//------------------------------// // The eyes of the Watcher Part III // Story: Spiders and Magic: The Harmony Avengers // by andrew7 //------------------------------// Everypony around watched at each other questioningly, considering the entire situation and Uatus words, when eventually Princess Celestia step forward to face the Watcher. “Thank you for your warning, Uatu. You can count, that we will take your advice and protect our land either from Grogar, the Elementals or anything evil that threatens Equestria.” Celestia stated decisively, yet with her usual gentle and noble demeanour. “Uatu.” Luna spoke off softly, and denying a small smile to an alien. “I admit that I have not been completely trust you at first…But now, as I have witnessed breaking your oath of no interference multiple times in order to help humanity and ensuring a safety of reality and even coming such a long distance across dimensions into Equestria to warn us against upcoming threat….I can say…That you are definitely trustworthy.” Uatu, though still stoic, passive and bearing somewhat an uninterested expression denied what could be seen as a ghost of yet warm and sincere smile on his face. “I am very pleased that you appreciate my help. You ponies, earth ponies, unicorns, pegasus and alicorns alike are very strange yet remarkable species. Your ways and lifestyle are not that different from the ways of humans back on Earth. But yet….You have proven many times to be more understanding and more humanly than most humans on Earth, especially when you were able to accept Peter Parker, despite his human, or as you may call it alien background. You are indeed…..unique beings.” Everypony, listening Utaus gentle and understanding words could do nothing but never cease to be amazed. He was maybe a giant and an extremely powerful alien from other dimension, with a firm, passive and no-nonsense attitude. But despite that, Uatu was shown to be really a deliberate, understanding, noble and gentle spirit, which by the way could exceed even Celestias demeanour, that wanted nothing more than learning more about other species and helping them out, despite the Watchers oath of no-interference. Once again, Uatu thought deeply and then he spoke off. “Though…..As I usually give the others just a warning and not physically interfere into happening of the ongoing events….In your case, I might make little exception.” He then shifted his gaze to Peter and Twilight. “Peter….Twilight….Step forward.” Peter and Twilight, slightly taken aback by Uatus request looked at each other questioningly, but they eventually did just like Uatu instructed and making several steps towards away from the rest of the group, both facing Uatu, wondering what he was up to. Uatu, remaining calm and calculating as ever, reached into his blue robe with his right arm, as he slowly pulled it out again with his fist clenched, like he would be holding something. Finally he opened his palm as a small device resembling a highly advanced camera. The device than started levitating all by itself as Uatu used telekinesis and the camera levitated its way right into Peters hooves. However, Peters eyes widened and his mouth falling agape by the looks of the device, as he actually knew what it was. “No way!” Stallion exhaled, unable to surpass his awe. “Is that a….Time Dilation Accelerator? But…I have though it fall into a limbo and being lost forever.” “You are apparently right.” Uatu nod his head in agreement. “However, I managed to retrieve it and made some improvements and modifications. It is a Time Dilation Accelerator no more. Now you can call it….Dimensional Dilation Accelerator. While it still can open interdimensional portals to limbo allowing for near-instant travel between two points, now its new and main function is to open the portals among other dimensions and alternate realities and…..it also can bring any person you choose from those dimensions.” Uatu explained its functions to stallion. “Really?! No wayyy!” Peter exhaled once more fascinated, unable to control his own enthusiasm and awe, that actually could match Pinkie Pie. Being impressed by stallions obvious amazement from the device, Uatu, however denied somewhat disappointed gaze. “Unfortunately…..It can be used only twice.” “What?!” Peter blurted out as his excitement immediately shifted into disbelief and disappointment. “Why?” “Due to different dimensional boundaries, time zones and changes in hyperspace among Equestria and other dimensions, like Earth. Besides….Science might be capricious at times.” Uatu explained. “Chm! Figures that much. Otherwise Equestria would be already filled with green hubbies with antennas on their heads long ago.” Peter muttered sarcastically, earning an exasperated groan from Twilight and bewildered gazes from others. “Chm. That has not been one of your best shots, Peter.” Shining muttered bluntly with an exasperated expression. Paying his sarcastic