//------------------------------// // You've hurt me // Story: I love you, but // by Ryoki The Kirin //------------------------------// Sweet Apple Acers, well, had acers. This made it so that The Apple family had space for every tree they grew and nurture a become healthy, strong orchards that produced the delectable fruit that makes the family namesake. However, not every acer was an organised land of groves. One was special to the Apple family. It was only used by them and honorary members. Placed near to the Everfree forest, this patch of land was a hazard to grow apple trees on for fear of leering out the dwellers of Everfree to an easy meal. Although menacing, the area was beautiful. Flowers of all types of colours congregated around the sole large tree that stood in the centre of the acer. Apparently, this was one of the first Zap apple trees planted by the family. It also made for good shade from the sun. Six ponies lay in a circle conversing above a picnic blanket stationed under the towering tree. Sandwiches, tea and cake laid out in reach of every pony in attendance. Twilight had wanted everypony to feel comfortable, especially knowing that she had to change the topic to something less pleasant. But she’d wait until Rarity and Fluttershy had finished talking about their weekly visit to the spa. “And then she,” Rarity made an unlady-like snort. “Aloe slipped and fell into our mud bath. I was blinded with a facial so I didn’t see it happen. It gave us both quite the scare.” “I just hope she’s okay,” Fluttershy softly spoke. “She was so embarrassed. But it helped that Lotus started giggling. Aloe always likes it when her sister is happy.” Her kind smile radiated her face, showing her element clearly. It seemed the excitement from the tale at the local spa had diminished down now that it had come to a close. ‘Now or never’ Twilight thought. “Girls, there’s something I need to... discuss with you all.” Her tone of voice was enough to get the attention of the group. After so many situations where danger was present, they’d all learned a few of Twilight’s tone of voices. This one spoke clearly of anxiety and a sense of defeat. It was not one the girls like to hear from their mutually agreed leader. “Sugar, ya know you can discuss anything with us” Applejack, always the first to be assertive and reassuring. It was a comfort she knew she could rely on. They are a family and a support group. One she needed right now. “I know. That’s why I’m going to reveal something I’ve kept secret for too long. Something that I have to come out and say. Otherwise it’ll drown me” Even with her head lowering, she knew she had everyponys’ attention. “Wow, I didn’t know you kept dark secrets, Twi. I thought if any of us would be an open book, I’d be you.” Rainbow Dash said with and easy cool. Her body posture composed and relaxed. But it merely a visage. Twilight and the rest of her friends knew this. This was how Rainbow tackled heavy conversation. By making the atmosphere lighter with a joke, she got everyone calm enough to think more rationally and get the ball rolling for the least rational there. “Oh is it my turn!? Can I take guesses at the big secret!? Is it that you found a filly in the forest that used to be Nightmare Moon? Oh! Did you find a society of monkeys living in the Everfree? Or...” Twilight’s head had risen, showing her appreciating smile to Pinkie Pie’s antics. “You fell in love with Princess Luna and she told you to give her reports on romance!” Pinkie looked to the side, a conspirators grin plastered on her face. “Like a meanie pony.” Even though all three had been in good fun and nothing was meant behind them, like Pinkie always is, the last one hit a little too close for home. It being about loving a princess and it involving letters. Though, if it where Princess Luna, she doubt she’d be in this situation. ‘At least Celestia and Luna write back’. “Darling, I think that’s quite enough guessing for today.” Rarity may have had a good natured smile on them for Pinkie, her eyes showed concern for Twilight. She always had an eye for details, as no pony but Rarity seem to notice Twilight’s uncomfortableness at the last guess. “Maybe we should let Twilight say what needs to be said” The kind smile now directed towards her. “Thank you Rarity. I wanted to ask you about how you feel about.” Twilight was cut off as Spike flopped unceremoniously next to Twilight. “Spike!” instant maternal reflexes sprung to action as her magic lift Spike up to sit down and look over for any injuries, or maybe to not face the situation anymore. “Princess Celestia. Sent a letter. Important.” Looking up to Spike’s face, she saw his tiredness and bed ridden eyes that spoke of a lack of needed sleep. But there was an added exhaustion, as if he’d been roughly awoken and then immediately ran here. In his claws was a letter that held a royal seal keeping it closed. Before she could take it another scroll was shot into Twilight’s face. Startled, she pushed back, having Spike land on his back. Letting out a small screech at the impromptu ambush. Twilight, composed herself and reached for the assailant with intention to read. She’d have to find another way for Spike to receive letters, but she’d put that thought away for now to focus on what she was reading. “Dear Twilight, I am sure you are as excited as I am for the upcoming wedding in Canterlot. I will be presiding over the ceremony but I would very much like for you and your friends to help with the preparations of the wonderful occasion. Fluttershy, I would Like you and your songbird choir to provide music. Pinkie Pie, I can’t think of no one more qualified than you to host the reception. Applejack, you will be in charge of catering for the reception. Rainbow Dash, I would very much appreciate it if you could perform a Sonic Rainboom as the bride and groom complete their “id”’s. Rarity, you will be responsible for designing the dresses for the bride and her bridesmaids. And as for you, Twilight you will be playing the most important role of all: making sure that everything goes as planned. See you all very soon. Yours, Princess Celestia.” Looking up form her letter she saw everyone excited about the up coming wedding and their official part to play. “Spike, could you hand me the other letter?” Spike quickly complied, handing Twilight the letter. Unrolling the scroll, everyone’s attention was on her again, waiting for the suspense to be over. Twilight had always had a bad tendency when reading small lines of writing, to read it all in one look. It ruin some expertly done reveals in books. And it’s probably why she preferred to read books that made her stop and think rather than just keep reading and have her read everything in one look. And one look was all it took for her heart to drop, hit the ground then shatter into an unfixable mess. “Come on what does it say!” They were all just words in her shell shocked state. Twilight was sure they had all said something unique. But it all complied into one command. “Princess Celestia cordially invites you to the wedding of Princess Mi Amore Cadenza” ‘Cadance’ a harsh wisp stung her mind as a cruel reminder of who that was so she couldn’t imagine it was someone else. “And Captain of the Royal Guard, Shining Amour.” One last kick to remind her to stay down; a written in ink piece of evidence that Cadance didn’t love her anymore. It would never be her name next to Cadance’s... but her brother’s. Twilight kept her face hidden behind the scroll as cheers where heard loud and clear of a union her friends where not apposed to. A union her mother figure was pleased to present a mere week before it happened. Never in Twilight’s life did she feel as small as she did right now. It was fitting that she could hide behind a piece of parchment from her friends that knew her better than anyone. ‘You’ve hurt me, Cadance. You promised me...’