A Changeling and his Bond Brother: Days of Nightmare Moon

by Southern Wing


Chapter 2

Wing and Sev lead the way back to town with Spike in the middle and Twi taking the trail position. Her stomach was hanging down from all the pie she’d eaten.

“Oh, I ate too much pie,” Twilight groaned.

Sev looked back. “Looks like you had too much of something else, Twilight.”

Wing sighed then smacked Sev across the back of the head with his hoof.

“Ow! What the buck was that for?!”

“You know what!” Wing snapped back.

“Wow… Sev really hasn’t changed since high school,” Spike commented.

“Anyways, barring Sev’s… obtuse comments…” Wing started.

“My comments are not obtuse! I am a perfect gentlecolt!” Sev argued.

“You take after Con Mane, I wouldn’t call him a gentlecolt,” Wing shot back.

“You say that like it’s a bad thing.”

The entire group except Sev groaned loudly.

“What?” Sev asked, feeling a bit offended.

“Buddy, I wouldn’t be surprised if you were Con Mane’s son.”

“Wish I was sometimes,” Sev replied, causing Wing to groan.

“Anyways… what’s next, Spike?” Twilight asked.

“Well, it says there’s supposed to be a pegasus named Rainbow Dash keeping the sky clear.”

“Well she’s not doing a very good job,” Twilight noted, looking at the clouds in the sky. As Twilight stood there, a cyan blur crashed into her, causing them to tumble into the mud.

“Oops. Excuse me?” A giggling mare’s voice said as she removed herself from the mini pile.

“Honey…” Sev said to the mare shaking his head.

“Here, let me help,” the pegasus said, getting a rain cloud. She hovered it over Twilight and started bouncing on it, causing it to pour rain on Twilight to wash off the mud.

“No you don’t need to… help…” Wing and Sev said, facehooving at the sight.

“Oops. I guess I over did it.”

“No, really dear?” Sev replied sarcastically with an equally sarcastic expression.

“Here let me try this,” The pegasus said as she started to fly fast in a circle around Twilight.

“No, not the…” Sev groaned.

“My very own patented...” the mare said

“For the love of Celestia, honey…” Sev facehooved again.

“Rainblow Dry! No no, you’re quite welcome,” The mare said, landing on the ground. She then looked at Twilight’s mane, which was now massively poofed up. She started snickering then broke into full on laughter, Sev and even Spike joining in soon after.

Twilight merely rolled her eyes. “Let me guess: you’re Rainbow Dash?” she asked the mare.

Wing and Sev got their laughter under control while Spike was knocked away as the mare stood up.

“The one and only!” Rainbow Dash proudly proclaimed. “Why, you heard of me?” She asked as she started to hover next to Twilight.

“This is my fillyfriend, Twilight.” Sev said.

“Wow, she’s absolutely perfect for you, Sev.” Twilight groaned before looking to Dash. “I’m Twilight Sparkle. And the princess sent me to check on the preparations for the Summer Sun Celebration. So can we discuss the weather?“

“Yeah yeah, I’ll be done with it once I’m done practicing,” Rainbow assured Twilight.

“Practicing? Practicing for what?” Twilight asked.

“The Wonderbolts! They’re going to be performing at the ceremony tomorrow and I’m gonna show them my stuff!”

“Dash, we’ve been over this. You have to go to the academy to join the Wonderbolts,” Wing remarked.

“Yes, Dashie. Just butting in during their performance will get you tased by security. And I’m not gonna be paying your bail,” Sev added.

“Whatever! Once they see how awesome I am they’ll be asking me to join!”

Wing and Sev groaned and facehooved again.

“The Wonderbolts?” Twilight asked.

“Yep,” Dash replied.

“As in the most talented flyers in all of Equestria?”

“That’s them.”

“Please, they’d never ask for a pegasus that couldn’t keep the sky clear.”

“Hey! I could clear this sky in ten seconds flat!” Dash exclaimed.

‘Prove it.” Twilight challenged with a smirk, causing Sev and Wing to drop their jaws in shock.

Rainbow locked eyes with Twilight then took off in a dazzling display. True to her word, she cleared the sky in ten seconds flat. “What’d I say? Ten. Seconds. Flat. I’d never leave Ponyville hanging!”

Twilight and Spike had utterly shocked looks on their faces.

“Ha! ha! You should see the look on your face! You’re a laugh Twilight Sparkle! I can’t wait to hang out some more,” Rainbow Dash said before she zoomed off.

