A Crooked Cotton Candy Cloud with Poison Precipitation

by Zaphilious

Rating: teen
Tags: Tragedy, Original Character, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Comedy, Other
Length: 5682

Candyfluff is the local pariah, shunned by everyone in Ponyville. Something she though she had long since come to terms with, until her friend visits, brandishing a spell book she startled out of Princess Twilight's dragon assistant.

EQD Writer's Training Ground #17:
Writing Prompt:
Another pony (not necessarily a unicorn) is somehow imbued with the Inspiration Manifestation spell. What happens?

Candyfluff is the local pariah, shunned by everyone in Ponyville. Something she though she had long since come to terms with, until her friend visits, brandishing a spell book she startled out of Princess Twilight's dragon assistant.

Published 2014-05-02 01:40:04 UTC
Last updated 2014-05-02 01:40:04 UTC

Echo of a Curse

Not many things got me to leave my house. A hornet infestation had managed it a few weeks ago, and before that a visit from my parents. I'd always go out if Discord was in town and every now and again I go to see a good play or concert. Sadly, I hadn't found a way to shirk civic duties, such as Winter Wrap-Up, so I had to leave my house for those as well. Other than that, it would take something extraordinary to get me out of the house.

The streets turning to gold was a good start. And half the houses in Ponyville transforming into opulent, gem-encrusted castles, including my house. If my own talent hadn't been conjuration magic, I don't think I could have gotten out of my crystal-coated castle. (I conjured a 400 pound battering ram and a pendulum) I had to imagine the Mayor Mare was already commandeering Princess Twilight to organize a rescue effort, and you can be damn sure I was going to roped into it. Great, more time in the sun to be gawked and scowled at.

Still, it did mean more time to admire my fellow conjurer. At first I was so hopeful that Discord had dropped by to liven things up, but soon realized this prankster had far less imagination. Everything, with the possible exemption of the gilded streets, was made prim and proper, as if the town was being remodeled by a Canterlot butler with OCD... and the powers of Discord. So, I suppose it could have been a discorded Discord, though one would wonder why Discord would Discord himself. Ow.

At any rate, my house wasn't responding much to my attempts to un-fancy it, so I decided to preempt the Mayor's inevitable attempt to solicit my services (conscript me). I made my way to the Town Hall, where I would receive my marching orders, and undoubtedly a few glares of silent disapproval while I saved scores of trapped foals and fillies.

***

Ponyville's only baby dragon dragon resident stood alone on one of the many hills overlooking the town. He paced around the clearing, alternating between staring meaningfully at the shining streets of Ponyville, and averting his eyes to think without crushing guilt. Spike was choosing his words carefully, planning exactly what he would say to Twilight when he confessed his role the disaster of the day. He'd been at it for almost a half hour, begining almost the instant his companion, Rarity, had left to recover from the dark magic which had infested her. Truly, she was just as responsible for this as Spike, but she did need to rest before dealing with guilt.

I new this because I was in the tree at the edge of the clearing, watching the whole thing. In fact, I'd been following them since Applejack's cart became a bejeweled altar. I'm honestly a bit surprised the owl didn't notice me, but I guess that's what happens when your talent is being a wallflower.

Don't worry, I'm a reporter, not a creeper, and I was positively salivating at the potential of this story. Oh, this was the biggest thing since Twilight's ascension, and I was the only one with the whole story. Oh, Rarity and Spike knew, and they would probably confess, but most likely just to their friends. As Candyfluff proved, friends were a lot more forgiving than towns.

But there was one more thing I needed before reporting to Fluff: That book which possessed Rarity. It would add a good deal more legitimacy to my claims. Unfortunately, it had been eaten by a dragon, which is about as final a fate as can befall a bundle of paper. But, that wouldn't stop me. Nothing ever stopped me.

