The Awesome Spider-Dash: Origins

by Flufux


Luna's Shadow

Minisode
Luna's Shadow

While you would have to had been living under a rock your whole life to not know who Celestia was at this point, her younger sister Luna was relatively unknown. That was not to say that she wasn't famous, she just wasn't as famous as Celestia.

While Celestia was the one who the company was named after, it was Luna's idea to start CelestiaCorp in the first place, and by all accounts was its true founder. In general, Luna was actually a slightly better businesswoman, had a greater understanding of finances, as well as a keen ability to judge other people's motives and agendas, and most of time was far more intimidating than her sister if she needed to be.

So why wasn't the company called 'LunaCorp' then? Well, simply put, Luna just didn't have her sister’s charm or cheerful personality, or even the same amount of motherly wisdom, and she was definitively not anywhere near as comfortable at being in the spotlight. Plus, Luna's hair-trigger temper made her a poor candidate when it came to negotiations or public appearances. Beyond that, Celestia was also capable of inspiring people in a way that her sister never could...and that was something Luna secretly hated.

It had always been this way. Ever since they were kids had Celestia been the centre of attention. She got asked out by all the cute boys, made friends with all the popular girls, and managed to impress everyone around her with her radiance and beauty. She was like a sun, providing light and warmth to anyone who set their eyes on her...while casting a shadow, intentionally or not, over her little sister.

That shadow did not earn Luna any favours. Unlike Celestia, she was rarely approached by anyone, as either a friend or flirt. She was just...in the background. Everyone knew her as just Celestia's sister, and not as her own person.

However, instead of suffering in the shadows Celestia unknowingly cast over her, she embraced them and made them her own. She became a part of the night, and sought friends and a name for herself in the dark places, where the light never touched.

It was there she saw a different side of Canterlot. For while the city was advertised as being a successful metropolis where everyone lived in prosperity and was welcome to all...the truth was a lot different. Luna saw first hand how much the people suffered at the bottom of the food chain, how the criminal underworld ruled the city with an iron fist, and how much of what she had been told was a lie.

Betrayal, loneliness, depression and desperation, she had experienced it all. She had suffered greatly, and was forced to compromise to get her way more often than not. Yet, despite it all, she had managed to survive everything the world had thus far been able to throw at her. And not only that, but she had also succeeded in becoming one of the most influential people in all of Canterlot, owning nearly half of the most successful science corporation in the world.

The founding of CelestiaCorp was not without a great cost however. The money needed to start the company came, in fact, from Celestia and Luna's parents. More specifically, from the inheritance the sisters gained after their passing.

Their parents were, for lack of a better word, loaded, having been big investors in the now-buried research company called 'Starswirl Laboratories'...and when they died, the considerable funds that they had earned went straight to their daughters.

Luna considered herself lucky though for scoring the greatest inheritance their parents had, at least in her own opinion...and that was the old and expensive apartment she now lived in.

Located on the top floor of a 40-story building, the old flat had a pretty good view of the Canterlot City skyline. In fact, if one looked out through the kitchen window, you could easily spot the CelestiaCorp logo.

The apartment itself had a very classy feel to it, and one could even smell how old it was as soon as you stepped through the door.

Luna's choice of decor however made the whole place feel a bit less warm than it should have. The walls were decorated with many, many masks of all shapes and sizes, all handpicked from many different cultures, with some dating back centuries, or possibly even a millennia or two. In addition, there were quite a lot of paintings around the place depicting things like moons, stars and other wonders in the depths of space. Also, she didn't have too much lighting in the apartment, only a few faintly glowing blueish lamps, a couple of candles and a lit fireplace.

Now what could someone like Luna be doing to pass the time in this old and dark apartment?

Why, play on her X-Box of course!

Lazily draped over her couch and equipped with a headset, Luna had the look of a killer in her eyes as she concentrated on the giant luxurious flat-screen in front of her.

