TS&F: S1, Ep4: The Mark of a Spider

Chapters

Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six

Prologue

If anybody, or anypony told me a month ago that I'd be going to the darkest reaches of something called the Forbidden Chasm, finding a concealed entrance to some, warped-up plain of abstract randomness, just to see a guy calling himself the quote-unquote Reformed Master of Chaos, I'd tell them, "I've had more than enough crazy shenanigans to last me a lifetime, thank you, very much." That would've been before Fluttershy talked like Randy. Should've known that never stopped this place from giving me a curveball, now and then. Wow. Isn't that life summed up in one sentence?

Swinging from floating object to floating object, without any clue as to what sort of physics this realm was following, if any, Peter Parker, with blue shades and scarlet winter cap, simply landed onto a peach tree's roots, as it slowly spun in suspension underneath his four hooves.

Man, no wonder the mail ponies get lost through here. Not because it's a maze, but the exact opposite. There's, like, literally no way to know which turn to make, at what landmark. All anypony could do is find whatever shapes match those on this map they've been given, and hope for the best. Knew I should've taken that left at Albuquerque. Seriously, it was right there!

He examined the state of his web shooters once more, testing them to find whatever kinks he may have to iron out. After all, this has become his first attempt of using the braces, after reconfiguring them to his transformed body. The wall-crawler had long, since discovered that he not only was more highly sensitive to his environment, and all that were in it, including creatures' pulses and muscle movements, but also his own. With his astounding stamina and agility, he can not only compensate for the movements of those around him, but also use his very body movements to his advantage, especially his pasterns.

He has been able to dictate the sort of ejection his web fluid would make, upon exposure to the open air. Whether it would be a parachute, a thick spool for a cocoon, or a net, he can orchestrate exactly the sort of form of web he needs, to suit his immediate purpose. Now, he can perform that task, with only his pasterns' movements as the trigger. Dash really got a kick out of that one, after overhearing my last Q&A with Twilight and Lyra. Nice to get a good profile of this whole place, while I'm at it, also.

Once he had found the proper, chemical balance for enhancing the composition, though still wondering what else he could do with it, Pete had focused mainly on finding a quicker, more efficient method of dispensing his web cartridges.

Remember, Pete. This is only your first try after readjusting these things. So far, so good, but don't get too comfortable with them, just yet. There's a reason they only send Pegasus mail ponies through here, which is no clue as to what would happen otherwise. I chose to give these things a test spin now, why? Maybe because I've got a serious case of enjoying too many thrills. That, or I'm just expecting the guy to show up when I think he would. Either scenario, I've definitely got issues.

"Or, perhaps you completely lack in skyscrapers as you would expect from a metropolis, unlike Ponyville," said the thespian voice, its owner appearing before the crouching arachnid pony, as he crossed his ligaments in lounge, with a huff. "Honestly, Peter, for future reference, I ask that you refrain from your incessant rambles through your head, while in my abode. You can be worse than Pinkie at times, you know. And she constantly says things aloud."

The moment he emphasized the final word of his sentence, miniature, pink ponies jumped, laughed, squealed, spun, skipped, and hopped continuously around his head. "That is quite a nuisance, in itself, believe me."

"And hello to you too, Discord," Spidey waved, with a beaming reply, "Glad we got that road block out of the way. Just in time for me to ask my next question."

"Which is how I came to know of your secret identity, how long I have known, as well as whether Celestia and Luna asked me to offer whatever assistance I can, in that regard, am I right?"

"Well, that's actually three separate questions in one go, but yeah, I'll take it. Gee, I guess I do need to work on my thought process." That, or it just means I can actually take a few hints.

"Yes," sighed the disorderly friend with a shrug, "I suppose that remark about honoring my parents' memory was a bit on the nose." At that, a photograph of Peter's aunt, uncle and himself popped atop Discord's muzzle, then vanished, with a ping. "But I am glad to know you have a sharp wit about you, as the others have told me."

"So, tell me what you know, tell me about what happened, and especially the part where you can sense a great distortion of energy taking place, from anywhere, as Twilight explained to me one time."

"Well, simply put, Mister Parker," the draconian multi-bred openly stated, "You have such an ongoing, vicious cycle of chaotic events throughout your short life-span, that it is practically impossible to ignore. Especially for a disorderly, handsome being, such as myself, you know. So, no, Luna shared no details with me, as she did with her sister, in terms of how I came by such knowledge. And yes, they asked if I'd be willing to offer my input, in that way, should you decide to remain in Ponyville, which you did, of course. As to 'what happened,' you refer to the moment you, Miss Watson, your precious Aunt May, and Doctor Bromwell arrived here. In that regard, I admit to have, indeed, detected a low level of distortion, very subtle, during the hour in question. But I'm afraid that was all I could pick up."

"And by 'pick up', you mean…?"

"If you're implying that I might have something to do with it-"

"Just to be sure." The quick, though even response from the web-head prompted the pair to view one another in silent, unclear stares. By then, the spinning tree had placed Spidey upside down, though he still maintained eye contact with his winged host. "Like you said, I'm no stranger to Chaos."

"My, my," the malady spoke, in kind, "Your suspicion of me most strongly resembles those of Applejack and Rainbow Dash, during my early reformed days. Even more especially that of Twilight."

"What can I say? Great minds," snidely remarked the wall-crawler, then continued, "Anyway, I'm also curious if you might have sensed something else that might've come through. You know, anything from a not-so-friendly neighborhood."

In response to Spidey's next enquiry, Discord scoffed and huffed, and rolling his eyes around his goat head. "Come now, Peter. What do you take me for? A forecaster for chaotic things that occur everywhere, with exact precision? A meteorologist for anything and everything that randomly happens without any apparent rhyme or reason?"

"Okay," swiftly raised a hoof, in smiling apprehension, "The fact that you brought that up means you might actually know something."

"Oh, believe me, Tiger," replied the redheaded, dragon-like thespian, with prop eyelashes. He then sent his eyes outward, to great distances, extending beyond the limits of the beige Unicorn's enhanced vision, "I saw that one coming miles away."

"Touché," he replied, "So, that means you won't tell me what you got from all that."

"Like you asked, I'm simply telling you all that I can. The rift caused by that distortion lasted long enough to possibly send another being or two into this realm. But I can't be absolutely certain. And I suppose you shouldn't, either."

"Guess that's as good a response from you, as any. Thanks, Disco."

"No trouble, at all, Petie," said he, this time, with a long, brown mane, "Now, allow me to show you the door." Before he could politely decline, the web-head saw the Mischievous Master of Disorder twist his talon, pulling a doorknob with his grip, and allowing for a squared opening to emanate from the cleared space of what was once the background. Rolling his eyes from behind the colored lenses, unamused, he asked, "You sure it's the right place?"

"The Cutie Mark Crusaders' newly-rebuilt clubhouse? Yes, I believe so. You do have an appointment with them today, don't you?"

"They just wanted me to come over, and hang out," Pete tilted his head, in reply, "Haven't had that much experience with kids, though. Let alone foals. Any suggestions?"

"None that could be of help to you, I expect. Only my leg and face are part goat."

"Alright," he smirked at Discord's remark, then added before departure, "Just one more thing. Did you deliberately let the three of you take a dive against that bugbear, just to get Fluttershy and myself stuck in that situation with you?"

"I suppose, with all sincerity, we shall never know," grinned Discord. At that, Spider Bite dove directly into the portal, which placed him into a lush field, on a clear, sunny day. Once he had grown accustomed to his abrupt change in surroundings, he noted the sun shining onto the once-burned trees of Sweet Apple Acres, no longer sending its vibrant heat, but now a soft warmth and radiance, indicating autumn was around the corner. The trees, themselves, were beginning to show signs of change in the leaves, which were nearby the restored hut, at the edge of the forest. Okay, Spidey, let's find out what's in store here.

Chapter One

The Mark of a Spider

"Ah don't think Ah can say how excited we really are tah have yah over, Cuz!"

"Yeah, no kidding! I mean, sure you live all the way in Manehatten, but that just makes us want to see you even more!"

"I guess the farther away your friends are," said Sweetie Belle, after Applebloom and Scootaloo spoke, "The closer you want them to be, and the more time you want to spend with them."

"Thanks a lot, Crusaduhs," Babs Seed nodded with a short, and simple grin. She offered her time and energy to assist her friends in carrying posters and chairs, along with a few odds and ends to be arranged in the fillies' new clubhouse. "I kinda know the feelin'. An' after gettin' your letter 'bout your Cutie Mahks, I'd been dyin' to see you three even more, an' see them for myself." After catching another momentary glimpse of the three shields of red, lavender and purple, with icons befitting each filly at the center, she added, "Glad tah see the 'riginal founders still in business, too."

"That doesn't mean you can't be, too, you know," stated the orange Pegasus, "I mean, sure, I thought it was the case after you got yours. But then Applebloom reminded me how you're still helping foals out at the Manehatten branch."

"And when we finally realized what the true purpose of a Crusader is," the white Unicorn continued, "We realized you kind of been doing that already, too." The three little foals were nearly complete with their decorations, when the yellow Earth Pony said, "So, it don't really matter if yur Mark matches ours, or not. Whenever yur off helpin' somepony findin' their purpose in life, that's you bein' a Crusader."

"Yeah," the tan Earth Pony filly smirked. She puffed her magenta, crimson banes from her field of vision, after putting down the table with the three. Her green eyes then shifted towards the pair of scissors on her own flank. "After gettin' mine, I thought it felt really weird tuh be in chahge of somethin' meant for others who don't have their own yet. So, I sort of gave that job to anothuh, while still hangin' around at the meetins. Yuh know, give ponies some advice if they wanted it."

"Which is why we decided to give you something," Scoots grinned, failing to conceal the gleam in her deep violet eyes, "Something for you, and the Manehatten branch."

"Somethin' to help y'all remember what we're all about," added Applebloom, whose own orange, yellow irises glittered with excitement. Sweetie's own teal eyes were no different, when she levitated a case that had been kept behind the podium she and the others brought in. She stated, "Something we came up with, after we decided to expand our membership to others, even those that aren't ponies who can't get a Cutie Mark."

Before she could inquire the meaning of that final point, the little filly witnessed the brown case being opened to reveal the contents inside. Her muzzle was slightly agape in moderate surprise, as she views two objects shaped as shields, colors matching the Marks of the Crusaders. One was the clip for a cloak, with a scissors icon within a purple field shaped like a seed. The second was considerably larger, having a purple circle with the silhouette of skyscrapers within.

"That one's fur yur cape," beamed her cousin, pointing at the first, "You can pin it when yah got it wrapped 'round yah!"

"And the next one," continued the young Pegasus, "is for the Manehatten branch!"

"To hang on the wall at your own clubhouse," the Unicorn filly exclaimed, as all three smiled widely, awaiting the response from the little Earth Pony. Babs blankly looked on, not anticipating such an outstanding gift in any way, shape or form. They all watch her, somewhat concerned and perplexed when all the Crusaders seemed to find in her reaction nothing close to what they were expecting themselves. She then offered a grin and wide eyes with eager enthusiasm, as she ran up to hug each, and every one of her Crusader friends. "Thanks Crusaduhs! It's the best present I eveh got!"

Once she had completed her grateful embrace with them, Babs Seed then added, "Maybe we can give these sort of things out to othehs when they get their Cutie Mahks too."

"Ugh," huffed Scoots, slapping a hoof to her head, "Why didn't we think of that?"

"Ah guess so much stuff's been goin' on," lowered Applebloom's head, "we just ran plumb dry of ideas."

"That," added Sweetie, "And we haven't had our thinking spot for nearly a moon." "Oh, yeah."

"Thanks for bringin' that up, Cuz." The two Earth Pony cousins share a warm smile as Babs responded, "Don't mention it."

"Before we forget, let's go do that real qui-" Before Scootaloo could even complete her statement and begin her task, each and every one of the fillies felt an even greater force pressed against them. Spontaneously, they heard the squeal from a voice directly above them, as its source began to squeeze the four foals even more tightly. "Oh, my gosh! This is amazing! This is incredible! I am so excited! The Cutie Mark Crusaders are all back together! Woo-hoo!"

"Whoa," gasped the tan filly, as she felt the air forcefully rushed out of her, alongside her friends. She looked up to see the face of a massive bird, with teal, blue eyes, feather patterns and golden beak resembling that of an owl. Upon looking down to find the limbs wrapped around the four young ones, Babs realized they were talons, as those from a great eagle.

"Uh, Crusaduhs," she grunted under her breath, "Are we bein' pulverized…by a Griffon?"

"Hey, Gabby," wheezed Applebloom.

"It's great to…see you too," grunted Sweetie.

"Can't…breathe," Scoots gasped. Suddenly, the towering creature released them from her embracing clutches, as she placed her clawed ligaments up to her beak, as though to contain whatever further outburst of jubilation that still remained inside. "Sorry, everypony. I just can't help myself, right now. This is the very first, ever, Cutie Mark Crusader Meeting from all places, in history! I just couldn't wait to see my friends again, and meet new faces at the same time. Everything is just, so amazing, right now! Woo-hoo!"

The glee and exuberance so happily expressed hardly seemed sufficient for the Griffon hen, for she then darted out of the doorway of the rebuilt hut, and soared, dove, twisted and flipped throughout a vast vicinity of the air above, cheering and hollering most ecstatically.

"Babs," huffed Applebloom to her cousin, as they all stepped outside to view the spectacle, "Ah'd like yah to meet our new friend, and newest member of the Cutie Mark Crusaders." As soon she completed her statement, she spotted the blurring motion from above stop so sharply before the fillies, and more specifically Babs. "Gabriella! But you can call me Gabby, for short! You must be Babs Seed! Applebloom told me so, so, sooo much about her cousin when she wrote to me about having this meeting! Oh, this is so exciting, I don't think I can take it much longer! I'm so glad to actually meet you!"

Dumbstruck is the only word appropriate to describe the blank, stammering expression that emanated from the little Earth Pony's countenance, as Gabby the Griffon erratically shook both her forelegs with great speed and constancy. Such a greeting from anypony, with the exception of Pinkie Pie, could never possibly be so gleefully done as by Gabby. "It's, um, nice tuh meetch'uh too, eh, Gabby."

Such a warm, exceedingly kind-hearted greeting from usually an intimidating creature would be enough to startle anypony. But seeing the reciprocated smiles and chuckles among the Crusaders, when they viewed her reaction, told Babs this was another part of the surprise that they were referring to in their letter. "You've made friends with a Griffon, and got'er tuh join the Crusaduhs!? How'dyuh even do that?"

"Oh," gasped the hovering lion bird, "That is such an amazing, super, exciting story! I can't wait to share it with you!"

"We can't wait to tell you all about it either, Babs," Sweetie said, stepping between the Griffon and Earth Pony filly, "But first, we have to wait for somepony else to get here also."

"Oh," shakily wavered the excited Griffon, "Another new face to meet. How awesome is this day going to be?!"

"Is there anothuh new member comin' here," Babs Seed asked, with a tilted brow, "Who is it? What's the foal like?"

"He ain't a foal," her cousin replied, "And he ain't no Crusader, neither. He's not even from these parts."

"He's a visitor from another world," Scoots exclaimed, "At least, that's what Princess Celestia told everypony."

"And he's also one of the ponies who saved us from the wildfire," added the filly Unicorn, "The one that burned down our old clubhouse, while we were trapped inside."

"Wait a sec," sharply stated Applebloom's cousin, "You tellin' me that…the Spiduh guy, the one that the whole city, and the whole world talked about help savin' Equestria from the Changelins a moon ago, is right here in Ponyville?"

"And not just in Ponyville, Cuz." The yellow Earth Pony wrapped her hoof around Babs, "He's been livin' here, workin' different jobs, helpin' other ponies whenever he can."

"Which is, pretty much, like," Scootaloo remarked, "all the time."

"Oh, wow! He sounds so much like me," spoke Gabby in kind, "I can't wait!"

"An' he's comin' here, too? Tuh see us?"

"Yes," beamed Sweetie Belle, "We're finally getting him to come over and hang out with us, so we can thank him ourselves. We also knew how much you two should be a part of it."

"We're planning on thanking him, and have a little party for him together," the orange Pegasus said, "Like a nice, big, Crusader family!"

"Oh, all this talk about heroes, and parties, and families is just making me even more excited than ever! I just can't take this any longer!" Gabby's pure delight of the upcoming festivities was impossible to brush aside. "Where is he? Is he on his way? Oh, when will he get here?"

