//------------------------------//
// Chapter 1 
// Story: Once Around a Carriage 
// by MisterNick 
//------------------------------//

Ponyville's annual Snow Ball was a winter festival that went back twenty five years depending on who you asked.  Some counted the intermittent barn dances that happened years before while others didn't start counting until the first official dance was held.  Regardless of the when or the participants there were certain traditions that did stand the test of time.

The first was that at this ball mares or fillies were supposed to ask stallions or colts to the dance.  If one could not manage to find a date for the dance then they were to wait on either side of inside of the hall where it was held, this year Twilight's castle and then ask.  Second, formal wear was a must.  Finally, if a carriage were used it had to be parked fifty feet away from the venue to allow emergency vehicles access should the need arise.  

The formal wear wasn't an issue for Sweetie Belle.  As was customary Rarity had made her a dress.  It was a soft pink, taffeta gown that hung similarly to the one she'd worn to the Grand Galloping Gala a couple years prior.  The amethyst near the top shimmered faintly in the evening light as Sweetie Belle turned about in front of the mirror.  Yet as she appraised herself small frown slowly crossed her lips.  It wasn't because of the dress it was because of her sister.

During her final fitting Rarity had asked her just who would escort her to the dance.  When Sweetie Bell had said that it was Rumble, Rarity was taken aback.  "A pegasus," she'd asked with a hint of concern in her voice, "Oh Sweetie no.  Why not go on a date with a nice unicorn?  There are several of them in your class I'm sure that..."

There it was, the criticism. Sweetie Belle may have loved her sister, she looked up to her but,  it felt like whenever Rarity felt Sweetie Belle needed correction she would do so.  However what really struck her was the way Rarity had said pegasus, as if it were a bad thing. "What's wrong with Rumble being a pegasus," asked Sweetie Belle interrupting whatever tangent her sister was on.

"Nothing," replied Rarity as she continued checking how the dress fit, "But you see..."

Sweetie Belle's jaw dropped slightly as her eyes began to well up with tears.  She quickly bit her lip and looked away, not wanting to meet her sister's gaze, "Why does there have to be a but?  He's a nice guy.  We've... argued before ... yeah but," Sweetie Belle summoned up whatever resolve she had  and looked at her sister squarely in the eyes, "He's the only one who would say 'yes.'"

The air grew heavy between the two white unicorns.  Rarity's eyes searched Sweetie's for a minute almost pleading for her to understand some unsaid event from her past, "Sweetie it matters a great deal especially at your age. I just don't..."

"What does my age have to do with it," demanded Sweetie Belle, "What does Rumble being a pegasus have to do with anything?"

"Everything," shot back Rarity who then covered her mouth and looked away, "I-I just don't want anything to go wrong and... if you go out with this colt ... I just ... they'll laugh at you."

Sweetie Belle wiped her eyes and quickly peeled the dress off.  How could she thought Sweetie Belle.  Using her magic she wadded the garment up and tossed it at her sister. She shook her head as the tears came back.  "No," she said flatly and ran out of the boutique as her sister stammered after her but did not follow.

She ran as fast as she could back home, back to her mother who quickly wrapped the tearful preteen up in a hug.  As Sweetie Belle choked out an explanation as to what happened her mom rubbed her back in slow gentle circles.  "Why mom? Why does she have to do this every single time?"

Her mother sighed quietly, "I don't think she meant it quite the way it came out."

"But mom..."

"I know ... I know ," replied her mom, "Sometimes she can be ... difficult. Look, you just take it easy.  I'll talk with her."



That evening a box with the pink dress in it arrived without a note or anything else in lieu of an apology.  Above anything else that was why she frowned.  "Rarity ... just once," muttered Sweetie Belle to her reflection.

"Wow you look beautiful honey," said the voice of her father from behind.  

She turned about and plastered on a weak smile. "You think so?"

He nodded with approval as a grin pushed the corners of his mustache up.  "Sure do,"  he said as he put a foreleg around her, "Also, I saw a really fancy carriage pull up out front and I'm almost certain I heard the voices of your friends along with your colt.  Now I know your ride is here but before you go your mother is going to want at least one picture of you and Rumble."

"Oh come on dad," moaned Sweetie Belle.

"Now now.  It's tradition," he said as he pulled her close and escorted her to the living room, "We've gotta preserve these moments!"

"Oh fine," said Sweetie Belle as she relented and stood in front of the camera.

