//------------------------------// // Epilogue Part Three // Story: War in Equestria: The Tale of Bright Blade // by Michael_Ravencroft //------------------------------// Opprotunities and Responsibilities ***5th Day*** Today was a very important day in Canterlot. The anniversary of the War of Darkness was almost here and there would soon be a ball to attend. Some of Canterlot's elite were getting together, throwing a little party. It was an outdoor garden party, thrown by Jet Set and Upper Crust. Since their last garden party was rudely interrupted by certain Ponyville mares, they decided to take another crack at it. Many posh ponies were there, playing croquet, sampling the foods from the orderve table. The music was subtle and soothing, made all the more enjoyable by two ponies in particular. The first was a gray coated earth pony mare, with a black mane and tail, mulberry colored eyes, and a treble clef cutie mark, her name was Octavia, a brilliant cellist. The other was a newer addition to the band. She had a mint green coat, tangelo colored eyes, a grayish-cyan mane with white highlights, and a lyre cutie mark, her name was Lyra Heartstrings, a unicorn mare that strummed beautiful melodies upon her lyre. The two were the main focus of the band, the two mares playing in sync with each other, picking up on the subtle changes in their playing, rising and falling, with Lyra giving quick glances to Octavia, and Octavia to Lyra. Fancypants along with his wife Fleur de Lis were busy making small talk with the other rich ponies, killing time while they awaited the arrival of the one, particularly, very important, pony. Jet Set and Upper Crust started trotting over to the two esteemed guests, both unicorns wearing their signature sweaters tied around their necks. "Fancypants, so good of you to come," said Upper Crust. "Well the last garden party was such smashing good fun that I had come back," said Fancypants. "And after what my husband said had occurred in my absence I simply couldn't miss this again. I'm still kicking myself for not attending last time," said Fleur de Lis. Jet Set and Upper Crust did not like to be reminded of that garden party. Having the so called "War Heroes" attend their last party turned the entire thing into a complete fiasco. "Yes…a pity you couldn't attend Miss Lis," said Jet Set, a hint of annoyance about remembering the whole thing. "Speaking of which, I haven't seen Miss Rarity around. You did send her an invitation to the party, didn't you?" Fancypants asked. The two snobby unicorns shared a devious smile between them. "Why of course we did, but it must not be easy seeing as she's…well you know," said Upper Crust. "She's what?" "It's really not our place to judge, but I've heard that she's in a 'relationship,' with a dragon!" Jet Set announced. "A dragon!?" Fleur de Lis exclaimed. "Oh yes, apparently Rarity and this dragon got together after the war. Of course who knows where she's living now, for all we know she's living with the dragon in a cave somewhere," said Upper Crust. "Oh dear…" said Fancypants, looking to his wife with concern in their eyes. Of course this was all part of their plan, they never sent the invitations to Ponyville, still having not forgiven her for deceiving them and the rest of the elite of Canterlot into thinking that Rarity was somepony special. Even with her recent hero status, they still refused to accept that a simple small town pony could be anything in their world, and were dead set on keeping her from entering it. Just then they heard a roar echo through the sky, the band stopped playing, the waiters halted in their tracks, as all the posh ponies quickly turned their eyes toward the sky. Coming in at great speed was, of all things, a dragon. As it got closer they were able to make out some details. It had purple scales, with a green scaled underbelly and spines, large, translucent, green membrane wings, and razor sharp talons and fangs. The dragon quickly slowed its descent as it got closer to the gardens, finding a nice open place for it to land. All but one pony didn't seem frightened by the beast, a certain mint green unicorn mare who only smiled and waited patiently for her other band mates to stop shaking in fear. "I told you we should've landed somewhere else," said the dragon, "now they're all scared speechless." "Oh Spikey please, you don't expect me to come to a party and not make a grand entrance do you," said a familiar voice. The other partygoers all looked at each other confused, wondering exactly who the dragon was speaking to. Fancypants, Fleur de Lis, Upper Crust, and Jet Set however did recognize this voice. Once the dragon landed, the creature retracted its huge wings, making them vanish with a puff of emerald colored dragon fire. And there, standing on its back, was Rarity, dressed in her fabulous Grand Galloping