Art (in progress) by SparkleDashYT
As the Ponyville clocktower struck noon, Stardust Spectrum and Dream Mist found themselves back in the middle of town, accompanied by Sweet Sapling, who was draped over the back of the pegasus. The two sisters had their noses buried in their preparation list as they walked, stomachs so full of delicious, apple family cooking that they wanted nothing more than to lay down and sleep, but they pressed on. After all, they had a job to do.
“Brunch,” Sapling declared from her reclined position, speech slurring and eyes out of focus, “was… amazing! I really think the cider this year is particularly good, did you try any?”
“You certainly did,” Dream smirked.
“I know!” Sapling grinned. “It was… so nice.” She sighed blissfully then tried to bolt upright and failed. “Do you know how many bottles I drank?” Not waiting for an answer, the earth pony carried on, “I think it was five, but I can’t remember. How many did you drink?”
“One,” Star replied. “Between us.”
“Pfffttt, you’re no fun. Thanks for carrying me though, Star.” Sapling snuggled into the purple pony’s mane. “You’re a great friend.”
“You’re welcome,” Star sighed. “And thank you.”
“Right!” Dream tried to get everyone back on track. “Now that the food’s taken care of, we need to check on the weather.”
“Yay, weather,” Sapling yawned. “We… we should go say hi to Cirr… to Cirrus…”
As the farm pony’s speech turned to soft snores, she slowly slid off Stardust’s back. Before either of the two sisters could catch her, she hit the ground, where she proceeded to shoot upright like a meerkat.
“Everypony stop!” she shouted.
Stardust and Dream jumped and froze as one, turning their heads towards their drunken friend once they’d gotten over the shock of her shout.
“I fell.” She blinked a couple of times. “Who wants more cidy?”
Stardust groaned in anger, biting her tongue and ruffling at her hair rapidly.
“Okay!” she shouted, “Sapling, we are not here to have more apple cider; that’s the fifth time you’ve asked us that, and we don’t even have any with us! Plus, you agreed to help us check on the rest of the preparations! How are you supposed to do that if you’re too far gone to even walk by yourself? So, no, we’re not having more cider, and you need to pull yourself together, understand?!”
Stardust stopped shouting to find her friend stood stock-still, eyes wide, and the nub where her leg should have been twitching and flexing again.
“Uh, Sapling?” she asked gently. “I’m sorry, I shouldn't have yelled.”
“Huh?” Sapling jumped at the sound of the pegasus’ voice. “Sorry for what?”
“Oh, come on!!” Stardust shouted.
“Well,” said Dream, quickly taking over the conversation, “I don’t think we have any cider now, Sapling, but we are here to find Cirrus Thunderclap, remember?”
“WATCH OUT!”
A voice from the sky caused them all to look up in search of its owner.
Dream turned her head only to find a familiar pegasus on a collision course with her; she barely had time to recognize his tri-colored hair and his eyepatch before he crashed into her, splashing them both into a puddle of mud. Dream ended up on the bottom, baring the brunt of the mud, with the pegasus on top of her. The list the unicorn had been carrying thankfully remained in the air.
“I got it!” Stardust called, leaping at the piece of parchment and snatching it from where it floated.
Once the list was safe, the blue pegasus disentangled himself from Dream Mist and looked down sheepishly at her.
“Oh-ho-ho-ho-ho-ho-ho-ho-ho! Oh, hey, Dreamy,” giggled the stallion. “How, uh… how’s it going?”
Art (in progress) by SparkleDashYT
“Hey, Cirrus,” grumbled the unicorn, hauling herself to her feet out of the muck.
“Oh, I’m sorry about that. I’ll just, uh… get a raincloud for you.” the pegasus flapped into the air. “Be right back.”
And, with that, Cirrus Thunderclap zoomed away.
“Uh, who was that?” Sapling questioned, squinting at where Cirrus had vanished into the distance.
“That was Cirrus, Sapling,” Stardust explained. “You know, our friend?”
