> The Secret of Dusk Shine
>  by GigaDragonXV2
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Ch 1: The Blunder that Never Happened
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	The wind outside of the hospital was howling while the doctors were franticly scurrying in order to tend to a mare known as Twilight Velvet. The mare was dangerously close to giving birth and she had been rushed to the hospital as fast as a unicorn could teleport. The last time the mare was pregnant she had been rushed into a carriage and her first child Shining Armor was born on the way to the hospital.

The mare was known for a rather fast birthing after breaking her water and the teleport had saved time. The two stallions in the family waited outside for the mare inside the room to give birth to their new child. Unfortunately the doctor learned of the teleport and scolded them, Teleports during pregnancy were known to neuter or sometimes even turn a stallion foal into a mare.

Twilight Velvet’s husband, Night Light, was instantly worried about what he had done to his precious son. Shining Armor was just sitting there playing with his hooves while waiting for his new brother to arrive, being a child in a hospital was rather boring. Night Light who was visibly sweating bullets had thought of the name Twilight Sparkle as a last resort for what the teleport may have done to the unborn child.

He was in dire need of some type of distraction, anything was better than waiting for his wife to potentially kill him for the possible complications. Thankfully the doctor walked out of the room and motioned for him to go inside and check on his child. The purple unicorn that rested next to its mother was gently suckling on one of its hooves while Twilight Velvet signed a name on the birth certificate, a name the read Dusk Shine.


(_o_============================================_o_)


The world was a peculiar thing for the foal, nothing seemed to meet any of the foal’s predictions. Things that were solid seemed to move and bounce in the most spectacular of ways and he was definitely one to enjoy the show. Unfortunately his mother, or at least the creature he came from, wasn’t happy and tried to place the odd bits of stuff in the opening near his front end. Needless to say he wasn’t happy to have something placed there.

He decided to knock the solid thing that had once been full of the unfamiliar objects onto the solid surface below. The maternal creature did something odd and suddenly all of the objects that were knocked on the floor were floating. The young colt was confused and wondered if he or the other things could do that. His attempted flight ended rather unspectacularly and all he did was scoot the chair he was placed in.

The foal wasn’t happy and his mother was rather frazzled, she had been up most nights all week and needed a nap. The young foal who was starting to feel rather sluggish began to stretch his hooves towards his mother. She obliged and her baby colt floated through the air and into her expectant hooves. The young colt sighed and fell asleep while managing to spit up on his mother.

After settling down for the night Twilight Velvet had finally managed to get some sleep. Her mind was finally at ease and her thoughts were calm up until she heard a bang from Dusk’s room. When the startled mother entered the young colt’s room the foal just looked at her and smiled while the crib around him smoldered from the spell he had used to break free of his baby prison.

Twilight Velvet was not amused and picked up her son while he continued to try and grab things in his magic. The young colt had no idea what he was even doing, but turning his mother’s hair different colors was amusing him for the time being. His mother repaired the damage using a spell her mother had crafted for an occasion like this.

The young colt looked at the smoldering mass in amazement as it reformed into the crib that it used to be. Twilight Velvet then rocked her son back to sleep and placed him back in his crib. The little colts started to glow again, but a slight caress from his mother caused it to go away. After a quick glass of water the mare was ready to go back to sleep and she joined her husband in bed.

The next morning the mare awoke to the smell of burnt toast and alfalfa. Twilight Velvet groggily made her way into the disaster area that was the kitchen and nearly fainted. All of the food was burnt, Shining Armor was drawing on the wall again, and Dusk Shine was throwing the food everywhere and giggling at everything.

Nightlight was busy trying to put out the fire that he had caused in the sink and Twilight Velvet stopped Shining Armor from drawing anything else on the walls. Dusk Shine who was happily giggling began to morph the food that he was holding into pony like shapes. Unfortunately the one that looked like an alicorn was thrown onto Twilight Velvet, causing the mare to let off a magical surge that stopped everything around her.

Dusk Shine was the only one still moving and he was still giggling happily at the sight before him. His rather agitated mother, who now had pure magic flowing from her, was floating in the air with pure rage etched into her features. The young colt smiled at his mother and began babbling in baby talk that almost resembled mom.

The enraged unicorn calmed down and everything turned back to normal, but her husband wasn’t excited about his wife’s reaction. Later that evening the two ponies decided that Dusk Shine and Shining Armor were going to need a babysitter if the two parents were going to survive for much longer. The only pony that they had heard of that would be capable of taking care of the two was a young alicorn named Cadence.


	(_o_============================================_o_)


“But mom! If I don’t study to be a guard I won’t be able to meet Celestia!” A young Dusk Shine whined.

“Oh honey! I know how impressed you are by the princess of the Sun, but I’m not sure she would… uh… be happy knowing that a foal wasn’t playing with others in order to impress her.” Twilight Velvet said.

“I have friends! I just don’t want to go to some frilly mall meant for mares in order to hang out.”

“There are plenty of other places that you can go you know? In fact hoof-ball will help you become a guard by making you more fit.”

“Says you! Everywhere I go in Canterlot there are nothing, but frilly mare shops everywhere. Even the fields are like that! How they even managed to ruin a field with their mare-ness is unnatural! I just want to play a little ball now and then without there being something heart shaped within ten meters.”

“Your father told me this would happen. I just hoped this would come later.” The mare said while facing her son. 

“The princess is… well she’s a mare. She gets to say how Canterlot is set up in most cases, and she likes having this stuff around all of the time.”

“But the princess can’t expect the stallions under her to like that.”

“She is the princess, and nopony usually has the courage to say no to her.”

“Why?”

“Because she makes all of the rules! Now go play outside or something, I don’t want you having an empty childhood.”

“Alright mom.”

As soon as the young stallion had ran off the mare took in a deep breath and sighed. She hoped that stretching the truth was enough, but the young stallion was going to figure things out one day. The day that was going to happen was going to dreadfully close though, for Dusk Shine had been given admittance to take the entrance exam for Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorn’s or CSGU for short.

Later that night when Dusk Shine had fallen asleep after running around all day Twilight Velvet paced around nervously in the kitchen. Nightlight was there as well, drinking a cup of coffee that was as black as the starless night.

“Honey?” Twilight Velvet got out.

“Yes?”

“I think Dusk Shine needs a little push during the entrance exam.”

“What do you mean?”

“You know fully well what I mean!”

“Oh no! My son is not going in there pretending to be a mare!”

“Nightlight, honey. We both know how hard it was for you to get into that school. You were well qualified and it took your mother threatening to sue the school for them to let you in.”

“You’re being silly. Dusk Shine will get in with no problems. He’s got enough talent and raw potential to easily get in.”

“That’s not the point! That school, well any institution for that matter, will readily take a mare before a stallion any day. In fact that school turns down almost eighty-five percent of stallions that apply and they only turn down thirty percent of the mares that do.”

“Well, you ma-”

“And he will never be able to get alone unless a mare cosigns for him. He will never get into that school and you know it! They would never allow a young colt in there and Celestia is more than happy with this. Have you ever even wondered why all of Celestia’s personal students are mares?” Twilight Velvet interrupted.

“Wait a minute here! Are you accusing Celestia of promoting sexism?”

“Honey, we are all thinking it. I am just the one who says it like it is. It has always been better to be a mare than a stallion with the way policies are set up, and that will probably never change. Why do you think I make twice as many bits as you when I’m an author and an editor while you are the royal astronomer?”

“I guess you have a point there. I still don’t like the idea of having Dusk Shine pretend to be a filly at school.”

“Trust me. I hate it too, but we have no choice if we want him to have the future he desires. At least Shining Armor will be able to become a royal guard rather easily.”

“So how are we going to do it? Won’t they notice that a filly has a colt’s name?”

“Well… I already put down the name you had picked for the gender swap scare. They are already expecting a filly named Twilight Sparkle to be there. All we have to do is use that one suit of armor of Shining’s that will emit an illusion spell on the wearer. Of course the voice changing enchantment will have to be utilized as well.”

“But won’t Dusk and Shining be mad about this?”

“We’ll just have to tell Dusk it’s a game of pretend and clue him in later when he is old enough to understand. Shining is getting close enough to that age where he will be able to listen to reason and follow along, even if he has to lose a suit of armor.”

“I still don’t think that Dusk Shine will approve of this. He hates things that are too mare-ish.”

“He will go along with us if we are telling him that he is on a super-secret spy mission to learn what they teach him.”

“I just hope this works.”

The next few weeks went by rather quickly for the family and then everything seemed to grind to a halt the day that the CSGU entrance exam was to be administered. Dusk Shine, like Nightlight had expected, hadn’t wanted to look like a mare. The armor and spy stuff had managed to get him to go along with their plans though. After all armor and spy missions weren’t too far out of a stallion’s interests, even if they had to look like a mare.

Dusk Shine had passed all of his other tests rather spectacularly and the final test of hatching a dragon’s egg was wheeled in. The egg was more or less a farce that was to determine how much power the unicorn had. The egg was real, but very few unicorns that ever walked in were able to hatch one, as a result the egg wasn’t even a real test.

Dusk Shine who was currently disguised as a mare called Twilight Sparkle, poured as much energy as he could into the egg and failed at even causing it to wiggle. The defeated stallion was turning around dejectedly when what felt like an explosion went off somewhere outside. This startled the young stallion into over channeling all of his magic and hatching the egg, while morphing the baby dragon into a rather large monstrosity.

The young colt’s parents along with all of the watching professors were unceremoniously turned into potted plants while a storm of magic began to erupt through the building. The building itself was taking relatively no damage, except for the mutated dragon head poking out of the ceiling of the testing room, while the chaos inside of the room continued to escalate.

Outside of the school princess Celestia was enjoying a relatively peaceful stroll around the campus while an advisor went over a list of things that needed to be done. Celestia looked up at the sun that she controlled and briefly wished that something exciting would happen to her today. Almost as if summoned by Celestia’s wish an explosion of prismatic color went off in the distance while a magic storm was unleashed inside of the school.

Celestia happily left the rambling mare that was her current advisor and went to confront the source of the disturbance. When Celestia entered the room she was surprised to find a rather cute and panicky unicorn mare as the source of all that magic. She smiled at the sight and calmly walked over to the young mare and calmed her down. This mare, whoever she was, was going to do great things one day, maybe she would even prove that she deserved to be an alicorn princess.

The young mare accepted the ruler of Equestria’s offer to be her student. She even had the most wonderful name, Twilight Sparkle. Celestia was rather happy that she had found a student as talented as her and proceeded to give the young mare her first assignments. The two parents of the mare were just as excited, if not incredibly nervous, as their young daughter. That was until the mother walked up to the princess.

“Princess may I have a word with you?”

“Of course, all of my subjects may speak with me if they desire.”

“Good! Now I want you to promise me something.” The mare said while getting rather close to the princess, “I want you to protect our child, if there is so much as a hair out of place, either by your acts or somepony else’s, I will hunt you down and personally drag you to Tartarus. I don’t care if I have to break out of Tartarus after having been imprisoned there, I will find you and I will drag you through those gates myself! I won’t even let death stop me! GOT IT!”

The princess seemed rather shocked at the outburst, but she knew where she was coming from. A parent’s duty was to care for and protect their child and Celestia had an idea of how they generally acted. The princess nodded her head and spoke to the uptight parent.

“Don’t worry, I will not put your child in any harm.”

“AND!”

“I will not let others harm her.” 

Twilight Velvet seemed satisfied, but oddly vehement. The princess was confused to why the mare was acting so upset, but it wasn’t her job to interrogate her on the matter. She almost felt like asking the husband about her reaction, but Twilight Velvet stepped in front of him and gave the princess a death glare. The princess backed off and decided that her day had been a little too exciting before leaving to attend to her duties.

When Dusk Shine got home he quickly threw off all of the armor and was relieved when his cutie-mark, or emblem for a colt, was actually a dark blue starburst instead of an almost pinkish-purple one. The colt’s parents were a little surprised that the enchantment changed the color of their son’s mark, but the enchantment was designed to make all of his aspects feminine.

The happy couple waited until both of their sons were asleep to address the situation that they had just been thrust in.

“How are we going to keep up this charade with Celestia!? She’s an alicorn for crying out loud!” Nightlight said in a panic.

“I don’t know about you but this turned out better than I ever imagined.” Twilight Velvet said.

“Are you forgetting the alicorn of the sun is teaching our son!? There is no fooling her. She will find out and then our entire family will be exiled or worse!”

“Calm down. You’re overreacting. The enchantments in those suits were built to fool an alicorn like the Nightmare. Celestia has even admitted that she can’t tell if they have the suit on or not.”

“It makes me wonder why she still uses them then.”

“It’s in case the Nightmare returns and only Celestia’s soldiers get the armor.”

“Oh right. The prophesy. The thing that Starswirl wrote when he had a little too much to drink one night.”

“I’m surprised that you would openly diss one of the few unicorn stallions that were allowed to be put in the history books for being a great spell crafter. The prophesy will come true though, all of Starswirl’s prophesies have.”

“Let’s just hope this one’s wrong though.”


	(_o_============================================_o_)


	[Dusk Shine: Age 17]


“Spike! Spike!! SPIKE!!!” A rather feminine voice called out.

“Coming Twilight!” A young purple dragon spoke while running to his maternal figure’s assistance.

“Oh! There you are Spike! Do you have the books that I asked for?” The studious unicorn asked.

“Of course Twilight!” The young dragon said while handing over three thick tomes and a rather thin pamphlet.

“Also… Have you learned anything about Sunset Shimmer’s punishment?” The mare asked with a subtle blush coming on.

“Last I heard she’s started to do better in her studies and has started to learn a bit of patience. She was even allowed to have only two weeks of probationary grounding. I wonder what you said to her and Celestia that allowed them to move past it.”

“Oh Spike, she was just a little angry and unhappy. All she needed was proper motivation!”

“What kind of motivation Twi?”

“Oh! Uhm! I told her that if she tries really hard that she’ll get what she wants without risking being sent to the moon.” The young mare said with a blush returning to her features.

“Uh huh? Sometimes I don’t understand you Twilight. I almost feel like you’re hiding something sometimes. You raised me like a mother, but you constantly disappear whenever that Dusk Shine colt is around.” Spike gasped in realization, “You like Dusk Shine don’t you!”

“What! You know that he’s Sunset’s colt-friend. Even if I did want to date him it would never work out.” The mare said spastically.
“Why? You two seem like you would be perfect for each other, your cutie-marks are nearly identical as well.”

“Let’s just say I know more about him than you could imagine. Besides we are too closely related for it to be considered possible anyways. As for the cutie-mark, stallions prefer to call it an emblem, and more than one pony can have the same, or similar marks.”

“Is he like your cousin or something? Should I tell Sunset to stop dating him?”

“Sort of, and don’t you dare tell Sunset to stop dating him. I don’t want the moon thing to become a reality, for anypony involved.” The unicorn mare threatened in a lighthearted manner.

“Okay Twilight. Sorry for having intruded into personal matters.”

“Think nothing of it Spike! Now run along I think princess Celestia has some gems for you!”

The young dragon needed no more motivation than the promise of an expensive treat to get out of Twilight’s mane. The young mare sighed and removed the currently invisible helmet that was hiding her true form. After the helmet came off instead of Twilight Sparkle the most faithful student princess Celestia as ever had, there stood an armor clad Dusk Shine. The stallion that had won the heart of Sunset Shimmer and helped lead her down a brighter path.

The stallion sighed and looked at his reflection in the helmet. He had been living two lives for quite some time now and hiding it from everypony, except his parents and older brother, was stressful. Spike was starting to sound like he was getting suspicious, but he wasn’t the brightest when it came to things this complicated. The young dragon even thought that he might have had a love interest with his secret identity.

The real problem was Sunset Shimmer and Celestia. Sunset would have to know his secret eventually if they were to ever finalize their three year relationship. The problem was if she would be able to keep the secret, or accept that her colt-friend has been lying to the princess for almost seven years. The colt then realized that Sunset would probably laugh at the princess for having been tricked for so long and applaud him.

That only left Celestia then. Celestia was the worst of the two, a mare that had enough power to keep the planet rotating after Discord stopped the planet’s rotation using a giant fan. The princess, as far as Dusk shine was concerned, was a liar who pretended to move the sun and the moon. It took a bit of sneaking around with Sunset in order to get some dirt on Celestia, and the two had found out that the princess’s real talent was looking pretty.

The “solar” princess wasn’t technically evil by any standards, just not the most honest when it comes to talking about space or her own talent. At least the Nightmare before being banished had admitted that her talent was dream walking and not moving the moon or stars. Dusk Shine knew that if that mare, Celestia, ever found out about him, then his life was going to be ended right then and there.

The young colt wrapped up his studies and placed his helmet back on before trotting outside to go meet with his special somepony. The young mare known as Twilight Sparkle happily walked down the halls of the castle while occasionally stopping to say hello to a guard or two. After the castle was left behind the mare ducked behind a bush and removed the armor that she was wearing.

Dusk Shine made sure that his armor was teleported to his room back at his parent’s house. He once made the mistake of handing it to his brother and later found out about a rather confused mare that the guards thought would be called Gleaming Shield. Fortunately Shining Armor was able to get out of there before any of the guards could start asking questions while avoiding his mare-friend Cadence.

Sunset Shimmer was pacing in front of their usual meet up, a technique she used to help keep her patience when waiting. As soon as the colt arrived Sunset immediately perked up and cantered over towards him. 

“Hey, did Spike prove to be any trouble when Twilight told him that you saved me from Celestia’s wrath? Oh what am I talking about that little troglodyte is always a pain in the ass.”

“He means well though. He actually thought that Twilight and I have interests in each other. Which a notion that is utterly ridiculous.”

“Why is it so ridiculous? That mare has so much in common with you that sometimes I worry that she will take you from me.”

“Don’t worry, if we ever managed to date it would be considered incest? A thing that Twilight hates.”

“You’re related?” The mare asked in confusion.

“Yes and no. Uh consider it like being her half-brother, we are closely related, but we aren’t. It’s hard to explain, but trust me if you knew what I had to go through you might wind up killing the princess.”

“Just because you work in the guard doesn’t mean that she can make your life a living Tartarus. She shouldn’t yell at you for reading on the job when all you are doing is guarding Twilight.”

“Let’s not talk about that and go and have dinner. At least Twilight can have the princess lighten up on me a little.”

“Abusing the power and position of your relatives? I never expected that out of you, but something about rebellious colts has always tickled my fancy.” Sunset cooed.

“Twilight’s more than happy to help me out. Now did you remember your ID this time?”

“Yes don’t worry, those ass hats will let you in this time. Why an ID is needed to let a stallion come in with me is stupid, those fuckers should just let you in.”

“That’s not how it’s going to work. Now let’s just have a nice calm evening, and then we might be able to get some more dirt on Miss alicorn of looking good.”

Sunset immediately began smiling at the prospect of finding out more secrets involving the princess. The mare held almost no fear of the princess, something that Dusk Shine was desperately trying to fix before the mare managed to get herself banished. The progress was slow, but at the least the mare was learning not to piss off her superior, somewhat.

The couple was a rather unexpected match; although when you mix unrelenting arrogance and anger with humility, kindness, and an equally strong personality, love can bloom without burning out. They, in a way, completed each other. Not by being too similar, but by helping each other grow in the areas where they were the weakest and nurturing their partner’s growth.

Their growth did tend to cause their personalities to become more similar, but such is the consequence of love. Their lives had been in synch ever since their first accidental meeting. Dusk Shine was on a patrol and he happened to catch Sunset Shimmer sneaking around. Dusk Shine’s generosity with helping the mare to her quarters without revealing her led her to more intimate fantasies.

Sunset didn’t pride herself with her secret ideas of being a princess having a chivalrous knight woo her. She felt, and knew, that she was fantasizing about something so stereotypical that it was absolutely absurd. Her loneliness and arrogance fed her fantasies though, and Dusk Shine at the time made her feel like she was important enough to be escorted to her room.

Dusk Shine was truly the gentle-colt and Sunset made him the object of her fantasy. She thought that she was delusional at first, Dusk Shine would surely never be interested in a mare like her. She so secretly wished that she could live out her fantasies, even if it was only temporary. In her mind Dusk Shine was a stallion who would never bother with her.

Sunset Shimmer was wrong however, Dusk Shine knew from castle reports that Sunset had been getting in trouble with the princess. He knew that none of the other guards were particularly concerned with the lives of the few students Celestia had, why should they be? Dusk Shine who was secretly the princess’s most loyal student couldn’t stand to see a pony throw their education away like that though. So he made it his personal task to keep an eye on Sunset Shimmer.

The young mare was a whirlwind of trouble that seemed to take pleasure in annoying the guards and the princess. Dusk Shine kept an eye out for Sunset and helped keep her out of too much trouble. After a few years of keeping Sunset from destroying her career Dusk Shine began to feel impressed with the bold confidence the mare exuded. What he had once thought was her most annoying personality trait he began to find it almost endearing.

Dusk Shine wasn’t going to admit to falling for the spoiled brat though, she was utterly deplorable, but then why did he find her to be so cute? The thoughts were infuriating, he had his studies, he had his secret, he had Spike, and he had his guard position. There was no room to allow a cute mare into the picture, although his dreams and thoughts seemed to have other ideas. Why did he enjoy the company of a mare that was so… defiant and egotistical?

The months dragged on for Dusk Shine, and each day Sunset Shimmer seemed to get a little bit more attractive. The mare had taken notice of his actions to help her and she was realizing that her fantasy might actually come true. She had always found the guard to be attractive, but something about him was slowly imbedding itself into her heart. It almost felt like there was something else other than her in life that deserved the attention.

This went on until Dusk Shine turned fifteen. That was when he could no longer deny that he felt something for the mare that he had been shamelessly keeping out of trouble. His older brother was aware of his fancy for Sunset, and in fact he was the one that asked Dusk Shine if he was insane while simultaneously giving him the courage to ask the mare on a date. The stallion asked the mare if she was willing to date him, she was internally ecstatic and freaking out, and she calmly said yes before going on her way and screaming with filly-ish delight when he had left.

Tonight was officially the fourth month that the two had been seeing each other and they felt like there was nothing that could separate them. Dusk Shine was wanting to take things slow and make sure they would last. Sunset was willing to oblige as long as they were in a relationship with each other. In a way they both knew that that would turn out just fine.

The dinner was at a romantic venue known as Fleur de la Mare. Sunset’s romantic notions of chivalry wouldn’t allow her to choose a place of lesser romantic qualities. The first course of their meal consisted of a light salad for the appetizer, something that Sunset ate in one bite. The next course consisted of soup and bread, with a cheese platter. Each course was exquisite in its own way, and something that their royal allowances were going to pay for. 

After the meal they went to a rather romantic venue in the park. The concert was being played by a new and upcoming cellist known only as Octavia Philharmonica. The mare played beautifully and absolutely stunned the crowd with her playing. The mellow tunes she played caused the crowd to drift in its tune and revel in the beauty of the night they were experiencing.

The tunes of the cellist flowed and wound its way through the crowd, bringing them to a state of mellow bliss. The tune was one of being lost in the darkness of the Nighmare’s night, and finding solace in the prospect that the sun would rise. The tune wasn’t a somber dirge, but a rather mellow and flowing tide of growing hope and looking for the light. The song ended on a high note with the sun returning and the fall of the Nightmare, it was a gleam of hope for when all was lost.


	(_o_============================================_o_)


	[Dusk Shine: age 18]


“Spike!”

“Yes Twilight!?”

“Get me the book on the Nightmare Moon prophesies.”

“You mean that stupid fairytale that you read to me every night when I was younger?” Spike replied while fetching the book.

“You didn’t like it?” Twilight said inquisitively.

“I liked it until I heard it for the ninetieth time, then it got really old. I could probably tell you the whole tale word for word.” The dragon said while handing the book to Twilight.

“Thanks Spike, I don’t know what I would do without you.”

“Apparently you would marry Sunset Shimmer.”

“What gives you that Idea?”

“Nothing. Just the fact that you are wearing the horn ring that she gave Dusk Shine when he proposed.”

Twilight looked up at her horn and sure enough the ring was there, a proud symbol of the love Dusk Shine Shared for Sunset Shimmer. He had completely forgotten to remove it before putting on his disguise, and now Spike had noticed. The stallion pretending to be a mare racked his brain for a solution and found one. Sometimes being Sunset’s colt-friend proved to be handy.

“Oh this thing? Silly Spike, this isn’t Dusk’s engagement ring. I just felt that maybe a ring on my horn would be something that would look nice.” The mare lied while placing an illusion on the ring that changed its design.

“Oh! I guess it isn’t Dusk’s ring. Funny, it looked just like it from here.”

“Well you can’t just assume things, now aw FU—dge.” Twilight yelled while catching herself in front of Spike.

“Um Twilight? What has you so upset that you are screaming about fudge again? What do you have against fudge anyways?”

“I don’t have anything against the desert, in fact it is quite delicious. I’m using it as a substitute for a different word that you shouldn’t be hearing. As for Why I‘m screaming, it’s because Nighmare Moon is coming back tonight! Now Spike take a letter…… Did you get all of that Spike?” Twilight said while placing the ring into small satchel that was hidden by the armor.

“Uh yeah hold on, what does the evocation of inappropriate non-consensually engaged procreation mean?”

“Uh don’t worry about what it means, the princess will understand it.”

Spike wasn’t one to question his mother and mentor, she was the creature that had raised him. He was smart for his age to be sure, but sometimes he wasn’t the sharpest knife in the drawer, something that Twilight thanks the stars for. The letter vanished in a puff of dragon fire and its response returned in much the same way. Twilight eagerly grabbed the scroll and began to read its contents, her face growing grimmer with each passage.

“Spike?”

“Yes Twilight?”

“Pack my things, I’m not going to be available for a while.” The mare said while walking out of her room.

The mare eagerly ran through the halls in order to find Sunset Shimmer. The mare was probably in the study that she was assigned to and Twilight was afraid of what the letter had told her. She continued to gallop along ignoring the complaints of the guards and found her lover’s chambers. The mare removed the helmet revealing the stallion underneath.

Sunset Shimmer was busy reading about equestrian history and the great famine that swept the land long ago when the para-sprites first emerged. She wasn’t the keenest on history, but it also tended to help teach you how to not get banished. The sun was filtering in through a window higher up her room causing the dust to be visible. Her studious reading was interrupted by the melodious voice of her stallion.

“Sunset I need to tell you something.” The stallion said sadly.

“You’re not wearing your ring! Are you breaking up with me!?” The mare began to sob.

“What! No! I forgot I removed it to keep up the disguise when Spike left.”

“What disguise? Are you sneaking around without me? Please don’t get fired, this is the only way to keep you around the castle.”

“Sort of. Do you remember Twilight Sparkle?”

“Yes. What about her?”

“She doesn’t exist.” The stallion said in a hurried fashion.

“What do you mean? Of course she exists.”

“She’s a lie. My parents enchanted a set of armor so that I could be the princess’s student. In fact it’s the armor I’m wearing right now.”

“Then why don’t you look like Twilight then huh?”

“I have to be wearing the helmet for the illusion to work. My parents also made sure that only the unicorn wearing the armor was able to remove it.”

“Show me.”

“If there is no other way.” Dusk Shine sighed.

Dusk Shine replaced the helmet and Sunset watched in fascination as her colt friend turned into Twilight Sparkle. She examined the disguise while looking him up and down. She noted that the proportions were right and even the very small amount of perfume that Twilight had on was there. Sunset looked like she was somewhere between shocked and absolutely ecstatic.

“You have managed to pull the biggest trick on Celestia ever! This is amazing. My soon to be husband is a spy on a mission to be the princess’s student. Now I know why you were reading on almost all of your shifts, and why you two were never in the same room. Although… Oh Dusk Shine! If you ascend she’ll find out!”

“What do you mean?”

“Well… I found this book that she has about ascension and only females are able to ascend and become an alicorn.”

“What!?”

“Yep, it goes on to say that if a stallion ascends they become something called a Draconiquess. Which can take on the form of a male alicorn, and is technically one. The only known Draconiquess is Discord, and nopony knows who or what he was like originally.”

“Well nopony knows how to ascend except maybe Celestia and Cadence, now please listen to me I have bad news!”

“I’m listening.”

“This is the letter that the princess sent me earlier today. Dear Twilight Sparkle, I assure you that your fears are misplaced. Nightmare Moon is but a mare’s tail, nothing worth worrying over. Now I feel that you have been socially stunted from my intense study requirements, a notion that is only compounded by the fact that you have no interactions with other ponies other than Spike, Sunset Shimmer, and myself. I am also aware that you have been seen sneaking around Canterlot and am quite peeved that you would get into sexual mischief when you fail to make any lasting impressions on ponies and vice versa. I may be jumping to conclusions with that last part, but I fear for your health. A young unicorn who has had no relationships at your age has surely started to have your mind warped by sexual perversion.  Trust me, it happens all of the time. You will not believe some of the things that I’ve seen my students get into. I have also noticed that you have taken on some of Sunset’s bad habits, mainly sneaking around and finding trouble. And if you actually thought I wouldn’t notice your increase in arrogance and flat out abuse of your position to help your guard Dusk Shine then you were clearly mistaken. As a result I am officially appointing you to be Ponyville’s Representative of the Day Court and you will be seeing to the preparations of the festivities since the library is out of commission. The house of the representative has been prepared for you so you should find the place to be quite orderly. My appearance there should help calm down some of the more unhappy earthponies that don’t appreciate alicorn rule. As for the sex life of others I advise that you stay out of them and please make some friends while you are at Ponyville. Sincerely, your Mentor Princess Celestia Equestris.”

“How dare she take you away from me!? I will march right up to that fat oaf and give her a piece of my mind!”

“Sunset calm down. Maybe the princess will let you stay in Ponyville with me. There must be a place there that she can put you.”

“Are you kidding!? That place is where Celestia banishes the annoying and arrogant ponies so that they never get a chance to get a higher position.”

“Well, maybe…”

“She might let Dusk Shine, aka Twilight Sparkle, stay there. She kind of has no choice on whether or not you follow yourself. Me staying here is mandatory in a way, but I’m stuck here without you.” Sunset said while remembering her princess trapped in the castle fantasy.

“I’m sure that she will let you visit Dusk Shine, well… me actually, but are you sure there is no way that you will be allowed to go to Ponyville with me?” Dusk Shine said while removing his helmet.

“I’m certain. Celestia is afraid of what I’ll do if left out of her sight for too long.”

“Indeed, I am. Now I won’t enquire into the conversation that led to that snippet about me that I overheard, such things are better left closed among lovers, but I do wonder why Sunset is so upset.” Celestia said while approaching from the other end of the hall.

“How much of that did you hear?” Dusk Shine asked while visibly sweating.

“Only Sunset’s last reply, now why is she so upset.”

“Well Dusk Shine has to go with Twilight and I won’t be able to see him.” Sunset replied while looking heartbroken.

“I see. Separating engaged lovers always leaves a bad taste in your mouth afterword. The consequences are even worse sometimes. Now I must inquire as to why he must follow Twilight to Ponyville.”

“My family has me set up as her personal guard your majesty. Protecting my sister is my duty.”

“Surely your family can find another soldier to relieve you of your duty. Your presence has kept mischief to a minimum, although your brother also helps a lot with that, being the captain of the guard after all. Now if you don’t mind my other student has packing to do.”

“NO! I mean… My family only trusts me with Twilight’s safety, they won’t allow another pony to be her main guard. Even Twilight won’t let me go. Maybe there’s a way to let Sunset come with me.”

“She will be visiting on weekends only, every other time Sunset has to stay here. Now I have duties that I must deal with. Preparing for the celebration has left me very busy.” The alicorn said coldly while trotting off to a different part of the castle.

“Bitch.” Sunset said under her breath.


	(_o_============================================_o_)


Twilight Sparkle was utterly and undoubtedly bored during her flight to Ponyville. Spike was enjoying the view and trying to strike up a conversation, but Twilight wasn’t listening to him. She was too busy thinking about her mare-friend and what she needed to do at Ponyville. 

“Twilight! Hey Twilight we’re here.” The young dragon said while pointing at the first town to show up.

“Silly Spike, you don’t know if that’s Ponyville or not.” The mare chirped.

“It is.” Said one of the Pegasus guards pulling the chariot.

“So Twilight are you gonna’ answer my question?” The young dragon asked.

“What question Spike?”

“You know. The one that I ask all of the time.”

“Oh! No Spike I don’t have any interest in dating a stallion right now.” The mare said while being agitated.

“Aw! But Sunset seems so happy with Dusk Shine, and I thought that maybe if you had a colt-friend then you’d let me eat more ice-cream.” The dragon said sheepishly.

Twilight had to fight back the urge to laugh, oh how oblivious and in the dark Spike truly was. Twilight sometimes worried about his mental health at times, but he was contending against one of the most brilliant minds in Equestria. Twilight knew that bragging in public generally garnered hatred or annoyed the populace, but that didn’t mean that she couldn’t brag in her mind. She knew for a fact that Celestia’s younger sister was the only one who even got close to invading minds.

“Poor, poor, dumb Spike, I really should teach him more.” The mare thought, “Although, he might figure things out if he gets any smarter. He already has suspicions and I already know for a fact that he can’t keep a secret. Oh Spike! What am I going to do with you?”
	
> Ch 2: Ponyville's a Nightmare with Pinkie Around Pt.1
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	After the duo of dragon and unicorn landed the mare looked around and took in a good look of her surroundings. The buildings were simplistic and built more for purpose than look. The roads showed no signs of ever having anything but dirt as a building material and even the town hall was devoid of such pleasantries. It was to be expected in an earthpony town after all.

The house of the representative was right near the town hall, and had a small garden in front of it. There was a plaque on the door that bore the full title of the pony residing there. Twilight didn’t really care about the plaque, it was just a sign to point out that she lived there. What she really wanted to know is if there was any form of a book shelf within the residence.

The inside of the building was a simple affair that consisted of mostly bare necessities. The living room had a small couch and a single nightstand with a small enchanted crystal perched upon it that would glow when fed energy. The kitchen was small and contained the basic appliances that would normally grace an equestrian kitchen.

There was a staircase that up to a second floor, the rooms were adorned in order to accommodate the residencies inhabitants for the night. Spike picked out the room closest to the stairs and eagerly placed all of his things within the room. Twilight wandered around until she found a private study. 

The room was fairly large for the size of the building and contained a desk with several quills already prepared. Behind the desk the wall was lined with rows of book shelves. Twilight smiled a little bit, but was disappointed that the collection wasn’t larger. Her disappointment only increased when she realized that there were two book cases dedicated to housing the equestrian legal code.

Being a royal guard and having trained at the barracks the mare had already memorized every scrap of boring literature. Sometimes she thought that Celestia liked to laugh at her guards when tasked with completing the feat. She didn’t hate the legal code, just the fact that it was probably the driest text to ever exist, and the fact that it was about a subject that only caused ponies to bitch about it.

The books could be kept as a reference, but they were going to seeing very little use. She perused the other books seeing familiar titles. Many of them were classics like Sleeping alicorn, or The Ballad of the Seaponies. One unusual one caught her attention, the title was too worn to read, but the story was legible. After reading the book for a little bit she threw it on the table and went to go unpack her things.

While preparing her bed Twilight realized that, even though she was now out of Celestia’s immediate gaze, she was now more prone to be caught by Spike. She briefly remembered the book she had looked at and about the stallion that went to joust a windmill. She felt like that stallion’s eminent embarrassment was a happier fate than hers at the moment.

After their rather hasty packing the duo went out into the town to visit the ponies that were delegated to be preparing the festival. On the way to one of the most distant parts of town, Sweet Apple Acres, the mare ran into an energetic pink pony. The pony looked at her, but seemed confused in a way. She almost seemed to be examining Twilight as if to find what lay within before she gasped and ran off.

“Well that was odd.” Spike said.

“We’ll worry about that later Spike. We need to see how the preparations are going.”

The pair made their way to Sweet Apple Acres and were greeted by an orange farm pony. The mare was the epitome of farmpony beauty from a platonic point of view of course. Her bright green eyes complimented the color of her coat and her mane was a nice blond that accentuated her body. Upon her well-toned flank was a cutie-mark that consisted of three apples.

“Uhm… mam are ya alright? Ya seem to be eying me a might bit more than ah appreciate.”

“What!? Oh. Sorry. My name is Twilight Sparkle and I’m here to oversee the preparations for the Summer Sun Celebration.”

“Ya are? But Pinkie Pie said some stallion named Dusk Shine was overlookin’ the preparations. Although she did say he was going around lookin’ like a mare.”

“I’m sorry, but your friend must be mistaken. Dusk Shine is my guard and he certainly does not go around looking like a mare.”

“Well ah’ll be. Pinkie’s never been wrong before, ah guess there’s a time fer everythin’. Now how bout’ ya’ll come an’ join us? Ya’ll are just in time for the Apple Family reunion!” The mare said while the rest of her family seemed to materialize out of thin air.

“Oh no I couldn’t possibly. I just came here to see if the food was ready and I really must be going. You know, busy planning the festival and all.”

“You’re not even gonna’ stay for brunch?” A small filly with a bow on said to the mare while hitting her with the most heart melting gaze anypony has ever seen and survived.

“W-well maybe I can stay for a little bit as long as I leave with enough time to overlook the rest of the preparations.”

The crowd of ponies let out a big cheer and began introducing themselves and feeding the mare the apple dish that went with their names, while Spike greedily devoured any food that happened to land on his plate. After having went through about half of the family the mare was beginning to feel rather stuffed, but the food kept coming. She thanked the stars when the end finally arrived and the apple mare’s immediate family was introduced.

“Now last but not least, is Granny Smith.”

“Huh? Wazzat? Ya callin’ my name when ah’m ah takin’ my nap again girl?”

“Sorry Granny, I know how much ya naps mean ta ya, but we’ve got a guest.” 

“It’s alright girl, now who is this fella’ over here? Seams might strange for a stallion ta go ‘round as a mare.”

“This is Twilight Sparkle. Now ah’m sorry Granny, but there was a mix up with what Pinkie done told us when she came by here.”

“The pink one was here? Naw. Ah can smell the musk on ‘im. Nice strong boy, tryin’ to cover it all up with that fancy magic and perfume. Seems might strange if ya’ll ask me.”

“Ya are just gitttin old. Ya nose aint what it used to be.”

“Ah assures ya that there is a stallion. Back in my day they ah could outsmell a bloodhound. The pink candy mare was right an ah aint gonna’ call her a liar.”

“Well I’ll just be going. I’m so sorry about the confusion with your granny and thank you for the hospitality. I really appreciate it. Spike we’re leaving.” The mare said with sweat dripping off of her.

“Aw! But I just got seconds!”

“Take with you Spike we have to go check on the weather manager.”

“Oh all right.” The dragon grumbled.

When the duo arrived at the main square where the weather pony was supposed to be they noticed a rather large number of clouds floating around. In fact there were hundreds of them floating about. Twilight heaved a sigh and felt her overstuffed stomach lurch for a moment.

“I thought there was supposed to be a pony taking care of the clouds!” The mare seethed.

“Um Twilight are you okay? You seem a little… green.”

“I’ll be fine Spike. I just need to have a word with the lazy pony who isn’t doing their work.”

“Hey! Who are you calling lazy!” A cyan Pegasus said while reclining on a cloud.

“Are you the one who is supposed to be taking care of these clouds?”

“Why would you care?”

“I care because I’m overseeing the preparations for the festival.”

“Who cares about the festival? All that’s going to happen is that big alicorn is going to come here and try and get us to act like she’s the best thing in the world. Which is totally untrue.”

“Well you still need to clear these clouds.”

“Make me!” The mare threw back.

“Hm… Well I guess I’ll just leave then, surely the laziest Pegasus in all of Equestria has this handled. I just hope the princess will understand when her display is obstructed.” Twilight said while hoping her ploy worked.

“Hey! I can clear this entire sky in ten seconds flat if I wanted to.”

“Prove it.”

“Alright I will!”

The mare zoomed through the sky bucking the clouds into oblivion and easily clearing the sky. The mare seemed to enjoy herself a little too much, but maybe Twilight was just seeing things. The mare landed in front of Twilight, water droplets dripping off of her mane from a stray rain cloud that had floated in. The wet mane clinging to her body set off the multiple colors that made up her mane and fur.

The mare’s deep violet eyes were gleaming gems set in a body of sky blue. Her athletic figure completely accentuating the rest of her beauty. Twilight shook her head to remove any treacherous thoughts. Stupid traitorous flesh, I should really look up those spells that shut off your libido.

“Hey, you okay? You kind of spaced out there for a minute.”

“What! Oh I’m fine. Thank you for clearing the sky miss…”

“Rainbow Dash. The most awesome mare to have ever lived and future Wonderbolt.”

“Right… Well I’m Twilight Sparkle and I’ll be sure to put a good word in for you to the princess.”

“You will! Oh my, gosh! That would be so awesome! The princess’s approval will undoubtedly get me a spot in the Wonderbolts! Thank you Twilight!” The mare said while proceeding to crush Twilight’s spine in a hug.

“No problem. Can’t breathe.” The mare gasped.

“Oh sorry! Hey sorry about all of that shit I gave you earlier. You are totally cool in my books.”

“It was no trouble at all!”

“Well since I got you all wet with that hug and all how about I give you a Rainbow Dash style tornado drying.”

“Oh that really isn’t necessary.” Twilight said while backing up.

Rainbow Dash didn’t pay any attention and began to rapidly fly in circles around the unicorn. The unicorn found it hard to breathe as all of the air was violently sucked out of the small prismatic funnel she was in. Thankfully it only lasted for a few seconds and the mare was sent tumbling to the ground in a dizzy heap. The cyan mare named Rainbow Dash looked at her and began laughing while pounding the ground with her fore-hooves.

“Oh my, gosh! You look like a circus clown!” The cyan mare said while gasping for breath in between her bouts of laughter.

“Oh my, gosh you totally do Twilight!” Spike said while bursting into laughter as well.

“Come on Spike we need to get going. We have to check on the decorations next.” The mare said while dragging the young dragon to the place where the decorations were supposed to be.

The mare found the decorations to be quite extravagant and everything was done up in gold. Twilight knew that Celestia would have it no other way. Knowing what might happen next the mare remembered to cast a very weak spell that was designed to keep lust from building up quickly. The mare continued to examine the fine golds reds and purples that adorned the decorations.

The only thing missing from all of these royal colors was silver. It was something Celestia refused to look at and anything silvery was usually bronzed or gilded before being distributed. She had ponies believe that silver reminded her of her sister that had been banished, but Twilight suspected a different motive.

“She’s beautiful.” Spike said dreamily.

“Yeah the decorations are quite pretty.”

“Not the decorations, her.” Spike said while pointing at a white unicorn mare.

The mare’s form was quite alluring even with the lust reduction spell on. The mare was a creamy white with a cutie-mark composed of three diamonds. Her body flowed sinuously, it was rounded, but in a way that resembled being pleasantly plump instead of overweight. Her mane and tail were an alluring shade of dark purple that curled into bouncy spirals.

The mare’s eyes were an icy blue that almost felt like they could pierce your soul and Spike was falling head over hooves for her. Twilight ignored him, someday he would need to know that ponies didn’t stick around for millennia like dragons did. For now though Twilight would spare him his innocence. The dark day when his longevity was going to be revealed had to wait until he was at an age where he would be able to cope.

“I really enjoy your decorations mam. I’m absolutely sure that the princess will love it.”

“Well thank you dearie, but…Ah! What happened to your mane!?” The marshmallow said while pointing at Twilight’s mane.
“Oh! Rainbow Dash…”

“Uht! Say no more. That mare is incapable of understanding fashion. My real question dearie, is why you let her even get near your mane.”

“Well I didn’t exactly let her.”

“I see. I will be needing to have a talk with Miss Rainbow Dash. Now let’s see what I can do about your mane darling.” The marshmallow said while leading them out of the building and to her boutique.

The Building was an odd design to Twilight. It was round and resembled a carousel with a small flag proudly flitting on top of a small pole that was attached to the roof. Of the few out of place buildings within the town this was definitely one of them. On the inside mannequins were strewn about with dresses on them.

