Chapter Forty-Eight "Homecoming, Part VI"
Twenty-Eight Days Remain until the portal closes…
Twilight sat with her hands pressed against the window and her violet gaze fixed on the land far below her current position. She was onboard something called a 'jet', a high-speed aerial vessel. Both JARVIS and Peter warned the girl that it would be faster than a hot-air balloon by an incomparable margin, but Twilight couldn't hide her amazement with the superior technology Earth continued to show her. Brushing a strand of her locks behind her ear, Twilight peeked down to face the passenger in her arms, but she paused, snickering at the sight of her sleeping and drooling lover.
Even at such a high altitude, Peter displayed his ability to sleep comfortably in the most unusual position. Granted, Spike was following his lead, sleeping soundly at the back of the plane in a curled position, but Peter leaned his head back, resting it over Twilight's breasts while he sat between the girl's legs. This actually wasn't unusual considering that her boyfriend had slept under far more absurd conditions before, the ceiling incident with Pinkie Pie maintaining that distinct honor. However, what made this unique was Peter's obliviousness, the young man drooling like a baby on her arm.
While it was disgusting, Twilight found the sight adorable and only tightened their embrace. Peter was defenseless, unable to stop anything his lover had planned.
"JARVIS?" Twilight whispered, keeping her eyes centered on Peter as he murmured in his sleep.
The computer in her lap buzzed, its screen lighting up. "Yes, Miss Twilight?"
Her smile widened. "Would you mind taking a picture of us? Consider it a souvenir." Although this request was innocent, Twilight's grin was devilish, evident by the gleam in her eyes. However, JARVIS was not one to argue under some circumstances, or rather, he knew whennotto object. A new window opened on the screen, revealing an image of the young couple in their current situation. Twilight's arms were soaked, drenched in saliva, but she wore a wide smile while Peter snored. The picture disappeared, saving into the computer's hard drive.
Content with the outcome, Twilight closed her eyes and grinned victoriously. "Thank you, JARVIS."
"My pleasure, Miss Twilight."
Twilight nodded, directing her attention to the clouds behind the window. Peter's drool was seeping through her jacket, meaning she would have to remove it upon landing, but her smile remained intact. As forewarned by JARVIS, Twilight was aware that the climate would be much warmer than that of New York. In a sense, Peter was doing her a favor, but she wanted to pay him back for some of his troubles. A low yawn escaped from Twilight's mouth, prompting the princess to follow her lover's example and rest the back of her head against the window. Before falling into a gentle slumber, she made a mental note to show Spike her newly acquired photo.
Osborn opened his golden eyes and rested his chin on his large fist. "I seem to have lost hold of my spy. Sombra is more intelligent than I gave him credit for."
Sunset Shimmer furrowed her brow and approached the behemoth. "Do you think he killed her?"
Goblin shook his head, bemused. "No. I can tell he freed her from my spell, and now she's under his control. This might complicate matters a bit." Vanishing from his stone chair in a flash of light, Osborn appeared directly behind Sunset Shimmer, his shadow enveloping the woman's figure. "Sombra is in the middle of the city. I want you to find and kill both him and Spider-Man. I don't need any nuisances. I'm so close to becoming a true god." He cackled, holding his hand out.
Uneasy, Shimmer peered at Goblin from the corner of her eye, daring not to flinch. "On my own? You have an entire army already. Everyone here is under your control. You can wipe this world clean now." Her hand, perhaps out of instinct, struck the center of her forehead with a smack. Sunset staggered, her shoulders trembling while her eyes flashed and alternated between shades of blue and gold. "No! You've controlled me long enough! I can't- Iwon'thelp you! This is genocide you're planning, and I will not be a part of-!" She fell to a knee, screaming as her hands clutched at her cranium. "No-!"
A smirk formed on Osborn's face. "Impressive. I obliterated your will, and you still have some strength to resist me. You're so young and talented." Reaching forward, the Goblin grabbed Shimmer by her head and lifted her tiny frame from the ground. "It seems you're going to become a complication, too. I'll have to go forth in my plans without you." Osborn tightened his grip, grinning as Sunset clawed at his arms desperately to break free. "It would be so easy to kill you right now, but I want to give the heroes a mere taste of what's to come."
"I was stupid. I shouldneverhave listened to you…!" Sunset exclaimed, aiming her glowing hand directly in front of Osborn's face, but her vision blurred, succumbing to darkness. Shimmer's arms limply fell to her sides, her body yielding to the Goblin's strength. Behind Osborn's fist, the girl's blue eye could be seen, as well as a stray tear that rolled down the side of her cheek. "I won't… do this."
"You may resist, but you cannot disobey," Goblin declared, focusing his energy into his free hand before plunging it into Sunset Shimmer's gut.
His energy surged into her body, twisting it to his will. Shimmer's bat-like wings sprouted from her back while her fair skin morphed to a shade of crimson. Her screams of anguish echoed throughout the vicinity, only to be drowned out by the Goblin's maniacal laughter. The blue in her eyes completely vanished, and a pair of golden orbs took their place. Eventually, Osborn relinquished his grip and dropped Shimmer. Her claws scratched at the ground, clenching until the stone cracked under her grip.
