Chapter X

...

Rex's POV

...

I yawned slightly as I walked with Fluttershy in the field of animals, and Fluttershy was collecting flowers while singing slightly. Just then a little squirrel stopped Fluttershy and offered a dandelion, making Fluttershy smile at him. "Thank you, little squirrel. But remember, these flowers are for Princess Celestia."

I looked at the dandelion. "I don't think that's a flower, but more of a root." I then shrugged. "Ethan might think differently though."

Fluttershy shrugged and continued. "Only the prettiest ones will do."

Just then the wind blew all the leaves off, making the squirrel put it behind his back, smiling awkwardly, before bolting away.

We continued on with collecting flowers, until we heard an animal make noise, which made Fluttershy yelp and hide behind a bucket of apples, while the basket of flowers fell to the ground. This made me raise an eyebrow and look at the rock, seeing a small creature with bug like wings climb out. This made my eyes twinkle slightly. "Fascinating, a Parasprite, one of the adorable, and also most troublesome creatures around Equestria. I never got to examine one up close before."

I knelt down to the creature and examined him while Fluttershy spoke. "Hello, little guy. I've never seen anything like you before."

It began to sniff the apple nearby, which made me raise an eyebrow. "He's hungry. And from what books usually say, once you feed one, it'll follow you everywhere and bring along it's entire swarm, begging for more."

Fluttershy ignored me at that, and crushed the apple for him. "Here you go."

I shook my head. "They prefer food that's kept together instead of mushed." The Parasprite then ate the entire bucket of apples. "See?"

Fluttershy continued to ignore me, while the Parasprite snuggled into her mane, which made her smile. "You're the cutest thing ever!"

I went wide eyed. "Fluttershy, I wouldn't get too attached to it if I were you, they can reproduce rapidly, and will cause a lot of trouble."

She still ignored me. "I can't wait to show you to my friends."

I slapped my claw over my face. "Oh lord, this is going to go south real fast."

...

Ethan's POV

...

I smiled as I and Rainbow sat in front of the TV, and watched as the movie rolled into the credits. This made me sigh slightly, and look at Rainbow. "So... you asked for a kiss once, right?"

She looked at me, a blush on her face as she nodded. "Mm-hmm."

I smiled as I gently pulled her closer with my wing, earning a giggle, and we began to lean towards each other. We were mere inches away from each other by now, and I could feel her lips barely touching mine,

Just then we heard Rex's voice. "Ethan, we got a problem."

I cracked one of my eyes open, not moving from my spot, neither did Rainbow. "And that is...?"

"Fluttershy found a Parasprite, and has grown attached to it."

I thought for a moment, then sighed slightly. "Could you let us do this one thing first?"

"Well... sure, I guess."

I smiled and pressed my lips against Rainbow's in response, which made her moan slightly and get entranced in it. And we sat there, making out for a good few minutes, before we pulled back, and Rainbow spoke with a dreamy sigh. "Best. Kiss. Ever."

I smiled and pressed my forehead against hers, making her do the same in response, and our noses were touching the other's. I then spoke. "How about we continue after we get this problem settled with, that way we can have the rest of the day to enjoy each other's company?"

She nodded. "Deal."

I kissed her one last time on the lips, before we pulled back, I got to my hooves, and nodded to Rex. "Let's go and deal with this."

I followed Rex out of the library, and noticed all the decorations being put up, which made me groan slightly. "Oh no... Princess Celestia is coming to visit, isn't she?"

Rex nodded in response. "Yeah, and if we don't stop the problem now, it'll ruin everything."

I nodded in response as we trotted over a bridge, and past Daisy as well as a few other ponies, seeing a sign that read "Welcome Princess Celest"

This made me raise an eyebrow. "What happened to the rest of her name?"

One answered. "We couldn't fit it all in."

I thought for a moment, then used my horn on the sign, which caused the poles to widen out a little, and the rest of the name was written on the new room. "There, that should do."

They smiled and spoke their thanks while we headed further down the place, and I spotted BonBon. "That looks nice, BonBon. Keep up the good work."

She nodded in response as Rex and I pushed further into town, and towards SugerCube Corner, which made me look at Rex. "This is where Fluttershy is?"

Rex's response was a shrug. "I lost sight of her a few hours ago, so I came to you."

I sighed heavily at this, and nodded as we headed towards the bakery, and spotted both Mr. and Mrs. Cake. "Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Cake. How's the banquet coming?"

She gulped a bit. "Uh, I-It would be coming a little better i-if..."

We all saw Pinkie eat the cake that was the only thing left standing, which made me sigh. "Pinkie. What are you doing? I'm guessing that those sweets are meant for the Princess."

