A spell went flying towards Sunset, crackling through the air brightly, the bolt of fire lashing out, impacting against the shield held against it with a faintly metallic fizzle.
Sunset took the heavy hit on her shield, and she gritted her teeth, pushing against it even if it actually forced her hooves to slide back half a step before she responded in kind, her own bolt of power flying out and crashing against Tempests shield with a bright flash, lighting up the night.
“Who do you think is strongest?” I whispered to Twilight as we watched from further up in a nearby tree, the wide branch easily giving us a place to perch as we looked at the training platform.
“As much as I hate to say it,” Sparks whispered back, her wing a bit tighter across my back, “Easily Tempest. Sunset is strong, but Tempest hits like a runaway train. Midnight and I think it’s from having to force her magic her entire life combined with starting off already strong.”
I nodded.
That was true, I had practiced with her a couple of times. Sparks and Midnight might be a close second to Sunshine in magical punching power, but Tempest may be number three. Her control was still so so, even now, but she punched hard.
We had planned to grab Sunny as soon as we arrived, but as she and Tempest had been alternating shielding and throwing full power blasts at each other...
Interrupting that and disrupting their concentration during that was a bad plan and could very easily get somepony hurt… or considering the amount of magic they are throwing about, killed.
Or vaporized.
Last time I got hit by something like that, it was sneaking up on Sunshine.
Leaning softly against Sparks I shifted slightly on the thick flat branch, relaxing. Twilight smiled and rested her head ontop of mine, her wing brushing across my back and my wings, “Is lunch going to get cold?” she whispered.
I shook my head slightly, “Put a warming spell on it,” I answered quietly, “There isn’t any hurry.”
Sparks relaxed against me in turn, “Princess Celestia changed your mind about today?” she whispered softly.
“...Kinda,” I admitted quietly, “She yelled at me for stressing out and not delegating enough. I couldn’t help but realize that she was right. And I have been neglecting Sunny and you.”
“...We have been as busy as you have…” Sparks admitted with a small sigh against my ear, “All of us. She’s right, we should take more time for each other.”
I nodded slightly, “And to just relax,” I said and glanced at her, “You know… you don’t have to stay here for Hearth’s Warming. You could go see your friends, bring Fluttershy too?”
Sparks frowned slightly in thought, “I...I have to think about that,” she admitted and then relaxed against me again, “I miss them, but I want to spend it with you and Kitten. Maybe invite Midnight and Tempest too.”
“Kinky.”
Sparks blinked at me before she stuck her tongue out at me with a small glare, poking my side firmly with her hoof.
I grinned and stole a kiss before I flicked one ear before I blinked at her and quickly looking over at where Sunny and Tempest were still trading blasts, both of them looking slightly more tired by now.
Grinning, I then looked to Sparks again as their blasts took turns lighting up the forest.
Sparks flicked one ear and tilted her head in question, “What?”
“Oh, nothing. Just noteing the similarities.”
“Similarities?”
“You know, between Sunset and Tempest,” I teased, “Powerful athletic unicorns, both of them. A few days ago I’d say you and Midnight had a type, but now I’m on your list so…”
Twilight smiled and shrugged one wing, “I know what I like,” she admitted and kissed my cheek before she eyed me, “Speaking of which…”
“I know, I know,” I sighed softly and leaned against her, “I need to exercise more again and I will.”
“...Me too, maybe we should do it together?” Sparks said before she shook her head, “But I didn’t mean that. It seems like things are slowing down down there.”
“Oh,” I said and looked down to see Sunset and Tempest talking while heading towards the side of the platform where a couple of bags and water bottles were sitting, “Yeah, let’s get down there?”
Sparks nodded and got up, walking towards the outer edge of the branch to jump off. I took off where we had been, having an easier time to spot any random branches.
I followed Sparks down to the platform.
“Twi! Page!” Sunset exclaimed, lowering her water bottle in her magic as she looked at us in surprise as Sparks landed before her, me setting down a second later, “What are you doing here?”
I smiled, “Lunch!” I said and gave my bag a small shake in my magic, “And we’re taking the night off!”
Sunset blinked, “We are?” and looked at Twilight.
Sparks nodded with a smile, “We are,” and moved up to touch her horn softly to Sunsets before she glanced at Tempest, “Assuming we can steal away your training partner?”
Tempest shook her head, “Of course, Princess,” she said with a smile before she hesitated, “Is Midnight still in the lab?”
Sparks nodded, “Should still be, she’s working on a new ballista design. She’d like your company I’d think.”
Tempest nodded and picked her things up before giving me a quick bow before retreating towards one of the paths leading in the direction of the lab.
Sunset sipped her water and then looked at Sparks and me questioningly, “...So, lunch?” she asked.
“Lunch!” I agreed and looked around, “...But we should likely move somewhere we’re less in the way, somepony is likely going to need this place in a bit.”
“I know a spot,” Sparks said with a smile.