‘To rise, you must first fall.’
Rainbow Dash closed her eyes. Her mind went blank. The natural instinct of a being maximally tuned for speed took over. She retracted her wings and extended her hooves forward, forming a cone-like shape to reduce her resistance to an absolute minimum. The wind against her face seemed to violently rub at her face and every part of her bodies, but she simply clenched her teeth and pressed on. Suddenly, a barrier was transcended and broken, sending out a horizontal shockwave.
Now diving vertically, Rainbow Dash flapped her wings with great force. The searing wind tear at her extended wings, causing some pain, but she stooped her body and flapped her wings again. She curved upwards and banked, eventually forming a circular trail of rainbow around the Cloudeseum stadium.
Ponies gasped and cheered, but she didn’t stop there. She again pitched down, and banked sharply to the right. This time, she flapped her wings with all her might, and to the amazement of the ponies in the audience, she broke the sound barrier again without relying on the help of the dive. A twirling ribbon of rainbow sphere formed like a crystal ball from dreamscape.
‘To answer, you must first hear the call.’
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“Nice crown, Rainbow.” Applejack grinned and leaned over. “Just checkin’ if the princess had bitten a dent innit.”
Rainbow Dash loudly laughed, then covered her mouth hurriedly. “Don’t make me laugh like crazy in front of the princess and the Wonderbolts, okay?”
“Congratulations!” Fluttershy said. “Is everything well?”
“Fluttershy… Your words sent me back onto the right track. Thank you.” Rainbow Dash said.
“I’m just glad to see you succeed, Rainbow.” Fluttershy smiled.
Twilight hid behind all her friends. Her joy was obvious, as she witnessed Rainbow Dash succeeding not only at pulling off the Sonic Rainboom, but pulling it off so flawlessly and with style. However, she was also visibly apprehensive with her role in causing Rainbow to lose her impetus in the first place.
“Hey Twi.” Rainbow flew forward and held Twilight with her hooves, causing the purple mare to freeze. “I don’t blame you the slightest.”
Twilight gulped and looked at the cyan mare. Rainbow Dash continued. “Yes, our little encounter did make me temporarily doubt my dreams. But perhaps sometimes, a pony must move her focus away from her single-minded pursuit, in order to truly appreciate her original aspirations.”
“Rainbow, are you saying that just to comfort me?” Twilight said with a sad frown.
“No, Twi. I don’t kid with things like this. I really think what you did, even though was not a pleasant experience at the time, had helped me grow.” Rainbow Dash smiled.
“Cheer up everypony! We still have a super fun celebration party for Rainbow Dash! We’re going to invite all the pegasus ponies in Cloudsdale who can come! This is going to be the most super sky-splitting fun party I’ve even held!” Pinkie squealed, as she continued to count off the ways she could make use of the vast three-dimensional space in the sky city.
“So Rainbow.” Rarity ignored Pinkie Pie’s rambling and asked, “Have you met with the Wonderbolts?”
Rainbow scratched her head with an embarrassed smile, “Well yeah. They praised my performance and all. But they said I’m a bit too green to join.”
“Too green?!” Pinkie Pie stopped mid-speech. “But you’re cyan!”
“Ha ha,” Rainbow Dash drily laughed, “Green as in ‘inexperienced’, Pinkie.”
“Don’t be disappointed, Rainbow. They’re simply missing out!” Twilight smiled.
“Don’t worry Twi, I’ll just keep work harder until I’m skillful enough in their eyes to join.” Rainbow Dash smiled. “Joining the Wonderbolts will be a dream come true and an ultimate vindication of my talents. But even if I do join, that doesn’t mean I will just stop there. There’re a lot more in the world that demand my talents and challenge myself.”
“I’m just glad you rediscovered your passion.” Twilight said.
“Oh right, Twi.” Rainbow Dash was suddenly reminded of something, “Regarding the newspaper business...”
Twilight frowned, “Rainbow, you don—”
Rainbow Dash interrupted the purple mare. “No, no. I’m over it. Desk job’s not for me after all. But I think I can still be a correspondent for exciting occurrences and emergencies around the world. Perhaps this is more suitable for me, and it also provides opportunities for me to use my talents to my fullest while helping my friends.”
“If you say so…” Twilight said bashfully.
“Uh girls.” Applejack said. “Sorry to put my snout betwixt y’all, but Ah think we still have somethin’ to talk wit the princess.”
“Oh yeah… Appleloosa isn’t it.” Twilight felt as if another weight landed on her back just when one had been lifted.
Appleloosa was a settler town founded by a branch of the Apple family headed by Applejack’s second cousin Braeburn. It was a much newer town compared to Ponyville, and Celestia only granted the land to them last year.
‘Granted’ was a relative term, as the lands were long settled by the buffalos for hundreds of years. Twilight didn’t know what was her mentor thinking, or not thinking, as this obviously trampled on the buffalo’s sovereignty and would cause troubles later on.
She considered the possibility of spreading bits to solve the conflict, just like how she did with a number of previous disputes. The ponies might accept, but while they could then use the bits to buy food from the outside, it would not be for long. Also, the buffalos were unlikely to be impressed. In any case, bits were only going to quell the dispute for a short time.
Moreover, her coffer was bleeding dry with the publication of Ponyville Mirror. A lot of bits were spent on start-up cost, wages and formal application to the town office. She also had to promise the Mayor Mare to fund some of her other town projects to exchange for her assent.
Therefore, she and Applejack wanted to directly appeal to the princess to see if any royal arbitration can be arranged. Preferably some sort of formal recognition of sovereignty, border and rights for the buffalos. Applejack and Twilight would also see if there was anything they can do to prevent the settlers and the buffalos from bumping heads. She was reluctant to simply resort to hooking the buffalos up with some addictive substances to deal with it.
Celestia was being escorted to the backstage of the Cloudeseum stadium by the Royal Guards, when the Mane Six caught up on her.
“Why hello, my little ponies, is there anything you wish to see me for?” Celestia asked.
“Yes, princess.” Twilight said. “I wish to bring up an issue most needing of your attention.”
“It’s ‘bout Appleloosa, where mah cousins live.” Applejack said.
Celestia raised an eyebrow, her face unreadable. “Oh? What is the issue with Appleloosa?”
“Accordin’ to mah cousin Braeburn, the settlers an’ the native buffalos had a dispute wit land use. The new orchard was planted where the buffalos use as stampedin’ ground for a long time. So the buffalos want all ‘em trees gone.”