There was more than one picture taken.  There was the one of her in her new dress. The one of her with Rumble, Still more of Rumble, Scootaloo, Apple Bloom and her along with many others.  Once her eyes had adjusted from the flash photography,  Sweetie Belle couldn't help but notice what Rumble was wearing. 

Chances were that Rarity would have fainted at the sight of the avocado green sharkskin suit with its numerous buttons.  The closer she looked the more she noticed other issues with it as well, like the clumsy stitching up the back and a couple of small dark stains on the front.  Sweetie Belle gulped and wondered if somehow Rarity had gotten wind of what it was Rumble was going to wear and had tried to warn her in the clumsiest way possible.  

Rarity.  The thought of her sister brought the frown out again as she and her friends walked to the driverless carriage. "Driverless," asked Sweetie Belle, "How the heck can this thing move without anyone pulling or directing it?"

"It's a one of a kind model actually," said Rumble as he opened the door for the girls, "Apparently it runs on a magic crystal that needs a charge periodically. It doesn't go super fast but it does have a heater and I managed to hit up a store and get a bunch of chips and stuff for the ride."

"But Twilight's castle isn't that far away," said Sweetie Belle as she noticed her breath in the sun's dying light.

"Well, we can take the scenic route," said Rumble as he gestured for Sweetie Belle to get in, "Not for nothing but ... it's getting cold out here."

Sweetie Belle took the hint and got in the carriage.  It was a nice ride with a lush interior.  The inside was lined with mahogany and had gold inlay.  The seats were plush, both incredibly soft and supportive.  Stashed above the seat opposite Sweetie Belle were some blankets and in between the four were the bags of junk food and cans of pop that Rumble had promised.  Yet, for all of the luxury  Sweetie Belle continued to mope, something that wasn't lost on Rumble who looked to her with some concern as he tapped in how he wanted to get to their destination.

"So, you've gotta tell us how you got this ride," said Scootaloo.

"Yeah, you promised you'd say something once we picked Sweetie Belle up," chimed in Apple Bloom.

"It was no big deal," said Rumble as he sat back in his seat, "Spike got it for me."

"Spike," asked Apple Bloom, "How did he get enough bits to buy something like this?"

"Well he didn't. He got a coupon for the rental when he went on some ... thing or other.  Anyway he couldn't use it and I happened to be nearby."

Scootaloo popped open a bag of chips and began to munch and asked, "So how did he get the coupon then."

"Well as the story goes..."








It was his second night in Las Pegasus on a friendship mission for Twilight.  His leads as to what he was supposed to do or where he was supposed to go had run dry so he decided he'd take some time for himself and play some games.  That's when he saw it.

From across the game room floor he noticed several other ponies standing around what looked like a large white marshmallow. He quickly worked his way through the crowds of ponies and several spilled drink cups to the organizers of the event and asked, "So what's the deal with the marshmallow?"

It turned out that it wasn't a marshmallow at all but a large pillow guaranteed to make any pony fall asleep in ten minutes.  If anyone could withstand the power of the body pillow they would win five hundred bits. Naturally Spike wanted in.

After some waivers were signed he had to wait for a couple of other ponies to join in.  Once they'd signed he grabbed a section of pillow and the contest began.  Almost immediately a number of the other contestants drifted off to sleep.  Not Spike.

He stared up at the ceiling of the hotel/casino and watched the neon flicker in front of him.  He had to admit he was comfortable.  The giant pillow held his head and neck perfectly while the rest of his body felt like it was laying on something softer than a cloud. Yet, for all the comfort and support his eyes stayed focused on the blues and reds above until the judge called time.

Spike slowly sat up and looked at the other ponies all of whom had fallen asleep.  Some of them snored while others drooled but all slept.  He worked his way off of the pillow much to the surprise of those holding the contest.  The main organizer, a dumpy little unicorn asked, "How in the world did you do it?"

"It's easy," said Spike, "I can't sleep a wink without my..."

The unicorn waited with anticipation for the answer but Spike just held out his claw.  "Ancient dragon secret huh," asked the unicorn with a smile.

Spike smirked in acknowledgement, took his bits and wandered off into the casino away from the traditional dancing games and arcade type stuff.  He continued to meander around the casino until he reached an area he'd never seen before.

