The next evening and a crystal city bathed in the moonlight, in one of the rooms one could hear the singing of the last verses of a lullaby known from the human world.
So many stars above.
There are so many cities down there.
The stars let the cities know.
That the children must sleep.
She sang Cadance to sleep her younger daughter Star Lara, a silver Alicorn on a gold of a white mane with a red headband fell asleep on call laying her head on a soft pillow, Cadance tenderly covered her daughter with the duvet and rose quietly leaving the bedrooms.
- mom. There was a familiar voice in the doorway in the hallway light where the older daughter, pink Alicorn, with a pale curly mane of pink to purple with a cyan streak of Flurry Heart stood, was standing.
- Flurry what happened, no, not now your little sister just fell asleep, come on. Cadance said as she led her daughter to the opposite room.
- Mom, I have a small request if I could go with Star to Ponyville. Flurry Heart asked.
- I'm listening, you want to go there alone, and with your younger sister, you know that I won't let you go there alone. Cadance said as she brought Flurry Heart into her room adjusting the pillow and quilt.
- but mom, it's very important to me, I would like to, no.
- let me guess it's about Swift Max, huh? admit it. Cadance asked aptly.
- this, it is, not that is not what it is about, I mean. She was tangled in the words of Flurry Heart, taking on a stronger and stronger blush on her face, even though the room was half dark broken by candlelight Cadance could see everything in the palm of your hand, and more.
- Flurry, you know that you will not hide anything from me, do not be ashamed of it, you know that I am a princess of love and I know immediately what and how, only human is beyond my reach. Cadance said with a chuckle under her breath.
- Oh, uncle, when he visits us again, mom, I hope you didn't give him detention for that, it was our idea, really. Flurry Heart said as she sat down on the bed and stared at her mother.
- you know very well that none of you is to blame, nothing happened to you and when Alex is close, I know that he will take care of each of you, but do not shy away from the most important topic, Swift Max, you like him true. She asked Cadance and her daughter quickly jumped under the covers, avoiding the words and her own shame.
- Flurry, you have nothing to be ashamed of, and you know you have my permission, you and Star Lara can visit Ponyville anytime soon, but not alone. Cadance said as she was suddenly hugged by her daughter.
- thank you, mother, thank you, thank you. Flurry Heart said, hugging her mother tightly.
- well, do not squeeze me so tightly because you will choke me and as I said, you will not be alone there.
- uncle!. Flurry Heart shouted.
- not uncle, someone I trust more, my sister-in-law Twilight, I will be calmer because with her you will not go crazy. Cadance said, getting out of bed.
Flurry Heart felt a slight disappointment for a moment because, frankly speaking, she would rather have a human accompanying them, but her mother's proposal was not bad because where Twilight is, Alex will be there, but the most important for pale pink Alicorn was the opportunity to visit her close friend and surprise him in the most unusual way.
- thank you, mother, thank you. Flurry Heart said as she rested her head on the pillow.
- It's okay, honey, now go to sleep. Good night. Cadance said as she walked out of her older daughter's room.
Stepping out into the corridor, the adult pink Alicorn with yellow-purple-pink mane yawned loudly, feeling tired in her bones, everything was interrupted by a familiar voice that surprised the princess of love.
- Princess Cadance, can we talk?
Cadance, hearing a voice booming in front of her nose, squealed and backed up against the wall, squinting slightly at her nose where she saw an image that was always surprising, it was Alex reduced to the form of a small flea.
- what !, Alex ?, but how, wait, well, you can shrink, seeing you here, you must have a business for me, you know, I forgave you for the race with my daughters. Cadance said.
- this is not what it is about, it is about matters of the heart, you are a princess of love and I have a problem. Alex said, and his words rocked the pink Alicorn.
- wait if something happened. Cadance asked, still staring at her nose and the man standing on it.
At the same moment, Alex suddenly jumped forward hiding in a purple-pink mane as a white unicorn with a turquoise, blue and navy blue mane, Prince Shining Armor, appeared in the corridor.
- Cadance, what are you doing here, our daughters are asleep?. Shining Armor asked.
- shhh, I'm not here, take us to a safe place so we can talk. Alex whispered hidden in the mane and Cadance, making a stupid smile, was looking for an excuse to disappear from the castle as a man asked her until she had a brilliant idea.
- yes, our daughters are already asleep, and you know honey, I have to check something in the kitchen.
- what exactly.
- oh, you want to know the truth, cook your ears, that's all, well, after times gone by, I decided to change something in my life. Cadance said.
