//------------------------------// // Crossroads // Story: Spiders and Magic IV: The Fall of Spider-Mane // by Maximus_Reborn //------------------------------// Chapter Sixteen "Crossroads" Deep within the darkest void, Peter drifted aimlessly. A small light emerged in the surrounding darkness before it took the form of a platform underneath him. Peter opened his eyes, finding himself having taken his human form once more. He glanced down at the floor, acknowledging the stained-glass style painting of two designs of one individual. Wearing a simple jacket and shirt, Gwen Stacy reached out to her super-heroine counterpart, Spider-Woman, while the latter did the same in response. Peter knelt down and rubbed a hand over the smooth, marble surface. While he did so, the surrounding darkness distorted as a figure materialized into existence a few feet behind his position. Peter blinked before turning to face the intruder, and his eyes softened at the all-too-familiar sight of luscious blonde hair and warm blue irises. It was the symbol of his past that led into his future. A small breeze brushed between them as Gwen and Peter simply stared at each other for what felt like an eternity. "It was good seeing her again, wasn't it?" Gwen whispered, her voice low and unreadable. "You knew it wasn'tme, but you almost tried to fool yourself into thinking otherwise." Peter glanced off to the side. "You two are just so much alike. There are some differences, but in the end, she was what I remembered fondly from you." Gwen folded her arms before shaking her head disapprovingly. "Keep telling yourself that. You're only fooling yourself." Her tone lowered, turning cold. Trails of darkness materialized under Peter's feet before a pair of black tendrils latched around his legs. The young man readied himself to resist, but more strands shot up, wrapping around his wrists. Gwen walked over to Peter until she stood over his sinking figure, her blank gaze unwavering. "You told her everything about your personal life. I can't say that I had that same luxury. You never toldmethat you were Spider-Man." "It was to protect you," Peter weakly countered, straining as more tendrils pulled his body into the spreading darkness. Gwen scoffed, remaining still as a large crack spread across the center of the foundation of the platform. "Look at how that turned out. You managed to get my father and I killed in the span of a month. If you had simply told me the truth beforehand, our deaths could've been prevented, but you were so afraid of the idea of me hating you that it ultimately blew up in your face." The darkness had reached his chin, enveloping everything else. However, before he could be completely consumed, a weak throb tremored in the back of his cranium. A small shockwave erupted, causing the crack in the platform to spread even further, and the darkness surrounding his body faded from sight, dissipating into nothingness. The area shattered before breaking apart into large chunks of marble. Having lost his footing, Peter plummeted into the abyss while Gwen watched from what remained of the platform. "You try, only to fail, and we're always the ones that pay the price," Gwen coldly declared, her form vanishing from sight. "You'll eventually fail your family, too. When that time comes, will you be able to make the necessary sacrifice? Or will you fail them, just as you failed everyone else?" Peter's eyes shot open, and the stallion glanced about wildly as his racing heart slowed to a moderate pace. "Again?" he groaned, straightening his posture as he settled back into his place in bed. Twilight mumbled softly in her sleep before nuzzling her body further into the stallion's. Peter stared longingly at the alicorn, wrapping a hoof delicately around her body, and he rested his chin against the top of her head. Taking in the sweet scent that her lavender mane exuded, the stallion's mind drifted into an aimless void, but there was trepidation, lingering doubts left in his nightmare's wake. His eyes softened before closing. "I won't let anything happen to you again… I promise." -u- Within the depths of Tartarus, Adagio slowly paced back and forth before Sonata. The light blue mare sat with her gaze centered on the floor. Aria watched the two silently from a few steps away, a feeling of unease growing inside her. The longer the orange mare remained silent, it only added to the building sense of anxiety for all three sirens. Before long, Adagio stopped her pacing, standing directly before Sonata. "You want to tell me exactlywhyit was that you were at Spider-Mane's house earlier?" she asked, a disappointed frown accenting her furrowed brow. "Because the last