Nighttime in New York was quite rarely peaceful. Luckily for Peter, tonight was one of those rare nights. He met up with Liz at the local diner for what was supposed to be a study session. However, the text books had been set aside as Liz listened to Peter tell her a cliff notes version of the Lizard incident. WHile he left out many of the details, as well as the true nature of the Lizard, it was still good to talk about what had happened.

"And in the end, Dr. Connors decided it was best to leave Oscorp." he concluded. "Unfortunately, this meant an end to my internship. Gwen got lucky and was pulled into another department. I unfortunately wasn't."

"Wow." Liz replied. "That must suck."

"I had hoped that my position with Oscorp would help me out in the future." Peter admitted. "I don't blame the doc though. He did what he felt needed to be done, and what was best for his family."

"Well, hopefully something will turn up for you, Petey." Liz told him. "Besides, you do still have your freelance position at the Bugle to fall back on."

"Which I am super lucky to have." Peter shared. "It's keeping a roof over my and Aunt May's head for a while longer."

"Sometimes, that's all you can hope for." Liz said. "But we've gotten off topic. We need to get back to biology or else I can kiss my B+ scores goodbye."

"Hey, you're not gonna go down in the grades." Peter reassured. "You're smart enough to get this stuff down."

"Only thanks to the best tutor in all of New York." Liz replied with a smile, grabbing her textbook.

Peter couldn't help but chuckle as they got to work, unaware that they were being watched by someone in a booth not too far away from them.

After their study session wrapped up, Peter walked Liz home. They chatted amicably, exchanging smalltalk and just enjoying each other's company. However, Peter's mind was abuzz with activity, his thoughts centered around the girl walking beside him, and how much he cared for her.

I'd faced down armed robbers, superpowered goons, and a man-eating lizard without breaking a sweat. And yet, the thought of asking Liz out on a proper date had my tongue caught in a vise. Still, I was really happy with where my relationship with Liz stood at the time, and I wanted to take things to the next level.

Peter took a deep breath before turning towards Liz.

"Uh… Liz?" Peter mustered.

"Yeah?" she asked, looking up at him.

He went to say something, but felt his spider senses going off. He turned, seeing a man quickly duck into an alley. His eyes narrowed and he turned back to Liz.

"I just remembered I promised my Aunt May I'd pick up some eggs from the supermarket on my way home." he told her. "I need to head off if I want to make it before closing."

"Uh.. ok then." Liz replied, a little confused. "Go ahead."

"Ok." Peter replied before heading off. "See you at school!"

Liz waved goodbye, then continued on her way.

After quickly ducking into a nearby alley, Peter changed into his Spider-Man costume and got on the hunt for whoever was following him.

"Just great." Spidey lamented. "I'm three seconds from asking Liz Allen out and I get alerted to Peter Parker having a stalker."

He shot a web at a nearby wall, swinging himself up and onto it.

"Is he after me for my money?" He wondered before chuckling. "If he found any on me, I'd probably split it with him."

Just then, his spider sense started going off again, prompting him to leap off the wall before it inexplicably exploded. As Spider-Man landed on the adjacent wall, he saw four goons in ski masks coming out with several bags of stolen jewels.

"Somehow, I get the feeling this isn't a class ski trip." Spidey remarked, swinging after them.

As the thugs continued to run, a web caught one of them on the leg, yanking him into the air. The others turned around to see their friend missing.

"Where the heck is Lou?" One of them asked.

"Well, well." Spidey let out, lowering himself towards them. "If it isn't a meeting of the diamond lovers of America. Me, I'm more of an emerald fan myself, but I admire your commitment."

"It's Spider-Man!" The second goon exclaimed.

"Spider-Man?" Spidey let out in mock surprise. "Where? Where? Oh, I just get so flustered when I meet a celebrity. I just never know what to say."

"How about, goodbye." the third goon suggested, aiming his rocket launcher at him.

He fired, but Spider-Man swung out of the way just in time. Spider-Man quickly shot a web at the launcher and flung it out of his hands.

"Come on!" The first one cried out. "It's three against one!"

"That it is." Spidey agreed, webbing them all up by their ankles and suspending them from a lamppost. "You really should have bought more guys."

At that moment, police sirens filled the air, prompting Spider-Man to take off. As the cop car came to a stop, Officer Davis got out and saw the criminals dangling from the lamppost.

"Not again." Davis let out.

A few feet away, Spider-Man recovered his camera, checking the shots with a smile.

Though I managed to lose my stalker, I had managed to snag a few shots for the Bugle. Good thing to, it's a shame to waste perfectly good webbing on yoyo's like them.

The next day, Peter brought his photos to the Bugle, making his way past Eddie Brock. He noticed Brock was looking at several conspiracy websites on his computer, all of them pertaining to Spider-Man.

