Ponyville was a pretty unremarkable town. Or at least, it had been before Twilight decided to call it home. Still, even with her living there it was still not much. Having the Bearers of the Elements of Harmony living there had oddly enough not made it much of a military target.
Twilight was grateful for that at the moment. Such an out of the way town meant that news of the Changeling Invasion hadn’t reached it yet, meaning they didn’t have to put up with a large crowd of ponies, eager to learn the details.
Still, Big Macintosh was there, ready to help his sister haul home the leftovers from the wedding. Applejack was all too eager to load his cart with uneaten treats and a chest full of bits.
“So, we’ll meet up at the library tomorrow for breakfast?” Twilight asked.
“First thing,” Rarity assured. “I think that lovely little restaurant near the spa would be nice.”
“Oh, bleah,” Rainbow Dash gave a fake vomiting noise. “Can’t we go to something not so...frilly? I’ve had enough of that this weekend.”
“Ah, ah, now, this is an apology meal to Twilight. It needs to be something nicer than sandwiches and hay fries.”
“You really don’t have to...” Twilight began, but Rarity put a hoof over her mouth.
“I know we don’t have to, but we want to. I insist.”
“Apology for what?” Big Macintosh couldn’t help but ask.
“I’ll tell ya when we get home,” Applejack assured, looking slightly embarrassed at the whole thing.
“Well, I guess,” Rainbow Dash grumbled. “But next time we go out to eat, we’re going to the outdoor café.”
“We’ll see,” Rarity said, in a tone that hinted that they wouldn’t see.
“Um, I better get home and make sure Derpy has taken good care of Angel and the others,” Fluttershy said. She had opened the birdcages she had brought, allowing her singing birds to stretch their wings for the first time in hours. “But, I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Yeah, I better head home to. Mr. and Mrs. Cake will want a break from Pound and Pumpkin,” Pinkie said, bouncing off. “See you guys tomorrow!”
“We’ll meet up in the morning,” Twilight assured. The others muttered their goodbyes as they took off in separate directions.
Or at least, most of them did. Rarity lingered behind a bit. Her younger sister stayed by her side, getting impatient. “Rarity, why are we hanging around here? Shouldn’t we be getting back to your house?”
“Have patience, Sweetie, that’s a quality of a lady,” the elder unicorn lectured. “I still need to attend to something.” After the others had walked far enough that she was sure that they wouldn’t overhear, she trotted over to Applejack, who was just finishing loading Big Macintosh’s cart. “Applejack, might I have a word with you back at the Boutique?”
“Well gee, Rare, can it wait ‘till breakfast tomorrow? I’m awfully tired, see...”
“I’d really prefer we talk before we meet with Twilight tomorrow. And this needs to be between the two of us for now.”
Applejack blinked, but nodded. “Sure, I guess. Big Mac, you gonna be fine taking all this stuff an’ Applebloom home?”
“Eeyup,” the burly stallion nodded, beginning to pull the wagon back to Sweet Apple Acres, his little sister perched on his back.
“So what’s this about?” the cowpony asked.
“Let’s get to the Boutique first.”
Scootaloo walked through Ponyville alone, ruing not having her scooter with her. The lantern streetlights provided the only light outside of Luna’s moon. She made a steady pace for home, not dragging her hooves but not in any particular hurry.
“Hey Scoots,” Rainbow Dash called, causing the filly to halt in her tracks, turning to face her idol. “What are you doing walking all by yourself?”
“Going home?” Scootaloo half asked, half answered.
“I can see that,” Rainbow Dash said flatly. “But why are you walking home alone? Why didn’t your parents come pick you up?”
The younger pegasus shrugged. “They don’t have to. I would be walking home either way, and it’s not like there’s anything dangerous in Ponyville...usually.”
Rainbow Dash couldn’t help but smirk. Ponyville had been known as a quiet town for years before Twilight had moved in. Since then it had experienced visits from Nightmare Moon and Discord, and Spike’s rampage added to the list. Still, it was mostly safe. Dangerous creatures mostly stayed confined in the Everfree Forest, the last creature to leave had been the Ursa Minor that Snips and Snails had agitated. Even diamond dogs didn’t dare attack Ponyville, as to not incur the wrath of the Royal Guard.