quirk no mind, Uatu reached into his blue robe with his right arm once again and just like before, he slowly pulled out another thing, which was actually not a device or advanced technology, but a beautiful red shining ruby like gem instead. The Watcher than turned to Twilight, pointing his head like she instructed the mare to take it. Twilight well used her telekinesis via her horn as her violet aura surrounded the gem, levitating its way right in front of the pair so they could take a better look at it. Peter, however just stared at the red crystal with his eyes widened on its fullest, with a bewildered expression as well as his heart almost freezing. The others, Twilight, the Princesses, Elements of Harmony, Shining Armor, Spike and Chrysalis didn’t know, but Peter on the other hand knew very well. He actually recognized that gem and from his experience and old times back on Earth, the gem was nothing but a bad news. “Is that a….” Peter muttered with an unusual strained voice, as even his intakes of breath growing sharper by the second. “Yes.” Uatu replied simply, like he would also know very well what kind of gem was that. “Peter….?” Twilight who was watching her husbands odd and unusual behaviour and still holding a gem with her magic in the mid-air as Peter kept staring at it which seemed like eon, whispered in concern. Finally, Peter managed to avert his stare from the gem as he centred right back to Watcher. “Uatu….” Peter whispered cautiously. “HAVE YOU LOST YOUR ALIEN MIND?!?” Peter suddenly uncharacteristically and completely out of character jerked out on top of his lungs, earning a collective and bewildered gazes from his wife and the others standing aside, some of them even pooped up frightened, all totally taken aback by stallions strange reaction. “Uatu!” Peter jerked out once more, scolding and centring a scowl on the Watcher out of frustration. “What in the buck have you been thinking?” He then sharply turned and faced Luna. “Luna! I need my Twilight Arms gauntlets and anti-magic box! Quick!” Stallion urgently demanded. Luna, absolutely bewildered and shocked by her friends tone and odd behaviour muttered in disbelief. “Peter?.......Whats come over you?” Peter, as his frustration raising, rather started begging with his tone very urgent and lacking any humour. “Luna….For crying out loud….I will explain you everything….But right now I need those gauntlets and the box! Please!” Though being still bewildered by Peters strange behaviour, yet sensing an urgency in his voice, Luna closed her eyes, focusing her magic through her horn and in the instance a pair of slick, silver patterned and blue gauntlets with Peters Spider-Mane insignia, materialized on both of his hooves as well as a small box with silver patterns and lock and key. Peter grabbed the box and literally with a speed of lightning snatched the gem from Twilights magical grasp, putting it right into the magic proof box and locking it. “Fjjuuuuhh! Safe.” Peter could finally relief to himself, patting on with his hooves on the box as well as using the second one to wipe a sweat from his forehead. The others however, even Princess Celestia couldn’t yet recuperate from their own confusion, still having no idea whats come over Peter all of the sudden or being seemingly so freaked out because of that gem, watching the stallion with the box dumbfounded expressions and their mouths agape. “Okay….” Spike blurted out, still unable to shook his own confusion. “That had just happened.” “Ehm…Peter?” Twilight who already managed to recuperate from her awe, asked gently, concerned for her husbands rather explosive reaction, trotted her way to her stallion and gently placing her hoof on his should. “Honey….Are you okay?” She asked, her sweat voice full of sympathy. “Yeah. I am okay now.” Peter replied gently, already with his senses recollected and his voice back into his light-hearted self as he brushed his head against her wifes cheek affectionately. However, Peter eventually stood up and faced Uatu both firmly yet still a bit bewildered. “Uatu…There is lots of powerful artefacts and weapons from Earth, like Captain Americas Shield, Thors hammer Mjolnir or Tony Starks upgraded Iron Man suits, and you…..just give us a Crimson Gem of Cyttorak!” Peter blurted exasperated in a beaten like manner. “Cytor….Ehm what now?!” Rainbow Dash blubbered in disbelief, unable to catch up with a weird name. Uatu, who watched the entire show that Peter had just performed as the only one with his stoic demeanour still intact, yet deep down having an understanding for stallions reaction, denied something like a serene look and spoke off. “I understand and I am well aware of your judgement, my friend. Yet…It does not look as horrible as it looks. I have had a good reason for that. Besides, this isn’t the a pure original Crimson Gem of Cyttorak as you know or remember it. This is just a mere duplicate, that I have managed