//------------------------------//
// Making Things Right 
// Story: Disappear 
// by ShimmeringStallion 
//------------------------------//


Making Things Right





With his decision made, there was no turning back, only going forward. That afternoon, after discussing the plans they would be going through, Twilight and her friends returned to Ponyville with Vanish, leaving the princesses in Canterlot, by making use of multiple chariots that were carried by several ‘newly re-winged’ Pegasus ponies of the Royal Guard, making a clear impression on the ponies of their town. After dropping the fillies off at the center of town, Twilight took the opportunity to speak to the Mayor, who in turn held an immediate conference announcing the return of the wings to each pony of Cloudsdale, prompting several ponies that had taken refuge in Ponyville to return to their town in the clouds in preparation of the event, by making use of the still-existing cloud stairwell.

Rainbow Dash was given her wings back by Vanish, and was also given the task of leading the chariots to her town, as well as to the ponies within it, who had all gathered together in anticipation. Seeing Vanish, some of the Pegasus ponies of Cloudsdale were upset at the very sight of the ‘menacing pony’ returning to their airborne town, but they didn’t hate him. Some were even thankful, having taken the time to speak to ponies in Ponyville, gaining several friends who they couldn't ever see in Cloudsdale. Having been waiting in anticipation for several hours, Derpy Hooves was brought before Vanish at his request, to display how to properly position oneself if they wished for a painless return of their wings.

Smiling enthusiastically, Derpy saw fit to announce the start of the demonstration.“Like THIS!” Derpy sat down in the chariot, breaking the weak flooring of it, which shocked several ponies that weren’t from Cloudsdale, but prompting the Pegasi of Cloudsdale to laugh at the innocent act of wanton destruction. “Erm… Not like that… S-Sorry!” “It’s alright, my dear. Please, allow me.” Vanish used his magic to place Derpy on a cloud, so that he could move her hooves to a preferred position before seating her gently on the plush surface. As several ponies could be heard talking amongst themselves, Vanish used his second horn, pressing it gently into Derpy’s back, returning her wings to her with his magic.

Seeing how safe and painless it was, everypony smiled at the simplicity of the act, before Derpy gave a complimentary ‘flutter’ with her newly returned wings, making her fellow Pegasi eager to have their own wings returned to them, even stomping their hooves in applause of the joyous mare, though the act of applause was heavily muffled by the clouds they were stomping on. Rainbow Dash couldn’t help but smile at the innocent act of joy that Derpy was displaying, as several ponies took steps forward, before Rainbow spoke up. “We have a list of everypony who had their wings stolen. You will each be called up, and receive them one by one, so please listen for your name to be called. Sorry this is so boring, but Twilight wanted it to b-OW!” Twilight used her magic to smack the rolled-up scroll she had, on her friend’s head before clearing her throat. “It’s called ‘Organized’ Rainbow. Now then, let’s see…”

Twilight unfurled the scroll, as she called each pony up, one by one. The process took some time, but they finally reached the last pony on the list. It seemed strange to be using the same list that Gather had used in order to check off each set of wings Vanish had been paid to 'acquire', but at least Twilight could respect the stallion’s attention to detail and organization. Nopony from Cloudsdale was left out, as Vanish confirmed that the only energy he could call upon was his own magic, as well as that of Gather.

This was where Twilight and her friends would have to part ways with the stallion; Vanish was to be taken back to Canterlot in order for Princess Celestia to announce the actions that the Kingdom of Canterlot had decided to take against the “Wing-Thief” (as Pinkie Pie called it) that had attacked Ponyville, Cloudsdale, and Canterlot. This was where the mood changed significantly, as the chariots landed in front of Twilight’s Home: where Spike had been dropped off prior to the other ponies reaching Cloudsdale in chariots, and where Fluttershy was waiting with Angel.

“So I guess this is it.” Vanish nodded his head at Twilight’s statement. “Indeed it is. I suppose this is somewhat awkward, though I’m sure you will remember to tell the Mayor to disclose my ‘sentence’ once I leave here, correct?” Twilight smiled at the stallion. “Oh, you don’t trust me to do my job? What, do you want me to write up a contract for that?” Applejack reached under her hat, pulling out an ink well, as Rarity took a scroll out from her tail, and Pinkie Pie reached into her mane, pulling out a quill, among a plethora of other joke-objects. “My dear, you were planning that since we left, weren’t you?”

