//------------------------------// // 218. The Loss of Faith - Part 1 // Story: Blaze the Pony Tale // by Wolven5 //------------------------------// “Okay, okay, here’s another one. So this pony and a griffon walk into a bar…” “Helmet, just shut up and keep mining.” Two ponies stood side by side, each reared up on their hind legs and wielding a pickaxe. The stallion, Hard Helmet, a fairly large earth pony, just gave a laugh and ignored his irritated companion, continuing his retelling of likely the oldest joke known to ponykind. Beside him was the ever-annoyed Cold Stone, a pegasus mare who seemed to regret her job more and more each day since she had been paired with Hard Helmet. Around the two ponies were dozens of workers. Some mimicked their actions, chipping away at the rocky cave walls, or digging into the large crystal formations that littered the energem mine. Others scuttled about setting up safety equipment, looked over machinery repeatedly or checked up with other ponies to see if they had finished checking the safety equipment. There were even some ponies inside larger drilling equipment for the harder and more dangerous sections of the mine that couldn’t be handled by the average worker. There were hundreds of ponies present, but due to the sheer size of the energem mine, there was plenty of space for the different groups. Cold Stone could see from her peripheral vision, one of the higher ups doing an inspection. She was either a high level employee of a noble, or a noble herself, judging by the inexperienced way she had dressed herself (after all, hard hats and bright vests were essential safety equipment in a dark mine. A biohazard suit with an inflatable raft in a backpack was just overkill). Beside the ridiculously dressed mare was the mine’s head of security. He was young, and this was probably the first command the Lieutenant had been given, but he certainly seemed eager to show his worth. Despite how remote the mine was, he ran security drills daily and kept a constant vigilance, as though a swarm of dragons was suddenly going to show up and attack or something. Still he seemed nice enough, always talking about his younger brother and how he missed his family in Ponyville. Cold Stone was a Hoofington mare herself, but her uncle lived out near Ponyville, so she somewhat could see the appeal of the place. The higher up seemed stressed and upset, but with the increasing surplus of energems being mined, and the high level security in place around the mine, it wasn’t all that surprising. Still, Cold Stone knew that whoever she was, there was no way the higher up was as annoyed as she was having to listen to Hard Helmet go on and on. “… and so the griffon punches the bartender and says ‘Whoops I guess I missed!’ and the pony says…!” “Helmet, I’m going to take my gems to the sorting pile. When I get back if you are still telling that lame joke, my pickaxe is getting shoved somewhere very unpleasant. So zip it!” The pegasus loaded up her pile of gems into a nearby cart and wheeled off before Hard Helmet could pull another stupid joke. That pony just drove her up the wall sometimes. She was pretty sure the supervisor had paired him with her on purpose when she accidentally spilled her coffee on his crotch in the breakroom a week ago. She was gonna have to do some serious sucking up to try and get Hard Helmet shifted to be somepony else’s problem. She just sighed to herself as reached the gem sorters. Toward the center of the mine, on a movable track was a large container with several charms magically enforcing it via rune engravings on the framework. With all the gems being put into the large collector at once, the runes were there to prevent a buildup of any negative energies coming from bad gems that may have been sorted into the group before they could contaminate the others and affect the ponies around them. She tipped her cart into the large collector before slowly trudging her way back to her annoying mining companion. However once she arrived, she found he was no longer chipping away at the rock wall where they had been assigned. “Ooh, Faust-dammit, Helmet! Where’d you go?! We have to get this section done by tonight or we’re gonna be stuck on bathroom cleaning duty again, and I refuse to clean up the brutal carnage that Rock Wall leaves every damn time!” She gave a frustrated look about to see where he had wandered off to, but there was no sign of him. She was about head over to the closest group and see if they had spotted him when a slight glowing caught her attention. She turned to the deeper tunnel section just around the corner from her assigned work area. It hadn’t been mapped out yet and so no lights had been strung up. If Helmet had wandered in there, and with his level of brains she wouldn’t have put it past the idiot, he might have hurt himself in the dark. “I swear to Luna, Helmet, if you went down there and hurt yourself I am going to knock you upside the head. You know the safety regs darn it!” Grumpily trudging over to the