Chapter 3: Independence Day, Mother Buckers!
Fizzlepop Berrytwist shifted nervously in her armor, casting a weary pair of eyes on the large double doors of the conference room as if they might burst open at a moment’s notice and she’d be under attack. Of course, her anxiety was close enough to the truth as far as she was concerned.
Sensing her tension, Twilight allowed a tape measure to retract back into its holder with a ‘snap’ and looked up from the space between two name tags. She smiled up at the tall unicorn. “Don’t worry! It’ll be fine!” she soothed again, as if such assurances somehow alleviated the trepidation Fizzlepop felt.
Fizzlepop shook her head. “I still think it would be best for all parties involved if I was out of sight for today’s proceedings. I’m sure everyone is riled up enough that I’m going free. You having me parade around in front of them may not go over well.”
“Well, if I did that, they’d think Equestria is harboring you.”
“… Well… you are,” Fizzlepop replied brusquely.
Twilight frowned heavily. “Do you have to be so blunt about it?”
Fizzlepop gave Twilight a small smile. “Sorry. It’s just my nature.” Her smile fell from her face. “Still, even if your guests will be okay with my presence, and that’s a rather big ‘if’, I’m not too certain I’m ready…”
Twilight let out a heavy sigh. “Sorry! What I wanted to do was lead you through many more friendship exercises first, but with the damage dealt to these two countries, the other princesses and I agreed we should meet soon so we could start aiding the Hippogriffs and Abyssinians as soon as possible and establish a good relationship and perhaps a collation to help defend against other big threats like the Storm King, should they arise, and they all thought since I already had met Queen Novo and the newly appointed Abyssinian diplomat Capper that it would only make sense to have the meeting here.” Twilight punctuated this run-on sentence with a deep breath.
Fizzlepop raised an eyebrow. “Yes… You’ve explained this all to me already.”
“Sorry,” Twilight said, “I exposition when I get nervous.”
Fizzlepop gave Twilight the barest hints of a smile. “So, you’re nervous, too?”
“Well, it’s only just my first diplomatic proceedings at the same time that I’m leading and one of your first major friendship lessons!” Twilight let out a nervous giggle as she put on a matching smile. “It’s not like botching this would be an unmitigated disaster for the future of Equestria and your path towards integrating back into pony society.”
Fizzlepop looked at Twilight in surprise for a moment then smiled once more. “I see somepony is just a bit more nervous than me.”
“I did want to ease you into friendship lessons, Fizzlepop,” Twilight assured. “I mean… If we had more time I’d track down your old friends, you know, the ones you had when you got attacked by the Ursa Minor and have you reconcile.”
“That sounds incredibly awkward, Twilight. No offense. I’d almost rather reconcile with the Ursa Minor.”
“Uh… You would?” Twilight said, her uncomfortable smile looking like it was going to get comfortable on her face at this rate.
Fizzlepop nodded and swatted out a forehoof matter of factually. “What good would it be to visit ponies who had a hoof in making me turn my back on pony society?”
Twilight began to breathe in and out in a somewhat rapid fashion. “Friendship? Closure?!” she tossed out.
Fizzlepop shrugged. “Maybe you’re right about the closure part, but probably the only thing we have in common is that we were fillies together and liked to play the same silly children’s games? Unless any of them just so happened to try and take over Equestria when they got out of Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns, it’s not like we’ll have much, if anything, to talk about.”
Twilight took large gasps of air as if there simply enough oxygen around her to take care of her needs.
Fizzlepop tilted her head and gave Twilight a concerned look. “Are you hyperventilating?”
Still breathing heavily, Twilight replied with, “It’s fine! Everything is fine! Just…” Twilight began using one of her wings to fan herself. “Is it too hot in here?! Maybe I should ask Starlight to do a temperature control spell…”
“The temperature is fine, Twilight,” Fizzlepop insisted. “Look, I’m clearly making things worse. I should just make myself scarce for a while and you can tell the representatives I’m off doing community service as punishment for my crimes…” She shook her head. “Just don’t say the princesses all agreed to have me publicly locked up in the stockades.”
Twilight cringed. “What?! Of course, we wouldn’t do something so cruel and embarrassing!”
“Oh, I just meant because it would be too easy to verify…” Fizzlepop tilted her head. “Unless you want to lock me up.”
Twilight chuckled, if slightly nervously, “Well, I could always lock you up in the dungeon if it’ll make you feel better.”
“If you think it would help today’s proceedings, Princess,” Fizzlepop said flatly.
Twilight’s smile did a flying leap off her face. “I was joking.”
“I wasn’t,” Fizzlepop said, her smile returning.
“Hey, let me know if you need any help with that!” Starlight called out from the door, earning a glare from Spike and a giggle from Trixie who were both standing next to her.
“I’ve changed my mind,” Fizzlepop said as she tossed a glare at Starlight.
“That wasn’t funny, Starlight!” Twilight chastised.
“I disagree!” Trixie piped up.
Twilight shifted her unamused glance towards Trixie. “Don’t you have a show and fireworks display to prepare?”
Trixie made an exaggerated motion towards herself. “The Grrrrrreat and Powerful Trixie is already quite prepared, thank you very much!”
Fizzlepop’s brow furrowed. “She was politely asking you to leave, you grating and pompous trickster!”
Starlight dropped her eyelids slightly as Trixie let out an indignant shriek and glared at Fizzlepop. “Hey, I don’t have to take that from a pony that’s half a uni—”
“WHOA! HEY!” Spike interrupted, placing a claw on Trixie’s shoulders as Fizzlepop shot Trixie a death glare and errant sparks fired out of her horn. “How about you and I run through Twilight’s checklist of your show and fireworks display one more time?”
Trixie let out a squeal of disapproval as she allowed Spike to escort her out of the room. “But that checklist is so boring! Trixie does this professionally! I know what I’m doing!”
“I know, I know,” Spike said as the doors closed behind the dragon and unicorn, muffling their voices slightly. “But you know how Twilight loves her lists.”
“Ugh, I do now!” Trixie groaned. “I’ve never known a pony so obsessed with her own point of view on things! How self-centered can you get?!”
Spike’s responding laughter rang down the hallway as Starlight glanced at Twilight and Fizzlepop. She pursed her lips and frowned slightly, opting to just stand awkwardly by herself.
“Fizzlepop?” Twilight chirped.
Fizzlepop let out a heavy sigh. “Sorry. Guess that wasn’t very ‘friendship forward thinking’ of me to yell back at Trixie like that. Like I said… I’m pretty blunt.”
Twilight took a step forward, lowering her voice a bit. “Actually, I was just going to say how impressed I was with your insult.”
Fizzlepop’s cheeks turned an ever so slightly brighter shade of red. “I may have prepared that one…” she admitted.
Twilight giggled to herself. “Well, it was good all the same.”
Fizzlepop glanced up at the door at which Trixie had left. “Why do you need her help anyway? I thought Pinkie Pie usually helped you with these sorts of things.”
