//------------------------------// // Chapter 4: Your friendly neighbourhood Spider-Woman // Story: DJ-Spid3r: Vinyl The Spider-Woman // by Smashed Tapes //------------------------------// It had been a few weeks since that spider bit Vinyl and changed her life forever. She had gotten somewhat used to the new routine, patrolling at night and stopping crimes of petty thugs. Lyra’s web shooters hugely helped with that and with criminals being strung up in webbing and her efforts had certainly gotten attention. Multiple news outlets talking about the new hero, blurry pictures going viral online. There was even a cash prize out for whoever could get a clear picture of them. But right now, Vinyl was helping out Lyra and Bon Bon in the school’s gymnasium. The school dance was nearing and Lyra had roped Vinyl into helping, as payment for all the help Lyra had been to their Spider-Woman efforts. Even if she was lazy, she didn’t mind lending an extra hand, after all she did so every night. Octavia decided to join them, too, she had rather quickly found herself a part of their little friend group and it was a welcome addition. She scrolled through her phone as Bon Bon and Vinyl brought another fold out table in. “She makes the news almost every time. Though I wish they would stop calling her Spider-Man.” Bon Bon walked up to Octavia and looked at her phone, seeing the news article about a jewelry shop heist that was stopped by the ‘Spider-Man’. “I agree, it’s kinda sexist to assume. Though then again they’ve never got a clear picture of her.” “But people online that have been saved by her have been trying to correct these outlets. I guess they won’t change their tune until video footage comes out.” Vinyl grunted in pain as she set up another table, rubbing her back. ‘Those crooks didn’t have to slam me with their damn car, thank fuck I found about about my healing when I was thrown through a window two weeks ago. Some of that still stings…’ Lyra came up to the two of them, Vinyl soon joining as she took a seat on a foldable chair. “Well girls, since we’ve recently gotten past exams, and the dance isn’t for another two weeks, I got tickets for the four of us to go to the Discord Carnival!” Octavia raised an eyebrow as she placed her phone back in her purse. “Discord Carnival? I haven’t heard of that before.” “Oh it’s a huge thing in this city! All of downtown gets filled with different vendors, games and attractions! It’s a lot of fun, me and Bon Bon went last year.” “Oh? Did you not go, Vinyl?” Vinyl shrugged as she scrolled through her phone, looking at the latest news of her exploits. “Last Fantasy 16 came out the day they went, so I was playing that. Plus I didn’t wanna third wheel. They just got together so they were in the touchy phase.” Lyra and Bon Bon blushed as they remembered the early parts of their relationship, Octavia blinking in surprise. “Oh my….Well I think it would be fun for the four of us. Good thinking, Lyra.” Lyra smirked, Bon Bon grabbing Octavia to help out with some boxes as the green haired girl sat on the floor next to Vinyl. “You’re welcome.” “Huh? For what?” “Oh you know, setting up a nice double date with the four of us.” “Fucking what?” “Oh come on, Vinyl, I’ve noticed all the looks you’ve been giving Octavia. Don’t worry, me and Bon Bon will ‘wander off’ and give the two of you plenty of time together~” Vinyl tried to hide her blush as her friend chuckled. “Yo just relax, V, you’ve been going at this spider thing pretty hard lately. Take tomorrow night to just relax, give her the moves, just let your hair down.” She sighed and locked her phone, maybe Lyra was right and taking a night off to just relax would be a good idea. And hey, it was with Octavia, which was a major plus. “Okay okay fine, you’ve convinced me. Should still bring my spider gear, you know, just in case.” “Im mean, sure, but don’t just focus on it.” “I won’t, trust me” ----- The opening night of the Discord Carnival was certainly a sectical, flashy light up signs and loud music filling downtown Canterlot. The four of them entered through the front, Octavia looking around in amazement at the sheer scale of the event. “This is just simply wonderful! Oh the lights are just….wow!” Vinyl smiled at the beaming Octavia, seeing her this happy was certainly a wonderful sight. They explored the area, seeing the many games and attractions. Bon Bon and Lyra tried out a game with shooting down cups, and surprisingly Bon Bon had a sharp eye for it, knocking them all down in a flash. They all stopped for some food before arriving at a strongman attraction, one where you used a mallet to hit the platform and hopefully send the peg up ringing the bell. The man operating it spoke loudly, trying to gain attention to his game. “Step right up! Step right up! Do you think you have the might to reach the top? Not one person has hit the bell tonight so it could be your lucky chance to claim this special prize! That’s right! If you manage to hit the bell you’ll earn two tickets to next week's exclusive Sunlight Orchestra concert! All tickets are currently sold out- that’s right sold out! So this may be your last chance to earn your seats!” Vinyl looked at the man, caught by his words. ‘Sunlight Orchestra? I heard Octavia talking about wanting to go to that. Maybe I can snag them, maybe make it a date….’ She smirked, motioning Lyra to keep the group walking as she walked up to the man and raising her hand. “Yeah sure, I’ll give this a try if you don’t mind” The man smiled and looked at her, motioning to the mallet on the ground. “So we have someone who thinks they’re mighty!” He leant in and spoke quieter to Vinyl. “Look girl, no shame if you don’t wanna, it is meant for the strong” “Oh, I think I’m strong enough” Vinyl handed the man some coins and grabbed the mallet. The man grinned, knowing the small piece of plastic below the bell would stop the peg no matter what. She smirked and gripped it firmly in her hands. “Hope you’re ready to hand over those tickets” She sent the mallet down, splintering and cracking as it hit the platform. The peg flew up and managed to smash through the small piece of plastic, hitting the bell hard and causing it to ring out. Vinyl calmly placed the mallet down as the man looked on with his jaw open. “H-How did you-” “Wow! Guess I had one hell of a swing! So, if you don’t mind, I would like those tickets please.” The man looked down in defeat as he dug into his pocket, begrudgingly handing over the two tickets. Vinyl smiled and ran up to catch up with the group, stuffing the tickets into her pocket. Bon Bon looked back and saw the girl running up. “Oh there you are, Vinyl. What were you doing?” “Uh, I just saw something that I thought was interesting. Really wasn’t though.” Lyra rolled her eyes, before pretending to look at her phone. “Wow! We still got like, an hour left. Hey why don’t we split up so we can see more? Me and Bon Bon will check the eastside while you and Vinyl check west!” Bon Bon smiled and held onto Lyra’s hand. “Oh hun that sounds like a great idea! You and Vinyl have fun, okay Octavia?” All Octavia could do is nervously nod as the couple pulled away, Lyra quickly sending her friend a wink and a thumbs up. Vinyl looked around the sights before turning to Octavia. “So, should we explore?” “O-Oh! Sure!” The two of them explored the westside, checking out various games together as the night went on. Lyra was right, Vinyl really needed this night to just relax, and she was hoping to top it off with a date offer to Octavia with the tickets. For once in a while, being Spider-Woman was the last thing on her mind. ----- The grey haired man stumbled to his phone as he walked past his equipment. The number was blank, which could only mean one thing. He swiped the screen and put it in speaker. “Grogar” “I’m here boss, what do you need?” He screwed in another bolt as the deep, otherworldly voice on the phone spoke. “Got a job for you” “Oh really? And here I thought you were just calling to say hi” “Quiet. I need a certain piece of land’s value to….drop. A contact of mine wants it in exchange for the things I need. So I’m calling you” “Right right, so what this time? Need me to smash up some pretty home?” “Not exactly. I’ve heard downtown is busy. It would be a shame if that carnival was deemed too much of a….safety hazard in order to continue. When an area gets too damaged, it’s value tends to go down too. You catch my drift?” “So you want me to go cause a downtown wide disaster so it’s land value goes down, correct?” “Correct, my feathered friend. I assume you’re okay with some….acceptable casualties?” The old man smirked and powered up his tech, his black and green suit humming to life. “You should know by now boss, I’m more than okay with that.” ----- The night was slowly coming to a close as Vinyl and Octavia sat down to enjoy their hot cocoa, watching the crowd as it walked by. “I’m definitely coming here next year. There was so much to do! Yet so much to miss! We’re so going to cover the east side next time while they’re here.” “Next time? Is that your way of saying you enjoyed this?” “Of course! After all I have to get you back for you spraying me with that water gun” “Hey! It was an accident!” “Oh I’m sure it was, and the three times after that, too” They both broke out into a laugh, slowly calming down as they sipped their drinks. ‘Now’s your chance, Vinyl, just, bring the tickets out and ask her. You’ve asked people on dates before! How is this any different? Well I’ve never asked someone this….beautiful before- oh shut up brain, you’re not helping.’ Vinyl put her drink on the ground, turning to Octavia. “Hey so uh, you heard of the Sunlight Orchestra?” “Why of course! They’re the most talented orchestra in the western world! Why do you ask?” “Well, I got these tickets and-” Vinyl was cut off by what was seemingly the sound of a jet engine passing right above then, kicking up wind as it went past. The sounds of people worried echoing around as Vinyl managed to get a good look at the source, and it was certainly no jet. What floated above the carnival was a man, covered head to toe in armour as two massive metal wings kept him airborne with two large, sharp mechanical claws around his feat. “Listen up, Canterlot! Your carnival has really pissed me off. So if none of you mind, I’m just going to get rid of it!” The man swooped down into the crowd, his claws ripping apart tents and trailers as people panicked and ran. Octavia stood close to Vinyl as she looked on in horror. She could just run with Octavia and find her friends, she was just another person, she couldn’t be expected to take him on. Vinyl could just stop, she didn’t need to do this… The screams and panic around her filled her mind as Lyra and Bon Bon waved through the crowd to them. “Octavia! Vinyl! We gotta get out of here! We just gotta get to my car!” Bon Bon and Octavia nodded, running into the crowd and to the parking lot. Lyra turned to see Vinyl standing there. “V! We gotta go!” Vinyl slowly turned, she didn’t have to do this, she could just go and be with her friends. She didn’t have to do this…. But no one else could. She had to do this. She was the only one that could. She shook her head at Lyra, the girl looking at her with shock. “A-Are you serious!? Look V playing hero was fun but that’s a big metal guy with wings! He could seriously hurt you, or worse! Vinyl just come on!” “I can’t! You go and help Bon Bon and Octavia! I’ll deal with this!” “....Wow, you’re actually doing this?” “I have to.” Lyra brought Vinyl into a hug, giving her friend a small embrace before pulling away. “I have never been prouder to call you my friend, Vinyl.” Vinyl smiled, returned the embrace while it lasted. She grabbed the tickets from her pocket and gave them to Lyra. “Keep these safe.” “Of course, and V?” “Yeah?” “Kick his fucking ass” Vinyl smirked, nodding to her friend before running to behind the tents, away from the crowds. She reached into her bag and pulled her stuff out, first her outfit, web shooters then finally her mask. She looked down at it, smiling before putting on her fingerless gloves. “Alright Spider-Woman, let’s clip this bird’s wings” ----- The man threw another trailer at a nearby building, this job was almost too easy for him. It’s not like cops could even stop him, he’d be done soon and be paid handsomely for it. His eyes looked upon the ferris wheel, people still stuck in their seats due to being left behind in the panic. “Ah, the perfect finale!” He flew towards his target, only for his wings to be halted as they tried to pull against something. “What the hell!?” He looked behind him only to see a line of webbing attaching him to a nearby wall. A figure swung around him and landed on top of a trailer below. Spider-Woman looked up to him, waving. “Hello Mr birdman! This is a no fly zone! Please put your tin wings down and walk like everyone else!” He looked down in surprise, a girl was just standing there, wearing a normal outfit with a mask. He whipped the edge of his wings against the webbing, slicing himself free. “Ah, I see the media was wrong about you. I honestly thought you were nothing but myth, Spider-Girl, but here you stand. Pissing me off!” “Hey! At least get my branding right! That’s Spider-Woman to you! Speaking of branding, who are you? Birdbrain? Old Crow? Gimmick Wings?” “I suppose it’s only right that you know your enemy before they kill you. I’m the Vulture.” Vulture lunged for her, aiming his wings down to slice her before she managed to flip away. “Let me guess, you thought of the name first and then worked backwards, didn’t you?” He spun around, grunting as he looked at his foe. “Do you ever shut up!?” He lunged for her again, this time Spider-Woman flipping onto his back. “It’s a part of my charm!” “GET OFF!” Vulture spun to attempt to get the pest off him, Spider-Woman clinging to his back as she tried to back off his suit. “Dude! What don’t you get about me being Spider-Woman?” “Ugh!” He flexed his wings back, sending her flying off as she ripped off a part of his jetpack. It sparked and sputtered as she swung to a nearby wall. He looked back, seeing the smoke coming from his suit. “YOU DAMN PEST!” He sped around, flying to the north end of the festival and towards the ferris wheel. “I see you like to think of yourself as a hero, so save them, hero!” He reached his claws forward and swooped down, tearing off the support beams. The wheel cracked and bent as it slowly started falling, those trapped screaming as they tried to hold on. “Shit! Hang on!” Spider-Woman zipped to the building next to the ferris wheel, thwiping some webs to it and holding on, stopping the wheel from falling. She dug her heels into the edge of the rooftop as she struggled to pull the wheel back. ‘Fuck! This isn’t going to hold!’ Thinking quickly, she let go and attached several lines of webbing to the wheel and the building, the lines just being able to hold the weight. She leaped forward, quickly swinging down and grabbing two people from their seats, going down and placing them on the ground. ‘Got to get everyone out before those webs snap!’ Spider-Woman went from cart to cart, getting people out as fast as she could. As she managed to get the last person out, the webs snapped as the wheel bent and broke, crashing into the ground with a deafening thud. Vulture screamed out in frustration at seeing his plan failed. ‘DAMN IT. If there aren’t at least a few casualties, I won’t get paid!’ He turned towards the road, people trying to escape in their cars. After picking one out, he flew down and attached his claws to the roof of a small car, lifting it up. Lyra was driving around the festival, trying to wait for Vinyl before these metal claws dug into her roof. “Fuck!” The three girls held on as they were lifted up, screaming in fear. Spider-Woman, after letting the last person down, saw what was happening and panicked, seeing her friends in danger. “No you don’t!” Vulture lifted the car high into the high into the night sky, Spider-Woman hot on his tail. She felt some heat flow through her arm, she needed to save them, she had to. She leaped up to Vulture, her left arm now glowing and sparking, channeling off sparks and shocks as she clenched her fist, the web shooter smoking and breaking into pieces in the process. “LET THEM GO!” She sent her shocking punch right into Vulture’s face, sending him flying off as the electricity coursed through his body and suit causing it to short circuit. He dropped to the ground as the car was let go. She didn’t even care about where Vulture landed, she fell down and shot out webbing to the car, but only one line came out. She looked to her left shooter, seeing it broken and damaged. Her original plan to hold onto the car and the building wasn’t going to work. She landed on the car and ripped the passenger door off. “Next stop, Spider Street!” She grabbed Bon Bon and Lyra, throwing them down to the ground before shooting out a net of webbing. The two landed on it safely, if not still in shock. The car was about to smash into the ground now, she had to act quickly. She ripped the other door off and reached in, grabbing Octavia’s hand as the girl yelled in fear. She lifted her up and leaped off the car just before it crashed into the ground. Octavia held on tightly to her saviour as Spider-Woman swung out of the way. “Oh hey, we gotta stop meeting like this” Octavia giggled, now feeling safer with them. “I suppose we do. Thank you” She nodded as she swung down, dropping Octavia down next to Lyra and Bon Bon. “Everybody safe?” Lyra nodded, holding her girlfriend close. “Yeah, we are. Thanks Spider-Woman” She gave a two finger salute back, walking over to where Vulture crashed. His suit sparked and smoked, not responding to his movement. She let off a laugh before webbing him down, making sure he stayed there. “Sorry bout your feathers, but I’m sure the pet store will have plenty! Though I’m not sure if they have those in prison.” All Vulture could do is scream out in anger in frustration, rapidly trying to get out of her webbing. “Damn, I guess I’ll leave you some time to cool off. See ya around, Pigeon.” Multiple ambulances, police cars, and news trucks soon pulled into the scene, making sure people were okay. The police looked at the webbed up Vulture, unsure of how to even arrest him in that state. A lady in a grey suit and her cameraman quickly ran in, holding up a mic as she cleared her throat. “As you at home can see, chaos erupted at the Discord Festival tonight as an attack by an armoured, flying male fell on the poor goers here. However for the first time, we have footage and photos of who we have to thank. That’s right, Canterlot has its very own superhero!” She walked up to Spider-Woman while she was making sure people were okay. “Excuse me! You’re the hero that saved these people, we just have a few questions for you. First of all, who are you?” She turned around, noticing the camera and news reporter. She shrugged, thwiping a web to a building to take off, not before answering just one of her questions. “Me? I’m just your friendly neighbourhood Spider-Woman!”