Gala ensemble, and looking absolutely gorgeous. Spike opened up his right claw, using it as a platform to lower Rarity to the ground down below. After he had done that, Spike engulfed himself in his dragon fire and shrunk down to Rarity's size. The young drake was wearing a tux, similar to the one he had worn when he pretended to be a unicorn stallion named Fire Heart. Except this one had a fire ruby, crafted into the shape of a rose, and pinned to the left side of the tux. To which Rarity wore her fire ruby necklace, a matching set, for a couple in love. Spike and Rarity started to walk, side-by-side, towards the opening of the garden party. "I don't know Rarity…what if I just mess this up for you!? I mean – a pony and a dragon being a couple isn't exactly a normal thing you know," said Spike, worry heavy in his voice. Rarity huffed; she then laid her head up against Spike's shoulder, a move that made the dragon blush, as well as gather a collective gasp from the other rich ponies. "Spike, you really have to get over this 'I'm not good enough for you' insecurity you have. While it is cute, it can sometimes be a bit frustrating," said Rarity. "But I…" "Do you love me?" Rarity asked. "WHAT!?" Spike quietly yelled. "Do. You. Love. Me?" "Of course I do, that goes without saying!" Rarity chuckled; she then nuzzled the side of Spike's neck affectionately. "Then theirs your answer, honestly after everything we've been through, there's no possible way I'd ever not love you! Besides, I've seen too much of your inner feelings to feel otherwise." Spike still felt embarrassed about Rarity having gone inside his soul and basically saw just how important she was to him. Still, if it weren't for that then they wouldn't be together right now, so he had mixed feelings about it. Just then the two of them walked through the entrance, the rich ponies all eyed them scrutinizing and gossip whispering. Rarity and Spike walked straight up to Fancypants and Fleur de Lis and gave a slight bow of the head towards them. "Fancypants, Fleur de Lis, I apologize for being a tad late. We had some issues during our flight over here, crosswinds can be so annoying," explained Rarity. "Oh yes, I have the same problems with my air yacht, those sudden updrafts can be dangerous if you're not careful," said Fancypants "By the way, Miss Rarity, who is this strapping young dragon by your side," asked Fleur de Lis. "Oh, um, my name is Spike! I am, was, a Private in the UEA," answered Spike. Fancypants trotted closer to the couple, using his telekinesis to adjust his monocle in order to take in the detail of Spike's form. He then raised his right hoof and padded Spike on the shoulder. "I say, you're quite the unique dragon aren't you? Tell me, are you part of the Magicas Draconis species, or maybe Draconis Vorickian," he asked. Rarity and Spike, as well as Jet Set and Upper Crust, seemed stunned by Fancypants's questions. "You – you know about dragons Fancypants, er, sir!?" "Oh do not get my husband started." Fleur de Lis trotted to Fancypants, and rested her forelegs on his back. "It's one of his hobbies you see, studying dragons and dragon lore." The odd couple had a smile on their faces, Jet Set's and Upper Crust's jaws dropped. After a while Lyra started to strum her lyre, she gave a nod to Octavia, prompting her to join in. The gray earth pony obliged her partner and began to play her cello in rhythm with Lyra's lyre. Pretty soon the other band members started to add the sound of their instruments into the song, going back into their routine. The music seemed to relax the other partygoers and soon enough they were back at their own individual activities, and talking amongst themselves thanks to their latest gossip material. Meanwhile Fancypants and Spike were getting into a deep discussion about different dragon species, as well as various legends surrounding them. Rarity was enjoying the sight, Spike was actually getting along with Fancypants, more than that, the two were acting as if they had been life-long friends. Fleur de Lis noticed this and leaned in close to speak to Rarity quietly. "It would seem that your drakefriend is hitting it off well with my husband," observed Fleur de Lis. "I'm honestly very relieved, Spike's been nervous about coming here ever since I got wind of this. If it wasn't for you sending that reminder we wouldn't have made it," said Rarity. "The reminder, did you not get the original invite?" "No, and believe me I almost tore apart my whole boutique looking for one." Fleur de Lis shot Jet Set and Upper Crust a quick disdain filled stare. She moved to her husband and gave him a quick tap on the shoulder. Fleur then whispered something into Fancypants's ear making him stop his conversation with Spike. "Oh do excuse dear boy, but I almost forgot about the reason I wanted to see you two here." Fancypants