“Well, Pinkie had a prior party planner obligation.”
Fizzlepop couldn’t help but give Twilight a bemused smile. “You’re telling me some foal’s birthday party is more important than a day that might go down in world history?”
Twilight chuckled slightly. “I guess we’re all a little jaded when it comes to days that’ll go down in history. I mean… we already have a few stained-glass windows in Canterlot Castle we’re on. Also, it’s an adult in this case. One of Pinkie’s employers and landlords,” Twilight frowned heavily as her eyes focused off somewhere in the distance. “When Pinkie realized there was a scheduling conflict she started lamenting there was no way to be in two places at once. Then she did one of her big gasps that means she just had an idea… I stopped her before she could get it out…” Twilight cringed. “We’ve had some history when it comes to more than one Pinkie.”
“Okay, that explains Pinkie, but what of your other friends? They did help take down the Storm King’s army.”
Twilight chuckled. “Rarity is off at one of her other boutiques, Rainbow Dash has a Wonderbolts engagement, Applejack’s visiting family outside of town, and Fluttershy…” Twilight trailed off and glanced at Starlight who was still sort of awkwardly milling about by herself. Her lip twitched ever so slightly as she turned back towards Fizzlepop. “With the fireworks going on, it seemed it’d be just a little much for Fluttershy. Besides,” Twilight smiled, “I can’t grab my friends for everything.”
“You brought Starlight to help, and I’m not even sure why you need her for anything.”
“I heard that!” Starlight shot out.
Fizzlepop returned fire, “You were supposed to!”
Twilight placed a forehoof on Fizzlepop’s shoulder and regarded her with a smile. “Starlight is an example of how even the most far-gone ponies can come around if they’re just shown a little friendship.”
“I see,” Fizzlepop said, “I suppose you’re rather hurt for options.”
“Heard that, too!” Starlight exclaimed.
“Again! That was intentional!” Fizzlepop shot back.
Twilight tapped Fizzlepop’s shoulder again, this time she wasn’t smiling but held a rather serious expression. “Everypony deserves a second chance if they’re willing to try, Fizzlepop. I guess you haven’t really been exposed to the best side of her, but Starlight’s come a long way.” Twilight glanced back and ruffled her wings slightly. “Just not a long, long way,” she said as she chuckled to herself.
Fizzlepop took a calming breath. “You certainly have set yourself up to be the savior of the broken, the beaten, and the damned, and I am grateful.” She tossed another trepidatious look at the large doors to the conference room. “Still, this is a bit like being tossed into the deep end of the pool while wearing my armor…”
Twilight smirked. “I told you that you didn’t need to wear your armor.”
Fizzlepop mirrored the smirk in a somewhat annoyed fashion and rolled her eyes. “You know what I meant.”
“Don’t worry, you’ll do fine,” Twilight assured. She frowned. “It’s my performance I’m worried about.”
Fizzlepop couldn’t help but chuckle. “Twilight Sparkle, battle-hardened pony princess brought low by some boring diplomatic proceedings.”
Twilight smirked at Fizzlepop. “Hey! That same logic applies to you, you know?”
“That’s a fair point,” Fizzlepop glanced around a bit. “Truth be told, I’d feel better with a few more friendly faces running around, if only for security purposes. I’m surprised you somewhat forced Flash to take the day off.”
Twilight gave Fizzlepop a surprised look. “You consider Flash a ‘friendly face’.”
“Oh, not towards me, of course,” Fizzlepop said, “but your lover-boy certainly has no shortage of coy looks for you.”
Twilight chuckled nervously and rubbed the back of her mane.
“Besides,” Fizzlepop continued. “I’d have to doubt his abilities as a guard if he didn’t give me all those looks like he’ll spear me if I so much as look like I’m going to hurt you.”
“That’s kinda why I thought it was best to send him away for the day,” Twilight admitted. “Considering I want to show to everyone coming that they have nothing to worry about from you, it looking like I had a guard specifically to keep an eye on you might send the wrong message.”
Fizzlepop gave Twilight a wry smile. “That’s a shame. I do love attention from strong stallions.”
“Hehe… Yeah… Wait, what?!”
Still watching from the entrance, Starlight let out a heavy sigh and shook her head as Spike quickly threw open the doors from the outside and cleared his throat. “Presenting Queen Novo and her daughter Princess Skystar of the hippogriffs!” With that, Spike sidestepped back next to Fizzlepop and motioned dramatically towards the two arrivals, two quadrupeds with beaks on their short-hair coated faces, wings, talons at the end of their front legs, and hooves on their back legs.
The first new arrival had a pinkish-off-white coat, amethyst eyes that shined with focus, and a plume of three long azure feathers with four wider purple feathers that went down a neat row behind her head. Each step she took was with purpose as she carried herself forward with an air of dignity as much as her own talons and hooves.
The second and slightly smaller new arrival had a cream yellow coat and a plume of several long baby blue feathers that curved over her left ear and went down to her shoulder. Her sparkling aquamarine eyes darted about with excitement like she was trying to take in every single thing she saw. She couldn’t help but smile and wave at Spike briefly with a talon as both hippogriffs made their way over to Twilight and Fizzlepop.
Spike returned the wave then took a glance at Starlight. “Okay, what’s the problem now?” he asked the dejected-looking unicorn.
Starlight sighed. “I don’t know Spike… I guess I was really enjoying being Twilight’s only friendship student.”
Spike chuckled, “Well, I don’t think she’d make for much of a teacher if she only taught just one student.”
“Yeah, I know,” Starlight said. “But she seems to get along with Fizzlepop so well… And me…”
“You kinda chose Trixie as a best friend?”
“Er, yeah…” Starlight admitted. “It wasn’t anything personal to Twilight, but Trixie just gets me, you know? It’s really easy to be around her and we get along so well!”
Spike nodded. “You two do get on like an orphanage on fire where all the exits have already been burned up and the building is collapsing and it seems like everypony is going to die.”
Starlight pursed her lips slightly. “I don’t think that’s a saying.”
Spike shrugged, “It fits.”
Starlight sighed and shook her head. “Look, I know it sounds ridiculous, but it really does feel like Twilight’s replacing me.”
“Heh. I can relate.”
Starlight looked up in interest. “You can?!”
Spike nodded. “Yeah! When Twilight first got Owlowiscious, it really felt like the little guy was gunning for my job!” he said with a light-hearted chuckle that seemed to highlight the ridiculousness of the situation.
“Oh? So what did you do?” Starlight asked with growing interest.
“Well, first I tried to make it look like Owlowiscious was a troublemaker so Twilight would get rid of him.”
“… Go oooon~!” Starlight warbled as a small, devious smile appeared on her face.
Spike dropped his eyelids slightly. “And it backfired horribly so I ended up running away from home.”
“Oh,” Starlight said. “Well, that’s no good. If I ran off I’d probably eventually come back to seek revenge… and that likely wouldn’t work out.”
