Chapter 4: Unexpected Discoveries
I don't know how long it's been... Days? Weeks? Months? I don't know... What I do know is that it's been TOO long. They should be back from the Crystal Empire by now, SHE should be back... Oh I knew I should have gone with them, I could have protected her... What if something has happened? What if King Sombra won? I have to go help them! Rain Flare thinks this to himself as he dashes out of the library and into the streets of Ponyville. He rushes through the road, passing the closed Carousel Boutique and Sugar Cube Corner with its unnerving quiet. He continues on past Sweet Apple Acres, short one worker, and on by Fluttershy's cottage, standing empty at the edge of the Everfree Forest. He stops, panting, under the shade of a small cloud that looks like it would make a nice bed.
Heaving and gulping for air, more from anxiety than exertion, the stallion is about to continue on to the train station when he sees a familiar form in the distance. He squints his eyes and cranes his neck further out to make sure his panicking mind isn't playing tricks on him. Sure enough, seven forms are walking towards him, one much shorter than the rest and on two hooves. A happy tear rolls down his snout and the bat-pony gallops forwards.
"Twilight! You're okay," he calls out as he nears the group, they all look up from the path to see who it is that is calling out to their brave leader.
Most of them smile, save for the white unicorn, who turns her gaze away from the lovesick guard. Nopony seems to notice this however, so the reunion is a happy one. Rain Flare tackle hugs his marefriend to the ground, wrapping his fore-hooves and wings around her.
"I was so worried about you... You were gone so long..." Twilight blushes deeply under his embrace, her friends holding back giggles as they watch the spectacle before them.
"I missed you too darling, but, um, could we maybe do this later? Someplace more... private?" she smiles sheepishly at her over-affectionate special somepony.
Geez, is he okay? This is not like him at all. I've never seen him sooo... cuddly... He is usually so formal about everything and hardly even holds my hoof in public, never mind a full on tackle hug followed by nuzzling... I hope I didn't break him, I should do some research on this... the powerful unicorn thinks to herself as her lover quickly jumps up off of her and helps her to her hooves, blushing furiously.
Rain Flare clears his throat nervously, his cheeks beginning to match his mane.
"Right, sorry. That was very improper of me," he bows, "please excuse my inappropriate actions."
"Ah, loosen up pardner," Applejack nudges the stallion's shoulder, "Ah thought it was purdy cute," she smiles at him, causing his bow to deepen, along with the shade of his cheeks.
Rain Flare regains some of his composure and attempts to speak.
"So, um, I assume the fact that you're all back means that things went well?"
"Yes, quite well actually. Sombra is vanquished and the Crystal Empire has been restored to its former glory under the reign of Princess Cadence and Shining Armor," Rarity answers matter-of-factly, "Now come on, we need to get to Canterlot as soon as possible to report to Celestia and Luna," Twilight nods in agreement.
"She's right, we should get going. I'll tell you all about it when we get back," she places a kiss on the stallions cheek before leading the group on down the road to the royal city.
Happy that his lover is safe at home at last, Rain Flare trots back to the Ponyville library, anxious to hear all about what happened in the north when she returns from her royal duties.
********
Twilight returns home with high spirits to a candle lit room, her lover making some last minute adjustments to make everything perfect.
"Um... Did I miss something? It's not a special occasion, is it?" the pegasus jumps at the sound of his beloved's voice.
"Oh, Twi, I didn't realize you'd be back so soon. No special occasion, I just thought we could celebrate your safe return and successful mission over a romantic dinner. And don't worry about Spike, he's over at Fluttershy's helping her with some newborn birds," Rain Flare adjusts the cider in its ice filled bucket before plopping down on a plush cushion, patting the one beside him for Twilight to take.
The purple unicorn blushes slightly, smiling as she trots over and sits by her stallion. She nuzzles against him happily as he pours them each a glass of sparkling cider. While they eat and drink, Twilight tells him about what happened in the Crystal Kingdom. The guard seems to latch onto her every word and listens intently, keeping to himself his thought of how he should have been there to protect her. When the story is finished, they snuggle in silence, until the grey stallion can no longer hold back something that has been nagging him since meeting the group of friends on their way back.
"Twilight, did you notice anything odd about Rarity's behavior this morning?"
"What do you mean? She seemed fine to me," the intelligent mare gently pulls away from her lovers warm side and looks up at him to better hold a conversation.
