“So, what did you want to talk about Flash?” Twilight asked. After they had gotten home from exploring Canterlot, Flash had told Sparkler and Twilight he needed to talk to them in private. So Twilight took them up to her old room and shut the door.
Flash took a deep breath, and just said it like it was. “Fleur Dis Lee and Fancypants want to talk to Sparkler.” He said. “According to them, they’re on her side if anything.”
While Sparkler, not knowing Fleur and Fancypants, momentarily smiled at the news that she had supporters. Twilight, who knew who Fancypants and Fleur were, also smiled a little, but she was a lot more skeptical. “Fleur and Fancypants, who are prominent Nobles in Canterlot—“ That took away Sparkler’s smile. “—are NOT Anti-Sparkler like the rest of them?” Twilight asked.
“Apparently?” Flash replied. “I mean, I of course am not the Element of Honesty, but from what I could tell, they seem like they genuinely do not have the same views on Sparkler as their colleagues.“
Twilight’s mind raced. She never, and will never, tell Sparkler, but she had received more than her fair share of letters since Sparkler came out from Nobles who demanded that she, as the Element of Magic and a princess of Equestria, force Sparkler to become a princess, or descend her back to whatever species she was before her ascension. And the seeming unanimous reason boiled down to responsibility and honor. According to the Nobles, Alicorns were expected to be royalty, to lead Equestria into the future. And if any Alicorn refused to sit on a throne, they were turning their backs on their responsibility and dishonoring the Alicorn species.
Never before had the nobles gotten on Twilight’s nerves so much. She had gotten complaints from Nobles in the past, she had even been under fire before because she chose to remain in Ponyville rather than move back to Canterlot to be a princess from there. But this, this was something else. The Nobles were trying to force a pony onto a pedestal that said pony didn’t want and never asked for. And Twilight was absolutely disgusted by it, to the point where she was legitimately considering talking to Celestia about disbanding the Nobility entirely. The Nobles could’ve ignored Sparkler, but no. Because of her species, they wanted her head for refusing to wear a crown, and that was not ok in Twilight’s eyes.
All of this together contributed to Twilight’s disbelief that any Noble could ever be on Sparkler’s side. So hearing that two were on her side almost felt like a fantasy. But the rational part of Twilight’s brain remembered who Fleur and Fancypants were, and knew from her dealings with them that they weren’t NEARLY as bad as the rest of the Nobility. So she wasn’t as surprised as she could’ve been.
Sparkler meanwhile could see the gears turning in Twilight’s mind, and she had a bad feeling about what Twilight was thinking. “Twilight?” She asked.
That brought Twilight out of her thoughts. She shook her head clear. “Sorry, just trying to process this.” She said.
“I know how you feel Twi.” Flash responded. “Especially after all the letters you and Celestia have been getting from angry Nobles.” He revealed.
While Twilight let out an eep, Sparkler raised an eyebrow, confused. “What letters?” She asked.
“The Nobles have been demanding that Celestia or Twilight force you to become—“ Was as far as Flash got before Twilight lit her horn and magically stopped him from saying anything else.
Sparkler glanced at Twilight. “Force you to do what?” She asked. “Twilight, what have those Nobles been demanding?” She asked, in sort of a demanding to know tone.
Twilight glared at Flash for putting her in this position before sighing. “They’ve been demanding that you be forced into royalty or descended to whatever you were before ascension.” She told Sparkler.
Sparkler studied Twilight’s expression, it told her that there was something more. “What else?” She asked.
Twilight bit her lip and gulped. There was another part to the Noble’s demands. But she really didn’t want to say it. Because she knew Sparkler would be ticked off.
“Twilight, what else did those letters say?” Sparkler urged. Her anger slowly rising as she raced with ideas of what the Nobles were saying.
“…They said that if you didn’t agree to Royalty or descension despite the Princess’s ruling…they’d see to it that Kicker was taken away from you forever, removing you from the adoption agreement and making me the sole parent.” She revealed. Backing away and bracing herself for the inevitable outburst. As did Flash, because he knew how protective Sparkler was of Kicker.
“They said WHAT?!” Sparkler shrieked. “They can’t do that!” She roared.
“Sparkler, please, calm—“ Twilight tried to tell Sparkler but Sparkler cut her off.
“Calm down?! They’re threatening to have me removed as Kicker’s mother! Just because I refuse to wear a stupid tiara? It was my choice! I don’t care if they don’t like it! It’s my choice!” Sparkler ranted.
“Sparkler! Please listen!“ Twilight said. Lunging forward and wrapping Sparkler up in a hug. “Sparkler, calm down. They aren’t going to remove you as Kicker’s mom. I promise you that.” She said. “Celestia will make sure they can’t carry out that threat.” She assured her.
