//------------------------------//
// Argyroneta Aquatica 
// Story: Spiders and Magic IV: The Fall of Spider-Mane 
// by Maximus_Reborn 
//------------------------------//

Chapter Thirty-Four "Argyroneta Aquatica"

The bright sun shone over the land, filling the countryside with light and warmth. Eris sat in midair near the front deck of the house while the others watched Peter and Zecora spar in the yard. Twilight held Ben in her arms, allowing the baby to gently pull at strands of her long, violet hair. Trixie and Sunset diligently watched the sparring match, but Mayday paid the skirmish no mind, instead focusing on the iPod in her hands. Luna stood on the roof of the house with her arms crossed, using her magic to hold a blanket above her head as a makeshift shield against the sun's beams.

Patricia and Gwen leaned over the deck's railing, alternating their gazes between the match and each other while they conversed. Sonata continuously ate, shifting between a hot dog in one hand and a sandwich in the other. Julia quietly leaned against the wall behind Eris, focusing on the bout. Felicia did the same, licking her lower lip seductively as she watched sweat form over Peter's upper body.

Sonata watched in awe as Zecora gracefully spun her staff defensively in hand, parrying a mid kick from Peter. "Zecora's really amazing!" she declared through a mouthful of hot dog.

Trixie nodded in agreement, allowing her cheek to rest against the back of her hand. "It's hardly surprising. She lives in the Everfree Forest so casually after all. That place is a living deathtrap."

Twilight playfully pressed her lips against the top of Ben's head, blowing into his hair. "It makes me wonder if there's anything that Zecoracan'tdo. I mean, she's wise and proficient in the arts of magic, despite not being a unicorn or alicorn. Zecora's also athletic, a skilled herbalist, and a fantastic babysitter." Ben clapped his hands eagerly and giggled, as if agreeing. Twilight's smile widened. "That's right, sweetie."

Patricia shifted her gaze skyward, chuckling. "It sure is a beautiful day. It's just warm enough to go to the beach! Better yet, how about a water park?"

Gwen shielded the sun from her eyes with a hand. "I would agree, but in this city, the beachandwater park are packed. It's just not as fun when you don't have any arm room in the pool."

Julia huffed, glancing off to the side. "I almost miss sunbathing. I haven't done so since I became the Watcher of the Web."

After finishing her meal, Sonata tugged at Julia's sleeve until her pale forearm was exposed momentarily. She simply nodded right afterward. "So,that'swhy you're so pale."

Eris arched a brow, humming as she placed a finger against her chin. "Thatdoessound tempting." The woman snapped her fingers and smiled once an idea came into mind. "Very well! It should be fun!"

"What should be fun?" Twilight hesitantly questioned, unable to react as Eris raised a glowing hand.

Meanwhile, Zecora imbedded her staff into the ground upright before lowering into a hunched position with both hands over her knees. She took in labored breaths while beads of sweat dripped from her forehead. "Each day, your skills continue to improve. I believe you have finally found your groove."

Peter nodded, holding a hand out inches from his face before clenching it into a fist. He managed a content smile. "Thanks, Zecora. I definitely think that I'm getting stronger." The land around their position distorted, wavering as it took a new shape. Peter arched a brow as sand materialized where the grass used to be. "Okay…? What's going on?"

Faster than anyone could react, the nearest trees faded from sight. In their place, multiple slides took shape and led into a pool. Several meters away, fresh towels appeared over a rack along with several selections of swimwear. The old home in the countryside now resembled a miniature water park and beach hybrid. Patricia squeaked excitedly, jumping in place while the others held looks of awe and surprise.

Peter approached the deck with a furrowed brow. "Did I miss something? What brought this on?"

Exiting the house, Sunset Shimmer ran out into the oasis. She lowered onto a knee, scooping sand into her hand before turning to the others. "What just happened!?"

Twilight's mouth fell agape at the sudden change of scenery. "Where are we?"

Eris crossed her legs before leaning back, smiling. "The girls had a fantastic idea. Instead of wasting time in traffic, I decided to create a watery wonderland for our personal enjoyment for the day." The woman raised her hand dismissively just as Twilight opened her mouth to respond. "Before you say anything, I created a barrier around our position. No one can see or interact with us. We're safe in a pocket dimension for now."

