The night of the Griffon Mercenary Part I
“Better fasten your seatbelt Mayday! This is gonna be some ride” Spider-Mane screamed out aloud astonished with Mayday sitting on his back as little filly held herself over his dads neck for a ride, while the masked stallion forced himself into a long swing in a blazing speed, resembling a red and blue blur while hanging himself on his strand of webbing across the flashed street of Manehattan under the cape of quiet night. The web-slinger with his little passenger on his back then ceased in his momentum before releasing himself from his webbing, performing a graceful somersault and forcing himself into a free fall.
That same night, Peter decided to also take some time off by asking Twilight for a little trip right to Manehatan to take some of his swinging trip routine so he could clear his head out, yet though with Mayday insisting to come with him, as Peter of course could do nothing but just grant her daughter request to take her along for a swing throughout the city, as meanwhile Twilight along with Rarity, who also insisted to come along, both mares were on shopping somewhere in the city.
Peter extended his right hoof by firing another webbing strand that latched on the nearest building and performing yet another web swing across streets, before releasing himself from the strand and firing this time from both of his hooves, as the sticky substance latched on the edge of the building rooftop and slingshoting himself right forward, yet bouncing himself from the edge and leaping right over the small water tower as well as over the rooftop yet into forcing himself into another freefall.
“YEEECHEEEE! WHHOOOAAAUU!” Mayday squeaked out in excitement while her father performed another speeding web swing across the streets before once again releasing himself and this time firing from his left hoof on the building on the right and sharply slingshoting himself on his webbing by that direction.
The streets of Manehattan looked relatively calm and peaceful, with all the damage that were caused by the hurricane, the water of bay flooding the streets of the city like holes and cracks in pavement of the streets being all fixed and repaired along with Squirk being responsible for the entire hurricane and flood by himself as the Elemental of Water fought with the Avengers on Liberty Island, with an aid of Spike via the power of Crimson Gem of Cyttorak, beating the giant sea creature several weeks ago, with no traces of the Elemental left at all as the city life seemed to be going on by its tracks as usual, like the incident would be forgotten and like nothing peculiar had ever happened at the first place.
“Faster, daddy! Faster!” Mayday squeaked out astonished while Peter fired another webbing and this time swinging around a large building to the right with enough momentum to release himself and gliding quite high above he city, before once again forcing himself into yet another free fall. As the ground came dangerously close, the hero fired yet another strand of webbing and just in the last minute and before he could collide with the pavement forced himself into yet another web swing across the street, holding with only his left hoof and having his hinder hooves placed forward.
Yet however, while swinging throughout the city and enjoying this on the fullest, Spider-Mane and Mayday didn’t notice like something or someone would be following them, as right behind them, something like a shadow scurried passing throughout the buildings edges, seemingly flying in a dazzling speed as it was following the pair from a safe distance.
Spider-Mane then take a firm hold on his strand with his right free hoof, pulling sharply and springing himself like a spring from his strand, performing a graceful somersault before landing effortlessly with Mayday handing on his back on the rooftop of the nearest building.
“HOOOCHUUUU!!!” Mayday yelled out on top of her lungs on her fathers grand finale act as little filly jumped out of his back, standing up on her hinder hooves and throwing her front hooves over her head cheering out and wrapping her hooves over her fathers neck tightly and affectionately. “Now that was some ride, daddy!”
“Actually, sweetie….” Peter stated as he nuzzled his masked muzzle with her daughters in return of her affection before he put Mayday down, reached out under his costume to his utility belt and pulling out small stopwatch, checking it out. “Actually…That has been so far my best time yet via web swinging on the east side of the city. Maybe this may finally give me some edge against Skittles at least.” Peter declared, although inwardly and underneath his mask, young stallion had a strange déjà vu feeling by recalling the night with Luna visiting Peter in his dream. “That’s weird? I am sounding just like in my dream when Luna visited me. Or hasn't it been just a dream….”
“Keeping up with auntie Rainbow Dash, daddy? If only or at least in your dreams.” Mayday chuckled humorously.
“Why you little….” Peter spoke of in a somewhat yet false menacing yet playful tone as he charged to Mayday, gently rolling her to the ground and started tickling the filly on her belly with his hooves, making Mayday cringing by laughing.
