//------------------------------//
// Teaser/Cold Open 
// Story: Spade Con 
// by AizakkuHorooee 
//------------------------------//

Way to return from dinner.  My cutie mark is glowing so I won’t be able to clean up like I usually do, which Chrysalis is more than happy to help with.  Lorien accompanies me while I race to the throne room to meet Aita, where she is slackjawed from the map finally calling me… I think.

“Aita!  What’s going on?  Where’s the mission?”

The hologram of my cutie mark floats far above the map.  Aita and I notice a hyped scream coming from the hall as another holographic cutie mark of a tiara joins mine.  We turn around to see one of the fillies from Ponyville Schoolhouse… Diamond Tiara, Aita said her name was.

“I’ve NEVER had the map call ME before!” Diamond Tiara elatedly shouts, showing her glowing tiara cutie mark.  “What a neat effect!”

When I show her mine, which is still glowing, she gasps.

“No way!  I’m going on a friendship mission with Organizer Cozy Glow?!?  Who could possibly need our leads?!?”

So, our cutie marks answer that by hovering over a city south of my hometown along the east coast: Baltimare.

“The Baltimare Convention Center?  I sure hope the map knows what it’s doing,” Aita cautiously says.  “Cons tend to be pretty seedy environments where I come from, especially when the name Zack is involved.”

“Aw, come on, Aita,” I reply in a cuter tone.  “Equestria isn’t anything like Wisconsin.  I sure hope you can let us go just this once.”

Aita laughs.  “I wasn’t gonna say no.  If the tree of harmony says that’s where you’ll go, I shouldn’t object.  Besides, the closest mission I had to one like this was being called to WBHQ, and that worked out just fine.  Just… try to be careful, you two.”

Diamond tiara wraps her hoof around Aita.  “Sure thing, princess!  You have our word!”

Aita, Diamond Tiara and I turn to Lorien as he wags his tail and sniffs me.

“I’m so sorry Lorien,” I tell him.  “But this is a map mission.  You’ll have to stay with Aita and Chrysalis while I’m gone.”

Lorien lies on his belly in disappointment.

“Maybe he won’t,” Diamond says.  “Don’t you remember when you confronted Discord?  Lorien was the first to step forward!  If he can immediately tell someone did something wrong, maybe he can join us!  I’d love to see your fox in action!”  She steps closer and lowers her voice.  “Besides, didn’t Aita tell us to be careful, in case conventions are anything like where she comes from?”

I look at Aita, who’s really impressed with Diamond Tiara’s logic.  “Well… would you mind, Cozy?  Diamond?”

“Not at all, Aita!  I promise Lorien will be in good hooves with us!” I declare, making Lorien laugh, wag his tail, and zoom around the throne room.

So Aita gives me and Diamond the fox leash, which Lorien jumps right into. She also gives us some money in case we want anything while we’re away.  Now that preparations done, Diamond, Lorien and I make our way out of the castle.