Twilight Gets a Puppy Season 7

Chapters

The Celestial John Advice, prologue
The Celestial John Advice
It isn't the Main Stage about you
Masks and Recreation
All Beecher's Up.
Curtain Tales
Nightmare Night Special
Forever Fortune
Friargate leans in.
Triple Tableaux
A House of Information, part 1
A House of Information, part 2
A Royal Theater Problem

The Celestial John Advice, prologue

The Celestial John Advice

[Ponyville. Mid summer. Seshat.]

It was a good day, it had been a good day, Starlight thought. She had just been sitting here reading, and then....

“Hmmmmmm.” Twilight intoned, tilting her head to the right as she stared at Starlight having just trotted up and started staring at her.

Starlight swallowed hard where she sat as Twilight looked at her.

“Hmmmmmm.” Twilight and Spike intoned, both of them tilting their heads to the left staring at Starlight with Spike resting his fist against his chin.

Starlight fidgeted a little her eyes not meeting either of the Sparkles she hadn't even seen Spike walk up.

“Hmmmmm.” Twilight intoned tilting her head back to the right, Spike doing the same, and Rahs joining in as well with the head tilt, the taller Sparkle having his thumb and forefinger resting along his chin.

Starlight started visible sweating at the gazes, Rahs had NOT been there a moment ago.

“Hmmmmm.” Twilight intoned tilting her head back to the left, with Spike, Rahs, and also Princess Luna joining in. Princess Luna was copying Rahs though with one of her wings and her feathers instead.

“AHHHHH!!!!” Starlight screamed and fell over backwards off the couch passing out.

“Huh... That hasn't happened in a while. Spike, the salts please.” Twilight nodded.

“On it.” Spike called, the drake was a bit more gangly now, though he had also lost a lot of his baby fat as he moved towards being a teen dragon. He had grown a lot in the last year, but most people didn't really notice until it was pointed out that he was currently was taller than his sister, and came up to Rahs' chest, if a little taller with his head spines.

Applebloom didn't seem to mind.

Popping the small vial and waving it under Starlight's nose, Spike pulled back as Starlight woke with a scream, then noticed who was around her, screamed again and backed up a bit before getting control of herself.

“You've conditioned her well.“ Seshat snarked.

“That you three, plus your brother feature so heavily in this mares nightmares worry us. It is interesting that she does not have a Moon-dog of her own however.” Princess Luna offered.

“Woof.” Rahs sighed.

“Mmm this is true, outliers like your sister who are born without one to watch over directly are rare.” Princess Luna nodded.

“Ruff.” Rahs added.

“Ahh so she is being covered then. Good. Her fear of you could make a powerful Tantabus.” Princess Luna nodded.

“Not to interrupt... but.... what.. what is going on?” Starlight asked. “ Why is Princess Luna here?”

“Wuff.” Rahs pointed out.

“Yeah, same as me, no clue, but it looked fun.” Spike shrugged.

“We were here speaking with Rahs and did not want to be excluded.” Princess Luna offered.

Twilight turned and glared at the other three. “Ugh... any way not the point. What I was wondering was what to do with you.”

“Do with me?” Starlight flinched.

“Of course. “ Twilight stated. “You've done very well to integrate with everyone in Ponyville, you've made friends and have yet to do anything to make me regret not letting Rahs eat you.”

Starlight swallowed and looked at Rahs who only grinned wide, prompting Princess Luna to belt him in the back of his head with a wing.

“What did we just say about her nightmares?” Princess Luna huffed.

“Shining owes me twenty bits.” Twilight nodded.” But no, that's not the point. Once you settled down I was going to see if I could use you as a test case to reform villains in a way that doesn't involve them trying to get into Rahs' pants.”

“Pass.” Starlight said immediately.

“He's two for six former villainess' after him for lewd reasons... five of six if you count the time Trixie was affected by the Alicorn Amulet, when Saturnia was plotting to invade Canterlot with her mother and was stealing his mail, and that time Applejack turned into a monster in the woods.” Spike considered.” Maybe even six of six if you count that Jynx is a Diamond Dog and what they did to him.”

“Wrong pack, but we understand the intent young Spike.” Princess Luna offered. “And to push our own choice in the matter, Trixie was under a compulsion with that amulet and not entirely in control of herself.”

“Bah that sounds like a bad bit store drama story.” Spike huffed.

“It does... doesn't it.” Princess Luna grinned at Rahs, who rolled his eyes.

“Well the idea was actually to put you in charge of Golden Oaks library rather than have you just work there under Trixie.” Twilight sighed. ”Trixie sniped the head librarian position before you recovered.”

“I don't mind.” Starlight offered.

“Still it means I need to think of something else. You are a powerful unicorn and powerful unicorns tend to get into trouble if not watched.” Twilight explained.

Everyone in the room slowly turned to stare at Twilight with one eyebrow raised. Seshat also seemed to be doing it despite not having eyes or an eyebrow to raise.

“I'm not a powerful unicorn, I'm an alicorn.” Twilight snapped.

“Now.....” Spike grumbled.

“Any...way.' I've got two things I'm working on. I have an idea for a school that's little more than a couple of ideas jotted down.” Twilight explained. “The other you might be more interested in which is the research into restoring Tempest's horn. I know you've looked over the notes and a few tests, but with sunset focusing on getting her interweb thing up and running fully, she can't focus as much on it. I could always use an extra pair of hands or a extra horn for the study.”

“A school? Of what?” Princess Luna asked.

“Oh right now it's just an idea. A school of Friendship and Magic and basic general learning, but open to everyone everywhere. Sorta like a super version of the School for gifted unicorns, but better because I will make sure that the teachers actually pay attention, the phys-ed teacher doesn't smell like old socks, and any bullies will be fired from a cannon into the sun.”

Everyone stared at Twilight again.

“It's a work in progress.” Twilight admitted.

While there were likely going to be more questions directed at Twilight, the sound of a scream of panic dopplering from out side the tree approaching at high speed and volume, then tearing past before fading a little then cutting off, stopped any further conversation for a moment.

“Wuff.” Rahs offered his ears perked and swiveling.

“Sounds like it stopped mid town?” Twilight considered. ”Well, best we see what it is in case it's something we have to deal with, it is the right time of year for shenanigans.”

“This conversations not done.” Spike accused.

“Yes it iissss.” Twilight called as she darted out the door.

TDR Presents
Twilight Gets a Puppy
Season 7

The Celestial John Advice

Twilight Gets a Puppy
Season 7
By TDR

The Celestial John Advice

[Ponyville]

The Sparkles, Princess Luna and Starlight Glimmer trot through the streets of Ponyville.

The scream was enough to attract attention and start bets. Though at the sight of the first part of the group walking through town was enough to make most residents wary, add in Princess Luna and there were a few of them running for the hills and the rest would be seeking shelter to see if this was something to bet on. With Starlight Glimmer being dragged along as well, most of the streets were clear but a few ponies still in cover, who had bets riding on the outcome of this were still around. After all, none of Rahs' suitors or the Crusaders were around, so the blast yield should be survivable.

The few Guards patrolling the streets had upped their magic armors power or cast a few shield spells if they had the ability and pointed the group to where the scream had gone and moved to protect the stubborn and those with a gambling addiction bigger than their survival instinct.

The path lead, to no ones surprise, Carousel Boutique's main store.

“Well we know she didn't freak out a rude customer, because the noise came to the shop instead of away from.” Twilight hummed.

“Ruff.” Rahs pointed out sniffing the air.

“Ozone?” Princess Luna questioned.

“Rainbow Dash.” Spike pointed out sagely.

“I thought Rainbow Dash was in Canterlot with Prince this weekend.” Twilight hummed to herself as they came up on the front door of the shop. A door that had been smashed off it's hinges and had a very disgruntled looking, IE normal looking, Sombra working to put it back up.

The dark furred pony stopped working on the door as the group approached.

“Sparkles.” Sombra greeted.

“Sombra.” Twilight returned as Spike offered a wave.

“Luna.” Sombra nodded to his mother.

“Sombra.” Luna smiled a little.

“Extra.” Sombra offered glancing to Starlight.

“Somb... Hey wait!” Starlight huffed. ”My Name is Starlight Glimmer!”

“I cannot pretend to care.” Sombra continued. ”The problem is in the main room. Oh and Rainbow Dash and Rarity are there too.”

A spool of thread shot out of the store and belted Sombra upside the head.

“That's for biting Fluttershy!” Pinkie Pie yelled from inside.

“Pinkie do not throw my materials!” Rarity chided.

Sombra sighed and moved out of the way of the group as Rahs scooped up the spool of thread offering the unicorn a nod before they all strode in and Rahs tossed the spool back to Rarity who snatched it out of the air with a shadow tendril.

“Thank you dear. I shouldn't be surprised that you all showed up after that scream.” Rarity sighed setting the spool down on a small table near a dress manikin she had been working on. To her left was Pinkie Pie who was poking a large pile of assorted cloth that Rainbow Dash sat on hyperventilating into a paper bag.

“So what happened? Did something finally decide to attack? Seshat didn't say anything so it's not a table problem.” Twilight questioned.

Rarity, completely non pulsed pointed a hoof at Rainbow Dash with a flat expression as she went back to her work.

Rainbow Dash for the most part looked quite frazzled even for her. She pulled the bag away from her mouth gasping out.

“Prince proposed.”

This was met with a squee from Pinkie Pie, a dead pan look from Rarity, and a look of confusion from everyone else.

“Is .. isn't that a good thing?” Starlight asked ”Why does she look like someone died?”

“It's a Rainbow Dash thing.” Rarity sighed. “You should have been here for her freak out when he asked her out the first time.”

“Did she break the door then too?” Sombra growled from the entrance stomping back after rehanging the door.

“Yes, yes she did.” Rarity sighed. ”That's one of the reasons I have break away hinges on the doors.”

Spike and Rahs both shared a look and then gasped as loudly as they could darting up to Rainbow Dash with big smiles on their face.

“Does this mean we finally get a mommy!?” Spike childishly demanded.

Rainbow Dash stared as Twilight sighed, her magic grabbing both her brothers up as Rarity opened the front door letting Twilight fling the giggling idiots out into the street before she slammed the door on them.

“That has not gotten old for them yet?” Luna asked.

“It's a running gag.” Pinkie Pie offered.

“Alright what happened?” Twilight questioned Rainbow Dash.

“Right so we had date and we talked about going to the Running of the Cows this year and then we were getting a bit.... yeah not talking about that, when he popped up and proposed to me on balcony....”

There was grinding of teeth, but everyone ignored Rarity.

“And then you panicked and flew all the way from Canterlot to Ponyville.” Twilight finished.

“Um... yeah.” Rainbow Dash admitted. ”It's probably a record....”

“Really? Why?” Starlight questioned. “Sounds like you're into this stallion.”

“Cause I'm a hero and sorta a Wonderbolt, everyone knows you get married get fat and have a bunch of kids and your life advancement just stops.” Rainbow Dash blurted.

“Excuse you?” Princess Luna, mother of two, demanded.

“Rainbow. Are you basing this info on perhaps your own parents and maybe Mrs Cake?” Twilight sighed.

“And Fluttershy's parents.” Rainbow Dash pointed out.

“Having met Fluttershy's mom, that pony could use some more body fat.” Pinkie Pie sighed. “And Mrs Cake can bench press 450 and has beaten Big Mac in at least three local Hoof Wrestling tournies.”

“Uhhh.” Rainbow Dash blue screened.

“Also my moms not fat. Clearly your sample size for that hypothesis is skewed.” Twilight states.” Granted there are outliers for that too, I mean Starlight doesn't have any kids and she eats at least three times her weight in food a day.”