"What's with Brock?" He asked, walking towards Betty.

"Claims Spider-Man derailed his investigation into a major story." Betty answered. "He thinks Spider-Man's hiding something and interfered to save his own skin."

Well, he's half-right. I derailed him to save the reputation of a good man. Shame I couldn't tell him, but if it meant protecting the Doc, Eddie hating Spider-Man was a small price to pay.

"Sounds rough." Peter replied. "Speaking of Spidey, got some new photos for JJ."

"Go ahead." Betty told him.

Peter then walked into Jameson's office as JJ was talking with Robbie.

"... that's what I think." Jameson concluded as he noticed Peter. "Parker, what are you doing here?"

"Got some new photo's for you, Mr. Jameson." Peter told him.

"So, you're the photographer that's gotten all these Spider-Man pictures?" Robbie noted. "Joseph Robertson, but you can call me Robbie."

"Nice to meet you." Peter replied, shaking his hand. "Say, you wouldn't know a Ran Robertson would you?"

"Well, there is a kid by that name who lives in my house and eats all my food." Robbie remarked. "Midtown?"

"Yes sir." Peter confirmed.

"Good school." Robbie replied, looking at Peter's pictures. "I gotta say, I know several professional photographers who have tried and failed to get pictures of Spider-Man, but yours are the only ones that are actually worth anything. How do you do it?"

"Uh, a good zoom lense and a lot of luck." Peter replied.

"Is that so?" JJ questioned, looking skeptical. "Then why does your camera look like it belongs in a museum?"

"Uh… it's all I have to work with." Peter replied.

"So, there's nothing else to your little success story?" JJ asked, moving in closer. "No dirty little secrets, or inside info on the masked menace?"

Peter was taken aback by the questions, but maintained his cool demeanor.

"Nothing." He answered. "Sorry to disappoint."

Jameson just sighed.

"One day, Parker." he swore. "One day I'll learn how some snot-nosed kid managed to do what an entire city failed to do."

"Maybe, but that day's not today, or any time soon." Peter replied hastily. "Um… think I can get my paycheck, now?"

Jameson growled, then gave him a dismissive wave. Peter took that as his cue to go, turning to leave the office. As he did, he nearly ran into someone. The second Peter locked eyes with him, recognition was immediate.

It was him. My stalker from the night before. Considering my conversation with Jolly Jameson, I had my suspicions on why he was there. Thankfully, I kept my cool and didn't show any signs of recognition.

"Sorry, my bad." Peter apologized. "Shoulda looked before I opened the door."

"Guess so." The man replied before heading inside as Robbie left as well.

"Who was that guy?" Peter asked.

"Mac Gargan." Robbie answered. "He was an investigative journalist who used to work for the Bugle until Jameson fired him. Not sure why he's here though."

"Me neither." Peter muttered. "But I'd love to find out."

Inside the office, Gargan reported to Jameson about the events of last night.

"I'm sorry, JJ, but the kid almost spotted me." Gargan apologized. "I had to bail."

"Gargan, you amaze me." Jameson commented. "Somehow, you've become even more worthless than when you were working for me."

"Please don't say that, Jameson." Gargan begged. "I'm doing the best I can. Just give me another chance, please."

"Alright, since I'm feeling generous." Jameson agreed. "Parker must know Spider-Man personally. It's the only reason he's been able to get so many good pictures of him. You tail him long enough, and you'll find where the wall crawling menace is hiding out. Then, we can nail him and unmask him."

Unbeknownst to either of the conspirators, Spider-Man was leaning on the wall outside the window. Under his mask, he was a combination of pissed and worried.

"So that's why he was following me last night." Spidey pieced together. "If he keeps following me, it's game over. Gotta put some distance between Peter Parker and Spider-Man, fast."

Deciding the direct approach was best, Spidey opened the window and crawled inside.

"Knock, knock." He greeted. "Sorry for dropping by. I just have a message to deliver."

"Hey, what do you think you're-?" Gargan tried to let out before getting webbed to the wall by Spider-Man.

"Pipe down, jr." Spidey remarked. "The adults are talking."

"Spider-Man!" Jameson exclaimed. "If you don't get out of my office in 3.5 seconds-"

"Cool, it Jonah, I'll be quick." Spider-Man told him. "Just came to warn you about your boy, Parker."

Spider-Man then formed a small glob of web on Jameson's desk.

"This represents Parker." Spider-Man explained before leaping into the glop, splattering it. "And this represents Parker if I see him following me again trying to snap his little pics."

"So… you're not working with him?" Jameson realized.

"Me? Working with a punk like Parker?" Spidey retorted. "You gotta be out of your mind. As for you JJ, I just got one thing to say. Get off my case. Savvy?"

JJ froze for a moment, Spider-Man's words causing his blood to run cold. His eyes drifted to a photo on his desk, one of a younger JJ and a beautiful woman.

