//------------------------------// // Magic 15: ゴルデンウィーク ＩＩ // Story: 友達は魔法少女　～ＦＲＩＥＮＤＳＨＩＰ　ＩＳ　ＭＡＧＩＣＡＬ　ＧＩＲＬＳ～ // by MythrilMoth //------------------------------// Celestia paced around her study, a worried frown on her face. Ever since Twilight Sparkle had been injured, she'd had an uneasy feeling. It wasn't the fact that Twilight had possibly nearly died; certainly, that bothered her, but that only precipitated the unease that had been tickling at the base of her brain for days. It was three in the morning; Celestia rarely rose before dawn. Restless, she decided to take a walk. She left her chambers at the heart of the Temple. Reaching the atrium, she leaned against one of the low outer walls and looked up at the starry night sky and the pale moon. Embrace eternal darkness, dear sister...embrace death... A chill ran through Celestia's body. Luna...you've left me no choice... "Luna..." This is not the end, sister! You cannot contain darkness! I will return to eclipse your precious light! The moon pulsed faintly, once. A sensation washed over Celestia that could be likened unto feeling a weak, thready pulse. "What...?" She stared at the moon, which hung tranquil and pale in the sky. She shook her head. "No...no, it's my imagination..." Faint, chilling musical laughter drifted through the back of her mind. She ran, barefoot, to the bottom of the hill. Magic 15: ゴルデンウィーク ＩＩ At eight in the morning, Aloe brought breakfast for the girls. "Did you sleep well last night?" she asked. "Oh, absolutely," Rarity said. "I haven't slept on a futon in a long time," Fluttershy said. "It was a nice change." "It's like a big slumber party!" Pinkie said. "I had a wonderful night's sleep," Twilight said. With a grin, she added, "Rainbow's snoring aside." "Hey! I do not snore!" Rainbow cried. "Yes you do," everyone else said, followed by a round of giggling. Aloe smiled. "Please enjoy your breakfast. The spa will open in an hour." She withdrew, sliding the door shut. "Oooh, you girls simply must avail yourselves of the spa treatment!" Rarity said with starry eyes. "It is simply divine." "Sure, sounds good to me," Pinkie said. "I've got so much tension in my shoulders and my boobs." Rainbow blinked. "How can you have tension in your boobs?" "My boobs have a lot of stress," Pinkie said simply, sitting down and helping herself to some grilled fish and rice. As the others sat down at the table, Applejack whispered to Twilight, "Is that gal...okay upstairs?" "She's...a little odd," Twilight whispered back. "But she's a good friend, and I trust her with my life." * * * * * Six weary, rumpled High Sages sat in council with a disheveled, pale Celestia. "I think something's happened to the seal," Celestia said without preamble. The Sages traded uneasy glances, shifting in their seats. "Celestia-sama..." the Sage of Magic said, "With all due respect...the power of the Elements of Harmony is absolute. The Six Seals are lost to the far corners of the world, as per your design. No force in this world can disturb their power." "Nothing in this world is absolute," Celestia said. "We must ascertain the state of the seal." "And how, precisely, are we to do that?" the Sage of Generosity asked. "Return to the Inner Sanctums of the Elements of Harmony, all of you," Celestia said. "I will stand in the Altar of the Sun and meditate. I want you all to meditate on Harmony. When the sun reaches its peak in the sky...that is when we will know." "But, Celestia-sama..." "I'm sorry, but this is an order," Celestia said firmly. "You know I do not impose my will upon others lightly. This must be done." * * * * * The inn's spa was completely Westernized. As soon as the girls entered, they were directed to a changing room, where they undressed and put on white terrycloth robes. "Rarity-sama, your skin is flawless as always!" Lotus said. "I am envious of you." Rarity laughed. "You flatter me, Lotus-san." Aloe examined Applejack's feet with a frown. "These calluses...and your heels are so hard...with such a stunning physique, you should really take better care of your feet." Applejack shrugged. "Ah've spent most'a mah life workin' on a farm. Ah never really went in for all this beautimafyin' stuff." "Well, let me...let me get started on your hair, and then I'll see what I can do about these feet..." Lotus studied Pinkie critically. "Pardon me, but...I feel like I've seen you before...it's a feeling I've had since you arrived yesterday..." Pinkie beamed. "You don't recognize me? I'm Smile!" Lotus gasped. "Smile-chan?! Oh my...it is such a pleasure to meet you! Aloe! Smile-chan is right here, in our little inn!" Rainbow shifted uncomfortably. "Uhh...I don't know if I wanna get all this foot-touchin' and stuff...I'm way out of my comfort zone here..." "Nonsense, Rainbow-san!" Rarity said. "A spa treatment is very relaxing