//------------------------------// // Colt // Story: Happy Anniversary Sug // by Bysen //------------------------------// Why hadn’t she gone home last night? Applejack was sure to be worried about her but she still didn’t want to see her. But why? Fluttershy wasn’t mad at Applejack, she was mad at her sister… her daughter. And her daughter’s would’ve-been daughter or son. Their daughter or son that would never get to know their mother now just because they was an inconvenience to her! An unwanted problem to Applebloom instead of the joyous gift they would’ve been to Fluttershy. She’d spent all of yesterday looking for Die and continued into the night a little, but never found her and had eventually returned to Applebloom’s new home. She found Die there; along with Sil, Ace and Ven who must’ve been dropped off by Pinkie and Dash. Even though Applebloom had been planning on leaving the farm to live with Jade Dagger, Fluttershy knew this had probably caused Applejack to feel down. Another reason she should go speak with her at the least. But alas, no. After that it was well after dark and she had thought about returning to Sweet Apple Acres. Fluttershy had made it all the way to the farmstead before what little courage she had left left her. Speaking with Applejack would only make things worse now, AJ would have to choose between siding with her wife or with her sister. Fluttershy couldn’t force AJ have to make such a choice. She couldn’t make it herself, she loved Applebloom nearly as much her wife after all. Big Mac was there as well. Fluttershy had no idea if he had been told about the foal; that was one more reason not to go in. Eventually she made her way to her cottage. She hoped beyond hope that Applejack may’ve been waiting for her in there, given what the day had been: two years to the day that Applejack had given her this gift. But of course she wasn't. Not surprisingly considering Fluttershy had seen her inside the house… but the thought had run through her mind all the same. She hadn’t slept well, waking up every few hours, then waking up just as the sun came up and being unable to fall back to sleep. Fluttershy left her cottage early that morning and had been walking around Ponyville looking for nothing in particular. Towards midday she had run into Twilight and Big Mac. Big Mac looked at her and despite stone-wall his face always was, she could tell he had been worried about her. He had the tact not to bring up Applebloom, though it was apparent now that he knew. Twilight however didn’t and after a few awkward moments at the start, that quickly passed and they just started talking and walking as a group. Just friends hanging out together. The three stopped for lunch at a small fast food stall that for some reason had a rather large seating area and ordered. The seats over this side where only two-per so she sat a separate table to them. There were bigger tables over the others side but there were also two little colts messing around on that side. It quickly became apparent to Fluttershy though that she was a third wheel here and excused herself. That, and she also had an idea of what to do now and where she was going. Having some fun with those two had taken her mind away from the grimmer thoughts that had been plaguing her mind. She had better clarity now. She knew something that would cheer her up. Something that was the exact opposite of the death of Applebloom’s foal: the life of the one inside Rainbow Dash. ~ ~ “Tw-Twilight?... what are you doing here?” Rarity asked while she thought ‘HOW THE HELL DIDN’T I SEE HER HERE!??!?!?’ How much had she heard? All of it Rarity had to assume. If she had been thinking what Twilight and her father had gone through had similarities, she could only imagine how Twilight herself saw it. The difference here though, her father… was ‘cured’, but at what cost? “By removing the horn? That’s the cure for this disease?!” Twilight asked, ignoring Rarity. “Now calm yerself down Twilight.” Big Mac said as he walked over to the group. Ok, Twilight was small… but how the hay did Rarity miss Big Mac? This doesn’t seem physically possible. “Calm down? I am calm. Totally calm. Do I look uncalm to you?” Twilight said as her eye twitch. Obviously he knew full well she wasn’t. It had only been just yesterday she’d told him that her magic was unlikely to return if she kept on her medication but she feared going off of them. This ‘cure’ was him losing his horn and if Big Mac was right, that meant losing his magic. Permanently. “Why hasn’t Whooves told me about this treatment option?” “Ah don’t think it’s a very vi’ble option.” “Twilight, I’m sure this is very discerning to you.” Elusive spoke up on Rarity’s behalf. “But I’d have to ask you to leave us be. We’re rather in the middle of something here.” “Oh, yeah. Sorry. I’ll just be…” “No, it’s quite alright dear.” Rarity said as she faced Twilight, turned to Elusive. “She… she knows what happened between us and our father, Eli. And, quite frankly, I’d like to… to have her break us away from this awful line of discussion. I don’t need this.” “So would I.” added Magnum. “But it’s not really a cure. I never asked for this. It was a side effect from… you heard my story didn’t you? Well it was broken off. I was lucky to survive. I was told, if I can remember that for back, that it was removed deep enough down to remove what had caused the illness without affecting