//------------------------------// // Bandit Attack?! Feelings Unravel. // Story: A Mishap Between Friends // by Kalreas //------------------------------// --**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**-- As they were on the road to the town they were planning to visit, the cart had stopped. Twilight and the others were aware of the time now. Because they were all talking to one another in the cart the entire time, they hadn't noticed how dark it had gotten. When it stopped, they stepped outside and saw that it was getting night time again. "Alright, I may be fairly strong, but having to push this through the night is going to cause some damage later." Sorin admitted. "Well, there's no stopping you from resting, is there?" Twilight had teased him for a while, and he was beginning to show signs of anger. "Indeed," He let out a sigh, stretching out his tired limbs. "Yet I grow tired of your near constant teasing of my strength and stamina." "Well, it's just not that often that I find someone so willing and capable of helping his friends in such a way." Twilight was beginning to think that maybe it was time, before he grew too bitter. She walked over to him, and leaned in, towards his face. He had just begun to turn his head to reply, and that forced their lips to meet by accident. Sorin's eyes went wide as the kiss was returned by Twilight. She broke away, deciding that was enough. Sorin was still lying there, unable to move, eyes still wide, blushing a little. He had started to look at twilight and smile unwillingly. "... That was only.. supposed to be a kiss to the cheek.. but you turned your head." Twilight at first was unsure if that was an accident, or if he turned his head only to kiss her. She then pulled back and saw the stunned look on the stallions face, and decided that it was indeed an accident. He was still speechless as he stared at her, and she was beginning to get a little uncomfortable in this awkward situation. "I know that was an accident.. But that was good. I-i mean, uh... Well.. It was... Good. Wasn't it?" The stallion was confused for what to say. Twilight had let out a giggle. "Yes, it was, wasn't it?" She had admitted. They had laughed for a short while, then Twilight spoke up. "Well, I should get back to the cart.. You should get some rest while you can." "I will. Thank you. For.. Everything. These past couple days." The stallion then nodded, and she walked out. He laid there, unable to sleep for a while, because of the recent events. Later that day, Sorin had come out to help with the cart, because his pride wouldn't allow him not pushing the cart for at least a short while every day. It had started to get dark, and today was a long day, because of the cart. Twilight can only imagine pulling this all day. As Sorin went out to gather extra supplies for a fire that night, Twilight had been outside with him, trying to ask him questions, and he said he would answer them in the cart later that night. She had been thinking about it long enough, and needed to get some rest herself. As Twilight made her way to the cart, she had picked up a noise coming from inside it, and noticed nopony else was around. She quietly made it up to the entrance, hiding behind the curtain on the back of the cart. She was hearing Applejack and Fluttershy talking, laying very close to each other. "Flutter, ah don't wanna risk gettin' caught tagether like 'is." "I'm sure it'll be fine if we just snuggle a little, with my wing over you. If anyone comes in, I'm sure we can just say we got cold." Fluttershy was trying to comfort Applejack as much as she could. Applejack smiled. "Thank ya, sugarcube." It was then that Twilight stepped in, trying her best to act normal. They immediately looked at her at the same time, shooting a quick worried glance. "What's wrong? Did I scare you?" She was still thinking about what she should do about the situation between AJ and Fluttershy. "O-oh.. It's um.. Just fine. We didn't expect you to.. come in so early, and.. um.. She got cold." She said with a smile, trying her best to make it seem like it was only that. Twilight wanted to tell them the gig was up. She wanted to rat them out, and get the truth. Mainly, from Applejack. But she wanted to see more, she needed to see just how far into a relationship they were. So she instead said, "Oh, alright. I'm going to go get the rest, so we can come get some sleep." She nodded to AJ and Fluttershy as she left. They then decided to just lay there together until the others came in, and Twilight had kept the new information she had found out to herself for now. She still needed more information about the two. Late that night, as they were all sound asleep, Twilight was the first to wake up to the exhausted stallion standing at the entrance to the cart, trying to wake all of them up because of a sudden emergency. "Everyone, wake up! Something's happened! I need y-AGH" At that moment he was knocked in the head by a fairly decently sized rock, making him stumble. Twilight rushed to her feet, making her way to the stallion. "What's happened?!" "We're.. Being raided." Bandits. Great, bandits in the middle of the night. Exactly what we need. Twilight had thought. As the others were