Galvanizing Emotion

by Uictoriam Ducere

Charlie has been called many things in his life. A criminal, a thug, and now a deadman. Awakening in a world filled with headache inducing magic ponies who drive him crazy was the last thing he expected. He must now learn to keep his temper in check to stay on their good side as they are the only ones who can bring him home. Being murdered though, makes that kind of difficult… AU

21. Act 1: Its a Wonderful Strife

Chapter 21: It's a Wonderful Strife

"Strange, isn't it? Each man's life touches so many other lives. And when he isn't around, he leaves an awful hole, doesn't he?"

-Clarence Odbody

Twilight POV

Carousel Boutique Shop

"How-how did you two find out about this!" I yell out as Rainbow struggles against my magical grasp.

Spike snorts and looks at the beyond upset Human who glared down at the dragon, "Yeah, Charlie, how did we find out about this I wonder."

"Spike, I fuckin' told you to let me handle this!" The human screams out at the dragon as I try my best to comprehend what Rainbow had just read aloud to everypony in the room.

She's going to have us banished from Ponyville! Why would she even think to do that! After everything we did for-

"Just like I let you handle the Mayor? You didn't even fight her! She just ate up every second of it and then we left her office!" He shouts back and they get closer to one another as they're arguing gets worse.

"Wait, you were at the mayor's office?" I ask aloud.

No, they didn't go do what I think they did, did they? Why would they-

"And I fuckin' told you that there was nothing I could have done! You're just grasping at straws hoping I'd crush her fuckin' skull like I did to Clutter!" Charlie shakes his head like he was starting to get a migraine, "Well, guess what! I didn't do whatever the fuck it is you wanted, tough shit!"

What did he say?

"Clutter?" I ask aloud again, completely lost on what the two stallions were up to in the short amount of time they were alone, "What are you two talkin-"

"And you, for whatever reason, decided you were a big scaredy cat! After fighting off an entire town, beating up locals and wildlife now of all times you decide you don't have a spine? You want to know what I think?"

The human throws his arms to out with an angry scowl as the argument between Charlie and Spike starts to reach a head, so I move to separate them before this gets out of hoof. His marked hand starts buzzing with lightning as Spike glowers at him however the man seems to be unaffected or is simply ignoring the pain while the rune starts to emit that red hue like that day in my kitchen.

I make eye contact with Rarity who sees the same thing I do, and we start to move so we can deescalate the situation as I feel something terrible is about to happen.

The man's fists clench in anger and he stares down at the dragon with contempt, "Oh C'mon, lay it on me! Huh? What the fuck do you think? Tell me!"

Charlie pounds his chest as he yells and small little arcs of lighting flicker through the room giving even Rainbow a heads up that time is running out before disaster. Everypony except for Spike who seems to be completely unaware how much danger he's in at the moment as he stays put, even getting closer so that he can give a retort.

"What I think?!" He gives off an incredulous laugh and points at him, "What's running away going to change?! The Mayor isn't just going to change her mind one day and you're just letting it happen! I think you're just being a big dumb coward!"

Charlie squeezes his eyes shut as his hands start shaking, either from rage or some other alternate reason as Spike is left huffing from his rant. The hairless appendages slowly are brought to the sides of his head to cover his ears as he grimaces like he was blocking some sort of sound that the rest of us couldn't hear. The sparks grow larger as he struggles to stay in control or at least that's how it appears.

It was at this point Spike had finally realized how much manure he truly was in, and his eyes widened like saucers as a bolt of lightning strikes a hanging light above him making the glass shatter all around us, just like outside at clutters. The air around us started to taste like metal as the electricity zipped through the air, conducting the voltage that was amping up by the second. Some sparks began to take the shape of the runes on his arm in that same familiar malicious red that I could only associate with him ending in a sad puddle on the floor.

However, that doesn't happen. At least not yet as the sparks only increase in intensity.

The human still remains standing, unaffected by the mark and its wrath, though the same can't be said about me. I feel my magic stores start to empty as whatever power originating off of him seems to eat it to nothing and my horn gives off a few pathetic rays that amount to nothing when I try to cast the spell of holding. I look over at Rarity and she seems to be having the same problem as I am, her horns aura only flickered off and on as she tried her best to concentrate to no avail.

All I can do is stare in abstract horror as I realize there's nothing, we can do to stop this walking and talking time bomb and Spike was at ground zero.

As my magic fails me, Rainbow is released from her magical prison and in an instant beat Rarity and I to the punch. The pegasus quickly flew behind Spike to pull him away but it was too late as finally the human's hands snap to his sides once more and he looks down at the dragon with an expression I hadn't seen in quite a while.

Not since the Bakery or that day in the kitchen…

"FOR ONCE IN YOUR FUCKIN' LIFE, WILL YOU LISTEN TO YOUR GODDAMN BROTHER, WALLY!"

We all braced for the infamous explosion to follow.

I felt myself fall backwards into one of the seamstresses many inanimate dummies and get tangled in the many pieces of fabric that was adorning it. Rarity on the other hoof had hunkered down onto the floor by her guest table and put her hooves over her head looking scared out of her mind that her precious business was about to go the way of the Alerion. The bravest of us all, Rainbow, uses herself to shield the little dragon from complete and total annihilation as Charlie seems to go critical and beyond saving.

That's the last thing I see as I turned away squeezed my eyes shut in preparation so that I too don't end up a singed mess and waited…

But the explosion never comes.

In fact, I'd go as far to say that the room got quiet. Even a little too quiet, suspiciously so. Unless I'm deafened of course, but even still my ears aren't ringing. Either nothing happened or I've reached the afterlife. After a solid moment, I finally find the courage for my eyes peak open ever so slightly to see that I'm not indeed in the ruins of the Boutique or that I've become one with the stars.

My first thought when I looked around was thanking Celestia that I was still with the living or what seemed like the living so far. I was still in the spot I was a moment ago in a mess of this dummy and I appear to not have a scratch on me. The boutique also seems to still be in one piece aside from the broken light by the mercy of the Celestial Sea. It might as well be a miracle that the town is still standing let alone the shop.

My attention snaps to the others to see if they too got out unscathed or if I was the lucky one.

Rarity to my left was still clenching her teeth in fear and her eyes were still shut, but eventually she opens them for confusion to only fill them. She looks around her shop, then her mane, and breathes a sigh of relief that the two things that mattered to her the most were safe and sound. I guess that makes sense as she was the farthest away from him unlike-

Wait! Spike!

My head snaps over to see if there was a mangled mess that was my dragon assistant, but instead there he was still breathing like nothing had happened. He was being shielded by Rainbow Dash, so you'd think that she took the brunt of it and was down for the count, but she too seemed to be of sound body and mind as well as her eye popped open to look in front of her in almost amazement that she indeed wasn't dead. The pair, like Rarity and I, too blinks and looks around confused until the two share a look and turn to face the direction that was going to be their imminent doom a second ago.

And there stood Charlie…

The man who was surprisingly still in piece stood huffing and puffing as if he was out of breath like nothing had happened. The arcs of lightning that circled him are no more nor was there was a crater underneath of him. He eyed all of us with that look of disgust and anger turning into confusion and horror like he didn't understand what had just happened or even where he was. His breathing started picking up some more as he looked at his hands like they were soiled with garbage, and the look of genuine terror filled his features. It looked like he was on the brink of a panic attack if I had any guesses, but I was too locked up from shocked over the events that just transpired for me to do anything about it.

The Human's manic state was only silenced when Spike pushed himself forward in front of Rainbow and looked up at him to break the stillness of the shop.

"Wally's your brother?" The young drake asks as he looks up at Charlie.

With a gasp, the man's panicked eyes dart from his hands down to the dragon who had taken another careful step forward and he took a step back in response.

"You have a brother?" He inquires in a quiet tone that just oozed apprehension and revelation.

Charlie's eyes twitched hearing that as he continued to stare down with what looked like fear or what I assumed was fear as it was hard to make out this foreign look on him. His breathing slowed to almost nothing as he took in what the drake had asked and he looked around the room one more time, locking eyes with everypony, me included. When he looked at me, I could have sworn I saw his lip quiver as his face scrunched some that I had never seen before on his features ever. His eyes clamp shut once more like he was holding something in as his hands clenched into fists, but it didn't seem like it was out of anger or outrage.

It looked like something else entirely.

Spike takes another step forward now in arms reach he looks up at Charlie once more, "Charlie, are you-"

Is all he managed to get out as he barrels past him and Rainbow, basically all but sprinting towards the main entrance leaving all of us in his cold dust when the door swings open. Spike blinks the moment he leaves and shakes his head while he runs to the door, stopping at the threshold.

"Wait! I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean to…" Is all he squeaks out as his words die in his mouth as he presumably watches his silhouette disappear into town. Spike bites his lip like he was thinking intently, and he turns to each of us as if he were deciding what to do. Eventually he too runs off no doubt after him, leaving us alone as the room falls into silence.

Rainbow, predictably, was the first to break said silence in a fashion that suited her just fine.

"What the buck was all of that about! He decided he didn't want to turn into burnt pancakes or something?!" She screams out as she looks around the room, "Is everypony okay? I want a sound off and I don't want to hear any lazy bone answers neither!"

"Present, Rainbow…" Rarity say's miserably as she shakes her head and stands up, "That… was a close one."

"Beyond close… His attacks are getting worse if a simple argument like that almost turned Ponyville into a lake…" I mutter as I too stand up and we all meet in the center of the room while looking around not really knowing what to do next in light of what just happened.

"Should… Should we go after him?" Rarity says quietly as she looks at the swinging broken light, "He might do something rash don't you think…"

"What, like explode again? Whatever will we do should that happen…" Rainbow snorts out. "Let him rot is what I say. Do the whole town a favor too while he's at it. Might even be the best thing he'd ever done in his life too."