Being single and living alone, Luna didn't feel the greatest need for looking all that presentable at the moment. Instead of her well-brushed and wavy state she usually kept her lavender hair in, what she had on her head right now was a bit more messy and unkempt. Also, while she usually came to work in her black suit or her purple blouse, she was now wearing little more than her underwear and a dark blue bathrobe.

She had been playing against this one opponent going by the username 'ButtonMashPotato1' in 'Halo 2 Anniversary' for over two hours now, and Luna was on the verge of driving her opponent mad.

Just about every move 'ButtonMashPotato1' tried...ultimately failed. He tried to strike Luna's character in the back with an energy sword, but didn't expect Luna to immediately turn around and shoot his character in the face with a shotgun, he tried to snipe her from afar, but Luna managed to snipe him first, he even tried to gun her down with two submachine guns at close range, but then Luna just threw a plasma grenade at him, got out of the way and let it explode.

After hearing the overly dramatic announcer voice say "Killing Spree!" as in to pour salt in 'ButtonMashPotato1's wounds, Luna cheerfully boasted, "HA, HA, the fun has been tripled!"

A high-pitched and immature male voice came through Luna's headset. "Yeah, fun for you maybe."

"Of course, thy worthy opponent!" Luna responded in a ridiculous version of Shakespearean English. "We rather enjoy this relentless stream of victories over thee."

"But do you have to talk like that? I can barely understand what you're saying."

"Does thou not likest us to speak in thee accent? We humbly think it brings a certain charm to thy game."

"...you're only talking like that to annoy me, aren't you?"

"Guilty, guilty, and oh so very guilty!"

"I hate you."

Luna giggled a little at that, "Hahaha, that was only to test how true your belief of victory was. After all, with how good you put yourself out to be, I was actually expecting a challenge."

"Oh, I'll give you a challenge alright..." 'ButtonMashPotato1' warned dangerously.

"Well, it's about time in that case. Now please, give me your best sho-"

Ding-Dong!

She was interrupted by the distinct sound of someone ringing her doorbell.

Luna wasn't expecting any visitors today, especially not in her own home. Most likely it was probably just some salesperson thinking they could persuade her at the door with some brand new product that she had no interest whatsoever in having. However, since Luna couldn't be sure of that until she went over and checked, she unfortunately had to end her little gaming session with 'ButtonMashPotato1'.

"My apologies, but I'm afraid that challenge will have to wait until next time," Luna said with a sigh.

"What?! But I was just about to beat you!"

"I am sorry, but ‘tis someone ringing at my door at this moment. I must answer it."

"Nooooooooo!"

After pressing a few buttons, Luna terminated the match, even though there were still five minutes left of it. Since it was online, she couldn't just pause the game and continue later...not unless she somehow had the ability to stop time...which she did not. Still, even though video games were fun, the real world was unfortunately a bit more important at the moment.

With a brisk pace in her step, Luna approached the door and checked the identity of her visitor through a monitor she had installed in it. Of course, being a person in a high position of power, Luna made sure that her apartment had all the security it could need, which included door cameras and hidden safe rooms. She was sure she also had a loaded gun stacked away somewhere, but she had forgotten exactly where.

When Luna saw just who her mysterious visitor was though, she immediately wished she remembered where that gun was...not that such a weapon would be able to even scratch the literally bullet-proof skin of the person she was looking at...but it would be immensely satisfying.

'Out of all the people in the world who could have paid me a visit today, it just had to be her.' Luna thought with a groan.

Despite how much she really didn't want the woman waiting outside her door to come anywhere near her private sanctuary, she knew she had no choice but to let her in...especially considering who Luna knew that the woman was working for.

Besides, she was admittedly a bit curious about what could possibly bring someone like her here in the first place.

With a sigh, Luna reluctantly unlocked and opened the door to 'greet' her new guest.

Standing on the other end of the open doorway with a harsh scowl ever-present on her face was a middle-aged woman dressed in a dark blue suit and skirt. Her curly violet hair was tightly organised into a bun that gave her a certain professional aura while the small red glasses resting on her nose made her at the same time look a bit more frail and old than she actually was. Also, despite the fact that she was of Afro-British ethnicity, her skin was extremely pale and even had a strange teal-like tone to it.

