Chapter 23: Swarm of the Century
It was a quiet few days after the drama with the rumors surrounding Zecora and with the Poison Joke, which Spyro hated with a passion after what had happened, and everyone was getting everything ready for Princess Celestia's arrival as the princess herself was going to visit Ponyville tomorrow and Twilight was having a fit about it. Spyro had received a message from her after nearly a month since the last one and was coming for an unofficial and casual visit, which Twilight says there was nothing casual about it, but he knew she was blowing it all out of proportion as usual. While she was busy with cleaning the library, Spyro was at the Gummi garage organizing all his Gummi Blocks, taking inventory of everything while also keeping an eye on his makeshift green house as he was cultivating some of the flowers with healing purposes from the book that Marluxia gave him. As he was finishing up taking inventory, noticing he was extremely low on weapon Gummi's, not a big surprise there, he heard someone come up to the garage and looked over to see Applejack come in.
"Ya'll done in there sugarcube?" She asked.
"Just about." Spyro replied. "Just need to check on how many Engine Gummi's I have and I should be done. Why do you ask?"
"Well, Ah just wanted to ask if ya might wanna get something to eat." She asked, seemingly nervous about something. "Everypony is working extremely hard to get everything done for the princess, and Ah thought ya might wanna take a break with me later this evening."
"Oh, that sounds like a good idea." Spyro replied, pulling a lever to bring down another screen to show his storage bay. "Hmm, only one spare engine. Might need to contact Sid later today."
"Uh, who?" Applejack asked.
"Sid, he's a friend of mine." Spyro replied, the screen lifting up. "He's the guy I go to if I need some more Gummi Blocks and accessories. He always has lots of different Gummi's I can purchase and he sends them to me a couple of days later."
"Oh." Applejack replied, not understanding a thing he said.
Spyro walked into Ponyville, passing a lot of ponies getting everything ready for the princesses visit with some of them getting a banner ready for her while others made sure the plants were perfect. In town, he walked to Sugarcube Corner where Mr. And Mrs. Cake were working on getting some pastries for a banquet ready, but in the corner of the room, Twilight was talking with Pinkie about her eating all the food, which the he just smiled at the random party pony, walking over.
"Hey there you two." Spyro said, getting their attention.
"Oh, hey Spyro, Applejack." Twilight replied. "Got everything taken care of?"
"Sure do." Spyro replied. "The Gummi garage is in order and everything is nice and clean."
"Excellent." Twilight said. "Now all we need to do is make sure there is enough food for the banquet tomorrow."
Just as she said it, Pinkie devoured a massive cake, which both himself and Twilight, along with the Cakes, just stared at the party pony, not believing that she was eating everything that was to be saved for the princesses visit. Before they could say anything, they heard the bell at the door, letting them know someone else has entered the store, turning to see who it was, it was Fluttershy who came into the store.
"Twilight, Pinkie! You won't believe-" Fluttershy said, skidding to a halt when she saw the three of them. "Oh, am I interrupting something?"
"No, not at all." Pinkie replied, eyeing another cake of the counter. "Come in and make yourself at home."
As she was about to eat the other cake, Spyro lifted her off the ground as she was running, making her look down to see what was going on, but saw she was off the ground, turning her head to see Spyro with a raised hoof.
"Pinkie, save some for tomorrow." Spyro said, putting her on the ground. "Anyway, what's wrong Fluttershy? Did something happen?"
"Oh no, nothing like that." Fluttershy replied. "I was picking flowers for the princess at the edge of the Everfree, but I found something near it."
She turned to look at her mane, which everyone else did to see what she was looking at, only to see three little sphere shaped bug like creatures jump out of her mane, each a different color. Everyone was captivated by them, but Spyro and Pinkie didn't seem captivated, but instead, Spyro was confused as to what they were and why Fluttershy brought something from the edge of the Everfree to town while Pinkie just looked disgusted.
"Fluttershy, they're amazing." Twilight said, walking up. "What are they?"
