Chapter 6: Swirlpool Starlight
At Bridlewood Spog, Misty, Izzy, and Sunset are relaxing in a mud puddle while Izzy is sipping on some refreshments as the two mares sigh fondly. “Now this is a great time to take a break from my research and just relax in a nature-like spa with two of my best friends.” Sunset muttered with a small smile.
“You said it, Sunset. Bridlewood Spog is such a relaxing place. Glad you two could show it to me.” Misty said with a relaxing smile.
“Anytime. We wanted you to experience it after years of isolation from Opaline. And to get your worries out.” Izzy said with a small smile.
“Well, it’s working.”Misty said, but then they heard a rumbling sound, which got Misty’s attention as she turned to see a bright glow. “Izzy? Sunset?” She started as she saw a rainbow light heading towards them, which made Misty nervous. “Izzy! Sunset!” She cried out.
“Huh? What?” Sunset asked, snapping out of her relaxing phase.
“Yeah, mm-hmm?” Izzy said as she opened her eyes with a smile.
“Get down!” Misty cried out as the three ponies took a closer look and saw many Breezies flying towards them.
“Ah! Breezie herd! Under the mud!” Sunset called as she, Izzy, and Misty ducked underneath the mud puddle as the Breezies flew over them at high speed and into the forest as the three ponies looked up from the mud bath in confusion. “What got those Breezies flying in a hurry?” She questioned before a certain Unicorn Filly, Violette Rainbow, came rushing by panting as she stopped to take a breath.
The three ponies turned to her and saw her as Izzy gave a cheerful smile. “Hi, Violette!” She greeted with a wave.
“What are you doing here?” Sunset asked Violette in wonder.
“You're gonna miss it, ponies!” Violette said with an excited smile. “Come on!” She called as she rushed off and Izzy jumped out of the mud and followed her.
“Well, if the Breezies got Violette excited, might as well see what it’s about.” Sunset said with an interesting smile as she jumped off with Misty as the two followed after the two Unicorns while following the Breezies.
The four followed the Breezies further into the forest as they made it to a pond with a big lily pad in the middle as the Breezies then circled it. “Wow! It's really happening!” Violette cheered with an exciting smile and sparkles in her eyes.
“What is?” Misty asked in confusion.
“Yeah, what’s going on?” Sunset asked as well.
“And where?” Izzy asked as they turned and saw her still having mud over her that covered her eyes as Izzy shook herself to get it off and turned to the pond with a wide smile. “Oh! There!” She exclaimed in excitement with sparkles in her eyes as well as she stood next to Violette.
“Uh, what are you two excited about? And why are the Breezies circling the pond? I never saw them do that before.” Sunset said in confusion since she had never seen the Breezies do anything like this.
“Yeah, I’m drawing a blank here too.” Misty said in agreement.
“This is the Swirlpool Starlight!” Violette answered as the Breezies flew a bit higher over the pond. “Every ten years, all the Breezies gather and combine their magic in a special ceremony. Anypony who witnesses it is forever changed when the Breezies' magic looks into their hearts!” She explained in pure excitement as she circled the three ponies as a magical rainbow orb appeared at the center of where the Breezies were circling as it created a bright flash that blinded the four ponies as it hit the big lily pad and the pond glowed a bit.
“Wow, that’s an interesting magic there.” Sunset said in amazement. “I should take notes. Sunny would flip since she’s missing this while she’s on her date with Hitch.” She said with a smirk.
“She sure would, Sunset. Sunny would be jealous to miss this.” Izzy said with a chuckle, knowing how Sunny can be when she’s missing something magical.
“Yeah, that’s true.” Misty said with a chuckle as well before she had a thought.“So what happens now?” She asked in curiosity.
“Violette Rainbow. Step forth and look into your future.” A mysterious voice said as the rocks glowed in a path pattern before heading towards the lily pad as it glowed brightly.
“Okay, that happened. Freaky.” Sunset said in shock while Izzy, Misty, and Violette were surprised by that as well.
“And it knows my name!” Violette said with an exciting smile and sparkles in her eyes as she shook it off and hopped onto the rocks, which glowed as she landed on the lily pad before the water started circling around her before it launched in the air in a swirling water tornado.
“Violette!” Misty cried out in concern when that happened.
“Is she okay?!” Sunset cried in worry as well.
