//------------------------------// // Ponies Are Talking // Story: Fox Tales // by jademaehara //------------------------------// “Darling…” “Rarity, no. We’ve talked about this.” “But darling, you simply must…” “No!” The white unicorn pouted as she continued to run the brush through her friend’s  tri-coloured mane. “All I’m saying, darling, is that you have been in Ponyville now for more than a year, and I have yet to see or hear you express even the slightest romantic interest in any stallion or mare here.” She reached out with her magic and snatched her mane straighteners from the sideboard. Heating them up almost instantly, she clamped them around the lengthy mane in front of her and continued her work. “Hearts and Hooves day is less than a week away, and I am determined to find you somepony to spend it with! A beautiful young mare such as yourself should not spend such a day on her own, cooped up in a library surrounded by dusty books!” She pulled the mane straighteners up a little too roughly, eliciting a slightly pained grunt from the purple mare below her. She winced. “I’m sorry darling, I didn’t mean to…” “I know Rarity, it’s ok.” The purple unicorn sighed. “Do you mind if we talk about something else? At least whilst you’re doing my mane?” A smile flicked across Rarity’s face as she lowered the mane straighteners once more. “Of course darling,” she said lightly. “All the more to talk about at our lunch date today.” Twilight Sparkle, Ponyville librarian and personal student of Princess Celestia, and currently in the middle of having her monthly coat-and-mane beauty treatment, sighed heavily. This was going to be a long day. ………. “This is going to be a long day.” Swift Shield, private 1st class in the Equestrian Royal Guard, wished he could say such a thing out loud as he stared at his current charge. Princess Celestia, the co-ruler of Equestria, and one of the most powerful individuals on the planet, was staring at a wall. She had been staring at the wall for the past 10 minutes, never once breaking her gaze as maids, other guards, and occasional palace worker  trotted past, each one bowing slightly as they did so. Swift Shield had stood by her side, as was his duty as her personal guard, and watched as the Princess seemed to become more and more enamoured with a single patch of the blue corridor wall. Swift himself had examined the wall for approximately 5 seconds, and had found nothing to warrant his interest. Whilst he was aware that his Princess did not have any pressing engagements for the day, he still wondered, ever so briefly, if maybe, just maybe, she was having a little breakdown. Of course, he thought, anypony who had lived for at least a thousand years had every right to act a little strangely every now and then, and Princess Celestia was no exception. He just wished she didn’t have to pick such an open area to do it. If, of course, that was indeed what was happening. Maybe she saw something in the wall that he couldn’t. An imperfection in the design. A secret message carved into the painted plaster. Or maybe she was reliving a memory from hundreds of years ago. “Or maybe, she’s just going a little doolally.” Swift Shield did not say these thoughts out loud. The last guard to voice those kinds of thoughts had still not returned from his posting to the northern border. “Private Shield.” Swift Shield’s thoughts were interrupted by the soft voice of his Princess. He snapped to attention as she spoke, though her gaze remained on the wall. “Yes, my Princess?” “Tell me.” She turned to face him, a thoughtful look in her ageless eyes. “Do you think that this wall is painted Prench blue or sky blue?” ………. “You do know that they’re just different names for the same colour, right?” The Thestral harrumphed as her companion crossed his arms in front of his chest. “No, they’re totally different!” she said, looking back at the wall. “Ocean grey and military grey are completely different from each other. I just can’t tell which one this is.” She stretched her leathery wings out wide before folding them back against her body. “This is driving me crazy. I’m going to have to ask the ponies who painted this,” she proclaimed, turning from the wall and walking towards the doorway leading out of the spacious guard quarters they had been walking through, her much taller companion letting out a sigh as he followed her. “Silver, I’m fairly certain the ponies that painted that wall are long gone,” he said, watching her long, midnight-blue tail swish from side to side as the Thestral trotted along. “That paint is meant to last at least 200 years before it needs to be touched up, and it certainly hasn’t been done recently.” He increased his pace; his longer, bipedal stride quickly bringing him level with the grey-furred Thestral. He flicked her barrel lightly with his golden tail. “Besides,” he said, looking down at Silver Moon. “I don’t want to waste one of my precious days off looking for a painter that may have been dead for decades.” Silver paused, and look up at her companion, her eyes wide open and pleading. Her lower lip wobbled ever so slightly. “But… I’m your wife… and I’m going to go mad if I don’t find out whether it’s ocean grey or military grey… you have to help me…” Tears gathered in the corners of her eyes. “Help me Sif… you’re my only hope…” The figure standing next to her sighed and knelt down. His long, golden tail folded around his waist. His neck-length blonde hair fell forward slightly in front of his face, flowing around the two long, peaked fluffy ears that rose from his head