Friendship Is Manipulation
Part 1: Something This Way Comes
By Quilltip Inkwell Trotter
Morning in Ponyville shined, as the sun rose over the modest town. Slowly, but with increasing pace, all the ponies began to rise after their night’s sleep to resume their usual duties. Derpy Whooves kissed her daughter Ditsy on the head as she left to deliver the daily mail. The Cakes began to open Sugar-cube Corner and place their freshly made treats on display, while carefully avoid waking the sleeping babies. Cherrilee opened the schoolhouse to wait for her class to arrive, while at the same time the Cutie Mark Crusaders met in their club house, eagerly planning what activities they would try today to achieve their cutie marks. Pegasi were busy clearing the sky, while in the Everfree forest, Zecora left her hut to gather fresh ingredients. The Apples had already awoken on the early dawn to go out and gather in a fresh harvest.
For most ponies in Ponyville, it was business as usual, all but maybe one. Spike watched as Twilight continued to examine her new wings in the mirror. “Stop pouting like that Spike,” she exclaimed as she trotted over to gather some books from her desk. “I know I’ve spent more time in front of the mirror than even Rarity, but I’m still getting used to these wings.”
“It’s not that!” Spike replied, stomping closer to where Twilight now stood. “I just don’t see why we have to leave Ponyville!”
“I know Spike, but Princess Celestia wants me back in Canterlot while I get used to becoming an alicorn before giving me an official posting.” Spike was still dubious about Twilight having become a princess. How would this change their relationship? Would it change their relationship? Would he become more subservient to her? Would he be needed at all?
These questions whizzed around Spike’s mind making him feel increasingly sick. That was until he finally exhaled a letter.
“Another letter from the princess?” Twilight asked excitedly.
“Well, not from the princess you’re expecting.” Spike said as Twilight used her magic to lift the letter from his hand.
“Really? Not Celestia? Then from whom?”
“Princess Ca…”
“Princess Cadence!” Twilight interrupted joyously. “She says that she will be in Canterlot with my brother to see me.” She squealed with excitement.
“I’ll be waiting outside when you’re done.” Spike declared as he dragged most of their belongings behind him, while Twilight continued to finish cleaning her desk, singing; “Sunshine, Sunshine, Ladybugs awake…”
Once outside, Spike finally took a chance to relax. This was however until he heard the familiar sound of Rarity’s voice.
“There you are Spike darling, I was hoping to catch you alone before you left.”
“What do you need Rarity?” Spike asked, eager to help her in any way.
“Would be a dear and deliver this letter directly to Fancypants when you get to Canterlot? I just need to finalise his order.”
“Anything for you Rarity.” Spike fawningly responded.
“Thank you darling. I’ll make sure to bring you a nice gem when I visit you in Canterlot.” Twilight then walked out of the Library with her saddlebags filled with her notes. At the same time, her other friends had arrived to wish her farewell.
“Now y’all be careful when your over there, and don’t try and forget us little folk.” Apple Jack said giving Twilight a hug.
“Oh, I’m sure that Twilight would never do that. She’s much too nice.” Fluttershy retorted calmly in her usual manner.
“Yea, how could she ever forget about us? Ain’t no ponies cooler than us.” Rainbow Dash said hovering slightly above the ground.
“I just hope you enjoy the Wonderbolt Academy Rainbow Dash.” Twilight said giving her friend a friendly hoofbump.
“You bet I will. It’ll be awesome! It’s just sad I won’t get to see everyone as much.”
“Oh pish-posh, we’ll all visit each other regularly.”
“I agree rarity, but you know what the beginning of Zap apple season means to us apples, and then there’s news of an early Cider season as well. So we’ll be mighty busy. But I’ll make sure to come an visit ya’all.”
“Thanks Apple Jack. Hey where’s Pinkie? It’s not like her to be late for something like…” Twilight’s sentence was cut short by a deafening yell.
“WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAIIIIIT!” All the ponies quickly looked towards the sound to see Pinkie Pie running wildly towards them dragging a cart behind her. Once she had reached them, she stopped violently, uncovering the wagon as streamers shot into the air and she began to sing.
“Goodbye, goodbye, we bid you two farewell. And we’ll always will remain your true friends, and we hope that you’ll do well!”
“Gee thanks Pinkie, but you know it’s not really farewell right. I mean we will be seeing each other again.” Twilight said.
“Oh I’m not worried, how could you forget about a pony like me? Of course you never could, and so I wasn’t worried one bit, sure I was afraid unless I made your farewell memorable you might not remember as much as you usually would, but I never thought you would completely forget about me, that’s ridiculous, I mean I can still come to Canterlot and we can have epic parties in the castle. EPIC CASTLE PARTIES!” Pinkie stood panting after her long speech, while the others slowly regained their composure until Rainbow Dash broke the silence.
“Well, I’m too cool for sappy long goodbyes, I’m going to head off now.”
“Hold up there a sec’” Apple Jack said quickly. “Are you crying?”
“What?! No! I don’t cry, I’m too cool to cry.” Rainbow Dash defensively retorted. “I just have something in my eye. I have big eyes.” As she turned to leave Pinkie blocked her path and looked dead into her eyes.
“I don’t see anything. Nope you’re definitely crying!”
“I’m not crying!” And with that Dashie swooped into the air and began to fly away. Pinkie Pie shouted after her:
“We can still see you crying.” Rainbow Dash turned back briefly yelling:
“I’M NOT CRYING!” Then she flew out of sight. Pinkie just turned and pranced towards the others.
“She was.” Twilight looked over her shoulder to see the two pegasi waiting impatiently by the carriage.
“Alright girls it’s time.” One by one they all hugged each other and Twilight then leapt aboard the carriage, joined by Spike, and they took off. As they flew further away Twilight felt tears form in her eyes. “To think, when I first arrived in Ponyville, I thought I would never enjoy it. But after everything I have learnt, It’s like a part of me is being left behind.” Spike empathized with her, as he too felt sad about leaving the quaint little town.
“Don’t worry Twilight we’ll come back often.” He assured. “And as the others said, they’ll come and visit all the time!”
“I hope your right Spike. I hope your right.”
Meanwhile in a bar located the murky streets of lower Las Pegasus, two colts sit together in a solitary corner drinking their sorrows away.
“Well brother, looks like there’s no more towns who’ll be welcoming us on their doorstep.” One said, wiping some liquid off his moustache. “Not after what happened in…”
“Quiet Flam!” the second irritably interrupted before taking a swig from his tankard. “We agreed never to talk about it.” The Flim Flam brothers sat alone drinking and reminiscing of their past days of glory as travelling sales ponies. The thing that bothered Flim most of all was he know could only afford one drink, and even more that they had lost their precious invention. Once the brothers had been able to con anyone out a bit. Now they were nothing. Unable to drum the same business they used to. Sure they had their troubles before, but after the cider embarrassment, there was no place left for them.
“Oh its useless brother! We’re done for! Finished, washed up!” Flam wailed and moaned swaying too and froe.
“Brother I do declare if you do not cease your whimpering I will smash this glass over your head!” Flim threatened, leaving Flam whimpering. “We’ve spent enough time wallowing. Let’s go Flam.”
“Right Flim.” And with that the two brothers left the bar. As they walked in the night air and entered in an alleyway, the two brothers were stopped in their tracks by a white flash and a green haze surrounded them. The two frightened brothers held on to each other as a deep muffled voice encircled them.
“Greetings Flim and Flam. What a terrible situation to find yourselves in. Broke, drunk and helpless. You’re previous oratory skill unable to help you. But what if I told you that I could help return you to your former glory, in fact even more. I could make you more powerful and all you had to do was take care of a mutual enemy.”
Flim and Flam looked at each other before replying, “Who?”