Spike followed the two unicorns oblivious to his surroundings. The poor drake was utterly infatuated with the young unicorn mare and following them in a daze. Unfortunately he didn’t realize that he had the door shut on him and was just pushing against the door now, bringing him out of his dazed state and back into reality.

“So darling, I’m aware that you are close to the princess after your revelation of being her personal protégé. So what’s she like.”

“I’m sure you don’t want my opinion. You would probably think I’m crazy.”

“Nothing you could ever say about the princess is too crazy dear.”

“I don’t like her.”

Rarity nearly hit the floor when the words escaped the purple unicorn’s mouth. Apparently Rarity wasn’t expecting that kind of reveal, why would she? The white unicorn returned to standing on all fours and looked at Twilight like she had just grown a second head.

“You can’t be serious!”

“I’m not lying.”

“B-b-but she’s the princess! Everypony likes her!”

“You obviously don’t know her personally. Most of her students aren’t too fond of her.”

“Whatever for?”

“She’s a royal prick. The only pony that is worse is Prince Blueblood and at least he’s trying to get better about it.” The mare said as if stating a fact of life.

“Oh… alright.” The mare mumbled in a disheartened manner.

“What? Is something wrong?”

“Well I was hoping that Prince Blueblood would make me his princess.”

“You do realize that his name is Prince right? He’s actually a Duke I think.”

“Well he is still considered the most handsome colt in all of Canterlot. If what you said is true then I was being quite a silly filly.”

“Cheer up Rarity! There’s sompony out there that you are bound to fall in love with. Prince Blueblood just isn’t somepony I could see you getting along with.”

“Alright dear, now let’s get back to fixing that mane.”

Rarity perked up while working on Twilight’s mane, and even seemed to start humming a little tune while doing it. After her mane was fixed Rarity wanted to start outfitting Twilight with dresses, but the mare promptly refused. Rarity looked like she would cry again, but after a brief lie about a traumatic event involving wearing a dress the mare relented. When Twilight opened the door Spike was standing outside after having looking rather peeved after having been left outside.

The two made their way over to their final destination. The mare that they were tasked with meeting was known as Fluttershy, and she was in charge of the music. The young mare was tending to a group of birds on an intricate perch set up for them to perform on. She seemed to be having a little trouble with one of them however.

“I’m so sorry Mr. Sparrow, but you were a little flat. Let’s try again and see if we can improve our performance before the princess arrives.”

“Well I though they sounded lovely.” Twilight said causing the butter yellow mare to spaz out for a minute.

“Oh. I’m sorry. I didn’t expect anypony to be listening.” The mare said while retreating behind her pink mane.

“Well I’m Twilight Sparkle, I’m here to check on how your preparations for the celebration are going.”

“Oh. I thought a handsome stallion named Dusk Shine was going to be checking on me. Pinkie Pie usually isn’t wrong about these things.” The mare said sheepishly.

“We’ll I’m afraid that she’s confused me for my personal guard that is currently out right now. Do you mind telling me your name?”

“I’m Fluttershy” The mare squeaked while hiding more of her face with her mane.

“I’m sorry I didn’t quite get that.”

“OH MY GOODNESS IS THAT A BABY DRAGON!” The mare screamed so loud that Celestia would probably be lodging a complaint.

“Yep that’s me. I’m Spike by the way, Twilight’s number one assistant and relationship advisor.”

“Spike!!” Twilight screamed in agitation while trying to get the ringing in her ears to stop.

“Oh. That sounds lovely. What else can you tell me about yourself?”

“I can tell you all about me while we walk to the house of the representative.”

“Oh, alright.” The mare said while they began to make their journey back to the house of the representative. 

On their way back Spike made sure to tell Fluttershy every embarrassing thing that the unicorn has ever done while recounting his entire life. The young Pegasus seemed almost concerned with the diet Spike had and the way he was treated. He wasn’t treated badly, in fact he was indulged in quite often. Something that made the mare a little wary of the young drake’s physical wellbeing.

When the two returned to the residency the lights were out and the door was unlocked. When the two entered the lights came on and several ponies jumped out and yelled surprise while a cascade of balloons, streamers, and confetti fell from the ceiling. On the wall there hung a banner that said, Welcome Dusk Shine the stallion pretending to be a mare.

Twilight’s color drained from her body as she looked at that sign, but Fluttershy began to start giggling. The mare seemed to find something funny about all of this and twilight wasn’t sure she liked that fact. Her fears calmed down when the Pegasus started speaking to the crowd.

“Sorry everypony. It looks like Pinkie made a mistake. This is Twilight Sparkle and her guard Dusk Shine is currently out right now. I hope that’s alright.”

The crowd nodded accepting the mare’s story especially when Twilight and a few of the other mares that she met that day confirmed it. The mare they called Pinkie Pie didn’t seem too ecstatic when the reveal was covered up. Twilight was busy getting a glass of punch when the pink mare walked over to her.

“Hey Dusky enjoying the party? Oops! You probably don’t want me calling you that if you convinced ponies that I made a mistake. I’m Pinkie by the way!” The mare said while shaking Twilight’s hoof.

“Thanks for being so understanding.”

“Of course! This wouldn’t be a Pinkie party if the guest of honor wasn’t happy! Now I made sure to invite Cheerilee, the school teacher, to the party.”

“Alright…I’m not sure why I should care about that.”

“She’s going to bear an element of harmony, I’m thinking it might be laughter…although it could be loyalty...Hmm…and Generostiy and Kindness are so similar they can be confused for each other…why is it called the element of magic anyway? Sure friendship is magic, but magic isn’t an aspect of friendship nor does it make sense for it to be included…I think the element of Faith would be a better name, like how I decided that chimmy-cherry-chunga should be just cherry-chunga. What do you think though…?” 

“Uh…cherry-chunga is a little easier to say.”

“I thought so! Now how about another one hm…”

“Pinkie please! I really need to talk to Cheerilee if she is going to be the bearer of laughter.”

“Okie dokie lokie!”The pink party pony said before hopping away into the mass of ponies at the party.

Twilight was highly unnerved by the pink party pony. Somehow she knew the secret, and it wasn’t some bloodhound type nose doing the work either. Sure the armor could mask smells, but after sweating all day some of the smell gets through. Pinkie had no reason to think that Twilight was Dusk Shine or vice versa.

Twilight caught sight of the pink pony only once more during the duration of the party. The mare seemed to be avoiding Twilight for the moment, and Twilight was relieved for the most part. That pink pony had an unnatural air about her, and her aura… was hard to describe in normal words. It felt almost like going in to smell a common flower and instead tasting the color yellow.

Spike was having a fun time at least. That would be if he was able to stop ogling the pony named Rarity that had joined the party. Fluttershy was keeping a close eye on the young drake, and when he began to fall asleep the yellow mare took him and placed him in his room. A benefit of telling a random mare that you just met the exact layout of your house, if there were any.

Cheerilee turned out to be quite a nice pony and, admittedly, quite buzzed when she was talked to. Apparently being the second teacher in all of Ponyville put a lot of stress on her. Being the sister of the local bar tender didn’t help either, but at least she never went overboard…or it could possibly be that she has a really strong tolerance.

The two talked for a while and Twilight even found out that Cheerilee had daughter. Cheerilee didn’t say too much about her child other than that she was the sweetest Pegasus to ever live. Unlike the rest of her siblings Cheerilee’s special talent didn’t involve alcohol, although Pinkie did say she was school teacher.

The rest of the ponies Twilight met earlier today had all happened to show up as well and had talked about getting to know her better. Although after Twilight had left Sweet Apple acres Granny Smith had made a fuss again, and Rarity apparently broke down when she was finally alone. The rest didn’t seem too bothered by anything except for Dash who couldn’t wait for Twilight to recommend her to the princess.
When the party finally began to die down Twilight snuck away from the party and grabbed a small crystal that could send energy to its twin. The crystal wasn’t particularly useful, but it made a great communication device when just talking. Twilight used her magic to send a pinging noise through the crystal, and moments later Sunset was answering.

“Hey how’s Ponyville? I hope the dirt roads there aren’t getting too much mud on you.”

“It’s… fine.” Twilight said while removing her helmet, revealing Dusk Shine.

“What’s wrong? Did somepony drop your books in a puddle again? I told you to look up that weather proofing spell.”

“No… It’s just that, the ponies here are nice, but one of them is…going to be problematic.”

“Just tell them you’re taken, and that your mare-friend will kill them if they even try to have their way with you.”

“It’s not that kind of problem. The ponies just don’t seem to like me too much.”

“What do you mean?”

“They were nice to me, but something just doesn’t feel right. Apple Jack was really nice, but she forced food down my throat and I caused her to argue with her granny…twice. Rainbow Dash liked me, but only because I gave her something in return. I broke Rarity for a moment, and I was almost afraid that she would start crying when I made her depressed, then she broke down later. It feels like Pinkie should be nice too, but… she knows who I am and is flaunting it about…although she may not be intentionally trying to destroy my life. At least Fluttershy seemed really nice. She was a little skittish when I met her, and she only acted kind towards me. She was the only one that I felt good about other than Cheerilee.”

“You’re over thinking things again. I seriously doubt that they care about any of that, so grow some balls. Pinkie is your problem, not the others.”

“But they all want to be my friends. They were all at this party and they started talking about how they wanted to be around me more often, and it just doesn’t feel right. What if they hate me for what I did?”

“Listen Dusk Shine, honey. Calm down, when you get worked up you stop making sense. Now you can’t just let your conscience bitch slap you over something so pointless. Just round them up, say you’re sorry for having possibly caused trouble and move on. Pinkie is the real threat to your existence right now, so shape up and stay safe for me.”

“Thanks Sunny. You’re right, those ponies have probably forgotten that by now. The important thing to worry about right now is Pinkie Pie and figuring out how to stop the Nightmare.”

“Oh about that. I found out something about the Nightmare that will come in handy…”

“Sunset! You are supposed to be studying not chatting with you colt-friend! I will be confiscating this crystal until your work is done!” Celesia’s voice echoed through the crystal before the transmission was disrupted.

“Well fuck you too Celestia.” Dusk Shine said under his breath while putting the crystal away.

With her helmet placed back on her head Twilight walked back down to the party to find that most of her guests had started to wander over to the festival being held outside. Pinkie seemed to be in a fit of rage, while the rest of the mares that Twilight had ran into were just mulling about. Fluttershy seemed to be pacing and Rarity was starting to look rather nervous. Apple Jack and Rainbow Dash were the only two of the five that seemed to be acting normal.

“Well, since you’re all here. I am sorry for any trouble I may have caused you.”

“What? Are ya still upset about granny? I told ya ah don’t mind. She’s just old an’ cranky.” Apple Jack said in response.

“I’ve got nothing to complain about.” Said Rainbow Dash.

“If this is about Blueblood darling, then I must be thanking you. It turns out that I found a few nobles who were hoping to see the princess and they confirmed your story about him when I asked. I can’t believe that a pony that I just met saved me from that disaster of a stallion.” Rarity added.

“You were a little scary at first, but I really like you now. Also, make sure Spike gets a bit more Topaz in his diet. His wings need that if they are to form. He also seems to be quartz deficient as well.” Fluttershy said while everypony in the room turned to face her.

“How the hay do you know about a dragon’s diet.” Rainbow Dash asked.

“Oh, um… a momma dragon once told me about this when her little baby was hurt. She took the poor thing to me because she had overheard some of the animals talking about my skills. It was scary.”

“Well, I can honestly say I really don’t have anything to be too upset about Dusk Shine!”

“Sugar cube we told ya that was a mistake. Dusk Shine is Twilight’s guard.”

“Okay!” Pinkie said.

“And I just met you and you already seem like a perfectly nice young mare.” Cheerilee added.

“How are you not drunk right now?” Rarity asked Cheerilee.

“Alcohol tolerance is one of the many perks of being an earthpony.” Cheerilee said missing the sudden twitch Rarity developed when she said that.

“Well everypony you better get to the Town hall if you want to get there in time! I know I’ll be there! I also made a pinkie promise to a special somepony to help hold down the fort and keep ponies from panicking. Although they did tell me to try avoiding breaking the fourth wall around you guys for now. Well that and showing you my Pinkie sense. Also congratulations on being the bearers of the elements of harmony!” Pinkie said while bounding out the door. 

“Wait I don’t understand! What’s a Pinkie promise? What’s Pinkie sense and the fourth wall?” Twilight asked.

“A Pinkie Promise is a promise that is impossible to break without Pinkie knowing about it. It’s also pretty much the equivalent of a blood oath. You’re going to want to forget about the rest of those questions though. Trust me. I’ve known Pinkie for a long time and thinking about the fourth wall or Pinkie sense will drive you to insanity.” Dash said.

“So she’s bound by honor and blood to do exactly what the promise says…? I just hope she doesn’t get hurt eventually.” Fluttershy stated.

“So what are the elements of harmony? Sounds pretty lame if you ask me.” Dash asked.

“They are the only weapon capable of defeating the Nightmare and they are located in the castle of the two sisters within the Everfree forest. The forest is one of the few places that recovered after the reign of Discord.” Twilight stated.

“Ah don’t know what you mean about recovered. That place aint natural. The plants grow.” Apple Jack stated

“Animals care for themselves.” Fluttershy whispered.

“And the clouds move.” Rainbow Dash added.

“All on their own!” The three said at once.

“So. It was like that everywhere before Discord broke the planet. The sun and moon didn’t even need to be forced to do anything either.”

“What are ya gonna’ tell us next? That the world is round.”

“If only you knew.” The mare said while trotting outside.


(_o_============================================_o_)


Cheerilee was busy enjoying the festival after having followed Pinkie outside. It was one of the many days that the mare looked forward to other than Nightmare Night. She was hoping to get a glimpse of the sun princess before the night ended. Last year the mare had travelled to Canterlot and the other ponies there had obstructed her view and she only saw the princess’s wings.

Tonight was going to be different, she felt it deep within her gut. The mare had managed to find a spot within town hall where she would be able to get a decent view of the princess. Suddenly a chill went down the mare’s spine as if something terrible had just happened, and as soon as that feeling had appeared it disappeared and left her with an oddly nauseating sense of being sober, which was quite strange…maybe her buzz was magically removed again, it had been done before at similar events…stupid buzzkill unicorns.

Cheerilee wasn’t exactly sure how much longer the princess was going to wait until her arrival. It should be soon though. The moon was just begging to touch the horizon a few moments ago. Pinkie reappeared and plopped herself down next to Cheerilee and somehow managed to get her to Pinkie promise to go Twilight sparkle into the Everfree if something bad happened. This was probably because Cheerilee didn’t quite believe what they had all been briefed on.

When all of the stray ponies had gathered within the now cramped building Mayor Mare started giving a speech on how Celestia is the deity that brings night and day to the world. Twilight had heard the tale told several times and tuned it out until the reveal of the princess was called out.


“I now present to you, the bringer of the morning star and the shepherd of the moon. Princess Celestia Equestris.”

The entire crowd gasped in shock when the curtain revealed nothing. That really caught Twilight’s attention, especially since the princess wouldn’t pass up an opportunity to get her picture taken. Then an earie voice echoed through the minds of all the ponies present within the building while a dark pulsating mist began to flow into the spot Celestia would have taken.

“Why hello my loyal subjects. The bringer of the night has returned and we are ready to take our rightful throne!” The voice said while condensing into a solid black alicorn wearing steel armor.

The alicorn gazed down upon the crowd and noticed shock and confusion more than the adoration that was expected. Surely they remembered who they were, unless their foul sister had swayed their minds. Mortals had the lifespan of flies compared to an immortal giving Celestia plenty of time to manipulate them. Although there were the legends that Starswirl had written, something that Celestia would never destroy.

“Do you not recall the legends? Surely one of you knows who I am.”

“You’re the mare in the moon Nightmare Moon!” Twilight answered.

“WHAT!! THAT FOUL SUN PRINCESS HAS RISEN AGAINST ME FOR THE LAST TIME! I AM NO MARE! I AM NIGHTMARE NEBULA THE RIGHTFUL KING OF EQUESTRIA!” The dark alicorn bellowed in a voice that shook the foundations of the building.

“Seize her! I mean him! Only he knows where the princess is!” rarity shouted while guards raced up to meet the alicorn.

What the guards thought they were going to do up against a being with the power of a demigod was unknown. The two guards charged the alicorn with spears lowered only for them to be blown to splinters by the dark beings magic. The guard kept running at him though hoping to at least distract the creature. Their attempts were foolish though and they ended up being launched into the waiting crowd below.

“Remember this night my children, for it will be the last born of the sun.” The creature laughed while turning into vapor and flowing out into the darkness of the night.


	(_o_============================================_o_)


When the specter had left the building chaos erupted among the ponies within as they began to run outside screaming. Cheerilee was busy following Twilight Sparkle who had made her way to the edge of the Everfree with four other mares. The group stopped at the edge of the forest and Twilight turned around to address the group.

“Now before any of us go into the forest to stop the Nightmare… I need to address all of you on the situation.”

“Ooh! I love addresses! Without them I would never know where to send my invitations.” Pinkie said while showing up out of nowhere.

“That mare just don’t know when to quit do she?” Apple Jack said in agitation.

“Pinkie…please go home and fulfill your promise.” Rainbow Dash said.

“Oops! I nearly forgot that I wasn’t a bearer! Sorry I’ll be going to calm everypony down now.” Pinkie said while vanishing in a puff of smoke.

“Well okay then. Now, no matter what, we must stick together and locate the castle of the two sisters and use the element of harmony to banish the Nightmare to the moon. It may be tough, and it is definitely going to be dangerous! That doesn’t matter though, what matters is rising against this monster and defending what we believe in. Through our bonds of comradeship we will prevail or have our names remembered as heroes for trying. Now who’s with me!?” Twilight said to the group.

“Uhm… Twilight. Has anypony ever told you that you sound like a soldier at times?” Fluttershy said.

“You bet I’m with you!” Rainbow Dash said.

“Ah’m ready to go.” Apple Jack added.

“I really don’t have a choice, but I’d be happy to help.” Said Cheerilee.

“But, It’s so filthy in there. Isn’t there another way to do this?” Rarity said causing the other ponies to give her a glare.

“Oh all right. Although I’ll definitely need a bath later.”


	(_o_============================================_o_)


The forest was a dismal place where all of the trees grew in closely spaced clumps. The trees were twisted and gnarled giving them an atmosphere of wrongness that pervaded the forest. The shadows within the forest seemed to pulse and whisper on the winds of a time long forgotten. The plants that dotted the barely visible path to the castle twisted and writhed as if they were trying to break free of the soil.

Fluttershy was the one pony who was the most afraid of what lay in the darkness outside of the path. The whispers were getting louder in her ears as tales of sorrow started to bleed into her mind. The others were starting to feel the effects too, but Cheerilee looked unaffected. Then the world around them morphed and convulsed while taking on the appearance of a classroom.

All of the other ponies that were with them were sitting at desks while Cheerilee was at the front of the room. Fluttershy looked around and found that Dash had fallen asleep at her desk and Twilight was writing so fast the paper was on fire. Apple Jack was sitting on a stool with a Dunce cap on while rarity seemed to be drawing in her notebook.

The paper in front of Fluttershy went in to excruciating detail about how she was the weakest flier at the academy. Cheerilee just smiled at all of her students while droning on about griffin and pony relations and about how hippogriffs can be sired from the two. The class went on for an eternity and the subjects stacked onto each other with no hope for respite. Cheerilee was oblivious to how many subjects she was covering or the sheer boredom her students were facing.

Cheerilee looked out at her class and she felt sad in a way. Nopony was listening, and Twilight didn’t seem to be looking too pleased either. The notes she was writing were nothing more than illegible scribbles that bore more of a resemblance to a foal’s doodling. Cheerilee knew just how to make things livelier, and she was going to suggest something they could do until a dark whisper tugged at her mind.

“They won’t listen. Look at them. Over half of them aren’t even listening and one of them is asleep. Just go outside and have a little fun on your own. I’m sure they won’t mind.”

“Huh? That makes no sense. Why would I leave in the middle of a lesson?”

“What purpose is teaching if the students refuse to learn? Just outside that door are rooms filled with eager minds just hoping to have your words grace their ears. To listen to your honey like voice when expounding upon the intricacies of the world. They want you my dear, they need you.”

“But… what about them?” Cheerilee said while gesturing at the ponies within the room.

“Let them do as they wish. They will just move on and find something else that their interest yearns for. All you have to do is step through that door and everything will be fine.”

“But they look so bored.”

“Like I said they will find something else that suits their fancy.”

The words of the whisper washed through Cheerilee’s mind and ate away at it like acid. It wasn’t lying, but something felt off about it. The ponies within the room were miserable and Fluttershy had started crying. Outside of the door Cheerilee could see the faces of foals and full grown ponies alike wishing for her to speak to them. 

Maybe a little bit of time away won’t hurt. The mare thought while walking into the large lecture hall that awaited her.

Cheerilee talked nonstop for hours watching the ponies before her eat every word that she spoke. They loved her and they kept demanding more from her. The mare wasn’t going to say no to them, it was good to have them listen to her and enjoy it. Then her mind began to wonder back to the five that she had left behind and began to wonder about how they were doing.

She looked back through the door to see them in the same state they were previously. It bugged her to know that they weren’t happy, but the crowd kept her there with their desire to learn from her. Maybe the ponies in the other room would enjoy something fun too. The mare excused herself for a restroom break and began to head back to the other room.

“Where are you going!?” A black alicorn in the crowd yelled at her.

“I’m going to have fun with my friends.” Cheerilee said while walking into the other room.

Cheerilee walked into the room and promptly slammed the door shut on the alicorn that was charging at her. She scanned the room looking at all of the ponies present and an idea came to her. She faintly registered a thud as the door disappeared leaving a blank wall where it once stood.

“Everypony may I have your attention! We are going to be having a little Hearth’s Warming Eve Party! Now do all of you have something that you want to add to it?” The mare said while the room suddenly had the wintery decorations on the wall.

“Ah don’t think this is any better.” Said Apple Jack whose Dunce cap had turned into a small pine tree growing out of her head.

“Well I think it kind of suits you.” Said Fluttershy while giggling a little.

“Thanks ah appreciate it.” Apple Jack said sarcastically.

“Now miss Rarity what is it that you wish to do.”

“Well, my sister does enjoy the paper snowflakes that we make each year.”

“Excellent! All of you can find your supplies up here and after you’re done we can start with the food and music.”

All of the ponies within the room started making the paper snowflakes and even Rainbow Dash had gotten in on it when they woke her up. The music and food was the best you could expect at a school’s party, but it was still fun anyways. The ponies laughing and having a good time warmed Cheerilee’s heart. Then she heard a sound similar to that of an enraged beast as the world began to fade away.


	(_o_============================================_o_)


Fluttershy felt content with herself. The whole world was under her dominion and everything was so nice. The ponies that came in to greet her were always so respectful and they loved how she handled things. It was so nice that everypony loved her, and all of the animals that she wished for them to help care for.

She could see her foals running around and they were so happy. They enjoyed her world as much as she did. The Pegasus looked down at her belly and the foal that would soon come into the world. Then she looked over to her husband, and smiled at the stallion that had been wed to her.

The Nightmare had been a creature of particular kindness to the mare and had given the world to her. After the old rule was destroyed they were allowed to make a world in which everypony was happy and cared for. Although her friends in the dungeon weighed on her mind quite frequently.

They were the only ponies to defy her and as a result they had been imprisoned. She never saw them anymore. Why would she want to visit the only ponies that denied her happiness? She was much better off now and so many more ponies were happy now.

She retired with the Nightmare when the sun began to dip below the horizon. Their bedroom was a large circular room that was draped in the finest of silks. The bed was a large one built for extreme comfort and it felt like sleeping in heaven when laying upon it. Her husband had already crawled in bed and went to sleep.

I am truly happy. The mare thought before letting sleep take her.

The next few centuries blew by like they didn’t exist and Fluttershy loved her life. Sure it was boring at times, but that’s what the court jester and going into the town and experiencing the shows were for. The food was always amazing and she never got tired of it. Her husband loved her and she felt complete.

Then something unexpected happened that neither of the two rulers predicted. Cheerilee had escaped from the dungeon and was pleading for forgiveness from the rulers. Fluttershy was feeling conflicted. They had tried to hurt her, but surely they had served their time by now. The Nightmare wasn’t so conflicted and insisted on her going back to imprisonment.

“Please! Spare me!”

“Why should we? You have betrayed my love, and myself. Surely you wish for us to pardon you only so you can destroy us when we aren’t looking.”

“B-but… Maybe we could let them go?”

“Do you want to risk it? She could be lying to you. Don’t you remember the siege she waged against us with her friends and the horror they wrought. Do you want to risk setting that loose upon the world again.”

“N-No! They might hurt my babies! Guards lock her away!”

“Yes my liege.” The guards said in response.

“No! Fluttershy! You have to wake up! This isn’t real!”

“Liar! You just want to harm us! Now go back from whence you came foul demon and never darken our halls again!”

“Th-thank you Nightmare. May we never see her again?”

“It is for the best darling.”

“Oh, yes. I see.” The mare said while the Nightmare embraced her.


	(_o_============================================_o_)


Rarity found herself in the most peculiar situation. Ponies were lining up outside for her fabulous new designs, and yet she didn’t have to lift a hoof. Her little sister was doing most of the sales while her friends were eagerly making her designs. It was a delightful turn of events if not uncanny.

The voice had insisted that she accept their help and what a delightful turn of events came from it. She was famous, well cared for, and quite…bored really. Her only job was to design the clothes that she used to slave over making. She felt like she was almost useless at this point.

She could hear the whispers again as they neared her. She wondered what it would say this time. It was surely here to remove the dreadful feeling of boredom and uselessness. So she waited for it to arrive.

“Are we enjoying ourselves Rarity?”

“No actually… I’m sorry to say this darling, but I feel quite useless and boredom has set in.”

“Hmm… I see. Well maybe a different venue would be more to your liking?”

“What do you mean?”

“Imagine designing clothing for the most prestigious clothing company in Equestria. You would be needed. Their demands for designs change daily and you would be fulfilled. You already have the fame required all you have to do is go through this door and everything will be perfect.”

“What about the others? They look rather winded.”

“They will be fine. If they tire they can just stop, and gather nourishment as they please. They will be happy for you and I’m sure they will be fine for the time being. Think of all the gifts you could bring to the world.”

“I suppose that you are quite right. Now let’s see what awaits us.” The mare said while stepping through the door.

Rarity found herself standing in the most prestigious building in Canterlot dedicated to fashion. She found her design table to be quite orderly and amply supplied to her needs along with a few mannequins. There was a single sewing machine and all of the fabric she could ever use. It was a little too sterile for her liking, but that was the reason accessories existed.

She worked tirelessly feeling none of the fatigue she probably should have been. Things felt strange, but she didn’t question it. Ponies all over the world were enjoying her gifts. Still something felt off about all of this. Was this guilt that she was feeling? Preposterous!

The mare knew her friends were alright, and that they could stop working anytime they wanted. Although she never did tell them that they could stop working. Would they continue on even when she had already left? Maybe a quick peek wouldn’t hurt.

“Miss rarity I do hope that you are not going to forestall our latest client by leaving.” A black alicorn in a business suit said to her.

“I’m terribly sorry boss, but I just need to go check on something that I’ve forgotten.”

“Surely it can wait a bit longer. This is our last client after all now that the princess wishes for you to be her personal dress maker.”

“That sounds absolutely divine. Just let me go get a few things and I’ll be right there.” The mare said while exiting through the door and going back into the boutique.

The door behind the mare vanished, and she was greeted with the sight of her friends still slaving over outfits. Ponies around her were hoping for a little something that they could get. Rarity was suddenly flooded by a wave of guilt. Had she really just ignored the suffering of her friends and others?

The mare quickly announced that there would be a large break before anything continued. The crowd groaned in annoyance, but Rarity wasn’t going to let them bowl her over. Filthy Rich had once told her that letting a crowd overtake you was bad for business, and this was one of those times where the crowd had to be silenced. She shooed out the other ponies and looked at her friends and her younger sister.

She eagerly let them rest and prepared as much food and drink as they could withstand and then some. She then proceeded to give them her hard earned bits as payment for their work. Something about all of this felt oddly generous as the world around her began to disappear.

“Good. They are not incompetent. Now it’s time to really make things hard for the others. Poor Rainbow Dash is going to have a Hell of a time!” The Nightmare’s voice echoed in the dreamscape
	
> Ch 3: Ponyville's a Nighmare with Pinkie Around Pt.2
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Light was filtering in through Rainbow Dash’s bedroom window. Her saddlebags were packed and ready to go. She looked at a picture of her family that was sitting on the nearby dresser and let a few tears come to her eyes.

“Don’t worry guys. I’ll make you proud.”

The mare left her house and took to the air, a sensation that at other times would leave her overjoyed now felt melancholy. The nightmare had returned and the princess had drafted every pony deemed capable. Rainbow Dash was the only one out of the other five in her group that was deemed war material other than Apple Jack.

Her friends were waiting for her at the train station in Ponyville. They looked at her and she knew that they were going to try and force her to stay. She didn’t look at them, they had already tried as hard as they could with pleading for her not to go. Nopony had a choice in the matter though, and she had to go no matter what.

“Rainbow you can’t go. What about the rest of us? We need you Rainbow Dash. Can’t you just work on Apple Jack’s farm to supply food to the soldiers instead?” Twilight pleaded.

“I’ve made my choice guys. I am going to fight in this war and there is nothing you can say to stop me.” The mare said before turning to face the train.

She gave them heartfelt goodbyes and climbed into the train that housed the other soldiers. She looked outside and noticed that Fluttershy was no longer looking at the train. The other soldiers gave her nods in her direction while she placed her things in the rack above her seat. This ride was going to take her out past Canterlot and up near the mountains in the north where the Nightmare’s forces were gathering.

She could feel the tense atmosphere as they approached the mountain range. The armor that Rainbow Dash was wearing was a little too big for her and chafed in all of the wrong places. In the distance she could see the moon rising behind the mountains. She could make out several thousand tiny dots arranging themselves in the distance, but they were too far away to have any distinguishable features.

Adrenalin began to pump into Dash’s veins as the battlefield came into view. Her heart dropped into the pit of her stomach at the sight of the forces she was going up against. Several thousand bat ponies were engaged with Celestia’s soldiers. Nightmare was overlooking the field and smiled as the fresh meat arrived.

Rainbow Dash was given her sword and blades were equipped to her wings in preparation for the battle that lay ahead. She gulped and nearly vomited when she noticed all of the blood and dead bodies ahead. Nightmare looked down at her and beckoned the new faces to enter the fray and dare to defy him. This was going to be a fight that Rainbow Dash wasn’t going to want to enter, yet something within her begged for the fight.


[Warning: light gore ahead]


Rainbow felt the surge of adrenalin again and she charged mercilessly into the fray along with the rest of her companions. The bat-ponies rushed up to meet them and blood instantly began to spray into the air. The ponies around Rainbow Dash were finding the bat-ponies to be formidable foes, but Rainbow Dash wasn’t having as much trouble.

She threw her wings out to their full span and sliced all of the bat-ponies before her into ribbons. She swung the blade in her mouth just as another one leapt at her and she plunged the blade into its throat while getting sprayed with blood. Her balance remained stable while she fought enemies in the air while on the ground. She was happy that the horse shoes that she was wearing were specially modified to be similar to a cleat, and could be used as both a stabilizer and a weapon.

She began to bash the heads of the ponies in front of her in with incredible speed, and took off into the air in order to take down some of the flying bat-ponies. She uppercut the first bat-pony in front of her with bone crushing speed sending shards of bone into the pony’s brain. Then she swerved and sliced another bat-ponies head off with the blades equipped to her wings.

A bat-pony tried to land on her in midair and stab her in the throat, but the mare spun around and pushed the pony away while ripping off a bit of skin. Rainbow then swerved around the bat-pony when it came in for another strike and sliced its wings off sending it to the hard ground below. The screams of ponies rang out around her, but she was a warrior bent on doing her duty, and that duty was defending her country.

A bat-pony came down and tried to attack Rainbow Dash from above, but he underestimated the mare and wound up having her sword plunge into its soft belly. Blood and small amounts of gore rained down on those below the two ponies in the air. The bat-ponies in the surrounding area began to swarm around the mare while trying to remove the threat she posed.

Rainbow Dash looked at the approaching bat-ponies and flew down towards the ground while picking up speed. The sound barrier began to vibrate and hum around the young mare trying to stop her, but she pushed through and performed a Sonic Rainboom that sent out a shock wave that pushed back any nearby bat-ponies.

The Nightmare looked down on the battle and began to get worried at the sight of the Rainboom. Only the great commander Hurricane was capable of performing it back when the three tribes were still settling feuds over territory with the nearby Griffin Kingdoms. It was a weapon of great destruction depending on how it was used, and that cyan Pegasus wasn’t likely to pass up the chance to use it as one in the middle of a fight.

Rainbow Dash swerved up into the air and began to rotate like a drill on her descending dive into the groups of bat-ponies that lay below. Her innate Pegasus magic flowed from within her causing the air around her to form a deadly cyclone capable of ripping ponies apart.  The bat-ponies were easily disposed of as the mare flew through their ranks.

The battle raged on for centuries as rainbow Dash butchered any bat-pony that came close enough. Brains and internal organs were splattered all over the mare as she continued to fight for her homeland. The Nightmare was thankful that in the land of dreams he had an infinite number of soldiers because Rainbow Dash like commander Hurricane was an unstoppable force of destruction in the field of battle.

Rainbow continued to fight and even grabbed one of the bat-ponies and ripped its wings off with her bare hooves before letting it fall to its death. The Nightmare was starting to feel uneasy about this situation. He had made sure that the ponies within the dreamscape had their realistic abilities in order to avoid an advantage, but the bat-ponies had been boosted by the Nightmare’s power.

Eventually even the infinite tide of bat-ponies began to dwindle until only one remained. Rainbow Dash went up to it and sliced its jaws off with one of her bladed wings causing the pony to drop its only weapon. Then the mare sliced the creature open from up between its legs, eliciting a high pitched squeal from the poor creature. Its other limbs were quickly hacked off and soon its belly was ripped open and left to fall onto the field.

Nightmare just hovered in the sky trying to discern whether or not this mare was capable of existing. Rainbow Dash advanced on the black alicorn giving no head to the stares her comrades gave her. The Nightmare awaited her approaching form, hoping that the mare could give him some answers.

“Very well done. Commander Hurricane is the only Pegasus warrior that even comes close to matching your skills. Are you related to the mare by any chance?”

“Taste steel demon!” The mare said while charging at the Nightmare.

“I should have known that a warrior would not talk to an enemy in battle. Especially one as powerful as myself.”

The Nightmare was quick to attack and blew the mare into the distance with a fireball. Rainbow Dash twisted in the air putting out any fires on her fur and flew after the beast that had singed her coat. The Nightmare watched her while flinging fireballs with deadly accuracy at the approaching mare. Rainbow Dash swerved and rolled through the air around the flaming orbs while expertly changing her thrust based on the heated air currents.

The Nightmare grew frustrated and threw arcs of lightning at the mare knowing that they would home in on her. The Pegasus mare smiled and reached into her internal Pegasus magic and collected the charged bolts within her wings before letting loose deadly blades of lightning at her foe. The Nightmare reeled at the unexpected blows that ripped at his body, thankfully an alicorn was capable of taking more damage than a normal pony before death was eminent.

The ground tried to rush up and swat the cyan mare out of the sky, but the mare easily dodged the pillars of rock in her advances. The Nightmare attempted to use lightning against the mare, but she redirected it with her Pegasus magic and aimed it back at the Nightmare. She was coming in hot on her approach, all of the Nightmare’s attacks being either dodged or deflected.

The Nightmare called upon the very ground itself in an attempt to end the mare. Rainbow Dash may not have been capable of using the ground trying to crush her to her advantage, but she wasn’t one to sit still long enough for a blow like that to land. She swerved through the field of convulsing rock and flew out above the grips of the land below.

The Nightmare hadn’t realized that Rainbow Dash was above the ground because of the obstructing nature of the spell, and Rainbow Dash knew that was a fatal mistake. The mare flew around the clouds in the air reaching out to them with her innate magic and began to collect the lighting they had begun to generate. She floated around in the clouds paying mind to the Nightmare’s state of awareness.

When the mare had collected enough lightning within her that a blue glow and crackling energy were being emitted by her body she flew higher into the air, and aimed at her target below. The Nightmare was beginning to wonder why it hadn’t heard a scream from the mare or anything for that matter, it was too quiet. By the time the Nightmare had realized its mistake its fate was already sealed.

Rainbow Dash dove at her target punching through the sound barrier and spiraling into a drill of force yet again. The energy contained within the mare merged with the Rainboom producing a drilling spear of pure energy. Rainbow dash’s body became ethereal and intangible as she approached her target and unleashed the full might of her power. She heard an audible scream before it was suddenly silenced and the deafening roar of a giant explosion greeted the mare.

As Rainbow Dash expected when she initially thought of her plan, the Nightmare had been obliterated by her attack. Now all that was left of him was the smoking chunks of flesh that had survived the initial explosion. The Nightmare was gone and Equestria could rest easily yet again, and it was all thanks to Rainbow Dash.

Cheers rang up around Rainbow Dash as she was carried back to Canterlot. She was treated like the greatest of war heroes and she felt like one. She had endured endless waves of enemies and had even purged the world of the Nightmare’s presence. Her friends were waiting for her at Canterlot, but they weren’t pleased with her. Had she done something wrong? Of course not!

“Rainbow Dash you abandoned us! You should have stayed and helped Apple Jack on the farm and fed the soldiers like we did.” Twilight said to the mare.

“Listen Twilight, being loyal does not mean I am a slave to you or anypony else. It means I’ll do anything to protect you, even if it hurts your feelings at first. The war may have made me be just as un-loyal to you as I was loyal. But I need to be loyal to myself before I can ever hope to keep anypony as my friends. If you can’t respect my decisions then you were never my friend to begin with.” The mare said while feeling oddly wise.

The world began to fade at Rainbow Dash’s last sentence and the mare looked around with obvious disappointment.

“Aw! Can’t I collect my awards first?” The mare said while the world faded.


	(_o_============================================_o_)


“Fuck! That Rainbow mare didn’t show any signs of being capable of that when I searched her memories. At least my other guests are easier to keep in place.” The Nightmare said as he entered Apple Jack’s dream.

The mare was a tough one to figure out how to manipulate. She was an honest hard working mare that enjoyed doing her work and didn’t like it when others insisted on doing her work for her. Her seemingly flawless character was a hard one to come by and was no doubt ingrained in her since she was a child. Her stoic brother was also the result of this, but at least their family was happy and together.

That happiness was what the Nightmare recognized as the safest point of attacking from. A lie that kept others complacent and happy would be one that hurt to break, especially if the lie was constructed from the truth. The Nightmare prided himself with his honesty, and as a result learned how to manipulate others with it.

The mare was currently caught in a web of misconstrued truth among all of the other ponies that had entered the forest with her. Twilight, and Cheerilee currently believe that Apple Jack has a crush on Spike, while Rainbow Dash, Rarity, and Fluttershy believe that she hates all of them. It wasn’t too complex, but it didn’t need to be, all he needed was time.

The Nightmare watched as the Apple mare went about her duties from day to day, unaware of what her friends thought. The Nightmare wondered if the mare noticed the unnatural lifespan he had given all of the dream world’s residents, surely she could count the days and years that passed.

The mare barely went outside the farm unless it was to man her stall. The hatred that over half of the others in the dream believed that she had easily kept them away from the mare, while the other two merely giggled at the sight of her. The mare wasn’t willing to hurt Apple Bloom by telling the full truth. For Apple Bloom was the one who spread the rumors.

The mare continued with her work while being content for the most part. Her family was enough company for the mare, but her friends still believed what Apple Bloom had implied. She felt guilty for having to keep from telling them things, but some ponies were important. Then the Nightmare looked down upon her and wondered how long it would take for her to realize what was going on.

“Howdy there Silver Moonlight! What’s a thestral doin’ around these parts?” Apple Jack said to an approaching bat-pony.

“I’m surprised you still remember me. It’s been a while since you’ve been to our town of Night Haven. I’m here because I heard that your apples are the beast in the country.”

“Well that’s mighty kind of ya to say, but ah thought that ya weren’t allowed to leave yer town.”

“Well the princess has forgiven us for our allegiance with the Nightmare and I decided that I should visit an old friend.”

“So ya’ll no longer support the Nightmare, never thought I’d see the day.”

“Well I no longer support him. There are still a few who hold on to the old ways and wish for the return of the patron of dreams.”

“Sounds like yer an odd one out then huh? Ah hope ya do well fer yerself, the stars know ah’ve tried.” Apple Jack said while letting a bit of sorrow show in her voice.

“Speaking of which I can’t help but notice your slightly sad demeanor. I hope I haven’t upset you.”

“Oh its nothin’. Apllebloom’s just run her mouth again an’ ah don’t want others to hurt her if they find out the truth.”

“That is highly unusual for you Apple Jack. You of all ponies should know that clearing up any form of confusion or dishonesty is something that can’t be dismissed without the consequences building. You should clear up the confusion your sister has caused.”

“Yer right. Ah…ah just don’t want her to suffer the consequences, they’ll hate her.”

“It will pass my friend. Now how much do you want for an apple.”

“They’re a bit. Now ah’ve got to go tell my friends the truth, an’ the truth behind why ah didn’t want to reveal my sister’s assumptions. Ah just hope they’ll forgive her for the mess she caused this time.”

“I wouldn’t have it any other way.” The bat-pony said as the world faded.


	(_o_============================================_o_)


“I couldn’t have expected much longer from the Apple mare, even that small amount of time was pushing it. I didn’t expect her conscience to manifest itself as a thestral though. Her memories of Night Haven weren’t too prominent, but maybe I overlooked something.” The Nightmare said while entering Dusk Shine’s dream.

Dusk Shine found himself sitting at a table in an unimaginably old library. It was something that looked like it was taken straight from the past itself and brought to the present. Many dusty tomes littered the place and all he had to do was pick one and read it. His friends could wait outside for now, he had reading to do.

Dusk Shine was in the middle of a really good book when he felt the presence of another pony behind him. The stallion set down the copy of The Night Watcher that he was reading and turned to face his visitor. The unicorn stallion stared up at the form of a black alicorn wearing a three piece suit and a tie with a picture of the moon on it.

“I do hope you are enjoying my collection Dusk Shine. It consists of all of my favorite stories and any factual information that I remember from two thousand years ago.”

“W-what are you doing here?”

“I thought that would be quite obvious considering that I’ve let you sit her for what would constitute as a millennia’s worth of time. Although I doubt you would pay attention to that aspect enough to notice something wasn’t quite right, the others didn’t.”

“So I’m asleep. Why would you tell me that I’m asleep? Wouldn’t that hinder you?”

“It’s been too long since I’ve been able to talk one on one with a pony my dear stallion. I was hoping you would be more open to just chatting for a while.”

“Okay? So what were you hoping to talk about?”

“Anything really, being bound to the moon for two thousand years is quite lonely. Knowing my sister though she probably forgot when she did that. Now why would you be running around as a mare? Is my sister truly that terrifying?”

“I’m running around as a mare because society won’t let me study as her student any other way. I’m not sure if it has always been this way, but society today is mare-centric. Your sister is more mysterious and slightly snobbish more than anything, but you should always fear a being capable of rotating a planet. Also if you’re over two thousand years old how can you understand me and speak perfect equish.”

“Hm… Things have definitely changed during my imprisonment. I suspect from the memories you just dug through that you peaked into my sister’s secret stash of forbidden literature. As for being able to speak perfect modern equish when I returned I looked through all of that mare Rarity’s knowledge on the current language.”

“Okay I guess that makes sense. Is… is it true that a male alicorn is actually a draconiquus?”

“Yes… but we prefer to shape our bodies to that of an alicorn in order to avoid too many stares, unless you’re like Discord who enjoys any form of attention.”

“So what do you really look like?”

“I’ll leave that up to your imagination. Now I’m sure you’ve heard of that silly little alicornation process being my sister’s student and all.”

“Yeah, Celestia has a book on it.”

“Now did you know that the process isn’t entirely voluntary? The process will proceed without the ponies consent unless it is forcefully stopped, and doing such results in a much worse fate than any can imagine.”

