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kathyprior4200 · 4 years

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My Little Hazbins: Redemption is Magic!

Art by CHLane123

DEDICATED TO MAGICTRIX COSPLAY AND BLACK GRYPH0N

In Tartarus, the black alicorn Archangels sent by Princess Celestia had finished imprisoning several demon ponies and monsters. Those unfortunate enough to be imprisoned would be sitting around in cages day after day, with no hope of escape. Tartarus was filled with dragons, manticores, hydras, shadow ponies, and a wide array of villains. The three-headed dog Cerberus guarded the entrance. The only view of the outside world was the occasional glimpse of the sky and Ponyville when the heavy doors of Tartarus opened and closed.

One pony princess walked sadly on a balcony of the Trottin’ Hotel. Her name was Charlie Mane, the pony princess of Tartarus. Her coat was white and she had red blushes on her cheeks. Her mane of hair was long, curly, and blonde, as was her tail. The front part of her was covered by a pink tuxedo suit with a black bow tie. Using her white unicorn horn, she sent bursts of fireworks into the darkness, which seemed to wake up the other demonic ponies and monsters down below. On her flank was her cutie mark, a red apple in a heart shape with a pentagram in the center.

Tears flowing down her eyes, she began to sing out loud:

“At the end of the rainbow, there’s happiness

And to find it, how often I’ve tried

But my life is a race

Just a wild horse chase

And my dreams have all been denied”

“A ray of hope in this world of black

I wish the world to be free of sin

But no matter hard I try

I can’t get by

I never seem to win”

“Why have I always been a failure?

What can the reason be?

I wonder if the world’s to blame

I wonder if it could be me”

“I’m always chasing rainbows

Watching Cloudsdale drifting by

My schemes are just like all my dreams

Ending in the sky”

“Some ponies look and find the sunshine

I always look and find the rain

Some ponies make a winning sometimes

I never even make the game

Believe me”

“Will this world be a better place?

Or will loss never go away?

The choices I face, me, a disgrace

Loss of hope here to stay”

“I’m always chasing rainbows

Watching clouds drifting by

My schemes are just like my dreams

Ending in the sky”

“I’m always chasing rainbows

Waiting to find Rainbow Dash and friends

In vain.”

Not too far away from Charlie’s location, a slender female pony wearing a black dress, opened up red curtains and watched the fireworks in the sky. Toward the back was a slender black pony wearing a black top hat with a skull on it. His face was stormy gray and his two large eyes were yellow. He casually sipped from a red goblet, using his hoof. Behind him was a shadowy figure of a tall cyclops pony…and the white alicorn Lucifer sitting on a chair, holding his cane.

At Valentino’s Porn Studios, a demon unicorn pony named Vox posed for a selfie, his cutie mark a TV, his head dark blue with a small black top hat. He wore a large red bow-tie. A short earth pony with wild hair sat next to him, smiling and typing into her phone. Valentino, the owner, lounged in a chair, wearing heart-shaped glasses, a red robe and displaying sharp teeth. His coat was light blue-gray, his black mane slicked back. His cutie mark was a bag of money with a silhouette of a naked mare in a pose. He tapped his hoof impatiently as he glanced down at texts.

Valentino: Did you get my bits, Angie baby?

Angel Dust: I’m wittha John now. I don’t get why this needed to happen so soon after the imprisoning tho. Boss.

Valentino: Just do it. No sass. K sugar.

Angel Dust: Yes, Val.

Down below, a dark pony with a mane of hair proudly took a discarded weapon into her mouth and left to sell it on the black market. The harpoon weapon could stun any pony, leaving them open for imprisonment, or even death to the more sinister folk. An emotionless pony wearing a lab coat and red glasses, wrote on a clipboard, her pen in her mouth. Rosie, an Earth pony wearing a large fancy pink hat with pony skulls on it, crossed out Franklin’s name on the “Franklin and Rosie’s Emporium” sign. Rosie grinned as Franklin was mauled by dark hydras.

TURF WARS

The time on the grand clock read 5:07, and down below, the next patrol would occur in 365 days. A small blue pony fell down to the ground with a yell, a cloud of dust rising in the air. The pony had six dark blue hooves and large red eyes. He touched his face and body, clearly relieved.

“Oh, I’m alive. I’m alive!” he exclaimed.

Immediately, he was run over by a speeding car, exploding in a flash of blood.

The car stopped on a road, where a Jackpot Hotel and Casino stood in the background.

A tall, white demon pony hopped out of the car and rested his hoof on the top of the door. He slicked back the hair on his head with one of his pink gloved hooves. Being a pony with spider-like features, he had multiple hooves, six in total. He wore a black bow tie, tall stiletto boots, and a shirt with pink and white stripes. His large irises were pink, the sclera in his left eye dark instead of white. Pink dots resembling small eyes were lined up below his eyes. His right eye had black schlera, his left eye white, both with pink pupils. His tail was furry and white like his mane of hair. On his bare flank, a cutie mark of a heart and a bag of white slugs was displayed.

“Thanks for the fun time, hot stuff,” said the driver.

The white pony closed the door. “Yeah, yeah, listen. Keep this discreet, hear me? I can’t let it get out I’m offering my services to rando ponies on the street. It was a quick cash grab, ya got that?”

Travis, the dark black pony scoffed. He wore a black hat and both his eyes were red. One eye had black sclera. His fur coat was messy and his cutie mark was an owl with red eyes.

“Whatever you say, butt!” he mocked with a laugh.

The white pony cupped his face dramatically. “Ouch, ooh, such an insult!”

Travis stared nervously, a small heart in his left eye.

The white pony leaned in, showing a mouth full of fangs. “Let me know when you come up with something creative to call me, you sack of poorly packed horse spit!”

He poked Travis in the face with one hoof, and grabbed his collar by one of his other hooves.

“Tell the missus I said hi,” he added before giving Travis a quick kiss.

“Pack of poor…” Travis muttered, rolling up his window and speeding off. The car squealed and flipped over on its side in the air, falling with a loud crash.

The white pony glanced over at a nearby store. A sign advertising a casino with a pack of cards on the front read, “Casino: just a few wins away.” Beside an elevator, was a fridge with an upside down cross on the front. A vending machine with the word “drugs” on it in white letters, caught the pony’s attention. Giddy with excitement, he trotted over and glanced down at the options:

Coke

Bojack

McWeedies420

Squip

Hero-in

Krunchy Krokodil

Angel Dust

The pony pressed “Angel Dust” and a white sack of drugs fell to the bottom. With a greedy smile, he took it in his hoof. Coincidentally, Angel Dust was also his name.

With a yoink, a small gray pony snatched the bag from Angel’s hooves with his mouth.

“Hey!” Angel called angrily.

“Up yours, drag show!” he taunted, before being crushed to death by a boulder.

“Oh my god!” Angel cried in terror, racing to the scene.

But it wasn’t the fallen thief he was concerned about.

“My drugs! Damn it!” he cursed, picking up a piece of the sack.

Overhead were neon signs on top of buildings. One in yellow letters read “Begg Clop” and another one in teal: “I couldn’t think of a pun for our shop but we sell hard drugs!”

Angel turned around and spotted a flying metal aircraft, which was firing lasers at buildings. It looked like an industrial rocket ship made with gears and a steampunk style to it. A metal hook hung from the bottom of it. The lasers struck the buildings, which caused bright pink explosions to fill the air.

From inside the ship, a dark gray Pegasus stood high above over the controls, laughing manically. Down below, his deviled egg colt minions stood and watched. Each of them wore black top hats and pinstriped round clothing, and the scurried around on all fours. They were called Egg Colts.

The room had deep purple walls, cabinets for the minions and decorations of their leader along the wall.

The overlord was Sir. Stallionus. He wore a gray coat with yellow vertical stripes down the front. He wore a top hat with a moving pink eye and a grinning mouth of fangs. He sprouted a demonic grin of his own, his teeth sharp. His coat was dark gray and his cutie mark was a black snake. His gray wings opened up to reveal pink eyes against yellow skin flaps. His mane of hair and tail were long and black.

Up on the platform, he oriented two levers in his hooves, the control button in the center displaying a pentagram design.

“Those other cowardly sinners dare not hinder my territorial takeover! A wise decision. The power of my machines are unmatched! No pony else can compare to the likes of I!”

One egg minion with #23 on his back added, “Gee that was pretty swell boss!”

“Yeah!” another chimed in: #666.

“You really showed them what for!” called a third.

Another minion teasingly ran his hoof up the overlord’s back. “I like it when you shot them with your ray gun…”

Sir Stallionous punched a minion out the window and whirled around in anger. The other minions backed up. “I wish he’d shoot me with his ray gun,” a minion whispered, head lowered.

Sir Stallionous rolled his eyes at his masochist minions. He turned back to the controls and grinned. Pentagram circles revealed the areas he had taken over and the other territories ahead. “At this rate, I will seize control of the entire west side of Tartarus Town by day’s end!”

He laughed and bragged some more. “And nothing, not a single beast in this inferno of suffering, will be able to take back this empire from my constrictive grasp!”

As to prove his point, he grabbed a minion in his hoof and tightly squeezed him.

Another minion blew a noisemaker and then popped open a blue bottle of a brown drink. The overlord threw the minion across the room as the eggs celebrated down below.

“Tartarus will be mine,” he declared, “and everybody will know the name of Sir …”

“Edgelord!” yelled a voice.

“Pardon?!” Sir Stallionous shot back in shock. “Who said that?!”

He leaned in close to two of his minions, not pleased.

“What did you just say to me, you fried hay-eating chicken fetuses?!”

The minions shook in fear.

“Speak up!” he hissed.

“It wasn’t us, mister boss sir!” said a minion.

Just then, an object shot through the glass at the front, creating a small hole. A small pink bomb with a black horseshoe on the front, landed on the floor. Sir Stallionous observed it for a moment…the bomb looked like a cherry…which could only mean…

The bomb exploded, covering the room in sparkles and thick red smoke.

Sir Stallionous coughed and swiped some of the smoke away.

“You looking for a fight, old Equine?” a female voice challenged.

Sir Stallionous spotted his rival standing proud and casually catching another bomb in her hoof: Cherry Bomb.

She towered tall in pink high heel boots on her four hooves, ripped black jeans along her legs, a pink crop top with an x on the front. She also had white wings with black specks on them. She had a long strawberry blonde mane and tail, a single pink eye with an x that took up most of her white face…a grin of sharp teeth…it was her alright. Her cutie mark was a cherry.

“Why don’t you get that tinker toy horsespit off my turf before I smash it…” she declared before catching her bomb in her wing. A random barbell of metal crashed into the floor close to Cherri Bomb.

“…more.”

“Oh, you wanna go, missy?” Sir Stallionus retorted. He flicked his mane back before opening it. Well, I’m happy to oblige!”

He let out another evil laugh as his minions closed in, holding stun guns in their mouths, which crackled with yellow electricity.

But Cherri Bomb wasn’t scared. With graceful leaps, she avoided the blasts and threw down another bomb. She used the cover to escape, jumping down and swinging once from the anchor at the bottom of the flying craft. Landing gracefully on the ground, she continued her assault from below.

“Catch me if you can, pony boy!”

“Get her!” he bellowed through the red smoke, the eggs quickly running around in a frenzy.

The minions jumped to the ground after her, the overlord following suit. Cherri Bomb dodged a blast, grinned and picked up the minion egg in her mouth. She spun around and threw the minion straight into Sir Stallionous’ face. He threw the egg back at her, and she caught it with one hoof.

“Thanks for the gift!” she called out, before cracking the egg open with an evil grin. She placed a bomb into it, then threw it back at him...straight to his face. Sir Stallionous could only make a face of surprise before the egg blew up in pink smoke.

“Why you little…”

Cherri Bomb ducked as another egg pony sailed over her head.

Just then, a familiar white pony stomped on an egg minion and threw a grenade in the distance.

“Angel Dust!” called Cherri Bomb, happy to have her partner in crime arrive.

“Great to see you too, sweetie!” he teased.

Another pink explosion filled the air as the fight continued.

“Hey, thanks for the backup, Angie!” Cherri Bomb said as she fired a flaming red arrow with a large gun over toward Sir Stallionous.

Angel Dust laughed, leaning against volcanic rock as cover. He threw a grenade over his head with a hoof.

“You kiddin’? This is the best action I’ve seen in ages!”

A pink explosion rocked the streets.

“Where have you been anyway?” she asked. “I thought you up and gone away or some spit.”

“I wish,” he remarked as he lit another fuse and handed the bomb to his ally. She threw it forward, then ducked behind the rock next to Angel.

Angel continued, “I’ve been staying at this crappy hotel on the other side of town. Some boards are lettin’ me stay rent-free if I play nice.” They covered their ears.

A column of green smoke rose into the air with a fiery whoosh. The duo leaped over the rock and charged at the army of egg minions on all fours. Using four hooves, Angel Dust fired rapidly from a gun at the minions, making some of them explode.

He sighed, and used one of his hooves to gesture. “Y’know, no fights, no pranks, no “problematic language.” Her words, not mine.”

He tripped an unsuspecting minion, sending him into the air and exploding in a yellow yok mess. He waved a spiked club and continued firing his gun.

“These naysayers are no fun!” Angel complained in frustration. Splatters of yok landed on his head and face. “I’ve been clean for two weeks!”

“Holy spit!” Cherri Bomb yelled after avoiding a green explosion and leaping into the air.

Angel scooped up yok with his hoof. “Well, sorta clean.” He smashed apart another egg minion with his club. “As clean as you can get with a spitload of powder shipped down from Las Pegasus.”

Angel’s shadowy silhouette displayed sharp fangs, and pony ears as Cherri posed in the background, one of her boots missing. A sign read “50% off meth” above a small super market.

A black chain wrapped tightly around Angel’s waist sending him flying backwards. Cherri Bomb gasped as her ally was pulled away. Sir Stallionous threw the chained Angel Dust hard onto the ground a distance away. He landed with a thud against volcanic rock.

“Oh, harder daddy!” Angel teased with a wide smirk.

Sir Stallionous gasped, eyes tearing up. “Son?!”

Angel Dust stared blankly, one eye raised, a look of disbelief on his face.

Cherri Bomb rushed into action, landing a sharp kick to Sir Stallionous’ back. The villain landed on the ground, then neighed threateningly.

“You bores have no class!” he exclaimed. “In war, the side remembered is the side with the most…style.” He straightened his black bowtie with a spring.

Cherri Bomb broke open an egg and smashed the robotic egg pony on the ground. Angel stood up, freeing himself from the chains.

“Or the side that ain’t dead,” she added.

“Speaking of style, is your hat like, alive or something’?

Sir Stallionous huffed. “Oh, well, that’s none of your goddamn business, now is it?”

Angel continued, “Would that make your hat the top and you the bottom?”

He and Cherri burst into laughter. Even a pink “loser” sign pointed at the oblivious villain. “Ooooh,” said a minion near him. “One hellish burn.”

“I’m going to blow you to bits!” Sir Stallionous yelled, pointing at them with a dark hoof.

“Hmm! Kinky!” Angel teased.

An advertisement displaying a plate of, sausage, eggs and a tomato slice stood halfway buried in the ground. A glowing pink sign pointing down read “flank.” Another yellow sign read, “Clop here.”

“I’m not like that! Pervert!” yelled the villain. Cherri Bomb and Angel Dust held in laughter.

Angel suddenly pushed Cherri Bomb out of the way, as an egg pony shot tendrils of claws from behind them. The claws had eyes in the center and grabbed onto Angel’s four hooves. He struggled to free himself, the cords stretching.

Sir Stallionous chuckled. “Not so cocky now, are we?”

“Y’know, you really need to watch what’s coming out of your mouth,” Angel remarked. “Cocky…cumming, you get it?”

The villain didn’t respond.

Angel sighed. “I’ve been making these sex jokes the whole time!”

A drill poked out from the ground, Angel avoiding it. A minion held a drill in his small hooves at Angel. Two extra hooves popped out from Angel’s body, holding his rifle.

“And it’s obvious you ain’t catching on.”

He cocked his gun. “I mean, it’s just sad!”

He jumped into the air, freeing himself and firing the gun. The laser hit Sir Stallionous, and his gray top hat fell off.

Cherri Bomb popped up next to Angel. “So, think you’re gonna get into a lot of trouble for this?”

“Eh, what’s one little brawl gonna cause?” He shrugged and retracted his extra hooves. Sir Stallionus lay fuming on the ground.

More egg minions scrambled over to the edge of a high cliff, overlooking the scene. Egg shells, wires, and yok puddles littered the cracked street.

Cherri Bomb playfully elbowed Angel. “Glad ya haven’t changed. You know you’re my favorite guy to party with!”

“You know it, sugar bits,” Angel replied.

“You ready to finish this?” she asked. She rolled a bomb from one of her wings to her other wing and back into her mouth.

Angel cocked his gun again. “Born ready, baby!”

The duo charged at Sir Stallionous. Everyone yelled. More egg minions fell and Sir Stallionous realized he was running out fast.

After several more minutes of battle, Sir Stallionus and his remaining minions retreated back to his ship. “This isn’t over, naysayers!” he declared at his enemies. “I’ll have my revenge!” The ship hatch closed. The egg minions steered the ship and it rose into the air, almost sending the overlord flying out of the craft. He tossed out more minions in response before taking the controls and flying the craft away.

Angel and Cherri Bomb bro-hoofed with their hooves.

“See you around,” she said.

“Until the next brawl,” said Angel.

Cherri Bomb waved goodbye and blasted music from an Eye Pod (a device made from an actual moving eye. “Hello, daddy. Hello mom. I’m your ch-ch-ch-cherry bomb! Hello world! I’m your wild filly. I’m your ch-ch-ch-cherry bomb!” she sang out loud. Angel Dust laughed and continued on his way.