“HEY!” Starlight demanded.

“What? You're not fat from that, that's why you're an outlier. And it's weird, I've seen what you eat, I'm a goddess and I can't eat all that?” Twilight rolled her eyes.

“My mother may have put on some weight, but she is … far from inactive....... she is far too active to be honest.” Rarity chimed in.

“I am not getting involved in this.” Sombra stated and quickly retreated to his room.

“You are teaching him well.” Luna muttered to Rarity who tittered.

“Hold on. Hold on.” Starlight chimed up. “So he proposed and you just … ran away? What the heck is he gonna think about that?”

“Probably that she'll accept.” Luna commented getting a look from Starlight. “This is not the first time she's fled like this after all.”

[ Canterlot ]

Prince stood back up from where he knelt to propose. He had gotten Rainbow Dash an earring design engagement ring like the one her mother had. One that wouldn't interfere with her flying like a bracelet or wing clip would.

Prince's mother refused to let him reforge her horn ring, but that was fine, if they had any foals they might want to use it. His mother probably would mellow out for grand foals.

He tilted his head looking up at the rainbow trail of light arcing towards Ponyville and smirked slightly.
He glanced back as he heard hoof steps to note his father was trotting up to look into the sky as well.

“Proposed did you?” his father questioned.

“I did.” Prince nodded.

“Went well then?” his father asked.

“As expected really.” Prince smiled. “ I should be used to this.”

It isn't the Main Stage about you

Twilight Gets a Puppy
Season 7
By TDR

It isn't the Main Stage about you

[Ponyville, mid summer]

“This. Is. THE. WORST. THING. EVER!!!” Rarity bemoaned.

Twilight tilted her head, the scanning spell keeping her horn alight as she glanced over to Sombra who shrugged.

For once Twilight didn't think her friend was being that over dramatic.

She did think that throttling Pinkie Pie with shadowy nightmare tendrils was a bit much. Not that Pinkie seemed to mind, but then again every time Rarity shook Pinkie, she either rattled or squeaked like a dogs chew toy.

Rahs went though a lot of chew toys when he was younger, so she knew the irritating sound rather well.

Pinkie Pie was simply sitting there wrapped in the tendrils with her usual grin on her face though she was some what quiet, not even throwing anything at Sombra.

If not for the grin and odd noises Twilight would have thought she was a changeling with how quiet she had been while Twilight was checking Rarity out.

“Alright that's the third diagnostic spell I've cast Rarity. I have no idea what happened, but it's blocking most magical restoration too. I can't even modify the mustache spell.” Twilight explained looking at her friend.

Rarity's white coat was as pristine as ever, but her mane and tail were an absolute disaster. Much of it looking pulled out and the rest had turned blue or yellow and was sticking out in odd spikes that refused to be tamed like the worlds worst cow licks. Another oddity was that Rarity couldn't even manifest her shadow tendrils to duplicate her mane and tail without the construction of them falling apart.

“I am ruined Twilight RUINED!! Photo Finish is coming today to take a picture for the best manes in Equestria magazine and LOOK AT MY HAIR!!” Rarity shrieked.

“Actually she was coming because Rarity agreed for me to have my photos done.” Sombra added with a small glare to the mare. “Evidently a stallion with a flowing mane like mine is a rare treat for some ponies to see or some such nonsense. I have no idea why.”

“Yes and she would have seen my coiffure and of course taken photos of me as well.” Rarity added. “Or she would have if not for this barbarian and her Sneezaversery thing!!”

Rarity shakes Pinkie with her shadow tentacles and both Sombra and Twilight looked to Pinkie as she rattled like a bunch of dice in a cup.

“Pinkie Pie.. what was in that silly string?” Twilight asked tentatively once Rarity was done shaking the mare.

“The usual stuff. Working around food and animals I have to be very careful about what sort of mixture I use with my confetti and silly string. It's got to be biodegradable, non toxic, act as a floor wax, and a dessert topping, it can't stick to fur or hair without being able to dissolve in water.” Pinkie Pie listed. “Zecora helped me make the formula I use and really it's not much different than fondant and whip cream.”

“Can't stick to fur or hair? CAN'T STICK TO FUR OR HAIR!!?” Rarity screeched. “Look at what it did to mine!!!”

“Oh.. that's not from the silly string.” Pinkie Pie explained as if she was speaking to a foal.

“What?” Twilight questioned having followed the pink mare's logic thus far, which was also kinda strange.

“Then what else can it be!?!” Rarity demanded.

“Oh. It's the conditioner you used when you went to go wash off the silly string of course.” Pinkie Pie chimed. “That was a special formula.”

“I am saying this a lot today but, What?” Twilight asked.

“Oh it's simple I secretly switched Rarity's normal shampoo for a potion I had Applebloom brew up to promote temporary hair loss.” Pinkie Pie chimed up.” It didn't quite work properly but the extra dyes and enhanced sticky formula coupled with witch wolf drool worked wonders. It should take a day or two to wear off.”

Everyone stared at the pink pony.

“Wh.. why would you do that to me?” Rarity gasped.

“Darling come back, it's just a little trim!” Pinkie Pie mocked in a perfect match for Rarity's voice as she popped herself free of the night mare tendrils that had been holding her and quickly got nose to nose with Rarity.

“As I said in season four, I wouldn't be forgetting what you did to my mane. And I didn't.” Pinkie Pie growled her eyes flickering red. “Don't worry. It will grow back.”

Rarity stumbled back away from the pink mare who was her usual bouncy self in an eye blink.

“Anyhoo I need to go rebake some pastries that got hit with the silly string, I haven't got the taste of it down just right yet and not everyone likes extra frosting. “ Pinkie Pie explained and then pronked off out of the castle.

Sombra watched as the pink menace left then looked back to the two gobsmacked mares that were still staring after the departed earth pony.

“Well at least she didn't hit me with something for biting Fluttershy this time.” Sombra sighed.

Masks and Recreation

Twilight Gets A Puppy
Season 7
By TDR

Masks and Recreation

BOOOOOM!!!!!

“We didn't do it!” Scootaloo screamed out.

“I don't think anyone's going to buy that as we are in the crater Scootaloo.” Spike grumbled.

“Yeah, I know, it's a reflex by this point.” Scootaloo agreed.

“I can't feel my face.”Sweetiebelle whined.” I just wanted a cutie mark, and now I can't feel my face!”

“Use your hoof.” Applebloom offered.

“Oh. There it is.” Sweetiebelle chimed up putting a hoof on her nose.

“Why do I hang out with you guys outside of the gaming group again?” Firefly snarked.

“Cause I'm cute?” Scootaloo offered.

Firefly opened his mouth to respond, then shut it again seeing a losing discussion, as the sirens from the fire brigade drew closer to the new hole in the road at the edge of town.

The pained cry of the Mayor could be heard over the sirens.

[Seshat]

Tempest Shadow was not nervous, she did not care about her looks and wanted her horn back so she would not be regarded as a cripple.

So why did the tiny colt with a cut off horn staring up at her make her want to be any where else.

“Murburgle?” the colt asked looking over at his father seated in a chair on the other side of the room.

“Yes Pan, she's mulberry colored.” the tan unicorn offered. Out of the six ponies in the room he was the only one whole and undamaged, though the colt was the only one who was enjoying himself, still too young to realize his handicap yet.

If Twilight could do what she planned, then he would never know he ever had one.

The occupants of the room were an odd mix.

There was Tempest, who lost her horn as a filly due to a star bear attack.

Pan Pan, and his father Level Mark, who was a carpenter. His wife was a pegasus named Shutter Snap who had complications with Pan's pregnancy. It was a rare condition where the colt's horn had formed and started growing into the lining of womb and pushing through it into her stomach and other organs growing into the soft tissue and fusing with it. The positioning of the colt and the fact it was unchecked during development was threatening her life before he had come any where near term. In order to save them the doctors had surgically removed his horn to the base along with a fair section of her internals to allow him to continue to develop enough to be born safely while also keeping the mother alive. It had worked and Shutter had pulled through, though Pan would be an only child. She was with them though had gone out to get snacks for Pan, leaving Level Mark to watch the colt trundle around the room and stare at everyone.

Most of the group was fine with this in truth, the colt was adorable after all, though an older unicorn named Cog Wheel was trying to pretend the little colt annoyed her. Like Tempest her horn had been removed due to damage that left the mares face scared. Cog had been an airship mechanic when she was younger and had an engine explode in her face. As standoffish and crotchety as the old mare was she had shown up without any issue when Twilight asked, though she had been grumbling a lot and had been generally unpleasant, but not to a degree that any one was really bothered by.

Fairy Circle was another unicorn mare who had suffered from the same issue as Pan having needed to have her horn removed in development. She had done fairly well for herself as a gardener and she and her husband were expecting. She was less worried about her own horn and more worried that her foal might have the same problem she had. The effect was so rare it didn't have a name, but that didn't seem to comfort the expecting mother.

The last was a Kirin named Shattered Glass. She was a singer in the Opera circuit and Rahs had been the one to point her out to Twilight. He had also immediately gotten her autograph and was set to talk shop for hours before Twilight had thrown him out. Tempest was not sure how the singer had lost her horn, but it was broken near the middle and she had no visible scars otherwise.

The seventh and eighth ponies there were actually from the Crystal empire and were currently in Twilight's lab getting examined.

One was a Crystal pony named Opal Setting, her Daughter Pearl Setting was the first Crystal Unicorn born in the Empire after it's return. Twilight was checking out the foal and it's unusual horn growth.

It seemed Crystal Unicorns were not born with their horns like regular Unicorns, but after a few months the crystalline growth that would be their horns started to form and grew, often needing to be trimmed if the growth was too excessive of varied. Moon Dancer and Sunburst had spent a good bit of time scouring the libraries to find a book on proper Crystal horn care to present to the new parents and Moon Dancer was working on yet another doctorate in a medical field that quite frankly hadn't existed in a thousand years.

Twilight had theorized that if she could figure out how the growth worked she might be able to use something like that to help those here regrow their lost horns, they wouldn't be natural, but if Twilight could grow the crystal correctly it would act very much like a real horn.

Tempest didn't care if she had a horn made out of a sex toy so long as it allowed her to cast again properly.

The door to the lab opened and the little crystal filly and her mother trotted out with Twilight behind them. The filly had a rather large sucker which Pan immediately zeroed in on and made a bee line for before his father grabbed him much to the colts protests.

“Thank you for that Opal. I think this will help out. I'd like you two to stick around for a few more days for a few more tests, but this looks promising.” Twilight explained.

“Tis not any trouble Princess Sparkle.“ Opal offered getting a small flinch from Twilight and a loud cackle from Sunset who was still in the lab behind them having been acting as Twilight's assistant with her skill as a Blood Mage. “After what you and your brothers have done this is the least I can do to help. Particularly since it will also help other ponies.”

“Kambie.” Pan demanded slipping away from his father and tramping across the room to prod at Twilight's leg.

Twilight glanced down gently picking the colt up in her magic and floating him back over to his father, with a small wrapped candy piece which the colt was very focused on tearing into.

“Okay, can you make your way back to the hotel on your own?” Twilight asked just before a loud explosion sounded from outside and everyone not native to Ponyville flinched much like the last few dozen explosions. She looked up at the ceiling.”Seshat?”

“Impressive. They really' didn't' do that one, not directly. Though the two wild pigs they were riding some how managed to set off a barrel of Trixie's fireworks after they got away from the Crusaders.” Seshat offered.

