“LETS PARTYYYY!!!”
Back home and safely in Ponyville, in a Golden Oak Library was once again very lively, loud cheers and appreciations were echoing and a great party was occurring in there. Everypony present, including Peter, Twilight, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Applejack as well Parker family like Aunt May, Trixie and Mayady, along with their guests of honour and friends as Felicia, Sunset Shimmer, Spitfire and Logan were all present inside and celebrating yet another great triumph.
Though this time, the party was supposed to be rather special one, as everypony decided to throw the party to honour the newly formed Avengers team for their combined efforts and selfless actions during their encounter with Grogar, Catrina and Diamond Dogs, saving Princess Celestia from evil rams grasp, helping out Chrysalis and saving all the Changelings from the volcano and then also battling Lavan, the Elemental Lord, to show their appreciation, admiration and love for Peter/Spider-Mane, Twilight Sparkle, Spike, Princess Luna, Sunset Shimmer, Spitfire, Felicia/Black Cat and Logan/Wolverine, as the new Equestria Greatest Heroes for saving the day.
However and unfortunately, Princes Luna though had to politely rebuff her part on the party, as the princess and guardian of the night had her solemn and sword duties to watch over Equestria and her inhabitants at night, always taking her duty seriously. Yet, Peter, Twilight and the others though didn’t seem to mind Lunas missing at all, understanding the moon goddess own decisions and letting her do what she feels and knows what is right for her.
The party though was in a full process with gramophone playing a nice yet energetic party style music, the living room being very well decorated by Pinkies own style and everypony were enjoying various activities. Sunset Shimmer along with Felicia were at the tub, fishing for apples, Rarity, Aunt May, and Fluttershy were enjoying glasses of a chilled tasty punch, while Rainbow Dash was stuffing herself with the cake. Applejack along with Pinkie Pie and Spitfire on the other hoof had their eyes blindfolded and each mare holding a stick in her mouth, trying to hit a big piñata hanging on the rope, while Peter along with Twilight, Mayday and Trixie were dancing in the centre on the room, each performing their specifying moves.
Everypony were enjoying the moment on their fullest, hanging out and having fun together, not thinking or caring about bad and unfortunate things that transpired within a few past days nor for the future. Expect one though….
Logan however on the other hoof, stood supporting himself from the wooden walls with his hooves folded over his chest, sullen with his serious and stone face expression intact as ever was watching his friends all having a good time with though somewhat brooding like expression.
“Come on, old chum.” Peter cheerfully called upon Logan, interrupting the gruff stallions train of thoughts while performing some of the capoeira moves. “The party is ongoing right here.”
“Yeah. Just loosen up and join the club, gramps.” Felicia called upon with the same cheerful tone as well while washing a water from her face and frubge, prompting their gruff friend to join the party.
“I just cant believe whut yer guys doin'. Envy th' land that has heroes, huh? Whut about….Pity th' land that needs 'em.” Logan though spoke off in a somewhat cynical and also disgusted like manner, his voice sounding low and humourless.
“What did you say?” Sunset gasped in a slight shock as a buffed expression formed over young princess facial features, as well as Peter and everypony else, hearing their mutant friends rather uncalled-for sentence immediately ceased in their party activities and centring their collective gazes to Logan, wondering and having not an idea what was that about he had just said.
“Whut yer just celebratin'?” Wolverine stated sarcastically, yet his voice also bore an undercurrent of cynicism.
“We are celebrating yet another of Peters, Twilights and the Avengers great victory of course. We have just made it our habit, so we always throw our own party for every Peters heroic deed, to honour and show our appreciation, admiration and love for him, as well as the Avengers from now on, who by the way are the Equestrias Mightiest Heroes. It has become our little thing.” Pinkie Pie simply as well as for a long time explained, with her trademark happy smile intact.
“My words exactly.” Rarity added with a more confident tone and composure while fixing her elegant violet mane. “Peter along with Twilight, Princess Luna, the Avengers and you of course have just defeated Lavans, that monstrous brute and saving Chrysalis and all the Changelings against burning. Not to mention you guys taking on Grogar, the Diamond Dogs and Catrina on his very own turf in Dark Empire itself and saving Princess Celestias life in the process. Such a heroic deed is indeed worth to be honoured and celebrated.”
“Yeah. Sure.” Logan however huffed, seemingly not impressed at all. “Grogar, th' ol' Hornhead along with his mutt grovelers, cat witch lady and Lavan, th' flamin' creep. They are still on th' loose and only waitin' ta make their next move. And yer just celbratin' here like nothin'. Oh yeah. At his rate, we might just be gettin' somewhere in about third hundred and twenty years.”
“Is that whut ya want? A little accommodation in a time of crisis? Mark my words. Th' bozos like these live merely and solely fer power, troublesome ambition ta rule th' world and with a twisted superiority complex. They will never give up and always comes back. There is no middle ground….Not fer them, nor fer us.”
“And sure as hell not fer Princess Celestia bein' kidnapped early and Chris along with her Changelings bein' homeless right now uncounted fer.”
The X-Mens serious yet also somehow sensible and logical speech, that though would be worth to consider earned a couple of collective gazes from others standing around in the living room, being rather astonished yet also not knowing what to think about Logans words.
“Well….Um…Eghm….” Fluttershy muttered incoherently, still failing to make a sense from Logans sentence.
“Have you just turned into a Luna number three, old chum? Well….At least after Twilight – Ow!” Peter trailed off offhandedly, not taking and seemingly failing to understand gruff stallions words seriously, yet his reply though was cut short by Twilight bumping her stallion into his hoof with her own.
“You know, Logan….” Twilight though spoke off with a thoughtful and more considering expression and patting her chin with her hoof. “You are apparently right about that. It is true that Grogar along with Diamond Dogs, Catrina and Lavan are still out there, planning yet another move and that it is only a matter of time before they strike again. And for that that we all should by more wary and ready for anything than ever before.” Young alicorn princess acknowledged and sharing Logans concerns with also quite a serious demeanour.
“But…” Peter though interjected with a more light-hearted attitude, wrapping his free hoof over Twilight neck and having a small smile on his face. “We just cannot stay vigilant on the hundred present, being everywhere and at our guard all the time. It just cant. Otherwise we would all already, I am sorry I am saying this….Go a little nuts you know.”
“Pete is also right on this, partner.” Applejack added, edging closer and giving her support to Peter on his statement. “Sometimes there is and you just need some time to relax as well as ask your friends for a support, otherwise all those responsibilities would go over your head. And I know….What I am saying.” Farmpony though finished her sentence a little awkwardly, yet surprisingly, Twilight glanced upon Applejack and giving an affirmative nod in agreement with a warm smile.
“That is right, dude. Sometimes you just need to let everything go and lighten up a little bit. Even a captain of Wonderbolts need some time to get away from all that drilling and instructing new cadets and get away to have a little free time.” Spitfire declared with her feminine voice though rough yet her tone was lightened.
“And that is just why we always party by something exceptional and exciting.” Pinkie Pie simply and cheerfully stated in a near excitement.
“And besides….” Now Peter spoke off, his voice sounding encouraging. “This party is not only for my, Twilight or the Avengers honour. But is also for your very own, Logan.”
“That is right. We could have never done anything of this without you. It was all a team effort” Twilight completed and smiling warmly on Logan.
“Oh yeah?” Logan though and quite for both Twilights and Peters surprise simply replied though somewhat sceptically, still not being quite impressed with his friends support.
“Yeah. Just have some fun and some enjoyments from life, dude.” Rainbow Dash tried to cheer the gruff stallion up.
“Hurm….In that case, ya git a wrong man…hurm…pony, guys. Bein' me ain't about fun. Ya will know that soon enough. And besides, I have never been much fer any mushy and fancy stuff.” Once again, Logans yet another dry and rather cold choice of words caused his friends expressions to stiffen.
“How-how come, Logan?” Fluttershy stammered in disbelief.
“Lets just neither ta say, I didn’t had exactly any carefree and better kind of life ya guys had or enjoyed. I have also been on my own a way and fendin' fer myself too long and in my lifetime, I have learned not ta let my guard down, cause otherwise I would be long dull. Sometimes I guess it’s th' only way I know how.” Logan explained in a cold and dry like demeanour, yet though and strangely there was a distant hint of sadness present in the X-Mens gruff voice, as wall as once again unfortunate thoughts associated with it.
