Chapter 15: Finding family
The sun was rising up and the Mara disguised as the baby dragon slowly walked out of dense forest. "Spike" saw its master's older sister in down, speaking to the crowd, apparently upset. As the imposter looked from behind a building, it saw the aura it was looking for surrounding the princess; a nice light blue hue. But the Mara was smart enough not to be seen since it had no idea if she could see through the disguise or not.
He was just walking around a forest for the rest of yesterday, eventually making a small camp to sleep; it didn't like how this body needed so much of it. But during these hours, the Mara began to notice that animals wouldn't at all go near it. Whenever it got too close to a bunny, bat, or even a snake, it cowered and moved away. But it didn't matter to the Mara now or ever. Currently he was looking at this quaint cottage in the middle of the patch of forest.
As he looked around, it noticed a path that led to town, which in hindsight, it could've just used. "Spike" groaned at this waste of time as it watched a beaver come out of its den to work on its dam some more. As the wolf in sheep's clothing walked towards the cottage, he saw many animals waking up, looking at its false form, and then shaking in fear. The Mara ignored these things and continued to the front door. It was still looking for a pure of heart for the ritual, and it wasn't about to give up searching. It knocked on the door and idly waited for response.
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Fluttershy was just waking up in her bed as she heard the knocking at the front door. As she fully opened her blue eyes, she saw that she was fifteen minutes late to feed the animals. All that late work last night made her a little behind schedule. Luckily Paramail was there to help her last night or she would be even more behind.
Fluttershy blushed at the thought of Paramail and her heart started to beat faster. She never felt anything like this before but she knew what it was though. It was her first crush. She never really paid much attention to colts as a filly. In fact, she ducked out of all of her school dances, even the prom. But now, she just felt so comfortable around the Element of Caring. It wasn't just how helpful he was, it was how kind he was to her, being there when she was down, and his little quirks were enjoyable. He might be a good bit more talkative than her, even more cowardly than her and have a relatively boring job, but in that way, he completed her. And besides, his lack of a mane made him stand out.
She then snapped back to reality as she heard the door knock once again.
"C-coming!" Fluttershy softly called as she rushed to get ready. As she made her bed and brushed her mane, she wondered who the early morning guest was.
Didn't Paramail say something about coming around today? But not this early, he has work to do. Then who could it be?
Fluttershy shrugged and went down the stairs to answer the door.
The Mara was beginning to get impatient. It groaned and was about to turn and leave, but then it saw the door open. The first thing it saw was the light blue aura around the pegasus mare. He made a small smile.
Finally, I've found one pure of…
Fluttershy wrapped her hooves around him in a warm embrace. "Spike" considered trying to struggle free, but it thought it would be blowing his cover. This pony obviously knew who the baby dragon was and it would be wise to play along. So he hugged back.
She yellow mare broke the hug, but still carried the dragon in her forehooves, looking directly at him in concern. "Where have you been Spike? We were looking for you."
The Mara came up with an answer. "I had a lot on my mind. Couldn't think straight. Just wandered on my own all day yesterday." It then gave a quizzical look. "Did something happen yesterday?" It knew the answer.
Fluttershy let out a sigh. "A lot did happen yesterday. I'd tell you everything but I know I'd leave out details. Twilight and Coocoo know a lot more about this than me." She then remembered how worried the two unicorns were when he was missing. "Those two were worried sick about you. They wanted you back and they are sorry for whatever they did to make you run away. Please try to understand."
"Spike" thought for a moment. Was this baby dragon supposed to be forgiving? It took a wild guess and began to speak up.
"I guess I'm willing to forgive them." It then made a stern look while pointing at her. "But I got to hear it from them!"
The pony slowly nodded and began to flap her wings, getting five feet off the ground. She then signaled for Angel to get the animal food to feed them. He groaned but listened.
She flew over all of the trees with the baby dragon of her back. They were beginning to get close to the Apple's farm.
"So where are you taking me?" "Spike" asked as he looked down. It wasn't afraid though, it was the cause of many an acrophobic's nightmare.
"I'm taking you to find Rainbow Dash." Fluttershy warmly told the imposter. "She usually naps in a tree at Sweet Apple Acres. We just have to find her and get her to fly you there."
"Why can't you just do it?" The Mara then thought of another good point in its head. Why doesn't Rainbow just sleep at home?
