Heartstring Warm Welcome (Edited By BS)
With nervous steps, Sunburst kept marching forward toward the entrance of the Crystal Castle, stopping once he reached the main front doors. He gulped in slight fear once he saw two giant stallions made of foliage staring into the distance. Both stallions stood unaware of Sunburst's presence, thanks to the unicorn wearing a hood and cape covered in special runes that made him invisible to the pant residents.
"Twilight, I'm not so sure this is gonna work." Sunburst whispered, using an earpiece Twilight had given him.
"Have faith, Sunburst. It's going to work. Cadence would never expect you to march inside all by yourself." Twilight replied calmly from the other end of the line.
Sunburst tentatively marched through the new topiary garden between the entrance and the castle proper. The garden was strewn with grass figures and beautiful flower beds where more than one guard stood vigil.
"Yeah, and there is a reason for that. It would be straight-up suicide!" Sunburst exclaimed in a whisper. "I hope this works." Gulping again, Sunburst wiped the sweat off his brow before he entered the castle through the main door and was met with no resistance. The entire inside of the castle had been claimed by flora. Topiaries, giant flowers, and vines spread as far as the eye could see, covering every inch of what once was a magnificent work of art made of crystalāall except for the windows that bathed the place in gorgeous hues of pink and purple.
Overall, the scenery would be considered breathtaking and even enticing if not for the eerie feeling the room projected by being so empty.
Taking a couple of steps forward, Sunburst was startled when the doors behind him closed. He jumped and looked back before Cadence's voice echoed from the walls. "I must confess, I'm shocked."
Sunburst peered around, trying to locate Heartstring by her voice, determining that it was coming from the upper floors, which were currently blocked by a curtain of roses. "After all your hard work hiding from me and how much of a rush you were in to leave. I would have never imagined you, of all ponies, would march through the front door, professor."
Sunburst started sweating bullets as he tried to hide his face under his hood, which resulted in Heartstring laughing, "Please, professor, don't bother. Your rune magic may work outside the castle, but inside these walls, there is nothing you can hide from me."
Gulping, Sunburst removed his hood and looked up in time to see Heartstring appear with a pleasant smile on top of a rose. "Hello."
Immediately, Sunburst screeched like Fluttershy and backed away until he bumped into a wall of vines behind him, making him step forward a couple of steps as Heartstring chuckled. "Relax, professor; you are not in any danger. I don't want to harm you." Heartstring mentioned, standing up.
"Y-you don't?" Sunburst stuttered after clearing his throat, looking at her in surprise as she flew down.
"Of course not; I would never harm the stallion that has been such a help in raising my little bud of love into a nice filly." Heartstring confirmed, stroking Flurry's head in her breastplate. "You have been nothing but an angel sent from the heavens by acting as her teacher, and I couldn't be happier to have you around."
"Well, that...that is very thoughtful of you, y-your highness, even when there is the issue of the z-zombies and the like." Sunburst pointed behind him with a nervous smile.
"Oh, those? Pay them no mind; they are just citizens enjoying their own small worlds and can return whenever they wish." Heartstring dismissed his concern. "If anything, the fact I'm not using my pollen right now should be proven enough that I'm willing to negotiate, professor?" Heartstring remarked with a raised eyebrow before flapping her wings once to accentuate her point as they could quickly spread her pollen. On instinct, Sunburst held his breath but let it go once he noticed nothing was happening.
"You see? I'm not an evil monster here. I'm your friend, wanting to make you feel comfortable, professor." Heartstring lightly pushed Sunburst, so he landed on another rose twice his size.
"And the fact that you simply walked through the front door makes me believe you wish to speak, or am I mistaken, professor?" Heartstring questioned as she lazily laid on her flower once more.
"Y-yeah, I do," Sunburst managed to stutter after he gulped and tried to gather as much courage as possible. "Cadence..."
