Welcome back to A Song of Spiders and Dragons. Last time, well, things got pretty dark, as the Demons struck at City Hall. Normally I'd go into a bit more detail, but... I just can't this time. You have to read it really. But I will say this, Jefferson Davis didn't make it. And we learned the shocking truth, the Demons' leader is... Martin Li?! What's going on here? Read on to discover, at least in part...

(Our story resumes one week after the Demons' attack on City Hall. Picking up specifically at the funeral of Jefferson Davis. The customary flag folding is finished and Osborn has just presented it to Rio Morales, trying to comfort both her and her son. Behind them, stand Spyro and Cynder. Eventually, Rio Morales just breaks down, turning to Cynder and crying into her shoulder while Miles Morales just... can't bring himself to really feel anything in the moment. Spyro, trying to console him, puts a hand on his shoulder, in a gesture of "I feel your pain". In that moment, a tear finally rolls down Miles Morales' face as the officers present salute their fallen comrade one last time while a quartet of helicopters do a fly over. Fast forward to the end of the ceremony, and we see Spider-Man, MJ, Ember, and Flame are there too, currently speaking with the widowed Rio Morales. Eventually, Spider-Man sees a moment to break off and talk with Miles Morales, standing over his father's coffin)

Spider-Man: I'm sorry for your loss

Miles Morales: (Looks up in confusion) Do I... know you from somewhere?

Spider-Man: I'm... Peter Parker. I was at... Look, I know you don't know me, but, I just wanted to say...

Miles Morales: "I know what you're going through"? Or "It gets easier with time"? Maybe "Don't worry it's all part of God's plan"?

Spider-Man: (Realizing how he's coming off) I'm sorry, I was just...

Spider-Man and Miles Morales: Trying to help.

Miles Morales: (Somehow even more depressed than he was before) I know...

(And with that, Miles Morales just walks off the scene, just as Rio Morales rejoins the scene)

Rio Morales: I'm sorry about that. I... don't know what I'm going to do about him.

Spyro: Just know this, Rio. We're here for you, all the way.

Rio Morales: Thanks you two.

(Fast forward a few more minutes, and Spider-Man is sitting on a lamppost, back in his costume with Spyro and Cynder flanking him)

Spider-Man: (To seemingly no one) I'm sorry, Jeff...

Cynder: It still doesn't feel real...

Spyro: I'd be surprised if it ever does.

(Not wasting a moment, Spider-Man dials Yuri)

Yuri: Kind of busy here. What's up?

Spider-Man: Have you started looking for Martin Li yet?

Yuri: I already told you guys. I can't start a manhunt based on a hunch from Spider-Man.

Spyro: Then take my word. I saw him there. He was ordering the Demons around.

Yuri: Look, I just need some solid evidence. If you can provide that, we'll talk.

(With that, Yuri hangs up)

Spider-Man: Solid evidence. We can do that.

(And in that moment, Spider-Man dials MJ, hoping she can help them.)

MJ: Hey.

Spider-Man: Hey.

MJ: Something going through your mind?

Spider-Man: I screwed up. And not only did Spyro and Cynder lose a close friend, but that kid lost his father.

MJ: I'd say don't take it too hard, but I know you too well. What about the police? Are there any leads on Martin Li?

Cynder: They're not even looking for him. I'm not even sure Yuri believes us. Despite both Pete and Spyro seeing him.

MJ: Then it's up to us.

Spyro: Isn't it always? When the chips are down, we're always the ones staying in the game.

MJ: I did some digging, and I think I've got something. I sent you guys an address. Martin Li bought up a controlling interest in this recycling center just last year.

Cynder: You three think that's where he's hiding out?

MJ: Maybe. All we can be sure of is that he's not at F.E.A.S.T. If he's not there himself, maybe there'll be some hard evidence as to where he is.

Spider-Man: Thanks MJ. You're the best.

MJ: Oh yeah, one more thing. Ember and Flame are currently off talking to the police about interviewing the captured Demons. If what they've said is correct, Martin Li has the power to, and I'm quoting them here, "corrupt" people.

Spider-Man: "Corrupt"? What's that's supposed to mean?

Cynder: If it's what I think it is, the situation just got a lot worse.

Spyro: This is some incredibly dark stuff Martin's playing with. Any other details in the description?

MJ: They described it like mind control. And, I'm quoting here again, "brings out the negative part in you. Makes you do things you wouldn't otherwise do."

Cynder: This is sounding more and more familiar by the second.

Spyro: And I'm liking it less and less.

Spider-Man: It sounds like you guys have been through this.

Cynder: It was kind of half my childhood.

Spider-Man: Wait, he can do that?

Cynder: That's what it sounds like. Except apparently more... concentrated if what we saw is accurate.

Spyro: And if it is, we need to get down there straightaway.

(Without wasting a second, Spyro and Cynder take off towards the recycling center, with Spider-Man swinging behind, secretly scared out of his mind if what his dragon comrades are guessing is true.)

That looks like a good place to end for today. So, looks like Cynder recognized the description of Martin Li's weird power. But is what happened to her and what Martin Li is capable of one and the same? I won't say yet. But we're getting ahead of ourselves. So, what awaits at the recycling center? Tune in next time to find out! Same time... same channel!