//------------------------------// // Act 3 Scene 6: It's Super // Story: Bluebelle of the Ball, The Musical // by mr lovecolt //------------------------------// Okay, Bluebelle thought as the silver pins hovered in front of the map of Equestria, we know that Unicorn Range is in need of a warm summer breeze. But there is Appaloosa to consider, as well. She continued to study the map and wondered whether or not she could get Zephyrus to send his wind to two places at once. “You know, Eurus could give Appaloosa some much needed rain.” Bluebelle screamed and sent the pins soaring across the room towards the sound of the voice, only to see Bubble Berry standing in an awkward pose with the pins centimeters from his limbs. “Oh dear, Sir Bubble Berry! I’m sorry,” she said as she pulled the pins out from the wall, “but I just hate it when ponies sneak up on me like that.” “It’s all right,” he replied, “Butterscotch says that acupuncture is a really good way to relieve stress.” “Uh huh.” “Oh look,” he pointed to his flank, where a pin was lodged into his cutie mark, “you’re a horseshoe in for the pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey contest.” he laughed as he plucked the offending pin out of his backside. Bluebelle just rolled her eyes and chuckled to herself. “But seriously, Eurus is great with cooling things down, isn’t he.” “Well, I thought about that, but Eurus is a bit… unlucky… when it comes to gauging how much rain the desert needs.” she took the pin from him. “Besides, he is more comfortable being an autumn wind, not a summer one.” she gathered the pins and put them into the bowl next to the map. “So, what brings you here today?” “Oh, right, it is only summer, isn't it?” Bubble Berry replied as he rummaged through his saddlebag, “so, you know about the whole Fleur getting back with Fancy Pants to work on his unicorn net thing, right?” “Ah yes, The Equestrian Network for the Eradication of Tribalism project.” she replied, not correcting him, “how is it coming along?” “Well, since they got the funding from an anonymous donor six months ago, you know, after the whole cake thing?” Bluebelle rolled her eyes and shook her head. Oh Bubble Berry, she thought. Fortunately, the sessions with Dusk Shine over the past few months had really helped her not only get over her fears, but also to get to know Bubble Berry as well as his friends better. “How could you forget?” he asked, taking her head shake as a no, “you were all covered in icing, and the Anemoi were all like ‘neigh, soul sister’ and-” Bluebelle held up a hoof. “No, I remember. I was just thinking about something else.” “Wow, you must have a short attention span.” “Anyway,” she tried to get back onto the subject, “what about it?” “Well, I just got a letter from Lucy about his work in Mareocco about his work with the zebras there.” “He sent a letter?” Bubble Berry nodded, but Bluebelle merely walked into the next room and sat down on the sofa. She turned to the nearby desk and looked at the stationary that rest in a pile on the surface. She knew what was written on them; they were copies of the letters she and Dusk Shine had sent to Elusive after they had found out where he had run off to. Six months, she wondered, not one response. “What does the letter say?” she asked. “Oh, not much, really,” he said as he took a seat next to her, “just about how happy he was to be doing something worthwhile and some sort of clothing style using bat ticks.” “Bat ticks?” “Yeah, he went on and on about how they cover the clothes in wax and dye it.” “Batik.” she corrected. “I think it’s pronounced ‘technique’.” Bluebelle rubbed her temples. There was a knock at the door, and Bluebelle’s aura wrapped around the handle to open it. There stood Dusk Shine, trying to straighten out the sash on his shoulder. “Stupid fabric wanting to be uneven.” he cursed to himself, unaware that the door was open. “Oh, did you open the door Bubble-” he looked around for his companion, “...Berry?” “He’s in here.” Bluebelle called out. Dusk Shine entered the room. “How did you get in here so quickly?” “How do you think?” he asked. Dusk Shine started to reply, but Bubble Berry began to shake uncontrollably. The shaking stopped and a huge smile appeared on his muzzle. “Nevermind. I don’t want to know.” he answered as he made his way to Bluebelle and gave her a peck on the cheek. He turned to his excitable friend and Bluebelle could tell that he was excited to hear news from Elusive, “So, Bubble Berry, you said that you would read the letter once you had the two of us together. So, what does it say?” Bluebelle felt Dusk Shine’s hoof tighten around her. She knew that he, too, had been worried about his friend, and she knew that he still considered him a friend. To be honest, she did as well. Out of everything Dusk Shine’s lessons had taught her, the most important one that she had learned was about forgiveness. The letters the two of them had sent to Elusive were never responded to, a fact that she knew kept Dusk Shine awake at night. “Ahem,” Bubble Berry began as he unfurled the