"I'm not sure." Fluttershy replied. "And I'm not sure where these other two came from."
"Wait, you only had one to start with?" Spyro asked. "And now you have three of them? And you found the first one from the edge of the Everfree? That kind of raises a few red flags if you ask me."
"Oh don't paranoid Spyro." Twilight said, hugging one of them. "They're so adorable. I'll take one off your hooves Fluttershy." She then saw everyone was looking at her and blushed, letting go of the bug. "Besides, it'll make a great companion for Spike while I'm studying."
"Oh, thank you Twilight." Fluttershy said. "Pinkie, Spyro, would either of you like the other one?"
"No thanks Fluttershy." Spyro replied. "There's just too many red flags with these things. How about you pinkie?"
"Blugh, a Parasprite! Are you kidding me!?" She asked, walking past everyone with shocked expressions. "No way!"
"A what?" Twilight asked.
"A Parasprite?" Spyro asked, surprised that Pinkie knew.
She walked out the door, looking like she was on a mission and left the three of them in the cafe. He turned to ask the girls if they heard of such a thing, but they were too busy cooing and hugging the little bugs, so he just walked out the door and ran after Pinkie, catching up with her.
"Pinkie, you know what those things are?" He asked.
"Of course I know what they are!" Pinkie replied. "Now I need to find a trombone!"
"Wait, come again?" Spyro asked. "What do you need a trombone for?"
"No time!" Pinkie replied. "I need to hurry and get a harmonica as well!"
She then ran off, leaving him alone in the middle of the town square, confused and wondering what she needed those instruments for, but chalked it up as Pinkie Pie being Pinkie Pie, but kept in mind her reaction of the little bug and what she called it. He then returned to the Gummi garage and got onto the main console, doing a full diagnostic of the ship when his mind suddenly wondered to the Parasprite that Pinkie had mentioned, unable to get it out of his head.
"AIVA, continue the ships diagnostic and run a check on a creature native to this land." Spyro said, swiping right.
"Affirmative sir." AIVA replied. "Designation of the animal?"
"It's called a Parasprite." He replied. "I need you to pull up any information you have on it."
"Yes sir. One moment." She replied, pausing for a minute while she looked up the information, but then a small beep sounded. "Error! Unable to comply! Bestiary of the local animals and plant life not found!"
"Oh, right. Forgot about that." Spyro said, remembering he didn't upload a bestiary of all the animals and plants in this world. "How long will it take you to run a planetary scan to get the needed information?"
"It will take roughly 7 days, 22 hours, and 37 minutes." AIVA replied.
"That long!?" He exclaimed, pressing his hoof to the temple of his head, feeling a headache coming. "What about any-"
He then remembered someone who might know about these creatures as she lives in the Everfree and possibly knows everything about it. Leaving AIVA to continue her scan of the planets animal and plant life, he ran to the Everfree to see if she was home, running through the the dark forest until he reached Zecora's hut. He was about to knock, but felt something strange in the hut, walking to the window, he could see Zecora was at her cauldron mixing some kind of brew, but then saw a dark figure in the corner of the room, recognizing the darkness coming off it.
"Why would you need a pony like him?" The figure asked. "To him, you're just another mare who he can have with him. He sees no value in you other than as another mare to his herd. He's been doing this for a while now, he knows how to get what he wants."
"But, he didn't make it sound like that all those days ago. He saw me for who I was though." Zecora replied.
"He's known to sugar coat his words and hide his intentions." The figure said. "Trust me, I know as I was a part of his herd, but left it as he only had one thing on his mind. Trust me, you'd be better off with me. I can show you what kind of strength you really have deep inside."
"But, but, he never saw me that way. How is it you have no problem with these words you say?" Zecora asked, removing the spoon from the cauldron.
"Because it's the truth." She replied. "He is nothing more than a stallion who will use you for how ever long he desires before casting you out. Believe me, the moment you aren't useful anymore, he will abandon you."