Sparkler slightly struggled against Twilight’s embrace, but her calm, soothing voice and mane strokes eventually got her anger to dwindle, and right there, she started crying into Twilight’s shoulder.
“What’s the big deal?” She sobbed. “Why is me not being Royal such a big deal? Sure, I’m an Alicorn, but that doesn’t mean I have to be royal.” She cried. “It’s not fair.” She said.
Twilight nodded and continued stroking Sparkler’s mane and holding her close. “I know sweetie. Don’t worry. Nopony is gonna force you to do anything you don’t want to do. And nopony is getting you removed as Kicker’s mother. I promise.” She cooed.
Flash watched from afar and grimaced to himself. “Why did I have to answer that question?” He asked himself. He shook his head after a second and cleared his throat. “Ahem. Uh, so…I told Fleur that I would let them know what you decided…should I tell them no?” He asked.
“Tell them now’s not the best time.” Twilight replied, still holding Sparkler. “Right now there’s too much of a risk of things turning into a shouting match.” She reasoned.
Flash nodded. “Alright. I’ll be back soon.” He said as he left the room.
While he left, Sparkler took a deep breath to calm down, and then pulled out of Twilight’s embrace.
Twilight looked at her marefriend with concern. “Are you ok?” She asked.
“Yeah…” Sparkler said. “I’m ok. Sorry for that…mood swing.” She said, she took a deep breath before speaking again. “What do you know of Fleur and Fancy?” She asked.
Twilight was taken aback by this, not expecting Sparkler to want to know about them. “Are you sure you want to hear about them?” She asked.
“I do.” Sparkler replied. “Flash said they didn’t agree with the rest of the Nobles when it came to me. And if that’s true, then I won’t say no to their hoof in friendship.” She said.
“We should probably wait until after you give birth.” Twilight said. “I don’t want there to be a shouting match between you and them.” She reasoned.
“That’s probably for the best.” Sparkler agreed. “So…what’s the scoop on them?” She asked.
Twilight took a deep breath, and began to talk about Fleur and Fancypants, the only two non-corrupt Nobles in Equestria.
Some time later, after Flash informed Fleur and Fancy of the bad news, at Canterlot Castle, a green furred Unicorn with lime green hair and battle gear strapped to himself walked into the throne room of the Castle. There, he saw Princesses Celestia and Luna, along with Captain of the entire Royal Guard, Flash Sentry.
The unicorn reached the three and bowed his head respectively. “You asked for me princess?” He asked Luna, who’s lunar Guard he was a part of.
“Commander Fletcher.” Luna responded. “You may rise. There is a matter that requires your unique skill set.” She said.
Fletcher rose to his hooves. “What’s the mission?” He asked.
“Tell me Fletcher, have you heard the chatter about Sparkling Medley?” Celestia asked.
“The new Alicorn? Yeah I’ve heard the chatter. Kinda hard not to when the Nobles won’t shut up about her.” Fletcher replied.
“Precisely why you are here.” Luna said. “Captain Flash has requested your help.”
“Sparkling Medley is in town.” Flash said. “And right now she is…more vulnerable than usual due to extraordinary circumstances.” He explained.
“Let me guess. Her Magic’s on the fritz, probably due to pregnancy.” Fletcher inquired.
Luna’s Celestia’s and Flash’s eyes widened in shock. Fletcher rolled his eyes. “It’s not that hard to figure out.” He reasoned. “Alicorn Magic never goes awry. And it’s common knowledge that powerful Unicorn’s magic is suppressed when pregnant.” He said.
Luna shook herself out of her shock and glared at Fletcher. “You shall keep that to yourself.” She told him. “The Nobles would surely have a field day if they knew Sparkler was pregnant.”
“I ain’t a snitch.” Fletcher replied. “And I especially ain’t about to blab to Self Centered featherbrains.” He added.
At that moment, the doors opened again and a female unicorn in lighter battle gear rushed in. “Colonel Omega reporting for duty, Your Majesties!” Said the new mare as she stopped beside Fletcher and saluted.
“At ease Omega.” Celestia responded. “We have a mission for you and Fletcher.” She said.
“Yes your majesty.” Omega replied. “What’s the mission?”
“It involves the new Alicorn Sparkling Medley, Omega.” Flash replied.
“Understood.” Omega responded. She turned to Fletcher. “You’re my partner I presume Fletcher?” She asked.
“Yeah. Looks like I am.” Fletcher replied. Letting out a light smile.
