The Shimmering Spider-Woman! Issue #3

>'RING!'
>You are Anon
>'RING'
>And your day is finally fucking done
>You haul your backpack up onto your back and start trudging out the door, letting the sunlight hit your face as you wait for your interviewee
>Praise the fucking Sun
>"Anon!"
>Just like that, you're back on track
>Sunset approaches you, earning a few sideways looks from people who'd heard Pinkie's little joke at lunchtime
>If she notices, she doesn't pay them any mind
>You notice, though
>Please don't...
>Fuck, Flash is looking at you
>And frowning
>Dammit
>She finally makes her way to you, shaking your head of potential ass-beatings or awkward conversations
>Right, time to focus on this awkward conversation right now
>"Ready to go? It's not too far of a walk from here."
>You give a nod and star walking with her, side-by-side
>The silence is comfortable enough until Sunset breaks it
>"So you're, what, a fan of Spider-Woman?"
>That catches you off-guard, but she isn't even looking at you as you walk together
"I mean, I guess it's something like that..."
>That earns you an 'Explain, you moron, I'm not a mind reader' look from her
>Probably not that harsh, but god forbid someone ever accuse you of being an optimist
"I just... it's... kind of like a crush?"
>.....
>You take Sunset's silence as a pass to keep talking

"She's strong.. and brave! The way she moves, how she carries herself, like she's totally in control of the situation, it's amazing! And don't get me started on her looks. From what I've seen, she's basically perfect."
>"Hah!"
>Now it's your turn to give the 'Explain pls' look
>Bitch better not be shittin' on your waifu
>Sunset catches your look and blanches
>"I-I mean, the hero worship is nice and all... for her! For her, I mean, but... you don't really know anything about her as a person, do you? For all you know, she could be a real jerk under that mask."
>Da fuq?
"I thought you didn't want to shit on her like the Bugle does?"
>Bacon hair huffs in frustration, like trying to teach a particularly stupid toddler physics
>"That's not... I mean, the Bugle just makes stuff up and lies, yeah? But you can't... you can't just assume that she, that Spider-Woman's as nice or brave as you've made up in your head... Honestly..."
>Wait a second...
>Is...
>Is Sunset blushing?
>No way!
>Could it be?
>You grin openly
"Sounds like you know an awful lot about her, Sunset... Like you're really close to her..."
>Sunset opens her mouth but you shut that shit down and keep talking
"In fact, it seems really convenient that you ran into her when the Shocker attacked... Which means..."
>Her eyes go wide in surprise
>Gotcha
"Sunset Shimmer, you..."
>Wait for it~

"Are best friends with Spider-Woman!"

>WHAM!
>Nailed it!
>"W-What?"
>You let yourself smug it up
>Sunset comes to a dead stop and you step in front of her with your shit-eating grin
"Its obvious from the way you talk about her! The shit talking, the protectiveness of her reputation, how quickly she appeared at the bus? It's so obvious that I'd have to be an idiot not to notice"
>"Th-That's not...!"
>She looks flustered, before looking left and right, making sure no-one is paying attention before looking back up at you and whispering harshly
>"Okay, fine, we're... close, I guess. But if you want to know more then you're buying coffee, got it? And my name doesn't show up in whatever you're writing!"
>You give a nod
"Definitely, mum's the word!"
>"Mum's the word?"
"Shut up, let's go get your coffee."
>You make your way to the shop, across the local bank, and you pay for the orders
>The two of you grab a more secluded corner of the shop and start talking, while you write Sunset's answers down on a note pad
>Professional, yeah?
>Sunset takes a sip of her coffee and sighs, savoring it before looking at you
>"Alright, where do you want to start?"
>Decisions decisions

