Fire and Flames

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Ponyville was a rather interesting little village. More world ending events happened here than possibly anywhere else in the Multiverse. They happened so often that Ponyville residents just considered it another Tuesday.

It was very convenient that these apocalyptic events tended to actually happen on a Tuesday.

And it was one such Tuesday morning, that this particular event happened. A stranger visited Ponyville, and chaos itself was bound to follow.

“SPIIIIIIIKE!” the familiar hollar echoed from Golden Oaks Library. It would Princess Sunset Shimmer was awake. “Where is my Starswirl Almanac?”

“Where it always is,” her draconic brother replied with a small sigh. “Third shelf, second from the right.”

“It’s supposed to be fifth from the left,” Sunset grumbled as she floated the book down. “Honestly, everything has a place for a reason.”

“Yes yes,” Spike rolled his eyes and ducked the tome she threw at his head. “Hey! I may be immune to your fire, but books hurt.”

“Aw, poor baby,” Sunset chuckled. The dragon just shook his head as he picked up the papery projectile and put it back on the shelf it was fired from.

“So, what are you working on now?” he asked as he sat down beside her.

Sunset flipped through the book until he found the section on summoning spells.“Just curious,” she answered. “Quick Fix had a small… summoning problem a while back. Something about Time Travel, Redheart and soup… I dunno, I tuned most of it out. But the summoning sounded interesting.”

“Sunset,” Spike put a claw on the book. “Remember the last time you tried summoning?”

Sunset paused, a small frown on her features as she searched through her memories. “Hmm, Oh! Yeeah, that Balrog was fun to fight!”

“And she completely misses the point,” Spike sighed to himself. “Look Sis, we just barely got over a giant dragon wrecking the town. The last thing we need is for you to summon some eldritch abomination.”

“Summon one one time!” Sunset muttered as her horn sparked. Spike put up his hands in defense, but smiled cheekily. The unicorn powered down and looked at him. “So, any plans for today?”

“I have a date with a wonderful mare by the name of Roseluck,” Spike smiled. “She has the most lovely mane and a set of flanks that you could bounce a bit off of~”

“Okay, did not need to know that,” Sunset grimaced and smacked his arm with a hoof. “Well, I guess I’ll just have to--”

“Sunset!!” the door burst open and Shade ran inside, yelping as a fireball flew past his head, singing his left ear a little. “Ow, watch it!”

“That’s Princess Sunset to you! Damned heretic,” the irate unicorn muttered. “What do you want?”

“I came to tell you a pack of Timberwolves is heading out from the forest,” Shade replied. “Around two dozen or so!”

“By my Mother, I hate Tuesdays,” Sunset cursed and got up. “Alright, let’s go and take care of them before they cause too much damage.”

“You mean, more than you usually cause?” Shade smirked, then yelped as another fireball whizzed past him. “Alright, sorry!”

“You will be if you make a crack like that again,” Sunset replied. “Come on, you’re helping as well.”

Shade blinked at that. Well bugger. Still, Sunset was scarier than a few animated wood wolves any day.

“Alright y’all!” Fiddlesticks called out to the various Earth Ponies in hastily put together armour. “We only need t’hold ‘em off until Shade gets back with Sunset. Ah don’t want no heroics. Ain’t nopony becomin’ wolf chow on mah watch!”

“AYE!” the other half dozen ponies shouted and stomped their hooves as the darkened treeline begun to shine with the light of more than twenty sets of sickly glowing green eyes. More than that, was their foul stench of the Chaos magic that animated them. It was enough to make even the most stalwart guard reconsider their stance.

But these were Apples. And nopony or no foul beast would be allowed to mess with their farm and their kin.

Fiddlesticks ears twitched and she suddenly glanced to her left, as a pony she didn’t know stepped up next to her.

“Allow me to assist,” he said as his horn shone with a crimson corona…

“Come on!” Sunset shouted to the slender stallion running a few feet behind her. “If we don’t get there soon then--” She paused as a peculiar scent filled her nostrils. It wasn’t the decayed smell of Timberwolves, nor was it the smell of blood of slain ponies.

She knew this smell all too well. The smell of fire and smoke.

“Is Fiddlesticks playing with fire?” she asked aloud as her horn glowed. The air around her shimmered and she vanished with a sharp crack, appearing at her envisioned destination. In hindsight, she should have just teleported in the first place.

The unicorn ran towards the source of the smoky scent, and soon found Fiddlesticks with the rest of her family. A quick headcount showed that everypony seemed to be alright.

“Fiddlesticks!” Sunset called out, gaining the attention of her earthen friend. “What happened?”

“Sunset?” the mare turned her head, she looked… rather perplexed. It was very rare to see Fiddlesticks of all ponies confused. As Sunset got closer, she saw what might have been the reason. The field behind Sticks was scorched, through the trees seemed to be spared any harm, the grass suffered some casualties though.

“What… happened?” Sunset asked as she looked around. “Did you do this?”

“Nope,” Fiddlesticks shook her head and smiled, pointing a hoof. “He did.”

“He?” Sunset turned to where Fiddlesticks was pointing. She saw a unicorn stallion, his coat was a light cream colour, almost white. And his mane and tail were a striking mix of reds, yellows and oranges. His build was larger than a standard unicorn, more akin to Shining Armour. Tall, muscular, but not overly so. The base of his tail was tapered with a lavender-hued ribbon and his Cutie Mark was a checkered black and white shield, a flame and a heart located on the black spaces.

“Who is that?” Sunset asked her friend, earning a small shrug in response.

“Ah dunno his name,” Fiddlesticks admitted. “But he jus’ took out all the Timberwolves on his own. He’s a lot like you actually.”

“Like me?” Sunset looked at the damage. Was he a Fire Blood Elemental? The magic used here had a strange taste to it. Not quite Equestrian magic… but she couldn’t put her hoof on what it was.

Well, only one way to find out.

“HEY!” Sunset said as she walked up to him. “Who the hay are you!?”

He turned his head away from the conversation he was having with Apple Cobbler. Thankful he had something to distract him from the mare’s persistent flirting. Sunset paused as his crimson eyes gazed into hers.

“You know, it’s rude to demand a name without giving one yourself,” he said. His tone of voice hinted that he was young, maybe early twenties?

“You don’t know who I am?” Sunset continued her loud volume. Several ponies took a step back, not wanting to get caught in the impending and often literal crossfire.

“No, should I?” the stallion replied as a vein on Sunset’s forehead throbbed.

“I am Princess Sunset Shimmer!” she replied, allowing some of her aura to show as her coat shone with a golden light. “Rightful heir to the throne of Equestria!”

’Hah, let’s see him freak out,’ she smirked to herself.

“Sorry, never heard of you,” the stallion replied as everypony took several more steps back. This stallion was gonna get roasted alive. “I’m somewhat new around here.” He stepped forward, either unfazed or ignorant of Sunset’s aura and rising anger. “My name is Flare Blitz, and I appear to be a little lost.”

“You’re about to be a little crispy!” Sunset yelled as she fired a ball of orange flame. The stallion blinked as the spell hit him…

...And did absolutely nothing. The flames dissipated over his coat as a small frown creased his brow.

“Well, that was pretty rude don’t you think?” he scolded the mare.

“Huba...whhaaa?” Sunset stood there slack-jawed. He hadn’t consumed her fire like a Blood Mage, nor had he used some kind of shielding spell. Her flames simply had no effect. “I… what… HOW!?”

“Yeah, fire doesn’t really do anything to me,” Flare said and walked past her. “And if you’re going to be rude, then I’ll just talk with the lovely mare in the hat. She seems much more amicable.”

“D-Don’t you ignore me!” Sunset replied with a flustered shout. Who in Tartarus did this… this… jerk think he was?

“Besides, how can you be a princess?” Flare turned his head and asked. “Don’t you have to be an alicorn for that?”

“Oh, that’s because her mother is Princess Celestia,” Fiddlesticks informed him before Sunset could mount a response. “And try not ta’ be upset Mr. Blitz, Sunny’s real easy to anger, but she’s a nice mare.”

Sunset idly wondered how many of them she could set on fire at once.

“Well, if you say so Miss,” Flare bowed his head. “And now those Timberwolves have been dealt with. Might I ask where I am? It looks like Sweet Apple Acres but--”

“But nuthin’,” Fiddlesticks nodded proudly. “This is Sweet Apple Acres alright. The pride an’ joy of the Apple Clan.”

’So where’s Applejack?’ Flare wondered to himself. “Well, it seems my friend isn’t around. Might I ask your name?”

“Sure can, the name’s Fiddlesticks,” the mare nodded and ruffled his mane. “An’ who’s this friend y’all are lookin’ for. Ah know everypony in Ponyville.”

“Hey!” Sunset frowned, but was ignored again.

“Her name is Applejack,” Flare said. “Last I knew, she was the one running this place with her brother Big Macintosh and little sister Applebloom--”

“Applejack ain’t no farmer,” Big Macintosh rumbled. “Y’all got some funny ideas in yer head mister.”

Flare remained silent for a moment, before Fiddlesticks clarified.

“She lives in Manehatten, has been since she was a lil’ filly. Ah guess, she jus’ didn’t want to be a farmer. The life of the rich and fabulous sounded more appealin’ ah guess.”

Well that didn’t sound like Applejack at all. Farming was her life, he often joked she had apple juice for blood. So, to hear that was a little surprising.

“Seems I’m really not home at all,” he mumbled to himself.

“Do. Not. Ignore ME!” Sunset got up in his face. “Who are you? What are you doing here and HOW did you nullify my flames?”

Flare rolled his eyes, if it wasn’t for her attitude, she’d remind him a lot of Twilight. At least with the incessant questions.

“Okay, as I said my name is Flare Blitz,” the pony replied, pushing her muzzle back with a hoof. “I don’t entirely know how I got here. I was helping out with a spell, then appeared here. As for how…” He opened his mouth and exhaled a small flame. “I’m a Fire-type Pokémon with the Flash Fire ability, so of course your flames wouldn’t work.”

Sunset blinked, before her trademark frown appeared again. “How does that explain anything!? What the hay is a Pokeyman?”

Flare groaned and facehooved. “This might take a while. Do you have somewhere more comfortable we can talk? I’m feeling a little tired.”

“Yeah, talking with Sunset will do that,” Shade smirked and ducked another fireball, but not the second one that smacked his face, causing him to flail as his mane smoked and smouldered.

“Jeez you’re harsh,” Flare commented. “You sure you’re Tia’s daughter? I can’t imagine she’d teach you such terrible manners.”

There was so much to correct in that question that Sunset didn’t even know where to start. She simply let out a strangled growl and stormed off.

“Oh wow,” Shade replied, his mane a little shorter now. “I don’t think I’ve seen her quite that mad before. You have to teach me your secrets!”

Flare just raised an eyebrow, before giving a polite nod to Fiddlesticks and following Sunset. This little excursion was turning out to be quite interesting… and more than a little vexing.

Flare sipped a cup of tea, humming thoughtfully at the taste. It reminded him of the blends that Tia would serve when he visited.

“So let me get this straight,” Sunset rubbed the bridge of her nose. “You’re from… an alternate version of Ponyville? And even then, you’re from another world entirely?”

“Yeah, it’s confusing as all hell and I lived it,” Flare nodded. “I was helping my marefriend out with a new spell. But it seems that… she screwed it up somehow. And I now find myself here in your… pleasant company.”

“Nice save,” Sunset muttered.

“So, you’re Tia’s daughter?”

”Princess Celestia!” Sunset corrected him. “And yes, ever since I was a small filly. She adopted me and taught me everything I know. Even now, I’m the Element of Magic and have defeated Nightmare Moon. Well, me and my friends did.”

So, Sunset was basically Twilight. Fiddlesticks must have been Applejack. Flare wondered about Rarity, Pinkie, Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash. Though if two were different, then so must the others.

“Well, I suppose I should start looking for a way home,” he said and Sunset nodded.

“Do you know what spell your marefriend was casting? I should be able to successfully recast it.”

Flare closed his eyes and thought on it. Try as he might, he just couldn’t remember the name of the spell that Twilight was casting. “Sorry, I tend to tune out when she starts rambling about the more technical stuff.”

“My little brother does the same,” Sunset sighed. “If only he’d focus more on studies of the esoteric, instead of a mare’s anatomy.”

Flare actually blushed at that. Okay, so maybe that was one of his more favourite subjects as well. Twilight usually gave him an A for his efforts. “Little brother?” Flare asked as the library door opened and Spike walked in, surprised to see that Sunset had… a stallion…

Oohhohoh~

“Oh, nice one sis,” he chuckled and ruffled her mane. “You finally snagged a stallion. I knew you had it in you. You want some pointers?”

“Spike… remove your hand or I’ll do it for you… then beat you with it,” Sunset growled as Spike laughed and ruffled her mane again.

“Sorry Spike, but I’m just visiting,” Flare said as he looked at the dragon. He was a heck of a lot taller than the Spike here remembered.

“How did your date go?” Sunset asked and Spike sighed as he flopped onto the couch.

“Well… at first,” he said and rubbed his head. “Then when we got word about a Timberwolf attack at Sweet Apple Acres. She shouted something about ‘The Horror’ of it and fainted… right into her soup.”

“Roseluck?” Flare asked and Spike nodded. “Ahh, some things haven’t changed after all. I’d recommend somepony, but I think you might be a little old for them.” Well, so long as Silver Spoon was still a filly in this version.

“Appreciated, but that’s fine. I’ll find another lovely mare soon enough. None as lovely as my dearest Moondancer though.” Spike let out a wistful sigh as Sunset shook her head. She turned her head back to Flare and shrugged.

“Brothers, what can you do huh?”

“Should I feel insulted?” Spike huffed with mock-indignation. “Because I feel insulted.”

“Get over it,” Sunset giggled. Actually giggled. That was odd for Flare to see on what he thought was a permanently irritated mare. It was… kinda cute.

“Well, I don’t know what I’m going to do,” Flare said and sighed. “I need to remember this spell…”

“No rush, unless you’re in a hurry to get home,” Sunset said, earning a look from both Flare and Spike. “What?”

“Normally, you’d be more than willing to set aside everything if it meant getting rid of company,” Spike replied. “What’s going on sis?”

“N-Nothing!” Sunset exclaimed. It certainly wasn’t because this stallion was interesting. Unusual magic, an entire world of things she’d never heard of! She wanted to learn everything!

“Hooboy, she’d got that look in her eyes,” Spike sighed and clapped Flare on the shoulder. “Seems you're screwed… and not in the fun way. So… enjoy.”

“I’m used to it,” Flare sighed and shook his head. he doubted she could be any worse than Twilight when she was in one of her moods.

Flare drew the line when Sunset started looking for her scalpels, so he’d silently ditched her when she'd left the room looking for them. He wanted to take a looked around Ponyville and see what was the same and what was different.

What he never expected, was to see a house mostly made of metal, and a brown-coated unicorn mare arguing with what looked like… Bon Bon?

“Och! Are yeh deaf?” The unicorn said. “Ah said ah’d get to it didn’ I? So don’t yeh git so high and mighty with me!”

“You said you'd fix it a week ago,” Bon Bon tapped a large golden staff on the ground. “So either you do it, or we'll find someone more qualified.”

“Yeesh,” a mare next to Flare sighed. “Somepony had a full bowl of their bitchflakes this morning.” She was a green pegasus mare with a yellow mane. Heeey, Flare actually recognised her. Thunder Flash? Or something like that. Wasn’t she was one of Rainbow’s friends.

“Bon Bon does seem pretty mad,” Flare nodded. “Who's the unicorn?”

“That’s Quickfix Aperture, Ponyville's head mechanic and Leading member of Cult Mechanicus those who worship the Machine God, Deus Mechanicus,” Lightning explained, sighing a little at that mouthful.

“God?” Flare tilted his head. He knew gods, he hoofpunched one in the face. “Any idea why she’s fighting with Bonnie?”

“Probably over the water filtration unit,” Lightning said and stretched her wings. Flare noticed her large fangs. Was she part Thestral? Or maybe a Changeling? Another glance showed that several other Pegasi were fanged as well. Interesting, and a little terrifying. Where he came from, sharp teeth meant they ate the more meaty kind of food.

“Look you nag, Ah’ve been busy with my work. Ah said it’ll get fixed and it will. So git off mah back!”

“Nag!?” Bon Bon slammed her staff on the ground, the weapon thrumming with holy might. Flare frowned and stepped forward, Lightning Dust blinked and trotted after him.

“Excuse me?” Flare said as he walked closer to Quickfix and Bon Bon. “Is there a problem here?”

“Aye, this nag of a mare won’t git off mah case,” Quickfix nodded and looked at the stallion. Ooh, he wasn’t bad. Kinda handsome actually. But he wasn’t familiar.

“Nag!? Again with the namecalling,” Bon Bon said as the sun’s ray grew brighter. Lightning and Quickfix backed up a little.

“H-Hey now,” Lightning said nervously. “Calm down Bon. You know how Quick is. Northerners are more stubborn than Minotaurs.”

“Yeah, so ya mind killin’ the light show?” Quickfix agreed. Getting smoted by holy light would really put a dampener on her afternoon.

“I would… if I was doing this,” Bon Bon said, looking more confused than anypony else.

“No, I am,” Flare said as he used Sunny Day, his mane flickering with fiery embers. “Violence is no way to settle an argument between friends.”

“You…” Bon Bon gripped her staff tighter. How was this unknown stallion doing this? The Glorious Sun’s might was reserved for Princess Celestia and her Priestesses. How… How DARE this heretic use it so casually. Never mind how, he was going to Tartarus!

“You dare to insult Our Great and Glorious Princess Celestia with your heretical magicks!?” Bon Bon yelled and her staff grew brighter. Flare’s eyes widened and he took a step back. “You shall BURN for your heresy!”

“Yeeeaahh… nope!” Flare turned and his body glowed with a white light as he took off with a Quick Attack, Lightning more than anypony was surprised at the speed in which a groundbound pony like him could achieve.

“Get back here!!” Bon Bon yelled as she chased after him, only to bump into Sunset. “Ah, just in time,” she said. “We have a heretic on the loose. One that dares use our Wise and Beautiful Celestia’s magic. You shall assist in smiting him.”

Sunset paused and looked at the enraged earth mare. “White unicorn stallion, red mane and tail?”

“You know him!?” Bon Bon exclaimed.

“Yes, he’s an… acquaintance, and harmless,” Sunset explained.

“But, his magic affect the sun itself!”

Sunset glanced upwards. The sun did seem a bit brighter than before. And for some reason, her Fire Blood seemed to relish in it, surging with strength. “How… very interesting. He’s just full of surprises isn’t he?”

“Surprises my flank, I’ll see him burn,” Bon Bon roared, as Sunset put a hoof to her chest and shook her head.

“He’s from a very faraway place. The rules there are a little different so he likely didn’t know.” Sunset lowered her hoof, but Bon Bon still looked outraged.

“His power is a threat to Celestia and to you,” she argued.

“Nopony’s power is a threat to me!” Sunset snapped. “I could snap him like a twig if I so chose. I will vouch for him, so leave this matter be Bon Bon.”

“Fine,” Bon Bon relented, much to everypony’s surprise. Normally she was like a dog with a bone about something like this. They still recalled hers and Pizzelle's spat a few weeks ago over the mare’s adopted kitsune son.

Sunset nodded and followed after Flare, Lightning Dust having already flown off after him.

Quickfix turned around to walk back inside her home, only to have Bon Bon grab her hoof.

“Oooh no, I am nowhere near done with you!”

“Bloody Tartarus,” Quickfix groaned.

Five minutes later, Flare finally stopped running after he was sure that the crazy mare wasn’t chasing him anymore. He wasn’t entirely sure where he was now. Around this section of town should have Bon Bon’s sweet shop. But, he highly doubted that this version of her was sweet in the slightest.

A sweet scent filled his nostrils and his stomach gave a loud growl of approval. That’s right, he hadn’t eaten since this whole debacle happened. He saw a shop titled ‘Warm Delights’, and the divine smell seemed to be coming from there.

“Well, let’s take a look,” he mused and headed inside. Almost immediately, he was greeted by a chipper Pegasus mare. Her coat was a tan colour and she had a straw-blonde mane and tail. Her green eyes shone with delight as she looked up at him.

“Well, hello there,” she smiled. “Welcome to Warm Delights, one of the best bakeries in Ponyville. My name is Pizzelle. Might I ask yours?”

Flare actually blushed slightly, this mare was… adorable. He gave a polite cough and nodded his head. “My name is Flare Blitz. I was hoping that—” the rest of his words were drowned out by the loud grumble from his stomach.

“Oh my, we certainly can’t have that,” Pizzelle giggled and led him to a table. “Here, take a seat and I’ll fix you something right away.”

“Ah, thank you,” Flare nodded and the Pegasus just smiled, getting another light blush from him before she vanished from the room, her gentle humming coming from the kitchen.

“Mom’s pretty nice huh?” a voice said from below the table, making Flare jump in surprise and he fell out of his chair. He winced and rubbed his head as the voice giggled at the overreaction.

“Hilarious,” Flare sighed. One would think that dealing with Pinkie Pie would have tempered this reflex. He opened his eyes and saw what appeared to be a small fox sitting under the table, laughing at him. “Huh? Well hello there.”

“Hey,” Hikari giggled. “You’re funny. I like you.”

“Glad to hear it,” Flare replied, picking his chair back up. This little fox kind of reminded him of a Zoura. And just as mischievous it would see. “So, what’s your name kiddo?”

“I’m Hikari,” the fox nodded as he appeared on the table. Wait, wasn’t he just…? “And Miss Pizzelle is my Mom.”

“Sounds like an interesting story,” Flare nodded as he sat back down.

By the time Pizzelle returned, it surprised her somewhat to see her dear Hikari and her guest deep in conversation. As she got closer, she could hear what it was they were talking about.

“And so, Mom forgot to put the cover on the blender,” Hikari snorted as Pizzelle’s eyes widened. “The entire kitchen was covered floor to ceiling in batter and she knocked over some flour as well. It was hilarious!”

“I’ll bet,” Flare snorted in amusement as Pizzelle approached, an embarrassed blush on her muzzle.

“Oooh, you little scamp,” she said, pulling the kitsune into a hug and giving him a light noogie. “Telling silly stories about you mother like that.”

“Cause it was funny,” Hikari replied and his eyes widened. “Ooh, ohno. You wouldn’t?”

“Oh I would!” Pizzelle declared dramatically. She started to tell a story of her dear old son and all the mischief he’d gotten up to. Flare just sat back, snacking on the delicious treats the mare had brought in as the three shared stories for well over two hours.

By the time Sunset showed up looking for him, she winced as she saw he was trapped by the chattery mare. Once Pizzelle got started on a story… she never stopped. At least not any time soon. Sunset winced in sympathy, but Flare seemed to take the chatty mare in stride, even giving a few anecdotes of his own.

“Having fun?” she interrupted, only to be hugged by Pizzelle. Dang, she forgot the mare did that. She suddenly gasped and tapped Pizzelle’s back as her precious air was squeezed out of her.

“Pizz… lungs… air… need ‘em…” she gasped as the strong pegasus blinked and released her, the slender unicorn gasped and inhaled a lungful of air.

“Heh, oops?” the Pegasus mare giggled.

“Note to self, work of personal reinforcement spells,” Sunset wheezed as she fell to the ground.

“Reminds me of Pinkie’s hugs,” Flare chuckled as he helped Sunset up. “Miss Pizzelle is very nice though. I’ve had a lot of fun.”

“I have too,” Pizzelle nodded. “Though, I wouldn’t mind if you stayed for dinner tonight~”

Sunset paused and blinked, before slowly turning her head towards the mare. She… did she just?

“Well if dinner is as tasty as lunch,” Flare smiled. “What do you say Miss Sunset? Should we have dinner with her and Hikaru?”

Pizzelle and Sunset paused, before slowly turning to the oblivious stallion.

“That’s uh… not quite what I had in mind dear,’ Pizzelle said slowly.

“And unfortunately, he has other engagements,” Sunset said with a soft sigh. Flare and her brother should never team up with one another. No mare alive would be safe.

“I do?” Flare asked.

“He does?” Pizzelle quirked an eyebrow. Did Sunset already have dibs on him? No fair!

“We need to get him back to his own world, so I’ll be calling my mom to see what she can do,” Sunset explained, wondering what was with the look Pizzelle was giving her.

“Mhmm,” the pegasus smiled slyly. “I see now. Well it’s too bad I’m a little late to the party. So I’ll settle for cheering you on dear~”

“W-What!?’ Sunset flushed a deep red. “What the Tartarus are you talking about!?”

“Don’t be so coy dear,” Pizzelle giggled and hugged her. “He’s a keeper. And if you want, I could give you a little advice?”

Sunset squeaked and flushed a deeper crimson, before her horn flashed and she teleported Flare and herself from the room.

“Mom?” Hikaru looked up at her. “Were you messing with the Princess?”

“Oh yes,” Pizzelle giggled. “She’s rather adorable when she’s flustered like that.”

“Okay… rude much?” Flare said once they’d teleported back to the library. “If you didn’t want to eat with your friend, you could have just said no.”

“That’s…” Sunset paused, blushed slightly when her eyes made contact with his crimson ones and looked away. “Idiot!”

“Tsun, Tsun, dere, dere~” Spike sang from the couch, earning a fireball to the face. “Worth it!”

“Ass,” Sunset growled as she levitated a scroll and quill over, penning a quick letter to Princess Celestia.

“So, Flare was it?” Spike said as he walked over to the stallion. “Have fun in Ponyville?”

“Yeah, eerily similar to the one I come from,” Flare nodded as he watched Sunset write. She really did remind him of Twilight in many ways, including the cute little scrunch her muzzle did when she was concentrating. “A lot of differences too. Like an overly violent Bon Bon.”

“Yeah…” Spike rubbed his head. He’d tried asking her out once. He figured a nice date and maybe some fun after would help her unwind.

That had… not ended well.

She was still cute though~

“Miss Pizzelle was nice, up until she invited us for dinner and Sunset snubbed her,” Flare said, now that got the dragon’s attention. Sunset forbade him from messing with her friends, aside from the occasional lunch date with Coco. Pizzelle though… he found her very relaxing and he was used to ponies that liked to talk. Just mention Starswirl around Sunset and getting her to stop was a challenge in and of itself.

“Well now isn’t that interesting,” Spike mused and rubbed his chin. “You know, I was planning on going out tonight. You and i should hit the town.”

“Well, seeing as how Sunset ruined my dinner plans,” Flare nodded. “Why not.”

“Spiiiike,” Sunset said and thrust a scroll in his face. “Send this to Mom please?”

“At least she said please,” Spike shrugged and blew on the scroll, the paper burning up and wisping away to Canterlot. “There. Done.’

“Thank you,’ Sunset said and looked at Flare. “Now, you and I need to talk. Mainly on why Bon Bon was trying to kill you.”

“Arceus above, she flipped out worse that Twilight when I used Sunny Day,” Flare sighed and shook his head. “All she did was faint standing up.”

“And what, pray tell, is this ‘Sunny Day’ thing?” Sunset asked, narrowing her eyes. “You effected the sun itself. No one can do that except Celestia herself. You can’t just ‘magic’ the sun. She is the sun. You’d have to literally tweak my mother’s very being and that’s impossible.”

“Not really,” Flare Blitz shrugged. “Sunny Day is a pretty common skill for Fire Types. It either increases the power of the sun to boost our Fire attacks. Or in the event that it’s night or somewhere the sun’s light can’t reach, it creates an artificial light.” He closed his eyes for a moment before the light outside grew brighter and his mane and tail seemed to be giving off embers as it glowed softly. “See? Nothing to it.”

Sunset just stared at him. Her left eye twitched, “That’s not possible. It’s just not possible. It’s… you’re not magically or scientifically making any kind of sense.” A hair ‘twanged’ out of place. “You can’t just do that. Only someone with a direct link to the sun can change it.”

“Yeeah, Tia was surprised as heck that I could do it,” Flare chuckled. “That’s not all I can do. I have a move that absorbs the sun’s energy and fires it as a beam. Normally a Grass-type move. But I learned it to deal with pesky Water-types.”

“Well absorbing the sun’s power isn’t unheard of,” Sunset nodded, grasping on whatever she could to keep her sanity. “Some unicorns can draw power from it, especially Fire Blood Elementals like myself.”

“Huh,” Flare blinked and shrugged. He wasn’t sure if unicorns back home could do that or not. “Well I can also use it to heal my wounds.” he floated a letter opener over with his magic and made a small cut on his leg, before using Morning Sun as his coat glowed gold, the wound closing right up.

“Pfft,” Sunset scoffed. “That’s easy. Healing spells and abilities are easy to come by. As a Fire Blood Elemental, just by eating flames or the sun’s energy, I could do that. Yeah, in fact, I could—”

“I’m not scratching your face,” Spike deadpanned.

“Fine,” Sunset groaned. “So is that it?”

Flare pondered and then looked at Spike. “Do you have any diamonds around?”

“I should have a spare or two, why’s that?”

“To show off a little skill exclusive to my species,” Flare smirked as the dragon shrugged and left the room, returning a moment later with the bit-sized gem. Flare nodded and took it with his magic, placing it on the ground… before stomping down on it with a hoof.

When he pulled it away, the dragon and unicorn saw that his blow had reduced the gem to dust.

Sunset blinked in surprise, “You just crushed a diamond? With your bare hoof?”

“My hooves are about ten times harder,” Flare replied and showed her the hoof he used, not a single scratch on it. “Now, imagine if I actually put force behind that blow.”

“That’s… earth dragon levels of strength,” Sunset blinked in disbelief. “How can a unicorn be so strong?”

“Like I said, not entirely a unicorn,” Flare smiled, enjoying the look of utter confusion on her face. “Got a lucky hit on Luna during training once, punted her about… thirty feet. Right through a wall and into the throne room. Tia was freaking pissed,” Flare cackled, remembering that day.

“...You know Luna?” Sunset gawked at him. “You fought her and you’re still alive?”

“Yeah, Lulu’s one of my best friends,” Flare nodded. “She was the one that trained me in magic when I became a unicorn, and helped me create my unique brand of mixing magic into my attacks.” he remembered the first time he learned Twilight Nova. “That was a nice courtyard.”

Sunset narrowed her eyes, “Riiight. So you trained under Luna. No world conquest or soul sucking involved?”

Flare paused and looked at her. “What? Why the hell would that come to mind? Lulu’s very sweet and adorable. A little loud and overly enthusiastic in her training sometimes. But sucking souls?” he shook his head and snorted. “Somepony takes Nightmare Night a little too seriously.”

“You’re in a different world,” Sunset started. “Our Luna’s isn’t so sweet.”

“But she is adorable,” Spike commented, earning a glare from Sunset. He shrugged. “What? She was when you blasted her with the elements. Nightmare was more sexy than cute.”

“Yes and now she’s locked up,” Sunset snorted. “So we don’t have to deal with her again.”

“Locked up?” Flare’s eye twitched, but repeating the mantra that this was another world quelled his rising anger. “Well, that’s saddening to hear. I hope she gets better though.” This was getting to be a bit much. “So…” he wanted to change the subject and said the first thing that came to mind. “Any special someponies in your life Sunny?”

Sunset blushed and snorted, “No. Of course not. I don’t have any time for a special somepony. I have my studies to look over and some friendship letters to write… With my friends and that’s all I need.” Spike silently snickered into his hand.

“Oh gosh, you are so much like Twilight it’s scary,” Flare chuckled. “Then again, we have a daughter now. I do hope Dream Catcher isn’t causing her trouble. Then again, she’s a bit of a prankster.” At their confused look, he smiled and nodded. “Adopted daughter anyway. She’s the… how do I put it? Reincarnated? Yeah. Reincarnated Nightmare Moon.”

Sunset’s jaw dropped, “AND YOU TOOK HER IN?!!” She couldn’t help but use the Royal Canterlot Voice in her confusion. The whole house started to shake. “WHAT THE HAY IS WRONG WITH YOU?!! SHE’S A MONSTER!”

Flare had been blown back by the use of the Voice, not having expected that out of somepony that wasn’t Tia and Lulu.

“Ow…” Flare winced. “Different… worlds… remember,” he threw her own words back at her. “It was part of, the deal I made…”

Sunset snooted and turned her nose up, “Sounds like a stupid deal, if you ask me.”

“It’s a long story, but Nightmare saved my life, and helped me save all of Equestria,” Flare said and looked at Spike. “Honestly, you’re much more terrifying.”

“Nightmare saving the world? You really are from another world.” Sunset shook her head in disbelief.

“Several worlds,” Flare corrected, relishing in that disbelieving stare. “But from what I hear from Miss Pizzelle, you’ve had your own crazy adventures. And that’s not when Miss Quickfix is playing with time/space.”

“She’s going to be the death of us all one day,” Sunset grumbled.

“I like her,” Flare mused. She’d have a blast on his world with all its technology. “Aside from Bon Bon scaring the hell outta me, I really like this place.”

She hadn’t noticed it at first, but Sunset started to feel her horn itch. Some massive high-level magic was building up close by. “What the hay is going on now? Please tell me I’m just imagining that.”

“Hmm?” Flare tilted his head and then yelped in surprise as a blast of bright light came from outside, followed by what sounded like a crack of thunder. When that settled down, the stallion seemed to be missing, until Spike noticed a white unicorn clinging to the rafters like a frightened cat.

“I didn’t know you were part cat, Mr. Flare.” Spike smirked. “Should I go fetch a ladder? Maybe a broom.” He snapped his fingers. “Catnip?”

A loud thump and a pained groan informed the pair that he found his own way down. “S’all good… my back broke my fall,” he groaned.

The library door burst open and a lavender-coated unicorn walked inside, looking around and smiling when she laid eyes on Flare Blitz. “I finally found you,” she whispered.

“...What?” Sunset could only stare at the being in front of her. Her mind couldn’t process this properly. Two more hairs ‘twanged’ out from her mane. “What is that Chaotic lunatic doing here!?”

“Huh? Sunset Shimmer?” Twilight blinked in surprise. “You’re… a pony?”

“Of course I’m a pony,” Sunset rolled her eyes. “What else would I be, Twilight Sparkle?”

“Oh, um… nothing?” Twilight blinked and blushed slightly as Flare got to his hooves. She smiled and nuzzled her stallion. “And you, so this is where you’ve been hiding.”

“Hey, you sent me here,’ Flare defended himself and kissed her on the forehead. “I knew you’d find me though.”

“Awww,” Spike smiled. “Some things never change. Except the boyfriend… and your sanity.. And…” He scratched his head. “I’ve lost my train of thought here.”

“Spike?” Twilight looked him over and now shared Sunset’s surprised look. “Wow… my little brother is tall here. And handsome.”

“Well I don’t like to brag...” Spike scuffed his chest with a pleased smile.

“Wait, your brother?” Sunset gawked. “He’s my little brother.”

“Oh, in my world, he’s my brother since I hatched him and all,” Twilight replied. “We talked about it for a long time. So we settled on Princess Celestia being his mother figure, and me being his sister.”

“I don’t see why that’d be an issue,” Sunset rolled her eyes. “You were probably the same age as me, a little filly. We couldn’t take care of an egg, so mom just takes care of both of us. Mom’s okay over in your world, right?”

“Mom?” Twilight tilted her head. “You mean… my mother?”

“She means Princess Celestia,” Flare corrected his wife. “Seems Sunny’s Tia’s kid here in this dimension.”

“Oh?” Twilight had a thoughtful expression on her muzzle. “Yes, Princess Celestia’s doing just fine. Well, as well as she can be after that incident with…” She trailed off, not really wanting to think about the events from a few months prior. “But yes, both her and Luna are well.”

“Well that’s good,” Sunset nodded.

“So…” Spike started. “Are you going to stay around for a bit or take off now that you’ve found your coltfriend.”

“That sounds so weird when you say it out loud,” Sunset mumbled.

“Life has been, really confusing and weird,” Twilight sighed as she was nuzzled by Flare. “So, what else is different here?”

“Quite a bit,” Flare nodded. “I’ll tell you about it all later. But, I have a question,” Flare motioned towards Sunset Shimmer. “How did you know Sunset’s name? I’ve never met her before.”

“I have,” Twilight said and then put a hoof to her mouth. “Oh, um, I mean…”

“Sparkle! Explain. As your Princess I demand to know!” Sunset Shimmer said, ignoring the fact she wasn’t actually her Princess. Small details.

“W-Well,” Twilight gulped, Sunset seemed to carry an aura akin to Celestia, thus making her answer. “I… sorta kinda met our Equestria’s version of you in another dimension. One she ran away to after… After betraying Princess Celestia.”

Sunset simply smiled and nodded. Then she sat down, causing Spike to worryingly step back. “That’s just… WHAT?!!” Her Canterlot Voice came back in full swing, right at the alicorn. Spike yelped as he was thrown off his feet and into the wall.

Twilight threw up a shield, taking the brunt of the blast. “Let me finish would you? It wasn’t so much betrayal, but rather she wouldn’t teach you dark magic, so you fled to another world. And kinda got stuck there when you were transformed into a magicless species.”

“Okay, first off.” Sunset started. “Everyone knows dark magic corrupts you. Second off, I got transformed and lost my magic? I didn’t think to, I don’t know, have a backup plan so that doesn’t happen? Am I an idiot?”

Spike went to open his mouth, but a quick glare from Sunset made him rethink that action.

“No, you certainly were not,” Twilight shook her head. “The Sunset Shimmer I met was very bright, just… ambitious. I don’t really know the whole story, as it’s between her and Celestia. But, you genuinely seemed to like where you were. The loss of magic was hard at first. But your perseverance is rather astounding and it is really weird to be talking like this to you about you.”

“Trust me, it is.” Sunset nodded. “Same as you might feel about… you. So unless she randomly pops up during your visit, which she might… she’s annoying like that, I think we can move on.”

“I don’t know how to feel about that,” Twilight shivered. “Well, we should probably get out of here anyway. Just in case we change something that wasn’t meant to be.”

“Like a paradox?” Flare blinked. What? He’d been hanging out with Time Turner lately.

“Something like that,” Twilight nodded. “While different, there are still similarities.” Twilight smiled. She stood up along with Flare. “Well, thank you for looking out for Flare. I hope he wasn’t too much trouble.”

“I resent that,” Flare huffed.

“Flare, knowing you, you already have half the town’s mare pining for you,” Twilight sighed.

Sunset huffed, “I don’t think he had that sort of effect.”

“He did,” Spike said, earning a slight kick from Sunset.

Twilight looked from Flare to Sunset, then back to Flare. “Oh you have got to be kidding me…”

“I’m not kidding,” Spike said. He smirked and gave Flare a nod, “He’s a natural with the ladies.”

“I know,” Twilight groaned and sighed.

“I am not,” Flare replied. “I didn’t do anything!’

“Luna. Celestia. Rainbow Dash. Applejack. Sparkler…” Twilight listed off more than dozen names…

“....My mom?” Sunset was pretty calm for knowing that. “He flirted with my mom?”

“Successfully, as well as half of Equestria,” Twilight sighed. “I honestly don’t know how he does it.”

“I’m just polite,” Flare said defensively. “I’ve never flirted with anyone besides you and that one time with Rainbow when I was Discorded.”

“Yes, let’s not remember that,” Twilight said sharply.

“Discorded?” Sunset blinked in confusion. “Okay, putting aside my plans to murder you for flirting with my mom, what’s that?”

“Oh? That was when Discord escaped and started messing with ponies,” Twilight explained. “Generally, he’d reverse what makes them, well them. Loyal Rainbow Dash abandoned her friends, Laughter Pinkie became angry, Generous Rarity became selfish…” Twilight looked at Flare. “I don’t know why it was different for Flare. But the process made him think Rainbow Dash was me and well…” She blushed and looked away.

“Discord escaped?!” Sunset gawked at her. “How? He’s locked up in the strongest prison in the world? Was the security bad or…” Her eyes widened. She made a mental note to ask her mother to double the security.

“With the Elements of Harmony not tied to Luna and Celestia anymore, his seal weakened,” Twilight explained. “But we reformed him, offered him one thing he didn’t have as a Tyrant... Friendship~”

“I am amazed that works as often as it does,” Flare said with a small shake of his head. “I’m just glad he was good when Darkrai attacked. He didn’t help, but he didn’t hinder either.”

Sunset rubbed her forehead, “Discord being good isn’t something I thought was possible. From the stories my mother would tell me, he was a complete monster. Well, I inferred that though she likes to go ‘there is good in everyone’ and all that. Still doubt it would work for ours.”

“Perhaps not, but it’s something to consider,” Twilight nodded as Flare poked her with a hoof.

“Hey, what happened to ‘Not interfering’?”

“Oh horseapples,” Twilight swore and looked at Sunset. “Forget I said anything. Um, maybe a memory wipe spell?”

“Aaaand we are not wiping memories,” Flare said and poked her horn. “Remember that last time you tried that? You made Celestia think she was a six year old foal…”

Twilight chuckled sheepishly.

Sunset face-hooved, “That… just… I’m done. This is all just so out there. Not doubting you, but this is definitely one of the strangest encounters I’ve ever had.”

“We have weird lives… and that’s not including the Swap—” Flare was muffled as Twilight sealed his lips with magic.

“We. Are not. Talking. About. The Swap!” she said very slowly and carefully. “Ever!” If that happened here… Oh she felt very bad for Sunset right now. “Now, let’s get out of their manes and not spoil the future for them.”

Flare just gave a muffled response and a salute.

Spike sighed, “Fiddlesticks isn’t going to like this. New ponies in town and she hasn’t thrown a party for them.”

Sunset groaned, “She’s going to bug me to find a way to your world so she can.”

“Only if Pinkie Pie can help,” Twilight giggled. “And she’d find a way too. That mare baffles me.”

“She baffles everypony,” Flare said as Twilight’s horn started to glow. “Well, it’s been fun. Spike, Sunbutt.”

Spike nodded his head. He was a little sad to see the stallion go. He’d make a Legendary wingpony for picking up mares.

Sunset knew she’d have a headache to deal with later. And with a loud crack and a flash of light, the strange pair was gone.

“So…” Spike said as he looked at the scorched floor. “Now what?”

“I’m going to go get some pain medicine and read a book,” Sunset mumbled and headed on upstairs. “And wait for the next strange thing to happen to me.”

That came in the form of a letter from her mother, Princess Celestia.

My dear Sunset

I have no idea what's going on in Ponyville, but 'nopony' has touched me like that in years. Whomever it was, hold them there until I get there.

Love, Celestia.

"…I'm so utterly bucking done. You deal with this," Sunset groaned and threw Spike the letter. "I hate Tuesdays..."

The Embers of Chaos

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The heavy iron doors creaked slowly as they opened, dragging along the stone floor with a long, drawn out scraping noise. With a heavy thud, they opened fully, revealing the long, dark corridor.

But as the hero took a single step past the threshold, torches along the wall lit up, one by one as light flooded the room, banishing the darkness to the far corners. Pausing only briefly, our hero swallowed the lump in her throat and then took another step.

One after another, her armoured hooves clicked loudly upon the stone, resounding throughout the expansive room.

The tapestries upon the walls fluttered ever so slightly with a breeze that washed in through darkened windows. The sky outside set with steel-grey clouds, covering the land like a solid iron plate. Even now, the only sounds were the hero’s clicking hooves, the occasional clink of her plate mail and the thudding of her heart in her chest.

Her long and arduous quest had built up to this. Many weeks of traversing the landscape, fighting the countless horrors that inhabited it. From performing acts of great heroism, to simple things like running errands for a busy farmer.

Dear Creator, if she had to endure ‘one’ more Tartarus-damned fetch-quest… At least the blonde, orange-coated farmmare was cute.

A roll in the hay was never taken so literally~

Memories aside, it was time to end this. She had tracked her enemy all the way to this distant fortress. Why was it that the bad guys always lived in tall, spiky fortresses?

And on that note, why were the corridors always so long? Was it a fetish or something? She swore it was taking longer to reach the end of the hall than it did to get here from Middle Equestria in the first place.

Eventually, she reached her goal, the door that would lead to the inner sanctum. This was it…

She placed a hoof on the comforting hilt of her broadsword and took a breath, then turned and bucked the door inwards. Striding inside with confidence, but remained cautious for a surprise attack, she saw her enemy.

She sat upon a large throne, decorated with the skull of the fallen alicorn. With her defeat, the hero could incite the ritual that would revive the fallen deity and restore order to the land.

“Dark Empress!” the hero roared, drawing her holy blade and aiming it at the evil one. “Your time on this earth is done!”

“Aww, but I only just got this chocolate milk recipe right. Can’t it wait like… five minutes?”

...The hero was undeterred! The lies of the dark one would fall upon deaf ears. Her time had come.

“Don’t be like that. You want a donut? I have your fav~orite~ Chocolate with sprinkles~”

The hero faltered, she would… she would not be tempted.

“You know you wanna~”

***

The quill dropped and the unicorn mare that had been writing the conclusion for her epic tale looked up with an irritated stare.

“Twiiii~lliiiight!” she whined and stared at the page. “You ruined the ending!”

The lavender unicorn hovering over the table giggled airily, looking at the text she’d altered with her magic.

“Aw, don’t be pouty Ember, I made your story more lifelike.”

”How is that more lifelike?” the unicorn mare frowned. She brushed some of her rust-red mane from her eyes as she picked up quill in an azure-hued aura. “Besides that, it’s supposed to be a fantasy novel!”

“Really?” the Chaos mare hummed and picked up the book, her magic easily overpowering Embers’. “I mean, the ‘hero’—” she made air quotes with her hooves. “—Is an orange and red unicorn mare with green eyes. And, oh look! You’re an orange unicorn with a red mane and green eyes.”

Ember snorted and rolled those emerald eyes of hers.

“Hmm… let’s see,” Twilight continued, either oblivious or ignoring the mare’s irritation. “A renowned mage with impressive sword skills. I guess your Cutie Mark could translate to that in this setting.”

Ember Quill snorted derisively again, though she did glance at her Cutie Mark, a silver sword and a magic wand crossed together.

“Ohh, a sexy scene between the heroine and a strapping Earth Pony mare? Well, you do have a thing for—”

“Aaahh!” Ember snatched back the book with her bare hooves, blushing profusely in the process. “Twilight, shut it!”

“You, are just too adorable,” the chaotic mare giggled and rubbed Ember’s head with a hoof. “And last but not least is your love of chocolate donuts with sprinkles. Speaking of…” Twilight’s smile widened. “Let’s get out of this stuffy library and get some. Come ooooon~”

“Twilight, you know I have a lot of work to do,” Ember replied as she closed her book and set it aside. “I still have to sort the returns, pick up the books left laying around—”

“Booooorinnng,” Twilight rolled her head. “Come on Emby, get out of this stuffy library and live a little.” She cracked her tail like a whip. “Or do I have to free up your day?”

Ember’s eyes widened. She knew what that meant. Chaos unbound within the walls of the library that would likely take weeks to clean up. Ember Quill let out a defeated sigh and hung her head.

“Fine, let’s go then.”

“Yaay,” Twilight cheered and powered down her magic. This was gonna be so much fun. Ember pushed herself away from her desk and placed her book into her saddlebag. As they passed by the front desk, Ember wrote in the logbook so her sudden absence could be explained.

’Took the rest of the day off.

Reason - Twilight Sparkle’

“You know, when somepony’s very name is excuse enough…” Ember sighed as she finished writing.

“It means I’m doing my job properly,” Twilight nodded with a pleased smile as she dragged Ember along with her magic. “Without me, Canterlot would be amazingly boring. I mean, who would fill the noble’s swimming pools with tapioca? Who would swap my human’s mane with seaweed? Who would stop Sunset Shimmy from living a boring life?” She grabbed Ember’s cheeks and stared into her eyes, the chaos mare’s eyes were wide and watery. “How would Inquisitor Trixie earn enough pay to feed her fifty brothers and sisters!?”

“Twilight,” Ember replied calmly. It sometimes scared her on how used to this she was. What was her life? “Inquisitor Trixie doesn’t have fifty siblings.”

“Oh yeah,” Twilight floated back. “She’s not an Apple mare.”

On a distant farm, Fiddlesticks paused as her ear flicked, her tail twitched and her left hind leg tapped a rapid staccato. Somepony was subtly insulting her kin.

“Wow, that was kind of harsh,” Ember said.

“But true,” Twilight replied. Ember had no retort, that family bred like rabbits. The chaotic unicorn giggled again and the two resumed their trek to the holiest of lands. A veritable utopia of dough and sprinkles. Donut Joe’s!

“Hey Twilight?” Ember asked as they walked, now moving under her own power instead of being dragged along. “How come you don’t just create some donuts with your magic?”

Twilight spun in the air so she was floating backwards. “I’m not a genie Emby. I can’t just clap my hooves and create what I want, when I want.”

“Yes you can,” Ember replied as-a-matter-of-factly.

“Yes I can,” Twilight agreed. “But that’s beside the point. If I simply relied on my powers 33.6/5 times pudding...”

“Don’t you mean 24/7?” Ember corrected, expertly deciphering Twilight’s rambling.

“Maybe for you norms, I operate on Chaos Time,” Twilight said. “But as I was saying, if I did that, I’d get lazy and so would everypony else. Every inane moron would come to me like ‘Oh Great and Powerful Twilight! Please grant my wish for some pointless material object’.” She even had hoof puppets of herself and… was that Prince Blueblood?

“Well, I guess you make a good point,” Ember nodded and gasped internally. Twilight made sense!? It was the End Times. Cities would burn. Anarchy would descend upon the land.

“Wow… rude much?” Twilight deadpanned. Somewhere, a pan fell over dead, it’s relatives would mourn the loss, knowing he died for the Greater Good.

“Twilight? What did I say about the mind reading?”

“Only do it when it amuses me or is relevant to the plot?” the chaos mare asked.

“Aaand everything is normal again,” Ember sighed contently. That had been a close one.

“Besides,” Twilight replied and then looked away, mumbling something under her breath. Ember’s ear flicked and she leaned closer.

“What was that?”

“Nothing,” Twilight replied, before a miniscule, robe-wearing Twilight appeared on Ember’s muzzle.

“She said she can’t conjure donuts that taste as good as Joe’s,” MiniTwi said with a flat tone.

“Traitor!” Twilight gasped and reached out with her hooves to grab her runaway Inner Voice. Inner Twi just cackled and teleported, off to cause some Chaos. Twilight sighed and set herself down on the ground. “But she’s right dangit. No matter how many times I try, the ones I make just aren’t as good.” She shook her hoof at the sky. “I will find out your secrets Joe! I will find out exactly HOW you are a Donut Wizard!”

“I worry about you sometimes,” Ember shook her head and sighed at Twilight’s antics. Sometimes it was easy to forget that Twilight was a Chaos mage, she was just so… carefree. And yet, the bookish unicorn could help but be drawn to her. Twilight was an aspect that her life had never had before, excitement, a little danger, a chance to be herself. Ember glanced up to see Twilight’s purple eyes mere inches from her own. Ember let out a startled yelp and fell backwards, a hoof to her chest to try and slow her rapidly beating heart.

“Ahaha, you should have seen your face,” Twilight cackled as she floated there. “You were all like ‘Babwaa!’” Twilight made an odd face and fell back in the air. “Ahahah, you’re a riot Emby!”

“For Celestia’s sake Twi,” Ember picked herself up and dusted her rump off. “Don’t scare me like that.”

“Well, stop spacing out,” Twilight said and booped her nose with a hooftip, making Ember’s muzzle scrunch up cutely to try and shake the tingly feeling.

“Weren’t we supposed to be getting donuts?” Ember deadpanned

“Good point,” Twilight nodded and pointed a hoof towards Joe’s cafe. “Onwards! To sprinkly heaven!!”

Ember just rolled her eyes and trotted after Twilight.

“Twilight,” Ember said with an exasperated sigh. “Eat your food, don’t play with it.”

The chaotic mare had constructed a miniaturized Canterlot out of donuts, with a little Dough Twilight sitting on the throne, with a Dough Celestia licking her hooves.

“Really?” Ember said and shook her head. “And where am I in this little donut dollhouse of yours?”

“Hmm,” Twilight looked around. “Ah… the library. Where else?”

“Figures,” Ember sighed. “Even in Donutland, I can’t get any excitement…” While she hadn’t meant to say that outloud, she had.

And Twilight Sparkle had heard.

The chaos mare’s eyes widened, along with the cheshire grin on her muzzle. So little Emby wanted some excitement in her life? More than Twilight currently brought?

Oh this made Twiley a very happy mare indeed. The real question was, where to begin?

Inquisitor Trixie ran a very… structured life. Everything had it’s place and everything had a schedule. By the book and to the letter. No other way about it.

She trotted down a hall in the palace, the footsteps of a young human behind her as they approached a certain room. This room was strictly off limits to all but a select few. What was contained inside was unruly, dangerous and wild. It was for everypony’s sake really.

At least the young Scribe standing guard next to the door looked like he was doing his job properly.

“At attention!” Trixie barked as the colt flinched and fumbled the spear he held in his grasp. An enchanted weapon designed to disrupt chaos magicks… just in case. “Has there been any… difficulties?”

“N-None at all, Inquisitor Trixie Ma’am!” the colt saluted her. “She’s actually been pretty quiet all morning.”

Trixie’s eyes narrowed and her near-permanent glare hardened. A quiet Twilight Sparkle meant only one thing. With a small application of magic, the door unlocked and Trixie stepped inside, to see a room devoid of any chaotic lavender unicorns.

“Of-bucking-course,” Trixie muttered as her brow knitted with a frown. “Colt! Trixie will ask you but once. “Where. Is. Twilight. Sparkle?”

“I-I-I—” the colt stammered and shook as the human placed a hand on the slender unicorn mare, stroking her neck.

“Master Trixie,” he said gently. “If Miss Sparkle isn’t here, she’s very much likely to be in one other place.”

Trixie let out a soft sigh. “Of course, either her… boyfriend—” she said with more than just a hint of contempt and annoyance. “—”Or that librarian mare. Flare-something?”

“Ember Quill,” Cato corrected her. The human was under, not so much orders, but more of a request to help Trixie calm down a little. Between the return of Princess Luna and the recent events in Ponyville, Trixie had been more on edge than usual. Dot was a little worried, underneath all that sarcasm, he was a good stallion.

“Whatever,” Trixie snorted and brushed some of her mane aside with a small application of magic… “Colt! Go to the barracks and get a squad ready. Half a dozen should be fine. Outfit them with Anti-chaos weaponry and armour and tell them to remain battle ready. Trixie will give the order if she requires them and she expects them to be ready at a moment’s notice!”

“Yes Inquisitor Trixie Ma’am Sir!” he fumbled over the words, then his own hooves as he ran down the hall to fulfil her command.

“You know your height alone intimidates them enough,” Cato chuckled. Trixie had some Prench lineage in her bloodline, as such, she was far taller than most Equestrian unicorns, as well as more slender. The model Fleur De Lis was of the same descent, seeing as how she was Trixie’s mother. Another tell tale sign was a long furred tail with a bushel of hair at the end, much like a Griffon’s tail. Her horn was also longer, almost on par with Celestia’s and her hooves had a cloven appearance.

“Then it is their fault that they cannot appreciate the grandness of Trixie’s appearance,” the mare scoffed. It might have had something to do with the fact she liked to waved her weapons around when she was mad as well. “Now come along Cato, we shall fetch Dot as have a chaos mare to locate before this whole city goes to Tartarus in a basket.”

“Of course Master,” Cato nodded and fell into step behind her.

“Twilight?” Ember asked as she followed the mare through the winding streets of the city. Twilight had said that she wanted to show her something interesting. “Did you tell Inquisitor Trixie that you’d be going out? I haven’t seen her all day.”

“Huh… oh, I left her a note… I think?” Twilight shrugged as she floated in the air. “Well, I’m sure the excitement will do her good. I don’t think she’s been getting any from Dot lately. I wonder if he’s been getting hungry…”

Ember just flushed a deep red and shook her head. “Ahh, that’s not a mental image I need Twilight!”

“Does it include a stepladder?” Twilight asked. “Trix is really tall and Dot is… not so much.” But then, he was a shapeshifter...

“Ahhhh!” Ember flailed her hooves as she turned an even deeper shade of crimson. “I do not need to hear that!”

“Suit yourself, maybe you’re the one that needs a stallion,” Twilight giggled and noticed something of a lack of reaction. “Ooor, maybe a mare?”

That got a cute little squeak from her friend. Ahh, so she preferred tacos over hot dogs. Good to know~

She filed that info away for later and got back to the matter at hoof. Namely, spicing up Ember’s life a little. She’d come up with all sorts of ways at first, but precisely 93.2% of those would have gotten Ember killed or at least horribly maimed. Still, playing tag with Eldritch Abominations was fun. Cthulhu was a dirty cheater though,and Molag Bol was kind of a poopy head.

So that led Twilight to finding what the average equine would find exciting. And that train of thought exploded at first, before she reconstituted it and tried again.

“Twilight,” Ember said as she looked at the building. “Why are we at the Canterlot LARP’ing Association?”

“Well, because real combat would see you killed in a most gory and delightful way, and I like you too much to see that,” Twilight nodded. “This should be harmless, if a little boring… okay, a lot boring my my standards.”

“Twilight,” Ember said with a facehoof. “What clubs am I a part of again?”

Twilight paused and pulled a scroll out of her mane. “Let’s see, Biography for the OC, Ember Quill…”

“OC?”

“Overly Cuddly~” Twilight explained and hugged her. “Now, let’s see, age, 21. Height, huh, you’re kinda short. Weight… you weigh less than me? No fair!”

Ember groaned and facehooved. Her forehead was going to have a permanent dent at this point. Twilight ignored it and continued.

“Hobbies… Writing, reading, hanging out with Best Pony, aka, The Irresistible and Sexy Twilight, aka…” She saw Ember’s flat stare and chuckled. “Moving on… oh? You’re a member of the LARP’ing Society?”

“Not an active one,” Ember explained. “I write adventures for them. Scenarios, villains to fight, that sort of thing.”

Twilight hovered there for a moment. Ember was so adorable… but by the Warp was she boring! Even the most exciting hobby she had revolved around books!

“You need to get out of those dusty old books and live a little!” Twilight sighed. “Okay, so this place is out. We need something… real. Something…” She waved a hoof in a small circle, trying to think.

Then a distant noise caught her attention and she smiled. That would be perfect! ‘I can kill two birds with one spear… Oh wait, I’ve done that before. Aaaanyway, a club could get her to loosen up and meet a cute mare~’

So why did that last one not sound like such a great idea? Twilight shrugged internally and dragged Eber off to the source of the techno music. This would be a good day.

Today was a terrible day! What on Equus possessed Twilight to think this was a good idea? Ember’s ears flattened against her head to try and block out the loud music as some mare with way too many tattoos was trying to flirt with her.

“Come on cutie, there’s a nice room out back,’ she said as she trailed a hoof down Ember’s spine. “Lemme show you a few tricks I’ve picked up~”

“N-No thank you,” Ember stammered, more afraid than embarrassed at this point. Twilight had been busy dancing when she caught sight of her friend and the mare that was harassing her. A small growl built up in her throat as she walked towards them. Somepony was crusin’ for their head to be put on a spike.

“You know this is a fillyfooler’s bar right?” the mare said to Ember as she continued to invade her personal space. “Why else would you be here hon—” She never got to finish before there was a whipcrack, a flash and she was gone.

“Huh? Wha… where’d she go?” Ember blinked as Twilight snorted from behind her.

“Where all good trash goes,” she replied, having teleported her to the dumpster outside. That was odd for her, to be so… reserved. Normally she’d have the whore’s head on a pike.

“Thanks Twi,” Ember sighed, relaxing a little. “I’m sorry, I don’t think I like this place much.”

“It’s fine,” the unicorn replied. She was disliking this place as well. “There’s more fun to be had in Canterlot. Come one Emby!”

Ember Quill barely had time to squeak in surprise before Twilight hauled her off. Where were they going this time?

Trixie frowned. Today… was not a good day. Any day Twilight Sparkle could not be accounted for was not a good day.

“You really need to calm down,” Dot replied. His black carapace shone in the midday sun. Vibrant blue eyes scanned the donut shop where some citizens claimed they seen Twilight. “You know if the wind changes, you’ll be stuck like that.”

“Trixie will not—”

“I will not,” Dot corrected her. It was… a lengthy process to get her to stop the third-pony thing.

“I will not be calm. You know what Sparkle is capable of and if left to her own devices…”

“If she was planning something insidious, we’d either be on the frontlines or checking the obituaries,” Dot pointed out. “You know as well as I that if Twilight truly wished it, she could double the population of our graveyards in an hour. I’m sure she’s just off being a pest to some poor pony.”

“Trixie does… I do not believe things are quite so simple,” the unicorn mare replied.

“Did you read that report from Ponyville?” Dot asked her as they left the store… after Cato bought some sprinkled donuts. What? Joe made the best in the city!

“Care to narrow it down?” Trixie snorted. “I’ve seen written reports triple ever since Shimmer went to that little podunk town.”

“The one about High Sun Priestess Bon Bon. You know, that little Earth Pony that flipped out because of stress and lack of sleep?” Dot stopped in front of her and put a hoof to her chest. “I’m worried Trix. You haven’t been sleeping well yourself lately. And I know you’re skipping meals. Don’t lie.”

Trixie frowned again. “Trixie is not—”

“Emotivore,” Dot the Changeling put a hoof to his head.

“Bucking cheater,” Trixie mumbled under her breath. “Fine, so what if Trixie has skipped a meal or three? It’s not the end of Equestria. But it will be if we don’t find Sparkle!”

“I’m going to keep bugging you about this,” Dot said with a small nod, making Cato facepalm over the terrible pun. “But let’s find Twilight first then.”

“Finally,” Trixie said as she saw some mare climb out of a dumpster. Covered in tattoos and fake jewelry. Some ponies just had no self-respect…

Well, the museum was certainly a lot nicer than that horrid bar. But Ember had to wonder what Twilight would find exciting in here?

“Woulda look at this?” Twilight said excitedly. Ember followed her voice until she saw her standing before the bones of a Tyrannosaurs Rex. Ember had to admit that they were impressive creatures. Sure, they weren’t as big as dragons, but something about them just commanded respect.

“They were certainly impressive creatures,” Ember said.

“Yeah… hey, wanna see one?” Twilight asked. Ember blinked and looked at her.

“What?”

Oooh, that was the wrong answer.

Twilight’s horn shone as the massive skeleton shook… and then its jaws opened and it roared loudly. Ember’s first thought was ‘How does a skeleton roar? It has no vocal chords’ Her second thought was ‘RUN THE BUCK AWAY!’

And that she did, running screaming through the halls of the museum as the massive bony dinosaur chased her and Twilight, the latter giggling in delight. Now this was fun. Running for your life as a reanimated T-Rex skeleton chased them around. She idly thought of keeping him after this. She’d name him T-Bone.

But right now? Running away~

“I. Hate. Yoououu!” Ember wailed as she ran for her life. “So much!”