I dropped from my perch into a small thicket of bushes waiting patiently below. Spike's pacing was a bit inconsistent, but I was quick pegasus. Spike was reaching the edge of the clearing facing Ponyville, staring out as the soft thudding of Candyfluff's pendulum pummeling encapsulated buildings. I darted across the field, flying as close the ground as I could manage. As I reached the halfway point, I buried my hoof into my saddle bag. Spike began to turn, but I was almost there and way too fast to be caught now. With a kick to the earth, I was deflected slightly right of the rotating baby dragon, leaving behind a hooful of lit firecrackers. I whipped around, landing gracefully just behind my victim.

A dozen deafening cracks filled the air, and the baby dragon learned how to fly. He fell back to the ground with a stomach churning smack. (in that, I believe it churned his stomach) In a moment my hooves were around his belly, and a moment later, they were performing a reasonable facsimile to the Heimlich Maneuver. Spike did not enjoy this, but it was getting results; within a few pumps, I felt a distinctly book shape lump working its way up his throat. Spike was coughing pitifully. A dry, wheezing sort of thing, which sounded quite painful. It's okay, it'll be over in a minute. And so it was that in about ten more pumps, his tenderized stomach surrendered its treasure: a partially digested, slightly burned, ornate spell book.

I collected my prize in flash and leapt to the protection of a nearby cloud, leaving only a massive sapphire in my wake. Spike continued to choke for a bit (I'm sorry little guy, I didn't know it would hurt so much), but as soon as he was able, he scanned the trees and sky and cloud with desperation and fear, before noticing the sapphire and pausing for a snack. Luckily, a cloud was perfect camouflage for my snow white coat. Slowly, I nudged the cloud towards Ponyville while Spike enjoyed his crystalline sweet.

***

Well, I was right to assume that the Mayor would have need of my skill. I was also correct to assume that there would be a half-dozen gawkers staring at me like a plague rat. Thankfully they all had the presence of mind to move aside when I conjured a colossal battering ram where they used to be standing. Perhaps harassing my silent tormentors wasn't the best way to make them stop, but it was hilarious.

The work was slow and exhausting. With over two dozen houses turned to marble, gold or other, and conjuring a tremendous battering ram not being a very easy thing to do, every three houses I would collapse onto the still gold street and stare at my own reflection for a couple minutes. This would in turn inspire ire in the crowd as they commanded me to hurry back to work, or else someone might get hurt... from spending twelve hours trapped in their home. I spend every hour of every day in my home and the only thing I'm in danger of is dehydration from so many potato chips.

At the end of the day, I broke open 21 houses, effectively memorized every curl and wisp in my sheep-like mane, and not improved my standing with the patrons of Ponyville one iota. What good I'd done by cracking open everyone's houses was counteracted by two assumption by the town: that I smashed the houses because it was fun, rather than to free ponies, (which, to be fair, it was) and that my breaks were taken out of laziness, rather than pure exhaustion. (to be fair again, I did let one or two of those drag on a bit too long out of spite) It probably also didn't help that occasionally flung things at them, such as small newts, globs of jelly and a brick. I couldn't wait to get home and sleep until they call me for Winter Wrap Up.

I vaguely recall it being mentioned that Princess Cadence and Luna were coming by to clean up the town, but I didn't expect them to start with my house. I guess Twilight Sparkle decided to do me a favor for my reluctant service. Thank you, Princess. The three of them were at the end of the road now, a path of un-gilded cobblestone leading from my house to them. I would have gone to thank them out loud, but the only reason I hadn't slipped into unconsciousness yet was that I hadn't stopped moving since the last house cracked. I made my way to my door while flashed, pops and cracks came from three Princesses. Once inside, I collapsed in my doorway. Who needed a bed anyway?

“Finally, I've been waiting here for hours” Oh sleep, why must you elude me. On any other day I'd be delighted to see Dove sitting in my living room, eating all of my cashew nuts. Okay, maybe not delighted, perhaps even annoyed, but this was not the day I wanted to deal with her.