However and out of the sudden, Spider-Manes Spider Sense within the back of his head started buzzling with a familiar buzzling unpleasant feeling, indicating a possible incoming danger or threat being about to happen as masked stallion swiftly straightened himself up, looking around in hopes to locate the source of the disturbance.
“What is it, daddy?” Mayday asked as she sat wondering what made her fathers disturbed. “If this is some kind of trick….”
“Wait….” Peter cut his daughters sentence short, sounding a way more cautiously, as though in the instance the buzzling within his head right then went like overdrive blurring like crazy, as out of the sudden a twanging-mechanical sound effect echoed with an arrow appearing out of nowhere flying in a dashing speed, yet reacting instinctively, Spider-Mane swiftly pulled Mayday down lying her down by narrowly dodging the arrow that zipped through and hitting a nearby chimney instead.
“What in the…?!” Mayday squeaked of fright as she saw an arrow stuck in the chimney in and utter awe and horror alike.
However, before Spider-Mane could figure out where did the arrow came from, his Spider Sense once again started blurring on the fullest. “Incoming!” Spider-Mane bellowed yet swiftly grabbed the filly and just in time leaping out of the way as yet another arrow zipped through and struck the ground, only for more arrow were following, yet by performing a series of flips and evasive maneuvers with Mayday in his hooves, Spider-Mane dodged all the shot arrows that struck merely the ground failing to hit the target, before the knight came into a halt with a swift turn, staring at the arrows that were arguably meant for him suspiciously.
Yet, out of the sudden quite a menacing laughter echoed around, prompting both Spider-Mane and Mayday in awe to perk their ears in an attempt to locate the source of the laughter, when Spider-Manes masked lances landed on a shadowy figure in the distance, standing on top of the billboard of the opposed building, which apparently was the same shadow that was following them this all time, yet a pair of appendages sprouted out of the shadow blank which apparently and actually were wings, the shadowy figure than sprung into the air, flying before landing on the rooftop of the same building on which Spider-Mane and Mayday stood.
Yet, much for both Peter and Mayday simultaneous awe, right then they saw what the mysterious individual actually was now when coming out of shadows into light. It was a griffon. Though not like any one, having a rather very well build or more like a muscular physique, long muscular and strong eagle arms with razor sharp claws, standing on a strong lion hinder legs as well as having a tail with a bushy end, having a pair of long powerful eagle wings with a wingspan estimated over twenty two feet and having a had of an eagle, having a large razor sharp beak, a fringe behind with three feathers and a cold steel amber piercing eyes along with a steel stone like face.
However, what was rather more peculiar about the griffon was the way as he was dressed. Having a large red shawl wrapped around his neck, wearing a black leather west like armour with short sleeves like shirt, an utility belt locked around his waist, brown jockstrap, greyish blue tattered pants with light brown leather aligns, yet having a knee guards with spikes mounted on his knees along with gauntlets mounted over his arms posed by spies as well, yet having a housing on the left side of his waist with a small crossbow in it, a long leather belt extended over his torso, holding some sort of projectile capsules, being dressed and looking more like some sort of warrior or mercenary.
Yet, what was also very peculiar about the griffon was rather the weapon he held in his left arm, which was a large crossbow, although not like any ordinary crossbow, being rather very sophistically and mechanically advanced with some upgrades, evident by a large cylinder bin hosting an ammo or arrows along with a hammer like lever at the crossbows sideplate, as the weapon was evidently designed of a semi-automatic function. Which actually explained all the arrows being shot that fast and multiple times.
“What?....A griffon….?” Mayday murmured being both surprised and in awe in the same time, although the little fillys voice bore an undercurrent of a slight horror by the looks at the griffon.
“What is this? Some sort of fashion show in a Narnia way?” Spider-Mane though dared to though rather humorously making a comment over the way how the griffon was dressed.
“For you, it is a final verdict.” The griffon trailed out, speaking in a lower tone yet quite a gruff voice with a western like accent, as he straightened himself up standing on his lion legs in his full two meters height and supported his mechanical semi-automatic crossbow over his shoulder. “Perhaps I should introduce myself….Apheliotes is the name. The mercenary and bounty hunter at your service. For a price of course.” So called Apheliotes as that was the griffons name yet despite his brutish physique properly introduced himself in a way more theatrical like manner, almost like an English gentleman.
