Give the gift of life! it exclaimed. GIVE BLOOD!

Oh, great, Peter thought. The blood drive is next week. I've always wanted to donate blood, but now I can't!

Jimmy Olsen came up behind Peter and slapped him on the back. "Hiya, Peter!" he exclaimed. Then he noticed the poster. "You gonna give blood?"

What do I say? I can't say no. That'll look bad. But if they use my blood, and find the spider-powers, then there will be questions . . .

"Uh, I'm not sure," Peter replied. "Needles and all."

"Oh, don't worry about that. If you get the right nurse, you won't feel a thing. Maybe just a prick."

"Have you donated before?"

"Yup. Two months ago."

"Still . . . "

"Come on, we're blocking the hall, better get to lunch."

"So, Peter, are you going to give blood?" MJ asked.

Not this again! Peter thought. Aloud, he said, "I'm not sure. I don't like needles."

"Maybe you'll change your mind," MJ said, dropping the subject. "So, how did you do on that last physics test?"

"I got a hundred and seven," Peter replied. "What did you get?"

"Ninety-five," MJ replied.

"Did anyone get number fifteen right?" Natalie asked.

"Come to think of it, I think that's the one I missed," Peter said. "What about you, Victor?"

"I got a 107 too."

As Natalie and Mary Jane continued discussing the physics test, Peter leaned over to Victor. "The main reason I can't give is because of the . . . you know."

Victor nodded. "Don't worry. The Red Cross gives you the option of not using your blood. That way, you won't look like a loser in front of your friends or family."

"And it's all confidential?"

"Of course."

"Hmm." Peter sat back in his chair.

"So, Osborn," Lex said, "what is the status of our corporate takeover?"

"Jameson is rushing, trying to find the perfect story to possibly save his job."

"Excellent . . . He's pulling at strings, looking for the weight to fall on his head. What about the people who work for him?"

"I am checking into that. I have already dispatched several . . . agents, so to speak, to observe the various employees of the Daily Planet. I want to know who will be an asset, and who will be a liability."

"Good."

"Oh, brother," Peter muttered. He didn't need to turn around to tell that the voice belonged to Flash Thompson. He just kept walking through the crowded halls.

"Hey, wait up, Parker!" Flash said, pushing through the crowd, catching up with Peter.

"What do you want, Flash?" Peter asked. "Can we hurry up and get this over with? I need to get to class."

"Sure, whatever, bookworm," Flash said, not missing a beat. "But some of us are throwing a party on Friday. Wanna come?"

"Of course not. It's obviously a ploy to set me up, or make me look stupid, or something."

"Nah, man, it's on the level."

"Why can't I shake the feeling that this is fake sincerity?"

"Fine, suit yourself. Go ahead, and study your life away."

Sure, and just wait until I actually make something of myself, and you end up wasting away after college, Peter thought as Flash walked away.

"How in the world does he do it?" Jameson asked. "I've never seen anyone get such clear and close pictures like this!"

"Peter Parker has yet to reveal his secret."

"These action shots of Spider-Man are amazing!"

"A shame they don't help circulation."

Hmm, Jameson thought. Maybe I could use Parker's secret as leverage. Figure out the secret, maybe find Spider-Man identity in the process. The two must be friends. I need a big story to save this paper!

Aloud, he said, "I wish we had the money, otherwise I'd tell you to start doubling Parker's pay."

"I understand, Jonah. I'll be downstairs."

At least I don't need to go to my locker, he thought.

But as he made the turn around second hall, he bumped into a janitor, dropping the book he was carrying, and spilling a few mops and brooms.

"I'm so sorry," Peter said as he bent down to pick the stuff up. He glanced at the janitor, who he did not recognize. She had medium length brown hair, was a little shorter than Peter, and looked to be in her forties.

"It's no problem," the janitor said. "I understand you kids need to get to class."

"Sorry, Ms. . . . Sorry, I realized that I don't know your name."

"Mongrain," the janitor replied. "Alison Mongrain."

Peter noticed a strange tingling on his neck. It was his spider-sense. He looked around. Nothing was coming, and the tingle was mild.

"Nice to meet you," Peter said, cautiously. "I better go now."

Ms. Mongrain smiled. "I agree."

As Peter rushed to class, Mongrain pulled a radio out of her pocket. "Mongrain here. Parker has been spotted. Out."

"I can't believe I'm here. I'm so pathetic," MJ said, sipping on her Coke.

Peter laughed. "Did you actually think you would end up somewhere else?"

"That's what I get for letting you drive my car."

"What, is there a problem with my driving?"

"Not your driving, just your destination."

"Can I get off if I claim the car made me do it?" Peter asked.

"You're so pathetic."

"I though you were."

"Hey, don't go there!"

Peter smiled. "So, where would you have gone?"

MJ leaned back in the booth and thought for a moment. "Probably right here."

Just then, Jimmy Olsen came up to Peter. Harry Osborn was following him.

"Mind if we join you?" Jimmy asked.

"Oh, no, of course not," Peter replied, moving to the other side, beside Mary Jane.

"So, how are you doing, Harry?"

"I'm doing fine, Peter. Thanks for asking."

A waitress came up and took Jimmy and Harry's orders.

"Harry, I just realized that we haven't talked much this year," Peter said.

"Don't sweat it, man. You've been busy, I've been busy."

"What are you up to?" Mary Jane asked.

"Just trying to survive high school," Harry said with a smile. "And, always trying to get my dad to notice me."

"Ouch. I remember that incident at the football game," Peter said.*

*(issue #9, remember?)

"Yeah, well, I wish that was the only time it happened. But it was just the beginning." Harry sighed. "It was bad before, but ever since his company started developing Oz, and then he started his crusade against the newspaper, he's just been totally unaccessible."

"Crusade against the newspaper?" MJ asked.

Peter leaned over. "His dad is working with Lex Luthor to buyout the Daily Planet."

"Oh."

"So, Harry, do you have any inside info? Anything that we might be able to carry back to the office?" Jimmy asked.

Harry shook his head. "I'm sorry, but my dad doesn't quite give out too much information."

"What exactly is this 'Oz' that I keep hearing about?" Peter asked.

"It's some kind of drug," Harry replied. "It's supposed to make people stronger or something."

Stronger . . . Peter thought. Like, the Green Goblin?

"Anything else?" Jimmy wondered.

Harry shook his head. "Not that I know of. Like I said, my dad doesn't let me in on what he's doing." The waitress returned with the drinks. He took a sip. "Can we talk about something else?"

"Who's started their physics project?" Jimmy asked.

"Hey, I found out something interesting today," Peter said. "I was talking to Harry Osborn. He said that his dad is working on a drug called 'Oz'."

"And?"

"Well, it's supposed to give people superstrength, or something like that. So, I got to thinking. Remember a couple of months ago, when the Green Goblin was going around, killing people?"

"Of course. Gave me a headache that lasted for a week."

"Remember who got targeted?"

"It had something to do with someone financing something . . . "

"Jameson. Everyone was part of something that had benefitted from Jameson's money."

"And Osborn is trying to take over the paper," Victor remembered.

"Scaring Jameson in the process," Peter finished.

"You're saying that the Green Goblin was injected with 'Oz'?"

"I'm not saying anything. It just seems like a feasible explanation."

"But what if the Goblin is working for Luthor?"

"Could be, but Luthor goes for more subtle ties that are easier to dispose of."

"Interesting. I guess we'll have to wait to see how it all turns out."

The two continued working for a couple of minutes in silence before Victor asked, "So, how are things going with Mary Jane?"

"What do you mean?"

"I've seen how you two have been acting recently. Especially since Christmas. Has anything . . . you know . . . happened between you two?"

Peter laughed. "No. Well, almost."

"Almost?"

"Yeah. Let's just say that there was some mistletoe, and a couple of busy aunts."

"Maybe you should give me some more details before I take that the wrong way, and will have to severely hurt you for putting such mental images in my head."

"Hey, you're the telepath!"

"A low level telepath. I can actually block thoughts out unless I want to see them. And in this case I don't. So, what happened?"

"Like I said, there was some mistletoe at Christmas dinner."

"Let me guess, you were about a centimeter away when your aunts called you in."

"Bingo."

Victor turned from his sawing. "Bummer. I remember when Natalie and I first starting going out, or at least thinking about it. There were many awkward moments."

"But I'm not sure if I want to be with her."

"Are you crazy? Peter, for eleven years, you were the poster child for nerd. Last year, you started coming out of your shell, and this year, you actually have friends, and could have a girlfriend if you just take some initiative."

