//------------------------------// // Chapter 14- The Ashen Remains // Story: The Alicorn of the Stars // by mushrumluver //------------------------------// The Alicorn of the Stars Chapter 14 – The Ashen Remains ~Grovetown Inn~ “I can’t believe I just did that!” Twilight frantic in her speech walks to and fro around her room. She decided to run back to her room, she rented in the Grovetown inn, after the scandalous scene she made earlier. “I know she started it, but if the Princess knew of what I did she would be disappointed in me.” Twilight soon starts to monologue, reciting her preposterous assumptions like that time. “If the Princess knew about this, she might think that I’m disregarding all my lessons about Friendship. And she might send me back for further reeducation, thus making me a failure. I can’t go back to Canterlot as a failure.” Twilight was soon all over the place as she talks to herself, her mane roughed up, bags under her eyes were starting to darken due to lack of rest, her thoughts starts to become chaotic thinking of every punishment the Princess might do. “Twilight?” a familiar voice knocks behind the door. “IT WASN’T MY FAULT!!” Twilight suddenly screeched and hastily hid under the bed. “You left the door open.” Sharpeye slowly opened the door and peeks through the small gap hoping to find Twilight inside. “Twilight, are you okay?” “C-Captain Sharpeye?” Twilight reveals a portion of her head under the bed to greet the stallion. “It’s been a while since I saw you before you got sent to Ponyville.” Sharpeye, looking happy rather than his usual irritable self, welcomes Twilight "Please don’t tell Princess Celestia about this. If she knew that I—“ Twilight again starts to panic over her predicament. “It’s only natural to get angry at other ponies. Heck I always do it to my subordinates.” Sharpeye laughs off “As long as you don’t do it again, it’s all good.” “Thanks…” Twilight calms down and starts to breath normally. “What are you doing here anyway? Did the Princess send you here?” “Well sort of.” Sharpeye nods “I’m just here to investigate an incident that happened here 10 years ago, I know it’s too late to investigate something that happened in the past decade or so but about on how the case was handled, I’d say it was done pretty fast.” “Perfect timing!” Twilight suddenly burst out in excitement. “I’m also trying to learn more about the manor that was burned down 10 years ago.” “You what?” Sharpeye’s tone suddenly dropped after hearing the mare’s objective. “You… you can’t it’s still under the Royal Guard Security. You need to have proper procedures before you enter.” “Really? Last time I checked that place was abandoned…” replied Twilight wondering about the Guard’s claim. The Captain’s eyes starts to wander off and beads of sweat formed behind his head.. “Ugh… by my right as Captain, I’m placing that site under Royal Guard Security.” Sharpeye suddenly declared for he can no longer come up with an excuse to prevent the mare from going to the manor and quickly leaves the room to prevent further questions. “Well, hope to see you back in Canterlot soon. I really have a busy schedule ahead of me.” “Bye?” Twilight’s farewell was cut short since Sharpeye quicky slammed the door upon his exit. “Strange…” she begins to doubt the Sharpeye’s words and resumes investigating the matter on her own ignoring the captain’s words. ~Canterlot streets~ “Thanks, Pinkie. I mean I don’t what would I do if you hadn’t come along.” Fluttershy thanked the pink pony beside her as they stroll around Canterlot after leaving the Royal Garden. It was a wondrous moment for Fluttershy, being able to see the Centennial bloom of the Centidrangeas. The blooming itself was like an instant burst of magnificence from seeing grand fireworks combined with the awe-inspiring beauty of the nature itself. There was no like other flowers compared to what both mares saw in the Garden earlier the hundred year of constant tending and waiting made it all worth it. For Fluttershy the only thing that was missing there was Rainbow Dash at her side. “No Problemo. That’s what I’m here for.” Pinkie Pie replied with her usual smile. “Too bad Rainbow Dash wasn’t able to make it today.” Fluttershy feeling a bit depressed. “Aww, I know you feel about Dashie but sometimes you just have to patient.” Pinkie Pie replied with a comforting tone. “You do?! I mean—i-it’s not what you think, I just—“ Fluttershy staggers to find the right words while she turns red over Pinkie Pie’s words. “Really we’re just good friends, nothing more… really.” “Oh, Fluttershy It’s written all over you face, I mean—“ Pinkie Pie suddenly stopped after she spotted a nearby confectionery store beside them. Without hesitation, she rushed inside and comes back out with a huge cake on her hooves. All at once, she gobbled the cake leaving only the white icing scattered all over her lips. She finishes her sudden purchase by licking the remaining icing clean off. “What was that again?” she resumed back to Fluttershy like nothing happened. “Oh… Pinkie Pie.” Fluttershy slightly chuckles on the pink pony’s antics. “I guess you’re right, I do have feelings for Rainbow Dash, but please don’t tell her. I don’t want her getting awkward with me.” “Okay!” Pinkie Pie grins and laughs “I’m the safest pony to have your secrets kept.” Pinkie and Fluttershy laughed and continued to chat as they walk around Canterlot hoping to find some souvenirs before they go home, until they caught glimpse of a mischievous purple filly stomping on a bush of flowers just