and swivelled in the direction of his wife. He reached out a hand and let the smooth surface cup her cheek; rubbing gently as he drew her forward and planted his pale lips onto her own, slightly furred mouth. He held her there for a second before slowly drawing back and staring lovingly at her. And then his other hand came down in front of her muzzle and flicked it, causing her to jump backwards in shock. “No.” He stood up to his full height as Silver glared up at him, rubbing her nose where his finger had made contact. “I love you, and one day, I promise, we will find out the exact paint colour used on those walls.” Her expression lightened considerably. “Today however, we have something very important to do.” He started walking down the hall whilst Silver gave a flap of her wings and jumped up onto his back, wrapping her forelegs around his shoulders and nuzzling the back of his neck. “Like what?” she said softly, lightly nipping his ear with one of her fangs. He chuckled and patted one of her forelegs with his hand. “It’s a surprise.” ………. “I hate surprises.” The white unicorn with the dual-toned electric blue mane let out an exasperated moan as her grey-coated earth pony companion crossed her forelegs haughtily in front of her. “I’m serious Vinyl, there is a time and place for surprises, and the day before I am due to play with the Canterlot Orchestra is not one of them. Whatever this ‘surprise’ is, it can wait.” Vinyl sighed and tapped her hoof rhythmically on the table. “No Vinyl, I don’t have the time.” More tapping. “Vinyl, there is no such thing as ‘too much practice’.” Tap tap tappity-tap tap. “I do not see why you need me to go with you to meet your marefriend.” Vinyl thumped her head softly onto the table, being careful to avoid digging her horn into the soft wood or damaging her purple-tinted glasses. Tappy-tap-tap. “Don’t ‘But Tavi’ me, Vinyl Scratch.” Octavia Melody delicately lifted her cup of tea and took a sip; the silver bracelet on her foreleg glinting in the morning light, reflecting the light onto Vinyl’s sunglasses for a brief second causing the young unicorn to blink. “Now, tell me honestly Vinyl, why are you trying so hard to get me to come along on a date with you and Lyra?” Vinyl sighed. This was not going to plan. She knew her best friend could be stubborn sometimes, and that she tended to be a little… snobbish, for lack of a better term, but to be like this when Vinyl had been asked to ensure that Octavia was there… Tap. Octavia paused, the cup halfway to her mouth. “What?” Tap “Vinyl, what do you…” Tap tap-tap. Silence as Octavia stared at her friend. Vinyl stared back. After a few seconds the Earth pony sighed and lowered the cup to the table. She slipped down from the chair and walked around the table before nuzzling Vinyl softly on the cheek. “I’m sorry Vinyl,” she said quietly. “I shouldn’t have asked.” She kissed the young unicorn gently on the cheek, causing Vinyl’s face to turn a soft shade of pink. Tappity tap tap-tap. Octavia laughed as she turned away and jumped back up onto her chair. “Yes Vinyl,” she said, reclaiming her cup of tea. “I promise that I will act surprised.” Tap-tap. Octavia rolled her eyes. “And I’ll buy you a slice of your favourite pie.” ………. “The pie is ready!” “Pinkie…” “And the macaroons!” “Pinkie, will you just…” “The cupcakes are iced and ready!” “PINKIE PIE!” The garish pink pony froze in the act of reaching to turn the tap on to wash the remaining icing from her front hooves, before turning to look at the exasperated blue mare who had been trying to get her attention. “Yes Mrs Cake?” Cup Cake gestured with her hoof; sweeping it around the kitchen, indicating the stacks of freshly-baked pies, cupcakes, brownies, pastries, cakes, and other baked products sold by the small shop. “What do you call this?” Pinkie’s eyes slowly wandered around the room. “Umm… chocolate cake, double chocolate brownies, twelve different types of cupcake, honey-butterscotch…” “Yes Pinkie, I know what they are, dear. I would like to know why you’ve baked so many things this morning when I only asked you to…” “Oh!” Pinkie’s fluffy pink mane deflated ever so slightly and her ears drooped. “I’m sorry Mrs Cake, I forgot to tell you. Can I have the next ten days off please?” Mrs Cake took a couple of steps back as her eyes widened. “What?” “Please!” Pinkie’s eyes started to water. “That’s why I’ve baked so much today - something really important is going to happen today and I’m going to have to stay with Twilight and the others for the next week until Hearts and Hooves day and I’ll be going to Canterlot to meet…” “Pinkie Pie!” The pink earth pony shut her mouth and Mrs Cake raised a hoof to her forehead. “Pinkie sense?” A nod. “Well dear, if there’s one thing I’ve learned by now, it’s not to argue with your Pinkie sense, so…” She was cut off by Pinkie launching herself forward and pulling the older mare into a tight hug. “Thankyouthankyouthankyou!” she said, letting go of the now bedraggled Cup Cake. “I won’t be called until later this afternoon so I can keep baking all morning and then Rainbow will come by and tell me Twilight wants to see me and then…” “Pinkie!” The hyperactive pony once again shut her mouth. Cup Cake sighed once more and looked around the kitchen and the stacks upon stacks of baked goods. Then finally she looked back at Pinkie and smiled. “We’d better start on the special Heart and Hooves chocolates, seeing as though you’re not going to be here.” Pinkie’s grin widened, and she dove once more into the fray. “I’ll get the strawberries!” ………. “Ok, so