"How about the beginning. When and how did you meet the superheroine known as Spider-Woman?"
>She sighs, tilting back in her seat
>Classic reminiscing pose
>Disgonebegud.gif
>"It was... a while ago. After I got my act together, I saw her. She really reminded me of myself, I guess."
"And by that you mean...?"
>"A bitch. I, we, were at the scene of a crime and she'd done nothing to stop it. She had all these powers and she was selfish and cowardly and... and I got mad and I told her that."
>Sunset lets out a rueful chuckle
>"I guess she took it to heart..."
>Woah, heavy
>You almost feel bad about recording this stuff
>But you keep writing
>This is important!
"So... you told her off an, what, she got her ass in gear, threw on some spandex and started saving people and punching out badly-dressed wackjobs?"
>That earns you a snort and a fit of giggles from Sunset, making your heart flutter
>Fuckin' 2qt4u
>"Y-Yeah, I guess it was something like that. Um, what else did you want to know?"
"Right, so, do you think she does it out of responsibility? Shame for not stopping that crime? For the thrill of it? For you?"
>You add that last bit with an eye wiggle, stealing another laugh before Sunset could stop herself
>"Trust me, she's definitely not doing it for me. But... I think she's made a lot of mistakes in her life. She wants to do right by the people of this city, to really make a difference in a positive way."
"But you won't forget her flaws, even though she's saved lives?"
>She looks down, contemplating her steaming drink
>"I think that it's admirable that she's trying. But it doesn't change what she's done. A person should be responsible for all of their actions, not just the good, right?"
"I... guess that makes sense. So, has she told you all about her powers?"
>That brings Sunset back to looking you in the face, still sporting a small smile
>"Oh yeah, she loves them, even if they're a total pain for her."
>She starts counting off on her fingers
>"Let's see, there's super strength, agility, super toughness, web-spinners, and this sort of sixth-sense that lets her know when she's in danger"
"Sort of like a Spider Sense?"
>"Sure, let's go with that"

>Alright, time for the big one
>You really hoped she'd say yes
"You've talked about how you and Spidey are pretty close, yeah?"
>You get an "Mmhmm" as Sunset takes another sip of her coffee
"Do you think it'd be possible to... maybe... set up a meeting between her and I?"
>You give Sunset a hopeful look
"I promise not to ask anything invasive or whatever, I just want to kind of... get to know her..."
>She takes her sweet time drinking her coffee before looking at you, like she's weighing your worth in her head
>You remember getting a much meaner version of that look back when she was still Queen Bitch
>"I'll-"
>'SMASH!'
>You both jerk out of your seats to see that, across the street, a hulking dude in a grey, horned suit is dragging what looks like an entire bank vault into the open street, kicking parked cars out of the way and stomping through concrete.
>The pair of you turn and speak as one

"Go get her!"
>"I'll get her!"

>You look down to pull out your phone and dial 9-11, only to look up and see that Sunset is already gone
>Jeeze, she's fast
>You turn back to the scene at hand, only to see a massive shadow blot out the windows of the cafe, which are quickly swept away to reveal the Rhino, in all.... her glory?
>It takes your brain a minute to relate the figure before you with anything feminine as the brute shoves past the wreckage and fleeing customers, making a bee-line for the baristas
>Those poor, under-paid bastards
>"The Rhino wants coffee, black, or you'll get a smack!"
>Holy shit, she is so fucking loud, you swear you just felt your lungs vibrate
>Wait, idiot, get down before she notices yo-
>"What's this the Rhino sees? Someone admiring me?"
>She looks right at you with a grin you don't fucking approve of, leaning forwards
>You try to stammer something out, but holy shit, she's pretty intimidating
>That just looks like it makes her happy
>Oh sweet mother of mercy, she's flexing
>She's showing off gains that you could live inside
>That's when you see her
>Spider-Woman, with both baristas in arm, quietly crawling on the ceiling and giving you the universal symbol for "don't say a word"
>Great! Just got to keep Lady Humongous here distracted
>Hopefully this doesn't lead to Death by Snu-Snu
>You really like your pelvis
"S-So, if you don't mind me asking, what's your workout routine?"
>You can't believe that you're doing this
>Her eyes light up at your "interest"
>"It's all in the routine, you see.."
>'THWIP!'
>Her explanation disappears into the wind as you're yanked through the air and up on top of a building, a pair of red, spandex-clad arms holding you tight as you wobble and try to stand
>"Easy there, sweet-talker, I've got you."
>Oh christ, her voice is right in your ear
>Boner pls
>Eventually you settle and she lets go of you (you miss the hug) and she steps back, letting you get a better look at her
>All too soon, a frustrated roar shakes the air and the Rhino comes charging out of the coffee shop
>"SPIDEEEEEER!"
>Said Spider turns back to you and gives you a short salute
>"Be right back!"
>With that, she lets herself fall backwards over the ledge, diving down into the street only to swing back up, quickly engaging the Rhino
>And you have the best seats in the house!