“Alright you, Aphobliotes…..” Spider-Mane responded by regaining his composure standing firmly in front of Mayday yet although spelling Apheliotes name a wrong way, if not rather willingly.
“Apheliotes!” Apheliotes snarled gritting his beak in irritation repeating his name.
“Whatever….” Spider-Mane scoffed yet inwardly guessing he could learn something more about this Apheliotes. “I just could call you many things, just like it is said about me. Yet to humour you, my name is….”
“Spider-Mane.” Aptheliotes though replied finishing Spider-Manes statement instead quite for Peters dismay. “You are so called the Knight of Equestria. Guess your reputation indeed precedes you.” The griffon added, though his voice sounded by bearing a hint of respect of sort.
“So you heard about me….” Spidey sarcastically huffed though a little disappointed for Apheliotes taking his line. “Where did you come from? The Chronicles of Narnia I suppose?”
“Mother Griffinstone. Then I came to mother Equestria.” Apheliotes explained in quite a prideful tone, being evidently proud for his heritage.
“Two moms and still ill-behaved?” Spider-Mane once again quipped mocking Apheliotes that way, quite though for Maydays dismay, by which though the webslinger came to regret.
Snarling at yet another insult from masked stallion infuriated, Apheliotes released quite a menacing bird like scream that could be heard and echoing throughout the area over a city block distance, forcing both Spider-Mane and Mayday to plug their ears. Apheliotes than drew his crossbow aiming and locking right on Spider-Mane. “Mayday! Hide!” Peter exclaimed as he swiftly pushed Mayday aside as well as reacting to his Spider Sense dodging yet another arrow that Apheliotes shot from his crossbow yet narrowly passing through just a few inches away from Spider-Manes face.
Flipping his large wings and rising the dust from the ground in the process, Apheliotes rose up into the air yet shooting another arrow on Spider-Mane from up, only for the wall-crawler promptly fired a web strand from his hoof right into the nearest water tank and swiftly springing himself out of the way as the arrow once again missed its target striking merely a ground with Apheliotes snarling in frustration as he flew after Spider-Mane.
Spidey sprung himself on his webbing as he landed on the top of the water tank, with Apheliotes though catching up shot yet another arrow on masked stallion, yet the hero nimble leaped into the air dodging the arrow performing a sommersault and gracefully landing on the near stairs rooftop entrance, yet the persistent griffon mercenary shot again only once again missing as Spider-Mane nimbly leaped out of the arrow way, grabbing himself over the light of the nearby billboard and swinging himself right on its top as Apheliotes flew after him, by once again shooting some more from his crossbow but just like that, Spider-Mane instantly jumped out of the billboard dodging the arrow firing a webbing from his hoof that latched on the nearby buildings edge forcing himself into a webswing.
“Stay still, so I can hit you!” Apheliotess blustered infuriated with his frustration about failing to hit the masked stallion reached out the critical level, although inwardly yet though rather begrudgingly the griffon seemed to be quite impressed about Spider-Manes speed and agility.
“I feel so much motivated.” Spider-Mane huffed sarcastically swinging around yet right then masked stallion released himself from his strand and jumped right over Apheliotes, tackling the griffin with a great force in the air therefore both opponents started falling down.
“Daddy!!!” Mayday exclaimed both in shock and worries for her fathers wellbeing as little filly galloped to the edge of the building looking over its edge to see her father and Apheliotes falling downwards the street.
However while falling yet by flipping his wings, Apheliotes managed to regain his balance in the air pulling himself up as he also placed his crossbow behind his back to not lose it, as the griffon broke himself free from Spider-Manes grip and wrapping his free talon over the knights neck, strangling him with a great force as the Knight of Equestria started slowly choking himself, being amazed the brute force the griffon mercenary possessed, trying desperately breaking free from Apheliotes steel like grip.
Being though about to fight back, Spider-Mane swung and drove his right hoof across Apheliotes beak with a considerable force, disturbing the griffon mercenary out of balance though manage to keep himself in the air and turning right. The griffon though shrugged the blow and while not letting go his hold, he flew towards a nearby building with several working platforms being constructed over its side as Apheliotes folded his wings and nimbly passing the platform through yet slamming Spider-Mane over the last passing platform with a great force to bend the metal beams and wooden platform crumbling to pieces.