and invigorating. Every woman should experience this splendor at least once in her life!" With a smile, she added, "I come here at least twice a month." "Yes, please relax," Aloe said. "I assure you, there is nothing to worry about." "Well...alright..." Twilight looked over at Fluttershy. "You don't seem the least bit nervous to be here," she commented. Fluttershy smiled. "Oh, I'm..." She ducked her head and blushed. "No, it...it sounds too silly." "I love silly!" Pinkie said. Fluttershy poked her index fingers together. "W-well...I spend a lot of my spare time grooming my pet bunny. I, umm..." Her blush intensified. "I'm...pretending I'm a bunny and I'm getting groomed." Aloe, Lotus, Pinkie, and Rainbow laughed. Twilight and Applejack stared at Fluttershy. Rarity raised an eyebrow and smirked. "Then we'll be sure to fluff your tail twice," Lotus said with a smile. "Your friends are so lively and interesting, Rarity-sama!" Aloe said, clutching a hand to her chest. "I haven't had so much fun in ages!" * * * * * The light of the sun energized Celestia. Her mind was clear and sharp, feeling all, seeing all. She felt the light of the six High Sages fill her. She could feel their minds, feel their prayer of Harmony. She could sense the six Elements of Harmony, gathered together to the north and west. Elsewhere, spread far and wide, she could feel, dimly, five shades of light, pale reflections of the sun... ...five?! Her concentration shattered, and she teleported directly to the Council chamber. The High Sages appeared, one after another, shaken and pale. "One of the Seals is broken," Celestia said hoarsely. "I could only sense five." "But...how is this possible? What does this mean?" the Sage of Kindness asked. "I don't know," Celestia said. Her voice was small and afraid. "My sister remains imprisoned, but...the strength of that prison has diminished. That is why I felt..." She swallowed. "That is why I felt her in my mind...last night..." The High Sages looked at one another fearfully. "Luna is awake," Celestia declared in little more than a whisper. * * * * * Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom sat upstairs playing Ramen Ninja; Velvet was downstairs in the bookstore, and Spike had gone out to "run errands", as he'd said. Sweetie Belle had asked if he'd needed help, but he'd shrugged her off. As Apple Bloom beat Sweetie Belle for the tenth battle in a row, she put her controller down and stretched. "Ah could use a break," she said. "Yeah, me too," Sweetie Belle agreed. "You're really good at this game." "Thanks," Apple Bloom said, grinning. They walked over to the kitchen and rummaged around for snacks. "So, why don't we talk about gettin' you an' Spike together-like?" Sweetie Belle blushed furiously. "Wh-what are you talking about?!" "Oh, come on," Apple Bloom said, rolling her eyes. "You've got a major crush on him, so let's do somethin' about it!" "B-but...I..." Sweetie Belle poked her index fingers together. "But nothin'," Apple Bloom said. "You want somethin', you gotta go for it!" "W-well..." Sweetie Belle cast her eyes down, a small, silly smile on her face. "I do want to...get to know him better..." Apple Bloom popped a potato chip in her mouth. "So let's look around in his room while he's out." Sweetie Belle gasped. "B-but! That's...that's terribly rude! The last time I went snooping in Oneesan's room, she nearly killed me!" Apple Bloom rolled her eyes. "He'll never know. Come on!" * * * * * "Well, I don't know about you girls, but I feel positively rejuvenated," Rarity said as she stretched and sat primly at the low table. "I feel positively freaked out," Rainbow said. Her face was glowing red. "There are parts of a girl's body you just don't do that to without...I dunno..." "Oh, calm down, Rainbow-chan!" Pinkie said, giggling. "That's what a full spa treatment IS! Besides, it's not like they were perving on you or anything." "And it's fine if it's other girls that do it, right?" Applejack said. "Shucks, after gettin' felt up by Pinkie, that ain't nothin'." "I just...dunno about all this fancy spa stuff," Rainbow said, shuddering. "It's not really my thing." She turned to Twilight. "What about you? You're with me on this, right?" "Well—" "Twilight Sparkle," Celestia's melodic voice filled the room. The girls spun around as a sunbeam coalesced into the image of the Great Sun Sage. "I have something important to tell you." "Celestia-sama!" Twilight said, standing straight and adjusting her yukata. "Is there another Changeling attack? Should we—" "For the moment, Pony City is quiet," Celestia said, raising a placating hand. "I would rather have not disturbed you girls on your vacation at all." She looked around. "I've read about such places...I've always wished I could visit one." She shook herself. "Twilight, I came here to warn you of something