Twilight Gets a Puppy
Season 2
By TDR
Clowder appreciation day
[Ponyville School house.]
(okay seriously this thing still doesn't have a name, I'm gonna call it Charlie)
Cheerilee rubbed her temples with her hooves. This was expected yet at the same time so much more annoying that she had predicted.
“Okay, seriously why am I here again?” Rainbow Dash asked rather confused at the invitation she had gotten to attend. ”I'm an only child.”
Spike grinned and started telling a story, one a few of them had heard before revolving around how the mane six got their cutie marks, and how a sonic Rainboom had aided in hatching a particular dragon.
Rainbow Dash was confused for a few more moments before catching on as Spike reached the end of the tale, slapping both her hooves against her face as she realized where this was going.
“Spike, I told you before that just because I made the Rainboom that caused Twilight to have a magic surge, I am not your father.” Rainbow Dash groaned.
“Why must you spurn my love daddy?” Spike asked trying to look at Dash as cute as he could, the effect mostly ruined by his attempts not to laugh and several foals failures at not laughing.
“GAH stop that......” Dash yelped, flipping up into the air as Spike tried to grab her in a hug before failing to keep a straight face and collapsing into laughter himself.” Seriously that's super annoying....the fact Rahs calls me 'papa' makes him a whole lot less hot too.”
“I know … that's why Twilight told us to keep doing it.” Spike cackled.
“Seriously dude you wasted your bet win to get me here on this joke again?” Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes.
“I can't help it, the set up for family appreciation day was too perfect.” Spike laughed.
“Thank you for your time Miss Dash … Spike if you don't have an actual report I'm going to have to fail you on this. As it is I'm already going to have to mark you down a few points for turning this into a joke.” Cheerilee stated from her desk. Spike was a model student most of the time and one of the top ranked in her class. Unfortunately he could also be horribly distracting if he lost his focus, or focused on the wrong thing like in this case.
“Sorry, but like I said, I couldn't resist. Nah Shining's in the hall.” Spike coughed trying to catch his breath.” Hey Shining .. Come on in.”
The door opened and a well muscled white unicorn stallion in the gold armor of the Royal Guard stepped in.
The effect was immediate. Rainbow Dash stopped complaining and took a seat, as did a number of other mothers and older sisters that came to the presentation. A number of young fillies suddenly realized that perhaps colts were not as icky as they first thought as well as a colt or two. Most were just impressed with the gleam of the armor and how cool the Guard looked.
Spike however noticed a pink alicorn staring in the window, her nostrils flaring and fogging the window as she glared angrily at the collection of mares who were now drooling over her colt friend. Spike grinned, this was almost going to be as good as the joke with Rainbow Dash.
Miss. Cheerilee seemed unimpressed with the stallion coming in and her attention focused on Spike.
“I must say this is a bit unexpected Spike. Twilight told me she was planning to come to this to talk about her time as Princess Celestia's student.” Cheerilee offered.
“Yeah, Shining agreed at the last minute when Twi had to cancel.” Spike shrugged.
“Oh so I was second choice huh little brother?” Shining smirked.
“Much further down the list than that. Bleu was first cause she supposedly knows my real parents But Miss Cheerilee said a full grown dragon wasn't acceptable and she never responded to my letter any way. Mom Was next but she wouldn't have been able to talk about who's books she actually works as an editor for. Dad was an idea too but he gets kinda long winded when talking about the constellations and he's had a few break downs as Princess Luna started messing with the constellations, particularly the new, 'Solar booty' constellation taking up most of the eastern sky since the gala. Twilight insisted she be next but that fell through.” Spike listed.
“Ouch.” Shining flattened his ears.
“Hey you beat out Rahs. He was going to set up a one dog show of Death of a Salespony.” Spike rolled his eyes.” And trust me no pony wants that.”
“Okay point in your favor for that one. So where are they any way.” Shining asked.
“Weeeelllllll...” Spike trailed off as both he and Applebloom winced at the question.
[Sweet Apple acres.]
“HE'S OUT OF THE ROPES, MAC GO LEFT!!!” Applejack shouted.
“Eeyup” mac shouted back as the large stallion thundered down the path before he veered off to the side running along the row of trees.
“Dang it, Twilight hurry up with those spells!” Applejack shouted.
“I'm casting as fast as I can, but he's shrugging off everything I do.” Twilight cursed, her horn glowing brightly as she cast tangle foot, binding, slow, and every other debuff spell she could on her self forcing the effects onto Rahs. “ When did that fat ass learn to run like that?”
