Just getting to know a pony can go along way... and set you back some
The mail mare... A pony not very well know to the inhabitants of ponyville, but that all changes when she goes to drop of a package at the local library.
As is per traditions I must let you guys know that I do not own My Little Pony or any of the characters that appear in this story.
And so without further ado, please sit back and enjoy.
For Her
It was a beautiful winters morning, the sun was just beginning its journey across the clear sky. But it didn’t seem like anyone was actually enjoying it, there were no birds to be heard chirping merrily away. No animals roaming about looking for a early breakfast. In fact one could say that it was in all definitions of the word, deserted. Which is rather interesting seeing as we are speaking from the perspective of a quaint little village in the great expanses of equestrian’s massive tracts of land. As the popular tale goes not a soul stirred, not even a mouse.
But this wasn’t the case for long, as some ponies had a stringent routine that they actually kept to. If you were to walk down the main street of ponyville at that very moment you would see the flipping of a closed board in sweets shop, and hear the shouting of an angry neighbor shouting across the lawn to the adjacent house insisting that that insufferable bass be toned down. It was all according to the routine that every pony had fallen into, which was dangerous. So fate had a different plan for today.
According to many reference books that a certain purple dragon kept hidden, the waking time of another certain unicorn would not for a few more hours. This was measured by the amount of books that lay open around her, 12 of them to be exact. And half of them were more than 500 pages long which meant he had until 12 o’clock until she rose from her slumber. And he intended to take advantage of that time, every last second of it . You see; the life of a library assistant to a unicorn who’s idea of fun was learning the properties of light was not at all, well fun. And it was only thanks to the many years of struggling and his will of steel that he had managed to obtain the required tolerance to the desire for sleep, when faced with a two hour long lecture about probability and its application in teleportation. And to start his day off, the purple dragon thought it appropriate that he mix up a batch or ruby muffins, as he was lacking in the diamond section. Two hours later and with the disappearance of a dozen muffins he was satisfied, but his morning wasn't over yet. He was expecting the daily mail in a half an hour then he was free to go visit he favorite pony. Until half past eleven, this was because the relationship was rather on the down low, as both parties felt it was not necessary to let every pony know just yet. The day was going all according to routine, well for the time being that is.
Now not all of you may know but it is quite common among the more powerful unicorns to have dreams in which they involuntarily use magic. In fact many disasters were set in motion because a unlucky dreaming unicorn got too excited fighting off a imaginary manticore. A prime example was the great fire in Fillydelphia, to which the unicorn said in his defense, that it was a rather intimidating manitcore was attacking him. Fortunately for the library which was situated within a tree, which we all know are quite prone to fires held a unicorn who was very adept at controlling her magic (with only a few mishaps). But she was very skilled in the art of teleportation. This meant that what she thought she was doing to get away from the menacing manticore, actually placed her several feet above the ground, and with a loud THUD ended her dream rather abruptly. The unicorn bolted upright on her forelegs and spun around a few times quite hilariously as she frantically checked for the manticore. And she then settled down knowing that she was indeed, safe. But she was awake three hours early, which caused a rather loud crash as the purple dragon brought a pan of fresh ruby muffins out into the main room.
“Oh wow, Spike you’ve really outdone yourself this time.” He said nonchalantly still unaware of the conscious unicorn.
“Up already spike?" She remarked before spotting the ruby muffins. "Hey are those the rubies I bought from Rarity? The ones i said you were not to eat them until you cleaned up that mess downstairs?”
“AAAHHHH!!” And the aforementioned loud crash ensued. “Twilight! What are you doing awake this early?! I mean no! These are rubies i...er.. found yesterday! Yea not the ones you said I couldn’t eat! No not those!” A wide fake smile appearing rather quickly on his face while he hurriedly attempted to pick up the scattered foodstuffs. “Awake early? What time is it anyway?”
“Half past nine, I’ve never seen you awake this early after you pull an all nighter.” He grumbled to himself now realizing that he wasn’t going to be able to attend his rendezvous.
“Oh wow, you're right I am quite early. Oh well, as they say: "the early bird gets the worm.”
“Yea, but there are no birds.” Spike said under his breath, and then he had an idea. “So now that you’re awake; what do you plan to do this early in the morning?”
“Well I’m quite hungry, so I’m guessing breakfast at sweet apple acres.” yes, yes all according to plan....
“But the daily mail comes in today so somepony will need to wait for it. And since I’ve been awake since 7 I think I need a little bit of fresh air.” He stated matter of factly as he quickly shuffled his way to the front door.
“But you’ve all ready had...*slam*” went the old oak door, as Spike had managed to make his way outside. “Ugh fine,looks like i'm stuck here to make my own breakfast, what could possibly go wrong?” And this is where we shall take a break as I’m sure you’ll not want to hear about a ponies ability to set muffin mix on fire with milk.
We instead take this time to follow another pony that is quite adept in the Baking of muffins. In fact she baked a “muffin” for nine months, and we can clearly see how well that went. “Dinky! Breakfast is ready!”
“Coming momma!” came the reply of a young filly in the middle of putting her wellingtons on. “Oh oh oh! Which flavor did you make today?” Great enthusiasm towards the sweet treats ran in the family.
“Your favorite! Blueberry!” Which was also her favorite, but Dinky had in many ways shown how much more she loved them. “Did you remember to pack your costume? Today is the play remember.”
“Yea I did momma! Your're coming right?”
“But of course, I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” The chance to see her filly as Juliet in Romeo and Juliet of Canterlot, she wouldn't have missed it even if discord returned.
“Yay! I’ll see you after school then! Bye!” Dinky grabbed one more muffin and ran out the door eager to get to school where they were going to spend the day doing a full dress rehearsal.
“Bye Muffin! Have fun at school!” she called as her bundle of joy ran into the snow that had piled up the night before. School, she had fond memories of it. Despite her lazy eye she had been rather popular in school. But she had a job now, a job she loved even if it wasn’t the most fulfilling of professions. She managed to make it rather interesting each day; much like her cutie mark. The seven bubbly bubble that donned her flank. She was able to make any situation enjoyable. Her love for bubbles was second only to her love of muffins. And she did love her muffin dearly.
Setting out to the post office she passed a rather interesting bunch of ponies which she knew for a fact, usually didn’t get up until much later, maybe they had decided to seize the day? No that couldn’t be it, because most of them were far too busy seizing the night. Shrugging it off, and putting it down on the list of wired occurrences which she kept on a small note pad in her saddle bags, she arrived at her destination: the post office. Clocking in perfectly on time for the hundredth time, a record she was proud to hold, she began her what seemed to be a rather uneventful winters day.
Which we all know by now would not be the case . As she sorted through the mail for her morning run she came across the second occurrence. A package; and a rather heavy one at that was bound for the local library, for the librarian whose coat was a deep purple. Not to mention her eyes, and her mane, except for that highlight which she swore was the result of a spell gone wrong. In fact she was sure that the unicorn was purple to every last inch of her body. Which turned her a color that was quite clearly not purple. What’s with me today... She thought quite flustered at where her thoughts were headed. And then she remembered her last encounter with the mare when a heavy object had involved. Because dropping and anvil and a piano on top of somepony was not in anyway a good thing. .Not knowing what to do, she set out on her daily route trying to figure out how she would get the librarian her mail, without having to lift it herself. Half an hour went by and she found herself standing in front of the aforementioned library, which did not help her rising anxiousness. Oh wow, its hot here, did we wrap up winter yet? After Which she looked around and it became clear to her that it was still the middle of winter and she was in fact standing in the middle of a recent snow fall. Okay, remain calm, I’m sure Twilight has forgiven you for that mishap. But the it wasn't only that fateful day that was the cause of her distress. She was now frantically checking herself to see if she had a fever or signs of hypothermia. Which she had none of. She finally decided to confront the librarian, oh what beauty that word had. Librarian, the keeper of knowledge and wisdom, truly a profession worth having. She knocked on the door a few times, and then some more in nervous induced impatience. Hearing no reaction within the tree she turned quickly thinking she wasn’t in. But today was the day routine was broken, and so the door against its will opened.
*knock knock knock knock* Had she hear something? Twilight wasn’t sure she could hear anything after the recent mishap with the oven, she was going to get quite a earful when Spike got back. She could already hear him rant about not turning the knobs randomly to see what would happen. *knock knock knock* No, someone was at the door, she was sure of it. So she trotted over to the door and slowly opened it, fearing that spike would be the one behind it. But instead she saw the smooth coat of the gray mail mare, with the blond mane floating into her face as the mail mare turned around. And her nose was filled with the smell of muffins, perfectly cooked muffins ones that didn’t come out completely black. And did she smell a hint of blue berry? Oh she could keep smelling it forever if it were not for the fact that the gray mail mare was leaving with that beautifully smelling mane in tow. “Wait! Ditsy!” She called out, even though she wasn't sure why.
The mail mare stopped short and slowly turned round, "this is it sunshine" she thought to herself. “Oh hi Twilight, I thought you were sleeping so I thought I would... maybe come back this afternoon when you were awake.” Those words came out surprisingly coherent, but it was going to get harder before it got easier.
“Oh no its quite alright I was awake for a while already, what brings you here Disty?” Wait, Ditsy? Did the mare of her dreams actually call her that? Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Hold it right there! Mare of your dreams? Are you quite alright there sunshine?
“....um, my names not... Ditsy, its Sunshine... Ditsy’s just a childhood nickname.” She tried her very best not to blush, and thought that maybe if she stuck her head in the snow that it might help. So she did.
“Oh well I thought.... umm Sunshine? Are you okay there?” Twilight was fully aware of ponyville's love of the snow but she didn't realize they liked to eat it as well. Didn't they know it was bad for their heath?
Sunshine slowly pulled her face out of the snow, still very much aware that her face had not yet cooled down. “Umm yea I’m fine, just here for a delivery.”
“Oh, are you sure? You looks like you have quite the fever, are you're sure your fit to work?” Genuine worry followed those words to Sunshine’s ears.
“yea I’m fine thank you though.”
“I’m surprised I haven’t heard you real name until now, I mean I’ve heard a lot of names for you. Ditsy, Derpy...” The mail mares ears perked up, And the heat in her face switched from being fueled by affection to anger.
“Derpy! Where in Equestria did you hear that! And here I thought a mare of your stature would know the difference between a joke and a insult! How dare you call me by that name fit for bullies! I expect apology muffins!” She wasn't sure where all this pent up anger was coming from but it was coming out anyway. Twilight visibly shrunk back into the library, keen on avoiding the wrath of the mail mare.
“I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to hurt you feelings. I just wanted to get to know you better! I swear by Celestia’s name!” Those nine words and those nine words alone managed to enter Sunshine’s ears. Stopping her next assault right in its tracks.
“Sorry! I’ve heard that too many...wait what?” Did I hear that right? She wants to get to know me?
“I didn’t mean to hurt you feelings, I’m really sorry!” Twilight was in quite the pickle here, she was mere seconds away from losing a potential friend and making a potential enemy. She was stuttering whatever came to mind as soon as they did. Then she noticed the mare wasn’t shouting anymore. She slowly raised her head from its hiding place under her hooves.
“You... Wanted to get to know me?” Sunshine had quite clearly heard those words, they were still ringing inside her head. She felt the affection driven blush return in full force, and she turned her head in desperation to not make it obvious to the purple unicorn that those words had hit home.
“Y...Yes I do,” Twilight spoke nervously. “I’ve never talked to you much, me calling you by that horrible name is a testament to that fact. I’m really sorry I just wanted to get to know you. Honest.” Her confidence was returning, she wouldn't lose a friend that quickly even when she hardly had the chance to get to know her. Not when she was actually studying friendship, not on her watch.
“You...you really mean that?” Sunshine’s eyes were trying their hardest to focus, just this once. She slowly raised her head to meet twilights gaze, she wanted to see the honesty in those shining eyes. And they focused to see the mare of her dreams staring back, smiling with the warmest smile she had seen since Dinkies that very morning. Her eyes focused for the first time since she could remember. They actually focused For Her.
Authors note~
The name I have given to the mail mare we all love to love is not my idea I just liked it. I give full credit to the originator: Azwold. Also I feel I should mention that the lack of twiditsy shipping leaves me quite at loss for a icon for the story, I’m trying to resolve this as soon as possible.
I hope you guys like reading this as much as I liked writing it! Don't forget to rate and comment thanks!
As per traditions I must first tell you guys that I do not own My Little Pony and any other trademarked entities. Now sit back and enjoy!
Mare’s, books and love
Sunshine could have sworn that it wasn’t winter at all, in fact she was blushing so much a puddle was forming around her hooves as she stood outside the library. And she could see, well she could always see but when she looked at Twilight it was as if someone upgraded her eyesight to Blueray. Whatever that is. Her sudden ability to see that twilight had a bruises on her left foreleg and to be able to read the spine of a book 5 meters away did not make her feel any better. In fact she was quite worried at what this could possibly entail. “Sunshine? Are you sure you’re okay? You feel quite hot?” Oh man I can see everything look that book reads the backpacking-hoofs guide to Canterlot... Wait what? Hot? She thinks I’m hot? Which only lead to her getting even more flustered?
“Yea... Um I think I may be coming down with the flu, it’s a possibility with all this snow.” Phew, nice save there Sunshine.
“Oh! Where are my manners? Please Sunshine come in, come in! We need to get you inside.” Worry clung thick to her words. She’s actually worried about me... I think I’m in...Whoa whoa whoa there, she’s just being friendly. She probably doesn't even feel the same way.
“Oh...err thanks but I’m supposed to have brought you those books you ordered, but their quite heavy and I didn’t want anything bad to happen to you again...” Oh why did you bring that up? Now she hates you even more! Twilights eyes twitched, but she didn’t miss a beat.
“Oh yes that’s right, so... shall I come with you to the post office?”
“If that’s what you want.” Please say yes, please say yes.
“Oh it’s quite alright with me, let me just go get my scarf.” Which much to Rarities would be dismay, was of course purple. Wow, she really does love the color purple. “Shall we get going then?” she asked as she locked up the library. But once again the mail mare was lost thinking purplish thoughts. “Sunshine, are you sure your quite alright?”
“...Oh! Yes I’m quite fine thank you, just lost in thought” Beautiful dreamy thoughts.
“Oh yes I know what you mean Sunshine.” She said softly letting a giggle out. She did get lost in thought a lot; it was almost a trademark thing for Twilight. She could be thinking off anything from inter-temporal space travel to why birds liked bee’s so much. But she could only focus on one thing at this moment, that addictive muffin smell that floated off the mail mare like a scented candle. And it was taking all of her mental power to keep her from stuffing her face into that silky blonde muffin smelling and probably tasting mane. If Sunshine was to turn around right now, she would see twilight giving off beats of sweat from the epic mental battle waging within that massive cranium. Reason had the upper hand, but not for long.
“So...Twilight what books did you order? Cause they are certainly very heavy.” Sunshine began wanting to learn more about the mare of her dreams. Whoa whoa... wait, yea she is... There was no denying that she had fallen for the purple unicorn. Well it had been her dream for a few weeks now. And she was so desperately close to achieving it, well at least from what she thought. Which wasn’t far from the truth, Twilight was certainly having a great time trailing behind the mail mare.
“Huh? Oh umm... their rather advanced, I don’t think you would have heard of them...” And Sunshine stopped, much to Twilight’s glee and turned. Not to Twilights glee. A solemn face donned the mail mare’s face.
“Try me.” She said.
“Well, if you insist. I ordered Star swirl the bearded compendium on dark magic defense, the dummies guide to elemental control and the Greatels guide to magical math. It’s definitely not my biggest order that’s for sure.”
“Wait, when you mean Star Swirl the bearded you’re talking about the author of The magic of Pegasus an intricate guide to the magic of the skies. Correct?” Twilight's jaws hit the floor. And since I’m talking about a unicorn there is magic involved. You see when a unicorn becomes sufficiently shock and or surprised her jaw with the aid of some magic is able to elongate until it physically hits the ground. This has caused a lot of shock too many ponies, who had proposed to unicorns. They weren’t sure whether they were happy, sad or aliens.
“You know of Star Swirl the Bearded? But no one knows about him, but Princess Luna!” her mind was blown. She didn’t know what would make her think any better of Sunshine, a pony she only met 20 minutes ago. If Sunshine was Rainbow dash she would have thought Twilight was insulting her, but being well read and all that jazz she knew it was quite the compliment. This just resulted in her needing to have another long discussion with the snow, up front and personal. It was actually quite refreshing, she didn’t know why she didn’t do this more often. I mean it’s not as if I could be more of the towns clown? She forced her head up even before Twilight could launch another set of “are you sure you okay?” questions. Get a grip sunshine, once you get inside the post office there’s no conveniently placed pile of snow for you to hide in. Twilight was getting rather worried about the mail mare’s compulsive nature to stick her face in the snow, whenever she said something. Maybe there’s a correlation, I should attempt it again to deduce what causes it.
“Sunshine, has any pony told you that you smell really good?” Wait What!?! Full tilt! Full tilt! Begin recovery process! And it was now Twilights turn to stick her face in the snow, which was rather hilarious because Sunshine had heard Twilight and her blush grew 10 times. And so we now see two mares’ mere inches from each other’s faces, stuck in the snow. This would be a very convenient place for a certain pink earth pony to arrive, but she wanted to watch and see, things were getting interesting. Plus she just cooked up a batch of popcorn.
Twilight was the first to take her head out of the snow. A snow mustache following in suit. Sunshine also decided it would be a good time to return to reality, no matter how beautiful those dreams were. A snow goatee followed. The two mares looked at each other and nodded, fully acknowledging that any mentioning of the last minute was never needed. But Sunshine’s head was just too curious. “Do...do you really think... I smell good?” Damn blush, why won’t you leave me be?!?Because Europe. ???????????????
“Umm, yes... I do think you smell really good, but I think it’s because I’m hungry and you smell like muffins.” no it isn’t! Brain stop reasoning, you know full well why you think that! Sunshine was disappointed, but not down for the count, she was going to have Twilight Sparkle, the most beautiful, smartest and most adorable bookworm in all of Equestria. But her lack of courage was doing a great job at impeding her progress.
“Well, umm thank you.”
“You’re welcome” cue awkward silence. This to Twilight’s relief was broken when aforementioned pink pony dropped in between the two whom had got rather close to each other.
“HEY TWILIGHT! OH HEY SUNSHINE! DID YOU SEE THAT? HUH HUH HUH? IT WAS SOOOOO AWESOME! I WAS LIKE WOOSH, UNTIL DASH WENT SWOOSH AND THEN I WENT NYYYYOOOW! AND THEN I FELL! IT WAS AWESOME WASN’T IT? WANNA TRY TWILIGHT? SUNSHINE CAN DO IT WHENVER CAUSES SHES A PEGASUS, BUT YOU DON’T HAVE WINGS SO WANNA TRY?” Despite being dropped several hundred feet the pink mare was able to restrain herself from turning into a very pink pancake. Which was far less a reason for concern considering the compromising position the two mares were about to get themselves into. But that’s not what came out first.
“How do you know Sunshine’s real name Pinkie Pie? I didn’t know you knew each other.” Pinkie pie didn’t see anything, don‘t kick a lying dragon as they say.
“Oh silly Twilight! I know everypony in ponyville remember! Everypony!” That’s right; Twilight had forgotten how much Pinkie Pie got around. AAAAhhhh! I didn’t mean that! Brain stop it, these aren’t appropriate pictures! Wait you can do that?!? Aaah, don’t remind me of that! We were drunk! As Twilight began another major tussle with her mind, Pinkie Pie had left to see what more physics defying things she could do. Sunshine just stood there, it was now her turn to look worried for the purple mare huddled up in the snow. Twilight was visibly shaking, that traumatizing night was playing over and over again in her mind.
“Twilight? Are...are you okay?” she edged closer to her and lay a hoof on her back, attempting to comfort the obviously compromised unicorn. Twilight stopped convulsing but the thoughts didn’t stop, in fact it was all the same just with a different “partner”. As a unicorn that never really got out much. Thoughts like this were not something she came across very often. And almost never at this level of vulgarity. She saw her doing things with muffins that she didn’t know possible. A few minutes later and a sob or two, Twilight had calmed down both mentally and physically maxed out, she needed those books right now.
“...Okay....I’m...fine...now...thanks Sunshine, this never happens to me. I don’t know what caused it.”She said standing up and shaking the snow of her coat thinking don’t you dare mind!
“It’s okay, but are you sure your fine?” Each soothing word flowing into Twilight, maybe that book can wait...her voice is just so beautiful...and that smell too...mmmm...
“Yes, I can assure you I’m quite alright.” Then she blushed “Thanks for helping me out there, I don’t what I’d have done if you weren’t there.” Then Sunshine blushed, that compromising position looking rather nice right about now.
“It’s no problem Twilight, I’m just glad your okay now. So shall we go get those books then?” Remembering the reason they were out here.
“Yea, we should. Let’s go” The pair began trotting once again to the center of ponyville in search of the post office. Well at least Twilight was searching for it, Sunshine knew exactly where it was. The air was crisp and cold, Twilight was grateful she remembered to bring her warm scarf and not the mind numbingly think scarf that rarity had made for her. The town was now starting to wake up, most of them by the bell tower as it struck 12 o’clock. Wow I guess I’m not the only one then. Or is it just because its winter? As they rounded the corner the post office came into view. It certainly wasn’t the biggest post office twilight had seen, but it seemed homely. Closing in she could that there were large clear paned glasses windows donning the front of the post office. She could clearly see from here what was going on inside, a line of ponies were lined up all waiting to get stamps for their letters and packages. Sunshine moved to open the door and as soon as she did a wave of warm air blasted Twilight, aaaah this feels good, no wonder Sunshine loves working here it’s so homely. The library was obviously heated but only to a certain extent; no one wanted it burning down just because somepony felt cold.
“Here we are then, why don’t you come round back so can pick out your books then?”
“Huh? Oh yea sure, lead on.” Sunshine walked round the corner, dazed unicorn in tow.
“Well here we are your books. That’s, and, and , yep all three.” And sure enough there they were, all sitting nicely in a pile. The tomes were so big it rose to Twilights knees. But she was sure she could carry them all.
“Well... thanks Ditsy... I guess I should be going, Spike would get worried... but would you...um like to...”She trailed of Fluttershy style.
“Yes Twilight?”
“I said, would you...like to read with me maybe?”Twilight turned going bright red. It was just audible, and thanks to sunshine’s powerful hearing she picked up on it. And it was her turn to drop her jaw, but not all the way. Was the mare of her dreams asking her on what could be (with some major revising) a date? She didn’t know if she should go Pinkie Pie or play it cool, but one thing was evident. Those bright red cheeks of hers.
“I... if it’s okay with you... oh but I forgot you have work, I’m sorry... maybe another time?”
“What, oh yea, work... maybe this afternoon? I’ll drop by the library around 4’ish?” She was greatly let down, how could she forget her work? But she wanted to go with Twilight; she wanted to spend every minute with her.
“Yea, that would be nice...I’ll see you then...”
“Yea, see you...” Twilight turned and trotted out, books floating in line behind her. Sunshine thought to herself how lucky I am... the one and only Twilight loves me back.
ROYAL PALACE Princess Celestia’s private chambers
Celestia sighed, it had been only 10 months since Twilight had left Canterlot and she was missing her every day, like she missed her sister after her untimely banishment. The days were boring and long without some sort of magical catastrophe that her faithful student seemed adept at causing. Celestia chuckled as she reminisced the day twilight had managed to switch the gender of everypony in the castle. The number of same sex marriages shot up after that certain day, it was a rather closet opening experience for the whole castle. And it had in fact allowed for the inspiration for the creation of a few “interesting spells” (including the magic wand...for mares). The whole castle just wasn’t the same without the purple unicorn, but Celestia knew that she was indeed happier where she was now. But Celestia on the other hoof was quite the opposite.
It had begun quite recently, after the gala. She had grown up so much; Celestia was completely taken back by how much Twilight had become the beautiful mare she knew Twilight would become. Celestia knew that it was only a few months since she had last seen her but, sometimes when your deprived of something long enough your mind tends to exaggerate it. But this was no exaggeration, Celestia saw true, and what she saw only made her even more aware of her feelings. She had against all that was reason and logic, for a mare who had lived many millennia; seen many lovers in that time had fallen for Twilight. And she wanted to spend the rest of eternity with her. And it wasn’t an easy decision that was for sure, Twilight would be for her, the first mare in her long line of lovers. A line she intended to end with Twilight. Celestia heard the door creak open. “Tia?” Celestia sighed.
“Yes Luna?” She knew what Luna was here for, to talk.
“Tia, it’s not right that you lock yourself up in here, you need to get out of your room.” Luan really wasn’t the one to talk but she was right, it wasn’t right for the monarch, and ruler of the sun to be locked up in her bedroom. But her mind had really taken quite the twist these last few weeks.
“I know sister, but I do not feel right to rule over our subjects in my current state, you understand right?” Luna did, for the longest time Luna would not venture anywhere but her room and the library. But thanks to time and the insistent nagging of her sister she began to make her presence more known. Mostly trough pranks, and ones Celestia was proud to call pranks.
“I know Celestia... but pry thee tell me what is making you so glum?” Luna wasn’t aware yet, it was too early.
“I... promise me you won’t hold this over my head?” she cocked an eyebrow and showed her most “I will banish you again if anypony finds out” face.
“I promise sister, I would never hurt you like that.” And she meant that sincerely.
“I think... I think I’m in love again sister.” Shock was anything but prevalent on Luna’s face. Luna knew that Celestia took care when choosing her lovers. And some of them had given her reason to fret, but they all worked out one way or another.
“Oh, well that’s very good and well sister, but why is it causing you such grief”?
“I...I think I’m in love with Twilight sparkle...” I should go ahead right now and say that when an Alicorn drops her jaws it has a sort of finesse. Sparks fell from the contact of Luna’s jaw and the cold marble floor.
“You don’t mean?”
“The one and only sister.” That was true; there was only one of her beautiful form.
“And you believe that you’re in love? I do not mean to be rude but, kinky much? You know student and teacher... there’s much fun to be had with that...”
“Sister! I do not find you antics amusing!”
“Be calm sister, I meant none of it. But if you are truly in love with her, why do you hold it in? It cannot be that my sister the ruler of the sun, the symbol of courage and power be scared to let a pony know of her feelings?”
“I... how dare you...It’s really not that easy Luna...”
“Not that easy, Celestia I have seen you pick up stallions that would make every mare in the land jealous like they were lollipops. A mare couldn’t be that hard.”
“Its not that sister, I... don’t want any more, just her...”
“FFFFFOOOOORRREEEEVVVVEEERRR!!!” Celestia and Luna spun round searching frantically for the source of the sound. But none were found.
“Oh My! I see why you were so hesitant now; you truly plan to make Twilight your last?”
“I...well when you put it that way... yes. I do wish for her to be my last for eternity.”
“That’s a long time sister, but If you are sure, then you should go get her, there’s no time like the present.”
“How very true, but no I must bide my time. I will make my move at the up and coming sun celebration. I want to make it special.”
“And I’m sure you’ll make her the happiest mare to ever grace Equestria.” But nothing could be further from the truth.
You all know the drill: I do not own My Little Pony and any other trademarked entities within these chapters.
Sunshine watched as Twilight slipped out of the door and back into the chilly afternoon. She couldn’t wait, but she knew she had to. It was going to take all of her mental capabilities to keep herself focused. Wrenching her unfocused eyes from the door she began to turn around before running head first into her boss. Fortunately he wasn’t holding any letters, or heavy miscellaneous objects. “Oh Sorry Sir! I wasn’t looking.” But all he did was chuckle.
“Oh don’t you fret Sunshine, it’s quite fine. I do remember how everything within a mile radius of my love stricken form managed to find its way to the floor, Oh how I was carelessly in love.” Gorge said in a dreamy manner. He was a tall Pegasus, and rather well built. Ponies generally thought that delivering mail was not a very strenuous job, but you’d be surprised. When Gorge meant instant delivery, he literally meant instant delivery. It kept him in shape, and entertained, not to mention competitive. He speed matched Rainbow Dashes but he didn’t have the aerodynamically perfect body as she did, but he was happy to settle for second being a mail mare and all. But he was not only fast but very observant, and he had managed to catch Sunshine in the act. “Don’t give me that look dear, I know you little secret. Don’t worry its same with me, but I’m interested. For how long?” he cocked an eyebrow.
“Umm...well...Hehehe, 3 months sir.” This was not a line of conversation she ever thought she’d be having with her boss of all ponies.
“Wow, you’re quite the fox eh? I remember it took me just over a year to get a date with Apple Strudel... And boy did our first date go well. I remember it like it was yesterday.” Gorge was quite the, how do you say “care free” type. But he could see Sunshine blushing; it was something he always loved to see in his wife.
“Well, I... really sir... Oh! No sir, it isn’t a date.” Te hell with that, it is a date you moron! She was scratching her hoof against the ground shyly. She didn’t want her boss getting the wrong idea about her.
“Oh? I’m pretty sure somepony asking you to come by their place to do anything counts as a date, even if it is reading.” He was wiggling his eyebrows in a comedic fashion; he was intent on getting sunshine to laugh, and you could never go wrong with the eyebrow trick. She was ever so close to a full fit of giggles.
“How much did you hear sir?” She whispered softly.
“Everything my dear Sunshine, I’m sure you’ll be happy spending the rest of you days with a librarian.” If I were to say that he didn't have the concealment skill of a ninja I’d be laying, not really. A large pile of boxes doesn’t really count. “Well, um...everything...thank you sir...please don’t tell anypony else please.”
“Your secret is safe with me, and honestly it’s about time you found yourself a mare that will help you take care of Dinky. You’re a great mother, but you can’t do it alone.” He winked as he trotted out of the storage room. And Sunshine did know it wasn't easy juggling her work and Dinky, with Twilight all her problems just magiked themselves away. This all most seemed fitting, Twilight being the element of magic and all. Now Sunshine had to find a way to keep herself busy for the rest of the afternoon, she finished her daily routine so fast just be meet twilight now she had nothing else to do. She could always go and check if any new letters had been dropped off. Which to her enduring boredom there were none, ponies didn’t write that fast. Oh what to do...what to do... She truly had no idea. Well nothing that kept her at work and not thinking about twilight, so she did what she always did when she was bored and Dinky was at school. She went to sugar cube corner.
Some clouds had returned when Sunshine had left the post office, it was approximately 1:30 in the afternoon. She had three hours to kill. Walking down the road she noticed that the town had gotten rather busy, ponies were out and about fully dressed in the weirdest get ups. But ponyville was a ski town, the mountains nearby did leave for a lot of fun in the snow. Sunshine and dinky were planning to go up next week before winter wrap up. And she hoped she could get twilight to come. Oh but what will dinky think of her? She couldn’t hate her could she? Sunshine began to fret, she had forgotten about Dinky, but now that she remembered, what her daughter would think of her marefriend. Would she hate her? Sunshine played out all the most horrible scenes in her mind, truly believing that once her daughter found out, it would be the end of a relationship that had barely gotten off the ground. Now she really needed to have a few muffins.
Knowing Pinkie Pie, she would have sensed her and Twilights “intimacy” ages before it happened and was secretly planning a surprise party for just the right time. Sunshine was all for surprise parties but, now that she was in the spotlight it didn’t seem all that attractive. Didn’t Pinkie Pie realize that not everypony would approve of her choice. Well there wasn’t much Sunshine could do, once Pinkie Pie caught a whiff of a growing relationship, there was nothing anyone could do to stop her. Something that made her loveable and despised at the same time. Sunshine neared the shop, in dire need of a few blueberry muffins.
She opened the door, fully expecting everything to be normal sans surprise. Which was exactly what she saw, she blew a sigh of relief. She had to take it slow, don’t scare her of like...him.... “SUNSHINE! How are ya? Oooh you’re here for the new muffins right? I knew you would! I said you’d be here right after I pulled them out of the oven and you weren’t so I got down but I knew you would come so that turned upside down and now your hear I can finally get some closer on who makes the best extra spicy muffins this side of Equestria. That witch living in that gingerbread house has some competition and who better to judge than the master of muffins!” Her demeanor was contagious and Sunshine couldn’t help but smile, Pinkie Pie really did know how to cook a good muffin, not as well as herself but she didn’t have time to cook all day.
“Okay, I’ll try one of those then... But they’re not from that wired machine you keep in the closet right? You remember what happened last time right?” Every pony did, Sunshine shivered just thinking about it. Never had bubbles seemed so dull.
“Silly Sunshine! Those are cupcakes!” She didn’t seem fazed at all as she bounced back to the counter with a tray of muffins resting upon her fluffy mane. She set them on the counter and placed two of them on a plate. They certainly looked appetizing, they were a bright blue hue specked with what Sunshine could only guess were the chili and a purple frosting. Sunshine’s mind blanked, and then filled to the brim with the color purple. She knew she was couldn’t stop thinking about her, but if she did she’d go crazy. “Sunshine? Helllllloooooooooooo pinkie to muffin master?”
“Huh? Oh right, the muffins” She picked one up and threw it in like it was a gumdrop, a technique that allows for the most critical of tasting. She chewed and chewed, pinkie pie was on edge the whole time. By that I mean squealing and bouncing round the shop in anticipation. As soon as she swallows her eyes cross (more than they usually do) and she cracks a voice that would put the royal Canterlot voice to shame “PERFECT!” then she fainted, being able to shame the royal Canterlot voice took a lot out of her, plus those muffins were truly spicy. The last thing she saw before she went under was a vision of dinky lying next to Twilight. As she passed under the blanket of unconscious she smiled.
Aaaah! How come we only have five books on dating?!? I thought we had more!” Twilight had dropped everything the minute she had entered the library and began reading every book the library had on dating, romance (not novels, she already read all those) and relationships. But 5 weren’t enough, she knew she had more and she intended to become as ready as possible for this afternoon. “Spike! Did anypony check anything out while I was gone?”
“Not that I know of!” He lied of course because he had the missing books; Twilight wasn’t the only one in a relationship.
“Ugghhhh, where could they be?!? Sunshine will be here any minute!”
“Wait? You mean the mail mare Derpy?”