disturbing which has transpired." "What's up?" Pinkie asked. "You look kinda...really freaked out." "I am," Celestia said, not bothering to conceal her own distress. Twilight grew more alarmed. "What's happened, Celestia-sama?" "The seal on my sister's prison has been weakened," Celestia said. "I don't know how." Twilight gasped. The others looked around, disturbed. "Celestia-sama...are...are you sure...?" "I can hear her in my mind," Celestia said. Her voice was distracted, hollow. "She's...she's laughing. I've placed my most powerful guards around the physical prison, and there is no sign of it having...having been...breached, but..." Celestia sighed. "She has awakened." She looked around at the mahoushoujo. "Perhaps I should explain—" "Sparkle-san already told us the tragic story of your sister," Rarity said. "How...how could the seal have been weakened?" Twilight asked. "I don't understand..." "Nor do I," Celestia said. "The Lunar Seals that ensure her eternal confinement are scattered far and wide. Even I do not know their location." "But that means somebody coulda found 'em an'...I dunno, messed with 'em or somethin', right?" Rainbow asked. "Destroying one of the Lunar Seals is virtually impossible," Twilight said. "It would take..." She looked uncertainly at Celestia. "It isn't something that could be done lightly, nor by accident," Celestia confirmed. "I've asked your mother, Spike, and Cadance to keep their eyes and ears open for anything that might relate to this." She looked around the room. "I've only come to tell you this because it is extremely important. I would not have interrupted your bonding and relaxation otherwise." "If you need us, we'll be ready to fight," Twilight said. "Yeah, point us at a butt an' we'll kick it," Rainbow said confidently. Celestia raised an eyebrow. "That's very reassuring," she said. "The only butt I want you girls to worry about kicking is Sunset Shimmer's. But you should not face her until you can function in perfect harmony with each other, as friends." "So...somethin' bad happened, you came t' warn us, but we can't actually do nothin' about it, so pretty much sit tight, kick back, an' have a good time?" Applejack asked. "That about sums it up, yes," Celestia said, nodding. "Umm...excuse me..." Fluttershy said softly. "Yes?" Celestia asked. Fluttershy ducked her head. "Umm...sorry if I'm...I mean...I don't really know anything about magic or...or anything about...all this stuff that's going on, but..." She looked around the room, then looked down at her hands, poking her index fingers together. "What if...would it be possible..." Celestia smiled gently. "You need not be afraid to speak your mind, young one." "Oh, okay..." Fluttershy forced herself to look up, taking a deep breath. "If this Sunset Shimmer we're supposed to...supposed to deal with...if she's as evil as you all say she is...do you think maybe she has something to do with this thing with your sister?" The room fell unnaturally silent. Celestia stared at Fluttershy, stunned. "The thought...had honestly not occurred to me," she said. "No native of Sun Island would be insane enough to tamper with the Lunar Seals..." "Even somebody who'd be crazy and evil enough to drink her own mother's blood?" Rainbow asked pointedly. "But...but WHY would she do that?" Twilight asked, shaking her head and frowning. "It doesn't make any sense. There's...there's nothing she could possibly gain from trying to release the Dread Sorceress Luna..." "Oh...forget I said anything then," Fluttershy said quietly. "No no, it's not that," Twilight said. "I mean, you brought up a good point, and...it's definitely something we need to think about. Right, Celestia-sama?" "It is absolutely something we must consider, however unlikely it seems," Celestia said. "You know, now that you mention it..." Pinkie said, tilting her head, "it's an awfully funny coincidence that you've got this crazy evil skank running around, and then this happens. Two really bad things happening at the same time are usually connected. All the movies I've ever watched and all the manga I've ever read say so!" "Well then we need to find this bitch and stop her, fast," Rainbow said, pounding a fist into her open palm. "Let Spike and Velvet handle the investigation for now," Celestia said. "Until Sunset Shimmer reveals herself...it's best to rest and prepare yourselves." "Celestia-sama is right," Twilight said. "We've got three days of vacation left. Let's not waste it worrying. Let's make the most of it." Celestia smiled. "I'll leave you girls to your fun then," she said, dissolving into motes of sunlight. "So are we just gonna spend the rest of Golden Week here at the inn getting pampered and bathing?" Pinkie asked. "Actually," Rarity said, "I was thinking...tomorrow we should do some training." Rainbow perked up. "Now