"Hello, earth to Jameson?" Spider-Man let out. "You hear me?"

Jameson blinked, then his gaze hardened.

"You touch one hair on that kid's head, and I'm gonna crucify you in the papers, and in reality." Jameson warned, his voice quieter than usual, and far colder. "You hear me, Spider-Man?"

It's always nice to know the people you work for care.

"Hey, he leaves me alone, I'll leave him alone." Spider-Man replied. "Well, see ya."

With that, Spider-Man leapt out the window and swung through the city.

"That should throw JJ off the trail." Spidey said to himself.

Once Spidey was gone, JJ walked over to Gargan, peeling bits of webbing off the man's mouth. Gargan panted slightly, grateful to be at least somewhat free.

"Thanks JJ." Gargan replied. "That Spider-Man… making me look ridiculous. Everyone's always making me look ridiculous."

"You are ridiculous." JJ retorted. "However, that Spider-freak just crossed a line. If he thinks he can threaten one of my people and get away with it, he's got another thing coming."

"So what are you saying?" Gargan asked.

"Gargan, how would you like the chance to get back at Spider-Man and make a real name for yourself?" Jameson proposed.

"How do I do that?" Gargan questioned. "Look at me, JJ. I'm not exactly in any shape to take on a freak like Spider-Man."

"Brock mentioned a scientist once who was an expert in genetics." Jameson answered. "Said he had a hand in creating that giant lizard monster that tore through the city last week. If he could make that, imagine what he could create to actually fight Spider-Man."

Jameson then picked up the phone and dialed.

"Hello, I'd like to speak to a Dr. Curt Connors." Jameson requested.

"I'm sorry, but Dr. Connors no longer works for Oscorp." the voice on the other end replied. "Is there anyone else I can connect you to?"

"Yes, is there anyone else that worked with him in genetics?" Jameson asked.

"Hold on, I'll transfer you."

He was on hold for a brief minute before a male voice picked up.

"Genetics, Dr. Stillwell."

"This is J. Jonah Jameson." Jameson replied. "You worked with Dr. Connors, right?"

"I was his lab assistant for a few years, yes." Stillwell confirmed. "Why?"

"I have a project for you." Jameson proposed.

After a bit of web swinging, Peter managed to arrive home just as Aunt May was sorting through the mail.

"Hey, Aunt May." Peter greeted. "I'm back from the Bugle."

"Peter, hello." May greeted, coming out of the kitchen. "How was your day?"

"Well, I sold some more photos." Peter told her, handing her a small wad of cash. "That's half for the bills."

"Oh thank you, Peter." she told him, taking the money. "Now before I forget, something came for you today. A flyer about your school's Homecoming dance."

"Yeah, I heard." Peter replied. "But I don't think I'm going."

"Why not?" May asked.

"For one, if middle school has taught me anything, it's that I should never cut a rug." Peter answered. "Well, unless I'm installing carpet. Plus, I don't have a date."

"Oh Peter, you do lead a sheltered life." May replied, earning a bit of a smirk from Peter. "Say, I was visiting Anna Watson yesterday and met her niece Mary Jane. Maybe you could take her."

"What's she like?" Peter asked.

"You'll love her, Peter." May insisted. "She has such a wonderful personality."

The choice of words caused Peter to shudder in horror.

For those not in the know, "wonderful personality" is usually code for "ugly beyond all reason".

"Uh, thanks for the suggestion Aunt May," Peter replied. "But I don't think I'm going.

May sighed in response.

"If you insist." May replied.

...

At Oscorp, Jameson and Gargan walked through the building towards Stillwell's lab. As they walked in, Stillwell got up from his lab table to greet them.

"Mr. Jameson, glad you could make it." He greeted. "I've made all the arrangements you asked for."

"Are you certain this will work?" Jameson questioned. "I'm putting a lot of money into this, and I want to make sure I'm gonna see results."

"I promise you, Mr. Jameson, I have everything in hand." Stillwell reassured. "Let me show you."

Stillwell walked over to a nearby chamber and pressed a button, opening it up and revealing a green bodysuit with a large tail attached to it that had a small blade on the end.

"This battle suit contains several micro injectors of scorpion DNA." Stillwell explained. "Once your friend puts on the suit, the DNA will be filtered into his bloodstream. Then, to stimulate the proper muscle growth, he will then be saturated with low level radiation."

"Radiation?" Gargan repeated. "Ain't that stuff dangerous?"

"In large quantities, yes." Stillwell confirmed. "But these will just be enough to charge the Cross Species serum."

"Come on, Gargan, this is what you said you wanted." Jameson reminded. "Don't tell me you're wussing out now."

"Not wussing, JJ." Gargan insisted. "I just don't wanna end up like some kind of freak or something."

