//------------------------------// // Act 3 Scene 3: It's a Gift In Disguise // Story: Bluebelle of the Ball, The Musical // by mr lovecolt //------------------------------// “What time is it?” Bluebelle asked as she stared ahead at the blank wall of her bedroom. She heard Luna shift on the chair that had been placed next to her, but didn’t move her eyes. “It is nearing dawn.” Luna answered. “You were in there for a while. How do you feel?” “I feel…” She continued to stare ahead. In the other room she heard the maid cleaning the bathtub and thought about how the water had turned pink. Looking down at her newly bandaged hoof, her mind wandered from the image of the tatzelwurm to that of the party. She shuddered as she remembered the sight of frosting flying in all directions and the sticky feeling as it landed on her fur. She closed her eyes. Other thoughts had been growing in her, as well. They were disparate, but she felt that they were beginning to form one thought. Bluebelle finally turned to the princess. The chair she was seated in had been placed next to the bed while she was still in the tub. “I feel cleansed.” As their eyes met, she recalled what she had told her earlier that night. “Auntie, you said I have a choice to make. What did you mean?” She saw Luna shift in the chair once more. “I feel like everything that has happened, and I don’t mean just tonight, but everything from the planning with Dusk Shine to-” “I said that whatever you decide, we will stand behind your decision.” She turned once more to the wall ahead. She knew that there was something connecting all that had happened. It not only involved the party and the events leading up to it, but even beyond that. Hooves clicked on the tile, and the two turned to see the maid standing in the doorway with a small bucket of cleaning supplies. “Thank you.” Bluebelle said. The maid’s eyes widened for a moment before she regained her composure, and Bluebelle stifled a chuckle as the maid bowed slightly. “You’re… welcome?” She answered as her eyes shifted to Princess Luna, who still sat next to Bluebelle. The maid backed away as Bluebelle rose from the bed. “I-I’m sorry, Your Highness. I didn’t mean to make it sound like that.” “No, I understand. I know that cleaning my bathtub is not something you were expecting this evening. So I just wanted to say thank you.” She saw the maid relax as her shoulders lowered. Bluebelle hesitantly tapped her hoof on the floor and was relieved when she didn’t feel any pain, meaning that she hadn’t cut herself too deeply. “It’s simply my job, Your Highness.” Bluebelle walked to the vanity and opened a small box, revealing a pile of coins. She pulled out a gold piece and levitated it towards her. The maid slowly raised a hoof to it, but then shook her head. “I can’t take it.” “What’s your name?” She asked. “My name?” The maid responded with a tilt of her head. “It’s Lily Gild.” “Lily Gild, will you please accept this? Not for just this. I know I haven’t been the easiest mare to deal with for the longest time.” “Are you okay, Your Highness?” Bluebelle opened her eyes and laughed at the face Lily Gild made. “Yes, I’m fine. It’s just…” The words trailed away, and the two mares stood frozen with the gold coin floating in between them. “I know that I have a reputation amongst the staff here. I want you to have this so that you know that I’m trying to change. I… I want to be better. I want you to know that I want to be better.” Lily Gild started to speak as she reached out to grab the coin. “And please, Princess Bluebelle will be fine. Or just Bluebelle.” Lily Gild dropped the coin into the bucket and turned back to her. “Just Bluebelle?” she asked as she raised an eyebrow. “If you want, I can walk under a CID to show you that I’m not a changeling in disguise.” The two mares froze once more. Bluebelle smiled at Lily Gild, and at that, the two started laughing. It started out small, but then the laughter grew until it echoed through the room. They laughed until tears started to fall from their eyes, as though they had finally released from themselves the years of pent up anxiety. The laughter finally died down as the two fell onto their haunches. “Dior had said that you were acting strange yesterday when you and Prince Dusk Shine visited him in the kitchen.” Bluebelle sat upright. “Oh?” she asked, unaware that both Lily Gild and Luna had noticed. “Yes. So do we have the prince to thank for this change?” Bluebelle blushed. “Well then, Bluebelle, I guess he has worked his magic on you, too.” she heard the maid chuckle. “Never thought I’d see that.” she saw her pick up the bucket to leave, but as she began to walk away, Bluebelle stopped her. “Would you mind terribly if I came with you?” Bluebelle asked. “I was hoping you had an idea what’s going on.” She she smile that had been on Lily Gild’s muzzle fall, replaced with a scowl. “It’s bad, isn’t it?” Lily Gild looked over to Luna, who nodded her head. She sighed and crossed the room with Bluebelle next to her. The door to the hall opened and they all left without a word. They looked around to see if there were