The sun shone brightly, creating myriad little reflections of light off the creek. Winter had been successfully wrapped up, although there was still a chill in the air and most residents of Ponyville regardless of race preferred to add an extra layer while outside, though most stayed in.
In the abnormally quiet carrefour surrounding the Old Town Hall, looking northwest up Stirrup Street, Mayor Meyer Mare and her assistant Raven Inkwell stood speechless for well over a minute until the Mayor decided to break the proverbial ice.
“I need a drink,” she said simply.
Raven immediately face-hooved. “We just returned to Ponyville after what feels like eighteen months and that’s the first thing that comes to your mind? Can we not at least return to City Hall and assume our posts first?”
Mayor Mare pursed her lips before sighing in agreement. “You have a point. Besides, we both know regular alcohol doesn’t do it for me anymore. I need the expertise of Apple Bloom.”
“Yes, Mayor?” Apple Bloom, who had been standing nearby but not listening, asked.
A small purple clawed hand touched her shoulder and a young male voice said. “If the Mayor is saying your name, it probably involves your *ahem* ability to distill hooch for her.”
Apple Bloom nodded, “Well, ya ain’t wrong, Spike,” she agreed. “But, it is too soon. We’ve been standin’ here, jus’ takin’ in the sight of Ponyville after being gone for so long. Not really sure how long.”
“Me either, but it feels like eight months,” said Spike.
“Feels longer than that to me,” the Mayor said.
Raven turned to them all and proclaimed, in her unassuming way, “Regardless, as I said, City Hall before doing anything else. No doubt all of us are tired, but we have jobs to do.”
At that, Spike immediately went wide-eyed and began sweating profusely. Apple Bloom and Raven looked at him with concern, the Mayor with understanding.
“Twilight!” he blurted out. “I never told her what happened. I don’t think we told anyone anything! We just kind of …disappeared for what may as well have been years! She’s gonna have my head on a platter for this!” Spike became more worked up with each syllable out of his mouth, to the point Apple Bloom reluctantly embraced him to try to calm him down as he began to hyperventilate.
“Oh, you need not worry about that, Spike,” interjected a familiar deep voice that resonated all around them yet had at that point no identifiable source.
“Discord?” they all asked. As if on cue, the ancient draconequus, god of Chaos, popped into being in front of them. He gave them an ostentatious bow.
“Greetings, my little ponies …and dragon,” he said with mirth, although not as much as they had come to expect from him. “Whether ten minutes or eight months, it’s wonderful to see you all again.”
Spike spoke first. “So, uh, why are you telling me I don’t need to worry about Twilight?”
Discord motioned to the carrefour behind them where they saw Twilight Sparkle galloping towards them at top speed. Much to everyone’s surprise except Discord’s, she leapt at Spike, her purple wings involuntarily unfurled, and wrapped him in a hug strong enough that he had trouble breathing.
“I’ve been so worried about you! I’m glad you’re back!” Twilight said with no hint of anger at all. Indeed, her voice quavered as if she was about to cry. The other ponies stared at her in shock and confusion.
“Well, I’m… glad to… be back, Twilight,” Spike eventually answered. “I guess you missed me?”
“Missed you?” Twilight asked, clearly facetious. “Of course! You’re my Number One Assistant! Every day you weren’t here was like another needle in my flank. Without you, I can’t function, much less carry out my duties to ponies who need me. You are indispensable. So, once you’ve finished up with the mayor… Welcome back by the way…”
“Um, thanks, Twilight?” Mayor Mare replied before Twilight continued.
“…Come back home. The other five and Starlight prepared a ‘Welcome Back’ party for you. See you there!” she exclaimed as she released Spike and galloped off.
The mayor, Raven, Apple Bloom, and Spike all stared at the rapidly retreating Twilight, absolutely perplexed. Eventually, they turned to Discord and, by silent agreement, allowed Spike to pose the obvious question.
“Who was that?” he asked, “And what did you do with Twilight?”
Discord chuckled. “You’re all aware, I’m sure, that one of the first powers I demonstrated upon my return to the land of the living was the ability to alter a pony’s mental state. After my defeat, I had promised to lay off the brain-scrambling ability, fun though it was, but, well, orders are orders.” He shrugged.
Mayor Mare stared at Discord over the top of her glasses, half confused and half distrusting. “That goes back to something you told us back at the border,” she said. “Who besides Princess Celestia would you ever take orders from?”
“Pinkie Pie’s older sister, for one,” he said without a hint of sarcasm. “I have to respect a pony who’s both funnier and stronger than me. But of course she’s not here right now. No. Like I told you before, I’m also under orders to not reveal who has been making me help you. Suffice to say, this entity also ensured that Ponyville would be taken care of until you returned.”
They began walking toward City Hall.
“Speaking of,” Raven said, “Who has been overseeing the town government without us?”