“And just….What kind of life did you actually lived, Logan?” Trixie asked carefully with her head titled on the side, yet a distant hint of concern and uncertainty grew within stage magicians heart, yet wondering what exactly Logan meant by that.
“Daddy…Mommy….What is going on?” Mayday whispered quite confused, having probably the least idea what was going on, patting her fathers and mothers hooves gently, ye her parents rather ignored her daughters pleas as they were both equally confused as everypony else.
“Nothin'.” Logan replied, his voice still gruff, yet though and strangely sounding somewhat solemn and tuned down with sadness. “Ya just go ahead, guys. Have yer fun. I have never been much of a party guy anyway. I think I am just gonna call it a day.” Logan simply declared by turning around and proceed trotting to the doorway.
“Logan, wait!” Twilight called out quite in vain, trying to halt Logan in his tracks yet it was for naught, as the mutant was already gone out of the room and his his hoofsteps could be heard from the downstairs echoing throughout the passage leading down, leaving his friends behind.
“Well, that was kinda….Different?” Felicia dully noted with her voice bearing an undercurrent of uncertainty.
“More likely totally uncouth if you want to hear my opinion.” Rarity huffed in irritation. Once again, Logans brutish nature and uncouth manners managed to irritate the fashionista lady on the top, not appreciating the X-Mens attitude in the slightest.
“How somepony just cant be interested and not enjoying any kind fun anyway? It is like not taking a pleasure and enjoying the life at all.” Pinkie Pie stated both baffled and clueless as ever, yet deep down the party pony seemed to be quite saddened, if not even offended by Logans sudden and harsh departure in the middle of party.
“Yeah. Today we have all accomplished a lot and Logan has also deserved so much on it with his own efforts. I don’t understand it. He just should be happy.” Rainbow Dash decisively declared, yet tomboyish pegasus was though as much puzzled like her friends.
“Eghm….That is maybe the idea, Skittles.” Peter though spoke off and sheepishly scratching the back of his neck, yet his tone sounding somewhat unreadable by attracting his friends unwilling attention. “You see, Logan has really never been much of a happy-go-lucky kind of a guy. He had never accepted much of a credit for his actions either and though he actually could be a little cheery about that, then again, he is actually not much cheery about anything.” Young stallions response though earned a couple of puzzled looks from others, before sighing. “It is just his nature.”
“I personally think that Logan is just cool, daddy.” Mayday though spoke off in quite a determined tone. “He may look and being tough and a little scary, but he also seems to be strong, noble, honest and a simply very nice guy to me.” The filly simply yet honestly stood herself up for the X-Men.
“I can also feel that there is a kindness within Logan. I know there is.” Fluttershy also meekly yet honestly trailed off, agreeing with fillys own opinion. “It may be though buried under all that…eghm…toughness, but it is honest nonetheless.”
“Maybe.” Rarity though slightly huffed in a very unlady like manner. “But that still doesn’t excuse his uncouth and brutish manners, not to mention how he treats the others with disrespect.”
“Maybe….He just needs a little more time.” Sunset suddenly spoke off with a more considering tone, with everypony shifting their attention to a red maned unicorn for a change. “I mean, it has just been merely two days since he was brought here into Equestria from Earth. I think he is still a little bit confused or a little homesick by being far away from home and that he just needs some more time to adjust.”
“Mmmm….I suppose so, Sunset. This whole thing may be a little stressful. Even for Logan.” Twilight thought, considering and agreeing with Sunsets statement, nodding.
“Lots of things happened for today as well as within past few days, children. Just take some rest and let Logan have his space on his own. He will come over.” Aunt May then declared decisively, yet her voice sounding understanding and reassuring.
“That’s right Aunt May. Lets just give Logan time, yet we also shall support him. He is by the way one of us now.” Peter agreed with his aunts simple yet sensible statement before though also decisively standing up for and supporting his gruff partner.
“Right! That’s right!” Everypony present in the room simultaneously spoke off decisively in agreement by supporting Logan.
However and without everyponys realization, Logan who remained still on half of his way on the downstairs could hear everything his friends were talking about. Yet the gruff stallion lowly grunted in quite a solemn like way, turning around and proceed trotting downstairs.
Yet as he was making his way downstairs, his mind once again found itself in quite a conflict, making the gruff stallion consider what has just transpired and how he acted towards his friends. One part of his actually and somehow wanted to be and spend more time with his friends, however his more serious and cynical side though protested and once again triumphed over the positive one.
As Logan though reached the ground floor of Golden Oak Library, quite for his surprise he saw Spike sitting on one of the stairs. Baby dragon had some patches over his body and having his leg lightly bandaged, evident from the intense fight and beating that he unfortunately sustained from Lavan early. Yet strangely, Spike bore a saddened and depressive expression, having his head limped, resting on both of his clawed palms.
Sensing that something was troubling his little scaly friend, by who usually tough and gruff stallion though grew fond off, Logan took a seat on the stair right beside Spikes position and speaking off, his voice though ever gruff yet though sounding surprisingly soft for a change. “Hey kid. Whut is up?”
“What….ughm….Logan?” Spike, being returned back into reality from his daydreaming blurted out and shifting his emerald green eyes on Logan.
“Why yer ain't upstairs with th' others? They are…hurm….just havin' a party. A big party. Ya should be celebrain' as well.” Logan gently asked, though some of his liens sounding quite awkward by mentioning the party from which he tried to excuse himself.
“Oh yeah I know.” Spike replied in a near whisper, though his tone sounded low by representing his melancholic like demeanour. “But somehow I just…..I am just not in the mood right now.”
“Somethin' is buggin' ya, kid?” Logan simply asked. Spike, quite taken aback just stared at Logan for a moment, while the gruff stallions demeanour remained intact, being patient and not pushing on the subject.
Yet sighing and eventually giving himself in, Spike finally spoke off, opening himself up to Logan. “It is just about what happened today, with Chrysalis, Changelings hive and Lavan.”
“Whut about that?” Logan dully yet honestly asked, yet failing to understand Spikes plague.
“I mean, during our fight with Lavan, I really think that I could show some more guts and extra determination to fight that guy. But instead I recklessly got myself expose to the danger and got beat up just like that. I just should have been more aid to you guys than just slaking around afterwards.” Spike stated meekly, starting to shiver.
Logans expression stiffened a little bit by baby dragons response, with his brow furrowing even further though keeping his serious look intact, yet being surprised that Spike was actually so much distraught by this. “And that’s buggin' ya? Thinkin' ain't bein' good enough just ta help us out and jumpin' out inta danger ta prove th' opposite? Ya just should consider yerself lucky that yer still in once piece and with us, kid.”
“Well….eghm….Yeah.” Spike stammered a little bit by Logans rather harsh tone before though sighing and going on. “And besides…..Back then in the castle ruins of the Crystal Mountains, when we all felt into Grogars trap, I also feel that it is also partly my fault. By pulling out that chain and causing my friends to fall into the chasm, unwillingly throwing them right to Grogar. I was rather acting without thinking, by which I nearly endangered my friends.”
“It just wasn’t yer fault, kid. We only got Grogar and his goons ta blame on this whole mess.” Logans demeanour somewhat softened and gently patting Spike on his shoulder soothingly, yet his eyes gleamed assertively. “Ya really shouldn’t underestimate yer part at th' Avengers. Th' worst thing ya kin do is ta doubt in yereslf in th' situation we could really need ya. Yer a valuable part of the team. A big part. Just like Parker, Sparkle, Luna and th' others are.”
“Do you really think so?” Spike exhaled hopefully with his saddened demeanour slowly yet steadily diminishing.
“Ya bet.” Logan surprisingly chuckled in quite a playful manner. “Ya have actually helped us out a great deal outa lottsa mess. By savin' my butt from that blasted mind sucking contraption and those mutts, helpin' out ta get all of th' Chris eggs inta safety and then sendin' fer th' girls ta aid us with Lavan with those fancy necklaces of a near omnipotent power. If it wasn’t fer ya kid, we all probably wouldn’t be here right now.”
Logans demeanour though darkened a little bit for a change and shooting quite a stern look to Spike. “Yet though, distractin' Grogar and then also tryin' ta fight Lavan on yer own was rather beyond stupid, kid. Darin'….Yet reckless nonetheless.” The gruff stallions demeanour though as fast as it came, the same way it immediately returned back into honest yer serious one. “Just be yerself, Spike. Ain't overdo yerself and ain't try ta prove somethin' ta yerself ta fit in and better help yer friends and th' others out th' way ya kin th' best.”