Spike couldn’t help but roll his eyes slightly. “So, then Owlowiscious found me and Twilight and I talked it over. I figured out I wasn’t being replaced and we worked out a relationship with Owlowiscious where he hoots at me when I’m doing something I’m not supposed to be doing, I mostly ignore him, and our lives are roughly the same as they were before we met each other.” Spike thought about this a moment. “Er… Well, mine is… I guess Owlowiscious ate a lot more mice and moved far less books before he decided to be Twilight’s pet.”
Starlight frowned slightly. “That sounds rather unsatisfying.”
“Uh? Sure? I mean… I don’t really eat mice, so…”
“No, I meant that you and Owlowiscious have just entered into some boring agreement together.”
Spike shrugged. “I’m not sure what to tell you, but I don’t think Fizzlepop is going away anytime soon.”
“But I don’t think she even likes it here!” Starlight wined.
“That’s possible,” Spike said, “likely, even. But she’s gotta have it figured out that sticking around is annoying the heck outta you. I mean… you of all ponies should be able to understand doing something out of spite.”
Starlight glared at Spike for a moment, closed her eyes, and sighed. “What are you suggesting?”
“Well, I eventually decided Owlowiscious being around was a good thing… Less ladders to climb, less me having to stay up late or get up early to help Twilight... You just need to find something about Fizzlepop that maybe you kind of like.” He shrugged. “You don’t need to become besties with her. Just, like… talk to Twilight about what you’re feeling and work it out with her.”
Starlight rolled her eyes. “I’m sure Twilight would intervene if she saw a problem.”
“She would,” Spike stressed, “but she’s not, like, some perfect friendship problem homing beacon.”
Starlight frowned, “I know she’s not perfect, but she is the Princess of Friendship.”
Spike ran a claw over his head fin. “Okay, I know Celestia gave her that title and she’s come a long, long way and all that, but she’s still working out what her title means… I’m sure Celestia knew what she was doing, but she also became the ruler of Equestria with her sister when they were still kids, so maybe she’s okay with a few decades or centuries of on the job training?”
“… I had never, once, ever, thought of that Spike, and I’m a bit terrified to be honest.”
Spike chuckled. “Well, you can always try running away from home and hopefully you’ll find yourself in a dragon’s den and almost get eaten until Fizzlepop comes to save you.”
Starlight frowned heavily. “I think I’d rather just let the dragon eat me.”
“Right,” Spike said as his smile fell and he placed a claw on Starlight’s shoulder, “so… maybe try talking to Twilight.”
Meanwhile, or rather, a couple minutes ago across the room, Twilight had already begun talking to the two Hippogriffs. “Queen Novo! Princess Skystar!” Twilight bowed her head low. “It’s so good to see you two again.”
Both Novo and Skystar returned the bow. “Yes, Princess Twilight,” Queen Novo said. She offered Twilight a small, dignified smile. “It’s a pleasure to see you as well.
“Hi, Twilight!” Skystar greeted enthusiastically, bowing and raising to her full height before Twilight could return the greeting. “It’s great to hang out with you and with a lot less fighting, too!”
Twilight chuckled. “Guess we’re lucky and it’s a quiet day today in Ponyville.”
Novo couldn’t help but let out a guffaw. “Your little hamlet here must be a lot quieter than the bustling city of Canterlot.”
Twilight chuckled slightly nervously. “Oh, you might be surprised there,” she motioned to the unicorn suffering in nervous silence next to her. “You two remember the pony formally known as Tempest Shadow, now a friendship student under my direct tutelage, Fizzlepop Berrytwist.”
Skystar’s aquamarine eyes suddenly lit up. “That’s the best name ever.”
Fizzlepop couldn’t help but smile slightly as she offered a bow.
“Of course, we remember,” Queen Novo in a tone so icy the temperature practically dropped as she combined it with a frosty stare to match. “How could we possibly forget?”
Twilight’s body tensed however as she looked back and forth between the Queen and her new student.
Princess Skystar gave Fizzlepop a full beaked smile. “Hi! We’ve never been formally introduced!” she declared as she extended an open-wide talon.
Fizzlepop stared at the talon in confusion for a moment until Twilight lightly nudged her with a wing. Cautiously, Fizzlepop extended a forehoof and allowed Skystar to grasp and shake it. “Uh, yes…er…. Hello.”
“Skystar!” Queen Nova hissed.
Fizzlepop retracted here forehoof as Skystar let out a sigh. “Oh, mom! Chill out! This is way different than the last time we met!”
Twilight offered a slightly confused smile. “Oh? You’ve met Fizzlepop before?”
“Kind of!” Skystar replied cheerily. “I saw her destroy my home!”
Fizzlepop winced as Novo’s cold expression approached absolute zero.
Though initially surprised, Twilight quickly put back on a smile, if a nervous one. “Oh erm… Well… I’m sure she didn’t destroy your home, specifically…”
“Oh, the palace?” Skystar replied. “Gee, no! I watched her take down some of the major supporting walls myself right before the central hall collapsed!”
Twilight’s smile grew in both in size and nervousness. “Uh… Well, I’m sure Fizzlepop is very sorry.”
“I do regret everything I did while in the service of the Storm King,” Fizzlepop said earnestly.
Novo rotated her head a good 90 degrees. “If only regrets would help rebuild my kingdom.”
Fizzlepop grimaced, and turned away. Glowering into some far-off corner of the conference room as if she, too, was losing patience with this conversation.
Twilight’s smile disappeared and she glanced about those present nervously, her mind working overdrive behind her eyes as she considered how she might best diffuse the situation.
Skystar waved a talon in front of her dismissively. “Oh, no, no, no, no, no! Ha!” She swatted at the air. “The complete destruction of my home is in the past! Or water under the Empire! Like when we were forced from home and forced to live as sea ponies in the dark! Get it?!” Giant smile on her face, Skystar looked about the faces present to see if anyone got it.
“Uh… I got it…” Spike announced from the entrance of the room.
Skylar put most her weight on her back legs long enough to flash Spike double ‘talon-guns’.
“Uh…” With great effort like a pony princess dragging a unicorn with a checkered past to a social gathering attended by those wronged personally by said unicorn, Twilight forced a smile back on her face. Luckily for Twilight, she had plenty of experience in this department. “Maybe we should discuss official busi—”
“But, anyway!” Skystar continued with a flick of her long baby blue hair. “Yeah! No. It was Tempest, all right! She laughed and laughed the entire time she did it too! Ha! Ha! HA!” Her smile grew to an almost supernaturally large size as her eyes went wide as if they were being filled with the unpleasant memories of her home being destroyed. “Why, even though Mom was trying to usher me on before I died an electrifying death, I had time to look back just as Tempest destroyed my room and all my personal possessions!” Skystar’s head suddenly tilted well past 90 degrees as both her smiling beak and eye twitched.
“I-had-a-stuffed-ursa-minor-that-I-watched-Tempest-put-it-in-her-mouth-and-CHOMP-on-she-was-so-dedicated-to-the-destruction-of-my-stuff!” she rattled off an a off-kilter, and bizarrely chipper tone.