time I checked, I distinctly remember saying for the two of you to stay away from him after the incident at the Gala. He's an obstacle, and he'll ruin our plans if you let him get too close." Sonata raised her saddened gaze to meet the mare in front of her. "It's because he's my friend. He wants to help us with—" "Peter Parker,Spider-Mane, isnotyour friend!" Adagio interjected venomously, bringing a hoof to her chest. "Iam your friend.Ariais your friend.Weare your friends!" She stomped her hoof down in frustration. "We are here for areason. Something you keep forgetting, it seems." Sonata glanced off to the side. "I didn't forget…" Adagio shook her head. "Then, do you simply notcare!?" She marched right up to her cohort, pointing a forehoof right into her face. "We're here to help Discord remove Celestia from power. To change Equestria, for better or for worse. I don't care. It's not ourjobto care." She took a deep breath for taking a step back. "But you know what Idocare about?" Sonata weakly nodded. "What she did to our kind." "Exactly," Adagio replied, stomping her hoof down once more. "Celestia isdirectlyresponsible for the fates of our friends and families. We all had others we wanted to come home to. Now, we willneverhave that chance to see them again. All because of her!" Adagio inhaled deeply before growling under her breath. "She is ourenemy. Anyone who stands between us and her is also our enemy. Spider-Mane will not just sit back and let us dethrone her. Hewilltry to stop us. That makesPeter Parkerourenemy." Shaking her head, Sonata stood up. "It doesn'thaveto be that way! Peter wants to help us find another way. We don'thaveto keep hurting others." Adagio exploded into laughter at the other mare's words. "Do youseriouslybelieve that? Fine. Let's pretend for a moment that hedoesfind a way for us to coexist with ponies or any other magical creature. What exactly will that even solve? How does that change why we are here in the first place? Youknowhow terrible that other world was!" Sonata glanced off to the side, her eyes softening. "I don't know." Adagio scoffed. "Exactly. We still have our job to do, regardless of what Parker's capable of doing for us. Discord gave us a second chance when no one else would." The siren exhaled. "Have you already forgotten that it wasponieswho had Starswirl banish us from this world in the first place? Between that fact and Celestia's careless actions, I lookforwardto the day that the Sinister Six marches on Canterlot and grinds Celestia's rule into dust! We're going to finish what we started ages ago and bringjusticefor every one of our kind that royal nag let starve to death, and it starts with Spider-Mane! We're going to take him out of the equation! No questions asked! Understand?" Sonata was slow to respond. The heavy weight and truth behind Adagio's words conflicted greatly with her own feelings, like two opposing beams exploding upon coming into contact with each other. Unable to reply, Sonata looked to Aria for comment, desperate to hear an opinion outside of her own and Adagio's. Aria's stoic expression softened at the sad look that her friend gave her. "She's not wrong, you know..." Aria whispered, her ears lowering into her mane as she glanced away. "It's because of Celestia that we'll never get to see any of our friends or family again." She let out a long sigh, settling her gaze back to Sonata and straightening her posture. "It'd already been centuries since I last saw my parents. Knowing now that I'll never get to… it's not something I can ignore, Sonata." Sonata's gaze lowered. "I've already met so many wonderful new friends since we've been back, though. Peter, Twilight, Gwen..." Sonata's innocent response caused Adagio's eye to twitch before she emitted a low growl. "You're pathetic." Aria shook her head and let out another sigh before kneeling down next to Sonata. "Look, I like Peter, too, but we made a promise to Discord. He gave us our freedom back. We owe him until we've finished the job we came here to do." Aria trailed off, lowering her mouth until it was inches away from Sonata's ear. "To be perfectly honest, I don't really want to fight Peter either, but wehaveto if it comes down to it. Who knows what Discord might do with us if we go back on our word? Do you understand?" Sonata eventually nodded. "I understand. I'm sorry, Adagio. I'll stay away from Peter and the others." Watching as Sonata slowly exited the room with her head lowered, Adagio turned to Aria with a stern look once their friend was out of hearing range. "You know as well as I do that she can't stay away from him. Keep an eye on her. If she leaves, follow her," She declared, her eyes