//------------------------------// // Chapter 1: Just an Average Slumber Party // Story: The Mane Six Regret Playing Truth or Dare // by Diamond_Emblem //------------------------------// On this particular Saturday night, most ponies in Ponyville would be getting ready to attend the Star Night Festival, searching for their tickets, cancelling last minute and giving their ticket to a friend, or meeting up with friends to enjoy a night on the town. Twilight Sparkle, however, was just finishing up the last preparations for another perfect slumber party with her friends. “The kitchen should be the last place with stuff for the slumber party,” Twilight said, flicking the switch to illuminate the room as she entered. “Let’s see, I remembered to make raspberry punch with a hint of jasmine, just like how Fluttershy and Rarity like it,” she said aloud, opening the fridge door with her magic. Her fridge was separated into four sections: fruit, vegetables, dairy and other drinks. The punch she had made earlier was right where she had left it, thankfully untouched. As she moved the punch bowl with her magic to a silver tray on a wooden counter, Twilight spoke to herself. “Pinkie Pie will be bringing cupcakes and I know I bought a new bag of hay chips the other day. I hope Spike and Starlight didn’t eat too many the other day. If they did, I guess they couldn’t help themselves. They definitely seemed to enjoy the latest book series I recommended them.” Twilight blinked, losing focus for a moment. “Hay chips! A bowl for the hay chips! Cups! Got it!” She shook her head and opened the cupboards, her magic guiding all items onto the tray. “And I can’t forget the ladle for the punch!” Trotting out of the kitchen in satisfaction, Twilight glanced at her list while carrying the tray beside her. “I think I forgot to add the blankets and pillows onto my list.” She stopped in her tracks and stared at the end of the scroll, where she should’ve added the items. For most occasions, the mare would begin to hyperventilate on the spot, yelling loud enough to stop parties in Canterlot. She laughed at her forgetfulness. “I’ll ask Spike to right it on my list for next week,” she said to herself, going back into a trot to the official slumber party room. The official slumber party room was the one where Princess Luna had attempted to find the Tantabus in the dreams of the bearers of the Elements of Harmony, and as Twilight entered the room, she couldn't help but sigh at how many wonderful memories she and her friends were going to make again. “Back to work,” Twilight told herself. She lowered the tray onto the floor, opening the bag of hay chip and dumping them into the bowl and placing the ladle into the punch bowl. “Blankets and pillows,” she mumbled as she left the room and headed to a closet down the hall. When she came back with an extra two blankets and two pillows for each of her friends, she wondered, Maybe we could play some good old fashioned board games or go stargazing at the balcony. That'd be relaxing, and I'd love to show the view to everypony. She found Starlight waiting in the doorway to the slumber party room. There was a nervous expression on her face. Her eyes were staring down at her hooves and her eyebrows were furrowed, as if she were frustrated with her thoughts. When Starlight realized Twilight had arrived at the doorway, she looked up, startled. “Sorry to bother you, Twilight,” the reformed mare apologized. “I know you’re probably busy with the slumber party. I just needed to talk to you.” “You’re not bothering, Starlight,” Twilight assured her, placing two blankets and two pillows on each bed. “I just finished getting everything ready so now I have time to wait. What is it that you wanted to talk about?” "Well, Spike and I have decided to go out to the Star Night Festival that's in Ponyville," Starlight explained. "Applejack told me about it earlier while I was helping her with her chores. I think it’s a festival that honors Princess Luna and it’s only here for the weekend." "That sounds great!” Twilight exclaimed. “Maybe I’ll go with somepony tomorrow. But besides that, it sounds like you’re being productive with your friendship outings.” When Twilight began teaching Starlight about friendship, she had suggested Starlight should go out at least once a week with a friend. So far, she had been making stellar progress and Twilight was glad she was teaching her pupil well. “Yep! It’s pretty great!” Starlight smiled but it didn’t last long. She rubbed her foreleg. “There’s actually something else I wanted to talk to you about.” “I’m all ears, Starlight,” Twilight said. “What is it?” “Well, I know you’ve been having slumber parties with Applejack, Rainbow Dash, everypony else,” Starlight said, worry growing in her eyes. “And I know you started having slumber parties with them every weekend ever since you stopped me from, well, you know.” “Mhm.” Twilight had suggested it a few days after she had invited Starlight to stay at her castle. The others were all for a slumber party to forget their worries, especially because it seemed like they seemed to be fighting with villains every other day. “And I know how important it is to spend time with your friends in order for you to get closer,” Starlight