my brain. There was a lot of technical terms I can’t remember and didn’t even understand. But… I remember you. You live on magic; I barely used it but even still, it’s not a cure, it’s a curse.” “But it was worth it right? All that happened to you, to Rarity and Sweetie Belle, it was because of your magibetes . Without it you got your life back. How can that be a curse? Can you say that losing your magic wasn’t worth what you got in turn?” Twilight said. She had thought this through. In all honesty she had already made up her mind. The difference now was she had a way to do so without having to take medication twice daily for the rest of her life. Magnum paused to think of an answer. He may not have used magic much but it was still a part of him. He knew this mare would take whatever he said quite seriously. He could see the chip in her horn and had drawn a few conclusions from that and the fact she obviously had magibetes. But he didn’t have to think long. “Yes. It was worth it. I’d give up anything for them. But I don’t know if you should do that. It was an accident for me.” “Exactly! If you can have it gone by mistake, then surely a trained surgeon could perform it without a hitch.” “Woh now Twilight.” interrupted Big Mac. “Ah think ya migh’ be rushing through on this without thinkin’ it fully over. Ah mean, ah know what ya said and all ‘bout giving it up. But remember what ah said: you don’t have ta. You think ya can live fine without it but ah don’t. ‘Sides, you don’t need ta give anything up ta be with me. An’ especially nothing this drastic. Is it really worth losing your horn just ta not take some meds ev’ry day?” Rarity wasn’t entirely following what Twilight and Mac where saying. She knew about Twilight’s lack of recovery but didn’t know she had been willing to stop trying all together. There was another side to why she’d let her father and her friend talk. Even now, with her father here, she was still worried about Twilight’s state of mind. Rarity herself didn’t utilise magic as much as some but still couldn’t image not having it at all. “Might I interject a moment?” Rarity asked. “Of course.” replied Magnum. “Baritone and Lucy are both very well behaved. But I’m sure they must find this all quite uninteresting. Perhaps they could find something more fun for them to do” “You’re worried about what they’re hearing aren’t you? You haven’t changed Rarity, not really. You’re as caring as ever. But they’ve heard it all. In the last month I’ve told them nearly everything. But I agree. They don’t need to hear it again.” ~ ~ They’d just finished lunch. Die had prepared it for all five of them. Herself, ABS, Sil, Ace and Ven. Sil had returned just after it had gotten dark last night, exhausted from walking around Ponyville all day looking for Die. She wanted to just collapse into her bed when she got back but instead was greeted by a chorus of cheers form Ace and Ven. It was a little unsettling at first but Die quickly came into view and she mood shifted dramatically. She’d seen Rarity and knew Belle was alive but hadn’t thought to ask where she was seems she had also been told Belle had stayed the night with her sister rather than returning home and had simply expected her to be back here now. She wasn’t obviously, but that was ok. Rarity said she had a coltfriend again so she had an idea where she may be. Sil couldn’t help but feel sorry for Spike; poor guy must be quite jealous of this new stallion. The kids had been fine all night and all day and where a lot ‘calmer’, if you could call it that, than they had been the last time she had foalsat for them. She’d been joking and teasing them slightly when she had called them not little foals but little fillies. It was true though. They’d growd-up and passed out of the terribad-two’s. Sil found out where Die had been yesterday and wasn’t surprised in retrospect. She’d known about Filthy Rich and had agreed to keep quiet about it ABS’ sake. They were planning on visiting Screwball again later that day if either one of two things happened. One, the thing that had 0% chance of happening: Dash and Pinkie coming back to pick their kids. They wouldn’t though. Sil would likely have them until at least a few days after the birth. Or two: somepony else stopped by that they could coerce into helping ABS take care of the fillies while they were gone. Preferably Sweetie Belle. ABS had tried to take the used dishes from lunch back into the kitchen but Die had insisted on doing it for her. Natural this had led to an argument which went a little differently than usually with new stuff like ‘I know it’s coming from a good place but…’ and ‘you said it yourself, I’m stronger so don’t make me come over there. Do you even lift?’