narrowing into a glare. "Report back to meimmediatelyif she does anything stupid. Got it?" Aria huffed, waving a hoof dismissively. "We don't have to do that. Sonata's not going to betray us." Adagio exhaled, facehoofing. "I'm not worried aboutthat, you idiot! I just don't want her to go doing anything that might screw this up for us. Thinking isn't exactly Sonata's strong point. You know that as well as I do." The orange mare let out an exasperated sigh, shaking her head. "I hope Discord has us move out sooner rather than later. I'm getting really sick of Parker complicating everything. If things don't hurry along, I might end up having to destroy him myself if that's what it takes to keep Sonata safe." "Maybe, but then again, what if Peter's methods really can work?" Aria questioned with a frown, folding her forelegs. "He's not a bad guy. I think he's pretty cool, honestly." Adagio huffed. "They won't. You know why they won't? Because theycan't. If it were really that easy, we'd have figured it out ourselves long ago, saving ourselves all this trouble," She spouted, furrowing her brow. "Besides, do youhonestlybelieve that he genuinely wants tohelpus? Hisenemies?" The mare forced a laugh. "He's obviously just using sweet words and shallow promises to gain Sonata's trust so he can learn more about us and use that information against us. This is why I want you to watch her." Aria scoffed, rolling her eyes. "Your paranoia and distrust of anything with more than a single brain cell can be really irritating, you know that? Sonata's at least brave enough to give him achance, but you're dead set in your ways, as usual. You never trustanybody, not even us." With a sigh, Aria shrugged before slowly departing in the direction Sonata had taken. "Well, whatever. You don't want Sonata getting too attached to Peter? Fine. I'll keep an eye on her. My advice, though? Try not to get too attached to that power you've been building. Do I really need to remind you where that got us in the other world?" Before Adagio could respond, Aria departed with a knowing gaze, and the Dazzlings' leader scowled, mumbling to herself and lowering her glare to the ground. "I know what's best for us. Those two clearly don't know anything!" Peter fell back onto the sofa in the center of the Treebrary, letting out a sigh as thoughts of the previous night's dream plagued his mind. It had instilled a very real fear to his very core. He very well may not be able to defend his family if something were to happen. Madame Web and Zecora's cryptic warnings only added to his building trepidation. With Twilight weakened and unable to defend herself, it would be left to him to watch over and protect the family by himself, and considering that his track record left much to be desired, the stallion was not willing to take any unnecessary risks. Peter rolled over onto his side. "What should I do? I'm not sure I can do this on my own. I was barely able to stop Twilight, even with Gwen helping me." He frowned, pulling himself into a sitting position. His brow furrowed into a concerned gaze. "I can't risk it. I'll have to send them somewhere safe until I'm sure of what's happening." Twilight weakly walked into the room, leaning against the wall for support. She arched a brow at the stallion. "You can't risk what?" "Twilight?!" Peter blurted out, rushing over to the mare's side. Twilight let out a surprised squeak as the stallion lifted her frame into his hooves. "You're supposed to be resting!" he declared, gently placing the alicorn down over the sofa before placing a hoof over her shoulder. "Why aren't you in bed?" Twilight leaned into the stallion's touch, cooing as his hoof brushed her cheek affectionately. "I know, honey, but I have to stretch my legs every now and then." "You can barelywalk. Why are you trying to stretch? Rest and relax. You constantly stress that to me," Peter exhaled, tapping his hoof lightly against the alicorn's forehead. "If I tried this, you'd ground me so hard." Twilight blankly stared at the stallion, laughing weakly. "So, isthiswhat's it's like on the other side? Now, I see why you ignore me sometimes." Peter frowned. "That's becauseIhave natural accelerated healing.Youdon't. Your accelerated healing is tied to your magic. That means you have to be more careful with your rehabilitation until your magic comes back. Right now, you're as frail as the next librarian… more so, without your magic to defend or heal yourself with." Twilight pursed her lips. "Are you saying that I'm weak?" "Of course not. You're my partner, but we both make up for each other's weaknesses," Peter calmly countered, diminishing some of Twilight's apprehension. "I'm the