This is the 17th chapter. I don't own the series of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic.
Swarm of the Century
After a past few days, Comet told Rarity everything of his past time in Canterlot, telling her of Blueblood's actions along with the disappearance of Bright Mac and Buttercup. It got Rarity furious of what Blueblood has done, but Comet gives the letter to her since it was from the former prince. Of course, Rarity would rather not read the letter because she's still furious about his past actions, but he gives her a laugh when the little colt called Blueblood, 'Buffoon' and making jokes about him. Apple Shine however, got to know her grandparents and spent some time with Bright Mac and Buttercup. Applejack, Mario, Apple Bloom, Big Mac, and Granny Smith learned everything from Bright Mac and Buttercup, which they're very grateful for Comet and very mad for Blueblood's actions.
Comet Stardust comes to the Sweet Apple Acres just to see how they were holding up, after Buttercup and Bright Mac just returned with their family which the little colt leaves them alone for the past few days. Applejack turned to her godson when she noticed the little colt approaches.
"Howdy, Comet." Applejack greets her godson. "What brings you here?"
"I'm just here to see how you were holding up, after they...you know?" Comet answered.
"We're holding up okay, sugarcube. Just glad we were able to catch up." Applejack told him with a smile. "Even Big Mac, Apple Bloom, Granny Smith, and Mario were spendin' some time with Ma and Pa."
"How did Apple Shine take it?" Comet asks.
"Apple Shine was able to get to know them, and they're takin' a likin' to her." Applejack explains. "And Ah'm glad they did since Ah was worried of how they react when Ah told them about mah daughter."
"Well, I told them about Apple Shine. They were shocked about it at first, but after what you told me, I'm glad how it went." Comet said with a smile.
Applejack nods with an agreement.
"But still, we just couldn't thank ya enough for bringin' mah parents back, Comet." Applejack said.
"Seeing you and your family reunited with Buttercup and Bright Mac is enough." Comet told her godmother. "Even though, Prince Buffoon will get what's coming to him soon."
It got Applejack released a few snorts and laughed a bit while fell on her back, knew who he's talking about.
"Okay, okay, that's a good one." Applejack said, standing up. "Didn't think you had it in ya, insulting that no good prince."
"Hey, he had it coming." Comet told her. "But like I said, he'll get what's coming to him."
Granny Smith noticed both Applejack and Comet we're talking which it's mostly about Blueblood. She decided to approach the two.
"Howdy, Comet, nice seein' ya to visit." Granny Smith greets.
"Just thought I'd leave you and your family some time alone with Bright Mac and Buttercup." Comet explains. "After what they've been through, just thought it's best for them to catch up with you and your family."
"Ah understand that Comet, and we appreciate that very much." Granny Smith said, smiled. "It means a lot when Bright Mac and Buttercup told us about yer past time in Canterlot."
"Oh yeah, you went there to spend some time with your uncle." Applejack states, remembered where Comet have gone to. "Comet, why don't you stay with us for lunch, and you can tell us all about yer time in Canterlot?"
"Are you sure about that?" Comet asks. "I mean, I don't want to impose."
"Fiddlesticks, yer always welcome in Sweet Apple Acres. And we were hopin' you'd come by." Granny Smith states. "Even Mario was wonderin' when yer goin' fer some trainin'."
That got Comet surprised about Grany Smith knowing him and his godfather doing martial arts training.
"You knew?" Comet asks.
"Eeyup, Mario always gets up bright and early in the mornin, doin' some martial arts train' with ya along with Wild Heart." Granny Smith confirms. "Also, we can understand yer reason of havin' us catchin' up with Pear Butter and Bright Mac, but we just couldn't thank yah fer havin' them back with us."
"Applejack said the same thing, too." Comet told her with a chuckle. "As I told your granddaughter, seeing your family reunited with Buttercup and Bright Mac is enough."
"But we insist, Comet." Granny Smith said. "And Ah won't take 'no' fer an answer."
Comet was taken aback, surprised. Even Applejack was surprised of how Granny Smith reacts, which Comet decided to take up their offer and not to argue. Applejack told her godson that she'll let Twilight know that he'll be staying. Of course, Apple Shine and Apple Bloom were glad to see Comet came for a visit along with Pear Butter and Bright Mac. Comet was glad that Apple Shine have gotten to know her grandparents along with Apple Bloom, who was in teary eyes when she learned from her parents. She even thanked him for what he done. Mario was able to get to know his parents and telling them that he's still alive thanks to Princess Celestia, leaving Pear Butter and Bright Mac astonished and glad that Princess Celestia managed to find him at Sire's Hollow. Comet told the Apple family of his past time at Canterlot, mostly told them he spends his time with his uncle, his grandparents, and the Princesses, met Princess Cadence while learning about how she met Shining Armor and Twilight Sparkle. Though, they even laugh of Comet's joke of Blueblood calling him 'Buffoon'. Comet told them the rest of how he even found Pear Butter and Bright Mac, with a little help from the deer spirit, the three Princesses, and Shining Armor.
The Apple family were glad that Comet had a good time in Canterlot, and gotten to know Princess Cadence.
After few hours of lunch and him telling the Apple family about his past time in Canterlot, Comet heads on back home.
The next day outside the town of Ponyville, Fluttershy was along the outskirts of the Everfree Forest. On this fine day, Fluttershy was busily gathering flowers with a little help from her animal friends.
"La, la-la, la-la, la-la." Fluttershy sang happily.
As she continued filling the basket upon her back with beautiful flowers, a squirrel appeared before her. Before her, he presents her a flower to add to the collection, but Fluttershy noticed that squirrel picked out a dandelion puff.
"Thank you, little squirrel, but remember these flowers are for Princess Celestia." Fluttershy replied. "Only the prettiest ones will do."
And sure enough, a strong gust of wind struck the dandelion puff, blowing away the seeds, and left just the stem. The squirrel just smiled apologetically and dashed away. Fluttershy merely smiled as she went back to her humming while heading toward a nearby cart.
"La, la-la, la-la, la-la, la-la..."
CHIRP!
"Gah!"
Suddenly startled by the loud chirping, Fluttershy rushed behind the cart and dropped all of the collected flowers onto the grass. Another chirp drew her face out of hiding, and there just being a rock, a tiny insect appeared. It had two pair of wings, large eyes, and spherical body. It rose straight from its hiding place and just smiled.
"Hello, little guy." Fluttershy said sweetly. "I've never seen anything like you before."
The insect flew toward a nearby apple, sniffing it despite the lack of a visible nose.
"Oh, are you hungry?" Fluttershy asked.
Fluttershy proceeds to stomp the apple into a mush, making it easier for the insect to eat.
"Here you go."
Fluttershy was so excited to show off her new friend, but it got her surprised that an insect ate up the whole bucket of apples.
"I guess you were hungry." Fluttershy said as the insect snuggled inside of her mane. "You're the cutest thing ever, I can't wait to show you to my friends."