"I'm guessing this is where I come in, right?" Hanging onto a thin, white line from the rooftop, beside the four foals and Griffon was the arachnid Unicorn, in his signature, upside down position. They noted the blue sunglasses that he wore, along with the red snow cap that was covering his mane, and blue cloth wrapped around his tail. The beige stallion idly held on to the adhesive, as the fillies gasped and gawked upon viewing him up close, once again.

"Hey, everypony," smiled Spider Bite in a chipper, upbeat manner, "Sorry I'm late. Guess I kind of got lost-oof!" At first Babs, Sweetie, Scoots and Applebloom were startled by the swift, blurry disappearance of both Spidey and Gabby. They quickly rushed to the rail, from where he previously hung over, and observed the hovering, ecstatic Griffon tightly hugging him. They could all see his struggle to break free. In fact, it seemed he was about to, but then decided against it, lowering his back legs from kicking off from her in response.

"Woo-hoo," squealed Gabby, spinning herself and her embraced captive with great velocity, "This is so amazing! I can't believe it! I get to make two new friends while meeting with my Crusader friends, all on the same day! Isn't this so exciting?!"

"Look, lady…I don't know how you do things where you're from…but around here-nguh…I think it's the guy who asks for a dance…when the music starts. But I-guh…I'm no expert." After being released in midair, the web-slinger landed soundly on all fours, watching the Griffon take off, soar, then hover downward in exclamation and merriment. She then took his front legs by both talons, saying, "Hi! My name's Gabby! Short for Gabriella! I'm so happy to meet you! What's your name?"

"Hey, Gabby," he panted in reply, "Nice to meet you, too. Spider Bite, I think. Just give me a second to let the blood flow back to my head."

"Oh-ho-ho, you're so funny," she beams after waving a talon in cheery dismissal, "You must be one of those ponies who can crack a joke from anything that's been said to them."

"You mean improvisational comedians," he asked, then shrugged, "I guess so. But I think that's mostly Pinkie's department around here. Though she did say I've got a way of making ponies smile whenever I deliver stuff for the Cakes. Can't imagine why. Must be my infectious charisma."

"Ha-ha! Good one. And wowzers," she then examined his entire frame thoroughly, and stated in acknowledgement, "You must've taken a really big bruiser from the Changelings to get all of those!"

"Oh," he looked down unto his scarred hide himself, replying, "Actually, it wasn't all that bad. These just have been accumulating overtime. Finally decided to take off my hoody a couple days ago. Ironic, considering that it's almost Fall."

The four fillies joined the Unicorn stallion and Griffon on the ground, hearing this conversation unfold, while the three founding Crusaders themselves got to view his scarred figure up close as well. Even the more sparsely few found on his legs became more defined and readily visible without his hooded sweater. However, that did not deter them from listening to the two grown-ups carrying on with their friendly chit-chat. "But I guess this coat is good enough for insulation. And oh, so breathable during the hot, summer days."

"So tell me, Spider Bite," Gabby passionately spoke further, "What do you do, besides saving the day with Princess Twilight and the others?"

"Not much, really," shrugged the Unicorn, "Just finding loose-end jobs to do for somepony, here and there."

"Wow! That is so, so much like me!"

"Yeah, well, I just took up some part-time work at Sweet Apple Acres, Cakes' Bakery, strictly deliveries there, mind you. And I even spend some time helping Rarity with loading and hauling packed materials, along with giving Fluttershy and her animals a hoof."

"You're good with animals, too," gasped the Griffon.

"Not exactly, but way better at helping out than I originally thought. I mean, I fought baddies ranging from vultures, to rhinos, to lions, and lizards and jackals. Oh, my. You'd think I wouldn't give off such a calming presence for Fluttershy's cohabitants. But I guess keeping myself relaxed until my senses warn me of any danger was a good habit I gradually perfected over the years."

"Don't you have other things to do, like hobbies, or something?"

"Well, sort of. I kind of took an interest in photography lately, and I've been taking these odds and ends jobs to save up on bits for a good-quality camera. Plus I'm pretty good with a beaker and…Brisket burner, I think they're called here?"

"Don't y'all recon we should ask 'em to come into the clubhouse with us?" Applebloom lightly whispered to her fellow Crusaders, as Gabby and Spidey continued with this line of small talk.

"Later," responded Scootaloo in kind, "First, I want to see how long he can keep this up."

"I haven't seen anypony get more than two short sentences with her, until now," added Sweetie.

"He's a Manehattenuh," smirked Babs Seed, "It's in his blood. Like my Mothuh's always sayin'."

"What about sports, gymnastics, swimming, kite flying? Those kind of things! Don't you do anything like those? Huh? Huh?"

"Web-swinging. But that's been limited lately, due to a total lack of skyscrapers. I mainly use the high branches in the Everfree, when I'm out for a trot...or swing. Guess it wouldn't hurt to pick up something else to pass the time, once in a while."

"Actually," her yellow cousin decided to join in the conversation, "Since we're all here, maybe we can help yah find a nice hobby for yah tah do."

"Oh," perked up Gabby, "I think I also want to know where you get webs to swing around!"

"Well, how about this," Spidey said, "You little rascals get me a list of what you've got to do here in Ponyville, while I teach you all how to make your own spider web. We can use the lab in the castle, and everything. How does that sound for a plan?"

"Alright!" "Sounds awesome!" "Sure." "Woo-hoo!"

"But first," Sweetie Belle exclaimed over the cheers and hoots from Gabby, and the other fillies, then slightly murmured, "How about some cake that I made with Rarity for the party here? You know, for our official thanks to you, for saving us? I mean, I know you kind of been thanked by our sisters, and friends, and everypony else, and in a lot of different ways. Rarity's even working on something for you, still. But…how about one, last little bit of thanks from us?" The Unicorn filly's teal orbs enlarged with a wavering plea for an affirmative reply from the wall-crawling hero, and a chance to let him try her desert she worked so diligently to bake, with her sister's help. It was evident that the three other youths were sharing a similar sentiment themselves. Seeing the small grin from Spider Bite's muzzle, along with Gabby's continually excited glee and soar into the air, the little fillies felt more enthused about what will happen next.

"I can definitely do with a good slice right about now," the beige stallion said, "And I'm sure Gabby gave us her own answer." They all gleamed with delight at his response, glad to begin eating some well-deserved festive treats, after their industrious efforts in setting up their restored clubhouse. With such great enthusiasm, the four foals gallop back up the ramp and inside, with the hen Griffon diving directly into the hut, and the stallion Unicorn leaping behind them.

The sheer joy and merriment was not strictly expressed by Gabby, for the Cutie Mark Crusaders rushed wildly towards the table, each wanting to serve a piece of cake to their guests, competing for the ultimate service to their visitors. Fortunately, as the three fillies shoved and bumped against one another to bring a slice over, they turned around to realize Babs Seed, Gabriella and Spider Bite standing by, each quietly waiting in their respective demeanors, be they coolly steady, hyper-intense and sweetly patient. The foals whicker slightly among themselves at how ridiculous they were acting, then moved forward. Applebloom took a piece to her cousin, while Scoots brought one to Gabby, and Sweetie gave a slice to Spidey.

As the Crusaders offered refreshments also, they began to speak about many things, nearly all at once. Applebloom and Babs shared their stories with the Griffon, the two showing their recently received Crusader pins to one another. Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo took the beige Unicorn to inspect their chart, once used to consider what skills and talents they could all attempt in discovering their Marks. He examined each one carefully, noting a few he recognized from his own world. "Wow. I can't believe you ponies actually have baseball here."

"You like baseball," the orange Pegasus asked, with an even brighter glint of enthusiasm.

"Well, where I'm from, baseball's the definitive pastime. In fact, that frame-up shield's logo you got reminds me of a team I root for sometimes."

"Oh, yeah," the tan Earth Pony remarked to her cousin, as they overheard, "Manehattenuh, at heart."

"But I only played for a summer, in little league. Guess I was way too scrawny for even that."

"Yeah," puffed Scoots, as she looked back towards her inadequate means of flight, "Kind of know what that's like."

"But, hey," he shrugged, catching her slightly dampened spirit, "At least you know you still got a ways to go. And grow."

"Heh," she chuckled in response, "You sounded just like Zecora, there."

"I keep saying," Spidey playfully shook his head in mock annoyance, "how that's contagious around here."

Chapter Two

Whatever it was Gabby and the Crusaders suggested that he should try, they saw him give it his best effort, striving to live to the fullest. The Griffon herself decided to join him in picking up a hobby, whether it be something she previously attempted, or something completely new to her. It seemed that whatever they attempted, the Griffon and Unicorn were undeniably spectacular. It was almost as if the little fillies were holding their own, personal Equestria Games, making it all the more exciting for them to watch. Both were exceedingly skilled at rock climbing, with the stallion's arachnid prowess, and hen's feline capabilities. They even agreed how thrilling it was to enjoy, as well as naturally befitting to their spirit and outlook. It most definitely could be said also of yoga, the poses of which felt entirely normal in their respective movements. What the two did next was swim relays and diving, and both displayed masterful strokes and graceful motions upon their very first lessons. Archery was a breeze. Skydiving, a blast. Kayaks and canoes could both be calm and refreshing, then suddenly enthralling when the river flow suddenly became rapid. They then spontaneously agreed on something totally different.

"How about a little change of pace," suggested the web-head.

"Ooh," she gleamed in reply, "How about something that's not so much adventurous?"

"Something, I don't know, quiet and still?"

"But, at the same time, challenging and mind-blowing?"

"How about a nice game of chess," he asked the Griffon, in an odd, dull, mechanical tone, as if he were a robot. Even more odd was Gabby's mirroring response, "That sounds very nice to me." Everyone had so much fun, and had a wonderful time, to the point in which they lost sight of such a thing to have passed them by.

"Yee-haw," hollered Applebloom.

"Yay," cheered Sweetie Belle.

"Okay, you two," shouted Scootaloo, followed by Babs Seed. "Lunch break!"

"Awe, already?" "It's only lunchtime?"Hearing the respective responses of Gabby and Spidey simultaneously made the foals snigger back, then guided, pulled and pushed them both to the picnic sheet and basket they had prepared. As soon as the yearlings made sure their two newest friends were sitting comfortably, they anxiously brought out the meal they had for everyone.

"You know, that reminds me," he sharply perks up, "I keep meaning to bring this up with Twilight, but it just keeps getting away from me during our Q&A sessions. Are you Griffons carnivores, herbivores, or more omnivorous in nature?"

"Omnivores, pretty much," she quickly answered before taking a bite of her sandwich, "We're starting to renovate our old farms, pen the pigs and chickens, while also caring for our crops. Love a good bag of sunflower seeds every now and then. Or even griffon scones! We're also starting to make pretty good trades with others. Gets pretty hectic sometimes, but the end result makes the effort totally worth it! And this almond butter and strawberry jelly sandwich is so amazing!"

"Yeah, no kidding. The cinnamon raisin bread's a nice touch too. Not too shabby, at all." The sudden gleams of excitement from the four fillies after hearing such approval flourished their movements of giving out refreshments, playing tag, or even lying on the hilltop and pointing out shapes in the clouds. Such a nearly perfect day has transpired, thus far, and it was only past noon. And for them, the best part has yet to come.

"Ooh, look at that one," the little Unicorn beamed, raising her hoof skyward, "Just like a crocodile!"

"Oh, look," followed the Pegasus in kind, "That one's shaped like a bat!"

"Whoa," gaped the tan Earth Pony, as her yellow cousin exclaimed, "A shark!"

"Ooh! Ooh," shouted the Griffon, "A tiger! No, wait! A bear! Or, no! A jaguar!"

"What is this? Cloud gazing, or a trip to the petting zoo?" The whickering and screeching responses of mirth from the Crusaders was only made greater when the web-slinger suddenly pounced on and started tickling two of the foals, having the lion bird join in, and doing the same to the others. "Because here comes a charging rhino!"

"And a hovering vulture!" The Crusaders' tearfully laughing pleads for them to stop were only met with more continuous, delightful torture. "Where's the rebel base?"

"Yeah," Gabby exclaimed, "Where's your secret hideout?"

"We'll never tell," Scoots and Sweetie gasped shakily.

"Not in a million moons," Applebloom shouted, followed by Babs, "Not for all the apples everywhere!"

"We have ways to make you talk! Gabby, I'm getting tired of juggling with these two. Trade?"

"Hold on to your bows, little ponies," she smirked in reply. Suddenly the four fillies found themselves being tossed into the air and exchanged between the Unicorn and Griffon. First they soared from one, then were passed to the other, and then gliding weightlessly upward before being caught to be tossed again. This carried on for a few brief, yet exciting moments, until Scootaloo looked up, and instinctively flapped her wings to try and maintain her position. Her gaze towards the sky prevented her from seeing Babs Seed and Sweetie Belle coming at the hovering Pegasus. All three collided against each other, as the yellow Earth Pony came up from underneath, knocking them apart like bowling pins. Poo-blblblble!

"Whuh-oh!" Snatching Applebloom and the white Unicorn in midflight, Gabby looked down to see Spider Bite catching the tan Earth Pony with his front hoof, and Scoots with his hind leg. Gently lowering the foals down, they both asked, "Are you okay?"

"Spidey," Scootaloo dizzily exclaimed, "Spidey, look!" Her hoof pointed up for the web-head to follow her line of sight, noticing a small, white puff of vapor making a peculiar shape in the sky. "There's your Cutie Mark!"

"Wowzers," exclaimed the Griffon, "You're right Scoots!"

"Whoa, Nelly," Applebloom gasped, as did Babs and Sweetie Belle, "Wow!" For indeed, the form in which the cloud took was that of a prowling arachnid, striking awe and amazement from the spectators below. Then they all faced the wall-crawler, and observed his response to be somewhat downcast, but then quickly offered a smile in turn. He nodded his head, as he spoke, "Yeah, that's pretty cool. Hey, before we forget, how about we head over to Twilight's Castle now, and start making webs?"

"Oh, yeah! C'mon, Crusaders! What're we waitin' fur?"

Thinking that was the thought that occurred to Spidey, the four Crusaders hollered and cheered once more, as they galloped ahead of him and Gabby. However, the Griffon became fully aware of something troubling him slightly, if not deeply, and watched the arachnid stallion trot onward with a smirk.

"Better hurry up, Gabby," he shouted back, "We don't want to lose them!"

Realizing she remained in her hovering position, she stuttered as she then carried on, "Oh, yeah! Definitely! Hard time to keep up with those little fillies!"

No further time was wasted in reaching the Tree Castle just on the other side of town. Nor were the Cutie Mark Crusaders taking any chances to catch their breaths until they at least reached the main entrance. Once they all did so, that is precisely what the four fillies had done. Panting for a few moments, they watched as Spider Bite went to one of the twin doors ahead of him, and biting his lip in concentration, activated his scarlet aura to open it. However, once the matching glow that engulfed the door failed to move it, the wall-crawler frowned slightly. He attempted to repeat the same technique, only causing it to wobble and shake in front of him as before.

"Strange," he remarked, "They must've locked them from the inside."

"Maybe nopony's home," Babs Seed offered.

"No, that shouldn't be the case," answered the web-head, "Twilight wanted at least two of her friends to stay here and watch the place. And they'd be sure to let somepony in through the door, knowing that they got a way of preventing entrance to any unwanted company."

"Maybe somethin' came up," said Applebloom, "and didn't want nopony to disturb 'em."

"They'd still put up a sign for that," Scootaloo responded, "Wouldn't they?"

"That's something Rarity would suggest they'd do," added Sweetie Belle.

"Well," shrugged Gabby, "Only one way to find out!"

"Right," nodded Spidey, "Let's ju-" Whoosh! The Griffon soared up in a blur before the stallion could even raise his hoof to the door. She zipped and zoomed along, over and throughout the foundation, to which he simply sighed and knocked. He gave it a few seconds before repeating his attempt onto the entrance, upon which, immediately, several clicks emanated from inside, then the creak of the door shortly followed. The familiar face that peaked through the small gap that was allowed brought everypony some sense of relief. "Hey, Princess. Hope we're not intruding on a delicate situation. This a bad time, or something?"

"You might say that," quickly came Twilight's blunt reply, "What brings you here?"

"I…kind of room here," squinted the web-head, "That, or I left all my bags at the doorway for me to grab. Didn't know I was moving out, to begin with."

"Oh, well," she stuttered, then looked back briefly, "No luggage in sight. So, I suppose your previous supposition was accurate."

"Okay, good," he smirked, "Because I thought you got angry at me for a little misunderstanding that I have yet to be aware of. Sending me to the dog house. Or owl house. Seriously, Twilight, I think we should see a counselor. Or, you know, at the very least communicate better." Her furrowed brow and stiff silence were as loud as a blaring bugle.