"I assure you, the process is entirely safe." Stillwell reassured. "You'll be as much of a man as you are now, just with the strength needed to take Spider-Man down."

Upon hearing these promises, Gargan steeled himself.

"Alright then." He replied, stepping forward. "Let's do this."

A few minutes later, Gargan was in the suit, it barely fitting him in the slightest, and standing in the chamber. Stillwell then pulled a lever and beams of radiation shot out in the chamber. The beams seemed to nothing at first, but then, Gargan started grunting in pain. His muscles started enlarging, slowly filling out the form of the suit. As his size began to grow, his cries of pain began getting louder, much to Jameson's dismay.

"Stillwell, what's wrong with him?" He demanded.

"He'll be alright." Stillwell reassured. "His body is just adapting to the new DNA sequencing being introduced to his body. Once his body is adjusted to it, he will have the proportionate strength, speed, and agility of a scorpion."

"I've been meaning to ask about that." Jameson told him. "Why a scorpion of all things?"

"Simple," Stillwell replied. "The scorpion is a natural predator of the spider. What better creature to catch a spider then one that preys upon it?"

"When you put it like that…" Jameson responded.

"It's done." Stillwell spoke up, pulling back on the lever and killing the radiation.

Once the radiation died out, Gargan stood up, fully filling out the suit and stretching his arms to get a feel for his new strength.

"How do you feel, Gargan?" Jameson asked.

"Feelin alright." Gargan replied, looking down at himself. "Actually, better than alright. I feel great!"

He then swung his tail around, smashing a nearby table. The action brought a smile to not only his face, but Jameson's and Stillwell's as well.

"Satisfied, Mr. Jameson?" Stillwell asked.

"Very much so." Jameson replied gleefully. "Spider-Man will at last meet his match."

Later that day in the city, Spider-Man was swinging around, racking his brain on how to solve his date problem.

"I love Aunt May to be sure, but the last thing I want is to go to Homecoming on a blind date with ms. wonderful personality." Spidey commented before shivering mid swing. "Besides, I've got enough girl problems with how lousy my attempts to ask Liz have been,"

As Spider-Man continued swinging, he was unaware of a helicopter following him from a distance.

"We got him, JJ." The pilot replied. "Heading due south on 3rd street."

"Perfect." Jameson replied before taking out a radio. "Get ready, Gargan."

"I hear ya." Gargan replied.
"Hey Liz, wanna go to the dance with me?" Spidey pondered while swinging. "Nah, too abrupt. Liz, hey. Kinda out of nowhere, but I was kinda hoping… no no, that just sounds pathetic. Liz, how about you and me hit up the dance? We'd be the talk of the town… ok that just makes me sound like a tool. Come on Parker, you can figure this out. There's no reason to-"

Just then, his spider sense started going off out of nowhere.

"Spider sense?" Spidey let out. "But what could-"

Just then, his web line was cut, and he was sent plummeting to the rooftop below. Fortunately, he managed to flip around and land on his hands and feet. Before he could make another move though, he was greeted by Gargan fully decked out in his scorpion suit.

"Who the hell are you supposed to be?" Spidey questioned.

"The names Scorpion." He introduced. "And I'm the guy who's finally gonna take you down."

"This is a joke, right?" Spidey commented.

He was quickly answered by Scorpion swinging his tail down at him, causing him to leap out of the way and onto a nearby wall.

"O...kay this is not a joke." Spidey replied. "Hey pal, Fantastic Four auditions are three blocks over."

Scorpion just swung his tail at him again, forcing him to leap onto a nearby water tower for leaping higher onto a wall. Once Spider-Man clung to it, he looked down to see Scorpion's next move, only to see he had disappeared.

"Huh?" Spidey let out. "Where'd he go?"

"Look!" Scorpion called out, causing Spider-Man to look up and see him clinging to the wall just above him. "I'm stronger, and faster than you!"

"Hey! Wall crawlings my shtick!" Spider-Man called out as he chased him up the wall. "You start spinning a web, and I'll sue!"

"Oh, don't worry." Scorpion replied, reaching the roof first. "I got plenty of my own tricks."

He then thrusted his tail forward, allowing it to shoot out some green substance. Spider-Man leaned far back, barely dodging the stuff as it landed on the top of the water tower and actually ate through it.

"Highly corrosive acid." Spidey noted. "This guy isn't playing around."

Spider-Man continued his ascent upwards and leapt towards Scorpion, only to get batted aside by his tail. Thinking fast, Spider-Man flipped in the air and shot out a web line, trying to swing away. Scorpion retaliated by shooting some acid at his webline, severing it. Spider-Man fell towards the streets for a bit, before grabbing a nearby flagpole and flipping onto it.

He's stronger than me, faster than me, and he spews acid. To say I was feeling overwhelmed was an understatement.