that’s two strawberry shortcakes, one sweetie drop, and one chocolate cornet.” The young colt in front of the counter nodded happily as the older mare nosed the bag over to him. “That’ll be three bits please.” His mother smiled down at him as he pushed a small portion of his birthday money across the counter to the cream-coloured mare with a curly red mane. “Thank you ma’am!” He took the bag in his mouth as the mare smiled at him. “You’re quite welcome, young stallion,” she replied, causing the colt’s mother to giggle as his cheeks flushed slightly. “Now remember, don’t eat them all at once,” his mother said as she started to shepherd him out of the door. He nodded, his mouth full of bag, before the two of them trotted happily out of the shop. The mare behind the counter smiled once more, and turned to the younger aquamarine-furred mare who had been sitting patiently by the counter. “Sorry about that Lyra.” “That’s ok Mrs Eclair.” Lyra raised herself up off of her haunches. “It’s nice to see the store is doing so well.” Cream Eclair laughed and waved a hoof at Lyra. “I’ve told you to call me Cream, dear,” she said, turning towards the door into the kitchen at the back of the shop. “Bonnie! Lyra is here!” “Coming!” A muffled voice was heard by both Lyra and Cream Eclair as the former smiled at the latter. “I mean you are practically family you know,” Cream said, turning back to the young unicorn who started adjusting the small, white saddlebags she was wearing. “You and Bonnie have known each other for what, fifteen years now?” “Sixteen actually. She came to my 5th birthday party. Bought me one of those ‘Smarty Pants’ dolls that were all the rage back then.” Eclair laughed. “Ah yes, those. Fancy certainly hit the jackpot with that particular toy.” At that moment a cream mare came trotting in from the kitchen; her navy blue and pink mane bouncing as she walked over to Lyra and briefly nuzzled her neck. “Ready to go?” Lyra nodded and gestured to her saddlebags. “I figure we hit the market for an hour or so, maybe check the record store to see if they’ve got the latest delivery of the album, then we should be about on time to meet up with V and T.” “Oh, are you seeing Vinyl and Octavia?” Cream interjected. Bon Bon nodded. “Yup. Then we’re off to the castle for the afternoon.” Cream’s smile lifted once again as she glanced at the sparkling silver earring hanging from the tip of her daughter’s ear. “Hmm… in that case, you’d better take these.” She leaned under the counter and grabbed a small bag with her mouth before depositing it in front of Bon Bon. “There should be one for each of you.” Bon Bon smiled and gave her mother a small hug. “Thanks mum,” she said, as an aquamarine glow surrounded the bag and lifted it from the floor. “And thank you Lyra,” she continued as Lyra moved the bag into her left saddlebag. Cream smiled once more. “Just remember to have fun today Sweetie,” she said, causing Bon Bon to cringe slightly at the use of her least favourite nickname. “Say hello to everypony for me.” ………. “Hi everypony!” “Hi Mr Soarin!” The light blue pegasus smiled at the dozen or so young colts and fillies sitting in front of him. Ever since the Wonderbolts had started allowing groups of young fans to come and watch them practice, Soarin had found himself more often than not the appointed foalsitter for the little ponies. Not that he minded; whilst he had to make up the practice time later on in the day, he absolutely loved the time spent with the foals as they stared wide-eyed at his teammates going about their normal practice routines. Of course, it didn’t hurt that the same foals then cheered all the louder for him during the proper shows. The only Wonderbolt who was cheered more was Spitfire. “She deserves every one of those cheers and more,” he thought as he fluffed his wings slightly and prepared to start his well-practiced speech. “Ok then colts and fillies, in a minute we’ll head into the practice grounds. You’ve picked a good day to come, nearly all of the Wonderbolts are here today!” Cheers came from the gathered foals. “Now, who can tell me the name of their favourite Wonderbolt?” A chorus of names came from the young ponies. “Soarin!” “Fleetfoot!” “Spitfire!” “Surprise!” He held up a hoof to stop the clamour. “Well, I’ve got good news for you. They’re all here today.” More cheers. “And if you’re really lucky, they may even come over to say hello.” Soarin smiled once more at the cheers. All of the Wonderbolts loved their fans, and he knew they would all make time during practice to come over and meet the colts and fillies. He clapped a hoof on the floor. “Ok then, follow me!” Soarin led the group of foals out onto the edge of the practice field; the colts and fillies being kept moving and in line by the two teachers who had accompanied them, and were having to work hard to herd the excitable foals into a group. The practice field the Wonderbolts were using had been built specifically for them by Princess Celestia five years ago, as a place where the stunt group could practice before their shows in Canterlot rather than have to fly from their normal practice grounds in Cloudsdale. As Soarin walked over to the spectator area he smiled softly to himself, as he remembered the day it had opened. The day he had officially become a Wonderbolt, along with Spitfire and Misty Fly. A lot of things had changed that day. “Especially for her,” he thought as he watched the foals make themselves comfortable on the grass; their expressions already ones of joy and excitement as they watched the