that sounds like fun." "That's a good idea," Twilight said. "But where, and with what?" Rarity smiled. "Leave that to me..." * * * * * Apple Bloom stared in horror at what their search had uncovered. "Oh...mah...God..." It was all going so well, too. There were manga, games, books. There were some really weird things too, like ninja weapons and sharpening tools. There were clothes. And then there were the three boxes of women's underwear. Sweetie Belle covered her face with her hands. "Wh-why does...why does Spike-kun have..." The doorknob rattled. The girls looked at one another with startled eyes, then dove into the closet, pulling the door closed behind them. "Kusou...!" they heard Spike growl. The closet door jerked violently open; Spike stood there, glaring at them. He wasn't wearing the same clothes he'd had on when he'd left; he had on a strange leather outfit with an open vest that showed off his bare, muscular chest and arms. "The hell're you two doin' in my closet?!" "KYAA!" Sweetie Belle squeaked, pushing past Spike and barreling out the door. Apple Bloom dug herself out of a box of panties and stepped out, frowning. "So uhh...you're kind of a pervert, huh?" Spike shoved her out of the room and slammed the door behind her. Apple Bloom found Sweetie Belle in Twilight's bedroom, sitting on the bed with her knees drawn up to her chest. She was shaking in fear. "He...he hates me now," Sweetie Belle said. "It...it's over before...before it ever..." Apple Bloom sat beside her, putting an arm around her. "Ah ain't so sure you didn't dodge a bullet there," she said. "All them panties an' stuff in his closet...there's somethin' wrong with that boy." Sweetie Belle sniffled. "Well...y-yes, but..." Her face burned red. "Did...did you see his...his..." She let out a squeak, a terribly silly smile on her face. "He's soooo cool-looking..." Apple Bloom rolled her eyes. "Okay there, Bessie, Ah think we can still fix this." Sweetie Belle looked up. "D-do you really th-think so...?" Apple Bloom shrugged. "Worth a shot, ain't it?" * * * * * After breakfast, Rarity led the girls to a clearing in a forest not far from the inn. "I found this place a couple of months ago when I was helping a child look for a lost cat," Rarity said. "Nobody ever comes out here." "Wow, how often do you find a place like this so close to Pony City?" Pinkie said. "This looks like one of those samurai movies, you know, one of those forest scenes where you'd see samurai fighting to the death," Rainbow commented. "Does...anybody own this land?" Twilight asked. Rarity shook her head. "If they did, all this natural beauty wouldn't be here." "Ah dunno how Ah feel about us wreckin' this place up trainin'," Applejack said. "I think we can train without damaging the surroundings," Rarity said. "Besides, this really is the best we're going to find." "Okay, let's...let's get busy training then," Twilight said. She dug her toe into the ground sheepishly. "Anou...I've...never actually trained anybody before, so..." "Oh, I believe I can handle that, Sparkle-san," Rarity said. "For now, at least." She smiled and pulled out her henshin locket. "Shall we then?" The six girls transformed. Fluttershy looked down at herself and blushed. "I...I'm still not...used to how...revealing this is." Applejack stretched, popping her back. "Hey, if'n you got it, flaunt it." "Alright," Rarity said briskly, looking around at her friends. "Each of us has something we could stand to improve on." "Hey! I've got this thing down cold," Rainbow said, slowly flapping her wings to hang in midair as she spun her lance lazily in one hand. Rarity raised an eyebrow at her. "You are an athlete, are you not? Then you of all people should know the importance of training." Rainbow shrugged. "Yeah, fair enough." Rarity looked at Applejack. "Now...first of all...Applejack-san, you have not even used any of your powers yet." "Sure ain't," Applejack said, looking down at her holstered revolvers and the lasso hanging from her hip. "Th' lasso ain't nothin', Ah been ropin' an' herdin' since Ah was old enough t' ride, but these guns...reckon Ah'm gonna need some target practice." "Yeah, especially since they're magic guns and not regular guns," Pinkie said, hefting her bazooka. "It seems like every fight we have, I learn something new about this." "We noticed," Rainbow said. "Like how to keep coming up with more and more disgusting attack names." Pinkie stuck her tongue out at Rainbow. "As for Fluttershy-san..." Rarity frowned. "During that kerfuffle with the overgrown cockroaches, it became very apparent where your weaknesses lie." "Umm...everything?" Fluttershy hazarded, ducking her head. "I...I'm just not...really a fighter..." "Nonsense, darling, you have excellent reflexes...if unrefined. No, you have two major problems you need to address. The