“BORK!” Rahs shouted back at the insult.
“ MY FLANK IS FINE AS IT IS, THANK YOU VERY MUCH!” Twilight shouted back.
Rahs burst from the tree line as he zeroed in on his target. A quick whirl to the left along with a drop slipped him under Fluttershy as she tried to surprise tackle him with a fly by. A twirl in the other direction dodged a grab from Pinkie Pie without slowing his momentum. Big Mac burst from the trees only for Rahs to grab his mane and force the large stallions head down as he ran up the back of his neck and used him like a spring board to leap into the air sending the massive farmer to crash into Pinkie Pie.
His claws outstretched as he soared towards a fully laden Zapp apple tree with a manic grin on his face and a hungry gleam in his eyes.
His majestic leap into the air place his claws just within reach of a ripe Zapp apple, his claws brushing the fruit before something tightened on his tail and with a sharp yank and a yelp from the Moon Dog as he was pulled bodily away from his prizes. He hit the ground hard and Applejack quickly went to work tying the Moon Dog up again, including a muzzle of rope this time.
“Fer crying aloud if'n ah knew letting you eat one of them woulda come to this I'd ah never given it too yah!” Applejack growled glaring down at Rahs. Now quick afore he gets out again lets get going Mac, Pinkie Pie, Twilight, keep an eye on him, Shy keep keeping them critters away, lets go go go!”
[Ponyville School House. Charlie.]
“There's quite a lot of training involved, both physical and mental, and it's not easy, but if you're still interested when you grow up Pipsqueak, the Royal Guard is always happy to have new recruits.” Shining Armor concluded.” Are there any other questions....., any other questions that do not pertain to my relationship status?”
Shining armor's eyes narrowed as nearly every older mare in the room lowered their hooves. Seeing there were no more foals asking questions, Shining Armor looked back to Spike and Cheerilee.
“Alright, well thank you for listening and having me here, but duty calls and I need to be getting back to Canterlot.” Shining smirked putting his helmet back on offering a last wave to the class, ignoring the one mare who swooned as he stepped out.
“well . At least that one was interesting.” Diamond Tiara rolled her eyes. In that it didn't put me to sleep.”
“Um right....” Silver Spoon added trying to hide the flush to her cheeks.
“Was a lot better than listening to your dad go on about marketing trends for twenty minutes.” Scootaloo grumbled.
“That's just because you have no head for business and are just going to be a dodo the rest of your life.” Diamond Tiara retorted.
“Alright then , next up is Applebloom and Mrs Granny Smith.”Cheerilee announced.
“Howdy Miss Cheerilee.”Granny smirked as she hobbled in.” Gotta say yah had right perfect timing going with this invite this year. Zapp apple season's started again on an odd note too, didn't hear no howling this year. Still might be Zapp Apple season, but ah sure dun wanna be out there right now dealing with it.”
Spike and Applebloom both winced again.
[ Sweet Apple Acres]
“That varmint chewed up mai rope!!” Applejack shouted. “ Twilight how'd you let him git away?”
“Well, we got an hours worth of work out of it.” Twilight sighed. ”And you called me over to identify some bugs you found to make sure they weren't weevils.
“Well?”
“The lesser of the two is the greater weevil.” Twilight sighed.” Not sure they go after apples though, but your cabbage is doomed.”
“Ah don't grow cabbage.” Applejack muttered.
“See doomed.” Twilight dead panned.
“My cabbages!!” shouted a voice in the far distance.
“If'n you two are done we need tah catch Rahs.” Big Mac grumbled.
“Ah ain't worried bout him, Shy's got um.”Applejack offered getting an odd look from Big Mac, though a loud roar made him drop his wheat stalk and whirl about.
The trio looked over to see a large manticore sitting in the middle of the field, with Fluttershy cooing at him and petting his muzzle.
Underneath of it was one navy blue furred arm sticking out from under the large creature's rump clawing at the ground twitching. It's owner squished under the larger beasts bulk.
[ Charlie. Ponyville School House]
“So if it wasn't for your family, there wouldn't even be a Ponyville?” Scootaloo asked as Granny Smith nodded getting a number of mutters from the students.
“Ridiculous. She's just a kooky old mare.” Diamond Tiara ranted as some of the crowd gasped.” Just about all of that sounds ridiculous and made up!”
“While she is indeed as you say , a kooky old mare, her story is correct. Or at least that's what Tia has told me.” stated a booming voice.