There were ponies there but not the touristy type. They were all dressed impeccably.  Some wore dark suits while others white.  Even the mares wore fancy dresses and jewelry.  Spike continued to wander about the floor until he saw a game he'd heard about but whose name he'd forgotten.  

It was the game where a ball spun around a circle and players had to guess which color and or number it would land on.  Spike approached the table and exchanged his bits for a few of the casino's chips. When he did he recalled the advice that a friend of his,  Biggie Snipes once told him, 'Always bet on red.'  So he did and began to rake in the chips.

After seven turns of the wheel, all of them wins, Spike heard a scuffle break out behind him. When he turned he saw two of the impeccably dressed ponies holding down another over a card table, "You think you can muscle in on the Game Bingo family," shouted one of the restraining ponies.

Spike who had always tried to see the better of others intervened.  At first, neither side wanted to give in but after Spike did his usual diplomatic song and dance routine the opposing factions were able to come to an understanding. It was then Spike was given the coupon, told to cash out his chips and that if he ever was in town again he'd be an honored guest of the Game Bingos.  









"But why couldn't he use it," asked Apple Bloom. 

"When everything happens at your place why do you need a rental vehicle?"

"Oh, I guess that makes sense."  

The carriage continued to wind its way through town as the preteens carried on with their snack eating and chatting.  Scootaloo talked about a new trick she was hoping to pull off the next weekend. Apple Bloom drained a soda and brought up various crusader topics that made Rumble roll his eyes but chimed in when he could.  Sweetie Belle however just watched the town go by and said very little until they reached their destination as the last few bits of sunlight started to sink below the horizon.

Rumble opened the door to the carriage and let out Apple Bloom and Scootaloo who began the walk to Twilight's castle.  Sweetie Belle was about to follow them when Rumble stood up and blocked the way, "We'll catch up," he said calling out to the two crusaders before shutting  the door and looking Sweetie Belle squarely in the eye.  

"Why'd you shut the door," she asked as her eyes darted from him to the door and back.

Rumble sighed and sat down, "What's up your butt Sweetie Belle?"

"Nothing.  I just didn't have anything to say,"  she replied, "Nice carriage. Good story. Let's go."

Rumble raised a hoof, "Did I do something wrong here?  Do you just want to call this whole thing off? I mean we're here but ..."

"It's not ...," Sweetie Belle sighed and sat down next to Rumble and looked at her hooves. She could feel his gaze on her as the silence between them thickened until she muttered,  "It's Rarity."

Rumble's face scrunched in confusion at the response.  Before he could ask the obvious question Sweetie Belle started talking.  Her voice trembled a bit as she continued to lay out what happened that day for a second time.  For his part Rumble listened up until near the end of it when he reached out and cupped one of her forehooves in his.  

Sweetie Belle looked to him with a questioningly.  Rumble shrugged, "Sounds like her problem not yours." 

"Yeah but... I mean ... it's my sister. If your brother had said ... "

"He says a lot of weird stuff.  Just because they're talking doesn't mean you have to listen."  Rumble let go of her hoof with one of his and reached down picking up a soda then pressed it into hers, "It's cherry flavored and it's really good."

Sweetie Belle looked at Rumble questioningly  but took the soda, twisted off the top and took a sip.  The cool cherry flavor danced on her tongue which made her smile a little bit.  "You're right it is." 

"Told ya," he replied as he sat back, "I don't know why your sister has something against you going out with pegasi."

"Right," said Sweetie Belle as she started to feel a little braver, "So what's with the suit? I mean it's...."

"Old? Out of style? Well yeah."  

"Why are you wearing it then?"

"Tradition.  Or maybe it's because nobody wants to buy a new suit for a kid when you have a 'perfectly good' one laying around.  I mean my dad wore it and my brother wore it a couple of times too. Once I think when he went out with your sister."

"Are you serious? He was in that suit and she didn't freak out," exclaimed Sweetie Belle.

"I don't think she was quite the clothes horse she is now," said Rumble with a shrug, "I think that's where the stain on the front came from.  Not sure how or why."

"Why are there so many buttons on it?"

"The style of the time I guess.  My brother says there are thirteen buttons and that each one is a chance to change your mind.  I guess you have to be really brave to put this thing on right?"

They continued to talk into the night.  The topics changed from sibling issues to music and then onto other things that seem important to preteens but really aren't.  Slowly they shifted positions until they were next to one another as the heater continued to chug along.  It wasn't until they heard something bump on the roof of the carriage that the conversation ceased. 