“She’s incredible,” Spike marveled, then chuckled as he played with Twilight’s poofed up mane.

“Hey, eyes off the rainbow mare, Spikey!” Sev glared.

Wing chuckled as he and Twilight lead the way to Town Hall.

“Decorations,” Spike said, checking the item off the list before something caught his eye. “Whoa...”

“Yes, it seems to be coming along nicely,” Twilight remarked taking a quick look.

“Not the decor... her!” Spike pointed to a marshmallow white unicorn that was using her magic to judge various ribbons.

“No... no… oh goodness, no!” Apparently she hadn’t liked any of the ribbons she’d been looking at.

Sev and Spike sighed dreamily, love hearts floating above them as they looked at the unicorn.

“How are my spikes? Are they straight?” Spike asked worryingly.

“Buddy, how’s my mane?” Sev asked Wing. Wing groaned in response as the group approached the unicorn.

“Ah, perfect!” The unicorn had settled on a big red ribbon.

“Rarity? Do you have a moment?” Wing asked.

“Yes, Wing dear. Just a moment, please! I’m in the zone, as ‘twere. Ah, yes! Sparkle always does the trick, does it not? Why Rarity, you are a talent!” After finishing up with her work, she turned to face the group.

“Now, how might I help... wahaha!” Rarity shrieked when she saw Twilight’s mane. “Oh my stars! Darling, whatever happened to your coiffure?”

“Oh, you mean my mane? It’s a long story,” Twilight replied.

“Another unfortunate victim of the Rainblow Dry,” Wing said shaking his head.

“I keep telling her she doesn’t need to do it but she doesn’t listen,” Sev lamented.

“Hmm, a bit like you Mr. Divine.”

“Hey!”

Wing snickered at Sev’s response.

“Shut up, Wing!”

“Darlings! This is no time to argue!”

“Sorry, Rarity.” Wing apologized.

“Apologies, Ms. Rarity.” Sev apologized.

“Anyways, we were just gonna check on the decorations and then be out of your hair,” Twilight said.

“Out of my hair? What about your hair?” Rarity asked as she started pushing Twilight out of Town Hall, much to her objections.

“Wait, where are we going? Help!” Twilight yelped as she was being pushed out. Sev, Wing and Spike followed the fashionista and the unfortunate pony she was pushing.

After they had arrived at Rarity’s home. Wing, Spike and Sev watched as Rarity had Twilight try on a bunch of different dresses, but finding something wrong with each of them.

“I know Rarity means well, but could she just pick a dress for Twilight?” Wing asked Sev telepathically.

“Never rush a lady,” Sev replied.

“Ah, here we are!” Rarity had finally picked out a dress for Twilight. “Now go on my dear, and tell me where you’re from.”

Wing and Sev shared worried looks.

“Don’t say you’re from Canterlot, don’t say you’re from Canterlot...” Wing muttered under his breath.

“Twilight if you value your sanity, you won’t say you’re from Canterlot.” Sev also muttered under his breath.

Twilight was struggling to breath as Rarity tightened the dress. “I’ve… been… sent… from… Canterlot… to…”

Rarity’s eyes snapped open at the mere mention of Canterlot and let go. The act sent Twilight and herself in opposite directions. “Canterlot?! Oh, I am so envious! The glamor! The sophistication! I’ve always dreamed of living there!”

“The classism!” Sev chimed in.

“Don’t forget the racism!” Wing added.

“Well, that’s not all Canterlot ponies,” Sev corrected.

“True.”

“Honestly, Mr. Wing, Mr. Divine!”

“We’re just speaking the truth,” Sev said.

Rarity shook her head and turned back to Twilight. “Anyways… I can’t wait to hear all about it! We’re going to be the best of friends, you and I.” Rarity then gave a look of disapproval at the dress. “Emerald? What was I thinking? Let me get you some rubies!” Rarity rushed off to get the gems.

Twilight took the opportunity to escape. “Quick! Before she decides to dye my coat another color!”
Sev grabbed Spike after he sighed dreamily as the group made their escape.

After escaping Rarity’s shop, the group made the short journey to the park. Spike, however, was still focused on Rarity. “Wasn’t she amazing?” Spike asked aloud.

“Focus, Casanova,” Twilight replied annoyedly. “What’s next?”

“Music is the last one.”

“My fillyfriend’s in charge of that,” Wing said.

The sound of birds singing guided the group. They came upon a clearing where a butter yellow pegasus mare was hovering in front of a tree conducting the birds. Wing slowly flew over next to the pegasus, watching as one of the birds went out of tune.