“Aww, you love me,” Twilight giggled as she floated beside her. T-Bone just wiped out an exhibit as he rounded the corner after them. Ooh, it looked expensive too. Twilight was so busy watching the carnage her new pet wrought that she failed to see the blush on Ember’s face.

Eventually, Twilight had to stop the chase because Ember was not a very fit pony apparently. Spending all day inside reading and writing was not good for your physical fitness. Still she ran further that Twilight assumed Trixie could. Ohh, she could wait to show her new pet to the Inquisitor.

“That… was… why?” Ember gasped, laying on her back as she panted heavily.

“Aww, you didn’t like playing with my bone?” Twilight asked. “Was it too hard? I thought you’d have more stamina.”

And now Ember wasn’t sure if her face was red from exhaustion. Or the fierce blush that heated her up quite nicely. “You’re a pervert Twilight.”

“Nah, you just have the most adorable reactions,” Twilight said with a light giggle. “Also, blame Dot for leaving his diary around. But to be fair, I had no idea Trixie could bend like—”

“Again! Too much information!” Ember exclaimed. She’d never be able to look at Inquisitor Trixie without blushing again.

“Aww, so cute,” Twilight giggled as she tossed a little metal ball at T-Bone and he was trapped inside of the Portable Storage Sphere™ Hmm, maybe that needs a better name. Fossilsphere? Bone Ball? Ah, she’d think about it later. “You gotta admit, that was pretty fun though.”

Ember groaned and put her hooves to her face. She hated to admit it, she didn’t want to admit it. But a small part of her had thought that was fun. Kinda like a haunted house on Nightmare Night.

“Come on, I’ll take you home,” Twilight said, figuring that was enough for a day. No need to rush it after all. She had all the time in the world when it came to Emby. “I know some shortcuts.”

“Sure,” Ember nodded as Twilight helped her up. She hoped the museum curator wouldn’t be too mad at Twilight trashing the place.

“Oops, almost forgot to clean up,” Twilight giggled as her magic flashed and the place was as good as new. “Come on, let’s go.”

“She… WHAT!?” Trixie roared as she heard about the news of the chaos Twilight had unleashed in the museum. “That… bucking… idiot!”

“Trixie, temper,” Dot said. “At least nopony was hurt. But, would you mind telling me why you are so upset over losing Twilight? It’s hardly the first time, and I am certain it won’t be the last either.”

Trixie frowned, but the looks she was getting from Dot and Cato made her expression soften. “There’s a group of Chaos Cultists skulking about town. We haven’t been able to get an exact fix on them yet, or else Trixie would have seen the city cleansed or their filth.” She stomped the ground with a cloven hoof. “What makes these idiots dangerous, is that they believe since Twilight is the most powerful of Chaos mages, that she is key to restoring Discord…”

“That way of thinking will get them killed,” Cato replied. “Do they even know who they’re up against?”

“I’d imagine they do,” Trixie replied. “They’re sure to have all sorts of Chaos counter-measures. And you know how overconfident Twilight can get.”

“I do, she’d quite the hooffull, but then I’ve met much stranger ponies… and even stranger Changelings,” Dot said, his mind wandering to the Queen. It was by her orders that he’d come to Equestria in the first place.

And he hadn’t regretted a single letter of that order.

“I think I have a lead on her now,” Trixie said, surprised by their good fortune that she’d dropped the third-pony act. “Let’s go before we lose her again.”

“All we need is a talking dog to be complete,” Cato muttered. Twilight had said that to him at some point… and tried to get him to wear an ascot. He still had no idea why.

“Um, Twilight?” Ember said as she moved close to the mare. “I don’t think I like your shortcut.”

“Yes, I’m beginning to think it wasn’t my best idea,” Twilight replied dryly as she stared at the robed ponies that surrounded them. There must have been over a dozen, some carried torches with a special purifying flame. One that made her horn itch and her coat stand on end.

Chaos Cultists, and they’d come armed enough to start a small war.

“So,” Twilight replied and flashed them a wink. Above all else, she had to keep Emby safe. She knew what these freaks did to mares like her. “Can we help you boys? We’re in a bit of a hurry.”

“You will be coming with us, Daughter of Discord,” one cultist said as he levelled a crossbow at her. “While we need you alive, we aren’t above making you more… co-operative.”

Aww, that was so cute. They actually think they stood a chance.

“What about the other one?” a second cultist asked. The first thought for a moment.

“We’ll bring her too. She’d make a wonderful monster with the right rituals,” he replied with an almost hopeful tone. Ember’s eyes widened as she moved closer to Twilight, her flank bumping hers.

“Oh dear,” Twilight sighed and shook her head. “And there went your chances of living. Time to die boys.” Her horn flared with life, just as a magic circle appeared beneath her and Twilight let out a sharp scream as her powers fluctuated and started draining.

“A nice spell isn’t it?” the first cultist said with s smile. “A modified spell of the ones Changelings use to drain emotion. Mind you, we had to dispose of quite a few until we figured that much out. Plus there was the testing phase. But I am so happy to see that it works well.” he sat back and clapped his hooves. “Such beauty in those screams. Like the purest melody. You’ll make the perfect vessel for restoring our God to his prime state!”

That was what they wanted? Twilight grit her teeth and clenched her jaw, before another round of pain ripped through her body. What the hell was this spell? She needed… five minutes. She’d figure this out, break it… then break them!

What nopony expected, was Ember stepping between her and the lead cultist. “Leave her alone!” she shouted at him. “You’re hurting her! She didn’t do anything to you… not today anyway. Ahh, not the point. Stop hurting her!”

“She’s the instrument to Lord Discord’s revival,” the cultist snapped. “Step aside or we’ll kill you here and now!”

“I-I’m not afraid of you!” Ember said after flinching from those words. No, Twilight was her friend and if that… if that meant hurting these bad ponies. She reached up and slid the nullification ring from her horn. While it still allowed Telekinesis, it stopped her… other abilities.

Namely her uncontrollable Pyrokinesis.

“Last chance,” she said as a small flame ignited the tip of her horn.

“Run… away…” Twilight grunted under the sealing spell. “Ember… there’s too many. Run!”

“NO!” Ember said firmly and Twilight’s eyes widened. “I’m not going to leave you alone with these jerks. What kind of friend would I be if I did that?”

“One that might have kept her life,” the Cultist sneered. “Forget it, we’re wasting time. Kill the mare and secure the Key!”

Several Cultists lowered their horns, and started casting an array of spells that would brutally maim Ember. Though… they flinched as they heard an odd sound, a feral-like growl that was coming from somewhere.

Twilight knew though, being the closest to the source. The noise was coming from Ember.

“I said…” Ember took a step forward. The torches the cultists were carrying… changed. The white holy flames suddenly turned a deep azure. “To leave…” Her eyes narrowed and the brilliant emerald green took a crimson hue. Her round iris’ took a more… beastial slit. Her upper lip curled back and revealed a row of pearly white and very sharp teeth. “Leave. Her. Alone!”[i/]

“Kill it!” the lead cultist yelled. “Kill the monster!”

“Ohh, that’s rich, coming from you,’ Ember cooed in a tone Twilight had not heard from her. Ember Quill was a skittish mare, easily startled and not good in public situations.

This Ember, she knew the aure the… mare? Exuded. This was the aura of an apex predator. One staring down her next kill.

“The Key must be Warping her. Use the sacred flames!” The cultist yelled. The others raised their torches and…

Ember… laughed. A small quiet one as she opened her mouth and started to inhale. The flames flickered, before traveling like a stream as the mare ate the flames. Every last one, she absorbed into her maw and when the last ember vanished, her jaw clicked closed and she gave a contented sigh.

“Mmm, delicious. How kind of you to bring me a snack.”

“She’s a Fire Blood Mage,” one cultist said. “Oh Chaos, we just made her stronger!”

“Close,” Ember smiled as azure flames licked at her hooves, ears and the tip of her tail. Her ears grew longer as sharp claws sprouted from her hooves, well, they were now snow-white paws. Her tail flicked, becoming longer, fuller and more lustrous.

Twilight then realised what her friend was. She also wondered if Ember herself even knew… and of all the things the chaos mare had seen in her life, the foal of a pony and a kitsune was not one of them. Ooh, these cultists were so unbelievably fucked. And not in the happy funtime way.

“What are you idiots doing?” the leader yelled. “Kill that Sunblessed bitch!!”

Ember snorted as her tail flicked and a whip of fire snared the nearest Cultist, flinging him like a ragdoll as she tossed him around, not even sparing a glance as she slammed him into another one. Several levelled crossbows at her and fired. Her ear flicked as a wall of flame surrounded her, incinerating the bolts before they even reached her.

Her eyes flashed blue and a concussive blast of energy slammed the trio that shot her, knocking them against a far wall.

Less than a minute, and she taken out five of them already.

The Cultists were starting to have second thoughts about this plan. This was turning out to be a really bad plan.

“She’s just one mare!” the leader screamed and then sighed. “When you want something done right…” He stepped forward as the darkness encroached on them. “I’ll inflict horrors on you the likes that even your deepest nightmare couldn’t conjure. I’ll break you, remake you and break you again. I will relish the fear you feel and your tears will be like the sweetest wine. I’ll—” he was sent flying by another psychic blast, before a whip of fire plucked him out of midair and slammed him several times against the walls, floor and the remaining Cultists.

The whole time, Twilight noticed something. Ember was crying. She didn’t like hurting ponies, no matter how much they deserved it. It was a trait that Twilight respected and admired about her. Even ponies that wanted to turn her into a monster, she felt bad for beating them senseless.

And once Ember was finally done, she sighed as she looked at the unconscious leader. “Anypony ever tell you that you talk too much?” she said as her form wore off and she gave Twilight a faint smile before she passed out. With the Cultists out cold, Twilight had enough to time to analyse the seal and shatter it.

“Oh Ember,” she sighed as she ran a hoof through her mane. “Let’s get you home.” With a flash, she left the alleyway… for now.

The leader picked himself up, that plan had… not worked out well. How knew the Key had a Celestia-damned Fire Blood protecting her. Well, there was always next time…

“Aww, isn’t that cute,” a voice cooed from above him and and the conscious cultists glanced up to see Twilight Sparkle floating there. Their chance had come sooner than expected. “You guys are just… so adorable.”

“We have you now,” one said.

“Really, is that so?” Twilight said as she summoned a spear. “Well, I guess it’s cool to be hopeful for the future. More power to ya I say. But… I’m afraid this is going to be a very, very bad day for you.” She lowered herself closer to the ground as a dark aura overcame her. “You see, I don’t mind that you came after me. Hazard of the job and all that. But then… then you idiots had to go and drag cute little Emby into it.”

One Cultist had gotten the right idea to flee, well he would have if Twilight hadn’t thrown the spear, the weapon whistling through the air and skewering him through the head with enough force to pin him to the wall behind him.

Twilight smiled sweetly at that. “You idiots made her cry. That… that is unforgivable. I’m going to make you scream now. But on the bright side,” Twilight hummed a merry tune as she started summoning more spears. “There is a silver lining. This will be your last[/] bad day~”

Their screams were indeed music to her ears.

Trixie looked at the scene in disdain. The normally grey cobblestone was coated a thick red as the bodies of at least a dozen ponies littered various pikes and spears. Oh, she’d used some railroad spikes this time too, very creative.

Amidst the gore, Twilight floated there as she stripped the last of the blood from her coat with her magic. So much more effective than a shower. Hmm, maybe she should go over to Ember’s for a bubbly bath. She had the nicest soaps.

“Really?” Trixie said, washing aside the filth as she stepped closer to Twilight. “A little much don’t you think?”

“Now you don’t have to worry about those Cultists,” Twilight said offhandedly. “There were idiots to start something with me.” Well, not that that was a problem anymore.

“And the mare you were with?” Trixie asked. “Eyewitnesses report that they saw a mare matching Ember Quill’s description with you.”

“Emby wasn’t here,” Twilight said plainly, as if Trixie had just asked about the weather. “She’s at home taking a well-earned nap.” ’And I’ll be damned if she gets involved with anything like this…’

Dot raised a non-existent eyebrow, a motion that Twilight caught. “I said she wasn’t here!” the unicorn said with a little more force. “I’m going home,” she said with a scowl, she teleported away again.

Trixie sighed and rubbed a temple. That was something worth investigating. Well, later anyway. She took out a small crystal and channelled some magic into it.

“I need a cleanup crew on the alley between Bridleton Avenue and Stirrup Street. Make sure you have a Class Three cleanser with you.” She stopped the transmission and pocketed the gem.

“Well, it’s not usual that Twiley lies like that,” Dot said. “Also, don’t think I didn’t catch you sending Cato off to fetch some groceries all of a sudden. Is Mommy Trix being protective of her little human babbu?”

“Shut up,” Trixie blushed slightly. She'd have eviscerated anypony besides Dot if they’d said that. “Just start taking notes. There’s an odd magical seal on the ground… and those burn marks aren’t normal either.”

“Yes Ma’am,” Dot chuckled. She was awful cute when she was teased. He’d make it up to her later. It’d been a while since they…

“Dot! Today!” Trixie barked, breaking him out of his delightful daydream. With a resigned sigh, he took out his notebook and started writing.

Ember groaned softly as she rolled over, tugging the blankets up over her face.

Wait, blankets?

With a sharp gasp, she sat up quickly, wobbling at the slight vertigo that caused anss he put a hoof to her head. It hurt for some reason. What… where was she?

She rubbed her eyes and looked around. It was… her bedroom? She spied her Null-Fire Ring on her nightstand and slipped it over her horn. She was lucky she hadn’t burned anything in her sleep…

But, why was she here? She remembered that she was with Twilight. They’d had donuts, had a very touchy mare hit on her and run away from a dinosaur skeleton…

So, how did she get home and into her bed?

Ember groaned as her head throbbed. She… remembered an alley… some robed ponies and Twilight was…

“TWILIGHT!” Ember shouted and cried out as her own voice nearly deafened her. And it didn’t do her headache any better.

“You rang Princess?” Twilight said, teleporting in and reclining on Ember’s back. “Oh, are we playing that game now? Should I get a maid’s outfit.”

Ember’s brain briefly shut down at the thought of Twilight dressed like a maid, before she recovered and pulled the mare into a hug. “You’re alright! I… what happened?”

“Ah?” Twilight shrugged. “Yeah, you kinda passed out, but I broke the spell and spanked those naughty ponies good. Now…” She floated in front of her. “I’m thinking… Prench maid, or Vulpan? Both are good, but Vulpan ones are so ruffly and cute. Prench ones are outright sexy~”

“That’s…” Ember blushed hard. She liked both of them. Maybe Twilight could—? “AH! Stop distracting me Twilight!”

“Ooh, are you saying I’m distracting?” she said and gave her flank a wiggle. “At least you have good taste in mares Emby~”

Ember Quill was reduced to a blushing, babbling mess and Twilight giggled before realising… oh. Did Ember actually like her? Like, like-like her?

Hmm, how… interesting~

That was a game for another day. For now…

She leaned forward and hugged Ember. “Thanks for sticking up for me. Not a lot of ponies would have done that.”

“You’re my friend… i just wish I could have done more than pass out,” Ember sighed and Twilight chuckled, ruffling her mane.

“You helped out a lot. Now…” She lifted Ember with her magic. “Let’s go have a bubble bath.”

“I… whaat!?” Ember blushed and squeaked as she was carted off. How… How was this her life?

Redheart's Zany Zombie Adventures.

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A quiet hum filled the underground laboratory. Beakers of an identifiable liquid bubbled away while machines hummed and one light in particular flickered to an unheard beat.

A white earth pony stared at one particular beaker, her brow furrowing before setting it down.

“Batch Twenty Seven failed to take,” she said to herself, her voice recorded by a small crystal. “And the cultures in Batch Twenty Eight won’t be ready for a few more days.” She set the beaker aside, before looking at a third, a thick green mist rolling around inside it like an angry storm cloud.

“As for you,” she hummed. “Who’d have thought I’d find such an interesting specimen in the Everfree ruins. I wonder what you do?”

Obviously, the mist couldn’t respond. It did seem to swirl a little more though. Redheart wasn’t an idiot, she knew this thing was magical in nature. Everything that came out of the Everfree was magical in nature. But she didn’t want to move it around Ponyville.

And her lab was far too delicate to invite Sunset around to examine it. That mare had issues, and seemed to think fire and explosions solved them.

“Maybe Quickfix?” she asked herself, before snorting and shaking her head. That barbarian of a mare would likely turn her precious lab into some kind of deathtrap. “Why are all the smart unicorns in this town mentally unstable?”

Sunset looked up from her book and frowned.

“What’s wrong this time?” Spike asked as he stacked a few books onto a shelf.

“Nothing… just feel like setting somepony on fire,” she muttered and looked back down.

“Ah, so you feel normal then, good to know.” Spike chuckled, even as the fireball hit the back of his head.

Red’s ear flicked as she heard a ding and a loud voice muttering about the rickety old elevator.

“Crossbutt!” she heard her ever-so-eloquent friend Quickfix Aperture call out. “Ah thought yeh said this thing was fixed?”

“No, you said it was fixed!” Redheart facehooved. “Like the Clocktower… and the water pump… and the—”

“Och! Alright, alright, ah get it!” Quick groaned and shook her head. “Quit yeh naggin’ woman! Ah’ll get tae it what ah get tae it.”

“Mhmm, I’ve heard that before,” the earth mare muttered. “So, what brings you here?”

“Well, we’re goin’ out tanight, remember?” the unicorn responded, tapping a beaker of bubbling liquid. “Ah dinnae think yeh’d remember, so ah came tae pick you up.”

“Huh?” Oh right, there was that wasn’t there? Ever since they found out that they were the ‘Elements of Harmony’ the six mares had taken some time off to deepen their friendships. And Redheart had decided to go drinking with Quickfix, everypony else were utter lightweights.

Or they were just afraid of a drunk Sunset Shimmer. That thought made her shudder a little. Given that it was Tuesday, that could only end in nothing short than the Apocalypse.

“I think Pizzelle would be alright,” Redheart said as she wiped down her workbench. “She is part Earth Pony. I’d think she’d be used to a little alcohol.”

“Aye, but she’s got that lil foxxy kid now,” Quickfix sighed. “Foals are cute an’ all. But they really put a dampener on one’s party life.”

“Yup, I think I’ll just grow a foal instead of having one,” Redheart nodded. “I’ve seen countless mothers. No way am I going through months of that nightmare. The end result is still the same.”

“Want me to build yah a robot one?” Quickfix asked. “At least yeh don’ hafta deal with poopy diapers and vomit. Hmm, ah might be able to add those…”

“Pass,” Redheart deadpanned. The thought of her making robot foals was also terrifying. Because she’d likely weaponize them. Enough to single-hoofedly lay siege to Canterlot.

“Aww,” Quickfix sighed. “Well, as much as ah love yeh shiny lab. Let’s go already!”

“Fine fine,” Redheart sighed as Quick poked another jar. A jar of swirling green mist. Was Redheart making something weird again?

“Leave that alone!” the mare snapped, making Quick flinch and drop it, the glass shattering on the floor as the mist evaporated into the airducts.

“Whoops?” Quick shrugged as Redheart sighed and facehooved.

“Celestia damn it… let’s just go already,” she groaned and dragged the destructive unicorn away. Punching the panel of the elevator, she released Quickfix, who rubbed her neck.

“Eargh, bloody tomcolt,” she muttered. “No wonder yer single.”

“Same to you,” Redheart muttered. The elevator shuddered and moved upwards, only to stop after a few feet. “Oh, wonderful,” Redheart deadpanned and stomped her hoof.

The the metal box fell. With a sickening shriek and the nauseating feeling of the floor vanishing from under their hooves, the cables gave way and the elevator fell two floors. Redheart and Quickfix barely had time to scream before their world turned black.

Redheart groaned, holding her hooves to her head as she tried to get up. Her left front leg throbbed with pain, but she was still able to get to her hooves. What… had happened?

The elevator… it fell and… Quickfix! Redheart looked around to see the unicorn lying next to her. Once she used a piece of scrap metal to pry the elevator doors open, before dragging Quickfix out and into the hall.

“Urgh, lay off the noodlecups,” she grunted as she dropped the heavy unicorn. “Now… what do we have here?” The elevator had hit the bottom floor. So, that would leave them in the morgue? Wonderful. Redheart hated this place on the best of days. She check Quickfix for injuries, but all she seemed to have was a bump on the head.

“Well, I guess you’re having a nice nap,” Redheart sighed as she took her tail in her mouth and started dragging her. “You mow, you supoffed to sweep affer you get wasfed!”

She spat her tail out as her ear twitched. Something was… off. She’d heard a sound. Was somepony down here? Maybe the anthropologist, Marrow?

A clatter of a tray hitting the floor, Red had dropped enough to know what that sounds like. She looked down at Quickfix.

“Wait here,” she giggled. “Don’t go anywhere.” And headed for the nearest room. She nudged the door open and peered inside. “Doctor Marrow? Is that you?”

Well, it wasn’t Doctor Marrow. Just a corpse shuffling about the room. Ah, that explains it.

Wait a minute…

“A...A…” Redheart’s eyes widened as her irises shrank to pinpricks. “Is… is that a…?”

“Uuuurrrrgggghhhhhhhhh!!!” With a bloodcurdling moan, the zombie turned as one eye stared at the mare. The other dangled loosely from the socket and swayed with each step.

“Nope!” Redheart closed the door and walked back over to Quickfix. “Nope. Nope…” She picked up her tail and started dragging her. “Nopenopenopenopenooooooope!”

She bucked open the door to the next floor… and paused again.

Ah, so the stairwell was filled with more of the undead. They could climb stairs. Okay, good to know.

“Bucking NOPE!” Redheart dragged Quick back to another room, a small lab that was luckily free of the zombies. She closed the door and pushed a desk in front of it. She could hear them banging on the door now, hopefully that desk would hold.

“Okay Redheart. No problems. Just a room full of zombies. Nothing to worry about.” She paced in a small circle as she racked her brain on what to do. “Well, I really regret not telling Sunset now. Her fire would have come in handy… or, we’d simply have zombies that are also on fire.”

Okay. So one, there were zombies. That was a thing that happened.

Two, she didn’t know how far they spread. Either they were confined to the hospital basement, or Quickfix and Redheart were the only ponies left in Ponyville… or Equestria. How long were they unconscious,

“Just great, I slept through the apocalypse,” Redheart muttered. “And now I owe Pizzelle ten bits if she’s still alive.”

“Uuurrghhh!” A moan made her jump and lash out at the noise… which happened to be Quickfix. All she did was succeed in knocking her out again.

“Ahh… sorry,” Redheart blushed. Well now what? Quickfix had two lumps on her head, plus her horn. She kinda looked like a little Triceratops. But now she had a still-unconscious mare and a room full of zombies.

“Great… I’m going to die a virgin,” Redheart sighed. “And how are there zombies here? We have strict rules against hiring any necromancers. I’m having a serious word with Pony Resources if i survive this!”

Then she saw something out of the corner of her eye, a green mist seeping through a ventilation duct. “Oohhhh… um, my bad?” So, it was that stuff from the Everfree? Perhaps taking something from where Nightmare Moon had been wasn’t such a good idea.

“Well, hindsight is a bitch as they say,” Redheart muttered and winced as the door thumped again, the desk shifting slightly. “Okay Redheart. Pull it together and remember your Zombie Survival Guide! In the event of a Zombie outbreak. Don’t panic. Ascertain if it’s a virus, necromancy or an unknown source.” She looked at the mist and nodded. “Most likely Necromancy.”

“Now, if it’s Necromancy, just kill the caster.”

“Ahhh… buck,” Redheart sighed. “Stupid useless guidebook. Okay, so… What do I do?”

“...yeh got any bubblegum?” Quickfix mumbled.

Redheart blinked and turned her head. Quickfix was… she was awake? And, what the heck wa she holding? Some kind of metal tubing with a bottle on one end. She had a bandolier of similar bottles around her waist.

“No… I don’t have any bubblegum…” Redheart replied to the ridiculous question.

“Then we only have to kick flank!” Quick cackled as the door burst open. Several zombie went to shuffle in and Quickfix slapped the bottle. With a shudder, the other end of the pipe exploded, the chemical reaction firing the the shrapnel inside out at them, shredding them in a shower of guts and gore.

“W-What the tartarus is THAT thing!?” Redheart screamed, her stomach turning from the sight of the carnage.

“Ah dunno,” Quick shrugged. “Ah’m thinkin’ ah’ll call him… ‘Boomstick!’”

“So… pray tell, what does it do?” Redheart shuddered.

“Narrow tube, chemical rocket and a hooffull of sharp, pointy things,” Quick nodded. “The explosion of the reaction forces out th’ metal and buhbye zombies.”

“Crude,” Redheart sighed as Quickfix locked a new bottle in place.

“Yet effective,” the unicorn added. “Problem is, ah only got six shots. How many zombies are there?”

“We got a flankload of bodies when Nightmare Moon did her thing,” Redheart sighed. “So… way more than six.”

“Well… that’s jus’ bleedin’ wonderful,” Quickfix sighed. “Well, ah’m nuthin’ if not an optimist! Ready to kick flank and take names?”

“What does taking their names do?’ Redheart sighed. “It’s not like we’re going to arrest them and charge them with being a zombie.”

Quickfix groaned. “Yeh jus… yeh got no passion fer this, do yeh?”

“Should I?” the earth mare sighed. “And what am I supposed to do exactly? Did you make two of those things?”

“Pfft, no,” Quick replied with a snort. “There wasn’t enough tech in there to cannibalize. So ah... You can be the damsel in distress ah hafta rescue.”

“And now I know why you and Fiddlesticks get along so well,” Redheart muttered. Several zombies approached from behind and she let out a scream, grabbing one of the bottles and throwing it.

“Ah horseapples,” Quick’s eyes widened and she pulled Red into a room as the bottle detonated, blowing up the zombies, the whole building trembling.

“OH, that’s much more effective!” Redheart smiled.

“Aye, if yeh wanna bring the whole damned building down around us!” Quickfix snapped. “Yeh have a doctorate don’t yeh? Then why don’t yeh use that damned thing inside yeh head called a brain!”

“Oh, this coming from a mare that caused a temporal anomaly over a damned cold!” Redheart yelled back. “You can fight zombies, but you were too afraid to eat some damned soup?”

“Ah wasn’t sick,” Quick mumbled. “And time travel would a worked if somepony killed the Time Beast like ah said!”

“You’re an idiot!”

“Yer a bloody coward!”

“Lunatic!”

“Candy floss mane!”

“Degenerate tomcolt!”

“Cross-flanked harpy!”

“Stupid Northerner!!”

Quickfix stopped, her eyes wide. “You… you take that back…”

Redheart also stopped, her hooves shot to her mouth. “Quickfix I…”

“Yeh think it’s easy!” the unicorn yelled. “Yeh think somepony lahke me fits in around here? A bloody zebra would have a better chance o’it! But no matter what it’s always, ‘Oh, a Northerner wouldn’t understand’ ‘Why are Northerners so violent?’ ‘Why aren’t you a warrior like yer siblin’s Quickfix?’ ‘What good is a spanner over a bucking sword!!’”

Her tirade was cut off when Redheart put her hooves around her neck. “I’m sorry. That was insensitive of me. And believe me, i know how you feel. Do you think an earth pony has it easy in a scientific field like genetics? This is almost an all-unicorn field. I’ve been laughed out of lectures because I don’t have one of these.’ she lightly poked Quick’s horn. “But i’m sorry Quickfix. I shouldn’t have said that.”

“Bah, stupid feelin’s, buck ‘em,” Quickfix snorted. No she wasn’t blushing, that was the blood of her enemies staining her coat. “Right, now ah really need that drink. Let’s get outta here.”

“Eeyup,” Redheart nodded and saw something on the wall.

‘In case of zombie outbreak, Break Glass.’

“Oohh~” she hummed and did just that, pulling out a sizeable fireaxe. “I’m gonna call you… Surgeon~”

“Right, are we goin’ or you gonna take him to dinner first?” Quickfix snorted. “Heh, at least he matches that ‘razor-sharp’ wit o’yers.”

“Oh Har har,” Red rolled her eyes as opened the door and brained the first zombie, splitting it’s head like an over-ripe apple. “Oooh~ This is rather cathartic isn’t it?”

“Now yer gettin’ it,” Quick cackled as she loaded a bottle and fired, blowing away a few as they approached the stairwell.

Together, the pair fought their way up the second floor and to the third, where Redheart’s lab was located. They stopped to collect some more ammunition for Boomstick as Redheart spied something. Culture number Twenty Seven. It had bloomed after all. HAH! She did it. She managed to genetically recreate Poison Joke!

Then a zombie lurched in and bumped the shelf. The jar containing the flower shattered and once exposed to the outside air, the flower shriveled up in seconds.

“You…” Redheart gripped her axe and Quick took a step back. That… that was not the face of a stable pony. “I worked for weeks! I finally solved it… and you ruined it!!”

What followed could not be documented. Quickfix was interviewed several times, but whenever it got this scene, she curled up into a ball and rocked back and forth, chanting Red Death over and over.

Outside the hospital, Redheart shouldered her axe, it and herself still coated with all kinds of viscera.

“Ahh, I feel much better,” she sighed and looped an arm around Quickfix’s neck. “So, still wanna get that drink?”

“If only tae ferget th’ last twenty minutes…” the mare shuddered. “And… no matter whut, ah’m never, ever gunna make yeh mad ever again.”

“Hmm, did something happen?” Redheart asked. She’d blacked out for a moment and when she awoke, all the zombies were dead.

It was really weird.

“Yeh know, yer alright Reddy,” Quickfix chuckled. “Ah’ve half a mind tae make yeh an obligatory Northerner.”

“Don’t you mean honorary?” Redheart sighed. “Well, thanks Quickfix. That means a lot.”

“Still gunna drink yeh under the table, Lightweightheart.”

“Bring it, you Trottish tomcolt!” Redheart smirked.

Getting back on her hooves.

View Online

Steel grey clouds were hung low in the sky, shunting away what could have been a nice, sunny afternoon.

It wasn’t surprising though. Weather predictions were hardly a game of chance in Equestria. But even so, every time she came here, it was as though the forces of nature cowed to her sombre mood.

Row after row of grass, flowers and granite. This place never changed, except the number of residents was always increasing, especially in recent years.

Silence pervaded this garden of sadness and loss, as the mare’s hooves clopped on the uneven cobblestone.

She paused once she reached a certain stone, a cerise hue bathed the wilted flowers, replacing them with fresh ones.

“Hello dear,” her voice came out, quiet even against the roaring silence of Canterlot’s graveyard. “How have you been? Still telling those terrible jokes of yours?”

She lay down before the grave in front of her. “Sorry it's been longer than usual. I've been busy with my new book you see. My editor's always making changes, and you know how lazy and uncooperative my partner in crime is.” Her thoughts briefly flickered to the tan pegasus mare...

Twilight Velvet pressed a hoof against the tombstone. The one that marked the grave of her late husband....

“I miss you Nightie,” she whispered softly. “Or more like, I've never stopped missing you. But…” She stroked the smooth stone and blinked the oncoming chilly wind from her eyes. “I think… I've finally stopped blaming her. Twilight she… she never asked for that Sun-damned power. She never wanted her mind to be warped and twisted… she, she didn't to…” Her words failed her as she wiped her moist eyes. “She never meant to take you away…”

Velvet paused, as if hearing a reply from him. “You should see her these days. She has a coltfriend you know. A rather… high strung lad, but honest of heart. He and Shining don't get along well, but colts will be colts after all.” She smiled and let of a brief giggle. “Speaking of our boy. He and Cadence are doing well. I fully expect them to be the first to give us grandfoals…”

Again her voice failed her, her chest tightening as she fought back uselessly against her tears. “I wish you could see them…” She raised her hoof again, touching the name on the headstone. “My dear Night Light… I, with them both gone from the house, I'm finally starting to notice how big the place is… how, empty it is…”

She let out a deep sigh and closed her eyes. “But what can I do? I can't force the kids to stay at home… and I… I won’t leave that house. It’s our home.” She wiped her eyes again and opened them. “The neighbour mares are teasing me, saying I should get a stallion before my hips give out. Bah! I'm younger than them dammit! And, I've never had anypony before you… I, don’t need anypony else…”

She looked at the headstone, before taking out a cloth and started to clean the polished granite. “You know what Bob the builder pony next door used to say.” her voice dropped a few octaves. “A house is only as solid as the foundations it's built on!” She swallowed the lump in her throat and shook her head. “It's just… I'm trying Nightie. I really am but… It's hard.”

Her coat prickled with warmth as a ray of sunlight peeked through the canopy of cloud, causing the unicorn mare to smile. “Heh, you always know what to say to me.” She stood up and smiled at him. “I have to get going. You take care okay? Don't go pulling anything chasing those cute angels~”

Her smile soon faltered, and she turned away to head home. Just… another ordinary Tuesday in Canterlot.

The walk home was dreadfully uneventful. Of course, being the mother of one Twilight Sparkle afforded her equal amounts of fear and respect. Her daughter had quite the reputation after all.

So Twilight Velvet was quite surprised when she suddenly felt somepony bump roughly into her, before breaking out into a run. She was confused for a second… until she saw a familiar bag hanging from his mouth.

She’d been robbed?

“W-Wait!” she yelled. “Thief!”

The thief smirked, robbing that old mare was just too easy. He rounded a corner and promptly ran into a wall…

No… not a wall. It felt like a bloody wall, instead, it was the armoured breastplate of a massive unicorn stallion. The thief stumbled back and fell on his rump, before a crimson aura captured him, holding him still.

Twilight Velvet ran around the same corner, skidding to a stop before she could run into the stallions as well. She processed what she saw before her and took a breath. It would seem the thief had run into the local Guard. How unfortunate for him.

“Afternoon Ma’am,” the cream-coated unicorn bowed his head. Velvet got a good look at him and… oh dear, her heart skipped a beat or two. Urgh, was she that unfit a brief run tired her out that quickly?

The guard looked down and then lifted the thief up in his magic. “Colt. You have something that belongs to this beautiful mare.”

‘Beautiful?’

“Now, what do we say?” Flare said, holding the colt up with his magic. A routine patrol was turning out to be interesting. Especially since he got to help out this pretty mare.

“Sod off,” the teenage colt spat, before the stallion sighed and clipped his ear painfully with his magic. “Argh, buck—!”

Another clip.

“We don’t use that sort of language in front of mares. Now, what do we say?” his tone was still calm, but possessed quite a bit of force behind it.

“I said to—” he was cut off as Flare tugged his ear one more time.

“I apologise for his uncouth behaviour,” he replied. “Are you alright Miss…”

“Velvet, Twilight Velvet,” she replied, her voice somewhat quiet. He noted her face was a little red as well. Well, being robbed in broad daylight might have been a little embarrassing. Poor mare.

“Well Miss Velvet, I believe this is yours,” he said and returned her bag. “I’ll be taking this one along with me. Perhaps we can make a stallion out of him.”

“W-What!?” the colt’s eyes widened.

“Section 6, subsection A2, in the event of national emergency or wartime, the military may conscript citizens into the Guard or City Militia,” the unicorn stated. “These days… they’re very unsafe outside the city. Welcome to the Guard colt.”

“WHAT!?” he yelled as the unicorn turned around. Velvet’s breath hitched again as she watched him.

“Oh sweet Celestia, look at those flanks~” Velvet hummed to herself. “Wait, what? Why would I think that? I’m a married mare… well, sort of. Ahh! But I kinda wanna put my hooves on them and—”

“Is… something the matter Miss Velvet?” the guard asked and the mare looked down to see that one of her hooves was raised. She turned a deeper shade of red and lowered the offending appendage.

“N-No,” she replied quietly. “Thank you… um?”

“Sergeant Flare Blitz, Ma’am,” the unicorn saluted to her and she saw those stunning crimson eyes of his. By the Stars, he was gorgeous. His frame was a little larger than Shining’s. Thick legs and large hooves…

“You know what they say about a stallion with big hooves~”

“Well, please hurry home Miss Velvet,” Flare’s voice snapped her out of her increasing perverse daydream. A distant chime of the Canterlot Clock Tower told them it was right on three o’clock. “It’s scheduled to rain in the next fifteen minutes. Have a good afternoon.” And with a bow of his head, he left her be.

“I… I think a walk in the cold rain will be good,” Velvet said to herself as she watched him leave, before turning around and heading home. What… what the Tartarus was that? She was lusting after him like a horny schoolfilly.

“I need a drink,” she muttered, hoping there was still some scotch at home.

The following Tuesday was like any other. Twilight Velvet would get up, shower and make a simple breakfast of coffee and toast. She’d go over her newest novel, writing a little bit here and there and look at her editor’s notes.

Then would come the house work. But without anypony else around, all she had to do was dust a little. A job that would once take over half the day, now barely took an hour.

She needed to wash her bedsheets as well. After meeting Flare last week… well, that cold shower hadn’t helped much.

“What the buck am I doing?” she muttered as she tossed them in the washing machine. She turned around and let out a startled scream, as the face of Twilight Sparkle stared back, hovering silently behind her.

“Heeheeheee, hiya Mommy,” she giggled and lifted Velvet up in her magic. “That was hilarious by the way.”

“Twilight Star Sparkle!” Velvet groaned, using the dreaded full name. “What have I said about giving your poor mother a heart attack?”

“Hmm…” Twilight tapped her chin and shrugged. “I dunno. Aaaanyway, I have a favour to ask~”

Hoo boy, this ought to be good.

“Can I invite a friend over for dinner?”

“You have friends?” Twilight Velvet said, and Twilight Sparkle folded her forelegs.

“Wow… rude much?”

“I’m sorry,” Velvet bowed her head. “I’m just surprised is all. Of course you can bring a friend over. May I ask who it is?”

“Her name is Ember Quill, but I call her Emby,” Twilight giggled. “She’s lots of fun. And super adorable. Feel free to tease her, she has the best reactions.”

“Why do I get the feeling she’s more of a victim than a friend?” Velvet deadpanned.

“Somepony’s snippy today,” Twilight said. “Does it have to do with that stallion you keep fantasizing about?”

Twilight Velvet coughed and spluttered. “I… what, how did you? No!”

“Heehee, you’re funny Mom,” Twilight giggled. “So, I thought I might invite Shiny, Cadie and Bloody as well.”

“Twilight dear, you know what meals are like when Bloodletter and Shining are at the same table… or the same city for that matter…”

“Aw come oooonnnnn!” Twilight whined. “I wanna do this. And Emby hasn’t met him yet either, so it should be fun. Ooh, you could invite that stallion too~”

Twilight Velvet blushed only slightly and rolled her eyes. “Fine then, tomorrow evening. I’ll have to do some shopping to get enough food. As loud as those colts are, they eat a lot.”

“Yaaay!” Twilight clapped her hooves. “Oh, and Emby loves chocolate sprinkled donuts from Joe’s.”

“Okay, I’ll pick some up,” Velvet chuckled and rubbed her mane. “And what about you dear? Still causing trouble for poor Trixie?”

“Always,” Twilight beamed and nodded. “Keeps her on her hooves. Hehe, I wonder if Dot enjoyed me turning her into a stallion for a day…”

“Twilight…” Velvet started using her ‘Mom’ voice. The chaotic mare lasted all of about four seconds under that tone and glare, before cracking her tail like a whip.

“There, Tricky’s back to being her usual precocious self.” Maybe next time, she turn her into a filly… Maybe Dot has a lolita fetish...

“Good girl, now go and tell the others and I’ll see you tomorrow night okay?”

“Yup!” Twilight beamed and vanished in a flash of light, leaving the older unicorn alone. Once her washing was done and hung out in the sun to dry, she took her saddlebags and purse.

“Time to do some shopping I suppose,” she said to herself and left her large home, eager to get something other than nothing done today.

The walk to the markets was quiet as usual, Twilight Velvet alone with nothing but her thoughts. And those thoughts seemed to keep wandering to a certain guardstallion.

“GAH!” Velvet exclaimed loudly and rubbed her head. “Get it together Velvet. He’s likely half your age and probably has a pretty young marefriend to galavant around with,” rather than an old mare like her.

What if he didn’t though…

“I need some wine,” she groaned. But if she started drinking again, her kids would likely worry.

Their methods for getting her to stop were… unique. Twilight had cast a spell that made alcohol taste like anything but…

She once had scotch that tasted like fried chicken. That had been a horrible night.

“Just… think about your book,” Velvet muttered to herself. “And stop talking to yourself. You look like a crazy mare.”

She rounded the corner and bumped into some… warm? She looked up, about to yell at the offender that blocked her path, but her voice died in her throat.

“Oh? Hello Miss Velvet,” Flare Blitz smiled warmly. “Fancy running into you again. No more robbers chasing you I take it?”

“I…” Velvet swallowed the lump in her throat. “No… not this time.”

“Glad to hear it,’ Flare smiled and Velvet noticed that he wasn’t in any armour. His coat was a light cream colour, and his mane and tail was a brilliant mix of orange, yellow and red, like flames. His hooves were a deep ebony black and his Cutie Mark. How interesting. A shield with a chessboard pattern. The top and bottom white squares held a pink heart and a red flame. His chest was so broad and those muscles… oh she wanted them to hold her tight and…

“Are you alright, you’re looking a little red,” Flare said and Velvet suddenly looked away.

“I uh… well, I don’t handle warm weather well,” Twilight stammered out. Dammit Velvet, pull yourself together.

“I see,” Flare nodded and noticed her saddlebags and the fact they were in Market Street, “So, you’re out shopping today?”

Twilight took a breath and nodded. “Yes. I’m having my children over for dinner tomorrow evening and need some ingredients.”

“Oh, would you like some assistance?” Flare offered out of the blue.

“Huh?” Came Velvet’s eloquent reply. “I… but I couldn’t possibly trouble you with something like that.”

“I don’t mind one bit,” Flare said with a soft smile. “My superiors gave me a few days off, as I’ve been working a lot of overtime lately. And, I honestly don’t know what to do with myself. Helping out a pretty mare seems like a good way to pass the time though~”

Velvet flushed red again and looked away. “W-Well, if you insist. I suppose I could do with some company…”

Flare nodded and fell into step next to her as they made their way into the markets. Twilight Velvet mentally berated herself and started walking again. Honestly, what was she thinking about? But… it had been a while and she…

She rapidly shook her head clear of those thoughts… and ran right into a lamppost. In a flash, Flare was at her side and helping her up.

“Are you alright Miss Velvet?” he asked with a concerned tone. “That looked like it hurt.”

“I uh… it’s… okay,” she replied as the stallion held her. Well this was just great, she’d have to wash her bedsheets again later…

“Well, that’s a relief,” the stallion nodded, but used a light pain relief spell on her. “There we go, that should help.”

“Thank you,” Velvet replied and got to her hooves. That was… really embarrassing. Way to go Velvet, full marks for execution and landing. She sighed and adjusted her bags. “So,” she asked. “Tell me a little about yourself.”

“Hmm, where to start?” Flare hummed. “Well, I wasn’t born in Canterlot. I actually come from the Frozen North, or Trotland, depends on who you ask. But that was when I was but a colt. I haven’t been back there since.”

“So far from home,” Velvet said as she bought some tomatoes and placed them in her bag. “Do you miss it?” She noted that if she listened very carefully, she could hear a slight trottish accent in his voice.

“Not really,” Flare shrugged. “As I said, I was only about four or five when we moved here, so Canterlot is my home first and foremost.” He waited until she was finished talking with the vendor before continuing. “I entered the guard academy when I was sixteen. And I’ve been with them ever since. Protecting ponies… there’s nothing quite like it.”

“I hear that a lot from my son,” Twilight nodded. “Perhaps you know him. Field Marshal Shining Armor?”

Flare paused and his eyes widened slightly. This was the marshal’s mother? Oooh, damn. He hadn’t expected that. She looked so young. And he might have checked her out a little… Crap! Shining was going to kill him…

“Ah, yes. I know him,” Flare nodded, looking a little nervous now. Should he leave? It’d be rude… and Miss, er, well that must be Mrs. Velvet. She was so pretty…

“She must be married then, well… buck.”

“He’s quite the stallion, you and your husband must be proud,” Flare tried to save face. Velvet… just looked down at the ground. What?

“I am very proud of him,” she said quietly. “And I’m sure Night Light would be as well… I’d like to think he’s watching over us.”

Watching over… Was he? Flare groaned inwardly. Great. Bucking. Job. Just remind the cute mare of her dead husband why don’t you? Bucking moron.

“I’m, sorry for you loss,” he murmured. “I should… probably go…”

“Hm?” Velvet looked up and shook her head. “Oh dear, I didn’t mean to make you feel uncomfortable. Don’t worry. It was many years ago. I’ve long since come to terms with it.”

“Aww, his sad face was so adorable. She just wanted to pet his mane and hug him. She also knew other ways to make him feel better~” No. Bad Velvet. Down girl!

“Well, I still apologise for my insensitivity,” Flare replied, but Velvet shook her head once more.

“Don’t worry about it. As I said, it was long ago. And you certainly weren’t expected to know. Now… shall we continue this little date of ours?” She suddenly paused as the words left her mouth. But to her relief and slight disappointment, Flare didn’t seem to notice her little faux pas.

“Of course,” Flare replied and the two continued through the markets. As Velvet bought more food and other items, Flare took over carrying the bags, more or less becoming a pack mule. He didn’t mind though, and the bags weren’t that heavy.

Soon, he’d followed her back home and inside as he set the bags on the kitchen bench.

“I’m sorry I made you carry all that,” Velvet said as she turned around. The stallion was covered in a thin sheen of sweat and musk from walking in the sun all day and…

Forget cold water, she needed an ice bath at this point.

“May I bother you for a glass of water?” Flare asked her, once again snapping her out of her heated daydreams. Velvet shuddered and moved to the fridge, pulling out a chilled bottle.

“That’s not the only thing I’d let him drink from~”

She was slowly straying away from needing an icebath, to needing to plunk her flank in the tundra somewhere.

“Here you go,” she said as straight laced as she could, offering him the bottle. He thanked her and took the bottle, drinking from it as the cold liquid quenched his thirst.

“Lucky bottle…”

“I didn’t mean for you to carry all that though,” she said. “Allow me to make it up to you.”

“Just follow me upstairs… or on the kitchen table, that’d be fine… oooh buck! No. Bad Velvet!”

“You don’t have to,” he replied. “I wasn’t helping to get something out of you.”

“No, but you can put something in~”

“I-I insist,” she replied. “I know. Why don’t you come by tomorrow night? I’m already making dinner for a large group, one more mouth won’t matter much.”

“I couldn’t possibly impose—” Flare started but Twilight held up a hoof.

“Please, I insist…” then a thought occurred, one that quelled her more effectively than any cold shower. “Oh, you must have a marefriend to get back to hm? I’m sorry to inconven—”

Now it was Flare’s turn to interrupt. “No. No, it’s not that. I… don’t have a marefriend or anything like that.” He couldn’t just show up to a family dinner like that, it wouldn’t be proper.

Velvet was… she looked at him, yet she didn’t. Was she spacing out again?

“He… doesn’t have a marefriend?”

“He’s single?”

“Oh by Celestia’s sweet sun-covered flanks! That is the best news ever!!”

“Mrs. Velvet?” Flare asked, waving a hoof in front of her. She blinked a few times and shook her head.

“Please, I insist and will not take no for an answer…” She paused and smirked. “If not, I’ll send Twilight Sparkle to fetch you.”

“I’ll be here early,” Flare said rapidly. The last time he messed with the legendary Chaos mage, she turned his fire skills to ice ones. He was stuck with the nickname ‘Snowcone’ for months.

“Excellent,” Velvet clapped her hooves. Flare sighed, resigned to his destiny. After confirming the details, the stallion took his leave.

“Now, shall we go ruin another set of bedsheets?”

Velvet paused, and then sighed before trotting upstairs…

Flare Blitz groaned as he walked down the street, that… that had been too close. Twilight Velvet was just so… stunning? Beautiful? Amazing? No, all of the above.

And now he’d been invited to dinner, with the rest of her family no less. Well, he was now praying to every deity that he wouldn’t screw this up. He walked up to the palace gates, saluting to the guards stuck on door duty as he walked in.

So, what should he do? Should he bring something?

He growled to himself as he rounded a corner and bumped into someone, more surprised that he was the one sent sprawling across the floor. What the what? He looked up and his heart leapt out of his throat. Oh sweet Sun and Moon. He’d run right into Princess Celestia.

Well hey, at least a night in the dungeons would keep him from embarrassing himself at dinner.

“P-Princess…” he stammered, bowing low to the alicorn. “Please forgive me. I didn’t mean to run into you like that.” While he didn’t mind the dungeon, public execution would suck…

“There is no need to ask for forgiveness,” Celestia spoke calmly. “Accidents do happen from time to time.”

“Still, it’d not have happened had I not been so nervo- ah, I mean, lost in thought…” Flare really hoped she’d not notice his verbal slip up. “Please don’t ask, please don’t ask. Please don’t—”

“Oh?” Celestia tilted her head to the side in a questioning way. “Would you care to tell me why that is?”

“Sun dammit!”

“W-Well…” Flare rubbed his foreleg with the other. “I um, got invited out to dinner by a mare. One, a little older than I. I guess, I’ve never been on a date, and, I don’t even know if it’s a date or not…” ”Great job Flare. Just ramble in front of a Goddess. Way to go.”

“Hmmm, love might not be my field of expertise—” Celestia mulled it over. “But I think you should take the offer for now and see how it plays out. If you remain friends or become something more, then I think that’s at least worth a shot. Unless, of course, this mare pressured you into this date.”

“Well, she did threaten to sic Twilight Sparkle on me,” Flare muttered. “Still, Mrs. Velvet is awfully pretty…”

“Ahhh, Twilight Velvet.” Celestia smiled and gave him a knowing nod. “I see. Well I think this might be an interesting outing, at the least.”

“Okay, that doesn’t sound suspicious in the slightest.”

“It’s a trap!”

“But… Miss Velvet is really pretty…”

“...We have reached consensus. Full steam ahead!”

“May uh, can I ask some advice?” Flare Blitz asked her, first checking to see if anypony was listening in. “I mean, I don’t know anything about older mares. Ah! I’m not implying you're old Your Highness. I mean, you’re beautiful it’s just… I think I’ll go and jump off the side of the mountain now…”

“I’m older than anypony alive,” Celestia pointed out. “You don’t have to tiphoove around the subject with me. I know I’m old. I may not look it, but it’s a fact.”

“Still, I meant no disrespect my Goddess,” Flare replied. “But may I please ask. What should I do here? Is there some tradition I must follow if I wish to court her?”

“Tradition?” Celestia chuckled. “You make this sound as if Velvet was a mare of simple traditions. I’ve met her a few times and I would like to think she’s a very forward mare. I’d like to think she would appreciate the simple approach. Namely, go to the dinner and be yourself. If that doesn’t work, then I don’t know what will.”

That… was actually pretty good advice. Simple and easy to follow.

“Thank you very much your Highness,” Flare smiled and bowed his head once more. “That was very helpful. I have to get ready, so have a good evening.” And once they bid each other farewell, he took his leave.

As Celestia turned to continue her trek, a voice called out.

“Really Auntie… ‘be yourself?’ Could that have been any more cliche?” Cadence said as she dropped the invisibility spell. “Thank the stars I’m the Goddess of Love and not you.”

Celestia lightly rolled her eyes, “Sometimes the simplest of solutions can solve the hardest of problems. I’ve taught you that much, at least.”

“Yes, if you want to be boring,” Cadence smiled and rubbed her hooves together. “Oooh I can’t wait to get started on these two. I was hoping Velvet would find somepony… and boy has she chosen well. I mean, look at those flanks~ You could bounce a bit off of them.”

“I will not make a comment about my subjects flanks,” Celestia responded. Not denying it though.

“Mhmm,” Cadence said flatly, not buying it for an instant. “Well hey, if it doesn’t work out…” she skipped out of reach and giggled. “Maybe I’ll hook him up with a sexy white alicorn~” she said with a wink and then flew away. She had her own white unicorn to find.

Celestia sighed as she resumed her trek to the throne room, “I don’t know what I’m going to do with that mare.”

Twilight Velvet sat in front of a familiar gravestone, she hadn’t come here two days running for a while now. But, she thought this to be a rather important topic to discuss.

“So… I have to ask you something,” she said quietly. “Remember last time? When I said the neighbours were teasing me about finding a stallion? Well…” She blushed and looked at her hooves. “I think, I might have. But…”

All was silent for a moment as she collected her thoughts. “But, I can’t can I? It’s not right. I still love you Nightie. I couldn’t… I mean. He’s probably half my bucking age! He looks like he’s the same age as Shining Armor. It’d be… so weird…”

The graveyard was emanating it’s usual silence.

“But, he’s very kind. Somewhat awkward, but seems patient. He seems like the honorable sort… but what would ponies say? An old mare like me dating somepony like that? Oh gosh, is this that midlife crisis thing? Ahh, do I have to get a tattoo and travel the world now?” The unicorn mare flailed around for a moment before calming herself down. “Okay Vel, get a grip already. Just… take a breath…”

The wind picked up for but a moment, caressing her ears and mane, Velvet sighing softly.

“You always know what to say…”

Twilight Velvet hummed a small tune as she literally danced around her kitchen. The stove had several pots boiling and the oven hummed as she roasted some potatoes and pumpkin. She twirled in the middle of the kitchen as she manipulated dishes in her magical aura, washing and drying the ones she’d used while cutlery floated over to the table

It would be close to an hour before anypony turned up…

A flash of light and Velvet paused mid dance to see Twilight floating there with a bemused smirk on her face,

“Chaos Time?” Velvet asked dryly.

“Chaos Time,” Twilight nodded and sighed. “I’d have brought Emby with me, but she insisted on ‘getting herself ready without my magic’ I mean, I’d have sped the whole process up!”

“And the likelihood of her turning up wearing a banana suit?” Velvet pointed out.

“Only twenty six times cupcakes,” Twilight shrugged. “Sooo, what’s for- ow!” Twilight jerked a hoof back when Velvet smacked it with her spatula.

“Apapap, no. You’ll get fed with everypony else,” Velvet replied and sighed when Twilight started making puppydog eyes… by pulling out an actual puppy. “There’s cookies in the top cupboard. You can have two!”

“Yaaay!” Twilight giggled and went in search of sugary goodness.

“Crisis averted,” Velvet hummed and continued her cooking. She’d still need to go and put some makeup and a dress on and…

“Did… am I turning this into a date?” she blinked. “Oh Stars, what if I scare him off for being so forward? I already blackmailed him into coming here. He might not even show up!”

A knock on the door broke her out of her small panic attack. She made her way over and opened it with her magic.

The bright, beaming visage of Princess Mi Amore Cadenza stared back.

“O-Oh… hello dear,” Velvet started before Cadence gasped and looked over her form.

“Oh, oh no. This will not do. Not at all,” she said as she stepped inside, Shining Armor following her and smiling at his Mom. “What are you doing Mrs. Velvet? You’re not ready for your date yet?”

“Wait, DATE!?’ Shining yelped out, but a quick glare from Cadence shut him up.

“Yes, and it’s about time too. I mean, I have been trying to set this mare up for years! She’s almost as stubborn as Auntie Tia.” Cadence scoffed and picked Velvet up in her magic. “Right, Twilight honey, are you home?”

Twilight floated in and the two smiled. Twilight Velvet and Shining Armor groaned, they already knew what was coming.

“Sunshine, sunshine, all the difference it’ll make.

When you stab your foes with rusty, pointy stake!”

“...that will never get less morbid,” Velvet deadpanned.

“Agreed,” Shining replied. He’d nearly lost his lunch the first time he’d heard Twilight and Cadence do that little morbid dance. The mental images were… unpleasant. But then, Cadence was… rather intense in battle.

Cadence rubbed Twilight on the head, before carrying Velvet off. “Twi, be a dear and help Shiny look after dinner. I have a milf to make over~”

Twilight nodded and oce cadence and her mom had left the room, she turned to her brother. “Shiny?” she asked.

“Hm, yeah Twiley?”

“What’s a milf?”

“Honestly,” Velvet huffed as Cadence styled her mane. “How did you get it into your head that this is a date?”

“I know these things,” the alicorn hummed as she added a few hairpins. “Trust me, it’s something of a specialty.”

“Well, it’s not a date,” Velvet replied, somewhat unconvincingly. “He assisted me yesterday, and I invited him over to thank him.”

“If you wanted to thank him,” Cadence said with a small frown. “You either say a simple thank you, or give him a blowjob.”

“Cadence!?” Velvet blushed brightly. “That… that’s…”

“Ohh, I wonder if he’s as gifted as Shiny is,” Cadence mused, licking her lips.

“I do not need to know that… regardless if I already knew that or not!”

“Heehee, I love this family,” Cadence hummed as she looked at her work on the mare’s mane. “Right, so that’s done. Now we need a killer dress. One that says, ‘Mount me over the table’ without being too whorish…” She opened the mare’s wardrobe and flicked through it. “Oh my… is this all you have?”

“You know I don’t go out much,” Velvet pouted.

“We only have a half hour…” Cadence tapped her chin. “What do do…” Time to call… Them!

”GIRLS!” cadence hollered as three unicorn maids teleported in. “Dress emergency. Go!”

They nodded and vanished, leaving Velvet to be very confused as to what the crazy alicorn was up to. Was mild insanity a requirement to be an alicorn? Oh sweet Stars! Imagine if Twilight became an alicorn? The world would come to an end.

A few moments later, the maids returned, each holding a small bundle of outfits. Cadence poured through them. “Hmm, no… too frilly… too slutty… oh, this is cute, I’ll wear it for Shiny later~ Aha!” She held out a simple red cocktail dress, one with a high-cut waist that exposed the wearers Cutie mark and thigh, but draped low on the other side. “Perfect~ You’ll stun him stiff with this one. And then put that stiffness to good, long, vigorous use~”

“That does sound better than a cucumber…”

“I hate you both,” Velvet muttered to both the alicorn and her traitorous inner voice.

“Now, let’s get you ready~” Cadence hummed.

“Okay, you can do this,”

“It’s easy… just raise your hoof. And knock.”

“Just… raaaaaise your hoof.”

Flare stood at the front door, his right hoof a few inches off of the ground as he stood there. He had a small bouquet of white lilies in his magical grip and was sweating bullets. He raised his hoof a little higher and—

“Excuse me?”

The quiet voice most certainly did not catch the trained guard off guard. And he most certainly did not squeal like a little filly.

“Oh, I’m sorry,” the unicorn mare said as she backed away from the startled stallion. “I didn’t mean to scare you…”

Flare coughed and composed himself. “I wasn’t scared. You uh… surprised me is all.” he nodded and looked at the door.

“So, did you get invited to dinner as well?” the unicorn mare ask Flare.

“I… yes,” Flare nodded. “And you, Miss?”

“Ember Quill,” the mare nodded. “I’m a friend of Twilight’s.”

“She has friends?” Flare blinked, honestly surprised.

“Yes, believe it or not,” Ember giggled. “She’s alright once you get to know her. I don’t know why everypony thinks she so bad. She’s a little kooky sometimes, but she means well.”

“I see, well, I’ll take your word for it Miss Quill,” Flare nodded and before he could do anything else, Ember knocked on the door.

It opened a moment later and a pair of lavender hooves snaked out, dragging the mare inside. Flare blinked and followed her, to see the Scourge of Canterlot. Chaos Incarnate. Twi the Impaler… hugging the cute mare like an oversized plush toy.

“Well, that’s not something you see everyday,” he replied and when Shining Armor poked his head around to see what was up, Flare snapped to attention and saluted the superior officer.

Shining returned the salute as he tried to think of who this was. “Hmm, name soldier?”

“Sergeant Flare Blitz, City Guard division,” Flare replied.

“Ahh, well nice to meet you,” Shining nodded. “At ease, we’re not on duty today anyway.”

Flare nodded, and then somepony clearing their throat caught his attention. He looked up the nearby flight of stairs and his mouth opened slightly.

Twilight Velvet stood there, with Princess Mi Amore Cadenza behind her. But Velvet… she was just… “Wow…”

Her mane was done up into Prench curls, hiding a little of her face. She wore a simple silver-chain necklace and her dress…

Oh sweet Sun and Moon her dress. It hugged her body perfectly, showing off all her supple curves and the waist had a high slit, exposing her right thigh and Cutie Mark.

Velvet blushed slightly, wearing something like this to a family dinner was… so embarrassing.

“But look at his face. His brain just melted out of his ears. Damn Velvet, you’re still hotter than the sun~”

“H-Hello, Mister Blitz,” she said to him. She looked at Ember and smiled. “And, you must be Twiley’s friend.”

“Yup, this is Emby,” Twilight nodded and held her up. “Isn’t she just the cutest~?”

“Twwiii~liiight!” Ember blushed and pouted. Velvet just smiled as she descended the stairs, Flare’s eyes tracking her every movement.

“Look at him. He either wants to run for the hills, or tear this dress off and—”

Velvet cleared her throat again and looked at her guests. “So I guess we’re just waiting for—”

The door was smashed open when the hulking form a large red earth pony came strolling in. He easily towered over the lot of them, coming up to around Celestia’s height, if a might bit bigger. “THE DOOR WAS WEAK! It’s spine caved in too soon.”

That was when he received a magically reinforced buck to the chest, sending him sprawling out into the street. Just what Flare needed, an out-of-control Blood Knight. Perfect…

“Flare! Wait!” Velvet called out. “He’s not…”

“Stay back, they can be quite dangerous,” Flare said as he charged his magic into his hooves.

The large stallion got up from the ground and laughed. It was a loud barking laugh, filled with pure malice. “That kick was impressive. I’ve been meaning to find something to train on today… You’ll do.” He turned and charged right at Flare with surprising speed.

The unicorn dug his hooves in, preparing to meet his tackle, only to have both stallions float in the air.

“Bloody!” Twilight scolded him like a little colt. “No fighting before dinner. Your food will get cold.”

Bloodletter’s head drooped as did his ears, “Alright, I won’t fight him… until after dinner.” Then his grin returned. “Then I’ll break his bones!”

“There’s a good boy,” Twilight giggled and rubbed his head. “Ooh… maybe I’ll take you up to my room later and we’ll work off all that stress together hmm~”

Bloodletter grinned, “Oh that sounds wonderful!” He nuzzled her, grinning to himself at the inevitable rage coming his way. “I promise not to smash the bed into a million pieces this time.”

“Aww, but I liked it when you did that~” Twilight purred as Shining’s growl intensified. The unicorn mare gasped then then pulled up Ember, the mare trying to make herself seem as small as possible. “Oh! You haven’t met Emby yet! Emby, this is Bloody, my widdle snugglebug! Snugglebug, this is Emby! Isn’t she the cutest~?”

“Eeep,” Ember’s eyes widened as she tried to curl up into a ball.

“She is indeed cute,” The large stallion patted Ember’s head. “...I am not a Snugglebug though.” He deadpanned. “I am a warrior!” He thumped his chest, which created a bit of a shockwave given his strength.

“Oh yes yes, my big strong… virile warrior~” Twilight purred as Shining stepped up to the plate.