Listening Logans honest and kind words, that by the way bore lots of sense and wisdom, Spike could feel that most of the weight he carried was lifted from his shoulders and the anxiety that was early plaguing his heart literally faded away, with his emerald like eyes gleaming with enthusiasm and a warm wide smile forming on baby dragons face.
“Wow. Thank you, Logan. You don’t even know how much I have needed that.” Spike squeaked joyously and wrapping his clawed arms around Logans neck, pulling the gruff stallion into a warm embrace, nuzzling his scaly head over Logans neck affectionately.
“Hurm….Yer….Welcome.” Logan however replied somewhat awkwardly with his muscles slightly stiffening, once again being taken aback and still feeling rather puzzled by the much closer approach and affection young dragon as well as most individuals here in Equestria intented to do, quite for Logans dismay. Yet gruff stallions demeanour eventually softened and returning the affection by patting his free hoof over Spikes scaled back.
Spike then parted from Logan, giving him another warm smile before passing him and proceed taping upstairs. “Hey. I am going up and join the party with the others and have some fun. Are you coming, Logan?”
“Nah. Just go ahead, kid. I…..Have never been much of a party guy anyway. I like my privacy.” Logan dismissively yet polite, in his very own way refused Spikes offer to go back upstairs and join the party with their friends, prompting baby dragon to go alone.
Spike, though feeling a little taken aback by Logans response, yet though shrugging his shoulders dismissively and thinking nothing about it, young dragon smiled by waving to Logan while going upstairs. “Egm….Okay then. See you later.”
“See ya kid.” Logan now sitting alone replied somewhat sheepishly, yet releasing an unfortunate and quite a desolated grunt right from his throat as the X-Men once again started brooding in his very own thoughts within his mind.
Later that night, under the cape of night with hundreds stars taking its place on the quiet night sky with a moon raised over the land, everypony was already asleep in the Ponyville, just like everypony within the Golden Oak Library. Aunt May, Trixie and Mayday were each sleeping in their own bedroom/room, while Spike was contentedly napping in his basket like bed plus with Felicia being accommodated in her very own room for guests. Yet though and with the only exception, Logan, for whom there was no more room for the guests left, yet luckily being accommodated in the living room, sleeping on a coach being prepared and improved like an improvised bed by his friends.
And Peter with Twilight along with little Ben slept peacefully within their own bedroom in their double bed while unicorn foal was sleeping in a cradle. However, for Peter, although sleeping like a foal, this though wasn’t quite any ordinary slumber, as the young stallion was about to find out soon enough.
“Oh yeah!” Spider-Mane screamed out aloud astonished while forcing himself into a long swing in a blazing speed, resembling a red and blue blur while hanging himself on his strand of webbing across the flashed street of Manehattan under the cape of quiet night. The masked stallion then ceased in his momentum before releasing himself from his webbing, performing a graceful somersault and forcing himself into a free fall.
Peter extended his right hoof by firing another webbing strand that latched on the nearest building and performing yet another web swing across streets, before releasing himself from the strand and firing this time from both of his hooves, as the sticky substance latched on the edge of the building rooftop and slingshoting himself right forward, yet bouncing himself from the edge and leaping right over the small water tower as well as over the rooftop yet into forcing himself into another freefall.
“YEEECHEEEE! WHHOOOAAAUU!” Spidey jelled out in excitement while performing another speeding web swing across the streets before once again releasing himself and this time firing from his left hoof on the building on the right and sharply slingshoting himself on his webbing by that direction.
“Here you got me today, Manehattan!” Peter jerked out astonished while firing another webbing and this time swinging around a large building to the right with enough momentum to release himself and gliding quite high above he city, before once again forcing himself into yet another free fall. As the ground came dangerously close, the hero fired yet another strand of webbing and just in the last minute and before he could collide with the pavement forced himself into yet another web swing across the street, holding with only his left hoof and having his hinder hooves placed forward.
Spider-Mane then take a firm hold on his strand with his right free hoof, pulling sharply and springing himself like a spring from his strand, performing a graceful somersault before landing effortlessly on the rooftop of the nearest building.
“HOOOCHUUUU!!!” Peter yelled out on top of his lungs on his grand finale act, making it on the stand up position and throwing his front hooves over his head like being on some talent show, expecting an imaginative applause from the audience. “Thank you very much ladies and getlecoats!”
When finally releasing the rest of the steam and having enough fun, Peter pulled his mask off his face before also reaching under his costume to his utility belt and pulling out a small stopwatch and checking it out. “Actually…That has been so far my best time yet via web swinging on the east side of the city. Maybe this may finally give me some edge against Skittles at least. Prior for her to become a Wonderbolt one day.”
”It surely and indeed has been, Peter….” Suddenly a feminine voice echoed right from the depths of Peters mind. “Competition may be a fair motivation, yet it also must be amplified with humble and respect to others. Besides, you know much very well just like your friends that Rainbow Dash is a speed demon, as you would put it.”
“What the….?!” Peter blurted out and nearly hopping out of fright, yet though immediately recuperating himself as the voice within his head though was very well known and always being a lead to a good mood to him. “Luna? You certainly know how to surprise, even without appearing in front of ponies in a flash of light, yet by talking inside their heads, terrific. Wait a minute….” The stallion though paused in a slight confusion and thinking while a realization hit his mind like a brick. “Is this all actually just a dream? Well…eghm…Of course it is. I knew that.”
“Yes. Surely you did.” Lunas voice once again called out within Peters head, though sounding much more loaded with sarcasm before though shifting into a more urgent tone. “I am terribly sorry to interrupt in the middle of your run, but I would like to have a word with you, if you please.”
“Sure think, Luna.” Peter chuckled nonchalantly in agreement yet dully looking around the citys high buildings in hopes to locate Lunas position, yet even with his significantly enhanced vision having no luck at all so far. “Eghm….Where are you, exactly?”
“Over here.” Lunas voice echoed, and despite bearing a faint undercurrent of exasperation, it though sounded more clearly this time, enabling Peter to concentrate properly by finally locating its source in the distance. And much for stallions surprise, it was coming out right from the highest building in the city, resembling a sculpture of New Yorks Chrysler Building.
“A top of the world, huh? Fitting. At least there you can really feel yourself like a true Princess of the Night or in your case, more like a goddess. Standing up high, with the stars and the moon above your head and watching over your children of the night….” Peter quipped, yet though realizing that he was having one of his unfortunate babbling talks shut up and snapping into his more serious side before yielding himself with nodding. “Eghm…..I will be there in a jiffy.”
Peter then spotted a pair of vent turbines nearby on the rooftop with a bright idea born within his head. Smirking smugly, Peter fired strands of webbing from both of his hooves and latching on the both vents. Stallion, holding himself firmly, starting to back up, effectively turning himself into a living slingshot.
Peter aimed himself cautiously right to the skyscrapers of interest direction, springing himself on his webbing even more before eventually letting himself go as the resulting tension of his web lines send him flying, literally.
“Is it a plane? Is it a bird? Is it…..Your Friendly Neighbourhood Spider-Mane?” Peter jerked out in excitement as he jettisoned throughout the air with a speed of a missile above the streets, steadily approaching the skyscrapers top.
And when being very close and just about to nearly miss it, Peter just in time fired a web line that latched right on the buildings tip as the stallion forced himself into yet another graceful swing, spiralling around the buildings top several times like on the carousel, steadily loosing up the speed before relinquish his hold on the line and performing several flips over the buildings crown before effortlessly landing on its supporting platform.
“As ever, you will never cease to amaze me what an entrance you can make, my friend.” The same feminine voice, though this time sounding loud and clearly called from behind, prompting Peter to turn around to the source and the stallion just couldn’t do anything but be more than happy to see his best friend standing right behind him.
“Years of praxis.” Peter dully noted, shrugging his shoulders while taking his full attention to Luna.
However, the princess natural beauty and elegant figure of a model once again managed to attract young stallion on the fullest. Her beautiful sparkling mane and tail resembling a cape of night waving gracefully in the air and her deep royal ocean blue eyes filled with sensitiveness and emotions would melt even the stone by her sight. Frankly, Luna just couldn’t look any more beautiful than in her natural time at night. Peter was rendered nearly speechless, having his mouth slightly fallen agape with drools forming in it as well as feeling a rising temperature within his cheeks.