Rarity's eyes narrow as she looks at the cyan pegasus with annoyance, "I wasn't talking to you, Rainbow. I already knew your answer." The speedster waves a small dismissive hoof at the seamstress as she floats around the room allowing the unicorn to turn to me, "What do you think, Twilight? Is it safe for the others right now? He looked pretty upset…"

My lips purse as I recall the look on his face before he stormed out of here and something tells me we should give him some space despite what could happen in his own solitude out there. The only time I'd ever seen it before was when he was in the middle of his manic fever states like he was in the night before and that was something to be seen. That look of terror and sorrow that only seems to follow him when he's delusional and confounds me so.

It's like I'm looking at a different pony all together…

"No…" I finally say aloud as my decision is made, "He'll be fine, Rarity. Let's just give him some alone time to think, not to mention Spike is on his metaphorical tail as we speak. That should be enough for now…"

A chuckle pulls my attention towards Rainbow who is now swinging on one of the rafters like it was a jungle gym, "We all know there's no thoughts behind those small dumb eyes of his to even be able to think. Only the instinct to spread mayhem and chaos to everypony around him. Kinda like a certain other lunatic that we dealt with, and what do you know, turned into stone about a year ago." She rolls her eyes as she drops to the floor, "Almost like to solve the Charlie question we should, I don't know, do that same spell again."

"…We're not doing that as I've already told you a thousand times." I say firmly as the stone spell argument has hit me again with this stubborn pegasus, "Discord was a regent of Chaos who was a despicable despot over Equestria for centuries while Charlie broke a few houses in a rage. They are hardly in the same ballpark to be treated alike, Rainbow."

"Could have fooled me," She gives out a tired sigh knowing my stance on the issue. "Really seems like he rules the lot of you with an iron fist from the other side of the hedges where I'm standing…"

"We are simply not doing that, darling." Rarity speaks up as she walks closer to her, "Besides you'd need the other elements to do such a thing and you can definitely consider myself to take a spa day for that one. I also believe the others would join me for such a day as well."

"What a bunch of party poopers." Rainbow snorts once more as she sits on the ground and crosses her hooves, "Can't blame a mare for trying at least. It would make me sleep better at night knowing my town wasn't in constant danger 24/7."

"Well, maybe if you actually took your role in this entire matter seriously, we wouldn't be in such a pickle all the time with him. Teasing him daily? Burning possessions of his from home that he cares about? Giving him surprise manecuts? Those are certainly helping all of us." I say in an annoyed tone as I watch the pegasus roll her eyes again, "This entire rehabilitation thing isn't going to work if we're not all putting in some kind of effort and you should know better than to just shrug your shoulders over this. The Princess has tasked this to us for a reason."

"The only rehabilitation that ape needs is of the permanent kind if you catch my drift, bookworm." She shoots back in a way that a certain human I know would have worded it.

My eyes narrow at her attitude, "Rather humorous that you'd say something like that, Rainbow, considering he could have done the same thing to you at one point."

She gives me a smirk as she cracks her neck, "Of course the egghead is yet again defending her pet monkey…" Her smirk turns into a chuckle as she gets closer, "How's the song and dance routine going? You got him to wear that little hat and vest yet?"

"No, he has a hard time listening to anything I say, much like another blue pony I know." I say as I shoot daggers at her.

She gets even closer, and our snouts are basically touching as she stares me down, "What's that supposed to mean?"

It was finally my turn to smirk as I poke her chest with my hoof, "Whatever you think it does, Rainbow, and then some."

She bounces back like she was about to pounce on me, "Why I oughta-"

"Mares! Mares!" Rarity shouts as she gets between us before things got nasty, "Please! This is no time to fight! We have enough problems to solve without us tearing each other to bits! One such problem being the blank horse in the room!" She grimaces as she touches her hair, "That and conflict makes my mane frizz up…"

I give a soft sigh as I realize she's right in this matter. We do have too much to deal with and the problems seem to keep mounting as the seconds go by. Rainbow also seemed to take in her words too, albeit rather indignantly as she made funny faces at the fashionista while her back was turned. She quickly stopped and started whistling innocently when the white unicorn turned around with a scowl knowing she was doing something ill witted.

We then kind of stand around silently as we look to see what little damage was actually done to the shop considering how it seemed it was about to be a crater any second a few moments ago. Rarity started to clean up that broken light and I watch as she struggles to even pick up the smallest of fragments of broken glass from that light with a huff. It doesn't even leave the floor making Rainbow giggle as she too watches her fail in her spell casting.

"You having problems, Rarity?" She chuckles while covering her mouth, "Nervous? We can turn around if that will make you feel better. We won't make a sound, I promise."

She shoots Rainbow a dirty look before she turns to me, "Twilight, darling…" Rarity starts as she looks towards the door and back at me, "Did you feel your magic wane or am I just famished from a hard day's work. It felt like it was simply pulled out of me like it were a blemish on my pristine skin! How dreadful!"

I sigh as I rub my now sore horn, "No, you're not overworked… I felt it too, Rarity." Looking over at the doorway the doorway where two pesky stallions ran out a few moments ago I continue, "Though that's not the first time something like that has happened, especially when Charlie's involved."

"This happened before? When was this? I don't think I was around as I don't seem to recall such an event…" Rarity muses and then her face flares with recognition, "Oh! That day in the kitchen you mean! Oh, you're right, I felt it then too! I couldn't cast a proper spell for a few days without falling into a bout of the vapors."

"Yeah, and it took me about a week after to recuperate from that one as well…" I hum out as I try to cast a simple spell and just barely a piece of the small broken light bulb floats barely and suddenly drops and my stores empty once more, "It happened just after Charlie had his first 'episode' and it's been happening more frequently as well. In fact, just the other day it occurred when he was being difficult hallucinating from fever."

Rarity flickers out a stream of magic and just like me, it too fizzles out and she lets out an exhausted sigh, "I've never felt something like this before… It's like I've been working my hooves to the bone for a week straight without my beauty sleep." Rarity taps her chin as if she were thinking and turns to me, "Twilight, you don't think it has something to do with the…"

She lets her sentence die out as I give her a nod like I knew what she was going to say. "It has to be… I mean, what else could it possibly be if not that? It's worrying that something can even siphon our stores let alone rendering them empty entirely. I don't like to toot my own horn, but it's impressive that I can't even cast a simple spell of holding with how deeply invested in the mystics I am. It's also very worrying as well."

Rainbow shoves the two of us aside and looks at us with irritation, "Can you two start speaking Equestrian for goodness sake! What the hay are you two even talking about with this magic mumbo jumbo. I really doubt this is relevant to the fact that we're not shadows on the walls right now for some reason."

Rarity and I look at each other and sigh at her brashness though we should be used to it by now, "We're talking about Charlie's mark, Rainbow, and that it has this innate ability to completely wipe our magic."

The pegaus looks at us slack jawed, "What?! You mean you can't cast any of your doohickey spells because of the monkey getting flankhurt? That doesn't make any sense!" the pegasus screams out.

"There's no other explanation though I don't completely understand how it's possible. There's never been such a thing in equestrian history that can just destroy magic in its most basic form," I begin to pace as my brain goes into overdrive to come up with thesis' of how the mark functions, "Starswirl's tomes on the matter proved magic was tapped not from oneself but from the stars themselves even to the ones who can't cast spells like earth ponies and pegasi. They simply absorb it in a different way that emerge in physical forms…"

"What does that mean for us then, egghead?" Rainbow voice announces above me, and I stare up to see her floating with a bored expression, "You saying he can make me tired with his mind when he has a tantrum? That's just what I need now is for him to zap me out of the sky like a mosquito and take my wings away?"

"Not so much in that sense, Rainbow…" I roll my eyes at her attitude and keep pacing as I talk to myself, "If the stars are the origins of magic and their properties then (If Starswirl's laws of sorcery is anything to go off of) they must adhere to the common three laws of magic, but this simply breaks the third law entirely."

"The third law of Sore-who? What are you-" Rainbow snorts as she looks at a confused Rarity, "You catching any of this?"

"Shhh let her brainstorm, I'm curious where this is going." Rarity chides as at least the only other magic user in the room would like to understand how theirs works.

"If the third law states that for every magical action and reaction, there is an equal and opposite magical force reaction then by said law the magical force should return to the stars unharmed… But we didn't cast anything… Though, if that is indeed the way this curse operates then why is it siphoning off of us instead of the stars?" I ponder as my pacing gets a tad faster.

"Uh… What?"

"…Meaning that when we use our magic, it bends the cosmic air so to speak around us. The more powerful the spell, the more powerful a reaction that the realm between realms feels. However, this law also states that magic cannot be destroyed but transferred. Then why is this mark seemingly breaking said law?" I stop mid stride as a hypothesis hits me, "Unless…"

"Oh, here we go…" Rainbow sighs out as she looks at the ceiling bored as ever. "Can we not do this on Hearth's Warming please? I'd like the coolest holiday of the year to not be lame."

I ignore her as my train of thoughts come together, "What if it's not destroying magic but transferring it like the law states but in a different way. Maybe that's how the mark works! It doesn't cause the shocks; it creates them and uses any and all energies around it even those that are not of the stars! This also makes sense since Charlie isn't connected to the magical wall like we are in any capacity, so it uses anything around it instead!"

This was when Rarity gasped, "What do you mean that Charlie isn't connected? All living things on Equestria has a connection in some way or form to it and that's elementary knowledge."

I nod at the other Unicorn, "You are correct about that matter however there's just one little key detail that you're missing."

"And that issssssssss?" Rainbow impatiently stresses out as she does soft circles around the room. "Oh, don't tell me. It's ape related isn't it. Bummer."

