Dead Heart

by Leila Drake

Level 25 - Party Dead Ahead

Priest walked across Town Square, a small gift box in his hands. It was about an hour after midday and the town was bustling with activity. Most ponies had slept in this morning but even the sleepiest had managed to get out of bed (or wherever they had spent the night) and return to their business. All the vibrant colors really helped to get him into the right mood. He greeted some ponies he recognized, like the mint unicorn called Lyra and Mayor Mare who was carrying rather bulky saddlebags towards Town Hall. Lyra's melodic voice startled Priest for a moment - he didn't remember hearing her this clearly the last time he met her. It felt like a lifetime ago.

He noticed Applebloom and her big brother pulling an apple cart along the street. The red stallion did the pulling while it was Applebloom's job to make sure no apple bounced off the cart. She still looked a little tired but waved at Priest when she saw him.

Priest waved back and kept going. He was heading for Sugarcube Corner, trying to remember where exactly the café was. If he recalled correctly, he had to turn right after the house with the violet window frames...

"Priest!", called a familiar voice.

He turned his head to see Rarity and her little sister trotting over to him. A warm fuzzy sensation in the area of his solarplexus rushed upwards through his body. It took him a moment to recognize it as the happy feeling you get when you meet a friend. Priest could not help but smile widely.

Crap, I forgot the name of the kid, he thought. It's been a few days but still! That kind of thing is embarassing in any situation.

"Hi, you two. You're going to the party?"

"Why of course! Pinkie invited half of Ponyville, she said that we could bring our own friends and family as well."

He rubbed his nose, frowning. "If Mara is okay with that..."

Rarity's sister smiled. "She came by earlier to get the 'proper attire' for it. I think she's okay. What's that box?"

"It's a gift for Mara."

"Oh, how thoughtful of you! I am afraid I forgot to get anything, how embarrassing! However, I promised to help at the party so I suppose I will be off the hook... Sweetie Belle and I are very much looking forward to the event", said Rarity. "It would be nice if this time there wouldn't be any... unfortunate accidents."

"If any ghosts show up, we'll know what to do this time. With Mara able to see auras, my innate healing abilities and Levinia as a backup damage dealer there's no need to worry. We're gonna own anyone who thinks they can pester us", said Priest, sounding a bit more confident than intended.

She sighed. "Well, in that case, we should be fine."

Sweetie Belle grinned. "Come on, let's go! I wanna see how they do a Cuteciñera for grown-ups! Let's just hope I won't be taking this long until I get my Cutie Mark", she pouted.

"Mara's talent is extremely rare", said Rarity. "She couldn't get her Mark before she helped the ghost because she didn't realize what exactly her talent meant to her. It is, as they say, an exception."

"Oh, okay", mumbled Sweetie Belle, not entirely convinced.

"Hey", interrupted Priest, "isn't that Fluttershy over there?" He pointed at a yellow pegasus that approached them from a side street. She was carrying a small covered basket in her mouth. When she noticed the group she waved at them and trotted a little faster to catch up.

"Hello, Fluttershy!", said Rarity. "Let me help you with that." She lit her horn, casually taking the basket into her magic so the pegasus could talk without the handle in the way.

"Hi, Fluttershy!", squeaked Sweetie Belle with enthusiasm. "What's in the basket?"

"It's a surprise", said Fluttershy, winking at Sweetie Belle. "How are you doing? You are looking awfully tired, especially Priest. I hope we didn't stay too long yesterday."

She's as perceptive as Rarity, mused Priest. I bet she noticed that my shoulders are still aching a bit by the way I'm walking. I wonder what else that quiet pegasus notices.

He waved it off. "Nah, that wasn't it. But nevermind. Do you know the occasion of the party?"

"Pinkie Pie said, 'it's a Cuteciñera but I am not supposed to call it that'. I didn't really understand what she meant by that", admitted Fluttershy, the tiniest of frowns on her face.

Rarity and Priest exchanged a look, unsure what to say.

"That's because it's my Cuteciñera", said Mara.

She, Spirit and Derpy had just caught up with them. Mara was wearing a pretty dark blue vest that emphasized her Cutie Mark. Grinning, she held out her hoof to Priest, who bumped it with his fist.

Spirit greeted him the same way, politely nodding at Rarity and Fluttershy. "You okay?", he asked.

"Yeah", said Priest, now grinning as well. "I slept until eleven or so."

"Me too", admitted Derpy, smiling sheepishly. "Turner and Dinky were out for almost as long. They're coming to the party later. I think the Crusader faction of Nightmare Night wore him out more than he'd expected. I know it wasted me all right."