"Yeah," shrugged Spider Bite, rubbing his neck, "I was afraid I might've rehashed some of my old jokes there. So, if you don't mind letting the Crusaders and myself in to use the lab for a bit, we'll stay out of your mane. Well, try to, anyway."

"I don't see the harm in that," Twilight hoarsely grunted, widening the gap with reluctance, "My friends and I are in the Map Room, so be sure to restrict yourselves from near there, at best."

"Wow. Must be a really serious issue." The four fillies watched this exchange with slight discomfort, as they and the Unicorn stallion followed the lavender Alicorn into the foyer. "Or did Spike forget to clean up after himself, again?"

"Actually," she lowly huffed, "He should've been at the door."

"Nothing too bad, I hope," he then shifted to a gentler tone, "I mean, you didn't even say 'Hi' to the Crusaders."

"Oh. Hello, Crusaders."

"Is there anything I could do to help out? What we've got planned can definitely wait, if this is a really big-"

"No," snapped the Alicorn Princess, her eyes narrowed and demeanor wooden, "I-I mean, there's nothing to worry about. Just trot along now, and enjoy whatever it is you have on your agenda for today. Just be sure not to disturb me and my friends until further notice, that's all."

"Maybe we should just leave," Sweetie Belle warily spoke, "Is that what you want?"

"No, of course not," Princess Twilight stiffly offered, placing her hoof under the foal's muzzle, "You're always welcomed here. We just have a lot to handle, at the moment."

"Still," said Spidey, squinting further into unease, "Don't hesitate to holler if you or your friends need anything. I'll head straight down without hesitating."

"I'm sure…you would," she rigidly answered, sweat beginning to slide down her forehead, "Now…I need to return to the Map Room…get back to work. You know, princess duties!"

"Yeah, I hear you," he nodded, "We'll be sure to knock before entering."

"If we ever need your help, that is." She then trotted along, leaving the four yearlings and stallion at the stairway. Spider Bite sighed, saying, "Guess when you got to go, you got to go."

"Didn't anypony think Twilight was acting strangely, there," Sweetie asked.

"I don't think 'strange' is the right word," Scoots replied.

"More like," Apple Bloom muttered, "Downright unhappy. It was like she didn't even know who we were."

"I only met huh once," Babs joined, "But she wasn't on edge like that. Not even close."

"What do you think, Spidey?" The fillies looked up to see the web-slinger cringing, as he rubbed his temple with discomfort. His eyelids rapidly flittering as he made a hard swallow down his throat. "Spidey, what's gotten into yah?"

"Sorry, Scoots, Applebloom," he answered, shaking his head, "Got a throbbing in my head, all of the sudden. Just a small headache, but still weird. Anyway, I don't think there's anything too off-putting about Twilight. She's usually like that when she's not in the mood for any of my quips. I think whatever they're dealing with right now really got to her, is all."

"Are you sure," the small Unicorn asked, "Because she didn't say anything nice to you when you talked to her. And she always tries to say something nice to everypony, no matter what."

"Got me there," said the arachnid stallion, "She didn't even bother to ask what I got planned for the lab, either. Yeah, I should probably keep a close eye on her, just in case there really is something wrong. I doubt you four want to go the lab right now, huh? Want to go back to your clubhouse? You and Gabby can wait for me ther-" Zoooooom!

"After we made it all the way over here? Are you kidding?!" The gleeful enquiry quickly after the Griffon hastily swooped in and snatched them off their hooves, and flew directly into the intended room was hard to ignore. "Come on, Crusaders! Let's get started!"

They all looked intently at the beige Unicorn, awaiting his response. He then pondered, "Well, just as long as you little rascals stay put, in case I tell you to…and since we're not close to the Map Room, where the others are, they won't be bothered…so, I guess there shouldn't be any real reason to worry just yet."

"Whoo-hoo," exclaimed Gabby. She then made the conscious effort to lower herself as carefully as possible, for Spidey caught a beaker that she knocked off the counter with an outstretched wing. "He-heh. Oops."

"And so long as we don't break anything," he muttered, "My webs will be a mess, in and of themselves."

After Spidey jotted the chemical formula of the webbing on the chalk board, and used the typewriter for the proper steps and instruments needed, Gabby was more than able to follow everything with complete understanding. She helped the yearlings in answering whatever questions or issues they might have, while the Crusaders gave the stallion a task of their own to do.

"I still can't believe ponies use typewriters. And with hooves, no less. And Gabby, you understood every single thing I wrote down on the board?"

"Yep!"

"She taught our class Calculus one time," the orange Pegasus said, "Some of it I didn't quite get, but she actually made it fun to know more about."

"And now we get to make our own spider webs," gleamed the white Unicorn, "This makes chemistry a whole lot of fun too!"

"Makin' somethin' that sticks to your mane's not exactly a trot in the pahk," Babs Seed smirked, then turned to her cousin, asking, "What numbeh's he at?"

The yellow Earth Pony with the red ribbon looked up from her own work, seeing the web-head lowering himself for another repetition, "One hunderd eighteen…" then another, "One hunderd nineteen…" then another, "One hunderd twenty…"

"And I'm hardly breaking a sweat," he spoke up evenly as he lowered himself once again. At first glance, one would expect him to perform pull-ups, hanging on to the bar. But instead, he placed himself over the bar, lowering himself, then pushing up from it, having such great balance and stamina.

"Still surprised I managed to talk myself into this," he muttered, "So, Gabby. You can do all these different things, know how to perform various jobs and tasks, and with great efficiency and proficiency. And you're still a mail Griffon?"

"Uh-huh," she nodded with vigor, "I always enjoyed trying to brighten everyone's day at Griffonstone, and I thought delivering mail to everyone everyday would let me do that. Why do you ask?"

"No reason. But it does make photography for a living not sound so bad."

"It's not always about what you're great at," said the Griffon, "It's important to enjoy what you do, too. And knowing what you do is a really great thing to do. No matter how small the job."

"Yeah, I know," he responded, as he lowered himself again, "And I really like taking pictures and figuring out the right angles and lighting for that kind of thing." Then again. "Then there's the smell of chemicals and chalk in a laboratory I savor." Then again. "I especially have fun when I go around, swinging and going after baddies," then again, "saving the day, and stuff like that. In fact, I wouldn't be able to do all those things," and again, "without my spider powers. I really think they have quite a few perks," and again, "that I can appreciate, despite their numerous…"

The fillies and Griffon turned back up to face Spider Bite, seeing him remain still, his forelegs locked into place. He seemed to be looking past them, as if something were there that they could not see. His brows furrowed with great unease, as he lifted one hoof from the bar, and placed it against his temple. As he did downstairs, Spidey slightly grunted with discomfort, and sent a lump up his throat. The leg that still held on began to wobble and shake, as he seemed to be losing balance. Just then, he sent himself directly downwards, releasing his grip entirely, and landing squarely onto the floor on all four hooves with a pant.

"Sweet apple cider," exclaimed Applebloom, "One hunderd fifty-sev'n!"

"Spider Bite, are you okay," Sweetie Belle gently asked, as she, Gabby and Babs Seed went to his side and checked on him.

"Yeah, Sweetie, I…" he huffed in reply, taking a deep breath, "Yeah, I'm…I'm fine. Must be getting a migraine, or something. This doesn't happen often, let me tell you."

"Shouldn't we take you to see a doctor," asked the Griffon, "You know, just in case?"

"Nah, I don't think it's that bad," he shook his head answering, "Starting to settle down now. Shouldn't be a problem."

"Yah sure," inquired the yellow filly, as she and Scootaloo went close to his side also, "Sure yah don't need a rest, or nothin'?"

"Come on," he scoffed with a smirk, "I've taken worse hits from those Changelings than a couple of small headaches, and they hardly even touched me. Which is actually true, now that I think about it. So, whose webbing's ready to go first?"

It hardly took the fillies and lion bird a minute to gather their own chemical concoctions and meet on the rooftop balcony. Seeing the wall-crawler perched on the edge, perfectly balanced on the railing, he asked them, "What took you so long?"

After they all shared a momentary laugh, he then continued, "Alright, here's how we'll do this: each of you, one at a time, will give me your cartridge of webbing. I'll load them into one of my shooters, and the other will have my own, just in case. I'll test each one, and see which of you made the perfect spider web for swinging around. How's that?"

"But how will you find that out," Scoots asked.

"I'll just dive down, give myself enough momentum and distance to allow for the web line to stretch, and then spring myself back up. No problem."

"Ooh," beamed the Griffon, "Just like bungee jumping!" "Right. Exactly."

"Awesome," the orange Pegasus pumped her hoof with excitement, "I'd totally want to that."

"Me, too," said Babs in kind.

"How about when I'm done here, okay? Might need both shooters to do this, you know."

"Okay," both shrugged.

"But how would you know you won't fall too far to use it anywhere," inquired Sweetie.

"Hey," Spidey replied with a grin, then rubbed his hoof playfully against her mane, "Don't worry about me, kiddo. I've done this enough times to do it in my sleep. In fact, I think I might've done so, once upon a time." Viewing the quizzical and concerned looks from her, Applebloom and her cousin still, he added, "But if it makes you feel any better, you can count alligators for me. How's that sound?"

According to plan, as soon as the foals felt more comfortable about this situation, Spider Bite leapt straight down with a flip. They hastened over to view from the railing, and saw him make his rapid, vertical descent. Seeing his forelegs outstretched, and his hind legs pointing straight up, as he did on the diving board earlier today, the foals counted. "One alligator, two alligator, three alligator, four alligator, five alligator…" S'doijh.

Once they completed their fifth alligator, the Crusaders witnessed a white line of adhesive attached to the bottom of the balcony, directly below where they stood. The line stretched, and extended, though it reduced Spidey's fall to the point of halting him entirely. Just then, it sprung him back upward, which gave him the momentum required to soar back and flip onto the rail. Startled at first, the foals reared back as he landed. Then seeing his crouched form precisely where he was before, they hooted, hollered and cheered along with Gabby.

"Alright," he announced grandly, "Great job, Babs! That was an excellent batch of webbing. I'll definitely consider you for part-time."

"Can I take the notes back home with me, an' share 'em with the othuh Crusaduhs back in Manehatten? Please?"

"Well, just be sure to have a grown pony with you who knows this kind of stuff, and can check your friends' work. I'll write a letter to your folks, and let them know. Make sure it's also in a contained area. Just not at home, or shoot it off in your house. Worst mess to clean up. Ever. Trust me. Scoots, you're up!" Replacing the tan Earth Pony's sample with Scootaloo's, he took a great leap straight down, once again. "One alligator, two alligator, three alligator, four alligator, five alliga-" Sh'dew.

Another adhesive attached onto the balcony's floor underneath them, hanging next to Babs Seed's own web. The same results occurred, only it did not stretch as far, and did not send the web-head high enough. However, he ejected a quick batch from his other band, pulled onto it, then soundly landed back onto the rail. "Nice one, Scoots! In fact, that's way better than my first two batches, ever. Just need to work on getting its stretching proportions right next time, okay?"

"Sweet!"

"Speaking of which, Sweetie, would you like me to try yours next? Or you want to give Applebloom a turn, first. It's fine with me, either way." Although slightly uncomfortable about this, seeing Spidey using Babs' and Scoots' webbing first gave her enough confidence to nod firmly, "Yeah, I think it'll be fine."

As before, the arachnid Unicorn loaded the filly's container into the same brace as the others previous. Then, he jumped down. "One alligator, two alligator, three alligator, four alligator, five alligator, si-" F'joih. A third line stretched from the veranda's base, sending him straight up, like the last two times. Though not as high as the first, he was able to simply place his hind hooves onto the edge. "Perfect! Just exactly what I'm looking for in my web shooters!"

"Thanks," she gleamed with a modest blush.

"So," Spidey continued, "Which of you is brave enough to be last pony, or Griffon standing? Or hovering? You know what I mean."

"Ah know Gabby's is definitely gonna work," Applebloom smirked, prompting a similar response from Gabby, "Ah'd like to see how mine fairs."

"Sounds good to me," came the Griffon's chipper response. The cartridge was loaded into the web shooter. Then the web-slinger made his swift descent. "One alligator, two alligator, three alligator, four alligator, five alligator, six alligator, seven…"

They all paused as they looked on, seeing Spider Bite then sharply turn and spin webs from both his braces. One line managed to make contact with the veranda, while the other only missed its mark by mere breadths. The first extended, then recoiled, allowing for the web-head to spring back up, but only slightly. He then shot a third web line, and hoisted himself up. Relief was felt throughout the frightened foals, as they witnessed him return to the balcony. However, they saw him sail over their heads, then skid roughly onto the balcony floor behind them, collapsing on all fours with a huff.

"Whoa," he gasped, as he shakily began to rise, but fell again, "Okay. That came out of left field."

"Spidey!" All were immediately tending to him, gently taking a hoof to help his trembling frame back up. Gabby sharply asked, "Oh, are you okay? What happened down there?"

"Not sure, exactly," he heavily panted, cringing as he tended to his cranium once more, "Guess I packed…passed…blacked out there, for a sec. Could only respond…in time like that…before I could…even…" Just then, he slipped away, closing his eyes behind his blue shades as he fell completely into the Griffon's talons.

"Oh, no," Sweetie fearfully muttered, "What do we do? What do we do? What do we do?!"

At the moment, all anypony could ever do was sit and wait outside the bedroom door, as Gabby quietly held Sweetie Bell and Applebloom closely to comfort them. The tan Earth Pony and orange Pegasus leaned against the wall, opposite from the doorway, with Scoots ruffling her tiny wings and Babs puffing her banes aside. No words were spoken. There was no such need for them, as they all shared a bit of fear, uncertainty and confusion, all with their own, different levels of each. None were wary of how much time had passed, though they would have thought it was dragging on much too slowly, for their taste. It felt extremely uncomfortable. Before they knew it, however, they heard the door creak, and saw the Zebra calmly step out, closing it from behind.

"How's he doin'," softly asked Babs Seed.

"Is he okay," followed Scootaloo, then Sweetie, "What happened?" Gabby and Applebloom simply rose and quietly listened.

"As far as I can tell, he seems to be doing fine now," the physician gently answered, "It was my first time checking his pulse. I doubt any doctor ever gave him a full examination before now. It was kind of hard to get a good reading of it, at first, being so fast. But since he's been breathing normally, I'd say he's alright in that regard. As for what happened, let me ask all of you: you said he was performing several activities today, correct?"

"Yeah," nodded the Griffon, "I was too. We did rock climbing, kayaking, yoga, archery, chess…"

"And before that, what did he do?"

"Well," pondered Applebloom, "Same as the days before, Ah recon. Said he was workin' different jobs. At our farm, yah know that, helpin' Rarity and Fluttershah, and even delivered stuff fur the Cake family."

"Said he was saving up for a camera," joined Scootaloo. Just then, they all noticed another pony silently strolling down the hallway. Her head lowered in deep, perturbed thought, upon returning from her abrupt trip to her village.

"Hey, Starlight," croaked the Pegasus filly.

"Hi, Starlight." "Howdy." "Hey."

"Hi, Crusaders," she answered in kind, "Hello, Doctor Bromwel-Doctor Bromwell!" Then she sharply turned her full attention to all gathering at Spider Bite's bedroom. "What's going on? How come you're here?"

"Gabby brought me here as quickly as she could," the Zebra answered, "Saying Spider Bite fainted for no apparent reason. Had a couple migraines before, but nothing else."

"Is he okay?"

"He's perfectly fine, so far. Has he still been learning how to use his horn?"

"Y-yes," she stammered in thought, "He joins me and Twilight, early every morning for lessons. What do you think's the problem?"

"My diagnosis," Nick said, "I'd say he's spent too much of his mind, heart, body and spirit that he forgot to give himself a proper rest, causing his system to collapse. Not to mention still adjusting to…well, whatever happened to us when we first came here. Took him a month to finally give in, I think. I'd say he needs to stay still for a day, at least. Recover. I'll see if I can pay Miss Zecora a visit for her assistance, as well. And make sure he's in good company. Don't let him exert himself any more than he needs to."

"Of course." "Sure thing, Doc. Toodles." After the light violet mare and Griffon spoke, and Nicolas began to depart, Gabby offered to take the fillies back home, and call it a day. However, through their insistence, and after she and the Zebra went to inform their families, the Crusaders remained with their Griffon friend in the Tree Castle. Starlight, herself, decided to turn in for the night.