outside a house nearby. “Didn’t I tell you that hated these?” The filly yelled as she continues to stomp on the bush. “Oh my…” Fluttershy’s heart sank seeing the innocent flower bush got flattened just like that. “Please Ely, stop that.” A pony from inside the suddenly came out reprimanding the mischievous filly, which appears to be the caretaker of that house. “Or else what?” the young filly provokes the caretaker. “You can’t do anything anyway. So I’ll just do whatever I want.” She then shrugs off the caretaker going back inside the house. “Ay Karamba! She certainly has an attitude.” Pinkie Pie suddenly remarks at the scene. “I’m sure she is just misunderstood.” Fluttershy replied at Pinkie’s remark. Both ponies decide to approach the caretaker, while the she was busy cleaning up the mess that Ely made earlier. ~ Forest near Grovetown~ “Nothing in particular…” Sharpeye reports to himself while patrolling the skies around the forest near Grovetown. His impatience is starting to get the best of him after going round and round the forest, mountain and even the manor itself and nothing came out. He wiped off the sweat on his forehead and decides to do another last round before heading back. After a few minutes, Sharpeye’s decision proved to be rewarding. From a bird’s eye view, he saw two figures walking within the forest trail towards the burnt manor up ahead. Upon closer inspection, he could now verify some features like the color of the coat and what race of pony were they. He slowly trailed the two from the sky while going closer and closer to reveal their identities. “By Celestia’s—“ He whispered to himself in shock, after he recognized the familiar dark blue coated unicorn treading along the path. It was none other than Nova himself accompanied by a magenta coated mare. Confirming the target’s destination, he slowly and silently backed away, as he flew back to town hoping that nopony saw him. “Are you just going to let him go?” the mare asked Nova as her eyes moved towards the retreating guard. “They can’t do anything to me anyway.” Nova smirked. “Besides it would be fun, so we’ll just let them do what they want for now.” The mare in turn, smiled back to the confidence of Nova “Oh! By the way, I just heard that there’s this pony you might take an interest just roaming around town.” She then whispered behind Nova’s ear, revealing a picture in front of Nova afterwards. “That is really a sight to see, tell you what I’ll take you to the Summer Harvest Ball if you bring her to me. I want to speak with this Element of Magic.” Nova replied as they were continuously walking towards the manor ruins. “Isn’t that a given already?” the mare chuckled in a seductive tone. “Anything for you…” she kissed Nova on the cheek then flew off in the opposite direction leaving Nova heading towards the ruins alone. The ruins of the burnt manor were already in Nova’s sight. Just in front of the once majestic gates of the manor now black and sullied stood a familiar pony wearing a lab coat with his back leaning against the former walls of the gate with his arms shrugged along his chest. “Professor, it’s good that you made it.” Nova greeted the crazed pony. “And I thought you were never going to make it.” Kaust replied. “I had to hide myself from that Pegasus that was flying around and around earlier this morning.” “I had to take a few turns to avoid detection but I just grew tired of it so I just simply went head-on; as if there was a need to conceal myself.” Nova scoffs at the efforts of Sharpeye. “Getting back to business, these bloodstones I had to make are these really necessary?” Kaust points out a bag beside him filled with the malicious red gemstones. “What’s with the sudden inquiry professor?” Nova wonders about the professor’s sudden change of heart. “Nothing in particular, I just think that it would really be a waste of ‘materials’ if these aren’t going to be used.” Kaust remarked as his tone seemed regretful. “There’s nothing to worry about. A bag full of bloodstones won’t suffice. I need more, for what I am about to do will show everypony in Equestria that Cosmos has returned more powerful than ever.” Nova clenched his hoof in sheer determination for his plan. “More you say...” Kaust readied himself for departure leaving his bag of bloodstones behind. “Then more it is…” Kaust whispered to himself after turning his back on Nova, leaving the vicinity with a sickening grin on his face. ~ Sugarcube Corner~ “So how’s the odd jobs life coming along?” Sly asked. “Ah’ guess it’s comin’ along just fine.” Applejack replied while she was busy mixing some mixture for the day’s batch of cupcakes. “Still I can’t believe that you guys went through that tragedy in just a few days.” Sly remarked at the mare’s optimism. “Well, it’s no use thinkin’ about the past.” Applejack slides the tray of dough into the oven and shuts it tight. “All we havta’ do now is work harder.” she sets the timer and the temperature to the right setting. “So right now, me and Big Macintosh are accepting all kinds of work.” She wiped off the sweat on her forehead using the apron she was wearing. “Be it small or big, anythin’” She pulls out a sack of flour underneath the pantry with her teeth and slides it towards the counter. “We can’t be picky right now, if we want to restore Sweet Apple Acres.” She slams the sack over the countertop. “Besides we have our friends to help us, like Twilight offerin’ us to stay at her place, RD with her prize money, Pinkie Pie who gave me this part time work, Fluttershy and Rarity offered Big