I roll my eyes for the 5th time today and elaborate, "You have to remember Charlie isn't of this world, mares, and wherever he's from is severed entirely from the magical continuum somehow. His people can't comprehend the mystics at all and their biological make up is almost allergic to it." I give off a proud smile, "I figured that one out after one of my experiments showed that his cells, that were ethically sourced mind you, rejected any and all magical influence whatsoever. If I were a betting mare, I'd bet this is the same reason it's been so difficult to send him home. Oh, where's flash when I need him. I could get a few bits out of this one for sure…"

"What you're saying is we had to deal with that walking and talking headache for the last 6 months because he has an allergy to magic…" Rainbow asks with a raised brow. "Like pollen or dog hair?"

"So it seems… I just don't know how he arrived if that is the case. Something unique on his side of the equation must have occurred that I'm just not seeing. That something must be beyond bizarre as he'd be eating orphans or whatever he did back on his home world months ago if it weren't the case." I mutter as I think about it some more.

"Okay, but what does this have to do with this stupid mark then, smarty pants? If he was allergic or whatever, wouldn't he be showing symptoms like being itchy and sneezing?" Rainbow asks as she settles down, sitting on the ground looking as bored as ever.

"Maybe… Or maybe he's been showing other symptoms that just appeared normal to us." I pause as I think on his general demeanor and his rogue fever's as possible culprits in this musing.

"Anyways, what's all of this absolute nonsense supposed to mean what exactly…?" The pegasus yawns out. "Hopefully it means we can shoot him into space or something as a cure so he can near the starts, right? Please tell me I'm right."

I brow falls as I watch Rainbow's eyes flutter as she fights sleep, "It means we've discovered another new dilemma on our hooves over this mark business and it's only making more questions than answers…"

"Dilemma… More like a crisis if you ask me," Rarity remarks as she looks at her broken light and knocks me out of my thoughts. "I'm starting to wish the Princess never put that terrible thing on him to begin with for better or worse. The deal is getting worse all the time…"

"Well, at least I'm for one still glad about it." the flying mare proclaims, "He deserves every minute of of that torture and then some! He actually deserves a lot more, but I'll take what I can get at this point since the Princess won't deal with him anymore and just dumped him onto us like a bad habit."

My mouth twists knowing that she's still sore over what happened all those weeks ago, "That may be true to some, however it is putting ponies in danger, Rainbow! We need to find a way to break it or it could-"

Her mouth falls open with incredulity, "To some!? Twilight, he went berserk and almost killed me without a single thought about it! I think that accounts for more than some don't you think!"

"…He's getting better…" I mouse out as I recall the events that she's describing in disturbing detail.

"Better?!" She snorts and nods towards the door, "That look like better to you? He was about to implode and take Spike and I with him over an argument of who gets to tell who what. If anything, he's getting worse!"

I blink as I realize something, "But he didn't…" I turn towards the door and cock my head, "Why didn't he explode? He surely was pretty close right?"

"So!? Who cares if he exploded or not!? He just had a little tantrum and stormed out. There is no background meaning to it other than that he's pathetic." Rainbow chuckles out, "and that he's just a loser…"

"This isn't something to laugh about, Rainbow," I admonish as I rub the back of my messy mane. "This is as serious as serious can get and we need to take things seriously especially when our friends are involved."

She blows a soft raspberry and rolls her eyes, "Charlie? Friend? Yeah okay, I'll get right on taking this seriously that being never of course."

I glare at the pegasus and hold my ground some more, "Rainbow, I'm not joking about this. He could-"

"Sorry, can't hear you!" She puts a hoof up to her ear as it flicks some, "I'm banned all the way over here so you're going to have to speak up for me or did you forget already."

"Rainbow…" I give a tired sigh at the mention of my order and look at her as she turned her back to me while floating in place, "It wasn't personal, I just needed some space between you two before you two killed each other. It's not my fault you two can't sit in a room together without strangling the other."

Her hoof suddenly pushes out and stops right on the edge of my snout, "Talk to the hoof, sister, I know exactly how you put it. You gave him those 'lost mama' eyes and then without another thought you kicked me out of your life."

I blink at her and push her hoof out of my way and look at her wings flapping in a hypnotic way, "You can't possibly think that I wanted this, right? Rainbow, you're one of my bestest friends I've ever had in my entire life and that didn't change even after everything."

She doesn't turn to me and huffs, "It doesn't feel like that at all though… You haven't even tried hanging out and talking to me since, Twilight. It's kind of hard not to take that in a personal way when you do that and then just ignore me for weeks on end for that mongrel creature you like so much for whatever reason."

My mouth twists as I know deep down, she's right, I had been ignoring her but not on purpose. The pegasus had tried many a time to catch me while I was around town throughout the weeks, but I've been so darn busy with the mayor and Charlie that I had to push her off. Like the other day, I had no choice but to sprint passed her without so much a word when I was running late to that meeting with Spike.

Not to mention the ban in itself. I didn't want to do it, but I didn't have a choice right? She had Charlie knocking on death's door after she had went too far and she didn't even seem to be upset over it. I just couldn't risk having another incident between the two of them again.

Between the Mayor and Charlie, Celestia knows my hooves are beyond full without those two stubborn ponies at each other's throats.

"Truth be told, it doesn't even feel like we're friends anymore…" Rainbow says though it holds some somberness to it which causes me great grief when I hear it.

"Rainbow Dash!" Rarity shouts out gaining the mares attention as I thought upon what she had told me, "Twilight is trying her best with what she's been dealt and it's very selfish of you to assume that she'd do something that disgusting even after everything we've done for you!"

"I don't have to assume anything, Plainity! And you're another one! You two have totally been dodging me for that giant piece of work known to the world as Charlie!" She spits his name like it tasted awful, "You both have done more for him this past year than you've ever done for me in double the amount of time! Like he deserves any second of it…"

"You are now just grasping at straws to hate him, and everything connected to him." Rarity barks back, "I knew you disliked him, but to solicit yourself a victim against us for doing our jobs as elements?! You're friends!? If you think you're going to get away with that without an earful from me then you have another thing com-"

"She's right, Rarity…" I say silently making the two swivel their heads to me.

"What? I am?" the pegasus asks and then shakes her head, "Yeah! I totally am right!"

The seamstress' brow rises, and her ears fall back as she looks at me, "Darling, I really don't think-"

"It's true, we've priortized Charlie over a valued friend these past few months…" I say again as I look down, "Charlie's attitude hasn't been improving, if anything it's been only getting worse. He's bitter… but even more he's cruel and almost without empathy. I've done everything in my power to show him that there's a light at the end of the tunnel, that there's more to it than just the negatives, but I'm beginning to realize he might never see it or that he simply can't. Either way, all it's done is made me push you away, Rainbow, and for that I'm sorry."

Rarity touches my side, "Twilight, you don't need-"

"I'm sorry… that I forgot what it meant to be friends." I say to the rainbow maned mare whose left speechless. "And I'm even more sorry that I have to keep you at hooves length. Charlie is my main responsibility for a multitude of reasons and that's not going to change anytime soon. The Princess has made me promise that it's up to me to keep him out of trouble and I have no intention of breaking that promise even if Charlie can't feel anything towards anypony other than hate. So, for that I'm sorry and I hope I can have your forgiveness…"

Rainbow now stares at me with confliction for an extended amount of time as she listened to every syllable, and she lowered her head as she was deep in thought before she shakes her head and looks back at me with determination and an annoyed snort.

"Whatever you say, Twilight… If you two want to stay here and waste your breath on that sack of rotten potatoes, then that's on you." She zips to the door in an instant and looks back, "but I on the other hoof am headed to the pageant so I can watch Scootaloo do her thing because that's what real friends do. They show up when they need it."

"Rainbow, I-" but it's too late. She was gone and with it what felt like our friendship as the cold lonely wind fluttered through the shop.

I wish things would just go back to normal, but I know we're beyond that now. And the worst part is that I know this is all my fault…

If I hadn't of cast that accursed spell, then none of this would have happened and we'd be like we were all those months ago. Happy and carefree. Charlie would be home with his family unburdened by being lost in a world that isn't his, Rainbow would still be around bothering me in my studies with pranks with glee rather than contempt, Spike would still be that innocent baby dragon that I hatched and filled with love and care that's only been a part of my memories as of late, and my new home and my friends' homes wouldn't be threatened with eviction…

All because my curiosity was peaked… All because I had to know… All because-

It wasn't until Rarity had brushed up against my side that I was knocked out of my thoughts.

She gives me a soft kind smile, "I wouldn't put too much stock in what she said, Twilight, she's just feeling betrayed and is going through the motions as they say." She nudges me again as I turn towards the door, "She'll turn around eventually… Maybe when Charlie goes home things will all get back to normal."

"And when will that be?" I ask with a tired laugh, "A month? A year? 10 years? The Princess hasn't disclosed that she had made any breakthrough in her search and I'm at the cusp of insanity myself from trying to recreate his arrival. And if we can't send him back then we'll have to deal with that on top of the Mayor…"

She touches her chin like she was thinking how to word something better, "Well… we will just have to deal with that together like always!"

I sigh as the notice from the mayor takes up my view while it lays still on the cold hard ground, taunting me with its orders.

I turn to her with a defeated look, "How am I going to fix this mess if I can't even keep us together?"

"You'll have me, Twilight." She says with a warm smile. "It may not be much, but anything you need for Charlie, you only have to say the word. I've been trying to get him over here for some time as I'd really love to have him for the evenings to give you a break."

"You don't have to go and do that for me…" I say as I return her smile, "You only would have to do that on your day. No need to put that much strain on yourself."

"Nonsense! I don't mind in the slightest!" She proclaims, "As a matter of fact, I wish I had him over for more than one day if truth be told. It would keep him busy and out of your tangled mane for a change. That and it gets him out of the house. Nothing beats boredom more than work especially when said boredom is caused by waiting."

"…Why?" I ask not understanding her reasoning, "Why would you do that for him? He hates you…"

She finally rolls her eyes as she gives off a small laugh, "Oh Twilight, he doesn't hate me." When I gawk at her she continued, "Twilight, between you and me I think he likes working despite what he says. It's his process I think."