any other ponies nearby. “They’re looking for Elusive as we speak.” she replied. “Another Element Bearer already turned himself in. We don’t know if any of the others were part of it.” “Who was the other stallion?” “Bubble Berry.” “The Element of Laughter?” Bluebelle asked. “Isn’t he the one who likes to plan parties? From how Dusk Shine spoke of him, that doesn’t make sense.” “I’m not surprised.” Lily Gild said. “Elusive is quite the charmer. Believe me, I know.” she stopped and sighed, reached into the bucket, and pulled the coin out. “I-I can’t take this.” “Why not?” She asked. She turned to Luna, but she simply stood there with a blank expression on her face. “I promise, there are no strings attached. I just want to show…” Bluebelle hesitated, unsure of what it was exactly that she was trying to prove. The coin now levitated once more in midair, spin slowly in a circle, the aura of magic glistening off of it like the rays of the morning sun. “My gratitude.” “I saw Elusive in the kitchen, Your Highnesses. I should have said something, but I didn’t.” “You couldn’t have known what he was planning, Lily.” Bluebelle replied. The three mares stood still in the hallway, the only movement now came from the coin that still spun in circles. “But if I had just told him that he wasn’t allowed in the kitchen, instead of letting him…” Lily Gild turned way. “If I had just done one thing different, all of this could have been avoided.” “Well, if we’re going to do that, then we may as well keep following that line of logic. What if Dior had checked the cake sooner?” She began to pace back and forth, not realizing that the coin began to spin faster. “What if Bubble Berry hadn’t been gullible in the first place?” “Bluebelle?” Luna asked but was unable to get her attention. “There are so many things that anypony could have done differently, aren’t there?” I didn’t have to have this party. Dusk Shine didn’t have to help plan it.” Lily Gild stepped away from Bluebelle and made her way to Luna, who used her wing to pull her closer. The princess continued to pace, however, and her magic focused onto the coin as it spun faster and faster until the light surrounding it seemed to catch fire. ‘And why stop there? I know why Elusive did this. This is all from that damnable gala. Couldn’t I have just told him that I knew what he was doing? Why did I let this community in Canterlot continue as it was? I knew it was wrong. I can keep going. This can all keep going. This can-” Bluebelle saw a bright flash of light and turned just in time to see the beams of light come from the coin she still held in her magical grasp. She focused her energy and stopped the coin. She gasped as the light filled her eyes. A moment later, the sound of the coin hitting the tile filled the air. She watched it roll around in smaller and smaller circles until it finally fell on its side. A smile crept onto her face, and then a laugh escaped from her lips. “I get it.” She turned to Lily Gild and pushed the coin in her direction. “Lily, please take it. If it makes you feel better, then I forgive you. I don’t think you are at fault. I don’t hold you responsible for anything. If you don’t mind, could you leave us?” Lily stepped forward and picked up the coin. She gave a bow to the two of them and trotted away. A moment later, she felt Luna’s wing on her shoulder. She looked up and saw her confused face. “Bluebelle, what’s going on?” “It just kept spinning, auntie. It kept spinning until I made it stop. Somepony has to be the one to make it stop. We have to find Elusive.” She saw Luna’s eye twitch for a moment. “Auntie? Do you know where he is?” Luna sighed. “I do.” She held up a hoof to Bluebelle. “And before you say anything, I need you to know that what you just did for Miss Gild and what you intend to do for Elusive are not one and the same. “ She held Bluebelle’s muzzle with her hooves. “Listen to me. Give him time. He still did something wrong. He needs this, just as much as you do.” She let go of her niece and they trotted to a door that led to a staircase. They descended, with Luna stopping every so often to turn around to look at Bluebelle. “Forgiveness can be offered, but it can’t be forced.” She said as Luna turned around for the third time. “Little things, like not knowing somepony’s intentions in a kitchen, can be forgiven easily.” Luna nodded and they continued down. “But bigger things, like hurting somepony, one can offer forgiveness right away, but the pony who did wrong has to feel they deserve it first.” They reached the bottom of the stairs. In front of them stood a long hallway, at the end of which lay the door to the dungeon. The torchlights on the wall flickered, sending their shadows across the walls and along the floor. “Auntie, how long did it take you to forgive yourself?” “I was forgiven by my sister the moment Nightmare Moon left me.” Luna answered. “With all due respect, Auntie, I asked how long it took you to forgive yourself.” Bluebelle saw Luna’s face darken. The two mares looked away from each other. “There are still nights when I look at the moon and shiver. That is