“Ugh, my sight is completely blurry,” Sapling complained. “Starry, can you slap the back of my head for me please?”
“Um.. okay?” Stardust responded.
As Stardust batted the back of her friend’s head, the apple pony blinked three times, checking her now-clearing vision.
“Thank you, Stardust,” Sapling sighed. “Phew! I think I’m feeling much better now!”
Whilst this was going on, Cirrus came back with a small raincloud, which he positioned over Dream Mist. He quickly flew to the top of the cloud, perched upon it, and bounced up and down a few times, prompting a small downpour to fall upon the muddy unicorn. When the cloud turned white, having run out of rain, Cirrus stopped his jumping and took a peek underneath it. Here, he saw Dream Mist with her mane all wet. Very wet, in fact.
“Wha-ho-ho-ho-hoops, I guess I overdid it,” the pegasus giggled. He flew down off the could and came to rest on the ground next to his friends. “So, what brings you here dreamy?”
“Oh, we’re here to check the preparations for the Summer Sun Celebration,” Dream answered.
“We?” Cirrus blinked, and then looked at Stardust and Sapling as if only just noticing their presence.
“Hi, Cirrus,” Stardust greeted.
“Hello!” said Sapling.
“Oh! Top o’ the mornin' to ya, ladies!” the blue pegasus responded, before turning his attention back to the unicorn. “Don’t worry about your mane, Dreamy; I got this.”
Taking to the air once more, Cirrus swiftly flew circles around Dream Mist, creating a small twister that dried her off and caused the puddle surrounding her to be swept up as well.
“There!” he said proudly, coming to land next to Stardust. “That’s how to do-”
And then he stopped, for he took one look at Dream and burst out laughing at the side effect of his help; the unicorn’s mane and tail were a tangled mess of fluffy hair, curls flying every which-way and errant strands sticking out everywhere. A moment later, he was joined in his laughter by Stardust and Sapling, the three of them descending to the floor in fits of giggles.
“Seriously, Cirrus?” asked the irritated unicorn. “Are you out of your mind?”
“Oh, I am so sorry, Dream; I was trying to help you,” the blue pegasus insisted once his laughter had abated. He got to his feet. “So, you looking for me to help with the Summer Sun Celebration?”
“Yep,” Stardust answered. “We need you to go find your mom so she can clear the sky.”
“WHAT!?” shouted the eye-patched pony. “No! I’m the one in charge of that, not my Mom! She’s not the only one who can clear the sky in ten seconds flat, you know!”
“Really, Cirrus?” Dream asked skeptically. “You don’t have Rainbow Dash’s speed.”
“How fast can you actually fly, Thunderclap?” Sapling chipped in.
“And how are you going to prove it to us?” the purple pegasus smirked.
Cirrus puffed up his chest and jumped into the air.
“Prepare to have your minds blown, ladies!”
And, with that, he was off, streaking about the Ponyville sky, kicking clouds to pieces. He arched over buildings and swept away every whisp insight in the blink of an eye.
“WOOOOHOOO!!!!”” He shouted as he did so.
As Cirrus busted the final cloud, the weather was finally completely sunny, not a single shadow being cast and not a trace of cloud around.
“Ta-da!” he announced, gently coming to rest back on the ground. “Now, that’s how you do it!”
“Now that’s what I call 10 seconds flat!” a familiar voice called out from behind Cirrus.
The eye-patched pegasus turned around and saw to mares walking towards him, one with a distinctive rainbow-colored mane, and the other with flowing pink locks and a yellow coat.
“Oh! Hi, Mom! Hi, Mother!” Cirrus called back. “How’s business?”
“Well, Fluttershy’s been working with her bird choir doing voice warm-ups,” answered Rainbow Dash. “And, as captain of the Wonderbolts, I think I might need your help at the academy.”
“Oh, not again!” shouted Cirrus. “Why?! Why again?! I was just there!!” He paused. “Oh, and I just proved my speed to Dreamy, Star, and Sapling.”