“What is the game all about?” Spider-Mane barked offhandedly by shrugging the blow yet still wrestling with Apheliotes in an attempt to break himself free from griffons grip. “I mean, the part of me had always wanted to fight a man-eating griffon. Know any real ones?”
“Do you think this is a game?” Apheliotes blustered out as he opened his eagle like talon wide exposing his razor sharp claws and he slashed Spider-Manes chest with his claws, tearing quite a large holes and leaving three nasty scratches over the knights chest as Spider-Mane screamed on top of his lungs in pain, clutching to the wounds.
“Oh great! Yet another spare suit tattered! Rarity is gonna be furious!” Spidey grumbled yet offensively firing the webbing from his free right hoof right into Apheliotes face, blinding the griffon in the process. “But this time its gonna be you to whom I will send the account.” Spider-Mane blurted as he finally broke himself free from Apheliotes grip, flipping over and kicking the griffon right into his back with both his hoover yet bouncing himself in the process, yet the wallcrawler shot a strand of webbing right into the nearest buildings, that by the way was an counterpart of NYC Chrysler Building spike, latching himself on and forcing himself into a swing around.
However, Apheliotes ripped the sticky webbing substance out of his face via his claws without losing his momentum while still flying as griffin mercenary charged to Spider-Mane again. The knight while swinging on his web strand around the skyscrapers axis shot multiple webbing shots from his free hoof yet Apheliotes managed to outmaneuver evading most of the web shots with flying skills that even Rainbow Dash or Spitfire would give him credit, though some of Spider-Manes web shots managed to hit Apheliotes with quite a force right into his chest spearing on impact over his leather vest and making him to stagger in the process.
Apheliotes though managed to regain his balance by keeping himself in the air, the griffon mercenary ripped the sticky webbing out of his vest with his claws, hissing menacingly as he extended his razor sharp claws, flying towards and slicing the web strand on which Spider-Manes was hanging himself.
“Oh applesauce!” Peter exclaimed in shock as he was falling, yet before the masked stallion could regain his composure and firing another webbing only for his Spider Sense ringing within his head, but unfortunately the knight wasn’t able to react fast enough or brace himself as Apheliotes swooped in a dashing speed like a bird of prey attacking on his prey as the griffon clenched his claws into fist and driving it right into the centre of Spider-Manes face with such force, that he literally sent the masked stallion flying backwards with a speed of a missile before literally crashing into the nearby wall, making a hole in it by the impact.
“Okay…” Peter murmured staggering in a half dazzle state with his vision blurring. “This guy means business.”
Right then though, Apheliotes flew in pursuit, yet stopping as he was flipping his wings by keeping himself hovering on place several meters away from Spider-Manes positions, having his eagle sharpsight locked on the hero. “I have to say, I have been expecting more.” Apheliotes huffed, sounding rather somewhat disappointed.
“Now that really hasn’t been very nice of you.” Spider-Mane grumbled as finally managing to recuperate himself with his vision also ceasing on place. “What exactly have I done by ruffling your feathers?”
“It is nothing personal.” Apheliotes replied in a very blunt and rather indifferent manner. “I had just been payed to do so, to bring your head. I am a mercenary for hire. It is what I do.”
“Nothing personal….Nothing personal…?!” Spider-Mane blustered both awed as well as more like in a slight outrage by Apheliotes indifference and rather materialist attitude, although inwardly being more likely curious who actually had hired and payed the griffon mercenary for Spider-Manes head. “Who has ever paid you for me, if I may ask so?”
“You will never find out his name…..” Apheliotes huffed as he clenched his left claws into fist, bursting forward via flying yet reacting quickly, Spider-Mane flipped over just in time as Apheliotes missed and punched the hole in the wall instead though with a great force to break it through, with masked stallion perching himself on the wall above the griffon.
“Like what exactly has your enigmatic employer promised you for my web head?” Spidey asked although his question was thoroughly ignored with Apheliotes slicing after the webslinger with his claws yet slashing merely a wall yet leaving a scratch marks over it as Spidey nimbly dodged the griffons claws flipping on the side being still perched on the wall.
“The wealth, glory or power? Or….A year supply of bird seed?” Spidey sarcastically quipped mocking Apheliotes.
