This is Part II of the New Year's Special. Last time, Spyro, Cynder, and Spider-Man had a confrontation with the Shocker, and something about him seems to be a little bit off. Is he working for someone? Well, nobody had time to figure it out, as the group decided, once Shocker was captured, to jet off to F.E.A.S.T. to see if Martin Li knows anything about the mask left behind at the auction house. So, what do we find out there? Read on to discover...
(Our story resumes within the F.E.A.S.T. Center, where Spyro, Cynder, and an out of costume Spider-Man are looking for Martin Li)
Cynder: Martin should be in his office by now. He's usually the first one here in the morning.
(With that, the trio heads to the back office, and sure enough, there's Martin Li, sitting at his desk, writing something, only to look up when he sees the familiar faces in his doorway)
Martin Li: Well, this is quite the surprise! What're you three doing here so early in the morning?
Spider-Man: Terribly sorry to bother you, Mr. Li. It's just.. I have this friend, Mary Jane Watson, she's a reporter, doing a story on art imports and found this piece. She wanted more information, and I know you have a degree in this sort of thing, so...
Martin Li: No sweat. This might be the first time I actually get to use the dang thing. So what've you got?
(With that, Spyro pulls out the mask left behind at the auction house)
Martin Li: (Taking the mask) Interesting.
Spyro: The craftsmanship on this thing is incredible, I'll say that much.
Martin Li: So where'd she find it?
Spider-Man: She didn't say. Think it had something to do with preserving the anonymity of a source. Why? What is it?
Martin Li: (Slightly unnerved) It's a replica of an ancient Chinese Opera Mask. I haven't seen one of these in years. (Looks at the back) This symbol here roughly translates to "demon".
Cynder: Demon?
Martin Li: Likely the character this mask was meant to portray. You know, it's weird. My father used to read me stories with a mask just like this one when I was a child. Scared the hell out of me.
Spyro: Just looking at this thing, I don't blame you.
Martin Li: (Now showing how unnerved he is) That mask... it could be connected to some very dangerous people. If it were me, I'd advice Mary Jane to find a different story.
Spider-Man: Do you think she's in danger?
Martin Li: I don't know. But why take the risk?
Cynder: Thanks, Mr. Li.
Martin Li: Any time.
(With that, the three leave Martin Li in his office, while Spider-Man dials MJ)
MJ: What's up?
Spider-Man: Apparently the symbol inside the mask means "Demon". It really spooked Mr. Li, I've never seen him like that. He even advised that you drop the story.
MJ: Yeah, no chance of that happening. Do you think Mr. Li knows more than he's letting on?
Spider-Man: My best guess, triggered some weird flashback or something. Given his traumatic childhood, it's not out of the question.
MJ: Good point. So, "Demons" huh? Catchy, if I'm being honest. Better get writing. Talk to you guys later. (Hangs up)
Spider-Man: That went about as well as could be expected
(At this point, Spyro gets a text)
Spyro: Heads up guys, just got a message from Doctor Octavius. Lance Corporal Texidor is in for his prosthetic fitting. We need to get to the lab. Now.
(Realizing they almost completely forgot about this meeting, the entire trio sprints out of the F.E.A.S.T. Center and heads for the lab, ending our scene for today)
This concludes Part II of the New Year's Special. For Part III, join me over in The Injustice Wars. So, the masked men were wearing Demon masks, interesting. And Martin Li seems pretty spooked by this. Or is he? Could MJ be right? Is he withholding information? He couldn't be. Could he? So many questions for the reader to ponder before we enter 2023. So tune in in the new year for the answers! Same time... same channel!