“It’s said an apple a day keeps the doctor away. It’d be a shame if those apples themselves were cored.” The two brothers looked at each other gleefully at the prospect of revenge, and both quickly nodded in agreement. “Good… You’ll know what to do to strike hard. When destroying a tree, strike quick at the heart, if that’s is not easy, the tear the roots and supply apart!” The voice gave a maniacal laugh as it slowly faded away. Another white flash appeared and the green haze seeped into the brothers, and then they were left alone. Once their composure had been regained Flam got to his feet badly shaken.
“What happened Flim?” Flim chuckled as he got to his feet and turned to his brother with green eyes flaring.
“It doesn’t matter brother… We’ve got some Apple’s to crush!”
Dr Whooves/Time Turner had just finished setting the time on the town’s main clock when he decided he should go look over his new post in the Ponyville library. Looking at his fob watch and seeing it was quarter to eleven, knowing Derpy would be finishing her first rounds for the day at the library, decided it was enough stalling. He had set and wound all the clocks remarkably quicker than he usually would, but then again, a colt with his efficiency rarely dallied in his duties. As he began walking down the main street of Ponyville, his enjoyment of this peace was interrupted when he was suddenly tackled to the ground. Once he had regained his senses, he found himself lying on the ground with Derpy hugging his neck. Upon trying to get up, and subsequently failing, he lay almost defeated.
“Morning Derpy.” Derpy suddenly leapt up off the ground and hovered in the air.
“Good morning Doctor, I’m sorry for tackling you so hard, are you hurt?”
“No, I’m fine Derpy, it’s perfectly alright.” Doctor replied with a grunt as he lifted himself of the ground.
“Are you on your way to the Library? Can I come with you?” Doctor Whooves looked solemnly at this proposal, and decided it was for the best. He liked the company. Once they had made their way to the library and had entered, Derpy immediately began to fly around the room scanning the bookshelves aimlessly.
“Wow, there are some really old books here.”
Yes,” the Doctor replied awestruck. “I can see why anyone would love being here.”
“What do you plan to do here? You’re not going to read all these books are you?”
“I may… I’m finding I have a lot of time on my hands. I wouldn’t mind a bit of excitement” At that moment a pot plant smashed to the ground besides Doctor Whooves, who looked up at Derpy hovering above. Smiling she just said innocently; “I just don’t know what went wrong.”
In Canterlot, Spike made sure he went directly to see Fancypants to deliver Rarity’s letter. Once Spike had handed over the letter, Fancypants displayed his gratitude and said he’d be sure to await the finalisation of his order. Spike returned with Twilight who was still setting her self up in the Canterlot Library.
“Oh Spike, you have no idea how wonderful it is to be back here,” She said with childish enthusiasm before she turned to nostalgic feelings. “Though… I do miss Ponyville.” Spike remained silent. He to missed the little town that had welcomed them, and he yearned for the six friends to be back together. The entrance of Shinning Armour and Cadence however interrupted their reflection, and as soon as the former foal sitter and her foal saw each other, than ran up to each other and began to do their usual greeting.
“Sunshine, Sunshine-
Ladybugs awake-
Clap your hands-
And do a little shake.”
After which they both laughed and embraced. Twilight’s brother looked on with mock jealousy, saying, “So you just ignore your brother Twilie?”
“I could never ignore you BBBFF!” Twilight said hugging her brother. “How go the preparations for the Equestria games?”
Cadence replied, brimming with joy, “The entire of the Crystal Empire is simply full of excitement to be hosting it, the ponies shine with a euphoria unseen since before Sombra.” The doors of the library shortly burst open and a Palace guard galloped in.
“Princess Twilight, Princess Celestia urgently requests your presence!”
“What for?” Twilight worriedly replied. “What could be this urgent?”
“She didn’t say, just that it was urgent. You should come too commander Armour, and you Princess Cadence, apologies for not addressing you at first”
“It doesn’t matter, just lead the way.”
“As you wish sir!” The guard lead the ponies through the halls of the palace to the main throne room where Celestia and Luna awaited them along with another white coat, black maned earthpony neither spike nor Twilight had ever seen before.
“Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, what’s wrong? Why the urgency?” Twilight was silenced once Celestia rose on of her hoofs.
“You have all been brought here as we face a serious crisis.” Princess Celestia began solemnly as she paced to the centre of the room. All eyes glued to her in anticipation. “As you know we have been strengthening our alliances with our neighbouring countries, namely Saddle Arabia. Our alliance is based off mutual trade relations. Namely silk and leather, in return for apples and other Equestria exports. But recently there have been news that none of our exports have been received at their destination, and… worse stories.”
“Worse stories?” Cadence announced confused. “In what way?”
“Stories of carts of apples turned into parasprites. The roads blocked due to snow storms in the dessert.”
Twilight stepped back in amazement. “But to achieve that would require high level magic!”
“Exactly Twilight. Magic powerful enough that it can be cast from a great distances. And only few hold such power.”
Shining Armour began to shake his head. “And how is this damaging our relations?”
“With out the exports getting through, the Saddle Arabian government believe that we have slighted them. The head of the Secret police, Solitude has received dangerous reports.” At this point, the unknown pony known as Solitude stepped forward.
“It’s true I’m afraid, there are those in Saddle Arabia who fear the power of the princesses, and others who feel they act against their nation. Usually these feeling are kept to a minority, but they have been growing as of late. And I mean there might be talk of military action.”
Shining Armour had grown more aggravated by this point. “Why should we trust the words of a pony whom I, as captain of the guard has never heard about?”
Solitude remained calm even against this outburst and replied with the same amount of calmness, which he had retained. “As part of my job I like to keep a low profile even from the captain of the guard, and not only that my spies are always accurate and you can trust the reports I have received. You can go there yourself and receive the same news but you won’t get nearly as much or as detailed information as I can attain.”
Shinning Armour had grown even angrier at this point. “If there really is a danger as you say, then the princess can just use magic to stop it all, there’s really no reason why you…”
“Enough arguing!” Celestia’s voice echoed though the hall silencing all. “My sister and I are unable to use our magic in any acts of diplomacy or violence, otherwise we corrupt out power. And as for using our magic to reverse what is happening to the shipments, no spell is powerful enough to reverse or prevent what is happening to them.”
“Then what are we to do?” Twilight looked expectantly at her Teacher.
“I would like to try and see if we can solve this peacefully. Cadence, it is more important than ever that the Crystal Empire remains strong, I want you to return there and make sure everything remains well leading up to the Equestria games.”
“Yes Princess Celestia.”
“I am sending you Shining Armour to Saddle Arabia as a representative of Equestria. I would like you to try and diplomatically settle things with the leaders. Take whomever you desire as a convoy.”
“Yes your highness.”
“Twilight.”
“Yes Princess?” Twilight was eager in any way to help, and was anxious to see what role she was given.
“I want you to do as much research into who or what might possibly be cause this magic. Do you think you can do that for me?”
“You have nothing to worry about.”
“Good. I wish each of you good luck, and hope that nothing of any damage shall arise of this.” And with that the ponies left, leaving Celestia and Luna alone in the hall. Shinning armour went to the guard who had led them in.
“What is your name?”
“Fire Charmer, sir.” The guard snapped to attention.
“I want you to get your two best pegasi and meet me in front of the barracks. Then we shall prepare to leave.”
“As you wish sir.” The guard ran off to do his duty while Cadence and Shining Armour said their goodbyes. Twilight and Spike began walking back towards the library to begin their assignment. Twilight was quite pleased with the job she had been given, Spike however held certain feelings of envy.
“I wish we were sent on the diplomatic mission! I would’ve loved to have gone to Saddle Arabia.”
“Now, now Spike,” Twilight cautioned. “Celestia would not have given this task to us unless she deemed it important.” Twilight had the sudden feeling that she was being followed, and upon turning around saw that she had been indeed followed by none other than Solitude himself. Courteously he pardoned himself if he seemed to be intruding.