“Well Bloodletter, you’re not dead yet I see… too bad.”

“Of course not,” Bloodletter snorted. “Those rats couldn’t land a proper hit, let alone a challenge. Thankfully I was able to gather a few heads for my little skewer.” He nuzzled Twilight. “I’d have brought them, but your mother doesn’t like my gifts.”

“No, Mother doesn’t like the fact that you get blood all over the carpet,” Velvet chided him. “Do you have any idea how hard it is to clean out?”

“Um…” Flare raised a hoof, still in Twilight’s magical grip. “Sorry to interrupt, but may I get put down please?”

“I know somepony I’d like to put down,” Shining said, still glaring at Bloodletter as Twilight set the other stallion down and hugged Ember again.

“Ladies first,” Bloodletter grinned down at Shining Armor

“Well go on then,” Shining gestured with a hoof.

Bloodletter rolled his shoulder, “Now what shall I put on your tombstone, I wonder? Oh I’ll think on that later.” He laughed, preparing to charge the small distance between them.

“Getting ahead of yourself aren’t we?” Shining said, charging his horn. “There won’t be enough of you left for a grave!”

“ENOUGH!” Velvet roared, using the dreaded ‘Mom Voice’. “We are here to have a civilised dinner! No. Fighting! UNDERSTOOD?”

Bloodletter backed off and snorted, “Understood, Ma’am.”

“Yes Mom,” Shining replied, also backing off.

Flare just stared in amazement. Mrs. Velvet had stopped a Blood Knight with a few words. That was incredible. She was incredible. Forget the Elements of Harmony, just throw her at a problem.

“Good,” Velvet nodded. “Now come inside everypony, we have a dinner to get to.”

Twilight Sparkle, Ultimate Chaos Mage.

Bloodletter, a lunatic Blood Knight.

Shining Armour, Field Marshal.

Cadenza, Alicorn Princess and sexiest mare alive.

Ember Quill… surprisingly normal unicorn mare. As far as Flare knew

Twilight Velvet. Most powerful pony in the world as she could talk down all of the former.

“So, why is this dinner so… normal?”

“I have no idea,” Flare said to himself as he watched everypony eat, laugh and and exchange verbal jabs. (Mostly Shining and Bloodletter)

And Twilight Velvet. When she’d appeared in that dress, he’d very near had a heart attack. Forget the alicorn behind her, she’d been the most beautiful mare in the room, hooves down. Even now, he had a hard time tearing his eyes off of her.

Twilight Sparkle looked between the two, before shrugging and firing up her horn. She had a new spell to try and wanted to see if she could embarrass her coltfriend a little.

Time to test her telepathy~

Cadence saw the mare’s horn light up. She knew what was coming, she’d taught her that spell. Now… to put her own plan into action. All she’d need is a little redirection~

“Oh honey~” she cooed softly. “Wanna go upstairs now~ I have all sorts of way to get even you to beg me for the pleasure I can dish out~”

Bloodletter tore into his food, not responding in the slightest.

Well, she would just have to try harder. Mmm, speaking of harder~

“Oh don’t be like that~ You know you want it. Especially when I…” She trailed off into a variety of different ways she knew could make him squirm.

Still nothing. What the hay!?

She looked around the table and then her eyes slowly widened. As the only pony looking at her was… Twilight Velvet.

“Oh buck me…”

“I believe you made that perfectly clear,” Velvet replied back. Apparently the aim of Twilight’s telepathy was a little off. “Still. While those aren’t ‘bad’ ideas persay. Let Mommy teach you a few things~”

“No…” Twilight whispered as her eyes widened.

“Now you see, that first one you mentioned? If you just used your tongue like…”

Everypony’s eyes widened when Twilight put her hooves to her ears and started screaming.

“What’s wrong Twiley!?” Shining asked with a worried tone. Was she going to Surge here of all places?

“Make it stop, make it stoooooop!” she moaned.

“What’s going on?” Bloodletter growled before slamming his hoof down on the table and breaking it in half. “WE’RE UNDER ATTACK! SHOW YOURSELVES COWARDS OR I”LL BRING THIS WHOLE PLACE DOWN ON YOUR HEADS!”

Twilight then dragged Shining and Bloodletter into the mental torment. “Make her stop!”

“Wha?” Shining blinked. ”What’s going—”

“Oh good,” Velvet mused. “I have advice for you and Cadence by the way. Now. Have you ever tried using your…”

And things just. Got. Worse… Bloodletter was paralyzed by what he was seeing, unsure of what to think. I mean, it’s not everyday your girlfriend’s mother shows you… this…. Though that didn’t mean he hated it though.

And then Twilight and Shining ran screaming from the room, Ember blinking in surprise and bewilderment, whilst Cadence just smirked ever so slightly.

“Um, what just happened?’ Ember asked. “That was weird, even for Twilight.”

“I haven’t the faintest idea,” Velvet shrugged. “Perhaps you should go find Shiny dear?”

Cadence nodded and got up.

“We… should find Twilight, before things get chaotic,” Ember said.

Bloodletter nodded, “Agreed. My little skewer needs a strong warrior to get her through this.” He gestured to the general direction she ran at. “FORWARD AND MAY OUR ENEMIES TASTE THEIR OWN BLOOD ON OUR HOOVES!” He charged out… smashing a hole through the wall as he did so. Ember eeped at the sudden violence, but followed him and prayed she’d survive.

“Thank the Stars I have money… and Sparkle Insurance,” Velvet sighed, but her plan had worked out. Now she and Flare had the room to themselves. “Sorry about that Flare,” she giggled. “But that’s pretty usual around here.”

“I… see…” Flare replied, looking at the hole in the wall. “Well, it’s fine. It’s certainly the most unique dinner I’ve been to.”

“Oh dear, was he upset? My family isn’t exactly what one would call normal.”

“Still,” Flare smiled. “I always have dinner alone. And as strange as it is, your family has a lot of love for each other. I’m a little jealous actually.”

“Aww, let Mommy Velvet hug all that away… and then we’ll get to dessert~”

“Well, that’s good to hear,” Velvet smiled. “And, sorry if I pressured you into coming tonight…”

“I’ll admit that I was a bit flustered,” Flare said. “And, well mostly scared that twilight would actually show up and drag me here.” And those concerns Velvet had came sneaking back. “I mean, why would such a pretty mare want somepony like me over?”

Waitwhat?

“What… do you mean dear?” Velvet asked slowly. Had she heard that right?

“Well I mean, you’re beautiful. You could have any stallion in the city over for a date… and you pick me?”

“He… he thinks this is a… and he still came over? Wait, he brought flowers… and that’s some ‘very’ nice cologne he’s wearing. Ohhh horseapples! I totally made this a date, didn’t I?”

“But, why would you say that?” Velvet asked him, pushing her thoughts to one side. “Why wouldn’t I want a handsome stallion like you over for a date?”

“DID I JUST SAY THAT!?!?”

Flare’s blush intensified. She… just called him handsome. And, did she say this was a date? They were on a date!? And… she, she…

“WHAT DO I DOOOO!?!?!?”

The two ponies stared at each other for what seemed like an eternity… or about three minutes.

“So—” they said at the same time and chuckled at that cliche move.

“You first dear,” Velvet said.

“O-okay,” Flare nodded and tapped his forehooves together. “Mrs. Velvet?”

“Yes?” she replied with a coy smile. She loved it when he called her that.

“Would you… like to, perhaps accompany me to dinner tomorrow night?” he asked quietly.

“Hmm, you mean, like a date?” she asked him. He paused, blushed and then nodded slowly. Velvet squeed internally and smiled. “Yes, I believe I’d like that very much.”

“SCORE!!!” both Inner voices cheered and then paused.

“Oh, hello handsome, fancy meeting a Voice like you here~”

“Hey yourself, pretty mare~”

“Hmm… wanna get out of here and have some fun?”

“Ooh yes~”

Outside the room, Cadence smiled to herself. She was so happy for the two of them and prayed that they could make it work. Now they just needed to find somepony for Celestia...

Twilight Velvet stood before the familiar granite gravestone, smiling fondly at it.

“Hello Nightie,” she smiled. “Sorry it’s been a while. Life’s been pretty hectic these last few weeks. Still, it’s good to see you again.” She brought some flowers over, replacing the dead ones and filling the grave with a little colour once more. “So, where to start… it’s been one thing after another. Well, Twilight’s doing well. She confuses me, and, I’ve seen the way her little friend Ember looks at her. I hope… her heart doesn’t get broken too badly. Oh, and Shining and Cadence are doing well. I think he plans to propose soon. So I bet those grandfoals will be on the way soon enough~”

She paused as a pony walked up next to her, and she leaned against him. “But, that’s not all. I… want to introduce you to somepony. Somepony very special. He’s… well he makes me happy. After a long time, I think… I think I’m finally moving forward again.” She smiled and wiped a tear from her eye. “Night Light, this is Flare Blitz. My… coltfriend.”

“Hello sir,” he nodded and smiled fondly. “I’ve heard a lot about you, it’s a pleasure to meet somepony else that had their heart stolen by this wonderful mare.”

Velvet stepped back so they could talk some stalliontalk… as the clouds parted as she saw a ray of sunshine light the spot that Flare and the grave stood.

“You… always know just what to say,” Velvet smiled.

Flames of Fashion

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Coco Pommel looked concerned. Well, more concerned than usual. This wasn’t an everyday occurrence, and the fact that Miss Rarity was freaking out was a good indication of how out of the norm this event was.

“Can you believe this darling?” Rarity tittered as a flyer danced around in her magical grip. “We got invited the the Manehattan Fashion Expo! Only the crème de la crème get invited to this event. Ohhh, I simply cannot wait!”

Coco nodded and smiled at her boss. “I’m happy for you Miss Rarity. You must have the most wonderful ideas in mind.”

Rarity smiled.

Rarity paused.

“I…” the mare stammered and looked at her cute assistant. “I don’t have any…”

“What?” Coco tilted her head. “None at all? Really?”

“Cocoohohohohoo!” Rarity dropped and grabbed the mare’s hoof. “What am I going to dooohohohohoooo?”

“I...um…” Coco looked around frantically. Rarity’s Diamond Dogs peeked inside, took one look at Rarity and promptly left Coco to her fate. A fate she had no idea what to do with…

Before a golden furred goddess strode into the Boutique. Coco turned to see Sunset walk in, looking around at the dresses.

“Oh, hello Sunset,” she greeted her. “How are you—”

A gasp interrupted her. Rarity had looked up, seen their newest guest and her eyes widened. “Iiiiiddeeaaa~” she cried out as snagged her sketchbook with her magic. “Ohh, this will be marvelous darling. I believe I just came up with a new design to use at the Manehatten Expo.”

“Oh, that’s wonderful then,” Coco smiled, a smile that quickly faltered. “Oh… you mean…”

“Sunset darling,” Rarity moved over to her. “I don’t suppose you’d be willing to do me a big favour?”

“Nope,” Sunset replied as she held out a scarf, barely looking at Rarity as she gazed at a set of winter boots. “Need this fixed. That’s all.”

“Oh, but I—”

“Don’t care, too busy studying,” Sunset replied.

“It will only take a while,” Coco chimed in as Sunset turned to look at her. Mistake number one. One look at Coco’s expression and Sunset could feel her resistance slipping away.

“But… I really have to get back…” Sunset said uneasily. Mistake Number Two, not fleeing for your life, as Coco upped the ante.

“Please?” she said, her eyes growing wide and her bottom lip jutting out in a slight pout.

Sunset lasted all of two seconds under the onslaught of Cute.

“Urgh, fine! As long as you don’t take too long,” she said with a groan. At the growing excitement of the two mares, Sunset Shimmer knew she was going to regret this.

“Hmmm, perhaps…” Rarity mused as she looked at the unicorn. Sunset had been draped in a multi layered purple dress. Each layer made of a finer material than the last and shimmered like it was woven from gemstones. A matching choker was round her neck and her left foreleg was adorned with a platinum bracelet. The dressmaker's even applied some light makeup.

Most embarrassingly, her mane was done up into twin ponytails. Her slight blush shone through her yellow fur.

“Really, the dress is okay I guess, but did you have to mess with my mane?” she muttered.

“Oh yes darling, it the piece de resistance, as it were,” Rarity tittered. “I think you look simply radiant. Oh how I wish you’d come by more often.”

“All I wanted was a scarf,” Sunset sighed and rolled her eyes. “Fine, are we done here?”

“Yes, I believe I can create a few more pieces based off of this design,” Rarity nodded as she helped the mare out of the dress. “I must thank you, I had no idea what to do until you walked in. I think I’ll call this line, ‘Summer Radiance’.”

“Mhm, that’s great,” Sunset replied absently as she walked off. She’d lost a good few hours of reading time with this.

“Now Coco dear,” Rarity hummed as she put the dress on a ponequinn. “Let’s. Get. Fabulous!”

Coco hummed a merry tune as she prepared breakfast. Last night had been a whirlwind of sewing, stitching and coffee consumption. Rarity had a… rendezvous with Thunderlane that evening, so they needed to be done with the majority of the dresses before then. The minor details they could touch up at the actual event in Manehattan tomorrow.

“Weird… Miss Rarity is usually up by now,” Coco glanced at a wall clock. “She was out kinda late last night. Hmm, I’d better go and wake her or we’ll miss the train.” She left the kitchen and trotted upstairs. Upon reaching Rarity’s room, she raised a hoof and knocked on the door.

“Miss Rarity?” she asked in a soft tone. “I’m sorry, I don’t mean to bother you but it’s getting late…”

She waited a few moments, but there was no reply. Was she still asleep? Coco gently opened the door and poked her head inside.

“Miss Rarity…?”

The earth pony gasped. She saw her boss in bed… and she looked terrible. Her mane was a absolute mess, her coat was slick with sweat and her face was a bright red. She slowly opened one eye to look at Coco, but a nasty, hacking cough escaped her mouth.

“Co...co,” she rasped once she was able to catch her breath. “Oh dear… I’m… I’m so sorry… I appear to be, a little unwell.”

A little? This was more than a little. Rarity looked like death warmed up.

“What happened?” Coco asked as she moved over to the bed. “You looked fine yesterday.”

“I-*cough* -appear to have… caught a cold,” Rarity groaned as Coco adjusted her pillows. “Last night… most likely.”

“Okay, just… wait here,” Coco nodded. “I’ll go and get Nurse Redheart.”

“Thank you darling…” Rarity rasped as Coco trotted from the room.

“Well, congrats Rarity,” Nurse Redheart deadpanned as she put away her stethoscope. “You have your standard, run-of-the-mill cold. While not a big deal, it will be if you don’t get bedrest.”

“But—” Rarity’s protest was cut off by another coughing fit.

“We’re supposed to go to Manhattan this afternoon,” Coco said for her.

Redheart gave her a sharp laugh. “Hah! Like Tartarus she is. Bedrest and plenty of liquids is what she gets.” The earth mare looked down at the unicorn and Rarity gulped. “And if she even so much as thinks of disobeying me…” That smile was greatly unsettling. “I have a lovely batch of new experiments to go over… I could use an assistant~

“Coco…” Rarity rasped and motioned for her to come over. “You must go in my stead. This event… we cannot ignore the opportunity.”

“Me? Alone? In Manehattan!? Coco Pommel gulped as her heart rate increased, thudding in her chest. “I-I couldn’t… I [can’t! There’s no way I can—”

“You must darling,” Rarity gasped, clutching Coco’s hoof. “You must. I...believe, in… you…” Her hooves dropped as her eyes closed.

“Miss Rarity?” Coco whispered. “Miss Rarity? Nooooooo!”

Redheart rolled her eyes. She was so glad she was going out drinking with Quickfix again tonight.

“Well… now what do I do?” Coco groaned, staring at her snoring boss.

Sunset Shimmer stared at the earth pony mare standing in her doorway.

“No.”

“But!” Coco pouted. “Please Sunset, I need your help. Without Rarity, I have nopony to model the clothes. They were inspired by you after all.”

“I am--”

“More than happy to help,” Spike said, leaning down and using Sunset’s head as an armrest.

“Spiiiiike,” Sunset growled, her horn starting to glow.

“Oh come on Sunset,” Spike leaned down to whisper to her. “She's a friend asking for help.”

“And I have studies,” Sunset retorted.

Spike sighed, but he knew how to win this game. “Fine… guess modelling a few clothes would be hard for somepony who sits around in a library all day…” ‘Check.’

“What!?” Sunset growled, pulling away. “I could do this in my sleep Little brother.”

‘And Checkmate.’ “Oh yeah? Prove it.”

Sunset snorted and grabbed Coco in her magic. “Come on Coco. We have a train to catch!”

“I...um...okay?” Coco Pommel blinked. What the heck just happened here?

Spike waved them off, but he wondered what he'd do while they were gone. Sunset… hadn’t given him orders.

“You know, I think I'll go visit Moondancer,” Spike hummed to himself. Then he felt a rumbling in his gut and he belched up a scroll.

‘Dear little brother.

Reshelf the library while I'm gone.

Love Sunset’

“Mother dammit!” Spike cursed.

Sunset watched the scenery race by. It wasn't until after they left that she realised that she'd forgotten to bring any books to read.

So coincidentally, she was irritable. She'd already threatened to ignite the ticket inspector, and Coco was way too nervous to try and talk to her.

So an uneasy silence settled over the train carriage, one that lasted all the way to Manehattan.

“Coco!” Sunset said as they stepped off of the train. The timid mare yelped and turned towards her.

“I...um, yes?” she managed to squeak out.

“So, where are we staying while we're here? I assume it's at least somewhere comfortable.”

“Oh yes,” Coco nodded and smiled. “Miss Rarity has arranged a hotel for us to stay in. A place called ‘Sunlight Towers’.”

“Oh, that’s the place mother stays at when she comes here,” Sunset actually smiled. “It's actually pretty good. I'm surprised that Rarity was able to get a room there.” That smile soon faded as she saw the crowded station and congested streets. And now she realised the biggest thing she hated about densely populated areas.

The morons populating said area.

“I’ve changed my mind,” Sunset replied flatly. “When’s the next train back to Ponyville?”

“Sunseeeet,” Coco pouted. “Please! I really need your help with this. I can’t model the clothes myself, and… and…” She looked down at the ground and sniffled. “I’m scared to be here on my own.”

Sunset groaned and dragged a hoof down her face. This wasn’t fair! Coco was just too bucking adorable! Her cuteness should be illegal and considered a weapon of mass adawwableness!

“Urrrggh, fine!” the unicorn mare grumbled as she adjusted her saddlebags and started walking, well tried to, until Coco reminded her that they had luggage to obtain. And so more than half an hour later, Sunset dragged a clothing rack, covered with a royal purple cloth through the congested streets of Manehattan.

It’s about as fun as one would imagine.

It was also a certainty that Sunset set a personal best for ‘Most ponies threatened with fiery death’ in a single day. Coco thought she must have apologised to half of the city by the time they reached the hotel.

“Why do you keep doing that?” Sunset said as she opened the door and strode inside. “Saying sorry, they’re the ones that got in our way.”

“Well yes, but we weren’t making it easy for everypony with our large load,” the earth mare said as she trotted up to the service desk. “Hello there. My name is Coco Pommel, I believe I have a reservation under the name, Rarity Belle’.”

The stallion turned his gaze down and looked at the ledger behind the desk. “Mmm, I’m sorry. No such reservation exists.”

Coco blinked, looking quite surprised. “Y-You must be mistaken. I am positive that Lady Rarity made a reservation!”

“Well I’m looking at my book and there’s no such thing,” the stallion replied. “Now look kid, I’m busy. There’s no room here, so go find someplace else okay.”

Coco sniffled and turned away from him. How… could this happen? And how would she find another hotel at this point in time?

Sunset sighed and shook her head. “See Coco,” she said once the petite mare drew closer. “Look, you need to stop letting everypony walk all over you.”

“But…” the mare sniffed again. “Maybe… there’s been a mistake…”

Sunset’s eyes narrowed. No, Rarity wouldn’t have made a mistake like this. Something else was going on here. Maybe her coming along was a good thing after all. She walked up to the desk and tapped her hoof, coughing to get attention.

“Mm, yes?” came the bored drawl of the clerk. “What do you want?”

“You fired for such disrespect,” Sunset sneered as she glared at him. “I am Princess Sunset Shimmer you ignorant peasant! Is that how you greet me!?”

“The Princess?” the clerk replied with a raised eyebrow. “You must be joking?”

Sunset’s eye twitched and her horn sparked. No… incinerating this insolent moron would only get her in trouble.

“Well then you brainless plebian,” she said through a clenched jaw and gritted teeth. “Why don’t you pick up an Info Crystal and educate yourself. Go ahead, look up ‘Princess Sunset Shimmer’ I’ll wait.”

The clerk sighed, but this crazy mare wasn’t likely going to go away. He humoured her while a hoof under the desk hit the security button. Sunset stood there, staring at him as he tapped the crystal and did the search.

The picture that popped up… No, that couldn’t be right. He looked at the mare before him, then back to the picture.

Ohhhh horseapples.

Just as two large security pegasi entered to take care of Sunset, the clerk’s eyes widened and he started to panic.

“O-O-Oh my… your Highness. P-Please forgive me, I’m ever so sorry!”

“Perhaps,” Sunset said, glaring at the two security ponies as they backed away. “I’m rather irate now. The service here is terrible, so perhaps I’ll tell my mother that we should look into a new place for lodgings…”

Now the clerk was panicking. The only reason this place was so famous was because Princess Celestia stayed here. If she were to leave, their entire clientele would up and leave too. Their hotel would sink faster that the Trotanic.

“P-Please, O’ Benevolent Sun Princess!” he begged. “We’ll do anything to apologise!”

“Anything?” Sunset’s grin started to resemble a sharks.

Coco looked in awe as they were led into the Royal Suite. It was… well to say it impressive was an understatement. There was a lot of marble involved. The floor, the Romane pillars that were placed throughout the room. Even the swimming-pool sized bath. The bedroom was just as spacious, with a massive ‘Celestia-sized’ four poster bed. Coco put a hoof on the mattress, only to find that it sunk in, like it was filled with air.

“Cloud mattress,” Sunset explained. “I’ll cast cloudwalking spells on us later. Trust me, it’s so worth it.”

“O-Okay…” Coco said as she continued to look around. She felt like a Princess herself in here, it was amazing! She did feel a little guilty however, and soon she felt like she should try and find her own room somewhere else.

“Don’t worry,” Sunset said, catching the expression on her face. “Now come on, you have some dresses to prepare right?”

“O-Oh! Yes!” Coco nodded as she raced over to her bags and started pulling out her sewing kits and patterns.that Rarity had given her. “Um, would you mind…”

“S’why I came,” Sunset shrugged as she was used as a living ponequinn. “So, you think these dresses can impress at this expo thing?”

“Oh yes,” Coco smiled. “Lady Rarity’s designs are second to none. So I have no doubt we’ll do well here.”

“Hmm, so, what about you?” Sunset asked. “You’re here on Rarity’s behalf. Showing off Rarity’s dresses. And when all is said and done, Rarity will get all the credit. You’re more or less a glorified salespony.”

“It’s not like that,” Coco said as she threaded a needle and begun to stitch some panels together. “She’s my teacher, a lot like how Princess Celestia is yours. Sure, Lady Rarity will get all the credit this time, but she also did all the work. I’m just… putting together the puzzle she created. If anything, this will be a good experience for me so I can eventually create my own label.”

Sunset was quite surprised to hear her talk like this. She was always so… quiet and stuttery. But now? She sounded to passionate and fiery when she was talking. Sunset was actually a little impressed.

“Well, I guess I can understand that, sorry,” the unicorn chuckled, then yelped as Coco accidentally pricked her with the needle. “Hey!”

“Ahh, I’msorryI’msorryI’msorry!” Coco repeatedly bowed her head, tears forming in her eyes. Sunset sensed that everything was right with the universe once again and smiled.

“It’s fine, a needle won’t do me in.” Sunset said with a small shake of her head.

Hours later, Coco was finally done, and her clothes rack now held a half dozen dresses on it, each fiery themed dress as outstanding as the last.

“Finally!” Sunset exclaimed as she stretched until her back gave a satisfying crack. “Any longer and I might have thought a Cockatrice attacked me.” Which was ridiculous. What kind of moron would get jumped by one of those things and not have an anti-petrification charm?

“Mhm, but now we can relax until tomorrow.” Coco stretched not unlike a cat and sighed. “Should we get something to eat? I’m getting a little hungry.”

Sunset’s stomach voiced its approval at that plan.

And so a little bit later, the two mares reclined in the massive bathtub, rose petals floating in the steaming water as two stallions fed them grapes and cherry tomatoes.

“You know…” Coco sighed.”I could get used to this.”

“I miss this,” Sunset murmured as she closed her eyes and sunk under the water for a moment, before surfacing and spitting out a stream like a fountain. “Ahh, living in a library is nice. But the opulence of the royal life is just… ahhh~”

“Mhm, Mom may be a noble in status, but she was waay too militaristic for this kind of life,” Coco nodded. “So yeah, I’m going to enjoy this while it lasts.”

Sunset smiled, nice to see one of her friends enjoy a more opulent lifestyle. “Well, I’ll admit that I didn’t have a friend to share it with however.”

“Well, you have us now,” Coco smiled at her. “And well, Ponyville may not be as opulent as all this—”

“Ahh, it’s fine,” Sunset cut her off and shrugged. “Thanks for the meal boys. But i think we’ll be heading to bed. My thanks to the chef hm?”

“Yes your highness!’ the twin stallions bowed and Coco felt her face heat up as the handsome stallions took their leave.

“Ohh, somepony has twin fantasies?” Sunset teased, Coco almost glowing red now.

“You..I...IT’S NOT LIKE THAT!” the mare yelled… kind of. It was only a tad louder than her normal speaking voice. “Ahh, you’re worse than Pizzelle.”

Sunset just chuckled as she went to step onto the bed. Blinking as to why she sank thought it, she facehooved and groaned.

“Right… cloudwalking spell,” she muttered as a warm glow surrounded her and Coco. “There we are. Now climb on.”

Coco nodded slowly and climbed up onto the bed. One made for a mare many times her size. She gasped as her hoof sunk in a little… but stopped after an inch or two. It was like… cotton candy or something.

“Woow,” she gasped as she fell into the bed, giggling at how soft and comfortable it was.

“Having fun?” Sunset said with a bemused tone, raising an eyebrow at Coco acting like a little filly.

“It’s soooo comfy~” the mare sighed, sinking into the mattress. “Like I’m sleeping on a cloud…”

“Um, you are sleeping on a cloud,” Sunset pointed out, Coco flushing pink in embarrassment. Sunset just closed her eyes and rolled over, her back facing the earth mare. “Just get some sleep, we have a lot to do tomorrow right?”

“Yes,” Coco said and closed her own eyes. Tomorrow was going to be equal parts exciting, stressful and utterly terrifying. But as long as Sunset was by her side, Coco knew she could handle it.

Sunset Shimmer internally groaned as she looked around the amphitheater that this fashion expo was to be held in. Dozens upon dozens of ponies, all looking like they were dressed up for the Grand Galloping Gala or something.

And knowing that she’d have to join them made her groan externally. This was going to suck so hard…

“Is everything okay Sunset?” Coco asked her worriedly. “Are you getting nervous?”

“W-What?” Sunset flinched and narrowed her eyes. “Princess Sunset Shimmer does not get nervous!” she exclaimed. “I faced down bucking Nightmare Moon! A few prissy mares in gaudy dresses do not scare me!” She pointed at one such mare, one dressed in a frilly pink and black lace dress in the Foxan gothic lolita style.

Coco blinked and then looked back to Sunset. “Um… that’s a stallion. You can see his...um.. Well…” She trailed off and turned red. “The style is called Visual Kei, normally it’s for a genre of music, but it has it’s own subculture as a fashion industry as well.”

“...wut?” Sunset took a second look. “Nope…” she muttered and turned around. “So much nope. ALL the nope. I’m gone. You’re on your own!”

“What!?” Coco panicked. “I can do this by myself. I need you as my model for the dresses!”

“I am not going on stage with crossdressers!” Sunset frowned. “Besides, the new Daring Do books comes out today, as well as the new Flame Artifact books.” She’d been looking forward to those and was dying to meet the author. But whoever that ‘Ember Quill’ was, she was very elusive.

A haughty laugh caught her attention and the pair turned. A tall, Prench unicorn stood before them. Her coat was a light cyan, and her mane were varying shades of orange and yellow with a purple tint. Her outfit was interesting, a Roman styled dress made of faux leather. The hem of the dress was lined with gold buttons and she complemented it with a gold saddle and thick black saddlebags.

“What an absolute laugh,” the tall mare said, putting a hoof to her upturned nose and laughing again. “That a little pony like yourself thinks she could outshine a real mare!”

“What… did you… say?” Sunset growled through a clenched jaw. Oh, this bitch was just begging to be barbequed.

“Oh, Excusez-moi. Did I perhaps speak a little too quickly for your little mind to understand?” the mare asked in mock concern. Je suis toujours désolé. I had assumed you were at least capable of basic communication.”

“Do you wanna die!?” Sunset’s horn lit up with a fiery cornea. “Cause you’re really begging for it!”

“Donc, vous êtes un barbare.” the mare sighed and shook her head. “A model is supposed to be refined, not… a brutish warmare. And I had at least hoped that somepony of Lady Rareté would at least know that much.”

“They won’t even find the ashes!” Sunset took a step forward,.but Coco put a hoof to her chest to stop her. “Coco… what—?”

“I know you,” the little mare said. “You are Sassy Saddles yes? One of the best models in Equestria.”

“For now,” Sassy replied. “Until I knock that bête de somme Fleur De Lis off of her throne.” She turned and winked at the pair. “Good luck, Perhaps your barbarian Princess there will actually make it to the finals.”

“Coco… move, I’m going to blow up this whole Tartarus-damned place!” Sunset growled as Coco tried to hold her back from mauling sassy with her bare hooves.

“I’m sorry,” Coco sighed and hung her head. “Look… I’m not going to force you into this. If worse comes to worse I’ll just tell Lady Rarity that I…” She stopped as she heard an odd noise coming from Sunset.

She was… laughing?

Ohhh that cannot be good.

“Sunset, are you—?”

“I’m going to wreck that stuck up horse!” Sunset cackled. “Against me, she’s just a little bug! I’ll show her what real royalty is all about. I hope there’s a rock big enough to hide that fat flank under after I’m through with her!” She picked up the clothes rack and Coco in her magical aura. “Let’s go Coco, we have enemies to destroy!”

“I um… you mean, a fashion show to win right?”

“Same thing!” Sunset grinned sharkishly. Coco groaned, this could only end in tears and massive amounts of collateral damage.

“So it’s fairly simple,” Coco explained as she finished helping Sunset into the first dress. “Just walk down the runway, pause briefly at the end and walk back. Try and keep poise and please don’t trip. Also, you cannot speak okay?”

“Yeah yeah, this’ll be a cakewalk,” Sunset replied in a bored tone. They heard the crowd roar with applause as Sassy Saddles stepped off of the stage. Her dress shimmered, literally. It was made of a sparkling purple fabric that looked like she ripped a piece of the night sky out and made a stunning gown from it. Intricate patterns swirled within the fabric, kind of like a lava lamp.

“That fabric is incredible,” Coco breathed out an astounded sigh. “That designer must be incredible.”

Sassy walked up to a pegasus mare. She was tall and rather lithe. Her coat was a slight off-white colour and her mane and tail were a dark-chocolate brown. Her forelegs, face and ears were speckled with dark spots and her eyes were a rose pink. She wore a ruffle pink collar bound with an shining piece of amber. She also wore a flowing pink gown, so her Cutie Mark was obscured.

“I know that mare,” Coco whispered. “Her name is Fae Ashida. She’s from Foxan originally, but now she’s gaining popularity in Canterlot and Manehattan. I have no idea how she got somepony like Sassy Saddles as a model though. It must have cost her a fortune.”

“Who cares,” Sunset scoffed. “You have a Princess as a model. So that high-faulting bitch is little more that a well-dressed bug!”

“I guess,” Coco replied, but between the famous seamstress and equally as famous model. She felt her confidence slipping further and further away.

“Hey!” Coco yelped when Sunset shouted at her. “Come on. This is nothing. Try having tea with Twilight-friggen-Sparkle. That is something that’ll keep you on your hooves. As for now, watch me strut my stuff and blow their collective pony minds!”

Coco watched as Sunset strode up to the entrance to the catwalk, Sassy’s stares rolling off of her like water off a duck’s back.

‘I wish I had even a fraction of your confidence,’ Coco sighed internally. ‘Even now, you’re so strong. So graceful while I’m so… me.’

Sunset stepped out onto the stage with the first outfit. It was a simple layered, bare-backed dress. But that’s where the simplicity ended. The dress itself shone with all the colours of the sunset. Starting with a light orange, transitioning into fiery reds and yellow, before ending at the hemline with deep royal purples and midnight blues. Around her neck sat a gold choker that looked like fire itself turned to gold, a sparkling amethyst as the centerpiece. Her hooves were adorned with replicas of Celestia’s own golden shoes and and the hemline of the dress was trimmed with gold lace. Sunset Shimmer was the ponification of her very name. A piece of the sunset sky descended from on high and gracing mortal kind with her visage. Her poise was tall and regal, as that exact thought ran through her mind. Some of the spectators even bowed slightly, forgetting they were at a fashion show and felt like it was time for the Royal Court.

She stopped at the end of the runway, looking out at the crowd with a hint of disinterest… masking the massive amount of disinterest she actually had as she spun elegantly on her hooves and strode back up and out to the backstage.

The crowd was a stunned silence, unsure of just how to react to that. Do they applaud? Bow? Thank every god and goddess known to Equus for the vision they just beheld?

“Wow…” Coco breathed as she peeked through the curtain. “I… think you broke them Sunset.”

Sunset snorted and looked at Sassy and Fae. “Check,” she smirked and strode off towards the changerooms.

The rest of the fashion show was a back and forth between the pair of unicorns. The other participants didn’t even stand a chance, utterly lost in the blinding auras that the pair put out with each dress. Fae and Sassy would take a win, with a fairy themed gown that wouldn’t look out of place on an ethereal spirit of the forest.

Then Coco and Sunset would emerge, the latter wearing a dress of the purest white and rich woven gold. Long tassels and woven script. It was a gown fit for a goddess. One styled for Celestia herself. And again, the crowd was reduced to silenced awe.

And soon, the announcer stood on stage, running a hoof through his coiffed mane, a stallion by the name of Svengallop.

“Alright everypony. I will announce the two finalists to move on to the final round. But by now, I think that choice is obvious.” He turned as a spotlight shone on Sassy and Fae. “The designer, Fae Ashida and her model, Sassy Saddles.”

Fae bowed her head as Sassy winked and blew kisses to the crowd as they cheered.

“And to go up against them. I’m sure you all know,” Sven cooed. “Standing in for the Designer, Lady Rarity, we have her protege, Coco Pommel. And her lovely model, Sunset Shimmer!”

Sunset smirked widely and Coco ducked behind her when the spotlight shone on them.

“Now,” Sven continued. “While they prepare for the challenge. We will enter a brief intermission and entertain you with the Princess of Pop, the Siren of Song, the Diva of the Dancefloor. I give you the one and only, Sweetie Belle!”

The pint-sized filly songstress stepped onto the stage, taking a bow as the stagelight lit up.

“Thank you everypony!” she smiled as the crowd exploded with cheers. “Here’s a little sneak peek at my newest single, Silver Bell~”

“So… what’s the deal with this last round?” Sunset asked as Coco fitted her dress. The unicorn almost felt like she was getting suited up for battle. “Everypony’s making it out to be pretty intense.”

“Y-yes,” Coco said, hoping Sunset wasn’t going to kill her for this. “Something like that. Um… just make sure you’re careful okay? Sassy is a Top Model. She won’t lose easily, even to somepony of your skill.”

“Tch! Yeah, well she met her friggen match today,” Sunset said, a series of small pops she the air literally exploded around her horn like firecrackers. “I’ll roast the cow like a Hearth’s Warming turkey!”

“There’s a few things you need to know though,” Coco said as she finished fitting the dress. It was inspired by the immortal phoenix. The form fitting dress covered her chest, back and rump, before it fantailed out with trails of ethereal-like fabrics. Her neck was fitted with a gold choker, blood red fabrics frilled out from the bottom. The cloth mimicked the wings and tail while golden greaves covered her forehooves. To compliment the outfit, a stunning flower was fit just behind Sunset’s right ear, the mare’s mind briefly wandering to her botany books to try and figure out what flower it was. Coco was talking, but Sunset was too concerned with her own thoughts.

“Okay, and that’s how it works, did you get all that?” Coco asked.

“Mhm,” Sunset murmured and shrugged. “Just leave it to me or… whatever.” Ahh, this was gonna drive her nuts until she could figure it out.

“So um, what do you think of the dress?” Coco suddenly asked, getting Sunset’s attention. Well that was odd, she didn’t ask that about the other dresses. Sunset glanced in a mirror and shrugged.

“It’s nice I guess,” the mare replied. “A little frilly for my tastes. But…” Hmm, well that was odd.

“But?” Coco questioned.

“Makes me think about Philomena, Mom’s pet phoenix… and so that makes me think about Mom.” Sunset shook her head to clear the nostalgic thoughts. “Yeah, I like the dress.”

Coco beamed brightly for some reason. “Oh, I’m so happy! It was made for yo—” And then Svengallop announced the start of the final round.

“Will the participants take the stage,” he said and Sunset turned around.

“You were saying?”

“O-Oh, it’s nothing,” Coco Pommel blushed and waved a hoof. “Good luck Sunset,” Coco waved and the mare shrugged and nodded, before heading out.

As Sunset stepped out, the front area had been changed. All the spectators had been moved up to the stadium seats of the amphitheater, leaving the ground area vacant. She also noticed a half dozen glowing pylons circled around the arena, generating a powerful barrier that separated the crowd from herself.

“What the buck?” Sunset muttered as she looked around. “The hell do they think we’re going to do in here? Duel with Nightmare Moon herself?”

“If only you could be so lucky,” Sassy said as she stepped up next to her. She wore a form-fitting outfit that covered most of her body. It had a nice, ruby gemstone centered right in the middle of the chest, as well as one on each hoof. The entire outfit was varying shades of black and grey, it honestly looked more like combat barding than anything frilly or fancy like Sunset was wearing.“Have you not seen a Final Round before? Oh of course you haven’t. Sorry Princess. The world must be a small place from atop your golden tower.”

“I live in a library actually,” Sunset retorted. “And why would I give a flipping feather about fashion? What a waste of time.”

“And now!” Svengallop announced through a microphone. “The Final Round will begin. Our Lady, Sassy Saddles, versus Our Esteemed Princess, Sunset Shimmer. Oooh, I’m getting chills already~”

“Best of luck darling.” Sassy cooed as she walked out to the center of the arena. “Try not to die.”

“Wait, WHAT!?” Sunset yelled as Svengallop continued his announcement.

“The contestants have a half hour time limit. The rules will follow standard Dress Combat Laws. The first to have their outfit ruined by the other loses. Anything goes, with the exception of Dark and Chaos magicks. Also no aiming to kill your opponent either, this isn’t a fight to the death ladies~”

“Oh, chanceux, vous ~" Sassy hummed as she turned to face Sunset a few dozen feet away.

Sunset’s mind raced. What the Tartarus was this!? Why didn’t Coco warn her about this!?!?

Then Sunset froze… she’d spaced out earlier when Coco had been talking. She had explained it…

“Ah flipping feathering horseapples!” Sunset swore as Svengallop raised an airhorn. Okay Sunny, calm down. All she had to do was trash little miss Fancy’s outfit right? Easy done. The second the airhorn sounded, Sunset cast a Solar Explosion spell. She aimed for the airspace just above her, as not to kill the mare in the blast. Her back and rump would have a fairly nasty sunburn though~

The spherical spell exploded with a resounding boom, making sunset shudder with glee. THis place had some nice acoustics.

“Well, guess you should punch above… your…” Sunset’s taunt trailed off as her flames were siphoned away, right into that red gem in the breast of her outfit.

“Ah, très magnifique Princess,” Sassy smiled, not a single scratch on her. “To our most esteemed lovers of fashion, I hope you enjoyed our stunning line of formalwear so far,” she called out with a voice amplification spell. “But allow me a moment to introduce our latest in Anti-mage combat barding.”

“WHAT!?” Sunset yelled.

“Yes indeed!” Svengallop beamed. “I have the notes right here. Made of woven mythril and polymer fibres. This outfit is both lightweight and strong, able to stop a bullet with the special kinetic-force fibres. And the gem in the center offers an array of special features, the Fire Ruby you see here has clearly demonstrated the ability to utterly nullify even a powerful flame spell.”

Sunset’s eye gave a dangerous twitch, she was stuck wearing some frou-frou evening gown, and an opponent, which she apparently had to fight. She was wearing bucking combat armour!?

‘Why in the hell didn’t Coco give ‘me’ any armour?’Sunset screamed internally. ‘Arrrrgh! Fine1 You wanna play like that? No more ‘Nice Princess’. You wanna play with fire? Then I’ll bring the bucking sun!!’

Her horn fired up again and this time, she unleashed a blast of searing plasma, a heat so intense that it could carve solid rock like a flamesword through butter.

Sassy smiled and then pulled something out, some kind of blade as she dropped it down in front of her, the blade parting the lance of energy and sent it crashing into the barrier.

“And of course, what armour would be complete without a weapon,” Svengallop beamed brightly. Now that the smoke had cleared, Sassy yanked the blade from the dirt and held it out. It looked like one-half of a pair of scissors. It was a brilliant gold colour and thrummed with Celestial energy.

“Of-bucking-course,” Sunset frowned.

“Meet, the Dawn Breaker. Constructed similar to the staves used by Our Glorious Celestia’s beloved Priestesses, it is the next level in magical-weapon technology. Able to disrupt magic at the Harmonic level, this blade can cut through just about anything.”

The blade suddenly spun like a buzzsaw at Sunset, the mare yelping and ducking… as a piece of her dress fluttered away, the blade having sheared it clean off.

“I’ll take you apart stitch by stitch,” Sassy chuckled. “This isn’t your world Princesse! And I will make you realise that soon enough.”

If only Sunset could get some flames, she could use her Fire Blood arts and show this stuck up showpony why you don’t mess with Sunset Shimmer. But… The unicorn looked around, there was nothing, not a single spark to draw from.

Great, what the heck do I do now? She ducked again, the scissor-blade taking another piece of her outer dress, and a few wisps of mane. If she wasn’t careful, that thing could take her bloody head off.

The blade swung down again, and Sunset placed up a magical barrier, only for the blade to shatter it like glass.

“What do you think?” Sassy purred. “It’s my own design. I even gave it an Etherite edge, it’s how I cut your magic earlier.”

“A magical anti-magic weapon, I’m seriously calling hax right now,” the unicorn muttered as she fired another volley of fireballs, only to either miss with her wild aiming, or that damnable Fire Ruby to suck them all up.

Sunset attempted to grab the weapon with her own telekinesis, but despite all her talk, Sassy was annoyingly skilled with a blade, and managed to dance it around the unicorn attempts. Sunset was now regretting skipping all those fencing classes that Lady Fleur taught.

Sunset ducked, wove… but it was useless. Sassy was toying with her, tearing away strip after strip with her blade, and after just a few minutes, Sunset was left with tattered rags instead of the beautiful dress Coco had made.

Sunset grabbed a strip that kept fluttering in her face and tore it… only to pause. Most dresses usually had a tag or embroidery to show whom the designer was. Rarity’s logo was a cursive R with a trio of diamonds in the loop of the letter.

This one was different. It was… Coco’s Cutie Mark. That little purple and red-feathered hat with a little stitched CP on the corner.

This… this was why Coco was so insistent that she knew if Sunset liked it. It, wasn’t one of Rarity’s designs.

Oh, I’m so glad. Coco’s parting words echoed in her head. It was made just for you.

“Just… she made it, for me?” Sunset whispered and looked at the ruined dress. Only the shirt and underskirt remained, the beautiful outer dress was torn to shreds. Sunset had seen Rarity whip up a dress in mere moments before, her telekinesis and multitasking was extraordinary.

But Coco was an Earth Pony, this outfit… it must have taken forever to make.

“And…” Sunset’s narrowed gaze turned upwards. “This bitch ruined it…”

Sassy stalked around her like a predatory griffon, waving the blade as it whistled through the air.

Sunset turned to face her, as the flower pin behind her ear came loose, falling towards the ground, only to be caught with Sunset’s magic. Such a vibrant accessory, it matched the phoenix dress so… well…

She, she remembered what the flower was. A Phoenix Bloom! They only grew in remote regions and were very expensive… and valuable, especially to a Fire Blood mage.

Sunset’s scowl suddenly turned into a wide smirk.

“Oh? Does la petite princesse finally realise the position she’s in?” Sassy asked her. “You appear to look a little delirious there.”

Sunset fueled her magic into the flower, activating its special property. When exposed to high levels of pure mana, the Phoenix Bloom lived up to it’s name…

And burst into a brilliant orange flame.

“W-What!?’ Sassy took a step back.

“Ohh, what’s this!?” Svengallop announced. “It would seem that Our Lady Sunset has one final card to play.”

Sunset inhaled, sucking up the flames as they coursed over her body, filling her very being with power.

But, that wasn’t the only change. The dress she wore started… glowing? Sunset floated off of the ground as the torn strips littering the battlefield lifted and flew towards her, wrapping the mare in a crimson cocoon. Sassy lashed out with her blade, but other than drawing a few sparks, it did nothing.

“You think a cloth shell will save you?” she shouted, her eye twitching. She was Sassy Saddles. Undefeated model. She would not let some little upstart princess make a mockery of her.

“No, it won’t,” Sunset’s voice called out as the shell peeled like a flower in bloom. Embers washed over the arena like glowing cherry blossom petals as the transformation was complete. Not only was the dress now completely intact, looking brand new. It was… different.

The long trails of cloth that resembled flames, now glowed with a magical radiance. Sunset’s mane and tail flowed on an ethereal breeze, the orange, reds and yellow mixing like a living piece of the sunset sky. Her horn blazed white with power and two wings, made of living flame kept her aloft.

“Round two?” Sunset said as Sassy readied her blade.

“Bring it on,” the other unicorn nodded as her blade flicked out, doubling its length. “Decapitation mode!”

“I…” Svengallop was at a loss. He had no notes on Sunset’s dress, and the whole thing looked like a magical filly transformation from those Foxan comics Sweetie Belle loved.

“I’ll tear that dress apart!” Sassy yelled. “Stitch by stitch, thread by thread. I’ll undo it utterly!”

“Two words,” Sunset smirked as a magic circle appeared in front of her. For once in her life, she felt like taking a page out of Gingersnap’s book and called out her spell’s name.

“Starfire Annihilation!”

Sassy stared at the blinding beam of flames that approached her. “Oh c'est des pommes de chevaux.”

Sunset was still smirking as she was assisted out of what was left of the dress, having returned to its normal state after the battle had ended. The end result was that even the Fire Rubies couldn’t hold back such massive power and overloaded. That said, if she hadn’t used her blade to take the brunt of the damage… which was now melted and fused with the glassed earth outside, Sassy might very well have died, instead of just losing… most of her fur.

“Honestly Sunset, you could have held back just a little,” Coco scolded her, the unicorn just shrugging as she looked at the dress. After the battle, the magical streets she’d placed on it caused it to fall apart. So in light of the condition of both outfits, as well as Sunset’s reckless use of lethal magicks, the match was declared a draw, Coco and Miss. Ashida receiving half the prize money each.

“Eh, I knew she could take it… sorta… maybe,” Sunset shrugged again. “Say… Coco, can i ask you something?”

“Yes?” the mare hummed as she took off the golden slippers.

“That dress… did you make it? For me?”

Coco flinched, dropping the slipper. “I… um, well…” She stammered.

“A simple yes or no, Coco.”

“I… yes,” the mare finally relented and squeezed her eyes shut, waiting for the tirade.

What she got… was completely unexpected. Sunset Shimmer… was hugging her?

“Thanks,” she said quietly. “I’m sorry that i got it wrecked. It really was a beautiful dress. Nopony’s… ever made something so lovely and, so personal for me before. Well, nopony not related to me anyway.” She pulled back and ruffled Coco’s mane. “You’re a great friend Coco. And an amazing designer. I think I can see why Rarity’s always harping on about you. You’re… pretty amazing.”

Coco’s mouth opened, but no sound came out. Tears just formed in her eyes as she listened to her friend praise her like that.

“Wha?” Sunset’s eyes widened and she panicked. “Oh come on! Don’t cry. What did i say? Please don’t cry, Spike will yell at me…”

Coco couldn’t help it, even as tears of joy streamed down her face, she let out an airy giggle at the flustering unicorn.

Sunset Shimmer paced up and down the train station. If Coco didn’t hurry, the train would leave without them and they’d be stuck in this annoying city for another whole day. She glanced at the clock, counting the seconds before she heard a shout, she whipped her head around to see Coco galloping towards the platform, calling Sunset’s name.

“Urgh! Come on slowpony!” Sunset said irritably. “Geez, how can you be so late?”

“I’m” *huff* “sorry” *pant* “I had” *wheeze* “to get something” *exhausted horse noises*

Sunset rolled her eyes and turned towards the train, before somepony else shouted her name.

“URRGH! Now what!?” she growled and turned to see Sassy Saddles and Miss Fae Ashida approaching them. “Oh great, what do you want? Revenge? Cause I’ll happily roast you aga—”

“Always quick to the flames, ma petite princesse,” Sassy sighed. “Nonono, nothing of the sort. Buttons and Bobpins darling. What happens in the arena, stays in the arena.”

Sunset and Coco just stared, was… was this the same harsh pony as last night? She’s… happy?

“Um… come again?” Sunset blinked, her haste momentarily forgotten.

“The fight was magnifique. Ashy and I learned quite a bit and are already planning improvements.”

“Yes,” Fae responded with a light Foxan accent. Her voice was… wondrous, almost like a fairy’s. “But not as wondrous as your dress, Miss Coco. Your design yes? It did not look like any of Miss Rarity’s.” Unlike the show, now she simply wore her pink collar, hair and tail clip and a pair of pink leggings over her hind legs. Her Cutie Mark was a ponnequin with a pair of fairy wings.

“Y-Yes?” Coco stammered. She couldn’t believe the Fae Ashida was talking to her!

“Wonderful, amazing even. You have a shining future Miss Coco, as long as you keep working hard.” Fae smiled and the large pegasus pulled the little earth pony in with a wing, hugging her gently.

“T-Thank so very much,” Coco smiled.

“The stitching looked a little loose though,” Fae whispered to her. “And it looked like the sleeves on her forelegs were a few millimeters too short.”

“Oh… thank you for the advice,” Coco nodded as she was released from the embrace.

“So… you grew your fur back already?” Sunset nodded and Sassy. The larger unicorn shook her head and her form shimmered, revealing a multitude of bare patches and bandages before the illusion spell came back up. Sunset winced, but Sassy didn’t seem too fazed.

“Comes with the job Sweetie. Give it a few more days for the potions to take effect,” Sassy chuckled. “Until then, I’ll make do with illusions. A model’s appearance is everything.”

“Yeah, cool,” Sunset chuckled. “You know, you weren’t half bad either. If it wasn’t for Coco’s outfit, I’d have been totally screwed.”

“Tis good your friend knows you so well,” Sassy smiled and gave her a friendly nuzzle. “Take care Sweetie. We shall meet again I think.”

“As long as you aren’t pointing swords at me,” Sunset smirked as the train whistled sharply and Sunset remembered their deadline. “Gah! Coco, move your flank or we’re gonna miss it.” Sunset offered a polite nod to the other mares and dashed aboard the train.

“Take care!” Coco bowed and fixed her saddlebags and ran after her friend. “Sunseeeet, wait for meeee~”

“So…” Sassy hummed as she watched the train leave. “Think we’ll ever swing by Ponyville?”

“Hmm, well I would like to meet Miss Rarity,” Fae smiled. “For now, let us get some tea.”

Sunset sighed, it was going to be a long ride home and she… Her eyes widened and she let out a frustrated scream. One that sent all other passengers scrambling for another carriage.

“W-What was that?” Coco yelped as Sunset thunked her head against the couch-like seat.

“Those new books…” the mare groaned. “I forgot to get them… now I have to wait until i get home and my ordered ones for the library arrive. That could take days!!”

Coco Pommel giggled, causing Sunset to glare at her. “What’s so funny?”

Coco simply smiled as she opened her saddlebag and took out three books.

Flame Artifact: Birthright and Flame Artifact: Conquest. As well as the latest Daring story, Daring Do and The Empire of the Sun, part one.

“These were the books you wanted, yes?” Coco said, holding them up in front of a practically drooling Sunset. “I got them for you this morning, as thanks for helping me with this. I know you didn’t want to at first but— eep!” She was cut off as she received another hug from the mare. Coco sighed happily and returned the embrace, Sunset was very warm to hold~ That moment ended, the books were snatched up by the unicorn and she dove right in.

“Thanks Coco,” Sunset murmured, a small smile on her muzzle.

“You’re welcome,” Coco responded, a smile of her own gracing her lips. And the two friends sat in silence for the rest of the trip. Unlike the last time, there was no tension… just, blissful silence.

Almost.

“Oh, Coco?” Sunset said, not looking up from her book.

“Yes?”

“Tell anypony I wore such an embarrassing outfit in public and I’ll punish you okay?”

Coco’s eyes widened, before she caught the smirk on her muzzle. “Okay Sunset, your secret is safe with me.” the two giggled and the train continued home, to where the rest of their friends waited.

THE END.

A Daring Friendship

View Online

Canterlot City.

A place of wealth and power. As home to Princess Celestia, the city had a certain aura about it.

And this particular pony knew more of its secrets than anyone else… well, mostly. Still, it was her job to know such things.

The pegasus mare adjusted her cloak and continued through the winding streets, taking in the sights and sounds. It'd been a few years since her last visit, so a lot had changed in the meantime. Hearing about it through correspondence was no substitute to seeing it with your own eyes.

She passed by a bookstore, her eyes lingering for a moment and then they widened. Sitting on the central display stand was the latest in the ‘Flame Artifact’ series. Actually, there were two?

‘Birthright’ and ‘Conquest’

“Huh… interesting,” She mused as she looked at the back. From reading that, it seemed it was the same story, but from the perspectives of both sides.

“How bold,” she murmured as she picked up a copy of each. And then she spied the sign.

‘For the new release, the author is attending a book signing TODAY!’

Ember Quill gave a shy smile to the pony that just bought her newest book. She still couldn't believe Twilight talked her into this!

“She'd better have that chocolate she promised,” the petite mare muttered as the next pony stepped up. Ember's eyes took a quick note. Yellow coat. Grey-black mane, rose eyes, pegasus. She couldn’t see her cutie mark though. Pony watching was something of a talent of hers and she could memorize a pony's appearance with just a glance.

“Thank you for buying my book,” Ember said quietly. “And… to whom am I making this out to?”

“Oh just make it out to A. K. Yearling,” the mare before her responded.

“Okay, to A. K.—” Ember paused in her writing as her eyes slowly widened. “Um… did, I hear that correctly?” There… there was no way this was the A. K. Yearling.

The mare raised an eyebrow, “I hope you did. Otherwise I’d think I finally lost my voice.”

This… this was the mare that inspired Ember to take up the quill. She was legendary with her skill of the written word, even the ones that weren’t the ever-present Daring Do tales. The quill in Ember's magical grip trembled as she started breathing a little heavier. This was bigger than if Princess Celestia herself was here.

A pink maned pegasus mare further along the line suddenly got a chill.

“You… you're but I'm just… “ Ember stammered. Why was Miss Yearling here? Oh gosh, was she going to tell Ember how bad her books were? Had she actually read them!? Her quickened breathing was quickly turning to hyperventilating.

Yearling raised a hoof, “Easy now. Don’t blow yourself up over this. I just wanted your autograph, that’s all. I’m just a customer here as anyone else.”

“You… you wanted my autograph?” Ember finally found her voice. “But... but I'm just…”

“A skilled author?” Daring offered.

“You think… I'm skilled?” Ember gasped. First Miss Velvet and now Miss A. K. -freaking- Yearling? Ember smiled and after a second to compose herself, she signed the books for her. “Um, I do have a request, if that's okay?”

“Oh?” Daring tilted her head questioningly. Pegasi did have a habit acting a bit more like birds or cats at times.

Ember ducked behind the table, before pulling out a well-loved copy of Daring Do and the Blood Diamond.

“Could I get your autograph too?” the little unicorn asked sheepishly.

Daring rolled her eyes and chuckled. She picked out a pen from her cloak with a wing and opened the book. “Ember Quill yes?” the mare asked, eliciting a demure nod from the unicorn. “To Ember Quill, may you continue to write wondrous tales.” She closed the book and put away her pen, “Now, are you going to finish your autograph today as well?”

Ember nodded. “To Miss Yearling, may you continue to inspire~” she said aloud as she wrote it and closed the book, floating it back over. “There we go.”

Daring picked up the book, “Thank you. I think you’re going places, Ember. I can tell that much for sure.”

“O-Oh.., thankyousomuch!” Ember beamed as Daring nodded and made way for the next pony in line.

“So, who do I make this out to?” Ember asked as Daring left the store.

“Oh, um… Celestia?” the pegasus said with a slight blush.

Ember Quill blinked… then fainted.

Daring Do made her way through the noble district, noting that it hadn’t changed all that much. Nobles were rather stuck in their ways, and their homes reflected as much. Still, some didn't adhere to the norm.

And her beloved friend was one of them.

Daring noted her home seemed more… lively than last time she was here. Mind you, last time was when Night had passed on. Well, this would be interesting. She stepped up to the door and knocked on it.

A moment later, the door opened a crack and Twilight Velvet peeked through the gap. Even with most of her hidden, her mane was a mess and she seemed to be wearing something on her head. Some kind of pink cap with a red cross on it.

“Hello,” she panted, sounding out of breath. “Who is— Daring!?”

Daring Do put a hoof over Velvet’s lips, “Ix-Nay the Aring-Day.” She whispered.

“Oh, right. Yearling.” Velvet shook her head, trying to regain some composure. “What the Tartarus are you doing here?” she whispered back.

“Can’t I stop by and see an old friend?” Daring smiled.

“Well, yes, but you see—”

“Is everything okay Vel?” Daring heard a stallion call out and her unicorn friend flinched.

Daring’s eyes widened, “Who’s that?”

“Nothing! I-I mean, Nopony!” Velvet flailed, but that served to make her fall back and the door opened. It revealed her to the pegasus and… well she looked rather dishevelled… and she was wearing a pink nurse's outfit.

Daring’s jaw dropped, “You still have that? I haven’t seen that one like that in years and why are you…” Realization seemed to dawn on her face.

“Velvet?” that stallion voice called out and Daring looked up. Standing in the hall was a rather handsome young stallion, early twenties at best. He had a cream coat, a fiery red and orange mane and tail and a nice, broad chest. His hooves were a deep ebony black and his eyes a bright crimson.

“Oh horseapples,” Velvet muttered.

Daring Do looked him up and down, “Well… I didn’t know you were back on the dating scene.” Her wings fluffed up under her coat, noticeably stirred by the sight before her.

“I… well I…” Velvet blushed, then vanished with the distinct pop of teleportation. Daring chuckled lightly as she stepped inside and closed the door behind her.

“Well that was interesting,” Flare muttered and turned to the pegasus. “Hello Ma'am, my name is Flare Blitz. And yourself?”

“A. K. Yearling,” Daring nodded in greeting. “So… how long have you two been a thing?”

“About a month now,” Flare nodded, then paused. “Wait, Yearling? As in, the Daring Do author?”

Daring Do smirked and rubbed her chest in pride, “I don’t mean to gloat, but you’re looking at the one and only.”

Flare nodded and stepped closer and Daring noted how tall the guy was. At least six inches over her and she was a pegasus. Albeit a smaller one, but still. “Well, I'm something of a fan. Probably not as much as the convention-goers but yeah. I've read a few. The earlier ones are my favorites. Like Blood Diamond and the like.”

“Everyone likes the old ones,” Daring noted inwardly huffing. “I guess older mares aren’t as appealing to most people.”

“Hey now, I happen to quite like older mares,” Flare said, before realizing and blushed. “Your newer books are still good though.”

Daring smirked, “I still got it, don’t I?” She left the interpretation up in the air as she gave him another once over, walking in circle around him. Her friend had such good taste~

Flare looked her over and… well he blushed again and looked to the side. Miss Yearling was certainly an attractive mare to say the least… not as much as Velvet, but his opinion was biased in her favour.

“Yeeeaaarling…” a low voice growled behind her. “He's mine.” Velvet sounded less than amused.

Daring turned around and flashed her friend a smile, “Alright, alright. I got it. He’s yours. I won’t touch.”

Velvet looked much better now, and sans the nurse outfit. “So… out with it. I know you want to say it.”

“Say what?” Daring Do quirked an eyebrow.

Velvet just remained silent, but glanced at Flare.

“Did I… do something wrong?” Flare blinked.

“That he’s hot or that I’m pondering how and why it happened?” Daring asked. Velvet facehooved and shook her head. Daring wasn’t the most… tactful pony.

“It was about a month ago now,” velvet informed her. “I met Flare when he nabbed a colt that mugged me.”

“One of my best recruits so far,” Flare added with a proud smile. “He's up for a distinction award actually.”

“Yes well, we bumped into each other again while I was out shopping and well… one thing led to another.” Twilight Velvet blushed.

Daring huffed, “Oh that’s just how it goes, isn’t it? You got mugged and got a sexy stud. Wish I had that kind of luck. My troubles lead to deathtraps...”

“Oh?” Velvet’s muzzle formed a familiar smirk. “Why I recall a familiar blue-furred lad. What was his name again? Ahui--”

Daring pushed her hoof right against her mouth, “Shush!” Her blush was broad around her face. “That’s none of your business.”

Flare blinked, not really following the conversation. “So Vel? Are... you two friends?”

“Long time friends, and I’m this useless writer’s editor as well. It's why her books don’t look like they're written by a foal.” Velvet smirked and hugged her winged friend.

Daring Do laughed and hugged her back, “Savage, Velvy. You haven’t changed.”

“Nor have you, walking in on my fun like that,” Velvet sighed as Flare erupted into a blush.

Daring Do giggled and nuzzled Velvet, “Oh I just have the best of timing.”

Velvet rolled her eyes and released her. “So, to what do I owe the pleasure of your company? I haven’t seen you face-to-face in months? Almost a year now?”

“Yeah,” Daring frowned. “I’ve been rather… busy. An old rival of mine’s been up to some tricks so I had to straighten him out. Got to pay my respects to him while I was at it.” She stressed the ‘him’ in a way Velvet would understand.

“I see,” Velvet replied as she moved to the kitchen and put a tea kettle on the stove. Visiting that particular region was always a risk. But the mare more than understood the pegasi’s reasoning. “One thing after another hmm?”

