Chapter Text
“I’m so guarded
Heart is like a stone
Protectin’ what’s into me
I-I, I-I, hate to be controlled
Think of what you say to me
Total silence is my therapy”
(Little Simz - Protect My Energy)
A UNIVERSE FRANKLIN RICHARDS CREATED MONTHS AGO
Hey Franklin… “Peter…” I get that you’re scared pal, but there’s something you should know… “PET-er…” You’ve got the greatest power of anyone here… “PETER PARKER I SWEAR TO GOD!…” And with that must also come the greatest responsibility— “PETER YOU LEAVE ME NO CHOICE. WAKE UP! PLEASE WAKE UP”
Peter Parker, a 31-year-old genius and multiple Pulitzer Prize-nominated photojournalist for Front Line (Formerly The Daily Bugle) is about to be late for an all-hands-on-deck meeting. A meeting where his phone has been blowing up from tens of text messages and dozens of missed phone calls. A meeting that has major implications for Peter, one that he has yet to unravel. Oh, wait… Where were we? Ah yes, the beginning.
PETER PARKER’S AND FLASH THOMPSON’S APARTMENT, MIDTOWN
"PETER YOU LEAVE ME NO CHOICE. WAKE UP! PLEASE WAKE UP!” was shouted by an irate Flash Thompson, former school bully and now wonderful friend to Peter Parker. Flash was standing beside Pete’s door frame and decided to head to Peter’s dresser where Peter’s obnoxiously loud phone lies. Flash was mad he was forcibly woken up quite early, 5:00 A.M. to be exact. He typically is able to sleep till 7:30 A.M. as he starts his job at Midtown High later in the morning. “Huh… What’s going on?” Peter mutters as he slowly gets himself up from his messy bed. “Dude… your phone is/was going off like a bomb. It was literally stressing me out. You have 20 missed calls from Betty, fucking BETTY!” Flash yells at him. He continues on by saying, “You also have 5 from Ned, 8 from Urich, and 1 from JJ? There’s also a voicemail from Ben saying that there’s an important meeting at 6:00 A.M.”
Peter Parker proceeds to lie in his bed confused. Something MAJOR was happening, also Jonah called him? That was weird… Jonah never calls, but doing it alongside Betty, Ned, and Ben! Shit… he never hears from JJ phone-wise, they typically only talk whenever they’re both at May’s house as he’s been vacationing since his forced retirement after losing the Bugle. Peter thinks and starts to form his thought process out load. “What’s getting this old dog to come out of retirement… Hey Flash, I’m sorry you dealt with my buzzing and loud Yodelers Dance ringtone. Can you toss me my phone? Also, did I trip over any of your triggers? I know you’re still dealing with stuff from your military days.” Peter says in a concerned tone. Flash tosses him the phone and says, “Hey, I get it. Shit is still rough for me, but I appreciate it. It didn’t trigger me, don’t worry. What I am mad about is that your phone woke me up a half-hour ago. Also, please change that ringtone, you’ve had it since FRESHMAN YEAR.” Peter laughs and says, “I’ll get to it. I promise, just on top of the other things I have to take care of.” Flash scoffs and shakes his head. “Whatever you say, Peter… But hey, before you go. Tell Betty I said hi, pretty please.” Flash notes. Peter smirks and is about to tease him before Flash interrupts him. “HEY! I’m serious Parker.”“Okay, I will… I promise.” Peter says in reply.
Flash proceeds to move away from Pete’s door frame. He shakes his head and heads back to his room, closing Peter’s door. Peter notices it is now 5:45 A.M. and opens a text from Betty Brant saying the following, “My best friend in the whole wide world, I swear if your ass is not in this building by 6:00 A.M. THERE IS HELL TO PAY.” Peter takes the threat very seriously and immediately gets ready, he gets dressed quickly by sloppily throwing on his Spider-Man garments under his nice dress shirt and pants. Peter quickly equips his web-shooters and grabs his dark blue overcoat. He darts out of his room and yells out another apology to Flash as he is running out of their apartment. Flash doesn’t respond, but Peter continues to run out of their apartment complex. Right as Peter reaches for the doors to head out onto the bustling street in Midtown, he realizes he forgot something and that he has 12 minutes to get to work. “Fuck” he mutters in a pissed tone. He notices that he will be late if he runs back through the complex to get his laptop bag holding his stylebook, camera, and his Spider-Man gloves. “I hope no one sees me,” Peter says as he heads to the alley side of his apartment complex and shoots a web to Flash’s window.
Flash hears a loud THIWP hit his window and notices Peter right outside his window. “Pete? Aren’t you supposed to be halfway to… What did you forget this time?” Flash says. Peter responds with his laptop bag and Flash runs to Peter’s room and grabs it. He then rushes back to his room and gives it to Peter, who slings it across his body. “I really appreciate it, sorry again for the third time.” “Don’t mention it. It’s cool to know my friend is Spider-Man. Now don’t be late and go!” Flash replies in a sweet tone.
Peter dislodges himself from Flash’s window and lands on his feet. He now notes he has less than 8 minutes to get to work. Peter decides to just run and hope for the best.