I blink at her like she'd lost her mind, "How did you come to that conclusion?"

She opens her mouth like she was about to begin explaining and then hums instead, "Maybe it would be best if you see it rather than hearing it." She turns towards her kitchen and yells behind her, "Come along! It's over here, it was dropped off yesterday!"

Not really understanding what she meant by that, I followed her with curiosity and soon enough we were within the confines of her kitchen which, for the most part, looked about the same as it ever did from my other visits. Just as I was about to ask her what the hay, we were doing she nudges my side with her head and points a hoof towards her kitchen table where a gigantic basket was resting.

As I got closer, I could tell that the basket was poorly wrapped with decorations of snowflakes and snowstallions with the craftsman ship of a filly. To my surprise the entire thing was filled to absolute brim with bran muffins of all things which only added to my confusion. It wasn't until a note resting at the base of this red wicker receptacle caught my attention, making me get closer as I squint to read the poor hoofwriting.

To Charlee,

I hope this fineds you well and that you're day was going good! I cant tank you enough for what you did for my little 1 all those days ago in Rarity's Shop. She absolutely loves her new hat and she's for sure been weering it in. I cant doo much in the way of repaying you for your charity but I hope some muffins can make up for that as you seemed to enjoy the last one I got you.

Tank you again! For everything!

From Ditzy Doo.

P.S. Dinky says that she hopes you get a manecut that suits you better but I told her that was rude.

"Ditzy?" I say aloud as the letter's contents start to register with me, "What… Charlie?"

A quaint giggle could be heard behind me as Rarity joins my side looking at the basket too, "It seems you were right about one thing, Twilight, that Rainbow simply can't understand."

I turn to her with an eyebrow raised and my ear flicks, "And what's that?"

She positively gleams like she was waiting for me to ask, "That he's getting better…"

"…" He's… Getting better… Huh…

While I was deep in thought, Rarity looks over at a clock and gasps, "It appears we better make haste to the pageant! It's only 15 minutes before showtime!" She sighs as she pulls a mirror out of nowhere to adjust her mane, "It seems this unprepared rug will have to do I suppose, I don't have enough time to redo it and Sweetie Belle is counting on me arriving. Are you ready to depart, Twilight?"

I'm still staring at the basket when she asks me, so I turn to her and simply give her a silent nod.

"Wonderful! Let's hurry! We can't miss the play, not when my sister is Clover the Clever." She turns to leave the kitchen and yet again I'm following, "I spent all day making sure those three fillies costumes were perfect for the play and I refuse to let the moment to see my work squandered in front of the entire town." She chuckles manically for a moment, "A-and to see Sweetie Belle of course hehe. We should also check on Flash Sentry to see if he had any trouble setting up the-"

It was at this point I stopped listening, not because she was annoying me, but rather because my brain was on overdrive and could at any moment burst into flames from the events that I had just witnessed. Between Charlie's hidden act of generosity and his marks new abilities the mind simply boggles at the inner workings of his inner ramblings and how they come to existence.

But what I took away from this afternoon the most is that deep down, somewhere hidden, he just misses home and his brother. This Wally… A name I've heard plenty of times before but could never figure out place just who he was to the mangy Human.

And now that I do, all I wish is that I didn't know he had somepony waiting for him back home.

OoOoO

I think I'm beginning to understand Charlie's loathing of public spaces as we enter the cramped and crowded amphitheater, filled to the brim with colored ponies of all sizes and shapes which give us no room to walk through the room.

The seats were mostly filled and the room's many conversations simply blended into white noise with the exception of some unique laughs or shouts. Pegasi flew around the room taking seats around the ceiling's rafters and steel beams decorated like floating clouds, some of which were workers for the lights and the special effects. The main stage was lifted a few feet above the crowd's seats, and it was adorned with the huge red curtains that many a stage around the world are known for. On the center of the stage was a lone microphone and not a pony in sight.

In the crowd, I could somehow spot some familiar faces like Rainbow Dash above me, who was pushing watchers out of her way to make room so she could get one of the best seats in the house. Much to the annoyance of other Pegasi, but it seemed they resigned themselves to allow her to take her new 'throne' without so much a word. She looked down to see me and we lock eyes all but for a moment. With only a pursed lip upon her face, she quickly looked away and placed her head in one of hooves to prop it up without looking down at me again.

At least as much as I can tell. I guess she's still mad at me obviously, but at the very least she was by herself in that category as I see somepony else who looked like they needed the company.

That somepony being a flustered looking Applejack and her immediate family standing by some wagons filled to brim with apple pies and other apple related pastries handing them out to passerby ponies as she's done every Hearth's Warming Eve for many years prior. A tradition of sorts the Apple's do since Granny Smith was Apple Bloom's age if you can imagine the ancient pony being anything but elderly.

Surprisingly, a tradition that many ponies seem to be ignoring tonight as not many are taking the free pastries and are actually putting their snouts up at her or straight up ignoring the cart like it didn't exist. A strange sight indeed as the town normally prides themselves that Sweet Apple Acres holds the best apple pies in the county if not the country.

Applejack, by chance, turned around to see us walking towards the back which prompted her to give a large beckoning wave to come closer, so I nudge Rarity towards the farmers as I don't want the seamstress to get lost in the ocean of colors and we weave our way towards them with some difficulty. When we burst through the crowd, Applejack and her grandmother seemed to be in some sort of argument.

"These rapscallions wouldn't know a good pie if it smacked them over the mouth!" The elderly pony swore, using her cane with emphasis. "Not taking a Sweet Apple Acres pie on the Eve of Hearth's Warmin'… what has the world come to?!"

Applejack rolls her eyes, "Granny, Ah know, Ah've got eyeballs too! Ah just don't know what you want me to do about it though. Ah can't exactly beat the sweetness into them for Pete's sake."

The elderly mare grumbles as she sinks into her rocking chair, "Wheres that thingamajig when ya need him… He'd make sure these spoiled youth got their portions that's fer sure…"

"Oh Granny, just drink yer cider and hush…" Applejack says before her downtrodden expression shifts into a friendlier one as we approach, "Howdy you two, you wouldn't happen to want a pastry now would ya? Cause we got more than enough for some reason if ya do…"

I look over her head to indeed find the entire cart stocked to the brim like there wasn't a mad house behind me. There was every apple related pastry known to ponykind hanging on hooks, sitting on shelves or laying in barrels making me frown before I look back at her.

"How do you still have your entire stock so close to showtime?" I shake my head as I turn towards the crowd who were keeping their distance like the cart held the plague. "Normally you're selling crumbs by now…"

The cowmare snorts annoyed at my observation, "Tell me somethin' Ah don't know. For the life of me, Ah can't get nopony to buy one! It's like we're living in another world or somethin'! The price is the same it always is too!" Applejack turns to her brother who had traded his signature plough collar for an apron and a small service cap that he didn't look too happy about wearing. "Did you check the flour before we started baking? Maybe they can smell somethin' sour that we just can't."

"Yeeeeeeeup." Big Mac proclaims flatly, "Checked the jams, tarts, berries, and of course apples. Everythin's up and up, Applejack, Ah don't know what ta tell ya. Maybe folks just ain't hungry this year…"

"Oh, hungry smungry! Somethin' foul is in the air and this old snout smells it! You there!" Granny yells out before she hops out of her chair and waddles toward the counter and points her cane at a passerby stallion who stopped dead in his tracks and points at himself as if he were asking it was him she was talking to, "Yeah you! Come a little closer so Ah can have a conversation with ya!"

The stallion in question was Caramel I believe, a little on the naive side but I've never had a negative encounter with him aside from him being a bit of a klutz as he misplaces things all the time. He gulped as he looked around and quickly came closer as if somepony was watching him.

"Uh… How can I help you, Granny Smith?" He nervously teeters out looking over his shoulder.

"Why don't none of you youngsters want any of our food is what I want help with, whippersnapper!" She barks out.

Big Mac tries to calm his older relative, "Granny, please don't-"

"Oh hush! Ah'm gettin' to the bottom of this catastrophe! My great grandfather didn't settle this land for a bunch of ungrateful neighbors to ignore tradition!" She turns back to the scared stallion, "Now, Ah'll ask you again! Why don't you want our food!"

"F-food?" He says through chattering teeth. "F-from you?"

"Yes, food! And from who else would ya be takin' it from!" She taps her cane on the shelf, "We've got every dessert you love, and Ah know that yer taste buds is a waterin'!"

"I… I'm just not hungry." he says like that was the first excuse he could come up with and turns to leave. "Now if you excuse me, I'm r-really busy and I don't want to miss-Ughgh!"

Granny puts the hook of her cane around his neck as he tried to leave and pulled him back to the counter with a surprising amount of force, "That ain't the truth, sugar plum, and yer to start speakin' it or so help me…"

"I-I-I'm just not hungry! That's the truth!" He screams out as he struggles.

"Really?" She cackles out as she lifts one of her pies and brings it closer to his nose, "Cause Ah coulda sworn that I left a homemade, succulent, sweet, juicy, dutch apple pie baked to perfection with yer name on it right here in my hoof for ya."

The stallion starts sweating as he licks his lips staring at the literal perfect pie.

"And it'll be yours for the price of the truth, deary, and not a bit more…" The old bat cackles as he sees the stallion breaking as the seconds go by. "So, tell me the truth and take the dang pastry before Ah sick the hairless monkey on ya dangnabbit!"

Caramel resists to the best of his ability before he lets loose an agitated yell, "Granny, please get that thing away from me before somepony sees! I can't afford it!"

Can't afford it? What? The Apple's with myself included share confused looks before turning back to him.

"What the hay does that mean? She just wants the truth…" Applejack asks as she too joins in her grandmother's interrogation, lowering Granny's devious pie away with a sprinkle of mercy. "And even then, all of our stock is below half price as they are every year."

