Thicker than Chaos

Thicker than Chaos

A My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic Fanfic

Written by Josh “Jarulso” P.

Hey Mom and Dad, it’s finally happened!

I’ve moved into a quaint little town, just near Everfree Forest and, surprisingly enough, Canterlot! I looked around a fair bit before talking to the Mayor, and sure enough, there was a house available, which looked like a perfect place to set up shop! I’ve already moved my things in, and I’m going to start almost post-haste, but I thought I better write to you first, just in case you started to worry about me getting lost. Haha.

I’ll be in touch soon!

Your loving son,

Bright Spark.

The dark green unicorn eagerly clopped through town, trying to find his way around, and memorize his surroundings as quickly as possible. For somepony like himself, he hated not being able to remember things. He turned to find that he was about two steps away from crashing into an orange mare, and nearly tripped over trying to stop. “I’m sorry!” He immediately apologized; however, it seemed she wasn’t looking. She turned, and noticed that he’d nearly run into her and couldn’t hide a smile.

“Sorry ‘bout that, pardner, guess I was hoggin’ the walkway.” She spoke in a heavy southern bell, which caused a small laugh to escape Bright Spark.

“I guess we both weren’t looking, but I’ll still pretend it’s my fault.” He replied, before dipping his head slightly. She looked at him, and laughed a little. It was only at this point that Bright noticed her emerald-like eyes.

“Ah haven’t seen anypony around here such’n yourself, what’s yer name?” She asked, offering her hoof for a friendly shake.

“My name’s Bright Spark!” He smiled, shaking her hoof. “And you are…?”

“I’m Applejack!” She replied, before turning around, semi-revealing her tri-apple cutie mark. “I better be headin’ on back, I got a powerful load a’ work to catch up on back at the farm. See you ‘round, Sparky!” She quickly explained, galloping off. Bright Spark found himself grinning from ear-to-ear, happy he’d made a new friend. He trotted off, heading back home. She had a point, though. It was time to get to work.

Bright Spark had spent a majority of the day, from that point, getting his shop set up. ‘Magic makes life so much simpler…’ He thought happily to himself, as a dark green aura surrounded his bit box, which he hid in the safety of a hidden compartment behind the counter, which only he knew how to get into. With that small bit of safety pushed to the back of his mind, he continued trying to get everything he could set up so that he could start by tomorrow. He slowly began layering out all of his equipment, and making sure he left nothing behind.

He’d made a container, which, under the right conditions, could hold enough magical energy to use his products for at least eight weeks straight before needing to be refilled. He wanted to quickly charge it up some more, but continued unpacking. He’d put all of his other equipment in a different room, and just finished setting up another shelf before hearing the door open. He quickly turned around, noticing a lavender unicorn, looking around as she stepped inside. “Hello there!” He smiled. She quickly turned, and found him standing in a near corner. “Sorry about the intrusion.” She replied. “But I noticed the new sign out front, and wanted to take a look inside.” She politely explained.

“Sorry about deceiving you, but I just need to unpack a few more things before I get started on anything.” Bright sheepishly admitted. “But you’re welcome to take a look around in the meantime.” He finished, trying to get the rest of his things in order. In the meantime, the mare strolled around, looking at all his merchandise.

“So, I haven’t seen you around town before, did you just move in?” She asked, trying to make a bit of small talk.

“I just finished this afternoon.” He replied, putting up a few more displays, and moving the box containing them into a small room off the side.

“Well, it’s nice to meet you.” She said, before introducing herself. “My name’s Twilight Sparkle.” She finished.

“And I’m Bright Spark.” He smiled, before putting the final touch on his counter – A small, silver bell. “And I make Light Bulbs for a living.” He laughed, realizing how ridiculous it sounded. Twilight joined him in a small giggle, before strolling back across the room.

“You make quite a bit of merchandise, if I do say so myself.” She admired, look at the new variety he’d placed up earlier.

“These are all for show – But I got a few working ones, if I could find the box I put them in…” Bright eagerly replied, with a slight trace of annoyance, carefully moving the packages so that he didn’t break the one that actually had the bulbs he was talking about.

“I’ll have to come back eventually, after you set up shop.” She said, with a hint of actual sincerity, Bright noted.

“Make sure that you do!” He smiled as she left.

After another hour and a half, Bright had finally finished setting up shop, but heard his stomach grumble. “I’m with you, buddy. Let’s get some chow.” He smiled, heading out, and turning over the ‘Day’ sign that he left out. At first, it read ‘Open’, but it now read ‘Out to lunch! Back in a minute!’. He trotted off, trying to remember where the Café was. He knew that he passed it earlier, but continued searching none the less. Instead of the deli, however, he found himself in front of a place known as the Boutique Carousel. He looked at the sign for a second, and made a quick note that he’d have to return at some point. He then remembered why he left, and made his way down the street. About a minute later, he found himself at the Café. He had a quick talk out the front, and then sat down for a bit of lunch. Whilst he waited for his Daisy Sandwich to arrive, he looked around, and saw a sweet shop just around the bend. “Definitely going there next…” He smiled, feeling a wicked sweet tooth coming on.

