The following morning dawned crisp and clear, a thousand hues of red, yellow, and blue splashed across the gray canvas of the eastern horizon. The distinctive call of half a dozen laughingbirds could be heard amongst the branches of the solitary oak tree in the courtyard outside the Draught Horse as the town of Ponyville slowly but surely came to life around it. The chill air, a far cry from the heat of the previous day, was laden with a light fog which settled on every visible surface, including the top of the awning outside the front doors of the little pub.

Under this awning slept Wind Song...that is until the dew, which had collected on it, condensed to form several large drops which rolled off it and right into the unconscious pony’s left ear.

His eyes snapping open, the formerly unconscious Wind Song made his first fatal mistake. He sat bolt upright, jerking his pounding head from left to right to see who had woken him so rudely. At least that’s what he would have done, but the copious quantity of Twin Horse ale from the previous night was having none of it. The sudden movement induced a bout of nausea and vertigo such as he hadn’t experienced in months as the world spun around him, seeming to bob precariously up and down. It was rather like being on a carousel...spinning very very quickly.

As a result, he not only failed to discover who had disturbed his slumber, but he rolled unceremoniously right off the back of the bench on which he had been sitting and found himself in an inarguably horizontal state of being once again. He immediately made the immediate and intimate acquaintance of the hard weathered planks of the pub’s front porch, which knocked the wind out of him and left him gasping for air. A few moments later, as he lay on his back groaning in pain, Orange Blossom popped into his view between himself and the awning above.

“Mornin’, sunshine!” she shouted in the shrill, piercing tone that was the sole province of Orange Blossom.

Of course the last thing a pony with a hangover wants immediately after being woken up and falling backward onto the ground is somepony else shouting in their face. As Wind Song clapped his hooves over his ears, a steady stream of whispered curses issued from his mouth.

“For Celestia’s sake, O.B., keep it down!” he rasped hoarsely, his parched mouth and throat coming quickly to the forefront of his hazy consciousness.

As the ringing in his ears subsided somewhat, he opened one eye slowly and was about to ask Orange Blossom for a glass of water when Snow Star’s grinning face came into view beside Orange Blossom’s, a glass of water levitated before him.

“Hey, Snow. Thanks for the…”

That was all farther Wind Song got before the glass above him tipped and its contents crashed down on his face in a cold torrent.

“Oops! Sorry about that, buddy!” Snow Star said as Wind Song coughed and spluttered. “Was hoping you’d wake up soon. You are awake now, right?”

Wind Song gave a loud cough which made his already pounding head give another throb of pain.

“No thanks to you, asshole.” he replied, coughing again.

“Willow, Moonlight, and Honeybell already left to help set up the Cuteceañera.” Snow Star continued as though nothing were amiss.

“Did they?” Wind Song asked. Wind Song rolled over and again tried to push himself upright with the full intention of giving Snow Star a solid kick, but failed miserably. He felt the bile rise in his throat and decided on the alternative course of action which primarily involved not moving at all. “Pony feathers, this sucks.” he commiserated, closing his eyes.

“Willow said you’d say that.” Snow Star said with a chuckle. “Here.” He pulled a small vial from somewhere in a small satchel he carried and levitated it to Wind Song.

Wind Song eyed the little glass container skeptically. “What is it?” he asked.

“Anti-hangover potion!” Orange Blossom said in a loud whisper while Snow Star gave Wind Song the potion. “Willow said you’d need it.”

“That and a glass of water from anypony who can spare one.” he replied.

Snow Star nodded and went to refill the empty glass while Wind Song popped the tiny cork from the top of the vial and downed the whole concoction in one gulp. It tasted like strawberries...or raspberries? He wasn’t sure. It barely did anything to sate his ravaging thirst, but the relief from the effects of the hangover was almost immediate. His head soon cleared and his churning stomach stopped gurgling.