After buying some more amino and pot from the 666 Shop, Angel met with Charlie and Vaggie in a white carriage drawn by red bat ponies. A great day indeed for the promiscuous pony.

The Trottin’ Hotel Interview

Transcript during the 666 News:

“BREAKING NEWS: A LARGE SCALE TURF WAR IS UNDERWAY IN TARTARUS TOWN BETWEEN SIR STALLIONOUS AND CHERRI BOMB. THE SURROUNDING AREAS ARE COVERED IN DEBRIS, SO PLEASE AVOID DOWNTOWN ON YOUR COMMUTE TODAY. TRAFFIC IS “HELLA” BACKED UP. GET IT? “HELL” BUT WITH AN “A” AT THE END? THAT’S A WORD YOUNGER PEOPLE SEEM TO ENJOY USING. I DON’T REALLY LIKE IT, THOUGH. I WROTE IT BECAUSE IT SEEMED LIKE THE NATURAL KIND OF PUN TO MAKE FOR THIS SITUATION, BUT NOW THAT I SEE IT IN TEXT, I FEEL LIKE IT WAS A MISTAKE, A MISTAKE I CAN’T TAKE BACK…LIKE CHEATING ON MY WIFE. I’M SO SORRY, MARTHA. I SHOULDN’T HAVE DONE IT, BUT YOU DID GAIN A LOT OF WEIGHT AFTER THE FILLY AND I REALLY NEEDED SOME SPACE. YOU KNOW, WHAT? NO, THAT WAS A GOOD CALL. I BUCKED THE CLEANING MARE, AND THAT WAS A PRETTY NICE TIME, EVEN THOUGH SHE LAUGHED AT ME WHEN I TOLD HER I COULDN’T GET OFF UNLESS SHE LICKED MY HOOF FIRST. I DON’T SEE HOW THAT’S A WEIRD REQUEST. MAYBE IF I’D JUST GET A HOOKER, SHE WOULD’VE BEEN MORE AGREEABLE. THE POINT IS, MY WIFE IS A FUCKING SNITCH. ONE TIME, WE WENT TO THE ZOO AND I GOT REALLY MAD BECAUSE I THOUGHT THE ORANGUTAN WAS MAKING FUN OF ME. HE KEPT DOING THAT STUPID DUCK LIP FACE? THEIR LIPS ALL PUCKERED? THEN IT STARTED SCREAMING, AND THAT REALLY PISSED ME OFF. MY WIFE TOLD ME IT WAS JUST A MONKEY, AND TO “CALM DOWN.”

A neon logo appeared on the screen, displaying “666 News” in a circle with a neon eye underneath. The names of the news cast appeared on the bottom of the screen.

A skeletal mare with short blonde hair and a large toothy grin was wearing a pink dress and a pearl necklace. Sitting at the other chair, dressed in a blue business suit was a pony with a gray gas mask for his face along with short white hair. They were live on the air.

“Good afternoon every pony!” said the mare. “I’m Katie Killjoy.”

“And I’m Tom Trench,” said the stallion. “Chaos at Tartarus Town today as a turf war is raging on the west side between notable king Sir Stallinous and self-proclaimed spunky powerhouse Cherri Bomb!”

Two pictures surrounded by flame borders showed Sir Stallionus wearing a yellow “music band” shirt, and wearing his top hat as a baseball cap with a dopey expression on his face. The other picture showed Cherri Bomb standing under glittering spotlights.

“That’s right Tom!” Katie added. “After the recent imprisoning, many areas are now up for grabs! Creatures all over Tartarus are already duking it out to gain new territory!”

The clips showed Sir Stallinous fighting Cherri Bomb with his egg minions. Hydras fought manticores, minotaurs, and ogres growled at each other.

“Those two seem to really be going at it, huh? Looks like they’re fighting tooth and nail for that hot spot!” Katie popped a tooth and a nail into her mouth.

“And I’d sure like to nail her hot spot!” Tom Trench said with a chuckle.

Katie giggled forcefully. “You are a limp prick jackass, Tom. Or should I say…”

Adding insult and injury, she poured her hot coffee over his crotch…

“No wiener havor.”

“Augh! Not again!” he groaned.

Another picture surrounded by a border of flames displayed Charlie with the letters “Princess of Tartarus” next to it.

Katie continued. “Coming up next, we have an exclusive interview with the daughter of Tartarus’ own head honcho, who’s here to discuss her brand new passion-project!”

Tom Trench winced in pain on the desk.

“All that and more after the break!”

She broke her mug in her hoof, and turned to Tom Trench. “Suck it up you little bi…”

The TV went off air, displaying Katie’s mouth, pointed ears and eyes, colored bars and “off air” with a pentagram in the “O”.

Inside the break room, Vaggie adjusted Charlie’s black bowtie with her hoof. Nearby, a red tinted sign said that smoking was, indeed, allowed. Another sign read “on air,” in large letters. Vaggie was a light gray pony, who wore stripped leggings over her hooves, a white crop top on her front half and a pink x over her left eye. Her mane and tail was long and white, looking like the wings of a moth. Her cutie mark was two harpoons in a cross shape.

“Okay, you remember what to say?” Vaggie asked.

Charlie took a deep breath, enthusiasm in her voice. “Yes! Let’s do this!”

Vaggie put a comforting hoof on her shoulder. She signaled with her hoof for her to pay attention. “Just, look at me and I’ll mouth it to you.”

Charlie sighed. “Come on, Vaggie! I know what to say!”

She walked on all fours over to the pitcher of red punch. “I just feel like we need to…I don’t know, make things sound more exciting…”

She tossed a donut aside before gasping.

“Oh! What if I…”

“Sing a song about it?” Vaggie finished.

“You knew I was gonna say that.” She gently touched her friend’s nose with her own.

Vaggie adjusted Charlie’s bowtie again with her mouth. “Because I know you. But please don’t sing. This is serious.”

Charlie stomped her white hoof and briefly winked. “Well, you know, I’m better at expressing myself through song!” She stood on the table and arched her hoof dramatically. Down below, Charlie’s doll Pegasus ponies Razzle and Dazzle chewed on donuts.

“But life isn’t a musical, hon,” Vaggie reminded her.

“Fine,” Charlie said with a slump. Then she brightened again.

“But I do have these other ideas of what to say.”

She got off the table and, using her magic, pulled out a piece of paper, hopping excitedly. The paper hovered in the air by pink sparkly magic. “The highlighted bits are my favorite parts!”

Vaggie took the paper and scanned it in disbelief. “Uh, it’s all highlighted. Is this a drawing?”

“Yes!” Charlie answered. She pointed to her picture. It showed a list that read: “4, unicorn kisses,” “5, dolphin high-fives?” and “6, sing show tunes = happy ending!” She drew stick figures of ponies and monsters standing on clouds under a rainbow with a sun and red hearts with faces on them. A castle was also in the background.

“That’s the happy ending, see? Everyone’s smiling and happy in Canterlot and Ponyville!”

“I don’t think it’s that simple,” Vaggie stated. She then begged her: “Just please follow the talking points we went over.”

She pulled Charlie close and stared her directly in the eyes. “And do. Not. Sing.”

Charlie sighed exasperatedly. “Fine.” Then she trotted over and spoke in an accent. “I’ll just have to resort to my impeccable improve skills.” She gave a salute, several moves of her head and went outside.

Vaggie somehow knew that this would not be going well.

Charlie walked over to Katie Killjoy, who posed in her red dress, smoking a cigarette.

“Hi! I’m Charlie Mane.”

She waved and held out her hoof.

“Katie Killjoy,” the mare deadpanned before blowing out smoke and snapping her cigarette. “I’d say it’s a pleasure to meet you, but that would be a lie. You can put that away,” she regarded Charlie’s hoof. “I don’t touch the gays. I have standards.”

“Yeah?” Charlie asked nervously, looking at a big flashing sign that read “Tartarus’ #1 News!” “How’s uh…how’s that working for ya?”

“Look, my time is money, so I’ll keep this short,” Katie cut in. She invasively tapped Charlie’s chest and nose with her hoof. “We’re not here because we wanted you here. You’re here because Jeffry couldn’t make it for his cannibal cooking segment.”

Katie mentioned to a billboard that showed a tall stallion with glasses, short blonde hair with a white chef’s hat, a red apron, red suit, red horns, and a red devil’s tail. He held a platter of rotten hay and a horse head in his hands. Above it read “It’s Dahn Good! Cooking show: Guarantee Cannibalicious!” “Who approved this show?” was written on a sticky note tapped to the corner of the advertisement. Tom Trench shook his head in his seat.

Katie fluffed her blonde mane, swayed her flank, and continued: “You might be some royal bigshot, but that doesn’t mean spit to me. I’m too rich and too influential to give a flying buck about what some tux-wearing pony “princess” wants to advertise.”

“But I…” Charlie began.

“So don’t get cute with me, honey,” she warned, getting into Charlie’s face, “Or I will bucking bury you!”

“And we’re live!” said a voice.

Katie rushed back into her seat with a bony crack of her neck.

“Welcome back!”

Charlie sat in a chair next to her.

“So, Charlotte…”

“It’s Charlie,” she squeaked.

“Whatever,” Katie dismissed. She took a frustrated breath and clicked her red pen in her hoof. “Tell us about this new passion project you’ve been insistently pestering our news station about!”

“Well…” Charlie cleared her throat. She looked nervously at the monstrous crew in front of her. Vaggie encouraged her to go on.

Charlie took a deep breath.

“As most of you know, I was born here in Tartarus, and growing up, I’ve always tried to see the good in everything around me.”

Katie clicked her pen impatiently. She spotted a green caterpillar and stabbed it with her pen with a predatory grin. Ink splattered on Charlie’s face and around the area.

Charlie continued, wiping off the dark pink ink from her face: “Tartarus is my home and you are my subjects. We…”

Vaggie waved with a smile.

“…we just went through another imprisoning. We lost so many souls, and it breaks my heart to see my subjects being locked up every year. And no one is even given a chance!”

Charlie banged her hoof on the desk, waking Katie from a bored drooling daze.

Charlie made her way forward. “I can’t stand idly by while the place I live is subjected to such violence and punishment! So, I’ve been thinking. Isn’t there a more humane way to hinder overpopulation and crime here in Tartarus? Perhaps we can create an alternative way to change souls through…redemption?”

Charlie pulled a buff red pony into a side hug. “Well, I think yes. So that’s what this project aims to achieve!” She ran back to the desk.

“Fillies and gentlecolts, I’m opening the first of its kind! A hotel that rehabilitates sinners!”

The audience stared in stunned silence.

A bloodstained logo “Radio Hack” was displayed above a window which provided a stack of dozens of TVs inside.

In a bar, dark demon ponies wearing cowboy hats were playing pool, not even paying attention. The lead stallion wore a cloth over his grinning face and had a large barrel gun for an arm. His colt friend looked like a demonic bug, and another looked like a mustached villain from an old film. Meanwhile in a bar, purple and blue dragon-like ponies sat and drank while casually watching the TVs overhead.

Charlie stuttered, “Ya know…’Cause hotels are for every pony passing through…temporarily…”

A tattooed dark blue stallion demon stood up and let out a loud laugh.

“Is this filly for real? She thinks, you hear what she thinks? She…heh, heh, heh, oh she’s nuts.” The pony walked away with a small lavender creature and a tall maroon horse wearing punk rock clothing and crazy neon hair.

Charlie added, “I figure it would serve a purpose…a place work toward redemption!”

She weakly added in a Fluttershy voice, “Yay.”

One pony leaped away as a tall shadowy figure stood in the background…

The figure stood right next to a ratted flier which read “Beware him! Do not fuck with him!” “The Radio Pony” was scrawled in white on ponies screaming and fleeing from a monster with antlers overhead. A nearby flier read, “Discord vs the Radio Pony, tonight at 7!”

The stallion smiled and tilted his head a notch as he watched the TV with curiosity and amusement. His shadow pony next to him briefly morphed into a shadowy face with antlers on top. He spotted the fliers out of the corner of his red eyes, holding in a laugh.

“Who, me? ‘Obviously’ not! I’d never put on a show and make other ponies flee to their graves.”

Just the thought of it got him excited.

He had heard of the pony princess before, but he wasn’t expecting her to appear on TV. He certainly never heard of an idea so crazy before. Getting ponies and creatures out of Tartarus and redeeming them was even less likely than making pigs fly (which was one magic trick he could do on occasion).

When Charlie started to sing, the red eyed pony couldn’t help but tap his cloven hooves and silently hum along.

Befriending the princess, and doing something different seemed like a good idea. He glanced over at a faraway hotel building.

He knew where he would go next.

Back at the news station, a camera pony with blue hair and a white face looked up and scoffed, “Stupid bitch.”

Vaggie punched him hard in the face in response, causing him to fall off the chair to the ground.

Charlie stared around her, concerned. “Look, every single one of you has something good deep down inside. I know you do.”

A light bulb went off into her head. “Maybe I’m not getting through to you…”

Vaggie hoof palmed, knowing what was coming next. “Oh no…”

Charlie stomped her hoof and her bodyguard ponies appeared. One sat and began to play a grand piano.

Summoning the Disney princess within her, Charlie belted out her song:

“I have a dream

I’m here to tell

About a wonderful, fantastic new hotel

In Tartarus as well

It will all be well

Catering to a specific clientele”

Razzle and Dazzle howled along…

The tempo rapidly picked up…

“Inside of every pony is a rainbow

Inside every sinner is a citizen, bright and silly

Inside of every creepy hatchet-wielding maniac

Is a jolly, happy cupcake-loving colt or filly”

“We can turn around

They’ll be Equestria-bound!

With just a little time

Down at the Trottin’ Hotel!”

“So all you junkies, freaks and weirdos

Creepers, fuck-ups, crooks, and zeroes

And the fallen superheroes, help is here!

All of you cretins, sluts and losers

Sexual deviants and boozers

And prescription drug abusers

Need not fear

Forever again

We’ll cure your sin

We’ll make you well

You’ll feel so swell

In Tartarus here, at the Trottin’ Hotel!”

“There’ll be no more cages

And no more evil schemes

Just puppy dog kisses, and cotton candy dreams

And puffy-wuffy clouds

You’re gonna be like, wow!

Once you check in with me!”

“So all your cartoon porn addictions

Vegan rants, psychic predictions

Ancient Roman crucifixions

End right here!”

“All you monsters, thieves and bears

Cannibals and crying mares

Frothing mouthers full of scares

Fill with cheer!”

“You’ll be complete!

It’ll be so neat!

Our service can’t be beat!

You’ll be on easy street! (Yes!)

Life will be sweet at the Trottin’ Hotel!

Yeah!”

Throughout the song, Charlie imagined giving a shiny cupcake to a masked killer, holding cotton candy and a brown puppy in her hooves in the clouds…avoiding the attacks of every horror movie serial killer… (Music Logic)

She pictured throwing drugs into a bin of fire, giving shots to monsters, giving money to charity, disturbing porn additions with a bra…

Snatching a “My waifu” porn mag of out a stallion’s hooves…

Knocking over crosses…

Avoiding a scary spider pony with yellow bat wings and pink eyes all over his body…

Giving ponies big hugs…

Charlie emerging in her horned demon form from a flaming pentagram, her horn lighting up in pink, and jumping with joy in a land full of candy, rainbows, and ice cream.

Charlie finished with a pose on the table, front hooves in the air and panted.

The top hat pony smiled. “Wow! That was…shit!”

The crowd burst into rancorous laughter and boos, including a blue pony made of fire in the boo section. Katie shrieked and banged her hoof on the table.

“What in the River Styx makes you think a single denizen of Tartarus would give two shits about becoming a better denizen? You have no proof that this little experiment even works! You want ponies and monsters to be good just…because?”

Charlie lifted up her head. “Well, we have a patron already who believes in our cause, and he’s shown incredible progress!”

“Oh?” Katie asked, leaning in, “…and who might that be?”

“Oh just someone named…Angel Dust.”

“The porn star?” asked Tom Trench in disbelief. He subconsciously unzipped his zipper and Katie whirled on him; “You fucking would, Tom!” Her hooves left dent son the desk.

Katie turned back to Charlie. “In any case, that’s not even an accomplishment. I’m sure you can get that hooker to do anything with enough booger sugar and lube.”

Someone wolf-whistled in the audience.

“Oh, I beg to differ,” Charlie argued, holding up her hoof. “He’s been behaved, clean, and out of trouble for two weeks now.”

“Breaking news!” announced a voice as music came on. Excited, Katie pushed Charlie aside. “We are receiving word that a new player has entered the ongoing turf war! Let’s go to the live feed!”

To Charlie’s sheer horror, Angel Dust was seen on screen, crushing egg shells and fighting with Cherri Bomb.

“Oh spit,” she breathed.

“Oh spit indeed!” exclaimed Katie with a grin. “It looks like the one who has just joined the battle is none other than…”

She let out a dramatic gasp…”porn actor Angel Dust! What a juicy coincidence!”

The screen showed Angel Dust with the words “Angel Dust in ‘Well, Ok’: 18+.”

Satisfied, she turned back to Charlie. “You must feel really stupid right now.” Katie and Tom laughed again.

“Ratings!” Katie and Tom added with jazz hooves.

“Don’t look at this!” Charlie called, waving her hooves in vain from behind the screen.

“Well, it sure looks like your little project is dead on arrival. Tell us, how does it feel to be such a total failure?”

Failure. Failure…Charlie could see her doubt reflected in Katie’s pink eyes and overbearing shadowy figure. Katie and everyone laughed and neighed some more, their jeers painful to Charlie’s ears.

