Part 19 – Combined Efforts
Dazzleglow and Sparkler reached Paradise Estate before Milky Way and Princess Aquamarine, only to return to the sound of screaming. Applejack screeched and wailed, now no longer content with battering the door with her hooves.
The baby ponies, Moondancer, Dazzleglow's friends and Raspberry Jam all sat together in the main living area, while Peach Blossom tried her magic against the frozen windows. At this, at least, she had more success, the frost not as thick as it had been. The room warmed to a comfortable temperature and the blankets were discarded.
Raspberry Jam was the first to greet Dazzleglow and Sparkler. "We weren't sure when you'd be back," she said, and gestured for both to come closer. Once there, she engulfed them in a hug, to which Sparkler in particular returned it in equal kind.
"Has she been doing that the entire time?" Dazzleglow asked.
Raspberry Jam nodded. "If it continued much longer, I don't think any of us would be getting any sleep." She paused and sighed. "How did it go with Milky Way?"
"Princess Aquamarine is on her way here, along with Milky Way," Sparkler replied. When Raspberry Jam's jaw dropped, Sparkler could only nod. "We tried to warn her, but she insisted."
Raspberry Jam nodded. She gestured for them to follow and she made her way to the kitchen. They heard the kettle being filled with water a moment later.
"I can't do much to help, but I can at least do this," she said.
Dazzleglow felt her heart break. Despite Happyglow and her friends insisting it wasn't her fault for the happenings, she couldn't help but feel it was. The tension was palpable, that it could be cut with a knife, and the rest of the ponies felt it too.
Raspberry Jam disappeared and returned, a tray piled high with cups, a pot billowing steam on it too. She handed them out between the ponies, then filled the cups to the brim, adding milk, sugar and honey to each ponies' preference.
They sat together in uncomfortable silence, no one wishing to speak, despite the noise upstairs. Happyglow sat with Dazzleglow, as did Sparkler. Starglow however, remained by Pearly's side, the little unicorn absently ruffling Mr Stuffings fur.
Moondancer however, paced. She paced the length of the room and checked the window at regular intervals. With each time she checked it with no appearance made by Princess Aquamarine, she grew more impatient, her hooves hitting the floor that much harder.
Brightglow caught her mid-pace and took her to one of the chairs. Baby Moondancer followed and hopped onto the arm of the chair. Moondancer reached out and stroked her daughter's mane.
It took them by surprise when they noticed silence had fallen, and Applejack no longer assaulted the door in the hopes of escape.
It was in this silence they heard the door open, and Princess Aquamarine appeared, accompanied by both her dragon and Milky Way.
The pink starry unicorn trotted over to Raspberry Jam and hugged her, the other pony already on her way to the kitchen to attend to the new guests. Princess Aquamarine stepped into the living room, a bag over her shoulder, that Prickles opened and retrieved Aquamarine's wand. She went over to the window, lifted her wand and it lit up. The frost dissipated, water running down the glass.
Peach Blossom stood up. "Greetings, Highness. We are honoured to accommodate you," she said with a deep bow.
"The pleasure is mine, Peach Blossom," Aquamarine replied, "Though I must offer my apologies for not visiting Queen Rosedust in some time."
Peach Blossom shook her head. "Think nothing of it. Rosedust understands your duties are of absolute importance."
Milky Way returned with a steaming cup, while Raspberry Jam brought another tray. Aquamarine smiled and took the cup from the tray.
The smile was short-lived. Above them, Applejack's voice rang out, a wail from the top of the stairs resounded. Aquamarine frowned and went toward the doorway. The wail quieted, then became a low giggle, the voice raspy and harsh.
"And this is our errant pony," Aquamarine remarked, "All right Peach Blossom, come along. We will deal with this." She looked over to Dazzleglow. "You too, magical pony."
Happyglow frowned. "How do you know of us?"
Aquamarine's smile returned. "It is my duty to know both you, and all the magic of Pony Land. The glowing magical ponies are becoming as much a legend as the Princess Ponies." She dipped her head. "My intent was not to insult you, indeed I have quite the respect."
"Then you know this pony has reacted to Dazzleglow," Happyglow said, instinctively moving closer to her.
Aquamarine nodded. "Yes. I have also heard how it is resistant to the Utter Flutter and Dazzleglow's own magic. Hence why I am here."
She turned back to the door, Peach Blossom already halfway up the stairs, Dazzleglow now at the doorway. Aquamarine followed Peach Blossom, while Dazzleglow took a deep breath before she followed them.
The laughter continued, drifting down to them along the corridor. The door was already open.
