//------------------------------// // Episode 9: Look Before You Sleep // Story: The Pony Guard (Season 1) // by MXCDarkHorse2020 //------------------------------// Episode 9: Look Before You Sleep In Ponyville, everypony is getting the park cleaned up as the Pegasus ponies moved the clouds around in preparation for the upcoming storm that is set to happen later today. Everyone was doing their part as they clean up the twigs and broken branches to avoid them causing damage to other ponies property. Applejack was there pulling down the branches with her lasso as she notices Rarity reattaching one of the loose branches with her magic while getting the idea to properly re-style it by reforming the leaves into the shapes of ponies. “Perfect!” She said to herself just as Applejack lassoed it back down to the ground much to her dismay. “Just take the broken limbs down, Rarity. Don't y'all care about nothin' other than prettifyin'?” She scolded the fashionista for not having her priorities straight. “Somepony has to.” She argued back. “You were making an absolute mess of the town square, Applejack.” She said as she pointed to all of the broken twigs and branches on the ground. “Yeah, well, the storm's gonna make an even bigger mess if we don't prune all these loose branches so they don't tumble down on anypony.” She argued back. “I simply cannot imagine why the Pegasus ponies would schedule a dreadful downpour this evening and ruin what could have been a glorious sunny day.” Rarity questioned as the Pegasus ponies put on the final cloud cover to completely block the sun. “Think more practical-like, will ya?” Applejack tried to reason with her as she bucked the tree behind her to knock down the loose branches from that tree. “They accidentally skipped a scheduled sprinkle last week, so we need a doozy of a downpour to make up for it, is all.” “Well you might want to seek shelter because here comes the rain!” Fuli shouted as she ran right past them at top speed just as the storm is just starting looking for nearby shelter. “Oh no! My wonderfully styled mane shall be ruined!” Rarity cried out as she complained. “Ya shoulda hurried up and finished the job already.” Applejack argued in an “I told you so.” manner. “Oh! Ah! Oh! Ph! It's coming down too fast! Ah! Oh! Oh! Ah! Help me!” She further cried out as she ran all over the place desperately looking for shelter as Applejack looked around for nearby shelter and spotted a table Fuli had ducked under. “Uh, there. Hunker down to yer heart's content whilst I finish things.” Rarity began galloping over there but stopped when she saw the mud underneath the table. “Oh, no, no, no!” She said as Applejack ran over to her as Fuli is sheltering herself under the table. “What now?” Applejack asked now annoyed with her. “I prefer not to get my hooves muddy.” She responded as the cheetah and farm pony both have “Are you serious?!” looks on their faces. “Guh. There is just no pleasin' ya, is there? Everything's got to be just so.” Applejack began as Rarity scoffed in response. “Well, and how does muddying my hooves serve any useful purpose?” “Y'all wouldn't know useful if it came up and bit'cha.” Applejack argued back. “That doesn't even make any sense.” Rarity returned. “Does so.” “Does not.” “Does so.” “Does not.” “Does so.” “Does not.” As they were busy arguing, Fuli not complaining over a little mud over rain any day then decides to run off to try to find somewhere else to seek shelter not wanting to hear the two argue anymore. “Does so infinity. Hah.” Applejack argued back at Rarity. “Does not infinity plus one. Heh.” Rarity argued back as the two glare at each other aggressively and up in each other’s face’s. “What say we go our separate ways before one of us says something she will regret?” “I reckon y'all are gonna say something you'll regret first.” “On the contrary, I believe it shall most certainly be you who says something you will regret first.” “I'm not sayin' anythin'.” “Nor am I.” “Y'all just be on yer way, then.” Applejack argued with a scooting hoof notion. “After you!” The two still refuse to budge an inch as they still talk each other to a standstill until they started backing away while still glaring at each other until they hugged on to each other for comfort after lightning strikes nearby. “Perhaps we should stick together for now and find some shelter.” Rarity suggested. “Uh-huh, perhaps we should. And fast.” Applejack agreed as the winds and downpour got stronger. Applejack then quickly settled for the table Fuli briefly hid under until getting sick of their constant arguing while Rarity looks around for something cleaner. “Heh. Nice and dry under here, sorta.” Applejack said while noticing the mud on her hooves. “Oh! Unacceptable.” She commented as she heard Twilight’s voice call out to them. “Applejack! Fuli! Rarity! Applejack! Fuli! Rarity!” She called out to them from her library. “Twilight?” Both ponies said to the pony holding open the door for them. “Come inside girls, quick.” She invited them inside as Fuli quickly runs inside. “Thanks.” The cheetah returned as she shakes the mud off her paws just outside the door. “Whoa, nelly.” Applejack asked as she skidded to a halt at the front door. “Is inside a tree really the best place to be in a lightning storm?” “It is if you have a magical lightning rod protecting your home like I do.” Twilight assured while pointing to said rod on top of the tree. “Come on in!” “Don’t mind if I