The foals were sitting around in Tender Taps's room, Flurry Heart still under Rumble’s care for now and enjoying every moment of it, much to Sweetie Belle's annoyance.
"I know you're a little annoyed Sweetie Belle, but look at the bright side," Tender Taps started saying. "Tomorrow's gonna be a big day, we'll finally be seeing that Festival that Twilight's been planning for so long."
"Maybe we'll finally see why she's been making a big deal out of everything," Scootaloo said.
"To be fair, Twilight makes a big deal out of a lot of things, she does seem to get excited a lot," Apple Bloom said.
"Somehow I feel like this is gonna be much different if she's bringing over so many important ponies, and non ponies too," Dinky said.
"It's going to be fun I bet," Rumble said, tickling Flurry's stomach with his wing. "Twilight knows how to make things really exciting."
"If only we knew a little bit more about this," Apple Bloom said, then eyed Tender Taps slyly. "Ah don't suppose a certain tap dancing pony might know."
Tender Taps's pupils shrank a bit, glancing to Apple Bloom with some worry and suspicion. She couldn't know could she?
"What makes you think she'd tell me?" Tender Taps asked, in an almost convincing manner.
"Well Twilight seems to like you a lot, she's letting you stay here at her castle, even her pupil likes you a lot, maybe she told you something," Apple Bloom said.
"Um...not really," Tender Taps said, looking away.
"Come on Tender Taps, you know you can trust me, ah won't tell Twilight what you said," Apple Bloom said, moving in closer and batting her eyes a bit.
Tender Taps looked around, hoping to find a distraction from the farmer filly. Thankfully he got that in the form of a knock on his door. "Come in!"
The door opened to reveal Spike, "Alright time for everypony to start going home."
"What!?" Apple Bloom asked. "Ah thought Twilight was gonna ask our sisters to let us stay!?"
"They said to go home, Twilight's already busy enough that she doesn't need to watch over five other foals," Spike said.
"Aw, we wanted to stay more though," Scootaloo said.
"Yeah, wasn't ready to go back yet," Babs said.
"Hey it's already late, it's a big day tomorrow, you all need your rest," Spike said.
"Don't treat us like little kids," Dinky said.
"I'm not trying to treat you like little kids, I'm just saying you should rest up for tomorrow," Spike said. "And Tender Taps, Starlight's calling for you, try going over to her as soon as possible."
"Sure thing, I'll start heading over right now," Tender Taps said and quickly rushed out the room, causing some confusion for Spike.
"He was sure eager, then again he really cares about Starlight. He's a nice colt, good brother for Starlight," Spike said, then turned to the Crusaders. "Come on, I'll be the one taking all of you home."
"I can walk Sweetie Belle home," Rumble said.
"That's fine, you can leave Flurry with me, I'll take her back to her parents," Spike said.
"Good idea!" Sweetie Belle said, grabbing Flurry with her magic and giving her to Spike before he was barely ready. "There you go!"
Flurry looked displeased and tried freeing herself from Spike, who did his best to hold on to her. "Sorry Flurry, you're staying with me."
Flurry wriggled a bit more before she started crying and trying to call out for Rumble.
"Flurry, don't cry!" Rumble said, trotting over to her. "I'll be right back, I just have to take Sweetie Belle home, it won't take too long, alright?"
Flurry calmed down once Rumble started stroking her mane in an affectionate manner.
"Dude, you're good at this," Spike said.
"The secret is love," Rumble said, getting an odd look from Spike. "What?"
Spike chuckled a bit, "It's nothing, I like your mindset Rumble, you're a really caring pony."
Rumble bashfully rubbed his head, "Thanks Spike, you're a cool dragon." He looked down to Flurry, "You behave for your Uncle Spike."
Flurry then puckered out her lips, similar to what she did before. Spike looked really confused when he saw that, "Is she trying to kiss you?"
"Yeah, she saw me and Sweetie Belle kissing before, now I think she wants to do that type of kissing," Rumble said, then kissed Flurry on the cheek. "But you're a little too young for that."
Flurry pouted as Rumble trotted off with Sweetie Belle. Spike gestured the others to follow, "I'm going to take Flurry to her parents and then I'm taking each of you home."
"Fine by us, lead the way Spike," Apple Bloom said, reluctantly following Spike with her friends.