Twilight tried her best to ask with tact. “I beg your pardon for my ignorance, Princess Celestia, but I would like to know if there’s a special reason for you to grant a new town charter for a settlement in buffalo territories?”
Celestia frowned slightly, then smiled to her student, “Why, my most faithful student, I’m glad you asked.”
Celestia dismissed the Royal Guard nearby, and trotted a few steps forward. “Equestria is in a state of great prosperity. With the return of Luna, Equestria is indeed a joyous nation to born and live in. However, prosperity is not something that last without our careful hooves. Ponies were most numerous since I ascended to the throne, and the health of our nation required an independent, virtuous citizenry of industrious ponies. But lands that are suitable for pony settlement were scarce, so I must allow my little ponies to expand towards new lands. I regret any possible conflicts that might ensue, but it must be done.”
At heart, Twilight was somewhat at doubt. While prime lands in Equestria were indeed becoming scarce, this was no excuse to just infringe on the rights of other species in the land. The lands to the south of Ponyville, for example, were perfectly arable and yet almost empty.
Equestria was founded by the merger of three pony nations, but there was also the undeniable fact that its founding had seen declining fortune of other native inhabitants as they were taken off their lands either by persuasion or by more unfortunate circumstances. Some of the conflicts, as Twilight remembered with pain, were not pretty at all. But those troubled histories had been buried by the time, and Celestia was regretful of her actions, right?
Twilight, in any case, hid her thoughts behind a smile. “I see your wise reasoning, princess. Still, we’ll have to find ways to deal with the possible conflict, or else the settlement might not prosper without making friends with the locals.”
Celestia nodded. “Indeed, Twilight. Your knowledge of friendship will surely bring a satisfactory solution to this issue. Tell me, what is it that you have in mind?”
“I propose that we must offer clarity to the buffalos in terms of our intention. We should offer the buffalo tribe official recognition from Equestria.”
Celestia deliberated for a while. “Hmm, this could be arranged.”
Twilight continued. “… and their rights to self-determination, defined border between pony and buffalo lands, and compensation for lands currently used by the settler ponies, as a form of formalized transaction pursuant to both parties’ agreement.”
At heart, Twilight would want to just pay off the settlers and move the town to somewhere north of the traditional border, as this modified proposal was still a treaty not fully restrictive of the possibilities of future abuse. However, not only she had barely enough bits, the settler ponies and the princess would likely oppose strongly to this idea.
Celestia frowned. “This might be too much concession towards the buffalos. Our ponies also have a right to work and feed off the land. How would the town expand in the future if the border is set in stone?”
“Princess, they could strike a further agreement with the buffalos by then. Perhaps, the friendship and generosity we show the buffalos this time.” Twilight suppressed an urge to roll her eyes. “... will allow them to reach an agreement in a more amicable way.”
“But what would you use as compensation towards the buffalos?” Celestia asked.
Twilight knew that her mentor implied there would likely be no compensation out of the royal coffer. She had expected this from the princess, but this still cause her to mentally sigh.
Applejack glanced at Twilight and replied. “Princess, Ah’ll arrange with mah cousins to see if we can share some o’ our crops and apple products wit the buffalos. Hope that along wit other offers, the buffalos will see that we’re bein’ earnest.”
“Very well, my little ponies. You seem to be confident that you can solve this dispute.” Celestia said. “And I trust your judgment. I will draft a royal decree regarding the royal recognition of the buffalo tribe and their right to govern themselves, soon after I return to Canterlot. I will send it in the letter when it’s done.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Twilight was packing up for her coming trip to Appleloosa, when Pinkie Pie dropped by and looked for Spike to play.
Spike was reading the newest issue of the Ponyville Mirror, where the front page showed a cheerful Rainbow Dash holding a golden crown up in triumph. The headline read, ‘Ponyville Resident Wins Best Young Flyer’.
“Spike, Pinkie’s here. But is your belly ache better now?” Twilight asked with concern.
“Well yeah, I’m much better now.” Spike replied, but then sulked. “I really wanted to watch Rainbow Dash pull off the Sonic Rainbom in the stadium.”
Twilight huffed. “Who told you to just eat all the gems Rarity gave you at once? What have I taught you about the virtue of temperance?”
“Alright, alright.” Spike held up his arms. “Please Twilight, not another session of lecture, I beg you.”
Pinkie Pie eavesdropped on the purple mare and dragon’s conversation, and added, “Yes Twilight, Spike knows he made a mistake, he just couldn’t help it when he sees those tasty, tasty gems! Please forgive him!”
Twilight smilingly shook her head at the obvious cover job from the pink pony.
But then she immediately thought of the brewing love triangle that gave her a giant headache.
‘Gah!’ Twilight terminated her troubling thought and said, “Pinkie, you aren’t exactly in position to speak in support of Spike you know. Last week I walked in on you eating a whole tray of cupcakes in your room!”
Pinkie Pie’s expression turned into a strange mix of emotions, but the most prominent one was embarrassment, as shown by the bright red hue.
“B—But, Twi—light! Those were really tasty cupcakes!”
“I’d never understand how your digestive system works. It’s apparently more enduring than that of a dragon.”
Twilight shook her head. “Anyway, we need to pack up for Appleloosa soon. Are you done with your own preparation, Pinkie?”
“Yes Twi! I’ve brought tons of my gadgets and parts! I also helped Applejack load some farming machineries and her tree onto the train cart.”
Pinkie Pie grinned, “She said that was one of the most prolific apple trees in her apple orchard! She called it Bloomberg I think. She even sang to it and asked me to play banjo nearby sometimes, saying that music will help it grow faster!”
“Is this true, Twilight?” Spike asked suspiciously. “I don’t know trees have an ear for music.”
“Some kinds of vibration in the air do facilitate the growth of plants.” Twilight said. “Though I’m pretty sure that it is not just music or song, but a wide range of different sounds. As for Applejack, it’s perhaps just her love for apples acting up.”
The dragon and the pink mare laughed together. Twilight gazed at them and silently sighed. “The tree and the whole plantation business is going to be very controversial with the buffalos, we need to be very tactful and stick to diplomacy… always.” Twilight stressed the last word.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The rail towards the Southern Frontiers was just recently laid. Before that, pony incursions to the south were largely hindered by the unique geography of the region. To the north lied the Everfree Forest and the Rambling Rock Ridges, to the east was the vast Haysead Swamps, and to the west were the almost impassable Ghastly Gorge.
The largest pony settlement down south was Dodge City, established just slightly before Appleloosa by pilgrims trekking south across the Rambling Rock Ridges. Before the ponies, wild bands of buffalos had roamed the vast grassy plains of what’s now called Southern Equestria, and they still did.