His relief must have been visible on his face because Orange Blossom gave a radiant smile and clopped her two front hooves together as Wind Song tried again, this time successfully, to stand upright.

“Wow! That potion is something else. Might need to keep a vial or two of that handy. Where did Willow get it?” he asked as Snow Star approached, levitating a now full glass of clear cool water. Wind Song decided that he would save Snow Star’s punishment for a later date.

Snow Star levitated the glass over to Wind Song who took it and drank eagerly.

“She made it.” he said proudly.

Wind Song put the glass down on the table next to him and looked at Snow Star dumbly.

You’re kidding.” he said as more of a statement than a question.

“Not at all, my fine fellow! Not at all. As it happens, my wife is quite adept at the practice of potioneering. When she’s in the right mood.” he paused. “Or drunk.” he added as an afterthought. “Remember that time two or so years ago when we went to the Prancing Palomino and nopony heard from her for three straight days?”

Wind Song closed his eyes, trying to remember. Ah, yes. That time. The recollection of the event made him chuckle.

Smirking, Wind Song said. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen Willow dance like that before. It was a bit, um...” Wind Song trailed off, searching for the right word.

Snow Star’s grin soured a bit. “Embarrassing. Yes.”

“Hey, it wasn’t that bad.”

Snow Star stared at Wind Song flatly. “She knocked over Mayor Dartmoor’s beer...Twice.”

“Well, I guess if you put it that…”

“She spun upside down on not one, not two, but three different tables and broke them.”

“Yeah, I guess that was pretty ba…”

“When I told her to stop she called me ‘pencil dick’ and hoofed me in the…”

“Okay! I get it!” Wind Song shouted before Snow Star could continue, but relented somewhat after a moment. “Did she really kick you in the...uh, you know…?”

Snow Star closed his eyes, evidently hoping to blink away the memory. “Not on purpose...”

Orange Blossom had been watching this exchange with a very un-Orange Blossom-like indifference, interrupted, “So, are we going to this party or what?”

“That sounds like a fantastic idea.” Wind Song replied in a stale monotone.

And so, off they marched back toward the town center, Orange Blossom prancing along in front and Snow Star and Wind Song bringing up the rear.

“...and so…” Snow Star said to Wind Song whose cheeks were visibly pink. “That’s why she created the hangover potion.” he concluded.

When they arrived, the town square was already bustling with dozens of ponies preparing for the upcoming cuteceañera. Orange Blossom immediately picked out her sister and galloped across the courtyard at full tilt, catching Honeybell off guard as she was tackled by her younger sibling. The carefully decorated lemon cake which she had been carrying went flying through the air. Thankfully, an attentive mauve and lavender unicorn saw the incident taking place and caught the cake with her magic before setting it carefully down on a nearby table.

Across the square from this occurrence, Willow was guiding a group of six unicorns, all levitating an enormous bowl of punch slowly toward an equally enormous punch stand near the fountain at the middle of the clearing. Nearby, a small cluster of rather stationary stallions stood watching the spectacle of the punch bowl. One of the stallions managed to catch the eye of one of the unicorn mares and winked at her with a smile. The split second of distraction was all it took. The unicorn blushed furiously and lost her hold on the magic. The gigantic bowl swayed precariously and began to tip sideways.

A pair of nearby pegasi, who had been pinning up a banner under the direction of Moonlight, saw the disaster that was about to take place and swooped down to help steady the bowl. They were, for the most part, successful in pulling the bowl back upright, but not before a great wave of the dark red punch had sloshed over the side of the bowl, soaking Willow and all six of the unicorns levitating it.

After a few moments more of effort, the now three quarters full punch bowl rested on its wood pedestal above Willow and five of the unicorns, who glared angrily at the mare who had been distracted.

Snow Star was rolling on the soft grass, legs flailing about in the air above him, and laughing fit to burst. Tears of mirth glistened in his eyes as he finally lay panting and gasping for air.

“Sweet baby corn!” he exclaimed. “I’d give anything to see that again!” he said, still trying to catch his breath.