“You talk too much!” Apheliotes screamed furiously about yet another of the insult from masked stallion, as he dug his left arm deeper into the hole within the wall, pulling with all his might as the griffon mercenary literally ripped a large portion of the wall right where Spider-Mane was perched on out of the buildings edge, much for Peters utter awe about Apheliotes brute strength as he along with a large piece of wall started falling downwards the street.
“Double applesauce!” Peter exclaimed both offhandedly and disturbed as he kept falling perched on the piece of wall that Apheliotes tore out of the building.
Meanwhile and like pretty conveniently, right in the while, Twilight along with Spike and Rarity were walking throughout the street, admiring the beauty of nightly flashed street of Manehattan, enjoying their walk throughout the streets, yet of course without Rarity having any opportunity to look around local noble shops, evident by Element of Generosity getting a shopping fever, as both mares and dragon were carrying lots of shopping bags with a wide variety of goods and stuff.
“Come along, darlings.” Rarity cheered out prompting Twilight and Spike that by the way were carrying a large purchase of paper bags full of goods either on her bag or holding some via her telekinesis, with Rarity rather carrying a significantly less goods by herself. “We still got the whole night to visit some more shops to do so, in a very centre of this glorious metropolis.”
“Happy to help, Rarity….” Twilight replied smiling although her voice was lightly strained, due all the weight of bags and purchased goods of stuff young princess had to carry on her shoulders by herself, yet inwardly the mare tried to remain diligent to comply her best friend on the tour of Manehatttan and shopping.
“Whatever you say, Rarity.” Spike replied in a somewhat and quite an attracted like manner, as baby dragon carried a large portion of purchase and goods on his own, yet unlike Twilight though, baby dragon didn’t seemed that much bothered by the weight of the purchase and on the other hoof carrying the purchase with lots of vigor and determination, evident by his secret hidden crush and charm for Rarity, Spike joust would do anything to comply the beautiful fashionistas favour.
“Say, Twilight….” Rarity trailed out when a realization came up to fashionistas mind, although her tone shifting into a rather concerned one. “You have said that Peter went on swinging in the city yet taking Mayday along. Do you think they would be alright?”
“Don’t worry, Rarity.” Twilight moderated Raritys worries, not obviously seeming that much worried at all. “Peter will take a good care of Mayday. I know my husband like anypony else. And besides, those two have been doing this most of the time as Mayday enjoys it, even more Peter himself though.”
“Yeah. You know how hard it would be get Mayday out of Peters back, get it.” Spike added although in a rather humorous like manner trying to humour the situation, although both mares didn’t seemed that much amused by Spikes playful quip.
“If you say so, darling….” Rarity replied yet feeling a bit more assured. “Yet anyway….Though I know in Peters case, it might be indeed an unique way of transportation via webswinging, but honestly….What kind of pony would like to do that anyway?”
“LOOK OUT BELOW!!!” It echoed from up, causing both Twilight, Rarity and Spike to squeak out of fright as they looked up as well as otherpony around did, as they much for their combined utter shock and horror saw a large piece of wall falling downwards, yet also seeing Spider-Mane perched on it.
Seeing lots of ponies down there, not to mention much for his awe also Twilight along with Rarity and Spike, yet knowing he should better do something a quick, Spider-Mane fired from one hoof, webbing the wall piece yet also firing from second one as the webbing strand latched itself somewhere on the building, the masked stallion pulled with all his might, swinging himself by also carrying a made a large wall piece moving in the momentum like a pendulum, just before it could hit the ground just a few inches away from it.
However unfortunately for Rarity, who could barely even move due to be totally out of awe and horror alike standing on the place like a stump, yet both Twilight and Spike swiftly swatted their fashionista friend down to the ground, just in time as Spider-Mane carrying a large wall piece delivery zipped around hanging himself on his single web strand like a living wrecking ball as most of the ponies present yelped of fright and running away.
“What the…?!” Twilight exclaimed shocked as she looked around as she much for her utter awe she saw Peter swinging himself on webbing strand yet also holding a large piece of wall, swinging in a pendulum like motion. “Peter?!”
“Hope this is the plan….” Peter muttered underneath his mask while still being in a swing motion, feeling the pressure and weight by carrying a large wall piece like an extra weight along, knowing he should better improvise so nopony could get hurt, by using all his might, the masked stallion sharply swung the wall piece to the edge of the nearby building slamming it into it, yet also simultaneously webbing it with a significant amount of his webbing, attaching it to the wall so it could not represent anymore danger or hurting anypony.