“I hope those pigs are fast or Trixie is going to be cooking bacon later.” Tempest sighed pushing up to her hooves. “Come on I'll guide you to your hotel. East street should be cleared up by now.”

“How do any of you live like this?” Cog Wheel demanded clearly more shaken by the explosions than any one else. For good reason.

“It's Tuesday.” Sunset called from behind Twilight.

“Ehh, what she said.” Twilight shrugged. “Fairy come on back, I want to make sure everything's going well with you.”

All Beecher's Up.

Twilight Gets a Puppy
Season 7
By TDR

All Beecher's Up.

[?]

The steady drip of water could be heard as a dark furred pony stood in the cavern.

“And into his own reflection he stared.
Yearning for one whose reflection he shared
And regardless if he needed a battalion
he would at be at least double the stallion.”

There was a faint splash and then there were two dark furred ponies on the edge of the pool.

The pair of them looked at each other then they both grinned.

“So we just keep going?” the second one asked.

“Yep, though Pinkie said any third generations tended to get dumber if they split so we send any that come from you off to start the day and any I make to keep doubling.”

“How many did we need?”

“You know what today is gonna be like.”

“Yeah okay. Lots.”

“And into his own reflection he stared.
Yearning for one whose reflection he shared
And regardless if he needed a battalion
he would at be at least double the stallion.” both stallions sing songed, before the two alicorns stepped into the pool.

[Seshat, later that morning.]

“There you are. Shining sent back a thanks for the warning, though I have to complain that it's rather hard to shampoo yourself as a dog.” Spike grumbled.

“Wuff.” Rahs offered with a smirk.

“Applebloom is a lot of things, but gentile with her hooves is not one of them, plus Fluttershy threatened all three of them if they ever try to get a dog washing cutie mark again. Mister Tiny Sniffles still hasn't gotten all his fur back, and it made Dinky mad at them which is worse than Fluttershy. Any way, what did you even need to be poison joked for any way?” Spike asked before his brother pulled out a pawful of photos as him as a pony.

“You better not be encroaching on my side hustle.” Spike warned.

“Bark.” Rahs rolled his eyes.

“I don't care if your girl friends wanted some pictures of that form, they are my biggest customers.” Spike stated.

“Bork!”

“No need to be rude. But seriously, you're gonna use those to audition for plays this year?” Spike hummed. “Isn't that kinda dishonest?”

“Ruff.”

“Ehh I guess it is just another costume of sorts for you. “Spike shrugged.” Whatever then. You know what you're doing.”

Dragon Lord Trixie Lulumoon smiled as she saw Fuzzy walk into Golden Oaks library. He had agreed to help her out today with some restocking. Sure she could have had Starlight do it, and she was tall enough now she could reach the top shelves herself, but her goal was less to do any stocking and more try and make out with Fuzzy hidden in the stacks of books like some of those bad romance novels she had read.

The very thought of it made her turn bright red and stifle a giggle.

The dragon pony moved up towards Rahs and slowed as she approached sensing something very very wrong.

Rahs lifted a hand in greeting only for Trixie to snort out a bit of fire.

“You are not Fuzzy.”

Aria raised an eyebrow at the oddly shaped mass of water before her.

Rahs had agreed to come out and help her with some painting details on the boat. A cheap excuse to get to spend some time with him, but ehh, they didn't all have to be complex.

What showed up to help however was a Rahs shaped blob of water.

“What the fuck are you?”

Jynx stared at the puddle on the floor.

This was very odd.

That had not been Rahs. She thought the scent was off, and that it was a Changeling, hence why she had punched it in the chest, that would have knocked any bug out of it's disguise and if it was Rahs he should have dodged.

Instead, it had exploded into a puddle of water.

This meant that Rahs was hiding from her training him.

Again.

Pity, she was going to try and show some slightly different moves to him today.

“This will not do.”

Sunset looked at the cloud of steam that was all that remained of the golem that had shown up.

She had invited Rahs to read over one of the new books she had translated from the human world called 'Guards Guards' the easily open-able portal had allowed Sunset to go in and grab a number of things including her old laptop and a solar plate from a camping store that should keep it charged until she could adjust it.

She was going to spend the whole time he was reading it as a human, naked, and in his lap.

Then that thing had been what showed up instead of Rahs. As soon as showed up her blood magic showed that it had no blood.

She had sorta panicked at that and flash fried it.

“What the shit Rahs?”

Applejack stared down at the puddle, the flood of water that had appeared along with an odd tasting magic, she then shifted her gaze to Pear Butter who was passed out on the ground after watching the Moon dog she had been fussing at explode.

Interestingly enough Rahs had shown up at the stall to buy some apples instead of sneaking out to swipe them from the orchards.

Pear had decided to fuss at him.

Nothing new.

Rahs bursting into a puddle of water however was.

She had seen this before though.

“Durn mutt got intah Pinkie's mirror pool ….”

Saturnia frowned flicking the water from her dagger as Bees lay on the floor next to the puddle trying to scoop the water back up into the shape of Rahs.

Saturnia ignored him.

Really the best plan when dealing with Bees.

She had met up with Rahs wandering in the shops and had been planning to ask him for a nice Brunch, and to see how he liked the new form she had taken. An Abyssinian with snow Leopard pattern, a fluffy tail, and ample chest.

She had noticed immediately he was acting odd and as an infiltrator a number of flags had been raised that lead her draw her weapon on the impostor only for Bees to trip and smash into Rahs popping him like a balloon and soaking her in water.

She would have to remember to wear this particular scant bit of clothing next time she used this disguise and walk with him in the rain. At least as soon as she found out what was going on.

“Don't worry bud I got you I got you... PHARNAX I NEED A BUCKET STAT!!” Bees bellowed.

Rahs very much did NOT know what he was doing Spike later mused, watching as Trixie shoved the door open and stormed into The Ball Theater with the other five girls chasing Rahs hot on her claws.

Ember, Thorax, Sonata, Applebloom, and the Diamond Dog assistant that always followed Jynx around, followed along with Spike. He had already prepped popcorn and passed out the buckets.

Seems Rahs had gone with the water clone option rather than disappoint everyone who had grabbed his time for today.

Seems he hadn't learned from Pinkie Pie's time in the pool at all.

The girls were all pissed that he had sent a water clone to them, though they were slightly less pissed when they found that all of them had water clones and that the real Rahs hadn't decided to go out with any of them.

Jynx noted Rahs didn't smell right and thought he was a changeling.

Saturnia had noticed his actions were slightly off and figured out that the clone wasn't Rahs.

Sunset noticed a distinct lack of blood in the Rahs clone.

Aria noticed a over abundance of water in the Rahs clone.

Trixie noticed the illusion magic of the pool almost as soon as she saw the clone.

Applejack's had popped like a soap bubble the moment she got close.

All of them were very annoyed and wanting an answer.

The lot of them were not going to find it in the theater.

It was a full house, with every seat taken up by a Rahs clone in some strange or fancy manner of dress, with a few more acting as Ushers and concession workers in full uniform as if this was 100 years ago.

One of them was trying to sell an albatross,

On stage there was a fifteen Rahs cast acting out King Leer.

As one, all of them turned to look at the girls bursting into the theater.

There was a momentary stare down.

And then, as one, all of them screamed and very quickly tried to rush out of the theater through the fire escapes, yelling, carrying on, and enacting over the top glorious death scenes in the process, some of them popping at the end and turning into puddles, others keeping the death throws going for a good ten minutes or longer.

The two groups at the door watched the chaos in absolute awe at the insanity of it until there was nothing but puddles of water, and a few persistent death scenes, left in the room.

After a few moments of silence Sunset spoke.

“Ten bits says he's still in bed.” Sunset stated.

“I'll take that action. I say Twilight snagged him for something.” Applebloom chimed in.

Spike sighed getting his accountants visor and note pad. “Alright who else?”

“I think he's hiding in the light booth.” Saturnia offered.

“He probably just ran out with the crowd.” Ember huffed.

“Nah not his style.” Thorax hummed. “He might be hiding out in one of Applejack's trees again though.”

“He better not be.” Applejack growled.

“Did he go to the Crystal Empire for some reason?” Jynx asked with her assistant looking around confused still.

“I gotta go with Sunset in that he's asleep somewhere.” Aria offered.

“Well what ever it is he's gonna show up when it's most dramatic or showy.” Sonata offered.

“That parts a given.” Spike agreed.

“Trixie agrees.” Dragon Lord Trixie nodded. "So on that note, three, two, one...”

As soon as the count down ended Rahs fell out of the upper curtain on stage crashing down to land hard on the stage. The moon dogs coat was torn, ripped up and covered in teeth marks, his hair was covered in what looked to be food of some sort, and two much smaller blue furred Moon Dogs were sitting on his back attacking his lashing tail, seemingly unbothered by the drop to the stage.

“Or Bri could have made him watch his niece and nephew again.” Spike offered. ”Alright house wins, pay up.”

“Ow.” Rahs muttered as Titania managed to sink her teeth into his lashing tail.

Curtain Tales

Twilight Gets a Puppy
Season 7
By TDR

Curtain tales

[Ponyville, Seshat, end of summer]

"While a fascinating course of action Sparkle I do not see how I am able to help you with this." Sombra stated.

"So you never had to deal with this before? " Twilight asked looking at the crystals scattered across the table. Tempest stood nearby with a large light and desk mounted magnifier aimed at her stub of a horn. " Aren't you half Crystal Pony?"

" While the sperm donor that forced me into existence from the comforting null of the void was, as a demi god I never went through any sort of horn growth, though I do expect if my horn was damaged some how it would regrow, though that is not something I wish to test so do not even try it." Sombra snapped.

"I didn't plan on it, I mean the amount of pressure it would would be immense. I mean look at the magical back blast that happened when I blew you out of the tower in the Crystal Empire while I had a concussion, that didn't even chip your horn. Also the mayor told me I can't test spells over a certain thrum in town." Twilight pointed out.

Sombra and Twilight glared at each other a moment though Twilight was smirking.

"Indeed, though do not lose your head over it, the mayor is simply doing her job. By the by , any sharp neck pains recently?" Sombra questioned.

Sombra and Twilight glared at each other a moment though Sombra was smirking.

"Not to interrupt but what exactly is this about?" Tempest asked.

"Simply put the crystalline growth inherent to Crystal unicorns can be duplicated... on other crystal unicorns. So it's not as much help as expected, however Sombra here can make black crystals out of near nothing so if the control of that was used to shape properly they might be a substitute." Twilight offered.

"Ahh I see what you are considering and no it would not work. Black crystals are a disrupter." Sombra explained. "And they do not come from nothing."

"What now?" Tempest asked.

"Black crystals produce a harmonic that is disruptive to magic, the more magic put into them the more they shift, breaking the usual orderly spells that most casters favor. Think of it as a bit of metal that has just been struck with a hammer, the shape changes and the metal vibrates. shaking loose anything that might be holding it unless you have a tight grip with your tongs."

"Not sure that metaphor works. It's like say a bowl of water is a spell, and a struck tuning fork is stuck into it, the fork is a black crystal. It's broadcasting magic on a disruptive wavelength to normal magic, which is why no one can cast if the crystals are attached to them. It's a magical disruptor rather than a remover like my brother." Twilight hummed. " Still that's not hard to adjust or tune it, but how did you grow it?"

"You push a certain amount of power into something, be it a crystal shard or a bit of sand or rock. The black crystal has an accelerated growth though it damages the source material of the crystals. It is also not stable and tends to grow more and more brittle before crumbling." Sombra pointed out.

"You could have lead off with that!" Twilight groaned.

[Winsome Falls]

“Again, ah would like to point out that this feels a little off in terms of being ah 'Big sister, little sister' camping trip.” Applejack pointed out.