Just when Fluttershy left the outskirts of the Everfree Forest, she didn't realize that the insect's ravenous appetite would cause a big problem.
My Little Pony, My Little Pony
Ahhhh
My Little Pony
I use to wonder what friendship could be
My Little Pony
Until you all share this magic with me
Big adventure,
Tons of fun,
A beautiful heart,
Faithful and strong,
Sharing kindness
It's an easy feat
And magic makes it all complete
You all have my little ponies
Do you know you all my very best friends?
Meanwhile back in Ponyville, Twilight and Spike busily spent their day tidying up the library. Of course, Twilight's need for 'perfection' didn't make the task any easier for Spike.
"Oh! Hurry up, Spike!" Twilight urged frantically. "This place isn't gonna clean itself."
"It also didn't mess itself up." Spike replied.
These is no further emphasis over the fact he wasn't the one throwing all the books on the floor, while he tried carrying them a few at a time. Whereas Twilight Sparkle kept using her feather duster to rapidly clear away the dust.
"Princess Celestia will be here tomorrow!" Twilight explains.
"I thought this was just an unofficial casual visit." Spike said.
"There's nothing casual about a visit from royalty." Twilight retorted. "I want this place to be spotless, and you've barely made a dent in the clutter."
Spike kept trying to put come books away along the higher shelves. Unfortunately, he was losing balance on the ladder.
"Maybe you should, ugh, start reading them one at a time?" Spike suggested. "Whoa-ho! Aw!"
Spike tumbled back onto the floor, groaning as he noticed all the books dropped.
"Everything's got to be perfect." Twilight said, obliviously. "No time for fooling around."
"Mom! Mom!" The voice of Comet came in, rushing down the stairs. "Mom! I learned a new spell!"
"You did?!" Twilight asks with shock. "What is it?!"
Comet then concentrated and with a quick flash from his horn, all of the piled books were restored back on every shelf. Twilight and Spike were amazed.
"Comet...I don't believe that you are just casted an advanced spell nopony has ever conjured before." Twilight said, before bringing him over for a hug. "I'm proud of you, sweetie."
"Thanks, Mom." Comet said, hugging his mother's chest. "I thought it'd be great to use it if Spike didn't hurt himself."
"That's very sweet of you, Comet. But you do know that Spike works hard." Twilight said with a smile. "Plus, the reason why we're cleaning everything up is because Princess Celestia is coming over tomorrow. And I'm sure she'll be happy to see you and Apple Shine."
"She will?!" Comet asks surprisingly.
"Absolutely." Twilight confirms, before she thought of an idea. "Why don't we go see how everypony else's preparations are going?"
Comet nodded and then Spike got the checklist ready.
"I've got the checklist ready." Spike said.
Spike then got onto Twilight's back and then they left the library.
Twilight Sparkle, Comet Stardust, and Spike were walking around the town, as the townponies busily got everything ready for Princess Celestia's visit. As they made their way through the park, they noticed all the decorated trees and all the water flowers which ensured they'd be in full bloom come tomorrow. It was then they noticed the two ponies setting up a banner as they chatted amongst each other.
'WELCOME PRINCESS CELEST'
Celest?
"What happened to the rest of her name?" Twilight asked the two ponies.
"We couldn't fit it all in." Golden Harvest answered.
"You can't hang a banner that says, 'Welcome Princess Celest'." Twilight said. "Take it down and try again."
Golden Harvest and the other pony looked indignant as Twilight went her way.
"Sorry about that." Comet said, earned their attention. "She's really eager to see everything perfect when she arrives."
Golden Harvest and the other pony nods with an understanding as Comet followed his mother. Twilight then noticed Bon-Bon watering some flowers, which were beginning to blossom.
"That looks perfect." Twilight complimented. "Keep up the good work."
Bon-Bon just smiled as best as she could, considering the watering can handle was in her teeth. Twilight, Comet, and Spike strolled through the Sugarcube Corner where the Cakes were busily crafting and setting up various desserts and other delectable goodies for the big day. They were so busy working, they almost didn't notice Twilight Sparkle, Comet Stardust, and Spike coming through the shop's entrance.
"Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Cake." Twilight greets. "How's the banquet coming?"
"Uh...it would be coming a little better if..."
Mrs. Cake pointed over toward a table where various desserts and goods had been munched and completely destroyed. The only decent item was remaining was a nicely decorated cake with a tiara on top. That is until Pinkie Pie slammed her face into it and gobbled it up. She smiled as her muzzle was covered in buttercream, making her appear as if she had a bread and now the tiara was on her head.
"Mmm..." Pinkie Pie murmured.
And just like that, she used her long tongue to slurp the rest of the frosting clean off.
Just then, Mario Star and Apple Shine popped out of the kitchen. They had arrived to help with the banquet since Mrs. Cake seemed to enjoy having them assist her with the baking, prepping, and cleaning up the mess. Mrs. Cake however, turned to Comet with misty eyes...after learning from Pear Butter a few days ago.
"UGH!" Mario cried out, frustrated. "Pinkie! Quit devouring everything on sight! I can't keep making every dessert twice!"
Yet even as Mario and Apple Shine glared toward Pinkie Pie, she didn't notice in the slightest.
"Pinkie! What are you doing? Those sweets are supposed to be for the Princess." Twilight protested.
"I know. That's why I'm tasting them." Pinkie Pie said. "Some pony needs to make sure that everything is tasty enough to touch the royal tongue."
"Isn't that why I'm helping with the baking?" Mario asked rhetorically. "Considering I would know Celestia's royal palette better than anypony?"
"Well, maybe I just wanna be your princess?" Pinkie Pie replied, leaning her head against his which it got Mario rolled his eyes with annoyance.
Twilight raised a curious eyebrow toward Mario in confusion.
"How do you know about Princess Celestia's palette?" Twilight asked.
"I sat in on a few fancy dinners she had for visiting dignitaries." Mario replied.
"How come I wasn't invited?" Twilight asked, causing Mario to give her 'Are you serious?' look.
"This was back when you cared about nothing but studying and you didn't listen to a word your so-called 'best friend' had to say." Mario told her.
Twilight giggled nervously, as she turned her blushing face from Mario's gaze. Seeing the blush made a slight smile form on his face.
"You're still my princess." Mario muttered to himself, uttered the words silently so no pony could hear him.
"Anyway, I, Pinkie Pie, declare that these treats are fit for a king, or a queen, or a princess." Pinkie Pie said regally, causing Mario to shook his head.
"If the treats were left intact." Mario said indignantly.
Fluttershy just entered the shop when she noticed the five ponies were in a discussion.
"Twilight, Pinkie, Comet, Mario, Apple Shine, you won't believe...oh, I'm sorry. Uh, am I interrupting?"
"No, not at all." Pinkie Pie said. "Come on in and make yourself at home..."
She was about to use her tongue to slurp another cake, but was stopped by Comet, who took the cake away from her. And Apple Shine whacked her in the head with the frying pan.