waking up, they saw a few stallions walk in, and try to pounce onto Twilight all at the same time. Sorin turned, made a stance, and took the brunt of the force in place of her. "Sorin!" She shouted. Her eyes shot wider in worry as they all slammed onto the stallion with great force. Enough to knock a normal one out cold, but he simply stood there. He was nearly demonic with his next moves and words. "Did you.. Just try to all... Attack a lady... That is innocent.. to what is GOING ON?!" He shouted with great, nearly blind rage and a burning desire to protect in his eyes. Running towards all the other stallions, looking at him with fear in their eyes. That fear turned to rage in some, but others simply ran away from the strong, nearly demonically strong stallion galloping towards them. As short a distance as it was, he was already at full speed when he dealt the first hit to the one in the middle. He then turned to the group, requesting aid from all the others. Nearly all of the bandits rushed him at the same time, but he turned and tensed, making the hit from all of them seem like it did nothing but move him, feet dragging the ground with force. He didn't allow any time for the main one in-front of him to do anything, as he raised a hoof, bringing it down hard on the other stallions shoulder. The hit only being enough to knock him unconscious, Sorin pushed the stallion away, so he wouldn't get hit anymore. The others surrounding them now, as the rest of the group had come out, ready to fight. The rest of the bandits, looking at the bleeding stallion defending his cart and his friends in fear. Some had already ran away from him. At this moment, they were nearly surrounded by bandits, their numbers nearly double their own. The bandits had numbers, but they had Sorin, Applejack, Pinkie, Dash, Rarity, Fluttershy and Twilight all ready for combat, even if they did just get woken up. The bandits had started to run off again, still fearing the stallion they were against. Twilight and the others didn't look like they could put up a fight to the bandits, but they still didn't want to risk it. They all decided to back away for a moment, pondering the situation, and whether or not they should attack again. They all looked at one another, and nodded. They stood for a moment, nearly relaxing, making the group relax a little. Until they all pounced from all directions. Twilight got one fighting her, Sorin had gotten three. Applejack got two against her, as well as Dash and Rarity. Fluttershy only one, like Twilight. Pinkie had gotten two against her as well. They all fought their separate battles, the stallion receiving the brunt of the assault. Twilight had managed to beat her opponent, by using knowledge of momentum, and dodging a lot of the hits to her, while focusing primarily on the head and legs. Fluttershy simply toughened up, like she had done with a few animals that needed treatment, much like the bear. Applejack had simply been underestimated, as she easily bucked the bandits one by one into the next apple season with her back legs. Rarity was surprised at first, but she used her magic to grab a few items to smack them around with. Not a very fashionable or a very effective way of fighting, but she managed. Pinkie being, well... Pinkie. She had enough energy to bounce around, dodging nearly all of the hits. She then simply hopped and danced on them when she got the chance, and weakened them down, smiling the entire time, creeping out the bandits against her. Rainbow Dash being the fast mare that she was, gave a few quick jabs between dodges, and simply outmatched the two she was against. Sorin was.. The best way Twilight and the group could explain it.. Sorin was clearly over the bandits level, taking hits and dealing hits ten-fold. Refusing to go down, he took them out one by one, slowly weakening all of them down, the fear taking it's toll on them, and one ran away in fear that he would be next. After the big fight, they were all pretty exhausted, and had a few cuts and bruises from the bandits, but they had won the battle. The group still wasn't sure that if they hadn't helped, if the stallion they were with would have been able to win. Until they saw his bloody and bruised body laying in the middle of the road, breathing very heavily, so exhausted that he couldn't move or talk. He knew what would happen if he pushed himself any further. Twilight and the others carried him into the cart, where he could rest peacefully until morning. The other stallions having been defeated before Sorin had called for help. After the adrenaline rush of such a big fight, some of them were unable to sleep. Twilight, Applejack and Fluttershy were the only ones awake, and Twilight saw the other two laying together, snuggling in such a way only ponies that were very close to each other would lay. Aah, enough of this Twi, you need to snap out of those thoughts and try to get some sleep! She thought to herself. Think about it tomorrow. And with time, and with shutting out thoughts with force, she had finally fallen asleep. The next morning, they had all gotten up early, still staying inside the cart, checking every once and a while outside for anypony else. When Sorin had woken up, and