“Rivals?” Flare piped up, reminding the mares he was still present. “Sounds pretty serious for the life of an author.”

“You don’t know the half of it,” Daring snorted.

“So this is just a social call then?” Velvet asked her. “Though it hardly ever is seeing as it's you we're talking about.”

“…Are you sure you're friends?” Flare deadpanned.

“We are,” Daring nodded. “Velvy just has a funny way of showing it.” She lightly knocked her hoof against Velvet’s shoulder.

“Mhm, she's like… a bratty sister,” Velvet chuckled, swatting her rump with her tail.

Flare's mind conjured entirely different images. Velvet had been a bad influence on him.

Daring narrowed her eyes and her wing swatted Velvet’s rump, “Bratty? Oh now you’re just name calling, you nerdy know it all.”

“Just calling it how I see it,” Velvet chuckled as she poured three cups of tea. “In all seriousness, I'm glad to see to see you again. Twiley and Shiny have missed you, Cadance especially.”

Daring’s smile vanished, “Yeah, I haven’t seen my kids in a while.” She rubbed the back of her head. “You get to see yours all the time. I kind of envy you for that.”

Flare coughed into his teacup. “W-What?” he choked out. “P-Princess Cadance is your—?”

Daring nodded, “My daughter, yes.”

“Huh, well… my mind is blown,” Flare murmured.

“Not the only thing that got blown today,” Velvet purred in a husky whisper, causing the stallion to choke on his tea again.

Daring chuckled, “Same old, same old. I should have come over sooner.”

“This is still new honestly,” Velvet admitted. She leaned in close and lay her head on Daring’s shoulder. “He makes me feel young and beautiful again,” she whispered. “I really think I love him Dare…”

Daring gave her a big smile and patted her on the back, “I’m happy for you. If that’s true, then I’m behind you one hundred percent. Well, when he’s not ‘behind you’ that is~” she finished with a wink.

Velvet squeaked and whipped her friend’s flank with her tail. “Well… maybe if he wasn't damned good at it…”

“What's going on?” Flare asked, tilting his head. It was a small habit he got from his pegasus grandfather

Daring’s wing smacked her friend’s bottom. “Oh you lucky mare~”

“I am aren't I?” Velvet smirked. She sipped her tea and hummed softly. Flare got up, excusing himself before he headed off to clean the living room… And pack away the camera he'd been using~

“Okay Dare,” Velvet said once he'd left. “Out with it. I know you're planning something. You have that look I'm your eye.”

Daring snorted, she could never hide anything from the perceptive mare. “Fine, there’s an old ruin built before the formation of Equestria and I thought I could use your help to get to it.”

Velvet sipped her tea and remained quiet for a moment. Though her right leg twitched on occasion, so she was more than excited.

“Pre-reformation you say?”

Daring nodded.

“Traps and the like?”

Daring snorted. “As if they ever did anything but.”

“Just like the good old days?”

Daring chuckled. “Unless you've gotten old on me.”

Velvet smirked and lowered her teacup. “Oh my dear Daring. This… this is going to be fun~”

The next day, Daring was waiting by the train station, pacing up and down the platform when she spied Velvet approaching and…

Why was she bringing that stallion of hers along!?

“Good morning dear,” Velvet greeted the pegasus adventurer. “How are you this morning?”

“Oh better then most,” Daring rolled her shoulders. “It’s rather relaxing to sleep on a soft bed or whatever else I usually get. That and no one’s trying to kill me… yet.”

“Aw, does my little Darling Do need a break?” Velvet teased, nuzzling the mare.

Daring scrunched up her muzzle in frustration. It was a little thing ponies did when they were angry. For some reason, most races found it utterly adorable. “No one calls me, ‘Darling’.”

“Mmm, then you shouldn't act so darling then,” Velvet chuckled. “Also, sorry for the uninvited guest. I did promise him a date before you sprung this little adventure on me.”

“So, is this research for your next book Miss Yearling?” Flare asked, carrying Velvet’s supplies in heavy packs.

“Eh, you could call it that.” Daring chuckled. “A very extensive research.”

“Neat,” Flare smiled and adjusted his bags.

“This can only end wonderfully,” Velvet chuckled as the train arrived, letting out a shrill whistle. “Well, shall we… research my dear Yearling?”

Daring chuckled, “We’ll try. Matters if a certain somepony can keep her attention on the ‘research’ and not the ‘research assistant’.” Velvet’s cheeks turned a light pink as pinched the pegasi’s flank with her magic.

The group boarded the train… unaware that a second group was boarding as well. One equally as interested in the ruins.

“Soon Daring Do,” Caballeron chuckled. “I will have the treasure… And my beloved~”

The scenery rolled by as the train traversed the iron tracks. Flare had his eyes closed, simply enjoying the sensation of the ride. He’d always had a deep liking of trains and thoroughly enjoyed riding them.

He was also learning more about the two mares he was travelling with. But despite the stories they shared, something about Miss Yearling didn’t sit right. Still… her secrets were her business.

“So, let me get this straight,” the unicorn stallion said. “The character Moonlight Shimmer in ‘The Griffon’s Goblet’ is actually based on Velvet here?”

“Mhm, you can see it right?” Twilight Velvet hummed and bat her eyes at him.

“I guess?” Flare shrugged. Truth be told, while he’d read the books, it’d been a while since he’d done so. Though one scene did come to mind. “So… that scene where Moon and Daring made out was—”

“Ahaha, so tell me Year, what kind of temple are we going to?” the unicorn blushed and suddenly switched topics. “Someplace interesting?”

“Definitely not a fertility temple, that’s for sure.” Daring Do coughed into a hoof with a slight blush to her cheeks. “It’s a… war temple. Colonel Bolek has been trying to get his hooves on it for months. He believes it has some ‘secret weapon’ that could help the griffons topple Equestria. Thankfully, he doesn’t know where it or I am. I can’t say the same for Caballeron. I may or may not have noticed a few shady ponies at the station.”

“Caballeron?” Flare blinked as he snapped back to reality. “Wait, he’s real? What’s next, Ahuizotl?”

“He’s probably not going to be joining us,” Daring shrugged. “He had a few things to tie up but he wished us a safe journey.”

Flare blinked slowly. She… what? Ahh, she must be one of those authors that get’s into character to help write her books. Well, whatever floated her boat. He felt Velvet lean against him and a small smile formed on his muzzle.

“Well I’m not to worried,” the unicorn mare chuckled. “This’ll be fun, just like old times.”

“So…” Flare’s voice carried over the wind that whipped around them wildly. “WHY THE BUCK ARE WE ON TOP OF THE TRAIN!?”

“Well…” Velvet said with a slight chuckle. “To be fair, Caballeron had a lot of goons this time. And we’re not as young as we used to be.”

Flare felt the deepest urge to facehoof, though he might have lost his balance and fallen off of the train. Why was every mare in his life utterly mental?

That said, the two mares seemed to be having the time of their lives, if their massive grins were any indication. Yup, they were very pretty… and pretty crazy.

“He does have a point though,” Velvet yelled to her feathered friend. “How do we get down from here? Flare and I are lacked certain appendages for your usual method.”

Daring’s eyes were closed as she enjoyed the feeling of the wind through her hair. Her long hair billowed out against the wind as she clutched her hat to her chest. “Easy, the next stop is rather thickly covered in trees. So we’ll just climb through them while nopony is looking.”

Velvet nodded, though Flare looked dubious. Last he checked, he was a unicorn, not a monkey or human. Well, if these mares could do it…

“There they are!” a voice shouted and the trio turned to see some of Caballeron’s goons climb up onto the roof a few carriages down. Flare wondered why they didn’t walk closer through the carriages first… Well…

His horn shone and with a loud ‘clunk’, the train car jerked slightly and then the latter carriages started to pull away, the stallion having pulled the pin that linked them together.

“Ah! Will I get in trouble for that?” he asked the mares.

Daring Do opened an eye to look him over, “Depends if we get caught.”

“Try not to worry dear,” Velvet smiled. “If anypony says anything, just flash your badge. Say it was a matter of national security or something.”

“Why do I feel like you two are terrible influences?” Flare groaned as the train started to slow and pull into the waiting station.

“Hmm, are we terrible influences?” Velvet asked Daring with a sly smile.

Daring chuckled, “The worst of the bunch, especially you.” She nudged Velvet. “Celestia only knows how bad I got after we hooked up.”

“Oh fie, you were a deviant at heart already,” Velvet replied as she teleported from the train and onto the station. “I just helped… blossom that a little.”

“So,” Flare just jumped down from the carriage. “What exactly happened at that... fertility temple was it?”

Daring lightly blushed, “We got overly fertile and there was just us… The effects of a fertile charm last a really long while if you don’t use the opposite sex. A really long time.”

Velvet’s face lit up red and she zipped the pegasi’s mouth shut with her magic. “Dar-Yearling!? What the heck are you telling him!?” Velvet blushed harder as her magic released the pegasus.

Okay, so those were some nice mental images in his head now. Flare smiled to himself as he looked around the platform, making sure they weren’t being followed. Also, try and get one of those charms…

“You did tell him about us, didn’t you?” Daring quirked an eyebrow. “I mean, you wouldn’t just bring someone along who had no idea that this is… and you did.” She facehooved.

“You’re the one that’s all secretive about it,” Velvet argued as she walked after the adventurer. “How was I supposed to tell him that Daring Do was real?”

“Waitwhut?” Flare blinked, only catching the tail end of that conversation.

“Go back to looking at the scenery and being sexy,” Daring shooed him away. “This is mare talk.”

Flare snorted, but figured Velvet would just fill him in later as he turned and continued scouting.

“Great, like this could be any more awkward,” Velvet sighed.

“Can you not tempt fate?” Daring said. “Something always happens when you tempt it. Those deities are very fickle. For all we know, one of us could end up tripping over each other and landing on the other’s crotch or something like that.”

“Well now that you’ve said it…” Velvet sighed and chuckled. “Well, you didn’t complain the last time my Darling Do~”

Daring Do scrunched up her face with a fierce blush, “Oh you…” She flicked a feather across Velvet’s snout.

“I’m starting to question which of us Velvet is dating,” Flare commented as he looked towards the jungle.

“If you have to ask that question, you don’t know her very well.” Daring commented, putting on her trusty hat back on. “This time though, Velvy. I’ll keep my eye out for that flank of yours.” She made a ‘I’m watching you signal’. “It’s gotten a bit bigger since last time.”

“Wha?” Velvet looked at her hindquarters. Her butt wasn’t that big was it? “Flare… is my butt big?”

Oh no, this was one of those loaded questions. Flare had heard of these, questions that had no right answer and always got the stallion in trouble. Luckily… he did had an answer.

“I think your flank is perfect,” he replied with a smile.

“Smooth,” Daring chuckled and patted his shoulder.

“I...gah! How am I supposed to get mad at that?” Velvet snorted. “Stupid sexy stallion,” she muttered. She coughed into her hoof and nodded. “Okay featherflanks! Let’s get this show on the road!”

“There isn’t any road,” Daring rolled her eyes and started off. She pulled out a little medallion with Romane symbols. “I was lucky enough to bump into Bellona during my trip to Canterlot and got this. This’ll help us find the temple.”

“Bellona, the War Goddess?” Flare piped up. “We’re going to one of her temples?”

“Well no,” Daring shook her head. “I don’t know who’s this temple is, but all war gods have signature powers. The same for gods of other aspects, so this little medallion will hone in on any war temples close by. Bellona might be one of the gung ho and stubborn war gods, but she at least has a few tricks up her sleeves.”

“Well you’re just full of surprises huh Miss Yearling?” Flare mused. He’d not met many himself, just Princess Celestia, Princess Sunset and Lady Amaterasu. Still, he was getting pretty pumped. This was shaping up to be a fine way to spend the day.

“You know,” Velvet sighed as she sipped a coconut drink. “I think I could get used to this.”

The mare reclined on Flare’s back as they trekked through the stifling jungle. The stallion didn’t feel the heat much. The humidity was making it somewhat hard to breathe, but he’d been through much, much worse.

Daring crossed her arms as she flapped along next to them, “No wonder your butt is growing.”

“My butt is perfectly healthy!” Velvet retorted. “At least my mane isn’t going grey!”

Daring gasped, “It’s naturally sort of gray… ish.”

“Uhuh…” Velvet smirked, shrieking when Flare jostled her with a bump of his rump.

“Don’t pick on your friends,” Flare scolded her. “You’re both pretty.”

Velvet gasped like she’d heard something scandalous. “I knew it! Daring’s seducing you away from me!”

Flare just rolled his eyes in response. “Yes Velvet, I’m going to run away with Daring Do and live a life of adventure.”

Daring gasped and laid herself over Flare’s back, “My secret is out. Oh, I’m sorry Velvy. I couldn’t resist this sexy stud.” She squeezed his shoulder.

Flare and Daring remained that way for a moment… before bursting out laughing. Velvet just snorted and looked away. Wonderful, the two of them were bonding.

Hmm, bonding huh~

“Silliness aside, we should get going before nightfall eh?” Flare suggested. “The middle of the jungle is no place to spend the night. Not without any water sources nearby.”

Daring nodded and flew off his back, “Unless we meet any unsavory ponies, we should be safe enough. Most of the predators stay a ways more in the jungle, away from the station.”

And at that mention, fate chuckled and a deep roar could be heard, and not too far away at that.

“Now who’s tempting fate?” Velvet said smugly.

Daring sighed, “Alright, you have me there.”

“Less chitchat, more hustle,” Flare said as he started galloping, Daring and Velvet still draped over his back. “That roar sounded like a Flame Wyvern, something I’d rather not tangle with if it can be avoided. Are we getting closer to this temple Mrs Yearling?”

Daring held out her medallion, “We’re getting close. Shouldn’t be that much longer at this speed.”

“Good,” Flare nodded, breathing heavily. Carrying two mares, especially one of Daring’s size, while weaving through the dense jungle. He suddenly broke through the treeline and…

Straight into an ambush by Caballeron. Over two dozen of his goons waited with various weapons, like clubs, spears and pistols, at their disposal, and Caballeron himself was front and center.

“Ahh, Daring Do,” he smiled with that accented tone of his. “I was wondering when you’d get here. Fashionably late as always eh?”

“Caballeron,” Daring narrowed her eyes. “You always seem to show up in the most annoying of ways.”

“And yet you keep falling for it,” he goaded back. “And Velvet’s here too, What a lovely surprise~”

“Urgh, I was wondering what that smell was,” Twilight poked her tongue out. “You know cologne is supposed to be dabbed on, not bathed in yes?”

“Tie them up,” Caballeron growled and pointed at them. “And bring me that Amulet!”

“Plan? You have one?” Flare asked, taking a step back.

“Normally I’d just fly out of here,” Daring spoke up. “Caballeron’s goons aren’t the best sharpshooters, but, just like always, we’ll have to wing it.” She looked them over. “So, chance the monster or dash through the goons?”

“How about Option C?” Flare suddenly grinned widely as his horn lit up and he fired a bolt of fire into the air. It exploded a few dozen feet up, harmlessly detonating in the sky.

“Heh, seems your new bodyguard’s aim is a little off,” Caballeron chuckled. “I’d be getting your bits back on him Do.”

“Who said I was aiming?” Flare smiled as the air shook with a roar. “That was a signal flare…”

“...What?” the earth stallion blinked, before a massive Flame Wyvern dropped from the sky, it’s nostrils flaring as it looked at the veritable buffet before him. It opened it’s massive roar as Flare put daring on his back as well and turned, running towards the drake.

“So he’s sicking the monster on Cab?” Daring looked to Velvet. “Or what? I’m questioning why he’s running toward it if he is.”

“Because he’s insane!?” Velvet yelled as Flare’s horn lit up again, detonated a pocket of air behind him. Daring felt the heat on her rump as the dragon’s gaze turned towards the flame… just as Flare run under it and towards the temple. Leaving the Wyvern to deal with Caballeron and his cronies.

A few moments later, the stallion stumbled into the temple and collapsed, spilling the two mares onto the floor as he wheezed.

“That… really… sucked…” he panted.

Daring Do picked herself up, “Well… he’s got guts.” She smirked. “I like that in a stallion.”

“Brains however, are still up for debate,” Velvet groaned as she extracted her horn from the dirt with a comical pop… which caused her to stumble into Daring and they both fell into a… rather compromising position. “Oh COME ON!” came her muffled response.

Daring Do blushed, unsure of how to respond to this, having Velvet right on top of her… She gave out a little surprised ‘yipe’. Of course, this wasn’t the first time her face had been right there, but still.

Flare just blushed as he hurriedly looked away from the pair. That was just great, and not a single cold shower in sight. Sometimes he wished he was a Water Mage.

Velvet pulled herself back up and licked her lips. “Hmm, not bad,” she mused. “Still, time for that later. Now…” She looked around the temple entrance they found themselves in. Muted roars and screams could still be heard from outside. “Alright Dare, where to now?”

Daring recalled her blush and cleared her throat, “War temples are usually more straightforward than most, since they want the soldiers to get their weapons quickly and efficiently. I’d wager… the second Column to the left.” She held up the medallion and pointed it there. It started to glow, “I knew it.”

“So, there’s something hidden here?” Flare asked after taking a long swig from his water flask.

Daring nodded, “The question is, what?” She started to trot off in search.

Velvet looked at the column. It was a rather unremarkable thing, one of many that lined the corridor. The ground showed no scuff marks, so it didn’t move. It was lacking any symbols… wait.

“Daring!” Velvet pointed at the top of the pillar. “That gold bad at the top. See the small gap between it and the column? Maybe it turns or something?”

Daring looked over and smiled, “Almost missed it. Oh how I missed working with you.”

“True, I have no idea how you got anything done without me,” Twilight replied smugly as the pegasus flew up to the top and studied the band for a moment. Noticing some scratch marks in the stone, she slowly turned the band until something clicked. The chamber rumbled and a stone door slid open.

“And that’s how it’s done,” Velvet smiled.

Daring shook her head and chuckled, “Yeah, yeah, keep licking yourself out or whatever. We still have a ways to go.”

“Hey! You liked it when I did that… not sure if I’m still that flexible though,” Velvet winked as she sashayed up next to her.

“Still questioning the nature of your friendship,” Flare muttered as he followed a few feet behind.

“It seems you’ve awakened something,” Daring chuckled with a light blush. “A fearsome predator. I fear she might pounce on me at any moment.”

“Well, not my fault you’re so delicious,” Velvet replied and turned to walk backwards as she bat her eyes at the pegasus… Then her hoof fell on a raised stone… which slid into the ground with a loud click.

“...That’s not good… is it?” Velvet gulped.

“Depends on how fast we are,” Daring answered. The walls slid open and a hailstorm of arrows fired out on the pair of mares…

Though none hit their mark, bouncing harmlessly off of a crimson-hued shield.

“You know… for a world that possess everyday mages. One would think their traps would account for that,” Flare replied with a soft sigh. “Speaking off, a lot of your books would have been easier if you remembered you were a pegasus and could fly.”

“Oh we’re going with that argument again,” Daring rolled her eyes. “Because pegasi are always in the air and walking is stupid.” She turned to Velvet, “Is this going to be a thing?”

“Well… my daughter is a unicorn and she spends most of her time in the air,” Velvet countered. “And how many chasms did you jump or swing across when you could have just flown?”

“It’s more exciting that way,” Daring countered. “At least I’m not a unicorn and just magic-ing my problems away.”

The two unicorns stared at her.

“Flare honey?”

“Yes Velvy?”

“Is it just me… or is a certain pegasus looking very ticklish right about now?”

“You know, I think you might be right~”

Daring’s eyes widened, “Well what do you know? I’ll just check out the next room…. RIGHT NOW!” She took to the air and raced off. The two unicorns smiled devilishly and gave chase, other traps now looking like a welcome relief for the pegasus adventurer.

“So uh… explain how the buck this happened?” Flare deadpanned as he and Daring were tied up next to each other on a stone wall, waiting for the rising sand to swallow them. Somehow, Caballeron had gotten ahead of them and ambushed them… AGAIN!

This time, there was no Wyvern to call on, but the trio noted that he was down quite a few goons. But now, the three had been struck from behind by tranq darts. And when they awoke, they found themselves in this predicament.

Flare had a Unichain, a magic nullifier, on his horn and Daring’s wings were bound with rope. Twilight Velvet was nowhere to be seen, but Daring knew that Caballeron harboured a weird and mostly creepy crush on her.

“Well if you spent less time staring at my ass and more on our surroundings, then this may not have happened… so quickly.” Daring was used to stuff like this happening.

Well in Flare’s defense, it was a nice flank. While Velvet’s was nice and plush, Daring’s was tight and toned. She’d make a fine Royal Guard…

“Sooo, any ideas on how to get out of this?” he asked. “My magic’s out, and good as I am, I can’t break chain with my bare hooves.”

Daring Do frowned, “I can try and pick the lock but I’m going to need you to grab the lockpick in my tail. I usually keep something there since Caballeron never checks it. Though he tied me a little tighter then usual so I can’t reach down and get it myself.”

“Oookay,” Flare nodded and looked at his bound hooves. “Gonna have to use my mouth though. Can you flick your tail up here?” He was tied up next to her, so hopefully she could reach.

“It’s a little ways close to the base of my tail,” Daring spoke. “You might have to reach. I’ll try and flick it up closer.”

“Oh…” If that was the case… he didn’t think he could reach it. If only he could get his… He started flexing his forelegs, grunting as he pulled at the chains.

Daring stuck out her tongue in concentration as she started to flick her tail up, “Okay… do you think you can reach or are you trying something?”

“Just… gimme… a sec…” he grunted as he flexed his legs, she could see the muscles in them flex and strain… and then with a sickening crack, the staone around the bolted chains broke and his forelegs swung free.

That only left his hind legs, but the wait of the bricks chained to his legs and gravity made him swing forward… and face first into the stone wall. “Ow.”

Daring sighed, “You’ve got to be paying a little more attention on yours surroundings.”

“Yeah well…” Flare pulled back, feeling a little blood run down his nose. He could reach now at least. Pulling himself up, he came face to flank with Daring and… With a small yelp, he squeezed his eyes shut. “Ahh, sorry!”

Daring snorted, “Open them up and grab it. Use your mouth, dummy.”

“But… your um… it’s kinda…”

“Oh just do it already,” Daring rolled her eyes.

“Sorry Vel,” Flare muttered under his breath and inhaled, before reaching up and pressing his muzzle against the base of her tail.

Daring bit her lip and withheld her gasp. His breath against her was… rather exhilarating. “I-it should be close. Just search for it. You can’t miss it.”

“Mhm,” he murmured, his long horn brushing her flank as he pressed in further. “Aha, goffiff!” he said triumphantly and pulled back.

“Good,” Daring said with a blush to her face. “Now can you get my lock or are you going to pass it to me?”

“Well, I canf piff a loff!” he murmured with a fierce blush of his own. He pulled himself up using her chains, then pressed his muzzle to hers to pass off the lockpick.

Daring took it quickly in her teeth and pulled back, flashing him a smile. She leaned down at got to work, thankful it wasn’t as overtly complex as other locks. She worked on Flare’s horn first. The Unichain seemed to require a particular key though, so it would have to wait. She released their chains and they dropped down into the sands below, before climbing up and out of the pit trap.

“Well… let’s uh… We need to find Velvet,” Flare said, his face almost as red as his mane.

Daring nodded, “Right. She shouldn’t be far though, so no worries.” She nudged his muscular flank to the exit.

“He better not have touched her,” Flare growled as he moved out of the room. “Or I’ll tear him apart…”

They reached the antechamber, where Caballeron had set up shop. Daring noticed two things. One, he had Velvet in an iron collar, her horn bound as well.

And two, he had the artifact they’d been seeking.

“Take this chain off!” Velvet demanded. “Go ahead, I’d love to introduce your insides to your outsides!”

“Ahh, so fiery, even age hasn’t tempered that stormy tongue,” Caballeron chuckled and stroked her cheek. “ Don’t worry. We’ll go to another temple I know of after this. I hear some of those Changeling artifacts can help… change your mind on our relationship~”

“I honestly forgot how much of a pervy creep he is,” Daring scowled. An idle glance at Flare showed his jaw was so tightly clenched, it was a wonder his teeth weren’t cracking.

“Yeah right,” Velvet spat. “You left Daring alone in that dungeon yes? Moron, you know she’ll break out.”

“With that deadweight unicorn?” Caballeron chuckled. “Not likely, unless she left him to die. That’s also a possibility. Daring does like to work alone after all. Dead weight is better dead.”

“So who gets the first punch?” Daring asked Flare.

“Before or after I turn him to ashes?” Flare muttered darkly. “You still need him for your books?”

Daring sighed, “Oh I’m sure you can turn him another day, but you can give him a nice beating if you want. Maybe break some bones and whatnot.”

“Fine,” Flare muttered. “You go for the artifact. I’ll get Velvet?”

Daring nodded, “And stay safe.”

“You too…” Flare paused and smirked. “Darling Do~” and with that, he moved off to sneak around behind the group.

Daring narrowed her eyes at the retreated hunk’s butt, “Oh he is so going to pay for that.” She herself moved around the other side, staying out of sight as she got closer to her goal.

Caballeron stared at the artifact, turning it in his hooves. “I don’t understand Daring’s interest in these. She could sell them and live like Celestia herself. Instead, she, ergh… donates them to museums and writes those ridiculous books.”

“Of course you wouldn’t, that would require cognitive thought,” Velvet retorted back. Caballeron sighed and put the object down.

“You know, as enticing as that mouth is. I think it could be put to… better use,” the stallion leered at her and stepped closer. “What do you think hmm?”

There was a thump, and a loud groan. Caballeron whipped his head around to see Flare step out of the shadows, his glare burning like the fires of Tartarus.

“Daring Do is here,” Caballeron muttered. “Everypony fan out. “I want her wings on a bucking platter!”

“I’m going to enjoy this,” Flare said as he cracked his neck. “This next book is rated V for excessive violence.”

“And what’s a magickless unicorn going to do?” Caballeron chuckled as he scooped up the artifact. “Get him!”

Several of Cab’s goons charged at him as Caballeron turned and grabbed Velvet’s chain leash. “Let’s go, we have a date at a Changeling temple.”

Of course, he didn’t get far as Daring smashed into him with a dropkick. She snatched up Velvet’s leash and the artifact. “Try again next time, Cab.”

“DAARRING DOOOO!” Caballeron screamed as he clutched his bruised face. “Get her you incompetent morons! Torch the damned stallion and GET HER!”

Flare blinked as several goons dropped the fiery torches, the hay under his hooves igniting quickly and surrounding the stallion with a wall of flames. Caballeron laughed loudly

“Uh, Velvet?” Daring spoke, picking her horn lock. “Know any water spells?”

Velvet just giggled.

“No need love, he’s a hot stallion for a reason.”

The flames flickered… and then started swirling. When they started clearing, the pegasus… and every other pony in the room saw Flare Blitz… eating the flames?

“...He’s eating the flames?” Daring blinked in surprise. “He’s a Fire Blood Elemental?”

“Eeyup,” velvet chuckled as he slurped up the fire like spaghetti. And when he was done?

“Now there’s a fire in my belly,” the stallion chuckled as his mane and tail ignited, turning into roaring flames as the horn chain started to glow, his magic overloading it as it melted. The now liquid metal dripped to the floor as a cornea of fire surrounded his horn, his eyes blazing white.

“Who’s first to the forge?!”

Caballeron’s men lasted all of a few seconds, before screaming about a fire demon and running for the hills. They’d take their chances with the dragon outside.

Daring smirked and glanced over at Caballeron, “Now are you going to hit the road or is hot stuff going to have to teach you a lesson.”

“I...I…” Caballeron stammered as Flare stepped forward slowly. Daring and Velvet could feel the heat coming from him. The air distorted and shimmered around him and it felt like they were standing next to an open forge.

“MOMMY!” the earth stallion turned and bolted, leaving the blazing stallion and two mares alone in the now empty cavern.

“You two okay?” Flare’s voice reverberated, the magic he built up pulsed. His horn glowed blood red, a blade of pure heat sheared through the collar and chains binding Velvet like a hot knife through butter.

“We’re fine, but you need to discharge that magic before you cause an accident,” Velvet pointed out. Flare nodded and turned, firing a lance of solar energy out of a hole in the wall. The sheer force of the beam pushed him back a little and after a moment, it died out, his fiery mane and tail returning to normal and his glowing eyes changing back to their normal crimson hue.

“Phew… That’s better,” he sighed.

“Wow, I knew he was hot but that was something.” Daring wiped his brow of the sweat.

“Mhm, my sexy fireball~” Velvet purred. “Thanks for the save by the way. Your timely rescues are always something to behold my dear Daring pony.”

Daring chuckled and nuzzled her, “I always come through in the end, no matter what.” She pulled her into a close hug. “I’m just glad you’re okay.”

“Yeah… just biding my time until you and Flarey came to save me,” Velvet said and returned the nuzzle. “So, got your trinket?”

Daring nodded, “Got it so we’re good to go. Good thing too. I think we all need a little cooling off after this.”

“Well, we have a long train ride home, plenty of time to relax,” Velvet pointed out as she rubbed her neck. The collar having left some red marks there. “Okay, let’s take a few notes of the temple and head off.”

“If we’re quick, we can make it before nightfall too,” Flare pointed out.

“Then let’s hop to it,” Daring smiled and took out a notepad and pen from her pocket.

Thankfully, the trek back through the jungle was uneventful and when they reached the station a little after dusk, they found a train waiting.

Apparently it’d been delayed due to ‘technical difficulties’ of one of the carriages coming undone. Flare had given a nervous chuckle when they were informed that.

And now the trio rested on the train as it steadily made its way back to Canterlot. Flare had given every carriage a check, just to see if that Caballeron had shown up again, but thankfully, they had the entire train to themselves.

“Urgh,” Flare fell onto his back on one of the trains padded seats. “I’m a trained Guard and I’m exhausted. I have a whole new respect for your profession Mrs. Yearling.”

Daring giggled, “Oh you don’t know the half of it. Still, it makes for an interesting life that’s for sure.”

“Mhm, though I could do with a little less Caballeron in my life.” Velvet sighed and stretched out. “Which reminds me, how did you two break out of that sand trap?”

“I keep a little pin in my tail for these emergencies,” Daring waved her off. “No biggee.”

“Ah,” Velvet nodded. “Well, that was handy then wasn’t it?”

Daring nodded, “Yep, can’t keep a Do down for long.”

“But we were tied up, not down,” Flare quipped back.

Daring face-hooved, “Don’t get technical with me, pretty boy.”

“Speaking of…” Velvet inched closer to her friend. “Don’t think I haven’t seen the way you’re looking at him,” she said in a quiet tone. “And tied up all alone together? Hmm, what really happened Dare?”

Daring snorted with a light blush, “He had to get the pin. I might as well say it. I couldn’t reach it myself.”

“The pin you keep. In your tail…” Velvet started piecing it together. “Hmmm, so…” A familiar smirk started to cross her muzzle. “He got to raid your temple huh~?”

“....I hate you so much for that,” Daring snarled. “Bad Velvy. Bad.”

“Mmm, you know I am~” the unicorn hummed and booped her nose with her own.

“You’re going to pay for that,” Daring stated. “That was just… ugh.”

“Heehee, you love me,” Velvet chuckled and hugged her. “Ahh, I missed this. Me. You. Adventure… now with handsome stallion included.”

“Hehe, very true.” Daring nodded and hugged her back. “It has it’s perks, most certainly.”

“Perks you say?” Velvet licked her lips. “Mmm, such as?”

“You tell me,” Daring’s smile widened. “I’m familiar with one set of skills but our companions a bit of an unknown. Mind filling me in or how about we catch up a bit ourselves first?”

“I could do with catching up with an old friend,” Velvet replied with a wink.

Daring chuckled, “So should we get a bit of privacy or should he watch?”

“He’s a big stallion, I’m sure he won’t mind,” the unicorn replied with a salacious smirk.

A few days later, Flare Blitz, in full armour, stood outside Inquisitor Trixie's door on guard duty. It wasn’t so bad, as long as you remembered to duck whenever she exited. Some guards had gotten impromptu manecuts that way.

His mouth opened with a loud yawn, just as Shining Armor turned the corner with Dot, Trixie's assistant.

“Did I see you yawning, soldier?” Shining snarled as he looked over Flare.

“Ah, my apologies Captain Armor,” Flare saluted. “My off time was more hectic than I thought. It won’t happen again.”

“Be sure that it doesn’t,” Shining snorted. “I want my soldiers to be at utmost efficiency at all times. I do ponder what it was that kept you so tired. Not a whole lot of action around here.”

‘Says the stallion with the world's most powerful Chaos mage as his sister, and an alicorn as a marefriend.’ “To answer would require to speak freely. Sir!”

“Permission granted,” Shining spoke.

“I was on a trip with Mrs. Velvet and a friend, Mrs. Yearling. We visited an old War Goddess temple down in the basin.” Flare chuckled and shook his head. “Turns out that uh, they’re very good friends.”

Dot was the first to get that. The unicorn was hardly subtle about his emotions.

Shining nodded, “Of course they are. She’s come over enough times for me to pick up on their friendship. I’m just glad it wasn’t something hectic.”

“You know, visit an old temple, run from a dragon, get captured and fight off a bunch of thieves. Standard stuff…” Flare smiled and closed his eyes. “The train home was great. Their friendship is… really deep~”

Shining raised an eyebrow, “It seems you might be a bit more out of it then I thought. Sounds like the beginning of one of her novels.”

“Yeah, didn’t end like one though,” Flare chuckled, forgetting who he was talking to as he fell into his own memories. “Mrs. Yearling’s stamina is quite impressive for a pegasus. Velvet and I were exhausted after that.”

Dot was shaking, trying to hide his laughter.

Shining frowned, unsure if there was another meaning to what he was saying. “Yeah… Professional writers tend to go on and on about their books.”

“And that flank of hers,” Flare sighed wistfully. “Tighter than Velvy’s, but man did it feel good~ Though… I think I somehow gained a second marefriend. I’m… not entirely sure yet.”

“…” Shining was silent. He just stared at Flare for a moment without moving a muscle. Then his horn glowed, “You have ten seconds to reiterate that.”

“Hmm?” Flare blinked. “What do you mean? You didn’t know Velvet and Mrs. Yearling were lovers?”

“…No,” Shining relented. “I was more angry about the fact you were talking about their butts.”

“Ahh,” Flare replied. “Yeah, sorry. I guess I’m still a little out of it. Like I said, Yearling went for hours. And that’s not counting when I was just watching them…”

Shining grit his teeth as he tried to distill his rage, “So let me get this straight. You went on a train. Did stuff with my mother and Yearling, and then they went and did stuff together for hours after?”

“More or less,” Flare nodded. “Oh, could you tell Princess Cadence that the nurses outfit fits great. Thank her for getting it for us.”

Shining Armor wasn’t usually one to let his emotions get the better of him. This time, however, he pulled out his sword. “Nurse outfit!”

“I… uh, please calm down Captain Armor,” Flare started stepping back.

“I think it’s a little too late for that,” Shining said. “You have a one minute head start. Make it count.”

Flare turned and bolted. He was one of the fastest runners for a reason.

“You know, maybe I should tell him some of the things you do with Cadenza?” Dot hummed.

“Not a word, Dot.” Shining took out a little pocket watch. “Not a damned word.”

Temple of the Sun

View Online

Canterlot was quiet. It was the dead of night and at this time, not many places remained open. And in the noble quarter, two ponies slept side by side. Flare Blitz and Twilight Velvet had taken the next step of their relationship and moved in together, much to the chagrin of Shining Armor.

But the two were sound asleep, and neither noticed their window slowly sliding open… and the intruder stepping into the room…

Flare yawned, stretching his limbs as sunlight warmed his body. There was an odd sound, and the bed was shaking. Was Twilight playing a prank on him or something? His pillow was also quite warm, smelling faintly of cinnamon and rain.

Then a particularly hard bump knocked him from his perch and onto the floor with a heavy thud. The stallion groaned as he slowly opened one eye and took in his surroundings.

Okay… why was he on a train?

How did he get on a train?

Where was the train going?

He sat up, rubbing his head as he also became aware that a pony was sitting next to him.

“Sup,” Daring Do lazily laid back against some luggage, chewing on a bit of hay.

Flare blinked slowly as his brain booted up. So he was on a train. With Daring Do, speeding towards some unknown location.

“Yearling?” he finally found his voice. “Where am I?”

“On a train,” she answered simply with a bored expression.

“Thank you oh so much for that enlightening conversation Professor Obvious,” Flare deadpanned. He was not a morning pony at the best of times. “Mind adding just a smidge more details dear?”

“Oh just going to one of Amaterasu's temples and I need a Fireblood Elemental,” Daring shrugged. “You fit the bill, so I took you with me.”

Flare’s deadpan expression deepened. “So. Okay, let me get this straight. You kidnapped me… somehow. In the middle of the night, stowed me on a train… so I can act as a flippin’ key to a temple?”

Daring rubbed the back of her head, “When you say it like that… yeah, basically that.”

“Unbelievable,” Flare sighed and looked out the window. The scenery wasn’t familiar, so they were likely nowhere near Canterlot anymore. Given that he must have been travelling for a few hours now… “You know Velvet is going to kill you right?”

Daring grinned, “Oh she loves me too much to kill.” She chuckled and waved him off. “As long as you come back in one piece, she’ll be fine. I’ll just spend a night alone with her for some fun and games to make up for it.”

“I should be upset that that would actually work,” Flare sighed. “My life is so weird…”

“And sexy~” Daring stuck out her tongue as she flicked her tail.

“Yes yes, you’re very attractive,” Flare rolled his eyes. “But FYI, kidnapping isn’t very cute.”

Daring rolled her eyes, “I didn’t have the time to ask and it’s not like you’d say no. I just took the shortcut.”

“And Shining is gonna kill me for skipping on work,” Flare groaned. That guy could be awfully vindictive. Flare had runs so many laps of the castle, that particular punishment was now called ‘Blitz’ing it’ by the rest of the guards. “Well, nothing I can do about it now. And I can’t teleport either.” He sighed and looked at Daring. “So, what’s in this temple you want so bad? Or does somepony else want it and you’re playing hero again?”

“Oh it’s not so bad this time,” Daring chuckled. “It’s just a bit of exploring. Nopony’s ever been able to get inside before and I aim to be the first.”

“So we’re stroking your ego then,” Flare teased and poked out his tongue.

Daring flared her wings and snorted, “No, we’re approaching a momentous occasion in Equestria’s history.”

“Of which you will relish in taking the credit for,” Flare smirked and chuckled at her indignant expression. “Now see, that expression right there? That, is cute~”

Daring Do stood up, “Don’t make me come over there. We’re all alone, remember? I could do whatever I wanted to you and nopony would ever know.”

“Oh?” Flare replied and a few warning signs flashed in his mind. “Oh yeah, like what?”

Daring moved a little closer, “Oh this and that. Your screams wouldn’t be heard by anyone given the speed and how there aren’t any civilian compartments nearby. So basically, anything I want.”

Flare’s eyes widened. “Ahahahaaa, you know. I think I’m hungry, got anything to eat?” he stammered out quickly, heat rising to his cheeks.

Daring chuckled, “You sure you aren’t thirsty?”

Flare swallowed, his throat feeling very dry all of a sudden. “N-No?”

“Alright, alright.” Daring chuckled and walked over to her bags. “Anything in mind or could you go for anything?” She asked as she bent down. Her tush waved back and forth as she looked around.

“I...uh…” Flare stared at the shaking rear and gulped again. “I-I’m good. Anything really. Yup!”

“Hmmm,” Daring hummed to herself with her tail swishing back and forth, sliding off her shapely rump. “Definitely not that. No, ahaha.” She pulled out a bag of oreos. “Up for some creamy goodness?” She looked over her shoulder at him with the bag in hoof.

Flare just stared, mouth ajar slightly.

“Speechless already?” Daring chuckled and walked over to him. “If it’s that easy, I can’t see how you survived Velvy.”

“You are an evil, evil mare,” Flare groaned and shook his head slowly. “At least wait until I’m awake…”

“Nope, you’re not getting off that easy~” Daring licked her lips. “I’m going to make sure this is a long and enjoyable trip, so that means we start at dawn.”

Flare Blitz groaned and thunked his head against a wall, and then didn’t move, but he did groan louder.

“I think my horn is stuck…”

Daring face-hooved, “Well I can’t have you hurting yourself.” She walked over and gently held onto his horn and head. “Normally, I’d just grab your body and yank but again, I need your horn badly.”

Flare sighed. He couldn’t tell if she was being serious or throwing even more innuendoes at him. “Just…” Flare sighed. There was nothing he could say that his mind wouldn’t warp into the gutter again.

“Don’t worry,” Daring whispered. “I’ll be gentle.” With that she pulled backwards. She made sure to keep his head secure and his horn safe as she slipped more of it out from the wall.

“Well this is suitably embarrassing,” Flare said as his horn was eased out of the hole and he lit it up to make sure it wasn’t damaged. “I wish I was a pegasus sometimes. Or a Vamphirine. Those are cool.”

Daring pouted, “So I’m not cool, eh?”

Erk! No, bad Daring! Using The Cute was not fair.

“Yes Daring, you are the coolest pony I know,” Flare smiled and pet her head. “At least… twenty percent cooler than other ponies.”

Daring chuckled and nuzzled him, “Good answer.”

Flare breathed a sigh of relief, he seemed to have a knack for getting out of those ‘Stallion dooming’ questions. He completely blamed it on dumb luck.

“So, you’re quite done teasing me now?” he asked.

Daring tapped her chin, “Nope.” She beamed up at him.

Of course. The stallion sighed and floated over the oreos, munching on them slowly. This was going to be a looooong trip.

“So,” Daring stopped and leaned back against the wall. “What do you want to do to pass the time?”

“Well, I don’t think you packed any boardgames in those bags,” Flare replied back as he drank from a flask of water. “What do you have in mind? You’re the seasoned explorer here. What do you normally do?”

“Now that’s a question,” Daring smiled as she nestled herself against him. “We could read some stuff together.”

“Huh… that sounds, surprisingly normal,” Flare said aloud and nodded. “Sure, we can do that. Oh, just not your latest book, Velvet and I are still reading that and I don’t want spoilers.”

Daring chuckled and licked his cheek, “It’s not the latest, but it has some juicy bits you can’t find in the official release.”

Flare blinked and turned his head. “Yearling… did you just lick me?”

Daring tilted her head, “Do you want me to stop?” She licked his cheek again.

“Scratch that, you’re worse than Velvet,” the stallion chuckled, booping her nose with his hoof and taking great delight in the way it scrunched up like that.

Daring snorted and pulled away from his hoof, “Oh haha, very funny.”

“I think it is,” he smiled. “The way your fangs poke out like that is pretty adorable too~”

“Really?” Daring smirked. “Do you want me to use them now or later or are they just for show~”

“Aaaand she’s back,” Flare mused then leaned over, nibbling the tip of her ear. “Aren’t we supposed to be reading?”

“This just makes it all the more fun~” Daring purred as she wrapped her wing around him and pulled him in closer.

“Only you…” Flare sighed and chuckled. “Hm, want to know something interesting?”

Daring quirked an eyebrow, “What?”

Flare was already determined to commit her reaction to memory. “Velvet and I, we had a long discussion regarding you recently.”

“All good, I hope.” Daring chuckled.

“Mostly,” he teased her back. “In all seriousness. I love Twilight Velvet and… well I’d like to marry her someday maybe. And well, then you came along…”

Daring frowned, “And where are you going with this?”

“As I said, we had a long talk. Twi told me about how she met you, and all those times you’ve spent together…” He paused, but decided to push on. “She also told me about your husband…”

Daring’s ears fell, “Oh…” Was all she said as she looked downwards. “Well you were going to hear about him eventually.”

“I’m sorry she told me, but I insisted,” Flare replied. “I wanted to know more about you. I needed to know more so I could make a decision, one free of any doubt.”

“Okay, you’re leading up to something.” Daring poked his chest. “Spit it out.”

“I’m telling a story, stop trying to skip to the end,” he teased the author back. “Now look. As I said, I love Velvet, and you. You’re fun. Velvet is… alluring, attractive, kind… And you, you’re adventurous, cute and bring a little spice to our lives.” he exhaled and nuzzled the top of her head, taking in the scent of her mane. “So, even though I’m in love with Velvet, the both of us agreed that… Well, that you’re more than welcome in our lives. No matter how or when.”

Daring’s eyes widened, “So you mean…”

Flare smiled as his lips lightly grazed hers, relishing the cute squeak she made. “I guess what I’m trying to say is that we love you too. Okay?”

Daring Do had a heavy blush on her face as she rubbed her mane, “Well… same here. Could have gotten to that sooner though.”

“But then I might not get to see the cutest Darling Do expression I’ve seen so far~” Flare smiled and winked at her.

“Oh shush,” Daring kissed his cheek and chuckled. “You’re lucky no one can hear us.”

“Oh, and why’s that?” Flare asked with a bemused expression.

“Or I’d smack you for calling me ‘Darling’,” Daring lightly smacked his chest before nuzzling underneath his muzzle.

“Is that so?” Flare chuckled. “Somepony has a spanking fetish eh?”

“Maybe~” Daring stuck out her tongue. “You can’t exactly say for sure whether I have one or not.”

“Is. That. So~?” Flare mused and turned around and with a single, flourished motion, pinned the mare under him. “How about I find out for myself then~?”

Daring put a hoof over her forehead, “Oh woe is me. How could I have not seen this coming?” She mock gasped.

Flare’s ear twitched as an idea came to mind. He let out what must have been the most cliche villain laugh the pegasus had heard. “Mwahahaha! I finally have you now Daring Do! And I shall punish you for stealing my treasure… thoroughly~” One of his hooves hovered just above her Cutie Mark.

“You nasty, evil stallion.” Daring had to stop herself from laughing. “I stole nothing. The treasure of Saint Velvy is rightfully mine to plunder.”

“Then, perhaps I shall teach you some manners, little sneak thief,” he mused and brought his hoof down, slapping her rump right on her compass rose mark.

Daring gasped with a light blush, “You cur.”

“You know it~” the stallion grinned…

Flare groaned and hung his head. “I take back what I said. You’re worse than Velvet…”

Daring laughed, burying her face in his chest. “Oh it comes from all the travels. You wouldn’t believe what I pick up along the way.”

“And yet you’re books are rated for foals, just how much do you leave out of them?” Flare pondered. “Actually, Vel’s your editor right? I’m beginning to wonder how two perverts like you even got a foal-friendly book in the first place.”

Daring scrunched up her muzzle as she blushed slightly, “Yeah, we try to keep the books for everyone and, you know, not try and give exact locations for dangerous artifacts. With the sex and all the violence, yeah, they’d be mature and I’d lose out on some age markets.”

“Well I like them,” Flare nodded. “Honestly, this world is a violent and dangerous place. Chaos cultists, necromancers, Nightmare Moon… A fun, campy adventure like the one you describe. It’s a nice reprieve.”

“Yeah, I do wish it was like fiction sometimes.” She sighed and laid on top of him. “You make a comfy bed, you know.”

“So I’ve been told,” Flare chuckled and adjusted his Fire magic, warming his coat and body temperature to the level of a warm bath.

Daring Do cooed like a lovely bird, “Oooh, toasty~” She lightly fanned them both with her wings.

“Thought you might like it,” he chuckled as he wrapped his hooves around her. “Such a pretty little pegasus~”

“Awww, I’m glad you think so.” Daring giggled and nuzzled him. “You’re pretty sexy too.”

“Well, guess I have to be to land a gorgeous pair of mares like you and Velvet,” Flare mused and then chuckled. “Maybe that can be my villain shtick. Kidnapping all the sexy single moms of Equestria.”

“Ohohoho,” Daring cackled. “Such a heinous crime. You are truly despicable.”

“I am aren’t I?” Flare mused and licked his lips. “Hmm, my own sexy harem. Oh hey, isn’t Princess Celestia a single mom~?”

Daring’s eyes widened, “You truly are aiming for the big game, aren’t you?”

Flare laughed at her expression. “Nah, you and Velvet are all I need. I think I’d die if I had to contend with a third mare, especially a Goddess… that said, don’t tell anyone, but I had a massive crush on Celestia when I was a colt. It’s kinda one of the reasons I joined the Guard.”

“I think every colt fancies Celestia at one point,” Daring said.

“I mean, what’s not to like?” Flare continued. “Those large, purple eyes. That soft, white fur that looks pink in the right light… and that flank--” He suddenly put a hoof to his mouth and shut right the hay up.

Daring moved slightly forward. The mare traced her fangs lightly along his neck, “Awww, it’s adorable~”

“Oh shut up,” Flare grumbled and pouted.

Daring giggled, “I hope my flank can suffice for this little venture.”

“Hmm~” Flare rubbed said flank with a hoof. He noted the red marks and frowned slightly. “I uh, seem to have gotten carried away earlier. You okay? I didn’t hurt you did I?”

“Do you really think a mare like me can’t take a little spanking?” Daring quirked an eyebrow. “I’ve been shot, stabbed, and had several of my bones broken. That was nothing.”

“Ah… well…’ Now Flare felt silly for worrying. “Sorry…”

Daring d’awwed and kissed him, “You are just the cutest~”

The train came to a stop, as a pair of ponies discreetly exited the storage car they were in. Though both looked like walking was taking a great deal of effort.

“Good Celestia, I think my everything is sore,” Flare winced. “Seriously, doing it seven times before a journey was not the greatest of ideas.”

Daring laughed, “Oh you big baby. Maybe one time we’ll go further. I’m aiming to break me and Velvy’s score of twenty one.”

”T-Twenty… one…” Flare’s face paled, his cream furn turning a ghastly white. “Sweet Celestia… I’m gonna die…”

“Big baby,” Daring nuzzled his cheek. “Now are you going to cry during all of this?”

“Depends,” Flare suddenly smirked and bumped her flank. “You’ve been crying my name for the last two hours~”

Daring lightly slapped the back of his head with a wing, “Don’t be smart with me, young stallion.”

“Yes Ma’am,” Flare rolled his eyes. “Okay, so let’s find this temple eh? I’m a little curious to see it for myself.”

Daring nodded, “Hopefully everything goes well, but if it doesn’t…” She pulled out a pistol from her back before putting it back. “And this baby….” She patted her sword. “I think we’ll do fine.”

“Huh? Didn’t expect you to be good with weapons,” Flare replied, now wishing he’d brought his own armour and weapons. “Guess I’ll make do with my magic and bare hooves.”

“You have to be if you want to survive in the wild,” Daring quipped. “Of course, you have your horn. That big guy can do a lot of damage if you use it right.”

“If I’ve got fire I can absorb,” Flare noted. “Aside from that, my spell list isn’t spectacular. Certainly not as diverse of say… Princess Shimmer. I can’t teleport, but I can levitate, use a few different fire and light spells. And I have basic healing.”

“That’s good to hear,” Daring trotted on. “This should be fun then.”

“Why do I get the feeling it isn’t going to be?” Flare sighed as he followed her.

The trek to the temple was through a forest, but that proved to be rather uneventful. The forest was a rather peaceful place. Filled with bamboo, cherry blossoms and chirping birds. The leisurely stroll was rather relaxing.

“Kind of a long way, just to take me on a date isn’t it?” Flare joked.

Daring rolled her eyes, “If this was just a date, we wouldn’t have left the train.”

“Some date, screwing each other senseless in a train car.” Flare replied as she pushed past a thicket of bamboo. “You need to read more romance novels Darling.”

Daring blushed, “I haven’t been on the dating scene in years, Flare. I’m really rusty at this.”

“Well you do leak a lot,” he laughed, before a pushed tree branch whapped him in the face.

“That’s what you get for saying things like that,” Daring snorted. “So shush.”

“Yeah yeah,” Flare groaned, rubbing his nose. “Stupid tree…”

But on the other side of the thicket lay the temple they were searching for. It lay on an island in the middle of a grand lake. The water was so still, it looked like polished glass, covered with a light mist. The Grand Ise Temple was one of the most prominent of Lady Amaterasu’s temples on Equus, save for the massive shrine dedicated to her in Foxan.

And even from here, Daring could feel the powerful barrier that surrounded the place. Her smile started to spread ever wider, “Ohohoho, yes! Oh imagine what we’re about to learn, Flare. Imagine it and I’ll be the first one in what could be thousands of years to know it all.” She squeed and pranced in place.

Okay, now that? That was just freaking adorable. Flare chuckled lightly as he got closer to the barrier, his horn lighting up of it’s own accord. This sometimes happened if Celestia was using a lot of magic close to his as well. He’d often wondered what would happen if he absorbed some of her flames. He’d had some nightmares of that he’d do that and explode.

“So uh, what am I supposed to do exactly?” he asked the explorer.

Daring Do squinted as she peered over at the temple. “I’d wager that we’ll have to feed your fire into something like an open slot. Perhaps a little funnel.”

“Hmm...” Flare stared at the barrier and placed a hoof against it. It felt like glass, cool to the touch and resonating with a great power.

*Only the Flames of Life may enter*

He recoiled and shook his head. A glance at Daring showed that he must have been the only one that heard that. “Daring?” he asked. “What are the Flames of Life?”

“Oh probably refers to soul flames,” Daring spoke. “Some cultures back before the unification of the tribes believed that Blood Elementals were able to extend their souls outside of their physical bodies. Fire Blood Elementals particularly were thought to be demigods on earth that were supposed to cleanse the earth and bring about new life.”

“Extend the soul?” Flare blinked. How did he do that? “Well, there’s one trick I know, but it freaks lot of ponies out.” He moved up next to her and held her hoof. “I think I’ve figured it out. But you have to do three things okay?”

“And they are?” Daring quirked an eyebrow.

“One, you need to trust me,” Flare said, being oddly serious. “Two, do not let go of my hoof, even for a second. And three. Don’t freak out. Stay calm okay?”

Daring stared at him for a moment before she lent out her hoof, “I trust you.”

“Good, cause I’m about to set you on fire,” Flare nodded.

“....Say what?” Daring deadpanned.

Flare nodded, before flames consumed them both. And for a split second, Daring expected to be writing about as the flames burned her… wait… what?

She, couldn’t feel them?

Well, she was a little warmer, like, when she spent time in a stifling jungle. It was uncomfortable, but that was about it. “Whoa.” Was all she could say at this state of events.

“I honestly don’t know how this works,” Flare said. “But as long as I’m touching a pony, I can somehow, extend my immunity to fire to them… or a while.” he took a step forward with her and up to the barrier. Pausing for a second, he then stepped through it, taking Daring with him. It was like, stepping through jello or something.

Don’t ask how she knew what that was like, that was a weird trap.

And once they were through, he reabsorbed his flames and released her, the cool wind rushing in and ruffling her feathers.

Daring couldn’t help but fluff up her wings which just made her seem floofy. “Well that’s certainly an experience and a half.” She smiled.

“So I get told,” Flare chuckled and checked her for burns. “The last time I did that, the idiot stallion let go and lost most of his fur and mane. Left him bald for a month.” Once he was satisfied she was unharmed, he nodded and nuzzled her cheek. “So, she we see this temple then?”

Daring smiled up at him, “Let’s.” She kissed his cheek before trotting forward.

They reached the front doors, after passing a series of red, wooden archways that Daring explained were called Spirit Gates. And that one could use them to cross over into the spirit realm, where all manner of spirits and fae resided.

The doors were enormous, that a Tyrannosaurs could walk through them unhindered. And the inside was even more impressive. Large wooden pillars held up the ceiling as various tapestries dedicated to the patron Goddess of the Sun and Life decorated the walls. Vases and other small ornaments decorated the room as well, and a massive golden statue of the goddess herself sat at the very back, housed within a shrine.

Daring gave an appreciative whistle, “Ooooh… nice. This is… I can’t even begin to describe it.” Her wings started to flutter with excitement. “Do you know what this means for the world of archaeology?!!”

I have a feeling that you’d tell me, even if I did,” Flare chuckled, taking delight in her excitement. She was like a little filly on Hearth’s Warming morning.

“This is a treasure trove of information,” Daring squeed. “During Discord’s reign, so much information and data was lost, even to the gods themselves. This… could solve so many mysteries and that statue! And those vases and that… and that….” She kept pointing at everything, sometimes disparaging some information about them.

Flare took it all in stride, some of the things she said was actually quite interesting. Though, he may have thought so simply because it was her telling him.

“You know, I met Lady Amaterasu once,” he said when she gestured to the statue.

Daring grabbed his face in her hooves and nearly smashed it against hers, “Tell me everything.”

“Uhh,” Flare’s eyes widened “Like what?” Now Daring was freaking him out a little.

“About her, Lady Amaterasu.” Daring’s eyes widened. “Oooooh, we could tell her about this find. She could help sort some of the details about this place.”

“I wouldn’t have the first clue as to how to contact her,” Flare shrugged. “And really, it was like a five minute meeting. It was after I’d really discovered my Fire Blood magic and… well I injured myself pretty badly. Lady Amaterasu was the one that saved my life. So now I offer her a prayer when I go into battle, as thanks for that day.”

Daring smiled, “Well if I ever meet her, I’ll thank her for saving you.”

Flare nodded as his mind wandered to a very old memory.

Smoke filled the modest two-storey home. A young colt wandered the halls, seemingly unfazed by the flames that roared around him.

“Mommy? Daddy? Where are you?” he called out, his little voice near drowned out by the crackling flames and wood. “What’s happening? Where are you?”

The house shuddered, the flames having moved to the foundations. With one last called, the house collapsed and the colt’s world went black…

***

“He has no burns? How is that possible?”

“I’m unsure. He has some lacerations and fractures, most likely from the house collapsing on him. His parents… they were, not so lucky.”

“Poor thing, to be orphaned at such a young age. He has no other relatives?”

“He had a uncle that died on the frontlines in the Griffon War, but that was all. No grandparents or godparents to rely on…”

“…”

“I know that look on your face… you’re planning something aren’t you?”

“I have… an old friend. She had a filly a few months back, but she’s a widower. I think a young colt around the house might do her some good. Make her less of a grump.”

“Well, somepony’s going to have to break the news to him-- Wait, who are you!?”

***

Young Flare turned away from the talking in the other room. Somepony was standing beside his bed. A tall, white wolf with red markings. It had a jade disc hovering over it’s back with flames swirling around it. Those flames made the young colt start to shake.

“You are scared of the fire?” the wolf asked, her voice calm and motherly. “Yes, I suppose you might be, considering what has happened.”

“W-Where’s… Mommy… and Daddy?” he asked, his shaking getting worse.

“They are happy,” the wolf smiled and placed a paw on him, his shaking stopping. “Do not worry, I am guiding them, and you will see them again someday. Just… not for a long time okay?”

“Why?” he asked, staring right into the wolf’s black eyes.

“It might be complicated to explain. But someone will eventually,” she nodded. “You have a great gift Little One. It is why you mustn’t be afraid of the flames. They will be your greatest strength…”

“I hate the fire… It takes things away…” he mumbled, before he found himself in a field. He had no idea where the cold hospital room went, but this flowery field seemed to stretch on forever. The wolf sat beside him.

“Is that what you think?” she said to him. “Let me show you something. First, tell me what you see here.”

“A… field of flowers,” Flare said as he looked around. “It’s pretty…”

Then the field was engulfed in flames. Flare’s eyes widened in horror as the beautiful field was reduced to a blackened and ash-covered ruin.

“And now?” the wolf asked him, seemingly unfazed by the destruction.

“It’s all gone… the fire took it…” he said quietly. Tears falling from his eyes.

“Yes, it is…” the wolf explained before leaning down and brushing some ash aside, revealing a single, stunningly green bud. The green swept the field, blowing away the ash and showing a sight even more beautiful than before. “Fire can take away, but fire also gives new life, new strength. Fields burn, but they will grow back stronger than before. Take the mighty phoenix. It must first burst to flame, before it is reborn more beautiful than ever.”

The now-flowery field vanished and the colt found himself back in his hospital bed.

“And the flames will be the same for you,” the wise wolf smiled. “Yes, they have taken much. But you will grow stronger for it. How you use this strength all lies with you. But you have a just and kind heart. Be strong Little One.”

“Who… are you?” Flare asked her.

“I am Amaterasu,” the wolf replied and nuzzled him. “I have to go, but you will be alright. Take care~” And with a flash of golden light, the wolf vanished, just as the two ponies talking outside walked in…

***

Flare wasn’t sure how long he’d zoned out like that, just staring at Amaterasu’s statue. But as he looked down and saw the expression on Daring’s face…

“I’d said that outloud… didn’t I?” the stallion sighed. He had a real penchant for talking to himself.

Daring Do kissed his cheek and nuzzled herself against him, “I’m sorry you had to go through that. Really, I am. I can understand losing your loved ones. Still, I really have to meet this goddess and thank her one day.”

“Is that so?” a soft tone said as a human woman leaned against the pegasus from out of nowhere, her white, wolf ears twitching. “And, I wonder what else you might say to her?”

“Oh….” Daring’s eyes widened. “Speak of the god and they will appear….”

“Goddess dear,” the human booped the pegasi’s snout and chuckled. “And my dear Flare. How very nice to see you again. You’ve gotten so big now I almost didn’t recognise you.”

Flare nodded and looked at her. “So, how did you know we were here?”

“A pony without the gift of fire entered my temple, you think I wouldn’t investigate?” She looked back at Daring. “So, you’re a graverobber then?” Uh oh, she… did not look amused.

Daring gulped and nervously smiled, “I like to think of myself as an archaeologist, actually.”

“Yes, they all do,” the goddess said. “And then, you used my poor Flare as a tool to get in.” She narrowed her eyes. “Have you ever heard of the pegasus, Icarus? Who thought he could fly to the sun?” Was it getting warmer in here?

“Ummmm…..” Daring started to sweat. “He fell?”

“Dear… don’t lie to a goddess,” Amaterasu said, taking the form of a massive, white and red alicorn. “You’d best state your intentions towards my little Flare…”

“Well,” Daring rubbed the back of her head. “He was dating my best friend, so I decided to check him out and one thing led to another….”

Amaterasu leaned closer. “One more chance dear…”

“Lady Amaterasu,” Flare facehooved. “Please?”

“Aww, but I never get to do the ‘Angry Mommy’ thing,” the alicorn pouted, the room returning to normal temperatures. “And Tia never gets any dates, so I need to get my kicks somewhere…”

“I don’t have any bad intentions for Flare,” Daring stated. “I’d never hurt him.”

“And I believe you, Miss Daring Do,” the alicorn winked at her. “I’m more surprised that Flare got such a pretty pegasus…”

“Dang it Lady Amaterasu,” Flare groaned.

“While I’m here,” the goddess giggled. “Anything you’d like to ask? Professor Do?”

Daring’s eyes lit up, “Anything?”

“Aaaand she’s triggered,” Flare sighed and turned around. “I’ll uh… be over here…” he saw the two erupting into a Q and A session. “And they’re not listening…”

An hour or two later, Amaterasu had to leave, goddess duties and whatnot. But Daring had learned a ton in the meantime.

