//------------------------------// // 117. Keep Calm and Flutter On - Opening // Story: Blaze the Pony Tale // by Wolven5 //------------------------------// Ever since the Apple Family Reunion, the newly-engaged had spent a lot of time together. Big Mac would use every moment of free time to be with his `Shy, there had even been times Midnight would voluntarily take some of Mac’s chores so he’d have more to spend with his mare. They went on walks, had picnics, took care of Fluttershy’s animals together (she was so impressed with how well he got on with the critters she cared for), and there were multiple occasions where their friends would find the two lovebirds cuddling. Rainbow Dash was a little awkward with all the ‘sappy stuff’, as she put it but she was happy for her foalhood friend that she’d found the pony she wanted to spend her life with (although she did take a private moment to threaten Big Mac with gelding if he ever dared to break Fluttershy’s heart). Rarity had another of her fainting couch moments when she heard and it took a fair amount of calming her down in order to remind they hadn’t chosen the day to hold the wedding yet, but they had promised Rarity she could design the wedding dress. Pinkie Pie, as Midnight had predicted, was miffed when she heard they’d already had an engagement party, spur-of-the-moment as it was, at the reunion but they promised she could host the recession. Twilight, Midnight, Applejack, Thunderlane, Blueblood, and Soarin had all expressed their congratulations, and promised to do whatever they could to make the wedding just what the couple wanted. However, at the moment, deep beneath Canterlot Castle, in the very crystal caves where Twilight had once rescued Princess Cadance, the Hooded Pony was preparing his next act of mischief. Or rather, another’s act. He stood before a mold-out of sorts, with the water he’d taken from the Mirror Pool and a small bag levitating in his aura. Behind him, Celestia watched with mixed-feelings about what they were doing. “I am still unsure of this… I certainly see the benefits, but it-” “I will remind you again that in order for the future to unfold as I have seen it,” the Hood Pony said, his patience wearing thin in his tone, “Discord’s presence is necessary! You already agreed, so enough doubting and more helping!” Celestia frowned at the snappy tone of her nephew but sighed, as she stepped up beside him, put off by the hooded cloak he always wore. “Must you wear that here? It’s just us.” “If this procedure succeeds, it will be us, as well as Discord,” he reminded her. “And I would prefer the less he knows of me the better.” The Hooded Pony took the bag in his aura and poured its contents into the mold, revealing it to be dust. The very same dust Discord had been reduced to after Midnight destroyed his petrified body. Collecting the remains (for lack of a better term) had not been easy, and neither ponies were certain the amount would be enough for the restoration, but it would have to be. All they could do was pray this would work. “Ah, the dusty remains of the infamous Discord,” the Hooded Pony sneered at the dust, as he levitated the Mirror Pool water in its crystal container. “Not so high n’ mighty now, are you? Were it up to me, I would spread your miserable molecules into the nearest active volcano, or maybe even a cesspool-” “Ahem!” Celestia gave him the stink eye, making him sigh in frustration. “But… the role you must play is far too important,” the Hooded Pony growled. He poured the water into the mold with the dust, and nodded to Celestia. Her horn flared with radiance and cast the restoration spell! They watched as the substance within the mold spread until it filled every nook and cranny, and the spell drew power from the crystals around them, their innate properties serving to amplify the restoration spell. The two ponies watched as the substance glowed brighter and brighter until it radiated so intense that the Hooded Pony pulled down his hood and Celestia raised her wing to block it. They felt the power of the spell give form and solidify, they could hear a crackling sound, as though gravel were being ground together. And they sensed it! The spark of life, dampened but it was there. They slowly looked and beheld the result of their work, and the Hooded Pony smirked in satisfaction. “Let’s get started…”