Fizzlepop frowned heavily at Skystar, wondering what, if anything, could improve the current situation.
Novo ushered her daughter move forward into the room and towards a row of seats. “Perhaps it’s best if we skip small talk, hmmmm, Princess Twilight?”
“Uh, of course, Queen Novo.” Twilight motioned to a couple of seats that bared the Queen and Princess’ name. “Just… make yourself comfortable. We should be getting started shortly.”
With a somewhat solemn expression on her face, Queen Nova nodded and she and Princess Skystar made their way to their designated seats, Skystar made a point to wave and exclaimed, “It was great meeting you while you weren’t destroying all my stuff!”
Twilight once again forced a smile on her face that was clearly being held against its will. Fizzlepop simply looked on in mortification. She sighed and shook her head. “Twilight, I think I should return to my quarters for now. My presence is only complicating matters.”
Twilight put on a contemplative look. “Never mind that, right now. Just... Are you okay?”
Fizzlepop took a deep breath and looked down at Twilight. “Well, since you asked, Princess. No, Twilight! I’m not okay! I’m not o-buckin’-kay! I just had to stand in front of two creatures who I wronged very personally!” She shook her head. “It was probably the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do, and I once wandered a desert alone for the better part of a week!”
Twilight gave Fizzlepop a soothing smile. “But you stayed here and apologized! You even managed to keep your composure as Skystar when over in great detail the horrible, horrible things that you did!”
Fizzlepop took a deep breath and let it out. “So, you’re saying this is part of me making up for my past?”
Twilight shrugged slightly. “Sort of! The important thing is that we’re both showing Equestria is a place of rebuilding places and ponies. If we can get the Queen to understand that, I’m sure she’ll understand the importance of you becoming my student instead of rotting in some dungeon somewhere.”
Fizzlepop gave Twilight a blank look with just a dash of disbelief added to it. “I still can’t believe you’d risk so much just to show I’m a pony worth redeeming…”
Twilight chuckled. “Hey! You risked your life to save me!”
“Right… after I practically tried to kill you and successfully captured you!”
Twilight shrugged. “Oh, I’m used to that.”
Fizzlepop couldn’t help but let out a short, good-natured laugh. “Keep it up and I might even start to believe it.”
“That’s the plan~!” Twilight warbled out.
Still witnessing the scene from the room's entrance, Starlight let out an increasingly irritated growl.
Spike took notice and elbowed her in the shoulder. “Come on, Starlight! Getting jealous isn’t going to help anything!”
Starlight let out another heavy sigh. “I know, but… Do you think Twilight is doing this as another friendship lesson for me?”
Spike raised an eyebrow. “No, but I highly recommend you don’t suggest she is.”
Starlight frowned. “Do you think she’d get mad?”
Spike shook his head. “I think she’d happily make it a lesson.”
“Hey, Spike!” a deep masculine voice greeted. “What’s a guy gotta do to get announced ‘round here?”
Both Spike and Starlight gave a startled jump as they looked over the trio of new arrivals. An orange-brown bipedal feline that stood about as tall as two ponies stacked on top of each other with coiffed dark purple hair in between his two triangular ears that ended in slightly darker brown points wearing a patched red coat with golden buttons that nearly went down to the ground. He regarded Spike and his surroundings with a smile and relaxed piercing emerald eyes with slit irises as if he was visiting an old friend’s house of which he already had an understanding to ‘make himself at home’ on any occasion he should be there.
Standing behind him were two more bipedal felines, shorter, with pitch black fur and yellow eyes. The taller of the black felines wore a purple cape with red-and-gold pauldrons and similar bracers as well as a belt. The smaller of the felines with slightly more angular features wore a red dress with a purple skirt that left her thighs completely exposed. Both wore golden collar jewelry with red gems that held their clothes in place and crowns adorned with large red gems. Despite their smiles, they had vigilant looks about them as if danger could strike at a moment’s notice.
“Oh! My bad!” Spike said. He cleared his throat. “Presenting the King Smokey and Queen Ashes of Abyssinia and their diplomat Capper!”
“Hey!” Capper protested. “That’s diplomat and Dashing Hero of Equestria Capper!”
Spike put on his own wry smile and rolled his eyes. “Yeah, yeah… welcome to the club!” Spike said. “Almost everyone in this room is a bonafide hero of Equestria.”
King Smokey and Queen Ashes both gave Spike a deep bow. “Thank you, Spike, the Brave and Glorious.”
“See!” Spike said to Capper. His smile dropped. “Wait, how’d you know my Crystal Empire title?”
The King frowned slightly, his fur noticeably raising slightly. “Is that not the proper way to address you?”
“Uh…”
Starlight suddenly took a step forward. “Oh, yes! Yes, it is!” she said with a big smile on her face.
Spike chuckled and motioned to Starlight. “And this is Starlight Glimmer, the Savior of the Changelings!”
Capper stifled a laugh as both Queen and King bowed to Starlight. “A pleasure!” the Queen assured.
“Hey, ya’ll,” Capper said in an oddly casual to the King and Queen. “I’mma gonna hang back with my buddy here a bit. Coo?”
The King and Queen nodded. “Yes. It seems Princess of Friendship Twilight Sparkle, Element Bearer of Magic, Redeemer of Nightmare Moon, Captor of the Lord Of Chaos Discord, Co-vanquisher of Sombra, Tirek’s Bane, Defender of Time is waiting for us with Tempest Shadow, Pony Who Throws Herself in Front of Dangerous Transmogrification Bombs!”
Starlight suddenly burst out laughing as Smokey and Ashes bowed once more and made their way over to Twilight, savoring the aftermath where Twilight out a slightly embarrassed chuckle and Fizzlepop let out a quick growl of disapproval.
Spike shook his head. “You certainly have some guts if you like to mess with your own King and Queen like that.”
“You kiddin’? Us musically-inclined felines are well known for our guts.”
“Dontcha mean, kittyin’?” Spike suggested and raised a claw that was clamped tightly in a fist.
Capper chuckled as he rolled his eyes as he clasped a paw into a fist then bumped it against Spike’s claw before the two slapped each other’s grasping appendage then pulled it back with a ‘snap’ followed by the pair making a finger gun each at the other.
Starlight couldn’t help but let out a mirth-filled giggle at the display.
Capper turned his attention towards Starlight, and kneeled in front of her. “And who’s this enchanting creature, besides the Savior of the Changelings, that is?” he asked.
“En-enchanting?!” Starlight replied as a pink hue come onto her cheeks. She swatted a forehoof at the air as she turned away. “Well, I do dabble in spells, but don’t know about enchanting.”
Capper gently grabbed the forehoof in a paw pulled it close to him he could give it a quick peck on the pastern. “I could tell there was something magical about you the moment I saw you.”
Starlight only replied with a nervous, quiet, squeal of girlish delight.
Still smiling, Spike rolled his eyes. “That’s Starlight Glimmer. Twilight’s first friendship student.”