Osborn folded his arms. "Sunset Shimmer. Go and annihilate Sombra, Spider-Man, and the city of New York."
Shimmer remained on the ground for a time, hissing as she shook her head. Planting her hands firmly against the ground, the girl pushed herself back to an upright standing position. Her head was lowered, making it impossible for anyone to see her face. Shimmer brought her hand over her chest before clenching it into a tight fist. Energy from the air was channeled into her hand, emitting a bright light potent enough to blind most individuals. The entire room shook, quakes coursing through the walls of the surrounding stone.
Osborn's posture remained firm, despite Shimmer's display of power. Sunset's wings fully extended before she raised her head, slamming her fist into nothing in particular. Reminiscent to the image of glass shattering, cracks coursed through the air and spread across the vicinity. The walls disintegrated, and voids opened, revealing the cosmos. The rift repaired itself, but tremors rushed out, shattering the last of what used to be the throne room. Sunset's eyes were blank, but the girl wore a wicked smile, all hints of humanity having disappeared.
Snapping his fingers, Goblin caused his forces to disappear in several flashes of light, but he gave Shimmer an affirming nod. "I've given you a small portion of my power. It should be more than enough for you to carry out your task. Even if you fail, by the time I return, I will erase you and everything in this existence. Now do as your God commands."
Panting, Sunset nodded. "Yes, master."
Goblin disappeared in response, and Shimmer mimicked his actions, both individuals going to different locations.
Peter stretched his arms high over his head, all while letting out a low yawn. The private resort was quite spacious, allowing Spike to move around comfortably without the need to tread carefully. Twilight stood out over the deck and leaned against the railing. The sky was clear with no clouds to block the sun's rays, but it only added to the beauty of the sandy terrain and ocean waters. Peter joined his lover's side and placed a hand over her shoulder. Twilight leaned into his touch, resting her head against his chest. They stood in comfortable silence, pausing to savor a deep kiss much to Spike's dismay.
Twilight shifted her attention back to the ocean, particularly the sun's reflection on its surface. "It's beautiful, Peter."
The young man grinned, cupping Twilight's chin with his free hand. Warm hazel eyes stared deeply into glossy, violet irises before Peter leaned forward until his lips were only an inch from Twilight's. The kiss was lightly delivered, through care and love. His tongue explored the sanctions of her mouth, earning a blissful moan with each sensitive spot he struck. Spike stuck out his tongue, gagging at the sight of such affection. Peter and Twilight eventually parted, yielding to their need for oxygen. The girl exhaled before wiping the sweat from her forehead. The outside world was hot enough, and Twilight's intimate interactions with her lover may prove to melt her very being by the end of the day.
Peter planted his lips over Twilight's crown before making his way back inside. "It's not as beautiful as you," he declared, unknowingly causing his lover's cheeks to bloom. Peter knelt down next to his suitcase, pausing once Twilight made her way back inside and took a seat on the edge of the bed near his position. A smirk formed on the young man's face. "Before we go to the beach, there's something I want you to do for me, Twilight."
Twilight tilted her head to the side. "Huh? What is it?"
Peter's grin darkened. "I'm a light sleeper when I want to be. I saw you take a picture of me with JARVIS." Twilight's complexion paled as her eyes shot open, but she attempted to hide her guilt with a forced smile. Needless to say, it failed, prompting Peter to playfully tap her forehead with a closed fist. "You're lucky I don't have a camera. Even if I did, I wouldn't go through with it. I'm not that evil." He raised a finger and pressed it against the tip of Twilight's nose, his exasperation evident. "You're still not off the hook."
Twilight giggled sheepishly. "W-What did you want me to do?"
Several minutes passed, but Peter and Spike waited patiently in the lobby, both stifling their laughter. The door to the bedroom creaked open, only to slam shut immediately afterward. Twilight's irritated groans were heard from the other side, adding to Peter's and Spike's amusement. The doorknob turned, but no progress. This was humiliating. Twilight moaned inwardly, knowing she was a victim of karmic exchange, but she only wished the repercussions hadn't come so swiftly. However, this was a one-time occurrence, shared only by her little brother figure and the love of her life. Should news of this incident find its way to the outside world, Twilight knew who to hunt down.
Exhaling, Twilight surrendered her pride, opened the door, and stepped into the lobby. Spike's laughter morphed into relentless guffaws, and the dragon was soon on his back, clutching at his sides. Twilight's face was as red as a tomato, matching the color of the Spandex wrapped tightly around her body. The girl was silent in her awkward march, and Peter's small smile did nothing to lighten her embarrassment. Despite wearing her boyfriend's Spider-Man costume, Twilight felt naked as the tights matched her body movements with little to no restraint.
If not for her long violet locks she would have worn the mask as well. At the very least, that would have hid her flushed features. Peter folded his arms and grinned. Despite their considerable height differences, his costume fit Twilight perfectly, further complimenting her subtly voluptuous figure. Twilight glanced at Peter from the side and posed, her blush failing to dissipate in the least. She extended her hand out, struggling to press her two middle fingers against her palm, but the princess eventually succeeded, gratefully not shooting any webbing out in the process.
"I look ridiculous," she muttered, maintaining her position. "Go ahead and say it."