This was Abacus Cinch, a well-known and respectable businesswoman who owned many, if not all, of Canterlot's law firms. Her reputation as a devoted servant of the people, as well as a firm believer in truth and justice, made her quite popular among the Canterlot elite, and was well sought after in those circles.

However, Luna knew that all of that, including her name, was merely a front.

The woman currently standing before her was, in fact, one of the most powerful crime lords in the criminal underworld, second only to the Kingpin himself. In those circles, she was known by another name entirely...one that terrified nearly everyone who heard it...

With a snarl, Luna uttered that name.

"Tombstone."

In a condescending and sarcastic voice with a noticeable English accent, Tombstone replied, "Miss Luna, always a pleasure. Though...may I remind you that you are to refer to me as 'Miss Cinch' whenever possible."

Not having the patience for any false pleasantries, Luna went straight to the point. "What are you doing in my home, Miss Cinch?"

"I am here to discuss a certain...issue that has come up as of late," Cinch answered cryptically. "However, all those stairs I had to climb to get here has left me a bit exhausted, so I'd prefer if we could talk about this matter inside your apartment instead of out here. I'm sure you understand."

It didn't even take a full second before Luna answered with a blunt "No."

Seeing Cinch's perplexed look, she clarified, "This is my home, and it is reserved for me, my friends, and my family. You are neither. And if this is about business, then you can take it to my office at working hours just like everybody else."

Cinch got a dangerous glint in her eyes and coldly clarified, "...That wasn't a request."

Luna met her glare with one of her own, but she stayed silent while she did so.

'Hmmm...so Mister Storm decided to send Abacus 'Tombstone' Cinch of all people to ask me a few questions...even though he could have just given me a call for that. Or alternatively...she's here to kill me where there are no witnesses to implicate him. Still strange that he would send Tombstone for something like that, given how many mercenaries, serial killers and assassins he has in his pocket who are far more suitable to his wetwork and far less valuable to him than Cinch is in the long run. Plus, she wouldn't be caught dead carrying out hits like a common thug, even if Rex told her to. Maybe this is just another one of his foolish attempts to show his respect to me? If so, then I am not amused.'

Curious about her intentions, Luna eventually agreed. "Very well, then," she said, stepping aside to let her new 'guest' come in.

Cinch entered the apartment without saying a word to her reluctant host. Then, she spared a moment to take in the peculiar intricacies of Luna's flat...and she raised an eyebrow.

"Of course. Another dimly lit place to do business in..." Cinch commented under her breath.

Luna heard the comment though, and when she walked back over to the couch she had been lounging on before the unwelcome interruption, she quipped, "I have seen your office, Abacus. You have no right to complain."

"Yes...well, at least I have an excuse to avoid the sun. Albinism can be such a bother."

Having already slouched down on the couch, Luna urged, "Cut to the chase! Why did Rex send you?"

Cinch's calm demeanour vanished in an instant at the mention of that name, and she grabbed Luna by the hem of her bathrobe, pulled her close and warned, "We do not use his name! Say it again, and the consequences will be most dire for you!"

Luna said nothing. Instead, she just rolled her eyes and sighed.

Cinch grunted and let go of her, letting Luna fall back on the couch with an annoyed expression on her face.

Having gotten her message across though, Cinch decided to take a seat at the nearest available chair. While she did so, she once again resumed her stoic and unflappable disposition, turning as cold and lifeless as the type of stone she got her nickname from...metaphorically speaking, that is.

However, in her hubris, Cinch didn't notice that the chair she was just about to sit on was already occupied until after its occupant began to screech at her...thus making the normally very professional businesswoman jump with a panicked screech of her own.

She didn't have time to compose herself when whatever it was she just sat on jumped out of the chair, climbed up on the couch and perched itself on Luna's shoulder.

Cinch's first instinct would be that the creature was a cat or possibly a small dog, given its general size and the fact that it lived in Luna's apartment. However, that idea flew out the window as soon as she spotted the slightly rat-like tail it seemed to possess. It was also way too big to be a common house rat for that matter. Only once she saw the animal in the relatively lit place on its owner's shoulder, then she could identify it.