do.” Fuli immediately accepted the invitation. “Hah! We are most grateful for your invitation.” Rarity thanked. “Thank ya kindly for yer hospitality.” Applejack added as she walked inside only to be stopped by Rarity as she walked inside while pointing to her muddy hooves. “Uh, do be a polite house guest and go wash up please, won't you?” Rarity insisted with a smug smirk to which Applejack grumbled at her for treating Twilight's home as if it is hers. “If I gotta spend one more second with that fussbudget Rarity today, I can't be held responsible for what I'm gonna do.” She growled to herself before walking outside. “Some storm, huh? The Pegasus ponies sure have outdone themselves this time. I hope you, Applejack, and Fuli don't have any trouble getting home.” Twilight said as Rarity and Fuli walked up to her. “It may indeed be a problem.” Rarity answered. “I kinda wish I hadn’t agreed to stick around to help clean up in preparation for this storm otherwise I’d be back home in the Pride Lands by now.” Fuli voiced her regret her decision instead of going home with Kion and the others when she had the chance. “Well, you're welcome to stay if need be. Spike is away in Canterlot on royal business. I'm home all alone tonight.” Twilight offered as she got an idea. “You, Rarity, and Applejack should totally sleep over! We'll have a slumber party! I've always wanted one of those.” “Oh! Uh, goodness. Uh, I do believe I have another engagement scheduled for this evening that completely slipped my mind until just now.” Rarity tried to kindly decline out of refusal to spend more time with Applejack. “Ah, silly me, I can't possibly stay here all night -- with Applejack.” Twilight then walks over to a book shelf where she pulls a book from the top shelf and then showed it to Rarity and Fuli. “Slumber 101: All You've Ever Wanted to Know About Slumber Parties But Were Afraid to Ask.” The former read the title of the book as Fuli looks over her shoulder. “My own personal copy.” Twilight proudly said. “It's a fantastic reference guide. You should see the table of contents. I've been waiting for a chance to use it, and today is the day! This is gonna be so great!” She then said now giddy at the very thought.” “Yes, uh, great.” Rarity returned while laughing nervously while glancing at Applejack struggling to use the hose to wash her hooves clean. “Eh, why not.” Fuli agreed to stay with a smile for Twilight unable to say no to her. “It’s not like I have anything to do back there anyways aside from being unable to get back to the portal.” “Yeah!” Twilight clapped her hooves in excitement. Applejack after finally cleaning the mud of her hooves walked inside as her hooves sparkled clean as daises when she came across Rarity putting mud on Twilight and Fuli’s faces to which she gasped at the sight of their girly makeovers. “What in tarnation...” She said at the sight of this. “Now wait just a goll-darn minute. Ya make me wash the mud off my hooves, but it's okay for y'all to have mud all over yer faces?” “Silly!” Rarity lightly brushed it off as she corrects her. “This is called a mud mask. It's to refresh and rejuvenate your complexion.” “But why are you wearing one?” Applejack then asked the cheetah of why she is allowing this on herself. “You hate mud?” “True and yes, I was reluctant to try it out, but when I gave it chance I found it really relaxing.” Fuli answered as she admitted. “We're giving each other makeovers! Eee-hee! We have to do it, it says so in the book.” Twilight said giddily as she clasped her hooves together as she levitates the book to the farm pony. “Slumber 101: Everything You... Oh hey, heh, would'ja look at the time. I gotta skidaddle on home quick. I'm powerful late for, uh, fer somethin'. Uh, g'night.” Applejack tried to excuse herself from joining in on this only to quickly reconsider about hearing thunder and lightning strike again. “Or maybe I'll sit here for a spell.” “Hurray slumber party!” Twilight again clapped her hooves in excitement as Rarity places the facial lubricant on the farm pony’s face. “Blahch. What in the world is this for?” Applejack questioned as Rarity puts cucumbers on her eyes. “To reduce the puffiness around one's eyes, of course.” Rarity sighed as she responded. “Puffiness-schmuffiness! That's good eatin'!“ Applejack said as she ate the cucumbers off of her eyes much to Rarity’s annoyance as Fuli just relaxes on her pillow. “Hee-hee! Isn't this exciting? We'll do everything by the book, and that will make my slumber party officially fun.” Twilight said as she looked over her book. “Of course.” Fuli returned with a smile. “Whatever makes you happy.” “Did you hear that, Applejack?” Rarity crossly addressed the orange earth pony with a slightly warning tone. “You certainly would not want to do anything that would ruin Twilight's very first slumber party, would you?” “Of course not, 'n you wouldn't either, I reckon?” Applejack returned with the same cross attitude. “So do we have an agreement?” “You betcha.” Applejack said as she spit on her hoof and extended it for a hoof-shake. “Oh! Gross!” She refused to shake it in disgust. “You know, there's messy and there's just plain rude.” “You know, there's fussy, 'n there's just plain gettin' on my nerves.” Applejack returned as Fuli takes notice of the two being at each other’s throats again. “Fortunately, I can get along with anypony, no matter how difficult she may be.” Rarity returned as they got into each other’s