“What do you want?” I grunted into the floor, eyes still half closed. A stupid question; she stops by every night, always for the same reason.

“I got a doozy of a story for us!” I really wish I could drain the enthusiasm from her with not but a glare. Sadly, she remained either oblivious or immune to my “get out!” stare.

With a flutter of her wings she arrived at my writing desk, which now bore a notepad and a rather thick book. That reminds me, my type writer needed a new ink ribbon. I should have picked own up during my community service.

“I know who turned this town into a Canterlot fever dream.” A smug smile spread across her face as she lifted the book from the table, revealing a cover as ornate as the town square, if the Princesses hadn't gotten to it yet.

“Dove, I am fascinated to find out who ruined my day, but for right now, the only reason I'd care about that book is if you're going to read me a bedtime story”

Dove shrugged. “Okay, I've been wondering what's in this book anyway” She sat down on my couch and began flipping through the book's pages.

“Could you at least fly me up to my room before my drool seeps into the floorboards.”

Dove slapped the book shut. “'kay” she replied curtly. She really didn't like being interrupted. My vision was a hazy fog at this point, so I felt myself being lifted from the floor more than I saw it. She slung me on to her back and centered my weight with he wings. Then, I was knocked out of my semiconscious stupor by a surge of wing power which brought us to the second floor in the least serene way possible. A moment later I realized that we were still in the air, Dove pausing to aim for my bedroom door. My eyes flung open, suddenly much less fuzzy, and my mouth prepared to shriek in surprise, but was preempted as we rocketed forward into my room, where I was quickly dumped on my mattress with startling precision.

Dove walked up to my quaking form in bed.

“You ready for a bed time story?” She asked, raising the book to my muzzle.

I gave her my best “I hate you” look, before taking a deep breath and slipping myself beneath the covers.

Once settled, I replied, “Hit me.”

She smiled broadly like a filly reading off her A+ essay to her parent. After pulling a chair up to my bed, I heard her flip through the pages one by one. Far too many pages.

“Urrr, who writes a book with nothing in it” She cried into the air, throwing the book up with her words. It came back down with a smack on her head.

“Maybe it's just... a...” I had something to say, but I forgot. I did not care what Dove was ranting about, nor what that book had to say. I just cared how many sheep I'd need to store in my mental coral before that too faded away. And so I faded away into unconsciousness, as Dove said something along the lines of “Eureka” and proceeded to lull me away with the rhythmic words of an arcane poem.

***

“Twilight! Cadence! Luna!” Called out Spike from across the town square. The three princesses turned to see the baby dragon sprinting across half cobble and half gold street. His short legs didn't carry him very fast, so they were forced to wait as he made his way to them. Until he stopped in the middle of the square panting. They flew over to him to expedite the process.

“What's wrong, Spike?”

“Is anything the matter?”

“Speak quickly young one” The other two gave Luna a disapproving look. “What?”

Spike was still gasping for air. “Evil... Spell book... Stolen!”

Luna, Cadence and Twilight looked at each other.

“What evil Spell book?” Luna asked with greatest fear.

“Did they hurt you?” Cadence asked with greatest concern.

“What were you doing with an evil spell book?” Twilight received no looks.

Spike's lungs were in no hurry to recover. “Found... in … the castle... Rarity...”

“Hold on” Cadence leaned in with her glowing blue horn, touching it to Spike's chest. Almost instants, a surge of energy filled the dragon and he jumped to his feet.

He rubbed his chest a moment, before replying, “Thanks Cadence” Cadence nodded in thanks, “So, like I was saying: Rarity was depressed because she made a gorgeous puppet stand for this ungrateful jerk, who told her it was no good. So went to the castle to see if there were an spells that would let her make a new one in time for the Fair, and found this weird Spell Book called 'Inspiration Manifestation'” Luna gasped at this. “I gave it to Rarity and it let her summon a new puppet stand from the aether. I didn't realize that it had possessed her until she started turning all of Ponyville into the Grand Galloping Gala. I took the book away from her and ate it, but it didn't stop her, so I did the only thing I could and told her to stop, and that what she was doing was wrong. And somehow, that broke the spell. Then I was trying to figure out how to tell you guys all of this when someone jumped me from behind and Heimliched the book out of me and ran off” He finished by looking at his hands shamefully.

