Location: Sunset’s Apartment, the next morning
“IN THE NAME OF CELESTIA NOT AGAIN!!!!,” Sunset screamed, her shout catching Gwen’s attention. Without a moment’s hesitation Gwen raced up the stairs to where Sunset had her bed set, only to find her new roommate struggling to get a set of covers that she’d latched onto off. As Gwen made her way into Sunset’s room, she couldn’t help but laugh, as Sunset struggled to get herself free of the covers. She still remembered the first time she’d woken up with her powers, and how long it had taken her to figure out how to control her wall crawling.
“Just relax,” Gwen said, getting Sunset’s attention.
“Sorry I didn’t know you were up,” Sunset replied, trying to once again shake the covers free from her hands. “Stupid covers...how do you live like this any how?”
“It takes time,” Gwen replied, “but you need to relax.”
“Easier said than done?” Sunset said
“Look what do you do to relax,” Gwen asked. Thinking quickly Sunset began to hum a song, slowly the covers began to come off. “Trust me rookie first time I discovered my powers I nearly gave myself away because I kept getting my clothes stuck to my hands.” Sunset couldn’t help but laugh at what she had just heard.
“Guess we all have to start somewhere,” Sunset replied, smiling. Just then her cell phone began vibrating.
“Hello,” Sunset said, as she put the phone to her ear, “Oh Twilight. Yes I remember the meeting at the mall. Yes by the way you might want to have AJ prepare eight shakes we’ll be having some company joining us. No, Rarity didn’t have a change of plans you know how she is, let’s just say I’ve got a new friend for you girls to meet.” Gwen simply returned the smile Sunset had given her.
Location: Canterlot Mall, later that morning
Gwen had only managed to bring one change of clothing with her, which she had tucked away in a backpack she had hidden in the alleyway near Sunset’s apartment building, and retrieved before entering Sunset’s apartment. Her outfit consisted of a white tank top with a purple spider embroidered in the center, a black mini skirt and black and purple cowboy boots. Sunset couldn’t help but roll her eyes, Rarity was going to have a field day with that look.
“So you ever think someone might guess who you really are?” Sunset inquired.
“No, I do wear a mask,” Gwen replied.
“I mean it’s just your outfit, especially with the spider logo,” Sunset said, trying her best to control her laughter. Small talk wasn’t her forte after all. Still it was enough to earn a small laugh from Gwen.
“Guess I really did misjudge you rookie,” Gwen said. From the corner of her eye Sunset spotted her friends gathered at one of the tables in the food court. Pinkie of course standing up waving them over. Smiling Sunset grabbed Gwen by the arm and pulled her towards the table.
“So who’s the new girl Sunset?” Applejack inquired, before eyeing Gwen with a suspicious look, “You seem familiar have we met before?” Gwen simply shook her head.
“No we haven’t,” Gwen replied, “I’m Gwen by the way,” she extended her hand, “I’m Sunset’s new roommate.” One by one each of Sunset’s friends went through the process of introducing themselves but when it came time for Applejack to introduce herself, her eyes narrowed, in suspicion.
“Sunset never told us she was lookin for a roommate,” Applejack said.
“Oh maybe she’s that Ghost Spider girl we encountered before,” Pinkie added, “and this is her “secret identity.” Gwen gulped, before Sunset whispered in her ear.
“Relax it’s just Pinkie Pie being Pinkie Pie. You’ll get use to it.”
“I just moved to town from Manhattan,” Gwen finally said, “and well there was a vacancy at Sunset’s place. Just never told me I’d be sharing it with someone.” Applejack simply raised her eyebrow.
“Relax AJ,” Rainbow said, “so the new girl needed a place to crash,” with that she stood up from the table and made her way over to a nearby trash can with Applejack not far behind.
“That gal’s hiding something,” Applejack said, before noticing the more somber look that had crept across Rainbow’s face, “You okay sugarcube?”
“Okay,” Rainbow replied, trying her best to keep her voice down, “You know what the kids are saying Sunset blew me out of the water yesterday in gym. ME Rainbow Dash, the star athlete at CHS, was one upped by an egghead.”
“I think you’re overreacting,” Applejack replied.
“I’ve spent years training to be the best,” Rainbow said, gazing over her shoulder to make sure no one was listening in, “ever since the Fall Formal it’s like there’s suddenly NOTHING Sunset isn’t good at, and now because of something as trivial as a spider bite I’m suddenly the second best athlete in school. I mean that spider could’ve bitten anyone of us, including me, no it should’ve been me.”