“Well, I guess,” the elder mare admitted. “Still, it isn’t fair you have to walk home alone. Want a lift?”
Scootaloo instantly brightened up. “Really? You’re going to take me flying?”
“Only if you hop on,” she smirked, motioning to her back. The filly needed no second bidding. In a flash she was up on her idol’s back with her forelegs around her neck.
“Hold on tight,” Rainbow Dash instructed, though it was largely unnecessary. With a few flaps of her wings the two were in the air, just over the rooftops. “Where do you live?” she asked. Scootaloo pointed in some vague direction, and the elder pegasus followed.
“You enjoy the wedding? Did you like being a flower filly?”
“You bet I did!” the foal said happily. Then she got defensive. “I mean, I didn’t like being frilly or nothing, but it was cool to be able to lead a princess down the aisle. I still hate...”
“Easy there,” Rainbow Dash laughed. “I’m not much for frilly things either, but I liked being a bridesmaid. Doesn’t make me any less tough.”
“Yeah, well...Cadence was nice. The real one I mean, not that big bug. I didn’t like her.”
“Can’t say I blame you, kid. She did kind of rub me the wrong way, even before she revealed herself.”
Scootaloo looked at her idol incredulously. “You told me to just take it because she was under a lot of stress.”
The cyan pony sighed. “Kid, I made a mistake. I forgot there’s a difference between something that’s understandable and something that’s acceptable.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well,” Rainbow Dash began, rubbing her head in thought. “Rarity once had us all help her get ready for a big fashion photographer visiting her. She was being short with all of us, but even while she was doing it, she knew how rude it was and apologized. The fake Cadence acted like she had every right to treat us that way. That’s what made it really wrong. Do you understand?”
Scootaloo nodded. “I think so. It’s okay to make mistakes as long as you admit to them?”
“Kind of,” the elder mare said. “Everypony makes mistakes. You’re only bad if you don’t admit to the mistake. Am I getting closer?”
“Yeah. It’s a little to the left,” the filly answered, allowing her mentor to adjust her flight path. “Well, is Twilight okay? I mean, you seemed worried about it last night?”
“You don’t have to worry, pipsqueak. We’re all friends again, plus Soarin’s going to come into town in a few weeks to take me out on a date.’
“He’s coming here?” she said excitedly, stars in her eyes. “You think I could get an autograph?”
“You could have gotten one last night if you hadn’t run off like that,” Rainbow Dash joked. Instantly she regretted saying this, because the foal perched on her back got quiet.
“I’m sure he’ll still give you one,” she reassured. “Anyway, can you see your house from here?”
Scootaloo silently pointed to a two-story house. Rainbow Dash landed and allowed her number one fan to climb down off her back.
“Look, squirt, I’ve got tomorrow off. How about we hang out a bit? That offer for flying lessons is still on the table.”
The orange filly stiffened. “Um…you don’t have to…”
“I know I don’t. I just want to help a super cool filly get even cooler. Besides, all my friends have to work tomorrow, I’ll have nothing to do.”
Scootaloo kicked the dirt. “Um…”
Rainbow Dash sighed. She knew the younger pegasus was looking for an excuse to say no. “Look, think about it will you?”
“Sure thing, Rainbow Dash,” Scootaloo nodded enthusiastically, glad the questioning was over.
“Well, I’ll be seeing you, pipsqueak,” the older mare said. With that she took off, leaving her number one fan alone.
Spike entered the library first, obediently pulling the wagon of Twilight’s things behind him. Twilight followed, glancing around the room as she entered.
“Well, it looks like Owlowiscious kept this place clean while we were gone,” she noted with approval. At that point, said owl swooped down from upstairs to greet his master. On his back was Pee Wee, who hopped down into Spike’s claws when the older bird flew over him.
“Hey there, kiddo,” the baby dragon nuzzled the phoenix affectionately. “Looks like he fed you alright too.” He got a happy chirp in response.
“So, how about you unpack while I make us some tea?” Twilight suggested.
Spike shifted uncomfortably. “Um, no thanks,” he muttered, placing his charge on his shoulder. “I mean, I’m not thirsty,” he said as he began unloading the wagon.