scroll, “Where was I?” he started to read the letter, “oh yeah. Batik, in case you were not aware, is a fabric dyeing technique in which the fabric is drawn upon with a canting. The wax repels the dye, creating a simply marvelous design once the rest of the fabric is stained with a multitude of colors. I daresay that Rainbow Blitz would look simply divine in them, ha ha ha.” “I guess that would be funny.” Dusk Shine replied. “Oh, that’s why he wrote it.” Bubble Berry showed them the letter, “see? ha ha ha. Anyway you guys caught me so quickly that I didn't even have a chance to finish the letter myself. After six months of work, I finally feel as though I have given the unicorn population the tools here to help build a support network to firmly establish the organization’s presence here for the next generation. I shall be returning in a fortnight. Thank you for everything. Elusive. P.S., please don’t tell the others that I am coming back. I don’t think I can bring myself to see them. Thank you for your understanding.” He smiled and looked up from the scroll, only to look down to reread the postscript once more. “Oh.” “Bubble Berry, when was that letter written?” Dusk Shine pulled the letter from Bubble Berry’s grasp and gasped when he saw the date. “That was two weeks ago.” “He’s coming back today?” Bluebelle shouted as she stood up and ran to the door. The two stallions looked at one another before they ran after her. “Bluebelle, wait!” They gave chase and ran down the hall in pursuit, not noticing the raised eyebrows of the nearby guards at the scene that unfolded in front of them. The clattering of their hooves echoed through the halls as they tried to catch up to the mare, but they were soon stopped the moment they turned a corner and found themselves in front of the throne room. There, in front of the Royal Guard, stood Fancy Pants and Fleur De Lis. Fancy Pants wore his trademark coattails and monocle, but Fleur’s mane was pulled tightly into a ponytail and she wore a pair of thick rimmed glasses. All of the ponies gasped when they saw one another. “Oh dear,” Fancy Pants cleared his throat, and both he and Fleur bowed towards the royalty. “Your Highness, and My Liege.” “Please rise. We’re friends.” “Her Highness’s words speak more to her forgiving nature than our relation.” Fleur replied. “Nonsense,” Dusk Shine said, “I am proud at what you’ve done, Fleur. After everything settled, you dedicated yourself to fixing the Canterlot system of nepotism and cronyism. I look forward to your new book as well as the new models and artists you and Hoity Toity have discovered.” “You should have seen the destruction he left in his wake when she suggested they collaborate on a project” Fancy Pants said, “I haven’t seen that many broken vases since that Iron Will character got trapped in the china shop.” The gathered ponies started to laugh, but the sound of another pair of hooves against the tiles caused them to stop. They looked over and saw a stallion’s silhouette standing at the entryway with the rising sun behind him. The figure approached slowly, taking care not to make much noise. The ponies gasped when they saw that it was Elusive. His once long mane had been cut above his withers, and his tail was so short that it barely wrapped around his flank. His gaze moved from pony to pony, and he stopped in his tracks. Silence grew around them until Bubble Berry burst through the group to crush him in a hug. “Lucy!” he shouted, “it’s been six whole months! You never wrote me until this letter two weeks ago and I was so worried that something had happened to you. Well something did happen to you after the party but you just disappeared without telling anypony and I was so worried but then I managed to get Fancy Pants to tell me that you had come to him to offer your help in Equus and that you were in Mareocco and I’m so happy for you but I’m sad at the same time that you wouldn’t say anything to anypony.” “Bubble Berry, darling,” Elusive gasped through the crushing hug, “I thought I asked you not to tell anypony that I had returned. One would think that after receiving one hundred fifty nine letters, the request that I made in the one letter that I sent in response would be adhered to.” Bubble Berry let Elusive go and he backed away for a moment, his gaze now on the floor in front of him. “I say,” Fancy Pants said after nopony moved, “why don’t we finish this conversation this evening? Fleur and I still have a meeting with Her Highness Princess Celestia. We can meet at my place. I’m having a small gathering tonight in celebration of six months of work for the Equestrian Network for the Eradication of Tribalism.” The other ponies nodded and turned to Elusive who still looked uneasy. Finally, after looking at their faces, he sighed. “All right.” ***** “Long story short, I would say that the seeds of tolerance have been planted in Zebrica, so far as tribalism is concerned.” The others listened as Elusive finished the tale of his work in Mareocco and set down his champagne flute. Dusk Shine cleared his throat and followed