“That’s your ego talking Dash,” Applejack replied, raising her eyebrow, as she turned to face her friends. By now Gwen and Sunset had taken their seats with the others, and from their distance they couldn’t make out what they were saying, “but there’s somethin about that Gwen gal that just doesn’t feel right.”
“You’re being paranoid,” Rainbow replied.
“You ever hear of a place called Manhattan before?” Applejack inquired.
“She probably meant Manehattan but misspoke,” Rainbow replied.
“Dash if there’s one thing I know it’s when folks are lying and that gal is lying through her teeth,” Applejack said.
“Wait you don’t think Pinkie Pie’s right about her?” Dash asked. Applejack once again looked back at the table, there was only one way to find out.
“And you should’ve seen Sunset Shimmer’s face after Fluttershy found my floaty,” Pinkie Pie said, laughing. Gwen simply shot Sunset a smirk.
“You really thought a floaty was a sea serpent?” Gwen inquired.
“It was an easy mistake to make,” Sunset replied, blushing.
“I’m surprised that you’d fall for something like that rookie,” Gwen said, it was at that moment Applejack and Rainbow Dash returned to the table.
“That makes one of us,” Applejack replied, taking a seat across from Gwen.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Gwen said, the look on her face becoming more serious, as she read the glare in Applejack’s eyes, a glare that told her the farm girl knew full well who she really was.
“Look Gwen I know you’re lying,” Applejack said, crossing her arms, “So why don’t you tell the truth. Why are you really here?” Gwen remained silent, but eventually started laughing.
“What more is there to tell,” Gwen said, “My dad was transferred to the Canterlot City Police Department, and I just arrived here and needed a place to stay.”
“If that was the case then why don’t you stay with your dad?” Applejack said. Gwen fell silent.
“You’re not here simply because your family moved are you,” Twilight replied. “Ghost Spider.” Gwen remained silent before finally being able to form a reply.
“Okay so now you know who I really am,” Gwen replied, sighing, “I came here to track down the source of the strange happenings in this town.”
“Uh that was us.” Sunset and Twilight said in unison. Applejack raised an eyebrow, knowing full well Gwen wasn’t telling the entire truth.
“There’s more to it then that,” Applejack said.
“All I know is there is something here in this city,” Gwen turned to face Twilight and Sunset, “Something your escapades at the Friendship Games awoke.” A look of dread came across Twilight and Sunset’s faces.
“Um excuse me Gwen,” Fluttershy added, “what exactly do you think we awoke?”
“That’s just it,” Gwen replied, “I don’t know.”
“Well what are we waiting for,” Rainbow said, smiling, “we’ve got a magical entity to find.”
“We will be doing nothing,” Gwen replied, however the tone of her voice soon changed, “Look I know you all mean well. But even I don’t know what this thing is, and I can’t in good conscious put anyone one else in danger.”
“Hey now y’all and Sunset here aren’t the only ones with powers,” Applejack replied.
“I’m sorry,” Gwen said, “But it’s easier to keep an eye on one rookie rather than seven.”
“ROOKIES,” Rainbow shouted, “DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM? I’M RAINBOW “DANGER” DASH, CAPTAIN OF EVERY TEAM AT CANTERLOT HIGH I AM NO ROOKIE!!!!”
“Even the chess team,” Gwen smerk
“ESPECIALLY THE CHESS TEAM!!!” Rainbow’s face suddenly turned beet red, as she slid back into her seat.
“I mean Gwen does have a point we really haven’t gotten a full grasp of our magic,” Fluttershy said.
“Don’t tell me you’re taking her side,” Rainbow added, “I mean she calls herself Ghost Spider, that screams ‘I have low self esteem and identify with bugs and Ouija boards.’”
“So says the captain of the Knitting Club,” Gwen replied, with a smirk to her face.
“YOU DO NOT INSULT THE KNITTING CLUB!!!!” Rainbow fell silent, “GAHH I CAN’T BELIEVE I FELL FOR THAT TWICE!” The group couldn’t help but laugh, much to Rainbow’s shagrin. Once the laughter had died down Rainbow was quick to change the subject.
“So what about your new superhero name I still say Sun Spider is 20% cooler then Ghost Spider?” Rainbow asked.
“I’m not calling myself Sun Spider.”
“And I just can’t wait to design you a new costume darling,” Rarity added
“Just don’t over do it Rarity,” Sunset added.
Location: Rooftop of Sunset’s Apartment Complex, that night
Sunset smiled as she slowly made her way up the side of the building. Her bright red gown glistening in the moonlight, and the bright yellow cape she wore fluttering in the wind, as she did so. Nearing the top of the building, Sunset grasped the edge of the roof and pulled herself onto the roof, backflipping as she did so.