“You see the thing is I did had a desire to speak to you Princess Twilight regarding your assignment in particular.” Twilight looked at the strange pony with a wary look.
“What exactly did you want to talk about?”
“I just wanted to see if I might be able to offer a little advice. I have no doubt that you are able to find this information yourself, ably apt as you are. But I feel oblige to point you in a specific direction that might aid in you research.”
“And where would that be?”
“Well, as you know we seek someone who has power over incredible magic and obviously holds a love for creating disharmony and at the same time being theatrical. Now I know of a mutual acquaintance that suits that profile, and if it isn’t him, he’d definitely might have a clue who it might be.” Twilight’s face lit up in recognition. “I believe you know who I speak about Twilight.”
“Discord!”
“And all we had was a pair, pity that you folded.” Flim and Flam burst out laughing as their poker opponent shook his head.
“Beaten at my own game!” He whispered with deep pride in his bluffing skills, which only cause the two brothers to laugh harder.
“Let me tell you something Con Mane my friend.” Flim said pouring Con Mane another drink. “My brother and I practically invented the game of bluffing. There was no chance of you ever winning.”
“And now I’ve lost everything to you two.”
“We can offer a rematch.” Flam declared relaxed and secure.
“I concur with my brother here.” Flim said, patting Con on the back as he continued. “You have been a worthy opponent, and in good faith, my Brother and I will give you the chance to win back your money. No other pony would give you such a chance.”
“Your willing to let me try and win back my money?”
“All or nothing.” Flam readied himself as he shuffled the deck.
“But just remember, you win, all your money is yours again. You lose, and then you owe us, and we’ll own you. You’ll have to do exactly what we say. Understand?”
“I understand.”
“The boy feels lucky! Ready Flim?”
“Ready Flam.” And thus the cards were dealt. Con Mane looked at his hand, and against his better judgement couldn’t help but laugh.
“Ace high straight!”
Flim looked at his hand with a lazy eye and slowly produced it. “That’s a good hand, all we have is royal flush.” As the cards hit the table, revealing his loss, Con Mane slumped in his chair, broken and defeated. The two brothers stood up laughing gleefully as they circled round behind him. “It’s ok friend, all you gotta do is what we say, and you won’t be starving again.”
“We’re about to hit the jackpot” Flam screamed in excitement as Flim savoured his pleasure.
“Yes Brother, it’s time to go back to the top.”
Lightning Dust sat on the speeding train looking out the window at passing scenery. She looked out trying to think of what she’ll do. Ever since her rejection from the Wonderbolt academy she had found that there was little work available for her. Weather teams had felt she was too dangerous to have and had subsequently refused her. Maybe she felt that it was time to retrain her, and become more suitable for what is expected. As the train entered a tunnel and the steam surrounded the carriage, Lightning Dust was taken aback when the smoke took a greenish colour. A white flash erupted before her eyes and she fell out of her seat. Appearing before was the silhouette of three great pegasi.
“Hello Lightning Dust, we’re the Shadowbolts. We’re here to make you the greatest flier in all of Equestria. But you have some work before you can achieve this. Namely knocking out the competition. And getting rid of Rainbow Dash!”
“Why are we going to see Discord?” Spike wasn’t afraid to show his fear. He had always been wary of Discord, even after his reformation.
“It’s ok Spike, Solitude is right, Discord may know something about this.” They slowly climbed the stairs towards the tower where Discord had been placed.
“I don’t trust that Solitude guy, he gives me the creeps. Besides shouldn’t we get the others and the elements of Harmony in case he tries to escape?”
“If Discord wanted to escape, he would’ve already. The Princess has been very lenient on him. Besides, we need to earn his trust.” Once they reached the door at the top, they hesitated for a brief second. Spike tried his best to put on a brave face and encouraging smile. As they opened the door they were automatically greeted.
“Come in Twilight Sparkle! I have been expecting you.”
To be continued…