"I still can't believe you let that annoying, pesky creature inside to begin with," hissed Fluttershy, or who seemed to be her.

"And those noisy, little brats too," rasped the pony who appeared to be Rainbow Dash.

"Alongside a Griffon, no less," snapped the supposed Rarity.

"Yep," a snide AJ seemed to remark, crossing her hind legs onto the table, while reclining in her throne, "Might as well tell 'em who we really are. Spoil everythin' too, why don't yah?"

"Yeah," snapped the apparent Pinkie Pie, "You heard Queen Chrysalis tell us how he took on a whole bunch of our buddies the last time! Or did you forget how easily he got under her exoskeleton?"

"It was the best means of reducing his suspicion of us as possible," flatly answered the supposed Princess of Friendship, "And you don't need to tell me what his love can do. I felt it. Worse than she described, I thought. But from the looks of things, I doubt he'll be much of an issue, at the moment."

"Only because he caught a little bug," the rainbow Pegasus spoke irritably, slamming her hoof onto the Cutie Map, "What about after he gets better?"

"If the Queen gives the word, and I mean when she does," she grinned, "We won't have to worry about that for long."

"And what of the others," evenly asked the white Unicorn.

"As planned, we'll take a bit of their love for each other, and their friends to feed. The little things will hardly notice anything wrong."

"And…how about that Starlight character?"

"Ha-hah, please," the apparent Twilight scoffed at Pinkie, "She's as gullible as her teacher. If not more so. Trust me. She won't be too much of an issue, either."

Unbeknownst to the sneering ponies in the Cutie Map Chamber, was something that nopony had ever anticipated. As the arachnid stallion continued to toss and turn with utter discomfort, hooves constantly rubbing his head, while the four fillies gradually succumbed to uneasy slumber under the Griffon's wing as they watched him. Somewhere, down the hall, in another chamber, Starlight awoke. The Unicorn Mare sharply rose from her bed in beads of cold sweat, gasping, "They're back!"

Chapter Three

"Mm-mm-hm," muffled Gabby's voice before she swallowed, "I don't think I've ever eaten banana cream pie this delicious in my whole life, Mrs. Parker! Thanks!"

"Well," the warm-hearted Pegasus chuckled, as she placed her cleared plate onto the kitchen table, "I can't say that I've ever received any compliments about my cooking from a Griffon before either, so I guess that makes us even."

"Yeah, I know. We Griffons can be pretty cranky, sometimes. Okay, most of the time."

"To tell you the truth, I've never so much as met one before. So, I would be none the wiser."

By now, it has been well into the afternoon of the following day, when May and Gabby conversed after completing their meals. The Crusaders sat at the table also, eating their own slices after having lunch, as well. Their concentration so deeply centered on the dessert, they could hardly join in without a mouthful themselves, only allowing for much more muffled speech from Scoots than Gabby. "Mmpyah! Thankf, Muffiv Pahker! Itf great!"

"Be sure to chew and swallow first, Scootaloo. And I must say," She continued, "meeting such a high-spirited young lady during this unpleasant time is definitely reassuring. I mean the way you've helped comfort these little ones here, while also tending to our sick friend. With such a caring nature, it's no wonder you enjoy the girls' company."

"Little kids smiling always makes my day," beamed the Griffon hen, "Heck, anyone's smile makes my day! Helps me to know that they can be happy with me too!"

"It's always helpful to give someone a kind smile. At least, that way, they could find some reason to carry on."

"And also, a lot of times, the best kind of smiles are from little foals or chicks!"

"Oh, yes," May nodded in reminiscence, "I remember how my nephew came running downstairs every morning, for breakfast. I always saw how happy he was to see me and his uncle, my little Peter. Then I noticed he started smiling at the beginning and end of each day, before going off to school and seeing me to bed, making sure he got one from me back. So much like Ben."

"Mm," gulped Applebloom, "Yur nephew sure sounds like a mighty nice pony to be with."

"The times when his is actually around, he most certainly can be."

"So," Sweetie Belle began, after finishing her own plate, "What does your nephew do, anyway?"

"He studies sciences at the university," the Pegasus mare replied, "Not sure which ones, exactly. Very bright in those areas. Able to work in the laboratories there for part time. He also took work for a city newspaper as a photographer, to help pay for his tuition. Ever since I moved, he no longer had to worry so much about helping me with the bills."

"He sure does sound like a hard-workin' pony tah boot."

"An' pretty smaht, too," the tan Earth Pony remarked after her yellow cousin.

"I think he would totally be awesome to hang around with," the orange filly beamed, wings outstretched with excitement.

"Me too," said Gabby.

"And I'm more than sure he would definitely enjoy you young ladies' company, also." They then noticed a scarlet bubble expanding past them with a soft pong, knowing that was Spider Bite's magic enveloping the Castle, as per his routine. It gently reverberated throughout the palace, as it did the previous occasions, before it eventually reduced to silence once again.

"Why does that young man keep insisting on using that annoying sound? It's not as if the whole world would end the moment he lets up. He should be resting, not exerting any more energy."

"So," the white Unicorn inquired, "I heard my sister Rarity say once that Spidey and the rest of you were humans in your world. What exactly is a human?"

"Yeah," followed Scootaloo, "And what's your world like?"

"Is it anythin' like ours," Babs Seed asked, shortly before Applebloom, "Do yah have ponies there, and hang out with 'em?"

"Oh, ho-ho," she chuckled lightly at the sudden curiosity from the four fillies, "One question at a time, please, dears. I'm afraid there's a whole lot to explain. In fact, I can honestly say I don't know everything there is to know about where I'm from, either."

"Ooh, ooh," exclaimed the Griffon, "I love to learn about new things! I'm so, so glad that I made this trip! If I wasn't glad then, I most definitely am, now!"

The brown Pegasus took a trey of soup and water for the Griffon to carry, then they traveled up the stairs with the fillies joining them, trotting by May's side. She began speaking to them by offering a brief summary of a human being, how horses and ponies could not speak or trade, but helped humans work the land and carry heavy loads. She then carried on to certain advances in technology, such as motors, cars, tractors, airplanes and phones. She mentioned also how she only noticed a steam engine here, along with a peddled helicopter hovering by. Much to everyone's bewilderment, she told them how Griffons, Unicorns and Pegasi were only considered mythical creatures in her world, found only in legends and fables. As soon as they had passed the foyer, and climbed the staircase, the foals stayed with May Parker to rest for a while, as Gabby continued to deliver Spidey's refreshments.

"Oh, dear. Let me tell you, I haven't had much use for stairs since I moved out of that condo in Queens. Just stepped on a lift to the apartment I took up. Peter felt slightly crushed about it, but knew that there was a time to move on, especially since he was starting college then."

"Anythin' wrong with yur wings there," the yellow Earth Pony asked politely.

"Not at all, Applebloom," she smiled back, "Just takes this older bird a while to get used them right now. Maybe someday, but for the moment I'm just using stretch exercises to keep their muscles from getting stiff."

"You think maybe you can show me those exercises," the orange Pegasus spoke in earnest.

"How about later today, Scootaloo," May gleamed as she hugged her, "after seeing our friend first? This past month has helped me memorize most of the techniques. I'll be more than happy to share them with you. You may still have a ways to go and grow, but it will certainly help to practice using them regularly."

"That'd be awesome!"

"You ready to move on now, Mrs. Pahkuh," Applebloom's tan cousin said, noticing the mare Pegasus rising back onto her hind legs. "Yes, I believe so, young lady. Just be sure not to rush me down the hall, alright?"

They escorted her through the hallway, then entered into his room to find him reclining on his pillow, and wearing his scarlet hood with his sunglasses, once again. Gabby stood at his bedside, grinning at the entering ponies to assure them everything was well. His previous glass of water already emptied, they noticed him pull down the cloak over his head even further upon Sweetie's retrieval of it. The trey on his bedside table was near the levitating cup, its steaming substance now reduced to half of what had been served. The fresh cup of water they offered he gently held with his scarlet aura, replacing that of the filly Unicorn's own teal gleam, before he took a sip. He then placed it down, next to the bowl of soup, and said, "Thanks again, Mrs. Parker. And you too, girls. Gabby. You really didn't have to do this."

"Nonsense, young man. This is exactly what Nicolas recommended, and that is precisely what we intend to give you."

"But what if something happened while you're here? I can't have any of you take such a dangerous risk while stuff like this is going on."

"Don't worry, Spider Bite," the Griffon perked, "I can help out around here until everypony gets back! And if you want, we can maybe make an emergency plan. Just in case."

"But for now," May persisted, "you should be looking after your own health. Give yourself exactly what you need before anything else."

"Thanks, I'll make a note of that. But now that I'm actually doing it, Princess Twilight and the others haven't been seen or heard from by anypony, since last night. And without any clue if Chrysalis has been here and took them. Even Starlight vanished into thin air. Lucky enough that Gabby and I are still around to keep an eye on the place, until we can figure out what happened, only able to send a message to Celestia and Luna by mail pony-"

"Hush now! You're supposed to rest and recoup. Not drain your mind away with worries." May had approached his bed, raising a hoof to help fluff his pillows. With slight unease, he muttered, "Mrs. Parker, that's practically my profession. And some career choice I've made, let me tell you."

"Goodness, you know you can be worse than my nephew, at times. At least he hasn't been sick lately. In fact, I don't recall him ever getting more than a slight cold a few times, recently. And even then, he was much quieter than he normally would be."

"Really," he smirked in disbelief, "Just a few measly colds? That's it?"

"Well," she answered in kind, "when he was small, Peter had a terrible case of food poisoning. Then the following year, a slight case of tonsillitis. Luckily, it wasn't serious enough to rush him to the hospital and have them removed. A few accidents here and there while growing up, but he has kept himself in overall, good health since then. Unlike someone I know, of late."

"You sure know how to count your blessings, Mrs. P," he nodded in admiration, "And those of your nephew."

"Yeah," beamed Sweetie Belle lovingly, "He's really, really lucky to have an aunt like you!"

"An' we're lucky tah have yah in our home too, Ma'am," the yellow Earth Pony added as she and Babs Seed went up to embrace her. Gabby, Sweetie and Scoots shortly joined them, then brought Spidey in also, through the Griffon hen's not-so-subtle insistence. It was then that the orange Pegasus foal asked, "How long will you be staying?"

"Not too sure, dear," replied May Parker, after they parted from their tight embrace, "I imagine our bedridden friend is still working on that little detail."

"With Princess Twilight and Starlight, yeah."

"But, don't you want tuh stay here? Don't you like havin' us 'round?"

"Oh, absolutely, Babs Seed," she gently answered, rubbing her cocoa brown hoof onto the filly's crimson, magenta mane, "I can never stop enjoying you girls coming around to be with me, or even being here. Maybe I would've loved the idea of staying, but you see, there's a home that I need to get to, where someone is waiting for me."

"Well," Scoots evenly spoke with pursed lips, "I bet he and his uncle can't wait to see you home and tell them all about this place, huh?"

"My dear," she chuckled in reply, "I doubt Peter would even believe me when I tell him. Now Ben, on the other hand, well, that's a completely different story."

"How come," asked Applebloom with a slanted brow.

"Yeah," Scoots spoke, "I mean, sure turning into a pony in a place where there are Unicorns, Pegasi and Griffons might sound strange where you're from. But why wouldn't he believe you?"

"Is it because it would only sound like another one of those legends you talked about?"

"Maybe," the brown Pegasus shrugged in response to the little Unicorn, "He's had such a hard life, I don't think his mind and heart are willing to accept things that might sound like pure fantasy."

"Oh, I don't know," the arachnid Unicorn smirked, "He got to see some crazy stuff while shooting photos of me over the years. Plus you've got Doctor Bromwell and Miss Watson to back you up. Nothing compared to the three of you telling him about talking ponies in a magical land after your disappearing act, though."

"Oh hush, and finish your soup," said May with a squint, before she departed from the room, "Now that reminds of another thing. I wonder if Mary Jane is considering staying there, in Manehatten. Though she might be concerned about her Aunt Anna, as well."

The Crusader fillies strolled out of the web-head's room alongside her, listening to the Pegasus mare, and asking her even more questions. Closing the door from behind, they leave Spider Bite with Gabby, who seemed eager to speak with the stallion a little further. After he heaved a deep sigh, and slouched his shoulders with relief, he said, "Thanks for the assist."

"No problem," she nodded, "I noticed how much you preferred keeping your face, mane and tail mostly covered, so I thought I'd go ahead of the rest and make sure you were ready. Like last time, with the Doc."

"Just didn't think I'd be back in this thing again," he remarked as he examined the fabric he wore, "And so soon, too."

"Wouldn't the cap be enough? Like last time?"

"Can never be too sure. Besides, I think it's better this way."

"What do you mean," Gabby tilted her owl head as one eye blinked, "How come you don't want anypony seeing your face?"

"Because if I'm not careful enough, somepony might point it out, whether or not they mean to, which could reach the wrong kind of ponies' ears. Or people's, whichever comes first. And with that info, they can just find out where I hang out easily, causing more problems for everyone else."

"Well, everypony knows who you are, by now. What you did, and where you're living, and who your friends are. Twilight, Starlight, Pinkie, Fluttershy, the Crusaders, me…"

"That's not what I meant."

"What did you mean?"

"It's way more complex than that."

"Does it have to do with being from another world?"

"More or less." The two shared a momentary pause of silence between themselves, as Spidey lowered his head and Gabby pondered what next to say. "Well, there's also your Cutie Mark. Not exactly hard to miss something so amazing."

"Yeah, no kidding," he scoffed lightly, "It's practically a target branded onto me. But nothing a pair of pants can't fix, if I'm ever out of town."

"Wowzers," she muttered back, "I don't think I've ever heard a pony say something like that about their own Mark. And that came from you, of all ponies."

"Mostly because I never had this until last month, when I came here. Didn't even know it existed, until it was brought to my attention."

"But you know what it means to a pony, right?"

"And what this particular Mark means to me? Yeah, I do."

"What does it mean to you?"

"A packaged deal." The Griffon was left befuddled and somewhat bewildered, unsure exactly what to make of this somber discourse from a pony who seemed to be upbeat and pleasant every single day of his life. To hear this same, quirky stallion who, only yesterday, found a way to make nearly every moment enjoyable for those around him, say that he did not feel the same about his own gifts and purpose. It was very strange, to say the least. Yes, she was aware that he was not even a pony, to begin with, but it still unnerved her to know another creature besides a Griffon felt distraught by whom he has become, and whom he was meant to be.

"Speaking of which…" As he closed his eyes in concentration, his horn under the hood began to gleam. Just then, the familiar pong vibrated throughout the chamber, and across the entire premises, as before. The echoes faded into soft, regathered silence, as the wall-crawler huffed, "Nothing too exertive. But it still takes a lot of practice to really get used to it. And, again, can't be too careful. Even with my spider sense."

"What can even stop your spider sense from detecting danger?"

"Don't ask." Suddenly, in a poof of green sparks and smoke, a parchment landed squarely onto the bedridden stallion's lap. Pat. He seemed startled by it at first, though recognized the nature and meaning of the scroll's appearence instantly. Without even thinking of using his horn, he instinctively levitated it to his eye level, and began to unroll it.

"Guess not as much getting used to as you thought, huh Spidey?"

"If this scroll came here the way it did," he sharply spoke, "it means it's from Spike, and the rest! We've finally got some news! And not just about them! From them!"

"Whoa-ho-ho there, pal," Gabby swooped over and snatched the rolled piece of paper with her talon, "Doc says you need to take it easy. So, take it easy. I'll read it for you, and you just relax."

"How about that. A Griffon saying 'whoa' to me. Okay, sure, fine," he sighed with bereaved annoyance, "Just please read it aloud. I haven't even got to look at the morning paper today, I'm so bored." She smirked, glad to know that part of him still remained, as she examined the unrolled message herself. "Just promise me to wait after I read to talk, okay?"

"Cross my heart. Hope to fly. Stick a cupcake in my eye," he mumbled, rolling his eyes. "Can't believe Pinkie made me know that by memory."