Flare was outside, asleep under the shade of a cherry blossom, some pink petals coating his back as it rose and fell with each breath.

Daring trotted out and cooed as she looked down at the stallion. One could say it was a sound similar to a dove and a cat. “Awww, he’s so cute~ Oh it’s like everything he does is adorable.” She lightly nuzzled him as to not wake him up.

All he did was snort and continue snoring lightly.

Daring Do bit her lip as she trailed her eyes downward, “Hmmm… should I wake him up like that? No, Daring. That’s naughty… Yeah, totes doing it.” She grinned and kissed his chest, trailing it downwards as she kept his eyes on him.

After a relaxing bath, the pair spent the night at the temple, neither in any rush to part each others company anytime soon. Flare shared a little more of his past, about how his adoptive mother was the one that inspired him to join the Guard. And that he also had an adorable little sister. One he hadn’t heard from since she moved to Ponyville to study under some famous dressmaker.

“So let me get this straight,” Daring held up a hoof. “You’re Upper Crust’s son?!!”

“Mhm,” Flare nodded. “She taught me everything she knows… well except Galli riding, never could get the hang of that.” Flare chuckled, remembering the many failed attempts at that.

“I… but she’s so strict.” Daring piped up. “She’s basically the embodiment of ‘no fun’. How are you just so… you?”

Flare just shrugged. “I dunno. I just am?”

Daring sighed, “Well… I just can’t believe both her kids are just so different. She always seemed like the type to rule with an iron hoof on and off the battlefield.”

“She does,” Flare nodded and smiled. “But, she was also the mother that would tuck us in at night. Buy us gifts and take us out after she got back from Long Patrol. As far as Mom’s go, she is pretty awesome.”

Daring smirked, “Is that so? I’d love to see that.”

“She’d probably kill you after, to preserve her reputation,” Flare said quite seriously.

Daring nodded, “Oh that sounds like her. I hated getting saddled with her during some scouting missions when we were younger.”

“Oh, you used to be military?” Flare asked, cuddling her close and warming her with his body heat.

“Nah,” Daring shook her head. “Sometimes the crown needed agents outside of the military to scout new areas and such. I usually worked on the griffon border, but got stationed on the human islands way back with her when the Roman Empire thought they’d take them back. They were tenacious but so was Upper. I haven’t seen her in a long while. She was a pony you’d want defending you when the chips were down.”

“Yeah, Mom’s just about the coolest pony I know,” Flare nodded. “So, how about you? Any family besides your kids?”

“I have a sister and a couple nieces,” Daring stated. “They live in Ponyville.”

“A sister?” Flare asked and tilted his head. “What’s her name?”

“Ditzy Doo,” Daring responded. “She’s the local mailmare, if I recall. I’ve been meaning to stop by for some time, but eh. I’ll go after we get to to Canterlot.”

“Oh neat,” Flare nodded and nuzzled her mane. “Well, let’s get some sleep. We have a train ride and a unicorn mare to survive tomorrow.”

Daring yawned, “You just read my mind.” She leaned against his shoulder. “I’m surprised. Usually some villain comes to jump me whenever I get into a temple.”

“Oh, disappointed are we?” Flare chuckled as he ran a hoof over her mane. “Only a Fireblood can get in here right? I doubt Cab or Ahui-whathisname could even get in here.”

“Colonel Bolek might just have thrown enough griffons to burn his way through,” Daring yawned again and snuggled his side. “That griffon is really determined. I don’t know how many times I’ve ‘killed’ him.”

“Sounds like a pain,” Flare said. “Don’t worry, I’ll protect you. No matter what.”

Daring ‘awww’d’, “You’re so sweet. I love that about you.”

“I will never tire of hearing that word,” Flare hummed as his eyes closed.

Daring giggled, “I love that about you~”

Flare chuckled and kissed her lightly on the lips. Time to sleep, tomorrow was going to be a busy day.

The next morning, Daring took a few more notes of the temple before the pair decided to head out. They had no idea when a train left, so best to get back to the village as early as possible.

But they only got as far as the forest before Flare and the pegasus mare stared at a group of Griffons waiting for them in ambush.

“I can only assume these friends are some of yours?” The stallion asked his marefriend dryly.

One of the griffons walked forward. He was wearing an officer’s uniform and stood a bit taller than the rest. “Ah,” his polish accent flavored his words. “Daring Do. So wonderful to see you here.”

“Colonel Bolek,” Daring snarled. “What are you doing here? This is Equestrian territory.”

“That’s right, dab center of our beloved border,” Bolek snorted. “You may be able to keep an army out all at once, but not a trickle. Now,” he pulled out a pistol. “Come quietly and no one will be hurt.”

Flare narrowed his eyes. “Put down the weapon,” he said calmly. “And don’t threaten Daring. I am a Royal Guard under Princess Celestia and I will mete out punishment if need be.”

“And start a war?” Bolek grinned. “What do you think killing an officer of a neighboring country will accomplish? Tut, tut, tut. Do be a good soldier and march away.”

“And leave Daring here with you? Not a chance in Tartarus,” Flare snorted. “I’ll be taking her with me, unharmed. And your men will be the ones to march away… while they still can.”

The griffon musketeers readied their muskets while others held out spears and swords/shields. Bolek chuckled, “Oh just try to fulfill this proclamation, pony. I will give you ten seconds to change your mind.”

Flare’s horn shone as he cast his first spell… igniting the powder inside the guns they held… Griffon gunmanship was shoddy overall. It wasn’t as elegant as Equestrian models since griffons cared more for quantity rather than quality. So the guns literally blew up in their hands, blasting them with heated pieces of metal. Several griffons fell to the ground, either dead or injured. The other griffons scrambled away at the explosions. Daring pushed Flare to the side as a couple of crossbows whizzed past.

The unicorn activated a dome-like shield to deflect the second volley of shots. Before returning fire… literally. His cheeks puffed out before he breathed a stream of flame in their direction. He would not let them hurt Daring! He erected another shield to block the return fire.

“I was taught by Shining Armor himself,” he warned the griffons. “I can literally keep this up all day. Now be good little birds and flock off.”

The birds went silent before there was a sizzling sound. Then, one of the griffons jumped out of a bush carrying a large tube with an explosive sizzling inside. The mini-rocket flared and shot out. Impacting on the shield, the rocket itself disrupted the magical shield. The dome cracked as Flare’s mind raced to come with a solution.

“Daring… fly away,” he said as he suddenly dropped the shield and flung her into the air, creating a thermal updraft with his magic, she ascended several dozen feet in seconds.

“The station’s not far from here,” Daring called down. “I’ll bring some back up. Just don’t die on me!” With that, she flew off.

Flare smiled, glad that she was safe now…

“Hey,” he said to the Griffon general. “One. Why are you after my Daring?”

“She’s a menace to my country,” the colonel called out. “It is my duty to apprehend and/or kill her myself. You would not understand, pony.” He sneered the word like it was a disease.

“I see,” Flare nodded as his horn started to glow. “You know, I have a problem with that. Because I happen to love her. And I will protect her at all costs…” The temperature of the area started to rise as small plants close to Flare burst into flame. “And two… did you know a unicorn can overcharge their magic?”

“I am aware of your kinds abilities, yes.” Bolek called out. “Which is why I will be proud hold your head to my superiors on the morrow.”

“She's flying at top speed… three… two… one… Now she's outside the estimated area of effect.” Flare sighed as his mane and tail erupted into flames. “Sorry Mom… gonna do what you told me not to…”

As Daring flew, a sudden and enormous blast of heat erupted from behind her. A gout of flame over a hundred feet high incinerated the jungle where she’d left Flare the the general… “Wow, didn’t know he had it in him. Still, just in case.” With that, she kept flying to the station.

By the time she got back, thick smoke choked the air as a good portion of the forest still burned. The griffons were nowhere to be seen, but a few smouldering lumps of carbon were a good indication as to what happened to them.

And in the center of the devastation, Flare Blitz lay, covered in dozens of burns, bruises and lacerations.

“Flare!” Daring rushed over to him and picked him up from the ground. He was hot to the touch but she didn’t care at that moment. “Medic, get over here!” Two medical ponies raced over and took him out of her arms, checking him over.

“He’s stable,” one of them commented. “We’ll need to get himself somewhere to help boost his magical levels, but he should make it.” He nodded over to some of the soldiers, who gently picked up Flare onto their backs before they made to move.

Daring nuzzled Flare’s face, “You big idiot. Why… why’d you do that?” She was going to slap him later for hurting himself.

Flare groaned, something was rocking him as he opened one eye to a familiar scene.

“What is it…” he rasped at the mare reading next him. “About waking up on a train with you? Is this gonna be a thing?”

Daring’s eyes widened, “You’re alive.” She then slapped him. “You idiot!”

Flare gingerly held his cheek. “...ow. That hurt you know…”

Daring hugged him, “You didn’t have to blow yourself up.” She passed him a flask of water, which he took small sips from to wet his throat.

“Well…” he coughed. “If you want to get technical. I ignited the atmosphere and…” he paused when he saw the look on her face. “Right. It was dumb. I'm sorry…”

Daring sighed and shook her head, “Just don’t do it unless you really have to next time… I mean, just…. Ugh.” She buried her face in his neck. “I’m just glad you’re okay.”

“And I'm glad you're okay,” he smiled and nuzzled her. Ahh, his everything hurt. “I promised I'd protect you.”

Daring chuckled, “But can you protect me from Velvet when she finds out what happened?”

“Sorry love, you're on your own there,” Flare chuckled.

‘Attention passengers. Due to an unforeseen tremor. Parts of the track have been damaged and we will need to alter our route. We will be heading for a changeover at Ponyville.

I repeat. Due to…’

Flare blinked and smiled sheepishly. “Ehehe, oops?”

“Well…. I did want to see my sister again,” Daring deadpanned.

“Well at least it's a sleepy little village,” Flare pointed out. Perfect place to rest after an adventure like this.” The train rattled slightly as they changed tracks, working their way down the mountain towards Ponyville. “And we get to see our sisters. So this should actually be quite fun.”

The unicorn leaned his head down, placing it over Daring’s neck. “I’m glad you decided to stick around. I can’t promise that I won’t do something stupid again in the future, so I’ll need to to slap me when I do okay?”

Daring smirked, “That’s if Velvet leaves me in one piece.”

“In one piece… I’d say so,” Flare nodded. “That said, don’t expect to be leaving the house anytime soon…”

Daring purred/cooed at that, “Ah, so she wants to punish me personally then~”

“You have no idea,” Flare sighed and closed his eyes. “All the mares in my life are crazy…”

Daring harrumphed and pulled away, “Oh is that how it is…”

“You’re all nuts and you know it,” Flare smirked back, eyes still closed. “Don’t even try to deny it Mrs. ‘I must know everything about everything’.”

Daring snorted, crossed her arms, and pouted. “Shut up.”

“Flare, one. Featherhead, zero,” the stallion smiled again.

“Keep that up and you won’t get any for a week,” Daring quipped.

“I still have Velvet,” the stallion shot back.

Daring glared at him, “You’re evil.”

“No, I just love you enough to tease you,” he nickered and brushed his tail against her flank. “Now let’s get some sleep. We have a long ride ahead of us.”

Daring nodded, “You’re right. It is a long trip.” She smiled up at him. “Well at least it’ll be interesting.”

“Please, it’s a tiny little village,” Flare replied as he pulled her closer to snuggle with. “What could possibly happen?”

Fire and Flames redux

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Flare slowly opened one eye, staring at the sleepy village approaching from the train window. Ever since their return from the Grand Ise Temple, the train Daring and he took needed to be rerouted. A rockslide had damaged the track so the needed to take the long way around. Normally not a problem for the pegasus explorer, but Flare lacked the appendages to keep up.

So slow train it was.

But it also worked out into the unicorn’s favour. His little sister was living in Ponyville and the train was destined to stop here overnight. His mother would kick his ass if he didn’t visit her, so off to see the little mare it was. And Daring’s sister lived here to, so it would be a fun little family reunion.

Plus Daring had kept bugging him over who she was, but Flare was keeping quiet. Daring was quite cute when there was something she wanted to know and Flare had found that his favourite thing about the pegasus was her various facial expressions.

“No mean no,” he said with a nod after he’d fully woken up. “You’ll just have to wait and see. But fair warning, she’s very timid, so don’t be…” he waved a hoof in her general direction.

“Timid?” Daring quirked an eyebrow. “Your sister? Upper’s daughter? Now this I’ve got to see.”

Ah crapbaskets. Daring was going to give poor Coco a heart attack…

The train let out a sharp whistle to signal that they were arriving at the station. Flare groaned and stretched his limbs, still sore from the fight against Bolek. Part of him really hoped that was the last they’d see of him.

Well, the unicorn did vaporise a good portion of the forest. So who knows…

“Oh, will you need your ‘Yearling’ disguise?” Flare asked as he helped the mare to her hooves.

Daring nodded, “I’ll put it on before we exit.” She trotted over to her bags and
started to pull out her disguise and put it on.

“You’re like a comic book superhero,” the stallion snorted. “Ah well. You look sexy with glasses by the way.”

Daring glared at him, “I do not. These things are tacky.”

“Mmmrrr, well I beg to differ,” he chuckled and nibbled her ear. “I think you look smart, and sexy, and oh so delicious~” Each word punctuated by another kiss or nibble along her neck and shoulder.

Daring giggled, “Stop it. We’re at our stop. It’s like you never want to leave this train.” She fluttered her eyelashes.

“I have a certain fondness for trains now,” the stallion mused as he released his hug and sighed. “But alas, you are right. Let’s get going then. We have a pair of sisters to find and harass for the day.”

Daring nuzzled him, “You’re very much right on both accounts. Besides, I’m sure you’ve had enough of lil’ ol’ me.”

“I will never be tired of you,” he replied back and pressed his lips to hers, stealing her breath away with a loving kiss before breaking it and trotting from the train.

Daring smacked her lips, “Nor I you.” She trotted after him.

Ponyville seemed about as lively as Flare imagined it to be. Lots of old-timey cottages with a spattering of more modern architecture… except for a few places. A giant gingerbread house. A place built inside a tree… a giant metal box.

“Did Discord himself design this place?” Flare asked aloud. “I know Twilight came here about a week back with Inquisitor Trixie. I wonder if she had a hoof in this?”

“Nah,” Daring shook his head. “Ponyville’s always been like this. At least, that’s what my sister said in her letters.”

“Ponyville is weird,” the stallion muttered. A shout got his attention as he saw an Earth Pony mare walking towards him, dressed in the garb of one of Princess Celestia’s priestesses.

“YOU!” she pointed her staff at him. “So you finally came back? Good! I can smite you at long last!”

“Whoa,” Daring got in between them. “There will be no smiting today.”

“Get out of the way,” Bon Bon said and thumped her staff against the ground. “He has committed treason against the Princess, showing off heretical powers that should only be wielded by the divine might of Celestia herself! I will see to it that—”

“Um, who are you?” Flare interjected, derailing her train of ranting. “I’ve never been here before. And those are some pretty serious accusations Miss.”

“Priestess Bon Bon!” she snorted. “And you, you did something to the sun!”

“I’m a Fireblood Mage,” Flare retorted. “And I can’t control the sun. That’s stupid. Only Princess Celestia can do that.”

“Well in this day and age, yes.” Daring nodded. “She’s got top priority when it comes to sun gods, which is why nopony would be stupid enough to pry it from her hooves. This sounds like utter nonsense, priestess.”

“And who in the hay are you?” She snorted, aiming her staff at Daring. “Do you dare defend this heretic!?”

“I’m A. K. Yearling,” Daring narrowed her eyes. “Esteemed writer. Just last year, I signed Princess Celestia’s own copy of my latest book. If you want to check, ask her.”

“A-A-A…” Bon Bon’s mouth moved, but only stuttering seemed to be coming out.

“And I am Flare Blitz, Lieutenant of Princess Celestia’s Battlemage Corps. Second Hoof to Captain Shining Armor himself.” He leaned closer to Bon Bon and narrowed his eyes. “I think you have mistaken me for somepony else Miss Priestess.”

“Year- A...K… Yearling…” Bon Bon still fixated on that and Flare shook his head.

“Five minutes and we broke a Priestess. That has got to be some kind of record.”

Daring sighed, “Oh this won’t end well.”

At the very moment she uttered those words, Daring was tackled by somepony. The two ponies rolled on the ground until she found herself on the ground. “What did you do to Bon Bon?” The green unicorn mare asked.

“I didn’t—”

The green pony slapped her, “What did you do to her?”

“I didn’t—”

Slap. “What did you do?”

“Stop slap—”

Slap.

“If you would—”

Slap.

“For Celestia’s—”

Slap.

“Okay, slap me.”

……….

“Okay th—”

Slap.

“OH COME ON!”

Flare watched the show, not quite knowing how to react at first.

“Hey,” he suddenly spoke up. “She prefers to be spanked on the flank…”

“Don’t give her ideas!” Daring shouted.

The green mare jumped to her hooves and took a bipedal posture. Around her hooves glowed two golden hands that balled into fists, “Okay bub, you have ten seconds before I pummel you into the ground. What did you do to Bon Bon?”

She then found herself encased in a crimson sphere, Flare’s horn shining brightly. “Okay Miss, please stop beating up my marefriend. Your Priestess—” he used that term lightly “—accused me of horseapples and then locked up when Miss Yearling here mentioned her name.”

Lyra gasped and turned around, “Yearling?” She smashed her fist into the bubble and jumped out. She then threw Daring up into the air and caught her in a big hug. She squeed and jumped around. “It’s Yearling! It’s Yearling! It’s Yearling!” She howled in delight. “....Oh, I smashed through a shield bubble… Neat.” She shrugged, surprised she did it. She just wasn’t thinking at that moment.

Flare just stood there as this mare smashed one of his strongest containment shield like it was glass. What the hay?

Daring finally managed to get Lyra to stop and trotted over to him, “Now he’s broken. Great, how many more ponies are going to break today?”

Lyra held up a fist, “Do you want me to help with that?” Daring gave her a deadpan stare. “...Is that a yes?”

“I-I’m fine… just apply Twilight-logic to her,” Flare shook his head and held out a hoof. “My name is Flare Blitz. It’s… interesting to meet you Miss?”

Lyra took it into her magical enhanced fist, “Lyra Heartstrings, Inquisitor Acolyte. Nice to meet you too.”

“Interesting spell,” Flare noted. “Hardlight construction? Or some kind of visible telekinesis?”

“I think it’s a hardlight one,” Lyra used a finger to scratch her head. “I honestly forgot most of the nonsense they taught us about the spell names. I just do it.”

“Instinctual Magic, mine’s the same,” Flare said as he held up a hoof, a blazing flame the shape of a dragon’s claw surrounding it.

“Oooh,” Lyra stared at it in awe. “You could cause some nasty gouges with that. Sweet. Though you’ll just burn the wound closed. I like to see the blood and stuff fly, you know.”

“Ah…” Flare powered down his magic. She was an… interesting mare. “Well, sorry about the Priestess. Oh, do you know where a Miss Coco Pommel lives?”

“In the boutique,” Lyra gestured down the road. “You honestly can’t miss it.” She powered down her fists and went back to walking on all fours. Then she trotted over and put Bon Bon over her shoulder. “See you soon.”

Flare did the same with Daring, placing the shaken up and bear-hugged pegasus over his back. “You too Miss Lyra. Good luck with your marefriend there.”

“She’s not my marefriend!” Lyra called back as she left.

“Uhuh,” Flare mused as he turned and headed in the direction that Lyra had pointed. “You okay there Dare? No broken bones?”

“A little sore, but I’ll be fine.” Daring snorted.

“Want me to kiss you better?” Flare asked her with a small smile.

Daring pouted, “A little.”

Flare smiled and turned his head to kiss her cheek. “Sorry, I wasn’t expecting a crazy unicorn to jump at you like that. Mind you, I wasn’t expecting the Celestial Inquisition either…”

“Nopony ever expects them,” Daring grumbled.

Flare chuckled in amusement as they approached yet another unique looking building. “You know, I never understood carousels,” Flare said as they approached the door. “They always creeped me out for some reason…” he raised a hoof and knocked on the door.

A little grundle opened the door, “Yes? You knock?”

“Huh, not something you see every day,” Flare mused as he leaned down to the grundle’s height. “Hello there. Is a Miss Coco Pommel here by chance?”

The grundle nodded, “Coco pony here. Grundle show, yes.” He opened the door for them.

“Why thank you,” Flare nodded his head as he adjusted Daring, still riding on his back, and stepped inside. “That… that is a lot of dresses. Coco must be in heaven here…”

Daring smiled, “I take it she’s a dressmaker.”

“Yeah, she’s always loved doing that,” the unicorn nodded as he looked around. “She’s always be repairing my meager wardrobe, or even stitching up Mom’s uniforms. She’s as good as any professional seamstress, better in my opinion, but that’s likely a biased one.”

Just then, four heavily armored Diamond Dogs walked out from inside the shop. “You’z lookin’ fer Coco?” One of them asked in broken equish.

“Diamond Dogs!?” Flare’s horn lit up on instinct.

“Tralala~” A beautiful, sing song voice chimed as a white, purple maned unicorn trotted out from upstairs. “Oh customers~ Welcome to Carousel Boutique, where everything is chic, unique and magnifique. How may I help you? Oh and do be a dear and put out that horn. I don’t want my dresses to be damaged.”

“You ah… you have four heavily armed and armoured Diamond Dogs in your store ma’am,” Flare pointed out. “Is… there a problem here. I am with the Royal Guard…”

“Oh them?” Rarity chuckled. “Oh they won’t harm you unless you do something I don’t approve of. You see, I am their Alpha. I’ve been the local Alpha of the Ponyville Diamond Dog pack for years now.”

Daring Do’s eyes widened, “Well… that’s certainly something new.”

“I’m beginning to think that’s the running theme for this town.” Flare deadpanned. “Look, Miss Rarity was it? I’m just trying to find Coco. I’ve been attacked by a Priestess, accosted by a crazy green unicorn and now I’m in a dress shop filled with Diamond Dogs and a grundle…” Flare’s sanity could only take so much…

“She’s upstairs,” Rarity looked back from where she came from. “Oh Coco~ There is a handsome stallion down here that’s looking for you. Do be a dear and put on that lovely scarf I made for you. It really does bring out your eyes.”

“Y-Yes Miss Rarity,” he heard her reply. A few moments later, the petite earth pony emerged from the stairwell, looking around until she laid eyes on the unicorn and her eyes slowly widened.

“Heya Coco-bean,” he waved as he set Daring down next to him.

“Well you weren’t kidding about her,” Daring gave her a look over. “She is really cute.”

Coco continued to stare at him, before running across the room and tackling him. Note, as tiny as Coco was, she was still an earth pony… and packed quite a bit of power if she wasn’t careful. Flare winced as he was knocked off of his hooves, but smiled as he hugged her back.

“Good to see you too… little sis,” he said softly, trying not to show how winded he was from that.

Rarity blinked in surprise before gasping, “Coco? Dearie, that’s your older brother?”

The mare sat up, helping Flare to his hooves. “Oh, yes… I, never told you did I?” She blushed as she brushed her bangs from her eyes. “Miss Rarity, this is Flare Blitz. My big brother and a Lieutenant in the Royal Guard.”

Rarity smiled as she daintily held out a hoof to him, “I’m charmed to meet the esteemed brother of Coco. She spoke highly of you.”

“She did?” Flare replied as he took Rarity’s offered hoof and placed a polite kiss upon it, making the unicorn mare blush and Coco pout a little. Flare smiled and then reached out, ruffling Coco’s mane. “Aww, I love you too kiddo.”

“Mmm, m’not a kid anymore,” Coco pouted and then her eyes fell on Daring. “Flare, who’s this?”

“A. K. Yearling,” Daring bowed her head. “Glad to meet you.”

“A. K. Yearling?” Coco repeated. “Why does that sound so familiar…?”

“Daring Do author,” Flare said and the small mare gasped.

“O-Ohmigosh! T-The author of Daring Do!?” Then another thought occured. “Oh no, if Sunset finds out you’re here…”

“Oh we won’t be staying for long,” Daring waved off her concerns. “We just wanted to meet our sisters is all.”

“Mhm,” Flare nodded. “Oh, I should also mention she’s one of my marefriends…”

“One of…” Coco frowned and stepped up to her brother. “Flaaaare. What aren’t you telling me?”

“What?” the stallion defended himself. “So I… I might have sorta, kinda… gotten two marefriends?”

Coco stared flatly at him.

Rarity giggled, “It would seem your brother is quite the charmer~”

“He’s always been like this,” Coco sighed and shook her head. “How did you get two marefriends?”

“Well I started with one,” Flare replied and nudged Daring. “Then this one came into our life… well, apparently she’s the lover of my other marefriend and they neglected to tell me. It’s complicated and I don’t fully understand it myself…”

Daring nudged him back, “Let’s just say, we got a bit of a taste that we can’t get enough of.” She chuckled.

Coco flushed a bright red and shook her head. “Eww, I do not need to hear that about my own brother…”

“Let us not devolve into crass language,” Rarity spoke up. “Anyways, was there anything I could help you with? Or shall Coco be taking an early leave to spend time with her brother?”

“Well if she’s working, I don’t want to be a bother,” Flare replied. “We’ll be staying overnight, before catching the next train to Canterlot tomorrow morning.”

“I do have a little bit of work to do,” Coco said as she looked at the pile of clothing that needed some repairs. “Would you like to have dinner later?”

“That sounds great,” Flare nodded and nuzzled her. “We have a lot to talk about, Miss Element of Kindness.”

“I’m sure you do,” Rarity gave Daring a look over. “You really need to do something about your wardrobe. It is simply far too drab for someone of your caliber.”

“But… I’m not wearing anything,” Flare commented, aside from a few bandages on some of his wounds from yesterday.

“Not you,” Rarity snooted. “You.” She took hold of Daring in her magical grasp and floated her along. “Come along, Darling. We have work to do.”

“I protest,” Daring squirmed in the air.

“So does your wardrobe,” Rarity quipped and like that they were gone. That is until all the sounds that came out. ‘Oomphs’ ‘aaahs’ ‘Too tight’. The Diamond Dogs didn’t really flinch with all that going on.

“What is it with unicorns marehandling my marefriend today?” Flare sighed and shook his head. “That’s Velvet’s job…”

“I-I’ll uh, go make sure Rarity doesn’t go… overboard,” Coco blushed and bolted from the room.

And that left the stallion alone, staring at the Diamond Dogs awkwardly. They sized each other up, before offering a small nod of understanding. Both pony and knew of the suffering of living with odd mares.

A few minutes later, Rarity emerged looking rather proud of herself. “It is done.”

Many thoughts ran through Flare Blitz’s mind. What if she’d discovered Daring’s true identity? “W-What’s done?” he finally spoke up.

Daring stepped out of the back. She was still wearing her glasses and hat, but now she had a sparkling brown dress that complimented her figure and wings. “Ugh, I don’t think this was necessary.”

“Your wardrobe would have slain someone with its unfabulousness.” Rarity scoffed.

Flare just stared with wide eyes and a dropped jaw.

“Holy Celestia…” he gasped. “You… You look beautiful Dare…”

Daring blushed a little, “Thank you.”

Rarity grinned in victory, “Another good deed done by moi. Don’t fret, it’s free of charge.”

“Wait, you sure?” Flare blinked and tried… and failed to take his eyes off of the pegasus. “Surely I owe you something—”

Rarity put a hoof over his mouth, “Don’t say another word. Enjoy it and have a nice day.”

She smelled like marshmallows~

“Well, if that’s your wish,” Flare nodded and smiled. “Thank you for your wonderful gift Miss Rarity. I’m glad Coco is learning some somepony of your skill and character.”

Rarity giggled, “Oh I can see why you have two charming ladies at your hooves, Sir Flare.”

“Rarity…” Coco said in a flat tone. “Stop flirting with my brother.”

“Oh darling,” Rarity patted Coco’s head. “Tis just a bit of fun.”

“Like Thunderlane?” the little pony quipped.

Rarity blushed, “Well… that’s different.”

“Well, we should be on our way,” Flare said and rubbed Coco’s head again. “You take care, and I’ll see you later, okay lil bean?”

“Not in front of Miss Rarity…” Coco pouted as she swiped at his hoof. “I’ll arrange dinner later. You go and meet Miss Yearling’s sister okay?”

“Got it,” Flare nodded and looked at Rarity. “Thank you again for the dress.”

“No problem,” Rarity smiled. “Just have fun with your marefriend and be a dear and tell anypony who asks that her dress came from this shop.”

“I will indeed,” Flare nodded and held the door open. “Well Mrs. Yearling, shall we?”

Daring walked out and gave him a peck on the cheek, “Thank you and we shall.”

Flare bid farewell to the mares and armoured canines, before leaving the Boutique behind.

“So, what’s your sis like?” Flare said as they headed to where Daring’s sister lives.

“Oh she’s a bit of a klutz, but she’s got a big heart.” Daring smiled. “You’ll love her.”

“Neat,” the stallion nodded as they approached a modest-looking cottage…

“Her eldest is a bit of a grump, if my sister is to be believed.” Daring spoke up. “I haven’t seen Dinky in a while, but she is a sweetheart like her mother.”

“So she has foals then?” Flare asked as they walked up the path. “She married?”

Daring shook her head, “No, her husband died.”

“Ah, sorry to hear that,” Flare said. Right, so now he knew a topic not to talk about. Deciding to lighten the mood, he spoke up just as Daring raised a hoof to knock. “You know… given my current track record for attractive single mothers…”

Daring turned her head to glare at him, “You wouldn’t dare.”

“I already have a Dare,” he smirked back.

Daring fave-hooved, “Why do I love you again?”

“Because I’m handsome, talented and warm to hug?”

“True,” Daring nodded. The door then opened… and a small, blonde unicorn filly poked her head out.

“Hello,” the little filly said. “Are you here to see mommy or was big sister being a meanie to someone?”

Flare stared down at the little ball of adorable and cuteness… before slowly turning to Daring. “Dare… I want one.”

Daring’s face scrunched up and her body fluffed up as she turned red, “Ummmm…. We’ll see if we have luck.”

Flare took a mental photograph of that expression. Yet another cute Darling Do Moment.

“Hi sweetie,” he smiled at the filly. “We’re here to see your Mom apparently. This mare here is her sister…”

Dinky’s eyes widened and she tackled Daring’s leg, “Auntie Do!”

Daring smiled and hugged her back, “How’s my cute little niece doing?”

Dinky giggled, “I’m doing good, Auntie. School’s not that hard.”

“So,” Flare held up a hoof. “They know you’re really… Well, you know...”

“I don’t keep secrets from my family,” Daring stated.

“Fair enough,” Flare nodded, then smiled. So, did that mean she considered him family too? “She’s adorable though. What’s your name kiddo?”

“Dinky Doo,” the filly smiled up at him. “What’s yours?”

“I’m Flare Blitz!” he stood tall and proud. “A Royal Guard!”

“Ooooh,” the little filly smiled up at him widely. “That’s so cool.”

“I know, it’s pretty awesome,” Flare nodded, rubbing his chest with a hoof. “So kiddo, your Mom home at all?”

The door opened up wider as a wall eyed gray mare with a blonde mane looked at them, “What are you… Daring?” Her eyes widened. One couldn’t be sure where exactly she was looking at though.

Daring smiled, “It’s been a while.”

Flare stared at her eyes for just a moment. But…

‘She’s really cute…’

‘Dude… you already have two hot mares. Daring will kill you. Followed by Velvet… then Daring will hunt for an ancient artifact to revive you and kill you again.’

‘...point taken. But she’s still cute.’

‘...Agreed.’

“Hello Ma’am,” Flare bowed his head. “It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

“And you are?” Ditzy Doo raised an eyebrow.

“Flare Blitz,” he replied. “I’m one of Daring’s special someponies.”

“...What?”

Daring sighed, “It’s a long story. We’ll talk about it inside.” Ditzy nodded and let the two of them enter.

Inside of the house, Flare noticed the homely decor. It reminded him a lot of Velvet’s home actually. A large fireplace, a comfy couch and some armchairs. A lot of photos of her kids…

And the whole place smelled of muffins for some reason. Was she a baker?

“It’s so good to see you, sis.” Ditzy gave her a warm smile, gesturing to the couch as she took a seat in an armchair. She nuzzled her daughter and whispered into her ear. Her daughter nodded and trotted out of the room. “And you too, Flare.”

“Thank you ma’am,” Flare nodded as he took a seat on the couch, still remaining quite formal-looking. “You have a wonderful home.”

Ditzy smiled, “Thank you. It’s a bit tough keeping it up all by myself, but I manage. It’s worth it.”

“So I see,” the stallion replied. “So… I imagine you have a few questions?”

“Of course,” Ditzy nodded. “So how long have you two been seeing each other?”

“About… a week I’d say?” Flare tilted his head slightly. “Honestly, ever since I started dating Velvet and Daring, my life has become… complex.”

Ditzy laughed, “Oh I can imagine. She’s a strange mare.”

“Hey,” Daring piped up. “You’re one to talk.” Both sisters giggled.

“I do love her though,” Flare piped up, wanting to make that perfectly clear. “I was… undecided when Velvet suggested that we date Daring as well. But now? I don’t regret that decision for a second. Daring is a wonderful mare. She’s kind, adventurous, brave and loyal. She’s utterly adorable, especially when she think’s I’m not looking. And she’s also very sexy~” he leaned over and nuzzled her. “I’m so very glad she came into my life~”

Daring nuzzled him back, “And I couldn’t be happier either.”

Ditzy offered them a proud smile, “Well that’s good to hear. You treat her right, Flare Blitz. That’s my sister that you’re nuzzling.”

“Always,” Flare agreed and kissed Daring’s cheek.

“Now that that’s out of the way,” Ditzy spoke. “Do you want some muffins? I just made some. They’re chocolate chip.”

Flare’s mouth started to water when he realised that he hadn’t eaten since yesterday. “Ohh, yes please. I’m starving!”

Ditzy stood up, “Then we’ll get them now. Come on.” With that she trotted towards the kitchen.

Daring bumped him, glaring at the back of his head. “No peeking.” She mumbled.

“At what?” Flare said, rubbing the back of his head.

“Good,” Daring snorted and went after Ditzy. Flare sat on the couch and stared at the wall. Hopefully this visit wouldn’t turn out awkward.

“Hey,” a teenage, purple unicorn mare walked into the room. “Who the hay are you and what are you doing in our house?”

“Hm?” Flare lifted his head up. “Ah, hello there. My name is Flare Blitz and—”

“What are you doing in our house?” The mare cut him off, her horn glowing.

“Well if you give me a second to expl—”

“I honestly don’t take kindly to stallions just waltzing into my mother’s house,” the mare growled. “What do you think you’ll do? Get under my mother’s tail? As if. Now could you kindly leave.”

“Oh for the love of the Sun…” Flare muttered and trapped the mare in a muted bubble shield. Sound could enter, but not exit. “Now, if you’re quite done hurling accusations… something mares of this town seem to have in common. I am here as a guest of your mother’s…”

He watched her shout something, but all he heard was silence.

“If you must know, I am here with your Aunt Daring. As her special somepony. Not your mother's. Now, if you promise to calm down I’ll let you out…” he paused for a second as he dropped the muting on the shield. “And forget the fact you just threatened a Royal Guard…”

The mare grumbled, “Why can’t it ever be a guard after my own tail?” She grouched. “Well if that’s the case, I guess you’re good.”

“I… wat?” Flare heard that first part as he’d lowered the barrier. “I… uh…”

The mare blushed, “You didn’t hear that!”

“I’ll uh… pretend I didn’t?” he replied, taking a step back.

Daring and Ditzy walked out from the kitchen, “Oh?” Ditzy spoke. “Well it’s good to see you two meeting each other.” She put a tray of muffins down between everyone.

“Yeah, let’s go with that,” Flare nodded and put some distance between him and the young— and rather attractive— young mare. “So, is this your other daughter?” He asked Ditzy. “The ‘big sister’ that little Dinky mentioned?”

“This is Sparkler,” Ditzy nodded. “My big angel.”

“Angel huh?” Flare raised an eyebrow. Angel of Vengeance maybe… “Well Miss Sparkler, it’s nice to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you too,” Sparkler grumbled.

Flare would have likely made a witty retort, but the scent of those muffins overwrote any and all other thought processes. “Oh wow Mrs. Doo, those smell amazing~”

“My sister always makes the best muffins,” Daring spoke.

“Oh?” Flare leaned in close to nuzzle her. “Your muffin’s pretty tasty too~” he whispered to her and nipped her eartip.

Daring giggled and lightly pushed him, “Flare, remember where we are.”

“Yes yes, I know,” he chuckled and kissed her lightly on the lips. “Alas, your sister is tempting me with delicious food right now.”

“And the muffins are nice too, I bet.” Daring mock-punched him in the shoulder.

“That they are~” Flare admitted. “Seems that good looks run in the family.”

Daring huffed, “Oh dear. I’m afraid of leaving you alone with them now. You’d do it, wouldn’t you?”

“Do what?” Flare asked, crumbs falling as his mouth was full of delicious chocolate chip muffin.

Daring cooed and started eating herself, “Nothing.”

“So I take it you like the muffins then?” Ditzy asked.

“Your muffins are delicious and moist,” Flare commented as he nibbled a second. “I could eat them all day~”

Ditzy giggled, “Thank you. I really try to make them delicious, so it’s good to hear that ponies really enjoy them.”

“Are you a professional?” the unicorn asked. “It’s hard to believe somepony could be so good and not do this as a job.”

“I’m not a professional,” Ditzy waved him off. “Though I cook with some. It’s mostly for fun, but sometimes I do sell off some boxes of muffins.”

“Daring… i wanna buy some before we go,” Flare said, his eyes wide and sparkling. “Plus, these might save our lives if we offer them up to our Goddess.”

Daring nodded, “You’ve got a good point.”

Flare nodded as he downed a fifth muffin and pet his belly. “Aahh, that hit the spot. I could live off of these muffins…”

Ditzy giggled again, “Oh stop it. You’re making me blush.”

And a blushing Ditzy Doo was adorable. Flare had to admit that this must have been a Doo family trait. All these mares were cute.

“That should be enough though, don’t want to spoil my dinner with my own sister,” the stallion chuckled. “She’d likely scold me otherwise.”

Ditzy nodded, “We wouldn’t want that, now would we?”

“Nope, Coco is cute, but scary if you actually manage to make her mad,” Flare shuddered. It was the one trait she and her mother shared. Upper just had no off switch for that though. “Um, what were you gonna do Dare? Coming to dinner? Or staying here with your family?”

“I think I’ll stay with my family for a bit,” Daring stated. “I’ll catch up with you later.”

“Okay, try not to miss me too much,” he chuckled and kissed her on the lips. “Take care… I’ll see you later okay…” Actually, that brought a thought to mind. “Oh, where might we be staying tonight. I mean, I figured you might be staying here… so I can always find some accommodation elsewhere…”

“You can stay here too,” Ditzy stated. “You’re a couple and I’m not going to split ponies up after all.”

“Are you sure?” Flare blinked in surprise. “I mean, I’m a complete stranger to you—”

“And my sister trusts you,” Ditzy stated. “So I trust you too. Besides,” Ditzy smirked and winked. “She could totally take you if she had too.”

“Is that so,” Flare hummed as he got up and headed for the door. “Well, why don’t you ask her if she thinks she can take out her Master~” And with a chuckle, he left his marefriend to fend for herself.

“Oh… I… ugh!” Daring grumbled as her sister giggled. Oh, there was so much to discuss tonight~

The chosen restaurant was rather low key, but neither Flare nor Coco were ones for fancy dining if it could be avoided. They chose a nice little place close to town and headed inside.

“Oh, hello Coco dear,” a serving maid greeted them. “Are you here for your reservation?”

Coco sheepishly nodded, “Umm, yes I am.”

“Mm, quite the handsome date you have,” the cute batpony winked at her. “Come inside and I’ll show you to your seat.”

Coco blushed, “Umm, miss? He’s not my date.”

The mare went ignored as she skipped inside and… thaaat was a lot of ponies out for a romantic dinner.

“Lady Rarity made the reservation didn't she?” Flare deadpanned.

Coco sighed, “She always means well.”

“This happens waaay too often to us,” Flare sighed as he stepped inside after the mares. They were soon left to a table and the thestral mare left to fetch some water.

“So, my Little Coco’s all grown up now,” he smiled. “And an Element of Harmony too.”

Coco fidgeted under his stare, “Oh it’s nothing. I didn’t do all that much.”

“Naah, you only stopped the greatest threat to Equus ever,” he beamed. “You should have seen Mom’s face when we found out.” He reached over and put a hoof on her shoulder. “We're both so proud of you Coco.”

Coco blushed in embarrassment, “Oh I was just doing what anypony would have done in that situation.”

“Hardly,” Flare waved a hoof. “I doubt I could have done that. I saw Nightma… er, Princess Luna in Canterlot once. She scares me. You're incredibly brave lil sis.”

Coco eeped and hid her face behind her forelegs, “B-big brother, stop it.”

“Hm? But you're adorable,” he snickered as the batpony mare dropped off their glasses of water, winking at them as she flittered away.

“This is just so embarrassing,” Coco muttered.

Flare just smirked as he sipped his water. “Life in Canterlot isn't anywhere near as exciting.”

“I don’t know,” Coco sipped from her own drink. “Boring sounds pretty good, if you ask me.”

“Eh, I could use a little excitement, though Daring seems to be seeing to that,” Flare chuckled. “I swear, I'm absolutely exhausted.”

“Well I hope your visit here was relaxing,” Coco smiled up at him.

Flare stared at her. That innocent face, the light smile… He could read her like a book.

“You wanna know don't you?” he deadpanned.

Coco cutely tilted her head to the side, “Wanna know what?”

“About my marefriends,” he replied. “I know you Lil bean.”

“Well, if you are interested in telling…” She sipped her water oh so innocently, but Flare knew that aura of smugness she rarely showed.

“Just like Mom…” he shook his head. “Fine. But we order food first. I haven't eaten all day.”

After they ordered, he regaled her with the story that led him and Twilight Velvet to get together, and the subsequent adventure that led to Daring being added to the mix.

“And that about sums it up,” he finished. “Yearling and I just got back from exploring a temple for her research actually.”

“Wow,” Coco looked up at him in amazement. The same way she used to do when she was young and he got back from training. “All that really happened?”

“It's been a crazy month,” Flare said and chuckled. “I guess Canterlot isn't so boring after all. Though I do spend more time around Miss Twilight Sparkle now…”

That filly was… odd.

“Sunset has told me quite a bit about her,” Coco spoke. “She sounds… strange.”

“That's one way to put it,” Flare chuckled. “So… what about you sis. Any special ponies in your life? A handsome stallion?... A cute mare? I don't judge.”

The little mare blushed, “I’m… I’m not seeing anypony right now.”

“Great,” Flare groaned. “Now mom's gonna hound me for grandfoals first.” Then his smirk turned wicked.

“What was it you used to say when we were younger?” he asked, giving her a moment to think as the sinking dread set in when she remembered. “When we played with Princess Sunset. How you were gonna marry her so you could make pretty princess dresses all day~”

Coco looked horrified, “Flare, we’re in public. Don’t say that out loud.”

Too bad Flare was on a roll. “I could put a good word in to Princess Celestia. Maybe an arranged marria—”

Coco put a hoof over his mouth, red as a tomato. “No! I mean, that isn’t necessary.”

Oh she was too easy… Time for the finishing blow. He waited for her to remove her hoof and…

“So, gonna tell her yourself then hm~?”

Coco buried her face in her hooves, “You’re terrible.”

“Ahh, I missed my Daily Dose of Coco Teasing,” he sighed wistfully and rubbed her head as the batpony brought out their food. The stallion whispered something to her and she smiled and nodded before flying off.

Once Coco recovered, Flare raised a glass with his magic. “To friends and family. May both be forever.”

Coco smiled and raised her own glass, “To friends and family.”

Dinner was absolutely delicious as the siblings swapped more stories, Coco going into detail about Nightmare’s revival and the more recent development of a griffon in town.

Then Flare’s apology arrived, a massive bowl of Coco’s favourite ice-cream.

Coco squealed, “You shouldn’t have!” Her mouth started to water at the very sight of the ice cream.

“Well… if you insist,” he smirked as his magic started to tug the bowl away.

“Nu! Mine!” she pouted as Coco quickly swiped the ice cream and started to eat it. Flare just smiled as he watched her eat. A happy Coco was Best Coco.

They had to leave soon after. Flare paid for the meal as they headed out into the crisp night air. Flare’s horn shining as he used a warming spell on her. Coco sighed happily and nuzzled up against him for warmth and protection.

He walked her home, pausing at the door. He then reached out and pulled the small mare into a tight hug.

“I said I was proud of you,” he murmured softly. “But… I also worry. You've been in so much danger. And… I wasn't by your side like I should have been.”

Coco sighed, “I know and I would have loved to have you there, but you’re needed elsewhere. I’m sure we’ll get to meet again soon enough and you’ll have the chance to be my strong knight like you’ve always been to me.”

“You're the strong one,” he nuzzled her. “Just be careful okay. And if you ever feel like you need help. Or just talk. Call me and I'll come running.”

Coco nodded and kissed his cheek, “I will. Thank you, big brother. For everything.”

“Always,” he smiled and kissed her forehead. “Good night sis. I'll see you tomorrow before I head home.”

Coco nodded once more, “Alright, see you then.” With that, she started to step inside. Flare waited until the door closed behind her… and the subsequent squeak telling him Rarity had ambushed her.

With a light chuckle, he turned and headed off for his waiting marefriend.

Flare glanced at the darkened sky by the time he reached Ditzy’s home. Walking back from taking Coco home had taken a little longer, especially after he saw that priestess and took the long way around to avoid her, only to run into some crazy Highland mare. Why where half the ponies in this town mistaking him for somepony else? Was there a Changeling running around as him or something?

He let out a weary sigh as he reached the door and knocked on it lightly, hoping somepony was still awake at least.

Sparkler opened the door, “Oh, it’s you. Well come on in then.”

“Thank you, Miss Sparkler,” Flare replied cordially. Well, if she was going to take a grumpy tone with him. “I hope I didn’t wake anypony up.”

“They should be asleep by now,” Sparkler stated. “I like to stay up a bit later. Nothing really to do right now anyways.”

“I suppose,” Flare agreed, a bit of a night owl himself. “Hm, so what do you do anyhow?” he asked as he stepped inside. “Do you have a job? Hobbies or interests? You know, aside from accosting a stallion you meet for the first time.”

“I’ll have you know that I am a jeweler,” Sparkler snooted, raising her snout upwards. She looked like she was trying to look down on him, but he was noticeably taller than her.

Okay. That was adorable.

“That's pretty neat,” Flare smiled. “Guess I know who to turn to in the future then.”

Sparkler snorted, “Yeah, you would.” clearly missing the joke there. She looked him up and down. “I’m not that surprised that Aunt Daring likes you. Though I have to say,” she narrowed her eyes. “Break her heart and I’ll show you how I can break diamonds.”

“Noted,” Flare held up a hoof. “It will never happen, but I promise nonetheless.”

Sparkler nodded, “Why’d you come back here again?”

“What do you mean?” Flare tilted his head. “Was I not supposed to come back here? I mean, your Mom said I could stay here tonight…”

Sparkler paused for a moment, “Oh yeah. I must have forgotten about that. Sorry, everything’s a bit much these days with getting kicked off the planning committee. Just because I fumbled a few Winter Wrap Ups and… other things… Wait, forget I said that.” She opened the door wider to let him in.

“Must be hard for a traditional town,” Flare agreed. “I'm sure you're a pretty great jeweler though.”

“The best,” Sparkler rubbed a hoof against her chest with pride. “You just can’t ignore my gems.”

“I’ll bet,” Flare said, responding without really thinking. “You must have the best gems in town.”

Sparkler nodded, “I couldn’t say it better myself.”

Flare held out a hoof. “Now, I’d like to apologise for my earlier behavior. Perhaps we might start over, as friends?”

Sparkler shrugged and took the hoof, “Fine, whatever.”

“Still upset I'm not chasing your tail?” he chuckled, quoting her words from their first meeting.

Sparkler blushed, “Oh shush. Y-You’re not my type. I mean big… strong… guard…” She gulped. “Not my type.” She looked away to hide her blush.

“So I shouldn't mention to some of my single friends that there's a cute unicorn living in Ponyville?” He shrugged and headed for the stairs. “Good night Miss Sparkler.”

“WAIT!” Sparkler blushed as she realized she had shouted. “Umm… you can do that if you want. I don’t care, but you can.”

Flare smiled and turned back to the stairs. “I'll see what I can do… and if your mother asks, it's your idea.” And with another chuckle, he walked upstairs to find Daring.

Daring smiled, “Having a nice chat with my niece, are we?”

Flare may or my not have jumped out of his skin at the pegasus that snuck up on him. He turned and gave Daring an annoyed glare as he panted to get his stolen breath back. “That… was not… funny.”

Daring chuckled and nuzzled him, “It was a little bit.”

“For somepony who didn’t just have a bloody heart attack,” Flare grumbled. “Well, I was somewhat expecting it anyway…” Then he blushed and looked away.

Daring’s smile turned into a smirk, “Ah, I see you’re getting used to how quiet I can be when I want to. Helps with the job.”

“Huh? Oh, uh… Yes! That’s it exactly!” Flare nodded suddenly. “I certainly wasn’t expecting anything like you and Miss Ditzy waiting to pounce— aaannnd I should shut up…”

Somepony tapped his flank, “Why would I pounce you?” Ditzy asked from behind.

Flare might have had a second heart attack that evening. Taking a deep breath, he groaned and facehooved. “Because Daring and Velvet are terrible influences and I'm very sorry for any assumptions I have made,” the stallion apologised.

Ditzy smiled, “It’s no problem. I pounce ponies on occasion, mostly by accident. It’s something we did when we were younger. Our brother was the best at it.”

“Cheater…” Daring grumbled.

Flare’s face could have only gone redder if he'd set it on fire. “You… and your brother? Pounced on one another?”

Ditzy nodded, “Yep. He was the best pouncer I’ve ever met. He really knew how to make it new and fun every time we played.”

“…” Flare had that ‘thousand yard stare’ look in his eyes.

Daring bumped him, “Get your mind out of the gutter. It was just kids tackling each other.”

Flare blinked slowly. Then snorted and shook his head. “O-Of course. I knew that!” He blushed and looked away. “What else would it be? Don't be silly Daring.”

“Oh I’m the silly one,” Daring sighed, “My brother may be a good detective, but he’s a cheater when it comes to games like that.”

“Ahh…” Flare nodded and looked at Ditzy Doo. “I still apologize that spending time with your sister has left my mind in a rather… adult place.”

Ditzy sagely nodded, “A lot of ponies go to adult places with my sister.”

“DITZY!” Daring blushed, causing her sister to giggle.

“Oh? A lot of ponies huh?” Flare quirked an eyebrow at the yellow pegasus.

“She means on adventures, not… get your mind out of the gutter!” Daring seethed.

“I blame you and Velvet!” Flare declared.

“I blame your sexy ass,” Daring muttered.

“Not as sexy as yours,” Flare quipped back, smacking her rump with his tail.

Daring snorted, “Oh you’re just asking for it~”

“Oh? You wanna go?” Flare taunted her and waggled his eyebrows.

Daring grinned, “Maybe~”

“Go where?” Ditzy tilted her head, questioningly.

“Go and make love to my little pet. What… else…” Flare froze on his tracks. Aaah crap. He totally forgot Ditzy was there. “I-I mean… um… please forget I said that.”

Ditzy smiled, “As long as I get to huggle my new niece/nephew.” Daring blushed and fluffed up at that.

Flare was too stunned to respond.

Ditzy booped him, “I’ll leave you two to the baby making then.” And then she trotted off with a peaceful hum. “Either keep it down or use a spell around your room. There are children present, you know.”

Flare’s muzzle scrunched up at the boop, before turning to Daring. “Your sister is very strange.”

“My family is strange,” Daring rolled her eyes. “I think we get it from our father. One moment, you discover the theory of evolution, the next, you get sent hundreds of years into the future and has us three. We’re a barrel of strange.”

Flare… had no response to that. And to think that he thought he could handle a little weird.

“I’m done with this life, can I have another?” he mumbled as he headed towards the bedroom.

Daring pouted, “Awww, you’re done with lil’ ol’ me? I’m hurt.”

“Just get in here you silly pony,” Flare rolled his eyes.

Daring chuckled and kissed his cheek as she passed, “And you love it~”

‘Yes,’ he mused to himself. ‘Yes I do~’

The next morning, the pair decided to head out a little after dawn to get some breakfast for Ditzy and her kids as thanks for letting them stay. There were a couple of bakeries in town, but the closest one was a place called ‘Baked Paradise’.

Flare and Daring opened the door, the small bell above it chiming happily as it received the first customers of the day.

“Just a minute dearies,” a chipper tone called from the back room. A few moments later, a large pegasus mare emerged from the back room, a tray of cookies balanced on each outstretched wing.

“Hello there, welcome to Baked Paradise, my name is Pizzelle!” she greeted them with a bright smile. “How can I…” she trailed off when her eyes fell on Flare. “It… it’s you…”

Daring blinked in surprised, “Him what?”

“Why, my future husband of course!” Pizzelle beamed and pulled Flare into a bonecrushing hug.

“…What?” Daring Do stood ever so still, but Flare could pick up the ever so slight bloodlust in that word. That and the utter confusion.

“I thought for sure Sunset said that you’d not come back, but I knew she was wrong,” Pizzelle giggled as she nuzzled Flare, much to the stallions confusion. “I mean, we’d have to start dating first of course. But I know in my heart you’ll make a wonderful husband and father.”

Daring bristled with quiet fury, “Flare, when were you going to tell me? To tell Velvet?”

“Tell you what!?” Flare riposted, trying and failing to break Miss Pizzelle’s iron grip. “I’ve never met this mare in my life!”

“Hm? And who’s this?” Pizzelle tilted her head towards Daring. “Your sister?”

“I’m his marefriend,” Daring glared at Flare. “One of two.”

Pizzelle paused and released Flare from her hug. “Two… marefriends?” she paused and blinked slowly. “Mister Flare Blitz? Are you cheating on this poor mare?”

Flare groaned and thunked his head against the counter. “I. Have never. Been. In this. Town. Before!” each word punctuated by another thunk.

Pizzelle tilted her head. “Ohmy, it seems I’ve made quite the error then.”

“Clearly,” Daring kept her gaze squarely on Flare. The stallion was no looking a little woozy after the repeated blunt force trauma.

“I do apologise, but he looks exactly like a most wonderful stallion of the same name,” Pizzelle sighed.

“…Two Flares?” Daring started to imagine that… and then her mouth started to ever so slightly drool as a blush took her.

“I assure you, I have been having this trouble ever since I arrived,” Flare groaned. “I am sorry Miss Pizzelle, but I am not the stallion you are looking for.”

“Aww,” Pizzelle sighed. Oh well, that Kokiri Song she met at her last Archery meet seemed like another good candidate. Hikaru was going to get a father figure, one way or the other! She shook her head and looked up. “Well, how about I treat you dears to some breakfast as an apology.”

“I’m so done with this town…” Flare groaned.

Daring smiled, “Breakfast sounds good.”

“Then I’ll get started,” Pizzelle nodded and smiled. “Oh, I didn’t catch your name dear.”

“A. K. Yearling,” Daring bowed her head. “At your service.”

“Oh, the author? Don’t let Sunnybuns catch you,” she giggled as she skipped into the kitchen.

“Sunnybuns?” Daring quirked an eyebrow at that.

“Princess Sunset Shimmer,” Pizzelle clarified from the kitchen. “She lives in this town, in the library to be precise. And she loves books. Especially those Daring Do ones of yours.”

Daring smiled, “I thought she did. Now, what’s for breakfast?”

“You’ll see~” Pizzelle smiled. “While I’m baking, I should tell you about the time I—”

After some rigorous baking, Daring and Flare were given an assortment of wondrous treats. And in that time…

Pizzelle.

Hadn’t.

Stopped.

Talking!

Daring rubbed her ears, “Does she have an off switch?”

“You’re the one that turned her on,” Flare quipped back with a slight smirk.

Daring blushed slightly, “Don’t put it like that.”

Pizzelle didn’t seem to hear them, instead going on about Sunset and some roguishly handsome griffon she’d met.

“Oh, then where do I put it?” Flare said again, whispering in her ear and giving it a lick.

Daring shivered at the action, “Flare, maybe I need to find your off switch~” She quipped.

“That’s not what you said last night,” he hummed as she felt his body heat up. “If you can’t stand the heat…”

“So, since you have two mares, would you mind a third?” Pizzelle suddenly asked.

“Waitwhut?” Flare blinked.

“…” Daring didn’t know what to say. Her jaw hung open at that.

“Heehee, just kidding~” Pizzelle giggled. “You should see your expressions.”

Daring slowly closed her mouth and looked to Flare as if expecting his response.

“…Yearling is more than enough trouble,” Flare agreed. “You’re very nice Miss Pizzelle, but I seriously cannot handle another mare. I already think Yearling is going to kill me at this point.”

Daring grinned and chuckled, “Awww, I’m not that vicious~”

“Yes… yes you are,” Flare deadpanned.

Daring nickered and kissed his cheek, “Oh you’ll survive, you big baby.”

“Mhm,” Flare returned the gesture as his stomach growled. “Hm, shall we get going? I imagine the others are up by now.”

Daring nodded, “Lets. Thank you for the meal. We really appreciate it, Pizzelle.”

“You’re welcome dearies,” Pizzelle gave each of them a hug, and Daring got to see how strong the pegasus was. “Have a good day, and say hi to Ditzy, Dinky and Sparkler for me.”

“Will do,” Daring started off. She whispered to Flare, “She’s stronger than she looks.”

“No kidding,” Flare said back as he winced, his shoulders still sore from the hug.

“We’re back,” Flare said as the pair entered Ditzy’s home. “And we brought fresh muffins—”

He was thus tackled, “I SMELL PIZZELLE’S MUFFINS!” Ditzy squealed. “She never makes enough of them!”

“…ow,” Flare groaned, in too much pain to properly enjoy the mare that was practically straddling him.

Daring sighed and pushed her sister off, “Ditzy, we don’t tackle ponies to get muffins, remember?”

“I know, but Pizzelle’s muffins.” Ditzy stated. “They’re special.”

‘She’s kind of soft… Nope, bad Flare…’

“Sorry for tackling you,” Ditzy helped him up. “I sort of get carried away sometimes.”

“It’s fine,” Flare blushed. “Um, so yeah. We got breakfast…” he felt something collide with his leg and he looked down to see Dinky attached to it. Chuckling, he held up the offending appendage. “I appeared to have contracted a case of Filly.”

Dinky giggled and held onto his arm, “That’s not a thing, silly.”

“Well, it’s awful cute though,” Flare giggled and booped her nose with his. “Good morning Princess Dinky, did you sleep well?”

Dinky nodded, “Yeppie, I did a bunch of that. How about you?”

“I slept well,” Flare nodded and ruffled her mane.

“Good, my mom’s beds are really soft.” Dinky said. “She says they are like sleeping on clouds.”

“Helps I had a nice pillow,” Flare mused and bumped Daring’s flanks with his own. “Now, you wanna let go of my leg? Or should I eat your breakfast too?”

Ditzy pulled little DInky off his leg, “Now you had your fun. Let’s just go and eat our breakfast now, my little muffin.”

“I could eat a T-Rex,” Flare commented… before the front door slammed open and knocked him clean on his face. “…ow.” Today was going to be one of those days wasn’t it?

“Alright! Where is he!?” Sunset Shimmer declared as she looked around the room.

“…What is with this town?” Daring quirked an eyebrow.

Sunset glanced down at the uneven floor she was standing on. “Huh? What the buck are you doing on the floor? Stupid place to take a nap don’t you think?”

“…ow,” Flare groaned again.

“Umm, Princess?” Ditzy spoke up. “Don’t you think that’s a bit rude?”

“Oh, hello um…” Sunset paused. “Ditzy right?” She looked down and lifted Flare with her magic. “It really is him? Why are you back here?”

“Daring… explain… headache…” Flare groaned as he hovered in the levitation field.

“Whoa there,” Daring held up a hoof. “That’s enough, Princess. He didn’t do anything wrong.”

Sunset snorted and shook her head. “Well, when a Twilight Sparkle came from another dimension and…” A look of realization dawned on her muzzle. “Ahh, Tartarus-damned Multiverse Theory.”

Daring nodded sagely, “Aren’t they the worst?”

“Like you would not believe,” Sunset sighed. “I hate Tuesdays. Anyway!” She looked at Flare and a pensive look crossed her face. “So what’s his deal? Just some pretty-colt stallion or something?”

“…I’m so done with this town,” Flare deadpanned.

“He’s with me,” Daring spoke up. “A. K. Yearling to be precise.”

Flare yelped as he was suddenly dropped as Sunset slowly turned towards the mare. “A...A...K… Yearling?’ she stammered. “T-The Daring Do author? That A.K. Yearling?”

Daring nodded, “That’s correct.”

“Eeeeeeeeee~” Sunset let out a high-pitched squeal. “I’ll… be right back!” With a crack of light, she teleported away.

In the library, Spike and Shade were enjoying a friendly card game, one the dragon had picked up the last time he was in Canterlot. The two yelped when Sunset literally appeared out of thin air between them.

“Outta the way!” she yelled as she started pulling books off of the shelf. “Come on… where are they!?”

“Eh, sis?” Spike spoke up. “What’s the matter?”

“Books… where are my Daring Do books? The first edition ones?” she said, burying the dark unicorn in the room further under the paperback pile.

“You put them upstairs on the second shelf to the right,” Spike pointed out, going over to excavate Shade from his hardcover tomb.

“Oh right,” Sunset pulled the books out. “Kay I need to meet the author, get these signed and hang out with a pony I can actually stand being around. Kaythanksbai!” And with that, she teleported away again.

Shade finally poked his head out of the book pile, “I will never understand that mare.”

“You’ll get used to it,” Spike sighed.

Upon her return, Sunset thumped the impressive pile of books down, presented a quill and looked at Daring with an eager expression, her tail was actually wagging a little.

Daring chuckled and patted her head as she started to sign each book.

“Eeeee~” Sunset smiled happily.

“Fillies… our illustrious princess,” Flare sighed and motioned with his hoof. “If you want to keep her Yearling, remember to give her plenty of food and water and take her for walkies.”

“I would tear your lungs out through your horn if I wasn’t in such a great mood,” Sunset replied back with a happy smile.

Daring quirked an eyebrow and looked at Flare, “I’d keep your mouth shut around her, if I were you.”

“Yeah, I should,” Flare nodded. “She is the princess after all.”

“Damn right,” Sunset nodded. “So…” She looked between the pair. “How do you know each other anyway.”

“He’s my coltfriend,” Daring simply stated.

“Oh, is that…” Sunset Shimmer paused and looked between them. “I’msorrycomeagain?”