"Actually…" Peter trailed off, the temperature in his face rising. His eyes wandered, carefully analyzing Twilight's figure. Clearing his mind of any suggestive thoughts, Peter approached the girl before wrapping his arms around her neck from behind. As he pulled her body against his, the young man took the opportunity and stole a swift yet affectionate kiss. His smile remained earnest and playful, filling Twilight with a familiar sense of warmth she grew to cherish. Peter tightened his grip, chuckling. "It looks great on you, Twilight. I think it looks better on you than it ever did on me."
Twilight inhaled sharply once Peter's hands fell over her hips, but despite how fuzzy her mind grew, she couldn't suppress her smile. "Aw, Peter. You're wonderful." Her eyes glanced off to the side, widening at the sight of her open computer. An image appeared on the screen, one of Peter kissing Twilight while she was in his Spider-Man costume. Before she could react, the image was minimized and saved. The screen turned black, and Twilight shot a glare at Spike, who stood next to the computer with a wide grin. "Spike!"
The dragon snickered, bringing his claw over his mouth to conceal his laughter. "Thanks, JARVIS. I'm going to hang on to that one!" Twilight sprinted over to Spike's position and wrapped her small arms around his neck in an attempt to strangle the dragon, but it proved futile as his laughter only grew.
Peter chuckled, scratching the back of his head at the sight. "There's no question you two are siblings. I bet you two would be a hit at a family reunion."
Derpy had returned with her daughter, and Dinky wasted no time playing with the Crusaders. It was fortunate that the pegasus had brought a board game for the fillies to play, as it kept the ruckus confided to one area of the house and saved Trixie the trouble of having to clean up a larger mess. Everypony sat around the table, taking turns moving their individual pieces around the board. There were only five pieces, leaving Trixie and Babs Seed to wait their turn until a new game was started. While this didn't perturb the unicorn, it seemed to have disheartened the filly, evident by her saddened expression.
Trixie exhaled. Today was an odd one for the unicorn. She was not one who particularly cared for fillies. In the past, they were her best customers, their naive minds believing even the most ridiculous of tales, but on a personal level, they were a headache, easily capable of gashing such a calm mind with their boundless energy. Yet today, Trixie found herself enamored with them, especially the lot that possessed deep attachment to the stallion she harbored emotions for. It was bothersome, but the unicorn didn't mind exploring these new developments in her life. It was certainly a welcoming change to her previous lonely lifestyle.
However, Trixie furrowed her brow as she deepened her stare on Babs Seed. Out of all the Crusaders, this one was immensely reserved, even around those she considered her friends. She'd heard of the filly's bullying incident from Applejack. Trixie smiled at the thought, realizing she had something in common with Babs. This only added to the unicorn's curiosity. Babs had only stated she looked up to Peter like a big brother, and Trixie could only ponder how that development came to be. The edge of her lips curled into a smile. There was only one way to learn the truth.
"I seem to have misplaced something. Babs, would you mind accompanying me?" the unicorn asked, standing from her seat. She quietly made her exit, and Babs, taken aback by the suddenness of the request, hesitantly followed after blowing a strand of her crimson mane away from her eye. The trip was brief. If not for the noise coming from downstairs, it would have been awkwardly silent. Fortunately, Trixie reached her room and held the door open, closing it after Babs joined her inside. She grinned. "Thank you. I believe it would be best if we talked. You seemed troubled downstairs."
"I do?" Babs blurted out, her eyes widening. The filly didn't respond right away, her ears lowering into her mane once she felt Trixie's knowing gaze on her. Turning her head, Babs cleared her throat and waved her hoof. "It's nothing serious. I was just thinking about something, that's all."
Trixie smirked, arching a brow. "Thinking? Of what exactly? Did it have anything to do with Peter?" Babs recoiled at the name, and Trixie gave the filly an affirming nod, seeing as Peter was on everypony's mind today. The unicorn made her way to the bed, taking a seat before motioning for Babs to do the same. "I can tell he means a lot to you. I know why Applebloom loves Peter like a brother, but I don't quite know your reasoning, Babs. Would you mind sharing your tale with me? I promise I'll keep it a secret."
Babs opened her mouth, ready to respond, but once a strand of her mane fell back over her eye, she blew it back. "A secret, huh?" she murmured, her voice wavering. The filly alternated her gaze between Trixie and the ground, but Babs nodded, inhaling deeply. "I never really had a big brother. Whenever I saw Applebloom with Big Macintosh, I got a little jealous, but that's not why I asked Peter to be my big brother, too." She bit her lip. "I was picked on a lot back in Manehattan because I'm a blank flank."
Trixie's gaze softened. "I know. Applejack told me about that. I'm sorry. Fillies can be unusually cruel."
Babs furrowed her brow. "After we made up, I got to meet Peter. It was weird seeing an adult pony with a blank flank, but he was pretty cool. He acts like a complete dork, but he's the nicest pony I've ever met. I always asked him about his blank flank, like if it ever bothered him. It never did. I don't think Peter cares if he ever gets his cutie mark." Babs poked her lips out and shrugged. "I guess since he's a prince and knight now, it doesn't matter."