Fluttershy let out a light chuckle. "I'm much too busy to bring you there myself. Besides, it Rainbow's day off. All we have to do is find her.
"But what about that bald stallion pegasus guy?"
Fluttershy began to blush to her embarrassment as she spoke slowly. "You mean Paramail?"
"Yeah him." "Spike" gave her a weird look, not sure why she's blushing. "Why so flustered when I mention him?"
Fluttershy looked around, making sure nopony was around. She then whispered to "him", which was as quiet as a mouse trying to steal cheese. "You have a crush of Rarity right?"
The Mara was confused. "I do?" It then remembered to stay in character as the pegasus looked at the dragon funny. "I mean…I don't just have a crush on her. I absolutely adore her! She's more beautiful than both the princesses combined and she is smart, funny, and considerate. If I wasn't for Twilight, I'd have already made a shrine dedicated to her in my closet. And I will kiss it every night before I go to…" It then noticed Fluttershy's creeped out reaction and stopped rambling. "But anyways, what's the problem?"
Fluttershy let out a soft sigh of uncertainty. "Ever since yesterday, my heart's been feeling so light around him. He may make a bad pun once in a while, but he's nice, well meaning, and a hard worker." Her eyelids began to droop as she looked into space. "I've just never felt this way towards anypony before. But he is…" She stifled a giggle. "A little cute. Just a bit whacky. But who isn't every once in a while?"
The Mara thought about some dreams it turned into nightmares that were suitable for such an innocent mare. It then began to speak up as if it was a love master. "Alright listen. From what I've heard, you like this stallion."
Fluttershy nodded.
"But I'm going to guess that you're too afraid to admit it to him in an everyday manner."
Fluttershy hesitated, and then regretfully nodded. "That's true. But I just don't know what to do. Have any ideas?"
"Spike" thought for a bit, considering something nice and romantic, something it wasn't a professional at. He then heard his master's voice in his head. It said "There's a party at my "son's" mansion tonight. The Elements are invited. Encourage them to go." The Mara listened in and then brought its attention back to Fluttershy. "So let's say…hypothetically…there's a royal ball and both of you are invited."
Fluttershy looked nervous. "I don't know what I would do. So many ponies there."
"Well let's just say that you separated from the party and in the garden. He follows you there wondering what is wrong."
"Okay."
"And now let's imagine that just as you two meet up, a romantic song starts playing."
Fluttershy began to blush. "Okay."
"Now a true gentlecolt would offer a dance. You don't turn down the offer."
"But what if I do?" Fluttershy asked worriedly.
"Then you messed up. But you don't want that do you?"
"No."
"You two dance together, looking into one another's eyes. After the dance, if he doesn't admit his feelings first, you do it. You two then make small talk, smooch, then congrats, you're together! Not too hard huh?"
Fluttershy slowly nodded in agreement, but still unsure about herself. "I guess so. But what if he doesn't offer a dance?"
"Spike" just facepalmed. Why am I giving romantic advice to a ritual?
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Applejack was up and early at work. She was bucking apple trees, letting all the apples fall into the buckets below. As she bucked her hundredth one today, she saw a blue pegasus fall right out of the tree.
"OOF!" Applejacks saw Rainbow Dash fall flat on her face. The orange mare just rolled her eyes as the pegasus got up rubbing her head. She constantly told her friend not to sleep in her apple trees. Maybe she'll learn this time; But probably not.
Rainbow immediately got up, still a bit dizzy. "Watch it AJ. Didn't you see me up there?" She then shook her head to get back to her senses.
Applejack let out a sheepish laugh. "Sorry Dash, fraid I didn't!" She then got stern. "But consider it payback for hitting me with a tomato yesterday."
It was Rainbow's turn to make a sheepish laugh. "I'm sorry AJ, I was just aiming for that frog monster. Shouldn't have got in the way."
Applejack's expression just got sterner. "Ah know who you were aiming for. I was protecting him from you and them ponies."
Rainbow gave her friend her best "huh?" face and then spoke up in annoyed manner. "But why would you want to protect him? He put your own family in danger. He's a thrall for Screameater, the "master of nightmares" or whatever. He even attacked us! What do you see in that creep?"
Applejack kept her demeanor, but refused to yell. "Remember what Twi said two days ago at Sugarcube corner when we discovered that Coocoodrill and Paramail were Elements?"
