open The Town That Friendship Forgot

[Courageous Thunder Dash 7,824]

@ExplosionMare @PawelS @Samurai Equine

Chelsea gathered some water energy and used it to increase her hearing range. She pinpointed to a coveersation between Sparkly and Tree Song. She then turned back to Pencil and Elusive. "Oh dear...I think that Sparkly pony may have done something...it seems like Tree Song is there so I hope Tree Song is able to resolve this." Chelsea said 

[Tree Song]

@Starforce

"I'm not upset, but I just realized something about you. You have a different approach to life than me. If there isn't something horribly evil involved, I usually just accept things as they are. And you try to change them for the better. Actually I appreciate this in you." I say with a smile.

[Pencil Pouch]

@Courageous Thunder Dash @Starforce @PawelS @Samurai Equine

Pencil nodded as Chelsea explained the situation. She hoped whatever the situation was, that is was not too dire. She trusted Tree Song, though, and believed she could settle a conflict if she wanted.

“Let me know if it gets any worse. We may have to step in if it gets out of hoof.” Pencil told the griffon nervously. She wasn’t the kind of pony to just jump into a conflict, but if something really horrible was happening, she didn’t want it to turn into a disaster for the town.

[Chelsea]

@ExplosionMare @Starforce @PawelS @Samurai Equine

Chelsea listened in more until it seemed like the two had left the area. "It seems like they left. Apparently, Sparkly thinks that this tournament was done out of hate and spite. She thinks that it would cause division, which I completely disagree. Even though I'm no fighter myself, I still like these events because it brings ponies and creatures together. Not only that but we also get to celebrate with the winners but also get to bond with those who've lost. It's global thinking really. Look back at the game, both mayors were involved in that and look how closer it brought us together. Some ponies and creatures just think differently...but I always hope that they would eventually see the big picture." Chelsea stated. 

[Pencil Pouch]

@Courageous Thunder Dash

Pencil sighed in relief, glad the conflict was resolved. She listened to Chelsea’s viewpoint on the tournament and nodded with interest. Although she was not too keen on a fighting tournament herself, it was all meant to be in good fun. If everyone went into it simply looking for a good time, then there was nothing to worry about. Perhaps Sparkly just fears the worst because ponies where she came from were a lot more aggressive. That thought made Pencil frown for a moment. She hoped that wasn’t the case.

“You’re right, Chelsea, it’s supposed to be something fun, not a chance for everybody to kill each other. Just like with the game, everyone had fun in the end, even though there were periods of difficulty. As long as everyone remembers this is just for fun, then the tournament should be okay.” she replied.

Pencil began to feel much more at ease, her stance was relaxed and she found breathing to be a lot more pleasant. Her hooves felt more cemented to the ground but not so cemented that they felt stuck. She felt a lot more comfortable about the whole tournament setup.

[Chelsea]

@ExplosionMare @PawelS @Samurai Equine @Starforce

"You know...I think we should go and convince Sparkly to stay. It just doesn't feel right. Sparkly may have different views, but that doesn't mean we can't bond with. Let's go and talk to her. I have an energy sense on her. She's still not too far from here." Chelsea said starting to walk where Sparkly and Tree Song were. 

[Pencil Pouch]

@Courageous Thunder Dash @Starforce

“That sounds like a good idea, I don’t want her to be upset over this. We could tell her that not all Friendshire citizens are like that. I’m certainly not, and neither are you!” Pencil agreed.

She trailed behind Chelsea as she searched for Sparkly’s energy. She hoped that upon arrival, Sparkly would be willing to talk. Surely things could get sorted out.

[Chelsea]

@ExplosionMare @PawelS 

Chelsea sort of jogged since she was still in her bipedal form. She saw two ponies up ahead. One seemed to be wearing a black cloak. Chelsea stopped and sort of backed up a little. "I...I didn't want you to leave...today may be a fighting tournament, but there's so much more to do here in Friendshire. Thundy has done quite a bit here too." Chelsea stated, looking a little upset that Sparkly reacted the way she did. 

[Chelsea]

@ExplosionMare @Starforce

"Hey now, you can't let a few bad apples ruin it for you. Even if someone was hostile, doesn't mean you react that way too. I kinda overhead that yell you did...which...seemed a little too much. I listened in and Samurai was just trying to calm things down. I'm not getting on you...I just don't want you to think that the fighting tournament is place where hate and negativity brews..." Chelsea stated. 

[Chelsea]

@ExplosionMare @Starforce @PawelS

Chelsea listened, but saw something that didn't seem right. Sparkly seemed to have this green film over her eyes. Chelsea gathered some water energy and made a ball of pure water appear in her left talon. She held it in case. "Uhm, Tree Song? What's going on?" She asked. 