to create.” “A duplicate you say?! You could actually do that?” Both Peter and Cadance, who was more than familiar and knowledgeable with many kinds of crystals or gems jerked out simultaneously in awe. “That is truth. Allow me to explain further.” Uatu tried to make a reason and give an explanation. “With my highly advanced technology, I was able to make an exact duplicate of an original Crimson Gem of Cyttorak and even being able to shift and reverse polarities of the duplicate one in order to restrain and even cancelling its corruptive potential. However, though the duplicate could still give the ones who are holding it a super human powers, it is not so great and powerful as an original gem. Yet, it still should be enough for you to use it for good.” Peter, who already managed to fully calm his nerves down with a support of his wife and Uatus logical and reassuring explanation, stallion eventually exhaled in relief, yet still bearing a little hint of doubt. “Well…Whatever you say Big Head. Lets just say I am going to believe you with this, just because you are so willing to give us a hand.” Peter stated once again with his typical light-hearted and quirky like manner. “Yet….I am still not quite sure about the gem anyway. We will have to discuss it yet with the others.” “Uatu….”Twilight addressed a giant watching alien with a warm smile and humble expression. “We cannot thank you enough for your help and we all really appreciate that.” The mare looked around, watching the others standing behind who all denied a warm and serene smiles in agreement. “But than again, you really didn’t have to give us some of your advanced technology or that….gem. You may get into trouble with your kinds again by breaking your oath.” Twilight stated solemnly, feeling sorry a bit for Uatu. However, Uatu, though it was quite rare for an ever stoic and calculated alien like him, the Watcher managed to chuckle a bit under his breath. “And just like what do you suppose they can do to me more? Judge me? Recall me from my duty again? Or exiling me? To tell you the truth…I have actually broken my oath of non-interference for over four hundred times. Why should that be different than.” “Four hundred times?!” Twilight exhaled in disbelief by hearing Uatus confession as well as the other ponies could supress their astonishments. Uatu, the Watcher, a powerful and watching alien just couldn’t cease to amaze them even further. Uatu then raised his right arm, simply snapping his fingers and just like on his command, the entire illusion of the universe along with Blue Area of the Moon on which they were standing this whole time as well as Earth on the horizon faded away and as everypony found themselves back in the Throne Room. “Oooow!” Pinkie, however groaned disappointed. “And I have been just enjoying it so much.” “Very well then. Now when I can see that everything is settled and done, I believe my part on this meeting is just about to be done. Now it is only up to you to carry on my warning as well as using my gifts for a greater good and protect your land from evil.” Uatu stated, giving everypony present around their blessing, like he was about to leave. “Wow! Uatu! Wait!” Peter suddenly jerked out as a sudden and a little late realization struck him like charging Rhino, holding an alien before his departure. “Before you leave, there are some…..personal matters that I have wanted to ask you.” “Yes, Peter. What is it?” Uatu asked politely, sensing that the stallion had something important on his mind. “I have just wanted to ask you….” Peter chuckled sheepishly and scratching a back of his neck. “How are things back on Earth? I know it has really been some while. I mean….the last time I have been in Equestria for a mere three months, as I returned back to Earth, a four years passed in there, due to different time zone among dimensions. So, I have been wondering…..How much time had actually passed back on Earth, when I left seven years ago? And what about other superheroes, like Avengers, Fantastic Four or X-Men? Are they still around?” Peter asked hopefully. Uatu, considering Peters unusual yet very good question for a while, denied a serene ghost of smile to stallion. “That is a very good question my friend. Yet….I can gladly inform you, that from the time, when Norman Osborn used Discords reality warping power to rip the dimensional boundaries, so that both the entire Equestria and Earth alike could witness your final battle, the time zone on Earth had been altered by that. Well…..from your last departure, only mere yet other four years has passed back on Earth. It is almost and more like a quarter of time that passed in Equestira more or less.” “Four years you say?” Peters exhaled as his heart would froze for a while with both bewildered yet excited expression. “So, does it mean…..?” “Yes, my friend.” Uatu replied like he would already know what Peter was thinking. “Alhough, times and some