Part 17 – Milky Way

With two failed attempts, Dazzleglow was worried. The ponies were gathered once more in the living area of Paradise Estate, while Happyglow distributed blankets to the everyone. She sat down next to Dazzleglow and pulled her close.

Peach Blossom sat on the floor, her head down, her mane covering her face. She heaved a sigh and looked to Dazzleglow. "My deepest, sincerest apologies," she said, "I was arrogant. I thought nothing could withstand the Utter Flutter."

"Normally nothing can," Sparkler added, "Dream Valley has been saved numerous times by the Flutter Ponies."

"And yet, Applejack's magic can."

Sparkler stayed silent.

Happyglow looked between them. "What happened in there?"

"Dazzleglow attempted to aid me in my attempt to dispel the magic. The moment her horn lit up, it reacted with Applejack."

Happyglow frowned. "Reacted how?"

"It sent me flying across the room. I couldn't get near her," Dazzleglow explained. "It was as if, when I went to even try, her magic reacted to mine. It was an automatic response almost."

Happyglow looked to Peach Blossom. "Could it be, that Dazzleglow's magic is the exact opposite to Applejack's? And that's why she reacts as she has done to Dazzleglow being here at all?"

Peach Blossom put her hoof under her chin. "It is a sound theory. And would explain much in terms of everything that has went on."

"Then surely, something to enhance your Utter Flutter and Dazzleglow's magic would work against this pony?"

The Flutter Pony nodded slowly. "It has the potential to yield results."

Dazzleglow's eyes widened and she looked to Happlyglow. "What are you doing?"

"You may be the second youngest of us, but do not pretend you're powerless," Happlyglow told her, somewhat sternly. On seeing Dazzleglow's expression however, she softened. "You're probably the most powerful of us. If it weren't for you, we wouldn't have been able to fly to Patch's aid."

Dazzleglow blushed and dipped her head.

Sparkler frowned slightly. "Something you're not telling us?"

Happyglow nodded, though she had a smile on her face. "Though she doesn't like to admit it, her magic is quite powerful, and not just limited to making star shows for the baby ponies. Her magic can repair anything."

"Anything?"

"Indeed. I'm sure she's told you about when she met Patch?"

Sparkler nodded.

"She repaired the balloon, as well as conjuring wings for us all to fly there."

"That explains a lot, and why Applejack seems to become more active. She's trying to protect herself; she recognises you as a danger to her," Sparkler said.

"If that is indeed the case, then anything enhance our combined efforts would work," Peach Blossom said, voicing her thoughts aloud. "The question therein lies; what magic is more powerful than Utter Flutter and Dazzleglow?"

There was a moment of silence, then Sparkler's face lit up. "The Princess Ponies!"

The group of ponies looked to her, some with a frown, others surprised. It had been several years since anyone of Dream Valley had had dealings with Royal Paradise. When King Lavan stole the magic wands, and Princess Pearl sought help from Paradise Estate, when the wands were returned, the Princess Ponies stayed in Royal Paradise to govern and look after it. Each took on the role of queen, and each took it equally as seriously.

The glowing ponies, however, knew of the legends and the myths, but not the ponies themselves.

"The Princess Ponies each have a magic wand that does something different," Sparkler explained. "Princess Pearl has kept in contact with Paradise, while Princess Ruby and Princess Aquamarine visit the hair salon often. Princess Aquamarine goes to see the Party Ponies on a regular basis!"

Peach Blossom tilted her head. "You think they would be sympathetic to our plight?"

Sparkler nodded. "Surely they would."

Happlyglow turned to her. "All right, how do we contact them?"

"The Party Ponies. Milky Way in particular keeps in contact with Princess Aquamarine. If we can speak to her, then perhaps together we can come up with something."

Happyglow looked to her friends and shrugged. "It's worth a shot."

Dazzleglow stood up from the floor. "I guess I'd better get prepared."

Sparkler stepped forward. "Not alone you're not."

Dazzleglow couldn't help but smile. As ever, her friend was there for her and ever the constant rock of support to her. She went to her, and pulled Sparkler into a tight hug.

Within the hour, they were ready to leave.

For a while, they walked in silence, Dazzleglow unsure of what to say to her friend. She glanced to Sparkler, the blue unicorn looking ahead of them on the trip they were making.

Dazzleglow sighed. "I didn't mean to keep my magic hidden from you," she said, "I'm so used to keeping it hidden and not being able to use it as freely, that I just…" She trailed off into silence.

"Force of habit," Sparkler replied. She moved closer to Dazzleglow. "I can understand why you have. I didn't realise just what you could do."

"I can make my friends into Pegasus ponies, and myself." She smiled to herself. "Sometimes, I used to fly through the stars so quickly, Pony Land thought I was a shooting star."

Sparkler giggled. "I'm sure it was a sight to behold."

"Oh, it was." Dazzleglow glanced to Sparkler. "I've spent so long hiding it, I didn't know any other way to be."

Sparkler rested her head on Dazzleglow's neck. "You're forgiven. If you make me a Pegasus at least once!"

Dazzleglow laughed. "Deal."

They walked on, reaching the Walled Garden where Sweet Tooth kept her lollipop tree. Over the wall, the two unicorns could see the various houses made out of lollipop sticks by the Nonsense Gnome. There was, however, no sign of Sweet Tooth, nor any of the Party Ponies.

They went onward, looking for any sign of the ponies. Eventually, they could hear the sounds of laughter and excited chatter. Dazzleglow and Sparkler headed in the direction of the noise.

Spread out in the distance, was a long table, the silhouettes of the ponies gathered around it. The two unicorns broke into a gallop and arrived where the Party Ponies were. Sweet Tooth was the first to notice them, and she broke into a grin on seeing them there. She quickly gathered plates together, filling them completely then trotted over to Sparkler and Dazzleglow, handing them over.

"Hello Sparkler!" she said, then looked to Dazzleglow. "I don't believe we've met. I'm Sweet Tooth."

"Dazzleglow," she answered, having already taken the plate from her.

"I can see why," Sweet Tooth answered. She ushered them forward toward the table. "Come, come. Sit with us."

Sparkler glanced around, then spotted the unicorn she was after. "Milky Way," she greeted her with a smile, "It's been too long since I last saw you."

The pink unicorn, with stars covering her body, grinned in return. "Indeed it has." She trotted over to Sparkler and engulfed her in a hug. "What are you doing here?"

Sparkler returned the hug, with equal ferocity, then stood back. "It's a long, long story."

Between them, Dazzleglow and Sparkler filled the Party Ponies in on Applejack and everything she had done. The ponies went silent, glancing between each other, with equal expressions of uneasiness. When they were finished, a silence fell.

"So now we're here, hoping to speak to Princess Aquamarine," Sparkler told them.

Milky Way nodded. "You're in luck. She's due to join us in an hour or so. I'm sure she'll help, or know of some way."

Sparkler sighed in relief. "Wonderful."

Milky Way retrieved another plate and filled it with food. "Until then, try and take your minds off it." She hand it to them, and they spoke of everything but Applejack.