faces again. “Oh yeah? Well, I'm the "get-alongin-est" pony you're ever gonna meet.” “That's not even a word.” “This is going to be the bestest slumber party ever! Yay!” Twilight expressed her joy as she brought the two ponies along with Fuli into a group hug while oblivious to their constant arguing. “Yay.” The other two ponies said with very unenthusiastic joy while glaring at each other to which let’s Fuli know that it is going to be a long night for everyone as sees that their constant fighting can be hard for her to have fun with Twilight. Later in the evening as it gets really dark outside as the storm ravages on, the three ponies all have their manes and tails in hair curls while Fuli just relaxes on her pillow while stretching her legs. “So, how are you getting along over there, Applejack?” Rarity asked taking some delight in seeing the most tomboyish pony having to partake in the complete makeover part of the slumber party. “Just fine, Rarity.” She replied while looking very unamused as she pouted. “This is so awesome!” Twilight further expressed her delight that things are off to a good start. “Makeovers, check.” She said as she wrote a check-mark in her book while undoing the hair-curls with her magic as she looked at her check-list for the next item of business. “Ooh, it says here we have to tell ghost stories. Who wants to go first?” “Me!” Applejack voiced with a raised hoof. “I'd like to tell y'all the terrifying tale of the prissy ghost who drove everypony crazy with her unnecessary neatness. Oo-oo!” She said as she mimicked while rolling her hooves around her ears along with the crazy girl labeling directed at Rarity. “I'm sure y'all are familiar with that one?” She said as she directed a look at the unicorn in question. “Never heard of it, but I have a much better one. It's the horrifying story of the messy, inconsiderate ghost who irritated everypony within a hundred miles!” She emphasized as she stood on two hooves. “Oo-oo!” “That's not a real story. You made it up.” Applejack called her out on that. “It is a ghost story, they're all made up.” Rarity fired back to which an irritated Fuli shuts the two up with a scowl and growl to remind them of their manners to their host which ended up being followed with another flash of lightning which caused a brief power outage. “I've got one!” Twilight brought up as she turns on a lantern to use as a flashlight as they all huddled around the small light. “This story is called The Legend of The Headless Horse. It was a dark and stormy night, just like this one.” Twilight began as lightning striked outside. “And three ponies were having a slumber party, just like this one...” She said as Applejack and Rarity started to get terrified out of their minds while Fuli looks on with interest. “...and just when the last pony thought she was safe, there, standing right behind her, just inches away was--The Headless Horse!” She shouted as she suddenly appeared while standing on her hind legs while covering her face with a blanket to which both ponies screamed completely scared out of their wits as they huddled together in a hug. “Whoa!” Fuli remarked sounding very impressed. “Now that is a heck of a ghost story. You even got my blood pumping there.” “Thanks.” Twilight returned as Applejack and Rarity break up from their embrace. “Ghost story, check.” Twilight said as she turned on the lights as she went over to her book and checked it off her list. “Now, who wants s'mores?” She then offered. “I do.” Fuli replied. “This will be interesting to see how these treats work out.” Applejack then placed a few marshmallows on a few sticks and held them over the fire while Rarity and Twilight got together the graham crackers and chocolate while Fuli watches over as she sees the process unfold. “Then you place one marshmallow on the top of the chocolate and be sure it's centered--that's critical--and then carefully put another perfectly square graham cracker on the top. And done. Ta-da!” She explained as she delicately placed the top graham cracker on top of the melted marshmallow. “Ooo!” Twilight gazed in amazement at her creation. “That look’s tasty.” Fuli said looking very impressed as she locks her eyes on that treat. “Nah, ya just eat 'em.” Applejack then added as she munched on the treat loudly as Rarity stared at her looking very annoyed as she belched while Fuli looked just as annoyed as if she wanted to indulge in that before she quickly claimed it as her own. “You could at least say excuse me.” Rarity told her with a sigh. “Aw, I was just about to, but you interrupted me.” Applejack irritably replied as she burped again. “Pardon.” She added as Rarity rolled her eyes in annoyance not finding it completely sincere. “I’ll just make my own S’mores.” Fuli just settled with that instead getting in the middle of another Applejack and Rarity feud episode. “S'mores, check.” Twilight said as she checked it off her list. “Now the next item of fun we have to do is Truth or Dare.” “I dare Applejack to do something carefully and neatly for a change.” Rarity began another spat with Applejack. “Oh yeah? Well I dare Rarity ta lighten up and stop obsessin' over every last little detail, for a change.” Applejack returned back at Rarity as they once again got at each other’s throats again to which Twilight took notice of as Fuli glanced back and saw the rising tension between the two again. “I think the truth of the matter is that somepony could stand to pay a little more attention to details.” “And I think the truth is somepony oughta quit with her fussin' so the rest of us can get things done.