"Hey, what's that supposed to mean?", chimed Sweetie Belle in.

"Anyway, I'm actually looking forward to this", said Mara, ignoring the filly. "I finally got my Cutie Mark!" She punched the air with a hoof, a genuine grin on her face. "Woo!" In a normal tone, she added, "I think Arcus will be there, too, and all of the other Cutie Mark Crusaders – no surprise there – and is the rumor true that Princess Luna wants to join the party? I mean, I did move to Ponyville because she requested it but wow..."

Spirit ruffled her mane. "I guess you're famous now!"

"Psh, yeah, right!", laughed Mara, waving with her hoof.

"So... you sure you're all right?", asked Priest.

Mara nodded. "Yes. Thanks for looking after me when I was... out. I don't think I would have gotten my Mark without your help."

Priest nodded, rubbing his neck. "Anytime", he managed to say despite the sudden lump in his throat. He cleared it, then looked around. "Any other ponies coming? The Corner's going to be pretty stuffed."

Rarity frowned. "I'm not certain but I believe Applejack, Rainbow and Tw-"

A sudden magical pop interrupted her.

Sweetie Belle shrieked and hid behind her sister.

Fluttershy's basket had expanded until the head of a certain dragonequus was able to peek out.

"Why hello everypony! Ahem, everybody!", Discord corrected himself, squeezing himself out of the basket and floating to the ground next to Fluttershy. "Nice Cutie Mark", he remarked with a casual glace at Mara's flank.

"Discord!", said Rarity, disgust in her tone.

"Of course, my dear Rarity! What's with the frown, didn't Mara agree that everypony could bring their friends?" He made an invitation card appear in his bird claw and waved it in front of her face.

"Gah, I suppose", admitted Rarity, squinting an eye and leaning backwards.

Derpy and Spirit just gaped at Discord, unsure what to make of his appearence. He was now dancing around the group with a party hat on. It was decorated with blue paper flames and a text saying, 'ɐɹǝuᴉɔǝʇnƆ ʎddɐH'.

Mara rolled her eyes. "So much for a party without incidents."

Fluttershy stepped between Discord and the others, her hoof outstretched. "Please, I know we didn't start on the best of terms but Discord really is my friend! But Discord, I must ask you to not bother my other friends or do anything chaotic to – them...", she finished in a tiny voice.

Another flash and instead of a human Priest there stood a pegasus with a greyish yellow coat and white mane, his Cutie Mark a crossed wand and sword.

"Discord!", growled Priest, instinctively flaring his wings. "Stop - turning me - into a pony!" This time he had recognized the spell as soon as it hit him.

"Oh... my", he heard Fluttershy say.

Discord grinned sheepishly and shrugged. "How could I resist?"

Spirit giggled. "Hey, you're not looking so bad as a pony", he said, eyeing Priest.

He raised an eyebrow, his mouth agape. "W-what?"

"Yeah, I guess with some exercise your wingspan would be pretty impressive", added Mara thoughtfully which got her a playful nudge from her coltfriend.

Discord beamed. "This is wonderful! You, my young fellow, are turning out to be quite the looker!" He wiggled his eyebrows. "Another surprise from our resident human. You don't look very happy, though, hmm... Let me lift your spirits and show you how to party! You know what they say... Nevah look back, dahling, it distracts from the nao!" He produced a camera and took photos of Priest from many angles - until Fluttershy vigorously stomped her hoof.

The sound had been almost inaudible but to everyone's surprise Discord listened and the camera disappeared with another flash. His face assumed a slightly guilty expression.

"Discord", said Fluttershy.

"Fine, fine, be boring, will you?" He snapped his tail like fingers and Priest found himself as a human again. His clothes were back and so was the little box with the gift for Mara. Priest carefully stored it in his bag to give it to Mara later. He wouldn't want to risk for it to get into Discord's paws.

Uch, thank the Light I'm back to normal.

He felt a little crosseyed, his vision slightly blurry from the sudden transformations. As soon as he was able to focus, he pointed at Discord. "You. Are not going to ruin Mara's party", he stated.

Discord blew a raspberry. "I wasn't going to..."

"Good", said Fluttershy. "I just want us to have a nice and happy time together..."

Mara shrugged. "Look, D-Discord, if you won't cause any trouble you are free to join us."

"Really?"

"Really. Right, Priest?"

"Why are you asking me?"

"You're my friend, too", said Mara. "And I trust your judgement."

"Um, thanks... What she said", agreed Priest, slightly blushing.