Rainbow calmed down and thought for a bit, then shook her head. "Nah I sort of lost focus with her story babble at that time."
Applejack took a deep breath as she put her forehoof on the shoulder on the stumped mare. "Well a long time ago, Screameater reanimated a pegasus to capture a newborn Element of Harmony. The Element of Tolerance so to say." She then made a sad grimace as she looked down shaking her head. "The skeleton went to Berrybash Bottom and stole Blubayou from his own parents. When he was taken to Phobos, Screameater must've transformed him into what he is now."
Rainbow was still confused. "By what does he have to do with you?"
Applejack took her forehoof away as she continued to stare at the ground. "He's my second cousin." She then began to get angry as she looked into the sky. "And that Screameater twisted him inside and out." She then solemnly looked towards Rainbow Dash. "Ya understand right?"
Rainbow began to think about Blubayou's situation. His crimes were still inexcusable in her opinion, but she had a feeling he didn't know any better. "Well I guess when you…"
"GIRLS!" A gentle voice called from above the two. Both mares looked up to see Fluttershy carrying Spike in her forehooves. They moved a bit to let her land. Just as the yellow pony put the dragon down, both Applejack and Rainbow asked at the exact same time "Where were you?" in both concern and relief.
"Spike" just rubbed the back of its head and answered, feigning sadness. "I had a lot of stuff on my mind recently. I was really stressed the last couple of days, felt excluded and stuff. You know that whole shebang."
Rainbow Dash picked up Spike with her teeth and tossed him onto her back. She made a large grin. "Well buddy, we're gonna straighten out your problems right now! I'm taking you to Twilight and Coocoo!" She flew into the air and as she was ready to go, she heard Applejack call for her.
"Wait up Dash! I'm coming too! I'm going to see Blu and bring him to Uncle Bluebarry and Aunt Razzi!" Applejack then shifted her eyes around awkwardly. "But not to intrude or anything. But can you lift me to Canterlot?"
Rainbow Dash just rolled her eyes in irritation.
Applejack made a smug grin. "Element of Loyalty remember?"
The cyan mare just groaned and picked up her friend with her forehooves and hindhooves. She then looked towards Fluttershy. "You coming too?"
Fluttershy shook her head. "No, no I'm afraid. I've got a lot of work to do at home." She then forced a smile. "But have fun guys."
"Spike" let out a slight grin. "I intend to."
Rainbow Dash then lifted herself back into the air. As she began to fly away, she vociferated her opinion on having to hold both Spike and Applejack. "This is making me look like a total pack mule." She then noticed a male mule on the ground looking at her. She called down to him. "No offense bud."
"None taken." As she left, the mule groaned angrily. "They always say that."
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Coocoodrill was in a guest room in Canterlot fast asleep and snoring loudly. In one of his forehooves was a Mare Do Well comic. He was drooling profusely on the bed that he didn't even bother getting under the sheets. He was twitching a hind leg in his sleep. He didn't even wake when Twilight poked his side to get him to up.
He had a wide smile on his face as he snoozed. "Mare Do Well...w-will you…" He let out a loud snore. "…marry me?" Twilight just rolled her eyes and lifted him up with her magic. After some magical shaking, the green unicorn was up.
Coocoodrill waved at Twilight still in the air in an innocent and jovial mood. "Why heya Twilight! How you doing?"
Twilight just pointed at the clock in the room, which read 9:54 AM. She then began to speak in a worried manner. "We're supposed to be at the palace by Ten o'clock sharp!" She shook Coocoo a bit in the air then put him down.
As Coocoodrill regained his balance, he just spoke up in a carefree but energetic manner. "Don't worry Twi!" He gave her a friendly shove. "Blu's not going anywhere!"
Twilight considered what he said for a bit. He had an inkling of a point. It also wasn't like Celestia would get angry at them for being late or anything. In fact, she hadn't even eaten breakfast yet, and her stomach was grumbling. If she was this hungry, she couldn't even imagine how the stallion in front of her felt. She put on a smile and gave in, returning the friendly shove. "Alright we'll eat first." She then to a whiff and began to cringe, knowing the source of the stink. "But first…you need a bath." She then pointed to the bathroom.
The dirty stallion began to whine like a little colt. "But Twi…I had a bath two weeks ago."
