Chapter One “Bridge Between Worlds”
Both Celestia and Luna remained silent for several minutes. Despite having heard the tale from Madame Web and Twilight already, Celestia felt the same pull within her chest as before. Somepony so young should not have to deal with the amount of stress Parker had faced until now, and it was unfair that those around him took his deeds for granted, unjustly labeling him as a criminal. She couldn’t understand. Equestrians were appreciative compared to the beings of Peter's home world. If they only opened their hearts, they would’ve learned Spider-Man was just a young adult trying his best to do the right thing.
Nopony could fault him for that, yet they did so mercilessly. It even explained Peter's cynical behavior to a small extent. Even now, it was clear he held resentment toward himself, evident by the saddened gaze in his eyes and desolate tone of his voice. Peter had dealt with the negativity for so long that he believed he was indeed a horrible individual. Princess Celestia, despite her vast wisdom and experience, still wished to prove him wrong, lending him the care he rightfully deserved. Cassandra begged for her not to interfere too much, but there had to be a breaking point.
'I shouldn't, but...' Celestia faced Peter, giving him the warmest smile she could muster. At first, her effort seemed fruitless, but Peter's lips eventually curled, forming a smile to match her own. 'Peter's my responsibility now. I just hope Luna--'
“Sister,” Luna called out, her strong voice piercing the silent void that filled the room. Her back remained turned, preventing Celestia from meeting her sister's gaze. “Is everything he said true?”
Celestia nodded, letting out a low sigh. “Yes. He spoke the entire truth.”
Luna held her ground, keeping her gaze fixed on the ceiling and back to her sister. “I see. I would like to speak to the Outworlder alone now.”
Celestia's bright violet eyes widened. Luna's voice did not carry the same firmness, diminishing to a soft tone only Celestia was familiar with. Whether Peter's tale earned a little trust or sympathy, it was a small victory in any regard. Luna was not one to give trust easily, and had a tendency to shut out those around her. Despite the barrier she held, it seemed Luna was finally prepared to talk with Peter, not as a hardened princess, but as a friend.
Nodding, Celestia closed her eyes and focused her energy into her horn, causing it to glow brightly. “I understand.” This was no longer in her hooves, but Peter's. Celestia shifted her gaze to Luna. “Please, Luna. Try to be polite.” Peter opened his eyes, only to find Celestia with her sight set on him now, sporting a smile nonetheless. “Take care, Peter.”
That same moment, Celestia disappeared in a bright flash of light. Peter stood idly by, unsure of what action to take. However, Luna turned to face him, but Peter's eyes widened at a startling sight. Gone was the stern gaze, replaced with a gentle, ocean blue frown.
“Outworlder,” Luna gently whispered. Her voice matched her change in demeanor, giving off a sense of softness. “May we talk in the garden?”
Luna walked through the garden, following the golden path with her gaze fixed on the ground. The vicinity had been cleared by her command, evident by the chilling silence that filled the air. Even the Canterlot Guards in all their prestige were asked to vacate the area, but Luna was content with her choice, not wanting any form of disturbance to take away from her time alone with the Outworlder. A distant look formed on the face of the moon princess.
So much had to be said, but Luna found herself at a loss for words.
Peter followed closely behind as a gentle breeze rustled the petals of various flowers that surrounded the area, stopping in his tracks when he noticed the shrine he found himself in. The setting sun's reflection beamed off the marble surface of the fountain, but the spectacle only drew Luna closer to the decoration, prompting the mare to brush her hoof through the running water it held. Her mind argued with her heart, disagreeing with what it suggested.
“This is far enough,” Luna softly declared, taking a seat on the edge of the fountain. Her mind's cries turned into verbal assaults, demanding that she cease this nonsense, but her heart tuned them out, pleading for a chance of fairness. The Outworlder revealed his truths. It was only right she did the same for him. “We are free to speak openly now.”
Peter shifted his head about, eyes scanning his surroundings. “Are we still in the garden? It feels like we're in the middle of a maze right now. If we took a wrong turn, I'm sure we would've bumped into the Mad Hatter or something.”
Paying his sarcasm no mind, Luna's gaze remained fixed on her rippled reflection within the fountain water. “Yes, we are still in the garden. This area is off-limits to everypony.” She paused, her gorgeous eyes meeting with the sunset. “With the exception of my sister and myself, of course.”