“Ohmy… umm, stop please, everyone,” the mare said as she flew over to the out of tune bluejay. “Excuse me sir, I mean no offense, but your rhythm is just the teenist tiniest bit off.”

“Yes, but other than that, it was perfect,” Wing added in a whisper.

Fluttershy looked over to Wing. “Oh, hi honey. How has your day been?”

“Good dear. It sounds like practice is going good.”

Fluttershy smiled and floated back to her original position, followed by Wing. “Now let’s pick up where we were. A one, a two, a one two three…” Fluttershy started only to be interrupted by Twilight.

“Hello!” Twilight said loudly, causing the birds to scatter and Fluttershy to jump in fright.

Wing shot a glare at Twilight before his eyes relaxed. He forgot that Twilight hadn’t met Fluttershy yet. The two pegasi landed on the ground and an awkward silence filled the air as Sev came out from behind the bush. “Well this is awkward,” Wing said to Sev telepathically.

“Yep,” Sev replied.

Twilight shifted her eyes from left to right smiling widely. “I’m Twilight Sparkle. What’s your name?” Twilight asked.

“I’m...Fluttershy…” Fluttershy mumbled under her breath.

“I’m sorry, what was that?”

“M...My...name is... Fluttershy…” Fluttershy mumbled again.

“Didn’t quite catch that.”

Fluttershy did nothing after that but squeak in reply.

“Fluttershy…” Sev moaned before turning to Wing. “You really need to give her assertiveness lessons.”

“I am,” Wing replied.

The birds had returned by this point which Twilight noticed. “Well I can see your birds are back so keep up the good work.”

Fluttershy squeaked in reply once more.

“Ookay...” Twilight backed up to the bush, Spike coming into view. “Well, that went well.”

“Oh! A baby dragon!” Fluttershy suddenly shouted, rushing forward and knocking Twilight forward several feet. Oh! I’ve never seen a baby dragon before! He’s sooo cute!”

“Well well well,” Spike said to Twilight.

“Oh my, he talks. I didn’t know dragons could talk. That’s just so incredibly wonderful. I don’t know what to say.”

“Yes, well we’d better get going.” Twilight said levitating Spike to her back as she started to walk off.

“Twilight...” Wing said as he, Fluttershy and Sev started following her.

“Wait what’s his name?” Fluttershy asked.

“I’m Spike.”

“Hi Spike, I’m Fluttershy. Wow a talking dragon. What do dragons talk about?”

“Well, what do you want to know?” Spike asked.

“Absolutely everything.” Fluttershy said, excited about the prospect. Wing, Sev and Twilight all groaned in unison at the thought.

“Well, I started out as a cute purple and green egg…” Spike started.

The walk to the library, although short, was exceeding painful for the three who did know Spike’s life story. “Good. We’re there and he’s done with his story,” Sev said to Wing telepathically.

“And that’s the story of my whole life up until today. Do you want to hear about today?”

“Oh Celestia please make him stop” Wing told Sev telepathically.

“Oh, yes please!”

“I am so sorry, how did we get here so fast? This is where I’m staying while I’m in Ponyville and my poor little baby dragon needs his sleep.”

“No I don’t,” Spike protested only for Twilight to kick him off her back, causing him to fall to the ground.

“Aww, wook at that, he’s so sweepy he can’t even keep his widdle balance,” Twilight cooed.

“Poor thing, we simply must get him to bed.” Fluttershy said, picking up Spike and flying him inside the library.

“Yes, yes we’ll get on that. Well goodnight,” Twilight said pushing Fluttershy outside and closing the door in her face.

“Did Pinkie see her?” Fluttershy asked looking to Wing and Sev.

“Yep,” Wing replied.

“Did you warn her?”

“Nope,” Sev replied.

“Oh dear. Well let’s take the back entrance so we’re not late.” Fluttershy said as the three went through the backdoor to the library.

As the three made their way, Spike and Twilight were talking inside the library in the dark. “Hmph, rude much?” Spike asked.

“I’m sorry Spike, but I have to convince the princess that Nightmare Moon is coming. And we’re running out of time. I just need to be alone so I can study without a bunch of crazy ponies trying to make friends all the time. Now where’s the light?”

The lights suddenly flipped on, revealing a large group of ponies that had been waiting in the dark.

“Surprise!” the group said in unison. Twilight groaned as a pony blowing a party horn moved in front of her face.