"I know, but there's just so much involved."

"Peter, are you listening to yourself, or just spitting out a bunch of crap you heard on TV? Look at me and Natalie. Dating for months, perfectly happy."

"I guess you're right . . . "

"Wait, I see . . . You're worried about Spider-Man."

"Yeah."

"Then tell her."

"What, just like that?"

"Natalie knows my secret ID, and yours."

"Point."

"So, you ready to put this PVC on the board yet?"

CRASH!

"What's that?" Jimmy asked.

"Sounds like it was in the classroom," Peter replied.

The two teenagers rushed into the adjoining classroom to see shattered light fixture laying over a janitor. It was Alison Mongrain.

Jimmy walked over to help her up, while Peter bent down to examine the damage. He noticed something strange in the debris. Glass and plastic were not the only two things to shatter. He lifted some up.

This looks like . . . ice? Wait a minute. Spider-sense tingling. She's not here just to clean up a school.

"This is odd," he said aloud. "It looks like there is some ice here."

By this time, Mongrain was standing up already. She had a look of mad rage in her eyes. "Scum!" she shouted, lunging at Peter. As she jumped, an ice trail formed behind her, sending her and Peter crashing through the wall, outside.

Jimmy stood up. "I'll call the cops."

Peter lay on the ground, still dazed by the fact that he had just been attacked by a janitor.

"Okay, so you look like a superpowered crazy type," he commented. "I assume you have a codename or something?"

"Call me the Ice Queen," Mongrain said coldly.*

*(no pun intended . . . seriously!)

"So, what's the deal with the whole sliding out of the school?"

"I was told to keep an eye on you."

"This is definitely more than just an eye."

"Rita! I've told you, never come - "

"It's Ms. Mongrain, sir."

Osborn shut up. "What about Ms. Mongrain?"

"She just went postal on some kid at Midtown High."

Osborn smiled at his guest, sitting in the chair in front of him. He stood up. "Would you please excuse me for a moment? I shouldn't be too long."

"Neutralize her immediately," he whispered to his secretary as they walked out.

"Unngh!" the Ice Queen yelled as Peter jumped up and ran off. She stood up. "Where is he?" she shouted.

Suddenly, a red gloved fist slammed into her face. "Hey! Nobody messes with my man Parker!" Spider-Man exclaimed.

"Awesome," Jimmy muttered from the edge of the classroom. He had already called the cops, and was now taking pictures of the fight.

"Where's Peter?" the teacher asked.

"He ran off," Jimmy replied. "No doubt to safety."

"Shouldn't we go find him?" a girl in the class asked.

"You want to run past that fight over there?" Jimmy asked. "I'm sure Peter's fine."

Outside, Spider-Man was faring well. He had already overpowered the Ice Queen, and was standing with one foot on her chest.

"Overzealous fool," the Ice Queen muttered, grabbing Spidey's foot, and icing it up.

"Ye-ow!" Spidey exclaimed, jumping up. "Cold-cold-cold-cold-cold-cold-cold!" He spun around to hit the Ice Queen. She fell back. Spider-Man heard a familiar rumble.

"Goblin!" he shouted.

Sure enough, the Green Goblin glided in, and grabbed the Ice Queen. "I'd love to stay and chat, but I have my orders. Queenie here is coming with me!"

Jimmy came running out and stood next to Spider-Man, taking pictures of the fleeing Goblin. "Isn't that just fine?" he asked.

"Thank God for small blessings. On one hand, the Ice Queen is out of my hair. But, does this mean the Goblin is coming back for more of the spotlight?"

Spider-Man just stood there, pondering for a moment.

"What's up? Waiting for some new shots?"

Peter turned around. "Huh? Oh, no. No, I'm just thinking. Getting away from everything." He stood up. "Do you realize how lucky we are to have such a peaceful getaway?"

"Um, no. I never really thought about it that way," Jimmy replied. "I usually just come in, develop my pictures, and then leave."

Peter looked around the room, eerily lit by a soft red light. "It'll all be over soon, won't it?"

"You mean the buyout?"

"Yeah. In a few days, Jameson will have sold the place to Luthor, and we'll just be out of jobs."

"What do you mean?" Jimmy asked. "You'll at least get a web designer job. I'm the one that's down on my luck."

"Do you remember your first time here at the Planet?"

Jimmy shook his head. "Not too well. It's been a while. You?"

"It's only been a few months, so, of course . . . "

"Lois, Jimmy, this is Peter Parker. He's our newest photographer," Perry announced. "Peter, you'll be working here with Olsen. He'll teach you the rest of what you need to know. I think the three of you will get along fine."

"What was that?" Jimmy asked.

"Oh, I was just saying that Perry thought right. Back when he hired me, he said that he thought the three of us - you, me, and Lois - would get along fine."

"A shame that we'll probably get split up."

"We'll all still be friends, won't we?"

"If the buyout goes the way I think it will, we'll still be friends, but it'll never be the same."

"Kinda like it will be after high school?"

"I tend to not think about that."

Both boys were silent for a moment.

"Hey," Peter said, "do you remember when you first heard about the problems with the paper?"

"Yeah, it was shortly after the Sinister Six battle. Although, you knew about it before I did."

"It was all in the timing, that's all. If you had come in only two minutes earlier, you would have been there. As it was, I was walking into the City Room. I found Lois, and was talking to her, waiting for you, when JJJ came out of Perry's office . . . "

He quickly dropped the subject as he saw Jimmy getting off of the elevator.

Peter nodded. "That's right." He paused. "Do you have any pictures to develop?"

"Nah. I was actually looking for you. I needed some help with the physics homework."

"Okay. Can we go to the Crib? It's a better place to get work done than here."

"You just want to see Mary Jane," Jimmy teased.

"No! Well, at least it's a good excuse."

"Hey," Peter said walking in.

"Hey," MJ replied. "Can I get you something?"

"Nah, just thinking," Peter said.

"About the buyout?"

"Yeah."

MJ walked over and hugged Peter. "Don't worry. It's just your job. You'll still have your friends."

Peter smiled. "How did we manage to never meet until this year?"

"Your dumb luck?"

"Maybe my luck was changing when we met . . . "

Peter smiled. "I'll be back for you when it's safe."

"Or if I had and Davis hadn't been such an idiot."

"We might never have met, or become friends."

"Even though we were next door neighbor's forever."

MJ had finished cleaning the booths, and was ready to leave. She walked into the back room, grabbed her jacket, turned the lights off, and activated the security system. Peter quickly opened the door, and MJ rushed through to take advantage of the thirty second grace period.

"Ready for that physics test tomorrow?" Peter asked.

"Mostly," MJ replied. "But it'd be nice if you could come over and help me out with a few things."

Peter looked at his watch. "I have time."

"Cool. Wanna ride?"

"Sure."

Peter and MJ walked to her car and climbed in. Then, they sped off into the night.

Who is the Green Goblin? Is he man or monster? These are just a few of the questions raised by this strange creature. Unfortunately, no answers have been forthcoming. However, most of his attacks have something to do with the Daily Planet. Coincidence? Highly unlikely.

For several months, the impending buy-out of the Planet weighed heavily on Jameson's mind. It was almost inevitable, yet the buyers seemed to intentionally hold out for something. It was like an extended torture.

But Jameson wasn't beaten yet. He just needed something, anything, to increase circulation. He needed to generate interest in the paper again.

And he knew just the story to make it.

For even longer than Jameson was under pressure to sell the newspaper, a certain red-and-blue clad wallcrawling "menace" had been making appearances in the city. Jameson never really liked him, as he didn't trust many of these new "superfreaks" that were popping up. They all seemed dangerous, and a direct threat to his person. Heck, even Spider-Man himself had been in his office causing panic.

Still, the public loved these superheroes and supervillains. Therefore, they translated into news stories. And, Spider-Man was no exception, having appeared many times thanks to the amazing abilities of certain members of the staff.

The public didn't like mysteries too much, though. What bigger mystery than the face behind the mask? So, what if Jameson could provide them with the answer?

Jameson knew instantly that the unmasking of Spider-Man could save his paper.

But, who could he have to do it? Most of the staff would know he was up to something, and wouldn't stand for it. But what about those young photographers . . . ?

Jameson first thought about Peter Parker, the young man who provided him with the majority of the Spider-Man shots that did eventually run in the paper. He considered giving the job to him, until he thought of something.

Parker's too close. He might try to help Spider-Man conceal his identity. Still, it's worth a shot . . .