“What do you mean?”

“The reason why an alicorn becomes immortal is because of a few basic principles. Their immense godlike magic sustains their existence, and when any pony capable of ascending does ascend they do so because of an enlightenment of sorts. Now I don’t know what my sister says but even an earthpony can ascend if they are enlightened. This enlightenment changes the very nature of the pony’s internal magic turning them into an alicorn or draconiquus depending on gender. 

If you are female you are sent to the alicorn plane, or the plane of order as Celestia calls it. If you are male then you are sent to the draconiquus plane, or the plane of chaos as it is known. Your dominion depends on what your cutie-mark or emblem is along with what you were enlightened in. For instance you could have more than one alicorn or draconiquus specializing in planet rotation or any other thing you can think of. 

If the process is stopped and the pony refuses to ascend then they return to the mortal plane unchanged, but their magic is still different because of their enlightenment. This causes their body to go into what I like to call thaumo-nucleic decay. This painful process dissolves the very genetic structure of a pony and then their very flesh. 

What is left is something akin to a zombie pony with parts of them made of pure energy. The process finishes when the last of the pony is gone. Then their internal energy goes into an ionic discharge that ruptures their very soul and causes the most painful death in existence.”

“Well… so you’re basically saying I’m fucked either way if I ever become enlightened.”

“Pretty much, draconiquus in training. I really hate it when sister plays games like these with mortals. She expects everypony to want immortality and godlike power.  It isn’t hard to expect such a desire, but she never tells them exactly what it entails or means for them. They are still a pony on the inside even if their outside likes to suggest otherwise. At least you have a sweetheart who is lined up to be an alicorn after her training finishes. I just hope you two have as good a relationship as my parents, those two immortals were inseparable until they died.”

“How can an immortal being die?”

“Oh! We don’t age, and we can take more hits than a mortal can, but we can still be killed if you know how to do it.”

“How did your parents die?”

“I guess I can tell you a story. Now before I get started I need to tell you that an alicorn and draconiquus produce foals that are the same species as their parents. So if you and your girlfriend ever get busy after choosing to ascend then you will be dealing with high maintenance god-foals. Imagine the mayhem they would cause... My parents always said I was the problematic one when I was younger, although back then I merely stuck to bringing in bugs that I made big enough to be put on a dog’s leash. 

Needless to say my parents weren’t entirely amused when I brought my pets inside. My sister Celestia was a fun pony to play pranks on, she never forgave me for the time I made her chair make fart noise at the dinner table though. It turns out draconiquus’ have a natural wild streak, probably due to their innate binding with chaos even if it’s not your calling.

Now the death of my parents wasn’t as expected as I’d like to say it was. You see there were a few other alicon and draconiquus communities at the time, nothing large enough to amount to a city or anything, but there were a few scattered around, and the rule of my parents at the time went against most beliefs of our kind. 

Our kind believed that living a normal life alone and giving occasional bits of wisdom was the best way to go about things. I remember my grandfather saying “Let the mortals govern themselves, it will make us happier in the long run”. The circumstances involving their rule wasn’t popular among their mortal subjects either. 

You see way back when the ponies moved into Equestria from their old homelands Commander Hurricane, Chancellor Pudding Head, and the newly crowned Queen Platinum ruled alongside each other trying to form a community from the nearly extinct tribes they were a part of. From your memories I understand that my sister has told all of you a more… happy version of that story. Unfortunately it paints the wendigoes as nothing more than bringers of wintery weather and not a creature that starved so many ponies that only four hundred ponies remained when the tribes united. I can only imagine what it must be like to finally know that every pony in Equestria is at the farthest fifth maybe tenth cousins. 

Now the united tribes of Equestria fell when my parents felt that the ponies weren’t happy with the arranged marriages that kept inbreeding minimal and took over, to the resentment of a few ponies. This led to Queen Platinum fleeing to what was the Crystal Empire back in the day. Her grandfather became insane in trying to find out how to take back their thrones and he eventually became the Tyrant King Sombra. Hey are you listening?”

“What? Oh yes. I was just wondering about the Crystal Empire… I never heard of that part of its history… I never knew it had a tyrant king.”

“That’s because my sister managed to lure Sombra away from the empire before attempting to deal with the threat he posed. Now before Sombra came about our parents took care of the kingdom while growing resentment among all of the ponies mounted over the shift in leadership, and fear spread because of the power they wielded. Things kind of went to Tartarus when war finally broke out, and because my parents were immortals that meant the other alicorns and draconiquus had to get involved because of our policies involving immortals going to war. This led to a war that mortals fled from while we fought each other. My sister, Discord, and I were the only ones left after the war. Discord had went insane after the destruction he had witnessed and you know where he resides now. Such a sad fate for a mortal pony who proved that ascension was possible again, to live as a statue. You do know that ponies frozen in stone or crystal can see everything that happens in front of them as long as their eyes were open, and they can hear everything as well. I think that’s enough stories for now though.”

“I never expected you to be so… well open about things. I still feel like you are trying to fool me being the Nightmare and all.”

“It would be unwise to try and trust a monster from legends long past. For all you know I could be trying to get you to like me for my own personal gain.”

“I’ll take my chances.” The stallion said while bumping hooves with the Nightmare.

“You so foolishly trust me. At least your act of friendship ended the dream. Now you can come find me in Fluttershy’s paradise. I’m sure you will just love trying to get out of that one, especially when you are dealing with a mare that doesn’t want to wake up.” The Nightmare laughed will the world faded away.


	(_o_============================================_o_)


When Dusk Shine became conscious the first thing her realized was that he was Twilight again. The second thing that he noticed was that he was in a prison cell with a magic inhibiting ring securely fastened to his horn. His cell was dingy and damp, but nothing above what was to be normally expected in an equestrian dungeon. The cell door was open and outside of it was what amounted to a prison complex.

Rarity had befallen a similar fate to that of Twilight’s. Her magic didn’t come to her and she was being forced to make clothes for the empress that had apparently imprisoned her. Rarity never knew what to make for the mare, she was always so demanding and critical of her work. If only she had the use of her magic, then she would be able to create a proper dress that suited the picky queen’s needs.

Apple Jack and Cheerilee were reduced to working for the rulers by smashing rocks and collecting what gems were inside. Where the rocks were coming from wasn’t a question that was on their mind at the moment. All they cared about was trying to break free of the shackles that kept them in place.

Rainbow Dash had the unfortunate predicament of not being able to move other than walking on a treadmill that was hooked up to some gear assembly. Her midsection was encased in solid adimantium, a metal she knew wasn’t going to come off without her taking fatal damage. Her neck was incased in the indestructible metal as well, making it so that she could only look forwards where a carrot lay just out of reach of the starving Pegasus.

The entrance to the cell block opened up and the Nightmare along with a regal looking Fluttershy. Fluttershy walked over to Rarity allowing the mare to go over the pegasus’ measurements again. Twilight looked up at the Nightmare who only smirked at the little unicorn before him. This was going to be a fun way to mess with them.

“Hello Twilight. It’s quite nice to see you again. Now before you get started there is a key hidden in this room that will free you alone. The rest of the shackles take another key.”

“Why are you telling me this?”

“Because by the time you find the throne room it will be too late.” The Nightmare said while returning to Fluttershy’s fitting session.
The rest of the day and the next few hundred after that were spent with Twilight trying to find the illusive key that the Nightmare mentioned. She even took a bite out of Rainbow Dash’s carrot to see if the key was in there. Instead she got a mouth full of carrot and an enraged, hungry pegasus.

Twilight’s next attempts were more sensitive towards her companions. The rocks full of gems held no promise and the carts the gems were being put into were just as useless. Rarity was the pony’s next destination, but she seriously doubted the key would be hidden with her. 

The pony was busy sewing another fancy dress for Fluttershy when Twilight arrived. The mare looked over at Twilight with an annoyed huff and continued with her work. Twilight stood in the doorway hoping to talk to the mare before anything worse could happen.

“Rarity?”

“I’m dreadfully busy darling, if you could please wait until I’m finished I would appreciate it.”

“But the Nightmare said there was a key hidden in the prison somewhere that will free us.”

“Really? I’m sorry darling but I think you’ve been sent on a wild goose chase.”

“Why would he do something like that?”

“He’s the Nightmare darling, I wouldn’t put it past him. He’s probably trying to distract you so you are less likely to find a real solution.” Rarity said while accidentally pricking herself on a sewing needle.

“Ow! I seriously wish I had my magic for this!” The mare said in a rage.

“Hey Rarity? How easy do you think it will be for you to unlock my magic inhibitor ring with a sewing needle?”

“It may take a few hours and some luck, but it’s possible. Although I can’t help but wonder what condition must be met for Fluttershy to awaken?”

“What do you mean?”

“Seriously? You didn’t notice that there was a trigger for your escape after everypony told you what got them out of their dreams?”

“Eh he… I was a little too preoccupied to pay much attention and Rainbow Dash only said that she was badass and learned something about loyalty.”

“Remember when you talked about the five known elements of harmony dearie? I think Fluttershy is supposed to represent kindness with how all of our dreams have worked out. The question is, how do we get her to learn the lesson when she doesn’t want to listen to us or wake up?”

“I think I have an idea. One that doesn’t require magic.”

“I’m listening dearie...”

When Fluttershy and the Nightmare returned some time had passed and Rarity came forth with her knew dresses. The queen looked over the pieces of fabric and looked at Rarity and pointed out a small bit of stitching that was more prominent than the rest. The mare apologized to Fluttershy cueing Rainbow Dash who was nearby to start moaning.

“Ooh! I’m starving and my wings cramp. I can’t move my neck and I really need to go to the bathroom!”

“Silence war maiden! I, queen Fluttershy, have given you this punishment for your treason. You will not be spared for the insolence you have shown.”

Twilight facehooved at the sound of Fluttershy’s voice realizing that the Nightmare’s whispers had affected her more than she had originally anticipated. Which meant it was time for the next part of Twilights plan. Rarity looked at Fluttershy before turning to fix the seam. Then came the voices of Cheerilee and Apple Jack.

“Ah sure do hope Fluttershy likes all of these here gems. Ah broke one of my forelegs gettin’ some of these.”

“Your foreleg! I’m so sorry for you, at least you aren’t incased in adimantium and starving while a purple unicorn eats something right in front of you. I can’t imagine what that kind of torture would be like.” Cheerilee said while making Twilight feel guilty.

“Aw! You had to remind me about the carrot! I can barely stand the pain from starving anymore and you mention the carrot!!” Rainbow Dash screamed.

“Ouch! I think I’ve hurt myself trying to sew without magic again!” Rarity whined.

Fluttershy just stood there looking at all of the others around her while their constant complaining started to form into one big roar in her head. The Nightmare looked at her levelly and nodded to the mare. Fluttershy eagerly went to the ponies that had been trapped and freed them. She began profusely apologizing for punishing them more than what they deserved and made sure Rainbow Dash ate something.

“Come find me young ones, for the castle awaits. Beware the silent thinker whose thoughts are hidden, and watch out for the overly kind whose darkness lies hidden within… dear sister.” The Nightmare said while his voice was drowned out as the world faded.


	(_o_============================================_o_)


When the six ponies awoke they found themselves sprawled out on a path that ended with a decrepit rope bridge that was substituting for a stone bridge that had collapsed long ago. What threw off the ponies the most were the gleaming pairs of eyes that appeared randomly within the trees before vanishing. The bridge appeared to be stable and Rainbow Dash barreling across it proved it. The rest of the ponies slowly followed her taking in the sight of the crumbling palace.

The decrepit walls were barely supporting what was left of the roof of the palace. Within the halls of the palace was a large pedestal with five stone orbs being held aloft on it? Each orb bore a mark representing the element of harmony that it used to be. The Nightmare was nowhere in sight an oddity to say the least, especially since he kept them in a dream state for so long. 

“Why isn’t the Nightmare here? We were out cold for what cold have been days for all we know.”

“Twilight. Do ya honestly think the Nightmare would hang around the place that the only weapons capable of beatin’ him are at?”

“Well no… but he didn’t even try stealing any of them from what I can tell. Even the sixth dormant element in the center is present.”

“Hm… maybe he wants us to get the elements? But what kind of plan would that be if you just give your enemies a weapon capable of stopping you?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“I don’t know Rainbow? But we have to try… otherwise we don’t know what will befall Equestria.”

“So what do we do? We already know the elements we represent. So do we just shout that we are here to retrieve the element we represent like this? HEY I’M RAINBOW DASH AND I’M HERE TO CLAIM THE ELEMENT THAT I REPRESENT!” The mare screamed at the top of her lungs.

“Rainbow dash these are ancient artifacts I seriously doubt they… Oh you can’t be serious…” Twilight said as the elements began to break free of their petrified form.

The elements once free of their prisons of stone flew through the air and floated before the pony who represented each element. The elements floated there while their forms shifted to that of the respective pony’s cutie-mark. The gems colors shifted to match the exact colors of the bearer’s cutie-mark as well. Then five necklaces of pure gold materialized around the necks of all of the ponies except Twilight.

Twilight’s element morphed into a blue starburst and was placed into an imperial gorget. Unlike the others this one was banded with iron and bronze, and had very few precious metals contained within. The design was still appealing to the eye and the blue starburst managed to catch every pony’s eye.

“Hey! Why is yours the wrong color?” Rainbow dash asked.

“My original cutie-mark was blue before I changed its color to magenta…” The unicorn said knowing that it wasn’t technically a lie.

 “Why hello my dear subjects. Did you enjoy the dreams that I gave you?”

"Mine was wonderful" Fluttershy responded.

“Ah thought ya woulda high tailed it outa here considerin’ that we have the elements of harmony now.”

“I’m not one to back down from a challenge dear Apple Jack. Now I must confess that there were a few interesting pieces of information in your memories… But don’t worry, any of you. I won’t tell anypony your secrets… isn’t that nice?”

“Shut up ass hat. I’m not falling for your tricks. You think you can be nice so we won’t use the elements on you.” Rainbow Dash said with venom in her voice.

“Really? Then you should have no problem handling me then.”

“Come on girls lets show this guy that we mean business!”

“Oh, uh… I guess if we have to.” Fluttershy mumbled.

The six mares gathered around each other and began to focus on defeating the Nightmare. They stood there for a good five minutes before noticing that nothing was happening. They looked at each other in confusion before the Nighmare’s laughter broke the silence.

“Oh this is too hilarious! My sister sent six ponies into a forest to retrieve a weapon they didn’t even know how to use!”

“Let’s try again! It must be like using unicorn magic or something!” Twilight said while trying to focus the elements power.

Unlike the previous attempt the six elements began to glow and emit a rainbow light that was one of the colors of the rainbow. The six beams of light merged into one rainbow colored blast of energy. The six mares felt the power give them a decision on what to do with the Nightmare. Surprisingly only Rainbow Dash wanted to banish him again.

When the light cleared a now midnight blue alicorn stallion was standing where the Nightmare once was. He didn’t look too startled by the change other than examining his body. A brilliant whit light flooded the room as the sun rose and Celestia walked into the castle. She at her brother who was standing there and back to his normal coloration.

“I see that you have freed my brother from the Nightmare’s grip my student. I also see that you have made some friends while you are here as well. Now if you excuse me I need to go calm down the nation after the sun was left lowered for longer than intended.”

“Um… excuse me princess… but what is going to happen to Night… I mean Artemis now?” Fluttershy asked.

“You know his real name? I’m surprised young one. Don’t worry though, he will be named prince and will be given charge over the night. His duties will be limited and he will be receiving therapy… but that should satisfy him.”

“Indeed dear sister. Now I’m sure you are quite busy with running the country and all, but I believe a certain pink pony was wanting to throw a return party for me. I’ll be in attendance if you don’t mind leaving me out of your ever present gaze dear sister.”

“Just make sure that my guards escort you to my castle by nightfall.” Celestia said while her eyes narrowed.

When the white alicorn left Fluttershy was the first to follow her lead back to Ponyville and the rest quickly followed save for Artemis. She noticed that the forest wasn’t as scary as she thought it would have been. Something about being in the alicorns presence just seemed to melt away all fear. She briefly wondered how long Artemis would take to get to Ponyville, he had wanted to look at his old home one last time.


	(_o_============================================_o_)


“It’s alright my children you can come out now.” Artemis said to the forest once all of the other ponies were far enough away.

Not long after the words had left his mouth a legion of thestrals gathered before him. Most of them were older ponied ranging between young adult and elderly. There were a few of them that were younger, but Artemis hadn’t planned on using them for an assault. Now he paced before them ready to give them orders.

“My brethren, today was a mighty victory for us. I have regained the trust of my sister and removed the parasite know as Nightmare from my mind through sheer cunning. The bearers of the elements view me as an ally and it would grieve them to come against me. I will proceed to take my rightful throne by spreading my influence among her ponies and slowly withering her dominion over their lives. Now my brethren I task you with the restoration of this ancestral castle while I prepare Equestria for you. As you remember from the stories of old I used my blood to turn you from normal ponies into my army, but I want you to know that you are not a weapon in my eyes. You are family. I may not have perfected your bodies like I had set out to do, but by the power invested in me I will make Equestria a kingdom that can thrive as easily at night as it does in the day.”

The legion of thestrals before him erupted into a roar of applause and began to swarm the castle and clean away the rubble. The young ones were being watched by a few of the more elderly and were romping around a small clearing. Artemis enjoyed the sight of the ponies, they were some of the few that were descendants of his original army that had found refuge under the mountains. 

He left his ponies in order to make it to Ponyville on time. When the stallion arrived he was treated to a rather enthusiastic party. Although it wasn’t the wildest party he had been to either, he had a drunk Discord to thank for that experience. He noticed that the party was being hosted by a pony that was pink all over save for her blue eyes. He also noticed that the mare had an unnaturally wide smile that was as creepy as it was good looking on her.

Artemis smiled at the sight of all the fun, it had been quite a while since he had last enjoyed the company of happy ponies. Today couldn’t have turned out any more perfect. He still made sure to make a mental note to keep an eye on Rainbow Dash after she looked at him funny. Now all he had to do was wait.

> Ch 4: Sweet Tickets Pt.1
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	"Ah really must thank ya for helpin’ me with this Dusk Shine. If we get all of these here golden delicious apples into the barn by noon Big Macintosh will have to wear one of granny’s girdles into town. It’s a Shame Twilight wasn’t around to help, but that don’t mean that ah don’t appreciate yer help none.”

“It’s a pleasure Apple Jack. Since Twilight moved here my job as a personal guard became nonexistent because she’s just a normal pony around here as far as everpony else is concerned.”

“So that’s why ya took up a position in the town watch then. Don’t rightly know what they do, but granny says they help keep Timberwolves from straying into town.”

“While Timberwolves are one of our main concerns we also make sure that children don’t wonder out of town on their own.”

“Well at least ah don’t have to worry about getting a letter about Apple Bloom having gone up to our cousin’s in Fillydelphia alone again.”

While the two ponies continued their conversation Spike was busy riding on Dusk Shine’s back while sorting through the apples. During his sorting he managed to find an apple that was far more beautiful than any gem he had ever consumed and dove in for a bite. Dusk Shine plucked the apple out of his grasp using his telekinesis much to the young dragon’s annoyance.

“Sorry Spike, but if you want that apple you are going to have to pay for it.”

“Dusk Shine! Just because you’re my guardian when Twilight is out doesn’t mean you can treat me like little kid!”

“I treat you rather well young drake. In fact if you were a wild dragon you would still be treated like a baby. What’s so bad about me? I’m practically Twilight’s brother.”

“Well at least Twilight would have let me eat the apple.”

“Trust me when I say this, she would have done the exact same thing that I did.”

“Aw, what do you know?”

“Quite a bit more than you would imagine Spike, now let’s pay for that apple and get home. The residency’s basement still needs cleaning and I need to get ready for Sunny’s visit.”

“Aw… does Sunset really have to…” Whatever Spike was going to say was cut off by a belch of green fire that plopped an envelope on Dusk Shine’s head.

“She’s my fiancé Spike. Now let’s see what that letter holds.”

“Hey! You can’t read that! That’s for Twilight!”

“To Twilight, I am afraid that I can’t put off the true reason behind your placement in Ponyville any longer… yes Sunset was correct about your banishment …I am sure you understand that the abuse of your position has garnered this action; furthermore because of your refusal to appear at other Grand Galloping Gala’s when you were still considered my student you must now attend the next one…I was hoping to break your banishment to you later, but with your friends, Spike, and Dusk Shine there to lend you support I felt that you would be capable of handling the full truth behind your placement in Ponyville…I also couldn’t in good conscience forgo your studies either. 

As stated in my previous letter a pony that abuses their position in the way that you do with no hesitation is unworthy of ascension. You will no longer be considered my personal protégé because you are no longer residing in Canterlot. As for the gala no other gala will be required since this will be your first and your last, and without a date I seriously doubt you would be willing to attend another. The main reason for your required attendance is just for the public to know that you do actually exist, especially before the letters that a new opening for a student has opened up are made public. 

My brother finds my willingness to punish my most prized student by disowning them rather…distasteful to say the least. Although if I were to let all of those who abused their position into the court systems, then I’m afraid that there would no longer be an Equestria. However, I feel that Ponyville may do you some good so I won’t completely disband your studies, just the preparations for ascension and politics will be dropped. In truth I am unwilling to punish you for such a small grievance, and you already seemed to have the law code memorized anyway...Your brothers didn’t force you to memorize it because they had to did they?

Sunset Shimmer has made a surprising amount of progress lately and I can see that she will make a fine princess one day. If you one day prove that you are worthy of forgiveness then I will consider taking you back after making sure that you have learned your lesson… Maybe one day I will be calling you princess Twilight Sparkle. I will still be keeping a close eye on you now that you are the bearer of the element of magic. The others bearers will be treated similarly as well.

I will also be sending you lesson plans and visiting regularly even though you are no longer being taught personally by me. If you are curious as to why I’m still sending you lesson plans…well I did say I wasn’t going to forgo your studies, but just so you’re clear I’m still going to be the one to decide your lesson plan…And believe me there were takers…actually only one and that was my brother. I would wish for you to view it as being transferred to the Unicorn College of Advanced Magic. It is surprisingly well funded and teaches a tougher curriculum than my personal one oddly enough. The reasons for me arranging your lesson plans are simple though… As a bearer of an element of harmony you are in a position of… rather great importance, and if a threat only the elements were capable of defeating were to arise I wouldn’t want to find out that one of you died after having had an unfortunate accident.

If the other bearer’s wish for me to send them texts or lesson plans you can tell them that I’d be more than happy to oblige. I’m sure the bearer of the element of laughter would appreciate such a thing. As for the others they can just go back to doing what they normally do...no matter how mundane it must be. Although Rainbow Dash seems to be a character who lives life in a way that defines exciting…if not constantly nearly getting killed that is. Still…there’s something about her eyes that puts me off...perhaps the near red coloration of them is reminding me of a darker time in Equestria that I’d rather forget…Unfortunately Artemis would disagree on that part, he is rather fond of red eyes...sorry I’m rambling aren’t I?

My brother also wishes for me to let you know that you can send him letters anytime. He has taken a liking to familiarizing himself with the nobility and has befriended Sunset Shimmer to the point where I think that he is tutoring her. His popularity among the nobility was surprising to say the least, although there are still a few who are uneasy around him. I’d say those nobles are the intelligent ones if they all didn’t come to me just to propose a new way to make them the center of the universe…

Contained within this letter are two tickets to the gala, one is for you and one is for a friend of your choosing. These are the only tickets that I will be sending your way because of your ongoing punishment for abusing your power. I will also be expecting your brothers Dusk Shine and Shining Armor to be there as well in order to formally present their engagements before the nobility. I have found that springing royal weddings on the nobility at the last minute has rather unfavorable effects. Your ruler Princess Celestia Equestris.” Dusk Shine finished reading while having two tickets held aloft in his magical grasp.

“Oh my… Ah knew that Twilight didn’t like Celestia an’ all… but ah never would of thought that Twilight would give Celestia a reason fer such a thing. The princess always seemed so…nice. Ah just can’t imagine anypony disownin’ Twilight, especially after all that your sister has done for ya and how she faced down the Nightmare with us. Now ya better apologize to yer sister about readin’ her mail.”

“She has me pre-read her letters in order to make sure that some random pony isn’t trying to send her… distasteful images again.” The stallion said while producing a hoof written letter from Twilight allowing him to read her mail.

“W-well… ah guess ah can understand why she might have a few stallions chasing her tail. So is…is she looking for a stallion?”

“No…I’m afraid not.”

“Uh! My mom better have a stallion in mind soon… I’m beginning to think that she might be a lesbian with the way she looks at Sunset and her general unwillingness to give any of her suitors a chance.”

“Now Spike… ah’m sure Twilight has a good reason for not wanting to get busy yet. Ah’m also sure that Dusk Shine wouldn’t allow his sister to do anything funny with his sweetheart.”

“Leave him be… He hit the nail on the head. Twilight is into mares not stallions. Just don’t go telling anypony. She’s rather embarrassed about it and wants to tell ponies when she’s ready. And Spike if you ever tell anypony that Twilight is a lesbian before she’s ready, I’m not exaggerating when I tell you that her last suitor forgot who he was for a month.” Dusk Shine said effectively silencing the young dragon.

“Aw shoot! Now ah have to go tell Big Mac that Twilight isn’t interested… nor will be.”

“Funny. I never pegged Big Macintosh as a pony who would be interested in the intellectual type.”

“Well…he is smarter than he looks. Pa never wanted him to be stuck on the farm. We just couldn’t pay the bills school would cost though.”

“Huh…well I better get going. Sunny won’t be too happy if I show up late. Tell Big Macintosh that he can study with me if he wants to.” The stallion said while paying for Spike’s apple before running back to the residency.

When Dusk Shine arrived at the residency he set Spike down and told him to go play at Fluttershy’s for a little while. Spike eagerly agreed and ran off while following the path that would lead the dragon to the mare’s hut. Dusk Sine could only chuckle at the young drake’s enthusiasm to visit his favorite dragon sitter.

Fluttershy had proven oddly adept at taking care of Spike and had an unusual amount of knowledge pertaining to his species. Dusk Shine had asked her about it earlier, but the mare replied with having gotten to know that momma dragon when her child was injured. Something felt a little odd about getting to know about dragons that well in such a short amount of time, but Dusk Shine didn’t want to intrude in her life.

Sunset Shimmer arrived at the residency a few minutes after Dusk Shine had arrived. She was smiling and had an overall pleasant air about her that was unusual for the mare. Dusk Shine wondered why she was so happy right now of all times, but she was probably going to tell him about that anyways.

“Hey! Guess what?”

“What?”

“We are going to have our engagement announced at the Grand Galloping Gala! The royal sun butt is finally doing something nice for us.”

“Yeah right… Read the letter she just sent Twilight.” Dusk Shine said while handing her the letter.

Sunset’s facial expressions went from full blown joy to almost pure unfiltered rage in a matter of seconds. Then an expression of odd smugness came upon her face that was probably due to the part about Artemis. Then her expression turned to one of annoyance and then a small bit of worry.

“Dusk Shine… How are we going to pull off Twilight and you being in the same room at the same time?”

“I don’t know… Maybe Artemis can figure out something?”

“I’ll talk to him about it but even he has limits on what he can arrange with Celestia. Although a powerful illusion spell and a good actor might do the trick.”

“We could enchant more armor…but I’m already at my limit on the number of suits I can have. At least I can still study magic… even if Celestia no longer views me as her personal protégé.”

“Uh! It wouldn’t surprise me. That bitch thinks that she can do whatever she wants and I have a feeling that she’s going to be making your stay here a personal Tartarus. Were you even bad enough to get sent here and disowned?”

“We’ve done some things together that I’m glad Celestia doesn’t know about when it comes to that topic. Remember when we discovered the want it need it spell along with the bad luck spell and charm.”

“Oh you mean the spells obsession, ruination, and Atraction. I still don’t understand how that book on dark magic got out of the restricted section of the library. And yes I remember when we found them. I’m just glad obsession wasn’t cast at a very high power, from what I’ve heard it can cause ponies to kill each other over something.”

“Please don’t remind of their real names. It’s bad enough that Celestia thinks that I accidently reinvented a spell. I would hate to think of what would happen if she found out that we looked up dark magic.”

“Speaking of her let’s go inside, I have a few choice words about her that I wish to say away from the ears of foals that are passing by.” The mare said while entering the residence and throwing up a soundproofing spell.

“That Damned bitch is going to pay for having treated you like some piece of trash to be thrown away! That mare should take lessons from her brother on how to not be a complete ass!”

“Feeling better?”

“A little bit.”

“Hey, at least she’s not completely giving up on Twilight. If she were she wouldn’t continue sending lessons and an offer to come back later. Although I have a feeling Twilight is going to be freaking out about the banishment while in reality I’m freaking out about the gala.”

“Well you seem to be taking it pretty well so far.”

“Let’s just say like you I’m waiting for a more appropriate time to vent my feelings.”

“Just make sure you don’t scare Spike again. I don’t want to hear that he called a doctor and that you wound up in a padded cell…again.”

“Hey that was only once! To be honest Celestia was really cruel when she tried to convince me that Slender Mane was real.”

“Oh yeah…that was pretty horrifying.”


	(_o_============================================_o_)



	[Meanwhile at Canterlot]


“Oh of all the insufferable things that I have witnessed since my return.” Artemis grumbled as he stormed down the hall and to his sister’s chambers.

Two guards were standing outside of his sister’s room decked in the normal bronze armor that they wear. Artemis had plans to improve the armor but Celestia was fighting his changes at every turn. Surely his sister cared whether or not they were outfitted with the best possible protection. Although, Artemis was beginning to doubt that. As Artemis approached the door the two guards snapped to full attention and crossed their spears.

“Halt! The princess is not accepting company at this time.” The guards said in unison.

“I wish to speak with my sister on a matter that is of utmost importance.”

“I am sorry but you will have to come back later.” The guard on the right said.

“I understand, but please slip this note under her door so she will know that I wish to meet with her.”

“Of course your majesty.” Said the guard on the left.

Artemis left more infuriated than before and began to wander the castle in order to pass the time while his sister finished whatever she was doing. He briefly considered going over the genealogy records in order to see if the old nickname he had given her still held a bit of truth. He decided to forget about such thoughts though and decided to talk with those who were patiently waiting for a chance to talk with Celestia.

By the time Celestia returned to resume her Day Court Artemis had already seen to evrypony and there was no pony currently waiting to speak with the solar princess. Celestia just looked at the room with a baffled expression on her face at the sight of the empty throne room. Artemis could see a slight twitch in Celestia’s left eye and that her tail had stopped flowing.

“H-how…did you do this?”

“It was quite simple really. I had those who wished to talk about things such as the construction make an appointment with the secretary to propose their ideas at the next Equestrain Construction Guild’s conference. Then I did the same with the other propositions by assigning appointments to the corresponding guilds. At the end of the guild's conference the guild will propose to you what they have accepted from those who came to petition and seek your guidance. I dealt with the tax and business propositions personally.”

“H-how could you defer my subjects to the guilds!?”

“Celestia those guilds know more about what the petitioners are talking about and can propose more meaningful insights and provide better help. You and I both know that you are not omniscient and I just cut your work load in half. You should really be thanking me for having taken care of that buildup of requests that was going to have you backlogged for three months.”

“What have I told you about interfering with the government!?”

“Seriously sister I am beginning to wonder what being a prince actually means if I can’t do my job.”

“Your job is to deal with those who petition during the middle of the night and taking care of the dreamscape. Now what was it you wanted to talk with me about?”

“Which brings me to my next problem dear sister… When I was banished two thousand years ago the steam engine was just being built and circuitry was starting to be looked into. When I came back I was expecting to see a plethora of new and exciting inventions the likes of which I have never seen! Then I find out that almost no advancements in technology have been made. When I look into the dreams of ponies they dream of nothing more than living the life they live and achieving some smaller dreams like becoming a famous fashion designer. Sister, your ponies have no desire to push further or reach for the stars or go beyond their main goals in life. I am afraid that their creativity and desires to become the very best pony possible have stagnated. From what I’ve seen I’m happy that they use glowing crystals instead of fireflies for a noncombustible light source.”

“They are happy and content. There is nothing more to be done on technology’s behalf when it comes to that.”

“What do you do when ponies come to you with new ideas for inventions sister?” Artemis said taking on a more serious tone.

“Why would you wish to know such things dear brother?”

“Avoiding my questions will only make me believe my suspicions about your dealings sister. Now answer me with the truth and the full truth.”

“They are penciled in for a later appointment…and have medium priority.”

“I’ve seen that list sister…they have no priority in your mind.” Artemis said before exiting the throne room.


	(_o_============================================_o_)


“So Dusk Shine are you feeling better after having gotten all of that distress out of you system?” Sunset Shimmer asked.

“Yeah…Although I wish there was a spell to just remove it.”

“We both know that in order to remove something you have to place it in something else. Nopony wants your stress to suddenly invade their body and cause them to have a mental breakdown…although it would be useful against enemies.”

“Thanks for helping me snap out of it by the way.”

“Well I can’t let my colt-friend pass out from hyperventilating now can I?” Sunset said before a knock at the door interrupted.

“Hey! It’s me rainbow Dash! Twilight are you in there?” The mare said on the other side of the door.

“What do you want with Twilight this time Rainbow Dash?” Dusk Shine said while opening the door.

“Well… I was sleeping in a tree near Sweet Apple Acres and I happened to overhear that letter and I was thinking that maybe Twilight would take me to the Grand Galloping Gala.”

“Why do you want to go to the gala?”

“Think about it. I show up at the gala and meet the Wonderbolts in person. Then I show them a few of my Rainbow Dash style tricks and impress everypony at the gala. After that I get invited to join the Wonderbolts because of how awesome my stunts are and we perform together at the gala.” The cyan mare said while Sunset Shimmer burst out laughing in the other room.

“Yeah right! As if those stuck up nobles will pay any attention to what you do at the gala. It would take a natural disaster to get them to pull their heads out of their own asses.”

“Wow…I like your mare-friend Dusk Shine she’s got some guts in there. Now how about you and me think of something that will show those noble ponies what a true performance is like.” The cyan Pegasus said while gesturing towards Sunset Shimmer.

“I have a feeling that I’m going to enjoy this.” Sunset Shimmer said with a grin spreading across her features, “Dusk Shine I’ll talk with you later. I’ve got a few ideas that I think Miss Rainbow Dash is going to enjoy.”

After Sunset Shimmer had left the residency Dusk Shine decided that he needed to go get some groceries and donned his armor. Dusk Shine wasn’t too happy with needing to be Twilight Sparkle when buying things, but shaving off a four percent tax by being a mare was too good to pass up. It also didn’t help when he had to have all of his money in Twilight’s bank account in order to keep a mare from having to sign off on his withdraws. As much as he hated it Twilight Sparkle was a necessary part of his life that kept him out of the poor house.

As Twilight walked through town she stopped off at Sugar Cube Corner in order to pick up some emerald cupcakes for Spike. It turned out to be one of the few bakeries willing to add gemstones to an item in case their customer had an odd craving. Back in Canterlot Donut Joe’s and a few select bakeries catered to weird tastes, especially when it concerned a mare named Beatrix Lulamoon. Ponyville only seemed to have a mare named Ditzy Doo who occasionally decided to experiment with flavors.

When Twilight walked into the store she was greeted with the smile of Pinkamena Diane Pie. Her wide smile grown less creepy over time, but she still felt a little uneasy around the mare. Pinkie gave her the treats for her dragon and cashed her bits without incident until she demanded the extra four percent. The disguised Dusk Shine gave her the bits and left knowing that arguing with the mare wasn’t worth it.

On the way to the venders located in the middle of town Twilight bumped into Fluttershy who was being told all about the letter from the princess by Spike.

“That’s why I’m going to be staying at your house for the night. Nopony wants to see the freak out Twilight is going to have after reading that letter.”

“Hi Spike! Don’t worry about bothering Fluttershy I already read the letter and I already got that out of my system. I mean it’s not like the princess is totally giving up on me.” The mare chuckled while a few hairs in her mane frizzed out.

“Oh. I’m happy that you are feeling better after getting that terrible news. I don’t know what I would have done if somepony told me I had to care for less animals.”

“Thanks Fluttershy. Now what brings you into town?”

“Oh I was getting ingredients for a salad that my pet bunny Angel wanted and I thought that maybe…you would like to bring me to the gala.” The butter yellow Pegasus whispered.

“Well you see I already kind of let Rainbow Dash believe that she was going.”

“Oh I understand…I guess I’ll never get to see the palace gardens and all of the lovely animals that live there. I was hoping to have listened to the exotic songs of the little birdies Celestia has and maybe even get to see a buzzard that actually buzzes. But you only have one ticket and I won’t dishearten Rainbow Dash by trying to get you to let me have her ticket.” The yellow mare said.

“Well…I might be able to get you a ticket to the gala…I already have one that Sunset bought for me so I have two extra. So I guess you and rainbow can have them.”

“Oh thank you Twilight, although I don’t want to intrude on anypony else’s chance to go.”

“Well can’t ah have a shot at asking Twilight for a chance to go to the gala?” Apple Jack asked while tending to her fruit stand.

“Oh hi Apple jack! I forgot that you were coming out here later today. So why do you want the ticket?”

“Well ah was hopin’ that ah’d be able to set up a stand at the gala and sell some down to earth Apple family style cookin’ and earn enough bits to maybe help renovate the farm a little bit.”

“Well I’m afraid that not many ponies are going to consider buying your treats while at the gala. Don’t get me wrong your food is amazing, but Sunset and Dusk Shine have been to the gala before and the nobles are more interested in the fancy dishes being served.”

“Ah see. Then ah guess ah’ll have to learn a few new recipes that will impress those noble ponies. Big Mac I’m going to the library take care of the stand while ah go an’ find what ah’m looking for.” The mare said while trotting off towards the tree in the middle of town.

“Wait! Apple Jack I didn’t say that you could have the ticket!”

“Oh that’s alright Twilight, really. I’ll be okay.”

“But Fluttershy what about your dream to see the palace gardens?”

“It’s more of a small wish. I don’t dream of Canterlot’s gardens but it would be nice to have seen them once. I’m happy that Apple Jack is going. She’ll be able to help her family more that way.”

“Ugh! Fluttershy I can’t decide who I want to give the tickets to now. Apple Jack is determined to help her family and…well if I don’t bring you along then I’ll feel bad about having left you here and Rainbow Dash is going no matter what if Sunset Shimmer is planning something with her.” Twilight said.

“Oh! Sunset Shimmer is planning to do something with Rainbow Dash?”

“Yeah. Now let’s see here I need a bag of carrots, ten apples, a cabbage, and a few sapphires that I’ll need to go to Rarity’s in order to pick up.” The mare rattled off while looking at her grocery list.

“Make sure to get some quartz and topaz.” Fluttershy added.

“Oh right. Sorry I forgot about that because the Nightmare came back.”

“I understand. It wasn’t important when compared to a national crisis.”

The rest of the grocery shopping when on rather normally until Dusk Shine spotted Pinkie flitting through the crowd. He couldn’t find the mare afterword and continued on his way until he came across the boutique that Rarity owned. While waiting for a response to his knocking Dusk Shine began to wonder why there were a few tents in the distance just behind rarity’s boutique. His musing was cut short when he heard Rarity screaming something from inside the building.

“Sweetie Belle please put that back! No pony must be allowed to see such a filthy thing, especially when you are tracking dirt though my boutique with it!”

“Sorry Rarity but Scootaloo suggested a way for us to get our cutie-marks and I needed this.”

“Sweetie Belle… I know that Scootaloo is your only friend at school so far but do you really need to be dragging that…thing around?”

“But Rarity I need this in order to do what we planned…I…I don’t want to disappoint her.”

“”W-well I suppose you can use it, but take it out the back and don’t let anypony know that I own such a filthy thing.”

“Yay! Thank you Rarity you are the best sister ever!” The little filly said before scampering off.

Dusk Shine who was at the door was not quite sure what he had just overheard, or who Sweetie Belle was. Rarity up to this point hadn’t mentioned anypony by the name of Sweetie Belle nor had Dusk Shine noticed her when he was introduced to the rest of the town. It was possible that she had just arrived recently though, but Pinkie would have thrown her a party if that were the case.

Rarity opened the door looking rather frazzled and her mane was probably going to get reworked before the day was over. She noticed who had come to visit her and eagerly pulled everypony inside before closing the door. Unlike before when the shop had been neat and tidy it was now a complete and utter mess. 

Mannequins were knocked over and a few boxes of supplies were overturned. The oven was emitting a black cloud of smoke that was slowly making its way upstairs to where the bedrooms were at. Papers that were covered with glue and macaroni art were laying on a few nearby counters and there was a small trail of dirt, chipped stone, and gem shards that led out the back door. Whoever Sweetie Belle was she was the queen of destroying houses.

“I’m so sorry darlings my younger sister Sweetie Belle is staying with me during the school year because my parents thought that moving around all of the time wasn’t healthy for her. I just hope I can survive that long. Don’t get me wrong all of the other times my sister has been here she has been an absolute doll, but she tends to get things a bit…messy.” The mare said while examining the exact state her business was in.

“Well…I don’t want to intrude, but why is are there crushed stones and gems on the floor?” Fluttershy asked.

“Oh Sweetie Belle just decided to drag around an old tool that I had lying around and that was the result.”

“Oh my. Is your sister going to be alright? I’ve never seen anypony cause such a mess.”

“She’ll be fine…I hope. I just hope she doesn’t poke her eye out with that thing.” Rarity mumbled.

“Hey Rarity Twilight has two tickets to the Grand Galloping Gala!” Spike shouted loud enough for Sweetie Belle’s imaginary friend, Iron Hoof, who was sleeping in the young filly’s room upstairs, to here.

“Spike! You didn’t need to tell Rarity that!”

“Oh Rarity do you have any topaz and a lot of quartz? Twilight needs to make a purchase for her baby dragon.”

“Oh of course darling. I’ll even give them to you for free as payment if you’re taking me to the gala.”

“What gave you that impression Rarity?”

“Twilight, darling. Your assistant there wouldn’t be spouting out that you have two tickets to the gala unless you were going to give them away. I’ll gladly accept one and attend the celebration.”

“Well I already kind of told Fluttershy she could have the last one.”

“Oh poo. I was looking forward to catching the eye of the prince at the celebration.”

“But Rarity I thought you no longer wanted Blueblood after what Twilight said.”

“Ew! Being that stallion’s fiancé is a travesty I wouldn’t wish upon my worst enemy. I want to woo Prince Artemis and have him make me his princess.”

“Um Rarity…aren’t you just being a little selfish, or conceited.” Fluttershy said.

“Fluttershy! A mare can dream can’t she? I would still love to just socialize with all of those fancy ponies and possibly attract a little more business to this place though.”

“Are the sales really that bad?”

“NO! It’s just that not everypony truly appreciates a Rarity original. Sure I tend to have my hooves full at times, but I want to get out there Fluttershy. I want to be remembered and I need to know ponies in high places in order to even get the attention of someponies. It’s not about fashion Fluttershy, I figured that out a few years ago, it’s about status and what your clothes can do for them concerning it.” The marshmallow colored mare said.

“That doesn’t mean you should sell out or attempt to marry a prince who may not even like you. It’s just that maybe they have another pony in mind that they want. It’s better to ask politely and accept getting turned down than to go overboard.”

“Overboard! Trying to woo a prince is going overboard?!”

“Um…yes? But only if you don’t ask if they are taken first or if they are even looking.” The butter yellow Pegasus said nervously.

“Uhm…maybe I’ll come back later it seems that you two are having a moment. Just come over later with the gems and I’ll give you the bits for them. Come on Spike we need to go get some lunch.” Twilight said while grabbing Spike and leaving Fluttershy to help Rarity.

“Yes, Twilight I understand fully. I was just about to suggest that you leave us alone to ‘talk’ this out.”

Twilight took Spike to a local diner in order to eat some lunch. Between getting groceries, helping Apple Jack with her bet, and talking with Sunset the mare had almost completely forgotten to get something for herself to eat. She noticed Sunset eagerly dragging Rainbow Dash to a far off part of town and silently apologized. Sunset Shimmer was notorious for causing trouble if she could get away with it.