"Come on, ya overgrown iguana!" Spidey taunted. "Let's take this where it's just you and me!"

Spider-Man then leapt onto the wall and began running across it, prompting the Scorpion to leap across, landing on the buildings ledge and following him.

"You're dead meat, little man!" Scorpion swore.

Scorpion shot his tail out, wrapping it around Spider-Man's leg and slamming him onto the ledge. Spidey grunted at he landed, seeing the supervillain looming over him. Thinking fast, he shot out a web that covered his eyes, disorienting him enough to loosen his grip on his leg and flip backwards. As Scorpion pulled the web off his face, he swung his tail at Spider-Man, forcing him to duck.

While all this was going on, Jameson was watching the battle from his copter.

"Come on, Gargan!" Jameson called out. "You can beat him! Don't let up!"

Hey, who's doing this fight?! Me or you?!" Scorpion cried out, much to Spider-Man's confusion.

"Don't tell me you're one of those costumed nuts with a guy in the chair." Spidey remarked. "So, who's coaching you on the other end? Blonde computer nerd? Team of young lab geniuses led by a scientist in a wheelchair?"

"Wouldn't you like to know?" Scorpion remarked, swinging his tail at him again.

Spider-Man backflipped out of the way, but the strike caused part of the ledge to break off, sending several pieces of debris flying down to the street. Spider-Man thought fast, shooting a massive web down to catch them all before they hit anyone. Just as Spider-Man attached the web to the ground, Scorpion ran forward and tackled Spider-Man off the ledge and onto a neighboring rooftop. As they tumbled onto the ground, Scorpion threw Spider-Man against a nearby wall before grabbing him by the tail and smashing him into the ground. Spider-Man shook his head as Scorpion picked him up again. Spidey wasted no time webbing Scorpion, ensnaring him and allowing him to let Spider-Man go.

"No, you idiot!" Jameson cried out in annoyance. "You're doing it all wrong!"

Hearing Jameson's comments, Scorpion tore his way through the webbing, snarling in anger.

"Sounds like I struck a nerve." Spidey noted.

Scorpion swung around and hit Spider-Man with his tail, knocking him into a nearby water tower. Turning around and seeing Spider-Man trying to pick himself up off the ground, he sprayed acid at the water tower supports, melting them away. Before Spider-Man had a chance to move, the water tower fell on top of him, shattering open and spilling water out into the streets. The citizens below ran for cover as Spider-Man laid unconscious on the roof. Scorpion laughed maniacally in response, overjoyed by his success.

"How about that?!" Scorpion proclaimed. "I defeated Spider-Man! He is beaten, taken out, but the one, the only Scorpion!"

"Quit stalling, Gargan!" Jameson snapped. "Unmask him! I want to see who that menace REALLY is!"

"Yeah, yeah." Scorpion replied. "Keep your flat top on. I'm going-"

Before he could finish, he felt his body flare up in pain. He held his sides as he keeled over, letting out a painful moan.

"What the…" Scorpion let out. "What's happening to me…?"

"What are you waiting for, Gargan?!" Jameson called out. "Unmask him already!"

Scorpion didn't respond, he was still holding his sides feeling pure agony.

"This suits killing me!" He let out. "I gotta get it off."

He tried removing one of the gloves, but it wouldn't budge.

"What the…" He gasped.

He then tried removing the helmet, but it seemed stuck tight. Up in the copter, Jameson was getting impatient.

"Bring me down." He told the pilot. "I'll unmask him myself."

The pilot nodded and began lowering the copter. Scorpion looked up at the copter and began feeling enraged.

"You… you never said this would happen!" Scorpion cried out.

He then swung his tail at the copter, hitting the rotor. This caused the copter to begin spinning out, making a slow but still deadly descent to the ground.

"Can't you get control of this thing?!" Jameson demanded of the pilot.

"No, he took out our tail!" the pilot shouted. "We're going down!"

The copter skidded along the street as it touched down on the ground. The copter then collided with a nearby car before coming to a complete stop.

Back up top, Scorpion felt his body begin to flare up again. He dropped to his knees and held himself up with one hand as he grunted in pain.

"Stillwell…" He muttered. "He'll know how to fix me."

With that, he ran towards the edge of the roof and leapt off, leaving Spider-Man alone with an aching head as he pulled himself up.

"My… everything hurts…" He let out. "Hey, where'd tall, green, and ugly get to?"

He looked around for any sign of the Scorpion, but there was none to be found.

"Wonder what made him take off when he had me down for the count?" Spidey pondered as he shot a web and swung off. "Well, as much as I'd like to never see him again, better find him before he hurts anyone else."

At Oscorp, Stillwell was going over the data regarding the Scorpion. As he read over the results, a look of horror crossed his face.

"No..." he let out, grabbing his hair as panic set in. "No, no, no, no!"