“Why, Granny Smith, of course,” replied Discord as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
“What?!” exclaimed Apple Bloom as she briefly came to a dead stop.
“Now, now, my dear little filly,” Discord said gently as his hand detached to pat her on the head, “It makes perfect sense when you think about it. Even if it feels like a lifetime ago …or five years, whatever… She is the only pony to have ever been democratically elected to lead Ponyville.”
“I’m aware,” Mayor Mare said as she rolled her eyes at the memory of that incident.
Discord continued, “So, it was only natural that in a time of great need, she step into your horseshoes again. Also, you’re fully aware her approval rating is far higher than yours, I’m sure.”
“No offense, Meyer,” said Raven, “but she was better to work for than you. Granted, being your assistant is more interesting.”
“Thanks for the vote of confidence,” replied Mayor Mare with full sarcasm.
After less than five minutes of walking they finally reached City Hall. Not a grand or ornate building like the old Town Hall. Just a simple if large three-storey building in the same style as many of Ponyville’s central buildings, with big inviting windows, particularly on the southern corner of the top floor which housed the mayor’s office. The wooden double-doors in the middle of the primary façade were closed. Discord knocked four times and then waited. A couple more minutes passed until they opened, revealing an ancient green Earth-pony, the one and only Granny Smith. The four returnees regarded her with concern, as she looked significantly more decrepit than the last time they remembered seeing her. Discord, for his part, gave his over-the-top bow again. When he spoke, his tone had a distinct lack of smarm, instead radiating respect.
“My dear caretaker mayor,” he said with a hint of triumph, “I have successfully returned with the real mayor, her assistant, Spike, and your beloved granddaughter.”
Granny Smith, trembling slightly, narrowed her orange eyes (same colour as Apple Bloom’s) as she peered through her bifocals, smacking her ever-dry lips, before eventually speaking. Her voice wavered due to age but was jaunty nonetheless.
“Well, howdy there, Discord!” Granny said. “Good ta see all y’all back here again. ‘Specially you, Meyer. Takin’ care a’ this town ain’t no job fer an ol’ horse like me; I shoulda been asleep four hours ago.”
“But, my lady,” Raven said, her head bowed in respect, “It’s not even noon.”
“Raven, honey-child,” Granny Smith answered, “When you get ta be my age, ya nap a lot ‘cauz ya can’t hardly sleep through the night anymore. I been ‘round for a long, long time. Think I’ve earned a li’l rest.”
“Granny Smith,” said Mayor Mare, “I’m grateful you took over for me… again… and I’m sorry that we, I, unintentionally forced you back here.”
Granny smiled as she closed her eyes and shook her head. “Meyer, y’all kept Apple Bloom safe in spite a’ everything. That’s what I care ‘bout most since I ain’t in any condition ta do that right now. As fer bein’ caretaker mayor again, well, that’s just another one Celestia owes me, ain’t it?” she let out a mirthful old cackle.
“Owes ya?” Apple Bloom asked, genuinely curious.
Granny Smith slowly made her way out of the building, orienting herself in the direction of her family farm and, with all the speed of a three-toed sloth, began her trek, but not before locking eyes with Apple Bloom.
“When yer ready to know, I’ll tell ya everything. Ain’t time jus’ yet. Now go on back to the farm. AJ’s throwin’ some sorta party fer Spike over at Twilight’s which he better hoof it to, but Big Mac is rarin’ ta see ya. So’re yer friends. They been holed up in yer room fer days waitin’, soon’s they got wind y’all were comin’ home. It’s nice to have folks care enough about ya to worry.”
Apple Bloom nodded silently with a smile, holding back a tear. But Granny Smith was not finished with her monologue.
“Discord.”
“Yes, milady.”
“We’ll talk later, after I’ve met with Celestia. May take a bit with all she’s goin’ through at the Palace ‘cauz I don’t wanna bug her yet. Any-hoof, you’ll know where and when to find me.”
“Understood,” Discord replied as he blinked out of existence with a loud POOF!
Once Apple Bloom and Spike headed off in opposite directions, Granny Smith was left alone with Mayor Mare and Raven.
“Y’all got a town to run,” she said to them gently. “An’ my work here’s done.”
Granny Smith walked leisurely back to her farm. Meyer and Raven stood in place, watching her refuse every offer of assistance with a wave of her wrinkled hoof. Once she was out of sight, they turned to each other. Meyer let out a quick sigh.
“Shall we get back to work, Raven?”
“Of course.”
Many miles away, in the grand environs of Canterlot Palace, Princess Celestia sat on her throne sporting a look of weary concern as the Royal Clerk, a bespectacled grey Earth-pony mare, approached.
“…And?” Celestia inquired.
“All jurisdictions have now reported. Chancellor Orangeglow has lost the confidence and shall stand trial.”