“ “And I think the truth is some ponies need to get along with each other before one or two of them gets thrown out into the rain and have walk all the way home.” Fuli shut them up as she shot them a “I’m warning you two.” glare. “Um, I don't think this is how the game's supposed to work.” Twilight said as she looked over for the game’s instructions on how to play it. “You have to give an honest answer to any question or do whatever anypony dares you to do.” “I dare you to step outside and let your precious, tidy mane get ruined again.” Applejack began the game to which Rarity gasped at the dare to which she finds unspeakable to do to herself. “You have to. It's the rule.” Twilight backed her up. “Hah!” Applejack laughed at the defeated unicorn. “Fine!” Rarity then walked towards the door with a huff, opened it, then walked outside as the downpour trenched her mane to which she cried as it happened. While this was happening, Applejack was taking great pleasure at seeing her crying and being humiliated as she snickered at her. After a few seconds of being outside she came back inside shaking and shivering from the cold rain with her curly mane now damp and straight. Applejack busted out in laughter while Fuli just focused on preparing her own set of S’mores as she stiffed a chuckle out of seeing it. Fuming she approached Applejack with a glare to shut her up from making fun of her and forced her to back up. “Okay.” Rarity then said with a look ready to get back at her for that. “I dare Applejack to play dress-up in a frou-frou, glittery, lacey outfit.” Applejack gasped at the dare but then frowns as she walked off to do so and then appears in said blue outfit, fitting for a princess. "Happy?" She grimaced. “Whoa.” Fuli said as she munched onto her treat and chuckled upon seeing her dressed in that outfit. “Very.” Rarity replied with a satisfied smile. “Um, do I ever get a turn?” Twilight asked. “Remember girls…” Fuli again reminded the two of the manners although they were still getting at each other’s throats and faces once more. “I dare ya to enter the next rodeo when it comes to town.” “I dare you not to enter the next rodeo that comes to town.” “I dare ya to not comb your mane a hundred times before bed.” “And I dare you to comb yours just once.” “And I dare both of you to let Twilight have her turn.” Fuli then interrupted as she got in between the two of them. “And to cut it out.” “I, uh, I think we should check off Truth or Dare and move on.” Twilight then decided it was for the best despite Fuli speaking up for her as she looked at the next item of business. During this time period, Applejack took off the dress while Rarity dried herself up and got her mane to return to it's fashionable and curly state. “Let's see what our next fun-fun-fun thing is, shall we? Hm, what does this mean? Pillow fight?” “Oh, please. I am not at all interested in participating in something so crude.” Rarity voiced her disinterest in that. At least until Applejack tosses a pillow at her face out of spite. “Oh! It! Is! On!” Rarity then threw back the pillow at the farm pony who then got smacked in the face with it. Applejack then retaliates by bucking three more right at her which smacked her really hard in the face. As Rarity returns the favor with three more pillows, Applejack then lassos three more at her face with much more intensity then before to which the unicorn was able to use her magic to stop them before they could even strike her really hard. As Fuli and Twilight watch on the former is starting to really get further irritated with them for their constant fighting each other instead of having fun while Twilight seems to get the idea of how a pillow fight works out. “Oh, I get it! Pillow, fight! Fun!” She got the idea as she finds herself accidentally whacked hard by the tossed pillows in the middle of their crossfire. “Ugh. Ah. Uh, girls? Maybe we should take it down a notch?” She recommended to them as she got knocked down with her eyes spinning hard from the impact. “I will if she will.” Applejack replied as she still locked her eyes on the unicorn. “She started it.” Rarity retorted as she still kept her eyes locked on the earth pony. At that moment, Fuli put an end to this as she quickly uses her super speed to confiscate all of the pillows including the ones that are unintentionally burying Twilight. “That’s it!” She furiously declared. “Playtime is over!” But before she could give the two a good chewing out Twilight quickly defused it. “Maybe we should just call it a night and get some sleep?” She recommended to them. “Fine.” Rarity returned as she and Applejack walked in separate directions from each other. “Fine by me.” Applejack added not even looking at the unicorn who returns it in kind. Fuli groaned in exasperation of that she is the only one trying to have fun with Twilight while she is in the middle of the other two’s ponies ridiculous argument. “I’m sorry to say this but why is it so hard for them not to argue for just one night?!” Fuli voiced her frustration as she couldn’t take it anymore. “I’m sorry Fuli…” Twilight returned. “I don’t know what’s gotten into them.” “It’s not your fault.” Fuli replied. “With them it’s like one of them is a tomboyish farm pony not afraid to get her hooves dirty while the other is a fashion designer with a girly girl sense of manners and etiquette.” “True, but don’t you usually hate getting wet and muddy.