“Please, stop staring. It is….Embarrassing.” Luna stated in a near whisper, cringing shamefully with her own cheeks burning into shades of crimson and her own heart was aching, threatening to nearly jump off her chest. Which however wasn’t an ache of anxiety of fear though, but an ache of happiness and warmth that was engulfing the mare.
Yet eventually recuperating himself from his self-induced Casanova like trance, Peter chuckled sheepishly. “Sorry. Guess I have let myself get…eghm….a little away by your natural feminine charm.” Peter stated somehow offhandedly and just like out of instincts, young stallion step closer and affectionately nuzzling the side of his cheek against Lunas own. “By the way….It really has been some time since you visited me in my dreams, Luna. I missed you.”
“Likewise.” Luna replied though still a little sheepishly, yet the mare couldn’t be happier then eve being in countless eons and without any hint of shame or hesitation returning her affection to Peter, brushing her cheek over his own expressing her forbidden yet honest and true feelings for the stallion.
“So….” Peter chuckled while parting away from the mare. “What brings you to the neighbourhood anyway, Luna?”
Recuperating herself, the heat within Lunas cheeks slowly dissipated as the iron-clad maiden shifted on her more assertive side. “As I have stated, I would like to have some important matters to discuss with you. Are you fine with that?”
“Sure. The night is still long by the way.” Peter willingly chuckled without hesitation, before though a tasty idea sparkled within his head. “Mmm…..Hey, this is a dream, right? Meaning I can do or wish whatever I want?”
“Um….Yes? Why do you ask?” Luna replied in a dully like manner and slightly titling her head on the side, failing to understand what could her friend meant by that.
“Sweet.” Peter nonchalantly squeaked in joy, closing his eyes, concentrating his thoughts and in the instance, a pair of hot carrot dogs, panelled with green relish, ketchup and mustard, with also a big box containing roasted fries soaked with ketchup and two crucibles of soda materializing within a thin air.
“A hot carrot dogs?” Luna questioned, arching a brow questioningly at the roasted carrot in a bun before shooting a stallion a firm serious glare. “Peter, you really should be serious about certain matters at hooves as well as having more discipline. There are serious matters we got to discuss and all you care about is food.”
“Not unless I have to. In that case, you really should take a bite.” Peter, indifferent towards Lunas firm attitude, with his honest smile intact offered one of a hot carrot dogs to Moon Goddess. “There is nothing worse than to have a serious chitchat on an empty stomach. And beside…..What is a conversation among friends without any enjoyments?”
Although being hesitant for the moment and not quite agreeing with Peters easy-going and happy go lucky attitude in urgent situations like these for instance, yet though as usually unable to resists stallions honest and friendly demeanour with her heart warming up, Luna let out a defeated like sight, yet her demeanour eventually softened and taking a hot carrot dog from Peter via her telekinesis.
“I thank you for having a chivalrous heart.” Luna denied her friend the warmest smile she could muster while flipping her wings by soaring into the air and sitting on one of the steel edge in a form of an eagle head and taking a bite of her dish.
Taking a seat right next to alicorn on the edge, Peter took a bite of his own carrot dog, chewing it with an enjoyment from the flavour like taste within his mouth while also enjoying the view on the tranquil city high above flashed with hundreds of lights. “You bet. You quite haven’t had a real carrot dog until you have had a fresh one from the city. Though being a mere imaginative one.” Stallion muffled with his mouth full before gulping the bite.
“Alright…” Peter calmly stated while taking a sip from the crucible of soda. “Whats up, Luna?”
By gulping her own bite and using her telekinesis to brush her moth with a napkin, Luna shifted her royal blue gaze to Peter and getting right to business. “As you are arguably very well aware, lots of unfortunate events transpired and lots of things changed lately. With Grogar escaping from Shadow World, rising Tambelon from the depths of the earth, gaining Diamond Dogs and Catrina on his side, luring us all into the trap, kidnapping my sister and then also as I feared, Lavan, one of the Elemental Lords eventually awakened and destroying Chrysalis and the Changelings hive.”
“You are telling me.” Peter replied gulping yet another bite of fries with ketchup, yet though his voice sounding rather considerate and even, quite lacking a humour for then. “And come to think of it that it all happened just all of the sudden and so quick. You know, I am used to dealing with guys like those on every day basics, but…..Facing two supervillains with superiority complex day after day just might be a little bit a strong coffee, even for me. Prior we are also doing this all behind everypony else back, with only a few individuals knowing what new is going on in Equestria.”
“I much appreciate and I understand your concern, my friend.” Luna replied without losing her cool, yet being grateful for Peters demeanour shifting to be more serious about their conversation, soaking a fries into a ketchup before eating it. “Even I am not pleased with our doing behind everypony not knowing what is happing. But I guess its maybe better that way, at least for now. If everypony learned and knew about Grogar and his minions, Tambelon and Lavans existence, it might cause an worldwide panic among the Equestrias population, making the things even worse.” Lunas expression though darkened. “However….It might only be a matter of time before everypony will eventually learn all about their presence.”
“Chrm…Guess we may consider ourselves lucky that way.” Peter stated offhandedly, yet speaking with a way more positive tone, managing a small honest smile while chewing another bite of his carrot dog. “But even if came out, I am pretty sure that Princess Celestia along with Twilight, Cadance, Shinning Armor and you would find a way to keep the public at bay. You know very well how much convincing your big sister is, not to mention my wife.”
“Once again, you optimism is remarkable. Those are though hard times for us all. And yet you manage to see through and trying to enlighten and loosen up even the darkest of situation.” Luna replied quite astonished yet keeping her stoic demeanour intact and managing a smile nonetheless, before taking another bite from her carrot dog. “Yet anyway…..About that yet another strange symbol that our mysterious ally left us back in Mackintosh Hills…..Me and my sister checked it and took a much more proper look on both symbols as well as listing in an old documents.”
“And?” Peter perked himself with an utmost curiosity present in his voice, wondering what would Luna conclude while stuffing his mouth with more fries and drinking it with more soda. “Have you found anything what might help us or give us a proper lead with that stuff.”
“Well…..” Luna calmly spoke off, her horn was glowing with her dark blue magic aura and in the instance, two pieces of paper with the same two strange symbol markings that the mysterious figure left in both on the edge of Crystal Mountains and Mackintosh Hills materialized within a thin air. “As it was already confirmed by both my sister, Twilight Sparkle and Cadance before, the symbols markings indeed shares certain similarities with rune like writing from early pre-classical era, usually being used for leaving a hidden secret message.”
“Let me see that….” Peter put his half eaten carrot dog away and grabbing both pictures the symbols, taking a closer look on it. Although the strange, seemingly ancient markings resembling runes symbols were different in shape, they were quite similar and almost identical by meaning as Peter soon realized.
“Luna? Would mind…Eghm….Magically cut those symbols out of the papers for a proper look?” Peter asked Luna a favour while holding both symbols in front.
Although at first being a little confused and not quite getting her friends idea, yet inwardly knowing it would be worth it, Luna eventually decided to comply to Peters request. “Um….Sure. No problem, Peter.” By concentrating her magic through her horn, Luna managed to cut or rather literally remove both symbols right from the papers, that both started glowing with a yellow light and and levitating, though curious, Luna didn’t cease to wonder. “What exactly do you expect from that?”
By taking one more proper look on both symbols and like reacting out of instincts, Peter by finally getting it grabbed the markings and somewhat put them together. “It just….Match together, Luna. Just look.” It was true. Two different symbols truly matched quite right together, being like some sort of pieces of puzzle that yet needed to be fully finished. “It is like….A puzzle or at least jigsaw puzzle of sorts.”
“Yes. Me and Celestia have noticed as well. However….” Lunas expression thought clouded in thoughts. “Rather than puzzles as you pit it…..It could more likely form a sigil.”
“A sigil?” Peter blurted out in confusion, being quite dumbfounded what Luna just said while chocking a little bit from his drink.
“You see….” Princess of the Night calmly replied, trying to explain much further to the detail while taking another bite of her carrot dog. “In magic, sigil is term used for symbols with magic properties. In the ancient times, the term also referred to a type of pictorial signature of a demon or other entity, yet in modern era it more likely refers to a symbolic representation of the magicians desired outcome.”
“Just like that Mr. Enigma unicorn back then just would like to tell us something via those symbols of his. Whatever his outcome is.” Peter stated considerably and patting his chin with his hoof.
