Twilight, Spidey & Friends: Series 1, Ep. 1: In Your Hooves Part I

Take it easy, Pete. Keep your cool. They have no clue who you are, not even your name. You're not even from here. Just as long as I keep my mouth shut about it, that info won't fall into the wrong ears, and put MJ, Aunt May and Dr. Bromwell in danger. For the moment, just focus on the current issue.

Raising his hoof that held his torn, now partly scorched mask, Peter viewed the silent observance of his actions by all in attendance, and decided to simply tuck it beneath his utility belt within his costume. He then shifted his attention back onto the source of the violent blast that burned him, asking, "So…what just happened? What'd I do?"

"I'm not sure," answered the winged Unicorn of lavender with wavering concern, "The animation spell was dispensed after you removed the crystal from its host. Then the energy that's been harvested inside seemed to suddenly have a rampant reaction when you came into contact with it." She then moved her focus away from the stone, and towards his current physical state, asking, "Are…are you okay?"

"Sure," he nodded with a shrug, "I mean, I've been better, but I can honestly say I've also been worse."

This prompted the mare's violet orbs to narrow slightly, as if his response caused her an even greater disturbance. He noticed the same could be said for the others, due to their inquisitively puzzled expressions. Yeah, real smooth, Parker. Kick her and everyone else when their down too, while you're at it.

"Don't worry, I-I'll be fine." He reached his right hoof toward her shoulder, offering a small grin, "It's…Twilight, right?"
"Y-yes," she stammered, unsure of the contact that was made. But noticing his small effort of giving friendly consolation, she smiled back saying, "Princess Twilight Sparkle."

"Oh, well," he stated with widened eyes, dropping his hoof instantly, while fumbling for the correct words and proper etiquette to follow, "Okay. Wow. Sorry about that, Princess. I, uh, ahem! Guess I never saw that coming. I mean, royalty. Everyone here has been so informal, lately, but I guess this isn't a formal occasion. And, well, with you two, at least," he flipped his hoof between the mare and her brother made-apparent with an awkward chuckle, "I guess that's also kind of a given, huh?"

"That's a perfectly logical misunderstanding," nodded Princess Twilight, noting his sudden shift in demeanor with a smirk, "I just simply go by Twilight with all my friends and family. And right now, they're all here. For the most part."

"Huh."

"Is something wrong?" She seemed curious, if not slightly troubled by the possible nature of Peter's brief response.

"No, actually," he countered, "I think that's really, pretty sweet. Endearing, even. So, Princess," he continued, raising his unburnt hoof in a discourse fashion, "you said that the…spell used to animate the walking boulder monster through the crystal's gathered power is now gone, right? Mind telling me where all that power goes, if it isn't used?"

"That's the thing," she replied evenly, also regaining focus, "The arcane energy that's been gathered should be in stasis. Placed in storage, until a new spell is casted to utilize it. You didn't use magic when you touched it. And from what you told Starlight Glimmer, you don't even know how. Also, to substantiate your claim, from what I've seen of your actions during the battle, you never used your horn once. And I think I know why that is, but I believe that's a subject of conversation under more…suitable circumstances."

"What are you saying, Twilight," asked her brother, Shining, as he approached her, "He doesn't know how to wield magic, but became the catalyst for a great explosion of energy from the crystal, regardless?"

"How is casting a spell without ever knowing how to do so even remotely possible," the white mare Unicorn inquired with wonderment.

"It isn't, Rarity," answered Starlight, "But maybe it's not the act of casting a spell that caused it. I think it has to do with the energy the stone has been absorbing. Right, Twilight?"

"That's my supposition, at least."

"I agree," Cadence, the other winged Unicorn, offered, "Perhaps the kind of energy that's been accumulated responded poorly to the energy that he sent into it by means of physical contact. It may have been such a forceful action, though not deliberate on his part, surely, enough for it to violently react. It would also explain why it knocked us all off our hooves, but kept him standing, so he may take its heated retaliation instead. He was holding it by his hoof, after all."

"So, basically what I'm hearing everyone saying," Spider-Man began, connecting the dots, "is that I gave it some energy it didn't like, then it lashed out at me, like an allergic reaction?"

"In the most basic of terms, I would say so, yes," the lavender Princess nodded.

Well that's definitely something you don't hear every day. Something in this world is allergic to something from another. Coming from an alternate dimension has its perks and downsides, I guess. But I probably already found that out, huh?

