//------------------------------// // Extra 1: How Silvershot and Fortress Met // Story: To Save Equestria // by KalaAWild //------------------------------// Extra 1: How Silvershot and Fortress meet The question is not “How did Silvershot and Fortress mmet?” but “how did Silvershot and Fortress first meeting go?” I am Digger Stonefinder, and this is Silvershot’s epic story on how he nabbed the fairest mare in the land. This all started two years ago, when Silvershot and I turned about colt age. Silvershot’s father, Silver Lancet, thought it was a great idea to host Venturia Reign’s biggest birthday party for him. Everypony was invited to the party, which was kind of outrageous! When we heard the news of Silver Lancet’s big party for Silvershot, Silvershot and I smashed our hooves into our foreheads because we did not like the idea. We agreed with it, though, since Silvershot had no choice. He had wanted a normal birthday, with just me as the only attendee. The two of us walked down Venturia Reign’s streets and were overwhelmed with happy birthday comments from everypony we passed by. Some ponies gave Silvershot’s gifts, while others gave him bit-filled sacks. Silvershot often got embarrassed by all the birthday wishes and gifts he received. I, as his best friend, put my hoof around his neck and gave him some encouragement. “Don’t be shy about the birthday party.” I said proudly to him, to raise his confidence. “It’s just another birthday. Maybe there are over a hundred ponies at the party, but so what? It means nothing.” “I never had this much popularity before.” Silvershot muttered to me. He kept staring at the ground because of his extreme shyness. “You still remember how I was always left alone whenever I played outside?” “That doesn’t mean anything now! Everypony loves you because you are the Prince of Venturia Reign! You saved almost everypony’s life.” I frequently presented my lively energy to Silvershot to cheer him up as we went about our day. His low self-esteem was going to put a downer on the birthday. He had finally turned a colt age, but of course I was still older than him by a day. He needed to have fun while he was still young. Silver Lancet, still being the king of the small town of Venturia Reign, could not find time to even set up the party. How weird and wacked out is that? Silvershot and I bought all the drinks and the decorations for the party. Ponies could see us as we strolled through the town, pulling wagon after wagon of stuff for the party. Silver Lancet handed us a list of ponies to invite to the party when we returned home for a break. I drew the invites and gave them to Silvershot. Silvershot volunteered to do the invites alone, but I intervened and went along with him. Some of the invites went to Silver Lancet’s old friends whom Silvershot did not even know. I thought they were old geezers since all of them were so wrinkly. Other invites that I made myself went to some ponies I knew personally. Some were celebrities like Showcase Spotlight who was Equestria’s ‘Fashion Model of the Year’, and Jony Arch the archeology professional. Jony Arch, he is my hero! There was one last pony to invite that day. The sun began to set, and Silvershot and I grew weary. I checked the list, and saw that it was the Evergreens that were last. From what I knew of the Evergreens back then, the Evergreens were a wealthy family in Venturia Reign, and they sold candle scents of Evergreen trees. They sold candles for generations, and they even gave me a discount on candles since I spent most of my time underground with no light. Silvershot knocked on the door of the Evergreen’s house, and it swung open. I saw a gentle eye looking through the crack of the door. I waved my hoof to the mare, since I could see that she was as shy as Silvershot. I tried being friendlier with her since I did not know her yet. Fortress opened the door for Silvershot and me. Her green coat glistened in the sunlight of the orange setting sun and her yellow eyes were warm like the candles her family sold. Her mane reminded me of green emeralds in the rocks that I would mine underground. She could have been the perfect mare for me, but it was never meant to be. She let us inside to talk to her father and mother about the party. She, much like Silvershot, was timid in front of strangers and she secluded herself in the kitchen. Silvershot thought she was adorable. That was one of the first signs I noticed that he liked her. At the request of Fortress’ father, she made tea for Silvershot and me. The four of us sat at the living room table and waited for her tea. She placed a cup of tea in front of me with the most gentle of care. Not a single drop was spilled. I sipped the cup of tea and almost choked. Even though the tea looked delicious at first, I almost gagged because it tasted like dirt. I know that is how tea is supposed to taste, but this was ridiculous. I kept a nice and good poker face and left my cup of tea on the table. “I hope you can come to my birthday,” Silvershot asked of Fortress’ father. He slipped an invitation to him across the table. “It’s going to be a great time.” Fortress’ father smiled at him. “Of course it will be. My wife and daughter will be there. See you tonight.” Silvershot and I got up from the kitchen table and made our way to the door. Fortress stepped out of the kitchen and opened the door for the two of us. I stepped outside first before Silvershot and thanked her for the tea. Even though I did not like the tea, I appreciated the kindness and hospitality of Fortress Evergreen. Silvershot then left soon after. Silvershot