"A possum!?" she snarled in disgust.

Luna was desperately trying to keep herself from keeling over from laughter at the apparently unflappable Tombstone's less than dignified reaction to meeting her little pet marsupial.

"Hahehehehhahahahahha! Oh, oh, did little Tibbles scare you too much, O-mighty Tombstone? hehe!" Luna taunted in a mocking tone that Cinch did not appreciate in the slightest.

She then scratched the possum a little under his chin to make him calm down while she proceeded to do the same. "In all seriousness though, is it really fitting for someone of your reputation to show fear of a small furry mammal like my dear Tiberius?"

In an attempt to spare whatever dignity she had left, Cinch clarified, "It is not fear. I simply have a few...allergies."

"Of course you do..." Luna muttered with a smug grin.

Cinch then pulled up another chair, made sure this time that no other animals were sitting on it, then took a seat and gave her host a calculating look.

She stayed silent for a while...then she asked, "Tell me, Luna...what exactly does the name...'Nightmare Goblin'...mean to you?"

To Luna's credit, the only visible reaction she showed was a small frown and a moment of silence while she processed the question. Eventually, she replied, "Not much aside from the fact that it sounds a lot like an 'Ogres and Oubliettes' monster. However, if you are referring to an incident near the docks recently involving a mad bomber in a goblin costume, as well as the unfortunate deaths of two innocent dockworkers, the hospitalisation of a third, a staggering loss of eight-thousand dollars worth of technology, oh, and then there were those two goons who died there as well...then I would say that it is deeply troubling for me, my sister and our company."

"I'm sure it is..." Cinch mused with a certain amount of sarcasm in her tone. "However, I do feel compelled to ask if you have something more to tell us about this mysterious attacker?"

Luna sighed, then sat up a bit, letting Tiberius curl up in her lap. "I only know what I have been told. I wasn't there...if that was what you were implying."

"Luna, don't you think it's a remarkable coincidence that the same shipment that you tipped us off on was the same exact one that this 'Goblin' attacked? Furthermore, we have also determined that she was using a considerable amount of CelestiaCorp technology. Do you honestly expect me to believe that you had absolutely nothing to do with this?"

"In case you didn't know, CelestiaCorp was raided a couple of weeks ago, and several of our high-tech weapons, including a glider and a couple of smart bombs, were stolen," Luna explained while starting to sound a bit frustrated. "And...as a result of that theft, I have lost the payment and terms of our agreement, as well as the expensive technology in the container that was destroyed, and all our research into the tech-flight gliders have been shelved indefinitely. Now please tell me just what I could possibly hope to gain from any of that?"

Tombstone considered it for a moment while she took the time to clean her glasses with a napkin. Her logical mind suggested that Luna was likely telling the truth, given that her logic was sound and she showed no obvious signs of lying...

...However...there was one little detail left that still brought that into question.

"...There is one other thing. While the official records speak truthfully about what the survivor, Amethyst Star, recounted, she was not our only witness. The mercenary we call 'the Shocker', also survived, and told us a few things about the incident. The most interesting by far being that this 'Goblin' person referred to the Kingpin...by name."

That made Luna's eyes widen in surprise for a second.

So far, she had remained stone-faced, nonchalant or unflappable since the goblin was mentioned, but that one moment of weakness broke that façade just long enough for the ever-perceptive Cinch to notice.

Glad to have found a weak spot in Luna's tough exterior, Tombstone pressed on a bit more, "...And, as you so disrespectfully just demonstrated, you are one of the few people alive who are privy to that information. So...how do you suppose she learned of that name?"

"I, uh...I don't know how she..." Luna stuttered, now on the verge of starting to panic. Her eyes darted back and forward, and a small drop of sweat had begun to form on her forehead. "...I mean...there must be...a..."

Then, all of a sudden, she calmed down...and looked Cinch straight in the eyes without blinking.