Buffalos were ambivalent to the arrival of ponies. They welcomed the opportunities to trade, and tolerated limited pony settlement, but most were averse to the idea of further encroachment of their lands. The lack of consistent policies and diplomatic channels only worsened the shaky relationship between the two species.
Twilight hoped her mentor wasn’t planning on expelling the buffalos from their homelands in order to ensure safe pony settlement, this would have been the most tragic outcome. She was determined to ameliorate the tension as well as possible, and offered the buffalos options that they would deem to be fair… she could only hope.
The trains to the south were much scarcer than those to other developed regions of Equestria. It was even powered by pony power alone, something that made Twilight quite uneasy. For the purpose of this trip, she commissioned a steam-powered locomotive, which was to be piloted by the mares in turn instead of train operators, especially considering their special need to conduct diplomacy.
The mares and Spike gathered next day at the train depot. Applejack, with the help of Rarity, filled the cart carrying the apple tree with soft pieces of fabric and tied Bloomberg firmly to the four corners in expectation of any impending attack. They then set out in the afternoon and drove the train south in their first distant expedition.
The first part of the journey was occasionally bumpy, but otherwise peaceful. Twilight drove on the first leg of the trip, as the others chat and laugh at recent happenings. They took out the board game that they had once played on the mountain, and ran a rematch. Spike, just like Rarity, was similarly intrigued as well as appalled by Rainbow Dash’s debauch turns of actions, which were seemingly simply done more to shock than to win.
Things occasionally turned uncomfortable for the on-looking friends though, as Pinkie Pie and Rarity unintentionally competed for Spike’s attention. It only went less awkward when Twilight told Rarity to take over for her after they passed the Lower Saddle River.
The train turned south-east at the river bridge and soon crossed the majestic Ghastly Gorge. By then, it was close to midnight, and the group lamented that they couldn’t view the famously gorgeous gorge in all its glory. The mares then took short turns to operate the train to let all of them have some sleep, while Spike snored loudly after being pushed around by the two mares all day.
Then dawn slowly came. The mares looked at the yellow morning sky with thoughtful looks. Shortly after they passed the triangular junction that diverted the train into Appleloosa, Twilight, now operating the train again, gradually slowed the train to a halt.
Spike was half-awaken by the commotion, when he saw the mares had exited the train car and spread out around. Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy were flying in the sky and scouting for the surrounding, Applejack and Pinkie Pie was observing the horizons and occasionally leaned on the ground to listen for any tremor, while Twilight and Rarity were cooperating to cast a locating spell. The Mane Six were in such a full state of battle readiness that it astonished Spike.
He walked out of the train car as well and walked on the dry, sandy gravel towards Twilight. He waited until she had finished the spell to ask. “Woah, Twi. I know that the settler ponies are in dispute with the buffalos, but what’s with you all acting like a scouting party for an army?”
Twilight gazed at Spike. “That’s no joke, Spike. The buffalos were really unhappy with how ponies interfered with their way of life. We must, and I stress, must not make any mistake with our first meeting with the buffalos. Besides, it is highly likely that they would have heard of our expected arrival and do something with the incoming tree, which would be a glaring symbol of pony transgression.”
Twilight then sighed, “I’d wanted to persuade Applejack not to bring Bloomberg, but we later found that the introduction of good cultivar will be critical for the apple plantation and the settler’s survival. So we’ve probably made the unfortunate first step of offending the buffalos. We certainly wouldn’t want to make the second step as well.”
Rarity trotted up to them as well, and added. “Spikey-wikey, as opposed to ponies, buffalos are much more open to dragons, because dragons are featured in ancient buffalo tales as the defeater of evils. So perhaps you’ll be our most trustworthy emissary!”
Twilight smiled, “Rarity’s right. Better straighten your spines, you’ll be our official diplomat, Spike!” She chuckled.
Suddenly, Pinkie Pie let out a yelp. Her tail and mane twitched. She leaned in onto the ground and then jumped up high. She then yelled at the top of her lungs, “Attention all ponies and dragon! Incoming buffalo herd at five o’clock direction! I repeat, five o’clock direction! ETA three minutes!”
Twilight shouted. “Everyone, circle the train cars!”
Soon enough, they heard a wave of ground-shaking sounds, like the galloping of a thousand buffalos. They then saw a herd of buffalos, visibly displeased even at a distance, running towards them. They were led by an especially large buffalo with dark grey coat, with traditional feather headwear.
As they closed in the ponies, Twilight gestured to Rarity and Pinkie. Rarity flared her horn and Pinkie Pie gave Twilight a large yellow megaphone. Twilight herself casted a spell as well, which surrounded the megaphone. “Cover your ears, everyone.” Twilight warned.
She then yelled loudly into the megaphone.
“PE!”
“Stop!”
The buffalos were shocked by the sudden voice that boomed like the loudest thunder. They were also surprised to hear a pony speaking their tongue. The chief decided to halt the galloping herd, just dozens of meters away from the train.
The mares and dragon kept wincing even after they covered their ears. As for Twilight, since she had to hold the megaphone, she couldn’t cover her right ear, and she was seriously suspecting her ear might have gone deaf by the blast of sound. Still, she waited for the buffalo herd to quiet down, and said again through the megaphone.
“Twilight Sparkle emáčiyapi.”
“My name is Twilight Sparkle.”
“Ho, I did not expect a pony who speak Buffalo.”
The leading buffalo trotted forth. “Despite so, we don’t usually talk to outsider in our ancient tongue. Your gesture is acknowledged, but we still doubt your intention, as you are clearly bringing in a new tree in violation of our wish.”
Twilight silently cursed herself for being overconfident in her knowledge and not knowing about the buffalos’ cultural idiosyncrasies. She regardless bowed and said. “We offer our sincerest apologies, Chief Thunderhooves. We come in peace, and with offers that might sate your demands.”
A tangerine female buffalo behind the chief was visibly delighted by the ponies’ gesture of peace. Chief Thunderhooves asked. “You know my name, Twilight Sparkle. Then you must also know why we resort to such actions to defend our homeland. Say, what do you offer? Are you going to order the settlers to disband in peace? If so, why did you bring that tree?”
“I have no authority to do so, Chief Thunderhooves.”
Twilight said. “Although, I will try my best to arrange for a mutually satisfactory agreement, in my official position as royal emissary and my private position as a pony who want to see ponies and buffalos live in peace.”
