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

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.