Something in Luna's attitude changed right then and there. It wasn't particularly obvious, but there suddenly was a certain glint in her eyes she just didn't have a second ago. The tone of her voice even changed a little...while the tiniest hint of a smile graced her lips. "Hehe...heha...hahahah...Your arguments would have been funny if they weren't so...pathetic."

"I beg your pardon?!" Cinch questioned in a perplexed tone, obviously confused by Luna's response and rapid change in demeanour.

Luna casually leaned back, any sign of anxiety or distress was no longer noticeable. Instead, she was confident, relaxed, and strangely enough...a bit happy for whatever reason.

Her new attitude was also reflected in her choice of words. "My dear old Tombstone, you are just too adorable when you act like you're in control. Of course, being the control freak that you are, you have to have your delusions about being in control of the criminal network you're managing, right?"

Cinch gave Luna an angry scowl, "What is the meaning of this?! I asked you a question, and you will answer it!"

"No. Hehe...no, I won't be answering any questions from you. I don't talk with walking sock puppets."

Tombstone's face turned red with anger. "WHAT DID YOU JUST CALL ME?!"

"That's what you are, aren't you?" Luna answered mockingly, not intimidated in the least by the older woman's temper. "You know as well as I that our mutual 'friend' doesn't really have friends...or even equal partners. He only associates with three kinds of people: enemies, slaves and unwitting pawns. So tell me, Cinch, where does that leave you?"

"He is my employer. I only work for him because it benefits myself!"

"So...unwitting pawn then? Figures." Luna noted with a pleased sigh.

Cinch slammed her fist down on the armrest of the chair she was sitting on hard enough to audibly crack it. "Enough of this nonsense! Answer my question or there will be consequences!"

"Hahahaha-hahahahaaa! As if you could do anything to me!" Luna boasted, now sporting possibly the most psychotic smirk Cinch had ever seen on the normally more stoic woman. "So what if it seems as though I'm in league with this crazy masked terrorist? Which, for the record, I'm not. You have no evidence against me, so you cannot take it to the police. And if you or your master decides to take care of me the old fashioned way, I have...well, let's call it 'life insurance'."

At the mention of that, Cinch calmed down a little. "...And what exactly is this 'life insurance'?"

"Evidence," Luna began while she put Tiberius on the seat next to her and stood up. "...evidence that that will expose Mister Storm's name and accompanying face to the light. While that obviously wouldn't stop him, it would make him very...let's just call it...'upset'. More than that, the same evidence will put you, Toomy, behind bars for the rest of your days."

"How so?" she scoffed.

Luna took a few steps towards her. "I have records of what really happened at Starswirl Laboratories...records that mention you by name back when you served as a puppet for Tirek and the Canterlot Maggia...including your involvement in the abductions and unsanctioned experiments on people like Sombra, Adagio Dazzle, Fizzlepop Berrytwist, Aria Blaze, Scorpan, Sonata Dusk, my sister and ME!"

Luna was practically seething with rage by the time she finished that sentence, and even Cinch was taken back by the force of her words...though the stoic businesswoman made as much of an effort as possible to not show that.

"Now, if something were to 'happen' to me, I have arranged to have all of that information be leaked to the public...which is why he cannot hurt me without a very good reason."

Cinch thought about that for moment, then pointed out, "If you do indeed have such incriminating evidence, why haven't you already leaked it? Surely, that would have saved you a lot of trouble."

"Of course, I could...but then where would that leave me? That's right, it would be to sign my own death warrant! Not even I am reckless enough to pick a fight with the Kingpin, and he knows it. Whoever this goblin is that you're looking for, it is clearly someone a lot dumber or more insane than I am."

Having heard all that she needed to hear, Cinch stood up and stared Luna face to face. "For your own sake, Luna, I hope you are correct about that."

She gently pushed Luna aside and took a few steps towards the door out, but then stopped midway and said, "However, if I discover that you are indeed involved with the Goblin, then the Kingpin will have to remind you of what happens to those who disrespect him."

With a smile forming on her face, Luna replied, "In that case, tell him if he truly wants to get rid of me, he will have to come do it himself."

