//------------------------------// // Chapter 6 // Story: Stopwatch // by N o - F a c e //------------------------------// Several years came and went, and Fluttershy and Whirl finally graduated for the last time. They were now free to make their mark on the world. “What are you going to do, Dashie?” Fluttershy politely questioned him over tea at the local Steerbucks. “I’m planning on buying that cottage I told you about - that one in Ponyvile? It’s a bit run down, but all that means is it’s cheap and just needs some love and care!” “Hmm...” Whirl rested his head on his hoof. “Honestly? That’s what I’ve been wondering too... I mean, I got one idea, but...” He frowned. “Hm?” Fluttershy put down her tea. “...That dream I had, you know? Of opening that shop? But good quality clockwork is so expensive... I just don’t have the bits to get started, dammit!” Fluttershy was quiet. “...Rainbow, when I checked out the house in Ponyvile, it was mentioned to me that the local weather team was a bit short, and they were currently hiring if I was looking for a nearby job.” “Huh?” His ears perked. “Y’think they’d hire me?” Fluttershy smiled, “Dashie, you may be a bit lazy sometimes, but you’re an excellent flier, and a hard worker when you want to be. If you do this for your shop, I see no reason why they wouldn’t hire you!” Whirl slowly grinned back. “Yeah? Haha, I guess you’ll have to wait for me in Ponyvile, then!” ——— “Another day, another dollar!~” Whirl sing-songed as he deposited his latest paycheck-worth of bits in his savings jar. He then shoved the halfway-full jar underneath his bed, back in the company of its two fully-filled brethren. His room was halfway between neat and messy - that uncomfortable state where you didn’t know for sure if it was organized or not, and whether you should offer to help clean. All of his little cloud house was like this, and that was how Whirl liked it. It was a rather humble home, but that was how one lived when they were saving up. Cloud houses were generally rather cheap (and for good reason, given how drafty they were). That said, that was actually yesterday’s paycheck - not today’s. He had yet to do today’s work. It was early though, and he did it fast enough in one go that he could save it for later. He had always had an odd soft spot for cloudy days, and wanted to save this one for juuuuuust a bit longer. A nice cloudy day made for a nice nap. So, sue him, he was being a bit lazy? It was just one of those days, ok? He wanted to dream of his lovers today, and the lazy days they used to share. ——— Twilight Sparkle was a very unhappy pony. Number two and number one on her list of things currently making her unhappy was her very full belly, and the fact that she could not find this “Rainbow Dash” anywhere. The sky was filled with clouds, but not a single pegasus she could see. “Hey!” Spike called, “Is that her?” Twilight followed where his finger pointed. There - barely peeking over the edge of a cloud - was the tip of a rainbow-colored tail. “Hey! Rainbow Dash!” Spike yelled. The tail swished as its owner abruptly sat up. “What? Who’s calling?” A blue face, framed with rainbow ponytails peeked over the edge of the cloud. “I’m-“ Twilight began. “You’re not with the weather team, are you? You look new... Probably not? But hey, I’m gonna do my work! I was just saving it for later, since it goes by so quick! See?” Before Twilight could even introduce herself, Rainbow Dash was off. She and Spike watched in awe as she raced from cloud to cloud, dissipating each into the sky. The full sky was soon nearly empty, and all in seconds. However, as the last of the clouds burst, it happened to be one filled with rain. And it was directly over Twilight’s head. “Oh shit! Um, sorry?” Rainbow Dash called out from above. “I... can fix that? Hang on!” Sooner than Twilight could protest, the blue mare began flying around her at super speeds. Wind from her flight blasted Twilight and spun her around. Twilight screeched as nausea swirled within her. But sooner than she could think to do anything to stop it, it was over. The dust settled, and Rainbow looked at her work. “Oh. OH WOW.” She burst into laughter. “Wow, that was NOT my intention, but I’ll take that!” She crowed. Twilight dizzily looked at herself. Her mane was a poofy, frizzy mess! She didn’t have time for this! “Well!!! The sky is clear now, so we’re done here!” She said shortly. “Aw, sorry ‘bout that, heh, Frizzle, but anyways... it was fun with ya’! See you later!” Rainbow said with certainty. Twilight ignored her and made her way to the next stop on her list. Spike continued to giggle at her new involuntary hairdo, until he paused. “Twilight, what does “shit” mean?” Twilight was a very unhappy pony. ——— Whirl made his way to Pinkie Pie’s. It wasn’t a guarantee she’d be at Sugarcube Corner, but it was a guarantee that she’d be preparing a party for the newcomer, if she’d heard about her. Pinkie Pie’s parties were slagging fun, so he was certainly going to inform her of reason to throw one. Sure enough, Pinkie was busy whipping up a cake already. Ingredients surrounded her on the kitchen top. “Oh! Hi Dashie!” “‘Sup Pinks,” he gave her a quick hoofbump, “‘Ya making this for the newbie?” “Yeperuni!” The bubbly pink mare replied. “Do you think she seemed like a “chocolate icing” pony, or a “vanilla icing” pony? I mean, I’m not on that part yet,” she gestured to the bowl, “but it’s great to think ahead!” She chirped. “Hmmm....” Whirl mused. “I’d say chocolate. Can’t go wrong with