Not wanting to watch this anymore, he went to the front door and knocked, getting the attention of the occupants inside and the figure disappeared, leaving Zecora alone in the room, walking to the door and opening it to see Spyro.
"Spyro, I did not expect you to return so soon. I do not have a decision for you to join the herd, maybe by the next moon." Zecora replied.
"I'm not here about that." Spyro replied, surprising the zebra. "I need your help with something and it cannot wait."
"Well, what is it that you need my friend? A hoof to you, I will always lend." Zecora said, walking out the door.
"I'm trying to make a bestiary of all the local creatures in the area and in the Everfree." Spyro replied. "Unfortunately, my method of doing it is too slow, but you seem to know everything about the plant life here, maybe I can ask you for help about the animals here too."
She looked back at the brew she was making, knowing it would take a full day for it to finish on its own, but hence looked back to where the figure was standing, her words still fresh in her mind, but decided to help him out this time and give her his decision then after finishing this Bestiary.
"Of course, I will help you with understanding the creatures of the Everfree. For knowledge of these creatures, I am glad you came to me." Zecora responded.
"Great. You are doing me a huge favor." Spyro said.
The two of them walked together out of the Everfree and towards Sweet Apple Acres, walking past all of the trees where they arrived at the Gummi garage. Zecora looked around the place, looking on at some of the machines and different items in awe as she had never seen anything like it before, the different lights, the mechanical arms, even the hologram of his current ship finishing up the diagnostic. She was in shock at everything she was looking at that she didn't notice Spyro was watching her, sensing that the pony she was talking with had her hooks deep in her, but knew a perfect counter as he waited for Applejack to arrive.
"You aren't the first to be amazed by this garage Zecora." Spyro said, getting her attention. "The first time my friends got a look in this place, they were just as awe struck.
"Such mechanisms and flashing lights, how is it you sleep during these nights?" Zecora asked.
"Oh, I don't sleep here." Spyro replied, Zecora walking up to the central control panel. "I stay with the Apple Family. They have been very kind to me in letting me work and stay here. And Applejack, no matter what, she and the rest of my friends, I am truly blessed to have them in my life."
Zecora could see how happy he was, wondering if what that dark pony figure said was true, but remembered what she said about him and his words, but couldn't help but feel like something was off with her version of things. They then got to work talking about some of the creatures in the Everfree and some details about them, where they usually make their dens and homes, the habitats they are most likely to be found in, their appearance, and how to best handle them without causing harm, for Fluttershy's sake he told her. As they were in the middle of it, Applejack walked in with a large picnic basket, finding the two of them at the control panel, talking about something when she cleared her throat, getting their attention.
"Oh, Applejack." Spyro said. "Sorry, completely forgot about our plans. I asked Zecora to help me with making a Bestiary of some of the monsters and creatures of the Everfree Forest and some of the plants there."
"Oh, don't ya worry about that sugarcube." Applejack replied. "Ah knew ya might be busy with something, but didn't expect ya to be with Zecora."
"I do apologize if I am interrupting your dinner date. I should be going as it is getting late." Zecora said, getting ready to leave.
"Ah, pony feathers Zecora, ya'll ain't interrupting nothing." Applejack said. "Yer one of our friends and ya'll were given an invite to the herd, so that means ya'll are practically part of the family. We were just taking a break from getting ready for the princesses arrival tomorrow. Would ya like to join us?"
Zecora didn't know what to say as she looked between the farm mare and the stallion next to her, both smiling as she was invited to join them for their dinner date, which she didn't feel comfortable interrupting, but nodded her head, accepting the invite. They walked to the open field and set up the blanket, enjoying the food as they talked about everything going on for the past months, laughing at everything that had happened to them, sharing stories about their childhood, even talking about how he first came to Sweet Apple Acres.
"Ya'll should've seen him when he first woke up." Applejack said. "He was more jumpy than Apple Bloom during Nightmare Night!"
"Oh come on AJ, we don't need to go into that." Spyro replied, wrapping his wing around her. "Besides, it ain't as bad as when you tried to buck all those apples on your own. She was going full on nutty when she tried to do it without sleeping."