“ Twilight asked. “Yes, but that’s not to say I dislike everything that’s girly.” Fuli answered and clarified while sighing as she continues and gets a little deep with her personal life. “I guess the reason why I’m vocal about all of this is other than being in between the two of their differences is just wanting to have fun and enjoy your first slumber party like this is my first.” “Wait.” Twilight said in surprise. “You’re telling me that you never had a slumber party before in your life?” “No.” “Not even once?” “No.” Fuli answered as she calmly explained. “Aside it being the one of many things that the Pride Lands doesn’t have, cheetahs really don’t have slumber parties. Not after the last time…” “What happened? If you don’t mind me asking?” Twilight asked to which Fuli holds nothing against her for wanting to know. “Before the day I would leave my family since cheetahs reach a certain point in their early life to leave to live on their own…” Fuli began as Twilight resisted the urge to say “aww.” at the moment yet sympathetic just from starting to listen to her story. “…was the first slumber party I tried to have back when I was about your age at the time.” As Fuli speaks, Twilight uses her magic to help her relief the memory as the memory of Fuli when she was young played back in her mind for both eyes and ears to see and hear. “Before meeting all of you, I got together with one of my childhood friends with a couple of other cheetahs got together for a sleepover.” She recalled the memory as the four cheetahs got together to hang out together while eyeing a male cheetah who looked similar to Fuli who returned it in kind before they all went off to . “Back then I was so into wanting to have fun with them I was not prepared for what happened next.” "First one to that tree near the mountains is a slow kitty-kat.” A young Fuli challenged the other three to said location in the far distance ahead well into the nighttime sky. “You’re on!” The male cheetah accepted the challenge as they share a teasing look into each other’s eyes as he and the two other female cheetahs lined up ready as they look at each other in disdain. “I invited them over with hopes that they would be able to get along better if we did something we all enjoyed together and while I found someone I really liked the other two like Applejack and Rarity both clashed over every little thing. Wherever it’s who started fights, who was better, who was faster, all of the good stuff that our new friends have been doing all night. Only until that day did I realize how big of a mistake it was when their constant arguing went too far.” The four cheetahs made their way to the tree in a mad dash to which Fuli and the male cheetah were both neck and neck as Fuli pulls through with the win by a head while the other two continue bumping each other until they tackled each other to the ground and tumbled to the finish line. “Lucky.“ He said to the victor as he caught his breath feeling he should have won that race. “Eh, luck had nothing to do with it.” Young Fuli returned as the other two cheetahs caught up. “Good going dumb-dumb.” She bickered to the cheetah as they got into each other’s faces. “You cost us the race.” “Maybe if you weren’t constantly pushing me the whole race maybe we would have had a chance.” She retorted back. “I did not push you.” “Did too!” “Did not!” “Did too!” “Did not!” “Did too!” “Did not!” “Enough!” The male cheetah said in tears clearly upset by their fighting. “This was supposed to be fun but now it’s listening to you two constantly fight each other and the truth is I’m sick of it!“ He then said as he made his way up the mountain. “I’m outta here!” “Please don’t go…!” Young Fuli pleaded to no avail. “Sorry Fuli, but “Mibinamet!” He apologetically yet firmly returned as he left for good leaving the other two cheetahs to further argue of whose fault it was. “That is your fault!” “Your fault!” “Your fault!” “My fault?!” “My...Your fault!” “I tricked you!” “And just like that he was gone.” Fuli recalled as her young self sadly watched him leave as he climbed up the mountains in a huff leaving the poor girl in tears while her current self could only look down with the same sad expression without tears. “And I never saw him again.” “Oh, Fuli. I’m so sorry.” Twilight could only say in sympathy as she canceled the aura of magic showing the flashback. “Its okay, Twilight. It’s not your fault. It was just seeing you so eager to want to have a slumber party that I really wanted to join in so you wouldn’t go through the same disappointment I went through. But Applejack and Rarity’s constant arguing seems to be getting in the way of trying to actually have fun with you.” “Maybe they’ll cool down after a good night’s sleep.” Twilight suggested. “Hopefully they can go through one night sleeping together without clashing with each other again.” “If only are some things are easier done as much as well said.” Fuli replied unconvinced yet was willing to give them one more chance as they both get ready for bed. Later that night the four all settled down to try to get some sleep. While Twilight sleeps in her own bed, Fuli sleeps on the floor with a few pillows to which she stretched her back as she prepared to relax and get some shut-eye. Applejack and Rarity both had to share the other guest bed just opposite of Twilight to which the two ponies