"Queen Heartstring, thank you very much." The queen interrupted him with a hint of irritation in her tone.
"R-right, Queen Heartstring, I beg of you. Please think about what you are doing. Your idea is incredible, and I, for one, would not be opposed to ponies' dreams coming true, but how are you doing it? It's a bit...scary." Sunburst tried to negotiate.
"Scary, you say?" The queen asked with a raised eyebrow as she tapped her chin. "How exactly? Do you mean by my subjects marching around aimlessly? Have my methods been a bit forceful? Or are you fearing that I may be trying to manipulate your minds in some unwanted way?" Heartstring listed off as she took flight and started to circle the nervous unicorn.
"Y-Yeah, something like that. The idea is good, but the execution is terrible, and Twilight told me how the elements may not even be enough to stop the power of love. I don't want to know what would happen when the chaotic force of love is agitated, so I decided to appeal to you for a compromise."
"You realized how love can't be stopped, so you decided to try dialogue with it instead. Smart move, professor. I applaud your reasoning." Heartstring mentioned with a smile as she patted the head of Sunburst. "You made the right choice, and believe me, I will remember this in my new order. As for a compromise? Before discussing anything, there is something you should know."
Heartstring withered both flowers, leaving Sunburst floating in the air for a few seconds before falling on his flank. "I don't exactly make use of mind control, as you seem to imply. No, professor, my methods are more innocuous and subtle than that. And I would like to explain them to you." Heartstring offered her hoof to help Sunburst stand up.
"Care to see how I work? It may help you see how I'm not the monster you initially thought me to be."
"L-Lead the way, your Highness," Sunburst replied with a nervous chuckle as he stood and followed the queen through a hallway with its walls, floor, and ceiling covered in roses, petals falling in a never-ending shower.
Sunburst took the occasional glance behind him.
"It's up to you, princess. Good luck." Sunburst mumbled to himself before looking ahead. His curiosity piqued at what the queen may want to show him.
At the exact time on the castle's right side, where a topiary labyrinth had formed, a group of shadows dashed from column to column as they slowly made their way to the castle's entrance.
Launching a surprise attack from behind, Shining captured and used his emotional magic to release yet another zombified guard before hiding him behind a foliage pillar and taking his armor.
"Is everypony ready?" Shining Armor asked as two other ponies emerged from the shadows, dressed head to hoof in royal armor and tactical gear, and nodded. "Ok, remember, this is the point of no return; once inside, you know what to do. We need to strike hard and fast if we want to save Cadence." Shining briefed as he put his helmet on, making him appear no different from the other two ponies. "Let's do this."
The three hugged the wall, ever vigilant for any guard until they received the signal in the form of a Rainboom that got the attention of everyone outside, including Discord, who didn't waste time in giving chase after it. At the same time, the three ponies entered the castle and then peeled off to head to entirely different locations.
"Ah, right on cue," Heartstring said calmly, admiring the precise coordination of the infiltrators from one of her windows. "I suppose this is part of the attack you wanted to warn me about, professor?" Heartstring asked for confirmation.
"It is, but it wasn't to happen until tomorrow," Sunburst said in alarm, pressing a hoof against the glass. "It is too soon, Your Highness. Please understand..."
"There is nothing to explain, professor." Heartstring stopped him by raising a hoof and shaking her head. "I understand perfectly, and more importantly, I know the plan. Your actions probably spooked Twily, so they sped things up after you had come to warm me, but as I said, there was nothing to warn me about."
"There...there wasn't?" Sunburst asked in astonishment as Heartstring chuckled and waved her hoof, showing him a rose.
"I thought dear AJ's Stetson could use a little accessory, which was very useful in telling me about this little plan. Am I to assume the Wonderbolts are playing a game of tag with Discord as we speak?"
Sunburst could only remain quiet before nodding once.