“Maybe.” Luna replied positively, considering Peters statement yet still not being quite sure about that mysterious cloaked pony that usually and quite suspiciously appeared only in the certain while and on the certain place when there was something unfortunate transpiring. “But still, whatever those symbols hide, some secret message or code whatever, me and my sister still cannot figure out its true meaning and what the mysterious individual might possibly want.”
“From my perspective, he is either trying to help or double cross us.” Peter declared with quite an unreadable expression as well his voice sounding cautious, yet though turning into his more positive side. “But from my look, I could tell that he was just fine. I guess.” Peter chuckled rather sheepishly like a dolt and awkwardly shifting his gaze to Luna. “I know it might sound crazy and unconvincing, but I just could feel it from the aura that was radiating right from him, without even triggering my Spider Sense for any sign of danger. It was just…..My intuition.”
However, the part of Peters mind expected Luna to object and scold him for such a rubbish. Yet it though never came and quite for young stallions surprise, Luna on the other hoof and instead of feeling sceptical, the guarding of night though seemed to be considering about young stallions statement. “Mmm. Now that you mention it Peter, I could feel his aura as well. Yet I have to say, I have never felt anything like that. His magic signature has just felt so high and powerful, with a potential nearly matching that of an alicorn magic. And yet, it was so positive, so genuine, so….pure.”
“You mean…..Like that about Uatu for instance?” Peter offhandedly guessed for an example.
“Exactly. Yet whoever he is, he must be a prodigy with magical potential, far greater beyond ordinary unicorn magic. “Luna stated, pausing a little before going on with a very unusual thought sparkling yet though started somehow plaguing her mind. “I also don’t know why, Peter, but something about that pony felt strikingly familiar to me.”
“You know this guy, Luna?” Peter asked with his brow arching and altering his head on the side, curios how Luna would put it even further, yet knowing it would be worth it. “Do you think….He might be….Some secret admirer of yours?” The knight didn’t excuse himself one of his trademark playful yet innocent quip.
“Well…..” Luna spoke off quite flustered, her voice sounding considering yet it bore a faint undercurrent of awkwardness, like she actually wouldn’t know how to put the topic while also eating the rest of her carrot dog, yet unable to ignore the heat rising in her cheeks. “Not exactly…..But, his aura and magic signature….I don’t know….It has just felt somewhat…..Familiar. Like I would already experienced that a long time ago. I just cannot recall when.”
“Pchm. I guess that would be one interpretation.” Peter dully noted, yet chuckling about Lunas rather offhanded and not very convincing response while finishing up his carrot dog. Yet though while returning his attention back to Luna, quite for his awe, princess of the night bore rather a worried and dejected like look, her deep blue royal eyes being filled with concern.
“Luna?” Peter asked with his brow furrowing questioningly by seeing his best friends sudden mood switch, yet out of instincts, young stallion could tell that something was on the princess mind with his own heart filled with concern as well. “Whats the matter?”
“It is just….” Luna spoke off with a meek and rather melancholic like tone without lifting her gaze to face the stallion, struggling inwardly and feeling hesitant to talk about a rather dark and unfortunate subject that had been plaguing her heart quite for sometime. “No. I really don’t think I should bring this out right now. It would be hypocritical if I….”
“Come on Luna.” Peter though cut Lunas sentence short and gently placing his hoof over mares own, with Luna expression stiffening in awe before slowly yet surely turning her head to face Peter, who had a warm smile on his face and bearing solemn like expression. “You can tell me. You know….I once learned from Zecora, that its much easier to share someponys thoughts or pain with other, which then makes things much easier. And I got to say….It works for me.”
Listening her friends kind and honest words, Luna could feel the temperature within her cheeks rising with quite flustered pout. Once again, Peters warm managed to provide a sense of comfort subconsciously. Yet moaning out of defeat and knowing there was no point deceiving to stallion that by the way was stubborn and persistent when he wanted to achieve his goals, Luna decided to gave herself in.
“It is about that mysterious, dark and ominous entity from the Shadow World. The same one that Uatu has mentioned and the one that helped Grogar get out from the Shadow World, that I also had a nightmare recently.” Luna meekly gave her testimony with her voice though being rather above a whisper, evident from the apprehensive demeanour.
“It is still bugging you huh?” Peter murmured quite uncertainly, before though daring to ask carefully. “Just….What do you think it just might be?”
“I am…..Not sure.” Luna sheepishly replied, with though her voice strained. “But as I have mentioned before, whatever it is, it is not like anything we have ever encountered before, neither me and my sister, nor you along with Twilight or Elements of Harmony. My guess is its something ancient and pure evil and…..” Luna paused herself, though feeling rather hesitant to go on. “Its magic signature and dark aura……It felt and seemed to be rather…..Omnipotent.”
“You mean….” Peter trailed off cautiously while considering Lunas testimony before daring to ask. “Like that one of Grogars magic belt itself?”
“A way more, I fear, my friend. If I may judge, it way far exceeds the potential of any magic kinds ever know or at least me and my sister know or being familiar with, either alicorns, elemental or even the dark one, which is by the way considered taboo in Equestria. Even….Nightmare Moons dark magic wasn’t that powerful to compare and nearly matching the potential of Discords reality warping ability.” Luna declared in a strained whisper, with her own heart and mind being plagued with dark thoughts and her trepidation rising.
“That bad, huh?” Peter blurted out, his voice sounding also quite strained with concern as well as being slightly filled with apprehension, concerned that there actually would be something way more worse and creepier then Nightmare Moon, Venom or Grogar himself with his dark magic powers.
“Trust me. This is some serious evil…..Even for Grogar himself. Whatever its intentions are, it just cannot wait to find its way out from the Shadow World into the real word….” Luna stated with a strained tone. Which by the way wasn’t quite helpful either due to alicorns bad experience with evil forces and darkness itself, only deepening her trepidation. “To be honest Peter….I…I am very uncertain and quite scarred from and there is not telling if the world would be equipped to deal what may emerge from that.”
However, Luna inhaled sharply with her eyes shooting open as something warm touched and leaned over her right hip. Slowly shifting her head to locate the source yet much for her further awe she found no one else then Peter himself, snuggling right to Lunas hip. Yet a squeak escaped from Lunas throat and her cheeks gaining on more temperature as Peter brushed his head over underside of mares cheek affectionately and placing his free hoof falling on Lunas own.
“Hey, come on.” Peter whispered softly with the most carrying and soothing voice he could muster while continuing to nuzzle his cheek against Lunas own. “I know this looks bad right now, but…. It will be okay. You will see. Twilight along with Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie managed to free you from Nightmare Moon influence, because they had known that there was still a good within you, as well as you on the other hoof sacrificed the half of your essence to bring be back from death and then also sealing Nightmare Moon back into your body, preventing her to possess me. Yet, I am still here in the once piece and we all went together this far, because you, Twilight, Trixie as well as everypony else had never stopped believing in me, just like I trust you. Cheer up.”
Despite her own cheeks literally burned into shades of crimson, with a building sensation tingling inside and with her heart nearly threatening to jump out of her chest, yet like out of instincts, Luna eventually let her guard down and returned her own affection to Peter on the fullest, nuzzling her head against his. Feeling that all anxiety and trepidation that was plaguing her heart dissolving, as nothing but a pure joy and warmth took its place.
“You are right, Peter. We are the team. As long as we stick together and believe in ourselves, there is nothing we could accomplish in order to protect what we love.” Luna softly whispered. She just would like to prolong this moment to forever. Wanting nothing more than to always feel that good with Peter and cherish on the tingling warm sensation echoing from her chest. Though, it might be a sign of weakness, yet it also gave Luna strength and right now, she just wanted to enjoy the sensation as long as she could.
Yet though, after quite a while, the pair eventually parted and Peter took his cup with yet some soda left and in quite solemn like manner extending it forward like during a ceremonial toast. “So….For the Harmony Avengers, The Equestrias Mightiest Heroes then, Luna.”
“For the Harmony Avengers. Cheers.” Luna cheerfully stated while taking her own cup of soda with her telekinesis and nonchalantly and without and hesitation, with a joy present in her voice toasting her cup with Peters own as both best friends drunk at the Avengers team while also enjoying the beautiful view on flashed Manehattan.
However, while finishing up the rest of his drink, Peters eyes widened as quite a late realization sparkled within stallions mind. “Say Luna….?”
“Yes, Peter? What it is?” Luna cooly replied yet slightly titling her head on the side, wondering what was on her friends mind this time.