Sweetie Belle was about to ask what it was when another bump, door side this time, rattled the carriage.  From outside the sound of giggling could be heard. Sweetie Bell turned and looked at the window and saw a large moon pressed against the glass.  She gasped loudly as all of the blood rushed from her face and recoiled to the far side of the carriage.  

Rumble's jaw dropped as the pressed moon slowly turned revealing the cutie mark of a different type of moon and a shimmering flowing tail. "What in the name of Ghastly Gorge's great granite deposits is going on out there," asked Rumble as he waited for the form to move away.  Once it had he opened the door and saw something he never thought he'd see, Princess Luna snuggling up awkwardly to a rotund mule with slicked back auburn hair and a bizarre square pendant around his neck.

"I tell you Luna," said the mule, "I was there when they took off Pee Wee's training wheels."

"Ooh Francis," cooed Luna, "to teach a phoenix how to ride a unicycle is so amazing! Tell me more."  

Rumble felt his stomach turn a bit as he listened to the pudgy  wannabe Casanova spew his ridiculous claims.  What made matters worse was how princess Luna hung on his every word. The way she batted her eyes and nuzzled him along his neckline  was almost too much for the little pegasus to stand.  

"Did you know princess..."

"Call me Lulu," replied Luna in a husky tone.

"Okay my delicate Lulu," replied Francis who smiled at her revealing his crooked yellow teeth, "Did you know that I'm a world renowned  military hero?"

"You are?"

"Of course dearest. Why I was the one at Appendix Courthouse who made Grant and Generally agree to stop fighting."

"Ooh," replied Luna as she ran one of hooves along his barrel, "Tell me more!"

"When the minutecolts needed to last longer than that or their wives would leave who did they ask for lessons.  Me. Of course neither of those are as impressive as the way the moonlight plays off your mane."

"Oh my,"  she huffed as her wings slowly  began to expand behind her.

Francis wrapped his forelegs around Luna's neck, "And of course when the guard were surrounded by rabid squirrels at Bastian in the dead of winter I was the one who flew in on his luck dragon and screamed, 'Nuts' and then led the counter offensive that saved the Peanut Butter Battle Bridge." 

"That dragon must have been big..."

"If true," shouted Rumble, "which it isn't!" 

Francis closed one of Luna's wings and glared at the little pegasus.  "Well if it isn't Rumble my carpenter's son," he snorted, "Flank still blank?"

"Ha. Funny. Your brain still broke?"

"No. Wait.  It ... never ... was.  Ha," replied Francis.

Rumble looked over at Luna, "Princess you raise the moon and have been around for ... awhile now. What can you possibly see in this ass?"

"I ... love ... him," she stammered  as she clung to one of Francis' back legs.

"Rumble," whispered Sweetie Belle as she tugged on his tail and poked her head out of the carriage, "Can I talk to you?"

Rumble turned looked at her questioningly but nodded before inquiring as to what she wanted.  

"I think that pendant is magical and is what is causing Luna's odd behavior."

"So what do we do?"

"Hmm ... follow my lead," she said.

Sweetie Belle climbed out of the coach and called to the couple who had resumed their brazen displays of affection.  "What is it now," growled Francis.

"I was just wondering... I mean if it's not too much trouble ... could you please tell me where you got that pendant you're wearing?"

Francis grumbled. "An antiquities dealer in the desert sold it to me.  Now ... do you mind?"

"Well, I mean I just wanted to take a closer look.  That's not too much of a problem is it? Please," asked Sweetie Belle as she batted her eyelashes.

Francis' eyes narrowed as he watched Rumble step out of the coach and stand next to the door. "As long as he stays over there you can look at it up close for five seconds.  Then be off with you." 

Sweetie Belle smiled and trotted up to the couple.  "Oh thank you so much.  It's so beautiful."

"Yes.  Yes it is."

"I just have one more question..."

"Which is ..."

"What in the world is that?"  exclaimed Sweetie Belle as she pointed behind them.

The couple quickly turned their heads to look at whatever it was she was pointing at.  No sooner had they turned though that they smacked their heads on the wagon behind them.  Dazed, neither noticed that Sweetie Belle had removed the  pendant from around the mule's neck with her magic. 

"Catch," shouted Sweetie Bell as she chucked the pendant to Rumble.