why I want so much to have a resolution that restores Elusive. I’m afraid for him.” The mares looked at each other. “Bluebelle, you will learn that forgiving others can be simple. It is forgiving oneself that is the real challenge.” They reached the door and nodded to the two guards, who stared dumbly into the distance. Bluebelle waved a hoof in front of their muzzles, but they didn’t respond. “Certain ponies are easily influenced by The Nightmare.” Luna said. “Even if they aren’t the intended target, they still succumb. Hopefully, they will be restored by daybreak.” She opened the door herself, and when they entered the room, she shut the door behind her. “We really need to better train our guards.” “Your Highnesses!” Shining Armor called out as he galloped from the other side of the room. He bowed to both before standing up. “Thank Celestia you’re here. Please, help Cady.” He turned around and galloped back, the two close behind, until they reached Cadance, who sat on the floor, her horn flickering. “I just don’t get it.” Cadance muttered. “I’ve tried the Spell of Sentiment, the Appeal of Affection, the Charm of the Cherished, but none of my magic is working.” “Where are the others?” Luna asked. “King Aeolus is returning the Anemoi to their crystals, and my brother is with Princess Celestia looking for… wait, weren’t you with them?” “I had to check up on Bluebelle.” Bluebelle turned her head to the side and quirked an eyebrow so that only her aunt could see it. “He’s not responding to any of my entreaties for love, friendship, or anything.” “Maybe it isn’t love that he needs.” Bluebelle replied as she took a step forward. “May I?” She held out her hoof to open the door to the dungeon. All of the ponies nodded their heads, and Bluebelle entered. Even in the darkness, she could see Bubble Berry huddled in the corner of a cell, a shock of pink amidst the grey. She moved quietly, not wanting him to see her and turn her away, until she finally reached the bars and tapped. “Bubble Berry?” She saw his head shoot up so quickly that she instinctively jerked back and gasped. His bright blue eyes burned into hers, but beneath them, his fur was matted and wet. His straightened mane tumbled down his withers and dangled inches from the floor. She saw the recognition in his gaze, but he looked back down again. She heard him sniffling. “I’m sorry.” his voice scratched out. “I’m so sorry.” “Bubble Berry.” Bluebelle took a deep breath. She needed to ask the question correctly. She went through her thoughts, but then decided to be upfront about it. “Why did you do it?” The sniffling stopped. “What?” “Why did you do it?” Bluebelle sat down in front of the cell. “Why did you help Elusive make the cake?” She reached her hoof through the bars, but he didn’t move. When that didn’t work, she went to the door to open it, only to sigh when it opened effortlessly. It wasn’t even locked. Of course. She sat down in front of him. “Please, tell me.” “Well,” Bubble Berry wiped his muzzle and continued to sniffle. “I just thought it would be funny.” “And you weren’t upset at anypony?” she asked. “Were you upset that Dusk Shine didn’t ask for your help for the party?” His head shot upward again. “Of course not. I could never be mad at Dusky. I should have known that you wouldn’t have wanted something stupid like that at the party.” He tried to pull away, but Bluebelle reached out to grab his hooves. “Don’t do that.” She said. “From what Dusk Shine says about you, I know you couldn’t have meant to do it to be mean, okay?” “But… I still hurt you.” She pulled him close for a hug. “But look at how much you’re hurting yourself.” She felt his body tremble against hers. “Do you want to know a secret?” Bubble Berry tried to speak through his cries. “Y-yes?” “Everything that has happened - you, Dusk Shine, even Elusive - has taught me more about friendship than anything else in the rest of my life. Even when bad things like this happen, through friendship, you learn that it can be a gift in disguise.” “Really?” Bluebelle chuckled and looked into his eyes. I used to think that Other ponies were Self-centered and Insecure But now I know that There’s much more to it They only seek Happiness She stood up and brought Bubble Berry with her. And now you fear That you did wrong I know you wanted Us to laugh along I want you to know I forgive you For now I know What this is She backed out of the cell, still holding his hoof in hers. It’s a gift in disguise Yes, a gift in disguise To get the chance Now to help ponies grow This gift in disguise Though it is hard to see What this gift in disguise Can be She opened the cell door and beckoned for him to follow her. As he started to walk, she noticed that his mane’s curls were returning. Though sometimes our friendships Can be betrayed Hearts left broken And words left unsaid And though it’s easy to Leave friends behind That’s when we get the chance to see She waited for Bubble Berry to walk through the cell door, and together, they made their way through the dungeon. It’s a gift in disguise Yes, a gift in disguise To help them grow From what