"Applejack, you really didn't catch a minute of sleep? That would have caused you to collapse into a heap." Zecora said, chuckling. "Still, it was fun to talk and be with a friend, but I must re turn home in the end."
"No problem Zecora." Spyro said. "You take care now."
"Hey, before ya leave, ya'll made yer decision about joining the herd?" Applejack asked.
"AJ, no need to be pushy." Spyro said. "Let her make the decision on her own. Unlike me when this entire thing started."
Zecora froze a moment later, turning to face her friends after hearing he didn't choose to start the herd.
"Oh, come on, ya'll ended up accepting it in the end." Applejack said. "And ya seem to be happy after a month."
"Wait, confusion is clouding my mind from your word. You are saying you didn't ask the princess permission to start the herd?" Zecora asked.
"Nope, he didn't." Applejack replied. "The princess granted him her blessing to have a herd only a month or so ago. And ya should've seen how mad he was. He was hitting his head against the post on our porch, he was so livid, he shouted for somepony to shoot him in the mouth. And out of no where, Pinkie comes out with her party cannon and blasts him!"
Zecora was beyond surprised to hear he only started the herd a month ago when the mystery pony said he was doing this for far longer from what she heard from her. She sat back down, listening to what Applejack was saying with perfect detail from the first time he did the first Fusion Drive as she calls them all the way to when the princess came and made him head of a herd and his reaction to it. It was clear to Zecora that Applejack was telling her the truth as she was known to be the most honest pony from what she heard around town. A moment later, the two of them got up and started packing everything up as Zecora was leaving, walking back to her hut as she thought about everything she learned.
"She seemed genuinely surprised about the princess granting ya a herd." Applejack said to Spyro. "Didn't ya tell her that?"
"No, I didn't." Spyro replied, finishing up packing everything. "Someone is toying with her mind. I saw someone in her hut not too long ago, feeding her false information."
"Someone we know?" Applejack asked, picking the basket up.
"There are a few people who like to toy with everyone's minds." Spyro responded. "Marluxia is one of them, Xemnas and Ansem are a couple more, and Maleficent. All four of them like to mess with peoples minds."
"And who did you see in the hut?" Applejack asked.
"The voice was feminine, so there's only one answer; Maleficent." Spyro hissed, watching Zecora head back to the Everfree. "If Maleficent was in Zecora's hut, she's probably still there."
Without a moment's hesitation, he took off after Zecora, following her from the air as she reached the Everfree. At the mouth of the Everfree, he could see Maleficent, standing there looking calm as she watched her approach while Zecora just looked up, seeing the dark mare and she grew furious.
"You vile mare of a blackened heart! For your lies I am going to tear you apart!" Zecora shouted, speed walking up to her.
"Seems you are angry about something." Maleficent said, calling a few shadows to block Zecora, making her back up. "But who are you really angry at? Me or the prince?"
Zecora looked at the dark mare for a moment, wondering who she was talking about, but a moment later, Spyro landed in front of the zebra mare, calling his Keyblade, which surprised her as, even though she heard about the weapon, she never got go see it up close.
"So, trying to poison another mind again Maleficent?" Spyro asked. "You thought poisoning may friends mind was a good idea? you must really be desperate to try this again."
"So, protecting another mare are we?" Maleficent asked. "How pitiful. The Prince of Light and Darkness protecting a bunch of pitiful creatures."
"They are not pitiful." Spyro replied, striking a few shadows that got too close. "They are very kind and filled with light. There is nothing but happiness and compassion in them, no malice or hatred, no darkness, nothing for you here. So why are you trying to harm my friends and why are you attacking this world?"
"Because of how close it is to Kingdom Hearts." Maleficent responded, calling more Heartless. "This world is on the border of Kingdom Hearts and when I take over, I will find a way to open the door and all the worlds will be mine!"