Peach Blossom hovered above it. "This door was locked before."
"No time like the present," Aquamarine answered, then marched ahead, her wand at the ready.
Dazzleglow looked over Aquamarine's shoulder, and watched as Applejack slowly looked over her own shoulder at the ponies. A grin spread across her face, then she sat motionless. She stared through them.
Aquamarine went into the room, Peach Blossom following, then Dazzleglow. When Dazzleglow stepped over the door's threshold, the door shut behind her.
Peach Blossom immediately flew into the air, ready to activate Utter Flutter, until Aquamarine raised her hoof and bade her to wait. The Flutter pony landed daintily on the floor, though she was ready to move at a second's notice if the Princess Pony commanded.
Aquamarine cleared her throat. She glanced to her wand which glowed and pulsated. Applejack's gaze fell on it too and her grin grew wider.
"Hiiighness," she cooed, then contorted herself into an uncomfortable looking position. Her waist appeared to twist around, her front legs straight out in front of her. "They've finally brought you in to deal with me."
Aquamarine stepped forward. "Indeed. Though I would have you tell me where you came from."
Applejack chuckled and twisted back.
The door creaked behind them.
Dazzleglow turned to look over her shoulder and when she looked again, Applejack was gone. Peach Blossom's gasp alerted their attention, and they found Applejack hanging from the ceiling like a spider.
"Get down from there!" Aquamarine shouted, aiming her wand at the pony. Applejack obeyed, and landed with a thump on the floor.
"Yes, your Hiiiighness."
"Where did you come from?"
"Away. Far, far away."
Aquamarine looked to Dazzleglow. "Were you attracted to her? And her friends?"
Applejack's head snapped around to Dazzleglow, and the unicorn shrunk back. Aquamarine reached out and stroked her back. "The glooowing magical pooonies."
Dazzleglow felt even worse, her stomach tying itself in cold knots.
"Hiiighness, your wand is beating like a heart."
Aquamarine ignored this. "Where did you come from?" she asked again.
"Awaaay."
"Your Highness, this is futile. She refuses to answer, except to refute any claims you make," Peach Blossom told Aquamarine. "She replies with answers equivalent to nothing."
In the second Aquamarine turned to Peach Blossom, Applejack was gone again. This time, instead of the pony herself, it was an object flung at them. And it was aimed at Dazzleglow.
"Use your magic, magical pony," Aquamarine urged. "It'll protect you, as will we."
Dazzleglow caught the book in mid-air, her horn lighting up. She landed it carefully on the floor, and while doing so, Applejack threw a vase. Dazzleglow caught this too, then looked to where the object came from. Applejack was pressed against the wall, items levitating around her. Her eyes darted to another book, and it came flying at Dazzleglow's head. Peach Blossom reacted first and she blew it back at Applejack.
Dazzleglow, horn still lit up, took a step forward. Applejack threw another vase in response. It was caught once more, then placed down.
"Peach Blossom! Use your Utter Flutter!" Aquamarine ordered.
Peach Blossom flew higher to the ceiling then beat her wings hard, twinkles sprinkling the floor like dewdrops. Aquamarine raised her wand, lighting it up. The Utter Flutter increased in strength, the glitter spreading around the floor and walls.
Applejack grunted, perhaps in surprise, Dazzleglow was not sure. She waited, watching Applejack as she slipped off the wall. She landed on her feet and stepped forward.
"Dazzleglow! Your magic!" Aquamarine called to her.
The Utter Flutter continued in strength and frequency, blowing Applejack's hair and herself a few steps backward. Dazzleglow lit up her horn and faced Applejack. She moved forward, the ethereal glow from her horn causing Applejack's shadow to move and writhe.
Aquamarine moved her wand, aiming it toward the glow. The glow filled the room, slipping out under the door and into the hall.
Applejack groaned, the paleness fading, her own natural colouring coming through. She slumped to the floor, Peach Blossom still beating her wings hard, the sprinkles now covered Applejack.
Aquamarine held up her hoof, the glow of the wand faded. Dazzleglow moved away from the pony, while Peach Blossom landed. She too moved back.
Aquamarine rushed to Applejack's side, nudging her awake. The now orange earth pony's eyes opened suddenly, and widened. She looked around herself, then cried out, scrambling away from Aquamarine.
"You're all right, you're safe," Aquamarine assured her.
Applejack turned to look at Dazzleglow, wincing when the unicorn moved further away from her. "I'm so sorry. I'm sorry, I…" she began, her eyes filling with tears.
"Rest, my dear. There is plenty of time to hear your story."