they were before She opened the door. Bubble Berry saw the Luna, Cadance, and Shining Armor, and tried to turn around, but Bluebelle held him tight. I know that it’s hard But just wait and see To learn to forgive Becomes easy Let that spark grow Inside Bluebelle looked over to Luna, whose eyes were starting to glisten. And we can make our world A better place Everypony deserves Forgiveness’ grace Let that spark grow Don’t hide It takes strength to see that it’s She turned back to Bubble Berry. A gift in disguise I see it’s a gift in disguise Everypony makes mistakes Sometimes within their lives It’s a gift in disguise Though sometimes hard to see What this gift in disguise Can be She reached forward and hugged Bubble Berry once more and laughed as more of his mane started curling upward. You’ll see I forgive you Everypony makes mistakes We all make mistakes So please smile, Bubble Berry Take that burden you carry Try to see now what I see This gift in disguise As the rest of his mane rose back into place, Bubble Berry’s ears flapped over his eyes. “And what was that?” Bluebelle asked. “Oh,” he rubbed his forehoof against his leg in embarrassment. “That just means that there’s a pony trying to get over their fears.” She chuckled. “And is it working?” “I-I’m not sure yet.” She reached forward to hug him again. “Okay… I think so.” As they got up to leave, his ears flapped again. “Oh wait a minute.” “Yes?” “My ears did the flappy flappy thing again.” They did it once more. “Hmm, I guess that means there are others trying to get over their fears, as well.” Cadance and Shining Armor nodded and turned to leave, followed by Bubble Berry, leaving Luna and Bluebelle alone in the room for a moment. They looked at the pink stallion as he walked away, then to each other before they, too, left the room. ***** Dusk Shine walked through the aisles of the library, his gait shifted forward, his eyes moved back and forth, searching, like a predator. He had searched all of the lower sections of the castle for Elusive and was now on the main floor, with the library being his first stop. His logic was that Elusive wouldn’t be so stupid as to run out into the middle of Canterlot after what he had just done. Then again did the ponies of Canterlot know that he was responsible, he thought, come to think of it, where have the guards gone? Everything has gotten quiet lately. As the morning sun started to appear, the beams of light crept through the room until it finally reached a pedestal, and Dusk Shine turned his attention to the open book that rest upon it. He made his way to the open page and reread the words that he had been pouring over two days ago. You, who take the moon’s soft glow and its world of shadow You, who take the sun’s colors into your eyes and make fire of orange. As you reap these labors of your love, I shall sow. Dusk Shine took a seat on the pillow next to the pedestal, shook his head, and reached out a hoof to close the book, but before he did, the door opened behind him. “Ah figured we’d find you here.” He turned towards Applejack and saw that Rainbow Blitz was standing next to him. Smiles appeared, though not for long. He waited for them to approach, not wanting to move himself. “How does it look outside?” “They are all back home,” Rainbow Blitz replied, “the guards are another story.” “What do you mean?” “Ah can’t make heads or tails of it, either. They ain’t even at their posts. They’re all actin’ like they just woke up or somethin’.” Dusk Shine rubbed his temples. “Okay, just tell me that somepony found Elusive.” “Haven’t seen him,” Rainbow Blitz said, “probably hiding somewhere. Good thing, too. When I get my hooves on him.” He growled and stomped a hoof on the floor. “I just can’t believe he’d do something like this!” “Calm down.” Dusk shine turned to Applejack. “Any word on Bluebelle?” “Last Ah heard, she was in her room. Poor thing.” Applejack shook his head. “At the very least, things appear to have returned to normal, although I do want to interrogate the guards.” Dusk Shine raised a hoof to his chin. “What happened can’t be normal.” He looked to the two stallions. “Did you guys feel anything strange last night?” “Honestly? Ah felt somethin’ familiar. Now that Ah think about it, the way the guards were actin’ did seem a might peculiar. It was dark, like how it was in the Crystal Empire before we-” “You’re right,” Dusk Shine interrupted him. The others paused as he shot out of his seat and started pacing next to the pedestal. “This goes beyond a grudge. This had to be something more. What it it was a spell… no, that’s not it. Discord? No, he’s reformed. What if-” “What if Elusive was just being a jerk?” Dusk Shine stopped pacing and turned to Rainbow Blitz, who sat on his haunches with the forelegs crossed. “What?” “You heard me. What if he just wanted revenge? This isn’t some grand scheme, ‘your highness’. It’s not like this is the first time you guys have done something stupid.” “Now what’s that supposed to mean?” Applejack snorted. “Remember when you wouldn’t let anypony help you out at the farm because of your pride?” He pointed to