In another hallway, Tender Taps is seen rushing through the castle, thankful that he got out that conversation with Apple Bloom. He also knows she's about to go home so they can just wait until tomorrow and find out then.
He arrived at Starlight's room, the mare seen reading up on some old spell books from Starswirl the Bearded. "Hey, Starlight."
Starlight turned to Tender Taps, looking really happy to see him, "Tender Taps, good to see you." She placed the book down and approached the young colt for a hug. "Thanks for stopping by, there's something I wanted to talk about with you."
"With me? What is it?" Tender Taps asked.
Starlight lowered herself down to Tender Taps's eye level. "Tomorrow's going to be such a big day for you, for all of your friends. I think I know what Twilight has planned for you, she actually gave me a little more detail while you were with your friends. I won't say much, but I also want you to know that you always have a choice."
"Huh? A choice?" Tender Taps asked.
"Truth be told, I'm almost worried that Twilight's going to overwhelm you with something, she's going to make a big deal out of you and your friends, so I just want you to know that if you do dele overwhelmed, don't be shy in telling Twilight your feelings, alright?" Starlight said.
Tender Taps nodded reassuringly, even though he was a little confused. Though it seems like Starlight might know the real reason behind this Festival, which further reaffirms what Twilight told him, not that he had any reason not to believe her. "Ok Starlight."
Starlight then kissed Tender Taps on the forehead, smiling down afterwards as she affectionately rubbed his mane. "You're a great colt, I know all of Equestria is gonna know how special you are someday."
"Yeah, just like you are," Tender Taps said, surprising Starlight with a kiss of his own to her cheek.
"Oh my Tender Taps," Starlight said, rubbing her cheek. "That was a little bold of you."
Tender Taps chuckled nervously, "Yeah, maybe Rumble's rubbing off on me. Even if he's been trying to act tough, he still shows his sensitive side and is confident enough in himself to show it whenever."
"I'm glad to hear that. Oh, and by the way, I think Twilight wants to see you," Starlight said.
"No surprise there, she seems to like spending time with me whenever possible," Tender Taps said.
"Can you blame her? You're so charming to be around," Starlight said, rubbing his mane.
"I like being around her too, and you, even Trixie," Tender Taps said
"Yes, unfortunately you're probably the only one of your group of friends that seem to tolerate Trixie, not that I entirely blame them. I just want everypony to get along and be friends," Starlight said.
"I'm sure they care deep down, if any of us needed help I'm confident Trixie would be there to help us, and I'm sure the others think that as well," Tender Taps said.
"I'm confident she would help, she was willing to help when you all got captured by Chrysalis," Starlight said.
"Exactly, anyway I'll let you get back to your book, looks like you were really into it," Tender Taps said.
"Oh yeah, it's a book from Starswirl, hard to read at times though," Starlight said.
"I don't think I could read it at all," Tender Taps said. "It's so...old."
"Well it was from several millennia ago, so it's to be expected," Starlight said.
"Guess so, anyway goodnight, I'm off to see Twilight," Tender Taps said and trotted off with Starlight waving bye.
In another part of the castle, Starlight's friends were in Sugar Belle's room, discussing everything they've done that day.
"Flying around with Rainbow Dash was better than I thought," Night Glider said. "I can see why ponies think so highly of her."
"I loved baking with the Apples, in fact Sugar Cube Corner is such a delightful place to be at," Sugar Belle said.
"On another note, tomorrow we'll finally find out what this Festival is all about," Party Favor said.
"I think I have an idea of what it might be about," Double Diamond said, getting the interest of his friends.
"Really? What? Tell us," Sugar Belle said.
"Yeah, we wanna know!" Night Glider said.
"Now I'm not too sure, this is only a guess but, I think this has to do with the foals that Twilight always tends to," Double Diamond said.
"That so?" Sugar Belle asked. "I guess that makes sense, but for what exactly?"
"I don't know those details," Double Diamond said. "But it sounds like it is for them, she keeps talking about wanting to show off how special they are."
"Sounds curious, but sweet," Sugar Belle said.
"Lucky foals, getting this much attention from a Princess," Party Favor said. "But we shouldn't be too surprised I guess, we already know how much Twilight and her friends value them."
"True, plus three of them are little sisters to three of her closest friends," Night Glider said. "Then you got one of their coltfriends, that coltfriend's best friend and a pony that Starlight loves like a little brother."