“Bark?” Rahs asked from where he was setting up a tent.

“Actually that might help.” Applejack admitted.

“I don't care if he's willing, I'm not going to wear a dress.” Spike offered setting down a cooler.

“Really wouldn't take much for uncle Pharynx and I to be girls. Or look like them at least.” Firefly added. As his uncle grunted in response and went back to working on the fire pit.

“Honestly that would be fascinating to see what you might come up with, though you really should try a dress at some point Spike, I have the perfect color pallet I want to try to match with your scales.” Rarity chimed in.

“Perhaps thou should wait in that regards Rarity. After all were we not here to distract Rainbow Dash from her upcoming wedding more than anything else?” Princess Luna offered.

“Yeah, she and Scootaloo should be back at any point now, from what I've heard she's freaking out kinda hard.” Sweetiebelle offered.

“Wuff.” Rahs explained with Spike, Luna, Rarity, and Applejack nodding in agreement, while Applebloom, Sweetiebelle, Pharynx and Firefly looking confused.

“He said this isn't much different from what happened when she first started dating Prince so it's expected.” Spike translated.

“Ahh.” Sweetiebelle nodded.

“So does she know about the Bachelorette party we plan to drag her too?” Applejack asked.

“Not yet, but if you keep talking about it she might.” Rarity frowned.

“Ruff?” Rahs asked.

“Buzzing?” Spike blinked. “No I don't, but I do hear screaming.”

A moment later Scootaloo and Rainbow Dash tore into the camp screaming with a massive swarm of Flyder on their tails.

Rarity and Luna both frowned at the swarm as tendrils of shadow started forming around them both.

Spike, Applebloom. and Sweetiebelle yelped at the size of the swarm.

Firefly and Pharynx both licked their lips at the sight of so many delicious plump Flyders coming towards them.

Applejack blinked wondering what smelled so good.

“Wonder how those taste roasted?”

The Flyders suddenly had a collective sense of unease.

A few moments of gratuitous violence against bug amalgamations later.

Rahs hummed to himself spearing another three Flyders on a stick before holding it over the fire.

“See if you pop their heads off like this it also gets rid of their venom sacks, a slight twist and it comes right off.” Pharynx showed Firefly. “There's also a lot of meat in the first two joints of the legs here though the last segment and the wings aren't worth eating.”

“Tha wings head and pointy leg parts are used in alchemy though. Granted tha venom glands are really only useful fer making something that takes tha sting outta flyder bites, but ehh.” Applebloom shrugged “Not sure it's worth tha effort of trying tah save this many of um, they ain't uncommon. Prolly a good idea to mix up a batch just in case though if I ken find some clover and runewart around here.”

“Yeah though ah ain't never seen a swarm this big come this far from tha lakes.” Applejack offered Crunching on one of the roasted ones Rahs had offered her. She wasn't sure on the flavor, but it wasn't bad.

Rarity and Sweetiebelle were mostly ignoring the others and working on their own camp fire roasted carrots.

Luna had tried one and decided to pass not liking the taste of the bugs though she had gone right to making smo'res and skipping the carrot dinner.

Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo simply stared at the others.

“Why are we friends with this lot again?” Scootaloo asked Rainbow Dash who just shrugged wincing as Firefly crunched down on one of the roasted bugs.

“Dunno kid but you are dating one.” Rainbow Dash muttered back.

“So do we wanna do campfire stories? “ Spike asked, barely bothered by the others eating bugs , though he was picking bits of charcoal out of the fire and munching the burning char between trying to swipe some of Luna's marshmallows.

Nightmare Night Special

Twilight Gets a Puppy
NIGHTMARE NIGHT SPECIAL
By TDR

[Ponyville, Seshat, Fall]

BONG BONG BONG BONG BONG BONG BONG BONG BONG BONG!

Twilight flinched with every bong that marked it as ten at night. The Mayor was going to find that stupid tower of hers was not worth the budget to rebuild when the next lightning storm reduced it to cinders. She was pretty sure she had melted that bell to slag with that first accident.

She was also sure the bell tower had been over by Golden Oaks Library, NOT by the crystal tree that was Seshat.

Seshat was decorated with Nightmare night party items supplied by Pinkie in over abundance. Everything from honeycomb spiders and bats hanging from the rafters, to spiderweb table clothes and countless treats and drinks.

Twilight glanced over to her brother who was dressed like a sideshow strongman, in little more than a leopard print leotard that hung on one shoulder and showed off chest and abs. She had no idea how Spike had talked him into the outfit, but she was pretty sure it had been a calculated plan that involved quite a few bits paid to her youngest brother given the way all of idiots who liked him were staring or pretending they weren't drooling at his outfit.

Saturnia as of late was always in a Abyssinian form around Rahs , though at the moment both she and Sunset, in her human form, were dressed like some sort of human rabbit that wore fishnet stockings and low cut tops with rabbit ears and dress cuffs.

The human world had such a strange animal kingdom.

Jynx and Witchjack had also teamed up in their costumes. Skin tight cat suits which were a bit odd with their canine features, though Twilight supposed the emphasis was less on the tails and ears and more on the fact the rest of their full body costumes looked painted on.

Trixie was in what she called a proper stage magician's attire. The dragon pony had on the top half of a dress tuxedo, a leotard bottom and fishnets, with a top hat propped on one horn.

What was with the fishnets? Twilight grumbled to herself.

Aria was also in human form, though her form fitting painted on outfit was red, with thigh high high heeled boots, a spaded red tail, little bat wings and horns on her head poking out of her hair. She had a red pitchfork and the front of her outfit was torn open in what Sunset had grumbled was an adequate boob window.

Rarity was in some fancy vampire outfit of reds and whites, with Sombra also dressed as a fancy suited vampire in reds and blacks.

But no, they still both claimed they were not dating

Starlight was dressed as a Neighpon pizza maker with a big spatula on her back.

Tempest was dressed like a lawn gnome for some reason and didn't seem too thrilled by it, claiming it was the last costume in the shop that fit her.

Pinkie Pie had made two stuffed heads that looked like her self and mounted them on her shoulders and was dressed like a dog. No one was willing to mention that she had a dog collar on her neck with a tag reading 'Fluttershy's pet'.

Prince was in a werepony costume seeming not to care that Witchjack occasionally glared at him, and Rainbow Dash had just thrown a sheet over her head.

Seshat was dressed like a tree, but not a crystal tree, a pecan tree that was out of season and from the crystal empire.

Twilight thought she was trying to hard.

Celestia and Chrysalis had been here earlier, but every one got tired of them randomly killing each other so they both got thrown out.

Luna had taken the Crusaders, Spike, Gabby, who was visiting, and Firefly out earlier to raid everyone's house in Canterlot for candy and stay the night there.

Big Mac sadly had stayed home tonight as he was getting over a early cold, though Twilight planned to show him the witch costume she was wearing later, or at least the hat and stockings of it.

At the moment though the Nightmare Night party was still in full swing and while she was better, large gatherings still made her antsy and given that it was approaching ten she was more than ready to kick ponies out.

However that wouldn't be polite and everyone here was a friend, or was Sombra. And the party was nice enough.

Of course that was when all the lights went out.

“Is everyone alright Darlings?” Rarity asked, her horn lighting up bathing the main room in light.

“I think so.” Pinkie Pie stated from her left head.

Prince's horn lit up a moment later along with Sombra, and Starlight's, Trixie formed a ball of illusionary light in her claw that lit up the room and both Aria and Saturnia just started to glow. Sunset just lit her hair on fire.

“What?” Rainbow Dash demanded of them.

“I'm me.” Sunset stated.

“I'm a Changeling.” Saturnia shrugged.

“Siren.” Aria offered showing how the light coming from her was on various lines and patterns.” Easier to tap into the magic bullshit from mom's side of the family now with bioluminescence.”

“Why did the lights go out? How did the lights go out?” Sunset demanded. ”This whole place is a magical battery. It shouldn't be possible for this to happen.”

“Do you think something is wrong with the gate?” Sombra asked.

“Maybe. Seshat is something wrong with the gate?” Sunset asked.

Silence greeted her.

“Seshat?” Tempest questioned to again no answer.

“That ain't good.” Witchjack muttered.

“Twilight do you know what's going on?” Starlight asked. “ Twilight?”

“Twilight?” Rarity repeated as all the groups lights swung around the room seeing no sign of Twilight.

“Maybe she just had to go to the bathroom?” Pinkie Pie asked.

“This might be the yearly event everyone is waiting for.” Jynx offered with a low growl.

“Well at least we have Fuzzy to protect us....” Trixie offered then frowned. “Fuzzy?..... he was standing right next to you pyro! What have you done with Trixie's Fuzzy!?”

“Wait Rahs is gone?” Witchjack demanded. ”Dang it this does seem jus like a villain attack!”

“Maybe it's the pony of shadows?” Pinkie Pie offered.

“Pony of Shadows? That's just an old pony tale...” Prince waved a hoof.

Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash and Witchjack all looked to each other then at Prince.

“What?” Prince asked.

“We have found darling. That any time some one calls something an Old Pony Tale, that there is a very firm basis in fact about it.” Rarity explained.

“Nightmare Moon, Witch Wolves, The Crystal Empire, Discord, the Sirens..... all Old Pony Tales...” Rainbow Dash explained.

“Well shit.” Prince swore. “Though that does make this an exciting birthday party.”

“Okay . Here's tha plan. Sunset, take Sombra, Jynx, Rarity, and Aria, head down tah tha gate and see if yah ken figure out why tha lights went out. Pinkie, Starlight, Tempest, and Trixie'll stay here in case some one comes back. Me, Saturnia, Prince, and Rainbow Dash'll try and find Twilight and Rahs.” Witchjack stated. ”That puts a couple of heavy hitters in all three groups as well as some people who have lights.”

“Wait who's the heavy hitter in my group?” Pinkie Pie asked.

“Rude.” Trixie scoffed.

“Fair enough.” Prince shrugged. ”Let's get going.”

“ Alright everyone be prepared, anything that can take out Twilight and Rahs is gonna be tough.” Sunset grumbled as her group made their way through the darkness.

“Darling as a blood mage can't you just detect people? Or their blood? I figured you would be the easiest one to check for any threat.” Rarity pointed out.

“Yeah but there's a lot of stuff than can block that kind of spell and or doesn't have blood. Plus I'm human at the moment, makes it harder to cast blood mage spells.” Sunset offered.

“I do not smell anything odd either.” Jynx commented. “Nothing that stands out.”

“Well I know it's not dad, because he took Sonata out trick or treating.” Aria offered.

“Oh? Where at?” Sunset asked.

“Given how dad is, the answer to that is yes. Probably hopping time zones or dimensions. Sonata is going to be insufferable on a sugar rush for a a month.” Aria grumbled.

“Okay the gate is down these stairs …... where are the stairs!?” Sunset demanded seeing nothing but a blank wall in the light of her fire. “Sombra did we pass the stairs?”

The group turned around.

“Sombra?” Sunset asked.

“Is he playing a joke?” Aria questioned.

“Sombra doesn't do jokes.” Rarity swallowed.

“ So Pinkie has this ever happened before?” Starlight asked.

“Has what ever happened before?” Pinkie Pie asked.

“This sort of thing. Seshat going quiet and the Sparkles vanishing?” Starlight questioned.

“Nope not that I remember. Hey does that painting of Princess Celestia have eyes that follow you?” Pinkie Pie asked.

Starlight, Pinkie Pie, and Trixie watched the painting a moment.