muscle. You're the sorceress. You're the White Mage to my Warrior." He sobered, planting a soft kiss on the mare's forehead before resting his chin over her crown. "I'm saying you're a normal pony. You're not some mutated alien that can have a grenade explode in his face and maintain some form of attractiveness." Twilight giggled. "Attractiveness?" Peter arched a brow. "So, you like me for my personality?" "Why, yes. Yes, I do," Twilight nodded, poking the stallion's chest. "It's just a coincidence that you happen to be cute as well." Peter's eyes widened as his face flushed. Fumbling on his words for a moment, he eventually chuckled sheepishly. "You're the only one that leaves me speechless. I guess the dainty pony princess really is Spider-Mane's weakness, huh?" He leaned forward, capturing Twilight's lips in his own for a brief yet affectionate kiss. They parted, their tastes as engaging as they were ten years ago. Peter smiled, wanting the moment to last forever, but he sobered, frowning as a lingering fear resurfaced. He took hold of Twilight's hoof as his eyes softened. "Honey… We need to talk." Twilight furrowed her brow at her husband's sudden change in tone. "Oh, um… okay? What's wrong?" Peter inhaled deeply before sighing. "I just have a bad feeling that something terrible is about to happen, and I can't just shake it. Whatever Discord is planning, he's starting to hit too close to home. First, he brings Venom back, and now, he's gettingyouinvolved." The stallion glanced off to the side. "I couldn't live with myself if something happened to you because I didn't think ahead. You're my wife, the mother of my children, and I love you more than you can possibly imagine." Peter's eyes softened. "I'm sorry, honey, but I need you to go to Canterlot for a while. It'll just be safer for you there. You should take the whole family with you. I'll stay here." "What?! You want me to just leave you herealone!?" Twilight blurted out, narrowing her gaze on the stallion. "I'm your partner! We're in this together! I'm not going to just leave you to face whatever Discord has planned alone." Peter shook his head before placing both hooves over the mare's shoulders. "Of course you're my partner. You always will be, but please just hear me out. You're in no shape to defend yourself right now, and I'm not confident I can protect youandeverypony else." The stallion edged closer until his face was inches away from the alicorn's. "I just need you to head to Canterlot until you're well. You can't use any magic, and you can barely stand. At least in Canterlot, you'll have better protection under Princess Celestia, Luna, and the knights. I'll also ask Applejack and the others to stay there with you, just in case." Twilight opened her mouth, as if ready to object, but she deflated with a defeated sigh. "Fine. I really don't like leaving you alone at times like this, but you're right." The princess pursed her lips with a pout. "As much as I hate to admit it, I'm not really capable of protecting anypony right now, much less myself." The alicorn furrowed her brow and stared intently at the stallion. "Although, you could give me one good reason why I should let you stay here by yourself. Tell me why I shouldn't be worried about you being here alone." Peter managed a smile. "Because I have the loving affection of a moon bear to back me up." Twilight was slow to respond before yielding with a nod and a small smile. "Okay." The following morning, a carriage was parked outside of the Treebrary. As Spike, Trixie, and Aunt May finished loading their luggage, Peter and Twilight sat on top of Ursa's head. Ben cooed in his mother's hooves while Mayday nuzzled against the astral bear's fuzzy cheek, earning a content purr for her efforts. Peter and Twilight never averted their gazes from each other, reveling in the moment for as long as they possibly could. "Promise me that you'll stay safe," Twilight whispered, feeling the temperature in her face rise. Biting down on her lip, the mare rested the side of her head against the stallion's. "Youhaveto visit. Keep the Treebrary clean while we're gone. Don't push yourself too hard. If you get hurt, please come to Canterlot. Oh, and—" Peter placed a hoof over Twilight's mouth, grinning. "I'll keep in touch. I promise." After earning an affirming nod from the mare, Peter lifted her into his hooves, bridal style, before climbing down from Ursa's head. The stallion carried Twilight into the carriage, pausing to ensure that she was seated firmly and properly. He then lightly booped the tip of his muzzle against Ben's, earning a content giggle from the baby colt, and Peter turned to Twilight, giving the alicorn a