“Funny, really that I have just realized that just now. But…..” Peter chuckled and sheepishly scratching the back of his head before finally trailing off, hesitantly though. “How come that you have finally managed to get back into your….eghm…”former self”? Have you actually undergone something like a……rejuvenation bark in reverse?”
By hearing stallions indeed unexpected yet good question, Lunas brow furrowed, considering how exactly put it and chuckling in a sheepish like manner. “Echm….I knew it would surprise you. How shall I put it……Lets just say that after our return back into Equestria from Earth seven years ago, with my powers being severely reduced by using the half of my essence to bring you back from the brink of death, I slowly yet gradually underwent a series of rehabilitating procedures as well as a special magic rehabilitations. I know it took some time, but I eventually had finally managed to replenish most of my power back. Well….At least most of it after I was released from Nightmare Moons control.”
“Chm. I guess this is one way how to undergo your second childhood.” Peter laughed humorously and playfully bumping Lunas hip with his elbow before though quite a dismayed expression formed on his face. “Chmm….What a bummer.”
“Say what?” Luna asked with a befuddlement expression, failing to get what Peter could be disappointed about.
“To tell you the truth….” Peter dully yet also offhandedly trailed off. “I kinda liked you a way more when you were a dwarf.”
In the instance and just like Peter said that, Lunas expression went blank and stiffened, yet also feeling the heat within her cheeks raising and nearly reaching a critical level, as the princess dark blue face was literally as red as the tomato, with anger and frustration associating with it and shooting stallion a glare that literally resembled daggers. “Why you….You….”
“I am only saying it, because I had also found you cute that way.” Peter nervously chuckled in a compliment for rather awkward situation, yet feeling a cold sweat forming and running down to his face, as Lunas royal blue eyes widened like two saucers and exhaling sharply by the compliment, with her breathing going shallow a little bit.
Yet inwardly, the half of knights mind expected for an lashing tongue or physical blow to occurred as he also instinctively braced himself of his Spider Sense ready to tingle. Yet though and strangely it had never came and much for Peter utter surprise, Lunas lips formed into a smile, yet though a soft snorts escaped through her mouth before alicorn (and even not knowing why) burst into a soft laughter.
“Strange. What kind of effect I have on girls…” Peter dully thought inwardly for himself as he dully stared at Luna that just kept laughing, which by the way was unusual and rather out of the character for somepony that stoic and calculated like Luna herself, although there was nothing but joy and enthusiasm filled her laughter. Yet though, after quite a duration of time, Luna cleared her throat, returning to her more serious and dignified side as the princess finally managed take a grip on her emotions and supressing her laughter.
“You have really got me, Peter. You have really scored this time.” Luna chuckled playfully with her warm smile intact. Yet a tingling warm sensation once again echoed within her chest and thought raced through mares mind, as Luna subconsciously leaned forward and planted a soft kiss on stallions cheek.
Shutting his eyes open and realizing he was still in his bed within his bedroom of Golden Oak Library and that whole thing was all a dream at all, Peter slowly made its way into sitting positing with a baffled expression, checking on Twilight who was sleeping peacefully by his side, as his thoughts were racing through his mind before they eventually settled down.
“Boy. It always feels so real. Even in the dream realm.” Peter murmured inwardly by recalling his last moments of his conversation with Luna while gently rubbing his left cheek with his hoof where the princess kissed him. Yet shrugging, young stallion could do nothing but smile and mentally noted how much happier he was all of the sudden. Yet in the same moment, a low and faint grumbles echoed right out of stallions stomach.
“Chm. I have just consumed one large carrot dog with fries and soda and yet, I got starving in the middle of the night. Then again…..It has just been an imaginary food as Luna put it at all. Guess it would be some way to burn out some calories while having a dream food every night that way.” Peter thought inwardly, yet a small grin took a place on his face as young stallion quietly get up from the bed yet also noticing by the edge of his eyes that Twilight was partly uncovered by the blanket. “Oh well, in this case…..a little late night snack wouldn’t hurt. But first….”
Peter quietly grabbed the edge of the blanket into his mouth and covering Twilight with it, so she wouldn’t be cold and planting a soft affectionate kiss on his wifes cheek. Twilight softly murmured, yet smiling without waking up from her sleep, like she subconsciously recognized Peters presence near her.
Smiling warmly and satisfied, Peter then quietly approached the cradle as he saw Ben sleeping peacefully, literally like a foal. Stallion then planted yet another soft kiss on his sons cheek, as foal murmured with muffled giggles yet also thrashing a little bit under his blanket yet luckily never waking from his slumber.
“That’s my boy.” Peter chuckled inwardly with his smile growing even brighter before quietly making his way to the door, opening them cautiously inch by inch so it didn’t creak too load. Stallion then carefully pushed his head out, looking around several times before quietly making his way out of the bedroom.
Peter was quietly tiptoeing on his hooves in cat like way throughout the calm and peaceful Golden Oak Librarys interior floor, acting like spy on a secret mission, being careful and making sure not to make any noise so he couldn’t wake the others up, before cautiously making his way downstairs. While reaching the ground floor, stallion then quietly passed the library and reaching the kitchen. Yet, there was a small light flashing a darkened room, as Peter much for his surprise found out and realized Mayday looking for something in the fridge. He obviously wasn’t the only one who got hungry in the middle of night.
“Mayday…” Peter whispered and quietly making his way into the kitchen, having his chocolate irises fixed on his daughter.
“What the…?! Daddy?” Mayday yelped confused and nearly jumping of by spotting her dad in the kitchen.
“What are you doing here? Sleepwalking and loosing your way into the kitchen?” Peter playfully quipped, standing on his hinder hooves while crossing his front ones eying his daughter with a smug provocative look.
“Well….I….Echm…” Mayday stammered nervously, knowing that she was busted tried to find some lame excuse for not being in her bed and sneaking around instead in the middle of night throughout the tree house, yet though and much for her dismay falling miserably.
“Got a little hungry in the middle of night, kiddo? It is okay. You can make that two.” Peter scoffed playfully with a light-hearted manner with his demeanour softening before taking a look on the fridge of interest. “What good do we have?”
Relieved, Mayday chuckled humorously while once again taking a look and started digging into the opened fridge. “Well…Lets me see, daddy….um…How about a peanut butter and jelly sandwich? Its my favourite.” Fillys voice sounded tempting while pulling out a pair of glass punch of bottles, one with a peanut image while second one was filled with a purple jelly.
“Yup, mine too.” Peter nonchalantly stated, mildly licking his lips, taking the bottles from his daughter and putting them both on kitchen unit while also grabbing a breadboard and knife. “I will do it, honey.”
“Sound good to me. Saving me some trouble with preparations.” Mayday merely shrugged her shoulders in a smug manner yet one more time reaching into the fridge and pulling out a box of milk, before a question came into fillys mind. “Whats the matter? Cant you sleep either?”
“Huh…No, no.” Peter quite awkwardly cut in protest while painting the toast with peanut butter before exhaling. “Lets just say that I was enjoying my routine web swinging trip throughout the Manehattan in my dream, before Luna of course interrupted me in the middle of my patrol for a late-night chat.”
“Auntie Luna?” Mayday exhaled with her golden eyes widening in awe. “What have you been talking about, daddy?”
“Guess in Guardians of Night case, it must have been really worth it I presume?” Suddenly a feminine voice, yet being mildly filled with sarcasm and vain echoed from behind, prompting both surprised Peter and Mayday to look behind yet for their relief seeing Trixie standing at the doorways, having a smug expression on her features.
“Auntie Trixie.” Mayday, though being surprised by azure unicorns presence, yet greeting Trixie who by the way was fillys surrogate aunt cheerfully.
“Busted….” Peter muttered sarcastically under his breath by seeing a former yet quirky stage magician catching him and his daughter right by the act. Yet, in the last alternate yet desperate and quite worthless attempt, young stallion straightened himself up, closing his eyes and extending his front hooves forward in a poor imitation of being sleepwalking. However, the way how Parker was acting like a sleepwalker was more likely humorous like a comedian.
“Don’t bother yourself Parker. You know very well yourself that you are maybe a great hero, yet a cheap actor.” Trixie once again scoffed with sarcasm loaded in her voice, being naturally way too smart for and not letting herself to fool, yet her violet irises landed on breadboard, several toasts and peanut butter with jelly that Parker was preparing for a sandwich. “Guess the meeting of a late-night eaters has just began?” Trixie scoffed provocatively
“Alright…..Just come in. Join the club and make it three. We got lots of room.” Peter mockingly yet somehow awkwardly challenged, prompting the magician to join him and his daughter during their snack while taking a seat at a small kitchen table.