The waiter for the establishment came out and gave twilight the menu while Spike asked about the possibility of getting a ruby. After Twilight placed her order she noticed a pink mare by the name of Pinkamena approaching and taking a seat right next to Spike. The mare gazed at the two with an unblinking stare before bending over and eating the flower that was decorating the table before talking with the two.

“So Duskie up to anything lately? Oh hi Spike I almost forgot that you were here! Don’t worry I’ll still be there to plan your twelfth birthday! Trust me its’ going to be super-de-duper fun and there will be plenty of gems, and pin the tail on the dragon, and other party games, and my minimum of five gifts, and a bunch of balloons, and…”

“Pinkie!”

“Oh hey Duskie…! I mean Twilight! I heard that you have a few tickets to the gala taking place in Canterlot. I already have a ticket so don’t worry about me yet, at least not until the gala that is. I also heard all about that little predicament with Celestia and the wedding stuff by the way. Oh I’ll be so jealous of the pony that gets to set up those celebrations. By the way have you met Iron Hoof the tyrant lord of Trottingham? He’s in town, although I doubt you’ll have a run in with him considering that he technically doesn’t exist, but what can you do? Oh are those hay fries!” The mare said as soon as the food arrived.

Pinkie noticed Spikes meager meal of a salad and a few hay fries and hoofed over a bit of quartz that she found when dusting the attic. The young Drake enjoyed the little crystal while it lasted, completely unfazed by the dust clinging to it. Twilight started to pick up her sandwich when Pinkie noticed Apple Jack running into Berry Punch’s soda bar and promptly did a spit take after taking a swig of Twilight’s juice.
Twilight wasn’t amused by the fact that her food was now covered in juice and Pinkamena’s spit. She let the soggy sandwich land on the plate and slid the plate over to the pink menace that had ruined her lunch. The mare swallowed the whole thing in one gulp and left only the silverware and plate behind. Twilight was still unsure of how the mare did it, but she decided to let it slide considering the stories Rainbow Dash has told.

“Pinkie?”

“Yes Duskie? What do you want?”

“Why are you here?”

“I could ask anypony the same question and I could gather a multitude of answers Duskie. Some would say that I was born into the world like any other. Others would say I’m just a background pony wanting to get some attention, and they wouldn’t be entirely wrong there. Some would even say that there is no reason for anypony to be anywhere and that we just are. Others would propose chaos theory and argue that you can’t prove that anything exists without using another supposedly real thing that you cannot prove exists. Then there will be some that say we were born from a divine power that brought our world into existence. But the answer to your question, Duskie, is I’m here to tell you that I’m going to be attending the fanciest party ever! Oh my I might need to learn how those kinds of praties go! I don’t want to ruin it! Also sleep lightly Duaskiee, Pinkamena is always watching. Always watching! I mean seriously once she got wind of you she hasn’t left me alone. Okay bye!” The mare said with a wide smile on her face before disappearing after Twilight blinked.

“That…was kinda creepy.” Spike said to a Twilight that was now paying her bill.


Twilight merely nodded and pulled Spike along and started on a journey back over to the apple stand in order to get a meal that she could clean off. Before she could get close to the stand Rainbow Dash flew in front of Twilight, and the rest of the small crowd in front of the stand, and began purchasing as many of the fruits as she could. By the time Twilight got to the front Big Mac only had one apple left. Unfortunately Flutterhsy’s pet, Angel the bunny, had reserved an apple and with no more apples left Twilight had to find something else to satisfy her hunger.

Twilight could almost picture that little bunny laughing at her right now. Sure the mare hadn’t had many interactions with eh little pest so far, and she was glad it was like that. For a kind and sensitive mare like Fluttershy her pet bunny was pretty much the exact opposite. Twilight sometimes wondered if the Nightmare had chosen the bunny for its next host, but unfortunately Angel was worse. As a result Twilight tended to avoid the bunny if possible.

Twilight forgoing the idea of eating anything that could be purchased walked to the park in order to eat a little bit of grass. Fortunately nopony could technically ruin this meal without doing something over the top or drastic. Unfortunately she failed to notice the buzzing sound that was progressively getting louder and a screaming filly shouting for her to get out of the way. The very next thing Twilight knew was what it felt like to be plowed over by a wagon that was hitched to a scooter.

The fillies Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle had finished their latest attempt at finding out what their special talent was and only managed to get dirty. They were speeding through the park in order to give Rarity her tools back when they noticed a lavender unicorn was in their way. Scootaloo who knew that there was no way for her to avoid hitting the pony at her current speed called out to alert the pony and hopefully cause her to move. Instead they were ignored and wound up ramming into the mare, and knocking the purple dragon off of his feet and into the wagon.

Sweetie Belle pulled Spike up and locked eyes with the creature that had just been ran over. Spike took note of his helper and found a rather young filly that bore a striking resemblance to Rarity. The filly seemed almost awestruck by the purple dragon and had a look in her eyes that made him feel like he had seen that look before. She was cute to be sure and most likely very close to his age, but Rarity was a gem that shone brighter than anything in Spike’s mind.

Spike didn’t mind being ogled by the filly too much, he never got too much attention when he was younger considering he was raised in Celestia’s palace. Although he couldn’t help but feel a little guilty about soaking up this filly’s attention with no intention of returning the favor. From Spike’s often limited experiences with Dusk Shine he had gleaned that playing with a pony’s or any creature’s emotions, fate, destiny, or livelihood was the quickest way to be considered an absolute dick.

Spike wondered if Rarity knew of his attraction to her considering how easy it was to tell that the filly next to him was obviously falling head over hooves for him. Spike suddenly realized that they had stopped and something had been dropped off at Rarity’s before they started speeding off again. Spike face palmed when he realized that he hadn’t noticed that they had stopped and was now stuck riding with a love struck filly. He also realized that he had no idea where they were heading or why.

The trio stopped just outside of an ice cream parlor and Spike was shoved inside by the fillies he had begun to mentally call his captors. The white unicorn filly slid into a booth and Spike was sandwiched between her and the orange Pegasus that made up the other part of the group. Unlike the unicorn filly who was trying to get closer to Spike the orange Pegasus didn’t seem very interested in his presence.

“Oh hello Scootaloo and its nice to see you in town again Sweetie Belle. Although I didn’t know that you would have a new friend with you. May I ask what your name is?” The waiter asked the trio.

“I’m Spike de Drako, but you can call me Spike.”

“What a neat name I didn’t know dragons knew Esperanto.”

“I’ve never really had any interactions with dragons the pony that hatched me and raised me for eleven years was the one that came up with my last name.”

“Well now that introductions are out of the way how about I get to your orders.”

“I want a chocolate milkshake and hay fries!” Sweetie Belle said.

“I’ll have a hayburger special and a vanilla shake.” Scootaloo said casually.

“Uh… I’ll just have a vanilla shake.” Spike said not knowing how many bits the other two had to spend.

“So Spike I’m Sweetie Belle and this is Scootaloo! I really hope that we can be friends and hang out sometimes!” Sweetie Belle said after the waiter had left to prepare their orders.

“Oh, uh, right. Yeah I guess we can be friends, but what would your parents think about you hanging out with a dragon?” Spike said hoping that Sweetie Belle’s parents would find it scandalous.

“As long as I’m not talking to Iron Hoof my parents don’t care who I hang out with!” The filly replied energetically.

“Who’s Iron Hoof?” Scootaloo asked.

“Oh, um. Nopony…just an imaginary friend.” Sweetie Belle said innocently.

“Um. What about me being a guy surely you two don’t want to get cooties.” Spike said hoping that the two still believed in that sort of thing.

“Rarity says cooties don’t exist Spike…do you not like me?!” Sweetie Belle asked with tears starting to form in her eyes.

“Of course I like you! It’s just that, uh, I’m seeing somepony else!” Spike said while starting to sweat.

“Huh? Who are you seeing?” Sweetie Belle asked with her eyes narrowing.

“Um. Iron Hoof?” Spike said trying to fix the blunder he had created.

“Nice try Spike. Iron Hoof has never seen you before and I would know if he was seeing you. I just want to know who you are dating.” The filly said with an innocent smile.

“R-Rainbow Dash!” Spike said hoping they would buy it.

“Spike! Rainbow Dash is twice your age that’s gross!”

“Rainbow Dash is dating a dragon that’s so cool!” Scootaloo said.

“Oh hey look the milkshakes are here!” Spike said while trying to distract Sweetie Belle.

Sweetie Belle was no longer amused with Spike’s antics. Sure she could handle him knowing about her crush, but to outright try and wiggle his way out of hanging out with her was unacceptable. She knew Rainbow Dash and unlike what Scootaloo thought she knew Spike wasn’t up Rainbow Dash’s alley. Whoever Spike was holding out for Sweetie Belle was just going to have to try harder than her at wooing Spike. 

“Spike I know you’re not dating Rainbow Dash, but why won’t you give m-us a chance?” Sweetie said while gesturing to Scotaloo.

“Uh. I’m a dragon who is faithful to his first maiden?”

“We’ll see about that Spikey Wikey. Rarity says that anypony who tries to control who you hang out with because you are dating them makes them a very dangerous individual. Now do you want a hay fry?” Sweetie Belle asked Spike while holding a hay fry out to him.

“I hope Twilight is having a better time than I am right now.” Spike thought.


	(_o_============================================_o_)


“Oh there you are Twilight, darling. You must simply try my newest dish Apple slices marinated in rum and baked in cinnamon.” Apple Jack said while finally having managed to get a fancy cookbook.

“Apple Jack? Why are you talking like that?”

“Like what darling? I assure you that I am talking no different than I usually do.”

“Really? Because right now you sound more like Rarity.”

“Oh, uh. Ah have no idea what yer talkin’ bout. Ah dun made some fancy vittles fer ya an’ now yer accusin’ ma of talkin’ different.”

“Uh? Why is your normal accent thicker now? Apple Jack are you trying to tell me something?”

“No. Ah just want yer opinion on the food ah made! Now chow down Sugar cube and tell me what ya think!”

Twilight who by that point had grown rather hungry considering her last attempt at a meal had left her running around Ponyville trying to find the ponies that foalnapped Spike. So she eagerly ate every piece of food on the tray and noticed that it wasn’t bad. In fact the food was quite good and had quite a kick to it. Then she looked over at Apple Jack and noticed that there were three of her.

“H-heeeey Aapple Jack. I didn’t know ya could do magic. Maybeee y’ could teach me ssomeeetime.” Twilight said before falling over.

“Maybe ah shouldn’t have added the extra dragon liquor after ah cooked it.” The mare said before dragging Twilight home.

“Heey where da ya think we’re goin’? *hic* Ah need ta find me a dragon. Ya know t’way don’t ya? *hic* purple dragon, wander whot he doin’ out there. Hopin’ he finda nice dragoneeess, maybeee t’will calm im down.” Twilight said letting her head flop to the side.

“Sorry Twi but ah think ya need to rest fer a while before ya try to look fer ‘im.”

“Okaay. H-h-hee wanted me to take Rarity to the gala an’ ‘elp im to ask heer out ya know. *hic* Ah tells him he’s t’young but he won’t listen. Hope he knows she aint lookin’ fer a foal ta date.” Twilight said to a confused Apple Jack.

“Oh dear! Apple jack what has happened to poor twilight! Speek to me darling are you alright?”

“Hey Rarity. Ya know magic too? *hic* Why can’t ah do that. Apple Jack was goin’ ta do that at the gala when ah take ‘er right?”

“So Apple Jack you think that you can take the ticket from Twilight by getting her drunk huh? Well I would never stoop to such a level. It’s a good thing I know a little spell to fix that.”

“What makes ya think she would take you to the gala?”

“Because I have class deary something that you are truly lacking.”

“Oh really well I’m sorry to rain on your parade but I can be just as fancy as you. Now dear, why don’t you just let Twilight take me to the gala hmm?” Apple Jack said while mocking Rarity.

“Well played Apple Jack, but I will still have the last laugh!”

“Really now?! Well Ms. frou frou ah happen to respect someponies decisions and ah’m willing to let Twilight decide who she really wants to bring to the gala when she in a sober state of mind.”

“Alright then. Whoever pleases Twilight the most over the course of the day gets all rights to the ticket? Deal?”

“Deal!” Apple Jack said while spitting onto her hoof and hoof bumping Rarity.

“Ew! Now that we have our little bet, it! IS! ON!”

The two mares ran off to get ready for what they were planning to do in order to “win” the tickets, leaving Fluttershy to tend to the inebriated Twilight. Fortunately Fluttershy knew that Carrot Top had a recipe for a hangover cure. Well cure may have been too strong of a word, but it certainly dulled the effects greatly. After the mare had placed Twilight in her bed she flew off in order to get the tonic that would help Twilight later.

“I hope Rarity and Apple Jack don’t hurt themselves.” The mare said while heading off towards Carrot Top’s farm.
> Ch 5: Sweet Tickets Pt. 2
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Cheerilee was enjoying some alone time while preparing her lessons for the first week of school. She almost couldn’t believe that only last Sunday they had saved the world from the Nightmare and almost nopony acknowledged that anything happened anymore. Cheerilee hadn’t been expecting much attention, Ponyville was a pretty laid back town after all, but Celestia barely even acknowledged that they had done anything. Most ponies that were coming in from other places for a last bit of touring before the school season started only considered it a new thing the princess had decided to try out.

Cheerilee didn’t blame the princess for keeping the rest of the world in the dark about the Nighmare and the element bearers. Letting the nobles know about the bearers could wind up provoking fights over which noble house gets to use the elements as they please. Cheerilee was quite thankful for not being dragged into a political battlefield, but the princess could have at least given them a “thank you”. Instead the only thanks they got was from Pinkamena at the saving the world party.

Cheerilee was beginning to worry about the pink, bubbly mare that graces Sugar Cube Corner. Her alternate personality was starting to resurface again. Not many ponies know of Pinkie’s disorder, mainly because of the medicine she takes, but to see that personality show up again was troublesome. Hopefully Pinkie sees her doctor before ponies start disappearing, unlike the first time it happened.


A light rapping at the door of the school house broke Cheerilee out of her thoughts as she wondered who would be here on the Saturday before the first week of school. Maybe her sister Berry Punch had brought over a hard drink in order to help her unwind again. Although she hated to admit it, Cheerilee found that hard cider was a good way to forget about the minor annoyances that come with teaching sixth graders.

Apple Jack who had been wanting a bit of an edge against Rarity was eagerly knocking on the door to the schoolhouse in order to get a good opinion on what a Canterlot pony like Twilight would like. Cheerilee came to the door with a happy smile that faltered for a second when she noticed Apple Jack. 

“Sorry about botherin’ ya Miss. Cheerilee but ah was hopin’ ah could ask ya a few things about Canterlot ponies.”

“Oh it’s no trouble Apple Jack I was just expecting my sister Berry Punch.”

“School’s not even in session till Monday and the kids are already leadin’ ya to drink again.” Apple Jack said in a teasing manner.

“Trust me, when you have to deal with a brat like Diamond Tiara every day you need it.”

“Silver Spoon being nicer then?”

“No…but she probably would be nicer if she didn’t clamor after Diamond Tiara’s approval so much. She probably is afraid that Diamond will turn on her if she doesn’t act the way she does.” Cheerilee said with a sigh.

“Nothing we can do about it unless Silver’s parents intervene or Diamond moves away. So about the Canterlot ponies.”

“Oh yes, sorry about getting distracted there, but you know how I am when it comes to the students.”

“It’s one of the reasons why ah trust ya with Apple Bloom so much, ya care about them.”

“Now you wanted to know about Canterlot ponies. Well there are a few things to know about Canterlot before I talk about them. Canterlot was made the capital of Equestria four years after the banishment of Artemis. Princess Celestia was the only known alicorn at the time and was now the sole ruler of Equestria prompting most of the nation’s nobility to move into the newly founded capital that had been built into the side of the Canterhorn mountain. As a result most of the ponies there today are quite wealthy and are known for enjoying ballroom dancing and dinner parties. However there are less wealthy ponies that call the illustrious city their home and they are mostly found living right under what would normally be considered Canterlot. This is because Canterlot has an upper and lower part to the city and most ponies outside of Canterlot aren’t too aware of the lower part. This lower part is split into gated and ungated communities due to the high crime rates that exist there.”

“Sorry to interrupt but how will this help me understand what Twilight might like? Ah’m a big a fan of history as the next mare, but could ya get to something more relevant?”

“Sorry…I tend to go into lecture mode when asked certain questions. Now as I was saying considering that Twilight isn’t a very wealthy pony other than being the student of Celestia she most likely grew up in lower Canterlot. Ponies there are typically more accustomed to the dim light of the glowing crystals that are used to light this part of the city. Being raised in the palace and having a rather impressive education however, has likely given Twilight an appreciation for slow and quiet events. What little influence from lower Canterlot she has most likely culminates in an appreciation for low lighting, loud music, and murder.”

“Ah can understand all of that except the murdering part.” Apple Jack said in confusion.

“Sorry, I was thinking of thugs when I said that last part. I meant to say clubbing, not murder.”

“Makes more sense but ah still can’t see Twilight hitting the clubs the way her brother does with the guards every Friday.”

“Clubbing is actually a popular thing in big cities even some of the nobles go to them and let loose.”

“Thanks…Ah’ll keep that in mind. Oh! Berry Punch asked me to give ya this bottle of cherry Vodka.” The apple farmer said while rummaging in her saddle bags.

“Thanks Apple Jack and tell granny that Berry appreciates the cider barrels that you reserve for her.”

“Well ah wouldn’t leave your sister hangin’ when it comes to the most popular ingredient in some of her mixed drinks.”

“I won’t keep you around this empty school house any longer and thanks for the delivery.”

After Apple Jack left Cheerilee went back to her desk and was about to get back to her class attendance sheet when she was interrupted by a white mare with a deep violet mane known as Rarity. Why she was here was probably to make sure her sister Sweetie Belle was registered for classes after her parents left her in Ponyville recently. She turned to face the patient mare who was idly running a fore hoof through one of her curls.

“Hello Rarity, I am assuming that you are here to discuss Sweetie Belle’s registration and I am pleased to announce that she has already been fully enrolled for the school year.”

“Oh I’m sure the little darling will be pleased to know that. Now I came here because I was curious about what Apple Jack was talking to you about.”

“Oh she just wanted to know about Canterlot and the ponies that live there.”

“Trying to gain the upper-hoof I see. Well she will have to have more than a little information about Canterlot to win the Tickets to the Grand Galloping Gala.”

“Why would Apple Jack want to attend such a formal event?”

“I have absolutely no idea. She would be a fish out of water at such an event and I wish to go in her stead, but she is quite stubborn and is that cherry Vodka?”

“What? You’ve seen me drink before, especially when we both went up to the bar with Granny Smith that one time.”

“I barely remember what happened at that party darling, and what I do remember is that Granny Smith is terrifying when she gets cranky.”

“You know how my sister gets when Pinkie wants to throw a pony’s twenty first birthday party. She always has to take you out to the nearest pub afterwards and she always has to mix your first drink.”

“Yes, well thank you for your time Miss. Cheerilee and I’ll be sure to let Sweetie know she will need to get up early Monday.” The mare said before leaving.

Cheerilee, who was happy to be getting back to her paperwork, continued working with no interruptions until the door swung open and the tiny hoofsteps of two fillies entered the room. Cheerilee looked up to the clock and noticed that quite a bit of time had passed and that her bottle of Vodka was now half empty. The two fillies that had entered the room were none other than Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle with a rather annoyed looking Spike with them.

“Oh hello girls! What can I do for you?”

“We were hanging out with our new friend Spike here and we found out that he isn’t going to be attending classes. So we decided to set him up with the best teacher in town, if you know what I’m saying.” Scootaloo said with a wink.

“Miss Sugarberry Loo Punch don’t think you are going to be given a lighter punishment for trashing the house and staying out after dark yesterday just because you are wanting to help register a new student!” Cheerilee said with a hoof stomp.

“Sugarberry?” Sweetie Belle asked while breaking out into a giggle fit.

“Wait then why are you called Scootaloo?” Spike asked.

“I hate my first name, I like scooters, and my middle name sounds kinda’ cool so I mixed them together and came up with Scootaloo. Mom did something similar but she mixed her first name and middle name together instead, her real name is Blackcherry Lee Punch.”

“Scootaloo please be good for the day.” Cheerilee said in an exasperated tone before continuing, “I’m busy finalizing all of the paperwork and I haven’t even gotten halfway through yet. Someday I hope I don’t have to teach every foal from first to eighth grade in all of Ponyville.”

“Sorry mom…but…Sweetie Belle? How did you finish all of the papers required to register Spike so fast!”

“Wait Cheeriless’s your mom?” Spike asked before being promptly ignored.

“I’m used to filling them out with my parents every few months during our travels between cities. Now come on we still have time for another cutie-mark attempt!” Sweetie Belle said while placing the papers on her teacher’s desk.

“But dragons don’t get cutie-marks.” Spike added.

“You can still help and have fun with us!” Sweetie Belle said with glee as she pulled Spike out of the building with Cheeriliee’s daughter, Scootaloo, following them out.

Cheerilee sagged in her chair and sighed knowing that Scootaloo hardly got any attention from her with how busy her days were. Thankfully she only taught at two separate times during the day with most foals from first to fifth grade being taught in the early part of the day before going home and leaving the rest of the students after recess. The real nightmare was sifting through everypony’s homework, and her sister Berry had helped grade things on more than one occasion.

“Just let me finish my work for the day.” Cheerilee groaned to herself while looking at the ceiling.


	(_o_============================================_o_) 


Diamond Tiara, the local bully of Ponyville elementary, was currently playing near a small pond in Whitetail woods. She had just managed to get a golden ball after begging her father for one for over three months. He, unlike the rest of his staff, had a strong defense against her whining, but even he had limits. He would never tell his daughter this, but the ball she got had very little gold in it and like most was made almost entirely of rubber. Who would be able to have fun with a solid gold ball outside of bowlers, Croquet players, and Discord?

Diamond Tiara couldn’t care less though, as long as it was expensive and something she could rub in her classmates’ faces she was alright with whatever it was made of. So the little rich filly played with the ball and rolled it around and actually started to have some real fun with it before it rolled into the pond and sank to the bottom. The filly looked down into the murky water faintly seeing the glittery rubber the balls surface was made of before popping down and just thinking about how to get the rubber orb out of the pond, without doing it herself of course. 

As the filly sat there contemplating her predicament a frog from the bog hopped over to a spot near her and began to look at her. She looked at the frog and found nothing out of the ordinary about it, it was a frog after all. As the amphibian continued to look at Diamond Tiara the little filly went with the only plan she had at the moment and spoke to the frog.

“My ball has rolled into your pond oh odious frog, now go fetch it and bring back for me.”

The frog just stared at the filly and did nothing but croak and continue staring at the filly. Diamond Tiara wasn’t amused by the frog’s lack of action, nor was she amused by its response to her either. She knew just what to do when things like this arose though.

“If you fetch my ball I will give you all the flies you could ever want.”

*Ribbet*

“I’ll throw in a tiara as well if you fetch the ball.” Diamond Tiara said with a smile to the unmoving frog.

*Ribbet*

“I’ll let you be my friend for the day, but don’t think I will enjoy it.”

The frog promptly turned around and hopped away at the last reply leaving an exasperated filly. She couldn’t understand how the frog would refuse any of her offers to enhance its life. Any other pony would have jumped at the chance for some free food or an offer to give them something. Surely there was something that Diamond Tiara wasn’t getting. Unfortunately she only had concerns for her ball right now.

Silver Spoon was walking through the woods with her mother, a unicorn named Dainty Spoon, while enjoying the feeling of the warm summer air against her coat. Silver Spoon noticed the distraught filly she called a friend staring into the pond and walked over to her. It wasn’t unusual for Silver Spoon and her mother to walk through the woods, especially when the weather was so nice today. Diamond Tiara playing by herself here wasn’t an unusual sight either, and Whitetail woods was one of her favorite spots.

Diamond Tiara just stared at the ball that was mocking her beneath the placid surface of the pond. Then the filly felt a warm, plush surface wrap itself around her as Sliver Spoon hugged her. Diamond Tiara wasn’t expecting this, nor did she know why it was happening, but she enjoyed it while it lasted. Nopony ever hugged her anymore now that her mother was gone.

Silver Spoon had wanted to cheer up Diamond Tiara from her dejected state of staring blankly into the pond. Now she could only think that hugging Diamond Tiara was a mistake as the pink filly in her forehooves started to whimper. Her doubt turned into a small amount of confusion when Diamond Tiara began to hug her back as tears slowly formed in her eyes.

“Are you alright Diamond?”

“I miss my momma!” The pink filly cried.

Dainty Spoon knew fully well what was going on with the bratty filly and waited until the filly had finally shed all of her tears. The mare walked up to her and noticed a glittering object in the water where the filly had been staring. She lifted the ball out of the water with her telekinesis and brought it close to where the two fillies were embraced.

“Is this what you were looking for when we found you Diamond Tiara? Now if you wouldn’t mind we could walk you home I’m sure your father would be happy to see you.” The mare said with a smile that radiated pure kindness.

Diamond Tiara dumbly nodded her head as the mare’s motherly voice reached her ears. She slowly let go of Silver Spoon and collected her ball before following the duo through the woods on their walk. It was days like today that made Diamond Tiara happier than she had been in a long time. Unfortunately she knew it would all end too quickly.


	(_o_============================================_o_) 


Fluttershy was on the outskirts of the Golden Harvest farm that Carrot Top tended to. It wasn’t anything compared to Sweet Apple Acres in terms of size as it was only big enough to be considered a really big garden. The yellow mare nervously fidgeted at the entryway to the farm hoping that Carrot Top wouldn’t hate her, for Fluttershy’s bunnies were known for stealing from the carrot farmer.

The carrot farmer was busy humming to herself as she watered her plants for the day when she noticed the yellow Pegasus near the front gate. Carrot Top was all too familiar with the pests that Fluttershy kept around her house and she knew that all of the other farmers hated those thieving rabbits as well. Nopony blamed Fluttershy for them though, she was just considered another victim of the creatures’ faux cuteness by the farming community.

“Hey Fluttershy what’s going on!?”

“Oh I’m so sorry to interrupt you miss Carrot Top! Please forgive me! I’m only here for a hangover cure, one of my friends had a little too much Dragon liquor.”

“I’d be happy to help and I’ve already told you that I don’t blame you for the bunnies crimes. Now I’ll have that tonic whipped up in a jiffy just wait right there and I’ll bring it out to you.”

As Fluttershy patiently waited for Carrot Top to mix up the medicine her eyes began to rove over the many rows of carrots that lay before as her mind drifted off to somewhere else. As her mind wandered she just stood there staring at the carrot fields while those passing by noticed a dreamy look in the mare’s eyes. From that day forward anypony who noticed the look Fluttershy was giving the carrot field would assume that carrots were Fluttershy’s favorite food. 

When Carrot Top returned Fluttershy snapped out of her blissful daze and paid for the medicine. As she walked down the path she could see Apple Jack running around preparing for what was likely an attempt to win the mare’s gala ticket. Fluttershy hadn’t realized how much she wanted the ticket before now and Twilight had already offered it to her. All she had to do was keep the others from getting their hooves on it and her place at the gala was set. 

Fluttershy frowned at the last part of her train of thought, surely getting involved in her friends competition wasn’t going to end well. If she remembered anything from her dream it was when to go with the flow, and she knew if she waited this out her ticket would certainly be secured. But why did she feel guilty about that? Surely her friends would understand if Twilight picked her to go to the gala.

“Oh if only Angel bunny were here he would do something to make me realize I’m being a foolish filly.” The mare said as she began to fret.

On her way to the residence she had started to nervously eat what food was in her bag before reaching the home of her friend who was currently sleeping on the couch. The butter yellow mare was going to open the door and give her friend the medicine until she realized that she didn’t have any of Spike’s gems when making sure she had everything. The mare, who wouldn’t let any innocent creature suffer, darted towards Rarity’s hoping to catch her before she became too busy with other things.

Oddly enough it wasn’t too hard to find her as she was coming back from having visited Cheerilee. The marshmallow was currently gathering up a few things for what she was planning. Fluttershy had no intention of making a fool of herself by interfering with anything or exasperating the squishy mare. All Fluttershy was here for was the gems for Spike.

“Um…Hello Rarity I’ve just came back after realizing that I don’t have any gems and I sort of need them.” Fluttershy said sheepishly.

“But Fluttershy darling I already gave you the gems when we had that conversation.”

“I’m sorry Rarity, but I don’t seem to have any gems. I’ll pay you for the new ones though, I don’t wasn’t to take advantage of you generosity.”

“Thank you darling, I work so hard to get ahold of my gems you have no idea.”

“Of course Rarity, and your knowledge on so many of the different types is amazing. You truly work hard on your dresses and fashion career.”

“Fluttershy you are such a flatterer.”

“Oh, ok.”

“Here are your gems darling and make sure you don’t lose them this time. Now time to get my stuff together for what I’m planning on doing. Hmm…maybe a bit of blue cloth would be preferred.” Rarity mumbled the last bit to herself as Fluttershy left her house.

After Fluttershy had left Rarity visibly frowned. The local gem cutter, Diaond Cutter, had been goading Rarity about using magic again. The mare was known for being a tribalist and unicorns, Rarity especially, were the ones she liked to antagonize the most. Thankfully rarity didn’t explode like she did every week, but that only meant she was a ticking time bomb waiting to explode at the simplest indication of tribalism though.

“Hopefully I don’t do something foolish.” Rarity mused to herself.


	(_o_============================================_o_) 


To say Dusk Shine was unhappy was an understatement, he was currently experiencing what felt like Tartarus on Equus. Drinking in the military wasn’t uncommon for Dusk Shine and he could even hold his liquor pretty well. Dragon liquor was different though and it always left him passed out somewhere and left him wishing he was dead later. 

While he was busy retching the last of his stomach’s contents into the toilet he briefly remembered Cheerilee saying something about Dragon liquor being distilled from a magical flaming plant that grows in an empire ruled by dragon-pony hybrids. She said they were something called Longma which was a Neighponese word that translated into equestrian as dragon horse. She then went into a long rant about how Kilin were a different creature entirely that was composed of a large mixture of creatures. Although Dusk Shine was more concerned with the hangover he was currently experiencing after having passed out over two hours ago than Cheerilee’s ranting about the various chimeric creatures in the world.

The disguised stallion heard a knock at the bathroom door and the familiar “eep” that alerted the pony to Fluttershy’s appearance. The stallion managed to get over his hangover just enough to unlock the door and allow Fluttershy in. The mare looked at him with a knowing look and handed him some sort of tonic inside of a bottle.

“Here Twilight, I know how bad Dragon liquor hangovers can be and I grabbed some medicine for you.”

“Thanks Fluttershy, anything to help with this hangover is appreciated.”

Twilight took the concoction and swallowed the whole thing noting the bitter aftertaste. The relief was almost instant as the headache that felt like a nail heated in the hottest pits of Tartarus had been imbedded into her skull now receded until it felt more like she had been kicked in the head. She could handle this level of pain though and she made her way down to her kitchen in order to get a drink of water.

Fluttershy helped her by getting a glass and filling it and the butter yellow mare patiently waited for Twilight to finish her drink before attempting to do anything else. Unfortunately Rarity had just finished her preparations and had entered the building hoping to win the Gala Tickets from Twilight. The mare had brought with her an assortment of dishes and an entire tea set. 

While the fashionista set up the tea and managed to pull a plate of scones out of thin air in a manner Pinkie would have admired Apple Jack showed up as well. The earth pony looked at the frou frou pony before her and proceeded to sit in the corner just waiting to see what Rarity would do. Rarity was obviously agitated by Apple Jack’s unplanned appearance and the apple farmer couldn’t help but snicker at Rarity.

Rarity ignored the apple farmer and continued with her setup and started what could only be considered a relatively ordinary tea party. Unfortunately Twilight wasn’t entirely fond of tea and didn’t enjoy anything other than the food. Fluttershy was fully enjoying the tea party though and she talked to Rarity about her animals and dress designs while Apple Jack inhaled what food was present.

After the tea party was over Rarity looked rather smug. Apple Jack could care less though and she pulled out a scrap book and started having all of the others join in. Twilight found the activity to be relatively nice considering that she had a headache. She wasn’t one to go full out on the girly parts though and was more interested in just pasting the pictures to the pages. Fluttershy seemed to be the one to enjoy all of this the most though and in her books the two were easily making her day a splendid one now.

Rarity compensated for Apple Jack’s surprisingly pleasant activity by pulling out paper and scissors and deciding to make paper dolls. Twilight was relatively bored with the project, but she did make some snazzy designs with it. Apple Jack was looking a little smug and Fluttershy was happy busily making chains of butterflies. Rarity on the other-hoof was starting to get a little nervous with the lack of interest Twilight was showing.

Apple Jack’s next attempt involved sampling a few hors d’oeuvres Apple Jack had prepared after she promised that no Dragon liquor was involved. She even set up a little bit of fancy music and while Rarity and Fluttershy were enjoying themselves twilight couldn’t help but start to feel bored with what they were doing. Rarity took notice of Twilight’s disinterest in the things they were doing and thought about what to do to liven up things.

Rarity began to set up what could only be described as DJ equipment and speakers. Apparently Rarity had managed to figure out that Twilight had a taste for newer music when Apple Jack accidently grabbed one of Twilight’s records and had packed accordingly. Apple Jack just sat back and watched Rarity set things up while snickering the whole time, knowing full well that Twilight still had a headache.

“What’s so funny Apple Jack?” Rarity said in a huff.

“Nothing, just watching ya about to make a fool of yerself.”

“Well! A lady would never stoop so low as to insult the competition.”

“Well it’s a good thing that my competition aint shown up yet.” Apple Jack teased.

“Oh so I’m not worth being your competitor now am I!”

“Well it would be competing if you were actually doing something worth challenging.”

“How dare you!? I am perfectly capable of competing with you even if I lack the physical build of an earthpony!”

“Whoa there! Ah aint said nothing about my competing having to do with ya being a unicorn.” Apple Jack said starting to get nervous.

“But you were thinking it! Every earthpony does this to me! None of them ever take me seriously because I’m a unicorn!” Rarity said now clearly red in the face.

“Well uh…Ah’m mighty sorry to hear that and ah’m sorry that you’ve dealt with ponies that doubt ya like that. But ah haven’t insinuated nothing of the sort and the Apple family isn’t one to stoop so low as to go about thinking and spouting tribalist junk!”

Twilight just watched what started as light teasing turn into a full blown argument about whether or not Apple Jack is being tribalist. The unicorn mare wished she knew why Rarity was so easy to blow up on such a subject, but unfortunately their bickering had started to make her headache worse. Fluttershy was starting to get antsy as the two mares continued to go at it and she was starting to get a look that could only be described as utter disappointment.

“Ah’m telling ya ah don’t care whether or not ya have a horn ya are still a good pony!”

“So now you decide to say you don’t care whether I have magic or not! I will have you know that I have worked hard with my magic and I would appreciate it if you acknowledged what I’ve accomplished with it, even if earthponies think it’s just a cheap way of getting things done!”

“EVERYPONY SHUT UP!!!!!!!!!!!” Fluttershy screamed at the top of her lungs, and this time Celestia did hear her.

The two mares who were screaming at each other a moment before slowly turned to look at Fluttershy and immediately regretted it. The two ponies had only heard rumors of the stare before and what it could do and now they were being exposed to it in its full unfiltered power. The glare that Fluttershy was currently giving them made Rarity want to go hide in a mud pit somewhere, while Apple Jack thought about what it would be like to be banished to the moon.

“If you two cannot stop your bickering about silly and hurtful things then you don’t deserve the tickets to the gala! Now go home both of you this competition is over and I want you to think about what you have done!” The mare seethed as the two ponies she called friends wilted under her stern glare.

“But how was ah supposed to know she’s had bad experiences with tribalism?”

“Apple Jack corner now!” Fluttershy commanded and Apple Jack complied by plopping down and staring at the intersection the two walls made.

“I’m sorry!” Rarity cried causing her mascara to run.

“I-it’s alright Rarity. You’ve been so used to being discriminated against that you see it everywhere know. I-I don’t know why, but please try to be a little more understanding next time.” Fluttershy said before ending the stare.

“My question is why has she been exposed to this?” Twilight asked as her headache began to go away.

“Sorry darling, but that’s my little secret that I would rather not talk about right now. I’ll be fine though, I’m just a little emotionally exhausted. Although I hardly think I deserve to be with a prince with the way I’ve acted towards Apple Jack. She can have the ticket if she so chooses, I’ll even help her fit in there. It’s the least I could do for how I’ve acted.”

“Ah think ah should be the one apologizing Rarity. Ah started heckling ya when ah shouldn’t have and ah provoked a reaction ah wasn’t expecting. Ya deserve that ticket more than ah do considering ah could’ve just walked away and let ya cool down instead of getting in yer face right away.”

“These tickets are causing too much trouble if they lead to this kind of stuff.” Twilight groaned, “I’m happy all of you learned a lesson and I’d even send it to Celestia if I thought she’d read it, trust me she needs it, but I might as well get rid of the tickets if they lead to this much fighting.”

“Or you could just ask Artemis for more.” Sunset Shimmer said while dragging in an exhausted Rainbow Dash.

“Where have you been?! I’ve been half starved, ran over by a scooter and a wagon, drunk on Dragon liquor, and forced to listen to an argument about tribalism!” A rather grumpy Twilight said to Sunset Shimmer.

“Well I better not tell my Shiny about you then. He would be so upset with you if he found out you’ve been drinking without him again.” Sunset said in a playful tone.

“Wait did somepony upset Rarity with an earthpony comment again?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“You knew!!?” Everypony other than Rarity and Fluttershy screamed at Rainbow Dash.

“Well yeah! I mean have you seen the way all of the earthponies in town look at her? I’m just surprised it happened here instead of the market where her weakly blowup usually happens. It’s always Diamond Cutter that starts it though, seriously that mare has no respect for any other tribe. I thought Apple Jack would at least have known considering the amount of time she spends in the market.”

“Ah’m only in the market on Saturdays until two. Dash ah spend the rest of ma time on the farm.”

“Well I guess everypony just assumed you knew about that then. Well this is embarrassing. Oh and Rarity I’ll be over later to commission a special uniform that Sunset here helped design.”

“Oh, ok darling. I’ll be sure to look at it.”

“Great now that the ticket problem is settled…WHERE IS SPIKE!”

“I think Rarity’s sister and Scootaloo were with him the last time I saw him.”

“Oh dear, I hope they don’t wind up getting him in trouble.” Rarity said knowing fully what Sweetie Belle was capable of.


	(_o_============================================_o_) 


“Wow this really is fun!” Spike said as he narrowly missed a water balloon.

“I told you! It also helped remove the tree sap from when we tried sap collecting earlier.”

“I still thought that it sounded funny.” Scootaloo said while pelting Spike with another balloon.

“Hey guys the sun’s starting to set and I’m getting hungry.” Spike said to the group.

“Oh no! If I come home after dark again my mom is going to kill me!” Scootaloo yelled before jumping on her scooter and zooming off.

“So…Spike. Uh if you don’t mind I’d like it if we walked home together.” Sweetie Belle said while blushing. 

“Uh…sure I mean I already know where Carousel Boutique is.”

“Alright, but let’s stop at your place first since you’re hungry.”

“My place is closer isn’t it? Well I guess we can take a slight detour.”

The two walked towards the residency while Spike stayed absolutely oblivious to the implications. Sweetie Belle stayed close to the young drake, but not close enough to cause him to notice. As the two approached the residency they could see most of the element bearers standing outside with Sunset Shimmer. Rarity seemed a little distressed though.

“Uh hi sis, is something going on?” Sweetie Belle asked.

“Oh it’s nothing dearie I just let my anger get out of control again is all. Oh and Spike Twilight was worried about you.”

“It wasn’t that big of a deal guys. I was with Sweetie Belle the whole time.” Spike said trying to sound a little tough in front of Rarity.

“Well Sweetie Belle we better head home and fix you dinner.”

“Alright Rarity! Oh and Twilight I signed Spike up for our elementary class so you are going to want to talk to Cheerilee tomorrow!”

“Oh! Well thank you Sweetie Belle that really frees up my time now that I don’t have to worry about teaching Spike myself. I’ll be sure to finalize everything with Cheerilee tomorrow. Also, Spike, Fluttershy already has your dinner sitting on the table.”

“Oh Spike I have something to give you before I go.” Sweetie Belle said to the dragon.

“Oh really, what is it!?” Spike asked having completely forgotten the filly’s crush.

What happened next left Spike standing there sheepishly with a deep red blush plastered on his face, while Rainbow Dash whistled somewhere in the background and shouted, "You go girl!". Sweetie Belle had kissed Spike on his cheek while dropping a gem into his hands before running over to a waiting Rarity. Sweetie waved back at Spike before the duo left and amidst the crowd of surprised ponies was a smiling Fluttershy.

Rarity had been surprised when her sister openly kissed Spike like that. She had known her sister to be full of surprises, but this one took the cake. Never in her life would she have expected Sweetie Belle to fall for a dragon. Still she would support her if things lasted long enough and he started feeling the same way. Sometimes life threw unexpected things at you and sometimes you would just have to roll with them. This was one of those times.


	(_o_============================================_o_)


Artemis was pacing in his room after having heard about the trouble his sister had caused earlier in the day with the element bearers. Luckily they could talk things out like civilized ponies when they needed to, otherwise a rift could have formed between Rarity and Apple Jack. He already knew who Diamond Cutter was from brief glimpses into Rarity’s memories when he was partially controlled by the Nightmare.

The problem with the gala was the one that was going to be hard to figure out how to mess with. If Dusk Shine fakes Twilight’s death and assumes a new female persona there would be too many problems. One was that he would need to transfer all of Twilight’s bits and doing that was sure to arouse suspicion when she dies later. Another problem was that recasting the armor’s feminizing enchantments in order to make a new persona was going to produce less than satisfying results compared to using the pony wearing the armor as the base design.

The fact that this new mare would be capable of using the element of magic right off the bat would be problematic along with the fact that the element’s shape and color would go unchanged. Her friends could be let in on a secret where Twilight wishes to drop completely out of Celestia’s eye and fake death…could work, but the funds were still a problem and those outside of the element bearers might grow suspicious about the element’s shape and color, although he could always say that the element was stuck looking like that. It was simple, somewhat believable, and it wasn’t technically a lie.

Sometimes Artemis wondered if his sister lived to make his life hard. Which brought him to the matter he was working on before he had to send out extra gala tickets and work on finding a solution to the Dusk Shine and Twilight problem. He was currently working on reintroducing the idea of creativity and shooting beyond what is expected. 

Laying on one of the stallions desks were his plans for motivationally spurring ponies on to try and be more creative and a few ponies were already penciled in for help. Prince Blueblood was among them and he was one of Artemis’ special pet projects on helping the nobility overcome their ego. Of course Prince Blueblood had come to him because of how popular Artemis was coming off compared to the wide berth most gave him.

Blueblood was only good for funding and, unlike what his social status suggests, a good image. Blueblood was most notably a good business pony considering his special talent was too see the potential in ponies and guide them, although Artemis sometimes wonders what the stallion thinks of himself. The prince had suggested a motivational speaker named Iron Will earlier and told the Prince that he was very influential and helpful when he wasn’t causing ponies to go overboard.

Needless to say Artemis had the Minotaur scheduled for a longer meeting than most in order to figure out how to balance things out with him. Of course there was the problem of not knowing of any other speakers or performers qualified for such a task, again this was why Blueblood was present. The stallion, for all of his faults, was going to be useful in helping make sure this inspiration project runs smoothly.

Celestia wouldn’t be able to say much to him or hinder him all that much considering he wasn’t resting on his power alone to support this. She would likely find a way to be a pain in the flank about it though. She was also likely out for a little bit of payback for having messed with her schedule without permission if he knew her. Thankfully he had his guard prepared for anything she might decide to do.

Most of the thestrals that had been hiding under the mountains had joined his legion of guards considering he wouldn’t accept any of the guards Celestia was offering. The only problem he had with Celestia’s guards was the training they lacked and what she had decided their main purpose was for. It appeared Celestia viewed them as nothing more than decorative door stoppers that kept the annoying ponies away. 