- oh, I understand, well after the past a lot has changed, this one, but come back soon. Said Shining Armor as he walked upstairs to the princely chambers.
When Shining Armor disappeared from the corridor, Cadance did as she told her husband, first went downstairs to the kitchen full of various pots, plates and cutlery, and crates with supplies, Alex, seeing a safe and quiet place, quickly jumped out of the princess' mane returning to his normal size which was already surprising and fascinating for the princess, and even more so for the game, Alex opened his portal leading somewhere on a hill above the forest.
- please come with me. Alex said standing in front of the portal, while Cadance stared at the open portal for a moment, not knowing what to do, come Alex saved them all even now the princess was not entirely sure if what Alex was doing was safe, but Cadance finally took the first step slowly and cautiously walking through the portal until she was suddenly shocked by a loud human scream.
- bug, bug !, bug !. Alex shouted as he raised his hands and Cadance, screeching, leapt over the port and landed on the ground.
Hearing the laughter of a man, Cadance got up as furious as a wasp and looked at the man in the eyes, showing the familiar gesture with a hoof in her and man's eyes.
- You will do it to me again, remember I have an eye on you. Cadance said furiously.
- I know, I'm sorry, but I couldn't help myself, you were so insecure, well, I couldn't help myself but you have my word, I won't do it anymore and I won't say anything to anyone. Alex said, putting his right hand over his heart in a gesture of oath.
- well, better get to the point, why did you take me into this wilderness and what is it, what is your problem in matters of the heart. Cadance asked, looking rather closely at the man standing in front of her.
Alex became completely serious, he stood sideways to the princess staring at something in the distance which was already a sign of something big.
- wait, Alex tell me this is about you and Twilight, something happened in your relationship ?. Cadance asked, standing next to the man.
- no that's not what's different. Alex said, still staring into the distance.
- it's about another girl right now, or you?, Alex, I have a husband. Cadance panicked and Alex laughed shortly.
- it's not that at all and it's not about me, about someone very shy, about him, look. Alex said as he pointed in the distance in the moonlight a statue of the princess of the moon and a golden earth pony with a black mane standing in front of him.
- I noticed him about three weeks ago, always before midnight, he always shows up in this place at dusk, and he sits here for an hour to three staring at the moon. Alex said, showing Deros sitting in front of the statue staring at the moon.
Cadance moved closer to the edge activating the power of her horn, and after the first examination of Cadance found what Alex saw without using magic, Cadance sat down next to the man contemplating everything, the golden earth pony and the man.
- Alex, tell me how did you know that Deros is in love, do you also have any sense.
- no, I just see it, it catches the eye, someone who comes to one place and the same place must feel something more, besides, once I saw him in the crystal city on that day of fun, when Princess Luna flew in, he was so shy , I feel sorry for him and I would like to know how to help him or tell the princess. Alex said, staring at the golden pony.
- no, you can't do it like that, we can't do it, we have to do it differently, on the other hand, he's so shy, he won't talk to himself, you're right, you need to help him somehow, of course Luna is not obliged to feel the same Since she will feel nothing for him, I will not be able to generate love in her heart, it always comes randomly. Cadance said.
- Wait what's up. Alex said as suddenly Deros ran into the unknown into the forest thicket.
- I wonder why he left the guard so quickly today, maybe he decided something. Alex said.
- Certainly his eyes showed a very great determination, but as I said, not everything depends on him. Cadance said thinking about a way to help, but she knew herself, come can make Deros say whatever she feels, but Luna will have the final word here.
- give me some time and I'll think of something, you have my word and thank you for telling me about it. Cadance said looking straight into the man's blue eyes.
- you are welcome, really, and I have one more thing, I used to be very in love, but because of the choices that my heart made, I had to give up, I had to overcome this feeling, in those days I knew that true love is the only one, it is the first, and yet, today I love Twilight as much as anyone before and I wonder if it is possible to fall in love as much or even more if it is real. Alex asked, and his question became perhaps the most difficult Cadance had faced.
- Alex, you asked me a difficult question today, I do not know how to answer it, but I know that both feelings were and are true, stepping away from that woman, leaving her and her family alone, you proved that you truly loved her, here you saved us all from this for the same reason, and Twilight, you are ready to do anything for her, maybe the fact that you are crazy makes you fall in love again, I would know more if I could check your feelings in depth but as you know no magic works on you, you have to answer it's asked what your heart tells you. Cadance said, looking at the focused man, eyes closed for a moment and a scowl on her face to see Alex open his eyes and staring at the stars.