Izzy gave a scoff and a smile. “She's fine.” She assured them with a wave. “Maybe it's giving her a makeover. Or superpowers!” She called in excitement before she gave a creepy look. “Or eating her brains!” She added, which made Misty nervous.
“Izzy!” Sunset scolded loudly.
Izzy realized what she did when she saw Misty’s nervous look. “Sorry.” She sheepishly said before she gave a smile. “Ooh, or a friendship bracelet.”
The water then ceased as they saw Violette at the center. “Or maybe keep her the same?” Sunset asked in surprise.
“Violette, you okay?” Misty asked in concern.
“Okay?” Violette started slowly before she turned to them with a wide smile, and teary eyes of joy, and her Cutie Mark glowed. “I'm hoof-tacular! The Spog! The magic!” She cheered as she hopped back to them. “It looked in my heart!” She added with sparkles in her eyes as she walked around the three. “It said my heart was kind and that Bridlewood would grow green and lush with me as its gardener!” She exclaimed as she then quickly hugged the three ponies.
“Wait. Did you say it looked into your heart?” Misty asked in surprise.
“And it shows the future of what you may become someday?” Sunset asked in wonder. “Wow, that pond is full of surprises to help us find what our hearts desire.” She commented.
“Izzy Moonbow.” The voice spoke as the mares turned to the pond again as it glowed. “Step forth and look—”
“Look out, universe!” Izzy exclaimed in excitement before the pond could finish. “Izzy's coming!” She called as she hopped onto the rocks before jumping high. “Whoo!” She called as she landed on the lily pad and the water burst up again, which made Sunset look in surprise and Misty look on in worry.
“I wonder what Izzy’s gonna see.” Sunset said in wonder.
“I hope nothing bad.” Misty said in worry while Sunset noticed her expression and gave a concerned look.
Inside the water sprout, Izzy opened her eyes to see she was in the eye of the water. “Ooh!” She called before she touched the water, which then showed her in some kind of void as she saw visions of her past. “Hey, that's me!” She called cheerfully.
“It's beautiful. And it's alive!” Izzy from the projection called as it showed the time when she created Senor Butterscotch sometime after T.U.E.S. Day to keep her company when her friends were busy.
“T-R-A-S-H! Doesn't mean it's waste!~” Another screen showed when Izzy was singing her trash song while looking for a ring for Sunny’s Lantern in the garbage chute.
“Your heart glows with the creative gifts you share with the world.” The voice spoke up as Izzy looked up and saw the stars twinkling. “But your most magical creations are still ahead of you.” The voice said as it showed a slide and heart shape formation.
“Whoooaaaa!” Izzy said in awe as she reached over to touch them, but she fell to the lily pad and the water sprout stopped.
“Izzy!” Misty cried out.
“Looks like she must’ve seen something that made her fall to the floor.” Sunset said in surprise.
“What did it say?” Violette asked with an excited smile to her craft teacher.
“Magical... creations?” Izzy said as she got her head up in wonder before her eyes widened and she jumped up. “Whoo-hoo!” She cheered as her Cutie Mark started glowing.” Do I have some magical ideas to explore!” She exclaimed as she hopped to the others. “I actually had this one idea for a jello-cuzzi! Oh! Or macaroni mini-golf! And I've been putting off the Glitter Fountain 5000 for—” She continued talking before the pond spoke again.
“Sunset Shimmer. Step forth and look into your future.” The pond said as it glowed.
“Well, I guess it’s my turn.” Sunset said as she took a breath. “Time to see what my future holds.” She said as she then started hopping on the rocks.
“Uh, Sunset, you know you could just fly over, right?” Misty asked in confusion when Sunset wasn’t using her wings.
I know I can fly, but it only feels right to walk the steps." Sunset said with a smile as she stepped on the lily pad and the watersprout came again. “Whoa! This is amazing.” She said as she then saw her memories of her time with Celestia, at CHS, the Rainbooms, and when she first met Sunny and the others of their adventures.
“Your heart is as pure as the sun shines as you carry on the legacy of a friend and continue to spread the magic of friendship to all.” The voice said as she a star of her Cutie Mark and Twilight’s appeared as they sparkled. “But you’re most important friendship is near, and you have a goal to complete with your friends.”
Sunset watched on with a wide smile before she started to tear up in joy. “I think I have a feeling what that is. And I will keep going to see it through, for my friends and family.” She said before the water stopped and her friends saw her.