first and most critical is that you need to learn to run and fight in high heels." "Oh. Yes. That." Fluttershy looked down at her shoes, turning her legs this way and that. "I've...never really worn high heels before, not even for normal things." "With my help, you'll learn how to manage them in no time," Rarity said. "How the heck do YOU fight so well in those stilettos, anyway?" Rainbow asked. "Don't tell me you've—" "I simply have natural grace, poise, and elegance," Rarity said, tossing her hair. "That, and I've been wearing high heels since I was thirteen." She looked at Fluttershy. "Your other problem is learning to use those magnificent wings." Fluttershy squeaked. "Umm...couldn't I just pretend I don't have them? I mean..." "Fluttershy-san," Twilight said, "I don't know why only you and Rainbow-san have wings, but...that gives you an advantage. I agree with Senpai. You need to learn how to use them." "Oh...well...alright..." "But first we're going to work on those heels," Rarity said. "And to best do that...Pie-san, do you suppose you'd be able to produce some non-lethal nuisance ammunition from your weapon?" Pinkie grinned. "I can totally do nuisance!" "There's a surprise," Rainbow said. Rarity smirked. "Then, if you would please, Pie-san...motivate Fluttershy-san to move her feet?" Pinkie saluted. "Ryoukai!" She grinned evilly at Fluttershy, bracing her weapon on her shoulder. Fluttershy cowered. "Oh...I don't think I like where this is go—" "SMILE SERVICE VAGINA!" A volley of pink tennis balls erupted from Pinkie's bazooka, headed straight for Fluttershy. "Eep!" * * * * * The rest of Golden Week passed swiftly and without incident. The mahoushoujo spent the days training and the evenings relaxing at the inn. By Monday night, six girls who had only known each other a short time had become the best of friends, Applejack had mastered her new powers, and Fluttershy had made significant improvement in managing her high heels and wings. Apple Bloom had tried to get Spike and Sweetie Belle alone together, but it was futile. Every day, Spike disappeared after breakfast, returned in time for dinner, and retreated to his room after doing the dishes, except for when he sat in the living room watching television. Every evening, he seemed either tense and anxious, or tired and grumpy; he barely said ten words to the girls each day. Apple Bloom could feel her new friend's heart breaking. The only bright spot was the day they'd spent exploring the neighborhood with Apple Bloom's classmate Scootaloo; Sweetie Belle had warmed up to the girl immediately. All too soon, Golden Week was over. On Tuesday afternoon, the mahoushoujo stepped off the train to find Twilight Velvet, Spike, Sweetie Belle, and Apple Bloom waiting for them. "Anechan!" "Oneesan!" Applejack and Rarity smiled as their sisters ran up to them and jumped into their arms. "Did you behave yourself for Velvet-san?" Rarity asked. "Hai!" Applejack mussed Apple Bloom's hair. "How 'bout you? Were you a good girl?" "Heck no!" Apple Bloom replied cheekily, grinning. Applejack laughed. "Did you girls have a good time?" Velvet asked. "We sure did!" Pinkie said. Twilight smiled. "That inn was the best idea ever." "Well, you all certainly look relaxed," Velvet said. She looked at the two younger girls. "I enjoyed having you as my guests. You're welcome to drop by for a visit whenever you like." "Thanks, Bachan!" Apple Bloom said. Sweetie Belle bowed. "Thank you very much for taking care of us, Velvet-san." "Well, Sweetie Belle, shall we be off?" Rarity asked. "Hai!" "Guess we'd better head on home too," Applejack said. "Tomorrow's school an' all." "Yeah, I gotta get home too," Rainbow Dash said. "See you girls at school tomorrow!" As the group broke up, heading their separate ways, Twilight watched her friends leave, a smile on her face. Velvet walked closer. "I haven't seen you this happy in a long time," she said. "Even with everything that's going on..." "Yeah," Twilight said. "Whatever happens, I'm ready. My friends...with my friends by my side, there's nothing we can't do." She looked up at the sky, which was just beginning to darken. "Bring it on, Sunset Shimmer. We're ready for you!" * * * * * Chrysalis sat upon her twisted, chitinous throne, stewing. Whatever that human witch had done, it had not only banished her back to her own realm, it had cut off contact with her children in the human world. She stared across her throne room at the pulsating cocoon. A hiss of steam erupted as a fissure split down the center. She sat forward eagerly. "Well, at least one thing is going right." A slimy, orange-skinned humanoid creature emerged from the cocoon. His head was encased in a massive spiral snail shell, and his yellow eyes glowed at the end of wobbling stalks. Chrysalis smiled. "Come, my drone. I have need of you..."