“Yeah?” Charlie asked. She snatched up Katie’s red pen with her horn. The pen hovered in the air with pink magic surrounding it. “Well, how does it feel that I got your pen, huh? Snitch!”

Katie glared dangerously. Charlie dropped the pen with a nervous smile, “Oops.”

Katie grew taller, her form turning to shadow. Out sprouted claws, four extra sharp appendages, and four red eyes on her face like a spider. She launched herself at Charlie, hooves raised. Charlie pulled her hair with her mouth and landed punches as the alarm went off in the news room. Katie crawled on the desk on all fours, baring her fangs before Charlie jumped at her and knocked her off the table. Tom Trench got so distressed that his entire body burst into flames.

Charlie ran out of the news room, Katie following her close behind, as everyone yelled.

“And stay out, you retarded spike!” Katie cussed as Charlie made a run for it down the sidewalk on all fours. Charlie was tempted to strangle the homophobic, news diva with her bare hooves…but that would only contradict her goal…if she even had one anymore.

Vaggie followed her and the two of them didn’t say a word as they waited for their ride. Soon enough, a carriage drawn by red bat horses rolled to the curb. Vaggie and Charlie hopped in…and so did an ecstatic Angel Dust. The doors closed and they drove off toward the Trottin’ Hotel.

Car Ride to the Hotel

Charlie had never felt so humiliated in her life. She sat in her seat and curled into herself. Once again, her ideas were dismissed, mocked, ridiculed. No one was willing to see the good in themselves. The ponies and creatures were content to wallow in suffering, violence, and cruelty until the end of their lives. They would be locked up forever, unable to enjoy life on the surface. They’d never know what friendship was. Tears were already threatening to spill from her yellow eyes, but she held them in.

Maybe her father was right. What if she really was a failure, like every pony said?

As if reading her mind, Vaggie gave her a small hug next to her. “You’re not a failure, Charlie. It’s just…no one understands your ideas. The denizens think they’re…I don’t know…outlandish?”

She got a sad sigh from Charlie in response. “I just wanted to make things better for my kingdom. I know I don’t feel much like a princess, but at the same time…I feel like it’s my duty…my destiny to being some cheer to this place.”

“Heh. No one can ever top your optimism,” Vaggie mentioned, with a playful roll of her eyes. “Your happiness can be spotted miles away.”

A small smile formed on Charlie’s face. “Well, at least I can pull myself up and keep going…”

Vaggie stared, hopeful…

“…But today isn’t one of those days.”

Vaggie slumped slightly. “I did warn you not to sing.”

“I couldn’t help it,” she countered. “How else was I supposed to get my message across?”

“Not everyone likes singing and music all the time.”

“My family does.”

“But the other ponies and creatures aren’t your family.”

Charlie stared out the window at the buildings whizzing by. “Sometimes I feel like my family is bigger than just my parents.” She turned to look at her girlfriend. “You’re my best friend, sorta like my older sister…and the only one who seems to get me. You’re part of my family already.”

Vaggie chuckled softly. “Without me, you wouldn’t have lasted very long out in the big world.”

“For once, I agree with you there,” Charlie replied. “I sure would love to meet Princess Twilight and Princess Celestia and so many others…”

During several minutes of silence, the two mares locked hooves just out of sight. It was their habitual way of showing comfort, and it worked on the many days when Vaggie didn’t want any hugs. The carriage bumped over potholes along the road.

“Don’t get too discouraged,” Vaggie said. “We’ll get back to the hotel and figure things out from there.”

“I kinda feel like singing another lament now.”

“Please don’t.”

“Fine.”

The carriage wobbled past the 666 Shop, Cozy Glow Fashion Show, the Nightmare Night Club (featuring Nightmare Moon eating other ponies who don’t worship her) the Changling Cave (Chrysalis’ makeover, hand over your soul and turn into one of us. Free green cocoons for customers!) and Tirek’s Donuts store, complete with slime and worms displayed on the donut structure. Pink eyes decorated the ceiling of the carriage’s interior. Charlie curled into herself again, and took a breath. Even the painted eyes on the small cloth ceiling seemed to judge her every move. She glanced over at Vaggie, whose eye was twitching in annoyance.

Angel Dust was busy blowing raspberries out the window. He froze when he saw an angry Vaggie staring at him.

“What?” he asked with a shrug.

“What? What?!” Vaggie shouted, pulling out chunks of her long white hair with her hooves. “What were you doing?!”

Angel sighed. “I owed my filly buddy a solid! Isn’t that a “redeeming quality?” Helping friends with stuff?”

“Not with turf wars that result in territorial genocide!”

“Eh, you win some, you lose a few hundred,” he said with a snicker. “It wasn’t that bad anyway.”

He blew raspberries again. Vaggie threw a dagger that nestled in the side of the wall. Angel stared, shocked and terrified. Vaggie growled in warning.

“Aw come on, I had to!” Angel protested. “My credibility was on the line!” He sighed. “I mean what kind of reputation would I have if every pony found out I was trying to go clean? It just throws out my entire persona.” He lifted up his furry chest.

“Your credibility?” Vaggie asked in anger. “What about the hotel? Your little stunt made us look like a bucking joke!”

“No, no no, babe. Jokes are funny! I made you look…uh, sad. And pathetic! Uh…oh with progeria!” Charlie covered her face with her mane as Angel blabbered on.

“Great! Now I’m bummed thinking about it! This thing have any liquor?” He bent down to the floor and tossed a bottle aside. He then flicked a wrapper away onto a wooden seat.

Vaggie was fuming. “Can you please just try to take this seriously?”

“Fine, I’ll try. Just don’t get your taco in a twist, baby.”

“Was that you trying to be sexist or racist?”

“Whatever pisses you off more. Is there seriously no liquor in here?”

“I’m gonna kill him,” Vaggie swore, flicking her tail and sitting back down.

“Too, late, toots.”

He laughed again. “Sorry, you’re stuck with me, bitch. Get used to it.”

Vaggie swore in Spanish.

“Listen, who cares if some jagoffs got hurt?” Angel nonchalantly asked. “Most of them are ugly freaks. Look around! Got a bunch of buckin’ harlequin babies down there.”

“You’re one to talk,” Vaggie muttered.

Angel laughed then yelled “Hey!” in protest. “This body is flawless! Everyone wants some of me and I’ve got the creepy fan letters to prove it!”

He pulled out a dirty scroll from his enlarged furry chest that read: “Show me your hooves! Bryrin. #1 fan/critic.” There was a picture of a young angel in the lap of a large gray Stallion, licking Angel with his green tongue. He had a tattoo of Angel with a red crossed out sign.

This time, Charlie spoke up. “That was really uncool, y’know, Angel.”

Vaggie growled and turned to her friend. “Uncool?!” She mentioned to Angel. “After that train-wreck, there is no way anyone is gonna wanna stay at the hotel. All thanks to you and your selfish horsespit!”

Angel glanced at a discarded pile of ash and used cigarettes. “Does this mean I don’t get a free room anymore?”

Vaggie spread out her hooves as if asking “Well, what do you think?”

He let out a mock sigh. “Ah, well, shucks.”

Charlie pulled off her dark pink shirt, revealing a white shirt with a black bowtie.

“Hey, come on, we don’t know if things are over yet. Try to relax, Vaggie. It’ll be okay!”

Now it was Vaggie’s turn to let out a small smile of thanks. Charlie placed a comforting hoof on her shoulder, and her friend calmed down.

“What would I do without you?” Vaggie asked. She and Charlie slowly leaned into each other, their heads gently touching.

“Get a room, fillies!” Angel remarked, before receiving a “Shut up!” from both of them.

Finally, the deviant crew arrived at the Trottin’ Hotel. It was an elegant building fit for any pony who wanted to stay a few nights. Eye designs lined the border of a dark pink canopy at the front like a creepy mosaic. Branches jutted out from the roof as part of the structure. Old fashioned lanterns attached to the wall had flames flickering inside, nonstop. The double doors consisted of stained glass windows with red apples in the center. Little stained glass snake eyes peered unblinkingly at them from around the larger window in the door.

Angel, Vaggie, and Charlie got out of the carriage and threw open the double doors. A random black bug scurried away from the incoming light. A yellow sign read “Concierge” behind a pink “welcome” banner. The check in table was decorated with colored flags leaning toward the floor and random balloons with small star shapes on them. A vase was decorated with yellow eyes along the sides. Another flower pot was in the shape of a horse mouth…white flowers posed above. Vaggie sighed and plopped onto a red cushioned couch in the style of a monster’s mouth.

The red rug down the hallway was decorated with the same eyeball designs, apples on the end, plus shadow skulls of horned monsters in the center.

All around the room, were pictures of Charlie as a little filly with her father and mother on various trips.

Angel Dust came across a red fridge leaning low against the wall. He opened the door and pulled out a purple box labeled “Popsies.” He shrugged at the dripping ruined box and took out a popsicle. He gave it a lick, talking with his mouth full.

“It’s prolly a good idea to get some actual food in this place. Y’know, to feed all the wayward prisoners ya got in here.” He laughed nervously, trying to cheer Charlie up. But Charlie just sat sadly on a wooden box in a darkened area of the room. Angel closed the fridge door, sucked on a popsicle and reached out one of his hooves to her…then hesitated. He walked away, letting her have some alone time.

Charlie walked past the two posing elephant statues balancing balls on their trunks, and toward the front door. She opened the door and went outside. She conjured up an old phone and dialed her mom’s number.

Charlie took a deep breath as a voicemail tone came through.

“Hey Mom. Um, I know I keep calling, and you must be busy. Really busy. But, um…the interview didn’t go well and…I don’t know if I’m going to make a difference. I don’t know what I’m doing. I could really use some advice, Mom.”

She slid down and sat on the stone ground, tears falling from her eyes. “I think Dad was right about me. A-anyway, I’ll stop talking before this gets long. Love you! Bye.”

She ended the call with a tap and rubbed her eyes with her hoof. Standing back up on all fours, she opened the door, closed it, and leaned against the stained glass window, eyes closed.

Enter Alastor (and Sir Stallionus)

A slow ominous knocking from outside interrupted Charlie’s thoughts. She opened her eyes. It was a rhythmic knock, sounding like “shave and a haircut.” (Or was it “skunks in a barnyard”, or “dragons in a cauldron?” She wasn’t sure.

From outside, Gabriel C. Brown’s voice sang a haunting song out of nowhere as jazz music played:

“I’m not a fan of puppeteers but I have a nagging fear

Someone else is pulling at the strings

Something terrible is going down

Through the entire town

Wreaking anarchy and all it brings…”

An ice cold feeling of dread spread through her veins. No pony else would ever do that kind of knock.

“I can’t sit idly, No I can’t move at all…”

Unless…

“I curse the name, the one behind it all…”

She tentatively reached out her hoof to the door handle, and quickly pulled it open.

Sure enough, the most feared pony in Tartarus was standing right outside her door.

He wore dark red dress pants, a red dress shirt along with a dark red pinstriped coat underneath. His shoes were black with red hoof prints on the sides. The two black lines in the center of his dress shirt looked like an upside down cross.

His coat was gray and his large eyes were red. He had a gray unicorn horn in between dark black antlers from his head. His mane and tail were black and red. A monocle attached to a chain was positioned under his right eye. His cutie mark was a microphone bearing a grin of sharp teeth. But his own grin of sharp yellow teeth was the most fearsome of all.

A vintage microphone staff appeared next to him in red aura, his horn glowing red.

Charlie’s face morphed into sheer terror, eyes wide as saucers.

“Alastor! You’re broadcasting on the air…”

Eyes glowing red, the stallion began to speak.

“Hell…”

She slammed the door in his face.

Opened the door…

“…o.”

Slammed it again.

“…and stealing all the souls, magic mayhem everywhere…”

Alastor stood, shocked in front of the stained glass door, smile still plastered on his face, hoof in the air.

“Well… that was…rude,” he thought. “Usually ponies and creatures are too sacred to answer when I come by. Or they rush to try and please me because they know I could slaughter them at any time. I’ll just wait here then…or maybe break this door down…”

“I’m fine with the smiles and the dancing around

But not with being bound

Now that Hell is being torn apart

A terrifying world of stress

Caused by your demonic mess

As you sing we’re never fully dressed!”

“Hey, Vaggie?” Charlie called.

“What?” Vaggie replied in annoyance.

Charlie flashed a nervous smile. “The Radio Pony is at the door!”

“What?!” she demanded.

“Uh, who?” Angel asked. He sucked erotically on his popsicle.

“What should I do?” she asked, pulling at her lower eyelids.

“Well, don’t let him in!” said Vaggie.

The strange singing continued.

“Alastor! Whatever did we do

To make you take our world away?”

Alastor! Are we your prey alone?

Or are we just a stepping stone for taking back the throne?

Alastor! We won’t take it anymore

So take your tyranny away!”

Charlie was tempted to do just that. But she also had a duty to not leave any sinners behind. She took a breath and opened the door again.

“May I speak now?” the stallion asked. The song appeared to be coming from his microphone staff.

“You may…” Charlie replied.

The man held out his gray hoof. “Alastor, pleasure to be meeting you, sweetheart, quite a pleasure.”

He eagerly grabbed her white hoof and leaned his face close to hers before strutting inside. Charlie stood, dumbfounded, her hoof still out. The music stopped playing.

“Excuse my sudden visit,” he went on, “but I saw your fiasco on a picture show and I just couldn’t resist. What a performance! Why I haven’t been that entertained since the Siren sisters sang their songs of doom!”

He bobbed his head side to side and burst into laughter. “So many arguments!”

Vaggie suddenly pointed a spear weapon at him. “Stop right there!” She swore in Spanish under her breath. (Son of a deranged mare!) I know your game. And I’m not gonna let you hurt anyone here, you pompous, cheesy, talk show spitlord!”

Angel peeked around the corner to see what was going on.

Alastor merely laughed slightly and nudged the weapon away with his fingers.

“Dear, if I wanted to hurt anyone here…”

He added in a low creepy tone, “I would have done so already.”

His large red eyes briefly turned to red radio dials and radio static filled the room. He tilted his head slightly, letting his chaotic magic roam. Red electricity traveled around his horn. Vaggie and Charlie were frozen in fear as they caught glimpses of red Voodoo symbols, static, and warped reality.

Then just as quickly, the noise and magic ceased and Alastor shook his head, eyes back to full red.

“No, I’m here because I want to help!” He bowed.

Charlie was sure she hadn’t heard him right.

“Say what now?” she asked, eyebrows raised.

“Help!” he responded with another laugh. His staff hovered in the air by his magic. “Hello? Is this thing on? Testing, testing…”

He tapped it and a glowing red eye appeared in the center. “Well, I heard you loud and clear!” the microphone responded, eye shaking in fear.

“Um…you want to help?” Charlie asked.

Alastor appeared behind the mares, hooves on their backs, switching from a shadow to his regular self. Both Vaggie and Charlie flinched.

“With…” he mentioned in an imitation of Charlie’s voice,

“…this ridiculous thing you’re trying to do!” finishing in his normal voice. “This hotel!”

Charlie could hear the call bell ding twice on the table, even though no one was there to ring it.

“I want to help you run it.”

“Uh…why?” Charlie asked, confused.

Alastor laughed again. “Why does anyone do anything? Sheer absolute boredom! I’ve lacked inspiration for decades!”

He placed his hoof on an annoyed Vaggie’s head. Then he shoved her aside.

“My work became mundane, lacking focus, aimless! I’ve come to crave a new form of entertainment!”

He laughed again.

Charlie looked downcast. “Does getting into a fight with a reporter count as entertainment?”

“It’s the purest kind, my dear! Reality! True passion! After all, the world is a stage! And the stage is a world of entertainment!”

Charlie brightened a bit. “So, does this mean that you think it’s possible to rehabilitate a pony or a creature?”

Alastor help up a hoof and laughed. “Of course not. That’s wacky nonsense! Redemption, oh it’s non-existent! Nononono, I don’t think there’s anything left that could save such loathsome monsters! The chance given was the life they lived before in Equestria; the punishment is this!” He spread out his hooves. “There is no undoing what is done!”

“So then, why do you want to help me if you don’t believe in my cause?” Charlie asked.

Alastor smirked and looked at Charlie, sideways. “Consider it an investment in ongoing entertainment for myself!” He pulled her close to him with his hoof and twirled her around in a quick dance. “I want to watch the scum of the world struggle to climb up the hill of betterment! Only to repeatedly trip and tumble down to the fiery pit of failure.”

“Right…” Charlie began, slowly removing his hoof from her back.

Alastor took her aside for a walk. “Yes indeedy! I see big things coming your way, and who better to help than I.”

“Ah, so uh, what’s the deal with Smiles over there?” Angel asked Vaggie.

“Wait, you’ve never heard of him before?” Vaggie asked. “You’ve been here longer than me!”

Angel shrugged.

“The Radio Pony, one of the most powerful beings Tartarus has ever seen?”

“Eh, not big on politics,” he replied.

Vaggie, annoyed, leaned in close to explain.

“Decades ago, Alastor manifested in Tartarus, seemingly overnight. He began to topple overlords, dragons, centaurs, and other creatures who had been dominant for centuries. That kind of raw power has never been harnessed by a mortal soul before. Then, he broadcast his carnage all throughout Tartarus, just so everyone could witness his ability. Sinners started calling him The Radio Pony. (As lazy as that is). Not even Discord himself could imagine how chaotic Alastor could be. Many have speculated what unimaginable force enabled him to rival our world’s most ancient and destructive evils. But one thing’s for sure: He’s an unpredictable source of danger, a wicked spirit of mystery, and a violent monster of chaos, the likes of which we can’t risk getting involved with unless we want to end up erased.”

“Ya done?” Angel asked with a snicker. “He looks like a strawberry pimp!”