“She hates that name! I don’t want to hear it ever again, understand!”
“Okay geez, why are you in such a fit? And what do you mean she’ll be here any minute. Didn’t you all ready get the mail?” He questioned her as he descended the steps to the main hall. “Whoa! What’s with this mess twilight? I didn’t hear Rainbow Dash come by.”
“Um, no reason.... Hey, that’s rude....and undeniably true.” It was, the only thing twilight got out of a visit from Dash was a mess.
“Well yea, its Rainbow Dash. And what do you mean for no reason, is that why you have all these books out? Are you going on a date? With the mail mare?!?” Spike suddenly felt as if his food had found the emergency eject button. With a will of steel he managed to suppress it saving a whole row of Prance literature.
“Hey! What’s wrong with going out on a date? You do it all the time? And so what If I like the mail mare she’s beautiful and there’s nothing you can say that will stop me! At least that’s what the books say’s I should act like in the face of “haters”. What kind of pony has the time to think up that kind of jargon?” She slowed her advance on the purple dragon, indeed what kind of pony had the time to think up such weird words.
“Whoa! Whoa! How did you know I was dating somepony?!? And no I don’t have a problem with that, you’re like my sister Twilight, as long as your happy I’m not the one to complain.” If a dragon could look sincere and utterly dumfounded he would be the definition of it. But alas, dragons have not the facial complexion to carry more than one emotion at a time. This has been cause for many wars, until dragon scientist gave up on trying to make hair growth serums for dragons (that is also not possible). Just so you know, Spike looked dumbfounded.
“Really spike, I’ve raised you from an egg. You really think I don’t know what goes on in that scaly brain of yours? Thanks Spike that means a lot.” She smiled, but her eyes said “Gotcha!”
“But, I... you’re always...”
“Asleep? Maybe but Apple Jack isn’t spike, and playing concerned mother figure to get information out of her is rather easy. Being the element of honesty you’d think she’d be able to pick up on it easier.”
“Please don’t tell Rarity! It’ll break her heart!” Spike was on his knee’s begging, pleading his little dragon hear out.
“Spike, I think she’ll be more than happy that you're in love with Applebloom than sad, but I’m sure she’ll be happy to know you’ll always have place for her in your heart. But how goes it with her?”
“Better than I could have ever asked for, wait hey! That’s not something you’ll find out!” He backed up the stairs, not in any mood to let twilight in on his love life. But he was going to find out about hers. a sly smile cracked on his face.
“Hey...what’s with the smile?
“Soooooo when’s she coming over?”
“Four, urp!”
“Hehehe, Apple jacks not the only one who lets info out easy.” That smile just grew. “Don’t worry, I’ll be out of you mane. I’m going to visit the apples if you know what I mean.” Twilight was shocked; maybe she didn’t know him that well. Spike walked out the building leaving Twilight no less confused than she was before. And the worst part, it was 3:45. The mess! She needed to get in fixed up! But she was far too late.
“Twilight? Are you in? ummm...” Uh-oh.... come on twilight you can do this!
“Sunshine?” she called as she descended the stairs, fearing the worst.
“Were....were you reading these?” Sunshine was staring at The dummies guide to dating, it was a very informative guide. But it had nothing about the current situation that twilight was currently in.
“ye..yeah, here let me get them, the floors no place for books.” She snapped the 5 books close and began levitating them to the shelves. They easily slid into their respective places, all except one. Twilight turned to see where it had gone only to find it was under Sunshine’s grasps, she was holding “True love: with anypony”. A book which delved specifically into the nature of how love has no bounds and that loving anypony stallion or mare is more than natural. Twilight felt as if Sunshine had grabbed this one on purpose, which was true.
“Can...Can we read this?” She turned her head slightly making her thousands of times more adorable. Twilight’s heart exploded, numerous times.
“Yea...if you want to that is...” They were acting like fillies, they both knew how each other felt but they couldn’t tell each other. Come on twilight, out with it! They both lay on their belies with the book between them. Then Twilight, feeling the warm heat radiating off Sunshine, made her move. Her heart was in her throat; massive amounts of nervous energy ran rampant through her body. Just laying next to Sunshine was making her lose her mind, “Ditsy... there’s something I want to tell you...”
“Me too Twilight.”
“Okay...I’ll go first then.” Twilight felt as if was about to burst, her blood pressure was hitting critical levels. And the only way she was going to survive was by telling her...Here goes nothing... “I...I really like your mane.” Whoops! “I...I mean I do like your mane, it’s beautiful and it smells really really good but I meant to say...” As she turned to face Sunshine she could see that her wings were fully extended and that she had a huge grim plastered across her face, Twilight could only make one conclusion to this. But before she could say anything more she was cut off as Sunshine threw herself at Twilight and gave her a massive, passionate kiss. Sunshine was barely standing muzzle in Twilights hoof just shy of her heaving chest, Twilights were legs completely limp in shock of what was happening. Twilight couldn’t believe what was happening, her eyes started out completely open but as the kiss lengthened she began to get into it more and her eyes closed to a shut.
After what seemed a century of pure bliss, twilight broke the kiss. Completely out of breath she just lay there staring into the clear, focused eyes that stared back at hers. She couldn’t put a hoof on it but she knew that this was love. All the symptoms pointed to it, racing pulse, shortness of breath and the irresistible urge to plant another big one on Sunshine’s lips. Which she did, and again and again. After five minutes of pure kissing and a few appearances of the tongues both mares were completely exhausted. Sunshine was the first to recover; she turned to face Twilight “For a mare that never gets out, you are is quite the kisser twilight sparkle.” She smiled and planted a peck on twilight’s cheeks.
“I...really? I mean books don’t count do they?” she smiled shyly.
“Yes you are, and no they do not Twilight. I’d almost say you were a natural, born to kiss me.” Born to kiss Sunshine? I’m fine with that. A soft giggle escaped her as she rolled over and began to get up. “Where are you going beautiful?
“To get the book we were going to read, we can’t be forgetting our date can we?” She trotted over to the door where she had left the books when she returned to the library in haste to find out as much about dating and love as possible. It turned out all that knowledge really wasn’t necessary, no...That’s not right, knowledge is always necessary. And in fact it was because of books that she was now with the most amazing mare she could ever imagine. She owed her whole life and now her love to books, you really can’t go wrong with books.
She retrieved the book, was exactly where she had left it. Lifting it over to where Sunshine was laying she simultaneously put the other book away remembering where she put it. Who knows it may come in handy later. She set the book down and opened it to the first page, and then she lay down right next to Sunshine leaning against her and nuzzling her neck. If she was to spend the rest of eternity like this she would love every second of it.
Dear my faithful student Twilight sparkle... “No no no! Not good enough!” Celestia crumpled the paper and magically chucked it at the mountainous pile of crumpled scrolls in the corner. She had spent the last hour trying to write a letter to Twilight Sparkle, and it wasn’t going very well at all. She just couldn’t bring herself to get it out, no matter how formal it looked or how casually she wrote it. No writing style made it any easier writing. And she wasn’t even trying to tell Twilight how she felt, she just wanted to invite her to visit, Is it really that hard! You’ve ruled these lands for many millennia, seen things that would make any pony go mad. You’ve banished your own sister to the moon yet you cannot bring yourself to write a very simple letter to your student?!? “UGH!” She let lose a bout of frustrating energy as she flopped back on to her bed. Why was she so scared, there wasn’t even anything suggestive in the letter (that was for later).
“Tia? Are you...wow! that’s quite the paper mountain you have going there, are you trying for a world record?” Celestia sighed, she really didn’t have time for Luna’s antics.
“What do you want now sister, come to make fun of me again?” Ever since Luna had found out about her feelings for Twilight she hadn’t stopped teasing her.
“Me? I would never sister” she giggled trying to act innocent.
“Really? Because that’s not you said yesterday.” Luna sighed, she really only wanted help this time.
“Sister, I meant none of it. I’m sorry if I offended you, but you look like you could use some help here.”
“It’s okay Luna, it’s all just very frustrating. How am I even supposed to start this letter?”
“Sister, I’ve been gone for a thousand years. I didn’t even know how to talk when I first met ponyville remember? I can imagine writing a letter now involves more than just a simple hi, how are you? Good? Okay then bye.”
“More than you can imagine, come here. You might learn a thing or two.” She gestured to the empty spot next to her on the bed. Luna trotted over to the bed side and laid next to her sister, who had begun her next letter.
“You can say more than just greetings?” It was going to be a long day.
Author’s notes:
Well I must say writing this has been a very interesting experience. I hope you guys like reading this as much as I like writing it.
I do not own My Little Pony or any of the trade mark entities that grace these chapters.
Enjoy!
Theater of the happy
Half way through the book the two mare’s fell asleep. Not that the particular book was boring, in fact Twilight was go as far as to say it is captivating. However there’s just something about lying in the hooves of your lover that makes you drowsy, something pony scientist have never fully understood. But they have some theories, which would bore you to death if I tried to explain. Let’s just say that it involves a few hidden dimensions and some string. Twilight’s giddiness to have found a study buddy and the fact that it was also her mare friend was completely eradicated the first minute of reading with Sunshine. Something about her was so docile, so calming that she fell asleep instantly. Which Sunshine followed closely still feeling the effects from the muffin earlier that day. Through the window you could see the beautiful panorama that was the sunset, a bright orange bursting through the cloud cover, which was slowly disappearing to leave the open sky filled with the reddish colors. The two stirred in each other’s embrace but didn’t wake up. A lone Pegasus flew by the library that evening in search of a book on painting, but instead had found the two. He later went on to become famous for his painting named “Two mares’s lying together in a library tree as the sunset”.
Spike had the most wonderful day on the apple farm. He had brought up Apple Jacks knowledge of his relationship with Apple Bloom; the two then went to talk to her which confused them even more when all she gave was her blessings. Why would Apple Jack bless them with a long and happy life? Despite the confusing words of Apple Jack they both had the most peaceful of days, taking a hike through the apple orchard. A swim in the apple creak and then a nap in the barn. The day couldn’t have goon better for spike other than the fact that he knew a surprise party was most likely right around the corner, no. Well then the next corner.... Spike was walking very quickly on his route home, the pink mare could be just about anywhere at anytime. And the gossip she knew would blow Rarity’s mind. Calm down Spike...she probably doesn’t know yet.... But out of nowhere there was a bright pink flash and Spike was gone... the only thing left behind was a small cloud of sweat outlining Spikes baby dragon form.
It was long after the lone Pegasus had finished his piece and left that either of the two mares finally awoke, It was Sunshine who opened her eyes first two see twilight mere centimeters from her face. She was more beautiful that Sunshine had ever imagined, dreamt and fantasized. If Miss Equestria had only one judge and that it was her, Twilight would win every year even if she didn’t enter. Sunshine knew a lot of words (more than half of the total word in the full equestrian dictionary) but none of them were worthy of describing Twilights beauty. And that was just her face, Sunshine didn’t even want to think about how soft and warm Twilights coat was. It was like Twilight was the hybrid of an insanely plush toy doll and a unicorn (this of course was not the case, otherwise there would be no Twilight and this story would not exist). Sunshine took the chance to just snuggle even more closely to the lavender mare sniffing through her mane; a sweet flowery aroma that would make the best gardeners jealous filled her nostrils, mind and body. But it was at this time that Twilight stirred from her deep slumber filled with the blond haired mare, flying through clouds of blueberry muffins. They were surprisingly soft and light. As Twilight’s eyes forced their way open she could feel a warm thing on her chest, like she was wrapped in the softest, warmest blanket in all of Equestria. She forced her eyes all the way open to see that it was Sunshine who was wrapped around her, and vice versa. She attempted to stay as still as possible so as not alert Sunshine of her ascension from slumber. But Sunshine’s head was deep in Twilights coat and she could hear the increasing heart beat boom in her ear. She moved her head up and saw Twilight staring back, the blood rushing out of her body and into her face. She could have sworn Twilight’s heart skipped a beat. Realizing that her own face was becoming hotter and hotter she slid out from under Twilight and sat up on her haunches deeply embarrassed at the reaction from Twilight. “Umm, good evening Twilight” she whispered through hushed breaths.
“It’s already night time? Hehehe that was quite the nap.” Her smile grew reaching the edges of her face, she was still on her back her hooves the blood that had been closed shut from her forelegs rushing back in. Giving her those pins and needles feeling she got when she forgot to switch arms when she read a book. “Oh, but what time is it? Spike should be home.” Oh that’s right, Spikes the one who always gets the mail.
“Well I’m sure he’s fine, do you have the time maybe?” Pony watches were rare, and hoof drawn ones were only right twice a day.
“Yea, I have a clock in my room.” She rolled on to her hooves, wobbled a bit which warranted Sunshine to rush to her side and aid her. Also warranting the rush of blood to her face, this caused her to lose blood in her legs again, making her wobble more. And therefore needing more support from Sunshine (you get the pattern). After half a minute of struggle Twilight was on her feet and heading up the stairs leading to her private room. After arriving at the top of the stairs she noticed somepony wasn’t following her “are you sure you’re not coming Sunshine?”
“What? Oh sure... if it’s not too much trouble.” She followed Twilight up to her room, those thoughts from earlier today returning in full force. Whoa calm down there, you only just got her. Take it slow, you’ll get there eventually. And how she wished she could get there very soon.
“Well let’s see then, ah! Its 5:30 then, wow I almost never nap that long.” But she knew very well why she did.
“5:30? Oh! Dinkies play!” She had nearly forgotten about the little filly again, maybe Twilight wasn’t very good for her if she was always forgetting her one jewel in life. Don’t say that! Love is never a bad thing.
“Oh yes, Apple Jack mentioned that. Said something about Applebloom performing in it too. Hmm Dinkies your filly right?”
“Oh yes, she’s my little muffin.” Sunshine smiled more; she wanted nothing less than Twilight approving of her daughter. She couldn't wait for them to meet and become best friends, it was imperative that they did.
“May I ask how she came about? I didn’t know you were in a relationship before...well me.” Sunshine stumbled, Why did she have to ask that! Whoa whoa, calm down there girl she doesn’t mean any harm, just tell her. Its best she knew. “Oh I’m sorry, you don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to. I’m sorry I brought it up.” Twilight hung her head low, only 4 hours in and she already managed to hurt Sunshine.
“No...no please don’t beat you self up for it, I need to tell you this anyway. I got Dinky...
It was over, he had left her. She tried to console herself, He told you that he would have to leave one day. But why today! He had to disappear from the face of Equestria and its history today? It was all so hopeless; she had seen his departure coming. And yet she managed to fall in love with him and now...Now she had his foal. She was pregnant with a foal who would never know the name and face of his or her farther. Never know the joy of growing up with two caring parents to guide you through the steps of life’s precarious stairs. Never know the joy she once felt herself... She kept asking herself the same thing, again and again... Why me?
Years had passed, her foal was born. And turned out to be the best thing that ever happened to her. She was truly happy that she had one pony to live her life with; she just wished she had two.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t realize. I would have never asked.” She hugged Sunshine again, feeling the fresh tears roll down onto her mane.
“No... Its okay, I needed to tell you that. I didn’t want you to think I was...”
“I would never. You mean so much to me; I would never think that of you.”
“Thank you, that means a lot.” Sunshine smiled and squeezed out of the hug to look into Twilights eyes. “I’m just happy you understand.” She glanced another look at the clock on Twilights wall. 5:50! She was going to be late! With a start she jumped up off the bed startling Twilight.
“Oh! Where are you going?”
“The play! It starts soon; I’m going to be late!”
“Oh! It does! Don’t you worry, I’ll get us there in a jiffy” She slid of the bed sounding rather smug.
“How?” Then Twilight tapped her horn “Oh, I forgot about that, hehehe. Are you sure you want to come? I’m sure you know the story all too well, how many times have you read it?”
“8 and counting, but I’m not going for the story. I want to see Dinky.” She said with the most loving smile she could manage. It hit home, Sunshine blushed deeply. Twilight really wanted to get to know her, and her daughter. She couldn’t have asked for a better pony to fall for. She moved over so that she was standing next to Twilight extending one of her wings over Twilights back. Twilight giggled, and then became silent. “umm...are you sure we want to do that, not that I like it but other ponies might say something... but I’m okay with it if your okay with it.” Sunshine didn’t miss a beat.
“They can come if they want, it won’t change how I feel Twilight.” Twilight nodded, and wished that she could be as brave as Sunshine was. Focusing her magic in her horn a light purple bubble enveloped the two mares and they were gone. They arrived at the front end of the school, the play was almost underway. The two mares hurried to the back, Sunshine retracting her wing not wanting to be late for her daughter’s performance. Twilight smiled, she kind of wished she had a filly of her own now. Maybe if you play your cards right you will. She trotted closely behind Sunshine, basking in the lovely smell that had gotten her into all this. It was pure bliss.
They quickly found seats and just in time as the play began. Despite some mistakes in lines, and the occasional bout of silence it was a very nice modification of the Traditional story. She never knew that manitcores had those kinds of feelings for each other. As the play came to a close the cast returned to the stage and took their bows, the audience instantly got to their feet and gave a standing ovation. “That’s my filly!” Sunshine shouted much to Dinkies embarrassment. As things wound down and parents began to leave their exhausted fillies in tow Dinky ran up to Sunshine jumping into an embrace.
“Did you see me Momma? Did you?” She still had so much energy, a trait she probably got from her mother. She was jumping up and down like she had endless amounts of energy, which she probably did. Twilight wondered how Sunshine got her to bed.
“Of course I did my little muffin, you were beautiful on stage. Maybe someday you’ll get your cutiemark in acting.” She beamed at the little filly, meaning every word she said. But then she remembered who she was standing next to, she turned to face Twilight. “Twilight I’d like you to meet my dearest muffin Dinky, And Dinky I’d like you to meet Twilight.”
“Ooh ooh oh! You’re the librarian right? I love your books!”
“Oh ha-ha no no, I don’t write the books Dinky I just keep them safe so other ponies like you can read them.” She smiled at Dinkies enthusiasm even if her question was rather ignorant. But you can’t really blame them can you?
“But why do you have so many, you can’t read all of them can you?”
“Oh but I have, it’s really nice. You should try it sometime.” She made a mental note to go through the libraries catalogue to see if she could find anything on acting for fillies. Dinky played Juliet perfectly.
“Can I Momma? Can I? pwease!” She pulled the most adorable face, Twilights heart exploded for the fifth time that day, any more and she’d have to go to a hospital. And not just because she was looking at a face of pure 100% D’awww, but because Dinky actually wanted to come by the library to read. She almost reminded Twilight of herself when she was just a filly. Throwing herself into study just so she could learn magic at Celestia’s school. It made her smile.
“Yes, of course you can. You can go whenever you want; Twilight will always be there to help you out.” And she said that with a longer period of time in mind. “Right Twi?” Twi... I like it.
“Oh... yes of course Dinky, anytime.” Twilight returned the sweet smile to Dinky whose face was brighter than the sun.
“But not tonight, for tonight we celebrate your success!” She shouted raising a hoof to the stars that were beginning to come out.
“YAY! Can Twilight come? Pwease momma!” Both mare’s were shocked at Dinkies sudden proclamation, they turned to face each other face wide smiles donned both mares.
“Would you care to join us twilight?”
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
The stars were shinning Brightly across the sky, and as always Twilight was simply lost in the sheer beauty of it all. She admired them not because they looked beautiful but because they shone day and night, never stopping regardless in anypony was looking or not. Until now Twilight couldn’t find anything that shone as brightly to her, until she met Sunshine. She knew she had only just met her but in the time that she did, she knew that Sunshine always shone for everypony. Even now that the sun had gone down, she looked just as radiant as she did when it was sunny out. Twilight chuckled as she thought how apt the name Sunshine was for...well Sunshine. They were walking down the brightly lit main street of ponyville, also aptly named Long Street as the whole town was built along the road. Ditsy was running in between Twilights and Sunshine’s legs almost tripping them up a few times, she laughed and giggled the whole way. It reminded Twilight even more about the pink mare, whom she had seen very little of today. Which wasn’t good, the air smelled of surprise.
“So where are we going tonight Sunshine?”
“Oh just to Dinkies favorite restaurant, The big daffodil. They have the most amazing hay fries.”
“I can imagine one dragon who’d love to have come.” She remembered about spike, whom right now was reading the hastily scribble note telling him she was out and that she was sorry about the oven.
“Don’t worry I’m sure he’ll be fine, come on tonight’s supposed to be a fun night out!” she grinned throwing a hoof over Twilights back. Which subsequently caused Dinky to come to a halt, she stopped and stared. Momma never did this.
“Momma? Are you in love with the librarian?” Everything came screeching to a halt. Twilight whom wasn’t drinking anything was able to spit a spray of whatever it was, and Sunshine quickly took of her hoof trying to hide the ever present burning sensation in her face. She stooped down to Dinkies level.
“Yes, Dinky... Momma... likes the librarian.”
“And the librarian loves likes momma.” They looked at each other, and everything clicked. Twilight knew Sunshine wasn’t ready for the real deal and she respected that. Twilight plopped down next to Sunshine nuzzling her and smiling at Dinky who’s smile had never left that adorable face.
“YAY! Now I have two momma’s! Weeee! Were going to have so much fun!" Sunshine smiled and let out a little sob, and she began to shed a tear.Twilight saw it and hugged her even more tightly. But Before she could try to comfort her Sunshine spoke up.
“Did you know....” And she was chocking on the last words, a slow trickle of tears flowed out of her eye. “That happiness can make you cry?”
Authors note:
To all my fateful readers, I thank you for your time but I must let you all know that if it wasn’t for BronyGuy and his fic “Opposites attract” I wouldn’t have found the inspiration to write this here fic. My thanks go out to him.
Oh and please please don’t forget to rate and comment, it’s hard to gauge how I’m doing if you don’t. THANKS! Sorry if you guys wanted to see some Celestia in there i'll put some extra into her part next chapter.
Just stating the obvious: I do not own My Little Pony and any of the other trade mark entities that may grace this chapter.
Surprise letters and surprises
The sun was poised to rise, radiant and fulfilling as it always was. Celestia sighed, she’d been putting her all into the sunrises and sunsets in hope that a young lavender unicorn would see them and think of her. But she knew Twilight reveled in the night, and she didn’t blame her. Luna’s artistic abilities far outmatched her own. But it was worth the effort if Twilight thought about her, she wanted nothing more.
The letter writing had finally after much toil and arguing about whether they should start it with Dear or Hello, was finished. Celestia had decided that it was best to go with Luna’s style; it was simple and effective (Celestia couldn’t fathom why it had changed so much). It cut straight to the chase, none of this social mumbo-jumbo as Luna called it. A particular paradigm that Celestia out matched her sisters, there were many others but Celestia didn’t want to degrade her sister. Fencing had only become popular 2 hundred years ago, at it wasn’t Luna’s fault no one was able to teacher her on the moon. In fact the only thing she had gotten really good at was being quite, last tournament she gave Fluttershy a real run for her money. Her only fault was the fact that she didn’t know shifting her wings would cause so much noise. And she was really training for this year; Luna was known to go days without saying a word. The scroll, which held less than 50 words, was sitting on her desk, and despite being written two days ago, it hadn’t accumulated any dust. Celestia refused to send her love a dirty scroll, that last thing she wanted was for twilight to get sick. If she remembered correctly, which she dearly hoped she did otherwise she might have to open in and then have to write it again since she would have broken the seal was:
Dear Twilight sparkle
I would like you to join me at the winter sun celebration in Canterlot with your friends, contact me if you can.
Celestia
She knew it wasn’t her best work but she couldn't expand on it anymore without the fear that she was letting on more than she wanted to. And she knew Twilight always read with an analytical mindset, she thought her that! But she was sure that Twilight would jump at the chance to spend time with her, and at that she smiled. She knew Twilight held her highly but she didn’t know how high. Celestia’s focus was fleeting, she knew she would have to send it very soon, but she couldn’t bring herself to. Massive amounts of nervous energy so alien to her cool and calm mind ravaged her; she didn’t know what to do. She couldn’t even decide whether she should go for dinner. You know you’ve gone mad when you chose isolation above a 5 course dinner. Her mind was a storm, fresh memories resurfaced along with memories that were buried long ago in the depths of her mind, forgotten for many reasons.
Celestia stood on the peak of Equestrian’s tallest mountain. A decision needed to be made, and it needed to be made now. But it wasn’t easy, in fact it was by far the hardest one Celestia had ever had to make. And these memories weren’t helping. Celestia stared up and the boreal lights that shone down eager to please great sun goddess. But the harrowing lights held up for all to see the trials and tribulations of Celestia, the mistakes and successes in her long life. The loves and sorrows that came after, the true immortality of her spirit. The winds of regret billowed at her ever flowing mane, sending shivers throughout her tall frame. But in light of all these overpowering memories one thing always flickered in the background, the still image of Twilight. A smile crept upon Celestia’s face, and she knew exactly what needed to be done so that she could forever see that face always. A letter needed to be sent.
Sunshine had never been so happy in her entire life, she was in love with the most beautiful mare in Equestria and that mare loved her back. She had her daughter who would always be a beacon to her, a light when it was dark. Where she once had one she now had two. Where a hole in her heart failed to heal, was now whole again. Twilight completed her life, and Dinkies. Something she wanted more than her own happiness was Dinkies. And now that she knew Dinky loved her as much as she did, she just couldn’t hold back the tears of joy. She had spent the last minute with her face in Twilights the sweet smell invading her, the warm coat making it impossible to take her head out of it. Twilight was holding on to her for dear life, she knew Sunshine was crying tears of joy, a few dropping from her own eyes as the embrace lengthened. Dinky had no idea that either were crying but launched her right into the middle, intent on getting into the hug. As she squeezed her way in between the two, they loosened allowing Dinky to fit snuggly right in-between them. “I love you mommas”
“I love you too” they both said in perfect unison and harmony. And after a little longer like that they broke from the hug, teary eyed and smiling. She tried to get up, and she wobbled a little, but Twilight was there to catch her. Who knew happiness could incapacitate you so.
“How bout we go and celebrate?” Sunshine asked aloud, wiping a tear from her face.
“I thought you’d never ask, come on Dinky lets go eat!”
“YAY!” They continued to walk down the street, heeding no attention to the group of ponies gathered outside of Bon Bon’s confection shop, they were whispering about who knows what. Twilight wasn’t paying attention, but Bon Bon was, and as a result shooed them all away chastising them about love and its endless bounds. Both mares smirked at this, they had heard that. It was nice to know some ponies had their back. As they cantered down the street towards the restaurant they could hear the wafting melody of a lyre, the soothing tale of love and life. It was as if it was being played just for them.
They finally arrived at the restaurant, it was nothing fancy but apparently the food made up for that. It was completely packed, families, couples and even a few of Dinkies classmates where peppered round the inside and out of the restaurant. They were shown to their seats, a small round table with small stools and place mats. In the middle of it all were three fully blossomed daffodils. A light snack resembling the restaurant’s name, that’s nice. They sat down, and a waiter approached. “Hello and welcome, oh Sunshine and Dinky, it’s nice to see you again. Shall you be having the usual? And you Madame?”
“Yes, haute we’ll be having the usual, and you Twilight? Have you decided?”
“Yes, I think I’ll be having the pan fried sunflower with garlic relish.” Fun fact about Twilight, she loves garlic. One of the reason’s she not the most socially adept pony.
“Very nice choice, and what would you like to drink?
“Just water thank you.” Sunshine said closing her menu, Dinky tried to argue but somehow she knew that she would never win. You didn’t give fizzy drinks to a filly who could run around all day and still have the pent up energy that made her shake in her seat. It was not a pretty sight; she had to use a crowbar to get Dinky of the wall.
“Very good.” Haute picked up the menus and trotted of the make the orders. The atmosphere of the restaurant was very laid back; ponies were talking about all sorts of things. Twilight saw why Sunshine liked this restaurant. I really need to get out more, but then again I will be now that I’m with Sunshine. But in fact sunshine didn’t get out much, she had to take care of Dinky and finding a fillysitter wasn’t easy. At first she thought that with Twilight she’d have more freedom but she knew now that if she wasn’t doing it with Twilight and Dinky, it going to be as much fun. She tried to spend as much time with Dinky as she could, and she knew that Twilight would be too. Trying to get the filly on her side, little did she know that Dinky actually considered her as part of the family. Dinky thought like this, if momma likes pony then I love pony.
“So Twilight, you’ve gotten to know me. Now I want to hear about you.” Sunshine said breaking the soothing silence between the three. Twilight blushed, Sunshine was asking her the question that had gotten this whole relationship of the ground, and Twilight was truly horned.
“We’ll what do you want to know about me then? There’s not much other than I read a lot.”
“Twilight! How can you so easily degrade yourself, I’m willing to bet my left hoof that you have more to you than just books and magic.” Twilight blushed again; never had she thought a scolding would bring such fond feelings. But Sunshine was true, she may think of herself as the lone librarian but she had definitely had some good adventures since she’d arrived in ponyville. Not to mention the shenanigans she’d managed to procure in Canterlot. In fact she had lived up till this point in time quite an interesting life, and it was only getting more interesting.
“We’ll where to start? How about since enrolling in Celestia’s school of magic?” She had to start somewhere and some of her fondest memories began their.
“I would love to hear all about it”
“ME TO!” Dinky shouted as she jittered in her seat, she was like a carbon copy of Pinky Pie but unicorn and Sunshine’s daughter. Twilight smiled, she was so happy that Dinky had taken a liking to her. She didn’t know what she’d do if Dinky didn’t. And so Twilight began at the very start, the whole table shook with laughter as Twilight told them how she managed to turn her parents into plants. After a while, and much more side splitting tales of Twilights misadventures and magical pranks that she loved doing with her Mentor Celestia. Their food came, and it was wonderful, her taste buds tingled with that garlic taste she loved so much. But she continued to tell them stories of life before Ponyville.
“And it took the Authorities weeks to take all the toilet paper off Canterlot!” She was telling them what happened mere hours after Celestia’s and her discovery of red Pegasus.
“Hahaha! OH wow Twilight! You’re the last pony I’d expect to do these sorts of things! You make Rainbow Dash and Pinky Pie look like amateurs!” But thankfully Twilight left that sort of thing behind in Canterlot, and besides it wasn’t as funny when the citizens of ponyville had already seen it all. They finished their dinner in ecstatic silence, still recovering from Twilights stories, and she told a good story. Paying the bill and wishing Haute a good night they left the restaurant. “So Twilight, are you up for some dessert at the sugar-cube corner?” Without warning Twilight’s eyes went wide, Pinky Pie. She’d forgotten about the Pink mare and her surprisingly surprise surprise parties.
“Why don’t we go to Bon Bon’s?” and then in a lower voice so Dinky wouldn’t hear “I have a feeling we might get quite the surprise if we don’t” Sunshine caught on quickly, and she agreed knowing Pinkie Pie was probably the first pony to know of this relationship. She was willing to be that Pinkie knew before she did. So instead of heading down the road that led to the Bakery which if they had gone down to would have been eerily quiet and empty. And instead walked down to the confectionary shop that was dark, the blinds were closed and filled to the brim with unsuspecting ponies who didn’t know why Pinkie Pie was throwing a party. It was a surprise party in a surprise party (Partyception). As the trio neared the confectionary shop, who’s board dishonestly said “open” (if the board had any choice it would say “RUN!!!”) they did not heed to the silence nor did they think it weird that the blinds were down. But they did however think it was weird that the sign said open, the door was open but all the lights were out. And then Twilight got it, but it was already too late so she just braced herself.
“SURPRISE!!!!!!!” And seemingly out of nowhere the whole shop became filled to the brim with cheering ponies, they poured out of the cupboard, behind the sink, under the tables, and it seemed that screwball had managed to get herself stuck in the fan (but she was still cheering). And then they saw the banner held up above Twilight, Sunshine and Dinky, it said TWILGIHT+SUNHINE+DINKY= HAPPY FAMILY PARTY!!!!! And jaws just dropped everyponies except of course Pinkie Pie. The cheering ceased, this is the part where my life breaks down, no one listens when I make a sound, it all looks like it’s “hate” time now... But as quickly as the cheering died down, it picked up again and grew tenfold. They were all shouting “Twilight and Sunshine!” over and over again. The trio just stood there, completely flabbergast at how easily they’d been tricked, then the mastermind behind it all approached them in her care-free manner. “WERE YOU SURPRISED? I KNOW I WAS! I WAS LIKE NO WAY! TWILIGHT AND SUNSHINE! AND THEN I KNEW I HAD TO THROW A PARTY! YOU MUST BE SO HAPPY TOGETHER!!”
“We’ll we... yea... I mean it’s only been one day...Rarity? What are you doing here; I thought you had a real workload tonight?”
“Don’t ask me honey, I’m just as surprised as you are... if not a little happy.” She managed a smile.
“Haha! I knew it! I knew you’d be a fillyfooler Twilight!” It was Rainbow Dash who cantered up to Twilight and gave her a friendly punch on the shoulders.
“A what?”
“Fillyfooler, you know a mare who likes mares... and here I thought you’d be the expert since you’re the one in a relationship.” Her face did a “you’re kidding right?” as her voice deadpanned.
“Wait? And you’re okay with this?” Fluttershy and applejack had joined them just in time to hear the question.
“Well it might be a mite weird if ya ask me Twi. But I’m ‘appy as long as your ‘appy.” Apple Jack smiled, and Twilight knew that she was safe (she wouldn’t openly admit it but Apple jack was defiantly to most conservative of the bunch). Fluttershy just nodded, obviously agreeing in what Apple Jack said. Twilight was relieved, her friends were obviously supportive of her relationship and by the facial reactions from Sunshine’s friends they were also happy for her. This made Twilight feel strong, it was like she could face anything right now, and she wished she could feel this way forever. It was so fulfilling, she moved in and gave her friends one of their legendary group hugs. After a while they broke, Twilight smiled looked over to Sunshine who was looking back at her. Her friends knew exactly what she was thinking; they smiled and parted, letting Twilight through.