His hooves out stretched, Rumble caught the airborne pendant  and flew off into the night.  Francis rubbed his muzzle and swore under his breath as he cast an angry gaze toward the little filly.  "You," he growled, "You ruined everything!  I had that old mare eating out of my hooves!"

"Serves you right!"

Francis looked at Luna who lay unconscious on the ground then back at Sweetie Belle.  "You're such a dweeb."

"I know you are," began Sweetie Belle with a smirk as she backed her way to her ride, "But what am I?"

Francis' face darkened with rage, "Deceitful..."

"I know you are..."

"Dirty little..." 

Every time Francis came up with what he thought was a real crusher Sweetie Bell  backed further away from the angry mule and repeated her playground retort.  By the time she'd shut the door on him he was braying in rage so loudly that a small crowd had formed around them followed by several guards.  After a few questions as to just why the Princess of the Night was in Ponyville and unconscious at his hooves.  It was when she heard Francis bellow, "Am I being detained," followed by a muffled response that she knew the conflict was over and that Francis would no longer be an issue.







The minutes ticked by as Sweetie Belle sat alone in the darkened carriage.  The heater sputtered and soon she flipped the switch shutting it off.  She then pulled one of the blankets down and curled up under it.  She figured it would get colder soon enough.  As she lay under the blanket she wondered just where Rumble had flown.  When a bell tolling the hour echoed through the darkness somewhere deep within she started to worry.

At first she just figured he might have gone into the ball.  After all, they were supposed to be there.  However, as the time ticked away that thought faded and was replaced with other options.  What if Francis wasn't working alone.  He could have minions.  What if he actually did have some sort of giant dragon working with him. Waiting.  Hungry.  She trembled at the notion but stayed put.

It wasn't until she heard a knock at the carriage door  followed by the sound of Rumble's voice that she felt a calm wash over her. "It's open," she said to the door.

Even in the pale moonlight Sweetie Belle could see something was wrong by the way his wing hung.  She gasped audibly but Rumble raised his hoof. "I'm fine I think it's just strained."

"Are you sure? Where did you go? Why were you gone so long?"

Rumble took a seat next to her as he huffed, "Eventually I went to that school Twilight made and dropped off the necklace.  But first I had to get the guards, then I had to get some paper to leave a note with the pendant and finally after I felt my wing  pop I ended up running back." 

"Oh," said Sweetie Belle  as she scooted next to Rumble, "Do you... you're cold."

"Well ... it's not summer outside ya know."

"Oh stop," replied Sweetie Belle as she pulled the other blanket down and laid it over him. She then took her blanket and spread it over that one and cuddled up close to Rumble and rested her head on his chest.

"W-what the... what are you doing?"

"You're cold and..., " Sweetie Belle bit her lower  lip before resting her head on the lapel of his jacket, "I was worried something had happened."

Rumble felt the blood rise into his cheeks.  He coughed. Sweetie Belle looked at him with concern.  "I'm ... um ... the most elite flier in ... Equestria ... of  ... of ... course I'm fine.  How'd you know the jewelry was magical?"

"It looked like something Twilight lectured on one time when I snuck into her class," said Sweetie Belle sheepishly, "Besides I don't think Luna would fall for someone like that without being under the influence of a magical ... thing."

Rumble nodded, "Well ... that was pretty cool of you back there."

"Thanks," said Sweetie Belle, "You too." 

Sweetie Belle wrapped her forelegs around his barrel and rested her head against his chest.  He was cold but, she was warm.  Her eyes began to mist as she listened to the rhythmic pounding of his heart and the raggedness of his breath.  There was something in that heart and that breathing that was almost heroic.

She felt the blush rise in her cheeks as she squeezed him as tight as she dared and gently nuzzled her way up to his shoulder. Slowly she unwrapped one of her forelegs from around his torso and brushed back his now messy mane so she could gaze into his violet eyes.

Rumble looked down at her unsure of what to do.  She wasn't on his injured wing so he couldn't complain about it.  She was warm and something about her mane smelled good. He hadn't noticed that before nor had he noticed the way her emerald gaze glimmered even in the dimmest of light. He gulped, "Hey ... I don't ..."

"You can hug me if you want," she whispered.  

He wrapped one foreleg about her and held her tightly to him.  Her breath smelled like nacho chips but he didn't mind.  Something in her eyes made him want to keep her closer than that. Without uttering a word he brushed back her mane from her face, closed his eyes and began to lower his muzzle to hers.