are not seeing eye to eye with each other because of their constant quarrels. “Keep your muddy hooves on your side of the bed.” Rarity seethingly whispered to Applejack as she gave an aside glare at her. “My hooves ain't muddy.” Applejack returned with the same tone and glare. “They were. There might still be a little on them.” Rarity retorted as she turned to face her. “There ain't. See?” Applejack showed her proof in the pudding. “Eww!” Rarity complained as she pulled the full bed covers towards her side of the bed. “Now who's bein' inconsiderate?” Applejack whispered irritably as she snatched bed cover to her side of the bed. “I have to make the bed again so the blanket will be right. Get up.” Rarity whispered as she nudged Applejack off of the bed to which Fuli’s ear’s perked up hearing their growing argument again. “Not again.” She groaned as she used her paws in an attempt to mute out it. “Hey!” Applejack said as she fell out of bed as Rarity worked her magic to neatly re-do the bed covering. “Ah ah ah! You'll ruin it.” She raised a hoof up to stop Applejack before she could tuck herself in. “You have to do it like this. Mm, uh, ooh, u-u-u-uh, uh, ah.” She demonstrated as she gently tucked herself in without pulling out the covers. “Yeah, that's not gonna happen.” Applejack said as she voices it is not going to suit with her. “Geronimo!” She shouted as she leaped onto bed knocking Rarity off while taking full control of the full bed covers. “Hey!” She shouted as Applejack made herself nice and cozy. “You did that on purpose.” She complained. “Um, yeah?” Applejack didn’t even deny it. “Get up so I can fix it again.” She ordered of him “Can't hear ya, I'm asleep.” Applejack refused as she snored loudly to make her point. At this point, Twilight was starting to wake up due to their argument. “I’m sorry to bother you, but they’re at it again.” Fuli whispered to her as she had given up on trying to sleep through it as Rarity pulled the covers off of Applejack to force her to comply with her demands. “I ain't budgin'.” Applejack refuses to do so. “You will if you want any blankets.” Rarity asserted as she held it in her mouth to which Applejack responded by snatching it out of her mouth as the two now got into a tug-of-war battle. “Give it back!” “I will not!” “Yes, you will!” “Won't!” “Will!” “Won't!” “Will!” “Won't!” ”Will!” “Enough!” Twilight shouted to get them to stop while showing them her checklist with the number one rule. “It says right here that the number one thing you're supposed to do at a slumber party is have fun, and thanks to you two I can't check that off!” “I've been tryin' my darndest to get along.” Applejack defended herself. “No, it is I who have been trying my best.” Rarity argued back as they got into each other’s faces. “No, it was me.” “No, it was I.” “Me! “I!” “I hope you're happy, both of you.” Twilight shut them up as she scolded them. “You've ruined my very first slumber party. And not only that, you ruined Fuli’s first slumber party who is the only doing a good job of trying have fun with me. The makeover, the s'mores, Truth or Dare, the pillow fight... I mean, is there anything else that could possibly go wrong?” “I mean seriously…” Fuli added as she took a turn in scolding them. “…you’re both fully grown mares and yet you are both behaving like children. You even make the cheetahs I grew up with more mature than the both of you combined. I mean if I wasn’t so sick of water, I’d rather get struck by lightning than put up with all of this.” As soon as they said it, lightning did strike a tree next door to Twilight home. “Sorry I asked.” Twilight softly said as she ducked under her covers. “Why did I even say that.” Fuli said to herself with a groan that fate just had strike on that opportunity. The four then run over to the nearby window to see what had happened and see the now loose tree about to fall over about to give way and fall over. “Ya see? That's why we needed to take down all those loose branches in town, not spiffy 'em up.” Applejack told the ashamed white unicorn in an “I told you so.” manner. “But I…” She tried to speak as the farm pony quickly moved forward to take care of it before it can do damage. “Outta my way, missy! Time's a-wastin'.” She said as she prepared to lasso it. “Wait! Stop! Don't!” She tried to warn her. “No waitin'! No stoppin'! Doin'!” She said as she maintained a grip on the tree branch and pulled it back. “And that, my friends, is what we call gettin' 'er done.” Applejack’s success was short-lived as her approach backfired as the tree branch crashed broke through the window leaving the cow girl dangling mid-air. “Well done, Applejack. As always.” Fuli said in a deadpan tone as the cold winds and rain starts coming through the window. “More like getting it done wrong.” “I tried to tell you it would come crashing down in here.” Rarity chastised her for her mistake as she covered her head with a book while Fuli ducked under the bed for warmth and cover. “Well, ya shoulda tried harder.” Applejack irritably returned as she sees Twilight got knocked hard in the head by the impact of it. “I'm mighty sorry, Twilight.” She apologized. “It's... Well, it's not okay.” Twilight didn’t sugarcoat how unacceptable it is. “There's a giant tree branch in the middle of my bedroom.” She said as she made her way forward to which she ended up stumbling on her footing to which Fuli quickly ran over to catch her before she could fall over and hit her head on the floor. “What in tarnation are y'all doin' over there?