“So Twilight.” Sunshine’s smile stretched across her face “I trust it went well, and by that look on your face I’m willing to bet my left hoof it did”. She raised her left hoof and gave it a shake to emphasize her point. She seemed to do that a lot. Twilight forgot to answer and instead went straight for the kiss. Dinky made a few noises in the background pointing her hoof in her mouth, while everyone else “Awwwww’d”. Sunshine broke the kiss and tried to speak again, but Twilight was expecting it.
“Hmm? You said something? Perhaps I to slow, maybe we should try that again.” And she went in for a second kiss. And a long one it was, they both broke it gasping for breath. Then Sunshine nuzzled Twilight and spoke, now out of range of those beautiful, bountiful lips.
“You really are a great kisser Twilight; I don’t know where you’ve been all my life. Must have been holed up in that library.” She smiled a sly smile; teasing Twilight was so much fun.
“he...Hey, I get out...” She blushed, knowing full well that she didn’t but that tone of voice was just so overpowering. Dinky had now joined them, since they had stopped their incessant kissing. Not that she didn’t love seeing her mother’s (she didn’t yet know that they had to be married) so happy but something’s were not meant for filly eyes. As she neared the two she stifled a yawn noooooooo now they’ll make me go to sleep... And that’s exactly what Sunshine thought.
“Well it looks like some of us just are ready for a late night party.” She bent down to Dinky and nuzzled her mane.
“Awww, but I wanna stay up like a big pony.” Dinky pouted her face, and Twilight didn’t know how Sunshine was able to resist such pure D’aww in its more raw and untamed form. And Twilight knew Sunshine could see it. And then Twilight wondered how so much raw D’aww was able to manifest it’s self within such a small filly. But then Twilight remembered her first visit to the apple family, and how Applebloom had done the exact same thing that Dinky was. Perhaps Twilight was just a sucker for cuteness.
Sunshine turned to see Twilights face completely scrunched up, trying her hardest not to blow her heart for the 6th time that day. She smiled and then whispered in Twilights ear, “Don’t worry it’ll grow on you”. Then she turned to face the rest of the ponies in the shop. “Excuse me! Hello! Yes, we’ll I’m sorry but we have to go now. I’m afraid we didn’t know that you’d be throwing us a party otherwise would have left Dinky at home with a sitter. Thank you though for the thought, it means a lot to us. Now Dinky what do you say?”
“Thank you!” And with that the three turned to the door and left the party, stepping out into the night. The Stars shone with all their might. Dinky now resting on Sunshine’s back, completely sound asleep. Who can blame her?
After a few minutes of walking they arrived at Sunshine’s house, “Good night Sunshine, I really had fun getting to know you.” Sunshine yawned, also quite tuckered out. She nodded, she really did have fun. She pecked Twilight on the lips and retreated back into her house, blowing Twilight another as she closed the door.
Twilight could see the kiss float towards her, landing softly on her cheek. It made her feel special, Sunshine made her feel special. She wished she would feel this way all the time.
But we can’t always get what we wish for.
Luna was wandering down a long and dark corridor. It had curved roof that was so high she thought she could see clouds waft about; lamps lined the length of it shining brightly in the night. Luna was on her way to the observatory, to gaze again upon her night sky. But that wasn’t the only reason. She was looking for her sister, and if anything hadn’t changed in the last thousand years was Celestia’s love of peace and quiet. And the only time she was able to get some was at night, when everypony had decided to call it a day and stop annoying her with their problems. As she neared the door, she could hear her sister sigh most loudly. She hadn’t been her happy self since she decided to send that letter by traditional means instead of through Spike. She walked in, Celestia had expected her. “Do you truly think I’m making the best decision sister?”
“You know I can’t very well know the answer to that.”
“I know, but an eternity is a long time. I relishes that thought but I don’t think Twilight will. Watching everything die around you while you stay forever young is not something mortal ponies were meant to experience. I’m afraid that will make her hate me...”
“We shall see sister. Come the Night is just beginning, and there is no need to sulk up here.”
Authors notes:
Again I thoroughly thank all my readers, you make this story possible.
I don’t own My Little Pony and frankly if I did things wouldn’t be quite right...
Leaving for Canterlot
Twilight walked home that night filled to the brim with happiness and love; she was with the most beautiful mare in Equestria. Not to mention a great mother. The stars looked as if they were dancing across the night sky, moving to the rhythm of her heartbeat. She wanted to tell the whole world how she felt, but most of all she wanted to tell Celestia. Oh how proud she’d be to hear that her own student had found true love, for love was truly magical. Twilight played over and over how happy Celestia would be to hear the words “I’ve found love”. As she arrived home to see spike already curled up in his bed, she climbed into her own. A smile appeared on her face as she drifted into Luna’s domain.
Luna woke with a start; she had just come from the dreamscape. She had been carefully tiptoeing around the multitude of dreams that peppered the dreamscape. She was much like a bystander to the happenings during sleep, she could see everything. She could even become a part of the dreams. But during her routine rounds, she saw that one dream shone far brighter than the rest. As she neared it she could instantly tell whose dream it was. It was Twilight Sparkles dream, and it was filled with love with a faint smell of muffins. Luna pulled out of the dreamscape prematurely before Twilights dream was finished and got out of bed quickly. She stumbled, her eyes were slightly blinded but she thought nothing of it and left her room eager to tell Celestia that Twilight was in love! She was in love! But halfway to Celestia’s bed room Luna screeched to a halt as a thought, one that would make nightmare moon proud drifted into her head. What if Twilight isn’t in love with Celestia? Her face went pale, but...with who? How could she find out without making Celestia aware? The last thing she wanted was to see her sister lose her heart. And when Alicorn lost their heart, they lost the will to do anything. If Luna was right and Twilight was in love with another mare, the sun would never rise again. And as much as it may have appealed to her old self, the night would be eternal. Luna didn’t want to think about it, she didn’t want to play through her head the repercussions that would become material if she was right. Instead she just wished. She wished upon all her stars the moon and the night that it was Celestia that Twilight was in love with. And as the goddess of the night she hoped it would give her a boost. For all of Equestria needed it right now.
Twilight was enjoying a pinkie caloda on the beachfront of Prance. The sea lapped up at the beach endlessly as if it were a tuned to perfect harmonic motion. Up and down, up and down, it was truly a soothing sound. A little filly however slashed through the surf breaking up the waves, who tried with all their might to stay serene despite the chaos wreaking through them. The sun was shining brightly, Celestia had really outdone herself this day, and Oh how she wished her mentor could be here this day. To see the beauty of her creation and to share with her the adventures she had gotten into since their last meeting. Celestia was sure to love her story about how they had all become super heroes and saved the whole town a few more times. She just knew Celestia would be so proud. Twilight took another sip of her drink and turned to look at the Pegasus lying on the beach chair next to hers. No one had ever told her, but blocky sunglasses were pretty much awesome. Twilight knew she was in love, her books on dreams had told her that the pony you’re in love with will most likely appear in your dreams(but she didn't know she was dreaming). She sighed, oh how she loved the sun. It was radiant, warm and graceful which was hardly mentioned but Twilight felt that it was the right word (she knew a lot of words). She closed her eyes letting the sun’s rays of light wash over her, but then it disappeared . She forced her eyes open to see the blinding outline of another Pegasus stand directly in front of her. The Pony walked closer to her, Twilight was unable to see who it was. The Pony was bathed in sunlight, shining outwards like a beautiful lightbulb which you could spend years watching and it would never hurt, she felt happy just looking at whomever it was. The pony walked to Twilights side bent down and peck her on the cheek, as it did it said “The sun is beautiful today isn’t it Twilight?”
“It is..”
“The sun my dear Twilight, isn’t it Twilight? Twilight? Twilight!” Twilight bolted up right, Spike was shouting in her ears.
“What!? Oh god my eyes!” she shouted rubbing them furiously, the blinding form still in her eyes. Not that she wasn’t intrigued by it but it is kind of hard to see when all you see is that pony. And what was that kiss, but more importantly who was that rather tall Pegasus?
“Are you okay Twilight? Its 10:30 and you still haven’t woken up yet, that’s not normal for you.” Spike had referred to his books but he had nothing to help gauge how love would affect her sleep. So he had just gone with what time she normally awoke after Pinkie Pie’s party, which was 9 o’clock. Pinkie pie’s super energy punch stayed with you for days after the party. He had some new data to put in his book, which had been revised thousands of times for all possible scenarios’ including a crash in from dash. Surprisingly all Twilight did was turn away from the source of the noise, but only if she had read 2 books the night before and only if they were more than 800 pages each. Every possible scenario.
“Ugh, my eyes hurt.” Her normal eye sight was returning slowly and she could now see that she was lying in her bed, with spike standing to the side. “Good morning number one assistant. Could you please take the time to go down stairs and brew me a cup of coffee? Or else I think I might go crazy again.” Coffee, said to be the nectar of the gods. Which was rather accurate for Celestia and Luna also enjoyed a nice cup of Joe in the morning. Some say it’s what gives Celestia the energy to raise the sun. This in Twilight’s eyes just emphasized the already proven fact that coffee was the best mistake to happen in the last millennia.
“Ugh... fine but only if you fix that horrible bed head.” Twilight took a second then to look at the mirror on the far wall, only to hiss and spit at the image she saw.
“Mmm you sound like Rarity Spike. Perhaps she had rubbed off on you more than you think; I can almost see you trotting down the streets of Canterlot with a top hat and a monocle.” Which wasn’t in fact hard to picture, she’d already seen him in one.
“Shush! She might hear you...” Spike whispered urgently from the door, he then proceeded to creep down the stairs so quietly he could jump a ninja. Which he would have failed miserably, arriving at the bottom of the stairs (mere inches away from the proverbial ninja) he got a message. Well more a letter, but it didn’t come from his stomach where it normally did. But from Sunshine.
“Morning spike! I have a letter for Twilight, is she awake yet?” Spike was relieved that the princess had finally come to her senses and begun using the mail system LIKE EVERY PONY ELSE! But he was worried at the contents of the letter.
“Thanks, yea she’s awake. She’s just getting out of bed right now.” To which he was blatantly contradicted as he loud thumping sounds emanated from post-silent stairs. Spike turned around to see twilight lying face first on the wood floor, her limbs twisted into an almost pretzel form. “Well, here she is.” To which he faceclawed.
“Twilight! Are you okay? Are you hurt? Do you need momma to kiss you anywhere? Urp!” The last one had come out against her will, but Twilight seemed to like the idea as she blushed trying to untangle herself. Then as soon as she was free she planted a kiss on Sunshine’s lips. Sunshine smiled “Well why didn’t you say so?” to which she returned the gesture, and Twilight did so again. This back and forth kissing lasted a minute till Spike swore he would throw up till the end of time.
“AHEM!” The two loving mares stopped, Twilight a little annoyed. She was about to pay Sunshine back for the 20th time. Some other time twilight, they’ll be many chances. “You got a letter today Twilight, by mail. And that’s why Ditsy is here, and I’m sure she needs to get on with her route.”
“But the library is my last stop.” Sunshine tried to explain as Spike dragged her outside.
“But I’m sure your boss has some other things you need to do. Bye!” he placed Sunshine in front of the door and had to push real hard to get it to close, she was heavy (in a good way, not that he’d ever tell Twilight).
“I’ll see you in the afternoon Twilight!” Sunshine called before the door was shut in her face, she pegged it down as another weird occurrence.
“Awwwwww, spike. Why you gotta be such a party pooper?” Twilight was lying on her back pouting playfully, now she decides to be in a good mood.
“No that’s, not going to work on me. You’re missing a bowtie for effect, plus you’re the wrong color.” Twilight sighed and flipped over.
“Where’s the mail we got then?” Twilight was eager to see what it said; she hardly got mail other than from princess Celestia.
“On the table, if you need me I’ll be using the oven like it’s supposed to be used.”
“I said I was sorry!” Twilight cantered over to the table, the letter was indeed there. But something caught her eye, it was the royal seal! Celestia had sent her a letter without using Spike! I bet he’s quite grateful for that. She ripped it open unaware of the countless hours Celestia had spent getting the dribbles of the wax just right (it is important a good leader knows how to dribble her wax seals just right). “YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES!” If we were to know the mane 6 by their quirks then we would know Twilight sparkle simply by YES.
“What are you so happy about all of a sudden? Sheesh it’s like you just swapped elements with Pinkie pie... Uh-Oh, bar all the doors! She’ll be here any minute! The library won’t survive Pinkie Pie!” Spike immediately dropped his cooking mittens and grabbed some wood planks and nails eager to set up defenses against the unstoppable pink mare.
“Whoa, whoa calm down spike I’m still the book loving element of magic! And where did you get that wood?” By the time she had managed to say all that the upstairs window and doors had been barricaded, and spike was working on the front door. He slumped, chuckled a little at his luck and got up.
“Oh thank god, cause I don’t think the library would survive with Pinkie pie as its librarian... I know I wouldn’t...” He said taking the boards down. As he stripped the last board off the front door Pinkie pie stuck her head in.
“HI! ANYPONY CALL?”
“AAAAHHHH!” The front door was barricaded faster than Twilight could say”Spi”.
“Oh oh oh oh! What game are we playing now? Are we forts? Cause you’ll stand no chance against Sugar Cube Corner.” She ended the note on a sly note, almost as if she was truly challenging spike to a game to see whose fort would “literally” fall first. This she was, and Twilight was not going to have the library destroyed. Even if it was in the name of fun.
“Were not playing forts Pinkie Pie... Spikes just worried that I switched elements of harmony with you...”
“Silly Twilight! We couldn’t have switched elements! Book parties aren’t even fun at all!” She was smiling as she usually was.
“But I... Hey! Book parties are fun! I’ve been to many for you information.” Twilight said with a “Hrmph!” Twilight didn’t bother asking how Pinkie knew that Spike had said her name; she stopped questioning that long ago.
“Okie dokie lokie! I have to go now! The cupcakes won’t take themselves out of the oven you know!”
“Wait! I need to talk to you about something important!” Pinkie Pie was squeezed halfway through the door when Twilight had called her, which she was not expecting. And now she was stuck. “Uh Pinkie, need some help?”
“Of course silly how else would I get out?” Even when Pinkie Pie was stuck harder than Winnie the pooh she was still cheery. Twilight grabbed her tail and pulled with all her might, and with an audible “POP” Pinkie was out. And on her feet as she recovered from the tumble, “Soo what do you need to talk about? Auntie Pinkie is here.”
“Just...give...me...a...second...Okay I’m good. We’ll Celestia.” Twilight swelled at the mention of her name (she always did)
“Offered us to come to Canterlot to celebrate the winter solstice. It’s a very big affair in Canterlot.”
“Will there be real parties instead of snobby grumpy pants boring parties?” Pinkie asked arching an eyebrow. Twilight knew this was the deciding point, she gulped.
“Well... I’m pretty sure we won’t be the only non-Canterlotian there so I’m guessing yes?” She tried her best to sound confident, but Pinkie Pie was not an easy pony to side step. Especially when she knew all your tickle points and could easily exploit them to get the truth without a second thought. Celestia help me...
“Okie dokie lokie! When is it huh huh? I need to pack my party canon and that doesn’t fit in a bag easily. Sooo when is it?” It seemed that Pinkie pie had take Twilight for her word, this only made Twilight gulp.
“Well the celebration is this Sunday morning, its only Friday so you’ll have plenty of time to pack. But I want to go earlier so that I’ll have time to catch up with Celestia, and so I’ll be going on Saturday.”
“Okay I’ll see you Sunday!” she shouted as she turned to try once again to leave the library through the little hole.
“Wait! You don’t want to come early with me?”
“Silly Twilight, I don’t think you understand when I say the canon is hard to pack. Bye!” Twilight was confused, did that mean she was coming on Saturday or not? She decided to give Pinkie pie the benefit of the doubt and set her down for Sunday. Now all she had to do was go and tell the new to all her friends and her new marefriend too. Twilight imagined Celestia would be happy to meet Sunshine.
“Spike? Spike! Take all these boards down will you? I’m going to let go tell the girls, you stay here.” Spike was still huddled in the corner recovering from Pinkie’s sudden arrival. Twilight sighed; someday that dragon will come to his senses.
Twilight left the library heading firstly for the Boutique where Rarity lived; she thought Rarity would be happy to be the first to know of their trip to Canterlot. It was a beautiful morning, not just because she had already got to spend precious time with her one love. But also because the sun was shining brightly today, and there wasn’t a cloud in the sky that didn’t vaguely look like rainbow dash. Twilight wondered if she knew the meaning of a cloudless sky. She arrived at Rarities shop before long, the sign said open (again the sign had absolutely no will to convey this message. What it wanted to say was “she’s got a mean bear hug!”). “Rarity?”
“Coming!” A voice drifted from up stairs which meant she was either just waking up or working on a new design. And the state of her face said “working on project” which relieved Twilight greatly (not many ponies survived an encounter with rarity after laughing at her bed head). “Twilight! What brings you to my lovely boutique? Oh, did you want to see the new spring line I was making?”
“Maybe later Rarity if it’s all the same to you. I actually came here to tell you that Celestia has invited us to join her for the winter sun celebration in Canterlot, and I hoped you’d be able to join me?” Twilight braced herself; she didn’t need the hypothetical truth telling sign to know what was going to happen next.
“OH I’D LOVE TO! It’s been so long since I’ve been able to meet up with Fancy Pants!” She did indeed go in for a bear hug and it was bone crushing. Twilight shed a tear, and tried her hardest to tell Rarity to let go but it didn’t seem like it was going to happen any time soon. Instead she just let out a week wheeze. “Oh! I’m sorry dear, it’s just I get so excited whenever we go to Canterlot! It’s so glorious there!”
“I...It is, isn’t it... I plan to go on early on Saturday; would you like to join me?”
“Oh! I’m afraid I must decline you on your offer I don’t think with my current workload I’ll be done until late Saturday. I’m so sorry I won’t be able to join you earlier. You understand right?” Twilight understood, she nodded letting Rarity know that.
“I understand Rarity; I’m going to see the rest of the girls. I hope you have luck with your designs!” Twilight called as she left the Boutique, that’s okay I’m sure everypony else would like to come with me. But they couldn’t, Apple jack had to prepare all the equipment for winter wrap up, Fluttershy well was Fluttershy and opted to wait for everypony else, Rainbow Dash was practicing for the Wonder Bolts performance on Sunday morning (she wanted the wonder bolts to notice her, again). And that just left Sunshine and her, and Spike, perhaps we could get Apple Bloom to come, i know how happy spike would be. She sighed; she thought Everypony would be more hyped to visit Canterlot. But she was okay with it just being her and Sunshine, In fact now that she was thinking about it she was happy it would just be them (they could easily get Spike and Apple Bloom away if they needed to).
She began the trot to the post office, confident she wouldn’t get lost like the last time. And to her surprise, she didn’t. The sight of the post office was enough to send her heart fluttering; as Twilight walked in she couldn’t see Sunshine so she approached Gorge. “Twilight! It’s nice to see you again! Looking for Ditsy eh? I thought you would you cheeky girl you. She’s in the back, don’t be a stranger.” He said all this and managed to disappear, leaving Twilight to her business. Which was very nice of him, and rather telepathic.
“Sunshine? Where are you?”
“Twilight! I thought we were going to meet later? Guess you couldn’t stay away could you?” She wiggled her eye brows like Gorge had shown her. Twilight giggled, Score! Gorge will be so proud!
“No I guess I couldn’t,” she said as she leaned it to peck sunshine on the cheek. “But actually I came here to share some news.”
“Oh? Would that be good or bad?” She kept wiggling.
“Good, very good actually. Celestia invited us to come and join her for the winter sun celebration and I wondered if you wanted to come?” Please tell me she can, it wouldn’t be the same without her.
“Of course! I’d love to visit Canterlot! I never really get the chance to see it other than on mail business.”
“Oh thank goodness, it seems that everyone except you would rather come later on Saturday instead of spending the day to see Canterlot.” Twilight embraced Sunshine, she was truly happy that Sunshine would be able to spend the day in Canterlot with her. There was so much to see and so much to do. Twilight couldn’t wait.
“That weird, but then again its better for us isn’t it?” Wiggling eyebrows again, and was successful yet again. She was really getting good at this.
“You’re so funny today; I’m guessing you’ve gotten training from Gorge.” Twilight said wiggling her eyebrows. “You’re not the only one.” Sunshine broke into a fit of laughter, Twilight was just too funny. Sunshine bet she could make anypony laugh with her eye brows, even Gorge.
“Hahaha! Oh wow, Twilight your just to good with those I almost suspect magic.” She lifted herself of the ground. “Listen Twilight, Spike was right I do have a huge load of work to get too not to mention finding a Filly sitter for Dinky while we visit Canterlot. So I won’t be able to make our afternoon meeting.”
“Oh, okay I guess I’ll see you tomorrow then?” Twilight was disappointed, but she guessed she did need to get to writing that paper on magnets. She had finally found out how magnets “bucking” work and it needed to be shared with the whole world.
“Remember early early early!” She followed up quickly, planting another kiss on Sunshine’s cheeks. “Bye!”
Twilight was standing out in the cold of the morning, it was really early. Almost as early as she had gotten up last winter wrap up. But it was worth it to see the beautiful sun rise, it was truly breath taking. She began to think of Celestia and how happy she would be to see her favorite student again. Sometimes Twilight felt that Celestia was almost like an Aunt, like she was family. Twilight couldn’t wait to see her, and she bet her left hoof that Celestia felt the same. Wow, Sunshine really is rubbing off on me. And Speaking of Sunshine here comes her lovely self. Sunshine didn’t realize that when Twilight wanted to she could get up really really early. This was almost 2 hours before Sunshine normally got up, Dinky had been real helpful and set a muffin on her nose .But she couldn’t wait to spend every waking minute with her. “Good morning Twilight, it’s good to see you’re up early.”
“Haha I know! I had like 5 different alarm charms that I slept through, Spike didn’t however and I’m grateful for that.” Twilight smiled, and Sunshine thought again how lucky she was to be in love with Twilight. Twilight was perfect for her and Dinky. Sunshine wanted to spend the rest of her life with Twilight, and Twilight did too. But they both knew it was far too early to get married. Twilight hadn’t even told her parents, which she planned to. As they stood there waiting for the carriage and watching the sun rise, Sunshine put her wing over Twilight.
“I love you Twilight...” she nuzzled Twilights mane, it smelled beautiful.
“I... I love you too sunshine.”
“You guys realize I’m standing right here?” At which a young filly with a large bowtie gave him a jab in the shoulders.
Authors note:
Sorry about the delay guys, I just didn’t have much time these last few days. I also apologize for those looking forward to some sad, don’t worry it is coming! Again I hope you guys like it!
I do not own My Little Pony and frankly if I did it just wouldn’t be the same...
Meet the Sparkles
Twilight had fallen asleep hardly long after they had all loaded on to the carriage that was to take them to Canterlot. She was now resting her frazzled un-combed mane oh Sunshine’s shoulder, her chest rising and falling slowly. Her lights were truly out. Sunshine smiled, she had never been inside a carriage let alone the royal carriage. Today was going to be so much fun, not to mention tonight. She was going to meet the princess! It had been a dream of hers to be able to tell Celestia her name and watch the reaction she got. Sunshine, meeting the ruler of the sun. She just couldn’t wait. But unlike some of the other passengers she was able to keep her composure, mainly because it would otherwise wake Twilight up from her most adorable slumber. Sunshine made it a not to tell Twilight later. Apple bloom, whom had decided to go ahead and spend the day with Spike despite the stubborn “no” of her older sister. Could not sit still, and was currently asking the royal guards pulling the carriage every single question that she could possible think of. She asked whether they liked their jobs, where they got the armor, if it was hot out, if they were tired. To which every answer was the same “.....” silence, which upset Apple Bloom very much seeing that they would help her possible become a cutie mark crusader royal guard (yay!). Spike was trying his best to get the little filly under control, but despite his most heartfelt attempts he just couldn’t. He really liked her, but sometimes she was a little much. So he resorted to something he would never, something that would most likely kill him in the process. So he got up and slowly took Apple Blooms bowtie off, the second he touched it she knew. Apple Bloom spun round extending a hoof so that it swung round in a long arch and connected perfectly with Spikes right cheek. Sending him into a corkscrew with a slow speed, almost as if someone had put slow mo but left out the corkscrew movement. This caused him to land in the side of the carriage. Apple Bloom gasped, she jumped down from the chair to check if he was okay. “Oh I’m so sorry Spike! I didn’t mean ta hit you! Can you ever forgive me?” She was throwing as many questions at Spike as she was at the guards, but this time she got a response, it sounded like this.
“Hhhrrrggghhhhoooooowwwwww....” This is how he sounded as his face unstuck from the glass window. “...Note...to...self... never try that again...” Sunshine smiled, oh young love. It was truly beautiful, much like the beloved mare sleeping on her lap. She looked out the window to see country side rush by; it felt weird flying but not flying herself. The amount of houses was growing, which meant they were getting close to Canterlot. She debated the idea of waking Twilight up, but she was just too adorable. It could wait.
Twilight was dreaming, but she wasn’t on the beach this time. She was on the moon, surprised she held her breath frantically running her brain on high speed searching for an atmosphere spell. To her horror she remembered that that topic of research was the next point of business she was about to get to, but then she discovered magnets. Her head now free from its task took this time to run the most heart wrenching things it could. How she’d never be able to see Sunshine and Dinky again, how she hadn’t even got to say goodbye to her closest friends. The ones that made her happy life possible, she could feel her oxygen levels fall slowly. Her chest pained more and more as time went by. She realized she hadn’t even seen her parents since her arrival in ponyville, there was so much to do... but she’d now she’d never be able to do them. Twilight knew her limit was close; tears flowed from her face in a torrent. The tears of joy from finding Sunshine, the love of her life, and tears of despair knowing that she wouldn’t get to spend the rest of her life with her... The point of no return rushed up to her like a speeding bullet, but one that you knew full well had your name on it. She remembered Sunshine for the last time, her soft flowing mane. The sweet muffin aroma that filled her every time she stood close, but her time was up. She breathed out the last of her life, into the abyss that now was free to claim her. She waited for the sweet darkness to come, to wash over her. But it never came, Twilight felt something flow onto her it was warm and soothing. She wrenched her eyes open, feeling hope follow into her. And she gasped, it was the sun.
The sun was rising slowly over the horizon...of the moon. It was clearer than she had ever seen; the vacuum gave clarity that Equesria’s night sky could never. The vacuum honored the sun’s beauty in a way that left Twilight speechless. But after what could only be describe as the most awe inspiring moments of her life. She remembered she was alive, despite the nothingness that surrounded her. “Twilight...my favorite student...” A whisper on the non-existent wind, she heard it instantly but from where? “Don’t worry Twilight... I’m always here...” The sun had fully risen, and was now a blinding beauty, much like the form that had stepped out of the sun. “I shall always be here for you...My Twilight.” Twilight felt her chest tighten up again... No! Save me! Please! I don’t want to die! “Always...” Then the darkness took over, before she could reach out to the form...
As Twilights form slowly phased out of the particular dream, a shadowy form that had been hiding behind a crater smiled. Because now she knew. She knew who Twilight was in love with.
Twilight returned to reality with such force that she literally jumped 2 meters of the carriage seat, which completely took everyone by surprise. “Aaaaaaahhhhhh!” Twilight screamed.
“Aaaaaahhh!!” Sunshine (whom was about to fall asleep )screamed.
“AAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!” Apple bloom screamed.
“Ugghhh...keep...it down...” Spike said still in post K.O. Then the carriage came to a shuddering halt, they had arrived in Canterlot. Spike thanked his luck and prayed to Celestia that it would keep up.
“Twilight! You scared the bagezus out of me!” Apple bloom was clutching her chest and panting, never had she heard something so blood curdling.
“I’m sorry, I think I had a bad dream... or at least it seemed like it.”
“It’s okay now Twilight, shush~ its okay...” Sunshine had put her forelegs around Twilight and was stroking her mane slowly, comforting her. Wow...this is kinda nice... I should do this more often.
“Uh...Sunshine, as much as I really like this, I’m fine...”
“I know I know... Well it seems we are now in Canterlot, shall we go then?”
“Yes lets.” They all got out of the Carriage, Twilight thanked the Guards and they took off heading for the Palace. They had been let off a few blocks away from Twilight’s parent’s home, and thankfully Twilight still knew how to get around Canterlot. It had been a few months since she’d been here and not much had changed, Pony Joe’s donuts were still where it had been for 3 decades. Octavia’s music house (including shop, classrooms and auditoriums) was new. Twilight made a note to visit it some time and catch up with Octavia. She must be doing really well to have developed this fast. Last time I was here it was just one classroom. But the thing that changed the least was the people, still snobby as always. But thankfully Twilight knew how to deal with them, years of being the student to the most influential pony in Canterlot taught you a few things.
As they passed the natural history museum Twilight saw a new exhibit on food, and thought it a good idea to go before they had lunch. After a few more blocks of carrying their very light bags (it was just a two day stay anyway) Twilight and the gang stood outside her childhood home. It was just as she remembered it, the olden style wood work with the dark colors adding to its old age look. Twilight couldn’t believe that it had been a whole year since been here, her parents would be mad! They would scold her and force her to return to Canterlot! She would have to move out of Ponyville! She’d have to say good bye to Sunshine and Dinky and all her friends! A soft hoof rested on her back, Sunshine saw that Twilight was not exactly eager to see her parents after so long. Twilight calmed down, they wouldn’t do that, they love me. And I love them. “Come on! What are we waiting outside for?” They all walked towards the door, and before Twilight even raise her hoof the door was enveloped in a white glow and flew open. Two middle aged ponies (whom would kill me for saying that) burst from the house and pulled Twilight into an embrace. And they kept squeezing until an audible *crack* was heard, in which the quickly let go.
“Oh! Twilight are you quite all right? Were so sorry it’s just been so long! And we only got a few letters.” Twilight’s mother (Star sparkle) said as she helped twilight rectify her bent back. Another audible *pop*.
“Aaah.. No it’s quite alright mother, I should have visited more. I hope you can forgive me.”
“Oh how could we not my not so little filly.” Her father smiled and patted her on the back; Twilight blew a sigh of relief, she wasn’t going to have to move back to Canterlot. She turned to see everyone’s jaws open, they’re just going to have to get used to them... I know I did.
“Mom, Dad I want you to meet my friends. This is Sunshine, you all know Spike and this here is Apple bloom. Guys these are my parents, my mom Star Sparkle and my dad Dusk shine.” The all shook hooves then proceeded to stand their awkwardly. Twilight huffed; normally her parents were far more energetic, maybe they’ve changed more than I thought? “Okay...Why don’t we all go inside and unpack?”
“Oh! Yes please do come in! Twilight you must see the new painting that your father picked out. He says a white Unicorn mare with impeccable taste and a diamond three cutie mark thought it was good, so he bought it. White unicorn mare...Three diamonds as her cuitemark... I’m going to have a talk with Rarity... They all walked in, the inside décor was far more beautiful than the outside. The corridors were high but a not wide, the walls were a deep purplish magenta and everywhere you looked there were paintings or pictures of Stars. Twilight held back a few tears as she remembered all the happy times of her filly hood. Then something just took over.
“Come on! I need to show you guys our library!” She dropped her bag and bolted up the stairs eager to see if the books were exactly as she left them. Every pony just stood there, Star Sparkle just chuckled.
“Oh she really hasn’t grown up has she...? Well why don’t you go join her and I and Dusk will finish making breakfast. “Star said as she picked up Twilight’s bag and trotted off to the kitchen. Dusk Shine followed her; he wasn’t actually cooking but that smell was just beautiful. Spike almost drifted away with them but Apple Bloom caught him before he got too far.
“Nuh uh you’re comin with me.” She bit onto his tail and dragged him up the stairs, Sunshine just followed behind chuckling. They ascended two more flights just to get to the library which was massive; it took up the whole floor. There were rows and rows of books; everywhere you looked all you got was books. Twilight was jumping up and down on the far side of the library.
“Yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes *long breath in* yes yes yes yes yes!!” Ohhhh déjà vu. Apple bloom thought. Twilight hadn’t been this giddy in ages; it was very liberating acting like a little filly. Twilight didn’t know why she didn’t do this more often.
“Twilight! Twilight! TWILIGHT!!! Ugh...” Sunshine’s shouting was having no effect on the completely overjoyed filly. So she tried something brash. She ran at Twilight and tackled her to the ground. Twilight instantly calmed down; there was something very soothing about being trapped under the love of your life. “Twilight, did you know you’re really cute when you act like a little filly.” Sunshine smiled and kissed Twilight on her lips. Then she rolled of her, not wanting to make the actually filly in the room want to leave as much as the dragon did. “So Twilight, this is your own personal library? I knew you loved books but this is ridiculous! I can bet my left hoof there are more books here than Ponyville’s library!” Twilight blushed, she did whenever some pony was impressed at her collection (which was mostly family).
“I...Yea I guess that true... Oh no! This is nothing compared to the library in Ponyville, there is an underground level that is 10 times bigger than the main room you know?” Sunshine gasped loudly, she didn’t realize such a feat of engineering lay mere meters under her hooves every day.
“Twilight! How could you keep such a truth from me! I’ve been reading the same muffin cook book for ages! Do you know how many recipes I could be missing out on?”
“10240 to be exact...”She meeped, Twilight thought ever pony knew. She did put up a notice, and she now wondered if any pony actually came to the library and if the expansion was necessary. Of course it is Twilight! Sunshine is a testimony to that! See how worked up she is getting now that she knows there are more books that she could read? But Sunshine wasn’t getting worked up, in fact she was about to burst into tears of joy. Oh the countless fun to be had with Dinky...And now Twilight... but maybe we should for the sake of every ponies health keep her out of the kitchen... “Sunshine are...are you okay?” Sunshine sniffed.
“...yes...but I’m going to have to see that library the minute we get home.”
“Anything for you...” Twilight nuzzled her.
“Twilight...not in front of the kids...”
“They can handle a bit of romance...” I know spike can. But then Star Sparkle called up to them.
“Twilight! Breakfast time! I made your favorite! Crepe!” Sunshine’s eyebrow rose.