"Please, Parker, I'm your boss," Jameson pleaded. "Just let me know how you get those spectacular pictures of Spider-Man."

"I'm sorry, sir, but that's part of the deal. When I was hired, no one was allowed to ask how I got the shots."

"Very well," Jonah grumbled. "You may go."

As Peter walked out, Jameson's mind continued to plot. I need someone else. Someone young, somewhat close to Spider-Man, but can get this story. I know . . . Olsen.

Jimmy Olsen had been the only teen photographer until Peter Parker was hired last summer. He had taken his fair share of Spider-Man photos, so he knew a bit about the webslinger. Plus, he had never made any deals.

Jameson pressed the intercom. "Please tell James Olsen to report to my office immediately," he told his secretary.

In a matter of minutes, Jimmy was knocking on the door.

"Come in," Jameson barked.

Jimmy slowly opened the door and crept into the room. "You wanted to see me, sir?"

"Yes, yes I did. Please, sit down."

Jimmy walked over and took a seat across from the menacing editor.

"Olsen, my boy, I have a job for you. It's been a story I've been thinking about for a while, and I think it's time to finally write it."

"What's that, sir?"

"I would like you to unmask . . . Spider-Man."

"Spider-Man." Jimmy was silent for a moment. "Well, sure, I guess. When do you want it?"

"No real rush, but within, say, three weeks would be nice."

"I'll get right on it," Jimmy said, standing up. "Thank you, sir."

"No, thank you."

"What's wrong, Jimmy? You didn't get fired, did you?" Lois asked.

"No, nothing as simple as that. Jameson just gave me an assignment."

"What's the assignment?" Urich wondered.

"I have to unmask Spider-Man."

"You're not going to do it, are you?" Lois inquired.

Jimmy nodded, looking down at his shoes. "I have to. If it means keeping a job, keeping the paper open."

"Well, good luck," Lois said.

"Thanks," Jimmy replied.

Osborn Industries was famous for its many laboratories. It was only natural, as the company was known for its scientific breakthroughs. What most people didn't know, however, was that many underground labs had been built, for more sinister purposes. These were for the experiments that no one ever knew about.

Norman Osborn stood in one of those darkened labs. He faced Alison Mongrain, who had been so unceremoniously chained to the wall.

"Why did you do it? I told you to monitor Parker, not kill him!"

"I'm sorry. Something happened. My power . . . "

"Your power got you into trouble. As it is now, you've made yourself known. You have failed."

Mongrain hung her head. "I'm sorry, boss."

"Not good enough. But, I have another mission for you."

"Mission?"

"It's far away from here. Out of country."

"Oh. I see." Mongrain knew that such missions mean that she had failed, and probably would not be heard from again. "But what about Parker?" she asked.

"Stay away from him," Norman replied crossly. As an afterthought, he added, "And that Olsen kid."

"What are you going to do about them?"

"I've found out all I need about them. They are no longer your concern."

I definitely need some sort of tracking device. Peter could probably build one. But he probably doesn't want to have anything to do with this. Wait a minute! Peter's professor friend should be able to help! I give him a visit tomorrow!

"Ow!" she said as she laid her right hand down to support her. It felt like a little shock.

She carefully lifted her other hand, and felt her hand. It was sticking out; each strand seemed to repel all others.

Static electricity, she thought. But how? I know I haven't created that much friction moving around.

Then, she remembered a little event from several week previous.

"Electro . . . " she whispered.

It was at this point that the usually confident Lois had no idea was to do. She couldn't call the police, there was no proof. Likewise, why bother any of her friends? It was late, they were all asleep.

Lois leaned over and flicked her bedside lamp on.

As she did so, the lamp exploded, and a blue shockwave ran through the room. Lois was knocked back and ended up on her back, unconscious.

He knocked again. "Ms. Lane?" Still no answer. He shrugged. "Oh, well, she's probably already on her way to work."

It wasn't until after the landlord had made the rounds and checked the fuse box that he became suspicious. All of the power was able to be restored to all of the apartments, except for one.

He went back to Lois's apartment, banging the door very loudly. "Ms. Lane!" he called. With no answer, he took it upon himself to enter. He put his hand on the doorknob, getting shocked in the process. It was unlocked. Opening the door, he cried out, "I hope you're decent."

He walked in, and looked around. Less than a minute later, he was on the phone with 911.

He jumped out of bed and quickly dressed. He picked up his backpack and walked into the kitchen. His mom was still sleeping. It was her day off. Jimmy grabbed a can of orange juice and a cinnamon roll from the refrigerator that had been set aside for him on his way out the door.

It took about five minutes to walk to the bus stop, in which time he ate his breakfast. Jimmy was fortunate to get to the bus stop in time to catch the bus. A ten minute ride was all that was left to endure before he reached Hamilton's lab.

"Who is it?" he asked.

"Jimmy Olsen. I'm a friend of Peter Parker."

"Ah, yes, do come in!"

Jimmy entered, and looked around him in awe. The small room was filled with what most people would consider junk. But somehow, Hamilton had been able to mold it into some of the most ingenious inventions ever created.

"What can I do for you today?" Hamilton asked, shaking Jimmy's hand.

"I need something to track Spider-Man," Jimmy replied. "It's for a Daily Planet article."

"Track Spider-Man?" Hamilton asked. "That might take a while."

"Well, I don't have a lot of time."

"That's okay. We can discuss the basics now, and I can work on something while you're off doing whatever." He looked at his watch. "I'd imagine it would be school or something like that."

"I was thinking last night, and his spider-sense seems to work like radio waves. Doesn't he use it for his tracers?"

"I believe so."

"Maybe we could build something that could focus on that wavelength."

"Okay. I can work on something this morning. Come back by after school, and I should have something that you can use."

"Thank you, sir."

"What is it, Urich?" Perry asked. He was on the phone.

"There's a call for you on line two. It's the police."

"The police!" he exclaimed. "Excuse me, please," he said to the person on the other end of the phone line. "The police seem to need me for something." He pressed a couple of buttons and switched lines. "Perry White, Daily Planet."

" . . . "

"Yes, sir."

" . . . "

"No . . . "

" . . . "

"I'll be there right away." He switched back to the other person. "I'll have to get back to you. Some pressing matters just popped up." Perry hung up the phone.

"What was that all about?" Urich asked.

"It's Lois," Perry replied. "Her landlord found her unconscious in her room."

Urich gasped. "Oh my god. Is she okay?"

"They've already taken her to Mercy General."

"Hey, guys. What's up?" Jimmy asked.

"It's Lois," Peter replied. "She was rushed to the emergency room this morning."

"Oh my gosh! Why?"

"Landlord found her unconscious. That's all Urich said."

"Urich called you?"

"Yeah, said Perry told him to call the people Lois was closest too."

"I didn't get a call."

"I only got it as I was walking out."

"That's probably it. I left a little early today."

"Getting some early morning exercise in?" Peter joked.

Jimmy smiled. "Yeah. So, are we going to see Lois today?"

"Maybe. Urich said someone would call as soon as there was any news. Right now, the police and medics are still involved."

"How serious is it?"

"They're not sure. They're thinking she might have gotten a bad shock."

"Shock?" Mary Jane asked. "As in electrocuted?"

"Electro," Peter whispered. Louder, he said, "You know, he did attack Spider-Man again, right before the Sinister Six attack."

"So, he's a bad guy, then, right?" MJ wondered.

"I guess," Jimmy replied. "But why would he go after Lois?"

"We have no way of knowing," Peter replied. "He did run off after his first confrontation with police and Spider-Man. Who knows who he went to. I think someone else is pulling the strings."

"And I'm sure Lois has a long list of enemies that she's made while at the Planet," Jimmy added.

"Making this one confusing case," Peter concluded.

"Well, boys, we can't play detective here, and we all have classes, so . . . "

"The girl's got a point," Jimmy said, walking to his homeroom. "See you later?"

"Yeah."

"Mr. White?" the doctor asked.

Perry stood up. "Yes?"

"I'm Dr. Folsome. Has her family been contacted?"

"No. They live quite a ways away, and I wanted to have something concrete to tell them, preferably positive."

The doctor sighed. "I understand. But you might want to call them. Lois had a bad shock. It's a wonder she's still alive."

"But she's not in any danger, right?"

"It's too soon to tell right now. There might be some brain damage."

Perry turned to the cop. "Anything you'd like to add."

"We've conducted an investigation, and we can't figure out any plausible explanation for her condition. It appears that she got up in the middle of the night and turned her lamp on. It blew up, and knocked her out."

