//------------------------------// // VIII. Fireworks // Story: The River Rose // by Stosyl //------------------------------// Emerald came to beneath one of the canopy tents in the park. His shoulder was already bandaged. The fires had all been put out, including the torches, for fear of an accident. Twilight Sparkle was standing over Emerald when he opened his eyes. “He’s awake,” she called to Princess Luna. “Oh, thank goodness!” Luna cried, running over to him. Emerald forced himself upright and began to pull the bandages off. “What are you doing?” said the Princess. “Your wounds must set.” “If I do it with the bandages on, it’ll be a lot harder to take them off afterward,” he replied. He threw the bandages onto the grass and noticed the crowd gathered around him. Mr. and Mrs. Cake were close, and they looked at him with great concern. He avoided eye contact and hung his head; after all, he was to blame for ruining their anniversary. He took a deep breath and summoned his magic. His shoulder began to cauterize and heal. Natural lightning would have left terrible burns, but Spade’s magic cut through him like a spear. This was cold lightning, a spell Emerald had created one thousand years before. It was so formidable because it took so long to heal naturally. But with time magic it took only a few moments, reviving even the hair of his coat. The party stood in awe at Emerald, and it was only at this moment that he was conscious enough to realize his cloak had been removed to bandage his wound. He panicked momentarily, and with a sigh gave up the futile effort: the secret of his wings was revealed to all, friends and strangers, and nothing short of erasing all their memories could fix it now. “We were so worried about you,” said Twilight. “You were unconscious for almost an hour. Fifty-three minutes, actually. How are you feeling?” “You must have a lot of questions,” Emerald said meekly. “Somehow, yes,” she replied. “Luna told me everything while you were asleep, but she couldn’t explain the maniac who attacked just now.” “I’ll tell you everything when I’ve rested more.” “We understand,” said Twilight, with much compassion in her voice. “I’m sorry, Emerald,” said Luna. “We had to bandage your shoulder. When they saw your wings they kept asking questions. I had to keep everypony calm.” It was Emerald’s turn to say he understood. “How did you know to come here?” he asked Luna. “A soldier noticed someone sneaking around the castle. We assumed it had something to do with you. My sister assigned an escort to follow you for protection, and he reported to us the moment the attack began. I made great haste to get here in time to help.” “And without you I doubt he would have retreated. Thank you.” Luna began to blush. “Mr. Cake, Mrs. Cake,” he continued, “I’m sorry for ruining your celebration. This was my fault.” “N-nonsense,” said Mrs. Cake. “Where are all the ponies who were injured? Bring them to me, I want to treat them.” For several minutes ponies were gathered in front of Emerald and their wounds assessed. Those whose wounds were least severe were told to wait, and those who were bleeding or had broken bones were brought to the front. One colt was laid dead in front of him by a crying mare who appeared to be the mother. Emerald fought his tears. Less than an hour, he thought. With a piece of charred wood he drew a seal on the colt’s forehead—like a three on its belly upheld by a double-cross—and touched his horn to it. The horn glowed in a way it had never glowed before, in iridescent ripples unlike the light of any unicorn magic. The sky seemed to shine sympathetically in the same way, rippling likewise and bending the stars and moon behind it. Everyone around the colt and alicorn felt drained of their energy and ecstatic at the same time; their bodies were light and full of light; their vision was clear and their senses heightened so that they noticed everything around them. Faster than the eye could see the mysterious rainbow light moved into the colt’s head through the seal, and his eyes blinked open. The mother tackled the colt and bombarded him with kisses. Everyone else was silent, and Emerald sat gasping for breath. “Next,” he called hoarsely. A filly was brought forward with a broken ankle. Emerald healed her and called for the next pony to step forward. He did this for twenty ponies without a moment’s pause, each time becoming more and more exhausted. “Next,” he breathed. “There are no more,” said Luna. “You can rest now.” Emerald collapsed on his back and forced himself to breathe slowly. All the guests were breathing quickly. They stared at him, many of them with tears in their eyes, overcome by an indescribable gratitude. The mother still clung to the unawares foal who had been given a second chance at life. A mob mentality absorbed the group of ponies, who rushed the table where Emerald lay and hailed him as a hero. He resisted in vain until the Princess’s voice boomed over the crowd, demanding silence. Mr. and Mrs. Cake stepped forward. Emerald hung his head. “Don’t be ashamed,” said Mrs. Cake. “Be happy. You protected us, and you saved that colt’s life.” “Nopony ended up being hurt after all,” Mr. Cake nodded. “You didn’t ruin our anniversary. You saved it.” “They’re right, you know,” said Rarity, who appeared at Emerald’s shoulder. “We