then turned to Rarity. "Rarity, as you know I spoke to Hoity Toity and Photo Finish a few days ago regarding our joint business venture, and you'll be happy to know that they're willing to make Carousel Boutique and your designs an Equestrian wide fashion industry." Rarity had to place her hoof on her jaw to keep it from falling off. Spike quickly rushed to Rarity's side in preparation for a sudden fainting spell. "I-I-I just don't know what to say!? This is a dream come true! Oh thank you Fancypants, thank you!!" For the past few months Rarity had been in talks with Fancypants about launching her fashion career, but now it would seem that her dreams were coming true, all her hard work had been leading up to this, and this was only just the beginning. Spike couldn't help but notice that Jet Set's and Upper Crust's hard cider glasses were cracking under the strain of their telekinesis, along with the contortion of their faces from anger at what they just heard. "Smashing, I'll just take your latest designs to Photo Finish and Hoity Toity, you do have them, don't you," asked Fancypants. Rarity had snapped out of her fainting spell and stood at attention. "Why Fancypants, of course I brought them darling, they're right –!" Rarity placed her hoof into one of the pockets in her skirt, but she felt nothing. She quickly searched the other pocket, and again, there was nothing there. "Oh silly me, I forgot, Spike could you follow me for a second, I just remembered there was one last thing I needed to add to the designs! You don't mind waiting a bit do you?" "Oh not at all, better to have all your ducks in row," chuckled Fancypants. "Yes, yes it is!" Rarity began trotting fast, away from Fancypants and the others, making Spike do double time just to keep up with her. When they were far enough away Spike, after catching his breath, looked to Rarity puzzled. "Rarity, what's going on?" "I LEFT THE DESIGNS BACK AT THE BOUTIQUE!" "You gotta be kidding me." Rarity grabbed Spike's collar with her hooves and drew the young drake in close, staring at him with a crazed look in her eyes. "Do I look like I am kidding!? Would I seriously kid about something as important as THIS, WOULD I!!?" "Sorry, sorry, no you wouldn't!" Rarity let go of Spike and buried her face in her hooves, crying dramatically. "My dreams were destroyed before they even began! How could I do something as stupid as to forget my own designs!" Spike's heart started to ache; Rarity had been working her entire life to realize her dream. And now it was going to be shattered all because they forgot her designs, in the back his mind Spike was cursing himself for not having checked to see if either of them had the papers. I've been Twilight's number one assistant for years; how the hay could I not check something as important as this!? Wait a minute… Spike's mind started to concoct a plan, one that might save Rarity's fashion career and impress Fancypants at the same time. "Rarity do you remember your designs!?" Spike asked. "W-w-what, well of course I do, they're my designs," said Rarity. "Do you trust me?" "Now what kind of question is that!?" "DO YOU TRUST ME!?" Rarity was taken a little aback at how Spike spoke to her, he also had a bit of a fierce look in his eyes that resembled his full-grown form's when they entered battle. It was that look that made her feel that nothing could take them down, it made her feel safe. "Yes, with all my heart, I trust you Spike." "Alright then!" Spike rushed on over to Fancypants who was having a conversation with Jet Set and Upper Crust. "Excuse me, Mister Fancypants; I wanted to tell you that we didn't bring the designs." Rarity's jaw just about unhinged and slammed into the ground. "Oh, well that is a shame, Hoity Toity and Photo Finish were expecting me to bring them the designs tonight after the party," said Fancypants disappointedly. "That's truly a shame dear boy," said Jet Set haughtily. "Can't do anything about that, so sorry," said Upper Crust snidely. Spike gave them both a death glare that said "shut up or I'll bite your heads off." After he was sure that they wouldn't say anything else insulting towards Rarity, he redirected his attention to Fancypants. "As I was saying, we didn't bring the designs in a traditional sense. I was wondering if you like to see a display of dragon magic," said Spike with a raised eyebrow. Fancypants started to rub his chin, genuinely intrigued by Spike's offer. "Well I – oh why not!" With a smile Spike ran to the stage. He stealthily got close to Lyra, the only pony he knew up there, Spike took out a quill and a small piece of parchment paper and quickly started to scribble something onto it. After he was done Spike magicked the paper to float to Lyra. She opened her eyes for a moment and saw the piece of paper; Lyra's eyes then shifted towards the young dragon and gave