“Well, I don’t trust him!” Vaggie argued.

To be fair, do you trust any Stallions? Colts? Any pony who’s male?” Angel asked with a slight laugh.

Vaggie ignored him and walked up to her friend.

“Charlie, listen to me. You just can’t believe this creep! He isn’t just a happy face! He’s a dealmaker, pure evil! He can’t be redeemed! And is most likely looking for a way to destroy everything we’re trying to do.”

“I…” Charlie began. “…we don’t know that. Look…I know he’s bad, and I know he probably doesn’t wanna change, but the whole point of this is to give every pony a chance! To have faith things will be better! How can I turn someone away? I can’t. It goes against everything I’m trying to do. Everything I believe in.”

Alastor stared in fascination at a family picture on the wall. It showed a white alicorn pony Lucifer dressed in white, a mare, Lilith in a dark purple dress, and Charlie as a little filly wearing a brown and white dress in the middle. The picture border consisted of branches and yellow eyeballs and a dried rose in the upper right hand corner.

“Such a lovely portrait! A picture of perfection! It’d be such a shame if something awful were to happen to them…”

“Just trust me,” Charlie added placing a comforting hoof on her girlfriend’s back. “I can take care of myself.”

Charlie,” warned Vaggie, “Whatever you do, do not make a deal with him!”

From a distance, Alastor held out his hoof, glowing in red magic. Both girls glanced in his direction, worry on their faces.

“I’ll have these two in the palm of my hooves…”

“Don’t worry, Charlie replied to Vaggie. “I picked up one thing from my Dad…” she spoke in a manly voice, “Ya don’t take shit from other ponies!”

Gathering her courage, Charlie marched over to the Radio Pony.

“Ok, so…Al. You’re sketchy as fuck, and you clearly see what I’m trying to do here is a joke. But I don’t.”

Red Voodoo symbols appeared around Alastor, then vanished.

Charlie continued. “I think everyone deserves a chance to prove they can be better. So, I’m taking your offer to help. On the condition that there be no tricks or voodoo strings attached.”

Alastor twirled his cane with his magic and held out his hoof. “So it’s a deal then?”

Flashes of eerie green light surrounded him, electricity snaking up the walls.

“Nope!” Charlie yelled, stepping back. The energy stopped. “No shaking! No deals! I…hmm…”

Charlie decided to try another approach.

“As princess of Tartarus, and heir to the throne, I uh, hereby order that you help with this hotel, for a long as you desire.”

A moment of pause…

“Sound fair?” she asked.

“Fair enough. Cool beans.” Alastor shrugged, walking on and making his cane disappear. Charlie breathed a sigh of relief.

Alastor stopped and spotted Vaggie off to the side. He smirked in a way outside observers would describe as lecherous. He tickled her under her chin with his hoof.

“Smile, my dear! You know you’re never fully dressed without one!”

Alastor hummed happily on his way, while Vaggie growled in disgust and rage.

“So…where is your hotel staff?” Alastor asked.

“Uh, well…” Charlie began. Alastor peered at Vaggie through his monocle. “Oh ho ho ho, you’re going to need more than that.”

He walked over towards Angel.

“And what can you do, my effeminate fellow?”

Angel grinned. “I can suck your dick!”

“Ha! No.” Alastor deadpanned.

“Your loss,” Angel said with a slight laugh. Alastor summoned his cane.

“Well, this just won’t do!” Alastor exclaimed. “I suppose I can cash in a few favors to liven things up!”

The spell came easily in his mind: “dife sèvitè, reveye.”

He stomped his hoof and his horn glowed red. A fire sparked to life in a small circular fireplace. Horse skeletons decorated either side of the wall.

A dark figure plopped down onto the chimney floor.

Alastor walked over and lifted up the creature in a cloud of red magic. A large single yellow eye was revealed. Angel, Vaggie, and Charlie peered at the creature. In a puff of smoke and a squeak, the creature revealed herself. A cute cyclops filly was wearing a pink dress with a poodle on the front, her short wide hair dark magenta with a streak of yellow. Her coat was light yellow and she even had little Pegasus wings at her sides.

“This little darling is Niffty!” Alastor introduced, before dropping her. She landed on her hooves.

“Hi! I’m Niffty!” she greeted with a wave. “It’s nice to meet you! It’s been a while since I’ve made new friends!” She laughed slightly and her pupil grew smaller, darting in circles.

“Why are you all women?” she asked. “Have any men here?! I’m sorry, that’s rude.” She missed the fact that Angel was male, for obvious reasons.

She briefly picked up Charlie, while Vaggie held her spear defensively at her.

“Oh man, this place is filthy!” she exclaimed, flying around and lifting up couch cushions. “It really needs a lady’s touch, which is weird, because you’re all ladies, no offence.” She chewed on a black spider she found, then rushed toward some stained glass windows.

She flew around, using a dust ruffle to clean them. “Oh my Celestia, this is awful! No, no, no…Nope!”

She raced around, removing cobwebs, then poking at a piece of a voodoo doll. Well, it was actually a live blue beetle doll that Alastor had stabbed with a clothing pin for Niffty to play with. Alastor looked amused, while the others stared in disbelief.

Meanwhile, at a casino, a pony placed a joker, an ace, a 2, and a fourth card down on the table. He had a black and white coat, wore a black top hat and had red wings with card suits decorated on them. He also had long red eyebrows and wore a red bow tie.

“Ha!” he declared in triumph. “Read ‘em and weep, colts!”

He suddenly felt himself being forcefully pulled out of the room through space and time.

“Full…whoa!”

“Transpòte ganbadeur la.”

He ducked as a curtain of red energy surrounded the existing space. Voodoo symbols flashed in the background along with eight yellow eyes, a creepy voodoo skull and a purple skeleton of a worm-like creature. Another voodoo skull with horns appeared for a moment not too far from tan ghost-like spirits with creepy faces and a row of jagged teeth.

The pony figured he must have had too much booze to drink.

“What the hay?!”

As the images faded, he soon found himself at the hotel bar, not in the previous room at the casino. A large “Come and play Blackjack” sign took up much of the wall behind him. Most peculiar, the gray wood walls were missing halfway up, replaced by the red themed décor of the hotel. Husk was sitting in a portion of the casino he was in. It felt like he was in a house with no roof surrounded by the outside world.

“What the buck is this?”

He saw Alastor and pointed an accusing hoof.

“You.”

“Ah, Husker, my good friend!” Alastor cheerfully greeted. “Glad you could make it!”

Alastor’s head briefly had the appearance of large antlers sticking out from either side. When he moved it, it was revealed to be an antler skull with glowing green eyes hanging in the background. Snakes were wrapped around one of the white curtains supporting a bar stand. “Big Booze,” “Welcome” and “Big Soul” signs were placed overhead on the stand. Neon green card suits consisted of the designs at the bottom of the stand.

“Don’t you “Husker” me, you son of a bitch!” Husk spat, and swiped Alastor’s hoof aside from his shoulder. “I was about to win the whole damn pot!”

Husk stared in anger as the stacks of money and chips on the table vanished in static.

“Good to see you too!” added Alastor.

Husk hoof palmed. “What the hay do you want with me this time?”

Alastor grabbed hold of him, startling him so much that cards fell from his hands.

“My friend, I am doing some charity work, so I took it upon myself to volunteer your services! I hope that’s okay.”

Husk was taken aback. “Are you spittin’ me?!”

“No, I don’t think so,” Alastor replied. He casually brushed off his sleeves.

Husk shoved the Radio Pony off him. “You thought it would be some kind of big buckin’ riot just to pull me outta nowhere? You think I’m some kinda buckin’ clown?”

“Maybe.”

Audience laughter emitted from the microphone.

“I ain’t doin’ no buckin’ charity job,” Husk protested.

Alastor appeared next to him. “Well I figured you would be the perfect face to man the front desk of this fine establishment.”

He pointed toward the bar stand with the staff. The sound of audience clapping came from his radio staff.

“With your charming smile and welcoming energy…”

Alastor spread the corners of Husk’s mouth upward into a demonic smile of yellow teeth with his hooves. Husk frowned seconds after he let go.

“…this job was made for you!”

Alastor strutted over toward the bar stand, the soles of his shoes revealing red hoof prints as he walked.

“Don’t worry, my friend,” Alastor continued, “I can make this more welcoming…if you wish.”

His horn glowed red and a green mug of cheap cider appeared on the counter.

Husk stared with wide eyes, suddenly very thirsty. He swore he could hear the sound of a slot machine.

“What, you think you can buy me with a wink and some cheap cider?!” He took the mug in anger. “Well you can!”

He immediately guzzled it down and clopped away.

“Too easy,” thought Alastor.

By this time, Charlie, Vaggie and Angel Dust had arrived to see what the commotion was about. Vaggie rushed toward the bar, furious.

“Hey, hey, hey, hey!” yelled the mare. “No, no bar, no alcohol. This is supposed to be a place that discourages sin! Not some kind of…mouth, brothel, colt-cave…”

Angel lunged himself into her, knocking her to the floor.

“Shut up! Shut! Up! We are keeping this.” He pointed at Husk with multiple gloved hooves.

He slid up to Husk. “Hey,” he said in a flirtatious voice.

“Go buck yourself,” Husk deadpanned, drinking his cider.

“Only if you watch me,” Angel retorted.

To make matters worse for Husk, Charlie leaned in close to him, excitement and red stars in her eyes.

“Oh my Celestia! Welcome to the Trottin’ Hotel! You are going to love it here!”

“I lost the ability to love years ago,” Husk replied, gulping down more cider.

Alastor walked in, an ever-present grin on his face.

“So, what do you think?”

Charlie ran over to him. “This is amazing!” she beamed.

“It’s okay,” Vaggie said from nearby.

Alastor laughed and pulled the two mares close to him. “This is going to be very entertaining!”

Alastor conjured fire in his hoof…Charlie stared in wonder at the flames and the voodoo symbols. He pushed Vaggie aside and changed his attire. He now wore a fancy red suit with a white undershirt and a black bow tie. A red top hat appeared on his head, complete with small spikes along the black band and two needles sticking out from the top. He twirled Charlie around in a dance, the princess looking stunned. Pointing his hoof over her head, he transformed Charlie’s outfit. Her blonde hair was now short and wavy. She wore an elegant black and red dress, black gloves, a pink hat with a small black bow and black heels.

Charlie stared at her conjured clothing in amazement.

Vaggie was on the floor, fuming.

Alastor lifted Charlie up with red magic and threw her into the air. She yelped in delight and landed gracefully next to him. Two glowing apples and a skull with deer horns flashed in the background.

Reality had been altered to the Radio Pony’s liking. The entire room was lit in psychedelic colors. Voodoo symbols and shapes were etched in every nook and cranny, including a pair of pink claws reaching for the door. Alastor and Charlie waltzed in the spotlight as electro swing music began to play in the distance. The all-encompassing noise, though, was the signature radio-static sound.

Alastor sang his reprise to Charlie:

“You have a dream

You wish to say

And it’s so laughable

But hey kid, what the hay! “

Charlie found herself sliding down one of the apple-etched railings, Alastor leading the way. They landed on the lower floor as Alastor continued his reprise.

Deer statues and painted antlers were everywhere.

Back at the bar stand, Husk sat looking bored. Vaggie hissed at Angel grabbing onto her, while Niffty stared in wonder. Alastor’s horn sparked and their outfits changed as well.

Angel was wearing a neon pink suit, Husk a pink bow tie, Vaggie a dark dress, with her mane now smooth and long, and finally Niffty, with a cute top hat with small flowers.

“‘Cause you’re one of a kind

A charming pony belle!

Now let’s give these burning fools a place to dwell

(Take it, colts!)”

Shadowy ponies rose to life from a hole in the ground. The happy spirits played a trumpet, a tuba, and a drum set. Charlie stomped her hooves to the beat, while Vaggie watched with worry. She reached out to her friend but was pulled away by Alastor. He enveloped the group into a tight hug, followed by glowing images of dark spirits staring at them. Niffty watched in amazement, but not the other three.

Alastor pulled Husk and Angel close again. He rubbed Angel’s head with a white hat and went on his merry way. Husk mouthed “buck you.”

Vaggie stood, annoyed in the spotlight. Using his cane, Alastor added a feathered peacock hat and a white fox fur to her outfit. Then out of nowhere, he slapped her flank.

“Pompous pervert!” Vaggie thought in rage as he wondered away.

Alastor danced some more, kicking a horned skull to the side. In the background, Niffy happily swept up the bits of bone.

“Inside of every pony is a lost cause

But we’ll dress ‘em up now with just a smile!

(With a smile!)

And we’ll chlorinate this cesspool

With some old redemption flair

And show these simpletons some proper class and style!

(What’s in style? Oh!)”

He made his way to the circular fireplace, where he waved his staff. Shadows arrived to join the party, including a shadowy version of himself, with large antlers, a mane of hair, and fangs. He made it disappear in a poof, then snuck toward Charlie. He led her in an upbeat dance, spinning her around, helping her match her steps to his. Charlie blushed when he toyed with her cheeks. As Charlie was led away, Vaggie stood in the background, horrified and disgusted. What was happening to her friend?

Charlie and Alastor laughed as they danced, the princess locked in a happy trance.

“Here below the ground

I’m sure you’re plan is sound!

They’ll spend a little time

Down at this Rottin’ Ho…”

Alastor was about to finish his song, when an explosion burst apart a window behind him.

Niffty stared in amazement, shouting “Whoo!” before she was blasted backwards, the door hitting her in the face.

Alastor’s spell soon wore off and everyone was back in their regular clothes. Alastor, Husk (still drinking), Niffty, Charlie, Angel, and Vaggie, peered out of the hole to see what was going on. Vaggie had her weapon at the ready.

Looking skyward, the group saw a cracked blimp in the air. It had a small random band aid with a sad face on it along the rim. A familiar villain popped out of his hideout.

“Ha!” Sir Stallionous laughed. “Well, well, well, look who it is harboring the striped freak! We meet again, Alastor!”

Apparently, he was also rivals with Alastor.

But Alastor simply asked, “Do I know you?”

The pony boss looked disappointed. Then he said in anger, “Oh yes you do! And this time, I have the element of…surprise!”

The villain raced toward his pink velvet chair and pulled a lever. A metallic cannon lowered to the ground. The cannon fired up with pink energy as pink smoke appeared around them.

“He laughed manically. “I’m so evil!”

Then he added, “I have an Egg army!”

“Well, we have an Alastor,” Charlie responded.

Alastor’s horn shot out red light and bursts of magic red tendrils of smoke rising from his horn. The weapon froze in mid fire and a fiery portal opened up below the blimp.

A horde of black tendrils rose from the hole, latching onto the ship. One tentacle ripped off the cannon and threw it into another smaller portal, causing it to explode in pink smoke. One of the tentacles had already smashed a hole in the large round window.

Sir Stallionous looked on in shock as his Egg Colts slammed against the wall (one of them read #Ouch.) One of the eggs cracked open, spilling out yellowish brains and small organs among the stains of yok. Sir Stallionous and another minion were thrown against the wall.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa!” he screamed before he was slammed against the ceiling by a black limb.

“Oh, that hurt!” he cried.

Sir Stallionous screamed as he was dragged along the floor and lifted up slightly. He was held in place, surrounded by the wrapped up tendril. At once, the tendril shrunk and squeezed the helpless snake. The Egg Colts galloped around screaming as black cracks appeared on the floor and walls.

From the outside, more black tendrils were closing in. Red voodoo symbols appeared around the blimp.

“Ede m 'sèrviteur.”

Four horned shadowy ponies with red auras floated around, wearing toothy grins.

The tendrils were now wrapped around the entire blimp, holding it in place like thick black vines.

Red radio waves filled Alastor’s eyes as more magic shot from his horn. Voodoo symbols appeared all around him as he altered the state of reality. Radio static consumed the air.

The vines thickened and completely enclosed the blimp. The spirits swooped around it in excitement, with echoing shrieks. The aura around the tendrils glowed a fiery yellow, the same color as the portal rim.

“Kalfu! Destriksyon pa bra nwa.”

The tendrils proceeded to crush the blimp. Pink rays of light shot from the center and the blimp exploded in a loud BOOM!

Pink smoke spread everywhere as the spirits sped away. The tendrils broke into severed bloody pieces that rained down to the ground. Alastor smiled victoriously, while behind them, the group of five stared in utter terror and shock. (Save for Niffty who had a small smile on her face).

“Well, I’m starved!” Alastor exclaimed, turning around to face the group. Who wants some jambalaya?” He spread his hooves out. “My mother once showed me a wonderful recipe for jambalaya! In fact, it nearly killed her! Straight from New Horseleans!”

He laughed as he led the way back to the hotel. The others followed.

“You could say the kick was right out of Tartarus!”

He added while laughing at his own joke, “Oh, I’m on a roll!”

Charlie and Niffty smiled while Husk, Angel, and Vaggie looked on with concern. Angel blew Husk a kiss, which earned the druggie demon a glare from the gambler. Charlie turned to Vaggie excitedly. Vaggie reluctantly went along with Charlie’s idea, even giving her a small supporting smile. As long as Charlie was happy, then she was alright, too.

From up above, the hotel looked like a mashed-up haunted house. An old dark train was perched on a balcony, with some monstrous faces carved in. A ship, reminiscent of the Titanic, was leaning upwards against the building as part of the structure. An old carousel served as part of the upper balcony and windows. Skull designs decorated the small windows in a row. Finally, on top of a giant yellow eye, was the sign “Trottin’ Hotel” supported by pillars of worn wood.

Alastor continued, “Yes, sir, this is the start of some real changes down here! The game is set! Now…”

He glanced up and aimed his horn toward the sign. Pink electricity shot out and made contact with the sign.