"Yeah, pretty clever, and I didn't want to rain in Twily's parade, so I decided to humor her. Now let's see if I remember correctly, the next part of the plan is to infiltrate through the secret entrance in the middle of the topiary maze." Heartstring pretended to be thinking before chuckling. "That would give us at least an hour before their arrival. There is plenty of time for me to show you my work, professor, if you kindly follow me this way."
Heartstring continued with her tour as she guided Sunburst through her new palace. The place now resembled a bizarre royal greenhouse, with flowers, vines, and grass covering the walls. Gardeners tended to the place, and once they reached the ballroom, Sunburst saw a party with couples in elegant attire dancing the day away without a care in the world.
"Tell me, professor. Have you ever wondered what your ideal mate would be?" Heartstring suddenly asked out of the blue, putting Sunburst in the spotlight as he watched on as she started to dance.
"I never really thought about it. I wanted to focus on my studies and whatnot." Sunburst confessed with a slight chuckle.
"Oh, come on, Sunburst. We're all ponies here, even introverted and shy. I can see the spark in your eyes, those wandering glances, that slight whisper of longing. You have thought about it, haven't you?" Heartstring asked as she circled the unicorn, making him tense up and gulp.
"I...I mean, it's a normal reaction if one's not asexual, I suppose, and maybe here and there, but..."
"There it is." Heartstring hugged him from behind and started whispering in his ear. I'm interested in those 'maybe's' professor; come on? You can share them with us; this is a safe space." Heartstring stepped back and kept dancing with others. "And I have this nagging feeling that I may have a candidate here."
"What? I'm not gonna start and take advantage of a brainwashed mare!" Sunburst exclaimed in horror, making Heartstring chuckle.
"Who's brainwashing? All these mares have gathered here because they glanced in your direction, professor; I just helped them admit it."
"...What?" Sunburst asked, perplexed, before taking a closer look at all of the dancers and noticing something peculiar: All the mares were dancing with copies of the same stallion, though he was dressed differently. His expression seemed lost for a moment, but it quickly changed when he noticed that they seemed to be enjoying themselves. Their secret came to light under his gaze.
"They are all dancing with...me, all those mares? Are they all interested in me?" Sunburst asked for confirmation, still in shock, as Heartstring stood beside him. There are stallions, too, but I know your barn door doesn't swing that way. I have this way of knowing these sorts of things. "So I decided to let them have fun in another room. And that's not important right now."
Heartstring gripped Sunburst's hoof. "As I was saying, while it may look like they are acting against their will, the exact opposite is happening here, professor. I'm helping them express their true feelings, be honest with their hearts, and be proud of it. I will admit, though, that I added the dancing, and it was only a suggestion; after all, I am a sucker for ballroom dance." She winked at him. "That was my only meddling, so be proud, professor. You are quite popular."
"E-Even so I... This is wrong even if I can't articulate why." Sunburst stood firm even if his will was slowly crumbling.
"Nothing is forcing you to do anything, professor. I only ask you to be true to yourself. Returning to my original question, let me take a shot in the dark. Would you be interested in slender mares?" Heartstring resumed her dancing as she led Sunburst further in. Whereupon he was beset and swept up into the dance. Finding himself face to face with a lovely mare.
"I don't see looks." Sunburst replied quickly.
"Yes, you do. We all do; it's in our nature. And you can't stop looking at those mares with long legs, right?" Heartstring mentioned as she took a glimpse at the unicorn's wandering eyes. "Yes, that's the starting point." She makes him switch partners with another mare.
"But looks are not everything; they must have the smarts, too." To Sunburst's surprise, he found himself dancing with Moondancer. "What the...why is she...?"
"She was on a scholarly trip working on a paper about spectral emotion when everything happened. Isn't this destiny? Hmm, I see your interest starting to peak."
"She is a colleague. We spoke a couple of times. Sure, she is pretty, but I never saw her beyond that." Sunburst defended himself.
