Lord of the Bracelet: Fellowship of the Bracelet

The Fellowship of the Bracelet

Chapter 1

Roseluck was sitting in a meadow reading whereupon she heard singing of a fellow she used to know. The tune was jovial. Roseluck leapt up from where she was lying prone and rushed to the source of the humming. A smile crept across her face as she recognized the voice.

Rushing to the trail that leads into Ponyville she stopped on a ledge and hailed the old friend.

“You’re late,” Roseluck accused.

An old unicorn sat on a cart pulled by useless earth ponies. He wore grey robes and a wide brimmed wizard’s hat. A pipe hanging from his mouth let off a little smoke. The back of the cart held strangely colored tubes and sticks. Roseluck wondered if they were some of Gum-drops fabled fireworks.

“A unicorn is never late,” Gum-drop the Greyish said, “he arrives precisely when he means to, Roseluck.”

The moment was tense between the two, each gazing at the other with intense concentration. Gum-drop was the first to break the silence with his raucous laughter.

“It’s wonderful to see you, Gum-drop,” Roseluck exclaimed as she leapt into his cart. She embraced the old unicorn.

Gum-drop pulled away from the hugging and looked at Roseluck. “You didn’t think I’d forget Daisy’s birthday did you?” Gum-drop pulled his cart forward into Ponyville.

The country-side passed by slowly as the two reminisced about what happened while the other was away. Pony’s worked the fields as the merry couple passed.

“I hear the party’s going to be of special magnificence,” Gum-drop chided Roseluck.

Roseluck sighed a little. Daisy had become increasingly chipper as the years wore by. In fact, she didn’t seem like a pony that was turning one hundred and eleven. “You know Daisy, she’s got the whole place in an uproar.”

Gum-drop chuckled, “Well that should please her.”

“Half of Ponyville’s been invited,” Roseluck chimed in, “and the rest of them are turning up anyways.” The two laughed.

As the two finally passed into town, Roseluck spoke quietly, “Daisy’s been acting queer lately. She’s been pouring over old books and maps when she thinks I’m not looking. She’s up to something.”

Gum-drop stayed silent; he let the smoke of his pipe flow.

“Fine then, keep your secrets, but I know you have something to do with it. Before you came along, we were very well

thought of.”

“Indeed?” Gum-drop asked.

“Never had any adventures, stayed to the gardens.”

“If you are referring to the incident with the dragon, I was barely involved,” Gum-drop said. “All I did was give your aunt a little nudge out of the door.”

“Whatever you’ve done, you been officially labeled a ‘disturber of the peace’.”

Gum-drop looked at Rose, a worried look on his face. As the two passed Cheerilee’s classroom, foals ran up to the cart. Gum-drop looked happy once more.

Cries of “Gum-drop” followed the cart as it travelled. The old unicorn’s horn lit up and a shower of a sparks and lights flew from the back of the cart. Cheering foals followed the two as they continued their way.

Roseluck took a stand on the cart, “Gum-drop,” she said, “I’m glad you’re back.” The rosy pony jumped from the cart and trotted off.

“So am I,” the unicorn muttered, “so am I.”

ooo000ooo

Daisy’s party was in full swing now. Daisy has spared no expense in this endeavor. Great tents filled the Ponyville commons. Huge barrels of cider made just for this night have been rolling on from Applejack’s farm all day. Celestia had lowered the sun and everyone pony in Ponyville was gathered to celebrate the lucky mare’s birthday. Roseluck and Twilight were watching a handsome colt dance.

“Go on, Twilight. Ask him for a dance,” Rose insisted.

Twilight shook her off, and apologized for spilling another mare’s drink. “I can’t Roseluck,” Twilight mumbled. She got up

off the bench, “I think I’ll just have another cider.”

Roseluck got up too. “Oh no you don’t,” she said as she shoved Twilight to the colt.

The colt smiled as he spun with Twilight in a dance.

Overhead, Gum-drop released more fire-works. Loud explosions coursed through the sky, filling the night with sparks and embers, and just a little bit of magic.

A mare crashed into Roseluck. “Excuse me?” she asked.

A familiar face looked back at rose. The unmistakable pink coat and yellow mane was her good aunt, Daisy. She looked almost worried.

“Daisy, what’s the matter?” Rose asked.

Daisy helped the rosy mare up. “Appleoosa-Tulips,” she whispered as she dragged Roseluck underneath a tent.

Shortly after a stallion and mare passed the tent looking very flustered. Daisy did her best to shield her face from them. The pair trotted along.

Daisy let her breath out, “Rose, my girl, you’re a good girl, Rose.” She was looking sternly at Rose. “I’m very selfish you know.”

Rose opened her mouth to tell Daisy off, but Daisy continued. “Yes, I am, very selfish. I don’t know why I took you after your mother and father died but it wasn’t out of charity. I think it was because out of all my numerous relations, you were the one Flower with real spirit.”

“Daisy, have you been at Big Mac’s homebrew?” Rose asked.

“No,” Daisy replied, “Well yes. B-but that’s not the point, the point is, Roseluck… you’ll be alright.” Daisy turned away and sipped from her cup.

Outside the party ambience gave way to a rocket’s flare the group gasping. Above the party a huge explosion was tearing across the sky sending sparks and shimmers to the guests’ amusement. Arcing through the sky the firework began to head back to the party as if growing.

Wings sprouted and a dragons head formed as it raced towards town.

“Daisy,” Roseluck cried as she leapt to the stricken mare. The crowd was in uproar as the pseudo dragon raced towards them. “Look out for the dragon!”

“Nonsense, there hasn’t been a dragon in these part for ages,” Daisy countered, squirming under Roseluck. The roar of the pseudo dragon reached fervent levels as is passed overhead. Its shape melting into gaping jaws as it exploded off in the distance. Brilliant explosions lighting the countryside for miles, even up to Canterlot. The guests began to cheer and Roseluck once again helped Daisy onto her feet.

The next event was dinner. Ponies were never late for dinner. Daisy had spared no expense on this part either. Exotic fruits had been coming in for days, even from as far away as the zebra lands.

After every pony had gotten their fill, and it had taken awhile, Daisy was called to the stage as the crowd, particularly Roseluck, called for a speech. Daisy mounted the stage to uproarious applause.

“My dear Flowers and Cakes,” she began, “Sparkles and Gems, Pies, Dashes.” Each name got an cheer from the respective family. “Today is my one hundred and eleventh birthday! The last eleventy-one years have been too short to live among such admirable ponies. I don’t know half of you half as well as I like, and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve.”

The crowd was silent, figuring out whether or not to be delighted or offended.

Daisy took the somber moment to begin again, “I, uh…” she trailed off, looking into the crowd. She was reaching a hoof into one of her saddlebags. “I have things to do…” she said as she put that hoof behind her back.

“I’ve put this off for far too long,” she spoke barely above a whisper.

“I regret to announce this is the end. I am going now. I bid you all a very fond farewell.” Guests glanced at each other nervously. Rose’s eyes never left Daisy. “Goodbye.” Daisy was gone.