entryway she peered down. There was somepony down there alright, but she couldn’t really make them out in the darkness. Luckily, all the safety vests had a small torch attached at the shoulder, so once she got closer she would be able to make them out. “Hey Helmet is that you!? What are you doing down here, you know the rules, no wandering around the unmapped sections without the proper safety gear!” When she received no response she gave a groan and started carefully making her way down. Hard Helmet had probably banged his head on a stalactite and knocked himself out or something. Wouldn’t be the first time. The figured remained covered in the dark, so she moved closer, being careful not to trip on any loose rock or crystals as she approached. Finally she was close enough for her light to make out the pony in front of her. It was definitely Hard Helmet. But something seemed a little off with him. His posture didn’t seem very good and he was facing the wall saying nothing. “Hey Helmet, you alright? You’re acting weird dude.” She received no response. Wondering if he was somehow unconscious but still standing, or in shock or something, she moved closer. She was just about to put her hoof on his shoulder to turn him around when she felt something bump against her leg. It didn’t feel hard or sharp like a rock. It felt kind of soft, even furry. Confused, Cold Stone turned her light to the ground. Hard Helmet stared up at her. His face was frozen in terror and pain and his body looked like he had fallen while trying to back away from something. But the ripped open throat and oozing blood made it very clear he had failed. Cold Stone froze for a second as mortal terror filled her. Hard Helmet was dead. Savagely attacked and killed by something… but wait, wasn’t he standing just next to her? A flash went off right next to her face. Slowly, moving at a speed even a snail would laugh at, Cold Stone turned to the pony next to her. She didn’t have a second to scream as glowing blue eyes consumed her vision, and a fanged jaw tore into her throat. Quill Pusher looked up from her clipboard as several inequine screeches flooded the mine. Ponies every stopped and looked around in panic, while several guard armed themselves and got into attack positions. Quill clumsily tried to turn about, but the biohazard suit she wore made movement difficult. She felt a pull her close as Lieutenant Cheat Code moved her behind him while he grabbed his sword in his mouth. Suddenly, a dozen green magic bursts zoomed through the cave. But instead of targeting the panicking miners, each blast targeted one of the mounted lights on the ceiling, or hooked up to portable mystech generators near the dig zones. Instantly the cave was flooded with darkness. Several horns lit up with multiple colors, as the unicorn miners all ignited their horns to try and compensate. However this lasted only a moment as ponies began screaming in the dark. Screeching echoed everywhere and flashes of green fire and magic slashed through the blackness. Unseen ponies suddenly found themselves under attack. The glowing horns rapidly started going out as dozens of hidden attackers struck them down. Quill Pusher started to hyperventilate, when she was shoved backwards. Cheat Code looked at her fiercely as he pulled his sword into his hooves to free his mouth. “Quickly get to safety! The guards should already moving into help, but warn anypony else you can! Get back to Canterlot and warn the royalty! Go NOW!” The young mare didn’t need to be told twice. Tail between her legs she bolted out of the exit. She saw guards all moving into position and immediately sought to get behind them. She turned back to look at Lieutenant Cheat Code only to scream in horror as she saw him impaled on the jagged horn or a monstrous equine like monster. Its eyes glowed blue in the dark and blood dripped freely from its fangs. She turned to the approaching guards to shout for help when her whole body went cold. A sword was impaled through her chest, shooting out through her back. Numbness spread all over her. She looked up, blood gushing from her mouth at the guard who had just stabbed her. His whole face was a glare for a few seconds. Then a burst of green flame consumed him. The last things she saw as the life left her was the monstrous bug-like creature before, blood from a dead guard covering his carapace. Canterlot was quiet and peaceful, the midnight hour harkening softer shades that were by starlight then revealed. The busy day-to-day bustle had slowed, the city lights softened to gentle glows like candlelight, but even late into the night did life and excitement continue. The Canterlot’s recently restored New Moon Theater had reopened after a flooding accident in the midst of a singing competition, and Princess Luna had started a donation to have the theater restored, and the manager had been so grateful he’d renamed it in her honor. Restaurant Row seemed to be taking on a new trend as some bigwig food critic Zesty Gourmand was beginning