"How can something be made to take energy, only to blow it up in somepony's face like that," the raspy voice of Rainbow Dash asked, "And how did you know exactly what that crystal was anyway, Twilight?"

"Yes, that's what I was wondering also," the soft-spoken Fluttershy joined in, "We've never seen anything like that before."

"Ah don't rightly recon so, neither," said the mare with the Stetson.

"As an Alicorn," the second winged Unicorn replied, "One is able to detect certain kinds of spells and energy signatures from objects containing magic, as well as their frequencies, if given the proper instruction to do so."

"Cadence had been teaching me this new ability, among others, ever since I became an Alicorn Princess," Princess Twilight added, "During our spare time, of course. She even took me back to the crystal caves below Canterlot as a demonstration. That is how I was able to determine what the crystal was, as well as what it was doing."

An Alicorn? Is that what she is? Is that even the correct term? And did she just say she became one? What was she before, and how did that happen, exactly? Focus, Pete. Not a good time to get distracted, right now.

"But what exactly could've made something like that," reiterated the colorful Pegasus.

"Which circles back to my first question," the web-head spoke, "The crystal was absorbing energy from its surrounding environment, so as to turn that energy against said environment. Doesn't that ring any bells to anyone? Isn't there somebody you might know that has the power to match that M.O.?"

"M.O.?" All but Princess Twilight, Prince Shining, Cadence, and the pink one, asked simultaneously, unaware of the meaning behind his acronym.

"Method of Operation," the rose pony beamed quickly, before the winged Unicorns could answer, "The same technique or manner of planning and acting that was used for totally separate occurrences or events!" After receiving a brief stare from every pony, and dragon, she added, "What? After Spike asked like everypony else what he meant, I was the only one who hasn't said anything yet, and I knew nopony was playing the Quiet Game. And don't you mean somepony?"

"Heh," chuckled the adolescent dragon, "Then I guess that would mean you win, Pinkie."

"Yes, congratulations, my plushy friend," Spidey playfully retorted, "Please come to collect your prize! Same time, same place, next week!"

"Yay! Hey, wait a minute…"

"Now, again, back to my question," he firmly snapped back to attention, "Who do you know is capable of doing this?"

"Ch-ch-changelings…" Fluttershy timidly muttered.

"Change-lings," he echoed inquisitively, "What are those, exactly?"

"Well," she whimpered, in turn, shakily pointing a hoof upward, "Th-they're s-so-something like…th-th-tha-that."

They all turn to face the direction in which the frightened, yellow Pegasus pointed, witnessing a swarm of dark, insect-like creatures, engulfing the sky into a sea of black and cyan. An entire legion flew to one sector of the city, near the palace, when another glided downward unto their position.

"Aw, fudge," both he and Pinkie flatly remarked.

"Jinx! You owe me a soda!"

Ow! Highly enhanced…horse hearing. Yeah, definitely a downside, right now.

"Sure," he groaned, rubbing his unburnt hoof against the ringing ear she screamed into, "Same time, same place, next week."

"Great! Now I can get it with my other prize!"

"That is your prize."

"Huh?"

"You said nobody was even playing the Quiet Game."

"Ohhhh! Good point," she stated, as he took to the air, casting a line of web upward. Sh’dew! Whooh! She then shouted after him, "Don't you mean nopony?!"

"Ugh, not again," moaned Rainbow Dash, before she speedily left her contrail behind her hasty pursuit of the Spider. Zoom!

"Well," Applejack grunted, pulling down her Studson over her brow, "I recon we've got our work cut out fur us again."

"Applejack, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Starlight," firmly spoke their Alicorn friend, "You join Rainbow and Spider, and make your way to the palace after clearing the skies and ground of reinforcements. Spike, Fluttershy and I will teleport with Shining and Cadence to the palace, and help Celestia and Luna."

"Spider," Cadence and Shining Armor asked, at once.

"Yep," replied the farm pony, "Y'all's Friendly Neighborhood, Spider, as he calls himself." Knowing there was no time to press the matter any further, the four ponies galloped toward their friend and the stranger without delay. The remaining party gathered together, preparing for a brief excursion of their own.

"Hopefully, they haven't reached Flurry," Twilight uttered, slightly troubled, "Thorax did say great quantities of love have been emitting in her presence, after all."