“Frankly, now that you put it that way, we could rather think about more room by rebuilding the Golden Oak on a fanclub for that Avengers team of yours, making it their base of operations.” Trixie sarcastically scoffed by rolling their eyes, yet approaching the kitchen unit while using her telekinesis to snatch a pair of toasts, peanut butter, jelly and knife while starting to prepare her own sandwich. “So…” The magician though replied with a more softer tone, addressing Peter. “What was that all about? I mean…..Your dream conversation with Princess Luna anyway, Peter?”
“Nothing peculiar, really….” Peter simply yet also offhandedly replied on magicians simple question and taking a sip from glass of milk.
“Have you been nagging Auntie Luna about your something, daddy?” Mayday, however provocatively teased, knowing way much better how nagging and annoying her father might be, yet joining his side at the table with her own sandwich and glass of milk.
“Me? Teasing Luna? No way….Well….Maybe just a little.” Peter chuckled humorously, feeling uneasy about a knowing smug look Trixie and Mayday bore. Defeated, Peter sighed and going on while taking a bite of his sandwich. “But anyway…we have been just talking about the recent events, you know Grogy, Lavan, that enigmatic cloaked guy with a weird symbol puzzle pieces and stuff like that about routine saving the day.”
“Oh yeah…..” Trixie thought, speaking with a more serious and concerned tone, her demeanour darkening and joining the duo at the table with a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and glass of milk in her telekinetic grasp. “Grogar, an evil ram necromancer dictator, Tambelon, the empire build on nightmares, so called Elemental Lords as well as the fate of the world and perhaps the entire reality being at stake once again. Guess there is nothing else to talk about or what else is new lately.” Biting the part of her dish, yet surprisingly, a stage magician denied her best friend a positive smile and winking reassuringly. “But don’t fret Peter. You, Twilight and the Avengers will fix this all. Just like you always do.”
“So, Auntie Trixie….” Mayday though interjected while taking a bite of her sandwich with peanut butter and jelly, chewing it with a taste. “Are you leaving for several days to Manehattan?”
“Yes, Mayday.” Trixie simply nod her head while drinking her bit with milk. “The Great and Powerful Trixie is heading to Manehattan to perform a new stage show of a great and powerful illusion to astonish the public.” The magician spoke of with her trademark boastful and theatrical yet also a little exaggeratingly dramatic tone, yet keeping it low nonetheless not to wake the entire tree house. “I should be on my way fist thing in the afternoon.”
“Are you….” Mayday suddenly exhaled, her voice turning into a promising one as an unusual idea blooming within her mind. “Actually going to pull that old sawing in half routine, Auntie Trixie. By placing a volunteer into a magic boy before sawing him in half?”
“You know sweetie…” Trixies brow furrowed and her violet eyes literally gleamed in enthusiasm by Maydays mention, being actually quite astonished by the idea. “I have never actually thought or tried that before. But, I just might do that….If I got a volunteer.”
“Volunteer?” Peter scoffed yet a devious expression took its place of stallion face, smirking smugly. “I might by your volunteer. This whole thing is all but a fake anyway. Its very simple, fake hooves on one end while I would be squeezed on another end of the box. The cheapest and oldest trick in the book.” Young stallion explained and smugly crossing his hooves.
“Is that so?” Trixie smirked deviously while much for Parkers dismay the stage magician bore a diabolical look, centring it right on young stallion. “So Parker….How about it. I could make you my Great and Powerful assistant, Peter Pony Parker?”
“Now on the second though….Thanks, but no thanks.” Peter chuckled nervously as a slight hint of fear associated with it and humorously dismissing azure unicorns friendly offer while keep eating his sandwich.
“Chm….Some hero you are, daddy. Really.” Mayday huffed sarcastically by smugly teasing her father and crossing her hooves while chewing another of her bite.
Regaining his composure and taking another bite of his peanut butter and jelly sandwich, Peter though turned into his more assertive side. “Are you sure about this, Trix? Do you really intent to go on the Manehattan just for that magic performance of yours?” The knight spoke of in quite a concerned and uncertain like manner about Trixies long planned trip to Manehattan to perform one of her stage magic shows.
“Is there any problem Parker?” Baffled by stallions response, Trixie titled her head on the side in an utter confusion while using a napkin to brush her mouth. Didn’t Parker actually wanted the magician to go for her show? “Peter?”
“No, no. Its not like that.” Peter chuckled sheepishly and waving his hooves dismissively, not daring to discourage his best friends from her decision or not wishing her anything good. “Its just…..You know….Many bad thinks happened lately, you know Grogar arising from the ashes, Princess Celestias capture, Chrys and Changelings hive destroyed, being homeless and furthermore Lavan, the Elemental Lord awakening, so I have thought…..How about I ask Princess Celestia to provide you an escort of two knights tomorrow on your journey to Manehanntant, just in case.”
Astonished by stallions unexpected yet remarkable proposition, Trixie was left in an utter awe. “I….I appreciate your concern, Peter. I really do.” The unicorn politely yet reassuringly dismissed her best friends offer, yet strangely a heat got into mares cheeks, yet trying to tune into her more confident side. “But it wont be necessary. I don’t need a personal guard to accompany me. I am a big girl. I have been living on my own for a long time and I know how to take care of myself.”
“Do you mean like the time when you got chased by Glacius and being turned into a living popsicle – Ow!” Peter deadpanned, yet unable to finish his line as Trixie, annoyed by stallions antics swung her hoof sharply, swatting stallions horn with a thwack, snorting contemptuously. Mayday on the other hoof could do nothing but chuckle through muffled snorts.
“When I want to know any of your ideal opinions, I will gladly ask, thank you, Parker.” Trixie huffed om exasperation while rubbing her own hoof, while Mayday continued giggling under her breath.
“Yeah, right….” Clutching on his aching forehead, Peter deadpanned and chuckling sheepishly. “But anyway….At least I could provide you a ticket for a train ride right to Manehattan, along with a pass to the Rose Hotel for a room. And there could also be a cargo wagon to carry your van in there. I am sure that Princess Celestia wouldn’t mind in the slightest to comply the little request like that.”
“Well….I, ehm…” Trixie stammered baffled, not knowing what to say for his friends generosity and willingness.
“By that way….” Mayday then intervened while drinking a milk, considering her dads idea that by the way bore lots of sense. “Daddy is right. With your van, it would take you for days to reach Manehattan, Auntie Trixie. But via train, you could be in there just in the matter of a few hours.”
“I just couldn’t say it better myself, honey. And besides….Its practical as well as more comfy.” Peter stated simply and shrugging his shoulders yet also praising her daughters natural brightness and logic.
Listening Peters simple yet honest words, having his trademark honest smile intact, meaning he was serious and really meant that. And knowing there was no way to protest, the stage magician just gave herself in, giving the stallion a warm smile of her own. “Well, in that case and if you don’t have any objections….I accept your proposal, because I know its honest. Thank you, Peter.” Trixie leaned forward and planted a soft kiss on Peters face, being already the second mare that gave young stallion a kiss.
“And besides….” Trixie then thought scoffed with known and rather infamous smug expression takings its place on mares face, much for Peters dismay. “When it is on you, than it surely will be worth it with benefits.”
“Yeah. Guess that’s what I am good for. Married with obligations.” Peter murmured sarcastically in quite an exasperated and uneasy like manner.
“Hey!” Mayday hissed in protest, folding her hooves on her hips and shooting her dad an annoyed glare.
“No offence, sweetie.” Regretting his rather poor choice of words and meaning no offence, Peter chuckled sheepishly and gently patting her daughter on her head affectionately. She on the other hoof grinned back playfully with no hard feelings.
“Hey. You guys hear that?” Yet out of the sudden, Trixies ears perked out be hearing a peculiar yet strange sounds.
“Like what Auntie Trixie?” Mayday asked while perking her own ears as well and listening too.
“Yeah. I can heart it too.” Also perking his ears cautiously like a dog, Peter could also and indeed hear strange sounds echoing throughout the peaceful night quiet as well. It sounded like someone would be murmuring of grunting in a very unpleasant way, as young stallion shifted his attention to the door, judging that those noises were coming right from the living room. “Its coming right from the living room.”