. Sil had stopped the argument for them by grabbing the dishes herself and taking them to be cleaned. Die and ABS both laughed afterwards and Die had added “I knew that would work.” Ace and Ven, luckily for Die, had decided to follow ABS this time letting her get a few minutes break from the two. There was a knock on the door, being the only one not predisposed, Die went to answer it. Opening it, she greeted “Hello Twilight. Big Mac. Would you like to come in.” she was much more relaxed and back to her normal formal self than she had been yesterday. Of course there was her ulterior motive to acting so nice. This was exactly what she needed right now to get these two, or at least Big Mac to help take care of Ace and Ven while she and Sil, alongside Twilight, went back to the hospital later on that day. “No that’s fine, we need to get going shortly.” said Twilight. So much for that plan… “But I was wondering if you could do us a favour? Well, Sil really.” “Sure thing.” said ABS as Ace and Ven carried her to the door. They were DIFIDENTLY getting bigger considering they could carry her in the air now. It was kinda scary actually considering how much they used to drag her around, which now they could lift her… apparently ABS did even lift. She wanted to talk with her brother about… ‘things’. Things that perhaps Twilight should be told as well. But the look on Big Mac’s face was clearly visible despite his normal self. He already knew. It wasn’t a good thing but it wasn’t bad thing either really. “A friend o’ ours asked us ta look after his kids for a few hours.” Big Mac said. Rarity had suggested that Sil would be able to take care of Baritone and Lucy, then asked if Twilight and Big Mac would mind taking them there. Magnum had been a bit apprehensive to the idea but Rarity had complete faith in Twilight and Big Mac and once Magnum found out Sil was a close friend of Sweetie Belle, he trusted them too. If it was too much of a hassle for Sil though, Rarity would be back at the boutique. ABS saw pasted Twilight and her brother to the two colts that where standing a bit behind them. The younger of the two was clearly a bit scared, pressed up against the elder’s side. His eyes looked a bit watery and had dullness to them as he stared back at her. “Well hey there.” she called then looked at her brother. “Well as ya can see we a’ready got Ven-Ace here. I suppose we could look after them though. They’re brothers right? I’m sure the biggen can help us look after the littlen. Ain’t that right mister?” “Yes ma’ma.” he replied like the good little colt he was. “Well aren’t you might respectful. Come on in you two. You two too.” ABS added to Twilight and Big Mac. “Sorry Sis, but we gots ta get going. Works backing up a bit on the farm. Ah’ll make sure ta make some time fer you though.” he said, implying it sure would be nice her have her back living there, helping with the work load. He didn't like trying to guilt trip her but... "'Haps you could even swing by and give us a hoof with some'a the work some time." “Oh, uh… ok. No problem. Guess I’ll see yous two ‘round.” ABS just waved them goodbye and ushered the kids inside. She knew what he was doing. It had worked on some level. Die however found this all rather odd. She had no idea who these two colts where and for ABS’ brother and soon-to-be-sister-in-law to show up with them seemed odd. She hadn’t even gotten their names yet. “Y’all hungry? We just ate but it’d be no problem to make ye’s up some grub.” “Speak for yourself…” Die remarked, seems she’d likely be the one cooking it. Not that she minded. “What are your names anyway? And where are you from?” she asked with a smile. She wasn’t as good with kids as Sil was but she’d picked up a lot from her and knew how to be comforting to the obviously nervous smaller brother. Baritone walked in with Elusive still up against his side, never leaving contact for more than a second. It was adorable really. He kept looking straight ahead though while Baritone was looking all around. “I’m Baritone, and this is Lucy. And, it’s no problem. We just had lunch not long ago. Our father’s here visiting family. We live in Prance, a few hours from Parneighs on a vineyard, though we have a few acres of mangos as well.” he said with pride. Die concluded that their father must be a friend, if not a relative, of Twilight's. After that they spoke with Sil, who although was a little annoyed they’d volunteered her to take of two more children, greeted the colts as warmly as ever. She introduced them to Ace and Ven who immediately started picking on Baritone, without really meaning to, just being little and not knowing any better. Darting around him, brushing his mane into his face and just generally annoying him for Celestia knows how long. Eventually the both got on a side of him each and lifted him like they had ABS earlier, though much more ease seems he was smaller. Baritone didn’t really mind, and actually quite enjoyed being flown around the room. Lucy however started to freak out. He hadn’t left his brothers side the entire time he’d been there and while he had quickly calmed and opened up, talking and being a part of what Ace and Ven were yelling, mostly incoherently, now he was scared witless. “Baritone, get back here! Baritone! BARITONE!!!” he screamed! He was only five after all and all of this was new and frightening. “It’s ok!” Baritone said as the two fillies rushed him back over to his brother. Even they could tell he was scared, even if he was a little older than them. Baritone quickly got back to his brother’s side. “I’m here now. It’s ok.” he said as Lucy pressed hard up against his side, not wanting to leave the protection his brother offered again. After that, things calmed back down. Sil made the fillies apologise. Ven refused at first saying he wasn’t apologising to Lucy seems she hadn’t done anything to him. Ace however practically begged the older colt for forgiveness and grovelled at his hooves. Lucy said it was nothing and slowly started to loosen back up. It was almost an hour later before he finally left his brother’s side