- what my heart tells me, my crazy heart is sure that I would do everything to help you, save you, make you happy, make her happy, that's for sure, and I can believe that love is free from destiny and nothingness but whether it is free from other forces. Alex said, recalling a conversation with a man from the human world.
- what forces. Cadance asked quickly.
- well, once I met a man, I told him about my discoveries, about destiny and nothingness, and he said that even these forces are nothing with fear and lies, and the man themselves pushed by them is able to outrun these forces and race with them in a maddened way chasing doom as fear and lies want it, he also told me that only truth, madness and childhood dreams can overcome it, but what about love, can it? Alex said while debating the new unknown dogma.
- well, I do not know much about it, for me the destiny and nothingness leading the lord of the elements was something difficult to understand, and here fear and lie, wounds, how strange and complicated it is, but the answer to your question was given to yourself, since madness is capable of overcome these forces just like the truth and childhood dreams, your feeling is the purest here and you have nothing to fear, you can and must be afraid of us, because if you disappeared tomorrow and left Twilight, you know how it will end for you. Cadance said, tapping the man on the head.
- I know, I understand and you're right, I'm crazy so anything is possible, I know what I feel, my heart tells me that, I love Twilight and I will never leave her, you have my word. Alex said, placing both hands over his heart.
- you know Alex and that's what you are really amazing. Cadance said, placing her right hoof in the man's hands, staring deep into his eyes.
- you feel it with all your heart, with all of you, I would never have thought that I would see someone like that with such a great feeling, Twilight is really lucky, really, Alex, me, no!. Cadance screamed as she suddenly jumped away from the human, seeing her own mouth getting too close to the human.
- I'm sorry, but I couldn't, something was calling me, man, you are really someone special and I do not mean your powers and what you have in your heart, it will be better for me to come back home. Cadance said, blushing all over her face, feeling something strange burst into her heart, some kind of charm, not love but charm, her own madness that would lead to something inappropriate.
- you're right, we'd better split up, it's getting out of control, please, the portal leads to the kitchen in the crystal city. Alex said as he opened the portal.
- thank you, and don't worry, I'll think of something, I'll help Deros, I'll help him somehow. Cadance said seeing his heart in man again, which made even she looked at him in an unusual way and then walked through the portal returning to her home, loving family and beloved husband.
The next day, almost noon, the whole of Ponyville was now very restless and disturbed by some shortages in the shops, most of the ponies and various presently host creatures were unable to purchase a certain product and the walking yellow-and-gray Minotaur girl Katrina who, walking with a calm light step, watched the talking ponies , at first Katrina didn't pay attention to the conversations around her until she heard the keyword.
- really, there's no chocolate in the whole city that's impossible.
- I tell you what I saw and heard myself, it's already the third store and nothing, everything is in its place, only one element is missing. The conversation of two ponies pounded in Katrina's ears and she, looking back, suddenly collided with a pony with green hair and a red mane.
- hey, watch your walk. Katrina said as she got up from the ground.
- I, you are not the first to be careful, although in one you will be first. Swift Max said.
- at least once someone admitted to me that I am actually the first one, how nice. Katrina said folding her hands in front of her.
- oh yes, you want to face it again, then let's see who's faster here. Said Swift Max are getting ready to run, they are adopting a sprinting stance.
- ladies have priority, let's see who of us is stronger here, go ahead, prove it to yourself and your girlfriend. Katrina said maliciously, so the Minotaur and the pony looked into each other's eyes ready for another sports match until someone shouted the word thief.
Both Katrina and Swift Max looked back at a pony coming out of the next store, saying that the Ponyville chocolate was gone.
- Swift Max, do you hear me. Katrina asked.
- I have better hearing and heard everything before you. Swift Max said maliciously.
- oh, come on, there must be something going on in the whole city, look at everyone whispering something, someone is talking about some thief, apparently chocolate from all over the city has disappeared.
- do not joke but what happened. Swift Max asked quickly, listening intently to the ponies' conversations.
- in fact, I think the chocolate of the whole city has disappeared, maybe it is another trick of the spirit of chaos, tactlessness long ago during the legion wars Discord treated everyone with the scourge of banana peels, which was very funny. Swift Max said saying everything in the ear of Katrina listening to him.
- hey Fluttershy. The pony and the Minotaur were alerted by the sudden call of a white unicorn mare with a navy blue mane, as it turned out Rarity, running through the city looking for her friend, was just running to the crystal tree where her friend was also looking for a cream pegasus with a pink mane Fluttershy.