said, staring down at the floor. “Well, I guess what I’m trying to say is---I think I'm ready to join the slumber parties.” “Really?” Twilight’s eyes lit up. Starlight looked up. It wasn’t the reaction she was expecting. What had been playing in her head was Twilight apologizing, telling her the other ponies still didn’t feel comfortable around her and she should wait a few more months to be invited. “Uh, yeah,” Starlight replied, nodding quickly. “I feel like I’m ready to spend time with all of you now.” “Oh, I’m so glad to hear that!” Twilight exclaimed. “I’m sure everypony would love to have you at our slumber parties! You do seem like you’re ready for it after all the time you’ve spent working towards making friends.” "Could I come to next week’s slumber party if that’s alright?" Starlight asked hurriedly. "I don't know anything about slumber parties at all. I want to read about what exactly goes on at slumber parties." "To be honest, I tried that when I had my first slumber party," Twilight confessed, "and that didn't turn out so well. You can’t get all your answers from a book." "Oh. Alright." Starlight's enthusiasm seemed to deflate a little. "Does that mean I would have to wing it?" "All you would need to do would be to learn from everypony else," Twilight explained. "That's what I did." She embraced Starlight, feeling how the mare’s hooves moved hesitantly until she was hugging Twilight back. "I'll make sure to ask everypony to have you at next week's sleepover. After all, you're the reason we celebrate weekly." Twilight could sense Starlight's smile. "Thanks, Twilight," Starlight said. She let go, and Twilight did the same. "Thank you for everything. For the home at your castle, for your friendship, for teaching me everything I've learned about friendship, and for letting me have a fresh start." "That's what friends are for," Twilight said with a reassuring smile. "Hey, Starlight! We should get going!" Twilight and Starlight turned to see Spike run over to them. Spike waved around a poster, most likely one that announced the activities at the Star Night Festival. They’re having a constellation naming contest in an hour. With your studies and my time with Twilight, we could totally win!" “In a minute, Spike!” Starlight beckoned towards Twilight. “I’ll meet you downstairs in a few minutes.” “Sure thing!” Spike walked excitedly towards the stairs. “This is gonna be an awesome night!” “I’m really glad you’ve managed to bond so quickly with Spike,” Twilight said. “Well, he does help me with my lessons in case you’re busy,” Starlight explained. “Have you ever invited Spike to your slumber parties.” “I have,” Twilight replied. “But when I asked if he’d like to, he said he wanted to help you get adjusted to life in Ponyville. Even Spike is glad to have you as a friend!” “Oh, really?” A smile spread across Starlight’s face. “That’s great to hear. Oh, I should probably get going now. Don’t wanna miss out on all the fun tonight!” “Have fun!” Twilight waved goodbye as Starlight headed down the staircase. The princess returned to the slumber party room and laid down on her bed, giddy about how wonderful everything was already going and her friends were set to arrive any minute. Twilight had a gut feeling that tonight’s slumber party was going to be the best one yet. As Twilight’s friends entered the room, she stood beside the doorway to greet them. “No pony’s gonna BELIEVE how amazing today’s batch of cupcakes turned out!” Pinkie Pie hopped into the room, her saddlebags overflowing with board games. A white box was strapped onto Pinkie’s back, most likely the newest batch of cupcakes she was exclaiming about. “No pony ain’t gonna believe my little sister had a helping hoof with those cupcakes,” Applejack said, trotting inside. “Everypony is going to believe how awesome I did in the academy today!” Rainbow flew past Applejack and Pinkie Pie as Rarity appeared in the doorway. “It sounds like we all have a story to tell this evening,” the fashionista remarked. “And mine is juicy, darlings, you’ll want to hear it!” “Who doesn’t want to hear your stories, Rarity?” Fluttershy asked, the last to enter the room. “Oh, I also would like to hear stories from everypony else.” Twilight trotted over to her bed as Rainbow Dash landed on her bed and said, “I bet no pony is surprised that Yours Truly managed to break another academy record!” "Another record?" Applejack asked as she unrolled her orange sleeping bag on the floor. During the second week of sleep overs, the group had told Rainbow Dash that the sleeping bags were unnecessary with their own beds in the room. She had persuaded them, telling the mares it would feel more like a sleepover with sleeping bags to sleep in. "Yeah, I know," Rainbow said smugly and stuffed her mouth with chips. “It was obviously meant to be!” “My turn, my turn!” Rarity squealed, her hoofs dancing as she dropped her gem-encrusted sleeping bag on the floor. She whisked out a magazine from her saddlebag. The magazine was from Canterlot’s newest and high-rising fashion blog, “Fashion Figures.”  