Trixie chuckled. "Yes, well, Peterisquite unusual, but it's clear you already know that." The mare and filly shared a smile before Trixie sobered, giving Babs a stern yet gentle expression. "So you bullied the other girls. I did the same thing to my friends recently. No good came out of it, and I was alone." She managed to smile. "It was fortunate Peter was able to teach me that it was okay for me to be myself. Now I'm never alone with friends I love."
Babs tilted her head to the side. "Applejack said you used to be a jerk." Trixie blankly stared at the filly, but her eyes widened when Babs gave her a warm smile. "You're just as nice as Peter to me."
Peeping, Trixie's face flashed to a shade of red. "D-Don't be ridiculous."
Oblivious, Babs rubbed her hooves together. "This reminds me of a talk I had with Peter. He found out how I treated the Crusaders, and…" The filly trailed off, biting down on her lip, but she met Trixie's gaze, shaking her head. "It was probably the only time I saw Peter angry."
Peter paced about with his eyes fixed on the ground. The other Crusaders were at Sweet Apple Acres while Babs Seed was asked to accompany the stallion on her own to the clubhouse. Usually, Peter was a cheerful pony, but after Applejack had discussed something with the stallion, he seemingly lost his smile. Babs was nervous, evident by her shallow breathing. Several exasperated groans escaped from Peter. He was clearly upset with her, not having said anything coherent to the filly for the duration of this sudden trip, and Peter occasionally shot glares in Babs' direction.
Peter stopped in his tracks and took a seat in front of Babs Seed on the grass. "Okay, kid. We need to talk." His voice was stern yet there was still a hint of gentleness felt within. Babs weakly nodded, keeping her body as low to the ground as possible. Peter folded his hooves and frowned. "Applejack told me what happened the other day. She said you were bullying the Crusaders, calling them names and whatnot. I know you all made up, but I want to talk to you about it. Now." He sighed, placing his hoof over the filly's shoulder. "I heard about your troubles in Manehattan. Is that why you started bullying the others?"
There was only one pony in front of Babs, but it felt as if the entire world was staring her down. "Y-Yeah. I'm the only blank flank in my class, and everypony won't leave me alone about it." The one strand of mane that always irritated Babs fell over her eye, but she dared not to blow it away, seeing as it prevented the filly from meeting the stallion's gaze. "So I started pushing back. It made everypony stop picking on me, so…"
Snorting, Peter shot the filly a bemused glare. "So you thought it was okay to walk over everypony? Applebloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle never bullied you. Did they deserve it? Youknowhow much it hurts to be stepped on. If you pick on everypony, you'll be no different than the ones who bullied you." Peter reached out and pulled the filly into his chest, wrapping his hooves tightly around her body. "You're a great kid, Babs. I know what it's like to picked on. When I was your age, I was bullied every day. I'm not yelling at you. I only want you to understand what it really means to treat everypony badly."
Babs pulled back, making eye contact with the stallion for the first time since the conversation started. Her eyes perked. "Really? You were bullied, too?"
Peter smiled halfheartedly. "You better believe it. My bully's name was Flash Thompson. He stole my lunch money, shoved me into lockers, beat me to a pulp, and made every cool kid in the school hate me." Babs closed her eyes, wrapping her hooves around Peter's neck. The stallion held her close, frowning once he felt his chest grow wet. Small sniffles escaped from the filly, but Peter shook his head, exhaling. "It's that reason why I had such a hard time making friends. One day, I had enough and nearly beat Flash to a pulp. I could have paid him back, but I didn't go through with it. If I did, I'd be no different from him. That's why I wanted to talk to you."
Babs wiped her hoof across her face. "Huh?"
His smile was earnest, lacking any humor. "I know what you're going through. There's always a bully somewhere. Don't make the mistakes that they do. Be yourself, Babs. Just because youcanbully somepony, doesn't mean youshould. It's like my uncle told me. With great power comes great responsibility. I turned into a bully once. I never wanted to do it again. Besides, it's so much easier to be nice. You can make a lot friends that way. Don't make the same mistake as me."
It was a simple confession, one told sternly and honestly. Babs was unsure of what to make of the situation. She wanted to cry. The Crusaders forgave Babs despite her harsh behavior, and now Peter, a pony she practically just met, talked to her as if he had known the filly his entire life. It was wrong. Babs sniffled, somehow smiling despite her falling tears. She didn't want this to be a visit any longer. Applebloom, Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, and Peter were worth so much more than most of what Manehattan had to offer. They were friends and family. Peter held Babs with gentle assurance, allowing the filly to let out her emotions.
"I have to leave for Manehattan in a few days. I don't want to leave, but I know I have to," Babs whispered as they ventured down the staircase, stopping once she reached the bottom. Her strand of mane drooped over her face again, but Trixie used her hoof to slide it behind the filly's ear the moment she caught up. Babs gave the mare a wide smile. "I want Peter to come back soon. At the very least, I want to see him before I leave."
Trixie's smile was as wide as the filly's. Curse it all. Parker and his little band of sidekicks were really getting to her. "He'll return shortly, I assure you. That tingling feeling we all felt earlier? It will never fade. As long as we cherish our precious memories, we will always remain connected to Peter. As long as you promise to never forget, he'll always have a place in your heart. Peter ismybest friend andyourbig brother. If he didn't return, we would have to hunt that idiot down, right?"