other members of the Wonderbolts doing their warm-up exercises in the centre of the practice ground. Soarin’s eyes roamed over his colleagues as he picked out their captain and his fellow flight lieutenant. Spitfire and Fleetfoot were sisters, though no-pony would have guessed based on their radically different coat and mane colours. If Soarin had been given a bit for every time he had been asked if he and Fleetfoot were related because of the slight similarity in their colours, he would have been a very rich pony. Of course, the look on their faces when he explained that she was his marefriend was worth enough by itself. Soarin pulled his gaze away from Fleetfoot’s toned figure and turned back towards the group of foals. “Ok fillies and colts, looks like everypony is just about ready to start. So tell me, who wants to see the Wonderbolts fly?!” ………. “Ugh, I wish I could see the Wonderbolts fly!” The light-blue mare with the polychromatic mane stamped her hoof in frustration as she looked up at the promotional poster attached to the wall of ‘Quills & Sofas’. Her butter-yellow coated friend looked up at the poster. “What’s stopping you from going?” she asked in a quiet voice. “It’s the day after Hearts & Hooves day, right? That means you don’t need to work.” The other mare waved a hoof dismissively. “No can do Flutters. Tickets for this sold out ages ago. It’s a special performance where couples got priority or something, so I didn’t even get a sniff of a ticket.” Fluttershy looked down at her hooves as her ears flattened slightly. “But… Rainbow, you know the Wonderbolts right? Couldn’t you… you know… maybe…” Rainbow Dash, self-proclaimed fastest mare in Equestria, smiled and shook her head. “I wouldn’t ask for favours like that Flutters,” she said, patting the other pegasus gently with a hoof. She looked back up at the poster. “One day, it’ll be me up there anyway. Then I’ll be going to all the shows!” She laughed, a motion copied in a much quieter way a few seconds later as Fluttershy perked up a little. “Oh, we’d better get to Applejack’s stand before the lunchtime rush starts,” she said softly as she started trotting towards the marketplace, Rainbow floating along beside her with soft flaps of her wings. The marketplace was already starting to fill up when Fluttershy and Rainbow arrived a couple of minutes later. They quickly spotted the orange-furred earth pony as she deftly moved a new bucket of apples from the small cart behind her to the stall; a small line of ponies waiting for the restock, their bits at the ready. The two friends waited patiently in line until they came face to face with their favourite farmer. “Howdy Dash, Fluttershy!” Applejack’s smile was wide as she saw her two friends approaching. “Mighty fine day we’re havin' today Dash. Y’all did a good job with clearin’ the clouds this mornin’.” “Meh, could have done it quicker,” Dash said, secretly overjoyed at the praise. “We’ve got a rain shower scheduled for tomorrow. Somepony told us it’s easier to plant the summer crops in damp earth so we’ve adjusted things this year.” “Well, whichever pony said that sure knows what she’s doin’,” Applejack said with a smirk. “Why, ah’d like t’ meet that pony someday.” The three ponies chuckled softly. “Anyhow, what can ah get ya both today?” “Um… I’ll take three apples please,” Fluttershy said, reaching into her saddlebags for a bit. Applejack nodded and carefully picked out three large red apples from one of the baskets. She gently dropped them in Fluttershy’s saddlebag that the yellow pegasus presented to her, before gratefully taking the bit clutched between Fluttershy’s teeth. “Thank ya Fluttershy,” Applejack said before turning her attention to the other pegasus. “Y’all want anythin' Dash?” “Nah, don’t want to ruin my appetite before lunch.” Rainbow did a quick loop-de-loop in the air. “And I am really looking forward to lunch today!” “Oh, is today the day you’re meeting up with Sassaflash and Caramel?” Fluttershy asked as she fastened the straps on her saddlebags. “Ah hear those two are plannin' t’ make everythin’ official on Hearts n’ Hooves day this year,” Applejack chimed in as she served another pony. “Looks like Ponyville’ll be gettin’ another married couple, an’ another stallion that won’t need t’ leave town durin’ the summer heat.” “Yeah.” Rainbow landed lightly and tapped her hoof on the ground. “I don’t want to get my hopes up much, but I’m hoping that Sassaflash is going to ask me to be her best mare. We grew up together in Cloudsdale, and even though we have different jobs here in Ponyville we’re still pretty close.” A mischievous smile came to her face, and she looked up at Applejack and Fluttershy. “Besides,” she said with a smirk. “It’ll be great to be part of a wedding like that. After all, it’s not like any of my five best friends are getting married anytime soon.” ………. “Cutie Mark Crusaders Wedding Planners, go!” “What’s that honey?” The three little fillies froze as the door to Scootaloo’s room opened and the kindly face of a middle-aged mare appeared. She took a couple of steps into the room; a smile on her lips as the three crusaders guiltily dropped back onto their haunches. “Did I hear something about a wedding?” the burnt orange mare continued as she looked between the three young mares. “Now don’t tell me one of you little dears is getting married. Scootaloo?” “No, Aunty Syrup,” the orange pegasus said hurriedly. “We… it wasn’t…” The mare turned to the next filly; an earth pony with yellow fur and a red mane held back with a large bow. “Applebloom?” “No