The sign now read “Rottin’ Hotel.”

“Stay tuned everypony,” he finished with a low sinister laugh.

Back at the crater, smoke took the faces of monsters and rose into the air. Broken egg minions littered the ground. One minion rubbed his head. With a shaking arm, Sir Stallionous lifted himself up from the gaping hole, fangs shattered.

“Now will you shoot me with your ray gun?” asked the minion.

Sir Stallionous face-planted on the ground in response.

#my little pony #hazbinhotel #crossovers

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taiblogcomics · 5 years

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Star-Crossed

Hey there, applewood-smoked bacon jerky. Oh boy, we're getting into the really cool Pony comics now. Let's do this one first, mostly because it's so big. Last week was issue 74, and this week would logically be issue 75. Wow, can you imagine 75 whole issues? That's a milestone for sure, and the comic agrees. That's why the issue is an absolutely huge prestige format book. And being IDW's 20th anniversary, too, that makes it really a milestone to celebrate~

Here's the cover. Well, part of it:

Yeah, this is only the front cover. It's actually a wrap-around cover, with the other characters on the back cover. I chose to put only the front half for a couple reasons. One, because putting the back cover on the left while the logo is on the right just didn't look right. Two, you're still not going to see the back cover when it's on the shelf or in a collection. The front cover is the selling point, so that's what we'll look at. And it's a very nice stained-glass look. Rather than betray the story, the cover opts to just celebrate the main characters for its milestone, and that's respectable~

The comic opens with a long-ago battle with Discord. Princesses Celestia and Luna are in resplendant armour, and joined by Queen Novo of the hippogriffs, the cat queen of the Abyssinians, and even that deer king of the Everfree that I don't remember the name of. Everything's going nuts, and the wonderful combination of Andy Price's art and Discord's magic is a treat to look at. However, when confronted, Discord bleats out that "It's not me this time!", and indeed some other being appears on the horizon. Discord and the five monarchs team up and combine their magic (in a display vaguely reminiscent of the Elements of Harmony) to banish this mysterious intruder. The magic and the creature dissipate. When Celestia then demands an explanation from Discord, he puts them all to sleep, saying he can't let anyone remember what happened here. He leaves them an apology cake as well, which is nice.

Cut over to the present day, where the mane six are out at a bazaar or rummage sale of some kind. Rarity's found some sort of necklace, with a stone that not even she nor Twilight can identify. Rarity offers it to Twilight, since the purple matches with her colour scheme, and that's when things get weird. No sooner is it around Twilight's neck does a mysterious voice boom out "FIND THE REST". A voice only she can hear, no less. After a quick reconvening back at the castle, it seems only Twilight can hear the voice, no matter who wears it. Fluttershy is the voice of reason here, suggesting that maybe wearing jewelry that talks to you in a voice nopony else can hear is a bad idea. But that's when the necklace suddenly starts projecting a map. Not just any map, though: it's a star map.

The star map interacts with the Cutie Map in Twilight's castle, showing a projection of the sky and then several objects falling from said sky and impacting with the map of Equestria. There are also a bunch of space-related shout-outs in the star map, and if you recognise them all, you're a bigger nerd than I. Also, the display of the celestial objects impacting Equestria is one of those two-page spreads you have to turn on its side, which is especially difficult with the stiffer prestige-format cover. Anyway, all that aside, Twilight identifies the celestial objects not making Star Trek references as the Andalusian Constellation, a lost constellation that appeared from the sky centuries ago (gonna go out on a limb and guess probably "a thousand years ago"), and then disappeared just as quickly. The origins of both its appearance and disappearance are one of the greatest mysteries in Equestrian astronomy, so Twilight is eager to solve it.

Now, I should note that every time the necklace starts whispering to Twilight, her eyes go a bit... weird. Wobbly and bright pink. So I'm sorry to tell you that everypony's hopes that this will just be a nice, safe adventure about astronomical research are probably going to be dashed rather spectacularly. And indeed, after the rest of her friends depart to make travel plans, Twilight ends up snapping at Spike for daring too close to the necklace, unleashing one of Andy Price's legendary Scary Character Faces, a fan favourite of this blog that we haven't talked about in some time. Once Spike clears out, it is indeed revealed that something's not quite right here. Twilight is being possessed through the necklace by some sort of malevolent entity, one sharing a silhouette and name with the creature banished in the prologue...

Speaking of said prologue, we get another brief scene of probably a thousand years ago, with the same spooky silhouette rampaging. It seems that Discord could even have been in a relationship with this mysterious Cosmos, and now he's looking to break up with her the only way he can think of: by bringing it before Celestia and making it her problem. Real mature, Discord. Anyway, back in the present, the teams and travel plans have all been... planned. Since it's such a big undertaking (both the quest and the milestone comic), there's gonna be some cameo teamups. Pinkie Pie and Big Macintosh will go to Klugetown. Rainbow Dash, Rarity, and Spike are off to the Crystal Empire. Zecora and the Crusaders are headed to Griffonstone, while Fluttershy and Angel Bunny are going to scour the Everfree Forest. And finally Twilight herself will take Applejack with her to Canterlot. And when they each recover the fallen stars, bring them back to Twilight. She literally demands it.

We follow that latter team first. Twilight and Applejack ride the train to Canterlot, and Twilight begins to report that her necklace is detecting where the next nearest star fragment is. Despite AJ's concerns, Twilight leads her to the castle. Without even telling the princesses they're there, they head into a secret basement. This is apparently where Celestia stores all the dangerous things she doesn't want lying around the castle, and there's a few more cameos littered in the backgrounds here. The nature of some of this stuff starts to make Applejack even more suspicious, and when she reaches for the necklace, Cosmos drops the facade of being Twilight and attacks AJ. After a short (but really cool) fight, AJ ends up locked in a cage while Cosmos claims her prize.

Since the Everfree Forest is not too far from Fluttershy's place, she has time to stop at home and prepare there, unlike the rest of the teams. Discord's already visiting, and he tries to tempt Fluttershy off to some fantastical adventure. When she explains she's already on one, to find a fallen star, he suddenly begins to panic--especially when he finds out Twilight's already found one of the others. Rather than the Everfree, he warps the both of them to his realm. To Discord's credit, he then tells her exactly what's going on: Cosmos was a magical being like himself, but much more actively malicious. She was imprisoned in the stars, which fell to Equestria to keep them apart. He found the one in the Everfree and hid it himself, to keep it away from anyone else. Fluttershy is understanding, but reasons with him that perhaps they'd better bring the matter to Celestia.

Discord agrees, and the pair retrieve the star from the Everfree, just to further ensure it doesn't fall into the hands of some villain later on. They then warp to Canterlot--Discord's powers really cut down on travel time--where Celestia is waiting for them. Failing their spot check, Twilight grabs the star from them and tosses it to Luna. Now there's three stars, each possessing one of the princesses with a piece of Cosmos' consciousness. Yes, Twilight, Celestia, and Luna are all speaking in unison and getting flirty with Discord. Half of Cosmos being reunited has begun to bring back enough power to start warping the area around them, and Cosmos begins discussing her new takeover with Discord. Discord, however, declines, having reformed since they were last together. Cosmos is deeply displeased to hear he plans to oppose her. So, to distract him, she zaps Fluttershy with some sort of spell to give him something else to worry about, while Cosmos waits for her remaining fragments to return to her...

First of all, congratulations to My Little Pony for reaching 75 issues! It’s very rare to see a comic book reach such a high number nowadays, especially one based on a licensed property. Everyone who’s worked on this series to get it here should be very proud! I’m pretty sure I said the same sort of sentiment fir the 50th issue, and now it’s even more true~

Now then: here’s yet another villain of ages past come to wreak havoc on modern day Equestria, as they so often do. If it was anyone other than Discord, I’m not sure I’d buy the whole memory spell that he used to make them forget the incident, but Discord’s powers can suspend any disbelief. Either way, Cosmos is scary. I know Nightmare Knights just introduced Eris as another sort of “malevolent counterpart to Discord”, but Cosmos sells it way better in her flashback scenes. Additionally, when you finally get to see her in full glory at the end of the issue, she’s way scarier than a big pink anthro bird. And her being able to take over the princesses so easily is highly chilling. Of course, this is also all helped by Andy Price’s art, which continues to knock it out of the park as always~

Whatever she’s up to, we’ll just have to see if the heroes can handle it next issue. I know I’m looking forward to it, and hopefully another 75 more~

#comics #reviews #My Little Pony Friendship is Magic IDW #Taiblog #Cosmos

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mymlp · 6 years

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EMERGENCY COMMISSIONS AND ART SALES.

Sorry to come out of nowhere and post this, but I've been having a lot of issues with my phone.

Tablet problems...I could deal with, lack of a computer, I could deal with. (I have access to one that frequently shuts down and I'm greatful, but it can't access the internet unless it's via hot spot. And it needs to be literally right next to the hot spot. Which leads to my issue. My phone will not charge anymore. So I need to take commissions to get a new one. I also need to keep commissions open for some other things (like job searches and health stuff -again, sorry to have to put this out there) but the phone is needed for all of the above. It's how I take photos, how I record video, how I communicate via tumblr, twotter, and most actovely, instagram.

The above pictures are for sale

Luna & Celestia $25 shipped (I can add color to Celestia's hair)

Sunset Shimmer $25 shipped

Princess Luna inkwash $30 shipped

Commissions

$25 +$5 shipped US

This includes all color My Little Pony Commissions except for watercolor sketch & Greyscale Commissions $30 +$5 shipped

PLEASE NOTE: DIGITAL COMMISSIONS ARE NOT AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME.

Includes:

-single pony

-simple background or extra pony & no background

+$10 each extra pony

+$30 detailed background

If you want a 228 sticker, I'm offering those too at $5 shipped.

If you can help, thanks. If not, thanks for reading and please share this post. I'll check messages here when I can borrow a phone for a few minutes, so maybe once or twice a day. Thank you for understanding.

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ask-the-chan-family · 6 years