"Indeed, that was just an innocent thought passing through your mind, nothing too deep." Sunburst couldn't see Heartstring anymore as he tried to find her voice among the crowd.
"No, to find real interest for you, a mare must be a mystery. Surrounded by history and questions, questions you would love to unravel, just like my dear Twily, you also love to learn new things, don't you, professor?"
Sunburst's body stiffened when he felt a claw softly grabbing his hoof. Before he knew what was happening, he was slowly dancing with SkyStar, who looked at him lovingly in her hippogriff form.
"A tall, slender mare from a forgotten kingdom that has just recently come back to the world, with an unknown story to be told and a treasure trove of ancient history just begging to be discovered. She's also a creative mare who loves to improve upon and create new things, along with making friends. And to top it all off, she's a princess to boot. You are quite the charmer professor, looking at the mare first for what and who she is and not caring about her status. Now, tell me once more. Do you like her?"
All of a sudden, all the mares disappeared in a puff of smoke, leaving only Heartstring and Sunburst in the ballroom alone. The stallion tries to regain his breath to calm the storm raging in his heart and stop feeling like his face is on fire before looking back at Heartstring.
"What....What was that?" Sunburst asked, recovering his breath.
"My work, THIS is what I do; I swim around your heart's greatest desire and give you a tour of what you wish for. Tell me, did that feel like brainwashing?"
With heavy pants and slightly shaken from the experience, Sunburst could only shake his head once negatively.
"Would you like to meet her in person? I can even help you boost your charm." Heartstring offered. After gulping, Sunburst nodded subconsciously, making Heartstring smile brightly, which only increased when they heard the sound of a harp in the distance.
"Oh, would you look at that? It seems the rest of our guests have arrived." Heartstring mentioned before marching through a balcony to the western entrance, where she and Sunburst looked as Twilight and her friends made their way to the castle through another of the queen's gardens.
"Heartstring, please don't hurt them."
"Hurt them? Why, professor, they will experience the same thing you did. I assure you, their time here and lives will be wonderful." Heartstring promised him before her smile briefly became a snarl as her gaze locked onto certain mares. "Just as long as certain mares remain civil and don't get TOO naughty in their dreams!" Heartstring replied coldly, making Sunburst gulp and sweat from the bloodlust the mare was projecting.
The sensation faded as quickly as it had come when the queen addressed Sunburst again with a calm smile: "Anyway! We were talking about you and your potential date."
"M-m-my what?!" Sunburst asked as Heartstring grabbed his hoof and brought him back into the castle, ignoring his pleas.
"I knew I could find someone to catch your attention! And you see, professor? This is my dream; this is what I wish for all of Equestria. Is it really that wrong to help ponies be honest with themselves? I even know how to adjust things so everything works out properly."
"Adjust?" Sunburst repeat, slightly taken aback.
"You will understand once you meet Skystar; I know you two will hit it off in no time with my little push, "Heartstring offered as she opened yet another double door, and Sunburst followed her. As they passed through a window, Sunburst looks behind himself in concern.
Good luck, Twilight. You and your friends will need wills of titanium for what is coming your way.
At that moment, as they rushed through the garden, Rarity had to stop before shivering and gaining everyone's attention.
"What is happening, Rarity?" Twilight asks in concern.
"Oh, nothing, darling. I just had...this weird feeling. I'm gonna be ok, and more importantly, we still have a job to complete."
"Y-yeah, Twilight, what she said," AJ added. "This is an evil Cadence we are talking about, after all. It's gonna be more personal. So, of course, we all be a bit on edge."
Twilight nodded. "Stay focused, everypony; Celestia knows what Heartstring has planned for us." Twilight informed the group before resuming their march.
"You were thinking the same thing, right?" AJ whispers to Rarity as she and Fluttershy got closer together.
"You wouldn't think... "big sister" Cadence is also in there, right?" Fluttershy asked with concern and a gulp of fear.