"Consarn' it, Pinkie! Quit eatin' those sweets!" Apple Shine shouts. "If ya got time, then help me and grandma clean up this mess you've made! Honestly, yer worse than the pigs eatin' everythin' on sight at the farm!"
"Let me know if you need any help, Apple Shine." Comet offered when Apple Shine walked to the table. "I can lend a hoof."
"No, no, Ah've got help from Uncle Mario and Grandma." Apple Shine said with a smile. "We'll make sure the mess is takin' cared of."
"Alright." Comet replied.
Pinkie Pie rubs her sore head, groaning as she turns to Fluttershy.
"What's going on, Fluttershy?"
"You won't believe what I found at the edge of the Everfree Forest." Fluttershy said, turning toward her mane. "Come on out little guy, it's okay."
The insect peeked out of her mane shyly before hovering before the other five ponies. Yet Fluttershy gasped, as she was surprised to see not just 'one' but 'three' insects now. The insects just purred and chirped happily together.
"Three?" Fluttershy exclaimed.
"They're amazing." Twilight said, as the insects flew about. "What are they?"
"I'm not sure." Fluttershy said. "I'm also not sure where these other two come from."
"I'll take one off your hooves." Twilight said. "I've never seen anything so...adorable."
Twilight nuzzled it lovingly until she realized she was cooing over a bug in front of Fluttershy, blushed sheepishly.
"Besides, it'll be nice to have a companion for Spike and Comet." Twilight comments. "So, they won't bother me so much while Mario and I are studying."
"HEY!" Comet and Spike shouts, glaring at Twilight.
"Pinkie, do you want the other one?" Fluttershy offered.
"Ugh! A parasprite?" Pinkie Pie retorted, making a face. "Are you kidding?"
"Ugh?"
"A para-what?"
"That's what they were called?"
Fluttershy, Twilight, and Mario said all those questions at once. None of them which were answered directly as Pinkie Pie made her way toward the exit of the shop.
"How could you not like..."
"UGH! Now I gotta find a trombone." Pinkie Pie said angrily.
"A what?" Twilight asked, still puzzled.
"A trombone, you know..."
Pinkie Pie imitated the instrument before leaping out the doorway, causing Apple Shine to sigh with annoyance since she won't be getting any help from Pinkie Pie.
"Pinkie, what's that got to do with the parasprites?" Mario called out.
Unfortunately for Mario, Pinkie Pie was already out of sight and out of hearing range.
"Ahh, typical Pinkie." Twilight brushed off, as her new parasprite purred beside her.
"Did you want the other one, Mario?" Fluttershy offered.
"Yeah...as cute as they are, I'm not big with bugs and insects, but thanks anyway." Mario replied, unsure. "Besides, I'll stay behind and help Apple Shine and Mom clean up this mess."
Mario turned and walked back inside of the kitchen, while his thoughts started to speak volumes.
'I'm still trying to decide if Pinkie really is being totally random or if there is a connection to the parasprite and a trombone. I'll need to do a little research as soon as I can.'
Later, Twilight, Comet, and Spike made their way towards the Carousel Boutique as Rarity busily fashioned some outfits for tomorrow. Somehow, she convinced Rainbow Dash to model for the outfits. But Rainbow Dash's attention span was waning thin as Rarity tried to stick some pins to hold the material in place...and hopefully not stick Rainbow Dash.
"Stand still, Rainbow Dash." Rarity said.
"Ugh, I caaan't!" Rainbow Dash whined. "I need to flyyy! This is waaay too boring for me!"
Naturally, Rainbow Dash tried to take off, but Rarity held her down by the tail, preventing her from escaping.
"Do you want to look nice for Princess Celestia or not?" Rarity asked sternly.
As much as Rainbow Dash hated dressing up, especially since the outfit Rarity made for her was...noble and proper, she did want to be presentable and conceded with a long face. It was in that moment Twilight, Comet, and Spike walked inside.
"Wow!" Twilight gaped, seeing the outfits. "Rarity, these outfits are gorgeous!"
Spike nodded with an agreement.
"Mm-hmm. Thank you, Twilight." Rarity said. "Nice to know some pony appreciates my talents."
Rainbow Dash just covered her face with her fore-hooves, pulling down the bottom eyelids and made them recoil.
"Ugh, sooo boooring!" Rainbow Dash said.
"It may not be your style, Rainbow." Comet said to his godmother. "But it's the thought that counts."
Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes, but knew that her godson is making a valid point. Comet then turns to Rarity.
"I'm sorry your plans to the Gala didn't work out, Rarity." Comet said sadly.
"Oh, it's quite alright, darling." Rarity assured, rubbing his mane. "I am still upset of Bluebloods actions, after learning from Applejack's parents and you, but the least I can do is make the most of it for the Grand Galloping Gala."
Comet nods with an understanding when they heard a laugh, coming from Rainbow Dash.
"And it takes a lot of guts, for insulting that Blueblood. Plus, the jokes!" Rainbow Dash said, laughing. "'Prince Buffoon', I'm so gonna write that down and remember that name."
It got Rarity, Twilight, Comet, and Spike laughed a bit when they learned of the little colt's time in Canterlot. Until, they heard several chirps which it drew their attention, including Rarity.
"Huh?" Rarity remarked.
"What's that sound, Twilight?" Rainbow Dash asked curiously.
It was then not one, but three parasprites popped out of her mane. Rainbow Dash just flew above them, despite the dress.
"Wow, what are they?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"The better question is: where did they come from?" Twilight answered. "I only had one a minute ago."
"I think I know why." Comet quietly muttered.
Fortunately, neither of his mother, Spike, or his godmothers heard a single word the colt said.
"Uh, I'll take one." Rainbow Dash volunteered.
Soon Rainbow Dash began to cuddle it, which was quite unusual sight for any pony to see her so open about it. But Comet, decided not to say anything about it.
"Me too." Rarity replied. "Oh, they're perfect."
Yet as he watched Rarity snuggle with her own parasprite, Comet just sighed. Comet just felt uneasy about the parasprites, as if he felt a warning from the spirits. Suddenly, Pinkie Pie appeared outside of the door.
"Does any pony know where I can find an accordion?" Pinkie Pie called out.
"Haven't you tried Lyra's house?" Comet asks. "I think it's the last thing I've heard from her."
Though Comet's attention was more on the other girls than Pinkie Pie, she'd take any answer she can get.
"Thanks, Comet." Pinkie Pie replied, glaring at the girls. "Least some pony is being helpful!"
The other girls were too busy cooing and doing baby talk with their parasprites they hardly noticed her.
"Girls! Hello! This is important!" Pinkie Pie yelled. "Durgh! Thanks a lot!"
Fed up with being ignored, Pinkie Pie dashed away. Comet Stardust, on the other hoof, just rolled his eyes.
"I still don't know what those instruments have to do with the parasprites." Comet said to himself. "I better head back to the library and see what I can find out."