A scowling Willow, whose formerly grey coat was now nearly the same color as her mane, stomped over to her husband who still lay on the ground giggling.

“Oh, hi honey!” Snow Star said, trying not to keep his laughter in check.

Willow glared at him flatly.

“That color looks good on you. You should totally keep it!” Snow Star said with a snicker.

A few minutes later, the trio was joined by Moonlight, Orange Blossom, and Honeybell.

“Hey guys!” Orange Blossom began as she trotted up. “Woah, nice color, Willow. That’s a good look!”

Willow rolled her eyes.

“Well, everything is ready.” Honeybell said cheerily.

Nodding, Moonlight added, “Yep. And supposedly Mayor Fairweather will be here too.”

“That’s awfully nice of her to make the long and arduous journey...you know, given we’re literally right outside her front door.” Snow Star said sarcastically. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go get myself some punch. Mixed, perhaps, with something a bit stronger.” He glanced at Willow who wore a self-satisfied smile, “You know...to help me remember how much I love you.”

“I’ll go with you!” Honeybell and Orange Blossom declared in unison.

Moonlight turned to Wind Song. “Is Snow okay?” she asked as she watched the unicorn and two siblings making their way to the line which had formed in front of the large bowl of punch. “He’s walking a bit oddly.”

“Oh, he’s fine.” Willow interjected, still sporting her smirk. “I just gave him a gentle reminder about why it’s rude to make fun of other ponies.”

Wind Song cleared his throat and grinned. While Willow and Snow Star were always at each others’ throats, he still couldn’t imagine a love more perfect than theirs. They were inseparable, and everything they did they did together.

“Auntie Willow!” came the shrill voice of a young filly.

Wind Song looked over and saw a unicorn foal whose white coat contrasted greatly with her radiant pink hair which was almost exactly like Willow’s.

“Woah, nice color, auntie!” the filly said, her mouth a round “O” of wonderment.

Willow, whose heart seemed to melt at the sight of her niece, walked over and hugged the small unicorn. “Hi there, Sugar. Congratulations! What an exciting day, huh?”

“Yeah!” she squeaked happily. “I can’t wait to show Miss Fairweather!” she exclaimed, shifting her left flank so Willow could see the cutie mark. A bright red medical cross backed by a pink heart and a gray paw print was emblazoned across the filly’s flank.

“I’m so proud of you, sweetheart! Your mom told me you’ve been helping out at the vet’s office but she didn’t tell me how you got it.”

“I have! Every day! I was releasing a rabbit who I took care of when he had a broken leg and my cutie mark just...showed up!” Sugar Spice was bouncing up and down happily.

Willow beamed proudly. She turned to Wind Song and Moonlight. “Windy, Moonlight, I don’t think you’ve met my niece, Sugar Spice.” She turned back to the filly. “Sugar, these are my friends, Wind Song and Moonlight Whisper.”

Moonlight and Wind Song both raised a hoof in greeting.

“Hi there, Sugar Spice!” Moonlight said cheerfully.

“Congratulations!” said Wind Song.

A look of comprehension dawned on the young unicorn’s face and she said, “Ooooh, auntie, are they the ones you said are gonna get marr…”

“That’s something to talk about another time, sweetie.” Willow suddenly interrupted, looking shamefacedly at Moonlight and Wind Song who had turned to look at each other before looking back to Willow, a bit exasperated.

“Okay!” Sugar Spice chirruped. “I’m gonna go say hi to my friends. By aunt Willow! Love you!”

“We’ll see you in a bit, sweetheart. Love you too!” Willow replied as the filly turned and bounced happily to a small group of foals who had apparently been waiting for her.

“Really?” Wind Song and Moonlight asked Willow together after Sugar Spice had rejoined her friends.

“What?! So she overheard a conversation. You know how kids are.” Willow said defensively.