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De-Writer Birthday Story

Inside Princess Celestia personal royal study room, Princess Celestia and her husband Thomas the writer were both talking to their three daughters, after they let loose a remote control tank, crashing through the castle walls. Rebecca and Mia have their head down, knowing that both of their parents were really upset with them and didn't want to say anything bad, while Dashie was acting clam with the whole situation, so she can show her twin little sisters, that things going to be alright. After waiting for a little while, the three sisters waited patiently, to hear some sort of punishment they going to get. Princess Celestia and Thomas spoke with each other for a moment, then finally done with their conversation and gave the kids a verdict. Princess Celestia: Rebecca, Mia, Dashie, you three had cause a lot of trouble in the castle and we do our best to look the other way. But after the major damage you three cost, from using that remote control tank thing. Your father and I had no other choice, but to have you three grounded for two months Rebecca and Mia: TWO MONTHS! Dashie Writer: only two months, that a lot better than the past few punishment I had before. Thomas the writer: don't be a wise mare Dashie, you’re in a lot more trouble, for bringing that tank here in the first place. Dashie Writer: I didn't meant to bring it here, Rebecca and Mia were doing a very important homework assignment and they needed something that had some.... Mechanical engineering hardware. Rebecca: that right father, Mia and I had ask Dashie to bring in her tank. So she can teach us how to use it Thomas the writer: by teaching them about property damage Mia: in her defense dad, you did teach her some crazy things, when she was our age Princess Celestia: either or, you three are grounded and you won't be going anywhere, except school, your father Book Shop and home. Rebecca: but mother, what about my Political science Club I'm trying to join. They only got one spot in their club and if I don't be there and have my debate against Summer Melody, I won't be able to join at all. Mia: and I got some special guest that are arriving from a faraway land, that are bringing some rare bugs I never seen before. Princess Celestia: I'm sorry girl, but you have to miss you activities for a while, while you two in punishment. Rebecca and Mia knew that their mother is still sticking with the punishment. They both stare at their father, and beg him to let them off the hook a little. Rebecca: please dad, this club I'm trying to join, is really important Mia: can you ask mom, to lower the punishment a little or at least allow us, to go out for our activities Thomas the writer: ..... Sigh, I'm sorry girls, I really want to let you two off the hook, but my hooves are tied up right now. Dashie Writer: come on dad, how about let Becky and Mia off the hook, it was my fault that I brought it here in the first place. let me be responsible for my action Thomas the writer: It good that you want to do the right thing Dashie, but that part already pass, when you brought the tank here in the first place. You miss use my trust Dashie and now you and the girls have to learn a lesson Dashie writer: I know dad and I'm sorry about that Rebecca and Mia: and we're sorry too father Thomas the writer: I'm happy to hear that Princess Celestia: now that all clear up, I want you three head to your rooms and wait for dinner. Your father and I have a few personal stuff, that need to be look at Rebecca and Mia: yes mom Dashie writer: sure thing Tia Thomas the writer: now since you three are in punishment, don't think about trying anything funny *he wink at dashie* do I make it clear Dashie writer: *she smile* sure thing dad, I hear you loud and clear Thomas nod his head to Dashie, knowing that she understand him, then follow Princess Celestia behind her, leaving their three kids behind. Dashie was relief that whole entire thing was and ready to get her plan in motion, she look at her two sister and notice an angry look on their faces and knew they weren't happy. Dashie show a nervous smile and does her best, to explain the situation. Dashie writer: girls, I know you two are very upset with me, and have every right to be mad. But if you allowed me to explain that I Rebecca: this is all your fault Dashie! If you haven't brought that evil machine here in the first place, I would be at the debate club already. Mia: you only wanted to join that stupid club, so you can defeat your classmate rival Summer Song. Rebecca: that not the point, and another thing Mia, you should be on my side. Mia: I am, but my problem is that I won't be able to go outside, and see my bug friends. Rebecca: who cares about your silly bug friend, what about my career dream in politics? Mia: I thought your dream was becoming a journalist Becky Rebecca: it is, but mother wanted me to learn about political stuff, if we ever become a princess one day. Mia: and what you learn from it so far? Rebecca: in the word of our father, politics are stupid. Dashie writer: before we go any further from the subject, I wanted to say I'm sorry that you two are grounded, and as a responsible older sister, I want to make it up for all the trouble I cost by taking you two out on a little trip. Mia: a trip, but how are you going to do that Dashie. Rebecca: mom said that we can't leave the castle, and knowing her she will find out that we aren't in our rooms. Dashie writer: come on girls, can you trust your older sister. Rebecca: after what happened today Mia: not really Dashie writer: ok, then I guess I have to go see Grandpa De-writer at his store by myself. Rebecca: Grandpa Store Mia: as in the special store that Grandpa had special rare items, which no ponies have ever seen before. Dashie writer: yup Rebecca: as in the same store that have special magic books that were written by powerful magician other than star swirl. Mia: what wrong with star swirl spell books? Rebecca: father known a lot more spells than he does. So seeing grandfather personal collection, would be interesting to see Dashie writer: believe me Becky, he got books that you wouldn't believe. As for you Mia, De-writer had some rare species of bugs and he just brought in something new, that he want you to see. Mia: ....... you got my attention, when you mention about bugs. Rebecca: hold on a second, even if we go with you to grandpa shop, how can we leave here, without mom knowing. Dashie writer: like I said before, trust your older sister. I already ask someone to do me a favor and stay at your room. Also one thing, De-Writer gave me something that will take us to his shop and us back home before dinner Mia: what do you think Becky, want to go and check out grandpa shop? Rebecca: I don't know Mia, part of me really want to check out some of those rare books, but the other side of me don't want mother be more upset with us that she already is. Dashie Writer: look Rebecca, I promise you to bring you and Mia back home, before your mother even notice that you two were gone. Mia: think of this as a family field trip we always wanted. Rebecca: a field trip that was better than the one you pick. Mia: can you lay off being made at me, for picking the trip to the bug fair. Rebecca: I had insect in my hair for months, so no, I won't. Dashie Writer: Girls! I need a yes or no answer from the both of you. So are you in or out. Rebecca and Mia look at each other for a moment and then finally decided to go with their older sister. Dashie was pleased that they finally agreed to go with her. She open one of her wings that was holding the envelope that she gotten from De-Writer. Once she open the envelop, Dashie saw what look like an ordinary key. Rebecca and Mia were confuse of why there was a simple key inside the envelope. Dashie wasn't sure herself, until she notice that the key was starting glow. While the key was glowing, it start to float in mid-air and stand at the center where the three girls are at. The girls waited to see what happened next, until the glowing light gotten brighter and gulf up all three of them. Before you know it, the light cleared up and all three of them were gone. Away from the canterlot castle, inside a shop of odd magic and relics, a unicorn pony named De-Writer was right in the middle of dusting of some items that need some cleaning for a while. He was doing his best to make the place nice and near, so some special guess he going to see, feel welcome to his store. While in the middle of cleaning, De-Writer heard some is noise in the background and already know what it was. He looked and saw his Venus Fly try was try to catch a fly that was flying above it head. The Venus Fly trap was very close catching it mid-afternoon snack, but the fly wasn't making it easy and flew off quickly, and made the Venus Fly Trap crash to the stack of books. The Venus Fly shake off from the pain it gotten. It look at the fly and try to hunt it again. But before it got the chance, The Venus Fly trap heard it master voice and stop moving. De-Writer walk up to his little house with a stern look on his face. The Venus Fly trap was afraid it was going to be yelled at, but De-Writer was a kind hearted pony and patted the plant head, letting it know that he is not mad. De-Writer look at the mess his pet plant made and knew it going to take him a while to clean. He use his magic to life the books, but drop them when he heard the shop doorbell rang. He thought to himself that it could be Dashie and the twins, but he know better that he gave her a special item that should have brought them inside the shop. He heard the bell again, which made him head over there and see who it was. Once he open the door, he notice it was a Derpy, the Pegasus pony from Ponyville. De-Writer was surprised to see her here, since not many folks know about his mysterious shop that move place to place. Derpy smile at De-Writer and greet him with a nice tone. Derpy: greeting Sir, I hope I'm not bothering you from anything important. De-Writer: not at all Miss Derpy, what can I help you with? Derpy: well since you ask. I got a very important package for a pony name De-Writer. Do you know if he live here? De-Writer: *he laugh* I think I'm the pony your looking for Miss. But what kind of package did you bring to me? Derpy: Had no clue. All we know that a mare wearing a red coat and hat, brought a large package to the post office saying to deliver it to a friend she know. De-Writer: Oh that right! You must be talking about my friend Carmen. She must the found something special for me, that I been looking for. Hopefully she didn't steal it on purposes. Derpy: well at least I was able to locate your store sir. It took me forever to find your place, especially for my friend who have a special machine that travel different world. De-Writer: *he laugh*well my store does then to move place to place, but it make it slot easier for me to travel very quickly, and I'm always on time to get there. Derpy: well either way, I hope whatever your friend you be worth the trouble. Now I need you to sign these papers to prove that you got your package, and I can before she could finish her sentence, an earth pony paper right behind her, covering in smoke. Derpy notice it was her friend Doctor whoves and she was curious of what was wrong with him. Derpy: Doctor, what are you doing out here? Shouldn’t you be staying by the time machine? Doctor Whooves: yes I was, until I ran into some predicament, which I need your assistant with. Derpy: can it wait, I'm right in the middle of work and *she was cut off short, when Doctor Whooves lift her and place her on his back* what the Doctor Whooves: sorry Derpy, but this is really important. This is the matter of life and death. Derpy try to talk some sense to her friend, but Doctor Whooves ran off in a hurry and they were gone. De-Writer laugh to himself thinking some of the random things he done, but that one he saw was something else. He walk back inside his shop and look at the large package that he got from his good friend Carmen Ponidiego. He was surprised that she was able to bring something to him from one of her trip, especially one particular item from the rain forest. Once he open the crate he though he got something interesting, but instead it was an average size house plant. Besides seeing the plant, De-Writer was able to see a letter that was right next to it. He use his magic to levitate it, and started reading the note. The note was indeed from Carmen Ponidiego and she was telling him that she was doing alright. She mention that she remember that his birthday coming, and she did her best to get him a rare plant, which only grew in the rain forest. De-Writer was trying to read the rest of the note, but some of the letter went missing, guessing the paper got wet and some of the letters were gone. De-Writer finally reach the end part of the letter showing some hugs and kisses from Carmen Ponidiego and she hoping to see him soon. De-Writer was happy that he gotten a rare plant for his collection, but he was sort of hoping that the plant was a little bigger. De-Writer use his magic again and brought the plant out of the box and place it by a clear table. He look at it for a moment and then continue on his work. After several more dusting, De-Writer finally finish cleaning up his shop, he even was able to stack up some super soft pillows he order from saddle Arabia. De-Writer was proud that his shop was nice and clean. He look at the wall with all the different clock that tell the same time, and notice that his guess are running late. De-Writer remember of giving Dashie the envelope that help.her and his grandkids to appear in his store. But he did remember that he tend to mix up a few things for something else, which can lead them to an odd place. De-Writer was about to head his personal study and see what to do, but stop right in the middle, when he saw a flash light that appear out of nowhere. De-Writer close his eyes to protect from the light. He wanted to see what it was, but all he's heard was three voices that crash landed on the floor. When the flash light was over, De-Writer open his eyes and notice three mares were resting on his pile of pillows, which he just had them neat. De-Writer look at one of the three mares and recognise that it was Dashie writer. Dashie was doing her best to get up, but having a hard time to move, since both of her little sister are stop of her. Dashie look at her twin sisters and ask them to move. Dashie Writer: hey girls, would you mind get off me for a second. I can't feel my everything. Mia: I would move, if Becky mover her big butt of from my head. Rebecca: my flank is not that big Mia, and you know it. Mia: well tell your flank to cut off from eating too many cakes then. Rebecca: or how about I leave my flank where it is. Dashie Writer: here a better idea. How about get off my back right now, or you two going be sorry. De-Writer: Are you girls Alright? Dashie Writer: oh hey De-Writer, we're doing just fine. But would you mind help us out by getting these two of my back please. De-Writer didn't hesitate and use his magic to levitate both Rebecca and Mia, then place them softly on the ground. Dashie finally was able to get up from and then stretch her back a little. De-Writer walk towards Dashie and see if she need any medical attention. De-Writer: are you sure you’re doing alright Dashie? I could use my magic and help fix your back Dashie Writer: I'm perfectly fine De-Writer. I just need to stretch it out, is all. Rebecca: we're sorry that we landed on your back sis. Mia: yeah, we didn't mean to. Dashie Writer: it quite alright girls, it was a simple miss calculation on the landing. De-Writer: well since you’re doing alright Dashie, care to introduce me your two young sisters Dashie Writer: oh yeah! I nearly forgot. De-Writer, I would like to introduce you my twin sister's Rebecca and Mia, Princess Celestia and my dad daughter's. Rebecca and Mia: it's nice to meet you grandfather. De-Writer: well look at you two, you both look like your mother, but you resemble so much more like your father. Mia: it nice of you to say that grandpa, some ponies keep on saying we're more like mom. Rebecca: but Mia and I already know that we're daddy little girls then mom. De-Writer: indeed, and I sense some great magic within both of you. Now then, I'm guessing you two want to know who I am, or should I already guess that your parents told you a lot about me. Rebecca: we already know a lot about you grandfather. Mia: especially the part that you send dad some random teas that does some random effect on him or mom. De-Writer: *he laugh* of course, I tend to send your father some yummy tea's that taste great. Although some of the effect from those tea do tend to get out of hand, but where the fun when you have a little mishap. Rebecca and Mia: That true Grandpa. Dashie Writer: so De-Writer, care to show these two the cool stuff you have in your shop. Rebecca: yeah grandfather, Dashie told us that you had some rare spell books, which had been written by powerful wizards. Mia: and I heard you have a big collection of different species of bugs. Rebecca: don't tell me you’re going to buy more bugs again, you had so many at home. Mia:like you who had a clutter of books in your closet. Rebecca: it a small closet. Mia: it was built to fit a whole marching band in there. Rebecca: ... I have a little problem when it comes to collecting a lot of books. De-Writer: *he laugh* still arguing like you mother and Auntie. But it true I have a nice collection of books and bugs for you two to see. In fact, I been hoping to show you something interesting that would catch your eyes a little. Dashie Writer: actually De-Writer, there is something important I need a word with you. De-Writer: Oh! Is there something wrong? Dashie Writer: I was kinda hoping we can talk private, just between us. Rebecca: is everything alright Dashie? Mia: something bothering you big sis? Dashie Writer: everything fine girls, just need a word with De-Writer for a moment. Just go look around, and have some fun. De-Writer: and one more thing! Do be extra careful, some of the rare items I have here tend to fight back. If you know what I mean. Rebecca: no worries grandfather, we won't touch anything that would harm us. Mia: you can count on us. De-Writer knew that Rebecca and Mia would be fine on their own. He walk with Dashie at the other side of the shop, so they can talk in private. Rebecca and Mia were by themselves and figure they start looking around their grandfather shop. Rebecca was looking at one side of the shop, Mia was able to find some rare bugs at the insect section. Mia walk up to one of the cages, gazing the beauty of the different kind of bugs. While Mia mind was busy looking at the bugs, Rebecca finally found the book section with different level of spell book. She was about to grab one of them, until she notice something that catch her eye. Rebecca saw an old book that happen to have her father name on it. She know that her father had written some books before, but this book felt a little different. Rebecca use her magic to get and held it by her hooves, she examine the from cover and notice the title said "The history of Thomas the Writer" Rebecca felt weird that she found a book that had her father name on it, and knowing it might carry some information from his past. She already know some stuff about her father past, but there were time she wanted to know more about her father family, other than her older half-sister Dashie Writer. Rebecca always wanted to know more about her father past, and the very book she is holding in her hooves is the key to all the answers she been seeking. She try to look to see if Mia was nearby, but figure that she was going to be busy dealing with bugs. Rebecca usually do things like this with her sister, but this was the only time she got the chance, and she ready to read the book. When she was about to open the book, Rebecca heard a voice that was calling her name, which force her to stop for a moment, and see who was calling her name. Rebecca look around the shop to see who was calling her, but haven't see anyone at all. Rebecca once again try to open the book, but like before the voice call out her name once more. Rebecca was already getting annoyed with the voice, so she drop the book on the floor and turn around to scream at the mysterious voice. Before she had the chance to scream, Rebecca notice her twin sister Mia was standing behind her, holding a bug cage with her hooves. Rebecca was relief it was only her sister that, and not an odd voice. Mia look at her sister for a moment, and notice something was wrong. Mia saw Rebecca was looking around the shop, like she saw a ghost. Mia: hey Becky, are you feeling alright? Rebecca: I'm doing just fine Mia, I thought I heard something just before you showed up, and brought in some silly bug to show me. Mia: this silly bug you’re calling is a rare heart shape cricket that you only can find in the deeper part of the forest. Secondly, what sort of noises that you heard. Rebecca: I'm not really sure. All I know I was looking at a book, then I started to hear a voice was calling my name. Mia: maybe it could be Dashie and Grandpa playing a joke on us. Rebecca: maybe, but you and I both know that Dashie not the type to prank us like this, and Grandfather does his prank on our parents. Mia: true, but whoever it is that playing games with you, might be some strange noise from one of Grandfather rare items. He did said that some of them tend to act on their own, or even call out our names in random. Rebecca: maybe you’re right Mia. The voice could have been one of Grandfather rare items, or could be my imagination playing tricks with me. But none the less, I still want to continue look at a book I just discovered. Mia: Really! What sort of book did you discovered? Before Rebecca got the chance to answer Mia question, she walk back where she found the book earlier before, but then relies the book was gone. Rebecca was shock that the book gone missing, she remember that she left it there for a moment, but then vanish out of thin air. Rebecca look around the floor, and the bookshelf, hoping to find the book again. Mia look at her sister, and wonder what she was doing. Rebecca use her magic to levitate all the books from the bookshelf, to see if she was able to spot the book, but so far nothing at all. Mia finally got the chance to talk to Rebecca, and get some answers out from her. Mia: Becky, what are you doing with Grandpa Books? You know he’s going to be very upset at you, for messing with them like that. Rebecca: I’m not messing with them Mia, I’m just looking for a book I found a little while ago. I miss place it somewhere and I can’t find it. Mia: Maybe you must the drop the book on the floor somewhere. Rebecca I already look at the floor already, and it not there. Mia: do you know what sort of book it was, maybe you tell me the name of the title, so I have a good idea to see where to. Rebecca: Sorry Mia, I rather look for this book on my own for now. Mia: are you sure Becky, You know I have no problem of helping you. Rebecca: I’m sure Mia, Just continue looking at bug, or whatever. I’m going the other side of the store, and see if I kind find the book there. Mia wanted to stop her sister from walking, but she was already gone before she got the chance. Mia was a little surprise that Rebecca didn’t need her help, usually her sister like to try to do things on her own, but Mia have a strange feeling that something weird is going on, and she is worried for her twin sister safety. While she was thinking about her twin sister, Mia pet centipede finally appear from her mane, and talk to her master about something she sense. Mia: *she listen to what her pet is talking about* I know what you’re talking about Centa. Something strange is going on, and we got to protect Becky from danger. *she listen to her pet again talking to her* I Know we should ask Grandpa and Big sister for help, but we can handle this one ourselves. Beside, we are Princess Celestia and Thomas the writer daughters, how bad this will be. While Mia head forward to where her twin sister went, at the other side of De-Writer Shop, Rebecca was looking around to see where the book had went. She remember of having it in her hooves a while ago, but now when missing after talking with her sister. Rebecca wanted to learn more about that book, knowing that it had some important information about her father. While her mind was determine of finding that book, Rebecca was thinking about her twin sister Mia, who was worrying about her a lot. Even if she found the book, and gain the information she was looking for, she still feel bad for putting her own sister in the shadow like that. Rebecca remember what her father always tell her when they were little, that even they are twin, she was still the older sibling that had to watch over them, and protect them from danger, no matter how much you want to ignore it. Rebecca feel ashamed that she was breaking her own father rules, she decided of not bother looking for the book and go back to Mia to apology to her. Before she got the chance to go back, she heard the same voice that was calling her name. Rebecca look back and notice a tall figure in a long dark Robe. Rebecca look at the figure trying to see it face, but the hood was so long, it was hard for her to see. Rebecca look at the figure and see it had wings and a blue like dragon tail, which made it clear this figure was a dragon. Rebecca stood her ground and ask the figure what it want from her. Rebecca: alright whoever you are, who are you, and what you want from me? Dark Figure: who I am is not important, but I am her to give you something important. Rebecca: whatever you’re planning to give me you can keep, my parents teach me to never to accept gift from stranger, especially ones that wear a dark robe. Dark Figure: *the figure laugh* your parents are wise, but I figure your father Thomas the writer taught you and your sister that lesson. Rebecca: hold on, how you know I have a sister, and my father name? Dark Figure: there is a lot of things I know about you, and your family. Especially knowing the dark secrets that lies within your father past. Rebecca: dark secret? You mean my father did something wrong from his past. Dark Figure: maybe he did, or maybe he didn’t, but if you really want to know *the figure held out a book* this book will have the secret you seek. Rebecca look and notice the very book she was looking for was in the hand of the dark figure. Rebecca was shock that the dark figure had the book the whole time, she was thinking about of how it was able to get the book, but she notice the dark figure was starting to walk towards her. Rebecca saw the figure and charge up her horn to use her magic. Rebecca shot an energy blast at the ground, stopping the dark figure from getting any closer. Rebecca: just stay where you are, you may know me and my family, but dare get close to me like that again, or the next energy attack will zap you. Dark Figure: *the figure laugh* so much energy within you, exactly how your father was. But you shouldn’t be afraid of me my dear, I’m only here to give you this book that had all the secret that you seek. Rebecca: you mean the secret of my dad? Dark figure: exactly! This book carry your father past, everything he done, everything he been through. This book is the very journal of your father, the very book that you want to learn about him. Rebecca: …. If what you’re saying is true, why you want to give it to me, when you took the book away from me the first place? Dark figure: because I wanted us to be alone, so that no one is in the way. You’re destine to be great like your father Rebecca, but your sister is holding you back. Rebecca: what are you talking about, my twin sister never hold me back from anything. Dark Figure: are you sure about that, have you ever felt like that your sister tend to try to keep you out of trouble, when you try to reach your goal to be the best you can. Have your always out shine you from every accomplishment, which make everyone like her than you. Rebecca: ………. That enough. Dark Figure: come now, everything I said is true, and you need to understand that I want to help you. Just accept this book as a gift from me, and you will reach your true destiny. Rebecca: ……. And what if I refuse to accept that gift. Dark Figure knew that Rebecca was going to say that to her, it held out it dragon claw hands and snap it fingers. Rebecca had no clue of what it did, until she heard a scream from a distance. Rebecca knew that scream anywhere, and it was her sister Mia in danger. Rebecca want to run down the other side of the store and help her twin sister, but the dark figure stood in front of her, keeping Rebecca from saving her sister. Rebecca was getting annoyed with the dark figure and ask it to stand aside. Rebecca: get out of my way, I need to rescue my sister Dark Figure: your sister will meet her fate very soon, unless you accept my gift. Rebecca: why do you care so much for me to take that stupid book? Dark Figure: because I wanted to help you find the answers you been searching for. Didn’t you want to learn more about your father, so that you can feel proud to be his daughter? Deep inside you feel like that you barely know him, but yet love him so much, that you want him to know that you’re proud of your father, and his past. This book is the key, and you must take it at once. Rebecca knew what the Dark Figure said was true, deep inside her heart she wanted to know more about her father. She look at the book that the figure was holding in front of her, and she could easily can take it. Rebecca held out her hooves to grab it from her, but she could hear her sister scream asking for help. Rebecca look at the book one last time, and then finally relies what important to her, she slap the book from the Dark Figure claws, and the book felled to the floor. Rebecca: I don’t care about that stupid book anymore. If it meant to gain information about my father, then saving my twin sister. I rather be blind for the rest of my life, then losing someone I care about. The Dark Figure wasn’t happy of what Rebecca said, and flick the book from it claws. The Dark Figure was plan to hit her, but Rebecca notice what it was doing, and attack the Dark Figure with an energy attack from her horn. The Dark Figure was hit from Rebecca attack and flew across the room and hit the wall of bookshelf. The Dark Figure landed on the floor, injured from the attack. Rebecca walk towards the Dark Figure and prepare herself to make another attack. But Rebecca finally relies that her twin sister is in danger, and need to go rescue her. Before she even leave, Rebecca look at the Dark Figure one last time, to apology for attacking. Rebecca: I’m sorry for attacking you like that, and not taking the book. If the situation wasn’t so harsh, I would have taken that book from you without second though. Dark Figure: *it laugh to itself* I would have though the same way. I’m still upset that you choose your sister life, over than the very book that you seek. You could have everything you ever wanted. Rebecca: that true, but I learn one thing from my father, and he said that knowledge is the greatest power of them all, but family will always triumph. Dark Figure heard Rebecca wisdom and finally relies what it meant. The Dark Figure cry to itself, knowing what a fool it was from doing something shameful. Rebecca walk towards the Dark Figure, but able to hear sister scream one more time that finally gave her the boost to leave. The Dark Figure look and notice that Rebecca was gone, and it was alone for now. The Dark Figure got up from the floor, and clear the dust from it rob. The Dark Figure walk over where the book was, and then grab it with it claws. The Dark Figure look at the book for a moment, until it close it when another pony with bat wings was behind it. The Bat Pony stood behind the Dark Figure not saying a word. The Bat Pony look at the Dark Figure and call out it true name. Kiren: I hope you had your fun Dasxtra, but it time for you to leave this timeline alone. The Dark Figure didn’t said a word to the pony, except remove it hood on its head to relive itself being a female dragon that look like Thomas the writer daughter Dashie writer. The bat pony look at Dasxtra, waiting to hear her answer, but all he got was seeing her looking at the book a few times, and finally answer back to him. Dasxtra: it still amazing that my father daughters of this timeline are still more stubborn than I ever was. You must be proud to have a good friend Kiren. Kiren: I sure do, Thomas is one pony that I want to learn a lot, even though I already know about his entire life, but just being there is a lot more fun. Dasxtra: indeed. It still sad that I never had the chance to know my father better. Kiren: Especially when you took his life out of anger, because he never had the chance to find you. Dasxtra: you know I didn’t meant to kill him, it was an accident. Kiren: I know what you did was an accident, but the other crimes you had done are unaccusable, and you need. Before he get the chance to finish his words, he notice some flames was gathering around Dasxtra body. Dasxtra held her claws out and cast a time spell, to travel to another world. Kiren was doing his best to stop her, but he was a little too late. Kiren try to sense where she had headed, but knowing she could be anywhere in space and time, he be looking for a while. When he was about to leave, he stop for a second and heard a dragon roar echoing the store. Kiren smile to himself knowing that one of Thomas daughter had discover their Father legacy. Kiren knew that Thomas children’s are special, all it take a little push for them to discover it. The End A little late for De-Writer Birthday Gift, but this story was a bit fun to write, and a little something different I wanted to try. But either who, I do hope you enjoy the story De-Writer, and happy belated birthday. Special guest Character De-writer: ask-de-writer Kiren: How-is-the-doc

#ask uncle #fan fiction #fan fic writing #ask-de-writer #how is the doc #mlp oc #mlp

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happypastelponies · 6 years

Text

The Crystal Empire's origins can be traced back to g1

While many people who joined the pony movement when g4 arrived on the scene seem to shun and or mock the past MLP gens, I find that there's a lot of rich history of worldbuilding amongst the older gens that set the stage for gen 4, and seem to be the origin of many of the places we've seen so far in gen 4.