ma’am,” Applebloom replied with a squeak. Maple Syrup smiled once more and looked at the final member of the group, a white unicorn with a two-toned pink and purple mane. “What about you Sweetie? I’m sure Rarity would be proud of you.” Sweetie Belle shook her head rapidly. “No Mrs Syrup, I’m not getting married. I’m too young.” “Quite right dearie.” Maple sat down in front of the three fillies. “So, what gave you the idea to try and get your cutie marks by planning a wedding? I mean, none of you are getting married, and I know that Scootaloo would never, ever say something that was meant to be kept a big secret from everypony in Ponyville until a certain pony said it would be ok.” She looked over at the young pegasus who turned away and refused to meet her gaze, her cheeks rapidly darkening. The three fillies started fidgeting as they sat there in silence for a few seconds. “It was my fault!” Sweetie Belle threw herself in front of Scootaloo and looked up at Maple Syrup. “I kept asking Scootaloo about her trips to Canterlot and who she went with, and she started telling me about her dad and what he did over there, and about…” Maple held up a hoof and gently pressed it to Sweetie Belle’s lips; tears forming in the eyes of all three young ponies. “It’s ok honey, none of you are in any trouble.” She removed her hoof from Sweetie’s mouth and gently patted her on the head. “Scootaloo, did you tell your friends the secret?” Scootaloo nodded sadly. “Yes Aunty,” she said softly. “I was so excited, and I know you said not to tell anypony, but… but it’s my dad, and I want him to be happy, and…” This time tears did start to fall from Scootaloo’s eyes, prompting her two friends to quickly wrap themselves around the young pegasus and pull her into a three-way hug. Maple Syrup sighed as she leaned over and gently nuzzled Scootaloo’s forehead. “I understand dear,” she said. “I know it’s big news, and maybe it was a little unfair to make you keep it a secret from your friends. However.” She placed a hoof under Scootaloo’s chin and gently lifted her face so they were looking at each other. “You can’t tell anypony else, ok? Not until you’re told to by your father.” Scootaloo nodded and her expression brightened. She wiped a hoof across her cheeks. “I promise Aunty,’ she said, as she took a couple of steps forward and hugged the older mare. Maple smiled and put her hooves around Scootaloo; bringing her close and nuzzling into her mane. “That’s my good little filly.” She and Scootaloo released each other. “Now,” Maple continued, clapping her hooves together. “Who’s up for some lemonade?” ………. “Just a lemonade for me, thanks.” Rarity looked at Twlight disapprovingly. “Darling, please don’t hold back. You know these lunches are always my treat to you. Why not have something a little… fancier?” Twilight smirked. “Sorry Rarity, I’m not wearing the right pants for that.” Rarity paused for a second as her brain processed what Twilight had said, before slamming a hoof down on the table and letting out an extremely un-ladylike guffaw, causing the other patrons of the cafe to jump slightly. The white unicorn immediately blushed and let out a small cough to try and cover her embarrassment. “Well, on to different matters then,” she said, looking back over at Twilight. “Darling, I feel I have to apologise for what I said to you this morning.” Twilight opened her mouth to protest but Rarity quickly continued. “What you do with your love life is none of my business, and as long as you are happy with where you are right now, then I am happy for you. Can you forgive me, dear Twilight?” Twilight sighed heavily. “Of course I forgive you Rarity,” she said softly, gazing at the other unicorn. “And… I want to apologise as well.” “Darling, why in Celestia’s name would you need to apologise to me?” Their conversation was briefly interrupted by the arrival of their drinks and their ordering of lunch. After they had both taken a sip of their respectives beverages, Twilight once again looked at Rarity, a slight blush to her cheeks. “I’ve been thinking all morning about… things,” she said quietly. “There’s something I haven’t told you and the girls. I’ve been… well, to tell you the truth, I’ve been scared to say anything because I don’t know how you’ll all react.” A look of horror spread across Rarity’s face. “Darling, we’re your friends! No matter what you had to tell us, we would never think any less of you or judge you badly for it. No matter what.” She moved a hoof across the table to cover Twilight’s own. “Now what’s this big secret of yours? It can’t be anything bad. Forgive me darling but, you aren’t exactly the type to have a nasty secret in your closet.” Twilight giggled slightly and gripped on to Rarity’s hoof. “Not here,” she said. “I want to tell all of you, together. This evening, if possible. We can have dinner at the library, then I’ll talk to everypony. How does that sound?” Rarity smiled. “Darling, that sounds wonderful. Just remind me to bring some tissues. From the sounds of everything so far, I think I’m going to need them.” .......... “AAAACHOO!” Sifr sighed as he pulled another tissue from the packet in his pocket and handed it to Silver. “Prosit.” The thestral gratefully blew her nose into the tissue before throwing it into a nearby waste bin. She sniffed. “Stupid hay fever,” she said, taking another bite of her mango. “I guess I’d better make an appointment with Breeze to get my shots. It’s a little early this year.” She shuddered slightly. Sifr reached over and scratched her lightly behind one ear. “Awww… does my