Pinkie gave an awkward smile as she poked her hooves together. "I-I know. That's why I'm tasting them." Her smile then grew. "Somepony needs to make sure that everything is tasty enough to touch the royal tongue." She poked her tongue in emphases. She then was in front of another cake. "And I, Pinkie Pie, declare that these treats are fit for a king... or a queen..." She was then too close to the cake. "Or a princess!"

I grabbed her with my magic, and dragged her away from the cake, which made her groan in annoyance, while we heard Fluttershy. "Ethan, Pinkie -- You won't believe!" She then stopped near the doorway. "Oh, I'm sorry. Uh, am I interrupting?"

Pinkie shook her head, still in my magic. "No, not at all. Come on in, and make yourself at home." She then snapped her mouth at a nearby cake, but I got her away before she could get it, causing her to hiss slightly.

I looked at Fluttershy. "Rex told me what you have, Fluttershy, and I would suggest you send it back out to the wild. Parasprites are too dangerous to keep as pets, and trust me when I say you should not keep it."

Fluttershy made puppy eyes. "But, Ethan, please? Just look at the little guy and tell him no." The Parasprite flew out of her mane, and floated in front of my face, before two more came out with him, making her gasp. "Three?"

I groaned as I trotted to the Parasprites, and spoke with a stern tone. "No." They began to whimper. "No, go back to the Everfree and reproduce there. We cannot have this growing into a major problem."

Fluttershy whimpered slightly, while Pinkie spoke. "Ugh! A Parasprite, I don't want one." She then huffed. "Now I gotta go find a trombone."

I rolled my eyes as her as she left, while I caught the three in my magic, same as Fluttershy, and dragged them all out of the building, before making Pinkie trot away, and looked at Fluttershy. "Take these three to the Everfree and send them back home. We cannot keep them, not even you are prepared to."

Fluttershy sighed slightly, and nodded as she trotted away with the three. I then looked at Rex. "Come on, I promised Nurse Redheart I'd help out over at the Hospital."

Rex nodded, and breathed on his claw before smelling it, giving a nod, which made me raise an eyebrow. "Something you want to mention, Rex?"

He looked at me with a false calm look. "Nothing at all, Ethan. I just don't want my breath to smell bad in front of..." He then sighed with slight delight. "Nurse Redheart..."

I rolled my eyes at him. "Uh-huh, well come on, Rex. We need to get there soon."

Rex nodded as he left Sugercube Corner.

...

Nighttime

...

I sat there in my bedroom, with Rex who was trying to make his scales look presentable, which made me roll my eyes. "Rex, just because Redheart said yes to going on a date with you tonight doesn't mean you need to make a fuss about your appearance."

Rex soon made his scales slicked back, and adjusted the tie that went with one of the Grimy Business Suits I had from the Capital Wasteland. I had to admit, he would make any mare blush with that outfit, but I have had yet to figure out how he gained that crush on Redheart in the first place.

Rex dusted off his clothes a little. "Come on, Ethan, you're going to do the same for Rainbow when you play that song for her."

I shrugged in response. "Maybe, but aren't you worried about something bad happening? Like you accidentally say something that'll upset her?"

He shook his head. "Nope, been going over to the Hospital most days to help out there, and soon learned a lot about her as I helped."

I let out a small sigh. At least I know how he gained the crush. "Hey, did you see Rainbow anywhere?"

He nodded. "She's downstairs, playing with a new pet she got."

I went wide eyed. "Don't tell me it's a..."

"Yeah, it's one of those."

I groaned as I trotted to the stairs. "I told Fluttershy to get rid of them, but she obviously didn't listen. Just great?!"

I soon got down to the lower levels, and saw Rainbow on the couch, playing with the Parasprite. This made me sigh. "Rainbow." She looked at me. "I am guessing you got him from Fluttershy, yes?"

She nodded and kissed the thing. "Yeah! Isn't he just so cute?!"

"And very dangerous, and reproduces like crazy, and eats everything, and will cause a massive swarm of problems for Ponyville if we don't send them back to the Everfree RIGHT NOW."

Rainbow looked between me, and the Parasprite, before gulping. "Um... so these things are dangerous, and can grow into... way too many problems?" I nodded, making her sigh and offer him to me. "Sorry, I guess his cuteness got the better of me."

I nodded and grabbed him with my magic, before opening a window, and used my magic to send him all the way to the Everfree, and twist the location a bit to make it lost, before letting it go, and closed the door. I then smiled at Rainbow. "I know they are cute, and you really want to keep one, but nopony is ready for that, and you need to trust me on this subject."

Rainbow slowly nodded. "Alright, Ethan." She then looked at me. "Um..."

I smirked slightly. "Yes, you can sleep with me instead of going home."

She giggled in response, and I wrapped my wing around her while we headed upstairs, and got into bed, I then nodded to Rex who left, and turned the light off before we went to sleep.