"It's decided then", said Mara. "Come on, everyone."

Mara wasn't entirely sure but for a moment she thought there was a small 'thanks' coming from Discord's direction.

- - -

The ponies, human and dragonequus resumed walking and soon Sugarcube Corner was in sight. They could see Twilight peeking out of the door, Pinkie at her side. Both of them happily waved at the group.

Rarity and Mara waved back. Discord did not; however, he did an exaggerated bow and flashed a grin at Twilight, wiggling his eyebrows again. Twilight rolled her eyes, her smile not leaving her face.

"I'm glad you are better, Priest", whispered Fluttershy to Priest. "I know you didn't like it when Discord transformed you again but it showed me how much you've healed."

Priest grinned. "Thanks, Fluttershy", he mumbled back. "And can you call me Jonathan?"

Pinkie Pie rushed forward and tackle-hugged Mara. "Welcome! Now we can start the party!"

Jonathan grinned. "Hey, Pinkie."

She beamed at him. "Hey, Jonny!"

Wait, how did she hear from this distance... oh, right, don't question Pinkie Pie.

"Shall we?", asked Rarity.

"Definitely", said Mara, following her inside. She grinned from ear to ear, her eyes suspiciously misty.

"You've really outdone yourself", said Jonathan as he followed her inside along with the rest of his friends.

Pinkie giggled and nudged him playfully. "Teehee, thanks, Jonny, I'm glad you like it, and so many ponies have come, it's really amazing, Princess Luna is going to arrive in an hour or so, right, Twilight? We have cake and punch and apple pie and all kinds of awesome candy that are Nightmare Night leftovers and juice and Arcus here said that Mara likes muffins a lot - just like Derpy does - so we made lots and lots of Muffins..."

- - -

~The End~

Author's Note:

And this, Fillies and Gentlecolts, is the end of the story.
I can't believe how long it became, I actually meant to write this in two months or so. Funny how the thing mutates as if it had a life of its own.

If you want to find out how Priest takes his friends to Azeroth once again for a quest, check out the sequel: In Want for a Wand.

Here is the link to the One-shot "Twilight Throws an axe". It takes place during Twilight's time in Dalaran but it is also the story that connects Dead Heart with its sequel (sort of like a flashback).

~Thanks for reading!~

Comments

[CoastalSarv]

Thanks a lot! This has, for some reason, become one of my favorite fanfics here ever - and I'm not even that much of a WoW fan! Thus, I'm both happy to reach the happy conclusion and sad to see it go!

[amiamera]

I like this story but I expected there to be some explanation for why Priest came back to life. Unless I missed something, there wasn't. Fun story otherwise.

[Leila Drake]

5134068 You are correct. The explanation comes in a later story.

[amiamera]

5135678
I think I figured out my own personal problem with the story. The story starts off being about Priest but then turns into a story about Mara. I feel sort of let down in the end because the focus shifted somewhere in there.

[medictf2]

So my friends, how feel about the new changes wow?

[Leila Drake]

5144593 My char finally looks like me!!! Except for the elbows (there's skin on mine) and the glowing eyes. The haircuts finally don't suck anymore.

Thrall's bald head looks cool (right?) and the eerie glow of the Dark Portal promising (insert nerdgasm here). I squeed when the loading screen of the Estern Kingdoms appeared. The artwork is by Ludo Lullabi, I believe. He also drew the Ashbringer comic. Still didn't buy the addon, though, because I'm waiting for it to become cheaper.

They patched my ghoul away, oh well, now I can't forget to summon it anymore. Antimagic Sphere got nerfed beyond uselessness, my Horn of Winter won't get me any rune power anymore (which sucks for battle rez) but all in all smiting the Iron orcs goes well.

And all my friends from the city where I lived before are finally back online!
How 'bout you?

[medictf2]

5147113 took most of my powers! took most of my powers! But I was happy that they put balance in classes. Só when going out your next story?

[Leila Drake]

5147567 Patience, please, I have my hands full. The playing only takes a small amount of my time. Most of it - by far - is studying and work. In other words, I won't say a date because I don't know yet.

[medictf2]

5147639 responsibilities before hobbies, respect that! Thanks anyway.

[Teraunce]

7/10 good story and thankfully longer. would be an 8/10 but broken links and all that. Interesting villian and interesting slow unundeadifying.

[bloody roar]

That was amazing, had me hooked all the eay threw, which is very rare for me. You have the honor of having the first ever fanfic ive read all the way through. Cant wait to read the sequals!

[Leila Drake]

11008758
Oh, wow, thank you! :D