looked at Fortress in the eye for a few seconds before she closed the door on him. Silvershot sighed, and then continued his way home. I thought in my mind, at the time, that Silvershot liked that mare. I rekindled my lively energy to work my romantic magic. I may be no unicorn, but I do have magic when it came to romance. “So, what did you think of that mare?” I grinned at him. “I thought she was nice,” Silvershot replied back to me. “She made really good tea.” “I totally agree.” No, I did not. “I know what I can do for you. At the party tonight, I will help you get to know her.” “I don’t know about this. Will she really like me?” “Of course dude! You just need a little Stonefinder magic.” I followed Silvershot to his home where I worked my other special talent. I do not really have another special talent; I just have a knack for making Silvershot look cool. At his house, I took out his fanciest clothing for the party. A good fluffy collar with his most feathered hat seemed like a good fit for Silvershot. He did not like the collar I got for him and ripped it off immediately. “I’ll just stick to my overcoat, if you don’t kindly mind.” Silvershot bit on his overcoat in his closet and wrapped it around his shoulders. “Fine, whatever,” I agreed. What was I thinking, anyway? A big collar? Really? Silvershot and I got to work on the party for that night. Since Silvershot was an alicorn, part unicorn and part Pegasus, he put the streamers on the walls and ceilings. I did the heavy lifting and carried furniture outside for guests to see the moonlight. I carefully crafted the soft drinks for the evening and obtained the baked goods from the bakery next door. As I carried the last batch of muffins from the bakery to the concession table, everything was set for Silvershot’s birthday party. Silvershot and I stood side by side and admired our work of art. Streamers gave Silvershot’s house a party look to it and the food and drinks I made were fantastic. I made alcoholic drinks for the adults and I trusted that none of the kids that were coming would drink it. “It seems like everything is set.” Silvershot smiled. “Not everything,” I countered. “There is one thing we are missing.” I left Silvershot alone to allow the guests to enter. I went to Silvershot’s bedroom and devised a plan to get Fortress and Silvershot to have a decent conversation with each other. I had to get them to know each other, and that is what I planned to do. I nearly dozed off because my brain overworked itself. When I nearly crashed onto the floor, not even having experienced any of the party, was when I heard a crash downstairs. I was shocked wide awake and galloped down the staircase to the party room. I looked around to see if anypony had been hurt or if something got broken. In the center of the room was Silvershot’s chandelier on the floor, broken. Fortress and Silvershot were on the floor next to it. What I found out later on that night was that the chandelier had a little too much confetti held up there. The confetti was supposed to shower everypony in it after we all sang “Happy birthday” to Silvershot. I guessed the weight was too much and it snapped the delicate string. Silvershot, with his fast ninja reflexes, pushed Fortress out of the way and saved her from a possible concussion. “Are you okay?” Silvershot asked. His overcoat was torn to pieces because of the broken glass. Silvershot helped Fortress off the ground and wiped any glass shards off of her with his wings. “I am fine. Thanks for that, Silvershot.” Fortress thanked him. “Can I check on you outside?” Silvershot and Fortress both went outside to talk and the party progressed as if nothing had happened. I wanted to follow them outside, but they closed the front door behind them. I stamped my hoof on the ground and galloped back upstairs. I slowly opened Silvershot’s window which showed a perfect view of the street below and spied on Silvershot and Fortress. “You don’t seem to have any cuts or bruises. Why is that?” Fortress curiously asked Silvershot. “I am an alicorn, we have special healing properties,” Silvershot answered. “I am really concerned about you. I shouldn’t have put so much confetti up there.” “I am fine, I just got a little bruise from you.” Fortress showed her wing which had a big red mark on it. Silvershot inspected the wing and I could imagine where it went from there. “Oh my Celestia, I am so sorry. Can I make it up to you over dinner?” I was happy that he pulled the dinner move on her. I stamped my hoof once and quietly said yes. Silvershot looked up at the window and I ducked down to hide myself. He didn’t see me and I was glad he did not. “Sure, I can come to dinner. When do you want it?” “How about Friday?” “Sounds good.” ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Everything went okay for Silvershot from there. He went on dates with her, got to be more affiliated with Fortress’ family, and I got credit for giving Silvershot confidence. I should say for myself, that without my help, Silvershot would not have met Fortress and they would not be boyfriend and girlfriend. So remember that reader, dreams do come true if you believe in it! “Digger! What are you doing over there?” Silvershot asked me. Silvershot went over to me and you. “Who are they?” “These is just your fans! Say ‘hi’ to them.” I told him the truth. Silvershot does not know you, and he does not understand how there could be humans, but he awkwardly says ‘hi’ to you. You say ‘hi’ back, and he trots away. He rejoins Fortress and you can no longer see them. “Oh well. I guess until next time. Bye!”