...

Next Morning

...

My eyes slowly open to being shaken awake by Rainbow, which made me raise an eyebrow. "What?"

She had worry in her eyes. "We got a problem."

I raised an eyebrow in response, and looked at the window, seeing a massive swarm of Parasprites outside, begging to come in. This made me groan, and get to my hooves, while looking at Rainbow. "Come on, we got to find a way to fix this."

Rainbow nodded as we headed downstairs, and found Rex on the couch, fast asleep, and mumbling to himself about having a wonderful night. Maybe that date did go well.

We headed outside, and I closed the door behind us, while narrowing my eyes at the massive swarm. I could see the other girls having problems, having massive swarms following all of them, which made me growl slightly, and used my magic, catching the first swarm while Pinkie began to sing, which I ignored and began pushing the swarms out of town.

I then forced my way to Fluttershy's house through the massive swarms, and quickly opened the door, causing a swarm bigger then the one currently on our hooves fly out. I then cried out while Rarity and Rainbow got to my sides. "FLUTTERSHY!!! I TOLD YOU TO SEND THEM BACK TO THE EVERFREE!!"

Fluttershy eeped upon hearing me, and stuttered. "E-E-Ethan... I-I'm so s-s-sorry."

I shook my head and grabbed all the Parasprites from the cottage out of the place and used my magic to catapult them far, far, far away from Ponyville, but there were still a ton more to deal with.

Just then Applejack came over with a large carriage of apples. "Here's all those apples you wanted, Fluttershy, but I still can't figure out why you need so many." Just then some of the remaining Parasprites ate them all, making her cry out. "HEY!"

Fluttershy then asked. "What do we do?"

I furrowed my brow in response. "I think I got an idea, but I need Applejack to herd all the Parasprites into a group to make it work."

Rainbow nodded. "Yeah, nopony can herd like Applejack! We can drive them back into the forest!"

Applejack sighed at that. "Ah'll rassle them up, but Ah'll need everypony's help to do it."

I nodded and trotted over to her, my horn glowing slightly.

"Ethan, you and Rarity wait over there. Ah'll herd the little critters straight at y', like a funnel."

I nodded as me and Rarity headed over to the spot. I then heard her speak to the other two. "Rainbow Dash, you and Fluttershy stay on top of them. Don't let them fly away."

I readied my horn, and spotted Applejack begin herding, while Rainbow and Fluttershy stayed over the Parasprites, and we soon got them into a massive ball."

I then grabbed the ball with my magic, and took a deep breath as I lifted it high in the air, and spoke. "Let's hope this works."

I began to lift the ball, and began sending it to the Everfree, before hearing Pinkie as I began to trot slowly into the Everfree. "Gals and Ethan! I need help! I need a tuba! Follow me!"

I ignored this as they began talking to each other while I got deeper and deeper into the Everfree. And let them go into the forest, then galloped back to the girls. But instead of everything being good now, Fluttershy opened her door and a swarm that was far bigger then the one I sent into the forest launch out.

I then heard Rarity cry out. "WHERE DID THEY COME FROM?!"

Fluttershy blushed. "Well, I may have kept just one." She chuckled while I slammed my hoof against my face, while the others glared at her. "I couldn't help myself. They're just... so... cute." She kissed it on the forehead.

I growled deeply. "This is the problem I have with Parasprites, they catch a mare's eye, and will never be let go."

Rainbow then made a massive tornado, and picked them all up before. But then Pinkie came in with two instruments, which flew into the tornado, and caused it to collapse, while Rainbow was flung into a tree. This made me rush over to her, and wrap a wing around her, which made her speak with a grunt. "So much for that plan."

I nodded and helped her up, before we saw all the critters fly into Ponyville, making us all glare at Pinkie. "WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?!"

She responded with her own glare. "I've lost a brand-new pair of cymbals! That's what I've done!"

I growled at this. "Forget the instruments for one second. You're ruining out efforts to save Ponyville!"

She placed a hoof against her chest, wide eyed. "ME?! RUIN?!" She frowned. "I'm not the ruiner! I'm the ruinee!" She pulled back. "Or is it 'Ruiness'?" She sat down on her flank. "'Ruinette'?"

I ignored her. "Come on, girls, there's no point in fighting her. She's a little too..." I shook my head. "Nevermind, let's just go."

We rushed off while Pinkie cried out at us. "HEY! I'M TRYING TO TELL YOU ALL THAT THE RUINING IS ON THE OTHER HOOF! IF YOU'D JUST SLOW DOWN AND LISTEN TO ME!"

We ignored her as we soon came up to Ponyville, seeing all the residents beginning to panic as the Parasprites began to eat all the food, ruin the flowers,  and cause a massive mess.