FRONT LINE BUILDING, MURRAY HILL
For once, the infamous Parker Luck was actually on his side. He was able to catch a bus that got him to his work in 5 minutes. Just good enough to text his special someone and text Aunt May about seeing her Friday. Traffic was smooth sailing and only filled with green lights, an absolutely impossible sight. Peter got off the MTA bus and headed inside Front Line with 2 minutes to spare. He took the elevator to the eighth floor where a slightly furious Betty Brant greeted him. “THANK FUCK! YOU’RE HERE! C’mon the meeting is in the bullpen.” Peter hurriedly walks with Betty, wondering what was going on. Peter asks her, “Do we know what the meeting is about? None of the calls or texts I received talked about it. Also, did JJ message you? Because he did for me…” Betty Brant was about to answer his questions but they arrived at the bullpen and see a large circle. The 16-year work-and-friend duo approached slowly into the circle.
They saw five people in the middle, shocking them to the core: J. Jonah Jameson, Tony Stark, Reed Richards, Robbie Robertson, and Sally Floyd. Peter Parker is left shocked as JJJ gives a pleasing nod to Peter, while Tony Stark and Reed Richards deliver smirks to him. Peter starts feeling hot knowing that this is unprecedented territory for his relationships with the Fantastic Four and potentially the Avengers.
J. Jonah Jameson takes center stage and says the following, “I know this is a shock to everyone, including myself. I’ve been retired since the Bugle turned into Front Line due to a schism the company faced two years ago with shareholders splitting the company into two Front Line and the tabloid The DB!. As you all know, both companies were split and so was the board of directors and shareholders. I was depressed and went on a sabbatical for close to two years. I didn’t know what to do, but I was working on this project that is being presented to you all today! While I was no longer Editor-in-Chief, I still had/have majority shares in this journalistic company, which was decided when Front Line was created but I lost the Daily Bugle IP and assets. I want to thank everyone’s hard work throughout these two years under the Front Line banner as we have experienced major growth in the market. We’ve become one of the most trustworthy newspaper companies in the nation, and have and have become a cornerstone in news journalism whether it deals with politics, super heroics, or the economy. No one expected such a left-leaning newspaper to become one of the main pillars, so just thank you from the bottom of my heart.
J. Jonah Jameson starts shedding tears and there is an uproar of cheers and applause. Peter thinks to himself just simply thinking, JJ wants to return to the fold. But that doesn’t explain why Reed Richards and Tony Stark are here. Wait, what did JJ mean by having majority shares? He owns the whole company, that’s what happened when the split happened a few years ago. As the applause dies down, J. Jonah Jameson continues with his speech.
“Thank you, thank you. These last two years have been amazing for the company. But we are having major changes coming soon, but do not worry. We are not experiencing any budget cuts at all. No one is getting cut or losing their job unless you planned on retiring or quitting. (JJJ laughs awkwardly) The reason why is that I want to grow the company to create more content aside from the newspaper, we are becoming a full-on media company! I needed capital and I was able to seek major investment from Reed Richards and Tony Stark! Reed Richards and Tony Stark will have 25% of each equity in the company. I still own the majority at 50%, and their influence is centered around financial backing. They are investing about $750 million into the company. This means that we are also going to have a second headquarters. We are still based out of New York City, but we are going to have a majority of our media side based in Chicago, Illinois. Now here are Dr. Richards and Tony Stark explaining why they are investing.
Everyone in the bullpen aside from those in the middle of the circle was in absolute shock. Peter mutters to Betty, “What the fuck is going on?” Betty laughs in shock and disbelief, “I do not know. Just wow…”
Reed Richards and Tony Stark nod and smile at everyone. Reed starts off by saying the following, “I believe in the mission of the group of people around me. I am an avid reader of this company and I enjoy the groundbreaking stories you all share. Detailing the struggle for mutant rights within this country, the exposé on President Ross surrounding his abuse of power regarding the military, and the powerful series of stories detailing the dark side of superheroics and vigilantism. The one thing that I wish I saw more of regarding the newspaper is more scientific stories and I think this company is the right one to invest in. Tony Stark nods in agreement and starts clapping. He then follows up Reed by saying the following, “I know it is hypocritical of me to invest in a company like Front Line due to my checkered history. However, since becoming Iron Man and shifting Stark Industries from a weapons manufacturer to solely technology-centered, environment and charity-focused, I figured why not. I also fund the Avengers in my spare time as well. You group of people understands the issues going on in the world and how we all want the best for people by bringing awareness to issues that are absolutely important. Even if you do not like me or some of my stances, I believe in your work and holding people like me accountable, and J.K. Simmons's doppelgänger’s idea for the future of Front Line sold me on that.