Soon Comet snuck away and made his way for the Golden Oak Library. What he didn't count on was Mario is thinking the same thing, as they research about the parasprites. By the time they were able to find out about the parasprites, it was late by the time Mario head back to the Sweet Apple Acres. Which, they both got the answers they're looking for.
Later that night, Twilight was still worried over tomorrow's schedule as she checked everything that was on the list.
"The decorations, the banquet." Twilight sighed. "I really hope everything comes together in time for tomorrow."
Twilight looked about till her eyes acknowledge Spike, who's already fast asleep and the little parasprite making baby-like noises as it snoozed nearby. Twilight then checked her son, who's in his bedroom sleeping. Twilight just yawned as she climbed into the bed.
"Oh, what's there to worry about?" Twilight asked, falling asleep.
The very next morning arrived, as Twilight was stirred awake with a start by the sound of loud baby noises. Looking around, she saw not one, not three, but several parasprites buzzing around her.
"Spike! Wake up! What happened?!"
Spike woke up, but two parasprites rested on his eyes. Several more buzzed all around him.
"Huh? Whaa!" Spike screamed, prying the parasprites off. "What's going on?"
The parasprites just chirped in response.
"Where did they come from?" Twilight asked.
"I don't know." Spike answered. "The little guy got hungry in the middle of the night, so I gave him a snack, but...I have no idea where the others came from."
Just then, the parasprites began to remove and toss objects from the shelves.
"Oh no!" Spike exclaimed. "They're messing up all my hard work!"
Naturally, Spike had forgotten the fact Comet uses his magic to place the books back on the shelves. But right now, he was focused on shooing the parasprites away from the shelves. Comet came out of his room and the parasprites flew
"Mom! They're everywhere!" Comet said, hiding underneath her and behind her front legs.
"The Princess will be here in a few hours." Twilight said, comforting her son.
Spike kept gathering the parasprites away from the shelves, but the numbers became overwhelming.
"What do we do?" Comet asked.
"Spike, you and Comet help me round up these little guys!" Twilight called out, tried to shoo the parasprites away with the feather duster.
"Ugh, what does it look like I'm doing?" Spike called out.
At this moment, Spike had an entirely large basket filled several times his height with parasprites. Comet uses his magic, levitating the basket and placed on the floor next to him.
"Thanks Comet." Spike said. "Now, let's go round up the others."
Back in the sky, Rainbow Dash reclined lazily along a cloud-shaped, pillar-style chair. Just then, a parasprite under the cloud next to her, waking her up with a chirp. Then another one appeared...and another...and another...
"Huh? Huh?!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed.
The parasprites began to swarm Rainbow Dash, landing all over her. Rainbow Dash screeched, grunted, and groaned as she tried to shoo them off. But every time she tried, they kept flying back toward her.
"Get off me!" Rainbow Dash bellowed.
The parasprites began forming shape along Rainbow Dash in numerous ways. Headwear...accessories...even forming a bikini. Rainbow groaned and grunted, waving off rapidly, but the parasprites still wouldn't stop. Finally, they made themselves a beard and mustache on her chin.
"Waaa!" Rainbow Dash screamed.
Rainbow Dash zoomed away, as the other parasprites followed in how pursuit.
Rarity, on the other hoof, took the multiplying parasprites very well. As a matter of fact, she put them to work in her shop. The parasprites assisted her with various tasks she needed to have done this morning.
"Not only you are adorable, but you're also quite useful." Rarity said.
One parasprite smiled and purred until it began to cough and grunt.
"Oh, are you okay?" Rarity asked worriedly.
But her concerns were short-lived when the parasprite spat a brownish hairball into her eye, making her gasp.
"Aaah! Eewww! Aaah! Gross, gross, gross!"
It was then the hairball turned into a new parasprite. And for the worse case, Rarity felt disgusted.
"No creature that behaves so revoltingly is allowed in my boutique!" Rarity said sternly.
Her only reply came when the newly born parasprite spat out a hairball, which immediately became another new parasprite. All Rarity could do was scream her head off.
A short while later, Rarity sternly left the shop with her saddlebags loaded with all of the parasprites inside. It was then Pinkie Pie just arrived.
"Look Rarity, Applejack loaned me a harmonica." Pinkie Pie said, playing a few notes. "Isn't that great?"
Pinkie Pie soon gasped the moment she heard the parasprites chirping inside one of Rarity's bags.
"And not a moment too soon." Pinkie Pie observed.
"Ugh, Pinkie, I'm a little busy right now." Rarity replied, walking away.
"And I'm not?" Pinkie Pie retorted. "You know how many instruments I've gotta find? A lot, that's how many. Now if we split the list between us, we might just make it in time."
Pinkie Pie held Rarity close, but she's not in the mood to listen.
"Please, Pinkie, I don't have time for some silly scavenger hunt." Rarity answered. "I've got a real problem."
"You've got a real problem, all right, and a banjo is the only real answer." Pinkie Pie replied, zipping away.
Rarity just rolled her eyes and walked away. She just arrived at a nearby lake outside Fluttershy's cottage when she met up with Twilight and Comet, who also carried saddlebags loaded with parasprites. They both gasped, except Comet, when they saw each other.
"I see we're having the same problem." Rarity points out.
"Ditto!" Rainbow Dash replied.
By the time Rainbow Dash arrived, she finally got the swarm of parasprites off her chin and flew away to keep them off her. Soon the ponies approached the front door leading to Fluttershy's cottage.
"Fluttershy knows everything about animals." Twilight said, leaving Comet skeptical. "I'm sure she can tell us how to stop them from multiplying."
Just as they opened the door, they were swarmed with parasprites, not just several nor dozens...but hundreds!
"...or not." Twilight said wearily.
Several hundred parasprites buzzed about inside and outside of Fluttershy's cottage. She dashed about her house.
"Ugh, do something Fluttershy!" Twilight called out. "Can't you control them?"
"I've tried everything I know!" Fluttershy said. "I tried begging, and pleading, and beseeching, and asking politely, and..."
"Guh!" Rainbow Dash said.
Twilight whined inwardly, as a vision began to play in her head:
Princess Celestia arrived in Ponyville, only to be swept away screaming as the parasprites invaded her chariot and carried her away...
"If we can't get them under control before the Princess arrives, it'll be a total disaster!" Twilight said.
Just then, another parasprite hack out another hairball producing another parasprite. Rarity cringed, after bearing witness to that again.
"Ew!" Rarity retorted. "If you ask me, it's already a total disaster!"
"She has a point, you know." Comet agrees.
It was then that Applejack and Apple Shine arrived, carrying a cart load of apples.
"Here's all those apples you wanted, Fluttershy." Applejack said. "But I still can't figure out why you need so many. Hey!"
Before Applejack could finish her sentence, several parasprites swarmed in and gobbled up all the apples, core and all. By the time they finished, the cart was completely empty.
"DON'T FEED THEM!"
A shout from the distance drew the ponies attention as Mario rushed up to the group and stops.