"It does have me thinking of something else though," Double Diamond said. "The fact that there's six of them getting this much attention, it's like she's preparing them for something huge."
"Huge as in how?" Party Favor asked.
"Like Elements huge?" Night Glider asked.
"Or even like the Princesses?" Sugar Belle asked.
"Something like that, just the way she's been giving those foals so much attention, there's got to be a big reason for it," Double Diamond said.
"Maybe they're gonna become apprentices?" Sugar Belle suggested. "Though they seem so young, are they even ready for that?"
"Didn't Princess Twilight start off young as Celestia's pupil?" Party Favor said. "I think that's what I heard from Starlight."
"Spike's gotten a lot pretty young too I think," Double Diamond said. "Even if he's not as young as those foals, it's still something."
"I still hope Twilight at least waits for them to be older before doing anything too grand," Sugar Belle said.
"I don't think she or the others are stepping down anything soon," Night Glider said. "So there's not much to worry about."
"I think you're right," Party Favor said. "Anyway it's starting to get late, so I'm gonna get ready for bed."
"Same here," Night Glider said. "Flying around all day can be a bit exhausting."
"Hope you all have a good night, and may Luna grant you pleasant dreams," Sugar Belle said.
They each left Sugar Belle's room, Party Favor trotting next door while Double Diamond and Night Glider went across the hall.
"We're finally going to see what tomorrow's about," Night Glider said. "Maybe what you said is accurate, it might be about those foals."
"I am curious to see if what I said is true," Double Diamond said. "That would mean we helped bring attention to the next important ponies of Equestria."
"Well we already saved Twilight and her friends once, though if it weren't for them, we'd be stuck at Starlight's village, and she herself would still be evil," Night Glider said.
"We do owe quite a lot to those ponies for helping all of us, so I'm happy to help them when I can, plus those foals are really nice," Double Diamond said.
"I just wish we could spend a little more time with them, hopefully we can do that tomorrow," Night Glider said. "They just make fun little brothers and sisters."
"Maybe we can borrow Rumble and Scootaloo, I'm sure Sugar Belle would want Tender Taps and Party Favor wants Apple Bloom," Double Diamond said.
"Yeah, two of us, taking care of two foals, almost like parents," Night Glider said, before realizing what she said, blushing a bit. "Um...maybe not exactly but..."
Double Diamond also blushed a bit, "It's not a bad idea honestly, I mean I'm sure you'd make a great mom, you're already a really nice mare, and a great friend to have."
Night Glider felt at ease, smiling a bit. "Thanks, you'd make a great dad yourself. You're so fun too, I love seeing you ski, especially when I get to help with an Air Drop."
"That's the best, we make such a great team you and I," Double Diamond said, the two chuckling a bit, then looking into each other's eyes. "Wow, never realized how pretty your eyes looked, almost like two small gems."
"Yeah, you have strong but sensitive eyes, and your mane looks amazingly awesome," Night Glider said.
"It's nothing compared to yours, so wild and free, kind of like your spirit," Double Diamond said.
"Well, being near you helps me feel that way, it makes me feel happy," Night Glider said.
The two became completely enamored with one another, though spending so much time as friends, they feel like they really got a good look at each other, and they both liked it. The two moved in closer, until they connected, a nice enjoyable kiss shared between the two. Though only lasting a few seconds, it felt like such a long, happy time together.
They each broke away, still blushing afterwards. They both really enjoyed themselves, they still wanted to do a little more together.
"Hey...if you want, you can come into my room for a little bit, maybe discuss our feelings or something?" Double Diamond suggested.
"Discuss our feelings? Kind of a dorky thing to say," Night Glider said, much to Double Diamond's disappointment. He felt his spirits lift when Night Glider stroked his mane. "But I think it's a great idea, just to at least spend some time with you."
Double Diamond felt happier and went into his room with Night Glider following.
Minutes later, Tender Taps was walking down the hall where the village friends lived, trying to find Twilight's room.
"I'm really going to need a map of this place, it's like no matter how many times I come I still can barely find my way around. This castle looks bigger inside than it does outside, how is that even possible? Twilight's magic?" Tender Taps wondered. "Wait why would she cast a spell like that, it honestly doesn't make sense." Tender Taps shook his head, "Not worth getting a headache over, for now I just need to find my way around and-"
Tender Taps then heard something, something he wasn't too familiar with. He listened more and it sounded like two of the village ponies, they seemed to be mumbling something.