"Don't worry, everypony. Sunburst said it. Cadence only wants all of us happy! She will not harm us just because we like her little brother, right?" Pinkie joins in, too, trying to calm them down.
"I hope you are right, sugar cube. I do. Because I think an overprotective Nightmare Moon would be more dangerous than a regular one," AJ said with some dread as the others shivered at the idea alone.
Eventually, the group reached a set of double doors and, after some mental preparation, opened them, ready to face whatever Heartstring had prepared. Stepping inside, they found themselves at the gates of Sweet Apple Acres, covered in a fresh layer of snow.
Blinking in surprise, the mares looked behind themselves and the door they had just entered was nowhere to be seen. They somehow returned to Ponyville as if nothing had happened.
"What in tarnation?" Was all AJ could say as she broke the silence.
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Good job on this new chapter, Lightning Ace, I like it!
I hope I'll get to see how Blueblood is doing in your next chapter.
Here's a song that will make you a fighter. Enjoy!
https://youtu.be/Yp_XHSBKrzs?si=pW0WFMZuu7CGsyJc
Discords run a really impressive illusion, or a linked hallucination due to the pollen at the door?
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More like a fusion of Discord illusion combine with Cadence love magic. They can really make one huge and convincing illusion can't them? specially one that targets specifically what you love the most and show it too you. The hardest illusion to break
Dispensed with the rose-tinted glasses and went straight-up holodeck!
Strong willed needed indeed. The promise of a free perfect mate is really hard to deny...
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Hehe well hope you like what would happen next hehe.
Let just say, Fluffy and her sisters may get their seal of approval
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They explain the crusaders what happen after the Hidra incident, so they wouldn't worry
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Not sure if consider a poison, the plants has millions of pikes that are microscopic with a nerve inducing pinch according to reports, having that touch your skin is similar to be electrocute and pour acid at the same time.
The nickname of the plant is because of that pain, it so unbearable that the victim loses their mind and try to end it own life just to stop the pain. That is why it so horrible and dangerous that plant. The pikes can move through the air and because they are so tiny they are impossible to detect and they detach with the lightest of breezes.
Really sucks when the Boss is privy to the Plan right from the start.
Poor Private Plan! Died LONG BEFORE the enemy was engaged.
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I say warm, you got half the answer there. Here is one small clue, check the tittle of the longest chapters. Those where Blue had to face off against one strong foe.
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They already have their sparring training every night. Does that count?
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Heh! Enjoy the reread.
I gotta sign off now. I lost a shitton of sleep last night (& no, it's not because of shifting to DST)
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Maybe? More fun in
the sunmoon, a party or something would be very nice to see them bonding in12130702
After the movie but before Cozy Glow try to take over Equestria
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Ok, thanks.Clears up a lot of things I was wondering
Great story you have here, looking forward to the future chapter I haven't read yet
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No problem glad to hear you like it so far, for what I can tell you have see how Scarlet is somewhat of a wild card isn't she? hehe hope you enjoyed the rest of her arc
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I love how she just nonchalantly knows what's needed to fix it, too.
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Like the old saying goes, nothing unite nations and enemies, more than a common foe.
Or a crisis where everyone lose everything if turning against one another, so united they win, divided they fall. Not to mention that this is exactly what the Society of Heirs is all about. A new group united by a common goal of improve and excel beyond been just a pawn on the game.
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It a bit complicated, the dream realm is affecting the ambient too. Is not affecting them negative but the flora and fauna are in a sort of perpetual state of bliss. A literally dreamlike world
Damn... things sure run south the last days/weeks in story time.
Guess corrupted Cadance is shipping as hard as reality allows to
Guess Blueblood has to save the mares ones more... from their thirst
Not hurt them... Herd them
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Cadance could make what she did her as a past time even, but it's nothing more than a past time sink.
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Farmers still need to farm, baker still need to bake and mare still have to chase their stallion to keep them fit for a multi mare marathon