Sunset scratched the back of her head, analyzing her new surroundings dubiously. "A pocket dimension? You moved us toanotherdimension?"

Twilight arched a brow. "Are yousureit's alright for you to keep doing things like this, Eris?"

Eris smiled, waving a hand dismissively. "Of course. It's not hurting anyone. Creating pocket dimensions is fairly simple for one such as myself. It's something similar to the astral plane. It's just smaller in comparison, and easier to replicate."

Peter waved his hand dismissively. "Don't worry about it, girls. Eris is used to this kind of thing. Bending reality is a hobby of hers, remember?"

Twilight held an uncertain frown. "Just because you can do something doesn't mean you should. You already mentioned that you're breaking several rules as it is."

Patricia gently pushed Twilight. "Come on. Don't be such a stick in the mud, Twilight. Live a little!"

The princess let out a soft sigh before shaking her head. "Fine, but youhaveto stop this, Eris. We're already not supposed to be here. Let's not create a scene we can prevent." She shared a glance with her husband. "Isn't that right, Peter?"

Peter glanced off to the side, murmuring, "I don't think I'm qualified to answer that."

Eris shrugged, smiling lightly. "Oh, well. If you say so, princess. I may be reformed, but I still like to have my fun."

Twilight narrowed her gaze on her husband, forcing Peter to clear his throat. He placed a hand over Eris' shoulder. "Twilight's right. Let's tone it down for now after this."

Eris pursed her lips, nodding before playfully placing a finger against the young man's chest. "Anything for you, handsome, but you owe me. I have the perfect idea for you to repay the favor." Disappearing from sight, Eris pulled a bikini from the nearest rack and winked at the young man. "I'll call for you soon enough."

Peter scratched the back of his head. "Why do I have a goodandbad feeling about that?"

Twilight shot her husband an icy glare. "Agoodfeeling?"

A chill ran up Peter's spine, causing the young man to shiver involuntarily. He turned, waving his hand defensively. "I'm sure it'll be terrible. Maybe as bad as waterboarding?"

Bemused, Twilight's glare softened to one of exasperation. "Keep it that way."

Sunset took one last look at the surroundings before letting out a long sigh. "Since it's already here, I guess we might as well enjoy it for what it is."

A small collection of cheers erupted from a number of the others. Patricia, Felicia, and Sonata wasting no time rummaging through the racks for swimwear in their preferred size and color respectively. Sunset hesitantly followed suit after Gwen and Trixie joined the fray. Even the usually stoic Julia couldn't resist the temptation, quietly retrieving a towel from the nearest stand. Mayday placed her iPod down and leaned over the arm of Twilight's seat, giving her mother a wide-eyed, pleading look.

"Honestly!" Twilight's brow twitched involuntarily. "Youhatethe beach! Why the turn around all of a sudden?"

"I may hate the beach, but Ilovewater slides!" Mayday cheered, rocking in place before placing her hands together. "Can we please stay and play?"

Twilight exhaled, rubbing the aches out of her forehead with her free hand. "Ask your father." She blinked, glancing about wildly upon realizing that her daughter had disappeared. Twilight found Mayday standing alongside Peter, both searching through racks for swimwear their sizes. With a defeated sigh, the woman stood from her seat and approached her husband and daughter. "Well, you've been cooped up in your room for the past month. Fine. Let's at least make sure everyone has sun lotion on."

Unbeknownst to the group, Zecora stood frozen in place with a pale complexion as she stared at her reflection on the water's surface of the pool. She groaned under her breath, attempting to sneak away. Unfortunately, Patricia reached her position and slid an arm over her shoulder. The brunette grinned obliviously and edged closer to the pool while Zecora's bleak expression turned to that of horror, evident by her slack-jawed expression. Sadly, Patricia's spider strength played into effect, unknowingly keeping the ebony beauty from sliding free. Peter approached the pair in full clothing still, giving the others time to change first.

"Is this awesome or what?" Patricia cheered, letting Zecora go before sliding a hand through the cool water.

Luna appeared next to Peter in a burst of light, arching a brow. "I must admit. It's been eons since I've gone swimming, and certainly not in a form like this. This will most definitely be an experience." She tilted her head to the side. "Would I need swimwear for this?"

