//------------------------------// // Crafting // Story: Chaotic Cupid // by Silent Strider //------------------------------// At the crusaders’ clubhouse the three fillies were spread around a small book on the ground, with Dors resting on the ground apart from them. “So, “ Apple Bloom started, pointing at the book, “what we need to do is carve and assemble some of those strange arrows, enchant them with a simple spell, dip them in a potion, and fire them? Won’t this hurt?” Dors laughed. “That spell makes the arrow harmless, it couldn’t hurt a fly, and the bow is enchanted so it will never fire a common arrow. But Yeah, that’s it. We just have to find adults to make us some arrows and the potion, and we are ready to go.” He took his saddlebags on his mouth and emptied them on the ground. “I have the tools for carving and enough ingredients for a batch of potion here, it’s part of the emergency kit every cupid carries.” Apple Bloom walked over and eyed assorted items on the ground. “Well… I think I can make the potion and carve those tiny bits for the arrow with those tools, but I don’t think I can assemble them; they are too tiny!” Scootaloo looked at the book. “I can assemble this, it looks easier than that unicycle!” Sweetie Belle took the book and turned a few pages. “This doesn’t look too complicated. I will give it a shot!” After a few false starts the Cutie Mark Crusaders were hunched around an arrow, a green magical aura quickly fading from it. Scootaloo looked up at Dors. “How do we know those arrows work? I don’t want to hurt anypony with a real arrow.” Dors stumbled towards the arrow and gingerly took it with his injured hoof. “It’s easy to test them, look at this!” Slowly, he pushed the arrow through his head. “Tada!” Giggling as he looked at the three collapsed fillies, Dors plopped the arrow out of his head; it looked like the arrow never went in. “You three should see your faces, you look like you saw a ghost!” Scootaloo was the first one to recover. “Not funny.” “Sorry, but that is how you can test the arrows. It doesn’t need to be through the head, it can be any part of your body, but make sure to push gently or you can hurt yourself if you pick an arrow that doesn’t work. By the way, Apple Bloom, how is that potion going?” Apple Bloom’s eyebrows dropped a little as she looked at the bubbling mixture. “I don’t know. It’s almost ready, but it looks too different to the last love potion we made.” Dors laughter had a slightly grating quality. “Of course, the last one you made was love poison, wasn’t it? Well, this one looks like the true stuff. I will taste it when it’s ready.” “Taste it? Isn’t that, like, dangerous?” “Oh, not at all. Love potion is only a slight nudge, totally different from how love poison forces ponies. I can ignore its effects until they wear off.” He turned to Apple Bloom and winked. “Unless you want me to let the potion do its work. You can take a sip too, we will feel like we are in heaven!” Apple Bloom quickly backed away, blushing. “What are you -” “I’m joking, of course! Besides, it doesn’t really work on children.” Eyes narrowed, Apple Bloom took a few steps towards Dors. “You know what? Let’s just finish making those arrows without more jokes.” Dors looked down, ears flagging. “Sorry, that’s just how I am. But I must say you are really talented fillies to be able to do this on your own.” Apple Bloom undid her frown after a few seconds. “Apology accepted. But let’s finish those arrows.” Scootaloo was pulling the other two crusaders and Dors towards Ponyville, the colt repeating his instructions again. “Now, remember, just let the bow guide you, like you saw on the book. It will point towards anypony that needs a little more love on its own, you just have to let the arrow fly.” “Yeah, I got it. Fly, pull an arrow, let the bow aim, release. Repeat until out of arrows.” The four young ponies stopped on the outskirts of Ponyville. Scootaloo put on the full quiver and took the bow, instantly turning into a white pegasus filly with large fluffy wings. She looked at he pink flowing vest that came with the transformation. “Why does it have to be so… girlish?” “Hey, you are asking the wrong pony. I work like that and I’m a colt, remember?” Blushing a little, Scootaloo answered: “Oh, yeah, didn’t think about it. Sorry.” “Anyway, good luck.” Scootaloo, already rising, looked back for an instant. “Not gonna need it.”