//------------------------------// // 132. Games Ponies Play - Part 1 // Story: Blaze the Pony Tale // by Wolven5 //------------------------------// In the weeks that followed the defeat of Terror, the vanquishing of the Whisperer, and the coronation of Prince Sombra, Twilight and Midnight became closer than ever. Whenever Midnight finished his chores at Sweet Apple Acres, he went to see Twilight, or she would find some excuse to come see him. They went out on dates, were caught making out or just cuddling, and then Twinken found out and cheered for the idea of having Twilight as a new sister. While Twilight found the idea a little too soon for that, Midnight gave Twinken a wink, as if he knew something. However, Midnight also spent a fair amount of time assisting in the repairs of Ponyville, which was dealt some damage in the fight between Terror and Sombra. While the damage was bad, it could’ve been a lot worse and most of it was concentrated in the neighborhood between Twilight’s library and Sugarcube Corner. Even though it had been Terror, Midnight still felt responsible, and helped however he could. Pinkie and the Cakes were happy to have their bakery repaired and even improved! Pinkie’s loft apartment above the bakery was expanded, looking like three cupcakes atop the bakery instead of just one, and Midnight improved the Cakes’ ovens and mixers and charmed their dishes to gather, wash, and put themselves away (which was appreciated but would take some getting used to). Equestria itself was going through a transition as their new prince had made a successful proposal to their long-cherished Princess of the Sun. The idea of one of their co-rulers being wed was staggering by itself, but there was more to it than that. Of course, Equestria, for most of her history since Celestia was forced to banish her sister to the moon, had been ruled by a single princess for millennia. Then upon the Thousandth Summer Sun Celebration, Nightmare Moon had returned and was reverted back to Princess Luna by the Elements of Harmony. And even before Luna had returned, the realm had found a new princess in Cadance although she eventually found her own piece of the realm alongside her husband, Shining Armor, who became Equestria’s first alicorn prince. Now there was Sombra, previously an infamous tyrant, now redeemed and ascended to divine rule, and now engaged to their most beloved princess. What would this mean once they were wed? Would Sombra rule alongside the Royal Sisters? Would they dare to claim positions even higher? Or would he simply be Celestia’s consort and be charged duties of his own by her? Celestia only knew, and for now that was how it was gonna stay. Furthermore, their wedding plans weren’t being shared, for one of the nation’s most famous events, known worldwide, was soon to take place, the Equestria Games! The question right now, however, was where in Equestria would the Games take place? Midnight and Twilight were in the park, just nuzzling against each other on a bench, enjoying the sunshine. “Ah, the breeze feels great!” sighed Twilight, feeling very content as she rested her head onto the shoulder of her stallion. “This was such a good idea, honestly? I’m beginning to see the merits of getting out.” “Instead of confining yourself in that stuffy library?” cracked Midnight, Twilight looking at him with a pouty lip. “I thought you liked visiting my library!” “Oh I do,” Midnight shrugged before he kissed her. “But I love visiting you more.” “Tease,” giggled Twilight when a shadow fell upon them and they looked to see, “Ditzy! How are you?” “Hi Twilight, Midnight!” Ditzy landed a little clumsily but kept on her hooves before she reached into her mailbag and fished out a scroll. “Delivery from the Crystal Empire!” “Oh thanks!” Twilight took the scroll and quickly recognized it was bound by a royal seal. “It must be from Cadance and my brother!” “Have a good day, you two, got more mail to deliver!” Ditzy took flight, Midnight calling after her, “Thanks, Ditzy! Say hi to Dinky and Time Turner for us!” He then looked to his marefriend, asking, “What’s it say?” “Dear Twilight, I hope you’re doing well and this message doesn’t come at a bad time. But as you are aware, the Equestria Games isn’t far off, and we’ve recently received word that Ms. Harshwhinny, the Head Organizer of the event, will be paying a visit tomorrow to the Crystal Empire, as she comes to inspect if the empire is satisfactory enough to host the Games. Shiny suggested you would be a big help and I was inspired to invite you and all your friends early to the empire to help put together a warm reception for Ms. Harshwhinny, in the hopes that such will convince her to choose the Crystal Empire to host this year’s Equestria Games. I eagerly await your response, and hope to see you soon. Love, Cadance P. S. I am so happy for you and Midnight!” Midnight blushed, feeling oddly blessed that the Princess of Love was happy for his and Twilight’s relationship, while Twilight began to think. “Hmm, putting together reception for the games inspector sounds like a big responsibility!” “And I can’t think of anypony better qualified to pull it off,” Midnight nuzzled against her encouragingly. “Besides, I’d like to go to the Crystal Empire and actually have a chance to do some sightseeing!” “Well… if you think I can do it,” Twilight gave him a thankful look, Midnight kissing her on the cheek. “I know you can.” “Alright then, let’s go spread the word to our friends!” Midnight got the word to the guys while Twilight informed the girls. “Are you serious?!” “Cady wants us to help with the reception?” “Sounds big!” “Eeyup.” “Apparently, Princess Cadance wants our help in putting together an impressive welcoming committee for the Games Inspector, Ms. Harshwhinny,” Midnight confirmed. “She asked for us specifically after Shining Armor suggested Twilight help organize things.” “Well, friend, Cadance can always count on me to lend a helping hoof,” Blueblood nodded regally. “It does sound pretty awesome,” Thunderlane commented. “Eeyup,” Big Mac echoed. “It’s not awesome,” Soarin conflicted, the guys giving him a confused ‘huh?’ “It. Is… SERIOUS. And if any place deserves to host the Equestria Games, it is most definitely the Crystal Empire. I mean, they lost a thousand years! They deserve an awesome comeback, and have a lot of time to make up for.” “Then… you’re all in?” Midnight presumed with a smile. “We’re in!” the guys cheered and they did a collective hoof-bump. Later on that day Midnight and Big Mac hauling bales of hay into the barn when Spike showed up. “Hey Spike, what brings you by?” Midnight asked as he hauled a couple hay bales towards a corner, beginning to stack them neatly. “Hey Midnight, Big Mac,” Spike said, waving what looked like a measuring cup, and something inside rattling. “I hear from Fluttershy you’re all headed over to the Crystal Empire to set up a welcoming committee.” “Eeyup,” Big Mac confirmed as he stacked the bales as Midnight straightened them out. “Well, seeing as how you’re all gonna be out of town for a day or two…” Spike sounded oddly sly. “I thought maybe you might need someone to do some critter-sitting for your own critters.” “And… what makes you think that?” Midnight regarded Spike with a raised brow. “Oh nothing!” Spike said in spurious innocence, “Just that when Fluttershy told me about how you’re all gonna be gone a while, she hired me to pet-sit for her rabbit, Angel.” Midnight and Big Mac shared a look and stifled some knowing chuckles as they had the same thought, This poor damn fool... “And that got me thinking,” Spike went on, failing to notice, “that if all of you are gonna be gone, then, like I said, you’ll need someone to look after Dreamer and…. Uh… What’s your pet, Big Mac?” Big Mac took a deep breath and went, “Cock-a-doodle-doo!!” And not three seconds after he did, a clucking caused them all to look towards the barn door and in came a hen of golden plumage, scurrying over to Big Mac, who picked up the hen and gently petted her wing. “This here’s mah fav’rite hen, Goldilocks. Hatched `er from an egg.” “Surprised that big red rump didn’t crush it,” cracked Midnight, Spike laughing along while Big Mac just took it in stride. But then Midnight got serious. “Spike, I appreciate the offer, but I don’t think you’re prepared to look after Dreamer. He’s gotten… high-spirited ever since he had his growth spurt.” “Aw, come on, Midnight, how big can he be?” Spike scoffed. “Last time I saw him, he was still a puppy, small enough to be hugged by me.” “Exactly, the last time you saw him, he was that small,” Midnight deadpanned before he whistled loudly towards the barn door. Spike shook his head incredulously, Seriously, how big could he have gotten in… wait, when did I last see Dreamer? *BARK, BARK* What sounded like thunder made Spike jolt before something big and black barreled through the barn doors and lunge snarling at Midnight, Spike screaming, “Look out, Midnight, it’s a monster!!!” “Sit.” *BOOM* Spike lowered his shielding arms, opened his scrunching eyes and felt his jaw drop at the sight of the big black wolf! Dreamer’s growth spurt had done him quite a favor. He was sitting and almost eye-level to Midnight, his fur black like night, his paws banded white as though he ran on clouds, a shimmering silver star glorified his chest, and his eyes were green as a pine forest. His puppy fat had been swapped for strong muscles made for running, and his tongue looked big enough to slurp up Spike up with one lick. “Hey there, boy!” Midnight took a dog brush and ran it through Dreamer’s fur, making the ferocious beast pant happily at how good it felt, and his long and bushy tail wagged as further emphasis. “Whoa…!” Spike’s eyes had all but popped out of his skull before he shook it off and regained his composure. “Pphth, no sweat! Big guy like this? Why, he’s practically a stuffed animal.” “A stuffed animal whose jaws can exert a crushing pressure of maybe 10, 340 kPa,” Midnight added with a raised brow, Spike feeling a bit of his enthusiasm deflate but for whatever reason Midnight could not fathom, the little dragon was determined. “Midnight, come on! It’s me,” Spike waved off the concern. “I’m not Twilight’s #1 Assistant for nothing, y’know! I’ve been an efficient, diligent, and magnificent assistant to her for as long as I can remember! Please…!” “Well…” Midnight and Mac shared a look, but the way Spike was looking at them finally made them cave. “Fine… We’ll pay you to watch Dreamer and Goldilocks.” “One gemstone each!” Spike held out his cup, showing there were already three gemstones inside. Midnight threw in a turquoise while Big Mac threw in a piece of amber. “Bring them by the library before you all leave tomorrow,” Spike hurried off, the distinct sound of slurping following him. “Something tells me he’s not doing this out of the good of his heart,” Midnight deadpanned, and got an 'Eeyup.' from Big Mac in agreement