would be honored if you would help us cut our cake,” said Mrs. Cake. “And we won’t take no for an answer,” Mr. Cake added. Emerald struggled internally for a moment and sighed. He looked up at the Cakes with a smile and agreed to help them cut the cake, after a half-hour’s rest. They agreed. “Meanwhile,” he said, “I’d like it if the stalls were set up again, so everypony can keep playing and try to forget this ever happened.” Princess Luna announced that the cutting of the cake would be in thirty minutes. She, Twilight, and Rarity set about repairing all the damaged stands, gathering water for the broken duck toss game, and making new piñatas. Members of the Apple family returned to their stalls and called in customers. The party guests did not need to be told twice. They returned to eating candies and pies and playing gaily. The music started again, and the irreparable tents were torn down to remove the memory of the destruction. Emerald began gathering the fireworks tubes that Stowaway Spade had set off. He was setting them in a pile when Twilight Sparkle trotted up to him with Pinkie Pie. “Pinkie Pie,” said Emerald, “were there a lot more fireworks than these?” “Oh, yeah,” she said, “tons more!” “We have to find them. It’s not safe for them to be hidden in the park. Pinkie, Twilight, search nearby the launch site where they were stashed, and I’ll check the bushes toward Ponyville.” “Okey dokey lokey!” said Pinkie, who was off at a hop toward a tall paulownia that obscured a wide open plain. “Are you sure it’s safe to go off alone?” said Twilight. “Spade ran off in that direction. What if he’s waiting for you?” “He isn’t,” said Emerald. “My sealing spell will spread to his other leg and immobilize him for at least a week. He wouldn’t dare attack me in that condition.” “Can I ask you something? How does this sealing spell work exactly?” “If you’d like,” said Emerald, “we could search for the fireworks together, and I’ll tell you while we work.” Twilight agreed and they headed toward Ponyville and walked down the paths, checking every bush and shrub and tree hollow they came across. All the while Emerald explained. “My spell relies on sealing the vital organs,” he said. “It’s like wood frogs who freeze solid and are revived months later. The seal locks the organs in homeostasis so that the body cannot die. Then it spreads throughout the body and they are put in complete suspended animation. If done correctly, the seal lasts up to two thousand years. “But to do this, the spell has to hit the heart. It uses the circulatory system to spread, and only if it starts at full strength in the heart will there be enough magic to seal the entire body. Otherwise it remains localized, only affecting a few areas. Hit the wrong organ, like the liver, and that organ locks up while the rest of the body goes on needing it. The pony will die within a few days if the seal isn’t undone.” “How do you undo the seal?” “I don’t know,” Emerald admitted. “In theory time magic would dispel it, but it would have to be so powerful that it’s impossible to experiment with it. Only the most advanced time magic would work.” Twilight became concerned. “Do you think Spade knows the sealing spells, too?” she said. “He shouldn’t,” said Emerald. “I burned all the research and findings because the spell is so dangerous. It’s only last night another soul has learned my sealing spell, and they’re Royal Guard…” Emerald broke off. “Are those the fireworks?” he said excitedly, pointing toward some unnatural shapes beneath a shrub. “There are more over there!” Twilight called. “We found them!” “Great,” said Emerald, “now let’s get these back to the party and have ourselves a show.” “Wait,” Twilight stopped short. “That’s why you wanted to find them?” “Sure, why else?” said Emerald with a smile. “You said it was because they’re unsafe.” “Well, they are. If there were a fire, they’d explode. But it’s my fault the Cakes didn’t get their fireworks show, and I have to make it up to them.” “That’s very thoughtful of you,” said Twilight. The two exchanged smiles. “Now hurry up,” said Emerald, “I want to get these set up before the cake is brought out.” Twilight and Emerald rushed the fireworks back to the launch field. Emerald piled them together and used his time magic to restore the expended shells so he could launch them as well. Pinkie Pie hopped back to them, upset that she was returning empty-hoofed until she saw the fireworks. “You found them!” she said joyfully. “Yes, Pinkie,” said Emerald. “And we’re going to set them off. Tell as many of the guests as you can, to keep everypony calm, and fetch Mr. and Mrs. Cake. But don’t tell them why,” he added almost severely. “It should be a surprise.” “Can do!” she said, and hopped off. Emerald and Twilight busily arranged the fireworks into rows for the display. They worked quietly, and occasionally stole glances at each other. Each was beginning to trust and respect the other, and Emerald breathed more lightly, as does anyone who has no more secrets from his friends. At last the preparations were completed. Emerald and Twilight covered their ears and began setting off the charges. Flare after flare whistled through the air and burst into magnificent flowers of fire. Only a handful of ponies were afraid that the attack was starting again, and they were all