“He. Is. My. Colfriend.” Daring Do made sure to stress each word just so she heard her this time.

“I...what, you have a… how!?” Sunset stammered. “He’s dating the A.K. Yearling!?”

Daring nodded, “Of course he is. I don’t just let anypony come along on my trips.”

“H-he goes with you!?” Sunset’s eyes widened. She glanced at Flare who had the biggest ‘You Jelly?’ grin on his face.

“Yes, we just got back from such a trip actually,” Flare bowed his head to the princess. Sunset just kind of… froze.

“Hey, you think I’ll get in trouble for breaking a princess?” Flare asked with a small smirk.

“As long as you don’t break her virginity, I’m sure nopony’s going to hunt you down.” Daring Do snickered.

“Nah, I like her Mom better,” Flare chuckled and widened his hooves. “I mean, that big round flank is to d—” he was then cut off as a fireball collided with his face and exploded.

Daring blinked in confusion. On the one hoof, she was scared out of her wits about Flare’s safety. On the other hoof, his words just asked for a fireball to the face.

When the dust cleared, Flare looked no worse for wear, but his mane had a slight glow to it as embers wafted from it. “I believe that was entirely unnecessary. You are lucky I’m a Fireblood, Princess Shimmer. That could have seriously injured a normal pony.”

The unicorn’s eyes widened. She hadn’t been expecting that. Even so… “You ate my flames? How dare you?”

“You didn’t give me much choice,” Flare riposted. Those were some damned powerful flames. It’d taken a great deal of effort not to flare up from the boost he got. “A Princess shouldn’t be so reckless.” He pointed at Ditzy and her family, standing behind him. Those flames had been pretty spicy too. Tempered with anger and pride.

“W-What!?” Sunset growled. “Where do you! A lowly Guard, get off on lecturing me!?”

Daring got in between the pair, “Quit it. We’re not here to argue or burn anypony, especially not inside a house with children in it.”

“Tch! Then we’ll take this outside,” Sunset growled before she noticed the expressions on everyone’s faces. “Right… fine. Sorry. It’s been a rough couple of weeks and now I hear of a stallion I met before arriving? It’s been a weird day.” Her horns glow died out as Flare suppressed the rest of the flames.

“It’s alright,” Flare nodded his head. “You were right, I should not have spoken to you like so Your Highness. I am worried about that hair trigger of yours though. Please just be a little more careful from now on eh?”

“I’ll… consider your advice,” Sunset replied, realising she’d been acting like an ass in front of A.K. yearling. “So…” She pawed at the ground with a hoof. “What’s it like? Going on adventures with the Miss Yearling?”

Flare chuckled and shook his head. “Exhausting,” he replied.

Daring Do chuckled and bumped his shoulder, “But fun.”

“That too,” Flare nodded in agreement. “Oh, I should mention, we encountered hostile griffons on this side of the border… though they shouldn’t be much of a problem anymore.”

Sunset frowned. “Well… that’s just great. Right, thanks for that. I’ll send a message to Mom and tell her to expect a briefing.”

Flare nodded and saluted.

“See?” Daring smiled. “Talking it out like grownups makes things easier.”

“Is she normally so smug?” Sunset deadpanned.

“Nah,” Flare chuckled and smirked at the pegasus. “She’s normally waaay worse.”

Daring narrowed his eyes, “Stop while you’re ahead, big boy.”

“See what I mean?” Flare’s smirk only grew. “Nah, Yearling is great to go running around with. And I’m really starting to love taking the train to places.”

“Huh…” Sunset shrugged. “Ah, I have so many questions! Please say you’ll come by for lunch Miss Yearling? My brother would love to meet you. He reads your books to me all the time.”

Daring snickered, “I’ll come over, no problem. Anything for a princess.”

“…Why do I sense some ulterior motive?” Flare whispered to her. “What are you up to my silly pet?”

Daring gasped and swatted her tail on his flank, “Shhh, you.”

“Eee~ Spike’s gonna flip,” Sunset danced on the spot and actually giggled. “Okay, I’ll go and set things up. See you soon Miss Yearling!” and with that, she teleported away.

“Okay… what did I just witness?” Flare asked. That was a side to the angry Princess he’d not seen in a looooong time.

Daring Do blinked and rubbed her eyes, “I dunno, but I really don’t like teleports. They agitate my eyes.” She was glad teleportation was a rare ability among magic users.

“Yeah, I can’t do it myself,” Flare nodded. “So… instead of going home, we have to go and foalsit the princess for Sun-knows how long?”

“Oh I’m sure it won’t be that bad,” Daring said. “You just need to learn to duck.”

“Nopony likes a smartass,” Flare mumbled as he bid farewell to Ditzy and her family. This was going to be a loooong day.

It was early evening by the time the pair was on the train home. Flare was exhausted as Daring had read her first book out to the Princess, her dragon brother and some shady-looking unicorn. That said, hearing Daring read out her adventure was something new and to be honest, he loved it. The passion and emotion she put into the words was something he wouldn’t get reading it himself. He’d also gone to see Coco one more time and she saw them off at the station. That said, he still let out a sigh.

“I am not going back to Ponyville again anytime soon,” he grunted. “That place is flipping crazy!”

“Oh quit whining, you big baby.” Daring rolled her eyes. “You won’t have to go back there for a long while.”

“And now you’ve said that, Celestia's gonna deploy me, or Mom will drag me along to see Coco again,” Flare grumbled and folded his forehooves.

Daring Do smirked, “Life doesn’t always work out like you want it to.”

“So? Nervous about seeing Velvet again?” Flare asked her. “She’s prolly gonna be mad at you… and me…”

Daring Do blushed and hid her face behind her book, “I’ll try to survive.”

“I hope she lets me watch,” Flare sighed as he stared out the window. “Or maybe even help~ Oh! I should mention that you like spanking~”

“Do you want me to get my whip,” Daring growled.

“Mmm, kinky~” Flare leaned over and nipped at her ear.

Daring snapped at him, before chuckling. “Not in the kinky way… or possibly. Velvet somehow was able to turn a lot of what I did around on me.”

“Go ahead an try, she’ll still win,” Flare chuckled and leaned against her. “You know… Canterlot is still a ways out. And I don’t think we’ve christened this train yet.”

Daring Do quirked an eyebrow, “You’re going to have to claim this booty with some actual effort this time. I’m not going to lie back and just take it.”

“Oh?” Flare hummed and turned around towards her. “So… even if I tell you how pretty you are,” he placed a kiss on her hoof. “How sexy you are,” another kiss, further up her leg. “How I love that sexy librarian look you have when you wear glasses.” he kissed her chest. “How much I care for you,” a kiss on her neck. “How much I love you~” A chaste kiss on her lips…

Daring cooed in delight, smiling at him. “That might actually work. You’re just going to have to show me you mean it.”

“Are you implying that I haven’t before?” Flare asked and gave her ear a lick. “You’re my pretty pegasus~ My Darling Do. There’s nopony I love more than you and Velvet~”

Daring nuzzled him, “And that’s why I love you too.”

“I’m serious,” Flare replied and moved down to kiss her belly. “All the sexy fun aside, I’m really glad to have you in my life Dare.”

“And so I am with you,” Daring gave him a warm smile as her hoof played with his mane.

He lay his head on her chest and smiled. “You know, I think I like it here like this.”

Daring giggled and hugged him close, “I think I like it too.”

And so the pair stayed that way, simply enjoying the sensation of being close as the train chuffed steadily along the tracks to Canterlot…

How I met your Mother

View Online

Twilight Velvet stared at the piece of paper that had replaced Flare in her bed. While at first she thought he’d just gotten up early, she’d soon discovered that she might not see her coltfriend for a while.

‘Dear Velvy.

Stealing your stallion for a bit. He’s just the key I need to get into one of Amaterasu’s temples.

I gonna learn so much stuff~ Eeeeeee~

So uh… yeah. I’ll try and bring him back in one piece.

Love, Daring~’

She’d stared at this note for quite a while now. She loved Daring, really. She was her best friend, her lover… she couldn’t imagine life without her.

“Still going to tan her bucking hide for this,” Velvet muttered as she incinerated the letter in her magic. “How dare she not invite me! Ohhohohoho! I’m going to punish her so hard she won’t fly straight for a month!

Once she’d gotten ready for the day, she headed downstairs and was quite surprised to see another letter waiting for her. This one look far more ornate though, and inspecting the envelope she spied the Royal Guard insignia.

“Is this for Flare or Shining?” she mused aloud, but found it was addressed to her. Frowning in confusion, she opened the envelope and unfolded the letter inside.

‘Dear Twilight Velvet of the Twilight clan,

We have not been formally introduced as of yet and I wish to change that of now. It has come to my attention that you have taken the fancy of my eldest child. You will come to the following address or I will tie you to my manticore and have him drag your half dead carcass to my front door.

With much awaiting fervor,

Field Marshal Upper Crust of the Mimus Brigade’

Velvet stared at this letter for even longer than the first. ‘Eldest son?’ ‘Upper Crust?’

“What the buck is going on around here!?” the mare shouted.

Okay, so the fastest way to figure things out was to go right to the source. And since she had no desire to meet a manticore today, time to see what Upper wanted.

Her house was as interesting as always. While most manors had gilded gold fences and ornate, opulent gates… Upper’s was built like a fortress. Massive concrete walls with razor wire trimming, a cold iron gate that could stop all but the most powerful of magics. And let’s not discount the crystal laser turrets…

“I don’t know if she’s paranoid, or just crazy,” Velvet muttered as she stepped up to the gate and gave a quick prayer to Celestia. She saw a panel next to the gate and cleared her throat before she pressed the buzzer.

“Duchess Twilight Velvet,” she announced. “Here to see Field Marshal Upper Crust, as per her invitation.”

There was a moment of silence before a voice responded, “Field Marshal Upper Crust is waiting for you.” Then the gates opened up.

“Yeah, not ominous in the slightest,” velvet snarked to herself and walked inside, the gates closing behind her with a resounding thud that made her jump slightly. Part of her wished she’d brought Twilight and Shining along as backup…

The house was as impressive as the walls that surrounded it. Did Flare really grow up here? She didn’t really know a thing about his family, he’d never said anything, nor did she ever think to ask. But this was the absolutely last thing she expected.

Steadying her nerves, she stepped up to the imposing front doors and raised a hoof to knock…

Two heavily armed guards opened the doors for her. “You are Twilight Velvet, correct?” One of them asked.

“I believe I said as such at the gate,” Twilight snapped back. First rule of a noble, never look up to anypony else. Especially the grunts.

The guards nodded and let her pass, “She will meet you in the room on the right.”

Velvet gave a concise, yet courteous nod as she passed them and headed inside. The interior was… interesting. It was a lot more homely than she was expecting. Some nice decorations, soft carpeting, pictures on the wall of various ponies in military garb. And… were those bite marks on that table leg? Did she own a pet of some kind? Was that Manticore threat a real possibility?

Deciding not to keep the mare waiting any longer, Velvet headed towards the first door on the right she came across, pausing to knock first though.

“Come in,” an authoritative mare’s voice responded. Taking another deep breath, Velvet did as she was instructed and entered the room.

This one was much more militaristic in design. A table with a map of Equestria, several coloured pins dotted it. Various trophies dotted the walls, but Velvet was no stranger to those, none were worse that what she’d find in Twilight’s closet. A glass case with an older style uniform, and several weapon display cabinets.

And behind the large mahogany desk, sat the mare that invited her here. A light yellow coat and a mane of white and lavender stripes, tied up into a concise, uniform ponytail. She had the usual build of a strong Earth pony, muscular and toned, despite being a Unicorn. She also had a long scar that ran across her left eye and cheek.

“Hello Upper,” Velvet said, taking a seat on the opposite side of the desk. “Can’t say I was expecting this little get-together.” She had met the mare before, several times in the Royal Court, but almost never in a more… informal setting such as this.

“I wasn’t expecting it either,” Upper Crust responded, her horn lighting up and pulling out a picture of Velvet and Flare together. “Until I found out about the pair of you.”

“What about us?” Velvet blushed slightly. What was her deal with dating Flare?

“You see, Velvet.” Upper Crust started. “I love my son. Ever since I took him in, I’ve done my best to keep him within a satisfactory space of security. You have breached that space and I’m curious as to how this will go about.” She leaned forward, “The short story is that, being his mother, I am obligated to make sure that you are fit for him. If not, I’ll throw you down the side of the mountain.”

“Wait!” Velvet held up a hoof. “You’re actually Flare’s mother? Truly?” She’d thought about it on her way over, but to hear it from the horse’s mouth… literally.

Upper Crust nodded, “Not by blood, but by every other means of the word.”

Velvet put a hoof to her head. ’Unbelievable. Thanks for telling me your mother was Upper-freaking-Crust, Flare.’ She looked up and into the fearsome mare’s eyes. “Well, what would you like to know then?”

Upper Crust crossed her toned legs, “I want to know your intentions and plans with him.”

“Wow, way to make it sound sinister,” Velvet deadpanned. “We’re dating. It’s what two ponies whom happen to care for one another do.”

Upper Crust narrowed her eyes, “I know what dating is.”

Velvet allowed herself a small smirk over her verbal victory. “Well then, I’ll have you know that it was Flare who asked me out.”

Upper scowled, “Did he now? And what, pray tell, was the reason behind such a decision, hmm? Did he share it with you? Did you persuade him to do so?”

“He happens to find me attractive,” Velvet snorted with some small sense of self-satisfaction. “And I him. While some… minor confusion happened at first, it was he that asked me out to a wonderful dinner, and now we’re quite happily dating.”

“For how long, may I ask?” Upper quirked an eyebrow.

“For how long we have? Or for how long we continue to do so?” Velvet answered with her own question.

“The second question,” Upper stated with a cold expression.

“Well that’s hardly a question I can answer,” Velvet retorted. “But I certainly don’t intend to break things off with him. I love him.”

Upper stared at her for a few moments in silence, before sighing. “Very well, I will permit this. I’m not so cold hearted as some ponies believe I am.”

“So… just like that?” Velvet asked hesitantly. “No hazing? No threats?”

“If I wanted you dead, you would be dead.” Upper Crust stated. “I don’t need to waste time with threats. It’s not as if you’re relationship has become one of a sexual nature as of yet.”

Twilight Velvet remained oddly silent… before abruptly standing up. “You know, good chat. Yes. I should go. I uh… left my oven on?”

Upper’s left eye twitched slightly before her horn lit up. Before Velvet knew it, she was dragged over onto Upper’s lap and the mare’s angry expression, snout to snout. “You did it with my son.” It wasn’t a question.

Velvet was sweating bullets now. She swallowed the orange-sized lump in her throat and nodded slowly. “Y-Yes?” Seems Flare was about to be short one marefriend. Daring better take care of him after she joined Night Light.

Upper angrily snorted, “And did you satisfy him well? I just ask since it was clearly you that decided to take this step so early on.” Her anger seemed to grow a bit more.

“I…” Velvet’s face turned a deep crimson. “That’s none of you business! What Flare and I do behind closed doors… some of the time… is ours and ours alone!”

“It is my business,” Upper growled. “I want my boy to be happy, so I need to know if his mare can make him happy. On every account.”

“I am feeling very uncomfortable right now,” Velvet pointed out.

“Do I look like I give a damn?” Upper snarled.

“No… no you do not,” Velvet sighed. “Well he hasn’t complained so far… except from the occasional bout of exhaustion.”

Upper frowned, “I will need to work that stallion extra hard. No boy of mine shall fall to exhaustion.”

“Well, keeping up with two mares is no easy task,” Velvet chuckled, before a look of dawning horror crept onto her face. That hoof of hers didn’t taste so good.

Upper pursed her lips, “Two… mares?”

“Um… forget I said that?” Velvet chuckled, attempting to make another break for it.

Upper pulled her closer, “Who is this other mare?”

“A. K. Yearling, oh please don’t hurt me!” Velvet cringed.

Upper didn’t do anything of the sort. She just softly patted her head, “Now, was that so hard?”

“I need a drink,” Velvet groaned. She’d just had a decade shaved off of her life.

Upper nodded, “That would be a good idea.” She paused, “You may jump off my lap.”

“Don’t be yourself, don’t be yourself, don’t be--”

“Hm, and here I was thinking you just liked having a pretty mares on your lap~” Velvet smirked.

“GODDESS. BUCKING. DAMMIT!”

Upper blushed slightly, “Well…” She cleared her throat. “I would not know that feeling.”

Luckily, Velvet was able to rein herself in as she hopped off of the mare. “I… apologise for that.”

Upper was still blushing, but doing her best to look regal. “Yes, well you have nothing to apologize for. If I had taken offense to that, your blood would have been spilt.”

“Your son brings my younger self out,” Velvet chuckled as she moved to the liquor cabinet. “So, what’s your poison?”

“Oh just a bit of rum would be nice,” Upper stated, trotting after Velvet. “So I take it your younger self was a bit of a wild child?”

“Ahaha, that’s putting it mildly,” Velvet chuckled as she poured two glasses of scotch on the rocks. This was soooo weird. One second she was threatening her, now they were sharing drinks like old friends? Velvet couldn’t take this level of stress. And Twilight Sparkle was her bucking daughter.

“A lot of ponies had a bit of a wild streak,” Upper hummed to herself. “Mine seemed to have passed me by. My family wasn’t one for such things.”

“So I see,” Twilight looked around the room. “I chose the quill over the sword, but it’s never too late for somepony.” She offered the mare a glass. “Trust me.”

Upper nodded and took the glass, “Perhaps, but I doubt I’ll be able to ‘loosen up’ as my son sometimes puts it. I am a Field Marshal after all.”

“Oh, ask Flare for advice,” Velvet chuckled as she sipped her drink.

Upper took a swig of it herself, “Good stuff… and perhaps soon enough I will. I pardon my earlier behavior. I seem to be so out of practice when it comes to love that I forget to stop myself from prying.”

“I can understand, I am a mother myself after all,” Velvet agreed. “Just… try to go easy on Yearling. She’s a pegasus and she’s quite… competitive.” She sipped her scotch and sighed. “Provided I don’t kill her when she gets back of course.”

“And why would you want to do that?” Upper took another sip of her rum.

“Because she kidnapped Flare in the dead of night, so she can access an ancient temple,” Velvet deadpanned. “And has likely molested the poor stallion the entire time…”

Upper was silent. Then she drank her entire cup and poured herself another, “Do you need help with that?”

“Oh, I won’t actually kill her,” Velvet realised her mistake. Upper might though. “Punish her thoroughly. But I love her too much to kill her. Her fans might get upset if I killed her off.”

Upper took a long breath, “Then I shall help punish her as well. You may choose the punishment since you know her better.”

“Oh, um..” Velvet coughed and blushed. “That uh… might be a little awkward.”

Upper quirked an eyebrow, “And why would it be awkward? I will not stand idly by. I will take action, even if I must thrust myself against the problem.”

Velvet bit her lower lip. ’Don’t say it. Dooooon’t say it…’

“She will beg for mercy,” Upper stated. “She will beg before I finish her off. Then I shall take my son and toughen him up so that this doesn’t happen again. He will be the one to take the mare, not the other way around.”

Velvet bit her lip. She had to be doing this on purpose. There… there was no way.

“You of course know this mare more than I,” Upper stated. “So you shall punish her first and after I deal with my son, I shall do the same.”

Velvet couldn’t take anymore. She leaned in close and whispered exactly what she planned to do to Daring and Flare. In every, explicit detail…

Upper’s response was for her face to grow bright red and take another swig of her rum. “Umm…”

“And that is why it would be awkward,” Velvet nodded as she poured Upper another drink.

Upper nodded, “It would be especially awkward with my son around, yes.” She took a sip of her drink. “That’s a rather… peculiar way of punishing somepony.”

“We’re lovers, it’s kind of what we do,” Velvet replied. “So… how um… how long has it been. Since you, well you know…” She made a rather lewd gesture with her hooves.

“Since I’ve had sex?” Upper furrowed her brow. “Several years now. I’d say, twelve.”

“T-Twelve… years!?” Velvet gasped. “Oh… you poor thing…”

“Could be longer,” Upper sighed. “I stopped counting after a while.”

“Imma call Cadance,” Velvet nodded. “She’s going to have a field day with you.”

Upper gulped and started to sweat, “Th-that’s not necessary. I’m sure I can manage.”

“Nonsense,” Velvet said with a firm nod. “This is a problem that must be fixed.”

Upper sighed in relent, “Very well, but I doubt I’ll be getting anything any time soon.”

Velvet just smirked. Cadance was going to love this one~

She turned around… and promptly screamed. Standing near her was a Goddess-bucking Velociraptor!

“Talon,” Upper accosted the raptor. The little feathery dinosaur backed up a little. “Don’t sneak up on ponies.”

It made some clicking noises and frowned, before nuzzling and licking Velvet’s face.

“Oh goddesses! It’s going to eat me!”

Upper chuckled and petted the dog sized raptor’s head, “He’s harmless. You don’t have to worry about him biting you or anything like that. Flare trained him exceptionally him well.”

“F-Flare did?” Velvet blinked and looked at the dinosaur. “What?”

“This is his pet Velociraptor, Talon.” Upper cooed to the little dinosaur. It let out a few chirps as it nuzzled the mare’s hoof.

“A pet… he has a pet… velociraptor,” Velvet sighed and facehooved. “Of course he does.” Then a thought occured. “So… how long have you looked after Flare for?”

“He was young,” Upper stated. “Older then my little Coco by a few years, but still young.

“That means…” Velvet’s smile widened. “You. Have. Foal pictures!”

Upper’s mouth etched into a smile, “Oh I have many foal pictures. Like the time he tried to march around in a guard’s helmet a few times too large for him.” she giggled at the memory.

“I have… no— I need to see that!” Velvet said, her nose pressed against Upper’s.

“I’ve got pictures and a movie or two,” Upper squeed, pressing her nose back against Velvet’s. “He was so adorable back then~”

“Eeee~ I have to see everything!” Velvet danced in place.

Upper nodded to upstairs, “I keep a few in my bedroom in case I want to nestle up with some fond memories.”

“I do the same thing!” Velvet cooed as she followed Upper Crust. “My little Shiny Hiny was so cute as a foal.As was Twily… you know, until the whole Chaos thing. Word of warning, thank every god and goddess your foals only sneezed up snot.”

“I heard about your children,” Upper smiled as she lead Velvet up the stairs. “It seems that they are destined for very powerful magic. I ponder how powerful my grandfoal will be.”

“G-Grandfoal!?” Velvet stammered. “But… but how did you knooooww….” she trailed off slowly.

‘Ah crapbaskets.’

Upper Crust paused and looked back at her with wide eyes, “You… you’re pregnant?”

“Ssshhhh!” Velvet covered her mouth with a hoof. “Look, not even Flare knows yet. Heck, I only just found out a few days ago myself. I…” She pulled her hoof back and sighed. “I’m not sure how he’ll even react…”

Upper put a hoof on her shoulder and gave a kind smile, “It’s going to work out just fine. He’s a good stallion after all. He’s not just going to abandon you.”

“I know, he’s far too nice… I have no idea how he became a Guard, well, I kind of do. I saw him fight once. It was… intense. But…” She sighed and looked down. “We’ve only been together a couple of weeks…”

“And I’m sure he’ll support you for years to come,” Upper stated. “He’ll do what’s right and he knew what he was getting into, just as you did.”

“Yes… I suppose I did,” Velvet smiled. “To answer an earlier question of yours. The one about how long i want to be with him?” the unicorn mare wiped a tear from her eye. “I love him, more than I thought I could ever love another stallion. After… after Nightie died… I thought that was it. That I could never move on. But…” She blushed and looked away. “Flare proved me wrong. I know we haven’t been together long. But, I really do want to spend the rest of my life together with him… should you allow it.”

Upper nodded, “Then take that road, Velvet. Don’t let it slip out from under your hooves. I’ll help however I can.”

“Thank you,” Twilight smiled and gave her a friendly nuzzle. “So, guess that’ll make you my mother-in-law when we get married. That should be novel.”

Upper returned the nuzzle with a giggle, “Perhaps. Though don’t call me that. I’m not that old.”

“Aww, is Grandmamma upset over getting old?” Velvet teased her.

Upper Crust narrowed her eyes and flexed her body, “Do I look old to you?”

‘This is a trick question isn’t it?’

“Yeah… she might just impale us if we answer wrong…”

‘Well, don’t screw this up Velvy~’

“...I hate you so freaking much…”

“W-Well, no, of course not,” Velvet finally said.

Upper Crust smirked, “Good, now let’s go see those pictures.” She sashayed upstairs with extra flare to her swings to show she was a bit happy with herself.

“Don’t look at her flank, don’t look at her flank--- Dammit!”

Upper finally opened the door, revealing a plain bedroom. Nothing too fancy. Just plain and efficient. She walked over to the closet and opened it, summoning an album with her magic. “Ah, here it is.”

“You know… a nice set of drapes would really go well,” Velvet hummed.

“I like to keep it simple,” Upper sat down on the bed and patted the spot beside her as she started to open up the album and scroll through it.

“So many responses…” Velvet sighed as she sat next to her. “So, do you invite every pretty mare you meet into your bedroom~”

Upper blinked in confusion, “Well no, not really.” Oh Celestia, she was absolutely precious.

“Like mother like son,” Velvet chuckled. “Now I see where he gets it from.”

Upper hummed in thought, “I don’t suppose you’ll tell me what you’re talking about.”

“Oh nothing,” Velvet hummed. “Okay, make with the pictures.”

Upper smiled and moved closer as to help them both see them. She opened up the album to a picture with Flare wearing a frou-frou suit, “I remember this one. He was so fidgety during that ball.”

“Aww, what an adawwable widdle babbu~” Velvet cooed.

Upper chuckled and pointed to another with him wearing a helmet almost the size of his entire body, “He really wanted to become a royal guard. He kept pushing that around courtyard and giving orders to everypony.”

“Eeee~ He’s so precious~” Velvet squealed. Little Flare was absolutely adorable~

“I know,” Upper Crust cooed. “He was such a momma’s colt growing up. Always cuddling with me when he had a bad dream.” She opened up to another picture of a little Flare nestled up against Upper.

“Aaawww~” Velvet cooed. “Now I see why he’s such a snuggler. Aw lookit he widdle sleepy face~”

Upper snorted with amusement and flipped to another photo of him standing up on a few soldiers, “He was as much a snuggler as he was a little soldier at heart. I was a bit miffed that he didn’t join the Mimus Brigade alongside I, but given him and my daughter, I’ve resigned to the fact that I won’t have anypony to pass down that torch.”

“Oh, what does your daughter do?” Velvet asked as she looked at his graduate photos.

Upper turned the page to a petite white earth pony. “She’s an apprentice dressmaker. She honestly surprised us when she came out an earth pony. The only earth we have in our lineages my great grandfather. Surprised me even more with her demeanor, but no matter. I’ll bring her back home soon enough.”

“So you still want her to become a Rider?” Velvet asked. “Did you ever ask Flare why he didn’t become one?”

“For one, he was never much of a Rider.” Upper stated. “The more important detail was that he is a Fireblood Elemental. The Guard pressed him into service as quickly as they could.”

“Ah, I’d almost forgotten about that,” Velvet sighed. She had no idea that Flare was conscripted so young. “It was the same when Twilight’s Chaos Magic surfaced… So, I guess I know how you feel.”

“I was honestly proud of my little boy,” Upper sighed. “But being a Rider has been a family tradition. It seems that tradition ends with me, however.”

“Oh don’t be like that,” Velvet chuckled and nudged her. “All you need is a nice stallion and some time to raise another heir~”

Upper turned her head away and blushed, “I-I’m not sure I can find a stallion up to the task.”

“Oh nonsense, I’m sure there’s plenty,” Velvet smirked and looked her over. “I mean, you still look good. I bet you wouldn’t have any trouble getting a stallion over for a night or two to do the deed~”

Upper’s blush intensified, “Th-that wouldn’t be necessary.” She gulped and tried to get her strong persona back through her blushing.

“Well it kind of is for making a foal,” Velvet replied with a small smile. “Only stallions have that sweet baby batter for our ovens~”

“Velvet!” Upper sputtered, blushing like wildfire. “That is… what you’re saying… gah!” She buried her face in the book to hide it.

“And you’re quite adorable when you blush,” Velvet smirked. Upper was as much fun to tease as Flare. “I mean, you’ve had one already, so it’s not like you’re a virgin.”

Upper sighed, “Yes, well, I wasn’t rather sexually active much back then anyways. Came with my field of work so…” She tapped her hooves together, nervously. “I don’t think I’m good at it.”

“Oh nonsense,” Velvet snorted. “Though, I suppose I could give you a few pointers. Flare would love a little brother or sister I’d bet.”

Upper Crust, mightiest warrior in the Mimus Brigade and the bane of the Roman Empire, squeaked.

“…” Velvet’s eyes widened. Oh that was just too damned adorable.

“…You didn’t hear that,” Upper tried to clear her throat.

“Ohh yes I did~” Velvet smiled and inched closer. “Now the question is, do I tell you these tips and tricks… or show you~”

Upper opened her mouth to speak, but only squeaked again.

“Hahah, aw that’s adorable,” Velvet giggled and rubbed her head. “Don’t worry, I’m not going to do anything that’ll make you uncomfortable.”

Upper narrowed her eyes, “I am a warrior. Nothing you could do can make me uncomfortable.”

“…Is that a challenge?” Velvet raised an eyebrow.

Upper crossed her forelegs, “I must warn you that I am a quick learner. I may soon be besting you at your own game.”

Velvet’s smirk only grew and a shiver travelled up Upper’s spine.

“…And so I believe that covers everything as far as the basics go,” Velvet finished a lecture that would have made Cadance proud.

Upper looked on with a flustered expression, “You mean you put… that in.. there?” She tried to figure out some of the stranger parts of the speech.

“Well of course,” Velvet snorted. “I mean, it can go here and here too,” she said, pointing at a diagram she made. “Or here if you're feeling adventurous~”

Upper was getting only slightly better at controlling her blush, “That’s… interesting.”

“Mmm, and it’s soooo good~” Velvet purred. “When Flare got going he—”

“I don’t want to hear about Flare’s sexual advances,” Upper suddenly spoke up. “I know I mentioned things earlier, but it was more general and…” She blushed and put her face in her hooves.

“And?” Velvet hummed and leaned closer.

“Nothing,” Upper quickly said, trying not to think about her son in such situations. “Let’s turn this back to you and me.”

“Aww, but I wanna hear what such a serious, grumpy pony could come up with,” Velvet pouted. “Come oon~ I won’t tell anyone. Sparkle Promise.”

“I’m not that inventive in such an expertise,” Upper huffed.

“Well, you never know until you try~” Velvet hummed and an idea formed. “Still, I guess if you're scared. I’ll back off. I understand that some ponies find it difficult…”

Upper snarled, “I am scared of nothing. We shall continue with this as you see fit. I will overcome this obstacle post-haste.”

“I’m just curious as to what you were thinking is all,” Velvet hummed. “Come on scaredy-pony. Tell me what naughty thoughts crossed your mind~”

“Well… I have sometimes pondered that device a mare wears to create the illusion of a stallion.” Upper stated.

“Hmm?” Velvet tilted her head. “Ah, what of them?”

“…Well, to use them on my partner as I push them into the bed.” Upper blushed. “It’s just a thought. Nothing more.”

“Oh my~” Velvet purred and licked her lips. “Now that does sound fun. You see? I knew you had it in you.”

Upper rubbed her forehead, “Yes, but I doubt that’ll ever happen any time soon. Though it does feel good to at least share a thought on occasion.”

“Still gonna send Cadance her way,” Velvet mused. “It doesn’t do any good bottling it up all the time. Just… cut loose every now and then. I’m sure anypony would be lucky to share a bed with you.”

“I’ll consider it,” Upper nodded. “I still have a lot on my schedule, however.” She furrowed her brow. “I’ll try and not put it off. No promises.”

“It’s fine,” Velvet hummed. She was going to sic Cadance on her anyway. If anypony could catch this mare up it’d be here.

There was a knock at the door, and they heard one of Upper’s maids speak. “Lady Upper? Master Flare has returned and is looking for you and Lady Velvet.”

“Then bring him up,” Upper narrowed her eyes. “And do so in a timely fashion.”

“Hmm, he’s back sooner than I expected,” Velvet mused as the maid squeaked and scampered off. A few moments later, the door opened as the stallion entered, though he looked quite exhausted and had a few bandaged injuries.

“Ah, here you are and… oh good, Velvet’s still alive,” he sighed with a relieved-sounding tone.

“Of course she is,” Upper rolled her eyes. “I am not that hasty.”

Flare just levelled a deadpan stare at her.

“Sounds like a story there,” Velvet chuckled as she stood up and nuzzled him.

“Mhm, ask her about Silver Lining sometime,” Flare rolled his eyes not unlike his mother. “Pretty sure she still has PTSD after what Miss ‘I’m not Hasty’ did to her.”

“You sound as if I was the one at fault there,” Upper snorted.

“Well she was after my lineage and money,” Flare relented to that much. “But did you really have to tie her up, drizzle barbeque sauce on her and threaten to feed her to some raptors?”

“You’re right,” Upper nodded. “I should have gone through with it.” She sighed, “I’m getting soft.”

“…You’re family is most strange,” Velvet said with a small nod.

“You’re one to talk,” Flare chuckled as he walked over to Upper and pulled her into an embrace. “And, thanks for treating Vel right Mom. I appreciate it.”

“I tried to be nice,” Upper said. “I came off stranger then I meant to, but I’m sure she knows her place.”

“Mhm,” Velvet chuckled. “Maybe your cute little sister will get a nice coltfriend next?”

“I’ll kill him,” Upper and Flare growled.

“Oooor not,” Velvet took a step back. “Still, what happened to you?”

“Huh?” Flare looked down at his injuries. “Ooh, these are… mostly self-inflicted. I overcharged my magic dealing with some Griffon mercs.”

Upper Crust patted his shoulder with a proud smile, “Battle scars are nothing more then proud reminders of battles long finished. I’m sure my boy slaughtered his foe to the last.”

“Well…” Flare mused. “I did turn a few of them into carbonised skeletons to the glass floor I reduced the battlefield too. Hopefully they’ll stop bothering Dar… er, Miss Yearling like that.”

“You did what?” Velvet replied with wider eyes.

Upper chuckled and pet his head, “That’s my boy.”

“Honestly,” Velvet groaned and facehooved. “Can’t you and her do anything at a more sedate pace.”

“Hey, they were the ones crossing our borders, and they wanted access to Amaterasu’s temple,” Flare replied. Craaap, he’d have to file so much paperwork for this incident. “Well anyway, Year’s at home licking her own wounds. Then he paused. “Ooh, did you—?”

“She already knows you’re dating two mares,” Velvet nodded.

Flare slowly looked at the older mare in his hug. How was he even still alive?

“It is alright,” Upper said. “Although, I am surprised you went for two mares of my own age. I thought you’d prefer some young recruit, but it appears I was wrong.”

“I have no idea how it happened either,” Flare groaned. “Velvet’s just… amazing. And beautiful, and sexy…”

“Aww,” Velvet smiled and pet him next. “Thank you love. And you are handsome, brave and very flattering.” The two lovebirds shared a nuzzle, Upper still caught between them.

Upper Crust groaned slightly, “Well I see that you two are already making yourself at home.”

“Ah, whoops,” Flare let her go and rubbed his head. “Sorry Mom.”

“I’m not~” Velvet murred and winked at the pair of them, making Flare blink before facehooving as he realised what she meant.

“Yes, this is all quite touching.” Upper tried her best to squirm out from between them. “But I’m sure you have better things to do today then stand here.”

“Hmm, should we invite her over for dinner?” Velvet hummed. “I wanna sic her on Yearling as punishment for stealing you.”

“Velvet, that is just cruel,” Flare chuckled. “Even the Princess couldn’t survive something like that.”

“Flare, am I hearing a tinge of heresy tinge your lips?” A sharp ear twitched towards him from atop Upper’s head.

“…bye!” and with a surge, the stallion jumped up and bolted from the room.

Upper sighed and shook her head, “He may be a stallion, but he still acts like a colt.” She turned to Velvet. “Whip that out of him.”

“Ooh, I haven’t tried out my whips yet,” Velvet hummed in thought as she started to follow Upper as they went after him. “I’ll have to teach him a safeword.”

Upper blinked in confusion, but simply shrugged. “I’m sure you’ll think of something.”

Velvet paused and then shook her head. ‘Oh you poor dear. Don’t worry. I’ll help you out soon enough~’

The Sparkle household was nice and calm… so Twilight must be out somewhere… oh right, she went to Ponyville didn’t she? She’d made some kind of friend during a visit, an odd little mare if Velvet remembered correctly. She’d have to pay that town a visit sometime.

And it seemed that Flare had just come back from there, with both him and Daring having visited family there.

“Still, I’m glad to see that Coco is doing well,” Flare said to Upper as they arrived at Velvet’s house. “I think she even might be a bit braver too.”

Upper snorted, “Oh we’ll see about that. I intend to visit her soon enough and bring her back home. There are too many ‘incidents’ going on in that town of Ponyville and I don’t like hearing about her being in the middle of them.”

“Well…” Flare realised that there was no talking his mother out of an idea once her mind was made up. “Just, lemme know if you need a hoof okay?” Somepony had to come along and reduce collateral damage.

“Alright,” Upper nodded. “I will.”

‘Mental note, stock up on headache pills,’ Flare groaned internally as he opened the door and stepped inside, only to be accosted by a yellow pegasus mare who was trying to find out what his tonsils tasted like with a deep kiss.

Upper jumped to the side and her horn glowed as her old battle instincts kicked in, “Who…” She grunted in annoyance as she realized what was going on. “And this would be Yearling then.”

The pegasus pulled herself up from the kiss, “Present~” She then went back to kissing him deeply.

Flare would have mounted a retort, but The Daring Army was busy laying siege to Fort Flare.

“Yes, that would be her,” Velvet replied. “I’d say what you can to her, she’s about to become an extinct species.”

“She may do whatever she wants,” Upper flippantly said and walked inside. “As for me, I shall be pouring myself a drink.”

“Top cupboard on the left,” Velvet pointed out. “I have vodka, scotch and brandy.” She paused and nodded. “Pour me one to please.”

“Will do,” Upper called back.

Velvet turned to scold Daring, only to have a box of muffins thrust into her hooves. She looked down and sniffed. “Ooh, Ditz made you some of her muffins? I haven't had these in years!”

Daring grinned as she finally broke the kiss, dropping Flare to the floor, “Oh my sister apparently had a few days off so she thought she might use some of that time to send up some snacks. I thought you’d like some.”

“We… picked them up in Ponyville,” Flare gasped, breathing hard to refill his lungs. “Also got mistaken for a doppelganger I supposedly had. Had dinner with my sis, got hit on by a teenager… and a baker, and had dinner with a fanfilly Princess.”

Velvet’s eyebrow rose slowly. “I… have so many questions,” she uttered.

“That’s basically your response to a lot of my adventures,” Daring chuckled. “And like always, I won’t skip out on any of the details.”

“You better not,” Velvet replied. “You need to put a new book out soon, or your publisher will be leaping down your throat.”

Daring gave her a quick kiss, “Not if I ‘leap’ a little something into yours first.”

Velvet shook her head and booped Daring’s muzzle. “Honestly, you never change do you?”

“You’re one to talk,” Flare said. “Also Dare? Heads up, cause that was my Mom just now.”

“…Oh yeah,” Daring gulped, her eyes widening. “I remember her now. The eyepatch just threw me off is all.”

“Mom thinks it makes her look threatening,” Flare mused and chuckled. “I once replaced all her eyepatches with pink lacy ones. It was hilar—”

Magic encased his ear that moment and pulled it hard towards the doorway, Upper Crust was glaring at him, “Not one more word, young colt.”

“Owowowow,” Flare hissed as his head was pulled down. “Y-Yes Ma’am! Sorry Ma’am!”

Daring whistled, “I remember that glare so well.”

“Ooww, aw come on Mom, your gonna pull my ear off.” Flare winced, no way were Velvet and Daring stepping between that though. “Ahh, my sweet mares have forsaken me,” he pouted.

“I’ve learned the hard way it’s best not to tick her off in any way, shape, or form.” Daring said.

“Quite,” Upper nodded and tugged anew on his ear.

“Wait you-ow-know each other?” Flare said, wincing in pain.

“Oh it was way back when,” Daring waved him off. “I used to end up fighting with her on occasions, mostly against the Roman Empire.”

“It was an aggravating experience,” Upper huffed.

“I know you you feel mom,” Flare nodded in a sage-like manner.

Daring huffed and stuck up her nose, “Well I know when I’m not wanted.” She haughtily stepped away into another room, flicking her tail at them.

“Aww, come on Daring,” Flare walked after her, pulling himself free from Upper’s magic. “We were only teasing.”

“Well you’re going to have to make it up to me,” Daring snooted.

“And how shall I do that, my beloved winged goddess?” Flare asked, moving up next to her and nuzzling her.

Daring kissed his cheek and let her tail flow over his cutie mark, “Oh I’m sure we can think of something~”

“Hooboy,” Flare breathed out. “You’re lucky Mom is here,” he whispered into her ear. “Or there’d be no saving you and Vel from me~”

Upper took a long sip from her drink, “I might need some stronger stuff.”

And now Flare was blushing, realizing his mother had heard that.

Daring laughed and kissed him, “Oh I missed her deadpan humor.” She said as she walked off.

“I wasn’t trying to be humorous,” Upper mumbled.

“Right, so…” Flare coughed into his hoof and sighed. “I’ll just go and… buy some ingredients for dinner then.” He quickly grabbed his saddlebags and headed out the door.

“Oh dear, he’s so adorable when he’s all flustered like that,” Velvet chuckled.

Upper chuckled, “He’s always adorable. However, sometimes I wish he was made of sterner stuff. Like being able to ride a gallimimus for example.”

“Hmm, now that would make for a fine sight,” Velvet purred, picturing him astride a gallant mount, looking all heroic and cool and… oh dear, she wished he hadn’t gone out now. Well, he’d be in for it later. “So Upper dear, would you like to help me with dinner. As adorable as Daring is, she can’t cook to save her life.”

Upper nodded, “I remember her attempts back during the war. We used to shell them on the Romans as ammunition.”

Velvet paused and looked at her. “Sometimes, I simply cannot tell if you are joking or not,” the unicorn said as she headed for the kitchen.

“A lot of ponies keep telling me that,” Upper stated and followed after her. “I don’t know why.”

Diner was a surprisingly calm affair, just Flare and three mares indulging in casual conversation while they ate.

“Oh?” Flare said and sipped his water. “That reminds me, Daring’s sister, Ditzy? She has the most adorable kid. I mean, she has got to be weaponized cuteness.”

“Oh?” Upper turned to Daring. “Is that so?”

Daring eagerly nodded, “He’s not joking. I’ve nearly fallen over dead a few times because of her.”

“So when can I expect such a child from either of you?” Upper asked Flare and Daring.

And that was Flare doing a wonderful imitation of a fountain with that spittake. “M-Mom!? He coughed. “Y-You can’t just ask something like that?”

Upper Crust raised an eyebrow, “And why can’t I? You have two healthy mares who have already shown the ability to reproduce. I’m sure you can make something work.”

Daring groaned and covered her face in her hooves, “And I forgot how aggravating you could be.”

“Hahah! I like her,” Velvet chuckled, and then decided to turn the tables. She just hoped that Upper would keep her mouth shut about what she said earlier.

“Celestia dammit Vel…” Flare groaned.

“Well see to it that I do have some healthy grandfoals that can actually ride,” Upper stated, taking another swift gulp from her drink.

“Hmm, well Flare is quite good at riding one particular type of mount,” Velvet mused and licked her lips.

“Daring… please make the succubus mare stop,” Flare sighed and thunked his head on the table.

“I’m not stepping in between you two,” Daring grunted.

“Oh no, you’ll be doing that later,” Velvet winked.

“Mom,” Flare groaned. “I’m not even gonna think about foals until I’m married okay? Wouldn’t be fair to the kid or to either mare otherwise.”

“Then why aren’t you offering them marriage yet?” Upper asked, Velvet sweating as she screamed internally.

And now Flare was the one to turn red and start mumbling.

“Ohmy,” Velvet said, looking oddly serious. “Well, I am in no rush to get married Flare. We have only been dating a few months after all, and Daring here less so.”

Upper snorted, “Well don’t take too long. I’m not getting any younger.”

“Oh? And when do you worry about your age?” Flare mused, glad to be shifting to topic away for now.

“When it affects the soldiers under me,” Upper responded immediately.

Flare paused and looked at her. “Has somepony been giving you trouble?” he asked. “You know you’re still the best damned officer in Canterlot.”

Upper nodded, “Oh I know that very much so. Some just doubt my capabilities, mostly those of junior officers wanting a chance for a promotion.”

Flare’s eyes narrowed. Maybe he needed to pay those whelps a visit and remind them of their place. His horn gave a few sparks as he wondered if they’d like jumping through literal fire.

Upper waved him off, “Flare, you don’t have to worry about me. Their complaints won’t do them a damn bit of good.”

“Still pisses me off,” he muttered as he sipped his water again. “Fine, I know you can take care of yourself. And all I’d do is cause you and Captain Armor trouble.” He sighed and changed to a lighter topic. “So? Do you have somepony new in your life?”

“Not at the moment,” Upper stated. “A few new recruits, but nothing personal.”

“Well… I’m sure a stallion would be happy to have you,” Flare nodded with a smile. “I mean, you’re still a pretty mare.”

“Oh I’m not so sure I can find the time, really.” Upper stated and drank the rest of her fill. “I’m still quite busy.”

“We’ll see about that,” Velvet mused as she thought about what to tell Cadance.

After dinner and dessert, Upper Crust bid her son farewell and left for home. While Flare let out a long sigh and smiled.

“Well that went better than I’d hoped,” he smiled at Velvet. “She’s not normally so… complacent towards a marefriend of mine.”

“You’ve had many?” Velvet asked as they headed upstairs to find Daring.

“Two or three,” he said with a shrug. “None of them compare to you and Darling Do though~”

“Oh that’s probably because she knows me,” Daring chuckled, before frowning. “Wait, she does know me… Why is she so calm about this? Has she really mellowed out that much?”

“…Well now I’m scared,” Flare replied. No way was Mom and Mellow used in the same sentence. “I blame Velvet. She somehow tamed her.”

“I am simply that good,” Velvet nodded. The she pulled out a collar from under the bed. “Speaking of tame… come here my pretty little pegasus~”

Daring’s eyes widened and she took a couple steps back, “Velvy, come on. Don’t start with the jokes.”

Velvet smiled as she kept advancing on her. “Aww, that's adorable. But you need to be punished for stealing Flarey like that pet~♡” She’d said that Daring would fly straight for a month and she intended to make good on that promise~

We're like Apple Pie

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“This is bad… this is real, real bad!” Fiddlesticks paced around the kitchen, her hooves scuffing the tiles as she fretted and panicked.

Apple Bloom had wandered in about five minutes ago, but so far had failed to capture the mare’s attentions. She glanced upwards as Big Macintosh stepped up beside her.

“She’s frettin’?” he said in a low rumbling tone.

“Eeyup,” Apple Bloom said with a nod.

“Can’t get her attention?”

“Eeyup.”

“Want me to do it?” he asked, his littlest sister nodding her head. With a roll of his eyes, he stepped forwards and placed himself in the mare’s circular path. A moment later, Fiddlestick’s pacing stopped as she ran right into the large stallions barrel.

“Oof! Whuzzat?” she looked up and frowned. “Big Mac? Watch where yer goin’.”

The stallion just sighed and headed for the backdoor, ready to start his chores. In the meantime, Apple Bloom finally confronted her cousin.

“Fiddlesticks,” she said and tapped her leg. “Now look here, whut’s got you all wound up tighter than a rattlesnake on a bicycle wheel?”

The earth mare sighed and her head drooped, pointing at a piece of paper on the table. Apple Bloom trotted over and looked at it.

‘Dear Fiddlesticks.

I’ll be paying a visit two days from now. It’s been a while and I’d like to catch up, especially since I heard that you were involved in that Nightmare Moon nonsense. (I was very worried when I heard you know (>x<)

Sis has just said she wants to come along to, oh and Mom, so I guess the three of us will be travelling there. /\*o*/\

It’ll be good to see the others as well, haven’t done so since the last reunion so we’re looking forward to it.

And I hope your cooking skills have gotten better. I remember when your speciality was ‘Flambe la Charcoal’ ^w^ So we’re lookin’ forward to a some good vittles kay~?

With loads of love, your favouritest cousin ever!

~Apple Fritter~

“Whoa, cousin Fritter’s comin’?” Apple Bloom blinked. “We haven’t seen her in ages. Since she never came to th’ last Reunion.”

“Yeah, and Cousin Apple Cider and Aunt Apple Leaves,” Fiddlesticks groaned and fell to the floor, channelling her Inner Rarity. “This is the absolute worst!”

“Whoa now,” Apple Bloom frowned and hopped down from the table. “They ain’t that bad. Whut’s got yer hat in a tizzy over their visit?”

“That cooking comment, that’s what!” Fiddlesticks moaned. “You know ah can’t cook worth a lick o’ beans. At least nowhere near the level that Fritter can. Her cookin’ is like… legendary!”

“Well, ah know that much,” Apple Bloom drooled slightly, her mouth watering at the mere thought of Apple Fritter’s delicious baked goods. Not even SugarCube Corner could compare to a Fritter Feast. “But, is it really that big a deal?”

“YES!” Fiddlesticks cried and flopped to the floor again. “If I don’t prove ah kin cook sumthin’ Fritter’s gunna tease me forever! Ah’ll bring shame to the Apple Family name! Y’all will cast me out into the cold! Ah’ll have nowhere to go, and wind up being a bandit! Hittin’ the dusty trail and makin’ a livin’ robbin’ travellin’ folk.”

Apple Bloom raised an eyebrow, the only motion in her otherwise flat stare. “Yer imaginin’ things Fiddles. But honestly, don’t y’all have a friend that’s good at bakin’ n’ stuff?”

Fiddlestick’s eyes widened in realization. She was right. Pizzelle could help!

“Yer a lifesaver AB,” Fiddlesticks picked the filly up and snuggled her before zipping away, leaving a comical dust trail in her wake.

“Ah feel like ah jus’ sicced a monster on poor Pizzelle,” Apple Bloom gulped.

Pizzelle hummed a small tune as she carried a tray on each wing, laden with small lumps of chocolate chip dough. She tapped the oven door with a rear hoof, knocking it open as she slid the trays inside in a single fluid motion. She was looking forward to seeing how this new recipe would come out. Maybe she should give some to Coco, the poor dear seemed to have quite a bit of excitement in Manehattan the other day.

And she let out a filly-like shriek when her door burst open, Fiddlesticks running in like Nightmare Moon herself was on her tail. “Crumbling Cookies!” the pegasi’s wings floofed up in shock as she jumped back. “Fiddlesticks! What the hay?”

“Pizzelle!” she shouted. “Y’all gotta help me!”

Pizzelle paused to calm her racing heart and exhaled slowly. “Okay dear. Just calm down and tell me what’s wrong. Is it an Element’s of Harmony thing? Oh dear, I’ll have to find a foalsitter for Hikaru, and I just put some cookies in the oven, they might burn. Oh, do you think Bon Bon could do it? No, she’s likely still upset right now. Hmm, maybe Mrs. Cake wouldn’t might watching the store-mmph?”

Fiddlesticks had plugged her mouth with a hoof. “Pizzelle, calm down. It ain’t an Element thing. Ah jus’ need yer help in particular okay?”

Pizzelle nodded and Fiddlesticks removed her hoof. “So?” the pegasus smiled. “What can I help you with?”

“I ah…” Fiddlesticks’ resolve faltered. What if Pizzelle made fun of her for not being able to bake? Would she do that? No, that’d be silly, right?

“Well?” Pizzelle hummed and prodded Fiddlesticks with a hoof. “If you came to hear some gossip. Well I should tell you what I saw the other day. You know Lyra yes? Well I saw her with the most curious purple unicorn. They did look rather inebriated however. So I said to myself—”

Hoof met mouth again and Fiddlesticks shook her head. “No… that’s not it. I uh… I need yer help with… bakin’.”

Pizzelle blinked and then her expression softened, petting Fiddlesticks on the head. “Why didn’t you just say so dear. I’d love to give you a few pointers.”

“Ah reckon it’ll take more than a few pointers,” Fiddlesticks sighed. “Alright, so where do we start?”

“That’s easy,” Pizzelle smiled and opened the large ceramic jar that held her flour. Only it didn’t hold her flour… it now held her son as he poked his head out and pulled a face.

“EEEEK!” Pizzelle scrambled back, promptly sitting on Fiddlesticks as the pair fell into a tangled mess. Hikaru cackled as he climbed out of the jar.

“Aaaahahaha, oh wow, you should have seen your face,” the kitsune snorted. “You were all like, ‘eeeek’ and fell on your butt. Good thing Miss Fiddles was there to act as a landing pad!”

“Ohhhh, you little scamp!” Pizzelle growled as she tried to disentangle herself from her friend. “I’ll get you for that one.”

“You can’t catch meee~” Hikaru laughed as he ran from the room before she could recover. Pizzelle sighed as she finally got up, stretching her wings and fluffed them to realign a few tangled feathers.

“Ohh, what a tricky little ruffian he is,” she chuckled. “But he’s right, it’s very hard to one-up a Kitsune.”

Fiddlesticks shook her head, trying to clear it after Pizzelle sat on it. She weighed more than she looked. “Yahuh…” she replied woozily. “Ah’ll git him back fer that one. Nopony outpranks Fiddlesticks!”

“Perhaps I’ll take you up on that,” the pegasus smiled. “Now, let me get the ingredients and we’ll start.”

Pizzelle showed her how to mix a smooth dough to create the base. Mixing sugar, a pinch of salt, butter and egg. And after rolling it into two balls, one slightly larger than the other, she wrapped them in plastic wrap and placed them in the fridge.

“Huh, why do that?” Pizzelle asked.

“We need to dough to chill for thirty minutes,” Pizzelle explained. “Now, do you happen to have any apples on you—” Fiddlesticks took a pile of green apples from her hat and put them on the counter. “—Silly question?”

“Eeyup,” the earth mare giggled. “Ah always got a few dozen on me. Ya know, in case of apple-related emergencies.”

“So I see,” Pizzelle smiled as she looked them over. “My my my, your apples are simply perfect. We’ll make a tasty pie from this.” Together, they peeled and cored eight apples, cutting each into eight pieces. Pizzelle tossed them into a bowl of lemon juice to prevent them from discolouring.

“Now we add the butter and sugar to a frying pan,” Pizzelle explained as she turned on the heat. “And once that’s melted, we add the apples and spices, like that cinnamon over there.”

“Ahh,” Fiddlesticks nodded and reached for the spice. “Ah had no idea that you put cinnamon in apple pie.”

“It’s one of the main ingredients,” Pizzelle nodded. She melted the butter and added the apples and spices. “Now we cook for… about ten minutes or until the apples get soft.”

“Okay,” Fiddlesticks nodded. She never knew pie-making was so… involved. She thought she just tossed stuff in a pan and threw it in the oven. Is this why her pies didn’t work?

Or maybe apples and barbeque sauce didn’t mix?

“And now… we get that dough back out,” Pizzelle explained and demonstrated as she went through the process of rolling it out and layering a pan with it. Once the apples she’d cooker earlier had cooled, she brushed the dough-filled pan with some eggwash and filled it, placing the cover over the pie and setting it back in the fridge.

“Now we chill for thirty minutes and once it is, we can cook it,” Pizzelle explained. She reached up to a shelf and pulled down a book. “Here, this has some recipes that my grandmother showed me. If these can’t make you a great pastry chef, nothing will.”

“Are… are ya sure?” Fiddlesticks asked, unsure if she should take something so important. “Ah mean, this is only fer family…”

Pizzelle smiled and used a wing to pull the mare close, nuzzling her head. “And you aren’t? We’ve been through a heck of a lot. You, me, Red, Quick, Coco and Sunny… we’re all family. You’re all like the sisters I never had, so yes, I am sure.”

“Y’all are gonna make me blush,” the earth pony mumbled, blushing anyway. “Alright… ah promise ah’ll take good care of it.”

“See that you do,” Pizzelle smiled. “Now, how about a nice cup of tea while we wait for the pie to chill. You can tell me about yourself a little more.”

“Ah guess ah could do that,” Fiddlesticks nodded…

The mare groaned as she slumped over the table. Pizzelle had pretty much wanted her life story and now the earth pony was utterly spent. How was talking with one pony more exhausting than bucking a whole orchard of trees?

“Wow, I can’t believe you knew somepony as famous as Miss Octavia,” Pizzelle hummed as she sipped her tea. “And… you really don’t like being called Fiddly Faddle?”

“Call me that again and I’ll never throw you a single party ever!” Fiddlesticks growled, her eyes narrowing into an uncharacteristic frown. That foalhood nickname was the bane of her existence, and yet Pizzelle had somehow gotten her to tell it.

“Okay, never again. Got it,” Pizzelle nodded hastily. Having Fiddlesticks not throw you a party showed that she was really mad at you.

“Glad ta hear it,” Fiddlesticks nodded and let out a soft sigh. “Look, ah want ta thank you fer helpin’ me out Pizzelle. Yer a good friend.”

“Of course, I’m happy to help however I can,” Pizzelle smiled and leaned over to pull her into a wing hug. “Like I said, you and the other girls are like sisters to me.”

“Yeah, thanks a bunch Pizzelle,” Fiddlesticks nodded. “Ah dunno if ah can bake one as good as y’all… but ah guess ah kin give it a try.”

“Well, did you want me to come over and help?” Pizzelle asked. “I certainly don’t mind assisting a friend.”

“Nah, I gotta do this mahself,” Fiddlesticks said with a shake of her head. “‘Sides, Fritter would tease me forever if she knew ah had help.” She cocked her head and smiled. “And could th’ Element of Truth really do that?”

“Well… darn,” Pizzelle sighed and shook her head. “Well, I can always play a supervising role.”

“Maybe…” Fiddlesticks sighed. “Well, thanks fer th’ lesson, and the cookbook Pizzelle.”

“Mhm, anytime,” Pizzelle nuzzled her as the earth mare got up. “I’ll bring that pie over when it’s done baking okay?”

“Sure,” Fiddlesticks nodded as she headed for the door. “Later!”

On her way home, the mare had her head down, repeating the lesson over and over again in her head. She couldn’t afford to get scatterbrained and forget it all now.

And that was why she didn’t see the pony she bumped into, sending them sprawling across the ground. Well… the latter did anyway. The sturdy earth pony barely budged.

“Huh?” Fiddlesticks looked up to see Sunset groaning and rubbing her head. “Oh, heya Sunnybuns!” She beamed and helped her up. “Odd place to take a nap though. Too bad ya can’t nap on clouds like Dusty.”

“I wasn’t napping, I ran into a wall,” the princess muttered and brushed the dirt from her coat.

“A wall?” Fiddlesticks looked around at the open street. Sunset was such a silly pony sometimes. “Well, ah was just on my way home. I have to learn to bake a pie for mah cousin befer she show’s up.”

“Learn?’ Sunset paused as that caught her off guard. “But… what about all those cakes and treats at your parties?”

“Sugarcube or Pizzelle,” Fiddlesticks sighed as she told her the truth. “It’s plum embarrassin’ to admit. But ah can’t cook at all. Unless y’all eat charcoal.”

Sunset blinked. She had something in common with Fiddlesticks? Hm, this might make for a good letter to her mother. This Friendship thing was a cakewalk.

“Well, best of luck then,” Sunset waved.

“Oh, y’all should come over tomorrow,” Fiddlesticks smiled. “Ah’d love to introduce mah family to all mah new friends.”

“I ah… tomorrow tomorrow?” Sunset planned to reread her now signed Daring Do novels. Sure, she had to see that infuriating stallion again, but she got to meet A. K. Yearling! So it was definitely worth it.

Best. Day. Ever!

Fiddlesticks paused as she watched Sunset prance happily in place. Wow, she really wanted to meet her family that bad? Well that was just better than a room full of apples!

“Great to see ya so enthused,” she beamed. “See ya tomorrow Princess!” She pat her on the head and galloped off.

“ …Waitwhat?” Sunset blinked.

Fiddlesticks paced around the kitchen, a pile of blackened pie tins showed last nights efforts to make a pie worthy of Fritter’s tastebuds. But nothing had gone right. She didn’t cool the dough enough. The oven was too hot. The apples were too mushy. She mixed up cinnamon powder with the paprika.

And it had resulted in no less than two dozen ruined dishes. Some could be given to the pigs at least. Most wasn’t fit for consumption for another living being. Actually, she was pretty sure the undead would die from them.

Great, her cooking was so bad it could be weaponized.

“Whut am ah supposed to do?” Fiddlesticks moaned, sinking to the floor. The sun was gonna be up soon. She was running out of time… and ingredients. “Ah’m never gonna be able to do this.”

“Fiddle?” she heard a sleepy voice ask and turned to see Apple Bloom in the doorway, a teddy bear clutched under her arm, still wearing her apple-themed onesie. She rubbed one of her eyes as she looked at the cooking carnage. “Whut… happened in here?”

“It’s called, ‘Fiddlesticks failed and is gonna let down the whole family’!” the mare sighed and flopped down onto the floor. “Ah can’t do this Bloomy. Ah can’t cook ta save a life, let alone impress Fritter.”

“Why is that so important?” Apple Bloom asked as she weaved past the tower of pie tins. “Ah mean, is it really that big a deal t’impress Cousin Fritter?”

“Cause, mah pride as a member of the Apple Family depends on it!” Fiddlesticks declared. “Ah mean, any member of the clan can cook a basic fritter or candied apple. Ah can’t even peel one without startin’a barn fire!”

“Oh come on, now yer jus’ being silly,” Apple Bloom said.

“Ever wonder what happened to the barn a few years back?” Fiddlesticks deadpanned.

“The one that burned…” Apple Bloom’s eyes widened and she facehooved. “Now tha’s jus’ ridiculous.”

“Hehe, gotcha,” Fiddlesticks chuckled. “Look Bloomy, ah jus’ need to do this ya know.”

“But, ya look terrible,” Apple Bloom said and looked her over. “Didja even sleep?”

“SLEEP IS FER TH’ WEAK!” Fiddlesticks declared. “And that traitorous Muffin Queen. She’ll pay fer thinkin’ muffins are better n’cupcakes and fritters….”

“Oooohkay,” Apple Bloom backed up. Time for Code Nighty Naps. She slowly edged out of the room as Fiddlesticks brandished her whisk and fought off evil muffin monsters…

Only to return a few moments later, and opened the lid on a small music box. A soft… almost hauntingly beautiful melody started to play.

Fiddlesticks paused, about to make the decisive blow as she turned to the new sounds, her ears folding back as she frowned. “Bloomy… what the hay are you doin’?”

The filly didn’t answer as she just set the box down and stood there. Fiddlesticks started to walk over, her steps somewhat slow though.