“This is not good” Luna announced, “There was a reason that spell book was locked away, Spike” He ducked his head even more, “We must search the town immediately for whoever stole that book.” She turned to Twilight and Cadence, “you both know how difficult it is to clean up this kind of dark magic. Imagine how difficult it is to fight it.”

***

I didn't feel any different when I woke up that morning. My black coat was ruffled and in desperate need of grooming. My mane was still curly and frayed, though that needed no remedy. My mouth needed cleaning and my eye's needed their drops, but nothing was any different than usual.

I performed my morning rituals without issue, except that my 14 part toothpaste dispenser got caught around the second tooth gear, so I had to squeeze it out with my magic like a normal unicorn. I didn't see Dove, though she did leave both the book and her notes right next to my typewriter. Well, I'd probably be able actually read it, now that the Princesses were fixing up the town.

After fixing up my breakfast, I enveloped the book and notebook in my magic, floating them over to my living room table. It was then that I finally noticed something off. The books were held aloft by some toxic green cloud. I dropped them both to the floor in an instant, noticing the dispelling wisps of magic coming off my own horn. Oh, this couldn't be good. How I didn't notice this until now, I had no idea, but sickly miasma in place of magic was never a good thing.

I dove at the book and picked it up clumsily in my hooves. (unicorns don't often use those to read) I whipped it open and fiddled with the pages, flipping each one as they proved blank. Dove read something out of this book last night and I was pretty sure evil magic was introduced by mysterious spell books. I flipped over two pages at once, immediately and angrily flipping to the middle page. There is was: “Inspiration Manifestation.” A spell that allows the user summon forth anything from their imagination. So, essential what I do every day. Heck, I even make a game out of conjuring a new impractical contraption to squeeze out my toothpaste every day. So, this wasn't so bad.

I let out a sigh of relief and floated the book back to my writing desk. I would just have to go see Twilight or some other pony to figure out how to dispel this. I should probably get to that before I find out any unexpected side effects to this. I finished up my breakfast, washed the dishes, gathered my saddlebags and made for the door.

There was an unwanted guest at my door, hoof raised and ready to knock. Lipid Lark was a fat old bird keeper who ran the animal sanctuary before Fluttershy arrived in town. I personally referred to her as 'Livid Fart', as relic of my childhood, but as she represents a lion's share of the things I hate about this town, I felt I was entitled to some immaturity.

“Good morning Livid. What can I do for you” That was almost painful to say.

Her hoof whipped up, leaving a bill dangling an inch in front of my eyes.

“During your escapades yesterday, your pendulum smashed my front door, even though there were none inside to save.” Oh yeah. She was yelling at me to stop being lazy, so I pushed myself and summoned a fourth pendulum, which was slightly misaligned because I horn was about to drop off in protest! “Furthermore, I seek reparations for the emotional damage cause by your assault on me with bricks!” Oh, I wish she would just fall down a pit with spikes at the bottom.

This was answered by a scream emanating from the newly created hole where my front step should have been. Oh, so that's how the book worked on me. I wonder what would happen if I wished everyone in the town liked me. Right, screaming. I wish she would fall down a pit with a trampoline at the bottom. Her scream was getting fainter and fainter as she descended down the pit, however, it soon became louder and louder as she ascended up the pit. She briefly popped out and met my eyes, before continuing back down the dark hole. There was no way she could have missed my smile. I walked around the hole in stoop and headed for the library. She could handle a few hours in a bouncy pit.