Patricia chuckled. "Sort of. You can always go skinny dipping. That's a ton of fun, too."

"Yes, Princess Luna! Youdoneed swimwear!" Twilight yelled objectively from a distance, glaring at her husband and his female counterpart. "Weallneed swimwear!"

Peter's face grew as red as a tomato while he shook his head. "Yeah. Let's keep it classy, girls."

Patricia shrugged indifferently. "Whatever. We'll just do it next time!" Running off ahead of the others, she threw a fist into the air excitedly. "Come on! Let's get in!"

Zecora grumbled under her breath, glancing off to the side. "You all go on ahead. I'll stay out of this."

An awkward silence filled the air, with only the sound of running water going about. Peter stammered, arching a brow at Zecora. "What's wrong, Zecora?"

Zecora shook her head, avoiding eye contact with everyone around her. "Nothing. I'm not going in there."

Blinking, Peter was slow to respond a second time. "That's twice. You didn't rhyme like you normally do."

Paying her male counterpart no mind, Patricia grinned wildly and grabbed Zecora's hand. She readied to lead her into the pool. "It looks fun! Come on, Zecora!"

However, Zecora was locked into place out of self-defense, shrieking at the top of her lungs. "Ah!"

Peter, Patricia, and Luna's eyes widened at the uncharacteristic outburst from one of the group's quietest members. After realizing what just happened, Zecora cleared her throat and straightened her posture. Patricia blinked, alternating her gaze between the ebony woman and the princess. Luna could only arch a brow, turning her befuddled gaze towards Peter next. Zecora's face flushed, evident by the pink tint glowing in her cheeks. The silence was agonizing, like a knife slowly carving a deep wound.

Eventually, Peter placed both hands on his hips before tilting his head to the side. "Ah?" he lightly questioned, mimicking Zecora's previous shriek. He walked towards the woman, holding a bewildered expression. "Zecora? Are… you afraid of water or something?"

Zecora's eyes widened at the accusation. She simply folded her arms and scoffed forcefully. "I was just starting to say 'Ah! This should be fun!'" Groaning, the woman walked past everyone with her head raised, eyes closed, and shoulders stiffened straight. "I just need time to change."

Peter watched Zecora walk into the house before sharing a glance with Patricia. "Was that weird? That was totally weird. Zecora not rhyming just feels so… wrong."

Patricia shrugged obliviously, grabbing her swimwear before walking back towards the others. "You're weird. Stop thinking so much, get changed, and hop in the pool already."

Once Peter glanced in Luna's direction, she folded her arms. "Just give Zecora some time. She's clearly uncomfortable."

"Yeah," Peter whispered, sharing a nod with the princess. The pair eventually joined the others and changed, enjoying the day ahead.





Over the course of the next hour, everyone enjoyed the luxuries Eris provided. Patricia, Gwen, and Trixie chose to go in the pool, swimming to their heart's content. Sonata, Sunset, and Mayday traveled to the top of the slide, each taking a turn as she sped into the pool through it. Julia and Felicia rested across a long chair and towel respectively, soaking in as much of the sun as possible. Luna sat on the deck in a swimsuit, sleeping soundly under the shade her umbrella brought.

Twilight stood at the edge of the pool, holding Ben waist deep in the water with her hands. Peter, in a simple pair of swim trunks, ready to hop into the pool. However, before he could hope to travel far, Eris placed a hand over his shoulder and winked seductively. The woman wore a dark blue string bikini, smiling widely as she traced a finger across the young man's chest.

"Hey, handsome. Are you ready to repay that favor?" Eris questioned, grinning.

Peter frowned, alternating his gaze between Eris and Twilight. "It depends. My wife won't kill me for it, right?"

Eris waved her hand dismissively, holding out her hand before a small bottle materialized into her grasp. "Of course not! So long as you behave, there'll be nothing to worry about. I simply ask that you rub sun lotion on my back." The corner of her lips curled into a coy smile. "However,Iwon't mind, should you decide to… explore my regions."

Peter's cheeks burned to a rosy tint as he accepted the bottle. He glanced to the side, shivering involuntarily upon spotting an icy glare on his wife's face. "I think I'll keep my hands where she can see them."