“Prance cuisine hmm? You quite the international student I see. Come on we wouldn’t want them to get cold now would we?” So Sunshine, twilight a dragon and a sappy little filly went down stairs for breakfast. They could smell the sweet aroma float up from the kitchen, even more fillyhood memories floated back. Twilight stumbled almost falling down the stairs, but Sunshine caught her. She never lets me fall...she just keeps giving me more reasons to love her.
They all arrived down stairs to see a beautifully set table with crepes galore already set out before them. Oh wow mom, you really know how to make your daughter wish she’d visit more often. Star walked out of the kitchen backwards with a platter of crepes in her mouth and she tried to talk “plsh plst ebry prny sheth dun” Sunshine added “holding large platter” to her Things that make you talk funny list. After a minute of trying to find out where every pony would sit they finally found their respective places.
“Wow! You’re a really good cook Ms. Sparkle, how come Twilight can’t cook like you?” Twilight instantly began to glare at Sunshine whom suddenly felt as if she wasn’t hungry anymore.
“Oh hahaha! Well you can’t blame her; she spends far more time in the library than learning how to cook. While all the other fillies are getting into baking, Twilight here got her second edition Equineclopedia.”
“I can’t help the fact that it took me 2 months to read that book, you try reading 10,000 pages.”
“Awww Twilight we wouldn’t have you any other way, even if you can’t cook to save your life.” Sunshine spoke up after politely chewing her food and then gulping it down. They ate in a peaceful silence, well somewhat peaceful as Spike ‘chowed’ down. The pancakes were truly delicious and the maple syrup was the proverbial ‘icing’ on the cake, Twilight couldn’t imagine eating anything more delicious, except for Sunshine’s muffins. Twilight could only imagine how perfect they were. 20 pancakes later everypony decided by mutual silent agreement that they couldn’t possibly have another bite. And after a few moments of rest and relaxation Star sparkle pushed herself from the table and got on her hooves, she headed for the kitchen picking up a few of the plates on the way. “Come Twilight, we have much to catch up on” she called back in a cheery voice. So Twilight stood up and followed her brining the rest of the plates and cutlery with her.
“Say Spike why don’t you show Apple Bloom to your rooms?”
“Okay, come on Bloom we’ve got the best room in the house!” The two ran up the stairs in a hurry eager to see the room. Sunshine began to get up intent on helping Twilight and Star but Dusk Shine had a different idea.
“Say, what was your name again? I’m afraid I didn’t catch it the first time round.” He spoke calmly, as one whose stomach had been humbled would.
“Oh um its Sunshine sir.” Dusk chuckled.
“Please call me Dusk, I couldn’t possible ask for a friend of Twilights to calm me sir. And you live in Ponyville correct?”
“Yes sir...I mean Dusk sir... I mean...yes.” Dusk chuckled again, it was rather amusing but he knew Sunshine was trying her best.
“And what is it that you do? I mean no offense but bubble blowing is not a very high paying job is it?” he pointed to the bubbles on Sunshine’s flank.
“I work at the post office there, and no offense taken. They even confuse myself sometimes.” She said unable to help herself from smiling, remembering the confusing day that came after receiving her cutiemark.
“Oh I see...” Dusk was very much intrigued now. “Then perhaps you know of a fellow who works there as well?” Sunshine thought back, there were a few stallions that worked at the post office.
“Maybe. Do you know his name?”
“No but I do believe I remember his eyes.” Then he began to wiggle his eyebrows, starting with a wave then moving on to more advanced tricks. Sunshine gasped.
“You know Gorge?” She was shocked; she didn’t know that Twilight’s parents had visited Ponyville.
“Well of course I do, he is my brother after all.” Sunshine’s jaw just dropped, it all fell into place. Twilight being so good with her eyebrows, Gorges familiarity with Twilight, it all made sense now. They were related!
“I think I’m going to have to have a word with your daughter....privately...” Dusk just laughed and snorted, and did so some more. Then he subsided, but as he looked over to see Sunshine looking completely shocked he burst into more laughter. This time falling to the floor. Is Twilight’s dad really rolling around laughing on the FLOOR?!?
“Oh wow, you’re really funny you know that, no offense of course.”
“N...None taken...” She was truly flabbergasted, how was Twilight related to him. From what she saw, she was more ready to believe that Pinkie pie was actually his daughter.
“By the way, Twilight hasn’t mentioned you before. When did you two meet?” He had regained his composure and sat himself down again.
“W...We met just this week actually...” It really hadn’t been a long time since Twilight and Sunshine had met, but what is time if you’re in love?
“Oh, and she’s already bring you with her to Canterlot I see. If I didn’t know better I’d say you girls have something more than just friendship going.”Sunshine’s eyes went wide frantically looking for a pile of snow, which there was none. So she just sat there her face going a bright crimson red. “OH! You do have something more that friendship going!” Then he began to laugh again “Well it’s about time my daughter found someone in her life. But I never thought it would be Gorges prize employee, but then again from what I’ve heard from him you’re quite the mare. Don’t tell his wife he said that.” If you could get any more red than the color red Sunshine did. But then she remembered the night with Twilight and Dinky.
“An...And you aren’t mad she is with me?”
“Mad? How could I possibly be mad that my little Twilight has grown up and found love?” He really didn’t seem to see the point Sunshine was trying to make.
“No I mean...you’re not mad she’s with me, a mare?” she hung her head; now that she had made her point clear she waited for the anger.
“I still don’t see why I should be mad. If my daughter is I love with a mare and is happy. I couldn’t be more proud. But you will take care of her right? I hear from Gorge you do know how take care of Dinky well.” Sunshine was speechless; Twilight’s father was giving her his blessing? Tears welled up under her eyes and she broke down crying right in front of Dusk Shine.
“Sunshine? Oh Sunshine please doesn’t cry, I’m sure you’ll be a great marefriend. I’m certain of it.” He hugged her. They held them embrace for awhile, until Sunshine had calmed down. She looked up at him and she smiled.
“Thank you Sir.” Then he hugged her once more.
“It’s Dusk.”
(Meeeeeaaaaannnnnwhile...)
“So! How is Ponyville?” Star asked as she dunked a plate into the soap infused water at the sink.
“Good mother.” Twilight braced herself, the onslaught of questions. She had heard them all before. In fact she knew exactly what her mother was going to ask next (well she thought she did).
“So how long have you been dating the beautiful mare out in the dinner hall? Hmmmm?” Interesting fact about Unicorns #2: They can materialize massive amounts of water into their mouths at anytime in order to perform an improtu water “spit spray”. The contents of her mouth went all over the kitchen.
“MOM!” Twilight shouted.
“What?? It’s true isn’t it? Oh it is! I’m so happy for you!” Twilight could lie and cheat her way to victory whenever the girls came over to play poker but never could she successfully pull a pony face in front of her mother.
“But...How?!?” Twilight had learnt to stop questioning Pinkie Pie but she hadn’t yet learnt that a mother will always know...Always (Sunshine could vouch for that).
“Dear, you looked at her far more times than your father has made jokes during that breakfast. And you blushed every time; a mother can see these things Twilight.”
“..I...I...Yes... I am dating the beautiful mare at the dining table...” Her mother squealed and embraced her in a bear hug that made Rarity seem weak. “Ugh mother... I...can’t...breathe...” Twilight turned from purple to ultraviolet (figuratively speaking of course, I mean if she did we wouldn’t be able to see her now would we?).
“Oh dear! I’m sorry, It’s just I’m so happy for you! My little pony has grown up! But we are getting off track, so how long have you to been doing it?” Star Sparkle wiggled her eyebrows making her last comment widely inappropriate.
“Mother! That is widely inappropriate! We have not done it! For you information we have been dating for a week.” Twilight sat down and huffed, completely thrown off by her mother’s comment. They really haven’t changed since I’ve been here last.
“Oh Twilight, lighten up! Shall we go tell your father the new then?” Twilight said under her breath “Some how I believe her already knows...” Then she cursed the fact that her parents were so good at getting information out of ponies. They exited the kitchen to see that Dusk was on the floor rolling around laughing his flank off and Sunshine was trying to balance a muffin on her snout. Somehow Twilight was not surprised at this. “~Ahem!” Dusk stopped and raised his head to see his daughter and wife staring disapprovingly at him. Fear suddenly welled up inside him and he jumped to attention. Sunshine saw that he was no longer laughing and was looking behind her. Uh-oh... She turned to See Twilight and Star glaring and them both. They scratched their hooves at the ground.
“I can explain...” Dusk started but was cut off when Star intensified her glare twice fold.
“Well, however wildly inappropriate that that was Twilight has something to tell you now.”
“Mother you’re not the one to talk. And yes I do have something I want to say.”
“I have a feeling I already know the answer to this question, but it’s about you and Sunshine right?”
“Arrrgghh! Why can’t I tell any pony in my family something without them finding out first?!?”
“Because dear you are a Sparkle.” Dusk said happily, he loved to see his daughter get like this. “Now why don’t you go unpack so you can get to your sightseeing? I’m sure there’s so much that you’d love to see.” Twilight just couldn’t stay mad at her father, and he was right she was wasting day light and there was so much to see before the festival started. So Twilight walked upstairs with Sunshine following behind her. Twilight’s parents opted to stay down stairs and finish cleaning up. After a while, Twilight called to Apple Bloom and Spike to tell them they were going to head out, she asked them if they wanted to come. But they opted to stay, they didn’t very much want to spend the whole day going to look and museums and boring things like that.
“Your loss,” Twilight told them. They told Twilight’s parents they were heading out and then they did. The sun was now rising above them, it must be around 11 0’clock. Twilight told Sunshine about the exhibit about food at the history museum, which Sunshine then insisted they see first. The museum was huge and the food exhibit took up half of it, Twilight didn’t know there were so many different types of food in Equestria. Sunshine had been giddy the whole way through the exhibit, but no pony not even Twilight could have foreseen a complete section devoted to just muffins. There were so many muffins! Twilight’s head hurt trying to read the complete list of muffin recipes. She was greatly confused as to why you needed to name it a whole new recipe if you only changed the original by omitting the use of a single ingredient. Sunshine just patted Twilight on the back and said “Don’t worry Twilight; I don’t even know the full list.” Which was comforting and rather scary, if Sunshine couldn't know them all how could she possible learn them all?
The rest of the visit carried on uneventful except for when Twilight burnt her tongue tasting the chili concarne (which was vegetarian thankfully). She had never drunk that much water after a meal in her life. They neared the end of the museum when Twilight asked Sunshine “So, what do you want to do after this?”
“I don’t know, you’re the expert on Canterlot remember? But I would like to see the royal gardens.” Twilight smiled maybe they could see Celestia.
“Sure, let’s go then.”
They were exhausted. They had spent the whole day wandering around Canterlot, and had seen many interesting things. Twilight’s favorite was the inept showstallion whose hat donned the word “Wizzard” with two z’s. I mean who writes wizard with two z’s? He had been attempting to start a fire, but was failing miserably. But now they sat in the royal gardens just resting. They sat close together enjoying the setting sun and each other’s company. “Twilight?”
“Yes Sunshine?”
“I really liked today.” Twilight smiled, she had too. There was nothing like spending a whole day with your love.
“Me too Sunshine... I wonder how Dinkies doing.” Twilight was laying on the bench her head in Sunshine’s lap. And every few seconds she got the urge to take a huge lungful of Sunshine’s natural musk. Sunshine giggled, she loved how Twilight did that.
“I bet she’s thinking how her momma’s are doing.” Oh no... What is Twilight going to think? We’ve only been dating for a week now, but it feels like I’ve know her for years. Twilight knew that wasn’t intentional but she was happy Sunshine had said that.
“Hmmm... I bet she is...I love you Sunshine...”
“I love you to Twilight.” It was getting late and Twilight intended to get rested and cleaned before she went to meet the Princess. So Twilight and Sunshine departed from the gardens and headed for home.
One by one the rest of the girls began to arrive. First was pinkie pie, carrying a large case that bulged out at the sides more than a case should. Then Fluttershy arrived with Rarity who sorely needed a shower and an hour to prep herself. Then Apple jack arrived looking like she had just run a marathon. Which she had, all the way from ponyville, which had taken her the whole day. Twilight was shocked at the orange mare’s stamina but then she remembered the iron pony competition. And last but not least Rainbow dash arrived fashionably late as usual. Twilight introduced them all to her parents whom she glared at every time they looked as if they were going to tell a joke.
They spent the next hour or two getting ready, Pinkie pie unloaded her canon and Twilight had to make her promise that she wouldn't set it off inside the house. To which the pink mare did her trademark “cupcake in my eye” promise. Apple jack found Apple Bloom and proceeded to have a long talk about sneaking off, even if it was to be with spike. Apple Bloom asked why and Applejack just said “You’ll understand when you’re older.”
“Is everypony ready?” Twilight called.
“Yes!” came the resounding reply, they were all ready for the coldest, and most beautiful of sunrises they had ever seen.
Which none of them would see. For that fateful morning was the one morning in the history of Equestria. That the morning sun didn’t rise...
Authors notes:
Finally it is done! The chapter is out and I hoped you guys enjoyed reading it. I’m sorry it came out a little late but this chapter is far longer than I originally planned it to be and I got bogged down with tones of home work. I can’t promise the new chapter out any time very soon but I hope to get it out when I can.
I’m gone four days and I come back to see that I have 32 unread updates...32! I just thought I’d tell you why this is a little later than I thought it would be, really sorry it’s so late!
I do not own MLP:FiM or any of its characters.
The Winter Sun Didn’t Rise
The night was perfect. The air was cold and crisp, just how Twilight loved it. To feel the sharp air curl around your lungs, it was truly blissful. The stars were all out tonight, shining brightly as if they had all gone supernova. Twilight couldn’t wait to commend Luna on her night sky, in fact everypony wanted to do the same, it was truly a sight to behold. They hadn’t come all this way to celebrate the night sky, but Twilight made it a note to ask Luna and Celestia if they would dedicate a day to the night as well. Twilight was sure that Luna would love the idea, she certainly did. The group of 9 was trotting down the pathway that led up to the palace, it was quite where they were but they could hear the large festival going on at the palace. And Pinkie pie was getting more and more excited the closer they got. She had started out just bouncing around like usual but now it was more like a jackhammer, and Twilight was pretty sure the road was flat enough as it was. Every pony was dressed up warm for the night because it was going to be along one, in fact the longest according Twilight. For this was normally the longest night of the year. But no pony realized it was going to be longer than intended.
Celestia was pacing back and forth in her room, back and forth, back and forth. She was making little ruts out of the massive amounts of pacing around. She thought that writing the letter was hard, but it was like a small bump in her journey compared to the massive mountain she was attempting to climb (figuratively, she already climbed Equestria’s tallest mountain). Twilight was going to be here! Here in the palace! Where it all started, but now this was truly going to the beginning. The beginning of the rest of their lives, which was going to be for eternity. An eternity of love, an eternity of pure bliss and happiness. But that was only going to happen if Celestia could get Twilight to lover her back, and up till now she didn’t think it a problem. Celestia knew how much Twilight looked up to her, how happy she was to see her, but was that all going to translate into love? Would Twilight fall for Celestia as easily as she had for her? So many questions and no answers. Celestia just stopped, her pacing was getting a little out of hoof. And she could actually feel the ruts deepen. Oh but what was she to do? What could she do? Well that last question actually had an answer as Luna had been so kinds as to draft up a list of what Celestia would do. But Celestia had disregarded it the minute she looked at it, because it held only three points. 1) Express love 2) Get love back 3) live happy forever. Not that Celestia wasn’t happy that her sister actually cared about her and getting the mare of her dreams, but in all honesty it wasn't going to happen that easily. Nowadays you had to ask her out a few time before you could even drop the L word. Again it may not be as easy as it was 1000 years ago, but it sure gave more inspiration for romance novels. Celestia was still trying to forget the last romance novel Luna wrote 1000 years ago.
Celestia looked at her ever correct sun dial (as the ruler of the sun, there were a few perks). It was only 11:30; the night was very young indeed. But then why did it feel as if time wasn't moving? She could feel the sun move as time passed by, ever reminded of the never ending cascade of the river of life. But now it was as if the sun had frozen it’s self in place, which it had, which Celestia quickly corrected cursing the link between her and the sun. Ponies had begun arrive, and the festival was quickly picking up pace. Shouts of laughter and squeals of delight floated up to her room, like a sweet honey scent it had drawn her to the balcony. She looked down to where the festival was taking place; thousands of ponies massed its entirety. The festival was indeed huge but the crowd was more so and there were more ponies coming. It was always a night Celestia looked forward to, because it was the one night Celestia and Luna joined in the carnival. And it had become a tradition, which was fine because it meant Celestia and Luna could have fun without being swamped by political members and high society figures. They didn’t dare come to the festival; it was too “unclean”. But Celestia cared not how dirty she became; she spent 364 days being “clean”.
From here she could easily see her sister now; Luna was trying her favorite treat, cotton candy. Celestia chuckled as thought how Luna’s reaction would be to find out that a pink mare she knew actually tasted like Cotton candy (yes, Celestia had indeed tried to eat Pinkie pies mane, imagine how that went down). Luna caught eye of her and began to float up, now she’s going to drag me into all this... does she not know I do not have a full proof plan yet? I always have a full proof plan! The only reason I didn’t put my plan to work when Twilight went nuts was because her friends just had to appear! I was soooo close!
Luna was not aware of the frustration that Celestia was hiding. But if frustration could seep from a pony then it would be coming out of every single pour on Celestia’s body. She landed daintily on the balcony smelling like sweat and cotton candy which floated beside her head. She attempted to take another bite of the sweet, puffy and infuriatingly sticky treat. She more stuffed her face into the ball of sweet string than nibble at it. And therefore a rather rugged beard stuck to her face, which already had a vast array of candy facial hair. Dear mother, why did you leave me with such a childish sister? What happened next only forced Celestia to ask the same thing of her father.
Luna’s tongue left her mouth, wrapped around her face and in one sweeping motion that would make Spike proud to call her his apprentice wiped all the access candy of her face. I must thank Spike for teaching me such a useful trick again Luna thought. “Sister why do you not join us in the festivities that take place? We fear that thou are missing out on so much, this ball of strangely sweet string is evidence of that. We cannot allow thy self to sit up here alone.”
“It is called candy floss sister, and you should really try not to do that with your tongue anymore, what would mother and father say?”
“Thou see’s? Thou cannot possibly be content when thou are scolding thou sister, and we can do what we wish with our tongue.” She was right Celestia was definitely not happy. Not happy to see that Luna could without any hesitation perform such an outrageous...thing in front of everypony. And she tried not to think about what else she did with her tongue (she did but due to unforeseen magical filters the following text has been censored). CENSORED. Now with a mind free of perverse thoughts she could get back to getting rid of her sister, and get to what was really important. Making the master plan to get Twilight Sparkle to love her, dubbed “Get-Twilight-to-love-you-forever-plan”.
“If I promise that I will come down soon, will you leave me?”
“I could never leave thou sister, but we understand your proposition.”
“So?”
“Yes?”
“Ugh, I do not have time for you little games sister! The love of my insufferably long life draws near!”
“Oh so that’s why thou is so distressed. Sister, thou must learn to,” Luna waved a hoof dismissively “as they say ‘let-go’, it seems to be a very valuable lesson”. Celestia’s face drooped; Luna can’t possibly be trying to teach me a lesson.
“I fear you do not understand the process in which we confess our love these days sister.”
“No we may not, but we do know that the best way to make connections is to have FUN!!” She shouted in the royal Canterlot voice (outdated by 1000 years, the “new” Canterlot voice required the use of a more robotic voice*). As she did her horn glowed as she picked up yet another Candy floss from the vendor below her.
*Celestia was bored when she thought up the new Canterlot policies.
Candy Mane had spent a good 10 years of his life learning all the secrets of Candy floss. His cutie mark bore his signature Candy Cloud™. Business was going perfectly that evening, the bits were rolling in and the costumers just couldn’t get enough. Now as an earth pony you could say that Candy was not very familiar with unicorn magic. No pony told him that when a Unicorn decided to use magic, the subject of the magic was to glow a color specific to that unicorn. So to his great surprise, shock and frustration as he tried to grab at the Candy Cloud™ he had just made literally float away from him. Like a cloud. After a few seconds of shouting at the inanimate object that would most not definitely shout back (even if it could, it would not spend its short time of existence to argue with a Candy floss vendor. It would put its new found brain power to use solving the universes mystery’s, such as why it suddenly could think). He realized it was glowing a dark blue hue, and was floating towards Princess Luna. Candy Mane gulped and forced himself to forget about the lost profit. Sure those extra bits would fit nicely in his pocket but he was in no hurry to see what the surface of the moon felt.
The newly Candy Cloud™ arrived at its destination beside the hungry Princess Luna. She grinned now in the possession of two Candy Cloud’s™, but Celestia beat her to it. “Let me guess, the fun has been ‘doubled’.” She said sitting on her haunches raising her forehooves and bending them at each syllable.
“Hey! That is our line! Thou is truly no fun.” Luna pouted, disappointed that her catch phrase has been taken from her. “But thou must see that Twilight has not come here to sit upon the balcony moping, does thou not see that she has come to enjoy the festival?” Celestia was impressed, maybe her sister wasn't all foal. Hahaha wow you crack yourself up Celestia, my sister not a foal, HA. But Luna had placed a valid point; maybe Twilight didn’t want to go on a scenic walk through the gardens. But Celestia could only imagine that Twilight would want to do anything she wanted to do. Then it was settled, she was abandoning the perfect plan to go have “fun” with Twilight. She could just see the reaction on Twilight’s face when she would ask her if they wanted to ride the upside-down roller coaster. It was Celestia’s favorite, and she would opt it to be on the list of the most important inventions in the last millennia. And she couldn’t imagine that Twilight would hate it, even if she was an egghead.
Celestia sighed as she looked out at the festival taking place below her. The lights were so bright they were dwarfing the real stars. Ponies could be seen taking part in various activates that peppered the festival, the atmosphere was electric. There was so much energy even at 12:00 at night; it was a wonder how everypony managed to go on this long without needing sleep. 12:00 at night and Twilight still wasn’t here; she did say she was coming right? Did she? Oh no oh no no no she isn’t coming! As Celestia’s mind firmly grabbed on to the idea that Twilight wasn’t coming, despite Twilight’s letter explicitly saying she would be coming. She began to mumble to herself, she paced back and forth again and her “ever flowing” mane became erratic. Luna watched as her sister once again fell into discord, ugh what is she fretting about now? But before she could try to calm her sister down for the 20th time that day something caught her eye. Something grey and blonde, flying upside down much to the dismay of something purple. A thought popped into her head, could it be?
She turned her head to see if her assumptions were true, and they were. Twilight and the rest of her group were just walking into the west end of the carnival, and she could see a few others that seemed to be traveling with her. Twilight was currently running and shouting after the grey mare that was flying upside down, Luna didn’t know that Pegasus could do that. And she could recognize the others, the orange mare with the hat was Apple Jack, the pink mare who looked like she could bounce for an eternity and keep on bouncing was Pinkie Pie. The white mare with an impeccably perfect mane was Rarity; the yellow mare who was trying to be as hidden as possible was Fluttershy and the cyan mare trying to get the grey mare upright was Rainbow dash. She could also see Spike, but Luna was clueless as to who the grey mare and the small earth filly were.
“Celestia?” she called softly trying to get her sisters attention without notifying Twilight of her presence (which wouldn’t happen even if she used the Royal Canterlot Voice, she thought). No response, “Celestia?” She tried a little louder. Still nothing. Luna twisted her head round to see what Celestia was up to. Just as I thought, still pacing up and down, she’s going to have to replace those shoes for the 4th time this week. “CELESTIA!” completely abandoning the “stay secret” plan.
“Whah?!?” Celestia was so engrossed in her mental break down that she was unable to react fast enough to being off balance. Celestia toppled, as gracefully as one could topple. Her mane making a large over dramatic arch before resting upon her face. Celestia tried to blow her mane out of her face, but only succeeded in forcing it closer to her muzzle. Celestia was ticklish, so very ticklish and Luna loved that about her. And this was the one situation where a flowing mane of beauty was a burden, because as the hair landed on her muzzle it began to act much like a feather. And as her hair began to tickle her, Celestia’s legs shot out flailing with the express purpose of deposing of the menace. However as she could not see, she could not direct her hooves to the specific area where her muzzle was. Luna watched as her sister flailed her hooves around like a complete maniac. In a rare moment of complete seriousness Luna rated it as the most hilarious thing she had ever seen. Then broke out in side cracking fit of laughter, and she had not yet turned down her royal Canterlot voice.
“WAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!! Does Thou see your face?!?! AAHAHAHA!!” If I said that everypony just carried on and heeded no attention to uproar happening just above them I would be lying out my plot. Everypony within a good 500 meters heard everything, and when I say everypony I put emphasis on a very purple unicorn with a pink highlight. And no I’m not lying this time that would be redundant.
Twilight was having a very care-free evening (with the exception of her friends meeting her parents, we all know how that worked out). She and her friends had arrived at the carnival with the express pourpose of stuffing themselves with as much candy as one could possibly imagine, well at least Pinkie Pie wanted to. Twilight was actually just hoping to spend some time with Celestia and Sunshine (she also wanted to ride the toilet seat, but that’s not something you tell everypony). But as soon as she arrived she heard a loud hearty laugh that would make a pirate jealous emanate from the balcony about 120 meters above them. She instantly recognized the voice; it was the royal Canterlot voice she would know it anywhere. You would too if you had her shout her in your face for a whole evening. But what was she laughing at?
“AHAHAHAHAHA!! Thou act like a little foal! AHAHAHAH! OH my sister you are too funny!” So she’s laughing at her sister, the ruler of Canterlot where everypony can hear. Nothing out of the ordinary here. Twilight’s last thought just dripped with sarcasm.
“If anypony is wondering I shall be investigating as to why Luna seems to be laughing like a maniac.” And with a poof Twilight teleported to the balcony, in no way expecting to see what she did. Twilight tried, she really really tried to keep a straight face in the “face” of what she saw. She steeled her mind with every reason not to laugh ranging from “she’s your mentor!” to “she might banish you!” but nothing helped. And now we see one Alicorn flailing in vain in attempt to right herself, one Alicorn flailing in laugher and a unicorn pounding her hooves on the floor. And after a minute of said uproar Celestia was able to regain her sight, sense of balance yet she could not regain her dignity. But could care less about her dignity, Twilight sparkle was here! On her balcony! Laughing at her with Luna! *error 404: brain not found* So Celestia fainted.
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“Who on earth could that be?” Rarity asked as Twilight disappeared away.
“I believe that Twilight said it was Luna.” Apple jack replied.
“Do you think it would be a good idea check on them?”
“Nah, I think Twilight can handle it.” Apple jack said completely unaware she was wrong.
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Celestia smiled, she was laying on the beaches of Prance with the lasts issue of mare vogue in one hoof and ice cold tea in the other. As the master of the sun you would think that Celestia knew the true meaning of sun tanning. But she hardly got out, and she hadn’t experience a good holiday since she banished her sister to the moon. And you can’t really gauge the amount of time a pony spent in the sun by their coat. Otherwise some really unlucky ponies would be unable to move for the rest of their lives. Celestia sipped her ice tea as she read an article on how a certain lavender pony had risen to the top as the greatest model of all Equestria. After a while she flipped to the next page that had an easy questionnaire to see if you were in love with the Lavender mare. And no matter how random Celestia was with her answers she always got the same verdict. “Your completely head over hooves for her”, Well finally! A questionnaire that actually give a true verdict. “Celestia?” Celestia put her magazine down, to see that there was no pony on the beach except her. Odd. She picked up her magazine and turned to the next page that read in bold letters “Celestia?”. Well I know I’m famous for being the ruler of Equestria but I didn't know I was becoming fashionable again. She flipped to the next page where the text literally jumped out at her screaming “CELESTIA!”
“Gaaah!” Reality hit her like a brick. In her shock she managed to flip herself from her right side to her left. And now was sprawled out in a complete mess, “Oooh, my head. What happened?”
“Are you okay?!? I was so worried, you just fainted out on the balcony so I brought you inside and I thought the cold knocked you out so I put you in bed and got a hot water bottle but then you didn’t wake up so I got some books on fainting which surprisingly had a lot on how to feign it which I don’t really see why anypony would do that but then I read this medical book and it said that you could have fainted due to hypothermia and that you could die so I got more hot water bottle but now your okay but I was so worried you could have died because of me and I couldn’t live with the fact that I managed to kill my mentor and teacher you just mean so much to me can you ever urp!” Celestia stuck a hoof in Twilight’s mouth, aaaaahhhh peace and quiet. But she didn’t stop Twilight because she was ranting; Celestia was quite capable of surviving several hours of her lectures. No, she wanted to hear that last segment again.
“What was that last part, I’m afraid my hearing became impaired for a second there.” Twilight muffled a little, so Celestia withdrew her hoof hesitantly.
“The part where I said I managed to kill my mentor?” Twilight asked with caution, she didn’t know any spells that helped you breathe on the moon.
“No no, after that.” Celestia said as she sat up on her haunches.
“How you mean so much to me?” Celestia began to chuckle. “W...what’s so funny?”
“Oh my lovely Twilight, I’m just happy you still care for this old mare. And I find it rather humorous you would go to such lengths just for a simple fainting.”
“But...but I thought you were going to die!”
“Oh my dear Twilight it would take much more than a chill to kill me, you know that. I’m just happy you’re here.” Twilight blushed, Celestia was happy she was here? Her foal’s dreams were coming true!
“R...really?”
“Of course, now are we going to sit here and talk about how happy we are to see each other or are we going to join in the festival?” Twilight wished nothing more than to just sit there and talk, she had so much to talk about. But then she knew that Celestia as understanding as she could be wouldn’t want to sit there for hours on end.
“Go join the fun?” She said hopeful that Celestia would not catch her blatant attempt at a lie, with a horrible pony face to boot.
“That’s my Twilight!” She threw the covers of and scramble to her feet in a flurry of action. “Shall we go?” Twilight was confused; she had never seen the princess so active, maybe you got a fit of energy after being revived?
“O..Okay!” And so they headed out the door leaving Luna to try and gauge exactly what just happened.
____________________
“So where do you think she is now?” Rarity asked getting quite worried about Twilight’s disappearance.
“Ah don’t yah fret yerself over her, she’s ah full grown mare and she can handle herself. Ahm sure she’s fine.” Apple jack was trying to land a ring around one of the many little poles for the prize of one humongous rock in the shape of a diamond. She won it and then stuffed it in Rarities face “Here I got you a nice big diamond, so stop yer frettin kay?”
“Apple Jack! I thought we agreed that we would never talk about that again!” She shouted as she flung the “plush” rock at Apple Jack.
_______________
Twilight had to admit she was having the time of her life, she didn’t know Celestia was so much fun. Nor did she realize that Celestia’s mane could still look as it always did even after riding the Upside-Down Coaster. It was like a thousand invisible brushes ran through her mane all day. And it was really horrible when it blew into her face, because every time it did she would just blush. Never in all her years as Celestia’s own student been so close to her mentor for so long, she felt hot. But Twilight just thought it was because she was sitting next to the ruler of the sun. And every time she thought of the sun she was reminded that she had kind of ditched Sunshine and the crew. Maybe I should go check on them? No, I bet their fine. But Twilight wished Celestia could meet Sunshine; Twilight could only imagine that with Celestia in such a good mood things would go “swimmingly”. Maybe she would pop the question after this ride. For your information all these thoughts were taking place as Twilight screamed at the top of her lungs while being spun round at G-4 forces. She turned her head with much effort to see that Celestia was also screaming her head off while she had her hooves in the air (Celestia just didn’t care what her subjects thought at this moment), and raised her own hooves. This much to Twilight’s glee only made the ride more thrilling. “TWILIGHT!” Celestia called.
“WHAT?!?” Twilight couldn’t hear her over everypony else.
“I JUST WANTED TO TELL YOU!”
“WHAT?!?”
“THE TRAPDOOR BEHIND YOU IS A BOUT TO OPEN!”
“WAIT WHAT?!?” *KA-SHUNK!* the trapdoor behind Twilight flew open causing Twilight to fly out of the spinning ride at break neck speeds into a large net. After about a minute of trying to catch her breath and having no apparent ability to do so, Celestia joined her flying out of the ride. Twilight’s eyes went wide as she realized that Celestia’s current flight path was going to land Celestia on her. “AAAAAHHH!!!! OOFFFF!!” Twilight lost all ability to breath for the second time that night.
______________
“Are you sure we shouldn’t go check where Twilight is?” Rarity asked as she took a piece of the Candy Cloud™ she had just bought. Apple Jack was munching on a caramel apple.
“I told ye once I don’t want ta have ta tell you again. She’s fine; in fact I saw her getting into the toilet seat with Celestia.” Rarities eyes grew three sizes that night.
“You mean to tell me that our Twilight sparkle got into a ride designed to make you lose your lunch with the ruler of Equestria?” Rarity couldn’t believe what Apple Jack was telling her.
“Ya think I would lie? I am the element of honesty remember?”
“I guess, but the toilet seat? Of all things...”
“Come on now, she’s just trying to have a little fun, unlike you.”
“H..Hey! I’m having plenty fun thank you very much!”
“Whatever ya say sugercube.” She grinned as she took another bit of her apple completely expecting the meeting of her face and the Candy Cloud™.
_________________
“Well Twilight sparkle I didn’t know you were so soft.” Celestia said as they trotted away from the Toilet Seat. Twilight blushed again, why she was blushing so easily
“U...Umm thanks?” She tried to say. Wow, she really blushes easily. Or am I that good? They were heading out of the carnival, towards the palace gardens. Come now Celestia, the time is nigh. Celestia’s blood was boiling; her mind swam with thousands on memories none having any relevance to the task at hand. Her wings were trying to force themselves up, but Celestia was fighting back. The time is almost nigh. They arrived at an opening where a gazebo stood upon a slight hill, the night was still prevalent but path was light by beautiful lanterns. They were in the shape of the sun and gave off a soft orange glow.
“Come now Twilight let us sit and talk before I must raise the sun.” Okay, that was good, keep it up Celestia. Celestia said pointing to the spot next to her.
“O...Okay.” Why are you acting so nervous Twilight, you’ve known her for more than a decade!