"Ahem. Dear Spider Bite and Gabby, – Hey! This is for me, too! – We heard you have been in the Castle while we were gone, and duly appreciate your vigilant presence there, during our absence. Heard? Didn't they see us hang out here yesterday? I know Twilight saw you ponies, at least. I imagine you may have been greatly troubled by now, and even more greatly disturbed if the news of recent events has reached the Ponyville Express already. Huh, guess we will have to see today's paper and check, after all. But rest assured, (Ahem!) we are all perfectly safe and well, many thanks to Starlight Glimmer, Discord, Thorax and Trixie. Who? If not for their valiant efforts to rescue us, Chrysalis and the Changelings would have successfully ruled Equestria without anypony's notice. Wow, she had more Changelings? Chrysalis has been overthrown, and now Thorax governs his fellow Changelings. Chrysalis, however, still managed to escape, leaving no trail or clue to her current whereabouts behind. Therefore, I ask that you two please remain in the Tree Palace, until our return. We will explain everything, in further detail. Many Thanks.
Your Friend,
Twilight Sparkle

Wowzers! I bet they've got a whole lot to explain to us! I mean, how did they even get captured?"

"What?"

"How did Starlight and Discord rescue them, if the others were so easily taken?"

"What?"

"And who are Trixie and Thorax? I don't think I've ever met those ponies, before. Discord, neither, but I at least heard about him."

"What?"

"Now I'm beginning to wonder if Princess Celestia and Princess Luna were even around to get our letter. I mean, were they captured too?"

"What?!" The outcry of shock and utter horror was finally difficult for Gabby to ignore, as she viewed the gaping, terror-stricken Unicorn stare on with narrowed pupils. His front hooves were rubbing wildly through his ruffled, brown mane as he exclaimed with great, dumbstruck demeanor, "Man, no wonder I kept getting migraines yesterday! Ngyuh! Spider sense, you picked a lousy time to be subtle!"

Chapter Four

Rainbow Dash had always emphasized the need for practice, in order make something totally awesome brought to extremely insane perfection. Having such a role model, albeit she slightly idolized, as well as a surrogate sister proved to be a welcoming addition to her foalhood. The colorfully maned Pegasus has shown her that there was no need to be a stud, but simply to embrace every part of her, wings and all, and aim to be the best pony she can be. Nor did she ever need to behave as one, as Sweetie had proven through her own sibling. All she needed to do, was to make the most of what she has right now, and enjoy it the way most befitting of her nature and talents: which was through the thrill and excitement whenever she put her thoughts into action, especially in speeding down the road, on her aerial-motored scooter.

Such was the motivation behind Scootaloo’s trail of thought, as she strove to take great strides at great lengths, to ensure her chances of flying were as high as she possibly could make them. Nothing deterred her from her focus in mirroring the senior Pegasus’ motions during the exercises, giving nothing short of her full effort. The orange filly put everything she had in moving the muscles in her wings, legs, back, and even her neck joints, knowing the importance of using her entire frame for takeoff and stability, when airborne.

“Like this, Mrs. P?”

“That’s perfect, Scootaloo,” beamed May, at once, “For whatever it’s worth, you’re far more a natural at this, than I am.”

Of course, Rainbow was not the only Pegasus Scoots ever learned from, far from it. Her parents certainly set the groundwork, the launching pad, that is, for her dreams to take flight. Her big brother, afterwards, was instrumental in helping her believe such dreams, with great effort, are not always beyond her reach, or something even greater could happen. However, after his new job sent him to live further away than Canterlot, thirty moons ago, he was unable to see Scoots as often as they both liked, though they still contacted each other by mail. In finding the perfect role model in a mare like Rainbow Dash, it helped to prove that such a reality was actually possible. For this little filly, the skies are the limit, and her mom and dad always wanted that for her. She knew her other sister was around to watch her, also. Even though she cannot see her.

“Man, I feel so pumped,” leapt the Pegasus filly, whirring her feathered limbs rapidly, “Like I can take on…on…well, something huge!”

“Well, with that sort of spirit, young lady, you’ll have your wings proper, in due time. So long as you remember to do these every day.”

“Is it okay that I come every morning, for the next few days? You know, so I can get these moves down flat?”

“Of course,” chuckled the cocoa brown mare, “Come visit as often as you like. And I would certainly love the company of a fellow flier to help me, also.”

“Sweet!”

Pong. After the usual sonic wave, Mrs. Parker told her that was all for the day, though it did not stop Scootaloo’s emphatic resolve to do these exercises every morning, noon and evening, before joining her fellow Crusaders. They all agreed upon exploring the Tree Castle even further than they already have, while also showing Gabby around. Although they found many guest rooms looking exactly alike to be a bore, they each sought out, or discovered something that they could enjoy even more about this structure. Babs Seed liked the washrooms and powder rooms that were lined for a vast number of ponies, believing them only lacking in seats, as she would find in a barber’s shop. Scootaloo clearly marveled the swimming pool and gymnasium, imagining Rainbow Dash performing amazing stunts and techniques for anypony to watch. Sweetie Belle enjoyed taking in as much as she could of the grand ballroom, its grandeur making her lift and turn her head as straight as possible to view the massive chamber, and a desire to dance and sing in there. It was as if she were in a whimsical pony’s tale Rarity had read to her, on occasion. As for Apple Bloom, she simply could not resist the urge to view the Map Chamber as often as possible, not just to take a look at the Cutie Map, but admire also the Grand Oak Library Chandelier her big sister put such effort in uprooting. Alongside her friends, of course.

“Wow, Crusaders,” the Griffon gawked, unable to contain herself from viewing such awe and wonder, “Now that I’m getting a good look at this place, I don’t think I can ever get it out of my head. Ever!”

“It sure makes fur a mighty fine place tah live in,” the yellow filly replied, as her tan cousin stared in wanderlust, beside her.

“Not sure a single buildin’ in Manehatten’s got anythin’ on this joint,” Babs spoke after Apple Bloom. The white Unicorn stared on, as she reminisced, “Can’t believe I only saw a little bit of the castle, during the first Hearth’s Warming in here. Now, I don’t think I can get enough of it. Ever.”

“You’re telling me,” Scoots added. The elated orange Pegasus fluttered her wings as would a hummingbird, causing her to hover momentarily. “I can’t wait to give these wings a try, and reach the ceiling!”

Once she grew tired of the exertion, however, she clopped her hooves onto the stone floor, and heaved a pant. “Just got to keep exercising…to get them stronger, is all. Whew!”

Just then, they heard a bright ringing bounce off of the crystal-like hallway they strolled through.

“Dinner!” The exclamation from all four foals was immediately followed by a scurried rush of excitement down the narrow tunnel of gemlike doors and lanterns. Noticing the faltering efforts of the little, orange one of the troupe, Gabby smirked when she used her arched, feline neck to launch Scoots onto her back. Before she could even think to protest, however, Scootaloo felt the excitement that elevated from such a prompt act, as well as the soft gusts rushing past her tired, outstretched wings, elating them from their efforts of the day. She also could not resist the impulse to wave her forelegs outward, and enjoy the Griffon-back ride altogether. “Whoo-hoo!”

“You said it, Scoots,” beamed the gliding hen Griffon.

“My turn, after her,” shouted Babs and Bloom, at once. “Nuh-uh, me!”

“What about me,” whined Sweetie Belle. Once they arrived the kitchen, though, their odorant senses dashed whatever aggression they may have attained towards each other. Immediately, as Gabby lowered the orange Pegasus back onto the floor, the foals’ curiosity to follow the source took action in their flailing gallops toward the counter full of steaming dishes, where May Parker stood beside, along with another mare.

“Hey, kids,” said the cyan Unicorn.

“Miss Heartstrings,” exclaimed the Crusaders, as the small, white Unicorn zoomed over to embrace Lyra’s front hooves first.

“And how’s my little pupil, this fine day,” she asked Sweetie, with a gleaming laugh.

“Great,” shouted back the filly, “I can’t wait to show you the super, big, enormous piano that I found in here!”

As the little girl shared with her music teacher what she discovered in the Tree Palace, the yellow Earth Pony introduced the local lyrist to her tan cousin. The moment they heard from the brown Pegasus that Lyra, and her roommate Bon-Bon shortly, were joining them all for supper, and their fun with Gabby, all four Crusaders gained all that much more enthusiasm to share this evening with more ponies in the Castle. The fillies continued talking, as Lyra and Gabby aided May in taking the treys and bowls onto the dining table beyond the swinging doors of the galley.

What came as an abrupt surprise, at first, was the sudden, scarlet flare that erupted at the nearby sofa. Adjacent to the door that connected the dining area to the reception hall, reclined the hooded Unicorn. After greeting the four fillies and Griffon before they entered the room, he adjusted his position with a slight huff. “Whooh. Wierd how it puts a lesser strain than taking the stairs, but of a completely separate variety. And, don’t worry. I’m planning to spend the night here. Keep an eye and ear on the front door, and save you the trip up. No moving around, unless I really have to.”

“Kind of stubborn, aren’t you,” quizzically said Lyra.

“Took a nice three-hour nap, before coming down, too.”

“I’m just grateful that same attitude has kept Peter from getting too close to danger,” May remarked, “Though, sometimes I wonder how much of an influence he’s been to the young man.”

“Hey, I’m no brother’s keeper. Not even my brother.” The smug response from the arachnid stallion prompted May to retort gently, “No, but he does seem to respect you as such, all things considered.”

“Can’t say I’ve done an A-okay job of keeping him out of trouble, though.”

“He’s remained a solid citizen, and stays in relatively good health, when he gets home. So, overall, a B-plus.”

“Yeah, well, there’s still that eleven percent scratched out.”

“I’d say more like ten-point-five,” smirked the elderly Pegasus, “But I was strictly talking about Peter. Everything else was beyond anybody’s control, and yours especially. Despite what you may think, you are no Superman.”

“Speaking of ‘Supes,’ is dinner ready yet? I'm so hungry, I can eat a...uh, something huge. I could smell the food from upstairs.” Spidey’s quip was answered in the opening of the main entrance by the Unicorn mare’s golden glow, its creak and groan echoing across the foyer, as an Earth Pony entered passed them. After the vanilla white mare hoof bumped with her Unicorn friend, she casually made her way towards the conversing ponies, saying, “Oh, don’t get me started on food odors. Had a pretty busy day, ended up skipping lunch, and caught that salivating fragrance from the opened kitchen windows.”

“Just glad you didn’t catch what I got. Workaholitis. You must be Bon-Bon.”

“Good to finally meet you, Spider Bite,” Bon-Bon offered her hoof with a smile, which he cordially took. After a week on vacation, she spent another week hearing about Lyra’s discussions with Twilight and the web-head, along with her roommate’s insistence on meeting him also. “And to see you’re looking better. Heard from Lyra that Gabby said you were hit pretty hard, yesterday.”

“Yeah, well, Mrs. Parker, here keeps insisting I need to stop exerting myself, until Doc gives the green light. Even in the small ways I’ve been doing. So, good to have Lyra offer taking over.”

“Believe me,” huffed Bon-Bon, with a playful role of her blue irises, “She more than jumped at the chance to get in cahoots again with a former human, from another world.”

“And even you don’t know where she got all that from? Her best friend?”

“Not a clue. Sorry.” She watched, as her roommate gave a satirical snort, then continued, “And given her response, she probably still won’t tell me, yet.”

“Because it was so obvious! The whole thing was under your muzzle. Right there, in front of us.”

“And, as usual, that’s as far as she will elaborate. But since the Griffon asked both of us to come here, rather energetically I might add, I’m guessing there’s more to my Castle invite for dinner. You want to get a legit system going for watching the place, while Twilight and the others are gone?”

“Actually,” plainly stated Spidey, “Gabby’s got the whole thing the Princess had planned out. Just need to talk it over with all of us together, and see what questions we’ve got.”

“After dinner, though. Alright?”

“Just remember, lady. I take the tab.”

“Well,” chuckled May at the playful exchange, “then I suggest you young ladies come to the table before it gets cold. Gabriella will be out with yours shortly, dear.”

“Thanks, Mrs. P,” nodded Spider Bite. As she led the way, with the cyan Unicorn behind her, Mrs. Parker was unable to notice the Earth Pony mare stop near the reclined pony, and whisper, “Does my secret with the girls and you apply to Gabby, as well?”

“No,” the web-slinger shook his head, in reply, “All I did was ask her to have you on board too, if you were interested. Like you said, Lyra was the only pony I knew who would jump at this.”

“Okay, thanks,” she sighed slightly in assurance, “Sorry to be a little pestering. Any number beyond just Lyra already breaks my quota.”

“Believe me, I more than get that.”

“I should hope so. I mean, it sounds like you were the first to suggest involving Lyra in this security detail.”

“It may be a small town, but she’s pretty much the only Unicorn I’ve gotten acquainted with that’s available. Plus, I knew just poor, sickly me and Gabby won’t be enough to keep the others safe, if it ever comes to that.”

“Point taken. Again, sorry for the nagging.”

“Don’t mention it. Like I said, I get where you’re coming from. Even Discord doesn’t seem too keen on letting out our secrets.”

“Don’t be so sure, bud,” squinted the mare with the mane of blue and brown, “That’s the Master of Chaos, you’re talking about.”

“Yeah,” scoffed the web-stallion, in deference, “No kidding.”

As the evening carried on, the meal prepared by May Parker, with the cyan Unicorn’s assistance, was thoroughly enjoyed. And in periodic intervals, before, then after supper, Lyra Heartstrings would activate her horn to send out the sonic pong of golden waves throughout the castle, as Spidey instructed. Allowing the Crusaders and Mrs. Parker to have dessert in the dining room, she, Bon-Bon and Gabby met with the wall-crawler, in the hallway. After she had promised the white filly to see the grand piano, and hear her practice, Sweetie Belle watched Lyra and the others depart, while she finished her own meal. Another momentary pause emanated from the little, white Unicorn, when an idea had brightened into her. Amazingly, she kept it to herself, for the remainder of the fillies’ final course, until they all aided the brown Pegasus in clearing the table and washing the dishes.

“Hey, Crusaders. I’ve been thinking.”

“What about, Sweetie Belle,” asked Apple Bloom. She received a rinse bowl from her friend, wiping it with a dish rag, before holding it over Scootaloo’s fanning wings to thoroughly dry. Babs Seed then took it onto a stack of other clean dishes, for Gabby to put away, up in the high cupboards.

“Well,” Sweetie began, “You know how much Spider Bite’s been really spending a lot of his time and energy pitching in, and helping ponies out wherever, and whenever he can.”

“Yeah,” huffed Scoots, after giving her wings a rest, after the final plate. Babs placed it onto the last pile for their Griffon Crusader, and added, “The doctuh said that’s what got him out’a shape, from the start.”

“And Doctor Bromwell also said that if he’s better tomorrow, he shouldn’t be doing too much still. Make sure he’s got enough rest.”

“What’re yah gettin’ at,” said the yellow filly with the red bow.

“I think he’s going to get pretty bored from staying inside any longer. And he might want to do more than just go outside to get fresh air.”

“I know what that’s like,” the little, orange Pegasus remarked, “First thing I want to do, when I get better, is get right on my scooter, and take it out for a spin!”

After receiving nods and mutters of sympathy from the two Earth Pony foals, the white Unicorn continued, “So, what about doing a little something for him tomorrow? You know. To make sure he doesn’t feel left out.”

“Ooh! Ooh,” squealed Gabby, “Like a great big, super, incredible party? That would be amazing!”

“Not exactly,” she answered, “Besides, my Mom and Rarity always tell me that sweets after getting better make you sick, again. Make you stay in bed even longer.”

“No kiddin’,” added the tan filly, blowing her crimson, magenta banes from her face, “But maybe a little somethin’ tuh help’m feel bettuh, and not just get bettuh.”

“Right,” Sweetie Bell nodded, “So, maybe we can bring other ponies over. Play games, and bring snacks…”

“And tell some funny jokes,” added Scootaloo. This got the fillies exuberant with cheerful anticipation, until Apple Bloom said, “But, we don’t have Pinkie Pie tah help us get anythin’ together fur somethin’ like that.”

This prompted a gloomy response from the other Crusaders, realizing that four small fillies will not be enough to make something so grand to happen. Gabby, however, beamed, as she helped to lift their chins. “Hey. Cheer up, Crusaders. I don’t think we really need Pinkie Pie to make this happen. Like Sweetie said, this isn’t exactly a party. Just a bunch of ponies coming over to have a good time, and let Spidey feel a part of it.”

“You’re right, Gabby,” Scoots perked up. “All we got to do is ask around, and see who wants to come.”

“Ask them to bring whatevuh games, or food they can,” followed Babs Seed.

“And if not too many can make it,” Sweetie said, “It can be just a small get-together with our families.”

“Yeah,” said Apple Bloom, “And Ah’ll bet Granny Smith would want tah spend more time with Mrs. Parker, at the Castle. Big Mac would like tah take a nice break too, if he’d be willin’.”

“My parents would love to get to know Spider Bite a little more, too. They’re always happy to see him, when he helps with Pinkie’s deliveries, or helping my sister at the Carousel.”