"Did you say lamp?"

"Yes."

Perry turned to the doctor. "And you're sure she's had a bad electrical shock."

"Yes," the doctor replied. "Why, is there something you know?"

"I'm not sure yet. I'll get back to you. But first . . . " He scribbled down a phone number. "This is Lois's father's number. Call him, let him know what's happening."

"Where will you be?" the cop asked.

"At the Daily Planet!"

Ben Urich was walking back from the cafeteria with two cups of coffee. "Here you g- where are you going?"

Perry grabbed one of the cups. "I've got a lead. You stay here, keep an eye on Lois!"

Jimmy leaned over. "Dude, you okay?" he whispered.

"Yeah," Harry replied, his voice raspy and shaky. "Just a small cold or something."

"Why did you come?"

"My dad made me."

"Oh," Jimmy said, and sat back. A moment later, he leaned over again. "Wait, he made you? Like, literally forced you?"

Harry nodded. "Yeah, that's my dad. Doesn't give a rat's ass, except when it benefits him."

"That's what I'm afraid of," Jimmy whispered.

"I needed to talk to you, and its on the way to the hospital," Perry replied.

"Is it about Lois?"

"Yes. I think Electro attacked her."

"Hmm," Peter replied.

"You figured it out too?"

"Yeah. But is there any proof?"

"Nothing other than the blown electricity."

"But the cops are probably too reality-minded to realize this," Peter concluded.

"Right now, they are. Well, I just wanted to let you know."

"I'll come by the hospital after school."

"Good. But don't stay long. It won't be good to have the entire staff there, sitting on their hands."

"Gotcha. Bye."

"Bye," Perry said as he walked away.

He turned to face Harry. "Harry?"

Harry was leaning on the dividing bar, shaking badly.

"Yo, Harry, you okay?"

" . . . no . . . " Harry said weakly. " . . . sick . . . ah . . . ah . . . " He began wavering, and then collapsed to the floor.

"Oh my god!" a girl shouted.

Jimmy crouched down, and picked Harry up. "We gotta get you to the nurse. You shouldn't have come today."

" . . . zzz . . . " Harry whispered.

"Sure," the professor said, pressing the button. Immediately, it whirred to life. A small screen flickered on, and a dot appeared.

"It worked!" Jimmy exclaimed. "So fast!"

"Caution, young friend," Hamilton warned. "Pay attention to those coordinates. This says he is right here behind us."

Jimmy spun around, expecting to see Spider-Man at the window. No one was there.

"Where is he?"

"Wait a minute . . . " The professor walked to a box beside the window and reached in. "Of course." He pulled something out of the box. "Nano-machines, like the ones that make his costume. It's tracking them instead. Guess I'll have to do some more work."

"Thanks, professor. But I have something else in mind that might work."

"I'll keep fooling with this anyway, just in case. Who knows, I might invent something."

"Yes?"

"Hi, I'm Jimmy Olsen, a friend of Harry's. I helped him when he collapsed today. Uh, can I see him?"

The maid stepped aside, her face unchanging. "Come in. It is the second room on the right upstairs."

The maid returned to her work, and Jimmy climbed the stairs, admiring the ornate decoration, somewhat in awe. Coming up to the second door, he knocked.

"Who is it?" a muffled voice on the other end asked.

"It's Jimmy. The maid said I could come up."

"Jimmy? Come in!"

Jimmy opened the door and walked into his classmate's room. It was medium sized, certainly smaller than Jimmy would have imagined it. The lights were off, and the air had a strange musty feel to it.

"How ya feeling?" Jimmy asked.

Harry bobbed his head. "Better. A little. Still hurt all over."

"So, you're cooped up in here?"

Harry nodded. "Yeah. It sucks, but I can deal. Whacha want?"

"Huh? Oh, I came for some help with a story for the Planet?"

"How can I help?"

"Jameson wants me to unmask Spider-Man."

"Big story for the boss, huh? To save the paper? Kinda ironic, don't you think?"

"What do you mean?"

"My dad is buying the paper. And you're helping Jameson trying to save it."

"So, you won't help?" Jimmy wondered.

"I will. Just because it's my dad doesn't mean I have to agree with anything he does. But, I still don't understand why you came to me."

"Your dad probably has access to a lot of technology, much of which has been discarded, right?"

"Yeah, down in the lab."

"He keeps it here?"

"Most of it."

"Is there any sort of hunting robot?"

"You mean something that will track Spider-Man down?"

"Yeah, and then take a picture."

Harry thought for a minute. "As a matter of fact, I think there just might be something."

"I'm thinking a three-robot set. Try to trap Spidey before getting a picture."

"Jimmy, you are developing the mind of an evil genius."

"No, I just pay attention to how these heroes get themselves in trouble."

"Tell ya what. I'll snoop around, and see what I can find. It should only take an hour."

"Harry, in your condition, are you sure you should be doing this alone?"

"Trust me. My dad doesn't like company much. Besides, I might be able to contact someone who can help."

"An hour then."

"I'll call you."

Jimmy walked to the door. "Okay, I'll be waiting. You know the number?"

"How many times have I had to call you for answers to math homework?"

"Oh, right." He slipped out and closed the door.

"So, the landlord found her like that this morning, with no electricity in the building?" Peter asked.

"And the power could be restored to every part of building except her apartment," Perry added.

"What are the police saying is the cause?"

"They're baffled. Actually, I think a few of them have thought it might be the work of a superpowered being, but are in denial," Perry asked.

"I have some contacts on the force. I'll check with them," Peter said as the three turned around when they heard a knock on the door. "Victor!" he added, surprised for a moment. "That's right, your grandmother . . . "

" . . . was a Lane," Victor finished. "How is she?"

"Breathing, but still unconscious," Perry replied.

"That was a hell of a shock," Vic commented. "And the police still aren't convinced it was Electro?"

"Nope," Peter said.

MJ looked at her watch. "Well, I have to be going. I have to work. Peter, need a ride?"

Peter shook his head. "I'll walk. As a matter of fact, I should leave now, too. I'll walk you to your car. Victor, Perry, catch ya later?"

"Yeah, Peter. Later," Vic replied.

"See you," Perry added.

"Bye," MJ said.

The officer looked up. "Oh, hi, Spider-Man. Here to see Captain Stacy?"

"Yes, sir," Spidey replied.

The officer picked up the phone and pressed two buttons. "Captain Stacy, Spider-Man's here to see you."

" . . . "

"Okay." He hung up the phone and looked up again. "You may go in."

Spider-Man walked around the desk, and into the main area of the station. It wasn't long before he found himself opening the door to Stacy's small office. Stacy looked up from the case file he was reading.

"Spider-Man, so nice to see you. How can I help you?"

"Are you are the Lane case?" Spidey said bluntly.

"You mean Lois Lane? No. I have nothing to do with it."

"Can you get on it?"

Stacy shook his head. "I'm afraid not. Not my department."

"Can you at least influence some of the officers?"

Stacy leaned forward. "Influence? How?"

"From what I have heard about the incident, it looks like the work of Electro. However, none of the cops on the case want to admit that."

"Interesting," Stacy commented. "Electro? That crazy guy you chased out of the apartment right before Christmas?"

Spidey nodded. "That's him."

"I'll see what I can do. Of course, that could transfer the case over to Major Crimes. Sawyer and Turpin. They're more open-minded."

"Whatever. I'm looking for Electro."

"Just why are you so concerned about this?"

"Lois Lane is a . . . friend."

"Peter, come here."

Peter entered Perry's office. Perry held up a piece of paper.

"This was delivered while I was out. It's message for Spider-Man. I assumed you could deliver it."

Peter looked at it. "The bank needs to see Spider-Man?"

"That's what it says. It doesn't sound too urgent, though."

"Okay, I'll let him know."

"Will you see him soon?"

"Oh, yeah. Real soon."

"Mr. Smythe here created this tracking devices," Harry explained. "They are exactly what you're looking for."

"Can we send them out now?" Jimmy asked.

"All we need is to program it for Spider-Man," Smythe explained. "Professor Hamilton, I believe you can do that?"

"Yes, it will only be a matter of moments."

"Can you program them to return to me?" Jimmy asked.

"Yes," Smythe answered. "Just use this remote device. When you press the button, they will come, or they will just come to where you are when their objective is complete."

Sure enough, in a parking garage across from the hospital, his built-in goggles saw something. He swung around, until he was on the back side of the garage. He carefully snuck up and attacked the person watching the hospital. It was like sticking a finger in an electrical outlet.