“Tell me Twilight what do you think of my sunrise?” Celestia asked, eager to see if her student had truly been thinking of her when the sun rose.
“I...I think their beautiful.” *ffffffooooooommmmmmmppppppphhhhh* Celestia could no longer hold her wings down, but she managed to raise them softly enough that Twilight didn’t hear. Or at least that’s what she thought. “Umm... Celestia?” Twilight was beginning to become unsure of her mentor’s behavior, why would her wings be extended? Was it something I said? “Ah! Oh pay no attention to my wings Twilight, they...I need to air them once and a while, you have many Pegasus friends I’m sure you know that.” Yes that I do but I also know that they can put it down when they want to.
“C...Celestia I’m worried, are you sure you’ve recovered from your faint. You do not seem to be acting as yourself.” Twilight looked up at her mentor.
“I...I’m okay Twilight, but there is something I’ve been meaning to tell you. I’ve waited far too long to tell you.” Celestia’s heart raced, any more and it would fly out of her chest. There’s no time like the present...No time at all.
“Yes...?” Twilight wasn’t sure she was so on edge waiting to hear what Celestia had to say. As soon as they had decided to leave the carnival in search of something more private she had been on edge. And the bad thing is the feeling she felt was familiar but she could not place it, where have I felt this before?
“Twilight...I watched you grow from being a little filly with no control over her magic, to a full grown mare able to rid of anything. I’ve watched you go from an insecure egghead to one with a multitude of friends.” Twilight could help but blush, and blush crimson red. “I’ve watched you grow into the beautiful mare you are now Twilight...but I’ve never told you...but I want to...”
“Yes Celestia?” Twilight was on the edge, don’t stop now!
“I...I...I love you Twilight!” Celestia threw her hooves around Twilight and her wings embraced her too.
All the color in Twilight had disappeared; her face wore the blank expression of a mask. She was just a husk of Twilight, an exoskeleton. She couldn’t believe her ears, but it made so much sense now. Her mentor was being so kind, complimenting her every few seconds. All because she was in love with her. Why!?! Why did she have to be in love with her! Did Celestia no know she was in love herself? But I forgot to tell her! Now what is she going to think of me!?! She’s going to banish me! That’s what! Celestia let go off Twilight to see that it wasn’t the same purple mare she had hugged that she let go. “Twilight! Are you okay my love?” No! Please don’t say that! Twilight was shedding tears.
“no...no...No...NO...NO!” She shouted, at the top of her lungs. Celestia tried to comfort her, but Twilight knocked her hooves away. “Y...You can’t do that! Why would you do that!?!” She screamed, tears beginning their short journey to the gazebo floor. Celestia was so shocked she began to shed tears of worry for Twilight.
“Do what?” her voice was shaky, and it cracked halfway through.
“Love me! It’s not fair! Why do you love me!?!” the once trickling stream of tears was now a torrent. Twilight was completely shaken to the core, her mind was not working at it would.
“F...f...fair?” Celestia wanted so bad to just embrace Twilight and comfort her but every time she tried Twilight was swipe at her hooves.
“You can’t say you love me!” Twilight’s voice lowered, it was beyond shaky and large fissure had cropped up in her voice.
“I...I...I’m already in love...” And with that Twilight teleported away, she couldn’t bring herself to see the reaction of the princess.
It was as if the life had been sucked completely out of Celestia’s system, her whole body convulsed. Sobs racked her body, shaking her to the very core. She had lost her only love, she had made the only mare she loved in all of Equestria hate her. Celestia lay on the ground, crying to herself. It was all supposed to go smoothly, she was supposed to tell her and then they would raise the sun together. But now...The sun wouldn’t rise.
Authors notes:
I’m really sorry this is so late! But I hope the wait was worth it. Thanks for being so patient!
Twilight just ran, she ran and ran. Her hooves had become numb so long ago she didn’t remember. She was racing through the maze of the garden, going where? She didn’t care, as long as it was getting away from Celestia, Sunshine and everypony else. She didn’t want to face them, she couldn’t face them. What would they think of her? She couldn’t show her face anywhere near here anymore. She could no longer be Celestia’s student; she could never go back to ponyville. She would never see her friends again. Her only choice now was to go and live somewhere where no pony would look. But that was a thought for later, now she just ran in desperation and confusion.
The walls of the maze felt as if they were closing in on her, threatening to swallow Twilight up whole. Twilight was panicking, and her frazzled mind was not helping in anyway. She saw shadows creep up and try to grab at her; the huge hedges just keep on growing, they were towering around her. Like the massive towers in Canterlot, throwing their ever growing shadows around her, shadows that weren’t there. Her hooves met the ground in rapid succession, each step taking her further away from her problems. She came across a clearing in the heart of the maze, somewhere she wasn’t supposed to be. She was out of breath and on the brink of insanity. Twilight stumbled as she made her way to the center of the clearing, falling to the ground Twilight made no attempt to get up. But instead huddled herself against a statue that’s face she could not see, but before the growing tide of unconsciousness could claim her to its depths she caught eye of something. Something dragonesque.
Luna was panicking, It was almost morning and her sister was nowhere in sight. She had checked every last ride and every food stand. She had even gone to the library to see if Twilight was successful in getting Celestia to calm down. Nothing, not a book was out of place. She really had left no stone unturned, Arrrrgghhh! How could she forget her one most important responsibility!?! She could only think of one reason that Celestia could possibly forget, she must have gotten Twilight! If she could find Twilight she would find Celestia, but that was going to be just as hard. Luna was looking in all the wrong places really. And she was really freaking out. “Gaurds! I need the entire palace searched we must find her! Leave no stone un-turned! No room unchecked! Now go, there is little time till morning!”
“Princess!” Luna had just ordered a search party for her sister, the ruler of Equestria. But Luna had no time to chuckle at the irony of the situation. If they couldn’t find her sister within 10 minutes they will miss the mark, and Equestria will have to spend another day in darkness. Something even Luna wasn’t looking forward to. Ponies were going to make connections and Luna wasn’t going to be safe for very long. She had to find Celestia before it was too late, but time was running out like an hourglass with a hole.
“Okay, I haven’t seen Twilight since we arrived at the festival and I don’t like it. We need to go find her.” Her eyes were filled with worry. Every pony nodded their heads.
“As much as ah hate ta say it, I think Rarity’s right. Ah aint seen her for a long time, and Celestia don’t just disappear like that.” Apple Jack spoke up; she couldn’t help but agree with Rarity. The sun was going to rise soon and no pony had even seen Twilight except for glimpses. And they could have been anypony.
“But where could she go? She could be anywhere, she knows more about the palace than all of us.” Sunshine had joined them an hour ago after watching trailing with Dash as they went to go visit the wonder bolts. She was couldn’t help but worry what had happened to her mare-friend. “She could be anywhere!” Things were getting to her; she hadn’t seen Twilight since they got here and she was really starting to worry. She had understood how Twilight wanted to spend as much time as she could with her mentor. It was all she talked about today, but she would never be late for the sun rise. Maybe she fell asleep some place? No that’s not like Twilight. “But where do we look?”
“Ahm not sure, maybe she’s at the library, me an Rarity will go look.” Rarity nodded.
“Then me and sunshine will go check the gardens” Fluttershy was being more assertive than normal, but then again a friend was missing.
“And me and Pinkie will continue to check around here, Spike you and apple bloom stay here in case they come back okay?” Rainbow Dash said. But the crowds were growing, everypony was eager to see the sun rise. That was the whole point of the festival. Spike nodded and so did Apple bloom. So the group went their ways in attempts to find locate the elusive mare. Twilight ya better not have gotten yourself into trouble ya hear now? Apple Jack thought as she climbed the steps to the palace library.
As Apple Jack and Rarity neared the library they were quick to realize that no pony was around. It was completely deserted and none of the beautiful lamps elsewhere shone here. A cold wind blew down the steps sending shivers through the mares. Apple Jack was wearing the coat Rarity had made them, and she didn’t half hate it. Rarity was wearing hers and Apple Jack could easily say that it made her look stunning, but she didn’t. Their walking was not silent, with each step a loud *clop* reverberated around them, sounding almost menacing. The snow fell softly settling slowly around the two and they made their way slowly to the library. They could see the doors now. The large double doors made out of teak bore down on them promising no easy entry. But nothing was going to stop Apple Jack now, not while her friend was missing. “Stand back sugar cube, these doors aint gonna open too easily.” Rarity nodded and stepped back, she could hear the force in Apple Jack's voice.
Apple Jack took a stance in front of the doors, facing away. Swaying back and forth she built up as much momentum as she could, she wasn’t going to trust her standing buck to do the job. After the thir sway forwards she raised her back hooves with the grace of Rarity and bucked with the power of a dragon. Her hooves landed squarely in the middle of the doors and with a loud *CRACK* the doors swung open with ease. Almost too easily, Apple Jack turned round to see the librarian at the far corner scarred right out of her coat. “ehehe, sorry bout that, ah thought it would be closed.” Rarity rolled her eyes, sometimes Apple Jack was a little too quick to jump to conclusions. But she wouldn’t have her any other way. They walked in and closed the doors behind them as another draft of cold air past through. “Wow, it’s mighty warm in here.” She said as she undid the lace on her coat, she let is slide to the floor and hung it on the coat rack nearby. Rarity did the same with hers. The Library was massive and Apple Jack was almost certain if they were here that it would take them far too long to find Twilight. So she chose a path and set down it, that is until Rarity grabbed her by the tail and tugged. Rarity let go of Apple Jack's tail and gave a slight *cough* as she nodded her head in the direction of the librarian. “Oh rite. Heh, mighty sorry Rarity.” Rarity just smiled softly and walked over to the librarian who was busy catching her breath.
“Excuse my friends sudden entry, we are trying to get her pay attention to her surroundings before assuming.”
“Hey now.” Apple jack began but Rarity just waved a hoof dismissively.
“But we were wondering if you happened to see a lavender mare come by here. She has a pink streak in her hair and bookish feeling about her.” Rarity thought that was a rather accurate description of Twilight.
“Oh you mean Twilight, yes I know of her. In fact she’s was the most frequent visitor to this library back when she studied here. She came by earlier today with another friend, Sunshine was her name I believe.”
“And tonight? Did she return?” Rarity asked again.
“No, I haven’t seen her return tonight. But I’m sure she’ll be back tomorrow if you don’t find her.” The librarian explained as she set a few heavy tomes onto the book cart. Binding Spine was her name, making long trips into the heart of the library for days on end was her game. “Now if you don’t require anything else I shall be going now. Tell Twilight to find me in the pre Luna’s banishment history section if she asks.” And with that Binding Spine trotted down the aisle took a sharp left and was gone. The soft light of her candle slowly fading behind her, leaving Apple jack and Rarity sitting at the entrance of the library alone.
“Well now we know she isn’t in the library, where could she be?” Rarity asked Apple jack completely out of ideas of where to find the lavender mare. They had gone to the most likely place that they thought Twilight would be. They went through the list of most likely places counting down in likeliness. Library, done. Festival, they were just there, Canterlot, not when they were her for the sun rise. Then they remembered something she said earlier about seeing the statues in the garden. But she’d only go there with somepony else... Of course! She was with Celestia, and the sun was going to rise soon which meant Twilight would arrive when the princess did. They left the library in a hurry eager not to miss the sunrise. But as the raced down the steps, something flew up above them; Rarity looked up to see it was the royal guards. And they looked like they were looking for something. She called up to them “Sir! Hello? Yes you good sir, what are you searching for if I may ask?” The guard flew down to hover just above the ground.
“We are on the lookout for princess Celestia, she is missing and the sunrise is in 5 minutes, have you seen her?” Rarity's eyes widened for the second time that night. The princess missing?! And Twilight was with her! Oh this is worse than we thought. She shook her head furiously and as the guard thanked them and left she turned to Apple Jack.
“Celestia is missing which can only mean she’s in trouble! We need to gather the girls and quickly!” Apple Jack nodded in agreement. So they raced down the stairs quicker than ever, going straight for where they left Spike and Apple Bloom. Apple Jack was relieved to see her little sister and her dragon companion sitting on a bench not far from where the group had split up.
“Apple Bloom! Spike! Have you guys seen Twilight or Celestia?”
“No, we’ve been sitting here since you left, did you guys find them?”
“No, we checked the library and the librarian said that he hadn’t seen Twilight come in since this afternoon with Sunshine.” Rarity explained quickly twisting her head from side to side hoping to spot on of the other girls, but no with no luck. They either haven’t returned or they must have found something. Then she caught eye of the Technicolor mane coming her way, and Pinkie pie bouncing not far behind her. Pinkie Pie had a Candy Cloud™ in her mouth; they stopped to get something to eat?!? Rarity was about to give them a mouth full.
“Did you girls stop to get something to eat?!? When Twilight and Celestia are missing and most likely in big trouble?!?” Rainbow Dash wasn’t expecting the sudden interrogation and quickly raised her hooves to deny the fact.
“Whoa, whoa, whoa, who said I stopped? I never stopped looking; Pinkie on the other hand seems quite able to do both.” Well...Yes that is the Pinkie Pie I know for sure. But that still left Fluttershy and Sunshine.
“So that leaves Fluttershy and Sunshine, they said they were headed to the gardens. I suggest we go join them seeing as we had no luck ourselves.” Every pony nodded in agreement. “Spike you stay with Apple Bloom in case they come back. Okay everypony we have a princess to find!” And with that the group headed off to the palace gardens. Leaving the baby dragon and the young filly to their own devices.
“You do realize they didn’t say, to stay here right?” Spike said completely unaware of the situation at hoof. Apple bloom was already walking away.
“Already ahead of ya spike, let’s go check out that candy floss place.”
Fluttershy despite being in the gardens for the express purpose to find her friend, and her friend’s mare-friend, was taking her time to say hi to all the animals that weren’t hibernating. Sunshine understood her love for animals but at the time there was something far more important at stake, her mare-friend. She pulled at Fluttershy tail dragging her away from a family of owls and down the main path light by lanterns. They were very peculiar lanterns Sunshine thought; she noticed that they only lined this path. What was so important about this path? It was a gravel path, but the stones were smooth and perfectly rounded. Trimmed bushes lined the path with a tree at every third bush. The trees were tall maples with most of their bark gone from old age leaving a soft smooth underbelly. Their leaves all gone and swept up by the gardeners who tended to the garden day in and day out, keeping it in pristine condition constantly. Sunshine was at awe at the beauty of the gardens, even at night it had the most calming atmosphere. She could only imagine how beautiful it would be when spring came along and winter was wrapped up. She had always meant to see how the unicorns did it.
“Uumm, Sunshine...I can walk now..If you could let go of my tail...please?” Sunshine had totally forgotten that she was still dragging the yellow mare by her soft pink tail.
“Oh! Yaf! *spitoey*, ah sorry Fluttershy, I just got caught up in thought.” Fluttershy smiled at her, wow, she really is cute when she does that.
“Don’t worry Sunshine, we’ll find Twilight. I’m sure nothing at all happened.” Instantly Sunshine's mind switched its focus back to her marefriend. She hadn’t known Twilight for too long, but she was sure Twilight would go running off all of a sudden.
“Yea, I really hope we find her soon. It...It’s not the same without her...” Fluttershy just smiled, she was genuinely happy that they had found love. She just wished she could find some of her own. The path widened, and now had enough space for three Pegasus to walk side by side with their wings out. The moon was still shining brightly in the sky, making it easy to see through the dark garden. Up ahead Fluttershy could see a gazebo up upon a hill. It was a plain and simple gazebo, painted white like the snow that lay over the ground like a soft sprinkle of powdered sugar. It wasn’t high up but Fluttershy thought it might give them a good vantage point (Fluttershy walked a lot and so tended to forget she could fly once in a while). As they neared Fluttershy’s ears perked up, she heard something. She motioned for Sunshine to still herself, and she strained her hearing. It was as faint as a whisper, but she couldn’t quite place it; so tentatively she moved towards the gazebo, Sunshine watching in confusion. She didn’t know what the sound was but it forced her motherly instincts in to gear. As she moved closer to the gazebo, the sound became clear as the night sky. Some pony was crying. This threw Fluttershy’s motherly instinct into full gear and she galloped up the rest of the hill, Sunshine struggling to keep up with her. Come on Fluttershy, Twilight’s in trouble why are you moving so slow? Fluttershy thought only to comfort her, questions could come later. But as her hooves landed on the gazeebo’s wooden floor, her heart mind and soul froze. Lying in front of her, crying her eyes out was the ruler of Equestria.
Despite Twilight’s prior situation her dream was no nightmare. She walked down a country path, it was winter yet the tree’s still held their crispy brown leaves. The path had been shoveled yet Twilight saw no sign of any pony, not even hoof prints. The sun stood behind the mountain, almost afraid Twilight would see it. But Twilight wasn’t even aware of the sky and the sun, her attention was drawn to a sign post up ahead. As she neared the board the scenery began to change, the expanse of trees gave way to a barren wasteland. The clear blue sky darkened till it was black as a raven’s feather, and a bridge raised it self; creating a rift between the island it was on and Twilight. There was no wind; there was no light save that of the twinkling stars. Twilight crossed the bridge slowly, admiring the night sky. The wastelands gave not a dark and sinister atmosphere but calm and collect one, a place to think and remember. A place Twilight felt very much in tuned with this place. As she neared the sign posts a wind began to blow from behind her, It slowly crept up behind her. Twilight stood before the sign post, it was large, much larger than she had first thought. It towered above her; strange engravings seemed to flow thought it. The direction posts spread wide to each side of the pole, each one had what seemed to be a poem engraved into it. The one pointing right said
“To the right forever you shall live, a long happy life it shall give Reflect wisely for once you start, this path you cannot depart Down this path eternal love you will find But those close to you, shall be left behind”
Twilight was no poet, nor had she spent a lot of her years doing literary analysis but the prize down this path was clear to her. An eternal life with Celestia, a dream she had and continued to hold dear, now open to her grasp. She turned her head to read the sign on the left. It read:
“A eternal life you may not live, but a fulfilling one this path shall give Loving warmth from not one but two, a humble heart bestowed to you Down this path a true life you shall follow But a gripping regret may leave you hollow”
Sunshine. Sunshine and Dinky, if she followed this path she would live a life with Sunshine and Dinky. To see the happy faces each day, until they day she died. Her mortal life she would be fulfilling if she stuck to this path, and that’s what Twilight believed the last line emphasized. The regret of knowing that she could have lived for ever. To a wandering fool the choice may be easy, but for Twilight she knew both side’s held something she wanted so dearly. Sunshine had been her first love; she had shown Twilight the meaning of love and happiness. And though Twilight knew Dinky wasn’t her child, she knew the joy of being a mother. She owed her happiness to Sunshine.
But she couldn’t put down her childhood dreams, her fantasies. Of forever living under Celestia’s wings, forever in her loving and knowing embrace. She wanted nothing more than to have Celestia’s acknowledgement, and now that and more was offered to her, she couldn’t just discard it like that. She wanted to be in Celestia’s life, and she had the chance to be in hers forever. Twilight thought she had figured out her choice, as she turned to the right she looked at the sign once more and faltered. She came to a complete stop even before she had taken one step. Her friends, her family, every one she knew, she’d be leaving them behind. Leaving them to slowly wither away while she watched, she couldn’t do that to them. They had given her so much. She sunk to her knees, the memories of her friends and their adventures. The wind billowed around her, forcing her to remember, everything that was, giving hint to what will be. She couldn't choose, she didn’t want to choose. She couldn’t leave her friends and family but she couldn’t give up her dreams. She hung her head in silence, facing the signs reminded her of the choice she was going to have to make. The wind pushing her left, pushing her right, it was forcing her into a answer. Twilight was getting angry; the wind was pushing her to do something she couldn’t do, something she would never think of rushing. Its voice’s were maddening “left~ go left~”, then “follow your desire, the right path would be wiser~”. They wouldn’t stop, they wouldn’t go away! Shut up! “Don’t shun us don’t you see? Happiness is what we bring thee~.”
“NO! YOU BRING ME THE OPPOSTITE!”
“You hesitate little pony, we don’t like to see you lonely~”
“THEN LEAVE ME!” Twilight screamed at the top of her lungs, her rage forcing her to tap into her magic. The effects were that of the Royal Canterlot voice.
“Do I sense a little...discord?” The voice was familiar, but it bore no resemblance to the mind numbing voices of the wind. “You sleep to long, wake up.” And with what sounded like a snapping of claws the wasteland melted away, and her eyes showed something else entirely. A figure stood tall before her. She instantly knew the name, Discord! The name rung in her head like Astreal, the weeper. The deep sound reverberated thought her mind as she scrambled to her feet. Twilight didn’t know how he had returned nor did she wait for him to start talking, she had a teleport spell ready. Her horn glowed bright, but then flickered, and stopped glowing. She wasn’t physically and mentally able to do anything, she sunk to her knee’s. She couldn’t do anything, but she wouldn’t give up, and the one thing discord loved was the word games. And she was good with words.
“Discord... how did you manage to break free this time? I don’t see a bunch of fighting fillies.” She attempted to sound confident but came out sounding anything but that.
“Aww Twilight, why so harsh with your words? And you should know, you let me out after all.” He was being smug.
“M..Me? But I’m not fighting with anyone!”
“Oh, but your mind doesn’t seem to be one with order. Chaos starts in the mind, it’s strongest there, and I can feel your chaos. You must really be punching yourself up about something. Tell me what Twilight.”
“W..w..what?” She heard nothing but the last four words, she had fully expected for him to snap his fingers and for it to rain cats and dogs.
“Oh Twilight you still take me for a prankster with no morals? How naïve of you Twilight, I expected better from Celestia’s star student.” He sat, a large tree stump with the face of a duck, with a lollipop in its mouth appeared.
“But..But you tried to destroy Equestria!” She may not be able to stand but she could shout.
“But that’s what Celestia told you. Tell me Twilight, were you ever taught to see both sides of a story? You seemed very willing to see her side of the story.” A table popped up in front of him, a tea set appeared on it. Twilight was raised on a seat similar to discords. She looked down at the seat, then back at discord. He was wearing a top hat, a card stuck out of it with 42/0 down its side.
“I...She did, but that doesn’t change what you tried to do!”
“Now now Twilight, just because your mentor still has ill feelings for me doesn’t mean you should.”
“What!?!”
“Oh don’t act like you didn’t hear me my little pony. I think she still getting over yours truly. I mean how do you think I got turned to stone? For playing harmless pranks?”
“Your pranks aren’t harmless! And you were turned to stone because you tried to take over Equestria!”
“I was just having a little fun, and plus where do you think she learned how to pull such perfect pranks? I mean you don’t just get the idea for marshmallow rain.”
“But, how did you know? Did you really...date Celestia?”
“Yes, Twilight I used to date your mentor. Long before your grandparents were even born. But that’s over now, she seems to have moved on and so have I. And I think she’s done pretty well, you are quite the catch Twilight Sparkle.”
“I..I..What?”
“Are you always so modest? Yes Twilight Sparkle you are a very attractive pony, and if Celestia hadn’t already claimed you I might have. But that’s not why I’m here isn’t it?”
“No... Why are you here?”
“You Twilight Sparkle have met a fork in the road. And it seems the Wind of indecision hasn’t helped has it?” Twilights head fell to the table, he was right. “And that raging discord with the wind was strong enough to free me, chaos is strongest in the mind; and your mind is very strong.”
“I just don’t know what to do! How can she do this to me! No dropping hints, I haven’t even talked to her for a whole month until tonight!”
“Oh dear, it is bad. But then again it would have to be to set me free. What has she done this time?” Twilight, didn’t know why she was spilling for him, but it felt oddly good.
“She says she loves me! She says she wants to be with me forever! Forever’s a long time! And how could she not know I was it love already! She’s the bucking ruler of Equestria!”
“Oh! You’re in love already? Who is it? Hmmmmmmm?” Discord put his elbows on the table and lay his head on his hands.
“S..Sunshine” Twilight peeped.
“Oh, a mare’s name no doubt. But then again you are, what is it they call them...fillyfooler.”
“I..I..yea that’s true.” Discord popped to the chair next to Twilight.
“Listen my dear Twilight, your looking at this to logically. Take a chance! Let chaos do its thing. Take them both!”
“But I can’t decid...Wait What?!?”
“Still acting like your deaf Twilight? You heard me, sharing is caring~” A rather large chocolate cake popped into existence and a knife in discords hand. He placed both in front of Twilight. “Look Twilight, here is a cake. One half represents Celestia, and the other Sunshine. Now you can either cut the cake in half and forget the other piece. Or you can take the whole cake and enjoy both halves to yourself.”
“But I can’t eat that much...My hearts not big enough for both of them Discord.”
“Well that can be changed.” He snapped his fingers again. “Now my dear you have two hearts, with twice the space.” He was right, she could feel the out of beat second heart, *thump* *thomb* *thump* *thomp*.
“That’s not what I meant!” He snapped his fingers, *thump* *thump* *thump*.
“Look my dear Twilight; sharing is the best way out of this. And knowing Celestia, as long as she has you she’s okay with anything really. How do you think I got away with my pranks the first time?”
“I...I..But I can’t love them both that would be immoral!”
“Immoral, shmoral. You know it’s the best solution. I’m willing to best Celestia will to, Sunshine.”
“No! I can’t share love! That’s not something you share! Ever! Thanks for not going on a rampage but I’m done here.” She stood up and started to walk away.
“Oh come on Twilight, a little chaos never hurt anypony. But don’t say I didn’t try to help, I do only want the best for my Tia.” He watched as Twilight walked away, mad as anything. He shrugged and stood upon his pedestal, now to strike a pose worthy of the ruler of chaos. He stuck one hand out to the side above his head, one further down on his belly and got up on his toes. Then he turned once again to stone, waiting to fulfill his millennia long imprisonment. He just wished he would get visitors more often.
“Cellestia? Celestia...ummm...excuse me?” Fluttershy wasn’t sure how to approach a bawling princess of the sun.
“Fl...Fl-Fluthershy... I...I..I..” Celestia tried to speak but the words just would come out right.
“Shush...Shush, take a deep breath.” Despite the fact that Celestia was at least three times as big as Fluttershy, Fluttershy was trying to calm her by stroking her soft mane. Celestia took a few, loud and deep breaths. “Now, tell Fluttershy all about it.”
“Twilight...she...”
“Where is Twilight?” Sunshine spoke up the instant she mentioned her missing marefriend.
“She...She went into the maze, I tried to tell her not to but...she wouldn’t listen.” Fluttershy frowned; Twilight would never do something against Celestia’s will. Especially something as dangerous as this.
“Why did she go into the maze?” Sunshine was getting more and more worried by the minute.
“Because I...She, but...” Then it all clicked, this was the mare she said she was in love with, the reason she had blown up and left her. Why she ran into the maze in such a state of despair.
“Why? What did you do?” Sunshine didn’t mean to shout but Twilight’s life could be on the line.
“Sunshine! Don’t you shout at her! Can’t you see she’s in no state to talk! Shush...Calm down, its okay.” Sunshine was taken aback by Fluttershy’s outburst.
“I...I’m sorry.”
“No...I...I’m sorry; I didn’t understand what was going on, and...And I...” She paused; Celestia really didn’t want another person blowing up in her face again. “I told her...I love her...” she braced, and just in time.
“WHAT! Y-Y-YOU! YOU TRIED TO TAKE TWILIGHT FROM ME!”
“I...I didn’t see...”
“I DON’T CARE IF YOU SAW OR NOT! HOW DARE YOU TRY TO TAKE HER FROM ME?” Celestia curled up into a tighter ball now that Sunshine was screaming her heart out at her.
“But..I”
“BUT I NOTHING!”
“Sunshine!” Everypony swiveled their heads to see, that Twilight had emerged from the maze. “Don’t you ever talk to my mentor like that?” She’s defending Celestia!? But...why?!? She must...NO...But...
“So that’s how it is now! The ruler of Equestria says she loves you and you forget me?!? Was I just a thing to you! Just some fun thing to do before you moved on to the big shots!”
“No..Sunshine I...”
“I DON’T WANT TO HEAR IT! IT’S OVER TIWLIGHT!”
“No Sunshine! Please...p-p-please...” She looked to Fluttershy, who nodded knowing that Twilight needed her to follow Sunshine, she abandoned her place next to Celestia and flew of after Sunshine. Somepony had to calm her down and she knew it wasn't going to be Twilight.
Twilight watched as the two Pegasus flew of into the night, then something on the other end of the gazebo caught her eye. It was her mentor getting up to leave . “C-C-Celestia...”
“No Twilight, I don’t think I can stay... i-I’ve already caused enough damage...”
“No...please don’t leave...” But Celestia didn’t listen; she got up, tears dripping to the floor. “Goodbye my faithful student.” And with a few powerful flaps of her wings she was gone. Leaving Twilight alone for the second time that night.
“I...I..don’t want to be alone...” Now more than ever, did she feel the sting of the winter wind. Luna who watched it all unfold, approached her, but Twilight was already being taken by sleeps embrace again. Luna lay next to her, a wing over her to try and keep her warm. Tonight was going to be a long night.
“You are my sunshine, My only sunshine You make me happy When sky’s are gray You’ll never know dear, how much I love you So please don’t”
“Take...my...” Twilight forced herself to finish “sunshine...away.”
I don’t own My Little Pony or any other trademark entities in this fic. I don’t even know how to draw properly.
Dinky’s offer
Side story
Ditsy’s house lay on the outskirts of ponyville so all the music of winter solstices parties didn’t reach it. Making it the perfect place to go for some beauty sleep. It was a quaint little house, with two floors. Nothing to impressive, but certainly a very cozy house indeed. It comprised of five rooms two bedrooms and one toilet upstairs, and the kitchen and dining room/living room downstairs. And lying on the couch of the living room was ponyville resident teacher, Cheerilee, whom was snoring louder than a Vorgon with asthma. The sun was nowhere to be seen and it was already past time that it should have started rising. Most ponies were either partying to hard or trying to block out the noise of those partying too hard to notice. But one pony managed to get a good look at the sky and think isn’t the sun supposed to rise now? However that pony is irrelevant to this particular tale and so we’ll leave him alone. But fortunately Dinky was also waking at that very moment, she rolled around in her bed a few times still half asleep before prying her eyes open. They were not greeted by warm sunlight filtering through her window, and neither was she welcomed by the thick aroma of muffins in the oven. Her brain thinking she was up too early decided to shut down again, which was promptly overridden by the alarm clock on her bedside. *BRIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNGGGGGG!!!!* Dinkies reactions kicked in and slapped the alarm clock turning it off. She was awake now, and nothing (not even sleeping pills ) would put her too sleep again. She lay there with absolutely no intention of getting up, conflicting thoughts ran their course. Should I get up, the clock says seven o’clock. But where’s the sun then?Maybe it’s a little late?The sun is never late.There’s a first for everything.Except that which happens every day without fault. Maybe the princess forgot?This is Celestia were talking about right? Yea.Celestia doesn’t forget. Well its seven and seven is breakfast time. So after a bit of grumbling she rose out of bed and walked up to the window, and thought “isn’t the sun supposed to rise now?” Dinky wasn’t sure but she was willing to bet that there must be at least one day in the year where Celestia is allowed to sleep late. Everypony should get to sleep in, Dinky couldn’t imagine life without late mornings.
She would have to ask her mom about this, to which her mind promptly reminded her that her mom was in Canterlot with her other mom. She was so happy for her mom’s, and saw absolutely no reason why she shouldn’t. Such thoughts didn’t even occur to her. Then she wondered if her other mom could cook, so they could do baking parties. The universe in a last ditch attempt to save Equestria from certain muffin shaped doom, granted Twilight the ability to operate a oven (without destroying it). Of course the physical effects of this sudden decision by the universe resulted in nothing more than a batch of freshly baked muffins. Placed on the moon (where they sat until Luna dropped by with her fiancé for a honey moon, unfortunately for coincidence they weren’t honey nut muffins). Dinky unawares to all this remembered that Cheerilee her teacher had opted to watch her while her mom’s were gone, maybe she knows, she is a teacher. Dinky trotted down the stairs towards the strangely silent kitchen. The bowls were in their place, the sink was free of dishes and the oven was off. If this didn’t signify Sunshine’s absence then Dinky didn’t know what did. Instead she heard a noise that sounded not unlike the noise made by the dragon that had decided to nap near ponyville emanating from the living room. It scared her, because for all Dinky knew there could be a dragon in her living room; and she didn’t want that at all. Creeping slowly in the direction of the living room Dinky took as much precaution as possible, but as she passed under the door way she could see a white and pink tail came into view. Dinky sighed a breath of relief, and proceeded to bounce her way to the couch where here teacher was having a wonderful dream. This ended when Dinky landed upon her exposed stomach. *Whomp* “Goooood morning Cheerilee!” Dinky shouted.
“Oof! Dinky, did your mom ever tell not to jump on sleeping ponies?” She rubbed her sore stomach as she got off the couch, awake.
“Which mom?” Dinky responded, turning her head to the side with a confused expression. Cheerilee was at loss, she had no idea what Dinky meant by that. Did Dinky have two mom’s?
“Well...um...Who’s your other mom?” Cheerilee had no clue how to ask this sort of question.
“Oh! You mean my new mom Twilight!? No she hasn't ever told me to not jump on sleeping ponies.” Cheerilee was completely flabbergasted. Dinky thought Twilight was her mom? She was herself old enough to be Twilight’s mom, but that wasn’t the issue.
“Are..I mean are you sure she’s your mom? I thought Sunshine was your mom.” Cheerilee sat down.
“Oh she’s always been my mom but Twilights my new mom! They had a party and everything!” Twilight got married to Sunshine and I didn’t know!?
“Wait... a Pinkie Pie party or a real wedding party?”
“Pinkie threw the party! At Bon Bon’s, weren’t you there? I thought Pinkie Pie invites everypony.” The confused look returned. Cheerilee thought a moment, then remembered Pinkie had come to see her a few days ago about a party.