As she said it, multiple soldiers charged, launching themselves at him, which he deflected and kept back, pushing Zecora away from them, keeping his blade raised to protect his friend. Unfazed by the assault, he kept striking down more and more soldiers as they came at him and soon, only a couple of shadows were left as Maleficent just watched, unfazed by the destruction of her minions as she waved her staff, dismissing the rest. Before he could make sense of it, green flames engulfed her and she vanished, leaving the two of them as they stood there wondering why she left.
"Seems Maleficent has taken a liking to the Everfree Forest." Spyro said, turning to Zecora. "You're going to need to be more careful from now on if she plans on staying there. But I do advise you move as if the Heartless plan on staying here, you aren't exactly safe anymore."
"I can handle myself with my brews and potions. I might know something to keep them ay bay, a few concoctions." Zecora replied, walking into the Everfree, but stopped, turning to face him. "You are a prince, that is what she called you? I never expected this, questions I have a few."
"I'll answer what I can." Spyro replied, walking with Zecora back to her hut.
As they walked, he told her everything about himself, where he came from and about the creatures and beings he fights on a daily basis, even explaining who the mare she was talking to was and his theory about why she wanted her. When they reached the hut, Zecora was about to enter, but turned around, looking him in the eyes with a glimmer of light.
"Though at first you hid things from me, the truth is clear, I can see." Zecora said. "I now see who I can trust, a decision I have made, give it to you I must." She walked away from the door and without a word, she pulled his head down, putting hers to his, feeling how nervous she really was. "Thought through it I have with my time, but now my answer I speak in this rhyme. You said it is my choice to join your herd, but now my answer will come from a single word. Yes, I agree to be with your group. Forever in the bonds of the eternal loop."
"A simple yes would have worked." Spyro said, hugging the Zebra. "If it gets too dangerous out here for you, you're more than welcome to come to Sweet Apple Acres. I'm sure we can find you a place to stay for a while."
Without a word, the two embraced each other, hugging as a circle of light beneath them appeared, expanding until it was surrounding a large portion of the Everfree forest, creating a ring of magic that no one noticed. As it faded, the two of them broke the hug up, allowing Spyro to go back to the farm while Zecora went inside for the night, feeling good about herself for her decision.
The next day, Spyro got up and went down stairs, Applejack already down there making breakfast while everyone else seemed to be out in the fields already. As he approached Applejack was sitting down, waiting for him to sit with her.
"Ya'll seem to be happy." Applejack said. "I take it Zecora agreed to being part of the herd?"
"She did." Spyro replied. "And my hunch was right. Maleficent was trying to poison Zecora's mind with lies."
"But why would she try and do that?" Applejack asked. "And if so, shouldn't Zecora move away from the Everfree if Maleficent knows she lives there?"
"I suggested that, but she said she can handle it herself." Spyro replied, taking a bit out of his breakfast. "But, for some reason, I feel like she is perfectly safe, though I know the forest is dangerous." he finished his breakfast and put the dishes in the sink to clean later, heading to the front door. "Anyway, I better see if anyone needs help for when the princess arrives. She's due to be here in a few hours."
he walked outside of the farm house, enjoying the beautiful day as he walked to the town when he saw Twilight and Rarity running in the direction of Fluttershy's cottage. Curious, he ran after them to see what was going on, noticing their saddle bags and the fact they were moving on their own and not when they were bouncing around. As they reached the cottage, Rainbow Dash also showed up, about to knock on the door when he arrived.
"Hey, what's wrong?" Spyro asked, running up to them. "And why are your saddle bags moving?"
"Oh Spyro, thank goodness." Twilight said. "You remember those creatures Fluttershy and I had with us?"
"You mean the Parasprites?" Spyro asked. "Yeah, I remember them. Why?" As he asked it, he heard the same noise he ears the first time when Fluttershy brought them, looking to the moving saddle bags. "Wait, are you saying they multiplied over night?"
"Yes and they're out of control!" Twilight said. "I gave one to Rarity and Rainbow Dash and they are also having the same problem."