“Trixie does not see it, but Trixie also expects that painting is a trap left by Princess Celestia for Chrysalis earlier. “ Trixie pointed out. “Trixie does not remember that picture being there at all. Tempest is that painting new?”

“Tempest?” Trixie asked again.

“Where did Tempest go?” Starlight asked.

“Trixie's drama sense is tingling. We are now in a horror story.” Trixie deadpanned.

“Great.......” Starlight muttered.

“ It's okay so long as we don't split up, have sex or say everything will be fine, we're good.” Pinkie Pie added.

“Pinkie you just said 'everything will be fine'” Starlight pointed out.

“GASP so did you!” Pinkie exclaimed.

“Twilight!” Witchjack called.

“Rahs!” Saturnia called. ”Do smell anything?”

“That a crack at me?” Witchjack questioned.

“What? No... I mean, if the horse shoe fits but can you smell any magic or anything odd?” Saturnia offered.

“Feh, nah. Ain't been trained enough tah be able tah do any real tracking or whatever with mai nose or off magic. What about that emotional stuff you do?”

“Not getting anything... save the combination of love slash lust Rainbow and Prince have when they ducked into that closet back there.” Saturnia frowned. “Tasty, but not helpful.”

“Oh fer bucks sake.....” Witchjack grumbled. “Finally gits a boyfriend slash fiancée and she can't keep her hooves off him.”

“Don't be a hypocrite. If it was Rahs you'd be doing the same thing.” Saturnia grins.

“Not in a horror story ah wouldn't.” Witchjack grumbled.

“Relax, I can sense both of them playing fifteen minutes of Elysium and...... uh oh.” Saturnia stopped and turned rushing back to fling open a closet only for a couple of brooms to tumble out.

“What is it?” Witchjack darted after her slowing as the door was yanked open.

“They're gone.” Saturnia swallowed looking into the empty closet.

Witch Jack and Saturnia burst back into the main room.

“PINKIE!” Witchjack shouts. ”Where are yah girl?”

A whimper from under a table drew the pairs attention, as well as the bright horn light. Yanking off the spider web themed table cloth they were greeted to the sight of Pinkie and Starlight, both of whom screamed as the table cloth was removed.

“GAH!! Don't do that Applejack!” Pinkie Pie snapped.

“Where's Trixie an Tempest?” Witchjack demanded.

“The Pony of Shadows got them.” Starlight whimpered.

“What? How? Trixie's huge.....” Witchjack looked behind her and noticed the room was a lot darker than it had been when they came in. “Saturnia?”

Witchjack blinked as the Changeling had been right behind her.

“Ah horse apples.....”

Another door burst open and Rarity skidded into the room, tendrils of shadow whipping around her as countless eyes were wide open in her mane looking around the room as the mare panted.

“THIS HOUSE IS HAUNTED!!”

“Well I suppose Seshat is a spirit inhabiting the place.” Pinkie Pie pointed out.

“Something grabbed Jynx in front of us and yanked her back into nothing.” Aria snarled as she rushed in slamming the door behind her.

“THE FLOOR ATE SUNSET!!”Rarity wailed.

“Seriously? Starlight quaked.

“We were still looking for the gate, when the floor opened under Sunset and snapped closed..... where's everyone else?” Aria questioned.

“Lost Rainbow and Prince after they broke tha first rule of horror stories.” Witchjack grumbled.

“Took a shower?” Pinkie Pie asked.

”Gitting frisky.” Witchjack corrected. “Saturnia was right behind me when ah got back here and now she's gone.”

Starlight shrieked and everyone left whipped their heads over to her to see her up on the table looking around on the floor with Pinkie Pie no where to be seen.

“What tha hay is going on here... alright there's gotta be a reason for this, we got three of yah with lights left, and yah still got me. Ain't much ah can't take on, and what ah can't Rarity and her nightmare self ken handle. Plus Starlight's a magical powerhouse and Aria's gone toe tah toe with Rahs afore, we should be fine.” Witchjack stated.

“ Yeah cept Trixie and Saturnia were demi gods, Tempest and Rainbow are military trained, and Jynx , Rahs and Twilight were full gods. And Pinkie Pie is … Pinkie Pie.” Aria explained

“Applejack. ” Starlight offered her voice quivering. ”Rarity's gone.”

“HOW!?” Witch jack snapped pointing at the empty space the mare had been. ”Ah ain't smelled no magic save what Twilight and everyone else do an... Oh....... Starlight..... Ah'm ranting tah myself ain't Ah?”

The unicorn pulled the tablecloth tighter around herself with a whimper, Aria was gone.

“This is not a good day. Witchjack snarled looking around everywhere in the nearly dark room backing up towards Starlight's table as the clock tower started the first bong of Eleven.

“APPLEJACK BEHIND YOU!!” Starlight shrieked and Witchjack felt something grab at her yanking her away from the table and into the darkness.

Witchjack stumbled out onto the dirt whirling around claws ready only to see nothing behind her but a tree. A lot of trees.

She sniffed the air curiously noting the neat rows and at the end the light of a farmhouse.

“What?” Witchjack questioned, now back in Sweet Apple Acres as the loud bonging of the Ponyville clock tower sounded eleven times in the distance.

Looking around confused she took note of a card that had been pushed into her hand, the invitation to Twilight's Nightmare Night event in fact.

Witchjack looked at the card...

Sunset blinked as she looked around her tower, then down at the card in her hand.

“AHHH A CABBIT!!! IT'S GONNA TURN INTO A SPACESHIP AND GET ME INVOLVED IN A MASSIVE ROYAL LOVE QUADRILANGLE OF SPACE ALIENS!!”Bees shouted and fell over.

Saturnia looked around the kitchen of her home then down at the card in her hand, ignoring Bees.

Pinkie Pie showed up in Fluttershy's room, and before she could question it was yanked under the bed by Fluttershy.

Prince and Rainbow Dash had been dumped into a closet on the Princess Bride, and neither had noticed yet.

Jynx shifted her gaze along the tunnels noting some of the Jade Wolf guards take note of her and offer salutes. Or start drooling as they spotted her costume.

She ignored them and looked down at the card in her hand.

Aria climbed up onto the boat, shaking off the water from her hair glancing down at the card she had been holding when she hit the lake.

Sombra looked up as Rarity appeared in her shop, hefting a tub of ice cream towards the mare.

“Chocolate?”

The tub was snatched from his magic by nightmare tendrils and he pulled another out of the icebox for himself ignoring the card he had appeared with.

Tempest looked around the Guard barracks in confusion. One of the ponies there glanced over to her from his bunk.

“Why are you dressed like a gnome?”

Trixie looked at the card she had been holding when she was dropped in Golden Oaks library.

“Called it. Drama dog.... Could have at least given Trixie a good night kiss.”

Starlight whimpered flinching as the lights came back on and Twilight trotted out of a side room.

“Ugh look at this mess.” Twilight grumbled.

“Woof.” Rahs pointed out as he padded in after her.

“Well I know, but they didn't need to fling stuff every where.... Starlight get off the table, we eat off that and who knows where your hooves have been.” Twilight fussed.

“Wh.. wha you're alright... what … what about the Pony of Shadows?” Starlight whined.

Rahs and Twilight looked to each other and Rahs shrugged.

“Starlight did you read the invitation?” Twilight offered, her magic gathering a card and floating it over to the cowering mare as Rahs moved to start collecting the uneaten snacks to put away.

Starlight blinked and looked at the card reading it.

“I don't understand.” Starlight questioned.

“Read the bottom.”

Starlight glanced to Rahs before reading the bottom.

“Please be out by 11pm … or else.” Starlight read.

“I need my beauty sleep.” Seshat offered.

Forever Fortune

Twilight Gets a Puppy
Season 7
By TDR

Forever Fortune

Princess Luna raised and eyebrow as her son, Sombra, tore through a pack of chocolate covered peanuts.

She really hadn't been close to him like this in a while and it brought back memories... not happy ones. There had not been any of those after he was born, though that was hardly his fault, and once she was back to herself he had kept his distance, understandably.

She had a son before that, one lost to a damnable dragon god that was rotting in Tartarus, and she still wanted to go there and kill him, or throw him back through Starswirl's portal to live out his days a a dog, though she wouldn't wish that temperamental bastard on anyone.

She'd rather just kill him, but without being able to remove his portfolios , once of which was shared with Bleu, he wouldn't die.

She could likely out wait him however.

Sombra on the other hoof was young, and there were life times she could wait for him to be more comfortable with her. He was a demi god after all. She could wait until he was ready to actually talk.

Granted she rather wished he and Rarity might actually acknowledge they were a thing. Of course he was too stubborn and Rarity ….. actually Luna wasn't sure why Rarity wasn't all over Sombra. Maybe she didn't want to frighten him away? It had to be the main reason she refused Luna's offer to adopt her as a sister as well.

She may have to check on that later, or as Cadence, she might know.

Which did bring them back into the now where the pair of them were sitting on the bleachers watching a Nightmare possessed mare.... or a mare possessed nightmare, hard to tell really, tear through an obstacle course with a teenaged filly on her back shouting out guidance as the shadowy tendrils flung lesser competitors off the track.

Witch-Jack and Applebloom were both in a battle for position with the nightmare made pony along with Scootaloo and Rainbow Dash.

Twilight had been disqualified as Rahs in a dress was too distracting to the others, and not really in the spirit of the Sister Hooves Social.

Maud and Pinkie Pie were just behind the dueling group and were looking to pass with a large number of other paired sisters behind them.

The event had become less who wins and more who survived the natural disasters on the course, it was shaping into a tuff mudder iron pony challenge in truth. With some of the challenges being the Element bearers and Crusaders, along with whatever Princess showed up to run it.

Strangely this made it more popular.

Luna herself was sitting out this time as Rarity had been insistent that she and Sweetiebelle compete this year.

Luna hummed to herself as Sweetiebelle managed a passable shield blocking the attempt of Rainbow Dash to go after Rarity.

She was getting better, though Sweetiebelle took better to court interests over magic, though she did pick up spells quickly, she just couldn't cast them well.

Rarity yelped as Witch-Jack bit down on a shadowy tendril digging in until Rarity let the tendril free rather than be slowed down and the orange witch-wolf devoured the magical nightmare part even as Rarity called her a barbarian.

Luna smiled a little as a blast of magic turned the ground below Witch-jack to grease forcing the canine mare to slip before Applebloom bounced against Witch-Jacks side, bouncing her out of the slippery spot and back on the rough track.

Sombra had taken rather well to Sweetiebelle treating her very much like a little sister, which was more amusing given Luna's adoption of the filly. Granted Sweetiebelle was technically Sombra's aunt but ehh. Whatever.

She didn't think she would be up to having any sort of full fledged relationship any time soon. While she was amused by some encounters, she was still more comfortable with mares than stallions for now, those twins aside, but he was a very girly stallion.

A booming explosion drew her out of her funk as Witch-Jack and Rainbow Dash had started fighting, with Scootaloo keeping Rarity back by flaring her burning wings and threatening to singe her mane, as Applebloom and Sweetiebelle hurled spells and potions at each other.

A pair of bushes snuck past on the outside revealing a couple of normal ponies in brush suits crossing the finish line while the brawl was going on. Pinkie Pie and Maud popped up out of the ground having tunneled under the finish line before another pair of local pegasi flew over the mess for third.

“I am surprised that menace only got second.” Sombra growled.

“First place is a trophy, Second place is a cake.” Luna pointed out.

“Ahh that makes sense now.”

Friargate leans in.

Twilight Gets a Puppy
Season 7
By TDR

Friargate leans in.

Twilight tilts her head as she looked at the carnage before her along with a fairly large group of other ponies who had shown up for the opening event of Feather Animal sanctuary.