At least the thestrals knew what it meant to be a good soldier and a guard. From what Artemis had heard quite a few of the thestrals had sparked rivalries among the day guard. It would appear that the ponies he served to rule over so many years ago were now setting examples for the ponies that one looked upon them as nothing more than fruit bats. 

A faint knocking could be heard at Artemis’ door and none other than Prince Blueblood walked in. The stallion still wore a fancy vest as always, being part of the nobility tended to make clothes mandatory, although his mane was allowed to assume a natural position. The stallion walked over to the desk and began examining the names listed. A small frown appearing on his face with the small amount of usable specialists when it came to their project.

“Am I to assume that these are all of the names you have been able to come up with since our meeting earlier today?”

“Even though I was able to fully integrate myself into society I am still unfamiliar with many of the ponies under Celestia’s jurisdiction. My thestrals have ponies they could use but they sleep during the day and unlike alicorns and draconiquui they still need to sleep almost every twelve hours.”

“I suppose that is true. Now I have a list of ponies worth looking into and I highly suggest looking at it before we begin this campaign.”

“I’m still surprised those so close to the sun do not worship her like the rest.”

“It’s as they say. Get too close to the sun and it burns you, and if you look at it too long it blinds you. Fly too close and you are sure to fall, and even then it just sits back and watches it all.”

“Odd. Am I to assume this is a resident of the castle thing? Because Celestia only seems to let her personality out when here or dealing with her students, in letters or otherwise.”

“It’s only something those who truly stay here long enough to know the princess say. Earthponies don’t hold Celestia in as high a regard as the rest of the population, but they aren’t known to support alicorn rule. They tend to thank the stars instead of her, and most ponies growing near them pick up the habit.”

“I have a question…what do you see when it comes to your own potential?”

“My prince it is whatever you need it to be, I only wish to correct my faults and grow as a pony. You have taken it upon yourself to be the gardener so I will do as only you see fit for me to do.”

“It seems you are full of surprises Blueblood, but this is one that I couldn’t have foreseen without more insight into who you are. So thank you for willingly helping me.”

“Of course my prince. If it wouldn’t be too improper I’ll just tell you that my decisions and…my views concerning myself have…changed recently. I once thought that I was the finest specimen of stallion to exist…but a few years ago something happened and…I found out that even the most beautiful exterior can’t hide a rotten core. I’m sorry but I don’t wish to elaborate further…the event was rather unpleasant for me.”

“I see. Thank you for the insight. Now let’s get back to work shall we?”

> Ch 6: (side chapter) Rainbow Dash the Vampony pt. 1
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Author's Note: Hey everybody, You're probably wondering about the side chapter thing. Well the side chapter thing is about how these chapters ended up focusing almost entirely on Rainbow Dash and  were a little too distracting from the main premise. While too important to Rainbow Dash as a character to remove you can skip these chapters as there will be a plot summary for them in an author's note at the beggining of chapter nine. Well that's all for now.

Light streamed through the branches of the Apple Trees at Sweet Apple Acres illuminating the bright red fruits that were nestled within the foliage. Apple Jack looked out across the many acres that had been gifted to her by her parents when they moved to the town where her father had lived when he was younger. Unlike most earthponies her mother had decided to marry a pony from another tribe, something that was more common among pegasi and unicorns. 

The two were never able to make it to the annual reunion, but Apple Jack always made sure to set some time away every year to go visit them for a week. Apple Bloom was the only one who ever really lived with their parents, but she always spent the school year in Ponyville because of the lack of a school where they lived.	

Apple Jack’s breakfast had been like all of the others, hearty and with plenty of grains in order to be able to keep up with the farm work. Like all of her siblings Apple Jack enjoyed fruit more than any other food, a trait that most likely came from her father. Unlike every other food that tasted somewhat muted, fruits were always incredibly vibrant and full of flavor for her.

Standing beside her was her older brother, Big Macintosh, who had a large amount of gauze and bandages wrapped around his midsection. He wasn’t hurt too badly, but his sides were pretty badly damaged from having slid down an embankment near the edge of the farm when he was working on a new irrigation channel. He had managed to crack a rib after hitting it off a rock on the way down, but he was going to a doctor today in order to get it looked at.

Applebloom has taken things a little too seriously when her older brother came in with a bleeding midsection and instantly went overboard with the bandages. They helped stop the bleeding, but they also used every last piece of bandaging the ponies currently had. Applebloom was disappointed when she failed to get her cutie-mark, but at least her brother was going to be alright. Even after being told that he was going to go to a doctor anyways.

Unfortunately with Big Macintosh injured Apple Jack had to deal with all of the trees in the middle of Apple Buck Season. Normally she would have laughed at such a task, but that was because Big Macintosh did most of the work during this time, and other members of the family were usually around to help as well. Now Apple Jack had to harvest the hundreds of apple trees all by herself.

Her brother Big Macintosh enjoyed working the farm, and he was known for doing a large amount of the heavy lifting. Apple Jack did her fair share like the rest of those on the farm and was even beginning to show Apple Bloom how to collect the falling apples in barrels. Now she was staring at the vast amount of apple trees swaying before her in a light breeze and was considerably nervous.

“So ah guess ah have to do this myself then huh Big Mac.”

“Eyup.”

“Think ah can do it?”

“Nope.”

“Well why not!?”

“There’s too many trees an’ not enough ponies to harvest em. It just don’t add up.”

“It’s not mah fault that Caramel and the rest had to go up to Appeloosa to help with prepping the land fer next year after an incident occurred. An’ now ah'm saddled with an orchard that is so big even Celestia’s bum is small in comparison.”

“Don’t work yerself too hard sis.”

“Ah don’t have much of a choice now do I? Applebloom is too little, Granny’s too old, you’re injured, and the rest of the staff is helpin’ family elsewhere.”

“What about them friends ya made about a month ago?”

“Twilight’s gone half the time, Rarity wouldn’t even think about getting her hooves dirty, Fluttershy is too busy with the animals and takin’ care of Spike half the time. Cheerilee is flooded with schoolwork, and Rainbow Dash is probably asleep somewhere.”

“Ya mean like in that tree over there?” Big Macintosh said while pointed at a Cyan Pegasus sleeping in one of the trees.

“Rainbow Dash what are ya doin’ sleeping in my trees again?” Apple Jack yelled startling the cyan mare.

“Oh hey AJ. Sorry, I just get tired a lot.” The mare said while yawning, stretching, and eating one of the apples present in the tree.

“Dash if ya aint getting enough sleep do ya mind tellin’ me why ya like to nap in the orchard?”

“Well it’s not my fault that orchards are like a natural bed and breakfast.”

“Come again?”

“Ah forget it you wouldn’t understand anyways.”

“Look Rainbow I’d love to chat with ya but ah’ve got nearly a thousand trees to buck.”

“Looks more like three thousand.”

“What do ya mean?”

“I’m the head weather pony, duh. I’ve got to be good at guessing how many clouds are needed to be in a storm and all of that other boring math stuff. Seriously it’s like they invented paperwork in order to bore me to death. It also doesn’t help when I have to know how much rain your trees need.”

“Ah guess that makes sense, but why do ya need to know how much water the trees need?”

“I get all of the weather orders for the farm and I’m required to know how much water all of the trees need in order to make sure they’re healthy. Also tell Granny Smith she forgot to pay for this month’s shipment of clouds.”

“Don’t worry Dash the money’s coming…and isn’t there somethin’ that yer supposed to be doin’?”

“Uh, don’t remind me. I know I’ve got to work, but couldn’t they make it later in the evening. I don’t understand how farmer ponies can stand to wake up at the crack of dawn, I’d never be able to do it. Well I better get going I’ll at least be able to get work done early and get back to snoozing.”

“With how much you sleep Dash ah swear that ya stay up all night.”

“Yeah…he,he. Good one AJ. Well I’ll just be off then.”

Before Apple Jack could say anything else Rainbow Dash had zoomed off leaving the apple farmer to her business. Unfortunately that business involved kicking over two thousand trees repeatedly. Big Mac walked on down the path to the doctor's office that he was supposed to go to today, leaving Apple Jack alone among the gently swaying apple trees. 

“Today is goin’ to be a long one.”


	(_o_============================================_o_)


“Come on, don’t be shy. It’s only Twilight.” Fluttershy cooed to a growing mass of fuzzy, white bunnies and their offspring.

“Wow Fluttershy… there sure are a lot of bunnies.”

“Oh yes! Aren’t they just adorable? When I was younger I took a liking to them and Angel bunny has been with me since then.”

“How old is Angel?”

“Oh… I think his fourteenth birthday is coming up soon. Is that normal for bunnies?”

“I think the longest a bunny has been known to last is nine years Fluttershy. So Angel is ancient for a bunny then…yet he seems rather youthful…”

“Well…he isn’t exactly from Equestria.”

“Really? Where did you get him then?”

“Well…my father is rather wealthy so he decided to get a long lived breed from somewhere near the draconic lands.”

“Wow…he must be rich then considering very few ponies venture there and I don’t think the Longma merchants normally carry bunnies.”

“Oh yes he is, he's rather sweat though and he's the one who bought me my cottage and he pays for the animals food as well considering I don't make any bits doing that. He may have made a special request when a merchant came by…the Longma are such sweethearts when it comes to getting something for ponies.”

“Aren’t Longma one of the few races to fully understand dragon biology?”

“Um…I’d assume they would considering they live in the draconic lands and are part dragon…why do you ask?”

“Well I was hoping that maybe you’d be able to purchase a book on the subject considering I have to look after Spike and all. It would help to know some of the stuff if anything happened to come up.”

“Well…I do have a book on the topic that my father bought and gave to me…but it’s written in draconic runes and I’m afraid very few ponies know how to translate it…and the Longma are very protective of the language.”

“So they refuse to let ponies know what the runes say?”

“From what my father says they believe the runes to be deeply associated with magic and…well, they don’t want it to fall into the wrong hooves, although it's said that any creature with a dragon's eyes can read them.”

“But it’s just magic.” When Twilight said that Fluttershy visibly stiffened.

“I’m sorry…but shouldn’t you know that magic can be dangerous?”

“As long as the spells are relatively simple and not associated with dark magic they’re safe.”

“Oh…right, silly me. Well we better get back to counting the bunnies, even if I enjoyed talking about where Angel came from.”

Twilight had wanted to ask some more about the book and why Fluttershy seemed a little...tense after that comment about magic. Whatever the problem was Twilight couldn’t guess what it would be. Out of the corner of her eye Twilight could see Angel bunny giving her a glare, almost as if he was telling her that she deserved to go to Tartarus for having said that.

Twilight chose to ignore Angel and continued with her counting and briefly wondered if there was an easier way to do this…or why there was even a bunny census in the first place. Out of all of the things the mare did this one had to be one of the stranger ones considering there are no records of such a thing existing. Yet here was Fluttershy, now happily counting away as if the previous conversation never happened. Sometimes Twilight wondered if were even possible for Fluttershy to be unhappy for long.

The counting continued on for what felt like hours until Fluttershy stopped and went to prepare some food for Angel. When she returned Angel left to go inspect his meal leaving the two alone for a while. Fluttershy was humming an odd tune only she knew the rhythm to for a while until she stopped again and faced Twilight.

“I’m all done here Twilight, and it looks like you’ve only got a few more to count. So you can come inside when you’re finished and have some tea with me if you don’t mind.”

“Of course Fluttershy.” Twilight said not noticing the smiling bunny in the window.


	(_o_============================================_o_)


Rainbow Dash, epitome of awesomeness, the fastest Pegasus to date, and the devourer of all things cheese flavored, was bored out of her mind. The paperwork she was forced to sift through was slowly but surely numbing her mind to the point where she was going to lose all cognitive function soon. The reason was because some ponies had mixed up everything and, to top it off, didn’t date anything. Now she had to sift through stacks of paper reading through all of the orders and placing already complete ones in their own stack.

Hoofsteps approached the closed door to Rainbow’s office before stopping and a prompt knock came from behind it before Cloud Kicker waltzed in without any other forewarning. True Rainbow Dash didn’t need privacy in a weather department’s office, but silence was generally appreciated when she was dealing with the paperwork. If there was anything to say about Cloudkicker than her generally abrasive nature it was that she loved the rain and she was known for speaking her mind.

“Hey boss, a griffin is here wanting to see ya. She said she was an old friend of yours or something. I think she said her name was Gilda.”

“Send her in but tell her I’m up to my nose in misfiled paperwork…again.”

“Are you alright boss? I’ve got it! You didn’t get any sleep and now you’re cranky. I’d totally be cranky if I didn’t get any sleep, doesn’t seem to make any difference for my brother though. Seriously that stallion only seems to run on coffee and bagels.”

“The only thing making me cranky right now is all of this mind numbing nonsense we call weather reports.”

“Heh I think I can understand why, well I’d better go and let Gilda up then.”

“Alright…just make sure she doesn’t try to break something…again.” Rainbow Dash said to a now empty room.

After what surmounted to an unbearably long period of time being alone with paperwork, Gilda finally made her way into the room. The griffin was looking well preened and her fur had obviously been brushed before entering the building. Normally something like this wouldn’t be a point of interest for Rainbow Dash, but the fact that Gilda was actually the one in question was jarring. There was no way that the griffon would willingly keep herself so well trimmed, unless…

“So Gilda have you found a mare-friend yet? If so is she a griffin or have you finally found a pony that is capable of handling griffish culture?” The cocky pegasus said with a wide grin.

Gilda’s face visibly reddened after those words left Rainbow’s mouth. It wasn’t exactly a secret between the two that Gilda wasn’t into stallions, or that griffins could be even more abrasive than pegasi…especially after an incident where Gilda found out Rainbow Dash was straight. Gilda’s embarrassment over the whole thing blew over when Rainbow had admitted that she didn’t care what Gilda liked…as long as she wasn’t dragged into it…again.

“Oh! Yeah I did, she is so tough that she makes that Apple stallion look wimpy, although we technically aren’t an item we’re more like best friends really. So, have you finally managed to catch the eyes of the Wonderbolts?”

“No I haven’t. Even after getting recommended to the princess all I was told was that I wasn’t ready yet. She was even told that I could do a rainboom and she didn’t even bat an eyelash. What the Fuck do I have to do to finally get in!? I’ve spent years going through all of the proper classes and everything. I-I’m beginning to wonder if they just don’t want me…but enough about me! Who’s the lucky mare?” Dash said going into an overly chipper tone.

“I’m hanging out with a pony named Daisy. Also those Fucks in the Wonderbolts don’t know an unbelievably talented Pegasus when they see one. It’s their loss, not yours. You could probably find a better use for your talents that will show them the mistakes they made by being a bunch of bitches.”

“Thanks for the compliment, as if I need it. But being a Wonderbolt is something I’ve gotta’ do, it's been on my bucket list for years. Also you’re best friends with Daisy? The Daisy? The one in the flower trio that is afraid of bunnies and other cute things? That Daisy?”

“Well, she’s obviously not much a scaredy-cat, even an enraged Griffin doesn’t send her running away. In fact griffins make her want to hit the sack if you know what I mean?”

“Ew! Please leave your sex life out of the conversation.”

“What? Is somepony grossed out by lesbian sex? If I had known that, Dashie, I would have included it in all of our conversations.” Gilda said with a mischievous grin.

“Do you have any sense of shame?”

“Not when it comes to sex, and I couldn’t care less what others think about it either. I’m me, and Daisy likes that, if she didn’t it was never meant to be…or at least that’s what my granny says.”

“How long have you been in Ponyville in order to get to know her like that anyways?”

“It’s been about a month.”

“…I’ll be here if you accidentally scare her off.”

“Hey Daisy’s a trooper. She doesn’t even flinch when it comes to gruesome stuff like when I go hunting or when we watch any of those scary movies. Anyways since I’m here do you want to go pranking or something?”

“I’d love to Gilda, but I’m swamped in paperwork. I’ll swing by Daisy’s later to tell her when we can hang out if that’s alright.”

“Got it Dash. Well I’ll leave you to this lame-o paperwork until we can hang out again.” The griffin said while leaving the room,a room filled with paperwork, Rainbow Dash's one true nemesis.


	(_o_============================================_o_)


Artemis was having a rather normal day in the palace considering all of the trouble his sister likes to cause him. The last month had went rather well concerning his plans for improving the educational system. His sister wouldn’t know it yet but Artemis had asked the secretary to send all of the petitioner’s with inventions, patents and similar cases to be scheduled to meet with himself instead of Celestia.

So far he had approved some very neat and interesting inventions including a schematic for a carriage that doesn’t need magic or another pony to move it. There was the problem of controlling the device, but with a few tips the design was tweaked to be friendly to all three tribes of pony. Whether or not the device would be well received or not was up for debate, but Artemis knew that the nobles wouldn’t miss out on purchasing a new and expensive toy to play with.

As Artemis nibbled at his lunch his sister Celestia walked into the room followed by her current secretary. The stallion was busy regaling Celestia with all of the appointments that she had for the rest of the week while the princess didn’t seem to be paying any attention to the stallion. Artemis looked up at the expectant and…somewhat unamused eyes of the princess.

“So sister, how is everything going today? I hope you aren’t being troubled by the nobles too much, they do tend to stir up trouble at the most inopportune times.”

“The nobles are not the ones I am having troubles with brother. It appears that quite a few ponies have started putting new inventions on the market and even seem to have royal permission to do so. Normally I would suspect forgery, but all of their papers are surprisingly official and genuine, you wouldn’t happen to know anything about this would you?”

“Why of course dear sister, I am the one that gave them permission. Why just the other day a…hm…she appeared to be an earthpony mare, but I have feeling that she wasn’t an earthpony, the magic saturation in her body was completely incorrect for an earthpony, but anyway she came to me under the name of Amaryllis Graham Cracker Belle. She came to me with a device that combines the energy transference crystals with tuning crystals to produce a device that can contact any other pony with a transference crystal. The problem of gettign the exact frequency is still being ironed out though, and it’s a bit big in order to move around but the device is simply amazing, and a few tweaks could make them easily portable in a few years. Now multiple ponies can stay in contact without needing multiple energy transference crystals.”

“Hm…what’s next brother? Asking the changelings to assimilate the entire pony population into their hive mind? And would the common pony even be capable of affording such a device, and what good would such a thing bring about?”

“Of course! The changelings are a misunderstood creature and linking ponies to the hive mind would severely dampen disharmony among the ponies, and the changelings would benefit as well.” Artemis said while enjoying the horrified look on Celestia’s face before continuing, “Surely you are not so prudish to believe such thing would happen. Although I do enjoy watching your reactions to my jokes. As for the device, the mare in question is quite generous and is willing to produce the product for only a small amount of bits over what it costs to produce them. And I’m surprised you are so unimaginative that a benefit for having the device is not obvious.”

“I’m over two-thousand years old, I know what I am doing and being creative with things has had dire consequences, or do you not remember how the Smooze was brought back into existence.”

“But you do not try to console your subjects on the dangers that exist in all things. That is why you have produced bitter things when thinking outside of the box and it also why everypony is so naïve, and unimaginative that they don’t realize what they are even capable of. Now is there anything else you wish to bore me with before I go to attend a meeting tonight?”

“Maybe, and I do have other issues to address with you as well. As you may or may not know there is currently a second alicorn amongst the nobility.”

“Princess Cadenza I presume.”

“Yes, but she prefers to be called Cadence and would rather forgo the title of princess when in the company of friends, myself included.”

“It is a common thing to want to forgo titles when in the presence of those closest to you. Although if wished to only be called Cadence in any presence outside of friends and family, it would insinuate that she does not wish to be royalty.”

“Do not worry so much about that my brother, she has come to accept her title and is ready to marry the captain of my guard. As she is currently the ruling princess over the Crystal Empire I would wish for you to get to know her.”

“Such a strange title for the ruler of an Empire to bear. Am I to believe that your influence is involved? Certainly you would have let her take the proper title of Empress. And you mentioned her being ready to marry, but the way it was worded…makes this sound like an arranged marriage. Sister, is she truly in love with this stallion, or is he truly in love with her?”

“Titles are a trivial matter when comes to dealing with foreign dignitaries brother. In equestrian she bears the title of princess, in the Crystal Empire she is Empress and so on. I’m sure you remember the unofficial titles given to the royals of other nations. As for Cadence she is the alicorn of love and she is fully capable of loving anypony if she sets her mind to it.”

“Yes titles can be rather trivial, but only when that dignitary is present within said country are honorary titles used. To call another dignitary by any other title otherwise is considered quite rude…although you still refer to King Sombra as a king…hm maybe if he returns he will agree to be your colt-friend again.” Artemis said in a teasing manner before addressing the matters involving Cadence, “As for the couple I will judge their feelings myself and see if they truly care for one another, or if they are just another pawn to you.”

“Let’s move on from such trivialities brother. Even the nobles have a hard time finding entertainment in them.”

“So when do I meet the young alicorn?”

“She will be here any minute actually. I am also curious as to why you asked for the elements to be transferred from their bearers’ possession and placed in the royal vaults.”

“Only an immortal can be in the elements presence and not face mental warping sister. You do remember that light magic is dangerous to use. This is for their protection and I would advise that you take my advice. If they are left with the elements too long you may find that their personalities have been completely rewritten and burned away. So if you don’t want them to undergo a death of self I’d gather them before a year has passed.”

“I must admit I was foolish to forget to bring the elements with me and lock them in the vault where their influence on the bearers is minimal, but I’d enjoy it if you left philosophical deaths out of the matter.”

“Why? Are you admitting that there is some truth to it? Because anypony can agree that even though a pony looks identical and even has the same soul, mind, and memories…Their true core remains hidden. It may be possible for one soul to be the bearer of many different ponies, each similar, but none the same. If you were to look into the past and see the old you, you would say that you are both the same pony, but you are not. You have far more wisdom and experience than that other pony. You have lived longer and experienced things that they have not and been shaped by those events into something else. 

Even every molecule in your body has been replaced by that point. You may be similar, but you are not the same. You were once that pony, but now you are something new entirely, but what happens to those other ponies? If the world threw something else at you back then would you even be the pony you are today? Celestia we learn and grow as an individual by going through life and learning from our choices and our mistakes. 

We are as much a factor of shaping and defining who we are as the world is on influencing who we are. So yes…sister. If left to be warped by the power of the elements your student and the other bearers will have died, and become something akin to nothing more than a tool that wields the elements and nothing more. In a way they will nothing more than harmony’s puppets.”

Celestia started banging her head on the table completely oblivious to the smile Artemis had on his face. If there was one thing she knew about Artemis, it was that he took to his lessons in philosophy like a fish to water. Unfortunately she also forgot that he liked to talk at length about it if he had a reason to bring it up and get away with it. Then there was the fact that Artemis knew that she found talking at length about philosophy to be annoying.

Fortunately for Celestia, Cadence chose at that moment to enter the room while being followed by a train of crystal guards. The ponies guarding her were comprised of mainly crystal earthponies with a few crystal pegasi and one normal Pegasus. It seemed rather odd, but Artemis suspected that a memory of Twilight’s explains clearly why he’s guarding the crystal empire’s monarch.

“Ah you must be princess Cadence! I hope that the nobility haven’t been too troublesome and that the common pony hasn’t been overly zealous.” Artemis said while getting to his hooves.

“Oh my, you’re such a charmer! Don’t worry your ponies have been extraordinarily cooperative. Now you must be Prince Artemis, Aunty Celestia has been telling me all about you.”

“…I am quite certain we are not related.” Artemis said after looking the pink alicorn over.

“Oh, well Aunty adopted me into her family when I ascended, and she’s been there for me ever since. I’m still not quite as good at magic as Twily though. I hope she’s been doing alright, it’s been so long since I’ve last seen the most talented pony I’ve babysat.”

“Clearly your perception of ponykind as a species is lacking,but I may know why that is. Although I must agree she is quite talented. I am disappointed in a few aspects but overall she is a well-rounded individual.”

“Clearly you have never met the mare.” Celestia said to the group, “She is…my best student and her position has proven to be bothersome at the same time. She has shown severe favoritism towards her brothers, been caught sneaking around the castle and invading the restricted sections of the archives. She has…damaged many of her suitors and my adopted Nephew Blueblood, Cadence’s little brother, was even left with amnesia for an entire month. He acted so different during that month…and after it he’s never been quite the same...” Celestia trailed off momentarily before quickly restarting, “Then she had Flash Sentry deported to the Crystal Empire instead of deciding to get a restraining order. That is not to mention her constant manipulation of the guards in order to allow Sunset Shimmer to walk the halls freely when she is supposed to be under a disciplinary action and she blatantly lies about it, trust me she’s a terrible liar once you know the signs. Not to mention she is almost never there when I ask to call upon her, and her messages always have to be delivered later. She is constantly testing the limits of her authority and abusing it.”

“Some of her activities do warrant suspicion sister, but I have a feeling that what happened to Blueblood is what really has you irked right now.”

“Blueblood is the closest thing that I’ve had to family for a long time. Even Twilight wasn’t as close to me, mainly because she was always out and about. It was one of the reasons that I knew she would be able to wield the element of magic. She was a student and a friend, but Blueblood was family. Now he’s…acting different. He still treats me the same and everything, but there’s something that month did to him that I can’t quite place.”

“From what I’ve heard from him, this is probably the event that he says opened his eyes to something he is ashamed about.”
“And that would be?”

“He never said. He only trusted me enough to tell me that an event with a mare helped change the way he looked at himself. Nothing more was mentioned.”

“Well…Aunty.” Cadence said with a forced smile, “It’s been fun listening to you two, and you obviously have a lot to talk about, but I’d like to take Artemis around the town, he has been gone for over a century.”

“Yes I do believe that we have been standing around for far too long.” Artemis said while following the princess outside the castle.


	(_o_============================================_o_)


Apple Jack wandered through the trees having thoroughly exhausted herself to the point where she had double vision. She seriously hooped that nopony would notice her fatigue until she finished with her chores, but that was betting on the unlikely chance that they were all incapable of noticing the obvious. Although with the way Ponyville generally did things Apple Jack felt like she had very good chances of winning that bet.

She was currently making her way into town to go tell her brother dinner was almost ready when she began to feel a faint rumbling. Of in the distance she could almost make out a massive, multicolored blob that was a little over seven inches in height making its way toward the town. Twilight and Fluttershy were tailing the stampede, and as it got closer Apple Jack could see Angel leading the entire bunny population into the town.

That rabbit was known for being generally rude and a smidge overbearing, but Apple Jack never imagined the little fur ball would do something like this without provocation. Yet there she stood watching the bunnies stampede into the town with little to no care for what was in front of them. Angel seemed to have a clear destination in mind though, as the mass of fuzzy cuteness made its way towards the residency. Unfortunately the stampede happened to be spotted by the flower trio as they were packing up.

“We’re Doomed!!” Daisy screamed.

“Eveypony run for your lives!” Lily screamed while Roseluck simply facehooved and walked home, unlike the rest of the town who went stampeding off to what they deemed as safety from the bunny invasion.

Unlike most ponies Apple Jack found the antics of the flower trio to be amusing. The three mares were known to over react to most things, including things that proved to be quite harmless. Although a stampede comprised of rabbits would be pretty bad for any pony who sold their favorite treats, but Twilight and Fluttershy looked like they had things under control.

Apple Jack would have left the bunnies to Fluttershy and Twilight considering it was just a group of hares. She did notice that Pinkie was sneaking around the cows with a grin on her face however. The mare was obviously up to something, but Apple Jack was sure it was just a silly prank. Unfortunately Apple Jack was right, and Pinkie let off a can of springy snakes scaring the entire herd into heading straight for the town.

“Why? Why am ah not surprised.” The mare said while leaping into action.

Sure Twilight and Fluttershy could handle the bunnies, but a full blown herd of cattle rampaging through the town was going to cause problems beyond getting bumped by a two pound rabbit. Fortunately Apple Jack was more than capable of handling the situation having been raised to deal with similar messes. Herding the cows without her dog Winona around was little more difficult than if her pet had been there, but she managed to keep the cattle from heading deep into town and calmed them down.

“Ah’m so sorry Apple Jack that pink filly scared us so bad back there and it just sent us into  blind panic.” Mootilda said in a bovinian accent after having come to a stop with the rest of the herd.

“It’ll be alright, nopony was injured, although Pinkie needs to get a talkin’ to concerning what pranks are appropriate. Although she didn’t mean any harm…and if she did… ah’d better go get the doctor that overlooks her to make sure her condition isn’t acting up again.”

“Well we better head back to the farm. Although it looks like the mayor is wanting to talk to you.”

Sure enough the mayor was walking up to Apple Jack. Mayor Mare wasn’t the pony one would normally see on an average day, however things had been getting more hectic in town recently. Although stampeding cattle beat an enraged godlike being any day, although something deep inside of Apple Jack told her that she was going to be facing quite a few of them in the near future.

“Hello Miss Apple Jack. I saw what you did there and I couldn’t thank you enough for handling the situation. Now as you know we are holding a celebration tomorrow for those who have helped the town this year. I was hoping that you would make an appearance considering that you just saved a lot of ponies a lot of bits, and you maybe even saved a few lives.”

“Well thanks Mayor Mare but what about all of mah other friends like Rarity? They did help defeat the Nightmare.”

“Well a silly event such as this hardly amounts to what recognition the princess must has given you already. Besides I remember that party Pinkie threw after you saved the prince. Someday you would think that a mare wouldn’t need to rescue their prince after having him kidnapped by some eldrich monstrosity, but it happens apparently.”

“Yeah…recognition. Well Ah’ll be there and if ya could say something about the others I’d appreciate it.” Apple Jack said to the Mayor as she left.

“Appreciate what?” Rainbow Dash said while landing next to Apple Jack.

“Hey Rainbow, ah was just asking the mayor if she’d talk about us tomorrow at the festival.”

“Pfft! Like I need recognition at some lame festival. I’m Rainbow Dash the fastest Pegasus currently alive as far as I know, and I also helped save Equestria! Ponies know me when I walk by, but I guess a little more praise couldn’t hurt.”

“Well ah thought that maybe ponies like Rarity and the others would like to know that ponies at least appreciate their efforts to save them…unlike a certain somepony. Hint, hint.”

“Are you still pissed about only being offered an education?”

“Well sorry if it makes me feel like she thinks ah’m stupid, and ah really aint lookin’ to do more than what my job on the farm requires. But mah problem is that she acted like nothing even happened and that she didn’t even care that we brought her brother back. She should have been happy to have her brother back after so long, not indifferent.”

“Listen I know family ties in the Apple family are pretty strong, but as far as we know those two have annoyed each other since they were born. I wouldn’t read too much into it.”

“Maybe yer right, but ah’ve been thinking about things lately and they just don’t add up, especially since the elements went dormant after Celestia used ‘em. Ah guess ah might be looking fer things that aren’t there but ah don’t know what to think of her right now with all of this evidence pointing to her being a mite bit callous.”

“Sheesh and I though Twilight liked to over-think things. Well I’d love to just stand here and talk about conspiracy theories, but I’ve got to go tell a friend of mine when she can meet up with me.” The cyan Pegasus said before flying off in a blur.

Rainbow Dash didn’t have time to waste on trivialities currently. The sun was beginning to go down and there wasn’t much time left in the day. Rainbow Dash could feel her stomach complaining about being empty, but helping Gilda get used to Ponyville was more important at the moment. Especially since Pinkie lived in the town, although it was possible that Gilda had been in Ponyville for a while now, in fact she may have been at the Summer Sun Celebration.

The trip wasn't all that tough to make and it certainly didn't take too long to accomplish either. Daisy lived in a small building along with the rest of the flower trio. The three were inseparable and a few ponies thought that they were all sisters. Rainbow Dash had been around long enough to know this wasn't the full truth since only Lily and Daisy were sisters, Roseluck was just a good friend of the family.

Rainbow Dash knocked three times on the door to Daisy's apartment and waited semi-patiently...for all of ten minutes before her stomach started to growl its complaints so loud that one may have mistaken it for a timber wolf growling. Instead of Daisy opening the door Gilda opened it up and nonchelantly motioned for the rainbow maned mare to enter.

“So you finally finished that work huh?”

“Yeah, it completely threw off my schedule, but I'm just here to tell ya that we have all of tomorrow to ourselves.” Rainbow Dash said right before her stomach tried bringing the subject of food back to her attention.

“Hey want to stay over for the night? If you're hungry you just grab something from here.”

“Sorry G. but I gotta go. I'll see ya tomorrow!” Rainbow Dash yelled behind her as she left through the kitchen window.


	(_o_============================================_o_)


Diamond Tiara had been having a pretty okay week so far. The local bully Apple Bloom had been sticking to herself, which meant that Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon didn’t need to do anything to get themselves in trouble…again. The new dragon in class had been really nice to them. That was until Apple Bloom stepped in and tried to convince him that Diamond Tiara was a bully.

Sweetie Belle was too busy admiring Spike at the time in order to say anything for or against that claim. Thankfully Spike wasn’t too hasty to jump to conclusions, even when Apple Bloom kept telling him that Diamond Tiara was just a spoiled rich filly who enjoyed bullying others. None of it was true though. Yes she enjoyed showing off her things, but it was only so that the other ponies could at least see something new.

She sometimes wondered if there was anything she could do that wouldn’t be misconstrued. Then when ponies did open up to her it was for all of the wrong reasons. After her first failure with those kinds of ponies she’d learned a few key aspects of when they were just being friendly because of what she has. If only that first time had never happened…but then she would probably have been worse off than before because of it.

It had all happened when she was six and still went to school near Manehatten instead of Ponyville. Her mother was still alive back then and she enjoyed spending her school years up in Manehatten with her and her grandpa. Her father usually stopped by once a week in order to stay in touch, and Diamond Tiara wished that her parents didn’t have to have jobs that kept them apart most of the time.

Silver Spoon was already her friend back then and they usually spent their summers in Ponyville together. Diamond Tiara loved her mother, but sometimes she got lonely when Silver Spoon wasn’t around. Other than Silver Spoon her family were the only real friends Diamond Tiara ever had, but she wanted to play with more ponies her age.

One such pony, a filly named Apple Crisp, was the second friend Diamond Tiara ever made. The two enjoyed each others company and they quickly became good friends. They played with each other for almost a year before Diamond Tiara had to go back to Ponyville. Over the summer Diamond Tiara couldn’t wait to talk to Apple Crisp again, and the two were overjoyed when they were reunited.

The two had set up a small club near the school and the two had stowed candy away. They enjoyed their time together and the candy was only reserved for use when they were both together. Halfway through the school year though when Diamond Tiara went to the usual spot the candy was all gone. She raced to find Apple Crisp to tell her that their treasure had been stolen.

When Diamond Tiara found Apple Crisp she was laughing with another filly who had transferred to the school recently, and was known for being increadibly wealthy. This would have normally been something Diamond would have overlooked if they were not eating the candy stash that had been previously thought to be stolen. When she confronted the pony she called a friend, Diamond was unceremoniously told to get lost and Apple Fritter never spoke with Diamond again unless it was to mock her.

It was for that reason that Diamond Tiara didn’t like Apple Bloom, Apple Jack, or the rest of the family. Their family was known to be exceptionally close knit and nothing was a secret among any of them, and that only made Diamond believe that they were all ponies who would exploit her eventually. Apple Bloom seemed no different in her attempts to undermine Diamond Tiara, and kept flaunting her limitless potential for greatness by being a blank flank.

From that day forward Diamond had only one true friend in Silver Spoon, and all of her current attempts had failed to produce another. Sweetie Belle seemed nice, and Scootaloo too, but neither of them enjoyed Diamond Tiara’s company and they often got into fights. Apple Bloom also seemed to take an interest in the only other ponies in their class to have not received a cutie-mark.

Diamond Tiara wasn’t exactly pleased with her own mark, nor did she want to know why the world was so cruel as to make her special talent so pointless. Maybe she could eventually find something in her cutie-mark that would be better than wearing a hat. Her father had tried telling her that maybe it meant she was destined to be a princess one day, but she highly doubted that. Nopony would want her as a princess, and she couldn’t see herself doing something like that anyways; she had seen what her father’s position of owning a business had done to him.

Her father had then suggested modeling, which Diamond Tiara just laughed at, she had no desire to let ponies throw her on some stupid pedestal to just look at. Diamond stopped thinking about her predicament in life and began to read one of her favorite stories, Daring Do and the Quest for Time’s Gate. Secretly Diamond Tiara wished she could be like Daring Do, but for now she just sat in her room, content for the moment. Silver Spoon lounged on a nearby beanbag chair while leafing through another book in the series.
> Ch 6.5 Interlude #1 Rainbow's Diary pt.1
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

year 1000 AD (After Discord)

Day 1: 
Dear diary...ugh I can't believe I started with that but whatever. My mother thinks I should record my thoughts about what happens during the day. I'm not gonna' lie this is probably my tenth attempt at keeping a diary... The other times I never really got into it and I ended up forgetting about it, or wrote entries that were so short they could be used as a bad one liner. But hopefully this enchanted quill a friend of mine got me will do the trick, it's so much easier to talk at something about your day and have it record it, rather than writing it down by hoof. 

As for how the day went, my mother has been coming home less frequently due to the fragile state the Pegasus cities are in. I know my mother can't be too happy with how things are going, and overseeing building repair and other similar tasks must be stressful on her. She's a warrior at heart though, in fact she got her cutie-mark in being a warrior pony.

She must be pretty brave to be willing to stand against Equestria's enemies all the time, but mom's just cool like that. It's also how she met my dad surprisingly enough, although I doubt any pony under the rank of being a general would have been able to handle her. 

My thirteenth birthday is tomorrow and mom is insisting that dad should take me out to play with some of the soldiers to see if I get a cutie-mark in it like they did. Dad isn't too keen on the idea, I always was his little filly, but mom insists that it is why I am so late when it comes to receiving my cutie-mark. She also believes that I might be good enough to one day get into the elite military group known as the Wonderbolts, but personally I hope for something that doesn't involve killing others.

I've heard from mom that It's not likely that I'll see action, but it feels like she's so enamored in this vision of me that she doesn't think about what I want to do... Sure I don't really have an idea of what I want in life considering I'm only twelve, but I just don't think soldering is something that's too cool. Sure my mom is amazing and undoubtedly the coolest mare alive, but I want something  else... I want my talent to be... me.

Ugh when did I become so sappy? If I keep this up the next thing I'll know is that my cutie-mark will be in writing love stories...Bleh! Unfortunately they are about the only things being printed right now other than school books. It’s like they’re trying to make me the girliest pegasus alive.

School's pretty cool, I get to see all of my friends and I get to stretch my wings during recess. The teacher is very adamant about staying in the schoolyard, from what I heard there was an incident with a timber wolf a few years back at another school. As far as bullies go I don't receive too much attention from them, but they do like to make fun of my flying skills. I'm pretty good when it comes to going fast, but maneuvering has always been a bit of a problem for me, which causes the jerks at school to say my last name should have been crash instead of Dash.

I'm not the weakest flier in my class by a long shot, that honor belongs to Cirrus Cloud, a mare that is a little too thin to be healthy, I swear if those changelings from mythology class are real Citrus Cloud would be able to put her whole leg through one of their holes. I know Pegasus cities aren't doing too well right now, and I'm a bit on the thin side, as well as most of my class... But mom would tell me if food was hard to come by... right?

Anyways out of all my classes I'm embarrassed to say that I enjoy learning about Aeroturgy, or Pegasus magic the most. Allegedly Commander Hurricane had a few Pegasus magi develop a move known as a sonic rain boom for use as a weapon against large crowds or high profile targets. I'm not too sure about that since Commander Hurricane preferred physical attacks, and wasn't an avid user of magic. Most Pegasi tend to let our hooves do most of the talking and things such as flight and normal weather manipulation don't require any magic outside of our latent magic.

Unlike egghead unicorn magic Pegasus magic is almost always weather related, doesn't emit radiation, and seriously cool stuff can be done with it. I mean how cool is it to be a living lightning bolt or funneling the full power of a blizzard at an opponent... Although Windigoes have made snow and ice manipulation a bit taboo... It must suck to have a talent like that right now. Well that's all I've got for today... Now how do I get this quill to stop writing again...?

Day 2: 

Today was a day like most others, the only difference was that it was my birthday. Mom came home today and I'm happy she's back, but I'm also kind of sad. She may hide it but I can tell she's utterly exhausted and those white hairs in her mane weren't there the last time.

My party was fairly simple and the cake that was there is the first one I've seen in over a year. It wasn't an extraordinary cake, it was just a cake. I had fun going around with my parents for the rest of the day though. 

Like I had thought, my cutie-mark didn't show up, unlike my friends who did. Their company was short but enjoyable as my family wished to spend time with me. Octavia was there with her grandpa Octavian, a Pegasus who plays the violin. Derpy was there along with her mother as well. We played a few games with each other and we all had a blast. 

My father didn't let me wrestle the guards when mom took us there, which I'm thankful for as I'd rather be doing something else, but I could still kick their flanks into next weak if I wanted to. I did get to hit a few training dummies with a rod though. It was a bit fun, but I already hit enough ponies when I get angry and that never ended well. It's even to the point where they think I should take anger management.

By the time lunch came around I was starving, even my Parents could hear my stomach! During lunch I could see my parents talking to each other, but I couldn't hear them. All that I could make out was the worried looks that briefly passed over their faces. 

After lunch my parents took me to the Cloudoseum and we watched a few ponies go head to head. Unlike most of Cloudsdale the Cloudoseum is a newer building and every once in a while there's a day with free entrance. These days occurs about once a month and usually have some free food and drinks there as well... The food and drink aren't fancy or anything. The food usually consists of slightly stale bread and some fruit that are starting to get a little too ripe. As for drinks it's mostly water.

My parents have been taking me on the free days more recently and they don't seem to notice when I gorge myself on the free food, not that I can stuff that much down my throat anyways. Other than that nothing happened today.

Day 23: 

It's been awhile since I've wrote anything in here, not that much outside of school normally goes on. Today was different though, as I was invited to the funeral of Octavia's grandpa.

The whole affair was pretty depressing, being a funeral and all. I have to say I'll miss the guy. Octy the Derpster and I would usually listen to him play violin while we played or listen to one of his epic stories. He was as much my grandpa as he was Octavia's... Don't cry, mustn't cry... Why..!?

I'm back... I... had to calm down a little. The old coot was about forty-five years old when he went. It's a tragic fact that Pegasi are notoriously short lived, in fact no Pegasus has ever made it to fifty. It's also why Pegasi marry when they are still young, but most Pegasi are still orphaned when they reach their late teens. 

As a result of a pegasus's short lifespan Derpy and I didn't know our real grandparents and Octavia's grandad filled that gap. I think he even considered us his honorary grandkids. It's a shame he never got to see any of us get our cutie-marks. 
It's a little embarrassing being a blank flank when you're practically middle aged, especially when your mother is begging for you to get a date before you die an old maid. 

The funeral was a traditional one for those who served in the Pegasus military at one point. Not that many Pegasi do anything outside of weather control or battle anyways. With such a short lifespan protecting the flock is usually an important concept... Which was made very clear by the Pegasus priest. 

I don't remember what the message said exactly, but it'd main gist was he served the flock with his life, blah, blah, blah. He was blessed with a long and full life because of his dedication, blah, blah, blah. May his soul find eternal peace in Elysium... Praise the flock. Or something like that.

Surprisingly Derpy took it the hardest,  she even refused to believe the guy was dead. Octavia looked pretty shaken, and she had obviously been crying earlier. Her mother was even worse off and looked like a necroturge did a number on her.

Aside from immediate family I didn't recognize many of Octavia's relatives, and those that I did worked closely with my mother. After the procession nothing else really went on that day other than giving Octavia's family our condolences. 

Day 28:

Derpy's finally come to terms with what happened concerning Octavia's grandpa. Unfortunately that left her a sobbing mess until today, which only improved to occasional sniffling. Then the douchebags came and decided that they had nothing better to do than pick on her during flight practice.

Things got a little out of control once they started making fun of her eyes. Normally somepony would think she'd get a lot of remarks about her eyes, and she does get a few, but these jerks were beyond cruel. It went  from never bring a good flyer, to never getting her cutie-mark, to saying "Octavia's grandpa is happy now that he doesn't have to see your messed up face".