“Sunset? Are you okay?” Misty asked.
“What did your future hold?” Izzy asked with an excited look as Sunset turned to them with tears of joy and a smile.
“Hehe, let’s just say that friendship will be even stronger as it was before.” Sunset said to them as she flew over them before the pond glowed up again.
“Misty Brightdawn. Step forth and look into your future.” The pond said as it glowed again, which made Misty nervous.
“Uh…” Misty started before she shuddered. “Uh…” She said as Sunset, Izzy, and Violette placed assuring hooves on her with smiles as Misty stepped forward and onto the ond as the water circled her.
Misty opened her eyes and saw that she was in the void as the voice spoke up. “Misty Brightdawn…” The voice said as it then showed bad memories of her and Opaline.
“Come on, Misty! You get Opaline that dragon, you get a cutie mark!” Past Misty said during Winter Wishday, which made Misty feel uncomfortable.
“Uh…” Misty whimpered.
“Those silly ponies have the dragon with them.” Opaline spoke during one of the screens.
“I see you as you really are…” The voice tried to say but Opaline’s voice cut it off.
“Now get him for me, Misty.” Opaline spoke as Misty looked around in dread. “Can't you do anything right?!”
“The deeds of your past are…” The voice tried to say, but was cut off.
“Fetch me that dragon!” Opaline ordered as a figure of Misty appeared, glowing red with red eyes.
“NO!” Misty cried out with her eyes shut as she rushed out of the water sprout as the others saw her in surprise as Izzy gasped.
“Misty!” Izzy called in surprised.
“What’s wrong?!” Sunset asked in concern as Misty fell to the floor in despair.
“I know I've done bad stuff! I don't need to be reminded of that!” Misty cried out as tears started falling from her cheeks as Sunset and Violette looked at her in sympathy.
“Oh, Misty. There’s nothing to be ashamed about.” Sunset said softly with a smile.
“Yeah. Everypony does bad things sometimes.” Violette said in agreement with a soft smile as well. “It doesn't make you bad.” She said.
“Misty, you're the goodest pony we know.” Izzy added with a smile.
“And I'm a reformed villain too. I know what it's like to do things that you aren't proud of.” Sunset said with a guilty look before she gave a smile. “But I learned from my mistakes, as you learned from yours. As everybody, human, pony, dragon, or otherwise, learns from their mistakes. So, if you want to go back in there, you have our support. But if you don't, I'll completely understand that too." She said to her softly.
“Yeah. We respect your choice. “The universe will see that.” Izzy assured while Izzy kept crying before Izzy gave a threatening glare at the water sprout. “Or else!” She called as she giggled. “Kidding.” She said with a smile.
Misty wiped her tears as she stood up as the path opened up for Misty again as she gave a determined smile and walked back into the void as the memories started playing. “Misty Brightdawn…” The voice started again.
Misty had her eyes closed before she talked to herself. “I might seem a little quiet, but my strength is very real.” She whispered before good visions of her spending time with her friends appeared.
“...the deeds of your past…” The voice continued.
“When my cutie mark comes to life…” Misty continued as she began to glow and her Cutie Mark glowed brightly.
“...are nothing compared to the wonders of your future!” The voice finished as the good memories of her friends and how happy and how much fun she had with them appeared around her.
“...my heart helps me feel!” Misty finished as she twirled around and magical butterflies appeared around as they flew and the bad memories she had had while with Opaline vanished as the good moires combined into her with the entire Mane 7 as she smiled happily with tears of joy and sparkles in her eyes as the water sprout stopped and Misty was float as the Breezies stopped circling and vocalized in harmony as Misty lowered herself back down to the lily pad.
“Wow. Misty, you’re getting good at that.” Sunset said as she, Izzy, and Violette rushed up to her while in awe at what they just saw.
“Yes, I guess I am.” Misty said with a small smile.
“How was it, Misty?” Violette asked in curiosity.
“Did it say you’re future is bright and filled with joy?” Sunset asked with a smile as well.
“Do I need to give the universe a talking-to?” Izzy questioned while shaking her hoof in the air as the three gave amusing smiles at her as Izzy giggled. “Just kidding.” She said.
“It was amazing.” Misty said with sparkles in her eyes and a smile as the four got into a group hug with her as the four stood that way while the Breezies watched them.
End of Chapter 6.