- Rarity, you don't know where Discord is, I've been looking for him for a good hour. Fluttershy asked.
- so not only you are looking for him, actually the whole city is looking for him. Rarity said, and the two kids, Swift Max and Katrina, were listening carefully to the conversation between the two friends.
- but what happened. Fluttershy asked.
- you know what happened?!, I think Discord is making fun of us again, all over town, I think the whole town has gone chocolate, no traces or worlds, so. Rarity said, watching her friend vigilantly, hoping she was not hiding certain facts.
- wait, chocolate, no, it's impossible after all, Discord is polite.
- Well, I wouldn't say that our friend Discord is already polite, I still remember the day when the whole Ponyville was covered with a layer of banana peels.
- but does it mean?. Fluttershy asked.
- I don't know, maybe Discord decided to make a joke with us, and since you need to find him and not only him, I can see that my Spike is in collusion with him. Rarity said embarrassed, remembering the day Alex taught the dragon and the spirit of chaos the art of eating chocolate.
- we'd better find them. Interfering Katrina suggested.
- but how. Fluttershy asked as she watched the two children walk out in front of the crystal tree.
- Diper and Zax, they'll help us. Swift Max suggested quickly.
- it will not be needed. Everyone was surprised by the strong voice of a maroon mare and a red mane in a green robe.
- Tempest, you know something interesting, tell us. Swift Max said.
- first of all, I was in the Cakes state store, they also have a total lack of chocolate, first, and secondly, I saw all four of them. Tempest Shadow said as she tweaked the new green string which was already surprising to everyone.
- like four. Rarity asked.
- most importantly where they went. Fluttershy asked, ready to go.
- first, because we are in no rush, Discord was not alone, he was accompanied by, among others, Spike, Big Mac and Luxor. Tempest Shadow said.
- dad, but what is he. Katrina surprised.
- my daddy, but why him, what is he up to again. Swift Max asked
- We won't find out until we check it out ourselves, Tempest Shadow you said you know where they are, right?. She asked irritated Rarity, knowing that Spike was up to something again with the spirit of chaos and that she was drawing every penny into unknown business more ponies, family and close friends.
- I know where they are, they are nearby. Come. Tempest Shadow said as she led four friends, three ponies and one Minotaur, and the crowd of interested ponies listening to the conversation grew increasingly dense and followed the two heroines to find out the truth.
Tempest Shadow took everyone to a familiar place behind the Cakes state store, there, on a small clearing, as it turned out, sat all named by the maroon mare in the green side, Discord, Big Mac, Luxor and Spike, surprisingly all four sat looking at each other but theirs their faces were full of struggle and great effort, and their eyes and eyelids trembled more and more, except for the very spirit of chaos who repeated the same lines all the time.
- blink, blink. Discord spoke every few seconds and everyone watching the batting fight paused in silence, watching the rivalry.
- quieter, let's not disturb them, I know what it is, I bet on the whole chocolate cake that my father will last longer without blinking. Said Katrina proud of herself.
- no chance, my dad will be better you will see. Swift Max said, looking around the corner of the building as Big Mac and Luxor were losing more and more power in the same fight of glances.
- oh, Spike, did you have to put up with it too, because something like that will make my dragon have fits of nervous blinking, I will stop them. She told Rarity, wanting to go, but was stopped both by two children and by a maroon mare with a rebuilt horn.
- don't interrupt them, don't you see this is a big duel. Tempest Shadow said as the first opponent gave way and Spike was the first of them.
- oh man, I couldn't. Spike said falling to the ground and covering his eyes.
The fight continued, the gray-green Minotaur and the red pony with the golden mane continued to struggle more with each other than with the confident spirit of chaos, Big Max and Luxor did not want to give way, they did not want to lose, they did not want to pass for the weaker, both more and more tired and motivated they kept each other's eyes wide open as their lids trembled and drooped more and more, meanwhile Discord repeated his phrase again and this finally revealed him as the winner.
Both Luxor and Big Mac closed their eyes at the same time and for some time were unable to open them and the children watching them from the edge of the threshold looked at each other knowing that today no winner was selected.
- I think, today our dads are equal. Swift Max said showing no sign of anger or disappointment.
- it looks like it was a tough fight anyway. Katrina said as she walked out of the alley and approached her parents with a green ponytail.
- katrina ?. Luxor surprised.