Just then, one of the walls to the lab was blown open. From it, the Scorpion emerged, looking incredibly furiated.

"Stillwell!" He cried out. "I can't get the suit off! You gotta undo whatever the hell you did!"

Stillwell backed up slightly as Scorpion came closer.

"I… I can't." Stillwell replied, prompting Scorpion to grab him by the tie and pull him in close.

"What do you mean you can't?!" Scorpion cried out. "You caused this, you can fix it!"

"It's not that simple." Stillwell insisted. "The scorpion DNA expelled out from the injectors in greater quantities than I thought. It's caused the suit to be fused to your skin. You can never take it off."

"NO!" Scorpion let out, using his free hand to grab his side again. "This is all your fault!"

He then threw Stillwell against his desk and began moving towards him.

"No, wait!" Stillwell insisted. "It wasn't my fault! Jameson made me do this to you!"

Scorpion paused, contemplating this. After a moment, his eyes narrowed and he hissed in rage.

"Jameson…" Scorpion snarled. "He did this to me. He wanted to make me his personal poster boy after I got rid of Spider-Man!"

"Yes!" Stillwell agreed, latching onto that train of thought. "He knew the risks! If anyone is to blame, it's him!"

Scorpion growled at that, knowing what he had to do next. He started to leave the lab, but quickly turned back to Stillwell.

"Just a heads up though." Scorpion told him. "After I take care of Jameson, I'm coming for you."

With that, Scorpion took off, leaving Stillwell in a frenzied and terrified state.

Out in the city, Spider-Man continued his search for the Scorpion, but his search was coming up empty.

"Still no sign of Scorpy." Spidey lamented. "You know, it's times like these where I miss the days when my first instinct was to run away from the guys who tried to kill me."

As he landed on the edge of a rooftop, his cellphone started going of. He took it out and saw that Liz was the one who was calling.

"Liz?" Spidey let out, surprised. "Wonder what she wants."

Spider-Man then lifted his mask above his nose before answering so he could be heard clearly.

"Hey Liz, what's up?" Peter greeted. "Forget something from our last session?"

"No, actually I wanted to ask you something." Liz replied.

"Uh, sure what?" Peter responded.

"I was wondering… think we could… I don't know, hang out sometime?" She asked. "I mean… there's Homecoming coming up… for example."

"Wait, are you asking me out?" Peter questioned for clarification.

"No!" Liz let out. "Well, yes… if that's okay with you. I'd understand if you-"

"Yes!" Peter exclaimed. "I mean… yeah, that be great. Maybe before the dance we could… grab a pizza or something sometime?"

"That… That sounds amazing." Liz replied. "I'll buy though. I know money's tight for you."

"I appreciate the concern." Peter replied, casually looking down at the street and seeing the Scorpion on a TV display in an electronic store window. "Uh, Liz, something just came up. Think we can schedule place and time for that pizza later?"

"Sure." Liz replied. "I'll talk to you later, Petey."

Later Liz." Peter replied before handing up. "Did she just call me Petey?"

He then pulled his mask back down and leapt towards the electronics store, listening in on the news report that was playing.

"Little is known about this individual." the TV played. "All that authorities know for certain is that the man possesses inhuman strength, and has been crying out the name of Daily Bugle editor, J. Jonah Jameson. Due to these possible threats, Mr. Jameson has ordered an evacuation of the Bugle's main office."

"Scorpion's after Jameson? Wonder why." Spidey pondered before swinging off. "Doesn't matter. I better get down to the Bugle before JJ ends up in the obituaries of his own paper!"

Jameson paced around his office, looking more nervous than ever. By now, most of the building was empty, save for Betty and Robbie.

"Just about everyone's out Jonah." Robbie told him. "Looks like it's just us."

"Good." Jameson replied in an almost unrecognizably quiet tone. "You two better get out of here."

"Mr. Jameson, what's going on?" Betty asked. "Why aren't you evacuating with us?"

"Ms. Br- Betty," Jameson replied. "If this thing wants me, I'm not gonna let anyone else get hurt in the process."

"But Jonah-" Robbie tried to interject.

"Robbie, please!" Jameson insisted. "Just go."

Robbie paused, then gently took Betty by the shoulders and ushered her out of the room. As the two left the room, Jameson took a seat at his desk, looking over the photo of the woman and his younger self.

"I'm so sorry Julia…" He let out.

"Seems like you're a popular guy today, JJ." Spider-Man's voice commented.

Jameson looked up to see Spider-Man crawling through one of the windows.

"You?!" Jameson cried out. "What are you doing here?!"

"Saving your life, what does it look like?" Spidey replied, landing on the floor. "Now what does this Scorpion have against you?"

"That's none of your business!" Jameson responded.