“And we’ll be here, too! Right?”

“Right, Gabby. We’ll be here. Doctor Bromwell will come with Mrs. Parker. Miss Lyra and Miss Bon-Bon might still be around. That would make…one, two…seven, eight, nine…eleven…thirteen of us!

“That’d definitely be more than plum plenty for a get-together,” beamed Apple Bloom, at Sweetie Bell’s head count.

“Yeah,” exclaimed Scootaloo, “This is going to be awesome! The Cutie Mark Crusaders will win the gold prize, once again!” The four fillies and Griffon hen raised their hooves and talon to meet in an energetic clomp, as the unofficial, Cutie Mark Crusader meeting was adjourned.

The table had been cleared, and the dishes were more than well cleaned. All that was left to do for everypony was to simply unwind. It was an hour before the fillies’ bedtime, so when Nick came to escort May back to Sweet Apple Acres, Gabby told him she will bring them home shortly. Lyra Heartstrings and Bon-Bon had decided to let the wall-crawler rest some more, leaving him to his lounging post in the foyer, and take the foals to the ballroom, where Sweetie Belle wanted to show the grand piano.

“So,” the cyan mare spoke, as she and the Unicorn filly sat on its bench, “Would you like to play a little something for us, Sweetie?”

“Yeah, I do,” she perked up, in reply. But she then lowered her head, saying, “It’s just…I don’t know what I want to play, right now.”

“Well,” Lyra seemed to ponder, “What about that song you’ve always wanted to keep practicing? The one you told me all about?”

“You mean that lullaby,” Sweetie asked, viewing the others spectating them both, with unease, “Here?”

“Yeah,” her music teacher answered, “You said your Mom would sing it to you, before bed. Right?”

“Uh-huh,” she nodded, “Then, when I visit Rarity, she would sing it to me, whenever I had a bad dream, or something. I remember the whole thing, but I don’t understand all the words, though.”

“I think right now’s a good time for everypony to hear it, then. Don’ you?”

“I,” she spoke hesitantly, then eyed her friends with a bashful sigh, “I guess so.”

“Don’t worry,” said Lyra soothingly, “I’m sure they’ll love it.” Seeing the comforting smiles from all their faces, Sweetie Bell blushed slightly further, as she pressed her hooves onto the keys. The soft, gentle notes gleamed throughout the chamber, returning to her ears in small echoes from all around. She was so focused, and intent to share the simple melody to all her friends, she became unaware of the fillies humming along, as she sang. Also was she oblivious to the teal glow her horn had made, as her hymn progressed.

Time to sleep now, dear Angel.
Rest, don’t be afraid.
Let dreams wrap you in cradle,
And watch in gentle glade.

When you hear this bell,
As soft and sweet as night,
Close your heavy eyes to this lullaby,
And hush fears out of mind and sight.

Make your dreams bring you a smile.
Guard with joy, be brave.
Good times you shared, and awhile,
Soon will come to save.

Let this be your bell,
When shadows give you fright.
Watch the evening sky. Hear its lullaby.
Hear stars sing their gentle light.

Let hope give you needed strength
To live, and carry on.
Hold on for one final length.
Share the load, ferry on.

Then you’ll hear the bell
Call you to joyful right.
When you’re asking why, sing this lullaby,
Then your path will soon be bright.

Look up to the sky, sing this lullaby,
Then your path will soon be bright.

Bon-Bon, Lyra and Gabby were the only members present able to watch what had transpired, for Apple Bloom, Babs Seed and Scootaloo were sound asleep midway through it. Even Sweetie Belle succumbed to her heavy eyelids, and leaned on her music teacher’s shoulder. As the mares and Griffon gently carried them downstairs, they noticed the completely still, and silent form of the lying web-slinger, with Owloysius perched on a glowing crystal across from him. “Hoo.”

Unbeknownst to the small Unicorn, her magic carried the sound waves of her music throughout the entire Tree Palace, causing their echoes to expand beyond the ballroom, and reach Spidey’s ears. Hearing the sweet hymn chime, it eased the tension in his shoulders, as his spirit gave in to the pure serenity it had brought him. Only the nocturnal bird was present, to view the calming spectacle Sweetie had accomplished.

Author's Note

Goodness, gracious! It took me long enough to finally get through this chapter. This one, and the next were to be rather challenging for me, since I had a clear idea for the ending, but wasn't sure of how to transition into it. I now have a clearer vision to move forward, and I will get to this next update, right away. Thank you, for your patience, and God Bless.

Chapter Five

At Sweet Apple Acres, bright and early, the family farmers and their Manehatten relative began to make preparations for their visit to the Castle. Due to Applejack’s abrupt absence, Big Macintosh and Granny Smith spent yesterday’s hours of labor on minor tasks that they could handle without the extra muscle. However, given she was still away, and the chores they have planned and prepared next required both elder siblings’ combined strength, the Apples agreed to take this chance to rest awhile. Deciding to arrive at the Castle at first daybreak, they accompanied Nick and May on the road to town.

It became a calm, still, sparkling dawn, with the cock of the roost blaring across the valley, alongside other serene bird calls. The red Earth Pony hauled two buckets of apples, hinged together on his heart girth, while the yellow and tan fillies each carried a satchel of ingredients and snacks. As the two, senior mares conversed amongst themselves, the Zebra strolled beside them, a black bag placed onto his back. It contained instruments the physician had recently acquired, either by bartering, or as payment by purchase for his services to whomever recently required them. Nothing ever hindered the travelers in reaching their destination, and the warmth of the sunrise brightened each, and every one of them.

“Ah wonder if Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo was able to get their folks to come visit,” said Apple Bloom, “B’cuz that would make fur a rootin’, tootin’ time, fur sure.”

“I’ll bet,” Babs Seed replied. “Speakin’ of which, I don’t think I evuh met Scoots’ family before. The last time I…came here, I didn’t get tuh see ‘em. What are they like?”

“Recon Ah can’t say so, m’self,” her farmer cousin shrugged. “We might’ve seen ‘em once, but she ain’t ever told us that we did. Even when we got our Marks. Me and Sweetie never said nothin’, but we just can’t help but wonder about her. And since Ah got an idea of what it might be, Ah never asked. And neither did Sweetie Belle.”

“You sayin’ she’s…”

“We ain’t sure,” shook Apple Bloom’s head, “We don’t rightly know nothin’. And AJ always told me it’s wrong to start gossippin’, since we don’t know the whole truth.”

“Yeah, guess you’re right. But how will you evuh know, if yah nevuh ask?”

“We can’t,” she answered the city filly, “It’s just that we’re afraid tah hurt her feelings, if we do.”

“Afraid that it would be true?”

“That, or somethin’ else that’s really bad we don’t know about.”

“Is what we’re doin’ gossip, right now?”

“Ah don’t know. That’s why we never said nothin’.” There was a brief pause of silence shared between the two cousins, as ears lowered, and long faces were deep in thought. The countless questions that quietly battered their brains were enough for them to rub their aching heads. Shaking them erratically, the two foals decided not to dwell on the matter any longer, and looked up ahead. Suddenly, they collided with a pair of teal pools directly before them.

“Whoah!” All three exclaimed at once, but stopped only a moment too late. Bop! Bump! POW! Heads knocked against one another in rapid succession. First Apple Bloom to Sweetie Belle, then Sweetie to Babs, then back to Apple Bloom.

“Oh, Sweetie Belle,” exclaimed a warm-hearted voice above them, “Are you okay? Please be more careful.”

“I’m okay, Mom,” the small Unicorn replied, “Just a bump on the head.”

“Sorry, Sweetie,” the yellow farm filly said, “We just plumb furgot to look where we was goin’, is all.” Hondo Flanks and Cookie Crumbles tended to their daughter briefly, while asking if the others were alright as well. “Are you two alright?”

“Yeah, sorry,” shrugged the tan filly, after giving their affirmation.

“It’s fine,” answered the mustached stallion, “So long as there’s no harm done, no need to worry anymore.” The Unicorn couple then offered their salutations to the Apple Family and their house guests, and warmly struck up a conversation about their respective lives and occupations. Meanwhile, Sweetie was informed by the Earth Pony fillies of what they were bringing to the Castle gathering, prompting her to do the same.

“Just you wait! Me and Mom have really got some amazing treats that nopony can resist! I bet Scootaloo will want to be first in line for them! You think she might be there, already?”

“Maybe,” shrugged Apple Bloom with slight discomfort. But she then continued, “Y’all recon we would see her family there, too?”

“I don’t know,” answered Sweetie Belle, in kind, “I haven’t really thought about that. What brought that up, all of the sudden?”

“Well, me and Babs were kind’uh wonderin’ about her. How we said that we didn’t never meet ‘em before. Not even when we got our Cutie Marks together.”

“Yeah, so,” tilted the Unicorn filly’s head, “My Mom and Dad were on vacation, when that happened. They felt really bad about missing out, too. What makes you think Scoots’ Mom and Dad weren’t doing the same?”

“Wait a sec,” sharply spoke Babs Seed, “Does that mean you’ve seen ‘em befaw?”

“Did’cha meet ‘em? Who are they? What the hay do they look like?”

“I…uh,” Sweetie slightly stammered.

“Ah mean, cuz Ah ain’t never seen them. Or never knew if Ah even did.”

“Me, neithuh.”

“Why don’t she want yah to tell us ‘bout them?”

“Whoa, wait! Hold on a sec,” exclaimed their Unicorn friend. The adults tilted their heads curiously toward the trio, upon their escalated dialogue. She lowered her voice in saying, “I didn’t even say I saw them.”

“Okay, sure,” The tan filly persisted, “So, she told you somethin’ about her Mom and Pop, right?” Her enquiry prompted Sweetie Belle to lower her head and bend down her ears with great unease.

“I asked her about them,” she lowly responded, “Maybe, once.”

“And what did she tell yah,” the yellow Earth Pony asked in a mildly hoarse whisper.

“I…I…” croaked the ivory Crusader, as she shook her head, “I can’t tell you. I made her a promise to not tell anypony. Ever.”

“But why in tarnation did she tell yah, only?”

“Maybe,” she spoke to Apple Bloom, in reply, “because I kind of, probably, sort of, didn’t ask her once.”

“Is it something bad? What is it? Where are they?” Babs Seed’s rapid continuation of the cousins’ questioning left their friend motionless, nearly to the point of trailing behind the main troupe still Castle-bound.

“I can’t tell you, okay,” she snapped back, now losing her patience, “I just can’t! I…I promised.” Seeing their families stopping themselves once again, and turning their heads to see what was happening, she returned to a low tone. She said, “I promised. So, stop trying to get some gossip out of me.”

“We ain’t tryin’ tuh gossip,” Apple Bloom remarked sharply, “We just wanna know more about Scootaloo.”

“Then how come I feel like I did when we were doing that stupid column?” Just then, Sweetie Belle trotted past her fellow Crusaders, leaving a somewhat stricken Apple Bloom.

“That’s what I asked about,” spoke a bemused Babs, “Kind’uh. I guess I should’uh known bettuh.”

“What’cha mean,” her cousin inquired, as the two gloomily pressed on.

“That’s sort of what my Crusaduh friends in Manehatten were doin’, after I got my Cutie Mawk.”

Shortly thereafter, they all arrived to the Tree Palace, where the three fillies find Scootaloo, accompanied by Zecora and Gabby in the foyer. Upon seeing Spider Bite still on the couch, sitting upright now, and bedecked in his scarlet cap, tail cloth and blue lenses, the Crusaders watched as Doctor Bromwell briefly examined him. Checking his temperature, vitals and other aspects of his condition, he thoroughly carried on with his task.

“How’re you feeling, son?”

“Okay, Papa,” he answered Nick jovially, “Bon-Bon and Lyra managed to make two shifts each last night, until I got up a couple hours ago. They deserved more than the half-hour cat naps they had gotten. So they found someplace to crash. Gabby’s been a great night owl, also.”

“Nothing too exertive since then, I hope,” the Zebra physician eyed his couched patient with snide suspicion.

“Nope,” Spidey shook his head, in response, “In fact, Zecora came by shortly after that. Something about ‘herbs’ and ‘curbs,’ or something like that.”

Prompting a light chuckle from her, she shook her head, saying, “The young stallion speaks truly, indeed, but with a laugh at any misread. The herb mentioned has a rejuvenating effect, but with a ‘curb,’ if you will, might defect.”

Doctor Bromwell turned to Zecora and asked, “How so?”

“Because of his, and your own, alien nature,” she replied, “Such herbal tea may harm the creature. Every hour he has taken one sip, to see any signs of reversal or flip. Something I did also, yesterday, viewing the results, come what may.”

“Must be very powerful stuff, to make somepony like Zecora that careful,” the young, orange Pegasus remarked.

“Yeah, but so far,” offered Spider Bite, “Nothing’s bothering me. In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever felt so pumped, right now.”

“Any conclusions drawn yet, Miss Zecora,” Bromwell turned to her.

“The lad is fit, it would seem, so much so, than a simple gleam. His body took the tea greatly, it would appear. But excess energy might prove serious, I fear.”

“Too much fuel can make him burn it all out quickly,” the fellow Zebra replied, “In that case, since he’s been following my own instructions, albeit with minimal diligence, and everything appears to be normal, I think he’s stable. Though I suggest you spend the day just walking and stretching your legs. Don’t want you to suffer a sudden energy depletion, and pass out on us again.”

“Meh. Fair enough, I guess.”

It was then that the Crusaders offered to show their families around the Castle, as well as share with them more about the web-head and Gabby. However, Granny Smith first suggested a mid-morning snack from the Apples, to which all present accepted wholeheartedly. Cookie Crumbles, herself, provided a few options to choose from, as well.

“Shouldn’t we wait for Miss Bon-Bon and Miss Lyra, though,” Sweetie asked.

“Nah, don’t worry about them,” responded the web-slinger, “They’d want to rest up as much as possible, now. They’ll meet with us, whenever they’re up.” As soon as everypony gathered in the hall, save for Granny and May preparing for the next meal in the kitchen, they began their simple stroll through the hallway. The first hour or so was spent viewing all there was on the first floor, to which they completed with Lyra and Bon-Bon’s arrival from their borrowed rooms.

“How can we resist getting up to be with Ponyville’s renowned Crusaders,” said Bon-Bon, explaining how they heard the yearlings’ excitement.

“Nothing beats hanging out with our favorite, little friends,” Heartstrings added. Taking the flight of stairs before them, the four fillies took the lead, with the adults directly following them.

Upon seeing the little ones gleefully engaging in sporadic conversation, Gabby turned to notice the web-slinger taking the back of the caravan. At first, he was staring blankly ahead, as if deep in thought, but then shifted his attention to each and every direction rather pensively.

“Something bothering you, pal,” inquired the Griffon, after she slowed to meet his pace.

“Nothing, really,” he shrugged back, “I mean, my spider sense isn’t tingling. So, no alarm bells, in that sense.”

“You’re expecting something to happen?”

“No harm in being on the lookout. Especially considering what went down here, a couple days ago. Oh, yeah. Right.” Pong. “Almost forgot.”

“Alright,” she said, tilting her owl head between him and the assembled ponies up front. “Just make sure to leave some time enjoying the company, okay? The girls really thought it was a nice idea to help cheer you up.”

“Okay, I’ll be on my best behavior. So,” Spidey spoke, as he approached Sweetie’s Unicorn parents, “I’ve heard about you from your daughter. You’re names are…Mr. and Mrs. Flanks, right?”

“Name’s Hondo,” the stallion answered smiling.

“Guessing Mr. Flanks is your dad, huh?” A hearty chuckle came from the pair, after such a witty statement.

“He goes by Magnum, with his friends,” the wife replied warmly.

“Because of his great size?”

“Of course.” She seemed intrigued by the web-head’s enquiry. “Why else?”

“No reason,” he shrugged back, “Just the bushy eyebrows and mustache make me think of some guy named Tom.”

“And I’m Cookie Crumbles,” the mare continued, “But it’s Cookie, for short. As for you, it seems Sweetie Belle and her friends have taken quite a liking to you.”

“Yeah, I guess,” the beige stallion said.

“What you did for those little fillies was very brave and good of you,” added Magnum, “I don’t thing anypony can thank you enough for all you’ve done.”

“Don’t mention it. Had quite a bit of help, also. Guess I just seem to get that kind of reaction whenever around kids – uh, I mean foals. Kids too, maybe. Haven’t met any goats or sheep yet, though. And those things for your Mark, you call those…hondo balls, or something?”

“Just hondos,” the husband responded, “Used for a game called hondo blitz.”