"Right!" Babs giggled, resting the side of her head against Trixie's chest affectionately.
Both ponies reveled in the warmth they shared. Eventually, they made their way back into the lobby, but Trixie paused, staring dumbly at the sight waiting for them. Everypony continued playing their game, oblivious to the figure sitting in Trixie's seat. It appeared to be a zebra, her striped coat giving indication to that fact. Trixie scoffed, refusing to buy into her imagination. There was no way a witch of voodoo was in her abode. Trixie didn't personally know of any zebras, let alone one with a mohawk and golden bands around her neck. Trixie shrugged before her senses came to life, triggering a rational response. The mare pointed at the intruder, screaming at the top of her lungs. The zebra closed her eyes and calmly downed her tea, all while Applebloom freed her gaze from the game momentarily.
"Oh, Trixie! Have you met my friend, Zecora?" Applebloom grinned, immediately turning her attention back to the game.
Trixie paused, aghast. "No! I've never met a zebra a day in my life! How long has she been here?!"
Applebloom waved her hoof dismissively. "Uh… she's been here the whole time. Zecora came here with us."
This didn't help calm Trixie. On the contrary, it only served to add to her panic. The unicorn threw her hooves high over her head. "What?! Why didn't anypony tell me anything?!"
Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, Applebloom, and Babs Seed stated in unison. "You never asked."
Trixie slammed her hoof over her forehead in response. "When I see Parker, I am going to kill him, slowly, for leaving me alone with psychotics!" Turning her head sharply, Trixie faced the zebra, slack-jawed. "And what doyouwant?!"
Zecora's brow rose, but she calmly placed her glass back over the table before glancing out of the window. "Peter is my friend, one true and dear, but I fear…" Her blue eyes softened. "His end may be near."
Doctor Strange appeared in a flash of light before the door to Twilight Sparkle's room. While she, Peter Parker, and Spike were off on their trip to the Bahamas, Princess Luna volunteered to stay behind and learn of human etiquette on her own. She had stayed in her room for nearly two days now, and Stephen couldn't help but ponder if the talking pony was at least hungry. He knocked at the door, waiting patiently for a response. Equestrian females seemed rather impulsive, and the last thing Doctor Strange wanted was another hole in his wall. He knocked again, humming at the lack of a response. Slowly and carefully, Stephen opened the door to the room, and much to his relief, there was nothing to be found. He extended his glowing hand, furrowing his brow after a brief moment.
"There are small remnants of distorted magic in the atmosphere. It's safe to assume the princess teleported from here recently," he muttered before his eyes widened. His breathing grew shallow, but Stephen recollected his nerve, placing his hand over his throbbing cranium. "My senses are sensitive due to my constant use of magic as of late. It seems I can sense magical energies outside the walls of the Sanctum Sanctorum. There are two individuals nearby. Both very powerful."
Strange turned around, shifting his grey irises about. "One is very dark. Malevolent. It's in the middle of the city somewhere. The other is on the outskirts of the city, slowly approaching the darker one. It's… chaotic, like nothing I've ever sensed before. This situation is dangerous. I have a distinct feeling that Princess Luna may have sensed the same thing. I would call Fury, but his team is still dealing with a crisis in Atlantis."
Stephen ran his fingers over his goatee before vanishing, appearing in his room where a crystal ball rested. He murmured several incantations, causing the orb to glow brightly. "I have to warn Spider-Man of the situation. Maybe Twilight Sparkle can figure out-" The sorcerer paused, his eyes widening at the image within the crystal ball. "I see. It seems Princess Luna has the same thing in mind. She's on her way to them now."
It stood several feet tall, nearly the same height as Twilight. Each boiled piece of meat rested soundly between a bun, and its scent roamed throughout the entire room. Spike reached into the pile and retrieved a few of the treats before tossing them into his mouth. Twilight threw her hand over her mouth, suppressing the urge to regurgitate on the spot. They were called 'hot dogs'. During her date with Peter yesterday, May had offered the dragon a hot dog on a whim. Now, as he slurped and chomped every hot dog in his path, Spike couldn't get enough of the treat.
"Thanks, Peter! These are great!" Spike managed between his chewing sessions.
Twilight grimaced, giving Peter an uncertain expression. "These aren't actually made of dogs, right?"
Chuckling, Peter shook his head. "No way. It's just in the name. Hot dogs are filled with several meats, but dogs aren't one of them. "
Her stomach churned, leaving Twilight to turn away from Spike's feast. "Sounds disgusting. I'm going to be sick," she moaned, quickly downing a glass of water to settle her stomach. Peter walked over, placing his hands over her shoulders. His fingers pressed against her skin before going into circular motions, massaging the muscles underneath. Twilight sighed, giving into the pleasure, but as Spike's eating reached her ears, the girl exhaled. "I still think this is a bad idea. Spike has never eaten meat before. He has the same standards as any Equestrian."
"Maybe, but Spike's abigboy now. His appetite and metabolism are drastically different from what they usually are. It's only while we're on Earth, so let the little guy have his fun. Besides, the animals here aren't sentient, and hot dogs are typically made from muscles and meat trimmings of pork and beef. So it's really just meat scraps that Spike's eating and…" Peter murmured, pausing once Twilight fell to the side while gagging. She waved her hand and shook her head, begging that the young man stop. Peter nodded, grinning. "Yeah, it's pretty disgusting when you think about it."