~
Flash back:
“Sheesh, how am I possibly going to get all this work done before tomorrow?” Cheerilee was staring at the huge pile of paper work in front of her. There were tests to be marked, art to be critiqued and the play to get ready for that very night. The students were outside currently going over their lines. The play had definitively been a stressful affair, Cheerilee loved her students but there was a big line between acting and just saying lines. But she knew the parents would love it anyway, they always did. Just then Cheerilee heard rustling behind her, she turned round expecting a student, but she saw nothing. With a shrug she headed for the door which she opened to see Pinkie Pie standing in the doorway.
“Hiya Cheerilee! I have a surprise party waiting and I need ponies to surprise with! Can you come?! Huh? Huh? Huh?”
“Oh hi Pinkie Pie, what’s the occasion, or is this just another of your ‘I’m throwing a party because I want to party’?” Pinkie Pie tended to throw a lot of those, they were fun, they always were but sometimes she didn’t know where to stop. Cheerilee doubted that she could.
“No Silly! It’s a surprise party!”
“So what’s the surprise? And whose it for?”
“That’s a surprise! You’ll have to come and see!” A surprise within a surprise party?
“Sounds fun but I have a lot of work to do. The play is tonight and I have tones of paperwork to do before the winter break.”
“Awww are you sure? It won’t be the same without you.” Pinkie pie was being sincere, when it came to parties Cheerilee knew how to throw down.
“Yea, I’m sorry Pinkie Pie. But I promise I’ll come to the next one.”
“Pinkie promise?”
“Of course, cross my heart hope to fly stick a cupcake in my eye” Cheerilee knew the routine so she knew to close her eye’s avoiding any unnecessary eye poking. Which made something in the far reaches of the universe feel cheated.
“Okey dokey lokey! Bye!”
“See you later!” Pinkie Pie left the school house, leaving Cheerilee to ponder the surprise of the surprise party.
~
Soo that must have been the surprise and a surprise it is. Sunshine dating Twilight, I thought Twilight didn’t get out much. She’ll have to tell me how they met over lunch someday. Plus Dinky seems to like here, so It’s all good I’m guessing. “So how long have you had two moms?”
“A few days.” So not long.
“Okay, well...what time is it?” She said looking outside.
“Its seven o’clock! My alarm clock said so!”
“Are you sure you didn’t read it wrong? I thought the sun was supposed to rise around this time.
“No, it said seven. I checked twice.”
“Huh, well that’s weird. Well let’s have breakfast anyway. What does Sunshine normally make for you?”
“She makes muffins! But I know how to make them too!”
“Oh that’s good, care to show me? I don’t know how to make them.” So Dinky and Cheerilee got to baking, the right way. They decided to make some banana muffins that morning to Cheerilee cut up the bananas and Dinky mixed the dry ingredients. Cheerilee was on edge the whole time, fearing an unscheduled drop in by Pinkie. She always was when she was baking. Then she remembered that Pinkie had gone with Twilight and Sunshine to Canterlot for the festival. Not long after they had started they had all the ingredients mixed up and ready to go into the oven, which Cheerilee had prepd. Dinky may know how to use it but she’s just a filly. The muffins went in and Cheerilee set the timer for 20 minutes.
As they waited for the muffins the pair sat at the dining table discussing future plans of the day. “So, what would you like to do today Dinky?” That is if the sun rises.
“I don’t know it’s kinda weird to go outside when there’s no sun.” Even when Dinky sat on the chair she needed books to be able to put her hooves on the table. “But we normally go to the park in the morning. How about you? Wadda ya want to do?”
“I think the park is a fine idea.” They continued to chat until the muffins were done, they each had two and Cheerilee put the rest in her saddle bag to eat at the park. After putting on some warm clothes set headed out for pony ville’s park. The night was cold but it wasn’t freezing. The wind had stopped and the snow wasn’t falling. Ponyville’s lamps were still on seeing as the lamp man hadn’t woken up on account of the sun failing to wake him. The park was dark and desolate, Cheerilee couldn't see any pony. But once they had arrived at the center she could see a single lamp flicker away in the night. She couldn’t see who it was but she intended to find out. She almost lost the muffin in her mouth when she realized it was Pip. He was wrapped in what looked like 4 blankets, and a beanie. The lamp set down next to him was a jack o lantern that she recognized from this year’s night mare night. What’s he doing all alone out here? As they got closer Pip heard them and spun round to see Cheerilee and Dinky walking up the park path. He shed the blankets and ran up to them “Hi miss Cheerilee! H-Hi Dinky! What are you guys doing here?”
“Hello Pip, I could ask the same thing of you.” Dinky just waved.
“Oh me? I’m here to watch the sun rise, but I think I’m a little early. Did you guys come to watch too?” Pip was about Dinky’s age and they were both in the same class together, he always seemed to either where his pirate suit of his school uniform so seeing him without one was rather interesting. Cheerilee had always found him to be a very good student, and often thought the brown splotches on his coat were rather nice. Dinky thought the same thing but her thought patterns were a little less ordered, she particularly liked the brown splotch on his eye that made him naturally look like a pirate.
“No I’m afraid we didn’t come to see the sun rise, it’s actually past seven o’clock Pip.” His brows dropped and he scrunched his nose in confusion.
“But the sun is supposed to rise at six, how come it hasn’t risen? Did Celestia forget?”
“Oh I doubt she did, maybe she’s just sick.” Cheerilee knew the situation was far worse but she didn’t want to scare the children. And a dark and desolate park is the worst place to do it.
“Oh, well I hope she gets better soon so she can raise the sun. It’s too cold at night.” Pip began to shiver, he longed for his blankets.
“It is rather chilly isn’t it? Oh Pip your shivering, here I have a extra jacket in here...” Cheerilee set her saddle bags down and began rummaging through them, after a few seconds of silence she tried to talk again (with the jacket in her mouth) “Herf ur gof Pith, takt tit plth.” Despite freezing to the bone Pip managed to chuckle a little.
“Thanks miss Cheerilee!” He tried putting it on, it was a little big and made him look like he was wearing a trench coat. It was a brownish sweater with buttons along the front of it. It was big but boy was it warm. “Wow, it’s really warm, thanks so much miss Cheerilee!” Cheerilee smiled.
“It’s no problem Pip, but what are you doing out here so early? And where are you parents?” Come to think of it, she didn’t know Pip’s parents. She hadn’t seen them at the parent teacher conference, or the beginning of school year meeting. And she hadn’t seen them come pick up Pip once.
“I came to see the sunrise remember! I don’t know where my parents are Miss Cheerilee.” His face dropped a little, not enough for Cheerilee to notice but it was there.
“Aren’t they at your house?” Another thing she didn’t know; where Pip lived.
“No... I told you, I don’t know where they are.” Now Cheerilee could see the despondent look in his face.
“You don’t have a momma...? I know I have two momma’s so we can share together!” Dinky whom had been rather quite the whole time suddenly spoke up. And completely shocked her company with the outburst.
“Tw-two?” Pip, whom was the most shocked was trying to wrap his head around the idea of two mothers. Who can blame him, he is only ten.
“Yea! You know how your momma makes breakfast and takes you to the park and stuff? Well with two mommas the fun doubles!” Dinky raised both her hooves to try and emphasize her point.
“N-no, I can’t say I have...sorry.” The sadness in his voice grew heavy with memory. Memories of watching everypony have those things, but not him.
“Well now you can know!” Dinky was bouncing around unawares of how Pip felt.
“H-How?” Cheerilee couldn’t say she wasn’t sad for the little colt but what Dinky was offering warmed her heart. Dinky was really trying to help even if what she was offering was not something she could offer. It was the thought that counted.
“Come stay with us! Come on it’ll be so much fun! Have you even tried my momma’s muffins? Their soooooooooooo gooooooood!” And at the remembrance of muffins she bounced over to Cheerilee’s saddle bags and stuck her face in eager to locate the sweet treats. Pip just stood there, wrapped up in the sweater. His mouth agape, no pony had ever offered him something so...so. He could find the word to describe how incredibly happy he felt.
“Yo-you really mean that?” He truly hoped so. A family... It sounded...nice.
“Of course silly! Here want a muffin?” She held a muffin out in front of him.
“Yes please.” He smiled warmly... The trio sat in the park, silence rang out like a sweet melody. But Pip couldn’t sit still; he was actually going to know what it felt to be part of a family. And honestly who could blame him?
Authors notes:
I cannot apologize enough on how sorry I am to have had you wait for so long. I just haven’t had the time but after new years I will have much more time.
So before you move on to hopefully rate and comment I want to wish you all happy New Year!
I do not own my little pony or any of the trademark entities in this fic. I don’t even own the Candy Cloud™.
The choice
How does one begin to choose? Where do you begin? To attempt to navigate your mind through the seemingly endless maze of possibilities. To look at both sides of the field and see greener grass. To be stuck down a fork in the road, unaware of the repercussions and rewards of going down one road, and not the other. One can never be sure of what decisions they must face, some may be easy, and others will force you to evaluate everything you know. Fate can be cruel at times, but its intentions are never far from good. It might give us a choice between two things, one bad, and one good. And most times the bad will be the right choice and the good, vain. But being especially cruel at times it will force you to decide between two decisions that are both good. Giving the illusion that neither is better, but that they are different in every respect. Tearing your sanity piece by piece until you give in, always hoping you won’t regret your decision. No pony ever wishes to come face to face with such a choice. But then again, when does fate ever listen to what you want?
And Twilight stood at the most perilous of choices. Never had a pony been offered eternity, let alone to spend that in the embrace of the pony you love. But neither has a pony looked at the other side and see greener grass, in the face of eternal love. Twilight’s mind was blank, she couldn’t think, she didn’t want to think. Thinking would only remind her of the impossibility of her choice. She just wanted to disappear, to lose all ties with the physical universe and just dissipate, letting all the atoms in her body just break free. And she would have, Twilight did not doubt the possibility that she had such a spell. But the only thing keeping her planted firmly in reality was Luna. The elder alicorn of the night sat next to her, one wing draped over Twilight’s body. The warming embraces keeping her warm and alive in the deathly chill of the night. Even Luna was not prepared for the longest night in Equestrian history. She tried her best to warm the night, to bring light to dark abyss that was the sky. Her moon shone brighter than it had ever done before, the stars, were all out that night. Every constellation that Luna had created, visible, it took everypony’s breath away. The sky shone so brightly, it could have been day. But the shining warmth of the sun was missing, it wasn’t complete. It would never be complete till Celestia raised the sun, and now she had disappeared again. The situation had gone from bad, to worse. But they had a whole day and Luna knew that Celestia wouldn’t do something brash, Twilight on the other she couldn’t speak for. And with her experience she knew Twilight was not dealing with it very well. And so against protocol (they were more guidelines than actual rules) she stayed next to Twilight.
~
Fluttershy flew faster than she had ever flown before; to say she was afraid was a bold understatement. She was chasing Sunshine through the cloudless night sky when it lit up brighter than she had expected, and so was blinded temporarily. When she was able to see again, she had lost Sunshine. And now she was even more afraid than before, she hadn’t been able to do the only thing Twilight asked of her. Fluttershy was above the palace, the mountain face not far from where she hovered. She could see the festival from where she was and she didn’t like it, her fear of heights was creeping into her mind. Fluttershy shook her head and strained her eyesight, the bright moon made it easier to see, but only just. After what felt an eternity she caught a glimpse of something yellowish streaking through the sky and Fluttershy gave chase hoping that it was Sunshine and not some stray bird. The streak was going up, but Fluttershy had not time to worry about height, if she let Sunshine get away...Fluttershy didn’t even want to think about the consequences. She just flew after whatever it was, but it was moving fast. And heading for the peak of the mountain.
~
Sunshine’s eyes were filled with tears, blurring her vision. She didn’t know where she was going, but she wanted to get there fast. A million things ran through her mind but safety wasn’t one of them. The late night had exhausted her system completely and after her outburst in the garden, she was just as mentally exhausted. Her mind was so numb she couldn’t feel the ice forming on her body and wings as she got further and further up. The temperatures at the top of the mountain were below freezing and no pony, not even a Pegasus in their right mind would attempt a climb without proper gear. As she neared the top her wing beats became un-synchronized, she couldn’t fly upright anymore but it didn’t faze her. Countless times had she flown upside-down and she was somewhat of a champion in ponyville. But it didn’t change the fact that her wings were shutting down, and she was only 100 meters from the top. With the last shreds of her strength she thrust herself towards the ledge, just latching on. She tried to grapple at something, anything to keep her from falling to her death. One of her fore hooves latched on to a rock and she pulled with all her might. The rock came free and tumbled of the side, falling silently to eventually be pulverized on the sidewalk of a street. Sunshine was hanging by a thread; her left fore-hoof was stuck in a crack holding her in place. But any sudden movement and she could fall. And of all places to do it Sunshine did it here, she broke down. Sobs racked her chilled body and she was shivering violently from the cold. She knew the cracks grip wouldn’t hold her for long, but she no longer cared. She was spent; her muscles burnt so much she felt as if they were freezing. Her wings were now frozen in place, so even if she descended they wouldn’t be able to thaw quickly enough so that she could save herself. She was about to die, her life was flashing before her eyes. Her happy days at school, her stressful yet exciting time at college and the life she had always wished for in ponyville. But one thing stuck the entire time, one pony she saw over and over again. The pony that had brought her happiness, the pony that completed her. Sunshine screamed at the top of her lungs in uncontrolled rage. Why would Twilight leave her? Had she not been the best pony she could be? Had Twilight just played with her? Sunshine shook her head violently. No! She knew Twilight would never do it intentionally. But then why had she done it? Sunshine couldn’t think straight long enough to realize that her uncontrolled shaking was loosening her grip on the ledge. But the minute she began falling she realized. Her hooves flailed, the cold sharp wind rushed past her so fast Sunshine swore she was being cut up. She didn’t open her eyes, not even to take one last look at the world. It wanted her dead so why would she care to see it again? She just fell silently hoping the end would come soon.
~
Fluttershy gasped, she could see Sunshine hanging by a hoof on the cliff edge. And now Sunshine was slowly slipping out of her hold. She forced herself to go faster but she couldn’t, she was already going faster than she ever imagined she could. She was going so fast the telltale signs of the sound barrier began to form in a cone around her. She was stretching the barrier for the same reason Dash had. To save a life. But she told herself no matter how hard she tried, how bad the situation got, she couldn’t go faster. Dash had years of strenuous training, Fluttershy had flown maybe twice in a good day. Then Sunshine slipped, her hoof came free and she tumbled into free-fall. Now Fluttershy knew she couldn’t pull her up, she frantically searched for something that could help her. A cave! There was a cave in the cliff face, but at this speed she wouldn’t make in time. So she did the only thing she could; she went faster. Everything blurred, the wind cutting into her eyes force her to squint them. The barrier became more and more evident, and more and more stretched. And in the dark of the night, thousands of kilometers above the festival, unawares to the crowds below; Fluttershy performed a Sonic Rainboom. The extra speed sent her rocketing towards Sunshine at speeds fit for a legend. She tucked her wings in and braced for the impact. And with pinpoint accuracy she crashed into Sunshine. Fluttershy was unconscious upon impact.
~
Duty. A soft echo in the back of her mind. Duty to the citizens. But Celestia had not the mind for duty anymore, what was duty when there was no justice? Why should she prioritize everypony when no pony cared for her? And even if she wanted to raise the sun she couldn’t. It was out of her hoofs the minute she missed the mark. Why she had even thought to lay down rules that kept her and her sister from being able to raise the celestial bodies past a certain point escaped her. But she could care less if everypony wanted the sun to rise, she wanted Twilight to love her but that wasn’t going to happen. Somewhere deep down in the recesses of Celestia’s mind she knew she was acting foolish, but emotions controlled her now. And the strongest one was regret. Celestia regretted not telling Twilight earlier, for being too scared to do something she had done countless of times before. For not listening to her sister (despite her sister being less experience in this field) for not saying those three words. The three words that would make her happy, that would make her eternal life livable. Celestia flew for the palace. The tall alicorn using her massive wings to propel herself through the cold night. She wanted her bed; she wanted somepony to listen to her woes. For somepony to care about how she felt, but she doubted any guards would have the balls to approach her in this state. And she wasn’t about to go visit Discord again, his advice was never sound. As soon as she landed on her balcony, she flung herself at the bed and proceeded to cry her heart out. The sobs could be heard throughout the empty palace, and they fell on no ears. None, except one, who could have sworn that pie doesn’t cry.
Plum pie was taking out a fresh pie from the oven when he heard the crying. At first he was confused, and then he became scared. He thought no pony would be in the palace at this time. It was far too early for ponies to be getting to work and far too late for ponies to still be at work. Except himself, Plum loved the night kitchen, it was strangely soothing. And it was easier to make his famous pies when no pony was around. They all wanted his secret recipe, but they would have to take it from his cold dead hooves. The crying continued it went on and on. It wasn’t wailing, it wasn’t sobs of joy, they were tears of heartbreak. And Plum knew about heartbreak (when he was young he was somewhat of a ladies stallion). Plum quickly put the pie away in the freezer (which wasn’t the finally step in his secret recipe) took a lantern and went in search of the crying. The palace’s design was spacious and so was able to carry sounds easily throughout its interior. It also made it hard to find the source of the sounds. Plum looked in the library, nothing, he looked in the throne room, still nothing. He checked the palace showers, not even the sound of water dripping, and he checked the observatory, as silent as the night. He looked everywhere, except the royal bedrooms. But he dared not go in fear that if he got caught he might have to get used to hard moon rock as a bed. Plum banished the thought, there was one thing the Pie’s were not, and that was (in the words of his pink niece) scaredy cats. Come on plum, giggle at the ghosties, giggle at the ghosties. His head held high, he trotted towards the royal bedrooms and the noise that was getting noticeably louder. As he stood outside the Royal bedrooms (Luna’s to the right and Celestia’s to the right) the crying was emanating from the only bedroom he had never entered (don’t ask how he got into Luna’s bedroom). Plum Pie just stood there; the doors looked far to menacing to be doors. He raised a hoof, and with the courage of an army of manticores knocked. *knock**knock* the crying stopped instantly, Plum gulped, he had her attention now. “Ex...Excuse me princess Celestia?” He was shaking so much he thought his cutie mark would fall off.
“Who’s there !?!” She shouted so loudly the vase out in the hall shook. It scared Plum right out of his coat, and it took him a full minute to regain his composure enough to reply.
“It...It me your highness...Plum Pie, the head chef...” Plum didn’t know why he needed to repeat his title, Celestia knew every pony’s name by heart in the palace, and she prided herself on the fact. Then there was silence, it rung so loud Plum was sure he’d go mad.
“C...Co-Come in.” Celestia said finally. Plum pushed the double doors open, and was shocked at what he saw. Celestia was sprawled on her side, the sheets in a pile at the foot of the bed. The balcony door was wide open, and a few potted plants lying of the floor with cracked pots. If this wasn’t a disaster zone then Plum didn’t know what was.
“Princess Celestia...What’s...What’s wrong?” He said scanning the room.
“Could you please close the doors first?” Plum nodded; it was getting chilly in here. He closed both doors quickly and then sat to the side of the bed facing Celestia.
“What wrong your highness?”
“Please call me Celestia Mr. Pie” Plum noted that when Celestia was lying on her side, she looked oddly serene.
“And please call me Plum, Celestia.” Celestia let a small smile creep into her face. “Please Celestia, what’s wrong?” The smile instantly disappeared, and the crying started again. Plum was in no position to be rude, but Luna be dammed her crying was really scratchy.
“How was I supposed to know she was in love? She didn’t tell me! And how could she be so innocent, she’s nineteen for heaven’s sake! She...I...Sun...I just wanna be lo-o-o-ved!” Celestia flipped from side to side crying out in aguish.
“Um...There there Celestia, and who is this we are talking about?” He tried to make stroking the princess’s mane feel normal, but it was awkward as hell.
“Twilight Sparkle.” Plum gasped, he knew that name. But from where?
“As in Element of magic and friend of Pinkie Pie?”
“Yes, that’s her.” I knew my niece was involved!
“But then what’s wrong?”
“She’s fell in love with another mare! And...And now she hates me!” Oh my, a love triangle! Between mares! With Celestia involved! Plum tried to keep his head on his shoulders, the princess a Filly-Fooler. He was practically reeling in shock, but he calmed himself down before he said anything he knew he would regret. Come on Plum, how do you calm down a crying mare?
“She can’t hate you, you didn’t do anything wrong...right?” Please tell me you didn’t send this other mare to the moon. Ha mare in the moon, No! There is a crying mare right next to you and you’re making jokes! Shame on you Plum! Plum cringed hoping Celestia wasn’t able to read minds.
“But I did! I ruined her relationship; I’m not supposed to do that! I’m supposed to kindle relationships, not break them!”
“But Celestia, how could you have known! She didn’t tell beforehand.”
“But that’s no excuse! She...She told me and I still went and told her mare-friend!”
“You told her mare-friend that you were in love with her?”
“I had to! I had to be honest, what kind of ruler would I be if I lied to everypony for my personal gain!?” Celestia brought her hooves to her face, cringing at the thought of being held as a tyrant by her citizens. It was Celestia’s worst nightmare, and it was coming true!
“Celestia, you were right to be honest...but perhaps a different tact would have been best.”
“Are you telling me I should have lied?!?” Oh shit oh shit oh shit.
“No! No, I would never ask you to do something like that. Celestia, you know I would never try to deceive you.”
“Then what...what should I have done?”
“I...Honestly Celestia I have no clue. I probably don’t have as much experience as you do when it comes to love.” Plum said as he let a soft chuckle escape.
“But...” Celestia gave a short laugh “the maids tell me you’re quite the lover yourself.” Her smile returned, and Plum’s cheeks grew hotter than burning coals.
“I...But...Who?” He finally settled for a question, Plum knew that Celestia had a hoof in all the gossip.
“Now what kind of ruler do you think I’d be if I couldn’t keep a secret? It is as your niece says ‘the fastest way to lose a friend’ no?”
“Curse her logical insights in friendship. But it still doesn’t change the fact that you mustn’t ‘beat yourself up’ for something you could not avoid.” As much as Plum liked joking around with the princess he was here for a reason.
“I...I see your logic, I do. But I cannot escape the feeling that it is all my fault, that my feelings for her are what is causing this rift to form.”
“But princess, do you not see that it isn’t your fault? You know very well you can’t control who you fall in love with.”
“I know! I know! But then why do I feel this way Plum? Why, if it isn’t my fault do I feel like I should be blamed for everything?”
“*sssssiiiiiggghhh* Because Celestia, you love her.”
“But...What?” Celestia was about to flip once again but instead took on a confused face not unlike a filly being taught advanced quantum magic teleportation.
“Celestia, you love her. You want her to be happy, to be content. You want her appreciation, her attention. And that’s why you feel it’s your fault, because she isn’t those things. You think it’s your fault because she isn’t happy or content.”
“But...I...Then why would she run away when I told her I was in love with her?”
“Because she’s confused Celestia, because now she’s got to choose between you, and her mare-friend.”
“So I am causing a rift in her relationship!”
“I’m afraid so Celestia, but there is nothing you can do about it.”
“But..But..I caused this! I must find a way to resolve it!” The tall alicorn scrambled to her feet, but lost purchase on the bed and fell face first back into the soft springy bed.
“Celestia...” Plum face hoofed. “Please...calm down. I’m afraid it’s in the hooves of Twilight now. You can’t decide for her, she must do that herself.”
“I...You are right Mr. Plum...”
“Please...it’s just Plum.” Celestia tried to smile, it came out broken but it was a smile nevertheless.
“Thank you, Plum.”
~
Something was stroking her man when Fluttershy awoke, it was Sunshine. And she was crying, the tears falling on to her face. Fluttershy was lying on the cold cave floor .They had made it into the cave; Fluttershy’s daring attempt had worked. And Sunshine didn’t seem to have anything more that a deep blue bruise where Fluttershy had collided with her. The winds buffeted around the cave, the cave’s mouth was parallel to the wind direction so little wind got in. “Wh...Why Fluttershy? Why did you have to come after me? It’s not fair! I’m not supposed to be the one alive! You are! Why did you have to save me!?!” The tears were coming in a down pour. “....Why?” Sunshine became silent, but the tears kept coming.
“...Because Twilight needs you...” Sunshine’s head perked up in an instant, she turned to the mouth of the cave thinking someone had found them. She the instant she saw that no pony was there she knew.
“Oh Fluttershy! I... I thought you were dead!” She pulled Fluttershy to her knees so that they were eye level. And gave her a back breaking hug.
“oooff... Sunshine...please...my...back...it hurts...” Fluttershy wheezed as she felt her spin break a few times.
“Oh! I’m sorry Fluttershy! Are you okay?”
“I’ll be fine, don’t worry about me. Oh my! Your wings!” Fluttershy gasped and pointed at Sunshine’s wings. They were clasped to her body, frozen, the ice rimming the points where her wings touched her body. There was no way Sunshine was going to fly anymore; the risk to try was too great. “I don’t think you can fly anymore Sunshine, if you try your feathers are more than likely to rip right off.” And then Fluttershy remembered seeing Sunshine hanging on the ledge, she quickly lifted Sunshine’s left hoof to see. It was cut and bruised, but nothing too deep. Fluttershy blew a sigh of relief; at least there weren’t any fatal injuries. Not from what she could see, there was still a chance of internal hemorrhaging. Fluttershy trotted to the side of Sunshine, sat, and placed her fore-hooves on Sunshine’s side. “Can you please lie on your side a minute?” Sunshine nodded and did so. Fluttershy ran her hooves in small circles starting and the next and going down, slowly, inch by inch. She couldn’t afford to miss anything at this point. After a few minutes Fluttershy was satisfied that there were no damages to Sunshine’s internal workings. “Well thank Celestia your okay...” Sunshine’s eyes widened at the name.
“Don’t say her name; she’s...She’s...Ugh! Why?!? Why did she have to go and fall for Twilight?!?” Fluttershy was taken aback by her outburst; just a second ago she was as calm as the next mare. Fluttershy chided herself for forgetting the whole reason they were here.
“Sunshine! How can you talk about the Princess that way!?”
“What?! It’s not like she’s ever been nice to me! And she’s trying to steal Twilight from me!”
“Sunshine!!” Sunshine realized Fluttershy was shouting at her, and she became silent. “Are you really that blind Sunshine? To see that she had no intention of doing so?”
“But...But she said.”
“She said she was in love with Twilight, nothing more. And she even told you where Twilight had gone. She could have lied, did you know that? She could have sent you on a wild goose chase so she could have Twilight to herself. Did that ever occur to you?”
“But...But Twilight shouted at me...She tried to protect Celestia.” Sunshine cringed at the name.
“That only because you were shouting at her. You were ruthlessly attack her mentor, how else do you expect her to react?” Sunshine didn’t like being told of but she knew that blunt advice is the best advice.
“I...I don’t know.” Sunshine hung her head, embarrassed didn’t even begin to explain how she felt.
“Now as soon as the Sun rises I want you to fly down there and apologize to Celestia and Twilight.”
“But!”
“No buts!” Fluttershy held up a hoof making it clear that Sunshine had no option in the matter.
“I’m sorry...”
“It’s okay Sunshine; it’s all going to be okay.” Fluttershy’s complexion changed showing the softer side of her. A smile donned her face as she looked at Sunshine. Sunshine scooted closer to Fluttershy; it was really really cold up here.
“When do you think the sun will rise?”
~
Twilight shifted uncomfortably. The wooden floor of the gazebo was not the softest surface to sleep on. And neither was she sleeping in the most comfortable of positions. But Twilight slept anyway, she was completely exhausted. Luna who was lying next to her was the opposite; she wanted to move, to go find her sister. But she needed to stay here; it was in all meanings of the expression “a matter of life or death”. Luna shifted her position so that she laid on her side facing Twilight’s back, her wing sliding of just for a second. But a second was enough to chill Twilight to the bone, forcing her into reality. Twilight’s eye pop open as she scrambles to her feet. “Celestia, wait!” She frantically turns her head this way and that. But soon remembers Celestia left long ago. Twilight lets her rump fall to the floor and her whole body sag, a passing wind forces her to shiver. As she wraps her for hooves around her body she notices Luna rise from the floor to sit next to Twilight, once again wrapping her wing around the shivering unicorn. Twilight looks up at the alicorn gratefully; she knows that if Luna had left her, she would be a Popsicle right now. “Luna...”
“Yes Twilight Sparkle?”
“Have...Have you ever been in love?”
“That I have Twilight” she thought back to the romance novel she wrote, shivers coursed through her body.
“Have...Have you ever had to choose?” Luna’s eye brow perked.
“To choose between two mares? No I cannot say I have, I do not have the same ‘fascination’ with mares. But if we are talking about stallions, then yes, numerous times.”
“Then how do you know to choose? How do you know which is the right choice?”
“You don’t”
“Wha..huh?” Luna sighed deeply.
“My dear Twilight, here there is no ‘right’ choice. This isn’t something you can figure out with logical reasoning.”
“But then...how do I decide?” Calm down Luna, she’s young; she doesn’t have as much experience as you.
“Your heart Twilight, What does your heart tell you?” Twilight was obviously confused at the proposition. Not using her brain to make a decision? If it wasn’t coming from Luna, Twilight wouldn’t have listened to a word of it.
"What do you mean?"
"Your heart will tell you things, but only if you listen to it. Listen Twilight, listen."
She tried to listen, what did her heart want? Are you going crazy Twilight? Listening to a group of muscles? But despite what her brain said she stayed true to her mission. Seriously? You’re going to ask a bunch of muscles that don’t even listen to your brain who you should love? No matter how hard she listen there was nothing, just *thump**thump* the usual. She strained herself further, there must be something. *thump* *thump* *thump* *thomp* *thump* Twilight was unsure if she had heard something, or if she was truly going crazy. With a second of clarity Twilight tried once more. *thump* *thump* *thomp* *thump* *thomp* *Thump* *thomp*. There! Twilight had definitely heard something, but why would she be hearing two heart beats? She wasn’t sitting that close to Luna. But then she cracked a smile as she finally understood.
The domino effect was something Twilight had always been fascinated with, how one small thing could affect everything in such a large way. How one small push of a rock could cause the entire mountain to come tumbling down. How one death could wipe out entire population. How one seed could be the start to a flourishing ecosystem.
How one out of rhythm heart beat could be the answer to all her problems. The smile widened, Twilight knew now what she had to do; she had a mare to find.
Authors notes:
And there we go! Another chapter! Phew... This one took longer than expected to write, and I blame you guys. Why? Because it’s you guys who write such awesome fic’s that distract me from writing. Confound these ponies! They drive me to read!
Anyways I hope you enjoyed reading this and that you rate and comment on your way out.
I don’t own My Little Pony Friendship is Magic or any of the trademarked entities in this story; I don’t even have something witty to say about that fact.
Downtown
It was apparent that everypony was quite irked by the lack of sun. Ponies shuffled to and fro in annoyance. Comments flew over everypony’s head like paper airplanes, carrying messages of worry, disgust and boredom. Cold wind billowed through the crowds still waiting patiently for their so called ‘ruler’ to come out and bring forth the new day. But no such relief came, and it became more and more apparent it wouldn’t. The news had slipped, Celestia was missing. The scrap of gossip burned through the crowds like a bush fire; everypony knew within minutes. A slow panic began to settle in as more and more ponies showed signs of fear. Celestia was gone, likely taken by some malevolent force unseen to them, they couldn’t be more right. And they thought, each and every one of them, “If it could take the most powerful being in Equestria, what was to stop it from taking me?” Eyes flicked, heart beats quickened; the crowds grew restless. They wanted to flee, to run and hide, Celestia’s body guards would take care of it. Everypony knew, but no pony wanted to act. They were like a lake, hiding behind an old decrepit dam, waiting for the first signs of fatigued. Biding their time till a signal showed itself. And all it would take is one brash move.
Like a whisper, settling into the brain of a colt on the brink of panic. ~You fool don’t you see...Nightmare moon has returned now flee!~ the colt reeled in shock, Night mare moon! The idea sent a chain reaction forth through the colt’s body, his legs buckled from under him as he lurched forward in one last desperate attempt to run. But in his panic induced stupor his body slams into the mare standing directly in front of him. Without any delay or hesitation the mare screams a blood curdling cry from the depths of her fear ridden body. The high pitched scream rips across the field of ponies, replicating the horror and panic that produced it and stabbing it into every heart, and mind. Countless others take it from their own pure untamed emotions to let lose more screams into the night. In seconds the entire field is filled with cries of anguish, forcing adrenaline to pump out limitlessly. Earth ponies ran, Pegasi flew, and unicorns let loose raw magic, all in desperation to get away. Away, it did not matter where they were they ran, as long as they ran away.
The royal guards attempted to control and calm the panicking crowds but was having no effect. Guards were throwing themselves at ponies in last ditch attempt to stop the rapidly growing madness. But each and every one slipped past, the boundless energy making them faster and stronger than the fittest of the guards. Realizing they had no hope in stopping the crowds, they shifted all their efforts into funneling them somewhere where they won’t cause damage. Easier said than done of course. Ponies were bowling themselves into others that got in there way, children were separated from their parents, carts and carriages were broken into splinters. Discord resonated from the unfolding scene, and reached a clearing miles from the fields, where a statue rested.
Ugh, can’t a god of chaos get a little shut eye?
~
Twilight Sparkle was up in this garden, and was promptly getting out. Not that Twilight didn’t like the gardens; she had done some of her most memorable reading there. But she had seen it plenty of times and knew it would be exactly the same when she got back. If she came back. With light hoofs she quickly cantered towards the festival, the princess of the night followed closely behind. When Luna had said “listen to your heart” she had expected to be there the entire ‘extended’ night. She marveled at Twilights quick recovery and the confidence that had literally come out of thin air. Luna wondered when last she made such a hard decision so quickly. But now she just followed Twilight to make sure that what she was about to do wasn't something brash and stupid.
