//------------------------------// // Chapter Nine: Proposition // Story: Actions and Reactions: Saving Twilight Sparkle // by Lord of Flies //------------------------------// Ponyville, Sugarcube Corner May 18, 4E 2010 Just before 10:15 Spike looked at the ponies sitting at the table. Rarity, furiously sketching a new design for a dress that had been requested by someone important, hummed to herself, oblivious to the rest of the world. Applejack was slumped in her chair asleep, stetson pulled down over her face, snoring lightly. Fluttershy was folding origami cranes, murmuring… something. Proverbs? Short hymns? Whatever it was, what little inflection Spike could pick up on suggested that she was saying it with reverence. Braeburn, hat resting on the table, watched his marefriend dart around the room, delivering orders to customers, a smile on his face. That left Spike himself. He found himself scanning the room to keep himself busy. He suddenly burped out a jet of green flame, from which a letter materialised. Spike blinked, surprised. The letter, finally responding to gravity, merely fell to the table, where it sat for a few moments. Reaching out a claw, he felt a soft hand touch his as he grabbed the letter. He looked at its owner. It was Rarity, who had obviously heard the burp, looked up, saw the letter, and began reaching toward it as well. The unicorn blushed, withdrawing her hand. Braeburn turned around, saw the letter in Spike’s hand, and slapped Applejack on the arm, waking the mare up. The mare glared at her cousin, who jerked his head toward Spike. Applejack noticed the letter and spoke. “Hey, ‘Shy. Spike’s got a letter from Princess Celestia.” Fluttershy stopped her murmuring and folding of cranes, looking up with a glare of irritation, as if miffed that she was interrupted in the middle of her work. The glare immediately faded, as Fluttershy acknowledged that it was one of her friends interrupting her, not an enemy, and she smiled. “A letter! What’s it say?” Spike shrugged. “I don't know. I’m waiting for Pinkie to get over here.” Pinkie Pie sat down in a chair and smiled. “Hi!” “Now that everyone’s here,” Spike said, “I’ll read the letter.” *** Within an hour, they were on a train to Canterlot. High Princess Celestia had summoned them as Princess Luna had proposed an idea. Spike stared out the window he sat next to, thinking. “What’s the matter, Spike?” Spike glanced at the speaker, it was Fluttershy. He frowned, and replied, “I see that the Princesses are trying to help us. But, I’m only getting more questions than answers…” “Yeah, Ah know whatcha mean,” Applejack spoke up. “Sometimes, Ah prefer when Ah didn’t have to deal with all this… secrecy; among other things, ‘course. Ah don’t like it.” Spike agreed. Back when Twilight was a young mare trying to learn everything she could learn about magic, without a care for forming new friendships outside of the ones that she already had, life was simpler. No secrets, no ancient conspiracies against the Empire, no magical abominations, and no pressure to be the first line of defense against whatever “villain” showed up that week. But, once they’d gotten past their differences, they became close. Close enough for at least two of the seven to start thinking about having a relationship. The others were starting their own relationships, too. Except Twilight. Spike chuckled. Despite everything that had transpired, Twilight was still a bit of a recluse. Sure, she’d gone on dates with stallions, but she hadn’t found one that would mesh well with her specific quirks. “Well,” Rarity mused, “we’ll get our answers soon enough.” Spike scoffed, very quietly. ************ Canterlot, The Imperial Palace The Throne Room 15:45 High Princess Celestia sat on her throne, resting her head on one of her arms. She glanced over at her darker furred sister. Luna was visibly excited, even if she was trying her best to hide it. The only thing giving away her excitement, unbeknownst to the mare, was the movement of her wings. They quickly opened a little, and then closed just as fast, multiple times every minute. Celestia felt a small smile creep onto her face. Ever since their foalhood, Celestia could easily tell her sister’s emotions. Excitement was one of them that she knew very well. The doors to her throne room opened, and six figures entered. Twilight’s assistant and her friends. Celestia stood, and met the six in the middle. She reached down and picked Spike up, drawing him into a hug. Spike returned the hug, smiling wide. When the hug ended, Celestia set Spike down, before giving the drake a small pat on the head. She looked down at the six subjects before her. They looked up at her, waiting for her to speak. Celestia’s mighty marble form dwarfed all six of them, making them seem like foals next to the ancient mare. She cleared her throat, cutting her revere short. “Luna,” she commanded, “come over here.” Luna nodded, and quickly crossed the distance between them. “Er… Luna? What’s up with you?” The question was immediately followed by a loud slap. Rainbow Dash staggered forward, and began rubbing the back of her head. “Jeez, Rarity… The hell you do that for?” “Dash,” Rarity responded, rubbing her hand, “that is no way to address a superior.” Dash straightened, and looked at the unicorn with a half-lidded expression. “You heard her the first Nightmare Night after she got back, she wanted us to treat her as a friend.” Rarity opened her mouth to reply, but closed it, and nodded in agreement. “How do you manage to get behind me super quick?” “I might have picked it up from Pinkie.” Pinkie Pie nodded. “It’s true! She did!” “In any case,” Luna spoke, drawing their attention, “we have business to discuss.” “What is it?” Luna sighed, “I don’t know if you know this, but Twilight is… dying.” The six had various reactions to this news. Rarity gasped, covering her mouth. Rainbow Dash frowned and looked down at the floor. Fluttershy gasped, and tears began welling up in her eyes. Applejack pulled her hat down over her face. Pinkie Pie’s color faded, and her mane and tail deflated. Spike narrowed his eyes and growled. “No worries,” Luna assured, “I know of a way that can save her.” Pinkie Pie’s color returned and her mane and tail reinflated with the sound of a balloon inflating. “Really? How?” Luna smiled and replied, “Well, it requires an expedition. Into the Dark Valley.” “How does heading into one of the most dangerous places on the planet help us?” “The most vital ingredient I need for what will save Twilight is there, in its center. But, I need assistance. That is why you six are here. I trust the Royal Guard to protect me, of course, but I believe that the knowledge that her best friends are assisting me in saving her will help give Twilight hope that she will live; therefore ensuring that she lives longer.” “Would that even help?” “Yes, Dash,” Rarity replied, “hope is a very powerful thing in ponies. It can sustain them for a very long time.” Dash nodded. “So,” Luna spoke again, “will you help me?” All but Dash replied immediately that they would. Dash stared up at the Luna. “Dash? What of you?” Dash shrugged, shaking her head slightly. “I-I don’t know. I have Air Force duties, now. I need some time to think.” Luna nodded. “I understand. Take your time.” “Would you like to see Twilight?” The High Princess’s question was sudden, but the response was immediate. All six responded with positive answers to the question. A smile appeared on the High Princess’s face, and she ordered, pointing to one of the guards, “Sergeant, take the Chosen and Princess Twilight’s Assistant to Princess Twilight’s chambers.” “Yes, Your Exalted Highness.” The guard approached the six. “Please follow me.” Once the seven figures left, Celestia glanced at Luna, and spoke, “I hope the risk will be worth it…” “It will be, sister. Place your faith in me.”