Twilight's face was nearly green. "Why do humans need meat again?"
Peter cupped his chin in the palm of his hand. "The reason why humans have such large, well-developed brains is because we're omnivorous. We need that protein and cholesterol (which is present ONLY in meat) for a properly developed brain. It's one of the reasons yours truly is a science whiz." He patted Twilight's shoulders playfully. "Really, if you were here for longer than a month, you'd have to start eating protein in SOME way." A smirk formed on Peter's face. "It's sort of why a lot of women have so many hormonal problems; they don't consume enough protein. That also might explain your short temper and violent outbursts-Ow!"
Twilight rubbed the aches from her palm, her boyfriend's forehead proving to be harder than she thought. "Then it's a good thing I'm only visiting for a short time."
Peter ignored the throbs coursing through his forehead and edged closer to Twilight, planting a kiss on her cheek. "Hey. I love everything about you, especially your short temper. You're cute when you're mad."
The temperature in Twilight's face rose, and the girl glanced away, flustered at her flurry of emotions. "You're so stupid. I don't care what you say, we're having a fruit salad tonight and forgetting this ever happened. No questions asked."
Peter smiled, lowering his head until his lips brushed against Twilight's ear. "Fair Spike's eating, we can go to the beach. I can finally see what kind of swimsuit you bought," he whispered, his tone playful.
Giggling, Twilight's brow rose. "You're such an animal sometimes, but I would be lying if I said I didn't like it occasionally. I'll go get ready."
She prepared to leave her seat, but a stinging sensation coursed through the center of her chest before a small light shone from within. Before anyone could react, a woman dove from the light, seemingly materializing from Twilight's chest. She landed several feet from the young woman, but inches from Peter. Her skin was fair, concealed underneath a silky, blue dress. Her wings were angelic, despite the dark shade of the feathers. The woman got to her feet, keeping her royal blue eyes fixed on Peter.
Twilight stared at the intruder with her mouth agape, but she shook her head, finding a way to smile. "Princess Luna!"
"P-Princess Luna?!" Spike blurted out, ceasing his eating abruptly.
"Luna?!" Peter followed, tilting his head to the side as he analyzed the woman's body further. Despite him standing upright, Peter only reached Luna's chin, their height differences apparent. While her hair was not her aura-like mane, its shine was unparalleled, glittering even during the brightest of days. Luna frowned, as if uncertain of what to make of Peter's silence. However, the young man nodded, placed his hand over Luna's bare shoulder, and gave her a genuine smile. "I have to say, you look great as a human. You look… natural, even with your wings. This look suits you well, Luna." His eyes wandered, glancing away from the large bags on the woman's chest. "You're… well-endowed, too."
Luna's eyes widened, shuddering involuntarily as Peter's hand touched her skin. Due to her pale complexion, it was easy to see the pink blush stain in her cheeks. Clearing her throat, Luna glanced off the side and avoided Peter's gaze as she walked past the young man. This effect was alien, one she never experienced before meeting Peter. The inside of her chest burned, yet Luna cherished in this tingling sensation.
Even now, the brazen fool's words affected her, and if one looked closely, the princess bore a ghost of a smile. "Your sentiment is… appreciated, Parker." Her smile faded, allowing Luna's signature frown to resurface. "I'm afraid there is no time for us to exchange pleasantries. We have a situation."
Spike stepped over to join the others, taking a seat behind Twilight. Concern filled his large, emerald eyes. "A situation? That doesn't sound good."
Peter shrugged, exhaling. "Considering Luna just teleported through Twilight, it's pretty obvious there's trouble. Unless it's every day a shape-shifting alicorn just appears in the living room for no real reason. What's worse is that this isn't even the tenth weirdest thing to ever happen in my life. I was the Bombastic Bag-Man for a day. That was trippy. Then there was the time I was transformed into a pony. It seems like just yesterday that happened. Did I also mention-?" Upon receiving glares from both princesses, Peter folded his arms. "Fine. I'll keep quiet, but you have to tell me how you found us, Luna. We're a few thousand miles from New York right now."
Luna extended her hand, allowing a small, magical orb to form over her palm. "Simple. I shared a tracking spell with Twilight Sparkle before your departure. In case of an emergency, it is always best to carry a contingency plan. Surely you understand, Parker?"
Closing his eyes, Peter sighed. "Magic is so convenient sometimes."
Twilight placed her hands over her hips before shooting a stern glare in the direction of her knight. "Stop it, Peter. This is serious." Peter obliged, raising his hands in a form of surrender before shifting his gaze to meet Luna's. Once Spike gave the princess his full attention as well, Twilight tilted her head to the side. "What seems to be the problem? Is it Norman Osborn?"
Princess Luna shook her head. "Not exactly. It is Sunset Shimmer. During my meditation, I was able to sense her magical signature. It is much like your own, Twilight Sparkle. However, I also sensed a portion of Discord's chaotic signature within Sunset Shimmer, but those powers were wild and unrestrained. I am uncertain how, but I do know she is approaching the city near our hideout. Even a fraction of Discord's power in one's possession can cause untold levels of destruction."