All heads whipped to the door as a new figure strode in. The dark blue furred mare stood a head taller than every one else in the room, her blue flowing mane be speckled with points of light resembling stars.
Princess Luna, Goddess of the Night, Dreams,the Moon, and coffee... well she was trying very hard to add that last one to her portfolio, but no luck so far, strode into the room.
There was a bit of a panicked shriek as nearly every one in the room dropped into a bow for her, save the four crusaders, Rainbow Dash, and Granny Smith, who just cackled at the entrance.
“No please rise.” Luna sighed glancing back to her two Guards at the door, pity she had skipped ahead to interrupt a neighsayer rather than go with the metal entrance she had planned. Cheerilee and the parents were probably thrilled at that.
“Umm Princess Luna.... what brings you here today?” Cheerilee asked slowly lifting her head.
“Meeeeeeeeee!” Sweetiebelle cheered hopping out of her desk and pronking around the much larger Lunar diarch. “ You came you came!!”
“Indeed, thee asked us too so we came. T'would not be proper to disappoint our little sister.” Luna smiled as Sweetiebelle squeed.
“OH COME ON!” Diamond Tiara shouted before getting shushed back into her seat by Mrs. Cheerilee.
Luna smiled as every pony got settled back into their seats and Sweetiebelle started explaining how the pair of them became sisters. Luna's ears perked as she heard the gnashing of teeth over Sweetiebelle's tale. Glancing to the window she saw a white unicorn with a purple mane pressed against the glass glaring at her.
Princess Luna simply smiled as Rarity fumed.
[Sweet Apple Acres.]
Rahs leaned out a little his eyes narrowed as he peered around the edge of the large tree he was behind. He had left his coat under Manny the Manticore hen he slipped out so Twilight and Fluttershy still thought he was trapped.
Applejack and Big Mac were currently rushing around and picking Zapp Apples. Pinkie Pie had declared her frog was squishy and rushed off to get something, vanishing like a shot and he hadn't seen her since.
He had slipped around the grove making his way to the area the others hadn't gotten to yet. A few rows of trees and a lone Zapp Apple tree just at the edge of the orchard. If he could get up into that with no pony noticing he could claim everything in the tree as his before they even got to it.
Creeping around the out side using the shadows as concealment Rahs made it to the base of the tree. Another glance about showed no one near and he quickly scampered up the tall tree vanishing into the foliage.
Grinning at his success he quickly grabbed on of the Zapp Apples in the tree shoving the whole thing in his mouth and biting down on the delicious.....
Rahs' eyes widened as he nearly choked . He quickly coughed and gagged spitting out the half chewed Zapp Apple gagging and trying to wipe off his tongue with a paw.
He snatched up a large chunk of the apple from his lap , squishing it between his paws as he smelled it and growled.
“WAX!?!?!”
“Hey Rahsy!” Pinkie Pie chimed poking her head out of a thick covering of leaves.” How do you like my paint job?”
Rahs blinked staring at the mare as she pulled back into the foliage and reappeared on the ground hopping out from behind the tree with a bucket of rainbow paint on her back.
“Getting a squishy frog means my pinkie sense is telling me some ones trying to be sneaky. So I had to be sneakier to be the sneakiest! So I came over here and put a bunch of wax apples in the tree and painted them to lure you over here. The tree had to be far enough from the orchard to be singled out, but not far enough to make you wonder. Luckily that old pecan tree was perfect.”
“Woof!”
“MM I dunno. It's a good trick. I mean not only did you not get any Zapp Apples, but now you're stuck up a tree without a ladder.” Pinkie Pie grinned. “ See yah”
Rahs blinked as Pinkie Pie pronked off. He looked around a moment realizing how high in the tree he was and growled.
“BORK!!”
[Ponyville School House. Charlie. Ponyville school house, Charlie (sounds of a slap fight ensue)]
“ No, No... thee must have it come from down here in thine chest. Like this. “ Princess Luna offered. “ GREETINGS OUR SUBJECTS!!”
The boom of the royal Canterlot Voice rattled the windows and shook the school house. Several of the parents and older ponies slapped their hooves over their ears again or were bowled over completely.
The foals loved it however.
Miss. Cheerilee had given up trying to stop the Princess and was currently grading papers at her desk with a large pair of ear muffs on to deaden the sound.
“Now try again.” Luna smiled.
The resulting roar of the students response again shook the building and made the windows rattle.
“Very good it's sounds as if some of thee are getting it. Keep at it an thou shall have the voice perfected in no time.”Princess Luna smiled hearing the collection of groans from the gathered parents in the back.