“It’s not our fault if you’re predictable, Vanish!” Rainbow Dash winked at the stallion, who jokingly huffed in response. “Will ‘ya be okay on yer own, Van?” Applejack was concerned for Vanish, given how much he had helped them. “I don’t know, Applejack, but I suppose not everything in life should be ‘planned’. Oh! I can’t possibly forget this.” Reaching into one of the two double-bagged saddlebags, he produced the book that he had been using as a reference source for his ‘job’ while in the area. “Twilight? You might as well have this. I won’t be in need of it, where I’m going.”

Vanish turned his head to face the guards behind him. “… Sirs? To Canterlot, if you please, at your leisure.” The guards brandished their wings, feeling rather proud about having them back. The stallion turned back around to face the mares before him. “I may not be back, but maybe you’ll see me sometime.” “Oh, there’s no ‘maybe’ in that!” Twilight giggled to her friends, prompting a curiously suspicious look from the stallion. “I get the feeling that you hold information that I could make good use of, in taking the time to acquire.” Twilight gave a sly grin to the curious stallion. “You wanna know?” Vanish chuckled, raising his hoof in dismissal of the subject. “Take care of yourselves, my dears.”





Returning to Canterlot, Vanish did not have much waiting for him. Royalty was progressive, as was the legal system. His sentence was made public by Princess Celestia while he was in Ponyville, and so he was brought straight to the castle. Shining Armor stood at the entrance waiting for Vanish to return, and was surprised to be treated as if he, himself, was royalty, being graced with a regal bow from the fedora-wearing stallion. “Hmph. Flattery will get you nowhere with me, Vanish.”

Vanish stood back up, carrying the burden of two separate double-saddlebags that held his ‘luggage’, yet smiling sincerely. “It’s only right to be polite, Shining Armor. We are both in possession of that knowledge.” Shining Armor frowned to himself at the prim and proper nature of the ‘criminal’ before him. “I guess so… Follow me.” Shining Armor turned around, as Vanish and a couple of guards followed close behind the Captain of the Royal Guard. “Princess Celestia has decided on how you will carry out your sentence.” Vanish was still curious about what Twilight had mentioned to him. “No ‘maybe’ in us meeting again…” Shining Armor turned his head, but kept walking forward. “Pardon me? Did you say something?”

Vanish continued down the halls, as Shining Armor continued to guide him towards where the Princess resided, with his head turned to the attention of the one he was guiding. “It’s something about Twilight Sparkle. She mentioned something to me, before I departed from Ponyville. I’m simply trying to make sense of it.” Shining Armor chuckled and turned his attention back to where he was walking. “Heh. That’s my sis for ‘ya: Always has a plan in mind.” Vanish chuckled at the relatively tame description of Twilight Sparkle, before soon finding himself in front of the Royal Hall, stopped by guards carrying spears until Shining Armor saluted them. “We’re here to see Princess Celestia.”

“Sir, Princess Luna is within the Royal Hall. Princess Celestia is awaiting your arrival at the Prison Cells.” “I see. Carry on with your duties, then.” “Sir, yes sir!” The guards were diligent in their behavior, as Shining Armor turned in the direction of the Prisoner Quarters. “I’m sorry, she’s not here. If you could please continue to allow me to guide you, though…” Vanish gave a gentle, polite bow of gratitude. “You are the brother of Twilight Sparkle, and the royally appointed Captain of the Royal Guard. You have my trust, so please, continue.”

Shining Armor couldn’t get a clear idea of what Vanish was thinking. Yesterday, they fought as adversaries, but today, it was like Vanish had put it all behind him. Shining Armor could not do the same, however; his wife was in the Infirmary, after all, and were it not for his duties, he would be with her right now, by her side. He stopped walking, before turning to address the guard ponies walking with him and the mercenary. “… Guards? Please return to your posts. I will guide the prisoner, myself.” The two guards looked to one another with concern, before saluting. “Y-Yes sir.” The guards could feel that their captain did not wish to be argued with, and Vanish stopped walking upon seeing the regal stallion stop in order to turn in place.

Vanish questioned the rather sudden order. “…Yes?” He appeared somewhat surprised, but could sense something bothering the well-decorated stallion that stood before him, as the white unicorn stepped closer, glaring at the fedora-wearing stallion. “Vanish, before we see the princess, there’s something we need to talk about: Stallion-to-stallion, you and me, one-on-one.” Shining Armor looked out the window that loomed next to them, observing how they were in a part of the hall shaped similarly to a large, straight-edged horseshoe, with a garden just outside, but nopony directly in their field of vision, as he awaited Vanish’s answer. Bowing his head slightly, he took a moment before complying vocally with the request. “……… Very well…”