to make a name for herself. To Luna’s delight, more and more Lunar Ponies were re-integrating with Equestria after spending centuries in isolation over at the Shetland Isles. Although most of them continued to sign up for her Lunar Guard it gladdened her that they were making more efforts to be a part of Equestria again and their efforts doing so were slowly but surely paying off. Still, even in Canterlot the nightlife was not without its darkness, as hookers strolled the streets, offering to show some stallions “a good time”, and despite the efforts the Guard made to quell their activities they would just move on to different streets. They had to, otherwise their pimps would beat the hay out of them if they didn’t bring in enough bits. Then of course there were the sleazes and cheating husbands who took them up on their offers. Or worse. Looking down upon her city from the balcony outside her bedchambers, high above the apparent utopia had been her home for almost a thousand years after she had been forced to banish her sister, Celestia was moved by the beauty yet perturbed by the thorns hidden among the petals of this society she watched bloom after she’d founded the city of Canterlot on Mount Canterhorn. To the masses of average ponies, Canterlot was a shining jewel that radiated an ideal of greatness and harmony. Celestia knew better. “You have arrived,” she said in a quiet voice, hearing him slink down from the awning over the balcony, and she turned to face him as he lowered the hood of his cloak. “I’ve been to see him,” Midnight reported, sounding serious yet relieved. “He now faces what could be his last chance to be a better pony.” “Thank you, Midnight, for giving him that chance,” Celestia gave him a warm smile, which seemed to make her nephew avoid her gaze with an uncomfortable look in his eyes. “Is something wrong?” “...Blood was spilled,” Midnight answered, Celestia saying nothing as he continued. “You can cross the Mad Dog of Snarleton off the Equestria’s Most Wanted list, and the crime families of Manehatten and Cloudsdale are going to be in disarray.” “...How many?” Celestia asked. “Eight,” Midnight confirmed. For a few long moments, neither of them said anything when- *SNORRRRE* The loud noise startled them both but Celestia raised a calming hoof and looked into her bedchambers. Midnight followed her line of sight and couldn’t help but chuckle to see his master, Prince Sombra, sleeping in a haphazard position on the bed, a line of drool falling onto his pillow and his bushy black mane a mess. The sight of Sombra like this invoked a relieving laugh between Midnight and Celestia though they made sure to be quiet so as not to wake Sombra. With the tension deflated, it made it easier to talk as Celestia asked, “So then, other than the Mad Dog, the other seven… How many of them were from the crime-families?” “Two each, with the remaining three having been among Hossmane’s top subordinates,” Midnight explained, the discomfort returning, “all of them having committed crimes that would have put them in prison for the rest of their miserable lives, some of their crimes made them deserving of the death penalty.” “You know the death penalty was abolished two hundred years ago,” Celestia reminded him, but he kept going. “The four that came from the crime families, they were all high-ranking, and their absences will cause confusion in both families but they won’t be missed from the public, so that’s something. Hossmane has his deadline to come forward, confess, and make amends for his crimes otherwise he will be brought in and charged to the fullest extent of the law. “Regardless of the outcome, his company’s assets will be liquidated, his employees will be given very generous severance packages after the company is shut down, and most of the profits will go into charities and given to ponies whom Hossmane and his company have wronged. All of Hossmane’s associates who’d been in on his crimes will be held accountable alongside him though leniency will be allowed to those who testify against Hossmane’s criminal associates or offer intel on criminal activities in Equestria.” Seeing Midnight wasn’t out simply to destroy Hossmane and his company but was also thinking of all else who would be affected by it and had already planned how to handle the aftermath to insure nopony innocent would have their livelihoods ruined, Celestia smiled with warm pride and said, “You are becoming wiser with this sense of foresight, Midnight. I had almost feared you were out simply to destroy one pony and that you were not considering who else might be affected.” “You can thank your husband for that,” Midnight felt his heart ease a little, glad Celestia was not displeased with him, when he let out a yawn. “But now… I think it’s time to turn in.” “I agree,” Celestia invited him inside, “your old room is fully furnished unless you’re planning to take a late train to Ponyville.” “Actually, I think I’ll take you up on that offer,” Midnight lit up his horn, his cloak dispersing into