"Don't worry," her brother firmly replied, "With the Princesses of Day and Night watching her, there won't be any problems with that."

"Fortunately, along with Sunburst, Thorax is here, also," added Cadence, "Perhaps he can offer a peaceful means of reaching a settlement."

"Wow," she gaped mildly, "I guess Pinkie really did prepare for a big surprise party."

"You have no idea," both Spike and Fluttershy stated, as the gathered ponies and dragon vanished in a glittering flash. Poof-Bling!

"Hey, Web-head," shouted Rainbow, placing one Changeling into a headlock, "Got a present for yah!"

"Oh, you really shouldn't have!" Her most recent spotting partner swung onto a building across the street, after kicking a few assailants of his own. She gave the creature a firm kick, as the Spider sent a thick batch of web-like substance onto it. He began to swing the line, causing the heavy end to gain momentum as it spun, striking down any other arthropod pony within its expanding trajectory.

"Ooh! Ooh! My turn! Pick me! Pick me! Pick me," jovially exclaimed Pinkie Pie from the ground. At this, having released the caught being with enough force to wildly send it smacking into several more of its comrades, he sent another line onto the high-leaping mare's back, giving her a firm hoist upward, so as to offer her the momentum she required for whatever she may have in store. Uncertain of what that might be, the Spider maintained his grip on the line, until further notice. Once she ascended far above the perched Unicorn high on the wall, then began her descent, she curled up into a ball, and sporadically bounced her way back, and forth between the streets, walls and alleyways, slamming her elastically rounded frame against numerous, swarming foes in rapid succession. "Wheeeeeeeeh!"

"Wow. Okay, color me impressed." To avoid the risk of being pulled and dragged from the other end, the wide-eyed Unicorn released the adhesive, allowing her to pinball along.

"Care for a spin?" He answered Rainbow Dash, "Thought you'd never ask! But I strongly advise you to compensate. Not exactly sure what the weight proportions are around here."

"Please," she huffed, "You look scrawny enough for Fluttershy!"

"Looks can be deceiving!"

"Ha! You keep telling yourself that, buster!" She darted down the road, then made a swift change of course directly towards the wall-crawler. Calculating her velocity, and adjusting his hooves for the precise moment, the Spider leapt off, momentarily descending until his right back hoof, and left front hoof made contact with the Pegasus' heart girth and croup respectively. He then raised his second front hoof, standing only on his good back hoof, and shot two strands that joined together. By swiftly alternating hooves to press, the lines attached onto buildings from opposite sides of the streets. Next, he fired a line from each band again, and as soon as they attached themselves onto the unified web-like structure he recently made, he began to pull. The assembly, itself, now flying through the air, acted as a net, collecting any and all that were in its path. Within a matter of seconds, the makeshift ensnarement stretched to allow for a vast multitude of Changelings it caught.

"Woo-hoo! We've got ourselves a big catch," he cheered. However, due to the increased weight of their filling web-net, the wall-crawler was aware of the gradual reduction of speed from his flyer, as well as his own deteriorating stability. He opted to jump off, and land soundly onto the first balcony he found, and observed the continuous descent of his swinging load, holding tightly as he heaved the line. With his singular back hoof sliding against the floor, and bringing him closer to the railing, he nearly lost balance, but then suddenly observed the light blue Pegasus grab a hold onto it, as well, flapping her wings for support against the massive weight. Once the line bounced back up, released its tension, and regained its stable length, he wrapped it tightly around the banister, then perched himself onto it, viewing the end result of his combined efforts with Rainbow Dash, who was now in a hovering position beside him. What he and the Pegasus saw hanging below them was a great bundle of Changelings, now hissing furiously, and seeking to break free of their web-like bond, only to have the adhesive stick to their fangs and fork tongues in return.

"Nice one, partner," the stallion offered, "Thanks. If you ever consider a business in bug-snatching, give me a call."

"Yeah, I don't think so," she grunted, as she placed her hooves onto her back and stretched, "Boy, you weren't kidding about looks, were you?"

"I might seem lean and skinny, but my high bone and muscle density do more than just help me lift incredible weights."

"Heh. Yeah, no joke. Guess I should've known better, after seeing you slug that giant. And besides, I've already got my dream job."

"I shudder to think what that might be."

"Hey!" She punched her hoof onto his shoulder, after his mischievous quip. "You'd better."