suit, unaware that the others at the table now turned to him. “But look at me, prattling on about every detail. Tell me, My Liege, how have things been on this side of the pond.” “Elusive, you know I’d rather be called Dusk,” he tried to ignore Elusive’s blush, “But to answer your question, things have been going very well here. I’ve been helping Bluebelle speak with the Anemoi about organizing their schedules. Who would have thought that Zephyrus never sought out Eurus for help when it comes to sending warmer rains to the areas in which he works.” “That’s Duskie for you,” Bubble Berry laughed, “Always organizing things. Thank Celestias he isn’t a party planner, or I’d have some stiff competition.” “Stop that, sugarcube,” Applejack interjected, “You know that nopony compares to you when it comes to things like that.” “I say, it seems that we all have had quite the experiences over the course of this year,” Fancy Pants said before taking another sip of champagne, “Speaking of events, congratulations on the six-month anniversary, you two.” The table turned to Dusk Shine and Bluebelle, who simply turned to each other and kissed. A chorus of ‘ahhs’ emerged from the table, not noticing that Elusive turned away. “Wait, did you say anniversary? You know what this calls for?” “No,” the couple replied in unison. “Aww.” the pony started to tremble and his eyes started to sparkle. A moment later, it stopped once more. “I’ll be right back.” he immediately hopped away. The conversation slowly drifted to other matters, but Dusk Shine continued to watch Elusive as he slowly pulled away from the table. “Elusive,” he said, “could you accompany me outside? I keep having problems with my sash, and I could really use some help straightening things out.” he stood up, to which the others in the party stood up as well. ‘Of course.” The two made their way across the room towards the balcony. It was a clear night, and the night sky was filled with stars. Standing outside was a familiar guard who, upon seeing the prince, bowed. “At ease, Sergeant Lighthoof.” Dusk Shine waited for his to return to his pose. “You may take your leave.” Sergeant Lighthoof nodded his head, leaving the two stallions alone. “It seems you have become comfortable with giving orders to the Royal Guard. I knew you would be able to get used to your role as their leader.” Dusk Shine didn’t reply, choosing instead to let the comforting silence endure for another moment. He watched his friend continue to look up to the sky. Elusive’s eyes were closed, and in the moonlight, he could easily make out the small bags that had formed beneath his eyes. He gasped slightly when he saw a small scar across his muzzle. His friend was tired. Elusive swayed to the music that played inside, bobbing his head to the tune. Nini ya moomoo Hatta yittib ehshana Oo ila ma ttab ehshana Yittib ehsha jirana "What was that?" he asked. "Just an old Mareoccan lullaby." “Oh. Elusive?” “You didn’t ask me out here to fix your sash, did you?” the two locked gazes. “You never were one for subtlety.” “I wanted to thank you.” “Thank me? Whatever for?” Dusk Shine moved closer. “I know you still feel guilty about what happened. But if my time with Bluebelle has taught me anything, it is that everything we do is connected. Yes, you were pretty rotten back then, I’ll admit, but-” “And here I thought dear Applejack was the Element of Honesty.” The two shared a smile. “Sorry.” “Don’t be for that.” Dusk Shine replied. “Not just about that. For everything.” Dusk Shine the tears forming and immediately wrapped him in for a hug. “Elusive, you apologized for that six months ago, remember? And you know that Bluebelle offered you her forgiveness that night.” “What about you? he asked. “Forgiveness is one of the first lessons of friendship. Friends make mistakes. We are only ponies, after all. And to show you that, there’s something I need you to see.” “This wouldn’t possibly have anything to do with that small box you have tucked away in the inside pocket of your sash, would it?” “You felt that?” “Let’s just say I noticed that your sash was askew the moment I saw you.” “Well, yes.” Dusk Shine smiled. “So, do you have any advice?” “After everything that has happened, I’m going to tell you the same thing I told you six months ago. Tell her straight out. You have the courage to do it. You had the courage to forgive me, so I’m sure you’ll do fine. You’ve got control over the situation. You even made sure that Bubble Berry didn’t find out.” “I don’t know. He’s been doing his doozy shake all day.” “Well then, you’d better do it before he lets the cat out of the bag.” The began to head back in. “Oh, and Dusk Shine? Thank you.” Dusk Shine hugged him one more time. “You’ll always be a friend. The element stills glows within you, does it not? That’s how I knew you still had the magic of friendship in you.” They reentered the house, only to see Bubble Berry near the band, pushing Bluebelle back and forth. “No, you have to be here,” he mumbled, pushing her to the left, “No, here.” he pushed her to the right. Dusk