firm kiss. Once they parted, he brushed a hoof against her cheek. "I love you." As Trixie, Spike, and Aunt May made their way into the carriage, Twilight smiled sweetly at the stallion. "I love you, too." Once Peter stepped out of the carriage, Mayday flew into his hooves. "Aw! I don't wanna go!" Peter returned the gesture, tightening his embrace on the filly. "I don't want you to go either, but it's only until this whole thing cools off. I promise I'll visit you and your mother every chance I get." The stallion placed Mayday in the carriage. "Don't blow up the castle, okay?" Mayday nodded with a chuckle, before kissing her father's cheek. "I promise." Peter closed the carriage's door, waving off everypony inside as the stallions galloped off with it in tow. Ursa nudged her nose against the stallion's back, and he weakly smiled, patting the astral bear's cheek. "Looks like it's just us now, girl." He watched the carriage disappear into the horizon, and his heart sank, the silence surrounding his usually robust home fueling his loneliness. Peter sighed. "And now we wait." "You're really an idiot, you know that?" a feminine voice declared from behind him before Trixie materialized into existence in a burst of light. Peter shot his head back at the unicorn, alternating his gaze between her and the carriage. "What?! How?! Why?!" Trixie huffed, turning her head and raising an eyebrow. "Have you honestly forgotten my mastery of illusions, Peter?" Shifting into a proud posture, the mare brought a hoof to her chest with a smirk. "I simply conjured a magical hologram to project my glorious visage alongside the others. I have Twilight to thank for teaching me such a skill over the years." The stallion stared at the mare, slack-jawed. Trixie's confidence never wavered as she poked Peter's nose with a hoof. "Really, now, did youhonestlyexpect me to just leave you here all alone with only your thoughts? You're at your worst when you think profusely. The last thing we need is Spider-Mane tripping over his own hooves because he thought himself into a corner." Peter shook his head, placing his hooves over the mare's shoulders. "I can't protect you! I'm not screwing around, Trixie. Youcan'tbe here right now." Trixie scoffed, never averting her firm, violet gaze from the stallion's concerned stare. "You won't have to protect me. Besides, this ismychoice, and you can't makemydecisions for me. I'll have you know that I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself," she declared with a nod, closing her eyes and raising her snout. "You're not necessarily fighter-material, Trixie," Peter whispered, narrowing his gaze. Trixie opened an eye and huffed. "Who ever said anything about fighting?" She faded from sight, tapping the back of Peter's shoulder before materializing back in front of the stallion. "An illusionist has many tricks up her sleeves to escape harm. Besides, I've been taking lessons from Twilight in teleportation magic. Granted, I can't travel nearly as far as her, but I can certainly get out of harm's way." Peter prepared to object again, but Trixie raised a hoof before he could hope to do so. She calmly shook her head. "Just give it up, Parker. I'm staying here." Peter scratched the back of his head, exhaling. "What about Twilight?" Trixie chuckled triumphantly. "Trust me. She knows what I've done. In fact, my mention of staying with you has given her some peace of mind." The mare paused, stealing a glance at the astral bear behind the stallion. "While you have Ursa to protect youphysically, somepony has to help you keep a clear head." Trixie brushed a hoof through her silver-blue mane. "So leave Twilight to May and her friends. With me here, there's nothing to worry about." With a defeated sigh, the stallion shrugged. "It's not like I can win any argument with a girl." "A fact you'll do well to remember." Trixie smugly grinned, patting the top of the stallion's head. "Come. I'll make us some lunch in the meantime." As the mare trotted into the Treebrary, Peter followed closely behind before spinning the mare around and pulling her frame into an embrace. "Thanks, Trixie," he whispered, managing a smile. Trixie sighed, returning the stallion's affection. She kept her face hidden from his view, but her smile was just as warm as the sun. "Don't mention it." Reaching the edge of Tartarus, Sonata paused for several seconds before letting out a sigh. While she understood what Adagio and Aria had just said about Peter and Celestia, a large part of her felt deeply conflicted. For the first time in ages, a nostalgic tension tugged at her chest. Sonata whimpered, rubbing a hoof over her sore eyes. She longed to see him, hoping