"No, no, no you don't understand! That's not it!" Caramel sputters some more, "Listen, I'd love nothing more than to have an Apple pie from the lot of you, but I can't! The Mayor has forbade it!"

The Mayor…? Oh no, the Mayor! He's talking about the ban on the eleme-

"She's forbade you from eating pie?" Granny asks with a chuckle, "That's ludicrous even for a youngster."

"No not a pie! Your pie! Sweet Apple Acre's pies!" He screams out again while Rarity and I give each other knowing looks.

"Why on a flies ruffled back in the middle of summer solstice would she do that? That just don't add up, Caramel." Applejack asks even more concerned as it seems she can sense the truth on him.

"I-I-I don't know, honestly! All I know is that the Market committee would punish me if they found out! So please! I beg you! Let me go before I'm too tempted and my family loses our house when nopony in town will sell us anything!"

Applejack eyes the stallion for a second watching his every move to see if she can see a bluff. After a small moment, she lets out a tired sigh and motions Granny to let him go when she seems to be satisfied with her lie detection. Caramel quickly runs away into the crowd, afraid for his life without a word as the Apple's bewilderment grew exponentially.

"Did Ah hear him right or am Ah are ma ears followin' Granny's example?" Applejack asked as she scratched the back of her mane.

"Nnnnnnnnnope… Ah heard it too." Big Mac answers as he takes off his apron with apprehension. "What did he mean he'd lose his house and the Market Committee?"

"Ah don't know, but Ah don't like it. He mentioned the Mayor too…" She turns to her older brother with knitted brow and a swaying tail, "Ah thought it was fishy she wouldn't even give me a passing glance to fit me in that busy schedule of hers to talk about the happenin's in the orchard, but this? This is beyond coincidence…"

"You don't think it's connected, do ya?" Big Mac asks, "To be honest, Ah thought it was just because of the holidays. We really need to talk to her about you know what…"

Applejack turned to us and she must have noticed our unsurprised features and her eyes narrowed as well as her frown twisting. "Well, I don't know what he was on about, but it seems you two know so spill it. I'd rather know why we slaved away in the kitchen for nothing this year, thank you very much."

I look at a weary Rarity before I sigh silently and turn towards her, "He's right about the Mayor and the committee, Applejack…" A major frown starts to take over my face as I think back on the notice, "I just found out about it not too long ago but the Mayor, she's-"

The sound of feedback cuts me off as all of our heads swivel upwards toward a speaker placed on the wall above the cart as the mare herself is announced to the entire room.

"Five minutes to showtime! Please at this time, find your seats and get ready for the annual Hearth's Warming Pageant!"

My brow furrows as I look back at Rarity who nods towards the many seats like she wants to get moving before said show begins and I don't blame her.

I turn towards the cowmare with flattened ears, "Applejack, I'll have to explain everything later when things aren't so crazy, but what I can say is that you're probably not going to be able to sell any of this tonight because of it. This whole thing involves all of us I'm afraid." I say but I can tell by the look at her face that she didn't like the answer.

"Well, I'll trust yer word… for now. But you owe me one heck of an explanation later, that's fer sure…" She turns to the cart with pursed lips, "Now, what the hay am Ah gonna do with all these goodies if nopony is gonna be buyin' them. It'd be a shame if we just threw them all out… What a waste."

"Yeah, I'm sorry, Applejack. I wish there was something I can do, but my hooves are tied just like yours in this situation. And you're right about the waste…" I say aloud but an idea pops in my head creating a surprised hoot emit from me, "How about you bring them to the party tomorrow? I don't think Spike is going to be able to host all of us especially with him out and about only Celestia know's where with Charlie instead of at home. I'll pay for it too if it's that much of a bother…"

"Bringing sweets ta all ma friends?" Applejack asks with a smile, "That's priceless if ya ask me! Might as well do somethin' with 'em and that beats throwin' them out! What a great idea!"

I feel something tap my shoulder and I look over at Rarity, "Darling, we better hurry to find Flash to make sure he's ready…"

"Yeah, you're right!" I turn back to Applejack with a smile, "I'll find you after the show to help haul these back to the library if you need it."

Applejack gives off a dismissive wave, "Aaah don't sweat it, sugarcube, I've got to give Big Mac somethin' to do tonight…"

Her older brother playfully rolls his eyes as he puts his plough collar back on and turns to her, "Well, it'll beat standin' around that much is fer certain…"

"Alright, if you insist…" I say with a grateful look as Rarity pulls on my leg, "If anything comes up though don't hesitate to ask for help! It'll be a pleasure!"

As I'm getting pulled back into the crowd I hear Applejack behind me, "No problem, Twilight! Just make sure you give ma sister a big round of applause!"

I chuckled at her request while following Rarity towards the back of the room which was an adventure in itself and not of the fun variety.

I could sense that I was not welcomed at all by any of neighbors and it feels even worse in here than what I was dealing with for the rest of the week. Ponies would give us nasty look just as they did in town throughout the last few weeks, and it causes me to slump down in gloom. Even on this holiday I can't seem to catch a break from deeds that are not of my own. Despite the dirty looks that were thrown our way, no doubt for being Charlie's handlers, we were at least left alone for the most part. Either from personal qualms or of fear from wrath of the Market Committee.

Rarity surprisingly didn't even react or maybe she was too in her groove to even notice the stink eyes. Either way, she cut through the crowd with a bright smile to boot which, weirdly enough, made me feel better even though we're one wrong move away from being homeless.

When we finally rounded the last group of ponies, Flash Sentry was sitting on the ground setting up… something as he stared at what looked like blueprints.

His eyes flicked upwards, and he waved us over, "Ah! Miss Twilight! Miss Rarity! Over here!" Flash Sentry yelled out as he looked down at the strange contraption, "I may need your assistance in a moment!"

As we got closer my confusion only grew as I looked at the tripod. It looked like an old projector that seemed like it came either from a junkyard or Clutter's shop, maybe even from both, now that I'm looking at it fully. Though it didn't appear to be just a projector as there was some kind of device attached to the very back of it. It was a long octagonal cylinder with a small slit in the back for what looked like projection slides. The only reason I came to this conclusion is that Flash was carefully loading numbered slides for said device as well as one of Rarity's sparkling sapphires lying next to him.

On the back wall was what seemed like four to five bed sheets sown together and hung deliberately so that it was covered entirely as the projector pointed upwards at it. I still don't really understand what this is supposed to be. A slide show pointed opposite the stage? The only ponies who'd be able to see it would be anypony on stage, but that doesn't make much sense.

Flash, after inserting this last card in the cylindrical canister breathed a sigh of relief and looked over at us with a small frown, "About time you two showed up. I've been stuck here to set this stupid thing up all on my own. Do you know how hard it is reading instructions from an illiterate ape? This is the last time I help a filly…" he muses before he looks at us, "What took you two so long?"

"We…" my brow furrows as the episode repeats itself in my mind, "We were caught up with Charlie."

The stallion rolls his eyes and snorts, "What did he show you a trick that ended with him pooping on the carpet finally? Darn, and here I was thinking he was waiting for me to be his audience for that one."

Rarity and I both look at each other with a grimace causing Flash's annoyance to disappear.

"What happened? What did he want?" He questions as he stands up and joins us, "Wasn't anything too bad, was it?"

I bite my lip as I think of a response, "It's… nothing we haven't handled before, Flash. I'll tell you when I have the time however, we do have a problem."

"But-"

"Mares and Gentlecolts! Please collect yourselves and hold onto your saddles for the annual Hearth's Warming Eve Pageant is about to begin!"

The voice of the Mayor reverberates throughout the room through the many speakers placed about and the room replies with shushes and whispers while it settles into silence. Flash's mouth curls with dismay, but he eventually sighs while he finishes up setting this contraption up though not without pulling Rarity with him to read some blueprints next to him.

I turned fully and stared at the stage to see the dreaded Mayor herself was standing proudly by that lone microphone with Rose Bud nearby placing a portable podium in front of it and then stands at attention next to her. Once the Mayor shuffles some of her notes she looks at the crowd with a smile that I know isn't for me and begins her speech once the room had discovered the sound of silence.

"As many of you know, this annual pageant is a staple among the community of Ponyville and shall remain one for many generations to come. I even remember when I was a filly and was graced with the role of Chancellor Puddinghead if you can even imagine such a thing. That may as well have been eons ago to those who remember that one."

The crowd gives off a few old chuckles.

"But this tradition is as strong now as it was when I was starred in this play and the importance also shares the same strength. The newest generation of Ponyville now takes the wheel that many of us held so long ago and they will steer us to the same values we held for millennia."

The crowd cheers and gives off hoof stomp applause allowing the Mayor to adjust herself and move to the next page.

"On this night, we not only will see the Ponyville School rendition of the Hearth's Warming pageant, but we also have a little preliminary act as we always do every year. Unfortunately, the Appaloosa Stomp band was unable to attend this year as they have done so the last few years due to the lead member falling ill with the Rattles."

The crowd all groaned in disappointment, even I was a little down they would not be playing. They're pretty good if memory serves me right.

"But nevertheless, the show must go on! On my personal request, I'd like to reveal and gather with great praise our newest act who many of you know already! This valued member of the community shall sing an original Ponyville Hearth's Warming carol with the help of her songbird friends…"

Songbird friends… Wait! She can't possibly mean-

"Now give a round of thunder for Fluttershy and her Amazing Aviary Orchestra!"

Absolute horror fills my features as the crowd does indeed stomp in applause while the name resonates within me. No! She can't perform out there! She's going to make a complete fool of herself in front of the whole town! She's far too shy!

The Mayor moves off stage with the help of her assistant and curtains rise to show a stage full of birds of many different species sitting on perches in the way of, what do you know, an orchestra. Fluttershy soon enough appears from the side like somepony had bucked her into front and center which, unsurprisingly, was a chattering mess as she slowly stood up. I could see the sweat dripping off of her from here as she looked around the room in a panic.