“Well, are you hungry? Applejack gave us some of the leftovers from the wedding, and I think there are still some of your gemstones in the pantry...”
“I ate on the train,” he said, more curtly than he intended.
Twilight sighed. “Fine,” she said, going into the kitchen to heat up some tea.
Spike quickly unpacked. He placed Twilight’s Best Mare dress in her dresser, and the books she had brought on her nightstand. He brought the leftover food into the kitchen, avoiding looking at Twilight the whole time. The unicorn only watched him with a sigh.
With everything packed away, Spike headed to the bedroom and grabbed Pee Wee’s nest, placing it in his basket. Carefully, making sure Twilight was distracted making herself a meal, he carried his bed into one of the other rooms in the library. After setting it up, he placed the nest on the windowsill. Then he quietly went back into the bedroom.
While only getting books every year had grown a bit stale, Spike had cherished each and every one of Twilight’s birthday gifts. He had read each tome cover to cover more than once, and he still enjoyed thumbing through them occasionally. Opening a chest at the end of Twilight’s bed, he pulled out his favorite in the collection, an anthology of heroic tales from ancient, pre-Celestia times.
Holding the volume under his arm, he began trotting back to the room he had left his basket in. He had almost reached it when Twilight called his name again. “Spike?”
He froze, turning around to greet his caretaker. “Yeah?”
“Spike… is everything alright?”
The baby dragon froze in horror, his eyes widening. “Of course, why wouldn’t they be?” he asked, a little too fast.
Twilight shook her head. “Don’t think I haven’t noticed,” she said. “You’ve been avoiding me since the wedding. Now what’s wrong?”
“It’s… nothing,” he said weakly.
“Spike, remember when Owlowiscious moved in? I told you then, you never have to lie to me. Now what is it?”
The young dragon shifted a bit. “Really, it’s nothing. I just…”
“Is it about not believing me about Cadence?”
Spike’s blood ran cold, or it would have, if he weren’t already cold-blooded. She knew.
Twilight gave a smile. “If that’s all it is, I told the others I could understand why they didn’t believe me. I’m not mad at you, okay?”
Now his eyes were watering. He turned away from her. “I know. I-I’m sorry I didn’t believe you.” He tried to keep his voice steady. He failed.
Twilight began wrapping his forelegs around him, but he quickly stepped away, to her surprise.
“Spike, what’s wrong?” she asked again.
“N-nothing,” he answered.
“Please, what is it?”
“Nothing!” Spike yelled, running into the safety of the room and shutting the door. Before Twilight could reach it, it was locked.
“Spike, please come out and talk to me,” she pleaded. She got no answer.
Mentally, she went through her options. It would be no challenge for her to unlock the door, but would it be wise? Should she continue to try and talk to him through the door? Should she wait for him to calm down?
She gave a resigned sigh. “When you’re ready to talk, I’ll listen.” Then she trotted away, leaving him alone.
She sighed as she reached the kitchen. Despite Spike’s insistence that he wasn’t hungry, she had set out a few gemstones for him to munch on while they talked. Shaking her head at the fact that they would go uneaten, she took her dandelion sandwich and went into the main reading area. She still had a promise to keep to Rainbow Dash.
Pinkie slowly walked through the door to Sugarcube Corner. Since the twins had been born, she had learned to enter quietly at after-hours, lest she stay up all night trying to get them back to sleep.
She carried her bags up the stairs, and saw that the quiet entrance was for nothing. Cup and Carrot Cake were in the nursery, playing with the still very much awake Pound and Pumpkin.
“I’m home!” she said happily, bouncing into the room. Almost immediately the infants gave squeals of delight as they reached over to their surrogate sister.
“Pinkie, you’re back,” Mrs. Cake said delightfully as Pinkie took the twins in her forelegs and began cradling them. “How was Canterlot?”
To their surprise, Pinkie didn’t go bouncing around, talking about how pretty the wedding was, or how exciting the reception was. She just gave a small smile. “It was nice,” she said.
The two bakers gave each other a glance before turning back to their foster daughter. “Pinkie, is everything alright?”