The music blared inside of Twilight's castle as Scootaloo and Apple Bloom peered through the crowd of ponies that flailed to its beat.  Their gazes tracked across the dance floor over to the refreshments tables then across the way to several ponies who sat against the wall waiting for a partner.

"Do you see them," asked Apple Bloom.

"Nope," replied Scootaloo who then stood up on a chair, "Where do you think they could be?"

Apple Bloom placed the tip of her hoof to her chin as she considered the options.  "Wait... you don't think that maybe they stayed..."

Scootaloo's face scrunched up, "In the carriage? I mean sure it was a pretty sweet ride but ... what the heck would they be doing in the carriage?"

Apple Bloom's eyes widened, "Eating all the snacks!"

"No way," shouted Scootaloo, "I called dibs on those gummy things before Sweetie Belle even got in!"

"We've gotta stop them come on!" 

The two crusaders bolted through the front door of the castle and into the parking area near the castle.  They griped about how difficult it was to find their carriage. "This place looks so different in the dark with all of the carriages," said Applebloom.

"Hey when did all the guards show up," asked Scootaloo as she noted the various pairs of guards patrolling the grounds, "They weren't here before."

"Beats me. But I guess that since the last time Twilight was in charge of a party there was a full scale invasion they've started taking precautions." 

As they spoke the wind picked up.  The two fillies turned their backs to it but as they did the unmistakable sound of Sweetie Belle's voice passed over head.  Apple Bloom and Scootaloo looked at one another.  They strained their ears and sure enough the faint sound of Sweetie Belle's voice screaming  drifted their way.  "It's this way," said Apple Bloom as she pulled Scootaloo in its direction.

Guided by the sound of Sweetie Belle's voice it didn't take long for them to find the carriage.  No sooner had they arrived that Apple Bloom threw open the door. "What's going ...," her voice died in her throat at what she saw.

On the near side of the carriage lay the pile of discarded blankets before a  sea of spilled junk food.  But none of that was what had Apple Bloom's attention.  In the dim moonlight Apple Bloom could see the figures of Sweetie Belle and Rumble as close as they could be still in their formal wear,  her horn jammed all the way up his nose.  "Oh sweet Celestia," bellowed Apple Bloom.

"Apple Bloom?  Is that you," asked Sweetie Belle. 

"What in tarnation happened here?  Is..." Apple Bloom gulped, "Is he dead?"

"I like sausages and buttered toast," muttered Rumble.

"No," whined Sweetie Belle, "But I'm stuck."

"How? How did...."

Before Apple Bloom could finish her question Scootaloo flung the door open and knocked her friend further into the carriage. "It's cold out there and I want to know what ... holy balls!"

"Hi Scootaloo," muttered Sweetie Belle.

"What in the..."

"That's what I was asking."

"Does it hurt," asked Scootaloo, "Are you like ... totally stuck?"

"Yes," grumbled Sweetie Belle.

"I am being detained ... true if big," slurred Rumble as his eyes glowed faintly.

"We've gotta get an adult," said Apple Bloom.

"No," shouted Sweetie Belle, "Look maybe he just needs to calm..." 

"Hey what the heck is goin' on here," said an unfamiliar male voice.  

The crusaders turn to see a guard's head poking through the doorway of the carriage.  He was a slender gray fellow with sharp eyes.  As he looked in he brought up a light  and shown it directly on the pair of stuck ponies. "Oh cripes," he muttered, "Just what in all of Tartarus were you two thinking?"

"We weren't," said a crestfallen Sweetie Belle. 

The guard raised a hoof to his muzzle, "Hey Morning Star get down here."

"No please," begged Sweetie Belle her face red with embarrassment.

"Come on guys you're humiliating her," said Scootaloo.

No sooner had Morning Star, a white unicorn guard, arrived that he started laughing, "We've gotta get everypony down here for this!"  

"Excuse me," said another male pony, "I seem to be a bit turned around and was wondering if you could direct me to Ponyville General?" 

"You don't happen to be a doctor do you," asked the first guard.

"Actually yes. Yes I am. Dr. Wave Function at your service," said the purple unicorn with the orange mane, "Is something amiss?"

"Yeah," said Morning Star, "Take a look at this."  The white unicorn moved back and let the first guard shine his light once more into the carriage. 

"Great galloping gallimimus," gasped Wave Function, "Bring them out but be careful. I need to take a closer look."