"Keep telling yourself that."

The remaining assailants, deciding to have nothing to do with their opponents above, lowered themselves to the level of the street, where Rarity, Starlight and Applejack strove to make do with their own offensive position, while Pinkie Pie still bounced past and over them in countless intervals. "Wheeeeeeeeh!"

"Just keep the ones down here busy for me," Starlight stated, firing her magic onto whatever punctured, pony insect Pinkie and the others have missed, "I'll take care of any that'll come from on top!"

"Easier said than done there, Sugarcube," grunted AJ, in reply. She stood, hunched down, preparing to spring her hind legs for another double buck against a wave of four more aggressors from behind the light purple Unicorn. Rarity, for her part, has been levitating any and all sorts of cutlery, dish, pot, pan, fabric and furniture she could muster, either sending them onto the advancing horde, or to form a well ornate barrier against them. "Yes, as much as I share your enthusiasm of completing our current objective, we fear to be now taking the major brunt of the assault, courtesy of our friends and newcomer, up there."

As though to confirm their statements, Changelings from the air have unanimously chosen to focus their energies on the three grounded ponies, viewing them as simple pickings, and forming waves upon waves of reinforcements behind their already-present comrades.

"Stay close!" Closing her eyes tightly, and shifting her focus away from the sky, and onto her current situation, Starlight placed a blue barrier around their position, moments before their foes pounced onto them. As they observed the swarming pests scratching, biting and pounding ravenously against the force field, Starlight Glimmer grunted with slight agitation, perspiring through her brow, as her energy began to deplete.

"Hey, girls," she growled, "I'm going to try something else real soon. You two better get ready. And quick!"

"Rarity, could sure use a few of them pans and pots, right 'bout now!"

"Duly noted, darling," the white Unicorn obliged her rugged friend, sending Applejack two pots and two pans for her back hooves and fore hooves, respectively. Holding the pans by the handles, and stepping into the pots, she stood upright, shouting, "Ready, partner!"

"As am I!" Rarity's horn glowed as she readied her attained instruments into a floating array of armaments. "It is so on."

"Now!" That same instant, as her barrier expanded, the light purple Unicorn shouted the singular exclamation in a great wave of sonic vibrations, rendering all wildly hissing creatures in the immediate vicinity to splay helplessly onto the street and stone walls. Those far enough not affected by the great blast, swiftly hovered onto the ponies' position, after recovering from the great sound that immobilized their allies moments previous. At this, Rarity sent a wild volley, knocking down many with dish, furniture and cookware, while others were ensnared by the various materials that came rapidly afterward. It was Applejack who made the first advance from among the three, leaping headlong into the oncoming fray, swinging her pans with remarkable speed, ease and efficiency, then placing several well-aimed bucks with the pots she wore on her hind hooves. "Yee-haw!"
The two Unicorns joined the rustic Earth Pony's side without delay, with Starlight teleporting to a more suitable location, and with a more readied stance, firing one blast of energy after another, and Rarity retaining her inanimate objects for the ornate shield she previously held, offering all three adequate protection. Whatever stragglers that came at them, they were just as easily knocked down. And as they joined their dazed fellow Changelings, they were swiftly gathered by a rainbow contrail, a white line of adhesive, and a rosy blur. "Wheeeeeeeeh!"

"Okay, little ponies, clean-up time!" Hearing the stallion's remark after Pinkie's gleeful cheer were enough to offer the three mares a comfortable reprieve, though with slight irritation as well. Once the trio witnessed the thorough collection of their combined feats, coming to fruition in the form of three mounds of delirious insect ponies, their two friends and newfound ally joined their side at last.

"An assist from you all a minute prior would have been much preferred, but thank you regardless," Rarity slightly huffed, but offered warmly.

"Yeah," shrugged the Pegasus, "We sort of figured you ladies had it made, after the whole sound blast thing, and all."

"Besides," Pinkie added, "We were too busy making sure the rest of them would be focusing on you three, and not try to do anything funny, or wander off doing their own thing."

"Yeah. If anything, you helped us contain them within a single area. So, thank you."

"Heh, well Ah'll be," chuckled Applejack, in reply to the Spider's concluding statement, "Call me an apple fritter on a bright sunny day! Behind all that flapper-mouthin' and crazy acrobats, we've definitely got ourselves a level-headed pony, with some sense to boot."

