//------------------------------// // First love // Story: Twilight Sparkle and the Mane Colts // by Sopas //------------------------------// After that weird encounter with the blue pegasus, Twilight Sparkle and Spike walked on the streets of Ponyville. "That was mean of you, Twilight," Spike said, walking behind her, worried that Twilight had hurt the poor, enthusiast colt away.  "I wasn't being mean. I was being sarcastic. Besides, now that we know the weather and music are all right, all we have left is food and decor." Twilight stated, looking rather annoyed but neutral now, not mad or happy. Spike looked at the list the Princess gave and read that Sweet Apple Acres provides the food for the celebration. "I know that place!"  "You do?" Twilight questioned. "One of the guards in Canterlot brought food from Sweet Apple Acres, and it was delicious! Their apples are rich and juicy, and even more, their apple pies! I could never forget what they tasted like." Spike commented and licked his lips, savouring that memory. They both went to the edge of Ponyville, across the bridge and in front of Sweet Apple Acres. Twilight and Spike could already smell the delicious food they were having. Both can see earth ponies working hard, not just making food but growing it, building equipment, and having fun—earth ponies whose cutie marks are related to apples. One cutie mark has flowers and a big apple on top. Another cutie mark is a big sliced green apple; another has three apples with maple syrup. Then, They saw a filly with no cutie mark come up to them, "Howdy, strangers!" "Hello, little filly. Do you mind showing me who's preparing the food for tonight?" Twilight asked, lowering her head to see the cute filly who greeted them.  "Why, we are indeedy! We have the best apples in Ponyville and might be the best in Equestria! And we, too, are very honored to hold this kind 'a thing!" The little filly answered. Twilight looked at the filly. She had bright crimson as her mane, a yellow coat and red-orange eyes. She was wearing a big bow on her head, which was very cute. "There must be somepony in charge." Twilight thought. Just then, a vast colt appeared. Well, not that huge, but an average big stallion. Worthy of being called a strong earth pony. Twilight lifted her head, widened her eyes and blushed a little. Seeing a handsome stallion wasn't rare in Canterlot, but a big one was. The stallion told the filly off to do some chores while he took care of the visitors. He walked up to Twilight and Spike, "Howdy there, name's Applejack, but I reckon if we're close enough, you call me Aj." The stallion smiled politely at Twilight. Twilight, however, has her jaw dropped. She didn't know how to react to her heart beating. She had never felt that way in her life. She looked at the stallion with blushing eyes and looked to his left. Twilight saw Spike eating another pile of food given by the Sweet Apple Acre ponies. That made her shake her head aggressively and jump right back into reality.  "Uh- Hi! M-my name is Twilight Sparkle. Sent here by the Princess to check if everything is well for the Summer Sun Ce...Celebration." She realized how embarrassing it was that she stuttered. Waiting for the response of the handsome stallion, Twilight Sparkle looked at his physic. She hadn't seen any pony that good-looking. His hair is long and flowing, making him more attractive, but Twilight knows he would look much finer even with his hair tied. "Oh! Why didn't you say so!" Applejack happily said. "Ya'll, we have the inspector comin' in!" He yelled. In that second, He carried Twilight with his front hoof across her barrel and sat her at a table. All the ponies came rushing in, putting all kinds of apple-related foods at the table: Apple pies, Apple muffins, Apple fritters and so on. Twilight Sparkle was shocked by how fast everything was happening and how delicious those foods looked. She then started eating them one by one, with Spike almost gulping the 57th food that they had given him. While they were eating, Applejack started introducing his whole Apple family. "Apple Bumpkin, Red Gala, Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Gala Appleby, Jonagold, Perfect Pie, Lavender Fritter, and Peachy Sweet!"  "Wow, that's a lot of family members," Twilight said, gasping for air before eating again. Applejack gladly looked at Twilight and Spike after listing a lot of names. "Oh shucks, we haven't even gotten to the fillies and foals yet, and it looks like ya'll run out of food. Big Mac, we need s'more!" "Oh, no, we got a lot to do today. We'll save the rest for later." Twilight, who cannot take one more bite, said.  "Well, don't mind if I do." Spike chimed happily.  "Spike, not now. The sun is almost setting." Whispered by Twilight. Begging Spike to take a hint. She couldn't consume more food! Much more, one more look at the ripped Applejack! "No, no, I insist. I mighty could bring the whole thing to ya!" Applejack said, carrying all those apple pies to give to Twilight. Walking to her,  Applejack caught his front hoof on a twig. He tripped and fell forward on his face. The apple pies flew through the air, and everypony gasped and watched where the apple pies would land on.  