"When a man dressed in an armored scorpion suit starts tearing up Midtown, I make it my business!" Spider-Man declared, much more insistently. "Now are you gonna give me some straight answers or what?!"

Jameson paused for a moment, he let out a breath or resignation.

"He's after me because I created him." Jameson answered. "Turned him into a being who could take you down.

"What?!" Spider-Man let out. "You ruined a man's life just to get to me?! Why?! What do you have against me?!"

Jameson turned to him, that usual fire and vinegar back in his voice.

"You want to know what I've got against you?! Fine!" Jameson snapped, jamming his finger right in Spidey's face. "It's because of your mask! The last time I dealt with a whackjob in a mask, I had to bury my wife!"

Spider-Man was taken aback by this, not sure how to react.

"W-what do you mean-"

"Years ago, I was working on an expose to reveal the true identity of a crime boss called the Big Man." Jameson explained. "Before long, his men grabbed me and brought me to him. I was greeted… by a man in a mask. He told me the same thing you did, to get off his case. I refused, and after I printed the story, he came after me. I was out with my first wife, Julia, when a car came around the corner. That same man in that godforsaken mask was in the driver's seat with a gun in his hand. His shot missed me, but hit Julia. She was dead before she even hit the ground…"

He looked away, clearly trying to keep his emotions in check. Spidey just stared.

Whenever I think back to this moment, I'm reminded that for all his guff and bluster, Jolly Jameson is still a human being. He hates me, yes, but after hearing this story, I could understand why. Especially with what he said next.

"Ever since that day, I've pledge to keep this city safe from men like him… and you." Jameson continued. "Men who hide behind masks and think they're above the law."

"Hate to break it to you, JJ," Spider-Man replied, forced to keep up his bravato. "But that's exactly what your creations become out there."

"You think I don't know that?!" Jameson responded. "At least this way, no one dies with me."

"What if no one has to die." Spider-Man proposed. "At all."

"What are you talking about?" Jameson questioned.

"I know this might be asking a lot," Spider-Man admitted. "But trust me."

Sometime later, Scorpion burst through the doors of the Bugle, making his way to the elevator. Too impatient to wait for it, he ripped the doors open and began climbing the shaft. He made his way all the way to the top, tearing open the doors to reveal to empty room.

"JAMESON!" He cried out. "WHERE ARE YOU!"

"Right here, Gargan." Jameson answered, coming out of his hiding place.

"So, decided to stick around, eh?" Scorpion noted. "Guess you're not as big a self centered jackass as I thought."

"Gargan, what's happening is my fault." Jameson admitted. "No one else needs to suffer for it."

"Nobody but me, you mean." Scorpion threw back. "It was bad enough that you threw me out of this dump, but you had to go and turn me into your pet freak as well."

"Gargan, I-"

Jameson's pleas were cut off by Scorpion wrapping his tail around him and squeezing him.

"You ruined my life!" Scorpion yelled. "So I'm gonna end yours."

Just as Scorpion continued squeezing, Spider-Man swung in out of nowhere and kicked Scorpion, causing him to let go of Jameson and have him drop on the floor.

"I'm all for venting to work through your problems," Spidey commented. "But there has to be less destructive ways to do it. Like splash painting."

"You?!" Scorpion let out, getting to his feet. "I thought you were pushing up daisies!"

"Sorry to be the forebearer of unfortunate developments, but the reports of my demise were greatly exaggerated." Spider-Man informed, earning a blank stare from Scorpion and Jameson to which Spidey facepalmed. "I'm not dead."

"Not yet," Scorpion replied, "but you will be!"

Scorpion leapt towards him, causing Spider-Man to lean back and use his feet to vault Scorpion over him. He crashed into some desks, only enraging him more. Scorpion got back to his feet, picking up a desk and throwing it at Spider-Man. Spider-Man quickly backflipped out of the way before the desk hit as Scorpion shot several acid spurts at him. Spider-Man quickly leapt around the room dodging each attack, until finally, Spidey shot out a web clogging Scorpion's tail.

"You're gonna pay for that!" Scorpion declared, running towards him.

He tackled Spider-Man and the two tumbled into the elevator shaft. Spider-Man quickly clung to the side of the shaft with his feet as Scorpion grabbed onto one of the cables.

"Hope you don't get claustrophobic." Spidey commented.

Scorpion responded by swinging his tail at Spider-Man, prompting Spider-Man to leap off the wall, spring off the tail with his hands, and punch Scorpion right in the face, causing them both to fall. Spider-Man quickly grabbed Scorpion and shot out a webline, causing them to swing through a set of doors into the Bugles printing press room. The two tumbled onto the ground for a bit before getting back to their feet.

"Ready to give up yet, Scorpy?" Spidey cracked.

"Not even close!" Scorpion declared, swinging his tail at him.