“Honestly how did they expect any other outcome?” Twilight questioned.

“Well to be fair after what we saw in their headquarters, I don't think they are really that bright.” Pinkie Pie offered.

“At least Rahs is having fun.” Maud intones as Kevin nods along with her..

“So are Angel and Sonata.” Twilight hummed.

“Is this actually normal?” The tall Roo asked the yellow furred earth pony veterinarian he was standing next to. He shifts his gaze around to the others around as if asking them the same thing. “I mean I've heard of PETA, but I didn't expect they'd protest or try to raid an animal sanctuary, even a new one like this.”

“They are not that bright.” Pinkie Pie stated again.

“Your mare friend is terrifying.” Maud deadpans.

“I know right!” Pinkie Pie purrs. ”Hey think we can get Sonata on board to be our teams Water?”

“Treehuger seems to like her.” Maud added.

The group went back to watching the melee, or slaughter depending on which side they were on.

Fluttershy had gotten permission to expand her Care and Rehabilitation facility into a full compound with the help of the crown. A good portion of the Everfree would also be included in the area and marked off officially as a wildlife preserve with the idea in the future the whole forest would fall under said protections once something could be hashed out with the other towns around the forest.

Still the funding had allowed Fluttershy to start to build the place and hire on some Rangers and vets , though there had been a bit of a issue with some of the earlier builders and help that got smoothed over when the first three hired were fired after trying to take control of the government project for their own ideas.

Still it had all worked out in the end and the place was set to open despite already admit-in a number of animals though it would act mostly like a part funded primarily by the crown, but accepting donations.

Regrettably on opening day about a hundred members of PETA had shown up to start throwing around some bullshit about how a sanctuary like this was going to upset the whole balance of predator and prey and how the animals should be left alone to live or die as nature intended without pony interference.

The protest started turning nasty as the PETA started breaking things, spray painting crude slogans on various things, and planting their signs as they screamed and chanted and disrupted the opening ceremony quite thoroughly.

It was when they started tossing dead animals and blood at the caretakers that Fluttershy snapped.

After the protestor that hit Fluttershy with a dead rabbit had most of his facial bones rearranged, Rahs, Sonata, and Treehugger got involved. Less to help Fluttershy and more to prevent the rampaging mare from actually killing anyone by taking out her targets first.

Then Angel bunny and some of the other animals got involved and it had become a full blown brawl.

When the Guards showed up, Twilight stopped them from interfering citing some obscure law that Comet Trail washed his hooves of. Though he ordered the Guards back unless some one was going to get killed.

The local Guard unit were currently keeping the fight contained and only arresting those that managed to crawl their way out of the fracas.

Mostly they were making bets on how long certain PETA members would last, or reclining on one of Discord's couches with some popcorn.

In the end most of the PETA members either needed immediate medical aid from bruises and burns, were sealed in a dumpster for pick up by the Guards, or were completely water logged and half drowned. All of them were suffering from animal claws and bites.

Rahs and Treehugger were both holding back a raving Fluttershy who wanted to finish the job she started on the protesters and also threatening to neuter her brother only to be reminded he was stuck in basic training for the Guard at the moment and couldn't have ordered this.

Angel Bunny and some of the Vets that worked with the new sanctuary were gathering up the 'dead' animals that were thrown at the caretakers, finding they were just stuffed animals filled with fake blood.

This disappointed a large number of the predators and scavengers who had hoped for a meal.

“Well.... at least the place looks a lot better than that first one that was made.” Dr. Fauna offered. “When it gets cleaned up a little at least.”

Triple Tableaux

Twilight Gets a Puppy
Season 7
By TDR

Triple Tableaux

The claw lashing out at his head was avoided by a small lean back. The attack continued on as the Diamond dog attacking him over balanced and Rahs just helped him crash a bit harder to the ground with a flick of his tail around the dogs ankle.

Today was one of the date days. It was also Jynx's birthday apparently according to Rarity, so he'd gotten Spike to help him cook up a decent meal and there was a plan to head to this quiet glade he had found in the Everfree while Cockatrice hunting for a picnic thing while it was a warm fall day still. He had also commissioned a rather nice dress for her from Rarity, making sure the mare didn't go too flamboyant or too skimpy.

Maybe another time for that one.

He shifted again catching the dog bursting out of the ground in front of him with one hand at the scruff of the neck and using him to beat the other one who had tried to come up from behind.

He was still anxious about all of this. Had he met Jynx perhaps a month before his encounter with the Bone Hounds, he's probably be a father and Jynx would have won without ever knowing there were others after him.

Now.. well Witch-Jack hit the same impulses Jynx did with him, only harder due to her actually being much closer to him as a species. Which was a bit weird as he had no interest in any of the Moon Dogs he had met in the Oniroi. Hell he could actually tell when they were flirting.

He leaned back, one hand and tail bracing on the ground and met a wild hay maker with a boot to the head.

He considered that Jynx and witch Jack had teamed up to come after him to be a massive win in his books, I mean if his brother could handle the two goddesses he was with, Rahs could handle one god as a god himself.

Maybe, the way the two of them looked at him sometimes was worrying and he swore he heard Cadence cackle every time they did despite her being in the Crystal Empire.

Of course it wasn't that easy either While those two certainly had the body, they didn't have that many interests similar to his own. Sunset and Saturnia on the other claw.

Which he dodged, these guys were not creative.... wait did that one have a sword? Neat.

Those two were very much more in his way of thinking. Sunset was witty, sarcastic, and rather cute in that fur less form of hers, plus her magic was tasty.

MMMM Bacon.

She also didn't seem set on any one thing and was quite helpful with random shit that came up. The same could be said about Saturnia. Rahs was dog enough to admit that having a woman who could change to be anything he wanted was awesome.

Just think of the stage costume savings.

Rahs caught the sword in the crick of his arm jerking suddenly and snapping the wood leaving the one who had been holding it looking at the splinted remains dumbly before Rahs punted him into the air towards the river.

Saturnia was also into the same sort of romantic novels and books that he was and the pair of them had spent hours not doing much but reading things in each others company. Sure that sounded like something his sister would be more into, but you don't grow up with some one and not pick up a few habits. Her magic thankfully didn't taste like her mothers with the chocolate, but a interesting flavor that he couldn't quite Identify with hints of Strawberry from her mothers side.

Rahs caught the rock hurled at his head and slung it right back without giving that particular dog more than a glance.

Then there was Trixie. He liked Trixie and the mare... dragon? Kirin? Whatever she was now had managed to actually push past the foal hood friend with him as he could see her as some one he would have been interested in, even before the whole dragon lord thing.

Wait was that Ember in the sky? Huh must be visiting Trixie again. Rahs raised a claw to offer her a wave then drove his elbow back into the one coming up behind him.

The dragon hovered there a moment over the field before waving back and continuing on towards town.

Lastly was Aria. Rahs still didn't know what to think about her, but she had a fur less form that was also cute, and had a few shared interests involving the stage with him, she was very outgoing and had drug him off to all manner of interesting things he had never been to before. It had been something of an experience. Though of them all he probably had the least connection with her, but she seemed more intent on enjoying herself … and him than anything long term which did ease a good bit of his stress when it came to her.

One of the attackers managed to jostle the food basket he had in the other hand and that earned the dog a couple extra hits to drive him into the ground.

They all had their down sides however.

Jynx sometimes triggered the phobia after his time as a prisoner of the Bone Hounds, Applejack's mother. Aria's Father, Saturnia was technically related to him, Sunset's mother,father,whatever...Trixie's need to beat everyone else.

Oddly a lot of the issue was the family of the ones who liked him. Wonder what that said about his tastes. Twilight had probably already done the psyscoanilization. Best not to get into it.

Stopping in front of the Guard on the outside of the jade Wolf Warrens Rahs tilted his head at the armed bitch who simply shrugged and sent the other guard down to get Jynx, all three of them ignoring the trail of battered and beaten male suitors for Jynx Rahs had left groaning in his wake.

“Next time can you beat the mangy red one over there a little more? I want to nurse him back to health and change who he looks at.” The guard asked.

Rahs glanced over to the one who had managed to touch the basket he was carrying and offered a nod and thumbs up to the bitch.

Seriously there was just a trail of bodies left behind as he walked over to that hole in the ground, what the crap was up with that?” Ember demanded her wings fanning as she sat at the table at the cafe.

The black carapaced Changeling across from her at the table considered.

“Probably going to see Jynx, going by what my boss has been rambling about all day , this is the Diamond dog's day to date him.” Thorax offered.

“Seriously, and he had to fight his way to get to her? And did?” Ember blinked. “i think your boss might be losing him if he's willing to do that.”

“Ehh evidently Jynx made it part of his combat training that those guys would show up and try to beat him. Near as I can tell they all want Jynx and see beating Rahs as a way to gain her favor.” Thorax shrugged.

“I can rather respect that idea of strength, but it seems like she's already chosen him going by how the Dragon Lord is whining too.” Ember grumbled.

“Oh yeah I can feel the anger and anxiety of her from here. Hmm only three of the six after him though. Aria's only a bit upset, Applejack, while not content is at least not overly worried, Sunset's fuming and then there's Saturnia and Trixie who are both near feral.” Thorax shuddered.

Here you two are, enjoy.” The waitress offered, she was a rather pretty little cow who had moved in not long ago with her deer girlfriend. They had opened an ice cream shop that seemed to have no limit of flavors. Hence Ember's Emerald Dream Mint chocolate chip with Emerald chips mixed in, and Thorax's own Very Cherry Berry, blueberry and cherry mixed with vanilla.

“Hence why I am not bothering to have a talk with her, she's in no fit way to deal in politics.” Ember nodded.

“Well thanks for inviting me out here for ice cream then, not sure I could have taken the boss's ranting much longer.” Thorax agreed.

“Mmm. You are perhaps one of the few around here who understands my issues working with Trixie.” Ember offered making sure to not eat the spoon that came with the ice cream as she savored the flavor.

Spoons cost extra as flavoring.

“Given both our bosses are after the same dog and have the same general mentality regarding him, I can understand that.” Thorax nodded

The two enjoyed their ice cream in silence for a bit with only the chink of spoons

“Two questions for you Thorax.” Ember finally stated.

“Hmmm?”

“Can you change into a dragon?” Ember asked.

“Probably not a very big one, but about your size or a little bigger shouldn't be too hard. I mean I wouldn't be a real dragon so no lava baths but fire breath and general toughness is easy.” Thorax shrugged. “Why? What's the second question?”

“Do you consider this a date?”

Thorax wound up having to pay for the spoon he bit through at that question.

A House of Information, part 1

Twilight Gets a Puppy
Season 7
By TDR

A House of Information

Ponyville once again had gone to high alert status. Not because of an invader or a insane attempt at dating someone, Trixie had yet to apologize for that, but a virus.

At least seventy percent of the town had their own personal hazmat suits by now, which would seem odd if the town hadn't seen the revival of two supposedly dead diseases including the cutie pox, and whatever bubbled out of the tomato soup Sweetiebelle made that one time, plus a yearly onset of feather flu, the Witch-wolf thing a few years ago, plus the weirdness that the Sparkles sometimes got up to. Over all, a hazmat suit was a good investment in Ponyville.

The building that WitchJack had been secured in was still there and was occasionally used by the Hospital, much as it was right now.

The secure area had been cordoned off in two sectors before the three new inhabitants were put in, into fairly spacious accommodation. The observation deck looking down into it was very crowded however.

