So like with Hornetech, Shadusk is a reference to another superhero identity Spider-Man used/member of the Slingers superhero group named Dusk. Though this version of Dusk is based more on Cassie St. Commons' take of the character instead of Spider-Man's.
Episode 14: Unable to Move On!
After sleeping in the barn with the shield-headed Marémon Shieldsif, Peter and the others woke up to find that Sif had left a tray full of freshly baked breakfast buns and a herbal tea set. There was also cups of jam and cream cheese, which the others sampled for their breakfast buns while Shieldsif ate the fresh grass in her pen that her owner Sif provided. Spidi, Noirstel, Hornetech, Thunderthor and Thorina also gorged on food that consisted of flies and dried meat.
"You really care a lot about Shieldsif," Peter remarked to Sif as she took away the tray after everyone had finished their breakfast buns and tea.
"Well, she was the Marémon I bonded with after birth," Sif said. "That's why I'm called Sif."
"Is that the case with you too, since your Marémon is Thunderthor?" MJ asked Thor.
Nodding, Thor said, "Everyone here in New Asgard Town is named after the Marémon that bonds with them after they're born. It's part of our belief in the natural connection between humans and Marémon."
"But I'm an exception, since I moved here after I was born," Jane said. Then she noticed the second PDB on her belt. "Oh! I almost forgot to feed Valrie."
Pointing the PDB at the ground, Jane summoned a Marémon that resembled a tiny human female with long braided blonde hair, wearing a blue cape and a silver breastplate over a short black dress. While Thunderthor was enchanted by the new Marémon, Thorina looked irritated and smacked the back of the Thunderthor's head. Seeing this made Peter chuckle as he checked the MarGuide for information while Valrie helped herself to the rest of the dried meat.
"Valrie, the Maiden Marémon," EDITH said. "Known for its beauty and battle prowess, this Weapon/Magic-Type can sense when death is coming to every living creature and carries their souls to the afterlife once they die."
"Well, that's grim," MJ noted. "But if the Valrie are supposed help souls pass on, why do the Shadusk exist?"
"Some souls do not wish to pass on because they have unfinished business," Sif answered. "The cemetery, for instance, has deceased Marémon whose owners abandoned them."
Peter sighed. "Now that I know that, I don't know if I should catch a Shadusk."
"It doesn't matter what the Shadusk was in life," MJ insisted. "You need one to help you defeat Loki and Hela, which is all that matters now."
"Yeah, I guess so," Peter reluctantly agreed. "Though if the Warriors Three are brainwashed, why did they back away from Shieldsif?"
Peter consulted his MarGuide, and EDITH answered, "In addition to its shield-like face and symbiotic sword, hence its Weapon-Type status, Shieldsif has a powerful roar that can rattle any living thing even if they are in a mentally incapacitated state."
"Unfortunately, it's not powerful enough to snap Volstagg, Hogun, and Fandral out of their brainwashed state completely," Sif said dishearteningly. "The only way to truly save them is by getting the Mind Stone."
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That night under the light of the quarter moon, Peter made his way up to the cemetery while MJ reluctantly followed as backup. As for Thor, Jane, and Eddie, they decided to stay in the barn to keep Shieldsif company so she wouldn't try to leave.
"Eddie's not been very talkative since we got to New Asgard Town," MJ observed. "Have you noticed that?"
"Now that you mention it, I have," Peter realized. "Maybe he's having second thoughts about letting me borrow Hornetech."
"I think he wishes he could do more, but can't because of his palsied arm," MJ speculated.
Suddenly, the Shadusk rose from the gravestones in the cemetery making MJ flinch.
"You're not going to scare us away this time," Peter declared. "I just want to capture one of you for an upcoming match."
Taking an empty PDB from his denim jacket, Peter opened it up. A bright light shot from the inside, which hit one of the Shadusk and pulled it towards the open PDB. Eventually, the Shadusk got sucked into the PDB which automatically closed.
"All right!" Peter grinned. "I caught a Shadusk!"
But just before MJ could respond, Peter's PDB abruptly opened releasing the Shadusk which flew toward one of the gravestones in the cemetery. Peter immediately followed after it, while MJ kept the other Shadusk at bay with Noirstel as she commanded him to use Spider Web to bind all the Shadusk together in a thick webbing. This seemed to do the trick as MJ and Noirstel caught up to Peter, who found the Shadusk at a gravestone that had 'Cassie' carved on it.
"Cassie?" Peter glanced at the Shadusk. "Was that your name in life?"
The Shadusk nodded in response. She then spoke in a series of angry warped sounds, while Spidi responded with his usual chittering. Peter and MJ shrugged, as they didn't fully know what they were saying. Next, Spidi turned to Peter and made several pantomime motions with his legs.
"I think Spidi's saying that the Shadusk Cassie refuses to leave because she thinks her owner will come back," Peter guessed.
Nodding, the Shadusk known as Cassie folded her tiny arms and sat on top of the gravestone.
"But the date on this grave shows that Cassie's been dead for almost a year," MJ pointed out. "If her owner is still alive, they would've visited this grave by now."
"Has anyone come to visit you?" Peter asked Cassie.
Reluctantly, Cassie shook its head.
"Why don't you go with me?" Peter offered. "Together, we can find your owner and learn why they abandoned you. Maybe you'll be able to find inner peace."
"Yeah, that seems like a better alternative than hanging out with these other restless spirits for eternity," MJ added. But when she looked back, she noticed the other Shadusk were prying themselves from Noirstel's webs.
"So what do you say, Cassie?" Peter offered, holding his hand out.
To be continued…