As they came through the bonsai forest Twilight took a hard right walking full tilt towards the fern garden. Where is she going now? The fern garden lead to the lower tiers of the palace and into the city center of Canterlot. Of course she could turn at anything going who knows where, the palace gardens were massive, and they led to numerous places. But Twilight walked like she knew where she was going, and intended to get there without delay. Luna knew that Twilight had done a lot of walking, and running in the last 12 hours and that she must be running low on everything. She hadn't eaten anything the whole night, nor had she drunk any liquids; the fact that she had come this far without using a energy spell forced Luna to question if marathons was her true talent instead. As they passed through the fern garden they began to descend through the tiers, each one holding a different genus of fern. In fact the Canterlot gardens contained every know species of plant, except for those that thrived in the ever-free forest (poison joke included). And as each tier required a different climate, they passed through freezing tundra to lush jungles in mere seconds. Of course Luna was slightly disappointed they couldn’t take the time to walk through each slowly, taking in all the sights and smells.
Twilight couldn’t really care less about how magnificent the gardens were, and she had noted before, the gardens weren’t going to change anytime soon. She wanted to talk with some pony, who she hoped would be where she thought she was. Nor did she care one bit how the ponies at the festival were holding up. She had a one track mind, and at this moment in time decided not to restart an age old argument questioning its ability to mean both positive and negative things. She already spoke with Luna, who she realized was as inexperienced in relationships as she was. 1000 years leaves a lot to be desired in social skills, and Luna definitely didn’t make a good impression. Not that Twilight didn’t appreciate her advice, or her support, or the fact that she saved her life. In fact Twilight closer to Luna tonight than she had since nightmare night, but not intimately close. She knew Luna didn't swing that way.
“Twilight, I mean not to be ungrateful, but where is it thou are taking me?” Luna spoke up after twenty minutes of following Twilight. Better late than never she thought.
“You’ll see Luna, you’ll see.” Luna huffed in slight annoyance. She had no idea where she was going and if she wasn’t following Twilight she’d have left to go find her sister. But she didn’t, she knew that the entire dilemma was a fairly fragile and she didn’t want to upset anypony. But she worried for her sister. Sure she had seen Celestia go through her relationships, some good some bad. But they were always temporary; they never lasted as long as she did. The one’s who stuck to her withered with age with the ever burning flames of time. And no matter how much she loved them Celestia never had children. It was something her parents made it truly clear to her; no parent should live longer than their children, no matter the situation. And true to their word they made it so that it there was no possibility of it happening. Because during the Chaos wars where they wrested control of Equestria from Discord they laid down their lives so every-pony else didn’t have to. And it may not have been to prove this point, but Celestia and Luna vowed to uphold the oath.
Her father hadn’t been born an Alicorn. He was born a unicorn who met her mother long ago, they fell in love and all was blissful. Her mother was a mage of great power and valor, and she delved deep into the mysteries of Alicorn magic. Her studies led her to a breakthrough that would forever keep her love alive, a spell of immortality. A magical ability inherent in every Alicorn that lived and one that could be casted with ease, even for foals. It was the simple act of extending the Alicorn’ soul onto another living thing. And her parents had taught both of them the spell before the knowledge was forever sealed. But it could only be done once. And at first Luna and Celestia had thought of it no more seriously than choosing a candy flavor. And it was when Celestia had professed her never-ending love for her first stallion-friend and promised they would live together forever that they truly learnt the meaning of ‘decision making’.
Luna’s mother took Celestia aside one solemn night after dinner and gave her an ultimatum. One Celestia would remember forevermore. “Celestia, my daughter and heir to the throne of Equestria, think carefully on the words I part with you for I will only tell you this once. As an Alicorn Celestia you will live forever, longer than the cosmos and longer than Equestria. And every decision and every choice you make will follow you as long as you live. A good choice you will relish for long as it lasts. But a bad decision you will feel for the rest of eternity and for one as important as this one, will haunt you forevermore.” The words dug deep into Celestia’s relatively young mind and rooted themselves. She then spent the next few days furiously debating whether this stallion was somepony she’d want to spend eternity with. At the end of a very emotional week of constant rethinking and hesitation she took back her vows with the stallion. Celestia was heartbroken but as time passed, she came to realize it was the right decision. And every relationship she entered she always did with caution, for she knew the possibility of the next one being the ‘one’ was not likely. And now Celestia had once again confessed her love and willingness to spend eternity for another pony. And her love was true, Luna did not doubt it. And it broke her heart to see that Twilight had eyes for another pony.
She could not blame Twilight, but she would never understand. She would never understand how hard it was for Celestia to realize her love, and Twilight being a mare didn’t help. During the years Twilight studied closely under Celestia, her mentor began to harbor feeling. Feelings that were more than the acquaintance that teachers have with their students. Of course at first Celestia had not recognized it, and just brushed off as signs of her old mental age. But as the years drew on, and only recently they became so strong that she felt that it would slip out if she came face to face with her. It was the reason she had gotten mad with Twilight during the ‘doll incident’, she just had so much pent up anxiety that it came out in anger. And tonight was supposed to be the most special night of her life. But now instead it was a disaster, her hesitation was a decision she was going to regret the rest of her life .One she thought she was not likely going to spend with Twilight.
They were now leaving the gardens, the last of the ferns smacking Luna in the face. Aaaah freedom at last! Never had she thought the gardens would prove a worse place to spend 1000 years in exile. And they were now entering downtown Canterlot, not far from the train station. Now even more than ever Luna questioned where they were going. She trusted Twilight, but dearly hoped she wouldn’t have to meet her parents. If Celestia’s stories where anything to go by, she would regret following her.
~
The wind had calmed down significantly, it was no longer howling at the mouth of the cave threatening to turn Sunshine and Fluttershy into ice blocks. But it was still cold, and the two Pegasus were huddling together to keep warm, no thoughts of how inappropriate it would look to an onlooker never passed their minds. And now that they were no longer fighting for their lives they had the time to fully explore the cave to which they had crashed into. It was huge; if they could describe it in one word it would be ‘huge’. At the entrance of the cave the walls ran in some sort of bottle neck, but the further you got in the more the floor slanted down to reveal true size of it. And at the bottom Sunshine was able to see a few tunnels light by lanterns in the cave that she thought led to other caves in the mountain, the entire mountain must be filled with these caves. Sunshine went down to inspect these tunnels, and as she got closer she noticed that there were markings painted on the right side of each one. They all said something in bright red paint. The furthest one the right said “section A quadrant B” and was pointing downwards. Then it hit her, they could use the tunnels to go down the mountain and out into the palace. And they didn't have to fly themselves down after waiting for who knows longer for the real sun to come out. Sunshine called up to Fluttershy who opted to stay where it was ‘safe’. “Hey Fluttershy! You gotta see this! The caves travel all over the mountain, they could lead us back to the palace!” She heard Fluttershy squeak something back and she sighed, Sunshine walked back up to where Fluttershy was and said. “What did you say, I couldn’t hear you down there.”
“I... um, I said are you sure that’s a good idea, I don’t mean to sound rude.”
“Fluttershy, there’s no way you could ever be rude. And I think it’s the best way of getting out of here, short of waiting another day, or two. Heck Fluttershy they might not even find us up here. We have to take our lives into our own hooves and get out of here.”
“But...It’s so dark...”
“Come on Fluttershy, I'm right here. I won’t let anything happen to you.”
“Okay, if you think it’s a good idea I'll come.” So Sunshine and Fluttershy set off into the depths of the cave. The tunnel was long winding and steep, good, that means were going down fast Sunshine thought some time during the journey. They passed through a few caves on their way down, and most of them twice the size of the first one they arrived in. Also know and Sector F plural Z alpha. But they were able to find the tunnels leading to sector A which Sunshine thought (with common sense) was the first sector. And by the looks of it the entire mountain was one massive sponge cake, filled to the brim with cave after cave. And it looked like what happened here was mining; ponies long ago must have dug into the mountain in search for material that would help them build Canterlot. Sunshine was amazed at the ingenuity of those who built Canterlot. They not only took material from the mountain but they built their city on the mountain.
As they got further down, the signs of a mining operation became more and more evident. There were pick axe’s lying all over the place, strange markings and circles covering the walls of the cave. And upon inspection Sunshine found they were filled with explosives. As they came into sector C they found tracks running through the tunnels, and then they found a cart. They were tired after 3 hours of walking and Sunshine had an idea. She hoped into a cart and motioned for Fluttershy to do the same. “Come on Fluttershy, it’ll get us down faster. And besides my hooves are aching from all the walking.”
“Are you sure? It...I don’t think it’s safe.” She eyed the cart suspiciously, looking for any cracks or blemishes she could use to deter Sunshine from this idea. But to no avail, the cart must be quite new if it didn’t have any dents or cracks.
“Yea, come on Fluttershy, well be there in no time. And besides I need to find Celestia and give her a piece of my mind.” Fluttershy eyed her. “I...I mean settle our differences.” Sunshine knew not to mess with the stare. “But come on, I promise we’ll be fine.” Fluttershy half sighed an okay, and climbed into the cart. Sunshine pulled at a lever in the cart and let off the breaks. They shuddered of to a start. The tunnels had begun to level of making it less steep, and Sunshine thought it meant they were getting closer to the ‘Canterlot level’ of the mountain. They were cruising along at a comfortable speed, and Sunshine was relishing in the wind blowing through her mane. It had been only three hours since they left the windy cave but Sunshine had begun to feel a little stir crazy, all pegasi did after a while. Each one had their own threshold, and Sunshine’s happened to be 3 hours. The wind was freeing up her mind, clearing it off all the gunk of the past night. It was truly soothing.
After a few deep breaths of air, Sunshine felt better, and less claustrophobic. It’s not that she was actually scared of enclosed spaces, but as a Pegasus it wasn’t natural for her. Fluttershy also looked noticeably more relaxed despite traveling in a mining cart through unknown caves. She smiled as Sunshine check up on her. And then frowned, “Sunshine, are you okay?” Not sure where the question was coming from Sunshine put on a confused expression.
“Yea, I’m fine, why do you ask?”
“You don’t seem fine Sunshine, please. Tell me what’s bothering you, I’m here to help.” Darn her ability to pick up on such subtle things. And despite Sunshine’s recent pep up, she still didn’t want to think about the situation.
“I just don’t get it” Sunshine began. “I thought I had something with Twilight, but it’s obvious she has something with the princess too.”
“But it doesn’t mean she doesn’t still love you.”
“I know, I know, but I can’t shake the thought that she also has feeling for princess Celestia.”
“Well, it’s just Twilight. You know she was and still is Celestia’s star student right? They spent a lot of time together. Some where Celestia must have developed feeling for Twilight, and Twilight for her. I’m afraid it’s just pony nature. But Sunshine, it doesn’t mean Twilight is going to abandon you. She’d never do that, I know her.”
“I believe you, it’s just, Twilight’s known Celestia longer than me. And for Luna’s sake she’s a princess Fluttershy! How do I compete with that?” Sunshine was flailing her arm’s widely to emphasize her exasperation.
“But Sunshine, true love cares not for titles or honors or where you’re positioned on society’s ladder. It transcends all barriers, even race.” Fluttershy explained softly as she pointed to Sunshine’s wings. “Whether or not Celestia is an Alicorn with the power to control every centimeter of Equestria will not change how much Twilight loves you Sunshine.”
“But Fluttershy, she’s...”
“Just like you.”
“Huh?”
“Sunshine, she’s just like you. She just wants Twilight to love her, love her like she loves you Sunshine.” The tracks were getting steeper and they began to speed up.
“But all knowing as she is, how could she not know this is something you don’t do.”
“But Sunshine, she didn’t know.” They were now travelling twice as fast as they were originally.
“What?!?”
“Sunshine! Just because you don’t like it doesn’t mean you are allowed to be rude!” Fluttershy shouted, fortunately Sunshine was quick to realize the situation.
“No! I didn’t hear what you said!” She shouted back hopeful that the yellow Pegasus would hear her.
“Oh! Ummm... I said she didn’t know!”
“Know what?!?” This was getting ridiculous and both ponies knew. “Listen; let’s resume this when we can hear each other!” Fluttershy just nodded and both mares turned to look where they were headed. Currently they were passing through a large cave, its ceiling covered in stalagmites pointing menacingly at them. As if they were poised to fall. Water was dripping all over them and Sunshine could feel a few drops land on her coat. The water was cold, just like everything else in the caves. But as quickly as they entered the spike infested cave they left it, rolling into yet another tunnel leading towards their end goal. Sector A.
As they rolled into the tunnel, the slope began to gradually level out. And by natural friction they began to slow down. And soon the billowing wind that had forced them to end their conversation earlier died down. Fluttershy was the first to speak, “Sunshine, I know you must be really upset. But you have to see this from Twilight’s perspective, you owe her that much.” And although the words did not hear on deaf ears, Sunshine did not reply. She was already doing so. She tried to imagine herself as Twilight and how she felt through everything. How she had found love with Sunshine, and how it had been her first true relationship. How being introduced to the Doo family had opened her eyes to the beauty of having your own family with ponies that love you. Sunshine chuckled as she remembered how Twilight took the first time being separated from Dinky. And how her friends were so supportive when they found out she was in a relationship. Sunshine felt how embarrassed Twilight must have been when she met her parents. But then she tried to put herself in Twilight’s position when Celestia had come out and confessed her feelings. She wasn’t there but she could only imagine by Celestia’s state of mind when they had first found her that the results were far from happy. Twilight had run off, she had wanted to get away and Sunshine there was only one reason for this. She was confused. Her mentor, some pony who had been very close to her the entirety of her young life. A pony that had been there always for Twilight, to comfort her, to encourage her and teach her. It was almost as if Celestia was a mother figure for Twilight. Celestia was somepony Twilight had always loved, and now that Sunshine had come into her life she didn’t know anymore.
Sunshine was mentally beating herself up. She was the reason Twilight was in this position, her fault that Twilight was forced to choose between somepony she loved her entire life or a pony she only knew for a week. She no longer wanted to go and face Twilight; she wanted Twilight to forget about her. To go with Celestia and be happy instead of choosing her, Sunshine didn’t want Twilight to choose her. She wasn’t worth it; she had done nothing for Twilight other than give her grief. Sunshine hung her head, “I’m not worth her love.” And Fluttershy picked up on it.
“Don’t say that Sunshine, you deserve her love as much as anypony does.”
“But I’ve done nothing but bring her grief! Do you think trying to hold on to me while pushing somepony more deserving away is easy! I’m the burden here!”
“Sunshine, you are no burden to anypony and especially not Twilight. Have you already forgotten the entire week before this?”
“What do those days matter? Celestia deserves her love more than I do; she’s nurtured Twilight into the mare she is. What have I done? Taken Twilight away from her!”
“But Sunshine, the only reason she nurtured Twilight to be who she is. Is because she wants Twilight to find some pony that will love her with all their heart and never abandon her. She loved Twilight so ponies like you could love her.”
“But now she wants Twilight to love her back.”
“But of course Sunshine, you know what its like.”
“I do?” But she had never taken an apprentice whom she carefully nurtured. She ended her train of thought there, she had. Dinky, she loved Dinky; she was nurturing Dinky to be somepony who could one day find love of her own. And Dinky loved her back, it was the most special feeling Sunshine had ever felt. In that instant she truly knew what Celestia felt, and why Twilight was so confused. “I do... Thank you Fluttershy, I owe you everything.”
“Sunshine, you owe me nothing. Celestia is who you owe, go thank her.” Sunshine smiled once again, it was a blissful feeling, and Fluttershy joined in.
“Anything for you Fluttershy.” She said as the cart finally shuddered to a halt, it was the end of the line. Sector A was painted in large letters across the far left side of the wall, a ladder hung in front of it leading up. They had finally found their way out. They both climbed out of the cart and slowly walked towards the ladder, taking in the last of the caves. She knew she never ever wanted to come back to these caves, but she would. Because they had not only saved her life, but her love.
Sunshine began climbing the ladder seeing the light pore in from the stallion-hole above her. She grunted as she shifted the heavy thing to the side and stuck her head out. They were in Canterlot, down town Canterlot. Sunshine recognized the museum.
~
Plum had sat with her throughout the night, and she was ever grateful of him. Countless times she had offered to promote him or other such gifts of status. But he had declined each time insisting that he needed nothing more than to see her feeling better. And she greatly respected him for it, but he was going to be rewarded anyway. The two had moved from her bed down into the night kitchen where Plum was franticly trying to rectify the ‘tragedy’ that had befallen his precious batch of pies. Celestia wondered if this was anything like how Pinkie Pie acted, then slapped herself for being so silly. She was in awe in the sheer size of the kitchen; it was perhaps just as big as her bedroom. But then again, when there were feasts they needed to have a massive kitchen.
As Celestia watched Plum run around like a mad pony, her mind began to wander. First she wondered why in all things sane did she enforce a rule that disallowed her from fast-forwarding to morning. Then she remembered, it was because of Luna how she had continuously forwarded the day so that her night would come out. Oh how things done without thought could easily become a double sword when you lest expected it. And Celestia’s face dropped when she realized that Twilight had become exactly that. But before she could go any further back into herself dug pit Plum arrived to dig her out. “Celestia?”
“Huh? What? Oh, yes Mr. Plum what is it?”
“Just plum Celestia. But anyways your student Celestia, have you met her parents?”
“Twilight’s parents, yes I do believe I have.” Celestia said as she raised her hoof to her face in thought.
“But have you ever really met them? Like gotten to know them well?” He continued down this line of questioning. What’s he getting at? Celestia thought.
“Well I know them well enough.”
“But Celestia, you’re in love with their daughter how can you not know the parents?”
“I see where you’re getting at this, but do you think Twilight would approve of me going behind her back to get her parents blessings?”
“Who said anything about blessings? I just think you should get to know the ponies that foaled your love.” Celestia thought about this, she had met them plenty of times. Each one being greatly ‘interesting’. She had always wondered where Twilight got her knack for making things ‘interesting’.Then she looked at Plum and smiled, he didn’t smile back. If he was forcing her to go visit them, he would be tagging along. Without any warning she stepped next to him and teleported. And with a flash they arrived in downtown Canterlot. Well, she did at least. She found him swimming with the fish, in the downtown square pond.
I do not own my little pony, I don’t even physically own the words on this document.
*The search for the illusive Pie*
This chapter is a short insight into the happenings before the previous chapter
The night was young and so was Pinkie Pie, despite the fact that she called herself ‘auntie’. And no one blamed her, since everything that Pinkie did was well, what Pinkie did. But tonight was the start of a massive party with streamers for starters, and paranoia, fear and panic as the . And everypony was invited.
Pinkie pie was bored, yes she was. If it’s hard to picture then your brain should be working just fine. For Pinkie Pie its was quite impossible to be bored, except if there was no pop-corn. Nothing is fun without pop-corn; but thankfully she had a lot of pop-corn where ever she went. Where she kept it, no pony knew, nor voluntary wanted to. But she was not exactly having a ‘blast’. The carnival was not as lively as before because everypony wanted to see the sun rise, and she had forgotten the party cannon back at Twilight’s house. This was not how the night was supposed to go; in fact it was quite the opposite of her great expectation (having been fed a lot of praise from Twilight’s experiences, of course she forgot Twilight’s idea of fun back then was not...well fun). And she was also alone. Rainbow dash had flow off to find Twilight and so had Apple Jack and Rarity, even Spike and Apple Bloom had decided to follow secretly behind. A pony ninja cutie mark ‘was’ bound to be a awesome cutie mark. So pinkie pie just sat there, whistling a tune to herself. It was one of those tune’s everypony knows by heart but have no idea where it came from. Twilight had spent two infuriating weeks of study trying to find out why, to no avail. Pinkie had finished all remnants of her Candy Cloud(tm), all of her gummy bears (rainbow colored) and was nearing the bottom of her bottomless popcorn bag. She needed something sweet to keep her going until she got hold of her secret candy stash back as Twilight’s house.
So Pinkie Pie sat there and pondered life’s greatest mystery. Where to find something to eat? It was an issue that she faced constantly, and one of the reason’s she loved to bake so much. Pinkie had one theory as to why food seemed to always disappear when she needed it most. She called it the “Pie Rule”. The rule is as follows “The magnitude of a ponies need of food has a inverse relationship the the amount of food that can be found in the immediate area.” The formula looks like this:
Where P means pony, subscript m is that ponies metabolism and H is hunger level. And R is radius of subscript f (food). So the higher the need for food, the less likely you’ll find some, and the less you need it the more likely you’ll find it. And Pinkie Pie really needed something to nourish her black hole of a stomach. Therefore there was no food to be found anywhere. Except for miles and miles away in a park where three ponies, two earth and one unicorn were happily enjoying fresh muffins.
The hunger and lack of sugar was maddening. You’d think that the sugar would make her mad, but in fact it was the other way round. We don’t even want to think about that formula, unless of course you have a super computer lying around. Pinkie Pie was actually becoming “sober”. And she didn’t like it, the world was too dull without the sugar rush. In fact she was losing the ability to see ultraviolet, which was such a wonderful color if you could actually see it. Pinkie tried to bounce around from stall to stall but was reduced to walking, in a straight line. Not even one stall was still open, not one single scrape of candy lay on the ground. And Pinkie Pie was about to make a break for Twilight’s house at this time in the night but something stopped her. It was a pie, or at least a vision of a pie. As it floated calmly by her, the aromatic smell wafting behind it reminded her of somepony. It reminded her of Pie, no not the floating pie somewhere in the sky but her family name. Pie, you put apples in pie, and pineapple and cherries and plums. Oh Plum! Pinkie pie then remembered her uncle Plum. Why do we call him plum pie again? Cause he’s a Pie! And Pie’s can cook! Except for Inkie... I don’t want to even think about the last time she made plum pie. Wait! That’s it! And with speed that would put Rainbow to shame she disappeared.
~
“So umm... Pip?” The trio were sitting on a bench in the park. The lamp nearby shining its warm glow on the immediate area around it. Cheerilee had run out of muffins since she only packed for two and was now wishing she hadn’t halved that recipe.
“Yes, ms Cheerilee-ee-ee-ee-ee?” Pip answered back from under his imaginary “cave” or to more mature ponies “blankets”. He and Dinky were “spelunking” for lost treasures.
“Can I ask you a question-ion-ion-ion?” She called back faking the echo. He whispered something to Dinky and popped his head out of the pile of colorful blankets.
“Of course! Ask away, and hurry other wise Dinky will get lost in the caves!” He really seemed enthusiastic about it. That was one reason she loved teaching.
“I was wondering Pip... Where do you live, if you don’t have any parents?”
“Hmm? Oh! I live in my house!” A house?
“A real house?” Pip does have quite the imagination.
“Well, maybe more like a bungalow. If you don’t count the roof...” He drifted of into thought.
“But if you don’t have parents why are you not staying at the orphanage with Scootaloo?”
“I don’t know... Luna just said I didn’t have too.” Luna! What was the princess’s connection with Pip?
“And how do you know Princess Luna?” Cheerilee was intrigued Pip had such a connection with such a powerful pony at such a young age.
“I saw her at my first Nightmare moon! It was soooo much fun! And she gave me some of her Candy!”
“And me-me-me-me.” A little voice peeped from under the blankets.
“Oh. But that doesn’t explain why you live on your ‘own’ house and not the orphanage...”
“She visits!” he was quick to reply, then added “Alot!” She must be his legal guardian...It’s the only explanation...She thought as Pip disappeared once again below the coversto resume his ‘spelunking’. And she wondered quietly, in the dead of the supposed ‘morning’. Was Dinky offering Pip something she didn’t have the right to offer? Even if it made Cheerilee feel like a thermonuclear Rainboom landed on her heart.
~
When pinkie pie found there was nopony in the kitchen she had half a mind to ransack the place. Well all of her mind but that’s beside the point, because she remembered how protective Plum was of his pies. It was weird but Pinkie understood. So she didn’t ransack the kitchens, and found herself back at square one. Now where to find Plum? Pinkie knew he still was in the palace. He almost never left, no wonder he was head of the kitchen. But where could he have gone...*the following thought pattern is to random to follow and so is being replaced by this more logical explanation of why we can’t follow it. What? You want to see it? You serious? Okay, but it’s your psychiatrist bill. Not mine.* dogs are a canine, canines sound like leylines, leylines are for magic, magic is friendship, friendship is a dogs best man, man is lyra’s imagination, imagination is what causes deaths to numerous amounts of sugar sacks *We will skip the rest for you*
A shiny parasprite appeared above her head. Not even caring about the sudden revelation she received about her uncles whereabouts, she grabbed the parasprite and locked it in a small red and white ball. What? Their rare. Oh fine... “I release you...” As the now claustrophobic parasprite flew away, Pinkie bounced with new energy to the location of her uncle. The signal was confusing but she never doubted her Pinkie sense. As she bounced along the empty halls of the palace she heard the faint voices of two ponies.
“So Celestia, this is your room?” That was her uncle’s voice alright.
“Indeed it is.”
“It’s really beautiful you know that?” Pinkie heard Celestia chuckle.
“I have been told that before yes. And?”
“Oh nothing your Majesty, its just that its not as beautiful as the kitchens.”
“Is that so? I guess I'll have to see for myself.” And For some reason Pinkie pie thought this would be a good time to suddenly appear in Celestia’s room. And all of a sudden she was no longer in the hall. But in Celestia’s cupboard, which coincidentally stood next to her bed. And between it and the door, so as Plum and Celestia walked towards the door, she jumped out at them.
Celestia’s head malfunctioned. And it began to shutdown, again. But not before her brain sent a spastic telekinetic message to a random pony in Equestria. We all know how that went down. And Plum. Well Plum just walked out the door. Then fell down in pure shock. Plum always thought that a stallion shouldn't faint in front of a mare, and a definitely not the goddess of the sun. So as the two ponies lay sleeping on the floor, Pinkie became bored again. Shoot. Oh well. And bounced on in search of food again. As she always did.
Authors note:
I’m so sorry this isn’t what you hoped it would be, and I'm grateful you are still reading this. The next chapter will be a continuation of the main story line, so please, please stay tuned! Tranquility out~
I do not own My Little Pony: Friendship is magic nor any of the trademark entities that appear in the following chapter. You’re still reading this?
Jail time blues
“Mr. Plum, I must ask. Did you see any fish?” Celestia asked trying her damned hardest not to snicker. She sat on a bench while Plum tried to dry off. A small trail of water following behind him.
“Oh har har your majesty. I did not but maybe you would like to try your luck maybe?” He shot back as he shook the last of the water out of his coat. Leaving a large spray of water all over the gray tiles. He was still woozy from the sudden change in scenery and had to sit next to Celestia on the bench. “Oh... Celestia, please no matter how much fun it may seem to do that whenever you please” Plum grabbed his stomach forcing the recent wave of nausea back down, and with a few labored breaths continued “don’t ever do that again.” Plum was familiar with magic of course. Half his staff were Canterlot unicorns, the rest unicorns from around Equestria, the only other non-unicorn besides himself was Heavy. He makes the cupcakes, and take allot after his nieces singing style. Sometimes Plum wonders what would happen if they ever met, but he knows it would never turn out well.
"Cheer up plum; you've done better than most of the guards here in Canterlot." Celestia chuckled. No other pony except Twilight had lasted this long without throwing up. Celestial cringed slightly as the name passed through her mind. It didn't bring her pain or discomfort; she couldn't ever imagine it would. But she would be lying through her teeth if she said it didn't confuse her greatly. At first she had thought she was not going to chase after Twilight. That in her mind she was ready to relinquish Twilight to... To... Celestia chided herself for not knowing the mare's name. Celestia felt like she didn't care, but she did. More than she cared for anything else. She wanted to make amends with this mare, to clear the distaste that lingered in her mouth whenever she spoke of Celestia.
But why did she want to sit down and talk with her. She didn’t quite understand why she wanted to become acquainted with her 'competition'. But Celestia could not bring herself to see the mare in a bad light. And she knew that Twilight would feel the same. Celestia sighed deeply, tipping off Plum as to where her thoughts were leading. He stilled his self for a second making sure he was okay to talk, “Celestia, what’s wrong now?”
“It’s nothing Plum. Come we must be going, you are ready to go yes?” She said without a trace of happiness or joy.
“Please Celestia, please sit down. You need to talk it out, and I'm here to listen.” Celestia tilted her head to look at the sky, as if she were contemplating just flying away into the night. But she sat back down on the bench slowly and spoke softly.
“I am having second thoughts. I’m confused plum, I've never been in this position and it's scaring me. I’m not sure how or why, but it does Plum. It scares me. I don’t know if it’s because I’ve always known what I wanted when it comes to relationships, or because Twilight is involved.” Celestia dropped her head a let out a slight chuckle, “She’s grown up so much hasn’t she? I remember when she was just a little foal coming to perform the admittance test at my school. She probably didn’t know how great a magician she would become and neither did I. Her future from the moment she opened her first book was set, but not in stone. Her destiny was still in her hooves, everything she is now in her full glory is the product of her hard work. And I think, I think that was what drove me over the edge. Her patience, her quick thinking and most of all her love of books. In a way I think, she reminded me of my sister. They are alike in more than one way Plum. But that wasn’t what kept me loving her; something else fueled my love for her. And I don’t know what it is Plum. It’s like the one question that if we knew the answer we’d somehow know it all. But the answer eludes us at every turn... I just don’t know what to do anymore Plum. I want to be with Twilight but I can’t bring myself to break anypony’s heart.” As Celestia finished her monologue Plum couldn't help but feel pity. It felt like a stone was materializing in his chest. It was that gut wrenching feeling you got when read or watched something really sad and deep. But luckily he was a Pie, and Pies knew how to be optimistic.
“Now Celestia, if I was my niece which I know I am not. I would be singing to you, so count yourself lucky there. But in all seriousness your majesty, what happens in love and relationships can never be blamed on just one party.” Plum stopped and quickly turned his head round, watching for the tell tale signs of the pink pony. Satisfied the comment went unheard he continued “No pony can blame you for how you feel, and neither can you be blamed for the decisions others make. What I'm trying to say Celestia is that whatever happens is nopony’s fault. ‘You can’t break something that isn’t yours to brake’ is what my grandmother always used to say.”
“A wise mare, I'm sure.” Celestia’s voice had lifted a few tones; it was not yet her happy soothing voice yet. It was far from it, but progress was being made and that was all that mattered. “But despite that Plum, I still don’t know if I am one hundred percent confident here. I don’t what to hurt anypony, and somepony is bound to get hurt here. And I don’t doubt no matter which way this turns out, I will have regrets.”
“Celestia, in whatever you do, and you should know this best. You will always regret something.” She nodded confirming his point. “But that doesn’t mean you can’t live. Regrets shouldn’t deter you from something you truly want Celestia. Now come on, I didn’t let you teleport me halfway across the city just so we could sit here and sulk. We have an agenda, let’s move!” Plum shouted with renewed vigor, the last remnants of his nausea fading away. He attempted to stand up very quickly but lost purchase on the slippery surface of the bench and face planted into the side walk. Celestia giggled a little and stood up herself while plum quickly dusted himself off. “I meant to do that your majesty.” he said while he activated he best poker face. Celestia only laughed more.
“You truly are more like your niece than you give yourself credit for. Hmmm, now where are we? Ah yes, I know where we are now. Follow me.” She began to trot down the path with an air of dread. And Plum couldn't help but notice. But before he could open his mouth to comment Celestia said “Plum, if we don’t make it out alive, I want you to know what you’ve done for me. I will never forget.” He nodded and gulped. They rounded the corner and there it was. The house hold of the sparkles, infamously known between the sisters as 'jail'. And have on many occasions agreed that time doesn’t work quite the same as Equestria in that house.
They walked up to the door, the deep maroon wood standing in their way. Its aged hinges looking as strong as they did when they were made. The many scratches and dents in the door just adding to its dark demeanor. The door was like warning, to any who dared approach it. And it did more than symbolize, it kept ponies out. It did its job better than any door in Canterlot, for in truth the door was designed for its job. Centuries ago, the door was part of the house that held one of Equestria’s most dangerous criminal. But since then the house was taken down, and parts of it sold off. Many have disappeared of the face of the earth but the door remained. And Celestia was intimidated by it. She looked down to Plum standing by her, and he was any better off. “A...Are you quite sure this is the place?” he whispered quietly as if the door might hear and become offended. Celestia nodded apprehensively, wishing she could just turn around and say this wasn’t the place. But she wasn’t about to walk away from her fears, even if they were well justified. She lowered her head in defeat and carefully knocked thrice upon the hardened the door. Just three loud thumps reverberated from the door, nothing more nothing less. The door was there as a door, not musical instrument.
Voices could be heard from within the house but Celestia couldn’t make out what they were saying. Then they died down, and silence rang out. But before long the door slowly swung open, and standing behind it was Dusk, Twilight’s father. And to Celestia’s horror he was...grinning.
*~*
*30 minutes earlier: 7:30”
“Um Sunshine... Do you know where we are?” Fluttershy asked tentatively as she looked around. Fluttershy knew they were in Canterlot somewhere but she could not place exactly where. But it was familiar somehow. Sunshine nodded, she knew where they were.
“Yea, I know where we are. But I just don’t know how...” Who knew that right beneath everpony’s feet was the entrance to a massive labyrinth. This man hole was a major health risk; any pony could fall down it, wander and get lost. Sunshine had half the mind to bring it up with Canterlot authorities. But for now she marveled at how peaceful Canterlot was at ‘night’. There wasn’t a soul on the streets saver herself and Fluttershy. But it didn’t feel empty; it felt like the energy of the city never died. The ponies may go to sleep but the city never truly dies. According to her internal clock it wasn’t before eight in the morning. And with the prolonged night she didn’t think ponies would begin getting up until ten. Then things would really get out of hoof, who was going to explain to them that the sun was likely not to come up? It definitely wasn’t going to be her; it was a miracle she was still standing look back at what she had been through. Sunshine didn’t know how much longer she could go.
“Sunshine, I think you need to rest. You’ve been through so much. Here lean on me; we need to get to the palace.” Fluttershy soothing voice and motherly tone were too much for Sunshine and so she did as she was told.