"And a fine gentlecolt, as well," Rarity gleamed, to which he rubbed the back of his head, responding, "Um, sure. If you say so. Rarity, was it?"

"Yes."

"Kind of speaks for itself, doesn't it?" Such a modestly given remark prompted a slight giggle in return, as well as a polite shake from her hoof.

"And Pinkie…?"

"Pinkie Pie!" She bounced erratically, then raised his unburnt hoof with both of her own and shook it enthusiastically. After recovering from a slight post tremor, he continued, "Like Rainbow Dash, a dead giveaway. Starlight, I already know, which leaves me with Apple Fritter, here."

"Cute," she smirked in response, "Name's Applejack. Pleased to finally make your acquaintance, Spider." She offered her own hoof also, which he casually accepted. "Likewise, Appleshock."

"Applejack."

"Right, yeah that. Sorry."

"Now why don't we get a move on, already," she firmly continued, "We've still got ourselves a palace to get to!"

"Yeah, you sillies! What are we waiting for?!"

"Well, clearly not a royal invite to the ball."

"Ha," gleefully scoffed Rainbow, "Good one, Web-head." Starlight could not resist the urge to grin, albeit with a snort and roll of her eyes, upon hearing the lighthearted comments made by the stallion, despite being under such dire and disturbing circumstances, as she has seen thus far. And hearing what others like Rainbow Dash had witnessed also, she considered him fortunate to be even standing. The mare Unicorns and Earth Ponies galloped onward, with the Pegasus gliding above them, and the arachnid stallion swinging beside her.

"Oh, I wonder what's keeping them," the bespectacled orange, white-patched Unicorn muttered with concern, "Shouldn't they be back, by now?"

"Something must've happened," the punctured, bug-like pony wavered, in response, "I hope not."

Between the two of them, floating by Sunburst's magic, rested the Alicorn foal in her crib. As he and Thorax worriedly waited for the parents to return with Twilight, Spike, and company, they heard the loud shrieks and hisses emanating from beyond the confines of the throne room. Alongside them stood the Princesses of Day and Night, readying themselves for whatever may come.

"I wouldn't be so wary of their delayed return, just yet" the dark blue Alicorn with a violet, starry mane forever in motion, spoke with firm, yet assuring teal eyes, "I trust they have the situation well under control, and are making their way back to the palace, as we speak."

"They don't seem to be advancing as aggressively as expected," the towering ivory that was Princess Luna's sister observed the invaders, with an air of constancy, also, "Perhaps they're waiting for their entire force, in order to muster a full-on frontal assault." After the attempts of diverting the monstrosity that first attacked Canterlot away from the departing residents, Princess Celestia was the first to be aware of Pinkie Pie and Rarity's abrupt exit to reunite with their friends. Before she could even send a squadron to assist them, Princess Cadence and Prince Shining Armor arrived by means of teleport, debriefing her about their current plight. They volunteered to rendezvous with Twilight Sparkle and the others, and aid in defeating the stone giant in any way they can, to which the sisters responded affirmatively, offering to look after Flurry Heart with Sunburst and Thorax, as well as their guard escort.

Seeing the great mounds of dust rising, not once, but twice, only concerned Celestia momentarily, for she also began to witness the accumulation of what seemed like a massive storm cloud in the distance. Being the wiser, she recognized the looming threat approaching, and sent the guard escort to aid in the palace's defenses, while also offering protective spells onto them, ordering them to retreat when uncertainty ever arose. She and Luna then personally placed themselves as a final defense for the foal, as well as her royal Crystaller, anticipating that it might resort to that. Bling!

Twilight, Spike, Fluttershy, Shining and Cadence entered into the throne room with a great flash. They hastily moved toward the apprehensive party before them, who suddenly showed signs of relief and comfort. The royal couple met with Sunburst to check on their daughter, fast asleep, as Thorax elatedly reunited with his very first friend in Equestria, the adolescent dragon.

"Wish I could say it's great to see you again," said Spike sullenly. Under such conflicting circumstances, the Changeling only frowned in response. "Yeah, me too."

The lavender Alicorn shared a warm embrace with her lifetime mentor and friend, as well as Luna, before Celestia asked, "Where are your remaining friends?"

"On their way," she answered evenly, "They're sort of taking the scenic route, and giving those attacking a hard time."