"Where have you been?" Twilight demanded. "We're in the middle of the crisis!"
"Nice to see you too, Twi." Mario replied sarcastically, turning serious. "Comet and I were reading up on those...parasprites...trying to learn more about them. From what we can see, you already learned that they have the ability to multiply rapidly. The cause is the fact they have such an endless appetite."
"Endless?!" The girls exclaimed.
"That and feeding them make their numbers increase in a matter of seconds." Comet adds. "The more they eat, more they multiply. Though, getting them for stop eating is impossible."
"Why didn't you tell me?" Twilight demands, turning to her son.
"We were in the bad situation, I forgot about telling you." Comet answered, leaving Twilight sighed since he made a good point.
"Anyway, did the book say anything about getting rid of them?" Twilight asked.
Mario and Comet shook their heads.
"That's the problem: We've checked every page and cross-reference, even the inside cover. There is nothing about getting rid of them."
"What do we do?" Fluttershy asked, worried.
Twilight pondered for a second before she gasped.
"I got it!" Twilight said. " No pony can herd like Applejack and Apple Shine."
"Yeah!" Rainbow Dash adds. "We can drive them back into the forest."
While Applejack and Apple Shine didn't quite know much about the situation as the rest of the group, they were ready for action.
"Apple Shine and Ah'll rastle 'em up!" Applejack replied with a scoff. "But we need every pony's help to do it. Twilight, you, Comet, and Rarity wait over there. Apple Shine and Ah'll herd the little critters straight at ya like a funnel. Rainbow and Fluttershy, stay on top of 'em, don't let 'em fly away. Mario, Ah've seen ya herd 'em with the best. Yer with us."
"You got it." Mario responds.
"Aye-aye!" Rainbow Dash said as she and Fluttershy took to the skies.
"Yeeeeeee-haw!" Applejack and Apple Shine called out.
Applejack and Apple Shine rose upon their hind legs, then galloped away with Mario at their side. The parasprites screeched as Applejack and the group began to corral them all into one giant orb. They then began to herd the giant parasprite ball toward the entrance to the Everfree Forest. Two parasprites tried to escape but were quickly pushed back into the giant ball.
"Alright y'all, here goes nothin'." Applejack called out. "Look out Rarity, that one's fixin' ta get away. Keep a lead on 'em, Rainbow Dash! Hold on girls, we're almost there!"
"Why is it me and Comet always feel excluded when you say just 'girls'?" Mario asked with annoyance.
"You make it too easy!" Rainbow Dash shouted.
"No one asked you, Rainbow!?" Comet shouts with a remark.
That got Rainbow Dash glaring at her godson while Mario, Applejack, and Apple Shine chuckled a bit, Twilight tried to concentrate. It was then she noticed Pinkie Pie appeared out of nowhere, running along with the group.
"Pinkie!" Twilight exclaimed.
"What are you doing here?" Comet asks surprisingly.
"Twilight, we don't have much time!" Pinkie Pie answered.
"You're telling me." Twilight answered. "The Princess could arrive at any moment."
"Exactly!" Pinkie Pie agreed. "That's why I need you gals...and Comet and Mario..."
"Thank you!" Mario and Comet exclaims.
"...to drop what you're doing and help find me some maracas." Pinkie Pie finished.
"Maraca?!" Twilight exclaims. "Pinkie, we've got much bigger problems than missing maracas!"
"You're right!" Pinkie Pie gasped. "Getting a tuba has to be our number one goal. Follow me!"
Pinkie Pie took off, only to come back, running backwards to keep pace, seeing no pony was following her.
"I said 'follow me'!" Pinkie Pie said, more sternly.
Rainbow Dash flew to her with annoyance.
"Pinkie Pie, you are so random." Rainbow Dash remarked.
Unlike the other occasions, Mario Star could just tell Pinkie Pie was getting very frustrated.
"Look Pinkie, I might be the only pony here who thinks there might be some sort of connection between the parasprites and what you're doing." Mario told her outloud. "But you're not making any sense to any pony!"
"But I need help!" Pinkie Pie barked. "What do I choose? Maracas or a tuba?"
The others just rolled their eyes as Mario felt very agitated.
"Just go mind your own business and let us handle this, okay!?" Mario shouted.
"Urgh! You're all so stubborn!" Pinkie Pie snapped, dashed away.
"Forget her ladies...and gentle-colts." Applejack said. "Focus. Head 'em up and move 'em out."
The ponies soon reached the edge of the forest, allowing the giant ball of parasprites to roll deep into the Everfree Forest. With any luck, those parasprites will be lost forever.
"All right!" Rainbow Dash shouted with a grunt.
Fluttershy reached out her fore-hooves as Rainbow Dash gave her a hard double high five.
"Ouch." Fluttershy said, rubbing her now sore hooves.
"We did it." Twilight said with a smile. "Nice work, Applejack."
"Couldn't a'done without y'all or mah daughter." Applejack said as Apple Shine nods with an agreement.
"Now let's get back and clean up the mess they made before the Princess arrives." Twilight suggested.
All of the ponies nodded as the nine of them made their way back to Fluttershy's cottage.
"Okay, everyone knows what to do, right?" Twilight instructed. "We gotta work extra hard to make up for lost time."
Fluttershy then opened the door...when another swarm of hundreds of fast-flying parasprites exploded out of Fluttershy's cottage. Rarity ducked and covered as the incoming swarm burst out.
"Where did they come from?" Twilight asked.
"Well, I may have kept just one." Fluttershy confessed.
Though, every pony else gave some furious glare.
"ARE YOU SERIOUS?!" Comet and Apple Shine yelled angrily.
"Fluttershy, are you seriously cooing over those parasprites?" Mario asked with an angry scowl.
"Heh. I couldn't help myself." Fluttershy admitted sheepishly. "They're just so cute."
Fluttershy nuzzled one, but the others were more concerned over the new swarm.
"We don't have time to keep rounding up these things." Twilight remarked. "What do we do now?"
"We call in the weather patrol." Rainbow Dash said.
Rainbow Dash put on some goggles, then took off to the skies with a grunt. Rarity shrieked as she ran away from the parasprites chasing her, while the others struggled to round them all up again. Rainbow Dash tucked her goggles tightly over her eyes till they were just right.
"Time to take out the adorable trash." Rainbow Dash said. "YAAAAAAA!"
With a yell, Rainbow Dash took off. The parasprites began to chirp as Rainbow Dash created a makeshift tornado that sucked them all up like a vacuum. Every pony else tried to hold on to something to avoid being swept away, as Rainbow Dash's mini-tornado created such a strong wind. Soon enough, all of the parasprites had been sucked inside the mini-tornado. Twilight grunted and groaned as she tried to regain her footing soon as the winds died down.
"Way to go, Rainbow Dash!" Twilight called out.
"Looks like our problems are solved." Applejack declared.
"They will be with these cymbals." Pinkie Pie said from out of nowhere.