With the help of her friends Sweetie Belle walked backward with Rumble in tow out of the carriage. Her stomach dropped further as she saw the small crowd of guards and gawkers starting to form.  "Oh sweet Celestia kill me now," she muttered.

"I hope not," said Wave Function as he gave a cursory examination,  making sure that the other airway wasn't constricted, that Rumble had a pulse and so on.  

"Why are Rumble's eyes shimmering like that," asked Apple Bloom.

"Your friend's horn is continuing to discharge magic into her beau," answered Wave Function before turning to the guards and crowd, "Would one of you do me the courtesy of contacting the hospital and getting an ambulance out here on the double?"

"I am Cornholio," shouted Rumble.  Some of the crowd snickered while those that could called the hospital for an ambulance did. 

"Why...," began Scootaloo.

"If my very cursory diagnosis is correct your friend is correct.  The horn your friend shoved up his nose is at the very least applying a great deal of pressure on the broca's area of the brain along with the frontal lobe.  What I hope is that it hasn't penetrated it but we won't know for sure until I can do a more thorough examination and possibly get her out."

"Get her out," said the first guard on the scene, "Oh we can do that."

"Gentlecolts that wouldn't be the best idea."

The sirens of the ambulance echoed in the distance. Apple Bloom nudged Scootaloo who nodded back at her. "I'm gonna go get Rarity," said Apple Bloom, "Scootaloo you know where Rumble lives and we'll meet y'all back at the hospital."

"No please," moaned Sweetie Belle, "Not Rarity."

Apple Bloom gave Sweetie Belle a questioning look, "She's the closest one and honestly she'd want to know."

"Fine," said Sweetie Belle with a sigh.  

"Hey kid," said Morning Star, "When you plugged him what angle did you take."

"Gentlecolt you're not honestly thinking..."

"He was sort of going one way and I went up and... I think to the right."

Morning Star nodded as the sirens got grew louder,  "Okay so if I reverse that it should be easy."

"But the doctor said..."

"Relax ... you already got it in as far as you could. Now you just have to back it up. No big."

"Mr. Guard," said Wave Function raising his voice. 

"On the count of three," said Morning Star as he put his hooves on either side of Sweetie Belle's head, "One... two...."



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'We've got a bleeder,' was what the guard had shouted as he rushed Rumble to the ambulance.  Of course they let her ride along as Rumble continued to mumble insensibly. Once he was wheeled into the ER though Sweetie Belle had to wait.  

The nurses offered her a gown and an opportunity to clean up, which she took.  After about twenty minutes of waiting her sister arrived. Five minutes later Rumble's family did as well.  Sweetie Belle sat and watched as the adults chatted somewhat lightly.  On occasion the words, 'It's not the first time' drifted her way but she didn't make much of it. Instead she just curled up in a chair next to the bag with the blood stained dress in it.

Sweetie Belle had just closed her eyes when she felt something warm nudge her cheek.  She opened them and saw Rarity standing there with a cup of hot cocoa.  Sweetie Belle took the cocoa and sipped it as Rarity watched quietly her eyes gently gazing into those of her younger sister.  

"It's not your fault Sweetie," said Rarity as she took the seat next to her sister.

Sweetie Belle said nothing and just sipped her drink.

"The reason  I didn't want you to go out with Rumble was because...  non-unicorn ponies his age don't know the first thing about how to navigate a horn.  They simply dive in and it leads to mishaps."

"... They do?"

"It happened when Thunderlane and I went on our second date actually," said Rarity as she stroked her sister's mane, "I was mortified and ... yes ... ponies laughed."

"Is Rumble going to be okay?"

Rarity nodded. "He needs his rest and they'll monitor him for awhile but you didn't do any permanent damage.  At least that's what the doctors are saying.  Maybe you could visit him tomorrow.  That would be nice wouldn't it?"

Sweetie Bell sighed and leaned on her sister across the arm of the chair and buried her muzzle on her barrel.  Rarity continued to pet Sweetie Belle's mane quietly as she sighed. "Growing up is hard," murmured Sweetie Belle.

"I know it is darling.  I just wish I would have been more clear earlier on as to why I felt the way I felt."

Sweetie Belle lifted her muzzle from Rarity's chest and noticed the small chocolate stain on her fur, "I got you messy." 

"I don't mind," said Rarity, "Come on ... let's go home."