"And they're revolting." Rarity said. "I mean, one of them shot a glob of disgusting ooze on me and when I cleaned it up, it turned into one."
Spyro just stood there, confused about what Rarity said when Twilight knocked on the door and a massive swarm of these creatures came flying out of her door, shocking everyone as they looked inside to see their friend panicking, trying to get them under control.
"Fluttershy, what happened?" Spyro asked.
"I don't know." She replied. "All I did was feed them last night and then more of them appeared. And they won't listen to me, not matter what I do or say."
A second later, they watched as another of the tiny ball shaped bugs flew over, its cheeks blown up as it burped, releasing a ball of lord knows what and it turned into another one of them, grossing everyone out.
"Seems everytime they eat, they multiply." Spyro said, backing away.
"We need to get them under control or else this entire day is going to be a total disaster." Twilight said, covering her head.
"If you ask me, it already is!" Rarity shouted, swiping at them.
"Now let's just remain calm." Spyro said. "As long as we keep them away from food, then they shouldn't multiply."
"Here are the rest of those apples ya ordered Fluttershy." Applejack said, walking up with a cart full of apples, horrifying Spyro. "But Ah still don't understand why ya ordered so many."
As if on cue, the Parasprites swarmed the cart, eating all the apples off it and shocking everyone there.
"Me and my big mouth." Spyro said.
"What do we do?" Fluttershy asked.
"I have it." Twilight replied. "Applejack can round up any kind of animal, so she might be able to do the same here."
"Ah can certainly try, but Ah'll need everyponies help." Applejack said. "Twilight, Rarity, I'll funnel them to ya, keep them from trying to leave on the ground." The two unicorns then ran ahead, leaving the two Pegasi and Spyro. "Rainbow Dash, you and Fluttershy stay above them, keep them from escaping from the air."
"What about me?" Spyro asked.
"Ya'll help out where you can." Applejack said. "We can't let a single one of these critters get away."
Everyone got busy with rounding up all the annoying bugs, gathering them into a ball until they were sure they got them all, rolling the ball towards the Everfree where they came from. Every now and then, one would slip by and make a break for it, but Spyro was always ahead of it, driving it back into the ball so that nothing got away until they reached their goal, letting it roll all the way deep into the dark forest, everyone but Spyro cheering.
"Geez, Pinkie pie is so random." Rainbow Dash said, getting his attention. "I mean, why would she need a tuba?"
"Wait, Pinkie was here?" Spyro asked, landing on the ground.
"Yeah, she was." Twilight answered. "She wanted help finding a pair of maracas and then a tuba, telling us we needed to drop what we were doing."
"There ain't no way of knowing what goes on in that ponies head girls." Applejack said, turning to look at Spyro nervously. "And guy. Best we can do is let her be Pinkie and just take care of it ourselves."
"But, she knew what they were when Fluttershy first brought them to Sugarcube Corner." He pointed out. "She might know more about them than we think."
"Well, it's too late now." Twilight said. "We're heading back to town to clean up the mess they caused. You coming Spyro?"
"Later." He replied. "I'm going to make sure they don't find a way to get back into town and cause anymore trouble."
Nodding their heads, they turned and ran back to town, leaving him alone, but in the corner of his eye, he noticed one of them hiding behind a rock, getting an idea. As it flew, he snapped his mouth over it, trapping the bug in his mouth as he knew who to take it to. He ran through the forest, being careful to keep an eye out for any Heartless, when he felt like he passed something, stopping and looking back to see what it was, but found nothing. Thinking he was being paranoid, he continued to Zecora's hut, arriving just as he saw her get back. He ran over, which caught the zebra's attention and made her look in his direction, surprised to see him back so soon.
"Spyro, this is such a surprise. Come to check on me so soon, is that wise?" Zecora asked, but didn't get an answer as he pushed past her, making her grunt and about to demand he leave, but he spat the bug out of his mouth, catching her off guard.
"Sorry for barging in like that Zecora, but we got a problem." Spyro said, using the Force to hold the bug. "These little guys came into town yesterday and my friends were trying to round them up after they multiplied over night. Do you have any idea what they are?"