"Electro!" he exclaimed. "It was you!"

"Yeah, baby," Electro replied, turning around.

"Why?" Spidey asked, getting up, preparing his webshooters.

"I was told to watch Ms. Lane. It's much easier to watch her when she's unconscious."

"You know the police will be after you."

Electro shrugged. "So?" he asked while sending a massive charge directly at Spider-Man. Spidey flipped backward and dodged out of the way. As he landed, he fired impact webbing, knocking Electro back, and out of the garage. Before running and leaping out himself, Spidey checked the damage to any cars. There was none.

Electro landed hard on the ground below. Spider-Man used his webbing to slow himself down, and landed gracefully. Unbeknownst to either, a small little robotic device was hovering nearby. It was watching the tussle carefully.

Spider-Man webbed Electro to the ground. Before he could activate his police signal, the villain broke free, and began running away. A block away, he created a field of electrical energy and began riding it.

A month and a half with powers, and he can do stuff like that? Spidey thought. Spidey started slinging after him. However, Electro was going too fast. He couldn't even launch a spider tracer, and even if he could, Electro would know and short circuit it. Darn. And no pictures, either.

Spider-Man ducked into the nearest alley. Above, the three tracking robots gathered together and hovers. The two trackers surrounded the camera, but kept circling above. As Spider-Man walked in, it took a shot.

Within the next second, Spider-Man deactivated his suit, reverting to Peter Parker. At the same time, a truck carrying a large pane of glass on the back passed by. Peter spun around, to look at it, and the camera snapped another picture.

Peter's spider sense went off. He looked up and saw the cameras. Immediately, his glove regenerated, and he fired nano-machines in the direction of the camera, hoping to short it out.

Sure enough, it caused it to spark, and something broke off. Finally, it retreated, and Peter let the glove slide off.

"The school called. Said you got sick."

"Yeah," Harry said weakly. "I seemed to get better a few hours ago, but all of a sudden, it kicked back in."

"A cold, I assume."

"No, it feels much worse."

Norman raised an eyebrow. "Interesting. I'll have one of the doctors look you over first thing in the morning."

"Okay. Hey, dad, I have something to tell you that interesting."

"What's that?"

"Someone came by, wanting to unmask Spider-Man. I found those trackers that Smythe made for you last year."

"Did they work?"

"I haven't heard yet."

"That could be a very interesting field test. Let me know how it turns out."

"I will."

He was excited to see the first picture load.

The second picture shocked him, though.

"Peter?"

"I have them," he said.

"That's great, my boy," Jameson said. "Let me see."

Jameson took the prints and let out a low whistle when he saw the second one. "Parker?" Then he took a closer look, and put the two pictures side by side. "Olsen, you dolt. These are from completely different times of day!"

"Huh?" Jimmy asked, leaning over.

"Look at the shadows. They're pointing in different directions in each photo."

"Lousy, no good, piece of junk . . . " Jimmy muttered.

The next few sentences from Jameson all blurred together in Jimmy's mind. All he was thinking about was how he failed. Then, he saw the three robots hovering outside the office window, behind Jameson.

"Uh, Mr. Jameson?" Jimmy interrupted.

"What?" Jameson snapped.

Jimmy pointed at the robots. Jameson turned around, and the camera snapped a picture. The bright flash temporarily blinded Jameson. Jimmy ran out, hearing a string of curses coming from the newspaper owner.

"I can't believe I blew it!" he exclaimed.

Lois Lane had been perfectly still for almost twenty-four hours. Somehow, she was still alive, but in a deep coma. The doctors considered her lucky.

Her luck ran out, though.

It was the nurse at the desk just outside the room that heard it first. "Flatliner!" she yelled, hoping that a doctor nearby would hear it. She picked up the phone to alert someone. Within seconds, medics seemed to pop out of the woodwork and rush into Lois's room.

"What in the world is going on?" Dr. Folsome asked. "How can she be flatlining?"

"Attention!" he shouted. All of the chatter died down, and the reporters began standing up. Perry White even came out of his office.

"Thank you," Jameson said. "As you are aware of, the Planet's revenue has been declining, and so is circulation. Certain individuals in this city have also taken an interest in internet news. All of this has led me to only one course of action. I don't want to take it, but I am forced to.

"I will be selling the Daily Planet. By the end of the week, many of you could be out of a job."

He neared the room. When he reached it, he stood at the door.

"We need to defib, stat!" one of the doctors shouted.

"No!" Doctor Folsome argued. "She was put here by an electric shock, there's no telling what damage that could cause now!"

The man knew what the next question would be, so he pulled the syringe out, and held it up, ready to use it.

"Then what the hell can we do?!" the doctor shouted.

"I believe I have a solution."

All of the doctors stopped to see who the man with the calm attitude was at the door. He was wearing all black - black suit, black overcoat, black gloves, and black shoes. His most distinguishable feature was his bald head.

"Lex Luthor," Dr. Folsome said. "What a surprise."

Lex walked over to Lois's bedside.

"Do you know the patient?" the other doctor asked.

"We've had a few run-ins, so to speak," Luthor replied.

"What do you have?"

"Hopefully for you, a miracle." Luthor then thrust the needle into Lois's chest, and pushed the syringe, injecting her with all of the fluid inside. He then pulled it out and tossed it in the biohazard container.

Turning and walking away, he said, "Wait about ten seconds, and then use the defibrilator."

The doctor grabbed the paddles, and charged them up. Ten seconds later, he shocked Lois.

"Nothing," he whispered. "Okay, we'll try it again."

The nurse helped him recharge. He shocked Lois again. Within a second, her heart started again. Everyone in the room breathed a sigh of relief.

"Doctor Folsome, we have to talk."

"Hey, Peter," she said.

"Hey!" Peter replied. "What's up?"

MJ sighed. "Are you busy tomorrow night?" she asked.

Peter thought for a moment. "Uhhhhh, no. I don't think so."

"Good. There's something I need to talk to you about."

"What is it?"

"I'd rather wait until tomorrow night."

"Okay, whatever."

"Have you heard any more about Lois?" MJ asked.

Peter shook his head. "Nothing since we were at the hospital."

Suddenly, an out of breath Jimmy Olsen came running up.

"Yo, what's with the running?" Peter asked.

"I was just at the Planet," Jimmy said. "Would have been here on time, but as I was getting ready to leave, I noticed a commotion."

"Wait, it can't be . . . "

Jimmy nodded. "Jameson made it official this morning. The Daily Planet is up for sale."

"No surprise there, I take it," Mary Jane commented.

"No. Just the timing," Peter replied. "I thought Jameson would still be putting up a fight."

"So did I," Jimmy said. "He even gave me a story to try to save the paper . . . " He trailed off. "But then he made the announcement only moments after I saw him and learned that I had failed."

"Failed at what?"

"Unmasking Spider-Man. But my camera malfunctioned, and I ended up getting a picture of you!"

"That's crazy!" Peter said. So that's what that thing was yesterday. I wonder how it managed to malfunction.

"At first I thought I had you, but Jameson realized the shadows were different, and all. Still, how could Jameson know that quickly?"

"Maybe he was despaired because you didn't bring him the story?" MJ suggested.

"I guess so," Jimmy agreed. "Well, I better get to class. See ya."

As Jimmy walked away, MJ looked at her watch. "Oh, only a minute left. I'll catch you later?"

"Sure," Peter said as he began walking to his physics class.

Just as Peter was about to enter the class, someone grabbed his left arm and pulled him back.

"Wh - Victor!"

"Shh!" Victor warned. "I have some bad news. I was checking up on Lois, y'know, with the whole mind thing, and . . . well . . . "

Victor's hesitation worried Peter. "What happened?"

"She flatlined."

"What?"

Victor nodded.

"What happened after that?"

"I don't know, too much confusion."

The bell rang.

"Are we going to class?" Peter asked.

"No, we're checking on Lois."

"We need an excuse."

"I'm working on it."

"No," came the shaky answer, following by ten seconds of hacking and coughing.

Norman grabbed the doorknob, and opened the door. He saw Harry, dressed only in the pants he wore to bed, leaning over the toilet. Blood and vomit not only filled the toilet bowl, but had splattered to the floor and some of the cabinets. Harry looked whiter than a sheet.

"Dad, what's wrong with me?"

Norman walked over and crouched down. He pulled a syringe out of his pocket, and took the cork off of the needle. All of this was done behind Harry's back, so he couldn't see it. With one quick motion, he jammed the needle into Harry's back and pushed the syringe down.