“Well thank you for that very … loud.... story princess. After what we experienced a few months ago it's nice knowing that Discord has been beaten twice despite his abilities.” Miss Cheerilee added.” Perhaps we should take a short break to get our hearing back before we finish up all the reports.
There was a general mumble of agreement as the foals all pretty much burst from their seats clustering around Princess Luna asking all sorts of random questions.
“Heh this is gonna be awesome. I can't wait to try this out on App....... Fireball... yeah that's who I meant.” Rainbow Dash muttered her ears drooping a bit.
“ Well hello there Rainbow... ain't seen you about fer a bit. My trees to appreciate their branches not gitting slept in , but it's still odd not tah see yah about.” Granny Smith asked as she sauntered up.
“Yeah...... sorry there's a.... thing...... “ Dash muttered.
“Well ah spect tah see yah afore too long. Cider seasons coming soon, And we were gonna try tah make some Zapp apple cider again after tha season. We got tha still rebuilt and reinforced after last years explosion.”Granny smirked proudly getting a wince from Dash.
“Yeah well I'll see if I have the time... I kinda gotta go now.....”Dash frowned being made rather uncomfortable by the old mares questions.” Work and all that.”
Granny Smith watched the pegasus mare dart out the window ignoring Cheerilee yelling at her to use the door.
“Hey Granny.” Applebloom trotted up with the other crusaders and Spike.” Where'd Rainbow Dash go?
“She said back tah work... though ah spect it's more tah mull over why she's angry and if her prides worth more than our cider. All these youngings is hard headed now.” Granny smirked.
“Awwww I wanted her to watch my presentation.” Scootaloo pouted.
“Maybe next time Scootaloo. Rainbow Dash is pretty busy.” Spike shrugged.
“Alright everyone return to your seats, Scootaloo you're up.” Cheerilee called as the foals scrambled to their seats.
“Well at least this will be dull enough, she probably just brought her aunt to talk about the weather again.” Diamond Tiara muttered under her breath.
As every one was settled Scootaloo pulled a poster out of her bag before glancing to the door with a small smile. “Well, I want to introduce my mom...”
Scootaloo unrolled the poster showing large image of one of the Wonderbolts show ads on it.
“Spitfire of the Wonderbolts.” Scootaloo grinned as the crowd oohed at the revelation.
“Please, like any one believes a lie that stupid.” Diamond Tiara fussed.
“Diamond Tiara you have already been warned before not to interrupt other students. One week after school detention.” Cheerilee snapped causing the pink filly to flinch.
Anything further was lost as the door opened and a flame colored yellow and orange maned pegasus mare trotted into the room in full Wonderbolt attire, causing most of the class to lose it as much as they had for the Royal Guard and Princess Luna.
“Hey kid.” Spitfire grins ruffling her daughters mane.” Told you I'd make it this time.” Hope Scoots isn't too much trouble for you Mrs Cheerilee, she gets that from Soarin.”
“Dad says that about you.” Scootaloo giggled.
“OH COME ON!” Diamond Tiara shouted again.
“Two weeks.“ Miss Cheerilee responded, glaring at Diamond Tiara.
[Sweet Apple Acres]
He was dirty, had lost his coat, was covered in rope burns and had yet to get the awful taste of painted wax from his mouth.
But he was out of the tree and had only bounced twice, had zeroed in on a ripe tree, the last one that had to be harvested and had rushed past all the defenders. It wasn't a full tree so he knew it was real.
He had managed to rope Big Mac and Twilight together and his sister wasn't trying that hard to get free. He tricked Manny into sitting on Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy was doing her best to convince him to get up though that kept both of them busy too. Applejack was away sealing the last bushel picked in the basement where he couldn't get to them so this was his last chance.
He hit the bark and was up the tree in a flash reaching up to snatch at the Zapp Apple only to have it vanish. He blinked grabbing at another only for it to poof. Looking around he watched in horror as every Zapp Apple left on the tree poofed away into nothing before his eyes.
“Woof?”
“Yeah about that. Bet yah just asked what happened. See if yah don't manage to pick all that Zapp Apples in a day , they go away some where.” Applejack said from below him. “ And thanks to yer interference we didn't manage tah git um all this year. So guess what varmints not getting a jar a jam this year?”
Rahs looked down at the angry mare with a small whine.
“Don't even try buster. Applebloom uses that look on me all tha time and it dun work fer her and she's bunches cuter than you are.” Applejack snorted. “ Now git outta mai tree.”