Without another word, Cinch snorted and then walked out of Luna's apartment, the armoured front door closing behind her.

Tombstone may not have tolerated being disrespected, but Luna was a very personal issue for the Kingpin, and the very last thing she could possibly want right now would be to incur his wrath. With no evidence as of yet, it would probably be a good idea to hold off on any actions right now.



However, after she had left, Luna ended up staring at the closed door for over a minute without really doing anything.

Then...she began to giggle...

"Mhmhmhmhehe..."

...then the giggle turned into a chuckle...

"...hehehheheheh-hahaahahahahahah..."

...and then the chuckle turned into a full-blown laugh.

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA-HAAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAA!"

She just couldn't contain herself...nor could she stop her laugh from turning even more crazed and irrational.

"HAHAHAAAAHHAHAHAH-HAHAHAHAHA-HAHAHAHAHAHA!"

Not only was her voice turning more and more mad, but also her eyes as well.

It was often said that a person's eyes were the windows to their soul. And if that was true, then it would become clear by now given how her pupils started to become slit like a cat's and turn as focused and predatory as a tiger stalking its prey...that it was not Luna's soul that was looking through her hysterical eyes.

It was someone else...something else...

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAHAHAHAHA-HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAAA!"

"Having fun, are you?" A voice suddenly asked her.

The madly cackling 'Luna' calmed her laughter down a tad and turned to look at her nearest reflection, which turned out to be a big, full-body mirror standing just outside her bedroom.

However, her reflection did not have her crazed eyes or maniacal smile, but instead had Luna's regular eyes, and instead of a smile, the reflection reserved a stern and unamused glare. Her arms were even crossed for added effect.

The Luna outside the mirror sounded very happy with herself when she gleefully answered, "Most definitively! But not nearly as much as when I got under the skin of that stuck-up control freak. That was a privilege!"

Her reflection rolled her eyes.

"My dear sweet little Luna, don't be so glum. Even you had to have enjoyed that."

"I do not enjoy having my body hijacked, Nightmare!" Luna, now trapped outside her own body, shouted from the mirror.

The Nightmare Goblin, now in control, gave her other half an irritated look. "Nor do I enjoy having my own existence reduced to being nothing but a bad dream! Besides...you were sweating up a storm when Cinch was interrogating you, and I had protect myself just as much as I had to protect you."

Luna snorted, "Please, with the way you were acting, you might as well have just confessed to what you did right then and there! At least then nobody other than you and me had to die."

"Oh, are you still hung up over those poor little dockworkers we blew up?" the Goblin asked in a patronising way. "You know as well as I that Rex won't fear someone who isn't afraid to get her hands a little dirty. Sacrifices will have to be made."

"THOSE. WEREN'T. SACRIFICES! Those were living breathing people who did not deserve to be punished for my personal vendetta! But I suppose a psychopath like you wouldn't know that, would you?"

"My sweet deluded Luna...who is it that succeeds in the business world these days? Is it the friendly and naive little do-gooders who humbly asks permission before doing anything...or is it the ruthless and efficient psychopaths who are prepared to go to any lengths to achieve their goals? Now, I don't know about you, but I think you need a little psychopath inside you to survive in this cruel and unforgiving world."

"I NEVER needed you!"

"Yes you do! If it wasn't for me, CelestiaCorp, the company you built out of your own sweat and blood, would have fallen into the hands of that power-hungry man-child Rex Storm or someone worse! I am the one thing keeping those wolves from taking the things you love away from us!"

"Be that as it may, it still doesn't change the fact that you have turned me into a murderer!"

"Aww...but that is why you have me around to love you...why I am around to do the things your morally-poisoned mind would never think of doing. I'm the you without all that guilt and mercy holding me back. Face it, Luna, you need me...and I need you."

Luna could only look at her hated shadow with contempt.

"One day, Nightmare...one day I will find a way to get rid of you...even if it is the last thing I do."

"Haahahahahahaha! Well then...good luck! Hahahahahahahhaahha-HAHAHAHAHAAAAA!"