“No, the palace is too far Fluttershy. But Twilight’s house is close by.” Sunshine said pointing a hoof in the general direction of the aforementioned house. Fluttershy nodded and they began walking down the deserted streets. The journey wasn’t hard seeing as they could see where they were stepping ninety percent of the time. And it was slightly warmer on the streets of Canterlot than in the heart of the mountain. They passed through the square with the fountain and before long found themselves in front of the house they had visited yesterday. Fluttershy knocked on the door and Sunshine called out to Twilight’s parents. “Excuse me? Mrs. Sparkle? It’s me Sunshine, here with Fluttershy. Is anypony home?” No pony answered, and so they stood outside for a few more minutes, while Sunshine frequently called out to them. But then they heard hoof steps, getting closer. And slowly the door swung open to reveal Twilight’s mother standing in the doorway. Her disheveled mane hung from her around her shoulders and her face was scrunched up like a ball of paper. She did not look friendly. At all. Sunshine felt a chill travel down her spine, and she couldn’t decide whether it was the cold temperature or not.
But as soon as Star Sparkle had appeared, she disappeared as her husband Dusk Shine dragged her back into the house. After a large array of cartoon sound effects he re-emerged from the house to greet his visitors. “Fluttershy! Sunshine! Whatever brings you back so early? Did you come to retrieve something?” He asked.
“No, we didn’t Mr. Dusk. But I’m afraid it’s a long story, may we please come in. Sunshine is hurt and I don’t think she should be in this dreadful weather any longer. I’m sure you understand.” Dusk gasped as her realized that Fluttershy was right; Sunshine did not look the mare that had left his house earlier. He nodded frantically as he quickly ushered in the two mares into the house. He rushed ahead quickly gathering two blankets, and setting them down in the living room where he motioned the two pegasi to sit.
“I’ve got the kettle going and I shall be back soon with some hot drinks and a first aid kit. Please, please make yourself comfortable.” He darted away to find the items. Fluttershy sat Sunshine down and covered her with the blanket, then did so for herself. She sighed happily; the night had been very stressful for the shy Pegasus. She was physically and mentally exhausted, but she was happy that everything was okay now. Sunshine and herself were both alive, they had made it successfully out of the mountain and now they were enjoying the warmth and comfort from Twilight’s family house. Her ‘adventure’ was over now, and she had fulfilled her promise to Twilight. All that was left to do was to wait and rest. Fluttershy lay on the ground just as Dusk returned with the drinks and first aid kit. The sweet smell of chocolate wafted over to her, and forced her back into alertness. Nothing woke Fluttershy up faster than a nice hot cup of hot coco, a nifty little secret Pinkie liked to exploit whenever they had slumber parties. Dusk set the first aid kit down on the coffee table in the middle of the room and carried the hot coco to the two mares sitting near the cold fire place. He lit the fire and set the coco next to them. “Now, will you excuse me while I go and make my wife presentable.” Under his breath he said “Celestia help me”. Without out letting anything on he continued “If you need anything at all just call.” and as he walked away “Please call me back.” But before he could take one step up the dreaded staircase Fluttershy called out to him.
“Mr. Dusk? Mr. Dusk sir?” He swiveled round quickly and began walking back to the living room. “My prayers have been answered!”
“Yes, Fluttershy?” He asked standing at the entrance to the living room.
“Could we...If it’s not too much trouble... get some straws?” Fluttershy asked shyly as she pointed to the two mugs lying close to her.
“Of course Fluttershy, nothing is too much trouble for you and Sunshine. Just hang tight one second while I fetch them.” and so he disappeared back into the kitchen. After a minute of aimlessly looking around the room Dusk returns with two squiggly straws. Far more squiggly than necessary. “Excuse me Fluttershy; I’m afraid these are the only ones we have. Twilight had a sort of... phase with these things.” He said as he slipped the two straws with loop de loops to make you dizzy if you followed it.
“Oh, it won’t be a problem. Thank you mister Dusk.” Her eyes slowly floated over to the straw that sat in front of her. And it was really hard to keep from giggling. I didn’t know Twilight loved straws so much...” So she beamed quietly. Dusk sensed that he was no longer needed and with a heavy hoof trotted back to the stair case. He dragged himself up the stairs and as he stood outside his bedroom he prayed once more. And as he pushed the door open slowly he knew the next 5 minutes of his life were going to be painful ones.
“Honey... It’s time to wake up now...”
*7:40*
A vast array of mechanical appliances lay strewn on the floor around the bed. They included drills, two thousand watt speakers, blenders and the odd timer. Dusk was spent, he loosed his magical control from the gong he was holding up, fell to his bed where his wife slept peacefully and soundly. Being completely exhausted he fell asleep instantly, but as he closed his eyes his wife opened hers. She yawned as she stretched her hoofs outwards bumping into Dusk. She rubbed her eyes and spotted him laying face first in the sheets; she smiled and moved off the bed.
After putting away the appliances that lay on the floor into she sat down on the bed next to her husband. He was sleeping so soundly, Star smiled. She raised her hoof, and then brought it down in a chopping motion right on the back of his head. “~ooooowwww, do you have to do that everytime?”
Star leaned down and pecked him on the cheek before replying “Of course honey, or do you prefer I use the speakers?” Dusk shook his head vigorously before rolling over to the other side of the bed. “Now, what say we go entertain our guests?” She said as she walked out the door.
*7:46*
Sunshine was having a hard time trying to calm Fluttershy down. The loud noises had started so suddenly it had scared Fluttershy so violently that the sharp intake of air was enough to finally get the coco through the straw and burn her tongue. She had her fore-hooves around her Fluttershy’s neck trying to comfort her. But despite her best attempts the yellow mare continued to shiver. Sunshine was completely at loss at what to do at this point. As she sat there trying to clam Fluttershy down she heard hoof steps descending the stairway. Reinforcements, thank you Luna! So as Dusk and Star walked into the room fully expecting Fluttershy and Sunshine to be quietly chatting away. They were of course shocked to find them in complete disarray. “Sunshine! What happened?” Dusk shouted at the two mares. The sudden burst of loud noise pushing Fluttershy back into another fit of shivers.
“Ssssshhhh!!!” Sunshine raised her hoof and hissed at dusk to shut him up. She had to keep them from talking, otherwise Fluttershy they would be in for a very long day.
“What happened?” Dusk tried to whisper to Sunshine before she promptly shut him up by forcing her hoof into his mouth. He better not have a hoof fetish… “mepfhsfefhlsfkjnfs” Dusk tried to communicate that he was quite able to shut himself up but all he could manage was an incomprehensible babble of noise. And in the end just stopped trying, Sunshine sure that he wasn’t going to try saying anything took her hoof out of his mouth and put it to hers to emphasize that there was to be not noise whatsoever. And gave them a stare that would have made Fluttershy proud, if she wasn’t slowly recovering on the floor next to them. And then Sunshine proceeded to usher the two horrified unicorns into the dining room. Then quickly returned to put a blanket over Fluttershy.
At the dining table Star and Dusk were sitting quietly, not talking. Not even whispering for fear of Sunshine’s gaze (gaze<stare). So as Sunshine walked in they nervously looked at each other. Sunshine sat down opposite them, and sighed. “I’m sorry if I did anything to offend you, but Fluttershy is a very, how would I say? Fragile soul. And she does not take well to loud noises and surprises. And when...whatever happened upstairs, well happened that was quite the combination of both. I confess I was quite surprised myself.” Sunshine pauses to look at the facial expressions of Twilight’s parents, “look you can stop looking at me like that okay? Please stop.”
Star was the first to speak. “Oh, upstairs? No need to worry dear, Dusk was just trying to wake me up.”
“With a power drill?” Sunshine asked with a cocked eyebrow.
“She’s a very deep sleeper. Last year I had to use a bucket of ice cold water, but all I did was get the bed wet.” Dusk explained. Twilight’s parents are truly....interesting... “Well enough of my wife’s sleeping habits, how come only you and Fluttershy have returned? I thought you were all traveling in a group.” Sunshine’s demeanor quickly became very despondent.
“We...We broke up.” This was almost true in two ways. That is if Twilight still loves me.
“Oh? How come? Did something happen?” Star asked not quite sure what Sunshine was trying to say.
“Have you seen what time it is?” Sunshine said with the smallest amount of effort possible. She tried to point at the window but her hoof slumped back down to the table. Dusk And Star looked at each other with confused looks. What could she possibly mean? It was still relatively dark so it must still be some time in the night. Dusk stood up and trotted out of the dining room to the kitchen where their clock was hanging above the stove. Star looked tentatively at Sunshine before extending a hoof out to her and smiling; even if it was a forced smile her intentions were good. Sunshine felt the hoof touch hers and she raised her head to see what it was, when she saw whose hoof it was and the smile that donned that face. She couldn’t help but smile back; At least I still have Twilight’s parents on my side. When the kitchen door swung open again and Dusk walked in a state of shock Star sparkle jumped up to aid him. Even with the aid of his wife Dusk was slow to settle back at the table. His mouth was agape, but no words were leaving it. For a second Sunshine was almost scared that it was because of her, but then she remembered what she had sent him to do. She thought something like this was bound to happen.
“Ho...How?” Dusk finally regained his voice to ask that one simple question. And everything would have been fine and dandy if she had known.
“I don’t know... but I have a hunch...” There was only one thing that would have kept Celestia from raising the sun that night. Me.
“What? What's going on, somepony tell me please?” Dusk turned his head to face his wife and then whispered to her.
“Its seven fifty and the sun has not risen yet.” Star Sparkle shook her head, and just kept shaking it.
“No, no, that can’t be, you read the clock wrong! Never in the history of Equestria has the sun ever been late!” She shouted at him, her denial clear for all to see.
“Dear, please... please calm down. I would never lie to you. The sun has not risen. Please, Sunshine, do you know anything about this?” He asked, hoping she might have at least some insight into the situation. Star turned to face Sunshine, and Sunshine instantly felt scarred.
“No... I...I don’t know... I can’t say... I’m sorry.” She let her muzzle fall back into her hooves to avoid eye contact with either of Twilight’s parents. If they knew it was because of her, there would be no way they’d let her stay with Twilight.
“What do you mean you can’t say? Please, anything. If you know anything about Twilight, please tell us.” The desperation was becoming more and more apparent in Star sparkles voice, Sunshine just couldn’t bear to put her in this position. “Twilight...She’s fine. I think... I don’t know anymore. We parted a long time ago...”
“Where did you see her last? Why did you girls leave the group? Where were you the entire time? When did this happen?” Sunshine couldn't handle the pressure and snapped.
“I don’t know alright! She disappeared with Celestia and I went to find her! But when I found Celestia she was crying and she said that Twilight had run off! Then I got mad at Celestia! But Twilight got back and got mad at me! So I left! I don’t know what happened to her! So stop Asking ME!” Sunshine huffed in the wake of her sudden outburst. Then realizing she just shouted at Twilight’s parents hit her face in her hooves again. Dusk and Star looked at each other with concerned faces, and then Star walked around the table and nuzzled Sunshine. Sunshine confused at the comforting gesture raised her head to see the look of concern on her face. But who is she concerned about?
“Suussshhh Sunshine... It’ll all be okay. I’m sorry if I raised my voice, but you understand right?” Sunshine nodded her head; she knew motherly instincts all too well. “But why did you get mad at Celestia?” Sunshine’s heart throbbed, she really didn’t want to explain it to Twilight’s parents but she knew she had to.
“She... Celestia confessed her love for Twilight...” To Star and Dusk were shocked would be a grave understatement. The ruler of Equestria, in love with their daughter!? Their lives in Canterlot left much to be desired in the surprise section. But today was just filled with them. But after a minute of electrified air, Star settled down enough to speak again.
“She...*sigh* Now I see why you were so mad. Sunshine, you had every reason to be mad, but perhaps the situation could have been handled better. And for what it’s worth, we still consider you part of the family.” She looked to Dusk, and he nodded as well. But then he heard knocking at the door, so he went to go look. Then he ran back and hissed at the two mares.
“It’s Celestia!!!” Sunshine looked to Star with pleading eyes, but Star just ignored them. A wide grin appearing on her face. She looked at Dusk and he instantly knew what she was thinking. So he went to go let them in.
I do not own My Little Pony friendship is magic or any of the trademarked entities that appear in this fic.
An Alicorn’s Wishes
As Twilight got to the bottom of the stairs she slowed to a halt. She heard something but dismissed it and carried on walking. To be honest Twilight was quite scarred walking round the streets of Canterlot at this hour. Despite it technically being morning Twilight did not doubt that somepony could still very well take advantage of the darkness that was draped over Equestria. But having the princess of the night, ruler of the dream-scape and perhaps one of the strongest magic users by your side. Is in fact very comforting.
Twilight looked around and saw that Pony Joe’s was still closed, despite the sign saying open time eight o’clock. Nor were any of the lights on, and it made Twilight wonder whether any pony actually used, or even had a working alarm clock. Twilight knew she had one, even if she didn’t use it every night. Because to be completely frank, it was rather mundane to wake up at the exact same time every single day. Twilight loved to be organized and on time but she knew she loved to sleep too. As Twilight’s mind filled with careless thoughts about time travel and how she could possibly send a note to her past self, her demeanor began to lighten up. And significantly enough that Luna was able to pick up the changes in her walk.
Luna smiled with a pang of jealousy. Twilight was able to despite the events of the not so distant past, find it within her self to be happy. And Luna could have sworn her heart had been broken in two not very long ago. She was jealous of Twilight’s resilience, her almost rubber like heart. And Luna remembered a time when she was as carefree and resilient, as the purple mare who seemed to think she was walking in a field of flowers. But century’s of loss after loss wore away at that once never fading flame. She was a wary mare now, taking great caution not to get too deep in a relationship. She was being selfish, she knew that. Keeping her heart locked up out of every pony’s reach, so that she wouldn’t have to feel the pain of loss anymore. And now, her sister, a mare just as old, just as cautious. Even more so than herself, was now giving her all to a relationship with a young mare; who she had only known for almost two decades. Any relationship a Alicorn had with a mortal was a leap of faith and love, but to then offer them immortality by their side. To offer them the same pain and grief that came with living forever, was on a whole other level of love and trust. And Luna had no doubt that Twilight knew what the repercussions that her choice would bring.
Twilight unknowing to Luna’s thoughts carried on regardless. Her disheveled mane getting in her eyes constantly, and she kept having to blow it aside, only to have it return to its place seconds later. Her tail looked like something out of a disaster zone, like each and every hair decided that it wanted to be as far away as possible from every other hair. Luna had to restrain herself from finding a comb so that she could put the horrible beasts to rest. Rarity would not have had the same self-control that Luna had.
Twilight wanted to end this, she wanted to make a decision and be done with it. She couldn’t take anymore indecision, bouncing back and forth unable to settle on who she wanted. She just didn’t know anymore. And even though it meant going against all her self-imposed rules, all her morals; She was going to leave it to a whim. The pony she wanted most at the time of her decision would be a very lucky mare indeed. And Twilight couldn’t believe she was doing this, but every time she thought up a better way to do it; Nothing came to mind, or to be exact, nothing plausible came to mind. There was no way around her dilemma, and if some one had told her not one week ago that she be in the love triangle of the millennium. She’d laugh and tell them to go read a book on probability. It made her chuckle, her situation. And she couldn’t think of the right word to perfectly describe it all, which made her chuckle even more. The Twilight Sparkle, protege to one of the most powerful Alicorn in Equestira, the only pony to have read the entire collection of Mareriam Webster dictionaries, was at loss for words. it was unthinkable, unfathomable, unspeakable.
Their sudden arrival at her house shook her from her daydream. Ah home at last. The old familiar house stood tall and proud, and Twilight smiled as she took a minute to remember the fleeting memories of her foalhood days. They were happy times, always filled with glee and contentment. But now, things were different. She wasn’t ‘surprise’ visiting her parents with the hope of catching them off guard so that she could enact a complex plan to drop off birthday gifts without being noticed. Nor was she coming home from a good day at the academy, having learnt a new spell that would aid her in her quest to glean new strategies of dropping of birthday presents unnoticed. Oh how she missed those days. But she was all grown up now, a mare in her own rights. And it was folly to reminisce in bygone days that unfortunately, would never come back. Twilight stiffened her upper lip and glared at the front door, half wishing it would burst open to show her parents happy faces, half acknowledging the situation she was about to put herself in. Come on Twilight, time won’t stand still for you. One hoof in front of the other. Despite her treasure trove of knowledge on illusion magics, time still appeared to stand still as she slowly but surely edged towards the front door.
And as she did, she could hear strange noises emanating from her house. And the closer she got, the more inappropriate they sounded. Many of the ran along the lines of “Not there!”, “stop that, please!” Twilight recognized the voice, but placing the name behind the squeals and grunts was proving a harder task than normal. It may have been because of the distracting noises, and the seemingly invisible blush on Twilight’s face may or may not be evidence towards that fact. But she was sure that such noises should not be coming from her house. Her slow progress to the front door became slower, and Luna noticed it. Unfortunately the horrifically erotic sounds did not allude her mind as to the name of its origin. Her brain withered and her eyes watered as she was subjected to such mental atrocities. With her waning mental strength she charged the quaint little house front door and barreled through screaming “CELESTIA!!!!”. Twilight just stood there unsure as to what she would do next with her increasingly confusing life. And as the ruler of the night tumbled into the hallway of her childhood home, the thought of just turning around and walking away to live the life of a wandering magician with Trixie sounded very appealing. Moving from little town to little town relying on Trixies stage persona and her magic, they could become quite famous.
But as Twilight forced the depressingly appeasing thoughts of fame and fortune out of her head, a midnight-blue aura dark as the night enveloped her, and in the blink of an eye she was pulled into the house. No sounds escaped her mouth as she was neatly swallowed whole by her home. No pony saw her come. No pony saw her go. And at seven fifty nine in the morning (night), no pony would have really cared.
-8:00-
Being one of the wisest of mages Equestria has ever seen, Starswirl the bearded had this to say on Twister. “Don’t ever, ever, ever play it in the seclusion of your house with the curtains drawn. And especially not when there isn’t any loud music”. Unfortunately for Twilight’s parents, they never got round to reading that particular biography stashed in the depths of Twilight’s personal library. So as Twilight involuntarily made her way down the hall towards her living room, she feared the worst. And the first thing she laid eyes on as she entered the room, was a twisted pile of pony; And luna, mouth agape in the doorway.
The entire room was silent for what Twilight could have sworn was a eternity. But someone had to speak sometime, so she decided to make the first move. “Can somepony please...please tell me WHY you all are playing twister at...eight o’clock in the morning? Sunshine? Dad? Mom? Celestia? Anypony?” However none of the participants of the game could speak. For one they did not want to try and explain why Celestia had her head between Sunshine’s haunches, or why Sunshine was trying her hardest not to lower her body onto Dusk‘s face. Nor did any of them think they could possible put the sequence of events that led up to this particular situation into words. The only thing that could come out audibly was two weak willed words.
“Forgive us?” Twilight nudged Luna, whom politely dropped her on her flank. And then walked away. Leaving the room and those still occupying it to quietly think about what it was they were doing. And as the ambience of the room took a sudden nose dive, the unmoving mass of pony suddenly collapsed. And as Celestia brought her head out from Sunshines rear she caught Luna’s arctic chilled gaze.
“Luna..please”. But Luna who was probably more disgusted than the previous pony to have left the room merely turned and trotted away. But her message was clear, no pony was to bother her or Twilight for a long while.
“Twilight?” Luna called cautiously up to the Library above her. Luna could not fathom what Twilight was thinking, nor how she was faring after the living room ordeal. “Twilight, please, we are here- I mean i’m here to talk to you.” Luna called out, hearing naught but a squeek. The entire library gave of a eire feeling, one Luna was not comfortable feeling. But she pushed on, giving each slow step its due time, making sure she breathed slowly and calmly as she ascended the final steps of the staircase. “Twilight please”.
“I’m over here Luna...” Twilight answered softly as Luna stepped into the library. “You know, as a child I spent all my days up here, reading every book I could get my hooves on. And when I moved into the palace, I did the same for the royal library. And I thought, or like to think, my parents had read all the books you see here. I’m obviously mistaken.” Luna was baffled, that was what Twilight was feeling? Confusion she understood, but at the fact her parents hadn’t read...what two hundred separate books? “Becuase you see Luna... there’s one passage here in Starswirled the Bearded’s biography that has something to say about the game Twister”. Luna sat beside the rambling mare and looked, it did indeed have something to say about the ever popular party game. But just as she was reading it Twilight cried out and planted her face into the book, as she bawled her eyes out. And now Luna was officially confused. “What am I going to do now Luna?!”
“sssh-sh, what ever are you talking about Twilight?” Luna asked as she attempted to pry Twilight face from the book so it would not suffer anymore damage from Twilights tears.
“What do you think Luna! You saw what happened downstairs!”
“That I did, but I still do not see your reason to this sudden outburst. Pray thee tell me why you feel so sad?”
“I can’t choose Luna! I thought i could, i came here thinking i could! But I can’t! What kind of pony would I be Luna?” For once Luna could not answer her. “You saw them, how much fun they were having, Luna you saw with your very eyes what was happening. If i choose now, they’ll hate each other! And on top of it all, one of them will never speak to me again!” As her flush came to an end, Twilight’s shouts subsided. “I don’t think i can ever decided Luna... I just can’t” To which Twilight dropped her entire weight into Luna’s and quietly sobbed.
~*~
After 30 minutes had passed, the occupants of the now silent living room stood to attention as hoofsteps emanated from the staircase. And they stood like statues as the two mare’s entered the room, one with bloodshot eyes, the other filled with disapproval. As they settled in the middle of the room Luna carefully nuzzled Twilight as not to shock her. Twilight looked back at Luna and nodded, eyes filled with grief. Before Anypony could even begin Twilight raised her hoof, silencing any thought of speaking. Then slowly but surely the words came flowing out her mouth, Luna massaging her back in encouragement. “I..I can’t imagine what brought you all to even think of bringing out twister, or what caused you to all enjoy it so much that you were audible from the street outside. But you can all imagine what i’ve been going through tonight.” Twilight squeezes her eyes shut. “And..I can’t believe i’m about to do this...but i need to. Celestia, Sunshine.” Both mares snap their heads to attention as they worry for Twilight. “I..I can’t be with either of you.” Sunshine’s eyes go wide as she takes it all in.
“But..But Twilight!”
“No! I’m sorry Sunshine, but i just can’t do it anymore...Both of you mean too much to me for me to have to choose. I’m sorry but thats my final decision.” Silence permeated through the room. Sunshine attempted on many occasions to retort, but could not. She loved Twilight too much to try and defy her wishes. But she wasn’t the only one unsure of how to take it.
Celestia’s mind was a storm of activity. She couldn’t bear to see Twilight go through all this pain. And knowing she was the cause of her pain, tore at her heart even more. To think she had been able to drive a pony so in love so far over the edge that she could no longer bear to be in the same room with either. It made her wish she had never confessed her feelings. If only I hadn’t been so brash, this whole situation, and what is to come after it. We could have avoided it all. If only Starswirl the bearded had finished his research on time paradoxs. But why cry over spilt milk Celestia... The damage is irreversible.”
“NO! Thou musn’t say such things dear sister.”
“Luna? What are you doing inside my head?”
“Tis a story for another day, but Celestia, thou must not give up. Nothing is forever.”
“But we are, as so is our regret.”
“But our wounds heal dear sister, they do not plague us forever. But for our mortal subjects... it is different”. Luna emphasized this by nuzzling Twilight, who only whimpered.
“But luna...what can I do?”
“I don’t know Celestia, i am as you say, like a foal to matters such as these. But I for one can vouch you’ll live to love another.” Celestia blinked.
“Luna...Do you really think so. I don’t think i could ever love someone like I do for Twilight. I have lived century after century, millennia after millennia, but no pony makes me feel like I do now other than Twilight. I don’t think I could let her go Luna, not this easily.”
“Celestia! You would jeopardize the feelings of the pony you love because you cannot let go of that which was not yours to begin with! Do you for one second think Twilight is not completely sure of what she has said?”
“I been with her for almost her entire life! I know exactly how she feels and thinks!”
“Well you obviously don’t! Have you for one second accounted for what she’s thinking right now?! No! Because if you had you’d know she has every intent to run away! The only thing keeping her from doing so is me!” Luna facial features darkened, twisted and scowled at her foolish sister.
“How do you know she has no feelings for me though! You cannot sense that can you!?”
“No... but that doesn’t make you right dear sister.” As much as Luna wanted to walk away of the situation, she knew she was the only thing holding her sister from doing anything...damaging. Quickly she glanced at Sunshine. The mare was sobbing, crying an endless stream of tears into her hoof. The yellow mare was attempting to comfort her with her soothing voice and encouragements. But they seemed to have little effect on the mentality of the blonde mare. Luna’s anger flared much to the surprise of the unicorns and Alicorns in the room. Her hate seethed out of every magical pore in her body. Twilight spun round to address the maddened mare. But Luna placed her hoof on Twilight’ mouth, dispelling any thought to try and calm Luna down. Then she stepped towards Celestia, her disgust in the alabaster mare overflowing.
“Luna please-”
“No Celestia! Don’t you even dare try to stop me. I’ve had just about enough of you! Thinking you can get your hooves on just about anything that you want. And if you don’t you make a huge scene and while every pony is fighting over it, or feeling sorry for fighting about it. You decide you can just waltz in and take it! No matter it being a cupcake! Or an actual PONY, with actual feelings! It’s the same every time! You never once account for how others feel!”
“LUNA YOU KNOW THAT’S NOT TRUE!
“NOT TRUE CELESTIA!? NOT TRUE!? We both know what I say is the truth! Of all ponies thou cannot say they did not happen!” The tension in the room was electric, no pony other than Luna dared make a move.
“..........” Celestia was silent. Luna’s words hitting home, and hitting hard. Her face grew dark, despondent, cold. “But how can I let her go? I don’t think I can let her go.” Even mentally her voice was weak, it faltered. What she would say now, would be nought but the truth. Luna knew. “But I don’t want Twilight to hate me...why must it be so hard!?!” Her mental burst hit Luna who flinched at its volume.I may have her beat at the royal Canterlot voice, but in the mind she’s stronger.
“You know perfectly why it hurts so much sister, or have you really lost that much of your memory?”
“Regardless Luna. Regardless of what happened it still stings.” Celestia tone had calmed down a few notches. But the pain in her voice (even mentally) was evident.
“Of course dear sister, but you remember what that old kook Starswirl told us when he got dumped? It is better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all”. Luna lay a hoof on Celestia’s shoulders, she flinched but soon welcomed the touch. All the other ponies in the room quickly realized there was not going to be any unicorns having a epic battle today and sighed breaths of relief. “Dearest sister” Luna began “It’ll all be okay, now why don’t we step outside for breath of fresh air? I hear it’s going to be a lovely day”. And that smiled she beamed, would make Pinkie cry in admiration. Celestia couldn’t help but smile back. Her sister always knew how to ease a situation, especially when it was due to heartbreak. She may not know how to be in a relationship herself but her insights were invaluable.
“Celestia?” Fluttershy ventured, clearly taking leaps and bounds out of her comfort zone.
“I’m fine Fluttershy thank you. But I do believe we are all in for a much needed tanning session.” And so Celestia stood up, wobbling a bit, but proud nevertheless; and went outside. She could already feel the sun bathing her in its ray’s.
*10:00*
Pip, Dinky and Cheerilee were all snoring. Loudly. They were all tucked under Pip’s multitude of blankets they slept soundly. Then the sun started to rise. Restarting its journey across the skies, moving at a rapid pace it raced to catch up for lost time. And only mere minutes after the sun had first shown its red face to the sky had it already found its predetermined spot in the sky. Unfortunately for many ponies throughout the land, this meant sunlight in their eyes, and lots of it. And there wasn’t a single cloud in the sky, even though the ponyville weather team hadn’t woken up yet.
As the sun broke through the tree’s of ponyville’s park, It happened to fall directly on Pip’s face. Turning over in pure instinct he managed to hit cheerilee over the head with his hoof; whom haphazardly flailed her hoofs in response kicking each respective pony. And waking them up, especially Cheerilee. “Oh goodness! I’m so sorry, I don’t know what’s gotten into me. Are you two alright?”
“Owie, my nose hurts” moaned dinky, until she opened her eyes. “And now i’m blinded!”
“Where are you Cheerilee, my eye’s don’t seem to be working.” Pip shouted standing a mere meter behind the aforementioned mare. And cheerilee smiled and sighed, today was going to be a strange one for sure. Then Pip found Cheerilee...and her backside. And Cheerilee hooves found pip. Strange day for sure.
*12:00*
As ponies began to calm down in Canterlot, things got back to normal. Those who slept through the entire ordeal were having a grand time figuring out why they had only woken up at ten o’clock in the morning. And it was only by eleven thirty that shops had begun to open for the generally confused public. Whom bought didn’t understand why they were buying bread for breakfast at twelve.
The royal palace had been cleared out, including the grounds where last night’s fiesta had happened. Along with four very relieved yet concerned mares, who were trying to navigate their way back to where it had all begun. “Rarity, are yah taking us the right way? Cause ah believe Twilight’s house was thataway.” Applejack said pointing in the general direction of ponyville, and coincidentally her own home.
“Yes dear i’m sure i’m going the right way. I do believe I have been to Canterlot more times than you Apple Jack.” Rarity retorted as she led the group to where she believed Twilight’s house was.
“Dun mean you know where’s where. How many times have yah gone into the wild and then come back without ah map?” The conversation about who knew which way to go and begun the instant they stepped out of the royal palace.
“The wild is no comparison to the city my dearest Apple Jack.” She said back with the most endearing, yet sarcastic tone.
“I don’t know about you girls but I see Celestia! HI CELESTIA!” And as Pinkie ran off to go greet the alabaster Alicorn, Rarity tried her best not to utter the few words that would make her the happiest mare alive. Because she cared.
~12:10~
Celestia was surprised, and then again she was not surprised. The sudden arrival of the Pink pony was by no means unexpected, but then again, no pony expects Pinkie Pie. However Celestia was in no mood to sit and have a long chat about how she nearly destroyed her special somepony’s (predominantly student) relationship. But it would be rude to not say something, especially when being greeted by a pony like Pinkie. “Pinky, greetings to you as well.” She said a little solemnly. The Party pony screeched to a halt meer centimeters away from Celestia’s flanks, sidestepped to avoid awkward scenery and belted.
“Wwwwwwaaaaaatttttsssss wwwwrrrrrooooonnnnggggg?” The burp was not pinkies best, nor was it her worst. The high notes still needed work. Celestia, who was on the receiving end of the caring burp stood there and took the entire blast. She was moved Pinkie was trying to be there for her, but she should have seen that one coming. Pinching her nose Celestia tried to reply.
“Dearest Pinkie pie, I thank you for you sentiment and *cough**cough* your breathe certainly smells sweet, but you should not be greeting others like that.”
“Oh sorry, I didn’t mean to! It’s just that I had a huge pie not long ago and its coming back up, I didn’t mean to burp in your face. I mean it just came out, and I couldn’t really help it, it’s like those fizzy drinks that bubble all the time! You can’t hold all that air back so you have to let go, but you don’t meant to!” Going against common sense Celestia took her hoof from her nose and used it to abruptly silence the rambling mare. Who grinned and muffled a “sowy”. By that time the rest of the girls had caught up. And Celestia noticed Rarity had a massive grin on her face while Apple jack was staring at her with slight bloodlust. She shrugged and let the Pink pony go.
“Sister?” Luna called out from the doorway. “Twilight wishes to have an audience with thou. Oh girls! Excuse myself, I did not see thou arrive. Perhaps thou should accompany us too.” Then she turned and walked back into the house. Celestia hung her head, like she was accepting her end and trotted into the house. The girls who were now completely confused, went in thinking it would be a good idea to see Twilight again.
As the moved in Pinkie Pie who was the first to come in after Celestia gasped and ran to Twilight crushing her in a bear hug “Twilight! Oh my god there you are! I’ve been looking all over for you! Like everywhere, even under the rocks but I couldn’t find you! I missed you Twilight!” But all Twilight could do was make gagging noises and flail helplessly. But Sunshine Interjected on her behalf.
“Um Pinkie, I think she’s very happy to see you... but you're crushing her.”
“Oh woopsies! Sorry Twilight.”
“It’s good to see you too Pinkie.” Twilight smiled, genuinely happy the Pink pony had shown up, along with the rest of her friends. But her smile quickly faded again. “Celestia... I needed to see you because...” She looked at Sunshine who smiled and put her foreleg over Twilight. “I don’t want to lose you.”
“But Twilight I-”
“I know Celestia, but you’re too important to me! You’re like a second mother to me.” Tears were welling up in her eyes as she gushed everything she had held back. “I may not be with you, but I don’t want you to leave because of it! Please Celestia, can we just put it all behind us!?” Cestia looked away, she couldn’t bear to see Twilight in such a state or the fact that she was the cause. But what Twilight was asking of her, to throw everything away like it never happened? She didn’t know if she could. She had never felt stronger for any pony than Twilight, she couldn’t just throw it away like a old scroll. But...But maybe I don’t have to throw it all away... She looked to Luna, who gave her a face that said “This is your’s to handle”.
“My feelings cannot just be swept aside.” Twilight opened her mouth to protest but Celestia held her hoof up to silence it. “Nor can I ever forget what I have done to you.”
“But It doesn’t matter now!”
“My dear Twilight, my memory is old as it is deep. There are just somethings that I can never forget. I was selfish Twilight, I didn’t stop to think about the things that mattered. You, Sunshine, and everypony else. You all matter to me, too much for me to forgive myself so easily.”
“But Princess” Sunshine interjected “we have forgiven you”.
“I thank you all, but it isn’t as easy as that. I need time, I hope you can understand that Twilight.” Celestia ended as she turned to walk out.
“Celestia” Luna called out.
“No Luna... She has requested something of me. The least I can do is honor that request, no matter how much it pains me.” Luna nodded, approached her to hug her and whispered in her ears.
“Don’t worry, I’ll talk to her. You just go home and rest.” A reassuring smile played upon her face. Twilight mouthed “Thank you for everything.” And as soon as the royal sister had left, Pinkie spoke.
“Group hug!” And thats what they did.
“What now then?” Apple Jack asked.
“I think it’s about time we went home.” Sunshine said out loud. And thats what they did.
Authors notes:
I’m probably the worst Author here, promising chapters but taking them down later... But bare with me, were nearly done :) Nikolas Lanjouw: remember to make joke about jet lag
