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// Chapter 8 
// Story: Echo 
// by Valley Fjord 
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The final crescendo from the recorder sent the cheers and congratulations through out the base of the library and they lasted long enough to turn Rainbow Dash red and bashful; they didn't however last forever. Pinkie had brought food enough to feed several horses which helped since Rainbow Dash was already trying to eat like one. Twilight Sparkle for her part watched her friend eat with a fritter in her own mouth.

Rarity approached Twilight with thoughts of what she had seen. “Twilight, you absolutely must give me a copy of the negatives for that amazing display." she said. A sparkle had set itself in Rarity's eyes the moment the show ended, "I'm already imagining the designs I can make just out of those colors. Oh, and then there are the patters too.” Rarity crooned as rolls of fabric twisted with a needle and thread inside of her mind. 

Pinkie Pie, who started attacking her own muffins, overheard Rarity's idea and started thinking of how to work those colors into something she could share with others. She stopped mid-bite to exclaim “A stacked cake with rings of rainbow frosting on top, a mash up of colors inside, and - and a winter mint crusty bottom for the Icy floor... Oh, and pop rocks that explode when you cut into it." She paused for breath and another bite. She then put a hoof to her chin before continuing "I'll have to find a way to get the rocks in without popping them in the oven first, but then that's the fun of having a new recipe.” She offered a warm smiles to her friends before finishing the pastry.

The two ponies envisioned their ideas, periodically when they came up with new ones they would ask Twilight for her input. Rainbow Dash kept an eye on the three as Apple Jack silently ribbed her. "Your face is getting a bit long there, Dash." 

Dash slammed her teeth down on a pastry, then she murmured through the bite "I'm fine." 

A soft smirk crossed Twilight's lips as she disconnected the machines with a loud pop. “I'm honored that you think so highly of what I did, Rarity. But this is really just as much Rainbow's accomplishment as mine, more then mine really." Twilight steeped away from her things and towards Rainbow Dash. "She came to me wanting to let everypony know just what her Sonic Rain-boom was like, all I added to this was the idea of it echoing and the recorder."

Rainbow Dash turned red again and she raised her voice, "Enough of the praise, this is suppose to be a party and I can't eat with all of you saying how awesome I am!" she turned away from the group to take a new fritter from the table. 

After that point the party rolled on to it's inevitable end. It was when the food ran out that Fluttershy finally spoke for the first time. “I know this party wasn't very long and that you two are probably still tired, but I want you both to know that I... that I am really happy that you two came back home safe and that everything turned out so surprisingly beautiful.” she said, smiling sweetly the entire time she spoke.

Rarity, Pinkie Pie and the cart were the next to leave. Both ponies still talking about their ideas of how to use what they say for new designs and recipes. Last out the door was Apple Jack, she tipped her hat and said. “Well I guess since I'm being the last one to leave I'll say I was worried about you two fillies too but that I'm proud you're both alright. And that all that color and noise was like being in the middle of Zap Apple season all over again.”

as soon as the door closed Rainbow Dash let out an exaggerated yawn. “I don't know about you, Twilight, but I going to follow what Fluttershy said and go back to sleep.” A warming sensation crossed just under her eyes as she turned her head towards the stairs. “Clouds are a lot softer then that spare bed but a warm bed feels so much better after being in that blizzard. You don't mind if I stay here for a bit longer, do you Twilight?”

A soft smirk crossed Twilight's lips. “I would be honored to have you stay as long as you like. I'll also set out the Daring Do' book for you to read later.” Twilight slowly took the lead as they made their way back up stares together; with a short stop half way up to lift Spike off the step he fell asleep on.