you know it!' He countered, 'I am done with this conversation, and you can't force me to be just you and me all the time this is my life. What if there is a possibility that a girl may like me and decides to hit off with me? Then what?'
The symbiote growled at its host, 'I'm trying to help you open our eyes to reality, Peter! I'm not here to destroy it, alas, I'm trying to improve your lifestyle to maximum potential it can be at!'
'Well, like I said before; my life, my way, my rules. So let's set them straight." Symbiote was not liking where this was going, it growled in annoyance as Peter spoke the ground rules, 'Rule #1 I call the shots on how I want things to run. Rule #2 You have to be more open to other people because I get the feeling that you are very clingy to a host.'
Muttering under breath the symbiote said fine, nonetheless it still has plans for Peter, it wanted it's host to live as comfortable as possible, for now it was going to listen and observe the situation before injecting.
Peter sighed, as he continued to watch his aunt shop for clothing, he heard a familiar voice coming in the clothing store with another voice.
"You're going to love it here Kitty, I promise you that though, don't expect Logan to be merciful when it comes to training, he is a very strict man when it comes to hardcore training."
"Ugh, I can hardly wait, like why can't he just I don't know, like chill out or something."
'There's a familiar face I recognize.' He thought, he looked at the girl next to her, 'That girl looks like Mary Jane jeez red-hair and green eyes.'
"I don't think chill is in his vocabulary nor take a break." Jean shrugged, "Anyway, come on let see what's in stores, I'm dying to see what they have in stores."
"Like your not the only one who's waiting to see what new in stores." She said excitedly
Peter had other thoughts as well, he might as well go look for some type of job, now that they were here, who was going to pay the rent for the house.
"Hey Aunt May."
"Yes, dear?" She said without taking her eyes off the clothing, her hands went through a selection of blouses and pants and skirts mix and matching them to her liking.
"I'm going to be looking around for a job, I will be back in an hour or so."
"Alright dear, just don't get lost now."
He chuckled as he started walking away, "Come on Aunt May I'm nearly 19 cut me some slack."
He left the clothing store, looking around the mall he noticed various different shops, none of them had a help wanted sign. He walked into a few stores to ask if they were hiring to his disappointment they were not, he grew frustrated with this, it was just so weird to him without a job to keep him occupied.
Lost in his thoughts, he didn't notice he bumped into someone hard, he stood his ground on the other hand the person landed flat on her behind.
"Damn it! My papers." She said frantically, Peter bent down to help
"Sorry about that was my fault." He picked up the papers handing them, when both persons looked up at each other. The girl had an irritated look on her face, when she saw Peter.
"Thanks a lot you jerk I'm late for my job!" She glared daggers at him
Peter narrowed his eyes, "Well, sorry I was not the one was running."
"Whatever!" She got up running down the mall, "Thanks for making me late!"
Peter shook his head, watching the blonde girl disappear within the crowd. When he looked down at his feet there a piece of paper. Wondering if the paper belonged to the girl he bumped into, he flipped the paper around searching for a name. Luckily he found the owner's name; APRIL MAYE.
He glimpsed through the paper, he was impressed as he skimmed through the reading that OSCORP was currently in development of a super soldier serum. He shrugged, taking off in the same direction the blonde-haired girl went, dodging the crowd, he nearly ran into a guy with red shades.
"HEY!" He cried out, Peter somersaulted over him without effort before taking off again. People around were impressed at the stunt, while others gave a disapproving look muttering that he ran that guy over.
Kurt whistled "Neat trick, think he joined the circus?"
"I don't think so besides no one is able to jump that high."
"You don't think he's a…" Kurt began to say, Scott had a devious smile written upon his face, "Let's follow him to find out."
Somewhere else in the mall, April panted heavily as she made it to her job. Looking at the sign it reads DAILY GLOBE, before going inside she checked her papers, skimming through them, she noticed that one of her reports was missing.
"No, no, no, oh no, please not now!" She grew desperate, as she went through the papers, three times to be exact, her missing document had details on what OSCORP was doing about a new project called the Solider of tomorrow. April had visited OSCORP during an assignment that was given to her by the editor in chief Barney Bushkin who got the word on what CEO Norman Osborn was developing serum to make enhanced super soldiers.
Now that one file was missing, she slumped to the ground, letting her papers fall nearly on the verge of tears, three weeks, it took her three long tedious weeks to come up with the details. Now she felt her rival would be here any minute to take the fame and the best reporter of the month since he was also on the case of this new discovery.
A tear escaped her, as her eyes began to water, then another slid down her cheek, soon she heard a voice, "Hey, hey what's a pretty girl like you crying for?"
Wiping her eyes, she looked up to see the same person she bumped into earlier, "I'm not crying, I just got something in eye."
"Sure you did." Peter crossed his arms, as she started to pick up her papers
"What do you want?" She asked harshly standing up
Unfolding his arms, he held out a paper, "I do believe this belongs to you, April Maye."
Snatching the paper from his hands, her eyes widen, she looked at Peter. She took him by surprise when she kissed him on the cheek.
"You are a lifesaver, and I'm sorry that I spoke harshly to you Mr…."
"Parker, Peter Parker."