Macintosh some work.” “Like I said, I’m really jealous of you having friends like them.” Sly replied. “In my case, I don’t even know where they are right now. Knowing those guys they’re probably goofing off somewhere in Las Pegasus and running from their debtors.” Sly laughed out “Lively bunch of friends you have there.” Applejack starts to prepare another batch, she suddenly popped the moment she thought of an idea “Say, Have ya’ ever tried baking?” she suddenly asked Sly. “Ugh… not yet… I suppose.” Sly reluctantly replied. “Perfect Timin’ Now let’s get you started.” Applejack suddenly pushed the stallion to wear an apron and start baking. After a few mixes and trials, the kitchen turned out similar to when Applebloom started to bake a batch back then when she was trying to get a cupcake cutie mark. Cupcake mixtures and flour markings were all over the place, and several burnt samples were in the trash bin. As the smell of burned confectionery reeked all over the kitchen, two ponies were on the countertop enjoying themselves. “I guess I’m not cut out to be a baker after.” Sly laughed out loud, with his face covered in cupcake mix. “I reckon’ ya’ll be good at eatin’ them.” Applejack also laughs out in response. “Back in Manehattan, I’m considered to be the cupcake eating champion.” Sly boasted. “Then Ah’ guess ya’ll be the first in line when those comes out.” Applejack points over to the oven as the cupcakes were getting ready to be done. “I’m already here first in line before they are finished baking.” Sly chuckled. “Ah’ really missed ya’ Sly.” Applejack turned to the cupcake covered stallion and looked deeply in his eyes. “I also missed you…” Sly replied returning Applejack’s gaze. “Would go to the Summer Harvest Ball with me?” “Ya’ sure with that?” Applejack averted her eyes. “I mean we’re downright poor and all especially in these times.” “I don’t care about that.” Sly suddenly grabbed the mare’s hooves “I just want to be with you. Even back then, after you left, I kept hoping that we’ll meet again someday. It’s just that my father doesn’t want me to ‘hook’ up with some farmer pony, but none of that matters now.” “Sly… I—“ Applejack turned red, time was stopping as the two ponies stared deeply into each other. But the smell of a burning batch of cupcake proved to be more powerful. “The cupcakes!” Applejack suddenly rushed towards the oven, to her disappointment, she wasn’t able to save that batch. “Applejack!” Mrs. Cakes suddenly stormed in after the scent of burnt cupcakes kept on pestering her. “Don’t worry Ma’am it’s my fault, I’ll vouch for that.” Sly raised his hoof waving the responsibility from Applejack. ~GroveTown Bazaar Area~ “Sir, Can you tell me more about that mansion up in the mountains?” Twilight approaches a mare nearby hoping to get some answers regarding the manor. “No idea, all I know is that place got burned down.” the pony replied and went on her way. Twilight looks around the bazaar area of the town, similar to the market place of Ponyville, where ponies sell their wares to other ponies, hoping to find some pony who could answer her questions. Twilight gave out a depressing sigh after asking ten ponies yet no pony can give her a desirable answer. She suddenly jumped after some pony poked her from behind. “I heard you were looking information about that mansion up there?” a magenta coated Pegasus mare approached her. “Yes, but how did you know?” Twilight wondered about the mare’s knowledge about her inquiry. “You were sticking like a sore thumb asking here and there about the same thing. Of course some pony is bound to notice.” The mare jokingly replied. “Well I guess that makes sense.” Twilight chuckles in embarrassment. “You told me you know something about that place. Can you tell me?” “Why would I approach you If I don’t plan on telling you silly.” She waved her hoof laughing at Twilight’s question. “Care to tell me now?” Twilight replied, she was getting impatient from the mare’s consistent chortle. “Fine fine, sheesh some ponies.” she stopped laughing and started to look more straight and serious. “Well for starters, that mansion used to be called as Starshine Manor.” “Star—shine?” Twilight recognizing the name. “Yup! Well it used to be a favorite spot for stargazing but after the incident ten years ago, ponies stopped coming there thinking that the place is haunted by the ghost of the Starshine family who died along the fire.” “What caused the fire?” Twilight curiously inquires. “Not sure, but there were several rumors about it, one is like enemies of that family burned it down. or they were caught in some sort of conspiracy so they were eliminated or others were similar but those two topped the notch.” The mare explained. “Enemies? Do you have an idea on who they were?” Twilight asked. “I don’t really know the details but I also plan to get to the bottom of this, so I planning to investigate that area now. Would you like to come along?” the mare reached out her hoof. “But I was told it was under Royal Guard Protection.” Twilight suddenly recalled what Sharpeye told her. “Royal what now? Who in Equestria told you that? The place has been abandoned for years, no pony is there right now.” the mare scoffed at Twilight’s word. “But… never mind.” Twilight brushed off the idea of insisting the captain’s word. “By the way, may I know who you are?” “Sorry that was rude of me.” The mare apologized. “The name’s Paine. You are?” “Twilight Sparkle.” Twilight shakes Paine’s hoof “Nice to meet you.” “Well then Twilight Sparkle, shall we?” Paine replied.