"Sunset Shimmer? That girl who stole Twilight's crown? How didsheget some of Discord's power?" Peter questioned, scratching the back of his head. His eyes widened at a thought. "Hang on. If you can sense Shimmer, can you also feel Osborn?"
"Unfortunately, no. The source of their location is heavily shielded. Otherwise, I could find Discord or Norman Osborn," Luna replied, earning an irritated scoff from Peter. The princess gritted her teeth, her frustration matching the young man's. "We do not know what Sunset Shimmer's intentions are. If she is still aligned with Osborn or has chosen to rebel, I fear for those around her. We must act quickly and intercept Sunset Shimmer before she can reach the city's inhabitants."
Twilight nodded, a look of determination forming on her face. "Then we shouldn't waste any time! If Shimmer is on her own, this might be our chance to save her. Maybe then she'll tell us what's going on and reveal Osborn's location."
Spike raised his claw, blocking Twilight's path to the bedroom. "Wait, Twilight. Do you remember what Doctor Strange said? You can't use the power of the Elements of Harmony by yourself again! If you do, you'll…"
Luna's mouth hung open before closing. "You were able to use that power on your own? It took eons for my sister to succeed in the act. You are truly special, Twilight Sparkle, and you've only begun to unlock your potential." She stepped away, folding her slender arms over her ample breasts. "Do not trouble yourself, Twilight. If Sunset Shimmer's mind has been plagued, I can use my magic to free her from Osborn's control." Luna shared a glance with Peter. "However, our priority should be subduction. There is no question that we may have to use force. My sister has forewarned me of her former student's aggressive nature, and judging from the level of power I sensed, we will be in for the fight of our lives."
Peter glanced away, maintaining his silence, but after a few moments, he faced Luna with a vigorous smirk. "Then it's a good thing I finished my experiment." Several minutes passed as Twilight and Peter put on their heroic attire. The moment they were fully dressed, Spider-Man and Twilight climbed onto Spike's back before Luna teleported them to their destination. Everyone appeared high over the city in a flash, fortunately in the clouds where no one could see them. Twilight pressed her body firmly against Peter's back, wrapping her arms around his neck. Spider-Man patted Spike over the head, leaning over to the side. "Spike. Hang high. Don't come down until we give you the signal."
Spider-Man placed his hand over Twilight's arms, gripping them before leaping off of the dragon and going into a free-fall. Luna followed with her arms and wings stretched out, allowing the wind to aid in her flight. Once the buildings were within range, Spider-Man extended his free hand and shot a strand of webbing onto the nearest wall. His momentum carried the pair into a swing, allowing Peter to release his web and fire a second, repeating the swinging process. With each swing Spider-Man took, Twilight found her grip tightening, yet she felt ecstatic, smiling widely despite partaking in a dangerous stunt. Even Luna, whom many considered an ice queen, matched Spider-Man's speed, all while holding a grin. They were rushing into imminent danger, but they were united, driven by their shared connection to survive.
Spider-Man nodded. "Okay! Let's go save Shimmer!"
Luna's brow lowered before her eyes shot open. She pointed ahead, near street level. "She's in that direction." Her wings flapped, giving the woman a burst in speed. She flew ahead of Spider-Man, prompting him to release his strand of webbing, maneuver his body in mid-flight until Twilight was cradled in his arms, and descend into a free fall. Luna nodded. "Hurry!"
Within the walls of the Daily Bugle, chaos was running amok. Files of paper were scattered about, forcing several individuals to stop in their tracks and grab each piece they could. A man walked over the mess with a woman following close behind, both making a beeline for the main office. They stopped at the door, sharing a glance with each other before the man knocked at the door. Due to the surrounding chaos, it was difficult to hear the sounds coming from the other side. Before the man could knock again, the woman reached for the knob and pushed the door open.
"Mr. Jameson! There's something happening!" she declared, pausing once the person behind the desk shot her a glare. He was an older man, a large vein throbbing just beneath his short, flat-top haircut. He held a phone next to his ear, but upon the intrusion of his guests, he slammed it over the hook. The woman furrowed her brow, seemingly unphased by the older man's anger. "Have you heard? There's something happening on the south side of the city. Apparently, there's a bat creature destroying everything in sight."
The older man brushed his hand over the short mustache on his lip. "Betty! You're coming in here like you have something new for me! We all know this city is full of freaks and deviants! Instead of talking to me, how about you send someone to go get some photos of this bat thing!" He paused, shifting his glare to the man standing next to the woman, frustration evident in his chocolate features. "Is that why you're here too, Robbie?"
Shaking his head, Robbie stepped forward until he was a few feet from Jameson's desk. "No. That's not all. There are several witnesses calling in a sighting. I thought it was a hoax, but we have over a hundred calls confirming the same thing." His gaze fell to the ground. Jameson's brow rose as a smile formed on Robbie's face. "There's an angel and another female heading for the area. However, eyewitnesses confirm that Spider-Man is with them. We're not sure if he's the real deal, but since he's web-swinging, it's safe to say Spider-Man's back."
