//------------------------------// // Fizzlepop Berrytwist // Story: The Cutie Alchemist // by Visharo //------------------------------// Fizzle: to fail or end feebly especially after a promising start —often used with out Pop: to push, put, or thrust suddenly or briefly Berry: a pulpy and usually edible fruit (such as a strawberry, raspberry, or checkerberry) of small size irrespective of its structure Twist: to unite by winding ------------------------------------------------------ A few moons have passed and the trees are bursting with new life. It warmed Starwirl's heart. As the sunrises passed, more and more critters of all shapes and sizes emerged from wherever, filling this bountiful valley with even more life and happiness. More then once, they had seen them frolicking about, giving smiles to anypony who was watching. During this time, Granny Smith had them building their new home and with all the breaks they were taking, it was taking quite a while. Starswirl was currently on one such break, sharing a meal with Granny. The two were watching Celestia and Cadance as they tried their hand at educating Sunset Shimmer, much to the displeasure of the green mare. "Those yung'uns will be the death of me." Granny grumbled and took a massive bite out of her salad of various leaves and flowers. "Give them a break, they are learning." The gray unicorn stretched back on his padded rock, allowing for some satisfying cracks. "Bah, why can't they learn somewhere else!" The earth pony harrumphed, finished her meal, got up and then went back to building. Starswirl smiled, remembering how Sunset misfired a spell once and made a huge hole in the previously finished wall. Everypony cowered from her for many sunrises before she visibly calmed down. Not many breaks were taken during that time. But Starswirl knew she had a kind heart, he once saw Granny comforting Sunset after the filly took a bad tumble and went out for many countings to find some healing herbs. The gray unicorn sighed contentedly then frowned as his eyes landed on a certain unicorn. Luna, the solemnest of them all, was behind a tree far away from everypony else. Starswirl sighed again, but this time with a heavy heart. He'll go talk to Granny, see if he can find him and Luna some time off to finally fulfill his promise. He nodded, this was becoming more of a fine idea the more he thought about it. But first, the unicorn got up with a groan, his body aching from all the labor this past moon. He then made his way to where the three fillies were playing. "Hey Swirly!" Celestia beamed once she saw him coming over. "Look at what Sunset can do!" "Yesh! Lookie lookie!" Sunset giggled before her horn erupted in teal light, making everypony watching blind for a few countings. When Starswirl was able to get rid of the spots, he gasped loudly. The orange unicorn was bathed in a fiery light, no, actual fire. Starswirl stumbled back, as did Celestia and Cadance who were both gaping at the sight. As they watched, the fire twirled around Sunset for a few countings before started forming into a shape. It didn't take long and what beheld left Starswirl speechless. Sunset's hair was wreathed in flames as well as her tail, but what shocked the unicorn even more was the wings attached to her back. It took several countings for him to snap out of it and once he did he realized that no heat was radiating off of the fire which intrigued him even more. Before he could investigate even further, Sunset's horn shut off and she collapsed. Starswirl swept in and grasped her before she could hit the ground and comforted her now unconscious self. He heard worried mutterings from Celestia and Cadance behind him. Starswirl checked her breathing and confirmed that she was still alive, just sleeping, but then something caught his eye. He gasped once he saw a picture adorning Sunset's flanks, just like Cadance. But unlike Cadance, the orange unicorn had a sun made out of yellows and oranges. Contemplation could be done later, but first, make sure she's actually was okay. They quickly got Granny Smith to come over and did several check ups before she confirmed that Sunset was perfectly fine, if not exhausted. Starswirl breathed a sigh of relief and allowed him to sag against a padded rock. His family was safe. *** Starswirl and Luna were hiking up a hill, carrying a pack filled with padding. It had been several sunrises since Sunset's...accident? and she still hasn't woken up from her slumber. Starswirl was of course worried, but Granny Smith insisted that nothing was wrong, she just needed to sleep and recover. He then had a talk with Granny, asking if they could all take a break from building. Relax, explore the valley they were in, perhaps find some new things. It took a few well placed arguments before the green mare finally agreed. She then left with a pack muttering something about seeds, fruits, and vegetables. Celestia and Cadance elected to stay behind and effectively shooed Starswirl and Luna away. The duo had started late, hoping that when they found the perfect place, it would be already nightfall and they would have plenty of time to gaze at the stars. Starswirl noticed, as the hike continued, that Luna looked more and more happier, her smile and general warmth increased the more steps they took. The gray