“That should do it….” Peter murmured as he released himself from his strand and gracefully landing on the nearby traffic lights, sighing in relief that nopony was hurt as the local crowd of ponies started stomping into ground applausing and cheering out for Spider-Manes heroic action.
However, this really wasn’t the best time for taking in cheers and gratitude as once again Spider-Manes Spider Sense started blurring, prompting Peter to cautiously turn around, but it was too late, as Apheliotes who sneaked up behind yet unfortunately for Spidey unable to react fast enough, the griffon sharply snatched the masked stallion off his post with his hinder lion legs, flying up high, making a swift maneuver turn in the mid-air before flying in a full speed and smashing the masked stallions head first right into the nearest wall hard in enough force to nearly crash the wall, leaving crackles spreading all around as Spider-Mane limply fell and hitting the ground of pavement, groaning in a half-dazzled state.
Trying to recuperate himself, with his vision though spun, blurring and struggling to stand up, groaning in discomfort yet the masked stallion distinguished a shade appearing in front of him, which appeared to be no one else than Apheliotes, the griffon mercenary was flipping his wings airborne, bearing a devilish expression grinning menacingly as he held his semi-automatic crossbow aiming right on masked stallion, having his finger place on the trigger.
“Your suit and mask will take a perfect place over my fireplace as a trophy.” Apheliotes grinned snidely, having a defenceless Spider-Mane locked in with his crossbow, being about to just press the trigger so he could finish the masked stallion off.
Yet out of the sudden, the griffon was dazzled be an intense glow of light erupting in front of him, revealing Twilight herself. “I don’t this so!” Twilight growled menacingly, flipping her wings in the airborne, bearing a venomous glare on her face, young princess loaded an amount of her magic through her horn and just before Apheliotes could recuperate himself, only to be blasted by Twilights magic blast right into his chest on the fullest and with a great force to be send flying backwards, grunting and zipping like a missile before smashing into the nearby wall of the building, gusting a cloud of dirt as it was left a large hole in the process.
“Let that be the lesson Mr. Beaks.” Peter chuckled nonchalantly although with a slight gasping as now fully recuperated stood up from the ground with a bright smile underneath his mask by the sight of Twilight that had just saved him from certain death, again. “Never mess up with the knight of his princess.”
“Peter! Are you alright?” Twilight exclaimed freaked out and flying down to her husbands side edging closer to him.
“Darling! What is going on?” Rarity exclaimed as well as she galloped towards the pair, the concern being vocally present in fashionistas voice.
“Who was that guy?” Spike blurted out being rather both shocked and awed in the same time, indicating on Apheliotes who was just blasted by Twilight.
“Lets just say I have somehow ruffled feathers some griffin mercenary, yet as far as our first meeting went so far was like my first time meeting Wolverine, by trying to tear each other throats.” Spidey huffed in response as he tried to fill both mares yet shifting his masked lenses towards the hole in the wall that was left after Apheliotes by being blasted by Twilight.
“That Griffon? What does he want…..” Twilight muttered in an attempt to comprehend what was that all about, yet right then young princess amethyst royal eyes widened like a pair of saucers, gasped in an utter dismay as she realized a nasty slashing wounds over Peters torso, that masked stallion received from Apheliotes during their fight. “Oh my stars, Peter!” Twilight exclaimed, her voice was strained, wavering with worries edging closer to Peter.
“Darling! You are hurt!” Rarity yelped high-pitched in horror as she stared over Peters nasty injuries with her lips quivering, not to mention his costume tattered, which though seemed to what the fashionista was more disturbed about.
“Um….” Peter murmured yet standing on his hinder hooves as he checked the scratches over his torso, yet slightly clutching over it with his hoof. “Oh, its nothing. It is just a scratch. I will live.”
“Peter…..” Twilight than gasped with a realization hitting young princess like a brick as she had a funny feelings before realizing that somepony was missing, with quite a dark thoughts filled Twilights mind. “Where is…Where is Mayday?” Twiligh murmured, her voice was strained with concern and worry for their daughters wellbeing.
