//------------------------------// // Chapter 5 // Story: Batty Love // by Lotus Moon //------------------------------// "...and that is where things currently stand, Princesses." Twilight was in the throne room with Princesses Celestial and Luna, explaining her recent contact with Ruby. The diarch of the sun rubbed her hood under her chin in thought while her younger sister spoke up. "It seems that we have a new development with this so called intruder. Even with all this, her true motive is still unclear. Is she merely seeking asylum in that old castle or does she have something more devious planned?" Luna asked. "We cannot assume the worst, sister. This mare has been through more than her fair share of grief and hostility. The least we can do is give her a chance. And if she does come to the Founding of Ponyville Celebration, then we will get the chance to meet her and clear any misunderstandings. Twilight did mention inviting her." Celestia said. "Yes but she's still afraid to be near any pony without earning fear or judgement. If the celebration weren't so close, I would spend more time with her. But I'm needed to help out with preparations." Twilight sighed. "I wish there were something that could be done." "Perhaps there is." "Sister?" "Twilight, try speaking with her once more about attending the festival. This time reassure her that everything will be fine. I'm more than interested to meet this Ruby and welcoming her here." "I'll see what I can do." Twilight said. "Now, go back to Ponyville and continue getting things ready. Once preparations are done for the day, go see our new friend." Celestia smiled at her pupil as she approached. "I look forward to your success. "Thank you, Princess Celestia." Twilight smiled and trotted out the door. Once she was gone, Princess Luna approached her older sister. "Do you think she will succeed? Or should we begin to prepare for war?" "I do not know, sister. But I know Twilight and her friends will succeed no matter what the obstacle." Celestia said with a deep sigh. ***** Back in Ponyville, Twilight was helping to set everything up. Asking the Pegusi about the weather, instructing the Earth ponies to help with the cooking and cleaning under Applejack's instruction, the Unicorns were on decoration detail under Rarity, and Fluttershy was rehearsing her bird choir. Throughout the day, the girls would ask Twilight how things went in the forest, mainly Rainbow Dash who almost seemed to be itching for danger. Twilight simply gave vague answers because she she wanted to keep her orders from Princess Celestia a secret until it was time. "Come on, Twilight. We want to know what happened." Rainbow Dash said. "Yeah, can this pony be trusted or not? And will she come after my apples again?" Applejack asked. "I want to tell you but I still can't be sure. What I can tell you is that she's not bad." Twilight said, looking over her checklist before Applejack was suddenly muzzle to muzzle with her. "She's not bad?! Twilight, those bats of hers, combined with the vampire bats and vampire fruit bats, ravaged about 10% of our orchard on top of the 25% those vampire fruit bats ate alone! And all you have to say is she's not bad?!" The orange pony was fuming. "Now calm down, Applejack. Getting your tail in a knot won't help. Besides, didn't she happen to do you a favor by getting rid of the vampire fruit bats?" Rarity asked. Applejack looked a little stumped by realization. "Well...yes...she did. But that still don't excuse the fact that they tore through part of the orchard." She huffed stubbornly. "Well if she got rid of the bats from your orchard, then she can't be all bad. Now they can be themselves without consequence and your orchard is safe." Fluttershy smiled. "Really? You can take the apples away from a vampire fruit bat, but they're still vampire fruit bats. They'll come back for the apples." Applejack stomped her hoof. "Applejack, I understand your concern, but please believe me when I say she's not all bad. In fact, when preparations are done for the day, I planned to go see her again." "Good cuz I go-" "No, AJ, I'm going alone." Twilight said sternly. "Look I got her to open up to me by just seeing her alone. If I bring some pony else with me so suddenly, she might get defensive." "Bu-" "Applejack, we should let Twilight handle this alone." Fluttershy said, oddly speaking out to the shock of her friends. "When we just barged in last time, it didn't go well. But if Twilight's making progress by going alone, then it should be that way until this new pony is comfortable enough to be around others." The rest of the group stayed quiet, perplexed by Fluttershy's assertiveness, at least until Pinkie Pie showed up out of the blue with a tray of drinks balanced on her head. "Hey girls! What's going on? I saw you all standing over here and it looked like you were taking a break so I brought you all some of my super-duper-energetic-punch." She offered them all a glass before taking one for herself. "Twilight, are you sure you have to go into the forest alone?" Rarity asked only to be nearly sprayed in the face with punch by a surprised Pinkie Pie. "You're going into the Everfree Forest alone?! Twilight have you gone loco?!" Pinkie said dramatically. "I mean, yeah you went in there alone the other day and came out fine, but why would you go back in? Especially with that batpony." "Because I have to. As much as I would like all of you to come with me, I am the Princess of Friendship and this is a friendship problem. The map initially called all of us there, but it would be better to just take this slow." Twilight said and sighed. "But enough about all this. We need to get preparations done for the day. After this, we shouldn't have much more to do."