Dusk Shine. “I went crashing into Dusk Shine’s library. Ring a bell?” “Ah yes, crash number four.” “Don’t get me started, ‘Mister Want It Need It’.” “Sugarcube, you best stop talkin’ before you say somethin’ y’all might regret later.” “Enough!” Dusk Shine shouted to the two stallions who now stood muzzle to muzzle with their eyes glaring into each others. “This is not the time for this! We need to-” He froze the moment his gaze turned to the open door. There stood Bluebelle, with the others behind her. One by one, they entered the room. The three stallions fell to their haunches in front of the pedestal as they each started to take a seat, forming a circle. In front Dusk Shine sat Bluebelle, with Luna and Celestia by her side. Shining Armor and Cadance took their seats, leaving Bubble Berry and Butterscotch to sit down next to Rainbow Blitz and Applejack. He saw Celestia turn to the open window and sigh. “A new day.” The way she had said it had all of the ponies looking towards one another. Bubble Berry’s ears flapped as Bluebelle cleared her throat. “Dusk Shine, I need your help.” He cocked his head to the side, but straightened back almost immediately. “Of course. Anything you ask, but don’t you want to discuss-” “I will get to that,” She turned to Bubble Berry and sighed, “But first, I want you to help me get over my fear.” “You mean your mysophobia?” Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Rainbow Blitz facehoof and Applejack shake his head. “Yes. Will you help me?” “Of course. I’m just sorry that-” Bluebelle held up her bandaged hoof. “That’s all I need.” She paused and took another breath before continuing. “I don’t forgive Elusive for what he did.” At the sound of Elusive’s name, Dusk Shine saw Butterscotch’s gaze lower and his mane fell over his eyes. Applejack reached a hoof over his shoulders and pulled him into an embrace, resting his head on top of Butterscotch’s. Dusk Shine tried not to notice. “That being said,” she continued, “I want to use what has happened to make things right. This isn’t just about him, and this isn’t just about me or us. I’m sure that you have seen what happened to the guards.” She pointed to the stallions in front of her. “Haven’t you noticed that every time something happens to you it slowly starts to affect the actions of those around you? And it’s not just you, but all of us. Everything that happens to us is connected, nothing in our lives exists in a vacuum. What Elusive did, even if misguided, he traces it back to my actions a long time ago.” “Now, sugarcube, Ah-” “I’m not justifying it,” Bluebelle cut him off, “All that I am saying is that when it comes to what we do in our lives, each thing that we do becomes a seed in the garden of our heart. We can nourish seeds that let flowers bloom, or we can cultivate weeds that choke them out. I have made my decision, Auntie.” As he saw her and Luna’s eyes meet, Dusk Shine held his breath. “When we find Elusive, he gets one chance. I can’t even begin to think of how he can fix this, but if Dusk Shine’s friendship has taught me anything, it’s that everypony deserves a chance.” Bluebelle stood up, followed by the rest. “I’ve spoken. Now, if you don’t mind, I would like to speak to Dusk Shine privately, please.” The other ponies nodded and made their way out the door. When they were alone, Dusk Shine stood in front of Bluebelle, only now seeing just how small she was. He looked into her icy blue eyes and instinctively reached out a hoof to touch her shoulder. He felt her lean into his hoof and push forward. They inched closer, until her muzzle came to a rest on his chest. He wrapped his foreleg around Bluebelle, and they stood there, not wanting to move. “Thank you.” He whispered. He felt a hoof touch his side, and he shivered. Her hoof felt soft against his fur. “I’m sorry, Bluebelle, I’m so-” He stopped when she squeezed his side. “No.” She replied as she placed a hoof over his muzzle. “Don’t say it. You have nothing to apologize for. If anything, I should be thanking you. If it weren’t for you, none of this would have happened.” “Exactly.” Dusk Shine answered. “None of this would have happened.” He sat down once more, and he felt Bluebelle sit down next to him. “No.” She corrected. “I mean none of this would have happened. It’s hard to describe it, but I’ll try.” She paused. “All I saw was darkness, and then you made a light for me. Although I now can see the shadows, I see colors, too.” Dusk Shine took a deep breath and held her closer. She felt warm next to him. The warmth grew from his chest and climbed up his neck to his face. He reached his other foreleg out and wrapped it around her. He rest his muzzle on top of Bluebelle’s head. “Now I know that without its brightness, there would be no colors to see. Everything around me, I see now all because of you." The two remained there for a while. Dusk Shine felt her chest expand into his, and as he breathed in, he felt his press into hers. They closed their eyes, too focused on their thoughts to notice that the words in the book behind them had erased themselves, and new ones had started to appear.