//------------------------------// // Part 8-1 // Story: A Blaze Brought Forth Again // by Tyler-the-Brony //------------------------------// The End Chapter 1: Musical Connections Nine months had passed since the end of the battle against Blaze Bringer. Each pony had continued the path of their lives, their encounters with Blaze Bringer and each other having permanently brought changes to who they were. *** “Stay safe okay Sweetie Belle?” Rarity begged her little sister as she hugged her goodbye. “I’m not a silly filly anymore Rarity. I know how to take care of myself. Plus, I’ve got everypony to help with that!” Sweetie Belle answered Rarity, the concern her elder sister had for her still touching her heart “I suppose that’s all very true. Send me letters and any requests for outfits won’t you? All of you?” Rarity directed her last question to the other currently present members of The Pony Experience, as they now called themselves, as a whole. “Of course Rare. How could I ever forget my family?” Vinyl winked at Rarity as she shifted her sunglasses to answer her. “Count on it Madame Rarity. I’m hoping to order a very special dress from you sometime soon anyway.” Violet Melody teased as she nuzzled Skeptic. Skeptic blushed and stroked his mane nervously heavily at Violet’s teasing before moving to answer both Violet and Rarity. “Stop talking about that for now Violet! I’m still getting used to our relationship. Though you’re definitely the one we’ll come to for the dresses and suits Rarity…ACK! Look what you’ve got me saying! Can we maybe just go now? We still have to go get Diam and Octavia.” Skeptic rushed over his own words as Sweetie Belle finally boarded their carriage. “I have to agree with Skeptic unfortunately, no matter how fun it is watching him nervously answer questions. We have to get on the road fairly soon if we want to get to Fillydelphia for our first show of this tour. We’ll be back in Ponyville soon though Rarity, so don’t worry about being away from Sweetie Belle for too long.” Shift added in from his reserved meditation area near the front of the carriage. “Of course. I shall eagerly await that day until then. Take care everypony and give my regards to the others!” Rarity waved at everypony as the carriage set off on its way to Sugarcube Corner. *** “Do you really have to go?” Bam whined to Octavia, wishing she could persuade her sister to stay simply with a look. “Unfortunately, if I wish to continue my career as a musician, then yes I do. The Pony Experience won’t be on tour away from Ponyville as long as we were when we were to separate bands though.” Octavia explained, lifting Bam’s head so she could look her in the eyes. “Oh! Well if that’s the case, it means more parties me and The Glowing Hoof can decorate! Isn’t that great Character?” Bam turned to her new friend turned employee turned coltfriend. “Sure is Bam. Especially if it means I can decorate more directly with you.” Character laughed as Bam blushed. “You know I don’t like that sappy stuff! Whoops! We’re almost late. Gotta go Octavia, Pinkie! See you both around!” Bam hurriedly said as she looked at her watch, quickly bouncing over and dragging Character along with her as she ran through Ponyville. “She’ll be alright without me Pinkie?” Octavia asked her older sister, only mildly worried over Bam’s activities in Ponyville. “Don’t you worry. I’ll keep my peepers on her from Sugarcube Corner. Write often okay?” Pinkie asked as she moved forward and hugged Octavia. “Of course Pinkie. I can see the carriage now. I have to run. I’ll see you soon Pinkie!” Octavia called out to her sister and waving, right before picking up her cello and running to meet the carriage so that they could continue straight on to picking up Diamond Bolt without too much of a delay. *** “I can’t believe I get to come with you on tour this time. You really need a technician that badly?” Clockwork asked Diamond Bolt as they finished loading their luggage into the back of the carriage, a process greatly helped by Clockwork’s magic. “We do. I did repairs before now, but it really cut into my practice time, so Shift told me to get some of the ponies that set up the Sound Defense way back when. You were my first choice obviously, but since Cream turned us down too, we need you even worse than we did before.” Diamond Bolt explained as he moved to get the door to the carriage for Clockwork. “You’re such a flatterer. Good thing you’re so cute too.” Clockwork winked at Diamond Bolt as she entered the carriage, causing Diamond Bolt’s wings to hastily expand. Everypony had a good long laugh at Diamond Bolt even after he finally managed to calm his wings, enter the carriage, and get on the road to Phillydelphia. Everypony stopped though once the drivers said they were about to pass their last opportunity to see Ponyville. None of them would be gone long, but everypony in the carriage would miss the small town terribly. That just meant they could celebrate their return even better every time they came back for a show though.