"I don't know, she just didn't seem as happy as the rest of you about the victory... Or maybe it was seeing me..."
"Rain Flare, I honestly have no idea what you're talking about... Please explain," curious, the unicorn sits up straight and faces the pegasus, anxious to know if her friend is upset about something.
"Well, when the rest of your friends saw me galloping towards you," he blushes at the memory, "they all seemed happy to see me and giggled at my most improper behavior, but Rarity did not seem so amused. She looked almost... Envious,"
Twilight lets out a thoughtful hum as she reflects on the affair from earlier.
"Now that you mention it, she did seem to be in quite a hurry to get to Canterlot and away from the mushy reunion," the ashamed guard's blush deepens, "And of all my friends, she IS the one that would be most likely to get jealous... but what could she possibly be jealous OF?"
"Um... us?" the stallion offers, "I mean, look at it this way. She has been looking for love for years most likely; you haven't even given it a thought and it just drops into your lap? Not exactly what you would call fair."
"Well when you put it like that..." a sudden feeling of guilt washes over the purple and pink maned mare, "I feel as though I've betrayed her... Oh I knew I should've done more research on courting and the effects on friends. I think I have a book around here somewhere on Your Partner and Your Friends..." Twilight is about to get up to go looking for it when soft lips are pressed against hers and a strong foreleg is wrapped around her neck, pulling her deeper into the kiss.
It only lasts a few seconds, but it seems like a wonderful lifetime and leaves her intellectual brain thinking two plus two is hay. Most of their kisses have this affect on her, and it's a welcome feeling after getting all worked up.
The Royal Guard smiles at his now dumb marefriend.
"How about you just go talk to her about it in the morning?" the love drunk unicorn nods absently and pushes herself onto the stallion for another kiss.
Rain Flare blinks in surprise at her sudden forcefulness. He is momentarily stunned until he remembers that they drank an entire bottle of cider together. Closing his turquoise eyes, he returns the passionate kiss and wraps his forelegs around his beloved's neck. He lays on his back, the powerful unicorn laying half on top of him, as their lips move against each other's. Feeling a pleasant tingle in his lower stomach, Rain Flare opens one eye and looks down to see Twilights soft hoof lightly running down his chest and stomach, he smiles, until he realizes she isn't stopping. Somewhat reluctantly, he stops her and pulls away a little, blushing deeply.
The mare eyes her partner with confusion.
"What is wrong?" she inquires, cocking her head to the side slightly.
"As much as I'd love for that to have continued, you're not you. You're a bit more than tipsy and I'm not the kind of stallion that takes advantage of a mare in such a state," he sits up on his haunches, forelegs close together in front of him, hiding a shameful reaction to her alcohol induced teasing, "Come on, I'll tuck you in to bed, you must be exhausted from your mission," Twilight frowns, disappointed, but agrees to be taken to bed.
Rain Flare follows behind her, making sure she doesn't collapse or run into anything. When they reach the room, the stallion guides his mare through the darkness to her bed and tucks her into it, placing a light kiss on her forehead as she drifts to sleep.
********
Rain Flare is awoken the next morning by the smell of pancakes, waffles, and smoke.
Wait, smoke? Ah, hay! he leaps out of bed and gallops down the stairs to the kitchen. The pegasus is greeted by a choking black cloud and a frantic unicorn trying to put out the oven with a bucket of water, which works, but also manages to make the smoke worse. The stallion hops into a hover and flaps his powerful wings a few times, sending the smoke out the window. Landing on his back hooves, Rain Flare leans against the door frame.
"Well, that's one way to get everypony up for breakfast."
Twilight hangs her head, embarrassed and ashamed.
"I was trying to make you a special breakfast, something to say thank you for not taking advantage of me last night..." the pegasus walks over to his depressed mare and gently lifts her head with a hoof under her chin.
"I appreciate the gesture, and it's the thought that counts after all, but promise me you'll leave the cooking to Spike. Please?" she looks a little hurt, but nods in agreement, "Thank you," he kisses her forehead gently.
After cleaning up the kitchen, the couple sits down to a simple breakfast of oats and apples. Rain Flare is the first to speak.
"I'm heading down to Sweet Apple Acres today; AJ said she needed help with some heavy lifting and that Big Mac would be too busy with his own chores to assist her. What have you got planned?"