“ Applejack asked Rarity as she is putting the books away. “Cleaning up this mess somepony made.” Rarity answered while not sugarcoating how much she is at fault for this. “Who was that again? Oh, right, that's you.” “We gotta do somethin'!” Applejack asked of Fuli who is tending to Twilight. “I’m afraid this is something you two have to figure out since our host is out cold and I don't mean the weather.” Fuli told them as she drags Twilight to get some ice for her head bump. “And you two better start making amends if you want your friendship with us to make it out intact here.” “Rarity, for pony's sake, stop sweatin' the small stuff and help me get rid of this thing!” Applejack then barked at the other unicorn to work with her for once here. “I said hussle over here and help me!” After seeing she is not getting a response she decides it was best to listen to the cheetah’s words as she swallows her pride again. “Look, I'm sorry, all right?” “What was that?” Rarity snapped to attention hearing that. “I said I'm sorry!” Applejack repeated. “I shoulda listened to you when you noticed where this here branch would end up. Yer annoyin' attention to detail would'a saved us from this whole mess. But right now, ya need to stop bein' so dang fussy pickin' up all the little things and help me move the one big thing in here that actually matters! Please!” Rarity then decided to listen to her yet hesitates as she examines what they are dealing with. “Uh. Uh, but I'll get all icky.” She complained once again. “Consarnit!” She snapped before quickly correcting herself to avoid another fight. “What the... eh... you... I mean, yes, ickiness is often a side effect of hard work. But y'all need to get over it, on account I just can't fix this mess I made myself. I need your help.” Rarity thought about her heartfelt words for a minute and then came to the same realization on her side of the fence as she returns with a reply. “Oh. Let's do this.” She confidently said as she concentrated her magic on the large tree branch and transformed it into multiple figurines of shapes of a butterfly, bunny, earth pony, heart, and a Pegasus pony. Applejack then prepared to buck the last branch away only for it to be met with a stern glare from the unicorn to warn her against doing so. She then settles to just listen to her for once after remembering what happened last time she did that and then gently pushes it outside with her teeth before shutting the window closed. The two succeeded in solving the problem together as they both see they are both covered in mud and dirt from wrestling with that broken tree branch. “U-ugh. Oh, I look awful.” Rarity said as Applejack resolved this by using the eye pieces used in spas to cover her eyes. “Better?” Applejack asked. “Hmph, thanks.” Rarity responded as they both hugged just as Fuli and Twilight came back inside with the latter now having regained consciousness while carrying a bag of ice on her head to stop the swelling from the bump that had sustained from the crash. “Oh, pretty! Where did these come from?” Twilight asked as she admired Rarity’s creation upon seeing them. “From the two ponies who have finally learned to get along and at a perfect time too.” Fuli answered while looking impressed at what she was seeing from them. “About time if you ask me.” Twilight said. “That’s true.” Applejack answered as she sighed to the two. “I’m mighty sorry, both of you all. We shouldn’t have squabbled like that. Especially since we’re supposed to be friends getting along.” “Indeed, and I’m sorry too.” Rarity said in agreement as she shared the same shame as the earth pony next to her. “We are supposed to be friends and yet we ended up bickering like foals in a daycare center.” “It was very shameful business we just engaged in there.” “Can you forgive us?” Fuli looked on at the two giving them pleading eyes as they begged for her forgiveness. Twilight was already more than happy to accept their apology while Fuli ponders back to what her former friends cost her but after seeing the two have now learned their lesson she then relents with her decision. “Of course.” Fuli warmly returned as the three all hugged her. Even though they both got mud on her fur, she didn’t mind because primarily because they made amends they did the one thing her former friends didn’t too. The three then all got cleaned up as they all regrouped back downstairs as Twilight and Rarity had hair accessories in their mane’s and tail’s while Applejack didn’t as she just has her farm hat on as the four then play twenty questions together all while laughing and now having fun now that they are no longer arguing anymore. “Is it bigger than a barn?” Applejack asked as the unicorn giggled. “Nope.” Twilight answered. “Is it smaller than a saddle?” Rarity asked to which Twilight giggled again. “No! Only three of your twenty questions left!” “We're never gonna guess what you're thinkin' of, it could be anythin'.” Applejack voiced seeing they are running out of questions here. “Are we getting warmer?” Rarity asked. “Why? Is it too cold in here for you? I can turn up the heat.” Twilight wondered and offered. “She means are we gettin' any closer with our guesses?” Applejack corrected. “Oh! No. And that technically counted as a question, so only two more left!” Twilight responded. “Is it... a six-legged pony with a purple polka-dotted mane and shootin' stars