things had changed while you were gone, Avengers, Fantastic Four, X-Men and other superheroes are still around and doing well, protecting and saving the world as always.” "Well that is great! How cool!" Peter squeaked quite aloud joyous and excited, yet also strangly feeling himself quite and somehow relieved. However, instantly recollecting his sense once again, Peter shifted his gaze to Watcher one more time. “One last question, Uatu….Just why? How come that you have decided to help just us from all the sudden? Have there just run out of the threats you could inform and warn the Fantastic Four of, or have you just started being tired of them, that you had to find another favourite to report -- Ow!” He stated sarcastically, yet he stammered as Twilight bumped him into his gut. “As usually, you may be so honest and modest, always thinking on the others first and having difficulties to accept appreciation of the others or about yourself, yet….You just cannot deny your true nature.” Uatu spoke off with a gentle yet motivated tone. “Just reflect on your deeds, Peter. Beyond those you have already achieved back on Earth.” Uatu spoke off with a gentle yet motivated tone. “As I said, I have been watching you ever since the day Twilight brought you into Equestria by summoning spell and then even afterwards.” “I have observed as you have protected and saved Ponyville on more than one occasion, never seeking any pride or recognition.” “You defeated evil King Sombra two times in his both pony and human form, yet despite that, you tried to make a reason with him to stop pursuing a dark path and redeeming himself from his deeds he hid in the past as a former ruler of Crystal Empire.” “You saved with an aid of your friends the entire reality against the wraith of Green Goblin, possessing Discords reality warping powers.” “You have fought and going toe to toe with Princess Luna and even Celestia, Royal Sisters who are also considered the most powerful beings on Equestria as well as Glacius, a legendary creature that was so much feared throughout the land and even considered invincible and eventually fending it away of Ponyville.” “You saved the future of Equestria against a near apocalyptic threat of Queen Chrysalis and her changelings. And yet, despite that…You have managed to establish a peace between two as well as other different species, together in order to live peacefully and in a coexistence, in a duration of a mere three years. Even Charles Xavier wouldn’t hope to make humans and mutants alike coexisting together in peace such a short period of time.” “You have achieved so many great and noble deeds and going through so much, then any human or pony of your age could even hope to do in a lifetime.” “That is also why you have been proclaimed as The Greatest Hero in History by Madame Web as well as being eventually crowned as prince, becoming Twilights personal knight and Protector of Equestria as a beacon of hope for your friends and other ponies. Entrusted to protect Equestria and her inhabitants from evil and other threats, just like you did on Earth. Yet….You shall no longer have to face them all by yourself. You have lots of friendsand family that stay behind you and ready to support and willing to help you” “You…Peter Parker….Comes to personify that most noble of human attributes, the ability to rise above imposed obstacles to reach ones full potential.” Uatus words were filed with so much sympathy, motivation and wisdom that Peter could do nothing but stand on place like pinned with his eyes widened and bewildered yet impressed expression. The Watchers words left a great deal and impact on stallions soul from both of respect and admiration, as well as the other ponies standing around. “Besides….” Uatu went on. “With great power….” “Comes a great responsibility.” Peter finished his trademark golden mantra in awe. Uatu once again smiled and denied a solemn expression to stallion. “Then you know what has to be done. All off you.” The Watcher made one final glace with Peter, Twilight, Celestia, Luna, Cadance, Elements of Harmony, Shining Armor, Chrysalis and Spike as he gave them all his blessing. “Good luck my friends. Therefore, we shall meet again.” And as soon as he said his final goodbyes to a ponies, the Watcher closed his big glowing eyes, concentrating himself as his body entire body started glowing and in the instance, it erupted in an immense and unusual glow of bright light. Everypony had to shield their eyes by their hooves, or else they would be dazzled or even going blind. When the glow faded, there was already nothing in its place. Uatu, the Watcher was gone. Yet, thanks to his early warning, advice and small gifts and with Grogar along with The Elementals, representing a grave threat and danger to Equestria, Peter, Twilight and the others knew what they have to do in order to protect their home from this great evil that awakens. To be continued.......