Just a few examples:

The creation of Crystal Empire- only seen in g4- I believe was brought about by occurrences in G1, as there are numerous ties to artifacts and landscapes there, both during and after Lavan's reign. In G1, the villain (a lava demon) steals princess ponies' magic to turn himself into a crystal creature, so that he can have enough power to to anything he desired. In doing so, he's able to turn the entire landscape to crystal. (which, oddly enough, isn't reversed, when the ponies defeat him) which likely later became the Crystal Empire

Not to mention that when the magic was drained from the princess' magic wands, they were instructed to take them to The 'heart of ponyland'- a magical talisman (which was actually a giant crystal jewel) far beneath the land's kingdom, and the source from which the Princess ponies' wands draw their power, for the magic to be restored, and Lavan could be defeated. To me, this sounds and looks an awful lot like what came to be known as the Crystal Heart residing within the Crystal Empire.

Location, Location, Location!

The landscape across the generations doesn't seem to have changed much (though they have seem to have undergone some name changes- as things often do, even in our world) In Gen 1, there was a volcano that 3 witches lived on, and they'd often leave it to torment ponies in Dream valley or in Flutter Valley. Looking at the map of g4 Equestria, I think it's a safe bet to assume that the G1 volcano is now called Smokey Mountain, Dream Valley is probably Ponyville, now- as it's right in the shadow of a mountain (Canterlot), and Flutter Valley- which was shown to be through a dark forest. Those Ruins coming out from the forest look similar to the stone structures in the Flutter Valley, come to think of it.

There was a river nearby Flutter Valley (because two witches planned on using the water in it to flood the place and disrupt the Flutter Pony's festival). When Baby Lickety Split ran away from dream Valley (which could now be "Ponyville"), she wound up falling into a rocky gorge, which, I suspect is now "Ghastly Gorge", Reeka and Draggle later seems to be seem in a murky, foggy place with lots of dead trees, which could be the Bogg in the Everfree Forest, which back in g1 was known as Shadow Forest, that the gang had to pass through on the way to Flutter valley. Then after the forest, they has to climb up some steep rock walls in a chasm before they reached the valley (Rambling Rock Ridge?)

Unicornia is mentioned in G4's “Hearth's Warming Eve”, and is shown as an actual location in G3

so is Ponyville (along with in G2)

Baby Ponies

In “Testing, Testing 123”, a pony by the name and title of “Commander Firefly” is mentioned; presumably the Firefly of G1. (baby Firefly is also, again, seen in the IDW MLP's Micro Comic #8, helping protect Canterlot, in the flashback of Celestia discussing the Lunar rebellion- which was before the Wonderbolts were formed)

Unicornia is mentioned in G4's “Hearth's Warming Eve”, and is shown as an actual location in G3

so is Ponyville (along with in G2)

we also learn that it's not uncommon for a baby pony to have the same name and appearance as its mother (Firefly- baby Firefly/ Hearthrob- baby Hearthrob –--> many ponies in g4 have same names and appearance as past gen ponies. Also, in g4, Pinkie Pie mentions her “Granny Pie”)

In IDW MLP's Micro Comic #8, Celestia introduces some pony fillies and colts to her friend. Amongst these young ponies are baby Surprise, Firefly, and Glory. (within a reasonable timeframe for baby Firefly to be the child of the Firefly in the previous image )

Alicorns

Many seem to think that Alicorns only became a race in addition to the 3 pony types (earth, unicorn, and pegasus) in Generation 4, and though there have been alicorns spotted in the background in several episodes, many dismissed them as animation errors. In the Journal of the Two Sisters, written by Amy Keating Rodgers, though, Luna pretty much confirms that other alicorns (besodes her and Celestia, during their filly years) existed and helped raise them? So other Alicorns that had to have been older than them exist.

Now, what if I said that the alicorn race existed even before G4?

Take a look at Gen 2, My Little Pony Tales. In the episode "Up, Up, and Away", the earth ponies think they see a UFO, which actually turns out to be the Glow n' Show Ponies, one of which is Dazzleglow, an Alicorn.

#MyLittlePony #dazzleglow #pastel #horse #crystalEmpire #MLP #theory #crystal #origins

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0poole · 5 years

Text

My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

Good God.

I finally managed to watch the final episodes of the show, and even though it wasn’t the most pitch-perfect ending ever (and even though I skipped like all of the final season), I still gotta dish out my thoughts on the whole thing. It’s not my tippy-top most favorite show, but it’s definitely the one with the most lasting impact on me. I mean, considering it created one of the biggest fandoms of all time, I’m pretty sure I’m far from alone there.

Obviously have to start from the beginning. I think I got into MLP around the 2nd season, maybe in the middle of it but definitely before the 3rd. I don’t exactly remember, since it was so long ago, but the first two seasons might hold some of the most saccharine, mindless nostalgia of all. Every single episode holds some spot in my memory, even the filler episodes with the cheesy notes to Celestia at the end of them. Honestly those were adorable, even if they were the classic kid’s show trope of “Let’s explain the moral to the kids who don’t have half a brain” but it’s actually pretty charming. That’s nostalgia talking, by the way. Obviously. If I found a new show today that did that, I’d roll my eyes a little, and I probably did when I was first watching the show.

But, it’s an understatement that this was my life. Of course, I was at that time of my life where one thing could very easily become my entire world, but that doesn’t mean it didn’t matter to me. The pretty solid, unchanging artstyle gave me an opening to try and draw it, and for years I exclusively drew ponies, and even when I had a human character, I’d only be able to draw them in pony form, so I ended up meshing their stories into fanfiction on how they could become ponies. My “Icon” character at the time, Satyr, was probably the first original character I drew, and I can still remember the exact drawing I made of him. Obviously a pony, he was sort of larger and masculine, conveniently blinking eye so I didn’t have to deal with that, basic hair/tail styles, and for some reason a jagged zig-zag pattern going laterally across his body, like those “How would a horse wear pants?” memes. I thought it was really good, so I kept going, and here I am ages later still drawing stuff. I couldn’t even bare to fully ditch the shitty characters I made (and I’m going to explain them without context because I just feel like it): Satyr got split into his immortal and prince-ly side; Diane, a manic serial killer, shrunk down but kept her impossibly anxious personality; Gaseous is basically all the same, except he doesn’t meet the rest of the crew in what parts of his story I know about; Sistenagon (here we go with the weird names, they don’t mean anything) still kept his (her? Don’t actually remember which I called it) wasp-y nature, except in the form of an insect-based fairy tribe leader; Stelerachyt, who I drew as a Diamond Dog, is still a big, fluffy, dog, but turned into a more regal and kingly type of person; and Myriad Alloy (the only one with an actual pony name) got a complete makeover, and actually became my favorite end result after all is said and done.

Like, I love ranting about these guys. They were basically my own Mane Six. And yes, Satyr TOTALLY dated Twilight. Why wouldn’t he? Main character a Main character. Plus, he was supposed to be me, and I totally wanted to hit that. I’m not ashamed to admit it.

I mean, I guess a big part of why I actually went down that path was because of the large fanbase. I didn’t begin with the beginning of the show, but I guess I came in with the first large wave, so all of the stuff I made got just enough attention to make me think people wanted to see what I was making. If I started out with OCs, no one would’ve cared, and I very well could’ve stopped.

Even apart from that, this show definitely kick started my downward spiral into femininity. I mean, it’s pretty self-explanatory. Everyone “knew” MLP as being something super shallow, only to be enjoyed by shallow little girls, then they pumped out Friendship is Magic and everyone else loved it, so I gave it a shot, and I loved it too. Obviously every fandom has the people who openly, irrationally hate them, but the whole thing was welcoming enough to keep it solidified in my mind, and bish bash bosh, it kept going and will probably keep going into eternity. It’s funny, even then I drew Satyr with the more feminine pony design (not entirely because drawing the male pony type was harder), so I was setting myself up for the future.

I guess this kind of gives me a window to talk about My Life as a Teenage Robot, because for as long as I could remember before actually watching the show, I seriously despised any instance of XJ9 I could find. If an image of her popped up on screen, I would close it faster than if it was porn found while around my parents. I don’t know why she was so harshly ingrained in my mind. You could argue I just hated “girly” stuff before I realized I actually loved it, and didn’t want to face my emotions, but I wasn’t exaggerating at all about that porn thing. I actually couldn’t look at her for more than a second. But, one day I decided to cave in and see what was up, and soon enough she became one of my favorite cartoon characters of all time.

Back to ponies, some of the content produced by the fandom also had some extremely fond memories in my mind. I think I still have some songs by The Living Tombstone and WoodenToaster on my MP3 player (partially because it’s just good stuff) and for some reason playing on MLP-themed TF2 servers was actually really fun too. Some notable fandom people reacting to recent episodes was a spectacle I always looked forward to, and I still am subscribed to Saberspark and Ratchet on Youtube after all this time, probably as well as various other people who are still there but haven’t posted anything since the settling of the fandom. I just remembered, Hotdiggetydemon probably qualifies for all that too, since his .Mov series was the talk of the whole fandom. That, and Friendship is Witchcraft. I had to re-look up the name of that one though, but I still loved it.

I guess I should play favorites, huh? Favorites was the one game everyone in the fandom played.

Favorite episode: Can’t not be a tie between the 2-parters of Season 2. Discord is a riot, and Chrysalis is actually one of my favorite villain designs of all time. I’m a sucker for both shapeshifters and bugs, so you can’t expect me to not like her. Glad she rode the villain boat till the very end, although reformed Discord is definitely fine too. Plus, the rest of the Changelings turned anyway.

Favorite song: You expect me to not tie things up here? The Flim Flam brother’s Super Cider Squeezy 6000 is great, as are the brothers themselves, and I also love This Day Aria, since it’s the focal point where people realized this show seriously wasn’t just colorful, cute ponies. The Art of the Dress is also pretty catchy.

Actually, just remembered. Under Our Spell might be it. Took me a while to remember the EQG stuff, but that song is seriously good, and unironically better than the generic dribble that somehow magically beat it.

Favorite background pony(ies): Vinyl and Octavia are a pretty cute duo, and with the killer duet in the Slice of Life episode, ya gotta love em. Funny thing, though: There’s this background pony that looks almost identical to my current self-insert pony OC, with purple hair and a grey coat, with a seemingly writing-based cutie mark and green eyes. He’s even a unicorn too. It wasn’t intentional, I swear.

Favorite CMC: Sweetie Belle is too much. Her little squeaks are too pure. I can’t take it. Applebloom has nice colors, though.

Favorite Princess: If you don’t say Luna you’re a cop

Favorite non-pony species: Obviously Changelings, but after their reformation the honors actually switch to the Kirins, just because of how cool they look. The Yaks are pretty fun too. Speaking of…

Favorite nu-Mane Six (or are they called the School Six? Whatever, you know what I mean): All Yona. And yes, I had to look up her name was, who cares? She’s adorable.

Favorite of the Pillars of Equestria: I honestly love that they made Starswirl an actual character in the show. For the longest time, people just assumed he would stay in the form of Twilight’s Nightmare Night costume forever, but then they actually made him real! That’s really cool.

Favorite Equestria Girls design: Once again, Sweetie Belle steals both this spot and my heart.

And, of course… Favorite of the Mane Six:

Honestly, it just depends on the mood I’m in. Not even remotely lying there.

Fluttershy would’ve been my answer way back then, since I was into the shy types. There’s definitely something still there. You can’t deny that she’s the most cuddly of them all.

Twilight might’ve been a tie for the top around then too, since I was also the too-smart-for-humanity type. That leads into you liking the “smart” ones. Plus, in the latter half of the series, she did feel like she was put one step above the rest of the cast. That kinda makes her feel slightly off, I guess. Still like her, though.

Pinkie Pie’s one of those that I can imagine liking, but if I ever actually had to deal with that much energy I might actually melt. And, not in that I’m-totally-in-love kind of melting. Literal, actual melting.

Rarity, in terms of concept, is easily my favorite type of character for the show. On the surface, she’s the generic fashionista type that every girl’s show has, but instead of her being someone who “just makes clothes” she’s actually seriously hard working and goes through all the regular motions you’d expect from an artist. Turning such a cliche on its head and giving it a much more realistic image is perfect for this show. Also, she’s purple. I like purple.

Not much really needs to be said about Applejack. She really seems like the most logical one of the group, even at the very beginning. That’s great to have when everyone else is acting like spoiled/sheltered brats (at least, when she’s not acting that way either).

But, I really gotta be honest… I’m never really in the mood for Rainbow Dash. She’s like the opposite of AJ, where she’s always some degree of arrogant, and even though watching her achieve her dreams is nice, her big head gets a little annoying for side gags. Also, if you showed me a plain picture of the Mane Six, I would’ve told you she was the main character instead of Twilight, just because she stands out so much more. I mean, the show isn’t called “Twilight Sparkle: Friendship is Magic,” but still.

If you really want a straight answer, I’m in a Rarity mood right now, so I’ll go with that. It’s probably the safest bet, because, like I said, I do love purple. Not just purple, but purple AND white put together. One of my favorite color combinations. Just add a little gold, and you’re, well, you know...

But… Yeah. All good things had to come to an end. I feel like its time came. Plus, they ended the show with the little story book thing they did in the very first episode, so as far as I’m concerned the series is complete. It did its job, anyway.

#mlp #mlp fim #friendship is magic #my little pony #rant #rambling #opinions #nostalgia #poole #cute #mlp 10th anniversary

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brightideawritings · 7 years

Photo

Comissioned this from Goattrain and now I just had to go along and create a short story for this picture! Set in my own AU where the Mane 6 have different backgrounds, Twilight Sparkle is known as Dazzling Gem having left Celestia’s tutorship to pursue a career as an artistic illusionist!

and YES. There is RARITWI/RARILIGHT!’

-STAGE DUEL-

“Preposterous!”

“Outrageous!”

“This can’t be possible. I triple checked the scheduling…”

“Trixie booked this spot a month in advance!”

“Hah! Well, I booked it a month and a half in advance!”

“Trixie was also here first! Trixie’s props and performance are already ready to go!”

“Pfft. You call fireworks a performance? I have everything I need at the tip of my horn. I can waltz out on stage and begin right now.”

“Really? Then Trixie suggests you take your act to the alley and sit on your- “

SLAM! A barrel, make that a very full barrel of cider and fruit, slammed down to the ground the loud noise immediately had the desired effect on the two arguing mares. Trixie and Dazzling Sparkle turned in perfect unison, despite their own imperfect harmony, to the earth pony mare that had slammed the barrel. She had slammed the barrel, which from the sloshed sound it made was full of cider and fruit, above her head and to the ground with her bare hooves.

“Ladies,” Berry Punch spoke with a calm tone but the way her brow scrunched up and that she still had both hooves on the barrel both Trixie and Dazzling did not need magic to know Berry Punch was anything but calm with them. “Are you both going to stop shouting at each other or am I going to have to escort you out of my fine establishment?”

The Punch Bowl was an establishment, how ‘fine’ it was, was debatable considering both Dazzling and Trixie had performed in Canterlot however both mentally considered two factors. The first, The Punch Bowl was the only place in Ponyville that hosted stage shows and even though it was more of a bar it was still the most popular venue in Ponyville on any given night. The second, Berry Punch did not have any bouncers or any other security at the Punch Bowl which meant she was more than capable of handling any ‘trouble’ that happened there. Technically, there was a third factor but they had already both considered that Berry Punch had just lifted and slammed easily a full barrel of cider.