"Oh monster of such little size. Is that a Parasprite before my eyes?" She asked, the bug landing on her nose.
"That's what Pinkie Pie called it." Spyro replied. "What are these things?"
"These little creatures are known for the crops they devoured and consumed. If they are in Ponyville, you're doomed." Zecora replied, blankly and to the point.
"Ok, but is there a way to get rid of them?" Spyro asked. "They ate a whole cart of apples and I just want to find a way to keep them from coming back.'
"I am afraid my knowledge on how to keep them away is limited I will not lie. But if you are looking for an answer, maybe ask Pinkie Pie." Zecora answered.
"Of course, she knew what they were, so she might know how to get rid of them." Spyro said, kissing Zecora on the cheek, catching her off guard. "Thanks Zecora, you're a life saver."
As he left, Zecora reached her hoof to the cheek Spyro kissed, feeling her heart race as she felt her face get warmer, stunned by what he did. As Spyro got out of the forest, he saw a whole swarm of those pests coming down on Ponyville, making his heart stop for a moment as he ran towards the town, hoping to find Pinkie before it got worse. As he got there, everyone was running around, trying to find some place to hide as the Parasprites were eating every piece of food they could find, devouring everything on sight. He then saw his friends looking around, trying to figure out what to do.
"Girls, what happened?" Spyro asked, running up to them. "How in the world are there ore of these things?"
"Ask Fluttershy." Rainbow Dash replied, leering at her. "She hid one back at her cottage and more came out of it."
"And Pinkie Pie and her gosh darn Symbols." Applejack added. "She was bringing some symbols with her when they snapped from their string, nearly turning Rainbow Dash into mince meat."
"Well I might have an idea as to-" Spyro said, but was interrupted when Twilight's horn glowed and sent a wave of magic that affected the bugs, stopping them from eating the food. "What did you do?"
"I used a spell to stop the Parasprites from eating the food." Twilight responded.
Everyone watched as a blue Parasprite was sniffing an apple still in a bucket, everyone sweating as they watched, but breathed a sigh of relief when it turned its head away, ignoring the food. Spyro was about to congratulate Twilight on her spell, but the bug then ate both the basket and the apple, spitting the apple back out, which horrified everyone as they then started to devour the whole town, eating everything that wasn't food.
"Nice work Twilight." Rainbow Dash said. "They aren't eating the food anymore."
"Oh, this is bad." Spyro said.
"This is more than bad." Rarity said. "If they get into my store... EVERYPONY FOR THEMSELVES!"
She then ran off towards her store, leaving everyone there as Applejack ran back to the orchard to protect it. Everyone else then split up to do what they could, but Spyro had another thing on his mind and that was finding Pinkie Pie. As he turned, he saw her running towards the Carousel Boutique, running after her to see what he could do.
"Pinkie, what are you doing?" He asked.
"I need to get a flute!" She replied. "I need to get everything on my list and would have if the girls listened to me!"
"Well, let me help you!" Spyro shouted, getting her attention. "You seem to know more about these things than anypony else! And I am guessing the key to getting rid of them is music!"
"Exactly!" Pinkie responded. "When they hear music, they follow whoever is playing it! My plan is to guide them back into the Everfree so they don't;t cause anymore trouble!"
"Just like the Pied Piper and his magic flute!" Spyro exclaimed. "Pinkie, you're a genius!"
As soon as he complimented her, Pinkie started to blush, not used to being complimented by a stallion, but shook her head and stopped, pulling out a sheet of paper for him.
"This is a list of all the instruments I need." Pinkie said, handing it to him. "I already got a majority of them, but I'm missing a flute, a trumpet, and an accordion."
"I know where a trumpet is and where I can find an accordion." Spyro said. "Where should we meet when I have them?"
"Bring them straight to Sugarcube Corner, I'll take it from there." Pinkie replied, the two of them splitting up.