unicorn smiled at this and promised himself to take her out more often. "Hey Luna?" Starswirl asked, something in mind. "Yes?" Her reply was hesitant. He couldn't blame her. "Have you done any magic recently?" The gray unicorn hopped over a large rock. "Or have some urges that you felt deep in your soul?" "...no?" Luna's face twisted in annoyance and confusion. Starswirl sighed before smiling. "That is okay, I was just wondering." "Is this because of Sunset?" The dark blue unicorn sounded angry. Starswirl looked over and was taken aback by how conflicted she looked. "Her sudden surge of magic!? Her sudden adoration from you and the others!? The picture on her flank, just like Cadance!? Their destinies realized!? What about me! I HAVE FEELINGS TOO!" Starswirl stepped back with every step Luna took. When she was finally done with her rant, she plopped down on her haunches, her had hung and breathing heavily. A counting, a second, then Starswirl rushed forwards and gave Luna the biggest hug he could manage. He ignored the aches and pains all over his body because Luna needed him and he wasn't going to let go. He had no idea how long they lay there together, but he didn't care. He let his shoulder get damp, he allowed the bone crushing strength of Luna's hug, and he permitted the sorrowful cries deafening his ears. His daughter needed him and he wasn't there, but he was here now. Night had fallen when Luna finally finished. He watched with a small smile as she gathered herself, wiping away the tears that still remained. "...thank you." "Luna, I am always here. Find me if you fell like this again, okay?" "...okay." They got up together, both of them feeling lighter, and continued their hike up the tall hill. It didn't take long and soon the peaked the crest. They spread out their padding over the ground and laid down on them. It was soft and comfortable. The duo raised their eyes to the sky and to the lights that decorated the night. Starswirl sighed at the magnificence of it all. "We really should do this more often." Starswirl muttered as he watched a particular star. It fascinated him because it looked like a different color. "Why didn't we?" Luna replied. Starswirl frowned at her response and at her lack of emotion. "I do not know. I suppose I was too overwhelmed with everything." The peculiar star moved slightly...wait. Starswirl bolted upright, startling Luna. She opened her mouth to ask a question but the stallion shushed her. He peered at that single star, wondering why it was moving and in the back of his mind, he felt a flicker of fear. Luna finally asked what was happening and Starswirl pointed out the star and together they watched in strained silence. Many countings had passed before something finally happened. The star stopped moving and then the whole sky was alight. Through lidded eyes, Starswirl could make out a picture being drawn in the stars, a...beast of some sort. Then, just as it appeared, it disappeared. The two were silent. "What do you think it means?" "I do not know." Starswirl, at that moment, hated the stars. It gave him another mystery and he loathed mysteries. "But I do know what that means." Luna looked at what he was pointing at and whimpered. Starswirl quickly packed all the bedding back into the packs and grabbed Luna's small hand. He set a swift pace, back down the way they came from. More then halfway down the mountain, the storm clouds caught them and the tempest raged. Winds of terrifying speeds threatened to throw them down to the floor, rain of the coldest temperatures chilled them to the bone, and the thunder and lightning aggravated their senses. By now, the two were running. A moon earlier, Granny and Starswirl had decided on a cave they had found while scavenging, that it was going to be their hiding place. The gray stallion was sure that the others were already there and he picked up the pace. Luna attempted to do so but tripped on a slippery rock and collapsed on the ground in a wet mess. Starswirl ignored his creaking joints and picked up the crying filly. He needed to get to safety and with a determination he never knew he had, Starswirl sprinted with all his might. When he finally arrived at the cave, his and Luna's pelt were drenched and caked with mud. Their packs gone and forgotten, but they made it. Luna had passed out in Starswirl's arms, and when they made their way inside, Granny took her off his hands and placed her down on some padding. Celestia and Cadance were huddled together with frightened looks and Sunset could be seen on some more padding. A fire had been set up in the middle, so everypony could be warmed. "Starswirl, ya'lright?" Granny appeared behind him, putting some padding on his shoulders, giving him the much needed warmth. "Yeah...yeah, I am alright. Thanks Granny." The gray unicorn sat down and laid back, a tired sigh escaped his lips. He turned to face the cave entrance, expecting to see a storm of immense power but instead saw a maroon unicorn filly staring at him with sorrowful jade eyes. He yelped and lurched backwards. Where did she come from? "Yer glass cup did that. The moment the storm started, out popped this filly. She wouldn't tell none name though." Granny commented from the back. "My name is Fizzlepop Berrytwist." Came the reply. "Well gosh darn ya, Starswirl."