On the cover was a picture of Rarity and Sassy Sandals presenting the newest dress that was rocking Canterlot Boutique. It was a slim, black dress, lined with diamonds and tightened with a purple waist. "Top 10 Rising Fashion Designers: Rarity Edition," could be read above the picture. Rarity squealed, "I've been featured on the cover of this week's Fashion Figures magazine!" "Wow! That's wonderful, Rarity!" Fluttershy said, sitting beside her buttercream colored sleeping bag. As she poured some raspberry punch into two cups, she said, "Recently, a friend I know has been looking for ways to make a statement. She's had rallies in Manehattan and Appleloosa. It's such a wonderful thing, looking for ways for the little creatures of Equestria to be noticed like one of us. I’ll be going to her rally in Trottingham on Wednesday to show my support." “She sounds absolutely delightful, darling!” Rarity exclaimed, accepting a cup from Fluttershy. “Who is this new friend of yours?” "Fawn Evergreen," Fluttershy replied, lifting her cup and taking a sip of the punch. "She's an amazing pony! I hope you all get to meet her someday." “What are Starlight and Spike doing tonight?” Applejack asked, turning to Twilight. "They went out to the Star Night Festival,” Twilight explained. “Speaking of them, Starlight mentioned earlier that she now feels comfortable enough to be spending time with us at slumber parties. How does allowing her to join our slumber parties starting next week sound?” “FINALLY!” Pinkie Pie yelled. A random party cannon could be heard from another room in the castle. “Do you know how much fun Starlight is gonna have with us? She’s gonna party like it’s her birthday!” “It’s about time Starlight’s learned to spread her wings,” Rainbow said with a grin, flexing her own pair of wings. “Uh, so to speak.” “Rainbow Dash! How impolite of you to speak of Starlight like that,” Rarity chided. “Starlight has been working very hard on learning friendship. These sorts of things take time, darling.” “It is nice to know Starlight is doing well,” Fluttershy commented. “And the more company the better, right?” Applejack asked. “Shoot, you might as well ask Spike to join us, too!” “Now that Starlight is joining us, I think Spike would definitely join us,” Twilight agreed. “I can feel the sappiness coming on,” Rainbow said, sticking out her tongue. “Come on, let’s play some games while the night is still young!” The night wore on as the friends chattered about the games they saw ponies playing in Ponyville and recounted old games they had played when they were younger, filling the room with fits of giggles. Twilight’s favorite game as a filly was War (With Pillows) with Shining Armor. She had created a book fort and had Smarty Pants as the fort's captain. Rainbow had played Runaway Rainbow with Scootaloo. Rainbow had to run away from Scootaloo and make sure she wasn't caught for fifteen minutes. Scoot always lost, but despite the losses, Rainbow explained, how much fun Scootaloo had playing. Pinkie shared how she had played Hide-and-Seek with the Cake twins. The game had taken a lot longer than Pinkie and the Cakes had wanted, but in the end, Pinkie Pie won. Fluttershy had seen some squirrels have a nut-collecting competition a few days back. Rarity didn’t play often as a filly, but the other foals her age would have a blast at making the biggest puddles of mud. Before long, an hour had passed and the mares were running out of games.  Twilight grabbed a cupcake that Pinkie Pie had brought as Applejack began talking about her childhood game. "As a lil' filly, Big Mac and I used to play Apple Truth Toss," AJ explained. "The goal was to toss an apple back and forth with your tail, and if you dropped the apple, the other pony asked ya a question, and ya had to tell the truth. I was so determined not to miss, I even trained outside of playtime." “Of course!” Rainbow suddenly exclaimed, shooting up from her sleeping bag. “How could we possibly forget the #1 played game at a slumber party?” “I know that face of your, Rainbow Dash,” Rarity said, raising a cautious eyebrow. “And now I have an idea of what game you’re thinking about.” “Oh! Is it Truth or Dare?” Twilight asked excitedly. Despite the bad experience the first time, she was certain if they were going to play it tonight, things would turn out differently. “Bingo!” Rainbow Dash said with a grin. "That's an easy game!" Pinkie said. "If you choose truth, somepony asks you a question, and you've got to be honest! If you choose dare, somepony dares you to do something, and you gotta do that dare that somepony dared you to do!" “Well, I’d certainly like to have a better experience than the first time I played,” Rarity said, recalling how the game had ended badly during Twilight’s first slumber party. “I’m willing to try it,” Applejack agreed, also remembering how Rarity and she had nearly ruined Twilight’s first slumber party. “That doesn’t sound so bad,” Fluttershy said. “Then it’s agreed!” Rainbow Dash flew to the door and faced the rest of the mares. “I say we should all go three times and then the game ends.” “What if somepony doesn’t want to do their truth or dare?” Twilight asked. “Then, uh, they’ll have to do both a truth and a dare for their next turn!” Rainbow answered. She planted her hooves onto the floor and grinned. “So, who’s wants to start off the greatest game of Truth or Dare they’ve ever experienced?”