Harry screamed, and then passed out. Norman grabbed his son's head before it hit the toilet seat. He then laid him out on the floor.

The maid appeared at the door. "Is everything all right, Mr. Osborn?"

Norman stood up, pocketing the needle. "Yes. Will you clean up in here and put Harry to bed?" he asked as he walked out.

"So, how are we going to explain being here?" Peter asked.

"Let's see. I can be here because of closest next-of-kin, since I live in the city. I'm sure they called."

"What about me? I should be at school."

{Who's to say Spider-Man can't show up?}

Peter thought for a moment. {Good point,} he thought back. {After all, this is still a continuing investigation.}

The elevator stopped and dinged. The doors opened, allowing Victor to get off. Peter nodded as Victor looked back, and then pressed the button for roof access. He could go up there, change into Spider-Man, and then come back.

When Victor walked into the room, he saw Lois resting peacefully, and Dr. Folsome standing beside her with a clipboard. He knocked to let the doctor know he was there.

"I'm sorry. Only family is allowed in right now."

Victor smiled. "It's okay. I'm family. Her cousin, sort of."

"Sort of?"

"A few times removed, or something like that. My grandmother was her dad's aunt."

"Oh. So you must have heard."

"About this morning?"

"Yes. She did flatline, but we - actually, an . . . associate was able to bring her back."

"An associate? Who?"

"I'm not at liberty to say."

"Don't give me that crap," Victor said. "We're talking about her life here."

"It's part of the arrangement."

"Arrangement? Now you're starting to sound like the Godfather or something. Can you at least tell me how her life was saved."

"All I can give out now is that we used an experimental drug."

"Experimental? I thought those could only be used with patient's consent? And that's funny that you used it, because Lois doesn't look like she's in a consenting kind of mood right now."

"She is unconscious. That is implied consent."

"Oh," Victor said, backing down from the argument. "Still, I don't like this whole 'associate' business."

"That's not your call, son."

Victor gritted his teeth. "Don't call me son." He turned and left. Walking down the hall, he saw Spider-Man.

"Vic, where are you going?" Spidey asked in a low voice.

"I need to talk to some people," Vic replied. "But if you need to shake the doctor up, feel free."

"Why?"

"An 'associate' of his used some experimental drug on Lois."

"What kind of experimental drug?"

"I don't know. Maybe you can find out. Also, find out who the associate is."

"Okay. Where are you going to be so I can get you any information I find out?"

"Just find my grandfather. He should be at home."

"What about our excuse from school?"

"Say that I found out about Lois, and brought you with me because I wanted someone else to be there."

"Okay. Catch you later."

The two walked in opposite directions. Spider-Man popped his head into Lois's room. "Hello?"

"I'm sorry," Dr. Folsome said. "Family only, and you're definitely not family."

"No, but I'm investigating."

"Investigating what?"

"The cause of Ms. Lane's condition."

"I'm sorry, you're going to have to come back at another time."

"It was Electro."

Both Spider-Man and Dr. Folsome turned their heads in Lois's direction.

"She's conscious!" Dr. Folsome exclaimed.

"Master of the obvious," Spider-Man said. Folsome glared.

"I'm going to alert the other doctors."

Folsome walked out. Spidey came to Lois's bedside. She grabbed his hand.

"Electro was in my apartment," she whispered. "I could feel the static in the air."

"Lois, how do you feel?"

"Fine. A little weird. Felt like I was dead for a while. Oh, and I'm sore right here," she added, rubbing the spot where the needle had gone in. Spider-Man looked and saw the puncture.

"Probably where they injected you," he said.

"Who?"

"Don't worry about it. Look, I better get out of here. I'll let everyone know that you're okay."

"Thanks," Lois said.

"Spider-Man!" Victor said. "What are you doing down here?"

"I talked to Lois."

"You talked to her? That means she's conscious!"

Spidey nodded. "It was Electro, she knows that. Of course, I already knew that after fighting him yesterday."

"So, does this prove anything?"

"I don't know, but it will make the police look for Electro."

"Not if we find him first."

"Vic, think first. That's not the best idea. Someone here is playing a game, I know it. I'm sure Electro will pop up soon enough on his own. When he does, we'll get him."

Victor looked at his watch. "We might have time to get to third period on time."

"Grab my neck," Spidey said, turning around. "We'll get there on time."

Osborn stood up, and walked around the front of his desk. "Lex," he said, extending his hand. "What a pleasant surprise!"

Lex shook Norman's hand for a brief moment. "Yes, and I want to say congratulations. Jameson officially announced the sale of the paper."

"So I heard," Osborn replied. "I also heard that it is a rare occasion that you congratulate anybody. I should be honored."

"Perhaps," Luthor said. "But don't celebrate too soon. We still have some details to work out of our deal."

"Of course," Osborn agreed, returning to his chair. "Please, sit down." He gestured to the chairs in front of his desk. Luthor sat. "First, I must thank you for delivering the Oz to Ms. Lane. She will make an excellent field candidate."

"Like your son?"

Osborn tried to hide his shock. "How did you know?"

"There is very little I do not know."

Osborn changed the subject. "Our first order of business is to determine what to do with Jameson now."

"Terminate him," Luthor said bluntly.

"But he will no longer be an obstacle."

"No, but he will be a vocal opponent. That's too much of a wild card for my liking. Send in some of your cronies and take care of him. Soon."

Osborn nodded. "Yes, sir. What of the staff?"

"There are many who will be a great asset to us. That Parker kid seems to know a lot about computers, and can help with web design. He seems harmless. Plus, he seems to know Spider-Man, so we can use that to our benefit. And I've always wanted to put a leash on Lois Lane."

"I understand. Does this mean she'll keep her job?"

"She'll not only keep it, she'll be unable to quit and find another job."

"That seems a little cruel."

"We're not here to be nice. We're here to conduct business, and gain the advantage for ourselves."

Something's not right, he thought. Why did I feel a needle? And why was he sneaking around with it?

Harry stood up, almost surprised that he could.

I gotta tell someone. It's gotta be the Oz.

"You said someone was playing a game," Victor said. "Who?"

"I'm not sure," Peter replied. "But I wouldn't be surprise if it was Osborn or Luthor. I haven't been able to piece it all together."

"What do we know, then?"

"Let's see, let's start with Lois getting attacked. It was done by Electro, who first showed up around Christmas. After our initial fight, he ran off, and supposedly got a suit from Stark. But then he disappeared, only appearing a few weeks later to fight me."

"Right before the Sinister Six attack."

"Right. And then, he attacks Lois."

"Wait a minute," Victor said. "Didn't you get attacked at school?"

"Yeah. That's right. By the Ice Queen. I think she was watching me."

"And the most obvious connection between you and Lois . . . "

" . . . is the Daily Planet. And, the Goblin came to take the Ice Queen away."

"So, that means, the Ice Queen, the Goblin, and Electro are working together."

"Or at least working as pawns."

"For Osborn? Or for Luthor?"

"I'm leaning towards Osborn," Peter replied.

"And speaking of Osborn, his kid got sick yesterday."

"Interesting, how Osborn is also creating some kind of drug."

"Could he have injected Harry with Oz?"

"Or was he continually giving it to Harry, and then stopped?"

"There are too many questions. But no answers."

"Oh, there are answers," Peter argued. "We just can't find them."

"Is Jimmy Olsen here?" he asked, stopping the first person he saw. It was Ben Urich.

"Uh, yeah," Urich replied. "I just saw him in there. But - "

"Thanks!" Harry ran into the City Room. He saw Jimmy standing by a desk, sorting photos.

"Harry, what are you doing here?" Jimmy asked.

"I gotta tell you something. It's about my dad. I think he was doing something to me."

"What do you mean 'something'?"

"Oz, man. I think he injected me with Oz."

"That would explain why you're sick."

"You gotta help me."

"How? What can I do?"

"We gotta get the word out."

"I received a message to come here."

"Yes," the teller said. "The bank president would like to talk to you. Through that door back there." The teller pointed.

Spidey walked to the door and knocked. It was already partially open.

"Spider-Man!" the president exclaimed. "Come in!"

It gets real annoying for everyone to exclaim "Spider-Man!" when they see me.

The president took his seat, and Spider-Man followed suit. "Why did you want to see me?" Spider-Man asked.

"We have found new evidence that your bank account was tampered with," the president said.

"I know. Mysterio didn't take my money."

"Mysterio?"