little Moon need me to hold her hoof whilst she gets her shots?” he cooed. Silver slapped his hand away and glared at him as he smiled at her, before ripping half of the mango apart in one bite. As they emerged into the sunlight Sifr raised his hand to shade his eyes as he cast about for the mares he and Silver had arranged to meet. A Royal Guard in shining silver armour edged with bronze trotted up to them as Silver finished her mango. “Sifr No Mae. Decurio Primus Silver Moon.” He bowed slightly. “Your herdmates and guests were invited to join Princess Celestia in the triclinium. I’ve been sent to escort you there.” Sifr nodded as Silver gulped down the remnants of the desecrated mango. “Thank you lieutenant,” he said formally, nodding to the Royal Guard. “We place our safety in your hooves.” The Royal Guard bowed once more, then reached up and pulled his helmet off, smirking as he did so. He ran a foreleg across his forehead, wiping off the sheen of sweat that had built up. It wasn’t a hot day by any means, but fabric-lined metal on fur was never the coolest combination. “Shouldn’t that be the other way around?” Sifr grinned as he held a fist up in front of the guards chest. He bumped it with his hoof. “How have you been, Treacle?” Treacle Tart, lieutenant of the Bronze Dragoons division of the Royal Guard, smiled up at the taller biped and the hovering Imperial Guard. “Not bad,” he said, attaching his helmet to the backplate of his croupiere. “Just got back from Fillydelphia. Armor sends his regards by the way.” “He and Princess Cadance are coming back soon aren’t they?” Silver said as she landed in front of Treacle. She shared her own hoofbump with her fellow guard; reports of animosity between the Royal Solar Guard and the Imperial Lunar Guard were always greatly exaggerated in the various newspapers in Canterlot, the two forces having forged an almost unbreakable bond centuries ago. Whilst there may have been rivalry, and even personal enmity on occasion, the two forces had long worked side by side even before the Lunar Diarch had returned. The group started walking back across the small courtyard towards the main palace and away from the Wonderbolt practice grounds where Silver and Sifr had previously arranged to meet their herdmates. “Armor is. Princess Cadance, probably.” Treacle glanced up at Sifr. “She said if she wasn’t able to make it then she expects you to go to her.” Sifr let out a short laugh. “Mares.” “Hey!” Silver pushed herself against his leg. He smiled and flicked her flank with his tail. “Don’t tell me you don’t want to see Princess Cadance as much as she want to see you,” Silver continued, nonplussed. “I swear, if she and Captain Armor weren’t…” She was cut off as a hand locked itself around her muzzle, and a pair of black-pinned, golden eyes appeared directly in front of hers. “Not. Another. Word.” Sifr’s voice was soft, without malice, but Silver’s ears still flattened slightly and she nodded. He smiled, kissed her softly on the forehead, then released his grip on her muzzle. Silver glared at her husband for a second, before a strange look came over her face and she scrunched up her muzzle. “AAAACHOO!” ………. “Here you go honey.” The pink alicorn gratefully took the proffered tissue from her white-furred, blue-maned coltfriend and blew her nose. She looked around for a second before levitating the tissue into a nearby waste bin. “Thanks Shiny,” she said, smiling at Shining Armor. “Sorry about that. I just had to sneeze all of a sudden.” Shining laughed. “Must mean somepony is talking about you.” “I thought that was when your ear started burning.” Cadance looked at Shining quizzically. “That’s what Aunty Celestia says. She says it gets quite annoying when she’s trying to get to sleep sometimes.” Shining’s face scrunched up a little in thought. “Why would ponies be saying her name late at night?” Cadance looked at him with slightly wide eyes before bursting into laughter. “Oh Shiny, you’re so precious!” She gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. “I’ll explain later. Right now, let’s get moving. We’ve got to meet the Mayor in ten minutes.” ………. “Good afternoon Miss Mayor.” “Good afternoon Miss Sparkle.” The pale Earth pony mare smiled as she gave Twilight a quick hug. “And let me say, congratulations.” Twilight blushed slightly as she pulled away. “Thank you, but…” Mayor Mare held up a hoof to stop her. “Don’t worry, I won’t go spreading the news,” she said, causing Twilight to relax slightly. “Though I would certainly advise you as a friend that you should tell the other Element bearers sooner rather than later. I’m sure they’ll all be happy for you.” Twilight smiled and nodded. “I came to the same conclusion this morning,” she said, taking a seat opposite the mayor of Ponyville. “They’re all coming over to dinner tonight, and I’m going to tell them everything. I’m hoping they’ll want to come to Canterlot and help with the preparations for the party, and since I’m not going to be in Ponyville for my birthday, I wanted to stop Pinkie Pie from setting anything up in secret!” Mayor Mare laughed. “I’m glad to hear that.” She reached under her desk and pulled out a folder. “So, I assume you’ve come regarding the house?” Twilight nodded and opened her saddlebag; levitating out a small envelope, she placed it in front of the mayor. “Here’s the deposit. Princess Luna said to tell you that if you had any trouble withdrawing that amount of bits from a bank to come directly to the castle one evening and she’ll sort everything out for you in night court.” The mayor