Wind Song rolled his eyes and turned to Moonlight whose expression, he expected, would be much like his own. Instead, he found she was looking at her front hooves and wearing a look of deep contemplation, almost longing. He knew he needed to say something, but what?

He had just settled on simply blurting out the first thing that came to his mind when Willow pulled up short, rubbing her head just at the base of her horn, a look of confusion and worry darkening her features.

Wind Song looked up at her and asked urgently “Willow? Are you alright?”

Suddenly a collective intake of breath accompanied by various sounds of awe and wonderment filled the air in the square below.

The three ponies turned quickly to see what was happening, sounds of admiration and amazement escaped their own lips.

Near the base of the stairs of Town Hall, what appeared to be a shimmering cloud of glowing pink and yellow fireflies coalesced to form the indistinct form of a pony. The sound of a driving wind filled the air. The apparition sharpened and at once, all present knew who and what they beheld.

As a whole, every single pony in the square dropped down to one knee in a kneeling posture. As Fluttershy, for it was Fluttershy, scanned the assembled crowd, a vast aura of affection and contentment radiated out from the spirit, washing over Wind Song, Moonlight, and Willow like a tidal wave. Cries of joy escaped the lips of many present and Wind Song felt tears in his own eyes as the irrepressible sense that all was right in the world spread across the gathering. Birds for miles around erupted into song and the fragrance of a million blooming wildflowers filled the air.

With a grace and elegance not shared by the mortal world, the spirit stepped forward, translucent hooves never quite touching the ground. In the wake of her passing, grass and flowers grew and blossomed before the very eyes of all present. The sun, which was nearing its zenith, seemed to shine a little brighter.

Fluttershy moved deliberately across the square, right toward Sugar Spice and her friends, who still knelt in their tight little group.

As the apparition approached, all but the curly pink-maned unicorn filly backed up three or four paces, leaving Sugar Spice face to face with Fluttershy.

The glowing mare stopped, bent, and raised Sugar Spice’s chin, bidding her to stand on all four hooves. The look of pure love emanating from the spirit was beautiful beyond compare and made Wind Song feel deepest remorse for every unkind word he had ever said and every unkind act he had committed.

Sugar Spice, on the other hand, looked radiant. Fluttershy seemed to be asking the filly questions, spoken so low that nopony else but her could hear. For ten minutes, the winged form of the immortal pegasus asked question after question. After each question, Sugar Spice would either nod or shake her head, sometimes frowning, sometimes glowing with excitement as she shook or nodded her head. Evidently satisfied with the filly’s answers, Fluttershy stooped low, touching her forehead to Sugar Spice’s own. A look of ecstasy illuminated Sugar Spice’s face and her cutie mark began to glow brighter and brighter.

Soon, the mark on the filly’s flank was glowing like a miniature sun. So bright it was that Wind Song had to avert his gaze and close his eyes for fear it would blind him. Then, as quickly as it had begun, the light faded again. As Wind Song opened his eyes again, the glowing image of the cutie mark lay burned into his vision for nearly a full minute.

As the world around him lightened and he was again able to see, he looked at Sugar Spice’s cutie mark and gasped. The mark, a good enough mark by all accounts, was now outlined in sparkling gold and backed by three silvery butterflies, just nearly the same color as the filly’s white coat.

Suddenly, the spirit of Fluttershy stood erect, looking alert. She looked around just as a startled deer might when it hears a strange sound or smells a predator approaching. After a few moments, her eyes widened in...was that shock? Then, without warning, she vanished.

As everypony rose to their hooves, Wind Song saw Sugar Spice’s friends and several nearby ponies crowding around the filly to see her new cutie mark.

“Wow! That was really something!” Snow Star said as he, Orange Blossom, and Honeybell returned, large glasses of punch held or levitated before them.

Wind Song, still awed by the experience, simply nodded.

Moonlight, who was wiping her eyes with a fetlock, said excitedly, “It really was! It’s been ages since anypony saw Fluttershy last. She’s usually so solitary and quiet.”