was able to move more, he explained everything about himself to the rest of the group. How he's always had such great strength and endurance. Telling them things about him that he wouldn't tell anypony else. That was all they needed to know. Telling him to get more rest, Twilight and the others wanted to push the cart in his place, and allow him to heal, while they traveled. He was stubborn at first, but then Twilight had the others start to move the cart a little while Twilight told Sorin some things herself. She had slightly lied to them about what she was going to do. She walked up to Sorin, and laid next to him. She told him about the Elements of Harmony, and about how they had a lot of previous challenges. Then, she spoke to him about something different, something he didn't expect. "The reason we're traveling is because we're searching for ingredients for a potion that will cure the spell that was put on us. I know, it sounds silly, but it's the truth. We don't even know if the ingredients exist to this day, but we've been trying to search." Sorin had been looking at her, confused. "So, you and your friends are searching for a cure to a spell that was put on you... It sounds like some weird movie, but I'll trust you. I suppose you've been slightly curious about my Cutie Mark, haven't you?" When he asked that, Twilight had finally noticed it. "No, now that you mention it, I don't think I've even noticed it before." She looked at it with a puzzled gesture, showing she was unsure of what it meant. "It describes the instability of my mind, as well as my love for music and speed. I like to think it helps my endurance and strength as well, but I never really thought about that too much." He stated. "You have a love for music? Here I thought you didn't listen to anything." She said, growing more confused, yet more fond of the stallion she was talking to. "Oh, yes." Sorin started. "I can't function very well without music most of the time, and when I was pushing the cart, I had been listening to music. You might be wondering how, but I'm pretty much the only pony allowed to listen to anything while on any tasks sent by anyone to me. Why? Because I can't work well without music. I've been around music my entire life." He admitted. "Now I guess you know nearly everything about me." He looked at Twilight for a few moments, searching her eyes, and noticing the beauty of the mare beside him. He had started to look back at what he was doing. "So, about the spell." "You're right. Thank you." Twilight started. "The spell affects our emotions and feelings.. But it seems as if it's been slower lately. It seems as though it's waiting for the right moment." She had started to move closer to him. "By the way.." She started, while looking away and slightly blushing. "This isn't the spell talking, so... Do you mind if I.." She leaned in, and kissed him on the cheek this time. He had simply turned to look at her after the kiss, and slowly leaned towards her, fearing she would back away. She instead smiled, and also started to lean towards her stallions face. They kissed again, this time, not on accident. As they cherished the moment, Twilight stated that she needed to go help with the cart. Sorin nodded, not taking his eyes off of her. He had begun to wonder if it really was the spell or not, and whether or not he should trust them. As the cart kept going, they pushed onwards, allowing their new friend to heal. As the new town slowly crept into view, they had all stopped to look at the town from afar. Not so different from Ponyville, but it's our next stop. Twilight thought. The others had thoughts of their own. Ooh! I really hope this next town has a lot of fun! I wonder what all the people will be like! Pinkies thoughts went on and on, imagining how parties and other cheerful things happened. Oh, this looks like an absolutely lovely town, lots of colors, and they blend so well from a distance! I wonder now how the fashion is in this town. Rarity, still thinking about fashion and other things. Oh.. That's a pretty big town. I hope.. I hope there are little animals in there that are nice to strangers like us.. Maybe not.. They might not even have any animals in there. I hope everyone is.. friendly. Fluttershy worried about the townsfolk. Gee, this looks like an awfully busy town, wonder if there are any farm areas Ah can help out at, or somethin' Ah can do. Applejack, still looking for something to remind her of home, and willing to help any way she could. I wonder who the fastest Pegasus in this town is.. I wonder if they'll be fast enough for me. This town better not be too awesome, because I'm coming in! Dash, being Dash, she had hoped to meet more Pegasus ponies, and see if they can match in speed. The town now within sight, they decide to take a break, pulling the cart a little more, and putting it on the side of the trail. Twilight was the first to step inside the cart, signaling the others to be quiet, because it looked as if Sorin was asleep again. The group slowly went to their areas, tired after the fight yesterday, and the cart pull today. It was still fairly bright outside, the sun only now going down. Twilight turned to Sorin, since she had laid down closest to