Twilight elevated two pieces of paper from her saddlebag. It was the royal edict from Celestia and Twilight’s own translation into the Buffalo tongue. The content was laconic, as it confirmed the recognition of the buffalo band led by Chief Thunderhooves and their right to self-govern without interference from the Kingdom of Equestria.
Chief Thunderhooves glanced at the edict elevated to him to Twilight’s magic, and huffed. “This is a welcoming gesture, but it far from solves our disagreement with the Appleloosans.”
Rarity chipped in. “But of course, wise chief. We’ll also mediate your dispute with the settlers in a fair and balanced way.”
Applejack also added with a slightly sly smile. “You can perhaps hear from mah acksent, Ah’m related to the settlers. Ah’ll help to persuade ‘em to possibly move the orchard to somewhere suitable so that it wouldn’t block yer way.”
Pinkie Pie wanted to bring up the possibility of compensation in form of apples and apple products, but Twilight stopped her. This was not the time to bring up the offending fruit in front of the buffalos.
Chief Thunderhooves turned to his herd. The tangerine buffalo was pointing at the ponies and vigorously nodding, seemingly arguing for the case of cooperating with the ponies. Eventually, he turned to the ponies, and said loudly. “Very well, we will place our trust on you for the moment, and halt our planned assault on the town. But if this is just a ruse to delay our action, the entire Appleloosa will be flattened with our hooves!”
Twilight turned to Spike and whispered. “Hey Spike, it’s your time to shine. You should go with the buffalos and try to impress them with your wit and humor… In fact, you don’t even have to do that, just sit there and they’ll be impressed.”
Spike frowned. “Won’t I then become some sort of hostage?”
Twilight grimaced. “You’re an emissary, Spike. I really hope that we can make the buffalos more amenable to an agreement.” Twilight then offered an enticing smile, “Buffalos were expert turquoise miners, you can enjoy a buffet if you go with the buffalos."
Spike licked his lip and said, “Whoa yeah… Wait Twilight, you aren’t going to stop me from eating lots of gems this time?”
“I have trust in your ability to determine how much is enough, Spike.” Twilight said. “Now go.”
Twilight then turned to the buffalo chief, who was preparing to leave. “Wait, Chief Thunderhooves. Our friend, Spike the dragon, would like to be our emissary to your herd. Would he be welcomed among your kind?”
“Ho ho, dragons are always welcome amongst us.” Chief Thunderhooves laughed gruffly. “Spike, isn’t it? Come with us and witness the beauty of the Wild South.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The mares re-boarded the train and rode to the town of Appleloosa. Pinkie Pie was fretful about the departure of Spike, but she tried her best to hide her worry with a smile and cheery attitude.
After a short ride, they finally arrived at the small depot in Appleloosa at noon. As they got off the train, a light gold colt with amber mane enthusiastically greeted the mares, “Hey there! Welcome ta A-a-pplelooosa!”
Applejack raised a hoof to signal that it was her turn to talk. “Greetings Braeburn. These are my friends in Ponyville.” She then introduced her friends one by one.
Braeburn grinned widely, “Welcome! Let us delight in the pleasures and wonders of... A-a-a-pplelooosa! Boggles the mind, we settler ponies built all this in just the past year, don't it?”
Twilight said. “Good to see you, Braeburn. Sorry, but we must go sightsee in this wonderful town later.”
“Indeed, we have encountered the buffalos on the way we came.” Rarity said.
“And with a royal edict and our silver tongues, we convince them to at least try to talk with you guys before barging in and knock down the trees.” Rainbow added.
“So you know.” Braeburn’s enthusiasm seemed to have been extinguished by the troubling matter, as he said worriedly. “Them buffalo, they want us settler ponies to take every single tree you see here off this land. They sure as hay don't want any new ones added in.”
“Yes.” Twilight leaned forward. “And that’s why we want to speak with you and the sheriff to see if we can do anything.”
Braeburn solemnly nodded. “Sheriff Silverstar is that way.”
He led the mares to the main street of the town. There next to an office building, a light brown stallion wearing a Stetson and moustache sat casually on the doorstep.
The mares trotted up to the sheriff with Braeburn. “Salutations, Sheriff Silverstar,” Twilight greeted. “We come with Applejack from Ponyville. We also come with a new apple tree, news from the capital, and also some suggestions that might solve your dispute with the buffalos.”
“I see.” Sheriff Silverstar raised an eyebrow. “Tell me what you can do ‘bout ‘em buffalos.”
“We have sought permission from Princess Celestia to grant recognition of the buffalos as a self-governing tribe. This would not affect the livelihood of settler ponies in Appleloosa, but it would at least serve as a guarantee of the restraints in our intention.” Twilight calmly replied.
“That’s all an’ well. But how does this solve the land dispute?” Braeburn’s eyebrows knitted together.
“Fret not, cousin,” Applejack said. “Here comes the juicy bits. Ah wanna ask, is the stampedin’ ground the only place suitable for plantin’ apples?”
“Yes.” Sheriff Silverstar said. “Them buffalo’s stempedin’ ground occupies the nearest plains, and a small stream from the mountain runs through the whole place. Other lands here are all inhospitable semi-desert an’ mesas.”
“Mesas.” Pinkie Pie grinned. “you say?”
“They’re bunch of flat-top highlands all round town. They shield some o’ the hot winds from the south.” Braeburn explained. “Not terrible for farmin’ since the sun’s shinin’ bright, but the soil’s poorer an’ it’s way too dry.”
“Um mister, buffalos don’t run up the mesas, do they?” Fluttershy asked.
“No, they stick close to the flats an’ the river for drinkin’ water.” Sheriff Silverstar said. “Wait, are you suggestin’ we move the orchard up onto the mesas? That’s impossible! There ain’t no water on the high mountains!”
“Yeah! We ain’t pegasi like the two missus there. How can we, bunch of earth ponies, go up the mesas anyway?” Braeburn added.
“Don’t worry,” Applejack said, “We bring a train load of gadgets that are goin’ ta solve exactly this kind of problems.”
Pinkie Pie fumbled her way in her mane, and took out a few pieces of paper.
Twilight elevated the papers and explained, “This first diagram shows an aquifer pump, it can draw waters from the river or from underground. It runs on steam and can continuously draw water from up to two hundred meter deep, enough for you to draw water onto the hills.”
Twilight then pointed to the second diagram. “The another one is a cable car design that can hold both ponies and crops.” She then smiled. “Of course, in addition to these novel inventions to solve our specific problem, we also have farming machineries and fertilizers on our hooves.”