Unfortunately, Pinkie Pie was too close to the tornado. The cymbals were quickly torn off her neck and sucked into it.
"Hey! Give me those back!"
Rainbow Dash tried to avoid the cymbals swirling about, at the expense of her control over the tornado.
"Whoaa! Yaa! Yow! Whoa! Wow!" Rainbow Dash yelped. "I can't hold it! She's breaking up!"
Soon, Rainbow Dash flew out of the tornado and landed back-first into a tree, causing Comet and Apple Shine to cringe. The tornado dissipated, sending thousands of parasprites showering all over of Ponyville.
"Pinkie Pie, what have you done?!" Twilight exclaimed furiously.
"Do you have any idea what you just did?!" Comet adds.
"I've lost a brand new pairs of cymbals, that's what I've done." Pinkie Pie said.
"Pinkie Pie!" Mario snapped angrily. "I've tried being open-minded...I've tried providing you with those instruments...all because I have some wild, delusional notion you had the solution to our problem! But...all I've seen you do is getting in the way while we are trying to get all these parasprites into one single location!"
"Will you forget about your silly instruments for one second?!" Twilight added. "You're ruining our efforts to save Ponyville!"
"And because of you, you've just showered those varmints all over town!" Apple Shine added.
"Me?! Ruin!" Pinkie Pie appalled. "I'm not a ruiner. I'm the ruin-ee! Or is it ruiness? Ruinette?"
"All those seem to apply to you." Mario remarked to himself.
"Come on y'all, there's no reasonin' with that one." Applejack said. "She's a few apples short of a bushel."
Every pony galloped off back to town. Mario just stared at Pinkie Pie, silently giving her a disappointed look till he shook his head slowly. As if saying to Pinkie Pie that his patience had run out and he'd officially given up on her. Before long, he too galloped off to catch up with the rest of the group.
"Hey! I'm trying to tell you all that the ruining is on the other hoof!" Pinkie Pie shouted. "If you'd just slow down and listen to me!"
But it was no use...Pinkie Pie was soon left alone.
Back in Ponyville, all of the other ponies were rather mesmerized by all the parasprites. One of them landed near Bon-Bon and Lyra Heartstrings, the two ponies seemingly enjoyed its company...till it started devouring both slices of their pies. Bon-Bon was shocked beyond words, but Lyra fought hard not to cry over her slice of pie. Soon the other parasprites began munching up all of the flowers, vegetables, fruits, and especially those still in the ground.
A garden pony screamed as some parasprites gobbled up the contents of her entire garden. Other ponies gasped and ran for their lives as the parasprites began to gobble up all the food in sight. The rest of the group arrived right in the middle of the infestation and panic.
"What are we going to do?" Fluttershy asked. "They're eating all the food in town."
Applejack gasped as her eyes shrunk.
"Mah apples!" Applejack yelled.
Quickly, Applejack raced out of town back toward Sweet Apple Acres.
"We've gotta do something!" Twilight said.
"Well, we can't use the bug spray! That could ruin everything in Ponyville!" Mario said as he held a can of bug spray before tossing it aside.
Twilight then gasped as if struck by an idea.
"I got it! I'll cast a spell to make them stop eating all the food!"
Twilight sends a magical wave that made all the parasprites stop eating the food, as they stood in a daze. Pinkie Pie had continued her instrument hunt which involved finding herself some tambourines.
"Look, tambourines! If you could all just..."
However, Pinkie Pie noticed no pony was listening, Mario just pointed a hoof for her to leave. Pinkie Pie screamed in frustration and left, with the tambourines clashing as she ran off. Twilight gasped when she saw a nearby parasprite sniff and chirp at an apple...but otherwise ignored it. Twilight and the others sighed with relief.
"Umm, Twilight." Mario whispered in her ear. "You know that spell doesn't eliminate their eating habits, only altered them. What did you change their diet to?"
They soon found out as a parasprite are the bucket the apple was in. Soon, all the carts were devoured instead of their contents. The parasprites even mucnhed on walls, roofs, even the display stands of the houses and shops.
"Nice to see you thought this through!" Mario remarked sarcastically.
"Heh. Hey, it worked. They're not eating the food anymore!" Rainbow Dash added.
Twilight just sheepishly smiled until Rarity realized something.
"Oh no...if they get inside my store..." Rarity panicked. "Every pony for herself!"
"Uggh!" Mario forehooved himself with annoyance.
Comet and Apple Shine can tell that the parasprites kept eating the buildings and the ponies scattered to their homes, which they're gonna have to find Pinkie Pie. Though, it pains to admit, but they need help as the two foals gallop to find Pinkie Pie.
By the time Rarity arrived at the boutique, the parasprites were already inside and munching awa, much to her horror. They gobbled up all her dresses without second thoughts.
"My outfits!" Rarity exclaimed. "Go on, shoo! Get out of here, you naughty! Naughty!"
But a nearby parasprite merely cough out a hairball, creating another parasprite. Rarity backed away, finding herself completely surrounded by them as she sat helplessly upon a wooden stool.
"I'll save you!"
Rarity turned as Pinkie Pie appeared from outside the boutique. Pinkie Pie dashed her way inside of the shop...only to run right past Rarity. Pinkie Pie grabbed a nearby recorder into her mouth, playing a note or two, and dashed away. Whether that was all Pinkie Pie wanted or she ignored Rarity on purpose, which that was any pony's guess. Either way, Rarity was now left to the mercy of the parasprites.
"EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEK!" Rarity screamed as the top of her lungs.
At the Sweet Apple Acres, Applejack set up defenses in order to brace the Apple Farm for a parasprite infestation. Applejack, Big Mac, and Granny Smith, except Pear Butter, Bright Mac, and Apple Bloom, donned pitchforks, a spray pump, a fly swatter, and even some cameo hats.
"No woodland creatures gonna eat the Apple Family crops!" Applejack declared.
And sure enough, she saw an incoming swarm of parasprites heading their way.
"Brace yerself, ya'll, here they come!"
The three gathered their weapons, but the parasprites simply buzzed past the trio and gobbled up the entire barn exterior, causing the interior to collapse on itself. The Apple family were left agape, as they dropped their weapons.
"Didn't see that one comin'." Applejack said.
Out in the middle of nowhere, both Comet Stardust and Apple Shine were still looking for Pinkie Pie, until they saw a wagon full of instruments and other equipment.
"Pinkie, what are you doing with those instruments?" Comet asks.
"Oh, hey Comet, Apple Shine." Pinkie Pie said. "To answer your question, I've been trying to ask for their help, including the both of you, but you and the others are just too stubborn."
"That's because yer not tellin' us anythin' 'bout why, Pinkie." Apple Shine said firmly. "Now, tell us why ya got those instruments?"
"And Pinkie, we can't help you if you don't tell us the reason." Comet points out.
"I know a way to keep them from doing what they're gonna do, which is right now!" Pinkie Pie shouted. "They came to my family's rock farm 10 years ago, and they got distracted by music. So, I need the instruments of a one pony band!"
