//------------------------------// // 167. Three's a Crowd - Part 1 // Story: Blaze the Pony Tale // by Wolven5 //------------------------------// One fine late morning, Twilight was setting up the display of new books she’d received. “How’s it looking, Spike?” “Hmm, almost…” Spike was holding up his thumb and fore-claws in a framing gesture, looking through them as he scrutinized the display Twilight was setting up, “just a bit more to the left…” *SLAM* “Yaugh!” Twilight lost her concentration and the book she’d been levitating over her pyramid-styled display fell, causing the whole thing to collapse. “He’s coming, he’s coming!” Twilight suddenly found herself in Midnight’s hooves as he flapped about, smiling like a schoolcolt. Huffing, she Flashed out of his grip, much to his surprise, and saw her giving him a look. “Who’s coming? And it better be somepony important, I almost had that-” “I just got his answer from Ditzy!” Midnight levitated a letter bearing the Imperial Seal of the Crystal Empire. “Shining Armor’s coming to Ponyville to hang out!” “What?!” Twilight snatched it from Midnight’s aura, the both of them shuddering the split-second their auras mixed, and read the letter herself. “Wha… Why you though? Why wouldn’t he wanna spend time with me?” “Read the back,” Midnight instructed. Twilight turned the letter over and read the P.S. “‘P.S., Twily, Cadance also wanted me to invite you to the empire because she’s found an old tome of what appears to be a spellbook for Crystal magic written by Prince Sombra himself. Except it’s written in a foreign dialect of Old Equine the Crystal Ponies once used, and is confident you can translate it.’ Ooh…!” Midnight smiled, knowing Twilight couldn’t pass up a chance to translate so prized book of magic, but she still looked a bit hurt. “But… Why is he coming to hang out with you?” “Don’t you remember, Twi?” Midnight said as he gestured over to a reading table, Twilight asking Spike to bring out refreshments. “Shining Armor and I have been friends since before you were born. He was the only friend I got to keep after I became an alicorn and Princess Celestia made everypony in Canterlot who knew me forget me.” “I... understand,” Twilight said with a small smile, and Midnight smiled back, sensing she did, coming over to give her a nuzzle. “Ugh, not in front of the minor dragon!” They startled as Spike coming over, holding a platter with a pitcher of lemonade, glasses, and a plate of cookies. As they began their snack, Midnight brought up, “And don’t forget, Twi! This’ll be a good chance for you and Cadance to spend some quality-time together!” “We really haven;t had much time to just enjoy each other;s company lately,” Twilight conceded, a smile pulling at her cheeks. “And I cannot wait for when Shining Armor arrives for… Hee-hee! The ‘Ogres & Oubliettes’ convention happening right here in Ponyville!” Midnight was geeking out and Twilight’s face went blank as memories came back. Memories of her brother and Midnight playing the dorky game, and it only got worse when Midnight started spewing facts about that game, like his character being a level-fifty-three ranger equipped with an elemental bow that increased magic capability, along with a ring of restoration that regenerated hit-points, but she couldn’t help but smile when he said, “This is the best news ever!” *Knock-knock* They all looked to the door as in walked Fluttershy, “Um, pardon me for dropping in like this, but… I’m so excited I just couldn’t wait to tell somepony!” She took the message she was carrying under her wing out, allowing Twilight to take it, as she explained, “The Equestrian Society for the Preservation of Rare Creatures has given me permission to observe the rarest, tiniest, most adorable magical creatures in all of Equestria - The Breezies!” “Ugh, those little pests?” Midnight scoffed, earning him an elbow in the barrel from Twilight who gave him a sharp ‘shush’. “Wow Fluttershy, that’s fantastic!” “Oh it’s not just fantastic,” Fluttershy said while flapping, “It just might be… the best news ever!” *CRASH/SMUSH* Everypony startled as something a very familiar shade of pink broke the door down on poor Spike and tackled Fluttershy, both Midnight and Twilight flinching at the following CRASH. Pinkie hopped up off of Fluttershy with a random Pinkie announcement, as was the daily custom. “I just got the most incredible mail anypony’s ever received in all of recorded pony postal history!” She lifted with her tail, “It’s a flyer about a one-day sale on used patio furniture- AUGH! Could this day get any better, Whoo-hoo!” “Why would you want used patio furniture?” Midnight sighed but couldn’t help but smile along with Twilight, Fluttershy, and Spike. That afternoon, at the train station, some of the friends were seeing Fluttershy off before her train left. “Here’s a compass I enchanted in case you get turned around,” Blueblood levitated the tool into Fluttershy’s saddlebag. “An’ Ah packed you a basket o’ nice fresh apples in case ya get hungry,” Applejack offered, placing the basket in front of Fluttershy. “Have a great time,” Twilight bade, straightening Fluttershy’s hat. “Oh I will, and I hope you have a fun time at the Crystal Empire,” Fluttershy replied when the train whistle sounded. “All aboard!” called the conductor who waited till everypony who was going had boarded, checked his watch, and then closed the doors. Fluttershy made sure to go to the end-car to wave everypony as her train pulled out, “Goodbye! Goodbye everypony!” “Fluttershy!” Pinkie chased after the train, to everypony’s bewilderment. “Whattya think shes gonna do, race that thing?”Midnight cracked. “I’LL NEVER FORGET YOU!!!” “Nope, just be dramatic,” Soarin corrected, spurring a laugh from the rest. “Oh I am stoked for Shining Armor’s visit!” Midnight smiled. “And I can’t wait to see Cadance at the empire,” Twilight smiled as well. “I just hope Shining Armor’s visit doesn’t spiral out of control,” Midnight