“Unfortunately, very little is known about the disease. Except, of course, its symptoms – change of coat, coughing bubbles, shock sneezing, confusion, and the last stage, the afflicted turn into the very trees that drop the disease-spreading flower.” The doctor listed looking down at the two ponies, and a zebra who were in the quarantine box.

“ The Guard are already making preparations to track down and destroy the trees and any flowers that have been left, luckily it's supposed to be a still pond and not flowing water which would have caused much more issue.” Tempest offered.

Zecora had shown the first signs of it and she and Fluttershy had been on the way to the hospital in the middle of town when they encountered Applebloom. The filly immediately redirected them to the viral bunker. The nonsense with her sister, the Cutie-Pox, and Sweetiebelle cooking, had made the filly very on the ball when it came to pathology, though since she had encountered the pair she had sequestered her self, though had stayed in her own hazmat suit just in case she missed it. Three days after the infection Zecora was bedridden with various branches starting to emerge from the sores covering her and Fluttershy had started to develop the red spots. Thus far Applebloom had remained clear but she was staying sealed up and only taking off her suit after it had been sterilized and she was moved to the second chamber.

The entire Sparkle group, and Element Bearers were there at the moment along with Cheerilee, who should be teaching at the moment but had cashed in her vacation time to stay near her mare friend.

Pinkie Pie was also there, and was practically feral.

That was still a step up from Cheerilee who seemed fully feral in regards to her mare friend.

Everyone was staying away from her and Pinkie.

“Alright, the labs been maintained and there's not been any leaks outside and the path that Applebloom listed them as having been on as been dusted with some powder that will kill the spores. Gonna play havoc with the flora in the area but that can be replanted once this is under control. “ Twilight nodded to herself as one of the Nurses agreed with her. ”So I need options people?”

“Wuff.” Rahs offered pointing at himself.

“While we considered that, the disease itself is integrated with the victim. Using your methods to remove magic would require us to filter the subjects blood, mix it with your spit, and put it back int heir body, which is a bad idea even with Miss Sunset helping. And given the branches and the sores that are emerging are non magical we cannot use it to remove them. On the plus side you or Applejack's presence here seems to be slowing the rate of infection.” The doctor pointed out. “So we would like to request your presence here as much as possible.”

“My sister and two of my friends are in there, even if Bloom ain't infected I'll be here as much as yah need.” Applejack stated and Rahs nodded.

“Excellent I'd prefer you over Rahs for the simple fact that you can tell your parents to get the buck out of the medics way, and your mother ignores Rahs.” Doctor Horse added.

“ What about trimming the plant parts away or drowning them in weed killer?” Rainbow Dash offered.

“The problem with that is that the branches are more keratin and blood vessels than actual wood. Something like a woody horn, cutting it off would be like cutting the skin and they would bleed as if they had a part of them cut off. Weed killer wouldn't bother something like that either.” Doctor Horse added.

“If I offered to use the Partner spell would that help given the healing nature of that particular link with a god?” Twilight suggested.

“Veto.” Spike chimed up. “This is an unknown disease practically. Luna and Celestia have never even heard of it, neither have any of the other gods I've got a hold of. Plus Discord has popped up and yanked his kids away so there's a chance gods can be affected by this. At the very least demigods going by that reaction.”

“Aquas gone too, though she might just be Neighlantis.” Tempest offered.

“Granted this is Discord, he might have just taken them to Disney World or something.” Sunset shrugged.

( Ever When)

“Wally world, America's favorite Family Fun Park?” Aqua read as she tilted her head a little. She was currently in the form of a tall blonde rather elegant looking human in a some what frumpy blouse and dress.

“Oh my gosh!” Sonota gasped bouncing up and down in a striped shirt and yellow pants. Her hair was also brown and she seemed a much younger human.

“Why the hell am I Rusty?” Aria griped, she was also human with, her hair was also brown and cut short, and she was in jeans and a collared blue t-shirt. “ And you better fix my hair when we go back.”

“It'll be fine.” Discord offered slamming the door of a green station wagon . He was human as well though he was dressed in a maroon t-shirt and jeans. “You all said you wouldn't mind a vacation, so I figured a day or two at a fun park some when else would be perfect.”

“You do realize I have duties that cannot be put off to go gallivanting around.” Aqua frowned.

“And you know as well as I do that your staff can hold the fort down for a few days, I left a note even.” Discord smiled.

[Neighlantis]

There was general screaming and klaxons going off as every one swam around in a panic. Queen Aqua had been missing for two days now , and the only clue they had was a post it note stuck to her throne that read.

'The Queen has been kidnapped by ninja's
Are you a bad enough dude to rescue her?'

( Ever when)

“I swear Discord if anything is broken or on fire by the time we get back I am taking it out of your hide.” Aqua growled.

“Oooh, kinky.” Discord wiggled his eyebrows as Sonata giggled and Aria gagged.” So lets go have some fun!”

“What bout that old pony-tale about a mystical healer that can cure anything. My dad used to read me stories about her when I was sick in bed.” Starlight chimed up. “I mean they might be just old stories. But if she were real there might be notes on this, the disease was considered eradicated at one point maybe she was the cause?”

Everyone turned to stare at Starlight and the mare shrunk in on herself.

“I mean it's just an idea if we're tossing them out.” Starlight muttered.

“Bark” Rahs pointed out reaching over to pat the mare on the head.

“Right she did say an Old Pony tale, not a Breezy Tale.” Twilight hummed. ”Maybe we should send a team to look into her since we have no other leads.”

“What about the snake god?” Sunset asked, looking to Spike. “Did you message her?”

“Dude you're like a pocket mailing book.” Rainbow laughed.

“ I need to charge by the letter.” Spike chuckled ignoring Twilight flinching at the mention of the snake god. “She doesn't know anything about it either, and she's currently in Saddle Arabia dealing with what she calls a 'Bad case of Whoopsies' But she's never treated or heard of a Swamp Fever that turns people into a tree. She plans to head over here as soon as that's settled, but unless she can find some one willing to teleport her from all the way over there it'll be a week or two.”

“Right so here's the plan, Applejack and Rahs stay here to keep an eye on things, the rest of you go hit the libraries and see if you can find anything about this in some of the older books. Spike and I will head up to Canterlot and get access to the banned wings to see what we can find since we're the only ones with access.”

“You're the only ones with access?” Rarity asked. ”What about Rahs? Or Sunset or Sombra, or even Sweetiebelle?”

“Tempest and Starlight are not cleared for obvious reasons, Same with Sombra, and I was banned so long ago I don't remember when, but I kept sneaking in until they warded the entire thing from me. Very annoying.” Sunset huffed. “And none of the rest of you have really been cleared either.”

“And Rahs tried to eat a few of the books as a puppy so he's been permabanned particularly after getting into a fight with the head librarian.” Twilight explained. “ Twice.”

“She started it.”

Alright , anything else?” Twilight asked.

“Um yes.” Doctor Horse added. “Why are your cutie marks flashing like that?”

The stallion pointed as Tempest and Starlight's cutie marks were flickering.

“Buck.....” Twilight swore.

A House of Information, part 2

Twilight Gets a Puppy
Season 7
By TDR

A House of Information,
part 2

[ Canterlot]

Twilight Sparkle frowned watching as Tempest, Starlight, and Rahs made their way to the castle proper. Evidently there was something going on with Luna and Celestia that the table needed taken care of.

She wasn't too thrilled with only those two being picked, though Rahs was with them and both of them were still afraid of her brother, though with good reason. She had no doubts Rahs would end either or both of them if they tried to go back to the way they were.

There had been quite a few places they visited during their trip through dimensions that put all of them into a murderous rage one way or another.

That one where he had protected the wolf girl from the squid trying to murder her had seriously pissed him off.

But for now she had to focus on the horrifying virus that had infected two of her friends and her little brothers filly friend.

Well maybe on the last, Applebloom still showed no signs of the infection.

Applejack had stayed behind, her presence pulling on the magic of the infection slowing it from spreading as rapidly as it could.

Applebloom had been presented a lab and was doing her damnedest to figure out something even in quarantine though her teacher was too far along to be any help or even speak without bubbles. She had several tree branches growing out of her as well. Fluttershy was displaying bubbles but had yet to start growing branches.

Spike was with Twilight of course, as were Rarity and Pinkie Pie. Sweetiebelle had tagged along as well in order to order the Librarian to grant access to them, though she planned to go with Rahs and the others to see what was up with her big sister Luna.

Cheerilee had also come along and between the group of them if there was anything in the restricted section about the Swamp Fever they would find it. Not because of her own skills or her portfolio, Not because of Spike's skills or Rarity's multitasking. No, Twilight expected they would find it because Pinkie Pie was laser focused, and Cheerilee was borderline feral with worry and was giving off the kind of energy that toppled nations.

Worst case if the Head Librarian refused to grant access Cheerilee would probably have a better chance of taking it down than Rahs had as a pup.

Thankfully a fight between educator and library staff was not needed and the Head Librarian accepted Sweetiebelle's orders with a gnashing of her yellow gnarled teeth, guiding the group to the restricted wing with the rattling of her thousands of spiny legs mounted on her thoraxes before she fluttered her wings lightly and went back to her work.

Rarity seemed a little off put by the Librarian though that might have been the Head Librarian's tentacles and wings, not all librarians had those, only Head Librarians.

Sweetiebelle ran off to find her other sister and the rest of them got to work.

“I've got something here about a Gorgon's gaze. It's stone instead of wood but the effect seems much the same.”Spike called.

“Put it on pile B.” Twilight chimed up her eyes darting through another tome.

“There's a variation of a necromantic spell that had 'flesh become water and wood become bone'.” Rarity called out.

“Odd, but it had a wood transformation? That might be useful in late stages, pile D.” Twilight pointed out.

“Found four variations of swamp fever but none have the same symptoms listed and the one that is closest doesn't have anything we already don't know.” Cheerilee growled.

“Put the last one on pile A and the others in the discard pile.” Twilight stated.

“I've got something. There's a tale in this Zebra historical tome about what they called a Cypress Infection where the victim would sprout woody growths and eventually turn into a tree. It says the infection wiped out whole tribes before it was stopped by a mysterious masked figure who brought and distributed a cure before vanishing again once the disease was eradicated.” Pinkie Pie slapped a book down. “The only name given was Mystical Mask though, but there's a wood cut drawing.”

The group leaned over to look at the very strange looking image of what was a pony like figure though with stretched legs and body like most classical Zebra art, though the mask the figure wore was highly detailed.

“Not sure this helps.” Twilight frowned.

“Wait a moment darling.” Rarity chimed up , a shadow tendril digging through another pile and pulling out a book and flipping through it . “I've seen those patterns before that are on that mask. Look, here!”

Rarity turned the book around showing a picture on the page of a pony dressed up in robes wearing a wooden mask that was an almost exact match for the one in the zebra drawing.

“Mage Meadowbrook?” Twilight questioned, noting the title of the book was Ancient Healers. “ The Sorceress of the Hayseed Swamp.”

“There's a number of mentions of her in various works we've been through, but this is the first lead we have.” Cheerilee stated.

“There's a two thirty train to Flaxseed which is on the border of Hayseed Swamp, it's the earliest train we can get.” Pinkie Pie points out.

“Or we can commandeer an airship and be there in about an hour.” Spike pointed out.

“Right! Pinkie go grab Sweetiebelle.” Cheerilee stated. “ We need to move now!”

“We need to clean up this mess.” Spike grumbled.”

“NO TIME! My girls turning into a real birch and I'm not a Dendrophilliac.” Pinkie Pie shouted and took off with Cheerilee running after her.

“The Librarians are gonna be so pissed.” Spike sighed. “ Ugh Twilight, go. Rarity and I have this.”