She stopped smiling. Her eyes drifted to the side before looking back at them. “I have something I need to tell you…”
Rarity calmly poured some of her leftover cider into two mugs. She normally served tea to guests, but she knew Applejack wasn’t the tea drinking sort, and she was already inconveniencing her enough asking her to come on such short notice.
“Alright, Rare, what’s this about? You tryin’ ta get me to take some of those lessons in money management again?”
“No, though I really wish you would…never mind, I want to talk to you about Twilight.”
The cowpony tilted her head. “What d’ya mean?”
Sitting at the table at last, she sighed. “It’s her tendency to… ‘flip out’, as it were. I wanted to talk to you about something we can do about it.”
Applejack arched an eyebrow. “Uh, Rare? You’re thinkin’ Twilight needs to stop freakin’ out?”
“Yes, yes, I know,” Rarity huffed. “I’m aware of the hypocrisy. But it’s different for Twilight. She’s the one in charge. We’ve never said it out loud, but you know as well as I do that whenever Princess Celestia sends us to do anything, we follow her. She needs to learn to keep a level head. Besides, you saw Twilight breaking up about it on the train. We cannot just let that go by unacknowledged.”
“I guess you’re right. But why couldn’t this wait ‘till tomorrow at breakfast?”
“Well, first off I wanted to keep this between just us for right now. Rainbow Dash has her hooves full worrying about Scootaloo, and you just know she’s going to ask Fluttershy and Pinkie to help her. Those three would have enough on their plate without this.”
“I guess that makes sense. Still don’t get why you couldn’t have talked to me tomorrow.”
Rarity sighed. “Because we can’t put this off any longer. We’ve known about Twilight’s problem for a while, and we’ve always treated it as a harmless little quirk. We simply cannot do that anymore. It nearly cost us dearly yesterday. I want us to come up with something now, and to begin on it tomorrow if possible.”
Applejack sighed. “I see your point. I guess we have kinda been passin’ that off as harmless. But do we need to do anything special? We could just put our hooves down the next time she starts frettin’ over somethin’.”
“That was our method at the wedding, and look what happened. We need to find some way to help her calm herself down whenever she gets upset.”
“I reckon you’re right. But what can we do about it?”
Rarity shook her head. “I’m not sure. That’s why we’re here. I was hoping you and I could brainstorm something up. Anything we can do to help her stay calm in the future would do wonders.”
Applejack sighed. “I guess that makes sense. I figure talking to Twilight about this tomorrow would be the best thing.”
“I would,” the unicorn agreed. “I would have her here tonight if she didn’t have Spike to worry about. Hopefully by tomorrow that will be cleared up. Until then, I’m simply hoping to find something we can start on.”
Well, here it is, the sequel is up. Let me know what you think of it please, any advice would do wonders.
First? And first viewer! Sweet!
I'll be sure to read this later.
I dunno, conspiring against Twi like that... doesn't seem like the best way to handle her problem. BTW, loved the first part and I can tell this is going to be just as good or maybe even better!
Interesting start, and well written. I just saw this one little thing;
“Well, is Twilight okay? I mean, you seemed worry about it last night?”
I'm looking forward to the next chapter
Oooh, goodie. Finally here...and well worth the wait. You're off to an excellent start setting things up and building on the loose ends that you left hanging in Post Nuptuals. This is gonna be a good read. I still love your characterizations of the cast--true to form, while at the same time expanding on it in ways that make sense.
Found a typo for ya!
"Still, Big Macintosh was there, ready to help her sister haul home the leftovers from the wedding. " <--should be his?
Looking forward to seeing where this goes!
OH god yes
This is looking really good, I look forward to more.
Also did you mean The two bakers gave each other a glance before turning back to their foster daughter. Instead of The two bakers glanced at each other a glance before turning back to their foster daughter.
This sequel is off to a great start. I like the tiny details you have added to each scene, it really adds to the level of immersion this story has. By picking up almost immediately after Post Nuptials you were able to segue nicely into this story and were able to bring immediate attention to the major plot points.