She turns to her left to look offstage at somepony and she sinks into herself even more before giving a big gulp like somepony ordered her to get a move on. She he walks towards that microphone the mayor was at a second ago. She stands there for a moment before she brings her mouth to said microphone as she quivered in fear.

"…uh…"

The mic gives off some audio feedback as it screeches across the room and a few coughs, and a cricket could be heard as she continues to fall apart up there.

I have to do something! The Mayor has no right making her play out there! I have to do something before-

"T-this song is s-something I-I came up with a f-few years ago c-called Snow Glistened H-Hope… I h-hope you like it…" She mouses out and she takes a step back as if she were trying to prepare herself and failing miserably.

Her bird friends all looked at her with trepidation as they waited for their queue to begin but it seemed their moment was fleeting while Fluttershy shrunk into herself more and more as the room's whispers could be heard. After another silent moment, the crowd was looking around like they were waiting too, however it was out of confusion as some whispers grew louder making her shrink even more. Her eyes darted around, and she kept looking offstage as if somepony was going to come and save her.

Just as I was about to race towards the stage to be that somepony, something miraculous happens that I hadn't anticipated.

Fluttershy stands up fully and takes a full breath, she looks to the sky as if she were preparing herself, and then she shut her eyes. Soon after the first note played, soothing the air as it rode across the many speakers allowing the ponies to quiet down in anticipation. The note was then picked up by her avian companions in harmony and the note grew louder, changing in decibel and key before finally Fluttershy halts and starts the lyrics.

"Oh the sky falls with snow glistened hooooope~

as it lays on the lands many grand sloooooopes

And then we all feel the coming of the 'morrow

how it changes the world with snooooow

To youuuuuuuuu I hold the world anew

and then we all go forth like the cold wind that bleeew

But now we stand huddled in our warm homes

And for now, we all have snow glistened hooooooope~"

I stood with my mouth agape as once more the lyrics end, and she joins her avian friends. The mare starts floating upwards using her wings as the notes raise higher and higher all the while her eyes were clamped shut like they had been welded together. Some movement on the edge of stage pulled my attention away to see the Mayor's head peeking out with a not so happy look on her face all the while staring at the mare who was singing her heart out.

…Why wouldn't she be pleased about this?! This is one of the best performances I've seen from Fluttershy to date and her vocal skills are no laughing matter!

The notes soon culminated into a one giant climax and her avian friends fall silent when she flies up with the microphone in her hooves and like a siren, floats about 20 hooves off the ground while the birds fly behind her making the shape of a snowflake as the not so shy mare brings it home.

"ANNNNND FOR NOW WE ALLLL HAVE SOME SNOOOOW GLISTNED HOOOOOOOOOPE!"

And then silence. The mares' eyes slowly blinked open for the first time since she started her act, and she stares around the entire room before she starts shivering yet again as the room's silence was as thick as butter.

"I… I-I hope you all l-liked it. M-my friends and I w-worked very hard-" Was all she was able to get out as the whole room goes nuts with applause and eventually a standing ovation with me included.

Fluttershy blinks in surprise and blushes like you wouldn't believe before taking some scared humbled bows before abruptly the curtains fell, but the crowd continued their joy even when the Mayor returned to the stage looking a bit peeved for some reason as she adjusted her glasses and waited some minutes before the crowd died down.

"Y-yes, that was a lovely performance from the magnificent Fluttershy…" she scowled off stage a moment before coughing in her hoof to regain composure and continued, "Now for the main event! I now am pleased to say that the Ponyville Hearth's warming play will begin!"

The mayor quickly moves off stage and the curtains opens once more to show the set stage I knew all too well and the real play begins. As I was trying to listen to the narrator, who was a small foal named snails I believe, explain the development between the pony races a curse was heard behind me. I turn to see the white Unicorn and the blue maned stallion fiddling with the projector that was now on a stand and facing that sheet from earlier.

"By the stars, I can't get this thing to turn on!" Flash yells out who was promptly shushed by Rarity.

"Maybe you're not looking at it right! Let me see!" Rarity silently barks out as she starts flipping dials and knobs. "I thought she told you how to turn this thing on?"

"I thought she told you!" Flash barks back as he looks over at me, "Twilight, we need your help over here."

I rush over and look at everything still confused as to what exactly the crusaders had planned out. All I knew is that it was something for Scootaloo but I don't know much more than that. I heard a little bit but not enough to figure it out entirely. Something about not remembering lines, I think?

"I don't know what to do here! This thing looks like it's being held together with duck tape!" I said as I stared at the strange device, "How am I supposed to help if I don't know what's going on?"

Flash shakes his head, "I don't know, something about the gem producing a certain light or something. Charlie told Scootaloo to affix a colored lens onto her helmet that was the same shade as this sapphire and to point this thing up somewhere she can see it! But the color won't change!"

"Charlie?" My brow knits together like they were magnetized, "What does he have to do with this?"

"We simply don't have time for this, darling! Scootaloo will be on any minute and we don't-"

"The unicorns demanded the same, in return for magically bringing forth day and night. And so, mistrust between the tribes festered until, one fateful day, it came to a boil. And what prompted the ponies to clash? 'Twas a mysterious blizzard that overtook the land and toppled the tribes' precarious peace."

Rarity gasps as she looks at me, "We're running out of time! Hurry before she stands out there like a tree!"

I simply nodded and left any questions I had for later as I looked and opened the container to see inside. The light was working as it shined through the lens but the color the other two were speaking of simply was not strong enough. It wasn't the shape of the sapphire as it seemed it was fit perfectly in its makeshift stand, nor was it the color as I could see some deep blue trying to get out.

And that's when I see it. There's a crack in the middle of the gem that was refracting light backwards rather than forwards! That's a pretty simple fix, but then it hits me as my horn flickers instead of casting the correct spell. Our magic is drained!

I turn to Rarity who was biting her hooves watching the narrator finish his introductions, "Rarity, I need you to cast a spell with me!"

She turns wide eyed, "A spell? After Charlie's premature explosion? It's not possible, I'm still exhausted!"

"Charlie Exploded again?" Flash asks out as he stops flicking switches.

"No time!" I say quickly as I'm running out of ideas, "If we can't cast a spell what are we-"

"What's going on here?" Rainbow's raspy voice picks up as she lands next to us with an annoyed look. "Why aren't you watching the play and fiddling with this stupid thing? Scoots and the others are going to be on any second and you're building a science project! Unbelievable!"

"This is for Scootaloo, Rainbow!" Rarity barks out, "She couldn't remember her lines in time so we made this thing so she could just read them instead but it's not working!"

"She doesn't know her lines?!" Rainbow and I yelled out causing somepony in the crowd to shush us.

"Why did she go out there then?!" The pegasus asks incredulously to the Seamstress.

"To impress you!" Rarity yells again, "Charlie thought of this contraption, something about using it in when he was a kid of sorts back home to help her, but the sapphire is cracked! We need to either fix this one here or find a pristine sapphire before-"

"The Earth ponies were freezing. The home of the Pegasi fared no better. The Pegasi were hungry. And the unicorns were freezing and hungry. Even the unicorns' magic was powerless against the storm. Each tribe blamed the others for their suffering, and the angrier everypony grew, the worse the blizzard became."

"We're too late! She'll be on any moment!" Rarity shrieks as she passes out over dramatically and slumps on the floor.

Rainbow looked back and forth between the stage and the projector before a look of determination appeared on her face. She zipped over to Rarity who was still out cold and slapped her a couple of times to wake her which she does.

"Where do you keep your sapphires!?" She screams as she shakes her awake.

Rarity's eyes bounce around as she answers her, "They're in a box underneath my desk in my room!"

And without another word, the pegasus disappears as she basically teleports out a window on the roof and out into the cold while Rarity faints yet again. Flash and I continued to fiddle with it with for a few more minutes with no success as we hear the narrator start to introduce the main cast with Scootaloo included. We look at each other in horror that the filly was about to flop in the worst of ways possible in front of the whole town.

"Each tribe sent their leaders;

Daughter of the unicorn King, Princess Platinum.

Ruler of the Pegasi, Commander Hurricane

…and lastly leader of the earth pony, Chancellor puddinghead!"

We could see Scootaloo with her modified helmet standing there with the others as she kept looking at towards the back waiting for her magic line to appear. The other two leads argued amongst themselves as Scootaloo remained quiet and shared Fluttershy's shaking.

"Perhaps the three tribes could finally settle their differences and agree on a way to get through this disaster."

The two other leads stopped their arguing and turned to the small pegasus who just remained quiet. The other two looked at each other and nudged her as if to say you're on, but she just freezes making the others look back to the side with confusion.

"Uh…" Is all she says as the silence grows louder.

A flash of rainbow light blew by me and flash knocking us out of the way with hurricane speed and I look over to see Rainbow had the new perfect Sapphire in her mouth as she pulled the bad one and replaced it before hitting a switch. The next thing I know is the first slide enters the screen, the wall lights up a dark blue with no words written at all which only confused me; however, I hear a small gasp from the stage.

I turn my head to see Scootaloo smile with joy before she bounded towards Chancellor Puddinghead and poked her shoulder.

"All I want to know is why the Earth ponies are hogging all the food!" She proclaims as her pegasi entourage erupts with cheers of agreement.

"Us?!" The chancellor says while also breathing a sigh of relief knowing that the play will continue, "We're not hogging all the food, you are! Oh, wait, you're right. It's us. Well, it's only 'cause you mean old Pegasusususes are making it snow like crazy!

Scootaloo looks back towards us and a huffing and puffing Rainbow hits a button and another slide drops in.

She gleams and looks back, "For the hundredth time, it's not us! We're not making it snow! It must be the unicorns! They're doing it with their freaky magic!

Rainbow still out of breath from her mad sprint was relieved as Flash steps in to make sure the slides entered correctly, and she collapses next to me.