and went to sit down by himself. Although ‘by himself’ apparently meant with Ace and Ven, with ABS watching over them just to be safe. Die had gone off to prepare somewhere for them to sleep seems most everything was still covered in dust. Even if the two colts weren’t staying the night, which at this point in the evening it looked like they were, the nursery Ace and Ven and various other little kids Sil took care of was still untouched and filthy. Sil was watching over Baritone as he prepared himself a small snack, saying he was old enough to prepare it himself. He hadn’t said it defensively in a ‘I’m not a little kid’ way but more of ‘I’d hate to bother you, I’ll just do it myself’ way. Whoever raised this kid must be a wonderful role model Sil thought. There was a knock on the door. ABS got up from her seat minding the kids to answer. She almost cried again seeing who it was “Belle!” she gasped! Rationally ABS knew she was alright but seeing her made it much better. “Where’ve ya been? Oh, hey Spike…” it clicked. “Yer back together? That’s wonderful!” it was made obvious by his arm being over her shoulder. “Come in you two.” “Yep, we’re back togeth-and you’re pregnant… wow." Belle said as her eyes had been drawn down to ABS' enlarged stomach. "And I thought I had big news. Me and Spike seems like nothing now.” she was speaking with a little shock and not drawing her eyes away form ABS' belly but otherwise was as happily and as blissfully ignorant as ever until Spike nudged her a bit and indicated towards the expression ABS wore. She clearly didn’t find this amusing. ‘Bleak’ would be Belle’s description of how she looked. “Um…” was all she managed before ABS realised how she must look and shook it aside. “It’s okay, I’ve been meanin’ ta tell you anyway.” ABS said, stepping aside to let them in. Before Spike could step in and say anything the chorus of “Spikey-Wikey…” followed by something incoherent that may’ve had ‘Belle’ in it somewhere came from both Ace and Ven. They started speaking in unison at first, but after Spike’s ‘name’ they drifted off into their own speels. It lasted for about half a minute before somehow both finished on the same line “come meet my new friend… uh, OUR new friend, Lucy!” as they soared up and looped behind both Belle and Spike and pushed them towards Lucy who was looking in their direction. “Bonjour, il fait beau de vous rencontrer.” (Hello, It’s nice to meet you.) he said in Prench. “Oh! I’m sorry. I forgot where I was.” he added shying back a bit after embarrassing himself. Spike didn’t mind however. “Ce n'est aucun problème du tout. Vous êtes des Prances que je le prends ?” (It's no problem at all. You're from Prance I take it?) he replied, surprising ABS with his linguistic skills. Not to mention Belle. “Lucy, was it?” “Oui… um, yes. I am. It’s nice to meet you.” he said extending a hoof. Spike put his claw out to shake the colt’s hoof but before he could there was a loud scream and the sound of something clattering on the ground. Before Spike knew it, he had been flung away from the colt by what had to have been magic, but only landed about a meter from where he was lifted from. He recovered quickly, in what looked like taking a step towards Lucy. Before he had even figured out what had hit him the first time, he was tackled by another, older, colt. “STAY AWAY FROM HIM MONSTER!!!” yelled Baritone as he bit down on Spike’s arm and jammed his horn into his side. Although everypony in Ponyville was used to him, he was a dragon still. A ferocious pony-eating monster of adorableness… “Run!” Baritone yelled at everypony but meaning it for his brother more than any of the others. “RUN!!!” Lucy immediately turned and started sprinting! Right into a table… “Argh! B-Baritone! Baritone!” he screamed in new pain, Baritone was about to jump away from Spike to go to his brother but he was caught in a light purple aura and flung much further than Spike had been by Belle’s magic. He recovered fast, not sure what had happened at first but he quickly realised it had been magic. But dragons couldn’t use magic? Sil rushed over to him to make sure he was alright. Baritone looked at her confused, why wasn’t she panicked about this creature? He looked around; none of them where. Sil looked worried about him and Die was holding his crying brother and ABS was holding back some purple and pink maned unicorn he didn’t know, who out of all of them looked the most frightened… no, looked the most frightening! She was glaring at him, teeth bared as ABS held her back. Another cry came from Lucy, Baritone immediately forgot about the angry mare and rushed over to him. “Aahaahaahaa!...” Lucy continued crying. “B-arit-tone!” as he lay on his side covering his face with a hoof. There was a small amount of blood trickling from his nose and he jumped a little every time Die tried to touch him. He stopped jumping once he felt the familiar warmth of his brother press up against him. “Baritone? What happened? Is it over?” he asked, confused as to what had just happened. Baritone turned to see the dragon just sitting there, putting a claw over his side. He looked angry but he also looked hurt. There where bright red teeth marks on his arm that hadn’t broken past his scaly skin but there was a small scratch where he’d jabbed his horn and managed to draw a small bit of blood. Weirdest of all was none of these ponies where scared! Then the mare