Shine saw that Fleur De Lis was up there, as well as his other friends. The look on Bluebelle’s face told Dusk Shine that he needed to hurry, and so he jumped forward, landing inches in front of her. Bubble Berry’s trembling started up again, causing the floor beneath him to shake. “B-b-b-Bluebelle, I n-n-n-n-need to say s-s-something.” he shouted, his voice trembling at the force of the shakes. The shaking stopped, and Dusk Shine heard the room gasp. He looked at the ground in front of him, only to see that a small box was on the floor. He immediately reached for his sash pocket, but still felt the box within. He looked up to Bluebelle, whose eyes had widened and whose hoof was on her own pocket. “Dusk Shine, I-” “Doozy!” Bubble Berry shouted. Dusk Shine sighed, pulled the box out from his sash, and set it on the floor next to Bluebelle’s. He immediately felt his cheeks burn. The burning stopped once he felt a pair of soft lips on them. He looked up to see Bluebelle nodding her head emphatically. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Elusive cover his muzzle to contain his laughter. “I knew it I knew it!” “That’s so cute.” Butterscotch squeaked. “Dusk Shine,” Elusive said as he rushed forward and pushed them together, “Just do it.” “Elusive, the fact that she has an engagement ring, too, tells me what her answer is going to be.” “That’s not the point.” Elusive replied, and after a pause, he added, “darling.” “Bluebelle,” he asked, will you-” “Yes!” Dusk Shine felt a pair of hooves wrapped around his neck and heard the sound of more hooves clopping on the floor. He turned to see the crowd cheering for them. “It’s great that I already put everypony in place for this!” “Wait, what? Bubble Berry, no, we don’t need another-” Bubble Berry flew into the air and landed in the middle of the crowd. It's super that Prince Dusk Shine fell in love with Princess Bluebelle I guess you could say they fell under each other’s own spell No matter what happens we can say all’s well that ends well Super that Prince Dusk Shine fell in love with Princess Bluebelle Dusk Shine looked down and finally noticed that a small 'x' had been crudely drawn at exactly the same spot he had landed moments earlier. He shook his head but then felt himself being pulled up by Bluebelle. As the band continued to play, he felt the energy of the music begin to well inside of him once more. When I first met with Bluebelle All I saw was just a task From everything that I could tell She hid behind a mask But as the days went on I saw That I had one on, too It’s clear to see I’m better now That I am here with you Bubble Berry reappeared with instruments covering every inch of his body. It's super that Prince Dusk Shine fell in love with Princess Bluebelle I guess you could say they fell under each other’s own spell No matter what happens we can say all’s well that ends well Super that Prince Dusk Shine fell in love with Princess Bluebelle "Why Elusive," Fleur De Lis whispered, "it seems your friend placed marks on the floor for us, as well." "What?" Elusive looked down and saw a chalk drawing of himself and Fleur dancing with one another as a very large pink swirl of color watched on. "I see. Well, you first." Fleur De Lis smiled and turned to the crowd. I saw ponies of Canterlot As pieces in a game Somehow it seemed that I forgot That we are all the same Elusive joined her in front. Now you and I can try to make This world a better place We made our own mistakes But we have learned because of this Bubble Berry crashed a pair of cymbals together. It's super that Prince Dusk Shine fell in love with Princess Bluebelle I guess you could say they fell under each other’s own spell No matter what happens we can say all’s well that ends well Super that Prince Dusk Shine fell in love with Princess Bluebelle Bubble Berry started to tremble once more. “Wait a minute!” Bubble Berry shouted. “I got it wrong! Technically Princess Bluebelle fell in love with Prince Dusk Shine first, didn’t she? “Ugh.” Dusk Shine facehoofed, but Bubble Berry continued. It’s funny how just one event Can cause so much to change Then again, we’ve done so much It’s shouldn’t feel that strange Perhaps some other things have changed In ways that we don’t know “For example.” Sergeant Lighthoof interjected. “Yes?” Bubble Berry asked. “Ever since they fell in love, they’ve stopped throwing things at us,” he smiled. “Royal Guard injuries are at an all time low!” His smile faltered and his eyes widened. He ducked as a pair of cymbals soared across the room, missing him by mere inches. It's super that Prince Dusk Shine fell in love with Princess Bluebelle Super that Prince Dusk Shine fell in love with Princess Bluebelle Super that Prince Dusk Shine fell in love with Princess Bluebelle Super that Prince Dusk Shine fell in love with Princess Bluebelle As the crowd continued to cheer, Dusk Shine leaned in towards Bluebelle. He looked into her eyes once more. "I really wished I could have asked you properly, Bluebelle." "Oh Dusk Shine," she replied, kissing him once more, "Let it go."