[Courageous Thunder Dash 7,824]

@ExplosionMare @PawelS @Starforce

Chelsea sighed. "I...I know you don't wanna get wet, but if your magic goes out of control...I may have to use it..." Chelsea stated still holding the ball of pure water. "It's okay...don't be scared..." Chelsea said in a warm and motherly tone. 

[Chelsea]

@ExplosionMare @PawelS @Starforce

"It's that...green film around your eyes..." Chelsea said looking Sparkly. "Thundy said that green is a color that could be associated with darker forms of magic...which is somewhat true. He told me about King Sombra who utilized magic with green and purple hues." Chelsea explained. 

[Chelsea]

@Starforce @ExplosionMare @PawelS

"But why wouldn't you want ponies to see the true version of you? Are you afraid that they'll judge you? I know you were a human from earth, just like Thundy, even though you two have completely different stories." Chelsea stated. 

[Tree Song]

@Starforce @Courageous Thunder Dash @ExplosionMare

I don't like where this conversation is going. Chelsea is getting inquisitive and I know what will happen if she uses her water magic on Sparkly... I need to help my friend.

"Come on Chelsea, please respect her wish not to reveal her true appearance, I know she has good reasons for it."

[Chelsea]

@PawelS @Starforce @ExplosionMare

"Well...that's fair." Chelsea stated. 

She then turned to Tree. "Tree Song...I wasn't pressuring her to reveal her true self. I just...wanted to know why..." Chelsea said with a frown on her face. 

[Tree Song]

@Starforce @Courageous Thunder Dash @ExplosionMare

"Sorry if I overreacted." I still need to explain some things to Chelsea. "The problem is that if we told you why it should be kept secret, that information would be enough to reveal it. I can only tell you it would give Sparkly some unwanted attention."

[Chelsea]

@ExplosionMare @PawelS @Starforce

"That's fine...the question in the air right now is...how did you too meet...if that's an okay question to ask..." Chelsea said, wanting to know how Sparkly and Tree Song met. She hoped she wasn't being too invasive. 

[Tree Song]

@Starforce @Courageous Thunder Dash @ExplosionMare

"Yeah, me and Nopony were doing what we usually do: traveling through the forests of Equestria, and looking for magical anomalies. Sparkly's experiments drew us to the place where she lived at that time."

Edited July 5, 2021 by PawelS
grammar

[Chelsea]

@PawelS @Starforce

"Lightning hm? That reminds me of my friend Thundy who you saw back at the fighting area. He found me on the beach as I was just in one of my...reminiscing moments..." Chelsea said with a small sniffle. 

[Tree Song]

@Starforce @Courageous Thunder Dash @ExplosionMare

Sparkly's offer sounds interesting, but I need to make sure it's safe. "My teacher always tells me not to use substances of unknown origins. So how did you obtain it, if I may ask?"

[Chelsea]

@Starforce @PawelS

"I'm good." Chelsea said raising a talon." Chelsea stated. She was able to maintain clear vision on her own, and when swimming underwater, Chelsea's vision became superb all thanks to her pure heart. 

[Chelsea]

@ExplosionMare @PawelS @Starforce

"I can certainly keep a secret." Chelsea said. Chelsea was a very honest griffon, and the look she gave when she said her last statement was a very sincere and honest look. Chelsea looked towards Pencil. 

[Ragland Tiger 3,427]

23 hours ago, Dynamo Pad said:

What do you say, Bluebell? Did you want to go and check it out? I might consider participating in the tournament. I'm more of a fighting type of pony in fighting video games, but I guess this is the same concept. It could give me more of a practice to using the Gamer Driver. How about you? Were you thinking of competing?"

@Dynamo Pad

"I-I'll check it out," said Bluebell, "but I'll just watch,  I'd just g-g-get KO'd in the first r-round."

[Dynamo Pad 11,472]

@Ragland Tiger @Samurai Equine

"No, that's not true." Dynamo shook his head as he heard Bluebell's comment. "It's like I said before when we were training together. I think you have a lot of potential and you're very smart and incredible. I think you'd go pretty far. If anyone were to get KO'd in the first round, then it'd probably be me." He wasn't lying as he was only as strong because of the belt. "I do appreciate the support and I'll see if I can go far for the both of us." He smiled, taking her hoof into his own. "So, what are we waiting for? Let's go and head to the arena. Hopefully there are still enough time to sign up and get seats." He would say as he started leading them off towards the tournament area.

[Chelsea]

@Starforce @PawelS @ExplosionMare
 

"Awww Sparkly..." Chelsea said kneeling down and reaching out a talon. She gently stroked what she could of Sparkly's mane lovingly. "It's okay. There's no need to be ashamed..." Chelsea said with an affirming look.