"Did you fail in your objective," lowly inquired the tall, white Alicorn, whose bright, lavender eyes beheld the satchel on Twilight's back, and noticed the lack of protection on it.

"Actually, no. Which is why we teleported here ri-" Princess Twilight Sparkle turned to unstrap it, only to be aware also of the lack of crimson glitter that should have encompassed it. Hastily, with worry, she opened it, then sighed with great reprieve to find the case still inside. As she placed it back, then casted her security spell onto it again, she said, "I don't understand. I know I casted that protection spell the moment I put it in. Cadence even perceived my magic over it. What could've happened?"

"Perhaps," Luna offered, shifting her focus toward the emerald lying behind the young mare, "That might have something to do with it?"

In bewilderment, Twilight's eyes narrowed, then shook her head with great confusion, answering, "I didn't even focus on teleporting that thing with us. It shouldn't even be here. But I suppose now it's for the best. Who knows what might've happened had we actually left it behind. But we may have some idea of what kind of energy is stored inside, and a clear idea of its origin, now."

"Yeah," Spike joined in, adding, "And it blew up in that stallion's face when he picked it up, too. What's up with that?"

"What stallion?" Both Princesses inquired with puzzlement, uncertain of these sudden changes of events.

"I'm sorry," Twilight answered with a sigh, "But I'm afraid it's sort of a long story, and I might know some of it. He's on his way with the others, right now, helping them, as he has been. Ever since he arrived, I think. But right now I need to-oof!" She turned to pick up the green stone and move it to a secure location, along with her satchel, when she bumped into something, or somepony, causing her to lose focus, and drop both levitating objects onto the floor.

"Excuse me, Princess," said a familiar voice with a low chuckle. At least, it was familiar for her. She looked up to see an orange Pegasus stallion with blue mane and eyes. His brass armor was now dented and riddled with burn marks, as was his helmet. His shield and lance were still strapped above his elbows, possessing clear signs of conflict as well. "Fla-Captain Sentry! I wasn't expecting you to be here either."

"Part of Princess Flurry Heart and Sunburst's royal escort," he evenly replied with a smile. Then he returned his attention to Princess Celestia, prompting Twilight to regain her own composure, who moved the objects previously in her possession. He firmly announced, "The Changelings are finally making their move. She's now here with them."

"Oh, dear," Fluttershy shuddered, keeping herself closely beside Thorax, Sunburst, and now Spike, in the back of the assembly. Noticing that the rest of the guards have retreated into the chamber with the Captain, both Celestia and Luna, with hardened glances toward the doorway, knew exactly what was next in store.

"Have everypony prepare themselves," she ordered in turn, shifting her continuously gusting mane of multiple, bright colors with a sharp turn of her head. Seeing her former star pupil quickly securing the objects in question safely within the confines of a concealed compartment behind the throne, Celestia, alongside her sister, took center point of the gathered defenses that stood to protect themselves. As for the dormant foal, her parents placed themselves in front of her, with a particular preparation of firm apprehension and anger, as they, along with everypony else, stood in wait, watching for the moment the doors- Booom!

They wildly flew apart from their hinges, flailing in each and every direction, demolishing whatever stood in their trajectories. The sisters held them in levitating stasis, as they were mere breadths away from their fortuitous forms. They sent them speedily back unto the source of their derangement, which pinned to the floor several encroachers within a single moment. The sudden noises of great volume disturbed Flurry's slumber, as Luna and Celestia then directed their channeled energies into the general direction of their attackers in the form of intense rays. Twilight, Cadence and Shining Armor swiftly joined in the Princesses' efforts.

However, the well-hidden emerald forcefully emerged from the compartment, launching itself into the middle of the fray, much to the surprise of all. It then floated, in a field of beaming lime energy, and motioned towards the source of the suspending magic. As that occurred, the stained glass of every window throughout the massive hall shattered instantaneously, allowing for dozens more Changelings to hover venomously inside. Once the stone reached the serpentine, sickly green irises of its tall, lean owner, she hissed with sinister mirth, then faced her gathered opposition. "How kind of you ponies to look after my property. I suppose I should repay you with some measure of decency, afterward. I should."

"There is no chance of you ever winning, Chrysalis," sternly announced the solar Princess.

"Return to your diseased nests of dreadful bitterness, at once," Her lunar sister added in kind, "Or face the consequences, as before."