Peter furrowed his brow. “So, why am I here?”
“I wish to speak with you about more… personal matters,” she trailed off, her stern voice falling from its usual pedestal. “Here, you nor I need to worry about others eavesdropping. Are you fine with this?”
He shrugged his shoulders. “Sure, but I'm surprised you want to know more. My life story isn’t exactly a great thing to listen to.” The stallion’s gaze softened. “After what I've done, I'm surprised you can even look at me.”
Luna managed a smile. “I beg to differ. Yes, you're… not quite what I was expecting, but I'm not afraid to admit that I'm glad to have been proven wrong.” Her hoof gently tapped the free space by her position on the edge of the fountain. “Please, let us talk.” She cringed before pulling her hoof away and glancing to the side. “I understand if you are not comfortable speaking with me on your own.”
Luna's eyes widened as Peter accepted the seat, sitting perfectly on the edge of the fountain while facing her. The stallion laughed sheepishly and scratched the back of his head, unaware of the reaction he earned from Luna. A gasp nearly escaped from her mouth, but the princess resisted the urge, managing to keep her smile subtle in the process. Once again, the Outworlder's blissful ignorance proved to be a welcomed trait, yet Luna felt scared, the inside of her chest growing cold with doubt.
“Princess Luna, I'm honored, but if anyone's uncomfortable, it should be you,” Peter honestly replied, paying no mind to his choice of words.
Luna’s demeanor lightened. “I fear your opinion may change.” Magical energy surged from Luna's horn, causing the water within the fountain to glow brightly. Peter watched the spectacle, but his eyes widened once Luna's reflection in the water changed dramatically. Its figure grew more slender, matching that of Celestia's in a malicious sense, and her coat became as black as the darkest void, matching the moonlit sky. “I would like to tell you about Nightmare Moon.”
Peter's jaw dropped. “Whoa. That's you?”
“Yes. That was me,” she emphasized, narrowing her gaze on the image. “The jealousy and envy I had for my sister took form, turning me into the very embodiment of evil.” Nightmare Moon grinned menacingly within the waters. Luna cringed, holding a saddened look in her eyes. “I'm not proud of the things I've done, but you have been honest with us since the start. I thought I could at least do the same for you.”
The pair sat quietly for a few moments, causing a sense of uncertainty to build within Luna. She found the Outworlder staring at her intently, occasionally shifting his gaze to the image in the water. A part of Luna dreaded the look he bore, for it was something she saw far too often. Ever since she was returned to normal, several ponies would bear that same stern gaze, though they would make sure not to let Luna see them up close, but she could still feel their uncertainty and distrust lash out at her.
Perhaps it was paranoia or apathy that drove her to feel this way. Luna shook her head. No, it was guilt, and she understood exactly why her subjects felt the way they had. Even though he was not from her world to begin with, Luna could not help but feel the inside of her chest ache. Just that quickly, the Outworlder distrusted her, finding her past too titillating to ignore. However, the stallion brought his hoof up to his chin and tapped it slightly, giving the image of Nightmare Moon one final glance before giving his full attention to Luna.
“You've shrunk. Like, a lot.” His response was blunt and crude.
A blank expression formed on the mare's face. Inwardly, she felt compelled to bring her hoof over her forehead to express her vast exasperation, but her mouth betrayed her thoughts, letting out a soft giggle. The Outworlder was nothing short of a halfwit. His demeanor remained upbeat and casual, not a hint of fear visible within his features. Somepony was not terrified of the once Nightmare Moon. Heat returned to Luna's chest, prompting the mare to humor the stallion and return his joke with a sarcastic grin.
“Mind your tongue, Outworlder,” Luna grinned. Sobering, a serious expression formed in its place. “It… does not bother you?” Luna moved again, peering back over the edge of the fountain to catch sight of her reflection mirroring the unease on her face. “Do you not fear what I used to be?”
Peter's face grew serious for a moment, and Luna was grateful for that. She could believe his answer if he gave it without interjecting humor into the conversation. Shaking his head, the stallion made certain his hazel irises met and stay fixed on Luna's glossy, blue gaze.
“No. It's like I told a friend yesterday. Everypony makes mistakes,” Peter simply stated, his tone earnest. He folded his hooves and shook his head slightly. “I know what it's like to lose myself, too. We're not that different.”
“Is it the corrupting darkness you spoke of?” Luna questioned, edging closer to the stallion.