- Swift Max, what are you from?. Big Mac asked.
Both parents' questions were interrupted by their children and a firm embrace.
- Tempest Shadow brought us here and I didn't think you would compete in a duel as much as I am proud of you. Katrina said, rejoicing her proud father.
- and like me, dad, you managed to hold on for so long, sometimes a draw is better than a win because it shows how equal we are. Swift Max said, giving new strength to both his father and the Minotaur sitting next to him.
- it doesn't change the fact, Discord really is the best at it, Em, that, Rarity, something happened. Spike asked, his right eye trembling.
- that's what I mean, first Discord steals chocolate from all over town and now please what he did with my dragon. Rarity said.
- Exactly, Discord, can you tell me but honestly did you steal chocolate from all over town?. Fluttershy's caring voice asked, and Discord's eyes widened.
- that how ?, me and chocolate? If I actually took chocolate, I would certainly eat it in a quiet place, but why would I take chocolate from all over the city, after all I am not like that. Discord said as he saw most of the ponies staring at him.
- I don't know, there was a day when you sent a plague of banana peels to the whole city, wasn't it. Tempest Shadow said.
- this is just another trick of our joker. One of the ponies said.
- Discord would be better for you to admit it. Another unicorn pony spoke.
- but I am telling the truth, I do not steal, maybe I used to be malicious, then and today I am sometimes a joker but why would I steal chocolate. Discord said.
- I see it that way too. Everyone was awakened by the rumbling voice of a short golden stallion with a black mane
- after all, as you all know, Discord is not a chocolate holik, but a human. Added Deros, looking at the accompanying blue stallion with a beard, clad in dusted armor with a stone shield in his left hoof.
- how many times the man himself said that he would cut us in exchange for chocolate, maybe it was false but such a holik chocolate could do something else, rob us all, since there are no traces beyond the pits, you know who is to blame for it. Rockhoof said, hitting the stone shield on the ground to make his words sound more blunt, loud and firm.
Come on Rockhoof and Deros cast their first suspicions on the human, no one believed the words of the two earth ponies, most burst out laughing and some shook their heads.
- Rockhoof, Deros!, How can you throw accusations on the one who is absent first and second without evidence. Tempest Shadow said angrily, which, by the way, but the anger in the mouth of a maroon mare, even in a green tassel, was always a source of chills, and most of the audience even backed away, except for the two children.
- exactly, Tempest Shadow is right, you can't make accusations without evidence. Swift Max said.
- Without that, there's no reason to believe Alex is guilty of it. Katrina said, standing up for the human with Swift Max and Tempest Shadow.
- I will not believe it, without evidence of course!. Discord said angrily.
When Discord, Rarity, Fluttershy, Spike, Big Mac and Luxor stood up for the man and everyone in the crowd did not believe the words of Rockhoof and Deros, they both looked at each other knowing that today they lost nevertheless predicted the future in the form of a venomous prophecy.
- so believe in him, but soon he will steal the chocolate again, but then it will be too late, he will fill his stomachs and laugh at you, it's your choice. Rockhoof said as he returned to the castle with his companion Deros.
- paranoid, worse than Star Swirl. Tempest Shadow said.
- okay but who really stole the chocolate?. Spike asked.
- whoever it was today will certainly have a stomachache, after eating such a dose of chocolate, the mysterious perpetrator will not do well on this sweet business. Rarity said.
When everyone started to go to their homes and responsibilities, only Swift max and Katrina remained in the middle of the clearing.
- Who do you think could have done it, because I do not believe Alex would do it, maybe he is a chocolate holik but he is not a thief. Katrina said.
- the question should be who cares to discredit a person. Swift Max said.
- bull's eye, but where do we start, wait a minute, do I have an idea, Diper and Zax ?. Katrina asked.
- yes, we'll start with that, but first. Swift Max said as he prepared to run to finally let go.
- first, let's learn to cooperate, because we can cooperate more. Said Swift Max handing over his right hoof.
- great, together we can do more. Said Katrina as she slapped the green pony's hoof.
At the same time, the underground chamber of Canterlot Castle, Star Swirl, and all of the pillars were on their stomachs, all of their bellies stuffed, and now breathing heavily and groaning.
- gosh my poor belly, for what, for what, what did I do that I deserved it. Said a groaning Star Swirl stuffed with chocolate all the way to the throat, and as Rarity proclaimed, the thieves were punished accordingly.
L
sometimes the impulse of the heart can surprise you from all sides, as well as the rushing shadows around you.