Capper got back to his back paws. “Well, it’s a shame we didn’t meet up with the rest of Twilight’s friends when she was on the run from Tempest.”
Starlight sighed. “Trixie and I got separated from the rest of them during the attack and retreated back to the castle here to get help… That didn’t quite work out as expected.”
“Oh… Capper, Dashing Hero of Equestria!” Twilight called out in a clearly annoyed tone. “Can I have a word with you?”
Capper glanced at the other two felines then turned to smile at Starlight. “Sounds like quite the story, but I gotta boogie…” he said as he pointed behind him towards Twilight with both thumb claws. “Maybe you can tell me sometime, say over dinner and drinks?”
Starlight chuckled and waved. “Maybe I will.”
“Take it easy, Spike,” Capper said as he adjusted his red jacket slightly made his way to Twilight and Fizzlepop. He turned his head slightly. “Oh, and say ‘hi’ to Rarity for me next time ya see her, ya dig?”
Spike nodded. “Yeah. I dig.”
Starlight smiled. “Oh, I like him.”
Spike elbowed Starlight. “Go for it!”
Starlight let out a guffaw. “Spike, he and I aren’t even the same species.”
Spike shrugged. “Twilight knows a spell that can fix that.” He flashed Starlight a smirk. “Though, I’m not sure why that even matters.”
“Oh, oops… Sorry, Spike,” Starlight said. “Guess that was a tad insensitive.”
“You can make it up to me by asking Capper out on a date after this,” Spike with a big smile.
It was Starlight’s turn to smirk at Spike. “You’re being awfully insistent.” She gave Spike a knowing smile. “This wouldn’t happen to do with Capper mentioning Rarity now, would it?”
Spike winced slightly. “Okay, maybe… but Capper does seem to have a thing for cute unicorns.”
“… Hah!” Starlight exclaimed. “It seems us ‘cute unicorns’ have our pick of charmers after us.”
Spike frowned heavily. “Oh, yeah? Who else is trying to pick up you girls?”
Across the room, Fizzlepop gave Capper a scrutinizing look as he approached and the King and Queen found their seats. “Your group seemingly took your time to get here. We expected you right after the royal Hippogriff delegation. What took you?”
Capper gave Fizzlepop a slightly pensive smile. “Sorry, we would have been here sooner, but the charming unicorn show mare downstairs insisted on showing a few of her tricks.”
“Oh, Fizzlepop, it’s no big deal,” Twilight said in a good-natured chastising tone as she swatted at the air. She turned towards Capper. “Sorry! She’s just cranky because of the ‘bomb’ quip.”
Capper shot Fizzlepop a mischievous smile. “Guess I’m just a tad sore about the whole ‘being held prisoner and constantly threatened to be thrown off the side of an airship’ thing.”
Without missing a beat, Fizzlepop shrugged. “I’m sure you’d have landed on your feet.”
Twilight let out a surprised and somewhat displeased yelp, but it was quickly cut off by Capper’s laughter. “Well, I don’t know if I’m that lucky,” Capper replied. Much to both pony’s surprise, Capper leaned down, gently grabbed one of Fizzlepop’s forehooves, and raised it up to give it a quick peck on the pastern. “But, I’m glad that’s behind us.” Still bent over, he glanced up at Fizzlepop. “The view is much nicer from this side.”
Fizzlepop merely replied with a series of confused sounds that slipped out of her slackjawed mouth.
“Alright, smooth talker,” Twilight said, “What’s this the King and Queen mentioned about a ‘finder’s fee’ for the treasure the Storm King stole from your kingdom?!”
Capper chuckled and shrugged. “I just figured you ponies would want to keep some of the spoils.” He shook his head and put on a faux-serious look. “The damage the Storm King inflicted on your capital was quite extensive!”
Twilight rolled her eyes. “And it was completely repaired with magic!” She shook her head. “Really, I intended to return all of it as a sign of good faith. Equestria values a healthy relationship with the Abyssinians much more than treasure.”
Capper nodded. “I got it… You’re playin’ the long game. You give us back our treasure and Equestria is front of the line for all future trade agreements!”
“What?! That’s not—”
Capper leaned in close to the unicorns and used a paw to block his voice from any who might be listening in. “And if maybe some of that treasure doesn’t make it back to the royal Abyssinia treasury, who’s to say the Storm King’s goons didn’t help themselves to a few loose coins?”
Twilight gasped and pulled back slightly. “Capper!” she cried.
Still smiling, Capper held up his hands in front of him. “Just hair-balling here.”
Fizzlepop smirked at Capper. “You know, I’m actually really glad I didn’t fry you or toss you overboard.”
Capper grinned. “Well that makes two of us!” he said as he spun and walked away backward from the mares, adjusting his coat and pointing at them with both his paws before spinning again to face forward.
Twilight sighed and shook her head. “We can discuss the specifics of what the royal Abyssinians can expect,” she tilted her head slightly and looked at Capper knowingly. “And I do mean specifics, I made a very detailed list.”
Fizzlepop nodded. “She’s serious there. She meticulously counted every ounce of spoils herself correcting several inventory counts recovered from the Storm King's army.”
Capper just smiled and shook his head. “Suit yourself, Princess. Guess we’re about ready to get started. I’ll go find my seat now.”
Twilight let out a small, exasperated sigh as Capper made his to the other Abyssinians.
Fizzlepop couldn’t help but chuckle. “Oh, I like him.”
“Well keep an eye on him,” Twilight said.
“I intend to,” Fizzlepop purred out.
Twilight rolled her eyes. “Capper means well, I’m sure, but he’s certainly a scoundrel.” Twilight sighed. “I was prepared for pony-related drama… but maybe not Capper’s antics.” She took a deep breath and let it out. “Oh, well… We should get started.” Twilight shot a quick glance towards Spike and Starlight and they along with Twilight and Fizzlepop took their spots at middle or ‘bottom of the ‘U’ section of the tables, Spike taking the seat to Twilight’s right and Fizzlepop taking the spot directly to Twilight’s left, much to Starlight’s clear annoyance as she took the spot next to Spike.
Smiling, Twilight looked towards her right where Queen Novo and Princess Skystar sat in front of a massive off-white banner bearing a insignia that looked like a Hippogriff. She then looked to her left where the royal Abyssinians and Capper sat under a purple banner with an insignia an insignia of a cat's face embossed on a shield. She took one last moment to look over her friends present where she received a confident ‘thumb-claw up’ from Spike. Smiling at him, she took a deep breath and began. “Esteemed members of Equestria’s nations and dear friends.”
The Abyssinians ears all twitched as they turned towards the door with quizzical looks on their faces. This look was soon shared by Fizzlepop as she picked out a faint hissing sound.
“It us my great honor to host you all as we embark on a journey of cooperation and usher in a new age of peace and prosperity between our natio—”
“GET DOWN, EVERYPONY!” Fizzlepop shouted as she shoved the table in front of her so hard, it fell to the ground that hit the ground with a heavy ‘THUD’, it’s top facing the door. Twilight merely had time to let out a startled “Gha!” as her head was at the receiving end of a most extreme hug from Fizzlepop as she dove on top of the mare.