“Yeah!” chimed in Orange Blossom. “The only part I don’t get was at the end where she…” but she didn’t get any farther. At that moment there was a deafening boom and the earth under them gave a violent lurch. The world went dark as though the sun had been a candle and somepony had snuffed it out. All six ponies were sent stumbling and reeling.

The sound of falling glass could be heard all around as the windows of neighboring buildings were blown out by the concussive blast. Several ponies screamed.

As the six began to get to their hooves, Wind Song noticed that Snow Star and Willow both looked ill.

Snow Star, whose normally cheerful eyes were suddenly wild with fear and who was helping Willow to stand, looked quickly over to Wind Song. “Windy. There’s something wrong. I don’t know what it is, but there’s something very very wrong.”

Wind Song, nonplussed and still trying to make sense of what had just happened, cocked his head to one side as he also pushed himself into a shaky stance. “What do you mean?” he asked urgently, looking up to see what had happened to the sun.

The sun, which was now at its peak, was only a glowing ring of blinding fire behind the moon. Wind Song stood, gazing at the eclipse for several seconds before a dull roaring noise came rolling in from the north like distant thunder. Only, instead of ending in silence, the roaring only continued to get louder.

“We need to get to the belfry...now!” Wind Song said, raising his voice slightly so as to be heard over the rumbling.

The others nodded and allowed Wind Song to lead them single file, except for Snow and Willow who stood close together, to the steps of town hall. The six proceeded through the front doors and to the spiral staircase at the corner of the building. They passed the second story landing and soon came to the third story where, just outside a ring of doors and windows, a balcony ran the structure’s circumference.

The glass in the myriad of doors and windows had mostly been blown out and the six friends had to tread carefully to avoid stepping on the thousands of sharp shards. As they exited onto the circular balcony they all noticed that the roaring sound had grown louder. Wind Song could feel it rumbling in his chest and the floor trembled under him. Looking to the north, he observed a glow coming from the distant royal city of Canterlot. Such a bright light to be seen from so far away.

All of the sudden, an urgent voice came drifting across the landscape, but it didn’t sound as though somepony were shouting. It sounded as though the voice of Twilight herself spoke directly into his mind.

“Go! Go, sisters! She’s too strong, I can’t...I can’t...Aaaaaaah!” this last shout of fear or pain, Wind Song knew not which, was cut off suddenly as though somepony had gagged the speaker.

The rumbling, which had become a roar, vanished and the world went momentarily still. Then, the purple light in the distance vanished and a blinding flash of red illuminated the world all around him, casting the shadows of the six friends in sharp relief on the walls and buildings behind them. With the light came an unnatural, piercing shriek, louder by magnitudes than the rumbling roar had been.

Even with his hooves held firmly over his ears, the noise was still deafening. And yet, it grew still louder. Wind Song felt the twin “thuds” of Willow and Snow Star beside him hitting the planks of the balcony as they dropped. Wind Song was powerless to help them as they lay on the floor, eyes closed and writhing in obvious agony. Their mouths were open in a soundless scream that not even they could hear.

Wind Song heard one of the few remaining windows behind him shatter violently, sending shards of glass flying in all directions. He felt pain as many of them pierced or glanced off his back and neck, leaving small bloody gashes and scratches in his blue hide. Sparks like tiny bolts of lighting began to arc from seemingly random points on the buildings around him.

The air around him filled with a metallic scent which got into his nose, eyes, and mouth. It was in his lungs. He was choking on it. He couldn’t breathe. As his vision began to fade, he felt a hatred so powerful it numbed him. It drove out every other emotion as he gasped for air. The last thing he remembered was the sensation of his limp form hitting the solid wood planks of the balcony, and then he knew no more.

Author's Note

The Thorn of Equestria - Chapter 3

The Thorn of Equestria

Chapter 3

By Wind Song

REVISED 22SEP20