to preserve what had been built with somepony that willingly gave her a chance without question, but there were loyalties to uphold, to those that had practically been there since the start. Her life was quickly approaching a crossroad she was terrified of meeting. "Just how do Ireallyfeel about all this?" Sonata whispered to herself, glancing off to the side. "Where are you going?" a voice questioned from behind. Sonata's eyes widened before she turned to find Aria sitting with her forelegs crossed and wearing an obvious frown. "Don't tell me that youseriouslyplan to leave after we just had that talk." An awkward silence filled the space between them. Aria closed her eyes briefly before letting out a sigh. "Did you hearanything that Adagio and I said?" Sonata fidgeted in place. "Um, yes. I heard you," She replied, glancing back to the edge of Tartarus. "I was just going out for a bit of fresh air." Aria shot her a blank stare. "I'm notstupid, Sonata. You plan to go see Peter again, don't you?" Sonata smiled weakly. "Yeah." Aria facehoofed, letting out an exasperated groan. "Why do I even bother? Look, Adagio asked me to keep an eye on you. She's afraid that you'll do something stupid to screw up everything we've been working for." Sonata rapidly shook her head. "I wouldn't do anything like that! It's just that…" Her eyes softened. "I don't know. I just like Peter and his family. They'rereallynice ponies." She looked at the ground, tracing a circle along the stone floor with a hoof. "Besides, Peter saved my life from Glacius. I owe him." Aria's stoic demeanor faltered at her friend's words, softening. "He… really went out of his way for you, didn't he? And all for a complete stranger." The mare's gaze shifted to the ground. "Just like he did for me..." she delivered through a silent whisper, unheard by the other mare. Aria closed her eyes, furrowing her brow and rubbing her temple in quiet contemplation for several long seconds before finally letting out a frustrated growl. "Whatever. Just go. I don't even care anymore." Sonata's eyes widened. "You won't tell Adagio?" Aria paused, her brow lowering in thought, but she simply shrugged before turning to depart, shaking her head. "Just don't do anything stupid. We've come too far to have everything fall apart now." Sonata's sullen expression evaporated, replaced by a large smile as she galloped over to the other mare, capturing her from behind in a tight embrace. "Thank you, Aria!" Aria glanced away, huffing dismissively as her face heated. "Whatever. Just get out of here." However, before Sonata could venture too far, Discord materialized between both mares with a toothy grin. "Now, now, we can't let ourbig starleave at a time like this!" He declared, pulling Sonata to him and wrapping a pawed arm around her. "There's an important announcement about to be made, ladies!" "Big star?" Aria asked, raising an eyebrow as she glanced to Sonata before narrowing her gaze on the draconequus. "What's going on?" Discord smiled widely and clapped his paw and talon together, causing the trio to disappear from sight before materializing into existence within another area of Tartarus. Norman Osborn arched a brow at the sirens while Electro simply scoffed at their sudden appearance. Adagio folded her hooves across her chest, closing her eyes and shaking her head disapprovingly at Sonata. While Tirek walked into the area, his wrinkled features held a smile under his cloaked form. The draconequus grinned mischievously, waving a glowing talon until a map of Equestria took form in midair. "Good news, everypony! It's finally time to carry out our big plan! The stars have aligned, and the proper preparations have been met! We'll finally begin first thing in the morning." The Green Goblin cackled in response while sparks of lightning escaped from Electro's horn. Discord turned his crimson gaze to the light blue siren, his fanged smile growing. "And we'll be starting withyou, Sonata! How does, oh... Baltimare sound?" Aria's eyes widened greatly at the announcement. "What? Sonata's starting?" Adagio grinned evilly with a low chuckle. "Well, since she issoeager to see him, it's only appropriate she goes first, right?" The mare glanced to Sonata out of the corner of her eyes with a smirk. "That's not a problem, is it, Sonata?" Sonata's ears lowered into her mane as she hesitantly shook her head, biting down on her lip. "N-No. No, it's not… I'll handle it." Discord nodded feverishly. "Perfect! Head out first thing in the morning. You know what to do." The draconequus smirked as his body faded from sight, "In the meantime, however, I have important business with a promising young filly in Canterlot."