Welcome back to A Song of Spiders and Dragons. Last time, Spyro, Cynder, and Spider-Man managed to get MJ, Ember, and Flame out of the auction house, and once everything was wrapped up, the group met up at Micks to discuss their situation, only for police cars to rush by, saving the group from awkwardness. So, what's going on now? Read on to discover...

(Our scene opens up with our trio of heroes following the police down the street, with Spider-Man dialing Yuri to see what's going on)

Spider-Man: Yuri, we're on the line. What's up with the squad cars down 10th Avenue?

Yuri: Looks like our old friend Herman Schultz is up to his old tricks.

Spyro: Shocker? Huh, for once he lives up to his name!

Cynder: Guess his parole didn't take after all.

Yuri: Guess not.

Spider-Man: Don't worry about it, the three of us will have him back in Rikers before long. (Hangs up) Great. I just had dinner with my ex after saving her from masked criminals, and now this?!

Spyro: Nobody ever said our lives were normal, Pete.

Cynder: (Monitoring their cell line) Heads up, another incoming call, it's from Doctor Octavius.

Spider-Man: (Picking up the call) Hey doc, what's up?

Octavius: Just about to lock up for the night and wanted to make sure you guys didn't leave anything for your... side operations... in the lab. I don't mind personally, but if the grant committee shows up, they'd start asking all the wrong questions.

Spider-Man: No worries, Doc. I've made it a point not to leave any prototypes there. But Spidey appreciates you watching his back, I'm sure. There's a lot of people who really don't like what we all do.

Octavius: That buffoon Jameson and his army of sheep? Please. The people who do the greatest things are the ones who aren't afraid to stand up to bullies like them. People like us!

Spider-Man: You said it, Doc. Take care. (Hangs up the call)

(And just as he hangs up, the trio arrive on site just in time to see Shocker burst through a window)

Spyro: Herman! Long time no see!

Shocker: Not you guys again! (Growls) I don't have time for this!

(With that, Shocker uses his shockwave gauntlets to rocket off down the street, but our trio gives chase)

Shocker: You'll never be able to catch me!

Cynder: That's exactly what you said last time, Herman.

Shocker: Just don't get in my way, you'll only slow me down!

Spider-Man: Surprisingly considerate.

Spyro: So what's the new crime wave about? I thought you went on the straight and narrow!

Shocker: Why do you care?!

Spyro: Trying to be polite?

Shocker: Well, I'm through talking!

Spider-Man: It'd be better if the four of us could just connect on an emotional level!

Shocker: I said I'm done talking!

Cynder: Something just seems wrong about this, Herman. You're usually not this sloppy. That tells me you're desperate, and likely working for someone. You can tell us who now, or we can just punch it out of you later. Your call.

Shocker: I've said too much already!

Spider-Man: Too much? You've barely said anything!

(And just like that, in the middle of the street, our terrific trio catches up to Shocker, and pins him to the ground with Spider-Man's webbing before he can discharge a shockwave)

Spyro: You've really got zero personality, Herman. Though I will say, I've always been fascinated by your gear. Mind if we exchange notes sometime?

(Shocker just grunts, trying to free himself from the webbing)

Cynder: Pencil you in for next week then?

(And soon enough, Yuri and the cops are on the scene, dragging Shocker away)

Yuri: Nice work you three. Did you get anything about his motive?

Spider-Man: Not much. Herman is not a talkative sort. Plus I'm pretty sure he hates me.

Yuri: You kind of have that effect on a lot of people, Spidey.

Spider-Man: Not you, though. Right?

Spyro: All we can tell is he's probably working for someone. But he's afraid to tell.

Yuri: Afraid? How could you tell?

Cynder: It's not every day you catch someone saying they've "said too much already".

Yuri: We'll see what we can get out of him at the precinct.

Spider-Man: Copy that.

(And just like that, the trio sling off into the night, just as MJ calls)

Spider-Man: (Picking up) Hey, MJ. Just off to talk to someone about that mask from the auction house. What's up?

MJ: Catching up on the news. Seems you three had quite the adventure with Shocker tonight.

Spyro: He's being unusually combative tonight.

Cynder: And thanks again for coming by Micks. How much do we owe you?

MJ: A favor perhaps? You said you were looking into the mask?

Spider-Man: Yeah, off to F.E.A.S.T. to ask Martin Li.

MJ: Why him?

Spyro: His degree's in Art History. If anybody's going to know anything about it, it's him.

MJ: Okay. Just keep us in the loop. There's a bigger story here, I'm sure of it.

Cynder: Copy that MJ. Talk to you later.

Spider-Man: (After hanging up) Well this is progress. We're talking again!

(And after that little adventure, the trio arrives at F.E.A.S.T., ending our tale for today)

Well that looks like a good spot to wrap up for now. So, Martin Li is our terrific trio's source on where this mask came from. Wonder how he's going to react to it. And what's the deal with Shocker? Who's he working for, if anyone? And why is he so scared of them? More intel to come in future chapters, that's for sure. So be sure to tune in for that! Same time... same channel!