It landed on the visitor, Twilight Sparkle. SPLASH. "Yikes," Spike mumbled while stuffing his face with food. Most of the apple pies got squashed with Twilight and splashed a little to the ones near her. Luckily, the apple pies that hadn't been squashed placed themselves on the table in front of the ponies, and they ate them happily like there was no tomorrow. Why does this keep happening to her? Of all the possibilities that could've gone wrong, Her lavender fur dirt all over, including her beautiful mane. Twilight Sparkle couldn't take it anymore. She would burst off in flames because of the humiliation. But this isn't Canterlot; not everyone has met her directly. They would think she has a bad temper as her personality. Worse yet, Applejack's impression of her would go down the drain. All she could think about was to run. And now she's running. Running far away from Sweet Apple acres to the bridge and back to the center of the town. She stopped to catch her breath. Next to her was Spike, who was worried about why Twilight had suddenly run away. "Twilight! What was that!" Spike shouted at Twilight. Twilight didn't answer. Spike looked at her and saw how embarrassed and sad her face was. How humiliating that must have felt. Even though he thought Twilight was being dramatic by running away from an accident she didn't even make. "Sorry, Twi." Spike lowered his head and looked at the ground. He was thinking of ways to cheer her up. Twilight looked at her one and only friend and brother, aside from her teacher, formal foal-sitter and big brother. She smiled, "It's alright, Spike. Not every day has to work out just as planned; there's got to be something to ruin a beautiful day. Besides, can the day get any worse?" Spike smiled back at Twilight, and the two loving siblings went to finish their quest. "Well, the only one left is the decor." "Then we're close by! Come on, Spike! We can check decor off the list and off to the library before the celebration!" Twilight exclaimed and started striding. Spike, taken aback by what Twilight was doing, walked at the same pace as her, "What? Aren't you going to clean yourself first?" Asked Spike. Twilight Sparkle kept up her space and was now in front of the town hall. She didn't have time to clean herself up; she had important things to do than her hygiene. She opened the door with her magic and went in, followed by Spike. In there, Spike widened his eyes. Just like the expression Twilight did with Applejack, Spike blushed. He saw beautiful mares across Canterlot, but no one could be pleasing to his eyes until a beautiful short violet mane drew him in. Twilight can see a pony facing his back, his pony figure covered by long, wide fabrics; only his back mane can be seen. But being surrounded by stallions all her life, she knew what a stallion would look like. Twilight looked at Spike and observed him. "I didn't know you were like that Spike." She stated and motioned to go near the stallion. Spike saw what Twilight was going to do. He snatched her tail and shook his head, signalling Twilight not to go near her. "Spike, what are you doing?" Twilight turned her head and body around and questioned. "I'm sorry, but I think it's my turn to make a friend," Spike said, blushing. Then, he let go of Twilight's tail, closed his eyes, inhaled strongly and exhaled. He was preparing himself to meet his soon marefriend. He walked up behind the mare while fidgeting his claws and stood there motionless. The mare didn't notice him; she was too distracted by what fabric would do for the entrance. Five minutes have passed, and Spike still hadn't said anything to the distracted unicorn. "Did I look like that after seeing Applejack?" Twilight thought. She then recalled what Applejack looked like and turned red. She then focused her eyes to see Spike getting all nervous. How did she not see it before? Now that she also recalled when Spike kept talking about one of his guard friends to her, he was blushing! She widened her eyes and turned sad. Being gay isn't encouraged here in Equestria; Spike might not get along with other ponies he might be interested in. She looked down to think about what she could do and decided to help. Twilight Sparkle went and stood next to Spike, "Um...Excuse me." She said. The unicorn didn't seem to hear Twilight. She furrowed her brows and coughed loudly, "EHEM." The violet-maned stallion finally returned to reality, turned his back and saw a pretty lavender mare and a cute little dragon. He wondered how they got here without noticing but soon discarded his thoughts after the cute dragon screamed in horror. Spike screamed. He was confused about why the beautiful maned mare he loved became a stallion. "Wasn't he a she? Ugh, and I have been blushing non-stop since a few moments ago..." He was embarrassed. "uh, hahaha.." Twilight laughed uncomfortably and put on an uncomfortable smile. For her part, she wondered why Spike reacted that way. Was he that attracted to the stallion? I mean, the stallion is pretty handsome. Twilight thought. She should come up with an excuse if she wants to save Spike's face from his lover. "Wow Spike, you were that amazed by the stallion's face huh?" She said. On the other hand, the stallion blushed at Twilight's compliment. Getting a mare in love with him was no surprise, so he brushed his mane with his hoof to look presentable. He levitated a flower from a nearby window box using his magic. "For you, mi amore. My name is Elusive, the finest tailor in Ponyville, and possibly the finest stallion you will ever find here" He winked at her, moving his head upwards to give his mane a nice flow. When Elusive said those words, Twilight was amazed by the gesture and accepted the flower. The flower picked by the unicorn was a white lily with scaly bulbs inside and big white petals hanging out. This flower symbolizes purity and rebirth, but when receiving or giving one, the pony who gives it means their heart is pure. Twilight wanted to ask if he meant it that way, but she shut her muzzle when she was about to speak. Twilight remembered that Spike liked him first, and as a good sister, she said she would help him. With that in mind, the lavender unicorn gave Spike the flower she received. Who now has a bright red pale on his face. "Wh..why are you giving this to me?" Spike asked. Is it to make fun of Spike? Or to hold it for Twilight? He shrieked when he looked at the stallion, who he