“I left her right back than on that rooftop just before my and Apheliotes started dancing, although I quite lost track where….Over several blocks away, think it was…..That way.” Peter murmured as right then thoughts about Mayday came into his mind as he lost tracks while fighting Apheliotes. “But don’t you worry girl, she is alright. I hope….” Peter murmured, a hint of concern and worry for his daughter being also present within masked stallions muffled voice.
“We got to find her….” Twilight murmured, although still sounding worried, young princess turned into her more assertive side, her royal amethyst eyes were gleaming with determination, willing whatever it takes to find and making sure of Maydays safety, yet however the mares statement was cut short, as instantly Apheliotes who by the way recuperated from the blast emerged from the hole in the wall, gritting his beak fiercely before the griffin roared menacingly, spreading his wings and burst flying towards the ponies, having his razor sharp claws exposed.
“Incoming!” Spike bellowed by seeing an incoming Apheliotes flying right towards their direction, yet with the Spider Sense within his head blurring overdrive, Spider-Mane swiftly swatted both Twilight and Rarity with Spike on his own getting down to the ground just in time before Apheliotes zipped under their heads, narrowly evading the griffins razor sharp claws.
“My goodness! That brute?” Rarity squeaked in a combination of aghast as well as slight contempt pointing on the Griffin mercenary. “He looks so terrible. And wearing such an obsolete outfit…” The fashionista quite contemptuously commented on the way how unfashionably Apheliotes was dressed with disgust.
“That griffon is bigger than me…” Spike though muttered in a rather humorous or more likely a naïve manner by dully staring at Apheliotes.
“Make that three! Look out!” Spider-Mane exclaimed in warning as Apheliotes once again pulled out his crossbow aimed and started shooting one arrow after another via pressing the trigger along with quickly reloading it by repeatedly pressing the hammer lever of his weapon from the air, yet following his heroic instincts as well as his Spider Sense, masked stallion swiftly grabbed the Rarity into his hooves bridal style and running away from of numerous of Apheliotes arrows way that shoot and dug into the wall instead with Rarirty yelping once again off fright, while Twilight grabbed Spike and on other hoof casted a protective magic shield via her horn to protect herself and her number one assistant, deflecting more arrows incoming.
However, right then as Apheliotes intended to shoot some more pressing the trigger but no more arrow escaped through the weapons barrel with only a mechanical sound of the trigger echoing, as apparently or rather conveniently the griffin mercenary run out the ammo. Gritting his beak and groaning in frustration, Apheliotes grabbed an empty ammo barrel instantly removing and throwing it away before reaching behind his back, pulling an another seemingly full ammo barrel being about to reload.
“Rarity…” Peter addressed Rarity by gently putting the mare down, his voice sounding a way more serious and assertive then it usually did, lacking quite any humour with his masked lenses gleaming with determination. “My, Twilight and Spike will take care of that guy. You go find Mayday.”
“Darling….” Rarity muttered back slightly taken aback. “You know I am more than willing to ensure little Maydadys safety as well as going to find her indeed, but how am I supposed to….?” Raritys sentence was cut short as Peter reached out into his utility belt underneath his costume as he pulled a tracking device and throwing it to Rarity as the mare casually grabbed the device via her telekinesis yet staring at the Knight of Equestria questioningly.
“Listen, Rarity…” Peter explained. “Mayday has right under her flower ribbon in her mane placed one of my Spider Tracers. That red spot on the screen is her. Just follow her signal on the tracer. The more it beeps, the closer you get to her.”
Rarity took a look on the screen of the tracing device, as she saw a red beeping point on it, indicating according the Peter to be Mayday over several blocks away. Although not having that much understanding for mechanics and technology like Peter did, the Element of Harmony nonetheless gave Peter an affirmative nod, being more than willing to do anything to assure little Maydays safety.
“Very well then, darling…..” Rarity declared, her deep ocean blue eyes were gleaming with determination and willingness.
“Then go.” Peter shared a mutual glance with Rarity nodding affirmatively at each other as the fashionista mare galloped away with the tracking device in her telekinetic hold while Peter was about to join forces with Twilight and Spike to take on Apheliotes.
“Shall we, honey?” Peter nonchalantly proclaimed, prompting his wife for a cooperation to combine their might against Apheliotes.
“After you.” Twilight politely gave her knight priority to go first, nodding at each other as they both charged toward Apheliotes, with Spike remaining as a backup.