he didn’t know quickly went over to the dragon and wrapped her hooves aroundd him “Are you alright Spike!?” “Yeah. Yeah I’m fine.” he said, pulling himself to his feet. He looked around and was just as confused as everypony else was. He looked at the colt who had attacked him and glared. Then again, he was just a kid so Spike couldn’t be too angry at him. But still... the colt didn’t feel the same way though and took a stance that was ready to charge him again. “Stay back!” Baritone growl before Sil stepped in front of him. “Calm down! Both of you! Spike’s not a monster. He’s our friend. He’s not going to hurt you.” she said in her most motherly voice. It didn’t work… “Il a blessé mon frère!” (He hurt my brother!) Baritone yelled, forgetting manors and raging in his native tongue. “Il saigne! Son museau est casse!” (He’s bleeding! His muzzle is broken!) “C'était votre défaut, vous tol il à courir et il s'est brisé dans celle la table en raison de vous.” (That was your fault, you told him to run and he crashed into that table because of you.) Spike retorted. Baritone was caught off guard by this. That this monster could speak was one thing. That he was speaking his own language was another. And most of all… the monster was right. He’d screamed at his brother to run and he’d run right into the table, top speed, face first. “Spike?” whimpered Lucy. “Spike’s un monstre? Mais il…” (Spike’s a monster? But he’s…) Lucy coughed as he sniffled and inhaled some blood. He wasn’t bleeding much and Baritone had exaggerated in saying his muzzle was broken but he had made the common mistake of holding his nose up when it was bleeding, making it all pool. “Lower you head, let the blood out.” said Die as she continued to try and help the little colt. She turned to see Baritone looking at her. “He’s alright. It’s just a nose bleed, he’ll be fine in a bit. Baritone, that’s Spike. He’s a dragon, and our friend.” she said calmly, though her expression betrayed her some-what. Baritone turned to the dragon ‘Spike’ and said “Vous parlez Prançais ?” (You speak Prench?) “Oui, et plusieurs autres lanuages.” (Yes, and several other languages.) he replied calmly, though still a little saw and holding his arm over the bite mark. Belle was looking at the marks and started using some of her medical-ninjutsu to heal the cut. It faded fast in her magic’s glow. “Do you speak Equestrian?” he asked in turn. “Yes…” sniffled Lucy. “We both do, right Baritone.” he was standing now with Die’s hoof under his side, helping him up with her other foreleg holding a reddened tissue to his face. His face was still wet with tears and his eyes looked more unfocused than they had before. “Spike? You’re a dragon?” “Well… yeah… I mean, you’d have to be blind not to notice. Oh…” whelp [pun intended] that explained his eyes. “Don’t you make fun of him!” blurted Baritone but he quieted quickly afterwards seeing that Spike looked as if he’d only just noticed… because he had only just noticed. In fact as he looked around, everypony had the same expression on their faces. Surely ABS, Sil and Die would’ve figured that out by now. The only pony who didn’t looked surprised was Ace. “Well obcourse he’s blind. It’s been set up since he was introduced.” she said. No one understood what she meant. If only Pinkie had been around to see her daughter as she broke the fourth wall for the first time. She’d be so proud… not that she wasn’t shedding a tear of joy at that exact moment somewhere, somehow. “Maybe we should just come back later…” Belle said as she finished healing Spike’s side. It was still a little red but it would fade quickly now. “This might not be the best time.” she turned and headed for the door. Spike was about to follow suit. “Y’all just got here, don’t go. An’ where ya even been the last few days anyhow?” ABS asked as she moved to block Belle from going out the door. “Ya had us worried sick when ya didn’t return home day before last.” “Well, um, I was meaning to tell you at the party but you never showed up. And I would’ve come and visited yesterday but I kinda drank too much at the party… yesterday wasn’t a good day.” Belle admitted. She never wanted to drink again. At least she’d keep thinking that until the next time she drank… “You can say that again…” Die quipped. “Wait, ‘visit’? You live here though?” “She and I live together now.” Spike said. “That’s wonderful. ABS finally moves in with us, now Spike’s moving back in too!” Die squealed, missing what Spike had meant. “Where’s ABS going to sleep though, she took your room last night, and took mine the night before.” “She can have my room again. And from now on… because I… I don’t live here Die.” Belle flinched. she’d put off so long in telling them that she’d moved out because she had been worried about how Die would react. Of course with everything that Die had proclaimed to ABS yesterday, that fear caused more harm now than what the original problem did. “I live in the library, with Spike. I meant to send you a letter but I kept procrastinating and before I knew it, you were returning tomorrow and by that point it was too late.” Die took a moment to take this in. All eyes were on her, ABS’ most of all seems yesterday Die had begged her not to leave her as well. To stay and live with her. “Hahaha… that’s all? Wow… we thought you were dead and all it was was you’d moved out? HAHAHAHA!!!...” Die laughed. Nopony had expected that; though