"The guy impersonated me."

"Oh, yes. Well, we learned that at the same time he came in, someone electronically emptied your account."

"I figured as much."

"We've been attempted to trace the transaction. But, with it being as long ago as it was, it isn't easy."

"But you are making progress?"

"Yes. In fact, we think we might know where the transaction originated from, but we don't want to disclose that information until we are sure."

"Understandable," Spider-Man said, standing up. "Anything else?"

"No. But we hope you will continue to bank with us, when we get your money back."

"If you get it back."

"Peter, are you okay?" Aunt May asked at dinner.

"Yeah. I'm fine. It's just so much going on."

"I'm sure Ms. Lane will be fine," May replied. "She does seem to be recovering nicely."

"It's not just that. It's the situation with the paper."

"I'm sure everything will be fine. Now, calm yourself. You worry too much."

Peter ate the rest of his dinner in silence, silently praying that everything would be okay, but seriously doubting his aunt.

Norman Osborn knocked on the door. "Harry, are you in there?"

There was no answer.

Norman knocked again, this time louder.

Still no answer.

Norman mumbled something and turned the doorknob. It was unlocked. He pushed the door all the way open to find Harry's room in its regular condition, except for one thing.

Harry was not in it.

Norman cursed under his breath before calling the maid.

"Where is he?" Norman asked once she had run to his side.

"I don't know, Mr. Osborn. I never heard him come in."

"He didn't come home last night? What is he? Crazy? He's sick, he shouldn't be out in the world getting other people sick."

"Should I call the cops?" the maid asked.

"No," Norman replied, a twinkle in his eye. "No, I shall take care of this."

He stopped once he was safely in the elevator, and then looked at who had so nicely held the elevator for him.

"Oh, Mr. White. Thanks," Peter said.

"Anytime, Peter," Perry replied. "So, did you give Spider-Man that message?"

"Message? Oh, right. The bank message. Yeah, I gave it to him."

"Did he happen to tell you what it was about?"

"No, but I have a feeling of what it could be."

"What?"

"Back when Spidey was a TV star, he opened a bank account, which was emptied by someone shortly after Spidey became a superhero."

"And the bank found the money."

"Either the money or who took it. Like I said, that's just my guess. So, how are you holding up?"

"It's a little rough, with one of my star reporters in the hospital, and my job on the line."

"How is your job on the line?"

"If Luthor or Osborn, or both buy the paper . . . Well, they are very opinionated men, and would probably prefer the paper edited by someone who was their lapdog."

"Oh," Peter said. "I see."

The elevator stopped and beeped, letting the occupants know it was at the City Room. The doors opened, and Peter and Perry stepped off, continuing their conversation as they walked to Perry's office.

"But is there anyone else that might be interested in buying the paper? I mean, it seems unlikely that only two men could be interested, but the only names I've heard are Luthor and Osborn."

"If anyone else is interested, either Jameson doesn't know, or he's not telling."

"But in this case, is it a matter of how much money is offered?"

"It's a tricky situation, especially since those two . . . " Perry trailed off as he glanced over at Lois's desk. Peter's eyes widened as he looked over as well. "Lois!" Perry exclaimed. "Great Caesar's Ghost, child, shouldn't you be at home?"

Lois looked up from her computer screen. "Perry, since when do I stay at home when I could be working?"

Perry raised his eyebrows and nodded his head. "Good point." Then, a stern look returned to his face. "Still, I don't want you to be hurting yourself."

"Perry, I'll be fine. Besides, with all that is going on, there's no way I'm just going to be on the sidelines."

Perry sighed. "Well, be careful," he said, walking into his office.

Lois looked at Peter. "And what can I do for you?"

Peter sat down in the chair beside Lois's desk. "So, exactly what angle are you working from?"

"Pardon?"

"Angle. Something's going on. Something big. Everyone wants to know what. I just want to know where your coming from."

"Someone attacked me in my home, and then saved my life. I want to know why and with what."

"Okay. Good. I've been talking to people, like Spider-Man, and we can't seem to figure it out."

"Like what?"

"Well, why were you attacked by Electro?"

"That's what I've been asking ever since I sensed him in my room."

"Did you happen to hear anything while you were in the hospital?"

"If I did, it all blurred together."

"I was talking to Victor yesterday, and we were noticing a pattern here."

"A pattern with what?"

"Some rather strange occurrences."

"Like what?"

"Like staffers of the Daily Planet getting attacked."

"Lois! You're back so soon?"

"Yes, Jimmy," Lois replied.

"Hey, Harry," Peter said. "Why are you here?"

"It's my dad. I think he's up to something."

"Define 'something'," Lois said. "He's up to a lot."

"That new drug, Oz? I think he's been using it on me," Harry replied. "That's why I'm sick."

"I've been wondering if Mr. Jameson could use any of this information. He has some contacts," Jimmy added.

"And, it would benefit his situation," Peter concluded.

Lois picked up the phone on her desk and dialed the extension to Jameson's office. "I'll get him down here and see."

Only minutes later, a conference had been called. Jameson sat at one end of the table in the conference room. Also seated were Perry, Lois, Peter, Jimmy, Harry, and finally Ben Urich.

"So, what do we have here?" JJJ asked. "Something about this boy being drugged."

Harry looked around and saw all eyes were on him. "Yes, sir. My father, Norman Osborn. I think he's been testing Oz on me."

"Oz," Jameson said. "I know of that."

"It will be ready to market in less than six months," Ben Urich announced. "But I don't think it's ever been announced as to what it does."

"That's just it," Harry said. "I don't think anybody knows. Everyone knows a little, but no one knows the whole truth."

"That damn Osborn, causing me this trouble," Jameson mumbled.

"Speaking of trouble," Peter spoke up, "I think there is something else you might be interested in."

"What's that?"

"Well, a few days before Lois was attacked by Electro, Jimmy and I were attacked by the Ice Queen, who was . . . taken away by the Green Goblin."

"So, you're saying that they are all connected?"

"I'm saying Osborn's been trying to keep an eye on us, or get us out of the picture."

"He's wasting his time," Jameson whispered. The room was silent for a moment.

But the silence was broken by the shattering glass.

Jameson turned around and saw the Green Goblin flying at him.

"Not again!" he exclaimed. "Not with the windows!"

Goblin crashed into the conference room and grabbed Jameson. "Nighty-night, J-boy!" he saw, tossing the owner of the paper to the other side of the City Room.

The occupants of the conference room immediately fled. Peter, Jimmy, and Harry ran for the stairs leading down. Peter looked back to see the other two boys.

"What are you doing?" he shouted.

"I gotta get out of here!" Harry shouted back. "If Green Goblin alerts my dad, I could be in trouble. I never went home last night."

Peter stood against the wall. "You guys go on down, then. Jimmy, get the pics from down below if you can."

"What about you?" Jimmy asked.

"I'll be fine. Go!"

Making sure no one could see him, Peter pulled his watch down his arm and activated his costume. Spider-Man leapt out of the stairway, ready for action . . .

. . . and suddenly fell back, his body numb.

Through the double - or was it triple? - vision, Spider-Man could see Electro towering over him.

"Hi, there, bug boy!" he exclaimed. "Miss me?"

"Uhhhh . . . " Spidey moaned. "No, not really."

Electro zapped him with energy. It was enough to make Spider-Man's body lift off of the floor. Spidey fired his webshooters, and a barrage of impact webbing pelted Electro, sending him crashing into the City Room. Spidey saw Green Goblin floating outside, dangling Jameson over the street below. He instantly leapt across the room, and tackled Jameson, wrestling him from his grip.

The two began to freefall.

"You menace!" Jameson shouted. "At least with the Goblin, I had a chance!"

"Aw, shut up, you ungrateful ass!" Spidey shouted back as he created a web parachute. "I'm busy here."

They floated down and landed gracefully. Spidey gave Jameson a shove. "Now, run like hell!"

That was the one time Jameson didn't have to be told what to do twice. He instantly ran as fast as he could away from the Daily Planet building.

"Now, for the Goblin," Spidey muttered.

Suddenly, he felt something slam against his chest, knocking him to the ground.

"Not yet," a deep, raspy voice said. "Boss wants you first."

Spidey could just barely make out the image. He could see an armored figure, in the shape of a man except that it had a tail.

And then the tail came down. Spidey felt a sting in his right arm, and everything faded to black.

Electro came running up. "Hey! He's mine!" he shouted.

"I don't think so," Spider-Man's attacker said, swinging his tail, knocking Electro to the ground.