"Is that...what's his name again? Double Diamond and...Night Flyer? No Glider..." Tender Taps blushed a bit. "Can't believe I forgot their names, and they were so nice to me. At least I remember Sugar Belle, she's cute, I really love her mane, and her smile." Tender Taps continued to listen, it sounded like the two were really enjoying themselves. "Wonder what they're doing, they sound so...happy." He let out a gasp, "Wait, it almost sounds like they're in love or something...do they like each other? Are each of them a couple?"
He trotted down further, he could hear Night Glider's happy voice, he even heard her say, "I love you."
"They are in love!" Tender Taps said, then spoke hushed, not wanting to alert them to his presence. He figured they wouldn't be too happy to know he could hear them. "This is great, I'm so happy for them."
He saw that the door was slightly opened, he knew he shouldn't peep but he was so curious. He hardly got to see how older ponies look when they're really in love with one another, maybe this was his chance to learn and become more mature as colt.
"I can't wait to see, I can use this to further my relationship with Twili-I mean Apple Bloom!" Tender Taps blushed. "I...don't like Twilight that way."
He went to the door to peek inside, wanting to see what the two were doing, guessing they were at the very least making out. Though as he looked inside, his jaw dropped and his eyes widened. He slowly started to back away, many thoughts running through his head, then trotted away quickly, really wanting to make sure the others didn't know about his presence.
"What were they...wait is that...no, are they really...but, wait how long have they've been...I don't even..." Tender Taps just kept walking, making his way into another hallway.
Tender Taps continued walking while still thinking over what he had just seen. This wasn't something he was familiar with, though something he had an idea of. He just never thought he'd see it up close. "Is that what you do when you're in love...when you really like a pony? I mean, what does that even-"
"Tappy!" Tender Taps jumped at the sound of his nickname. He looked to see Twilight standing there sheepishly. "Sorry, did I startle you honey?"
"N-no I'm fine!" Tender Taps said, though his actions said otherwise.
"Oh, well I just wanted to come by and find you. I know navigating through this castle is a chore, I figured it'd be easier to come get you," Twilight said, then looked curiously at him. "Um, are you feeling ok? You look a little spooked?"
"Huh? No, I'm not spooked, I'm fine see?" Tender Taps said, forcing a smile.
Twilight sighed, "I know I startled you Tappy, you don't need to fake it for me, I just got excited to see you. It's your last night here so I wanted to spend a little time with you."
"That's great, I love spending time with you, you're my favorite Princess after all," Tender Taps said.
"Aw, you're so sweet," Twilight said, then gestured to her room. "Come on."
Tender Taps started to follow Twilight, still thinking over what he had just seen. He wanted to talk to Twilight about it, but was nervous on how she would react. She might be unhappy to know that he had peeped at a couple of ponies.
Twilight looked to Tender Taps and knew something was on his mind. She was sure it wasn't because she startled him, he wouldn't dread that long, it really wouldn't have even bothered him much in the first place. Maybe she could get him to talk when they got to her room.
Elsewhere in the castle, Spike had just taken Flurry to Cadance's room, despite her continued protests.
"Come on Flurry, you can see Rumble tomorrow," Spike said.
Flurry wouldn't have it, she continued trying to resist, then felt a familiar magical aura surround her. Both she and Spike turned to see Princess Cadance.
"Looks like she's a little cranky," Cadance said.
"She wants to be with Rumble, but he went to take Sweetie Belle home, I figured I could bring her here but she put up quite a fight," Spike said.
"It's to be expected, she's just very overexcited," Cadance said. "I'll get her to bed."
"Thanks Cadance," Spike said, very relived. "I'm going to sleep myself, escorting Ember and Thorax can be tiring."
"I can imagine, goodnight Spike," Cadance said, bringing Flurry to her crib.
"Goodnight," Spike said, leaving while rubbing his eyes.
Cadance placed Flurry in her crib and soothed her a bit, "I know you want to see Rumble, but it's late. You can play with him tomorrow, from the moment you close your eyes, to the moment you open them again, that's when you and Rumble can be together again, alright?"