nodded and mouthed the envelope into her desk drawer. “I will admit, I’m surprised that Princess Luna has offered to pay for this for you,” she said, opening the folder in front of her. “I would have expected it all to go through Princess Celestia, given that you are her personal student.” “Princess Luna wanted to do it as thanks for freeing her from Nightmare Moon, even though I told her she didn’t have to. Apparently, she saw what we did as a debt she had to pay, and this is her paying off my part of it. She told me, ‘Now that I have no debt to you, we can be friends as equal ponies’, whatever that means.” Twilight’s ears flattened slightly, and she looked down at the desk. “She didn’t owe me anything,” she said softly. “I’m so thankful for what she is doing, but part of me feels so guilty that she felt she had to do this. Maybe I wasn’t a good enough friend to her to start with…” “Twilight, stop.” Mayor Mare reached out a hoof and placed it gently on Twilight’s shoulder. “I’m sure Princess Luna didn’t mean it like that,” she continued once Twilight raised her head. “Just accept this for what it is. A gift, from a friend. A big gift, but a gift nonetheless.” She smiled. Twilight returned it with a weak smile of her own. “Besides.” The mayor leaned back into her chair. “It’s not just any gift. It’s a gift to you on the most important day of your life, and a gift for those who are sharing it with you.” Twilight laughed. “Thank you, Miss Mayor. I hope the others feel the same way.” ………. “And I can’t fight this feeling anymore... I’ve forgotten what I started fighting for...” The music suddenly cut off, causing Sifr to jerk his head up from the book he was reading; his eyes meeting the larger ones of the aquamarine mare as Lyra’s hoof moved away from the volume button on the radio. “REO Coltwagon. Really?” “They do good stuff.” Sifr turned back to his book as Lyra dropped down next to Bon Bon, who was silently reading another book whilst pressing herself against Sifr’s side as they lay on the wide, padded bench. She acknowledged Lyra’s presence with a quick nuzzle before turning back to her book. “They’re good, but they’re no Ponytonia,” Spitfire said as she took another bite of her cupcake before continuing to browse the Wonderbolt evaluations that Fleetfoot was hoofing her. “That’s all well and good, but give me ‘Cello Sonata Number 3’ by Beethoofen any day,” Octavia chimed in from opposite side of the room as she continued to polish her large instrument with a small cloth. “Tap tap-tappy tappy-tap-tappy tap tap-tap tappy-tap.” Octavia’s mouth opened wide as she stared at Vinyl Scratch in shock. “Vinyl, how could you think that! I’ve a good mind to…” “Pfft, you old mares,” Silver Moon interrupted as she lounged on the bench next to the currently-unlit fireplace. “Scratch has got the right idea; she’s just got the wrong band. Neighpalm Death is where it’s at. Those stallions can REALLY get the juices flowing.” “Husband. Herdmates. All present.” Bon Bon rolled her eyes as she glanced over at Silver. “Besides, not a single one of you has mentioned Dobbie Fillyams. Leaving Take Trot was the best thing he ever did.” “And when was his last song released?” Lyra flicked Bon Bon’s ear with her hoof, causing the other mare to let out a small growl. “No, Neighlor Swift is top for me. I know she’s been a bit… weird, recently, but still. ‘Cake It Off’ was just brilliant.” “That song is 3 years old.” Sifr didn’t look up as he spoke, just started to run his hand slowly through Bon Bon’s mane. “She’s not done anything decent recently. No, you want the best mare right now?” He closed the book with a snap and placed it on the floor. “Songbird Serenade.” All the ponies in the room stopped what they were doing, their eyes going slightly unfocused, before a disgruntled murmur of agreement came from all of them. Before Sifr could take advantage of his brief victory over the mares, the door to the triclinium opened and a Royal Guard trotted in. He saluted briefly to Sifr, before moving to one side and slamming the butt of his spear into the ground. “Really Private, I know you are concerned for my welfare, but you must learn to relax occasionally.” The honeyed voice of Princess Celestia entered the room, shortly followed by the alicorn herself. All the ponies present got to their hooves and bowed; Silver gracefully rolling off the bench and landing on the floor, whilst Spitfire and Fleetfoot put down the papers they were reading and adopted a similar position. Sifr got to his feet, being careful not to knock Bon Bon and Lyra as they jumped down from the bench. He walked over to Celestia as the diarch took a couple of steps forward, before gently wrapping his arms around the Alicorn’s neck and pulling her into a brief hug. She rested her head on his shoulder for a second before pulling back. “I’m sorry I wasn’t here when Lieutenant Tart brought you,” she said in her normal, relaxed tone, as the Royal Guard private standing next to the door gave Sifr a pointed and slightly confused look. “A matter of national importance was brought to my attention that couldn’t be ignored.” “I wouldn’t call finding the original painter of that corridor and having him tell you the exact shade of paint he used ‘a matter of national importance’, Princess,” Treacle Tart said as he entered the room behind the co-ruler of Equestria. “HA!” Some of the ponies jumped as Silver let out an exclamation and leaped up onto Sifr’s back; she ended up on eye level with the Princess who had to take a small step backwards in surprise. “So, tell me.” Silver’s