I began to hit my head a bit. What was it that these things love more then food?! I need to remember this! I read about it a few years ago, so I should know!

They simply continued to eat the food.

Do I cast a spell here? No, that would make them eat wood and stuff, not a good idea. That'd make a very bad mess.

I gave a sigh. "I need some help." I turned towards the Everfree. "Keep them distracted while I try to find out how to fix this."

I then galloped for Zecora's.

...

I rammed through Zecora's door, making her gasp and fall to the ground, and spoke. "Have you gone mad?"

I grunted as I whacked the side of my head, making a Parasprite fly out of my ear. "Zecora, these little guys are devouring Ponyville's food, and if I cast a spell, they'll eat the town itself. And I can't remember how to stop these things! We really need your help."

She gave an adorable look to the Sprite. "Oh, monster of so little size. Is that a Parasprite before my eyes?"

I gave a nod. "Yeah, and we need to get rid of them."

Zecora trotted over to me, a grim look on her muzzle. "Tales of crops and harvests consumed. If these creatures are in Ponyville..." The Parasprite spat out another. "You're doomed."

I cried out in anger. "THAT DOESN'T HELP THE SITUATION!!"

I shook my head and galloped back for Ponyville.

...

I continued to gallop and spotted Celestia's carriage floating over to the town, which made me wince slightly. At least this gets back at her for pulling that prank... heh... heh... I groaned at my mind and continued galloping.

I soon found Ponyville as it was beginning to be devoured by the creatures... making my eye twitch. Somepony cast the spell... didn't they?

I dropped to my flank in defeat, and began to rub my temples. "Why does this kind of stuff always happen to me?"

I then heard music playing, and looked over to see Pinkie trying to be a one-mare band, I then spotted all the Parasprites beginning to dance along with the music, no longer eating everything, and began to follow Pinkie.

I slapped myself. Of course, music... I sighed heavily. God I hate myself right now...

I trotted over to the other girls, who were looking with shrugs, and us close behind. I then spotted Celestia's chariot land a few feet away and groaned as we all trotted over to Celestia, while Pinkie kept leading the Parasprites.

I fell to my flank as Celestia spoke, while the girls bowed. "Ethan Mason, my prized pupil."

I gave a grunt. "Hello, Celestia."

She smiled at me. "So lovely to see you again, as well as your friends."

I sighed as Rainbow got to my side, while I wrapped my wing around Rainbow. This made Celestia go wide eyed and speak. "What is this?"

I looked at her. "This is Rainbow, my Marefriend." Celestia seemed to go into shock slightly by that. "Is something wrong, Celestia?"

She blushed heavily in response and shook her head, giving out an nervous chuckle. "Not at all, my faithful student, nothing at all."

I raised an eyebrow in response, before we heard Pinkie playing the music, and trotted past with the Parasprites behind her.

I gave a grunt. "Parasprites, and I forgot they love music."

Celestia slowly nodded in response. "I see, then they must be much trouble?" I nodded in response. "Very well then."

I then rubbed my neck slightly. "Yeah... don't take one unless you want them to eat the palace."

She went wide eyed, then chuckled awkwardly. "I see." She then sighed slightly. "I'm afraid an emergency has come up in Fillydelphia. Apparently there's been some sort of infestation."

I groaned. "I swear I put them in the forest!!!"

Celestia giggled in response. "Relax, my faithful student. I will see to it that they will be gotten rid of." She then stopped a bit. "Mind if you give me the latest report on the magic of friendship, Ethan?"

I raised an eyebrow, seeing a seductive smile on Celestia, which made me even more confused. "My... report... right." I nodded. " Yeah, I learned that sometimes the solution to your problems can come from where you least expect it. It's a good idea to stop and listen to your friends." Even though I did that with Raul and my companions

Celestia continued to smile. "I'm so proud of you, Ethan Mason, and I'm very impressed with your friends, as well. It sounds like you're all learning so much from each other."

I gave a nod. "Thanks, Celestia."

She gave a wink to me, which made me raise an eyebrow again as she soon left.

We trotted over to Pinkie, causing her to speak. "Hey, what happened to the princess?"

I smirked as I wrapped a wing around Rainbow and we kissed each other. "Emergency in Fillydelphia."

Rainbow grew a smirk. "Some sort of... infestation."

Pinkie gasped. "Oh, no! Have they got Parasprites, too? Well, have tuba, will travel."

I shook my head as she blew into the instrument. "I think Celestia can handle it." I then gave Pinkie a high hoof. "Sorry for earlier, because you obviously remembered what I forgot."

Pinkie smiled at this. "You're welcome."

I nodded, then groaned slightly. "Now we gotta deal with fixing Ponyville."

They all slumped their shoulders in defeat, which made me smirk. "Come on, we got a lot of work to do."