him a playful wink. The band stopped playing as each musician started to talk amongst themselves. Some of the band members started to disperse, gathering other musician ponies who were waiting in the wings in case they were needed. Spike, almost literally, dragged Rarity to where the band was gathering, practically in the center of the party, all eyes centered on the couple. Rarity was smiling nervously as she waved to the Canterlot elite, who were now staring, completely baffled at what was going on. "Spike," she whispered, "what exactly are you planning on doing!?" "We're going to give them a show, and your designs are going to be the stars," answered Spike. "I don't see how that's going to happen when they're a hundred, plus, miles away back in Ponyville," retorted Rarity. "You'll see, just concentrate on what the outfits look like, I'll handle the rest." The band had fully assembled, ponies carrying violins, symbols, a larger lyre for Lyra to play, and one strong looking earth pony who carried a piano in, and it seemed as though he intended to play it. Rarity had closed her eyes, imagining the outfits clearly within her mind's eye. Spike concentrated the energy within himself, funneling it into both his claws. The purple dragon glanced over to Lyra, with a nod, he signaled the mint green unicorn to start playing. Spike positioned his claws over Rarity's horn. The violet maned unicorn shuddered a bit, as her own magical aura started to flare up around her horn, mixing with Spikes mana. An intimate feeling passed through both of them, their energies intertwining, their minds and souls touching each other on an ephemeral level. A stream of blue and violet mana poured over the entire garden, blackening the area, everything going dark. Many of the partygoers grew worried and scared, not knowing what feats of sorcery the dragon and unicorn had in store for them. Just then, all around them, symbols appeared. The first was a six pointed purple star. Underneath it appeared two ponies, one a mare, the other a stallion, made of white light. Both of them wore clothes that looked almost sage like, as if they were made to be worn by one of wise and noble character. The second symbol was that of a red lightning bolt. Yet again a mare and stallion of light appeared. These two wore outfits that had a mixture of both ancient and modern touches to it. Sleek, yet they made a statement, as if to say "Look upon me, or you shall miss my brilliance!" The third symbol was a pink butterfly. The clothes had hues of green and blue colors, evoking memories of spring and its splendor. Flowers of different kinds, red roses, lilies, and even a well done laurel wreath adorned the heads of the light constructs. The fourth symbol was a violet diamond. The constructs attire was in keeping with Rarity's high society style, frills, lace, and silk. They were bold, yet not brash, flashy, but not gaudy, designed to bring forth the thought that the one who wore these was of high class, and also to show that they had a kind and generous soul. The fifth symbol was an orange apple. The outfits, were more casual, yet could still be used for formal occasions. Combining comfort and class all in one and still it held its rustic, if not down to earth, appeal. The sixth symbol was that of a blue balloon. These clothes were for a more, festive atmosphere. The whimsical and tough material stating that it was ready to withstand even the rowdiest of parties and look good while doing it. All six symbols were in a circle, encompassing the entire party. The ponies of Canterlot all awed and gasped at the beauty of Rarity's designs looking upon them wide eyed. Many of the partygoers trotted to each of the different light constructs, their forms shifting from unicorn, to earth pony, to pegasi, showing that these ensembles could be worn by anypony who wanted one. Just then, something happened. To the surprise of all assembled, a seventh symbol flashed into existence. It was gold colored, a sword with a halo ring behind it. The constructs underneath it wore outfits that gave off a heroic aura, of valor and honor, something to be worn by a regal, yet humble, pony. After the appearance of the seventh the band was starting to wrap up their song. The black space, along with the symbols and outfits, all started to retract and return towards their originators. It all collected itself into a shining orb made of swirling blue and violet light. Spike raised his claws up and stepped to the side away from Rarity. The white unicorn mare then opened her eyes and gazed over to her lover, a smile arching across her face as she mouthed the words "thank you." The Canterlot elite, all except for Jet Set and Upper Crust, were stamping their hooves on the ground in homage to the brilliant show that the two of them had shown them all. Spike and Rarity then trotted over