That got Comet and Apple Shine surprised of her explanation but glaring at Pinkie Pie.
"So let us get this straight, you're telling us you know a way how to get rid of those parasprites and why you need those instruments in the first place?" Comet questions as he and Apple Shine walk towards her angrily, making Pinkie Pie nervous.
"Um...yes?" Pinkie Pie answered with a squeak.
And then, both Comet and Apple Shine kicked Pinkie Pie and sent her flying down to the ground back-first.
"WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL US SOONER?!" Comet and Apple Shine yelled angrily.
"I've been trying to tell you, but neither of you listen!" Pinkie Pie reasoned.
"No, you're going around in Ponyville, trying to find instruments without telling us why and you're not making any sense before this happened!" Comet shouts, making Pinkie Pie flinched which he made a valid point. "But...to be fair, neither of us knew this would happen before Mom made it worse, by getting those parasprites eating the buildings and something non-food."
"And with everythin' goin' on right now, and with the Princess is comin', Ah don't think she'll be a happy camper when she sees this." Apple Shine adds. "Right now, we've gotta get rid of these varmints before there's nothin' left."
"And I've got every instrument I need." Pinkie Pie said, points her hoof at the wagon of instruments. "Help me with these, and I'll do the rest."
And with that, Comet, Apple Shine, and Pinkie Pie trotted towards Ponyville.
Meanwhile, things weren't any better for Mario Star and Twilight Sparkle. By the time they made their way back to the Golden Oak Library, the entire facility was swarmed with parasprites.
"Help!" Spike called out.
Mario rushed over and helped Spike to his feet, but the damage was already done. By this point, the parasprites had gotten into the books.
"They're eating the words!" Twilight gasped.
One parasprite licked them off clean, while another slurped up the scribbles like spaghetti. Just as one parasprite made another appear, Twilight Sparkle grabbed its wings with her teeth and dragged it out of the library with a grunt.
"You hold the fort, Spike!" Mario instructed, dashing off. "We're gonna get some help!"
"Help..." Spike groaned.
Desperate, Twilight and Mariomade a direct beeline for Zecora's hut. For the moment, Zecora was apparently applying a combination of upside-down balance with a meditation routine. It was then Twilight and Mario burst through her front door, making her tumble onto her back.
"Ugh. Have you gone mad?" Zecora asked, irritated.
"I'm sorry, Zecora." Mario apologized. "But we didn't know who else to go to."
"These little guys are devouring Ponyville, and the Princess is on her way." Twilight explained, showing the parasprite. "Can you help us, please?"
Zecora saw the parasprite in the Twilight's grip, shocked.
"Oh, a monster of so little size." Zecora replied. "Is that a parasprite before my eyes?"
"I don't know! Is it?" Twilight asked frantically, earned a smack in the head by Mario.
"I told you it was." Mario remarked in annoyance.
To no surprise, Twilight hadn't been listening...again. All the same, Zecora approaches toward the cauldron with a very serious expression on her face since she knows about the parasprites.
"Tales of crops and harvest consumed." Zecora said as a parasprite hacked a hairball, produced another one. "If these creatures are in Ponyville, you're doomed."
Twilight just gulped, for this was not the answer she was hoping for.
"Mario..." Twilight squeaked. "What else did the book say about them?"
"You ever heard of the town Dustbowl, Hookie-poma?" Mario asked.
"Yes..."
"There's a reason why it's nothing but a wasteland these days..."
The dreary answer made Twilight's eyes shrunk, as Mario swore she stopped breathing.
One minute later, they were just outside of Ponyville when they saw something in the sky.
"Oh no, here she comes." Twilight said.
There in the sky, just the tall mountain where Canterlot resided, the Princess's royal court left the city and made its way toward Ponyville. Twilight and Mario rushed back to town, only to find ponies screaming, parasprites munching, and the rest of the town hiding and cowering for cover. Unfortunately, one of pony's skirt was being chewed off by the parasprites. Dasiy screamed as a swarm chase after her. Twilight looked around and about, until her mane frazzled a bit as if her mind was broken.
"Okay, here's the plan." Twilight began, with a goofy smile. "Rainbow Dash, you distract them."
"YAAA!" Rainbow Dash screamed as the parasprites came after her.
"Good! Everyone else, we need to build an exact copy of Ponyville right over there. We've got less than a minute!"
"Are you crazy?!" Mario retorted. "I can't build that fast...whoa!"
Mario stopped speaking the moment Twilight gave him a smile, one that was on the brink of a pony gone completely mad.
"You will make it happen, because you're my best friend, and you wouldn't want to let me down right?" Twilight asked sweetly. "Riiiiight?"
Mario stepped back the moment she got in his face.
"Twilight, calm down! We need a better plan!" Mario said sternly after stepping back from Twilight.
Then Twilight snapped out of it, realized what she was doing as she lowered her head in defeat.
"Zecora's right." Twilight said with a sigh. "We're doomed..."
"Mom/Uncle Mario!"
Twilight and Mario suddenly heard Comet and Apple Shine's voice from the distance.
"Comet?! Apple Shine?!" Twilight called them. "Where have you two been?"
"Getting help, plus we know how to make it work!" Comet explains.
"In fact, we know how!" Apple Shine adds.
"We?" The mares and Mario ask.
They suddenly began to hear a polka music. They turned and saw that it wasn't Princess Celestia at all. It was Pinkie Pie coming down the street playing polka music with what had become her own one-pony band.
"Pinkie?!" Twilight exclaimed. "We're in the middle of the crisis here. There is no time for your..."
"No, wait! Look!" Comet cuts her off, pointed upwards.
"...nonsense?" Twilight finished with shock.
Soon as they look up, they noticed the parasprites appeared to stop munching and swarming about. They began dancing to Pinkie Pie's music and followed her. Their other friends just watched in awe.
"What do you think?" Comet asks.
"You and Apple Shine planned this?" Mario asks, earned a nod from Comet and Apple Shine.
Twilight then put her son on her back while Mario put his niece on his back and then, they followed Pinkie Pie. They were too stunned that Pinkie Pie's one-pony band actually drove every single parasprite out of Ponyville. They soon followed her at the very end of the line until they saw Princess Celestia make her landing upon the outskirts of town.
"Look!" Twilight pointed at the sky.
The eight ponies made a mad dash in front of Pinkie Pie and caught up to Princess Celestia. The bowed as Princess Celestia made her landing, stepping out of the chariot.
"Twilight Sparkle, Mario Star, my prized pupils." Princess Celestia greets, as they rose to their feet.
"Hello, Princess." Twilight and Mario greeted in unison.
Every pony else put on a brave smile, but one could tell they were nervous, except Comet and Apple Shine.
"So lovely to see you again, as well as your friends." Princess Celestia smiled as she looked down at Comet and Apple Shine. "Hello there, Comet, Apple Shine. Are you two enjoying your time in Ponyville?"