He nodded, glancing off to the side. Luna brought her hooves over her mouth. It was as she feared. The Outworlder indeed shared something in common with her. While her cynical mind questioned his legitimacy, Luna’s heart begged to find the answer to the burning question that haunted her so. Unknowingly, the mare placed her hooves just inches from Peter's own, causing the stallion to face her.
An bewildered expression formed on Luna's face. “May you… share your experience with me? I would be most grateful… Peter." Her mouth added the name lamely, earning several cries of frustration and anguish from her mind.
“It's pretty weird,” Peter replied honestly, shrugging his shoulders. “Would you believe me if I told you an alien parasite latched itself to my body?”
Luna nodded, maintaining eye contact. "Frankly, I'm inclined to believe anything, Outworlder."
Peter looked intrigued. “Duly noted.” Luna brought up a valid and obvious point. He was a human with spider powers who magically transformed into a pony. Suspension of belief was an understatement. “Well, this parasite didn't just use me as a host. It actually made me stronger. Like, a lot stronger. It took my powers and upgraded them. I was… powerful.”
Luna furrowed her brow in thought, as if choosing her words carefully. “Was it… enjoyable?”
Peter hesitantly nodded his head as a shameful look formed in his eyes. “Yeah, it was. I felt invincible, but something wasn't right. The longer I wore the suit, the more I started to change. I started to lose control. The parasite… the symbiote… began to take over my mind and body, and started influencing almost every action I made.”
“What happened?” she lightly questioned.
The stallion inhaled deeply before sighing. “Things were spiraling out of control. I grew more aggressive by the day, and before I knew it, I stood over one of the bad guys, ready to finish him once and for all. Right then and there, I knew I had to get rid of the suit. It took me a lot of effort, but I managed to get it off.” Peter groaned. “Then, the symbiote found another host named Eddie Brock, and turned into a monster who called himself Venom. He was my worst nightmare in living color.” Shaking his head, he waved his hoof dismissively. “It's still nothing like your story. I shouldn't have brought it up.”
“Outworlder…” Luna paused, chastising herself. “Peter. You did what I could not and repelled the darkness. That is an admirable quality.”
Abashed, Peter shook his head and laughed sheepishly. “Aw, come on. You're giving me way too much credit.”
“I humbly beg to differ,” Luna firmly stated as she bowed her head, respectively. “Thank you for sharing your tale with me.”
Suddenly, the mare stood from her seat and turned to face the stallion. Energy glowed through her horn, but before Peter could react, a bright flash of energy surrounded his being. Once his vision cleared, Peter found the scenery around him had changed. On the rooftop of a building, it was clear that both ponies were back in Manehattan. Despite having dealt with this experience a few hours ago, Peter cringed, clutching his knapsack with his hooves with great force.
“Again?! Oh, my God!” he shrieked, his voice echoing through the darkened skies. As the stallion stammered about aimlessly, Luna turned to take her leave. Peter noticed and extended his hoof out to the princess. “Wait. You're leaving?”
The moon steadily rose from the horizon, prompting the mare to give the stallion an affirming nod. “It is my duty to watch over the land in the night. I must not be late. Plus, you must wake early for your race against Spitfire. You should rest if you’re hoping to fare well.”
There was no humor behind Peter's smile, only a sense of understanding. “Right. Guardian of the Night. I forgot.” After a few moments, he sighed again. “Does this mean we're friends now?”
Friend. That word held so much meaning, and Luna found herself ensnared by it. Despite her polarizing attitude and initial distrust, the Outworlder still held his hoof out in companionship. Luna's mind begged not to accept. After all, both the Outworlder and Discord shared quite a few similarities. They were immensely powerful and, much to Luna's annoyance, both were loaded to the brim with sarcasm and clownish antics. However, there was an important difference between both individuals.
Discord used his power carelessly, doing whatever he pleased without any regard for those around him, but Peter used his gifts responsibly, for the greater good. With his nobility and strong heart, he even did what Luna could not and freed himself from the depths of corruption that were casted by a malevolent entity. Peter, granted, was a twit. Yet, she was finally able to understand why Celestia harbored such an affection for him. Luna looked away, hiding the smile she gracefully bore.
“Yes, we are... friends, Peter,” she said sweetly before her mind finally regained control, prompting the mare to shoot the stallion a glare, albeit a playful one. “Tread lightly, and pray you do not betray my trust. I will hunt you down otherwise.”