***

My dreams that night were strange. It seemed to be the moment I attacked Spike repeated ad nauseam. Was I feeling guilty? I did feel bad for hurting Spike, but it wasn't supposed to hurt him. I didn't do anything intentionally wrong. I would apologize to him after Candyfluff wrote the article, and give him a nice, juicy emerald. And the book of course. I awoke in my bed to find three Princesses glaring down at me from all sides.

“I've seen your dreams” whispered Luna.

***

I'd gotten side tracked on my way to Twilight's. Livid Fart wasn't the only member that crowd who was a repeat offender. I had some very creative punishments for them. Like trapping Carrot Top in a box filled with rabid rabbits, and forcing Honey Horn to communicate through dancing. I was currently in the process of tying up Snips and Snails in the tail of a giant puppy. I'd turn town hall into bacon, both to get back at the Mayor and to see if being tied up in a wagging puppy tail would make Snips and Snails vomit.

I hated this town. Every single pony in it. I would sooner see this town engulfed by the pit of Tartarus than see its crimes go unanswered. From hating me, to shunning me, to petrifying Discord, to making Dove uncomfortable. Everypony would pay. And I had just the right imagination to make it as personal as it felt.

***

I couldn't keep myself from laughing at the sight of Honey Horn tap dancing out a cry for help. Or the giant puppy eating town hall. This was exactly the stuff Candy wrote about in her journal that I wasn't supposed to read, and it was even funnier in real life. But the princesses quickly got to work ruining Candy's hard work.

Still, having Carrot Top be assaulted by diseased rabbits was a bit much, and I heard that Lipid Lark broke her legs by landing on the trampoline wrong. Maybe she just needed to tone it down. This was funny, but there was a bit too much physical injury going on. I needed to talk to her.

Then Luna flew up to me, holding her hand a small humming bird. With three butterflies on her tail feathers.

“She said I'm the reason Lipid Lark was mean to her.”

***

Oh, that felt good. From the moment Fluttershy took over the animal sanctuary, (which was a good idea, since Livid Fart couldn't care for anything if it didn't have wings and a beak) Livid Fart had dedicated every waking moment to assuring the young people how miserable they were making her. Now she was a fly. Now I could move on to Granny Smith, Livid's life long friend. If she'd not at least partially responsible for Livid becoming such an insufferable sack of road kill, I don't know who is. Except her parents, but they were dead, so debts paid.

In the moment that I tied one of yesterday's gawkers to a tree, the unmistakable roar of the Traditional Canterlot Voice rang out, “That is enough!”

Princess Luna crashed to the ground, her wings inexplicably glued to her sides. She collected herself in only a second, glaring resentfully at innocent old me.

“Begone vile scourge!” she attempted a purging spell, hoping against hope that I wouldn't be able to stop it. It was then that she noticed that her horn was a toilet paper tube. A long one, but a toilet paper tube none the less. “Foul creature”

“Hey Luna, how would you like to feel like Discord?” I didn't await her reply and simply walked away towards Sweet Apple Acres. I'm sure Luna would point the other princesses in my direction.

***

And so she did. You can always trust statues. Only minutes after Granny Smith was forced to adopt a new lifestyle, being a newt and all, two alicorns and one pegasus descended from the sky. The two alicorns were quickly sans their wings and horns, sending them tumbling down to the earth, to be quickly recovered by a swooping snow-white mare.

“Good evening Anti-Discordians” I announced to the two princesses being slowly lowered to the ground, “Who wants to play cotton candy landmines?”

“Candy, what's going on?” Dove cried out as she gently placed the former alicorns on the ground.

“I'm painting the town pink!” I announced gayly, “I'm doing what I've wanted since I got my cutie mark: fun! Good old fashion nonsense” With a green flare of my horn, a few dozen pink, fluffy lumps spawned all over the field, leaking chocolate syrup from every crevice. I was lactose intolerant. “Come and join me” I leapt onto the nearest landmine, it exploding into cotton candy shrapnel, launching me into the air with a giddy smile. I magically adjusted my trajectory to send me onto the next landmine.