“Gwen you up here,” Sunset said.
“Behind you rookie,” Ghost Spider said, causing Sunset to nearly jump out of skin in fright.
“Don’t do that,” Sunset replied, trying to catch her breath. “So what’s so important that we meet out here in the dead of night?”
“Okay first off ditch the cape,” Ghost Spider replied.
“I think it makes me look more like a superhero.” Ghost Spider simply let out a sigh, as she grabbed Sunset’s cape.
“Take that off you’re disrespecting the legacy,” Ghost Spider said, as she ripped the cape off, “Spiders don’t wear capes.”
“So says the girl in the hood,” Sunset replied, with a hint of annoyance.
“Completely different,” Ghost Spider replied, as she removed her left glove, sliding her webshooter off, and tossing it to Sunset. “School’s in session rookie,”she fired a line of webbing at a building across the street, “Lesson one webswinging.” With that she jumped off the edge of the roof, using the webline to swing across to the other building, latching onto the side of the building.
“Well you coming rookie,” Ghost Spider inquired. Sunset looked on with hesitation, as she slid her hand into the webshooter. It would be her first time attempting to actually webswing.
“You sure about this,” Sunset inquired.
“It’s easy rookie,” Ghost Spider replied, “just aim where you want it to hit, fire and swing across and connect with the wall.” Breathing in Sunset closed her eyes, and fired a stream of webbing towards where Ghost Spider was, once she was sure the webline had connected, Sunset breathed in and leapt off the roof, managing to reach the window ledge, which she managed to grab a hold of.
“Nice job but I asked for you to connect to the wall,” Ghost Spider said, as she crawled down the side.
“Easier said than done Gwen,” Sunset said.
“Whoa hey we’re in uniform secret ID remember.” Sunset couldn’t help but laugh. Ghost Spider once again extended her arm and fired another web toward another building, this one farther in the distance, “try to keep up Sun Spider.” With that Ghost Spider swung towards the building, reaching it in a matter of seconds. A smile crept over Sunset’s face.
“Is that a challenge,” Sunset said, as she fire off her own web line, and swung towards the other building, latching onto the wall, “well then challenge accepted, and DON’T CALL ME SUN-SPIDER.” Ghost Spider couldn’t help but snicker, as the two climbed towards the roof of the building.
“Hey, I think your friend was on to something.”
“This coming from a girl who calls herself Ghost Spider,” Sunset replied, as they reached the top of the building. Ghost Spider simply laughed.
“Touche,” Ghost Spider said, “Oh one more thing,” with that Ghost Spider fired a stream of webbing that wrapped itself around Sunset’s upper face, forming a makeshift mask. “Pony Ears and a ponytail aren’t much of a disguise rookie.” It was at that moment both girls felt the all too familiar tingling of their spider senses, followed soon after by the sound of breaking glass filling their ears. Racing over to the edge of the roof, the two girls saw a small group of men, having smashed out the window of a nearby jewelry store, moving objects from a large van into the store.
“Well looks like it’s time for some on the job training,” Ghost Spider said, as she climbed onto the ledge and fired off another webline.
“Wait shouldn’t we…” Before Sunset had a chance to finish her sentence Ghost Spider grabbed her by the wrist, causing her webshooter to fire off a webline of its own.
“You know what they say rookie,” Ghost Spider said, “the best way to lean is under intense life threatening pressure.” With that the two swung off in the direction of the figures.
Outside the jewelry store stood a large white truck, with no visible markings, save for a large toy pony beneath which were written the words: Orbsah’s My Pretty Unicorn. Around the truck were two men, each dressed in blue overalls and white shirts, while a third pretended to change one of the truck’s tires. Behind the truck three other men all dressed in black and wearing ski masks were busy dousing the interior of the building with gasoline.
“Too bad bought my engagement ring here,” one of the men said, as he finished pouring the liquid on one of the display cases.
“Too bad he missed his payment,” another man said, fingering the hammer on the handgun lashed to his hip.
“You hear about what happened to the guys who Kingpin sent to rob the joint?”
“Fools messed up and got busted, nuff said.”
“Not what I heard. You seen the vids people have been posting. Word on the street is Kingpin’s getting nervous.”
“Cheap special effects. Nothing more. Now hurry up we have a job to finish.” The other men remained silent as they finished emptying the final gas cans. Stepping out into the alleyway adjacent to the jewelry store, the man barely had a chance to light his cigarette, when a low thwip broke the silence. A stream of webbing shot from out of the darkness, which soon pulled him up the side of the building.
“Little late for a cookout?” Ghost Spider inquired.