“Ah know whut yer tryin’ to do,” she said… well more like murmured. “Ain’t gunna work. Ah gots a… a will of steel. You… you can’t *yawn* break me…”

Apple Bloom remained a silent vigil, her music box continuing.

“Ah gotta… make the pies…” Fiddlesticks yawned again, her movement slowing. “Turn… that darn music *yaaaaawn!* off…”

Apple Bloom walked from the room, returning a moment later with a pillow and blanket. Fiddlesticks had moved all of about three inches in that minute. Now she just wobbled in place as the filly placed the pillow on the floor.

“Darn… cheatin’...” That was all she got out, falling face first into the pillow and snoring as Apple Bloom sighed and put the blanket over her. Now that that was sorted, time to clean up then enlist some recruits.

“So… why the hay are we up at the crack of Celestia’s dawn?” Diamond Tiara mumbled irritably. “I need my eight hours of uninterrupted beauty sleep. It’s not easy looking this good you know.”

“You look fine,’ Apple Bloom rolled her eyes. “As beautiful as always. Now woulda jus’ relax. Ah need all the help ah kin get right now.”

“Well, I guess…” Rumble said as he pulled the wagon the two fillies were in. “But remember our deal AB.”

“Yeah yeah,” Apple Bloom rolled her eyes. “Ah treat ya both to Sugarcube treats fer a week. Ah know.”

“Mmmmm~” Rumble’s mouth watered at the thought. “It’s gonna be sooo gooood~”

“Colts,” Diamond rolled her eyes. “So, what exactly are we doing again?”

“Ah need these letters delivered to mah sister’s friends,” Apple Bloom said as she handed them two each. “Rumble, ya get to go see Redheart and Lightnin’ Dust.” She turned to the filly. “Diamond? Ya get Miss Pizzelle and Miss Coco. Ah’ll get Miss Quickfix and Princess Sunset.”

“Okay, but you haven’t told us what for,” Diamond said as she took the letters.

“Jus’ trust me,” Apple Bloom said. “Who knows, maybe we’ll get a Cutie Mark fer mail delivery.”

“Who in Equestria would want a mail delivery Cutie Mark?” Diamond snorted as a grey pegasus mare flew by.

“Don’t knock it till you try it,” Ditzy stopped to comment, giggling as she flew past.

“See?” Apple Bloom pointed out. “An’ Miss Ditzy is awesome. She makes the best muffins~”

“Fine fine,” Diamond groaned. And thinking about muffins made her hungry now. She hadn’t even had breakfast yet, and was expected to run across town? She turned and saw three muffins sitting in the cart, her favourite raspberry, an Apple and a blueberry.

“Wait… how did she…?” Diamond looked at the retreating pegasus. Eh, who cares. Free muffin!

After the trio ate, it was time for the mission.

“Okay, y’all got yer targets,” Apple Bloom said, the pair of Crusaders saluting in response. They parted ways as the sun started to rise above the horizon.

“…And that’s the gist of it,” Rumble said to the pony nurse.

“Honestly, that moron,” Redheart sighed and shook her head. “Very well, thank you for letting me know Rumble. Oh.. and before you go. Tell that fool brother of yours he’s been skipping his medicals. I don’t care if he’s afraid of needles. As a member of the guard, regular medicals are required.”

“He’s afraid of what?” Rumble snorted, then fell sideways. “Bwaahahahaha!”

“…And so he said that—”

Diamond groaned and thunked her head against the table. MIss Pizzelle had been gossiping her ear off the second she knocked on her door. When would this chattish nightmare end.

“…And then she said that he could—”

Diamond just sighed, this was gonna be a looong morning.

“Huh?” Sunset looked at the letter and then down at Apple Bloom. “So? What do you want me to do about it?”

“Well, ah was hopin’ her friends could come and help her out,” Apple Bloom said with a small nod.

“Well I’m no cook, so no,” Sunset yawned. She couldn’t believe she’d been woken up early for this. She was having a great dream too, exploring ancient ruins with Miss Yearling, studying their secrets and even getting a character based off of her in the next book.

“Aw come on Princess,” Apple Bloom pouted as her eyes widened and her bottom lip poked out. Sunset froze, trying to avert her gaze before it was too late.

It was already too late. The cute, wide puppy eyes of the filly had already melted her heart and she found her mouth turning traitor against her brain.

“Oh fine… let’s go already,” she muttered.

“Woo!” Apple Bloom cheered, Sunset wondering if that filly knew exactly how cute she was and used it. “Ah’ll head back and get things ready. See you soon Princess Shimmer.”

Sunset watched her go and facehooved. Using The Cute on her… that was just plain unfair.

Fiddlesticks groaned as she put a hoof to her head. She could feel one heck of a headache coming on, and while she loved mornings, this one could go suck a pear right now. She slowly sat up and looked around, noticing a glass of water on her bedside table, which she drank eagerly.

It was also around then that she heard noises from downstairs. With a small frown, she headed down to see what all the ruckus was about. Her eyes widened when she saw her six friends in the kitchen, all helping in some way or another.

“What the what?” Fiddlesticks blinked. “What the hay are y’all doing here?”

“Well that’s a fine hello,” Sunset said with a sort as she finished cleaning the last of last nights chaos. It took a group vote for her not to just incinerate the entire kitchen. Thankfully, democracy won in the end and the Apple Family kept their kitchen.

“We decided to give you a helping hoof,” Pizzelle said with a warm smile. “Didn’t I tell you Fiddle? If you needed help, I was more than happy to do so.”

“But… but ah didn’t…”

“Nopony can be good at everything,” Redheart said as she took a tray from the oven. “For instance, Quickfix can’t get a date to save her life.”

“HEY!” the loud unicorn protested.

“Look, the point is that we’re here to give out friend a hoof eh?” Lightning said as she cooled the pies off with a flap of her wings. “Even if baking like a bunch of housewives is totally uncool.”

“Ooh, I should have brought my cute frilly aprons,” Pizzelle sighed. “Though… they might not fit some of you.”

“That’s your fault for being so friggen huge,” Lightning chuckled. “I mean, you’re built like an Earther, while Coco, an actual Earth pony is smaller than the nerdiest of unicorns.”

“That’s mean!” Coco pouted and huffed indignantly. It was very cute.

Fiddlesticks laughed and she hugged Coco. “It’s good, cause yer absolutely adorable,” she giggled.

“M’not adorable,” Coco pouted more, blushing under her coat. And that just got a giggle from all the mares present.

“Well… ah guess,” Fiddlesticks sighed. “Fine, whut can ah do to help then?”

“Hmm?” Pizzelle looked around before she heard noises from outside. “Go and see your family?”

Fiddlesticks’ eyes widened as she her ears fell back. “Oh horseapples… they’re here.”

Apple Fritter stretched after the long trip, her emerald mane flowing in the gently morning breeze as she looked at the farmhouse, her cousin Fiddlesticks coming out through the front door, though she looked slightly nervous about something. Given that hilarious bedmane she had going on, she must have overslept.

“Hyea cuz!” Fritter waved as her mother, Apple Leaves, and her sister Apple Cider stepped out of the wagon as well. “You oversleep r’sumthin?”

“Huh?” Fiddle looked up and blushed somewhat. “Oh shush,” she murmured. “How was yer trip?”

“Long dear, very long,” Apple Leaves sighed. “I’m looking forward to seeing your Granny again after so long. I am sorry we couldn’t make the last reunion.”

“Yeah, we all missed ya,” Fritter said as they all offered a round of hugs. “Musta been serious fer ya to miss it.”

“Just a bit,” Cider sighed with a shake of her head. Unlike the rest of her kin, her Apple accent was rather subtle. “It’s my fault mostly. I had trouble with my brewery in Las Pegasus. So sis and mom came up to give me a hoof.”

“Eeyup, tha’s a story in and of itself,” Fritter nodded. “Was a lotta fun though. Ah’ll hafta drag ya along next time.”

“Maybe,” Fiddlesticks said as she helped them with their luggage. Well so far so good. As long as Fritter didn’t bring up—

“Ah’m also lookin’ forward to seein’ yer cookin’,” Apple Fritter spoke up with a giggle.

Ah crabapples!

Inside, Apple Leaves had gone off to talk with Granny Smith, two two older mares sitting on the front porch and exchanging stories. Meanwhile, Fiddlesticks helped Fritter and Cider into one of the guest rooms, and as they walked back down into the living room, fritter sniffed the air.

“Mmm, somethin’ sure smells good,” she hummed. “Fiddle, have y’all been holding out on me?”

“I uh…” Fiddlesticks froze. Crap, she forgot about the others in the kitchen. She zipped back inside and found the kitchen… empty? Puzzled, she looked around and saw a note on the table.

‘We’ve done all we can, don’t worry and treat your cousin to a good meal.

Love, Pizzelle.’

“You guys…” Fiddlesticks wiped her eyes as she looked at the buffet of treats they’d whipped up for her. She lifted a pie tin, taking a sniff and smiling at the delicious scent that wafted up from it. She heard Fritter and the others come inside, calling her name. Looking back at the kitchen, she made a decision and grabbed the closest item before walking out to the dining room.

“Sorry ta keep y’all waiting,” she said as she set the pie down on the table. Fritter’s eyes widened at it. It… wasn’t a bowl of charcoal?

“Well… ah’ll be durned,” Apple Fritter said as she looked at the pie with a scrutinizing gaze. The crust was glazed nicely, and the steam coming from it showed it was still nice and hot. She picked up a knife and slid it into the pie, the crust giving a nice crack to show it was flaky and crisp.

“This… looks really good,” the Apple mare said and cut out a slice. Well, it could look good and all. But the taste?

She bit down and her eyes widened. It was almost perfect. The textures, the taste… She couldn’t help but let out a small moan of satisfaction. “Thiff if gud!” she said, still chewing her pie. She swallowed and smiled. “Wow Fiddles. Yer cookin’ has gotten way better. Ah’m almost jealous on how good that was.”

“Well…” Fiddlesticks rubbed the back of her head. “That is…”

“See, ah knew ya could do it,” Fritter smiled. “Any real Apple can pick this stuff up no sweat.”

"S-Sure, it was easy to figure out…” Fiddlesticks said, tugging at her neckerchief.

“We should bake together before I go,” Fritter smiled. “It’ll be fun. You can show me some of the secrets of your tasty pies.”

"Well uh… ah mean to say…” Fiddlesticks wiped her brow. Her smiled widened a little too widely, showing her teeth. “Sure… sounds fun.”

Fritter raised an eyebrow. “Well, ah’m lookin’ forward to it then.”

She just… stared at Fiddlesticks, Apple Cider looking back and forth between the pair as Fiddlesticks appeared to be growing more and more uncomfortable.

Then she cracked.

“OKAY!” she yelled. “Fine! Ah didn’t cook that pie. Or anythin’ else in that kitchen!”

Fritter went to reply, before Pizzelle came flying down the stairs, hugging Fiddlesticks and covering her mouth with a hoof. “She’s a little tired,” the pegasus said. “But I assure you that she made all those wonderful treats by hoof.”

“Hmmfllehrmmrrf!” Fiddlesticks struggled against the strong pegasus mare.

“And… you are?” Fritter’s eyebrow raised a bit higher.

“Oh? Did I not introduce myself? How very rude of me,” the mare giggled and nodded her head. “I am Pizzelle, local baker and friends with Fiddlesticks here.”

“A baker huh?” Fritter said and looked at Fiddlesticks.

“Oh yes, it’s a wonderful job,” Pizzelle smiled. “Why in fact, just the other day I…”

Her endless stream of words lasted a good few minutes before her mouth was clamped shut by a red magical aura, as Sunset Shimmer walked down the stairs.

“Sorry you had to suffer through that,” she said with a weary sigh. “Pizzelle loves her stories.”

“Mhm!” Pizzelle nodded through the magical muzzle.

Fritter looked at the mares, then to Fiddlesticks. “Cuz… y’all got some weird friends.”

“Mhm,” Fiddlesticks rolled her eyes and groaned. She eventually shook Pizzelle off and took a breath. “Look…” she finally said. “Ah don’t care whut they say. But ah didn’t cook any of that. They jus’ butted in and made all that delicious food, all so ah could impress you and… and not look like a failure again.”

Apple Fritter stared at the pie and nodded. “I knew that.”

Everypony paused and stared at her.

“W-Wh… how!?” Fiddlesticks gasped.

“Cause,” Fritter hummed. “Iffn’ ya’ll learned how to make and ‘Apple’ apple pie, it’d have our secret ingredient, Granny woulda showed ya. This here is good pie, but it ain’t ‘apple’ pie.”

“Drat,” Pizzelle snorted. "I will discover your secrets one day!”

“Not likely,” Fritter smiled. “But, all that hoohah about bein’a failure?” She walked up to Fiddlesticks and booped her nose. “Ya ain’t a failure Fiddle. Heck, yer a damn sight more of a mare than I am. Ya helped saved the whole buckin' world fer cryin’ out loud.” She smiled and pulled her into a hug. “Look Fiddles, it don’t matter none that ya can’t make a microwave dinner…”

“Heeey… yeah okay, that’s true,” Fiddlesticks sighed.

“But yer still an Apple, no matter whut okay?” Fritter nuzzled her. “Yer family. An’ family always sticks together. Ah’m sorry… that ah gave you a hard time. Ah’ll even stick around fer a few days and really drill some lessons into you.”

“Huh, didn’t think your family was that close Fiddles~” Lightning laughed, making the earth mare blush and throw an apple at her, beaning her right between the eyes.

“Nice shot,” Sunset and Fritter echoed and laughed.

“So,” Fritter looked back at her cousin. “Let’s bring out the rest of that tasty food, an’ ya can introduce yer friends to me and Cidey.”

“Ah kin do that,” Fiddlesticks nodded as she entered the kitchen. When her friends did, she pulled them all into a massive group hug.

“Are we seriously doing this?” Sunset glowered.

“Agreed,” Lightning said. “This is so uncool.”

“Shush,” Pizzelle scolded them. Poor Coco was buried under them somewhere.

“I have the best friends in th’ whole world,” Fiddlesticks said. “An’ the best family. I really am lucky.”

“Yeah, you’re our friend too,” Sunset rolled her eyes and returned the hug. “Now come on, I’m starving.”

“Agreed!” Quickfix and Lightning nodded, already licking their lips. Fiddlesticks chuckled as she loaded up the serving cart with food.

It was good to have a family.

The Bonds of Family - Part One

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To say that Twilight Velvet was nervous was a gross understatement. She stared at the stallion sitting at the table with a downturned expression. Her ears flat and her eyes slightly wide in anticipated fear. Not five minutes ago, she’d told him one of her greatest secrets, one that involved him in equal part…

A short rewind…

“So, what’s this all about?” Flare asked as Velvet sat him down at the kitchen table. “Is everything okay Vel?”

“Not… exactly,” Twilight said as she paced slowly at the opposite end of the table. “Um, of gee, how to put this…”

“Just say it,” Flare said, now getting a little worried. She wasn’t having second thoughts about the relationship was she? Twilight must have been a mind reader as she suddenly turned.

“I love you Flare, you and Daring, so if you’re having that thought, get it out of your head right now.”

The stallion nodded and put a hoof on the table. “Then what is it Vel? You’re freaking me out here.”

“I…” He was right, she couldn’t keep skirting around the topic like this. And if she didn’t tell him soon, then Daring or Upper Crust might. “Flare, I… I’m pregnant,” she mumbled.

The stallion paused and a small frown creased his brow. “What?”

“I said I’m pregnant,” she said in a clearer tone. “And before you even ask, yes you’re the father. There’s nopony else who could be.”

“I…” Flare sat back in his chair. “How?” The deadpan expression Velvet wore answered that. “Well I know how,” the stallion groaned. “I mean… are you certain?”

Velvet’s expression remained the same. “Yes Flare, I’m certain.”

“I uh…” he scratched his head. He winced and dared a look at her. “When?”

“A better question,” Velvet nodded. “Remember the night with the maid outfit?”

Flare’s mouth made a little ‘o’ shape and he nodded. How could he forget? That night was likely one of the greatest of his entire life.

“Yes well, seems my spells didn’t quite have as potent an effect as I’d hoped,” Velvet said with a sigh. “So um… that’s what I needed to say.”

“How long have you known?” he suddenly asked and Velvet winced. To be honest, she’d really hoped he’d not asked that.

“Well…” she said, deciding to rip that bandage off as quickly as possible. “A few days after that night actually.”

“So at least a month,” Flare said once he’d added that up. “And you waited this long?”

“It wasn’t an easy thing to tell you!” Velvet cried. “I...I didn’t know how you’d—” She caught herself, but Flare filled in the blanks.

“How I’d react?” Flare replied tersely. It… actually hurt a little that she couldn’t trust him like that. He didn’t say anything else after that, and that was how we reached the current moment.

It’d been a few minutes now, the stallion being oddly pensive about things. He just stared down at the table, not really focusing.

“Flare?” Velvet dared to speak, her nerves causing her voice to crack.

The stallion flinched and looked up. “Oh, sorry,” he chuckled. “I spaced for a moment there. Just, trying to organise things upstairs.” he got up from his chair and walked towards her. “Geeze Vel, how did I wind up with such a silly pony for a marefriend?”

“…What?” Velvet squeaked out.

“Did you think I’d run out on you or something?” he said and nuzzled her. “Just because of this?”

“W-Well…” the thought might have crossed her mind… a few times. And kept her up at night.

“Silly pony,” Flare nuzzled her. “As if I’d do something like that. Hell, I’ve been trying to get Daring pregnant for two weeks now.”

“…what?” Velvet said, confused for an entirely different reason now.

“I’m not going anywhere,” he smiled and kissed her on the forehead. “I may just have to put a few things into motion sooner than expected.” He stepped back and booped her nose with his. “So on that note, I have to head out to Ponyville tomorrow to run a few errands okay?”

“…what?” Velvet seemed to be stuck on repeat now. Flare’s horn lit up and he pinched her flank, making the mare yelp and glare at him.

“Welcome back,” he mused. “And I’m happy Velvet. I’m really happy to be able to raise a child with you… unless, you don’t want me to?”

“What? NO! I mean, yes! Um…” Velvet panicked and looked rather flustered. Flare chuckled and kissed her nose.

“Don’t worry,, I get what you mean,’ he said and hugged her close. “I love you Twilight Velvet. With all my heart. Never ever forget that.”

“You’re right, I am a silly pony,” she giggled and hugged him back. “Oh Flare, I’m so happy.”

“As am I,” he nodded as he thought about the work ahead. The coming days were about to get very busy for him.

And their quiet moment was shattered by a particular pegasus mare poking her head around the corner. “Are you two done with the drama yet?”

The two unicorns looked at one another, before a mixed aura snared the adventurous pegasus mare, Daring squeaking in protest.

“Seems we have a rude mare to discipline,” Velvet licked her lips.

“Yup,” Flare grinned. “You got that new bit and bridle yesterday right? Wanna get it out?”

“Oh Tartarus,” Daring muttered as she was dragged upstairs. And curse herself for looking forward to it.

Flare stretched as he exited the train to Ponyville. He was all alone this time, no sexy pegasus mare to back him up. That said, he did look left or right, trying to find the Solar Priestess that had some kind of hate for him for whatever reason.

Thankfully he didn’t see her or that minty unicorn friend. With a sigh, he stepped off of the platform and looked around. It only now occurred that his destination was unknown. He had no idea where Miss Sparkler’s work actually was.

“Well… crud,” the stallion muttered. He’d have to ask somepony. Somepony else cleared their throat from behind him, he realised that he was blocking off the platform for other passengers. He turned to apologise only see a familiar mare.

Lady Rarity, the seamstress that Coco was studying under. Her eyes widened slightly as she recognised him as well and smiled at him, “Ah, Flare. It’s so good to see you again. What brings you to this little town?”

“Actually,” this was perfect, a mare like Lady Rarity would know for sure. “I’ve come to see Miss Sparkler. I don’t suppose you know where she works?”

“Oh?” Rarity was a bit surprised about his choice, but didn’t think much of it. “Well I would assume her shop is still open at this hour. Come, follow me. It’s not far from here.”

He lifted one of her ivory hooves and placed a kiss upon it. “You have my deepest thanks milady.”

Rarity lightly blushed and giggled, “Think nothing of it, darling.”

“Hey!” a voice from up above spoke. Captain Thunderlane landed beside Rarity, “Is this stallion giving you any trouble?”

Rarity rolled his eyes, “No, Thunderlane. He was simply being a gentlestallion. Maybe some ponies could learn a thing or two about being one.” Thunderlane shot her a frustrated look. “I’m simply showing Coco’s brother to Sparkler’s shop.”

Flare noted his uniform and snapped a salute. “Lieutenant Flare Blitz, Canterlot Battle Mage Corps,” he announced.

“Captain Thunderlane, Ponyville Militia.” Thunderlane snapped a salute. “So what do you want with Sparkler?”

“Just to commission a few pieces from her,” Flare replied as Rarity started walking, the two stallions trailing behind. “I promised her the last time I was here.”

Thunderlane mulled that over, “Something special planned?”

“Something like that,” Flare nodded as he looked forward, then to the side to avoid looking at Rarity’s swaying rump.

Thunderlane didn’t have that problem, “Well I hope it works out for you.”

“Thanks,” he replied with a small nod. “I’m just hoping Sparkler doesn’t mind whipping up two rings as quickly as possible.”

“I’m sure she can do it,” Thunderlane stated. “I’ve never met a better jeweler.”

“That’s what I hoped to hear,” Flare nodded, as Rarity couldn’t help but overhear the word ring and her mind drew a certain conclusion. Flare was here with a pretty pegasus mare last time…

“Well here we are,” Rarity stopped before a small shop. “She should be inside. She might be in the back, so just ring the bell on the counter if you don’t see her.”

“Many thanks milday,” Flare nodded, but opted against offering a Noble gesture in light of her coltfriend being here. So he simply gave a polite nod. “And tell Coco I said hello. Though she might hunt me down to hug me once she finds out I’m here.”

Rarity giggled, “I’m sure she would. She absolutely adores you. Now I won’t keep you. Come, Thunderlane.” She started off with Thunderlane in hoof.

“Take care kids, don’t get up to too much mischief,” Flare smiled, unable to stop himself from teasing the couple a little. Enjoying the slight stumble in their step, he chuckled and stepped inside, taking a moment to look at the jewelry in the display cases. There were some amazing pieces in here, did that young mare really make all of these herself?

He raised a hoof and rung the bell on the counter, before he decided to tease her a bit. “Guard inspection!” he called out in a loud, authoritative tone.

Sparkler rushed out of the back, “I was just cleaning—” She eyed Flare, narrowing her eyes. “That wasn’t very funny.”

“Well, it’s not untrue,” he chuckled at the panicked look on her face. “I’m a guard, and I’m inspecting your work.”

Sparkler sighed, before smiling. “So what are you here for then?”

“Well,” the stallion said with a smile of his own. “I’m here to make good on one of my promises.” He pulled out what appeared to be a rather sizable bag of gold bits. “I’d like to commission two rings. One for a unicorn, and one for a pegasus, specifically, your Aunt Daring.”

Sparkler’s eyes widened, “And these are for…?”

“Engagement rings,” Flare specified. “I plan to propose to them. As soon as possible actually.”

Sparkler beamed at him, “Oh I already have one for Daring all whipped up.” She winked at him, “Just in case she found a stallion or mare she liked. Now for the unicorn, what do you have in mind?”

“Wait… seriously?” Flare blinked and rubbed his head. Well that saved some time. “So Velvet… I’d like something in silver, a horn ring. And…” he paused and smiled. “Three gems. A Ruby, a Sapphire and a Topaz.”

Sparkler nodded, “Do you have her horn measurements?”

“Yup,” he said and floated out a piece of paper. He had to take them in her sleep one day, as well as Daring’s hoof size, but he guessed the latter was unimportant now.

Sparkler read over the note and nodded, “Thankfully, I have some silver rings of that size. It will take a bit of time to work the gems in, but I can make it work. Shouldn’t take too long.” Sparkler tapped the counter, “Though, I am curious as for your intended ring for Daring.”

“I was going to go gold, to suit her coat colour,” Flare pointed out. “Same three gem design, but swapping the Topaz for a pink diamond. I was also going to have ‘I love you’ etched on the inside of the band in ancient runic.”

Sparkler giggled, “I think I can rearrange my ring. Probably better then my idea anyways. Should be finished this afternoon and don’t worry, you get a discount since you’re technically family already.”

“Are you sure?” he asked. “I want to make sure you get paid for the time and effort. I brought enough hopefully.” he held up the small sack. “Is three thousand bits enough?” He’d not bought jewelry before, so he figure fifteen hundred a piece should be enough for a good ring.

Her eyes widened, “Three thousand?”

“Is it not enough?” he asked worriedly. “I can have more wired to me this afternoon. Would five or six be enough? Or maybe ten?”

Sparkler started sputtering, trying to comprehend so many bits being thrown at her for such a small job. “Uhhh, well, that’s kinda….”

“Twenty?” Flare hazarded a guess. Jewelry was much more expensive than he could have guessed.

“It’s a simple job!” Sparkler shouted, stopping the pair rise. “I don’t need that much!” Her eyes widened when she realized what she just said, “Uhhh, forget that. Twenty thousand is totally…..” She sighed. She couldn’t do that. Aunt Daring would find out eventually. “Two hundred and five bits would be the usual cost for all that.”

He left a thousand on the table. “Because I believe these lovely pieces are worth it,” he said and then pulled out another slip of paper. “Also, a small gift.” He floated it over and written on it was an address… and the photo of a very handsome Vamphirine stallion. He had rich golden eyes, a deep stormy grey coat and mulberry red hair.

Sparkler’s ears burned as they perked at this, “Ummm, this is…” She gulped. “A bit unexpected.”

“I promised something else last time as well,” he smiled. “His name is Stormy Flair. He works as a Night Guard, but also has a side stint as an artist. That’s his address there, if you feel like sending him a letter~”

“And he’d receive this letter?” Sparkler asked. “For curiosity’s sake, of course.”

“That’s his home address,” Flare said. “He lives alone. A rather nice place in the Artisan’s District if I’m not mistaken.” he gave her a small wink. “In case you were curious of course.”

Sparkler tucked away all that for later, “Well I’m sure this covers everything. A pleasure doing business with you.”

“And you as well Miss Sparkler,” Flare nodded and turned. “I’ll see you this afternoon then.” As he walked out, she looked at the picture, then to Flare’s toned flanks… Were all Guards built like that?

Sparkler guessed so and really envied those who got to live by the guard’s barracks. That and she wished that the local militia were like that. Not that they were pushovers, of course! “See you!” She waved him off. And once he left… the door swinging shut behind him…

Sparkler decided to take that photo and address to the backroom. She needed to write a letter first before the order. This was a must.

Flare reached Ditzy’s house, his next point of call as it was closer than the Boutique. He raised a hoof and knocked, hoping the wall-eyed mare was home.

Luckily for him, she was. The door opened up within a minute of him knocking. Ditzy smiled, “Oh hello, Flare. Nice to see you again.”

“Hello Miss Doo,” Flare cordially bowed his head. “I was wondering if I might have a moment of your time?”

Ditzy moved aside, “No problem.”

“Thankyou,” Flare said as he stepped inside and the smell of baking muffins made his stomach growl, making him regret skipping breakfast to catch the early train. A flurry of movement and he lifted a leg to see a light purple filly attached. “Ah, I seem to have come down with a case of Cute Filly again.”

“Flare!” Dinky waggled her tail as she kept hold of said leg. “You’re here!”

“Heya small stuff,” Flare chuckled and nuzzled her mane. “Have you been good for your Mom?”

Dinky nodded, “Yep, I have.”

Ditzy snickered, “She’s been good, but I wouldn’t expect anything else from my little muffin.” Ditzy pulled the little filly into a hug.

“Hhmmmmm!” Flare tapped his chin, thinking rather overdramatically. “Good enough for saaay, this?” he pulled a little plush ursa from his bag, it’s button eyes looking at Dinky.

Ditzy squealed and jumped out of her mother’s embrace. She rushed over and took the ursa plushie into her arms, “Thank you. I love it already.”

Flare smiled, happy she liked it. Admittedly, he may have also done it to butter up Ditzy a bit. Speaking of… He turned to the pegasus mare and smiled. “So um… I have something important to ask you.”

Ditzy turned herself from her daughter and to him, “Oh? What is it?”

“Well,” he said, rubbing one leg with the other. “Seeing as how Daring has never told me where I could find your parents, I figured her sister would be the best to ask…” he took a deep breath and exhaled. “I’d like your blessing to marry Daring Do.”

Ditzy paused and then tried to stifle a chuckle, “Couldn’t find… I would think my sister of all ponies would know where something or somepony is. Probably just doesn’t want you peeking at her foal pictures.”

“Probably,” Flare snorted, now making it a life goal to find those pictures. “So um… is it okay if I marry her?”

Ditzy raised an eyebrow before pulling him into a hug, “Why would you think I’d say no? You really are a silly pony.” She laughed.

“W-Well, I wanna do right by both my mares,” he said stiffly, feeling a little embarrassed. “And I read asking the parents or a sibling is tradition.”

“Well you can find mom and dad in Trottingham,” Ditzy said. “As for myself, of course you can. Besides, not everypony follows that tradition. I mean, you both love each other and want this right?”

“Well, we love each other, but I haven’t proposed yet,” Flare said. “I… honestly don’t know how she’ll react. Her or Velvet…” he knew they’d been married before… well Velvet had, he wasn’t sure about Dare. Would they want to do it again?

“Oh she’s into you,” Ditzy stated. “My sister would jump into your arms if you asked.”

Note, actually ask her to do that. It would be another Darling Do Moment.

“Thank you,” he smiled and hugged her back, his body was rather warm to hug. A bonus for being an Elemental.

“No problem,” Ditzy smiled and pulled back. “Now what would you like? I can’t very well just let you leave without offering a snack or something.”

“Oh, I don’t want to be a bother…”

Ditzy shook her head, “Nope, I’m going to treat to something and you’re going to like it.”

“Well if it’s more of those delicious muffins, how could I not?” Flare smiled back. “I loved eating your muffin last time. So delicious and moist. Easily the best I’ve ever had.”

Ditzy giggled, “I’m glad you thought so. I put a lot of time and effort into making them.” She trotted off to the kitchen.

“Mhm,” Flare hummed as he sighed at the smell. “Daring might smack me if I ate them too much. But it’d be sooo worth it.”

Ditzy nodded and motioned to a small array of muffins and other pastries. “So what do you fancy?”

“What does the chef recommend?” Flare asked her. “My tastebuds are in your hooves, soon to be big sister.”

“I’d recommend a cinnamon roll glazed with orange icing,” she licked her lips. “They’re fresh too.”

He nodded and took one, before taking a bite and the most blissful expression crossed his face. Velvet’s cooking was great. Daring’s could be weaponized with it’s lethality.

Ditzy’s was straight up God-Tier.

“Marry me?” he asked with wide puppy-eyes.

Ditzy put a hoof over her lips and giggled, “I think you’re mistaking me for my sister, Flare.”

“Cooking… so gooood,” Flare groaned. His days were forever darkened for not being able to eat this everyday.

“I’m glad you enjoyed it,” Ditzy stated. “Anything else I can do for you?”

“Well I have time to kill until Sparkler finishes the rings,” Flare said. “Do you need a hoof with anything around the house?” He’d thought to make himself useful anyway.

Ditzy tapped her chin and shook her head, “Not really. I didn’t have much planned today other than a little cleaning.”

“Well I don’t mind helping with that,” Flare smiled. “I’ll even do it for you if you like. You can just put your hooves up and spend time with Dinky.”

Ditzy frowned, “You don’t have to do that.”

“I don’t mind,” Flare said with a nod. “Really, I can’t stand sitting around idly.”

“Well if you insist,” Ditzy said as Flare ushered her and Dinky away. Once they left, he turned to the house and nodded. Time to clean!

When she returned a few hours later…

Her house practically sparkled. Everything had been cleaned so… meticulously. She looked in the kitchen to see her floors so polished, she could see her reflection. If she didn’t know any better, she’d swear her house had been replaced with a brand new one.

“Oh, hello,” Flare poked his head out from the hallway. “I didn’t hear you come in.”

“Wow,” Ditzy looked around. “Just… wow. You didn’t have to do all this.”

“Well I started… then just kinda kept going,” Flare chuckled and rubbed his head. “Drilled into me since I was a colt. Mom was always a perfectionist.”

“Well, just….” She hugged him. “Thank you.”

“Yeah,” Dinky hugged him too. “Thank you!”

“It’s no big deal,” Flare smiled and hugged them back. “Sides, we’ll be family soon right? Family helps each other. Did you have fun spending the day with Dinkydorable here?”

Ditzy nodded, “She’s a delight as always.” She nuzzled her daughter.

“Glad to hear it,” he nodded. “But I must be going, I have to see my sister before I leave, else I’ll never hear the end of it.”

“Alright,” Ditzy pulled away. “Say goodbye, Dinky.”

Dinky waved her little hoof, “Goodbye mister Flare.”

“See you next time lil muffin,” he nuzzled her forehead. “I’ll send a letter with invitations after we make a date too.”

“We’ll be there,” Ditzy nodded. “No doubt about that.”

“Glad to hear it,” Flare said and smiled. “Well, take care. Time to see your other daughter again.” he left a moment later, humming a small tune as he strode through town towards the jewelers.

Flare magicked the door to Sparkler’s shop open and stepped inside, looking around to see if the mare was in or not. Not seeing her upfront, he dinged the little bell again.

Sparkler trotted out of the back and smiled, “Ah, just in time.” She turned her head to float the two rings out with her magic and place them on the counter before him. “Here you go, just as you asked.”

Flare held his breath as he looked at them. They looked…

“Beautiful,” he whispered. “As much as the maker and the ones that will get them.”

Sparkler blushed and giggled, “Now I see how you got to my Aunt. I know she’ll love it.”

“I know she will,” he nodded and moved around the counter to hug the slender mare. “Thank you Sparkler. This means a lot to me. More than a lot.” Oh heavens… he smelled like cinnamon and a light stallion musk~

Sparkler hugged back, blushing a bit more. “You’re welcome.”

He eventually broke it, leaving the mare to blush more as he took the rings and placed them in their little boxes. “Right, now to prepare everything else. You take care Sparkler. And I’ll be sure to spread the word of your amazing work around Canterlot.” He paused and smiled. “I might even tell a rather special somepony about it.”

Sparkler beamed at him, “I’ll hold you to that.”

Flare really wanted to see her face when she gets that letter. Note, send one to Ditzy to have a camera ready. He waved with a hoof and exited her store soon after. He needed to see somepony else before leaving.

“So um…” he fidgeted in place as he sat opposite Coco and Rarity, sipping his tea nervously. “Well Coco, I have some news I want to share.”

Coco raised an eyebrow, “Oh? What is it, big brother?”

“Well um…” he lifted the two little boxes out and looked at them, before showing the two mares the rings. “I’m gonna ask Yearling and Velvet to marry me.”

Coco gasped and covered her hooves over her face, “Big brother, I”m… that’s wonderful.”

Rarity simply smiled, “I am so happy for you.”

“Yeah, I still have to work out the finer details,” Flare nodded. "And, I have a favour to ask little sis.”

Coco eagerly smiled, “And that would be?”

“I want you to design and make the wedding dresses.”

Coco was silent. Rarity squealed, “That would be the perfect assignment for her. Coco dear really needs to try things more on her own.”

“I’m not that good,” Coco mumbled.

“You have potential,” Rarity put a hoof on her shoulder. “I have seen it and I’m sure you can do this.”

"Exactly!" Flare agreed. "You're one of the best lil sis. I know you'll do an amazing job."

Coco looked at Flare and sighed, “Alright, I’ll do it.” She smiled, “Who knows, maybe it will be fun.”

“I know you can do it,” Flare said as he sat next to her and pulled the tiny mare close. “You’re an amazing designer sis. I saw that review of your trip to Manehatten. The one with Princess Sunset?”

Coco blushed in embarrassment, “Oh that was nothing, really.”

“Are you kidding, it was amazing,” he said and nuzzled her. “I can’t think of anypony more suited to do this… er, no offense Lady Rarity.”

Rarity snorted and shook her head, “I shan't take offense for the praise of the work of my apprentice.”

“Plus she gets all super cute when you praise her,” Flare chuckled, nuzzling Coco’s ears. “Like a little red marshmallow.”

Coco blushed even more at that, burying her face and squeaking.

“See! She’s totally adorable.” Flare pointed out and ruffled her mane. “I still don’t know how she doesn’t have mares and stallions lining up for her.”

“Oh, she’ll find the right one eventually,” Rarity added.

“Mhm, then I get to be the threatening Big Brother,” Flare smirked and nodded proudly. “And Mom is always scary, so there’s that. Any pony getting involved with us needs to have thick skin.”

Coco was too busy blushing and squeaking about the conversation.

Rarity just nodded, “I can imagine, but fret not. There are plenty of fish in the see, as the saying goes.”

“Mhm,” Flare smiled and booped Coco’s nose with his. “I can’t wait to really introduce Velvet and Yearling to you properly. Just… keep an open mind with Velvet. She can get kind of intense.”

Coco nodded, “I trust you, big brother. I’ll do my best when I meet her.”

“Right,” Flare nuzzled her again and stood up. “I need to go or I’ll miss my train. You take care okay Little Bean.” He smiled at her employer. “And you as well Lady Rarity. My thanks for your assistance today.”

Rarity waved him off, “Happy to be of assistance, Flare. Do stop by whenever you wish.”

“I shall,” he gave Coco one last hug and trotted from the Boutique, making haste for the train station. Now he had one more pair of ponies to visit. And this might not be quite as fun.

“Sooooooo~” Twilight dangled upside down in the air as she braided Shining’s mane. “What do you suppose Mommy’s lil boy toy called us here for?”

The pair were in Twilight’s room in the castle, the mare in question having promised to keep the place… somewhat normal. It was still far more spacious on the inside, as pocket dimensions tended to be. The siblings were on a small island, surrounded by a creaming soda ocean. The clouds above were shaped like Princess Celestia and Trixie doing… things that made Shining blush when he looked.

And with a crack of pink light, Cadance also appeared, looking just as confused as the other two.

Shining was too busy rubbing his forehead to stave off a headache to think about it, “Twily, can you please not call him that. Ever?”

“What?” Twilight hummed as she kept changing the colour of the ribbons in his mane. Cadance letting out a small snort of amusement. “What should I call him then?”

“Flare?” Shining said. “Or maybe Idiot or Buffoon.”

“Shining!” Cadance scolded him and booped his nose. “That’s rude.”

“I call it like I see it,” Shining mumbled to himself.

“Speak of the devil,” Twilight hummed as the door attached to… thin air opened and Flare stepped through, looking around in equal parts wonderment and confusion.

“Huh… this is new,” he said. “Wasn’t this place an amusement park last time?”

“Emby’s scared of roller coasters,” Twilight explained like that was reason enough. “Now, what’s with the fam reunion firebutt?”

“Ah, that,” Flare said as he closed the door. “Well, I… actually have some news for the three of you.”

Shining spared a glance at Cadance and… why was she sparking from the horn, beaming like a lighthouse and practically vibrating with happiness? Wait, he didn’t want to know why. He had an inkling he wasn’t going to care for the reason.

“So uh… how to start?” Flare said as he looked at the odd trio. Now that he thought about it, the family he wanted to marry into was… strange. A Princess, Shining. The most powerful Chaos mage ever… “Well, I guess I’ll start with the fact that Shining and Twilight are getting a younger sibling.”

Twilight froze in midair.

Shining’s eyes widened slightly, “Care to run that by me again?”

“Your mother, Twilight Velvet, is pregnant,” Flare stated quite clearly.

Cadance’s mouth was open slightly, a high pitched, near endless ‘squee’ coming from her muzzle.

“YES!” Twilight cheered, fireworks going off in the background as she flipped in midair. “I’m not the youngest anymore! WOOO!”

Shining was gritting his teeth, “Yes… super… great.”

“The other thing is,” Flare said, wary of the unicorn. “I want to marry Velvet and Daring. And should you guys be okay with it, I’ll be proposing soon.”

“YES!” Cadance cheered and hugged Flare. “A million time yes! Ooooh! This is SO EXCITING!”

Shining Armor was not sharing Cadance’s enthusiasm. He was groaning, rubbing his head to stop another headache. “Well this is happening, apparently.”

But because he stopped like that, he also noticed the storm clouds gathering above them. He turned as a pressure weighed down on his horn, Twilight’s small frame blazing with magical power. Her body crackled as her eyes burned with rage.

“NO!” Twilight yelled, the space around them trembling. “I WON’T ACCEPT THIS!”

Shining quickly stood up to face her, “Twily, calm down. You don’t have to get mad about this.” Well he sort of was, but he needed to calm her down.

“Oh don’t you bucking start ‘Mister Perfect’!” Twilight roared at him. “You hate the idea. You always have. So don’t even TRY to tell me otherwise!”

Shining winced at that, “Yes, but blowing up like this won’t do anypony any good. So why don’t we sit on down and talk about this, okay?”

“Twilight…” Flare raised a hoof, only to jerk it back as spears erupted from the ground in front of him.

“You will not marry Mom. You won’t! I won’t allow it!” Twilight’s power grew and a rather… gruesome vision appeared. That… was a lot of severed heads. “If you do… your head will adorn my trophy wall next.”

And with a whipcrack of her tail, all three ponies were roughly ejected from the room, sprawling out into the hall.

“W-Well… that went well,” Flare replied dizzily from under Cadance’s flank.

Shining groaned, “It’s going to take a while to get her out of that sort of mood.”

“So… do you object as well?” Flare asked as he moved Cadance with a small blush on his face.

“I don’t like it,” Shining stated. “But I don’t object. There’s a difference. Now Twilight and Bloodletter, that’s a different story.”

“Bloodletter has the IQ of a stump,” Cadance said as she looked at the now sealed room. “No, there’s something else here. I can feel it. Twilight wouldn’t just… turn like that. Something’s up.”

“You think so?” Flare asked, his ears still ringing from the yelling.

“Mhm, I bet my horn on it,” Cadance said and looked at Shining. “And you. You stop getting mad at Flare. He makes your mom happy and they’re in love. So what if they’re fucking. Your dad fucked her too, no offense to the deceased, so shape up or it’s the couch for a month for you.”

Shining huffed and crossed his forelegs, “Fine.”

“Wow, she does remind me of Daring sometimes,” Flare chuckled. “You do not want to be on the receiving end of one of her scoldings.”

“Oh I know that well enough,” Shining snorted, rolling his eyes. “That’s not important right now though. We have to figure out how to calm down Twily.”

“I’m at a loss,” Flare said with a sigh. “To be honest. I don’t know a whole lot about her. Even Velvet hasn’t said much beyond that she’s been a Chaos mage since she was a filly. I’ve never seen her fly of the handle like this though.”

“We’ll figure out something,” Shining sighed. “I know her better than anyone, so she’ll listen to me.”

“Yup, and that’s why you got kicked out with the rest of us,” Flare deadpanned.

“He's got a point,” Cadance said with a nod. “Maybe we should give her some time? Let her calm down first.”

“Maybe,” Flare sighed. This… did not go the way he expected. “I thought she liked me too. I mean, I’m still alive, so that’s a usually a good sign right?”

Shining nodded, “He’s got a point.”

“Yes, Twilight wouldn't have killed you… most likely… probably,” Cadance said. “But she’s never pranked you either. I think she really does like you. Which is why her current mood is so much more confusing.”

“Well, Inquisitor Trixie’s around her all the time,” Flare mused. “That’s enough to infuriate anypony.”

The cold muzzles of two pistols touched the back of his head, “Choose your next words carefully,” Trixie’s seething voice spoke up.

Flare froze as his eyes widened. “Inquisitor Trixie is Best Pony?” he gulped. He really wouldn’t like to die before getting married.

Trixie moved her guns away, “I hear you’re talking about Twilight. Is she alright?”

“Less than such,” Cadance sighed and shook her head. “She did not take Flare’s planned proposal to her mother well and threw us out of the room. Perhaps you can cool her off Trix?”

Trixie nodded and looked to Dot, “Keep an eye on this ‘Flare’.” She moved to enter the room.

Dot saluted, “That I can do.” Between Princess Cadance and the love the fiery stallion held, he could eat like a king and still not see the bottom of the plate.

“I wouldn’t,” Flare tried to warn the mare.

Trixie scoffed, “I am an Inquisitor. I fear nothing.” With that, she entered the room.

*SPLASH*

And that was Trixie landing in the creaming soda ocean. Before a pink glow surrounded her and lifted her up.

“Oh… thought I smelled a drowned rat,” Twilight deadpanned as she tossed her onto the island. “What do you want Inquisitor?”

Trixie shook herself and glared at Twilight, “How dare you force me to taste cream soda, Twilight? It is disgusting.”

“You lick whatever comes out of Dot, how is that better?” Twilight quipped back without missing a beat.

Trixie’s jaw dropped, “Twilight, what is going on with you? You usually have at least some ounce of tact.”

“Well, I guess I just don’t fucking care today,” she huffed and reclined in the air. “Now what do you want? I’m busy right now.”

“Doing what?”

“Chaos things,” she replied, juggling a few random items. Some kind of orange balls with stars on it. A pink plastic egg thing and some bananas.

“But you’re not acting like your usual, very annoying, self.” Trixie commented. “What is the matter?”

“What’s the matter?” She looked down as she puffed the items away. “That idiot wants to marry Mommy. I refuse. There, you’re all caught up. Now go and play mommy to that human pup of yours or something.”

A bullet passed mere inches from Twilight’s face. A furious Trixie was holding one of her pistols at the ready to fire another shot, “Don’t talk to me or about Cato like that again.”

“Ooh, scary,” Twilight waved her hooves. “Please, you couldn’t be more bloody tsundere if you tried. You pretend to be the big bad Inquisitor, but deep down, you just want to be a family mare. For somepony to actually like you for that, and not fear for their life. Isn’t that right~?” Her tone was getting more and more venomous with each word.

Trixie ground her teeth together in anger, “How dare you treat me like this, you insignificant cur?!! After everything I’ve done for you, you want to act like… like… the foul word for a female dog?”

“Oh wow, you can’t even fucking swear?” Twilight sneered. “And so what? I’m a Chaos Mage remember? Ponies are SUPPOSED TO HATE ME!”

“Well if you act like this all the time, I’m sure they will.” Trixie scoffed and put away her pistol. “So now, are you going to at least try and be civil or keep on trying my patience.”

Twilight growled through gritted teeth. “Somepony like you wouldn’t understand. Just go away Trixie. I’m not in the mood.”

“It sounds like you’re making a mountain out of a molehill.” Trixie stated.

“Oh, like when you get Dot aroused?” she said back.

Trixie blushed, “Th-that is of no concern of yours.”

“Well my life is none of yours then,” Twilight countered.

Trixie growled, “Fine, be that way.” She stomped off. “I didn’t want to help anyways. Idiot.”

“Tsun tsun, dere, dere,” Twilight sang, before putting her hoof to her mouth. “DAMMIT TRIXIE! You’re Tsun’ness is ruining the bad mood I am TRYING to have here!”

“I refuse to acknowledge this ‘tsundere’ thing,” Trixie snooted. “Besides, maybe somepony needs to ruin that bad mood of yours.”

“Tch, whatever,” Twilight huffed as she cracked her tail, cleaning up Trixie’s soda-soaked form. “They they put you up to this?”

Trixie shook her head, “I came of my own volition.”

“Is that what Dot always tells you after?” Twilight smirked. She couldn’t help it, Trixie was full of openings.

…

Damn, she wished she'd said that aloud. Eh, the moment was gone.

Trixie growled, “I instantly regret wanting to help you.”

“Awww, Trixie wuvs me,” Twilight appeared, dangling around her neck. “See, you can be sweet and cute when you wanna be~”

Trixie narrowed her eyes, “If you try and kiss me or something, I will not be held responsible for the medical bill.”

“Oooh, I see how it is,” Twilight hummed as she looked the taller unicorn in the eyes. “Trii~xiee. Did you come all the way in here for a lil fun?”

The room shifted, and what was once a desert island, was now a candlelit bedroom with a massive heart-shaped bed, Trixie’s armor and weapons gone, replaced with some salacious lingerie.

Trixie yelped, “Twilight, get your mind out of the gutter.”

“Oh? But it’s so fun, it bought a summer villa there,” Twilight cooed as she looked her up and down. “Mm, you look hot in that. I’m half tempted to do things to you~ Very pleasurable things to take my mind of other things. Maybe we’ll get Dot in here as well and make it a party.”

“He’s not joining because it’s just you and me talking,” Trixie scowled. She wasn’t sure how to take this direction of the conversation exactly, especially when she recalled things about chaos sorcerers and mating.

“Are you scared?” Twilight mused as she stalked around her like a jungle cat. “You knoooww~ As cute as Cato is, I could give you a pony child. A simple anatomy change. I know Emby likes it~”

“Twilight, focus.” Trixie scoffed. “I want you in tip top shape, not acting like… this.” She gestured at her. “Now focus on my lips as I tell you where you can stuff this idea.” She seethed, keeping her eyes on the mare.

Then Twilight whispered to her, exactly how those words could be taken with the right context.

Trixie’s eyes widened and she backpeddled, sputtering. “Tw-twilight, control yourself!”

“Ahahaha!” Twilight cackled as the room returned to a… mostly normal castle bedroom, though there were flower petals and scented candles still present. “You should see your face. It’s hilarious. Anypony would think you’re some blushing virgin…” She paused and gasped. “Ohh, don’t tell me… Have you and Dot never actually…”

“We’ve done it a few times,” Trixie muttered.

“Uhuh, and I’m an Element of Harmony,” Twilight deadpanned. “Just admit you’re actually a—”

Trixie put a hoof over her mouth, “You are being stupid and I shall have no part in this. Now please sit down and let’s get this over with before I get Bloodletter in here and smash things up… wait, no, I think I’m the better choice here.” She facehooved, “Ugh, the creatures I surround myself with.”

“I’m… in a better mood,” Twilight admitted with the smallest of blushes. “But I still won’t agree to this marriage. I won’t let it happen. Not again.”

“Have you talked to your mother about this?” Trixie asked. “You could get her opinion.”

“Yeeaaahno,” Twilight huffed. She folded her forelegs and tilted her head. “No, forget it. I’m taking off now. Later Tricky.”

Trixie grabbed her, “Oh no you don’t. You’re not leaving here till I get some satisfaction. I came all the way here to make you feel better because I am nice like that. You should at least act nicer so I can pretend it’s working.”

Whhhyyy did she not like that smile on Twilight’s muzzle?

“So… you want ‘satisfaction’ huh?” she smirked.

Trixie’s eyes widened, “You’re taking what I said out of context, aren’t you?”

“Yes… Yes I am.”

The room flashed back to the bourgeois, romantic one from before. She smirked as dozens of items appeared, all of them adult in nature as Trixie donned the outfit from before.

And then Dot flashed into existence, right atop the mare.

“Have fun kids… and Vanilla is off the menu tonight~” She winked at Dot and teleported away.

Trixie growled, “I really, really, hate that mare sometimes.”

“I really, really love that mare sometimes.” Dot grinned down at her. Trixie frowned and looked up at him.

“No.”

“Oh come on!” Dto pouted and crossed his forelegs. “Just a little?”

“I do not even know what these things are!” Trixie said as she waved her stocking-clad hooves.

Dot sighed. This was going to take a while and he wasn’t sure it was going to be a rather pleasurable while.

Then… Trixie pounced him, her eyes gleaming with a slight greenish tinge. Wait, those candles were scented like Changeling phere… hooboy.

“Then maybe you can show me~?” she purred with a throaty growl.

Thank Chrysalis herself that he was a changeling and could heal readily because this was going to be rough.

A unicorn stallion paced around a pedestal. For days, weeks even, he’d been planning this. And by Discord, he was going to make this happen. Careful plotting, taking meticulous notes of her daily routines until the point where he knew her as well as she did. The biggest problem was the house itself, it was built like a fortress, but there was a way.

Even the toughest of structures were susceptible to attacks from the inside. And he had just the method.

“Soon, you damned bitch,” he snarled. “Upper Crust, you’ll pay for killing my master like a dog. I’ll have you begging at my hooves. And then I’ll kill you like one. Keheheheheheeee~”

The Bonds of Family - Part Two

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Flare Blitz paced in a slow circle, his steps even as he stared down at the ground, his mind lost in thought. Why had Twilight gotten so angry at him? He’d thought they were on pretty good terms. That’s what Velvet had told him anyway.

And he was… hesitant to trust Trixie with placating her. While the Inquisitor had been less of a hoofful since an incident in Ponyville some time ago, Flare still wasn’t a fan of the over-zealous mare.

“So… what am I supposed to do?” the stallion muttered to himself. He looked up and sighed, time to do what he did as a colt when he couldn’t figure something out.

Ask Mom.

He looked up at the massive mansion, between the high walls, magical and physical security and the other obstacles he knew waited inside… well, he was glad he wasn’t trying to invade this place.

Opening the gate, he stepped inside as he watched the security gems track him. Walking up to the door, he knocked a few times and waited, before it opened to reveal a unicorn maid by the name of Crystal Clear. She, along with her two sisters, Feather Polish and Clean Sweep, were the trio of maids that had served here since they were fillies. The trio were orphans which his mother plucked from the street and gave them work as maids. They certainly enjoyed it, even earning their Cutie Marks at it.

“Well, hello Master Flare,” Crystal bowed her head. She had a lovely tan-yellow coat and a two-tone blue mane and tail. “What brings you around here?”

“Came to see Mom,” he said as he stepped inside. “Is she around?”

“She should be in her study,” Crystal nodded as she looked her master over. Such a handsome stallion he grew up to be. Her staring went unnoticed as Flare moved through the mansion, finding the room that held his mother’s study. Manners drilled… (sometimes literally) into him made him raise a hoof and knock on the oak doors.

“Who is it?” A strict and mature mare’s voice called out from inside.

“Guard inspection,” he couldn’t help but smirk.

“Flare?” The door opened slightly. “Come on inside.”

The stallion nosed the door open, stepping past the threshold. This was a favourite room of his. Lots of his mom’s trophies, awards and decorations were here. A large map of Equestria and that big oak desk of hers that he and Coco used to play around when they were kids.

“Hard at work as usual?” Flare said as he closed the door behind him. “Don’t you ever sleep?”

“I power nap,” Upper snorted as she looked through some old charts. “Much more efficient.”

“No… No it isn’t,” Flare groaned and facehooved. “Anyway… I um… actually came here hoping for some advice.”

“Is it about your thrusts?” Upper commented. “You do need to work on them a little more. Spear practice shouldn’t be forsaken.”

“M-My thrusts are fine!” Flare blushed somewhat. Dammit Velvet, thanks to her, his mind went straight to the gutter. “It’s… well.” he paused and looked at her. “Could you at least put the paperwork down. This is important.”

Upper frowned and sat straight up. She peered over at him, “What could possibly be so important, Flare?”

“Well,” the stallion coughed into his hoof. “I uh… might be planning to propose to Velvet and Daring soon. Like… maybe tonight or tomorrow soon.”

Upper rolled her eyes and snorted, “Is that all? Why are you so worried then? Simply ask them and be done with it. It’s how I got your father to marry me.”

“Pretty sure you scared him into that,” Flare muttered under his tone. He’d heard the story of how she gave him a ring and told him to marry her or she’d break his legs. “Well, there’s two more things,” he murmured. “One… um, well…” he coughed again. You’re ah… gonna be a grandmother. Velvet’s pregnant.”

Upper froze and turned to offer a glare that only a mother could give, “I see you forgot about the protection lessons I gave you.”

“No I did remember, it’s just uh…” he blushed and pawed at the ground. “They weren’t enough it seems…”

Upper sighed and rubbed her forehead, “How were they ‘not enough’? Was I not thorough? Did the diagrams not help? The pictures? Should I have gone through the steps with you personally to make sure it stuck? I asked if you would like that but you said no. Perhaps I should have just gone through with it.”

That brought up a barrage of memories he’d wished stayed buried. Shaking his head to stave off the Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, he looked back to her. “Actually, seems I’m a bit too er… potent it seems.”

Upper blinked a few times before letting out a bothered breath, “I see. So then, I should be expecting a number of grandchildren then. Hopefully, they perform better in the saddle then you do.”

Flare’s eye gave a small twitch. “Oh yeah, cause your methods of teaching were so helpful,” he muttered under his breath. Recalling the absolutely brutal training back in his foalhood. Rising with the sun and trying and failing to form a bond with a Gallimimus mount. Thankfully his sister had been bad at it too.

Upper’s ears twitched, “What was that?”

“And that brings me to my second problem,” Flare said, changing the subject. “Seem that Twilight Sparkle didn’t exactly approve of me marrying her Mom… so much so that I have been threatened with a very painful death and subsequent beheading by her should I attempt to do so.”

“Then strike her before she strikes you,” Upper simply stated. What? It’s what she’d do.

“I am NOT going to kill my future daughter!” Flare said with a snort. “Seriously mom, not every problem can be solved with violence.”

“…Have you tried ordering her to stop?” Upper offered.

“Yeah, because the greatest Chaos Mage on the planet is going to listen to me,” he deadpanned. “Forget it… I’ll go and ask Celestia for advice instead.”

Upper’s ears folded back against her head, “Oh… well…” Upper seemed to be trying to come up with something. “Have you tried… talking?”

Flare paused.

Flare blinked.

Flare looked at her and tried to process that. “Did… did you just actually give advice that didn’t require a hoof fight?” Huh… so miracles really did happen. And they were beautiful.

Upper nervously turned around and tapped her forehooves together, “Is it… good advice?”

Okay, this was weird. Since when was Upper Crust, the mare that likely had bigger balls than the entire stallion population of Canterlot combined, nervous about something. Flare was certain she’d taken the emotion, beaten it to death and fed it to her dinosaurs.

Well, might as well roll with it.

“It would be if I wasn’t terrified of her,” Flare sighed as he sat down. “What am I supposed to do Mom? I’m so far out of my depth here. Marrying two mares? And they both have crazy powerful kids?” he sighed and thunked his head on the table. “Maybe I should let Twilight behead me.”

“Well you should definitely not let her do that,” Upper deadpanned and then sighed. “Look, I’m not the best one to ask for things like this. All I can say is that you need to confront this problem now or it will just get worse and worse…” She turned away, “Until it’s impossible to win.”

Flare chuckled and smiled. “That… was actually pretty good advice mom.”

Upper blinked in confusion and then smiled, “I’m very happy to help.”

“Oh sweet Celestia you’re smiling!” Flare mock-cried. “May the Sun Princess have mercy, we’re all doomed!”

Upper glared at him, “Do you want me to ground you?”

“Too old, and I don’t live here anymore,” Flare smirked smugly.

Upper narrowed her eyes, “Do you want me to make you?”

“Oh, and how is the retired old warmare gonna do that?” he said, calling her bluff.

Upper’s horn flared and she stood up, “Go to your room!” She bellowed as loud as one using the Royal Canterlot Voice, shaking the room.

“…I think I’m deaf now,” he said, having fallen back out of his chair. “You’re gonna make a great, albeit terrifying grandma.”

Upper grinned, “Thank you… but seriously, go to your room and think on this. Now.”

“…Yes Ma’am…” the stallion sighed and trudged from the room with his head hanging low. After he left, Crystal poked her head in.

“Is everything okay Mistress?” she asked. “Master Flare looked out of sorts.”

Upper’s shoulders slumped, “Oh, he’s just dealing with a few personal things with his lovers and their families…” Upper fidgeted about, “Crystal, do you… do you think I could be a good grandmother?”

“Huh?” Well that totally came out of nowhere. “Well, I suppose you could be, as long as you remember that foals are fragile. Why do you ask Mistress?”

“I just…” Upper sighed, “You know I’m not good with other ponies and… I’m just nervous about what is coming.”

“What’s coming?” Crystal blinked and then her eyes widened as she put two and two together. “Wait, you mean… Flare is going to…?”

Upper nodded, “One of his mares is pregnant.”

“Oooh~” Crystal squealed happily. “That is wonderful news. Clean and Feather will be happy too. Well, maybe not so much Feather. She’s still holding that crush after all this time.”

Upper chuckled, “If Feather wishes, she may try as well. He already has two. I don’t think he’ll mind a third.”

“I think Flare’s hooves are full enough,” Crystal giggled. “Come on now, it’s time for your break. You’ve been in here all day and it’s time for a bath Mistress.”

Upper rolled her eyes and chuckled, “So eager to get me out of here and into a bath. Is there a reason behind it, or are you just a good maid, my dear Crystal?”

“N-No!” Crystal blushed hard and looked away. “You would simply forget otherwise. My Mistress is surprisingly hopeless.” She totally wasn’t looking forward to bathing her. Nope.

Upper nodded, “Alright, I can admit that at times. I’m so glad I have somepony as reliable as you by my side to remind me.”

“Darn right,” Crystal huffed and flared a wing. “And while doing so, we shall talk about these future grandfoals no?”

Upper chuckled, “Well, if you insist.” She moved forward, “Still, a bath sounds divine. It certainly would help loosen me up.” She rolled her muscular shoulders.

Crystal totally wasn’t drooling at the sight of the powerful unicorn mare. She gulped heavily and nodded. “R-Right this way Mistress,” she stammered as she left the room.

Upper nodded and made her way towards her destination with powerful strides, “Thank you again, Crystal. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

“Probably work yourself into an early grave,” she murmured and smirked. “Well no matter. Let’s get you cleaned up.”

After a while, Flare realised that he didn’t actually have to stay in his room and he headed out to try and find Twilight. Perhaps she’d calmed down in the last twenty four hours and would be more willing to talk.

And he prayed Trixie wasn’t around. Yeah she was Twilight’s ‘foalsitter’. But Sweet merciful Epona above did she terrify him. How that mare got to be in charge and remain in charge was a mystery.

He approached Twilight’s room and after a hesitant moment, knocked. “Twilight?” he called out. “Are you in?”

He got no response, so either she wasn’t here, or now she was just ignoring him. He sighed and lowered his hoof. Well, so much for getting worked up about this. He’d braced himself for just about anything the mare might have thrown at him.

And it was all for naught. Twilight didn’t appear to be here. And that worried him. He was at fault for angering her. What if she hurt somepony?

The stallion snorted and shook his head. “No, she wouldn’t do that. Twilight’s a good mare… mostly.” She wouldn’t attack an innocent pony.

“Well, someone has faith,” a voice chuckled and Flare’s head snapped up, looking into the eyes of a tall human woman, long, straight-cut brown hair. She had deep ruby eyes and a small smile on her face. Her garb was a loose-fitting white kimono, trimmed and gilded with gold thread. Hanging from her neck was a necklace made of magatama beads. Her hip held a katana, sheathed in a red scabbard, the end of the scabbard adorned in a white sun pattern.

What was curious was that her robes had Princess Celestia’s cutie mark on them. Huh.

“Hello Teacher,” Flare smiled at her and waved a hoof. “What brings you here?”