I was seeing red by then and I told those jerks to go away, which prompted them to insult me. I knew I was going to punch one of them and try killing the others at that point... But then the perfect idea came to me... Show those jerks they’re not so hot by beating them in a race. I mean I’m a pretty awesome flyer, so I was sure I could show those punks who was boss.

Feeling insulted that I would even think I could beat them they accepted . Derpy said that it was okay and that I didn't need to prove myself to them, but this wasn't just about me. Those jerks needed to know that somepony would stand up to them, and stand up for Derpy.

As the race started I felt pretty good about my chances of winning, that was until the turns came in. I didn't ram into things like I normally would've, but only because I managed to slow down enough to narrowly miss them. As the race dragged on I was left in the dust, I wasn't able to make up for the lost speed. I was starting to feel... Bad about my decision to race them. A lot of a pegasus’ ability to fly comes from their magical abilities, which was one of the reasons why I felt bad about being in last place. I was beginning to wonder if maybe I was just a little filly who had overstepped her boundaries, and that maybe my dreams were too far out of my reach, but I wasn’t going to give up without a fight.

As the race reached the sprint to the finish I poured on as much magic as I could muster trying to at least get a respectable position, causing a rainbow afterimage to follow me as my magic peeled off of my wings. My speed kept increasing as my magic formed an oval like shape around me. Unfortunately the magic began to be stripped off and the front of the oval was collapsing fast as a weird barrier came into view. I reinforced the magic though and put more of it up front.

I passed up my competition in no time at the speed I was going and then I realized that I had set up what the books on aeroturgy describe as a sonic rainboom. Like I said before the move was created as a WEAPON meant to clear crowds. Before I could stop it a sonic blast erupted around me brimming with Pegasus magic, filling the rippling air with a rainbow of colors.

The force of a sonic boom alone would have been enough to shatter the windows of every house for a few yards around me, and those close to me would have suffered severe structural damage and have even collapsed. This wasn't just a sonic blast though, so not only was the destruction ten times worse, but the discharge of that much Pegasus magic caused all of the clouds nearby to form the worst thunderstorm in recorded history. After I slowed down the cops showed up and I had to explain to them that I didn't mean to let off a level six Pegasus weapon in a crowded area, this took an hour to accomplish. After finding that nopony was seriously hurt, a benefit to making houses out of clouds, I was let off with a warning and had a note sent to my mother... Let's just say that when I tell lies she puts me in a headlock, now try imagining what she would do to me for destroying a small village that she helped repair...yeah I was freaking out.

It wasn't until I went back to Derpy that I found out I had gotten my cutie-mark! It...was in Aeroturgy, and a cloud with Rainbow colored lightning is the usual symbol for the field...a symbol that is now emblazoned on my plot for life, telling others my talent is magic. Derpy also got her cutie-mark... Although I'm not entirely sure what it means, but she said something about being good at drifting through the air and riding the currents...like a bubble...not sure how she found out during the race though.

Aeroturgy is probably the coolest thing a Pegasus can learn, but I can hear the bullies shouting egghead at me already... Most ponies already know by now my...aversion to reading. I'm not dumb by any means, even if I come off as the super sporty type. I've just never been able to deal with others making fun of me for being smart, at least in sports I can kick their plots into next week. In smarts though, you can only really ignore them and if you know me I don't ignore things like that, and I usually kick their face in. I still read, just not publicly anymore, although it can be fun to actually talk with smarter pegasi now and again about the stuff. Now I have to deal with ponies knowing I'm an egghead...ugh maybe I can hide my cutie-mark somehow… or tweak the truth and say that it means I’m good at going fast since that requires pegasus magic...

My mother totally flipped out when I got home. I was absolutely sure she was going to kill me and dance on my grave. Instead she swung me around the room saying how proud she was of me...right before pile driving me into the floor, and telling me I was grounded and had to help fix what I destroyed. After that the rest of my physical punishments were handed out and then she picked me up and took me out to a restaurant for dinner with some pie for dessert as a reward for getting my cutie-mark. The pie was amazingly delicious, but it still didn't stop my face from hurting, or anything else for that matter.

Dad argued with my mom about pile driving me into the floor, spoiler alert, neither of them came to a conclusion. Mom shifted the focus onto me becoming a battle Mage and advancing my studies... Ugh! With what she's talking about I won't have anytime to be with my friends.

Dad sensed my discomfort in her ideas and said maybe I could perform or something. It sounded alright, it's definitely better than skewering ponies for a living...depending on who you ask. Actually I'd probably really enjoy living in the spotlight. That way everypony would truly know how awesome I am and they’d come from miles around just to see me.

Dad carried me home and played with me for a bit. He's trying to hide his age, but his greying mane betrays his efforts. Mom doesn't look as old as him, but not by much. It...worries me a bit. Well nothing else happened today.

Day 48:

Today I was taken to the doctor's office to get a checkup. I don't know about other ponies but I really hate going there. It has to be done though. Anyways I got looked at and then I got the bad news. I was done growing...at two foot two I was done. Considering the average mare is three foot three, excluding the princess who is five foot two, I'm tiny.

Then there's the fact that I'm ten pounds underweight, and at my size ten pounds is a lot. Ugh...it's not like I can just force more food into my stomach. He did mention that the magical scans revealed that the extensive bone injuries I had gotten a few years ago had caused my growth plates to prematurely fuse. He said this halted my growth to the point I nearly stopped growing, which is why I’m the size of an eight year old.

I have to say that I hate shots the most when going to the doctor. It's always the last thing they do too. So you have to just sit there and anticipate getting poked with a needle. At least they don't last long though.

After the doctor's appointment we went to Octavia's and met up with Derpy. Octavia was busy practicing the Bass when we got there. After her grandpa passed she took up the instrument and she even got her cutie-mark in music. 

Only today did I realize that I was looking up at the two quite a bit. Out of the three tribes Pegasi have the shortest puberty lasting from about eight to fourteen for both genders. I believe Unicorns go from about nine to sixteen and earth ponies take just a little longer. So Derpy was about as big as my mom at that point and Octavia was a good deal taller than me and I never noticed. At least they didn't point out how short I am.

I'm not a midget pony by only six inches. Being one foot eight inches tall is considered the biggest a midget can be. Who even came up with that kind of scale anyways? No wonder everypony thinks I'm eight years old, or a Shetland. Even ten year olds are taller than me and they haven’t even hit their bigger growth spurts yet.

There's probably a bright side to this.... I mean no pony likes hurting fillies normally. Even bad guys in books usually just capture them instead of killing them. Speaking of which I could probably squeeze myself into some tight places and slip out of most shackles. Villains aren't exactly walking around town in public nowadays though. Equestria is no longer untamed wilderness and I'm not living in some silly story either.

I guess food will be easier to pay for since I'm not exactly capable of eating a whole lot at my size. I'm probably faster at this size too, and I could probably exploit the eight year old thing. Okay I can definitely exploit that. It's still embarrassing, but it won't be too bad.

Oh! After the whole Rainboom incident the bullies have been leaving Derpy and I alone. It turns out when you get your cutie-mark after using a legendary weapon nopony wants to mess with you. That didn't make repairing the damage the rain boom did any easier though. I had to help during the whole repair period which lasted almost two weeks. I'd probably be able to build my own home now with how much cloud construction work I know how to do.

Octavia's been getting a bit clingy to us recently, even wanting to walk us home. Not in a romantic way, but in a "I don't want you to go" kind of way. It's a little odd, and maybe borderline creepy but hopefully she grows out of it.

Day 96:

Today my mother came home early to tell me that we were going to move in with Octavia. I was confused at first, I mean why would we move in with her. Then I was told that Octavia's parents were too busy to take care of her, that was why we were moving in. She wasn't telling me something and I knew it, but I had packing to do. 

Day 146: 

Did I mention that an advantage of cloud houses is that you can just push them to a new location. After all of my stuff was moved over mom and dad brought the house down and quickly merged it with Octavia's. Now the thing serves as some sort of storeroom instead of an actual living space. 

The problem with living here though is dealing with Octavia's brat of a brother. Just because he's older than me he thinks he can tell me what to do. Not to mention that he truly believes that I'm eight. Ugh... He even convinced my mom to tie a bow on my tail right near my dock.

Now I'm cute, and short... Hopefully this doesn't become a routine, otherwise I may never stop wearing this stupid thing.

(-000000-)

"Ugh! Mom! Do I really have to wear this stupid bow?" Rainbow Dash whined.

"It's not that bad honey, really. At least it doesn't chafe. Now let me look at you."

Rainbow's mother looked over her child and smiled at the sight. Sure her daughter was short and thin, but that glimmer in her eyes showed a deeper purpose. Not that she was very good at understanding that purpose. Sure Rainbow’s mother was a mare that could be rather strict and she loved her daughter dearly, but that didn’t mean she understood her daughter that well.

"Oh you're so adorable! It's not much when in a war, but maybe you can find a way to weaponize it."

"I want to study some cool things to do with Aeroturgy, not waste time hanging around a bunch of lame stallions with too much testosterone in their system."

"I barely understood what you said, but I assure you only ten of them are lame. The rest still have all of their limbs, or can use them at least. I also thought you were worried about being called an egghead."

"Ugh, Aeroturgy is cool mom. Why can't I go flying super fast or become a living lighting bolt! It's my destiny!"

"I don't believe in destiny, I believe you have a choice for your future and no supernatural force like destiny can control your path. If it did then we wouldn't have free will."

"Says the mare who is Tartarus bent on seeing me join the military."

"I never said others couldn't try to influence your choice. Now go play dear I need to talk with Octavia's parents about our current arrangements."

"Alright! Let's see if I can freeze a branch on that oak tree!"

Octavia's house could only be described as one most earth ponies typically had. The house had two stories to it and roughly six bedrooms with Octavia sharing one with her little sister, while Rainbow Dash was stuck with Octavia's older brother. the wood panelling on the building was slightly peeling and it looked odd with the cloud addition but it served its purpose nonetheless.

The land around the house consisted of an acre of land devoted to a small farm owned by Ocavia's mother. Like most farms if the land wasn't already paid for, it wouldn't have provided enough income to pay most of the bills. Fortunately that wasn't a problem as the farm had been paid off over six generations ago when Octavia’s great grandmother Golden Carrot happened upon a small fortune for having been of service to the crown.

Octavia was found playing on a small swing tied to the oak tree that lived in the front yard. It was gnarled and looked like something from a horror story in the dark, but it's peeling bark and ancient feel had an appeal to it. It was also surprisingly sturdy enough to withstand the weight of Octavia, a maturing filly who had become famous among the colts for her pillowy flanks that had made it nearly impossible for her to fit into one of the desks for a filly her age. As a result of her maturing body Octavia’s flanks had become an almost endless source of embarrassment for her that she’d rather ignore.

"Hey Octy!"

"Rainbow Dash, it's good to see you."

"Yeah, you too. Uh Octy I was.wondering something."

"Yes?"

"Well before the move I noticed that you were getting a bit clingy. I was just wondering if everything is alright."

"I'm fine Rainbow. I just don't want to lose somepony else that's close to me without having spent enough time with them, it hurt to lose my grandfather. I'm surprised you're not curious about the move though, it was rather unexpected was it not?"

"I've been asking about that ever since I found out about it. Nopony is telling me anything."

"I'm not entirely sure this is relevant but I've heard rumors...something about an eminent depression that Celestia's been trying to pull us away from. From what I've heard she's failing, but I don't feel depressed."

"Maybe they're talking about something else."

"I guess it's possible, but that's all I know."

"It's more than what I had to go off of before, thanks Octy."

"Bye the way, you look adorable with a bow in your tail."

"I'm not adorable!" Rainbow said while stomping a hoof, making her look even cuter.

"And I'm not an earth pony." Octavia replied.

"Why! Why must I be adorable, I'm supposed to be cool!"

"I've heard ponies get a stronger personality the smarter they get, I never once thought that it applies to their ego as well."

"Just tell your brother he's a dork, I mean he's having me wear a bow because it's a family tradition. I'm not even in your family."

"Say what you want but you live in my house now, and just so you know bow ties are cool."

"Whatever, listen I'll catch ya later. If you need me I'll be trying to freeze a tree solid."

"Don't hurt yourself."

"Got it!"

The rest of the day went on fairly normally for the petite mare. The tree had stood before her challenging her to fulfill her threat against it. The wooden foe withstood most of the tiny mare's attempts to freeze it, as she started her wintery assault. However, the tiny Pegasus did manage to freeze its smaller branches, and the rest of the tree was left with a small layer of frost coating it.

When Rainbow returned to the house Octavia had already returned and was practicing the Bass. Octavia's brother was lounging nearby and noticed Rainbow Dash entering the room. The pony was a light brown in color and his mane and tail were a dull grey that lent no insights into the personality of the pony. His cutie-mark was a page filled with random symbols dealing with various philosophies, a trade that held almost no lucrative value outside of writing down various thoughts. To Rainbow Dash Octavia’s brother was a truly dull pony who could find staring at rocks to be a form of entertainment.

"There's cookies and juice on the table for you." The pony responded in an even monotone that threatened to lull Rainbow Dash to sleep.

"Really! That's awesome! I mean...I'm not a little kid!"

"Keep telling yourself that kid. I've got to admit that you're pretty talented when it comes to that magic of yours. What do you plan to do with it?" He asked in that same unchanging tone, but somehow still managing to come off as vaguely interested if only for a reason to talk to the filly.

"I'm not sure exactly, I was thinking of possibly being a performer or... Maybe advance the field of weather magic considering that advanced aeroturgy can radically change the way we look at the way we can manipulate our environment to what we want."

"Sounds about right, although you are the first egghead Pegasus I've ever heard of." He said managing to sound slightly condescending in his dull drone.

"I'm not an egghead! Aeroturgy is the coolest thing a Pegasus can do!"

"I never said you weren't cool. Don't take it too hard either, you're a bright kid."

"Ugh thanks? I guess."

"Don't forget your cookies."

"Cookies!" The tiny mare practically screamed as she ran to the kitchen.

"And she says she's not an eight year old." The pony said while managing to smirk just slightly.

Year 1 day 12:

Sometimes I wonder if this ever gets read if ponies will just skip to the interesting entries. I wouldn't blame them considering most of the other entries just detail random thoughts about some pretty dull things. But it seems all of the interesting stuff in my life is sad in some way or another, but the normal days are usually filled with the normal happiness a pony gets just by being alive.

It's been a little tough now that dad is gone, he didn't even look like he was going to go, and then it happened a month ago. Unlike Octavia's relatives my parents married later in their years. It's also a reason why I only have a little sister named Scarlet who was born a little while ago. Mom doesn't want to mention it but having a child this late in life for a Pegasus is frowned upon, especially since she isn't looking so hot.

She says I'm Scarlet's guardian when she's gone, but Octavia's parents will take care of most of the work early on. With such short lives Pegasi make it so that you can legally marry at age fifteen which also happens to be the drinking age. Guard training can be joined at close to the age of ten and full on guard duty can be achieved at age fourteen, not that I have any interest in standing around all day wearing armor.

Lil Scarlet has already taken a liking to me, and the kids adorable. Her coat is red like her namesake and the little tuft of mane on her head is a light blue. Her eyes are a vibrant green and she just loves my company. She keeps trying to steal my bow though.

I can't believe that I grew attached to the thing. Now I can't imagine not wearing it, it reminds me too much of dad. I was always his little filly and he just adored it when I wore the bow. Now it's the only real thing I have to remember him by.

I found out that we moved in with Octavia so we'd have food if the economy collapsed, and lo and behold Celestia dropped our failing economy so hard it fell through the floor and went straight to Tartarus. Now usually when times get tough grass is usually a staple food, but all of the grass is going to the nobles who are buying it all. Not to mention I live in an area with very little grass and the sheep, cows, goats, and donkeys eat most of the grass.

Money became next to worthless and Derpy moved in as well. To say our three families are close is pretty accurate as all of our parents go way back. Octavia’s grandpa would tell us stories of what our parents would do together when he was still alive. They were a pretty crazy bunch apparently and couldn’t stay out of trouble no matter what they did. Those days are over now though.

The fact that Derpy came alone is worrying and she wouldn't speak to any of us for three days. Now we occasionally get something akin to a grunt, and I can tell she's been crying when nopony is around. I think it's safe to assume her parents aren't coming.

Year 1 day 115:

I think one of the toughest things about this time is the constant farming we do. I make the clouds for the rain since nopony can afford to buy them and I'm one of the few Pegasi that can form clouds without a machine to help. As I said before aeroturgy is highly linked to all things pegasus, making it a very useful talent.

I also tend to the fields like everypony else. Derpy does most of this and is still keeping relatively silent. I talk to her but she doesn't reply most of the time, she’s even requested being called by her real name which is Ditzy Doo, instead of the nickname that she became synonymous with… and now I even sound like an egghead, ughh!

I may have forgotten to mention it before but with the economy basically dead Pegasi don't tend to the weather as much. In fact we've been pretty much stuck in a perpetual state of summer since the collapse. This has caused rampant droughts and most of the grass is now dead and only the wealthier farms are able to get weather right now. So not only are we going through a depression but we're also caught in the middle of a famine. The farm I'm on gets all of its weather from me so that's a plus...I guess.

Scarlet is starting to try talking and doesn't seem to mind that our diet now consists mostly of carrots. In fact the little filly loves them. At the rate she eats them her coat will be orange before the year is out. Although if that does happen I highly doubt that the little filly would even care, she might even enjoy it more.

Octavia says that the economy isn't improving any. Stupid Celestia sitting on her throne and smoking cigars as if her life depends on it. I've heard it's a nervous tick she picked up when the things first came around, but I'm not buying it.

Speaking of Octavia she's about the only one Derpy is speaking to. I knew it hit her hard losing both parents but I'm worried about her. I’m afraid she might hurt herself one of these days, but there’s not much I can do for her right now.


(-00000-)

"Can I please have something other than carrots?" Rainbow Dash whined.

"It's all we have to eat this weak honey." Rainbow's mother replied.

"You've said that for the last two weeks!" Rainbow said in indignance.

"And I'll keep saying it. All we have is a carrot farm, so we're going to be eating carrots for a while."

"But I hate carrots!"

"They'll grow on you trust me. I hated them once too."

"Ca! Caa!" 

"Well your little sister likes carrots." Rainbow's mother said while feeding the baby orange mush.

"Ugh! They're so gross!"

"Don't forget that you still need to tend to the carrots in the fields."

"Why do I have to tend the fields and control the water supply?" The Pegasus moaned.

"I'm sorry honey but we need as many ponies as possible working the fields and you're the only one here capable of summoning clouds out of thin air."

"Fine... Hey has Derpy said anything?"

"No... Poor girl losing so many ponies at once, please keep an eye on her, she needs her friends. And little Scarlet will need her big sister in the near future."

"Cawoo!" The little filly demanded before being fed another spoonful of orange mush.

"No! You can't go! There's still plenty of kick left in you."

"Iris... I'm in my mid thirties and I can feel the end nearing. Accepting that I'm going soon now will help lessen the blow."

"You haven't called me Iris since I was five."

"Your father hated your name you know. It's why we called you Rainbow, jokes on him though since Iris means rainbow. You can go by either name Iris, but please let me call my daughter by her real name until my time comes."

"Of course. It may feel weird after all these years but I think it's reasonable. Are you sure you're going soon?"

"Honey if my mane gets any whiter ponies would confuse it for snow."

"Ca... Cawo... Cawot!" Scarlet demanded.

"Scarlet you said your first word!"

"Was my sister's first word carrot?"

"I was hoping it'd be mom, but yes it was carrot."

"Cawot!" The little filly proclaimed, earning another spoonful of the mashed vegetable.

"Anyways, your friend Octavia is already out there in the fields and I'm sure she'd love a little extra shade."

"I already said that I'd do it you didn't need to guilt trip me."

"I know, but its fun. Anyways have fun out there Iris." Rainbow's mother said while resuming feeding Scarlet, much to the little filly's delight.

When Rainbow Dash got to the fields Octavia was already out there like her mother had said. Seeing the mare out there with Derpy sweating under the harsh rays of the sun prompted Dash to take to the skies and use her Aeroturgy to draw in moisture from the air. Then she used her magic to pump the heat away and watched as puffy clouds formed around her.

Sure there were a few other things that went into making the clouds such as drawing in more surrounding air as the air pressure increased, and removing any charge but they were trivial matters, and a few of them only needed her monitoring as they happened naturally on their own.

Octavia looked up as Rainbow created the shade and sent cool drafts of air down among the workers. The pony in question motioned for Rainbow Dash to land and talk. The prismatic Pegasus obliged her friend and landed near her, scattering bits of dust and dirt among the many green stalks of the carrot tops..

"To what honor do I owe the goddess of weather to smile upon me?" Octavia said in an amused tone.

"Put a sock in it Octy. I  am no goddess, nor will I ever consider myself to be one."

"Have some fun Dash. Your studies and this constant work leaves you no time to have fun otherwise."

"I have plenty of fun."

"Really? Unless you consider work to be fun I don't think you do."

"The Aeroturgy is fun. Tending the fields just makes me sweaty, and my free time is tons of fun."

"I've noticed your boasting has been toned down. Something is troubling you isn't it?"

"Mom is feeling like her time is coming and I'm not sure I can take care of Scarlet. As for the boasting I read a book that said if you have to brag to everypony about your accomplishments then your actions are not worthy of notice in the first place."

"You're taking life advice from a book? Who are and what have you done with the real Rainbow Dash?"

"I'm the real Dash, if you want to know about the book your dorky brother had me read it. It actually makes some good points."

"You annoyed him didn't you?"

"A little... Okay a lot, so he gave me a book to read in order to pass the time since I had nothing else to do."

"Well these carrots won't tend to themselves."

"Yeah you're right. I seriously hope I don't farm for the rest of my life."

"It's not that bad really."

"You're an earth pony though, your magic makes this naturally easier."

"It's a bit easier for me I'll admit it, but this simplistic life is nice. Sure I wish for more than just carrots to eat and the pay may not be the best, but it's honest work where you reap what you sow and earn what you worked for."

"Octy as far as I know you've never had a job before, but you already sound like you're ready to give up your special talent in music and farm."

"Music is everywhere Dash, if you listen closely nature will sing to you."

"I'm not sure if you became a philosopher, lost your mind, or if this is just an earth pony thing concerning nature."

"Mother always said I was a bit nutty, but that was for thinking that I could make a living in music. It doesn't help to have a brother who's special talent is philosophy either."

"Or maybe the carrots are turning our minds to mush."

"Derpy is insisting on being called Ditzy now you know. Something about the nickname Derpy reminds her too much of her parents, and she's still not over them yet. I didn't know this but the bullies were the ones who came up with it."

"Does everypony go by a nickname or is it just me?"

"It's not unusual for somepony to go by a nickname right now. It's more prevalent in ponies with names from the old languages spoken by the three tribes before they came to Equestria. I've also heard stories where the darker magics are being practiced again, and that power holds a strong tie to names. Maybe it's a good thing to go by a nickname right now. Although there are some ponies where hating their real name runs in the family."

"My dad hated my name."

"Really? But I thought he liked the name Rainbow."

"My real name is Iris."

"It's a lovely name. It means rainbow doesn't it?"

"Yes..."

"Do you mind if I call you Iris? It's too lovely a name not to be used, and I simply adore the flowers as well."

"Fine... So how is Derpy doing."

"Still acting like the strong silent type right now, but I can tell she's still grieving for her parents. I honestly hope she doesn't hurt herself. She’s traumatized by what happened to her parents you know, but it’s not my place to discuss that if she doesn’t want me to."

"Yeah... I should talk to her. I've lost a parent as well and maybe she'll listen, but even if she doesn't she needs to know that I care."

"She's over in the western part of the fields. Good luck... Iris."

As Rainbow approached the western fields she could see Derpy meticulously removing weeds. She wore a face of indifference and occasionally would eat a dandelion when she found one. The rest of the weeds went into a bucket she was carrying around.

"H-hey Der- I mean Ditzy. I was wondering how you were doing."

"..."

"I guess things are pretty hard to accept right now. My dad passed away but you knew that. It's pretty hard on me knowing he's dead, and mom is saying she's going to go soon too. Little Scarlet isn't going to look at me like a sister, with how much I'll have to care for her I'll probably be seen more as her mother. I don't want to replace mom, but I'm going to have to. I don't know what I'll do once mom is gone to be honest, but no matter what she says I'll be just as tore up about it whether or not I expect it. But I want you to know with the passing of my dad, that I understand some of the pain you're going through."

"I'm sorry Dash but you can't know my pain." The mare steadily said.

"I've lost a parent too, please let me help you."

"My parents were killed Rainbow. Timberwolves came out of nowhere and attacked us. I flew away but my parents were too slow, a-and t-then I watched th-them get ripped to pieces while I-I couldn't do anything. I can still hear their screams, and I still have nightmares about it. I know it wasn’t my fault, but sometimes I wonder what would've happened if I had tried to save them."

"Oh Derpy I'm so sorry I didn't know. I don't know what to do, but I'll always be here for you if you ever want to talk. I would never hold you accountable for anything that happened there."

"O-okay... And I think you'll make a great guardian for Scarlet, Rainbow." The mare said perking up a little.

"As if! I may be awesome but I'm also lazy and irresponsible."

"You're also a great big sister who loves her family, you're loyal, and you're incredibly talented, I'm sure you'll do fine if you put your mind to it."

"This situation is a little funny if not ironic."

"What do you mean?"

"I came over here to help you get over your problems and you end up helping me."

"He-he I guess you're right! I-it’s actually nice to talk about things with more than one pony. Thanks Rainbow."

The two friends worked together and talked while they worked. Time ticked by as the two continued to catch up on lost time. Derpy wasn’t up to talking anymore about what happened with her parents, but was content to talkk about anything else. As the sun approached the horizon Octavia came running into the western fields.

"Hey Octy where's the fire?"

"Iris your mother has collapsed and she's barely breathing!"

"Where is she!"

"She's currently on the couch and Scarlet is in bed. Your mother is asking for you to be there."

"On it!"

"Wait who's Iris?" Derpy asked in confusion.

"Later!" Octavia shouted as she ran back towards the house.

As Rainbow Dash made her way to the house she feared that she'd be too late. More than once the pint sized Pegasus wished there was a way for her to teleport, instead she opted for flying close to the speed of sound. As she crashed onto the porch she could hear a few panicked voices emanating from inside the building.

"I'm here ma!" The cyan Pegasus yelled as she rushed to her mother.

"He... I never thought you would pick up a bit of farm slang."

"You're going to be alright right?"

"Iris my time has come, please take care of Scarlet for me and love her like I wasn't able to. If the economy gets better I'd have loved to see you in a Wonderbolts uniform, you don't have to join them, but please grant a dying mare her last wish... Now that I've said my peace Scarlet is now yours to protect. Make me proud Iris..."

"Of course mom... Mom? Mom!"

"Iris she's gone. I'll-I'll go help prepare the grave." Octavia said as she left, having managed to make it into the room just before Rainbow’s mother passed..

Rainbow stayed with the body of her mother until Octavia's brother came in to take the body. Rainbow followed them outside to the hole that would serve as the tomb for Rainbow's mother. It wasn't a traditional Pegasus burial, as doing so would be too expensive, but a fusion of a Pegasus and an earth pony burial. 

Unicorns would burn their dead viewing it as returning the body to the power they wield, by charring the body with the energy of fire to represent magic. Earth ponies bury their dead to return to the earth they are born from and Pegasi bury their dead at sea whose churning depths and flowing currents represent the sky they love. Rainbows mother was buried next to a small pond where the grave would perpetually be filled with the ponds gifts.

Later that night many ponies in the house heard the crying of a grieving mare, and this time they knew it wasn't Derpy...

NC.

Year 7 day 218:

H-hey it's me Iris, I haven't picked this thing up since mom left. I think I'm finally past her death enough to pick this up again. To tell you the truth this reminded too much of my mother at the time, although I always said I had to take care of Scarlet. With Octavia calling me Iris all the time Scarlet started doing the same, now it’s as common for me to go by Iris as I did Rainbow.

The little tyke has grown quite a bit and I have found that I've grown to view her as a daughter. It was hard to care for her at first, and she wanted her real momma. After the first year I began to notice that she wasn't as fussy and then I learned what every parent goes through during the terrible twos. Scarlet is six years old now and the only food she's known is carrots. She loves them and after gagging on the things for over five years I've learned to enjoy them as well.

The most startling thing I ever had happen with her was have her call me her ma. I was both horrified and incredibly happy at the same time. I was horrified because I never wanted to replace my mother, but I was happy because the little filly I viewed as a daughter viewed me as her mother.

Ditzy is pregnant now and she isn't telling anypony who the father is. I secretly believe Octavia's brother is the father, he's quite the catch. I still don't particularly like the stallion, but he's still attractive physically. As far as personalities go he is probably the most likely stallion to die a virgin.

If it wasn't for Scarlet I'd probably have a kid of my own right now. Unlike the other tribes Pegasi have a strong desire to have children as soon as puberty hits. Scarlet helps alleviate that desire, and it's a good thing too otherwise Octavia might kill me and Ditzy for having slept with her brother. It doesn't keep me from flirting with the stallions when we go into town though.

It's embarrassing that when we do go to town I tend to hit on the stallions who are better off. Nopony is really well off, but these stallions usually work on more productive farms or can purchase more food. I'm a little nervous to admit that I'm a bit of a chubby chaser. Whether it's because I've been starving all my life or some other reason I just really find their plump squishy forms attractive. They make me just want hug them and snuggle into their warm fur... Eh he if this wasn't a diary I would be so embarrassed right now...

Octavia's mother is the only one of our parents that is still alive being an earth pony. She's getting close to fifty right now and is starting to complain about everything. It's actually a little comical if not annoying at times and I find myself spending a bit more of my time with the mare. Octavia’s sister stays out of everypony’s manes and is usually doing something alne or flirting with the local stallions in town..

The famine and depression are still going on and Celestia is flipping out. Sometimes I wonder what she's actually doing up there, especially when she can't get any cakes right now. I've heard some stories about the unicorns in Canterlot eating any meat they can get ahold of because things are so bad there. That magic of there's better help with digesting that gunk.

(-00000-)

"Hi Ma!"

"Scarlet I've told ya I'm not your ma."

"Ah know sis, but ya act like a momma should. Ya tuck me in at night and scare away the monsters. Ya also sing me ta sleep sometimes and ya take care of me."

"I guess ah do kiddo. So what has you so excited?"

"Ah get to help with the carrots! Maybe ah'll get ma cutie-mark!"

"I think you're the only Pegasus who would want a carrot cutie-mark." The mare said while lightly chuckling.

"Well they just don't know how amazin' carrots are."

"Don't you want to get a flying cutie-mark, or maybe somethin' weather related?"

"Ah don't like all of that nonsense, the ground is ten times more lovely than those giant cotton balls that float around."

"I swear you should have been an earth pony. Well go on and run around ah've got to tend to Octavia's ma."

"You've been hanging around the market haven't you, Iris?" The aging mare asked as she sat on a rocking chair.

"What makes ya say that?"

"You're accent. You started picking it up at the market and now its gotten thicker with Scarlet hanging around there with the other fillies."

"Well ah can't help it if ah picked up an accent. Scarlet needs more to her childhood than work."

"You're just like your mother sometimes. You both can't see  where the ones you’re taking care of are truly happy. Although I think the accent has more to it than Scarlet."

"There's a major difference between us though, ah do this because ah care for her and want her to have a childhood. If she likes working the farm that's alright, but she needs to play and make friends."

"I always knew you were bright Iris. So when are you going to bring home a stallion, I want to see your kids before I turn eighty."

"Ya sound like my ma used to when I was younger. Ah guess ah'll bring a stallion home when one finally has a personality ah can stand to live with daily."

"Word of advice Iris, a stallion will talk almost nonstop when company is over or when they're in a crowd. At home they become quiet and will have next to nothing to say. They also view doing things as bonding instead of talking, trust me and you'll do fine."

"Wow that's weird."

"Yes, but I've lived with a stallion so I know a few things." The mare chuckled prompting a small fit of giggles from her companion.

The two mares chated for a little while longer, while Iris tended to any refreshments that were needed. The older mare wasn’t entirely to the age of being unable to work anymore, but injuries that never healed from when she was younger finally caught up to her. Now the mare simply enjoyed the company of her old friends daughter.

"Ma! Ma! Ah got mah cutie-mark!" Scarlet screamed as she ran into the living room.

"What is it!?"

"It's a carrot and a carrot cake!"

"Where'd the cake come from?" Iris asked playfully.

"Sorry Iris I had her help me make a few carrot cakes after we picked some carrots and it appeared." Octavia said.

"Yup! Mah talent is picking carrots and baking. Preferably using carrots in baking!"

"So ya really like those things huh?"

"Yup!"

"Well ya can help around the farm more when you're older but ya can help us bake whenever ya want. It's about time to head to town. Maybe ya can show yer friends yer cutie-mark."

"Yay!"

The two Pegasi wandered their way through the lackluster market as Scarlet led her maternal figure to where her friends would be at. As they approached the place where Scarlet's friends were at Iris noticed a stallion struggling to move a cart on his own. 

"Do ya think ah'll be as tall as you when ah'm older ma?"

"You'll be even taller Scarlet. Yer already almost as tall as ah am, ya might get to be bigger than Ditzy by the end of it."

"Woah! That big!" The little filly said in amazement.

"Yep, to tell ya the truth ah'm on the short side, now run along ah've got something ta take care of."

"Got it ma!"

"Ya look like ya could some help there. Mind if ah give ya a hoof?"

"Thank's ah appreciate it, yer pretty strong fer a little filly."

"Ah'm just short. Ah'm eighteen ah just didn't grow much. Although you look like ya don't need any help there."

"Ya'd think apples would be healthy, ah'd prove ya wrong. Ah eat too many Apple deserts and that undoes whatever exercise ah get."

"Well ah always say that a plump stallion just knows how to be sweet."

"Now ah wouldn't know about that one miss. Set the cart here, ya can stay and help with the sales if ya want, not that many ponies can afford anything mind ya."

"Might as well, ah've got a sister running around with the neighborhood fillies and ah can keep an eye on 'em easier this way. So any reason why ya were pulling this cart alone."

"The pony ah usually pull the cart with is injured, so its just me. Not that ah mind since ah got ta meet a nice young lady."

"Careful with that much flattery ah might just take ya home with me."

"Ya've got spunk ah'll tell ya that. Ah'm Apple Fritters the third by the way."

"My name's Iris."

"Well Iris yer welcome to come by here any time."

"Maybe ah will, maybe ah won't. Depends on what kinda pony ya are."

"Well alright. Ah can understand where yet comin' from. Ah'd hate ta find out ah was sweet on a no good crook or something."

"Yup."

"Ya take care of all the weather on that one carrot farm right?"

"Ya been talkin' to Octavia?"

"A bit. She said ya were the brainiest Pegasus to ever live, and that ya were the most loyal pony around."

"Ah won't deny it."

"Well she forgot ta mention how cute and humble ya were."

"Oh my..." Iris said visibly blushing.

"Sorry ah was bit out a place there."

"Well ah certainly don't mind. Well ah think ah hear Scarlet ah'd better get going."

"Hey ma! Are ya gonna take that stallion home!?" The little filly asked.

"Ah was just talking to him Scarlet. He's nice but ah'm not sure he's mah type. Although he might surprise me."

"Mah friends were talkin' bout the princess today, what do ya think she's doin' right now?"

(--?--)

"So using that hermaphrodite spell and impregnating all of the noble mares hasn't given me more time to fix this mess."

"It did, for about two years. Now the noble houses are wanting their little princes and princesses to live with their 'daddy'."

"Ugh! What are the noble houses descended from my brother doing?"

"Nothing currently."

"Good! They were the only noble house to refuse my offers, thankfully. I just wished that I didn't have to act like a whorse in order to keep the nobles from storming the castle. I can't even go outside anymore without seeing one of them feasting on a corpse of some sort... Do you think we'll be able to fix the meat eating thing?"

"Possibly. As long as some outside force doesn't solidify meat eating as a genetic trait this should be reversible. Otherwise there'll be very little we could do to fix this without using the entire population as guinea pigs. It's easy for magic to add a genetic trait, but all Tartarus breaks loose if you try to remove them."

"Yes... Do the recently birthed children show these... Traits."

"Even if they did I doubt it would be broadcasted as most ponies are dying of starvation in our streets."

"Are the guards showing these... Cravings for flesh?"

"I wouldn't put it past them, I've seen a few eyeing me like a prized watermelon earlier."

"Are the ordinances showing any changes in economic activity?"

"Very little change was recorded your highness."

"Damn. Are the unicorns near farming communities showing signs of wanting flesh?"

"Most are, very few have managed to procure enough vegetable matter to sate their hunger. It seems even today the three tribes stay mostly to their own kind."

"Yes, but we must let them mingle on their own. If I were to impose anything forcing the three tribes to live together it would only drive them further apart. The only thing I can do to help them intermingle is remove or detain individuals who wish to divide the tribes. How are the Pegasi doing?"

"They have taken to working on farms as a water supply and are reasonably fed. They aren't dying of starvation, but like the earth ponies they aren't exactly well nourished."

"At least I don't have to worry about them... How are the thestral camps doing?"

"Their main diet of fruits and nuts has diminished slightly, but with their usually close proximity to mountain springs and their affinity for weather magic the lack of money is their main problem. They have started eating more bugs as of late to compensate for the more restricted food trade."

"At least they’re normal... Have you found any of thestral  legions that managed to escape into the mountain caves after my brother’s defeat?"

"No. All of our search parties either vanish or come back with nothing. It's a fool’s errand to search for them, might as well focus on preparing for anything they might throw at us."

"Of course. Keep an eye on the noble houses from my brother's bloodline. They tend to cause trouble and they have a penchant for talents in advanced medicine, they could try genetically adding the meat eating trait."

"If that is all my liege house Twilight, a side branch of house Solarium, wishes for another mating session with you."

"Ugh!! I seriously wish I read that contract I signed with them. They can make me show up anytime they want now for no other reason than they want to sleep with me."

"I'll get the royal carriage ready. I'd hate to see somepony get eaten, again."

(---?---)

"Whatever Celestia's doin' she better be helping make things better otherwise she's in fer a world of hurt."

"Ya don't like the princess?"

"She's alright as a leader, but she's not a deity."

"A what?"

"She's not some sort of goddess. Unicorns are the only ones that truly believe she is. Earth ponies just hate alicorns period, and you'd be hard pressed to find a Pegasus that worships Celestia over the flock."

"What's an alicorn?"

"They're like a Pegasus, earth pony, and unicorn smooshed together. They're also immortal like vampires and dragons."

"Vampires ain't real. So Celestia is like a big immortal Pegasus with a horn?"

"Pretty much, and who said vampires ain't real? Ah've heard that they were one a Nightmare's experiments before he was defeated. When Celestia found them they say she killed all of them but one. That one managed to escape before Celestia noticed and vanished into the night. They say it spread its condition to those it liked after finding refuge. They say if ya know who to talk to ya can find a vampire coven in any town in Equestria."

"That's just some dumb mare's tale meant ta scare ya. Celestia also sounds kinda lame."

"Ya won't let me get ya off that train of thought will ya?"

"Nope!"

"They say she moves the moon and sun ya know. Is that lame?"

"Yer ten times the mare that Celestia is. Movin' the sun and moon is fine and dandy, but yer amazin'. The very sky is under yer control, ya can do so much with yer Magic that even if the sun and moon got stuck we wouldn't go hungry. Ya'd just heat up the air or cool it down and then there's some of those routines ah've seen ya do and those would blow any showmare out of the water."

"Ya weren't supposed ta know about the tricks yet. Not that it matters really. By the time this depression and famine ends ah'll be joinin' ma in the afterlife. There won't be a place fer me ta show my stuff or fulfill ma's wish."

"Ah'm sure things'll get better. Celestia's doin' her best right?"

"Probably, but she's never been one ta deal with finances. She's probably promoted the royal accountant to an advisor to help her fix the mess Equestria's in."

"Hey ma?"

"Yes?"

"Do ya think Ditzy's foal'll like me?"

"Ya can count on it."

Year 9 day 218:

Ah guess ah'll start with how things are goin' with the economy... Nothin' has changed. Ah've heard Celestia is exhausting all she knows ta do trying ta fix it, but she's not gettin' anywhere.

Scarlet's been growin' like a weed lately. She's a bit of an early bloomer and ah find myself progressively looking up at her. She's nowhere near Ditzy or Octavia in size, but she's getting bigger.

Ditzy's little one has been rather rambunctious today. The little filly managed to get into the deserts and ate half of them. She's not feeling well after that but little Amethyst is a trooper. The father is still a mystery especially since the little filly is a unicorn.

Actually it's easier to guess who the father is. There are only a few unicorns near town and unicorn traits aren’t exactly dominant traits. So the father was a unicorn and we don't know who it is, but Ditzy insists that it doesn't matter.

Scarlet is startin' to get interested in colts, and by interested ah mean interested. She hides it but ah know her cherry's been popped. Ah went ballistic on her when she came home smellin' of sex. Whoever that colt was is dead if ah get mah hooves on 'em. An' ah swear if Scarlet is with foal ah'll hunt the bastard down and mount his head on a pike... Ahem ah mean ah'll approach him politely and then kick his flank into the next century.

The silly filly is only eight and she's already fornicating with the local colts. What am ah gonna do? She needs ta know that she can't just do that and expect to get away unscathed. Ah worry about what'll happen if somethin' bad comes up,or worse.

Octavia's talkin' to her about the birds an the bees right now, although ah think Scarlet already knows about that. She's upset that ah didn't go anywhere with Apple Fritters and has started calling me an old maid. That girl has some audacity ta speak ta me that way.

Ah was never this bad when ah hit puberty. Sure Scarlet alleviated most of my parental desires, but that was at the tail end of puberty for me. She's barely a year into it and she's already rolling in the hay with a random colt. Did ah do somethin' wrong? If ma could see Scarlet right now she'd be trying to get out of her grave to challenge the filly to an MMA cage match...

Octavia's been hangin' around a strange group of ponies lately, but that's my opinion. There's really not much to say concerning Octy right now other than her mother joining in with Scarlet to call me an old maid. As if mah problems couldn’t get any worse.

Ditzy found out about my preference for stallions with a bit extra around the middle. She said that she doesn't care about my preference, but she has pointed out a few stallions that she thinks Ah'll like. Ah'm beginnin' ta think everypony is tryin' ta get me a stallion before ah keel over and die.

Ditzy has been tryin' ta get me ta meet a pudgy thestral that comes into town ta sell some wares. Those ponies may not be allowed ta live outside of those towns, but they are allowed to leave them fer a bit. 

(-0000-)

"Iris you really need to meet this pony. Ditzy says he's very nice and that you two would get along together quite well."

"Ah swear ya think ah'll die before ah find a husband."

"You're already middle aged Iris."

"So what if ah'm twenty-one. Ah'll marry who ah want."

"It won't matter if you marry if you're nearly dead."

"So how'd ya find this thestral anyways?"

"He's one of the many thestral traders that come throughout the week. He comes here about every day."

"Ya been stalkin' him?"

"No! Ahem... What I meant to say was that Ditzy and I give him a lot of our business and his wares are excellent."

"Sure ya do. So who are those ponies ya hang out with?"

"Just some friends."

"They are kinda shady Octy. Ya sure they can be trusted?"

"They're very nice ponies when you get to know them, their shady appearance isn't intentional or accurate. Hey Iris he's over there! Good luck!" Octavia said as she pushed Iris towards the stallion.

"Hey Octy wait ah don't even know his name! ...oh hi mister..." The cyan mare said as she bumped into the stallion.

"My name is Silent Moon. You must be that Iris pony that earth pony and Ditzy told me all about."

"Yes..." Iris said her cheeks visibly reddening.

"Your friends are a little eccentric aren't they?"

"A little..."

"Ah, smitten are we? I've been told that you might like me."

"W-what! No, no way. Ah'm just... Nervous."

"I'm sorry if I make you nervous. I'm not really used to talking with a cute mare."

"C-cute. Ya think I'm cute."the mare said feeling oddly elated instead of insulted.