"Of course, handsome," Eris chuckled, finding a nearby beach chair before unfolding it. She laid across her stomach, stretching out before stealing a glance at the young man from the corner of her eye. She held her smile. "Don't be afraid. I won't bite."

Peter exhaled, trailing a finger against his cheek. "Sure, but my wife will bite my head off if we get too cozy."

"The fun's in the risk, handsome," Eris sweetly whispered, swaying her hips seductively. She whimpered, spreading her legs slightly. "Don't keep me waiting."

The young man inhaled deeply before sighing. "I almost wish Tirek killed me for real. That would've been painless compared to what Twilight will do to me."

Peter could only curse his luck. For as bad as it got, it was known to be just as good. However, as a married man, there was treacherously thin ice that had to be treadedverylightly, and Peter found himself doing this a lot due to the company around him in eleven of the universe's most beautiful women (his wife being among them). He knelt down, pausing to squirt the cold substance onto the woman's back.

Eris inhaled sharply, her skin proving to be fairly sensitive. Peter grumbled under his breath, attempting to remain as professional as possible. The task proved daunting as his hands traveled across the woman's smooth temple of a body, from her lower back to her inner thighs. In spite of his love for Twilight, Peter was still just a man. He could only marvel at the natural beauty resting underneath him. Life at times was bittersweet. This was one of those times.

Eris's pleased moans only flooded his mind with innuendoes and images further, both items that had to be avoided for his own sake. Eventually, Peter settled his nerves, thanks to Twilight's occasional glares. The young man managed to massage the lotion into the woman's body after what seemed like an eternity. The temperature around him seemed to rise considerably, but it was internal, not from the beaming sun overhead.

Peter wiped a forearm across his forehead, cleaning away the sweat formed. "All right. That should do it."

Eris smiled sweetly. "Thanks, handsome. You're such a doll." With his task completed, Peter readied himself to leave. However, Eris reached out and grabbed hold of his hand, halting his progress. "Wait. There's something I want to know."

Arching a brow, Peter titled his head to the side. "Um, sure. Shoot. What's up?"

Slow to respond, Eris sobered as her gaze softened. "Are you fine with this? I know things have been rough. I can't apologize enough for what Discord has put you through."

Raising his hand, Peter shook his head and chuckled. "You don't have anything to apologize for. You and Discord may be the sameperson, but you're both very different at the same time. You're fun, cute, and considerate. I like you way more than I could like him."

Eris smiled at the comment, holding a warm gaze as she watched Peter walk away to join Twilight's side. "...and I like you far more than you can imagine."

Grinning, Peter knelt by the pool, holding his line of sight on Ben. "Teaching our son the doggy paddle?"

Twilight continued to keep her hands underneath the baby's body as he attempted to paddle. She turned and giggled. "He's a natural. Our baby boy will be a great swimmer in no time."

Glancing off to the side, Peter arched a brow as Mayday slid into the pool a few feet away. He extended his forearm, managing to shield Twilight's face from the splash of water. "I think he'll learn sooner than Mayday. It took her years to finally learn how to swim."

Twilight smiled at her knight's gesture. "Hopefully, but the reason it took Mayday so long to learn was because she never wanted to swim in the first place. That child really gets stuck in her ways sometimes."

"I wonder where she gotthatfrom?" Peter sarcastically questioned, sliding one hand under the water behind Twilight before pinching her butt.

Twilight squeaked in response as her face flushed to a shade of pink. "Hey!"

Peter raised his hands defensively, chuckling devilishly. "I can't help it! Since you're my wife, I have pinching privileges… as do you." He winked at the woman, earning a mild stomp on the toe for his actions. Peter winced playfully before pausing to analyze the attire his wife wore. It was a bright yellow string bikini, something that contrasted heavily with her ebony skin. Peter's smile widened while a crimson blush filled his cheeks. "I'm digging the bikini, hun. I'm surprised, though. It's not something you would usually wear."

Twilight frowned, shifting her gaze away from Peter shamefully as her face continued to burn. "It's far too revealing for my taste. I don't know how I let Patricia talk me into wearing it." Struggling to keep her gaze raised, Twilight forced herself to hold eye contact with her husband. "So… what do you think? Do I look ridiculous?"