it was kinda humorous. “So that’s ya big news? I guess my tummy were bigger after all.” ABS laughed, there was a small twinge of pain in her words but if Die was laughing about something that most likely hurt her a little too, she would as well. Sil however had no idea what was so funny considering everything that had happened between them… these ponies where insane! “Actually, that wasn’t the big news.” Spike said, breaking the laughter. Both ABS and Die looked at them. That they’d gotten back together and where serious enough about their relationship to move in together wasn’t big news; what was? Sweetie Belle smiled, and with all exuberance she simply said “We’re engaged.” ~ ~ ”It’s too late… they’ll be back tomorrow. I put it off to long.” Sweetie Belle said as she scrunched up another failed attempt at writing a letter to Die. And Sil and ABS too but mostly to Die. Spike just sighed however. As freaked out as Sweetie Belle was about this, she’d been doing this at least once a week since she’d moved in with Spike. Of course now that Die actually WAS going to be back tomorrow there was some legitimate concern now. Some… “Relax. I’m sure Die will understand. She didn’t care when I moved in, why would she care that you moved out?” he argued as he put a claw over her shoulder and pulled her close. “Besides, it’ll give her the house alone with Sil… and let’s be honest, those two need some sorta push to get together.” Spike laughed. “What are you saying?” Sweetie Belle asked, she knew but didn’t like the accusation Spike had made about her friend. “You shouldn’t make rumours up about somepony. It can hurt them.” Spike may’ve dug himself into a slightly deeper hole than he had planned but he’d gotten her mind off of that pointless letter at least. “Please… tell me you can’t see that they have something. Or at least Die does. That club, the night you broke up with me.” he said without even the slightest bit of hesitation, even though Sweetie Belle was taken aback by it somewhat. “She wouldn’t speak with that colt Sil was trying to set her up with, but the second Sil said she’d see him instead, Die was all over it. She was jealous.” Sweetie Belle didn’t entirely remember what had happened then, it was over half a year ago after all, but what she did remember that was right. The two always been close friends… but so had herself and Applebloom so that meant nothing. “I just don’t think you should accuse ponies of stuff like that.” “Hold up a second, you say I’m ‘accusing’ as if it’s a bad thing. Do you think it is?” Spike asked. They’d never really talked about this seems even though a few of their friends with in same-sex relationships, none of their family or close friends where. Of course on the not-so-close family side of Spike’s there was that rumour about Shining Armour taking certain ‘liberties’ with his soldiers but that was just a rumour. Probably. “No… I just mean I think she’d be offended if she knew you were talking about her behind her back.” “So you think I should just ask flat out ask her face to face then?” Spike retorted sarcastically. “No, not that either. I just don’t think she’s like that. And honestly, I think she is one of the ponies who would see it as a bad thing.” “Well we both know she’s tried it…” Spike said as he nudged Sweetie Belle with his elbow and raised an eye-brow. She knew what he was implying. “And besides, I don’t think she thinks it’s bad. I mean, she doesn’t think what we have is bad.” “What’s wrong with we have?” Sweetie Belle really had no idea. He didn’t see something wrong between them did he? “Bestiality. I’m a dragon and you’re a pony. It’s weird. I don’t think most ponies would accept it. Only reason it’s not an issue is ‘cause I’ve lived here so long everypony in this town knows me. I mean, you may not’ve noticed but when we started dating, I was smaller than you. I’m just a bit bigger now.” “What are you saying Spike?” she was starting to get worried about where he was going with this. Realistically they could only be together for a few more years at most before the size difference became a problem between them. There was also the fact that the idea of having Spike’s child, Spike’s egg, made Sweetie Belle sick. He’d worked so hard to get back with her, he couldn’t be suggesting what she thought he was. “I’m saying that what we have is weird but so what? You think everypony else’s relationship is perfect? I just think that if Die likes Sil, then if one of her closest friends gave her a push in that direction it would make her feel a lot easier about the whole thing.” Sweetie Belle noticeably calmed. He hadn’t been saying anything about their relationship at all. But she hadn’t been so sure about him and their relationship together not so long ago. Why did she feel so scared that it would end now? She knew why, but she wouldn’t admit it. Not even to herself. She loved him… but, once again, why did she feel so scared? “Yeah that’s true Spike.” she paused for a moment before turning and looking him right in the eyes. “You said you wanted kids one day a while back… Jet, Topaz and Sapphire?” “Y-yeah… I’m surprised you remember that. It was kinda a joke but, I suppose. One day.” it was Spike’s turn to feel scared now. The difference was he knew he loved her and she knew it to. “You know I love you right?” she nodded and smiled. Spike gave her a moment before asking “is there… something you wanna