"Oh no don't tell me I've offended you now! Oh I'm so bad at this." Clueing in Iris that the stallion was interested in her.

"No I'm not offended. Do you maybe want to go get dinner or something?"

"Sure, that way we can get to know each other a little better." He said looking visibly relieved.

"Okay... Wait where are we goin' ta go? There's not exactly many diners in business right now."

"A homemade dinner wouldn't be too bad." 

"Ah thought thestrals had to go back to one of their towns after dark."

"Actually if you have a pass like most thestral traders then you don't have to return for a month."

"Well a guess ya can come over. Do ya know where Sun's Harvest carrot farm is?"

"I've heard of it. It's the carrot farm to the south of town next to the pond that's right by the northern Everfree right?"

"Yup. Ah'll see ya at sundown then."

"See you then."

"Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! I've finally got a date! Oh what do ah do? Relax, yer too awesome to let this get to ya Iris, whatever ah come up with will surely be good enough."

"So Iris I take it things went well." Octavia said as she walked back over.

"Sorta. He's coming over for dinner tonight and ah'm not sure what ta do. Ah've never had a stallion over fer company, let alone a date. What if a scare him off?"

"You'll do fine Iris. Now come on we've got a date to prepare for."

As the two cantered home after spending time reminiscing with friends in town they paused to take in the sights along the path. Ever since the depression and famine all that could be seen were stretches of dead earth dotted with the occasional barren tree. Being  close to the Everfree did have its charm though.

Unlike every other place the Everfree remained a green and dense forest. Although that was only a comforting thing considering most of the lands were barren wastelands. The dangers within the forest kept most ponies away and very few towns were ever founded near it. 

The town the two mares lived in was up to the north of the Everfree and had a small thestral town next to a nearby mountain. The two towns had a history with each other for friendly interactions and it was a common sight to see thestrals and ponies in both towns. Even though thestrals without a pass have to return home at the of the day the two towns were close enough that the trip wasn't a problem.

Marriage was always a problem though. The three tribes had become open minded about marrying outside of your tribe, but marrying a thestral was always a problem with their living arrangements. So anypony marrying a thestral always moved in with the thestral. A problem that Scarlet was all too vocal about.

"Ya can't date a bat pony if ya fall in love yer gonna' have ta move out!"

"Ah'll still be able ta see ya even if a do marry him and yer still in trouble fer earlier young lady."

"Right... Ah'm sorry ah went an' did somethin' so stupid. Ah wasn't thinkin' an' he was rather persuasive."

"Yer apologizing?"

"Well yeah! An' ah'm sorry fer sayin' those mean things about ya. Ah was embarrassed, scared, kinda angry, and ah wasn't thinkin'. Ah never really meant it."

"So are ya just hoping to get out of trouble, or do ya really feel bad about what ya did."

"Ah really feel bad. Octavia also told me about what was goin' on with me an' helped me realize that ah made a huge mistake... Also ah used that magic crystal thing ya'll got ta check if ah was pregnant."

"What did the crystal say?"

"..."

"Ah'm not dumb Scarlet, so ya'll are with foal then?"

"Yes..."

"Oh boy. Who's the daddy then."

"... Ah don't know his name."

"Ya did that with a colt and ya didn't catch his name!?"

"It wasn't on Mah mind. Ah was just talkin' to a colt from town as he passed by. He was sweet an' charming an' before ah knew it we were... Well ya already know what we did, but ah didn’t know what was happenin’ really, he just kinda walked me through it..."

"Oh Scarlet... Ya just don't let a stallion bed ya because he's sweet. Ya could have got yer self in an even worse mess than yer already in. And just so ya know if a stallion can court ya for a few years he's actually in love with ya, but if he's not willing ta wait that long then he really doesn't care about ya. It also gives him enough time for any infatuation ta wear off so ya can actually see if yer actually capable of handling that kind of relationship."

"Octavia's ma has been givin' ya datin' advice again ain't she?"

"Well it's good advice an' it still applies. Now are ya gonna' help me fix a cake?"

"Not if its ta impress that bat pony."

"Well then you'll just have to live without a cake fer dessert tonight."

"Alright ah'll help make the cake."

"So have ya thought of any names fer the foal yet?"

"Ma ah just got pregnant! Of course not."

"Ah was just wonderin'. Ah've got a few if ya ever have trouble thinking of one."

"Yer taking things pretty well."

"Ya already told me what happened and ya know it was a mistake so ah forgive ya. But if that colt comes around here or is anywhere near ya he's dead."

"Yeah. Alright."

"Yer a good kid, yer just stupid sometimes, but we've all been there. This was a particularly stupid one but try not to get too banged up over it. Ya've got a family that'll help ya through this an' yer dreams aren't goin' ta be ruined by this either. Ya can still run a carrot farm with a baby, now if ya were currently being schooled it would of caused some problems. Yer still grounded and all, but at least yer not dumb enough to do somethin’ like that again."

"W-will it hurt... Having the child ah mean? Octavia said it hurts."

"Yes, but it'll be worth it..."

"How do ya know if it'll be worth it? Yer a virgin fer cryin' out loud."

"Yes, but ah've raised a foal before. Ya may be my sister, but I'll always consider ya to be my daughter."

"Sorry yer right. Ah might as well be yer foal since ya raised me since before ah can remember."

"Yeah might as well be. Ah'm sure ya will like Silent Moon once he gets here."

"No ah won't! He'll just take ya away from me."

"Calm down Scarlet. It's not like ah'll go live in the Draconic lands. Now ya better go set the table supper will be ready in a minute."

"Yes ma."

As much as Scarlet hated to admit it she did like Silent Moon. He was a fun pony to be around and she admittedly liked his stories. Were he not a merchant Scarlet surmised that Silent Moon would have made an excellent story teller. What Scarlet didn't like was that her mother was falling head over hooves for the stallion. 

Sure she knew that her mother wouldn't be far away if they did decide to marry, but she hated the idea of having her mother go away. She pondered if she was just actually jealous, but quickly threw that idea out the window. In her selfish desires an idea emerged, maybe she could make the bat pony leave and never come back. If it worked her mother would ever have to leave.

"Hey mister Silent Moon, my ma here just loves carrots, but ya don't grow any where yer from."

"Actually there's a few ponies that do grow carrots near town, and they are pretty generous."

"Well uh... She hates pears! Her reaction to them is worse than what happens when ya show Celestia a cross." The filly stated knowing that bat ponies were particularly fond of pears.

"Ah actually like pears Scarlet... Yer tryin' ta ruin our date aren't ya?"

"Was it that obvious?"

"As obvious as the wings on mah back, and how many times do ah have ta tell ya that ah'll always be there fer ya?"

"But he'll take ya away! Ah don't want ya ta ever leave."

"Oh Scarlet... Ah'd never leave ya."

"You should trust your mother. If it ever gets to that point you can always move in, or you can stay here. Since I always set up shop here it wouldn't be too difficult to manage."

"Thanks Mr. Moon."

"Now if yer done with yer dinner ya can go wash up before bed."

"Right." The mare sighed before heading to the washroom.

Scarlet didn't know what to feel as she closed the door behind her. There wasn't anything she could think of that was wrong with her mother liking Mr. Moon, yet the very thought of them being together made her angry. She figured that maybe she was jealous no matter how she rationalized that she didn't need her mother's complete attention. Then there was herself.

Scarlet had initially been excited about the prospect of having a foal, that was until she realized she had no idea what she was getting into. She had no way of knowing how to care for a child or if she would even be a good mother. What if her child hated her, or what would she do if it was born with a defect. These thoughts swirled around in Scarlet's mind until she heard her mother laughing at something Mr. Moon said.

Scarlet smiled a bit and secretly wondered if she just really wanted Iris to help with the child. Sure it was a bit selfish, but with Octavia's mother getting older and the others in the house always being busy, Iris would have been the only one to really help. Then there was the father.

Scarlet hated thinking about what happened. The event was hardly consensual and Scarlet barely knew what she was doing at the time. Had she been given Octavia's talk earlier she would have known not to do as the colt asked. 

"Hey you said you wanted to join our little society. This is our little initiation if you will."

"I-it hurts a little."

"Trust me, it'll feel a whole lot better soon."

"O-okay."

If Scarlet ever met that colt again she was in a world of trouble. He was part of a pretty big group though and harassing him was probably only going to get her into a worse mess. Why couldn't she do anything without causing trouble? That wasn't mentioning the chaos that would ensue if her mother got involved.

As Scarlet stepped into the washtub she nearly yelped from how frigid the water inside was. Sometimes Scarlet wished she had her mother's skill at magic so she didn't have to worry about manually heating the water, but she had no such luck. Scarlet could barely fly let alone perform advanced Aeroturgy, a fact that haunted the young Pegasus. Her magic was incredibly weak and as a result she wasn't able to fly more than two inches off of the ground.

Scarlet once asked her mother if there was a way to increase her magic, but she was just given exercises to help control it. It was only later that Scarlet found out that you can't increase your magical capacity outside of black magic, and a rumored part of light magic. Scarlet wasn't about to meddle with the dark arts just so she could fly better, that only invited insanity and demonic possession.

Then Scarlet had remembered what her mother had said about vampires. This led Scarlet on a quest to find out more about these creatures and she found out quite a bit. Apparently a vampony has really strong magic and physical strength, but unlike popular belief they don't die in sunlight, or sparkle for that matter. Instead they lose all of their vampiric powers and are like a normal pony aside from the immortality. 

This lead Scatlet to try finding a coven in order to get turned as a vampony's magic would only drop to that of a normal pony's during the day at minimum. She would be able to fly, sure the blood drinking thing would be weird, but apparently that was a mistake on the Nightmare's part as it didn't want vamponies to need food.

"We're almost done babe now all I need to do is give you a little bite and you'll be mine forever."

Scarlet nearly fell over when she remembered that event. She frantically checked the her neck in the mirror while brushing back her fur to reveal two puncture wounds. Not that she could actually see herself in the mirror.

Scarlet began shaking as the realization of what she'd done set in. She hadn't just becomes vampony but she had bound herself to that colt for all eternity. The only way out of her pact with him was death on either end, further cementing her mistake as  a true failure.

"Scarlet! Are ya alright ah heard ya scream?!" Iris said through the door.

Scarlet had no idea if she had screamed it not, but it wouldn't surprise her if she had. That colt was depraved and had more mares bound to him than Celestia had ponies trying to court her. She wanted to break down and cry, but she knew that it would only make her mother come in and find out the truth. So instead she merely sighed and answered her mother.

"Yeah ah'm alright, just slipped. Ah'll be out once ah've finished washin' up."

"Alright! Also little Amethyst needs a bath soon so ya may want ta make it quick!" Iris yelled through the door.

Scarlet complies with her mother and finally took a short bath. She tried to forget the events that had taken place earlier but they had been seared into her brain. The mare listlessly dried herself off and managed to bump into Octavia on the way out of the washroom.

The mare stood there looking down at Scarlet with an oddly scrutinizing gaze. Little Amethyst was on the mares back cooing happily while wrapping her cloven hooves around her ride. Octavia's passenger did nothing to make Scarlet feel like the mare before her wasn't staring into her soul.

"You've made a grave mistake Scarlet, but don't let what has passed bother you. You should instead worry about securing your future. Now if you don't mind little Amethyst here needs her bath."

Scarlet quickly nodded her head and bolted for her room. Meanwhile thoughts raced through her head all saying that Octavia knew what she did, while the rational part of her mind kept telling her Octavia was talking about the pregnancy. Yet she couldn't shake the feeling that Octavia knew exactly what she had done.
> Ch 7: (side chapter) Rainbow Dash the Vampony pt 2.
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	The frigid night air flowed around Rainbow Dash's form as she soared through the dark landscape before her. She banked to the right heading for a place she had no place being at night and gently glided through Sweet Apple Acres. The cyan mare let the swaying trees whisper to her in the breeze as a haunting melody was struck up between them and the crickets that were starting to come out.

Rainbow Dash would have admired the sturdy trees bearing bright red fruits were her worsening hunger not driving her insane at the moment. Rainbow couldn't stand her hunger any longer and pilfered one of the plump fruits and devoured it before proceeding on to the next one. After a large number of once fruit bearing branches had been plundered and the spoils devoured, Rainbow Dash made her way back to were she had been aiming to go as the gnarled and twisted trees of the Everfree came into view.

Rainbow Dash wasted no time in changing her altitude as she opted to fly above the sinister forest. The forest below passed under the pegasus as if it were nothing more than a dark colored river flowing along an unseen path. The moonlight overhead soaked the forest in an eerie pale light that only emphasized the forests dark inhabitants. 

As a clearing in the trees grew nearer Rainbow Dash gently sloped down to land allowing the cool winds flow over her like an invisible stream. When she landed she noticed the other ponies waiting for her as the pale moon's light illuminated the area. She wasn't surprised to find them here, for they had all been meeting here for as long as Rainbow Dash could remember. By now they were all as close as family, and it showed when they worked together to get things done.

“Late as usual Rainbow Dash? At least Vinyl and Ditzy here showed up on time.” One of the mares said to the pegasus as she landed.

The mare who had spoken was a well known pony to most who were buffs in classical music. Her dark mane flowed down her neck currently giving an alluring look to her. Her light gray coat completed her dark color scheme as it glistened under the eerie light of the meadow, bringing out the pink bow tie she was currently wearing.

“Sorry Octy, I got hungry and stopped for a snack. When you're as awesome as me you need a lot of fuel.” Rainbow said while offering up one of the fruits to the mare.

“So it would seem. Well now that we are all here we can resume the hunt...yes Derpy?” Octavia said noticing the pegasus holding her hoof in the air.

“It's Ditzy mam, but what are we hunting for again?” The wall eyed mare asked.

“May the stars and moon give me strength...Ditzy we've told you this every night for over a year, are you sure you don't remember?”

The mare's face scrunched up in concentration as she thought about it, “I think I remember.”

“Well if you ever get confused pleases don't be afraid to ask any of us alright?”

“Yes mam.”

Even though Rainbow Dash, Ditzy, and Octavia have been best friends since they were young they played things professionally when in front of other ponies as of late. Each of the ponies had a different reason for being here but they all knew what their goal was.

Each section had it's own job and directives concerning their mission in the Everfree forest. One section was tasked with finding and cataloging any rare magical creatures or anything of interest. Another was tasked with gathering supplies that the whole group needed during its nightly excursions into the twisted boughs of the Everfree. The third section that usually found itself dispersed among all of the other groups made accurate maps of the areas they had explored and were constantly busy as years ago their group had found out that the Everfree had a problem concerning dimensional folding and gateways.

To put it simply from the air and from the outside the Everfree wasn't the largest piece of forest in existence, a title owned by most of the Zebrican jungles. Instead the Everfree's true size lay within, or as a certain earth pony Ditzy knew would say, the forest is bigger on the inside than the outside. This has lead the entire group to be in the Everfree for far longer than they had ever anticipated, and quite frankly they were getting tired of accidentally finding holes into dimensions filled with eldritch entities, or wandering around a tree that looked exactly the same from all angles.

The last team among the group was after their primary objective, which was finding the location of a group of highly dangerous criminals that had foalnapped several of the family members of those present. Rainbow was adamant about this mission as the colt that took advantage of her younger sister had foalnapped the mare nearly two years later. It was only through the shear arrogance of the ponies who took their family members that any of those present knew that their loved ones were being held in the dark shadows of the forest known as Everfree.

Rainbow idly waited as the members of the third group compared their observations of what had been mapped and where everything fit together. It still surprised Rainbow that to this day only the northern arts of the Everfree forest were searched. Sometimes the mare wondered if their searching was pointless, for even if they found her sister none of those present were capable of taking on the ones that had taken her.

Rainbow watched as Octavia paced waiting for all of the groups to check their supplies and prepare for the nightly routine. Octavia had a personal vendetta with a particular pony in the group that had not only killed her brother but foalnapped her sister as well, but only Octavia's sister was taken when Scarlet was abducted. 

Ditzy was in the search group with Rainbow and was really only there because of their ties. Although Ditzy claims the emotional trauma inflicted on everypony else was a good enough reason to help, especially after her daughter Amethyst started having reoccurring nightmares about what happened. Rainbow remembered the little filly screaming all too well about how she was afraid they'd come and take her too. To Rainbow Dash this whole ordeal was personal as she wasn't about to let anypony terrorize her friends and especially her family.


(_o_============================================_o_)


“Rainbow Dash! What are ya doin' sleepin' in mah trees again!?” Apple Jack yelled at the mare who had dozed off in a tree that she was getting ready to harvest, well if there were any apples left in the tree.

“Hey AJ chill out! It's not like a was hurting the thing.” The pegasus said nonchalantly while only garnering a stern glare from the apple farmer.

“I'd better be off anyways, watching you buck trees all day is a waste of my time.” The pegasus said as she took off for the town.

“One of these days ah'll find a way to keep her from sleepin' on mah crops, now ah got ta get back ta work...”

“Talkin' to yerself again sis?”

“Oh, hey there Bloom. Shouldn't ya be in school?”

“It's Saturday sis.”

“Oh right, well how was yer week then?”

“It was alright, that royal pain Diamond Tiara's been behaving herself, fer now.”

“Ya sure do talk about that filly a lot Bloom, ya sure ya don't like her.”

“Well she causes a lot of trouble in the classes.”

“So Ah've heard, but yer not entirely blameless either. Ah heard ya got into a heated argument with little Dinky.”

“Right... We'll ah was just really passionate about the subject.”

“Really? Yer passionate about why the moon ain't made of cheese?”

“Ah may have gotten a little carried away.”

“Ya think? Well if yer home just go out and play, but stay away from where Mac was workin'. Ah don't want ya getting' hurt ya hear?”

“Yes sis.” As her little sister scampered off to wherever she goes to on days like this, Apple Jack took a small moment to appreciate the small amount of rest she had received before continuing with her work.


	(_o_============================================_o_)


“Twilight! Somepony's at our door.” Spike called to the mare as she perused a tome that had been assigned to her.

“Can't you answer it Spike, I'm a little preoccupied right now.” An answer to which Spike just looked at her before placing a bookmark in the tome and closing the cover.

“Hey what was that for?”

“The pony at the door said they want to see you.”

“Fine I'll see who it is.” The mare said as she made her way down the hall and into the foyer, to talk to the pony that had decided to interrupt her reading.

“Hello, Miss. Twilight Sparkle I presume?” The pony on the other side of the door asked.

To Twilight it looked like the pony had stepped out of an old novel about the Nightmare war. The pony was dressed head to hoof in what could only be described as a brown leather trench coat with several satchels attached to a belt around his middle. The strange stallion wore a wide brimmed hat that meshed with his odd outfit and a small set of spectacles adorned his face.

“Uhm...yes. May I help you?”

“Yes in fact. I happen to be here from the throne to acquire the assistance of your brother to help the Knights of Solaris with an investigation going on concerning your town.”

“Why is Celestia's personal vampony extermination squad looking into Ponyville?”

“It's nothing really, but we've been tracking the movement of a few clans and they've been showing up in Ponyville recently. Celestia is very adamant about rooting out all clans currently present in Equestria, and it would make sense that they would choose a rather run down town to settle near.”

“I always thought that was a main concern of Celestia's.”

“Well yes, but with Artemis back, Empress Cadance finally has enough backing to have the vampire hunting profession shut down. Celestia wishes this to be sort of a final job before we all get fired in a way, she's hoping to have us stick around with an altered agenda.”
“Well I'm not exactly okay with murdering the innocent and Dusk isn't either so you can count us out.”

“Well, as it would happen we're currently tracking down a criminal organization within the clans. The Blackheart clan specifically. Dusk would be assigned to these squadrons, there also happens to be word that the famous vampire known as Moon Flower has been spotted hunting in the area.”

“Dusk would be happy to fight with Blackheart considering the threat they pose, but Moon Flower is a vampire that's got a little over a thousand years of experience right now, not to mention she actually managed to get into Celestia's private chambers and fed on her. The mare is of a threat level that has kept on the most wanted list for over a century.”

“Well, I'm getting a bit tired of theoretical musing, so if you would please fetch your brother I'd like to discuss this with the stallion himself. Not that a lovely mare such as yourself needs to bother with our profession.”

“Of course! Hold on he'll be here in a minute, hey Dusk! There's a stallion here for you!” The mare said while closing the door, before giving the stallion an angry look.

The stallion standing out front just stood there waiting as the sound of hoofsteps went throughout the building. The mare seemed a little miffed at him, but he couldn't understand exactly what was upsetting her. He had been a true gentlecolt and had been utterly pleasant, so there was no reason for her to hold any hostility to him.

“My sister said you needed me.”

“Oh! Yes quite true. I was wondering if you would assist the Knights of Solaris in investigating the Blackheart clan, and possibly with detaining the mare known as Moon Flower.”

“With how many foalknappings and murders Blackheart is responsible for I'd certainly be interested, but Moon Flower has only been cornered five times and none of those that have fought her survived. Not to mention the only way we have of knowing her are through sketches of her performances when she was still young.”

“Great I'll tell the captain that you're on board.”

“I never said that.”

“Ah! But you did say you would like to investigate Blackheart. To which we'd highly appreciate it if you said yes, as for Moon Flower you don't have to engage her, but we'll still give you our material concerning her in case you happen too run into her during the investigation.”

“Alright.”

“So I'm to assume that the mare of the house is to receive twenty percent of any earnings correct?”

“Give her all of the money, I don't want anything to do with your ilk.”

“Alright, the princess will appreciate your help good stallion. But what would your sister say to being associated with us as she has said that she doesn't like our group.”

“Don't mention her then, it's as simple as that really, now if you wouldn't mind, I might as well start my rounds early.”

“Hm... I wonder why ponies don't seem to like me in this town? Well I better get back to the barracks.”


	(_o_============================================_o_)


“Ah what a... lovely little city don't you think Cadence, and to think that Celestia was okay with having me outside the castle during the night. Sometimes I wonder if she believes that I'll turn the entire town into thestrals if not attended to.”

“Well Aunty has been known to be a little wary of potential threats. Not to mention that the original population of Trottingham didn't consist of almost nothing but thestrals.”

“As if relapsing is something that I'd willingly do. Thankfully that parasite Nightmare couldn't assume full control, but that makes me wonder as to who sent the little abomination after me in the first place.”

“You mean it didn't arise from your jealousy and anger at your sister?”

“Hardly, dark magic entities like that have to be summoned, but that creature does feed off of negative emotions to bolster its strength. Thankfully I was able to convince the element bearers that, for the most part, I was a good stallion on the inside.”

“Why? Was that important?”

“Oh, yes! If I hadn't done that my true self would have been purged along with the Nightmare. I would have still been sapient, but I would hardly be what one would call truly alive anymore as what I truly was would have been destroyed. I would liken it to being a ceramic doll that has been painted. My mind would be the layer of paint and the Nightmare would have been some ink spilled on it. Now if the elements were to have purged us both it would be akin to scraping away the paint and ink then painting a similar image over top of the now blank doll.”

“That... sounds horrible.”

“Yes, not much more horrible as being frozen in place for millennial on end watching the world change around you, as you literally can't do anything while no small amount of horrible names were slung your way. Couple that with no hope of escaping your prison and you shall know a semblance of what true despair is. Now that I think about it at least you'd be dead in the first choice.”

“Was... was that what it was like on the moon?”

“Somewhat, but at least the Nightmare was sapient enough to grunt whenever I talked to it. Although I did get a lot of philosophical musing done during my exile, it was probably the only thing that kept me sane. Enough about me though fair empress, what is it that you are called to do?”

“Oh you want to know what my special talent is? Well... I'm pretty sure it has to do with spreading love and helping ponies realize these feelings.”

“Hm... Seams that you would be a changelings best friend, or a priestess. With a predisposition like that ponies must think that your rather... sweet.”

“Yeah, oh hey here's an excellent opportunity to show you what I can do.” The alicorn said as she spotted an arguing couple.
Artemis merely wondered what the mare would do, as her special talent would put her more in the position to counsel the young couple. As the mare began to funnel magic into her horn Artemis began to frown at the though of what the mare might be up to. The stallion merely watched as a cloud of heart shaped magic bubbled from the mare's horn and descended on the arguing couple, effectively quelling the argument and causing the two ponies to gaze lovingly into each others eyes.

“What was that?” Artemis said to the mare.

“I was just helping that couple over there.”

“Helping or hurting? That was a mental and emotive magic Cadence, a very dangerous kind of magic.”

“But I was just helping them, see look how happy they are right now.” The mare said while gesturing to the ponies that were now prenching in public.

“Cadence a ponies mind is a sacred place that another  ponies magic is not supposed to touch. They may be happy, but that was essentially brainwashing, and mental magic is the blackest of magic.”

“B-but it doesn't last that long, they'll be back to normal in an hour.”

“Doesn't matter, the principle outweighs the possible good in this situation. Mind magic may not be dark magic, but the power it gives a pony over others leads to corruption. As you know there are groups of magic that are on the border of being dark magic. I don't want to wake up one day to find that you've plunged the empire into a permanent love trance just because they weren't happy. Your willingness to cast a spell like that on ponies without their consent is enough to let me know that you've already started heading down that route. Sombra was a tyrant, but what you're doing will one day drive you to a worse position. Yet, I must wonder if you were ever warned about using magic on ponies without their consent.”

“It never came up.”

“Figures, only the Draconic species have the use of magic like that as illegal, but I was certain that I managed to get it taught not to use magic on another pony without consent. In fact if you break that law you get executed in the Draconic lands. You never get anything quite like that in other lands, not even the griffons are that strict.”

“Well, after your banishment Celestia had to rewrite a few laws so maybe it was discarded.”

“Figures, but lets move on from this.”

“Hey, Artemis. Why are the Draconic laws so severe?”

“It's because they are fully aware of the dangers magic presents. Even using telekinesis on another without consent is illegal there.”

“Why?”

“This is why.” Artemis said as his telekinesis reached into the mares body and gently squeezed at her heart causing the mare to shudder, “They know that any magic used on another is a weapon and that they can easily kill another with it. This is also why the Draconic species view ponies as pathetic and naive foals.” He said before releasing his grip.

“Normal magic can do that?”

“Indeed, I traveled quite a bit when I was younger and I was more than willing to leave my sister as the sole ruler were it not for her... more volatile nature at the time. You may not be able to imagine it, but she was quite the spoiled little filly back then, but she's grown quite a bit since then. During my travels I stayed an extensive portion of my time in the draconic lands. It wasn't entirely by choice mind you, as I had made the unfortunate mistake of offending the longma princess and had to do community service for quite a while. Most of this was spent helping the princess with tending to, on palace animals and acting as a servant. The rest of my time was spent sparring with the trainees going into the military, it was there that I picked up a ruthless battle style that I've never used since. When there they opened up my mind to the greater workings of magic as well as its dangers. Then I went on my merry way before the king found out that I kissed his daughter.”

“Wow... I never knew.”

“I can understand, now you see why you need another pony's consent and nothing more, however there was another part of what you did which was misguided. You wished to stop their arguing and mend their relationship, but if they aren't able to handle a small argument then they really aren't meant for each other. Your spell is really doing more harm than good Cadenza, as fights help the ponies involved learn more about each other and how to overcome their differences, it's as much an essential part of the relationship as love is. It's like your telling these ponies to search after a treasure made of pure gold, and when they find it, it looks like gold on the surface, but inside is nothing but silver. If you were to find your treasure like that you would feel cheated  and angry even though it is a perfectly good treasure. However, by the time you find the treasure you're too old to find the real gold that you were searching for.”

“So you're saying I'm essentially lying to them, and fooling them into believing they've found the one, when in reality they're just a passing crush that was never meant to be.”

“In essence. Don't worry Cadence, your heart was in the right place. Love is a rather chaotic emotion and no two ponies ever find it in quite the same way.”

“Thanks.”

“What for?”

“Thanks for helping me realize more about my domain and for helping me keep from hurting others. I would hate to think that I've caused problems with that spell. Why didn't Aunty tell me that could happen, did she not trust me with that knowledge?”

“She's never been known to think that far ahead unless it deals with strictly personal matters. Now there was something I was wanting to ask, ah yes. I've heard rumors that the vamponies Nightmare created still exist. Is this true?”

“Yes, Celestia had been trying to wipe them out though. I hate to think of that though. One of the little fillies I foalsat when I was younger was a vampony. I feared her at first, but then I realized she was like any other pony that I cared for and that they got blood from non-sapient creatures or through donations. One day when I was taking care of her, Celestia's goons showed up to wipe out her family. I saved the little filly, but her parents didn't make it. It was so horrible. I ended up taking the little filly in until Celestia found out I was harboring her. To save her I took her to the Empire where Celestia wasn't allowed to follow without having war declared on her. She still asks about the filly from time to time, but she can't have her, I've started to love the little filly as if she were my own daughter. With you here now and Blueblood on my side, we now have enough power to disband her vampire hunting squads and make hunting vamponies illegal. However Auntie makes several good points.”

“So it's true then, my biggest success and failure survived after all of these years. Don't worry about me, I won't let my sister take a foal away from its mother, even if it's adopted. She's truly doing what she believes is best, but sometimes it's not always a good thing. She may very well believe that vamponies are an evil race.”

“Your telling me. She does have reasons though, Blackheart being a major one. I'm not sure if you've been briefed on them yet, but Blackheart is a criminal vampony organization. Nopony knows what they truly want, they seem content to just capture as many ponies as they want and then make their family and friends suffer for as long as possible... Celestia believes that they are trying to open the eldritch gate, a gateway to a realm of nighmares and horrors beyond imagining. Why they would want to do such a thing is beyond me, but Celestai says if they're that deep into dark magic they're very likely insane, her reasons for this belief are the amounts of negative emotion needed for the rituals required for dark magic. Normal vamponies... They don't do much outside of their covens, but they still have a blood lust that can drive them to do horrible things when provoked. I...It hurt when the pony I love like a daughter had to be escorted from prison for having killed a bully that was harassing her...” The mare sighed while heading down the street, oblivious to the fact that Artemis was scanning her love spell.

“So did you like this princess?” Cadence asked Artemis in an attempt to improve her mood.

“What?”

“The longma princess, you said you kissed her.”

“Oh her. I suppose I did. It was a long time ago and she was as shy as she was fierce. Sometimes I wondered which one was the front or if her shyness stemmed from her fear of being cruel to others. She was truly kind though, only resorting to violence when there was no other option. She's probably been killed during a skirmish by now though, otherwise I might have tried contacting her again.”

“Really? Who would they fight?”

“The dragons of course. The two species view each other as brothers in a sense. They are friends most of the time, but every now and then they like to beat the tar out of each other. It's oddly tragic that these fights are the sole reason these two creatures experience death outside of starvation.”

“Okay...”


	(_o_============================================_o_)


“Ladies and Gentlecolts! It is my great pleasure to be announcing the awards to the ponies who have helped the most this year. Now before I start I'd like to say that everypony has done a great job this year, and without further ado I present Apple Jack with the most valued pony award for not only stopping a stampede, but helping around the town all year!” The mayor said in front of a crowd of applauding ponies.

“Sheesh! You'd think she was giving away PWNY awards with that speech.” Rainbow Dash said to the rest of her friends minus one orange mare.

“Well this only happens once a year deary, and besides a little dramatic flare is what this event needed.”

“Oh I just loved it, maybe the children enjoyed it too. But, where's Apple Jack?”

“Sorry ah'm late everypony ah got held up a little.” Apple Jack said while looking like an absolute mess.

“Nonsense your right on time, now just come up on stage and accept your reward and say a few things if you want to.”

The obviously exhausted mare staggered onto the stage lightly tripping up the stairs a few times. A few ponies in the crowd could have sworn the mare apologized to the steps, right before the tired apple farmer knocked the railing on the stairs over. The fact that the railing was now missing didn't faze the orange mare as she made her way to the large trophy meant for her.

“Woah! Ah look funny. Woo! Woo! Woo! Woo!” The giggling mare said while bobbing her head.

“Hey that looks fun! Woo! Woo! Woo! Woo!” Pinkie chimed in while hopping up on stage.

“Pinkie, while your up here, here's your award for helping so much around the town and helping everypony have a bit of fun once in a while.”

“Thanks Mayor Mare! Hey Dashie what are you doing here!? Are you here for your reward for being the most adorable eight year old, because you totally deserve it!”

“Ahem, you do know she's not eight right?” Mayor mare said.

“Well of course she is, otherwise she wouldn't be so adorable.”

“You've known her for ten years.”

“I have? Well she's just too adorable to age. Tell Celestia I said hi in a thousand years Dashie! Oh and Apple Jack you promised me to help with the store tomorrow.”

“Ah did?”

“Yepperoonie, but you don't look so good right now AJ, maybe you can help me some other time.”

“Ya callin' me a coward?”

“Nope.”

“Well ah'll be there.”

“But you said you'd help me with a trick tomorrow!”

“Then ah'll do that too... uh... little filly.”

“AJ I'm over twenty years old.”

“Ah knew that, Ah just didn't recognize ya right away... who are ya again?”

“Maybe you should go home and take a nap AJ, you look kinda tired.”

“Sleep is for the weak.”

“That's it I'm outta here I have places to be, if I win something cover for me and talk about my awesomeness. Also... if any of you see Gilda tell her I'm sorry for not hanging out with her today I was preoccupied.”

“Wait you're not going to accept an award?”

“I would normally, but I'm starving and I have better things to do right now, mainly being awesome where it counts.”

“Okay Dash I guess we'll catch you later.” Twilight said to the retreating blur.

“Hey isn't your brother supposed to help those weird ponies tonight? I didn't see him around and one of those ponies is asking around for him.”

“Oh my I completely forgot, sorry I've got to go get my blockhead of a brother. He's probably still patrolling for wolves and forgot about the vampony hunters.” Twilight said before running off.

“Oh my, if Dusk is involved with hunters he's in trouble. Think of all the little vampire colts and fillies that will look for him in their closets and under their beds at night... hic.”

“Oh my, that does sound rather upsetting.”

“Really darling, I doubt that vamponies have much to fear. It is us that should be more afraid of them.”

“I don't know Rarity, they can be really cute and adorable. Maybe we're being a little hard on them.”

“Really, those horrendous things are about as cute as a snake in a crib. They're blood thirsty monsters that enjoy the pain of others.”

“I'm sure it's all just a big misunderstanding, why I bet some of them even have similar interests to you Rarity. Maybe you could be friends?”

“Darling you can't be seriously comparing me to those ruffians.”

“Did I offend you? I'm sorry, I just wanted to say that maybe they aren't as bad as you think they are.”

“Sometimes you are just too innocent deary, but perhaps I am being a bit harsh.”

“O-okay. Where's your sister?”

“Oh she's out playing with Spike and Cheerilee's daughter, Sooterloo was it? Anyways that little drake and my sister are just getting along splendidly, if only he could realize I'm too old for him.”

“Her name is Scootaloo and isn't it getting a little late?”

“Don't worry Big Macintosh is taking care of them.”

“Isn't he injured?”

“Yes, but it's not like their going to kick him in the ribs or something. The filly's do have some sense of restraint.”

“I don't know, Sweetie Belle can be kind of scary.”

“My sister, Sweetie Belle, Scary? She's a little passionate at times, and has a habit of keeping around some questionably named imaginary figures... Then there was some chanting in the middle of the night when she was watching an anime... Other than that she's a little angel.”

“I guess Mac is alright then...”


	(_o_============================================_o_)


“Hey Scootaloo, do you think Spike likes me?”

“Sweetie you ask me this almost everyday, I'm beginning to think that you're obsessed with him.”

“Hey, at least I like somepony.”

“I... I like somepony.”

“Really Scootaloo? It had better not be Spike.”

“Ew gross!”

“So, who is it?”

“er... um...”

“She's probably too busy dreaming of Rainbow Dash to get a crush on anypony.”

“Hey! I-I don't dream of Rainbow Dash.”

“Then who do you dream of then?”

“Like I would tell you.”

“Are all of ya playing nice in there?”

“Yes Big Mac!” All three fillies chimed in at once.

“Now can we please do something cool, and not mushy?”

“Why are ya admittin' that nopony likes ya?”

“Your one to talk Bloom, where's your colt-friend huh?”

“He's back in the town ah come from, ah stay with mah siblings on the farm during the school year, Ma says it's good to spend time wit them. So uh Sweetie why are ya so deep in thought, ya look kinda down?”

“I was just thinking about Spike's longevity, since dragons stop aging after reaching maturity he'll have to marry somepony else eventually. If he falls in love with me it'll break his heart, which means he'll probably choose a dragoness over me. It'd be easier to forget the silly little mortals like me that way, otherwise the constant loss would get to be too much.”

“Sweetie why are ya thinkin' about stuff like that?”

“My... Iron Hoof has been talking with me about my relationship.”

“Iron who?”

“Forget it Bloom she won't tell me anything about that guy, all I know is that he's some sort of imaginary friend. Hey wasn't Dusk going around mumbling about vampire hunters or something?”

“Ma sister says he's been recruited by some vampire hunters to track down some criminals, and a few regular vampires that were wondering around the Everfree.”

“How does that help me?”

“Aren't vampires immortal?”

“Yup.”

“But, I don't want to die in sunlight!”

“Um Sweetie, sunlight doesn't kill them.”

“Really?! Then lets find some vampires!”

“Wait, wait, wait, if I become a vampire my mom will never let me live it down.”

“Why? Does she hate vampires?”

“No... she... she thinks they're adorable, and I seriously don't want that kind of attention.”

“Says the pony who idolizes an eight year old filly, besides ya don't have ta let her know right away.”

“Dash was injured when she was younger, she's way older than eight, and she has more talent in one hoof than most ponies have in their whole body.”

“Uh huh. Well Mac look's like he's dozed off, those painkillers must be pretty strong.” Apple Bloom noticed.

“Then let's go, we can't waste anymore time.” Sweetie Belle announced.

“Wait why should ah go with ya? This sounds like a whole heap a trouble.”

“”We could get our cutie-marks in exploration, or maybe we could get cutie-marks in being vamponies.”

“Yeah, or we could get ourselves killed in the middle of the Everfree.” Apple Bloom said.

“Seems like an even trade to me, besides now that I think about it I'd get to see every single Wonderbolt that makes the team from now on... and maybe I'll be able to fly, even if it's only during the night.”

“Scootaloo what about your mother, or a potential special somepony?” Sweetie Belle asked.

“I'll just turn 'em when the time comes.”

“What if they refuse?”

“I'll get over it.”

“Come on we have an eternity to shoot for! We'll have plenty of time to find our special talents after that.”

“Ah guess when ya put it that way it does sound kinda nice...” Apple Bloom said while looking to her unmarked backside.

After a little bit more convincing Apple Bloom was finally ushered out the door and into the forest as the entire world slowly descended into the dark depths of night. Unfortunately for the three fillies they soon found out what horrors lay within the dark forest. During their trek through the eerie darkness with only their lantern to light their way they ran into an untold number of horrors, the most scarring being a performance by a clown who called herself Penny.

“Ah told ya we shouldn't have come in here!” Apple Bloom yelled.

“Hey, Sweetie was the one who decided that entering a black portal with demonic chanting coming from it was a good idea.”

“Hey! At least I knew the clown was bad news!”

Unbeknownst to the three arguing fillies a mare was walking through the forest and happened to overhear their conversation. Now the mare normally ran into the random lost pony now and then, as she kept an eye on the forest's perimeter while making sure nopony suspicious was wondering around, but seeing three fillies wondering around was something the mare never thought that she'd see. Knowing that the forest was definitely not a place for fillies, the mare quickly made her way towards them.

“Hey ya'll lost!?” The mare called out.

“Erm... No! We were just looking for some vamponies!”

“Scootaloo, what are ya doin' ya just talk to strange ponies in tha' middle of a forest! ” Apple Bloom whispered to the pegasus.

“Ya'll made a bad choice then, most ponies try to avoid the forest.”

“Well we're tough and we're on a quest for our cutie-marks!”

“And love!”

“Ugh Sweetie, I was trying to sound cool, now we just sound lame.”

“No need ta worry ya'll are cool enough for three mares each, now why are ya lookin' fer vamponies little fillies?” The mare said in a smooth voice that sounded as maternal as it did self confident.

“It's so my colt-friend won't have to remarry when the time comes, he's an immortal.”

“Hey I'm not a filly!” Scootaloo shouted.

“Hm... Admiral in a sense, misguided maybe, but admirable. As for you young pegasus, everypony under two hundred is a child ta me, now why do the rest of ya want to find vamponies?”

“I... I... don't really have a reason other than wanting to be around longer, and... to possibly fly.”

“Those two dragged me inta this, all ah said was that ah wanted mah cutie-mark.”

“Flight... Hm, ah once knew a filly who walked the same path you are setting down, she made a horrible mistake that got her taken away, but she loved flying after she could finally reach the clouds. As fer you, little earthpony, all ya need ta do is have a little patience and what ya want will come in the end, now how about a walk home hm?”

“Not until I'm a vampony!” Sweetie Belle shouted.

“Ya mean like me?” The mare said flashing a fanged smile.

“Woah! Who are you?” Sweetie asked in awe.

“Ya can call me Moon Flower, little filly.”

“Well, will you... you know... turn me?” Sweetie Belle said sheepishly.

“No. Ah highly doubt yer sister would appreciate the fact that her little sister will live to see her great grandchildren.”

“Right... well you could turn her too.”

“...I'd love to, I really would... but now isn't the right time for this. Listen if ya want me ta turn ya then ya can find me once yer eighteen.”

“But I want to be a vampony now!” Sweetie Belle whined like a foal.

“Listen kid, do ya know how long it takes fer vampony children ta mature? Ah had ta take care of my sister's son fer over fifty years before he could live on his own. Not ta mention this was during the great Depression and the Great Famine.”

“Wait, you're over one-thousand years old!?”

“Yup, and ah ain't getting' any younger.”

“Ya, kinda remind me of an older pony by the way ya talk.”

“Oh I was nearing the end of my life when I let myself get turned, my body may still be youthful in appearance, but my hair never regained it's original color.” The mare said throwing off the hood of her cloak revealing a mane that was pure white.

“Wait, Rainbow Dash!?”

“Are ya'll daft, The Great and Powerful Trixie could impersonate that mare if she wanted ponies ta believe Dash was a normal sized unicorn fer a day.”

“Erm, sorry. You just looked like her, and you are kinda short.”

“What, have ya never seen a Shetland?” The mare said while strutting around in a fashion that made her appear older.

“Well... If Sweetie's worried about maturing, then I want to be turned now. I'm already old enough ta be considered a pegasus mare.”

“Sorry kid, ah'm puttin' the same restriction on ya as well.”

“Well I'll find another pony who will turn me then, I don't need you to do it.” Scootaloo said in defiance.

“W-wait, please I-I'll do it. I don't want ya makin' the mistake mah sister did.”

“Yes! Okay so what do we do?”

“Well... Ah need ta drain ya pretty dry first, then ah have to give ya some of mah blood ta complete the process.”

“Well get on with it then!”

“Well, well, well... Mmm... Oh my, a little trio of fillies all for the taking. A pubescent pegasus, a little earthpony with some lovely 
thighs...O~oh and a delightful little unicorn that will be a drop dead goddess once she's reached the peak of her beauty. The other two will be good brood mares... But the unicorn... Mmm that unicorn will make a lovely concubine, ruling with me over the others that I control, and bringing forth strong heirs.”

“Back off Blackheart scum!...YOU!!! I'll Rip your intestines out through your throat and rip your nuts off using a rusty spoon you bastard!”

“Oh, my, my, my... Iris was it? I must say your sister was quite the catch, she's brought forth quite a few lines that I didn't immediately sacrifice, and one child that's currently wandering through an endless maze hoping to escape the forest. She asks about you ya know. Screaming and begging for her dear sister to forgive her for allowing you to pass on not knowing what happened to her. Of course I don't tell her or any of the others that you took on vampirism because your loyalty to her wouldn't let you pass on until you sought out revenge, or justice... whatever you've decided to call it.”

“Shut up! You talk too much swine, and I'll enjoy draining you dry and assimilating your memories to find your hideout and free those there from your bondage.” The mare said as Scootaloo shivered in fear of the other pony, as Moon Flower's ear twitched having heard voices in the distance.