“They look the same as those from a sport I know, myself. Tell me more about it.”

They continued with this casual exchange, much to the Griffoness’ relief. The Unicorn stallions asked a few questions to each other, every now and then. And the arachnid pony would answer with brief, yet comical remarks, which both humored and puzzled the Castle guests substantially. However, overtime, he gradually kept more to himself, as if he were deep in contemplation of what to make of the situation, emitting a pong throughout the palace in twenty-minute intervals. This especially did not evade Gabby’s observance of his actions, raising her concerns for such things from him anew.

The Crusaders began to run ahead, attempting a rather challenging game of hide-and-seek among the numerous chambers before them. It was during that time that Spider Bite trailed away from the company, and entered into one room in particular, by himself. Recognizing where they were in the Tree Palace, she followed in after him, to see what he was doing. She viewed his position in front of the chalk board, staring intently between the various equations and jotted assessments written on it, and those of a notebook levitating in front of him. Once inside, Gabby closed the doors to the laboratory behind her, while the chemical odors, bubbling mixtures, and scientific instruments strewn about the room engulfed her senses.

“What’re you up to, Spidey?”

“Nothing much, really,” he answered, never diverting his attention away from its current viewing, “Just thought I’d review a few things, for when Starlight and the Princess get back.”

“Is that your research with them in finding a way back?”

“Uh-huh.”

“But didn’t Doc say you shouldn’t spend too much energy, other than stretching your legs,” Gabby asked tentatively to remind him, “Not to overexert yourself than you need to, remember? Like last time?”

“I just want to make sure I’m all up to speed when they get back, that’s all. Besides, fifteen minutes of looking at old notes isn’t all that exertive. It’s not like it’s going to kill me, or anything. Though I’ve had my fair share of cuts and burns, while fighting in a lab a few times. Some guys just aren’t safe to be around this kind of stuff. Present company included, sometimes. And I’ve just supported your argument, didn’t I?”

“Joking aside,” she lightly giggled, “You still need to try and enjoy yourself. Cut yourself some slack. Especially after what you had to deal with.”

“Don’t worry. I promise,” the arachnid stallion told her, “I’ll only brush through these notes here, and come right back out. Fifteen minutes. See? Look.” After placing a set timer to tick-tick away beside him, the Griffoness complied.

“Alright. Fifteen minutes.” Departing from the labs and returning with the Crusaders and their families out in the hall. She then shared with the pony adults her story of how she came to know about the Cutie Mark Crusaders, and how she became an honorary member, as well as her enjoyment of their company, whenever she had the chance to leave Griffonstone to see them.

“Yeah, I always want to fly off from Griffonstone, and see my Crusader friends the first chance I get!” It was soon after that the conversation began to shift to what Big Mac and the other Apples had heard from what Babs and Apple Bloom said earlier.

“Well,” wondered Cookie, “what do you make of it?”

“Recon Ah ain’t so sure,” shook the red Earth Pony’s head. “Just how do y’all think we should handle it?”

“Hearing about it from us might not help little Scootaloo, so much,” the rosy Unicorn mare replied, “Even Sweetie promised not to bring up the matters without her say so.”

“How do you all know about them, anyway,” the Griffoness questioned.

“We heard about it from her brother,” Hondo answered, “Another story for another time, maybe.” They made a moment for silent pause, as they viewed the four fillies turning to make a dash for the stairs, after their grand escapade of hiding in the different rooms from each other. Following them downward, heading toward the main doors to go outside, they heard the white stallion continue, “I think it would be good to find some way of helping those girls to solve their little dilemma by themselves, first.”
It was then, upon seeing the wall-crawler depart from the lab chamber and talking with Nick, that Gabriella was prompted to simply offer, “You know, maybe I can say something to them. Ask them to help me with a little problem that sounds a little something like theirs, to figure out how to deal with it on their own.”

“That can actually prove to be helpful,” Cookie Crumbles said.

“As good an idea as ever, I say,” Magnum added.

“Eeyup.” When they had completed this discourse amongst themselves, they continued on past the doorways, as Gabby stopped to think of some way to describe her situation to her fellow Crusaders, anxious to know how best to bring it into conversation, as well as how to handle it, herself.

Just then, she was watching the four yearlings chasing one another in a game of tag, to which their families complied to join gleefully. Everypony went out to enjoy the fresh, late-morning air, as Spider Bite followed, with May, the Zebras and Granny Smith bringing a few picnic baskets to the center of the lawn. The chase was constantly more thrilling with each moment passed, having Gabby, Lyra and Bon-Bon pursuing the fillies and each other on numerous rounds, with Big Mac charging into the fray shortly after in booming, thunderous laughter.

Nick, Magnum, Cookie, Zecora, Granny and May share a few cordial words over snacks and juice, mostly of the apple variety, of course, during this ensuing activity. The Crusaders asked if the arachnid Unicorn would join them, to which he politely answered in the negative. Understandably, Gabby viewed the brief exchange, with the foals realizing he still needs to make sure he is fully well first. Their ears and eyes dropped slightly in downcast expressions, but shrugged onward to restart their previous session of laughter and fun. What happened next, though, was what struck the lady Griffon with further confusion, and even more concern than she had before.

She briefly caught sight of the wall-crawler leaping onto the Tree Palace’s stem of a foundation, observing the activities before him in the most silent, vigilant manner she has seen from him, thus far. Throughout the event, as it carried on until noon, she would catch glimpses of him crawling and jumping around the castle’s perimeter, while also shifting his head sharply all around him.

When the rest of the company was called to the selected picnic spot for lunch, she took off to make her approach towards him up high. As if he were anticipating her expression of further concern, still sitting laterally on the wall, he said, “Hi, Gabby. Nothing more natural for a spider than to crawl on walls to stretch his legs, huh? Yeah,” he grunted with a stretch of his forelegs, “Like a stroll on a giant oak in the park. No overexertion, whatsoever.”

“Well,” she feigned a chuckle, “How about you take a break from that spider stroll of yours, and have a sandwich with us. Wouldn’t be all that fun for the Crusaders without their all their friends down there with them.”

“Gotcha,” he nodded, in response, “Right behind you.”

After this brief exchange with Spidey, she gave him one of Granny’s sandwiches, as she made a spot for herself near Mrs. Parker and the fillies. He leapt down, and onto the shaded glade before the castle after her, landing where everypony decided to have their meal. Unfortunately, however, he opted to sit near the edge of the luncheon social, quietly consuming his food alongside an equally still Big Macintosh. During the outdoor meal, the beige stallion continued to shift his gaze to his surroundings, remaining as silent as he has been throughout the day now. It was a sharp contrast to the gentle tranquity of the village. Such tension built between that and his unnerving vigilance made Gabby feel even queerer of this new development from Spidey, now more than ever.

Upon seeing the red Earth Pony’s tilted head in the beige Unicorn’s direction, and hearing his cleared, husky throat, she took comfort in knowing she was not the only one to witness this. She offered Big Mac a talon-up, in response, tilting her own owl countenance towards her fellow Crusaders. After being ensured of her intended course of action, he nodded firmly back. Realizing the opportunity placed before her, Gabriella turned to the Crusaders, and spoke.

“Hey, girls. Is it okay if I ask you a quick question?”

“Sure, Gabby,” Scootaloo answered brightly, after swallowing a previous bite she had, “What’s up?”

“Well, you see. I met this pony here. And I think he’s got a Cutie Mark problem, but he doesn’t talk too much about it for me to know, for sure.”

“Who is he,” sharply said Sweetie Belle, “What kind of problem do you think he has?”

“I don’t think I should tell anyone, right now,” she kindly offered, “I think it’s a very, very, very touchy subject for the guy. Kind of like, you know, he wants to keep it all a really, big secret.”

“Secret,” Apple Bloom sharply asked, “Well, we can sure keep secrets between ourselves. Right, Crusaders?” “Right!”

“But how big of a secret are we talkin’ about,” Babs Seed joined.

“Sorry, girls. But I don’t want to spread any gossip around. Even if it’s just my personal opinion. I just want to know what you four think I should do.”

“Well, if you ask me,” Scoots suggested with an air of confidence, “I’ve got an idea. Why don’t you just flat-out ask him about it? You know, instead of beating around the bush, and dropping hints to get his attention. That makes it way more uncomfortable for everypony, that way.”

“Really? That’s sounds like a great idea!”

“You really think so,” the orange, winged filly quirked in response, “Because I thought you were kind of doing just that, for some reason. Don’t know why.”

“Oh, uh…” turning to see the white, yellow and tan little ponies alongside her, Gabby weakly chuckled, and replied with a wink, “Nothing to worry about from me. Just want to help a friend out, that’s all. Thanks for the help, Crusaders. Toodles!”

With that, the Griffon hen departed from the little troupe, with Scoots muttering towards Sweetie, Babs and Apple Bloom, “You think she was talking about Spidey?”

Meanwhile, the party began to pack up, and return inside the Castle, with Gabby observing the web-slinger’s movements more away from the crowd than before. Given his active engagement and closeness toward her and her fellow Cutie Mark Crusaders two days prior, the contrast now became most unnerving. It was as though this more withdrawn, quiet side of him seemed to be equally natural, if not more so than his bright, talkative demeanor. It was nearly as if she were observing the behavior of a completely different pony. And yet, he was conveying both characteristics in such a manner that still showed her it was the very same stallion.

Once she had found him a good distance away from the main group, Gabby decided to follow, and make another approach. Given her desire to keep this next exchange between herself and Spider Bite, she found that easily attainable when he made his way to the kitchen for a glass of water.

“Sheesh,” he muttered, without turning towards her, “If I didn’t know better, I’d say you had a thing for me.”

“Spidey,” she began.

“I know. I know. That kind of humor is getting repetitive and old real fast. But it’s just so, darn easy to do. I’ll be getting better material soon. Hopefully.”

“Actually,” continued the Griffoness, “there’s something I need to talk to you about.”

“I’m guessing it can’t wait ‘til after everypony’s gone?”

“Maybe. I think so. You see, the girls really wanted to make sure you didn’t feel too lonely or upset, while being stuck in here sick.”

“I know. And it’s very nice of them to do something like this. I’ll be sure to thank them, before they go.”

“But that’s not the point.”

“You think I’m spending way less time around them than I should, right?”

“Well…” Gabby paused for a moment, striving to form the proper response, “I think so. Yeah. Because, ever since they showed up, you really haven’t been yourself. I mean, one day you’re having the time of your life with us, then the next you’re off, keeping your distance from us, looking like something bad is going to happen.”

“Well you’ve only met me a few days ago. I’d say you’re pretty lucky, because very few get this chance to know so much about someone else in even longer periods of time. And I haven’t even touched the more-than-friends subsection.”

“But why? How come you’re doing this?”

“Doing what?”

“Keeping yourself apart from everyone else?”

“Well, it’s not like I wanted things to turn out this way. I didn’t try to get sick, when Twilight and the others were taken. Heck, there’s a whole lot of things in my life I never asked for, but got anyway.”

“Like your Cutie Mark?”

“What?” Another moment of respite was taken by the Griffon, as she took a couple steps forward.

“You told me yesterday you think your Cutie Mark means a…packaged deal. Like you’re saying there’s a whole lot of trouble that came with who you are. Who you’ve become. I just want to know why you think that.” Pong.

“Look,” he said, after his horn faded, “I know you want to try and help me out of some funk I might be dealing with. And I really think that’s good and nice of you to do. But, right now, I really don’t think this is the right time.”

“But when do you think that’ll be?”

“I don’t know. Maybe tomorrow. Or next week. I need to check my calendar, before making any final commitments to anything.”

“Ugh-wha-nggh-how can you be this way?”

“What’re you talking about?”

“Changing the subject,” she snapped back impulsively, now losing her patience, “Finding ways to slide around, and avoid it! It’s almost like you think this is some, big joke to you!”

“Seriously,” he responded with a raised brow, “Does it really look like I don’t give a hoot about anything? That I don’t have responsibilities?”

“Maybe,” she fumed, “It’s hard to tell if you even take responsibility, to begin with!”

“Excuse me? Okay, well how’s this for a responsibility? Making sure this place is safely secured from an insane matriarch that wants to take over the world. Now dethroned and on the loose, she’s out for revenge after her failed attempts of doing so, all of which, we barely squeezed out of with our lives! And on top of that, I’ve got to make sure everypony that comes here is not in harm’s way, or even an imposter!”

“So now they’re just part of the trouble you’re dealing with! Is that it?”

“No, tha-ugh! That’s not what I’m getting at!”

“AH! I don’t believe this,” Gabby shrieked, before taking off through the kitchen doors, “You’re just as bad as those grouchy Griffons I came to get away from!”

Chapter Six

The moments following everypony’s entry back to the Tree Castle were those of rest and relaxation for the visitors who have been active a good portion of the day. In fact, the cyan Unicorn provided Sweetie with only a brief review of their previous lesson for today. Scootaloo felt satisfied, overall, of energy well-spent, especially after having a thorough wings session with the brown Pegasus mare after lunch. Having the little fillies conduct such things in the same ballroom as last night, they merely spent the rest of the afternoon in that chamber resting their haunches, hardly aware of Gabby’s or Spidey’s absence. Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Babs Seed spent those remaining moments, simply sitting beside Scoots after withdrawing themselves from the observant adults that now softly conversed.

Magnum, Cookie, Big Mac, Lyra and Bon-Bon merely sat in open discussion amongst themselves, with Granny and May lounging quietly on the nearby sofa, and the herbal Zecora speaking further with Doctor Bromwell. They all agreed only to watch peripherally to the Crusaders’ exchange, while also talking of other matters during that time, allowing for mere sounds in the background, and deciding only to involve themselves, should the moment absolutely call for it.

Sheesh. That went well. Never thought the natives here would be that passionate to have a heated argument. I mean, sure there’s that instant in Fluttershy’s place, then later with Starlight, during that whole panda-hornet, thing. But, really? This one tops them both. Wonder what’s in store for me here, next? Nothing seemed to deter him from his deeply contemplative state. Not even returning to the lab adjacent to library of this massive Palace of a gemstone tree could restore his focus. Nor could it maintain whatever vigor he previously had that day. All he could do at the present moment was face the numerous volumes of notes and calculations made between himself and the two studious mares, with a blank expression. Above his empty countenance was the occasional flickering of his recently-gained appendage, during his attempts of renewing his fleeting attention towards that former mode of assessment.

Huh. This is exactly why I keep all this to myself, isn’t it? Keep my distance. Don’t get real involved around here. Everyone close by me is liable to get into serious trouble, when I do that. The sooner they learn that about me, the better. By keeping them out of this. This is my problem. My mess to clean up. But…that would just put more baggage on them that way, wouldn’t it? Like she said, I’ve basically made them part of the problem. But, like I said, it’s not like I got much of a choice in all this.

Tap-tap-tap. Shortly after the sound from the door, he saw Gabby enter silently into the lab to join him.

“Hey,” she lightly said in greeting, “Okay if I hang out here, for a little bit?”

“Hey. Not my Castle,” he shrugged casually, “I’m just an ambassador visiting this place. So, feel free.” They simply viewed one another in momentary silence, seeing who will offer what response to the other first. However, certain tension gradually decreased, as the Griffon and arachnid Unicorn shared a slight chuckle simultaneously. Then he offered his hoof with gentle resolve of amenities, which she warmly accepted with her own talon.

“I just thought I should tell you,” the Griffoness began, “Sorry. Shouldn’t have gone that far, you know, of not caring, or, you know, taking anything seriously.”

“Forget about it,” Peter conceded, “You were right though. I wasn’t, exactly, being fair to all those out there wanting to help me out in some way, either.”

“But…” Gabby asked, sensing the tension rising from his voice.

“But,” continued the wall-crawler, “I still think I should keep my distance. I just…got to do what I believe is for the best, right now.”

“I don’t get why that is, but that’s your call to make. And if you’re staying with it, then I shouldn’t force you to change your mind. And if you don’t want to talk about your reasons, right now, I shouldn’t be beaky about that, either. Guess that little outburst I had earlier was very Griffon of me to do, though. I didn’t really know how much it bothered me, how I left Griffonstone to get away from all those Griffons, for a while. A lot of the ones I’ve tried to help with Gilda, are still being ungrateful grouches to me. It’s like all we’ve been doing to clean things up and fix things there really got on their nerves, somehow.”

“I can definitely relate,” said the beige stallion, “I wasn’t just attacked by bad guys with terrible nicknames and not-so-fun toys. I was also barraged socially, guys around me who wanted to tarnish whatever reputation I had of being a hero, or at least some guy in a mask just trying to help.”