Dove looked on with fear and concern. A look mirrored by the princesses at either side of her.

“The curse is broken by the truth, so it to her. Quickly” Luna whispered into her ear.

Dove took a tentative step forward, scared of her friend for the first time in a long time. “Uh, Candy... you can't keep hurting people.... It's not funny!” She was not much of an orator, especially when scared.

My smile disappeared and I shifted weight ever so slightly. When I struck the landmine, it blasted me clear across the field, not five feet from Dove.

“I hurt bad people” I said grimly, “Bad people are fun to torment. They deserve it” Then a grin burst out across my face, “Come on, let's have some fun” I grabbed her forehoof and tossed her onto one of the landmines, jumping onto the adjacent one not a second later.

***

“Why didn't that work!” I shouted past an ignorantly playing Candyfluff.

The two princesses looked at each other in worried ways.

“Has Candyfluff ever suggested that hurting others is okay” Called back Twilight.

“No!” Though, I thought about it for a second, “She does have a journal. This whole this is like a perverted page right out of it!”

Another exchange of royal fear. That wasn't good.

“It didn't work because it's not the truth for her!”

“She believes, even without the book's poison, that hurting bad people is okay!”

“But it's not!” I shouted back desperately.

“I know, but she thinks it is!” Twilight replied.

“Well, now what” I tried to hold it back, but I was no the verge of tears. Candy isn't a monster! Twilight seemed to rack her brain.

“Is their anyone whose opinion she values more than yours?!”

“I'm her best friend!” I shouted back indignantly. But even as I said that, I knew the answer. “Can you get Spike?” It looks like I would get to give my apology early.

***

Before me stood on thing I thought I'd never see.

“I really like what you've done with the place. I was beginning to worry that all you ponies were such paragons that you couldn't indulge in a little chaos.” That voice. Oh how I loved to hear that voice. I couldn't stop smiling.

“I'm glad you're impressed. Would you like some anarchy with a side of nonsense?” I turned the ground to a checker board and the trees into licorice as a said this.

“Love to!” Discord replied, plucking a black licorice apple and taking a bite, “What else have you done around here?”

“Oh! I've made cotton candy landmine” I leapt onto one to show it off.

“Ooh, why didn't I think of that one” He joined in and continued the conversation as we passed each other in the are. “So, I've heard you brought the princess population in Equestria down to one” He took another bit of his licorice applejack's

“Oh, yeah! They got what they deserved”

“Oh, I don't think so” He said casually, waiting for the next pass to continue. “I rather enjoyed them with their wings. Ponies are so much fun to toy with when they think they have an advantage.”

“But they can hurt you. They turned you to stone twice!”

“Oh, what's life without a little risk” With that, he slurped away all of black in the licorice apple, “You need to learn to let things go. You'll never have fun if you're focused on revenge”

“I don't know, I find revenge pretty satisfying”

“But how can you have fun while you're angry? Why, I don't think I'd be half the god of chaos that I am if spent my time devising a horrible vengeance for all those who'd wronged me. It's more fun to send a manticore marching band running though the town and watch everyone scratch their heads.”

“But-”

“Listen, why don't you undo all of this, and then we can have fun messing with everyone. Torturing them just isn't fun.”

“But-”

“At least as far as I'm concerned. I just don't really want to be around anypony who would throw someone in a tumble drier for looking at them funny”

With that, A green pulse of light fired from my horn, giving Twilight her wings, turning Luna from stone, and freeing all the residents of the town from my various death traps.

***

“You know, I got my cutie mark because of you” I said to Discord, sitting next to me on a picnic blanket, a motherly Fluttershy serving us sandwiches. I really felt bad about her.

“Oh yeah?”

“Yeah, I fell in love with your anarchic version of Ponyville. It showed me my love of breaking the rules” I glanced back at the pink cloud with brown rain on my flank. “It's not something you get a lot of exposure to here.”