Spike pulled back quickly and nearly fell right out of his chair, though he was quickly caught in an electric blue glow as Starlight leaped to the floor and gently lowered her friend. The Abyssinians instinctively jumped back from the sudden loud noise of the table crashing and found their raised backs pressed against the crystal wall under their banner. Queen Nova and Princess Skystar merely sat in confusion.
The massive green double doors suddenly flew open with a ‘BOOM!’ that cracked the green crystal of the doors. Colorful sparks of all colors rained into the room as the Abyssinians suddenly dove back to their table and hid under it. Novo and Skystar quickly got to the floor and placed their wings over their heads.
The sparks came to a sudden halt as silence descended upon the room, the only sound the ringing in everyone’s ears from the explosion.
“Prosperity for WHO exactly, Princess?” a raspy, if youthful, feminine voice called out.
“Stay down, Princess,” Fizzlepop instructed as she raised up slightly
Completely caught off guard with her body pressed against the floor, Twilight merely nodded.
“We’re both fine, thanks,” Starlight said snidely as Spike nearly stared wide-eyed towards Fizzlepop and Twilight.
Fizzlepop cautiously raised her head, her horn already beginning to spark with energy as her eyes crested the edge of the table where she was treated to the following display.
“Prosperity for ‘whom’, Scootaloo,” Sweetie Belle emphasized. “Prosperity for ‘whom’!”
“Great! Moment’s ruined,” Scootaloo lamented.
Spike and Twilight immediately exchanged concerned wide-eyed glances at the mention of the name ‘Scootaloo’.
“It was a pretty solid, entrance though,” Apple Bloom insisted as the smoke began to clear.
“Yeah, and a great line,” Scootaloo said, “except Sweetie Belle just HAD to be play pomeranian and ruin it!”
“Grammarian.” Sweetie Belle said in an unamused tone. “Pomeranian is a breed of dog.”
“See, there she goes again!”
“It’s okay, girls!” Button said. “We still have the element of surprise!”
Twilight and Spike buried their faces in shame and embarrassment.
“Except you don’t,” Fizzlepop said forcefully. She bent her neck one way with a soft ‘crack’ of her cartilage and then the other way, causing the sound to repeat. “Now, then. Whose flank do I get to kick first? Or do you want to come at me all at once? It’s all the same to me.”
Starlight let out an unimpressed groan as the foals all let out collective gasps of awe they looked upon the Tempest Shadow.
“Tempest Shadow jus’ threatened us!” Apple Bloom said. “This is goin’ even better than planned!”
“Which is doubly-impressive because we basically didn’t do that at all!” Scootaloo quipped.
Sweetie Belle simply let out a squeal of girlish delight as Button Mash uttered a “So cool…”
Starlight let out an irritated groan as Fizzlepop’s battle-hardened look began to crack, her forehead wrinkling in confusion. Still ducked under their table, Abyssinian’s peered curiously through the clearing haze at the new arrivals. Queen Novo and Princess Skystar got back up to their hooves and talons where Novo immediately began to fuss over Skystar.
“Are you alright?! Did they hurt you?!” Novo asked as she began running her talons over Skystar’s hair and feathers.
“Mom, I’m fine!” She said as she swatted her mom’s talons away with her own. “It was just a little indoor firework explosion! Nothing compared to the explosions Tempest Shadow made personally when she almost killed us and drove us from our home!”
“HAH!” Starlight exclaimed as Fizzlepop’s right eye began to tick in irritation.
“Uh, Twilight?” Capper called out.
“You didn’t use her title!” King Smokey hissed out.
Capper sighed. “Princess Twilight Sparkle, maybe we—”
“No! Her full title!” Queen Ashes added.
Capper let out an annoyed grunt. “Princess of Friendship Twilight Sparkle, Element Bearer of Magic, Redeemer of Nightmare Moon, Captor of Lord of Chaos Discord, Co-Vanquisher of Sombra, Tirek’s Bane, Defender of Time, it seems you’re a tad busy so maybe we can reschedule the meeting and…”
From behind the table, panic gripped Twilight’s features. “No! It’s fine! This is just a simple misunderstanding, I’m sure!”
“Seems the ponies you keep company with have a lot of those,” Queen Nova uttered coldly. “Though, I suppose that shouldn’t surprise me given your own shown character…”
Twilight suddenly froze, her eyes darting to the left and then the right. Oddly enough, it was Novo’s comment that let Twilight know that she was still on the hook for attempting to steal the Hippogriff’s magical pearl that filled her with dread more than the four foals who had made such a ruckus.
Fizzlepop shot Queen Novo a look suggesting she very much didn’t approve of the quip while Starlight let out an annoyed, incredulous grunt. “Sure, Princess Twilight makes mistakes from time to time, but she means well! It’s the rest of us who don’t always act with the best intentions!”
For a moment, Twilight felt her heart skip a beat as she feared Starlight had made things worse, however, Fizzlepop, Spike, and even Capper all let out words of agreement.
“Come on, mom!” Skystar said. “Twilight lying to her closest and most trusted friends as a ruse so she could steal the pearl right from under our beaks-er- fish-pony noses is in the past! Us maybe being exploded with fireworks at a meeting Twilight specifically invited us to is what’s happening now!”
“Yeah,” Capper piped up, “what’s a little petty theft between friends?”
Both Twilight and Novo let out annoyed growls.
“Alright, fine,” Novo said, clearly still irritated but perhaps a tad more focused. “Princess Twilight,” Novo began in an even tone, “what the heck is going on here?!” She motioned with a talon to the four foals with a modest collection of modestly sized rocket-styles piled amongst them. Like Equestria’s most unstable tripod, Apple Bloom had one firework under her right foreleg while Scootaloo sat on her haunches, a firework under each arm. Button held up a single firework above his head in his Mega Glove. Only Sweetie Belle stood without any fireworks, however, her horn glowed a bright emerald as a several large, long matches and large matchbox floated about her similarly contained in her magical glow.
“It looks fun!” Skystar commented. “Can I join in?”
“You stay put, young lady!” Novo hissed at her daughter. She craned her head upwards in an effort to see Twilight. “Well, Princess?”
Twilight popped her head above the table. “I’m sorry everyone! These four are a bit rambunctious but harmless!”
“Stay down until the threat is cleared!” Fizzlepop exclaimed as she pressed Twilight’s head down behind the table much to Twilight’s annoyance.
“What?! We’re not harmless!” Apple Bloom insisted.
“I’m pretty harmless,” Button said.
“Right, well Button is,” Apple Bloom quipped. “But all four of us are throwing a rebellion!”
Sweetie Belle spoke up, “Plus, we get into magic we really shouldn’t have access to, like, all the time!”
“In fact,” Scootaloo said, “if you combine that with all the accidental cases of arson we’ve committed, we technically have a record of threatening Ponyville that’s about as big as Discord’s… maybe bigger even.”