sighed. “Why would it?” asked a Pinkie that just returned with a red balloon. “It’s just been a real long time we've had a chance to just hang out,” Midnight answered. “The last few times we saw each other, some big event or problem was going on.” “I seem to recall you once explaining your work in covert operations, is that what you’re referring to?” Blueblood brought up. “Exactly! Shining Armor and I haven’t had a chance to just enjoy being friends again,” Midnight clarified, “which is why I want for this visit to be just us having some brony time together.” “What’cha got in mind?” Soarin asked. “That!” Midnight pointed to a poster and everypony looked as he explained, “Today is the day the ‘Ogres & Oubliettes’ convention is being hosted in Ponyville! Shining and I can spend the whole day hanging out with other players, playing a few rounds, and maybe even getting our hooves on some rare game pieces!” “Hmm, I remember playing that game myself,” Blueblood commented, “but clockwork and gyroscopes were more my speed. But whatever floats your cloud.” “Not to mention they’ll have some of the first maps and dice pieces from the original version of the game!” Midnight smiled as he looked at the poster like a fan-colt. Soarin chose to have that moment for a gag-effect, Blueblood giving him a disapproving raised brow, Soarin chuckling, “Sorry, thought I smelled something… dorky?! “Well, if it’s something you’ll both enjoy, I say go for it, my good stallion,” Blueblood encouraged. “Yup, definitely sounds like you two’ll have some real brony time t’gether,” agreed Applejack. “I hope you both have a great time, Midnight,” Twilight gave her stallion a peck on the cheek, making him smile at her. A train whistle caught their attention and they all looked in awe at the train coming in. It obviously came from the Crystal Empire, not just because it was flying the Empire’s flag but also because it too was made from crystal. Which might have been a design flaw as it stepped on its breaks, sounding like nails on a chalkboard as it came in. A fanfare sounded, a couple Crystal Guards stepping out before out came Shining Armor, Captain of the Royal Guard, Prince of Equestria, and Emperor of the Crystal Empire. Twilight smiled but Midnight stepped forward first. Shining Armor was a little taller than Midnight, his wings primary feathers colored a similar way to his mane of various shades of blue. he wore no crown or helmet or anything, opting for simple nudity although his coat was beginning to develop the famous crystal-ly glisten of the crystal ponies. Both alicorn stallions shared a stoic look before saluting each other and speaking, “To Equestria I pledge my life along to everypony! To safeguard all from fear and strife, alongside my best brony!” They both laughed and bro-hoofed, Twilight saying, “Big brother!” “Twily!” Shining Armor took his little sister into a warm hug, with his arm and both his wings. Then, to everypony’s confusion, he started scrutinizing Twilight as though she were a butterfly in a glass case. “What?” Twilight asked the million-bit question. Then Shining Armor looked to Midnight, “Nothing appears to be amiss. It seems you’re taking good care of my LSBFF.” “I trust you’re satisfied, Captain?” Midnight gave a sarcastic salute, when Twilight wrested free of her brother with an indignant smile, everypony laughing at the princes’ little joke. “You two are such dorks!” Twilight snapped in a teasing tone. But then she gave a pouty lip towards her brother. “But you’re so mean, Shiny! Visiting somepony else and not me!” “Oh Twily…” Shining Armor wasn’t falling for it. “Should I call mom? Tell her her little filly needs her dolly?” “Oh you!” Twilight shoved him, Shining Armor and Midnight laughing and their friends laughing Twilight knew they just teasing her back but made sure they didn’t see her smile. But then Shining Armor said, “You should get going, Twi. The train here will take you to the Crystal Empire, and Cadance is expecting you for tea.” “Alrighty then,” Twilight levitated on her saddlebags and gave Midnight another kiss. “I’ll see you tonight or tomorrow.” “Go have fun unraveling ancient mysteries and secrets,” Midnight nuzzled her before nudging her forward, the two guards bowing as Princess Twilight boarded, her friends all saying goodbye and wishing her a good time. The two princes began to leave, Shining Armor saying, “So what kind of stuff do they have at this convention?” “All kinds, tournaments, the latest game strategies and game pieces, and some of the rarest,” Midnight explained before remembering something. “Gimme a second!” He went over to his friends, “Uh, guys?” “Not to worry, Midnight,” Blueblood assured, “we’ll make certain that nothing untoward interferes with your day with Shining Armor.” “Go on, have a hootenanny wit’ yer hombre,” Applejack waved him off. “I’m so lucky to have such awesome friends,” Midnight gave Blueblood a hoof-bump before leaving, “Shining, wait up!” As the friends watched the princes leave, Pinkie sighed, “Two best buddies hanging out, and I’m gonna make nothing spoils their day!” At that moment however an odd whistling sound heralded the approach of some blue spinny thing headed their way. “Wha’ is tha’ thing?” Applejack was bewildered. “Whatever it is… DUCK!” Blueblood cried out and took cover. They heeded his advice, except Pinkie who missed the meaning, “Bluey, that doesn’t look anything like a duck!” Blueblood placed his hoof on top of Pinkie’s head and pushed her downwards in the nick of time as the strange object sailed over them and… *CRASH* They looked and saw whatever it was had crashed into the tree next to the train platform. As they approached, Soarin asked, “What in Haydes is that thing?!” There was a groaning sniffle in response, “Not ‘what’, honey. ‘Who’!” “Uh-oh, that sounds like…!” Soarin said fearfully. “Ah… Ah! AH-CHOOO!!!” The tree’s leaves burned away in a burst of blue fire, revealing the source of the voice to be… “ERIS!!!”