Twilight looks up from her bowl and swallows before answering.
"I was originally going to hang around here and catch up on some studying, but after what you told me last night I'm planning on stopping by Carousel Boutique to chat with Rarity," the stallion nods in recognition and looks over at the clock.
"I should be heading out, she said to be there by ten but being a little early couldn't hurt. I'll see you this afternoon," getting up, he trots around the table and places a kiss on his lovers cheek, drawing out a blush, "Let me know how things go with Rarity."
********
Rain Flare arrives at the entrance to Sweet Apple Acres at nine thirty sharp. Trotting through the gate, he notices Big Mac walking by with a wagon full of apples. The pegasus goes up to the big red earth pony and walks alongside him.
"Good morning Big Macintosh, is your sister around?"
"Eeyup."
"Um, mind telling me where she is?"
"She just went into the barn with Rainbow."
"Thank you, I'll go see if they need help with anything."
The larger stallion chuckles to himself as the pegasus turns to go.
"You do that."
Confused by the farmers reaction, the grey-coated pony trots over to the barn.
As he approaches, movement can be heard inside.
"Hmm, sounds like they're moving the hay around. Must be baling it up for storage," upon opening the small side door, he realizes he couldn't have been more wrong.
The two mares are rolling around on the hay covered floor, their hooves wrapped around each other's necks and waists and their lips pressed together. The shocked pegasus stands stiff until Applejack notices him. She quickly jumps off of Rainbow Dash, blushing deeply.
"Oh, ah, howdy Rain Flare, you're, um, kinda early," she focuses her gaze on the ground and traces a hoof through the hay in random patterns.
Rainbow stands next to her marefriend, equally embarrassed.
"You won't tell anypony, right? It would totally ruin my reputation," Applejack elbows her, "Ow, I was getting there. And it would make it really hard for us to keep seeing each other, which is way more important than some reputation."
Regaining some composure, Rain Flare laughs softly.
"Don't worry, I won't tell. I'll just have to remember to knock from now on when I come over to help," both mares let out relieved sighs, "so, should I come back later when you two are done or is it too late for that?"
Applejack retrieves her trademark stetson from her lovers head and places it atop her own, "Nah, it's all right. The faster we get this done the faster we can relax," she winks at Rainbow, who smiles in return.
"Alright. Uh, what exactly is it we're doing? All you said was that it involved heavy lifting," Rain Flare asks, curious as to what he'd gotten himself into.
Applejack chuckles slightly, "Don' worry, it ain't nothin' too hard. We just gotta get the cider makin' machinery set up for this year's Cider Fest."
Rainbow Dash licks her lips and rubs her front hooves together, "Mmmm, cider... I can't wait!"
As the trio leaves the barn and heads to the large storage shed behind the house, Rainbow trots up beside Rain Flare and motions for him to slow down a bit so they can talk.
"I see why you didn't want to tell me her name before," the leathered-winged pegasus looks over at his feathered friend, "Did you really think I'd hate you or something for liking mares?"
The blue pegasus can't bring herself meet her friends hurt gaze.
"I don't know, I guess... I see now that that was a stupid thought. I should have known you'd never judge me, especially after admitting you'd just been dreaming about me. I'm sorry."
The stallion blushes lightly and drapes a wing over his friend, hugging her against his side.
"It's alright, I probably would have done the same thing if I were your in position. It isn't an easy thing to admit, even to a friend."
Dash looks up at the guard and smiles, pressing against him briefly before gently pulling away from his wing-hug. Her cheeks take on a darker hue and she rubs the back of her neck.
"I, um, I talked to her about a herd by the way. She said it would depend on who the other ponies were, so I, uh, I kinda had to tell her about what happened by the lake."
Rain Flare's already red cheeks get redder and a slight twinge of fear shoots up his spine.
"O-oh? H-how did she take it?"
The rainbow-maned mare shrugs.
"She said she was going to buck you into next Tuesday."
"Ah did not!" neither pegasus had noticed the earth pony fall back next to them, causing them both to jump in surprise, "Ah said we should see how Twilight feels about it first and that Ah'd wan' ta get ta know ya' better before anything happens between you and me. Now come on you slowpokes, those parts ain't gonna move themselves."