The room is quiet, but absolutely buzzing. J. Jonah Jameson smiles and gives a small clap to the words both Reed Richards and Tony Stark gave. J. Jonah would go on to say, “Yes, thank you so much. But I knew if I was following through with this plan, I’d have to get something back. Everyone in the room with us, we are back as the Daily Bugle! The trio of us were able to acquire The DB! and we now have full access to the brand again! I am not returning as the Editor-in-Chief of the paper, both Robbie Robertson and Sally Floyd will stay in charge of the paper. Everyone is getting raises and better work benefits. I know I’ll have to talk to those in the Front Line Union to make sure everything is smoothed over and all paperwork is updated. My focus is shifting more to the media side and there is someone that I want to help me with this project. I realized that I want to get back into reporting, so I want to get the media side really up and running so I can head back into doing “Just the Facts” in a digital format. Everyone! Everyone! Please clap for Peter Parker as he will be co-leading and eventually leading the digital side of the Daily Bugle!
All eyes were on Peter Parker, with people smiling, cheering, and clapping for his promotion and to be leading the digital side of the company and the great news they all received. But all Peter was thinking was what does this mean for his close family and friends. What does this mean for his super-heroics? What does this mean for his New Avenger family? What does this mean for his partner? Every single question was sinking him deeper and deeper into his anxious self. Peter didn’t know what to do, as he was slowly freaking out and felt himself sinking into the floor.
Both Robbie Roberson and Sally Floyd were smiling in great delight as they now were representing the thing that was just missing from Front Line the past couple of years. They laugh and shout together, “Alright everybody, let’s get to work!”
Betty notices Peter becoming more and more anxious. She steps in front of Peter trying to get his attention. “Peter! Peter! Look at me, look straight at me okay. Breathe in and out, breathe in and out… Listen and focus to the sound of my voice…” Peter starts regaining control of his breathing right when JJ, Tony and Reed head toward him. They motion for Peter and Betty. The five of them would head toward Peter’s office and close the door.
JOHN F. KENNEDY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, QUEENS, NEW YORK CITY
A 33-year-old blonde woman is seen rolling her luggage to a black car service cab. The driver of the car has a sign for her saying “Felicia Hardy”, and is awaiting her arrival. She hands her luggage to the person she arranged to pick her up. The driver complies and puts the luggage in the trunk of the sleek Mercedes-Benz car. He then opens the car door, for the young woman to enter. The driver proceeds to close the door, enter the driver’s seat, and proceeds to sit down. While tapping his thumbs on the car wheel, Felicia tells her driver the destination, her penthouse in Manhattan. She then proceeds to grab her phone and opens Twitter. She endlessly scrolls, before closing it and decided to look through her text messages. Some of them were from her mother, who was excited to see her back from a business trip she took to London. One was from Misty Knight, asking if she was going to be doing some hero work. Felicia then sees a recent text notification from Mary Jane and opens it.
MJ Watson:
“Hey? Are you down to hang out anytime this week? I have some exciting news to share!”
Felicia Hardy:
“Yeah, I should be able to? Why what’s up?”
MJ Watson:
“It’s about a new acting gig I got signed on for.”
“I think you’ll like the project I’m taking on.”
Felicia Hardy:
“Congrats!”
“Can’t wait to hear about it Red. I should be free on Thursday or Friday?”
MJ Watson: “Probably Friday, it’ll be nice to settle in a couple of days after your month-long trip in London!”
“Speaking of which, how was it!”
Felicia Hardy:
“It was stressful, but I was able to close in some sponsorship grants for the foundation and I’m nervous about the upcoming charity gala.”
MJ Watson:
“You’ll be fine!”
“Don’t worry, I’m super excited about it! Let me know if you need any help.”
“I’m gonna have to go, I have a cast photoshoot for the project to attend.”
Felicia Hardy:
“Have fun Red, and I’ll let you know. See you Friday!”
Felicia Hardy brushes a part of her nose with her thumb and sees a text from Peter that she missed. She opens it up and smiles.
Peter ❤️💙:
“I’m glad you’re back home today! I will see you later, I’m about to be late to an all-hands-on-deck meeting that was called obnoxiously early.”
“I’m thinking of Mickey’s Diner for tonight. But it’s your choice 🖤”
Felicia mutters to herself, “Damn, Mickey’s does sound great. But I kinda want to go somewhere classy tonight. Hmm…” Felicia checks the text message sent, five hours ago. She is about to text back when her Twitter notifications are going absolutely wild. She opens it up and sees that her timeline is bombarded by the following headline by The New York Times:
Reed Richards, Tony Stark, J. Jonah Jameson to bring back The Daily Bugle
“Pete… Peter… Spider… Sounds like you definitely have a lot on your plate. This is going to be interesting to follow. What an interesting homecoming gift.” Felicia quietly says to herself as she fiddles with an index ring Peter got for her. She continues to read the article and her eyes become shockingly wide open when it pertains to the new hierarchy that is to be assumed once the takeover is complete. “Peter is going to have a panic attack.” Felicia quickly tells the cab driver to switch the destination to the Front Line Building and says, “Do whatever it takes to get me there as fast as possible! I’ll triple whatever the current fare is.” The cab driver nods in response and starts to gun it.
“I don’t know where I’m going (skate)
But I know what I’m showing (four)
Feelings, that’s what I’m pourin’ (skate)
What the fuck is your motive (four)”
(I THINK - Tyler, The Creator)