"I think not, to both your statements," replied Queen Chrysalis with a malevolent cackle. This prompted the Alicorn Princesses and Unicorn Prince to send another barrage of assaults onto her, to which she only responded with another guffaw, as the emerald began to redirect the fired energy away from their intended target, and place them into itself. Much to the punctured, insect-like Queen's continuing amusement, the ponies viewed the spectacle with shock and dread. "As you can see, my latest craft is designed to absorb any and all energy dispensed by your shear acts of love and kindness for others." Then looking past them, to eye Thorax in back, she added, "Including treacherous deserters," causing the small Changeling to whimper.

"For it is the most powerful act of the will imaginable," she continued, "Even with all your powers, and yes, including your own, oh Princess of Friendship, with the next spell I cast onto this stone, the very energy you all, so cherish will overturn and conquer you. Trapping you into a web with no escape, and allowing for the spider to enter, and feast from your bleeding hearts."

"Um, excuse me. Did someone call for me?"

Twilight suddenly witnessed a red, blue and beige blur swinging over the Changeling Monarch from the ceiling, smacking her head with a sudden kick, just as she turned to face the source of the voice. She lost her focus on the floating stone, dropping it in the process. F’dissh! Before it could reach the floor, however, a line of white, sticky substance latched onto it, the other end of which was held firmly by the Unicorn stallion in the web-themed costume. He stood in front of Chrysalis, with two of his four hooves lifted. The back, wrapped one still avoiding pressure, with his front, burnt hoof swinging the newly retained crystal in a clockwise motion, wherever Changelings were present, he then threw the line backward, landing the jade amidst the ponies behind him. Whoosh! Smack! POW! Slap!

"What…?" Queen Chrysalis stood dumbstruck by the most unusual pony she had ever encountered.

"Yeah, sorry, I know," he playfully cringed with a shrug, "Not my best entrance. Too cliché. But hey, you set yourself up for that one."

After his quip and spontaneous counter attack, the young, lavender Princess noticed more quick movements behind the Queen once again. Bam! She watched, as Pinkie Pie leapt off of Chrysalis' back then head in a cartwheel, and continued to move in that fashion, rolling over the knocked down assailants, keeping them from rising. "Wheeh!"

The Queen turned around, hearing further noise from behind her, allowing Twilight and the others to see Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Starlight Glimmer and Rarity quickly overcoming the remaining foes under her command. Although she was completely surrounded, overpowered and outnumbered, Chrysalis growled and hissed in bestial rage, as she turned forward once again, and regained her magical grip onto the crystal, making one final effort to cast her intended spell onto the stored energy within.

"Yeah, I don't think so." Sh’dew! The Spider sent a quick batch of adhesive onto her horn, obstructing her channeled arcane energy momentarily, as the stone flew in midair freely, yet again. He made a giant leap to catch it, then somersaulted onto the corner of the wall and ceiling, landing with his two right hooves against them, hanging his injured and burnt ones on the side. Under the fold of his hanging foreleg, the emerald was firmly held in place.

"Hate to spoil your fun, Moldy Queen of the Swiss, but it looks like this spider just…" He paused to notice, as did the lavender Alicorn, the gem glowing radiantly, and shaking intensely within his grip. As if to admonish himself for his upcoming, repeated mishap, he groaned, "Oh, come on!"

As quickly as she could respond, Twilight raised a protective barrier over herself and those in the near vicinity, as did Cadence and Shining Armor. Ka-blam! However, the intensity of the rampant explosion sent even the pillars into cracked, deformed busts, barely maintaining their integrity, as the ponies shields violently dispersed under their shattered willpower from the shockwave. Fortunately, they were enough to soften the immense blow substantially, for the ponies among her rose up more readily, with as many groans as from the one previous. Flurry's cries were heard throughout the massive chamber, but only of fright, for Sunburst's teleported form returned with her, after clearing away from the ensued assault, shortly before the Spider and the others showed. The green stone crashed onto the floor with a loud thud, sizzling with uncontrolled heat, and rolling near the Alicorn mare's violet irises. Fizzzzzzzz.

She raised her head, looking up as she regained her standing position, seeing smoke rising from the entire left side of the Spider's fiercely shaking frame. She also heard him give a high-pitched growl, with his eyes tightly shut, and a tear rolling down his cheek.

"Okay…" he croaked through gritted teeth, "That was worse."