She looks up at us all with a scowl, "Don't you… ever take… a Charlie… plan… ever again… or so help me…" She proclaims as she now finally breathes a sigh of relief hearing a slide change and Scootaloo to say another one of her lines.

I couldn't help but giggle as two of mares that I called friends laid on the ground motionless and the rest of the play goes uneventful. I just can't believe that this backwater cheating plan Charlie had come up with actually worked. As I watched the play, I payed closer attention to the backwall that no pony really seemed to mind this bright blue tarp illuminating in the dark. In fact, almost no pony even turned around to see it if I'm being honest and if one did, they simply shrugged thinking it was important to the play.

I picked up one of the blue slides that was a piece of clear felt surrounded by an edge made of paper of sorts. It was crude but it seemed to work, whatever it is that's working I mean. I don't understand how she's able to read her lines from literally nothing! It has to be some kind of magic, right?

I lift the slide up to examine it in the light however nothing shoots through it at all except that same sapphire blue that was shining behind me. It wasn't until I swung it around and held it up to the projection did, I finally understand just the ingenious contraption the human had come up with whether it be of his own design or not.

Looking through the colored felt, one of Scootaloo's lines could be seen on the wall as the filly was saying them herself on stage. When she was done, Flash would hit a button and the slide would eject out and a new line would come in. It wasn't just a line though, but also what movements the filly should do too. If she should say a line while absolutely livid, neutral, or bursting with joy.

He was using the prism of color to hide messages! Well, not entirely hidden as it seemed the only way to see such a message was through colored spectacles. Much like the one little Scootaloo had mounted to her helmet like visor. Huh… That's something I hadn't thought the human was capable of.

I look over at the blueprints and slide them over to gaze at them and yet again I'm left dumbfounded. The schematics are for the projector and that octagonal piece for the slides carefully laid out in surprising detail. All hoof drawn to specific points and measurements however the notes around it is written pretty broken much like Ditzy's letter.

"Here piece click here and sleds go in slides. Blue, must blue."

I smile silently reading it as I know for a fact it wasn't one of the Crusader's scribbles because it's actually Charlie's. The symbols themselves look fine, even fancy to some, however he still can't get the formation of sentences down. But hey, beggars can't be choosers. It could have been all gibberish like that note…

Wait a minute! Where did I put that royal letter now that I think about it? Is it back at the Librar-

"What the buck is that stupid thing?" Rainbow coughs out as she looks up at the black canvas, "How is she reading nothing? Magic?"

"No, color!" I say as I throw over to her one of the slides and point up at the screen. "He's using color to hide messages! So now everypony thinks this is just some decoration for the play instead of a morally correct form of cheating."

She looks up throught the lens and gasps a little as new slides are entered and Scootaloo being heard behind her. She lowers the apparatus and blinks like she was disoriented and looks down at it perplexed. "So, I ask again, magic?"

I give a haughty laugh, "Actually, the only magic happening here is Charlie's apparent grasp at charity." I giggle out as my eyes wash over every excellent part of the blueprints. "I mean, this is really impressive stuff here and gives me an idea how a race without magic can function as a society."

Rainbow sighs as she brushes some leftover snow off of her, "You just can't go one moment without complimenting him somehow, can you?"

I look towards the stage to see an ecstatic Scootaloo saying her lines with fervor and grace. "You have to admit, Rainbow, he got Scootaloo do her thing because that's what real friends do. They show up when they need it and he certainly did for this one, don't you think?" I say back with zero venom making the pegsus shut her mouth hearing her own words thrown back at her.

The play went on as I marveled the human's ingenuity without any more hiccups surprisingly considering the luck we've had as of late. Scootaloo and the other fillies put on a spectacular show that we hadn't seen with the same quality in a few years. It was even more apparent this was the case when it ended as the crowd erupted with cheers as the entire cast stood and bowed in gratitude.

I had wanted to stay through the entirety even hearing the Mayor's goodnight speech despite what she's planning against us, however Flash Sentry asked me to help pack the late-night party trick away and leave the building before it was a flurry of hooves and fur which I agreed to do wholeheartedly. Getting away from crowds has become a norm for me these past few months and I think you know why.

Rainbow watched us pack quietly with a furrowed brow and a sense of confliction that nopony brought to light. It looked like Rarity had wanted to ask, but she decided against it. No doubt remembering the argument between the two back at her shop.

We soon found ourselves sitting outside, reliving the night amongst ourselves and waited for our spotlight happy friends near the back entrance. Applejack and her family showed up with a full stock and passed out treats to everypony free of charge while Granny cursed the play up and down making all of us huff indifferently as we all munched away.

Everypony except for me as my mind was a bit preoccupied at the moment. The thought's being why Charlie had gone through all that effort for a pony he doesn't care about at all for nothing in return! It's actually mind boggling! First the hat for dinky now this?

Hmmm I'm going to have to check his temperature again when he gets home…

During my musings, soon enough the trio of happy fillies burst out of the double doors to greet us with excited fervor which we were able to contain for the most part as we all headed back to the library.

"Ooh! Ooh ooh! Did you see us up there, Rainbow! We absolutely slayed it!" Scootaloo yells out as we leave the Amphitheater with pretty much the entire gang in tow, including Applejack and Fluttershy who had found their way to us.

A floating Rainbow looks down at her with a smile, "Yeah you did, squirt, you sure did…" Her smile slowly turns to a frown as she looks down at her, "Say, how long did you rehearse for? Must have taken you at least a month to get all those lines figured out…"

Scootaloo's eyes widen a little and she bites her lip with a small bead of sweat dripping down, "Uh…"

"Yes, we did, Rainbow!" Sweetie Belle cheers out making the flying pony look over at her, "We've been rehearsing since the day we got our parts almost a month ago! Right, Apple Bloom?"

The small farm filly bounced towards the other two, "Absolutely! We've been hanging out most nights to get this done as we knew how much this here play meant to the town! And it was beyond worth it because we crushed it! Didn't we fillies?"

The three all cheer while doing their secret handshake making most of us playfully roll our eyes or giggle knowing full well the Crusaders optimism and determination by now. All except Rainbow whose lip pursed as she watched the small pegasus trot by no doubt a little stunned by the three lying to her, however she kept that she knew the truth to herself surprisingly.

"You weren't the only one who crushed it, Sugar Cube." Applejack chuckles out as she throws a hoof around the timid mare's neck. She squeaks as the cowmare does this. "Ah didn't think you had it in you if Ah'm being honest, but you not only handled yerself up there, but Ah'd go as far to say that was the best pre performance we had to date!"

Fluttershy blushes heavily as we walk towards the library, "I-I did okay… I could have done a little better…"

"Oh nonsense!" Applejack yells out, "Ah've seen you sing, which Ah know you can do very well, but the way you carried those notes? It was iiiiimaculate!"

The group all cheers in agreement making the mare blush even more.

Rainbow moves over and flies above her and looks down, "Where'd you even get the courage for that one anyways? You can't sing in front of a scarecrow let alone the whole town!"

I nod my head as we turn a corner, "Yes, Fluttershy, I must agree with Rainbow on that one. How did you manage it?"

She lifts her head and smiles, "I just shut my eyes…"

We all pause and stare at her for a moment in confusion, "…What?"

Her eyes light up like she knew that one was going to need context, "Oh, Well, Charlie told me if I was nervous to just shut my eyes and pretend nopony was there. well… It worked…" She says as the rest of us look at each other.

"Wait, wait, wait!" Rainbow spits out, "You mean to tell me, that Charlie, the ape who missed anger management class at four and the devourer of lost foals at seven actually gave you sound advice?"

Fluttershy smiles brightly as she gives a single affirming nod leaving most of us more stunned than before.

Applejack was the first to answer as she gives a proud chuckle while she adjusts her Stetson, "Well, Ah'll be… It seems there are miracles after all."

Rainbow sputters and she crosses he arms, "Yeah, well, there are flukes out there in the wild too…" She soars down and lands next to the other yellow pegasus and taps her shoulder, "He probably thought you were going to embarrass yourself or something and it just so happened to work out in your favor."

Fluttershy vehemently shook her head, "No, I told him about my problem singing in public and without so much a sinister smile he told me what to do…" She frowns as she remembers the conversation, "Though he was acting strange…"

"The circus side show monkey acting strange? Say it ain't so…" Rainbow mutters, "He was probably huffing on manure or something before he said that…"

Applejack nudges the technicolor pegasus, "Oh C'mon, Sugarcube, it ain't that difficult to imagine. I've already told ya Charlie's behavior has been exemplary on the farm. The way the cows talk about him, you'dve thought he was born on it. He's been one of the best ranch hooves I've had in long time and those were the words of Big Mac, not me. Right?"

Her brother looks between them and nods, "Yeeeeeeeup…"

"Or was it you huffing manure…" Rainbow snorts out, "I can't keep track everything you do, Applejack, but I'd definitely head to see Nurse Redheart as soon as you can as it seems the smell has taken over your mind."

"I believe she's of sound mind and must concur with Applejack, Darling," Rarity cuts in as she reaches the other side of her, "Charlie has been quite the little helper at the shop, that is when he shows up. Regardless, without him, I'd never have been able to catch up for Winter Wrap up and then some. Not to mention how good he is with Sweetie Belle."

"Yeah! Charlie's awesome to hang out with!" The filly whose name was called bounds up, "He's rude, but in a fun way if that makes any sense. If it wasn't for him poor little Dinky wouldn't have gotten her hat that she desperately needed! And he did it for free too! Even paying for it himself!"

Apple Bloom, in an instant, appears next to her friend, "Not to mention he saved Winona from freezing to death! He stopped everything he was doing and dug her out when she got caught on a log!"

Rainbow starts to get boxed in from ponies recounting good experiences from the short fused stallion as she looks around with confliction. Her face forms a scowl as she zips upwards and stares down at everypony.