“Really…” Novo said in an unamused tone. “You somehow all start fires and create magical mayhem accidentally?”
“Hey!” Spike protested. “Accidents happen! Those things can happen to anyone, really!” he insisted.
Twilight let out a groan. “Oh, this couldn’t possibly have turned out worse…”
Her attention still focused on the four foals with fireworks, Fizzlepop declared, “Well, your terror comes to a stop tod—!”
“THE GRRRRRRRREAT AND POWERFUL TRIXIE DEMANDS AN EXPLANATION!”
Twilight frowned heavily. “Okay, I deserved that one.”
Wearing her hat and cape, Trixie stood just behind the four foals and stared at them irritably. “Trixie is the one who is supposed to be doing the firework show, and it’s not supposed to start for hours!” She attempted to crane her head around the foals in search of someone inside. “Or am I being snubbed once again by her royal friendliness!” she spat out.
“Trixie!” Twilight exclaimed. “We have a situation here in case you didn’t notice!”
“Well of course I noticed your pathetic attempts to replace me! First Starlight with Tempest Shadow and now me with these four rank armatures.”
“I’m not replacing anyone!” Twilight assured.
Spike spoke up. “You kinda replaced me with Starlight when you released the Friendship Journal,” Spike pointed out.
Starlight couldn’t help but grimace.
Twilight turned and glared at Spike. “How many times do I have to say ‘I’m sorry’ about that until I’m forgiven?”
“Well… you basically forgot about your oldest friend while publishing a book about friendship that I had written in personally… so never… I’m never going to forgive you and you’re going to have to live with that until you die!”
“Which might be soon, if we have our way!” Scootaloo said as Fizzlepop focused laser beam eyes of fury at her. “Boom! Back on top!”
“Scootaloo!” Apple Bloom chastised. “Dial it back, will ya!”
Trixie rolled her eyes. “Are you kidding? If you four ‘dialed it back’ any further, you’d be running around with sparklers and snakes.”
“Uh, excuse us,” Sweetie Belle said, “but we’re kinda in the middle of something here!”
“You are most certainly not excused!” Trixie exclaimed.
“Uh… Miss Grrrrreat and Powerful Trixie, mam?” Button said.
“Oh, yes?” Trixie said, her face lighting up. “Would you like an autograph?”
Button smiled at Trixie. “Maybe later, but we’re throwing a rebellion right now!”
Trixie gave the four a smirk. “A rebellion you say… against Twilight Sparkle?”
“Trixie… I’m warning you…” Fizzlepop uttered in a threatening tone.
Twilight and Spike looked over at Fizzlepop in concern as Starlight tossed a fiery glare her way.
Trixie suddenly erupted in a short, derisive laugh. “With firecrackers like those…” she shook her head and began to wander away. “Good luck…”
Sweetie Belle put on a pout. “But they were the best Pinkie had.”
“What?!” Queen Novo exclaimed. “Pinkie?!”
“Hah, Pinkie!” Skystar exclaimed. “That makes sense! Now there’s a pony that knows how to throw a party!”
“And apparently sells fireworks to children!” Nova snapped.
“At a discount!” Button piped up.
“Okay, well that doesn’t matter!” Fizzlepop insisted. “Because this stops no—”
“Tempesth! Tempesth! A panicked voice called out as a stout bipedal creature with a gray coat of hair, piercing electric blue eyes, a large black nose, and large white quills that topped his head and ran down his back, ran into view. “I heard an explosion! Is everyone al…” The creature let out a gasp as he looked over the foals and their decent pile of modestly powerful explosives. “Is that a Mega Glove?!”
Button turned and grinned. “Yes, it is!”
“Oh, that’s tho cool!”
“Grubber! Focus!” Fizzlepop barked out.
“Right! Sorry, Commander!” Grubber greeted with a salute. “I got here as fast as I could!”
“Actually, that was pretty fast for a hedgehog!” Spike commented.
“Hey, was that Spike?!” Grubber called out in a good-natured vexed tone with a smile to match.
Spike waved a claw above the table much to Fizzlepop’s annoyance. “You know it!”
Grubber put his hands on his hips. “Yeah, I can really move!” He shook his head. “No need to get all fired up about it, dragon bro.”
“Hey!” Starlight called out as she gave Grubber a scrutinizing look. “How did you find your way so here so quickly from your floor?!” She shook her head. “There’s no way you’ve gotten the layout of the castle down already!”
Grubber gave Starlight a look filled with incredulity then turned towards Fizzlepop. “Is she joking?”
“I doubt that,” Fizzlepop answered with a head shake. “She’s rarely intentionally humorous. More like accidentally tragic.”
“Hey!” Starlight protested. "Twilight's castle is a a huge MESS of the same door over and over again, alright?!"
"What, seriously?!" Grubber motioned about him. “This place is just… Landmark after landmark all the way down the halls!”
Fizzlepop nodded. “It really is!”
Starlight looked back and forth between the two in disbelief. "How... how? Aside from the occasional 'larger than average green door with gold trim', there's no telling one hallway from the other?"
"See what I mean?" Tempest posed to Grubber.
"Wow! You weren't jokin'!"
Starlight let out a growl of disapproval.
Grubber continued, “It’s just tree-with three roots, left, four swirled cloud, up the stairs, four-pointed star, right, then another right at the hallway with two mountains!”
“Oh, good!” Queen Nova said in a sarcastic tone. “Another one of the Storm King’s goons. Is the Storm King himself going to make an appearance?”
Spike chuckled. “Maybe under a big sign that says, ‘some assembly required…’” he quipped.
“Spike!” Twilight chastised.
Novo continued, “And this one defiled the royal fountain whose waters had been pure for centuries!”
Grubber huffed out a sigh. “All the bathrooms were either crushed, on fire, or being filled with lightning at that very moment!” He shook his head and added, “When you gotta go, you gotta go fast!”
“Enough, Grubber!” Fizzlepop called out. “We really need to deal with the current situation.”
“Yes, finally!” Scootaloo huffed out. “I believe us four were about to have an epic showdown with the legendary Tempest Shadow!”
“Hey, you’re famousth!” Grubber quipped.
“Not now, Grubber!” Fizzlepop glowered at the foals present. “Stand down, and I might show leniency.”
“Ooooh… Ah jus’ got chills!” Apple Bloom said.
“I know, right!” Sweetie Belle agreed.
“So coooool!” Button Mash and Grubber said simultaneously.
Twilight let out a sigh so heavy with exasperation, it was a wonder the floor didn’t give out from under her. “Alright, you four… I’m sure we can talk over whatever is troubling you later,” she emphasized.
“Oh, sure!” Scootaloo called out in a sarcastic tone. “We’ll just reschedule our rebellion for a time when it’s convenient for you!”
“Would you?” Twilight asked in a hopeful tone.
“No!” Scootaloo shot back.