Electro lay on the ground, his armor cracked.

"Help me," he whispered. "My energy . . . it'll leak out . . . I'll die."

"Here, I'll save you the trouble." The attacker brought his tail down, smashing it into Electro's forehead. Chunks of brain were attached as he pulled it out. Blood ran out of Electro's mouth.

"Ah, you're awake," a voice said.

I know that voice, Spidey thought. He turned around. "Luthor," he said.

"And you're Spider-Man," Luthor replied. "Now that we have the formalities out of the way . . . "

"What do you what?"

"I needed you out of the way. So, I had Scorpion bring you to me."

"Why not get the Goblin to do that?"

"Please," Luthor pleaded, "don't insult me. The Goblin is Osborn's puppet. I have no control."

"I thought you were working together."

"Only when it benefits me."

"So, he's probably not going to be an equal partner when you take over the paper?"

Luthor laughed. "He would be so lucky to be a partner at all. As it is, I have the power over the most influential people at that rag."

"Like who?"

"Lois Lane," Luthor said simply. "I saved her life, you know. Granted, it was with Osborn's drug, but since he sent Electro to take her out . . . "

"You are one sick puppy," Spidey said.

"And you have no proof."

"So, why am I here? I could be back at the Planet, saving the building. You know that the Goblin's gonna destroy it."

"I don't need the building. Just the business. I can get any building to use that I want. I'm just glad I didn't have to use my money to hire Scorpion here."

Now, Spider-Man was confused. "Your money . . . ? What does that have to . . . No. You son of a bitch. You stole my money!" Spidey leapt up, and before Luthor could react, punched him clear in the nose. He then spun around, and fired a web, swinging through the window.

It took only seconds to get back to the Daily Planet building. Cops had already started rushing to the scene. Spider-Man flew in the window at the same point he had left. It had only been five minutes since he rescued Jameson, but what a long five minutes it had been for the poor souls trapped inside.

Many people were already running to the lower floors and trying to leave.

But Lois had been caught by the Goblin, who was holding her in the air by her neck.

"Ah, lovely Lois. A shame that you'll probably be dead by nightfall."

Lois kicked and tried to scream. But she could not produce much sound, as the Goblin was slowly cutting off her air supply. The Green Goblin had to settle with two balls of impact webbing in the back of his head. He turned.

"Spider-Man," he said. "You are back."

"That's right. And this ends here, Goblin!"

The Goblin tossed Lois to the ground. She slid until she hit Perry. He, along with Jimmy and Ben Urich were standing still, paralyzed with fear.

"How melodramatic . . . " the Goblin mused. Suddenly, he stopped talking as his attention was diverted to the television.

" . . . reports coming in from Osborn Industries, where an unknown costumed figure is rampaging through the facility. A large blaze has started within the compound, and could cause a major disaster, as it is very close to the chemical containment plant . . . "

The Goblin's eyes grew wide. "No!" he shouted. He sped off, out of the building, crashing through another window.

Spider-Man was set to chase after him, to help stop whoever was rampaging through Osborn Industries, when he saw the Goblin turn slightly.

What is he doing? Spidey wondered.

And then, he saw the small flaming dot grow bigger, coming closer to the building.

"Everyone, out!" he shouted.

The pumpkin bomb crashed through yet another window, landing on the ground. It rolled around, and Spider-Man picked it up, and shot a web to the outside. He stood on top of the building across the street, and heaved the bomb into the air as high as it could go. The explosion was enough to make the buildings shake slightly.

Everyone who wasn't running out of the Daily Planet building breathed a sigh of relief.

Inside, Jimmy asked, "If the Goblin is gone, why do we have to run out?"

He was in the stairwell, somewhere near the sixth floor. Perry, Lois, Ben, and a whole load of other Daily Planet employees were rushing down the stairs as well.

"No telling what that lunatic's done to the building," Perry replied.

Suddenly, as if on cue, there was a loud noise, and the building shook. Plaster fell from the ceiling.

"What was that?" Urich shouted. "That can't be the one Spider-Man caught."

"Run faster!" Perry shouted. "There must be another one!"

Outside, the police were getting worried. Spider-Man swung down, and met Captain Stacy.

"What was that?" he asked.

"Appears like the Goblin left us some surprises," Stacy replied.

"But where was the explosion?"

"Looked like it was near the bottom, somewhere around the second floor."

"I have a problem. There's the situation here, and then there's the one at Osborn, where there are two bad guys running around," Spidey said.

"You go there. But try to get one of your buddies with superstrength to come here."

"Will do," Spidey said, swinging off.

In the air, he contacted Oracle.

"Oracle."

"It's Spider-Man. I need you to get a hold of the Avengers League, and get one of them to the Daily Planet building. Preferably Martian Manhunter, or someone who could hold up a building if necessary."

"I'll do my best. Oracle out."

The Green Goblin raced in and hovered over him.

"You did this!" he exclaimed. "You destroyed this place!"

He threw another pumpkin bomb into Scorpion's chest. It caused much of the armor to blow away. Scorpion stood up, and swung his tail, letting Green Goblin fly into the tanks of chemicals, puncturing two of them in the process.

Scorpion smiled as the contents leaked out, and crept toward the expanding fire.

"Is there any way anyone could have survived?" he asked.

"I don't think so," the fireman replied. "You should probably go. There's nothing here you can do."

Spider-Man heeded the advice of the fireman.

The smoke's increasing. Might cover the city in minutes. Goblin was in there. No way he could have survived.

"Sir, Osborn Industries has been . . . taken care of."

"Good," Luthor said, his lips twisting into an evil grin. "And Scorpion?"

"I'm afraid he wasn't able to make it out."

"Ah, but that is the price that must be paid."

"You're the Martian Manhunter, right?"

"I am," J'Onn replied. "What do you need?"

"Can you support that building long enough for people to get out?"

"I should."

"No need for that," Perry White said, walking up. "I was the last one out."

"Good," Stacy replied. "Guess we don't need you," he said, turning to Martian Manhunter.

"I shall stay, just in case something does happen."

"Wait a minute," Jimmy Olsen said, walking over to where the captain was standing. "Does something smell strange to you?"

Captain Stacy, J'Onn J'Onzz, and Perry sniffed.

"I don't believe it," Captain Stacy said.

"It appears that the Green Goblin left you a . . . stink bomb," Martian Manhunter said.

"It's Luthor," Peter said. "He double crossed Osborn and took full control of the paper."

"Maybe not," Lois replied. "At least, I hope not."

Just then, the door to Perry's office opened, and Perry and Jonah walked out.

"Attention, everyone," Jameson announced. "This will be the last time I will be addressing you as owner of this paper. Due to recent financial struggles, I have been forced to sell the paper. Tonight, you shall meet the new owner. Come on out."

The new owner walked out of the office. Lois was shocked. Jimmy looked surprised.

"Yes," Peter whispered.

"I'd like to introduce . . . Bruce Wayne," Jameson said.

The staff started clapping.

"How dare he?! Jameson was supposed to sell to me!"

"Maybe Wayne offered more money," Happersen suggested.

Luthor grabbed Happersen's head and slammed it against his desk. "Get out."

"Hey," he said. "Your aunt said you were back here."

"Come on over and sit," she said, patting the swing. She scooted over to the side. Peter sat down.

"Pretty eventful day," she said.

"Yeah," Peter replied. "And a nice surprise to end it."

"What surprise?"

"The new owner. It's Bruce Wayne."

"That's great! How?"

"Dunno. More money I guess."

"What happened to Mr. Osborn?"

"They think he was caught in the explosion."

"And Harry?"

"He wasn't, but I haven't seen him since everything that happened."

"Understandable."

"So, why did you want me to come over?" Peter asked.

"Peter, what do you think of me?"

"What do I think of you? Well, I think you're a nice girl, beautiful, intelligent. Why?"

Mary Jane smiled. "Anything else?"

"You're a great friend."

"That's all?"

"Well . . . " Peter had a feeling where this was going. Part of him was excited, but part of him was scared.

Mary Jane leaned over. "Remember Christmas dinner? With the mistletoe?"

"Yeah."

"I think we should finish what we started."

Mary Jane leaned over further. Peter put his arm around her shoulder. There lips came closer together. Finally, they touched.

A few seconds later, the two pulled back.

"That was nice," MJ said.

"Wish we could have done it sooner," Peter replied. And then, he leaned over and kissed her again.

And for the rest of the night, Peter Parker and Mary Jane Watson didn't have a care in the world.