comin' out of his eyes?” Applejack asked. “Who flies through the air all over the world to hide magic, sparkly eggs?” Rarity added. “That's it!” Twilight answered. “It is?” Both ponies asked. “No.” She said as she chuckled. “It's that.” She said as she pointed to the telescope from above. “But it was just so nice to see you two finally getting along, I wanted you to be able to win together.”” Both ponies laughed together as Fuli just smiles watching this. “See? We could have been having fun like this all along.” Twilight said to them as Fuli gives them a knowing look. “If only somepony hadn't been so persnickety.” Applejack said to Rarity. “Well, maybe she wouldn't have been if somepony else hadn't been so sloppy.” Rarity returned to Applejack as they briefly glare each other before their expressions turn into more friendly smiles. “Sorry for being such a pain in the patootie.” Applejack apologized. “Oh, no, I'm sure I was much worse.” Rarity returned. “That's kind of ya to say, but I'm the one who's sorry.” “Oh, I'm much more sorry than you are.” “Ugh. Are not.” “Are too.” “Are not!” “Are too.” “Are not.” “Are too.” Fuli rolls her eyes in amusement at the friendly fighting but is nonetheless pleased that they are finally able to bury the hatchet and have them with them. “I declare my first slumber party a success!” Twilight declared as she hugged them along with Fuli to which Applejack and Rarity both cheered in celebration. “Have fun, check.” She added as she checked it off from her book. The next game they played was having Applejack and Fuli having the cucumber eye covers on their eyes as they try to approach a book staircase. “Now take two steps to your left. Uh, no, my left.” Rarity instructed them as Fuli got a good feel for it while Applejack didn’t as she went more to the left more towards the book staircase. “Whu, which is it?” Applejack asked as she accidentally crashed into it to which Fuli quickly leaped off of them to avoid falling. “Whoa! That mess is your fault, not mine.” “Sorry.” Rarity replied. “No question about that.” Fuli teasingly returned while very appreciative of their now friendly gestures towards each other as Twilight put together another one of her weekly friendship letters for her mentor. “Dear Princess Celestia, It's hard to believe that two ponies who seem to have so little in common could ever get along. But I found out that if you embrace each other's differences, you just might be surprised to discover a way to be friends after all.” “So, who's up for another slumber party tomorrow night? Ugh. How about a week from Thursday? Oh, how about two weeks from Saturday? A month from now?” Twilight asked hopefully they can do another one sometime soon. “Maybe a month from now.” Applejack kindly answered. “We’ll have to check our schedules.” Rarity added. “But we’ll definitely do this again.” Fuli added to which Twilight smiled with glee hearing this as they hear a knock on the door. Twilight answered and it is Kion and the rest of the Guard as the storm cleared up to reveal a bright and sunny morning as the clouds cleared up. “Good morning, Twilight.” He greeted as the unicorn trotted in place. “You all ready for our morning patrol?” She briefly stopped trotting in place before standing cross-legged and holding herself in place tightly. “In just a minute. Be right back.” She politely excused herself with a light grin before she quickly ran upstairs to her bathroom for some last-minute business before beginning their daily morning patrol. While Twilight relieves herself, Kion takes this opportunity to talk with Fuli about what happened the night she stayed over. “So I take you managed well here with them overnight?” He asked the cheetah who looked at the other two ponies she spent the night in the library with. “Oh yeah.” She answered as the two smiled and hugged each other like close friends. “Any problems with them?“ Kion asked with a slightly concerned eyebrow directed at them. “Oh, no.” Fuli quickly assured. “It was nothing a little friendship lesson they couldn’t handle." Both Applejack and Rarity laughed together as Fuli winks at them to make sure that everything went well between them as Twilight returned with the sound of the upstairs toilet flushing after her as she leads everyone outside so they can carry out their daily patrol together. “Let’s go!” She told everyone as they all made their way back to the Pride Lands together to make sure everything is running smoothly there. As the Guard leaves the library in the direction towards the portal back to the Pride Lands, unbeknownst to them a lioness with crystal blue eyes and peach colored fur was busy watching over the Golden Oak Library from a large hill before she looked at her leg that is disabled, thinking back to something that happened in the past.... "You're not harming my little sister, you shadowy freak!" She said as she stood in her friend's defense. "Step away from my best friend! You monster!" "Hahaha....! You simply underestimate me...." the Shadowy figure chuckled before he launched a blade of dark magic that sent them flying back and screaming in pain they fell on the ground leaving her devastated. "Pathetic..." The lioness then snapped back to reality upon snapping out of her flashback. "I can't let him ruin the peace here.... like he did with my pride..." She said as she looked up at the sky, "Where are you...? I miss you...." she whispered as she sheds a small tear that fell on the grass.