Peter blinked at the question, chuckling. Twilight remained as modest as the day when they first met. A librarian at heart, she was reclusive, only showing what lied underneath to the ones she trusted and loved the most. With a pair of decorative flowers pinned over her ears courtesy of Mayday, Peter soon found himself staring at his wife's beautiful form. A perfect combination of athleticism and voluptuousness, the young man could only smile. It made sense that Twilight was the only one his eyes were for to this day, even after being together for nearly a decade. Even now, she found new ways to fill his heart with warmth.

Peter shook his head, closing the gap between himself and his wife. "Ridiculous? No way. You're beautiful." He leaned forward, capturing Twilight's lips in his own. The pair held their kiss for a few seconds, earning a soft set of giggles from their son. They eventually parted, yielding to their need for oxygen. Peter continued to grin, unable to contain the blush burning in his cheeks. "You have to know by now that I can't contain myself around you."

Twilight smiled, leaning closer until her mouth brushed against Peter's cheek. "Thanks, sweetheart." She arched a brow, returning the young man's previous favor and pinching his backside playfully. Twilight giggled triumphantly. "I guess that's why I decided to wear this thing. Your reaction is priceless."

"The princess isn't as innocent as everyone says," Peter grinned, eyeing the woman's attire carefully. "I've known that all along, but nobody believes me."

Twilight smiled, lifting Ben from the pool before placing him at the edge. "I think it's safe to say that you're responsible for said corruption. I mean, youaremy first and only."

"True enough. I can't deny that, and I'm quite happy that we've come this far," Peter chuckled and shrugged in a mock defeated fashion. He edged closer to the woman, holding a hand over his mouth. "Speaking of which, can you please wear that bikini tonight? It'll be for… scientific purposes."

Twilight could only smirk contently at the question. "You're bad."

Peter grinned. "You should know."

She brushed a hand affectionately against her husband's cheek. "I do, and I'd be lying if I said I didn't love that about you." Pausing, as if contemplating her answer, Twilight's smile widened. "Sure. I'll wear this tonight. But only because you asked me so nicely."

The couple stood comfortably, exchanging pleasantries while taking turns to play with their son. Peter continued to alternate his gaze between his family and the house. Zecora's outburst played through his mind endlessly as minutes passed. Soon, he held a furrowed brow, frowning as he sank into a deep trance.

Twilight poked the young man's side, causing him to glance in her direction with a widened gaze. "What's on your mind?"

Peter scratched the back of his head. "It's Zecora. She was acting really weird earlier. I've never seen her act so nervous before. Heck, she stopped rhyming. How weird isthat?"

"Very weird. That's not like her at all. You should go talk to her, honey," Twilight declared, tilting her head to the side. The woman placed a hand over her husband's shoulder. "If there's anyone that can find out what's wrong, it's you. It's a natural gift you have. You got Trixie to open up to us. You're Princess Luna's best friend. You helped form a declaration of peace between the changelings and Equestria. You even got Sonata to join us and leave Discord's group." The princess smiled. "Zecora's told me how good you've been to her over the years. She's reserved, but I can tell that she trusts you more than anyone else here."

Peter blinked, pointing a thumb at the house. "So, talk to her?"

"Talk to her," Twilight lightly affirmed, spinning Peter around before playfully smacking his butt.

Peter glanced at the princess from the corner of his eye, smirking. He heeded his wife's advice, walking towards the house while sliding a shirt over his head. "You really are the only one for me, babe."





Zecora paced around the bedroom restlessly, pausing occasionally, only to lie on her bed and attempt to sleep, to no avail. Shades of her past had resurfaced, plaguing the woman's mind with a haunting quality. The absence of her entire group did not help matters. She spent a majority of her life in solitude, having learned to deal with matters on her own, but this was different, her swelling trepidation fracturing her thoughts. Images of that day refused to stop playing back in her mind, filling Zecora with anxiety and grief.

She forced herself from the comfort that the bed provided and walked towards the window. Placing a trembling hand against the window, Zecora could only stare at the sight of the pristine water and her friends playing so casually within. The inside of her chest tightened while her heart rate quickened. Reasons flew through her mind and pulled in separate directions: on why she should join her friends and why doing so would be a waste of time.