to Fancypants and Fleur de Lis, Jet Set and Upper Crust were standing next to them, mouths agape, still in shock at the wondrous spectacle they had just witnessed. "Fancypants, sir, here are the designs that Rarity created." Spike then presented the orb of light to Fancypants; he appeared hesitant to grab it. "Oh don't worry; it's perfectly safe for you to levitate. Plus, all you need to do is infuse it with a little of your own magic and it'll display the clothing designs just like it did here." Fancypants, after being reassured by Spike, then took the orb into his telekinetic grip. "What a fine show you put on for us, the both of you! I dare say Hoity Toity and Photo Finish will be impressed by those designs, especially when I present them like you have just now! Rarity, consider your fashion career officially underway!" "Thank you Fancypants, thank you ever so much. Now if you'll please excuse me –" Rarity then wrapped her forelegs around Spikes left arm. "I'd like to dance with my boyfriend, if that is alright with you?" "Of course, of course, Octavia, would you and your band mates please play us some dancing music!" Fancypants said joyfully. Octavia and the rest of the band began to play a slow dance number, eliciting the other ponies to start dancing. They allowed Spike and Rarity to lead them in the dance, the two of them gracefully moving about in the middle as everypony gave them room to do so. "Spike, I can't thank you enough for what you've done for me here tonight! Words fail me," said Rarity. "Ahh, no problem, if anything I should be apologizing to you…I should've remembered to check and see if you had the designs. I mean I always help Twilight with making sure she has everything she needs, I should've done the same for you…" Spike, it seemed, still hadn't forgiven himself for his lack of diligence. "Oh Spike, your quick thinking is what saved my future! Besides…" Rarity gave the young drake a quick kiss on the lips, making him blush. "It all turned out for the best." Spike smiled at Rarity, his heart beating fast from their close proximity. But at that moment a thought popped into his head, something that stuck out in his mind during their little show. "Hey Rarity, your clothing designs were based on the Elements of Harmony, right?" "But of course," said Rarity. "Then, what was that seventh symbol…the sword and halo, it seems familiar, but I don't remember seeing it in your original designs," he inquired. To this Rarity raised an eyebrow, now that she thought about it Spike was right, there was no seventh design in the original drawings. "I-I honestly don't know where that one came from, it just popped into my head at the last second. But I feel as if I've seen it somewhere before, I can't remember whose cutie mark it belongs to." Rarity and Spike continued to dance to the beautiful music of Octavia and Lyra. The whole night, and sometime later, the two of them would continue to wonder where they had seen the sword and halo cutie mark. Yet every time they did, their hearts would suddenly ache without a clear reason. ***6th Day*** Pinkie Pie had been summoned to a law office that had recently reopened in Ponyville. She had dreaded this visit, ever since she received the letter saying that there were important legal matters to discuss regarding the Cake twins and Sugar Cube Corner. Now Pinkie Pie was, so far, doing an okay job of working the shop and taking care of the brother and sister foals. But the pink earth pony knew that someday a relative or somepony would come and take the twins, and/or evict her from the store. No matter what I can't let anything happen to Sugar Cube Corner! That's Pumpkin and Pound Cake's home and I won't let anypony take it away from them! Oh but wait, what if the one taking it away is one of their family members!? Pinkie thought these and many other thoughts as she waited in the lobby of the law office of Will Bedone. The office had magazines on the table, some about fashion, celebrities, and others about news. Pinkie Pie was reading an article about how Equestrian scientists were going to incorporate the Iris Caller technology into everyday normal life, when the door to Will Bedone's office opened up. Pinkie Pie tensed when she saw him. He was a unicorn stallion, wearing a black suit and red necktie. With a brown coat, bleach blonde mane and tail, his cutie mark was that of an upside down crescent shaped wreath and scales in the center. Will Bedone also had a pair of hazel green eyes that seemed to be calculating, sizing up anypony his gaze fell upon. In this case his gaze fell upon Pinkie Pie. "Pinkamena Diane Pie," he asked. "Here, but you can call me Pinkie Pie!" "Indeed, well then, please enter." Pinkie Pie did as ordered, Will Bedone had a serious expression on his face, the look of a business pony who had very little patience for shenanigans. Now