quickly reassured by those whom Pinkie Pie had reached. The Cakes stood and watched the display with tears in their eyes. The flares were, from time to time, quite obviously being guided by magic through splendid acrobatic turns, and twisted into beautiful shapes once they exploded. And when the finale came, and the last of the fireworks were set off, they twisted around each other in pairs, like four great double-helixes above the park. They burst with a deafening crash. They crackled and fizzled, and in the air, written in fire, were the words: Happy Anniversary. Emerald and Twilight returned to the party together after the show, greeted with thunderous applause. Mrs. Cake ran up to them and hugged them both like a doting mother meeting her children at the train station. She thanked them profusely. “Oh, it was Emerald’s idea,” Twilight said. Mrs. Cake said many more ‘thank-you’s and wiped her eyes. Without much delay the anniversary cake was wheeled out and Emerald Alembic helped Mr. and Mrs. Cake remove the first slice. Everyone was served and the party continued famously. When the Moon was high in the sky, Princess Luna announced that she had to be returning to Canterlot. “You’re expected back tonight, as well, Emerald,” she said. “I guess I am,” said Emerald. He looked fondly at the party guests and smiled. His heart smiled much wider than he allowed himself to express. Everypony was enjoying themselves still, and enjoying each other’s company even more. He caught Twilight’s eye and turned away quickly. “Would you mind if we traveled together?” he said to Luna. “Not at all,” the Princess replied with a smile. “I’ll enjoy the company.” Emerald climbed into her carriage and the winged soldiers took to the air immediately. He kept a close watch on the Princess with the corner of his eye, but he felt too uncomfortable to speak. “It is obvious that tonight’s attack is only a precursor to something greater,” said the Princess at last. “How much do you know about that stallion?” “We have been enemies for millennia,” Emerald said with his head downcast. “Who is he?” “I would prefer it if I could rest before discussing it. It brings back many painful memories.” “Fine,” said Luna curtly. “But I hope you know it hurts me that you never mentioned him in your story.” “I know that all too well,” he said. “I have a habit of hurting people.” “Don’t say such a thing,” Luna scolded him. “You may have some secrets yet, but I know you well enough to know that you’re a good stallion. You help people. Did you not spend these years healing ponies in your travels?” “A millennium of good,” Emerald sighed, “does not undo an unforgivable crime.” “There is nothing that cannot be forgiven in time, Emerald. Sometimes, we love the most those who have hurt us most unforgivably.” “All the while without forgiving them,” Emerald replied cynically. Eager to change the subject, Luna probed her mind for a new direction to take the conversation. “You know, my sister will probably wish to involve her student, Twilight Sparkle. She is always giving her tests of strength and courage. Without these tests, her bond with her friends would become stagnant, and would not grow. And without this growth, those six would not be able to use the Elements of Harmony at all.” “What do you mean?” said Emerald, intrigued. “As you know, the magic of the Elements resembles the magic of the Double Harvest Moon: a growth magic. It only responds to growth. If the bearer, or in this case, the bearers of the Elements should cease to grow as individuals, or as a group, there will be no internal growth magic. I once wielded three of the Elements, and my sister the other three. Without internal growth, the magic of the Elements will not respond to the bearer. That is why it is crucial for Twilight Sparkle’s friendships to continue growing stronger.” Emerald began eyeing the Princess in a hurt, distrustful way. “Is there something you’re trying to say?” he said. “Oh, I’m sorry,” she said quickly. “I was only digressing. I meant to say that my sister will most likely invite Twilight Sparkle and her friends to Canterlot to help defend you against your enemy.” “Fine. Then I’ll tell the eight of you together as soon as they’ve arrived. Talk with your sister. If you’re wrong about her involving Twilight, I’ll tell you and Princess Celestia everything in the morning.” “I will discuss it with her immediately,” said the Princess. A strong breeze blew a chill between them. Funny, Luna thought, how a gap longs by its very nature to be bridged. “I remember why I was glad to catch you this morning,” Emerald said abruptly. “Oh?” the Princess raised her eyebrows. “And why was it?” “Even a journey of just one day,” he smiled, “can be unpleasant if our friends don’t see us off.” Luna blushed, and Emerald too became very conscious of the wind blowing between them. He remembered an old saying: ‘The winds of heaven dance between us even as we unite.’ They passed the remainder of the journey in silence. Emerald Alembic nodded off and slept against the Princess until they reached the palace. He blushed uncontrollably when she woke him. They entered the castle, passed through several corridors, climbed the stairs of the Watchtower, and Emerald parted ways with the Princess at his chamber, where he slept soundly, and dreamed of fireworks.