“No, no, no I think we can act…I mean BE much more civil.” Dazzling said, nodding her head in total submission.

“T-trixie also agrees! Yes, we are professionals the…both…of us!” Trixie said, the wide smile that followed said ‘please show mercy’.

“Oh, well then that is all very well and good to hear!” Berry Punch’s demeanor changed so dramatically that both Dazzling and Trixie had to do a double take as Berry Punch took her hooves off the barrel of cider and leaned up against it casually. Propping her head up on the barrel with an elbow she continued, “As I said, I do apologize for the mix up. It looks like I had two different copies of the same scheduling sheet and you both got slotted for the same time! It happens.”

“Not in Canterlot,” Dazzling said under her breath, next to her Trixie appeared to feel the same way as she rolled her eyes. Fortunately, Berry Punch either did not hear or see them.

“So, usually when this happens at the Punch Bowl is we have a two-for-one special! You both go up at the same time and do the thing you do. Together.” Berry Punch finished her words and turned from Dazzling and Trixie to the barrel. Lifting a hatch in the barrel’s top she dipped a cup into the cider and drank, “Mmmm! When I order cider punch the Apple family sure knows how to make it!”

“I’m sorry, but you want me to perform as the same stage as…her?” Dazzling asked, she pointed a hoof at herself and to Trixie and back to herself.

“Trixie could have said it better,” Trixie narrowed her eyes at Dazzling before returning them to Berry Punch, “but she agrees. Trixie’s feats of magical skill require the full stage.”

“Please! What about this? Trixie goes on stage, pulls a rabbit out of her hat and then leaves. Then I outstand and amaze the audience with the wonders of my magic?” Dazzling ignored Trixie’s death glare and looked straight at Berry Punch who had already begun to work on her second cup of cider punch.

“Hmmm.” Berry Punch gulped down a mouth full of cider and tapped her chin, the smile on her lips steadily became more lopsided the more she drank. She motioned with her hoof with her cup to Dazzling and Trixie, “How about this…come here and listen…”

Both Dazzling and Trixie stepped forward, leaning toward Berry Punch as she took another drink of cider punch. She drained her cup, double checking it to make sure she had, and set it down on the barrel, “If you two don’t perform together I blacklist you from the Punch Bowl. Foooorever!”

Dazzling and Trixie eeped and jumped back from Berry Punch, panic in their eyes.

“You can’t do that! It would not be fair! I-I have fans in the audience! I cannot-cannot-cannot disappoint them!” Dazzling said, chewing on the bottom of her lip.

“Trixie needs this performance! Trixie would be a laughingstock if she did not perform!” Trixie pointed her hoof at Berry Punch.

“Tough.” Berry Punch replied, slamming the hatch closed on the barrel, “I was going to let you both perform separately, but then you both started shouting and belittling one another.”

“…were you going to let Trixie perform, first?” Trixie snapped her mouth shut at the glare from Berry Punch.

“Listen, ladies.” Berry Punch said and pushed the barrel of cider punch to the floor so that it was laying on its side, “You can either go out there in two hours together and I don’t care what you do. Or you can both leave and don’t come back forever.”

Ignoring the pleas from both Dazzling and Trixie, Berry Punch rolled the barrel away leaving the two show mares alone behind the stage. They looked over one another warily.

“Trixie…”

“Sparkle…”

The two continued to stare at one another for at least another minute before finally, Dazzling relented with a sigh. “Alright then, well it seems that we are going to be stuck with one another. You don’t think there is any way we can resolve this do you?”

“The Great and Powerful Trixie does not think so.” Trixie said, shaking her head.

“I agree. That means this can only be settled one way.” Dazzling swept her hoof over tuxedo, it was specifically tailored for her. From out of thin air she produced a top hat which she slides onto her head before extending a hoof to Trixie, “Stage duel. Duel to the curtain’s close?”

“Trixie agrees, Queen Mousette rules, most applause wins. Duel until the fat mare sings.” Trixie swept out her star and moon tailored cape out dramatically, several doves flew off from the inside of her cape and up toward the rafters of the stage. She extended her own hoof and shook Dazzling’s hoof.

“Loser exits stage left!” Dazzling and Trixie announced in unison, both mares grinned at one another and thinking about triumph.

The Punch Bowl, the entire place was packed, every table and bar stool had at least one plot in them. A few ponies were even happy to stand against the wall to get a view of the stage. It has not taken very long at all for word to get out that tonight’s magic show would instead be a Battle of the Show Mares. A voice sounding like Berry Punch’s could be heard laughing, “Works every time,” before being lost to the voices of dozens and dozens of different ponies.

Close to the stage one table was occupied by a pair of ponies. One was a timid looking mare, she did seem to be happy to be there but was noticeably startled every time a loud noise like a new barrel of drink was slammed to the ground. Every time she was startled the mare closed the bonnet she wore tighter over her yellow mane. Next to her, the mare who was obviously her friend seemed slightly distracted. The white coated mare divided her attention between her friend and a book on their table, the title was “Rocks and Hard Places”. The latter mare looked up from her book and looked at a clock on the wall before she snapped her book shut and turned to her friend.

“Appleflower, dear, it looks like the show is about to start. Are you excited to see Dazzling perform?” Gem asked, Ponyville’s resident expert on minerals and rocks of all shapes and sizes, her hair bun which her purple mane was neatly arranged into bobbed behind her head as she moved.

“Oh…ah’m…excited, sugarcube. This will be my first time in Ponyville since…since...N-n-n-ight-ight- “

“Nightmare Moon?” Gem finished for her friend.

“Ye-yes! S-sorry, sugarcube. Ah’m just a little n-nervous. Thinking about N-n-night-“Appleflower stammered out before a wave of Gem’s hood cut her off.

“Don’t be worried, darling. Dazzling, you, our friends and I defeated Nightmare Moon and now Princess Luna is back! It was quite the adventure, like something out of Daring Doo!” Gem smiled and gently reached over to pat her friend’s hoof reassuringly. Out of the corner of her eye she spied a waiter walking around with small glasses filled with some kind of drink. Suddenly, a thought occurred to Gem as she remembered something she had read in a book, “Appleflower, why don’t we have a few drinks? I hear it can help with nervousness. Waiter! Yes, can we have all of those glasses?”

Getting the waiter over and sliding him several bits as a generous tip and mentioning to put it on Dazzling Sparkle’s tab, Appleflower and Gem had between themselves a dozen shot glasses filled with liquid that from their different color variation appeared to be several different kinds of drinks. Gem took a moment to pick up one of the glasses and sniff the glass itself. “Ah! Limestone from…outside of Los Pegasus if I am not mistaken.”

“Ah don’t know about that, Gem.” Appleflower looked at the tiny glasses. “Ah’m used to cider in Appleloosa. Granny Smith always said if somethin’ comes in a glass smaller than yer hoof- “

“Nonsense, Appleflower. Look at the size of these glasses, they must be taste testers of some sort.” Gem replied, she looked about ready to try the glass she held when the sound of drum rolls filled the stage. On the stage a spotlight appeared, “Oooh! Here we go! Bottoms up, Appleflower!”

The spotlight on stage split into two separate lights, both moving sideways from one another along the curtain before stopping. At the height of the drumroll Dazzling and Trixie emerged from behind the curtain. Trixie emerged in a flash of smoke, one moment she was nowhere to be seen and in the next she was there her cape billowed out dramatically behind her as if an invisible wind was blowing. Dazzling emerged through the curtain, stepping directly through the material of the curtain, an aura of violet magic surrounded her body. She stepped through the curtain half way giving a dazzling smile and wave of her hoof before stepping all the way through, tipping her hat toward the crowd.

“Ladies and gentlecolts! Prepare to witness the amazing magic of the Great and Powerful Trixie! As she performs the most spectacular magic seen by pony eyes!” Trixie shouted to the watching crowd, from her side of the stage magical fireworks exploded outward around her. The spinning lights and bursting fire eliciting a wondrous oooo from the crowd.

“My, my, my.” Dazzling shouted to the audience, “What boasting! Doesn’t she sound like a school filly with fancy new ribbons?”

The crowd’s laughter at Dazzling’s quip bounced around the Punch Bowl. Trixie glared at Dazzling while Dazzling just smiled and tossed her mane. Dazzling’s horn brightened as her own magic built up, from the tip of her horn magic spilled out over the ceiling of The Punch Bowl. Her magic shifted into a replication of a clear night time sky above the audience, every star twinkling and even Luna’s moon shone proudly. The crowd wooed again, perhaps a little bit more enthusiastically than they had at Trixie but it was hard to tell.

“Magic is art! Wonderous creation! I am just the mare to make your dreams become reality” Dazzling was proud at her words, her face beamed at her own creation as much as her own words.

“Pfffft. You’re all flash and no bang!” Trixie shouted to the crowd, and used her magic. In a flash summoning a deck of cards. Using her magic the entire decks slides out of its box and twirls around the air around Trixie. Twisting in the air forming shapes like a figure eight, stars, moons, a Major Ursa, and so forth until Trixie finished with kicking the cards with a back hoof so that they leapt over her and over to Dazzling spreading out, “Go on, Dazzling, pick a card! Any card…”

“Ugh. A card trick? Really? That’s what you are going to go with? Very well…” Dazzling used her magic to slide one card out.

“Now show it to the crowd!” Trixie said, a growing smile on her lips.

“Fine, fine. Here! Look!” Dazzling shook her head as she used her magic to flip the card toward the audience, it was a Princess of Hearts. Using her own magic Dazzling made the cry fly back and forth between several tables.

“I-I can catch it! HIC!” Appleflower’s words were slurred as she reached out to grab the card as it zoomed past her table with Gem.

“Oh! Oh! You caught it, darling! Yes, wait, noooooo you didn’t! Hahaha!” Gem rocked back in her seat laughing. Several stands of her hair in her bun had come out and swayed in the air with her.

“How does this trick go? Is this my card?” Dazzling asked, not noticing her friends, she returned the card to the floating deck. Immediately, Trixie’s magic shuffled the cards in the air before returning them to Trixie’s hoof.

“Is this your card?” Trixie asked, pulling out one of the cards from the top deck and showing it to the crowd, it was the Prince of Fools.

“No! Hah!” Dazzling laughed, but did not notice that Trixie still continued to smile.

“Oh? Really? Well, then Trixie will ask again. Is this your card, Sparkle?” Trixie flipped over the next card in the desk and showed it to the crowd. It was the Prince of Fools-again.

“Nope! The same card twice in a row? Well, well I’d say that’s lucky but your performance as a card shark could use some work.” Dazzling shouted smugly to the crowd, who laughed along with her. Trixie continued to smile even as Dazzling turned back to her, “How about we move on to my performance now?”

“The Great and Powerful Trixie just asks for one more chance, Sparkle.” Trixie said even as she lifted the third card from the deck.

“I don’t see how that’s going to- “Dazzling had begun to say but was cut off as the card deck sans the card in Trixie’s hoof rocketed into the air once more. The deck slithered its way through the air before rearranging itself into the shape of a literal card shark. The card shark smiled at Dazzling as it showed her rows of ‘teeth’.

“YIPE!” Dazzling screamed as the card shark dived down toward her. She teleported several feet away as the card shark smashed into the ground and scattered into hundreds of cards. Dazzling let out a breath of relief, but realized too late that the cards were still moving. The cards formed around her, forming the card shark again with her in the ‘belly’ of the shark. “HEY! Let me out of here!”

“Only if you answer Trixie this one question!” Trixie and the crowd laughed as the card shark disassembled itself back into a stacked deck with the exception of three cards. Dazzling was revealed again from where the card shark had been with three cards on her face, both Prince of Fools cards covering her eyes and finally the Princess of Hearts stuck to her forehead.

“Thank you! Thank you! Yes, the Great and Powerful Trixie simply is the best!” Trixie shouted to the crowd as she bowed to their uproarious applause.

“Grrrr. A lady does not shove cards in their opponent’s mouth.” Dazzling said to herself as she wiped the cards from her face and turned to Trixie. “A lady gets even…”

“Not bad, Trixie. Not bad. I will admit, but I’m afraid this is where I am going to have to burst your boasts.”

“Buahaha! The Great and Powerful Trixie IS the best. Trixie does not see what you can do about it.” Trixie laughed again and marched across the stage to Dazzling, poking her with one hoof.

“Oh, I can do quite a lot about it. For you see you just haven’t realized the simple truth.” Dazzling brushed Trixie’s hoof off her and wiped at the spot as if Trixie had gotten dirt on her tuxedo.

“Truth?” Trixie put her hoof to her mouth as if she was shocked before rolling her eyes, “Sparkle, do you mean one of your delusions-oh, I mean illusions!”

“You see Trixie…” Dazzling began, even as she spoke her body seemed to shake. The next moment a magical aura surrounded Dazzling and she was growing on the stage! Her entire body shooting up to a gigantic size, Trixie gasped from her place on the ground and stumbled back as a hoof bigger than she was slammed down where she had been standing. Displaced air and a booming sound washed out over Trixie and the stunned crowd.

“WOOOOOOOO!” Appleflower shouted from the crowd, banging her hoof on the table. “YER GONNA NEED A BIGGER STAGE!”

Appleflower and Gem laughed out loud together, turning over empty and partially empty shot glasses on their table as they banged on the table louder and harder.

“She is pretty big…and magnificent.” Gem whispered to Appleflower, a blush on her lips as she tried to straighten her eyes on the enlarged Dazzling.

“Ooooo! Ooooooo! Gem! Geeeeeeeemmmm.” Appleflower slurred into Gem’s ear, “I think you have a..a...a-WAITER MORE DRINKS!“

Appleflower turned from Gem and waved her hooves above her head signaling a waiter to come over.

“TRIXIE, THE TRUTH I WAS TALKING ABOUT,” Dazzling’s voice boomed through the Punch Bowl, shaking the entire building and forcing ponies to cover their ears, “I’VE ALWAYS BEEN THE BIGGER ACT! JUST LOOK BEHIND YOU!”

“What?” Trixie asked as she turned around to see a normal sized Dazzling. Smiling, Dazzling slammed a headband with rabbit ears over Trixie’s head. Trixie turned around back to the gigantic Dazzling to see that she had disappeared, the gigantic Dazzling had been an illusion all along while the real Dazzling had snuck behind her. Trixie tried to tug off the pair of bunny ears but they wouldn’t come off. “Hey! Get these off of Trixie!”

“Oh, but I think they just look absolutely wonderful on you, darling.” Dazzling giggled. She took her hat off with both of her hooves and slid it down over Trixie, impossibly it seemed Trixie disappeared entirely into the hat by the time Dazzling had dropped it to the floor of the stage. Without breaking a beat, Dazzling levitated the hat into the air beside her. ��Now! Lets say the magic words! Bibby Bobby! Abra Magicy! Dazzling is the bestie!”

The top hat shakes and twirls in the air as soon as Dazzling has finished her words, she brings one hoof underneath it to steady it as it seems to struggle with itself. Finally, Trixie forces her head up from the rim of the hat, gasping for air her bunny ears flop out on top of her head.

“Tada!” Dazzling shouts to the crowd cheering, laughing, stamping their hooves and jumping up and down in front of her. The Punch Bowl shakes on its foundation. “It seems like we have a winner Trixie.”

“Errraugh! Yes! Fine! Trixie gives up! Just get me out of this!” Trixie struggles inside of the hat. Dazzling giggles one more time before turning her hat over and letting Trixie slide out of the hat completely and down to the floor. On the back of her cape there is even a fake, cotton bunny tail.

The lights in the Punch Bowl come on and now Dazzling can see the entire room clearly now, looking down she smiles to see both Appleflower and Gem cheering her on from their table. Dazzling’s eyes in particular slide down to Gem, where she takes in the absolutely adorable smile on Gem’s face. Dazzling shivers and at the tip of her horn she lets a soft ripple of magic escape, it forms just the barest shape of a heart. Dazzling quickly covers her horn with her top hat before Gem can look too closely and turns back to Trixie who has turned away from Dazzling, stamping one hoof to the stage floor.

“Trixie…” Dazzling’s features soften, her mind wanders back to the last time she was in Ponyville. Going on an epic adventure across Equestria and making new friends from the unlikeliest of ponies. Learning about the Elements of Harmony and the spirit of friendship. Dazzling sighs and extends a hoof to Trixie as she looks back to Dazzling.

“That was…that was a pretty good magic trick. With the cards, I mean. I was scared there when that card shark dived at me.” Dazzling admitted, using her magic to help Trixie back onto her hooves.

“Really?” Trixie asked, she wiped a tear from her eye as Dazzling nodded, “It-it was a spur of the moment thing. I was originally going to make a house of cards fall on you but…but then you gave me the shark idea…erm. Your presentation was flawless by the way.”

“Thanks, Trixie.” Dazzling looked out toward the crowd and before Trixie could do anything about it Dazzling took her hoof and bowed. After a few shocked moments Trixie followed through and bowed as well, smiling all the way. The crowd cheered and stamped their hooves in applause just as loud as before.

“Come on, my friends are down there. Drinks are on Berry Punch!” Dazzling said, she took Trixie by the cape and made to drag her off stage.

“Drinks? No, Berry Punch doesn’t cover tabs for performers. Believe Trixie, she has asked before.” Trixie replied, puffing her cheeks in and out in past frustration.

“What? But we are the entertainment! Wait, wait that means…” Dazzling gasped and looked toward the table with a cheering Appleflower and Gem. She mentally counted each glass stacked in towers on the table and by the time she added it all together she gulped loudly, “…maybe just water for me in that case.”

#trixie #Twilight Sparkle #alternate universe #dazzling sparkle #MLP:FiM #raritwi #rarilight #fanfiction

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