chocolate.” Pinkie giggled, “Except for you! You’re one of the few ponies I know who doesn’t like chocolate!” “Hey, I like chocolate!” “Only baking chocolate, you weirdo!” “That’s still chocolate! And hey, you douse everything in hotsauce, so you’re one to talk!” They both laughed. “But hey, I’m thinking the party should be a surprise party! Will you be there? I know you love surprise parties!” “Only when they aren’t for me! But yeah, I’ll go!” ——— “SURPRISE!” Twilight Sparkle balked at the many ponies before her. “Hi, I'm Pinkie Pie, and I threw this party just for you! Were you surprised? Were ya? Were ya? Huh huh huh?” A pink mare said to her. Twilight frowned. “Very surprised. Libraries are supposed to be quiet.” “Well, that's silly!” The bouncy pony said. “What kind of welcome party would this be if it were quiet? I mean, duh, bo-ring! Y'see, I saw you when you first got here, remember? You were all "hello" and I was all GASP, remember? Y'see I've never saw you before and if I've never saw you before that means you're new, 'cause I know everypony, and I mean everypony in Ponyville!” Twilight Sparkle groaned in exhaustion, deciding to pour herself a glass of punch. “And if you're new, that meant you haven't met anyone yet, and if you haven't met anyone yet, you must not have any friends, and if you don't have any friends then you must be lonely, and that made me so sad, then I had an idea, and that's why I went GASP! I must throw a great big ginormous super-duper spectacular welcome party and invite everyone in Ponyville! See? And now you have lots and lots of friends!” Pinkie blabbered. Suddenly, Twilight began to make a face. “Are you all right, sugarcube?” Applejack questioned. “Aww, she's so happy she's crying!” The oblivious Pinkie exclaimed. Saying nothing, Twilight rushed out of the room and upstairs with a red face. Spike turned over the bottle she’d poured from, "Hot sauce..." Pinkie grabbed the bottle from him and began dumping sauce on a nearby cupcake. “Ooh...” She stuffed to monstrosity into her mouth “Mwhaf? Iz gud!” She said to the shocked look the others gave her. Whirl stuck his tongue out. ——— The party continued, all the way up to morning. It was fun, like all of Pinkie’s parties, but it slowed and ended when the clock announced the time. In small groups, ponies began to make their way to the town hall, where the Summer Sun Celebration was soon to be held. One of those groups included a purple unicorn and pink earth pony. Pinkie Pie chattered on to the nervous Twilight. “Isn't this exciting? Are you excited, 'cause I'm excited, I've never been so excited - well, except for the time that I saw you walking into town and I went GASP, but I mean really, who can top that?” Twilight ignored her as best she could. Soon, bird whistles sounded as the Mayor made her announcement, “Fillies and gentlecolts, as mayor of Ponyville, it is my great pleasure to announce the beginning of the Summer Sun Celebration!” Ponies of all breeds and colors cheered happily. “In just a few moments, our town will witness the magic of the sunrise, and celebrate this, the longest day of the year! And now, it is my great honor to introduce to you the ruler of our land, the very pony who gives us the sun and the moon each and every day, the good, the wise, the bringer of harmony to all of Equestria...” “Ready?” Fluttershy whispered to her birds, who puffed their feathers proudly. “...Princess Celestia!” There was a silent pause. “Huh?” Rarity looked confused. The spotlight shone on nothing. The princess wasn’t there! Ponies looked around, twisting their necks to see, but she was nowhere in sight. “This can't be good.” Twilight mumbled. “Remain calm, everypony, there must be a reasonable explanation!” Mayor Mare stated nervously as she paced the stage. Pinkie Pie pinkied, “Ooh, ooh, I love guessing games! Is she hiding?” Whirl rolled his eyes. Rarity peeked from around the curtain she’d been searching behind. “She's gone!” She called to the crowd in a worry. The crowd responded with a gasp. Pinkie responded by being Pinkie, “Ooh, she's good.” Ponies gasped as a blue, twinkling mist enveloped the stage where there princess was supposed to be. Soon, a pitch black figure emerged - tall and with both wings and a horn. Twilight was aghast, “Oh no... Nightmare Moon!” Spike fainted. “Oh, my beloved subjects. It's been so long since I've seen your precious little sun-loving faces.” The figure said. She was a mare dressed in regal armor. “Hey! I thought there was supposed to be a princess!” Whirl called. “Why, am I not royal enough for you? Don't you know who I am?” The strange mare replied arrogantly. Pinkie Pie took a shot, “Ooh, ooh, more guessing games! Um, Hokey Smokes! How about... Queen Meanie! No! Black Snooty, Black Snooty- Mmmph!“ Applejack quickly shoved an apple in her mouth before she could dig her grave any deeper. Green eyes narrowed, “Does my crown no longer count now that I have been imprisoned for a thousand years? Did you not recall the legend? Did you not see the signs?” “I did.” Twilight said boldly, “And I know who you are. You're the Mare in the Moon – Nightmare Moon!” The crowd gasped again. “Well well well, somepony who remembers me. Then you also know why I'm here.” Nightmare Moon purred. “You're here to... to...” Twilight stammered. “Haha... Remember this day, little ponies, for it was your last. From this moment forth, the night will last forever! HAHAHAHAHA!” Thunder cracked and lightning flashed as the mad mare laughed, her mane turned to a storm.