Though I guess they raised a valid point, in my case.

“No one’s welcomed in their own native place,” he muttered.

“Maybe we’re both fed up with how others reject us for our special gifts and purposes.”

“Yeah,” Pete lightly scoffed, in reply, “no kidding.”

“But we still try to do the right thing for them, anyway, right?”

“Right,” he nodded, “I mean, so what if they don’t appreciate what we do for them?”

“Even though we might not get the credit we deserve…”

“Despite not feeling like we’ve accomplished anything good, at the moment…”

“Even if we can’t see the impact we’ve made…”

“…We know we’re doing the right thing.” After both completed their statements with mild resolve, Gabriella added, “And deep down, that’s what really matters most.”

However, she had yet to finish, and persisted in saying, “But it’s also important to be with friends and family. Those who can offer support, sometimes even in the smallest ways. Really gives you a reason to keep trying.”

“Lost sight of that for a while there, yeah.” But he, himself, remained adamant by adding, “But I can’t promise anything. Except maybe give a little bit of my time to hang out with others, on a weekly basis.”

“Starting today?”

“Sure, with those Crusader punks.” Now there’s something else to wonder about. Why Crusaders? Got to mean a cross is involved in this world, somehow. Guess a cross is always involved with special talents and callings. Got the Red Cross here also. “That’s a start, at least,” shrugged Gabby, in response.

“So, that’s a deal then?” After extending his hoof a second time, Peter Parker suddenly felt Gabriella take him into a tightly warm embrace. “Oof!”

“You bet it’s a deal,” she cheerfully exclaimed.

Looks like this is the beginning of a beeeauutiful friendship. Clash! Pling!

Unbeknownst to the parting friends, the Cutie Mark Crusaders had been hiding behind the lab counters. And after knocking over an empty vial by accident, they slowly removed themselves to be seen, ears flat and eyes downcast, since they were discovered.

“And speaking of the little rascals,” huffed the web-head, still catching his breath from the Griffon’s tight grasp.

“Sorry ‘bout snoopin’,” Babs offered on the others’ behalf, “We just noticed you two weren’t with us.”

“So we decided, yah know, tah look around for y’all,” her yellow cousin added.

“Don’t worry about it,” he shook his head with a smile, “No harm done. Except for that broken vial, there. Careful with the glass.”

“Gee,” said Scoots, after the mess was carefully discarded, “Didn’t know that could happen. A Cutie Mark problem like that.”

Then Sweetie spoke, “After hearing what you two had to say, we’re sorry you had to go through that.”

“Yeah,” joined in Apple Bloom, “we never knew that’s what y’all are dealin’ with.”

“Well, how could you,” Spidey asked, “We never told you anything about it.”

“We didn’t even know that could ever happen to anypony,” the orange Pegasus spoke up again, “Because we’ve only just seen ponies succeeding in what they did, so far. Us included.”

“So,” the white Unicorn continued, “Does this mean we’ll have times like the ones you talked about, too?”

“Sure. Like Squirt here just said,” the beige stallion told the filly, “It happens to all of us, at some point. But, you know what? That’s kind of a good thing to hold on to.”

“Yeah,” added the Griffon, “You need to remember that what you’re doing is good for everyone, even if you’re not feeling like that’s the case.”

“Sometimes,” said Pete, “Just knowing that what you’re doing can, and has helped, is more important than what you feel inside. Because that way…”

“You’ll learn to never give up,” Gabby finished.

“Recon that’s somethin’ like Babs told us. About what went on in Manehattan,” the yellow Earth Pony referred to her tan cousin.

“Right,” continued the ivory Unicorn filly, “After getting her Mark, her Crusader friends wondered if she’d turn on them, so for a while, they wouldn’t even talk to her.”

“But after she stood up for them to the same bullies they’ve been dealing with,” said Scootaloo, “she proved them wrong.”

“And aftuh gettin’ those things you Crusaduhs gave me,” Babs Seed concluded, “It was the best rewawd to have, knowin’ my friends believed in me, and are always there for me too.”

“You see,” the Griffon pointed out, “That’s more than enough reward, in itself. To have those connections that help you back up, when you’re down.”

“Which goes to show,” nodded Spidey with a smile, “That what you do with, and for the ones you love, and doing what you love doing, is way more than just some ordinary feeling.”

And since when do I suddenly give out lectures?

“So what d’yah say, Spidey,” asked Babs. Then Scootaloo followed, “Want to hang out with us?”

“Well,” he faked a sigh of defeat, looking towards the smiling foals and Griffon, “How can I say no to these four sweet, amazing faces?” Spider Bite then chuckled, adding, “As if being persuaded by this lady here weren’t enough.”

After hearing such gleeful cheers from them, he added, “Also, after telling Lyra to ring the gong for a while, and checking with Doc, I’ll make a few shooters so we can have a webbing contest outside.” “Yeah!” “Woo-hoo!” “Alright!” “Darn tootin’!” “Sure.”

And…Of course it would carry on inside. As the families departed from the Tree Palace, with Scootaloo riding on her scooter alongside a green Pegasus with a reptile Cutie Mark and missing wing, and Gabby returned to her homeland, Princess Twilight, Spike, Starlight, Discord, and the rest finally make themselves comfortable. But not before they all helped in clearing all the webs. Good thing I convinced them to leave the ones outside to dissolve, at least. Which they mostly did, already, by the time we finished in here.

“Huh. Now that that task is complete,” huffed the lavender Alicorn in annoyance, now finding a seat to lounge in her library, “We can all just sit, and as Rainbow Dash puts it appropriately, chillax.”

“Biodegradable,” mockingly enunciated the web-head, “I told you three times, already, I got that fixed.”

“It’s the principle of the matter,” she evenly countered, though with slight impatience, “Besides, after what happened to Rainbow, we didn’t want to walk and fly around the place with that substance for another hour.”

“Yeah, no joke,” hoarsely whined the blue Pegasus in question, struggling to extend her wing that was accidentally ensnared. “I feel like I won’t get this stuff off for a week. So, not awesome.”

“I’m afraid I must empathize with Rainbow Dash as well, darling,” Rarity cringed at the sight, “Not the most ideal situation to find oneself.”

“Betch’ah sure know how tah wrangle up them baddies Twah and Starlight keep hearin’ from yah with that there stuff, though.” The amused chuckle from AJ gained a smirk from the shrugging stallion in response.

“Always fun to get on their nerves even more, that way,” he said.

“I just wish somepony here had been more willing to offer his assistance in the matter,” a disgruntled Twilight faced Discord, who showed no signs of worry, as he polished his lion claws with his tooth.

“Well, if it’s all the same to you, Twilight,” stated he, “After sending us all to that Sunset Celebration, then back here after all the fun we’ve had, one simply needs to conserve one’s chaotic energy, from time to time.”

“Not even a snap of your claws,” Starlight joined the exchange with a grunt.

“It’s almost like they assume that isn’t an exertion of energy itself,” he scoffed, then moaned in excess, as a bandage appeared on his said ligament. “My fingers and wrist can only take so much abuse.”

“But you just-you know what, whatever! Use your crazy, insane magic whenever you feel like it, for all I care!”

Ditto, Dash. Ditto.

“Why, Miss Dash, is that an offer?” But after receiving a slight glare from Fluttershy, along with all else in the room, he added, “Only joking, of course. Really?”

“I just wish there were more webs for me to swing around,” exclaimed Pinkie Pie, “It was like a special, little welcome-home-and-swing-on-spider-webs party!”

“Princess,” Pete muttured, “Remind me never to share Pinkie my ideas for shooters and webbing.”

“Gladly,” she smirked, in reply. “Also, I’ll be sure to let the Crusaders know what will happen the next time they’re in my lab without my supervision.”

“Oh, what,” scoffed Spidey in exasperation, “You think I don’t qualify for adult supervision?”

“Let’s see,” she pondered, “You fell ill during your activities with them, due to overexertion, made for four fillies bands that eject adhesives all over the place, then used said devices with said fillies to-”

“Okay. Yeah, I get the point. Fine. But Gabby-you know, better not involve her, now. Won’t help with my case, in any way.”

“Well,” huffed the blue Unicorn sitting beside Starlight Glimmer, “The Grrreat and Powerful Trrrixie, for one, am certainly glad this mess has been well-managed, after that which she and her best friend have grrrreatly accomplished.”

Wow. Just wow.

“Couldn’t have said it better, myself,” Peter quipped, “Given how much effort everypony else actually pitched in.”

“After such an exhilarating performance for the ponies of Starlight’s old village, the Grreat and Powerful Trrixie needs her rest, after such weary travels.”

Okay. Nope. Not touching that one. Nope. Waaaay too easy.

“So, you are the Spider Bite Trixie’s heard so little about,” she continued, as she cordially extended her hoof to the perched wall-crawler. “Trixie’s humbly honored to grace you with her presence.” Again. Wow.

It was then that Parker decided to bring up, with the entire company, matters of Chrysalis’ deposition and escape, as well as the transformation of the Changelings, which they spoke of in length, while cleaning.

“So, basically, you guys let Chrysalis get away?”

“Hey,” fumed Rainbow Dash.

“Even though we greatly outnumbered her,” answered Twilight calmly, “we were already drained of so much energy from her feeding off us that we couldn’t pursue her. Not to have Starlight, Trixie and Discord go after her, themselves even. Also, Thorax and the other Changelings were just coming to grips with their newly attained forms.”

“Yeah, but still. You had Disco use his magic to transport you, instead of taking her into custody, just like that?”

“She had already vanished without a trace,” answered the Draconequus, “well before I could even engage her. And like Twilight said, Chrysalis is far, too unstable to handle alone.”

“And what about the other Changelings that were here? And in Canterlot, and Crystal Empire?”

“Ah recon they’d gone and made themselves scarce when they found out somethin’ wrong was happenin’ at their hive.”

“Yes, indeed,” the white Unicorn joined in the rustic Earth Pony’s answer, “Thorax did mention their…hive mind must have warned them about the ‘goings on’, as it were.”

So she’s still got a few goons left. Perfect.

“And why didn’t they just finish me off, when they could?”

“That’s simple,” said Starlight, “Your warning sense. Chrysalis knew you could sense immediate danger, at least. So she told those posing as Twilight, Spike and the rest not to attack, or else they’d give away their position. They were reluctant to obey her, to say the least.”

“Yeah, well,” he shrugged moaningly, “still didn’t catch on to it, when it warned me something was off about them.”

“You couldn’t have possibly known that something was wrong,” offered Fluttershy. “It wasn’t your fault.”

“Actually, I could, and it was. Heck, even the Crusaders noticed something was up.”

“You weren’t at your one hundred percent,” said Dash, “Happens to the best of us. Including me. Why else do you think I take as many naps as I can?”

“You’re seriously asking that question,” smirked Spidey, then added, “Don’t set yourself up so easily, next time.” This prompted a few giggles at Rainbow’s expense, alongside a loud snort from Spike.

“Ah recon we’re just glad it all worked out, in the end,” Applejack commented, “Besides, yah got better real quick like, and had Gabby, then Lyra and Bon-Bon tah help yah’s with watchin’ the place fur us.”

The yellow Pegasus spoke next, “I suppose, it’s like the time you helped us with the bugbear, when Twilight was away, you stepped up.”

“Indeed,” the white Unicorn mare concluded, “Your contributions still proved vital to our cause, despite how insufficient you must’ve felt at the time.”

“Yeah,” he nodded, “and I guess I wouldn’t have been much help trying to help infiltrate their hive, anyway. Just pass out after the very first wave of attackers.”

“You know,” the light violet pony spoke, “I admit, while struggling to accept taking charge again, I complained how badly we could’ve used your…unique abilities, since you’ve never using magic before coming here. But like Fluttershy, Applejack and Rarity pointed out, you still found some way to help us. In fact, I didn’t just realize what to do from what I learned about Thorax. I also remembered how you handled Chrysalis in Canterlot. How you were giving out your love to her, which she badly reacted.”

“Aw, man,” the beige stallion moaned comically, “And I still haven’t gotten her mailing address, either!”

“How could you, silly,” beamed the rosy Earth Pony, “She just moved out! Duh!”

Once everypony shared a brief moment of mirth from those comments, it was the lavender Princess who offered her own input, “As Fluttershy mentioned, during that bugbear incident, I learned how important it is to count on all my friends, and not worry too much about what would happen if I couldn’t helped. In fact, you, she and Starlight took care of the problem before I even showed up.”

“Excuse me,” exclaimed an offended Discord, “But I helped also!”

“In your dreams, maybe,” both Spidey and Dash retorted.

But Twilight continued, “Maybe, this was your time to learn that lesson, as well.”

“Yeah, maybe,” he shrugged impassively with a mildly exaggerated pout. “Still wish I’d been there, though.”

“And why’s that, sugarcube.”

“Because I would’ve love to see the look on that bug Queen’s face, when all that went down. If I’d bought that camera already, I’d definitely get a picture.”

“Yeah,” chuckled Rainbow, “Then years later, you two would share a laugh, looking back at it.”

“How charming of you both.” Rarity smirked, with feigned agitation. Just then, the ponies, and young Dragon carried out separate lines of conversation, sharing more laughs with each other, while they began to unwind. It was during that time that Pete turned to the draconic malady nearby, and eyed him through his blue shades. Can you hear me now?

I fail to see the point in this, Discord mentally sighed, Especially a Verizon commercial reference, no less. But yes, I can. Do carry on.

Since you’ve been bragging to Starlight and her friend…Trixie, I think, that you can rip reality apart so easily, but you haven’t sent myself and the others back by doing so yet, I’m wondering if there’s more to it than that.

Indeed. You see, Peter, a tear in the fabric of reality is precisely that. Even one is bad enough to cause the slightest lose thread to be pulled, then unravel everything as we know it. Then I would succumb to boredom and utter loneliness.

Even the one you were about to use on Tree Hugger? Earning a slightly baffled expression, Spidey continued, I asked Flutters about that.

Not my proudest achievement, I’ll admit. After he grunted his answer, he became aware of Fluttershy turning to him, noting the silence between the two.

“Is everything okay, Discord?”

“Not to worry, Fluttershy,” he answered cordially, “Everything is just dandy. Don’t you think so, Spider Bite?”

“Peachy,” said Peter smiling, “Say, Rares, you mind telling us about how you met Miss Watson?”

“Oh, not this again,” moaned the colorful Pegasus, placing her hooves unto her ears.

“Oh, most certainly not, dear,” the white Unicorn happily complied, diverting attention of all ponies away from the arachnid stallion and Draconequus.

But, indeed, Discord continued, such an example might actually have been the cause, in the first place. But I can’t say for certain. Ooh! I know! I will be more than happy to offer my input concerning the matter in yours, Starlight’s and Twilight’s research.

Thanks, but no thanks. The pursing of his muzzle was enough indication from the web-head.

Well, suit yourself.

And by the way. It was then that Pete’s countenance hardened slightly, while he added, If I ever do find out you were actually behind all this…I wouldn’t be surprised, at all.

How modestly generous of you.

Meh. You know me.

Indeed, I do. Suddenly, the wall-crawler strove to repress a great fit of laughter with a snort, almost inadvertently speaking aloud.

Klutzy Draconequus. Pfft. You’re never living that one down.

Every evening, before turning it, she would stare at it for brief periods of time. Brushing her hoof softly against the projected image before her, she could only make a saddened smile. She gazed deeply unto the collaboration of colors and shapes that resided in her handbag since her arrival here. It was the sole source of consolation she could find, while also maintaining her hopeful spirit. And yet, it pained her to be reminded of how much she longed to comfort him, embrace him, and assure him that everything will soon be alright.

Just then, she heard a shout. “Mrs. Parker!”

Knock-Knock-Knock.

“Mrs. Parkuh, we’re wonderin’ when you’re comin’ to tell me and Bloom a story from your world.”

“I’ll be there in a moment, dears.” After May’s response to Babs Seed and Apple Bloom, she heard the shuffling of tiny hooves fading away. Once she gave it one final look for the night, she placed the picture of her beloved husband, and loving nephew onto the bedside table, leaning against the lamp. She then rose from her bed, and departed from her room.

“Okay, no. Sorry. Nope. Can’t do it. I tried. Really, I did. But I just can’t resist. Where, exactly did you find Mysterio’s long, lost twin?” At that, Twilight sniggered, but only after slapping his shoulder for that referring implication. Shortly before Starlight. Whack! Smack!

“Ah! Woman’s scorn, anyone?”

“Who’s Mysterio,” an oblivious Dash inquired for everypony else, except for a laughing Spike.