Meanwhile, the griffon mercenary though fully reloaded his crossbow with yet full ammo barrel, shifting the hammer before aiming right to both Spider-Mane and Twilight as he pressed the trigger and shooting some more arrows right on the pair, prompting both Spider-Mane and Twilight to evade into separate ways, dodging the pair of arrows zipping through, with Spider-Mane shooting a web into the nearest street light as he swiftly flipped over and landing right on it, while Twilight flipped her wings to fly over by gaining more altitude yet offensively loading her horn with her magic, being ready for an upcoming counterattack.
“Princess Twilight Sparkle.” Apheliotes though declared, strangely addressing Twilight with a somewhat way more calmer if not even respectful tone, just like he did with Spider-Mane early as well as slightly lowering his weapon, like actually showing a sort of respect to Twilight, yet holding his weapon firmly and having his finger claw ready on the trigger. “What a coincidence to have a pleasure to meet you in person.”
“What do you want, Apheliotes, was it?” Twilight addressed the Griffin cautiously as Apheliotes nod his head slightly that she got his name right, yet by seeing him to lower his weapon judging he was about to negotiate, the young princess lightly reduced the voltage of her magic channelled through her horn, yet nonetheless keeping it loaded, ready to shoot just in case. “And why have you attack my husband?”
“My business is with Spider-Mane alone, not yours.” Apheliotes declared though his voice shifted back into his way more menacing and threatening tone, as he stared on Twilight with a predatory like look. “I ask only once…..I dare you not to stand in my way, princess.”
“If you put it this way….Then I will have to make IT my business as well.” Twilight scoffed, her voice tuned itself into a lower yet a rather colder tone which though sounded above the verge of whisper, as young princes instantly shot yet another magic blast from her horn towards the griffon, yet Apheliotes flipped his wings and swiftly evading the blast.
“Very well, then….” Apheliotes coldly scoffed with the mouth behind his beak formed into a sort of grimace. “There was no mention about you, Princess Twilight or anypony else associated with Spider-Mane, yet…..By bringing your head along with Spider-Manes, it would be a perfect opportunity for some extra reward.” Apheliotes grimaced snidely as he extended his crossbow aiming it right over Twilight, pressing the hammer of his weapon with loud clicking sound.
“Twilight! Look out!” Spider-Mane bellowed, leaping and pushing Twilight out of the arrows wave, getting his wife into safety into the nearest rooftop, yet instantly dynamic duo both returned fire, by Spidey shooting webs from both his hooves as Twilight shot several magic blasts from her simultaneously back, yet flipping his wings, Apheliotes evaded the pairs simultaneous counter attack with a few evasive movements as instantly returning fire himself, pressing trigger and shooting more arrows as Twilight steadily casted a magic protestive bubble shielding herself and Peter from the arrows as the projectiles deflected themselves off the magic shield.
Taking an advantage of griffons distraction, Spike leaped forward, taking a deep breath and breathed a stream of his emerald green sparkling flames up right on Apheliotes, as the griffon mercenary who realized that yet a little bit too late evaded the young dragons flames, although barely as some of Spikes flames scorched the griffins tail a bit.
“You will pay for that, lizard!” Apheliotes screamed both in anguish and rage alike, yelping by having most of the hair on his tail scorched as he extended his crossbow and started shooting at Spike as baby dragon was running frantically out of the reach of deadly projectiles that dug into a pavement behind Spikes tail. Spidey fired a webbing into a nearest building and with one swift swing the masked stallion snatched Spike out of the Apheliotes arrows trail.
Twilight flipped her wings rising herself into air and repeatedly shot more blasts from her horn only for Apheliotes seeing that coming, dodged every single blast Twilight shot at him with a graceful evasive maneuvers as he instantly once again opened fire of his own from his crossbow.
“Twilight! Lets get the higher ground!” Spidey instructed by firing a web into the edge of the nearest building rooftop, by swiftly springing himself of his strand like a slingshot right over the rooftop with Twilight acknowledging her knights idea followed, with Apheliotes hissing through his beak menacingly following the pair in pursuit flying right on top of the building.
“Hey you guys! Wait for me!” Spike bellowed from bellow, feeling himself yet once again and somewhat left behind, yet young dragon was eager and up to get upside to help his friends, while Spider-Mane, Twilight and Apheliotes continued their battle on the roof.
To be continued…..