>You try to take notes on the way she moves, her taunts, how she guides the brutish "woman" away from causing anymore damage but by the end of the fight your notes are forgotten as you cheer your heroine on from a distance
>By the end of it, only two fruit stands and a Prius were totaled and the Rhino lay beaten and webbed to the street
>True to her word, Spidey returns and sweeps you up in her arms, just as sirens sound and the old red-and-blue lights flash in the distance
>The two of you stop on a rooftop with a water tower, which Spider-Woman props herself up against the side of as easily as you would a picnic blanket
>So cool~!
>"So... Shimmer tells me I've got a fanboy"
>She quirks hr head, looking down at you
>"I've gotta say, when she told me, I laughed. I figured most people bought what the Daily Bugle was selling... but not you."
>You cough, all of your collected thoughts disappearing in front of your hero-figure
"Uh, yeah, well... guess that's what happens when you save someone's life. Funny how that works out."
>You can't tell,, but you think she might be smirking at you
>You can just FEEL the smugness
>Stupid, sexy Spidey
>"Alright then, Mr. Fanboy, you've got questions and I'm right here. Might as well ask them while you can."
>She's enjoying teasing you
"Okay, so... why do you fight crime in spandex?"
>"Because fighting crime in my nighty would be impractical."
>Dat image
>You must be blushing because she laughs and continues on
>"Honestly? Because it's the right thing to do. If someone can help, they should."
"That sounds like something Shimmer would say"
>"Yeah... I guess it does. Got another question?"
"Er, where'd you get your powers from? Were you born with them or did your get them in an accident or something?"
>She just waves her hand, like an adult telling a kid a spooky story
>"I'm really an alien from another dimension. I used to be an adorable spider and then BAM, full sized human girl."
>Spidey starts creeping closer to you
>"Of course, I got to keep my fangs~... Still thinking about my 'looks', tiger?"
>Ooh god dat voice
>One woman should not have all this power over your boner
"D-Definitely..."

>Wait, fuckdammit, said that out loud
>That gets you a cute laugh
>Fuck, it's a really cute laugh
>"Alright smooth talker, one last question and then I'll swing you back to your place."
"Okay... can we do this again some time? Not the fighting giant crazy women thing, but the just talking thing. I'd really like that."
>Cute laugh x2
>Muh heart
>"Tell you what? You talk to Sunset and she'll be the judge of things. She's got an alright head on her shoulders."
>Oh right, Sunset!
"Speaking of her, is she-"
>"She's fine"
>The superheroine waves you off before hopping down
>"Now come on, let's get you safe"
>You give her your address and she gestures for you to piggy back on her, while you desperately fight off any sexy thoughts about that spandex-clad rear
>So nice...
>You'll never forget swinging through the air for as long as you live
>Can't imagine what it must be like to get to do this all the time...
>She finally reaches your apartment, much faster than you would have by bus, letting you hop onto the ground and get your land-legs back
>She's weirdly quiet, though, and you're about to thank her when she speaks up
>"You live here by yourself?"
>Huh, that's not what you expected. Then again, only people who've read your school file would probably know, so you guess it is kind of weird.
"I, uh, yeah, yeah I do. It's... not much, but it's mine."
>"Are you're parents....?"
"Not dead, just uninterested. Look, can we not-"
>"Sorry, sorry! I didn't mean to... sorry..."
"It's fine, I'd've asked too, if our places were swapped."
>You look back to your front door and sigh
"So, I'll see you around, Spidey?"
>'THWIP!'
>You don't need to look, you already know she's gone. But you don't feel alone, so that's nice."

"Yeah... I'll see you around."