Spider-Man quickly punched back the tail as Scorpion continued to strike, only for Scorpion to back off and Spider-Man to rub his hands in pain.

"Yow!" He let out. "What's that thing made out of?"

Scorpion smirked, running towards one of the presses and leaping on top of it. Spider-Man leapt towards him, only for Scorpion to wrap his tail around him.

"You always made front page news, webslinger." Scorpion commented before thrusting him towards the rapidly moving paper.

Spidey quickly shot out a webline to keep him suspended as Scorpion kept trying to force him down. Slowly, Spider-Man slid down the webline, closer and closer to the paper, much to Scorpion's delight.

After following the fight to the press room, Jameson opened the door and saw what was going on. Thinking fast, Jameson ran towards the press and shut it off, allowing Spider-Man to let go of the web and land on the downed piece of equipment. He then grabbed hold Scorpion's tail and pulled hard, pulling him off the press and onto the floor.

"You're helping him?!" Scorpion exclaimed, getting back up. "Why?! You hate him more than anyone!"

"Because you're a greater evil than he is!" Jameson threw back. "And God help me, he's the only one to stop you."

"J. Jonah Jameson on my side." Spidey marveled. "Who'd've thunk it?"

"He can't stop anything if he's dead!" Scorpion remarked, swinging his tail at him.

Spider-Man ducked as the tail knocked away part of the wall, exposing some electrical wiring and giving Spider-Man an idea.

"Nice aim, goofus." Spidey taunted. "A few more years and you might actually hit what you're aiming at."

"Don't call me names." Scorpion told him. "I hate people calling me names!"

"Well, that's too bad frog face." Spidey taunted. "Cause to me, you look like a two bit, good for nothing, second rate, slime smelling baboon, with the brain of a pigeon, and the face of an eel!"

Each word out of Spider-Man's mouth made Scorpion moe and more infuriated, until he just couldn't take it anymore.

"STOP IT!" He yelled, charging at him.

With quick succession, Spider-Man pulled out the wires and shoved them into Scorpion's chest. The surge of electricity became overwhelming for Scorpion, causing him to cry out in pain. It also caused the lights in the building to flicker on and off until they finally went out completely. By that time, Scorpion had fallen onto the ground and Spider-Man webbed him there.

"Hope that wasn't too much of a shock for you." Spider-Man said, standing over him.

"Momma was right." Scorpion let out. "I should've stayed in Brooklyn."

"Yeah, probably for the best." Spidey commented.

Spider-Man then walked over to Jameson, who was looking over the damages.

"What a mess." Jameson let out. "You have any idea how much this will cost to fix?"

"Well, you could give me a glowing recommendation in your next article." Spidey suggested. "That could give you some big business."

Jameson rolled his eyes in response before turning to face him.

"Now look here, webhead." Jameson told him. "Just because I confided in you, doesn't mean I'm gonna go any easier on you. I still won't rest until this city has seen the last of masked menaces like you!"

"You know what, picklepuss!?" Spider-Man replied angrily before his tone softened to something a bit more agreeable. "So will I."

With that, Spider-Man leapt towards a nearby window and opened it up.

"Oh, and JJ?" Spidey called back before shooting out a webline. "Thanks."

With that, he swung off, leaving Jameson alone with the drowned Scorpion.

J. Jonah Jameson saving Spider-Man is the equivalent of Moriarty saving Sherlock Holmes. Still, that little ordeal with the Scorpion gave me a greater respect for JJ going forward. Of course we would keep up our "healthy" rivalry throughout my Spider-Man career, but I didn't care. In fact, in that moment there was only one thing I cared about.

At Mr. Aziz's Pizzaria, Peter walked inside, looking around for his date. Suddenly, two hands covered his eyes.

"Guess who!" Liz's voice proclaimed.

"Laura Harrier?" Peter guessed.

Liz chuckled, removing her hands and turning him around.

"No, silly." she said. "It's me."

"Oh yeah." Peter replied. "You're pretty ok too."

Liz chuckled in response, lightly hitting him on the arm.

"Well, if you feel that way, maybe I'll change my mind on buying you pizza." Liz remarked.

"Just kidding." Peter insisted. "I am glad we're getting to do this."

"Me too." Liz replied, smiling and taking his arm. "I've been wanting to ask you out for awhile now, but it just never felt like the right time."

"Believe me, I can understand that." Peter replied. "Part of me even wondered if you'd be willing to even consider going out with me."

"Petey, you're the first guy to see more in me than just a pretty face." Liz told him. "You made me feel special, and that's something no boy has done in a long time. I don't care about how strong you are or how many sports you play. All I care about is what's in here."

She placed a hand on his chest, blushing slightly as she smiled at him. Peter couldn't help but smile back.

It was hard to think of a time where I felt happier. Unfortunately, as it happens when you're the Amazing Spider-Man of NYC, such happiness can never last.