Flurry sighed reluctantly, then closed her eyes as her mother suggested, figuring she could try her idea.
"That's a good girl, goodnight Flurry," Cadance said, kissing Flurry on the cheek before leaving the room.
Flurry continued to sleep, or attempt to. However she found herself with her eyes open again, feeling really irritated. She couldn't fall asleep, she still wanted to play. She got up, about to call out to her mom when she noticed the nearby window. Flurry eyed the window a bit, before flashing a sly grin, the little filly had a crafty idea.
Outside the castle, Rumble is getting Sweetie Belle closer to Rarity's home, nearly exhausted and could not wait to go back to the castle and rest.
"Thanks for walking home with me Rumbly, it's nice to be back to just us," Sweetie Belle said.
"Yeah, while I do like being with Flurry, it can be a bit exhausting to constantly give her attention," Rumble said. "Of course I can't help but give her attention, she's too adorable."
"I bet our baby will be even more adorable," Sweetie Belle said.
"I really don't want to compare, all babies are adorable in their own way," Rumble said. "But I'm sure our baby will be very adorable."
"One day, we'll have a family of our own, I'm sure of it," Sweetie Belle said, affectionately nuzzling Rumble.
"Me too," Rumble said, returning the nuzzle.
The two continued to walk, enjoying the peace and quiet of Equestria's night.
"Such a beautiful Night sky, I hope the ponies appreciate Princess Luna's night," Sweetie Belle said.
"I'm sure they do, I just hope she knows that," Rumble said.
"Well we can let her know tomorrow if you'd like, I think she's coming to Twilight's Festival, I don't see why she wouldn't," Sweetie Belle said.
"I just want to see what it's all about, just one more night I guess," Rumble said.
"It'll be fun I'm sure, especially if I'm with you," Sweetie Belle said.
"Well I might have to watch over Flurry some more, unless her mom figures one day's enough, but I'm sure we'll have some time together," Rumble said.
Sweetie Belle sighed, "I gotta be honest, when I heard you were gonna watch over Flurry, it actually started to worry me."
"Huh? Why would it worry you?" Rumble asked.
Sweetie Belle bit her lip slightly, "Because Rumble, you were gonna get such a huge responsibility, I mean toddler or not, Flurry's still a Princess, I was worried it meant that if you did a great enough job, they would want you to permanently watch over Flurry, and to always take care of her. Then you'd move to The Crystal Empire, become her actual knight, then as you grow older you two develop feelings for each other and get married, leaving me all by myself with nopony to love."
Rumble looked at Sweetie Belle with such amazement, that was some imagination she had. " Sweetie Belle that's really silly. First Sweetie Belle, I would never leave you, especially now. I'm not ready to move to an Empire, even if it meant something big for me. Second I like Flurry but I don't see myself marrying her, she's way too young to think about in that way. Third, you know I love you, so it would take a whole lot for me to even think about another filly that way, even Flurry. She's more like an adorable little sister to me."
Sweetie Belle chuckled a bit, blushing as she did so, "Maybe it was silly, I'm sorry for getting worried over nothing. I'm just afraid that I'm going to lose you as a coltfriend sometimes. Remember our relationship almost didn't happen."
"But it did, and that's what matters to me," Rumble said. "I mean you were never meant to fall in love with me, and I made it happen, so I must have done something right."
"Yeah, you're right about that," Sweetie Belle said. "You're just so charming after all."
The two finally arrived at the Boutique, "Here we are, I'll see you tomorrow Sweetie Belle."
"Yeah, see you my sweet Rumble," Sweetie Belle said. The two shared a goodnight kiss together, though as Rumble broke away, Sweetie Belle pulled him back in for an even bigger and deeper kiss, much to Rumble's surprise. Sweetie Belle had this type of affection contained all day, and withheld it due to Rumble taking care of Flurry. Now that they're alone, she's making the most of it and reminding Rumble what he means to her.
Sweetie Belle broke away after a few seconds, the two panting a lot, big blushes on their faces. Rumble then decided he wanted to take the lead and planted a third kiss on his marefriend, getting as deep as possible, even standing them both up on their hind legs as he hugged her close, using the door behind them to keep from falling over. Rumble wanted Sweetie Belle to feel loved, and wanted to show her her that he never wants to let her go. Rumble fondly remembers the night they officially made themselves a couple, that's a night he would never trade for anything.