Pinkie may know everypony in Ponyville, but this one pony she hadn't gotten to know well enough, since she found him just a bit intimidating. Will Bedone's office had soft velvet red carpeting, a large mahogany desk and matching chairs. Behind the desk was a wall of law books, as well as ones dealing with philosophy, and forensic magic. Will sat in his chair behind his desk and motioned for Pinkie Pie to sit down. Pinkie Pie did as instructed and waited to hear whatever the lawyer unicorn had to say. At this point his serious expression softened a little. "Welcome Miss Pie, I apologize for not getting to you sooner, but with all the repairs being done to the town it's been hectic getting my affairs in order," he said. "So, before we get to the matter, I'd like to ask you, how's Sugar Cube Corner?" Oh no, he's trying to see if the shop's in trouble or something! "It's great! Business has never been better!" Pinkie Pie said, with almost forced enthusiasm. "I see, will then how are Pumpkin and Pound Cake? I noticed you didn't have them with you when you came here," asked Will. "Oh they're alright! They're playing over at my friend's, Applejack's, place. She recently adopted a cute little foal named Clay and I thought the three of them could play together," said Pinkie Pie. Will Bedone seemed to nod, content with what Pinkie Pie said. "Very good, now Miss Pie, I'm sure you're wondering why I've called you here today." I have an idea, she thought. The lawyer unicorn's horn glowed with a indigo colored aura, one of his desk drawers then opened up as he magically searched through the many files that laid there in. "As you may, or may not, know. I am one of a few lawyers that actually work here in Ponyville. My particular fields are criminal and family law, since often times they're connected," he said with a chuckle. Criminal law! Does that mean I might go to jail! But what did I do, I haven't hurt anypony, was it something I did during the war!? Or did somepony tell him about me leaving the twins with Zecora in the Everfree Forest?! It's not like I left them there alone, Zecora's a good babysitter! Wait a minute, what if this is because I've been running Sugar Cube Corner without a license?! Pinkie Pie was sweating bullets, the pink maned earth pony was visibly nervous, squirming in her chair. "Miss Pie, are you alright?" "Oh yeah, just fine!" "Okay then…Anyway – HA here it is!" Will Bedone levitated a file onto the desk, it read Last will and testament of Mr. & Mrs. Cake. "Miss Pie, a couple of days after you went off to fight in the War of Darkness, Mr. and Mrs. Cake came to see me. The First Siege of Ponyville incident really rattled them, and with you off fighting it put it into perspective that they needed to have a plan, something to insure that their children would be taken care of. Do you understand?" Pinkie Pie stopped her squirming, listening intently to the stallion's words. "A plan…what do you mean?" "This file here contains their final wishes, should anything happen to them, and provided you made it back from the war. I was to contact you immediately following their passing, but after the last siege many of the buildings in town were badly damaged so I wasn't able to get around to doing so. Now before I open this I have to warn you." "Warn me, about what?" Pinkie Pie asked. "When they made this will I used a spell that records them as they are speaking. A 'window' will open and show you them, they'll look like their talking to you, but it's only a pre-recorded message. I'm telling you this now in case it might be too painful to see them again. If you wish I could transcribe their message into a written document –" "NO!" Pinkie Pie shouted her protest, and quickly placed a hoof on the folder. She quickly withdrew her hoof and sat back down in her chair. "I-I'm sorry, no that's fine, please play it. I'd like to see them again." Will Bedone, although slightly surprised by her reaction, smiled. He then fired a small bolt of indigo colored mana energy at the folder; it then opened up and started to project a portal, with an outline made of the same colored mana. Within the window appeared the image of Mr. and Mrs. Cake, both of them smiling happily. Pinkie Pie had to bite her lower lip to stifle herself from crying upon seeing them again. "Pinkie Pie, if you're seeing this then…then that means that we're no longer with you," said Carrot Cake. "We made this will, so that we'd feel better knowing that you, along with our children, would be taken care of," said Cupcake. "Now, as far as ownership of Sugar Cube Corner is concerned, it's yours Pinkie. It's your home as much as ours and we didn't want to leave you without a home." "This next part is, well, it's more of a request. Pinkie Pie, we, Carrot Cake and I, were wondering if you'd agree to raise our children?" Pinkie Pie almost fell