“Thank you, it's so nice to have a positive impact on someone for once.” He was smiling down at me in a oddly genuine way for the god of chaos. “You're free to stop by my house anytime for some consequence-free chaos”

This was more touching a moment than I ever expected to have with Discord. (though, to be fair, I never expected to meet Discord) Sadly, this was interrupted by the unmistakable sound of a hoard of ponies encroaching from Ponyville.

“Oh crap, consequences”

It took them a few minutes to all arrive, the crowd of roughly a hundred angry ponies, All out for blood.

“CANDYFLUFF!” that was all too familiar a shriek, “You are going to come with us and... and...” She was so angry she didn't even know what to do with me. I don't think any of them did. This was just shear blind rage.

“Now hold on, Candyfluff can explain this-” Fluttershy offered the mob.

“No, I got this” I interrupted. I turned to the slavering masses, all seemingly ready to pounce, if not held back by the last vestiges of civility left in them. Or the fact that Discord was right behind me. “Ponyville, I am sorry for all I did to you. I'm sorry I tortured you and sought petty vengeance against you. But sadly, I cannot convince myself that you didn't deserve it.” This brought a look of shock from Fluttershy, and Discord didn't seem particularly thrilled either. “All of you have made my life hell for the last three years, just for being myself, something that is championed for most. But because my 'self' is incompatible with your vision of harmony, You treated my like the avatar of all evil.

“I hate all of you. I hate you for rejecting me and I hate you for ostracizing Dove just for being my friend. So effective immediately, I'm leaving this town. I cannot forgive any of you, and none of you can forgive me.”

I turned to Twilight, Cadence and Dove, “For you all, I really can claim you didn't deserve any of it, and I am so sorry.” I bowed my head, “Twilight, will you teleport me to my house so I can pack?”

She nodded. I walked up to her, waving goodbye to Discord, and the world disappeared in a purple flash.

***

The things I had of importance weren't all that numerous. My typewriter could be replaced with a quill and ink. I didn't wear clothes, and I didn't really own any books. If I wanted to read something, I sent Dove off to the library.

Dove. I was going to miss her. She had been my only friend over the last few years. She wasn't ostracized simply by association, she was not very socially competent. She was very high energy and generally upset if she didn't get her own way. That isn't to say that she did care about others, she did, quite a bit, but there's a reason her cutie mark is a wallflower. She preferred to observe ponykind rather than interact with them. With the lone exception of me.

“Are you really leaving” I wasn't really surprised that she found a way in here. She'd made a game out of trying to startle me with her visits.

“Yeah” I replied, stuffing a handful of scrolls into my saddlebags, “This time I've done too much. It doesn't matter that it was a curse, my life in Ponyville is over.”

“Oh” She deflated, her whole body looking like a rag-doll hanging from a pair of wings.

“You wanna come with?” I asked it casually, but I was terrified of her answer, whether it be yes or no.

“Really?!” Well that was not the answer I expected. “Oh, but I have a job in Ponyville”

“Your job is with me. You already have to fly to Fillydelphia once a week, so I can't imagine you'll have to fly much farther, regardless of where we wind up”

“That's true.” I was happy to see a smile on her face again. “I'll go pack up my things and be right back!” And so she flew off through a window I didn't even know was open. Probably how she got in here. I felt guilty, for inviting her with me and because she said yes. She didn't have any other friends, so she'd probably follow me to the sun, whether I wanted her to or not.

***

Dove and I stepped outside, a seething mob at my doorstep. They probably would have torn us to shreds, had there not been a princess less than two feet from us.

“So, where would you like to go?” Twilight asked us. Dove and I looked at each other. We'd both agreed on the first place we would go.

“Fillydelphia” not much of a flight at all. Only a few blocks rather than a few dozen miles.

“Alright” And with her alicorn magic, Twilight Sparkle took us away from the screaming mob that even now was most likely ransacking my house, to calm meadows and peaceful rivers near the outskirts of Fillydelphia.