“Ah’ll also throw in some bits t’ invest in the new farms, since I‘d wanted t’ expand Sweet Apple Acres but couldn’t quite find suitable lands.” Applejack said.
“Plus, we will guarantee to buy a certain amount of apples you produce in three years, if you all agree to move the orchard uphill.” Twilight finally added.
Braeburn frowned while Sheriff Silverstar stroked his moustache. “Yeah, that’s a very enticin’ offer. But it’s such an enormous undertakin’ to uproot all the apples an’ plant ‘em elsewhere.”
Applejack sighed, “Yes cousin, but we’ll help you out. Plus, Twilight’s magic’s quite powerful. Her spell’s goin’ to save us lotsa work.”
Twilight smiled bashfully. “Just tell me how deep the tree roots are, I will try to fine-tune my magic and not to harm the trees while I move them.”
Sheriff Silverstar stood up and said. “Those are very intriguin’ suggestions. But movin’ our only livelihood in here is no small matter. Ah have to gather the town ponies to see what all o’ them think.”
“Very well, Sheriff.” Twilight said. “We await your good news.”
“Ah, Sheriff!” Pinkie Pie cheerfully asked, but also with a deliberately subdued voice. “I would like to play a song from my home for the town ponies as a thanks to all your hospitality, may I use the stage over there later?” She pointed to the wooden stage at the side of the town.
“But of course.” Sheriff Silver nodded.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“Are you sure this is going to be a good idea, Pinkie?” Twilight frowned. “We know songs probably aren’t going to be effective.”
“Silly Twilight.” Pinkie said with unusual calm and grace. “It’s not the idea of having a song that’s the issue, but which song to sing. The heart of a pony is like a lock, you need to find the right key in order to open it.”
“Pinkie…” Twilight was astonished. “You sound so wise and perceptive, it’s almost unlike you.”
“Hey! I take offense at your remark!” Pinkie Pie huffed, but couldn’t completely hide her grin. “You know, we all got that bit of ancient knowledge in us. That makes us more or less equally smart!”
Twilight smirked. “Can’t argue with you, o wise Pinkie.”
The sheriff had gone around town to gather the settlers to have an informal vote of sorts. Twilight and her friends went to unload the equipment and Bloomberg off from the train, while Pinkie went on the stage alone for preparation.
Then came sunset, after heated discussion, arguments for and against the relocation, and even some insinuation that the royal crown somehow conspire with the buffalos to chase them out, the settler ponies were ready to vote. They gathered in front of the stage as an impromptu voting spot.
Pinkie went off-stage to whisper something into the sheriff’s ear, and when she got an approval from him, she went back on stage, this time with a fiddle.
She took to the microphone. “Hello ponies, I’m Pinkie Pie. I know you’re all thinking about the upcoming vote. But I just want to sing a soothing song to all of you, as a token of thanks for your warm reception.”
She then sat on a box crate on the stage. “I originally came from down South too. My family had a rock farm west of the McIntosh Hills. Coming here reminds me of home a lot, so I’ll play you a song that I love.”
Pinkie smiled and her hoof skillfully pulled at the fiddle, as she slowly sang the nostalgic and curiously wistful song.
“There's something strange in the old corral
There's a breeze, though the wind has subsided
Though I'm alone in the old corral
Seems there is someone by my side
Empty saddles in the old corral
Where do you ride tonight?
Are ya roundin' up the dogies
The strays of long ago
Are you on the trail of buffalo?”
A town pony grinned as he plucked at a banjo, neatly complimenting the pink pony.
“Empty saddles in the old corral
Where do you ride tonight?
Are there rustlers on the border
Or a band of buffalos
Are ya longin' for the red apples?
Empty barr’l covered with rust
Where do you talk tonight?
Empty boots covered with dust
Where do you walk tonight?
Empty saddles in the old corral,
My tears would be dry tonight
If you'll only say I'm lonely,
As you carry my old pal
Empty saddles in the old corral”
The mares were both mesmerized and surprised that Pinkie played such a melancholic tune. But soon as she finished, the settler ponies erupted with cheers and praises, some of them even shouted ‘encore’ to the pink ponies.
Pinkie merely smiled and said. “Time’s getting late, friends. But before you vote, I want to say, whatever you vote, think of why you have forgone your old lives and struck out on your own here on the frontiers. Life left many of us with no choice but to leave our homes and go for new homes. Now is the time to turn a new leaf. Out in this wild, wild south, we finally have an option to live and let live, why don’t we just give it a chance?”
The settler ponies were silent. Many of them have thoughtful expressions on their faces. Pinkie exited the stage and walked towards the other mares. “My work here is done.” She smiled, to her amazed friends.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The settler ponies voted shortly after sundown, but the counting would only be revealed the next morning pending checks and recount. The mares then settled in for the night.
A lone pink pony, though, was restless. She had been thinking a lot since she started this trip. Rarity and Spike was sort of mutually attracted, but she also loved the purple drake. Though she kept a smiling face and played with him like usual, but she never had the courage to say it out loud to his face.
However, the blue tune she sang that evening had somehow hardened her resolve to speak her feelings to Spike. Under the cover of the darkness, she sneaked out of the town and trailed the rail in order to locate the camp of the buffalos.
Luckily for Pinkie Pie, the buffalos were camping very close to the pony settlement. She immediately located the burning campfire after she galloped around a mesa. Presumably this was to keep an eye on the action of the ponies as well. Pinkie Pie then simply approached and hailed one of the buffalos on guard.
After stating her purpose which was to check up on Spike, the buffalo pointed the pink pony towards a small hill. There, the tangerine buffalo Pinkie saw back in the aborted heist was talking to Spike, and telling him something that made the purple dragon hold his belly and laugh.
Pinkie felt an irrational enmity towards the female buffalo. She didn’t know why, and she was a little bit appalled at herself that she took a dislike towards someone she hadn’t even properly met. She shook her head and approached the two.
Spike was grabbing another piece of turquoise from a bowl, when he noticed the incoming Pinkie Pie. “Pinkie?! What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be in town with Twilight and other girls?” Spike asked in surprise.
“Oh, um.” Pinkie looked at the tangerine buffalo, “I just want to check up on you, is all, ha ha!” She awkwardly laughed.
“Oh don’t worry, Pinkie. I’ve been treated like royalty here!” Spike grinned. “The buffalos are very friendly. They gave me a big bowl of turquoise and told us a lot of their interesting stories!”
Pinkie Pie nodded, then turned to the tangerine mare with an exaggerated and forced smile. “Oh hi! My name is Pinkie Pie, and I’m Spike’s dear-est-est friend! What’s your name?”