out of her chair. Not only was she being given Sugar Cube Corner, but also sole custody of Pumpkin and Pound Cake. "We know it's a bit of a tall order, so we came up with another option. We have some relatives in Fillydelphia that agreed to take in Pumpkin and Pound should you decide to not to raise them, of course we completely understand if you don't want to," said Carrot Cake. "Pinkie Pie, we'd also like you to know that we've always thought of you as our daughter, ever since you came to live with us, and we love you very much dear," said Cupcake. Pinkie Pie's eyes started to well up with tears, her throat chocking up as she heard the last wishes of the loving couple who took her in and allowed her residency within their home and business. She knew that the Cakes liked her, but she never knew that they thought of her as their own. "We trust whatever decision you make Pinkie Pie." "And we also hope that you continue be the happy, funny mare you've always been." With that said, the image faded and the folder closed itself. By this time Pinkie Pie was crying, the tears flowing freely down her face as she tried to wipe them away. Will Bedone levitated a box of tissues over to her, to which she gladly accepted as Pinkie blew her nose and dabbed her eyes. "Now Miss Pie, I have the adoption papers here in my office so we can make it legal. I also have the 'Proof of Ownership' papers here for you to sign as well. I've also contacted the relatives in Fillydelphia and, if you so choose, they are ready to receive the little ones at any time." Pinkie Pie was still crying; Will Bedone was starting to wonder if letting her see the message was a good idea. "Of course you don't have to make a decision right away. Come back after you've had some time to think it over." "I-I made a-a promise…" "Pardon?" "I made a promise, to a friend…I-I can't remember their name, but I know I did! I promised that pony that I would take care of Pumpkin and Pound Cake, and Pinkie Pie always keeps her promises!" Pinkie Pie announced. Will Bedone sighed, and then smiled at the pink mare. "Alright, give me a moment while I get the paperwork in order." ***One Hour Later*** Pinkie Pie had left Will Bedone's office and was now on a slow trot towards Sweet Apple Acres. Her mind was busy contemplating what she was going to do from now on, because the reality was, Pinkie Pie had just become the twin's adoptive mother. She was so engrossed in her own thoughts that she walked up the side of a building, and then down the other side, then kept on trotting along. She even managed to avoid getting hit on the head by a couple of potted plants. One pony noticed Pinkie Pie's deep thought and went over to see if anything was the matter. "Miss Pinkie Pie, are you alright?" Pinkie Pie was snapped out of her self-induced trance and looked down to see who had done so. She was a young filly, with purple glasses, fuchsia colored eyes, a dull white coat, and a scarlet red mane. Her cutie mark was a pair of crossed candy canes, the hooks of which formed a heart in the center. "Oh, hey Twist, didn't see ya there. Don't worry, I'm alright." "Hey, do you wanna try one my candies! I just made them," asked Twist. "Hmmm, why not, I could sure use something sweet right now." Twist put down her saddle bags and rummaged through its contents. She then pulled out a candy bar from a little pouch. Twist then gave the candy bar to Pinkie Pie, who then immediately devoured the tasty morsel. "H-How does it taste?" "Mmmm~ Twist these taste delicious! Did you really make these on your own!?" Pinkie Pie asked. "Yes, I did! I was hoping I could open my own candy store one day, so that way I could make and sell my candy to everypony," said Twist. It was then that Pinkie Pie was struck with an idea. "I just had a brilliant idea, Twist! Why don't you come and work at Sugar Cube Corner with me!?" Twist's eye grew wide with surprise as a smile started to creep across her lips. "Really, you want me to make my candy at Sugar Cube Corner!?" "Why not, that way you can sell your candy, and it'll be a great way to drum up some more business for the shop!" The more Pinkie Pie thought about it, the more she was liking this idea. It would help draw more business to Sugar Cube Corner, plus she'd also get the chance to make a little filly's dreams come true. "So what do ya say, partners!?" Pinkie Pie thrust out her hoof to the scarlet maned filly, to which she eagerly accepted and shook vigorously. The two of them then started trotting to Sweet Apple Acres, the whole time talking about ways to improve the store, sweets to sell, as well as how to expand the shop. It would seem that this would be the beginning of a beautiful partnership, as soon as Pinkie Pie picked up the twins, and as soon as she talked to Twist's parents about the whole thing. You know, details, details. 2 days to go….