“Look it’s not,” before he could finish his sentence, Sunset fired a stream of webbing at his mouth sealing it shut.
“What,” Sunset said, as Ghost Spider shot her a glare, “he’s just a lookout. Besides I’ve got an idea how to get what we want out of him, if you can spare some webbing,” Ghost Spider let out a sigh, as she fired a stream of webbing towards the building behind her.
“You wanna hold this for a second,” Ghost Spider said, handing the man the webline, “thanks.” She fired another burst of webbing which latched the webline to the man’s shirt, as she let it go, the man was dragged into the sky. Slowly Sunset made her way over to the man, and placed her hand on his cheek, for a few brief seconds her eyes flashed white.
“There’s six of them including this guy. Seems the owner owes protection money and they’re here to burn the place down.”
“Okay question how’d you do that?” Sunset let out a sigh, as she cut Ghost Spider off.
“I can sort of read people’s minds when I touch them.”
“Okay, first off creepy, second how can you do that?”
“It’s complicated.” It was at that moment both of their spider senses began to go off. Acting almost on pure instinct the two girls leapt onto the wall of the jewelry store, just as the door knob began to turn.
“Hey Skid Marks,” a voice shouted from inside the store, “what’s going on out there?” A second man, armed with a small handgun, emerged from the doorway, and gazed into the alley. Only to be greeted by silence, “hey Skids you out here?” Before he had a chance to react, he found himself pinned to the far wall, by a stream of webbing.
“G…” before he had a chance to finish his sentence another burst of webbing wrapped itself around his mouth, as Sunset and Ghost Spider lept off the wall.
“We’ll discuss this whole mind reading thing after we wrap up the bad guys. I got the jerks out front if you think you can handle the one on the inside.” A smirk crept over Sunset’s face.
“Who ever takes down their baddies first pays for the milkshakes,” Sunset said, smiling.
“You’re on Sunny,” Ghost Spider replied, as she leapt onto the wall behind her, and began crawling towards the truck.
“Don’t call me Sunny,” Sunset said, as she slowly made her way into the jewelry store. The moment she crossed the threshold, her spider-sense began to go off just as the sounds of gunfire began to echo through the store, it was only thanks to her enhanced reflexes that she was able to dodge the shots, managing to finally latch onto the ceiling.
“Nice try,” Sunset said, as she fired a burst of webbing from her webshooter, grabbing the man’s gun, ripping it from his grasp, and pulling it into her own hand where she preceded to crush it, “but you’ll have to do better than that.” With a smile to her face Sunset fired of a webline that latched onto the man’s shirt before leaping off the ceiling, landing a punch right into his face, knocking him to the ground. Just as the man regained his footing, Sunset unleashed another burst of webbing,this time pinning him to the far wall.
“Stick around,” Sunset said, with a smirk to her face.
Outside the jewelry store, Ghost Spider crawled her way across the far wall of the alley towards the waiting truck. Standing in front of the vehicle she could make out three distinct figures, two of which were kneeling near the front wheel, working on the front passenger side tire, with the third leaning against the truck puffing a cigarette. Yet her spider-sense was once again buzzing in the back of her head, meaning they were more than likely armed. Looking over her surroundings Ghost Spider eyed a nearby garbage can, slowly she raised her arm and fired a burst of webbing from her webshooter, snagging the garbage can and with a quick pull flipped in onto its side, catching the attention of the man standing near the truck.
“You hear that,” the man said, as he pulled a handgun from beneath his jacket. “Gonna go check it out.” Beneath her mask Ghost Spider smiled, as she leapt onto the roof of the truck. Slowly she crawled her way down the other side, and once she was sure the man’s back was to her, she fired three bursts of webbing from her wrists, lashing the man to the side of the building.
“You know you goons just make this job too easy,” Ghost Spider said. Once again she felt her spider sense begin to buzz. Just out of her line of sight one of the other men made his way around the truck to investigate what had been going on, just as he rounded the edge of the truck Ghost Spider unleashed another burst of webbing, pinning the man’s hand to the door of the truck, before he had a chance to scream, another burst of webbing wrapped itself around his mouth.
“You know there are noise laws in this city,” Ghost Spider said, “besides most people are asleep at this time of night.” Just as the man reached for the inside pocket of his jacket Ghost Spider fired another burst of webbing, that lashed his other arm to the wheel well, before delivering a punch to the face, knocking the man out.
“Two down,” Ghost Spider said, as she leapt onto the side of the truck, and slowly made her way up to the top. Once she reached the top of the truck, she gazed over the side, spotting the last man lashed to the ground by spiderwebs.