“Well,” the woman said and rubbed her chin. “I’d heard my silly student made an enemy of Twilight Sparkle. I am rather glad to find you whole and hale.”

“Yeah well… I was planning to talk to her, but she seems to be out,” Flare sighed, as Amaterasu sat beside him.

“Yes, I do believe she is out making Miss Trixie’s life a living hell,” she giggled and placed a hand on his withers. “So, what’s got you down Flare?”

“I just want to know why she’s so angry,” Flare said. “I just don’t understand her.”

“Hmm well…” Amaterasu paused and looked at him. “Look, all I’ll tell you is that, she does have a reason for her apprehension. I’m not making excuses for her, nor will I tell a story that is rightfully hers. Just… She’s not unreasonable. SO take your time and talk with her okay?”

“Yeah, Mom gave me the same advice,” Flare nodded, getting a raised eyebrow in response.

“Oh? You mean to say Upper actually gave some sound advice that didn’t require a hoof to the face?”

“I know right!” Flare exclaimed. “She was… actually being a Mom.” He sat down next to Amaterasu and smiled. “I mean, she’s a pretty great mom. I could have done a lot worse.”

“Celestia chose well,” Amaterasu nodded as she pet his neck. “And, how’s your training coming along? Managed to tap into your full power yet?”

“You keep saying that,” Flare said with a small frown. “But you never tell me how I’m supposed to do that. And how would I know if I have?”

Amaterasu smiled and booped his nose with a finger. “You’ll know. And I can’t tell you because everypony is different. Still… you’ll get there.” She put her hands in her lap and smiled. “But back to the topic of Twilight. Might you tell me what you did to make her so mad in the first place. That particular detail is unknown… though, might it also have to do with why Cadenza is practically pinging off of the walls?”

“Well uh…” Flare blushed and looked down at his hooves shyly. “I um, might be planning to propose to Velvet and Dar—urk!” He never got to finish as Amaterasu hugged him tightly, the goddess knocking the wind out of him as she squealed happily.

“Ooohhhh! I’m just so happy for you!” she laughed and smiled brightly, the woman literally glowing. She gasped and dropped him suddenly. “I have to tell Tia!” And with that, a nine-tailed fox was suddenly tearing down the halls, still giggling happily.

“Well, that happened,” Flare groaned as he picked himself up. Well, he had a unicorn mare to go and talk with… as soon as he could find her.

Whatever Grand Princess Celestia was trying to say was cut off as the throne room doors slammed open, a woman practically bounding through, ignoring all the looks she was getting from the line of petitioners.

“Tia!” she beamed brightly, still glowing. “I have the most wonderful news and I simply have to share my jubilation with you!”

The current petitioner just stared slack-jawed, before recovering and frowned. “Now see here Miss! It is my turn to have the princess’s ear and you’ll not—”

And on that, Amaterasu flicked her hand as a gust of wind blew him clean out of the throne room, the doors slamming closed behind him.

“Now where was I?” the goddess hummed.

Celestia sighed, “Ammy, how many times have I told you. We don’t throw around mortals.”

“Well this is important,” Amaterasu thusly ignored the comment. They were mortals, they’d get over it. “Oh yes! I have the absolute best news!” She bounded up the stairs to her throne and stared Tia right in her amethyst eyes. “My little colt is finally getting married! Eeeeee! I’m so excited!”

Celestia blinked in confusion before a large grin popped onto her face, “I’m really happy to hear that, Ammy. I hope everything works out well for him.”

“So naturally, I’m going to plan his wedding for him, as a little present for being a good colt,” Amaterasu nodded sagely. “So much to do… Of course, I can count on my favourite mare’s assistance yes?”

Celestia nodded, “I don’t have much planned any time soon. Well, except for some Roman delegations but I can work around them.”

“Romans are so… boneheaded sometimes,” Ammy sighed. “I swear Bellona is the only tolerable one… aaaanyway!” She gave the alicorn a rather overdramatic smooch on the lips and bounded away from the throne, still giggling as she strode from the room, a trail of flowers following her footsteps.

Celestia couldn’t say anything. She literally couldn’t. She was far too busy at that moment turning from white to red. Her wings were flapping at her sides and she floofed up. She was far too flustered to think of much at that moment.

Her aides and guards had no idea how to reset a broken alicorn. Was there a technical support they could call?

“Mistress Upper!” her unicorn maid came running into her office, not even bothering to knock. “It’s an emergency! All the Gallimimus! Someone’s let them loose!”

Upper jumped to her hooves, “How could you let this happen? I put guards near their living quarters. They shouldn’t be able to get loose.”

She followed the maid out into the yard and… it was true, the dinosaurs were running about, most in a panicked frenzy. And the reason the guards hadn’t stopped them?

Well, the fact that their quarters were on fire was a good indication for that. The door was also barred shut with some kind of metal rod stuck in the ground.

Upper’s eyes widened, before they quickly narrowed and she snarled. She sent a blast of magic that destroyed the metal rod. Then she looked towards the Gallimimus, “Don’t tell me the tranquilizers were destroyed.”

The doors opened as a few guards escaped the blaze… some, hadn’t been so lucky as they mobilised to put out the fire. The only dinosaur that wasn’t running amok was her own mount, Swiftfoot remaining calm as always.

Then Upper saw the reason why everything had quickly gone to hell. A pony, garbed in a black robe stood there, on the opposite side of the chaos as he smirked from under his hood.

“A cultist?” Crystal gasped and narrowed her eyes as several knives floated out from under her skirt, her horn glowing. “I shall remove this filth from your home Mistress.” She would not allow such… uncleanliness into her home. She darted forward, her training allowing her to effortless avoid the stampeding dinosaurs…

But not the grotesque mount that kicked her in the chest, sending her flying back and tumbling across the ground. She skidded to a stop at Upper’s hooves as the cultist mounted the fleshy equine abomination and cackled.

“Look at the feared Upper Crust now!” he laughed. “She’s just an old mare, hiding behind her maids!”

Upper helped her maid back onto her hooves, “Get everyone organized and into a defensive position. I will be with you once I slay this fool.”

“Slay? How will you do that? Nag at me?” he cackled madly as he swung his lance, beheading a guard that tried to tackle him. “Whoops~” he giggled. “Aww, they don’t make ponies like they used to huh?”

“Swiftfoot,” Upper called. The dinosaur rushed over and she quickly mounted. “Now to put you in your place.” She reached out with her hoof and her horn glowed. The gauntlet on her leg followed suit and a lance materialized into existence.

“Ohhh scary~” the cultist cackled and laughed. “Catch me if you can grandma!” And with that, he turned as he fired a beam of red energy from his lance, blowing a hole in the wall and running out of it.

Upper smirked and urged her mount forward. What Gallimimus generally lacked in strength, they more than made up in speed and maneuverability. She was going to make this arrogant piece of dung pay dearly for this transgression.

“M-Mistress!” Crystal coughed, still winded… and she was pretty sure two of her ribs were broken. “It’s a… a trap…” She groaned as Upper tore off after the cultist, vengeance in her eyes. Oh dear… this was not good.

Flare was headed towards his home. He knew his mother had a gem that could track Chaos magic, and he’d use that to find Twilight.

What he wasn’t expecting was to see a plume of smoke rising from the manor. He dug his hooves in and galloped faster…

What he found shocked him. Her guards were trying to put out a fire that was raging, while Feather and Clean were tending to Crystal, who’d gotten hurt somehow. First things first. He ran towards the fire and opened his mouth, starting to draw the flames in and swallowing them. They had a… certain foulness to them. This was cast using magic…

Feather and the guards blinked as Flare helped the fire die down to a manageable level, before he sighed and turned to the maids. “Okay, what the hell happened here!?”

“A cultist,” Crystal coughed again, groaning as the magical bandages did their work. “He snuck in somehow… we don’t know. But he did this…” She coughed again as Clean shook her head and put a hoof on her sister’s muzzle.

“Mistress Upper has gone in pursuit,” Feather said,more annoyed at herself for not being able to help. It was their job to protect the Mistress and all she owned… “But, we fear she might be running into a trap.”

Flare frowned, his mother could be… hotheaded at times. He had no doubt in her abilities but…

“They’re travelling by mount,” Clean said. “You’ll never catch them on hoof…”

Flare clicked his tongue in annoyance… then looked at the Gallimimus that were starting to calm down…

“Heeheehee! You can’t catch meeee~” The cultist sang in a singsong tone as he ran through the streets of Canterlot, his disgusting mount leaving a foul stench behind it. “Come on old mare~ You hanging in back there?”

Upper couldn’t use her more destructive magics to kill the beast as it could hit others. Thankfully, this was Canterlot. The idiot was going to run into Knights and everything under the sun. Upper would be the one to end him, however. That she was sure about.

He rounded a sharp corner, his mount surprisingly agile, given it’s size and bulky frame. She clicked Swift’s reins, closing in to follow him and—

She was slammed hard from the side. The cultist had stopped and his monster tackled her as she hit the corner, throwing her hard to the ground as Swift was pinned under a fleshy hoof.

“Oh me oh my, is this the day the great Upper will die?” the cultist hummed as he got off the beast and pointed his spear at the fallen mare. His mount pressed down harder. “But first… I’ll make you watch as I kill your steed. Look on the bright side, one less mouth to feed~”

Upper snarled, “If you believe this to be our end, then you are sorely mistaken.” With that said, she lifted her lance in her magic. It immediately began to spin, taking on a magical glow as it suddenly propelled itself forward, striking the mount in the skull and shredding it to pieces.

“Nooooooooo!” the cultist shrieked as his monster was practically beheaded… before he started to laugh madly. “Is what I would normally say. But you see old mare, I came prepared this day~”

The monster’s body twitched, before it’s head regenerated with a sickening, squelching sound. “I gave my pet a few little perk or two, but you hurt him and now I have to punish you…”

He wrested her spear away while she was shocked from the undead creature… and promptly drove the pointy end into one of her legs. “Such a naughty mare~” he chuckled as he twisted it in place.

Upper simply glared at him, not letting the pain get to her. A magical blast enveloped her horn and smashed everything away from her, including the weapon and its wielder. She lifted the injured leg, “Try thrusting it deeper next time. Then you might actually damage something.”

“Weeeee~” the madstallion cackled as he landed on his hooves, the spears still in his magical hold. “Well now, there’s a fine idea,” he mused. “Maybe I won’t kill you. Maybe I’ll just twist your little mind around and around. I always did want a spicy mare for a bride. Though… we’ll make a few modifications to you first. You’re much to… normal looking~”

He begun to spin both spears, much like she had earlier…

Before a stream of flame streaked in front of him, making him screech in surprise and terror as he fell back, his mount rearing up as a crimson glow dragged Swift away from it.

Upper turned her head… as she saw Flare, astride a Gallimimus as he glared down at the cultist. “You okay Mom?” he asked her.

Upper’s eyes widened. Everything else was forgotten in that moment. Her focus was on her son, “You’re… riding…”

“Huh? Oh… um, guess I am?” he blinked as he looked at her bleeding leg. “You’re hurt!” he said and glared at the cultist, who was batting flames down with a hoof. “Stay back, I’ll handle this freak.”

Upper snorted and trotted forth on her good legs. She made sure not to put that much pressure on her injured leg, “I’ve taken worse in the past. If he thinks I’ll back down from a simple cultist, he has another thing coming.” Turning her head, she sent out a ball of magic that collided with the chaos mount, crushing it’s chest and sending it crashing into a building. Swiftfoot jumped to his feet and rushed over behind Upper.

“Well damn,” Flare raised an eyebrow. Truth be told, he’d never seen his Mom in a serious fight before. “Well, how about you take him then? And I’ll take that ugly monster of his.”

“My mount is beautiful!” he screeched as he cast some magics and the beast regenerated again. A glow surrounded it too, some kind of shielding? “Well isn’t this lovely? I guess I’ll have to kill your son too~”

“Will you just shut up and actually be intimidating already?” Upper huffed. “To think that I had to stop my afternoon novel session for this wannabe threat.”

“Heeheehee, stabbed you once, and I’ll do it again,” he mused, before Flare and his mount leapt at the monster, jabbing at it with a spear, only for it to bounce off of the shield.

“Tch! That’s annoying,” he muttered before dismounting. “Time to fight my way then.”

And that was a stream of flame striking it, the shield stopping the damage, but the force was pushing it back.

Meanwhile, the cultist lashed out with shadow magic, attempting to bind Upper with a dozen black, writhing tentacles. Upper smirked as she prepared herself. A magic burst destroyed the tentacles around her and she fired a beam of magic straight at her foe.

A beam he ducked, bending at an almost impossible angle. Seems this guy was as tricky as he was annoying.

Meanwhile, Flare‘s magic wasn’t having much of an effect against the monster. As long as that shield remained up, he couldn’t really hurt it. And his mother was having trouble landing a solid blow on the caster.

Worse still… his flames were starting to get low. The small amount he ate earlier had burned out quickly…

“Ooooh, seems you and your family can’t quite hack it,” the cultist sang as he danced around another of Upper’s beams. “Speaking of hacking~” he spun the spears and sent them hurtling towards Upper at tremendous speeds, the twirling blades shrieking through the air, the chaos magic surrounding them made their approach… unpredictable.

Blades made of magic smacked the spears away from her. Oh yes, their trajectory was unpredictable but she had honed her reflexes over the years. Not one of them would get close to her, “Is this really all that you have? I have faced more magically skilled earth ponies then this.”

Then a sharp pain shot throughout her entire body, as the cultist smiled. “Did you really think that all I did was stab you before?” he smiled viciously. “Noo, I was waiting for my magic to finish running through your body…” He grinned as she felt one of her hooves raise against her will. “Oh, I’m going to enjoy making you my puppet~”

Upper gritted her teeth, “You dare?!! You dare try to control me, pest?”

“Oh I dare~” he chuckled as he walked up to her and gave her her spear back. “So first… let’s have some fun.”

And with that, she found herself turning and looking at Flare, still locked in combat with the mount as she saw herself raise her spear… Upper snarled, “You will stop this or you will die horribly.”

“Maybe, but let’s have your son do so first,” he cackled as she started to walk closer to him. She felt her jaw clench shut… she couldn’t even warn him as to what was coming…

Upper glanced over at her lance. She wouldn’t let this simpleton defeat her. Not after everything she had been through. She was going to kill him. Using her rage and motherly love, she reached out to her lance with her magic. She poured everything she could muster into it to send it towards the cultist. She wasn’t sure if she could pull this off. If he was a high level chaos mage, this had little chance of working. Thankfully, she doubted he was that strong so she had the chance to end him.

It wasn’t working, why wasn’t it working!? Was this bastard actually stronger than he looked?

No… nononono, she couldn’t… she wouldn’t hurt Flare. Not like this!

Then she found herself staring into purple eyes… as Twilight Sparkle stared down at her.

“Huh… not bad… decent spell work,” she said as she looked the mare over, before smacking her nose with a rolled up newspaper, and Upper felt the Chaos magic leave her body, returning control to it’s rightful owner. “Normally I don’t interfere… but I owe Flare an apology so…”

“You can offer him an apology when that bastard is dead,” Upper snarled before grabbing the lance in her magic. She would rush the bastard. Most magi were terrible in close quarters combat.

The cultist sneered at Twilight for interfering. He’d been so close! Only for that false goddess to come along and ruin his plans! He grabbed his own spear as he looked at Upper… before teleporting away and landing on the back of his mount. “I’ll just kill you all!” he screeched.

Flare unleashed another flame, trying to stop the beast from charging… he wasn’t going to let him get through. Upper narrowed her eyes as she sent her lance straight at the cultist at high speeds.

Only for him to parry it away as it spun off into the distance. “I don’t think so,” he snarled. “I will kill the unicorn. Then… I’ll kill that damned false goddess… then I’ll finally have my revenge on you!” he pulled his hood back, revealing himself to be a white coated unicorn stallion.

Upper… knew him. He was a guard, one that had applied for her forces, but she turned down due to his lack of skill as a rider. He hadn’t taken it well, and apparently quit the guard soon after.

“You’ll regret rejecting me!” he howled. “I’ll make you suffer just as I have!”

An eyebrow couldn’t help but be raised as she stared at him, “You turned into a murderous, chaotic psychopath… because you were a terrible rider? Were you also not allowed to be a sniper because you were a terrible shot? Did you actually think subpar candidates get chosen just because they want to? Apparently you didn’t! I’m not actually surprised you became a cultist. They usually get the idiots.” She was stomping back and forth in fury, “Oh yes, I should get angry at that diner down the street because when I was a teenager, I wanted to be a chef. Turns out, I’m not good at cooking.” She thrust a hoof at Flare, “HE CAN ATTEST!”

“Oh yeah, her cooking isn’t even suited for the undead,” Flare nodded, having suffered that particular torture many times. He was so glad Velvet was an amazing chef…

Daring and his Mom would get along though.

“Is it just me, or did all the tension just fly out the window,” Twilight giggled, before a streak of red light cut her cheek… her eye slowly lowering to look at the wound.

“Shut up!” the cultist howled with rage. “I’ll kill you all!”

Upper wasn’t concerned with him. He didn’t even register at this point.

What did… was the look in Flare’s eyes. It was a look even she hadn’t seen before. A look of pure… unadulterated rage. His eyes were wide, his brow furrowed deep as his iris's shrank to near pinpricks. Upper had never, ever seen him so angry, she actually took a step back.

This stallion had hurt his family. He threatened them.

Flare clenched his jaw so hard, his teeth threatened to crack as he looked away from Upper and Twilight. “Get back,” he said to them, his voice eerily calm. “Else you might get burned.”

Upper snorted and stomped away, “You’re lucky he wants to kill you or else I’d beat some sense into your thick skull.”

Flare nodded… before his mane and tail caught alight, burning brightly.

“Ooh, scaaaaary~” the stallion teased, waving his hooves. “You think you can take me alone? Your fire can’t do-EEEP!” he shrieked as a massive gout of flame consumed the beast, the shield barely holding it back.

“You think I’m worried about that,” Flare said as took a breath. His tail flickered, the flame taking a… specific shape, along with the flames along his neck and ears, giving him an almost… fox-like appearance. “Tell me… ever hear the story of Icarus, the pegasus who flew too close to the sun?” he opened his mouth and inhaled. “He got burned.”

Something deep inside him clicked, as his magic surged forth. A massive magic circle appeared underneath him as he strarted yo cast.

“No matter what,” Flare said as he gathered up every mote of power he could muster. “I'll protect my family from monsters like you!”

And when he exhaled, the flames were white hot, the cobblestone underneath them bubbled and glowed as the stone melted under the intense heat. Even from a distance, Upper could smell her fur being singed as Flare’s fire consumed the monster and it’s rider…

It burned away his shield, the stallion screaming as Flare’s spell finished being cast. A sphere of fiery light forming on the tip of his horn.

“Burn… may you never blight this world again,” Flare uttered. “Supernova!”

And then… everything exploded in a hellstorm of fire.

And when the torrent of flame finally ceased, steam venting from the corners of Flare’s jaw… all that remained was a smouldering, unrecognisable pile of charcoal. The bodies of the rider and his mount burnt to an unrecognisable crisp.

Upper peered over at the bodies, “Well that’s all well and done. I’ll go call the clean up crew and inform Celestia of another attack on the capital.” She furrowed her brow, “How are they getting inside? It should be impossible… Also, did you strain yourself, Flare?”

The stallion was standing there, the stone underneath him warped from the heat as steam rose from his body, his mane and tail slowly returning to normal. He panted, never having used a flame that… extreme before as he took a breath. “I… I’m okay…” he murmured.

Well so he said, before magical exhaustion kicked in and he collapsed.

“FLARE!” Upper rushed over to his side. She picked up his head and slapped him, “STAY AWAKE! THIS IS AN ORDER!”

“Eeesh, talk about tough love,” Twilight chuckled as she looked at him. “No need to get worked up Mommabear. He just used too much power all at once. Hehe, Sunny would blow a brain cell if she saw that. She thinks she’s the strongest… well, I mean she is. But Wondercolt here comes close.”

“...ow,” Flare groaned.

“... Sunny?” Upper blinked in confusion before shaking her head. “Nevermind.” She pulled Flare over her back and started to head back to her mansion. “Somepony will be coming soon to clean this whole mess up. I’ll get Flare somewhere safe.”

“Is that so?” Twilight reclined in the air and summoned a strawberry milk to sip on. “Suit yourself. Tell Flare I’ll meet him at home later. He and I have to have a little talk about things.”

Upper just nodded as she kept walking. Today had been a long day indeed…

A mare leaned against a wall some distance away, idly flipping a coin between her fingers. She wore a tan coloured vest and a short, blue pleated skirt, as long as thick white socks. Well now, that was quite the performance. She'd heard he was around a level 3… but that was definitely beyond that. With proper training, he might get even stronger.

“Hmm, guess I have some work to do,” the mare hummed as she walked away, whistling a small tune.

Flare groaned as he sat up, feeling the sensation of something plush under him. He looked around, and saw that he was in his old bedroom in his mother's house. Everything from the shelf of textbooks and comics… to his little collectable figurines. This place hadn’t changed a bit.

“Huh… how’d I get here?” he murmured.

Upper patted his cheek lovingly, “I carried you here after you passed out.”

“Well that explains that,” the stallion said, totally not flinching from her sudden appearance. Or more likely, he’d just failed to notice her sitting there. He saw the bandage on her leg and let out a breath. “As embarrassing as that probably was. So, you’re okay then?”

Upper nodded. Her leg had a simple bandage over it, “It was nothing severe. Give it a day or two and everything will be back how it was.”

“Glad to hear it,” Flare smiled and nuzzled her. “Sorry if I got… carried away there. I saw him hurt you and I—”

Upper put a hoof over his mouth and gave him a warm smile, “I very much appreciate the sentiment, but I can take care of myself. However, you impressed me today. That foe was stronger then I thought and you incinerated him and his beast. That is no easy task as well….” She started to sniff. “As well…” A few tears started to fall down her cheek.

Flare blinked. Was… was she crying!? First good advice, now crying? Oh dear Epona above, somepony broke him Mom! He reached up and pet her mane. “H-Hey… what’s wrong?”

She hugged him tightly, “You actually managed to ride something! I’m so proud!” She was crying tears of joy into his coat.

“....wat?” Flare blinked, unable to process exactly what was going on.

“You were riding a Gallimimus and you fought against that idiot so well,” Upper sniffed and nuzzled him. “You are indeed my son and I can’t help but love you all the more for that.”

“I am so conflicted right now,” he murmured as he hugged her back regardless. “I… honestly wasn’t thinking too hard. I just needed a way to catch up to you quickly.” he chuckled and nuzzled her again. “Guess those lessons finally paid off huh?”

Upper chuckled, “I guess they did. I’m sorry if they were a little too harsh. I just wanted to see you ride well.”

“Yeah I know,” he said and pet her head. “Look, no matter what. You’re a pretty great Mom okay? And you’re gonna be an awesome Grandmom as well. I know it.”

Upper nodded, “Too true.” She pulled away and wiped away her tears, “Just don’t tell anyone I cried, alright?”

Flare hummed and tapped his chin. “I dunno,” he mused out loud. “That was aaaawfully adorable. I might even tell Princess Celestia how cute it was.”

Upper gave him her motherly sort of glare, “You will do no such thing.”

“Hmmm, I'm not entirely convinced,” Flare mused.

“Flare!” Upper snarled. “You will do no such thing or you will be grounded.”

“Hmm, it would probably be worth it,” the stallion laughed. “Ooh, I’m definitely telling Coco about it. She can make you a cute little dress and make you more adorable~

Upper scowled before sighing, “I’m just glad you’re alright, Flare.”

“You too Mom,” she smiled and booped her nose. “So, seeing as how I’m getting married. Isn’t it about time you got back in the saddle yourself?”

Upper rolled his eyes, “I very much doubt I’ll find anyone of interest.”

“Oh please,” Flare rolled his eyes. “I know better than anyone that you can. I mean, Velvet and Daring are around your age and…” He paused and shook his head. “I am banishing that train of thought right to Tartarus. Look, long story short. There’s a pony out there for you. I know it.”

Upper shook her head, “I doubt anyone could handle me, or wish to. I am a bit, how you say it, too much. I admit that only because you’re the only one here.”

“Heh, maybe a dragon then?” Flare chuckled, wincing when she swatted his shoulder. “Also… how’s Twilight doing? She wasn’t hurt was she?”

“Apart from a scratch on her cheek, she’s fine.” Upper patted his shoulder. He breathed a sigh of relief and sank back into his pillow.

“Honestly, my day has been stressful enough,” he sighed. “Still, I’m glad everyone is okay.”

Upper nodded, “Now get some rest. You deserve it.” She kissed his cheek.

“You as well,” Flare said with a smile. His mother just chuckled and left him be, stepping out into the hallway as she was greeted by Crystal, her barrel and ribs wrapped in bandages.

“Ah, I’m happy to see you and Master Flare are safe Mistress,” she smiled, wincing slightly with each step.

Upper looked over at her and walked over, “Yes, so am I. I’m also glad you’re doing well, Crystal. Though perhaps next time you should be wary of frontal confrontations.”

“My own foolishness cost me this injury, hence I shall forgo magical treatment and wait for my ribs to heal on their own,” she said. “A punishment for being so careless.”

Upper frowned, “Do not be a fool. I need you at your best as soon as possible. I order you to get that treatment.”

“But…” Crystal rose a hoof to respond,before coughing and wincing.

“The idiot thinks you’ll fire her for taking the easy road,” Feather said as she walked past, as Crystal’s eyes widened in horror. “And if you did that, she wouldn’t be able to bathe and perv on you.”

“F-Feather!” Crystal blushed hard as she tried to swat the mare, only to wince in pain again.

“Perv?” Upper quirked an eyebrow. “I am unfamiliar with that term. I believed our bathing to be rather relaxing.”

“Ahahaha! N-Nothing, it means nothing at all!” Crystal blushed and giggled rather loudly.

And then her other sister bounced east, the earth pony singing a small song. “It means she likes looking at your sexy bod~” she hummed as she kept bouncing away.

“...kill them… I’m gonna kill ‘em…” Crystal muttered under her breath, her horn sparking.

Upper blinked in confusion, “Can’t she look at it any time she wish? I do not see how it is different in a bath.”

“C-Cause nothing’s different, nothing at all. Ahahaha….” Crystal blushed and sweat through her coat. “S-Speaking of baths…”

“Are you well enough to take a bath?” Upper asked.

“W-Well, I have had one, but perhaps I should… wash you down,” she said and noted her singed coat. “You can’t because of your leg, but… I can use a sponge.”

Upper nodded, “That would be helpful.”

“R-Right this way,” her maid beckoned, trying to keep her tail from wagging at the thought of giving her mistress a sponge bath.

Upper marched on past, “I have been feeling rather tense lately. Hopefully this will ease it.”

Oh, Crystal would like to ease her ‘tensions’ alright. The mare giggled giddily as they headed for the master bathroom, lost in her own little fantasy world.

Flare groaned as he entered his home, leaning against the door frame as Velvet exited the living room and looked at him worriedly. Well, that was unusual.

“What’s wrong?” the stallion asked, before Twilight Sparkle walked, actually walked out from the living room as well.

“Come on,” she said as she brushed past him. “You and I are taking a little walk.” She paused and looked back at her mother. “Don’t worry, I won’t hurt him… at least for now.”

“Twilight…” Velvet started but Flare raised a hoof and shook his head,before silently following the unicorn. Once the left, Twilight Velvet couldn’t help but shudder. Just… what was Twilight up to exactly?

Flare followed the chaotic unicorn as the two walked through town, some ponies staring… not accustomed to Twilight walking on her hooves. Flare was going to ask where they were going, but thought it best to remain silent and simply follow for now.

He didn’t have to wait long though. As the pair pulled into a familiar graveyard. And after a bit of walking, they stopped in front of Night Light’s gravestone.

“So… you know who this is right?” Twilight asked in an even tone. Flare nodded as he stepped forward.

“Yeah, Night Light. Velvet’s previous husband and your father.”

“Mhm,” Twilight said. “But, do you know how he died?”

Flare shook his head. “All Velvet ever said was that it was an accident involving you.”

“Accident huh?” Twilight snorted and shook her head. “No Flare. It was my fault. I killed him with my own power. No ‘accident’ about it.” her tone had turned bitter as she stared at the granite gravestone.

Flare paused, thinking carefully on how to word this. “Did you mean to do it?” he asked, making the mare lookup and blink. She was silent for a good while, before letting out a light chuckle.

“Mom was right about you,” she mumbled to herself. “No Flare, I didn’t mean it. But that doesn’t excuse me from the blame.”

“Maybe not,” the stallion said. “But it was an accident, a terrible one to be sure, but an accident nonetheless. He slowly raised a hoof and put it on her shoulder. “Look Twi. I’m not going to pretend to know how that feels. But, I know a little, I lost my parents when I was young. In an accident I caused.”

“Wait… you what?” Twilight turned and blinked. Wasn’t Upper Crust his mother?

“Mhm, Upper is my adoptive Mom. My real parents… well, I lost control of my powers as a foal and… well because of those powers, I was the only one that survived that fire.” he took a breath and sighed. “I don’t even remember them.”

“Huh…” Twilight hadn’t expected that. “Well, look. Coming here had three reasons. First I…” She bit her cheek and sighed. “I want to apologise okay? You… didn’t deserve for me to be that angry. It’s just… it’s because of the second reason I’m here.”

“And that is?” Flare asked in a gentle tone.

“I’m worried okay?” Twilight said in a quiet voice. “That it’ll happen again. That I’ll lose control and I’ll kill somepony close to me. I… look, I’m crazy okay? And that’s fine. It’s… simply my lot in life. But as much as I’ll happily slaughter my enemies… I don’t want to hurt those I let close.”

Flare nodded, letting her finish as he stood a bit closer, the unicorn mare feeling the warmth emanating from his body. It was… nice. Almost nostalgic really. She was almost annoyed at the small smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.

“It’s okay,” Flare finally said. “You’re older now. And you have excellent control of your powers. I actually want to thank you for helping Mom before. You did what I couldn’t, even though no-one asked you too.”

“I… Well, I can do nice things, idiot!” Twilight huffed and folded her forelegs before her eyes widened in horror. “Oh gods… that was so tsundere. I’m turning into Trixie.”

“Nah, you aren’t a self absorbed megalomaniac,” Flare laughed and nuzzled her. “So, what’s the third reason you came here?”

“Oh,” Twilight’s mood calmed as she looked at the gravestone. “I’ve… never visited him. Not once since he… died.” She sat down in the grass and put a hoof on the gravestone. “I’m… not a very good daughter. He’s probably pretty steamed at me for taking so long.”

The clouds overhead parted as a ray of warm sunlight shone down on father and daughter, as Flare shook his head and smiled. “No, I think he’s pretty happy.” He said softly. “You’re a great daughter Twi. And I’m sure he’s really proud of the fine mare you’ve become… coltfriend choices aside.”

“Bloody is a perfectly respectable stallion… on the battlefield,” Twilight defended. “Absolutely everywhere else, he’s just disruptive. It’s why I have Emby. She’s the polar opposite.”

Flare chuckled as he nodded to the gravestone. Yeah, things were gonna be just fine.

“Nope…” Flare dug his hooves into the ground. “Can’t do this. I am SO not ready to do this!”

“Urgh!” Twilight dug her hooves in as she shoved him. “Quit being such a baby!” she yelled as she pushed against the stubborn stallion’s flanks. “I already said it’s cool. Now get… in… THERE!” And with a burst of magic, she sent Flare flying through the front door and sprawling out onto the rug.

“Flare?” came the simultaneous call of Twilight Velvet and Daring Do. The unicorn mare walked up to him, easing him to his hooves with her magic. “You’re… okay?”

“Hmph! Rude!” Twilight huffed and flicked her tail. “Well I know when I’m not wanted.”

“Tsundere~” Flare mused and Twilight blushed, pointing a hoof at him.

“You just shot to the top of my pranking list!” She said with an evil smile, before it softened. “But you get a freebie today. Make it count Wondercolt.” And with a burst of light and a fanfare of kazoos and bagpipes, she vanished.

“...You… made peace with Twilight!?” Velvet exclaimed, utterly shocked. “I don’t think anything could surprise me anymore.”

“Yeah…” Daring nodded, before noticing a small smile on Flare’s face. “Oh sweet feathers, what did you do?”

“Nothing yet,” he said as he drew closer. “You know I love you two right?”

“He did something,” Velvet agreed. “Look Flare, we know you had a rough day. So we promise not to get too mad…”

“I love you two very much,” Flare said as he stepped closer.

“I think I’m scared,” Daring gulped as Flare reached out with his magic, as his saddlebag floated out of the living room.

“Now… I’ve been a bit busy as you know,” Flare said. “Running around here and Ponyville. It’s been exhausting.”

“Ponyville? Why’d you go there?” Velvet blinked.

“Had a promise to fulfil,” Flare nodded. “Now…” he pulled out something, blurred in his magical aura. “Daring? Velvet?”

“Yes?” they blinked, looking so utterly confused as Flare lowered his aura and the mare’s eyes slowly widened. There, floating in front of them, inside little boxes… were two, stunningly beautiful rings.

“Would you lovely mares, do me the greatest honor… of becoming my brides?” Flare asked. “To form a herd, and be together forever?”

They just… stared. Too stunned to even breathe. Was… was this really happening?

Daring’s wing poking Velvet in the side reminded both of them that yes, this was happening. No, it wasn’t a dream. One they might have had a couple of times.

And yes, that was the two mares tackling Flare to the ground, giggling, laughing, crying and saying ‘Yes’ over and over again.

“Cool…” Flare groaned, buried under a pile of mare. He couldn’t breathe… but it was totally worth it. Yeah… life was pretty damned good sometimes.

Talking up a storm

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Pizzelle was a happy mare.

Well, not for the usual reasons. Like she was happy when a batch of cookies came out just right. Or when her son Hikaru did something cute or funny. Or the type of happy she was when she spent time with her friends.

No, this happy was a type of happy she hadn’t felt in a while. A sport she hadn’t been able to partake in for quite some time now.

She stared down at the newspaper, an advertisement for an upcoming Archery contest. Her wings fluttered with excitement and her hooves danced on the wooden floor. She could almost feel the sensation of drawing back the taut bowstring and letting loose an arrow, streaking through the air and hitting its target.

“Still…” Her mood waned as she thought about her little Kitsune. Attending this contest would mean travel, as the contest was in the distant town of Hollow Shades. and she couldn’t pull Hikaru out in the middle of a school week. Somepony would have to foalsit him…

The problem was… well it was Hikaru. He was a mischievous little scamp, and she didn’t know anypony that would be able to… navigate their way through his shenanigans. She thought of Fiddlesticks, but the mare was too excitable. They might just destroy Ponyville.

Sunset Shimmer was out. That was for certain. She would teach him too many… poor manners.

And Quickfix was also inviting disaster.

Lightning Dust lived in a cloud home, so that was no good.

And Fiddlesticks was usually busy with farm work to pay enough attention to him.

She was slightly worried that Redheart might experiment on him…

That only left…

“You… want me to do what?” Coco asked, tilting her head slightly. “Foalsit for you?”

“Honestly, you’re about the only one I can count on,” Pizzelle said as she looked down at the small earth pony. “Everyone else is… unsuited for this task.”

“Well, I’m happy that you think that but—”

“I knew coming to you was the right idea!” Pizzelle smiled. “I worked everything out and I should only be three days, four at the absolute most. Ooh, I’m just so excited to do this again!”

“But I really don’t think I’m—”

“Now, Hikaru can be a hoofull sometimes. Just know his pranks are harmless and don’t give him candy too close to bedtime, or he’ll be up all night. Oh, and he likes warm milk before he sleeps.”

“But Pizzelle—?”

“I knew I could count on you,” the older pegasus mare smiled, giving the tiny earth pony a quick hug and then galloping away.

“Ohdear,” Coco sighed. She didn’t know a whole lot about foalsitting. Hmm, Rarity often looked after her little sister Sweetie Belle. Maybe she had some tips and tricks for her?

“Okay, now you remember what to do yes?” Pizzelle said to her foxxy son.

“Yes I know Mom,” he sighed. “Be good for Miss Coco. Don’t prank her… too much, and no sweets before bed,” he sighed. “Can’t I come with you? Archery sounds cool and I wanna see all the bat ponies!”

“Ah ah ah, they’re called Vamphirines, not bat ponies,” Pizzelle said to him. “And perhaps I’ll take you there sometime during the holiday season. But right now you have school mister.”

“Ah, fine,” Hikaru huffed, dragging out the last word with an exhausted sigh. “I promise I’ll be good… as long as you bring me back a present~?”

“We’ll see you cheeky little scamp,” Pizzelle giggled and nuzzled him. They arrived at Coco’s house, well, Rarity’s boutique where said mare lived. “And be sure not to annoy the Diamond Dogs. I don’t believe they’d hurt you… but I’d rather not take the chance.”

“Yup, gotcha,” Hikaru nodded as Pizzelle knocked on the door.

Soon enough, Pizzelle was sitting on the train bound for Hollow Shades. She’d never been there before, so it was a little exciting. Plus the trip alone would make a great story to tell later. It kind of reminded her of the one time her great great grandpappy went to the—

Her little inner monologue was cut off as a mare took a seat opposite her. What really grabbed the pegasi’s attention as that the mare was a biped. She resembled a pony close enough, with her hind hooves, muzzle and unicorn horn.

But instead of forehooves, she had human-like hands. And given the way her chest bulged… huh? Pizzelle had heard of these kinds of ponies. One’s usually born from a pony and a human. But she’d never actually seen one before. She had a tan coloured coat and a chocolate brown mane and tail. She wore a sleeveless tunic, with leather bracers on her wrists and shoulders. A short, pleated skirt tied at the waist with a sash. Her brown leather boots went almost as high as her knees.

“Heya,” the mare said in a tomboyish tone. “I see you’re headed for the Archery tourney too huh?” the anthro mare mused, gesturing at Pizzelle’s bow case.

“Huh? Oh, yes,” the pegasus said, a little caught off guard. “Are you?”

“Mhm, more or less,” she said and held out a hand. “Name’s Volt Kicker. What’s yours?”

“Oh, I’m Pizzelle,” the pegasus replied, putting her hoof in her hand as they shook.

Then Volt Kicker leaned forwards and smiled widely. “Oh! You’re the Element of Truth,” she said. “Wow, never thought I’d meet a celebrity.”

“Oh no…” Pizzelle blushed a waved a dismissive hoof. “I’m really not all that. So far it’s been a one-time thing. I’m just a simple baker.”

“Well then ‘Miss Simple Baker’,” Volt mused and leaned back in her chair. “I guess beating you in Archery won’t be a problem then.”

Pizzelle’s bashul gaze morphed into a narrow-eyed stare, a sly smirk on her muzzle. “Oh really?” she mused. “I’ll remind you that you said that after I beat you.”

“Ooh, feisty~” Volt chuckled and leaned back in her seat, propping her arms up at shoulder level. “Well, guess we’ll just have to see Miss Element of Modesty.”

“Yep,” Pizzelle said as she looked out the window and noticed some storm clouds forming. “Weird… we’re a bit too far from the Everfree for wild weather.”

“It’ll pass,” Volt Kicker said and smiled. “I’ve got a sixth sense about these things.”

Hollow Shades was an interesting city. A lot of the buildings had old Germane-style architecture. Flat white walls with wooden support beams and shingled roofs. Most of them being two or three stories tall. Trees were mingled in with the winding streets, said roads made of packed dirt and sparse flat cobblestone.

The train had passed by large fruit tree orchards on the way in to, which gave the whole town a subtle, yet fruity smell. If it wasn’t for the dense canopy of trees shrouding the whole city in a deep shade, and the bat-winged Vamphirines everywhere, Pizzelle could have likened the place to Ponyville.

“Now let’s see,” she hummed, looking at her itinerary. It said that all competitors would have a place at the ‘Das Licht des Mondes’. Some kind of pub-slash-hotel that was sponsoring the event. After asking around, some of the locals outright ignoring her until she found an earth pony that pointed her in the right direction. Pizzelle found herself in front of the building.

“We meet again,” Volt Kicker said as Pizzelle entered a room on the third floor. “Seems we’re bunk buddies for this little competition.”

“Seems so,” the mare said as she set her equipment down on the bed.

“And don’t worry,” Volt said. “I don’t plan to mess with your stuff. “I’m just glad to have a cutie like you sleeping with me~”

“Um, what?” Pizzelle blushed slightly and shook her head. “Sorry, it’s been a long trip.”

“That is has,” Pizzelle agreed. “Feel up for a drink?”

“Oh uh, sorry… I don’t drink,” Pizzelle waved a wing. “A habit I dropped after becoming a mother.”

“Oh, you got a kid?” Volt said as she sat on her bed.

“Adopted, but yes,” Pizzelle smiled. Thinking of her little Hikaru always made her do so. “He’s a bit of a trickster, but he’s a good boy.”

“Huh, so a cute little milf huh? I can dig it,” Volt said. A what now? What was a mil—

“So,” the bipedal unicorn said. “If drinks are off the table. How about dinner? I’m starving.”

A small growl of Pizzelle stomach made her chuckle and nod. “Yes, that actually sounds quite good. Though, where shall we go?”

“Hmm,” Volt mused. “The pub downstairs is kind of busy and I’m not a fan of crowds.How about we find a small place to grab a bite.”

“Sounds like a plan,” Pizzelle agreed and grabbed her saddlebag.

They’d been wandering the small town for a bit, sharing a little small talk as they did. Pizzelle’s nose twitched and she suddenly rounded a corner, a curious Volt following her as they found a small ‘hole-in-the-wall’ style bakery.

“Ahh, I knew I could smell fresh bread,” Pizzelle hummed as Volt folded her arms.

“Huh, quite the nose you have there Zelle.”

“Well, when you work with baked goods as much as I do, you get a nose for it.” The mare smiled as she nudged open the door, to the place titled ‘Wallflour’. Pizzelle giggled at the name as she stepped inside.

“Mmm, something smells good~” she hummed.

“Well,” a voice said as a earth mare stepped out from the kitchen. She had a speckled brown coat with a dark chocolate-hued mane that poofed out with untameable curls. Her cinnamon eyes lit up as she smiled at the sight of the two mares. “Ooh, pony customers,” she smiled.

“Hm, what’s that supposed to mean?” Volt asked with a raised eyebrow.

“Oh, sorry,” the mare winced, her ears folding back. “I don’t get many of the vamphirine’s coming in here, mostly because I’m an earth pony that worships Princess Celestia.” She sighed and shrugged. “So most of my patronage comes from the local ponies and visitors. I mean, not all of the locals are like that. But the traditional ones can be… abrasive.”

“Ah, I’m sorry to hear that,” Pizzelle said with a sympathetic smile. “Well, it smells great in here and I’m starving.”

“And I have bread to sell,” the mare said. “My name’s Oreo Cream. Nice to meet you…?”

“Pizzelle,” the pegasus responded. “And this is my friend Volt Kicker.”

“Friend huh?” the bipedal mare mused. Well wasn’t she a trusting one. “Seems legit. Yeah, I could go for some food too.”

“Okie doki,” Oreo said in a bubbly tone as she showed off her display case. “Anything you like in here? I also do sandwiches and and pies and things too.”

“Hmm, been a while since I had a good pie,” Volt hummed. “This is a batpony town. So…”

“Yes, I sell meat pies,” Oreo smiled. “Hated it at first, but I learned so to try and get business. It worked kinda…?”

“Well, you got any Shepherd's Pie?” Volt Kicker asked.

“Sure do.”

“Yeeesss~” Volt beamed. “Momma will take summa that~”

“Hmm…” Pizzelle really wanted to just order a plate of biscuits. But she needed a good meal for the competition tomorrow. “Can I get a sandwich please?”

“Sure,” Oreo smiled as she made up the one that Pizzelle was requesting. Egg, lettuce, tomato and carrot. She piled plenty of ingredients on, adding a little salt and pepper to it too. Once they had their food, the pair sat down at one of the tables to eat.

“So, keen for tomorrow?” Volt asked.

“Honestly?” Pizzelle said. “I’m a little nervous. It’s been a long while since I did this. So I’m hoping I’m just able to hit the targets.”

“Aaah, you’ll be fine,” Volt said and took a bit of her potato pie, moaning softly as the taste. “Mmm, this is good. That filly knows her stuff.”

Pizzelle nibbled her sandwich and agreed. “This bread is practically flawless. I have to agree.”

Oreo set two drinks down on the counter. “Here, some Chai Latte’s for you.”

“Huh, but we didn’t order them,” Pizzelle said, still sniffing the delightfully scented drink.

“I know, but you ladies are nice and… well honestly, you’re the first customers I’ve had all day,” the mare sighed.

“Well, thank you,” Volt said as she placed her hands over the mugs to pass one to Pizzelle, her horn glowing for a moment as she subtly cast a purification spell on the drinks. She was a cautious mare to say the least.

“So,” Pizzelle said as she laid on her bed, staring up at the ceiling. “How did you get into Archery Miss Volt?”

“No ‘Miss’ and I’ll tell you,” she said. “And it’s nothing really. I use it as a means to learn concentration and focus.” She let out a small chuckle. “It was either that or chess, and chess is for old ponies and nerds.”

Sunset twitched as she moved her Knight, taking Spike’s Rook.

“Something wrong sis?” the dragon asked. You got that… Burny look in your face.”

“Yeah… just feel like burning someone,” she said and sighed. “Check.”

“Checkmate,” Spike said, moving his Princess.

“GAH!”

“That’s a little mean,” Pizzelle giggled and closed her eyes. “As for me…”

“Well? Volt leaned forwards, sitting cross legged. “Don’t hold out on me,”

“I grew up in a pretty simply family,” Pizzelle said. “Mom and dad were both bakers, so… it was pretty much expected that I would be too. And well… i was so, I guess they weren’t wrong.” She let out a giggle. “But, my Grandmother used to tell me all sorts of stories. How grandpa found in a war, about heroes and princesses. I was hooked on every word. Sure, I loved baking. I still do. But…”

“You wanted something more,” Volt replied. “Something like the stories.”

“Yes,” Pizzelle sat up and nodded. “And one day, I was at school when we were doing a sports festival. All kinds were being shown. Hoofball, squash, gladiatorial combat…”

“The crap? What kinda school did you go to?”

“And Archery!” Pizzelle smiled. “Grandmother just finished telling me about this great hero that used a bow to slay a dragon, and I had to try it. So… I did.”

“And lemme guess, it was your destiny?”
“Ahahah no. I shot the instructor in the leg and hospitalized him.”

Volt blinked very slowly.

“But, it was still fun. I stuck with it and eventually got better through practice and determination. And soon enough, I was winning awards and trophies. But, ever since moving to Ponyville and opening my bakery, I haven’t had the chance to do so.”

“Well, I guess we’ll see tomorrow,” she mused as she lay back. “So, tell me some of these stories of yours.”

“Well, I could. I um… tend to talk for a while and…”

“Hey, it’s fine,” Volt waved a hand. “I… actually haven’t talked to anyone in a long time. Trust me, I wanna hear some.”

“Oh!” Pizzelle blushed lightly and smiled. “Okay! So, this one is about my great great Grandpa Damascus. He was part of a—”

“Urrghh…” Volt groaned, rubbing her eyes. “Goddess I’m tired…”

“Yeeeaaaaahhhhh!” Pizzelle yawned. “We stayed up so late talking…”

“You talked. I listened… Don’t regret it though,” Volt chuckled a sshe pat the pegasi’s back and-

*zap!*

“Yipe!” Pizzelle jumped from the shock, now very much awake. “Awawawa! That was some mean static buildup there Volty!”

“Hahah, my bad my bad,” Volt smiled and waved. “Least we’re awake now.”

“Yeah,” Pizzelle giggled, flicking her wings a few times. As she did, she noticed quite a few Vamphirines scowling at her. “Um…”

“Oh right, these guys really don’t like pegasi and vice versa,” Volt said. “To be honest, I don’t know why you are glaring back.”

“Well… I guess I don’t really have a problem with them is all,” Pizzelle said. “I mean, they’ve never done anything to me personally.”

“Hm… good answer,” Volt said. “The world could use more mares like you. Now…” They reached the open field the contest would take pace. At least two dozen contestants were there. A couple of Vamphirines, some unicorns and earth ponies. Pizzelle was actually the only pegasi present.

“Okay, so…” Volt paused and looked down. “Where’s you bow?”

“Huh?” Pizzelle looked at her back and… where was… ohno… she, must have left it on her bed. Her eyes widened. “Nono… this is bad. I-I won’t make it back in time!”

Volt exhaled and looked at the board. Pizzelle was one of the first few up. “Hmm, okay!” She lowered her case, opening it to show off her bow. “Here, use mine. I’ll run back to our room and get yours.”

“W-What… no, Volty… I can’t ask that of you—”

“You didn’t, I’m offering,” she corrected. “Trust me, I’m faster than I look. I’ll only be a moment. Take good care of Wölfe Heulen here. He’ll help you out.”

“It’s a beautiful bow,” she smiled. “Volt. I… I can’t thank you enough.”

“Eh, I’m sure you will. Maybe I’ll come by Ponyville sometime and try those cookies you’re so proud of,” she grinned. “I’ll be back soon!” And with that, she took off running.

Pizzelle took a breath and looked down at the precious gift. Okay, you could do this Pizzelle. No problem!

“First up, Pizzelle from Ponyville!” came the announcement over the loudspeaker. Pizzelle picked up the bow and… goodness it was heavy! Volt really used this? Lucky she had her Mom’s strength. A normal pony would barely be able to lift this.

She stepped up to the mark as three arrows were given to her. She set the bow down in the holder, nocking an arrow and pulling back the string. Even that required more strength than she thought. She took aim and loosed the first short… as it sailed wide and struck the hay next to the target.

Quite a few snickers and laughs came from the other contestants and crowd as she frowned. Okay… that, could have gone better. She could easily blame the unfamiliar bow but, no, she was out of practice and too nervous. She paused and took another breath. Volt lent her this lifeline and she was going to make the most of it. She set and loosed her second shot, the arrow sailing through the air and missing a bullseye by mere inches.

That stopped the laughing pretty quick. She smirked and loosed the third, just nailing the line of the bullseye.

All in all, not a bad show. Could have been better… could have been far worse. She picked up the bow and headed back to her bench as the next contestant took their place.

Pizzelle looked up at the scoreboard. She was sitting in fifth right now. And there were still a half dozen to go. And Volt’s turn was coming up. Where was she? She… was she gonna—

“Hey!” Volt said, sitting down on the bench next to her. “Sorry I took so long. Stopped at the cafe for an espresso shot to help clear the ol’ sleepy eyes.”

“Geeze, don’t scare me like that!” Pizzelle said and swatted her arm. “And… oh!”

Volt Kicker set her bow down in front of her. “Here you are cookie mama. Your bow.”

“Thankyou!” Pizzelle beamed, hugging the mare’s waist as Volt looked up at the scoreboard.

“Whoa! You scored that with my bow?” she exclaimed as Pizzelle winced.

“Yes… it’s a difficult bow to use. The string is very taut and it’s heavy so I guess—”

“That’s amazing!’ Volt smiled. “Damn girl. I honestly expected less. That thing is super hard to use so… good job!”

“Waitwhat?”

“Yeah, I was actually a little worried that I’d screwed you over. But I can see that I’m going to have to actually try if I want to beat you.” She grabbed her bow in one hand and stood up. “Well, wish me luck!”

“U-Um, yes. Good luck Volty!” Pizzelle waved, then her eyes widened as she nocked all three arrows and once and fired them. Each one getting her a score that landed her firmly in second place.

“Holy… Celestia…” Pizzelle whispered as the crowd paused to watch the display. “She’s good.”

The contest waged on. The lowest scoring contestants were weeded out. And now she had her confidence and bow, Pizzelle was scoring much better. Soon, all that remained was her, Volt and an Vamphirine named Moonlight Sonata. The latter of them had been the highest scorer for the whole competition. A brown-coated batpony with a blonde mane and tail. Her green eyes shone with fierce determination.

And now it was down to just them. Midnight was up first as she lined up her bow and took aim… only for the string to snap as she let out a surprised “Eeee!?” and fell back hard on her wings. Pizzelle gasped and rushed over.

“Are you okay?” she asked asked as the medics started to scramble.

“Yes… mostly, my pride,” she murmured as she stood up and looked at her. Bow in disdain. “Somepony cut my string…” she muttered and looked at the crowd. She knew it wasn’t the remaining competitors. She’d been keeping an eye on them. She was led aside to have her wings looked at and to have her bow restringed.

In the meantime, Pizzelle was ready to take her turn. She lined up the first shot and landed a bullseye. Then a second… and the crowd held their breath, before she landed a third, the perfect score shooting her to first.

The crowd erupted at the upset victory. It could still be turned around, but Volt’s final turn would have to be almost as flawless as Pizzelle’s.

Volt Kicker stepped up, holding her bow. Her ears flicked as she felt the flow of wind. The trees around the clearing acted as a nice wind break, but there was still a subtle breeze that could throw out a perfect shot. She drew back the string and… and paused.

Pizzelle blinked as she watched the mare freeze up. Why was she hesitating? She’d been nothing but confident the whole time Pizzelle had known her so…

Then she felt it. It was subtle but the ground trembled.

“You feel that too?” Moonlight asked, her wings bandaged up from her earlier fall.

“Yes but, was it an earthquake?” Pizzelle blinked.

“No, not in this region,” Moonlight said. “It’s something—”

“GET DOWN!” Volt Kicker yelled as she dove to the side with an impressive leap, the ground where she’d stood exploded upwards. Rising out of the ground was a huge crystal-stone golem. It rose up to be over a dozen times the size of an pony.

“Oh… oh that’s not good,” Pizzelle said as she looked up to see a pony riding on it’s head. Was that the pony that created the golem?

“Where aaaaare you~?” the sorcerer cackled loudly, looking out over the field. “Come on you filthy Elemental. You can’t be dead already. I haven’t had my fun yet!”

“Elemental?” Pizzelle echoed as she saw Volt stand up nearby, a deep frown creasing her brow.

“I’m going to get everyone out of here,” Moonlight said, seemingly rather calm. “Go help your friend Miss Pizzelle.”

“Oh um...okay?” the pegasus blinked as she started to run towards Volt, only to have the golem crash a massive hoof down, blocking her path.

“Ahh, who are you?” the sorcerer looked down at the pegasus. “You’re not who I’m hunting… but maybe I’ll squish you too.”

Pizzelle slowly backed away, before yelping as a massive lightning bolt struck the side of the beast, making it stumble. It let out a deep, rumbling groan as the dust cleared…

And showed Volt Kicker standing there, lightning crackling around her form. She had a steely gaze in her eyes as she glared at the sorcerer.

“You dare attack her?” she yelled as another bolt erupted from her hand, striking the golem again. “I can handle you attacking me. I can handle you hunting me. But you attack my ONLY friend!?” Another blast of lightning. “Then you’re dead!”

She blasted the golem over and over, blowing its a few limbs off in her barrage.

“Volt you’re…” Pizzelle gasped, putting a hoof to her mouth.

“A Lightning Elemental, yes,” she sighed. “Sorry I… I honestly thought that I could enjoy myself this time but…”

“That’s so cool!” Pizzelle smiled widely. “I have a friend who’s a Fire Elemental. I can’t wait to tell her I met you.”

“You’re… not scared? Or angry I put you in danger?” Volt blinked, seemingly surprised by the pegasi’s reaction to the truth.

“What? Oh no, not at all,” Pizzelle beamed as they heard a rumble, the golem piecing itself back together.

“Haaahahaha, you can’t defeat this creation!” the unicorn sorcerer cackled. “Ty as you might filthy Elemental, this will be the last day you live!”

Volt Kicker sighed and fired another blast, only for her eyes to widen as the crystals on the golem absorbed the power. “Well… shit. That’s not good.”

It went to lift a leg… only for it to jerk, it’s leg frozen to the ground courtesy of an ice-arrow from Pizzelle. “I’ll help you,” she smiled. “This thing isn’t really all that scary, not compared to Nightmare Moon.”

“Well, how about that,” Volt chuckled as her body crackled.

“You stupid...ARGH!” The sorcerer turned and fired a bolt of eldritch magic at Pizzelle, narrowly missing her as she flew out of the way. Then had to duck and weave as the unicorn kept up the assault.

“HEY!” Volt yelled as she fired another bolt, only for it to be absorbed again. She frowned and dodged as the golem broke the ice and tried to crush her again. This was starting to get mildly annoying.

Then she winced as Pizzelle tackled into her, a deadly beam narrowly missing the pair.

“You… okay?” she panted. “That was a close one.”

“Y-Yes,” the unicorn mare nodded and sighed. “Okay, back up Zelle… I’m going to take care of this. Think you can freeze it’s legs again?”

“Mhm,” she nodded and drew her bow, taking off into the air.

“It’s useless!” The sorcerer cackled. “You can’t defeat my golem. I’ll crush that filthy Elemental and be done with it!”

“And I won’t let you hurt my friend!” Pizzelle yelled and she drew back her bow, firing shot after shot, the precise blows landing on the golems legs, starting to freeze them. As the stallion lined up a barrage of deadly bolts, the attacks were swatted from the air by… some kind of black sand?

“W-What?” he blinked as the whips bat aside his blasts, protecting Pizzelle. He glanced to to see the sand swirling around Volt. “Y-You’re a lightning elemental! How are you controlling earth!?”

Volt Kicker sighed. “Most Elementals can’t think outside the box… Fire will just shoot fireballs, wind will just throw gusts around… You can’t even see that I’m using electromagnetism to control the iron in the dirt can you?”

Pizzelle blinked. She could do that? She fired the last shot, freezing the creature in place.

“S-So what! You still can’t destroy my golem. You’ll run out of power and—”

“If I used my lightning directly maybe,” Volt said as she pulled out a coin and held it up, lighting arcing around her right arm. She pinched the coin between her thumb and forefinger. “But as i said, there’s many applications for such power.” More power built up as she aimed… and fired.

The coin shot off with her strength behind it, a metal bullet fired with electromagnetism…

Even a little coin could hurt when reaching speed of three kilometers a second. Though the coin melted long before it reached that kind of distance…

It was still enough to blow a hole that Celestia would walk through, through the chest of the golem. Her railgun utterly decimating the beast as it crumbled away.

“Oh… wow…” Pizzelle gasped as Volt exhaled, powering down. “Volty, you’re amazing!”

“Perhaps,” she chuckled as she looked around. Damn, that unicorn bastard must have teleported off. That or she’d hit him with that attack and there was nothing left. Oh well. She turned and smiled. “Guess we’ll never know who won the contest now.”

“I guess so,” Pizzelle giggled.

Blood dripped as the sorcerer leaned against a tree. “That… that damned bitch. I didn’t thinks he could do something like that.” he looked down at where he left leg used to be. He’d have to get that replaced soon. Then work on a…

Wait, what was that sound?

Singing?

He turned as the mist in the forest parted, revealing a blonde-maned batpony mare. She was singing to herself, her Cutie Mark glowing, motes of blue light falling from them like snow.

No… ohno, a Discord-damned Battle Musician!?

She drew a gleaming set of wingblades. His eyes widened as he powered up his horn…

…

The batpony mare continued to sing as she left the small clearing, the blood from her blades dripping as she flicked them clean and sheathed them. She’d report this little event later. For now, that unicorn mare should be able to enjoy some well-earned peace and quiet… for a time.

“So, you’ve been hiding from this guy for years now?” Pizzelle asked as she and Volt sat on a train returning to Ponyville. The contest organisers awarded her, Volt and that batpony mare all first prize awards. Seems they were rather grateful for having their town saved too.

“Yes,” Volt Kicker sighed. “And, I’m very sorry that you got dragged into it too Zelle.”

“Nah, it’s given me a new story to tell,” the pegasus smiled. “And even better, an amazing new friend!”

“You’re one of a kind Pizzelle,” Volt smiled and winked. “And cute too~”

“I.. what, naaah,” Pizzelle blinked and blushed, waving a hoof. “I’m pretty plain.”

“Hmhmhm, if you say so,” Volt hummed. “Perhaps I’ll come and visit after my trip to Canterlot.”

“Canterlot?” Pizzelle blinked. “You’re going there?”

“Indeed, it seems our Grand Princess wishes to see me,” Volt said and hummed. “Not sure what about, but I’m rather curious.”

“Well, I’ll have a fresh batch of cookies waiting when you come and visit,” Pizzelle smiled as she leaned over, hugging Volt. The train let out a sharp whistle, announcing it’s arrival in Ponyville. “Promise.”

“I’ll hold you to that Zelle,” Volt smiled and ruffled her hair. “Take care okay?”

“You as well,” Pizzelle said as she picked up her bags and headed for the train door. This contest had turned out both, unexpected and unexpectedly fun. Stepping out and onto the platform, she turned to wave goodbye to Volt, only to see her standing at the door. “Hmm, Volt?”

The unicorn smiled, leaning down to what appeared to hug her again...before she smirked and pressed her lips to Pizzelle’s, stealing a chaste kiss as the pegasi’s wings shot out, her face red as the unicorn’s warm touch pulled back, the train doors closing and the train pulling away as Volt smiled cheekily and waved.

Pizzelle sat down suddenly, her face red as a hoof touched her lips, the other forehoof waving as her painfully stiff wings refused to listen.

“...EEEEH!?” she squeaked as the train pulled away and out of sight.

Volt touched her own lips as she sat back in her seat. She’d meant for that to be a little tease, get a cute reaction from her friend… she didn’t think it’d get her own heart racing too. Even so, she chuckled and looked out at the fading town. She’d definitely come back to visit again soon as she pulled out the letter that batpony had given her last night.

‘Dearest Volt Kicker.

I do hope this letter finds you well.

I’ll make this brief. I’d like for you to come to Canterlot. There is something I’d like to try and your expertise would be greatly valued. In exchange, I am willing to… assist with your current problem. Should this letter find you, then you have my assurance that you’ll not be threatened any longer.

With love.

Princess Celestia’

“I think things are about to get very interesting indeed,” the unicorn murmured and smiled.

Pizzelle sat at her kitchen table, munching on some homemade cookies. Hikaru had been picked up and surprisingly, had been rather well-behaved for Coco. And of course, the small earth pony had been a squeaking, blushing mess when Pizzelle commented that she’d make a good mother.

She took out the medal she’d gotten and looked at it. After receiving them yesterday, she and Volt had stayed up late to talk, and during that time, swapped medals as a token of friendship.

She smiled and and headed upstairs. Placing the medal on her nightstand, she climbed into bed and closed her eyes.

Tomorrow would be another day.

Shimmy Shorts

by Ausbrony

Fire and Flames

The Embers of Chaos

Redheart's Zany Zombie Adventures.

Getting back on her hooves.

Flames of Fashion

A Daring Friendship

Temple of the Sun

Fire and Flames redux

How I met your Mother

We're like Apple Pie

The Bonds of Family - Part One

The Bonds of Family - Part Two

Talking up a storm