That very moment, Luna disappeared in a flash of energy. Peter stood idly by, scratching the back of his head. It seemed in his short time, Peter was gaining more friends in Equestria than he’d ever hoped to imagine, and ironically enough, they were all girls. Paying the matter no mind, Peter swiftly threw his heroic attire on and left for the Manehattan Palace. So much time had passed. His friends were probably worried sick about him.
As he swung off into the distance, Peter had not noticed Luna watching from a safe distance in the sky, the darkness and clouds masking her position. She did not truly want to leave, but her duty as co-ruler of Equestria demanded it. However, her sister mentioned that she would be attending the race between Spider-Mane and Spitfire. Initially, Luna declined joining, but at the moment, the inside of her chest burned, demanding to reconsider her decision.
Bearing a smile, the princess mentally nodded, agreeing it would be in her best interest to cheer her new friend on. With that in mind, Luna disappeared once more, giving her final consent to the Outworlder.
With Luna's trust earned, Peter was free to roam throughout Equestria.
-u-
In the dead of night, time pressed on, but for the watchful alicorn, it stood at a standstill. There was a strange giddy sensation channeling through her, something she had not experienced in her long life. She knew not what to make of these emotions, but the source creating the disturbance was easily tangible, of one not from her world. Luna cleared her throat, attempting to free the invasive thoughts from her mind. However, that task seemed impossible currently, causing the alicorn to release an exasperated groan.
“I know that sound of frustration all too well,” a warm voice declared from behind, prompting Luna to face the source. Celestia walked onto the balcony with a small grin, sharing a glance with her younger sibling. “What’s on your mind? What are you looking at?”
Luna blankly stared at Celestia before returning her gaze to the horizon through the telescope. “Nothing.”
The singular answer, blunty delivered, was aimed at both inquiries, yet the corner of Celestia’s mouth curled into a smirk. “I have never seen somepony stare at nothing so intently.” Luna’s brow lowered as she grumbled under her breath, never freeing her gaze from the telescope. Humming, Celestia raised her eyes and stared in the same direction as her sister. “You just left Manehattan hours ago, but you can’t seem to keep your eyes off of it.”
“That’s none of your business,” Luna interjected, agitation filling her voice. “I have my reasons. With the grand spectacle approaching, mishaps can occur. That’s all.”
Celestia blinked, never faltering against her sister’s harsh tone. She edged closer, grinning while arching a brow. “The nightly air must be warm. You’re all flushed.”
Luna’s complexion paled at the comment. Even with her dark fur, a pink blush could still be seen on her cheeks with relative ease. Luna soon stomped away from the telescope, making certain that her back faced Celestia. She hated that about her sister. Even after a thousand years away from each other, Celestia could always spot abnormalities in her younger sibling and often reveled in the fact.
“You don’t have to be so resistant towards him, Luna,” Celestia softly declared, as if sensing her very thoughts. “That feeling you’re experiencing is perfectly normal. I even think Peter wants to grow closer to you as well, but nothing can happen if you keep up a wall between him and yourself.” Celestia let out a low sigh. “Then again, you’ve always been like that. All you have to do is take a chance.”
Luna frowned. “We are worlds apart. Surely, there’s nothing special to find.”
“Worlds apart, yes, but you two have still found common ground. That’s a start,” Celestia reaffirmed, causing Luna to glance to the side shamefully. A low silence filled the air around the alicorns, as if allowing their words to sink in. Celestia turned to take her leave, pausing upon reaching the nearest doorway. “You’re my sister. No matter what you decide, I’ll always love and support you, but I know how alone you’ve been my entire life. You have to come out of your comfort zone at some point, but only when you’re ready. Just try not to take too long.”
Luna’s eyes softened as she brushed a hoof against her foreleg. “Sister. I hardly know him.”
Celestia managed a smile, placing a hoof over her sister’s shoulder. “Then change that. Spend time with him. It’s been ages since you’ve had a legitimately good friend that you could openly spend time with.” She gave her sister a friendly wink before walking away. “I hear Peter has the day to himself tomorrow. Make of that what you will.” Celestia paused briefly at the entrance to the balcony, her smile shifting to a playful smirk. “Who knows? Maybe something could blossom beyond friendship in time?”
Luna quietly watched her sister exit the balcony with a furrowed brow, glancing off to the side as her features flushed. “Goodbye, Sister.”