The mare gave him a stern but calm look. "No buts Coocoo! In!" Twilight then used her magic to turn the faucet of the bathtub. She then levitated a rubber ducky in front of her childish friend, who immediately tried to grab it in his teeth. Twilight then slowly lifted the ducky into the bathroom.
"Duuuuucky, ducky, ducky, ducky!" He called out in a little foal voice as he pursued the object of his desire. When he finally grabbed the ducky in his teeth, he realized he was already in the tub to his surprise. The door then shut behind him.
"Don't forget to use the soap!" Twilight called from behind the door in a playful manner. Coocoodrill let out a slight grumble and used a hoof to grab the soap as he made the ducky squeak and squeak.
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In Canterlot Castle, Celestia was still waiting for both her pupil and her wacky friend as she sat on her throne. She recently got a message about Blueblood having a non formal party of sorts. She looked at the picture that came with the letter. It was blueblood wearing a black leather jacket, sunglasses and a red cap that was worn sideways. He was on his hind legs, with his forehooves crossed together.
Celestia just shook her head in strange and puzzled wonder. My nephew sure is acting differently nowadays. Perhaps it's all that mediocre publicity finally got into his head and he's absolutely desperate to change his look. Better ask about it tonight.
As she was shaking her head in bewilderment, the giant doors opened to reveal Rainbow Dash, Applejack and Spike. Applejack and Spike were stumbling as they walked. Rainbow just looked at them with a cocky smile. "C'mon you two! I didn't go that fast!" The two just looked at the cyan mare as if it was some kind of cruel joke. They then took their attention to Celestia, with all three of them bowing down to her.
Celestia gave and warm smile and signaled a hoof for them to get up. She then began to speak in her usual benevolent manner. "Greetings my little ponies…" She noticed Spike's almost insulted expression. "…and dragon! What is your reasons for such a visit?"
Applejack stepped up towards the alicorn. "I'm here to see Blubayou."
Celestia put her hoof under her chin in bemusement. She then remembered that she saw Applejack trying to stop the ponies from throwing things at Blubayou. She had a feeling she was connected to him somehow. "So Applejack, how are you connected to Blu?"
"He's my second cousin." Applejack told her quite serious. Everyone around her can tell that she was determined to meet him. "I intend to bring him to see his parents Auntie Razzie and Uncle Blubarry. Blu needs to know where he's from. Without him, Screameater is just going to continue assaulting us with these Mara things."
Celestia looked down to the ground and let out a long sigh. "I prefer the name Cosmus. But I understand what you mean. Without all nine of you, Equestria can be doomed. But I read the interrogation papers and he is unsure about what he believes in now. Perhaps he leaning towards us, but perhaps he's still on my brother's side. And believe me on one matter; Blu is much smarter than he appears to be. He's been taught many things about artifacts, history, and even how to discern some unicorn spells from others. He has potential to be a very smart stallion, but he knows little of our current world. He probably knows nothing about tuxedos, Wonderbolts, monkeys, and board games."
Rainbow Dash piped up in shock. "Not knowing the Wonderbolts?" She saw everyone, even the guards staring and her awkwardly. She then spoke more calmly. "But anyways, how do we get this fishpond…" She saw the Element of Honesty glare daggers at her. "…I mean Blubayou to remember this stuff. It's not like we can just tell him that AJ's family. Who'd buy that?"
"Spike" silently nodded in agreement with the pegasus as it looked around the great throne room. Screameater has some redecorating to do when he's done.
Celestia understood the Element of Loyalty's question very well. They had to make him believe them one hundred percent. So she started to use her magic, he horn glowing as radiantly as the brightest of lights. The three guests had to cover their eyes. Once they opened their eyes again, they saw an emerald stone floating in the air. It was perfectly smoothed into an oval shape. The two elements and the dragon had no idea what it was, and Celestia knew it.
"This my little ponies…and dragon is a memory stone. If you bring the subject and stone to an area where the subject once was, even as a newborn foal, they would be able to see their past personally. Think of the experience as almost a dream except they're not asleep." The princess levitated the memory stone towards Applejack, who grabbed it with her teeth.
"Thanks princess!" Applejack gratefully said to the princess once again bowing down. As she got back up, she realized she had forgotten about something. "Oh yeah! Do you know where Twilight and…"
Both doors opened once again to reveal the Elements of Magic and Respect. They noticed that Coocoodrill looked a lot cleaner, except for his messy hair which was probably deliberate on his part. They also noticed that Coocoodrill was absorbing some information Twilight must have told him. After a few seconds, he just "pffffted" and let laughed like a hyena.
