//------------------------------// // Chapter 19 - Spell Nexus (Rewritten) // Story: New Life in Equestria // by jkreader //------------------------------// Chapter 19 - Spell Nexus *Twilight’s P.O.V.* After leaving Rarity’s boutique, Nyx and I set out to search for my other friends. Spike decided to stay and help Rarity, but Nyx and I both knew the real reason why. Rainbow was the first one we ran into, or she almost ran into me again rather. She crash-landed just in front of me trying to pull off another hard trick. “New trick Rainbow?” I asked her wryly. “Is it that obvious?” she retorted. She stood back up and fluttered her wings clearing off any dirt and grass that got on. “So how’s Joshua doing?” “Well, this morning, he woke up with changed ears. They’re now pony ears,” I said. “Jeez,” Rainbow said wincing a little bit, “Wonder what’ll be next? How about what Princess Celestia found that could fix him?” “Well, she and Luna are making slow progress, but nothing definitive has shown up yet.” “I hope something comes soon. Well, give him my best,” she said taking off again. Nyx and I then continued our trek through town. Eventually we found ourselves in front of Sugarcube Corner. When we walked in, we saw Fluttershy at the counter talking with Pinkie. The Cake twins weren’t present in the room at the time thankfully. They still hadn’t gotten used to seeing Nyx’s real eyes after what had happened. “Hey Twilight! Hi Nyxie” Pinkie said waving at us. “Hey Pinkie. Hey Fluttershy,” I said to them. “Hello Twilight. Hello Nyx,” Fluttershy replied, “How’s Joshua doing?” “Well,” I said looking around making sure nopony else could hear, “He woke up this morning with pony ears instead of his human ears.” “Oh goodness!” Fluttershy said surprised, “Is he alright?” “He said he’s fine,” Nyx said, “He just said they feel a little weird.” “Where is Joshie anyway?” Pinkie asked. “He went for a walk by himself,” I explained, “Probably wanted to be by himself for a little bit. I hope he’s alright.” “Maybe he found Applejack and showed her what happened and then Applejack told him about her losing her parents like he did to let him know that she knows how he feels about losing ponies, or in Joshua’s case, people important to you,” Pinkie rambled. “Actually, he did Pinkie,” came Applejack’s voice from the door with Joshua standing next to her. “How did you know?” Joshua asked. “Just a hunch,” Pinkie said shrugging then grinning. “Well anyhow,” Applejack said, “Joshua came around lookin’ kinda upset, but then Ah helped cheer him up.” “Yeah,” Joshua said smiling, “And then she let me have brunch with her. It was delicious.” “I’m glad to hear you’re feeling better Joshua,” I said, “Thanks for looking after him AJ.” “T’weren’t nothin’ Twi,” Applejack said, “Well, Ah’ve gotta get back to the farm. See y’all later. And Ah hope things work out for you too, sugarcube,” she added giving Joshua a hug. Joshua hugged her back, and she then walked out of Sugarcube Corner. “Bye Applejack,” Joshua said waving to her. He then turned back around and looked at us. “Where’s Spike?” he asked. “He’s at the boutique with Rarity,” Nyx said. She then whispered in his ear, “He’s got a bit of a crush on her if you know what I mean.” Joshua giggled a little bit after hearing that. “Are you sure you’re alright Joshua?” Fluttershy asked looking down at him. “I’m sure,” he said nodding, “I just hope Princess Celestia and Princess Luna find something.” “So do I, Joshie,” Pinkie said patting his shoulder. Just then the door opened up, with the bell ringing. “Hi, Welcome to Sugarcube Corner!” Pinkie said greeting who came in. I turn and see the visitor is a blue unicorn stallion with a white mane and tail, slate-gray eyes, and a cutie mark that has a circle with crescent moon inside a sun in the middle of the circle, and the mark is all black. “Ah Princess Twilight,” he said, “How fortunate I find you here.” “Nexus!” Nyx said surprised to see her former cult leader. “You mean he’s the one who tried to make you...” Joshua started clinging to my foreleg. “Yeah, he is,” Nyx interrupted, “But remember, I destroyed that dark magic.” Joshua nodded, but still clung to my foreleg. “What brings you here Spell Nexus?” I asked him. “Well,” Nexus started, “Princess Celestia has been having me help in the research for a spell that could turn your human friend back to normal, and I came to do a magic scan on him so we know how much we’re dealing with.” “Ah, I see,” I said. I then looked down at Joshua and nuzzled his cheek. “It’s okay Joshua,” I said to him, “Spell Nexus isn’t bad anymore, I promise.” Joshua looked up at me and nodded, but still kept close to me. Nexus then trotted up and lit up his horn, pointed it down at Joshua, and started moving his head slowly up and down his small form. After a few minutes, he produced a scroll and quill and wrote down some notes. “Okay, that should be everything we need,” he said, “Hopefully we should be ready for you and your friends to come to Canterlot soon. And while I’m here, I might as well get something.” He then trotted over to the counter. Soon enough though, Nyx, Joshua, and I walked out and back to the library. It was getting pretty late in the day, and we would need to rest up. Spike was there when we came back. He was feeding his old pet, Peewee. Spike had managed to find the nest Peewee came from and returned him to it. Peewee often came back to visit every now and again. “Hey there guys,” Spike greeted, “You feeling better Joshua?” “Yeah, I’m feeling much better Spike,” Joshua said. He then saw Peewee in Spike’s open claws. “Who’s that?” “This is my old pet baby Phoenix, Peewee,” Spike replied. Peewee finished pecking the birdseed in Spike’s claws and looked up at Joshua. He then flapped towards him as Joshua held opened his hands for Peewee to land in. He held the baby phoenix up to his face, then Peewee leaned in and nuzzled Joshua’s cheek. “Wow,” Joshua said softly so not to startle Peewee, “He feels so warm.” “Yeah, Phoenixes are known to be warmer than other birds. I think he likes you,” Spike said. Joshua giggled a little at Peewee’s nuzzle. “It’s nice to meet you too Peewee,” Joshua said scratching him under his beak. Peewee cheeped happily and flapped over to the small nest Spike made for him. We eventually all had dinner and got ourselves ready for bed. Joshua was in the bathroom getting his pajamas on. Thankfully, he didn’t scream again like when he got his horn. He came out again in his pajamas ready for a good night sleep. “Hey Twilight,” Nyx said, “Can you read the story Nyx of the Night?” “What’s that?” Joshua asked as he climbed into bed with Nyx. “It’s the story where Twilight got my name from,” she replied, “It’s really wonderful.” “I think that’s a great idea Nyx,” I told her. I then pulled out the book she suggested and began reading. Music: Lazy Afternoons - Kingdom Hearts II Riku - Kingdom Hearts II