That giddy sensation had only swelled, accompanied with a sense of urgency. Her fractured thoughts trailed off as a gentle breeze brushed through her mane. She had spent countless eons alone, and the prospect of missing out on something within reach seemed like an asinine thought. Reasons flew through her mind on why she should inquire Peter’s company, whether it’d be to fill the void of loneliness or something more.
She chastised herself for bending, let alone for an individual that wasn’t from their world to begin with. An irritated growl escaped from the alicorn. She felt flustered, not at the prospect, but at her own reasoning. If it was any of her other compatriots, she would not have been so indecisive. However, for Peter, it was different, and she couldn’t exactly place why. Luna inhaled deeply before sighing, stealing one final glance in the direction of Manehattan.
Luna shook her head. She did not want to be alone any longer. With her mind made, she knew what had to be done.
A low yawn escaped from Peter’s mouth as rays from the morning sun seeped through small openings in the curtain. Almost the entire night was spent adjusting and reloading his web-shooters, a task that usually only took minutes to complete back on Earth. However, something as simple as fingers made all the difference in contrast to the blunt instruments he had now known as hooves. Fortunately, through trial, error, and adhesive touch, the stallion managed to reload the cartridges over the course of an entire night.
“Plus, it’s already morning,” Peter sarcastically whispered, stealing a glance at the clock across the room. The girls had already departed, each deciding to take a tour of the city in their own respective ways. Left to himself, Peter stretched his hooves high over his head and readied himself to go to bed. However, the sound of light knocking escaped from the window, causing the stallion to arch a brow in its direction. “Maybe it’s the insomnia talking, but I guess doors are too conventional for Equestria. Either that or birds want to chat? Nah. That’s the insomnia talking. Or the buried insanity. Maybe both.”
Negating his thoughts, Peter slid the curtains open and blinked upon spotting Princess Luna hovering from the outside in midair. Her wings flapped diligently to keep her form adrift several stories from the ground, and she resembled a dark angel of sorts, practicing as much grace. Meanwhile, unbeknownst to them, the door to the room creaked open as Twilight peeked inside, but the unicorn paused upon noticing Princess Luna, easing back outside. She remained out of sight, all while holding her silence and centering her violet gaze on the pair.
Luna cleared her throat after a brief duration. “Please pardon my intrusion, Peter Parker. I hope that I came at a decent time?”
Peter shook his head and chuckled sheepishly. “Oh no, I'm the one who should be apologizing. I was up all night working on my web-shooters. So I don’t look my best, although that isn’t much of an upgrade. Then again, you were up all night, too. Thinking about it like that, we’re both in the same boat.” The stallion’s eyes widened as a belated realization came into mind. “Is that why you’re here? Did I break parole or something?”
Taken aback, the princess inhaled sharply. “What? No! You’re not--” she paused, sternly staring down the aloof stallion. “You’re being coy, aren’t you?”
“It’s kinda my thing. Sorry,” Peter lightly declared, scratching the back of his head. Sobering, the stallion’s brow furrowed at a thought. “Still. This is unusual. What brings you by?”
Luna opened her mouth, ready to respond, but her words fell in the back of her throat. Her iron-clad demeanor faltered, evident as she glanced to the side shamefully. The thumping inside her chest sounded closer for some reason, as if she was an observer. That familiar giddiness returned, thanks again to the mere mention of Peter. It was like a faint nervousness, something impossible to grasp or control. The princess chided herself for her pathetic behavior, unable to figure out why she acted in such a way.
Furrowing her brow, Luna managed to shift her gaze back to Peter. “Would you…” she stammered, gathering her bearing. “...Would you like to come outside with me? The skies are clear, and it’s quite beautiful.”
Peter chuckled, nodding. “Sure. Sights are always better when they're shared.” Another yawn escaped from the stallion’s mouth as he climbed onto the railing after closing the window behind him. “Let’s grab some coffee and bagels. If this city is anything like my own, that’s a good breakfast snack to have.”
Luna smiled warmly at the comment, feeling--among many things--relief. “Indeed. Thank you.”
The alicorn’s horn emitted magical energy before they vanished from sight in a burst of light. Twilight furrowed her brow at the sight before simply closing the door. An unsettling irritation churned at the center of her chest, but she ignored the sensation, feeling that there was nothing to fret over.
To be continued...