Twilight’s lips mashed together in a frown. “It was worth a shot…”
Button stood as tall as he could and continued to hold his firework above his head. “Sorry, Princess of Friendship Twilight Sparkle, Element Bearer of Magic, Redeemer of Nightmare Moon, Captor of Discord, Lord of Chaos, Co-Vanquisher of Sombra, Tirek’s Bane, Defender of Time!”
Twilight felt her forehead tighten as she noted both Spike and Capper let out small snickers.
Button continued, “But justice is not bound by schedules, bed-times, or convenience! Justice strikes when the time is right! Sometimes hot! Sometimes cold! Maybe sometimes room temperature, but it comes when it is most needed! Right now, Equestria is desperate need of fresh off the stove justice to warm the icy chill that tyranny has brought to ponykind!”
All the eyes in the room suddenly fell onto Twilight… Okay, so technically she wasn’t in view of most everyone since Fizzlepop refused to poke her head up, but she could feel their eyes on her. “Well, maybe this is something we can figure out quickly now?!” Twilight suggested. “As you can see, we're kind of in the middle of something.”
“Technically, you justh started,” Grubber quipped. “I mean, I know schethules are important to you, so you probably at least got in your opening—”
“Grubber!” Fizzlepop barked out. “Not important right now!”
“Right, sorry!”
“What are you four rebelling against?” Starlight asked in a tone of genuine interest.
“Uh… Injustice!” Scootaloo claimed.
“Being picked on!” Apple Bloom called out.
“Unchecked Imperialism!” Sweetie Belle added.
“Bad stuff in general!” Button shouted.
“What are you doing?!” Twilight said in a harsh whisper up at Starlight.
“I’m trying to figure out what they’re upset about!” Starlight replied. “I mean… isn’t kind of important we at least hear them out?”
Fizzlepop narrowed her eyes. “What? While they’re engaged in acts of terrorism?!”
“Well, I just… you know… thought from personal experience that was the best time to talk to ponies!”
This time Twilight didn’t have to imagine all the eyes in the immediate vicinity on her as three pairs clearly homed in on her.
Fizzlepop pursed her lips slightly. “Okay, fair…”
Starlight turned back to the four foals. “Er… That’s it? I’m sorry, just… those reasons seem kind of vague and poorly thought out.”
Fizzlepop shot Starlight a quick scrutinizing look. “Like a tragic backstory based on one friend who moves away?”
“I… Hey, shut up!”
Twilight let out a groan. “I’m glad this is a priority for you two.”
Starlight continued, “It's just that any pony rebellion should have more an of a stable structure! That’s all.”
“Oh!” Sweetie Belle called out. She turned towards Button. “Give them your speech, Button.”
“Oh, okay!” Button said in a chipper tone. He frowned as he looked up. “Er… but I need to put down my rocket for that, and gotta help me with all the Mega Glove stuff, and—”
Spike let out a heavy sigh and stood up. “Okay, this is just ridiculous.”
“Finally!” Queen Novo exclaimed. “Someone said it!”
“Speak for yourselves!” Skystar called out. “I’m really enjoying the unfolding drama.”
Capper let out a chuckle. “You ponies do keep things interesting…”
Both King Smokey and Queen Ashes cleared their throats and shot Capper disapproving glances.
“Er, but I’d be remised if I didn’t mention that the floor is a bit cold,” Capper added. “Maybe we can have this talk without the fireworks?”
“Yeah, I second that,” Spike said as he pulled himself up over the table.
“Spike!” Fizzlepop called out. “Get back behind cover!”
Spike shook his head. “It’s fine, Fizzlepop!” He began walking towards the four fillies and held out a claw, clasping it towards himself. “Alright you girls and guy, hand ‘em over!”
“HE’S COMING RIGHT FOR US!” Scootaloo shouted. “Sweetie Belle! Light ‘em up!”
Sweetie Belle let out a startled squeak and suddenly a couple matches that lit up. She thrust them towards the back ends of Scootaloo’s fireworks and before anypony could react, Spike had two projectiles rushing towards him and whistling a destructive tune the entire way.
Reacting more on instinct than anything, Spike let out a wide spray of flames, and then the room exploded in light, noise, and fire.
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Join us next time for the exciting conclusion!
Well, that was oddly insane and hilarious.
This is Ponyville’s circus and it’s happening right now.
Pretty funny chapter!
There it is
I still want SUGH to happen. (Small, underappreciated helper gathering.)
This. THIS IS THE BEST TRAIN WRECK EVER!
This. It amuses me.
You're a strange one, Justice. There's a quality to your writing I can't find anywhere else.
Dunno, how's the view from your glass house?
This is great. Spike is fucking fantastic.
I still maintain that Fizzlepop Berrytwist is a genuinely awesome name by pony standards.
You, uh, you may wanna see Doctor Wolf.
You people amuse me.
So am I, this guy is fun!
Oh, you two.
Oh yeah, absolutely. Good line, too.
Spike is fucking fun.
... Eh?
And seeing as he once belly flopped into lava and came out fine, I doubt they'd hurt even if they hit.
And suddenly, Celestia's day got a lot more interesting.
This...was the best chapter of all my updates I read today.
I know their stories are separate but I REALLY want to see MAD-verse Sunset Shimmer here and interact with all these different characters.
That in one chapter was better than the whole movie...other than we couldn't have had it written without it.
8611521
Whoops. Forgot a "not" in Button's speech. It should clear things up... slightly?
Fire in the hole!
I've got the feeling that this chapter is only the beginning.
Tempest and Starlight: Best Rivals For Life.
8612705
I'm glad.
There's a lot of subtle jokes in this piece... and some not so subtle ones, but that was differently more of the subtler ones.
8612790
This reminds me of another fanfic, called “Sparkle’s Law” from AetheticB. Twilight must prepare a reception in Ponyville for Celestia, but then, things start driving off tracks...
This fic is so hilarious I've had to worry about waking my housemates up in the middle of the night.
8611811
Uh... The thing is I don't think small things as universe boundaries matter much.
Did... Did Scootaloo just, in a very roundabout way, call Sweetie a bithch? Or am I reading to much into that one?
I laughed at this.
Can't wait for the insanity, whenever the next chapter comes out.
I wish I read this sooner. Oh well bet later than never.
Pleasepleaseplease continue.
8611457
OF CMC Z!
Do I need to read the first one, or can I jump right into this one?
9089708
All you really need to know for this one is Sweetie Belle and Button are an item to get into this one.
9092634
Good to know
Please continue. Please!
A reference and a callback! Nice!
Skystar is delightfully insane.
This is magnificent. I hope you come back to it.
Pure insanity in the best of ways. Each new character introduced brings a new brand of comedic insanity that leaves me chuckling all over. Hope this updates soon.
Its a time to not update this
That guitar string joke was a bit dark, coming from Capper.
And PLEASE UPDATE!
9945533
I'm juggling a bunch of fics, but I did start to blow off the dust on this one and get some stuff up on the next chapter. Thanks for your continual interest in this fic!
I feel kind of bad for never noticing that myself lol