"And what has he ever done for me or Pinkie Pie, or the rest of town for that matter?!" She bellows out as her wings flap in synchrony, "The only thing I can think of is almost making me take an early dirt nap in case all of you have forgotten already! He hasn't changed! He's the same miserable little cretin he was since he got here and he still deserves every bit of bad news coming to him!"

"He helped me…" A little Scootaloo mouses out as all eyes turned to her much to the shock of Rainbow Dash. She looked down at the ground like she was going to say something that was going to get her in trouble. "If it wasn't for Charlie, I'd have been the laughingstock of town. I couldn't remember my lines for the play, and he went out of his way to make sure I did."

The flying pegasus shakes her head, "Scootaloo, I don't think-"

"Rainbow, yeah he's a jerk and he's meaner than Tiara mixed with a cockatrice but he's trying… I think…" She says as she furrows her brow and looks up at her, "He stopped everything he was doing to make sure I knew how the whole thing worked and he'd make it simpler if I was having trouble understanding what he meant for over four hours. Kind of like how he is with Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle…"

The fully costumed Scootaloo looks over the aforementioned friends who smiled warmly and beckoned for her to continue. She nods and looks up at the floating pegasus who looked like her brain was melting.

"I can't say he's great… and I can't even say he's nice neither, but if you saw the way he smiled at me when I thanked him for everything, you'd think a little differently about him too." Her eyes flick to the floor as she seems to recall the event, "It was quick and he got rid of it even quicker, but I saw it… and I knew then and there. How could somepony be so evil if they can smile like that?"

Rainbow lands on the ground in front of the filly gaining her full attention before Rainbow poked her chest plate, "So he helped you with one little thing! So what?! It doesn't mean he's worth anything more than those amusing thunderbolts he carries around now. What other stock is there to put into that ape? That he'll destroy us all without any guilt? Because that's the one I'm buying up at the moment." She scoffs out, "And he smiled, big whoop. That doesn't tell me anything, Squirt."

"It tells me one thing, Rainbow…" She leers at her, "It tells me what's right and what isn't."

"The hairless lemur is now on the balance of what's right and wrong now? Oh, give me a break." She chuckles darkly and she gives the smaller filly a noogie, "You'll understand when you're older, believe me."

"But I understand now!" She yells out as she pulls out of her grasp, "Listen, I can't hate him like you do. I tried and for a while I did, because he's really easy to dislike. But now? After everything? I think… I think you should give him a chance… Once you get around the very rough edges of him, he's pretty funny."

"I've given him enough chances even before he went nuttier than a squirrels hidey hole. Do you remember how he treated everypony for months?" The pegasus shakes her head and looks down at her like she was befuddled, "What can you possibly see in him, Scootaloo? I know he kind of helped you or something, but to completely 180 because of that? What gives!"

The armored filly looks down like she was thinking how to process her next sentence and finally she looks back up with a soft smile, "He's… Well, he kind of reminds me of you in a weird way…"

"…"

All of our eyes pretty much explode out of our heads hearing that one though I do entirely believe Rainbow went blind from that one. She sputtered and gasped as she tried her best to comprehend what her biggest fan had just dumped on her like it wasn't the most world-shattering assessment she's ever gotten in her life.

"I-him-the same-" She all but poofs into dust as she looks down wide eyed at the filly who took a determined and stubborn stance, "You can't possibly think that we're the same in any shape, form, or capacity! I mean, just look at him for Stormwing's sake!"

"How can you know that if you won't even go talk to him?" She asks innocently leaving the speed demon mare to sputter once more, but no answer could come out.

The rest of us stay quiet as Rainbow looks between all of us waiting for one pony to disagree with the filly yet no pony says a word leaving the reeling pegasus in a type of awe no doubt thinking she had landed in some kind of alternate dimension. Just as she collected her thoughts and was about to give a retort a squad of pegasi that I had recognized from the weather team touched down rather suddenly, taking any and all attention from the small argument away from us.

From the looks of things, they didn't look too thrilled as it seems something was eating at them as they hurried towards Rainbow.

"Yo! There you are, Rainbow! We've been looking for you for like a half an hour!" Sunshower, I think is her name, yells out, "We've got a problem!"

The multi colored mare shakes her head, clearing the previous conversation entirely and turns to them, "Problem? What kind of problem? You were supposed to be corralling the northern winds south as well as herding up those Cumulonimbus clouds from the south. What could have possibly happened?"

The yellow lead of the group shakes her head, "We don't know! All we know is the major cloud movements from east took a sharp U-turn and are heading straight for us like they forgot something and they're coming back for it! We didn't find out until they were right on top of us about halfway from here to Canterlot!"

"The eastern clouds turned west? How the hay could they have-" She stops herself to groan as she scratches the back of her head, "Alright, let's go see if we can turn them back around to lessen the damage before they merge with the southern ones, and we're snowed in for a month…"

Her underlings give small nods as they take off, racing eastward towards this new problem caused by who knows what. Before Rainbow took off after them, she paused and turned to look back at us as with a twisted look like she was thinking. She let loose a small quiet sigh while slowly shaking her head disapprovingly when her gaze landed on Scootaloo and without a word, she dashed off into the chilly night sky leaving the lot of us alone.

Scootaloo watched her disappear as she soared away with dejection, knowing her hero didn't take her own words well. It wasn't until Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle walked closer and gave her a comforting nudge did, she come alive again. She gave the two appreciative smiles, but she still turned to gaze where the fastest mare in town lived up to her name.

Rarity too joins the other fillies and gives her a nuzzle, "It's okay, Scootaloo, she'll get over it eventually. After all, how can she stay mad at her biggest fan… Do you want to stop by the Boutique for some cookies before you head back to your aunts?" The filly thinks for a moment and silently nods making the white Unicorn's face bleed repose, "Then come along, it's been a long night, and we wouldn't want to miss some much-needed rest for tomorrow, would we?"

The three crusaders all nod again with excitement, even Scootaloo who seemed to find reassurance from her words.

Rarity turns to me with a look that screamed she was about to request something, "Twilight, since you're already having Applejack and her family over for Hearth's Warming is it too much to ask if Sweetie Belle and I can join? I have some gifts and I'd rather be courteous and be there myself to drop them off personally."

I smile gleefully, "Of course, Rarity, how can I say no!" This causes me to turn to everypony else whose ears had perked up upon hearing about the party, "and that invitation goes double for the rest too if you want. It would be wonderful if you all wanted to join us."

"Well, Ah'm already commin' so there's no need for my answer." Applejack shines with the definition of optimism, "And don't you fret on cookin' neither. We Apples are known for holiday cookouts and it's no headache from out end believe me. That and I think Spike wouldn't mind a break."

Fluttershy joins her with a smile, "Oh, I wouldn't mind coming either. Between you and me, Angel needs to get out a little more and myself included or so says a certain stallion. I could even bring some of my bird friends and I could do a little show for you all…" She blushes hard, "i-if you want that is…"

We all turn to Flash Sentry who had silently been watching us and he just sighs tiredly as he knows we're not going to allow him to say no, "Well, I guess I'll be there too I suppose. Somepony has to annoy Charlie after all. It would be a gift to myself."

Applejack hoots in excitement over this, "We're gonna have ourselves one heck of a rodeo, that's for sure! And all without the help of Pinkie Pie no less! She'd be so proud of us, wherever she is…"

I giggle knowing how strange it is that a party seemed to form without the party mare, "Well, she's invited too, if you manage to find her. I don't seem to recall when the last time I spoke with her even was…"

The cowmare taps her chin, "Come to think of it, Ah ain't seen that crazy cart of hot buns in a minute…" She turns to Rarity, "you think she's doing that hide n' seek championship thing again? You know, the one where she thinks we're playing, but have no idea it was even happening?"

Fluttershy lets out a quiet giggle, "She was hiding in the town well for almost half a year before she gave up."

"Only Pinkie Pie…" We all say in tandem.

I look around to only see ponies that mean the world to me smile back, "You have no idea how beyond thrilled I am to host you all for Heath's Warming!" I positively gleam out as it feels like the only good news, I'd received in what felt like weeks hit me like a runaway train, "My door is always open to anyone of you, and I mean that wholeheartedly!"

"Even Rainbow? Is she invited too?" Young Scootaloo asks with a tad bit of hope as she too knows about the ban I placed on her and everyone turns to me waiting for my answer.

A small frown forms on my face as I think about how terribly that would end especially after our big blowout earlier today. Not to mention that Charlie would no doubt show up sometime after he's had enough time to cool off. Everything in my body that's sound of logic just screams at me to tell her no that Rainbow would just make everything too complicated especially with how much this mark of his has been acting lately.

However… It is Hearth's Warming after all…

With a begrudging smile I look down at her, "Of course she's invited, Scootaloo, though I can't force her to come. She knows Charlie's going to be there and, well, she might not take too kindly to that."

The filly simply nods her head sadly, disheartened that she knew that the chances of her coming have slimmed significantly.

"Aaah, it's fine, Scootaloo!" Sweetie Belle hoots out, "We're gonna have so much to do! Presents, candy, snowball fights! It'll be great!"

"Yeah! It's gonna be a blast! Just you wait, Scootaloo, you'll see!" The small cowfilly gleams out.

After some more talking about specifics and what time to congregate at the library, everypony bid themselves adieu and turned in for the night with delight knowing the fun that will be had on one of our many grand holidays. I find myself walking home alone with a small frown that accompanied my own thoughts.

Even though the night had ended spectacularly with opinions being changed and some norms of my friends turning on a bit, I still can't get a single unfortunate thought out of my head.

"I hope Charlie had enough time to calm down…" I blink as I stop by a streetlamp and look up at the flickering flame, "For all of our sakes…"

A single snowflake swirls passed the light, coming into focus, and lands on my snout. The cold makes me shiver some as I get a move on towards home so that I can try out our new oven top for some hot cocoa as Hearth's Warming Day approaches.

And what a Hearth's Warming it's going to be...