smoke that was sucked into a saddlebag he had worn around his barrel underneath it. He followed Celestia through her and Sombra’s bedchambers, Midnight tip-hoofing as he didn’t want to wake his master up, and stepped into the hallway before facing Celestia. “Thank you again, Midnight,” Celestia placed an affectionate hoof onto Midnight’s cheek, even as he seemed uncomfortable looking at her. “I know how much you give to protect Equestria and its citizens. I just wish that-” “There’s no need to thank me, Your Highness,” Midnight replied in a voice somber and hesitating. “I chose this duty and bear the burden it comes with so that others will not have to. It can be a thankless job, but… every reward, however small, makes it worthwhile.” Deciding to move onto happier topics, Celestia asked, “I believe a certain little brother has a birthday coming up, yes?” That query filled Midnight with a strange mixture of happiness and hesitation, “That’s right. Tomorrow evening, I’m gonna host Twinken’s birthday. His real birthday… and I’m gonna tell him the truth, and the whole story he didn’t hear after that incident with the Whisperer and the moon.” “Yet there is something bothering you,” Celestia noted. “There is, I- I… Celestia, what I’m planning to tell Twinken?” Midnight said, sounding nervous, “The fact that we truly are brothers, that our father left us and our mother is in an enchanted sleep? But worst of all, that I left him in an orphanage because I had to preserve the history my past self experienced with Twinken in Ponyville! I just…” Midnight sighed and looked down, shamefully, “What’s he gonna think of me afterwards?” Celestia took Midnight’s cheek in her hoof again and gently made him look at her, “You’re his brother, he loves you!” “As far as he knows, he was left in an orphanage, he thinks we’re just adopted brothers, and… I should have told him the whole story sooner, I just…!” Midnight looked so troubled when he felt Celestia embrace him with her wings. “Whatever happens, Midnight, as hard as the truth may be for Twinken to hear or what might come between the two of you, nothing will ever truly break the bond that you two brothers share.” Midnight couldn’t help it. He felt like a colt again, especially in the way this bigger pony embraced him with a mother’s love, and he shed tears as he returned the hug. For a while they stayed that way before they let go as Midnight gazed up at Celestia with a teary look of appreciation, which she returned with her radiant loving gaze as she wiped the tears on his face away with her wing. “I should know! To save the entire world I was forced to banish my sister to the moon for a thousand years. I spent that entire millennia punishing myself by appearing the perfect princess who ruled with a firm yet guiding hoof and could do no wrong. But really, I couldn’t have been more flawed. I had my insecurities, my doubts, and my own moments of weakness, and I didn’t do enough to protect my little ponies from the worst enemies a society can have, the ones that dwell within its borders. “I held onto the hope that my sister and my love would be returned and redeemed like a lifeline, and those few occasions in history when I saw you helped me more than you realize! And now, I have my whole family together again, and I have you and Twilight and all of your friends to thank. The bond between Luna and I is stronger than it ever was before. If a bond between siblings can overcome what mine and Luna’s did, the brotherhood you and Twinken share can do so as well.” Midnight finally cracked a smile for Celestia (a small one but still) but couldn’t help another yawn, making Celestia giggle. “I think it’s time we both got some sleep. You remember the way to your room?” “I remember,” Midnight assured as he started down the hall, but paused. He looked hesitantly at Celestia, who smiled warmly at him as he bade her, “Good night.” “Pleasant dreams,” she returned and watched him proceed down the hall until he was swallowed up by the shadows of the darkened way. Early mornings in Canterlot were surprisingly slow for a royal capitol. This was because most of the noble ponies, unless they had some big important job or party to get to, weren’t early-risers. As a matter of fact, most of Joe’s customers in the morning were Canterlot University students stopping by for a cup of coffee or a quick breakfast before they had to get to their morning classes. Regardless of who they were, Joe always took pride in seeing the smiles of his satisfied customers after they enjoyed one of his delicious doughnuts or slaked their thirst with some of his coffees, mochas, or smoothies. Many times some business-pony had approached Joe and offered to buy his shop or even his recipes but Joe always turned them down. He enjoyed his life and his business and had no plans to retire. But lately, Joe had been feeling oddly lonely. Ever since his older sister and her family had up and moved away, Joe hadn’t really had anyone. He had a few good friends who he saw every other