Part 20 – Herald

Dazzleglow was up with the dawn, outside checking her wards once more. Another night something had got past them, another night something got into the house. Just what use was she if she couldn't protect her friends?

She heard the tinkle of Flutter Pony wings, and turned to find Peach Blossom.

"I thought I heard you moving around," she said. She looked to the ground. "I can sense the power behind these. You're a talented magic user."

Dazzleglow shook her head. "But it wasn't enough. They still go in despite these being here." She scowled at the ground. "What's the use of having them here if they don't do anything!" She scraped the ground with her hoof, erasing the markings somewhat.

Peach Blossom sighed. "Perhaps it just needs a combination, as we did when Applejack suffered from her problems." She flew into the air, switched to Utter Flutter and flew across the perimeter of the house. She spread drops of glittering specks, all of them landing perfectly onto Dazzleglow's wards. They were absorbed by the markings, and glowed brightly for a few seconds.

Dazzleglow checked each one. "They're stronger than they were."

Peach Blossom nodded. "And so they should be. Make no mistake, it is still your magic powering it. I just gave it a little oomph."

Dazzleglow smiled at her.

The two went back inside to the rest of the ponies already awake and at the breakfast table. Starglow went to the stove, took the frying pan then shuffled several pancakes onto two plates. From there, syrup and strawberries were added before being handed to Peach Blossom and Dazzleglow.

They sat down at the table.

"We're going to meet up with Mr Berrytown's son, Logan," Happyglow told them.

Dazzleglow nodded.

"We're also going to the Meadowsweet Farm to speak to Corny too, about his sister."

Peach Blossom gave a nod. "This makes sense. Perhaps they have additional information, or witnessed something."

Dazzleglow finished her pancakes and headed to the bathroom to freshen up. When she left, she found Sparkler waiting for her. She returned to her room, Sparkler following her.

"Is last night still bothering you?" she asked, sitting on Dazzleglow's bed.

Dazzleglow sighed. "I can't help it. If my magic isn't enough, then what is?"

"It's got rid of them before though, those shadows, whatever they were."

"They shouldn't have got in at all."

Sparkler tilted her head. "Perhaps something is different about them. Applejack only got in because I let her. If I hadn't, then it might've been the same."

Dazzleglow shook her head. "I don't know. That's what bothers me. I don't know. I should know but I don't."

Sparkler went to her friend's side and pulled her close, letting Dazzleglow lean on her. "Last I checked clairvoyance was not your strong point. The baby ponies still beat you at Hide and Seek."

Dazzleglow sniggered. "I'm afraid I've always been awful at it."

Sparkler gave her a last hug, then hopped off the bed. "Come on, I'll braid your hair then we can go into town. See if I can't find a nice ribbon or necklace for you."

Once the pink streaks in her mane were braided, the two ponies left the room and returned to the dining area. The rest of the glowing ponies were ready, as was Peach Blossom. They left the house, Dazzleglow putting an extra magical barrier up.

The walk to the town centre was short, Peach Blossom flying on ahead of them. She seemed fascinated with this area of Pony Land. She looked all around her, flying upwards to get a better view or pausing simply to take it all in. It hadn't seemed to occur to the ponies that this was completely new to her. Where she'd been used to magic being conducted freely, the glowing ponies hid away for as long as they could remember, except for Patch's escapades with the hot air balloon.

They reached the town square, where Mr Berrytown and his son, Logan, met the ponies.

"Ah, good. You're here," he said. He looked to his son and put his hoof around Logan's shoulders. "This is my son."

"'lo," Logan said. He looked up at the tinkle of Flutter Pony wings, and his eyes widened. "Who's that?"

Sparkler smiled. "That's Peach Blossom. She's a Flutter Pony."

"Wow…" He couldn't take his eyes off of her. "She's…beautiful."

Mr Berrytown cleared his throat. "Remember why we're here, Logan."

By this point, Sparkler had wandered off into the market set up. The glowing ponies left her to wander, knowing she'd be safe with Peach Blossom around.

"Tell them what you told me, son."

Logan nodded. "It started when my sister went missing. Weird noises and stuff. I went to see Corny at the farm, and he said Daisy's missing too. I think it's happening to him as well, but he wouldn't tell me."

"Can you take us to the farm then?" Happyglow asked.

"Yeah, it's not too far from here."

They turned to leave and follow Logan, when Sparkler came rushing back. Dazzleglow turned and ran to meet her. "What's happened?" she asked.

"There's a pale pony in the square, she's trying to recruit baby ponies!" Sparkler replied.

Logan's eyes widened. "That's what happened before!"

The group ran toward the source, following Sparkler and Logan. Sure enough, on a platform built by the pony, the pale one stood as a crowd gathered. She paced back and forth, waiting for anyone else to approach. Once she was satisfied, she stepped forward and began to speak.

"Ponies! You have been good to us, with the baby ponies we have received," she began. "There is yet more we can do. More we can achieve."

Logan went to step forward, and was held back by both his father and Happyglow. Mr Berrytown shook his head, while Sparkler moved closer to Dazzleglow. None of them however noticed Peach Blossom had landed in the middle of the crowd. She made her way to the front.

The pale pony noticed her, and pointed. "Here is one we could do much with. A Flutter Pony, all but unknown to you. Think of the magical prowess your children could wield, that you could learn from them."

"I will traverse with you, back to your home," Peach Blossom announced.

Dazzleglow cried out.

Peach Blossom ignored it. "If there is as much knowledge to be gained, I wish to study under your guidance."

The pale pony nodded. "She is wise to follow us. Come, Flutter Pony. You will make a fine student."