“Huh?” Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy said in unison, neither of their attention on their son. Instead, they were more concerned over Sapling, who was, once more, stood stock still with her eyes wide and nub twitching and flexing.
She was being examined by both Stardust and Dream Mist, the former of which was waving her hoof in front of the apple-pony’s eyes.
“Is… uh… is she okay?” Rainbow Dash asked Stardust.
“Hmm… probably.”
Tentatively, Stardust reached out a hoof and lightly tapped Sapling on the left side of her body.
Suddenly, the three-legged pony tipped to the right and hit the ground with a slam.
“OW!” she shouted. “Stop messing with my ‘nerve freeze’!!!”
“Sorry!” the royal sisters chimed in unison.
It was then that Stardust truly registered the presence of Cirrus’ parents.
“Oh!” she said. “Hi, Rainbow, hi, Fluttershy.”
“Hey, gals!” the Wonderbolt responded, waving at them all.
“Hello,” Fluttershy smiled. “Did you all see our son clearing the sky at top speed?”
“Of course we did,” Dream answered, helping Sapling to her hooves and them trotting over to the little family. “Only after he messed up my mane, that is.”
“You have to admit, though; Cirrus is the best Wonderbolt on the team,” Sapling pointed out.
“Yeah, I guess we won’t need Rainbow Dash to clear the Ponyville sky anymore,” Stardust mused.
“Excuse me?”
The purple pegasus looked over to the elder Wonderbolt, only find her looking right back, a look of anger on her face and forelegs crossed.
“Uh… or maybe we will?”
Rainbow Dash smiled, then laughed.
“Heh, I’m just kidding, Starry,” she said, reaching out and ruffling the pegasus’ mane. “Now, C'mon, Cirrus; we got some work to do.”
“Aww, really?” Cirrus pouted.
“I know you don’t want to miss the celebration,” Fluttershy said, putting a hoof under her son’s chin and lifting it up, “but this is important, okay?”
“Alright,” the boy sighed. “I’ll see you around, girls.”
“Bye!” the three mares chorused ad Cirrus, and his parents flew away, waving until they were out of sight.
“Ugh, I hate it when Rainbow Dash tricks me like that,” Stardust shuddered. “Every time she does it, I think she’s serious.”
“Enough about that!” Dream all but shouted. “What am I going to do about my mane?!”
“Your mane can wait,” her sister told her. “We’ve got a job to finish first. Let’s head to the town hall to check out how the decorations are coming along.”
“Okay,” Dream sighed, dutifully trotting after the pegasus, Sapling hot on her heels.
Dream Mist huffed as she opened the door to the town hall, smiling at her sister and her friend when they followed her in. A moment later, the three mares stopped and stared in awe at the busy scene around them; the interior of the hall was filled with colorful ribbons, ornaments, and glitter, al artfully arranged so as they look spectacular, but not feel crowded. A sky-blue unicorn stood upon the stage, carefully arranging the curtains and making sure they weren’t torn or otherwise less than perfect, and a white unicorn was positioned nearby, browsing through a selection of ribbons.
Art by TillysImagination
“Wow!” Stardust and Sapling said in unison.
"Wow!” They all breathed in unison.
“The decorations,” Stardust continued, scanning the hall, “they look beautiful.”
Dream Mist opened her mouth to respond, but her attention was commandeered by the appearance of a rather frazzled pink pony.
“Hi, Mrs. Pie!” Dream beamed as Pinkie whipped her curly hair out of her face.
The party pony caught sight of the girls and waved at them all frantically.
“Ohmigosh! Dreamy, Starry, Apple! I’ve been in such a fritz today!” As she said this, she began lifting up various bows and examining them in a brisk fashion. “So! What brings you to the town hall?”
“Oh, we’re just checking on the preparations for the Summer Sun Celebration,” Sapling answered.
“It looks like you’re off to a great start!” Stardust complemented. “You’ve got the ornaments, ribbons, and other decorations, but where are the banners?”
“I don’t know!” Pinkie panicked. “Rarity was supposed to bring them, but I think she’s left them behind somewhere!”