The tangerine buffalo unintentionally back trotted in face of Pinkie Pie’s over-enthusiasm, but she then also put up a smile and said. “I welcome you to the buffalo tribe, Miss Pinkie Pie. My name is Little Strongheart. I assure you Mr. Spike was treated well to the best of our ability.”
Pinkie suddenly leaned in very close to Little Strongheart’s face, and startled the tangerine buffalo quite a bit. Pinkie then pulled back and huffed. “You better be.”
Little Strongheart thought Pinkie Pie was still unhappy about the initial aggression they had shown. “Please accept my apologies for what happened at your train. We didn't mean for anyone to be hurt.”
“Of course.” Pinkie Pie tried her best to pull together an awkward smile, largely because she saw that Spike was gazing at her.
Little Strongheart gulped. “Uh, I’m glad that you forgive our actions. We just want to run the stampeding path as per our sacred tradition. Chief Thunderhooves was really angry that the Appleloosans planted apple trees all over it without asking our permission!”
Pinkie Pie smiled. “This is why we’re arranging for the settlers to move the apple trees uphill onto the table tops. That way your stampeding ground will be completely free for your use.”
Little Strongheart said with excitement. “Oh, is this true?!” She grinned widely. “I knew you are good news when I saw you coming.”
Then, an awkward silence befell the three. Eventually, Little Strongheart coughed and said. “Um, yeah, I’m off to get another bowl of gems for Spike. See ya later!”
The tangerine buffalo scrambled away in a hurry, leaving the pink pony and the purple dragon around the campfire.
“Pinkie, why do you come alone? Where are the other girls?” Spike asked.
“Um.” Pinkie Pie sheepishly said, “I kinda sneaked out after they went to rest.”
“Why? Twi said that I would be safe in here and she was right.” Spike said.
“But Spike, I’m still worried about you.” Pinkie Pie lowered her head.
Spike looked at the pink pony, who pointed towards the night sky and slowly smiled.
“When I was just a little filly, I lived at a rock farm with my family. They were…”
Pinkie briefly paused and chuckled. “… plain folks, some would even say they’re dull. I then saw Rainbow’s Sonic Rainboom, and came up with the idea of throwing parties to cheer them up.”
She lightly smiled, but also sighed. “I love to see the happy faces and hear the cheerful laughs when I throw awesome parties. Every one of them is a very rewarding experience. But recently, I find that making a particular someone happy is uniquely rewarding. It’s so uniquely rewarding that I couldn’t help but coming back and again to make him happy.”
Pinkie then took a small banjo from her saddlebag. Against the crystal white moonlight and the yellow campfire, she plucked the banjo and lowly hummed,
“See them tumbling down
Pledging their love to the ground
Woebegone I'll be found
Drifting along with the tumbling tumbleweeds
Troubles of the past are behind
Nowhere to go but I'll find
Just where the trail will wind
Drifting along with the tumbling tumbleweeds
I know when night has gone
That a new world's born at dawn
I'll keep rolling along
Deep in my heart is a song
Here on the range I belong
Drifting along with the tumbling tumbleweeds”
Spike listened to the old tune, an odd mix of hope and forlorn. He put down his almost empty bowl of gems and closed his eyes, as he immersed himself in the soft melody.
After Pinkie Pie finished, she laid her banjo to her ground and turned to Spike. Her face was red, as if something was almost about to burst from within. “S—Spike, I—” She stuttered.
“I’ve come with a new bowl of turquoise, Spike!” A cheery voice was heard from their behind. Pinkie immediately slinked away from Spike, and looked behind. Little Strongheart appeared behind a small boulder and carried a new bowl of gems.
Pinkie Pie gazed at the ground embarrassed. She said nothing, as she was much angrier at herself for her lack of determination than Little Strongheart for her intrusion. The tangerine buffalo looked at her with a curious gaze, but then immediately turned away.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Pinkie Pie was fast asleep in a blanket given by Little Strongheart. She was already very exhausted from taking the trek to the buffalo camp from Appleloosa.
“Thank you Little Strongheart. I never knew buffalos have such a rich and colorful history! You have made my night very fun and interesting!” Spike said, then let out a loud yawn, “But um, I’m a bit tired right now. I guess I should go sleep so that I can go back to Appleloosa in the morning.”
“Before you go to sleep, I must tell you one thing, Mr. Spike.” Little Strongheart suddenly said.
“Hmm? What’s it?” Spike asked as he grabbed his last late night snack..
“That pink mare, Pinkie.” Little Strongheart pointed to the sleeping form of the pink mare. “She’s hopelessly in love with you.”
Spike spit out the gem in his mouth so fast, it inserted itself onto the solid ground like a flying spear.
“How—Wh—How do you know?” Spike coughed and asked.
“I would joke and say it’s the unique sense common to all females.” Little Strongheart chuckled. “But in truth, it’s as obvious as the midday sun.”
Spike just dropped his jaw in shock.
Little Strongheart sighed. “You see the way she cooed over you. It’s like a mother hawk watching over her one and only young. She was protective of you, so much so that she went out alone in the cold night to look for you, completely ignoring the danger of the plains at night.”
She then heartily smiled and shook her head. “And look at her when she saw we were talking beside the campfire. She probably thought I was going to steal you. Her angry gaze could choke me from a mile away!”
She turned to the purple dragon. “You like her too, do you?”
Spike lowered his head, thought for a really long while, and then quietly said, “Umm… maybe a bit?”
Little Strongheart paused and looked at the purple dragon. Instead of the playful but tired look just now, his face was a solid green hue. She narrowed her eyes and looked at Spike closely. “What’s with your face, you look like an old pickled cactus… Oh my ancestors, don’t tell me that you have another lover already.”
Spike gulped hard and nodded. Little Strongheart put a hoof to her forehead and said. “Now, I’m just a young buffalo girl and I can’t offer you any solid advice. Among our tribe, if two buffalos fight for one mate, the elders will just order them to have a friendly duel to see who gets it. I don’t think this applies to you ponies.”
“Then… what can I do?” Spike asked.
Little Strongheart scratched her head and said, “Well Mr. Spike, I really don’t know. I suppose, in any case, you should follow your heart. But you also shouldn’t wantonly go around and devastate youthful marish hearts. You should think long and clear before you make any decision.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Pinkie Pie awoke to the light of the just rising sun. Her sleep was so-so, because she kept thinking about her missed opportunity to confess her feelings to Spike. But she was very surprised to see the usually sleep-loving Spike already up.