Silence filled the room. Jameson's eyes were as wide as saucers at the mere mention of Spider-Man's name. "So, the prodigal son returns! I should have known that menace couldn't learn to stay away." Robbie shook his head disapprovingly while Betty placed her hand over her forehead. Jameson stood from his seat and walked over to the window. "Get our photographers out there! I need photos! Photos of Spider-Man!"
Sunset Shimmer walked through the streets of the city. Local law enforcement surrounded the woman, their guns fixed on her frame. She glanced back, smirking at the destruction left in her wake. Cars were crumpled heaps of steel, flames were scattered, but as far as Shimmer was concerned, she was just getting started. Sunset raised her hand, in turn levitating every officer in the vicinity, and that same moment, she snapped her fingers, jettisoning the men high into the air. Fortunately, their flight came to an abrupt stop, each officer looking about questionably at the phenomenon. Shimmer arched a brow at the sight, her eyes widening once the men disappeared in bright flashes of light.
Princess Luna flashed into sight, standing several feet away from Sunset Shimmer. They both glared intently at each other for several moments before the princess raised her hand, causing the officers to land near her position. Spider-Man landed next to Luna before gently placing Twilight down. Each member of the police force stared at Spider-Man with their mouths agape. As Luna and Twilight slowly closed the gap between their position and Sunset Shimmer, Spider-Man walked over to the nearest officer.
"I need you guys to do me a favor and evacuate the area. It's not safe for you here," he said, leaping into the air to join Twilight's side. The officers did as they were told, each murmuring under their breath. Once they were out of hearing range, Spider-Man stopped in his tracks. "Okay. So what now?"
Shimmer's yellow irises widened, centering on the young man. "Spider-Man…" Her voice was low, barely audible. She reached out, clawing at her target. "I will kill you first… then I will destroy him. It is what my master desires."
Spider-Man shook his head. "Yeah? Well, get in line. They have a fanclub for that."
Twilight furrowed her brow. "Something's wrong. There's something different about Shimmer right now. I've seen it before."
Luna's eyes glowed, her blue irises disappearing behind a blinding light. She closed her eyes and scoffed. "It's as I feared. I can't get through to her like this. Osborn has completely removed Sunset Shimmer's free will." The princess stretched her arm out, prompting Spider-Man and Twilight to stand behind her. "We must subdue Sunset Shimmer as quickly as possible to minimize collateral damage, but we must weaken her first." Luna frowned bellowing at the top of her lungs. "Spike! Now!"
Spike soared through the sky, landing inches behind Sunset Shimmer. The ground shook from the impact, but the dragon lashed out, preparing to strike the woman. However, the moment his claw neared Shimmer's body, Spike's body froze. He strained, trying to move his muscles, but Sunset turned sharply and smirked, her hand emitting a bright light. She lunged forward, driving her fist into the dragon's gut. The glass on the surrounding buildings shattered as a shockwave erupted, and Spike was sent careening skyward until his massive frame slammed through the wall of the upper stories of a tall skyscraper.
Twilight yelped, reaching for the dragon. "Spike!"
Spider-Man pulled Twilight back, his masked eyes fixed on Shimmer. "Okay. She was not nearly that strong on the helicarrier." Stealing a glance in the dragon's direction, Peter turned Twilight around and placed his hands on her shoulders, making certain her gaze met his. "Twilight. Listen. Go check on Spike. Luna and I will hold Shimmer's attention."
Nodding, Twilight placed a hand over Spider-Man's cheek. "Okay. Please, be careful. I'll be back!"
Shimmer cackled, extending her arms to the side. Two trucks levitated from the ground, hovering over the woman. "All enemies of God…" she threw her hands forward, sending both vehicles flying towards the remaining trio, "will be eliminated!"
Spider-Man ran forward, diving through the open windows of the truck, and the moment he hopped from the passenger side, Peter extended his hands and fired several strands of webbing. Like a net, the gossamer trapped the vehicle and held it in place. Luna's wings stretched out before lifting her frame from the ground, and she swayed her legs, narrowly avoiding the vehicle thrown in her direction. Using her magic, Luna stopped the truck's flight. The princess then turned around, howling as she launched the vehicle back toward Shimmer.
The truck struck the ground mere feet from Sunset's position, exploding upon impact. Shimmer's body was engulfed in flames, but the girl waved her hand, diminishing the fire with a gust. Spider-Man landed behind Sunset and threw a punch, but Shimmer teleported out of sight, causing him to miss wildly. The woman reappeared to the side of her foe before he couldrecover, clenched her fist, and slammed it into the square of Peter's back. Glowing, white cracks coursed over Spider-Man's body before spreading across the area and the surrounding street. The eerie sound of shattering glass echoed throughout the airwaves, and Peter flew across the street, slammed through a telephone booth, and crashed into a store, landing face down on the floor.
Luna's eyes widened. "Spider-Man!"
Shimmer ran her tongue over her finger before her wings spread, giving her flight. "I will erase your very existence…" She flew forward, swiftly approaching Peter's position. Luna's mouth fell agape, but she recollected her senses, flying after Sunset. Shimmer's fist glowed, emitting that familiar light. Spider-Man shook his head, staggering back to his feet, but the moment he peeked up, Sunset hovered over his body, prepared to strike him a second time. "Now fade…from existence!"
To be continued...