weekend for poker night or to watch a hoofball game with on TV, he’d been in a few relationships but they never went anywhere; it just felt like there was a void in him that didn’t appear until his family had left. He’d wondered every now and then where his sister, brother-in-law, and nephew had all moved to. There had been a few letters he’d gotten from them but one day that just stopped. He hadn’t heard from any of them in ten years! And yet… it was as if every time he considered looking them up or thinking too much about them, it was as if something popped into his head to change his focus of interest. But, time didn’t wait, and it was almost time to open his doors. Joe opened his oven and levitated out his latest batch of doughnuts and pastries, taking in a deep whiff of the freshly-baked goodness. Sighing in satisfaction, Joe said, “An’ now to get you ladies all ice and pretty, ha-ha!” He levitated a pastry bag fat with icing and prepared to glaze his pastries when he heard a commotion outside. “What th- What’s all th’ hubbub so early in the morning?” Joe set the pastry bag down and stepped towards the glass doors of his shop and saw several ponies out and about. Most of them were business-ponies who had early appointments aside from a few morning joggers out getting their miles. But all of them were gabbing and pointing to, much to Joe’s surprise, Prince Midnight Blaze! The sapphire blue alicorn was out walking on the streets as if he were an average pony! “Huh! Guess even them royals need to get out o’ them stuffy castles,” Joe commented when he noticed Midnight look his way. Joe wondered if he was about to get a royal customer when they made eye-contact. Midnight seemed to flinch before suddenly breaking eye contact and speeding up his walk. At first, Joe was miffed, thinking, What, he think he’s too good t’ be seen in my shop! But then something stirred in Joe’s head. A strange sense of familiarity as he thought of Midnight’s face and the way he seemed to recognize the doughnut shopkeep. “Why… why do I feel like I’ve seen him somewhere before?” Joe wondered aloud. Although he knew he was about to open for the day, something in Joe compelled him to satisfy this strange curiosity he suddenly had in Midnight. He cast a food preserving spell on the doughnuts he’d been about to ice, kept the ‘Sorry we’re closed’ sign where it was, and locked his doors as he hurried down the street he saw Midnight take. Thankfully, Midnight hadn’t gotten far but the way he’d reacted to Joe compelled the baker to stay out of sight, as he followed the prince. Thankfully, the passerby outside made it easier for Joe to follow without being noticed, as Midnight seemed to pay the onlookers with little interest. Even stranger, every time somepony worked up the nerve to get closer to Midnight and maybe say something they suddenly lost that nerve and fell back. Joe was never the best student in magic when he was a colt but he’d learned enough to recognize a ward when he sensed one, given the way his horn tickled, as if responding to how he was focusing so much on the alicorn prince. Midnight had some kind of ward that bewitched ponies that got too close to suddenly step back out of some instilled feeling of nervousness. Not even the Royal Guards who were out on morning patrols approached the prince. Who is this guy? Joe wondered as he continued to follow the prince. What is it about him that’s so… so familiar? Granted, Joe had seen Prince Midnight Blaze before but never up close. Okay, there was that one time a while back during the Grand Galloping Gala Midnight had come to his doughnut shop. But back then, Midnight hadn’t become an alicorn yet. There was also that time when he’d tried expanding his business on the Friendship Express where he’d been selling some of his baked goods on the trolley… and gotten messed up by a bunch of random pets that he’d demanded compensation from Spike the dragon. The next day he’d regaled that little incident with a passenger with whom he’d been shooting the breeze and he heard somepony laugh and looked in time to see Prince Midnight Blaze leave for the next car on the train. But now all of a sudden, seeing him so close like this, the way the prince had reacted to their eyes meeting, and this strange feeling he felt that he knew Midnight somehow, Joe had to find out for sure! His trailing of Midnight brought them both to Canterlot General Hospital, What’s he doin’ here…? Joe made sure not to follow too closely, waiting a few moments after Midnight stepped through the doors to go in. He just barely managed to enter in time to see Midnight’s long lion-like tail slip around a corner. Joe had to be even more careful now, as he gave the receptionist at the front the slip, and noticed a pony pushing a cartful of laundry. Thinking fast, he nicked a doctor’s coat from the cart and slipped it on while taking off his deli hat and stowing it into a coat pocket, hoping this would allow him to move through the halls of the hospital with less suspicion. “Alright, now… where’d