The young dragon was sitting on a short ledge and pondering about something. Pinkie went over and gently said. “Good morning, Spike.”
Spike jumped up in exaggerated motion, almost as if he was shot out from a cannon. When he finally calmed down, he sheepishly turned towards the pink pony and said. “Um, good morning Pinkie, I guess?”
Pinkie Pie narrowed her eyes at the purple dragon. He was acting strange. Did something happen last night? It couldn’t be her because Spike was clearly still his clueless self after her heartfelt song.
Her thought was interrupted by the energetic call from Little Strongheart, “Pinkie, Spike, it’s daybreak! Come and have a traditional buffalo breakfast!”
The tangerine buffalo then trotted near the duo and brushed by the pink mare. Little Strongheart quickly whispered into Pinkie Pie’s ear. “I’m not into Spike, don’t worry!”
Pinkie blushed immediately. Apparently she was as plain as a sheet of white silk to the buffalo girl’s eyes. Did that mean Spike also knew about her feelings somehow? That can’t be, Spike’s usually as thick as a wedding cake.
The trio then went to the main camp site, where the buffalos prepared a stew made of cut grasses, berries and young twigs. They ate their fill, then Pinkie and Spike saw somepony coming in from the horizons.
“Pinkie! Spike! Are you there?”
The two extended their neck and looked. It was Rainbow Dash, flying in from the south with high speed. She flew straight into the buffalos’ camp, momentarily alerting the buffalos on guard, until Little Strongheart called them off.
“Uh, sorry for the commotion, but,” Rainbow Dash quickly approached and then said worriedly. “Pinkie, are you alright? You disappeared without a word, we’re very worried!”
“I, um, just want to check up on Spike.” Pinkie Pie sheepishly lowered her head.
Rainbow looked at the pink mare, then glanced at Spike. She slapped her head in frustration. “I tell you what, Pinkie, you’re way too willful. You know you gave us all a big scare, hmm?”
“I’m sorry, Rainbow.” Pinkie Pie said with puppy eyes.
“Yeah, Pinkie’s just worried about me, please don’t go too harsh on her.” Spike also defended Pinkie, to the delight of the pink mare.
“So this is another friend of yours?” Little Strongheart asked, “I’m Little Strongheart, pleased to be your acquaintance.”
“Rainbow Dash’s the name. Nice to meet you too,” Rainbow Dash grinned, “Anyway, before I left Appleloosa this morning, the settler ponies have finished counting the vote. They overwhelmingly agreed to our plan to relocate the apple orchard. No small thanks to our proposed help and subsidies, plus Pinkie’s brilliant and emotional musical accompaniment of course.”
“Pinkie’s music is always great.” Spike smiled, causing Pinkie Pie to turn rosy-cheeked again.
“Oh, this is brilliant news! Let me tell Chief Thunderhooves at once!” Little Strongheart grinned and prepared to trotted away.
“Hang on, Little Strongheart,” Rainbow Dash said, “Twilight also invite you guys to attend to a meeting in the town to discuss the details of the arrangements between Appleloosans and buffalos. Something about ensuring the everlasting peace between two species, she said.”
Little Strongheart nodded with vigor and dashed away to tell the good news to the chief. Not long after, the large and weathered-looking chief walked towards the ponies and the dragon.
“Ho ho, seems that hardheaded sheriff and those stiff-necked settlers were convinced by your silver tongues. That’s a job well done.” Chief Thunderhooves said with a crusty laugh. “What did you do to get them move away those dang trees?”
“We offered to move the trees uphill on the mesas, with the help of our tools and labor.” Pinkie said.
“And bits out of our own pockets.” Rainbow Dash added with a roll of her eyes.
“Oh?” Chief Thunderhooves raised an eyebrow and said. “Then we must thank you for your generosity that averts a possible conflict between us and them settlers. As much as I want to follow my ancestor’s ways, their sacred spirits still frowned on unnecessary aggression.”
“Not at all, we just do what we can do.” Spike grinned.
“And I’m grateful for your stay as well, Spike the dragon. We the buffalos are fond of your kind, and your sight was welcoming to our eyes.” Chief Thunderhooves said.
“True, but we shan’t talk here for long,” Rainbow Dash flapped her wings and reminded, “We still have a deal to close.”
“And if the deal is successful, I promise you all that there will be a super duper Wild South theme party that follows!” Pinkie Pie cheerfully jumped.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The buffalos swiftly decamped for Appleloosa, and they arrived at the town before noon. The sight of a large herd of incoming buffalos initially caused alarm among the settler ponies, but Rainbow Dash quickly flew in to explain away any undue tension.
The buffalos then trotted into the town in roughly ordered formation. Despite the guarantee from Twilight and her friends, some settler ponies, despite agreeing to move the orchard, were still dissatisfied at the concession they have to make for peace with the buffalos, and gave the incoming buffalos not so friendly looks. Twilight looked on with unease.
As the trio came into the town, Twilight and other mares trotted towards Pinkie. “Where have you been, Pinkie?” Twilight asked, half-worried and half-frustrated.
“We’re all worried sick.” Fluttershy said with a sad frown.
“I’m sorry everypony, I just went to check up on Spike to see if he’s fine.” Pinkie Pie lowered her head and apologized.
“We know you care about Spike,” Rarity said with some deeper implication, “But you should have leave us a message or the like next time.”
Pinkie Pie nodded and looked at Rarity with a meaningful gaze. Applejack then spoke up. “Let’s lead the chief to the sheriff, we should git this done as quick as possible.”
The subsequent meeting in the sheriff’s office was surprisingly brief, perhaps because all the preparation groundworks that Twilight and her friends had laid beforehand. Twilight offered some input in the drawing of borders, as she had prepared some accurate maps of the area. In under half an hour, the former adversaries came out of the office with smiles and a signed agreement.
“Congratulations on the historic agreement! Now ponies and buffalo, let party time commence!” Pinkie Pie happily yelled as she pulled out her modified party cannon. With a series of loud bangs, the cannon shot forth desks and chairs in perfect arrangement in rapid succession. In a blink of an eye, the main street in front of the sheriff’s office become a veritable party hall enough to hold both all the Appleloosans and the buffalos.
Pinkie then stood her cannon up from the mouth. With some manipulation, it was turned into a make-shift drinking fountain. The ponies and buffalos watched in amazement.
Twilight lowered her head and whispered something to Spike. Spike nodded and followed Pinkie Pie, who went into the town bakery with her other friends and the local baker.