“Of course, you and your what? Two, maybe three split personalities will just take on the lesser coven members that work for me and manage to get away. I'd take you just for your vibrant array of personalities and toned body, if binding a vampony weren't impossible unless you are the one that turned them... O~oh that little pegasus over there is so sexy, do that little wiggle again for me and maybe I'll turn you right now. Fresh meat is always a welcome addition. Iris's sister is starting to get a little too loose in the caboose if ya know what I mean, although that's what happens when you let your half starved drakes take your favorite toy for a spin.”

“I'll kill you for talking about my sister that way!”

“You keep talking, and you keep not killing me. Now how about you let me take the three fillies I've been keeping an eye for a while.”

“Figures, you're only here because you were watching these three. Probably because their affiliated with me no doubt.”

“Bravo, give the little vampiric dog a bone. Yes I've been spying on your little group, I can't let a pony that we've already made miserable have any semblance of happiness for too long. How many has it been that I own now, five fillies, four colts, sixteen mares, and ten stallions from your past? How many of those friends that you made died of old age, or at the hooves of Blackheart? I know we've murdered over a hundred of your friends and thousands of your fans, destroyed your reputation multiple times, your old career is the only thing that truly survived our attacks... but nopony wants to see Moon Flower perform anymore... Now I can't wait to let that little unicorn age like a fine wine.”

“Leave these fillies out of it, if you come anywhere near them I'll hang your corpse from the highest point in Ponyville!”

“Again with the threats and no action, are you trying to keep those three from seeing a bloodbath? Hm... no. You know there are others near don't you? You were always a very intelligent pony, not smart enough to save your sister though. Can you save these three fillies now? Or will my ponies cultivate these three cuties until they bloom into mares more beautiful than they would if left with you.”

“Shut it sleazebag! As long as I live you won't touch these fillies.”

“Yes, about that. I'm tiring of our little chat. I know you're one to appreciate gloating and I find it quite fun when I know I can get away with it... but now it's time for filly number one to be bound. Let's see... how about the little... earthpony, I do love pegasi, and unicorns... well they sure do a have a lot of tricks, but earthponies... delectable.”

“Stay behind me, I'll keep ya safe... Apple Bloom, where are ya!”

“Oh, so that's what this little filly's name is... Such a firm neck, I so hope that you taste like apples.”

The vampony that had been talking to the enraged Moon Flower held up the struggling Apple Bloom in a sickeningly black aura. As Moon Flower continued to try and figure out what to do without getting the three fillies killed, the vampony bit into his own leg and drew a mouthful of blood. After he was done he plunged his fangs into Apple Bloom eliciting a scream from the little filly before he let her go, sending the scared filly scrambling behind the pony who was trying to protect her.

For Apple Bloom the entire experience was utterly terrifying. One moment she was next to a pony that was trying to keep her safe, the next thing she new she was hurtling through a miasma of colors before appearing next to the one pony she didn't want to be next to. When she was bitten into she felt a searing pain in her neck as the vampony's brutally sharp fangs ripped into the tender flesh of her tiny body. When she was sent back to the group she was more or less thrown at them and barely managed to keep from face planting the dirt.

“Only two left... and still no way out for the flies that are caught in my little trap... How about a two for one deal hm...” A sickening aura caught Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle and drew them close to the vampony where he did the same to them as he did for Apple Bloom. 

“Now that I've taken care of those three, all I have to do is remove you from the equation... What are you doing?”

As Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle made it back to their protector they found themselves immediately trapped in small dome of ice. Moon Flower then proceeded to force lightning that was arching from her body into a strange collection of sigils that arced with the latent energy held within. The vampony that had previously been gloating over his previous situation, began to back away and headed for what cover he could find as reality around the pegasus began to warp... and as the spell continued it collapsed and sent out an explosive blast wave that launched any hidden Blackheart operatives flying deep into the forest. As the smoke cleared a singed Moon Flower and a shivering and highly frightened trio of fillies looked at the panting pegasus.

“T-that didn't go as I planned.”

“Well what were ya tryin' ta do, kill us!”

“It was meant to be a form of teleportation... I'm kinda glad that didn't work... Probably would have been trapped in some form of Limbo...”

“I thought only unicorns could teleport.” Sweetie Belle chimed in.

“Well, I'm tryin' ta prove 'em wrong... still workin' on it... even after a thousand years of practicing to get as good as ah am.”

“Ah can tell, well at least they're gone... but what about us?”

“Yeah, you said you'd have to drain us then give us your blood, he didn't do that at all.” Scootaloo added.

“That's the normal way to do it, it's also safer. He mixed his blood with yours, that means that what causes vampirirsm is inside of you, but it'll take roughly a fortnight to finish the conversion process.”

“So how's it more dangerous?” Sweetie Belle asked.

“The cravings are insane and you'll need me keeping an eye on you unless you want to accidentally kill somepony in a fit of blood lust. The good thing is that they're gone, for now. All I have to do is keep you in town until the process is done or you're cured and you're home free as far as enslavement goes.”

“So do you really have split personalities?” Scootaloo asked the cyan mare.

“No... I act fer a living, I like to keep specific personalities going for specific disguises, it's one of the ways I've avoided getting caught while hiding in plain sight for over a thousand years. Although ah do occasionally... screw the accent ya already know it's me Scoots, but yeah the disguise I use out in the open changes. Every few hundred years I take up my old name and cutie-mark again. You would not believe how much magic hair-dye I go through to get my hair looking like it did when I was younger.”

“So what was with the accent? It sounded really well rehearsed.”

“I grew up on a carrot farm and I... I wanted to distance myself as much as I could from the farm because of the sad memories, when that didn't work I decided that I needed to change. I didn't even fight it when I picked up the accent and I even embraced it, ah still catch myself falling into it on occasion. Now you three come here I need to finish what that disgrace to society started so you don't end up accidentally draining somepony... I wish it didn't have to come to this.”

“Well why didn't you stop him from biting us then!?” Scootaloo yelled.

“We were surrounded Scoots, and Blackheart is just too tough for me to face head on. If I defended you when he was paying attention... he wouldn't have hesitated to make this your last night alive. As much as he talks about getting slaves, he ends up killing most ponies he wants to turn in a fit of rage during confrontations, doing nothing and secretly charging that attack... it was the only course of action that would have gotten you out alive and as free mares.”

“Sis is gonna kill me! Granny has a thing about vamponies, ah secretly believe she's a lycan, but there are a few vampony hunters in mah family on mah ma's side.”

“Ouch, AJ didn't make her family seem to be that way.” Sweetie Belle said.

“That's because she grew up at home with ma and pa like me when she was young. Every other Apple will likely try taking a stake to my heart if they find out.”

“Easy, just don't tell anypony you're a vampony, also stay away from garlic, all of you. Vampires are highly allergic to garlic and we tend to swell up and movement becomes painful, most ponies tend to forget the garlic thing, which is good as it's good at crippling a vampony. As for blood, feeding only needs to occur once a week, normal food does nothing, but sugar filled items will allow you to stretch out the time needed to feed by about a day. In fact this eating of constant sugar is the only way a vampony can actually gain weight. You should be able to retract your fangs, but just in case try not to smile too much until you've got that down. I think that's it... oh and vamponies have a tendency to be OCD, especially when it comes to knowing the exact number of things there are, just try not to count salt grains too often.”

“Aw come on! How am I supposed to have a romantic dinner with Spike now if I'm allergic to garlic!?”

“Use a garlic flavored substitute, I happen to know of a brand that tastes just like garlic... although I never had much garlic before becoming a vampony.”

“I guess I'm the only one that gets the cute treatment huh?”

“It's not that bad kiddo, I got used to it. I also exploit it for some freebies at random theaters in other towns.”

“Okay but what about that OCD thing? Mah family is definitely goin' to notice if ah suddenly have an interest in knowing the amount of salt they just threw on their hay fries.”

“The OCD is rather annoying, but older vampires can count really fast and in larger groups of numbers than most ponies. For young vampires all you have to remember is that nopony cares and you should be able to resist the urge better.”

“So when ya were talkin' to mah sis about the trees...”

“Yes there are exactly three-thousand nine-hundred and thirty-two trees with ripe fruit, and staying up all night keeps me from being an early riser.”

“So now that our questions have been answered you're going to turn us right?”

“Eh... it's the safest thing to do, but you'll be targeted by Blackheart just like I am. Thankfully they'll wait until you're fully grown to start that crap, they may be horrible but they do have some standards. Not that they'll leave you alone if you stay as a normal pony.”

“Hey, Rainbow... A-are those ponies going to be stopped?”

“It's hard to say kiddo, they play a tough game. Celestia pretty much blames the actions of Blackheart on vamponies in general, but she's started to wise up about it, not that it will keep me from being hunted by her.”

“Oh! Because you fed on her.”

“Right... I'd rather not talk about that incident, it's not something that I'm proud of, although I've done several other things that I could say I'm not proud of. So since you'll be immortal your families will figure this out sooner or later, most likely in three years concerning Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle.”

“This sucks, ah was never supposed to be a vampony!”

“Well... Since your just starting to turn I can cure you, but Blackheart is still going to be a problem, hopefully I can give you a normal life with the help of the rest of the members of my coven.. ”

“So your saying that I'm F##### no matter what ah do, that's it I'm leaving this stupid cursed forest, just turn me now.”

“Woah, language kid, if you were my child you'd be eating a bar of soap right now. You're also pretty smart for your age, not that I'm calling you dumb or anything. Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle I can understand considering their tribes mentally mature faster, especially pegasi.”

“Ya callin' earth ponies dumb?” Apple Bloom asked, seemingly forgetting what the mare in question had already stated.

“Ugh, no. They just take longer to mature. Now I'm taking all of you to a friend I met out here during one of my searches.”

As the three frightened fillies followed the mare that they thought they knew they found themselves being led along a path that looked rarely trodden upon. As the three fillies continued on they would occasionally spot something scurrying in the darkness. Soon enough a large tree came into view that had a door carved into its aging trunk. The mare known as Rainbow Dash knocked on the door five times and stood back, waiting for the trees occupant to come out.

“Who is pounding at my door, any harder and it will hit the floor. Ah Iris and three young fillies I see, do you care to explain why you want to see me?”

“Zecora, ah need these three cured of vampirism before it becomes permanent, we had a run in with some Blackheart agents. This is Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, and Apple Bloom, three fillies who need ta learn not ta just run into a forest.” Rainbow Dash said slipping back into her accent while Zecora rushed to apply a paste to the three fillies.

“Hey why would you tell us all of that stuff back there if you were just going to cure us!” Sweetie Belle complained.

“To let ya know what vampirism means. Ya may think it gives a lot in return fer what it is, but it takes just as much if not more. A vampire constantly deals with blood lust kiddo, and you're a nice filly that doesn't need to constantly have an urge to hurt others. Now like ah said come back when yer eighteen and ah'll turn ya if yer still wantin' ta be a vampony.”

“Mrs. Moon is quite right Sweetie Belle, pardon my language but immortality can be h###. Now drink this brew and you'll be cured and walk away as good as new. Unfortunately for dear Apple Bloom, the time for a cure has met its doom. The paste tells an unfortunate tale; her body is so far gone the cure will fail.”

“What do ya mean Apple Bloom can't be cured, she's got a weak at most before she turns.”

“Normally for these circumstances that would be the case, unfortunately the infection in her is working at a feverish pace. Her stubbornness, anger, and jealousy make good fuels for vampiric magic to burn, in almost an hour she will turn. Take the filly and finish the job, otherwise her soul Blackheart will rob. I'll cure these two and take them home before their families start to worry, but when turning the young filly make sure you hurry.”

“Yeah, yeah ah got it Zecora. Come on Bloom these two have already seen enough tonight, I'll turn ya outside and then take ya home.”

“It's not like ah have a choice now do ah? An' why did ya bring the accent back?”

“When ah'm Moon Flower, or Iris the accent stays. Now come on we don't have all night.” The semi-cloaked mare said while leading Apple Bloom outside of the hut.

For the second time that night Apple Bloom felt the fangs of a vampony sink into her tender flesh. Unlike before where her flesh burned there was merely a dull pain and a small pinching feeling. As the blood left her body Apple Bloom began to feel dizzy and the forest began to spin around her. As she blacked out the little filly could vaguely feel a light pressure building in her mouth just under her gums.

After the vampony that called herself many things finished turning the filly she heard the sound of hoofsteps approaching. As Moon Flower looked up she saw the one pony she was hoping she wouldn't run into. As the armored stallion stepped into the moonlight the emblem of the sun eclipsing a crescent moon emblazoned on his chest glinted in the low light. There was no doubt in Moon Flower's mind who this pony was once she looked upon his face, this pony was Dusk Shine.

“Oh s### this looks bad.”
> Ch 8: (side chapter) Rainbow Dash the Vampony pt. 3
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Dusk Shine stared down at the mare he had caught drinking the blood of one of his friends sisters. He knew the mare well enough as her name had been plastered throughout history as one of the greatest magicians of all time. The mare was none other than the infamous Moon Flower, a mare so cunning that only her stage name was truly known.

For Dusk this presented both an interesting and rather vexing dilemma. On the one hoof he could attempt to bring one of the most notorious vampony criminals in history outside of Blackheart to justice, an event that would undoubtedly get him killed or waking up in a ditch somewhere. Then there was the option of letting her go and letting her take Apple Bloom wherever she wanted, something that he wasn't going to let happen.

“Moon Flower, I'm only here for the filly. Let me take her and I'll leave you alone.”

“Ah'm surprised a pony in the army would let a notorious criminal slip through their hooves.”

“Normally that would be the case, but nopony ever survives a scuffle with you and I'm here to make sure that nothing happens to the populace. That being said I'll be taking that filly now.”

“Take her, she nearly got captured by Blackheart anyways. Tell her she knows who to visit about her new condition, now I must be going I've got a whole night ahead of me.”

Dusk Shine slowly approached the unconscious filly and took notice that the white maned mare that was Moon Flower wasn't moving. As he grabbed the filly he noticed the two fangs protruding from her gums and looked up at the mare who stared at him with rapt curiosity. As he placed the filly on his back Moon Flower's concentration  lapsed, allowing Dusk Shine to make sure that Moon Flower wouldn't try something, which was linked to a small container he was carrying.

Moon Flower looked away briefly not wanting to look into the eye's of her friend's brother. She knew he had figured out what had happened as the little filly happened to let out a mighty yawn revealing her fangs to the world. Unfortunately Dusk Shine took her lapse in attention to blow a cloud of garlic powder at her sending the mare reeling in pain.

“Get back her you a##!” The mare screamed as her whole body began to swell and her breathing became painful.

Unfortunately the sudden aggression on Dusk's part had sent Moon Flower into a blood rage, a grave mistake on anypony's part. Moon Flower let loose an unholy howl of pure rage as she sent a fireball hurtling straight at the head of the retreating guardpony. Her target barely avoided the projectile, it was meaningless though, Moon Flower had other ways of handling her prey.

Dusk Shine couldn't help but feel a surge of panic shoot through him as a fireball whizzed past his head, he had known Moon Flower was a skilled aeroturge, but he had failed to imagine just what that meant. A quick dodge to the left gave the retreating stallion a cold shoulder as a spike made out of ice clipped his armor. After scanning the trees to see where the vampony could be attacking from she could see a doughy form moving about in the distance before another blast of fire was sent his way.

Moon Flower was clearly in pain, and her body wasn't wanting to respond either, but she wasn't about to let her prey get away with her broodling. Of course she was only aiming to take down the stallion, but if an innocent forest creature got hurt in the process she couldn't care less, no matter what Fluttershy said. Another blast was sent towards the stallion, this one being a trickier move that the vampony had been working on, she couldn't wait to see how he handled this one.

“If this is how she fight's when she's severely weakened, what in the world is she like when she's completely fine.”

“Ah'm yer worst nightmare... Silver Spoon...” Apple Bloom mumbled in her sleep.

Another blast came up from behind, one to which Dusk ducked for causing it to fly overhead, and turn around as the ball of lightning started to fly right back at the stallion. A quick shield stopped the projectile while also causing the stallion to grunt as his shield nearly shattered from the impact. A faint rumbling sounded from behind as another fiery blast hit the shield shattering it and singeing the two ponies.

Dusk Shine could barely make out the cackling of the vampony behind him as he took off in a sprint along the path as more fireballs whizzed past him, hitting the trees up ahead sending burning timber crashing onto the path. The obstacle caused Dusk Shine to run blindly into the forest, a forest that was slowly starting to burn as an unnatural heat consumed the area. 

Moon Flower was close behind her quarry, sniffing out his scent like a feral dog. The fear he was emitting was tantalizing to say the least, and she was going to enjoy having her way with him. The stallion was busy wandering through her trap, while she had decided to wait on the other side and keep an eye on his location. To think that some ponies wondered why Moon Flower only left lone survivors to tell the tale of her exploits.

The raging inferno that the forest had become was starting to make Dusk panic. Moon Flower's laughter was echoing through the flaming foliage, likely waiting to attack with another blast of magic. The inferno around Dusk was becoming alarmingly more violent as time progressed, trapping him in a small area. That's when the vampony landed in front of the stallion.

The garlic had certainly done a number on the petite pegasus, turning her toned body into a swollen mass that closely resembled a marshmallow. The strange demonic aura that surrounded the mare gave little doubt to what she was planning. The mare dove for Dusk's cargo and he rolled out of the way semi-successfully. The mare that had been lunging at him plunged her fangs into his leg when he dodged, tearing a large gash into the appendage. Thankfully Dusk was able to slip through the burning forest without getting attacked again, but when he was on the main path again Moon Flower showed up.

“Heh, yer pretty maneuverable for prey, but my broodling is the only reason yer still alive right now. Ya started this fight and ah'm endin' it.”

In a split second Dusk Shine attempted a ranged teleport to no avail. He didn't get anywhere and when he looked for the reason why he noticed his hooves were frozen to the ground and that his horn was covered in ice as well. Dusk Shine began to panic a bit as he was now an easy target, but he began to wonder if all of the other attacks were just for sport and that the only reason he was alive right now is because Moon flower wanted him to be.

''Thanks... Mama.” Apple Bloom mumbled when Moon Flower took her off of Dusk Shine.

Moon Flower stumbled back in shock as Apple bloom's statement managed to bring the mare to her senses and she blanched at what she had nearly done to her friends brother. Of course the mare had known of the dangers of a blood rage, but to actually realize what could have happened nearly made the mare sick. Moon Flower placed Apple Bloom back on Dusk Shine's back and merely looked him over while he was still imprisoned.

“Yer a right idgit ya know that? Ya were lucky ah was snapped out of that blood rage and that ah was sufferin' the affects of garlic while trying to get Apple Bloom from ya, otherwise ya never would have made it past the first attack. Now git before ya do somethin' else ya will regret and take care of that filly and if ya try somethin' like that again, well let's just say yer sister will have ta fergive her brother for inviting death upon himself.”

As Dusk was released from the mares magic he looked back at her to see her wings crackling with energy, daring him to try something. Dusk decided that he had made enough stupid decisions that night and merely walked down the path. The most Dusk would do is report the mare and let those trained for high level threats like her deal with her, although Dusk had a feeling the elements of harmony might need to be used on her to take her down.

Moon Flower watched as the stallion retreated into the forest taking Apple Bloom home, thankful that Dusk hadn't decided to tempt fate. The mare promptly collapsed afterwords finally letting her swollen body rest. The pain she was in was unbearable and Moon Flower felt like she was trying to breath through a straw at the moment. The mare being prepared for such emergencies started reaching into her cloak for an antihistamine shot as a Zebra mare walked up to her.

“My dear Moon Flower you're expression is looking quite sour. With how much garlic powder you are covered in at this hour you will certainly require a shower.”

“Whoah, Rainbow you look like a blue marshmallow, you weren't kidding about that allergic reaction.”

“Yeah, ah'm goin' ta be swollen fer a while even after this shot. Dusk took Bloom home, but her being a vampony is no longer a secret.”

“Oh no! What will happen to her?” Sweetie Belle asked.

“If her family truly loves her they'll learn about her condition and help her adjust, and if they don't ah'm just gonna' have ta get involved.”

“Woah! Yeah, you'll just jump in and you'll use you're cool powers and kill everypony and there'll be blood everywhere, it will be so awesome!”

“What kinda' anime are you watchin' filly?”

“All of them.”

“Ah think ya should cut back on the more violent ones.”

“Aw... I'll just watch the ones Rarity hides under her bed then.”

“On second thought watch the violent ones all you want they're safer than what your sister's watching, but she's going to be limiting them.”

“Ugh... Hey why haven't you told the rest of the element bearers about you being a vampony?”

“You try telling friends that you just met that you're a parasite that feeds off of the blood of others. Not only that but that you have a hard time viewing them as something other than food, and that you have a temper a mile wide that feeds into a sadistic streak that all vamponies have. Not to mention that I nearly killed Dusk Shine in a fit of rage.”

“Sheesh, I was just asking.”

“Sorry kid, but ah wasn't joking when ah said being a vampony is rough, there are reasons why we are viewed as monsters. Those views have shifted over the years, and now we're almost being welcomed into society. That's not a luxury ah have though, if ah came out with who ah am ah'd be executed before ah even wash out mah hair dye.”

“Why?”

“Like ah said before kid ah've done things ah'm not proud of, but maybe ah'll do enough good one day ta make up fer all the bad.”

“Ya can't have done stuff that was all that bad, you're Rainbow Dash the most radical and heroic pony there is.”

“Ah'm also Moon Flower, Iris Moon, Purity Horn, and several others. Not all of the ponies ah've been were good Scoots. Some of them ah can blame on bein' depressed or angry with what ah was going through, but there are some things that ah know ah can't make up an excuse fer. Now please leave this subject be we've talked about it enough and ya need yer rest.”

“Alright, but you were so cool out there, I don't think I've seen any pegasus do that kind of stuff.”

“That's the result of a lot of practice squirt, and ta tell ya the truth, compared to other vamponies I'm pretty weak, even my two friends ah've known fer just near forever are tougher than me.”

“Then what would you call what you did back there?”

“Ah'd call it a sloppy mess. Mah strength is in speed and to a higher extent, agility and precision. As fer pegasus magic ah'm not good with the combat aspects of it, it's mostly showy stuff that ah've perfected and a few convenient things.”

“Oh... You're still cool though.”

“Right, well let's just not talk fer a while, ah've got a few things ta think about.”

Another bout of silence went on as the group travelled with Rainbow cleary deep in thought, far deeper than anypony would have associated with the egotistical mare. Scootaloo was one of the few ponies that likely knew how complex the pony really was and she didn't even know half of what her story was. With that thought on her mind Scootaloo decided to ask another question.

“Why so you hate Blackheart so much, aside from them being obviously evil I mean.”

“Were ya even listenin' ta that blabbermouth's rant?”

“Oh right, your family. Hey... what will you do if you ever get the chance to beat them.”

“Oh... what a day that will be. When that day comes they'll all beg for mercy from little old me, and do ya know what? Ah'll let them feel the tiniest spark of hope of escape before grinding it to pieces. Ah can't wait ta drain every last piece of scum dry.” Rainbow said with a look in her eyes that could only be described as disturbing.

Scootaloo lapsed into silence taking in what she had just heard. She had obviously dug up something that Rainbow didn't show on a normal basis and she decided that she didn't like it. Normal Rainbow Dash was fun and a bit of a show off, this Rainbow Dash was terrifying and had a sadistic glint in her eye that gave plenty of warning as to what she was willing to do for the sake of revenge. Needless to say Scootaloo also needed to do some thinking, and maybe she needed to reappraise what she viewed as being cool... it was going to be a long road ahead.


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As Dusk Shine absentmindedly bumbled through the forest after his rather brief run in with one of the most infamous vamponies around he began to notice that he was getting more and more lost as time progressed. In fact the flora of the landscape had shifted from what was normally the eerie foliage of the Everfree and into something that seemed to have come from a nightmare. 

The ground progressively became more uneven and was mysteriously blackened as if a fire had been through the area. Of course it was entirely possible that a fire had been considering the earlier fight, but Dusk was thoroughly certain that he had wandered into one of the dimensional pockets that dotted the Everfree. Unfortunately he had no idea how to leave the area as he had likely been walking around for hours in the pocket without realizing it.

The place wasn't all that bad though and quite frankly it was more enjoyable than the nightmares he had when he first attempted a dark magic spell. The stallion's stomach growled in protest as he continued forward hoping that going straight would lead him back to the Everfree, and hopefully not deeper into whatever reality he was in the middle of.

Dusk Shine finally stopped moving when the desire for food became so unbearable that he had to stop and look over the plants growing nearby to see if any of them were viable food sources. The process wasn't all that quick since it required casting a complex spell that detected toxins in something and most of the plant matter turned out to be poisonous.

When Dusk Shine finally found something edible he quickly ate the thing and instantly regretted it. The plant he had eaten tasted meaty and foul and left an ashy aftertaste that seemed to coat the entire inside of his throat and mouth. Opting to never do that again Dusk Shine simply sat down in the gray terrain covering his flanks in a course layer of grime and dust that coated the ground.

The sky gave no indication to the passage of time as he couldn't make heads or tails of what he was looking at. While similar to a night sky back home there were three moons present in the sky and the sun of this world was a giant red thing that moved along the horizon instead of following any normal orbit. It was the most alien thing Dusk Shine had experienced and he wished that the journey wouldn't last long at all with the sleeping filly on his back.

“H-hey... Where am ah?” Apple Bloom groggily asked as she woke up.

“You're with me, Dusk Shine. Unfortunately we're in one of the Everfree's pocket dimensions.” Dusk Shine said wakiing up Apple Bloom the rest of the way.

“Ya Dingus! Why are we in a pocket dimension!” Apple Bloom yelled.

“Be quiet, we don't know what's in here, so far it's been plants but there could be other things here as well.”

“Sorry...”

“It's alright, it was mostly my fault anyway. The question is how do we get out of here.”

As Dusk Shine questioned these things Apple Bloom began to notice the increasingly tantalizing scent of the blood oozing from a cut on Dusk Shine. The little filly had never smelled anything like it before and she found herself slowly getting closer to the incision. Once her mouth was an inch away from the cut she tentatively licked the wound that had been left behind by Moon Flower.

Once the rich flavor of the liquid reached Apple Bloom's taste buds her mind became filled with the flavor of what she was tasting. The liquid that would be considered rather disgusting by any other creature tasted heavenly to the filly, it was oddly fruity and contained a hint of a smokey flavor emanating from the flesh near the wound. Enjoying the first taste of her first feeding Apple Bloom bit into the exposed leg and began to suckle at it hoping to get her fill of the life giving fluid that sustained her existence.

Of course nopony would take getting bitten lightly and Dusk Shine jerked around trying to see what had a hold on him when he realized who happened to be dangling from his left for foreleg. The yellow filly looked rather embarrassed as she hung from the appendage that was being held out in front of the stallion and let go of him, landing on the slimy ground that the area seemed to have.

“Sorry, ah couldn't help it.”

“It's alright, but after that fight with Moon Flower I need to keep my blood inside of my body.”

“So any ideas on how we get outta' here?”

“Nothing worth trying that wouldn't get us hopelessly lost.”

“Hey, were ya bleedin' the whole time ya were goin' through here?”

“Probably, why?”

“Well, ah might be able to smell the trail ya left when ya came through here considerin' ah can smell blood really well now.”

“If you think it will help you can try it.”

The yellow filly immediately began trying to see if she could pick up anything that would lead them back home. Of course Apple Bloom couldn't believe that Dusk Shine had managed to get them in this mess and didn't have a way to fix it, but she could complain later when she wasn't in immediate danger. After a few sniffs she was able to locate Dusk again, along with a very faint scent trail that went on for quite a while.

“Ah think ah found the trail.”

“Great... Let's get going so we can get you home and out of this dreary place.”

The two ponies walked on through the nightmarish landscape barely talking to each other. For Apple Bloom it was because she was too busy sniffing out the trail, for Dusk it was because he was mentally berating himself for being stupid enough to get them lost. It was Apple Bloom that finally broke the silence surrounding them, taking Dusk's mind out of a depressing set of thoughts.

“So what do ya think mah sis is up to right now?”

“Hopefully she's getting some sleep, but I have a feeling that she's causing trouble.”


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“Hey AJ! So you were going to help me with baking today right!?” Pinkie shouted while bouncing through the orchard.

“Uh... Yep! Ah remember that now, we can get to it and ah can finish it up and be here to finish the fields before ah know it.”

“Um, AJ you don't look so good, maybe you can help some other time.” Pinkie said taking in the exhausted state of Applejack.

“Ah'm perfectly fine Pinkie and besides ah made a promise to ya didn't ah?”

“Well yes but...”

“Well Butt nothing! Ah'll help ya make the best batch of cupcakes ya ever did see!”

Pinkie didn't push the issue, because she knew fairly well there wasn't anything that would stop Applejack from making the cupcakes, but that didn't mean that she'd eat them either. As the pair trotted along, or bounced Pinkie's case, Pinkie began to wonder why it had taken so long to get back to Applejack. Of course vamponies were a distraction, and an unusual one considering circumstances, but she wasn't one to judge the situations she ended up in.

Once the two ponies were within the bakery Pinkie gave out a list of instructions to the mare on how to prepare the treats that were going to be made. As the orange farm pony went about collecting all of the worst ingredients possible and shoving them into the bowl Pinkie mixed them and placed them in the oven to bake. Of course Pinkie knew the cupcakes were going to be a disaster, but if she had anything to do with it, they wouldn't leave the kitchen.

As the timer went off signaling the completion of the abomination that Applejack had created, the orange mare charged blindly at the oven attempting to open it. The dazed and confused pony reeled back after the collision with the machine and could swear that she heard voices mocking her. When Applejack regained her senses the oven was open and the cupcakes were gone.

“Hey Pinkie where'd the cupcakes go?”

“Um... they looked so good that I ate them all!” Pinkie said hoping the farmer wouldn't ask any questions.

“Well that's a right shame, we'll just have ta make some more then!”

“Um, we can't!”

“Well why not?”

“The oven is... broken! See it doesn't cook anything!” Pinkie said gesturing to the oven that was currently off.

“Ah'll fix it, can't be harder than fixin' the stove back home.”

“Oh hooray!” Pinkie said as she slowly backed out of the kitchen to warn the cakes about an impending disaster.

Surprisingly it only took five minutes for Applejack to set the building on fire and get the fire squad called in. Nopony was hurt thankfully and Applejack only managed to singe her fur making the mare look like an even worse mess. 

Deciding that cupcakes weren't going to be made anytime soon Applejack moved on to her next quest, which involved Rainbow Dash. The only problem was that the lazy pegasus was nowhere around and there was no indication of whether or not she would show up anytime soon.

“Hey Pinkie, do ya know where Dash is?”

“She's sick today Applejack, from what I've heard it's pretty bad.” The pink mare said.

“Hey there she is!” Applejack said as Derpy landed on the wooden contraption while adjusting a mail bag.

“Applejack, no stop!” Pinkie yelled.

It was too late however, and Applejack jumped onto the lever sending the gray mare soaring off into the sky and towards town hall. The two ponies raced to where she would land only to watch as the gray cannonball of a pegasus made impact, causing the whole building to shudder and collapse under its own weight. 

It took two hours to clear the rubble and extract the ponies that were trapped in the rubble. Thankfully nopony was seriously injured and Derpy had miraculously taken almost no damage from the event. For once everypony was surprised when she knew exactly what went wrong, and pointed her hoof at a certain orange farm pony who was currently staring into the sun seemingly trying to figure out some great mystery by doing so.

When Applejack went back home to work on her farm again everypony gave out a silent sigh of relief as no more destruction would befall their town. That was until she walked in front of a cart and narrowly avoided being hit, the same couldn't be said about the market stalls that the cart was sent careening towards as all of the produce for that day was subsequently destroyed. Not a single produce stall remained standing, even the cabbages who had finally become ready for sale were not spared in the slaughter.

<><><><>

Morning for Applejack was what counted as another reminder that she had stayed up all night attempting to finish the fields. She was feeling incredibly tired and she had artfully avoided her brother as to not alarm him and be forced to sleep. Applejack noted that her performance was slipping though, thankfully she hadn't injured herself yet as she'd already knocked over a fence and managed to fall into a ditch. As the mare prepared to head to the next tree she tripped over a log that had been lying on the ground and smacked her nose on a nearby post.

Applejack couldn't quite remember how long she'd been awake and judging by the calendar it had been four days. Things were getting a little wonky now that she thought about it and the trees were being rather disrespectful lately. She wished her brother would do something but he had been out looking for Dusk Shine and Apple Bloom after the pair failed to show up the next day. Of course Applejack was too busy, and too delirious to think about it much.

As Applejack got back onto her hooves she noticed a haggard purple pony exit the Everfree forest with Apple Bloom on their back. Of course being a mare who cared deeply for her family Applejack rushed over to see what was going on and if there was anything that she needed to do. As Applejack got closer she noticed that it was Dusk Shine and that he wasn't looking very healthy. Thankfully Applejack had some clarity after having drunk an obscene amount of coffee earlier and could now mask her exhaustion.

“Heya Dusk, ya'll look worse than ah do right now.”

“Later, and you still haven't gotten any sleep? Get some tea prepared and I'll tell you what happened your going to need to sit down for this.” Dusk said while re-positioning an exhausted Apple Bloom.

Applejack didn't want to leave her work alone but she wasn't about to let anything involving her little sister. As the mare entered the house she prepared the tea and sat down as Dusk Shine positioned her stirring sister on the couch. What transpired next shocked Applejack out of her wits at discovering the danger her sister had been in, and the little filly's newly acquired condition.

“There's got ta be a way ta fix her Dusk, use yer fancy magic.”

“I'm sorry Applejack but vampirism isn't curable once a pony's turned, just keep an eye on her alright.”

“Ah can't believe it, mah own sister a blood sucking monster.”

“Vamponies have feelings too you know.”

“Yeah, anger and bloodlust if that Moon Flower and Blackheart are anything ta go by.”

“Aren't you being a little unfair?”

“Ah'll be fair when life decides ta be. Mah sister is a pony who won't hesitate ta drink mah blood and kill me in mah sleep!” Applejack said starting to feel delirious again.

“Please, AJ you're blowing things out of proportion I'm sure your brother will understand Apple Bloom's predicament and want to help her.”

“Now mah own brother is against me, Dusk what exactly are you playing at?”

“Nothing, now your going to want to drink your tea before it gets cold.” Dusk said after casting a sleep spell on it.

Applejack reluctantly took her mug and downed it hoping that the caffein would help wake her up enough to knock some sense into Dusk. Instead everything started to get hazy as the orange coated farm pony fell into a deep sleep that her body had been begging for. As the mare slumbered Dusk went out to get Big Mac and Granny Smith to tell them the news.

When Applejack woke up she was lying on the couch with a fair amount of drool on the pillow that had been placed under her head. The mare blushed a little at the mess and stood up as her body complained as all of her stiff muscles were forced to move. Sitting in a nearby chair was Granny Smith who was currently working on knitting something.

“Ah'll be headin' out Granny ah need ta finish those fields before we get too far behind.”

“Sit child, the fields are done.”

“What! H-how we have no helpers and Big Mac is injured.”

“Ah found some help now sit down and let me give ya a talkin' to.”

“Shoot, what about Granny?”

“Family. Now ah want ya ta know ah won't tolerate callin' yer sister a monster in this household little Missy!”

“What do ya mean?”

“Yer sister bein' a vampony is what ah mean. Now ah've put up with a lot o' things, ah even let my son go and marry that wife of his and move in wit' her, but an Apple values family above all else. Ya better treat yer sister right an' wit' the respect a normal pony desrves ya hear me? If she comes ta me tellin' me ya been treatin' her funny then yer goin' ta get a good lashin'.”

“Ah'm sorry Granny. It's just that ah've always been told they were monsters that only wanted to kill, and seeing Apple Bloom like that was a shock ah wasn't prepared for.”

“Well ya better start getting' used ta the truth o' the matter. Ah nearly lost ya too yer foolishness an' ah won't let ya push yer sister away.”

“What foolishness Granny? Ah've been perfectly fine.”

“No ya ain't. Ya nearly worked yerself ta death and when ya finally got some rest ya were asleep fer almost a whole day.”

“Ah may have overworked mahself.”

“Darn tootin'! Ya don't know this but yer granpappy made the same mistake. The big oaf worked six days nonstop to bring in an entire harvest, and ya know what happened?”

“He got it done?”

“He took a dirt nap! Now ya better go and make nice with yer sister, she's up right now anyways, and ya better think about what yer stubbornness nearly cost ya.”

“Right... Granny, what if ah can't see Bloom as anything but a monster, what if no matter what ah do ah can't help but fear her?”

“Try yer best darling, and if things turn out bad we'll figure somethin' out.”

“Right...” Applejack sighed as she ascended the stairs in search of her younger sibling.

When Applejack entered the filly's room she noticed that Apple Bloom was wide awake and staring intently at the moon that had just finished rising. Applejack made sure to keep her hoofsteps as quiet as possible while approaching the filly, not wishing to disturb her. It didn't work though and Apple Bloom whirled around to see her sister and a fanged smile graced her lips.

“Hey AJ! Why are ya up so late!?”

Applejack nearly jumped out of her skin at the remark and sat down quickly trying to calm her racing mind. She tried not to think about the sharp fangs in her sisters mouth, or the red stains that were just barely visible around her mouth. The immortal filly merely looked at her with concern, and upon realizing that Apple Bloom would one day outlive her whole family a pit settled in Applejack's stomach.

“Ah just woke up actually. Hey what were ya doin' earlier?”

“Oh, well ah've never noticed how pretty the moon was before, it's nice.”

“Yep, Artemis sure knows how ta take care o' things. Hey do ya maybe want ta play a bit, ah could use some time ta get ta know mah sister better.”

“Sure!” Apple Bloom squealed as she went over to get everything set up.

To say Applejack got over the vampony fear was a little bit much after the entire play session ended. Whenever the filly showed her fangs Applejack could feel her heart rate shoot up, but it wasn't bad enough to make her avoid her sister. After playing for a bit Apple Bloom fell asleep and Applejack placed the filly in her bed. Looking back on the filly after the whole thing Applejack decided that maybe things weren't going to be so bad.


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For Rainbow Dash waking up was always a chore, and today was no exception considering the amount of time it took to remove all of the garlic that had managed to get into the most uncomfortable of places. Thankfully her bloodlust was in check since the sun was out otherwise her growling stomach would have had her find fresh food.

The mare grumbled as she washed her face and took care of other necessities. After walking downstairs she threw open the fridge and pulled out a blood substitute one of the most unusual things for the mare considering her tendencies. It was one of the greatest bits of shame and pride that Rainbow Dash found in her daily routine, pride for not drinking the blood of others, shame for knowing that it was gradually making her weaker as time went on. Apple Bloom on the other hoof was a rare exception for her and was done out of necessity more than anything else.

After downing her breakfast and trying desperately not to retch as her body tried to reject the concoction that kept her from starving to death. Hopefully things ended up winding down for her now that fillies weren't in any immediate danger. After managing to stomach whatever it was that she had subjected her body to Rainbow Dash put the container away and prepared to go make an apology to Gilda for accidentally blowing her off.

As Rainbow Dash made her way out into the world she took notice of the destruction that had befallen the town. To say the pegasus was surprised was a bit of a stretch considering her long life and what she came to expect of Blackheart. It was the lack of any police forces that surprised the mare the most making her wonder what had happened.

Thankfully after flagging down a pony she found that most of the destruction was Applejack's fault. The rest of the destruction however is what made Rainbow Dash's heart leap into her throat. Apparently there had been a break in the previous day and Rainbow doubted it was a coincidence that Gilda was staying there. Rainbow Dash thanked the mare and made a quick sprint for the nearby building dreading what she would find there.

After jumping over a woefully understaffed police scene the distraught mare found herself within the building looking at the mess that was left behind. There had been a struggle obviously, one that was likely caused by an angry vampony looking for some cheep revenge. Just by the smell of the place Rainbow Dash could tell it had been Gilda doing the fighting, and the large pools of blood were an indication that it wasn't easy.

The real problem presented itself when Gilda's blood was the only blood she could smell clearly, with a few lingering scents of somepony else. It was saddening in a way that Rainbow Dash already knew how things went down. They came and Gilda fought beak and claw over protecting Daisy, it wasn't enough and she was disposed of and Daisy was claimed as a prize. The singular chalk drawing in the next room was enough to confirm the vampony's assumptions and she simply hung her head and left the building.

Rainbow Dash spent the next three hours drowning her sorrows in ice cream and more than once Pinkie asked her what was wrong. Instead of answering she just ordered another milkshake knowing that she could easily work everything off later if she needed to. She knew that she shouldn't be all that upset, it wasn't the first time something like this had happened in her lifetime, but it still hurt just the same if not more so.

Then there was Daisy who was now a vampiric thrall who was likely hoping for anypony to come and rescue her. The other ponies of the flower trio weren't taking it well either and were bemoaning their kidnapped friend. It was at that moment that life seemed to make things harder for Rainbow Dash as a newspaper was placed before her. The front page article was the one that drew the mares attention though.

Today Princess Celestia gave out an announcement that most ponies of the modern age have been vying for. Our reporter...

...My loyal subjects, today is the start of a monuments occasion. As you know the vampony inquisitions that have been kept around more out of tradition than necessity have caused many tragedies in their investigations. So effective today the inquisitions are finally over, being replaced instead with an actual justice force dedicated to tracking down vampony criminals.

General Nightwing will be in charge of the training of this new division and is the best pony for the position. This new division while primarily being used to track down the nefarious Blackheart organization and stop their reign of terror along with other vampony criminals, they will also be acting as a normal police force during the evening.

“Princess Celestia, concerning the new force what is going to be done about the criminal known as Moon Flower?”

We are doing everything we can to track down the illusive pony, and we are tasking the vampony Lieutenant Silver Moon and his squadron to the task. Now if there are any more questions please feel free to ask...

Rainbow Dash crumpled up the newspaper and threw it away before paying for her expenses and storming out of the establishment. She couldn't believe Celestia managed to choose Silver Moon of all ponies to hunt her down. The pony was one of her grandchildren and to say that he hated her was an understatement.

They had gotten to know each other when Rainbow was going around as Shining Pearl one of the more aristocratic ponies Rainbow spent her life as. They had never seen eye to eye and when her identity as Moon Flower was figured out things turned for the worst. He had started to avoid the mare and as events continued she ended up hurting him more and more until the point he was certain there was nothing more to her than a criminal that only cared for herself.

Rainbow hated that parts of her own family hated her, but another more callous part didn't even care. That evening Rainbow Dash put two more tally marks in a thick book that she had kept ever since her first run in with Blackheart and allowed herself a little more time to mourn before putting the book up and getting ready for bed. When she went to sleep she could only hope that none of her friends ever found out about her.
> News Break!
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

So anyone who liked this story has probably known that it's been dead in the water for a while now, yeah sorry about that but I got into a funk and kind of hated the direction the story was heading. Thankfully this will be fixed soon! As a complete rewrite of this story will be taking place in the near future, plot holes will be fixed, and outside of the first two episodes being used as a loose guideline don't expect any of the events in this new story to line up with the show that much. 

I agree with some of the comments in that I had an interesting premise but mangled it. This version will be much better I can promise that much, I was young at the time and admittedly very new to writing in general and didn't know when to real myself in and as a result multiple ideas ended up getting spliced together and not for the better. 

Q. Will this still be a slice of life story?
A. That's hard to say actually, Expect more of a long plot with some slice of life elements thrown into it.

Q. What will happen to this story?
A. This version will be left up for posterity but I recommend going to the newer version that will be going up.

Q. What were you doing all these years?
A. A lot of writing and other things besides, I am very busy however and updates might be a little slow to come out, expect maybe once a month. 

Q. Will the new story just be a retelling of this one?
A. NO! This story is getting rewritten from the ground up, I spent a lot of time honing my writing.

Q. Will you actually finish this one?
A. I hope so, with a planned storyline there will be an end to the story eventually.

Beyond this I will be setting up a few other ways to stay in contact with me or support me very soon. Be on the look out for when The Secret of Dusk Shine Redux is released.
> Finally here!
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The first chapter is up I hope it lives up to expectations

https://www.fimfiction.net/story/502249/the-secret-of-dusk-shine-redux