Upon arriving at the building, Applejack opens the oversized doors. Inside, dismantled and laying under tarps in a few carts, is the cider machine; along with hundreds of empty barrels. AJ helps Rain Flare hook up to the front most cart, the one containing the giant stone wheel. He proceeds to haul it out of the shed and over by the front gate, taking many breaks along the way to catch his shortening breathe. Rainbow Dash follows behind with the wood for the frame and bucket. Apple Jack brings up the rear with the belts and other assorted parts. Once all the pieces are outside and in the assembly area, they begin putting together the device that will bring ponies from miles around. Not much conversation is made as they work, as their mouths are usually full of rope, hammer, or nails. When construction is complete, the three exhausted ponies collapse onto the cool grass.
The orange mare smiles at her two friends, "thanks for ya'll's help. Ah can't imagine trying to do that all by mahself."
"Don't mention it, I owed you for collecting my armor when I crashed landed at your gals' Nightmare Night party," the grey stallion returns the farmers grin, "Although, I'd hardly consider us even. I owe you my honor as a member of Princess Luna's royal guard and what few medals and titles I have."
Applejack blushes a bit at that, "Just keep that promise ya made and you won' owe me nuttin."
Rainbow Dash snorts, "Hey, if I were you, I wouldn't give up a debt like that so easily. He could be your personal servant or something."
Rain Flare looks over at his old friend.
"Which is why I'm glad you're not her," he sticks his tongue at her, playfully daring her do something. She takes the dare.
Rainbow smiles and tackles the stallion. They wrestle around in the grass together, staining their coats green and creating a flattened area. AJ chuckles at the play fight as she watches her companions express their closeness in their own unique way.
"Don't hurt 'em too bad Rainbow, I'm sure Twilight wouldn't appreciate having her special somepony come home all beat up," the farmer interjects before things get too out of hoof.
Rainbow pins her playmate one last time, proving herself triumphant, before stepping off and helping him up. They both shake themselves thoroughly, spraying scraps of grass all over their audience of one, who ducks away and shields her face, giggling.
Rain Flare shakes his head, befuddled by his defeat.
"How is it that, even with my superior strength and special training, you still manage to beat me?"
The blue pegasus smiles cockily.
"A master fighter never reveals her secrets."
The stallion returns her smile.
"Fine, be all mysterious. I should be heading back, Twilight will be expecting me soon. I'm glad I could help out today, have a good night you two. Don't get caught," he says the last part with a smirk and a wink as he trots towards the gate, earning him blushes and shy waves from both mares.
********
Rain Flare arrives home to a mostly dark house, save for a candle flickering in the study's window. He walks inside and traverses up the stairs to the room. Knocking quietly, he enters.
"Oh, hello darling, how did things go at the farm?" Twilight looks up from her book at her beloved, peering over her reading glasses to see him clearly.
The stallion blushes at the affectionate name and the sight of the beautiful mare with her glasses on. He wasn't sure why, but she looked so darn cute in them, and it made his heart beat quicken slightly.
"Good, good. The cider machine is all set up for this year's festival. How did things go with Rarity?"
The purple unicorn sighs and a magenta glow surrounds her glasses, they lift off of her snout and float down to their place in the desk drawer.
"It took some doing, but she admitted she was jealous of what we have. She apologized for her actions and said she couldn't believe she was acting so un-lady like, but... I don't know, I think there is something else bothering her too. I couldn't get any more out of her, so maybe you should go see her tomorrow and see if you can figure out what is up with her."
The grey pegasus nods in agreement.
"I'll see if it's anything I might be able to help with. She could just be tired from the trip and needs a day to herself."
Twilight nods absently and stands from behind the desk, closing the book she was reading. She slowly walks around to the other side of the desk, revealing that she is wearing black and purple ringed high socks. She saunters over to her stallion, exaggerating the swaying of her hips, her eyes half closed and her lips curled up in a seductive little smile. Rain Flare gulps nervously, his heart beginning to pound in his chest. A shimmer in the mirror behind the desk manages to catch his attention briefly. There, reflected in gold lettering is the title of the book his lover had just been reading: How to Reward Your Stallion: Tips and Tricks to Giving him Exactly What he Deserves. He stood stiff, unable to do anything as his heads vie for control of his body. One says: This is wrong, it's too early, she's just confused, you should stop this before it's too late! The other is saying: Go for it. She wants it? Let her have it. The latter of the two gets louder and more convincing with each thump of his rapidly beating heart, and with each step the unbelievably attractive mare takes towards him.