//------------------------------// // Chapter IV // Story: Work of the Heart // by AizakkuHorooee //------------------------------// Inside the donut shop, Starlight seems to be hitting it off pretty well with Twilight’s friends.  Everyone is in stitches when Twilight, Spike and I reenter. “Good one, Starlight!” Lyra heartily exclaims.  “It’s so simple, yet so true!  Oh!  Hey guys!  Starlight just told us the pun Sheriff Mangle made!” “Oh, did you mean the one that went-” I momentarily change into Mangle, thinking exactly the same thing everypony else probably is.  “Nice try on the wording there Stellar Flare.  Clarify OR YOU’RE FIRED!!!” Twilight’s old friends start laughing again along with Starlight as I change back.  “Never had he ever screamed Crubbs more than that.  So Starlight, I just called Chrysalis.  We’re going to be throwing a party at Sugar Cube Corner for Patch, and I figured out who might be the perfect pony to invite.  I’m positive you won’t mind, but better safe than sorry.” “It’s okay, Aita.  You can invite Dad,” replies Starlight.  “You remember, don't you?  So, are we going to be taking Twilight’s old friends?” “Well, would you girls mind coming to Ponyville?  Starlight, Twilight and I can take you.” Moondancer shrugs.  “Why not?  It’d be good to see Pinkie Pie again.” Once everypony else agrees, Starlight grabs Twinkleshine and Spike, I take Lyra and Lemon Hearts, Twilight holds Moondancer and Minuette, and we all teleport to Sugar Cube Corner. Looking around, all I around us is the bakery itself.  Nopony is in here, at least in the lower level.  The lights are all off too. I wonder what the hours here are.  I attempt to open the door with magic, but the door is locked, so I turn the lock momentarily so I can open the door.  On the front, I see a small post.  It seems Sugar Cube Corner is only open in the morning on weekends. “So Sugar Cube Corner, eh Spike?” I tease.  “Seems we should’ve gotten here earlier.” Hello? I hear a familiar voice call from upstairs.  Aita, is that you? As soon as I hear a click, the lights in the dining room come on.  Pinkie Pie then comes downstairs.  She gasps in excitement when she sees everyone here.  “I didn’t know we were planning a party!  Anypony else coming?” “Well, we were planning on inviting Dad over,” explains Starlight as she teleports in a scroll and quill to write out the invitation.  “That and Patch, Chrysalis, and probably Membrane are also coming.”  When Starlight talks about Chrysalis’ family, everypony is confused except for Twilight, Spike and me.  “Look, we have some time, since Chrysalis has to get Patch at Silver Shoals, but that leaves us with enough time for Dad to make it traditionally.” Twilight begins sending everyone instructions.  “Okay.  Spike, you send the invitation to Firelight.  Moondancer, you prepare the spread.  Starlight, you can help with cooking.  And Minuette, decorations.  Pinkie Pie, you can set up the games.” “So what can I do?” I ask. “I’m glad you asked, Aita.  You can take Firelight as soon as he receives the invitation.” I follow Twilight’s instruction and teleport to Firelight’s house in Sire’s Hollow.  I knock on the front door, Firelight answer soon after.  He instantly recognizes me.  “Aita!  How’s it going?!?  Long time no see!” “We’re about to throw a party for a young changeling over at Sugar Cube Corner.  We’re doing it because of his situation with Chrysalis being similar to Moondancer’s.”  I jump out of the way as the invitation arrives. “Princess Twilight Sparkle personally invites Firelight to Sugar Cube Corner.  Aita should be there already to pick you up.  Sounds amazing, Aita.  I’ll be there as soon as possible.” “GREAT!”  I grab onto Firelight and teleport us back to Sugar Cube Corner. Mother and I fly back to her trailer in Silver Shoals to take my son to Sugar Cube Corner, as Spike proposed.  When I approach, a new package seems to’ve arrived in Mother’s mail.  Nopony is out there now, but the package is easily visible and never was there when I first visited.  When we land, Mother floats the package inside and begins taking it into Patch’s room.  She gestures me to come with her, which I follow. “Oh hey.  The new game a-” Patch stops short when he sees me.  “Hello.  Satisfied with that, Mom?” “Patch, you know she doesn’t need that right now,” Mother scolds.  “Besides, your mother is taking us to Ponyville for a party.” “A party?  You?”  Patch scoffs.  “That’ll be the day.” “Come now, son.  Would you really miss a party from one of the biggest extraordinaires in Equestria?” Patch becomes puzzled from what I say.  “I-is that a bluff?” I shake my head.  “There is no bluff.  Pinkamena Diane Pie is the best there is.” “Even so, I can’t attend parties.  With my nymphhood, I would just get lost and bored.” “Patch, if it makes you feel any better, I will go with you.” “Still Grandma, I don’t know.  I’d rather go looking for my own place, or - if I could do it in peace - begin unboxing.”  Patch levitates a pair of scissors off the shelf in the corner and cuts through the tape with one blade.  He then pulls open the top of the box with his magic.  The game he floats out of the box appears to be quiz-oriented.  “Well, there it is.  I’ve been waiting to receive a copy of Know Nonsense for months.” I smile a bit for his fleeting moment of bliss.  “Well, you’ll get to try that out as soon as you get back home, okay?  We have to arrive at the party in Ponyville.  If not for us, then for Princess Twilight.” Patch’s eyes widen.  “Wait.  Twilight is going to be there?  As in… the Princess of Friendship?” I nod, showing him that he is correct about who I’m talking about. “Ready, dear?” inquires Mother seeing my opportunity arise, to which I confirm. I grasp Mother and Patch under each wing and teleport them in front of Sugar Cube Corner.