“What?!” A voice called from the other side of the hall, the white unicorn dropping the ribbons she was considering and trotting over. “Pinkie Pie, those banners were your responsibility!”
“But I thought you were supposed to be in charge of them!” the earth pony responded defensively.
Art (in progress) by TillysImagination
“I know I’m not part of this,” the blue unicorn interrupted from the stage, “but, if you keep arguing about the banners, the town hall will never be finished, and it’ll be your fault.” She made a minor tweak to the curtains. “And, besides, I’ve already sent Moonbeam Thread to go look for them.”
Rarity sighed once she heard this.
“Oh, thank you, Trixie,” she breathed. “You really saved us there. Now,” she turned back to the girls, “what do you think of- Oh my stars!” the unicorn gasped and took a few backward steps. “Dream Mist, darling, what on earth happened to your coiffure?!”
“Hello to you, too, Rarity,” Dream deadpanned back. “And Cirrus happened.”
“Goodness, it looks atrocious,” the mare continued, completely ignoring what the younger unicorn had just said. “Completely improper for a princess. What would Twilight say? Here, let me fix you right up!”
Ribbons and a comb suddenly appeared, levitated to Rarity’s side.
“Ugh, now is not the time to sit around and brush Dream’s mane,” Stardust complained. “We have things to do!”
“Sometimes I can’t believe it; I’m moving past the feeling.”
A tranquil voice echoed from outside the town hall, effectively stopping the budding argument between Rarity and the royal sisters in its tracks. The twin doors swung open, and a white pegasus with purple and blue locks flew in, a cardboard box clutched in her hooves.
“Sometimes I can’t believe it; I’m moving past the feeling again,” she sang, placing the box on the floor and coming to land next to Rarity.
“Hi, Mother,” she greeted. “What’s with all the ruckus?”
“Moonbeam, sweetheart, I simply must attend to Dream Mist’s mane here; I cannot work with it distracting me with its ugliness.”
“Thanks,” Dream huffed, glaring at Rarity.
“Now, hold still, Dream!” Rarity announced. “I’m going to fix your mane.” She brandished the comb and advanced.
“Hold it” Moonbeam shouted, stopping her mother by lowering her hoof in slow motion. “Mother, allow me,” she continued gently, taking the comb from Rarity’s hoof. “You should carry on helping Mama and Pinkie set up the hall.”
Rarity sighed and relented. “Thank you, darling. And the banners?”
“They’re in the box,” the pegasus pointed.
As Rarity walked back toward where she’d discarded her decorating ribbons, Moonbeam Thread began to tidy up Dream’s mane.
“So, what brings you to town today?” she asked, running a brush through the unruly frizz. “We’ve been so busy today, but I still managed to scoop up some juicy gossip while we shopped for decorations if you’d like to hear it.”
“Sorry, Moonbeam, but Dream and I are pretty busy as well,” Stardust pointed out. “We’ve got the list out mother gave to us to finish completing.”
Moonbeam glanced behind her at the hall and then turned back to the three mares.
“Summer Sun Celebration?” she asked.
“Yup,” Sapling smiled. “And I’m helping out, too! The town hall looks so pretty with colorful decorations, Moonbeam! The colors are so… fancy!”
“Thanks, Sap.” Moonbeam’s voice was soft. “Hey, since we’re nearly all done here, how would you feel about me tagging along with you? Maybe I can help?”
Dream and Stardust looked at each other and nodded.
“Sure,” Dream said. “We’d love to have you!”
“Oh, thank you, my friends!” Moonbeam grinned, then she turned around and shouted across the hall. “Hey, Ma? Is it okay if I go help my friends with something?”
Trixie nodded approvingly, and then went back to decorating.
“Have fun, girls!” Pinkie called.
“Remember to be back in time for dinner, okay?” Rarity reminded her daughter. “We’re having your favourite!”
Moonbeam beamed and nodded, and then the group of fillies were off, grinning at each other as they left the building.