you go?” Joe whispered and looked around… only to find Midnight was gone! “Darn it! He’s gotta be around here somewheres!” Joe wandered the halls a moment when he bumped into a unicorn mare doctor, making her drop her levitated clipboard. “Oh! Uh- Sorry there… doctor!” Joe apologized, feeling like a klutz as he levitated the doctor her clipboard. She gave him a look, accepted her clipboard back, and simply said with a nod, “Doctor” and moved along. Joe phew’d in relief, glad his foresight had worked, and continued looking around the halls. He peered carefully into a few hospital rooms, hoping Midnight would be in one of them, but nothing doing. “Aw! He must be gone already!” Joe groaned as he approached another room and peered in. He felt his heart skip a beat as he saw who was lying in the bed. Carefully, he opened the door all the way and approached the bed’s occupant, a unicorn mare with a creamy-white coat, her mane, a soft azure blue with a baby-blue highlight, spread across her pillow. She looked like her, but Joe had to be sure. Looking out the room and satisfied to see the hall was empty, he turned back towards the mare and gently tugged back her blanket with his telekinetic aura. There it was, her cutie-mark! An open storybook with a blue star on the cover and a golden ribbon as a bookmark. “Faerie Tail!” Joe whispered in shock. His sister! As the train pulled into the Ponyville Station, Midnight placed the lid onto the the little box in his hoof, making sure the ribbon was straight, and calming himself for the events that would take place this evening, the truths he would finally tell. Not only to Twinken, but to Twilight, and the rest of his friends. However, he couldn’t get Joe out of his mind. Passing by his doughnut shop had been a mistake, a mistake he hoped wouldn’t come back to haunt him. The slowing of the train and the hissing of steam snapped him out of it, and he looked out the window to see the welcome sight of Ponyville. But it was who was waiting for him on the train platform that caught his attention, causing him to smile as he stood up and stepped over to the train doors. The train finally came to a stop, the conductor announcing their arrival in Ponyville, and as soon as the doors opened, Midnight rushed out, embraced his Twilight and happily gave her a deep kiss. “Aww!!” The prince and his princess parted their lips and looked to see Pinkie, Fluttershy, and Rarity, as well as Blueblood and Thunderlane watching them, along with a few other ponies on the platform. Giggling at her coltfriend’s surprise, Twilight said, “Welcome home, Midnight! I missed you!” “Heh-ha, not as much as I’ve missed you!” Midnight growled playfully before giving Twilight another kiss but more gentle. “It’s super-duper-tastic to have you back, Midnight!” Pinkie popped up beside them as her mouth began to run a million miles per hour. “Where’d-ya-go?!-What’d-ya-do?-Didja-make-new-friends?-Didja-have-fun?-Bring-souvenirs?-Didjoo-get-taller?-Didja-” Midnight stopped Pinkie by covering her mouth with his tail, saying, “Manehatten. Brought some bad guys to justice. No, but I caught up with some old colleagues. I actually enjoyed myself a bit. No souvenirs, and… Huh, I dunno. I don’t feel taller.” The others laughed as Pinkie spat out the hairs from the tip of Midnight’s lion-like tail but before she could say anything else, Midnight asked, “But speaking of growing, did you and Cheese get my letter?” “Letter?” Twilight echoed curiously as she looked to Pinkie. “We did indeedidy-doo! Operation SBLB is underway!” Pinkie said while giving a salute. “SBLB? Whatever does that stand for?” Rarity asked, only to get a weird look from Midnight and Pinkie. “Surprise Birthday for Little Brother, duh!” Pinkie answered, Midnight nodding. “Oh! You’re preparing a surprise birthday for Twinken?” Fluttershy asked, “That sounds wonderful! Say Midnight, do you think Twinken would like a pet of his own as a birthday present?” “Hmm, well, he has been interested in his own pet,” Midnight considered, “but I don’t know what kind of pet he’d like.” “Hold on a moment,” Blueblood spoke up, “didn’t we celebrate Twinken’s birthday, what was it… four months ago?” “That wasn’t his real birthday,” Midnight corrected, “it was the day I… left him at the orphanage when he was a baby…” “Hold on, does this mean what I think it means?” Thunderlane asked, all eyes on Midnight. Midnight nodded with a sigh, and explained, “This evening, at the party, I’m gonna tell Twinken the whole story, the whole truth. That I really am his brother, not his adoptive brother, and tell him the rest of my story that he slept through after the incident with the Whisperer and the Moon when Twilight became an alicorn.” “That sounds like it’s not gonna be easy, Midnight,” Twilight said in concern, Midnight hugging her to his side with his wing. “No. But the truth is long overdue,” Midnight acknowledged, hoping Twilight would be this supportive when he told her and the rest of their friends the truth. He then