Zecora's eyes widened as a soft set of knocks at the door reached her ears. She let out a low sigh, hoping to avoid a conversation, but it was inevitable due to her initial outburst. With heavy shoulders, Zecora walked across the room and opened the door. The last thing she wanted was to make a scene. However, elation filled the woman's being, evident by the relieved sigh that escaped from her mouth. Only one individual was present, and it was perhaps her most trustworthy friend, Peter Parker. Without saying a word, she motioned a hand for the young man to enter her room. Once both were inside, Zecora locked the door and sealed it shut, taking a seat on the edge of the bed soon afterward.

Zecora shook her head, holding a saddened gaze. "I'm sorry."

Peter pulled up a small chair and turned it backwards before taking a seat, facing Zecora. "You don't have to apologize. We all have our moments. It's just weird that it came fromyou."

Zecora narrowed her gaze, frowning. "Are you here to patronize or coddle me?"

"Neither," Peter calmly retorted in spite of the woman's cold tone. He held a humorless smile. "I'm here to find out what's wrong. If it leads to coddling, I'm okay with that as long as it helps you."

Glancing off to the side, Zecora shamefully grimaced. "It's nothing that I can't handle on my own."

Peter closed his eyes and huffed. "Usually, I would listen to that, especially since it's coming from you, but I can't quite do that this time. Someone really wise once told me that true strength lies in the willingness to ask your friends for help." He soon nodded, holding a thumbs up. "The only reason I've learned to fight without relying on my Spider Sense is because you and the others went out of your way to help me. If you let me, I can help you, too."

Zecora offered no immediate response, staring somberly at the window across the room. Images of that day long ago continued to haunt the woman. It was of a life left in the shadows, never to see the light of day ever again. Zecora chided herself for lacking the strength to come to terms with her past.

Peter lowered his brow in thought. "From what I saw outside, you're afraid of the water."

Zecora's eyes widened at the accusation, and her heart skipped a beat. She glared at the young man, unaware of the pink tint glowing in her cheeks. Her usually firm demeanor faltered. "I-I'm not afraid of the water!"

Peter's lips curled into a knowing smile as his hazel gaze narrowed on the woman. "Liar! It's all over your face! Holy cow. You really can't swim." He scratched the underside of his jaw and glanced skyward. "It makes sense the more I think about it. Not once have I ever seen you go swimming. Every time you were near the lake or river, you used magic to walk across it."

"Icanswim!" Zecora exclaimed, a defensive tone filling her voice.

Peter smirked, shrugging his shoulders. "Why are you trying to act tough? Why do most of the women in my life try to do that? I'm not opposed to hearing what's on your mind, you know. It's better to let your feelings out than to bottle them up. You taught me that a long time ago." Peter folded his arms, arching a brow. "Do I have to make you take your own truth serum?"

Zecora inhaled sharply, holding a widened gaze. Peter Parker was truly a dense individual, but his instincts were sharp, leading him down the right path. Nostalgia of their first meeting set in, when guilt had wrought Peter to a low point. Zecora felt obligated to help him out of kindness, not wanting the one who saved her from a hydra to spend his life in sorrow. Ironically, their roles were reversed ten years later, with Peter attempting to exorcise Zecora of her personal demons. Pursing her lips, the woman let out a defeated sigh. Peter willingly trusted her with his dark secrets years ago. As a dear friend, she owed him equal trust.

"It happened years ago while I was just a young adolescent," Zecora whispered, her eyes softening. She placed a hand over her chest, feeling her heart beat into her palm. "I was leaving my village and heading towards Ponyville. I traveled through the sea on a small boat. One night, there was a storm, and it was during the last days of winter."

Peter blinked, holding a widened gaze as well as his silence.

Zecora's fingers clutched at her knees, tightening. "The waves were so strong that night. I fell overboard and couldn't make it back to my boat. The water was so cold. I only remember freezing and suffocating before I blacked out. I should have drowned, but I woke up on shore. Whether it was by accident or fate, I was washed on shore by the same storm that nearly killed me." Shivering involuntarily, Zecora bit down on her lip and frowned. "Years have passed, and I still shudder at it, sinking while my vision blurs and lungs ache."