While bringing attention to them in the first chapter would likely be a mistake in most stories it works well in others, especially ones like this. If one were to pull that sort of stunt in an epic length story it would be a big mistake as most would likely forget about them quickly, but in a smaller story like this, and assuming that it is likely to stick at least somewhat close to PN in terms of formatting and chapter pacing, it should work out rather well.
Another point in this story's favor is that pretty much every plot point is character based, which adds a great deal of depth to the characters themselves and makes them feel more ... natural for lack of a better term. Furthermore at least two of the plot points, Pinkie and Scootaloo respectively, are very good opportunities for further world building.
I eagerly await the next chapter.
...[/verbose]
Woohoo! It's here! Been looking forward to this, was a bit concerned when I noticed that Soarin's tag wasn't there, but at least he was mentioned.
Inb4 featured.
Now lets delve into the goodness.....
I would so love to see this:
img.ponibooru.org/images/8a/8ae02ad480ed0633739dddaa2df780f0
This is a sequel to something? O.o
That explains a bit. I just caught one thing-
Shaking at the fact that
I think you mean shaking her head, but you may be right.
958989 We all would.
And of courser we all can't to see Pinkie Pie and Scootaloo deal with their personal demons.
959080
danbo.social-heartbeat.com/data/image/a28a05eccb5704f85f31a446e01851f8/delish%2010273%20(mlp)+scootaloo%20(mlp)%20abuse%20background%20bandage%20blood%20crying%20dash%20equine%20fear%20female%20horse%20pegasus%20plain%20pony%20rainbow%20scared%20scootabuse%20shadow%20solo%20t%20tsampikos.jpg
Just hope this isn't what's happening to Scoots...
959086 Scootabuse? Well let's hope not!
I am grinning so hard right now. Can't wait for next chapter!
So happy right now that the sequel has finally arrived.
First chapter was great. It set the tone and the different story-lines.
I eagerly await the next update.
The sequel is off to a great start. What will happen? Will they have to deal with the Changelings and Discord?
i saw this in the feature box and didn't even realize that it was a sequal to post nuptuals until i started reading. which by the way makes this 20% cooler
959086 if this does happen to be the case it will probably take and to keep from beating which ever pony is abusing to within an inch of their lives. and that is only if they dont know why RD is suddenly so violent
Awesome! I loved Post Nuptials and I'm really eager to see just where this story will go. I especially like the Rainbow Dash angle with Scootaloo and Soarin' from Post Nuptials. The Spike one is pretty deep.
Hm. I don't know why but something about Rarity's conversation with Applejack just doesn't sit right with me. Aside from going behind Twilight's back, it's RARITY commenting about how Twilight can overreact. Yeaaah. Wish I had an icon of a teapot and a kettle, both pitch black. Not that Twilight's...zealousness can't be a problem, it is. But that's not something you can fix short of time and effort. Therapy maybe...not that I think Twi is mentally unwell or anything, but talking about your problems really can do wonders for them. As it stands I feel like Rarity and AJ are looking for some quick fix, like--I don't know--deciding that they're going to try to hide or sugarcoat things in front of her to prevent a future freak out instead of just talking with her like mature, rational individuals. I love this story and I am really eager to see what you have in mind for this.
I like this so far. I'll be keeping an eye on it.
I liked this a lot. but why would Dash bring up her date next week so out of the blue?
The long awaited sequel to 'Post Nuptials.' I was so looking forward to this. BTW:
"Um, I better get home and make sure Derpy has taken good care of Angel and the others,” Fluttershy said.
Wasn't Derpy at the wedding?
I hope there is some Soarin' in this story. I love it so far.
SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I discovered Post Nupitals today and finished it in the same day. I checked your other stories, and was disappointed to see that there was no sequel. And what do I see in the featured box a few hours later? THE SEQUEL!!! Do you read my mind???
*Deep breaths* *Dies of joy*
sweet
A few typos, but overall an intriguing start that brings over several key points from the first story.
I'm liking where this story is going so far. The part with Pinkie kinda brings up a question that is a reference to PONY.MOV series: DID Pinkie Pie's father make her put glass in her vajay-jay?
Favourited before I even read the first chapter.
Was not disappointed, I'm looking forward to the next chapter with large amounts of enthusiasm.
Sequal! Awesome!