“What might that possibly be?” Trixie though asked in quite a cautious like manner, if not even with a faint hint of fear present in her voice.
“A thief?” Mayday deadpanned for an example, yet earning an annoyed look from the magician mare.
“Lest just take a look.” Peter whispered prompting the mare and filly to find out what was making those noises as young stallion quietly and with caution approached the doorway that connected the kitchen with living room and Trixie along with Mayday carefully followed right behind.
Peter, Trixie and Mayday simultaneously perked their heads out of the doorway, checking out the darkened living room that was slightly flashed by the lights of the kitchen unit in hopes to locate the source of the noise, and much for their awe they found out it was just Logan, sleeping on the coach that his friends arranged for him like a bed.
However, despite being lost in a deep slumber, the X-Men was shivering and somehow thrashing involuntarily on the couch back and forth, murmuring and grunting incoherently out of his sleep.
“Oh…Its just Logan, alright.” Peter exhaled in relief yet his brow furrowed questioningly. “Weird though….Somepony would be just expecting the old chum to snore with a sound of a chain saw, but this….?”
“What is wrong with him? Daddy?” Mayday asked questioningly with her deep golden eyes being fixed on Logan who just kept shivering in his bed.
“If Trixie didn’t know any better, she wold say the tough guy is having a nightmares or sorts.” Trixie somewhat offhandedly spoke of, daring to suggest, yet the stage magician was more than right about that.
Logans, aka. Wolverines sleep was plagued with nightmares, reflecting on his dark and tormented past and early life that only Logan himself was aware off. The horrible or rather fateful events that the gruff stallion would like and wished long to forget, as unfortunate images flashed thought his head, plaguing both his mind as well as heart the most. The X-Mens thoughts raged, with small beads of cold sweat forming over his forehead.
There was nothing more than a cold and seemingly endless darkness, being blackest as the darkest void, shrouding the entire scene and everything, before though eventually slowly fading away, revealing Logan back in his human/mutant form, despite wearing only black underpants, having his trademark metal dog tags over his neck, with “WOLVERINE 458 25 243” markings carved in it. Yet however, the position he was finding himself couldn’t be said much of comfortable by any means.
The gruff man was finding himself somewhere in the secret underground facility room, his legs, arms and hips being tightened by belts, being bind on the metal platform right under something that more likely looked like a water tank with a clean azure coloured bubbling water. Right behind the water tank, there was a large flashing board, with numerous X-Ray images with various part of Logans skeleton, skull, ribs, spine, arms or legs being pinned on it. Yet a strange and numerous voices could be heard, echoing all around, filling Logans thoughts.
"You will be inderstructable......You will suffer more pain than any other man could endure....Your entire skeleton will be coated in Adamantium.....When we are done, you will be able to withstand anything."
Unfortunately, there were a strange line marking over Logans bulky muscular frame, with numerous injection system like cables being placed and plugged in right all over the mutants body, while the long cables were plugged right in several containers with a glass dosage like jars, containing a strange light grey liquid. Yet, right behind the water tank, there was yet another container with more cables plugged in it and being filled with the same strange light grey molten metal like liquied boiling under a high temperature. Whatever this all equipment was for, it all must be quite a discomfort and painful for Logan, with the cables being attached into his body, evident by his painful expression.
Suddenly, a human hand came out of nothing, grabbing Logan for his fringe while the second one placed and fixed a breathing mask over his mouth. Strangely, whoever it was, his face had never been revealed and then all the voice were tuned down, with a dead silence occurring.
Back in the real world, Logan continued to thrash under his blanket, grunting and murmuring more intensively, his breathing getting ragged like a broken glass scratching a rough surface and sweat rolling over his face.
Growing more and more concerned, yet Trixie slowly edged closer to the coach and carefully placing her hoof over Logans shoulder, shaking it gently in an attempt to wake his gruff friend up. Peter and Mayday though remained backwards, watching Trixies doing.
“Logan….” Trixie whispered while still shaking with Logan, trying to wake him up. “Logan. Please, wake up.”
A heavy mechanical sound echoed, sounding like a rolling wheels, as Logan was slowly and steadily lowered into the tank on the platform on which he was bind, going deeper every second with bubbling water reaching over, engulfing his body, before being sunk into it completely, yet fortunately being able to breath via his breathing mask fixed over his mouth.
And then, somewhere on the higher level like platform, there was something like a large control panel, with several shadowy figures operating it and watching the subject of interest, although due to being shrouded in dark, their faces couldn’t be seen, whoever they were.
However, among all the darkened individuals, there was though rather one peculiar one, standing tall and right in the lead above them all, judging to be seemingly their boss or commander of sorts. Yet, a little faint light was flashed into the mysterious mans face, revealing though a little bit, with his eyes still shadowed that though formed into a devious like frown and there was a wide, devilish grin all over his face, judging that there were some malicious and unholy intentions on his mind he had with Logan.
And, without saying a word, the guy slowly rose his right hand with his palm clenched, leaving only his index finger exposed, nearing the control panel. There was a large red button with a sign saying START, yet the mysterious shadowed individuals palm suddenly paused just a few inches away, glancing upon a near monitor screen that was showing Logans vital conditions including heart rate, before sharing once final devilish glance on the mutant and then, yet once again came the odd while when everything tuned down and coming into an halt, including time itself literally froze……He pressed the button.
“NOOOOO!!!” Shutting his eyes wide open, Logan finally managed to awake from his nightmare that was plaguing his slumber, yet unfortunately a fierce and panicking like scream came right out of his throat, being somewhat numb to the outside world and lost in some soft of a twisted frightened like trance, the gruff stallion sharply sprung himself forward and like reacting out of his instincts releasing his adamantium claws from his hoof, threatening to lung on a totally baffled and also quite freaked out Trixie standing near him, while Mayday squeaked out of fright.
“LOOK OUT!” Yet, reacting on his Spider Sense that started blurring within the back of his skull on a potent and upcoming danger right after Logan opened his eyes, Peter with a blazing speed, resembling a blur snatched Trixie out of the way, just in time before Wolverines deadly blades came closer yet swiping merely an air, while Peter landed on floor with Trixie in his grasp.
Finally snapping from his self-induced trance and turning back into reality, Logans thoughts were racing, taking erratic intakes of breath as a realization struck the X-Mens mind, slowly checking out and recalling his surroundings inside the Golden Oak Library as his thought yet still a bit freaked out expression landed right on Parker and Trixie laying on the floor, both unicorns bearing a baffled expressions, yet Trixie could feel her heart pounding within her chest and beads of sweat forming over her forehead.
Mayday on the other hoof was totally bewildered about what had just transpired was just standing on the place like nailed up, having her golden eyes widened like a pair of saucers and her mouth agape, wonder it nearly touched floor.
“Whut th'…? Parker?” Logan blurted out in confusion through each regulated intake of breath while having his eyes fixed on Parker, yet although finally starting to realize what had just transpired, sheathing his claws back into his hoof as well as somewhat a shame and disgrace filled mutants heart. “Sorry….I am sorry.”
“Come on!” Suddenly, Spikes irritated and sleepy voice called out from somewhere upstairs. “Cant a dragon take some sleep around here?”
Suddenly, a flash of birght light erupted in the centre of living room before revealing Twilight, who by hearing Logans screams from her bedroom immediatelly teleported right down floor, bearing a concerned expression on her though still a little bit sleepy face, frantically looking around. "Peter! Is everything alright? What by stars has happened?"
“Logan….?” Peter, ignoring his wifes pleas and having his full attention centred on Logan finally and meekly dared to trail off with a baffled look on his face, his voice sounding confused and concerned as well. “Are you feeling alright, old chum?”
“Nothin'.” Logan meekly replied, though more likely resembling a whisper, also bearing an odd undercurrent of melancholy in his raspy voice before simply lying back on the couch, digging his into the pillow and turning on the side, sighing. “Just a dream.”
"Logan?" Twilight spoke of in a very meek manner, concern being present within her voice as young princess just dully stared on Logan, before though turning around and edging closer to Peter who meanwhile helped Trixie on her hooves and affectionatelly brushing her cheeks agaisnt her husbands. "Peter? Is he.....Alright?"
"I am not.....sure." Peter replied, his voice thought being tunned by a mere whisper, sounding considerably concerned as well, yet deep down being confused and failing to get what was Logans nightmare all about.
To be continued……