Peter winced. "Oh, wow. I'm sorry to hear that, Zecora. I had no idea you had such a big reason for your fear. Everyone's afraid of something. That's perfectly natural." He reached out and placed a hand over her shoulder. "I guess even the master has things she needs to study."

"There's nothing natural about this. It's embarrassing," Zecora whispered, her gaze shamefully lowering to the ground.

Peter gently squeezed the woman's shoulder, earning her gaze. "There's nothing embarrassing about it. We can keep this between us if that's what you want. As long as I'm around, I won't let you sink. You sit on my back, and I'll keep you afloat." He gave a warm smile, winking. "I'm a pretty good swimmer."

Zecora's eyes softened before she gently nodded. Managing to return the young man's smile with genuine warmth, the woman walked across the room and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Thank you, Peter. That's…" she trailed off, feeling her cheeks burn. "That's really sweet."

Peter grinned, returning the woman's embrace. He awkwardly placed his hands over her hips, causing Zecora to instinctively tighten her hold. "Don't worry about it, Zecora. That's what friends are for." They remained as such for several seconds, holding each other firmly yet gently. Peter's eyes widened as an idea came to mind. "I have a suggestion, though. Since you're teaching me martial arts, how about I teach you how to swim? That's only fair."

The woman hesitantly parted, brushing a hand through her short black hair. "I don't know, Peter. What if I fail?"

"You won't," Peter simply declared, taking a hold of the woman's hand.

Zecora blinked, feeling - among many things - warmth and trepidation. However, this was not fear. She hesitantly smiled, leaning on the young man's words. "Why is that?"

Peter's smile widened until teeth showed. "Because I'll be there with you the whole way. Now, did you have a bikini your size?"

His voice was comforting, channeling a sense of ease into the woman. Zecora nodded, pointing at the black pieces of swimwear and its white dry cloth resting on the dresser. "Y-Yes. Why?"





"Zecora, you ready?" Peter lightly questioned, resting an arm over the woman's shoulder.

She sighed as her gaze shifted away from the serene settings around her, namely the beams of light filtering through the forest, and turned to the young man standing beside her with a soft yet reassuring smile on his face.

"No," she said somberly, leaning the side of her head against his shoulder.

Here they were for their first swimming lesson, and her stomach turned in anticipation. Zecora was a confident, skilled herbalist and shaman, but she couldn't swim, daring not to even step foot in shallow water unless it was absolutely necessary. She could not help but still feel shamed by it. Despite her impressive athleticism, swimming had never been a priority in her life, not after the accident. Zecora always used her staff to traverse small rivers, resorting to magic should the water be deeper than her actual height. This certainly explained why the mare preferred to live away from the river in the Everfree Forest and stay drier than a funeral drum.

It was only a matter of time before somepony would make her learn the art of swimming, however. At first, she couldn't even place her foot in the water without almost falling into a panic. After nearly thirty minutes, Zecora managed to get over the first step and prepared to take the next. It was horribly ironic. Zecora was a teacher to Peter currently, helping him learn martial arts, but she was no different from a filly learning to walk for the first time.

Peter gently took her hands in his, squeezing them gently. Zecora felt a shiver run up her spine as she nodded. Her icy blue eyes stayed on the ground before they shut tight. They walked slowly, proceeding with caution, but a whimper escaped from her mouth when she felt a cold, yet familiar substance brush against her delicately smooth skin. Zecora chided herself. She could levitate water to compensate for her inability to swim, yet she was still helpless, her body paralyzed with trepidation. She suppressed those memories from surfacing, not wanting to lose her progress. Her grip tightened, causing Peter to pull her closer until her head rested against his solid chest.

"Are you okay? We can stop if you want," Peter whispered, feeling the woman shiver profusely.

Zecora shook her head, trying her best to maintain her composure as the water reached her chest. "I'm okay." Zecora failed to speak in rhyme still, a sign that her nervousness remained intact. She shook her head. "Let us… proceed."

The water level rose to her neck, and Zecora felt her nerve slipping away. She pulled her hands away from Peter's grasp, throwing them around his neck. Her whimpers grew in volume, but he stood firm before placing his hands over her hips. Her body continued to shiver involuntarily, and he held her slender frame close in hopes of calming her down.