say to me now?” “Yeah. You said it yourself.” Sweetie Belle knew what he wanted “In a few years we’ll be very different. And we wouldn’t be able to make love.” she came so close to saying it… why couldn’t she say it?! “and then we wouldn’t be able to have children at all.” “Are you saying you want to have kids too?” Spike asked. She’d never been this interested on the subject of kids and had literally thrown-up at the thought of laying an egg. “Maybe… like you said, one day. But not so soon, I’m not ready for something like that. But, by the time I am, it may be too lake.” Spike had always tried not to think about it but he would not only out live her, but outgrow her. The latter a lot sooner. He understood but that didn’t make it hurt any less. What she’d said was true. There was no future in their relationship. Not the one he wanted and maybe not the one she did too. Four years tops and that would be the end of their intimacy and from then, who knows? “Sweetie Belle, will you marry me?” Spike asked. Again. He’d posed the same question two months ago and meant it then, he meant it now but he knew the answer would be the same. The look on Sweetie Belle’s face told him so: shocked but saddened. “… in two years.” He added. After another moment to let what he had said sink in. “Think about it. In two years we’re still together, we know we’re right for each other. It may sound weird but… every relationship is weird!" he finished and took her left hoof in his claws. "Will you marry me Sweetie Belle?" “Yes. I will Spike. Let’s get married… in two years.” ~ ~ “Ah don’t care!” Twilight stared at him as if he had just struck her. Big Mac had always taken what she said to heart but he wouldn’t have any of this. Having her horn removed was just not an option to him. They’d never disagreed on anything this much. To the point where he completely rejected her choice on the subject. She wouldn’t get her magic back and the medication was horrible to take. This would solve the problem but he insisted that she keep trying to regain what she had lost, even if it meant going off the drug. He would be there for her. “But you aren’t enough… you weren’t enough!” “But ah can be. Believe me Twilight. Ah can be there fer ya, ah can stop you from makin’other stupid mistake. Ah AM stoppen you from making a stupid mistake!” he knew she was in her right mind right now, at least in terms of her illness but she still wasn’t thinking clearly, only seeing one option when there were many. “Listen ta me Twilight. This ain’t the only choice like ya seem ta think it is.” “It might not be the only choice… but it’s my choice and I…” Twilight was cut off. “No it ain’t. It’s my choice ta make for ya. And ah say ya ain’t doing it. Ah’m ganna speak with Whooves and ah’ma see what we can do ‘bout stoppin’ ya meds fer while and tryen ta fix up your magic. And ah don’t care if you don’t want a prostatic horn, yur getting one if it’ll help! And that is that!” he yelled. He didn’t care who else overheard their conversation. He hadn’t cared for a while now seems they’d been yelling at each other none stop. He had her power of attorney and he would use it to do what he had to do. Twilight knew he could and she knew he would. “W-why are you doing this to me?” she said, almost sounding defeated. He began to speak but she interrupted “Don’t you dare say you’re doing this FOR me! Don’t. You. DARE!!!” she screamed as her instinct told her to teleport away. And she tried… and she passed out. ~ ~ They’d had dinner, cleaned up, had some together time, cleaned up , had some dessert, not cleaned up, had some more together time then cleaned up the double thick chocolate custard mess and where preparing to go to bed. An average night for Dash and Pinkie. They were now just lying there, Pinkie giving Dash her usually side hug as Dash was sprawled out on her back; how they always slept. It was early still but Dash had been extremely tired the last few months. It was a combination of her physically theorpy and being so far along in her pregnancy. She still wanted her home birth but she’d promised Pinkie, or Pinkie Promised, she forgot which, that she hadn’t had the foal by two more days she’d go to the hospital. It had been about half an hour they'd been lying in bed but Dash still wasn’t asleep. Pinkie wasn’t either, Dash could tell because she wasn’t snoring. “Hey, Pinkie?” “Yes Dashie?” she replied with her eyes still closed and tightening her hug slightly “I was just wondering… colt or filly?” neither of them knew. Dash had gotten a few magisounds before her coma and some during and after as well but never found out. Pinkie hadn’t either after Gilda had told her that Dash didn’t know yet, so Pinkie didn’t want to find out either. She pulled away form Dash and sat up. “Well um… does it matter?” Pinkie asked with less cheer than usually. It wasn’t a ‘I’ll be happy no matter what we have’ answer, it was “We’re not keeping it, so, it’s not really important.” “Yeah, true. But what do you think it is?” Dash said, lightening somewhat in tone. “You have to have some idea.” “Well, my money’s on colt.” she said matter-of-factidly. “We’ve had two fillies already so chances are it’ll be a colt right?” Dash looked at her and smiled. “That and it’s been planned to be a colt right from the start.” and that was exactly what Dash was hoping for. Pinkie knowing something that Pinkie couldn’t possibly know but somehow