him, she had noticed that he was awake. She smiled at him and gave him a 'Why did you do that?' look. He just laid still, simply shrugging at her, and turning to his side, so he could see her easier, still seeming to be asleep to everypony else. His eyes still half-way open, looking into Twilight's. He had never really noticed the delicate mix of colors in her eyes, as he looked deep into them. Breaking his concentration, Twilight blinked. Looking at each other and blushing, they waited until all the others were asleep, so they could walk out together. As they were walking into the tall grass, Sorin softly spoke. "So I guess.. We're not going to be seeing each other more after this? I mean.. the next town." "Unless you want to follow us, and help us throughout our way through the land, and help us find ingredients.. Then I guess not." Twilight admitted. She sighed, laying down on her side, pushing the tall grass down around her, with the stallion helping her clear a wider area. That's a lot of room for just the two of us... Twilight thought. "That should do." Sorin had started. "I do hope you'll like this.." Twilight was curious as to what he meant. Then she remembered what she had witnessed between Applejack and Fluttershy. She had thought that she was about to experience the same thing. When Sorin laid down in the grass, Twilight joined him. With him lying on his side, facing Twilight, she had laid fully on her back without realizing it. Although she held her tail up, Sorin was trying to not look at her body, as she was laying beside him. His heart had begun to beat a little faster, thinking about what would happen. Without a moment longer to think, she had pulled the stallions neck closer to hers. He looked her way, being slowly pulled in, as he was allowing the pull. She wanted this. He had thought. His heart was beginning to race as their lips touched yet again, and he had feared that it was the spell taking over suddenly. He didn't notice his hoof going down her body, starting at her neck, and stopping at her flank, where her Cutie Mark is. His heart began beating faster and faster. The kissing intensified as she also started breathing heavier. This has to be the spell. She can't do this.. Not this suddenly. I'm sorry Twilight.. But I can't let you do this. Sorin had pulled away, leaving Twilight's grasp, and leaving her expecting something to happen, but she looked up and saw him simply sitting there. Still looking with deep emotion in her eyes, trying to find out what he was going to do or say. "I need to know if this is real, Twilight. I don't want to do anything that you might regret, because of the spell." The words hit her like bricks, until the end, mentioning the spell. "This..." She started, looking down slightly, noticing that he had failed to hide his now stiff stallion-hood. She blushed upon seeing it, and saw his eyes slowly looking down, fearing that he may have slipped up. He quickly changed positions, looking away from Twilight, blushing more than he ever had before. Twilight giggled a little, and went over to him. "Don't worry. This isn't the spell. As far as I can tell, the spell works on the basis of what is going on. If this was the spell, it would have affected fear, or maybe even anger, because of the fight." The words seem to have caught the stallions attention, as he looked her way once more. She looked over his shoulder, and noticed he was still as stiff as he could be. Tonight is going to be fun. Twilight smiled as she thought about what was going to happen. After a few moments of hesitation, the stallion openly laid onto his back and leaving his stiff stallion-hood in plain sight. As he watched Twilight slowly move closer to him, he had many thoughts racing through his mind. Her hoof made contact with him, and it felt unlike anything he had experienced before. "I thought you didn't function well without music?" She teased yet again. He didn't respond that time, too taken by what was going on around his stallion-hood as her head got closer to it. Later that night, they were both breathing very heavily, and they had forgotten about everything else around them as they slept next to each other in the field that night, Twilight laying on the chest of her stallion. They had forgotten to move back to the cart. The panicking sounds of the rest had woken Twilight up, because Pinkie woke up early like usual to start breakfast, and had noticed that Twilight and Sorin were gone. She woke the rest of the group up with the news, and they had begun searching. Twilight quickly shot up, waking her stallion up in the process, by giving him a quick kiss as she was getting up. They both heard the others searching for them. They gave each other worried looks, as they tried to decide what to say when they were found. Today is not going to be fun. Twilight thought. **--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--**--** Author's Notes Below. Honestly, if I get enough requests of people wanting what happened between Twilight and Sorin, I might do it. If. I get enough requests. It's not something I would really enjoy writing, however I can if you want the more detailed part of what happened between Twilight and Sorin. Part of me hopes not.