Peter nodded supportively. "You're doing fine. Just a little further, okay?"

Quick and shallow breaths began to escape the woman as they progressed to the middle of the lake. Her fear grew, and her grip on Peter tightened. The water rippled in her panic, and only worsened when her body trembled terribly. Tears poured from her eyes. She began to hyperventilate, forcing Peter to turn around and pull Zecora onto his back.

"That's enough. You did just fine. I'm taking you back to dry land now," he whispered.

Zecora wrapped her arms around his neck again, unaware her grip had tightened immensely from the first time. Peter shifted his head about to ensure his oxygen intake remained open, but he turned, giving the woman a reassuring smile. The second his foot reached dry land, Zecora fell from his grasp to a kneeling position. She groaned as she wiped her face clean with her hand. Peter knelt down, placed his hands on the woman's shoulders, and pulled her up, revealing her blush and her bloodshot eyes.

Her eyes rolled to the side. "That was embarrassing."

"Don't worry about it." He placed his hands onto her shoulders and patted them gently. "This is gonna take time, but you did great for your first try."

Her cheeks turned beet red and felt as warm as the flames of the sun. Peter then turned to retrieve a towel from a nearby bag. Zecora's eyes widened slightly once he placed the cloth over her shoulders. A sweet smile formed on her face as she brushed the back of her hand against the young man's cheek. Peter grinned at the hint of contact, unaware his face resembled the shade of a tomato.

Zecora let out a defeated sigh. "Thank you, but I'm not too eager to try again anytime soon. Perhaps we can try again on another afternoon?"

"It's okay," Peter grinned. He stood, offering Zecora his hand. The woman accepted the gesture, allowing the young man to help her to a standing position. "You go at the pace you're comfortable with. I'm here to help you through it." He scratched the back of his head and smiled. "Besides, it sounds like you're getting your confidence back. I mean, youarerhyming again. Speaking of which, whydoyou rhyme all of the time? I can't believe I haven't asked until now."

Zecora raised a finger. "Tradition and custom are important to zebra folk. It would be wise to remember that it's no joke."

Peter shrugged, chuckling. "Tradition. That sounds reasonable enough."

They had been friends for little over a decade, and Zecora had already learned so much from Peter. His energetic nature and positive demeanor gave her the incentive to keep up with his unending pursuits, whether it was a part of their morning training exercises, walks through the woods, or swimming. Though she smiled just as much as Peter, his grin sent chills through her body and gave her a sense of earnest happiness.

His enthusiasm was his greatest trait in her eyes, even trumping his magnificent strength. Peter offered to give her swimming lessons just a couple of hours ago, and despite her immense trepidation, he remained positive, not even giving a hint of negative criticism. He was wonderful, and she further understood the bond they formed in the Web of Life. Even though she tried to keep her insecurities to herself, Zecora opened up to Peter more than anyone else in the world. She felt naïve for it, but she felt no shame at the same time.

Peter was strong, more so than most could imagine, but it was not his physical strength Zecora admired. It was his determined spiritual strength that surpassed her expectations. No matter the odds, Peter met them with confidence, and Zecora wished to mirror his actions, though rather not as recklessly. After all, that bull-headed nature resulted in countless injuries, most of which she had to tend to. A coy smile formed on the woman's face. She'd follow his example, gently, while guiding him to a safer route. They would grow stronger through helping each other, and Zecora looked forward to the road ahead.

"You sure you don't wanna try again? Wanna head back?" he whispered into her ear.

Zecora reached out, shaking her head before running her hand through his drenched hair. "Not yet. I think I have one more try in me." She paused, rubbing the towel over her own head. Zecora winked playfully at the young man, holding a warm smile. Beads of water streamed over her voluptuous form. "Once we've finished, let's have some tea. I'd like it to be just us. There's much we must discuss."

Peter nodded, grinning. "Sounds good to me. We can talk over a movie."

Tossing the towel to the side, Zecora inhaled deeply before sighing. That same moment, she slid her arms around his neck and nuzzled her face into his collarbone, holding a firm yet wary gaze on the river. "I'm ready."

To be continued...