After a refreshing lunch, Bright took off for the sweet store. He finally arrived, and took a moment to examine the exterior properly. Bright chuckled at the playful design of the actual shop, which resembled a house with a gingerbread roof, as well as putting a GIANT cupcake on top. He walked inside, and found a couple baking sweets. “Hello there!” He smiled. The two turned to face the potential customer, and smiled back. “Welcome to Sugarcube corner! How can we help you?” The lady smiled. Bright looked around, and found an array of treats, sweets and sugary feats. However, he had his mind stuck on one thing, which had just caught his eye.

“These all look fantastic – But I have to go with the Strawberry Pie over there.” He smiled again. The couple returned the friendly gesture, and took the pie out from the rack, put it in a small to-go bag, and after a quick bit exchange, Bright left the store. On the way out, however, he met yet another pony. She was completely pink, with a mane similar to cotton candy. She stared at him strangely, as if trying to remember who he was, yet to no apparent avail.

“Erm… Hi?” Bright tried. The pony seemed to suddenly click, gasped loudly as if she were about to scream bloody murder, and zipped off into Sugarcube corner. Bright stood there, completely stupefied.

Later that night…

“Consarn it!” Applejack shouted in frustration, as the fixture in her barn went dead yet again. “It’s gonna cost a good week to get another one of these doohickeys again…” She commented, pulling the faulty bulb off its string. Luckily, though, she’d left a candle on the ground, which kept just enough vision for her to make her way back down. She threw the light bulb into a nearby bin, and looked around. Although it was slightly lit, there just wasn’t enough light for her to finish her chores. “Maybe Twilight has one I could borrow…” She mused, before heading outside, and galloping to Ponyville.

Twilight had (luckily for Applejack) just returned from Sugarcube Corner, having seen an all-too-familiar look in Pinkie’s eyes earlier, meaning that she was planning something huge. And, more than likely, it was going to be a surprise party for Bright, seeing as he was new in town, and also because he made the slight mistake of running into her earlier (As she had hurriedly explained, trying to find her confetti cannon at the time.). Before she could indulge in her thoughts any further, though, she heard a familiar tone call out her name. She turned to find her friend Applejack calling for her. “Oh, hello there, Applejack!” She greeted with a quick smile, before noticing that she seemed exhausted. “Are you okay? You look like you’ve been chased out of Sweet Apple Acres!” She commented. Applejack shared a quick laugh, before standing tall.

“I feel like I just have been, too.” She replied, before changing the subject. “You got any spare light bulbs on ya? The one in the barn gave out again, and the stores I know that sell them are shut.” She explained. Twilight thought about loaning one to her, but then had a sudden idea. “I know where we can get you one! Follow me!” She said, trotting off at a quick pace, towards Bright’s shop.

Bright Spark, having no luck in sales for the day, decided it was best to pack up before it got too late. As he went upstairs to fetch the day sign for the morning, he heard a chime at the counter. Excited, he grabbed the sign with magic, and headed downstairs to find Twilight Sparkle and Applejack, standing at the counter, looking around. Just as he made it down, Applejack spotted him. “Well howdy there, Sparky!” She grinned, her familiar southern chime being as predominate as ever.

“Hey girls, what can I help you with?” Bright Spark asked, moving the day sign under the counter.

“Well, Applejack’s last bulb ran out of power, and she needs another to continue her chores for the night.” Twilight explained, with Applejack nodding slowly in affirmation. Bright Spark thought for a second, and then rushed into the back room. In the meantime, Applejack whispered something in Twilight’s ear, and left momentarily. When she came back, she had her backpack on. “Why’d you grab that?” Twilight asked.

“Just because I need one a’ these glowin’ glass balls doesn’t mean I ain’t payin’ for ‘em.” She firmly stated, with an obviously stubborn look on her face.

About ten minutes later, Bright Spark came back out, and in front of him, was an Apple-shaped Light bulb, as if specially designed. Next to it, there was also a small button, similar to a doorbell, with a container behind it. “This should do.” He smiled, looking slightly fatigued. “You just press the button when you want light – It’ll keep the barn lit for about a week straight, because I didn’t find any time to charge it up.” He quickly explained. Applejack looked at the bulb with slight adoration in her eyes, before looking back to Bright. “I can’t thank you enough!” She smiled. “You even made it look like an apple, too…” She said, getting lost in the handiwork. Bright chuckled a little bit, before using magic to pick up the bulb and button, and putting it, with her unsaid permission, into her bag.

“Well, my family’s always taught me that your first customer is a special one, even if they’re your only one. So I figured a small bonus should be in order.” Applejack nodded at this, and pulled out five bits from her bag, to which Bright denied.

“Keep it; you seem to be in a rush.” He said. However, Applejack threw the money on the counter, and ran outside.

“Darn tootin’ I’m in a rush! And I don’t need any of yer silliness slowing me down!” She grinned, poking her head inside slightly, before disappearing to the night. Bright, yet again, couldn’t help but laugh, and Twilight joined him.

“She’s as honest as can be, but as stubborn as a bull.” She giggled, before heading to the door. “I better be going anyway – I’ll see you tomorrow!” She finished, shutting the door gently, leaving Bright to start his new life. He smiled at the collection of bits, and put them in his bit box, before locking it up for the night. He went outside, flipped the sign, and headed back in for an early night.

‘Memories such as these must be preserved.’ Bright thought, as he slid into bed for the night. Life was good, and it couldn’t have made him happier.

AN: So ends the first chapter of my first ever FiM Fan Fic!

Stay tuned for more – It does get more exciting sooner or later!

~Special thanks to my friends Lachlan and Ash for Proof Reading! /) * (\