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// Fireworks 
// Story: Second Tour 
// by Natedogg2006 
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Two mares sat atop a ridge. It was one of the highest points for miles around and below them they could see out over most of the island they were visiting. The larger mare sat slightly aside and behind, allowing the smaller to snuggle into her. From a pack on her side the larger mare pulled a small bottle, just big enough for two. 

"I'm not sure it's the right time, but a mutual friend gave me this. I've been looking for a good time to pop it open."

Twilight Sparkle turned her head only a little, seeming to not want to separate from her position pressed into the chest and neck of her marefriend. She saw the bottle Fizzlepop held up and giggled. "Berrypunch I'm guessing. She would somehow know the one brand of champagne I actually enjoy."

Fizzlepop giggled just a little at that too as the smaller mare's horn pulsed comfortably against her. Their magic opened the bottle with ease and in the same flash the cork instantly transformed into a pair of cups. A generous amount was poured into each. However Twilight hesitated before passing one of the cups into Fizzlepop's waiting hoof. 

"Oh, but wait. If it's champagne, don't we need something to celebrate?" Twilight implied this playfully while holding Fizzlepop's cup just out of reach. 

Fizzlepop smiled at this, and hoped Twilight couldn't feel her heart rate increase as she reached out and spoke playfully as well. "Oh, but I think I do have something to celebrate though."

"You do?" Twilight inquired, seemingly slightly taken aback at this. Fizzlepop felt her wings rustle at her side. 

Fizzlepop took the cup and held it where Twilight could touch hers to it before responding. "Yeah, I think I do." They shared a drink at her encouragement. "Something a friend told me has had me thinking for a bit, and I think I've managed to remember something very important."

Twilight pulled away, setting their cups down and now looking at the mare she loved with genuine curiosity. "And what is that?"

"The exact moment I think I started to fall in love with you." Twilight blushed a little as Fizzlepop pressed their noses together gently before nudging her to look back over the ridge.

Below the rest of the island seemed to be ready to end the festival the pair had been enjoying the past couple days. Fizzlepop indicated this, pointing down to where certain preparations were finishing. Twilight followed the motion, in the process leaning her head in to caress the leg. She nuzzled into the painted fur there, following the looping and swirling floral designs to where a sudden spark illuminated the mild summer darkness below. Soon a streak of fire shot into the air. Before long the sky in front of them was filled with color as a fireworks show began.

For the size of the island the display was likely very grand. But the spectacle of it wasn't quite grand enough for Twilight to understand. She looked back to her marefriend for clarification, who smiled smugly to her. A moment later sparks began to gather at the end of her broken horn. With the slightest wince of effort a blazing shot rocketed into the sky high above the current display. 

Twilight's eyes now lit up in wonder as the layers of fireworks exploded together. She felt herself lean forward to take in the vibrant purples and greens intermingled above the multicolored backdrop. The beauty of it finally triggered a memory in Twilight as well, and tears started forming at the corners of her eyes. 

"It's absolutely beautiful Fizz." She rubbed a hoof across her eyes as she began to turn back to the mare she loved. "There's something I really need to..."

The words hit a wall as Twilight froze, her eyes going wide. Before her was the mare she loved, holding out a small black box in her hooves. 

"Sparky, you helped me find the light and the beauty in my life. If you would do me the kindness to stay with me forever, I'll do my best to always bring it to yours as well."

Tears began to stream down Twilight's face even as a shaking smile crept up her cheeks. "Yes," she just barely managed to croak out, "yes yes yes yes yes." The words now flowed as easily as the tears. 

Fizzlepop felt tears forming in her own eyes as Twilight suddenly lunged forward, wrapping her up in a hug and silently sobbing into her shoulder. "You've made me so happy," she whispered just loud enough to hear through the still roaring show.

"I'm so happy too Fizz." Twilight took a moment to completely absorb the moment. Fighting back a sob of happiness she continued in an attempted sarcastic tone. "But you are also such a jerk."

Fizzlepop, being more curious than taken aback at the statement, laughed through her own sob of joy before responding. "I know, but just for clarification what are you referring to at the moment?"

Twilight laughed a little as well. "You..... beat me to it."

This actually did take Fizzlepop aback some, causing her to pull away just slightly as both mares seemed to be running short on tears. "You... you were going to....?" Twilight nodded to the question, smiling slyly. "I beat you... by how much," she asked as pieces of the last few days came together in her mind and her smile grew warmer.

Twilight's wings ruffled, and she reached in under one with a hoof. From there she pulled out a small black box. "Like, four or five seconds."

"Do it," Fizzlepop exclaimed, planting herself in front of her fiancée like an excited puppy. "I want to see what you planned too."

Twilight slipped the box back under her wing before squaring up with the anxiously waiting mare. "Fizz, I really need to ask you something that is very serious."

Fizzlepop smiled at the pause in the clearly practiced speech. "Serious? And yet you've spent so much time getting me to lighten up."

Twilight smiled triumphantly. Clearly Fizzlepop had managed to play along with at least one of the scripts Twilight had written for this moment. "So then you know just how important this is to me." She pulled the ring out, and Fizzlepop did her best to act surprised. "In every way I can possibly ask, will you stay by my side forever?"

Despite knowing it was coming, the words still brought another small round of tears to Fizzlepop. "It would be my greatest honor."

Both opened their respective boxes, and fitted the rings around each other's hooves. Admiring each for a few moments, Twilight was the first to speak up. "Is... is that a peridot?"

Fizzlepop smiled warmly, knowing Twilight was already piecing things together. "It's not cut from the same stone, but it is crafted by the same hooves. I just wanted it to be there, so that you can know I'll be there to protect you, always."

Twilight was breathing heavily, fighting back tears as she did. Reaching forward for a kiss helped that some. "That... was grandma Sparkle's." Fizzlepop was taken aback at that. "She passed when I was young, but said she always wanted to know the type of pony who could make me happy." Twilight looked into Fizzlepop's eyes. "I wanted to give it to you, because I know you don't think you have any family anymore. I want you to know that you're my family, with all that implies. Because I love you. More than anything."

Fizzlepop didn't reply with words. It was her turn to lean forward and bring their lips together. For a long time they couldn't break away. Even after their lips parted they stayed there for a time, horns brushing delicately.

"Hey Fizz," the thundering from Twilight's chest made her need to ask one question. "Are the fireworks still going?"

"As long as we're together, I promise they'll never stop."