looked to Pinkie and asked, “So, Pinks, ya think you and Cheese can make the perfect surprise party for Twinken this evening?” “I dunno! Why don’cha ask Cheese over there?” Pinkie pointed down the way and everypony looked to see Cheese’s silhouette behind a curtain as he appeared to be tinkering with his party-cannon. Figaro! Figaro, figaro, figaro, figaro…! “With you in a minute!” Cheese called before poking his head out from behind the curtain, “Just got a few bugs to work out here!” Then all of a sudden, a swarm of moths flew out from behind the curtain, Cheese swatting at them, saying, “Go on, shoo! Shoo!” “Ha! That pony drives me crazy!” Midnight chuckled, everypony laughing with him as he added, “In a good way.” “No worries, Midnight!” Cheese said as he pushed the curtain back, revealing himself garbed in a show-pony outfit, complete with a boater hat and striped vest. “Tonight, your kid bro’s gonna have a birthday to remember! Or my name isn’t Cheese Sandwich!” Cheese then whipped out a unicycle, going for a ride, and a one-pony band with an accordion as the main instrument, as he began to play a bouncy tune, a balloon tied to his tail that read ‘I am indifferent to your disapproval’, and he then began to sing. A brother is planning a memorable fest! (He tossed a couple balls about, which exploded into confetti, making a few ponies jump) His mission, it calls for some party pony zest! (Cheese skid along the path, sliding under a mare’s fruit cart while nicking a kiwi and giving her a wink, making her giggle) What I detect is a hint of respect A love for one precious and dear! (Cheese then leapt onto a trampoline and span, balloon animals being scattered and falling into the hooves of random ponies, making them smile) III am the musical maker of fun gone wild! But my buds call me Cheese! (He then landed in a giant bowl of his patented Brie Fondue Delight and then leapt out, clean as a whistle, a mail bag hanging from his barrel) I have a message: “Everyone’s welcome! Make sure your present! Did you notice that small pun? (He threw invitations out of the bag, which were coincidentally blown into the hooves of random ponies and foals) La la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la! (He played his accordion along with the melody of the song) You know I’m greater So don’t be a hater You may think I’m drastic But I am fanTASTIC! (He took out a bullhorn as he stood next to the Flower Ponies, Roseluck, Lily Valley, and Daisy and pointed it skyward) FIIIIIIGARO! (He tossed the bullhorn away and cupped his hoof behind his ear and everypony heard Cheese’s voice as a fading echo) Figaro, Figaro, Figaro, Figaro, Figaro, Fi…. gar… O!!! Cheese leaned next to Roseluck (to her weird-outtedness), sighing, “Oh... Love that bit!” He then took one of her roses, set it into her mane, making her giggle with a blush, and then he continued with a dance, bouncing all over the place. Running And climbing And ducking And diving And spinning And grinning And jumping And sliding And gliding And bringing some smiles And these are a few of the things that I do before lunch! Rule defying! (Cheese danced on some grass in blatant defiance of a nearby ‘Do not step on the grass’ sign) Danger denying! (Cheese somersaulted, looking like a brown and orange ball that rolled up a random ramp) Look I’m flying! (He sailed through the air, poised like he was lounging while waving a hoof...) You might think I’m nuts, but hey! You only live once! (and landed safely in a wagonful of hay being pulled by Big Mac who took it in stride and just kept going as Cheese popped out and continued to make a clown of himself) No need to thank me, But if you insist I won’t resist! WHO SMELLS LIKE- “CHEESE!” Pinkie popped up, putting her hoof on Cheese’s mouth, phew’ing to have caught him in the nick of time as she said, “There are children present!” “Oh, forry,” Cheese mumbled under Pinkie’s hoof before he said in a funny voice, “Hold onto your butts…!” Then everypony gasped in horror of the hee-uge Party Bomb Cheese had behind him as he pulled the cord, signaling it was about to go off. Class… DIIIIIIIIIIIISSSSSSS…. Everypony screamed as they ran but it was no use. The Party Bomb went off, a mushroom cloud of confetti, balloons, and glitter arising over Ponyville that could be seen for miles around. As the mess settled, everypony in town looked bewildered, scattered about in bedraggled heaps covered in confetti, streamers, and glitter when Cheese popped out of nowhere onto the top of the statue of the local fountain. -MIIIIIISSSSSSSSSSED!!!! Sighing after a good song, Cheese held out his hoof and randomly caught a milkshake that had been blown out of somepony’s hoof and took a sip while Pinkie pulled the messy scene away as though she were turning a page, leaving a fresh and tidy Ponyville in its wake with no sign of any party mess having been there at all. Everypony stood in a stupor, not really sure what had just happened. Until Midnight shrugged with a smile, “Yeah, I think they’ve got this.”