It didn't take him long to find what he needed as the music store was under siege and the two instruments were thrown out by the non-food eating bugs. He picked both up and ran for Sugarcube Corner, finding Pinkie strapping all the instruments she had onto her and ran faster, noticing the Princess was on her way and knowing they were running out of time. As he got there, he handed the instrument off to her and helped her get everything else she needed strapped on before she started playing, marching as she played the instruments, which seemed to be attracting the Parasprites immediately. He took off into the air to make sure all of the bugs could hear the music, but found that a small portion was still eating a few houses, which was far enough away from the music, so he flew towards the bugs, hearing the ponies scream as they ran and through the Force, got the bugs attention and blasted fire towards them, driving them away from the half eaten buildings and to the marching pony, letting the music do the rest.
He kept looking to make sure every one of those ravenous pests were hearing the music and set down at the mouth of town, watching as Pinkie guided the Parasprites out of town as they hopped to the music, their friends following just behind. All seven of them followed the pink mare as she marched towards the Everfree, the rest of the girls confused as to how she was doing it when they all saw the princess's carriage land just in front of them. Wasting no time, Spyro, Twilight, and the rest of their friends approached the princess, bowing to her as she approached.
"Twilight Sparkle, my prized pupil." She said. "And Prince Spyro VanVickle, my prince in training. It's lovely to see you two and all your friends."
A second later, they all heard the symbols clash and watched as Pinkie walked by, the Parasprites following just behind her, surprising the princess as she watched.
"Hello, princess. So, how was the trip?" Twilight asked. "Get much traffic?"
The princess was still watching at the spectacle, surprise still on her face until a Parasprite landed on her wing, making them wince as it was about to eat something, but the princess lifted her wing and cooed at the little parasite.
"My, these creatures are adorable." The princess said.
"They ain't that adorable." Rainbow Dash whispered under her breath.
"I am honored that you and the ponies of Ponyville have organized a parade in honor of my visit."The princess said, surprising Twilight as she was about to say something, but Spyro just wrapped his wing around her, letting her know to go with it. "But, unfortunately, my visit to Ponyville is going to have to be postponed for another time. There seems to be an emergency at Filidaphia as there was a report about some kind of 'Infestation.'"
"An infestation?" Twilight asked, everyone looking nervously at each other.
"Yes, afraid so." The princess replied. "Apparently, there has been some kind of invasion of some bothersome creatures has invaded the town and I'm on my way to take care of it. I do apologize to have to put all of you through so much trouble for my arrival, only to have to postpone it."
"Trouble?" Twilight asked. "No trouble at all. Spyro, think you can tell Pinkie she can stop now?"
"No problem." He replied.
He walked over to the party pony while she spoke with the princess about what she had recently learned about friendship. As he approached, Pinkie kept playing, but Spyro used the Force to launch the remaining Parasprites into the forest, making Pinkie stop.
"Oh, thanks Spyro." She said. "I was actually running out of steam. Is the princess going to be going into the town?"
"Oh, don't worry about her." Spyro replied. "Seems Filidalphia has the same problem we do and is going to take care of it."
As he finished talking, the princess had gotten into her carriage and was gone, their friends coming over to the pair as they were watching.
"So, ya'll knew what they were the whole time Pinkie?" Applejack asked.
"Well duh, why do you think I was so frantic to get all these instruments?" Pinkie replied.
"We're sorry we didn't listen to you Pinkie." Twilight said. "Without you, Ponyville would have been lost."
"Ah it's ok Twilight." Pinkie said. "It ain't;t your fault you can't understand me all the time. Heck, even I don't understand me some times."
"Well, thanks to you, you saved the town." Twilight said.
"Or, what's left of it." Spyro said. "It's gonna take the town a while to recover from that, but I'm sure we can fix it up."
Everyone groaned as he said that, all of them walking back to the town to assess the damage and to get started on repairing and replacing everything that was destroyed by the swarm, hopeful they wouldn't have to deal with those bothersome little pests every again. And if they did come back, they knew exactly what to do for the future.