“Ok you two. Here’s what I need you to do.” Flash said, going over the mission with them.
Later that evening, Night-Mare found herself in the Canterlot Gardens. Having been summoned there by Princess Luna. As she wandered around, she glanced up at the stars and smiled. “Another beautiful sky Luna.” she commented idly. She smiled as she ran through her memories of their time together.
They had met during an Astronomy Conference in Fillydelphia. The two instantly hit it off through their love of the stars. That was maybe a year ago around this time. A year of regular meetups. Be it Luna visiting her observatory in Detrot, Night-Mare visiting the castle whenever she was in Canterlot, or meeting anywhere in between to stargaze. As Night-Mare looked back on each memory, her heart beat faster and gazed dreamily at the sky.
“Oh how I wish I had the guts to ask you out…” She mused. She didn’t know when it started, but lately she had been feeling something more towards Luna, a deeper feeling than Friendship.
“Greetings Night-Mare.” Came a familiar voice that Night-Mare always longed to hear. She turned to see princess Luna land in front of her.
Night-Mare smiled and bowed respectfully. “Princess Luna.” She greeted the night-monarch.
Luna chuckled. “Night, I have told you before, you need not bow to me. I would think our friendship over the past year has developed to the point where we can do away with titles.” She said.
Night-Mare giggled as she rose to her hooves. “Old habits die hard. Particularly when we meet at conferences on a regular basis.” She explained.
“You have a point, Dr. Night-Mare.” Luna responded, sending both mares chuckling.
After a second, Night-Mare calmed down, and decided to ask. “So. You asked me to meet you here. Thinking another stargazing session?” She asked.
Luna giggled. “We could.” She responded. “However I actually called you here for something a little different.” She revealed.
“Oh?” Night-Mare responded, her curiosity piquing. “And what might that be?” She asked.
Luna sighed. Now was the time. “Night-Mare. I have enjoyed our friendship over this past year. And I would never want to jeopardize it. However, lately I have been wanting to discuss something with you…something rather…personal.” She said, blushing.
Night-Mare saw her blush and raised an eyebrow. “What are you—“ Before Night-Mare could go on, Luna lit her horn and a guitar poofed in out of thin air. Luna took hold of the guitar with her hooves.
“I uh, hope you like it.” Luna said as she started strumming.
Night-Mare listened to Luna’s beautiful singing, and her mind was racing. She understood the lyrics perfectly. They could only mean one thing. Sweet tap dancing Faust! She feels the same way…and is confessing to ME! There was something wrong with that image. Night-Mare should’ve been the one confessing, and not the other way around. But at the same time, FAUST she loved hearing Luna sing! It made her heart beat faster than it ever had before.
After a good few minutes, the song came to an end and Luna strummed the last note. She opened her eyes, poofed the guitar away, and smiled sheepishly at Night-Mare. “Well uh…that is it…I would really like us to be something more.” Luna gulped. “I do hope we can still be—oof! Mmmph?!“
That broke all of Night-Mare’s self control as she tackled Luna to the ground and pressed their lips together. All the feelings of love powering the kiss.
Luna, for her part, was surprised at the sudden action by Night-Mare, but after her brain caught up with what was happening, she gladly returned the kiss and let her eyes close in complete bliss.
After a few seconds of bliss, Night-Mare pulled back, wearing the most adorable smile Luna had ever seen. “Princess Luna.” She said. “This PHD theorizes that you are asking her out. And you know what?” She said. “I’d be honored to be your marefriend!” She announced excitedly.
Luna beamed brightly at Night-Mare’s announcement and pulled her in for another kiss. All her worries of rejection melting away. After a few seconds, she let Night-Mare pull back again. “So I guess this means thou won’t say no to being my date to the Yule Ball?” She asked.
Night-Mare laughed as she got off Luna and helped her off the ground. “I just hope I can find a dress in time.” She said.
Luna let out the biggest smile on her face. Reality finally caught up to her that Night-Mare said yes to her confession of love. “Thank you Sparkler.” She said under her breath.
“What was that?” Night-Mare asked, having caught that.
“Oh, uh, Sparkler helped me learn how to play the song I just sang.” Luna revealed. “I wanted it to be perfect.”
Night-Mare laughed. “I’ve heard her work through Sparkling Harmony records and what she’s done with Airwave. So I say you made a good call if you needed music lessons.” She told her. She nuzzled Luna before smiling brightly. “Now, Stargazing?” She asked.
“Of course.” Luna responded as she lit her horn and summoned a telescope and star charts.
Night-Mare could not stop smiling as she and Luna went on with star gazing. She could tell that this new relationship with Luna was going to be amazing!
To be continued…