thought was a beautiful mare. Twilight went to Spike's ears and whispered enthusiastically, "This is your chance to get the love of your life!" She wanted to play cupid like her former foal-sitter, Princess Cadence. "WHAT!" Spike cried out loudly. His theory IS correct. Twilight IS making fun of him. He then devised a plan, and a mischievous smile crept on his face. Spike looked at Twilight eye-to-eye and looked back to Elusive. "Thank you so much, Elusive; my sister is shy in these situations. Please forgive her." He said. Spike's face was full-on evil as he watched Twilight's smile fade in horror and the stallion's face filled with pride. "What are you doing? I'm helping you, for crying out loud!" Twilight whispered to Spike. Spike furrowed his brows, "What do you mean helping? You're the one who started it." Spike debated. He didn't expect Twilight to do so low to prank him. I mean, she could've done that with any mare, not a stallion! "Started what?" She was so confused about what Spike said, and with her big brain, she realized everything was a misunderstanding. But what could be that she misunderstood? Spike like the stallion? As for love? Or...oh. As for friendship. She doesn't have any knowledge of making friends. That's why she can misunderstand those things. "I'm sorry, Spike, I thought you liked him that way; I promise never let that happen again." She smiled sadly at Spike. Hoping he would forgive her mishap. "That's okay, Twi," Spike said, smiling sincerely at her. While this happened, the stallion looked confused, questioning why they were arguing and forgiving one another. "Uh...this isn't what I had in mind for a fight for me per sé..." He said. Twilight looked up at the stallion, "I am very sorry, there seems to be a misunderstanding with my brother. My name is Twilight Sparkle, and I have been sent here from Canterlot to--" she was cut off again. "CANTERLOT!?" Elusive shouted. "Er, Yes, from Canterlot." She closed her eyes to keep in her pride of being somepony from Canterlot and smiled proudly. "I have been sent here to see the preparations for the celebration." Twilight finished her sentence. When she opened her eyes again, she was snatched by the stallion, placed on his back, and ran out of town hall. Spike was left there motionless. Why does this keep happening? He sighed and looked at the decorations. It was breathtaking! The fabric seems like it's made with the finest wool, the lanterns were placed in the right areas, and the flowers and gems, as the finishing touches, were beautiful with colour and brightness! After finding everything beautiful in that room, he checked the box listing the decor with a smile that indicated a task had been accomplished. He finally finished the checklist Princess Celestia gave them. Back to Twilight and Elusive. Twilight was still dumbfounded by the situation and had a delayed reaction. She turned her head left to right to see where they were heading and saw the town hall after a bridge they just passed. She turned her head forward, "What are you doing!?" After she shouted, she used her magic to stop Elusive from taking another step and levitated herself down to the ground. Once she saw her hooves touch the pavement, Twilight heard hoof steps and looked up. Elusive walked forward, and as he did, Twilight opened her mouth to speak, but before she did so, Elusive passed her and opened a door using magic. He looked Twilight in the eyes and extended his leg, "Would you care to come inside, Miss Sparkle?" he said and went in. Twilight Sparkle pressed her lips together, a moment of hesitation flickering in her eyes before she finally went in. The house on the outside looks much smaller than the inside. As she observed the room, Twilight realized she was in a boutique. It all looks elegant with dark blue as its colour palette and so many tuxedos with different textures, colours, and designs. Just like what the noble stallions in Canterlot wore, but prettier. Elusive stared at Twilight and was glad knowing she looked amazed at his boutique. It's not surprising that a pony was astonished seeing Elusive's stunning formal wear for the first time. "A cup of tea for refreshments?" he asked, placing a tea set beside a rounded table. In a place like this, Twilight Sparkle has not been in any boutique in her lifetime. She isn't interested in going to one. Twilight knew places like these existed only in books and passing by some through the streets of Canterlot. She always wondered how ponies love going in one since they have no need to wear clothes, well, except for formal events like the Grand Galloping Gala. "Why did you take me here?" Looking at Elusive back, Twilight answered with another question. After Elusive took a sip of tea, he sighed. "Please, follow me for a moment, my dear," and he galloped, followed by Twilight. Far from the front door of the boutique, in front of them was a curtain. Elusive drew the curtains behind, and Twilight's brows wrinkled. All she sees is an elegant bathtub with beautiful decorations surrounding it. Why would he take Twilight there? Before Twilight could ask another question, Elusive raised a hoof, inviting her to the bathtub. Cheeks brightened red on Twilight's face, and her body was stiff as a board. "w...WHAT!?" She yelled and walked away backwards. Elusive, jolted by the sudden yelling, furrowed his brows. Is there something wrong he had done to make the mare shout? After Elusive analyzed what had happened, his eyes widened by the realization of scaring the poor mare. That is not how a gentlecolt should act. Lowering his head with shame. "Oh my, I-I am truly sorry, Miss Sparkle. I mean no harm." a faded light flashed before his eyes, and Elusive looked up at where Twilight stood, but no pony was there. He looked left and right just to find him alone in the bathroom.