"We have." Comet and Apple Shine answered with a smile.
CRASH!
With a clash of the cymbals, Pinkie Pie arrived, leading the parasprites toward the forest alongside them. If the other ponies weren't nervous before, they were now.
"So...how was the trip?" Twilight asked nervously. "Hit much traffic?"
"Smooth flight?" Mario asked since he couldn't think of anything else.
It was then one of the parasprites appeared before Princess Celestia.
"Ah, what is this?" Princess Celestia asked.
Princess Celestia chuckled as the parasprite quickly flew towards the swarm.
"Oh ho-ho, these creatures are adorable."
"They're not that adorable." Rainbow Dash whispered to Rarity.
Rarity kept smiling sheepishly.
"I'm terribly honored that you and the good citizens of Ponyville have organized a parade in honor of my visit." Princess Celestia said.
"Parade?" Twilight said, confused.
Mario gave Twilight a light nudge to the shoulder and immediately she got it.
"Oh. Yes, the parade."
"Surprise!" Mario forcibly smiled. "All for your grand arrival, your majesty."
"That is very generous of you, Mario; unfortunately, that visit is going to have to wait for another time." Princess Celestia said. "I'm afraid an emergency has come up in Fillydelphia. Apparently, there's been some sort of infestation."
"An...Infestation?" Twilight and Mario asked in unison.
"Yes, a swarm of incredibly bothersome creatures has invaded the poor town." Princess Celestia explains. "I'm sorry, Twilight and Mario, to have put you all through so much trouble."
"Trouble?" Twilight squeaked.
"What trouble?" Mario asked with a toothy grin.
"Before I have to go." Princess Celestia continued, levitating a golden ticket to Apple Shine. "Apple Shine, I would like you to attend at Canterlot."
"What for? To see the chocolate factory?" Apple Shine asks as Princess Celestia chuckled a bit.
"Not quite, this ticket is for you to attend the Grand Galloping Gala." Princess Celestia told her, leaving Apple Shine surprised.
Applejack walked towards to her daughter, placed her hoof on her. Princess Celestia turns to Twilight and Mario.
"Would you two care to give me your latest report on the magic of friendship in person?" Princess Celestia suggests.
"Our...report?" Twilight spoke.
She turned toward Mario, who scuffed the ground with his hoof. Clearly, he was struggling to think of something.
"Haven't you learned anything about friendship?" Princess Celestia asked.
It was then Mario and Twilight noticed that Pinkie Pie was still leading the parasprites into the Everfree Forest. A stroke of inspiration came to them, as they both smiled.
"Actually, we have." Twilight said.
Mario gestured to say it for her, but Twilight shook her head and put his hoof down so she could do it.
We've learned that sometimes the solution to your problems can come from where you least expect it. It's a good idea to stop and listen to your friends' opinions and perspectives...
CRASH!
Every pony flinched as Pinkie Pie clashed her symbols once more.
...Even when they don't always make sense.
Just as Mario finished the sentence, Twilight sheepishly smiled.
"I'm so proud of you, Twilight Sparkle and Mario Star." Princess Celestia said. "And I'm very impressed with your friends as well. It sounds like you're all learning so much from each other."
"Thank you, Princess." Twilight thanked her.
Mario confirms with a nod.
Princess Celestia had her chariot take off from the sky. Once she disappeared from view, the eight ponies approached Pinkie Pie, who just finished sending the last of the parasprites into the forest. The moment she saw her friends arrived, she stopped.
"Hey, what happened to the Princess?" Pinkie Pie asked.
"There's been a change of plans." Mario answered.
"Emergency in Fillydelphia." Twilight adds.
"Some sort of infestation." Rainbow Dash replied.
"Oh no!" Pinkie Pie remarked. "Have they got parasprites too? Well, have tuba, will travel."
Just when Pinkie Pie started playing again, Twilight stopped her.
"I think the Princess can handle it." Twilight assured her.
"So, you what those critters were all along, huh Pinkie Pie?" Applejack asked.
"Well, duh!" Pinkie Pie retorted, matter-of-factly. "Why do you think I was so frantic to get my hooves on all those instruments? I tried to tell you."
"Not quite, Pinkie." Comet shook his head, earned their attention. "True that you're not that easy to understand because you are being...well you. But still, you should've probably explained to us why you needed those instruments in a specific and a calm manner."
Pinkie Pie couldn't help but pout a little since she knows that Comet is right.
"Try to do that the next time we have a situation like this so we can avoid the infestation in the future." Comet suggests.
"Okay." Pinkie Pie accepts with reluctance.
"But still Pinkie, you save mine and Mario's reputation with Princess Celestia." Twilight said. "And more importantly, you saved Ponyville."
They returned to Ponyville, only to find just how broken down and shambled the town really was.
"...Or not." Twilight said.
As Pinkie Pie played a sad trombone tune, Comet looked around the damage. He then realized something, he read the book that has a high-level magic to restore anything that's been damaged. Comet then stepped forward with a determined look on his face.
"What are you doing, Comet?" Mario asks.
"I can fix this, and I know a spell." Comet answered. "You better stand back."
Comet closed his eyes and took a deep breath before he opens his eyes and made his horn glow immensely while using his bear spirit, granting him the strength. They then looked around in Ponyville and was shocked to see that everything that was recently eaten or destroyed by the parasprites was slowly getting restored by Comet's magic. The citizens were also shocked by this and turned to see Comet was the one restoring Ponyville back to the way it was before. Comet was grunting in pain from restoring Ponyville, but he's still holding. After about three minutes, all of Ponyville and everything that was previously eaten was back to how it normally was. Once Comet was finished, he was breathing heavily, and he fell to his knees as he collapses down to the ground and fainted from how tired he was after using the spell.
When he opened his eyes, Comet looked around to see that he was in his room at the Golden Oak Library. He then looked at the window to see that it was the early morning, and the sun was starting to come up. Even though, what he did was pretty reckless for restoring Ponyville, but he took that risk.
However, when Comet was about to move, he felt something wrapped around him...or someone. He looked to see his mother wrapped around him sleeping. He then heard someone stirring as Twilight was waking up. Twilight opens her eyes and the first thing she saw was her son as he was looking at her with a smile.
"Comet! You're okay!" Twilight exclaims with tears of joy, hugging her son. "I'm so worried about you!"
"I'm sorry, mom." Comet apologizes.
"Don't you ever do that to me again, Comet." Twilight said. "I was so scared, I thought I'd lost you."
Comet then hugged his mother, feeling guilty for worrying his mother, his godmothers, his godfather, and his friend. Soon as Comet and Twilight got out of the room, they head downstairs to the kitchen, but the five mares, Mario, and Apple Shine saw the little colt woke up which it got them hugging him. Every pony explained to Comet how worried they were when he fainted from using all of his magic to do that one spell that he did, and he apologized for making them worry and he promised that he'll be more careful for using that high-level spell.
That's it for the 17th chapter.