eyes were shining. “Was it military grey or ocean grey?” .......... Twilight slowly raised a hoof to her face and let out an exasperated sigh. “It’s just a colour Rarity,” she said, watching as her friend levitated multiple pillows in her magic field, carefully examining each one. “Darling, nothing is JUST a colour.” Rarity dropped all the pillows bar one, that she then proceeded to start fluffing up. Satisfied, she lay the pillow on the floor and jumped on top of it before settling down onto her stomach. “See? Now doesn’t this lovely pillow compliment my coat far better than that terrible green one?” Twilight simply nodded, tired of arguing with the fashionista. She looked around at her circle of friends; the other five mares all laying on their own pillows as they continued to digest the meal that Spike had cooked for them all. The young dragon himself was currently lighting candles around the room to add to the light coming from the blazing fire in the hearth. “So sugarcube, now that dinner’s done with, y’all ready to tell us ya story?” Applejack smiled contentedly at Twilight. “We’re just waiting for one more…” A knock on the door interrupted Twilight, and she quickly trotted over to the door and opened it. “Hi Mo… I mean, Twilight.” The voice coming from the door caused all the inhabitants of the room to look around in surprise, as Scootaloo came trotting in, a purple scarf wrapped around her neck. She smiled at the other ponies as Twilight closed the door, before turning to the young pegasus and gently removing her scarf with her magic. “Hi everypony!” “Scoots?” Rainbow Dash fluttered up from her cushion and landed next to Scootaloo. “What are you doing here?” Before Scootaloo could answer, Twilight walked up to her side. “She’s here because she’s a very important part of my story,” she said softly. To the surprise of the other ponies, Twilight leaned down and gave Scootaloo a quick nuzzle. “Come on Scootaloo, you can sit on my cushion,” she said, leading the pegasus over to the cushion closest to the fire as Rainbow returned to her own pillow. Spike lit the last candle with a gentle breath of fire before he waddled over to his basket by the fireplace next to Twilight’s cushion. He and Scootaloo smiled at each other as they passed, before he jumped into his basket and sat down. Scootaloo waited for Twilight to get settled on her cushion before joining the older mare; sliding in so her back was resting against Twilight’s stomach, and causing another wave of looks from the other five Element bearers. “Umm… ok, this is a little weird,” Rainbow said. “What has Scoots got to do with all of this? And… why is she cuddling up to you?” “Ooo! Ooo! Maybe Twilight and Scootaloo are dating, and that’s the big secret!” Twilight rolled her eyes at Pinkie as the pink pony started bouncing on her equally-pink pillow. “Umm… I’m pretty sure that’s not true,” Fluttershy said, glancing at Twilight and Scootaloo. “That… wouldn’t be right…” “Are you kiddin’? Ain’t no way that’s happenin’,” Applejack added. “Ma sister would’ve said somethin’.” Twilight giggled and waved a hoof. “No girls, it’s not that,” she said. “But… ok, look. First of all, the reason I asked you to all clear your diaries for the next week or so is because I want you all to come to Canterlot with me, and meet… somepony.” “Oh my.” Rarity sent a half-lidded gaze in Twilight’s direction. “Could this be a certain, very special somepony?” “Ah ha! That’s why she’s never been interested in any of the stallions around here!” Rainbow shouted triumphantly. “She already had somepony in Canterlot!” “Well…” “But that don’t make no sense,” Applejack said, looking at Rainbow and Rarity. “Twilight said it was some big secret that she didn’t want t’ tell us about. She woulda told us all about a special somepony if she had one, right?” “Umm, well he’s not exactly…” “Oh! Maybe it’s a mare!” “So? Why would that be a big secret?” “Girls…” “What if it’s somepony famous, and she’s been sworn to secrecy?” “Excuse me…” “Ooo! What if she’s seeing a married stallion, and she’s now pregnant, so she needs somepony to cover for her and help her look after the foal…” “Ok, that’s it!” All conversation stopped as Twilight’s horn lit up and a loud bang echoed through the library. Once she was sure she had the attention of the other ponies, and after calming Scootaloo down from the shock of the loud noise, Twilight let out a large sigh. “First of all, yes, this is about why I haven’t been interested in romance here in Ponyville,” she said, looking pointedly at each of her friends. She sighed and mumbled something under her breath. “Ok, look, I’ll start with the most important bits, and then we can go through each one, ok?” The girls all nodded, whilst Spike lazily scratched his belly. Scootaloo looked up at Twilight expectantly. The mare herself took a deep breath and closed her eyes. “I am… engaged,” she said softly, her eyes slowly opening. “I will be getting married the day after my 18th birthday, in Canterlot.” She looked up at her friends, their eyes all slowly widening as they stared at her with rapt attention. “To add to that, not only am I getting married, I am marrying into a herd.” This caused eyes to widen even further, and a couple of jaws to drop. “A herd with four other mares, and a single stallion, who happens to be Scootaloo’s father.” Jaws were now dropped all round, whilst Scootaloo beamed with pride. “The stallion in question… is not a pony, but he is somepony you will have heard of.” Twilight took another deep breath. “His name... is Sifr No Mae.”