did. There was another question she wanted to know and hoped Pinkie knew. “Pinkie… am I going to die?” Dash deadpanned. “I don’t know…” Pinkie said, all cheer completely join now despite most of it returning just before. “I don’t think so, but maybe I’m just hoping. I’ve been doing the same as you. Hiding it, making it seem like everything’s alright for everypony else but… I’m just as scared as you Dashie.” Pinkie sobbed as she started to cry. “I don’t want you to die too…” There was a knock on the door downstairs followed by “…” that was the barely audible whisperings of Fluttershy’s ‘loud’ voice. She’d been trying to see them all day but just kept getting side tracked. After leaving Big Mac and Twilight she’d run into Sweetie Belle and Spike. Sweetie Belle looked a little odd, but in a good way. Nervous maybe? She’d thought there may have been a reason Sweetie Belle had drunk so much at the party the other day, that there had been something bugging her. Of course she could also just be young and stupid, not quite knowing her limits yet. They talked for a bit and eventually parted ways. Now having found herself walked in the wrong direction for so long while speaking with them she began to Sugercube Corner for the second time. Then she ran into Rarity… after talking and walking with her in the wrong direction again she headed for Sugercube corner once more. Then she ran into Big Mac and Twilight. Again. If she had thought Sweetie Belle seemed odd then she had thought Rarity had been done right weird. But this… This was beyong reproach. Big Mac and Twilight where full-on screaming at each other. Fluttershy hid and watched for the rest of the argument before Twilight’s horn had seemed to have exploded in a violet light. She rushed out of where she’d been watching and helped Big Mac take her to the hospital. They both stayed until visiting hours ended but Big Mac stayed a little longer speaking with Twilight’s doctor. Now though, Fluttershy had finally made it to Sugercube Corner. She hesitated though. Everypony had been far from their normal selves today, each getting worse than the last and she feared what Dash and Pinkie would be like. She finally knocked however and asked “Hello. I’m sorry to disturb you so late but, um, is anypony home?” A short moment passed before Pinkie opened the door and pulled her inside with a hug. Fluttershy could see Dash slowly making her way down the stairs with a look that said ‘why are you here?’. Honestly, Fluttershy didn’t have a good answer. She’d originally come by to feel Dash’s tummy but that didn’t seem right at this time of night. She came up with an answer though. “I was wondering, if um, I could stay here tonight?” “Of course you can silly! You don’t have to ask, you’re always welcome at cassa de’ PinkieDash.” Pinkie proclaimed, finally releasing her from the hug. “Or is it cassa de’ RainbowPie?” “Hold up a sec, Shy.” Dash interrupted. “Why ya crashing here? You can’t be THAT afraid of the dark… still.” She finished, rolling her eyes. “Oh, it’s not that.” Fluttershy squeaked out. “It’s um… I don’t think I can go back to Sweet Apple Acres. Not tonight… maybe not ever. I was wondering if um, I could maybe stay here more than just tonight.” “No.” said Dash sternly. “But… I… ok.” Fluttershy’s sad face just radiated guilt onto Dash. “Uh geez… why can’t you go back to the farm? Big Mac knock you up again?” Dash joked. She still didn’t know about Fluttershy’s fertility issues. “I, we, me and Applejack… we had a fight.” “In that case, no.” Dash repeated, again getting a very disheartening look from Fluttershy. “First of all: whatever you and Applejack fought about, I’m sure she’s sorry, it sounds like you are, so just go make-up. Besides make-up sex is always the best. And second… just no.” admittedly, though never out loud, she was still a little jealous about Pinkie and Fluttershy. And even though she trusted Pinkie, and even heard she and Fluttershy never even did it, the small bit of doubt from what Pinkie had said to Seafoam at that party still lingered. “I can’t!” Fluttershy yelled, which was most ponies normal speaking volume. “She has nothing to be sorry for… it was Applebloom she… she…” “She isn’t having her child, we know.” Dash stated. “I, h-hate her for doing that. I really do.” coming from Fluttershy, this was one of the most spiteful things she could say about somepony. “And I’m sure Applejack thinks I hate her too. She, she sided with her sister. I didn’t. I can’t go back there!” “Yes you can.” Pinkie said, hugging Fluttershy once more before pulling away but keeping her hooves on Fluttershy’s shoulders as she looked her in the eyes and said “You remember when Applejack kicked you out and you didn’t know why? You remember how you missed her? Well imagine how Applejack must feel right now." “Um… Pinkie?...” Dash said but was ignored. “If you don’t go home to her, do you know how much she’ll be sad?” “Pinkie Pie.” Dash said again. “I know losing that foal must’ve meant a lot to you, but how much would it hurt losing Applejack over it too?” “Pinkie Pie!” Dash stated and was finally acknowledged. “I’m in the middle of a heart-felt speech here Dashie and nothing you can say will stop me from finishing it.” she said as she turned to Dash. Dash calming and collectively, with a face that said ‘challenge accepted’ said four words. “My water just broke.” “I’m really starting to unlike The Writer…”