"Wait a minute Peter Parker?" She paused for the moment, "The Peter Parker, who takes the pictures of Spider-Man?"
"The one and only."
Her mouth ajar, she let out school girl high pitched squeal, Peter quickly covered his ears.
"Oh my gosh, Oh my gosh, Oh my gosh, Oh my gosh, Oh my gosh, Oh my gosh, Oh my gosh…" She started to jump up and down, Peter raised an eyebrow, soon she hugged him. Peter at a loss hugged her back. "Peter your pictures are well known throughout the Daily Globe, no photographer can catch the pictures of Spider-Man like you can… oh my goodness where are my manners?"
She extended her hand, "I'm April Maye and is very nice to meet you and may I ask what you're doing here in Bayville?"
"I moved here not to long ago and I'm looking for a job since I resigned from the Daily Bugle."
A light bulb went off in April's head, "Peter this building is part of the Daily Globe we are trying to expand over all of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, we just started here like a month ago and we are looking for photographers. Do you think you want to apply for a job here?"
"…Um… okay guess…"
"Great!" She pulled him by the arm inside the building, meanwhile a pair of eyes was watching the whole thing from around a corner.
"He doesn't look like a mutant to me." Said Kurt, "Maybe we should go back to reunite with the others mein Freund."
"Looks can be deceiving, Kurt." Scott said, he looked at the Indingo haired mutant, "Guess you're right let's head back to check on the girls."
Outside of the mall parking lot
Empath looked at the mall and then to Thunderbird, the taller mutant said to the group, "Find Xavier's children and we'll find the girl."
"Now hold a minute Thunderbird." Firestar spoke up, "No one is going to get hurt right? I mean we can't just go in there and start tearing the place up just because we believe they might be Xavier's students…"
Empath and Thunderbird looked at each other, "Do it."
Empath came up to Firestar, kissing her on the lips, she suddenly fell into a trance. Stroking her cheek, he said,"Don't worry mi pequeña, it's all for the greater good, no?"
Still in a trance she repeated his last statement, "For the… greater good."
"Bien." He said, "Vamos, times is wasting."
"The operation begins now!" Thunderbird then said, "Send in the knights…"
Back inside the mall
Peter was smiling when he came out the Daily Globe franchise building, he got a job now, he will be working with April next week starting Monday afternoon when he got back from school, his new boss Mr. Cavil was going to pay him 350 per picture of Spider-Man.
His new boss to be is a real fan of Spider-Man, he thought that he was a hero and not a menace to society.
"Can this day get any better?" Spider-sense went haywire, an explosion shook the building as a huge hole was seen above it, panic spread to the people of the mall and debris fell hurling to two bystanders looking.
With all the confusion, no one saw Peter spin two web lines to their back pulling them away from dangers. Soon three ropes were thrown through the hole and armed men came sliding down to the ground. Warning shots rang out causing more people to panic.
"Apparently I spoke too soon." He muttered, he dashed towards the corner where no one would see him change from Peter Parker into the Amazing Spider-Man, the new and improved version that is.
"Aunt May!" He said in realization as he changed back into his regular clothing, "I'll have to get her first and fast!"
'And Here I thought we are going to have some fun.'
'We'll have fun later.'
Coming out from the corner, he made a dash from he stood and ran becoming a blur in the eyes of the armed men.
"What was that!" one of them stated
"Doesn't matter find the girl!"
Fashion 21 Clothing store
Aunt May and other people rushed out of the store to see what the commotion was about, from what was gathered three armed men came from the roof of the mall in search of someone. Many people had already evacuated the mall from the back of the mall.
Only one thing was bothering her where is her nephew, she was worried if this was case of armed men were searching for someone and it could have been anyone.
"Aunt May!" She turned to see her nephew racing towards her, "Peter…"
"Come on let us get out of here, it's too dangerous." They walk with the crowd to the sign that said exit, as soon as he was sure that his Aunt was safe outside with the rest of the people outside in the parking lot he disappeared.
"Peter? Peter!" Aunt May said frantically, "Where did he go?"
Back inside the mall
Jean, Kitty, Scott and Kurt managed to reunite with each other, "You guys alright?"
"Yeah, we're fine Scott." Jean said
"What's going on?" Ask Kitty, "It felt like an earthquake hit."
"Nicht, people have been saying about three men in armor terrorizing the peace, how ridiculous is that? I mean, come on men in armor?"
"I don't think that's too far-fetched."
"Why do you say that?" Kurt said
Jean pointed behind him the three teens turned around to see them with guns pointed at them, they slowly walked up towards them. Guns pointed at them, the X-Men got into a ready position ready to fight. They sent a signal and no sooner than they did, they were met with four mutants, staring down at them.
"Now isn't this a wonderful sight Xaviers students ready to fight!"
"Good maybe the White Queen might have some use for them."
"You are who now?" Asked Kitty
Thunderbird stepped up, "We are the Hellions."
LXD: I will end it there, 1:25 am in the morning I met to update this a while back, but there was nothing I could of done about it. Anyway, chapter 8 for you readers and hopefully I didn't do too bad with this I hope. Tell me your thoughts, comment, rate, subscribe… Till the next chapter