A while later, a stream of dishes mainly made of apple came out and were placed on the tables of the hungry ponies and buffalos. Spike stood firm and delivered the dishes to the main table, where both Chief Thunderhooves and Sheriff Silverstar sat.
“If it’s not Spike, our dragon ambassador. What do you have today?” Chief Thunderhooves smirked.
“We have a number of dishes made of the local specialty crop, apples. Now, just try it.” Spike grinned, “I’m sure you’d like it!”
Spike pointed towards the dishes he just laid down. “These are some apple fritters, our appetizer. We also have apple-cheddar fondue, apple stack cakes, Waldorf salad, and some good ol’ apple pie. Oh, and don’t forget this.”
He took out a bottle. “This bottle of brandy was made with the best batch of apples in the new state-of-the-art distillery of Applejack! It’s quite strong, mind you.”
Chief Thunderhooves raised an eyebrow at the whole table full of dishes made of apples. Were these ponies trying to force apples on him? He wasn’t really fond of the red fruit given all the troubles it gave their tribe. But out of respect for the purple dragon’s enthusiastic recommendation, he gave the apple pie a small nibble.
Chief Thunderhooves’ eyes grew wide, as he hurriedly have a spoonful of the fondue, then the salad. He ate so quickly that he had to wash down the food with the brandy.
He couldn’t help but let out a barely contained yell. “My ancestors! These apple dishes are the best tasting thing I had in my entire life!” His words were not exaggerating, as the tough chief was almost melt into tears by the sheer apple goodness in front of him, earning some good-natured chuckles from the proud sheriff.
Chief Thunderhooves looked at his tribe, who was also gobbling at the dishes vociferously. “I… now know that why apples are so dear to the Apploloosans, Sheriff Silverstar. You ponies have proven themselves to our eyes that they are an honorable, considerate and generous bunch.”
Chief Thunderhooves scratched his cheek. “We are overwhelmed by your hospitality, Sheriff Silverstar, despite our past threat to… um?”
Spike quickly sneaked up on Chief Thunderhooves. He jumped up on a stool and whispered something more into the chief’s ears. “Hmm, hmm. Aye, it’s a good idea.” Chief Thunderhooves muttered.
The chief then turned to the sheriff again and grinned, “To celebrate our newfound friendship, we the buffalos shall help the ponies to flatten a mountain trail onto the mesa and transport the apple trees uphill…” He then added with a smaller voice, “So that we can continue to have this simply delightful apple goodness.”
The ponies gawked at the blatant declaration of affection towards the fruit that the chief formerly hated so much. Then they cheerfully laughed together. With the buffalos’ pledge to help, it seemed that the last remaining sliver of animosity among the settler ponies had disappeared.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“So we are getting the buffalos addicted to apples to solve the problem after all?” Rainbow Dash said while she gazed out of the train window. “That seemed pretty, I don’t know, unethical?”
Twilight glared at Rainbow Dash and sighed with frustration, “For the seventy-eight time, that’s exactly why we arranged the agreement between the settlers and the buffalos with concessions, instead of just shoving an apple pie down the chief’s mouth at the first sight.”
“Aha, some mare is feisty.” Rainbow Dash smirked sardonically, “What’s wrong?”
Twilight shot a furtive glance at Pinkie Pie and Rarity, then rolled her eyes up at Rainbow Dash.
“Oh.” Rainbow Dash went silent as well.
“How are we going to face off the world if we couldn’t even handle ourselves?” Twilight jokingly deadpanned. “Screw it, I’m taking Spike away from them.”
Twilight then walked towards the two mares, who were playing a card game together with the dragon. It was like a race to give the most advantageous deck to Spike, and the discomfort on Spike’s face was palpable.
Twilight trotted towards the three. “Um, girls, I need Spike for now. I have not sent a friendship letter in for quite a while and the princess might get um… impatient. Plus, she would want to know about whether our trip to Appleloosa is fruitful as well.”
She then winked at the purple dragon and quickly snatched him up with her magic. The baleful glares from the two mares were plain to Twilight’s eyes, but she ignored them and took Spike to the train car at the behind.
“Wow, Twi, thank heavens!” Spike let out a big sigh. “I thought I was going to choke from all the awkwardness.”
“Let’s do the official business first, then we’ll talk.” Twilight said.
“Alright.” Spike said as he prepared the quill and paper.
Twilight cleared her throat, and dictated,
“Dear Princess Celestia,
We have successfully solved the dispute between the settlers in Appleloosa and the buffalo band led by Chief Thunderhooves. It’s a great to be able to turn a possible case of disaster and destruction into a win-win scenario. Both ponies and buffalos have their reasons and motivation to protect their communities. Sometimes, we just have to go a little further to find a solution that let everyone live side by side peacefully.
Your faithful student,
Twilight Sparkle”
“… Sparkle, done!” Spike wrote the last word and engulfed the letter in a bout of magical fire.
“… I never knew you’re such a ladies’ dragon, Spike.” Twilight said.
“You have no idea, Twilight.” Spike held his head with his little arms.
“You seem to have realized that Pinkie is also in the game.”
She teased. “Smart boy. How does being the chased instead of the chaser feel?”
“This is no joking matter!” Spike protested.
“I know, mister. To tell you the truth, I’ve too lost several nights of sleep over it. There could not be a wedge between two Element Bearers due to some romantic misadventure. This would be disastrous when time comes for us to fight another villain.” Twilight said while thoughtfully gazed north.
“So what am I going to do?” Spike asked.
“Which one of them do you like more?” Twilight asked back.
“I—uh…” Spike stuttered. “I mean, the sight of Rarity makes my heart swoon, but spending time with Pinkie also makes me very happy. I don’t want to lose either of them.”
“Whoa, Spike, do you want to be a two-timer?”
“What? No! I—” Spike immediately retorted.
“What you do with your romantic life is up to you and them. Lots of species do not adhere to strict monogamy, including dragons.” Twilight said. “But I warn you, some of the older, more conservative ponies are not going to like it. Besides, we don’t know if Rarity or Pinkie themselves would be fine with the idea of an open relationship.”
Twilight stepped on and leaned back on her bunker bed, “You must sort this one out when we go back to Ponyville. I’m sensing the coming of another disrupting presence.”
Spike gulped and nodded, then he finished processing Twilight’s last sentence. “What?! Another villain?”
Twilight grimaced. “With the Elements transferred and bound to the six of us, the princesses’ own hold on the Elements was diminishing fast. It would be only a matter of time when some of the harmony-disrupting creatures of the past escape from their confinement and make a comeback. We must have the Elements ready by then, or else we’re all toast.”