This is a good start!
However, while I can imagine that Rarity might be a bit self-blind and not saying something like "I have a tendency to overreact myself, but...", it feels weird that Applejack doesn't at least call out Rarity for being the bot that calls the kettle black, even if that would simply mean that Rarity explains how she feels her behaviour is different than Twilight's.
Yes! The sequel is up!
By the way, there's a missing word here:
Rainbow Dash sighed. She knew the younger pegasus was looking for an excuse to say no. “Look, think about will you?”
Featured already huh? That was appropriately quick for this story.
Seems good, I will read this later.
Looking forward to seeing where this goes!
As I see it, Twilight's problem is that she's compelled to solve problems that come to her attention, and cannot quit on them. (the only instances where she has quit actually reinforce this... The first was the "doozy" that Pinkie predicted, i.e. Something that she never would expect in a million years, and the second was the moment when Twilight betrayed her true nature as a result of Discord and turned grey, giving up on her friends.) When her every effort to solve a problem is inexplicably thwarted, then her frustration levels rise but she doesn't truly go crazy (see her efforts with Pinkie Sense and Parasprites). However, when her problem solving instinct is triggered and yet she cannot find the problem to act upon, that is when she becomes unhinged (Lesson Zero and It's About Time.)
She needs to plan out a course of action and act upon it, otherwise she can't cope. That's why she's awesome in a real crisis... She's hardwired to deal with them, and won't stop until it's dealt with. If she gets wound up without a problem to solve, however, then she has no release and meltdown occurs.
Seemingly up to the high standards you've set for yourself. I'll be interested in seeing where you take it... especially Twi/Spike's situation. My guess is that Spike saw how happy Cadenza and Shiny were, and now he wants Twilight to feel the same... to have the same in her life... something that she can't accomplish if she has a baby dragon draped over her all the time, so he's starting to distance himself.
Just my guess. Looking forward to where you go with it.
Soooo happy the sequel is up!
t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSGDAbW7Yb3Q-DnI0vmrom-4OxFJiD7U2K_sA4WNE3i7N-Nv_0DHw
Obligatory:
internetjedi.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/this_gon_b_gud_gif.gif
Great job so far, loved PN, excited for this!
At the moment I sadly don't know what advise to give you on your writing. I just know I love your characterizations, and form. I'll eagerly await the next chapter! Good start!
Panic Attack - Dream Theater
LOVED post nuptials, and loving this so far too!
Please update soon!
958781, 959443
They're not conspiring. They will be upfront with her about it, they're just discussing possibilities right now. They didn't let Twilight in on it at the moment because she's preoccupied with Spike and they're expecting that matter to be resolved by tomorrow.
958837, 958800, 958900, 960134
Thanks for catching that.
958916
Thanks for your thoughts.
959016
Yeah, I really should have had that in the description from the start.
959443
Your criticisms are noted on the hypocracy. However, they aren't looking for a quick fix. They're looking for a way to help Twilight control herself when she freaks out. The expressly avoid what would be a quick fix. I need to rewrite that scene.
959478
Because she knows Scoots would want to see him again.
959498
If she was, she was a background pony and it can really be ignored.
959874
No. This is an E rated story.
960338
Interesting analysis...I'll keep that in mind.
960436
Actually, Spike's reasons for feeling guilty were explained in my last story, Post Nuptials. He feels like mud because he betrayed someone he loved like a mother, and now he's afraid of telling Twilight he sees her as a mother. This is a sequel...probably should have made that clearer in the description.
Please sir, May I have some moar?
Oh yeah, been waiting eagerly for this and I was not disappointed.
Looking forward to chapter two!
SEQUEL TIME!!
And we're off to a good start. Foundations laid, and mysteries have begun...
Extremely happy to see that the promised (or alluded to?) sequel has made it up here, this is fantastic and it has been instantly favorited and tracked. Based on what I've seen thus far, I can say without fair certainty that this is going to be another fantastic piece of fanfiction.
I love it! Absolutly can not wait for the next chapter. I do hope it's up soon.
Strong start. Addressing all the important problems that the characters will face pretty early on. Looking forward to more. And dude, you deserve all the notifications and features.