Twilight frowned but darted off after the other two.

“Shouldn't we go after them?” Rarity asked.

“Trust me you don't want Librarians mad at you.” Spike shuddered.”Those pinchers hurt.”

[ Ponyville]

Saturnia looked up as Bees wandered past wearing a red and black tank top with a red and gold starburst symbol on the chest and a blonde wig.

She tilted her head considering a moment before letting out a sigh. “Okay Bees, what's with the outfit?”

“I'm plot relevant.” Bees chimed up.

“I was right, I regret asking.” Saturnia grumbled.

“Ahhh Ahhhhh!!” Bees proclaimed.

[ Much later]

Cattail and Twilight stared as Pinkie Pie harvested the honey while Cheerilee had gone full disproving Teacher glare and had cowed the Flash Bees into submission.

They had found Meadowbrook's house and a surviving relative. He had directed them to the journal and Meadowbrook's lab Twilight had found the recipe for the cure, but it required flash bee honey.

Flash bees were another strange creature of the wilds. The bees were fairly rare if only due to the fact their nests were often destroyed due to the threat they posed. Flash bees didn't sting but they did produce enough electricity to kill a full grown stallion with only a few hits. They were very aggressive and very territorial. Luckily they liked living in swamps and not many races lived in their range.

The Cheerilee had cowed them was something of a terrifying prospect.

Still with the honey they could cure those infected.

So this surprisingly had taken a good turn. She only hoped Rahs and the others were doing well in whatever assignment the table gave them.

She had probably just jinxed that group.

Oh well that was her brothers problem, serves him right for choosing Spike's cauliflower bites over her sweet potato muffins.

A Royal Theater Problem

Twilight Gets a Puppy
Season 7
By TDR

A Royal Theater Problem.

An odd group made their way through the city towards Canterlot Castle.

Tempest Shadow, formerly right hoof of the Storm King was on the receiving end of a large number of glares, some angry muttering, some 'rescued foals, and a great deal of doors slammed. In truth she was some what expecting this, while Ponyville was used to her and had very little of their lives impacted by her actions, Canterlot had been the target and clearly none of them were very forgiving.

Starlight Glimmer by extension had no known impact on Canterlot, but because she was walking down the street with Tempest Shadow she was getting the same looks, and unlike Tempest who bore it with her usual grace and indifference, Starlight couldn't help cringe at some of what she heard.

The third member of the group was the main reason the local populace hadn't formed a mob.

Rahs Sparkle was a well known figure at this point in Canterlot, perhaps not a widely worried about as his sister, but enough that no one was quite sure a angry mob wouldn't be turned into a flash mob somehow, and no one wanted to be stuck singing themselves a little horse as they tried to remember the lines of Rent.

Rahs had gotten a hold of the device that made the Grand Galloping Gala heart song all of once, and made it everyone's problem for three days when the prank war was happening.

No one wanted a repeat.

The fourth figure in the group mostly confused everyone given the teen was leading the group. Princess Sweetiebelle was a very recognizable figure and very well liked by the common folk who still made jokes at the expense of the nobles about her short rule.

The last thing that stopped a riot mob was the cluster of Royal Guard that were around them. One of whom was flicking his ears as he walked along side Rahs, who was doing much the same.

Tempest noticed it and had picked up enough Guard Cant to understand some of what was being said.

Rahs had asked about any problems and the guard had responded with a mention of the Princesses were fighting... over a stallion?

[One walk through the streets later]

Sweetiebelle tilted her head at the argument going on.

On one hoof, she kinda understood Princess Celestia's point of view. She had met someone, they clicked and evidently there was a relationship thing building now.

On the other hoof she understood Big Sister Luna's aversion to her sister finding some stallion after what had happened LAST time her sister started dating. Sweetiebelle was pretty sure she wasn't supposed to know about how her nephew Sombra came about, but she listened and heard things people generally didn't want her to know.

Plus Rarity gossiped.

A lot.

On the other other Hoof, she didn't understand how anyone could be attracted to any one to fall for that sort of trickery. Sure she knew what romance and love was but she just didn't see the appeal of it. Both her mom and Rarity claimed she would get it someday, though Sweetiebelle didn't really care if she did. The whole thing seemed a waste of time that she could be playing or tormenting the nobles or trying to get her cutie mark.

Then again maybe she didn't really have any good frame of references for relationships.

Her parents were always on trips, Rarity and Sombra were constantly denying they were dating, but they had shared a tub of fudge ripple ice cream and Sweetiebelle knew that both of them would break any one in half who tried to eat any of their ice cream. Twilight was way too possessive of Big Mac, and Rahs was... well even she knew that was a fuster cluck.

Still going by the reactions of the others they were having a hard time figuring this out as well. Tempest looked confused, Starlight looked uncomfortable, Rahs looked, well he looked like he was taking notes about the drama this was causing.

Well clearly it would be up to her to fix this and get everyone to calm down.

“THERE SHE IS!!”

“What?!”Sweetiebelle asked as Pinkie Pie and Miss Cheerilee tore down the corridor flinging Guards and servants aside.

Rahs stepped to the side as Tempest shoved Starlight out of the way before the pair of mares trampled them. Sweetiebelle was snatched up and rushed away from the group by the pair as they screamed something about an airship.

“Well that happened.”

Tempest glanced at Rahs before shaking her head. She wasn't sure why the table sent her here, she had no experience with sibling problems being an only foal. Starlight seemed equally as lost.

Rahs was taking notes.

Because of course he was. The Moon Dog however still terrified her so she wouldn't bring up the complaint.

Still this is what they were supposed to solve so she was going to do so.

Even if it meant staring death in the face again if the Solar Goddess noticed her.

“Alright let me see if I get this right. You two are fighting because Princess Celestia has started dating a stallion, and the last time she did that resulted in Nightmare Moon?” Tempest asked loudly drawing the attention of both the angry Princesses at once.

Tempest made a mental note that she could probably throw Rahs at them and run away to live as a hermit somewhere in a jungle. She'd put her odds of survival at at least 30% from that plan.

“And Princess Celestia is mad because Princess Luna is making assumptions based on the past, and she has dated other stallions in the intervening years without any world altering events happening?” Tempest continued.

“Well there was the great Chicacolt fire of 187 that was rumored to be caused by the cow I was dating, literal cow, not calling O'Leary fat, but she was exonerated as there was no proof she started it.” Princess Celestia stated.

“You dated a cow?” Princess Luna demanded.

“Just once, I think she was one of King Kaz's second cousins. We met at a mixer. She was a bit dull though and the relationship didn't last that long.” Princess Celestia explained.

“Okay and how long have you known this stallion?” Starlight asked.

“About a week.” Princess Celestia offered.

“A week!?” Princess Luna snapped. “ You've already invited him to the palace after just a week!?”

“ Hey I'm not getting any younger.”

“Thou art not getting any older either!”

“But he is!”

“And that can be righted by a spell now if it turns out he is worthy of such!”

“Oh right I forgot about that!”

“Okay, Princess Luna are you upset that your sister is dating some one, or that she didn't warn you she was? I know you know about Sunset.”

“Feh.... Sunset's mother was a mare, as is her father to be fair, it is not the same.” Luna grumbled.

“Woof?”

“Exactly. Discord, Solomon, that Kefka fellow, that damnable blight on existence that was STEVE! My sisters taste in stallions has been, and always will be horrific!”

“Yeah, alright, I'll give you that in regards to Steve.” Princess Celestia grumbled.

“What did Steve do?” Starlight asked.

“NONE OF YOUR CONCERN!” Luna and Celestia shouted.

“Um, have you actually met him yet?” Tempest interrupted feeling she should have been more concerned about the name Kefka for some reason, “The new guy, not Steve.”

Luna paused a moment. “We have not.”

“Then maybe you can meet him and judge for yourself?” Tempest suggested.

BANG!

“Whoops.”

CRASH!

“Oh No!”

Crinkle.

“That's an odd noise.”

BOOM!

“Ahh more used to that.”

THUD!

“Ow.”

Starlight Glimmer, Tempest Shadow, Princess Luna, Rahs Sparkle, several Guards, and a grinning Princess Celestia watched the equine version of a tornado tear through the east gallery.

Rahs let out a long sigh threw his hands in the air and stomped off grumbling.

“That..... is your current paramour?” Princess Luna asked.

“It is.” Princess Celestia agreed.

“The one destroying priceless artworks of the past?” Tempest asked.

“It is.” Princess Celestia stated.

“I can understand why.” Starlight hummed. “Those are very unflattering deceptions of you Princess.”

“Yes well the turtle who painted or sculpted them called it his fat period.” Princess Celestia sighed. “I've been looking for an excuse to clear them out for a while.”

Princess Luna watched as the stallion in question, caught a vase that was falling and somehow destroyed the table, four paintings and a wall.

“Why?” Tempest asked.

“Do you have any idea how hard it is to find a stallion taller than me?” Princess Celestia asked.

“Fair enough.” Tempest nodded. ”Where did you even meet him?”

“At a rodeo I was asked to attend in Dodge junction. I almost didn't go but luckily one of my other duties was canceled for some reason. He is one of the star attractions at the show as the rodeo clown.”

“I can see it.” Starlight nodded.

“Fine, we retract our objection to him, but not our complaints about your taste in stallions. He is not to come any where near my room or the Foal's Art Hall, do you understand me Tia?” Princess Luna stated flatly at another crash as Troubleshoes tripped over a fallen painting and broke the vase he saved. “Now why did Rahs storm off grumbling about spiders?”

Cadence stood outside of Canterlot and glared at a tree. More accurately, the two beings that were on the tree.

One was a pony head sized star spider, the other was a much smaller peacock spider.

“As you can see Princess, sorry it is Empress now? At any rate, our powers do overlap in some regards.” Karma offered calmly to the clearly irate pink alicorn.

“Anything you can do we can do better.” Murphy chuckled.

“So should I take that as a challenge and ask you to foal sit?” Cadence demanded and Murphy shut up briefly. “Also I don't see how turning some ones life into Tartarus is the same as the match making I do.”

“The bad luck in his life is to balance out this point. A lot of factors had to balance out for him to be at the point where Celestia would see him and fall for him. And in order to be at that point he had to have a great deal of bad luck before he could suddenly have a stroke of luck such as that. It is a bit cruel perhaps, but the end result justified the means to get there.” Karma stated. “Such bad luck and now.... well both he and Celestia will have a enjoyable time of it.”

“If they click well enough he's going to get immortality out of the deal too as she keeps him around. “ Murphy added in. “Seriously if we hadn't balanced the bad properly the backlash would have been too much when it swung the other way.”

“Also terrible would have noticed and been very cross with us.” Karma added.

“Yeah that girl can bitch like no ones business. And a 400 pound tarantula is not someone to ignore.”Murphy added.

“I still do not like it.” Cadence huffed.

“You're only mad cause you lost the bet.” Murphy chuckled.

Karma sighed as Cadence grumbled and gave a bag of bits to the star spider god.

“What the heck do you even need bits for anyway?” Cadence demanded .”You live in a forest.”

“Spider things.” Murphy offered.

“I did warn you it was unwise to bet against a fate. I was simply using this as a teaching example. Ah well.” Karma shrugged and vanished into a mass of webbing.

“Yeah, yeah, I got enough of that from Celestia.” Cadence huffed before glaring at Murphy. “ And YOU, stay away from my concubine! I've seen you drooling over her!”

“But she looks so sweet and tasty.” Murphy offered clicking his mandibles together.

“Oh she is.” Cadence purred.

“What? What are you... oh eeewww.” Murphy gagged.