Soon he broke away from her, the two again panting and smiling, still standing on their hind legs with Sweetie Belle resting against the door. Rumble affectionately stroked her face, moving her hair away from eyes, the moonlight giving them a lovely glow. "You're so beautiful Sweetie Belle, thank you for letting me be your coltfriend, and for being the only filly that I'll love for all of my life. Aside from being a Wonderbolt, my one goal for when I grow up, is to be your husband and make you my wife. We may still be young, but I'm confident that's in our future."
Sweetie Belle looked aside, smiling bashfully through her big blush. "I look forward to that. I love you Rumble."
"I love you too Sweetie Belle," Rumble said, giving her one final kiss, this time a more gentle kiss compared to their move desperate show of affection seconds prior.
Rumble started making his way back to the castle as Sweetie Belle moved her mane again, "He really makes a filly feel special, I almost can't blame Flurry for wanting that, even at her young age. Heh, he's all mine though, and I'm not sharing." Sweetie Belle went inside the Boutique, ready for tomorrow
Rumble was still trotting towards the castle, ready to get into bed and have a nice sleep. He was gonna make the Festival special, in his own way with Sweetie Belle. Though as he walked, he noticed something coming in the distance.
"Huh? Is somepony there?" Rumble asked. He squinted his eyes to see something small and pink. "Wait, is that...?"
"Wumble!"
Rumble suddenly felt something small fly into him, something he instinctively grabbed in his forelegs. He looked down to see Flurry's smiling face.
"Flurry!?"
Flurry giggled a bit, "Wumble!"
"Flurry Heart, are you out of your mind? You can't be out this late!" Rumble scolded.
Flurry looked a little sad at Rumble's scolding, she looked up at him with her big round eyes, "Wumble..."
Rumble couldn't stay mad, even if he was still annoyed, "Don't look at me like that Flurry, you know you shouldn't be out here, you should be back at home."
Flurry nuzzled against his cheek, "Love Wumble."
Rumble felt his heart melt, "Flurry...I love you too, that's why I want you sleeping soundly at the castle, alright?" Flurry looked up at Rumble, then puckered out her lips, much to Rumble's annoyance. "Flurry I love you, but not that way, I have a marefriend...not sure if you really know what that is but I can't kiss you."
Flurry pouted, "Kissy! Kissy!" She puckered her lips again, much to Rumble's annoyance.
"No Flurry, no kissing, alright? Now let's go back-" Suddenly Rumble heard a weird sounding tune. "Back..."
Both Rumble and Flurry started to fall into a trance and began trotting towards the direction of the tune. It sounded almost like angelic humming, a symphony of beauty which caught their ears and placed them through whirlwinds of pleasant auras.
Rumble continued to trot through Ponyville with Flurry following by flight, getting closer to the edge and finally leaving the town, continuing to follow the angelic humming.
They followed the tune for what felt like mere minutes but was actually almost a half an hour until it eventually stopped, both foals shaking their head in confusion.
"Hey, where did that pretty sound go?" Rumble asked, before noticing a figure standing before him. He looked up with terrified eyes as he gazed upon this mysterious figure. "Oh no..."
The figure was Chrysalis, the once Queen of the Changelings was looking down at Rumble with a sinister smile. "So nice to see you, Rumble was your name, correct?"
Rumble took a step back, still looking terrified, then noticed that Flurry Heart was right next to him, also just as terrified. Wanting to be brave for her, Rumble stared down at the fallen Queen. "You don't scare me!"
"Aw, how cute," a nearby voice said. "Somepony's trying to be brave."
Rumble looked around, "Who said that?" He quickly lifted Flurry onto his back as he got in a defensive stance. "Show yourself! Now!"
"I'm right behind you," Rumble heard, causing him to turn and leap away, looking up at the mysterious new pony.
"Who are you?" Rumble asked.
Suddenly two more ponies appeared beside the new pony as she began to speak, "I'm Adagio Dazzle. These are my friends, Aria Blaze and Sonata Dusk. We do hope you enjoyed that little song we just sang, it was specifically for you to enjoy, and your little guest."
Rumble looked around and saw some unreformed Changelings surrounding him, the poor colt looking unsure by the moment. "This can't be good."
More trouble was about to happen, Rumble would have to protect Flurry Heart by himself.