"YOU REALLY THINK I'LL BELIEVE THAT YOU WERE REALLY MARE DO WELL?" Coocoodrill then began to mimic Applejack's voice. "And that's why ya ain't the Element of Honesty missy!" Twilight just passively shrugged as she noticed Applejack, Rainbow, and most of all Spike in the company of the princess. Coocoo saw him too.
"Spike!" The two unicorns called out in unison as they galloped toward the dragon, bringing it in for a hug. "Spike" had no idea what was going on, but it could tell that their hearts were filled with joy. As it looked at both ponies, he noticed that the purple mare had the same aura as Fluttershy.
Perfect…a menu of rituals.
"I am so sorry for no appreciating you enough! We thought you were taken!" Twilight apologized to the purple dragon as she held him closer. The imposter can tell that she was visibly tearing up.
"AND I'M SO SORRY FOR TREATING YOU LIKE A BABY!" Coocoodrill told Spike as he sobbed loudly. Everyone can visibly see the tears dropping out of his eyes like rain.
"Spike" had no idea how to feel. These two genuinely thought he was the real Spike. So it just did what he thought Spike would do, and hug back. They stayed this way for quite a while.
Rainbow Dash finally spoke up almost teary eyed of the reunion. "Awww! No I getting teary!" She then turned to Celestia. "So where's Blu being kept?" She wanted to leave the mush fest as soon as possible.
Celestia answered still looking at the joyous reunion. "He's in the dungeon." Applejack gasped in horror. "But he's being kept in the best conditions. Did you really think I'd let anypony in Equestria, criminal or not in the bleakest of conditions?"
Applejack breathed a sigh of relief and placed the memory stone under her hat. "HOOO-WEEE! BLUBAYOU HERE WE COME!" She bowed down to the princess in thanks and galloped off. Rainbow Dash saluted her and zoomed out of the throne room.
Celestia then turned to the two unicorns and the dragon with a warm smile on her face. "I am so glad you three are so happy be with one another. You're almost like a family."
Twilight, Spike and Coocoo stopped hugging and stared awkwardly at one another and then at Celestia. Twilight Sparkle was the one to speak up. "Actually...we're all just friends here."
"Really good friends." Coocoodrill added with joy in his heart as he placed a hoof on "Spike's" head. He then let the dragon get on his back.
"Perfect either way." Celestia told them. "But I have a new job for you two." The alicorn used her magic to summon a list and passed it to her pupil. "Twilight Sparkle, I want you to research this list of artifacts."
"As good a done." Twilight assured her teacher.
Celestia then summoned a pitch black tome, which had no picture on the cover and looked very old and worn. Celestia expression got more serious. "Now Coocoodrill, listen closely." She put the tome in his forehooves as his listened intently. "This is the Book of the Malign, the exact same book Cosmus used to become that monster Screameater. It also has much more spells only the most depraved or foolish of unicorns would even dream of casting. So I warn you, be careful of this book. I only gave this to you to find if there is any way to save my brother from his lust for power."
Coocoo slowly nodded, shaking about what she just said. Celestia can also tell Twilight and Spike felt uneasy about it too. But she had a reason to give it to Coocoodrill. First of all, she knew his mind was relatively warped anyways, so he would not have any mental repercussions from reading it. Secondly, she knew whenever Coocoodrill tried to cast even the simplest of spells, it turned out to create the exact opposite effect anyways. So even if he became insane enough to attempt one of those evil spells, it would have a beneficial and benevolent effect that would purify rather than corrupt.
She then let out a small whistle to her guards, who immediately came by her side. "Guards, may you escort these two to the library?" They complied and went by the unicorns and dragon's sides.
As the group left, Celestia called to them once more. "I almost forgot, you three also got invitations to my nephew's non-formal party! You can go if you want!"
Twilight turned back for a second and then took a look at Coocoodrill and Spike, who looked like they were itching to party. She then replied to the sun princess. "We'll think about it. Thanks." Celestia then passed them their invitations. As the three looked at the cover, Twilight and Spike cringed at the picture of Blueblood. But Coocoodrill had a different opinion.
"MAN! THAT GUY LOOKS AWESOME!"