“Three for me,” a familiar voice said, as Ghost Spider turned to fine Sunset clinging to the wall above the truck.
“The lookout doesn’t count,” Ghost Spider said, laughing.
“Well then it looks like we’re tied,” Sunset replied. Ghost Spider couldn’t help but laugh.
“You know what Sunset,” Ghost Spider said, as she leapt onto the wall next to Sunset, “Drinks are on me….so where’s the best place to get milkshakes at this hour?” Sunset simply smiled.
“Follow me rookie,” Sunset said, as she fired a web line into the distance. Ghost Spider couldn’t help but laugh, as she fired a webline from her own webshooter and swung off into the darkness towards their apartment .
Location: Gerber’s All Night Ice Cream Parlour, an hour later
The dinner itself was not that different from any of the other multitude of buildings, a single story building, shaped like a silver cigar, with a number of windows circling around the entire circumference. Inside the walls had been decorated with numerous pieces of comic art, and news paper clippings. On the surface these seemed like any other collection of rare art but to the owner they were reminders of what had once been, reminders of a time when he had been a one time famous comic book artist before a lawsuit ruined his career. Behind the counter stood a middle aged man with mussy dark brown hair, and thick glasses, and jeans and t-shirt with the words: Howard for President in 76 written across it.
“Hey Sunset Shimmer my favorite customer,” the man said, as Sunset and Gwen made their way into the dinner, having changed into their street clothes back at their apartment .
“Hey Howard,” Sunset said, as she and Gwen took a seat near the front entrance, “That’s Howard Gerber. They say he was once one of the biggest names in comics with his Howard Duke: The Destroyer Duck comics,” slowly the man approached the table.
“Was being the optimal word,” the man replied, “that lawsuit over Destroyer Duck ruined me. So I took what money I had left opened this diner, and teach some art classes,” a smile crept over the man’s face, “the usual Sunset?”
“You know it,” Sunset said, laughing. The man then turned his attention to Gwen.
“And your friend?”
“Same as her,” Gwen replied, with that the man nodded his head and quickly made his way to the kitchen.
“Famous comic artist huh,” Gwen asked, smiling.
“Was,” Sunset replied, “I’ve been taking lessons from him on the side. It’s always been my dream to have my art and songs published.” Gwen couldn’t help but laugh a little.
“Never pegged you for an artist rookie.”
“What about you,” Sunset added. Gwen remained silent as she turned her gaze out the window, almost as if she was trying to avoid the question. “I mean if we’re going to work together we might as well get to know each other better. I mean there’s gotta be more to you than you know.”
“Not much to say really,” Gwen replied, “other then my night job I’m really not that different from you. Except I’m a drummer in my spare time.” Sunset’s eyes lit up.
“No way you play the drums,” Sunset replied, “I play the guitar,” it was then Sunset noticed the far more serious look on Gwen’s face.
“Not that dad really approves,” Gwen replied, “He’s always like you can’t make a career out of music.” Sunset couldn’t help but laugh.
“Seems we have more in common then just our night jobs,” Sunset said, “My mother pretty much had an org chart set up when I first went off to school, same with my brother.”
“So tell me something rookie,” Gwen asked, “Why do you suddenly want to wear the mask?” Sunset remained silent, she wasn’t expecting that question.
“I guess it’s because I want to help people,” Sunset replied. The stern look on Gwen’s face remained.
“You and your posse seem to have had powers already,” Gwen replied, crossing her arms, “why weren’t you “saving the day” before?” Sunset remained silent, the thought of her and her friends using the magic they had gained to protect the city had crossed her mind numerous times, but always pushed it out of her mind, especially after the Fall Formal.
“Does it have anything to do why you feel responsible for what was awoken at the Friendship Games?” Still Sunset remained silent.
“You’re not the only one with a past to hide Gwen,” Sunset replied. “As for why we don’t use our powers. With the exception of Rainbow Dash most of us just want to live normal lives. I mean we help out every now and then.”
“So you made a mistake and feel like you can’t go on,” Gwen continued, “trust me when I say you’re not the only one. When I first put on the mask I did so because I thought it freed me from all responsibility that it and my powers made me special,” she paused for a moment, “then someone tried to be like me, and in the end it cost me more than anyone back home knows. At first I wanted to simply quit, but that night I realized I had to define what the mask means or others will,” Gwen put her hand on Sunset’s, “this is probably going to be the hardest choice you’ll ever have to make rookie. But I want you to know at least you’ll have a friend to help guide you.” Sunset simply smiled.
Stayed tuned for Chapter V: The Great and Powerful Mysterio